30: Undercurrents

The moment she entered the room, Xu Lian leaned against the door.

Looking at that charming, exquisite Face and those tempting, delicate lips, Situ Jun secretly called her a vixen in his heart!

The two stood very close, exchanging the sweet scent of wine, and threads of warm breath quickly spread throughout the small space.

The lake-blue plain skirt lay on the floor in a messy heap.

“I’m drunk. Help me to the bed.”

Xu Lian’s Face was flushed red, and she spoke with a hint of intoxication.

Hearing this, Situ Jun scooped her up in a Princess Carry and quickly walked toward the bed.

“You shouldn’t drink so much if you can’t handle it. Now you’re drunk, aren’t you…”

A gentle breeze blew, the bed curtains swayed softly, and the candlelight flickered, casting a soft glow.

Inside the room, Aunt Xu’s drunken complaints about Situ Jun's lack of consideration came and went... For a long time.

The drunken blush remained on Xu Lian’s pretty Face, and sweat soaked the hair on her forehead.

Her jade hands tightly embraced Situ Jun, pinching his soft flesh and playfully blaming him.

“Your relationship with Madam Su... isn't ordinary, is it?” Xu Lian raised her lovely Face and asked curiously. “I noticed the way she looks at you.”

Situ Jun gently stroked her Face with his finger and said tenderly:

“Just like you, she is a woman I deeply love.

She is also a pitiful woman who has been neglected for over a decade, living like a widow for over ten years. So I hope you two can be happy and live together with me.”

Xu Lian understood Situ Jun's thoughts and said:

“Don’t worry, she and I will get along well. I don’t care how many women you have, but you mustn't neglect your ladies like the Bei Batian did his wife.”

“Silly girl, how could I neglect women as beautiful as flowers like you? I adore you too much!”

As Situ Jun spoke, his hands became restless again, embracing her and eliciting a soft complaint from her.

“Situ, take care of the Madam too. She’s been quite pitiful these past few years; I’ve been the one keeping her company.”

Xu Lian suggested, breathing heavily.

Situ Jun’s hand paused slightly, a glimmer flashing in his eyes, and he spoke:

“Is that appropriate? Will she agree?”

Xu Lian grabbed his mischievous hand and complained playfully:

“What’s inappropriate about it? The way the Madam looks at you, her eyes are practically trailing you. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

Situ Jun gave an awkward smile:

“Alright, then you sound her out. If it’s possible...”

“Sound out what? You just put me through all that, and she’s so close to us. She’s probably already feeling stirred up right now. Just go over there now. She’s had wine; she won’t be able to refuse you.”

Xu Lian said with a mischievous smile.

Hearing this, Situ Jun’s heart stirred, and a hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes.

He looked at Xu Lian, whose Face held a cunning smile, and whose eyes were full of encouragement.

Under the gentle night breeze of this spring evening, the idea in Situ Jun’s heart was ignited once more, and the fiery sensation surged like a turbulent wave, impossible to calm.

He decided to follow Xu Lian’s suggestion and go see if Nangong Xue harbored feelings for him.

He lightly kissed Xu Lian’s forehead, tidied his slightly disheveled clothes, and turned to walk toward Nangong Xue’s bedroom... At this moment.

The night was ink-dark, enveloping the North City Manor. However, bright candlelight shone in a secluded courtyard in the East Courtyard.

The dim, yellow glow passed through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the ground. Faintly, low voices could be heard coming from inside the room, carrying an unsettling atmosphere.

In the living room, a burly man sat in the head seat. He wore a neat military uniform, which made his figure appear even more imposing.

This man was Zhu Changpo, the First Commander in charge of the Manor Soldiers.

He slowly lifted the teacup and took a small sip, his movements graceful and composed.

As his eyes opened and closed, a sharp gleam occasionally flashed, as if he could see through people’s hearts. He was clearly no ordinary person, but a master with great martial prowess and profound Cultivation.

His Cultivation had long reached the Half-step Golden Core Realm. If his Aptitude hadn't been slightly lacking, he would certainly be the second Golden Core Cultivator in the North City Manor right now, a force not to be underestimated.

