[Fantasy] The New Smiling Proud Wanderer (Complete) - 19-21

Chapter 8 A

light rain began to fall in Suzhou.

Tonight, Suzhou seemed to be hiding alone in a dark corner, weeping silently. The soft, melodious Wu dialect sounded like mournful whispers. The moon rose above the willow branches, a rendezvous after dusk. This romantic and tranquil scene was suddenly disrupted by an old man with half-white hair and a frail figure.

Wu Gui followed behind the maid, his eyes fixed on her swaying hips, but he felt no lust.

"What's your name?"

Wu Gui suddenly asked.

The maid was startled and quickly replied, "Reporting to the head steward, my name is Yun Xin."

The sound of a nightingale's song made Wu Gui's ears itch.

Since He Ruoxue had given Liu'er to Wu Yu, he had no one to serve him, so Wu Lingwen had transferred a young maid from his study—this was Yun Xin.

"Do you know why the Second Madam wants to see me?"

Yunxin was He Ruoxue's personal maid, so Wu Gui didn't dare to be too rude and asked politely.

"Yunxin wouldn't dare to make a decision on her own. The head steward will know when he arrives."

Yunxin's words were ambiguous, leaving it to the old man Wu Gui to guess whether she didn't know or didn't want to say.

Wu Gui stopped talking upon hearing this, thinking to himself: Well, let's deal with whatever comes our way. Thinking this way, Wu Gui felt much more at ease and followed behind Yunxin, his old eyes glancing at her swaying, plump buttocks as they walked towards Penglai Residence.

The raindrops gradually grew larger as the rain fell silently. Yunxin and Wu Gui quickened their pace and soon arrived outside the small building of Penglai Residence. The two walked to the eaves, where water dripped from the roof, wetting their clothes. Yunxin dried her hair and bowed to Wu Gui: "Head steward, I'll go down first. You can go in and see the Madam directly."

After saying this, she turned and ran towards one side of the inner hall.

Wu Gui frowned, adjusted his sleeves, and walked inside.

As soon as he entered the inner hall, he smelled a faint aroma of tea. Following the direction of the steam, his footsteps echoed. The candlelight in the hall was dim. Wu Gui walked slowly, when suddenly, a figure in white appeared in the distance, sitting quietly on a wooden chair.

Wu Gui looked at He Ruoxue before him, and his breath quickened. Her hair was styled in a high bun, long and flowing over her right shoulder, her delicate collarbone slightly protruding, below which were a pair of dainty breasts. Her eyebrows were slender, her eyes almond-shaped, and she was intently focused on the teapot in her hands. Her red lips were almost dripping with moisture, yet held a smile that seemed otherworldly. Wu Gui held his breath, afraid of disturbing the beauty's enjoyment of tea. He dared not speak loudly, lest he startle a celestial being.

"Sit,"

a light, airy voice called out, and Wu Gui's legs went weak, feeling even the hairs on his legs go numb.

"I wonder if the Second Madam has summoned this old servant…"

Wu Gui coughed lightly and asked.

Her beautiful eyes darted around, but He Ruoxue didn't answer his question. Instead, she poured herself a cup of tea, her fair hands holding the purple clay teapot, the aroma wafting around her.

"This is Da Hong Pao,"

He Ruoxue said, seemingly unrelated to his question, as if engaging in casual conversation. "Legend has it that a scholar on his way to the capital for the imperial examinations passed through Wuyi Mountain and suddenly suffered from abdominal pain. After drinking a pot of Da Hong Pao, he was cured without any other medicine. When he achieved the highest rank in the examinations, he covered the tea trees with his red robe, hence the name."

Having said this, He Ruoxue picked up her teacup, took a small sip, leaving a faint lip print on the plain porcelain cup. She then pushed the half-finished teacup in front of Wu Gui, smiling, "This is the second brew. The aroma is just right, have a taste."

"This…"

Wu Gui was momentarily stunned. What did this mean? He Ruoxue's sudden move left him speechless.

"Drink…"

He Ruoxue urged softly.

Wu Gui, his face full of helplessness and confusion, could only pick up the teacup. He caught a glimpse of the bright red lip print, and his heart warmed. He pressed his lips to the teacup and downed it in one gulp. Afterward, he smacked his lips a few times, feigning appreciation, and exclaimed, "Good tea!"

"Pfft!"

He Ruoxue couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Wu Gui gulp down the tea. Her half-hidden charm left Wu Gui speechless.

"Uncle Gui,"

He Ruoxue continued pouring tea, her small hands flushed from the hot tea, "Today I'm inviting you to drink this Da Hong Pao tea. Would you be willing to be the top scholar in the red robe?"

Wu Gui was startled, knowing the real show was about to begin. Just as he was about to answer, he suddenly felt an itch on his calf. Glancing sideways at his feet, he saw a flawless, delicate jade foot under the table, causing his blood to rush.

He Ruoxue saw Wu Gui's reaction and sneered inwardly. She deliberately crossed her long leg, pretending to unintentionally tease Wu Gui. The sensation of hemp cloth on her toes made He Ruoxue tremble slightly. Wu Gui took in everything under the table, his mind in turmoil.

"This old servant is foolish, please enlighten me, Madam."

Wu Gui dared not answer casually, and could only push the teacup back to He Ruoxue.

He Ruoxue knew Wu Gui was feigning ignorance, but did not expose him. She turned to look at the light rain outside, the night hazy, an occasional cool breeze blowing, lifting the black hair at her temples like tassels on a riverbank. He Ruoxue gathered her disheveled hair, picked up the teacup, and stared at Wu Gui. Wu Gui felt his heart leap into his throat. That cup of tea was the one he had just drunk from. Could it be that the Second Madam…

Under Wu Gui's shocked gaze, He Ruoxue's cherry lips parted slightly, and she actually kissed the rim of the cup that Wu Gui had just drunk from, even the tea in the cup seemed to be imbued with an extraordinarily fragrant aroma by this sensual act.

Setting down her teacup, He Ruoxue gently wiped the tea from her lips and said with a faint smile, "Tonight, Suzhou is experiencing wind and rain, quite

refreshing. But I wonder, Uncle Gui, do you prefer the wind or the rain?" The wind was Wu Feng; the rain was Wu Yu. The Second Madam was forcing me to choose. Wu Gui couldn't help but marvel at He Ruoxue's methods; she had subtly revealed her intentions for tonight. Although Wu Gui was aligned with the First Madam, he couldn't directly confront He Ruoxue.

He Ruoxue wasn't in a hurry, patiently waiting while watching the orchids on the windowsill. The white flowers swayed frantically in the wind and rain. He Ruoxue seemed to think of something, feeling a pang of pity for the orchids. She got up, went to the windowsill, and brought them inside.

Wu Gui looked at He Ruoxue's slender waist and long, straight legs, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. Shen Yanlin and Wu Feng were both cunning and calculating. If he helped them and ultimately succeeded, would he be discarded after his usefulness was over? Before him stood He Ruoxue, serene and unassuming, seemingly uninterested in worldly affairs. Young Master Wu Yu, naturally kind and gentle, might just find a way to advance further. However, he couldn't fathom the cunning and shrewd nature of this second wife, causing Wu Gui some hesitation.

Everyone betrays; it's just a matter of the stakes. He Ruoxue, though silent, left Wu Gui with much to ponder. With the first wife, Wu Gui had only ever been intimate with Yuqin. As for the second wife, Wu Gui had previously been aligned with the first wife because he had no other choice and she had entered the family early. Now, He Ruoxue's methods were making Wu Gui's thoughts race.

Outside, the wind and rain intensified. With a loud thud, He Ruoxue stared at the floor with a pained expression. Wu Gui followed her gaze and saw an orange clivia plant lying on the ground, soil scattered everywhere, even staining He Ruoxue's bare feet. Fearing the shattered vase might cut He Ruoxue's small feet, Wu Gui, without thinking, quickly got up and stopped her from cleaning up the flowers, saying, "Second Madam, don't move. Let this old servant do such heavy work."

"No need, Uncle Gui."

He Ruoxue helped Wu Gui up and called into the hall, "Yunxin, come here..." Yunxin

rushed out upon hearing this and immediately understood the situation upon seeing the scene before her. Without a word, she began cleaning up the mud and orchids on the ground.

"After you're done cleaning up, find a flowerpot and plant it again."

He Ruoxue first instructed Yunxin, then turned to Wu Gui and said, "Uncle Gui, I'll go upstairs to freshen up first. Please make yourself at home."

Standing together, He Ruoxue's tall figure made her look like a celestial fairy, making Wu Gui feel ashamed of his own appearance. He Ruoxue sniffed the fragrant breeze, then turned and went upstairs.

Wu Gui was still bewildered when he heard Yunxin say, "Clivia, Clivia… A gentleman must fall and shatter, while a petty person must ascend to heaven."

She glanced at Wu Gui, leaving behind a graceful silhouette.

Scratching his head and thinking for a moment, Wu Gui finally concluded that he was a petty person. Taking a deep breath, he felt a sudden surge of youthful exuberance and strode upstairs.

The attic was a different scene altogether. Simple tables and chairs were arranged, with a few pieces of agate and coral on a carved wooden cabinet. Behind a crystal beaded curtain was He Ruoxue's bedroom, its interior furnishings obscured. Wu Gui, his old body hunched over, crouched on the stairs like a night owl.

He Ruoxue emerged from inside, carrying a small copper kettle, seemingly unaware of Wu Gui, and walked towards the railing. She leaned gently against it, her slender left leg, devoid of any excess fat, protruding from her long skirt. A red thread tied to her fair calf, from which hung a jade pendant. Her once clean feet were now covered in mud, revealing a touch of wildness. As her long legs stretched out over the edge, Wu Gui's heart clenched, fearing He Ruoxue might fall from the attic—a tragedy for such a beautiful woman.

Her eyes flickered, a smile playing on her lips, which she quickly concealed. The copper kettle poured out water, flowing down her calf, to her jade-like feet, to her toes, before mingling with the rain. Her slender, Guanyin-like hands slowly reached out, washing the mud from her feet; the rushing water, the soothing sound of her skin, was incredibly alluring in the rainy night.

In the quiet night, the sound of Wu Gui swallowing hard echoed. He Ruoxue's eyes lit up, a strange look appearing on her face. She cried out in surprise and, half-accidentally, half-deliberately, fell off the building.

Wu Gui was startled, cursing his own jinx. Ignoring the possibility of being exposed, he rushed to rescue He Ruoxue.

At this moment, He Ruoxue had one foot on the eaves of the first-floor roof, her hands gripping the railing. Her thin dress had already torn open, revealing her undergarments. Her firm breasts, squeezed between her arms, created a deep cleavage, and her nipples, like pearls, stood out against the silk.

Even though Wu Gui was anxious to save her, he couldn't help but steal a glance. Her flustered and shy expression, her smooth and fragrant skin, made his blood boil. Looking down from her collar, her pink areolas were faintly visible.

"Uncle Gui, save me..."

He Ruoxue cried out for help only after Wu Gui had had his fill of pleasure.

Wu Gui was startled and quickly grabbed He Ruoxue's wrist, pulling her up forcefully. He Ruoxue pounced on Wu Gui, their skin touching. Wu Gui's already rock-hard member pressed against He Ruoxue's lower abdomen, while He Ruoxue's full, delicate breasts pressed against Wu Gui's chest. They stood at equal footing, each displaying their "weapons."

He Ruoxue, leaning on Wu Gui's broad shoulders, rose and straightened her clothes. Wu Gui remained lying on the ground, still savoring the moment of breathtaking beauty and tenderness.

Suddenly, He Ruoxue shouted fiercely, "You dog of a servant! How dare you take liberties with me! I'd rather die than submit! You tried to assault me, and now you want to push me off the building to silence me!"

Wu Gui turned pale. He was innocent! How could the Second Madam repay kindness with enmity and slander me? Seeing He Ruoxue's cold glare, her clothes disheveled, her breasts heaving, all traces of her earlier panic vanished. In that instant, Wu Gui realized that this second wife was deliberately trying to smear him.

He Ruoxue knew Wu Gui wasn't stupid; seeing that he had already realized what was happening, she sneered, "You're the only man I've been intimate with in the last ten years. You've gotten off easy, you old servant! Now you only have two choices: either repay my kindness with the Grand Red Robe, and I'll promise you the title of top scholar; or I'll report to the master and give you a lawsuit accusing you of attempting to rape me. You choose."

With that, He Ruoxue turned and went into the bedroom, certain that Wu Gui had no choice but to join her side.

Wu Gui now fully understood and had no time to argue. He knelt before the beaded curtain and said, "Thank you for the red robe, Second Madam. This old servant entrusts my old bones to you." A

faint voice came from inside the beaded curtain: "Don't worry, what the First Madam can give you, I can give you as much as you need. Go ask Yunxin for some change later. Five hundred taels should be enough for you. As for that girl Yuqin... hmph, just wait..."

Wu Gui was overjoyed. Five hundred taels! The First Madam only gave him fifty taels. That's enough to buy several Yuqins. He bowed and kowtowed, then said, "Then... this old servant takes his leave."

As the head steward of the Wu family, a veteran of two dynasties, he had been completely manipulated by He Ruoxue. Even the dark night of Suzhou seemed to weep at the sight. He Ruoxue, inside the crystal curtain, said as if she had no feelings, "Go..."

Penglai Residence returned to silence, with only the distant clinking of silver coins.

********** ...

The candlelight flickered dimly through the gauze window, creating an ambiguous atmosphere. Outside, the rain pattered softly, and the servants in the mansion continued their work. Inside, the rain was blocked out, but a creaking sound could be heard.

"Ah...so deep, so hard..."

came an extremely seductive moan from within the boudoir. The soft, alluring voice was enough to drive a man wild. Through the red curtains, a voluptuous body rode proudly on a man's back, swaying back and forth.

This was Shen Yanlin and Wu Lingwen. During the midday meeting, Wu Lingwen had already been aroused by Shen Yanlin, wishing he could immediately take her. Tonight, Wu Lingwen arrived at Shen Yanlin's room early, and the two began their passionate lovemaking.

A pair of round, large breasts adorned with deep red nipples swayed up and down with Shen Yanlin. This was Wu Lingwen's favorite position, with Shen Yanlin sitting on him, twisting her slender waist and swaying her buttocks, making her snow-white breasts bounce up and down.

Shen Yanlin placed her hands on Wu Lingwen's chest, eagerly responding, her pretty face flushed, uttering seductive words: "Husband...you're so hard tonight...oh, it's hitting you again..."

Wu Lingwen climbed his large hands onto Shen Yanlin's snowy breasts, pinching her erect nipples between two fingers, saying, "It's all because of you, you little vixen..."

"Hehe...I'm already in my thirties, I'm not young anymore...oh oh oh...harder, right there..."

Shen Yanlin pressed herself against Wu Lingwen, kissing him haphazardly. Their lips met, kissing and kissing, their tongues entwining like snakes, sucking and licking.

Reluctantly biting Wu Lingwen's lower lip, she licked it hard, leaving a trail of saliva. Shen Yanlin's fragrant tongue slid over his Adam's apple, moaning, "Master...fuck me, I'm going to get horny..."

Wu Lingwen roared, lifting her plump, soft buttocks, and thrusting hard with all his might. The two had been married for over twenty years. Every time they made love, Shen Yanlin could ignite Wu Lingwen's passion like a thunderbolt. Deeper and deeper, persistent and persistent.

Fortunately, Wu Lingwen was getting older, and his penis wasn't as hard as it used to be, but under Shen Yanlin's seductive charm, he could last for more than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea each time.

The two entwined together, Shen Yanlin's bright red breasts rubbing against Wu Lingwen's chest, her tongue licking his face, and she forcefully sat down, taking his penis deep into her body.

"Ah ah...it's hitting my heart...I'm going to pee, I'll sit on you to death, you old bastard...oh oh oh oh, I'm dying, I'm dying..."

"My little darling, I'm coming..."

"Give it to me...it's burning me to death, you've messed up my heart..."

Tonight, it was another sleepless night.

Chapter 9 Changlu Escort Agency

After the rain, the sky cleared, the moon set, and the stars faded. Suzhou was somewhat cool in the morning light. Smoke was already rising from the kitchen of the Wu family mansion as they prepared breakfast before heading to the Changlu Escort Agency in the south of the city to deliver the escorted silver.

In the center of Penglai Residence, He Ruoxue also got up early to wash and dress. The bronze mirror reflected her clear, delicate face. Last night's battle of wits with Wu Gui left bruises on her arms, caused by the excessive force Wu Gui used when rescuing her. She didn't use this to threaten Wu Gui, but if he secretly tried to curry favor with both sides, He Ruoxue could use it as grounds to accuse him.

As she dressed before the mirror, her hair was styled in a double-bun hairstyle, and light pink rouge concealed the slight weariness she felt upon waking. He Ruoxue smiled slightly, thinking that after today, she wouldn't see Wu Yu for a hundred days, so naturally she needed to look her best. After sitting for a while, a servant came to urge her on. He Ruoxue slowly walked towards the main hall, her emotions unreadable.

In the Wu family's main hall,

the five members of the Wu family sat around a table, with Liu'er, Yuqin, Yunxin, and Wu Gui standing behind them. Several pastries were laid out on the table: crystal osmanthus cake, candied walnut pastry, green rice porridge, and jade lotus leaf soup—all Wu Yu's favorite snacks.

"Yu'er, why don't you go to Changlu Escort Agency with Uncle Gui in a little while?"

Wu Lingwen said, holding up a colorful enamel bowl.

"Understood, Father,"

Wu Yu said with a smile. "This time we're escorting disaster relief funds. Why didn't the court send officers to escort us?"

Wu Lingwen seemed to have anticipated Wu Yu's question and replied helplessly, "I already asked Lord Jiang Min. He said that bandits are rampant, especially in the Jingzhou area. The bandits are fierce, and all the regional command headquarters have mobilized troops, even borrowing the Shenji Battalion from the Grand General of the Northern Expedition, Liu Guanhai. Moreover, since the Tumu Crisis, although the Oirat Mongols have been suppressed, they have been restless. The court simply doesn't have enough officers and soldiers to escort the silver."

This Governor of Yingtian, Lord Jiang Min, was the son of Jiang Chong, the former Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, a man of immense power. Even the Eastern Depot and the Governor's Office dared not provoke him. Jiang Min had used this influence to rise rapidly through the ranks to become the Governor of Yingtian. Although Jiang Chong had now abdicated, Jiang Min maintained a close personal relationship with Grand General of the Northern Expedition, Liu Guanhai, which allowed him to learn so much inside information.

"Yu'er's journey to Sichuan will take her through Jingzhou. What should we do

then?" Shen Yanlin's face showed worry, but there was no sign of feigned concern. Knowing that heavy makeup was inappropriate, Shen Yanlin simply tied her black hair up and wore a plain dress, which gave her a somewhat sorrowful and shy air.

"Don't worry, Mother. Changlu Escort Agency has a great reputation and has never lost a shipment. I believe my brother will be alright,"

Wu Feng said, gently putting his arm around Shen Yanlin's shoulder, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Wu Lingwen frowned, a hint of worry appearing on his handsome face. He looked at Wu Yu and said, "Yu'er, go to the storeroom and get more silver later. Have Chief Escort Tang of the agency take a few more skilled men. Liu'er, Yuqin, you two go with her too."

