[Fantasy] The Song of the Six Dynasties (Complete) - 25

page views:1 Publication date:2023-07-23

Chapter Seven:

Fengle Tower, located on the shore of West Lake, is a magnificent building with only three stories high, but its platform spans two stories, earning it the reputation of "reaching high into the clouds, offering views of the moon and wind above

, and shielding one from the clamor of the world below." The interior is lavishly decorated, making it the most famous tower in Lin'an. Although situated on the lakeside, Fengle Tower is adjacent to Yongjin Gate in the west of the city, with the Lin'an government office just across the city wall. It was midday, and the tower was bustling with activity.

"These silver chopsticks are worth at least ten silver coins," Cheng Zongyang remarked, admiring the exquisite carvings on the chopsticks. "The people of the Song Dynasty are indeed wealthy." "

Fengle Tower is a famous tower in Lin'an; all the tableware used at banquets is made of silver and gold, costing no less than a hundred taels per meal."

Cheng Zongyang examined the table closely and indeed, the bowls, plates, cups, pots, and even the toothpicks were made of silver.

"What a great place! At least we don't have to worry about being poisoned while eating here." Cheng Zongyang chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "It's rare for a fairy to reveal her true form, but to invite guests while

she wears a veil is a bit too cold, isn't it?" At the other end of the round table sat a woman in a plain white dress and a light red veil. Her beautiful eyes were calm and composed, her bright pupils like pools of autumn water, seemingly able to penetrate the heart with a single glance.

"This humble servant is ugly. If I were to reveal my true face, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to eat, young master."

"Hey, show some sincerity! Do you think I'd believe you?"

"This humble servant never shows her true face outside our sect. Please forgive me, young master."

Cheng Zongyang said, "This cheese is quite good; it seems to be made from goat's milk. You should try it."

This was said to Li Shishi. Li Shishi's injuries hadn't healed, but the Black Demon Sea had sent an invitation to the patriarch for a banquet, and she insisted on accompanying Cheng Zongyang.

“I’ve been focused on learning medicine at Guangming Guantang, and frankly, I know very little about business. I hope to have more opportunities to participate in business-related social interactions.”

Cheng Zongyang couldn’t refuse this reason, and seeing how she dealt with Zhuo Yunjun, he didn’t want to waste her talents on medicine and accounting.

Given Li Shishi’s age, it would be at least two years before she truly shone. If Cheng Zongyang planned to cultivate her into a dazzling socialite, the hostess of top salons, and the invincible public relations manager of the Panjiang Cheng family, experience in social situations would be indispensable.

Normally, having Qin Hui there to smooth things over would be more reassuring, but the Black Demon Sea Witch and the Poison Sect were bitter enemies, and Qin Hui’s involvement would only increase the uncertainty. Therefore, Cheng Zongyang only brought Li Shishi to the banquet. Fortunately, Li Shishi's beauty was a source of pride for Cheng Zongyang. When he, dressed like a young master, swaggered upstairs with Li Shishi, at least two dozen male guests gave him pitying looks, as if a beautiful flower had been wasted on a pile of dung. But once Cheng Zongyang, accompanied by two barbarian bodyguards, glared at them one by one, they all quieted down.

Cheng Zongyang wasn't deliberately showing off or causing trouble; it was just that business was risky today, and attracting more attention made him safer.

Li Shishi picked up her silver spoon and ate slowly. Cheng Zongyang noticed many good qualities in this girl. First, she wasn't picky about food, and second, she ate very meticulously, showing care and appreciation for the food. The elegance and beauty of her movements were secondary.

Cheng Zongyang thought to himself: The education at Guangming Guantang seems good, but putting such a gem like Li Shishi in their hands, raising her like a proper lady, is a complete waste.

Jian Yuji showed no impatience, sitting peacefully in her chair. His deep black eyes were like bottomless pools, still and calm, yet occasionally they would turn and become incredibly lively.

Cheng Zongyang put down the silver spoon and, feigning interest, took out a folding fan—perhaps intentionally to provoke her, it was exactly the same one Ximen Qing had used—and while waving it, he laughed, “Yesterday I came and went in a hurry and didn’t have a chance to chat with you more, sir. I deeply regret this. I wonder how my old friend is doing?”

Jian Yuji replied nonchalantly, “A minor ailment. Thanks to you, sir, he’ll be fully recovered in a few days.”

“That’s wonderful! I laughed all the way home when I heard about your accident, and I laughed half the night after I got home, even waking up twice in the middle of the night laughing.” Cheng Zongyang said with a smile, “Even if that bastard survives, a missing kidney can’t grow back, can it?”

Jian Yuji said calmly, “You’re laughing too soon, sir.”

Cheng Zongyang drawled, “Is that so?”

Cheng Zongyang had originally wanted to probe Ximen Qing’s fate from Jian Yuji’s reaction, but Jian Yuji remained unmoved and didn’t respond to his question at all.

In business, it’s not the opponent’s laughter or anger that’s scary, it’s the opponent’s ice-cold composure. Cheng Zongyang snapped his folding fan shut and slammed it on the table, glaring at Jian Yuji. "You, surnamed Jian! We agreed to discuss business yesterday, but you killed my subordinates and injured my comrades. How are you going to settle this score?"

Cheng Zongyang deliberately accused Jian Yuji first to provoke her, but Jian Yuji remained unmoved. Instead, Qi Yuxian said coldly, "You used business as a pretext to set a trap. If it weren't for Fairy Ji seeing through your scheme, it wouldn't just be Ximen who was injured!"

"Bullshit! It was agreed that Fairy Ji and the Master would come to discuss business, but only that scoundrel Ximen showed his face. You were the ones who broke the agreement first! Besides, you only injured Ximen and the witch, while our casualties were more than ten times yours!"

Qi Yuxian retorted, "Aren't the members of the Overturning River Society human?"

"Sister Qi! Do you have any conscience?" Cheng Zongyang said with a pained expression, "Those scum from the Overturning River Society are just cannon fodder you sent to get slaughtered! First, you make them do your dirty work, then you make us kill people to cover your tracks. Your plan is too shrewd!"

"Where is your shrewdness compared to Young Master Cheng's?" Qi Yuxian said, "You've sent out all your heroes, and even brought out Guo the Great Sable from the palace. Your reach is quite far!"

"Where did this Guo the Great Sable come from?" Cheng Zongyang denied it outright, "He's just a coachman! Didn't you smell the horse manure on that whip?"

The two exchanged barbs, neither willing to back down in terms of momentum. A gentle voice came from the side, "The Star-Sweeping Whip is a treasure of our sect. We are extremely grateful for your return, Young Master."

Cheng Zongyang was determined to use unreasonable arguments to build up his momentum and gain leverage in the upcoming negotiations, but Jian Yuji's calm words completely extinguished his anger, leaving him somewhat embarrassed.

Cheng Zongyang, secretly on guard, casually sat down in a chair and said irritably, "You sent someone to deliver the invitation, I've come, I've had my tea, let's get to the point, I don't have time to waste with you."

Jian Yuji didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "I heard there's something called cement in Jiangzhou?"

Cheng Zongyang was taken aback and joked, "You wouldn't happen to be thinking of getting into the cement business, would you, Fairy?"

"Exactly."

This was like being offered a free ride! Cheng Zongyang drawled, "This won't be easy..."

Before he could finish speaking, Cheng Zongyang suddenly saw a blur before his eyes, a gust of wind rushed towards him, it was Qi Yuxian attacking without warning.

Cheng Zongyang never expected them to make a move, he hurriedly shouted and struck out with his palm. In this life-or-death situation, Cheng Zongyang no longer held back, his dantian qi wheel moved, the light points condensed from white light instantly gathered together, a layer of sun-like light appeared in his palm.

The two palms collided, and both of their bodies trembled. Although Qi Yuxian's cultivation was superior to Cheng Zongyang's, Cheng Zongyang's Nine Yang Divine Skill was formed from his entire body's true energy, making his attacks the most lethal. Qi Yuxian's palm strike was primarily for establishing authority, not for injuring anyone. Under his palm strike, Qi Yuxian gained no advantage whatsoever. Instead, due to the reverse force of the palm strike, her sleeve was shattered by the energy, revealing a section of her snow-white arm.

Qi Yuxian slid, and with a clang, her longsword was drawn, subduing Li Shishi and placing the sword against her neck. She coldly said, "Produce the cement formula, and I'll spare her life!"

Cheng Zongyang deeply regretted his overconfidence. He had rationally judged that the Black Demon Sea genuinely wanted to do business and wouldn't resort to any tricks; who knew that while they were indeed doing business, they not only wanted the golden egg but also the hen that laid it.

"If you dare touch a hair on her head, I'll never forgive you!"

Qi Yuxian sneered, tightening her sword to slice through Li Shishi's fair neck.

Cheng Zongyang shouted, "Don't do it! Let's talk this out!"

"Bring out the cement-making method!"

Cheng Zongyang looked anxious, but he saw Li Shishi secretly making a hand gesture with her left hand from an angle only he could see.

“The method of making cement is not unusual.” Li Shishi’s face was pale, her voice trembled slightly, but her tone was very calm. “But the material must be silt from the bottom of the Jiangzhou River. If you can occupy Jiangzhou, what’s wrong with telling you the method?”

“Shut up!” Cheng Zongyang shouted sharply. “Who told you to reveal such a secret!”

Qi Yuxian was unmoved and said coldly, “It’s already been widely known throughout the world. How can it still be a secret?”

“Aqi, let go.” Jian Yuji said gently, “Why resort to violence when discussing business with Young Master Cheng today? It will only damage our harmony.” With

Jian Yuji’s words, Qi Yuxian finally stopped. “If you disrespect the Fairy, be careful of your little beauty.” Saying this, she sheathed her sword and released Li Shishi.

Cheng Zongyang helped Li Shishi up. “So this is how the Black Demon Sea does business. My Panjiang Cheng family can’t afford to serve you! Farewell!” Saying this, he turned and stood up.

"Young master, please wait," Jian Yuji said softly. "Aqi was reckless and almost injured Miss Shishi. It's all because I didn't discipline him properly." She straightened her clothes and bowed, saying, "To express my apology, if you wish to know Miss Ruyao's whereabouts, I do know a little."

