Chapter 95

As the saying goes, "He who eats another's food will speak softly, and he who takes another's hand will be short of arm." After receiving the favor, Tang Xueying and Zheng Fakui treated Yueyang with increasing warmth. Zheng Fakui even patted Yueyang on the shoulder, calling him by his courtesy name to show intimacy, almost ready to thump his chest and say, "I'll protect you from now on."

After chatting for a while, Yueyang once again informed the two of his wedding in ten days, earnestly inviting them to attend. Only then did he decline Zheng Fakui's invitation to stay and bid farewell, returning home.

After Yueyang left, the smiles on Zheng Fakui and Tang Xueying's faces gradually faded, returning to their usual calm expressions.

After a moment, Zheng Fakui let out a long sigh, "Finally, we've fulfilled the governor's request and gathered the salt tax."

"Yes, and we even collected an extra 30,000 taels, which is quite a surprise," Tang Xueying nodded, picked up his teacup, took a big sip, and then exhaled deeply.

The two fell silent for a while. Zheng Fakui asked with some doubt, "Mr. Tang, what do you think Yue Zhenghong is up to? Not only did he pay the salt tax, but he even paid an extra 30,000 taels. Does he really have so much money that he doesn't know what to do with it?"

Tang Xueying was silent for a moment, then slowly placed his teacup on the table and said, "He's not just rich; he's trying to curry favor with the governor."

"Curry favor with the governor?" Zheng Fakui was silent for a moment, then said incredulously, "He spent 30,000 taels just to curry favor?"

Zheng Fakui couldn't help but be surprised. 30,000 taels was no small amount. The entire Ming Dynasty's annual fiscal revenue was only about 4 million taels. To spend 30,000 taels just to flatter someone was a significant cost.

"That's why he's not simple," Tang Xueying chuckled. "Since the governor took office as the governor of Shanxi, he has faced many difficulties. Now, almost all military power in Shanxi is in the hands of the general of Xuan and Da, Zhang Zongheng. Although the governor has great ambitions, he is constrained by the lack of troops. These matters are not secrets in the official circles, and Yue Zhenghong wouldn't be unaware. His loyalty to the governor is not only out of gratitude for the governor's promotion but also a form of speculation. As long as the governor remains in power, he will have a solid backing. As the saying goes, it's good to rest under a big tree."

"Mr. Tang is right!" Zheng Fakui nodded. People are naturally self-interested. Yueyang's actions would be seen as very normal in the official circles; it would be abnormal not to do so.

"It seems Yue Zhenghong will be greatly favored by the governor in the future," Zheng Fakui's words carried a hint of envy.

"Lord Zheng, there's no need to envy him," Tang Xueying smiled. "Although Yue Zhenghong is talented, he is just a scholar. He won't be able to advance far in the official career. If he wants to progress further, he must focus on military positions, so he won't conflict with you."

"Mr. Tang, what are you saying!" Zheng Fakui's face flushed slightly, his inner thoughts exposed.

"Ha ha, it's not a big deal, Lord Zheng, don't take it to heart," Tang Xueying waved his hand with a smile. "The governor won't mind such trivial matters. However, there is one thing I must remind you of."

"Please, Mr. Tang, speak!" Zheng Fakui's face became serious. Although Tang Xueying held no official position, as the governor's chief advisor, his status in Xu Dingchen's heart was undeniable. Such a person might not help you achieve your goals, but ruining your plans would be very easy. A casual word to the governor could undo years of effort. Therefore, Zheng Fakui did not dare to act arrogantly in front of Tang Xueying.

Tang Xueying looked deeply at Zheng Fakui and said, "I observe that Yue Zhenghong is quite calculating. He is generous with money and spends lavishly. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, he will achieve much. However, I don't understand why he is marrying a Mongolian woman in ten days. According to my knowledge, this woman is the eldest daughter of Zaisan, the leader of the Mongolian科尔沁部落, and her sister is the concubine of the Jurchen leader Huang太极. If no one investigates this, it might be fine, but if someone makes an issue of it, it will be very detrimental to him. If you want to befriend him, you must be cautious."

"Oh, really?" Zheng Fakui was greatly surprised, exclaiming, "It shouldn't be... It shouldn't be! I observed that he is quite intelligent; how could he make such a foolish move!"

