Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

It wasn't until the latter part of the night that the sultry music in the house gradually subsided. Zhang Xiu, still in a trance, neither asleep nor awake, held Zou tightly in his arms as they fell into a deep sleep. Zou, too, in Zhang Xiu's arms, slowly drifted off to sleep, exhausted and satisfied. The house was completely silent, with not a single sound emanating from it.

Hu Chi'er and Hu Che'er exchanged a glance, then tiptoed open the door. Their movements were slow and cautious, fearing to disturb the slumbering occupants. Once inside, the brothers quickly began searching, recovering all of Zhang Xiu's scattered weapons—swords, blades, bows and arrows, daggers—and carefully carrying them outside. Once everything was in place, they stood silently outside the door like two towers, their expressions solemn and focused, patiently awaiting Zhang Xiu's awakening so they could carry out their lord Zhang Ji's next instructions.

As the soft morning sunlight penetrated the mist, gently scattering across the earth, Zhang Xiu finally regained consciousness from his hangover. Even before he fully opened his eyes, his mind was involuntarily flooded with the dreamlike, insane, yet wonderful experience of the previous night. The woman in his dream was clearly Zou, and she was so gentle, charming, and understanding that she allowed him to release the emotions he had usually suppressed and struggled to express. Zhang Xiu was so lost in this aftertaste, his heart filled with nostalgia that he hesitated to open his eyes, trying to embrace the dream that had haunted him once again.

However, with an inadvertent slight movement, Zhang Xiu could actually feel the presence of the warm and soft jade in his arms. He subconsciously hugged her a little tighter, but instantly doubted that he was still dreaming. But the real touch and temperature made him believe that all this was not an illusion. Because of Zhang Xiu's movement, Zou Shi in his arms also woke up with a moan. Zhang Xiu was filled with confusion and shock. He slowly opened his eyes, and what came into his sight was Zou Shi's beautiful face. He couldn't help but exclaimed: "Aunt, what...what is going on? How did you get on my bed?"

Zou's face was filled with shyness, and she felt an indescribable shame. She didn't know how to face Zhang Xiu's shocked and puzzled gaze. She could only hug the quilt tightly, revealing only her pair of autumn-water eyes. Her pitiful appearance would make anyone who saw her feel pity.

Zhang Xiu hastily pulled his arm free from beneath Zou's body. His eyes, still hazy with hangover, instantly widened, staring intently at Zou. A look of bewilderment crossed his face, as if his brain was still struggling to shake off the hazy hangover, trying to comprehend the incredible scene before him.

Then, a look of surprise and suspicion quickly spread across his face. His brows furrowed into a deep "川" shape, his eyes filled with disbelief, his lips trembling slightly, as if he wanted to say something but was momentarily speechless. His gaze darted back and forth between Zou's face, as if trying to confirm whether this was the aunt he knew, or as if trying to recall what had happened last night to lead to this absurd situation.

After that moment of doubt, shame washed over him like a surging tide. Zhang Xiu's cheeks flushed crimson, spreading all the way to his ears, which felt burning. He instinctively tried to pull back, distance himself from Zou, but his body stiffened with nervousness, his movements clumsy. His eyes began to evade, not daring to meet Zou's gaze, as if a single glance would reveal his inner panic and helplessness.

Seeing Zhang Xiu's reaction, Zou felt a mixture of guilt and embarrassment. She bit her lower lip until a pale tinge appeared on its delicate pink lips. She tugged the quilt tighter with both hands, almost wrapping it around her. Her eyes were filled with shyness and uneasiness, their once lively pupils now dull. With lowered eyelids, she stared at the pattern on the quilt, her body trembling slightly. It seemed as if she had nowhere to escape from this awkward situation and could only await Zhang Xiu's condemnation and condemnation.

Zhang Xiu was consumed by remorse, a venomous snake of regret entwining him. His mind replayed the events of the previous night, each one like a sharp blade, piercing his conscience. He knew full well that his excessive drinking had led to such an unethical and beastly act. Thinking of his uncle Zhang Ji's constant regard for him and his high expectations of him, Zhang Xiu felt as if he were plunging into an abyss. He knew that his actions had grossly violated his uncle's trust and violated the principles of propriety and Confucianism. These moral codes, deeply ingrained in him since childhood, now surged within him, plunging his thoughts into a state of utter chaos.

In the depths of self-blame and agony, Zhang Xiu felt that only death could offer some relief from the guilt and anxiety within him. Instinctively, he sought weapons to end his life, a way to find relief. However, as he frantically searched the house, he was shocked to discover that all his weapons had vanished. The previous night, Hu Chi'er and Hu Che'er, following Zhang Ji's instructions, had quietly removed all the swords and other weapons from the house. Zhang Xiu's anxiety grew, the fear surging like a raging wave, threatening to completely overwhelm him. His steps became unsteady and chaotic, and he stumbled around the room like a headless fly, knocking over stools and other objects, making a clamorous noise.