Cheng Zongyang felt a sense of unease, secretly thinking that this was definitely a trap, but he involuntarily stopped and turned to stare at Jian Yuji.

Jian Yuji said, "Young master only searched in Jiankang, but he didn't know that the Yun family had lost face because of this incident. In their anger, they had already sent Miss Ruyao to the Han Kingdom." Cheng

Zongyang suddenly understood. No wonder he had tried everything but couldn't find out any information. It seemed that Lin Qingpu's speculation that the main force of the Black Demon Sea was in the Han Kingdom was seven or eight parts true; at least their information was much better than his own.

"Miss Ruyao is currently in Wudu City at the foot of Shouyang Mountain, with twelve guards, eight servants, and two maids by her side. She is in good health and has no worries about food or clothing," Jian Yuji said calmly

. "Would you mind sitting down and talking, young master?" Cheng Zongyang turned and sat down. He wasn't just putting on an act when he left; these two vile women were clearly using the old trick of playing the good cop/bad cop to lure him into a trap. Moreover, Jian Yuji's revelation of Yun Ruyao's information wasn't out of any good intention; it was a clear implication that they knew everything about Yun Ruyao's every move—he had no choice but to discuss the business today, whether he wanted to or not.

Jian Yuji cut to the chase, "I heard that you intend to relinquish the agency rights for various dynasties?"

"That's right,"

Jian Yuji said calmly. "In that case, our Black Demon Sea intends to take over the cement business in Qin, Han, and Qingzhou."

Cheng Zongyang's anger flared, and he retorted sarcastically, "Why don't you just take the Tang Kingdom too? With the three northern dynasties plus Qingzhou, you can have more than half the business of the six dynasties."

"The Tang Kingdom is already represented by the Jin Kingdom's Jingu Shi family; how can we steal their business?"

Cheng Zongyang silently repeated twice: There are no secrets that stay hidden forever! Then, forcing a smile, she said, "So that's what we're talking about! Easy peasy! Easy peasy! As you probably know, Fairy Maiden, the current market price for cement is one gold coin per stone, with a 10% discount for agents! To avoid market monopolies, our Panjiang Cheng family's rule is that each agent can only operate for one dynasty. For fairness, we will select three agents each dynasty to compete in a bidding process, with the highest bidder winning. Each agency right is for one year. Fairy Maiden is welcome to bid!"

Qi Yuxian coldly replied, "Qin, Han, and Qingzhou dynasties—all three are required, with a 50% discount on the agency price." "!"

Cheng Zongyang spread his hands and said, "Then there's nothing to discuss. Doing business is all about 'trust.' If everyone ignores the rules, you might feel good, but what if I agree now and then go back on my word? Besides, the market in Sanchao is so huge; even if the Yun family were to take it all, they couldn't possibly monopolize it. In my opinion, Qingzhou is negotiable, especially since Qingzhou is famous for its gold and silver mines; the profits are no less than elsewhere."

Qi Yuxian was about to speak when Jian Yuji raised her hand to stop her, "Alright, Qingzhou it is, one guan per shi."

"One guan?" Cheng Zongyang groaned, "Fairy, you've never fired cement before! You dig river sand from the river, use top-quality pine wood to fire it, and if the heat isn't just right, the whole kiln becomes waste. Labor costs, material costs, footwork costs… the price is higher than growing grain! At one guan, I'd have lost everything!"

"How much, young master?"

"Two guan per shi, at most 20% off!"

"What if the price changes?"

Cheng Zongyang quickly calculated. His ideal price for cement was actually one guan per shi, but cement was newly invented and a scarce commodity; selling it for one gold zhu per shi was no problem. What this era lacked most was building adhesives. High-grade city walls often used glutinous rice juice or even egg whites to bind bricks and stones. Concrete made by mixing cement with sand was far superior in quality and price, with vastly different results. Giving the agent a 20% discount was actually a huge bargain for him. If he were to transport and sell it himself, the transportation costs and operating the shop alone would take at least 30% of his income. (A brief advertisement: Still relying on your own hands?) How can it be so pleasurable? Forum reputation guaranteed! Healthy anti-premature ejaculation masturbation exerciser, real oral sex pleasure experience, hot recommendation! Maintain the feeling of ejaculation for 30 minutes, so pleasurable you'll faint. Fully automated masturbation with 12 different sex positions and vibration frequencies. Click to enter.

"If the price changes, it will be 20% off the cost price."

"Okay." Jian Yuji agreed immediately, then said, "I want a ten-year agency right, free of charge."

Cheng Zongyang shouted, "A one-year agency right, no discussion!"

Jian Yuji said calmly, "What if I withdraw all of Black Demon Sea's subordinates from Lin'an within three days?"

Cheng Zongyang was taken aback.

"If the agency fee is waived, Black Demon Sea promises that within three years, except for purchasing cement, we will not set foot in Song Kingdom, how about that?"

Cheng Zongyang's mind raced. This was tantamount to Jian Yuji admitting that her layout in Song Kingdom had completely failed and abandoning further actions. This breathing space was too important for him. Although his power was expanding rapidly, it lacked a foundation. Three years would be enough for him to establish himself and put down roots in the Song Kingdom. Even if the Black Demon Sea returned with a vengeance, he could make them suffer a crushing defeat!

Such generous terms were tempting, but agreeing to them would be too unfair to the unscrupulous merchants of the Six Dynasties.

"Five years!" Cheng Zongyang said, "If you don't set foot in the Song Kingdom for five years, I'll give you a three-year free agency right."

"Five years of free agency, plus priority in purchasing, and a guarantee of full supply."

After much arguing, they finally agreed: the Black Demon Sea would receive a five-year free agency right to sell Qingzhou cement, with an annual sales quota of no less than 200,000 shi (a unit of dry measure); for a demand of up to one million shi, the Panjiang Cheng family must supply the full amount. The price per shi would not exceed sixteen silver coins—this was calculated based on the current price of two guan (another unit of dry measure) per shi. If the Panjiang Cheng family lowered the price of cement, the Black Demon Sea would also receive a 20% discount.

After both parties had finalized the terms, Cheng Zongyang breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Jian Yuji produce a contract. The terms on it were exactly the same as what they had just agreed upon, except that the spaces for both parties to sign and affix their seals were still blank.

Cheng Zongyang stared at the flawless contract, feeling extremely uneasy. All his efforts in slamming the table and using his wits had been in vain, and yet it was all perfectly executed, all according to this despicable woman's scheme.

After a long while, Cheng Zongyang sneered, "Why don't you just sign your name for me? Imitating handwriting is a trivial matter; isn't it easy for you Black Demon Sea?"

Jian Yuji replied frankly, "Imitating your handwriting, young master, is not difficult, but affixing your seal is not."

Cheng Zongyang first signed his name, then, in front of Jian Yuji, turned the brush around, dipped the tip in ink, and wrote his signature and the date in English calligraphy—even if Hei Mohai could perfectly imitate his handwriting, copying the date wouldn't help.

Both parties kept a copy of the contract, then clapped hands to seal the deal.

Cheng Zongyang picked up his wine glass, smiling broadly, and said, "Wishing everyone a pleasant cooperation! Cheers!"

Leaving Fengle Tower, Cheng Zongyang felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart, his steps becoming much lighter.

Ever since discovering Hei Mohai's whereabouts in Lin'an, a shadow had shrouded Cheng Zongyang's heart. Now that Jian Yuji had taken the initiative to withdraw, he felt a rare sense of relief, like someone who had been swimming underwater in the dark for a long time, finally surfacing to see the starry sky and breathe fresh air.

Using the Star-Sweeping Whip as bait, the five-year agency rights for the cement business in Qingzhou were exchanged for You Chan and Hei Mohai's promise not to set foot in Song for five years—this deal was truly worthwhile. Cheng Zongyang couldn't help but think that Jian Yuji might actually be a good business partner.

"I find this deal very strange," Li Shishi frowned. "Why would the Black Demon Sea switch to business?"

"They're short of money," Cheng Zongyang said. "The Black Demon Sea is expanding its influence everywhere, so they must need to buy houses, right? Supporting their subordinates also costs money, right? Buying properties, training people, winning over various forces, bribing experts, plus transportation, accommodation, public funds for meals, employee benefits... all of these cost money. The Black Demon Sea's initial capital was completely drained by Yue Niaoren, and now that they've expanded so much, it would be strange if they weren't short of money. At least the Bright Temple has a skill to support its family, so is the Black Demon Sea going to sell witchcraft at a stall to make money?"

Li Shishi tilted her head and said, "I don't think it's that simple."

Cheng Zongyang thought for a while: "The Black Demon Sea's sudden withdrawal is indeed a bit strange..."

Li Shishi said, "If they were just doing business, would you have sold them cement as agreed?"

"Of course," Cheng Zongyang said earnestly. "Business is business, and friendship is friendship. If you only act on personal likes and dislikes, selling more or less to people you think are good and not to people you think are bad, you can't do business for long."

Li Shishi pondered these words carefully. Cheng Zongyang asked, "By the way, that sword strike didn't hurt you, did it?"

Li Shishi replied, "There was a kind of true energy protecting the blade on her sword; it was just to scare people."

Cheng Zongyang laughed, "Luckily you gave me a hand signal, or I would have been really frightened."

Li Shishi's beautiful eyes showed curiosity: "Is the cement really made from the mud and sand at the bottom of Jiangzhou?"

"Amitabha," Cheng Zongyang solemnly raised his palm, "The Buddha said it cannot be spoken, it cannot be spoken."

Lin'an, the Grand Commandant's Mansion.

In the study, filled with various treasures, Gao Qiu toyed with a three- or four-inch-tall mutton-fat jade bottle, nodding and saying, "Fine jade! Fine craftsmanship—you've been patient enough to wait a whole day before coming to see me."

Cheng Zongyang, unceremoniously leaning back in his armchair, said irritably, "Master Gao is faster than a rabbit. If it weren't for me holding them off, the demons from the Black Demon Sea would probably have already attacked us."

Gao Qiu, however, showed no shame: "The Dragon-Slaying Saber is General Yue's heirloom; how could I dare to let it slip?"

"If you're not comfortable with that, just go down and fight for me! Why are you hiding like this?"

Gao Qiu put down the jade bottle and wiped his hands with a silk handkerchief. "If I were to reveal my identity, the consequences would likely far outweigh the damage from killing the enemy."

