Chapter 1 Water's Ready

"Lord, the water is ready."

"You may leave."

"Yes, Lord."

The two maids retreated.

These two maids were considered veterans. Back in Huto City, Si Niang had taken in a group of young girls, originally intending to train them into Hongfu women.

But she seemed to realize that her lord didn't favor that approach, so she only taught them a few things.

When they reached marriageable age, about half were betrothed.

Except for a few who married officers, most were given to Zheng Fan's personal guards.

It wasn't quite the style of the Qian Kingdom's Silver Armor Guards.

Instead, it was somewhat similar to the Chu Kingdom's Regent's relationship with Nian Yao.

Nian Yao had been a house slave in the Chu Kingdom's Regent's mansion, and his wife was also a slave in the mansion.

Although Lord Zheng didn't like the idea of "slave status," it was undeniable that being a personal guard of Lord Zheng and marrying a woman from his mansion essentially branded them with the "Zheng" mark.

Zheng Fan soaked in the tub.

The Demon Pill soaked with him.

Generally, except when fighting wars, his days were very leisurely, but leisure inevitably led to boredom.

He felt like he was stepping into "middle age."

No one urged him to marry, no one urged him to have children.

In both his lives, he didn't have any elders constantly nagging him.

Once upon a time, Lord Zheng thought living alone for the rest of his life was quite good. He wouldn't bother with the whole DINK (double income, no kids) thing; wouldn't a carefree life be great?

Raising children to provide for old age was nonexistent; who knew if they would just be another burden?

But now,

Lord Zheng's mindset had changed.

He wanted to go to Jiangnan in the Qian Kingdom, but he didn't dare to for now.

He also wanted to go to the West, but it was too far.

Over the past few years, he had fought in all directions and managed to build a small empire.

As the saying goes,

"Satiety breeds lustful thoughts."

Zheng Fan now felt that

life was too boring, so he wanted to add some variety.

In short,

even if it was a burden, at least it would give him something to do.

It would be one thing if he was busy with his career and his foundation, but he had reached the point where he had to actively find things to do every day to avoid being seen as too idle…

"Hoo…"

Lord Zheng put the washcloth on his face.

At this moment,

"Gurgle, gurgle…"

The Demon Pill started to bubble.

Zheng Fan moved the washcloth, stretched out a finger, and poked the Demon Pill,

saying;

"When are you planning to advance?"

He really didn't expect that

the worst performer would be his own son.

So,

was this the most familiar stranger?

Zheng Fan reached out, picked up the Demon Pill, and held it in front of him:

"Even if you told me you wanted to kill me or torture me in various ways, I could accept it."

The Demon Pill was silent,

seemingly unwilling to respond to this topic.

"Plop."

Zheng Fan threw the Demon Pill back into the tub.

The Demon Pill had always been his talisman, saving his life several times in critical moments when it possessed him.

If the Demon Pill leveled up, it could continue to be very useful, but if it continued to lag behind, it would gradually become useless.

"Lord, do you need more water?"

"Yes."

It was Ke Shi's voice.

Ke Shi opened the door and came in carrying a bucket of water.

The princess and Ru Qing hadn't arrived yet, and Ke Shi was one of the first to come.

In the mansion, other maids could be betrothed, but not Ke Shi; she wouldn't be.

Moreover,

Ke Shi herself didn't want to leave. She would stay in the mansion, serving as a matron and raising her child, and that was enough.

Most importantly,

she had actually served the lord, although not in that way, but at least their relationship wasn't completely platonic.

Although the lord hadn't said anything after that, she understood that the maids in the mansion were just maids. Although most of them were quite attractive, the lord was usually very restrained.

But no man would feel comfortable sending away a woman he had been intimate with.

So, Ke Shi had nothing to worry about.

If she didn't have a man, she didn't have a man. It wasn't like she would starve to death. Besides, being a matron in the Marquis's mansion was more prestigious than being the wife of a county magistrate.

Ke Shi walked over and added hot water to the tub.

Because it was cold, she was dressed warmly.

Furthermore,

she no longer intended to seduce Lord Zheng.