"Yes,"

Liu'er and Yuqin replied in unison. Although Liu'er and Wu Yu had consummated their marriage, they were not yet officially married, so she still served as a maid. At this moment, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, seemingly unwilling to travel with Yuqin. Her adorable face made Wu Yu chuckle.

After breakfast, the three of them followed Wu Gui to the storeroom to retrieve the silver. After signing the escort contract, they would set off with the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) early the next morning.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ In recent years, under Jiang Min's rule, Suzhou City had become increasingly prosperous, with everyone living in peace and contentment. As a result, the city had expanded outwards by several miles, and the Changlu Escort Agency was located in the south of the new city.

The four of them rode in their own carriage, which was driven lightly. Along the way, Wu Yu often joked and teased Liu'er, and Yuqin would also occasionally make a few jokes, which brought them closer together. Wu Gui, acting as the coachman outside, listened to the playful sounds inside and couldn't help but sigh inwardly that everyone has their own fate. Just a few days ago, he and Yuqin had been intimate, but today they were separated by a curtain.

The streets of Suzhou were wide, and the carriage encountered no obstacles, soon arriving at the Changlu Escort Agency.

Before them stood a massive door, its knocker adorned with old, bronze-colored nails. Above the gate hung a seven-foot-long plaque, inscribed with four large, flamboyant characters: "Changlu Escort Agency."

The Changlu Escort Agency of Suzhou was renowned for a reason. Since Shen Wansan was exiled by Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, people knew that wealth could rival that of a nation, and thus began to conceal their riches. Through four reigns, now in the Jingtai era, some families had gradually risen to prominence, among whom four stood out.

The first was the Tang family of Suzhou. The Tang family was a martial arts family, renowned for their Overlord Spear. They had escort agencies and martial arts guilds throughout the land, and many of their members served in the imperial army. The current Grand Commander Bailong was the younger brother of the Tang family head, forming a powerful balance of power with the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition, Liu Guanhai. Tang Xi, the head镖师 (chief镖师) of the Changlu Escort Agency, was a member of the Tang family.

The second was the Zhou family of Jiangnan. Although Shen Wansan was punished by Zhu Yuanzhang, his remnants remained. His descendants split into two branches: one, the direct line of Shen, now scattered across various regions and no longer a threat; the other, a collateral branch, fearing punishment from the authorities, changed their surname to Zhou, establishing themselves in Zhouzhuang and expanding their business throughout the country.

The third was the Song family of Shandong. During the chaos of the Sui and Tang dynasties, while various regions were divided, the Song family of Lingnan remained unmoved, their roots firmly planted despite the turmoil. By the Ming Dynasty, after years of insidious activity, the Song family had moved from Lingnan to Shandong, becoming a behemoth. Many prominent figures came from the family; even Song Jiang, who led the Liangshan rebellion during the Song Dynasty, was from the Song family.

The last was the Qin family of the northern frontier. During the Yuan Dynasty, when the Mongols ruled the Central Plains, the powerful Qin family, unwilling to become subjugated, migrated to the northern frontier. The northern frontier was teeming with nomadic tribes, and the Qin family, to resist them, established the Qin Family Army, a

formidable force in battle. After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, the Qin family returned to the Central Plains, but their army was distributed across various regions, establishing gangs and factions. Now, they were virtually the leaders of the outlaw world, the overlords of all the various gangs. Although the imperial court feared these four families might rebel, their power was too great, and the court had no choice but to offer them amnesty, allowing them to remain in their respective places.

Wu Yu, who loved studying these novel things, naturally knew about the four families. Seeing the grandeur of even a small escort agency belonging to the Tang family, he couldn't help but sigh that the four families truly lived up to their reputation.

It was midday, and the weather grew increasingly hot. Liu'er and Yuqin were drenched in fragrant sweat, their clothes clinging to the perspiration, their exquisite curves like beauties emerging from a bath, quite alluring. Yuqin's already exaggerated breasts were now even more full and swollen, seemingly unable to bear the weight. Liu'er was slender yet curvaceous, perfectly proportioned.

Wu Gui glanced at the two men and said to Wu Yu, "Young Master, please wait a moment. I'll go pay my respects first."

Wu Yu, without any airs, laughed loudly, "Uncle Gui, I'll go with you. I've long heard of Tang Xi, the Chief Escort of the Tang family. Sisters, please come along too."

He then followed Wu Gui to knock on the door.

"Creak!"

The heavy door opened gently. Of the four, only Wu Yu was slightly surprised. From a distance, the door appeared nearly eight feet high and five feet wide, solid and heavy, clearly only someone with immense strength could open it. Yet the person who opened it seemed extremely casual, handling it with ease. Truly worthy of the Tang family of Suzhou, indeed a place where hidden talents abound.

The crack in the door widened, and a young man emerged. He was in his early twenties, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and disheveled hair, exuding a wild aura. Standing eight feet tall with a broad back and a powerful build, he seemed even more robust than the Kunlun slave.

Wu Yu suppressed his surprise and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Excuse me

, I am Wu Yu. May I ask if Chief Escort Tang is here?" The man smiled slightly, also clasping his hands in greeting, his voice booming like a bell, "Haha, you must be the eldest young master of the Wu family. I am Tang Xiao, and my father is already waiting in the inner hall."

This man was none other than Tang Xiao, the young chief escort of the Changlu Escort Agency and the son of Tang Xi.

Seeing Tang Xiao's straightforward and forthright manner, Wu Yu didn't stand on ceremony and patted his thick arm, saying, "Brother Tang, you are truly strong! I imagine the Tang family's Overlord Spear technique has reached its peak by now."

Tang Xiao's eyes lit up, and as he led the four men inside, he patted Wu Yu's shoulder, saying, "Brother Wu, you have great insight! You actually know that my Tang family is famous for the Overlord Spear."

"The Tang family of Suzhou, the Zhou family of Jiangnan, the Song family of Shandong, and the Qin family of the Northern Frontier—these four families are renowned throughout the land, with the Tang family being the most prominent. Who doesn't know them?"

Wu Yu chuckled.

"They're just empty names bestowed upon us by the world,"

Tang Xiao replied politely.

As they chatted, Tang Xiao noticed two beautiful women following behind him, one voluptuous and alluring, the other elegant and demure. He felt a surge of heat and quickly asked, "Brother Wu, who are these two...?"

"Oh, this is my wife,"

Wu Yu said, putting his arm around Liu'er's waist. Liu'er blushed and pinched Wu Yu's back with her small hand.

"So she's your wife. And this one..."

Upon hearing that Liu'er was Wu Yu's wife, Tang Xiao quickly composed himself and looked at Yuqin.

At this moment, Wu Gui noticed Tang Xiao's strange gaze and felt a pang of jealousy. He interjected, "This is our Madam's personal maid, Yuqin."

His words were laced with pride, implying that Yuqin was his woman.

"So it's Sister Yuqin."

Tang Xiao bowed slightly.

"Hehe, this young man is so tall, yet he calls me 'sister.' Do I look old?"

Yuqin teased, seeing Tang Xiao's straightforward nature, dignified appearance, and imposing presence.

"Hehe, that's not what I meant, little brother."

Tang Xiao had practiced martial arts since childhood, and under his father's strict supervision, he had never been exposed to such romantic affairs. Therefore, he was honest and simple, and naturally couldn't resist Yuqin's teasing.

The group chatted as they walked, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the inner hall. Wu Yu followed Tang Xiao into the inner hall, where a man was already seated. Upon seeing Wu Yu and his companions arrive, he quickly stood up and said, "This must be Nephew Wu. I've been waiting for you for quite some time."

The man before them was tall, but not fierce. His gray robe made him appear reserved and humble. His short beard, several inches long, was meticulously trimmed, and his focused eyes were full of wisdom. This man was Tang Xi, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of the Changlu镖局 (escort agency).

Tang Xi was a man of integrity, showing no favoritism to officials or wealthy merchants alike. However, he treated philanthropic families like the Wu family with utmost respect. Wu Yu, though his junior, remained seated in the hall to show his reverence for Wu Lingwen.

Wu Yu immediately felt a strong liking for Tang Xi. He had always been playful and enjoyed making friends, and now, meeting this seasoned镖头 (bodyguard/escort) who had spent half his life wandering the martial world, he quickly stepped forward and said, "I dare not, I dare not! I have admired heroes like Uncle Tang since childhood. To meet you today is truly an honor!"

"Haha, my nephew is too kind. I am but a mere martial artist; how can I compare to Master Wu's benevolence?"

Tang Xi found Wu Yu's words quite amusing and couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards this young man.

"Then this time, the transport of the charitable funds will depend entirely on Uncle Tang,"

Wu Yu said with a smile.

"Definitely."

Tang Xi, seeing Wu Yu get down to business, said seriously, "On this trip to Xichuan, we're bound to encounter bandits and thieves along the way. Besides, the Jingzhou area is quite chaotic right now, so I think it's best to bring Xiao'er along, along with my Tang family elders."

"Oh?"

Wu Yu asked curiously, "I see that Brother Tang and Uncle Tang are already top-notch experts. Is there another master in the escort agency?"

Tang Xi smiled mysteriously and said, "Haha, please forgive me for keeping you in suspense for now. You'll know tomorrow."

Seeing Tang Xi's attitude, even Liu'er and Yuqin were curious about this Tang family elder. Tang Xi's gaze passed over Wu Yu and fell on the two shy beauties. He asked, "Won't it be inconvenient to have female companions on this trip?"

Wu Yu turned to look at the two women and smiled, "It's alright, I'll protect them."

"Haha, indeed, the younger generation is formidable!"

Tang Xi seemed to admire Wu Yu quite a bit. Although he was worried that Wu Yu wouldn't be able to protect the two women well, he appreciated Wu Yu's thoughtfulness and sense of responsibility.

After some discussion, the group decided on their westward route. The journey was long, and they would be living with the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) along the way. Tang Xiao decided to take Wu Yu and the others to the镖局 (bodyguard agency) to familiarize them with the镖师. Meanwhile

, at the Wu family compound

, while Wu Yu and the others were at the镖局, a guest arrived. Since Wu Lingwen had gone to "锦绣年华" (a brothel), the second young master, Wu Feng, was receiving the guest in the main hall.

Wu Feng looked at the man before him. He had a broad forehead and a fierce beard, resembling Zhang Fei reincarnated, except for a scar on his left cheek running from below his eye to the corner of his mouth. His eyes were wide open, and his face was fierce and extremely menacing.

The man wore a simple outer garment, revealing bulging muscles and several scars. His thick body was like a wild bear, exuding an extraordinary aura.

"Boy, does my young lady live here?"

the man asked, waving his arms and gesturing for Wu Feng to come closer.

"May I ask your daughter's name, sir?"

Wu Feng asked politely, his expression unchanged.

"My daughter's surname is Shen, and her name is Shen Yanlin. Do you know her?"

The burly man's voice boomed like thunder, and the servants in the Wu household were too frightened to enter: "Hey, kid, where are your servants? Why isn't anyone serving tea? I'm dying of heat!"

Looking for his mother? And calling his mother "Miss"? Wu Feng's slender eyebrows were slightly furrowed. He spoke cautiously, "Shen Yanlin is my mother. May I ask who you are..."

Before Wu Feng could finish speaking, the man's eyes widened in surprise. "Miss is your mother? Then you must be the young master!"

Upon hearing Wu Feng's identity, the man was about to kneel down to pay his respects. Before Wu Feng could react, Shen Yanlin's trembling voice came, "Xiao Jiu? Is that Xiao Jiu?"

"Miss!"

Upon seeing Shen Yanlin, the man's eyes immediately reddened, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Miss, Xiao Jiu has finally found you!"

Seeing the man's emotional state, Shen Yanlin quickly went over and helped him up, saying, "Xiao Jiu, stand up and speak."

"Yes, Miss."

The man wiped away his tears and smiled happily, revealing two rows of white teeth.

"Xiao Jiu, didn't you leave with the Zhou family? How did you end up in Suzhou?"

Shen Yanlin took the bewildered Wu Feng's hand, gesturing for him to listen.

"Miss, the Zhou family patriarch said that the Zhou family has taken root in Zhouzhuang, and the patriarch has passed away. Now, only you and the eldest young master remain in the Shen

lineage. The eldest young master's whereabouts are unknown, so the Zhou patriarch sent me to find you and ask you to return to Zhouzhuang to take charge." Xiao Jiu, upon seeing Shen Yanlin, immediately dropped her rough manner and stood obediently in front of her.

Wu Feng, standing nearby, was terrified. The Zhou family? What Zhou family? Wasn't his mother's surname Shen?

Hearing Xiao Jiu's words, Shen Yanlin hesitated, saying, "Back to Zhouzhuang? Xiao Jiu, I am now the eldest wife of the Wu family, and Feng'er is all grown up. I'm afraid I can't handle the responsibility of reviving the Shen family… How about this, you go and find my eldest brother and have him take charge."

"But, Xiao Jiu doesn't know where the eldest young master is,"

Xiao Jiu said.

"In Xichuan,"

Shen Yanlin replied, narrowing her eyes.

Chapter 10: On the Eve of Farewell

Wu Yu is about to depart for the west, and Shen Yanlin's background has been roughly explained, with a minor update: previously it was said that Wu Gui's wife left him because his possessions were too powerful, but then another woman named Gui's sister-in-law appeared, almost causing a misunderstanding. The next five chapters focus on Wu Yu's story, and the protagonist's halo is about to take hold. Additionally, it indirectly explains why Wu Lingwen suggested Yuqin go to Xichuan with him. The adaptation of *Zhu Xian* hasn't been updated in a while; it will be released again along with *Lu Yuan*. Thank you! ************************************************************************************************** The willows before the gate are still slender. Shen Yanlin sits alone in the inner room of the Wu family compound, looking at the scenery outside the window, as if seeing yesterday's scenes.

Back then, when Zhu Yuanzhang executed meritorious officials, the incredibly wealthy Shen Wansan was among the first to be exiled. However, Shen Wansan already knew he couldn't escape his fate, so he distributed his wealth, leaving seeds in Yunnan, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Zhouzhuang, so that future generations could revive the Shen family's prosperity.

Later, to escape punishment from the Taizu Emperor, some members of the Shen family changed their surname to Zhou, with only the direct descendants retaining the Shen surname, though they dared not openly admit it. The Zhou clan, rooted in Zhouzhuang, used Shen Wansan's legendary treasure bowl to amass wealth. The Suzhou fortune had already been acquired by Shen Yanlin when she married Wu Lingwen. Wu's eldest daughter became the manager of the Suzhou residence because of this private fund from Shen Yanlin.

When Zhu Di, the Yongle Emperor, launched the "Jingnan Campaign," seized the throne, renamed Nanjing as a secondary capital, and retained the Six Ministries. Nanjing was thus rebuilt, and the whereabouts of some of Shen Wansan's wealth became unknown. Shen Yanlin and her elder brother were both direct descendants of the Shen family. After marrying into the Suzhou family, Shen Yanlin repeatedly sent people to inquire about Nanjing, but to no avail. Her brother went to Sichuan to find the Yunnan property and the connections Shen Wansan had left behind along the Tea Horse Road.

Having wandered for decades without a legitimate identity, the seemingly charming and cunning Shen Yanlin harbored immense resentment and hardship. Years ago, her clan scattered, but only her direct line maintained contact with the Zhou family. Xiao Jiu, who came to the Wu residence today, was a servant who had followed Shen Yanlin twenty years ago.

Five years before joining the Wu family, Shen Yanlin, feeling the time was not right, used a secret formula to preserve her pregnancy and gave birth to a daughter. Later, He Ruoxue married into the Wu family and gave birth to a son. Fearing Wu Yu would seize the position of family head, Shen Yanlin gave birth to another son to compete with him, hoping to inherit the Wu family's wealth while she herself could remain hidden and plot grand schemes.

Although Shen Wansan had helped Zhu Yuanzhang conquer the country, he declared himself a Yuan dynasty citizen, to die a Yuan dynasty ghost. He believed Zhu Yuanzhang had repaid kindness with enmity, and that the Shen family would not allow his empire to remain secure.

Now that Xiao Jiu has arrived in Suzhou, Shen Yanlin knows that the Zhou family has amassed considerable power. Since Wu Yu is about to travel to Xichuan, she plans to have Xiao Jiu secretly follow him. Firstly, to find her elder brother in Sichuan, and secondly, to deal with Wu Yu along the way.

"Mother!"

A crisp sound interrupted Shen Yanlin's thoughts.

Shen Yanlin turned to see Wu Feng standing at the door, frowning. He wore a black and white robe with a sky-blue undergarment, his hair tied up with a red ribbon and jade pendant. His eyes, bearing a striking resemblance to Shen Yanlin's, were filled with doubt as he looked at his mother.

"Feng'er,"

Shen Yanlin said, brushing aside her worries and smiling slightly, "You must have many questions for your mother, come here..."

"Mother, who are you?"

Wu Feng stared at Shen Yanlin, asking a strange question.

Shen Yanlin understood Wu Feng's meaning, but couldn't help but chuckle, "Hehe, silly child, don't you even recognize your own mother? Fine, I should tell you those old stories now."

Seeing that Shen Yanlin seemed to be about to tell him some secrets, Wu Feng quickly stood behind her and massaged her soft, boneless shoulders.

Shen Yanlin fell into her memories again, her voice sounding as if it came from ancient times: "When the rabbit is dead, the dog is cooked; when the birds are gone, the bow is put away. Back then, Shen Wansan helped Zhu Yuanzhang conquer the country, but was exiled instead. The Shen family has never had peace since. I... am a direct descendant of the Shen family..."

Upon hearing this, Wu Feng's pupils suddenly focused. He had been a son for seventeen years, and only now did he learn about his mother's background.

Shen Yanlin's voice continued: "Before I married your father at sixteen, I lived a life of constant wandering. The court's fear of the Shen family lasted from the Hongwu era to the Jingtai era. The year you were born, Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne, and a general amnesty was granted. It was during this time that your mother was able to contact the Zhou family and my elder brother."

"Five years ago, Emperor Yingzong was captured by the Oirats, plunging the court into chaos. The Zhou family intended to seize the opportunity. The current Crown Prince's mother, Consort Zhou, is a member of our family. She is from the Changping lineage and was later made a consort, becoming the Zhou family's inside agent in the palace. The Zhou family originally planned that if the Crown Prince ascended the throne after Emperor Yingzong's capture, Consort Zhou would become Empress Dowager. However, Prince Cheng unexpectedly appeared and ascended the throne. The Zhou family could no longer sit idly by, but unfortunately, your uncle was stranded along the Tea Horse Road at the time, and the Zhou family lacked a leader, so the plan ultimately failed. It was around that time that Xiao Jiu followed the Zhou family to Zhouzhuang." -

Wu Feng While massaging his mother's shoulders, Wu Feng asked, "Then why does the Zhou family want you back to take charge now?"

Shen Yanlin felt Wu Feng's pressure was just right, a comfortable sensation on her shoulders, and she couldn't help but sigh softly, "Now, bandits are rampant, and the current Emperor Daizong is weak and hesitant, even more useless than that fool Zhu Qizhen. My Shen family is wealthy and powerful; if we unite with the other three great families, we can surely seize the throne."

