Xie Linghui shook his head and sighed, "It's like a dream, a bubble, a reflection in a mirror, something that can never be obtained. The more intense the longing, the more it seems as if the shadow is right in front of you, yet you can't reach it. This is the most painful kind of longing."
Chu Tong's mind suddenly stirred: Could it be that the second young lady of the Xie family is deeply in love with someone? Otherwise, how could she play the instrument so movingly and vividly?
The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves. At this moment, Xie Xiuyan stood up, curtsied, and said gently, "Xiuyan has made a fool of herself."
Xie Linghui laughed and said, "Today is my birthday, yet you play such a mournful tune. I'll punish you with a cup of wine." He then poured himself a cup of wine and ordered Chu Tong to bring it over.
Xie Xiuyan laughed and said, "Drinking like this is no fun. Why don't we play a drinking game where the loser drinks? Wouldn't that be more interesting?"
Upon hearing the beautiful woman's suggestion, everyone naturally responded, asking, "How should we proceed?"
Xie Xiuyan took the wine cup from Chu Tong's hand, drank it, and said, "I will be the leader. All the men present today are upright and honorable men, so let's use 'men' as the reason to utter the four words 'sorrow, joy, happiness, and anger'..."
Xie Lingxuan interjected, "This isn't difficult." Chu Tong glanced at Xie Linghui's older brother and thought to herself: Master Xuan is also a dashing young man, handsome and dignified, but unfortunately he's all show and no substance, a complete idiot.
Xie Xiuyan said, "Brother, don't rush, I haven't finished yet. After saying 'husband,' we have to sing a song at the banquet. There are requirements for this song; it has to be a Song Dynasty poem or a Yuan Dynasty song, and each line has to use a classical allusion..."
At this point, Xie Lingxuan exclaimed, "It's too difficult! Too difficult! Every sentence has to use allusions!"
Wang Lang laughed and said, "It is a bit difficult, so let's not limit the rhyme of the piece then."
Xie Xiuyan smiled and said, "Of course."
Everyone shook their heads, except for Xie Linghui, who smiled and remained silent.
Xie Xiuyan then said, "After the song is finished, we need to have a good drink and recite an ancient poem. Anyone who can't will have to drink five big cups as punishment, how about that?"
Of the ten people present, eight raised their wine cups, shook their heads, and said, "Too difficult, too difficult. Rather than letting the official punish us, we'd rather punish ourselves now." With that, they all raised their cups and drank. In truth, these people might not necessarily be unable to complete the drinking game, but they were all afraid of making a fool of themselves and losing face in front of the beautiful women, so they simply concealed their shortcomings.
Xie Linghui laughed and said, "It would be more interesting if it were more interesting, but now it's just me, Brother Wang, and my little sister, so there are a few too few people."
Wang Lang laughed and said, "It doesn't matter if there are few people, how about we include her?" With that, he snapped his paper fan shut and pointed it at Chu Tong.
Chu Tong was startled and quickly looked up to meet Wang Lang's deep, unfathomable eyes.
Xie Linghui frowned slightly: "This..." Then he looked at Chu Tong with his phoenix eyes.
Chu Tong wondered to herself, "What does this Wang fellow mean?" She saw Wang Lang pursing his red lips, smiling at her, seemingly unconcerned about the surprised looks around them. Chu Tong had studied poetry and literature with her mother since childhood. Xie Linghui was also a refined person. After entering the Xie household, Chu Tong diligently studied poetry and literature to please her master. She was naturally intelligent; although her grasp of the Four Books and Five Classics was mediocre, she possessed a remarkable talent for composing poems and lyrics. She thought to herself, "Let's play a drinking game! What's so difficult about that? I'm just a lowly maid. If I play well, people will naturally look at me differently; if I don't, am I afraid of losing face?" With that thought, she smiled slightly and said, "Alright." Then she nodded at Xie Linghui.
Xie Linghui smiled slightly, and Chu Tong walked over and stood behind him. Juan Cui hurriedly instructed the maid to add another wine cup. Wang Lang nodded upon seeing Chu Tong's actions, his eyes seemingly filled with admiration. He glanced at Chu Tong, his eyes seeming to say, "Just as I expected."
