[Fantasy] The Rogue Landlord (Complete) - Part 5

Episode 2

Synopsis: Becoming the Crown Prince didn't affect Xu Ping much. Life went on as usual, and he continued his

womanizing ways. However, to secure a better future, he began to cultivate his own power base. A chance encounter led him to a new avenue for wealth accumulation; if this plan succeeded, a mountain of silver would be his for the taking. An encounter at a brothel brought him to Qiao'er's master, the alluring Liu Ziyi. He was captivated by her charm and gentleness, and Liu Ziyi, in turn, opened her heart, serving Xu Ping through a warm and sensual night.

Just as the two were deeply in love, Xu Ping was forced to travel to Tiantai Mountain for an important sacrificial ceremony. On his dejected journey, he unexpectedly encountered a fiery young woman in red. This girl claimed to be Xu Ping's niece, and her youthful allure made it impossible for him to resist…

Chapter 1 ◆ Busty Beauty Bathing

Xu Ping was puzzled. Why were that woman and the little girl taking so long to bathe? Looking at their mud-covered bodies, had they really washed away half their weight? Seeing everyone's curious gazes fixed on her, she had no choice but to tell them what had happened. When she spoke of the extremely principled but incredibly short-tempered constable, she made no attempt to hide her admiration.

Zhao Ling sighed helplessly after listening, "Luckily they met Brother Ping, otherwise, who knows what would have happened to them in this complicated place. There are so many people seeking justice these days; you see plenty of people like that on the streets every day. It's really nothing new."

Mother Cheng, usually quiet, said with a somber expression, "They were indeed lucky to meet the Crown Prince; otherwise, who knows if they would have been sold off or starved to death. I've heard before that in the capital, you encounter people like that every day, and no matter what their grievance, they're immediately thrown into jail." "People's hearts..."

Zhao Ling smiled gently, looking at Xu Ping with tenderness, and slowly said, "At least they are lucky, but I'm more interested in that constable named Chen Qi. You know, which constable isn't thinking about their own pockets? This guy is already quite good for protecting poor people from other places, and besides, he has a really bad temper. He actually wanted to draw his knife and kill someone in the street. He's so brainless." Seeing that

the atmosphere was getting a bit cold, Xu Ping quickly changed the subject: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." "

I've finished eating, Your Highness, please enjoy your meal."

Remembering the changes in her family, Cheng's mother gave a curtsy with an ambiguous expression and went out.

"I've also finished eating. I'm going to see my mother."

Ningxue also quickly put down her chopsticks and followed. Only Qiao'er remained unmoved and continued eating.

Damn it, I really shouldn't have talked about these topics that would spoil the atmosphere. Looking at the mother and daughter, one youthful and the other charming, their swaying hips and slender backs. Xu Ping really wanted to slap himself hard. Damn it, why did

he have to say all this? "Brother Ping, what's wrong?"

Zhao Ling saw Xu Ping's face turn pale and then red, and thought he was angry about these unwritten customs in the capital. Her heart warmed slightly, and she slowly placed her small hand on Xu Ping's leg, saying softly, "Brother Ping, don't be angry."

Xu Ping looked at Zhao Ling beside him. Her face was flushed red from the heat of the hot pot, and her delicate cherry lips were also glistening with a reddish hue, making one want to kiss her. Her bright and intelligent eyes were full of tenderness and affection, making one feel particularly comfortable. Xu Ping couldn't help but gently hold her small hand, and began to look at the increasingly beautiful girl in front of him with a lewd smile.

The two of them hadn't been intimate for a long time because they were both busy. The itchy feeling on her palm made Zhao Ling, a girl who had already experienced the taste of love, realize how much her lover loved her. Her eyes became hazy for a moment, looking at Xu Ping with affection.

"Oh dear, getting in the way is a capital offense! I'd better leave!"

Qiao'er, seeing the two of them about to arouse each other, pretended to be mature and slowly walked out. She carried a large bowl of cooked mutton, eating as she went.

"Baby, did you miss me?"

Xu Ping couldn't wait any longer and pulled the alluring Zhao Ling into his arms, kissing her tempting red lips. His tongue skillfully pried open her teeth, entering her warm mouth, greedily sucking the sweet liquid. He tasted the girl's fluids in her fragrant, smooth mouth, forcefully making her cooperate with him.

Before Zhao Ling could speak, Xu Ping's hand had already slipped inside her clothes, playing with her delicate breasts, gently finding the delicate nipples like buds. With just a gentle pinch, Zhao Ling's body trembled, and her breathing became more rapid. Xu Ping couldn't resist any longer. He reached under her skirt and slowly explored upwards along her smooth thighs, his erect penis pressing against her buttocks.

Zhao Ling snapped out of her daze and quickly grabbed his mischievous hand, saying with a hint of shame, "Brother Ping, I'm on my period. Not today!" Thunderous rebuke

. These words struck Xu Ping like a thunderbolt, leaving him utterly devastated. He gave her a resentful look.

Damn it, she should have been discreet when she knew she was on her period, but instead, she offered herself up, only revealing it just before things got serious. How wicked!

Xu Ping said with a mournful face, "What a coincidence! Are you deliberately trying to mess with me?"

"Why don't you go find Ningxue? I'm going to sleep now. You can sleep there tonight, don't come back..."

Taking advantage of Xu Ping's frustration, Zhao Ling quickly ran out, cheerfully encouraging her man to go and pick other flowers.

In this era, it was normal for men, especially those with power and influence, to have multiple wives and concubines. If a man only had one legal wife, people would say she was jealous, and that alone was enough for him to unconditionally kick her out. For ordinary women, especially those from commoner families, marrying into a wealthy family meant that, aside from the title, their status was practically that of a maid, unless their own family was also noble.

Zhao Ling was a young girl in the throes of first love, and of course, she had her own dreams. But once she calmed down, she couldn't help but feel a little melancholy. Her beloved's status was illustrious, perhaps too illustrious. As a prince, failing to produce an heir for the royal family would be a grave sin. Zhao Ling was also aware of her own background; not only were they commoners, but her brother had once been a bandit who roamed the mountains. Although she currently had Xu Ping's affection, if she fell out of favor one day, she would be completely finished.

She silently returned to her room, reminiscing about the comfort of Xu Ping's large bed. Slowly removing her light gauze dress, Zhao Ling looked at her slender, delicate body, her eyes lingering on her lower abdomen. She gently stroked it with her hand, murmuring, "My belly, please be strong and let me give Brother Ping a son..."

While Zhao Ling was filled with emotion, Xu Ping was sulking. Damn it, why did that damned mother-in-law have to come today of all days? How am I supposed to get my hands on Ningxue now?

Thinking of the mother and daughter's magnificent breasts, Xu Ping couldn't help but smile lewdly. Once he got them into bed, he'd make them take turns using their big tits to give him a blowjob; it would be incredibly pleasurable.

To do it or not to do it? Should he force himself on them? Xu Ping hesitated for a long time, unable to decide. He decided to go get to them first.

The night was dark and windy. Although the ancient lights weren't very bright, the Crown Prince's residence was brightly lit, like a city that never sleeps, making it a famous tourist attraction in the capital. Xu Ping stood in the garden, playing rock-paper-scissors with both hands. He had been standing in the cold wind for over an hour, but he still couldn't appease his brother's anger. It remained erect and proud, strongly declaring its dissatisfaction and demanding a small hole to satisfy it.

If the left hand wins, he'll use his skillful technique to masturbate and solve the problem—of course, this is the outcome he least wants, and he probably wouldn't carry it out even if he won. If the right hand wins, he'll pretend to be drunk and go to Cheng Ningxue's place, ignoring her mother's presence, and force himself on her. If she resists, he'll rape her; if she cooperates, it'll be adultery. Knowing the girl's personality, she'll definitely resist, and with her mother involved, it'll definitely be a fierce threesome—just thinking about it is exciting.

Half an hour has passed, and he still can't make a decision. Actually, in these days, even if Xu Ping went in and forced himself on them, they wouldn't dare say much. After all, he has a high status, but this lack of romance is no different from visiting a prostitute. This is also why Xu Ping doesn't mess around with those palace maids.

Qiao'er quietly circled behind Xu Ping, teasingly asking with a grin, "Why isn't Master keeping Sister Ling company? Are you just standing here alone, lost in thought? Were you kicked out of bed?"

