49: An unexpected encounter with Li Danying

Moonlight, like gauze, quietly spilled into a secluded courtyard within the Northern City Manor. Through the carved window lattices, it cast mottled shadows upon the ground. Li Danying leaned lazily against a carved couch, the jade hairpin in her hair swaying slightly as a few strands of black hair fell, adding a touch of softness to her cold temperament.

She took a light sip of the tea in her hand; the tea's fragrance curled upward, yet it could not dispel the irritation in her heart. Over her moon-white nightgown, she wore a silver fox fur cloak. Beneath the loose tailoring, her slender figure was faintly visible. Her jade-like ankles were barely seen from under the hem of her clothes, looking like the finest mutton-fat jade under the moonlight.

Suddenly, a faint sound broke the silence of the night. Situ Jun stood up from behind the screen with an embarrassed look. Li Danying's willow-like brows furrowed slightly, and her gaze instantly became alert.

She rose slowly, her movements elegant yet sharp. Picking up a soft sword nearby, she asked softly, "Who are you? Why are you in my bedroom?" Though her voice was cold, it was as clear and pleasant as an oriole in a valley.

Situ Jun's heart trembled at the sudden interrogation. When he saw the person before him clearly, he couldn't help but be stunned. Under the moonlight, Li Danying's features were like a painting; her exquisite face seemed like a work of art meticulously carved by heaven, as cold as a Fairy from the Moon Palace. Her skin was as white as congealed snow, with a faint pink hue, appearing even more ethereal under the gentle touch of the moonlight.

Situ Jun snapped back to his senses and quickly thought of what to say: "Madam, I apologize, I..."

Li Danying interrupted him, her tone icy: "This is the Northern City Manor, and I am the wife of the Manor Lord, Li Danying. You had better tell the truth and have a reasonable excuse, or you know the consequences." She lifted her chin slightly, her eyes reflecting an innate majesty and pride as she scrutinized him like a hawk.

Hearing this, Situ Jun's eyes widened, his heart filled with shock. He had thought he had teleported to a bedroom in a household near the Northern City Manor, but he hadn't expected to still be inside the manor, and even to have accidentally entered the room of Bei Batian's wife. Instantly, he felt his heart go cold. As long as this Li Danying called out, the Manor Soldiers outside would surely swarm in, and he would have no way to escape.

Situ Jun's mind raced, and he squeezed out a dry laugh: "Madam, the night is deep and the dew is heavy. You should put on your cloak."

Li Danying's brows furrowed slightly, a flash of displeasure in her eyes: "No need for hypocrisy. Also, are you from this Northern Manor? What is your name?" She stepped forward slowly, each step carrying an elegant rhythm, the faint fragrance emanating from her body lingering around Situ Jun's nose.

Situ Jun sighed inwardly and said, "Your subordinate is called Situ Jun, the manager of the West Courtyard." After saying this, he couldn't help but wonder: Should he involve Su Yunniang to save him later?

"Are you a spy from the State of Zhou? Are the people outside searching for you?" Li Danying took a step forward, staring intently into Situ Jun's eyes, her gaze full of suspicion. In her view, an enemy spy posing as a courtyard manager likely had a low Cultivation, at most a Qi Refining Cultivator.

"Madam, you misunderstand. Your subordinate is not an enemy spy. I was just curious about the East Courtyard and came to take a look. I didn't expect to alert the patrolling soldiers, so I accidentally entered Madam's room to hide." Situ Jun could only try his best to make up a story. His injuries were recovering quickly, and he calculated that once they were healed, he would find an opportunity to escape the manor.

Li Danying sneered, her eyes full of mockery: "A mere manager, yet you don't kneel upon seeing This Madam? And you still say you're not a spy? Kneel!" As she spoke, the Spiritual Pressure of her Cultivation surged toward Situ Jun like a tide. That Spiritual Pressure carried the unique pressure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, feeling like a massive mountain pressing heavily down on Situ Jun.

Before Situ Jun could react, a knock sounded at the door: "Madam, an unidentified enemy has entered the manor. Do we need to come in and search?"

Li Danying's long phoenix eyes glanced sideways at Situ Jun, and the pressure increased once more. Helpless, Situ Jun could only submissively kneel down: "Madam, please do not let outsiders in; it will affect Madam's reputation."

"If I kill you, there will be no impact at all." After Li Danying finished speaking, she turned toward the outside and said loudly, "No need, go search elsewhere."

"Yes, Madam." Hearing this, the soldiers outside bowed and retreated.

Once the soldiers were far away, Li Danying returned to the soft couch and sat down. She elegantly tidied her hair and looked at Situ Jun with a half-smile: "Kneel a bit closer and state your identity again. I don't want to hear any lies, or else I'll make it hard for you to even wish for death." She picked up the teacup on the table, took a light sip, but her gaze never left Situ Jun.