At this moment, Xie Xiuyan said, "Then let's begin now." Then she paused and said, "When a husband is sad, he is alone in the quiet courtyard; when a husband is happy, he gazes at the moon beyond the green railing; when a husband is joyful, he receives a letter from Wu Hong in the clouds; when a husband is angry, he feels that his talents are not recognized and his studies have been in vain."
The crowd murmured amongst themselves. Some said, "That's right." Others said, "She's too effeminate; she doesn't seem like a man." Still others laughed, "Miss Xie is, after all, a lady of refined manners; naturally, she lacks the heroic spirit of a true man." Just then, the sound of a guzheng filled the air, and Xie Xiuyan said, "I'll sing a short 'Tian Jing Sha'." Then she sang:
Rain patters on pear blossoms in the empty courtyard, willows along the dike are shrouded in mist at sunset. A wave goodbye as horses depart with a mournful sigh. The orchid boat urges departure, and the beautiful scenery and pleasant time fade into nothingness.
The melody was melodious and beautiful, and everyone couldn't help but clap and praise it. After Xie Xiuyan finished singing, she drank from her cup and recited in a sweet voice, "You have gone, and the spring river is vast and boundless." She then finished the song.
Then came Xie Linghui, who was confident and composed, his handsome face showing a calm expression. He said unhurriedly, "A man's sorrow is when his life's blood is wasted; a man's joy is when he is surrounded by beautiful women in painted pavilions and red towers; a man's happiness is when he returns home with a golden robe and jade belt; a man's anger is when he is left to guard an empty city with no soldiers stationed there."
After saying this, everyone praised, "Brother Xie is truly magnanimous!" Xie Linghui smiled and said, "I'll sing 'The Moon and the People'." A guzheng melody filled the air, and Xie Linghui began to sing:
Spring's beauty cannot be fully concealed in the garden, as red apricots peek out from the branches. In the lonely courtyard, white-haired palace maids idly chatter about whose affairs? The carved railings should still stand, but youthful beauty has faded, and sorrow and resentment drift to the ends of the earth. Lingering dreams remain, and the affectionate moon in the courtyard still shines on the fallen blossoms.
After the song ended, everyone cheered and exclaimed, "What a beautiful white-haired palace maid, still shining like fallen flowers!"
Xie Linghui drank from the cup and said, "I listened to the spring rain all night in my small building." He then finished his poem.
Next up was Wang Lang. Just as Wang Lang was about to lead the drinking game, Xie Lingxuan called out loudly, "Wait a minute, I'll try too!" It turned out that Xie Lingxuan possessed a certain refined and romantic air when leading the game, and Lü Qiao, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, couldn't help but admire him. Xie Lingxuan, consumed by jealousy, impulsively volunteered to lead the drinking game. Chu Tong thought in surprise, "How strange! When did Master Xuan start composing poetry?" She then noticed Xie Lingxuan's eyes frequently glancing at Lü Qiao, and immediately understood.
Seeing the astonished looks on everyone's faces, Xie Lingxuan felt a pang of panic. He was usually uneducated and his mind was now completely blank; he couldn't help but regret his impulsive actions. Xie Lingxuan glanced to the side and saw Lü Qiao looking at him. The beauty, in her soft, emerald-green silk dress, appeared even more radiant and captivating in the candlelight. Xie Lingxuan's spirits soared, and he laughed heartily, "Playing a drinking game isn't difficult!" He then scratched his head and thought for a moment, before shaking his head and saying, "A husband's sorrow, for his wife resembles Zhang Fei."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's expression turned strange. Xie Xiuyan couldn't help but burst out laughing, and this laugh caused everyone to burst into laughter as well. Xie Lingxuan shouted, "What are you laughing at? On your wedding night, if the groom lifts the veil and sees that his wife looks like Zhang Fei or Li Kui, with a dark, grimy face and a thicket of hair covering her chest, wouldn't he feel a chill in his heart and be sad for the rest of his life?" Everyone laughed and said, "Young Master Xie is right. What happens next?" Seeing that Lü Qiao was also covering her mouth and giggling, Xie Lingxuan felt even more smug. He straightened his posture and gave Lü Qiao a meaningful look, saying, "The husband is happy, and the beauty is more charming than a celestial being." Xie Linghui frowned upon hearing this. He knew his brother all too well and was afraid that he would embarrass himself in front of everyone with his vulgar language. So he quickly gave Chu Tong a wink.
