Chapter Three of the Heavenly Tribulation of the Sun: The Pearl of the Imperial Palace, and the Licentious Woman

"Zhaori Manor" is the name given to the Jie clan's involvement in the martial arts world, symbolizing a prestigious martial arts sect.

The Jie family's ancestral home is Yunyang County in the west, over 600 li from Zhongjing (the capital). Even with the Privy Council's top-tier postal service traveling day and night, it would take at least five days to reach them. Yunyang County is located on the western border of Zhongchen Prefecture, separated from Xihe Prefecture by only a river. Centuries of intermarriage with the Western Hu people have resulted in an extremely fierce and resilient populace. Eight out of ten households in Yunyang County are surnamed Jie, and almost everyone is skilled in martial arts. On the outskirts of the county lies a large manor covering more than ten acres, the true origin of the Jie family's rise—"Zhaori Manor." At the

founding of the Tiansheng Dynasty in Zhongchen Prefecture, the Jie family produced a great hero, "Wanli Danxin" Jie Wuxing, who was appointed as the Western Military Commander and General of Pacification, and granted the title of Duke of Yunyang County. He was granted special privileges, including the right to wear a sword and shoes in the palace and to write imperial edicts without his name, enjoying unparalleled favor among officials. The Emperor also bestowed a luxurious mansion east of Zhuque Avenue in Zhongjing, where the successive owners of Zhaori Manor resided from then on, while the ancestral estate in Yunyang County was managed by the clan elders.

Therefore, the head of the Jie family not only controlled the martial arts sect "Zhaori Manor" and was the head of the Jie clan of Yunyang, but also inherited the title of Duke of Yunyang County (a fifth-rank official), holding a fief of 1,500 households in Yunyang County. Whether comparing wealth, power, or family lineage, no martial arts force in the current Holy Dynasty had a more illustrious background.

Whenever Jie Zhao looked up at the huge plaque above the vermilion gate, bearing the three gilded characters "Suiping Prefecture," the sunlight felt particularly blinding. The late Emperor's handwritten inscription seemed like a contemptuous, twisted smile, looking down upon his ordinariness and insignificance.

Jie Zhao sighed, deliberately circling to the small gate on the south side, and summoned the gatekeeper to bolt it.

"Who is this? A ghostly knocking so early in the morning... Ouch, Fourth Master!" Gatekeeper Wu Liu rubbed his sleepy eyes, startled awake by the knocking. "Where have you been these past few days? Third Master has been frantically searching, the servants have turned the whole city upside down, not even a brick has been missed, but we still haven't found you."

Jie Zhao chuckled and flicked his forehead. "Nonsense! Isn't your Fourth Master holed up in Tianxiang Tower? You brothel-goers, you've all gone to temples, haven't you?" Ignoring him, he lifted his robes and went up the corridor, heading straight for the courtyard. Just as he stepped into the side courtyard, a tall, white figure emerged from the doorway. The man wore a golden crown, had long sideburns reaching his chest, and was handsome and refined. He frowned at him, about to speak.

"Third Brother, so early!" Jie Zhao chuckled first.

"In such a hurry, did you steal one of my maids and rush to escape this early?"

The white-clad youth grabbed his sleeve, turned, and left. "I don't have time for you! I've been looking for you for three days, where have you been?" He dragged him along, rushing into Jie Zhao's room.

This tall, handsome young man in white was Jie Zhao's third brother, Jie Zhen.

Of the four brothers in the eldest branch of the Jie family, the eldest son, Jie Sheng, who died young, was born to the first wife; the second son, Jie Jun, was adopted, from relatives in Yunyang County; the third son, Jie Zhen, was the son of the second wife; and Jie Zhao was born to the third wife. All three wives had died young. Jie Zhen had also married a second wife and a concubine. The second wife, whom the emperor had arranged, gave birth to a daughter but unfortunately died young. The fourth wife had only married him two years ago, and was only seventeen years old.

Although Jie Zhen was seven years older than Jie Zhao, the two had been close since childhood.

After Jie Sheng's death, the second brother, Jie Jun, became increasingly arrogant. On one hand, he was wary of the talented Jie Zhen, fearing that his father would choose a younger brother over the eldest, and thus intended for the third brother to inherit the family business. On the other hand, he frequently bullied the less skilled Jie Zhao. Therefore, the two brothers, Jie Zhen and Jie Zhao, always supported each other and joined forces to fight against Jie Jun.

Jie Zhen chased all the maids out of the room, personally opened the wardrobe, pulled out a silver-red and ochre-colored robe with wide sleeves, and threw it to Jie Zhao.

"Why are you dressed so formally?" Jie Zhao hated formal official attire the most, and refused to put it on, teasing,

"Is Third Brother getting married today?"

"You're lucky." Jie Zhen continued to rummage through the gauze headscarf, the pink-soled black boots, and the white floral undergarment (a pure white inner garment with a complicated way of wearing it, used under court attire) that Jie Zhao hated the most: "Father said that if he doesn't see you at the morning assembly today, he will send you back to the old house in Yunyang County and confine you for three years. You have a quarter of an hour to change your clothes and make yourself look more like a human being. I don't want to visit my brother at the old house in Yunyang every year."

Jie Zhao's smile froze, and with a miserable howl, he grabbed the gorgeous formal attire from the bed and desperately tried to put it on.

"Why...why didn't they send anyone to look for me?" He cursed as he dressed,

"The old mansion is full of boring, perverted old geezers! Three years of confinement? I can't even stand it for a day!"

"Next time you have your men cover your tracks, you'd better remember today's lesson. Don't hide so well that even I can't find you." Jie Zhen couldn't bear to watch and stepped forward to help him get dressed. The two of them struggled to get him properly dressed. Just as Jie Zhen was about to pull him out, Jie Zhao called out to him.

"There's something I need to tell you first."

Seeing that no one was around, Jie Zhao leaned close to his ear: "Jie Jun sent people to kill me." He recounted what happened yesterday, omitting the part about Yue Yingying. Jie Zhen listened seriously, pondered for a moment, and said, "This matter has far-reaching implications. You've accused the future heir of Zhao Ri Manor. No one can stand up for you. After today's matter is settled, you must personally explain it to Father."

Jie Zhao had the same idea.

The two of them left the room side by side and walked quickly towards the hall.

"I haven't even asked you yet!" Jie Zhao said, "What exactly are we doing today? Is it good news or bad news?"

"Bad news." Jie Zhen's expression was solemn. "The envoy from the 'Miwu Palace' has arrived to present the 'Yinpin Pearl'."

Jie Zhao's face changed drastically, his astonishment surpassing his shock, almost forgetting that every second counted.

The "Miwu Palace," also known as the "Xuluo Sect," was originally a mysterious sect in the martial arts world. It originated from a demonic lineage, acted in secrecy and kept a low profile, and many of its male members were crippled. Its Yin energy was at its peak, and its Yang energy was declining, making it powerless to compete with the righteous path and other demonic sects. Among the twelve major sects of the "Five Stems and Seven Leaves" of the demonic sects, it was considered a relatively mild faction.

Who knew that eighteen years ago, a young palace master named Wei Yunshan, with extraordinary martial arts skills, suddenly appeared in the Miwu Palace. In addition to overpowering the demonic sects, he developed the idea of unifying the righteous path. The four great martial arts families of Zhongchen, led by Zhaori Manor, jointly challenged Miyun Peak of Xiangshan to a duel. During the duel, Weiyun Mountain was defeated by Jie Zhen's "Blazing Sun Sword Technique" by a single move, and committed suicide in shame and indignation. The rise of Miwu Palace

was as fleeting as a flash in the pan, withering away in an instant. After the battle of Xiangshan, the three families wanted to divide Miwu Palace among themselves. However, Jie Zhen, fearing that the independent demonic sects might unite against a common enemy and create a greater threat, refused to allow this. Instead, he proposed a supervisory approach, with the four great families establishing bases near Xiangshan to monitor every move of Miwu Palace. Under certain conditions, Miwu Palace was allowed to continue its lineage, but it could no longer interfere in the affairs of the martial arts world.

The "Yin Yin Pearl" is the most precious treasure of the Miwu Palace. Its method of creation and purpose are unknown. It is only known that one was created eighteen years ago, which created the legendary master Wei Yunshan. Unfortunately, it was lost during the Battle of Xiangshan, and the four great families had no way of deciphering its secrets. Now, the Miwu Palace has actually created another one and sent it to Suiping Prefecture. Their intentions are suspicious.

"Think about it," Jie Zhen analyzed for him,

"The four great families jointly control Xiangshan, which is blocked off for over thirty miles. The people of Miwu Palace live in secluded valleys, isolated from the world. Why would they bother creating the Yin Yin Pearl? If they've created the pearl, they could just present it to the representatives of the four sects near Xiangshan. Why send it all the way to our residence? If this gets out, what will others think of Zhaori Manor?"

