The Resolute Cannon Fodder Teaching In Ancient Time

Chapter 74: Seventy-Four Treasures ✨

The women in the tent looked down on Xu Zhen, but she didn't let it bother her. She was there to check on the situation and reconnect with the slave women who had once helped her.

Not seeing the scar-faced slave she was looking for, Xu Zhen decided to leave.

Just as she was about to step out, the women began mocking her, accusing her of being a fake and praising the woman on the couch as the true favorite.

At first, Xu Zhen ignored their comments, but remembering the importance of merit points, she decided to set the record straight.

She turned and asked, "Do you think I'm only here because of my looks?"

One woman responded, "Yes! You just happen to match the lord's taste. But copying someone else's looks won't lead to anything good."

Xu Zhen smiled and said, "What do you mean by imitation? I've always looked like this. If there's any imitation, it's her copying me."

The group was momentarily stunned, then laughed. "The lord has favored her for a long time. Everyone knows this story in the Northwest; how could you not know?"

Xu Zhen realized this was the dancer who resembled her.

She then asked, "But wasn't she chased out one night?"

The dancer's expression changed at this.

The incident was embarrassing and well-known in the city. The North Frontier King had someone she loved deeply but could not openly acknowledge, someone who looked very similar to Xu Zhen. Unfortunately, this beloved person was missing, Opportunists seeking to gain favor exploited this by presenting women who resembled the missing beloved, leading to rumors that the dancer was the King's secret favorite.

The dancer enjoyed the prestige these rumors brought her but was always uneasy about being exposed as an imposter.

When Xu Zhen mentioned her being expelled, the dancer nearly stood up in anger, glaring at Xu Zhen, ready to argue.

Xu Zhen calmly continued, "There is a path for everyone, no matter how they look. It's fine to gain favor through appearance, but relying solely on it can be risky."

The dancer seemed puzzled, and someone nearby asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Xu Zhen addressed the dancer directly, "As a dancer, you can earn a living with your talent, not just your looks. While your appearance can bring you wealth and status, it can also lead to trouble."

The group in the tent was perplexed, starting to wonder if the dancer might be pretending.

Xu Zhen then offered, "If you're unsure, I can tell you a story."

Everyone in the tent grew silent.

Xu Zhen began her story, "Once, a farmer had both a monkey and a donkey. The little monkey entertained everyone by jumping around on the roof every day, and the farmer praised it. Seeing this, the donkey decided to try jumping on the roof, too. What do you think happened?"

Someone guessed, "A donkey on the roof? It must have crushed all the tiles."

Xu Zhen nodded, "Exactly! The donkey crushed all the tiles, and the farmer was so angry he ended up slaughtering the donkey!"

The room fell silent, a chill creeping over them.

One person, staring at Xu Zhen, asked, "What are you trying to say? Are you suggesting she's a fake?"

Xu Zhen calmly replied, "I never said that."

Several maids looked at Xu Zhen in disbelief.

She clarified, "This story was about imitation, so I shared it. There's no hidden message."