Chu Tong immediately understood and stepped forward with a smile, saying, "Master's command is easy to remember and expresses feelings. It's really enjoyable to listen to. Just now, inspired by Master, I had a flash of inspiration and came up with two brilliant lines. Why don't you let me say them?" Her words were tactful and appropriate, and Xie Linghui couldn't help but nod slightly. But Xie Lingxuan was in high spirits and wouldn't listen to Chu Tong's attempt to save face. He glared at her and said, "Your master's next two lines are even more brilliant. How can you add your own embellishments?" He then glanced at Lü Qiao and said with a smile, "When the husband is happy, he paints beautiful women in his spare time." Everyone chuckled and said, "Painting beautiful women in your spare time is indeed very pleasant." But Xie Lingxuan couldn't come up with the last line after thinking for a long time. He pondered for a while, then looked at the dishes on the table and suddenly his face lit up with joy. He shouted, "When the husband is angry, a sixteen-year-old girl turns into a fat pig!" Everyone burst into laughter. Xie Xiuyan laughed so hard she bent over, holding her zither and rubbing her stomach, saying, "You should be punished! This line doesn't make any sense at all!" Xie Lingxuan glared and argued. "How can it not make sense? She was once a graceful lady, but later she became as fat as a pig. How can this not make people angry?" Xie Linghui suppressed his laughter and said, "Alright, alright, hurry up and sing." Xie Lingxuan said, "I'll sing 'Like a Dream'." Without waiting for Xie Xiuyan to play the zither, he stretched his neck and sang, "A beautiful woman with delicate red hands." Everyone was stunned and said, "You've messed up the tones and rhymes." Xie Lingxuan snorted and said, "Who cares about tones and rhymes, as long as it rhymes, that's fine, right?" He glanced at Lü Qiao and continued singing, "A beautiful woman with delicate red hands. Her waist is as slender as a willow branch. I'm so lovesick that I'm going crazy. I'm drunk and watching the moon from the high tower. Green sleeves, green sleeves. I think of her a thousand times, but it's not enough." He drank the cup and said, "I meet you again when the flowers fall." He finished the song. Everyone laughed and talked. Xie Xiuyan said softly, "Next, it's Young Master Wang's turn to sing."
Wang Lang took a bite of food, fanned himself, and slowly recited, looking up: "A man's sorrow is for the fleeting years that never return; a man's joy is for the unwavering friendship of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya; a man's happiness is for the enlightenment he gains in a secluded temple; a man's anger is for his astonishing talent that invites envy." He then asked Xie Xiuyan to play the Zhonglu tune, and said, "Brother Xie just mentioned 'listening to the spring rain all night in a small building,' so naturally 'selling apricot blossoms in the deep alley tomorrow morning' is the next line. I will sing 'The Flower Seller's Song.'" He cleared his throat and sang:
Yu Ji's fragrant soul departs with her sword; the tide beats against the empty bay of her homeland; the general goes to war and never returns. The rolling Yellow River, the somber green mountains—a passerby lets out a long sigh.
The melody was mournful, evoking the sorrow of parting. Everyone sighed, "As expected of the Third Young Master Wang, having traveled to so many places, his state of mind is naturally not that of an ordinary person."
Wang Lang drank from the cup and said, "A pure heart resides in a jade pot." He then finished his verses.
Finally, it was Chu Tong's turn, and all eyes immediately turned to her. Chu Tong composed herself and said, "When a husband is sad, the walls crumble and the well collapses; when a husband is happy, old friends chat by candlelight; when a husband is joyful, he finds a true friend in this world; when a husband is angry, yesterday's tenderness is gone."
