Chapter 114
Chapter 114
In stark contrast to the tragedy that befell Xu Qianqian, others found themselves sailing on smooth waters. Lin Zhuo had successfully navigated his crisis. Following the guidance of Wu Suoren, he not only preserved his engagement to Wu Youyou but also left his father-in-law with a favorable impression. But that wasn't all; there was another unexpected gain. Despite the outrageous incident of him publicly sleeping with a man in the military camp, the Count of Jing'an's Estate, far from condemning him, had come to embrace him as one of their own.
Previously, the young masters of the Count of Jing'an's Estate had been nothing but dismissive and aloof toward Lin Zhuo. Yet, after this incident, they had grown remarkably friendly. The third and fifth young masters, in particular, even invited him to a gathering. In modern terms, it was an inner-circle gathering—or more precisely, a secret, debaucherous party for nobles and dignitaries.
‘I've truly... seen a whole new goddamn world. The lives of the nobility are rotten to the very core.’
As Lin Zhuo prepared to attend, he was wracked with anxiety, fearing his father-in-law's reprimand. The fifth young master scoffed at his concern.
“Lin Zhuo, for people of powerful families like us, sleeping with women and dallying with men is hardly considered a transgression.”
Afterward, Lin Zhuo spent two days and nights in wild abandon. He partied so wildly that, despite his formidable martial skills, his back ached as if it would break. Before leaving the Count of Jing'an's Estate, his father-in-law, Count Wu Zhaozhong of Jing'an, summoned him once more.
“Zhang Chong has taken Zhang Jin to the estate of the Marquis of Zhenbei. Afterward, they will visit the Count of Jinhai's Estate. Do you know what this means?”
“It means the final assault to destroy the Count of Xuanwu's Estate has begun, and the Jin Clan is on the verge of annihilation.”
“Li Wenzheng’s death was an injustice. The straw effigy found under his bed, cursing the Crown Prince, was almost certainly not his doing.”
“Then was it Shen Lang’s work?”
“Do you think Shen Lang is a god? It doesn’t matter who planted that effigy. The crucial point is that Li Wenzheng had to die to prevent a factional struggle involving the Third Prince. The King issued an edict pardoning him, only to turn around and have him secretly killed. You can imagine the extent of His Majesty’s fury.”
“Thus, with his resolve to implement the new policies hardened, the King will employ even more drastic measures. Governor Zhu Rong and Prefect Zhang Chong have sensed His Majesty's will, which is why they are accelerating their assault on the Count of Xuanwu's Estate and dedicating more resources to it.”
“Do you understand that taking down the Count of Xuanwu's Estate is a grand feast?”
As Wu Suoren had said, it was indeed a grand feast. Annihilating the Count of Xuanwu's Estate would not only earn them great merit but also bring astronomical wealth...
“In this feast, my Count of Jing'an's Estate is not the main protagonist but a supporting player, cooperating in a joint attack to share the spoils. Do you understand your mission once you return to Xuanwu City?”
“I am to cooperate with Zhang Chong and harass the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate from the flanks. I will launch endless provocations and attacks, giving them no room to breathe.”
“Correct.”
Wu Zhaozhong looked at Lin Zhuo with a gaze full of approval.
‘This son-in-law of mine does not disappoint.’
Lin Zhuo, meanwhile, was marveling inwardly.
‘Uncle Wu Suoren is truly remarkable. Every word of advice he gave me has pleased my father-in-law.’
“Do not worry about crossing the line or going too far. Attack boldly. If you can provoke the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate into a major conflict, we might even seize the leading role in this feast.”
“Yes, sir.”
“It will be a difficult feat to bring down a great, ancient noble house in this grand feast. If we fail to carve a large piece of flesh from the Jin Clan’s corpse, our ancestors will never forgive us.”
* * *
Upon his return to Xuanwu City, Lin Zhuo received good news. The Chiliarch of the Salt Mountain Garrison had been officially transferred, leaving the position vacant. Lin Zhuo was immediately appointed Acting Chiliarch, and it was likely he would officially assume the post in three months.
