The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

"Oh dear, Lord Kuss, my apologies! I cannot personally go to meet you, please forgive me!"

Pang Quan's eyes gleamed as he greeted him with a smile.

"General Pang is too kind!"

Sikong Jin narrowed his eyes, clasped his hands in a half-smile, and spoke with a strong Liao Dynasty imperial city accent.

"Not at all, not at all! Lord Kuss must be tired from your journey. The manor has prepared wine and food. I, Pang, would like to host a welcome dinner for you today. Surely you won't refuse me this small token of respect?"

Pang Quan glanced at Sikong Jin, not missing the identity token that flashed past her sleeve.

"How could that be? I am indeed starving. Let's go inside and eat and chat."

Inside the magnificent hall, Sikong Jin and Pang Quan sat down one after the other. The scantily clad and beautiful maids smiled and brought up delicious dishes. In the blink of an eye, the table was filled with a sumptuous feast.

Pang Quan glanced mysteriously at Sikong Jin, clapped his hands triumphantly, and soon a melodious string and bamboo music began to play. Then, a fragrant breeze wafted in, and more than a dozen beautiful women in flowing robes floated in from outside, swaying their supple and graceful waists and displaying their beautiful dance moves.

Looking at the sumptuous feast before him and enjoying this auditory extravaganza, Sikong Jin suddenly recalled the tragic scenes he had witnessed upon entering the city. It truly lived up to the saying, "Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste, while on the road, frozen corpses lie."

However, Sikong Jin could only sigh inwardly; of course, this would not affect her mood while eating.

"My lord, has Lord Riku said when we should make our move?"

Halfway through the meal, Pang Quan suddenly dismissed those around him, including the singers and dancers, and asked in a low voice.

Sikong Jin drank the wine in his cup, turned to look at Pang Quan, and smiled, "General Pang, there's no need to be in such a hurry. This matter cannot be rushed and must be discussed at length. However, Lord Liku has a secret letter that I need to deliver to you, General."

Sikong Jin took out the secret letter from his sleeve and handed it to Pang Quan.

Pang Quan opened the secret letter and read it carefully. However, his face darkened quickly, and unease appeared in his sharp eyes. He looked at Sikong Jin and hesitated, "Lord Liku, are you sure that Sikong Jin and his troops have arrived in Chongzhou? Why haven't my troops received this information?"

"Does Commander Pang still intend to question Lord Riku's words?"

Sikong Jin raised an eyebrow.

"No, no! I just find this a bit unexpected."

"Hmph, Lord Liku said that Sikong Jin is no ordinary person. He wants you all to keep a close eye on him, as he may already be lurking in Chongzhou. His intention is for you to assist me in finding him first. If necessary, we may borrow your troops. Only by eliminating Sikong Jin can our plan be realized. I have already sent out scouts to secretly investigate. Once there is any news about them, they will report back to me immediately. At that time, we must act quickly and catch them off guard!"

"Yes, sir, please rest assured, Lord Riku is right. Please rest assured, I will cooperate fully."

"General Pang is truly a straightforward man. Come, let us drink this cup together and wish us swift success!"

"Haha, sir, you are so generous! I, Pang, will gladly accompany you tonight. Cheers!"

……

After eating and drinking his fill, Lord Sikong refused the accommodations arranged by Pang Quan and secretly found a barely acceptable inn near the Marshal's Mansion to stay in, on the grounds that he couldn't give anyone any leverage against him.

Pang Quan felt that this made sense, so he agreed.

It was already very late at night. Lord Sikong had taken a refreshing bath and had just changed his clothes when there was a knock on the door.

The person who arrived was Fang Jiu.

"Sir, are you looking for me?"

Fang Jiu's face showed a hint of panic, fearing that Sikong Jin would poison him. "My lord, I didn't say anything just now. The commander was surprised that you didn't bring any attendants. I also said that since you are a secret envoy, you naturally cannot bring attendants!"

Sikong Jin nodded and beckoned to him with her finger, "You're quite clever. Come and sit down. I have something to ask you."

"I wouldn't dare! Please ask me whatever you have to say, sir."

"I ask you, where are the elite troops under your Commander Pang's command, and where are the people you have organized?"

Sikong Jin asked.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the commander-in-chief's more than 10,000 elite troops are stationed in the camp near the North Gate, while our brothers are all near the Mountain God Temple outside the South Gate."

How many people are guarding the Marshal's Mansion?

"There were only a little over two thousand men. The commander-in-chief wouldn't let the brothers enter the city. He only left five thousand soldiers to guard the south gate, and two thousand were left at the commander's residence. The rest of the troops were stationed at the north gate."

How many people have you organized now?

"There are nearly forty thousand people, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Sikong Jin nodded. "Alright, I understand. You may go back now."

"Yes, my lord!"

Fang Jiu finally caught his breath, his back covered in a cold sweat, and quickly turned around and walked out.

Hearing the door close, Sikong Jin sighed inwardly, raised her hand to rub her temples, and after a while, slowly stood up. Just as she was about to go to bed, she suddenly saw the moonlight falling on the floor in front of the window.

After thinking for a moment, she walked over, pushed open the half-closed window, and a cool breeze quietly sneaked in, blowing up the curtains hanging on the ground. Sikong Jin looked up and realized that a clear and bright full moon was hanging in the night sky.

"Has it already reached the middle of the month without us even realizing it?"

Sikong Jin murmured to herself, "Time flies! I wonder how Mother and the others are doing. It's been so long since I've received any news from the capital..."

Sikong Jin gently leaned against the window frame, quietly gazing at the silvery moonlight, a strange sense of melancholy suddenly welling up within her.

The most helpless feeling often comes after nightfall, when that feeling of loneliness is often the most intense.

The faint groans and suppressed sobs that reached her ears irritated her. She frowned, straightened up, clasped her hands together, and closed the window.