After saying this, she smiled slightly at Xie Xiuyan behind the curtain and said, "Second Miss, I'll sing 'Mountain Slope Sheep'." Xie Xiuyan nodded and began to play the strings. Chu Tong sang:
Outside the curtain, wind and rain rage; in dreams, I indulge in pleasure. Spring's glory is gone; do not lean on the railing. Crows cry at dusk; frost and dew are cold. On the traveler's boat, the sound of the bell makes sleep impossible. Lying down, I listen to the mournful sound of the pipa on the water. Sorrow, vain longing! Regret, wasted affection!
Her voice was clear and melodious, like pearls falling on a jade plate. After she finished singing, everyone cheered. They were amazed that Chu Tong was not only stunningly beautiful and incomparably elegant, but also eloquent and erudite. They couldn't help but say, "She really is a servant of the Xie family. She is different from other families."
Xie Linghui looked at Chu Tong with admiration in his phoenix eyes and smiled slightly. Wang Lang continued to fan himself, his smile growing increasingly enigmatic.
Chu Tong drank from the cup and said, "Only the Yangtze River flows to the horizon." That concluded his verse.
Xie Xiuyan smiled and said, "If you ask me to judge, the most profound and deep is Wang San Gongzi, the most exquisite and unique is my second brother Xie Er Gongzi, and the most elegant and graceful is my second brother's personal maid Chu Tong. As for me, I naturally failed, so I will punish myself with a drink." After saying that, she raised her cup and drank it all in one gulp. Everyone cheered and the atmosphere became lively to the extreme.
Then everyone said that Chu Tong sang beautifully and asked her to sing another verse. Chu Tong couldn't refuse, so she picked up the red ivory clappers and said, "The other day I jokingly wrote a poem for the tune 'Candlelight Flickering Red,' so I'll sing that one now." Then she sang with great enthusiasm:
The mighty Yangtze River, though vast, cannot wash away the vicissitudes of life. Emperors, generals, and ministers, their rise and fall etched in history. Later generations, left with only regret, sing of the Qin and Han dynasties. The roles of actors, from the dan to the clown, take center stage, witnessing the rise and fall of dynasties throughout the ages.
Swords are tested across the land, amidst the smoke of war, a beauty sheds tears. Dust settles on the half-faced makeup reflected in the bronze mirror, the sounds of strings and cymbals echoing. A melody plays of worldly vicissitudes, the clear moonlight, a chivalrous heart and tender soul. Having witnessed all joys and sorrows, with lowered brows, she trims the candle by the west window.
This time, however, the song was bold and powerful, its sound resounding through the clouds. Everyone listened attentively, feeling deeply moved and their blood boiling. They found Chu Tong radiant and captivating, her eyes sparkling, almost too beautiful to look directly at. How could a delicate young girl sing with the lofty and expansive spirit of a great man? They were deeply moved and filled with admiration. Wang Lang was immediately taken aback, and promptly unfastened a jade pendant with auspicious cloud patterns from his waist, saying to Chu Tong, "Singing with such powerful spirit, this jade is for you." The crowd responded, each taking out their brocade pouches to reward her. Some gave small gold ingots, some pearl fan pendants, some agate beads, and some crystal waist pendants. From behind the beaded curtain, Xie Xiuyan sighed softly, "While 'The Reeds' is beautiful and tender, it ultimately cannot compare to the heroic and stirring spirit of 'The Candlelight Flickering Red,' which avoids the affectations of a mere child." With that, she took a pair of small golden cicadas from her waist and ordered Zuiqin to take them out to Chu Tong.
Chu Tong was overjoyed to see the treasures, thinking, "Good heavens! Singing gets me gifts too, how wonderful!" But her face remained respectful as she gracefully curtsied and said, "Chu Tong thanks all the young masters and ladies for their gifts." Then she took the gifts and stepped aside. Glancing around, she saw that Lü Qiao's face was extremely unpleasant; her once radiant face was now even more gloomy.