Jie Zhao suddenly realized.

"This is a 'two peaches kill three warriors' trick! Bah, a bunch of vicious, vile women!"

Jie Zhen smiled: "Fortunately, Father was farsighted. He sent invitations to the three great families in the name of Eunuch Yao of the Northern Bureau, inviting them to come. The four families jointly presented this pearl to the court, indicating that the Jie family had no greed. Father had the pearl sealed in a silver bottle by the Miwu Palace, and it has not been opened until today's gathering to avoid suspicion." The Northern Bureau refers to the Inner Palace Department located north of the imperial city, belonging to the eunuch system, which is different from the civil service system known as the "Southern Bureau" south of the imperial city. The Grand Eunuch Yao Wuyi is a favorite of the current emperor, and Jie Zhen has been sending gold and silver jewels to the palace to bribe him for many years, daring not to neglect him in the slightest.

The Zhao Ri Manor's caution is not without reason.

To demonstrate his determination to preserve the Miwu Palace, Jie Zhen arranged for his eldest son, Jie Sheng, to marry a female disciple of the palace, thus deterring the other three families from taking any rash action. When Jie Sheng died suddenly, rumors circulated that a lowly maid from the Miwu Palace had used magic to harm him. Despite his grief, the grief-stricken Jie Zhen vehemently denied these rumors for his wife, effectively silencing the gossip and demonstrating the trust and tacit understanding between Zhaori Manor and the Miwu Palace.

The magnificent hall was now in sight. Jie Zhao suddenly remembered something and grinned mischievously at his third brother:

"The envoy from the Miwu Palace… should be a beautiful woman, right?"

"Her face is veiled; we can't see anything," Jie Zhen retorted, giving him a sidelong glance. "Father arranged for her to stay at Jinchun Courtyard so she can visit my sister-in-law more often. I beg you, there are plenty of first-class peonies in the capital, more than you can pick. Please don't even think about this thorny rose."

Jie Zhao chuckled, "I'll let you off the hook, but Third Brother will compensate me with a black rose."

Jie Zhen suddenly stopped and pressed something against his chest with his sleeve. Jie Zhao feigned pain, took it, and saw it was a folding fan with an ivory handle inlaid with gold. Although not particularly luxurious, its craftsmanship was extremely exquisite. The fan was laid flat, and on the simple, elegant paper were eight lines of calligraphy, written with vigorous strokes, like dragons and snakes running wildly:

"Though lacking in power, a steadfast heart makes a hero; extinguishing the flames of passion, a prodigal son's return makes a hero. Fragrance

will flow for generations; who says generals and ministers are born with their titles?

Mountains high and waters far, one day, with success, I'll roam freely.

—Written for my fourth brother, Zhao. Yunyang Jiezhen's hastily written."

"Why are you sending me such nice things?" Jie Zhao had always loved antiques and rare treasures, amassing a vast collection that made him quite famous among the wealthy families of the capital. He could tell the fan was of excellent quality, and couldn't help but examine it repeatedly. He found the fan exquisite and the calligraphy beautiful, and couldn't put it down. He ignored the admonitory and didactic words in the eight-line poem, and said with a smile, "Third Brother , this poem is wonderful. I'll copy it several times and paste it all over the courtyard and walls to properly discipline the maids in my courtyard and make them more diligent in bed."

"The other day was your birthday, Fourth Young Master wouldn't have forgotten, would he? This is a gift for you." Jie Zhen shook his head and smiled calmly:

"You're eighteen this year, no longer a child. You can't be so idle anymore, you know?" Jie Zhao was taken aback by these words, shrugged slightly, but couldn't help feeling a warmth in his heart. It seemed that after his mother's death, no one in the vast Suiping Prefecture cared about whether he would amount to anything. He nodded hesitantly, suddenly unsure of what to say.

Jie Zhen patted his shoulder, and the two went inside hand in hand.

◇◇◇

He thought he was late, but the hall was rather empty.

Two empty rosewood chairs sat at the lower end of the table, naturally reserved for Jie Zhen and Jie Zhao. At the head of the table sat a towering, burly man with red hair and a brown face. His military robes were taut over his bulging, muscular physique, and a scarlet cloak trailed to the ground behind him. Soft shoulder guards with hard leather and copper studs covered his shoulders. He was as sharp and powerful as a giant sword drawn from its sheath. Beneath his thick, halberd-like red eyebrows, his cold, disdainful gaze didn't even glance at the Jie brothers. He was Jie Zhen's second son, the first in line to inherit Zhao Ri Manor, and the sixth-rank Zhao Wu Deputy Lieutenant, Jie Jun, hailed as the number one martial artist among the new generation in the capital's martial arts world, known as the "Fiery-Eyed Giant Spirit."

Three guest seats were also set up opposite him, but all were still empty. On the fifth-tiered platform in the hall, two main seats were arranged side by side. The western seat was vacant, while the eastern seat belonged to an elderly man with a long beard. His phoenix eyes held a restrained brilliance, and his square face, purplish-brown, exuded an imposing aura. This was none other than Jie Zhen, the renowned master of Zhaori Manor, also known as "Divine Firmament Thunder Hermit."

"Father, are you well?"

Jie Zhao bowed deeply to the ground with his third brother, feeling a chill run down his spine as if sensing his father's sword-like gaze.

For the past six months, Jie Zhen had been unwell, spending seven or eight tenths of his time in seclusion to recuperate. To prevent allies or the demonic sect from taking advantage of the situation, he had deliberately concealed the news, strictly forbidding any leaks within the manor. Jie Zhao had assumed that his father's illness, despite the imperial physicians' miraculous remedies, should have diminished his sharpness to some extent. Only today did he realize that his father's vigor remained undiminished, making him impossible to look directly at.

"Rise, all of you. The guest has arrived."

The authoritative voice revealed neither joy nor anger. The three brothers quickly rose and straightened their clothes.

Jie Zhao and Jie Zhen stood side by side, but Jie Jun stepped forward, leaving his two younger brothers behind.

Of the four great martial arts families in Zhongchen Prefecture, besides the Jie family of "Zhao Ri Manor," there were the Sheng family of "Jie Jian Tian Du," the Yuwen family of "Jiu You Han Ting," and the Fa family of "Jiang Jun Lu," who shared the same lineage as Huang Ting Guan but were not bound by Daoist precepts.

Each of the four families occupied a territory, wielding considerable influence. If Jie Zhen hadn't personally sent an invitation, it would have been difficult to witness such a grand and orderly gathering.

Entering the hall first were a man and a woman in brocade robes, each carrying a long sword slung across their backs; judging from their attire, they were likely husband and wife.

The man had a black mustache, making it impossible to tell his age, but he was certainly not young. He was round and plump like a ball, which was inexplicably comical. The woman was about twenty years old, with a slender figure and fair complexion. Her skin had the delicate and translucent quality of a woman from the Yue region of southern China. Unfortunately, she was too arrogant and lacked the air of a noblewoman. Her thin, phoenix-shaped eyes had more white than black, making her look rather unpleasant.

"Hanging high like that, as if afraid people won't know she's got a three-white-eyed look?" Jie Zhao chuckled inwardly.

"Pretending to be righteous, she's definitely a slut who squirts everywhere! It's a pity she married such a big turnip."

Jie Zhen whispered, "That's Fa Jiangchun, the second daughter of the 'General Lu' Fa General, known as 'Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden.' Three years ago, she was betrothed to the chief disciple, 'Five Dou General' Dao Chuyang. Don't call them that later, you should greet Brother and Sister Dao." Only then did Jie Zhao notice that although the two were dressed in elaborate robes, one could vaguely see the outline of Daoist robes. Dao Chuyang had inlaid beaded Tai Chi patterns on both shoulders, and Fa Jiangchun's apron and skirt hem were decorated with gold silk brocade with Bagua patterns. He suppressed a laugh: "That cabbage is so unlucky, marrying a 'spring-loving' woman, no wonder it's 'upside down'."

Jie Zhen secretly gave him an elbow, then promptly bowed loudly: "Young Jie Zhen greets Brother Dao and Madam Dao. I still remember at the wedding banquet three years ago, Brother Dao's 'Taiyi Five Elements Sword' dance was so beautiful it was like the sun falling and stars sinking, I still remember it vividly."

Dao Chuyang was overjoyed, his round body trembling; his wife, Fa Jiangchun, frowned slightly, as if feeling her husband had lost face, her eyes glancing to the side intentionally or unintentionally, her gaze sparkling, before she directly bowed to Jie Zhen: "Junior Jiangchun, on behalf of our sect..." "The First Immortal decrees: I pay my respects to the esteemed Master Zhuang. Hearing that the Master Zhuang is unwell, the General specially ordered me to bring a box of the Nine Peaks Mountain's most precious treasure, the 'Preservation and Renewal Pill,' to help the Master Zhuang recuperate."