Xu Ping was already furious, and seeing her playful expression, he waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Go away, go away! I'm annoyed. I'm even thinking of becoming a flower thief now. Don't cause trouble here. If you anger me, I won't care about your age; I'll just force myself on you, and the whole mansion will hear your screams."

Qiao'er, fearless... The fearless little devil blushed upon hearing Xu Ping's blatant words, looking exceptionally charming and adorable. She lowered her head and muttered softly, "Why are you so angry? I didn't do anything to you."

Seeing Xu Ping's sour expression, she suddenly slapped her forehead and said happily, "I know! Sister Zhao is on her period these past few days and can't serve you, so you ran away, right?"

Xu Ping was almost in tears. Was he really going to tarnish his upright and pure character by going out and raping someone else's daughter? This…this was truly immoral, far too provocative. Besides, for a dignified prince to stoop to being a rapist would be too shameful. Even if he were to force himself on someone, he should at least do it outside; doing these things in his own home was far too pathetic.

Qiao'er looked down and saw the large tent in his crotch. Curious, she glanced at it and asked, her heart pounding, "Don't you have those maids at home? If you want them, they'll definitely be happy to oblige. If all else fails, you can run back to the palace. There are plenty of beauties there! And if you just ask, they'll swarm you. Why suffer like this?"

"Why would I go looking for them? I'm too lazy to even move!"

Xu Ping shook his head, terrified at the thought of those resentful women. "If I go looking for them, word will spread like wildfire. If they gang-rape me until tomorrow morning, will I even survive?" "

Then you can go find Sister Ningxue!"

Qiao'er continued, trying to ingratiate herself.

"Isn't her mother right there? How can I find her?"

Xu Ping replied, somewhat annoyed.

Qiao'er thought seriously for a moment, her little eyes darting around. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers and said with a mischievous grin, "I've got it! I'll talk to Sister Ling later, and we'll find a reason to take her mother away. Wouldn't that give us a chance? We can just stall for time, and by the time she gets back, you two will have already made it a done deal."

Seeing that Qiao'er's little brain was always thinking of him, Xu Ping was touched and held her soft, boneless little hand, his face full of excitement as he said, "Qiao'er is such a good girl. If Ningxue and I have a child in the future, we'll definitely make you our godmother. If that's not possible, we'll wait until you're a little older..." "Young Master, I'll try my best to let you have one too. Your contribution to the royal family's continuation is truly immeasurable. I will never forget your contributions!"

Qiao'er blushed and withdrew her little hand. Her small figure disappeared into the night in a few moments, and she said mischievously, "Just wait for my good news! Go wait outside their room first. When they take her mother away, you can have your way with Sister Xue."

Xu Ping chuckled, smelling the unique fragrance of the little girl on his hand, and looking at her already exquisite and slightly parted curves, he began to regret why he hadn't suggested pushing this little loli down. Judging from her appearance, she was already quite developed, enough for him to enjoy. Although she was a flower of the motherland, she was still gentle and easy to push down, which was quite a unique experience.

Despite his thoughts, after weighing the pros and cons, the Cheng family mother and daughter's ample breasts still won. Xu Ping's mouth watered at the thought of that lump of flesh. He climbed onto the roof and tiptoed towards the east wing, only slowly leaping onto the roof to lie in wait when he saw Ningxue's room. Since practicing martial arts, he had truly experienced the benefits of diligence this time. Just this skill of stealth and invisibility would make him capable of any mischief he wanted to do in the future!

He waited patiently for a while, and sure enough, Qiao'er ran over shortly after, gently knocking on the door and saying obediently, "Sister Xue, Sister Ling asked me to come and talk to your mother. Please open the door."

Xu Ping was so excited that he couldn't speak, as if Cheng Ningxue had already undressed and was waiting for him. But there was a soft sound of water coming from inside the room, as if someone was taking a bath. Apart from that one sentence, he couldn't hear what they were talking about. He only saw someone open the door and say a few words before Qiao'er led her future mother-in-law away, chatting and laughing happily along the way.

Only after their figures disappeared from sight did Xu Ping get out of bed and push open the door like a thief. This was his first time entering Ningxue's room. The room was decorated warmly and elegantly, with a faint, indescribable fragrance—the scent of perfume on the bed and the counter

, the smell of rouge—a typical young lady's boudoir. A little further ahead, he saw a graceful figure bathing behind the screen next door. Not wanting to disturb the beauty emerging from her bath, Xu Ping tiptoed and closed the door before eagerly approaching her. With each step closer, Xu Ping felt a strange thrill. He finally understood why there were so many flower thieves in ancient times; besides their infatuation with beauty, the greatest attraction was the thrill of "stealing."

Peeking over the screen, he saw the beauty's smooth, jade-like back, with drops of water trickling down, looking incredibly tender. Her long, black hair, now free of elaborate adornments, cascaded loosely over her body, exuding an alluring charm. Her proud figure, flushed red from the hot water, revealed glimpses of her large breasts from behind. This tantalizing glimpse was enough to make Xu Ping incredibly aroused; he was practically ready to pounce on her and have sex with her.

After a moment's thought, Xu Ping quietly removed his only pair of shorts and slowly crawled towards the beauty. Since he was "stealing" her, he might as well go all the way. Even if she resisted, it was better than being numb after being acupunctured.

The beauty in the water was completely unaware of the lecherous man approaching. She continued to carefully wash her delicate body, meticulously caring for every inch of her flawless skin. Holding fresh flower petals, she gently stroked her body. When her hand reached her enormous breasts, which seemed about to fall off, the tender white flesh trembled at the slightest touch, making one's eyes dazzle.

Xu Ping could no longer restrain himself. Overwhelmed by lust, he jumped into the wooden tub, water immediately overflowing and spilling everywhere. His erect penis pressed against her buttocks, but as soon as he embraced the beauty in his arms, he immediately sensed something was wrong. He felt her breasts; they were noticeably larger. How could they have become so much fuller in just one month? He'd touched them before; they were large, but never this exaggerated. He reached out and grasped one nipple, feeling it carefully. Had they really grown so much?

The beauty, caught in his embrace, stiffened, too frightened to speak. Then she felt her breasts being fondled and kneaded wantonly. Suddenly, she snapped out of her daze, opened her mouth, and let out a high-pitched scream.

"Ah!"

The decibels were so loud they hurt Xu Ping's ears.

Damn it, this is bad. He knew from the sound that it wasn't Cheng Ningxue's. The only person who could bathe in her room and possess such impressive size was his future mother-in-law. Xu Ping quickly reached out and covered her still screaming mouth. He leaned forward and took a closer look. It really was Lin Ziyan. At this moment, she was looking at him with fear and tension on her face. Her beautiful eyes were filled with a pitiful expression. She looked like she was really scared by him.

Xu Ping broke out in a cold sweat. That high-pitched scream just now wouldn't be surprising if it reached the entire Crown Prince's residence, let alone the palace. If Ning Xue heard the sound and returned, it would hinder his future plans to seduce her. She might even be wary of him like a thief, making his grand plan of having sex with both mother and daughter difficult.

However, having such a beautiful woman on his head was indeed quite enjoyable. When she struggled, her soft, smooth buttocks rubbed against his penis, feeling incredibly good. His hands couldn't help but wrap around her waist, ostensibly to keep her from moving, but actually to take advantage of her. Her abdomen was flat and elastic, her waist slender and beautiful; he really couldn't tell she had given birth!

Xu Ping lewdly praised her, but feigned embarrassment, saying, "Sister, don't be afraid, I didn't mean to. I thought Ningxue was taking a bath. Don't shout, I'll let you go right away."

Lin Ziyan felt the man's heat pressing against her buttocks, terrified that if they got any closer, he might accidentally penetrate her, ruining her reputation. She hurriedly nodded, hoping to escape the overwhelming masculine scent beside her.

Seeing Lin Ziyan nod, Xu Ping slowly released his hand, but couldn't resist teasing her, deliberately pressing his penis against her buttocks.

Lin Ziyan let out a soft moan, the long-lost feeling surging up, almost making her weak. Looking at the lewd expression on Xu Ping's face, it was as if he was saying, "I did it on purpose." She felt a surge of anger, but remembering that he was her daughter's savior and the current Crown Prince, she dared not speak out. Xu Ping, meanwhile, clicked his tongue as he examined her face. Good heavens

!