This was indeed true; if Gao Qiu's identity were exposed, it would be an irreparable loss for Cheng Zongyang and Xingyue Lake. Cheng Zongyang hadn't come to interrogate him. He tilted his body, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "There's something I need to report to the Grand Commandant."

"Oh?"

"I just reached an agreement with the Black Demon Sea. They promised not to set foot in the Song Kingdom for five years."

Gao Qiu's eyes flashed like knives. "Really?"

"I just signed a contract with Jian Yuji at Fengle Tower," Cheng Zongyang said. "I can't say for sure, but it's about 70-80% believable."

Gao Qiu's first reaction was, "Who did you kill that forced the Black Demon Sea to back down?"

Cheng Zongyang sighed. "Only two were seriously injured; they probably won't die."

Gao Qiu asked quietly, "Then why would the Black Demon Sea make concessions?"

Cheng Zongyang smiled and said, "Grand Commandant, are you interested in doing business?"

Gao Qiu hadn't expected him to change the subject. "What kind of business?"

"Cement monopoly," Cheng Zongyang said. "Jin, Tang, Song, and Qingzhou are all settled. Only Qin, Han, and Zhaonan remain. If the Grand Commandant is interested, perhaps he could also take a stake."

Gao Qiu closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "Black Demon Sea got Qingzhou?"

Cheng Zongyang gave him a thumbs-up admiringly. "Grand Commandant, your insight is remarkable!"

Gao Qiu sneered, "Black Demon Sea has changed its tactics—I'll leave Han to it."

"Han's business is so large, can the Grand Commandant handle it all?"

Gao Qiu said, "There are many officials in the court, not just me."

"Did I hear that right?" Cheng Zongyang sat up. "Are our Song officials planning to go to Han to do business?"

"Who wouldn't want to make money?"

"But you are Song officials! Is it appropriate to do business in Han?"

Gao Qiu scoffed. "You're making a fuss! Let me ask you, in which dynasty are officials allowed to engage in commerce?"

Cheng Zongyang frowned and thought for a long time. "Zhaonan?"

“That’s right,” Gao Qiu said, “Zhaonan is a feudal system; there aren’t even proper officials, only rulers and retainers. In the other five dynasties, officials were not allowed to engage in commerce—that was a law of the court.”

“Does this have anything to do with you doing business in Han?”

“A country has its laws, and officials have their policies. Since the court doesn’t allow officials to do business within their own country, surely it can’t control them acquiring property abroad? Therefore, Song officials acquired property in Han, Han officials acquired property in Tang, and Tang officials acquired property in Jin. As for those doing business in Qingzhou, they are countless.”

“The court doesn’t care about this?”

"Why meddle if we're not competing with our own people for profits? Besides, who can really control the businesses of officials in other countries? Officials from all dynasties are well aware of this. In fact, it's more convenient for us to do business in Han than in Song. After all, we

have to avoid suspicion in our own country, and it would be a huge loss if we were to be betrayed. If we do business in Han, as long as the news gets out, officials at all levels will help if they can, and even if they do, they won't be caught—after all, they also have business in Song."

Cheng Zongyang was stunned for a long time. "Officials across the land are all equally corrupt! Good for them! The Six Dynasties each governed themselves, but the officials below should first join forces to form a unified government. In my opinion, it's probably more efficient than the regular government."

"Helping others is helping yourself, and it concerns your own business, so who wouldn't do their best?"

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. The officials were indeed clever; they had managed to find a new path.

“Then it’s the Han Kingdom. Grand Commandant, pick a few people to get the business started.”

Gao Qiu readily agreed, “Easy.”

“Also,” Cheng Zongyang said, “I’m serious—this business trip should include Gao Zhishang.”

Gao Qiu said, “I’ve already secured an official position for Shang’er, so he’s currently holding one. As for experience, Shang’er is still young; a few more years won’t be too late.”

“A few more years will be too late,” Cheng Zongyang said. “I know the Grand Commandant is worried about his son, but an official position can’t last a lifetime. It’s good to let him see the world.”

Gao Qiu hesitated for a long time, then shook his head and said, “No, no, it’s not appropriate. The Han Kingdom is thousands of miles away. If something happens, I won’t be able to help. If he needs experience, hmm… how about the Imperial Academy?”

Cheng Zongyang's face darkened. "Go to the Imperial Academy? Does the Grand Commandant intend for his son to pass the imperial examination with top honors?"

Gao Qiu stroked his beard and said cheerfully, "Shang'er is very intelligent. As long as he puts his heart into it, it won't be too difficult for him to get into the third rank."

Cheng Zongyang truly witnessed Gao Qiu's protectiveness. That playboy Gao's son, participating in the imperial examination and getting into the third rank? Probably only Gao Qiu himself believed that his godson could pass.

"Fine, he's not my godson anyway." Cheng Zongyang stretched and casually said, "I heard His Majesty bestowed a pot of pearls upon the Grand Commandant?"

Gao Qiu's smile faded, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the chair. After a long pause, he said, "His Majesty is wise, but I am ultimately a military man, unfit for the central government. Grand Tutor Jia may have many faults, but he is indispensable for stabilizing the court. If something were to happen to him, the country would surely descend into chaos. Therefore, I have already declined this reward."

Cheng Zongyang had only spoken casually, but he hadn't expected to uncover such an explosive secret, and he was immediately startled: "His Majesty wants you to get rid of Grand Tutor Jia?"

Gao Qiu nodded slightly.

Cheng Zongyang's heart churned. He had clearly heard the Empress Dowager give the order. The pearls were given to Gao Qiu to make him realize the palace's trust in him, so that he would continue to loyally control the army for the Song Emperor. Who would have thought that the Song Emperor would act on his own initiative and use Gao Qiu to get rid of Grand Tutor Jia?

Jia Shixian wasn't Dong Zhuo or Wang Mang. Although he had some ambition for power, he had no intention of usurping the throne. The fact that His Majesty was so eager to eliminate him just to seize power showed that while His Majesty's desire for power was strong, his temperament was also rather impatient.

Lost in thought, Gao Qiu noticed a sudden weight on the table—a long sword. The Dragon-Slaying Saber was

much heavier than ordinary swords. While placing it on the table with one hand wasn't difficult, it was no easy feat for Gao Qiu to casually toss it down, allowing the several-dozen-pound blade to strike the wood without making a sound.

Cheng Zongyang said, "I'll return it as is! I said I'd borrowed it for a bit! Look, not a single hair is missing."

Gao Qiu said, "Although this blade is as sharp as ever, it has lost its spirit."

Cheng Zongyang chuckled somewhat guiltily, "Grand Commandant, your words are quite profound..."

"I've been with this Dragon-Slaying Blade for over a decade. Others can't see the difference, but if I don't know the changes within it, wouldn't I be blind?"

Cheng Zongyang had no choice but to say, "Actually, the reason I'm lingering here is to ask about this, but I haven't figured out how to bring it up."

"Speak freely."

Cheng Zongyang recounted his encounter with the woman named Jian Yuji, who was actually Qi Yuxian, omitting the changes in the Root of Life and Death.

Gao Qiu remained silent for a long time before saying, "You actually managed to obtain this opportunity; no wonder the Eight Steeds treat you like a brother."

"Stop beating around the bush; I've been worried sick. What if you eat something that upsets your stomach?"

"Do you know this sword is made of coral-iron?"

"Yes. I've heard that coral iron is a rare iron from the seabed."

"That's right." Gao Qiu said, "Besides its exceptional sharpness, coral iron is rumored to have another miraculous property—when used as a weapon in combat, each block can absorb the opponent's force."

Could this be the secret to Yue Fei's invincibility? Cheng Zongyang blurted out, "General Yue Fei was once a formidable force on the battlefield, growing stronger with each battle. Was it because this Dragon-Slaying Saber could absorb the energy of collisions? Has the Grand Commandant tried it?"

"I've possessed the Dragon-Slaying Saber for sixteen years and have tried countless times to extract power from it, but I've never been able to draw even a trace of power from it. As far as I know, besides General Yue Fei, only you can draw power from the saber."

Is this a transmigrator's superpower, or does Yue Fei, like him, also possess the Root of Life and Death? Each block absorbed power, no wonder Yue the Birdman used coral iron to forge a sword; if it were his dagger, its energy storage capacity would probably only be one percent of that of the Dragon Slayer Sword.

But this still couldn't explain the anomaly in his dantian. Besides the miraculous properties of the coral iron, there was at least one other possibility—he was simultaneously cultivating the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Taiyi Scripture!

These two supreme techniques were secrets Cheng Zongyang couldn't reveal, and even if he did, Gao Qiu might not be able to help him. Fortunately, the energy flow in his dantian was relatively stable, so asking Shang Hou would be more useful.

Gao Qiu stroked the scabbard, and the usually shrewd and reserved Gao Qiu surprisingly showed a hint of reluctance, sighing softly, "Perhaps you are its destined master."

Cheng Zongyang smiled, "Why not give it to me?"

Gao Qiu resolutely shook his head, "I dare not fail Commander Yue's trust."

"Commander Yue...did you say he would come back to retrieve this sword?"

Gao Qiu nodded slightly.

Cheng Zongyang thought: I knew it! Yue Niaoren placed the fully charged Dragon-Slaying Saber with Gao Qiu, just like he placed the Empress Dowager as a pawn—both were ways to prepare a way out for himself!

Chapter Eight:

Back at Cuiwei Garden, Qin Hui, Lin Qingpu, Kuang Zhongyu, and Feng Yuan were chatting in the lakeside flower hall. Hearing about the terms Cheng Zongyang and Jian Yuji had agreed upon, Feng Yuan exclaimed in surprise, "The Black Demon Sea is completely withdrawing from Song? Boss Cheng, is cement really that profitable?"

"No way!" Kuang Zhongyu said vehemently, "You haven't dealt with the Black Demon Sea enough! They wouldn't be so generous for no reason!"

Lin Qingpu pondered, "Although Jian Yuji is full of cunning, the Black Demon Sea's lack of manpower is difficult to overcome. Now that their plans in Song have failed, shrinking their power is reasonable."

Qin Hui said, "Jian Yuji wouldn't abandon her entire plan for just one reason; there must be one or even two more."

Feng Yuan said, "If you ask me, the Black Demon Sea probably doesn't have many people in Song at all. Quitting now won't cost them much, and they'll save a lot on agency fees."