Jie Zhen stroked his beard and smiled, "How thoughtful! How long it's been! How have Brother Tianxing and his wife been?"

Fa Jiangchun nodded blankly, "The General has made great progress day and night, acquiring many new supernatural abilities. His martial arts can be said to have improved by leaps and bounds." Jie Zhao was

taken aback, "How can one boast about one's father in front of outsiders like this? At least say a few words of humility." Jie Zhen, however, did not mind, and gently comforted him about his arduous journey, ordering someone to invite him to sit down and serve tea. Jie Zhao nudged Jie Zhen's ribs: "You're finished. 'Fang Chun' has been spying on you, and he'll definitely sneak into your room tonight."

Suddenly, a long chant came from outside the hall: "The Northern Region Xuanhuang Envoy has arrived—all are welcome—" The voice was deep and full of energy, but it was deliberately drawn out, like someone was acting out a play, which sounded quite incongruous.

Before the chanting had even finished, two rows of sixteen men in yellow robes filed in, followed by two rows of sixteen men in purple robes, and finally two rows of sixteen men in black robes. Forty-eight burly men, each carrying various gifts, stood rigidly filling the hall. Fortunately, the Suiping Prefecture hall was extremely spacious, so it didn't feel cramped. In an ordinary residence, these burly men would likely have had to stand outside.

"The people from 'Nine Nether Cold Court' have arrived," Jie Zhen said in a low voice.

"Damn it, is this some kind of exaggeration?" Jie Zhao cursed under his breath, shaking his head.

"Luckily, that old eunuch Yao Wuyi hasn't arrived yet, or he'd definitely have a stroke upon seeing these treasures."

"Nine Nether Cold Court" was located in the Xuanming Abyss of Xiaoran Sea in the north of Zhongchen Prefecture. Originally a noble descendant of the Yuwen family of the previous dynasty, it was also known as "Ten Thousand Year Ice Palace," a sect established over three hundred years ago, with each successive sect leader holding the title of "Xuan Emperor." In the final years of the Yuwen Dynasty, the nation weakened and ultimately fell to the barbarians of Xihe Prefecture. After the establishment of the Tiansheng Dynasty, in order to stabilize the situation in the northern region of Zhongchen Prefecture, the Nine Nether Cold Court was allowed to remain as before, except that its titles and fiefs were abolished, and the head of the Yuwen family was still called "Xuanhuang" (Black Emperor).

Since the founding of the Tiansheng Dynasty, there had always been voices among the court officials advocating "moving north to the south." Those familiar with the political situation in Zhongjing knew very well that this proposal was essentially a means of weakening the Yuwen family. By using the pretext of granting titles to the southern border, the Yuwen family would be driven out of the territory they had managed for over three hundred years, thus disintegrating the remaining influence of the previous dynasty. This plan was good, but it was never truly implemented.

Perhaps they were not yet ready, or perhaps the court was not confident in facing that desolate, icy wilderness. To this day, the "Nine Nether Cold Court" remains the overlord of the northern border of Zhongchen Prefecture. A single "Xuanbing Order" can be issued anywhere, even mobilizing the government offices of various northern prefectures and counties.

Jie Zhao had expected to see a fierce, bear-like giant enter, but suddenly, a figure in a snow-white mink coat gracefully entered. The mink tail encircled her neck, her waist was slender, and her jet-black hair was styled into delicate little whorls, lying flat against her temples, with a fine gold chain adorning her forehead. Her thick, flowing hair cascaded down her back, so smooth and shiny it was almost like a mirror, further emphasizing the extreme blackness of her hair and the whiteness of her clothes, making her appear exceptionally vibrant.

The woman had delicate features; her small, oval face was probably smaller than Jie Zhao's palm, and her figure was extremely slender. Half of her pink neck peeked out from under the mink tail, so translucent that the blue veins were faintly visible. Her neck was long and slender, with smooth lines, yet not thin. As soon as she entered the hall, she brought with her a faint, lingering fragrance of herbs, subtle yet persistent, as if her slightly translucent skin were right next to his nose, changing with each passing moment, an aroma that he never tired of smelling.

Jie Zhao stared in disbelief, then suddenly thought, "Something's not right! Sable fur is the finest of fur coats, emphasizing 'lightness, warmth, thickness, and softness.' She's wearing sable fur, yet she appears slimmer than the average woman. Her body beneath the coat must be extremely slender. If, like her neck, it doesn't appear stiff and thin, but rather has a plump and tender feel, then she's truly a rare gem among women." Imagining how intoxicating it would be to hold her body, he unconsciously nudged Jie Zhen with his elbow, but to his surprise, there was no reaction.

He chuckled inwardly, "They say 'Third Master Jie remains unmoved even with a woman in his lap,' but it turns out he just hasn't met anyone he likes." He leaned closer and teased, "If Third Brother takes a fancy to this one, why not sneak into her room tonight and not let 'lustful' get away with it?"

Jie Zhen ignored him, then muttered to himself, "Strange! Who... is this person? Why would the Nine Nether Cold Court send an unknown young woman as their representative, accompanied by the four generals under the Xuan Emperor?" It turned out that Jie Zhen was knowledgeable and recognized the cold-faced woman following closely behind the woman—it was none other than Shang Jiuqing, the "Feathered Robe and Misty Clouds," the last of the four generals under the current "Nine Nether Xuan Emperor," Yuwen Xiaoxiao, and a master of both whips and hidden weapons.

The beautiful and ethereal woman in the sable coat moved gracefully and silently into the hall, as if she could dance on a palm.

She bowed her head and curtsied to Jie Zhen. "This humble woman, Wen Qiongyu, greets Master Jie. I have heard that you have been slightly unwell recently. Emperor Xuanhuang instructed me to convey his regards, saying, 'Master Jie is a pillar of the righteous path of the martial world. Since you are not a relative, you should be cherished by all under heaven.' He also said, 'As one of the Six Greats, I am hard to find a worthy opponent in this world. I must eventually test my skills against you, Master Jie. I hope you

will take good care of your health and not let me down.'" Jie Zhen stroked his beard and laughed, "Emperor Xuanhuang's concern is invaluable. It's just a minor cold, nothing to worry about. Please convey my thanks to Emperor Xuanhuang and tell him not to worry." He didn't mention the Six Greats, answering lightly, but the expressions of Fa Jiangchun and his wife were not pleasant.

The heads of the four great families of the world, Jie Zhen, Emperor Xuanhuang Yuwen Xiaoxiao, and Sheng Huayan, the master of "Jiejian Tiandu" and "Qianzai Yuqing,"

were all among the Six Greats. Only Fa Tianxing, the leader of "Jiangjunlu" and "Shiwan Hengmo," was not on the list. Therefore, the "Six Absolutes" are a grave taboo for the members of the General Lu Sect.

"This woman is incredibly formidable," Jie Zhen whispered to Jie Zhao. "She's a double-edged sword, delivering a sharp jab at General Lu right in front of Father, yet no one can do anything about it. Given Yuwen Xiaoxiao's arrogance, she would never utter any comforting words to Father, but she also wouldn't bring up the Six Absolutes to damage the alliance between the four families."

"Third Brother means..."

"Neither of these sentences were spoken by Yuwen Xiaoxiao," Jie Zhen explained softly.

"The first sentence is very appropriate, but it's not Yuwen Xiaoxiao's tone; the second sentence sounds very similar, but the Xuan Emperor wouldn't say it like that. You can tell from Shang Jiuqing's expression behind her that these words were definitely not at Yuwen Xiaoxiao's behest, but rather spoken by this woman herself, which is why Shang Jiuqing was also surprised." Jie Zhao looked in the direction indicated, and sure enough, a slight ripple appeared on Shang Jiuqing's cold face, and her brows furrowed slightly.

"Why is she talking nonsense?"

"A show of force." Jie Zhen sneered, but there was no smile in his eyes. "Everyone here is a well-known figure. She, an unknown young woman, is suddenly pushed forward to represent a force. Even with Yuwen Xiaoxiao's endorsement, her aura is still weak. Her 'showing off' isn't aimed at Dao Chuyang and his wife, but at Father."

(What's worse, she's also very beautiful!)

Jie Zhao suddenly felt that Zhao Ri Manor was completely at a disadvantage in this respect, and he immediately felt uncomfortable. Like Jie Zhen, he also adopted a fierce look of shared hatred and sharp eyes—except that his third brother was engaged in deep strategic thinking, while he was in charge of the beauty factor.

On the steps of the palace, Jie Zhen bowed and exchanged pleasantries with the beautiful woman in a sable coat who called herself "Wen Qiongyu" for a moment. Suddenly, he asked, "I haven't been to Xuanming Abyss and Xiaoran Sea for many years. Most things have changed, and I've never heard of your name before. May I ask what you do in the Cold Court? When did you join the Yuwen family?"

