Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After Zhang Xiu left, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became subtle and solemn. With Zou's support, Zhang Ji slowly undressed and reclined on the bed. His face, illuminated by the candlelight, looked particularly exhausted and haggard. Zou stood by, speechless. Although she was deeply reluctant about what was about to happen, long-standing habits and the constraints of her status made her subconsciously begin to undress.

At this moment, Zhang Ji suddenly stretched out his hand to stop her. Zou looked at Zhang Ji in astonishment, only to hear him slowly say: "Don't be like this. From today on, you don't need to do this bed-warming service anymore. Just arrange for any woman to come." Zou was struck by lightning, and her whole body froze instantly. She had no idea what Zhang Ji's intention was. Her heart was instantly filled with fear. Her hands nervously tugged at her clothes, her voice trembling, and she stammered: "Master, you...you are..." Before she finished speaking, her legs softened, and she fell to her knees with a thud, and said in panic: "Master, did I make you angry just now? Please give me a chance, I will never dare to do it again."

Zou's mind reeled in memories of Zhang Ji's ruthless, murderous demeanor. She knew she was little more than a decorative element in his eyes. If even this limited role as a decorative element was lost, her fate would be unimaginable. She dared not dwell on the thought and could only await Zhang Ji's fate in fear.

However, Zhang Ji didn't immediately offer an explanation. He simply stared at her quietly, a moment later asking, "Don't panic. What do you think of Ah Xiu?" Zou was already visibly distraught, too distracted to consider Zhang Ji's question. She instinctively replied, "Ah Xiu is handsome, valiant, and experienced—a rare and wonderful child." Zhang Ji sneered, "Don't describe Ah Xiu in that way. After all, you're just the same age." Zou was terrified. She wondered if Zhang Ji had discovered her secret obsession with Zhang Xiu. Once this thought took root, it spread like wildfire, leaving her feeling as if she were plunging into an endless, dark abyss. Her heart sank, and she feared death was inevitable. With Zhang Ji's ruthless and resolute character, how could he easily forgive such a "mistake"?

Zou's once beautiful face was now distorted by fear. Her eyes widened as she stared intently at Zhang Ji, her body trembling slightly, like a frightened deer poised to be hunted at any moment. Zhang Xiu, observing Zou's utter terror, could not help but sigh inwardly: what a stunning beauty! Her pitiful expression was so captivating that even his own dying body could hardly resist it, let alone Ah Xiu, a young, inexperienced young man.

Zhang Ji had always known that his insistence on drinking and unusual behavior today was an opportunity to bid Zhang Xiu a proper farewell. A true man, once resolved, had no reason to hesitate or let go. He knew full well the complexities of the Yangzhou conflict, and it would not be easily resolved. He knew his own physical condition best. He feared that after Zhang Xiu left for this expedition, his old bones would crumble and he would perish before the battle could be resolved. Therefore, he insisted on sharing a drink with Zhang Xiu. In his view, this glass of wine was both a celebration of the long-standing friendship between uncle and nephew and a final farewell.

Zhang Ji was deeply satisfied with his nephew, Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu was calm, filial, sensible, and a man of integrity, all qualities that made him feel at ease. He entrusted his future affairs to him without any worries. However, as an elder, he still harbored a mystery: when he suggested a marriage for Zhang Xiu, Zhang Xiu always refused. Initially, he thought the boy was simply inexperienced and uninitiated in the relationships between men and women. However, when he saw the look Zhang Xiu gave Zou today, he suddenly realized: it wasn't that Zhang Xiu was unattractive to women, but rather that he already had someone in his heart. It was Zou's unique status that had plunged Zhang Xiu into deep entanglement and pain, from which he could not extricate himself.

Zhang Ji's feelings for Zou were simply driven by a man's natural lust. Furthermore, his declining health meant he no longer had any desire for her. Since Zhang Xiu's heart was completely tied to Zou, and he had already decided to entrust his vast family business and everything after his death to her, what did a woman matter to him? But if he didn't make this matter clear, given Zhang Xiu's deeply loyal and respectful character, he would likely be bound by the shackles of morality for the rest of his life, never truly at peace, and certainly not dare to cross any line with Zou. But he was constantly thinking about Zou, so how could Zhang Xiu be happy?