A moment later, Xie Xiuyan got up and left. The group ate, drank, and chatted for a while longer before the banquet ended, everyone enjoying themselves. Xie Linghui escorted the guests to the door. Chu Tong stood in a corner, holding a lantern. Suddenly, she smelled a faint chrysanthemum fragrance and felt her sleeve being tugged. Turning around, she was surprised to find Wang Lang standing beside her.
Many, many years later, Chu Tong still remembered the scene. That day, the moon was bright and the stars were few. Wang Lang's delicate and beautiful face appeared even more exquisite in the dim light of the lanterns. He squinted at Chu Tong and smiled slightly. That smile was stunning and captivating.
Thunderous Iron Fist
Wang Lang's amber eyes were fixed on Chu Tong's face, lost in thought. This made Chu Tong uneasy; she forced a smile and called out, "Young Master Wang, Young Master Wang?"
Wang Lang then came to his senses, chuckled, and shook his fan, saying, "Please don't mind me, young lady. I just thought you looked quite like an old friend of mine. I was a bit out of line just now, please forgive me."
Chu Tong thought to herself, "The third young master of this Prince's mansion is very approachable and polite." She smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright."
Wang Lang asked, "Are you from the capital, young lady?"
Chu Tong shook her head: "I grew up in Nanhuai. Three years ago, I entered the Xie family with Second Master."
Wang Lang nodded, looking rather disappointed. Noticing Xie Linghui's gaze drifting in their direction, he whispered to Chu Tong, "I engraved my name on the jade piece I gave you. If you ever need anything, you can take it to the Prince's residence to find me." With that, he gracefully departed.
Chu Tong was still standing there in a daze when she heard Lü Qiao spit out behind her, "Pah! Vixen!"
After the birthday banquet, everyone was exhausted and tidied up quickly before going to sleep. It happened to be Chu Tong's turn to be on night duty, so she checked the doors and windows and then lay down on the soft couch under the window. In the stillness of the night, Chu Tong tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she thought of Wang Lang's beautiful face, and couldn't help but compare him to Xie Linghui. She thought to herself, "In terms of elegance, Second Master is calm and composed, while Wang San is dashing and unrestrained; in terms of talent, their poetry and drinking games at the banquet are equally impressive; in terms of appearance, Second Master is half a head taller than Wang San and has a more masculine air. Second Master is handsome, with a refined air; Wang San is beautiful, with unparalleled elegance. The two are evenly matched; no wonder people compare them." Thinking this, she took out her purse from under her pillow, pulled out the jade given to her by Wang Lang, and examined it under the moonlight. The front of the jade was carved with auspicious clouds and rosy light, while the back was engraved with the character "Lang." It was warm, exquisite, and irresistible.
Chu Tong was playing with the candle when she suddenly heard a few coughs coming from the large bed. She quickly got up, lit the candle, and lifted the bed curtains to ask, "Second Master, would you like some water?"
Xie Linghui sat up and nodded. Chu Tong then poured a bowl of warm water and handed it to him. Xie Linghui took a sip and noticed that Chu Tong seemed to be holding something in her hand. He smiled and asked, "What are you holding?"
Chu Tong unconsciously hid her hands behind her back, feigning indifference, and said, "It's nothing, just a little trinket, something to play with." She reached for the bowl in Xie Linghui's hand, but Xie Linghui grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. Chu Tong was startled, and before she could react, she was in a warm embrace. A strong scent of ambergris mixed with masculine fragrance filled her nostrils, and Chu Tong's face flushed instantly. Before she could struggle, her hands were pried open. Xie Linghui laughed, "Let me see what good stuff you've hidden." He then took the jade pendant from Chu Tong's hand, examining it closely by candlelight. His smile vanished instantly, replaced by a cold expression. He brandished the jade pendant and asked, "Was this jade given to you by Wang Lang?"
Chu Tong quickly smiled apologetically, "Yes. I think this jade has good translucency and color; it looks like it could be worth a lot of money..."
Xie Linghui remained expressionless, but a hint of anger flickered in his phoenix eyes as he asked, "What did Wang Lang say to you in the corner before he left?"
Chu Tong was taken aback and made up a story: "Young Master Wang didn't say anything, he just praised me for singing that song well."