“The Black Demon Sea alone has Ning Yuji, Lu Yuhou, and others in Lin'an, and Ximen Qing even has Cai Yuanchang as his godfather. Their power is definitely not small,” Li Shishi said courageously. “Even if Jian Yuji promises to withdraw, she will definitely leave a few spies behind.”

Cheng Zongyang said, “Leaving some spies is reasonable. But since Jian Yuji has made the promise, she certainly won’t let us find any fault with her. Otherwise, if we find evidence, we can turn around and take back the agency rights, and they will have nothing to say. Brother, what are you thinking?”

“In my opinion, although the reason why Jian Yuji is willing to give up the Song Kingdom is difficult to understand, what if we think about it the other way around?” Qin Hui said, “Perhaps Jian Yuji’s intention is to let the young master stay in the Song Kingdom and focus on running the business without having time for anything else.”

Qin Hui’s words made everyone think deeply.

After a long silence, Lin Qingpu said, "Brother Huizhi's words do make some sense. In the Southern Wilderness, the young master ruined the Ghost Witch King's affairs; in Jiankang, he ruined the Jin Palace's affairs; in Qingzhou, he ruined the Qingzhou branch's affairs; and in Song, he ruined Instructor Lin's affairs. Perhaps Jianyu Ji is using a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement, keeping the young master in Song, or perhaps south of Yunshui."

Kuang Zhongyu suddenly said, "When I rushed here from Jiangzhou, there had been no news from Luoyang for over a month."

Everyone looked at Kuang Zhongyu.

Kuang Zhongyu looked around and, finding everyone present to be his own, said, "Commander Yue has an old friend who has lived in the Han Kingdom for many years, holding a high position. He has a very close relationship with Xingyue Lake, and there have always been people passing messages between them, but recently the communication has stopped."

Lin Qingpu frowned and asked, "Has no one been sent to contact him?"

"The war in Jiangzhou is raging, and we can't spare any manpower. After the Song Kingdom withdrew its troops, Colonel Meng sent someone to Luoyang. From Jiangzhou to Luoyang and back, it will take at least three months. If we can't find the Shadow Moon Sect monk who held the feast to send a message, I'm afraid it will be two months before the message comes back."

After a moment of silence, Cheng Zongyang slowly said, "Jian Yuji didn't want to keep me in the Song Kingdom. In fact, she deliberately let slip during the banquet, trying to lure me to the Han Kingdom."

Cheng Zongyang could never have guessed that when Jian Yuji revealed Yun Ruyao's whereabouts, besides the implicit threat, she had also set a trap for him. He certainly wouldn't go out of his way to confront the Yun family patriarchs with a large force regarding Yun Ruyao's matter, and Jian Yuji's concession would undoubtedly force him to expand aggressively within Song territory; he'd need to keep enough capable people at just the five money shops. The Black Demon Sea was short-handed; how many people could he possibly use?

If Qin Hui hadn't pointed it out, and Kuang Zhongyu hadn't revealed the communication disruption in Luoyang, he might have even left Qin Hui in Lin'an, secretly sneaking off to Wudu to apologize and endure the beatings and insults. Then, he wouldn't even need the Black Demon Sea's elite forces; just Jian Yuji's intervention might have been enough to prevent him from returning.

This despicable woman's scheme was incredibly cunning; a simple sentence contained enticement, threats, and a trap. What was infuriating was that even though he knew this despicable woman had set a trap with ill intentions, he couldn't help but fall for it.

"No matter how many tricks she tries, I'll stick to one!" Cheng Zongyang said, "Steady and methodical, step by step! Since she's ceding the Song Kingdom, I'll take it over first! If one year isn't enough, two years; if two years aren't enough, three years. Let them do business honestly, fine. If they try anything funny, the Song Kingdom's imperial guards have already been driven away. If they get really angry, we'll just bring out the Xingyue Lake brothers and make them regret it!"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's exactly right!"

Cheng Zongyang had another guess he didn't voice—Jian Yuji's willingness to withdraw from the Song Kingdom was likely due to another reason: Guo Huai. Jian Yuji had exceptional insight; Guo Huai's identity might be hidden from others, but not from her. In this situation, he might disregard the rules of the martial world and secretly use the power of the government to strike at his opponent. The Black Demon Sea had lost the initiative and was now completely passive in the Song Kingdom. This was the fourth reason why the Black Demon Sea had to withdraw from the Song Kingdom. Perhaps there were more reasons, but they were beyond his knowledge.

After brainstorming, everyone deduced the true purpose behind the Black Demon Sea's deal, and Cheng Zongyang immediately devised a countermeasure.

"Huizhi, find that guy surnamed Sun and try to find out about the Black Demon Sea through the Imperial City Guard. I suspect the Imperial City Guard has a lot of leads, but they haven't focused on the Black Demon Sea and have overlooked most of them. Look for any clues. If you can uncover any hidden agents who haven't been removed, then they've broken their promise, and there's nothing to say about them turning against you."

"Yes."

"Qingpu, contact Boss Meng and ask about Luodu. Also, ask if Monk Hua and Instructor Lin have arrived in Jiangzhou."

"Yes."

"Old Kuang, you know Lin'an better than any of us. I heard there are places in the city that specialize in selling talismans and magical artifacts. You're an expert, so look for any good protective or defensive items. Price isn't an issue."

"Yes."

"Feng Dafa, make your grenades smaller and more powerful."

"No way!" Feng Yuan said, "That stuff is too expensive! I've tried it. If you don't use the Dragon Eye Jade and only use the fuse, the power is only one-tenth, barely enough to shatter the iron shell. The larger the Dragon Eye Jade, the greater the power."

Cheng Zongyang had already noticed this problem. It wasn't that Feng Dafa wasn't skilled enough; the main issue was that the gunpowder of this era was far too weak. It was fine for setting off firecrackers, but as a weapon, it was like Yue Niaoren's intimidating cannon or an unreliable landmine—good enough to deal with ordinary people. If you didn't use the Dragon Eye Jade as a fuse, relying solely on the power of gunpowder, the shattered iron shell would be like a few black dung beetles flying around. Any expert could easily swat them away without delaying their journey.

After using the Dragon Eye Jade, the power of the grenade would immediately increase dramatically, but correspondingly, large-scale equipping of the army became a fantasy. After all, no one was rich enough to throw a bunch of Dragon Eye Jade at people. To put it bluntly, the soldiers killed by the explosion were probably worth less than the Dragon Eye Jade. Exchanging the Dragon Eye Jade for silver coins and bribing them might be faster.

"Not too many, just make me ten," Cheng Zongyang instructed, "about the size of a rosary."

Feng Yuan agreed, though it pained him.

Li Shishi asked, "What about me?"

"Take good care of your injuries," Cheng Zongyang said. "Once you're healed, I have something important to entrust to you."

"What is it?"

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "I won't tell you yet."

Li Shishi didn't press further. "Okay."

Everyone left to attend to their respective duties. Kuang Zhongyu hesitated, waiting until everyone had left before speaking, "That man wasn't a high-ranking official."

Cheng Zongyang interrupted him, "Did Boss Meng ask you to tell me?"

Kuang Zhongyu nodded, "Not many people know about this, and I happen to be one of them. I wonder if you heard storytellers mention that General Yue left behind a treasure when you were in Qingzhou?"

"Could it be true?"

"Not quite, but not far off." Kuang Zhongyu said, "Before General Yue's accident, he transported a batch of things to Luoyang, and I was among those who accompanied him."

"What were they?"

"I don't know." Kuang Zhongyu said, "But the person who received them was a headmaster of the Luoyang Academy. According to the agreement, he would report his safety once a month, using a coded message from the *I Ching*, one sentence per month."

Headmaster was the title of the academy's director; perhaps no one would have imagined that Yue Pengju would secretly befriend a scholar.

“If the coded message was ‘Sunrise in the East,’ it means the time has come, and he will return these supplies to us,” Kuang Zhongyu said. “But Colonel Meng just received news that this time the peace message hasn’t arrived. Judging by the timeline, if something unexpected happens, it should be within the next month or two.”

“Even with the uprising in Jiangzhou, he didn’t hand over these things to you?”

Kuang Zhongyu shook his head.

Cheng Zongyang was secretly surprised. What was Yue the Birdman up to? Could those things be his time-traveling diary?

“Colonel Meng said that since we don’t have these supplies, we should still hold Jiangzhou. Whether we can get them or not is secondary; the important thing is the whereabouts of Yue’s old friend. Major Cheng is busy with Song affairs and has no time to spare, so Lieutenant Colonel Si has already set off for Luoyang. However, as a colonel, Major Cheng needs to inform the Major of this matter.”

Cheng Zongyang was relieved. With Si Mingxin there, he didn’t need to worry about this. Besides, even the most precious treasure is useless if it can’t be used.

After speaking, Kuang Zhongyu took out a bamboo pole from behind him, from which hung a divination flag that read "Iron-Mouthed Divine Calculator." Combined with his beard and hair, he presented a dignified and respectable appearance.

Cheng Zongyang laughed, "Old Kuang, your attire is quite impressive."

"Amitabha," Kuang Zhongyu bowed respectfully, saying with an air of authority, "Sir, your forehead is radiant; your love star is shining brightly. Your destiny lies in the north, bound by a red thread. If you do not seize this opportunity, you will surely suffer misfortune. Remember this well."

"Kuang, you big swindler, what are you up to?" "

Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed. Young master, just look north and you will know." With that, Kuang Zhongyu vanished.

"Kuang, you big swindler, what are you up to?"

Cheng Zongyang pondered for a long time but couldn't understand Kuang Zhongyu's meaning. Having nothing else to do, he simply headed north to see what tricks this old swindler was up to.

Cuiwei Garden was built along the lake, with the back garden to the north. A corrupt official like Gao Qiu would naturally find a garden of exceptional quality to his liking. The garden boasted towering ancient trees, blooming flowers, and a seven- or eight-zhang-high artificial mountain, entirely constructed from exquisitely crafted Taihu stones. Although Cheng Zongyang had lived in the garden for some time, his busy schedule meant this was his first time truly enjoying it.

Since he occupied the entire inner courtyard, the original servants of the Gao family were all in the front yard; the garden was now deserted, save for the chirping of cicadas in the tall trees and the murmuring of flowing water.