Hearing Shen Yanlin's unbridled comments about the current and former emperors, not only calling Emperor Yingzong by his name but also labeling him a fool, Wu Feng was horrified. He shouldn't listen to what is improper, shouldn't listen to what is improper. Although Wu Feng harbored great ambitions, he now found Shen Yanlin even more arrogant than himself.

"The three great families?"

Wu Feng calmed himself and frowned as he asked. Although the four great families were powerful, they had always remained hidden. Ordinary people didn't know that these four powerful families existed, yet Wu Yu, at such a young age, somehow knew this secret.

"Silly son, you are ambitious and shrewd, but you don't understand the grand scheme of things... The four great families are like powerful clans in the world today. The Tang Overlord of Suzhou, the Zhou Money House of Jiangnan, the Song Heavenly Blade of Shandong, and the Qin Family Army of the Northern Frontier. If the four great families unite, even the imperial court cannot resist them."

Shen Yanlin spoke without any regard for the imperial court, demonstrating the immense power of the four great families.

"The Zhou Money House of Jiangnan... to be called a money house, it must be renowned for its wealth. I never imagined Mother was from a wealthy family..."

Wu Feng pondered for a moment, memorizing the names of the four great families, and said with a hint of teasing.

"Hehe, in the future, the Zhou Money House will be handed over to you, my precious son."

Shen Yanlin said affectionately.

"How can I bear such a great responsibility? Since Uncle is in Sichuan, why not let that Little Ninth Brother go and find him?"

Wu Feng asked softly.

"Xiao Jiu is a servant of the Shen family, you don't need to call him elder brother. Now that our young master Wu is also heading to Xichuan, let Xiao Jiu keep him company."

A hint of coldness flashed in

Shen Yanlin's eyes. A cool breeze blew in from outside the window, and Shen Yanlin stopped talking, quietly enjoying Wu Feng's perfectly timed massage. It was noon, and the lush green backyard was quite cool. Shen Yanlin and her son were enjoying a rare moment of family bliss. Wu Lingwen was staying at the shop and wouldn't be returning today, so Shen Yanlin ordered the servants to serve some dishes,

and

she

and Wu Feng ate together, thus dispelling the previous topic. ********** ... Yunxin had disappeared somewhere, and just then Wu Yu returned. The three of them set up a table and chairs, eating and chatting.

"Mother, it's such a pity you didn't go!"

Wu Yu swallowed a mouthful of hot tea and waved her hand, saying, "That gate, that plaque, that imposing presence... truly worthy of being called the Tang Overlord of Suzhou."

"Hehe, alright, alright, look at you exaggerating..."

He Ruoxue smiled and made Wu Yu sit down obediently: "You look like a country bumpkin who's never seen the world. The Tang family of Suzhou is famous for its Overlord Spear, so naturally they're more imposing than others."

Liu'er asked curiously from the side, "Does Miss also know about the Tang family of Suzhou? Today, my husband mentioned the Four Great Families, which are famous throughout the world, but I've never heard of them."

"Hehe, I can't blame you."

Seeing that Liu'er seemed a little disappointed because she couldn't participate in the conversation, Wu Yu took her hand and said, "I heard it from Sister-in-law Gui. Back then, Uncle Gui's wife left him, and my father was worried that he would grow old alone, so he arranged a marriage for him. His second wife is Sister-in-law Gui now."

"Yes, I know that."

Liu'er said obediently, "But how does Sister-in-law Gui know about the Four Great Families?"

He Ruoxue picked up the conversation and said, "Before marrying Uncle Gui, Sister-in-law Gui was a woman of the martial arts world. Her fighting skills are quite formidable, otherwise, how could she have Uncle Gui so obedient?"

"That's right, that's right. Your sister-in-law is very knowledgeable; I've heard many interesting stories from her."

Wu Yu picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth.

"Don't talk while eating or sleeping, look at your unruly manners..."

He Ruoxue gave Wu Yu a reproachful look.

Seeing Wu Yu's discomfiture, Liu'er chuckled, her cheeks as pink as peaches, making Wu Yu stare in a daze. Seeing the two of them so affectionate, He Ruoxue smiled with satisfaction and said, "This trip to the west is good too, allowing you two to spend more time together. I'm sure Yu'er can't wait for the joys of your new marriage."

"Miss..."

Liu'er stamped her foot in protest.

Laughter filled the Penglai Residence, startling the cicadas in the apricot tree. The midday merriment made them forget even the sweltering summer heat.

As the sun set and night fell, a sudden downpour struck in the afternoon. Wu Lingwen, hurrying back to his residence, heard thunder rumbling from his sedan chair. He urged the porters to quicken their pace, but one slipped, and Wu Lingwen tumbled violently inside the chair, cursing his bad luck. It

wasn't until after dinner, when the cooking smoke had dissipated, that Wu Lingwen finally returned home. After a hasty dinner, he went straight to his study, where he remained, seemingly engrossed in something.

Shen Yanlin, thoroughly flogged the previous night, had lost her appetite. With Yuqin about to depart for the west, Wu Lingwen had already assigned a maid to replace her. This maid, along with Yunxin, was originally Wu Lingwen's personal servant, named Yuerong. Wu Lingwen jokingly referred to the two as "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon."

"Yuerong, I don't have anything else to serve you. You should go to Master's room."

Shen Yanlin was in a rather relaxed mood tonight. She hadn't seen Xiao Jiu for a long time and thought she would catch up with him and discuss the trip to Xichuan, so she dismissed Yuerong.

"Yes, Madam,"

Yuerong replied softly.

Yuerong left Shen Yanlin's boudoir but went straight to the maids' quarters, called Yunxin, and together they went to Wu Lingwen's study.

Master Wu was currently reviewing the account books for the first half of the year. His handwriting was elegant and flowing, and his square-shaped turban made him look every bit the scholar under the lamplight. He had failed the imperial examinations in his early years but later made his fortune through business, and he had always held a grudge against Wu Feng, so he had mixed feelings of love and hate. As he was calculating, he heard Yunxin and Yuerong's voices: "Master!" "

Come in,"

Wu Lingwen's voice was indifferent.

With a creak, two obedient little maids pushed open the door and entered. Yunxin was playful, and Yuerong was intelligent. The two stood in the study like sisters, obediently watching Wu Lingwen do the accounts.

Putting down his pen, Wu Lingwen rubbed his eyes and sighed softly, "Yuerong, you go first."

"Yes."

Yuerong gave a slight curtsy: "The First Madam hasn't left the house these past two days, staying in the garden to recuperate. But today a strong man came looking for her, named Xiao Jiu, and addressed the First Madam as 'Miss.' He also mentioned the Zhou family. He's currently resting in the east wing. I inquired, and he'll be visiting the Madam's room tonight to catch up."

"I see, Yunxin, go ahead."

Wu Lingwen's face was expressionless, his tone indifferent.

"The Second Madam has been busy with the Eldest Young Master's westward journey these past few days. She only called Uncle Gui over last night and brewed a pot of Da Hong Pao tea. Later, a strong wind blew over a flowerpot, and the Madam went upstairs to clean it. As instructed by Master, I asked Uncle Gui to go with her, and he came down a little while later. I noticed Uncle Gui looked hesitant and conflicted, and I wondered what was wrong."

Yunxin said as she recalled the events.

"Alright, you may leave."

Wu Lingwen was about to continue reviewing the accounts when he suddenly seemed to remember something. "Oh, go to Sister Gui's place and collect some silver. You've worked hard too. From now on, when you're with Madam, dress up carefully."

"Thank you, Master!"

Yun Xin and Yue Rong were both secretly pleased.

After the two women left, Wu Lingwen picked up his brush again. The ink on the inkstone was not yet dry, and it was scattered by the wolf-hair brush. Occasionally, Wu Lingwen's cough could be heard from the study, as if nothing had happened.

The entire Wu mansion was shrouded in the night. A rain at Shenshi made the night as cool as water. After chatting with Xiao Jiu, Shen Yanlin and Xiao Jiu went to rest. The deeper the night, the quieter it became, but if you listened carefully, you could hear some strange moans.

From the largest room in the servants' quarters, the creaking of the bed could be heard.

"You slut, what's gotten into you tonight?"

Wu Gui's tone was full of enjoyment.

"Oh... I'm going back to my parents' home tomorrow, so I'll let you taste the sweetness tonight... It's so thick, it's killing me..."

Sister Gui's voice sounded extremely seductive, not at all like the voice of a middle-aged woman.

"If it's not thick, how can it satisfy your lust..."

Wu Gui began to pant heavily.

"Hmph... You old bastard, only that thing is powerful... I'll sit on you to death, squeeze you to death... Oh oh oh oh, ah, it's coming again, I'm going to die..."

Sister Gui cried out loudly.

On the other side, at Penglai Residence, the same voice, but different people.

"Are you courting death? The young lady is right next door..."

Liu'er's exclamation came from the darkness, followed by the sound of clothes tearing, accompanied by several soft moans, struggles, and then the sound of smacking, like the mingling of saliva. Finally, a soft "oh" was heard from the two, as if they had achieved great satisfaction.

"You... be gentle, oh, the young lady is going to hear... It's too deep, it hurts so much..."

Liu'er suppressed her voice, but could not suppress the pleasure.

"Good sister, stick your butt up a little higher, it's so tight..."

Wu Yu said excitedly. He Ruoxue was in the next room, and the illicit stimulation made him burning with lust.

"Stick your head up, ah! You bad guy... oh oh oh no, I'll stick it up... I'll rub your bad thing off, mmm..."

"It's so sore inside, oh oh it's hitting the spot, hitting the spot... ah ah ah I need to pee..."

...

05-17
Chapter 11 Flowers Bloom Along the Way

A Small Building Listens to Clouds and Rain All Night He Ruoxue woke up early in the morning with tired eyes. Last night, Wu Yu and Liu'er were fooling around next door, which made her burning with lust and unable to sleep. Today she was supposed to see Wu Yu off, but He Ruoxue felt very sore all over. She gently rubbed her shoulders and had no choice but to force herself to get up and wash.

Thinking that Wu Yu was about to leave, He Ruoxue was also very reluctant to part with him. She was a little absent-minded when she wiped her face and neck. Looking at her reflection in the water, her delicate eyebrows curved like a crescent moon, her eyes shimmering like autumn water, and the barely perceptible crow's feet, she seemed like the goddess of the Luo River from Cao Zhi's poem.

"Mother, are you up yet?"

Wu Yu's soft voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Is that Yu'er? Mother is washing up. You and Liu'er go and get ready."

He Ruoxue stirred the clear water in the copper basin, her slender fingers creating ripples that reflected the surroundings.

"Alright, then Mother, you'd better hurry..."

Wu Yu's voice faded away with her footsteps.

He Ruoxue sighed softly, forced a smile, and continued washing and dressing.

************ In front of the Wu family mansion.

The Changlu Escort Agency's caravan was already parked, and Tang Xi and Tang Xiao, riding their horses, were waiting for Wu Yu and the other two. A flag fluttered in the wind, the four characters "Tang Changlu" written in bold strokes, and the escorts under the flag were all in high spirits, showing the strength of the Tang family.

After waiting for a while, Wu Yu and the other two finally followed Wu Lingwen out of the gate. Shen Yanlin and He Ruoxue followed on either side of Wu Lingwen, but Wu Feng was nowhere to be seen, and the old steward Wu Gui was nowhere to be found either. Wu Lingwen's expression was serious, revealing neither reluctance nor sadness.

"Master Wu, it's an honor to meet you!" Tang Xi dismounted

and clasped his hands in greeting upon seeing Wu Lingwen. "Chief镖头 Tang, you're too kind. My son is willful, and I've been relying on you all this way," Wu Lingwen replied, also clasping his hands in greeting. Wu Yu, however, muttered to himself, "How have I been willful..." "Hehe, Master Wu, you flatter me. I see that the eldest son is handsome and intelligent; he is destined for greatness," Tang Xi said to Wu Lingwen, looking at Wu Yu. "I am honored by your kind words," Wu Lingwen replied, looking at Wu Yu with a touch of affection. "It's getting late, eldest son, let's set off," Tang Xiao, being young, had already grown impatient and stepped forward to say to Wu Yu. Tang Xi glared at Tang Xiao with displeasure, then smiled helplessly and said, "My son was rude, please forgive him, Master Wu. However, we must depart for Xichuan as soon as possible, so let's say goodbye here." Wu Lingwen nodded, put his hands behind his back, and walked to Wu Yu, saying, "I've already told you about what happened at breakfast. On the road, you must listen to Chief Escort Tang and not cause trouble, understand?" "Yes." Wu Yu was most afraid of his father, and answered obediently with his head down. He Ruoxue, her eyes red, walked to Wu Yu, straightened his sleeves, and said gently, "When you're away from home, your mother won't be able to take care of you. You've grown up now, so take good care of yourself and Liu'er, and come back safely." "I know, Mother..." Wu Yu saw He Ruoxue's reluctant face and felt a little sad. At the moment of parting, Liu'er couldn't help but cry again. A thousand miles of farewell must eventually come to an end. Wu Yu and the other two finally boarded the carriage. The curtain was drawn back, and they set off towards the gates of Suzhou. The clatter of hooves brought tears to the eyes of Wu Lingwen and He Ruoxue. ************ Suzhou City, on the long road of the caravan. The group was now almost out of Suzhou City, and Wu Yu's initial feelings were slowly being replaced by excitement and curiosity. He leaned out of the carriage and asked Tang Xi, who was riding a horse, "Uncle Tang, which road do we take to Xichuan? Didn't you say there's an elder from the Tang family? Could you introduce me?" " Hehe, my dear nephew, don't be impatient." Tang Xi had been a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) for many years, roaming the martial world, and long journeys were nothing new to him. Seeing Wu Yu's excited expression, he couldn't help but feel a little smug himself. He whipped his horse and said, "We'll first go through Nanjing, then to Wuchang, and then into Sichuan. As for the Tang family elder... hey, she's waiting outside Suzhou. You'll see her soon, my dear nephew, so don't be surprised." "Nanjing first? Great! I've never been to Nanjing before. 'The river rain falls softly, the river grasses grow tall, the Six Dynasties are like a dream, only birds cry in vain.' I want to see the prosperity of Jinling too," Wu Yu said excitedly. Yu Qin teased from the side, "I'm afraid the young master wants to see the willow boats on the Qinhuai River, hehe..." Wu Yu's voice faltered, as if his lie had been exposed, and he could only lower his head and laugh dryly. Liu'er gave a soft hum, pinching Wu Yu's waist hard with her small hand. Wu Yu dared not cry out in pain, only blushing. Yu Qin, watching the two flirting, couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile. "Whoa..." Tang Xi outside the carriage suddenly stopped his horse and waved towards the caravan. Tang Xiao, behind him, quickly spurred his horse to Tang Xi's side. Tang Xi said, "Xiao'er, the elder of my Tang family is waiting at the small pavilion ahead. Go and fetch him quickly." "Yes, Father." Tang Xiao spurred his horse forward, galloping towards a small pavilion ahead. Wu Yu and the other two also dismounted from the carriage, stretched their limbs, and looked back. Suzhou City was already far away, surrounded by desolate grass and clouds, a sense of heroic spirit naturally rising in their hearts. "Giddy up!" Tang Xiao rode up from afar, with someone sitting behind him. Wu Yu and the other two squinted at him. Hmm, Tang Xiao, and behind him is... your sister-in-law? The three stared at each other in disbelief, rubbed their eyes, and looked ahead again. This time they saw it more clearly—it was indeed… Sister-in-law Gui! "Clatter clatter clatter…" The carriage continued forward, but now there was another person on board. "Sister-in-law Gui, how could you be an elder of the Tang family? This…" Wu Yu's eyes were still wide, as if he were dreaming. "Hehe, young master, why can't I be an elder of the Tang family?" The Sister-in-law Gui before them was dressed in a martial arts style, her black hair curled up and tied in a small ponytail at the back of her head. She had changed her usual coarse linen clothes into a pleated skirt and blouse, and wore small leather boots. A cowhide whip hung from her waist. A silver hairpin adorned her hair, making her look extremely capable, while a flowing brocade ribbon dangling by her ear added a touch of allure. She continued softly, "Everyone has a past..." Wu Yu knew he was about to hear another story, so he took Liu'er's hand and listened quietly as the noblewoman began to recount her tale: "Young Master, you know I come from a martial arts background." "Yes, but I still don't know your name, Noblewoman," Wu Yu nodded. The noblewoman before him had shed her worldly airs and transformed into a woman of the martial arts world. Her tight clothing revealed that she hadn't neglected her martial arts skills; she had a slender waist, full breasts, and long, shapely legs. The grime on her face had been washed away, revealing her to be a beautiful young woman, especially with an air of experience that added to her charm. Wu Yu's heart fluttered. "Hehe, that's it then. There's a reason I left the martial arts world and concealed my name," the noblewoman said with a slight smile. "My real name is Tang Danyue. The current head of the Tang family is my uncle, so I was made an elder of the Tang family when I was thirty." "I see." This was the first time Wu Yu had learned of the noblewoman's background. Seeing Tang Danyue's current attire, Wu Yu couldn't bring himself to call her "elder sister-in-law." He could only laugh and ask, "May I ask, Sister Danyue, why did you choose to join my Wu family?" "Hmph, you little rascal, you call me 'Sister Danyue'? At my age, you should be calling me 'Aunt Yue'!" Tang Danyue said coquettishly. "Hehe, Sister Danyue looks more motherly than my own mother, but I just can't bring myself to call her 'Aunt Yue'," Wu Yu flattered. Tang Danyue sighed and let him be, continuing, "Twenty years ago, I was twenty-two. Spoiled by my family, and with no one in the clan able to defeat me, I became arrogant and ventured into the martial world alone. Initially, relying on the Tang family's reputation and my meager skills, I managed to make a name for myself, earning the title 'Begonia Under the Moon.' However, there are always stronger people out there. I am, after all, a woman, and no matter how much I practice, I can only be considered a second-rate expert." "Begonia Under the Moon? What a heroic name..."

Yuqin said enviously.

"Hehe, Yuqin, you're so young, how could you know the meaning of this title..."

Tang Danyue's brows furrowed with regret and helplessness: "Back then, I was arrogant and proud, considering myself the number one female knight-errant in the martial world, determined to eradicate evil, which made me many enemies. In the end, I still fell into the trap of thieves in Chaohu..."

Tang Danyue let out a soft sigh, as if trying to relieve the pressure in her heart: "Since the founding of the dynasty, Chaohu has been a gathering place for thieves. There is a mountain stronghold by the lake called Cangqiong Gate, which specializes in recruiting martial arts masters and desperate criminals, who are both righteous and evil. Originally, apart from the heroic spirit of the gatekeeper, the rest were all a rabble. However, since ten years ago, the year I was honored as an elder, a second leader came to Cangqiong Gate. That person was both scholarly and martial, but also acted eccentrically and killed countless people. I couldn't stand it, so I went to Cangqiong Gate alone, intending to assassinate that person."

"Then...did the assassination fail?"

Wu Yu was excited and quickly asked about what happened next.

Tang Danyue didn't answer his question. Instead, she said, "Young Master, remember the four great families I told you about? Legend has it that there are seven great masters in the world, with unparalleled skill and unpredictable appearances. Four of them come from the four great families. My uncle, the head of the Tang family, is one of them, as is the head of the Qin family, the old immortal of the Song family, and the Zhou family... has a traitor whose martial arts are the most profound."

