14: Prospects and plans

"System, if I can successfully pursue any woman, will I receive the same amount of reward?"

Situ Jun thought of the key point and immediately asked.

[Host, this depends on the woman's identity, status, and the heavenly luck value of the main characters she is associated with. The higher her own heavenly luck value, the higher the reflected heavenly luck value you receive.]

[For example, pursuing a maidservant within the manor has little impact on the Manor Lord's Luck. Since the maidservant's own heavenly luck value is also very low, the Host will receive a lower heavenly luck value, and the System's rewards will correspondingly be less.]

[Furthermore, with the same woman, the more times you share a bed, the less impact it has on the Luck of the associated main characters, and the less heavenly luck value you gain. Moreover, sharing a bed with the same woman a second time only yields heavenly luck value, with no System reward.]

[Lastly, the more devoted your Dao Companion is to you, the more heavenly luck value and rewards the System provides.]

After the System's explanation, Situ Jun understood the prerequisites for obtaining rewards.

Situ Jun's eyes flickered slightly as he pondered inwardly.

A moment later, he gently exhaled, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth:

"Good, it's not too much of a trap."

Although Situ Jun felt some regret, he secretly acknowledged that things were indeed not simple.

Currently, only Liu Xuaner was accessible, but the System had negated the possibility of obtaining rewards through sharing a bed with her.

It seemed that to gain more System rewards, he would have to set his sights on other women of higher status within the manor, especially the Manor Lord's wives and concubines.

Noon.

Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, spilling onto the soft couch.

Liu Xuaner slowly opened her beautiful eyes; her spring-water-like pupils still held a trace of lingering laziness.

She instinctively reached out to pull the quilt, only to find her nightgown had vanished. Her smooth, voluptuous body shimmered with a soft glow in the sunlight, appearing even more tender and radiant.

"This isn't a dream? My husband visited last night."

Liu Xuaner cooed softly, a sweet smile appearing on her face as memories flooded back.

The passion of the previous night instantly painted her delicate face with a blush.

"My husband was truly amazing last night! He didn't let me go until almost dawn."

She gently bit her red lips, the scenes from last night replaying in her mind. The tenderness and ardor, so different from before, filled her heart with joy.

Thinking of this, her face flushed with shyness and warmth, but she had loved last night's husband.

Her husband in the past was... complicated, but last night... "Perhaps it's because my husband hadn't doted on me for so long, that's why last night... It seems my husband is still infatuated with me, hehe."

Liu Xuaner giggled shyly.

Her eyes were full of happiness and anticipation, like a flower about to bloom.

Although cultivators are supposed to be clear-minded, desireless, steadfast in their Dao Heart, and indifferent to feminine charms, last night's 'Bei Batian' was like a blazing flame, completely igniting her heart, which had been filled with resentment for years.

"As long as my husband is still infatuated with me, then I don't have to continue living like a widow."

"Then my status and voice within the manor will grow stronger."

Thinking this, her fair, delicate face flushed red all the way to the tips of her ears.

Remembering something, she called out to the outer chamber:

"Cui Zhu, Chun Hua, prepare my bath..."

Moments later, two maidservants entered gracefully... "Madam, your complexion is so good today. Your skin is smoother and more radiant than ever, as if it could be squeezed to draw water with a gentle pinch, hehe."

Chun Hua couldn't help but praise as she carefully wiped the water droplets from Liu Xuaner's body.

Cui Zhu also chimed in:

"Exactly, it's as if Madam has become younger overnight. Ah, right... sorry, Madam, I'm not saying you were old before. I mean Madam looks younger and more beautiful than before! Even younger and more tender than an unmarried Young Miss."

As she spoke, the bellyband she was about to help Liu Xuaner put on almost fell to the ground.

Liu Xuaner was amused into a fit of giggles:

"Alright, you two little lasses, stop flattering me, hehe."

She looked at herself in the bronze mirror, her eyes and brows filled with satisfaction... Meanwhile, Situ Jun, holding a long knife, patrolled the area around the West Courtyard.

Passing by the courtyards of the other two concubines of the Manor Lord, although he didn't enter, he secretly used his Divine Sense to investigate.

Afterwards, he returned to Liu Xuaner's residence and found that, apart from her appearance becoming even more stunningly beautiful, the way she looked at him was no different from usual. Clearly, she had mistaken him last night for the Bei Batian.

Returning to his own quarters, Situ Jun lay down on a rattan chair under a large tree in the courtyard, closing his eyes to rest.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on him.