"That's what I don't understand," Tang Xueying smiled bitterly. "Now, our Ming Dynasty and the Jurchens are like water and fire. He dares to form a kinship with the Jurchen leader. I don't know if he is truly foolish or just pretending. Doesn't he fear the censors' accusations of colluding with the enemy?"

The two discussed for a long time but could not figure out why Yueyang was doing this. In the end, they reluctantly concluded that he was a man who loved beauty more than his country, like Li Houzhu. Subsequently, Tang Xueying quickly wrote a letter and had it sent to the governor's office in Taiyuan as quickly as possible.

Back at home, Yueyang finally had a moment of leisure. He first went to the back courtyard to chat with Hailanzhu, then slipped into the courtyard of the Linglong sisters, where they bathed and engaged in some adult activities.

The sky gradually darkened, and in a dimly lit room, a soft sound echoed, followed by a warm orange glow that cast a hazy light on the room's contents. Along with the light came the sound of soft panting.

"Master... I can't take it anymore, you are too amazing!" Yu Ling, her body glistening with sweat, lay on Yueyang, her white skin flushed. She licked Yueyang's chest while pleading for mercy.

"Master, why have you become so amazing recently?" Yu Ling, panting in Yueyang's arms, gazed at his handsome and resolute face, her eyes filled with deep admiration.

"Hmph... See if you dare to tease me again!" Yueyang, feeling very pleased, patted Yu Ling's soft "qiaotun." For some reason, with each穿越, Yueyang's physical strength had gradually improved. The originally weak body had become stronger, and recently, he had even developed the beginnings of abs. The improvement in physical strength was most evident in intimate matters, as the Linglong sisters, even together, could not match his stamina.

At this moment, a rustling sound came from under the quilt, and a dazzling white body slowly emerged. As she emerged, she swallowed something, then lay in Yueyang's arms, panting softly. After a while, she pouted at Yueyang, "Master, you are so naughty, making me do such embarrassing things."

The one who had just emerged was Yu Long. Her face was flushed, and her "shuangfeng" rose and fell slightly, clearly indicating the physical exertion of what had just happened.

"There's nothing to it; husband and wife are one," Yueyang, holding the beautiful and obedient sisters, felt very satisfied, wishing to live like this forever.

After a long while, the Linglong sisters, having recovered their strength, clung to Yueyang like octopuses. The month-long separation had made them, who had just tasted the forbidden fruit, even more clingy.

Yueyang, holding the two sisters, asked casually, "Ling, Long, did anything happen at home while I was away?"

"Nothing, everything is fine!" Yu Ling, feeling boneless, replied lazily in Yueyang's arms.

"Good, that's good!" Yueyang nodded in satisfaction. The longer he stayed here, the deeper his affection for this family grew. The old lady, his sister Yue Ying, and the two girls who had given him their hearts and bodies had become his inseparable family.

"But recently, when you were away, people were quietly talking about Sister Hailanzhu," Yu Long, on the right, suddenly said.

"Oh, what did they say?" Yueyang asked nonchalantly.

"They... They said why Master had to marry a Mongolian woman, and even as the main wife. If this news spreads, it will be very detrimental to Master's future."

"What nonsense!" Yueyang immediately became angry. He knew someone was spreading rumors to the Linglong sisters; otherwise, they wouldn't have thought of such a complex matter on their own.

Hearing Yueyang's stern tone, the Linglong sisters turned pale. Yu Ling quickly said, "I understand." Only Yu Long, mustering her courage, snuggled into Yueyang's arms and pouted, "I was just concerned for Master."

"You two should focus on other things," the stifling heat in the room made Yu Long's scent even more alluring, and without any barriers, Yueyang easily felt her youthful energy, making his heart heat up again.

Suppressing the evil fire in his heart, Yueyang said seriously, "You two are simple by nature and don't understand the complexity of some matters. But remember, Master has his reasons for marrying Hailanzhu as his main wife. He still loves you as much as before. If those small people come to you again, tell the guards to beat them out. Our Yue family doesn't want such people, understand?"

"Yes, we understand!" The two sisters, lying in Yueyang's arms, nodded obediently. Yueyang rarely showed his stern side, but when he did, it was serious.

After comforting the two sisters, Yueyang fell into deep thought. It seems Dorogon was right; marrying Hailanzhu has indeed caused some dissent at home...

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