Chapter 42: Cornered Zhao Zilan Declares Seclusion
Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Cornered Zhao Zilan Declares Seclusion
The next day, just as the sky was beginning to pale, Liu Yuheng knocked on Zhao Zilan’s door. "Lan’Er, are you awake?"
"Master’s Wife, what is it?" Zhao Zilan, drowsy, opened the door wearing only her sleeping trousers and a dudou. As a martial artist, she never slept in, but this was far too early.
Liu Yuheng gave a gentle smile. "Let’s talk inside."
"Master’s Wife, please come in." Zhao Zilan stepped aside. After Liu Yuheng entered, she closed the door, then walked to the table and poured her a cup of cold tea. "Master’s Wife, please have some tea."
Liu Yuheng did not touch the teacup.
Instead, she quietly studied Zhao Zilan.
Having just woken up, her hair was a bit of a mess. Her makeup-free face was fair and flawless. Her pale green dudou was stretched taut over her chest, and the form-fitting sleeping trousers, hanging on a slender waist devoid of any fat, outlined the rounded curve of her pert bottom.
Her entire being radiated an aura of youth.
"Master’s Wife, why are you staring at me?" Scantily clad, Zhao Zilan felt a little embarrassed and fidgeted.
Liu Yuheng chuckled. "I saw you running around naked as a child. Are you really getting shy with me now?"
"Master’s Wife, I’m a grown-up now," Zhao Zilan whined playfully, throwing herself into Liu Yuheng’s arms and wrapping her arms around her neck.
"Yes, you are all grown up." Liu Yuheng hugged her back, patting her smooth, jade-like back, which was adorned by the ties of her dudou. She sighed with emotion, "In the blink of an eye, you’ve become a young woman."
"Master’s Wife, is there something you want to say?" Zhao Zilan changed her position, now straddling Liu Yuheng’s lap to face her directly.
Liu Yuheng spoke softly, "The Young Master has already promised not to pursue you. From now on, you should keep your distance from him. Your master and I are still here. The future of the Iron Sword Sect isn’t for a little girl like you to worry about."
The expression on Zhao Zilan’s face suddenly stiffened.
Liu Yuheng pleaded earnestly, "I used to be biased against the Young Master. But after spending these past few days with him, I’ve found that while he appreciates beauty, he also understands restraint. One could call him a gentleman. However, he is by no means a good match for you. You and Yebai are childhood sweethearts, a match made in heaven..."
"It’s too late," Zhao Zilan murmured to herself.
Liu Yuheng didn’t hear her clearly. "What?"
"I said, it’s too late." With a pale face, Zhao Zilan forced a smile. "Master’s Wife, I have been captivated by the Young Master’s charm these past few days. In this life, I will marry no one but him."
Pei Shaoqing had already seen her body. They had even become intimately entangled in the chaos.
Having come this far, there was no turning back.
Even if outsiders didn’t know about it, she knew she was no longer ’pure’. She was completely unworthy of her Eldest Martial Brother. The only path left was to marry Pei Shaoqing.
’It was for the good of the Iron Sword Sect, and for her own good as well.’
"What? What did you say?" Liu Yuheng found her words absurd. She was both angry and anxious. "You’ve only known him for a few days! What’s this about love? Did you not listen to a word I said? You’re being so presumptuous!"
"Master’s Wife!" Zhao Zilan cut her off, her eyes red and her voice choked with sobs. "It’s true. Your disciple is just fickle and unfaithful. Though we haven’t known each other long, Young Master Pei’s place in my heart has long surpassed my Eldest Martial Brother’s. I beg you, Master’s Wife, please grant me your blessing."
Looking at her beloved disciple, who was crying her eyes out, Liu Yuheng was bewildered and couldn’t understand. "But why?"
"Young Master Pei is from a renowned family, he’s handsome, has a fine physique, and wields great power. Your disciple is at an age where a young woman’s heart is easily stirred. Staying in his residence, seeing all the ways he far surpasses my Eldest Martial Brother, how could my heart not be moved?"
Zhao Zilan racked her brain to fabricate a reason for her change of heart, speaking so convincingly she almost believed it herself.
Liu Yuheng was stunned. Only then did she belatedly realize she had underestimated the appeal of a nobleman’s son to a common girl. Although Jiang Yebai was outstanding, he seemed like nothing when compared to Pei Shaoqing.
She was filled with self-reproach. With a helpless, bitter smile, she sighed, "I never should have let you stay."
"Master’s Wife! WAHHH, I’m a bad woman, unfaithful in love! I’ve let my Martial Brother down! I’ve let him down!" Zhao Zilan wailed, hugging her tightly.
"You and Yebai were never formally engaged." Liu Yuheng sighed, comforting her. "Though I see both you and Yebai as my own children, matters of the heart can’t be forced. Do as you wish."