"Just these two big guys, how many children could they raise during a famine!" Xu Ping examined them with his professional eyes; they were definitely an F cup. Although slightly sagging, it didn't detract from their rounded beauty. Interestingly, the nipples were deep red, and the areolas were small, making them look as tender as a young girl in her late teens, tempting one to suckle them.

Lin Ziyan, seeing Xu Ping staring intently at her body, realized she had exposed herself. She quickly submerged herself in the water, leaving only her head above the surface, wanting to say something but unable to speak. She immediately realized this position was inappropriate. Xu Ping's lower body was also in the water, the large head of his penis exposed above the surface, unfortunately positioned directly opposite her lips. It seemed that a slight opening of her mouth would allow her to touch this terrifyingly large treasure.

Lin Ziyan hurriedly turned her head away, inwardly berating herself for her shame. She wasn't some prostitute; why did she become so despicable the moment she saw a man's naked body? Although she cursed inwardly, she couldn't help but steal a glance and marvel at it. The thing before her was at least twenty centimeters long and unbelievably thick. Was it even human-sized?

Lin Ziyan couldn't help but compare it to her deceased husband; it was like the difference between a child and an adult. She also felt a pang of worry about her daughter's delicate body—could it truly withstand such favor? What if the Crown Prince became too rough? How could her daughter endure it?

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Xu Ping tried to make conversation: "Taking a bath!"

"Yes, are you looking for Xiaoxue?"

Lin Ziyan seemed to have lost her mind.

"Hmm, isn't she here?"

Xu Ping himself didn't understand the point of this conversation.

Lin Ziyan's voice trembled slightly as she said, "Yes, she went out to play."

Just as she was about to fall silent again, Cheng Ningxue suddenly returned, her voice a mixture of worry and caution as she asked, "Mother, are you done washing? I heard you scream just now, did something happen?" She

walked towards them, scanning the room warily, her hand gripping a small throwing knife, ready to fire.

Lin Ziyan was instantly terrified. What would happen if her daughter saw her and her man naked in a wooden tub? Panic gripped her heart, and she whispered anxiously to Xu Ping, "Hide first! Don't let Xue'er see!"

This atmosphere was fucking too exciting. Especially when Lin Ziyan looked so pitiful, pleading with him, her captivating charm made her willing to kill for her. Xu Ping couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration, truly a sexy bombshell!

Where to hide? Cheng Ningxue approached cautiously, taking small steps. Xu Ping glanced left and right, but it was too late. Luckily, there were some flower petals and milk on the surface of the water, which could provide some cover. He quickly held his breath and submerged himself in the water. Although it was a high-end item from the Crown Prince's residence, the wooden tub was still for bathing, and no matter how large it was, it couldn't be too big. The water immediately began to gullify as it entered, causing a large man like Xu Ping to wade in.

Hearing the unusual sound of the water, Cheng Ningxue became even more alert, her expression turning serious. She continued to tentatively call out, "Mother, please speak!"

Lin Ziyan had no choice but to move up a little, her plump buttocks landing squarely on Xu Ping's lower abdomen. At the same time, Xu Ping's large penis was trapped between her legs, and his hands were resting on her buttocks. The intimate contact nearly made them both lose control.

Meanwhile, Xu Ping cursed under his breath underwater, his face contorted by her small waist. Damn it, so many online novels have this erotic plot. The shameless protagonist usually seduces the beauty at this moment, touching her until she can't control herself, then his cock trembles and he secretly thrusts into her little pussy, enjoying the thrill of their affair together. This is pure bullshit. They're already so cramped, they can't even move. Underwater affair? They'd be lucky not to suffocate. Which bastard made the tub so small? I'll go out and kill him. But

thinking about it is one thing, but the skin-to-skin contact is real. The smooth, jade-like feeling is not bad, but unfortunately, there's not enough space to do anything more exciting. How can you adjust your position to insert in such a small space! Besides, even if you're actually inside each other, you can't move around freely unless you're an octopus! Considering her body is still quite alluring, he reluctantly endures it!

Xu Ping twisted slightly in discomfort, but felt his hand being pressed tightly against her fragrant buttocks. With a slight movement, he felt the beautiful woman's delicate body tremble. His fingers vaguely touched a round, rough spot amidst the smooth surface, its folds contracting forcefully. Could it be her anus?

Xu Ping gently poked it again, and judging from the feel and her frightened reaction, he immediately knew he was right. How could he let such a fun thing pass him by when he was bored! His hand gently encircled her waist, while his other hand began mischievously circling her anus, teasing the overlapping folds, occasionally scratching them with his fingernail, feeling the beautiful woman's body begin to tremble.

Seeing her mother's unease and the slight tremor that caused ripples to spread across the water, Cheng Ningxue asked with even greater confusion, "Mother, what's wrong? Tell me!"

"It's nothing, Xiaoxue!"

Lin Ziyan, unable to stop her mother's antics, quickly tried to calm her voice, speaking gently, "I just saw a mouse run by and got a fright." Cheng Ningxue

noticed the water on the ground, which had almost completely soaked it, and quickly asked, "Mother, why is there so much water on the ground?"

Lin Ziyan, quick-witted as ever, quickly covered up her lie, "I saw a mouse run by and screamed in fright. You know I'm most afraid of mice. All that movement made the ground wet. You should go outside; the door is open and the wind is blowing in, and I feel cold."

She then deliberately touched her shoulder, feigning shivering.

Cheng Ningxue finally believed her. Turning to close the door, she said with deep remorse, "I'm sorry, Mother. I was worried about you, so I acted rashly."

Seeing the understanding look on her daughter's face, Lin Ziyan breathed a sigh of relief. But she felt the man's hand becoming increasingly audacious, inching forward, about to touch her private parts. Panicked, she quickly plunged her hand into the water, grabbing Xu Ping's hand that was trying to violate her and pressing it down firmly.

Xu Ping didn't mind, shifting back slightly to continue gently caressing her anus, enjoying the occasional spasms of Lin Ziyan's body. The funny thing was, she wouldn't let him touch her vagina, but allowed him to freely caress her anus. Did ancient women really have no defenses against this? Or were those brain-dead scholars completely ignorant of this?

"Mother, are you still cold?"

Cheng Ningxue asked obediently after closing the door.

"I'm alright, much better..."

Lin Ziyan forced a smile, pretending to scold, "But you're quite reckless, girl. What if someone else came in and saw me taking a bath? How could I face them then!"

Hehe, she said it with such seriousness. Although underwater, Xu Ping clearly heard their conversation. Unable to resist his playful impulse, taking advantage of the water's lubrication and her lack of vigilance, he suddenly thrust half a finger into her anus, enjoying the tight grip and rhythmic peristalsis of the beautiful woman's rectum.

"Ah..."

This absurd sneak attack made Lin Ziyan scream. She felt a man's fingers fiddling with her shameful back door, and a wave of humiliation washed over her, but there was also a strange pleasure.

"Mother, what's wrong? Your face is so red!"

Cheng Ningxue was about to speak when she was startled by Lin Ziyan's scream. Seeing her mother's flushed face and panting, she was at a loss for words.

"Nothing!"

Lin Ziyan gritted her teeth, enduring Xu Ping's fingers blatantly teasing her anus, and forced a smile. "I just saw a mouse run by. It's nothing. It's gone!"

"Mother, you scared me to death!"

Cheng Ningxue breathed a sigh of relief and complained coquettishly, "You don't know, that scream almost scared me to death."

"Hehe, it's my fault!"

Lin Ziyan frowned, feeling that if this continued, she would really be unable to hold back her moans. She had to get rid of her daughter first. After a moment's thought, she smiled at Cheng Ningxue and said, "Xiaoxue, didn't your sister Ling send someone to invite you? I'd like to eat some fruit now, so go prepare it first, and I'll be there in a bit."

"Okay, hurry up! I'll go wait for you in Sister Ling's room. Strangely, that lecherous young master isn't here. Where did he go?"

Ningxue obediently replied and muttered as she went out.

Seeing her close the door behind her, Lin Ziyan finally breathed a sigh of relief and pinched Xu Ping's waist hard.

Xu Ping could only helplessly give up on her beautiful chrysanthemum, slowly withdrawing his fingers before slowly emerging from the water. Looking at Lin Ziyan, who was constantly patting her chest, her ample breasts bouncing up and down, creating soft waves of flesh, he couldn't help but swallow. Her already charming face was now flushed with a beautiful blush, and she was glaring at him with a mixture of anger and reproach—truly a unique kind of allure!