"Who should I pursue next?"

He pondered inwardly, mentally reviewing the high-status women in the manor one by one, especially the several Madams of the West Courtyard.

"First, she must be beautiful enough, otherwise I won't be interested. Liking beautiful women is a man's nature; I must stick to this point!"

Situ Jun thought to himself, his lips curling upward involuntarily.

"Second, her identity and status must be high enough. The System has already made this clear. It seems best to pursue the Manor Lord's wives and concubines—high rewards, high beauty, and a sense of achievement."

His fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the chair as he continued to ponder.

"Lastly, it's best to target a concubine I'm familiar with and can frequently interact with. This point is especially important because to gain favorability points for women recorded in the hundred flowers diagram, frequent contact is necessary."

This final point was something Situ Jun had deliberated on for a long time. For every woman in the hundred flowers diagram with 100 favorability points, he could gain 20 heavenly luck value points daily, which would allow for two draws for Elementary rewards if used for a lottery.

If he recorded many women, then... Situ Jun hardly dared to imagine; it would be a surefire path to effortless victory.

"There are still two soul-bewitching pills left. They can create an illusion for the user, making them see me as their Dao Companion or husband. That means I can continue pursuing two more of the Bei Batian's wives or concubines."

Situ Jun rubbed his chin back and forth with his fingers, calculating in his mind.

"There are two of the Bei Batian's concubines left in the West Courtyard. It will be them!"

"Should I pursue Su Yunniang first? Or Nangong Xue?"

Just as he was pondering, the sound of footsteps came from the courtyard entrance.

"Situ Jun, you're quite leisurely, eh."

Steward Wang's hearty laughter rang out.

Seeing it was Steward Wang, Situ Jun immediately stood up and cupped his hands in greeting:

"I apologize for making you laugh, Steward Wang. I've just returned from patrol. I'm not as carefree as you, Steward Wang, hehe."

Steward Wang waved his hand, sat down by the stone table, and said with a smile:

"Carefree? Not really. I'm a man of toil, hehe. Unlike you, lad. After becoming Madam Liu's Guard, you've been living quite comfortably. I envy you."

"Does Steward Wang have any instructions for me?"

Situ Jun asked gently as he poured tea for Steward Wang.

This was the first time Steward Wang had come to his place. He likely had some task for him. Situ Jun didn't believe that someone managing all the affairs of the West Courtyard would specifically come to his small Manor Troop post just for tea.

Hearing Situ Jun's question, Steward Wang took a sip of tea and chuckled:

"Nothing much. I just dropped by since I was passing by, hehe."

Although Situ Jun felt puzzled by this, he maintained a respectful smile on his face.

"In the West Courtyard, Madam Liu holds a high status. You must be diligent and responsible, but you should also maintain good relations with the other two Madams. Only then can you navigate the West Courtyard with ease. The competition among the Manor Troops in the West Courtyard is also quite fierce. I see potential in you, which is why I mention this."

Steward Wang glanced at Situ Jun and spoke earnestly.

"Thank you for your guidance, Steward Wang. Situ will remember it!"

Hearing this, Situ Jun stood up solemnly and bowed.

"You lad, must you always be so formal with your salutes? It creates distance! Our statuses aren't that different, and I estimate it won't be long before your status surpasses mine. Let's be more casual. All this scholarly formality makes me uncomfortable, hehe."

As he spoke, Steward Wang took a small pouch from his bosom and handed it over.

"What's this?"

Situ Jun looked puzzled but reached out to take it.

"This is the silver and Medicinal Pills Madam Liu promised to reward you with a few days ago. It seems Madam values you highly. This is a reward even other Intermediate Manor Troop Captains don't get to enjoy."

Steward Wang said with a sigh of admiration.

"Thank you, Madam Liu. Thank you, Steward Wang."

Situ Jun expressed his gratitude.

"This is also why I want you to maintain good relations with the other two Madams. If all three Madams think highly of you, a few rewards like this can save you many detours, ensuring you have no worries about Cultivation resources."

Steward Wang smiled meaningfully.

Situ Jun's heart stirred, instantly understanding the deeper meaning behind Steward Wang's visit.

This Steward Wang not only saw potential in his future but was also guiding him on how to establish himself within the manor and how to climb higher.

The two then conversed happily, discussing everything from trivial manor affairs to the powerful Manor Troop Captains, and even the preferences of the several Madams. Although Steward Wang didn't elaborate in detail, he touched upon enough points, giving Situ Jun a deeper understanding of the manor's situation.