The Road to Glory

Chapter 204: "Huai Will Not Fail This Mission." (Departure...)

After giving orders to the generals, Xiao Li's gaze finally settled on Zhang Huai: "All rear affairs are entrusted to the Military Advisor."

A few strands of hair fell across his forehead, accentuating his untamed demeanor. His dark eyes were profound, and even while calmly discussing matters with the generals, he exuded the imposing aura of a feudal lord.

Zhang Huai cupped his hands toward Xiao Li: "Huai will not fail this mission."

Xiao Li said: "I have sent word to Tiger. He will return to assist the Military Advisor after capturing Yancheng."

Zhang Huai nodded in acknowledgment.

As Xiao Li ordered the camp to be struck and the generals departed one after another, Zhang Huai made no mention of Northern Wei's request for reinforcements.

When the main army set out, he led the remaining generals and strategists to see them off at the camp entrance. As the southern expedition forces disappeared into the distance until only their rearguard was visible, another small cavalry unit rode out from the camp.

Spotting the figure on horseback from afar, Zhang Huai cupped his hands and called out: "General Song."

Song Qin tightened his reins. Most of the men he brought this time were brothers who had followed him from the Yongcheng Escort Agency.

With the southern warfront approaching Yongzhou, Xiao Li's godmothers were worried about Mudan who remained at the Drunken Red Chamber. Recognizing Song Qin's concern, Xiao Li used the pretext of his godmothers missing Mudan to have him lead a team into Yongcheng to retrieve her.

Song Qin selected brothers who still had family in Yongcheng to accompany him, planning to disguise themselves as merchants to enter the city and simultaneously evacuate their elderly relatives and children left behind in Yongzhou.

He gave Zhang Huai a scrutinizing look from horseback, slightly furrowing his brows: "Has His Lordship already departed? I heard Northern Wei sent another urgent message."

Zhang Huai smiled faintly: "The General knows well that His Lordship hasn't been reading Northern Wei's dispatches lately. After that former Jin princess they installed failed to help the Yu father-son duo frame His Lordship, she managed to absolve herself quite neatly. The Northern Wei generals now merely offer apologies and beg His Lordship to return and take charge again."

His smile narrowed his eyes, revealing boundless coldness beneath his gentle demeanor: "But such favorable terms don't exist in this world, do they?"

As if understanding Song Qin's concerns, he added: "Rest assured, General. When Northern Wei demonstrates genuine contrition, Huai will promptly advise His Lordship."

His pitch-black eyes met Song Qin's: "Like the General, everything Huai schemes is solely for His Lordship's benefit."

With this assurance, Song Qin finally said nothing more, nodding briefly before leading his soldiers out of the camp.

Zhang Huai's personal guard watched Song Qin's party disappear into the distance, voicing apprehension: "Military Advisor, if Yanle Mountain falls completely and the barbarians slaughter civilians along their advance... when His Lordship learns about the messages..."

Zhang Huai gazed coldly at Song Qin's receding figure: "Even if His Lordship punishes me, I must secure a Northern Border free from future troubles for him."

"Unless Northern Wei's subjects experience true catastrophe, they will never appreciate His Lordship's repeated defenses of Yanle Mountain."

The guard fell silent.

Zhang Huai withdrew his gaze, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Besides, although Wei Pingjin is dead, the Wei bloodline in that false princess's womb remains problematic, doesn't it?"

Xiao Li possessed the bearing of a formidable leader, along with the magnanimity and integrity of a regional hegemon. Since accepting Wei Qishan's request to take over Northern Wei, he had never harassed Wei Pingjin and his sister, nor had he ever treated these Wei descendants as potential threats.However, with the precedent of the old Wei faction colluding with Yu Zhiyuan to frame Xiao Li using Wei Pingjin's death, as a strategist, Zhang Huai believed it was his duty to eliminate all potential "threats" for Xiao Li.

The scheming remnants of the Wei faction had previously supported the unborn child in Wang Wanzhen's womb to oppose Xiao Li. As long as that child remained, who could guarantee they wouldn't repeat their past actions?

Wei Prefecture, Wei Residence.

Wei Ang paced anxiously in the front hall, thoroughly distraught: "The plea for aid has been sent to the Marquis, but instead of sending troops to our rescue, he marched south to continue the campaign against Pei Song. Has the Marquis truly abandoned our Northern Wei?"

