[An Orphan's Love Affair with a Beauty's Rivalry] (Volume 1, Chapter 004)

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Chapter 004 The Grand Mansion

In the southeast of Daming Lake in Jinan, Shandong Province, lies a grand mansion covering hundreds of acres, the heirloom of

the Zhou family, the wealthiest family in the area. Master Zhou, in his early fifties, is a refined and witty man, born into a wealthy and influential family.

Known business acumen and emphasis on integrity, he has made the family business even more prosperous since taking over in his twenties,

gradually expanding the business throughout the country, encompassing all aspects of daily life, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

There's a popular saying: "Li Tingbi in Jiangnan, Zhou Long in the North," referring to these two extremely wealthy

families. Besides business, the Zhou family has always valued education, producing several scholars who passed the imperial examinations, making them a truly scholarly family

. They are also known for their philanthropy, enjoying high prestige in the area and maintaining consistently good relations with the government. Because of the Zhou family's

immense influence in the area, it's unclear when exactly, but residents began referring to the four main streets outside the Zhou family compound as Xiao

Nan Street , Xiao Dong Street, Xiao Bei Street, and Xiao Xi Street. Over time, this became a habit, and the government tacitly accepted it.

However, in the last twenty years, the Zhou family seemed to be abandoning literature for martial arts. This was most noticeable to Old Zhang, the shopkeeper who ran

a stationery business . The Zhou family had always been his biggest customer, but in recent years

, their purchases had plummeted, with only a small demand for top-quality items. Business was becoming unsustainable, and Old Zhang even

considered changing careers or moving his shop.

On the morning of the second day of the tenth month in the 43rd year of the millennium, in early winter, the clattering of hooves echoed on Xiao Nan Street.

It was a mule cart loaded with firewood. The mule snorted

intermittently , seemingly unable to bear the weight. The middle-aged man driving the cart was emaciated and ragged, and despite his constant whipping,

he couldn't get the mule to run any faster. No wonder he was anxious. It was the peak season for firewood sales, and almost every household in the city

was requesting deliveries at the same time. These poor people who made a living by chopping firewood were working at full capacity, trying to earn as much money as possible

to supplement their household income. Not only were the firewood choppers working hard, but the mules pulling the carts were also exhausted,

making ten or more round trips a day from the mountainous area south of the city to the city.

As the mule cart arrived outside the south gate of the Zhou family mansion, the middle-aged man habitually looked towards the gatekeeper. The Zhou family had a large demand and

never bargained, so for the past ten days, he and a dozen or so colleagues had been busy delivering goods specifically for this family, becoming quite familiar with each of the gatekeepers

and always greeting them as they passed by. Seeing Old Tong, who was on duty today, standing outside the

gate with his brothers, he still didn't forget to offer his brightest smile, even though he was very tired. "Hello, Boss Tong, you look great today!"

But Old Tong didn't even lift his eyelids; he was busy receiving guests. The middle-aged man was surprised: "Old Tong

has always been very polite to us poor people, unlike the snobbish gatekeepers of ordinary wealthy families. It's rare for him

to ignore . It seems these dozen or so guests are of high status..." He didn't think much of it and drove

past the gate, going about his business.

Not only him, but some observant neighbors of the Zhou family also noticed that recently,

there had been many more visitors coming and going from the Zhou residence than usual, many of whom were unfamiliar faces, walking briskly with a somewhat江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) air. The neighbors found

it a bit strange . Although Master Zhou was very wealthy, he was a low-key person. Apart from some dealings with the government, he rarely associated with江湖 heroes.

Moreover, he spent most of the year doing business in Suzhou and was away from home for more than half the year. Where did all these visitors come from?

Some neighbors who frequently interacted with the servants of the Zhou family were able to learn some things about the Zhou family through casual conversations.

Among them was a woman in her early thirties named Li, who lived at the east end of Xiaonan Street. She often brought needlework and other small items to the Zhou family

to do some small business.

While delivering goods, Li chatted with the servants of the Zhou family and learned that most of these guests were visiting Madam Wang, the matriarch of the Zhou family.

She also heard the servants say that Madam Wang was a remarkable woman, not only skilled in both literature and martial arts but also possessing

a strong ; even the master of the house feared her.

Li also learned that Madam Wang's name was Wang Yingxiang, born into a wealthy family in the capital, and was forty-one years old this year. Although

a woman, she had a forthright personality, preferring martial arts to feminine adornments, and enjoyed traveling and befriending chivalrous figures

. She possessed the dashing and heroic spirit of a peerless beauty and a tender heart. It was said that the reason Master Zhou preferred to reside

in Suzhou was because he was afraid of his wife; there, without constraints, he could do as he pleased and enjoy

the thrill of being the head of the household, wielding power and influence. Of course, the truth remained unknown.

The middle-aged man drove the mule cart to Li's door. After some haggling, Li finally bought two large

bundles of firewood. The man shook his head helplessly. He had no choice; he had to

do business with both the rich and the poor—it was professional ethics, he'd just earn a little less.

Li, panting, dragged the firewood into the woodshed in the backyard. The delivery man could have done it for her, but she

refused, afraid of being charged extra. She was covered in sweat afterward, so she went to the kitchen to get hot water and

washed . To save money, the washroom had no windows, and a bathtub was out of the question.

She made do with a basin of lukewarm water. The door, cobbled together from a few planks, creaked

and rattled . A gust of wind slammed the door shut with a bang, startling the naked Li!

"Alas! I was so blind back then to marry such a good-for-nothing husband. He's always

idle, leaving me, a woman, to go out into the streets and do odd jobs to earn money..." Li felt a

surge

of frustration. Suddenly, she heard a cry of pain outside the door. Turning around, she saw her husband's nephew, who was about ten years old. Startled, she quickly covered her chest with one hand and her genitals with the other, yelling, "Get out! You good-for-nothing! Just like your uncle, you're always idle,

running to your aunt's house to freeload. You even dared to peep at your aunt while she bathes!"

It turned out that the little brat hadn't had breakfast at home that morning and had been sent over by his father to freeload. Hearing

the sound of running water in the bathroom, he leaned against the doorframe to peep at his aunt bathing. Li wasn't particularly beautiful, but her plump, white body was

quite alluring. He didn't care that she was his aunt; his mouth watered as he stared. Suddenly, his finger was caught in the door,

causing him to wince in pain. Having just been scolded by her aunt, Li knew she had no hope of getting a free meal and scurried away.

