Chapter 74 Chapter 74 In the Study/Replaced

Lan Nongnong pursed her lips and shook her head condescendingly. The moment his gaze darkened, she softly insisted, "You haven't agreed to my request yet. If you can't do it, then it won't work."

Qin Jingyao chuckled and said in a hoarse voice, "Okay."

He was about to kiss him again when his vision suddenly darkened. A sweet fragrance filled his face. The woman sitting high on the table leaned over. She held his face with both hands, and her soft lips touched his gently, almost touching, like a dragonfly skimming the water. Until the wet tip of her tongue shyly darted out.

But with just a little probing, Qin Jingyao's stiff body and rational mind erupted like hot oil meeting a spark. His vein-riddled hand, once tightly gripping the armrest, suddenly transformed into an iron hoop, instantly enveloping her in his embrace and pulling her close. He then took control, seducing the hesitant "visitor" between his lips and teeth.

There was no gentleness at all, only a raging wave. His arms tightened inch by inch, the force so great that he almost wanted to knead the soft body in his arms into his bones and blood.

Her feeble struggle was like a spark of oil, instantly igniting a prairie fire. Qin Jingyao suddenly felt no need to dwell on it—if this was her way of paralyzing him, he was happy with it. Even if it was just a pretense, as long as she was willing to keep playing the part, truth or falsehood no longer mattered.

Though the bruises on Lan Nongnong's body had faded, the pain lingered. The almost engulfing force and touch brought back memories of the days and nights spent in the nunnery. Her body tensed before her will. She closed her eyes, clasping her arms, and clung to him like a pair of mandarin ducks, so close that it was difficult to discern each other's expressions.

She struggled to open her lips, her breath coming in short gasps, her throat throbbing uncontrollably. When she finally freed herself, she was already numb, no longer able to feel the burning sensation. She immediately buried her head in the crook of his neck, her arms clinging to his shoulders. Her heartbeat was like a drum pounding against her eardrums, and her body trembled uncontrollably from the extreme tension, already feeling the pain.

She froze, not daring to move. Her voice muffled through the damp fabric of her clothes, "...I'm tired and dizzy. I need to rest soon."

Qin Jingyao was already on the verge of death, with veins throbbing on his forehead. Every time his palms touched, he suppressed the urge to tear off his clothes and let his skin touch hers.

However, he clearly sensed that her body instinctively feared his touch and that she had not yet fully recovered. In fact, if she had not confessed today, he would not have intended to ask for it at this time.

Her heart could fear him, but her body absolutely could not.

He gently pulled her hand away from her shoulder and guided it all the way to the source. The sweet dew from her lips could not soothe the thirst in her throat, and even her laughter was saturated with thick desire.

"You've already slept enough today. If you lie down any longer, you'll get a headache."

He held down her trembling body, leaned over and lingered on her ears and temples, kissing her softly, "Nong Nong, please give me some pain, okay?"

The scorching breath shot through her body like an electric current. Lan Nongnong bit her lip tightly, not daring to make a sound, fearing that any opening would result in a broken gasp. But the trembling building in her throat still escaped through her nose, transforming into a faint whimper.

She couldn't bear it any longer and tried to pull her hand away, but the large hand covering her held it firmly, motionless as a rock. She felt as if she was being scorched, the torment unbearable.

------

The candlelight in the room gradually dimmed. Lan Nongnong lay curled up on the couch, her lips slightly parted as she breathed softly. Wrapped in a cloak, her eyelashes half-closed, she watched him pick up his snow-white undershirt to wipe the water stains from the desk, then bend over to pick up the scattered four treasures of the study. Just like that, barefoot, his sturdy body, he stood before the desk, spreading paper and grinding ink.

Lan Nongnong blinked, finding it hard to imagine how he could possibly write in such a state, but she didn't want to delve into it. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she felt her body lighten, and he was carrying her, cloak and all, to the desk.

Thinking of what had just happened on the rosewood table, her ears felt hot and she turned her head to avoid it.