She pitied her eldest disciple, though, unable to imagine the pain he would feel upon learning the truth. She secretly resolved to write to her husband and ask him to find a suitable young woman for Yebai. It would be for the best if he, too, could fall for someone else and be spared from future heartbreak.
At breakfast, Liu Yuheng felt strange whenever she looked at Pei Shaoqing. Just last night she had been begging him to let her disciple go, only to find out it was her disciple who refused to let *him* go.
Now, looking at him again, she felt like a mother-in-law sizing up her son-in-law.
"Madam, is there something on my face?" Pei Shaoqing asked with a smile, noticing her constant staring.
"N-no, nothing." Liu Yuheng shook her head and quickly looked down to eat, failing to notice that under the long tablecloth, Pei Shaoqing’s hand was caressing Zhao Zilan’s leg.
Zhao Zilan was mortified, but she was terrified of her strange emotions being noticed. She silently lowered her head, picking at her food and eating, though the hand holding her chopsticks trembled slightly.
Being secretly fondled by Pei Shaoqing right in front of her Master’s Wife and Xie Qingwu filled her not only with shame but also with a thread of indescribable excitement, which made her even more mortified and indignant.
Liu Yuheng and Xie Qingwu finished eating first and left.
Pei Shaoqing finally put down his bowl and chopsticks as well.
Zhao Zilan breathed a sigh of relief, yet she also felt a sense of emptiness. Inwardly, she cursed herself for being so shameless.
Just then, Pei Shaoqing leaned in close to her ear and said coolly, "From now on, don’t wear long trousers under your skirts. It’s not comfortable for me to touch."
Zhao Zilan’s whole body went rigid. After a long moment, she bit her lip and responded in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, "...Yes."
"Young Master, County Magistrate Wang requests an audience." Just then, a servant entered and spoke with the utmost respect.
"Have him wait in the side garden," Pei Shaoqing ordered casually, patting Zhao Zilan’s shoulder before leaving.
「...」
"It seems County Magistrate Wang did not sleep well last night."
As soon as Pei Shaoqing entered the side garden, he saw County Magistrate Wang in the pavilion, pacing back and forth anxiously with his hands behind his back.
"I didn’t sleep at all. I spent the entire night writing a letter to headquarters," County Magistrate Wang said with a sigh. His injuries had yet to heal, and his face looked morbidly pale.
"What a coincidence. I also sent a letter to the Thousand Households yesterday." Pei Shaoqing smiled faintly, walking over and sitting down leisurely. "Speak. Why have you come looking for me so early in the morning? Surely you’re not here to ask for the Spirit Pill back?"
"I wouldn’t flatter myself thinking I could make you spit out a juicy piece of meat that’s already in your mouth." County Magistrate Wang shook his head, then changed the subject. "Besides, you did save my life."
His feelings on the matter were complicated.
His own Holy Sect’s Saint Heir had tried to kill him.
And it was a hunting dog of the Court that saved him.
"Then what did you come here for?" Pei Shaoqing picked up the teapot from the table and slowly poured a cup.
"First, to thank you. Second, to remind you that the Spirit Pill cannot be consumed carelessly. After taking it, you’ll need at least ten days of seclusion to digest it," County Magistrate Wang said, also walking over to sit down.
"I know that." Pei Shaoqing nodded dismissively and said with a laugh, "And I’m guessing there’s a third reason."
"The third reason is that I am very curious. How did you know? Don’t tell me it was just a coincidence that you came so well-prepared with all those men," County Magistrate Wang said in a low voice.
This was what confused him the most.
Pei Shaoqing laughed heartily, setting down his cup and shrugging. "What if I told you I did a quick divination? Would you believe me?"
"Hmph! Fine, don’t tell me." County Magistrate Wang obviously didn’t believe him. He slowly exhaled. "I have already reported yesterday’s events truthfully. Young Master Pei, by using the Kaiyang Saint Heir to make a name for yourself, you have now made a mortal enemy of my Holy Sect. The Holy Sect will not let this matter rest. You’d best be careful from now on."
"But I eliminated a degenerate for your Profound Yellow Sect!" Pei Shaoqing cried foul, then feigned a sudden realization. "Ah, I get it. A family’s dirty laundry shouldn’t be aired in public."
At this, County Magistrate Wang felt his face flush with shame.
But he could only sigh helplessly.
"Farewell."
After County Magistrate Wang left, Pei Shaoqing announced he was entering seclusion. He had Ye Hanshuang guard his door day and night, and left matters at the Hundred Households in the hands of Chen Zhongyi and Song Youcai.
Once he refined and absorbed the power of the Spirit Pill, he could ’launder’ his immense power. To the outside world, he could attribute it to the pill’s effects, allowing him to use his Martial Arts openly and legitimately.
From now on, he would no longer have to worry about arousing suspicion.
Of course, he would use it as little as possible. If no one knew he possessed Martial Arts, it would serve as his trump card.