Wen Qiongyu gracefully took her seat, her posture elegant and charming, but she smiled without answering the question. Jie Zhen looked at Shang Jiuqing, who coughed twice before cautiously replying, "Master, you may not know this. Miss Wen is my master's newly hired strategist, and she has been in Xiaoran Sea for over half a month." Everyone present was astonished, even Jie Zhen was speechless; Wen Qiongyu, however, smiled serenely, lifting the lid of her cup with her slender, white fingers, lightly scraping the surface of the tea: "I haven't agreed yet! Right now, I'm just a tutor in the Xuanhuang Study, nothing special."

The women who accompanied students in the study were probably similar to the maids who were easily taken to bed; their status was quite low. This tutor had actually managed to persuade the notoriously arrogant Yuwen Xiaoxiao to lower himself and hire her as the strategist of the Nine Nether Cold Court—clearly, she could still decide whether to accept.

There weren't many people in the world who could refuse "Xuanhuang."

Just who was this elegant and refined young beauty?

Just as everyone's attention was drawn to Wen Qiongyu, a young scholar dressed in a blue cotton robe, white socks, and black shoes entered the hall carrying a cloth bag. The man was about thirty years old, with a fair complexion and a light beard, yet his features still possessed a youthful air. If he shaved off his medium-length beard and changed out of his old-fashioned, faded blue scholar's robe, he would look ten years younger, with a baby face.

The scholar stopped, straightened his robes, and bowed deeply to Jie Zhen, saying, "Chang Zaifeng, disciple of Tiandu, pays respects to Master Jie!" His voice was soft, yet it drew everyone's attention. Wen Qiongyu smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling, and continued sipping her tea. Jie Zhen had heard his footsteps long ago and was not surprised. After exchanging greetings, he ordered someone to lead him to a seat. A moment later, a servant rushed in to report, "Reporting to Master, Eunuch Yao has arrived!" Everyone rose at once. Jie Zhen went to the hall entrance and greeted a short, elderly man dressed in a reddish-brown fish-patterned robe. He wore a gauze turban and pink boots, had a square head and large ears, and his wrinkled face was clean-shaven. This was Yao Wuyi, the chief eunuch of the Northern Division.

Yao Wuyi took the main seat on the west side of the steps, and everyone took their seats after recognizing each other by name.

Jie Zhen ordered his men to summon the envoy from Miwu Palace. Before the envoy arrived, he cleared his throat and said loudly, "The Yin-Yang Pearl of Miwu Palace was lost in the Battle of Xiangshan. It wasn't until eighteen years later that a new one was forged. This pearl is considered a great treasure. I believe that rather than letting it circulate among the common people and attracting the covetous eyes of villains, it would be better to offer it to the court so that it can be used to help the people. I have troubled you all to come today to hear the opinions of your family heads."

Wen Qiongyu smiled and said, "The Emperor Xuan ordered... " "Everything will be as the master arranges." Shang Jiu, standing behind the chair, frowned slightly, while Jie Zhao was secretly delighted: "She's not doing what Yuwen Xiaoxiao wants again. This girl is really interesting." Chang Zaifeng, the representative sent by Jie Jiantian, also stood up and cupped his hands: "My master also means the same." Dao Chuyang, however, was a little flustered, seemingly not expecting the other two families to give up so readily. Seeing all eyes focused on him, he became flustered, his face turning red and white, scratching his head and stammering:

"This...this...our sect is like this..."

Fa Jiangchun suddenly spoke up.

"Lord Jie, since all three families say they don't want it, it's not that we General Lu can't bear to part with this treasure. However, I heard from the General that the four families suffered a great loss because of this pearl back then. To prevent the Demonic Sect from using the pearl for evil in the future, we must have Miwu Palace reveal all the secrets of the pearl so that we can prepare in advance." He then glanced at Jie Zhen intentionally or unintentionally, cleared his throat, and said,

"I am young and ignorant, and I apologize if I say anything wrong."

Jie Zhao almost burst out laughing: "You are young, but unfortunately too stupid, so I cannot forgive you. The Yin-Yang Pearl has been handed over to the court, and you actually say 'to prevent the Demonic Sect from using the pearl for evil in the future'. Isn't this clearly implying that the court is colluding with the Demonic Sect? It seems that your 'lust' is not just about having three white eyes, but also about having male semen in your brain. You are really stupid to the extreme." Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he understood why the other two families were so obedient.

The Miwu Palace, capable of crippling many men, has produced a master like Weiyun Mountain. Who wouldn't want the Yin Female Pearl? "Xuanhuang" Yuwen Xiaoxiao wants it, and "Qianzai Yuqing" Sheng Huayan naturally wants it too, but at this critical juncture, no one can take it. The Miwu Palace's motive for sending the pearl to Zhaori Manor is unclear, but they certainly don't have good intentions. "Shenxiao Leiyin" Jie Zhen, with his keen eyes, is always wary of this underhanded trick of "possessing a treasure is a crime," and uses the imperial court as a shield to defuse the crisis of being questioned by allies or even exploited.

Jiuyou Hanting and Jiejian Tiandu are no pushovers either. Following Jie Zhen's escape plan, they further fuel the fire, making the pearl offering "the manor lord's arrangement" once again. On one hand, they are playing hard to get, and on the other hand, they are planting the seeds for future exploitation. At this crucial turning point in the strategy, only General Lu's faction failed to keep up. It's unclear whether Fa Tianxing misjudged the situation or if he shouldn't have sent such a simple-minded daughter. Sheng Huayan's situation is unclear, but Chang Zaifeng acted quite naturally, so he was undoubtedly responding according to the pre-arranged plan.

The most interesting is Jiu You Han Ting. Judging from Shang Jiu Qing's reaction, Yuwen Xiaoxiao seems to have no intention of abandoning the Yin Pin Pearl, but Wen Qiongyu is the first to state, "I will follow the Master's arrangement," clearly another impromptu judgment.

Jie Zhao's interest in women rarely lies outside of the bedroom, but now he is full of anticipation for Wen Qiongyu's performance. Because of this pleasing, witty, and clever woman in a fur coat, the alliance and social interactions he so dreaded have suddenly become interesting, and the restless, agonizing feeling has vanished.

◇◇◇

As expected, before Fa Jiangchun could finish speaking, a clear and melodious voice came from outside the hall:

"What business is it of yours how others make beads? Why don't you copy your entire martial arts manual and exchange it for the secret method of bead making!" As soon as the voice fell, two figures, one in black and one in white, entered side by side. The woman in black was slender, her face veiled by a black gauze, revealing a pair of bright, clear eyes. She exuded a strong fragrance of roses. She bowed to everyone and said, "Wu Yaoji, a disciple of the Miwu Palace, greets all the esteemed guests." Jie Zhen greeted her warmly, about to speak, when he realized that all eyes in the hall were focused on the other girl who had scolded Fa Jiangchun.

Jie Zhao's judgment was correct. If a woman's body was incredibly slender yet not bony, she would undoubtedly be extremely beautiful. The girl in white before him was the best proof.

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with fair and radiant skin.

She wore a snow-white silk Hu-style dress with a crescent-white ribbon, pearl-white pointed satin boots, and a string of lustrous pearls around her neck. Her hair ornaments were also adorned with colorful pearls and shells. She had a high nose bridge and long, wavy hair, suggesting the bloodline of the Rakshasa tribe from the far north. Even though she was petite, her slender wrists and legs were perfectly proportioned. Unlike Yue Yingying's strong and athletic build, the girl was more like a mythical sea spirit—a mermaid. Only her long, colorful fishtail had transformed into human form, becoming a pair of slender, straight, and beautiful legs.

If Mo Qing of Tianxiang Tower was the dream of countless suitors in the capital, she was the goddess worshipped in the dreams of all the noble sons. Just a smile from her, a glance from her, and a dozen or more young marquises and hereditary princes would volunteer to jump into the sea without hesitation.

Because of her mad power, the girl was also known as the "Pearl of the Imperial Palace."

"Nonsense!" Jie Zhen's face darkened, and he scolded softly, "When adults are speaking, who gives you the right to interrupt?"

The girl pouted her thin lips, a patch of very fine, faint hair on them, her delicate skin as if coated with pearl powder.

"Father is so unreasonable! What he said is right. How can the secrets passed down from our ancestors be easily revealed? If you forcefully demand it, and it gets out, the whole world will laugh at us." Fa Jiangchun was speechless after being refuted, giving her a hateful look, and surprisingly felt a sense of shame.

Jie Zhen was speechless, unable to do anything about his daughter, but then he heard Yao Wuyi chuckle and say, "No matter how I look at it, I think the little princess's words make sense! Today we're here to discuss the Yin-Yang Pearl, don't drag things into this. Fa Jiangchun, what do you think about Jianglu? To offer the pearl, or not to offer it?" As he spoke, his eyes lost all their smiles, flashing with a cold, sinister light. Fa Jiangchun trembled slightly, lowering his head and saying, "My family... my family is also willing to offer the pearl."

