Chapter 11

“Cha’er, you’ve been ignoring me these past few days.”

Qian Mu’s face was full of grievance as she reached out, wanting to embrace Xu Lu Cha.

Xu Lu Cha avoided her imperceptibly. He pinched his handkerchief and said worriedly, “Lu Cha just wanted to test your intentions. I didn’t expect you to take a liking to another man so quickly.” Qian Mu hurriedly spoke, “My feelings for you are as clear as day. It’s all that Xiao Chou’s fault, he seduced me. But I have no feelings for him at all.” Xu Lu Cha laughed coldly in his heart, but his face wore a shy expression, “I only hope you won’t let Lu Cha down.” Disgusting.

This kind of woman was lustful and stupid, simply useless, yet she thought herself graceful and dignified.

Xu Lu Cha frowned in disgust. After accompanying her for half a day, he felt like he was about to vomit up yesterday’s meal.

If it weren’t for that old hag valuing and fearing her, he would have wished to have nothing to do with her for the rest of his life.

The street vendors were shouting their wares, noisy and clamorous.

Xu Lu Cha stepped on and broke a piece of jewelry placed by his feet.

“What are you doing!” the stall owner shouted.

Xu Lu Cha saw that the stall owner was dressed in coarse cloth, with dark skin and an ugly face, and felt utterly disgusted.

The stall owner glared angrily, “You broke my things, pay for them!” Xu Lu Cha took out a silver ingot from his money pouch and threw it in front of the stall owner.

The stall owner caught the silver, his anger mostly dissipating. Though he had a fiery temper, he was an honest person. He took out a few copper coins from his sleeve: “Here’s your change. In the future, watch where you’re walking…” Xu Lu Cha didn’t even glance at him and turned to leave.

The stall owner could only take back the copper coins. What he didn’t expect was that two days later, his hands would break out in countless dense blisters, itching unbearably.

“Constable Zhang.”

When Lin Hao opened the door and saw the person with a sword at their waist, he hurriedly hid his blistered hands behind his back, trying not to be obvious.

Zhang Meng smiled and nodded at him, “Why haven’t I seen you setting up your stall these past few days?” Lin Hao’s dark face reddened slightly, and he said in a low voice, “I’ve been feeling a bit unwell.” Zhang Meng: “You should take care of your health. Even living alone, you need to learn to look after yourself.” Zhang Meng had quite good relationships with people. Even Lin Hao, known for his fierce temper in the city, was very obedient and gentle when he saw her.

In fact, her main reason for visiting Lin Hao this time was to buy some jewelry. Jin Yue would soon be returning to the yamen to see her, and Zhang Meng felt very guilty for not attending her wedding ceremony. Zhang Meng wanted to buy a set of jewelry as a gift for Jin Yue and her husband, as a way of expressing her blessings. After some thought, she felt that Lin Hao’s jewelry was more exquisite and reliable.

Zhang Meng explained her intentions to Lin Hao, who immediately went to the inner room to bring out boxes of jewelry.

Zhang Meng inadvertently saw his hands and was startled, goosebumps rising all over her body.

“Lin Hao, your hands…”

Lin Hao froze, hurriedly hiding his hands behind his back.

…

Xu Mansion.

“Young Master Xu, two days ago, did you compensate Lin Hao, the jewelry seller, with silver?” Zhang Meng unfolded a piece of paper, revealing a silver ingot lying quietly on it.

Xu Lu Cha looked at the silver ingot on the paper and nodded, “Yes.”

Zhang Meng had thought he would deny it. She had even found witnesses. Seeing him admit it so frankly, she only paused briefly before continuing, “Do you know that Lin Hao was poisoned after touching your silver?”

Xu Lu Cha’s face showed an innocent and surprised expression, “Poisoned?”

Zhang Meng said, “I had a doctor examine this silver ingot. It was coated with poison.”

Xu Lu Cha apologetically said, “I took the wrong silver. These poisoned silver ingots were meant for robbers… I’m willing to apologize to Master Lin and provide the antidote.”

Zhang Meng: “That’s good.”

After Zhang Meng left with the antidote, Xu Lu Cha snorted contemptuously.

Disgusting ugly man, just wait for those equally disgusting hands to rot off.

Zi Yi followed behind him and anxiously spoke, “Young Master, that poison originally had no antidote. It would have gotten better in a few days. Why did you give Constable Zhang a so-called ‘antidote’?”

Xu Lu Cha: “If you anger me, don’t think you can easily get away.”

