The Empress’ Livestream

Chapter 698: The Lord Would Not Return the Man She Borrowed (II)

Meanwhile, the “uniquely ugly” centurion quietly followed the soldier leading him and said nothing along the way.

Taking into account that the centurion had difficulties moving around, the soldier kept his pace slow. The gesture showed unspoken consideration.

After a while, the bronze-skinned cheeks of the centurion grew slightly hot. He thanked the soldier in a low, muffled voice.

“Mr. Feng specially ordered me to do so, it is not for me to take credit,” the soldier replied in a business-like tone.

During winter, one should walk faster so that the body can generate heat and defend one from the cold. However, to match the centurion’s pace, the soldier leading the way dared not complain. Bearing with the cold, he escorted him to the general’s tent. He looked down, his hands by his side.

“Go in, the lord and Mr. Feng are already waiting for you inside. Don’t let them wait too long.”

“Thank you very much.”

The centurion put his hands together in a salute, then carefully walked into the tent.

As he lifted the tent flap, he was greeted by a warm gust of air carrying the light fragrance of pear blossoms. It instantly dispelled the cold air surrounding him.

The general’s tent had been tidied up carefully. A layer of soft animal fur mat covered the ground. A small delicate incense burner was placed in the middle.

It finally looked like a tent fit for a general.

“I, Qi Kuang, greet you humbly, Magistrate Liu.”

The centurion suffered from leg impairments and couldn’t kneel properly, but one could see that his attitude was serious and he definitely wasn’t just going through the motions.

There were two other people in the tent. A young man sat properly on the lord’s seat. He appeared to be a few years younger than Yang Tao, the eldest leader Langjun Qi Kuang had served, and his eyes had vigor in them. The other person was Feng Zhen, the advisor who had roped him in. As compared to Jiang Pengji, who was sitting properly, Feng Zhen seemed as if he was frail and had no bones in his body.

He leaned against the table as if his own body could not support him. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he cast his gaze upon Qi Kuang, the centurion.

“My lord, this is the talented man I mentioned before.”

Jiang Pengji acknowledged his words and said to Qi Kuang, “You may rise. The weather is cold at the moment, and the ground is chilly, kneeling for too long is detrimental to your legs.”

Qi Kuang the centurion rose. He kept his arms straight on either side of his body and lowered his head slightly, his gaze falling upon the incense burner made of bronze near Jiang Pengji.

Jiang Pengji asked Qi Kuang, “Do you know the reason I brought you here?”

With a calm expression, Qi Kuang replied, “The captain told me, Magistrate Liu. He said that you find my looks unique, and thus borrowed me from him to take a good look.”

Hearing the reply, Jiang Pengji frowned discreetly.

Anyone who saw how Qi Kuang looked could understand how much cruel mockery was contained in the words “unique looks.”

Yang Jian was indeed not a simple person to deal with, and he knew how to encourage others to harbor a sense of enmity towards her.

Even if he didn’t know that Jiang Pengji was not borrowing his subordinate, but roping the latter over to her side, Yang Jian remained wary and had dug her a trap.

However, fundamentally, it was still the fault of Feng Zhen, that prodigal. What a terrible excuse the fella had come up with, how could there possibly be people who executed their tasks like this?

But as a lord, she had to take the blame for her princess-like advisor’s wrongdoing.

Tsk — How annoying.

“It is just an excuse. That doesn’t count. Do you know my true intentions?”

She looked at Qi Kuang, half-smiling. Her master skill, the craft of bamboozlement, had entered the countdown stage. She was prepared to use it anytime.

Qi Kuang was surprised. His expression finally changed, showing traces of cautiousness.

“I know.”

Jiang Pengji was still in the livestreaming state. The audience of the livestream knew that Jiang Pengji was going to recruit a new worker and all stayed, unwilling to leave.

Based on their “understanding” of Jiang Pengji, she was a lord obsessed with looks.

The talents she recruited were either handsome boys or handsome men, and even the older ones were handsome elderly men… Even if the recruit was not handsome, he was a classy and talented person, and he wouldn’t look too bad as long as he tidied himself up. All in all, looks were very important!

However, the reality was cruel. Their zeal experienced an unprecedented sneak attack as their hearts were broken.

Wei Zixiao the Strong Weightlifter: Streamer, I know that it is wrong to make personal attacks, but I still have to say this — Qi Kuang’s looks are still very far from the passing mark even after rounding up, are you sure that you want to rope him in? He will pull down the average looks of your whole party! Aren’t you known as the most good-looking band in the universe? Don’t give up and seek treatment…

Feng Zishi the Moralist: Haha — Even though the previous commenter’s mockery is very mean, I also feel that… Ummm, I don’t welcome Qi Kuang. The reason is simple, he is too ugly and an eyesore. It would affect the mood of other people working with him. But as the lord with strong power, the streamer definitely can’t fool around so wilfully. No matter how hard we object to it, we probably cannot affect the streamer’s determination. Let’s accept reality.

Qiguan Rang the Competitive: I knew it. Humans have a similar sense of aesthetics despite us belonging to different dimensions. It’s such a cruel, cold, and judgmental world that places so much emphasis on looks. But anyway, wasn’t Qi Kuang taken exactly because of his looks? If he looks handsome, how would the streamer have had a chance to rope him in? He would have been roped elsewhere a long time ago. At the moment, they are short on manpower. It’s good enough to find someone, let’s not be picky!

Li Hanmei the Ugly: I can accept anyone beneficial to the streamer, and I don’t mind if they look handsome or ugly. Actually, from the viewpoint of a male, I still hope that the overall handsomeness in the livestream could be slightly reduced, with fewer handsome men and more pretty women… Really, can you imagine my girlfriend screaming and making various sorts of noise as she holds on to a photo of Li Yun, that boy toy, while we’re dating?

Seeing the series of IDs, Jiang Pengji was holding in her laughter so much that she was almost in pain. The IDs were clearly a result of fans idolizing someone so much that they started to make fun of the person.

Especially “Feng Zishi the Moralist.” It was such a great way to make fun of him!

Beside her, Feng Zhen didn’t know what was happening. He shifted in discomfort, changing the position he had been sitting in.

Jiang Pengji gathered her thoughts and concentrated on her conversation with Qi Kuang.

“Since you already know that, are you willing to accept the offer?”

She had always disliked beating around the bush, and the same held when she was recruiting. Ahe would just be direct and upfront about it.

It would be good if he was willing to, but if he was unwilling… Ermmm, she would think of a way to make him willing.

Qi Kuang wore a hesitant expression. He gathered up the courage to lift his head and his gaze met Jiang Pengji’s. He immediately looked down again.

He secretly clenched his fist, gathering his courage to tell the truth.

“As far as I know, you don’t need to train marine troops at the moment. You would just be keeping a useless person around if you rope me in.”

Qi Kuang felt that even if he jumped ship, he wouldn’t be put in an important position.

Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and thought about it. She said, “I don’t need marine troops at the moment, but it doesn’t mean that I need not train marine troops, and it doesn’t mean that I will never use them. A thousand days the country nurtures its soldiers for one day’s battle. It will be too late by the time I need marine troops. As for keeping a useless guest? I have a big household and a big fortune, why would it matter even if I never get to deploy my marine troops?”

Qi Kuang was silent for a moment. Jiang Pengji did not rush him.

“I was born ugly, my legs are impaired, and I look like an eyesore. Do you not mind, Magistrate Liu?”

Qi Kuang was moved, but he still minded it a little. After all, why had Feng Zhen used “uniquely ugly” as the excuse to borrow him from Yang Jian?