The Flower Among the Flames

Chapter 24

The old general fumed, his nostrils flaring as he breathed in sharply. Zhao Meng and Seulgi were in his scouring gaze under intense scrutiny. It was clear that his subordinate defied his orders. The nervous shuffling of feet and glance to the floor was all he needed to know that she had been talking to Seulgi after all. She may not believe it, but Zhu knew her better than she would have liked to admit. Seven years under his wing could do that. Still, the man reserved hope in the faint possibility of her actually following orders. It was a fairly small hope.

Now, as for Seulgi, Zhu was sorely disappointed. Knowing Zhao Meng, she would have told the man about her orders and her desire to defy them. Weak. He scoffed, his eyes rolling to heaven. Not only were women a weakness, it was a plague for the man. Had he no strength around them? General Zhu boomed, "Well? Explain yourselves!"

Zhao Meng grimaced under his thunderous voice, her eyes darting towards Seulgi. The jig was up. Zhu had caught her in the act and in front of everyone. Her cheeks were ablaze and her heart began to pound her ribcage into dust. But then the Man of Joseon gave her an encouraging look, motioning slightly with his hand. It filled her with confidence somehow, knowing that he was there with her. She began, "We were discussing a plan of attack."

"Really?" Zhu raised a bushy eyebrow, his right hand brushing his beard unconsciously. She was not a good liar, he knew this full well. She's certainly trying though. "What plan would that be?"

"Whether we should barricade the gates and fight them down here should they break in or retreat to the upper floors," Zhao Meng replied quickly, trying to think on her feet. She had to say things that would seem reasonable to his ear given the situation. Zhu would know something was off otherwise. But what she did not know, was that Zhu did not believe a word she was saying. He nodded quietly anyway, giving the semblance of being convinced with her deception.

"Alright then," Zhu hummed. "Then what have you decided?"

"We...have not come to a decision yet," Zhao Meng answered, looking at Seulgi meaningfully. He stared back at her with wide eyes. What was she doing? Why are you getting me involved? She asked, "Right, Seulgi?"

Oh, fine. Seulgi nodded slowly, feeling agitated in taking part with this act of deception. He did not like this situation, but he doubted the General would appreciate the knowledge that they were discussing a murder investigation and Zhao Meng's suspected part in it. He glanced back towards the woman with a sense of mild awe. She was taking this very mildly. Seulgi was expecting shouting, death threats, and tears, but she stood there and took it all in without so much as a foul word. He was impressed.

Despite her calm reaction, Seulgi could see that she was hurt inside, regardless of how she was behaving towards everyone now. Seulgi felt his heart throb. He was sorry but felt that it was the right thing to do. Despite the pain she probably was feeling, Zhao Meng seemingly accepted it very maturely. He understood. There were things that should not appear on the face; especially when one was feeling intense emotion. Seulgi noticed her fast glances towards her troops earlier and once again mentally approved of her reactions. She was thinking of her men and how her mood could change the morale of the troops. He would have done the same, but he knew that just because he agreed with her choice, it did not make this situation any more acceptable to either party.

Seulgi focused his attention back towards the older general. There was something off with this confrontation. Where was Zhu the whole time? Surely the sounds of battle would have drawn him out earlier or at least send a runner for an explanation. But no runner came, and he did not climb down the stairs until everyone was safely behind the doors. At least everyone who survived made it inside the keep. He frowned. What sort of general was he to not have asked for a situation or report? Then he noticed the crimson cloaked figure behind the broad back of the general, dark veiled eyes boring into Seulgi. Something about that person is not natural, Seulgi said in his mind.