He had seen wild women before, but none as audacious as her!
Wang Ni, who was guarding outside, stood under the shade of a tree with his sword.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting scattered light spots on him.
Seeing Cui Jue standing motionless in the front hall, Wang Nigrew was wary.
At that moment, Chen Jiao leaned against the door, her chest half-exposed, betting that Cui Jue wouldn’t dare challenge her limits.
Unaware of the situation, Wang Ni approached step by step with his sword drawn.
Hearing the footsteps, Chen Jiao wore a faint, enigmatic smile.
As Wang Ni neared the eaves, Chen Jiao remained shameless.
Cui Jue, with a cold expression, barked,
“Get out!”
The footsteps halted.
Wang Ni, receiving the command, dared not advance further.
Cui Jue glanced at him, and Wang Ni tactfully retreated.
Returning his gaze to Chen Jiao, her exposed snow-white skin was indeed glaring.
Cui Jue suppressed the urge to strangle her, maintaining a stiff, coffin-like expression.
Suddenly, Chen Jiao took a step forward, flirting,
“If Master Cui doesn’t leave soon, I might just embrace you.”
At these words, Cui Jue’s face stiffened.
After all, he was a scholar, well-versed in propriety and decency.
How could he withstand her shameless behavior?
Yet, Chen Jiao, bold and reckless, took another step forward.
Fearing she might cross the line, Cui Jue, with reddened ears, gritted his teeth and retreated.
Chen Jiao smiled with satisfaction.
When it came to handling men, she had both strength and tactics.
She pulled up her clothes, tidying the loose collar, transforming back into a demure lady.
Cui Jue knelt stiffly on the couch, his gaze fixed outside, as if looking at her would taint his eyes.
Chen Jiao, with a triumphant expression, found the sight of such a rigid gentleman holding back his anger amusing.
“Why doesn’t Master Cui dare to look at me?”
Cui Jue remained silent.
Chen Jiao tilted her head, shamelessly asking,
“Is it because the Ninth Lady isn’t beautiful enough?”
“Or… because I haven’t taken off enough?”
Such words were indeed outrageous.
Cui Jue’s emotions fluctuated, his ears reddening as he said,
“Don’t ruin my reputation.”
Tsk, tsk, still talking about reputation!
Chen Jiao covered her mouth with a laugh, swaying her hips as she gracefully returned to her seat.
Fanning herself with a feathered fan, she said amiably,
“Then let’s discuss Master Cui’s reputation.”
Cui Jue bluntly replied,
“Don’t drag me into the Wei County affair.”
Chen Jiao pouted, “Master Cui doesn’t know how to cherish beauty.”
“If it weren’t for your mercy in sending us back, where would Chen Ninth Lady be today?”
Cui Jue glanced at her sharply, retorting,
“Is this how the Ninth Lady repays kindness?”
Chen Jiao cooed,
“I wanted to offer myself to repay Master Cui, but you rejected me.”
Cui Jue:
If looks could kill, she’d be dead a thousand times over.
Chen Jiao, seemingly intimidated by the cold killing intent, hid behind her peacock-feathered fan, then peeked out slyly.
Her eyes sparkled, cunning as a fox.
“I heard my father once summoned you. It’s said you’re his favorite. If you had spoken up back then, would Zheng Zhizhong have had the chance to assign Wei County?”
Cui Jue remained silent.
Chen Jiao continued,
“I’ve had a falling out with the main branch. The Zheng family won’t let me off easily. Going to Wei County is likely a death sentence.”
Cui Jue coldly said,
“The Ninth Lady could ask the head of the family to send escorts.”
Chen Jiao:
“I don’t want that. I only want Xu Zhao. With him by my side, you, Master Cui, will always pull me back at critical moments.”
Her words were light, but she had already grasped the underlying stakes.
Cui Jue stared at her for a long time, suddenly realizing that this woman was not only intelligent but also had strength and tactics.
Though young, she understood the darker side of human nature.
Cui Jue’s mood became complex.
Chen Ninth Lady was like a venomous snake.
She could bite others, and herself as well.
Only by grasping her weakness could she be controlled.
Seeing his fluctuating expression, Chen Jiao secretly gauged his thoughts.
After a long silence, Cui Jue said,
“When the Fifth Lady married into Jiaozhou, you already owed a favor.”
Chen Jiao retorted,
“If I hadn’t discovered the mustard pickle brine, Master Cui, with your frail health, would have succumbed to the recent epidemic.”
Cui Jue was left speechless.
Chen Jiao lazily leaned against the armrest,
“In Wei County, I’ll need people besides farming. Apart from Xu Zhao, I trust no one.”
Cui Jue narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her,
“Your father wouldn’t set you up.” He paused, “He knows what’s important.”
Chen Jiao didn’t buy it, shrewdly saying,
“If he didn’t set me up, why did he let Zheng Zhang decide on Wei County?”
Cui Jue fell silent.
Chen Jiao pointed her fan at him, cursing,
“You men are all scheming, your hearts full of holes.”