While the true purpose of Jian Yuji remained unclear, the Black Demon Sea's withdrawal from the Song Kingdom, or at least its cessation of public activity, was a foregone conclusion. Regardless of Jian Yuji's methods, her withdrawal meant the Black Demon Sea posed no threat within Song territory. With this enormous shadow gone, Cheng Zongyang felt a profound sense of relief and only wanted to find a place to have a good drink and celebrate.

Suddenly, he heard light footsteps behind him, followed by a coquettish voice saying, "Master Cheng..."

Cheng Zongyang was startled. Could it be that Old Kuang, that big liar, had been right? Was this truly a stroke of good fortune? When he turned around and saw the woman behind him, he was both annoyed and amused.

The woman was dressed seductively and acted alluringly. Who else could it be but Huang Shi? She was like a rotten peach that had been ravaged countless times. How could she call it a stroke of good fortune? Old Kuang was too good at fooling people!

Under normal circumstances, Cheng Zongyang might have been in the mood to have some fun with her, but now, besides Ning Mei'er, there was also the great beauty Zhuo Da Mei'er in the room. Weren't they both several times better than her? He might enjoy a taste of something new occasionally, but to take advantage of someone who offered themselves up? He had no interest in that.

Cheng Zongyang said irritably, "I've already told you, the medicine is with Miss Shishi."

Huang Shi leaned close, clinging to his arm and rubbing her ample breasts against him, pleading, "Miss Shishi said the medicine is poisonous and won't let me use it..."

"Nonsense! Is there such a good poison? You must have knocked on the wrong door! That girl is easily swayed; just beg her properly, and she'll give it to you."

"Master Cheng..."

"If you keep pestering me, you might not even be able to get into the garden again."

Huang Shi had no choice but to shut up obediently, looking at him pitifully.

Cheng Zongyang sighed and said, "Just say I said it, I'll give it to you."

"Thank you, Master Cheng!" Upon hearing this, Huang Shi immediately went off to find Li Shishi, overjoyed.

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. In his eyes, a frivolous woman like Huang Shi, who used her body as capital, was no match for You Chan. She didn't care about such casual affairs; he treated them as a pastime. Taking them seriously would be a mistake.

After dismissing Madam Huang, Cheng Zongyang became interested in the artificial hill. He walked along the bamboo path and, just as he turned a corner, saw a familiar figure.

The woman walked slowly along the path, wearing a thin summer dress. She was slender, with a waist so small it could be encircled by one hand, and full, rounded hips that swayed gently within her white silk dress, revealing alluring curves. Her steps were leisurely, and the swaying of her hips had a rhythmic quality that made one's blood boil. Even though it was only her back view, she was incredibly alluring, exuding the captivating charm of a mature woman.

Seeing that figure, Cheng Zongyang felt a surge of heat in his heart, but he quickly calmed down—the woman was no stranger; she was none other than Li Shishi's birth mother, his future mother-in-law, and the wife of the chief镖头 (chief镖师) of the Weiyuan镖局 (Weiyuan Escort Agency), Ruan Xianglin, the chivalrous heroine.

Presumably, Ruan Xianglin didn't know that Li Shishi had just returned. Otherwise, given her nature, she would be taking this opportunity to tell her daughter about the merits of Gao Yanei, urging her to marry him and bring glory to the family. Where would she find the leisure to stroll in the garden?

The garden? Cheng Zongyang suddenly looked up and glanced around.

A breeze rustled through the treetops, and the occasional chirping of cicadas drifted through the air. Apart from himself and the beautiful woman before him, the entire back garden was deserted. Cheng Zongyang's heart pounded. Could this be the "peach blossom luck" Old Kuang had spoken of? But Ruan Xianglin's mind was entirely focused on Gao Yanei; she never paid him, a small merchant, any attention. How could she possibly be waiting for him here as if it were a preordained plan? If he went over there unilaterally, only to find it wasn't what he expected, it would be incredibly embarrassing.

Cheng Zongyang coughed softly, putting his fist to his mouth. The two were quite a distance apart; an ordinary woman might not hear him, but with Ruan Xianglin's hearing, it would be a miracle if she didn't.

Ruan Xianglin, however, seemed genuinely oblivious, continuing to walk slowly. But upon closer inspection, a subtle change in the sway of her hips made her even more alluring.

Cheng Zongyang would truly be a fool if he didn't understand the implied meaning. Although he didn't understand why Ruan Xianglin's attitude had suddenly changed so drastically—from initially refusing to marry his daughter to now actively displaying her charm—this didn't stop Cheng Zongyang from changing his mind.

To be fair, Ruan Xianglin was indeed an exceptionally beautiful woman; no wonder that high-IQ brat was immediately smitten with her. That day in the Wild Boar Forest, he had seen her completely naked from head to toe; her beautiful, white flesh was dazzling. If it weren't for Li Shishi's sake, he would have already taken advantage of her.

As the saying goes, things shouldn't happen more than three times. He had seen her once in Cuiwei Garden, and again in the Wild Boar Forest; now that she was offering herself up, it would be hypocritical for him to hesitate.

However, although Ruan Xianglin was intentionally using her charm to seduce him, he couldn't just take her directly. It's like you suddenly have a stroke of good luck with love, meeting a beautiful woman who asks for your help. After helping her, you find you get along very well, then invite her to a movie, then to a bar for a drink, and still wanting more, you go to a hotel, naturally creating a wonderful memory for both of you.

If, after helping her, you simply say, "No need to thank me, let's have sex!" this encounter has a 90% chance of ending in a slap—although the reason and purpose are the same, the process determines the final result. After all, Ruan Xianglin wasn't a Liang lady who actively sought you out, nor was she a Ning Mei'er offered as a gift; she was Li Shishi's mother.

Cheng Zongyang pondered how to enter this process—he was a complete novice when it came to this kind of half-hearted, half-forced drama. But in a group of three, there must be one who can teach me; he'd seen many experts at seducing respectable women before—Song Dynasty, adultery, nouveau riche, beautiful woman—this was practically tailor-made for Ximen Qing!

Suddenly, Ruan Xianglin slipped, stepping on the moss on the stone and falling. She bent her knee, clutching her ankle, seemingly having twisted it.

Cheng Zongyang rushed forward and helped Ruan Xianglin up, asking, "Madam, have you hurt yourself?"

Ruan Xianglin turned her head, her still-beautiful face contorted with pain. "Oh, it's Young Master Cheng." She struggled to stand, saying through the pain, "I just twisted my ankle, it's nothing. Ouch!"

She barely managed to stand before letting out a soft cry, unable to support her weight, and fell again. This time, with Cheng Zongyang beside her, she was lucky enough not to fall to the ground, which benefited Cheng Zongyang, as she landed in his arms, enjoying his warm embrace.

Ruan Xianglin and Ruan Xiangning were sisters, bearing a striking resemblance, but Ruan Xianglin, being a few years older, had a fuller, smoother figure. Her large, round, bouncy buttocks pressed against Cheng Zongyang's lap, the softness and smoothness of her skin clearly felt even through her clothes.

Cheng Zongyang, filled with lustful thoughts, said, "Madam has most likely twisted her ankle and can't walk. Perhaps I could take a look?"

"Thank you, sir, but no need," Ruan Xianglin declined, but after struggling a few times, she couldn't muster any strength in her leg. She could only frown and say helplessly, "When I came, I saw a cave over there; I could find a place to stand."

Cheng Zongyang supported Ruan Xianglin's arm, the beautiful woman's half-body resting on his arm, enduring the pain as they limped back.

The distance was only thirty or forty steps, but it took them almost fifteen minutes. Ruan Xianglin's mature, alluring body rested on his arm, unconsciously rubbing against his, occasionally revealing her seductive curves and captivating elasticity.

She wore a light red blouse, not new, but impeccably clean. From her sash and sachet to her phoenix hairpin and pearl-embroidered shoes, everything possessed an understated elegance. A faint fragrance emanated from her, a soft, alluring scent blended with her natural body odor, exuding feminine allure.

Ruan Xianglin glanced at the man beside her, her heart filled with a mixture of joy and worry, a sense of unease. Initially, she hadn't paid much attention to this out-of-town merchant, her mind solely focused on the young master of the Grand Commandant's mansion. Later, as they spent more time together, she began to notice the young man.

When she learned he held two guest minister positions, Ruan Xianglin was already somewhat tempted. Although his rank was low, one of them a nominal one, and the position of head of the Treasury was newly created, marrying him wouldn't be bad for her daughter. If she could become his principal wife, it would be better than being the young master's concubine. Only

after discovering Huang's affair with him did Ruan Xianglin realize she had underestimated him. Upon closer inquiry, it became increasingly clear that this young man was no ordinary person. Not only was he from a wealthy family, but he also had exceptionally deep connections with various powerful officials, including Grand Tutor Jia, Grand Commandant Gao, Prime Minister Wang, Vice Minister Cai, and officials from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Revenue.

No wonder even a lady from an official family like Huang shamelessly threw herself into his arms.

Li Shishi hadn't told Cheng Zongyang that ever since Ruan Xianglin took a liking to this new son-in-law, she had completely forgotten about Gao Yanei. These days, all she talked about was getting her married into the Cheng family as soon as possible and becoming the principal wife.

Li Shishi naturally refused, but Ruan Xianglin was becoming increasingly anxious. When she was hanging out with those playboys, she overheard people talking about how Young Master Cheng had brought beautiful women to indulge in debauchery with them. Seeing Huang's example, she was convinced that this young man was a lecher. If Shishi delayed any longer, she would regret it if someone else took her first.

Her husband was getting older, and since losing the escort mission from the Grand Commandant's mansion, the escort agency's business had been declining day by day. Ruan Xianglin was extremely worried. Just when she was feeling lost, a living god fell from the sky, and she met the omniscient fortune teller, Master Kuang.

After examining his daughter's birth date and time, Master Kuang, after a moment of calculation, frowned deeply. He said that this girl would meet a benefactor at eighteen, but if she made a wrong decision and missed this opportunity, not only would she be in danger, but she would also bring disaster upon her parents—a prediction exactly as accurate as the one he had made years ago. Indeed, he was a true deity.

Even a true deity couldn't force his daughter to marry, so Ruan Xianglin could only ask if there was a way to avert this.