Upon hearing this, the assembled Wei officials and generals grew fearful, whispering among themselves about what should be done.

One lamented bitterly: "The barbarians had already been frightened by the Marquis into relocating their main camp, not daring to invade. It's all because of that Bandit Pei spy Yu Zhiyuan framing the Marquis, making the barbarians think our Northern Wei was in chaos, which allowed them to return."

He shook his head helplessly: "And that Wei Tong is truly despicable—seeing he couldn't hold Yanle Mountain, he actually fled with his troops! When we catch him, I'll chop the scoundrel into pieces!"

"Speaking of which, why don't we also execute that Yu fellow in the dungeon by a thousand cuts to welcome the Marquis back?"

Someone sensible shook his head: "That Yu is indeed detestable, but didn't many in the Wei camp previously clamor for the Marquis's head? The Marquis has grown disillusioned with our Wei camp!"

The one who raised the objection argued: "But we were deceived by that Yu fellow! Besides, with the Princess testifying for him, how could we doubt the Princess?"

As the arguments grew increasingly chaotic, Wei Ang shouted sternly: "Enough! What's the use of blaming each other now? General Yuan is still defending Yanle Mountain against the invading barbarians. We should focus on finding ways to assist General Yuan!"

The noisy hall finally quieted down, but no one offered any strategies. Someone murmured quietly: "The remaining troops of our Wei clan were already decimated by Wei Tong at Yanle Mountain, and now he's fled fearing punishment. With the Marquis refusing aid, where else can we borrow troops?"

Wei Ang rested his hand on the carved back of the master's chair and sighed heavily: "Enough. Since Wei Tong seized military power from me, it's my responsibility to lead troops to execute him, then bring his head to apologize to the Marquis."

He commanded: "Gather five hundred elite cavalry to accompany me in killing that scoundrel Wei Tong!"

Just as he finished speaking, a servant rushed in from outside: "General! Bad news! The convoy escorting the Princess and Madam Wei back to Zhuozhou has been ambushed at Vulture Ridge!"

Vulture Ridge was surrounded by dozens of miles without any towns. After Wang Wanzhen and Madam Wei were ambushed there, since Wang Wanzhen—several months pregnant—had been frightened and couldn't continue traveling, the army had to set up camp nearby while finding an abandoned farmhouse to clean up for Wang Wanzhen's temporary stay.

After the military physician examined Wang Wanzhen's pulse and left to prepare medicine, Wang Wanzhen lay on the clean bedding rearranged by her maid. Recalling how the bandits had charged at her earlier, her face remained pale with lingering fear.

Madam Wei had originally disapproved of this daughter-in-law, but with both her children dead in quick succession, and Wang Wanzhen carrying Wei Pingjin's only bloodline, she now cherished her like her own eyes, terrified that something might happen to the child in her womb.Seeing that Wang Wanzhen still seemed dazed from the shock, Madam Wei sat by the bed holding her hand and continuously comforted her: "Good child, it's alright now, it's alright. Mother is here..."

Wang Wanzhen's fingertips were ice-cold, her eyes dull and vacant from extreme fear. Among the bandits who charged at her carriage, one had his black face covering torn off during the struggle.

She remembered that face. On the night she went to see Xiao Li during Wei Qishan's funeral, because Xiao Li's strategist kept staring at her, she had also discreetly observed the strategist - this man had been the attendant standing beside him.

The attackers weren't bandits, but Xiao Li's men!

Did Xiao Li want her dead?

Terrifying dread had enveloped Wang Wanzhen ever since she recognized that "bandit."

She thought she could get away with everything by shifting all blame to Yu Zhiyuan, claiming she had been coerced by him. But now it appeared otherwise.

The other party had been ignoring Wei Camp's apologies all along because they wanted her life!

Of course - she was carrying "Wei Pingjin's child" in her womb. After the previous false accusation, to prevent the Wei family from consolidating power again, Xiao Li would never tolerate this child.

With one such "accident" having occurred, there would inevitably be a second, until she finally met an "accidental death."

The more Wang Wanzhen thought about it, the more frightened she became. Suddenly speaking as if possessed, she said: "I want to see Xiao Li, I want to see the Marquis!"