Lin Ziyan finally snapped out of her panic. When she saw Xu Ping emerge, his muscular upper body glistening with moisture, exuding masculinity, and his enormous member revealed itself as he stood up, she was startled and turned away, but inwardly astonished. How could a man's member be so large, at least twice the size of her husband's?

Although she was furious that her anus had been violated, she dared not retaliate against Xu Ping. She lightly covered her chest with her delicate hand, sighed softly, and said, "Your Highness, Ningxue has left. You should leave too! Tonight, I'll pretend nothing happened, and please don't tell anyone."

Lin Ziyan's pleading expression showed both pain and helplessness.

But Xu Ping didn't see it that way. He pulled her into a tight embrace, pressing her large breasts against his chest.

The beautiful woman, not expecting Xu Ping to embrace her at this moment, looked directly into his burning eyes and shyly turned her head away. Her voice was barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz: "Your Highness, please have some self-respect. I am Ningxue's mother. Tonight's events have been far too absurd. Please, don't do this!"

Xu Ping, while lecherously stroking her face, suddenly thrust his hips forward, pressing his hard, hot penis against her lower abdomen, panting heavily, "I know you are Ningxue's mother, but do you know how attractive a mature beauty like you is to a man? Look at what I've become! From the first moment I saw you, I was captivated by you. I'm overjoyed that this has happened!"

Lin Ziyan blushed slightly, seemingly unable to bear the ambiguous atmosphere. Just as Xu Ping was about to push his luck, her expression suddenly hardened, her body went limp, and she gave up resisting, letting Xu Ping hold her. Her expression suddenly changed, becoming remarkably calm as she said, "Since Your Highness takes a liking to my broken body, then I have no choice but to comply. I hope you will not despise me for being a withered flower."

Xu Ping noticed that her face was as if she were under a ghost's spell, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

After a moment's thought, he understood. She was afraid of angering him and implicating Ning Xue, yet she also feared that if she didn't comply, she would have no way to avenge her great grudge.

He knew that Lin Ziyan still valued morality and etiquette highly; those old ideas were deeply ingrained in her mind. If he forced himself on her, he couldn't guarantee she wouldn't hang herself afterward. Her compliance was merely a subconscious and cognitive submission to the imperial family. Thinking of this, his passion vanished. He looked at the calm Lin Ziyan with some reluctance, gently released her, and playfully jumped out of the wooden tub.

Lin Ziyan stared in astonishment as the water level in the bucket instantly dropped to her thighs. She hurriedly covered her mature and alluring triangle with her hands, her eyes filled with a complex mix of confusion and bewilderment as she looked at Xu Ping.

Xu Ping, while pulling on his already soaked shorts, chuckled and said, "Alright, since you don't want to, I won't force you. But it's partly your fault; you're so beautiful, it made me want to pamper you. I'm leaving now. I hope this is just a secret between the two of us. I'm going now." He then

ignored her stunned expression, glared at her ample breasts a few times, and jumped out of the window.

A cool breeze swept over her, and Lin Ziyan felt a chill. At that moment, she didn't know if what had happened that night was real or not. Looking at the water on the floor and her disheveled appearance, she blushed and confirmed that she had indeed been violated, and by her daughter's sweetheart no less.

Thinking of him hiding underwater, secretly fondling her anus in front of her daughter, the faint pleasure brought by his lewd teasing fingers, Lin Ziyan couldn't help but feel a helpless sense of shame. She cursed out the window, "You lecher!"

Lin Ziyan couldn't help but stroke her slender waist where her husband had been held. She hadn't been intimate with any man since her husband's death. The image of that large thing pressing against her underwater flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but compare it to her husband's.

That thing was so big; if it really went in, let alone her precious daughter, even her own body, now a mother, wouldn't be able to withstand it.

What was she thinking? Imagining herself making love with this handsome young man who might be her son-in-law. Lin Ziyan shook her head, inwardly cursing herself for being shameless. He was gone, and she was still indulging in these fantasies!

Emerging from the tub, she gently dried her alluring body with a towel, but couldn't help thinking about Xu Ping's broad chest and the feeling of his strong hands covering her breasts. Since the incident at home, she had never felt so safe. Especially when his fingers were playing with her, it aroused her intensely. He could even play with that thing—how perverted! Lin Ziyan blushed and cursed under her breath, but her mind kept replaying that strange feeling.

Fear and unease flickered across Lin Ziyan's face, followed by shy arousal, then pain. Suddenly, she gritted her teeth and slapped herself hard.

Covering her burning face, Lin Ziyan muttered, "Lin Ziyan, you're such a shameless woman! That's Ningxue's husband, your future son-in-law! This is absurd enough, yet you still have the audacity to think about it. Don't you know what shame is?"

While suppressing her wicked thoughts, Lin Ziyan picked up a towel to wipe her body. When she touched her sensitive areas, she suddenly trembled, her face flushed, and she looked at her hand—it was already incredibly wet. She quickly put on her clothes and left, leaving behind a chaotic scene and an unforgettable, sensual memory.

Xu Ping, drooling, leaned over the eaves, admiring the beauty changing. When the woman emerged from the water, this lecherous wolf wanted to cheer loudly. Her full, curvaceous figure, round, perky buttocks, mature yet adorable soft body hair between her legs, and large yet remarkably firm breasts with deep red nipples.

Judging from her figure, she didn't look like a woman with a teenage daughter at all. With her mature and alluring charm, she was the epitome of a bewitching enchantress.

Suddenly, he saw her slap herself hard. The loud sound and the clear red mark on her face made Xu Ping's heart ache; he almost wanted to go down and pamper her. However, listening to her mutterings, he felt a surge of joy. It seemed he was quite charming; in such a short time, he had already made this lonely widow unable to forget him. Now, with a little gentle seduction and some appropriate psychological guidance, he believed the day when the beautiful woman threw herself into his arms wouldn't be far off.

While he was in a good mood, his brother remained unconvinced, maintaining a stubborn attitude and clearly showing his dissatisfaction. Xu Ping sighed and then turned away.

Xu Ping lay on the rooftop, somewhat puzzled. His brother was still in a fighting state. The night wind hadn't calmed him down. What if he went to the palace tonight and became a lecherous thief in the maid's quarters? But that would ruin her reputation; he'd probably be killed, wouldn't he? " Those maids at home aren't anything special. I'm rich and powerful now, why would I need to associate with those ordinary people? That's too low-class.

" Just as Xu Ping was sighing, Qiao'er's mischievous and sweet voice rang out from the wall: "Master, why are you standing here alone in the wind? How lonely." As

soon as she finished speaking, the little devil had already climbed onto the roof and sat next to Xu Ping, her small eyes scanning the large tent, covering her mouth and giggling, looking like a cunning little fox.

"What do you think? You can't even handle such a small matter. We agreed that you were to lure Lin Ziyan away, but how come Ningxue left first? If I hadn't been quick-witted, tomorrow there would be news in the capital that the lecherous eldest son raped his mother-in-law, and I would have sold you to a brothel first."

Although Xu Ping said this in an annoyed manner, he also concealed his intimate contact with his future mother-in-law earlier.

"There was nothing I could do. Auntie was taking a bath when I went there, and Sister Ningxue said she had to get some pastries first. I didn't have time to wipe myself, so I went with her first,"

Qiao'er said aggrievedly. Suddenly, she rolled her eyes and whispered in Xu Ping's ear, "Is Aunt Lin's figure good? I think her breasts are so big! And so round. I wonder when I'll grow up to be like hers." "They

are indeed big enough. You can't even hold them with one hand!"

Xu Ping's mind conjured up Lin Ziyan's frightening breasts, and he unconsciously gestured as he answered. By the time he realized what he had done, it was too late.

"Hehe, Master really went to steal a bite."

Qiao'er chuckled smugly.

"Damn it, little girl, you dare to tease me. I'm in a really bad mood right now. If you keep this up, you might become the second young mistress."

Xu Ping said fiercely, sizing up Qiao'er for a while. He still couldn't bring himself to eat this little loli. After all, she was still young, and with Lin Ziyan's standard in mind, looking at her breasts made him shake his head and sigh.