“My father, you, Cui Jue, and Zheng Zhang-none of you are straightforward.”
“I’ve never been to Wei County, but anything coming from Zheng Zhang’s mouth can’t be good.”
“Master Cui, don’t play dumb. You want to stay clean, but I won’t let you have your way.”
Her words were rapid, with a strong Tongzhou accent.
Her verbal attacks were fierce, exuding a rogue-like demeanor.
Cui Jue didn’t want to argue with her because she spoke the truth.
Seeing his silence, Chen Jiao raised an eyebrow,
“If Master Cui has no objections, then it’s settled.”
Cui Jue snapped, “I can’t decide.”
Chen Jiao glanced at him, her eyes shifting,
“Tomorrow, I’ll ask my father to assign Xu Zhao to me.”
Being coerced by her a second time, Cui Jue was displeased, coldly stating,
“Xu Zhao is unworthy of Ninth Lady’s attention. If you insist on dragging him into this mess, I have nothing more to say.”
“However, I offer a word of advice: a tall tree attracts the wind.”
“Ninth Lady is too prominent now. If you don’t rein it in, your path forward won’t be easy.”
Her words fell on deaf ears.
Chen Jiao only said, “Is this why my father let Zheng Zhang curb my ambition?”
Cui Jue didn’t answer.
Chen Jiao snorted, laying her cards on the table,
“I also have a word of advice for Master Cui: whoever makes Chen Ninth Lady unhappy, I’ll make their entire family miserable.”
Cui Jue: “She’s truly audacious!”
Chen Jiao ignored his scrutiny, slowly rising and adjusting her clothes, casually stating,
“It’s settled then. Please inform Commander Xu Zhao. If he has any complaints, he can take them up with my father.”
Cui Jue was so angry he laughed,
“Where do you get the nerve to be so brazen?”
Chen Jiao cheekily replied,
“Master Cui gave me the face.”
Cui Jue stared at her, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Chen Jiao, fearless, said,
“Master Cui, so young yet so irritable, no wonder you’re always on medication.”
“Such a temper is bad for your health. If you die young, Ah Ying will be heartbroken.”
Her words, spoken with a look of pity, were truly infuriating.
Cui Jue’s emotions churned, but he forced himself to hold back.
No need to stoop to her level.
Suppressing his disgust, he forced a smile,
“Ninth Lady, please leave. I’m unwell and won’t see you out.”
Chen Jiao snorted, swaying her hips as she fanned herself, deliberately trying to annoy him.
Cui Jue chose to ignore her.
After leaving the front hall, Chen Jiao looked up at the bright sun.
She loved spring, when everything revived and flourished.
Seeing her exit, Jiang Mama hurried over to greet her. Chen Jiao said, “Let’s go.”
The mistress and servant left at a leisurely pace.
Cui Jue remained kneeling in the front hall, motionless.
As she walked away, Chen Jiao suddenly turned back and smiled at him, radiant as a flower.
Cui Jue watched that smile, a woman who could be so detestable.
She truly had a way with people!
“Wang Ni.”
Wang Ni emerged from the shadows and entered the front hall for orders.
Cui Jue instructed,
“Find Xu Zhao. I need to discuss something with him.”
Wang Ni stood still.
Cui Jue frowned, patiently repeating, “Go find Xu Zhao.”
Wang Ni was silent for a moment, then said,
“Women can be killed.”
Cui Jue coldly replied,
“Keep her. She’s still useful.”
Wang Ni seemed dissatisfied, muttering,
“The family head…can’t bear to…”
Before he could finish, a teacup was hurled at him, which he deftly dodged.
Cui Jue snapped, “Get out!”
Wang Ni pouted, annoyed that Cui Jue got angry when he said he couldn’t bear to part with her.
In the past, anyone who dared to act so arrogantly would have disappeared in countless ways.
After all, the title “Living Yama” wasn’t unfounded.
Later that evening, Xu Zhao was summoned by a servant.
Wang Ni, in a bad mood, took it out on the sparrows in the courtyard.
Any bird daring to steal food met a tragic end, felled by a single small stone.
Seeing over a dozen sparrow corpses on the ground,
Xu Zhao curiously asked, “Who’s upset our guard again?”
Wang Ni didn’t want to answer, his fox-like eyes filled with annoyance.
He had a natural bloodlust and had nearly been beaten by Cui Jue earlier, leaving him in a foul mood.
Xu Zhao coaxed him, promising to buy him roast chicken later.
Wang Ni finally felt somewhat appeased.
Meanwhile, Cui Jue sat in the study, a string of sandalwood prayer beads in his hand.
Sunlight filtered through the window, casting beams of light.
When Xu Zhao entered, he was startled by the sound of the beads jumping.
The beads scattered across the floor, clearly thrown with force.
Xu Zhao, belatedly realizing, asked, “What’s wrong, Wen Yun?”
Cui Jue didn’t respond, his face dark.
