186: Chapter 186 Remember to leave the door open for me tonight

Under the table, the atmosphere had become extremely bizarre.

Chen Shanzhi felt as if he had been struck by a paralysis spell, frozen in place, not even daring to breathe.

Just when he thought his Heaven-Defying operation was about to crash and burn, and he was bracing for his aunt's thunderous rage...

Something unexpected happened.

Those thighs that had been tightly clamping his left hand suddenly loosened slightly.

Immediately after, Chen Rou's small hand, which was holding his left hand, also let go.

Not only did she let go, but Chen Rou's fingertips even covertly rubbed the back of his hand twice.

This movement was like a gentle little hook.

It could even be said to be... a disguised indulgence and invitation!

As long as Chen Shanzhi was willing, his now-freed left hand could completely continue to press against those plump thighs and explore upward without restraint.

But where would Chen Shanzhi get the courage at a time like this!

"Phew—"

Chen Shanzhi let out a long sigh of relief in his heart, assuming his aunt was being magnanimous as an elder, pitying her nephew and quietly letting him off the hook.

Shua!

As if struck by an electric shock, he instantly withdrew his left hand from that gentle embrace, placed it properly on the table, and picked up his teacup to drink strategically, masking his embarrassment.

Sitting next to him, Chen Rou watched Chen Shanzhi's left hand withdraw as if escaping out of the corner of her eye.

A trace of disappointment and reluctance faintly flashed across that peerlessly beautiful face.

But it was only for a moment before this emotion vanished without a trace; she maintained her gentle and loving smile, continuing to invite everyone to eat.

Just then.

Murong Zhaoling, sitting on the right, put down her chopsticks. Her heroic Phoenix eyes swept across the table, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Strange..."

Murong Zhaoling's gaze was sharp, scanning everyone like radar: "Why are all your faces so red?"

She pointed at Shen Lingfu opposite her, then looked at Tang Xiaowu, who was almost burying her face in her bowl, and finally rested her gaze on Chen Shanzhi's sweat-drenched face.

"It's one thing for Sister Lingfu, but why is Chen Shanzhi covered in sweat too? Is it really that hot in this room?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the table instantly became subtle.

"Cough, cough!"

Chen Shanzhi almost choked on his tea. He quickly put down the cup and nodded frantically: "Hot! It's too hot! The floor heating in this Dining Hall is burning too high; I'm almost sweating!"

Shen Lingfu also guiltily took out a silk handkerchief, pretending to wipe sweat from her forehead that didn't exist at all.

"Yes, yes, Sister Murong. I'm usually sensitive to the cold, but today I feel this room is quite stuffy."

Tang Xiaowu didn't even dare to raise her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito: "Mm... hot..."

Only Jiang Feiyu, who was nearby gnawing on a large pig's trotter, stopped her movements.

With her mouth covered in oil, she looked up, glanced around with a dazed expression, and then looked at Murong Zhaoling.

"Is it hot?"

Jiang Feiyu scratched her head, looking puzzled: "I think the temperature is just right; it's very appetizing!"

After saying that, she didn't bother to care about the strange expressions of the others and turned all her attention back to the plate of bright, red-braised pork in front of her.

The meal was finished in this bizarre atmosphere.

The servants cleared away the leftovers and served fragrant tea.

Chen Shanzhi looked at the sky outside, and his heart began to heat up.

A dark, windy night, a lone man and woman.

This was the perfect opportunity to Cultivate the Yin-Yang Origin Return Technique and re-establish his husbandly authority!

He cleared his throat, stood up, and looked at Shen Lingfu and Murong Zhaoling opposite him.

"It's getting late, and the night wind outside is chilly.

You two are of noble birth; it might not be proper if you stay too late in my small Zhenguo Marquis Mansion.

I'll have the servants prepare a carriage right away to send you both back to your manors to rest?"

Chen Shanzhi's order to leave was quite blunt.

He was thinking, *Hurry up and leave, don't delay my business tonight!*

But Shen Lingfu seemed not to understand the meaning behind Chen Shanzhi's words at all.

Shen Lingfu blinked her pure and innocent eyes, turned to grab Chen Rou's arm, and her voice was sickeningly sweet:

"Auntie Chen~ It's so dark outside; it's quite unsafe to go back at this time."

She pouted her red lips, looking expectant: "Besides, in all my years, I've never stayed the night at the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion.

I've heard the guest rooms in the Marquis Mansion are arranged very elegantly. Auntie, can I be thick-skinned and stay for a night?"

Chen Shanzhi's eye twitched uncontrollably.

You're the Young Miss of the Treasure Pavilion; you travel in carriages more luxurious than houses, with countless experts and guards protecting you openly and secretly.

And you're telling me it's unsafe?

Unfortunately, Chen Rou was very susceptible to this, her heart blooming with joy at Shen Lingfu's sweet calls of "Auntie."