Qiao'er knew her master was ruthless but kind-hearted, and without the slightest fear, she said, "How about we sneak out for a bit? I heard you rarely go out, so I'll take you to see the capital, okay?"

"Where can we go?"

Xu Ping asked irritably. Actually, he used to be very obedient, rarely going out except for practicing martial arts. Ancient times were great in every way, except for the lack of nightlife.

Qiao'er thought for a moment, then said with a grin, "I just heard Uncle Liu say that a man named Zhang Qinghe left before the master could summon him, and apparently he took Zhang Hu with him. He probably went to Zuixianglou. How about we go check it out? It's a property of the Demonic Sect, so we can just do a little inspection."

Just from the name, she knew it was a brothel. Was she really going to put out fires in a place like that? That bastard Zhang Hu, who usually seemed so serious, would go to places like that? What a fucking pervert. If it were that beast Lin Wei, it wouldn't be surprising if he slept with a pimp. With nothing else to do that evening, and seeing Qiao'er's expectant yet pitiful expression, he reluctantly nodded.

"Okay, I'll go change now!"

Qiao'er cheered and ran off.

Xu Ping looked at himself; he was only wearing shorts, which wasn't really suitable for that kind of occasion. He went back to his room and changed into a more formal outfit. The white scholar's robe fluttered in the wind, making him look quite presentable, snow-white and elegant. With the intention of showing off, he waved the late emperor's fan a few times, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Looking in the bronze mirror, he saw eagle eyes, delicate eyebrows, a straight nose, and rosy lips. His fair face, paired with smooth black hair, truly gave him the air of a dashing scholar, and he was indeed a rare handsome man! What a pity, I wasted this charming face after time travel. If I were in the old society, this face would definitely make me a top male prostitute. Now, with money and power, looks aren't so important; one must win with charisma.

Soon he met up with Qiao'er, who was dressed as a man. Her somewhat clumsy blue jacket looked out of place, but it added a mischievous charm, instantly transforming her from a little girl into a young boy, which should attract the interest of those old lecherous men with homosexual tendencies.

Xu Ping sneaked out under the cover of night, nervously following Qiao'er as he took his first step into the world of ancient prostitution.

Chapter Two ◆ The Crown Prince Visits a Brothel

Following Qiao'er's lead, the winding roads almost made Xu Ping, who only knew his own family, dizzy. He hadn't realized how lively the capital city was at night until he went out for a stroll—a place of extravagance and debauchery, no less vibrant than modern nightlife.

Qiao'er, happily observing the interesting things around her, finally led Xu Ping to the Drunken Fragrance Brothel.

The place had three floors, all filled with colorful lanterns. The bright lights and bustling noise inside told it was a den of iniquity. Instead of the usual lewd pimps and brothels soliciting customers outside, a group of beautiful women, dressed in their finery, chatted and laughed by the second-floor railing, using their allure to attract the attention of passersby.

Many pedestrians couldn't help but glance at them, and some, after checking their wallets, succumbed to the temptation and went inside.

Seeing Xu Ping's somewhat stunned expression, Qiao'er explained smugly, "Master, isn't our place different from other places? In other places, it's all those lowly prostitutes soliciting customers outside. Here, we rely on our beauty to attract those stinky men, making them obediently hand over their money."

Seeing her mature demeanor, Xu Ping couldn't help but laugh and cry, chuckling bitterly, "You brat, what are you talking about, young lady? What are you discussing about brothels and stinky men? Do you think I'm one of those kinds of people? Don't pretend to be so old-fashioned. And what seduction? Go ahead and seduce me if you dare!"

Qiao'er feigned pain, touching her cheek, and said with feigned grievance, "I was afraid you'd never been before and didn't know anything. Don't embarrass yourself like those country bumpkins!"

"What?"

Xu Ping asked with a cold smile, giving her a "say it again if you dare" look.

Qiao'er immediately switched to a fawning demeanor, laughing and leading the way. She bowed and waved, saying, "It's nothing, I just wanted to say welcome, young master, to this place. I hope you have a good time. I'll arrange things for you right away!"

"You little devil..."

Xu Ping chuckled, flashing his fan and giving the girls on the second floor, whose eyes were shining with delight, a dashing smile. He then followed her inside, observing with interest this place of romance and pleasure in the capital.

Once inside, he noticed that the hall wasn't as chaotic and noisy as he had imagined. Instead, many refined men sat at tables, reciting poetry with swaying heads. Some friends gathered in small groups, discussing romance, sipping wine, and laughing lightly. The atmosphere was harmonious yet remarkably carefree. The courtesans weren't unrestrained either; instead, they served him with gentle grace, occasionally making a few playful jokes. It was indeed an elegant place.

As soon as a customer entered, a waiter rushed to Xu Ping, offering a polite but not obsequious bow. He said solicitously, "Young Master, welcome to Zui Xiang Lou. Would you prefer a quiet private room upstairs, or would you like to enjoy the lively atmosphere in the main hall?"

Xu Ping looked approvingly at the waiter, impressed by his neither arrogant nor servile attitude and his refined manner. Even though he was short of money, he didn't feel embarrassed sitting downstairs. Xu Ping chuckled and replied, "Thank you for your trouble, sir. I prefer a quieter setting. Please arrange the best private room for me!"

The waiter led Xu Ping and Qiao'er to a private room on the second floor. The room resembled a modern bar's VIP seating area, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the main hall's performances. However, the sides were sealed off with wooden boards, requiring one to pass through a small wooden door to enter. This design allowed for both privacy and enjoyment of the lively atmosphere—a truly excellent feature.

After Xu Ping sat down, the waiter busied himself with drinks and snacks, asking solicitously, "Do you gentlemen know any girls?"

"No, don't bother, let's watch the performance for a while first."

Xu Ping tasted the wine; it was a bit astringent, and he frowned.

Qiao'er, however, looked amused, leaning against the railing, watching the crowd below laughing and joking with great interest, showing no awareness of being a servant.

The waiter secretly glanced at Xu Ping, noticing his distinguished attire and knowing he was either rich or noble, and seeing Xu Ping's displeased expression while drinking, he quickly said, "Gentlemen, these are our complimentary drinks. If you don't like them, our shop has Immortal Fragrance, the finest Daughter's Red, and top-grade Bamboo Leaf Green. These wines are renowned far and wide, their fragrance spreading far and wide!"

Seeing the waiter praising his wines so highly, Xu Ping smiled and ordered two bottles of Immortal Fragrance, also tossing in ten taels of silver as a tip. The waiter beamed with delight, saying solicitously, "Young master, in a moment, it will be time for our shop's top courtesan, Qingyu, to perform. Please enjoy the show. Qingyu is exceptionally beautiful and talented, and she's still unmarried. If you're lucky enough to win the top spot, it will be a great joy in life."

"I know, stop nagging!"

Qiao'er glared at him impatiently, her expression looking rather unnatural.

"Yes, yes, I was being nosy!"

The waiter immediately retreated.

Xu Ping didn't think much of it and walked towards the railing, searching for Zhang Hu's figure in the crowd. After a while, following Qiao'er's finger, he saw him sitting at the front table, drinking with three or four middle-aged men in coarse linen clothes. Clearly, the others were flattering him, and the brightly dressed girls were also diligently pouring and urging him to drink. A girl sat in his lap, making him look somewhat restrained and unnatural, awkwardly responding.

The men with Zhang Hu, though poorly dressed, all had ruddy complexions and an air of wealth that clashed sharply with their coarse linen clothes.

Xu Ping had no interest in them and turned to drink. Qiao'er, however, mischievously picked up her cup and threw it hard at where Zhang Hu was sitting, anticipating the upcoming spectacle.

As the cup drew closer, Zhang Hu, alert, heard the sound and swiftly grabbed it.

He turned his head in confusion and saw a vaguely familiar little boy leaning against the railing, grinning and making faces at him.

Zhang Hu frowned, watching Qiao'er still fooling around, desperately trying to remember where he had seen the child before.

At that moment, a slightly overweight but dignified middle-aged man stood up angrily and shouted, "Whose child is this, throwing things around like this? If it weren't for Lord Zhang's quick reflexes, his head would be split open! How could you let a child cause trouble in a place like this?"

His tone was authoritative, but he also showed some leniency.