Although Wei Pingjin's death had been clarified as not Xiao Li's doing, whenever Madam Wei recalled how Wei Qishan had entrusted both the Wolf Cavalry and Northern Wei to Xiao Li, yet he showed no gratitude and instead repeatedly humiliated her son - now even disregarding the entire Northern Border over a misunderstanding - she felt intense dislike for Xiao Li.

Her face turning cold, she said: "Why see that ungrateful wretch? If he dares to let the Northern Border fall to barbarian invasion, he can wait to be condemned by everyone in the future!"

Wang Wanzhen didn't dare let Madam Wei know that Xiao Li had sent people to kill her.

Although Madam Wei was currently on her side for the sake of the child in her womb, given Madam Wei's intelligence and temperament, she would surely publicize it to make the former Wei officers who kept trying to curry favor with Xiao Li turn against him.

But previously, many former Wei officers had been willing to risk opposing Xiao Li for power. Now with the entire Northern Border in peril, to save themselves, they might well choose to directly eliminate her to gain Xiao Li's favor.

She, this fake former dynasty princess, carrying a fake Wei bloodline in her womb, had now become completely real in outsiders' eyes.

Even if she abandoned everything now and just focused on escaping, what awaited her would be endless pursuit.

The splendid path laid before her feet from the moment Wei Qishan selected her as the former dynasty princess had become a dead end.

Her only chance of survival lay with Xiao Li.

Only by pledging loyalty to Xiao Li and demonstrating she still had value to him could she exchange for a chance to live.

Wang Wanzhen forcibly steadied her mind, clasped Madam Wei's hand in return, and put on a heartbroken expression: "Madam, I am the former Jin princess selected by the Marquis. Now that both the Marquis and my husband are gone, I should guard Northern Wei and protect the Northern Border's people in their stead. Having narrowly escaped death today, whenever I think about facing the Marquis and my husband in the afterlife with no words to explain Northern Wei's impending collapse, I feel utterly devastated..."She wept uncontrollably in Madam Wei's embrace: "Madam, I won't go to Zhuozhou anymore. I want to go to the Xiao Army camp to beg an audience with the Marquis! If the Marquis still resents me for being coerced by that treacherous Pei Camp scoundrel into slandering him before, I'll kneel outside the camp to atone!"

Hearing these words, Madam Wei felt equally heartbroken. Wiping her tears, she said: "Good child, why still call me Madam? Call me Mother."

Patting Wang Wanzhen's back, she felt such sorrow that tears streamed directly across the bridge of her nose as she leaned her cheek against Wang Wanzhen's hair: "You go to Zhuozhou to rest well during your pregnancy. I'll go to the Xiao Army camp to beg that ungrateful wolf!"

Wang Wanzhen hurriedly responded: "I'll go with you too!"

She touched her prominently bulging abdomen, thinking that if Xiao Li still refused to see anyone from the Wei Camp, a pregnant woman like herself along with Madam Wei—Wei Qishan's widow—waiting bitterly outside the camp would make it impossible for Xiao Li to refuse them again due to public opinion.

But facing Madam Wei, she still put on a tearful expression of concern: "If anything were to happen to you, my husband would surely blame me from beyond the grave."

These words struck a chord in Madam Wei's heart, making her appreciate this daughter-in-law even more. Holding Wang Wanzhen's hand, she said: "Alright, we mother and daughter shall go together."

When Wei Ang arrived at Vulture Ridge with his troops, before he could even identify which local bandits had ambushed the Wei forces, Madam Wei and Wang Wanzhen suddenly insisted on going to see Xiao Li to request his aid for Northern Wei.

Unable to dissuade them, Wei Ang also considered this a viable approach and ultimately agreed.

However, since Xiao Li had already marched south with his troops, pursuing him now would only invite danger if they encountered Pei Song's ambushing forces. Thus they had to settle for the next best option—seeking an audience with Zhang Huai, who handled all rear affairs for Xiao Li.

Meanwhile, Zhang Huai had just received news from his personal guards about the failed ambush. His original order had been to make Wang Wanzhen lose her child during the attack.

Keeping Wang Wanzhen alive served two purposes: first, her identity as former Jin princess still held some value; second, if Wang Wanzhen truly died at the hands of bandits of unknown origin, with Xiao Li standing to benefit most from a leaderless Northern Wei, it would inevitably spark speculation and create unnecessary complications.

