Mulatto beauty

A cold wind swept through the courtyard, and the moonlight, filtered through the bamboo, cast a pale glow on the ground. The air was thick with a chilling chill. Qin Yi stood still, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at the group of armored generals who had just entered. Their steps were firm and heavy, their presence sharp and imposing, like the smell of iron and blood—starkly contrasting with the slowly deteriorating atmosphere of Fancheng.

"General!" The leading general, Liu Wei, strode forward, his voice loud and steady. "We have just received the news that you have been promoted to the commander of Fancheng, entrusted with all the military and political affairs of the city. Therefore, we, the four of us, will follow your lead, ready to fight and die alongside you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the other three generals dropped to one knee in unison, the sound of their armored knees striking the stone floor ringing clear and loud. Each clang felt like a hammer blow to Qin Yi's heart, stirring something deep within him. Although he had already tasted the prestige of a general through his recent victory, hearing these words from the four generals made him feel unexpectedly moved.

Qin Yi smiled faintly, his hand outstretched to help them up. His voice was calm yet resolute. "Well, since you four generals are so determined, I will not disappoint your trust. Together, we will work to restore Fancheng."

However, just as Qin Yi was about to shift the conversation, Liu Wei hesitated slightly, then pulled something out from his robe. He approached Qin Yi with care, presenting it carefully in front of him. "General, we have prepared a humble gift. I wonder if you would accept it?"

Qin Yi's heart stirred. His expression remained unchanged, though a hint of doubt crossed his face. "A gift? What kind of gift?"

"Please, follow me," Liu Wei nodded, his tone a mix of excitement and caution, leading Qin Yi toward the depths of the courtyard.

As they entered the courtyard, Qin Yi's steps abruptly halted, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. Under the moonlight, there were more than a dozen women standing in the center of the open space. Their tall, slender figures and otherworldly beauty seemed to glow in the dim light. Their clothing was markedly different from the typical attire of the Central Plains people, signaling that they were from foreign lands. Qin Yi's gaze swept over them and quickly landed on one woman in particular—a woman whose figure was so stunning, it seemed almost unreal.

She had long, jet-black hair that shimmered in the moonlight, and her eyes, like pools of water, were enchanting. Her fox-like eyes gleamed with an alluring depth, her delicate nose complemented by a small, full mouth, which seemed to curl ever so slightly in a mysterious smile. Her figure was graceful, her curves perfectly sculpted as though every movement had been carefully crafted. Even someone as composed as Qin Yi found himself momentarily entranced, his gaze softening for a brief moment, as though some unseen force had gripped him.

He glanced sideways at Xuan Jian, who appeared unfazed, his usual cold composure intact, though there was a brief flicker in his eyes. Zhang Han, however, stood frozen, his mouth agape, as if he had forgotten to breathe. Even the other generals, despite having seen these women before, couldn't help but be drawn into a trance, their eyes lingering on her, unable to look away.

"Ahem!" Qin Yi cleared his throat, his voice breaking the silence. All eyes turned to him, as if snapping out of a dream.

He looked at Liu Wei, his expression darkening, though there was a trace of displeasure in his tone. "General Ji Nan, what is the meaning of this?"

Seeing the displeasure in Qin Yi's eyes, Liu Wei quickly dropped to his knees, his voice trembling as he explained, "General, these women were gathered by General Liu Yong before his death. Most of them are from the barbarian tribes or foreign lands. With Liu Yong's death in battle, they no longer serve any purpose. We, therefore, took the liberty of offering them to you. Please, forgive our impertinence."

Qin Yi's expression shifted slightly as he absorbed the explanation. Liu Yong, despite his military prowess, had been infamous for his debauchery and greed, indulging in his desires by collecting these women not for war, but for his own selfish pleasure. From what Qin Yi had learned from the original memories, Liu Yong was one of the few corrupt generals in the Qin army, and it was only his backing from powerful forces that had kept him in command for so long. Now, with Liu Yong dead, these women were without purpose.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Yi waved his hand dismissively. "Enough, get up. I understand your intentions, but I have no need for these women. Please, send them away. I'll accept the 'gift' in spirit, but I do not require it."

He turned to leave, but just as he was about to exit, a low, sorrowful cry reached his ears.

"Wuuu…" The sound of weeping echoed through the courtyard, filled with such deep sorrow and helplessness that it tugged at Qin Yi's heart.

Qin Yi paused, his body tense as he turned back to face the women. His gaze fell on the most beautiful one, the woman who had captured his attention earlier. She was now clutching her body tightly, her head lowered in grief, tears streaming silently down her face. Her eyes were not filled with desire, but with profound fear and resistance, as though she had been trapped in an inescapable nightmare.

His brow furrowed slightly as he scanned her delicate features and the slight tremor in her shoulders, betraying her inner distress. A surge of complex emotions flooded Qin Yi's heart—he knew that he had not personally decided their fate, but he would still bear the weight of their suffering due to Liu Yong's actions.

"Step back." Qin Yi spoke quietly, his voice soft but firm.

Liu Wei and the other generals immediately knelt, not daring to speak, and stepped aside. Qin Yi moved forward and stood before the weeping woman. He gazed into her eyes, his tone steady and resolute. "You are not to blame. From now on, you will no longer be forced to serve anyone. Go, find a new life for yourselves."

With that, he turned and left. The faint sound of weeping followed him, but this time, there was a subtle shift—though still full of sorrow, there was a glimmer of hope in the sound, as if fate had finally granted these women a chance for redemption.