Master Kuang calculated for a long time, then only said one word: "Yes," and said no more.

Ruan Xianglin pleaded for a long time and presented a generous gift, before Master Kuang finally said

sparingly, "It's not impossible for the mother to take the place of the daughter." Master Kuang's suggestion greatly moved Ruan Xianglin. Since her daughter refused, if she could first climb this high branch, it would pave the way for her daughter. After Shishi married into the family, she could then break off her relationship with him—wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

This wealthy man surnamed Cheng was in the prime of his life, and also had a lecherous nature. Even someone as beautiful as Huang Shi could curry favor with him; with her looks, as long as she was willing to sacrifice her beauty, she was sure he wouldn't fall for her.

Ruan Xianglin wasn't a woman of impeccable virtue; she had already abandoned her reputation to please Gao Yanei. Besides, this young man seemed much easier to handle than a playboy!

They finally reached the cave, which was also made of Taihu stones. Inside, a banana leaf, just wide enough for one person, had been laid out. Ruan Xianglin, supporting herself on Cheng Zongyang's arm, sat on the leaf, then turned her back and removed her shoes and socks, one hand rubbing her ankle.

The injury on Ruan Xianglin's foot wasn't fake; she had deliberately slipped on the rocks, and now her ankle was red and swollen, but it wasn't nearly as serious as she appeared.

Ruan Xianglin rubbed her ankle little by little, her toes tensing in pain. Her slender feet, already beautiful, appeared even whiter and more lustrous against the backdrop of the verdant banana leaves. Without turning around, she could feel the burning gaze on her back.

The young man's reaction made Ruan Xianglin chuckle inwardly. She secretly planned: this little glutton shouldn't be easily satisfied; the first time, she'd only let him experience a little something, whetting his appetite.

Ruan Xianglin said softly, "Thank you, young master. I'll rest for a while. If you have nothing else, please return."

"No, no, I'll go call Miss Shishi," Cheng Zongyang said. "It would be troublesome if she broke a bone."

If Shishi saw this, with her daughter's intelligence, her little scheme would be exposed. Ruan Xianglin, of course, was unwilling to take the risk. She sighed and said, "Shishi has been working so hard these past few days. My injuries aren't serious, why should I make her worry?"

"How about I escort you back to Shishi's residence, Madam?" Cheng Zongyang said with concern. "This cave is damp and humid; sitting here for too long might make you sick."

"Don't disturb Shishi, I'll just sit for a while," Ruan Xianglin said. "This cave is alright, even if it's a bit cool, it won't matter."

Cheng Zongyang scratched his head and said with a simple and honest expression, "My place is quite close by. If you're worried about disturbing Shishi, Madam, why don't you rest at my humble abode for a while?"

Ruan Xianglin lowered her head and said, "How could I?"

"It's alright, I live alone anyway, the place is spacious."

Ruan Xianglin declined a few times, but finally said softly, "Then I'll trouble you, young master."

Cheng Zongyang helped her up and said with a smile, "Madam, please be careful."

Please continue reading the synopsis of the ninth episode of "Six Dynasties Cloud Dragon Chant"

in Lin'an

:

In the battle of Xiaoyingzhou, Guo Da Diao Dang was seriously injured. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager treated the old eunuch who had served her for more than 30 years like trash. Cheng Zongyang kindly wanted to take care of Guo Huai in his old age and see him off, but who knew that the Empress Dowager would ask Cheng to take a concubine first? As

the date of the shareholders' meeting approached, three groups of people from Xingyue Lake, Jiankang Wanku, and Yunzhou Merchants arrived one after another. Moreover, Jin Wuzhu's uncle came with the group. This "greatest sorcerer among the beastmen" did something to Cheng upon meeting him!

All kinds of heroes arrived one after another. Cuiwei Garden was as solid as a rock. Just when Cheng Zongyang was full of pride, his backyard caught fire. Li Shishi suddenly disappeared?!

Chapter 1

Lin'an. West Lake, Cuiwei Garden.

A short, pinkish-white wall along the lake is covered with vines, and pale yellow roses bloom among the leaves. Through the fan-shaped windows, you can see two young girls sitting side by side under the flower wall, whispering to each other, a picturesque scene like a scroll painting.

"The poem 'The Wind Ceases, the Dust Remains Fragrant' was written by my cousin when she was living in seclusion on Yanwei Island," Wang Hui said. "At that time, my brother-in-law was serving as the prefect of Huzhou, thousands of miles away. My cousin Li was alone in her empty room and could only amuse herself with poetry, which is how this poem 'Wuling Spring' came about."

"Things have changed, people are gone, everything is over, before I can speak, tears flow..." Li Shishi recited the lines from the poem, sighing softly, "Even the esteemed Yi'an Jushi and her husband, who were harmonious and shared similar interests, couldn't escape this sorrow."

Wang Hui sighed inwardly, taking her hand, "To tell you the truth—the other day, my brother-in-law wrote to say that he has taken two new concubines in Huzhou. When my cousin received the letter, although she didn't weep uncontrollably, she was still melancholy."

Li Shishi asked in surprise, "Since they were in love, why take concubines?"

Wang Hui whispered, "As a woman, even if my cousin is full of talent, as she ages, she will inevitably lose her beauty and affection. Besides, she has been married for many years and has not been able to bear children..."

Li Shishi was stunned for a long time, then muttered to herself, "With Yi'an Jushi's talent, even as a woman, could she not escape this fate?"

“It’s common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. But what woman wants her husband to have a new lover?”

Li Shishi was filled with sorrow, and after a long while, she forced a smile and said, “I think Mr. Qin is quite good.”

Wang Hui chuckled softly, “Since he’s met me, he must remain faithful to me.”

Although Li Shishi was smiling, there was little confidence in her eyes.

Wang Hui said, “I consulted the fortune teller Kuang, and he said that my husband and I are also destined to be childless.”

Li Shishi was surprised, “Really?”

“The words of fortune tellers should not be completely believed, but they should not be completely disregarded either.” Wang Hui stretched languidly and chuckled softly, “What does it matter if we are childless? My elder brother died early, leaving behind a posthumous child. I told him that it would be easy to persuade my family to marry me; they just need to adopt Xi’er and change his surname to Qin.”

“Did Mr. Qin agree?”

Wang Hui chuckled, “How could he refuse?”

“Sister’s methods are truly admirable.” As she spoke, Li Shishi gave a bitter smile, knowing that she could not learn Wang Hui’s methods. "Though there are many men in the world, how many wouldn't care about having no heir?"

Wang Hui sighed inwardly when she saw that the woman still didn't understand. Her eyes darted around, and she smiled, "Speaking of which, there's something else. Back in Qingzhou, my cousin met a woman who wanted to impart all her knowledge to her. But the girl said that studying at the academy was just about learning a few characters, enough to keep accounts when managing a household. Poetry and prose, though elegant pursuits, were ultimately not suitable for women, and she refused to study them." "

Is that so?" Li Shishi was both surprised and regretful. "Li Qingzhao's poetry, a volume of which is recorded in history—how many can match it? She actually refused to study it?"

Wang Hui said, "Can a few lines of fame in history truly surpass the simple joys of a humble family life?"

"How could it not?"

Wang Hui didn't answer, but softly recited: "Last year on the Lantern Festival, the flower market was as bright as day. The moon rose above the willow tips, and we made our rendezvous after dusk..."

Li Shishi was stunned. She knew this poem by heart. After Wang Hui finished reciting the first stanza, the second half flooded her mind: This year on the Lantern Festival, the moon and lanterns are still the same, but the person from last year is gone, and tears wet my spring robe.

Zhu Shuzhen was also a rare talent, but her fate was far worse than Li Qingzhao's. She married a vulgar man and died in tears. If she had the choice, perhaps she would rather give up her dazzling talent for a simple but happy life.

Li Shishi admired Yi'an Jushi's poetry, but now, hearing Wang Hui talk about family matters, "fame in history" versus "the joys of family life," she was momentarily unsure which was right.

Wang Hui said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "On the other hand, as long as one can live a peaceful life, even a vulgar person who only knows how to indulge in sensual pleasures might not be a bad match. Besides—although the head of the family suffers from ailments, he is not necessarily such a shallow person."

Li Shishi's face immediately turned red. "What are you saying, sister? What does the head of the family have to do with me?" Wang Hui winked mischievously .

