Chapter 56

Cuiyu Manor is located on the border between Antai Province and Nanjiang Province. Although it cannot compare in scale to Xiaowuqing's Fengyue Manor, it is still considered one of the best in the area.

Due to the terrain, compared to the colorful estates in the western suburbs of the capital, this manor is mostly covered in green, lacking a touch of elegance but gaining a sense of natural beauty.

On the other side of the main building of the manor, there is a small building named "Die Cui." From its interior decoration, it is evident that the owner is likely a well-bred young lady.

In the center of the upstairs boudoir, a delicate sandalwood bed is placed. Four pillars on the sides are draped with pink, semi-transparent curtains that hang all the way to the ground. Through the curtains, one can vaguely see two naked bodies intertwined on the bed.

A delicate flower and bird painting hangs above the dressing table, and the incense burner on the table is filled with the popular incense sticks among the nobility, emitting a sweet and sticky fragrance.

In the early morning, accompanied by the pleasant and clear chirping of birds outside, a corner of the pink curtain was lifted, revealing a wrist as smooth as a jade lotus. However, it was quickly caught back by a strong arm, and a sound of playful laughter came from inside the curtains.

In this fragrant atmosphere, a gray messenger bird flew in from the window, landing on the pink curtain by the bed, chirping cutely.

"Is it your family's messenger?" a soft and alluring female voice came from inside the curtains.

"Let me see." This was the voice of a middle-aged man, rich and magnetic.

The strong arm reached out again, and the messenger bird obediently jumped onto the man's hand, being guided into the curtains.

After a while, a contemptuous laugh came from inside.

"What's wrong, Lin Ge?" The alluring female voice carried a hint of laziness and charm, captivating the soul.

"It's my dear brother. I don't know what's wrong with him, but he actually wants me to seduce a woman, a woman who was once abandoned by me." The man's voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

"Do you, the second master of the Nangong family, need to sell your charm?" The alluring woman giggled.

The middle-aged man on the bed was none other than Nangong Lin, the younger brother of the Nangong family's head, Nangong Tianxing, and once a famous playboy in the capital.

"Will you forget me when you go?" the woman feigned a sad tone.

"Don't worry, Rou Mei. That woman, in order to practice her skills, has already turned herself into a genderless monster, incapable of experiencing the pleasure of intimacy. I feel disgusted just thinking about her, let alone truly falling in love. It's just a show. But the other party has a good family background; the Shangguan family is now a powerful merchant in the Daqian Empire. For this, my elder brother has scolded me many times in the past."

"I hate those women who have no charm and rely on their family's power to seduce men." The alluring woman's voice carried a hint of resentment. "Lin Ge, if you really don't want to, I can have my family talk to your elder brother."

"Absolutely not. If my elder brother finds out you're involved, he'll be furious." Nangong Lin quickly dissuaded her. "It's just a temporary endurance. A man can bend and stretch. For the family's benefit, a little sacrifice is nothing. Rou Mei, remember, my heart belongs only to you."

"Lin Ge~" the woman said, moved. "It's a pity I met you too late and can't be your first wife."

"Rou Mei, just bear with it for a few more days. My elder brother still needs the power of that yellow-faced woman in the family." Nangong Lin held the woman's soft hand. "When the time comes, and she has no more value, I will immediately marry you. If she dares to say no, I will divorce her and kick her out."

"Lin Ge, I believe you." The alluring woman said with deep affection. "I'll wait for you..."

***

In the dead of night, the forest was silent, with only the occasional chirping of insects indicating the presence of life.

Zhong Wen sat alone on a rock outside the main gate of Piaohua Palace, hugging his knees and staring blankly at the stones and green grass on the ground.

"Little brother, aren't you going to sleep so late?" Accompanied by a fragrant breeze, Shangguan Junyi's gentle and soft voice came from behind.

"Isn't Shangguan Sister also not sleeping?" Zhong Wen didn't look up.

