Chapter 79

In recent days, Shangguan Mingyue had set up her office in the Shengyu Trading Company in Fufeng City.

Speaking of office conditions, the Fufeng City branch of Shengyu Trading Company could be considered quite rudimentary, even the Cangyun City branch was several times better.

However, this young lady seemed determined to stay in Fufeng City, handling all matters, big and small, through messenger birds. Every morning, the Shengyu Trading Company in Fufeng City was always bustling with various messenger birds coming and going.

Every time it was close to lunch or dinner, she would mount her unicorn horse, leave Fufeng City, and gallop towards Qingfeng Mountain, never dining at the trading company.

This saved Wang Zongguan, the manager, a lot of trouble. After all, Shangguan Mingyue's pickiness about food was well-known throughout the Great Qian Empire, and she and the Third Princess of Great Qian were even known as the two major foodies of the capital. If he had to think of new dishes every day to satisfy her taste, it would surely turn the plump Wang Zongguan's hair white.

On this day, after handling the morning business affairs, Shangguan Mingyue rode her horse again and arrived at the foot of Qingfeng Mountain.

I wonder what delicious food Zhong Wen will make today.

As she climbed the mountain, she recalled the "mutton hot pot" Zhong Wen had concocted the previous night, her mouth watering, and her stomach even growling.

The Shangguan family's gold-level spirit technique, "Climbing Heaven Steps," was quite powerful. In less than two hours, the ancient buildings of Piaohua Palace came into view.

Shangguan Mingyue felt a surge of joy, her two long, snow-white legs moving quickly, and she soon reached the courtyard gate. At this moment, a man entered her line of sight.

Nangong Lin!

Since the engagement break-up incident, Nangong Lin had become the person Shangguan Mingyue hated the most. She had dreamed of grinding this man to dust countless times. Seeing him in person, Shangguan Mingyue almost couldn't resist drawing her sword.

She barely suppressed the urge to kill, shifted her gaze, and saw an unexpected scene.

Zhong Wen, dressed in strange clothing, perfectly embodied the word "dandy." He extended his right arm, hugged his aunt, and loudly commanded, "I feel like I have too much earwax. Hurry up and clean it out for me."

Shangguan Mingyue was so shocked that her jaw almost hit the ground.

"Yes, my husband." Shangguan Junyi's face flushed slightly, as obedient and gentle as a young wife. The two of them supported each other and were about to enter the courtyard.

"Wait!" Nangong Lin suddenly shouted, "Junyi, you don't really like him, do you? You only married him out of gratitude, right?"

"I, I don't..." Shangguan Junyi's eyes flashed with panic, stammering in denial.

Nangong Lin's suspicions were further confirmed. His righteous indignation made him forget the purpose of his visit. He was determined to save this stunning beauty from her miserable fate. He looked at Zhong Wen and said, "Young man."

"Who are you calling a young man?" Zhong Wen rolled his eyes, his fan moving quickly, "You can't even aspire to be my friend."

"Mr. Zhong." Nangong Lin trembled with anger, barely suppressing his fury, and said righteously, "In matters of love, it's about mutual affection. You're forcing Junyi to marry you by relying on your family's medical skills, which is quite despicable."

"Nonsense, my wife and I have a great relationship." Zhong Wen hugged Shangguan Junyi tighter and kissed her flawless face, "Wife, isn't that right?"

Shangguan Junyi, feeling weak all over from his kisses and embraces, her face flushed, nodded after a long pause, her voice barely audible, "Yes."

This brief pause, in Nangong Lin's eyes, undoubtedly revealed Shangguan Junyi's hesitation and reluctance. He was even more convinced that the beauty's heart was already set on him: "Mr. Zhong, Junyi is a grateful person and doesn't want to go against your wishes. To be honest, Junyi and I have been in love for a long time. Please, Mr. Zhong, let her go and do us a favor."

"What! You dirty woman, you've been seeing this old man behind my back?" Zhong Wen, hearing this, flew into a rage, grabbing Shangguan Junyi's shoulders and shaking her.

"Husband, I, I didn't." Shangguan Junyi looked pained but did not resist.

"Stop it!" Nangong Lin could no longer tolerate Zhong Wen's behavior, "A real man shouldn't hit a woman. If she wanted to fight back, a hundred of you would be dead."

"Teaching my wife a lesson is none of your business, you two dogs!" Zhong Wen glared and cursed.

"I challenge you to a duel!" Nangong Lin said coldly, "If you lose, let Junyi go with me."

A strong sense of killing intent surged within him.

"Come on! Who's afraid of who!" Zhong Wen shouted.

"Husband, calm down. You're young and may not be his match. What if you get hurt?" Shangguan Junyi earnestly advised.

"Get out of my way, don't pretend to care about me." Zhong Wen pushed Shangguan Junyi away, "Do you want me to be killed by him so you can run off with him?"

"Husband." Shangguan Junyi looked aggrieved, tears welling up in her eyes, lacking the aura of a high-level expert.

Seeing the delicate and beautiful Shangguan Junyi, Nangong Lin felt his heart melt. For a moment, he even forgot about her family background and cultivation, only wanting to pluck this delicate flower.