The girl clapped her hands and giggled, winking at Yao Wuyi, "Thank you so much! Eunuch Yao. You're such a kind person."

Yao Wuyi covered his mouth and chuckled, "Oh my! It's been so many years since anyone praised me like that? Thank you for your kind words, little princess."

Jie Zhen whispered, "Ying'er, go down quickly, don't cause trouble here." The girl, Jie Ying, stuck out her tongue and giggled, "I'll just sit here, I won't cause any trouble." She tiptoed to Jie Zhao's side, stretched out her two beautiful long legs, and nestled into the chair. The rosewood armchair, adorned with brocade, seemed to grow larger for a fleeting moment against her petite frame.

Jie Ying was Jie Zhen's youngest daughter. Her great-great-grandmother was a slave girl presented to the emperor by the Rakshasa tribe. Favored by the emperor, she was made a concubine and gave birth to a princess. The princess later married a court official. This Rakshasa bloodline passed through several branches, eventually settling in a distant princess. Seeing that Jie Zhen had lost several wives and concubines, the late emperor betrothed the princess to him as his second wife, thus giving birth to Jie Ying.

Jie Ying was the most beautiful woman in the capital, possessing both the deep features of a Russian woman and the fair, delicate skin of a southern girl, captivating countless princes and nobles. As a child, she was adopted by the then-Crown Prince as her sworn brother by the late Emperor, and thus bestowed the title of "Princess of the East Sea." Jie Ying was two years younger than Jie Zhao, and the two had played together since childhood, sharing a close bond. Seeing her sit beside him, Jie Zhao whispered teasingly, "Your lips are pouting so high, you could hang pork on them! Can I borrow them to hang on?" Jie Ying turned her head away, ignoring him completely.

Jie Zhao didn't know what was wrong with her and didn't dare ask, so he let her be.

Seeing that all four families had agreed, Yao Wuyi said to the woman in black, Wu Yaoji, "Alright! Quickly take out that Yin-Yang Pearl; everyone here has been waiting for a long time." Wu Yaoji bowed her head and replied, "Yes." She took out a small silver bottle from her bosom. The bottle's body was only slightly longer than her index finger, its belly round like a flower bud, but its neck thinner than a finger; the entire bottle had a very peculiar shape. As Jie Zhao looked at it, he suddenly felt it resembled a woman's vagina. Of course, he had never seen the shape of a woman's vaginal canal, but it was just a gut feeling that it looked similar.

Yao Wuyi took the bottle and immediately felt its coldness to his fingers. He casually asked, "Is the pearl inside the bottle? How do I take it out?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, it cannot be taken out," Wu Yaoji replied.

"The sacred pearl can only 'generate' after twelve hours."

"Generate...generate?" Yao Wuyi frowned.

"Yes. Refining this pearl is like nurturing a baby; if the embryo is not fully formed, the bottle will break and the embryo will die, ultimately resulting in failure."

Yao Wuyi smiled, his eyes narrowed. "That's quite interesting, Master Jie. What do you think?"

Jie Zhen pondered for a moment, then asked Wu Yaoji, "If Eunuch Yao takes this bottle into the palace, will the Yin-Yang Pearl still be able to conceive on its own?" Wu Yaoji replied, "This humble woman dares not say. Some pregnancies and births can occur without a midwife; it's not necessarily a failure."

"If you were present, would the Yin-Yang Pearl be able to be born smoothly?"

"Yes." Wu Yaoji lowered her head. "This humble woman is confident."

"In that case, why not wait until the Yin-Yang Pearl is born before sending it over?"

"Fearing that you gentlemen might suspect us of harboring ulterior motives, we dared not wait until the Sacred Pearl was born. The gentlemen near Xiangshan have been very kind to our sect. We did not send it to you because we feared you might also be suspected. Therefore, we sent it to Zhongjing for the Master to handle."

These words were blunt and undisguised, yet they were also reasonable. Jie Zhen pondered for a moment, then consulted Yao Wuyi, saying, "In that case, we will trouble you all to stay here for one more day until the Yin-Yang Pearl is born tomorrow, then present it to the court. We will trouble you, Eunuch, to bring the pearl to the Emperor and explain our sincere intentions. What do you think, Eunuch?"

"Very well." Yao Wuyi played with the silver bottle for a while, then returned it to Wu Yaoji. Wu Yaoji curtsied and took her leave, returning to her residence in Jinchun Courtyard with the silver bottle for safekeeping. For the next twelve hours, she would guard the silver bottle closely and would not show herself in public until the pearl was successfully retrieved tomorrow.

It was past noon when Jie Zhen instructed the steward to set up a banquet in the side courtyard to entertain Eunuch Yao and the representatives of the three families. Before the banquet began, everyone chatted and drank tea in the flower hall. Jie Ying quietly ran out, but Jie Zhao spotted her and chased after her along the winding corridor, pestering her to talk.

"Good sister, why are you ignoring me?" he teased her with a lewd grin.

"That's it, you must have taken a fancy to some lover, and you don't even care about your own brother anymore."

Jie Ying stopped and turned around, her pearl-embroidered satin skirt flaring out, revealing a pair of slender, beautiful legs wrapped in snow-white silk trousers, straight at the knees and shins, indescribably beautiful. "How dare you say that!" Her brows furrowed, her fair face flushed slightly. "You went to a brothel to find girls again, didn't you? Who was it this time? Mo Qing from Tianxiang Tower, or Xiao Chang from Lihong Courtyard?"

Jie Zhao gently stroked her arm, pulling her into his embrace. Jie Ying struggled free, glaring at him fiercely. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands that touch brothels! It's one thing if you play around on ordinary days, but what was the occasion the day before yesterday? They even prepared a whole table of food for you... Where the hell have you been?" She grew angrier with each word, intending to throw something at him, but finding the corridor empty, she angrily sat down on the flower railing, took off her soft boots, and threw them at his head!

Jie Zhao dared not dodge, enduring two blows head-on. Jie Ying pouted and glared at him, still huffing, "Have you gone mad from sleeping with prostitutes? How...how come you can't dodge anymore?" Jie Zhao sat down next to her on the flower railing, and Jie Ying quickly moved away. After several such attempts, Jie Zhao simply sat cross-legged on the ground, casually picking up her snow-white pearl-embroidered boots. Only then did Jie Ying stop dodging.

"I didn't go to a brothel, really."

A man who still insisted on telling the truth at a time like this deserved to die. Jie Zhao moved the events of yesterday's encounter with the four beasts back two days, embellishing the story and concocting a three-day adventure of escaping a robbery. Before Jie Ying could finish listening, she opened her beautiful light brown eyes and exclaimed in alarm, "Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"

Jie Zhao seized the opportunity to hold her small, soft hand, gently stroking it, and said with a smile, "Your fourth brother is lucky and has a long life. How could anything happen to him? This is the first time I've ever killed someone, and I didn't expect it to be so easy. We've talked it out, so don't be angry, my good sister."

Jie Ying chuckled, "You've been so well-behaved since you weren't at the brothel, so naturally I won't hold it against you." Jie Zhao lifted her bare right foot, revealing her jade-like toes, white and smooth, the dust highlighting the delicate, rosy skin. Her slender ankles and beautiful little feet were like miniature versions of exquisite jade artifacts. Although her feet were smaller than his palm, they didn't seem short or plump at all; their proportions were long and slender, making them irresistible.

He stroked her, unable to bring himself to put on the soft boots. His restless hands caressed her rounded ankles, slipping inside the soft silk trousers, moving upwards along her slender calves, fully enjoying the smooth, unyielding muscles and flawless skin, as delicate as a baby's. He gently touched the sensitive, tender back of her knees.

Jie Ying tilted her head back and moaned softly, trembling all over. She quickly grabbed the railing and clutched his hand tightly:

"Someone...someone will see! Stop playing around!" He snatched the soft boots from her and put them on. Jie Zhao reached for her slender waist, but Jie Ying giggled and dodged away. Jie Zhao's desire grew stronger, his crotch throbbing painfully. He whispered, "Hurry back to your room and take a nice shower. I'll come find you in a bit."

"No way!" Jie Ying made a face, her big eyes darting around, a mischievous smile laced with undeniable allure. "I'm not going back to my room to shower. If you want to shower, go to Jin Chun Courtyard!" With her hands behind her back, her slender waist and shapely legs swayed gracefully as she skipped away.

◇◇◇

Jie Zhao thought, "You brat! Do you really think your brother wouldn't dare go to Jin Chun Courtyard?" Still wondering if she was just making things up or if she really wanted to go that far, he unknowingly returned to the side courtyard, just in time for the banquet to begin. Eunuch Yao and the representatives of the three families took their seats in order. Jie Zhen was the host, accompanied by the three Jie brothers. The banquet was filled with toasts and laughter, and the guests and hosts were

all enjoying themselves. Jie Zhao was filled with fantasies. He barely ate a few bites of food before making an excuse to slip out and sneak into Jin Chun Courtyard. Jin Chun Courtyard was separated from Shuang Xin Residence, where his elder sister-in-law lived in seclusion, by only a small artificial lake. Even the men of the manor were not allowed to approach it normally, so the envoys from Mi Wu Palace were arranged to stay there. If that little girl Jie Ying was only playing around, and if Jie Zhao were to bump into Wu Yao Ji in Jin Chun Courtyard, he would probably have a very good excuse.