"You ungrateful little brat, do you think the target of Wanjin Tower is you?" Shangguan Junyi feigned anger. "One of us has to stay awake, right?"

Zhong Wen was taken aback, turning to look at Shangguan Junyi, who looked like a gentle and beautiful older sister. A warm feeling welled up in his heart.

It feels good to be cared for.

"Thank you." His gratitude was sincere.

"What are you thinking about?" Shangguan Junyi came to Zhong Wen's side and sat down gently.

"Sister, am I a scumbag?" Zhong Wen suddenly blurted out.

"What's a scumbag?" Shangguan Junyi asked, puzzled.

"A man with bad character." Zhong Wen explained according to his understanding.

"Why do you think so?"

"I already have a woman I like, but I can't help but fall for another person." Zhong Wen said, troubled. "Isn't that what a scumbag is?"

"Is that it?" Shangguan Junyi's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

"Yes." Zhong Wen was stuck in his own thoughts.

"You should know that in the Daqian Empire, it's not unusual for a man to have several or even a dozen wives." Shangguan Junyi gently advised.

"They are them, and I am me." Zhong Wen, from the 21st century Earth, was accustomed to the monogamous mindset and felt deeply guilty for liking both Lin Zhiyun and Leng Wushuang.

Seeing him stuck in a dead end, Shangguan Junyi was both amused and exasperated, and she moved closer. "Are you talking about Palace Master Lin and Sister Wushuang?"

"Ah?" Zhong Wen was surprised. "How did you know?"

"The way you look at Palace Master Lin is so obvious, even a fool could notice." Shangguan Junyi's words were not entirely true; she had observed Zhong Wen more closely than an ordinary person. "As for Sister Wushuang, she would even give her life for you. If you were to abandon her, I wouldn't forgive you."

"Is that so?" Zhong Wen scratched his head, embarrassed. "Sister, what should I do?"

"You silly little brother, let me ask you, if you end up with Palace Master Lin, would you abandon Sister Wushuang?" Shangguan Junyi was somewhat exasperated.

Zhong Wen shook his head. "Of course not. If I abandon her, I would be no better than a dog."

"Then can you forget about Palace Master Lin now that you like Sister Wushuang?"

"Um..." Zhong Wen hesitated. "It seems I can't let go of my admiration for Palace Master Lin in a short time."

"Then why are you so troubled?" Shangguan Junyi concluded. "If they both are willing to be with you and you won't abandon either of them, then naturally, you should marry both."

"Is it that simple?" Zhong Wen felt a bit lost.

"Would you not be a scumbag if you think about Palace Master Lin while being with Sister Wushuang?" Shangguan Junyi taught him earnestly. "If you can't even face your true feelings, what kind of man are you?"

Zhong Wen felt as if he had been struck by lightning, suddenly enlightened. He jumped up and hugged Shangguan Junyi's soft body tightly, exclaiming, "I understand, I understand, thank you, Shangguan Sister!"

Shangguan Junyi didn't expect Zhong Wen to suddenly do this. She was tightly embraced by him, and the young man's passionate aura made her feel weak all over, her face turning red with embarrassment. "What are you doing!"

"Sorry, I got too excited." Zhong Wen realized his behavior was inappropriate. "Sister, I'll go to sleep now. You should rest too."

"Go, go, don't worry about me." Shangguan Junyi seemed to still be in a daze, just waving her hand to dismiss him.

Watching Zhong Wen turn and walk into the courtyard, Shangguan Junyi sighed softly, her voice carrying a hint of inexplicable resentment.

...

As the sky began to brighten, birds in the forest sang melodiously, their chirping clear and harmonious, weaving a symphony of nature that gently woke people from their sweet dreams.

The forging and spirit pattern materials that Zhong Wen had purchased from Shangguan Mingyue were finally delivered to the foot of Qingfeng Mountain by a unicorn-drawn carriage.