Unexpectedly, his men had held back due to these restrictions, allowing Wei's personal guards to rescue Wang Wanzhen in time.

When reported that Wei Ang was bringing Wang Wanzhen and Madam Wei to seek audience with him, before Zhang Huai could respond, the guard who participated in the ambush anxiously confessed: "Military Advisor, during the ambush my face covering was torn off by Wei household guards... perhaps someone recognized me..."

Zhang Huai glanced at his guard and said: "Why panic? Even if the Wei Camp comes to accuse us, they have no solid evidence."

After brief consideration, he added: "Coincidentally, I have a letter to deliver to General Zheng in Yancheng. You make the delivery for me and stay away from camp recently."

The guard clasped his fists in acknowledgment.

Only then did Zhang Huai turn back to the map spread on his table: "Yanle Mountain likely can't hold much longer. The Wei faction's visit at this time must be to request the Marquis' troops to aid Wei. Very well, let us grant them an audience."

Zhang Huai wanted the old Wei faction to completely kneel and acknowledge Xiao Li as their new lord, but he couldn't afford to be too heavy-handed without Xiao Li's knowledge, lest the Northern Wei people develop hatred amidst their despair.

Thus, after agreeing to meet with Madam Wei and her daughter-in-law, he deliberately spread rumors that the Xiao Army was willing to negotiate with the Wei faction.On the day Wei Ang took Wang Wanzhen and Madam Wei to meet Zhang Huai, Madam Wei sat beside Wang Wanzhen in the carriage, feeling the jolts of the mountain road, and couldn't help but complain: "They say once a man leaves, the tea turns cold. It's barely been over half a year since the Marquis passed away. He insisted on entrusting the Wolf Cavalry to that ungrateful wretch back then, and now look—the other party has turned hostile. Even a lowly strategist under him dares to overstep his bounds, forcing us mother and daughter to come in person."

Wang Wanzhen was still anxiously pondering how to plead for her life when she met Zhang Huai.

He was a strategist trusted by Xiao Li, and the bandits sent to assassinate her were disguised as his personal guards. Unable to meet Xiao Li directly, Wang Wanzhen was certain that begging for mercy from Zhang Huai would be just as effective.

But having previously tried to cozy up to Xiao Li, only to be sternly warned multiple times that very night, she knew that dealing with such a shrewd man required no tricks—only making it clear that she still held value for them.

Lost in these thoughts, she heard Madam Wei lamenting again about the glorious days when Wei Qishan was still alive. Though inwardly impatient, Wang Wanzhen couldn't show it openly and merely said, "Madam... Mother, you yourself said that once a man leaves, the tea turns cold. For the sake of Northern Wei, let us endure this for now."

She said this mainly because she feared Madam Wei might cling to her status as the Marquis's wife and put on airs before Zhang Huai, provoking him and ruining her own plans.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei sighed and said, "I know we're going to face humiliation today. I just can't swallow this anger. Let that Xiao fellow watch—once the crisis at the Northern Border is resolved, the story of us mother and daughter traveling hundreds of miles over mountains to meet his petty strategist will spread through every street and alley. If he dares bully us widows and orphans like this, he’ll drown in the world’s scorn!"

Growing angrier, Madam Wei wiped her tears and added, "It's likely Jin'er's death is connected to that Xiao fellow too. It was only after Xiao fell out with Pei's camp that the Yu father and son turned on each other like dogs! It's a pity the Wei family has been reduced to this state, and I can no longer seek justice for Jin'er."

Hearing this, Wang Wanzhen instinctively clenched her fists, forcing herself to comfort Madam Wei.

Fortunately, the carriage soon came to a halt. Wei Ang rode up to report, "Princess, Madam, we've arrived."

Madam Wei finally stopped her grieving, dried her tears with a handkerchief, and signaled her maid to lift the curtain. Outside the city gate, only a junior officer awaited them—no one dressed as a strategist was in sight.

After the officer exchanged pleasantries with Wei Ang and led them into the city, Madam Wei flung the curtain down with a sharp snort.

Hearing this, the officer glanced back at the carriage. Wei Ang hurriedly smiled apologetically: "Please lead the way, General."

Wang Wanzhen gently squeezed Madam Wei's hand and murmured, "Mother."

Madam Wei closed her eyes and hissed, "This is beyond insulting!"