"Really? Sister, how brave you were to abandon your master and leave home back then, and how cowardly you are now?" Even though Li Shishi was incredibly intelligent, she was speechless at this moment. She looked at the duckweed floating on the lake outside the window, her heart filled with sorrow. ……… ... Cheng Zongyang, feigning ignorance, helped Ruan Xianglin into the waterside pavilion and escorted her to a seat. He then said, "Please sit for a while, Madam. I'll go make you some tea." Ruan Xianglin replied softly, "How could I trouble you again , young master?" "No trouble at all," Cheng Zongyang said warmly, going to pour the tea himself. Ruan Xianglin sat in her chair, glancing around. She had been to this waterside pavilion before, and remembering what had happened that day, she felt a little guilty. After a few glances, she lowered her head, feigning weakness. The aroma of tea wafted from behind the screen. A moment later, Cheng Zongyang brought over the tea, smiling, "This is the imperial Dragon and Phoenix Tea Cake. A few days ago, a guest sent over some. Madam, please try some." Ruan Xianglin's heart stirred slightly. It was imperial tea cake! The young man's guests must be wealthy and powerful. Ruan Xianglin took a sip; indeed, the aroma was enticing. She couldn't help but praise, "Excellent tea." The young man sat down and began to speak amiably. The topic was nothing but business, circling back and forth for a quarter of an hour, never touching upon personal matters. Ruan Xianglin was secretly anxious. Taking advantage of Cheng Zongyang's dry throat as he raised his cup to drink tea, she raised her delicate neck, fanning herself with one hand, and softly said, "It's so hot... Do you have a fan here, sir?" Cheng Zongyang slapped his forehead, "How could I forget?" He took out a folding fan from his sleeve and handed it to her. Ruan Xianglin said awkwardly, "Folding fans are for men... Do you have a round fan, sir?" Cheng Zongyang suddenly realized and stood up, saying, "I'll go find one." While Cheng Zongyang went behind the screen, Ruan Xianglin quickly unbuttoned two buttons on her collar, revealing a patch of fair skin on her chest. After sitting in the pavilion for a while, she was indeed hot. If it weren't for her modesty, she would have wanted to take off her shirt and leave only her undergarments. A moment later, Cheng Zongyang brought over a small round fan. Ruan Xianglin took the fan and gently fanned herself, her beautiful eyes darting over Cheng Zongyang like water. The young man, under the guise of drinking tea, kept stealing glances at her jade-like neck. Ruan Xianglin chuckled inwardly, about to speak, when he coughed and said, "We were just talking about the current grain price—this year's grain price is a full 60% higher than in previous years. Firstly, the summer harvest was poor, and secondly, the court's implementation of the 'Equal Land Tax Law' means wealthy households in various regions are afraid of being forced to buy their fertile land by the government, so they'd rather leave it fallow than cultivate it..." Ruan Xianglin grew anxious, feeling the room growing increasingly hot. She fanned herself with her round fan, her hands swaying like butterfly wings, yet she couldn't help but be covered in sweat. This Master Cheng, despite his reputation for being a lecherous womanizer, was nothing but a pretty face, completely lacking in romantic understanding. Seeing that he was about to launch into another long-winded discussion about the grain and iron prices in the Song Dynasty, Ruan Xianglin couldn't help but say, "Young Master Cheng, my ankle hurts terribly, could you massage it for me?" Cheng Zongyang said with a simple, honest expression, "Ah? Sure." Ruan Xianglin had been waiting for this. She gently lifted her slender foot and placed it on Cheng Zongyang's lap. Cheng Zongyang removed her embroidered shoes, opened his hand and grasped her jade-like toes. The warm touch made Ruan Xianglin's delicate body tremble slightly, and an unusual warmth rose within her. Cheng Zongyang held her toes with one hand and supported her heel with the other, slowly twisting her foot to improve blood circulation to the injured area. Ruan Xianglin covered her mouth and nose with a round fan, only revealing her beautiful eyes, which glared fiercely at Cheng Zongyang. But her alluring gaze was completely wasted on him; the young man was utterly clueless, only grinning foolishly at her with an innocent expression, showing no sign of any impropriety. Ruan Xianglin was both anxious and amused. Could there really be such a fool in the world? She truly didn't understand how Madam Liang had managed to consummate the relationship with him. Did he only realize it when it was already done, served right in front of him? Ruan Xianglin said softly, "Young master, are you traveling alone without a wife or concubine?" Cheng Zongyang replied embarrassedly, "I'm not married yet." "Is that so?" Ruan Xianglin blinked her beautiful eyes and chuckled, "Could it be that young master has taken a fancy to Madam Liang?" Cheng Zongyang said awkwardly, "She only asked me to do something for her." Ruan Xianglin said coquettishly, "What if I were to ask young master for a favor?" Cheng Zongyang immediately revealed a shrewd businessman's face, "As long as Madam can afford the price, any business is negotiable!" Ruan Xianglin cursed inwardly, but her eyes revealed a resentful look, "I've been having a bad year and still owe money, how could I possibly afford to pay?" "Is that so..." Cheng Zongyang looked up and thought for a while, but didn't say anything more. Ruan Xianglin waited for a while, then her eyes darted around. She clutched her chest and said, "Ouch..." "What's wrong, Madam?" "My heart hurts," Ruan Xianglin said, frowning. "Would you please rub it for me, young master?" "Sure." "Here?" "A little to the side..." Ruan Xianglin placed Cheng Zongyang's wrist between her breasts, saying sweetly, "Be gentle..." Cheng Zongyang's hands rubbed between her breasts, his face growing increasingly red. Ruan Xianglin fanned herself with a round fan, letting her fragrance reach his nose, saying, "Young master's hands are so warm." "Madam's breasts...are so big..." Ruan Xianglin secretly breathed a sigh of relief; this blockhead had finally figured it out. But she said aloud, "None of them are as big as Madam Liang's." Cheng Zongyang chuckled twice but didn't answer. Ruan Xianglin was covered in fragrant sweat and her skin was burning hot. She simply dropped her disguise and said in a seductive voice, "Would you like to rub me, young master?" "I...I am rubbing you, madam..." "I mean here..." Ruan Xianglin closed her legs, her two plump and round thighs clamping Cheng Zongyang's arm, while she raised her lower abdomen and gently rubbed it against his arm.

The young man seemed startled, and after a long pause, he said, "Madam... do you want me to massage here?"

Ruan Xianglin glanced at him with her beautiful, watery eyes. "Massage wherever you want. Use whatever you want to massage..."

"This...this isn't right..."

Ruan Xianglin said softly, "Young master was willing to bring me home and massage my feet and chest, which shows that you are kind-hearted and a rare good person. Even if I entrust my life to you, I believe you will not betray me."

Cheng Zongyang said guiltily, "But you are...you are Shishi's mother..."

"So what?" Ruan Xianglin covered her mouth with her fan and chuckled, "I just saw that you are lonely and wanted to relieve your worries. I won't compete with my daughter for your favor." Cheng

Zongyang whispered, "You're having an affair."

"Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. How could anyone else know?"

A smile appeared on Cheng Zongyang's lips, then grew wider and wider, until he burst into laughter.

Under Ruan Xianglin's astonished gaze, the screen behind the couch suddenly parted, revealing two figures.

Ruan Xianglin's eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "A'ning!"

Her sister, who had been missing for many days, had appeared at the very moment she least wanted to be seen. Thinking of her behavior just now, Ruan Xianglin was so ashamed that she wished she could disappear into the ground.

But what shocked Ruan Xianglin even more was her sister's clothing. This wife of the 800,000 Imperial Guards instructor was now dressed like a prostitute, wearing only a few small pieces of cloth, all of which were no bigger than a palm, and her body was almost completely naked. Her fair and beautiful body was captivating, her skin smooth and fragrant, dazzlingly white, but a chain was tied around her neck. She was now on all fours, lying at the feet of a beautiful Taoist nun.

Ruan Xianglin's face flushed and paled, constantly changing. She turned her head and saw Cheng Zongyang's mocking eyes, finally realizing that she had been tricked by this young man. The thought that her sister and the stranger had overheard her words filled Ruan Xianglin with shame. She hurriedly covered her clothes, grabbed the chair, and tried to leave.

"Trying to leave?" the Taoist nun chuckled, placing her palm on Ruan Xianglin's shoulder.

Her touch seemed gentle and slow, but despite Ruan Xianglin's best efforts, she was easily subdued, her body going numb and weak as she slumped back into the chair.

Ruan Xianglin was utterly horrified. Her own cultivation was already quite high, yet this Taoist nun's seemingly ordinary strike revealed an astonishingly high level of skill. With a single palm strike, true energy flowed along her meridians straight into her dantian, sealing her dantian completely. Moreover, the energy was pure—it was authentic Taoist magic.

Cheng Zongyang laughed, "Why the rush, Miss Ruan?"

Ruan Xianglin repeatedly tried to circulate her inner energy, but her dantian seemed frozen, offering no response. Suppressing her fear, she forced herself to say, "This servant... should go back now."

Looking at Ruan Xianglin's panicked eyes, Cheng Zongyang revealed a mysterious smile. "Miss Ruan, do you want me to expose all the shameful things you've done?"

Ruan Xianglin's face paled, and she finally gritted her teeth and whispered, "This servant... doesn't understand what you mean, sir."

Cheng Zongyang laughed, "Miss Ruan must be familiar with this Fragrant Water Pavilion, right? That day, Miss Ruan fought alone against a group of heroes here... tsk tsk, that scene was quite erotic."

Ruan Xianglin felt a chill rise from her lower body and couldn't help but tremble.

"And..." Cheng Zongyang said, "Who was it that was hanging naked from the tree with Lu Yuhou that day?"

Ruan Xianglin exclaimed, "How do you know?"

Cheng Zongyang lifted Ruan Xianglin's chin, "What if I told you that I was the one who rescued you and brought you to the inn that day?"

Ruan Xianglin froze as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, staring blankly at the man.

"Adultery is nothing, wanting your man to get an official position—that's nothing either, but," Cheng Zongyang raised a finger and shook it, "treating me like a fool, pretending to deceive me, that's your fault."

Zhuo Yunjun said, "Why waste your breath on this lowly servant? Once I seal her acupoints, you can enjoy her however you

like." Cheng Zongyang shook his head, "What's the difference between that and necrophilia? There's no fun at all." He sighed, "I originally wanted to help Lady Ruan forgive that 100,000 guan debt, but since Lady Ruan insists on leaving, let Gao Yanei pay it back slowly."

Seeing Cheng Zongyang turn to leave, Ruan Xianglin hurriedly said, "Wait!"

Cheng Zongyang turned back, smiling and raising his eyebrows, "Has Lady Ruan thought it through?"

Ruan Xianglin finally lost hope. She had carefully laid out a plan, hoping to catch a rich husband, but who knew that while the rich husband was caught on the first try, the one she caught was a fish that could swallow a boat, and she had no control over him at all. Now that she had something on him, he held her firmly in his grasp.

Ruan Xianglin stammered, unable to speak, but the young man only looked at her mockingly, clearly expecting her to say something to change her mind.

Ruan Xianglin could only lower her head, meekly saying softly, "It's all my fault, I hope you will forgive me, young master."

Looking at Ruan Xianglin's spirited face, Cheng Zongyang thought to himself: Appearances can be deceiving. Although she had been unknowingly bewitched by her own sister, if it weren't for her burning desire for fame and fortune, she wouldn't have gotten herself into such a predicament, sinking deeper and deeper.

"What you just said—you're not going to go back on your word now, are you?"

Ruan Xianglin bit her lip, her face flushed, and said, "I… will submit to you, young master…"

Her voice was barely audible until the last few words; if Cheng Zongyang hadn't had such good hearing, he would have almost missed them. It's not good to push a newly caught fish too hard. Cheng Zongyang laughed twice, then casually spread his arms wide. Zhuo Yunjun came over, bent down, and helped him loosen his belt and remove his outer garment.

Seeing his actions, Ruan Xianglin panicked slightly and whispered, "Let's go to the room."

Cheng Zongyang said nonchalantly, "Isn't this place nice? It's spacious and bright."