With a mix of trepidation and a vague sense of excitement, Jie Zhao quietly entered Jin Chun Courtyard. He had brought maids here before for intimate moments, so he was quite familiar with the place and quickly slipped into the bedroom. The large room was empty, with curtains drawn. A glass screen separated the bedroom on the west side, behind which was the bathing room, which was now filled with steam, making the glass screen fogged up.

"This is bad," Jie Zhao couldn't help but smile bitterly.

If Wu Yao Ji was behind the screen, then all five excuses he had prepared would be useless; he would probably only be able to be dragged before his father for legal proceedings. He steeled his resolve, grabbed some odds and ends from the table, and threw them at the screen. With a clang, a clear, melodious voice came from inside the bathroom: "Who? Who's outside?" The voice was filled with alarm.

A huge weight lifted from Jie Zhao's heart, all the anxiety dissipating into lustful thoughts. He strolled confidently to the screen, laughing, "Who else? Of course, it's your own brother who's come to see you." He casually picked up Jie Ying's pearl jewelry from the small table and played with it, including the necklace around her neck with perfectly round pearls of the same size.

"I...I'm not done washing yet, you...you can't barge in," Jie Ying cried out anxiously.

"Too late, I'm going in now," Jie Zhao chuckled, but didn't move.

A splash of water came from the bathroom, and a slender, graceful figure appeared behind the screen, hurriedly grabbing her clothes to put them on. Jie Zhao admired her body through the glass screen: Jie Ying's two beautiful legs were thin and straight, without a trace of flesh, the tops of her slender thighs were flatly concave with a valley, her thin pelvis and lower abdomen had a strange, ethereal beauty, almost like a doll, almost unreal.

She put on her robe and tied it, then bent down, fiddling with something on her feet. Her small, pert buttocks arched up, pressed very close to the glass screen, revealing the faint outlines of two fleshy folds and thick, curly black hair.

Jie Zhao was excited, almost wanting to reach out and stroke his penis, and said in a hoarse voice, "Good girl, I'm coming in!" The two were only separated by a single screen, already very close. He darted into the steamy air, only to hear a gasp. The petite figure behind the screen took a half step back, her back against the screen, panting heavily.

He dispersed the steam and saw that Jie Ying's naked body was covered only by a nearly transparent gauze robe, revealing her delicate skin and even a tempting tuft of black hair between her tightly pressed thighs. She crossed her arms to cover her chest, removing the beaded necklace and replacing it with a very thin gold chain adorned with a small pink pearl. The delicate chain meandered between her delicate collarbone and smooth chest skin, glistening with moisture, making her look exceptionally alluring. Her damp, curly hair was half-gathered at her chest, like fresh deep-sea seaweed, with a few strands clinging to her lips and cheeks, contrasting with her panicked and innocent light brown eyes, arousing Jie Zhao's most primal desires.

"You... brother! You... what do you want to do?" she stammered pitifully.

Jie Zhao pounced on her, scooping her up in his arms like a chick. He couldn't resist the embroidered couch any longer, placing his sister directly on the small dressing table, pulling apart her slender wrists, and grabbing her tender white breasts, kneading them forcefully.

Those who haven't seen it might find it hard to believe: a petite woman like Jie Ying could possess two full, large breasts, even more impressive in size than the tall and slender Yue Yingying. Unlike Yue Yingying's firm, bouncy breasts, Jie Ying's were soft and supple, smooth like fully fermented, slightly sticky, high-quality white dough. A slight movement would create a sea of snowy, soft waves of flesh, which could be pinched and deformed between fingers.

Jie Zhao lowered his head to suckle her erect, red nipples, gently nibbling with his teeth or sucking hard, taking the entire pale pink areola into his mouth, eliciting soft moans from her.

"No...no! Brother...I...I'm your own sister...no, no..."

Her pleading was soft and delicate, more exciting than any moan, but Jieying struggled too fiercely. Jiezhao tore off the thin gauze ribbon and tied her hands together, wantonly ravaging his sister's full breasts. With his other hand, he hurriedly unbuckled his belt and pulled out his burning hot penis, pressing it against a tight, sticky, fiery crevice.

"No...no!"

Jieying kicked her legs forcefully, shoving him away, and stumbled into the bathhouse. Jiezhao pounced on her like a wolf chasing a lamb, the two chasing each other around the oval-shaped cypress bathtub for a while. Suddenly, Jieying slipped and fell into the tub with a splash. Now she was trapped like a mermaid, unable to escape. Jiezhao sat in the tub and scooped up his sister, who was like a drowning kitten. The soaking wet gauze clung to her exquisite, curvaceous body, her slightly curly brown hair sticking up in a wet clump, making her look like a sea witch emerging from the sea.

"Brother...you're my own brother, no...don't do this...I'm so scared..."

"Good girl!" Jie Zhao hugged her tightly, coaxing her softly, "Don't be afraid, my dear sister. Let your brother kiss you, just one kiss and I'll let you go." Jie Ying opened her innocent big eyes, "Really? Brother can't lie to me!" She closed her eyes and looked up, only to hear Jie Zhao gently bite her ear, "Not there, brother wants to kiss his sister..." He pulled up her bound hands, his fingertips sliding from her lips, neck, nipples, down to her navel, all sensitive spots. Jie Ying's body twitched and trembled as he touched her, her legs shaking, and in the blink of an eye, his fingertips traced her mons pubis, stopping at the most shameful place.

“Let me kiss you here,” Jie Zhao said, his voice trembling softly in her earlobe as he held her earlobe in his mouth. His fingertips began to trace the delicate folds of her tightly closed vulva. “I’ll let you go. You’d better think about it quickly, little sister! If you’re too slow, I’ll rape you…”

Jie Ying’s legs trembled from the rubbing, her face flushed with shame. “Brother… you have to keep your word!” She struggled to her feet, her shapely calves still immersed in the warm water. Her bound hands rested on the edge of the basin, and she raised her tender buttocks towards her brother, her knees involuntarily bending slightly inward, as if trying to clamp her shameful private parts.

Her vulva had another unique feature that others lacked. Because her body was extremely slender, with flat and narrow buttocks and a thin, round waist, her vulva was also very small. Not only was the opening tightly closed, but even her thick labia majora were only slightly longer than two finger joints. The color of her vulva was a very pale pinkish-white, truly a “petal” of flesh, even smaller and more delicate than a real orchid petal, like thinly sliced fresh sashimi.

Jie Zhao lifted the barely concealing gauze dress over her waist, brought it close to his nose, and seemed to smell a faint scent of raw fish. He opened his mouth and touched the two pink labia, truly kissing them, gently holding the petals between his lips. His tongue meticulously licked along the inside and outside of the folds, occasionally parting the folds to penetrate deeper, twisting and twitching against the hardened clitoris, finally squeezing his entire tongue into the narrow flower garden.

"Brother... Brother's kiss feels so good... Brother is so good at kissing, just... just there... ah, ah..."

she whispered, her crotch overflowing with juices, her straight legs trembling, her waist slowly going limp.

Seeing that the time was right, Jie Zhao silently took off his clothes, quietly got up, pressed his purplish-red glans, swollen to the size of an egg, against the flower garden, and thrust forward forcefully, his entire massive penis forcing its way in, squeezing out droplets of fluid from the narrow flower path. Jieying screamed as she was penetrated, her head thrown back, her hands gripping the rim of the basin tightly, her whole body trembling violently.

The size difference between Longyang and her flower path was vast, but once abundant with lubrication, the tearing pain brought an indescribable pleasure. Jiezhao held her pink buttocks and thrust vigorously. Jieying was both in pain and pleasure from the penetration; her slender arms could no longer support her, and using his semen-covered penis as a fulcrum, she hung entirely on her brother's arms, her eyes closed, shaking her head and moaning wildly.

“Brother…brother rapes sister…rapes his own sister…ah! No! Not there…ah ah…

so, so good! Brother…brother is raping me so good…so good I’m about to fly to heaven…ah ah ah ah…sister is so slutty, being…being raped by brother…being raped so…so good…so comfortable…”

Jie Zhao hugged her full breasts tightly, his other hand encircling her slender waist, and lifted her up straight, thrusting into her as he carried her to the embroidered bedchamber. He laid his sweaty half-sister down on the brocade quilt, lifted one of her slender legs onto his shoulder, and then noticed a very fine beaded gold chain around her ankle, the style of which was exactly the same as the one around her neck, extremely alluring. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of lust: “So many tricks, I’ll fuck you to death, you little slut!” With a soft thud, his huge penis thrust in hard.