Back when Si Niang hadn't arrived, Ke Shi had thought about seizing the opportunity, but she ended up in a ghost wall due to the Demon Pill and spent the night outside, almost catching a cold.

After that,

when she met Si Niang, as a smart woman, she knew she couldn't compete.

Then,

the princess entered the mansion.

Ke Shi completely abandoned those thoughts.

Of course,

she didn't have that intention anymore,

but if Lord Zheng wanted her, she would be more than willing. As the matron of the mansion, she knew that although the master was usually very restrained with women, he was definitely not afraid of his wives.

"Lord, would you like me to rub your back?"

"Yes."

Ke Shi walked behind Zheng Fan and helped him rub his back.

There wasn't any ambiguity between them; it was more like a friendly relationship.

"Is the Lord very tired?"

"You're from the mansion. Do you think I'm tired?"

"The Lord is a person who does great things. The things you think about every day must be numerous and important."

"Alright, I'm tired."

Next,

there was nothing to say,

just quiet back-rubbing.

Ke Shi didn't intentionally flirt, and Zheng Fan didn't try to take advantage.

After rubbing his back,

Ke Shi softly asked;

"Is the Lord thirsty?"

"Is there any of that to drink?"

Ke Shi blushed and playfully said:

"The child is older now, so there isn't any more."

Zheng Fan smiled,

and said;

"That's a shame."

"The child stopped eating long ago. I'm so lucky to have met you, Lord. Otherwise, during the war, we orphans and widows really wouldn't have been able to survive."

"Actually, I was also in a tight spot back then."

In reality, it was just a matter of mutual need.

If he didn't need to divert his attention while defending Xuehai Pass,

Lord Zheng wouldn't have paid attention to Ke Shi, who was curled up at his door.

Of course,

not everyone could be as lucky as Ke Shi. After all, she had enough capital, and Zheng Fan's attention was drawn as soon as he went out.

Ke Shi poured Zheng Fan a cup of tea and said, "Does the Lord have any other instructions?"

"Have someone prepare some late-night snacks and bring them in. Also, go to the cellar and bring two bottles of wine that Ming-xiansheng stored there. Choose the ones in the back."

"Yes, sir."

Normally, Zheng Fan didn't drink alcohol with his meals; he wasn't addicted to it.

And although the Zhonghua brand iron box was always with him, he didn't actually have a smoking habit anymore. He just lit it occasionally or enjoyed the pleasure of the real princess lighting his cigarette.

In addition, he would also spend half a day practicing his saber every day.

Thinking about it,

his life was actually quite healthy.

He got up from the tub, casually dried himself, and put on a robe. It wasn't cold in the room. Zheng Fan walked to the chair, sat down, held the teacup, and half-closed his eyes.

Not long after,

Ke Shi came in with the late-night snacks.

A pot of mutton stew and two side dishes.

After Ke Shi poured the wine, she silently left again.

Zheng Fan spaced out for a while, then walked to the table, picked up the wine glass, and took a sip.

He couldn't tell the difference between good and bad wine; he just drank it like a beverage.

A moment later,

Zheng Fan walked to the tub and took out the Demon Pill, placing it in a box.

After the box was closed,

it trembled a few times to show its dissatisfaction but didn't resist too much.

Then,

Lord Zheng took out a talisman

and stuck it on the box.

Finally,

he reached out and tapped the box,

saying;

"Be good tonight."

…

Si Niang finished up what she was working on, leaving the complex work to those below.

She left work early today.

As she walked to the mansion's entrance,

Si Niang's eyes narrowed.

She saw rows of armored soldiers surrounding the entire mansion, layer upon layer.

Standing at the entrance

was none other than Jin Shuke, currently the most trusted general under the command of the Marquis of Pingxi,

second only to General Liang.

Jin Shuke, with his saber at his side, scanned the surroundings with a serious expression.

With this kind of defense,

even a true expert would find it hopeless to break in.

At this moment,

Jin Shuke saw Si Niang and immediately walked over to salute:

"Greetings, Feng-xiansheng."

