“I am a man of the jianghu. Even under the Shu King’s banner, I remain a man of the jianghu. Every grievance has its source, every debt its master—that’s the rule. The court has its own righteous army to deal with things.”

Seeing that reason wouldn’t work, he could only ask, “Why rebel when everything seems fine? I see the world is quite peaceful.”

“Peaceful?”

Emily Harris raised an eyebrow and sneered, “Eunuchs hold power, taking in the dregs of the jianghu as their lackeys. The forced collection of tribute stones has driven refugees for thousands of miles, yet every year they pay silver to enemy states. If the people can’t survive, why wouldn’t they rebel?”

“Is that true?”

He frowned slightly. After all, this world was different from the Northern Song. Maybe the emperor and his ministers could prevent the Jingkang Disaster. Even if they couldn’t, rebellion would only make things worse.

Emily Harris wasn’t surprised by his disbelief—after all, this was Bianjing.

“I was born in Shu, never lacking food or clothing, and thought the whole world was like that... But after a trip to Liaodong, I realized how much people can suffer. Parents eating their children, bones split for firewood, the government offering no relief, even boys of twelve or thirteen dragged off for hard labor... When there were no men left, they took women, and finally even the old and weak, leaving nine out of ten homes empty, no one spared... For every bit of Bianjing’s prosperity, there’s that much misery out there.”

She spoke earnestly. William Carter nodded slightly, but having grown up in the new century, he really couldn’t imagine such scenes.

“All the silver is in the hands of corrupt officials. Once I overthrow the court, there’ll be pay for the army. Then I’ll destroy Liao and Jin, and push on to the grasslands. I’ve been to the grasslands once—the wind there... is beautiful.”

The room was pitch dark, with only the lotus pond outside the window reflecting a few points of starlight.

Hearing Emily Harris’s bold words, he shook his head. “Destroying Liao and Jin is no easy feat. The Northern Song... ahem, not even the wisest rulers of past dynasties could do it. It’s not something that can be done just by saying so.”

“He who wins the people’s hearts wins the world.”

Emily Harris straightened her back, eyes blazing: “The Shu King is benevolent and generous. When he raises the banner of righteousness, all sides will respond. In the east, Brother Song of Liangshan; in Hebei, Tian Hu is recruiting troops; I hear several seniors in Jiangnan are plotting as well. This is the trend of the times—why shouldn’t I succeed?”

He rubbed his forehead. The situation in this world was vastly different from what he knew, so he had no grounds to argue. He could only remind her, “Don’t go to Liangshan. The court has already taken notice. Next year, they’ll send people to suppress the bandits.”

After noticing Liangshan in the case files, he naturally paid attention. Although it was just a small water stronghold, once it entered the Dian Kui Si archives, it would definitely be dealt with when time allowed.

Hearing his warning, Emily Harris nodded and smiled lightly. “Someone from Liangshan did invite me once, but I couldn’t stay there... I see you have a rebellious spirit. Why not join the Shu King’s banner and be a spy in the capital? When it’s done, you’ll be made a marquis. You won’t be working for nothing.”

Upon hearing this, Marquis Wu’an William Carter shook his head repeatedly. He wasn’t stupid—why give up being a legitimate marquis to chase the empty promises of rebels?

“I’d like to live a few more days. Once you’re healed, you should leave. The Black Feather Guards are searching strictly these days. As soon as things quiet down, get out of the city.”

Emily Harris sighed, but didn’t insist. After all, rebellion was a matter of risking your head—no one could be forced to do it willingly.

Night fell.

Emily Harris took out some medicine from her bundle, opened it and sniffed, then got up to apply it. But the wound was on her back, out of sight and reach, which was troublesome.

Seeing this, William Carter stood up and said, “Let me help you. Illness doesn’t care about the doctor.”

Though his words were reasonable, in this era, how could a woman really undress in front of a man? Emily Harris frowned slightly, holding the small medicine bottle, hesitating in the room.

He was rather helpless. “I’m a eunuch. Before being transferred to Dian Kui Si, I often helped the palace ladies and princesses bathe. If you mind, then forget it.”

With that, Eunuch Carter turned and left the room.

Emily Harris hesitated a moment, but didn’t fuss. She walked to the bed and said, “I was rude.” She took off her outer garment, revealing her back—her slender waist was fair and well-shaped, with two shallow dimples, her curves accentuated by the black skirt, adding to her charm. Unfortunately, her back was covered in bruises.

Emily Harris lay openly on the bed, turned her head and said softly, “Sorry to trouble you.”

“No trouble.”

He coughed, then walked over to the bed with a serious face, untying the butterfly knot and the straps of her undergarment at her back...

[Omitted]

After cleaning the wound, in truth, the bruises and scars all over her back weren’t much to look at, except for the alluring curve pressed out under her armpit. He carefully treated the scabbed wounds, and at this moment, had no mind for anything improper.

A man and a woman alone, late at night, the atmosphere inevitably felt off.

Emily Harris lay on the bed, her face inexplicably hot, so she found something to say: “Those palace ladies... are they pretty?”

“Just average.”

He curled his lip. He’d seen photos of Qing dynasty concubines in the archives before—really unbearable to look at, nowhere near as attractive as this ancient bandit before him.

“Is that so!”

Emily Harris seemed thoughtful, then turned to look at William Carter, who was carefully tending her wounds, and stared for a long time. “You’re quite handsome, especially your eyes. It’s a pity you’re a eunuch.”

Sword-like brows as dark as ink, eyes that could steal a heart.

The overlord of the capital, William Carter’s eyes had captivated many, and frightened even more—once seen, never forgotten.

Praised for his looks by a young woman, he raised his eyebrows. “Since ancient times, beauty has known hardship. Rare is the dream lover in the boudoir. I only hope, miss, that in the days to come, every season is like spring for you!”