She closed the door, muttering curses as she dried herself, dressed, and went to the main hall. She picked up a winnowing basket containing Suzhou embroidery

materials headed towards the Zhou residence across the street. The head steward of the Zhou residence, Granny Li, who was in charge of purchasing daily necessities

, was a relative of hers, and the two were very close. Upon seeing her, after receiving payment, Granny Li had a maid serve tea and

invited her to chat in the guest room of the inner courtyard.

Granny Li was originally Madam Wang's wet nurse, having come with her when the lady married. She was always the lady's most trusted servant and was considered...

She was a powerful figure in the Zhou family, but she was nearly sixty years old. As people age, they inevitably become talkative and enjoy having someone to

chat with. Li learned some things about the Zhou family from her.

Around dusk, Li saw a beautiful, elegant middle-aged woman, about forty years old, walking gracefully along the corridor

, followed by several pretty maids. The sunlight illuminated her beautiful face, revealing a refined and

otherworldly beauty. Her demeanor was dignified and elegant. Although she was plump, her height of five feet six inches (186 cm)

was rare even among men, making her appear exceptionally tall and strong, yet it did not diminish her beauty and

unparalleled charm!

The woman wore her hair in a palace-style bun and a tight-fitting outfit, unlike ordinary women who wore skirts, which gave her a more heroic and spirited air

. She wore a purple cloak with a cinched waist, highlighting her full, mature figure with its exquisite curves and captivating allure. Although Li

was a woman, she was also stunned. She truly hadn't imagined that there could be such a masculine yet exquisitely beautiful

woman in the world!

How could Heaven possibly combine these two seemingly contradictory aspects so perfectly and flawlessly in one woman

, creating such an unparalleled beauty?

(Author's note: The dimensions in that era are the same as in modern times, the same applies below.)

"This old servant respectfully greets Madam!" Li, the old nanny, hurriedly went to the door to greet her respectfully. After a few casual

pleasantries , the beautiful woman and her maids left on their own. After Granny Li returned to her room, Madam Li, still in a daze,

asked in a low voice, "Is that the First Madam? My goodness! She's so beautiful! I've never seen such a

tall, strong, and beautiful woman in my entire life!"

Granny Li whispered to her, "That's right! She is my Madam, the true mistress of this household. Everyone calls

her 'Madam,' none of the other concubines deserve that title. Every day at this time, she goes to the back garden

to stay with Wuyue in a quiet room until lunchtime. She instructed long ago that no one except her and Wuyue is allowed to enter that room

, not even me, so no one knows what she does in there."

Madam Li asked, "Who is Wuyue?" "Young Master? I've never seen him before."

Granny Li chuckled, "His name is Xiao Wuyue. He's the adopted son of Madam. Although he's adopted, Madam

cherishes him dearly, keeping him by her side since he was little. She personally takes care of his meals, clothes, and sleep,

rarely letting her personal maids interfere. Though not her biological son, he's treated like one. I nursed him from a young age, and I've never

seen her serve anyone so meticulously. Even I rarely get to see Wuyue, let alone

outsiders !"

Madam Li sensed something mysterious about this beautiful Madam and became curious about Wuyue. Women are often

curious , but after listening to Granny Li's endless chatter

about trivial matters, she couldn't get any further information about Madam and Wuyue. So Madam Li had no choice but to rise and take her leave.

The lady left the wet nurse's room and quickened her pace towards the secluded meditation room in the back garden. Wuyue was practicing her martial arts there;

besides protecting him, she herself practiced for an hour and a half every day.

Her extraordinary internal energy gave her an incomparably noble and elegant temperament, a devilishly alluring figure

, and an imposing, dignified aura, inspiring fear in everyone around her, including her

husband . Her full, high breasts, plump, pert buttocks, and mature, voluptuous, and sensual figure also gave her

the mature and alluring charm unique to middle-aged women.

Her husband was often away on business in Suzhou, away for more than half the year, causing the already strained relationship between

the couple to grow even more distant. Fortunately, the clever and quick-witted Wuyue was always by her side,

playing and amusing her. Wuyue spent much of her time teaching martial arts to the children, which kept her from feeling empty and lonely.

Wuyue would be fourteen in a few days. He was an orphan she had adopted and her heir.

He was intelligent and quick-witted from a young age, polite and refined, with delicate features, a slightly frail appearance like a young scholar, and a lively and beautiful

young girl , whom she adored.

Thinking of his lovely face, a ripple of emotion stirred in the lady's heart. As the saying goes, "When people are well-fed and warm, they think of lust,"

and this was especially true for her, who lived a life of luxury. She possessed an excess of energy and exceptional female

physiology, yet her pride prevented her from engaging in adultery or keeping a lover. Unable to release her desires through normal marital

relations , the intense sexual fire burning within her remained unsatisfied.

The physical emptiness, the boundless loneliness, coupled with the disappearance of her only son when he was just a month old, and the fact that her

two daughters had married far away and could not stay by her side, gradually led her to pour all her emotions and energy

into Wuyue, treating him like her own son.

As she entered middle age, driven by an increasingly strong maternal instinct, her love for Wuyue grew excessive.

Like most mothers, she longed for her child to grow up quickly. However, she was gradually shocked to discover

a hidden, unspoken expectation and desire for him deep within her.

"What am I expecting? What am I yearning for?" She couldn't figure it out, nor

did she want to. But she was deeply captivated by that strange feeling,

the greatest secret lurking within her for years, or perhaps a kind of unconscious fantasy. It greatly alleviated her feelings of

oppression and anguish, releasing her increasingly intense, yet unspeakable, desires, and

those tangled, intricate emotions.

According to the ancient customs of her tribe, a closer future might exist between a stepmother and her son. Although this primitive

and backward custom had been abandoned, how could the historical sediment of over two thousand years be easily erased?

Like salmon migrating to spawn, each year they struggle to swim back from the untamed ocean to their

birthplace, where they spawn and die in the shallows of rivers; like

the wildebeest the surging currents and the gaping jaws and sharp teeth of ferocious crocodiles unable to extinguish their

intense desire to cross…

As rational humans, with the elimination of outdated customs, what is often eliminated is outward behavior,

but the sediment in our minds, like genetic code, still stubbornly influences our thinking, leading us to do things

that others might consider unconventional.

Could she be the same?

