153: Chapter 0153 What's the Relationship?

Hua Nongying turned her head and saw Xiao Qingxuan entering the study.

Even a mere glimpse was enough to make Hua Nongying lose herself in a daze.

The peerless elegance and the refined, ethereal aura emanating from between her brows were things Hua Nongying wouldn't even dare to dream of!

How could there be such a beautiful woman in this world!?

Husband?

She is Lin Xiao's wife!?

“My wife, you’ve come at just the right time. I hadn't had the chance to go looking for you yet,” Lin Xiao said with a laugh.

“I heard that you not only went to Zuihua Pavilion, husband, but also brought back the top courtesan.”

Xiao Qingxuan wore a look of pained resentment. “Could it be that my sisters and I haven't served you well enough, leaving you dissatisfied?”

What!?

With such a beautiful wife, Lin Xiao still has other concubines!?

Hua Nongying felt as if she had been struck by a heavy hammer. She finally understood why this General Lin remained indifferent to her beauty.

When one sees delicacies every day, one grows tired of them long ago!

“What are you saying, my wife? I simply saw that Miss Hua and her group of women were alone and helpless, so I’m finding them some work to make a living.”

Lin Xiao smiled. “In any case, our Northern Trade Alliance is expanding rapidly, so we aren't short of room for a few more people.”

“But regarding the brewing, shouldn't Su Wansha handle it first? How can we let an outsider take precedence?”

Xiao Qingxuan frowned. “If Su Wansha finds out later, won't she complain to me as the First Wife? How would I even begin to soothe her?”

Lin Xiao put on a troubled expression. “This... indeed, I was inconsiderate. You are right to remind me, my wife.”

Immediately, Lin Xiao turned and said, “Miss Hua, since my wife says so, we’ll put the matter of the brewing workshop on hold for now.”

“If you are interested, wait in Lincang City for a while. If not, feel free to stay or leave as you wish, but you are not to operate a brothel again.”

Hua Nongying felt as if the cooked duck was flying away, and her heart immediately grew anxious.

She hurriedly bent her knees and gave a deep bow toward Xiao Qingxuan.

“General’s Lady, Nongying and my sisters have always admired the Zhenbei Army.”

“We, along with the one hundred and thirty-seven people from Xinghua Village, very much want to do our part for Lin Xiao and the Zhenbei Army.”

“I beg the Lady to give us a chance. We do not seek great wealth, only to be able to stay fed and warm in these troubled times.”

Hua Nongying knew that this Distilled Liquor was a massive prize that no one would let go of.

She had to bite down on it right now; she couldn't delay any longer!

Xiao Qingxuan looked cold and aloof, her eyes carrying a hint of disdain.

“There is no need for this, Miss Hua. If the General is determined to hand the workshop over to you, I will not stop him.”

“However... when working for the General, you must be wholeheartedly dedicated and without a shred of disloyalty.”

“If you fail to do it well and something goes wrong, the General possesses peerless martial arts and thunderous methods. You should think carefully about the consequences.”

Hua Nongying looked at the grinning Lin Xiao and gulped.

She had already witnessed Lin Xiao's terrifying strength, so she nodded.

“This humble one understands. I will absolutely not fail the General's kindness!”

Lin Xiao grinned and said, “Miss Hua, don't be nervous. I have always been clear about rewards and punishments.”

“Go back and think it over carefully. It won't be too late to give me an answer tomorrow morning.”

Hua Nongying shook her head, not wanting any more mishaps to occur.

“Lin Xiao, all of my sisters will listen to me. Please, let us handle this Distilled Liquor.”

“I guarantee that I will make the Northern Trade Alliance's liquor famous throughout the world!”

Lin Xiao nodded. “Good! Then go back and notify them. Tomorrow morning, we’ll meet at Xinghua Village!”

Hua Nongying pulled herself together, curtsied gracefully, bowed to Xiao Qingxuan to take her leave, and then departed.

Once the woman was far away, Lin Xiao pulled Xiao Qingxuan into his arms.