Xiao Jieying arched her wasp waist as she was being fucked, her bound hands raised high above her head, her slender fingers twitching wildly at the brocade quilt, her large, white breasts swaying violently, her small vulva a mess from the penetration, yet she still clenched her penis tightly: "Brother... Brother, harder! Oh... Yes! Just... just like that! Oh oh oh... Brother... Brother's thing is so good! So... thick, so hard... so... so good... Ah ah ah..." She gasped heavily, her shapely buttocks thrusting forward, then suddenly her body stiffened, her vagina gripping and twisting her penis, a cool, tingling release washing over her.

Jie Zhao was also nearing his end, not daring to ejaculate into his younger sister's tender vagina, he pulled out his sticky penis with a "snap," and walked naked to the side. Jieying, having climaxed, was still dizzy and ecstatic, when suddenly the hot penis left her body, she felt empty, and moaned in a hoarse voice:

"Brother...don't...don't go! Come...come and fuck me a few more times...I want you to fuck me..."

Jie Zhao returned to the bed, pinching her soft breasts and gently stroking her tender cheeks to tease her: "Have you had enough fun today? So many tricks up your sleeve, who told you to pretend to be a rapist?"

Jie Ying smiled sweetly, her hazy eyes lost in thought, her whole body immersed in the wonderful afterglow of her orgasm, her full breasts heaving violently, and she was a little out of breath: "Who...pretended what? It...it was clearly you who raped me. It hurts...it hurts so much!"

"It's all your words." Jie Zhao rolled over and pressed her down, grabbing her tender breasts with both hands:

"Do you still want me to fuck you?"

Jie Ying half-closed her starry eyes, smiling beautifully, her cheeks flushed, and she moaned softly: "Yes..."

"Not today. I haven't come yet!" Jie Zhao smiled wickedly, gently straddling her waist, grabbing her small hands to cup her large breasts, using her white and tender flesh to clamp his penis, slowly squeezing it. From this vantage point, one could admire the beauty of her shoulders and neck, and her strikingly beautiful, exotic face. Her large breasts, so incongruous with her pure and noble appearance, were squeezed into snow-white mounds by her small hands. Her massive penis moved in and out of her cleavage, a scene of intoxicating eroticism.

Jie Ying's cleavage and nipples were extremely sensitive; sometimes, even a simple lick from her brother could bring her to orgasm. After a moment of this, she began to feel pleasure, her head slightly raised, her thin, red lips parting to gently suck on his glans, her delicate tongue pressing against the tip. Jie Zhao let out a soft "Mmm" of pleasure, his lower back slightly aching, and chuckled, "My little sister is so good, brother will give you a reward." The pearl in his hand was smooth and glistening—the pearl necklace Jie Ying had taken off earlier.

He unfastened the necklace, turning it into a straight chain strung with pearls. He crossed it across his sister's vulva, letting her vaginal fluids wet the pearls, then gently rubbed them together. As he slid, the pearls slowly sank into her folds, glistening with the fluids. Each large pearl rubbed against her vulva, the pleasure and sensation described only as "a series of orgasms." Every angle of the spherical object brought distinct sensations to her clitoris and labia. The entire chain rubbed back and forth, creating a series of sensations.

"So...so sore! Brother...Brother! I'm going to die...So...so uncomfortable, so uncomfortable...Ahhhhhh..."

Jie Ying's body went limp from the friction, and she began to convulse uncontrollably. Her small hands gripped her breasts, almost forgetting the pain, and she moaned softly while sucking on his glans. Suddenly, her toes curled, her thighs trembled violently, and a large amount of glistening fluid gushed from her vulva, causing her to ejaculate violently. At the same time, Jie Zhao's seminal vesicles released, and his thick, turbid semen shot into his sister's mouth.

Little Jieying, still reeling from her climax, swallowed it all with a sob, her slightly open mouth agape, breathing heavily.

◇◇◇

The affair between Jiezhao and his sister began three years ago.

The two half-siblings, who had been close since childhood and cared for each other, gradually developed this relationship through their daily interactions. At the time, fifteen-year-old Jiezhao was already remarkably developed. The night he took his sister's virginity, the two little ones left the bed stained with blood. Little Jieying, not yet thirteen, fainted from the pain on the spot, later lying to her wet nurse that it was due to her period, barely managing to get away with it.

Once they got past the first few times, Jieying's interest and enthusiasm for this affair even surpassed Jiezhao's.

The two tried it almost everywhere in the mansion: in the bathhouse, in the garden, on the table in the pavilion, in empty rooms where no one lived, and even in their father's study... and of course, all sorts of other tricks. Jie Zhao carefully managed their secret meetings, gradually becoming adept at it. He also maintained four or five hidden hideouts in the city, similar to the Tonghua Courtyard, for the brother and sister's clandestine pleasures. To this day, this secret remains well-kept.

Those admirers who treated Jie Ying as a "pearl of the imperial palace," worshipping her like a goddess, could hardly imagine that the sixteen-year-old Princess Donghai was so passionate and unrestrained in bed that she had reached the level of a wanton woman.

Sometimes, Jie Zhao couldn't help but wonder: had he, in indulging in momentary lust, turned a perfectly innocent young girl into a slut? Then he thought, "My sister only lets me do it. Even if I do it a lot or a lot, she's still just a dutiful wife who doesn't cheat. She's practically virtuous enough to be honored. What's so lewd about that?"

The two embraced and lay intertwined. Jie Zhao held the young beauty in his arms, stroking his sister's round, slender shoulders, his chin lightly brushing the top of her head: "You little girl are quite bold. Did you beat that Wu Yaoji to death with a stick and stuff her under the bed? Otherwise, why aren't you afraid she'll come back and catch me raping you?"

Jie Ying chuckled sweetly, sounding rather smug. “I’m very close to her, and I encouraged her to visit my sister-in-law! We haven’t seen each other for ten years, how much do you think we’ll have to talk about?” Jie Zhao lowered his head and teased her, “No way! I see my sister every day, we still have endless things to talk about!” Jie Ying’s cheeks flushed, and she said coquettishly, “Brother! Don’t think I’m too young to talk nonsense to me. Women aren’t as simple as you think.”

After a while of whispering sweet nothings, Jie Zhao enjoyed his sister’s beauty and wanted to continue, but then he remembered the banquet in the side courtyard wasn’t over, so he quickly got up and dressed. “Sister, aren’t you going back to the courtyard?” he asked as he dressed.

“Wait a bit,” Jie Ying buried her face in the pillow, her voice languid. The embroidered quilt covered her small, exquisite buttocks, revealing her smooth, jade-like back. She was truly slender yet not bony, and incomparably beautiful. “I was just raped, I’m exhausted! I need to rest first. Anyway, Wu Yaoji is a woman, she can’t rape me again when she comes back…”

Jie Zhao slapped her butt hard, laughed, and went out. When he returned to the side courtyard, the banquet was only halfway through. The Jie family used a set menu of imperial cuisine. Such a grand banquet could have more than 120 dishes, which Jie Zhao always regarded as a monstrous flood and avoided like the plague. He

hurriedly apologized and took his seat. His father glanced at him but didn’t say anything. It was Jie Jun who spoke up.

“Where have you been, Fourth Brother?”

Jie Zhao was still considering which set of excuses to use when Jie Zhen spoke first: “I asked Fourth Brother to arrange accommodations for the guests.”

Dao Chuyang remembered Jie Zhen’s polite words about the “Taiyi Five Elements Sword” and paid special attention to his words. Upon hearing this, he quickly cupped his hands to Jie Zhao: “I’m sorry to trouble Fourth Young Master.” The others also thanked him. Jie Zhao, seizing the opportunity, clasped his hands and replied repeatedly, "No trouble at all!" "Of course, of course!" "Plenty of rooms, plenty of rooms!"

After several rounds of drinks, everyone was a little tipsy. The most frustrated was naturally Fa Jiangchun, who had been beaten up by Yao Wuyi and Jie Ying, and the precious pearl her father had entrusted to her was nowhere to be found. The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became. She tilted her head back and drank a cup, finally challenging him: "May I ask, sir, after the court obtained the Yin Female Pearl, what measures have been taken?"

Another idiotic question, Jie Zhao thought.

—Yao Wuyi could easily avoid the issue by simply answering, "The court has its own measures," rendering her efforts futile. Moreover, given her status as a commoner in Jianglu, without official rank or title, how dare she speak out about court affairs? At best, she would be reprimanded; at worst, she would be considered to have ulterior motives and severely punished.

But Yao Wuyi didn't reprimand her.

The ruddy-faced eunuch, holding a golden cup, spoke haltingly, his eyes narrowed in a smile: "Regarding...

regarding this bead, before I...before leaving the palace, I...I consulted His Majesty. His Majesty said: 'Things from the martial world...it's best to leave them in the martial world. Eunuch Yao...you can dispose of it as you see fit.'"