Seeing that Zhang Hu didn't recognize her, Qiao'er smiled and winked playfully, calling out, "Lord Zhang, what brings you to this place, indulging in pleasure? You're living the good life! Be careful someone doesn't report you!"

Zhang Hu immediately recognized Qiao'er's voice. They both worked at the Crown Prince's residence and had only exchanged greetings when they met. Although they hadn't interacted much, he knew that this was the young mistress and master's beloved maid. He replied politely, "Isn't this Qiao'er? What brings you here? This isn't a place for a young lady like you. Why aren't you staying at home serving? What are you doing here?"

"Hehe, who do you think would bring me here?"

Qiao'er replied innocently.

Although Zhang Hu wasn't the sharpest of them all, he could easily figure out who it was from such an obvious clue. He quickly put down his wine glass and the girl in his arms, and said earnestly to the middle-aged man who had spoken earlier, "Mr. Zhang, we have a distinguished guest upstairs. Please follow me."

He then clasped his hands in a fist salute to the other two, saying, "Gentlemen, Mr. Zhang and I have a distinguished guest upstairs. I apologize and will punish myself with a drink."

After saying this, he downed a glass in one gulp and walked upstairs with a serious expression.

The middle-aged man was a little puzzled, but he also drank a glass and followed.

A moment later, Zhang Hu gently knocked on the door, and Qiao'er skipped over and opened it, looking at him with amusement. She teased, "Well, Brother Zhang, instead of staying home and doing your job properly, you've come here to drink and carouse. And you didn't even invite me along. Now that your master has caught you red-handed, you're dead meat."

After the two entered, Qiao'er quickly closed the door and stood aside like she was watching a good show, looking more like a servant at this moment.

Seeing Xu Ping sitting in a chair, smiling at him, Zhang Hu quickly stepped forward and knelt down, bowing his head and saying, "Master, this servant has failed in his duty."

The middle-aged man behind him, recognizing the handsome young man's identity from Zhang Hu's appearance, was also frightened and knelt down, saying with a trembling face, "This humble subject, Zhang

Qinghe, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince." Xu Ping smiled and sized up Zhang Qinghe, secretly praising his attitude earlier; he showed none of the arrogance of a wealthy person. Nodding, he smiled and said, "Get up. Old Zhang has been busy lately; he deserves a rest. But you'll have to cover all the expenses tonight."

The two men then stood up nervously and cleverly moved aside. This

was the first time Xu Ping had met Zhang Qinghe, who was trying to win him over. Upon closer inspection, he did indeed have the air of a refined businessman. Although his fair face wasn't young, with his small mustache, he was still quite handsome. His tall, slightly plump figure and bright eyes indicated that he wasn't a person who craved luxury. Although he was incredibly wealthy, he traveled simply and sparsely. Although he was angry, he was able to control his emotions and did not abuse his power, which was truly rare.

Xu Ping took a sip of wine and asked with a smile, "So you are Zhang Qinghe. You were quite busy with the talent selection a while ago, and now you are being extremely diligent with the Ministry of Commerce affairs. Tell me, how should I reward you?" It

would be a lie to say that Zhang Qinghe was not nervous. Suddenly seeing the Crown Prince, his legs went weak and his mind became somewhat confused.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qinghe seemed alarmed and immediately knelt down again, trembling with fear. "Your Highness, you flatter me! Serving you is a privilege many in the world would only dream of. It is my honor, how could I possibly ask for any reward!"

Xu Ping was speechless. He still wasn't used to the ancient people's reverence for imperial power. He hadn't said much, so why was Zhang Qinghe so frightened? He shook his head, both amused and exasperated, and said, "Get up quickly. I don't mean any harm."

"I wouldn't dare..."

Zhang Qinghe knelt on the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"You scoundrel!"

Zhang Hu shouted, "Your master told you to get up, so get up! Do you intend to disobey?"

Only then did Zhang Qinghe stand up with a restrained expression, his head bowed, not daring to look at Xu Ping, cold sweat beading on his nose and forehead.

Xu Ping pretended not to see Zhang Hu's subtle tapping of him with his foot. After all, these days, the execution of an entire family is just a matter of words, especially for the royal family, who have the most pretext. They can easily punish you for disrespect and have you dragged out and beheaded. No wonder these people are all so cautious; they have no choice but to do so to save their lives.

Xu Ping thought for a moment and slowly asked, "Zhang Qinghe, what are your thoughts on the Ministry of Commerce? No matter what, I will grant you acquittal, but you are not allowed to conceal anything."

Zhang Qinghe instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and his teeth began to chatter. After hesitating for a while, seeing Xu Ping looking at him with a serious expression, he gritted his teeth and said tremblingly, "Please forgive my frankness, Your Highness, but I really don't understand what the Ministry of Commerce does. But since the founding of the dynasty, the status of merchants has been very low, even lower than that of those who carry latrines. I am foolish and cannot presume to make any assumptions." He

was still afraid after all! Xu Ping shook his head helplessly. Deciding it was better to use a harsher method, his face immediately darkened. He coldly snorted and said, "Zhang Qinghe, I, the Crown Prince, am questioning you, and you dare to evade the issue? Do you think you can get away with playing dumb? Aren't you afraid I'll execute you on the spot in my anger?" Zhang Qinghe

knelt down, his face ashen, hastily explaining, his voice trembling with fear, "No, no, no... I don't have the guts, I dare not. No, I..."

"You bastard..."

Xu Ping slammed his hand on the table and roared, "If you dare not, and you still try to evade me, I'll give you one more chance. If you still don't speak honestly, I'll take your head!"

Zhang Qinghe trembled violently. After thinking for a moment, his voice trembled as he said, "Your Highness, speaking the truth is a grave offense, I dare not speak!"

"Speak, and you are innocent. Don't speak..."

Xu Ping coldly gestured across his neck and said fiercely, "Execute him!"

Zhang Qinghe knelt on the ground, trembling for a long time, his back soaked with sweat. Thinking that death was inevitable, he had no choice but to take the plunge. Having made up his mind, he raised his head, his face still pale, and said tremblingly, "Your Highness, I truly do not know the specific methods the Ministry of Commerce will use. However, I do know that since the founding of the dynasty, merchants have held a very low status, and this matter will surely be rejected by the court officials. What I fear even more is that this is merely a fleeting pleasure for Your Highness, and that after three rounds you will lose interest and hastily end it."

He then lowered his head again, anxiously awaiting Xu Ping's judgment.

Xu Ping was taken aback by their perspective. However, upon reflection, it made sense. If the Crown Prince was indeed acting on a whim, and lost interest later, those officials would certainly target the merchants. In this day and age, accusing them of tempting the Crown Prince to indulge in frivolous pursuits was enough to wipe out their entire families; such concerns were not surprising.

Xu Ping thought for a moment, deciding it would be best to reassure them, but he couldn't come up with a suitable explanation.

After a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "Zhang Qinghe, I, the Crown Prince, am not joking about the matter of the Ministry of Commerce. I can also tell you clearly that the Ministry of Commerce is intended to integrate the chambers of commerce in various regions and elevate the status of merchants, do you understand?"

Zhang Qinghe did not look happy. His brows furrowed slightly, and he tentatively asked, "Please tell me, Your Highness, what must we give in return?"

True to his merchant nature, after being so frightened earlier, his first thought was to weigh the pros and cons. Xu Ping looked at the somewhat uneasy Zhang Qinghe and nodded approvingly, saying, "Let me give you a heads-up! Each province will establish a chamber of commerce, and each prefecture can also establish a branch. The Ministry of Commerce will directly manage them, but will not interfere with their business dealings. I will give the president of each province a minimum ninth-rank title, so you can be called official merchants. You can then wear fine silks and satins without worrying about the government causing trouble."

"What about the capital? And how will the court view the Ministry of Commerce? Will the Ministry of Personnel really grant this title?"

Zhang Qinghe was still uneasy, but also vaguely tempted.

"The Ministry of Commerce is completely under my control, an independent system separate from the court. Any of the six ministries that want to touch it will have to look at my face. As for the Ministry of Personnel, if they dare not give it to me, they can try."

The sinister look in Xu Ping's eyes when he spoke made everyone shiver, even the strange little devil Qiao'er couldn't help but feel a chill.

Zhang Qinghe pondered for a moment. Perhaps those old fogies in the court would think this was just the Crown Prince's momentary whim, harmless enough not to cause much trouble in the early stages. But still, he asked with unease, "Your Highness, merchants from various regions may not necessarily respect the Ministry of Commerce. Without real power, the Ministry of Commerce is just an empty title. What are Your Highness's thoughts?"