Wang Wanzhen remained silent.

Back when Wang Wanzhen and Yu Zhiyuan had conspired to frame him, and both the northern commoners and Wei's officers cursed his name, Xiao Li had led his troops away from the Northern Border.

Later, with ruthless tactics, he flayed Yu Jingwen alive, forcing Yu Zhiyuan to acknowledge his father—thereby clearing his own name—after which various prefectures competed to welcome him into their territories.

With the route back to Tongzhou blocked by Pei Song and the battle lines of the Liang and Chen camps, Xiao Li simply seized Yizhou, adjacent to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, as a temporary stronghold.At present, he led the main forces south to campaign against Pei Song, while Zhang Huai held Yizhou on his behalf, simultaneously clearing out the surrounding bandits.

Wei Ang and the others followed the young officer to the outer gates of the prefectural office. The maids assisted Madam Wei and Wang Wanzhen as they alighted from the carriage, and then the young officer guided them through winding corridors and past two moon gates before they finally reached the administrative courtyard of the office.

Only after the guards stationed outside the main gate went inside to announce their arrival were they led further in.

Madam Wei was seething with anger, feeling that the other party was openly disrespecting the Wei family.

Upon entering the council hall, she saw Wei Ang cupping his hands in salute to a young man, addressing him as "Master Zhang." It was clear that this young man was the military strategist of the Xiao Army they had come to see.

Madam Wei could no longer contain her fury. Without waiting for Wei Ang to introduce her, she sneered, "I knew it was difficult to see the Marquis these days, but I hadn't realized that even meeting Master Zhang, a mere subordinate of the Marquis, has become as challenging as scaling the heavens."

Both Wei Ang and Wang Wanzhen paled at her words, with Wang Wanzhen softly calling out, "Mother."

Zhang Huai naturally detected the sarcasm in Madam Wei's words. Setting down a scroll of official documents, he replied calmly, "With the Marquis campaigning south, I have been entrusted with handling numerous critical matters. If I have been remiss in my hospitality toward Madam Wei, I beg your forgiveness."

Madam Wei, however, was in no mood to heed the admonitions of Wei Ang or Wang Wanzhen. Nor did she believe that a beardless strategist under Xiao Li's command was worthy of addressing her. She glanced at him disdainfully and said, "If your master remembered even a fraction of the Marquis's kindness, he would never have ignored our Wei Army's plea for aid and instead launched a southern campaign. Does he think that by attacking Pei Song under such a pretext, he can absolve himself if the Northern Border falls to the barbarians?"

She scoffed coldly, "The soldiers and civilians of the north are watching! If the Northern Border is lost, your Xiao Army will be complicit!"

Wei Ang urgently interjected, "Madam, please say no more!"

He then bowed to Zhang Huai and said, "Master Zhang, Madam certainly did not mean that. She is merely overly anxious about the Northern Border falling into the hands of the barbarians..."

Zhang Huai smiled mockingly. "Kindness? Are you referring, Madam Wei, to the time we rescued your Wei Army's general at Majialiang, repeatedly defended Youzhou and Yanle Mountain for your Wei family, only to have our subordinate general trampled to death by one of your young master's men? Or when you cut off all reinforcements and sent us to guard Yanle Mountain to die?"

Whether from anger or shame, Madam Wei's face flushed crimson as she pointed at Zhang Huai and shouted, "Nonsense! Your entire Xiao Army has forgotten its roots!"

"Madam Wei, you have it backward. It is your Wei Army that is most adept at forgetting favors."

Though Zhang Huai's face still wore a smile, his eyes held only scorn. "If not for our Marquis, your Northern Wei would have been annihilated countless times over."

"How is it that you seek the Marquis in times of trouble, only to erase all traces of his contributions once the danger has passed? The term 'shameless' suits your Wei family perfectly."

Wei Ang was flushed with embarrassment at Zhang Huai's words, but Madam Wei felt only that Zhang Huai was insulting her and the entire Wei family. Enraged, she cried out, "If not for the Marquis's recognition, would Xiao Li have achieved what he has today? Do not forget—your Xiao Army still has our Northern Wei's Wolf Cavalry!"Zhang Huai let out a soft "ha," sneering, "It must be that Madam Wei, being a person of importance, has a short memory. You've forgotten that when our lord first came to Northern Wei, it was to help your Wei clan resist the barbarian invaders. You've also forgotten every achievement our lord accomplished for your Wei clan. And what did your Wei clan give our lord in return? Only imprisonment and one slander after another!"