Therefore, only in the stillness of the night, when she lay on her warm bed in her dark embroidered room…

Only then did she dare to open her heart, releasing the demon of desire that she had locked deep within, a desire that was always ready to burst forth and ignite

her passion. She carefully pondered

the pleasure that made her weak all over. She unleashed her extraordinary imagination to fantasize about the alluring scenes of making love with her dream lover! 　　Whenever this happened, the fantasy in her mind, which stimulated her raging lust, would make her blush and her heart race, igniting an uncontrollable fire of passion within her. A series of intense physiological reactions would be fully manifested in the three most sensitive parts of her body... 　　her breasts would swell, her nipples would gradually harden and swell to the size of a thumb, and her genitals would itch unbearably and secrete large amounts of love fluid. 　　If the lady had stopped there, it would have been fine. But once she started, she could no longer control her thoughts . She could only indulge her unrestrained desires, letting her fantasies run wild. Often, she would lose control of her strong sexual desires, driving her to resort to masturbation to stimulate her body and obtain pleasure. Occasionally, she would achieve orgasm and obtain a small physiological satisfaction. 　　Fundamentally, even if the lady was willing to continue doing this without regard for shame, she always felt like she was scratching an itch through a boot , unable to fully release her emotions and desires. 　　This happened almost once a month, always during her ovulation period after her menstruation, which is the time when the sexual desire of a middle-aged woman is at its highest! 　　Perhaps it was based on this perverse and stimulating desire that she regarded Wuyue as forbidden. She was obsessed with the Wuyue was the only channel through which her soul and body, her deep affection and sexual desires could be extremely satisfied and released in this life. 　　She firmly believed that Wuyue's life was destined to belong only to her, the noblest and most beautiful woman in the world, who held the position of the most powerful woman in the martial arts world. She was Wuyue's only family in this world, and her love for Wuyue was unparalleled! 　　She had long decided to possess Wuyue exclusively. From a young age, she was extremely ambitious, always fighting relentlessly for what she wanted, never giving up until she had it, and never letting anyone else take it away. 　　Now, with her unparalleled martial arts skills, she was even more unrestrained. She looked down on everyone, regarding all others as worthless. She never smiled at anyone, including her husband, always displaying a cold and ruthless demeanor, sharp- tongued glaring. Only when facing Wuyue would she involuntarily smile like a hundred flowers blooming, both charming and alluring, revealing her gentlest and most considerate side. 　　Ever since she developed those unusual feelings for Wuyue, she occasionally thought about the fact that she was a full twenty-seven years older than him—an age gap that's not common between most mothers and sons. But her unconventional personality meant she completely disregarded the psychological barriers that come with incestuous relationships! 　　Like a fierce tigress, she constantly and vigilantly protected Wuyue, rarely letting him leave her side. She personally took care of all of Wuyue's needs, from eating and drinking to sleeping. He was almost fourteen, and every night she still slept in the same bed with him, sharing a blanket with her adopted son. She was always worried about letting him sleep alone, afraid he would wake up in the middle of the night and be frightened by having no one beside him. 　　Perhaps in her heart, Wuyue would always remain like the child she had adopted, forever a child . But the growth of life is a natural law, just as she herself would gradually grow old. Although she often lamented the passing of time, feeling that her youth was fading and her beauty was about to wither, she was helpless to change it. 　　As Wuyue grew older, when she held him in her arms at night, the lady, with a woman's exceptionally sensitive intuition and rich experience, noticed subtle changes beginning to occur in her little darling. These changes weren't enough to make him sexually capable, but they were enough to make her heart flutter and her dreams filled with desire. 　　While lost in these fantasies, she secretly resolved to become his first and only woman . While secretly anticipating happiness, she grew increasingly anxious, fearing that his affections would be stolen by other women. 　　Whenever she saw the glamorous concubines and maids surrounding Wuyue, playing with him, teasing him , and flirting with him, she couldn't help but feel intensely jealous. She would immediately rush at them like an angry tigress, chasing Wuyue away and hiding him in her inner chamber, passionately kissing and caressing him. It seemed that only such intimacy could extinguish the raging fire of jealousy within her! 　　Leaving aside the Madam for now, let's talk about how, after breakfast, Beifeng took Wuyue straight to the secluded meditation room in the back garden to practice her martial arts. This was Wuyue 's daily routine, either in the morning or afternoon, depending on the situation. Beifeng was the Madam's right-hand man and her most valiant lieutenant. Years ago, it was she who saved Xiao Wuyue's life 　　in the bushes of the desolate wilderness , and the two siblings had a particularly close relationship. 　　As usual, the Madam would first go to her study to handle some daily affairs before going to the meditation room to practice with . 　　Beifeng led Wuyue by the hand along the winding flower path. The low trees on both sides looked somewhat withered and yellow after losing their leaves. Beifeng suddenly stopped. "Wuyue, didn't you eat enough for breakfast again?" 　　Wuyue said with a frown, "Of course! I had boiled pork belly first thing in the morning. It was greasy and tasteless . It's fine if my godmother likes it, but she forced me to eat it too. I had to secretly spit out two bites after every three bites. How could I be full?" 　　Beifeng took out an oil paper package from his pocket and handed it to him. "Here~ this is what the leader of the Bohai Tong Banner sent for my sister yesterday . It's candied fruit from Shuntian Prefecture, all your favorites." 　　Wuyue opened the oil paper package and saw dried apricots, candied dates, candied crabapples, and mountain hawthorns. He couldn't help but cheer and said, "Oh, this is great! I'm still hungry!" He ate with relish. These were all Beifeng's favorites, and of course, so were his. 　　After eating one of each, he suddenly felt something was amiss and quickly picked up a dried apricot and stuffed it into Beifeng's mouth, saying with a look of self-reproach, "Look, I was so happy that I forgot that my sister hasn't eaten yet!" 　　Beifeng said softly, "You can eat as much as you want. Your sister tasted it last night." 　　Wuyue picked out one of each kind and fed it to her, saying, "I will definitely buy lots and lots of the best dried fruit to honor my sister in the future!" In his opinion, these dried fruits were the most delicious in the world.

Beifeng rubbed her eyes. Seeing her red eyes, Wuyue quickly asked, "Sister, what's wrong?"

Beifeng replied, "Nothing, a little bug flew into my eye. Let's go."

Outside the secluded room, a pretty young maid, about sixteen years old, was busy lighting a fire and

cleaning the inside and outside. Upon seeing the two, she quickly stepped forward and curtsied, "This servant greets Young Master and Commander!"

Xiao Wuyue smiled and said, "Green Velvet, I've told you countless times, we've grown up together. Don't be

so formal. Just call me by my name, like Sister Beifeng. By the way, I've noticed you've been acting strangely lately.

What are you up to?"

Green Velvet had served him in the secluded room for several years, seeing him every day, and they were quite familiar with each other. She looked at Beifeng and said

somewhat reservedly, "How can this servant compare to the Commander? As for what I'm busy with, you'll

find out later. For now, it's a secret!" The last sentence was said playfully, not quite like speaking to her master.