"What about the other three?"

Wu Yu asked.

"There are three more. One is in the palace, and the other two are women. One is the concubine of Yu Qian, the Junior Guardian of the current dynasty, named Emerald. She comes from the Western Regions and possesses strange and troublesome evil skills. The last one is unknown to anyone. Some people in the martial arts world have seen her fight with Emerald. My father also encountered this person, and they fought to a draw."

Tang Danyue said seriously, "What I want to talk about is the master of the Zhou family, the second-in-command of the Cangqiong Sect, Zhou Yi."

"Zhou Yi? Isn't that Taoism..."

Wu Yu frowned and was interrupted by Tang Danyue before he could finish.

"Now he's known by the alias Zhou Qianlong, comparing himself to Zhuge Liang. When I went to assassinate him, I fell into his trap and was captured..."

Tang Danyue's face showed embarrassment, tears welling in her eyes. "I was... raped by the leader of the Cangqiong Sect..."

"Ah?"

Wu Yu and the other two exchanged bewildered glances.

Tang Danyue concealed her tears and continued, "Though I was humiliated, I resisted to the death and eventually escaped from the Cangqiong Sect. Unexpectedly, the sect leader wouldn't let me go and kept sending people to hunt me down. Left with no other choice, I retired from the martial world and married Wu Gui, staying in the Wu family mansion and afraid to leave. Fortunately, they didn't pursue me, so the Wu family wasn't implicated."

After hearing Gui's past, Wu Yu felt that the feuds in the martial world were truly thrilling. Gui's image instantly became much more impressive, and Liu'er and Yuqin were filled with envy at her past as a chivalrous woman of the mortal world.

As the four were chatting, Tang Xiao's voice suddenly came from outside the carriage: "Elder, Brother Wu, sisters, it's almost noon, let's rest for a while."

Tang Danyue replied loudly, "I know, stop the carriage."

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and Tang Danyue was the first to lift the curtain and go out, saying, "Jinling is five hundred li from Suzhou, and we've only traveled a little over a hundred li so far. When will we arrive?"

Tang Xiao hurriedly came over to help Tang Danyue get out of the carriage, saying, "Father said we probably won't arrive today, and traveling at night is inconvenient, so we'll slow down. We should arrive in Nanjing before noon tomorrow."

Hearing this, Tang Danyue turned to Wu Yu and said, "I'm going out for a walk. It's your first time traveling so far, you should rest."

With that, she turned and left.

Only the three of them remained in the carriage. Wu Yu and Liu'er were traveling together for the first time, and they were already very affectionate. Yuqin, who was standing next to them, also felt uncomfortable, so she said to Wu Yu, "Young Master, I'm going out for a walk too..."

After saying that, she left the carriage without waiting for Wu Yu's reply.

Yuqin also left. Wu Yu, with his

arm around Liu'er's slender waist, laughed, "Sister Liu'er, as the saying goes, 'Stopping the carriage to make love in the maple forest at dusk...'" As he spoke, he secretly touched Liu'er's pert buttocks and began to knead them vigorously .

"No, there are still people outside..."

Liu'er exclaimed in surprise, pushing him away. She couldn't help but breathe heavily through her nose, and her breasts, now exposed, began to rise and fall.

"Just don't make a sound..."

Wu Yu was also feeling excited. He stuck his head out and shouted, "I'm taking a nap, don't disturb me!"

The bodyguards outside glanced at him and continued with their own business. Wu Yu quickly returned to the carriage, leering at Liu'er's flushed face, "Little lady, just submit to this young master..."

Liu'er spat at him, "Pah, where did you learn such a sarcastic tone..."

Seeing that she couldn't stop Wu Yu, she had no choice but to follow him into their lovemaking, and the carriage instantly became their love nest.

In the narrow space, the temperature continued to rise. Wu Yu embraced Liu'er's back, gently kissing her upper lip. His other hand rudely touched Liu'er's increasingly large breasts. Liu'er quickly released her mouth, saying, "Don't ruin my clothes, I still need to see people..."

Wu Yu hugged Liu'er tighter, whispering in her ear, "Then I'll put my hand inside and touch..."

Before Liu'er could object, he silenced her with a kiss, his large hand swiftly slipping under her outer garment, covering her snow-white breasts. The rosy tip of her nipple gradually grew larger under Wu Yu's caresses, a rosy glow rising on her fair skin. Liu'er breathed heavily, "Husband, I... I can't wait any longer..."

Hearing Liu'er's plea, Wu Yu felt a surge of desire, lifting his trousers to reveal his penis. Its size wasn't as impressive as some, but it was just right, and very clean, making Liu'er unable to resist reaching out her delicate hand to grip and stroke it.

Wu Yu sighed, moving his arms from Liu'er's back to her buttocks, the firm, elastic flesh irresistible to him. He pinched and kneaded them before finally slipping down to pull out Liu'er's panties. Her pink vulva was already glistening with moisture, the sparse hairs damp with her love juice. Unable

to suppress their desires any longer, Wu Yu listened carefully to the sounds outside, and after confirming there was no disturbance, he sat down in a chair, pulling Liu'er onto himself. His bright red glans, like a spear, pierced through Liu'er's mons pubis. The path was narrow and congested, but Wu Yu's thrusts were unstoppable, reaching the very tip.

"Oh..."

they both murmured softly. Liu'er looked up at her lover with eyes full of longing, her small hands stroking his face, giving him a light kiss on the lips, then gently swaying her pert buttocks.

"Sister Liu'er learns very quickly..."

Wu Yu said softly with a smile.

"It's all your fault, you bad man, always making me use this position... Oh, it's going in too deep... Don't push, I'll do it... Oh oh..."

The newlyweds were enjoying such gentle sex for the first time. Liu'er's slender waist moved gracefully, swallowing and releasing Wu Yu's penis. The two were perfectly in sync, seemingly the most suitable couple.

Whispering sounds echoed from inside the carriage.

"Oh oh oh... I told you not to push... It feels so good, I can't help but scream... Kiss me, mmm..."

"Sister Liu'er, it's so exciting, I can't take it anymore..."

"I'm about to come too... Oh oh, so embarrassing... Don't rub there, I'm going to die..."

"I peed... Ahhhhh..."

"Me too... Uh oh..."

"You little rascal, it's so hot... You almost made me scream..."

As the carriage swayed and rocked rapidly before finally stopping, the interior fell silent. Wu Yu and Liu'er embraced, letting the fluid between their legs flow, their hearts pounding in their chests. The thrill of the wilderness had brought them immense pleasure, and they reached their climax in no time.

"Oh no, they'll be back soon! Put me down, I need to get ready..."

Liu'er scolded, patting Wu Yu's shoulder.

"Yes, ma'am!"

Wu Yu chuckled.

After this playful escapade, the two were exhausted and fell asleep in the carriage. They didn't even notice Tang Danyue and Yuqin returning. When they did, they both caught a faint scent. The two experienced women naturally knew what it was. Yuqin blushed and glanced at Tang Danyue, not daring to utter a sound. Tang Danyue glared at Wu Yu on the chair and scolded with a laugh, "That kid..."

The bodyguards outside the carriage, having rested enough, continued their journey. Tang Xi and Tang Xiao were still riding, but Tang Xiao had a slight smile on his face, perhaps indicating something had happened during their rest. Tang Xi, on the other hand, looked serious, as if sensing something was about to happen.

Ahead lay Jinling City, an ancient city that had witnessed many dynasties, and who knew what stories it held.

Chapter 12 Jinling Qinhuai

The sun shone brightly, and the carriages rumbled by.

In the distance, a magnificent city gate stretched across the horizon. Jinling City gradually appeared on the horizon, becoming clear, the ancient city walls shining through the cracks in their bricks, making them appear as splendid as crystal.

Wu Yu could no longer contain his excitement and hurriedly drove the carriage toward the city gate.

"Young Master, slow down!"

Liu'er felt the carriage suddenly accelerate and become very bumpy, and couldn't help but lift the curtain to scold him.

"Good sister, look, we're almost at Jinling City, let's hurry into the city."

Wu Yu said excitedly, as if he hadn't heard Liu'er's words.

"Hehe, Sister Liu'er, look at the young master, he's practically possessed. Let him be."

Yuqin laughed, pulling Liu'er back. Although there was scenery to see along the way, they still wanted to chat. Yuqin, in her early twenties, became Liu'er's only female companion. With Yuqin's deliberate flattery, their relationship quickly grew closer, becoming almost inseparable confidantes. Liu'er's previous prejudices against Yuqin were completely forgotten.

Due to the carriage's jolting, both women's voices trembled slightly. Tang Danyue, the noblewoman in the carriage, was already used to it. She brushed her hair aside and smiled sweetly, "It's the young master's first time traveling, little girl, just bear with it..."

Liu'er was only worried about the carriage going too fast and causing an accident. Seeing the two women so calm, she didn't say anything more. The three women sat in the carriage and began to chat idly.

The two days of travel had given them a better understanding of each other. Of the three women, Yuqin had the cleanest background. She had been a servant in the Wu family since childhood, initially serving the old lady. After Shen Yanlin married into the Wu family, the old lady bestowed this virtuous daughter-in-law upon her. Later, under Shen Yanlin's manipulation of emotions and inducements, she became her confidante.

The reason she agreed to go to Xichuan with Wu Yu was that she feigned agreement to drug Wu Yu, hoping to escape Shen Yanlin's control. Born into the Wu family, she was already tired of being used as a tool; this trip to Xichuan was like Liu Bei borrowing Jingzhou—once borrowed, never to return. Of course, Shen Yanlin didn't trust Yuqin, which is why she sent Xiao Jiu to secretly follow her.

As for Liu'er, she was originally an orphan who had fallen on hard times. Years ago, He Ruoxue took pity on her and took her in as a maid, serving her for nearly twenty years. Now, she had finally married the eldest son of the Wu family, rising to prominence. As for Liu'er's parents' background, even she herself didn't know.

Of the three women, the most complicated was Sister-in-law Gui. Yuqin and Liu'er were also very curious about how Sister-in-law Gui could marry the unattractive Wu Gui. Although Wu Gui was the head steward of the Wu family and his status wasn't low, given Tang Danyue's circumstances, this "begonia under the moonlight" was truly a case of being stuck in cow dung.

Sister-in-law Gui, however, was quite carefree. Only after Yuqin and Liu'er's coaxing and nagging did she tell them what happened back then.

It turned out that Sister-in-law Gui was being hunted down by the leader of the Cangqiong Sect and wanted to escape back to her family. From Chaohu all the way to Jinling, and then to Suzhou, she was almost home when she was intercepted by the Cangqiong Sect's thieves. After a fierce battle, although Tang Danyue was highly skilled in martial arts, she was still just a woman. Her body, already exhausted from being humiliated by the leader of the Cangqiong Sect, was seriously injured under the attack of the Cangqiong Sect members.

Fortunately, she had a flash of inspiration and managed to escape the siege. However, she didn't go far. Just as she entered Suzhou, she collapsed at the Wu family's shop, "Splendid Years,"

and was rescued by Wu Gui, who was now the head steward. Tang Danyue, upon entering the Wu family, was covered in blood and tattered clothes, and it was assumed the Wu family would avoid such trouble. Unexpectedly, the Wu family, true to their reputation as "benevolent merchants," rescued Tang Danyue without hesitation and even tricked the Cangqiong Sect members who had been pursuing her. Back at the Wu family, under Wu Gui's care, Tang Danyue's injuries gradually healed, and her appearance and demeanor returned. When she appeared before Wu Gui, dressed neatly, the old steward was immediately captivated and vowed to marry her.

Fate smiled upon him, and Wu Lingwen, feeling guilty towards the old steward for being alone for many years after divorcing his ex-wife, saw Tang Danyue's appearance and, after learning her background, offered to act as matchmaker for Wu Gui. Tang Danyue, now thirty and in her prime, had been repeatedly humiliated by the sect leader of the Cangqiong Sect. Now, her savior was willing to marry this withered flower, which she considered extremely fortunate. Weary of the bloodshed and feuds of the martial world, Tang Danyue had no face to return to the Tang family as an elder. Having become indifferent to life and death, she found Wu Gui pleasing to the eye and agreed to the marriage.

After marrying Wu Gui, Tang Danyue shed her martial arts persona, living a simple life in coarse clothes and eating simple meals. Wu Gui was extremely proud to have married such a wife, who was not only beautiful and alluring, but most importantly, capable of fighting him to a standstill in bed. Having practiced martial arts since childhood, Tang Danyue possessed a captivating charm in the bedroom, making Wu Gui deeply love and obey her every word.

At the time, the other servants of the Wu family jokingly called Wu Gui "a pear blossom tree overshadowing a crabapple blossom," and this "crabapple blossom under the moon" was indeed defeated by Wu Gui, this old pear blossom. After her marriage, Tang Danyue was constantly worried that the leader of the Cangqiong Sect would not give up, so she lived a secluded life, even going so far as to conceal her beauty, her hair always greasy and her face dirty. Those in the Wu family who knew the truth believed that their beloved sister-in-law had been defiled by Wu Gui.

Originally, Tang Danyue planned to live out her days like this, as her life in the Wu family was quite good. Everyone in the family treated her with utmost respect; during the day she did light chores, and at night she would wail and fawn over Wu Gui's enormous member.

Until a few days ago, she was discovered by a member of the Tang family. The Tang family knew of her suffering and did not blame her for the humiliation she had endured, even allowing her to return to the Tang family as an elder. Moreover, this member of the Tang family brought some information. The second leader of the Cangqiong Sect, for some unknown reason, had left the sect with the third leader. Now the Cangqiong Sect was preoccupied with its own problems and no longer needed to worry about being hunted down. Even if the Cangqiong Sect dared to come, the reputation of Tang Bawang of Suzhou was not for nothing. This young man from the Tang family was none other than Tang Xi, the chief镖头 (bodyguard) of the Changlu Escort Agency.

Tang Danyue was immediately tempted, after all, her roots were in the Tang family. So, this time when Wu Yu went out, Tang Danyue used the excuse of visiting her parents' home to accompany him, considering whether to return to the Tang family.

She also wanted to see if she, a faded beauty, could still roam the martial world. Upon learning of Tang Danyue's past, Liu'er and Yuqin reacted differently. The gentle and obedient Liu'er, always following the rules and accepting her fate, was filled with envy after hearing Gui's story and hoped that Wu Yu would treat her like Gui's uncle and sister-in-law. Yuqin, however, blushed slightly. Besides envying Gui's experience, she secretly guessed that Tang Danyue was willing to marry Wu Gui because of his deadly large penis.

At this moment, the three people chatting inside the carriage suddenly felt the carriage gradually stop. Lifting the curtain, one sees the magnificent city wall before them, its sheer size seemingly blotting out the sky. Above the city gate, the two ancient and weighty characters "Jinling" reveal the extraordinary ambition of the inscriber.

"Is this Jinling...?"

Wu Yu's voice was somewhat low. The heavy historical atmosphere of the ancient capital of six dynasties made Wu Yu's body restless.

"Stop!"

Outside the city gate of Jinling, two soldiers raised their guns and blocked the carriage, shouting.

"Brothers, I am the eldest son of the Wu family of Suzhou. I am ordered to deliver donations to Xichuan."

Wu Yu said politely from the carriage.

"Where are the donations?"

one of the soldiers asked.

"Hiss!"

Just as Wu Yu was about to answer, Tang Xi caught up from behind the carriage, lowered his horse, and said to the two soldiers, "Gentlemen, I am Tang Xi from Changlu Escort Agency. I am escorting Young Master Wu to Xichuan."

Tang Xi had been traveling for many years and had been to Jinling City many times. The two soldiers naturally recognized the head of Changlu Escort Agency and stopped stopping him, unloading their guns and letting him pass. The donations that Tang Xiao was escorting also slowly caught up from behind, and the group entered the ancient capital of Jinling City.

"Uncle Tang, how many days will we stay in Jinling City?"

Wu Yu asked, walking side by side with Tang Xi, glancing at the bustling city streets.

"My Changlu Escort Agency also has a branch in Jinling. Let's go to the branch first,"

Tang Xi said calmly, the million taels of silver he was escorting behind him keeping him on his toes.

"Hehe, what are some fun places to visit in Jinling City? I'd like to explore them after we settle in,"

Wu Yu asked with interest.

"Hehe, Jinling is quite something. If you're asking about the most fun place..."

Tang Xi's expression changed, and he lowered his voice, laughing, "Nothing beats the bustling Qinhuai River..."

"Oh? Interesting..."

Seeing even the usually composed Tang Xi show such an expression, Wu Yu couldn't help but feel a longing for the Qinhuai River.

He had long heard that the Qinhuai River in Jinling City was filled with glittering pavilions, rows upon rows of painted boats, and a dreamlike scene. Wuyi Lane, Zhuque Bridge, and Taoye Ferry were all located along the Qinhuai River. The Qinhuai River, once a land of extravagant beauty and decadent indulgence, was a place of unbridled indulgence in wine and women. Along its banks stood three shops known as the "Three Wonders of Qinhuai": Liufengju, Xuefangge, and Mingyuelou. The Jinling branch of the Changlu Escort Agency was located right next to Mingyuelou. "

The courtesans, oblivious to the nation's ruin, still sing 'The Flowers of the Rear Courtyard' across the river." This illustrates just how intoxicating the Qinhuai River's allure was. The saying goes, "How many dreams lie within the Qinhuai River?" Every traveler who came to the Qinhuai River, whether scholar or commoner, carried wine with them.

Wu Yu, newly arrived in Jinling, couldn't wait. Following Tang Xi's horse, he arrived at the side of Mingyuelou. In a narrow alley of bluestone, a small wooden door bore the inscription "Changlu Escort Agency," a stark contrast to the scale of its Suzhou headquarters.

"Nephew, this is it."

Tang Xi gestured for the group to stop, first inviting Wu Yu and Tang Danyue inside, then ordering the donations to be carried into the escort agency. The gate slowly closed, as if it had never been opened.

************ Inside the Changlu Escort Agency.

The entrance led to a spacious courtyard, furnished with various stone bricks and wooden stakes for the escort agency's trainees. Beyond the courtyard was the inner hall, where a plaque hung with four characters: "A promise is a promise."

Tang Xi invited Wu Yu and the others to take their seats. Tang Xiao, in the courtyard, directed the escorts to carry the donations into the agency, his gaze constantly drifting towards Yuqin. Remembering the promise Yuqin made to him yesterday noon, he felt a surge of excitement.

Yesterday, while Wu Yu and Liu'er were fooling around in the carriage, Tang Danyue and Yuqin had gone out for a stroll. Tang Danyue went to find Tang Xi to inquire about the current situation of the Tang family, while Yuqin, bored, wandered around, attracting Tang Xiao's attention. Back in Suzhou, Tang Xiao had found Yu Qin to be alluring and voluptuous, exactly his type. In his early twenties, Tang Xiao was naturally full of youthful vigor, and seeing Yu Qin alone, he approached her to chat.