These words caused a stir among the assembled guests, but everyone except Fa Jiangchun pretended not to hear.

Jie Zhao thought, "This is good. So the Emperor has handed the imperial sword to that old eunuch. The fate of the Yin-Pin Bead is decided by his mere words." If Yao Wuyi could act arbitrarily over the Yin-Pin Bead's fate, then the three great families probably wouldn't obediently stand by and watch him take the bead into the palace.

Jie Zhao was quite looking forward to Wen Qiongyu's performance, but she remained calm and chatted idly with Chang Zaifeng, who was sitting next to her. She would occasionally cover her mouth slightly when teased, her eyes sparkling with a captivating charm—truly elegant and alluring. Fa Jiangchun, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow and pressed her advantage:

"So, what does Your Excellency intend to do with it?"

Yao Wuyi gave her a strangely amused look: "You… what do you think? How should we handle this?"

Fa Jiangchun hadn't expected to be consulted. After careful consideration for a while, she looked up and said, "Your Excellency should leave this pearl to one of the four great families, and choose one from among them who is skilled in Taoist magic and is loyal and reliable, to decipher the secret of the Yin Female Pearl. That way, even if the Demonic Sect acquires many more Yin Female Pearls in the future, it won't be so scary." She had a slight southern accent, but she deliberately emphasized the phrase "skilled in Taoist magic" clearly and slowed her speech.

Yao Wuyi, seemingly oblivious to what he'd heard, shook his head, muttering, "Loyal...loyal and reliable, loyal and reliable..." He slammed his hand on the table, pointed at everyone, and shouted, "Hey! All of you...tell me! You...among you, who...who is truly loyal and reliable?"

Now, no one could pretend they hadn't heard. They exchanged bewildered glances, none willing to step in and take on this mess. Jie Zhen, being the host and the most honored among them, quickly ordered servants to prepare a hangover remedy. He patted Yao Wuyi's back affectionately, saying, "You drank too much, Eunuch. This 'Jade Leek Thunder Spring' has a very strong aftereffect, far superior to the finest tribute wines from the palace. If I didn't use my internal energy to counteract it, I'd only be able to drink half a jin. You actually finished the whole bottle! Truly a hero!" Jie Zhen and Jie Jun quickly echoed his sentiments.

Suddenly, a clear and elegant voice rang out, like a gentle recitation, incredibly melodious:

"This room is filled with loyal and devoted men, why do you ask such a question, sir?" Her almond-shaped eyes smiled; it was Wen Qiongyu, with her sable collar and black hair.

Yao Wuyi extended a trembling index finger, smiling at Jie Zhen: "This...this young lady is interesting." Jie Zhen, unable to understand the meaning, could only smile along. Yao Wuyi, drunk for a moment, slammed his hand on the table: "Very well! Although...my family is not a member of the martial world, we...we have always been very friendly with those in the martial world. Looking...looking across the court

, no...no one can surpass my family..." Jie Zhen, hearing his incoherent speech, chuckled inwardly: "You're not just unworthy of being ... But then Jie Zhen interjected, "We have all been favored by you, sir. We are deeply grateful for your years of service, your role as a voice for the martial world within the court. Come! Let's all have a drink with you!" The others raised their cups in response.

"Wait!"

Yao Wuyi glanced sideways, flicking his sleeve. "I haven't finished speaking yet. We'll drink after we're done. This time, the matter of the Yin Female Pearl doesn't follow the court's rules; it's a matter for the martial world. How about this: you four have a sword fight to seize the title… no, a sword fight to seize the pearl! The winner will possess the pearl forever." He downed his drink, while the others remained silent, raising their cups in silence.

(Old eunuch! Does he think we're monkeys performing tricks?)

Jie Zhao gritted his teeth, suddenly feeling deeply humiliated.

Jie Zhen's expression shifted between light and shadow. After a moment, he said, "This matter requires careful consideration. None of the three families are in the capital, and it would be difficult to organize a competition in a short time. Perhaps we should wait until the Yin Female Pearl is born..." Fa Jiangchun waved his hand to interrupt, "May I ask, Master, while we are considering this matter, where should the pearl be placed?"

Jie Zhen was slightly taken aback, but Jie Zhen beside him quickly answered, "To ensure fairness, we should naturally ask Eunuch Yao to take it to the Imperial Treasury and seal it." Fa Jiangchun hadn't expected him to respond, and gritted his teeth, his aggressive tone undiminished, "Why don't you ask Eunuch Yao if, once the pearl is sealed in the treasury, we can still take it as we please?" "Get it out?" Yao Wuyi waved his hands haphazardly. "We can't get it out! We can't get it out! The Imperial Treasury is where the Emperor keeps his treasures. Do you think this is a pawnshop? You don't understand the rules, you're acting improperly!"

Fa Jiangchun's eyebrows shot up, her gaze piercing. "In that case, before we return to the mountain to report to our patriarch and send a representative to participate in the sword competition, should this pearl be temporarily stored at your estate?"

Judging from the example of Weiyun Mountain back then, the Yin-Yang Pearl should have a miraculous effect on enhancing one's power. However, whether it takes effect immediately upon wearing it, or requires internal consumption or supplementary training, is unknown. If the pearl's whereabouts cannot be decided immediately after it is created, in the end, after all the hard work, one may very well end up with a Yin-Yang Pearl that has already become ineffective.

Although this statement makes sense, it is extremely rude.

Jie Jun crossed his arms, his eyes gleaming beneath his thick, red eyebrows, and said in a deep voice, "Does Madam Dao mean to imply that my Jie family engages in petty tricks and has stolen your pearl?" His voice wasn't loud, but it resonated so strongly it made one's ears ring. The cups and plates on the table trembled and slid off an inch, as if an invisible hand had shaken the tablecloth. A small dish on the edge of the table tumbled off the round table and shattered with a crash.

Jie Zhen hissed, "Jun'er, don't be rude!" Fa Jiangchun's expression changed slightly, and she sneered, "Second Young Master's internal strength is profound, but it doesn't resemble the scorching heat of the Great Sun Divine Skill. Perhaps you're waiting to show your skills in the sword-fighting arena?" Jie Jun's cold gaze was piercing, and he didn't reply. His gaze, however, was like two streaks of sword energy, piercing straight through the Daoist woman opposite him.

Fa Jiangchun forced a brief eye contact, but finally couldn't bear it any longer. Feeling suffocated as if she had suffered internal injuries, she quickly turned her head away.

"Master Jie, what do you say about the disposal of this pearl?"

"My niece is too hasty. It's fine for you to take this pearl back to Mount Jiuyi, or it can be kept by Emperor Xuan or Master Sheng. You are all from distinguished families, and your heads have known each other for many years with a long-standing friendship." Jie Zhen stroked his beard and pondered, "I originally did not wish to decide the fate of this pearl through a martial arts contest. If a contest is to be held, Zhao Ri Manor will withdraw from this competition. The pearl can be properly sealed by your three families and temporarily placed in my manor's treasury."

Although these words were straightforward, they sounded even more sinister to those with ulterior motives. Fa Jiangchun was unwilling to let the Yin Female Pearl stay in Suiping Prefecture for even a moment longer, so she naturally could not agree. Wen Qiongyu smiled and said calmly, "If Zhaori Manor gives up on the pearl, Jiuyou Hanting will also give up participating. Our two families have maintained a friendship of over a hundred years; it's not worth damaging it for this." Chang Zaifeng pondered for a moment, then stood up and cupped his hands, saying, "This disciple understands my master's intentions and does not wish to harm the harmony of the four families. Jie Jiantian is willing to relinquish this pearl."

Fa Jiangchun's heart skipped a beat, filled with joy and surprise: "Could it be that I have obtained the pearl just like this?" Yao Wuyi suddenly became drunk and irrational: "This... what kind of situation is this? No one is allowed to give it up! If you're afraid of the pearl..." "If there's a ghost, we'll have the competition tomorrow! Before the Yin Female Pearl appears tomorrow, we...we'll find the real deal!"

Fa Jiangchun was slightly disappointed, but it wasn't far from her original plan, so she cautiously said, "Father-in-law, if that's the case, then General Lu will have to give up on this pearl. Within a hundred miles of Zhongjing, who can be a match for Master Jie? There's no need for the competition then, is there?" Yao Wuyi laughed loudly, "Old Jie! You can't bully a junior. You're not allowed to fight tomorrow!" Jie Zhen helplessly replied, "I'll do as you wish, Father-in-law."

"It's settled then. Tomorrow at this time, the four masters in the capital—" Yao Wuyi, emboldened by the wine, waved his hand:

"will compete to seize the pearl!"

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Chapter Three of the Heavenly Tribulation of the Sun: The Pearl of the Imperial Palace, and the Licentious Woman

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