Hu Chi'er and Hu Che'er, who had been waiting outside the door, heard the noise inside and thought something had happened, so they pushed the door open and rushed in. Seeing Zhang Xiu's distraught and pained face, they felt sorry for him but dared not disobey Zhang Ji's orders. They just stood there silently, waiting for Zhang Xiu's next move. The atmosphere suddenly froze, heavy and suffocating.

When Zhang Xiu saw the two brothers Hu Chier and Hu Che'er coming in, he couldn't help but show a look of shock on his face, and blurted out: "Why are you two outside?" Then, he seemed to have suddenly fallen into madness, raised his head and let out a shrill laugh, "Well, well, you're here at the right time!" After that, he suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed the scimitar on Hu Che'er's waist, and shouted at the same time: "Since you have witnessed all this, you can just take a message to my uncle. I, Zhang Xiu, have done such a thing worse than pigs and dogs. I have failed him for his many years of raising me and his earnest expectations. I really have no face to see him again. Today, only death can be the only way to atone for my sins!" After that, he tried his best to snatch the scimitar.

Seeing Zhang Xiu's frantic, death-seeking demeanor, the brothers Hu Chi'er and Hu Che'er pondered, their lord truly foresighted. They quickly drew the ropes they had prepared and, without hesitation, lunged at Zhang Xiu, attempting to bind him. Though normally a formidable warrior, Zhang Xiu was now dizzy from a hangover, slowing his movements. Furthermore, the Hu brothers possessed immense strength and natural power. After a fierce struggle, Zhang Xiu was ultimately unable to withstand the pressure and was gradually pinned down by the two brothers. Despite his desperate struggles, he remained securely bound.

Zhang Xiu continued to shout, "Don't try to stop me! Let me die! I've already been humiliated. How can I face my uncle? How can I live in this world?" However, Hu Chi'er and Hu Che'er ignored his cries and hurried Zhang Xiu to Zhang Ji's room. As they were on their way, Hu Chi'er shouted to the captain guarding the door, "Quickly fetch Mr. Jia Xu! This matter is of utmost urgency. We can't delay a moment!" The captain, undeterred, dashed off, leaving behind a trail of dust.

Zou, already timid and fearful in Zhang Xiu's chamber, was horrified to see his frantic expression, his eyes red, his hair disheveled, like a trapped animal without reason. Like a frightened deer, she quickly huddled in a corner of the bed, her hands instinctively clutching the quilt tightly, as if the thin blanket were her only shield against the terrifying storm. Her eyes were filled with terror and helplessness, and she could only watch helplessly as the fierce conflict between Zhang Xiu and the Hu brothers intensified.

The Hu brothers were powerful warriors, their every move shone with undeniable resolve. Though Zhang Xiu struggled mightily, his hangover and the overwhelming pressure gradually gave way. With Zhang Xiu captured and taken away, Zou finally emerged from a nightmare, as if momentarily. She bit her lower lip, knowing full well that if word of this incident spread, she would be the target of widespread condemnation and accusations. In these turbulent times, a woman's reputation tarnished by the loss of her innocence could lead to a tragic end. But now, she felt like a lone boat on a vast ocean, unsure how to navigate the surging crisis.

She hurriedly straightened her clothes, her fingers trembling with panic as she struggled to even out the tangled folds. Then, filled with anxiety, she paced back and forth across the room, each step bearing the weight of a thousand pounds. Her mind reeled in Zhang Xiu's desperate, frantic expression, and she felt a surge of worry and guilt. She knew she was to blame for Zhang Xiu's current plight, but she felt powerless to change it. She could only suffer alone in the silence of her room, silently praying that Zhang Xiu would not meet a fate so dire.

Along the way, Zhang Xiu seemed like a madman, his mind preoccupied with dying to atone for his sins, muttering endlessly about his guilt towards his uncle. Suddenly, as if finding a target for his wrath, he turned to glare at Hu Che'er and shouted, "Hu Che'er, I, Zhang Xiu, have always treated you well, yet you dare to commit such a treason today! If you still consider yourself my subordinate, you should have given me a weapon and let me end my life, rather than facing my uncle like this. How can I ever face my uncle again?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Che'er slowly lowered his head, his face filled with shame, his lips tightly sealed, and he remained silent. Seeing this, Hu Chi'er, standing by, hurried forward to offer counsel, "Young Master, please don't be so excited. If this outburst gets out, it will be extremely damaging to both the Master and you. All of this is arranged by the Master. Please be patient for now, and when you are in front of the Master, you will obey His instructions."

Zhang Xiu was struck by lightning upon hearing this, and he froze in a moment. His face was filled with fear and confusion; he had never imagined that his uncle had orchestrated all of this. His eyes betrayed confusion and pain, his heart a tangled mess, unable to comprehend his uncle's intentions in this arrangement. He could only continue forward, escorted by the Hu brothers in this endless tangle of anxiety. Every step felt like a thousand pounds, heading towards an unknown and terrifying fate.