She'd been asked to go deliver a message and check out a complaint to a location she had seldom gone, especially alone. Her partner had gone up ahead to scout.

Rude as it was, she couldn't help but notice. He was bigger than many of the villagers--other than the fact some of them were starved--and he dressed in clothes that were definitely too rich for a simple civilian. He was a bit taller than her, actually. With all that, it seemed like other passerbys walked with a distance farther than usual.

She felt like she had probably seen or heard about this man somewhere before. And since she was bit lost, what was the harm?

“Bribed him? Ignorant girl! I recognized his skill! He knew that! He is not righteous, such a man loves to have his ego stroked! Why not reward those who could be of use to achieve your ambitions!?”

The expression of surprise was hard to miss upon the marquis’ face, his dark curls trickling down broad shoulders as he tilted his head somewhat inquisitively, the action causing black gem earrings to chime softly.

“Oh my... aren’t you the picture of wealth and nobility, my Lord?” He had certainly never seen such elaborate golden designs even on the king of Cao Wei.

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