Wu Yue shook his head, saying helplessly, "Little brat, you're keeping secrets from me! I'm not going to chat with you anymore, I'm going in to practice

. If I miss my practice, Madam will blame you again." Not only Green Velvet, but all the maids in the manor were always very

casual with him, even their forms of address were varied. When they were happy, they would call him Young Master, usually they would call him Wu Yue, and when they were unhappy,

they would simply call him by his full name, which he didn't mind.

The seclusion room was simply furnished, with only an antique wooden cabinet in the corner and two futons on the floor,

making it seem empty. Inside, there was a small room with chairs and a bed, which was for Madam

to rest .

Wu Yue sat cross-legged on a futon, his eyes closed and brows slightly furrowed. He was guiding his inner energy to penetrate the rugged and difficult

"Shaoyang Meridian." His energy flow became unusually slow, and a sharp pain shot through his lower abdomen.

Sweat beaded on his forehead; he was clearly in considerable discomfort.

After Wu Yue entered his meditation chamber, Bei Feng stood outside, staring blankly at the fallen leaves scattered across the garden. Of course,

not a single leaf could be seen beyond a ten-zhang radius, as someone was constantly cleaning it

. Only Lü Rong was within that ten-zhang radius, and it took more than a quarter of an hour to finally finish cleaning.

Afterward, she walked to Bei Feng's side and smiled, "Commander, come to my room. I'll invite you to tea." She then led

Bei Feng into a side room, where they brewed tea and chatted casually.

Having served Madam for a long time, Beifeng, though not particularly skilled, had some knowledge of tea ceremony. Seeing Green Velvet's

unique , she frowned and said, "Green Velvet, instead of taking good care of the seclusion room, you've been tinkering with this

? When did you become interested in tea ceremony? But judging from your technique, you seem to have quite a bit of experience."

Green Velvet smiled and said, "Sister Beifeng, to be honest, there's not much to do in the seclusion room. Anyway, I'm just idling around, so

finding something to do helps pass the time." Her form of address had changed in private, indicating that although their statuses differed, their

personal relationship was quite close.

As they spoke, the tea was ready, and Green Velvet poured Beifeng a cup, looking at her somewhat nervously. Beifeng took a small sip

and, seeing her expression, said, "You've come to the wrong tea master. Wuyue is

the real expert."

Green Velvet bit her lower lip. "That's precisely why I dared not let him taste it so easily, for fear of making a fool of myself!"

Beifeng said, "Hmm, but from what I feel, your tea skills are truly remarkable, seemingly surpassing even Madam and Second

Aunt !"

Green Velvet exclaimed excitedly, "Really? That's wonderful! I'll have Madam and Young Master try it sometime

and see what they say!" Madam's tea skills were one thing, but Second Aunt's were truly exceptional;

no wonder she was so pleased with such praise!

Beifeng looked at Green Velvet with a slightly puzzled expression, her brow furrowing imperceptibly. She sipped her tea slowly and remained

silent . She was always a woman of few words, and nine out of ten of her sentences were directed at Wuyue. Green Velvet wasn't one for idle chatter either,

and the room fell silent.

After some time, Green Velvet began tidying up the tea set. Looking up at the somewhat distracted North Wind, she whispered,

"Sister North Wind, you should find a hobby, like embroidery or chess, to pass the time.

What are you thinking about?"

North Wind slowly shook her head: "I'm just idling around in the manor, so I like to stay here quietly

. I can't muster any interest in anything."

Green Velvet said softly, "Sister North Wind, lately you always seem to have a lot on your mind whenever you come. I really

can't imagine what problem could possibly stump you, given your abilities."

North Wind said dejectedly, "Of course there is!" Her voice suddenly rose, as if she were somewhat agitated, then she looked

blank and fell silent.

Seeing her strange expression as she stared blankly at the secluded chamber, Green Velvet asked with concern, "Sister North Wind,

has the young master caused you trouble?"

North Wind turned and stared intently at Green Velvet, her eyes empty and vacant, as if pondering a troublesome

matter. After a long while, she finally spoke in a low voice, as if making up her mind, "Green Velvet, I've always treated you like a younger sister, and

I know you're good with your mouth and won't gossip... I do have something on my mind, something that's been weighing on my mind for a long time,

something I can't figure out, something that's stuck in my throat. I might as well tell you today. Yes, your troubles are related to him..."

Green Velvet opened her eyes wide in confusion, looking at her thoughtfully.

Beifeng stared intently for a moment, seemingly trying to clear her mind. "I and Sister Zhaiyue, along with three other

personal , have practiced internal energy cultivation techniques to sever emotions and destroy desires since childhood. For many years, apart from loyalty

to the Madam, we have had no other thoughts in our hearts. The Madam trusts me greatly and has entrusted me with important responsibilities. But in the past year, his shadow has appeared in my heart,

I can't shake it off, I can't get rid of it, I dream about him at night... My heart can no longer be at peace. My sister is already

over twenty years old, and she should have gotten married more than ten years ago in our hometown. I understand what this means... I, I may have

fallen in love with him, but the Madam..."

A subtle, strange light flashed in Green Velvet's eyes, as if she had suddenly realized something.

"Besides, you know, in our tribe, girls get married at ten years old. If I did that,

my child no less than two years younger than him..." Bei Feng, preoccupied with his own thoughts, didn't notice anything amiss and continued to pour out his

endless troubles in a low voice, as if only in this way could he find relief...

Meanwhile, the lady walked along the flower path to the secluded room deep in the back garden. Passing by the Green Velvet Room, she saw two

maids sitting there absentmindedly, not even noticing her arrival. She felt a little unhappy, but worried about

Wu Yue's practice, she had no time to pay attention and pushed open the door to enter the secluded room.

Seeing Wu Yue drenched in sweat, sitting cross-legged on the futon like a meditating monk, eyes closed, his expression pained, she knew he

hadn't yet circulated his qi through the "Shaoyang Meridian." She took a small earthenware jar from a wooden cabinet in the corner, opened the seal, and

pulled out a small silver snake. She then pulled down Wu Yue's trousers and wrapped the snake around his penis.

Approximately every ten days, when he was practicing his qi, his wife would wrap a small snake around him like this. This was

Ye Bing's unique method; after her ascension, his wife took over the task.

His wife was known for her iron-fisted rule; subordinates had to obey unconditionally. The same applied to raising children; they had to follow

her arrangements unconditionally, whether it was diet or daily life.

