Midnight.
The Han Envoy’s encampment lay beneath the shadows of night. The moon was obscured, and the wind howled.
At this moment, Wuwei’s mother, Zhang, had arrived near the envoy’s quarters with her own people. They stared at the darkened tent of Li Aotian.
"Is this where the Han Envoy resides?"
"Reporting to Consort Zhang: the silver tent ahead is where Envoy Li stays."
"Good! Wait outside. I will go in and speak with him myself. If I need your help, I will signal you."
With that, Chanyu Consort Zhang stepped into the silver tent, accompanied by two maids.
At that exact moment, Li Aotian, who had been fast asleep, suddenly felt a pressing need to relieve himself. He crawled out of bed, intending to head outside.
"This Xiongnu camp is truly inconvenient; I have to go outside just to answer nature’s call! It’s so dark out tonight, I can’t see a thing, nor can I find my way!"
After muttering this to himself, he prepared to put on his shoes and head out. However, as he stepped outside, the night was as black as ink; he couldn't even see his own fingers. He stumbled toward the entrance, rushing forward without the slightest clue of what lay in his path.
*Thud.*
Li Aotian seemed to collide with something. The person he hit let out a distinct, nasal sound of surprise.
"Ah!"
"It hurts!"
Hearing the voice, Li Aotian immediately realized someone had broken into his tent. He quickly retreated and lit the lamp. As the light flickered on, he looked up to see three women standing in his tent, and a playful expression crossed his face.
"Oh? I didn't expect the Xiongnu Grand Chanyu to be so thoughtful, sending me three women right away."
At this moment, Li Aotian assumed the women were servant girls, mistakenly believing they had been gifted to him by Yizhixie, the Grand Chanyu. After all, every time a Han envoy visited the Xiongnu, women were traditionally sent as gifts. History noted that the most legendary Han envoys had received over twenty women each.
He stepped forward, intending to grab her. This action shocked Zhang; she hadn't expected this man to be so disrespectful! Wasn't he a Han scholar? How could his behavior be so similar to that of a common street ruffian? Zhang was stunned; she had lived among the Xiongnu for years and had never encountered such a Han person.
"She is the highest-ranking woman in the Xiongnu, second only to the Grand Chanyu! He—this Han envoy actually dares to lay hands on our mistress!"
The servant exposed the woman's identity, leaving Li Aotian utterly shocked. He released his grip on Zhang, looked up in surprise, and asked, "What did you say?"
"Someone of such noble status? Good heavens! This woman isn't just some ordinary Xiongnu dancer!"
Zhang’s eyes widened, and her gaze burned with fury. "Now that you know who I am, you still dare to be this insolent? Let me up at once!"
Li Aotian offered a playful smirk. He gripped the Chanyu Consort’s neck and leaned in close. "How was I supposed to know who you were? I thought you were just a woman sent by the Grand Chanyu. Forget it. What do you want with me? You haven't fallen for me, have you? Even though I am young, talented, and dashing, I have no interest in a mature woman like you!"
His words left Zhang burning with indignation and shame. She was horrified—she hadn't even managed to seek justice for her son, and now she was about to fall into the hands of this rogue!
Seeing the situation, she quickly shouted, "Quick! Call the Golden Guards outside! Tell them to come in and kill this man at once!"
She ordered her maids to find help. "Yes! Right away!"
The two panicked maids scrambled out of the silver tent, shouting that their mistress was in danger. Moments later, dozens of Golden Guards drew their blades and charged inside!
"We are here!"
"Mistress! Are you alright?"
"What… what is the meaning of this?"
"Han Envoy! What are you doing? Release her this instant!"
These Golden Guards were the elite soldiers from the Royal Court’s golden tents. Every one of them was agile and powerful, radiating the aura of seasoned warriors. But today, they witnessed a sight that shook them to their cores: the woman they were sworn to protect was being held by a man. It was an insult to the Xiongnu, and an insult to them.
Zhang felt incredibly humiliated, her face burning with heat. She hated Li Aotian to the bone.
"I came here to negotiate, to ask you to spare my daughter-in-law for my sake," she said coldly. "But since you dare treat me like this, I cannot let you leave the Xiongnu alive! You men! Kill him!"
At these words, several hot-headed Golden Guards stepped forward, swinging their gold-hilted blades toward Li Aotian’s head!
Li Aotian glanced back and loosened the collar at his neck. "Come on! Strike me! I dare you! Kill me here in the Xiongnu and see how you explain it to your Chanyu! See how your Chanyu explains it to the Han Empire!"
"Kill the Han Envoy! Slaughter the Xiongnu! You would do well to remember those words!"
The remaining guards froze, finally realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Stop! You cannot do this!"
"This man isn't just some common Han merchant or a citizen we can kill at will. This is the... Han Envoy! Have you lost your minds?"
"Back off! Step back, do not go near the envoy!"
The Golden Guards retreated, not daring to advance another inch for fear that this madman might throw himself onto their blades.
"You… all of you! Why aren't you helping me kill this man?"
The Golden Guards bowed their heads, not daring to answer their mistress. Finally, a middle-aged guard, clearly the leader of the unit, stepped forward and cupped his hands.
"Han Envoy! Our Chanyu Consort came here to discuss an important matter. Please, have some self-respect."
Li Aotian placed a hand on the Chanyu Consort’s shoulder and gave a cold laugh. "Self-respect? And if I don't, what will you do about it?"