Xu Ping chuckled coldly, took a sip of wine, and said in a low voice, "That's why the Ministry of Commerce needs a certain amount of power, and also certain rules. If it's selected..." "If the officials in the capital are completely useless, then they are far too disrespectful to the authority of the court."

Zhang Qinghe was completely tempted. This meant that the Ministry of Commerce could have its own set of rules, separate from the court's regulations. He excitedly said, "Actually, this humble subject has always been very interested in the affairs of the Ministry of Commerce, but unfortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince has not given a clear answer, so I dare not act rashly. I humbly request His Highness to inform me of the specific matters concerning the Ministry of Commerce, and this humble subject will go through fire and water to share His Highness's burdens."

What a shrewd fellow! Seeing that I was not joking, he immediately set his sights on an official position. Xu Ping smiled inwardly, knowing that this was only human nature.

Xu Ping slowly said, "Each province will establish a provincial chamber of commerce, and the president will be elected by them. After the election, everyone must report to the capital within a certain period of time. There are no harsh conditions for joining the chamber of commerce. Everyone just needs to voluntarily donate a sum of silver each year as an expense. You can decide the minimum amount, but there is no upper limit. Any donations are entirely personal. However, let me make this clear: if anyone uses the chamber of commerce to enrich themselves without benevolence and harm the local area, don't blame me for being ruthless. The president will temporarily hold the ninth rank. If they have a good reputation and benefit the local merchants, they can be promoted exceptionally after evaluation."

Zhang Qinghe was completely moved and excitedly took notes with a pen and paper, his face serious. He couldn't help but imagine himself dressed in brocade and silk, adorned with jade and gold.

Xu Ping continued to bait him: "As for the Ministry of Commerce in the capital, I estimate that the Minister can only reach the fifth rank, and others will be ranked lower accordingly, but those who commit fraud will be severely punished. The Ministry of Commerce manages chambers of commerce in various regions, sharing intelligence and supervising each other. In the event of disasters or major accidents, those who perform outstandingly will be rewarded. Do you understand now?"

Zhang Qinghe understood perfectly well that the implication was that he had a chance to become the Minister, but the unspoken message was that if he dared to cheat even slightly, his entire family might be beheaded. The establishment of the Ministry of Commerce, besides integrating wealthy people from various regions, was essentially a reserve force, capable of raising funds when the court needed them, but this was insignificant. Clearly, the court was just raising a flock of hens to lay eggs, and he believed they wouldn't do anything like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Zhang Qinghe became more and more excited as he thought about it. He patted his chest and made a solemn statement: "Your Highness, rest assured, with my connections, I will definitely be able to spread this news in a short time. I believe that merchants from all over the country will cheer and praise Your Highness's wisdom and intelligence."

Seeing that Xu Ping seemed to be in a good mood, Zhang Qinghe cautiously asked, "Your Highness, I have two friends from the business world

with me. I wonder if they are...?" Xu Ping chuckled inwardly. This old guy was already trying to recruit people. However, these casually met people were the safest bet; there was no need to worry about being ambushed in a complex network of relationships. He figured that anyone who could associate with Zhang Qinghe was probably no ordinary person. He then instructed, "Go ahead, but I don't want anyone to know I'm here."

Xu Ping sipped his wine, his mind racing, trying to find any flaws in his plan. According to Uncle Liu, it was better to randomly find some people to use, to avoid falling into the enemy's trap. He believed this setting was casual enough.

After a while, Zhang Qinghe came up with two men from downstairs. After giving them a wink, he obediently stood next to Zhang Hu, which was tantamount to saying, "I'm already one of the Crown Prince's men; you'll have to earn your own opportunities."

Both men were dressed in coarse linen clothes, the kind of people even starving farmers looked down upon. Now, suddenly being presented to the Crown Prince was a real shock to those with heart conditions. Seeing Xu Ping sitting in a chair, scrutinizing them, their legs went weak, and they involuntarily knelt down, their voices trembling as they weakly said, "This humble subject pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Rise, "

Xu Ping waved his hand, asking with a smile, "What kind of business do you two run?" Having learned his lesson from Zhang Qinghe, he needed to appear as gentle as possible, lest he frighten someone with a heart condition after only a few words.

A slightly thin middle-aged man quickly replied, "Your Highness, I am Liu Dong, and I deal in furs in the Northeast."

Another robust and unusually dark-skinned middle-aged man raised his head and said, "I am Yu Qing, and I deal in seafood along the coast of Guangdong."

Xu Ping glanced at them thoughtfully, noticing their apparent guilt. After a moment of reflection, he frowned, a sudden glint of malice flashing in his eyes. He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "You dare to try this deception in front of me, Your Highness? Liu Dong, do you think trading furs in the Northeast will make you a fortune? The fur market is terrible south of the Yangtze River, and even in the North, where there's only so much land, many people can't afford such luxuries. Besides, you're not the only one doing this business; there are plenty of wild animals in the mountains that can be skinned for clothing. After deducting costs and losses, how much profit can you make? Enough to feed yourself is already a good deal."

Upon hearing this, Liu Dong trembled violently, his body limp as if his bones had been removed, collapsing to the ground, sweat pouring down his face.

Xu Ping then turned to Yu Qing, his face full of anger, and shouted, "You're not being honest either! Do you think I, the Crown Prince, don't know how much profit there is in the seafood business along the Guangdong coast? Fresh seafood is valuable locally, but once it's dried, there's no profit to be made. Most of the fresh seafood in the capital is supplied by Tianjin and Zhili. How could you, a mere seafood merchant from Guangdong, possibly be able to get on the good side of a bigwig like Zhang Qinghe in the capital?"

Liu Dong and Yu Qing were already so frightened that they lay prostrate on the ground. They hadn't expected Xu Ping to hit their sore spot so quickly. They knew that deceiving the Crown Prince was almost the same as deceiving the Emperor, and losing their heads would only be a matter of a moment. They were so frightened that their souls almost flew away.

"How dare you!"

Zhang Hu roared menacingly from the side, "How dare you lie to your master! It seems you don't want your heads anymore!"

Liu Dong, seeing Xu Ping's furious expression, hurriedly raised his head and explained, "Your Highness, it's not that I intended to deceive you, I just didn't go into enough detail. I trade furs in the north, and also buy ginseng and other valuable medicinal herbs at low prices to bring back. Each time I go, I also bring tea, rice, oil, salt, and medicine, bartering with the Koreans and Mongols to profit from the price difference."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qinghe broke out in a cold sweat, worried that this guy would implicate him. After all, since the founding of the dynasty, the court and the various tribes of the grasslands had been in constant conflict. From the time of their ancestors, trade with them had been explicitly prohibited. Although small-scale trade among the common people was still possible, how many times had Liu Dong violated the ban to amass such wealth? Ten beheadings wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Seeing that Liu Dong had already confessed, Yu Qing immediately deflated and honestly confessed as well: "Your Highness, I do indeed deal in seafood, but I also trade with Westerners. I buy their local specialties and rare trinkets, and then sell them ceramics, tea, and silks at high prices. It's not that I intentionally wanted to hide it, but the court has banned maritime trade, yet many people still make a living from it, so I dared not say anything!"

After they finished speaking, they were like replicas of Zhang Qinghe from before, kneeling with their heads bowed and sweat dripping onto the ground, looking as if they were waiting to die.

Xu Ping snorted coldly after hearing this: "Don't you know that the imperial court has strictly prohibited trade with the Mongols? Moreover, the sea ban was issued since the time of Emperor Taizu. How dare you still do business with foreigners? Is money more important than your heads?"

The two men kowtowed and begged for mercy, glancing at Zhang Qinghe for help. But Zhang Qinghe, fearing repercussions, saw Xu Ping's angry but unprepared demeanor and could only stand silently to the side.

Seeing him shake his head helplessly, the two men could only kowtow harder, banging their heads against the floor, ignoring the blood seeping from their foreheads. Their greatest fear was that the imperial court would investigate and implicate their entire families. Seeing

that he had achieved his deterrent effect, Xu Ping was about to speak when he suddenly remembered a problem: At this time, the Ming Dynasty did not yet have advanced maritime technology. The sea was still an unpredictable and mysterious place for people of that era. Of ten ships that set sail from the other side of the ocean, one or two might be lucky enough to safely reach China, while the others would be lost at sea due to storms.