He was known for his ruthless methods, and being coerced by Chen Jiao repeatedly had stirred his murderous intent, yet he couldn’t let her off scot-free.
The contradiction frustrated him.
Xu Zhao, unaware of his inner turmoil, bent down to pick up the scattered beads.
After a long silence, Cui Jue finally said, “Chen Ninth Lady came earlier.”
Xu Zhao was stunned, a sense of foreboding arising, “Good news or bad?”
Cui Jue countered, “Can she bring good news?”
AB: “H
Recalling her previous shameless behavior, he couldn’t help but feel some sympathy for Cui Jue.
Being entangled with such a plague was a living nightmare.
No wonder Cui Jue was so angry he threw his prayer beads his patience had run out.
Xu Zhao remained silent, quietly picking up the beads, when Cui Jue suddenly said,
“She came to ask for someone.”
Xu Zhao: “???”
Cui Jue: “Brother Xu, you’re in trouble.” He paused, “Big trouble.”
Xu Zhao: “???”
Seeing his confusion, Cui Jue rubbed his temples in frustration.
Xu Zhao stepped forward,
“Sitting at home, disaster falls from the sky. I didn’t provoke anyone!”
Cui Jue muttered,
“That woman, Chen Ninth Lady, wants to use us as stepping stones. How can I let her have her way?”
Xu Zhao was filled with questions.
Cui Jue patiently explained the situation, leaving Xu Zhao’s head spinning.
He anxiously said,
“Wei County is a den of demons. If Chen Ninth Lady goes there, she might not even know how she died.”
Cui Jue snapped, “The Prince of Huai’an won’t let her die.”
Xu Zhao: “Even if she doesn’t die, she’ll lose half her life!”
Cui Jue fell silent.
Xu Zhao couldn’t help but complain,
“What did I do to deserve such a mess?”
“That woman, why can’t she stay in the inner quarters and live a peaceful life? Why run around causing trouble?”
Cui Jue posed a thought-provoking question,
“Brother Xu, have you considered why she’s so keen on farming, and not just any land, but an entire county?”
Xu Zhao was taken aback, pondering for a moment before guessing,
“Is she seeking a reward?”
Cui Jue: “Think harder.”
Xu Zhao sat on a stool, thinking for a while, then ventured, “Seeking a fiefdom?”
Cui Jue snorted, “Keep thinking.”
Xu Zhao twitched his lips, hesitantly asking, “Seeking territory?”
Cui Jue stared at him, his gaze sharp,
“If you were the Prince of Huai’an, how would you deal with such a daughter?”
Xu Zhao’s eyes widened in disbelief,
“No one in the mansion dares to be so bold.”
Cui Jue: “Yet the prince granted her request, even if it’s the troublesome Wei County. He allowed her to manage an entire county.”
Xu Zhao’s eyelids twitched, increasingly confused by the situation.
Cui Jue rubbed his temples,
“Tomorrow, she’ll ask the prince to assign you to escort her to Wei County. When the prince questions you, remember this.”
Xu Zhao nodded,
“I understand, Wen Yun. We’ll remain loyal subjects, never taking sides. Once the prince becomes suspicious, we’ll lose all chances of recovery.”
Cui Jue: “You’ve got the right idea.”
Being dragged into Chen Ninth Lady’s conflict with the Zheng family was an unforeseen disaster for Xu Zhao.
Cui Jue had his own calculations.
The reason he had risen among the prince’s trusted aides was his clear understanding of his position.
He was a loyal subject, serving only the Prince of Huai’an.
The internal politics of Huizhou were intricate, with the main Zheng branch, the second branch’s eldest son, and the old factions all vying for power.
One misstep could drag them into the abyss.
Cui Jue had no intention of moving.
After three or four years of careful maneuvering, he had finally secured his position.
He couldn’t afford to let Chen Ninth Lady ruin everything.
Xu Zhao, in comparison, was even more troubled.
Already discontented, he now had to deal with this troublesome woman.
Life was truly unbearable.
Cui Jue was also helpless, comforting him,
“Wei County isn’t far. If something happens, send word back immediately. The prince won’t abandon us.”
Xu Zhao frowned, “What do you think the prince’s intentions are?”
Cui Jue:
“He wants her to suffer a bit.” He paused, “After hitting a wall outside, she’ll know to turn back.”
Xu Zhao didn’t agree with this assessment, thinking that if hitting a wall made one turn back, Chen Jiao would have died long ago in Shenyang.
A woman capable of murder and burying bodies had some extraordinary means.
That night, Chen Jiao discussed her plans for Wei County with Lady Xu.
She had her own calculations. Jiang Mama was steady and reliable, so leaving her in the mansion to look after Lady Xu would ease her mind.
Taking Ma Chun out of the mansion would tie their family’s future to her, ensuring they wouldn’t betray her easily.
In this deep mansion, she didn’t believe in loyalty, only in mutual benefit.
Lady Xu was still worried, asking anxiously, “Is Wei County really necessary?”