Xie Linghui looked at the jade pendant, then at Chu Tong, and asked, "What do you think of Wang Lang?"
Chu Tong said, "He is indeed a handsome and outstanding person, with elegant demeanor and extraordinary bearing..." Chu Tong had just finished speaking when Xie Linghui placed the jade pendant in her hand and coldly pushed her away, saying, "It's late, I'm going to sleep."
Seeing Xie Linghui's icy expression, Chu Tong thought, "Could it be that Second Master is jealous?" With this thought in mind, she couldn't help but feel a little smug. She didn't care at all about Xie Linghui's indifference, put the curtains back, blew out the candles, and went back to bed satisfied.
The next morning, Xie Linghui got up and went out to practice his sword. Chu Tong packed her things and prepared to go out with Xie Linghui. Unexpectedly, when they reached the door, Xie Linghui waved his hand and said to Chu Tong, "You don't need to come with me today." Then he glanced at Lü Qiao with his phoenix eyes and said, "Lü Qiao, you come out with me."
Lu Qiao was stunned for a moment, then her face lit up with joy. She smiled and said, "I understand." She snatched the bundle from Chu Tong's hands and followed Xie Linghui out.
After the two had walked away, Juancui came over and asked, "What's wrong? Did you have a fight with Second Master?"
Chu Tong felt a pang of anxiety, but she still smiled and said, "It's nothing." Then she went to find Butler Hong.
Meanwhile, Xie Linghui was in a bad mood, so he practiced much less than usual today and returned to Tanwu Garden early. As soon as he entered the room, he found it quiet, with only a little maid named Ying'er guarding the door. He asked, "Where is everyone else?"
Ying'er said, "Sister Chutong went to find Steward Hong, and Sister Juancui and Sister Ziyuan just went to the accounting room to check the accounts."
Xie Linghui nodded and walked towards the bedroom. Ying'er, seeing Xie Linghui's gloomy face, knew that her master was in a bad mood and hid far away. Lü Qiao followed closely behind Xie Linghui. Seeing Xie Linghui sit down by the bed, she hurriedly bent down to help him change his shoes. Xie Linghui waved his hand and said, "No need, you can leave."
Lü Qiao smiled and said, "Second Master must be tired from practicing swordsmanship. I'll go get a bowl of deer antler and ginseng soup." She then went out. A short while later, she gracefully returned with a tray, and diligently brought over the soup bowl. Xie Linghui took it and tasted it, finding the soup delicious and refreshing, and drank the ginseng soup clean. Lü Qiao's face lit up with joy, and she said softly, "Second Master, would you like another bowl? I've been simmering this soup for two hours; it's fully infused with flavor and very nourishing."
Xie Linghui looked up and saw that Lü Qiao had changed into a dress, wearing a long embroidered dress with a gold-embroidered collar and a light green gauze embroidery. A strapless top of the same color was worn over her chest, which made her skin look even whiter and her figure even more slender. Her makeup was also carefully done, with light rouge and powder on her face, and her almond-shaped eyes were full of charm.
Xie Linghui's heart stirred, and he thought to himself, "The ancients' description of 'a jade-green dress, a white jade figure, emerald eyebrows, a rosy face, and a slender waist' must be just like this." Just as he thought this, a surge of heat suddenly erupted from his dantian, instantly making him feel restless and hot all over, as if a surge of spring passion was coursing through his body. Xie Linghui had only recently taken up his post in the Xiaoji Camp when his colleagues dragged him to brothels for drinks and entertainment. On his first visit to such a place, he had won the favor of Chaoxia, the most beautiful courtesan in the capital, becoming her lover and engaging in illicit relations. Therefore, this feeling was not unfamiliar to him, but this time it was so intense that he couldn't control it. It was the height of summer, and Xie Linghui felt even more pain; his handsome face instantly turned red, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
Lu Qiao hurriedly stepped forward, clutching a handkerchief as she wiped Xie Linghui's sweat, saying, "Second Master, are you feeling unwell?" As soon as Lu Qiao approached, Xie Linghui immediately smelled the virgin fragrance emanating from her body, causing his mouth to go dry and his blood to rush through his veins. He couldn't help but groan, reaching out to grab Lu Qiao's wrist, unsure whether to pull her closer or push her away.