Beside Zhu Changpo, Cao Guang and Wang Decai stood respectfully, not daring to breathe loudly. Their bodies were slightly leaned forward, and their Faces were filled with flattery and awe.

“Wang Decai, I know you favor Situ Jing and don’t want to make things too difficult for him.”

Zhu Changpo set down the teacup, his voice neither hurried nor slow, yet carrying undeniable authority.

“But you must understand, since I can make you the Steward of the East Courtyard, I can also make everything you have turn into nothing, and I can even easily take away your beloved wives and concubines.”

His words were like a sharp knife, every syllable stabbing Wang Decai’s heart.

Upon hearing this, cold sweat instantly broke out on Wang Decai’s forehead, and his body couldn't stop trembling slightly.

He deeply understood Zhu Changpo's methods and knew that in the other party's eyes, he was nothing more than a pawn.

He quickly knelt down, his voice laced with obvious fear:

“Your servant knows he was wrong. I beg the Grand Commander to show mercy and give Your servant another chance.”

At this moment, the slightest pity he felt for Situ Jing had vanished without a trace. His mind was entirely focused on how to save his own life. The phrase, “Better a Fellow Daoist dies than me,” was profoundly confirmed in his heart right now.

“A chance?”

Zhu Changpo glanced at him coldly, a mocking smile curling on his lips, his eyes full of disdain.

“Yes, give Your servant another chance. Your servant will personally take action to eliminate him.”

Wang Decai hesitantly raised his head, his eyes showing determination. He secretly calculated how to complete the task to preserve his status and life.

“Fine, since you have this resolve, This Commander won't be completely unreasonable.” Zhu Changpo nodded in satisfaction, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. “Remember to handle the matter properly and leave no loose ends.”

“Thank you, Grand Commander! Thank you, Grand Commander! He’s just a Body Refining Cultivator; I will certainly handle this flawlessly, ensuring he makes absolutely no waves.”

Wang Decai felt as if he had received a great pardon, kowtowing repeatedly in gratitude. Zhu Changpo’s threat had truly terrified him, and now he only wanted to quickly complete the task and save everything he had.

After dealing with Wang Decai, Zhu Changpo’s gaze turned toward Cao Guang, a cold light flashing in his eyes, and his tone was icy:

“Commander Cao, it seems you haven't been giving me Face lately?”

Stared at by Zhu Changpo’s chilling gaze, Cao Guang felt cold all over. He involuntarily lowered his head, secretly swallowed, and his voice trembled slightly:

“It’s not that Your subordinate wasn’t dedicated, it’s... it’s because this matter involved Su Yunniang, Madam Su, that Your subordinate returned without success.”

When mentioning Madam Su, his tone unconsciously carried a hint of apprehension.

Zhu Changpo withdrew his gaze, took another light sip from his teacup, and spoke in a calm tone that nonetheless carried oppressive authority:

“No matter how important Madam Su is, she is just an unfavored concubine. Just a slight involvement makes you so cautious? Who exactly are you working for? Can she be more important than the madams of the East Courtyard?”

“Your subordinate... Your subordinate will be more careful in the future.”

Cao Guang responded meekly, his heart filled with anxiety, terrified that he might accidentally anger Zhu Changpo.

“I don't want you to be careful; I want you to establish informants in the West Courtyard and the North Courtyard, turning them into backyards that we can intervene in and control.”

Zhu Changpo’s voice was like frost in the deep winter, cold and biting.

“If there is no further progress, you can stop serving as Commander and go dig in the Mine Tunnel instead.”

Zhu Changpo’s words were like a bolt from the blue, completely shattering the last shred of hope in Cao Guang’s heart.

He knew well what the Mine Tunnel meant; once sent there, he could forget about leaving alive in this lifetime.

He quickly said:

“Grand Commander, please rest assured. Give me half a month, and the West Courtyard and North Courtyard will be under our control.”

At this moment, he had only one thought: to do everything possible to complete the mission and preserve his life and status.

“Good. I hope you straighten out your understanding and handle things well, or don’t blame me for being impolite! You may leave.”

Zhu Changpo waved his hand, signaling the two to leave.

“Thank you, Grand Commander! We will certainly not disappoint the Grand Commander!”

The two felt as if they had been granted a great pardon, quickly bowing and exiting the courtyard.