With the snake's help, Wu Yue's attempt to break through the Shaoyang Meridian became slightly easier, at least the pain was less intense. Seeing that he was alright,

his wife also sat cross-legged on another futon and began practicing, but her mind was turbulent,

and she couldn't enter a meditative state for a long time. In fact, not only today, but recently she had been somewhat restless and agitated.

Unable to concentrate, she gave up and turned to look at Wuyue, her chaotic thoughts instantly

vanishing. She couldn't help it; like Ye Bing, she also liked looking at him like this. Aside from

the occupied her time, she only wanted to be with him all day.

Over the years, she had urged Wuyue to diligently practice martial arts, feeling the days fly by and her own life become

much more fulfilling.

But Wuyue was not naturally suited for martial arts; even with the guidance of a celestial master, he made little progress, his internal strength foundation extremely poor,

much to her bewilderment.

That evening after dinner, as usual, the lady took him for a walk in the back garden behind Qiushui Pavilion.

Although Wuyue was not suited for martial arts, she was very talented in various arts. Whether it was astronomy, geography, music, chess, calligraphy and painting,

or tea appreciation, wine tasting, Qimen Dunjia and other miscellaneous arts, she could learn them all after being taught them. In recent days, she has made rapid progress.

In particular not only memorized the famous classics of the Hundred Schools of Thought, but also understood

some of their essence at such a young age, which greatly surprised her exceptionally talented wife.

The mother and son chatted and laughed all the way. Wu Yue was discussing Sun Tzu's Art of War with his wife, using classical Chinese phrases:

"Master, Mr. Sun is a genius. The first thirty-five stratagems are all classics. I especially admire 'The best strategy is to attack the enemy's mind, the worst

strategy is to attack their plans, the best strategy is to attack their formations.' But the thirty-sixth stratagem, 'Running away is the best policy

,' you always tell me to remember it, but I really can't see the point. Isn't it just running away?

Can running away really lead to victory?"

Wu Yue sometimes called his wife "Master," sometimes "Godmother," and sometimes just "Mother." His wife

didn't mind and let him call her whatever he wanted. The reason she emphasized the thirty-sixth stratagem to Wu Yue was that she hoped

he would know how to run away when he encountered danger in the future and not put himself in

danger !

She smiled and said, "Wu Yue, you only see the negative side. Back in the Chu-Han Contention, Emperor Gaozu of Han suffered repeated

defeats , yet he repeatedly escaped using this strategy. Coupled with his profound understanding of 'winning hearts and minds,'

he lavishly won over the hearts of the people, ultimately leading to the unification of the Han Dynasty. His escape was a strategic retreat,

a manifestation of cunning, a temporary withdrawal aimed at victory. On the other hand, the peerless Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Chu, couldn't

bear the humiliation of defeat, dragging Yu Ji down with him to commit suicide at the Wujiang River. I think this is the behavior of a loser."

Wu Yue earnestly replied, "I disagree. Xiang Yu is a great

hero !"

The lady softly said, "He achieved lasting fame through his death, but I think it was a selfish act. What did

Yu Ji do wrong?" She couldn't be like Empress Lü, a model of virtue for the world. She could have lived a quiet life with her husband in the mountains, a loving couple.

But she sacrificed her life for Xiang Yu's so-called "male dignity." I don't believe this is the act of a hero.

A true man should have unwavering perseverance and a strong sense of responsibility,

taking responsibility for those he loves and all those who love him. How can he so easily give up on life?

Seeing his continued skepticism, the lady emphasized, "Take you for example. If something happened to you,

would your godmother still be alive? So even for my sake, no matter what hardships you encounter in the future, you must

live on strongly. As long as one is alive, there is hope. Whether one is a hero or a coward, as the sage said, 'A wise man does not tread

dangerous ground.'" At this point, her true feelings were revealed, and her eyes reddened.

Height is not a barrier, age is not a problem. A May-December romance is as beautiful as fine wine. How many old men have been driven

mad by young girls, and how could no beautiful woman awaken the infatuation of a young girl for her beloved young man?

Wu Yue affectionately took her arm, nodded, and smiled, "Now I understand, Master. Don't worry, I

won't let you worry."

The lady breathed a sigh of relief, leaned down, and looked at him with a smile. She gently brushed the soft stray hairs

from his temples, kissed his fair cheeks twice, and said with great affection, "That's more like a good child! Alas, you are so

intelligent, you understand many things so easily, why do you always stagnate in your cultivation and Qi refinement?"

Wu Yue protested, "Didn't we agree that I would let my martial arts practice take its natural course? I also promised you that I would practice in

the secluded , why is my godmother bringing this up again?" He changed his address back to godmother to express

his dissatisfaction with his master.

The lady laughed, "Alright! Godmother misspoke." She immediately changed the subject and discussed the latest developments in tea-making

techniques , which immediately aroused his great interest.

The two chatted very congenially, walked along the flower path for a while, and felt the fragrance of plum blossoms, which was refreshing

and invigorating . Looking up, Wu Yue realized she had unknowingly arrived outside the Plum Pavilion.

It was an octagonal pavilion for appreciating plum blossoms, small in size but with a charmingly compact exterior and

exquisite . A few chairs were placed in the center, and on a delicate sandalwood table were a chessboard, chess pieces, and the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and

paper). A weathered ancient zither, clearly of exceptional quality, sat in one corner. A long brocade pouch hung from a pillar,

containing Wu Yue's favorite bamboo flute. Beside the table was a brazier, now lit by the maids with high-quality

smokeless coke from Shanxi.

Next to the brazier was a small stove stand and a tea

table meticulously carved from a single piece of rosewood root. The flowers, birds, insects, fish, bridges, flowing water, and figures depicted on it were all incredibly lifelike, undoubtedly the work of a master craftsman.

Despite the many items arranged in the small pavilion, it didn't appear cluttered at all. Once inside,

everyone feels that everything has been placed in its proper place, or rather, in its most suitable position.

This arrangement, both natural and tidy, subtly reveals the profound harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity. Seemingly simple, it is in fact

exquisitely ingenious.

Achieving this is not just difficult, it is extremely challenging! Therefore, the lady herself meticulously arranged it

as Wuyue's study for admiring flowers. Every piece of furniture was personally selected by her; nothing less than the work of a renowned artist

was used. Each item was also carefully arranged by her own hand, with her personal maids not allowed to interfere.

In fact, not only this warm pavilion, but all of Wuyue's daily necessities were prepared by her personally.