…

Zhang Meng looked at the antidote in her hand, frowning with concern. She finally decided to have the doctor examine the antidote. Even after the doctor said there was no problem, Zhang Meng still felt uneasy.

Although she had no prejudice against Xu Lu Cha, because everyone has their own way of living, even if he flattered the rich and bullied the poor, or schemed constantly, as long as he didn’t harm others, she wouldn’t do anything to him.

But she couldn’t help but be wary of him.

When she gave the antidote to Lin Hao, she instructed, “First apply the antidote to a small area and observe for a few days. If that area indeed improves, then apply it to your entire hand.”

Lin Hao nodded.

Two days later, Jin Yue returned to the yamen, bringing many gifts.

Jin Yue sat on Zhang Meng’s bed, her face full of happiness.

“Zhang Meng, let me tell you, men are really wonderful creatures. So gentle and adorable. I really wish I could cling to his side all day, not wanting to leave for a moment.”

Zhang Meng was unwrapping the gifts while responding to her, “You’re just lucky to have met a good man. Do you remember that case from half a year ago? That man not only had multiple mistresses but also murdered his wife for her property.”

Jin Yue’s smiling face instantly turned expressionless, “Don’t talk about such unlucky things.”

Zhang Meng was about to apologize when Jin Yue’s expression changed back to happy and shy.

“Zhang Meng, let me tell you, our A Zhe is really so lovable.”

Zhang Meng: “…”

Jin Yue continued, “He didn’t even know how to consummate the marriage! If I hadn’t read a few spring books, we wouldn’t have been able to… hehe.” Jin Yue laughed shyly.

Married women probably have to tell ribald jokes, Zhang Meng thought. In modern times, except for her, all the other women in the company were married and constantly told bawdy jokes. She had gotten used to hearing them.

“Zhang Meng, I heard A Zhe say that from a young age, men are not allowed to look at spring books or inquire about matters between men and women. If anyone found out, it would ruin their reputation.”

Jin Yue curled up her legs and rested her hands on her knees, “So they don’t know that that place has any use other than excretion. You know, when A Zhe’s thing got hard, it nearly scared him to death…”

Zhang Meng let the words go in one ear and out the other, tasting all the snacks Jin Yue had brought one by one.

“Zhang Meng, you should quickly find a man too. That thing between men and women is so pleasurable…”

Zhang Meng took a sip of tea and then dug out another bag of pastries from the bundle. She took a bite and commented, “I still think the ones from Yingyue Teahouse taste better.”

Jin Yue snatched the pastry from Zhang Meng’s hand and said excitedly, “How about I introduce A Zhe’s younger brother to you?”

Zhang Meng shook her head decisively.

Jin Yue stayed at the yamen for one night before returning. Zhang Meng gave her the wrapped jewelry as a gift. Jin Yue was touched, “Look at how poor you are, yet you still buy things for me.”

Zhang Meng punched her shoulder lightly and smiled, “Next time when I get married, you can give me gifts.”

Jin Yue nodded, “I will. But speaking of your marriage, Zhang Meng, let me tell you, A Zhe’s younger brother is really not bad. Although he’s only twelve or thirteen, he looks good and is sensible…”

Zhang Meng helped her put the bundle on the carriage, then turned back to say, “You’ve been talking about your husband all night, aren’t you going back to see him?”

Jin Yue got into the carriage, settled in, and spoke again, “His younger brother is called A Yue, he’s very outstanding…”

“Sister Liu, you can go now. Be careful,” Zhang Meng said to the middle-aged woman driving the carriage.

The woman in brown clothes smiled and nodded, raising her whip, “Giddyup!”

As the carriage moved steadily forward, Jin Yue still turned back, unwilling to give up, and shouted, “Think about it seriously!”

Zhang Meng smiled and waved at her.

The midday sun was still scorching. Zhang Meng held her sword and patrolled the streets.

Lin Hao still hadn’t come out to set up his stall. When Zhang Meng passed by his house, she decided to check on him.

The door opened from inside, and when Lin Hao saw it was her, he stepped aside slightly to let her in.

Zhang Meng quickly shook her head, “I won’t come in. I still need to patrol. I just wanted to see how your hands are doing.” Lin Hao hesitated for a moment, then extended both hands for her to see.

Although Zhang Meng had trypophobia, she still forced herself to carefully examine his hands, despite her goosebumps.

His hands were less swollen than before, and many of the blisters had subsided.

She asked, “Have you applied the antidote?”