Zhuo Yunjun smiled, "Miss Ruan is a little shy, let me help her." Saying this, she took Ruan Xianglin's hands, clasped them above her head, and pressed them onto the couch.

Ruan Xianglin's dantian was restricted, making it difficult to circulate her inner energy. In terms of physical strength, she was almost the same as an ordinary woman. Once Zhuo Yunjun pressed her down, she could hardly move.

Her face flushed red as she pleaded, "No... how can I do this in front of others..."

"Oh, you're embarrassed to be seen by others," Cheng Zongyang laughed. "Ningnu, let Lady Ruan see your flower."

Ruan Xiangning glanced shyly at her sister, then turned around, obediently raising her jade-like fingers to pull down her thin thong to her buttocks, then parted her fair buttocks to reveal her delicate and exquisite member. Ruan Xianglin

said shyly and anxiously, "A-Ning, you!"

Zhuo Yunjun laughed, "You've already seen your sister's flower, now it's your turn to see your sister. Ningnu, come and help your aunt."

One of the two women held Ruan Xianglin's hands down, while the other went to unbutton her dress. Ruan Xiangning's thong was pulled down to her knees. She knelt on the ground, her snowy buttocks raised, first pulling out Ruan Xianglin's belt, then untying her skirt and tearing down a thin gauze underpants.

Zhuo Yunjun held Ruan Xianglin down with one hand and pulled open her clothes with the other. The young woman was wearing a bright green bodice close to her body. The end of the bodice, covering her legs, was damp and clung to her private parts.

Ruan Xiangning raised her face, smiling sweetly, and said in a coquettish voice, "Sister is already soaking wet."

"The master touched her, and she's already this wet," Zhuo Yunjun mocked, "A wanton, lewd woman, yet she pretends to be innocent."

Ruan Xianglin blushed, pressing her legs together and bending her knees to cover her private parts.

Cheng Zongyang watched this erotic scene with his arms crossed, showing no intention of intervening. He wouldn't interfere in these women's power struggles as long as they didn't go too far—and if they did, there was always that brat; he didn't need to get involved.

Although Ruan Xianglin tried to cover herself, she couldn't outmaneuver the two women. Soon, Ruan Xianglin's last remaining garment, her bodice, was torn off, leaving her naked body sprawled on the bed like a piece of white lotus root.

Zhuo Yunjun and Ruan Xiangning each pulled her beautiful legs apart, exposing her private parts to their master's gaze.

Ruan Xianglin's vulva bloomed like a flower; her glossy pubic hair was soaked with vaginal fluid, clinging wetly to her skin. Her delicate labia were engorged and swollen, her tender opening barely the size of a little finger, overflowing with vaginal fluid. The red, moist flesh was exposed to the air, trembling slightly with each heartbeat, radiating a dewy sheen, incomparably alluring.

"What a lovely thing," Zhuo Yunjun laughed. "This wanton look surpasses even Ningnu's by a few points."

Ruan Xiangning said, "How can this servant compare to elder sister's experience?"

"Just now, Lady Ruan said that master can rub wherever he wants, however he likes..." Zhuo Yunjun said with a smile, "Ningnu, where do you want to rub? How do you want to rub?"

Ruan Xiangning said seductively, "I'll just use master's big meat stick to rub elder sister's tender hole."

"Lady Ruan, what do you say?"

Ruan Xianglin, hearing the two's ridicule, was so ashamed she wanted to disappear. She could only bite her lip with a face full of shame, her body trembling slightly with tension from the shame. When the young man threw off his clothes, revealing his strong muscles and his swollen penis, Ruan Xianglin felt her breath catch in her throat, and then a surge of heat flowed from her lower body.

Under the mocking gazes of the crowd, Ruan Xianglin was so embarrassed that she almost fainted. To be fair, she was not a wanton woman who indulged in lust. She didn't have much sexual desire, and she and her husband might not even have sex once every month or two.

Her past absurdity was merely a transaction of exchanging her body for wealth. Who knew that in front of this man, she would act like a young woman in the throes of puberty, unable to control her overflowing lust at the mere smell of his masculine scent.

Ruan Xianglin felt all eyes were fixed on her private parts, then that hot penis reached in, pressing against her tender flesh under the gaze of her own sister and strangers, and slowly entering.

Her opening twitched slightly, and lustful fluid flowed out like a spring, wetting the thick, hard penis. Ruan Xianglin trembled all over, her most shameful part exposed to everyone's gaze, being penetrated little by little. His slow movements made Ruan Xianglin feel that this moment of shame was infinitely prolonged, making her forever unable to forget the scene of being violated in front of so many people.

Cheng Zongyang lifted her plump, round, and fleshy white buttocks, then suddenly thrust his hips forward, his penis plunging heavily into her honeyed orifice. The glans plunged deep into the wet, sticky flesh, pressing against the soft, moist opening at its end.

Cheng Zongyang entered her with one thrust, then began his naked, vigorous assault. He leaned slightly forward, his penis like an iron rod, moving wildly in and out of her honeyed orifice, his attacks dense and fierce.

Ruan Xianglin was not a virgin, yet the young man's roughness and speed gave her a completely different feeling. He exuded masculinity, his well-defined abdominal muscles contracting and tightening powerfully, full of compelling force.

His hard penis moved in and out, the glans scraping against the walls of her flesh as it withdrew, as if trying to pull the juicy flesh out of her body; when it thrust in, it was like a pile driver, heavy and forceful, driving straight from the entrance to the core, as if trying to force her entire orifice inside. With each thrust, Ruan Xianglin's body reacted swiftly, her hidden flower bud at the end of her vagina revealing itself beneath his penis. The glans pounded heavily on it, bringing a tingling, numbing, and numbing sensation.

The hands that had been holding her hands and feet suddenly released their grip, and Ruan Xianglin, now free, instinctively wrapped her arms around the young man's waist and back, arching her lower body to meet his thrusts, letting out soft, seductive moans.

Zhuo Yunjun mocked, "It's not good for Miss Shishi to see Lady Ruan like this. Who would have thought that the dignified Lady Ruan would act like a prostitute, shaking her ass under another man?"

Ruan Xiangning also showed an expression of half astonishment and half shyness, clearly not expecting her sister to be so lewd.

Cheng Zongyang said, "So what if you see? Miss Ruan isn't some clueless little girl, is she?"

Zhuo Yunjun covered her mouth and laughed, "If Master takes Miss Shishi as his concubine in the future, and mother and daughter share one husband, wouldn't that be incest?"

Hearing the word "incest," Ruan Xianglin trembled as if pricked by a needle, but then the penis thrust in suddenly, and Ruan Xianglin involuntarily arched her slender waist, her voluptuous and fragrant body pressed tightly against the young man's chest, trembling as if electrocuted.

"Don't move, let me give Miss Ruan a good massage. It's still a bit tight now. I'll massage you until you're so weak you can't even crawl, then it'll be done."

The shame of losing her virginity was overwhelmed by the pleasure of the body. Ruan Xianglin didn't care about the gazes of others, panting softly under the young man. Her full, round, white buttocks were held in his hands, like a bouncy snowball, trembling and deforming with his thrusting. A glistening, wet stream of vaginal fluid gushed from her opening, carrying a seductive, feminine scent, flowing down in a watery stream.

Ruan Xianglin's mind was hazy, her thoughts consumed only by the burning hot penis and the trembling sensation of it relentlessly pounding against her clitoris. Waves of pleasure washed over her, her body seemingly melting in endless ecstasy.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but Ruan Xianglin's pleasure intensified, her moans becoming intermittent. Suddenly, her vagina tightened, the soft, fleshy opening gripping her penis tightly

, convulsing violently. Cheng Zongyang thrust forcefully within her convulsing body for a moment before embracing her limp body and ejaculating deep within her.

The storm subsided, and Ruan Xianglin used a fan to cover her flushed face with one hand, the other trembling slightly as she barely managed to cover her burning opening, a girlish shyness in her eyes.

Even with a grown daughter, such intense intercourse still left Ruan Xianglin feeling an unprecedented strain. This short half hour was more exhausting than a night of passionate lovemaking, yet the pleasure it brought was unparalleled.

But what was even more unforgettable for her were the series of shameful events.

Intentionally seducing someone only to have her privacy exposed... having sex in broad daylight... being watched by others... uncontrollable physical reactions... and even mother and daughter sharing a husband...

As Zhuo Yunjun helped her master wipe his body, she massaged him to relieve his fatigue.

Beside her, Ruan Xiangning took the round fan from her sister's hand and fanned her while gently advising, "Here, both Zhuo Mama and I are women, and only Master is a man. What is there to be ashamed of, sister?"

Looking at her sister's radiant face, Ruan Xianglin couldn't help but ask, "Why are you here?"

Ruan Xiangning revealed a perfectly timed sadness, "Sister, you know that my husband has offended Grand Commandant Gao of the court. If it weren't for Master's kind rescue, even if I could save my life, I would still be forced into prostitution, to be trampled on by others." As she spoke, she smiled, "Fortunately, Master took me in and gave me a place to stay. I can never repay Master's kindness in this lifetime." Ruan Xianglin whispered, "But you are the wife of the head instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards."

"Sister, do you still remember Lady Wei, the wife of Marquis Wei? The famous 'Flower of the Southern Garden.' Now she's become Young Master Liang's servant, a beautiful flower to be picked by anyone, where is her honor?" Ruan Xiangning said, "Besides, Young Master Liang never lets us entertain guests, he only favors her in his inner chambers, making her several ranks higher than the concubines of ordinary noble families. If Shishi were to marry into the Liang family in the future..."

Ruan Xianglin blushed again when she mentioned her daughter, Ruan Xiangning said, "...If Shishi were to marry into the Liang family in the future, it would be our own destiny, how could it be considered incest?"

Hearing her sister's words of comfort, Ruan Xianglin felt a mix of emotions, unable to describe the feeling. She glanced at Cheng Zongyang, only to see the young man, with a mocking look in his eyes, say to the woman beside him, "Beauty Zhuo, it seems Lady Ruan also possesses a fine cauldron. It's just a little inferior to yours."

Zhuo Yunjun laughed, "Even a fine jade will be covered in dust if left unpolished. Master, you'll just need to clean it more often in the future."

"Then I'll wash it again… Lady Ruan, let's change positions and do it again!"

"No… Ouch! Young master, be gentle, my lower body is about to swell…"

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