Seeing that the plum trees surrounding the Plum Pavilion were already sprouting buds and about to bloom, Wuyue excitedly took his wife's hand and

said with a smile, "Master, these plum trees didn't seem to be blooming yesterday, but it looks like they're about to open tonight. Why don't

we enjoy tea and admire

the plum blossoms here tonight?" His wife looked at his little face, which was red from the cold, and gently pinched his small, straight nose, smiling affectionately

. "It's cold here at night. You're not strong enough to withstand the chill. Let's go back. Your master

will play chess with you in the warm pavilion of Qiushui Pavilion. It's much warmer there."

Wuyue shook her arm, refusing to listen. "No way! Playing chess here and watching

the buds slowly bloom is so beautiful! Besides, it's not cold by the fire."

His wife couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she instructed the maids to stoke the fire and bring tea sets, and she personally brewed the tea.

Speaking of tea-making skills, while she wasn't a top expert, she was still quite skilled. Even the usually boisterous Wuyue quieted down,

carefully observing each step of his master's tea-making process. From these subtle movements, he often gained insights—

a vague understanding of life—and he enjoyed this feeling.

As for tea tasting, he was undoubtedly the foremost expert in the Zhou household. Therefore, without exception, the first

cup of tea was meant for him to taste. Seeing the satisfaction on his face, his mistress's eyes shone with

happiness.

His chess skills had improved rapidly recently, but compared to a master like his mistress, he was still somewhat immature. Moreover, once

she began to place a piece, his mistress always went all out, showing no mercy, just like her unwavering and powerful

aura when dueling an opponent. Once she found a weakness in Wuyue's game, it was often a fatal blow, leaving him utterly helpless!

Seeing his large black group in the upper right corner completely surrounded by white pieces, with no possibility of breaking free and connecting with the black pieces

in the lower right corner , he was sweating slightly despite the cold weather. His brows furrowed

as he desperately tried to create a second living eye within the black group; failure meant certain defeat.

Perhaps influenced by his wife, he possessed a strong will and refused to give up easily. However, despite his best

efforts—whether it was a ko fight or a feint—his wife countered each move, thwarting all his attempts to make his group live.

The decisive moment arrived. He stared blankly at the board, silently calculating all the possible developments within six or seven moves

after . A full ten minutes passed, and he still

couldn't bring himself to place the piece.

The more you calculate the development of this endgame, the more variations there are. For example, he has four possible

moves for this move, and for each move, the lady has three or four possible responses. Each response

corresponds to a different subsequent trend, resulting in more than ten variations within the next two moves. After calculating six moves, there are more than

three thousand possible endgames.

He racked his brains and estimated that there were more than three thousand possible trends after six moves, but he could only

remember less than half of them and could see the advantages and disadvantages of each endgame. Of the more than one thousand

endgames he could remember, none of them could allow him to turn the tide. So, among the other thousand or so possible endgames,

was there any chance of winning?

He thought of Beifeng, who was quietly watching the game from his side without saying

a , let alone in such a tense moment. She had followed the lady through many years of life and death, and was fearless in the arena.

In fact, she was the person the lady trusted most. Besides the lady, she was also the one who took the most care of Wuyue, followed by

the other three sisters among the lady's personal guards.

He knew that besides their exceptional martial arts skills, the four sword maidens each specialized in one of the four arts: music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Beifeng, however,

specialized in chess; her mind was like an abacus, her memory unmatched. Therefore, she could

calculate and remember at least 30% more endgame puzzles than he could!

He glanced at Beifeng; after years of interaction, she understood the question in his eyes without even looking.

He then looked at the Madam, who whispered to Wuyue which move would be most advantageous for him, though not necessarily a victory, but

the only way out of the predicament.

The Madam seemed confident of victory and didn't take Beifeng's advice seriously. However, after Wuyue placed his piece,

the situation immediately changed drastically, triggering a series of deadly moves. She had no choice but to respond, losing the initial advantage. Wuyue's chances of making his black dragon alive

increased significantly, and now it was her turn to worry.

Wuyue excitedly grabbed Beifeng's calloused hand and exclaimed, "Sister Beifeng is amazing!

Not only can you remember most of the endgame variations, but you can also find the most advantageous one. In the future, besides Master,

Sister please teach me chess more often!" In fact, even if the Black Dragon made a living group, his chances of winning were still very small, but

at least he wouldn't be completely routed by the Lady and lose too badly. No wonder he was so excited!

Beifeng blushed, but she didn't pull her hand away from his. The usually heroic and valiant woman

seemed a little shy and uneasy, and the scene of her first encounter with Wuyue twelve years ago couldn't help but appear before her eyes.

Madam sensed Beifeng's unusual reaction and a flicker of jealousy rose within her: "These four girls have undergone special training

since childhood ; they should be devoid of emotions. But look at her expression now… something's not right!

Could it be that spending so much time with Wuyue has inevitably led to girlish infatuation, and she's already developed feelings for him? It seems best to separate

them !"

Seeing Madam notice him, Beifeng quickly withdrew his hand and stood silently to the side.

Seeing the maternal tenderness in Beifeng's eyes stirred Murong Ziyan's maternal heart, a heart

still .

**********

Fifteen years ago, she gave birth to her third child, finally a boy. Overjoyed, she

named Zhou Yan, making him the apple of her eye, cherished and protected.

Almost simultaneously, a chivalrous woman named Liu Yanniang, connected to Wuyue, was deep in the Mengshan Mountains…

In a cave called Muyun Cave, an illegitimate child was born, named Xiao Xiaojun. Even more coincidentally, these

three children's fates became inextricably linked through various opportunities and unforeseen circumstances! Adding the fictitious

Zhang Xiaoqi further complicates and entangles their relationships! On

the day Zhou Yan turned one month old, Murong Ziyan led a group to Mount Hua to challenge Ji Wuxia, returning victorious. On her way back, her subordinates rushed to report to her in

a panic , learning that when she left the Yuelai Inn at the foot of Mount Hua, the people left behind had been

poisoned, and Zhou Yan had been kidnapped! She searched the ends of the earth but couldn't find him, or even identify who had kidnapped him!

To this day, the child remains missing, like a stone lost at sea. She is filled with remorse and grief, heartbroken for

a long time .

In this vast sea of people, where is he? Zhou Yan was only a month old when he disappeared; she has no idea what he looks like now.

How can she possibly find him? Even if they met face to face, she would probably only see him as a stranger; even if he were in the mansion,

she would only see him as the boy next door!