‘The world works in mysterious ways. To think I’d get a promotion after such a grave transgression.’
“Shen Lang, I, Lin Zhuo, have not only returned unscathed but have also been promoted. You failed to kill me last time. Now, it is my turn to kill you.”
Lin Zhuo ground his teeth, consumed by thoughts of revenge. The mission his father-in-law had given him was crystal clear: lead his soldiers to constantly harass the border regions of the Count of Xuanwu’s fiefdom and stir up trouble.
All borders in the world are ambiguous by nature, and the one between Xuanwu City and the Jin Clan’s fiefdom was no exception. Bridges, roads, and mountains all straddled the line. Furthermore, the cavalry of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate patrolled along this very border. So, what was Lin Zhuo to do? If a commoner from the Count’s fiefdom crossed the border to gather firewood, he would arrest them. If a private soldier from the Count’s estate crossed the border on patrol, he would capture them. Even if they didn’t cross the line, he would capture them anyway.
The border was ambiguous, so the line was wherever Lin Zhuo said it was. If he declared someone had entered his defensive zone, then they had, in that instant, crossed the border. In any case, he would arrest people daily and launch frantic provocations and attacks every single day. And if the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate could no longer tolerate it and their forces clashed? That was precisely what he hoped for, a perfect execution of his plan.
All he had to do was start a massive fight and escalate the situation. A skirmish between patrols would escalate into a battle involving hundreds, then thousands, and the entire state would be stunned. Then, it would be easy to frame the narrative: ‘What is the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate doing? How dare they attack the King’s army? Are they planning a rebellion?’
“Shen Lang, just you wait. I, Lin Zhuo, will become a mad dog and tear your family to shreds. I will bring a terrifying nightmare upon the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate!”
Back in the barracks, Lin Zhuo wore a triumphant, venomous smile. At that moment, for some unknown reason, his groin and rear began to itch intensely. He scratched absentmindedly, thinking nothing of it. He was, of course, oblivious to the fact that a terrible pathogen was madly spreading and multiplying within his body. Soon, its symptoms would manifest, leaving him little time to harm anyone at all.
* * *
Xu Qianqian returned to the Xu residence and ordered her servants to prepare a bath. After soaking in the hot water for a quarter of an hour, a bit of warmth gradually returned to her body. She cleansed every inch of herself and applied rose-scented oil, perfuming her skin. Afterward, she drank a glass of fruit wine to ensure a good night’s sleep. She would need to face Shen Lang tomorrow, beautiful and dazzling, with all her strength for the grueling battle ahead.
The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Xu Qianqian chose not a modest dress, but an outfit that perfectly accentuated her beautiful figure. She shaped her eyebrows and applied rouge to look alluring. Her lips, in particular, were painted a fiery red. All men were lecherous, and Shen Lang would be no different. No, Shen Lang would be *especially* lecherous!
A beautiful woman always held a slight advantage in negotiations. Besides, Xu Qianqian’s attire would be familiar to Shen Lang. Because… her getup was identical to that of Ximen Xianxian in an illustration from *Boundless Wind and Moon*. In that pictorial, Ximen Xianxian’s arms, waist, and legs were all exposed, yet she looked exceedingly alluring and beautiful.
Why had she dressed this way? The fact that Shen Lang had drawn Ximen Xianxian like that in his pictorial meant he secretly fantasized about an image of Xu Qianqian just like it. Xu Qianqian took a deep breath and boarded her carriage. A moment later, however, she stepped back down, returned to her house, and retrieved a book: Shen Lang’s *Boundless Wind and Moon*.
“Let’s go. To the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate.”
Inside the carriage, Xu Qianqian read the book intently, even taking out a brush to mark important passages. This was the work Shen Lang was most proud of.
‘This is the work you created to slander me, Shen Lang. I will use this very book to have a long talk with you. I’ve not only read it many times but have even taken notes. This should be sufficiently debasing. Surely, that will satisfy you.’