Yu Qin, having always worked as a maid in the Wu family, had only ever seen servants and young masters; she had never seen such a robust man as Tang Xiao. His sturdy physique made her heart tremble. Moreover, although Tang Xiao was skilled in martial arts, he was somewhat shy, blushing under Yu Qin's teasing, which she found quite amusing. So, she immediately made a promise with Tang Xiao that after arriving in Jinling, she would travel with him to see the sights.

At this moment, Wu Yu and four others were seated in the hall. Yu Qin and Liu'er sat beside Wu Yu, while Tang Danyue sat with Tang Xi, seemingly already intending to return to the Tang family.

After ordering tea to be served, Tang Xi pondered for a moment and said, "Nephew, the journey from Jinling to Sichuan is more than a thousand miles. There are many bandits along the way, and our Tang family rarely travels outside of Yingtian Prefecture. Therefore, we will stay in Jinling for three days to make adequate preparations before heading to Sichuan via Wuchang City. What do you think?"

"This is my first time traveling, and I will need to rely on you, Uncle. I will listen to your advice,"

Wu Yu said humbly, showing none of the spoiled airs of a wealthy young master.

At this moment, Tang Danyue said, "Young Master, we will pass through Chaohu again this time. The Cangqiong Sect only has its sect leader now, so it is not a threat. I want to attack the Cangqiong Sect to avenge the humiliation of that day. Of course, the matter of the donation is more important. I will go to take revenge alone and will not attract the covetous eyes of the thieves."

Wu Yu immediately echoed, "Sister Danyue's great revenge must be avenged. After leaving Jinling City, we will split into two groups and meet up again after you destroy the Cangqiong Sect."

Yuqin and Liu'er also nodded in support of Wu Yu's decision.

"Then it's decided."

Seeing that everyone had no objections, Tang Xi called Tang Xiao in as well, and smiled, "You've all had a long journey of two days, so let's go back to our rooms and rest. Tonight, we'll go and see the prosperity of Jinling City."

Just as everyone was about to leave for their rooms, a middle-aged man entered the inner hall, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Tang Xi, and said, "Chief镖头 (Chief Escort), the donations have been settled, and the brothers are all guarding them."

"Hmm, thank you for your hard work!"

Tang Xi nodded and said, "I almost forgot to introduce you. This is Lei Meng, the head镖头 (chief escort) of my Changlu镖局 (Changlu Escort Agency) Jinling branch, my sworn brother."

Wu Yu and the others looked at Lei Meng, and saw that he was burly, with sharp eyes and a body full of fat. Wu Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Another hero!

Tang Xiao interjected, "Uncle Lei is another master of mine. He taught me this Iron Shirt martial art."

"Iron Shirt?"

Wu Yu exclaimed in surprise, "I've heard of this invulnerable martial art before. I never imagined that Chief Lei possessed such a skill! He's truly a hero!"

"Hehe, you flatter me,"

Lei Meng laughed heartily. "Invulnerability is an exaggeration, but I have a body of copper and iron, and I'm quite famous in the martial arts world."

Lei Meng was naturally forthright and never beat around the bush; he was honest and had made many friends in the martial arts world. Wu Yu immediately took a liking to this cheerful uncle and made a promise to drink with him that night until they were both drunk.

"By the way, Chief Lei..."

Wu Yu was about to speak when Lei Meng waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Brother Wu, why be so formal? I'm twenty years older than you, you can call me Brother Lei too."

He patted Wu Yu's shoulder, and strangely, Wu Yu, despite his seemingly frail body, showed no discomfort whatsoever, not even a change in expression.

Lei Meng, seeing this, exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Wu, you're truly a hidden talent!"

Wu Yu smiled slightly, "Hehe, keep it low-key, keep it low-key..."

Tang Danyue, standing to the side, looked at Wu Yu, smiling without saying a word. Liu'er looked at the two of them, puzzled, not understanding the meaning behind their words.

"Actually, I was just about to ask Brother Lei, what's fun about the Qinhuai River?"

Wu Yu continued.

"The Qinhuai River? Haha... that's a famous scenic spot in Jinling City..."

Lei Meng laughed meaningfully, then glanced at Liu'er and Yuqin before putting his arm around Wu Yu's shoulder and chatting away.

Tang Danyue rolled her eyes at their retreating figures and led Liu'er and Yuqin back to their room. Before leaving, Yuqin turned back thoughtfully, meeting Tang Xiao's gaze. She smiled and gave him a flirtatious wink, her smile captivating.

Tang Xiao was overjoyed when Wu Yu and Lei Meng exchanged knowing smiles, saying in unison, "Tonight... hehe, interesting, interesting..."

It seemed that the Qinhuai River would be bustling tonight.

Chapter 13 The Sky Thieves

When Wu Yu went out again, it was almost dark. Jinling City was shrouded in night, its myriad lights like stars in the sky. In fact, one star, like a falling meteor, flew towards the Qinhuai River—that was Wu Yu.

"Husband, you mustn't follow Lei the镖头 (Lei the镖头) and do bad things!"

After Tang Danyue explained the meaning of the Qinhuai River to Liu'er, Liu'er blushed deeply and kept warning Wu Yu not to go looking for prostitutes. Since they were out and about, Liu'er couldn't call him "Young Master" for fear of attracting the attention of thieves, so under Wu Yu's half-forced insistence, she called him "Husband," since the two of them had already established their relationship.

"What are you saying, my lady..."

Liu'er had watched Wu Yu grow up, and although they were now husband and wife, Wu Yu still held her in a certain awe, just like he held He Ruoxue. He smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Hehe, I was just worried that those courtesans would be violated, so I wanted to rescue them from the fire..."

Yuqin covered her mouth and chuckled, but said bluntly, "Our little sister Liu'er is just worried that those courtesans will be violated by you..."

Wu Yu was rebuffed by Yuqin and gave a dry laugh, then fell silent. Lei Meng, standing to the side, put his arm around Wu Yu's shoulder and teased, "Brother, this kind of double blessing isn't easy to enjoy."

Wu Yu scratched his head, gave Lei Meng a wry smile, and didn't reply.

Tang Danyue, on the other hand, walked calmly to the side, her expression serene, lost in thought. The group of five weaved through the streets of Jinling, calling out their wares, much like the night markets of Suzhou. After all, the two cities were only a hundred meters apart, both within Yingtian Prefecture, so their customs were naturally similar.

The five walked for a short while when a gate suddenly appeared before them. A steady stream of people entered, yet there was very little noise.

Sedan chairs and

fine horses were parked outside. Wu Yu asked in surprise, "Brother Lei, what is this…?" Not only Wu Yu, but Liu'er and Yuqin were also somewhat astonished. Outside the main gate, two women were smiling and welcoming guests. That was fine, but these two women were also exceptionally beautiful and elegant, yet they possessed no trace of vulgarity, appearing like the most noble young ladies. Only Tang Danyue remained indifferent. After the three had recovered from their surprise, Lei Meng smiled and said, "Brother, although this building has no signboard or plaque, everyone in Jinling City knows it. This is one of the three wonders of Jinling… Mingyue Tower."

"Mingyue Tower?"

Wu Yu's eyes lit up, looking at the magnificent building with great interest. Seeing the look on Wu Yu's face, as if he had found a fun toy when he was young, Liu'er knew he was eager to go inside. Not wanting to disappoint him, she asked, "Husband, shall we go in?" "

Yes, let's go."

Wu Yu smiled and walked towards the gate first. The two women at the gate smiled at Wu Yu and gestured for him to go inside. The five entered Mingyue Tower, only to find it wasn't what they had imagined. Lei Meng and Tang Danyue, though they had heard of Mingyue Tower's fame, were entering for the first time.

Before them was a small artificial pond, with lotus leaves and flowers floating in it; it was summer, and the lotus blossoms were in full bloom.

A long wooden bridge spanned the pond, leading to a pavilion. Mingyue Tower appeared to be about five stories high from the outside, but inside it was only three stories. That's why the garden was built on the first floor.

Beyond the pavilion were three gravel paths separated by a large lawn. The area was brightly lit, yet it felt like a tranquil courtyard at dusk. Of the guests entering Mingyue Tower, only a small portion lingered in the small garden; the rest headed straight for the three forked paths.

Just as the five hesitated, a burly man noticed their confusion and greeted them loudly, "Gentlemen and ladies, judging from your expressions, this is your first time visiting Mingyue Tower, isn't it?"

"Yes, may I ask who you are, sir…?"

Wu Yu took out a folding fan from her sleeve. It had sandalwood ribs and a brocade fan surface, inscribed with the four characters "Beautiful Rivers and Mountains," the calligraphy elegant and delicate, signed "Wu Yu of Suzhou." The fan pendant was a piece of jadeite, with an image of Guanyin carved on the front and the character "He" on the back, presumably Wu Yu's mother's surname.

"Why bother with formalities? No need to ask your names. I see the doubt in your eyes, so I guess you don't understand the rules of Mingyue Tower,"

the burly man said, seemingly unwilling to reveal his origins, waving his hand.

"Oh? I'd like to hear more,"

Wu Yu said, unfolding her fan and gently waving it.

"Hehe, you see these three paths?"

The burly man pointed to the ground. Wu Yu and the other four nodded slightly. The man continued, "The first path leads to the underground gambling den, for money; the second path leads directly to the second-floor tavern, for food and drink; the third path leads to the top-floor pavilion, for pleasure."

"I see, truly ingenious!"

Wu Yu exclaimed. Lei Meng was also amazed. The brothels he frequented were all so straightforward; only a noble place like Mingyue Tower would have such elaborate schemes.

After speaking, the burly man turned and walked towards the first path, seemingly to gamble. Wu Yu quickly called out, "Thank you so much, brave man!"

The burly man didn't turn around, but waved his hand and said, "It was nothing, nothing to mention!"

He then continued walking forward.

The five men exchanged bewildered glances. There were only three paths before them. It seemed the third path—the brothel—was out of the question. The first path—the gambling den—was also out of the question, as none of the other four, except Lei Meng, liked gambling. That left only the second path: food and drink. With that, Wu Yu took Liu'er's hand and headed upstairs. Tang Danyue and Yuqin quickly followed, while Lei Meng brought up the rear, muttering, "No brothels, no gambling, I, Old Lei, am doing this for the first time."

As soon as they entered the second floor, they heard a not-too-noisy commotion. Looking around, each table of guests was separated into different enclosures, each enclosure filled with unique names: Falling Petals, Heroes and Gallants, Cannon Tower, Vermilion Bird and Black Bird...

The five of them were very curious about everything in front of them. Just as they were pondering, a woman dressed in expensive clothes, plump and charming, with a beautiful face, walked up to them and said, "Gentlemen, it seems that this is your first time visiting Mingyue Tower. Why don't you follow me?"

Wu Yu was secretly amazed. He had been to many restaurants and teahouses, but he had never seen such a beauty serve as a waitress.

Lei Meng, standing behind Wu Yu, whispered, "Look at this woman, so fair-skinned, with a wasp waist and a pert bottom. I wonder if she also works part-time at the brothel on the third floor... hehe."

Before he could finish, the woman in front suddenly turned and smiled, "Esteemed guest, I'm not a waiter on the second floor, but rather the second manager of Mingyue Tower. So I don't work on the third floor. Of course, if you wish to try my taste, I won't refuse, it just depends on whether you can afford the price."

Lei Meng was immediately alarmed. He had whispered so softly in Wu Yu's ear that none of the three people beside him—except Tang Danyue, Yuqin, and Liu'er—had heard him. But the woman in front of him had clearly heard him. It seemed Mingyue Tower's reputation was indeed well-deserved.

"Hehe, Second Manager is joking,"

Lei Meng chuckled, no longer daring to be disrespectful.

"It's alright, every guest is a guest. We at Mingyue Tower will not refuse any guest, it just depends on whether you can afford the price."

The second manager smiled and said,

"Oh?"

Wu Yu looked at the second manager with a half-smile and tentatively asked, "How much does the second manager charge?"

As soon as he said this, Liu'er pinched his waist and twisted it hard. Poor Wu Yu was in excruciating pain, but he had to maintain a smiling expression. The second manager seemed to see through this and glanced at his waist cryptically, but said ambiguously, "Although I am not very talented, my price is not low. If you want me to accompany you, it's ten thousand taels of gold... I wonder if you can afford it, young master?"

Ten thousand taels? And gold? The five people's eyes widened when they heard this. Even the imperial concubine in the palace probably wouldn't be worth that much. The second manager seemed to have expected everyone's reaction and didn't say anything, but continued to lead the three people inside. After they were

seated and tea was served.

Wu Yu asked the second manager, "Manager, I've long heard that Mingyue Tower offers a wide variety of delicacies. I'd love to see them for myself today."

The second manager smiled slightly and said, "You five have come at the perfect time. Many disciples of the Cangqiong Sect have come to Mingyue Tower today, and for some reason, they specifically requested our Osmanthus-filled Yuanxiao (sweet glutinous rice balls). These Osmanthus-filled Yuanxiao are white as jade, soft and chewy in texture, shaped like pearls, with a clear and sweet broth and a rich Osmanthus fragrance. Please enjoy them today." "

Disciples of the Cangqiong Sect?"

The five of them narrowed their eyes upon hearing this and exclaimed in unison. Only Tang Danyue's expression changed upon hearing the name "Osmanthus-filled Yuanxiao," her expression a mixture of sarcasm and resentment.

"Which seats are they in?"

Lei Meng frowned.

The second manager was about to speak when they heard the sound of shattering dishes coming from the "Heroes and Warriors" enclosure on the other side. Then, a voice trembled as someone called out, "Moonlight Begonia?"

Tang Danyue was startled and turned to look at the man. He had a face full of scars, a broad forehead, and a fierce beard; he was as strong as a bear, with a short gun strapped to his back. His eyes were filled with fear and astonishment as he stared at Tang Danyue. Tang Danyue immediately recognized him as a member of the Azure Sky Sect, as every member carried a distinctive short gun.

The man's cry of "Moonlight Begonia" startled the surrounding crowd, who at first glance all looked like Azure Sky Sect members.

"This is a serious matter..."

Wu Yu said, sweat beading on his forehead. They all knew about the feud between Tang Danyue and the Azure Sky Sect. Now, their paths had crossed, and they had only two choices: be ganged up on by these Azure Sky Sect members, or fight them one-on-one. Either way, the outcome was the same: certain death!

"Go!"

Tang Danyue's beautiful eyes flashed with a fierce light, and she decisively pulled the four people towards the door. The dozen or so Cangqiong Sect members reacted quickly, drawing their short guns. Someone shouted, "Capture Haitang alive!"

The group of thieves then chased after the five men aggressively.

Poor Wu Yu and the others had only been inside Mingyue Tower for less than an hour before they were forced to flee, followed by a large group of thugs. Among the five, Tang Danyue was the most skilled in martial arts. She held tightly to Yuqin and Liu'er. Lei Meng, with his copper skin and iron bones, although not good at light footwork, had a long breath and could run straight down the street without needing to use his strength. On the other hand, Wu Yu, Liu'er, and Yuqin had watched Wu Yu grow up since childhood, but they never knew that their young master was actually hiding his true strength.

Wu Yu's steps were surprisingly similar to Tang Danyue's. He would lift off with his toes barely touching the ground, as if he had no weight, nimbly dodging the crowds and debris on the street. The five fled, the sounds of battle echoing behind them, growing ever more distant. Although the Changlu Escort Agency was right next to the Mingyue Tower, they dared not return immediately. Instead, they led the Cangqiong Sect members on a leisurely stroll along the Qinhuai River. Finally, after a rapid run, they slipped into an alley and headed towards the Changlu Escort Agency.

Upon entering, they saw Tang Xiao practicing martial arts in the courtyard. Tang Xiao was quite frustrated; he had arranged to visit Jinling with Yuqin that night, but Tang Xi had warned him that afternoon against indulging in women. Unable to disobey his father, Tang Xiao had been confined to his quarters that night. He was now vigorously swinging a stone hammer, seemingly venting his discontent.

Seeing the five panting as they entered the agency, Tang Xiao was about to speak when Elder Tang said, "Quick! Call your father here!"

Tang Xiao dared not delay and immediately went inside to fetch Tang Xi.

After the group settled into the inner hall, Tang Danyue bluntly stated, "We set off tonight. The Azure Sky Sect already knows we're transporting donations."

"Elder, is that true?"

Tang Xi asked in surprise.

"The reason the Azure Sky Sect members are here is because their leader has discovered my whereabouts, hence the large number of members appearing at Bright Moon Pavilion,"

Tang Danyue explained quietly.

Lei Meng, standing nearby, was also puzzled. Although they had encountered over a dozen Azure Sky Sect members tonight, it didn't necessarily mean they knew about the donations. Tang Danyue glanced around at everyone, knowing she couldn't convince them without evidence.

She sighed softly, "Very well, it seems I can't convince you unless I explain things clearly."

Wu Yu frowned. Although Yuqin and Liu'er knew about Tang Danyue's past with the Azure Sky Sect, their knowledge was incomplete. Wu Yu, however, knew the whole story.

Tang Danyue's marriage into the Wu family back then wasn't necessarily out of genuine affection for them. One day, Wu Yu, the eldest son of the Wu family, came to Tang Danyue's residence, asking her to teach him martial arts. After much pleading, Tang Danyue finally accepted him as her disciple. It was only as her relationship with Wu Gui and Wu Yu deepened that she gradually felt a sense of belonging to the Wu family.

Initially, Wu Yu's desire to learn martial arts from Tang Danyue was merely childish curiosity, more out of seriousness than genuine interest. He felt that his martial arts skills were useless within the Wu family, so he never displayed them. Only He Ruoxue and Tang Danyue knew about this. Having secretly studied martial arts with Tang Danyue for many years, Wu Yu naturally knew more about her past than others, even more than his husband, Wu Gui.

Now, Tang Danyue was about to reveal this long-buried secret, causing Wu Yu to frown. Tang Danyue noticed this and smiled calmly at him, saying, "Young Master, there's nothing you can't tell others."

Hearing this, Wu Yu knew that Tang Danyue's mind was made up, so he said nothing more.

Tang Danyue's eyes suddenly became complex, filled with resentment, confusion, mockery, and relief. She sighed again and said, "When I was captured by the Cangqiong Sect, many things happened. Yuqin, Liu'er, you only know part of it. After marrying into the Wu family, the eldest young master was intelligent and kind. He wanted to become my disciple, and I agreed. As we spent more time together, I felt comfortable telling him many things."

She paused, glanced at Wu Yu, and then said something strange: "My favorite snack since childhood is the osmanthus-filled glutinous rice balls from Jinling."

Wu Yu opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately sighed. While the others were still wondering, they heard even more shocking words: "Only my mother and father know about this. The reason those Cangqiong Sect members specifically requested osmanthus-filled glutinous rice balls today is because it's a tradition of their sect. And this tradition comes from the sect leader of Cangqiong Sect, that beast who raped me, my own father... Tang Shen."

Chapter 14 Moonlit Begonia

Twenty years ago, Emperor Xuanzong of Ming, Zhu Zhanji, reigned for six years, and the political situation was peaceful. He appointed Yang Rong as an official, and for a time, the country was prosperous and the people were at peace.

At that time, the Tang family of Suzhou was still hidden in the martial arts world, unknown. However, a stunningly beautiful woman emerged from the Tang family, Tang Danyue. Tang Danyue was not exceptionally talented from a young age; rather, she suddenly rose to prominence at the age of twenty-two. In the family competition, she defeated all the younger generation of the Tang family members at that time, becoming famous overnight.