Among the men under the Marquis of Pingxi, except for Liang Cheng, who was called a general, the others were all respectfully addressed as xiansheng (master/scholar), which was the old custom.

"What's going on?"

"Replying to Feng-xiansheng, the Lord said he felt uneasy tonight, fearing that something chaotic might happen, so he ordered this humble general to lead three thousand ironclad soldiers to guard the mansion's surroundings.

The Lord left word that,

except for you, Feng-xiansheng,

no one is allowed to enter the mansion tonight.

Those who disobey

will be executed without mercy!"

"Heh, hehehe…"

Si Niang couldn't help but laugh.

"Little Jin, you've worked hard."

"It is my duty, heh heh. Don't mention it. Being able to guard the Lord's mansion a few more times makes me feel at ease."

Jin Shuke was a very capable person,

but his most valuable trait was that, in addition to being capable,

he also understood loyalty.

Then, Jin Shuke turned to the side,

waved his hand,

and immediately,

the armored soldiers at the entrance dispersed.

The mansion gate was opened.

Inside the inner walls, there were rows of crossbowmen on guard. What made Si Niang laugh and cry the most was that there were even siege weapons inside; a pot of oil was still boiling.

It seemed that Jin Shuke had carried out his lord's orders very thoroughly.

Si Niang continued inward.

At the entrance of the front hall,

she saw a rattan chair. A person was lying on the chair, with a Longyuan sword hanging at their side.

The Sword Saint opened his eyes when he saw someone coming, looked at Si Niang,

and said:

"He said there might be experts attacking tonight, but I always feel like he's lying to me."

"You've worked hard as well."

It was known that getting the Sword Saint to help even once required a considerable price, and sometimes it involved favors, which couldn't be measured with material things at all.

"He also told me that the expert is good at disguise, and specifically instructed me that, except for you, no one else should be allowed through this door."

"I'm the real one."

"No, that's not what I meant. I just feel that this time is different from before."

"How so?"

The Sword Saint sighed,

and said:

"There's just an off taste to it. Before, when he asked me to help him with things, the things he did were always straightforward, but this time it seems…"

"Seems like what?"

The Sword Saint sighed again,

and said:

"It feels like my lifelong reputation will be ruined."

"That won't happen. If no strong people come tonight, no one outside will know you're here."

"That's true. There are so many soldiers outside."

"You're working hard."

"You're welcome."

The Sword Saint waved his hand.

Si Niang walked around the Sword Saint and entered the back residence.

Opening the door,

Si Niang entered the bedroom.

By the table, Lord Zheng was pouring himself a drink.

Si Niang smiled:

"What a grand display outside."

"Hehe."

Zheng Fan stood up, walked to Si Niang's side, helped her take off her cloak, and said:

"I just added hot water to the tub; the water temperature is just right."

"Thank you, my Lord."

Si Niang stopped as she was about to take off her clothes and looked at Zheng Fan.

"My Lord, turn around."

Although he had seen her body before, today was different.

Zheng Fan turned around.

A moment later,

the sound of entering the water came from behind.

Zheng Fan then turned back and said:

"I've given the order to Jin Shuke that even if news of the Yan Emperor's death arrives, he must kill the imperial envoy.

Even if Old Tian comes in person, he's not allowed in. And the Sword Saint is guarding the central courtyard."

Nothing else

could disturb him.

Even if the Snowplain barbarians suddenly elected a new chieftain overnight and launched a concerted attack on Xuehai; even if his brother-in-law from Chu suddenly ordered Nian Yao to invade the north again;

in short,

those two

wouldn't delay tonight's matter.

It would be enough to discuss and make arrangements after tonight.

"My Lord, this spectacle is too…" Si Niang's hand rested on the edge of the tub, her head resting on her arm, looking at Zheng Fan. "If the soldiers outside and the Sword Saint knew what you were so seriously and solemnly arranging all this for, I wonder what they would think."

"I don't care what they think. Even the Demon Pill has been sealed up by me this time."

As he spoke,

Zheng Fan also pointed to the side room.