Situ Jun was secretly annoyed and cursed in his heart: "Even if I kneel to you, it won't be in this way! One day, I'll make you kneel before me!" Although angry, he still rose with a smile and walked over to kneel in front of Li Danying.

"Lower your head!" Li Danying said crisply, her voice carrying an unquestionable command: "If your eyes are dishonest again, I'll gouge them out!"

Situ Jun sighed and obediently lowered his head, comforting himself: "I've already lost face; I don't mind losing it again. Anyway, she will be my woman in the future! I'll just treat it as kneeling to my own woman."

Seeing Situ Jun kneel, Li Danying gently draped her plain-colored skirt over his back: "Continue." Her movements were gentle but carried a hint of playfulness, as if she were toying with a small pet.

Situ Jun was speechless for a moment, but he still spoke: "Your subordinate really isn't an enemy spy. Your subordinate is utterly loyal to the manor, and even more so to Madam." After saying this, he suddenly remembered something, looked up at Li Danying, and activated the "Eye of Detection."

[Name: Li Danying]

[Age: 85]

[Identity: Northern Dynasty Princess, wife of Bei Batian]

[Rating: 98, Note: Hope the Host collects the hundred flowers diagram record]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Level 5]

[Physique: (Wood Spiritual Root, unactivated)]

[Favorability: 0]

[heavenly luck value: 3000]

[Recent Evaluation: Wants to visit her daughter at the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty Academy.]

Seeing this information, Situ Jun was speechless. This woman was only at Foundation Establishment Level 5; why was he afraid of her? With his current Cultivation and injuries, he could completely subdue her without alerting the Manor Soldiers. However, once he made a move, he wouldn't be able to stay in the manor anymore.

"Should I give her a 'servitude pill'?" Situ Jun hesitated because he wanted to conquer this high-born woman. But without the "servitude pill" as a check, it would be difficult to maintain a foothold in the manor later.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up: "I've got it. Doesn't the System inventory still have two 'soul-bewitching pills' and ten 'fertility pills'? I'll have her take one of each, and then I'll reveal my cards to her afterward. If that doesn't work, I'll make other plans."

While Situ Jun was thinking, Li Danying saw him staring blankly at her and furrowed her willow-like brows: "Does This Madam look strange?" She gently turned the teacup in her hand, a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

Situ Jun said without thinking: "Madam's temperament is ethereal; Your subordinate has never seen such grace."

Li Danying gave a light snort, her gaze filled with inquiry: "Glittering words." As she spoke, she rose and walked around Situ Jun once, stopping in front of him, her cold Aura lingering around his nose.

Situ Jun looked up at the cold and ethereal beauty before him. As if possessed, he reached out and grabbed the sleeve Li Danying had draped over his shoulder. The fabric felt soft and carried a faint scent of incense. Li Danying was instantly stunned, her heart filled with both shock and anger. Where did this lowly servant-like manager get the courage to be so insolent!

Looking at Li Danying up close, her skin was whiter than snow, her figure slender, and her eyes like two clear springs, lively and transparent. Her red lips were naturally vibrant without any rouge, and her whole body exuded an innate nobility. Every expression and every movement seemed to possess a fatal attraction.

"Let go!" Li Danying was somewhat angry, her almond eyes wide, and her Foundation Establishment Level 5 Cultivation Aura suddenly erupted. The surrounding air seemed to tremble, and the teacup on the table shook slightly.

But Situ Jun's hand still held the sleeve tightly. At the moment Li Danying was about to cry out, he suddenly rose and took a Medicinal Pill from his bosom, holding it out to her: "Madam, this is a Medicinal Pill that can resolve the knot in your heart!"

Li Danying's eyes widened, and she was completely stunned, staring blankly at the Medicinal Pill in Situ Jun's hand. When she snapped back to her senses, she was both anxious and angry, wanting to struggle, but she couldn't break free from Situ Jun's grip no matter what. She was both ashamed and annoyed; as a dignified Northern Dynasty Princess, when had she ever been treated this way! A hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes as she secretly gathered her spiritual power, preparing to teach Situ Jun a lesson... However, in this intense confrontation, a strange emotion surfaced deep within Li Danying's heart. Since becoming the wife of Bei Batian, her life seemed extremely noble, but in reality, she was restricted everywhere. Bei Batian was busy with affairs, and his care for her had dwindled day by day; her inner loneliness and solitude had no one to talk to. And now, this man who had suddenly broken into her life was shattering her calm yet boring life in a forceful and domineering way.

(Cannot pass, modified)