He reached out and pinched the woman's smooth cheek, letting out a wicked laugh.

“My wife, you’re really something. You left Hua Nongying completely dazed.”

Having spent several months together, the couple had established a solid rapport.

One played the good cop and the other played the bad cop, directly forcing Hua Nongying to make up her mind.

Xiao Qingxuan said coquettishly, “Husband, how come I didn't know you had the skill to brew liquor? This scent is too fragrant; I could smell it even from outside the room!”

“Haha, your husband has always been a man of many talents.”

“That’s true. Otherwise, how could that top courtesan be so smitten with you upon their first meeting that she almost offered herself to you?”

Xiao Qingxuan pretended to be jealous, pouting her red lips.

Lin Xiao knew that because her cultivation was high, she had overheard the conversation earlier.

“My wife, you should have heard everything. I only brought her here to talk about the brewing; I have absolutely no interest in anything else.”

Xiao Qingxuan smiled brightly, speaking with a hint of pride:

“That’s only because I made preparations in advance. Since you were already completely spent, you naturally had no interest.”

Lin Xiao took a sharp breath. This was no Empress; she was clearly a vixen!

“Since you say so, my wife, I’ll just have to prove my strength once again!”

Accompanied by a soft cry, the study was filled with the warmth of spring.

By the time Leng Bingyan pushed open the door to the study, an hour had already passed.

Looking at the Empress lying on the soft couch as limp as a noodle, Leng Bingyan’s face turned slightly red as she sighed in her heart.

Her Majesty now seemed more willing to be a little woman than to restore her kingdom.

Day and night...

But it was no wonder. Who wouldn't be like this after meeting such an extraordinary man?

Wasn't she herself also deeply in love and unable to extricate herself?

“Husband, I heard that you closed Zuihua Pavilion and intend to take in those women?”

Lin Xiao was putting on his clothes and nodded. “That’s right. What’s wrong?”

“I followed your instructions to reorganize the city's intelligence network. I arrested many people and found that they were all working for Hua Nongying.”

Leng Bingyan asked curiously, “Why would a courtesan need so many informants? Should we investigate further?”

Lin Xiao smiled and then explained the relationship between Zuihua Pavilion and Yanyu Pavilion.

Not just Leng Bingyan, but even Xiao Qingxuan didn't bother to finish dressing and sat up straight, her face full of surprise.

“What? Hua Nongying is the Hall Master of the Seventh Hall?”

“Husband, then what is her relationship with Shu Yelan?”

Lin Xiao shrugged. “I’ve tested her. There’s a high probability she’s on the same side as Shu Yelan and has no good feelings toward Lou Suifeng, which is why I took them in.”

“That Hua Nongying probably wants to rely on us to escape Lou Suifeng as well. She’s quite a sly one.”

Xiao and Leng both came to a sudden realization. Although they felt Hua Nongying might bring trouble, since Lin Xiao had made the decision, they said no more; trust was enough.

After the two women went out to attend to other matters, Lin Xiao planned to open a lucky fortune bag.

He was still thinking about the dual cultivation technique. He wanted to learn it as soon as possible so he would have more energy for 'plowing the fields' in the future!

He lit a stick of incense for himself.

“Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva, I am after all a Buddhist disciple who practices the Indestructible Golden Body. Please bless me and let me get a top-tier Heaven Grade weapon!”

The prayer ritual finished, Lin Xiao chose to open it!

[Ding! The host has successfully opened a lucky fortune bag!]

[Ding! Obtained 'Water Severer,' a famous sword of the Ancient Yue State. The blade is forged from Frigid Meteoric Iron, yet it can seal light and sever water. Grade: Heaven Grade]

[Ding! Obtained one 'Apotheosis Pill.' It can instantly grant at least 60 years of cultivation base, up to a maximum of 100 years. Grade: Heaven Grade]

[Ding! Obtained one 'Spirit Transfer Pearl.' It can transfer at least one technique's cultivation progress to another technique. Grade: Heaven Grade]

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