79: Arrogant Zhuang Xian

At the entrance.

Liu Xuaner was dressed in a moon-white brocade skirt, the pearl tassels in her hair trembling slightly with every step; Su Yunniang wore a hazy purple gauze dress, her cuffs embroidered with twin lotuses in gold thread; Lin Suwan was in a plain white dress with only a silver hairpin in her hair, yet she could not hide her delicate and moving appearance.

"Greetings, Madams."

Zhu Changpo bowed deeply.

Su Yunniang raised a hand and continued walking inside.

The scene that met their eyes made their expressions turn ugly.

When Lin Suwan saw the humiliated state of Hong Mei, her pupils constricted sharply, and her nails dug deep into her palms.

That was her personal maid who had been her companion for many years, and now she was being held in someone's arms and groped!

Suppressing the fury in her heart, she stepped forward before Liu Xuaner, a forced smile on her face.

"Greetings, Young Master Zhuang. This is but a lowly maid. I have heard that several songstresses with exceptional beauty and talent have arrived at Chunxiang Tower. Why don't we..."

Zhuang Xian's eyes lit up when he saw three stunning women enter the room at once. How could the faint plum fragrance of a young girl compare to the orchid and musk scent swirling around the beautiful women before him?

He interrupted Lin Suwan.

"Introducing brothel songstresses to this Young Master? You are unusually bold."

"This... Young Master Zhuang, please forgive me. I meant no offense. It is just that Hong Mei has followed me for many years, and I treat her like my own daughter. She is still young, so I hope Young Master Zhuang will let her go."

Hearing this, Hong Mei's tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Madam..."

With a smirk on his face, Zhuang Xian looked Lin Suwan up and down, his eyes burning with desire.

Lin Suwan was close now, and her orchid-musk fragrance wafted directly into Zhuang Xian's nose. Combined with her perky buttocks, full breasts, and exquisite face, he suddenly felt that Hong Mei in his arms was no longer enticing.

He suddenly leaned forward, closing in on Lin Suwan, and used his folding fan to lift a lock of her hair.

"Compared to women of the demimonde, this Young Master prefers the charm of a woman from a respectable family."

Seeing Zhuang Xian being so disrespectful to Lin Suwan, Liu Xuaner stepped forward, gently pulling Lin Suwan behind her and saying:

"I am Liu Xuaner, a concubine of the City Lord. Greetings, Young Master Zhuang."

As she spoke, she gave a slight curtsy, the snowy white skin of her chest partially visible.

At this, Zhuang Xian's eyes brightened, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

Liu Xuaner's face was exquisite, and her eyes carried a hint of flirtatiousness, like a seductive fox spirit. His interest was piqued instantly, and he pushed Hong Mei aside to stand up.

"So you are Bei Batian's concubine. No need for such formality."

He reached out to grasp Liu Xuaner's slender fingers and helped her up.

Liu Xuaner's face flushed slightly as she gently pulled her jade-like hand away.

To the side, Su Yunniang's brows furrowed slightly. She coughed and said:

"I am Su Yunniang. Greetings, Young Master Zhuang. What Sister Lin said just now is correct. Chunxiang Tower is an asset of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce. Their top courtesans and songstresses undergo specialized training; the experience is truly beyond words."

Zhuang Xian raised an eyebrow, the heat in his eyes intensifying.

"I see that you are bright and moving, Madam, with an incomparable charm. I wonder if Chunxiang Tower has any mature songstresses as beautiful as you? Are there any mature women as gentle and dignified as you?"

Hearing this, Su Yunniang felt a surge of anger. This man was openly flirting with her, making her expression turn sour as her spiritual power began to fluctuate.

"Young Master Zhuang, please show some self-respect and stop speaking such nonsense."

Zhuang Xian remained unmoved, offering a playful smile.

"Does Madam wish to make a move?"

Zhuang Xian slowly toyed with the jade pendant at his waist, glancing at her nonchalantly.

"Madam should have heard of the rules of the Xihua Sect, right?"

As soon as he spoke, the Golden Core Elder who had been outside appeared silently behind him.

Beside them, Zhu Changpo's heart tightened, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back. How could he not know? Sects were immense powers; wherever their disciples went, the slightest offense could bring total destruction. The Xihua Sect was a leader in this regard, long accustomed to being overbearing and lawless.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, as the First Commander of the residence, he had to step forward.

"Young Master Zhuang must be joking. Madam Su did not mean to offend..."

Before he could finish, Zhuang Xian grew impatient. With a snap, he closed his folding fan and pressed it against Zhu Changpo's throat.