"You old man, come over and die!" Zhong Wen adjusted his nearly falling hat, closed his fan, and pointed at Nangong Lin. His overly large sleeves covered most of his hand, making him look quite ridiculous.

"Wait." Shangguan Mingyue suddenly spoke up.

"Oh, isn't this Sister Yue? Are you here to see your aunt?" Zhong Wen, surprised by the young lady's sudden appearance, was momentarily stunned. His eyes darted around, and he walked over to her with a lecherous look, "Sister, wait a moment. I'll teach this old man a lesson and then talk to you."

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Shangguan Mingyue's delicate hand.

This guy, already having Junyi, actually wants to have both aunt and niece!

Shangguan Mingyue's reputation was well-known throughout the capital, and Nangong Lin, of course, recognized her. Seeing Zhong Wen's lecherous behavior towards her, he was shocked.

Even a nobleman from the capital like him wouldn't dare to have designs on Shangguan Mingyue, let alone a dandy living in a remote mountain.

The thought of Zhong Wen, a country bumpkin, embracing both of the Shangguan family's beauties left a forbidden image in his mind that he couldn't shake off. Nangong Lin felt both shock and anger, and even a hint of... envy.

Shangguan Mingyue, with her sharp mind, immediately understood that her aunt and Zhong Wen were toying with Nangong Lin. Seeing him come over with a lecherous look and hearing him call her "Sister Yue" made her skin crawl. She was at a loss, and her hatred for Nangong Lin diminished slightly.

Out of Nangong Lin's sight, the two exchanged glances. Zhong Wen's eyes cleared, and Shangguan Mingyue read the message, "Don't ruin my plans."

The young lady glared at Zhong Wen, slightly turned her body to avoid his lecherous hand, and said sweetly, "Father-in-law, please be more respectful."

The term "father-in-law" made Zhong Wen's bones tingle, and he relaxed, knowing that she was willing to play along.

Shangguan Mingyue then said, "Father-in-law, Nangong Lin is a notorious playboy. It's fine to teach him a lesson, but if you lose and let Aunt go with him, I absolutely won't agree."

"Don't worry, Sister Yue. This old man has weak steps and a pale face, clearly overindulged and weak. He's no match for me." Zhong Wen adopted a haughty attitude, completely disregarding Nangong Lin.

Shangguan Mingyue's face showed concern, as if she found this unreliable "father-in-law" quite helpless. After a moment of thought, she said, "Father-in-law, challenging him like this is just letting him take advantage of you."

"What do you mean?" Zhong Wen looked puzzled.

"You and Aunt are already married. Nangong Lin suddenly challenges you to a duel, hoping to take her away. If he wins, he gets the beauty; if he loses, he doesn't have to pay any price. This is just taking advantage of you. Such a duel isn't worth it." Shangguan Mingyue explained patiently.

"Sister Yue has a point." Zhong Wen looked thoughtful, understanding Shangguan Mingyue's intentions.

The repeated "Sister Yue" made Shangguan Mingyue's face turn black, and her scalp tingle. She barely managed to keep her temper in check.

Nangong Lin knew that Shangguan Mingyue had a deep grudge against him. Seeing her interfere, he found it reasonable. However, seeing the ignorant youth about to join the duel, he couldn't bear to let it go and shouted, "If I lose, I'll give you an estate near the capital."

"So, my aunt is worth only an estate to you." Shangguan Mingyue said coldly.

Nangong Lin, deeply resenting her interference, couldn't lash out at her. Seeing Shangguan Junyi looking at him with hopeful eyes, he had no choice but to say, "If I lose, I'll give you all the assets of the Nangong family's second branch."

"Good!" Zhong Wen's eyes lit up, and he rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.

"Father-in-law, this man is very cunning. If you lose and he doesn't honor the deal, what will you do?" Shangguan Mingyue persisted.

Nangong Lin almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He had indeed planned to deny the deal if he lost, thinking Zhong Wen wouldn't dare to come to the capital to collect. However, Shangguan Mingyue's words exposed his plan, and he now hated her even more.

"What should we do then?" Zhong Wen asked, looking confused.

"Since it's a duel, both parties should sign a contract and a spirit pattern agreement beforehand." Shangguan Mingyue said.

"This..." Zhong Wen looked at Shangguan Junyi, hesitating, unsure of what to do.

"Fine, I'll sign!" Seeing Zhong Wen's hesitation, Nangong Lin became more decisive, "What, Mr. Zhong, aren't you confident?"

"Sign, then! I'm not afraid of you!" Seeing the contempt in Nangong Lin's eyes, Zhong Wen flew into a rage.

Despite the "bitter persuasion" from Shangguan Junyi and Shangguan Mingyue, the two eventually signed the duel contract. If Zhong Wen lost, he would give his "wife" to Nangong Lin. If Nangong Lin lost, he would give the Nangong family's second branch's assets in the capital, including taverns, real estate, and spirit weapon shops, to Zhong Wen.

Just as they were about to sign the contract with blood, a soft and melodious female voice came from behind, "Wait, let me see this contract."