Lin Hao shook his head, “I applied it once, but it felt very painful, so I washed it off.” Zhang Meng: “I see your hands have improved quite a bit. Maybe it’s better not to apply the antidote for now and see if they can heal on their own.”

…

“Young Master, aren’t you going to visit Miss Qian today?” Zi Yi placed a white chess piece on the board with a “pa” sound, speaking idly.

Xu Lu Cha fanned himself with a folding fan, his beautiful eyes full of disgust, “Visit her? Just looking at her once makes me want to vomit.” Zi Yi scattered the chess pieces, “But Young Master said we needed to use her to intimidate the old master.” Xu Lu Cha snorted coldly, “After the last time I accompanied her, it’s enough to make her devoted to me.” He paused, looking at Zi Yi, “I told you to get close to Zhang Meng, why haven’t you gone to find her?” Zi Yi blushed, “I dare not face her.”

Xu Lu Cha looked at him expressionlessly, his clear eyes piercing cold.

Zi Yi hurriedly stood up, saying anxiously, “I know I was wrong. I’ll go find her now.” Xu Lu Cha waved his fan, “Zi Yi, don’t develop any inappropriate feelings for Zhang Meng. I’m letting you get close to her because she has value, not to give you to her.” Zi Yi quickly shook his head, “I’ve never had any amorous feelings for her.” Xu Lu Cha: “Zhang Meng is on good terms with Zhong Huo. As long as you win her heart, Zhong will stand on our side.” Thinking of Chen Yue, Xu Lu Cha’s expression gradually turned cold.

“Cha’er! Cha’er, are you there?”

Qian Mu pushed past the servants blocking the courtyard, “Let this young lady in! Otherwise, you’ll be sorry!” Seeing the fair-skinned young servant in purple clothes walk out from the inner courtyard, Qian Mu’s eyes lit up, “Zi Yi, tell your young master to come out. I want to see him.” Zi Yi spoke flatly, “The young master is unwell and can’t be exposed to the wind. Miss Qian, please go back for now.” Qian Mu glared, “You’re lying. Cha’er was fine just a few days ago.” Zi Yi shook his head, “The young master really is unwell. Please understand, Miss Qian.” Qian Mu became angry, “This young lady must see Lu Cha today!”

She kicked down the servant blocking her way, took out a knife, and slashed fiercely through the air: “This dagger can cut through iron like mud. Whoever dares to block this young lady, this young lady will slaughter them!” The servants scattered, trembling. Zi Yi’s face changed slightly, and he said sternly, “If you harm anyone in the Xu mansion, I will report to the authorities and let Madam Zhong punish you!”

Xu Lu Cha came out from the inner courtyard, his face pale and slightly out of breath. He said, “Zi Yi, don’t frighten Miss Qian. It’s my good fortune that Miss Qian wants to see me.” As soon as Qian Mu saw Xu Lu Cha, she quickly subdued the fierceness on her face and said pitifully, “Cha’er, you’ve been ignoring me again these past few days.”

Xu Lu Cha lowered his eyes, tears quickly filling his eye sockets. He choked, “Lu Cha has also missed Miss Qian very much. It’s just that Lu Cha has been unwell these past few days and couldn’t go out or be exposed to the wind…” His jade-white fingers curled slightly, the back of his hand lightly pressed against his lips as he coughed incessantly.

Qian Mu hurriedly covered her nose and took a few steps back.

“It seems Cha’er is indeed quite seriously ill. Have you seen a doctor?” Xu Lu Cha couldn’t stop coughing and couldn’t speak. Zi Yi, standing beside him, spoke up, “We saw a doctor yesterday. The doctor said it’s a cold.” Qian Mu frowned, feeling very reluctant in her heart, but had to suppress her emotions: “Then Cha’er should rest well.”

…

“Miss Qian, why the low spirits? Want to go another round?”

The naked man lay beside Qian Mu, his left hand fingers curling Qian Mu’s black hair, his right hand slowly caressing Qian Mu’s bare back.

Qian Mu kneaded the man’s private parts and said lewdly, “You men, once you’ve had a taste, you really can be so cheap.” The man curled his lips, “Doesn’t Miss Qian like it?”

Qian Mu gripped hard, causing the man to gasp softly.

“Of course I like it very much,” she said.

As long as she took a man’s virginity, the man would be devoted to her.

She licked her lower lip with her tongue.

She hadn’t tasted Xu Lu Cha yet.

Thinking about how Xu Lu Cha would be devoted to her, unable to resist, she couldn’t help but get excited.

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