In these turbulent times, while traditional ethics still held sway, it was common for men to have three wives and four concubines. Zhang Ji pondered, "If Zhang Xiu were to avoid Zou simply because she was his aunt, and not dare to even touch her, that would be both morally and logically unreasonable. If this affected Zhang Xiu's future descendants, preventing the family line from flourishing, wouldn't that be a loss for the greater good?"

Zhang Ji knew his time was running out. Now that he had discerned the subtle and special bond between Zhang Xiu and Zou, he resolved to resolve this rift for his nephew. As his life drew to a close, his final act for the family was to ensure Zhang Xiu could inherit the family business without hindrance and continue it smoothly. He could not tolerate, nor would he allow, his heir to remain bound by the awkward shackles of his status, struggling in a quagmire of emotions and morality, ultimately ruining the family's future and betraying the hopes and hard work of his ancestors.

Zhang Ji raised his dry, slightly trembling hand slightly, as if the simple act of raising his hand had exhausted all his strength. He weakly gestured to Zou to calm her panicked heart first. Then, he slowly spoke, his voice low and hoarse, like an old wooden door creaking in the wind: "Why are you panicking? Although I used my power and force to force you to be my wife, after all, the passage of time has made us a couple. Now, I am a dying man, my energy is running out, and I simply want to take advantage of these final moments to make proper and comprehensive arrangements for your funeral."

After hearing this, the panic in Zou's eyes, which were originally filled with fear, faded a little like the tide, but the doubt and uneasiness still hung over her face like a dark cloud. She bit her lower lip slightly, and twisted her hands together nervously, her knuckles turning white from the force. She really couldn't guess the true intention behind Zhang Ji's words. It was like being in a thick fog and unable to find the direction.

Zhang Ji coughed lightly a few times, catching his breath a bit, and then continued, "Since you just mentioned Ah Xiu and praised him so highly, thinking he's a good child, let me ask you, if I, this candle, burns out and I leave, you will be the one to serve Ah Xiu and take care of his daily life. What do you think?" Zou was as if under a spell. She was stunned for a moment, the trembling look of fear still lingering on her face. Her mouth opened slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but the words froze. She blinked a few times, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

But it was only a moment's pause. Like a drowning person who had suddenly grasped a lifeline, she felt a rekindled flame of hope in her eyes, and she spoke excitedly, "Master, I will take care of Ah Xiu's daily needs, just as I have taken care of you. Even regarding his future wives, concubines, and children, I will do my utmost with the utmost sincerity and diligence. Don't worry, I will see to it that everything is perfectly organized and Ah Xiu will never have to worry or bother in the slightest. I will be his silent support, ensuring he has no worries."

Zhang Ji watched Zou's excitement and incessant chatter, knowing she had completely misunderstood. He smiled wryly and shook his head, the wrinkles on his face deepening with the smile. He patiently explained, "You misunderstood. I didn't mean for you to take care of him in that capacity. I meant that after I die, you will follow Ah Xiu, even if you have no status or become a concubine. From now on, he will be your support, your man, and you will be with him for the rest of your life."

As if hearing something out of the blue, Zou's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She stared intently at the frail, sickly Zhang Ji lying on the bed, trying to detect a hint of a joke or a test in his expression. She could never have imagined that the man, so ruthless on the battlefield and so ruthless in his dealings, would utter such unnatural and generous words. In the secular world, this was tantamount to being cuckolded. For a man, such an act was a profound challenge to his dignity and a humiliation he could never easily endure.

The more Zou thought about it, the more frightened she felt, as if she saw Zhang Ji suddenly turn against her and punish her severely. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably, and she quickly knelt on her knees, kowtowed repeatedly to Zhang Ji. Her forehead slammed against the ground violently, making a thud, and each thud was like a cry of fear from her heart. Her voice trembled violently, almost crying as she said, "Master, Master, I have absolutely no other intentions. I absolutely do not have such unreasonable thoughts. Please don't misunderstand me. I beg you desperately. I am loyal to you and have never thought of betraying you."

Seeing Zou so apprehensive, Zhang Ji knew she was afraid he was testing her. He sighed helplessly, a sigh filled with fatigue and weakness. He waved his hand again and said, "Don't worry. I say this sincerely. It's just that although you follow Ah Xiu, you can't have an official status. After all, you were once nominally his aunt. If this identity is exposed, in this world where gossip is like a knife, Ah Xiu's reputation will be irreparably tarnished, and his future ambitions will be severely hindered. You must remember this and must not let a moment of negligence lead to disaster."