"When I am speaking to beauties, since when was it your turn to make noise?"

A cold light flashed across the fan's ribs, and tiny beads of blood immediately seeped from Zhu Changpo's neck. He was so terrified his hair stood on end, and his throat moved as he swallowed hard.

Seeing this, Zhuang Xian gave a wicked smile.

"Even Bei Batian wouldn't dare tell me what to do. You, a mere Half-step Golden Core commander, dare?"

As he spoke, a chilling pressure erupted from the Golden Core Elder. The floor tiles of the East Courtyard cracked loudly, and spiderweb-like fractures appeared on the walls.

"Stop!"

Su Yunniang shouted sharply, flashing in front of the other women. Her jade-like hands formed a seal, and a green spiritual light burst from her body. Three spiritual seals condensed at her fingertips to shield the women, barely holding against the elder's pressure before shattering piece by piece.

In front, Zhu Changpo turned pale and retreated three steps, his back slamming heavily into a carved screen, causing large amounts of debris to fall from the gold-painted peony design.

Su Yunniang's sudden move not only surprised Zhuang Xian but also astonished the other women and Zhu Changpo.

She bit her lower lip and curtsied.

"Young Master Zhuang, please calm your anger. I did not intend to offend..."

Zhuang Xian waved his hand, interrupting Su Yunniang, but his gaze remained fixed on her waist and chest while drifting toward Liu Xuaner's flushed cheeks. He suddenly threw his head back and laughed.

"Half-step Golden Core Stage? Madam has quite the skill. City Lord Bei truly has good fortune to hide such a stunner in his residence. In that case, this Young Master will give you Madams a chance—"

He suddenly leaned close to Liu Xuaner's ear, his warm breath brushing against her reddened earlobe.

"Of course, I, Zhuang Xian, am not an unreasonable person. Since you Madams cannot bear to part with this maid..."

He tapped Hong Mei's shoulder with his fan and pushed her aside. Hong Mei stumbled a few steps and fell into Lin Suwan's arms.

Lin Suwan hurriedly supported Hong Mei, looking at Zhuang Xian warily, only to see him suddenly turn around and take a flask of precious spiritual wine from the table. The amber liquid sloshed gently inside.

"However, as for this chance..."

He deliberately drew out his words, his amber eyes scanning the three women.

"Fine wine for fine ladies. Since I have returned your maid, would you Madams be willing to share a few drinks with me?"

Su Yunniang was about to refuse, but Liu Xuaner gently pressed down on her wrist and stepped forward to face Zhuang Xian.

Her fingertips trembled slightly as she took the wine cup, yet she maintained a forced composure.

"Young Master Zhuang has come from afar; it is only right that I fulfill my duties as a host."

Before she finished, Zhuang Xian suddenly grabbed her wrist and slowly poured the spiritual wine into her mouth.

Liu Xuaner's whole body trembled, her other hand's nails digging into her palm to resist the urge to push him away.

The wine slid down Liu Xuaner's fair neck, wetting her collar. Zhuang Xian stared intensely at her crimson lips.

"Madam's wine is even more intoxicating than this thousand-year spiritual brew."

Beside them, Su Yunniang was fuming with rage, her spiritual power surging abruptly, only to be stopped by Zhu Changpo.

"Madam Su!"

Zhu Changpo lowered his voice, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

"He has the Xihua Sect behind him. If we offend him..."

Lin Suwan held the softly sobbing Hong Mei. Seeing the maid's tears silently falling onto her shoulder filled her with heartache. She gently stroked the girl's back to soothe her grief.

Suddenly, Hong Mei broke free from her embrace and threw herself at Zhuang Xian's feet.

"I beg the Young Master to let Madam go! As long as you are willing to let Madam go, I... I am willing to do anything!"

Zhuang Xian looked down at Hong Mei from above, then suddenly burst into laughter and kicked her away.

"You, a mere maid, think you have the right to negotiate?"

He turned and closed in on Liu Xuaner, his hot breath fanning her ear, his fingertips tracing her burning cheek.

"From today onwards, I shall stay in the City Lord's residence. Madam Liu, I want you to personally brew tea for me tonight."

Liu Xuaner was suppressed by his spiritual power and unable to resist, her expression turning even uglier.

Seeing this, Su Yunniang's anger surged, and her spiritual power erupted. The pressure of an Early Golden Core Stage Cultivator swept through the area like a crashing wave.

"Enough!"

The Golden Core Elder was startled and moved to block Zhuang Xian, his expression becoming serious.