Then,

Zheng Fan personally poured Si Niang a cup of wine and handed it to her,

saying:

"You don't know. The more you want to do something, the more it doesn't let you succeed. It's like when I was drawing and designing plots in my previous life.

It's always deliberately blocking you, dangling your appetite. Every time it gets to a crucial moment, it always has to give you some accidents, some twists, some interruptions.

Extremely hateful,

utterly despicable;

I have experience now,

so this time, I've simply wrapped myself up tightly.

I've taken all precautions.

Unless a bolt of lightning suddenly strikes down tonight,

as long as it doesn't kill me outright,

even if the roof has a big hole, I'm still going to get it done today."

Si Niang took a sip of wine

and said:

"So, the last war against Chu was because the Yan Emperor and the Chu Regent were trying to stop you from doing your business?"

"Heh."

Zheng Fan smiled himself. "Then this Old Heaven is really giving Zheng a lot of face. But if those two emperors heard this, they would probably be infuriated to death."

"By the way, shall I rub your back?"

Si Niang gave Lord Zheng a charming look,

and said;

"You move aside. I'll put on my clothes myself, and then you come in."

"Alright, alright, alright."

At this time,

even if he was asked to agree to soak in Xue San's medicinal bath for a month, Lord Zheng would definitely agree.

At this moment,

the brain that controls a man's body shifts from the one above to the one below.

Si Niang left the tub and entered the inner bedroom.

Zheng Fan didn't rush in, but said;

"After Fengxin City is built, let's have a wedding."

Inside, Si Niang's voice came:

"The princess was properly betrothed and carries an imperial decree; there will be trouble."

Just as Lord Zheng was about to say what did that bit of trouble count for,

Si Niang said again:

"Besides, weddings are for outsiders to see. Ordinary people hold weddings and invite relatives they only see once a year. They have to smile and congratulate them, which is extremely boring.

If we're going to do it,

it should just be you, my Lord, and the seven of us, in a small pavilion, setting up a small hot pot, and then giving out some wedding candy to get a favor from them.

Family members, it's less trouble."

"Mm."

It was just a formality. Si Niang really didn't care about that. In the inner residence, even the princess was cautious in front of her.

"Regardless of whether we become emperors in the future, I'll take you to sit side by side on the dragon throne and ask a painter to paint a picture, just to make up for a wedding photo."

"That would be nice."

After a while,

Si Niang called out:

"Come in, my Lord."

Lord Zheng walked in.

Si Niang was sitting on the edge of the bed. She wasn't wearing revealing clothing, but was dressed very seriously, and her hair was styled up.

Zheng Fan sat down beside her.

Si Niang turned to the side, resting her head on Zheng Fan's shoulder,

and said:

"It just feels a bit bland."

"Life is about this blandness."

"Is it?"

"Yes."

"It's already this late. There shouldn't be any accidents, right?"

Zheng Fan immediately interrupted:

"Hehehehe."

Si Niang laughed.

Perhaps only they could understand this joke.

"Not…"

"My Lord…"

"Mm?"

Si Niang reached out, embraced Zheng Fan's arm, leaned back slightly, and brought Zheng Fan down onto the bed with her:

"My Lord, please have mercy."

Outside the Marquis's mansion,

thousands of armored soldiers were standing by in the winter night. It could be said that not even a fly could get in.

In the central courtyard,

the Sword Saint, lying on the rattan chair,

kept his eyes open,

enjoying the moon.

In the back residence,

it was a different scene:

First,

gentle breezes, emerald waters, graceful willows, new lotus blossoms, and paired lotus roots;

a tall tree with red jade ornaments, a pair of stars tied together with colorful clouds.

Then,

clear autumn waters steal charming words, slender willow branches absorb the wind;

raging sand dances with phoenixes, peach blossoms weep, brocade curtains fly with phoenixes, jade snow is enchanting.

Following that,

a beautiful face is lonely, tears flow down, a pear blossom in the spring rain.

Finally,

in ecstasy, there is weeping and telling,

in gentleness, there are twists and turns of affection,

as wonderful as a warbling oriole, as refreshing as moistening bones;

thousands and thousands of words,

are transformed into a single word:

"It hurts…"