The story goes that Tang Danyue's father was named Tang Shen, a disgrace to the Tang family. Forty-five years ago, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, successfully seized the throne and stabilized the court. However, the chaos of war led to the rise of many villains and thieves in the martial arts world. Tang Shen was only sixteen years old at the time, but

he possessed extraordinary talent and was arrogant. He was unconventional and unwilling to be bound by the rules of his family, so he left the Tang family and became a... lecherous thief in the martial arts world. At that time, everyone in the martial arts world was talking about a lecherous thief who was different from others. He was charming but not vulgar, and he would steal hearts before stealing women. Moreover, he specifically targeted young and beautiful women. After two years of rampaging, he finally conceived a child due to carelessness during one of his crimes. The victim was a farm girl, naturally beautiful and sweet, but after Tang Shen's one-night stand, she became pregnant with his child.

The Tang family was furious, but also felt guilty for their failure to properly educate her, which led to this tragedy. Therefore, the Tang family decided to include the farm girl in the family genealogy, nominally as Tang Shen's wife. Fortunately, the Tang family members were all martial artists and didn't care much about the matter, so the peasant girl brought her parents to live with them.

A year later, the peasant girl gave birth to a daughter in the dead of night. Because the moonlight was sometimes hazy, she named her daughter Tang Dan Yue.

Despite the family's best efforts to cover it up, rumors persisted. Many in the Tang family knew that Tang Dan Yue was Tang Shen's illegitimate child. Therefore, Tang Dan Yue was despised and ridiculed by the other children from a young age, constantly bullied and used as a joke. Tang Dan Yue felt wronged, but she inherited her mother's tolerant and calm nature, so she secretly practiced martial arts diligently. Her mastery of the Tang family's Overlord Spear technique, a skill honed by a woman, became a beautiful display of movement, like falling petals and leaves.

Thus, Tang Dan Yue also inherited her father Tang Shen's talent, and finally, at the age of twenty-two, she rose to prominence, winning first place in the family competition. From then on, no one dared to mock this beautiful and aloof goddess. Yes, a goddess. Ever since Tang Danyue's dazzling appearance, the Tang family members have all regarded her as their goddess. Some even drew her portrait, losing their appetite and sleep.

However, due to Tang Danyue's background, her marriage remained unsettled, and she disliked any of the family's disciples. Therefore, the head of the Tang family, Tang Shen's cousin, arranged a marriage for her with Zhou Yi, the most outstanding member of the Zhou family's money exchange in Jiangnan.

After the engagement was arranged, Tang Danyue refused to marry a complete stranger. She resisted fiercely but couldn't withstand the persistent nagging and pressure from her elders. As a result, three months after the engagement, she ran away from home like her father and became a... thief in the martial arts world.

Tang Danyue concealed her name, calling herself Haitang, because her mother's surname was Hai. She robbed the rich to help the poor, hated evil, and always drew her gun to help those in need. Tang Danyue wielded the Pear Blossom Night Rain Spear with unparalleled skill, never suffering a defeat, earning her the nickname "Begonia Under the Moon."

Just as Tang Danyue was riding high, news spread through the martial world that Tang Shen had dueled with Emerald, the concubine of the Junior Guardian Yu Qian. Tang Danyue knew that her father, whom she had never met, was no less skilled than her uncle. Although the duel ended in a draw, everyone in the martial world knew it was because of Tang Shen's infamous reputation; a lecherous thief fighting a woman would naturally put the woman at a disadvantage.

That was the first time Tang Danyue heard news of her father. Rumors also said that Tang Shen was now the second-in-command of the Azure Sky Sect and its top expert, so she wanted to meet this lecherous father. However, at that moment, the Tang family found Tang Danyue and brought her devastating news: her mother had passed away.

Returning to the Tang family, Tang Danyue was overwhelmed with grief, hiding in her room and refusing to see anyone. It was from that moment that Tang Danyue began to resent her father—resent his one-night stand, his despicable and vile nature, and his heartless and fickle heart.

With a family mourning a loss, it was naturally inappropriate for Tang Danyue to marry Zhou Yi. Just as the Tang family was about to express their apologies to the Zhou family, another earth-shattering event occurred in the martial arts world. Zhou Yi, the Zhou family's most outstanding disciple, betrayed the family. Simultaneously, Emperor Xuanzong of Ming, Zhu Zhanji, died, plunging the empire into chaos

. The Cangqiong Sect seized the opportunity, unifying the various sects and strongholds of Chaohu and becoming its overlord. Tang Shen also became the sect leader of the Cangqiong Sect at that time. These were merely the basic facts. The Tang family, as one of the four great families, obtained even more shocking inside information.

The reason Zhou Yi, the Zhou family's most outstanding disciple, betrayed the family was actually a ruse. The Zhou family had always harbored rebellious intentions. At the time, Zhu Qizhen was young, and if Emperor Xuanzong were to die, the empire would inevitably descend into chaos, allowing the Zhou family to rise up. Therefore, they feigned Zhou Yi's betrayal, actually intending for him to assassinate Emperor Xuanzong.

Unfortunately, a mysterious master was present in the palace. Zhou Yi's infiltration was discovered, and the two engaged in a battle within the palace walls. In the chaos, Zhou Yi still managed to severely injure Emperor Xuanzong, but he was also seriously wounded by the mysterious master and the Imperial Guards. While fleeing to Jiangnan, the mysterious master relentlessly pursued him, chasing him all the way to Suzhou. It was in Suzhou that Zhou Yi encountered a woman—a very young and beautiful woman, but whose martial arts skills were terrifyingly high, even forcing the mysterious master from the palace to retreat. Rescued,

Zhou Yi adopted the name Zhou Qianlong and disappeared without a trace.

It was after Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen ascended the throne that rumors of the "Seven Great Masters" began to circulate. These included Tang Ziwu, head of the Tang family; Qin Wuxin, head of the Qin family; Song Dao, the former head of the Song family; Zhou Qianlong, the traitor of the Zhou family; the mysterious master from the palace (who claimed to be the Emperor's Shadow, hence the nickname "Heavenly Shadow"); Emerald, Yu Qian's concubine; and the mysterious woman from Suzhou.

Some even called these seven the Seven Stars of the Martial Arts World, giving them various nicknames. Born in Hangzhou, Tang Ziwu, nicknamed "Dreamless West Lake"; Qin Wuxin, the ruthless "Bloodstained North Wind"; Song Dao, the "White-haired Shandong" who, though old, is a thief; Zhou Qianlong, the "Drunken Jiangnan in the Misty Rain" who betrayed the Zhou family; the "Shadow of the Emperor," a treasure of the imperial palace; Fei Cui, a beautiful woman from the Western Regions; and "Shallow Snow Without a Trace," who speaks softly in Suzhou.

By this time, Zhu Qizhen had gradually secured his throne, and the martial world enjoyed ten years of peace. Until the tenth year of the Zhengtong reign, the Three Yangs died one after another, and Wang Zhen seized power, encouraging the young and impetuous Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen to personally lead an expedition against the Oirat Mongols. Also in that year, rumors spread that Zhou Qianlong had joined the Cangqiong Sect, seemingly planning to rebel under the guise of Emperor Yingzong's campaign.

Meanwhile, Tang Danyue, who had been observing mourning at home, finally reappeared and was honored as a family elder by the Tang family. Having heard the rumors circulating in the martial world for the past ten years, Tang Danyue, now an elder, returned to the Jianghu at the age of thirty-two, still wielding her Pear Blossom Night Rain Spear, heading towards the Cangqiong Sect.

Zhou Qianlong, knowing of Tang Danyue's situation, also found his betrothed quite intriguing. Coincidentally, the then-Sect Leader, Tang Shen, also opposed the rebellion. He ordered the Cangqiong Sect disciples preparing to storm the capital to withdraw from the sect, leaving it an empty shell. He also bribed a fisherman on Chaohu Lake to deceive Tang Danyue, telling her that the Cangqiong Sect had already attacked the capital and only a handful of members remained.

In her haste, Tang Danyue didn't think much of it and charged alone towards the Cangqiong Sect. Only upon reaching the council hall did she realize she had fallen for a ruse. Just as she was about to leave, a deafening roar of battle erupted outside the gates, and thousands of Cangqiong Sect members surrounded her, trapping her like a turtle in a jar.

Outnumbered, Tang Danyue was finally captured. Chapter 15 , May 17th: Falling

Apart ********** ...

Tang Shen felt a little strange seeing Tang Danyue looking at him; perhaps it was because they were both from the Tang family that he felt this way. He sized up the beauty on the bed. At thirty-two, Tang Danyue was like a crabapple in full bloom, her round, jade-like breasts encased in her tight-fitting clothes, appearing firm and plump, like rolling balls of flesh, making one want to rest their head on them and do what they wanted. Her waist was slender, clearly the result of martial arts training, and her exquisite curves, lying on the bed, added a touch of fragility. Her long, straight legs were curled up, her small feet clad in tiny boots, creating an image of someone ready to be bullied.

"Who is your father? What is your status in the Tang family? At your age, you should be on the elders' council by now,"

Tang Shen asked with a smile.

"Bah! You have no right to ask about the Tang family!"

Tang Danyue glared at Tang Shen angrily.

"Oh? Still a little firecracker, huh? You're not young anymore, can't you be a little gentler..."

Tang Shen leaned down and pinched Tang Danyue's chin, feeling her smooth skin. He said with a hint of excitement, "Hehe, I've been a womanizer for decades, and a woman as perfect as you is truly rare. Well, I should say this is the second time I've seen one..."

Tang Danyue blushed at his words, her eyes filled with curiosity, wanting to know who she had seen the first time, yet too embarrassed to ask.

Tang Shen saw through her thoughts and smiled, "Want to know who the first one was? I can tell you, it's Qianxue Wuhen, one of the seven great masters. Although I haven't seen her face, from her figure and her voice, I'm certain she must be a great beauty."

"You lewd..."

Tang Danyue cursed, her face flushed. This unrestrained middle-aged man before her made it impossible for her to see him as her father. In thirty-two years, this was the first time Tang Danyue had seen her father, feeling a strange yet familiar feeling, a familiar stranger.

"Vulgar? Little girl, I'm being charming, you wouldn't understand..."

Tang Shen said proudly.

"Pah, shameless, who's the little girl!"

Tang Danyue spat at him. Even though he was a member of the Cangqiong Sect, even though he had caused her mother's death, when she saw him in person, Tang Danyue, who had resented him for ten years, was somewhat bewildered, not knowing how to deal with her father.

"I'm very satisfied with my face, of course I don't want anyone else's face."

Tang Shen said with a smile.

Even as a prisoner, Tang Danyue couldn't help but chuckle, her smile blooming like a flower, the world seemed to lose its color, leaving only her radiant beauty.

Tang Shen swallowed, looking at the beauty before him, and sighed, "Beautiful, fucking beautiful!"

"Vulgar!"

Tang Danyue thought to herself, then remembered that the person before her was her father. He actually had improper thoughts about her, this... this is incest, outrageous, he really is a lecher.

Seeing Tang Shen getting closer and closer, Tang Danyue began to panic. She cursed, "What do you want to do? I'm warning you, if you dare touch me, I'll take your dog's life!"

"What do I want to do? I want to take you!"

Tang Shen leered, "I say, you women are strange. You've already been captured by me, but you still say you want my life. Fine, let's see if you can make me die from exhaustion, hahaha..."

With that, Tang Shen could no longer contain his lust and pounced on Tang Danyue, tearing at her clothes. Her voluptuous body made Tang Shen feel like he was lying on a quilt. The fragrance emanating from Tang Danyue was like an aphrodisiac, making Tang Shen lose control.

I am your daughter! Tang Danyue cried out in her heart. She kept twisting her body, trying to pull Tang Shen off her, but she didn't know that this struggle only stimulated him. The friction caused their body temperatures to rise, and a strange feeling surged from Tang Danyue's body.

After a struggle, Tang Shen finally managed to remove Tang Danyue's clothes. Wearing only her undergarments, Tang Danyue's skin was as white as snow, flawless and pure. Her high, rounded breasts peeked out from around the undergarments, large swathes of her white flesh turning red under Tang Shen's kneading. Two erect nipples were faintly visible through the undergarments, betraying Tang Danyue's desire. "

What is this feeling? It's so strange..." Tang Danyue thought to herself. She couldn't possibly consider Tang Shen her father, yet their relationship was undeniable. Despite being violated, the man in her body was her closest relative, and she couldn't muster any resistance.

"Beauty, your breasts are so big..."

Tang Shen leered. Tang Danyue's breasts were not only large but also firm, like two large peaches, exuding fragrance. Her pink and bright red areolas were exposed outside the undergarments, stimulating Tang Shen to forcefully tear off the last barrier, revealing her naked breasts to his eyes.

Tang Danyue's hands and ankles were bound behind her back, leaving her no choice but to let Tang Shen admire the beauty of her body.

Her twin breasts, with their pink, erect nipples trembling slightly, and their areolas glistening with sweat, were as alluring as morning dew. Below her flat stomach, thick, dark pubic hair peeked out from her underpants, revealing her delicate vulva.

Wearing only her boots and underpants, Tang Danyue could only turn her face away, her flushed cheeks unable to meet Tang Shen's gaze, her heart screaming: "Don't look! It's so shameful..."

Tang Shen felt a burning heat throughout his body. He pressed down on Tang Danyue again, his large hands covering her long-desired breasts, kneading them forcefully. Big, so big; soft, so soft—that was Tang Shen's only feeling.

Seeing Tang Danyue with her eyes closed and head turned away, Tang Shen wasn't offended. He believed that with his teasing, Tang Danyue would beg him to have her. Tang Shen patiently played with Tang Danyue's breasts, changing their shape. Under his relentless efforts, Tang Danyue's breathing became erratic, and she finally let out a faint moan.

"Mmm...oh, stop rubbing..."

Tang Danyue whispered through gritted teeth.

"Does it feel good?"

Tang Shen asked, still fondling her breasts.

"Not at all...go to hell..."

Tang Danyue said resentfully, "If you want to rub them, go back and rub your mother's..."

"You're just being stubborn...my mother's breasts aren't as big as yours..."

Tang Shen said teasingly, moving his large hand away. Tang Danyue breathed a sigh of relief, but suddenly, her nipple entered a warm, moist place—Tang Shen was sucking it. His tongue constantly stirred the nipple, teasing it, making Tang Danyue tremble uncontrollably.

Tang Shen flipped Tang Danyue onto the bed, arranging her in a doggy-style position, perfectly showcasing her round, firm, and elastic buttocks. Not particularly large, but incredibly perky, the two white, glistening buttocks reflecting the light, arousing a desire to slap them hard. Tang Shen slapped Tang Danyue's fragrant buttocks hard.

"Smack!"

A wave of flesh rippled, and a bright red handprint appeared on her round buttocks.

"Ah, it hurts... you bastard..."

Tang Danyue groaned. A burning sensation extended from her buttocks to her inner thighs, her vagina contracted, and a few drops of viscous fluid flowed from her thighs.

Tang Shen was aroused by Tang Danyue's sexy nasal voice, and he quickly stripped off his clothes, revealing his strong muscles. Tang Danyue looked back at her father and saw that he was naked, with several knife scars on his body, and below that, a huge, dragon-like penis. He certainly had the potential to be a lecher; his glans stood erect like a duck's head, the purplish-red crown covered with fluid from the urethral opening, emitting a foul odor.

Tang Shen saw Tang Danyue twisting her arms, her waist and buttocks forming a graceful curve, her calves kneeling on the bed, her feet still wearing small boots. He quickly untied the ropes on her feet and took off her boots, revealing a pair of delicate jade feet.

Tang Danyue's feet, slightly sweaty from her long journey, didn't smell bad. Instead, they mingled with her natural fragrance, like an aphrodisiac, making one want to hold and caress them. Tang Shen bent down and took her small feet in his hands, sticking out his tongue to suck away the scent. "

He's licking my feet, oh, so numb... so dirty..." Tang Danyue thought to herself.

"So fragrant... delicious..."

Tang Shen mumbled indistinctly.

"Are you a pig, even gnawing on feet... shameless..."

Tang Danyue snorted.

Tang Shen didn't answer, kissing her from her small feet down to her calves, then to her thighs, until he buried his face between her buttocks. Only then did Tang Danyue's expression change. As if she had taken some kind of drug, a dazed expression appeared on her face, her willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed, and her small mouth involuntarily opened, whether in pain or pleasure, it was hard to tell. "

There... no, don't lick... Father is licking my genitals, oh, this..." Tang Danyue cried out in her heart, the boundaries of morality gradually blurring.

Tang Shen sucked all of Tang Danyue's vaginal fluid into his mouth, rubbed his lips, and said, "Even the finest delicacies are nothing more than this..."

"Vulgar..."

Tang Danyue cursed again, but this time with a hint of incestuous excitement.

Tang Shen looked at Tang Danyue's smooth jade back and upturned round buttocks, pressed his already rock-hard penis between her legs, the glans touching her vulva, the tender flesh on her vulva trembling, seemingly wanting to swallow this giant python.

"Ah...you, don't come in..."

Tang Danyue knew what was pressing against her back, and a surge of tension rose in her heart. Was she really going to have relations with her father? This was her first time...

"Why shouldn't I go in?"

Tang Shen said with a lewd grin.

"No..."

Tang Danyue said blankly, with one more sentence unspoken in her heart: You will regret this.

Tang Shen ignored Tang Danyue, rubbed it against the entrance, the glans already wet with vaginal fluid, broke through the opening, and pushed it inside.

"Huh?"

Tang Shen felt his glans touch a thin membrane. Could it be...?

"You're still a virgin?"

Tang Shen asked excitedly, his voice trembling with surprise.

"What's it to you..."

Tang Danyue said shyly. Indeed, being a virgin at thirty-two was something she was ashamed to mention.

"Then let me help you..."

Tang Shen said, even more delighted to know that Tang Danyue was a virgin.

"No..."

Tang Danyue's voice trailed off as Tang Shen broke through the membrane, penetrating to the deepest point with unstoppable force. Faint streaks of blood slowly flowed onto his pubic hair, appearing extremely conspicuous. Just as he entered Tang Danyue's tender orifice, a strange feeling rose from within her, the reason for which she couldn't explain.

Tang Danyue couldn't help but shed tears, unsure whether it was from the pain or from being deflowered by her father. She suddenly turned around and cried out to Tang Shen, "Bastard! You'll regret this... Do you know I'm your own daughter!"

Tang Shen was stunned upon hearing this. My own daughter? My... own daughter? Tang Shen was stunned. Looking at Tang Danyue, who was still in an alluring position beneath him, he couldn't process what had happened. He suddenly remembered the little farm girl from before.

"You are... Haiyan's daughter?"

Haiyan was Tang Danyue's mother's name.

Tang Danyue looked at Tang Shen with complicated eyes, a mixture of mockery, resentment, lust, and helplessness, as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been spilled, leaving her unsure of what to feel.

Tang Shen frowned and closed his eyes, veins bulging on his forehead. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and laughed maniacally, "So what if she's my own daughter? She's just what I want! I, Tang Shen, have slept with all kinds of women, but I've never slept with my own daughter. Today, I'll give you a taste!"