Green Qiao leaned forward and whispered, "Second Master..." Her voice was soft and sweet, her face flushed with shyness, but her eyes shimmered with a captivating allure. She nestled closer, her bodice revealing glimpses of her full breasts. Xie Linghui's eyes darkened instantly. He pulled her forcefully, and Green Qiao tumbled into his arms with a soft moan. He rolled over and pinned her to the bed, tearing off her bodice and showering her with kisses. Green Qiao looked up and met Xie Linghui's gaze. The usually noble and composed Second Master now had a burning desire in his phoenix eyes, his expression wicked and seductive, like a demon. At that moment, Green Qiao felt a sudden, sharp pain in her lower body. She screamed in agony, feeling the excruciating pain. Sweat beaded on Xie Linghui's handsome face; his movements were rough and merciless, showing no tenderness whatsoever. Green Qiao lay obediently on the bed, gritting her teeth and enduring the pain. Tears welled in her beautiful eyes as she pleaded in a trembling voice, "Second Master..."
Xie Linghui, his expression dazed, seemed to snap out of his reverie upon hearing the call. In a daze, he realized that the tearful face wasn't Lü Qiao, but rather the mischievous and clever little girl he had been longing for! Xie Linghui's expression softened, and his previously rough actions instantly became tender and gentle. He leaned down and kissed away the tears from Lü Qiao's eyes, his phoenix eyes filled with tenderness as he whispered, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid of me." Then he deliberately became gentle and considerate, and the room was instantly filled with a spring-like atmosphere.
A gentle breeze filters through the green gauze curtains. Crystal pillows rest beside a fallen hairpin.
As the clouds dispersed and the rain subsided, Xie Linghui gradually regained his senses. He slightly opened his phoenix eyes and saw Lü Qiao nestled beside him, her face flushed, her almond-shaped eyes filled with a thousand charms, her slender arms still wrapped around his neck. Lü Qiao looked shy, but thinking of their recent tenderness, she felt sweet and excited, and said in a sweet voice, "Second Master, I'm yours now, I..." Before she could finish speaking, Xie Linghui pulled away from Lü Qiao's arms and pushed her off the bed!
Just then, Chu Tong returned from outside and peeked into Xie Linghui's bedroom. She was startled to see a pale body fall off the bed and stumbled backward, bumping into the plum blossom table by the bedroom door with a loud bang.
The loud noise startled the two people in the room, who quickly turned to look at her. Chu Tong glanced at Lü Qiao, then at Xie Linghui, and was immediately dumbfounded. A faint, sweet, metallic scent filled the room. Lü Qiao had fallen to the ground, completely naked, her beautiful body marked with dark red marks. A gentle breeze stirred the gauze curtains hanging by the bed, and Chu Tong could vaguely see Xie Linghui sitting at the head of the bed, his hair disheveled, his muscular upper body bare, his face ashen, and his phoenix eyes, as if frozen with a thousand years of frost, piercing her like sharp blades.
Chu Tong immediately understood most of it and thought, "Oh no!" She turned to run away, but a slightly hoarse voice sounded behind her: "Stop! Come back!" Chu Tong froze and looked back. She saw Xie Linghui's phoenix eyes filled with anger, and a sinister aura emanated from him. She couldn't help but sigh, "It's over! It's over! Is it because I caught these two adulterers having an affair that Second Master wants to kill me to silence me?" But then, a heart-wrenching bitterness welled up in her heart. Chu Tong's heart twisted, and tears welled up in her eyes. She cursed "adulterous couple" a few more times in her heart, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot and wouldn't move.
Xie Linghui was furious and his tone was naturally harsh, but seeing that Chu Tong's eyes were red, he softened his voice and said, "Chu Tong, come here." As he spoke, he put on his coat. Chu Tong walked over hesitantly and stood next to Xie Linghui.
