Love Across Time - Chapter 51
According to Granny Wang's gossipy tales, Su Huan'er was a jade-like beauty, petite and delicate, pitiful to behold. Her skin was flawless, like snow-white jade, and her beauty surpassed even Shi Wuxia's. Her voice was like a nightingale's song, clear, melodious, and eloquent. It was unimaginable that a woman could be more beautiful than Shi Wuxia, the undisputed number one beauty in the North. How could anyone be more beautiful? Ma Shengwen, after hearing Granny Wang's words yesterday, couldn't resist the urge. He couldn't touch her, but even just looking would be nice! The three Shi brothers and Leng Gang were all away today; if not now, when? He could bring Ma Xianmei to intimidate them, create a pretext, and Shi Wuji would seek revenge against Ma Xianmei later. However, while Leng Ziyang wouldn't drive them away, he also refused to let Madam Shi come out to see them, leaving Ma Shengwen anxious.
Ma Xianmei was a great beauty, with a stunning face and a voluptuous figure that was the envy of many. She was a talented singer and dancer, a tall and beautiful woman from the North. However, Ma Shengwen, the Northern beauty, had become jaded with experience and his heart was now set on a Southern beauty, Su Huan'er, whose name alone had captivated him. She filled his heart. Unfortunately, he couldn't marry Shi Wuxia, and he couldn't afford to offend Leng Gang. His fellow martial arts brothers told him that Leng Gang was a top-ranked master in the martial arts world, among the top ten, and no one could survive after offending him, not even Shi Wuji. Why wait any longer?
Ma Xianmei seems determined to renege on her promise.
She had every reason to be angry! She had thought she had secured her position as the second wife, but after Shi Wuji returned from his trip to Jiangnan, he ignored her completely, never visiting her, only sending her ten thousand taels of silver as a token of closure. This made her the laughingstock of her sisters. They laughed at her for finally becoming a divorced woman, having once dreamed of rising to prominence and looking down on other men, only to end up with nothing. She wanted to see what Su Huan'er had that made her superior.
A soft, crisp sound came from behind the side door:
"Uncle Leng, does someone want to see me?"
"An uninvited guest." Leng Ziyang helped Huan'er into Juxianlou.
After settling into the seat of honor, Huan'er first sized up Ma Xianmei, then glanced at Ma Shengwen beside her. His lecherous eyes, greasy hair, and powdered face practically made him drool. Huan'er looked away in disgust, then looked at Ma Xianmei again. She was incredibly beautiful, with an undeniable natural beauty; even in her old age, when her looks faded, she could still be a top-notch wet nurse.
"What brings you two here?" Huan'erya broke the silence, instructing a servant to serve tea.
Ma Shengwen stared blankly, speechless. Ma Xianmei, without mincing words, cut to the chase: "I dare not presume to offer such a favor. I've come today specifically to greet you, elder sister. You truly live up to your reputation; your beauty is extraordinary. Outsiders' descriptions are far too understated. I've heard that you're currently pregnant, and it's inevitable that you might neglect your husband a little. I will serve you well. I hope you'll grant my request." After a string of insincere pleasantries, she finally revealed her main purpose: to share a husband with Huan'er.
Huan'er smiled faintly.
"No need for Miss Ma to trouble herself. Wuji has me, that's enough. You are the most beautiful woman in the world, unmatched by anyone. How could I possibly ask you to settle for being a concubine? That would be a great insult to you! Huan'er doesn't have Miss Ma's talents. She can only obediently marry and live a quiet life. Miss Ma is naturally radiant, a woman who makes men fall at her feet, gaining both fame and fortune, admired by thousands. To marry and become a housewife is such a pity! Even I can't bear to part with her, let alone the many men in the world who are infatuated with her."
Unexpectedly, Su Huan'er was such a difficult person. Ma Xianmei was stunned for a moment, her face flushing red and then turning pale. Her voice turned sharp.
"My husband is a man of noble character; how could an ordinary woman like you possibly possess him alone?"
Huan'er coldly said:
"Whether I should have it all to myself is none of your business, coming to my door like a divorced woman to interrogate me! Also, don't keep calling other people's husbands 'husband'."
"You—you—just you wait and see! I originally intended to live peacefully with you, but who knew you would be so ungrateful. With your flat figure, no breasts or hips, he won't pay attention to you for long. Given time, he will definitely come back to my side." Ma Xianmei was so angry that she spoke without thinking, wishing she could rush up and tear Huan'er's beautiful face to pieces.
Huan'er didn't respond to her threats, but casually turned to look at Leng Ziyang beside her.
"How does Aolong Fortress handle situations where guests speak rudely to their hosts?"
A smile flashed in Leng Ziyang's eyes.
“They were listed as households to be refused entry and were kicked out.”
"Then what are we waiting for?" Huan'er's eyes sparkled with a mischievous anticipation.
Ma Xianmei shouted:
"You—you dare! He won't let you get away with this. He'll come back and get justice for me..." The words were cut off as four burly men escorted the guest out, and Ma Shengwen was also chased away!