By the end of his speech, his refined face was etched with biting anger: "You've also forgotten that before the Wolf Cavalry was handed over to the Marquis, they had already been decimated by barbarians alongside General Liao at Yanle Mountain. The Wolf Cavalry now under the Marquis's command was rebuilt from scratch by the Marquis and his officers—saving rations to recruit every soldier and horse anew! Otherwise, why do you think that when your Wei camp's precious daughter-in-law helped the traitor Yu frame the Marquis, all Wei generals resigned in protest while only the Wolf Cavalry remained unmoved?"

Madam Wei was rendered speechless, while Wang Wanzhen felt darkness clouding her vision. Clutching her swollen belly in panic, she pleaded, "Sir, please calm your anger. The false accusations I made against the Marquis were truly forced upon me by that villain..."

She nearly knelt, but with Wei Ang and Madam Wei present, she couldn't bring herself to show such humility. When Madam Wei pulled her arm and declared defiantly, "With me here, you need not fear these ungrateful curs," Wang Wanzhen nearly choked on her breath.

Steadying herself, she said, "Mother, please step outside first. Let me speak with Master Zhang."

Then she turned to Wei Ang: "General, would you kindly escort my mother out?"

Wei Ang also felt Madam Wei had come not to seek aid but to sever the Northern Wei's retreat. Seizing Wang Wanzhen's suggestion, he immediately gestured to the maids to support Old Madam Wei and withdrew with them.

Left alone in the room with only two supporting maids, Wang Wanzhen glanced at Zhang Huai seated above and his attendant standing behind him before telling the maids, "You may leave as well."

The maids obeyed without a word, closing the door behind them.

Only then did Wang Wanzhen drop to her knees with tearful eyes: "I beg you, sir, to spare my life."

Zhang Huai raised an eyebrow in mild surprise before understanding her purpose, though he feigned ignorance: "I'm afraid I don't follow, Your Highness."

Sobbing, Wang Wanzhen cried, "You know full well I've always admired the Marquis—how could I bear false witness? All my previous accusations were coerced by that scoundrel Yu Zhiyuan..."

She caressed her prominent belly and begged, "Now that my husband is gone, the Wei retainers pin their hopes on this child in my womb. I swear allegiance to the Marquis and will use this child to help him win over all former Wei forces!"

Her emphasis lay on proving her usefulness through herself and the unborn child.

Zhang Huai thought she showed some wit—after realizing the attackers of her carriage were from his side, she immediately came begging for mercy.

Though she clearly misunderstood his intention to take her life.

In his gentlest tone, he said, "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Your Highness."

Wang Wanzhen's face instantly paled.

Then Zhang Huai slowly declared, "The child in your womb cannot be kept."

Wang Wanzhen felt as though the first statement had dragged her to the gates of hell, while the latter brought her back to life.

She wasn't foolish—she immediately grasped his meaning.

—Her identity as the former Jin princess still held value. She could live.

But the Wei lineage must end with her.

Yet with only her princess status, and with Madam Wei and many Wei retainers aware of her true background, she would become a puppet with no support.

Only by leveraging this child to rally the old Wei forces could she secure a foothold.

Thoughts racing, Wang Wanzhen urgently confessed: "This child... carries no Wei bloodline!"Zhang Huai narrowed his eyes, but before he could speak, another attendant knocked and entered from outside. The servant approached Zhang Huai’s side, leaned in, and whispered something into his ear.

Wang Wanzhen lowered her gaze, not daring to look around, and strained to listen intently, yet she caught not a single word.

As Zhang Huai responded, he seemed to take into account the presence of someone below, casting another glance at Wang Wanzhen kneeling there before saying, "Leave it for now. Go to the side chamber and brew me a cup of tea."

After the attendant bowed and withdrew, Zhang Huai appeared to ponder silently for a moment before continuing to Wang Wanzhen, "Your Highness, to protect this child, you truly know how to jest with me."

Wang Wanzhen, already resolved in her heart, looked at Zhang Huai earnestly and said, "Wanzhen has not deceived you, sir. This child truly is not Wei Pingjin’s."