The most important task for the Xu Clan was to obtain three million catties of silkworm cocoons and deliver them by the deadline. Otherwise, the Xu Clan would be utterly ruined. Arriving before the gates of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, Xu Qianqian stepped out of her carriage.
“Announce to Young Master Shen Lang that Xu Qianqian requests an audience! No, that Xu Qianqian is here for an audience with Young Master Shen Lang!”
With Mulan away on military duty, Shen Lang was running completely wild. He was painting a picture with Xiao Bing as his model. She was perched on a chair, her body twisted to the side, wearing as little clothing as possible. The provocative pose was enough to stir Shen Lang’s heart.
“Young Master, are you still not finished? I’m exhausted from holding this pose.”
Without Mulan around, Xiao Bing was also running wild.
‘Even if the Young Mistress finds out, the Young Master will be the one to get scolded. She’s never laid a hand on me in her life.’
Xiao Bing kept sending flirtatious glances his way, holding an endlessly seductive pose. Her large eyes were perpetually moist, and her beautiful face seemed to have words written across it.
‘Come and get me, Young Master. Quickly!’
Shen Lang said.
“Alright, it’s finished.”
Unable to wait, Xiao Bing rushed over and said in a sultry voice.
“Let me see, I want to see too.”
Then, feigning a stumble, she pressed her soft body against Shen Lang’s chest. The painting was truly well done. Xiao Bing could hardly believe the woman in the portrait was her; she had been rendered so alluringly seductive. Pretending to examine the painting intently, she brought her face close to Shen Lang’s lips.
“Oh, Young Master. You’ve made me look so shameless. When am I ever like this? You’ve painted me like a temptress.”
Xiao Bing cooed, wriggling her petite body and feigning another accident as she pressed her rear against him.
‘Damn it, she’s only seventeen? How can she be such a flirt? And just a moment ago, she claimed she wasn’t a temptress.’
Fearing he would be playing with fire if this continued, Shen Lang reluctantly pushed her away. Just then, a maid named Xiao Huan rushed in from outside, saw the scene, and exclaimed in shock.
“I didn’t see anything!”
Xiao Huan quickly covered her eyes. Xiao Bing instinctively clutched at her collar and retreated, but then dropped her hands and proudly puffed out her chest.
‘Around here, the Young Mistress is number one, and I, Xiao Bing, am number two. And the Young Master clearly dotes on me.’
Shen Lang shot to his feet, took a small step back, and spoke with an air of righteousness.
“Xiao Huan, do you know what the most important quality in a person is?”
“To keep a tight lip and know what to say and what not to say.”
“As I thought, you’re a smart girl.”
Xiao Huan thought to herself.
‘How could I not know? The Young Master has played tricks on me more than once.’
Yesterday, Xiao Huan had made a slip of the tongue in front of Shen Lang. As a result, while she was sleeping that night, the Young Master had placed both her hands in a bucket of water. The moisture wicked up her sleeves and soaked her entire blanket. The next morning, Xiao Huan discovered her bedding was completely drenched. The Young Master was truly awful.
Xiao Huan quickly bathed and washed her blanket. She stood before the mirror, her mind filled with fantasies of what else the Young Master might have done to her during the night. For some reason, her mood soured.
“Xiao Huan, why did you come looking for me in such a hurry?”
“Uncle Zhong is looking for you, Young Master.”
Uncle Zhong was Jin Zhong. He was the head of all the servants and maids in the estate, their idol. Jin Zhong now acted with more discretion, sending a maid to announce him instead of barging in himself. When Shen Lang emerged, Jin Zhong gave him a peculiar look.
“Young Master, Xu Qianqian has requested an audience.”
‘So she came after all!’
However, Shen Lang’s expression was more hesitant than triumphant.
* * *
Xu Qianqian waited for Shen Lang, her heart thumping with anxiety. She wondered how he would receive her.
‘With a triumphant smirk? With frivolity? Or would he immediately begin to harass me excessively?’
As she was lost in these thoughts, Shen Lang appeared. Xu Qianqian instantly changed her expression, putting on an alluring smile.
“This humble woman pays her respects to Young Master Shen Lang.”