So when Beifeng brought Wuyue back, out of maternal instinct, she snatched Wuyue away,

held him tightly in her arms, and refused to let go, constantly kissing his cute little face, smelling the

strong milky scent on his body. Maternal love welled up inside her, and she thought, "If my Yan'er hadn't been lost, he

would be a year older than him, and probably just as cute, right?"

She subconsciously imagined Wuyue as her missing son, keeping him by her side, never leaving his side, and loving him dearly!

She was truly afraid 　　that after losing Yan'er, she would lose Wuyue as well. The pain of losing a beloved son was heart-wrenching, and only a mother

could understand it! She could not bear such a heavy blow again in her life!

********** ... That's often how things are in life. You can lose in tactics, but you can't lose in strategy. Madam is undoubtedly a top-notch strategist, whether traversing the land or on the chessboard. 　　Seeing the utterly dejected Wuyue, Madam couldn't help but gently comfort her, "Don't be discouraged. Actually, you 've improved very quickly. Last month, your master had to give you a handicap of more than ten pieces, but tonight he only gave you an eight-piece handicap, and you still almost couldn't win . Learning chess requires patience. When your master was your age, his chess skills weren't as good as yours." 　　Seeing that it was getting late, and the north wind was starting to blow, and even sitting in the warm pavilion, one could still feel a slight chill, Madam gently advised, "Wuyue, be good. Let's stop admiring the plum blossoms tonight. It's quite cold here at night; don't catch a cold ." 　　This time, Wuyue didn't insist and returned to Qiushui Pavilion with Madam. As they entered the main hall, passed through the small elegant room, and entered the warm pavilion , the madam turned back and instructed Beifeng, "Go back to your assigned west wing room and rest. From today onwards, you no longer need to stay in the warm pavilion to serve every night." 　　Beifeng was taken aback. She was always inseparable from the madam, as was Wuyue. At night, she would simply find a place to meditate in the elegant hall or the warm pavilion of Qiushui Pavilion, ready to be at the madam's beck and call in the inner chamber. 　　Although greatly surprised, this usually taciturn and aloof beauty said nothing, turned and left expressionlessly, her tall and slender figure, like the madam's, appearing somewhat desolate.她心中不仅失落，隐隐感觉失去了夫人某些信任，而且还大为担忧，「以后夫人若再发狂，我又不在旁边，无月能捱得过夫人那般暴打么？」　　夫人虽疼爱无月，可一旦发怒便控制不住暴虐冲动，常把他打得鼻青脸肿，所以一旦内室中传来夫人那种令人心惊肉跳的咆哮声和无月声嘶力竭的哭嚎，守在外面的北风便会忍不住冲进去将他紧紧抱在怀里，默默地用宽厚的脊背挡住夫人暴怒的拳打脚踢，替他挨揍。错非她武功奇高，所练功夫又极其注重抗击打能力，换作其他人早被夫人活活打死了！　　秋水轩作为夫人的居处，也是罗刹门的指挥中枢，占地一亩半，坐南朝北的北方四合院格局，重檐歇山式门楼，院内单檐歇山顶带抱厦，屋宇连绵环绕一圈，显得庄严肃穆。 Beside the courtyard gate was the gatehouse where guards stood watch. Passing through the front courtyard along the central axis were the atrium and the main hall . Behind the door in the northeast corner of the main hall was the lady's inner chamber, which no one was allowed to enter without permission. From east to west, the elegant hall, the warm pavilion , and the bedroom were connected in sequence. 　　The first, third, and fourth wing rooms on the west side of the main hall were the duty rooms for Beifeng, Zhaiyue, and Caihong, respectively, and also where the daily affairs of the thousands of elite guards were handled. The largest room on the east side, further in, was the study, and the second room was the dining room. Outside the atrium, two junior maids lived in the west wing room, and a 　　senior maid lived in the east wing room. Only Feishuang's office was in the execution squad area of the front courtyard. The reason was simple: her face was always long and pale, as if everyone owed her money. She treated the lady the same way, and no one wanted to be served by such a person. This doesn't mean the lady didn't appreciate her; quite the opposite, she was ruthless also towards members of her own sect who had erred . She showed no leniency, and her methods of torture and interrogation were cold-blooded and constantly evolving. Therefore, the lady placed her in charge of the execution squad and trusted her implicitly. 　　In the warm, spring-like inner chamber, the lady was undressing Wuyue and preparing him for a bath. Having spent so long in the rather chilly plum pavilion , the lady feared he would catch a cold and wanted him to soak in hot water to dispel the chill. 　　She carefully washed her beloved son's increasingly aroused member, watching it slowly swell and stand erect in her palm, though not yet hard enough for penetration. However, she estimated that he should be able to in another year. 　　After a somewhat ambiguous display of intimacy and a few flirtatious caresses, the lady dressed Wuyue in his nightgown and told him to wait for her outside the screen. Then she stripped naked and soaked in the hot bath, warning Wuyue , "Don't go out again. Just wait for me in the room for a while, but you're not allowed to hide behind the screen and peek at your godmother bathing." Back at Qiushui Pavilion, she referred to herself as godmother again, no longer calling herself master, showing that the lady was quite casual about how she addressed people. 　　While soaking in the hot water, the lady said to Zhaiyue, who stood beside her, "According to Jingtang Master's secret report, Tianmen is also eyeing the Changsha Gang, that lucrative prize. You recently went there; what was Chief Yan's attitude?" 　　Zhaiyue bowed and said, "This time, when I went to the Changsha Gang, through the introduction and pressure from Wudang Yinzheng Daoist, Chief Yan didn't outright oppose it, but he didn't explicitly agree either; he was somewhat perfunctory. However, I got along very well with Chief Yan's wife, Li Junyi, and his youngest daughter, Yan Zhirong. They are more inclined towards our sect, so it wasn't a wasted trip."

The lady sneered, "That old fox Yan Chihong, a typical opportunist. The fact that he's managed

to survive for so many years in the cracks between our sect and the Heavenly Gate, remaining unscathed, shows how cunning and shrewd he is. Hmph, if all else fails, we'll have to resort to force!"

After Zhaiyue left, the usually restless Wuyue was quite bored. Thinking of the plum blossoms about to bloom, he couldn't

resist the urge to leave. Before the lady could even come out, he skipped and hopped out of the room.

The lady, while soaking in the bath, chatted idly with Wuyue. After a while, hearing no response, she thought

, "This child was just jumping around, and now he's already dozing off?"

She raised her voice and called, "Wuyue, are you sleeping? Why aren't you answering me?" She called several times, but there was still

no response.

Her expression changed slightly: "Could Wuyue have run off to play again? It's so late and so cold, I hope nothing

bad happens !"