Ever since she saw Chu Tong, Lü Qiao hurriedly covered herself with her arms, feeling so ashamed that she wanted to run away, but she was afraid of bumping into others, so she could only sit on the floor and curl up. Xie Linghui snorted coldly and threw a piece of clothing off the bed, which Lü Qiao quickly picked up and put on.
Xie Linghui's phoenix eyes narrowed, and he angrily said, "Lvqiao, how dare you! You actually plotted against me! What a fine bowl of deer antler and ginseng soup, what tricks did you play in it?"
Green Qiao shrank back, staring wide-eyed at Xie Linghui.
Xie Linghui shook his head, his face expressionless, and said, "You treacherous servant, you gave me aphrodisiacs today, and who knows if you'll poison me tomorrow! I can no longer keep you in my Tanwu Garden. Considering you've served me for several years, I'll give you one hundred taels of silver. Pack your bags and leave in a bit."
Lü Qiao was immediately taken aback. She hadn't expected that just moments ago they had been so intimately entwined, but now Xie Linghui had turned on her so coldly! She scrambled to her knees at Xie Linghui's feet, embracing his legs and weeping uncontrollably: "Second Master! Second Master! Lü Qiao did this because she loves you and wants to stay by your side and serve you for the rest of her life! Lü Qiao would never do anything to harm you! Second Master! Please forgive Lü Qiao this time! For the sake of our past relationship, for the sake of what just happened... Second Master, perhaps I am already pregnant with your child... If Second Master sends me away, I'd rather just kill myself here..."
Before Lü Qiao could finish speaking, Xie Linghui's phoenix eyes flashed with disgust, and he kicked her away. Lü Qiao collapsed to the floor and burst into tears. Xie Linghui stepped forward and pressed Lü Qiao's pressure points, then turned to Chu Tong and said, "Go open the cabinet in the corner of the room and take out a small yellow porcelain bottle from inside."
Chu Tong immediately went to the counter, opened it, and sure enough, saw a small yellow bottle. She took it and handed it to Xie Linghui. It turned out that Xie Linghui was extremely disciplined in matters of love and sex. Whenever he went to a brothel, to avoid trouble, he would always make the other woman take a pill he brought with him afterward to prevent the Xie family line from being lost. This small bottle contained that pill. Xie Linghui poured out a pill, pinched Lü Qiao's lips, and stuffed it into her mouth. Then, he patted her chest to send the pill into her stomach.
At this moment, the faint sounds of women laughing and talking could be heard in the hall. Xie Linghui looked at Chu Tong and a thought struck him: "Although Chu Tong is a clever little girl, she's at the age where her heart is just beginning to open to love. I always treat her as someone I love, but she's still completely oblivious, secretly playing with the tokens others have given her... I might as well take this opportunity to confirm her identity to others today, lest things get complicated!" With this thought, Xie Linghui raised his eyebrows expressionlessly, picked up Lü Qiao, and threw her to the innermost side of the bed, covering her tightly with a thin blanket. Lü Qiao couldn't speak or move, and could only let him do as he pleased. Then he pressed Chu Tong's pressure points, pushed her down on the bed, and reached out to undress her. Chu Tong was immediately shocked, thinking in horror, "My God! So Second Master isn't trying to kill me to silence me, he's trying to recruit me!" She felt both ashamed and angry, but she was powerless at the moment and could only close her eyes tightly in silent protest. Xie Linghui completely ignored Chu Tong's expression. He quickly stripped Chu Tong naked, then took off the clothes he was wearing and pressed down on top of her.
The sounds of laughter and chatter grew louder as they approached, someone calling out "Second Master." When the people entered the bedroom, they were stunned by what they saw, falling into complete silence. The Second Master, his hair disheveled, shirtless, covered only by a thin blanket, lay beneath him a delicate young girl with her hair styled in two buns—none other than Chu Tong. Such a sensual scene made it clear to everyone what was happening. Xie Linghui looked up and saw Zi Yuan, Juan Cui, Yu Ping, and Han Xiang standing dumbfounded in the doorway, as if frozen in place. He frowned and shouted, "What are you looking at! Get out!"