With that, he ignored Tang Danyue's continued pain and began thrusting his huge penis rapidly. His massive penis parted the tender flesh of her vagina, the mons pubis mixed with blood and vaginal fluid. Two pubic hairs that had fallen from Tang Shen clung to Tang Danyue's buttocks, making the scene look exceptionally lewd.

"Haha, my good daughter, how's Daddy's cock?"

Tang Shen seemed unable to accept this outcome, already somewhat driven to madness.

"You... ah, let me go, it hurts... be gentle, you're not my daddy, you lecher!..."

Tang Danyue was pressed onto the bed by Tang Shen, feeling the hot cock constantly moving in and out of her vagina. The pain gradually disappeared, replaced by an irresistible pleasure.

"Hmph, call me daddy, or I'll fuck you to death..."

Tang Shen reached forward, vigorously rubbing her large breasts, pinching her nipples with two fingers and rotating them.

"Go to hell... ahhh, so deep, you bastard, you're killing me..."

Tang Danyue groaned and cursed, whether she truly hated Tang Shen or was expressing her pleasure.

But what she couldn't hide was that Tang Danyue began to subtly thrust her round buttocks back, welcoming Tang Shen's thrusts.

The emptiness deep within her made Tang Danyue wish that Tang Shen would thrust all the way in with every stroke, filling her tight vagina.

"Hmph, still being stubborn, you're clearly being horny yourself. Look at your lewdness, truly worthy of being my daughter..."

Tang Shen said with a wicked smile.

"If you have the guts, let go of my hands, and I'll kill you..."

Tang Danyue turned around and glared at Tang Shen.

Tang Shen smiled mockingly and untied the ropes binding Tang Danyue's hands. Almost at the same time, Tang Danyue turned around and hugged Tang Shen's neck, cursing, "Bastard, I'll squeeze you to death... so you'll be a lecher from now on, oh, so hard, I'll break your filthy thing..."

"Didn't your mother teach you? This is called a cock!"

Seeing that Tang Danyue had also gone mad, Tang Shen hugged her breasts even tighter and began to have sex with her fiercely.

"Cock, so thick... really so thick, you better fuck me to death, otherwise I will definitely kill you..."

Tang Danyue said incoherently.

"Damn it, you really need to be fucked..."

Tang Shen said, panting heavily.

For a moment, the father and daughter forgot their identities, their hearts filled with an unclear mix of love and hate. They only knew to throw themselves into this strange act of pleasure, seemingly wanting to smash each other's genitals, twisting their bodies recklessly.

Their round, full buttocks slammed against Tang Shen's thighs, making a loud thud.

"Slap slap slap slap!"

"So tight, my good daughter, you're such a tempting vixen..."

"Pah, you're so shameless, you're fucking your own daughter and you're still so brazen... Ahhh, it's hitting the spot, it's so deep..."

"Fuck your mother, it feels so good!"

"Thirty-two years ago you fucked my mother, and now you're fucking me again... Ohhh, watch me smash your filthy thing, it's so thick, so hard..."

The father and daughter seemed to be somewhat insane, not changing positions, just chest to back, sweating profusely, thrusting their lower bodies, their bodies completely immersed in lust. Tang Shen's iron spear was even sharper than the iron spear in his hand, hitting the very core, making Tang Danyue's heart tremble, filled with mixed feelings of love and hate.

"So good, I'm going to cum..."

"Bastard, if you have the guts, cum inside, have a granddaughter and then let you fuck me... Ohhh, it's gotten thicker again, you pervert..."

"Coming..."

"Ahhh, no... Okay, cum inside... Oh, it's so hot, so much..."

In their frenzied lovemaking, Tang Shen quickly reached his limit, thrusting wildly a dozen times before ejaculating his hot semen, his penis deeply embedded in her vagina. Both reached the peak of incestuous pleasure simultaneously.

Tang Danyue collapsed onto the bed, panting heavily. Released from her frenzied state, she could no longer hold back, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls: "You...I'm your daughter, Father!" Tang

Shen looked at the naked Tang Danyue, her body flushed from her orgasm, her vagina still leaking the fluid he had just ejaculated into, mixed with faint traces of blood. Her round buttocks and breasts twisted into a seductive curve, bewitching him once more. He said viciously, "Don't call me Father, you're not my daughter! You're my whore!"

With that, he pounced on Tang Danyue again, thrusting his still-erect penis inside her without another word.

"You bastard... Oh, you're in again! I'm so humiliated, just fuck me to death..."

"Ahhh, even harder and thicker than before... Don't go in anymore, I'm going to die..."

Forget it, forget the father-daughter relationship, forget the hatred, Tang Danyue passionately threw herself into the sea of desire, actively hooking her slender legs behind Tang Shen's buttocks, thrusting her buttocks upwards like a whore to meet the man on top of her.

From afternoon to late at night, resting and conquering, changing the sex again and again.

Holding Tang Shen's head, she offered her fragrant tongue for him to taste, and swallowed his dirty saliva. She held him in her arms, swaying her hips face to face, letting him fondle her full breasts…

She stretched out her little feet to rub against his thick penis, not minding the filth on it, and took the shaft into her mouth, her tongue swirling around the glans, her eyes filled with seductive allure as she looked at him, arousing him to ejaculate, filling her mouth with his semen… She

loudly changed her terms of address, calling him "Daddy," "Husband," "Brother," and "Lover" repeatedly, sitting on his lower abdomen, thrusting her slender waist, swallowing that hot penis to the deepest part of her body, and cupping her large breasts to offer them to his mouth. She offered herself to him,

deliberately sticking out her snow-white, tender buttocks while lying on the table, bending her little feet backward to entice him to have sex with

her. But as he penetrated her, she would prop herself up, hooking her arms around his neck, and lick his lips like a harlot... She would bring her clean little feet to his mouth for him to lick and suck, her jade feet sliding from her chin to his penis. Lying on the bed, she would let him place his thick, hard penis between her breasts and squeeze it fiercely...

Tang Danyue seemed to genuinely see herself as a prostitute to please Tang Shen, somewhat willingly indulging in sex. After several days, Tang Shen lowered his guard against her, treating her like a bandit's wife, allowing her to move freely within the Cangqiong Sect.

Finally, taking advantage of the Cangqiong Sect's grand assembly when the members were drunk, Tang Danyue stole her Pear Blossom Night Rain Spear and quickly fled down the mountain. Afterward, Tang Shen discovered that Tang Danyue had escaped and was furious, mobilizing his disciples to pursue her. Tang Danyue fled to Suzhou, where she met Wu Lingwen and escaped capture.

In the years leading up to her marriage into the Wu family, she still occasionally traveled around Suzhou with members of the Cangqiong Sect. However, in the fourteenth year of the Zhengtong reign (1444), Emperor Yingzong was captured during his campaign against the Oirat Mongols—the Tumu Crisis. Zhou Qianlong, the second-in-command of the Cangqiong Sect, seemed to focus his attention on the capital, and the sect disappeared from Suzhou.

It wasn't until the summer of the fifth year of the Jingtai reign (1136), when Tang Danyue accompanied Wu Yu to Nanjing, that she encountered members of the Cangqiong Sect again.

After hearing Tang Danyue's story, everyone sighed with regret. Of course, Tang Danyue only briefly mentioned her time with the Cangqiong Sect, and no one knew what had happened.

Now, discovering traces of the Cangqiong Sect in Nanjing naturally made Tang Danyue very nervous. If they were simply determined to find her, it would be a minor matter; but if they were after her donations, it would be a serious problem.

Tang Xi looked around at everyone for a moment, then pondered, "Everyone, regardless of whether we know the purpose of these Sky Gate thieves, just the fact that Elder Haitang has been discovered means that, given their style, we must leave Jinling tonight to avoid the Sky Gate reinforcements arriving, which would be too late." "

That makes sense! Let's leave Jinling as soon as possible before the Sky Gate discovers our purpose,"

Wu Yu nodded in agreement.

The others echoed his sentiments. After the discussion, they prepared to pack their things when Wu Yu suddenly said, "Wait! The city is teeming with Cangqiong Sect members. If we leave the city openly, they'll surely catch us red-handed."

Everyone frowned upon hearing this. Yuqin stepped forward and asked, "Young Master, do you have a brilliant plan?"

"Hehe, Sister Yuqin understands me best..."

Wu Yu smiled smugly, about to tease her a bit, but seeing Liu'er's unfriendly expression, he quickly said, "Of course, there's also my good Liu'er..."

Seeing Liu'er pout and huff, knowing she had let him go, Wu Yu quickly said, "Uncle Tang, Sister Danyue, we can leave the donations here and only transport the empty carts out of the city, splitting into three groups. If the Cangqiong Sect comes after us, we can abandon the carts to save the king. This will buy us time and confuse the enemy. What do you think?"

What a clever escape plan! Tang Danyue sighed inwardly. Wu Yu had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, and now it seemed he truly had some tricks up his sleeve. Tang Xi was also shocked by Wu Yu's bold idea. After pondering for a moment, he nodded heavily in agreement.

Wu Yu's eyes flashed, and he continued, "Apart from Uncle Tang and Sister Dan Yue, Brother Lei Meng has the highest martial arts skills, so I need you to guard Jinling. In case of any unexpected events, you can respond accordingly. As for the rest of the people..."

Wu Yu glanced around and made up his mind, saying, "The amount of charity we are escorting this time is so large that the Cangqiong Sect will find out with a little investigation. Uncle Tang, you are the chief镖头 (chief镖师, head镖师), so you must take the lead and set off from the main road."

Tang Xi nodded in agreement. Seeing Wu Yu's composed command and the great confidence in his words, everyone unconsciously followed his plan and assignments.

Wu Yu paused, glanced at Liu'er, and said apologetically, "Sister Liu'er, you, Brother Tang Xiao, and Sister Yuqin are all new faces, so you can leave discreetly. The Cangqiong Sect members might not notice you. The three of you should form a team and leave Jinling City quickly. Rejoin us after you leave the city."

Ignoring Liu'er's objections, Wu Yu turned to Tang Xiao and said, "Brother Tang, I'm entrusting Sister Liu'er and Sister Yuqin to you."

Tang Xiao had accompanied his father on his escort missions and had naturally experienced being robbed of valuables, so he remained calm and said steadily, "Don't worry, I will definitely protect them."

"Hmm."

Wu Yu responded softly. As the eldest son of the Wu family and the person in charge of this charity, although he wanted to stay by Liu'er's side, he couldn't let personal feelings distract him. He took a deep breath and continued, "Sister Dan Yue, you and I will leave the city together. Uncle Tang and Brother Tang are heading towards Hefei, while we..."

Wu Yu smiled mysteriously, "head towards Suzhou, bypassing Jinling, taking the route through Wuhu, and meeting up in Wuchang."

Good for Wu Yu! He actually came up with a plan to go back. Even if the Cangqiong Sect guessed they had fled Jinling, they wouldn't have guessed their direction. Besides, heading towards Suzhou meant entering the Tang family's territory, and the Cangqiong Sect didn't dare provoke the four great families.

After deciding, everyone packed their things, arranged the empty cart, filled it with stones, and fled out of the city in the hazy night.

********** ...

Since the second-in-command, Zhou Qianlong, left the Cangqiong Sect with the third-in-command, the sect has lacked a person of exceptional wisdom and strategy, causing Tang Shen considerable distress. Although the sect has many first-rate fighters, it lacks a strategist capable of commanding troops, which has allowed the Cangqiong Sect to focus on recuperation recently. While its territory hasn't expanded, its wealth has increased significantly.

At this moment, Tang Shen just received a message by carrier pigeon from Jinling City, saying that a disciple had discovered traces of "Moonlight Begonia." Tang Shen was both surprised and delighted, and immediately summoned his disciples to arrange the capture of Tang Danyue.

"Chief, the strategist is not here right now. If we rashly go to Jinling City, it might be a trap."

A man resembling a clerk, sitting to the left of Tang Shen, spoke. His face was lewd, with a black mole at the corner of his mouth from which several long hairs sprouted—a truly bizarre appearance.

This man was Zhu Kai, the fifth leader of the Cangqiong Sect. In truth, he wasn't ugly; he had used a disguise to appear so wretched. This fifth leader, however, had a remarkable background. He was originally a member of the royal family, related to the founding emperor of the dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang. However, over several generations, the bloodline had become extremely distant. When Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, came to the aid of the emperor, he annihilated several other princes in one fell swoop. Zhu Kai's grandfather, due to the distant relationship, escaped this calamity and went into hiding, becoming a commoner instead of a noble.

No one knew Zhu Kai's real name. He only claimed to admire Zhu Di the most, for his successful rebellion. Since there was a Zhu Di, there had to be a Zhu Kai, so he changed his name to Zhu Kai and called himself the King of the Wild Goose.

Hearing the fifth brother speak, Tang Shen rubbed his brow and said, "That's true, but the opportunity must not be missed!"

He couldn't help but inwardly curse Zhou Qianlong; it was precisely at this crucial moment that he went down the mountain to meet that person. Thinking of that person, Tang Shen's feelings were somewhat complicated. The Cangqiong Sect's dominance in the martial world was hard-won; if they were to rebel for that person, it would be a path of no return.

The Cangqiong Sect, as its name suggests, aspires to reach the heavens. There are seven great masters in the world, and the Cangqiong Sect has seven leaders. The reason the Cangqiong Sect has been able to dominate Chaohu for decades is because of these seven people. Since the death of the mediocre Cangqiong Sect leader, Tang Shen has taken over the sect and it has continuously expanded, with influence extending from Jiangdong to Jiangxi, and from Huainan to Huaibei.

The first among the seven leaders of the Cangqiong Sect is the "King of the Azure Sky," Tang Shen, who manages all major affairs of the sect. The imperial court forbade commoners from overstepping their authority, yet Tang Shen dared to declare himself king, demonstrating his magnanimity. The second leader, "Drunken Jiangnan in the Misty Rain" Zhou Qianlong, is in charge of military command and rewards/punishments within the sect. As the top strategist of the Cangqiong Sect, he is both scholarly and martial, a truly remarkable figure. The third leader, "Bloodthirsty Blade" Song Chi, is in charge of assassinations. A member of the Song family from Shandong, his Heavenly Blade is unpredictable, and he is bloodthirsty as a madman. The fourth leader, "Phoenix Marquis" Pang Zheng, is in charge of intelligence gathering. As the second strategist of the Cangqiong Sect, there are kings and marquises; just as there were the Crouching Dragon and the Phoenix Chick in ancient times, there are now the Hidden Dragon and the Phoenix Marquis.

The first four leaders are all figures in the martial arts world, brought to the Cangqiong Sect by either their personalities or by fate. The latter three leaders, however, are somewhat different. The fifth leader, "Wild Goose King" Zhu Kai, is in charge of customs and administration, specializing in dealing with government offices and the imperial army. He appears as a clerk, but is adept at navigating complex social situations. As for the sixth and seventh leaders, their identities were shrouded in mystery, unknown even to those within the Azure Sky Sect.

With Zhou Qianlong and Song Chi absent and Pang Zheng away gathering intelligence, Zhu Kai was the only true strategist in the sect. Therefore, Tang Shen had no choice but to heed Zhu Kai's words.

"Boss, since we know Tang Danyue is in Jinling City, we don't need to rush to capture her. We can besiege Jinling and trap her like a turtle in a jar,"

Zhu Kai said, stroking the long hair around his mouth.

Tang Shen's eyes lit up. "That's right. It's been ten years already; why rush? Let's use Fifth Brother's method."

"Report!"

Just as Tang Shen was about to order someone to go to Jinling City, he heard a disciple rushing into the council hall.

"What is it? Have a drink first,"

Tang Shen said, filling a bowl with wine and gesturing for the man to quench his thirst.

The gatekeeper, panting, downed a large bowl of fine wine in one gulp and said, "Someone outside requests an audience with the Chief, saying it's related to Tang Danyue."

"Oh, is that so?"

Tang Shen asked in surprise. He had just received a message by carrier pigeon, and now someone was coming to see him. Was it just a coincidence?

The gatekeeper was waiting for Tang Shen's reply, and seeing Tang Shen deep in thought, he didn't dare to disturb him. Only the Fifth Chief, Zhu Kai, knew that Tang Shen was lost in thought again, unaware that he was fantasizing about that virtuous young woman. He then said to the gatekeeper, "A guest is a guest; please invite him in."

"Yes!"

the gatekeeper replied, and hurriedly ran outside again.

A moment later, two burly men appeared outside the council hall. One of them had a swallow-like forehead and a tiger-like beard, a wolf-like waist and a burly back, and a scar on his face running from the corner of his eye to the corner of his mouth. He was none other than Xiao Jiu, who had appeared at the Wu family's place before. The other man was dressed in a blue robe, wearing a square scarf on his head, holding a folding fan, with a thin face, but was a handsome scholar.

"May I ask who you two are, and what brings you to my Azure Sky Sect?"

Tang Shen, who detested empty formalities, asked directly.

Xiao Jiu was equally unceremonious, saying loudly, "My surname is Chai, and this is my younger brother, you can call him Fifth Master. I've come to the Azure Sky Sect to discuss a business deal with the sect leader."

"A business deal?"

Tang Shen frowned.

The Fifth Master stepped forward and said, "We wish to use Tang Danyue's information to exchange for the whereabouts of someone from your sect."

"Speak,"

Tang Shen said with some interest.

"Shen Lin," the

Fifth Master said, "Never heard of him."

Tang Shen picked his ear and said.

Xiao Jiu was about to get angry, but the Fifth Master didn't seem to care, blocking Xiao Jiu with one hand and slowly saying, "Just because you don't know doesn't mean no one in your sect knows. I've heard Zhou Qianlong is the second-in-command of the Azure Sky Sect; I think he might know." "

You want to see Xiao Er? Sorry, he's gone down the mountain."

Tang Shen waved his hand, signaling his disciples to see the guests out. Although he was eager to know Tang Danyue's whereabouts, the two people before him were of unknown origin, and he couldn't afford to get involved.

Mr. Wu chuckled lightly, "Very well, to show my sincerity, I'll offer the information first. As for whether we'll do business, that depends on Master Tang's magnanimity."

Without waiting for Tang Shen to speak, he continued, "Tang Danyue is currently in Jinling City with Tang Xi of the Changlu Escort Agency and Wu Yu of the Wu family in Suzhou. Among them are two women who don't know martial arts, and Tang Xi's son, Tang Xiao. Also in Jinling City is Lei Meng, the head of a branch of the Changlu Escort Agency, who possesses an iron body."

"Oh, so there are even people from my Tang family among them,"

Tang Shen sneered. "Lei Meng, I know him. His martial arts are mediocre, just a lot of brute force, a headache!"

Mr. Wu deliberately mentioned Liu'er and Yuqin, who, lacking martial arts skills, were a burden. Now that he knew the information about Jinling, Tang Shen quickly wrote a letter, first sending it by carrier pigeon to notify his men in Jinling to surround the city, and then preparing to head there himself.

"Thank you for the news, esteemed guest. As for your deal, we'll discuss it when Xiao Er returns."

With that, Tang Shen lost interest in conversation, his only thought being to capture his beautiful daughter immediately.

After leaving the Azure Sky Gate, Xiao Jiu and Mr. Wu headed west. On their way down the mountain, Xiao Jiu softly asked her younger brother, "Will Tang Shen do this deal?"