Yu Qing's status as a wealthy merchant meant his trading volume was undoubtedly substantial, yet Western goods should have been scarce. What was going on? Xu Ping frowned in confusion, a simple gesture that sent the two men shivering with fear. After

pondering for a while without success, Xu Ping could only ask helplessly, "Yu Qing, tell me everything about your transactions with those foreigners: how often, the quantities, prices, and rules." Yu Qing,

no longer daring to conceal anything, quickly replied, "I always hire cargo ships for my trades at sea, usually once every two weeks. Each transaction is different, and the foreigners always travel in fleets. They send someone to notify us as soon as they arrive. Although the court has been cracking down on trade in recent years, people from various countries still risk it, even if it's a one-way trip. Many still dream of striking it rich."

After answering, Yu Qing quickly lowered his head, instinctively feeling that he wouldn't die there.

Xu Ping already had a new idea in mind. Since ancient times, trade profits have been the most astonishing, and Yu Qing's actions were tantamount to smuggling. Rather than letting this money be secretly earned by others, it was better to control it with the merchant guild.

Now, these rare goods could certainly fetch ten times the profit in the West and Europe; otherwise, these capitalists wouldn't risk their lives at sea to secretly engage in trade. It seemed he had underestimated the current scale of smuggling.

Their main reason for trading at sea was fear of suppression from the imperial court, but they must have bribed some people, right? Otherwise, they couldn't have lasted this long!

Xu Ping thought for a moment and said, "Get up first. I won't pursue your matter for now. Tell me, who are the main people involved in these activities? How are they distributed?"

Yu Qing's heart trembled, wondering if they were planning to take this opportunity to wipe out all those who made their living from the sea. He hesitated, not daring to speak.

Xu Ping could tell what he was thinking from his expression and immediately smiled, saying, "Speak freely, I guarantee no one will leak this, and the imperial court will never arrest anyone."

After listening for a moment, Yu Qing hesitated before speaking: "Currently, the main players in these maritime trades are concentrated in the Guangdong area. Fujian was the first to do it, but later they stopped following the rules and plundering foreigners, so no foreigners went there anymore. Zhejiang had few goods and couldn't become a significant market, and Tianjin was too close to the capital, making it too risky. In the end, only Guangdong remained, being far from the capital, and it gradually became the center of trade."

He paused, and seeing that Xu Ping's face was expressionless, continued: "Currently, ordinary small-time traders in Guangdong can't do this kind of business. Besides bribing the government and the local militia and navy, they also have to bear the risks. In addition, the prices offered by foreigners are not low each time, so if they don't have good cash flow, they simply can't make money. Now, besides me, there is another bigger merchant named Chen Baiwan, who mainly deals in the Southeast Asia region. So, we're basically keeping to ourselves."

Xu Ping nodded in satisfaction after hearing this, and began to think about how to swallow this big pie and fill his pockets.

Yu Qing cautiously finished speaking, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Xu Ping wasn't angry. He knew without even touching his back that it was already drenched in cold sweat.

"You should head back to Guangdong these next two days. Tell that 'millionaire' about the Chamber of Commerce. I guarantee no one will pursue the vast wealth you've accumulated in the past. But from now on, the court will severely crack down on all such activities. Anyone who dares to commit another offense will have their property confiscated and be executed."

Xu Ping spoke slowly, but the firmness in his tone sent a chill down everyone's spine. These good days of accumulating wealth seemed to be over.

Yu Qing's face turned pale upon hearing this, but he thought about how he already had a considerable fortune, and he could do other businesses; even if he just stayed home, he wouldn't be able to live off it all. Since the court wouldn't pursue it, he wouldn't have to live in constant fear, which was quite relaxing.

Xu Ping pondered how to pocket this money, and for a moment, the atmosphere became eerily quiet.

No one in the private room dared to speak, not even daring to breathe. Liu Dong and Yu Qing watched Xu Ping's ever-changing expression, their hearts pounding with anxiety. Each furrowed brow caused a pang of pain in their hearts. Zhang Hu stood obediently to the side, while Qiao'er had vanished.

After a long while, Xu Ping slowly opened his eyes. This period had been incredibly long for these three wealthy men, a complete psychological ordeal. Xu Ping appeared calm, having already organized his thoughts. He said to Yu Qing, "Get paper and pen, write down what I say. This is the roadmap for the future development of chambers of commerce in various regions."

Yu Qing quickly picked up paper and pen, listening intently, sweat dripping onto the paper. However, judging from the situation, he should be alright, and a huge weight was lifted from his heart.

"Starting next month, anyone along the coast and border who engages in illicit trade with foreigners will have their property confiscated and be executed. Those who have now retired from trade will not be prosecuted by the court. A port will be selected along the coast to open for trade, and a free market will also be established in the north, but it will be subject to the Ministry of Commerce's regulations."

I. A designated area near the port will be used by the Chamber of Commerce to build two trading markets: one specifically for purchasing various foreign specialties and goods, and the other for exporting Chinese goods. Every transaction must be verified and approved by the Chamber of Commerce's office in the market before it can proceed; false reporting, concealment, or underreporting is strictly prohibited.

II. Since the court currently lacks specific tax regulations, the Ministry of Commerce will temporarily collect taxes on behalf of the Chamber. Those who purchase foreign goods will pay 2% of the purchase price to the local government and 30% to the Chamber of Commerce. Due to the extremely high profit margins from the sale of goods, the local government will take 5% of the profits, and the Chamber of Commerce will take 60%.

Yu Qing's hands trembled uncontrollably. As a merchant, his first thought was to calculate the price difference, profit, and quantity. While it may seem insignificant compared to the several times the profits of ordinary merchants, imagine the immense wealth that would be if all these scattered small businesses and large corporations were brought together!

Third, one sample of each item must be sent to the Ministry of Commerce in the capital, with the cost reimbursed by the Guangdong Chamber of Commerce.

Xu Ping also wanted to understand the development of various countries and find things that could aid in his inventions, after all, he was a physics major, not a history major.

Fourth, anyone who trades without the approval of the Chamber of Commerce will have their property confiscated and be executed. Those who falsify reported quantities and amounts will have half their property confiscated and be exiled. Every quarter, all merchants must report the lowest price of their goods for discussion. Anyone who disrupts market conditions must compensate their competitors for their losses; whether they can sell at a higher price depends on their individual abilities.

Fifth, the Ministry of Commerce independently manages the market; local governments and other organizations are not allowed to interfere. Violators will be punished according to the severity of the offense. Of course, members of the Chamber of Commerce must also abide by the law; those who commit crimes will be handed over to the government with double the punishment.

Foreign merchants are not allowed to leave the trading market more than ten miles away. Those wishing to stay or travel in China must find a merchant to guarantee their stay and obtain approval from the Ministry of Commerce before being allowed to leave.

Yu Qing could no longer write; his mind was foggy, and his hands wouldn't obey him. Zhang Qinghe quickly took his pen and continued writing. After several pages of fluent writing, all three were stunned.

This idea was truly terrifying—meticulously conceived and centralized in power. The money and resources that the various regional chambers of commerce could gather and utilize would be enormous. Although heavy taxes would be levied, compared to the current situation where sneaking around could cost them their lives, these wealthy merchants would certainly choose to join the chambers. Control of the trading market and the rent would then be a considerable income. In reality, the area around the trading market would be completely sold out.

"Your Highness's wisdom and resourcefulness are truly admirable. This not only brings tax revenue to the court but also boosts the local economy. Most importantly, it binds merchants together and stabilizes the market—a win-win situation!"

Yu Qing was so excited he could barely speak, almost rushing over to kiss Xu Ping.

Everyone loves flattery, and Xu Ping was ecstatic. As long as he firmly controlled trade, future profits would be plentiful. With the old man backing him up and his own methods, there wouldn't be any problems for the time being. He waved his hand, signaling the nearly bursting Yu Qing to leave.

Xu Ping's face suddenly turned cold, and he sneered at Liu Dong, who was kneeling on the ground, saying, "Yu Qing's matter is fine, but yours is a big problem." Liu

Dong, who had just breathed a sigh of relief seeing Yu Qing was alright, immediately knelt down, trembling with fear.

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