She immediately laughed and patted her hand: "Why wouldn't it be okay? The Marquis Mansion has plenty of empty rooms; you can stay as long as you like."

Seeing this, Murong Zhaoling's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.

Well played, Shen Lingfu. You want to take advantage of being close? Not a chance!

Murong Zhaoling stood up decisively, her posture upright, her tone matter-of-fact:

"Since Sister Lingfu isn't leaving, then as the fiancée personally bestowed by the Emperor, it would seem distant if I were to go back now."

She looked at Chen Rou: "Auntie, um... I want to stay too."

Chen Shanzhi: "..."

He took a deep breath, his teeth grinding together.

These two women were determined to stay and ruin his plans today, weren't they?

"But my..."

Chen Shanzhi was about to find an excuse to struggle a bit more.

But Chen Rou had already briskly summoned the steward.

"Go, tidy up the guest rooms in the West Side Courtyard and put on fresh bedding."

Chen Rou looked at the girls with a smile: "The West Side Courtyard is quiet and the rooms are large.

You girls will all stay in that courtyard tonight. You won't be far from each other, so you can visit and share some secrets."

The girls all agreed in unison.

Chen Shanzhi was completely despaired.

The West Side Courtyard? And arranging all these women in one courtyard?

Then if he went to knock on Tang Xiaowu's door tonight, wouldn't he be committing the act under all those pairs of eyes?

This difficulty was comparable to Hell level!

The night grew deeper.

Chen Shanzhi sullenly acted as a flower-protecting envoy, leading the girls toward the West Side Courtyard.

Along the way, Shen Lingfu walked in front, occasionally turning back to throw him a flirtatious wink.

Murong Zhaoling walked in the middle, her eyes watching him like he was a thief.

Jiang Feiyu, having eaten her fill, was burping on the side.

Only Tang Xiaowu followed at the very back of the group without any presence, her head lowered, wondering what she was thinking.

They arrived at the West Side Courtyard.

The girls' rooms were indeed as Chen Rou said, all in one courtyard, but separated by several corridors and small gardens, giving them a bit of distance.

Chen Shanzhi saw Shen Lingfu and Murong Zhaoling into their respective rooms and watched them close their doors.

Finally, he naturally slowed his pace and came to Tang Xiaowu's side, who was at the very back.

The two stood at her bedroom door.

Tang Xiaowu lowered her head, her hands wringing the corners of her clothes, just about to push the door open.

Chen Shanzhi suddenly moved half a step closer covertly.

The distance between them instantly closed, to the point where he could even smell the fresh feminine fragrance on the girl.

Chen Shanzhi lowered his head slightly, his lips almost touching Tang Xiaowu's crystal-clear earlobe.

A puff of warm breath blew directly into the girl's ear.

"Go wash yourself clean."

Chen Shanzhi's voice was extremely low, carrying an unquestionable dominance and a very strong hint: "Leave the door open for me tonight."

Tang Xiaowu's delicate body trembled violently.

She didn't dare look into Chen Shanzhi's eyes at all.

Her cheeks, already flushed, instantly turned as red as sunset clouds, the color spreading all the way to her neck.

Even her small earlobes became like blood-red agates.

She didn't answer, nor did she refuse.

Like a startled little rabbit, she hurriedly pushed open the door, plunged inside, and then closed the door with a "thud."

Looking at the closed door, a wicked smile curled on Chen Shanzhi's lips.

Little girl, you think I can't handle you?

Late at night, the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion was dead silent, with only the occasional sound of insects.

In the West Side Courtyard, all the rooms had their lights out, pitch black.

Chen Shanzhi hid behind a rockery outside the courtyard and waited patiently for a full hour.

Pushing his hearing to the limit, he confirmed that steady breathing was coming from the rooms of those women and that they were all sound asleep.

Only then did he lightly vault out from behind the rockery.

Chen Shanzhi circulated his True Essence, his footsteps as light as a spirit cat, landing without a sound.

He smoothly avoided the Marquis Mansion's night patrol guards and made his way outside Tang Xiaowu's door.

By the faint starlight, he glanced at the closed wooden door.

Chen Shanzhi took a deep breath, raised his hand, and gave a light tap on the door frame with minimal force.

This knocking sound, in the silent night, felt like it was tapping on one's heartstrings.

There was no response from inside.

Chen Shanzhi was in no hurry, just standing quietly outside the door waiting.

After only a moment.

A faint sound of fabric rubbing came from inside, followed by light footsteps approaching.

Zhiya—

The wooden door made a slight creaking sound.

A crack was quietly pulled open.

A bright eye, filled with a bit of moisture and shyness, peeked out timidly through the crack.

Chen Shanzhi wasn't about to be polite.

He grinned, turned his body sideways, and like a slippery loach, slid through the crack into the room!