"Yes, because he's curious,"

Mr. Wu said confidently. He glanced at Xiao Jiu, then turned his gaze to the distance: "Let's go find the young master."

As the two disappeared into the night, a commotion arose from the Azure Sky Gate. Tang Shen himself had also set out for Jinling. ********** ... Tang Danyue, however, was secretly amazed by Wu Yu beside her. She leaned closer to him and asked, "Young Master, it's been years since I tested your martial arts. I didn't expect you to have improved so much. Not only have you caught up with my speed, but you're also completely composed. You're truly a hidden talent." Wu Yu smiled shyly and replied, "It's all thanks to Sister Danyue's excellent teaching, and luck, luck..."

The two ran towards Suzhou, their figures obscured by the night, like ghosts. As they ran, they saw Jinling City engulfed in flames and chaos, wondering what had happened. Just as they were worrying, a gust of wind swept past, and a figure flew in, faster than they were.

Wu Yu immediately stopped, shielding Tang Danyue behind him, and loudly asked, "Who is this master here? Please show yourself immediately!"

A lazy voice came from the darkness, saying, "It wasn't in vain that I rushed here through the night. You are indeed here again, my dear daughter..."

Tang Danyue was startled and exclaimed, "Tang Shen!"

Suddenly, a disheveled figure appeared before them. The man was about sixty years old, with handsome features; it was none other than Tang Shen, the master of the Cangqiong Sect. Since learning the news from Master Wu, he had used all his strength and astonishing lightness skill to rush towards Jinling City, arriving in less than an hour. Just then, upon reaching the city gate, they encountered Tang Xi. Tang Shen easily injured Tang Xi, and after questioning him, learned of Wu Yu's plan. He then dispatched his men, who quickly located Tang Xiao and his companions.

It was Tang Xiao's fault for being so foolish; he was allowed to escape in secret, and he actually wore night clothes, acting suspiciously, which explained why the Cangqiong Sect members found him. After a fierce battle, fortunately, Tang Shen was not present, and Tang Xiao fought his way out of the encirclement, managing to protect Liu'er, while Yuqin was captured alive by the Cangqiong Sect.

At this moment, Tang Shen found Wu Yu and his companion, and it was like a cat playing with a mouse, with no way to escape.

Tang Danyue pushed Wu Yu aside and said to Tang Shen, "Your goal is just to capture me. Let him go!"

"Hmm? Let him go? Who is he? He's handsome and young. Could he be my son-in-law? Then I can't let him go, don't you think, young master of the Wu family..."

Tang Shen said slowly.

Wu Yu shielded Tang Danyue behind him again, composed himself, and asked, "Where are the others?"

Tang Shen naturally knew he was referring to Liu'er and the others, so he smiled and said, "Young Master Wu, you certainly have some skill. You remain calm in the face of danger. Not bad, not bad! I respect you, so I'll tell you. Tang Xi has been severely injured by me, and my men captured a stunning young lady, but Tang Xiao and another girl escaped." Oh

no! Wu Yu's heart skipped a beat. Seeing Tang Xiao and Yuqin exchanging glances, the one captured must be Liu'er. Concern can cloud judgment, and Wu Yu couldn't help but suspect them. After a moment's thought, he said in a deep voice, "I know where the donations are. Let's do a deal."

Another deal? Tang Shen muttered to himself. Oh well, what can you do when you're a good person? He looked at the man and woman before him with a mocking expression, then turned and walked towards Jinling City. Wu Yu and Tang Danyue had no choice but to obediently follow behind.

In the darkness of night, the escort mission fell apart.

Chapter 16

At the Wu family residence in Suzhou, under the care of Junior Guardian Yu Qian, the summer heat persisted, along

with the noisy chirping of cicadas. After the charity convoy departed, the Wu family residence became much quieter. He Ruoxue spent her days at "Penglai Residence," enjoying the peace and quiet without Wu Yu and Liu'er. On the main branch of the family, Shen Yanlin continued her usual routine, admiring flowers and watching fish at the lakeside pavilion. Life seemed unchanged, except for Wu Gui.

Just days before, Wu Gui had been a contented man, chopping wood, feeding horses, traveling throughout Suzhou, and caring for grains and vegetables. Now, with Tang Danyue gone and Yuqin gone, Wu Gui suffered sleepless nights, and with his two wives staying secluded, he had no choice but to help Wu Lingwen manage the "Splendid Years" business at "Biluo Tower."

No one knew that Wu Yu and his group had already been captured alive by Tang Shen. However, Wu Feng had recently appeared refreshed, as if he had encountered some joyous event, and despite his deep-seated cunning, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of happiness.

And indeed, Suzhou was about to witness a momentous event: Junior Guardian Yu Qian was to inspect Yingtian Prefecture.

Junior Guardian Yu Qian wielded immense power. The current court was divided into military and civil factions, which should ideally be balanced. However, the previous emperor, Zhu Qizhen, suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Tumu, causing a sharp decline in the status of the military faction. Apart from the Grand General of the Northern Expedition, Liu Guanhai, and the Grand General of the White Dragon Army, Tang Yunyuan, other military generals were not given important positions. The

civil faction, on the other hand, was teeming with talent. The former Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Jiang Chong, controlled the government and established a powerful political party. Although he had abdicated, his cronies still occupied most of the official positions, standing in opposition to Junior Guardian Yu Qian's faction. The governor of Yingtian was Jiang Chong's nephew, Jiang Min, and the Jiangsu textile commissioner and military commander were also from the Jiang faction; otherwise, how could Yu Qian have so coincidentally chosen Suzhou?

The current emperor, Emperor Daizong Zhu Qiyu, deeply fearing a coup, had been relentlessly suppressing the remnants of the previous dynasty for the past five years. After all, Emperor Daizong ascended the throne temporarily during a crisis, and no one knew if Emperor Yingzong would suddenly return to court one day. To secure his throne, Zhu Qiyu supported Yu Qian and heavily relied on the Eastern Depot, unleashing a wave of killings that eliminated most of the Jiang faction's high-ranking officials.

Now, Yu Qian's butcher's knife had fallen upon Jiang Min.

************ Night fell, at the Wu family residence.

Wu Lingwen, as usual, went to his study to check the day's accounts. A single lamp cast a dim, yellowish light from the window. Wu Lingwen wasn't alone in the room; Yun Xin and Yue Rong stood with their heads bowed, waiting for him to speak.

"Phew..."

Wu Lingwen let out a long sigh of relief, finally finishing reviewing today's figures. Looking up, he saw Yunxin and Yuerong still standing, realizing they had been waiting for quite some time. He said gently, "Please sit down..."

"Yes."

The two obediently sat down to the side, and Yuerong began, "Today, the First Madam rested at the Lakeside Pavilion, doing some embroidery. During that time, the Second Young Master came to pay his respects and left after a short while. However, the Second Young Master seemed to have mentioned the Young Guardian's upcoming visit to Suzhou, and then he went into the First Madam's room. I have no way of knowing the details."

After speaking, Yunxin continued, "Today, the Second Madam was planting flowers at Penglai Residence, and nothing happened."

Upon hearing this, Wu Lingwen nodded first, then pondered to Yuerong, "You said the Second Young Master mentioned the Young Guardian... what was the First Madam's reaction?" Yuerong

thought for a moment and replied, "Hmm... the First Madam didn't seem to react much, she just said 'I know.'"

"Oh?"

Wu Lingwen was somewhat surprised. After all, Yu Qian was the most powerful minister in the court, and her calm reaction was quite unexpected. After thinking for a while, Wu Lingwen still couldn't come to a conclusion, so he said to the two women, "Very well, you can go back and rest."

He then ignored the two women and went back to checking the accounts. Yun Xin and Yue Rong didn't dare disturb Wu Lingwen, so they bowed and left the room. They exchanged a glance and then left in the same direction.

Under the Flowers Pavilion. In Wu Feng's room.

No one could imagine that the young master of a wealthy family lived in a thatched hut, spending his days writing poetry and prose like a diligent scholar. Wu Feng had only one explanation: "There is gold in books."

At this moment, two slender figures knelt before Wu Feng. Wu Feng closed his eyes, his expression unreadable.

"Get up..."

Wu Feng said softly.

The two figures rose upon hearing this; they were Yun Xin and Yue Rong.

Wu Feng's gentle voice rang out: "You two have worked hard, gathering information for Wu Lingwen while also keeping an eye on his movements for me."

Wu Feng addressed his father by his given name, showing absolutely no respect.

How could a scholar, for whom filial piety is paramount, be so rude? Wu Feng was a scholar, but he wasn't rude. It was just because of something Shen Yanlin had said: "Wu Lingwen is not your biological father. As for who your biological father is, I myself have forgotten..."

Therefore, Wu Feng considered himself a fatherless person. He didn't even want a relationship with his mother, that alluring and sexy woman. He wished Shen Yanlin were just a woman.

Since learning that Wu Lingwen was not his biological father, Wu Feng began plotting to seize the Wu family's wealth. Yun Xin and Yue Rong were two maids he had bought from the countryside, but instead of immediately bringing them back to the manor, he arranged for them to encounter Wu Lingwen and, through some manipulation, persuaded him to bring them back.

At Wu Feng's behest, Yun Xin and Yue Rong feigned loyalty to Wu Lingwen and displayed remarkable abilities: gathering intelligence. Therefore, Wu Lingwen placed them with Shen Yanlin and He Ruoxue respectively, conveniently facilitating the ultimate winner behind the scenes. At this moment

, Wu Feng was reviewing the Wu family's situation in his mind. Wu Yu was gone; even if he were still alive, he was likely captured and taken back to the Cangqiong Sect. His half-sister never returned to the Wu family, and He Ruoxue never left the house. The Wu family no longer possessed any power that could stop him. Originally, Wu Feng could have already taken everything from the Wu family, but Yu Qian's inspection disrupted his plans.

The Yingtian governor, Jiang Min, was mediocre, merely passable. Even if Wu Feng had poisoned Wu Lingwen, Jiang Min wouldn't have been able to uncover the truth. But Yu Qian was different; his trip was to deal with Jiang Min, and if something happened to the Wu family, it would definitely attract his attention.

Wu Feng pondered for a moment, then said to Yun Xin, "Yun Xin, tomorrow night tell Wu Lingwen that I went to see the Second Madam at the Second Branch's place and hoped she would ask Father to recommend me to see Yu Shaobao. Wu Lingwen dotes on He Ruoxue so much; once he knows about this, he will definitely recommend me." "

Yes, Young Master Feng."

Yun Xin and Yue Rong addressed Wu Feng as Young Master Feng when they met him.

"Yue Rong,"

Wu Feng turned to Yue Rong and said, "Keep a close watch on Mother for me. Even... well, even if she goes to the toilet, you must eavesdrop..."

After all, she was his mother, and Wu Feng looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Young Master Feng?"

Yue Rong asked, puzzled.

Wu Feng smiled and shook his head, remaining silent. He knew, of course, that his mother was on his side. However, Shen Yanlin's actions were always flawless, which piqued Wu Feng's curiosity, making him want to uncover even the slightest secret about her.

After saying this, Wu Feng told the two women to go back and rest, while he continued his studies by lamplight.

It seemed that something sinister always happened in the Wu family at night.

************ The next morning, the first rays of sunlight shone on the ancient city walls, and Suzhou seemed to have received the emperor's favor. In the distance, a sedan chair swayed towards Suzhou. Eight people, eight swords—the eight sedan chair bearers were all highly skilled martial arts masters. Their steps were steady, their breathing long and deep, indicating that a great person sat inside.

Gradually, it drew closer, and the two large characters "Gusu" on the city wall became increasingly clear. Then they heard the city gate guards standing in neat rows below the city walls. Jiang Min, the governor of Yingtian, led a group of officials and knelt below, loudly proclaiming, "This humble official pays respects to the Junior Guardian!"

They had expected Yu Qian's inspection tour to be a grand affair, but instead, it was just a sedan chair. Truly befitting a high-ranking official, his imposing presence was evident. The officials behind him couldn't believe that the lone sedan chair before them carried Yu Qian. Only Jiang Min, who had been to the capital and seen grand occasions, knew that Yu Qian, whether entering the palace to meet the emperor or traveling, always used these eight men to carry him in his sedan chair.

The sedan chair stopped, and a voice came from inside—a voice no one expected.

"Get up, he's sleeping..."

Like the chanting of a celestial being from the Western Paradise, a magnetic female voice aroused everyone's desire. What kind of beauty was the woman in the sedan chair, whose voice alone was enough to make one lose control?

He was sleeping? Could it be that the two of them had been indulging in debauchery in the sedan chair every day these past few days? Jiang Min and the others couldn't help but let their imaginations run wild.

"Thank you, Lord Xie!"

Jiang Min was the first to react. He had long heard that Yu Qian's concubine, Emerald, was one of the seven greatest martial arts masters in the land, possessing not only strange and evil skills but also a beauty that could steal a person's soul at a glance.

Suddenly, a lazy male voice came from inside the sedan chair: "Oh? We've arrived in Suzhou? Emerald, why didn't you wake me up..."

The female voice seemed a little shy, chuckling, "Were you tired last night..."

"Uh... never mind, never mind, is that Lord Jiang outside?"

The male voice gradually woke up.

Jiang Min was somewhat annoyed. We've been waiting here since early morning, and you're sleeping soundly in the sedan chair, flirting with your concubine! It's outrageous! But he dared not be disrespectful and said, "It is indeed this humble official. May Lord Yu come out and allow us to pay our respects?"

"You want to see me?"

Yu Qian said meaningfully.

Jiang Min didn't speak, but simply knelt with his head bowed.

At this moment, a woman's voice suddenly whispered, "Sleep..."

Jiang Min was completely bewildered when all the officials behind him suddenly collapsed to the ground, their fates unknown.

The power of the seven masters' words was immense. Jiang Min felt a chill run down his spine; he had never witnessed such a bizarre situation in his life. The legendary "Red Jade" was indeed incredibly strange and powerful.

"Get up, Lord Jiang."

The sunlight overhead was blocked by a shadow. Jiang Min looked up and saw a handsome and upright figure standing before him. In the sunlight, his face was obscured, but at that moment, he seemed like the heavens themselves.

Jiang Min's legs trembled as he slowly rose, finally seeing the person before him clearly.

His handsome face was etched with wrinkles, making it impossible to tell his age, but he appeared to be between thirty and forty. He had some gray hair at his temples, a light stubble around his lips, and small eyes, yet the shrewdness within them seemed to see right through one. His ambiguous smile gave the impression of complete control.

This was Yu Qian, the most powerful man in the court.

Jiang Min dared not meet Yu Qian's gaze, but instead bowed respectfully, asking hesitantly, "Lord Yu, they…" Yu

Qian glanced at the group of officials lying motionless behind him and chuckled, "They're alright, just asleep. They'll be fine in a bit. Lord Jiang, let's go into the city."

With that, he turned and walked towards the ancient city of Suzhou.

Jiang Min sighed inwardly and could only obediently follow behind. The usually imposing Governor of Yingtian was trembling with fear under Yu Qian's intimidation. Junior Guardian Yu Qian truly lived up to his reputation.

Inside Suzhou, the bustling city was already buzzing with activity in the early morning. No commoner would stop making a living because of Yu Qian's arrival, and more likely, no commoner would pay any attention to it. Even though the four characters "Junior Guardian Yu Qian" shone brightly on the official notices, the people only thought that he was a high-ranking official from the capital, none of their business.

Yu Qian strolled through the crowd, with Jiang Min beside him, half a step behind. The eight-person sedan chair followed behind, seemingly propelled by some force that pushed away anyone near it. Yu Qian had no time to deal with the fallen officials. The social

hierarchy was scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant, with merchants ranked last. Yu Qian, however, went against this order, turning to Jiang Min beside him and asking, "Are there any large merchant families in Suzhou?"

"Your Excellency, there are many large merchants in Suzhou, but only the Wu and He families reside within the city,"

Jiang Min replied, wiping his sweat.

"One qian of white peony root, three qian of he shou wu, and two qian of codonopsis root, simmered for three hours—maybe you try it, Lord Jiang,"

Yu Qian suddenly said, seemingly out of context.

Seeing Jiang Min looking at him strangely, Yu Qian smiled and explained, "Although it's summer, the mornings in Suzhou aren't very hot. Yet you're covered in sweat, Lord Jiang. Perhaps you're feeling weak? What I just mentioned was a tonic. Lord Jiang, please take care of yourself." "

Oh, I see. Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. You are indeed very knowledgeable."

Jiang Min expressed his gratitude, but inwardly thought: "Bah, I don't even know if the prescription you mentioned is poisonous or not, who would dare use it!

" "By the way, you mentioned the He family earlier?"

Yu Qian continued the previous topic.

"Yes,"

Jiang Min replied. *Brother Wu, it's not that I don't want to help you, but Yu Qian asked about the He family.

* "Hmm… well, let's go to the Wu family first,"

Yu Qian said after a moment's thought, seemingly having some reservations about the He family.

With that, Yu Qian gestured for Jiang Min to lead the way towards the Wu family. Along the way, Emerald in the sedan chair didn't utter a single word.

Yu Qian found this strange; Emerald was usually the most enthusiastic when they went out for leisure, so why was she so silent today? Yu Qian slowed his pace, approached the sedan chair, and asked, "Jadeite, won't you come out and take a look? Suzhou is a picturesque ancient city."

"No..."

Jadeite's tone was cautious, but not worried. She said, "Husband, there's a master in this city."

"A master?"

Yu Qian frowned. Anyone Jadeite called a master must be someone who could threaten her. One of the seven masters? It couldn't be such a coincidence.

"Yes, a true master, no less than me... even above me!"

Jadeite hesitated at first, then said confidently, "I sensed this aura outside the city, but it wasn't malicious, not murderous." "

In that case, there's no need to worry. Perhaps it's some master hiding in the city."

Yu Qian breathed a sigh of relief. Since there was no malice, they probably wouldn't encounter each other.

"Alright, husband, you must be careful too. You eight, protect Lord Yu, understand?"

The last sentence was addressed to the eight sedan chair bearers.

"Yes."

The eight tall sedan chair bearers' voices were a little stiff, with accents from the Western Regions.

Yu Qian didn't force Fei Cui to get out of the sedan chair. Following Jiang Min's lead, he inspected the lives of ordinary people in Suzhou along the way. However, doubts lingered in his mind: A master? The whereabouts of the seven greatest masters in the world are all in my hands, except for that Qian Xue Wuhen.

It seems that Qian Xue Wuhen was the one who stopped the one from the palace back then. Coincidentally, this Qian Xue Wuhen seems to be from Suzhou…

Things are getting interesting. Yu Qian smiled slightly, seemingly planning something.

Lost in thought, Jiang Min stopped ahead. They had arrived at their destination: a vermilion gate with animal-faced door knockers and two large characters on the horizontal plaque: "Wu Mansion."

URL 1:http://localhost:909/htmlBlog/6559.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=6559&aspx=1

Previous Page : [Fantasy] The New Smiling Proud Wanderer (Complete) - 7-9

Next Page : [Fantasy] The New Smiling Proud Wanderer (Complete) - 22-24

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

[Fantasy] The New Smiling Proud Wanderer (Complete) - 19-21

comment Open a new window to view comments