She quickly stepped out of the bathtub, wrapped herself in a towel, and peered through the screen, but there was no sign of him.

She immediately became anxious, calling out loudly for Wuyue, but there was still no response!

She had no

choice but to quickly dry herself off, summon Beifeng and the others to help her dress, and then they split up to search for her. Beifeng was also very anxious, searching the entire Qiushui Pavilion with Zhaiyue and Caihong, but they couldn't find her either!

It should be known that Madam would become flustered without him by her side, so even though he didn't have much self-defense

ability, she still took him with her when she traveled the martial world. This was partly because no one in the martial world dared

to provoke her, and she was absolutely confident in protecting Wuyue; and partly because she couldn't bear to be without

Wuyue by her side, not even for a day. And each time she went out, it would be for ten days or half a month, so naturally she didn't feel comfortable

leaving Wuyue alone in the mansion.

But this time, Wuyue seemed to have run away from home, how could she not be anxious?

**********
Meanwhile, after leaving Qiushui Pavilion, Wuyue went straight to the back garden. He really wanted to see how the plum blossoms quietly

bloomed. Upon entering the Plum Garden, I saw the Second Concubine with a maidservant.

This Second Concubine was Master Zhou's second wife, named Hua Ying, forty years old this year, and quite beautiful and

voluptuous . Years ago, because her marriage to Master Zhou was purely political, devoid of love, she was reluctant to

share a bed with him. Therefore, she arranged for six alluring and beautiful concubines outside the home to keep him company, lest he

harass her in his old age.

The Madam's inner strength was unparalleled; she possessed exceptional talent and applied it to bedroom arts, creating the "Charming Woman's Heart

Demon Technique." Her inner seductive arts, once unleashed, were indescribably wondrous, unmatched by anyone. Each time they were intimate, she could bring the man unparalleled

pleasure , but the Madam herself felt only pain… simply because she had no love, and therefore no desire.

It turned out that Huaying was feeling down that evening, so she and her maid Ping'er went to the back garden to clear their heads. Seeing the plum

blossoms in full bloom, and knowing they had some fine tea in their room, they asked Ping'er to bring the tea stove and other necessities, intending to

enjoy tea while admiring the plum blossoms. Huaying had just finished brewing the tea and was about to pour it when she saw Wuyue walking by alone.

Huaying thought, "This child is Madam's darling.

If something happens to him, everyone will be in trouble!" So she called out loudly, "Wuyue, it's so late,

where are you going?"

Wuyue, seeing that it was her second aunt, although they weren't particularly close and she was from the second branch of the family, still felt it was her

elder couldn't be impolite. She quickly went to Huaying's side and smiled, "Second Aunt, hello! You have such a refined taste

! It's quite a coincidence, I also sneaked out tonight to admire the plum blossoms." "

Huaying asked, "Does Madam know that you, a little kid, have come out like this?"

Wuyue shook his head and said, "No, I just sneaked out while my godmother was taking a bath. Otherwise, I wouldn't

have been able to get out."

Huaying said anxiously, "No! You have to go back to Madam's side quickly, otherwise, when Madam finishes her bath and

can't find , she will be worried, and then no one will have a good time!" After saying that, she told Ping'er to take him back to Madam

's Qiushui Pavilion. She knew very well that Madam always forbade these concubines from getting close to him, so it was inconvenient for her to take

him back herself.

Wuyue refused, forcefully shaking off Ping'er's hand that was holding him: "The plum blossoms are in full bloom tonight, and the moonlight is so

beautiful. It's the perfect time to appreciate plum blossoms. I was just about to admire them and compose poetry. I'm not going back!" Huaying didn't want to force him too much, thinking, "Since he doesn't want to go back, it's better to let him stay here for a while than let

a child run around. It's safer with me watching over him. Once he's had his fun , I'll find a chance to coax him back to Madam's side." 　　She smiled at Wuyue, "Since you want to appreciate plum blossoms . The tea has just been brewed and is at the perfect temperature. You've come at the right time. Why don't you enjoy Second Madam's tea ceremony while appreciating the plum blossoms?" 　　Huaying's charming smile made Wuyue momentarily stunned. She and her wife belong to different types of middle-aged beauties. Her wife is dignified, elegant, and exceptionally beautiful. Although over forty, she looks like a woman in her thirties due to her refined —a truly ethereal 　　beauty. Hua Ying, on the other hand, is fiery and alluring, with a captivating charm . Her almond-shaped eyes sparkle with spring, exuding a seductive allure. Her deep red lips hint at a wanton desire, and her large, full breasts and mature, curvaceous body are perfectly proportioned. Though past her prime, she retains her charm, belonging to the type of passionate, arousing middle-aged woman. 　　From a man's perspective, he often prefers to sleep with a woman like Hua Ying. Wu Yue seemed to enjoy her style as well. Seeing that she was invited to taste tea and admire plum blossoms, which was indeed an elegant affair, she clapped her hands exclaimed, "Autumn Dew from the Cold Pool? That's the finest tea! I've heard my godmother say it's made with eight extremely rare and exotic flowers and herbs, combined with tender Longjing tea buds that can only be found in the Nine Streams and Eighteen Bends of West Lake, yielding only one pound a year. It's layered and smoked, resulting in a colorless tea with a mellow, fragrant, and lingering aftertaste. It truly is the finest tea!" " I've always heard that Second Aunt is an expert in tea ceremony. With such excellent ingredients at your disposal, it's like a fine sword for a valiant warrior or a beautiful woman for a charming lady. The tea you brew is truly extraordinary, and I really must trouble you for a cup !" 　　Hua Ying diligently poured him the first cup of tea and smiled, "I didn't expect that someone so young would have such knowledge of tea. However, you can't stay out too long. Let's have some tea and chat, but you should go back soon . It's cold and dewy here, and even I can't stay here for too long."

Wu Yue agreed, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly exhaled, savoring the aroma. He exclaimed in admiration

, "Truly excellent tea! It deserves to be called the finest of teas!"

Savoring the tea's fragrance, admiring the proud and unyielding plum blossoms, and with a beautiful woman beside him, as intoxicating as wine

, chatting and laughing with him from time to time, reciting poems whenever the mood struck him, Wu Yue enjoyed this atmosphere and was even less willing to go back.

Hua Ying, however, seemed somewhat intoxicated, and strangely, she no longer insisted on escorting Wu Yue back to Qiushui Pavilion. Instead, she

gradually became more unrestrained, flirting with him, and ultimately, unable to resist, led him back to Peach Blossom Garden…

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