Qin Jingyao chuckled softly, leaned over and rubbed her blushing cheek with the tip of his nose, and teased her with a hoarse voice after a gluttonous meal: "We've already done it, why are you still shy? Besides,"

He ran his fingertips across the polished tabletop. "The rich spring colors that just lingered have long been wiped away by me."

Lan Nongnong was too lazy to argue with him. She just glared at him and said unhappily, "Why did you bring me here?"

Before she could finish her words, she felt the world spinning—he was actually holding her waist and standing on her feet. As her right hand was pulled out from under her cloak, she subconsciously tried to pull it back, but was locked firmly by the hot chest behind her.

He gently pressed his cheek against hers as she turned towards the desk. Before she could come to her senses, a green bamboo brush was already tucked between her fingers. His warm breath lingered on her earlobe, and his smiling voice flowed like a spring stream.

"Nong Nong has decided to put aside the past grudges today. To show your seriousness, we should put it in writing as proof. This will help me have proof if you suddenly deny it someday."

His words were filled with distrust, but Lan Nongnong didn't seem annoyed. She just raised her eyebrows and snorted softly, "Even if I really write it as you say, if I change my mind in the future, what good will this empty piece of paper do? Can you still take it to the government for notarization?"

Qin Jingyao smiled but didn't answer. He just put his arm against her, held her hand and picked up the pen: "As long as it's useful to me. Or is it thick? Don't you want to write?"

"I always keep my word. Now that I've spoken, why not write it down?"

Lan Nongnong said this, but in her mind she was already rapidly weighing the pros and cons. But she couldn't imagine how this letter of guarantee could harm her in the future. She raised her wrist to write, but suddenly straightened up, lowered her eyes to glance at her clothes, and turned back angrily: "I need to be dressed properly before I can write. Besides, I'm exhausted right now, how can I find the strength to pick up a pen? It's not too late to write tomorrow."

Before she finished her words, she heard the sound of silk tearing, and a piece of silk fluttered down from the beam, gently wrapping her bare arms. Lan Nongnong looked down and saw that it was the cloud-like silk material that had been hanging high in the sky.

She was silent for a moment, and just as she was about to move her lips, she heard him interrupt her gently: "Today's affairs shall be concluded today. When this book is completed, only you and I will see it. If you are really weak, it doesn't matter if the handwriting is crooked."

He held her pen-holding hand firmly in his palm, his breath brushing against her ear, "Besides, I can still lend a hand to you, Madam."

At this point, Lan Nongnong seemed guilty if she continued to refuse. She nodded slightly and made another request: "You should stand up first. I can't do anything in this position. Move the chair over so I can sit and write."

Qin Jingyao followed suit, hooking his long legs and bringing the armchair to the desk. He didn't let her go, but instead held her in his arms and sat down together, saying with a low smile, "Write."

Lan Nongnong took a deep breath, raised her pen, and wrote down her previous promise word for word on the paper. Just as she was about to sign her name, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and stopped her.

She looked back puzzled, only to see his eyes were deep: "You need to add a few more words."

"Add what?"

He stared at her and said word by word, "Write. As a wife, I must put my husband first. I must hold hands with my husband, Qin Jingyao, until we grow old together, never saying goodbye or thinking of anyone else. I must discuss everything with my husband and never act on my own."

Although these words resembled a marriage oath, and were in line with common marital ethics, it seemed fine to write them down. However, Lan Nongnong unconsciously frowned. Some words, spoken out loud, might fade with time, but once written down, they became a constant reminder.

At this moment, she suddenly understood the profound meaning of his insistence on writing it down as proof.

The eyes beside him were like torches. Lan Nongnong took a deep breath and added the text as he said. When she was about to sign her name, he gently reminded her,

"Nong Nong needs to be written, Tan Jingyao's wife, Tan Lan, Nong Nong."

Seeing her sign as instructed, Qin Jingyao, like a magician, produced a small seal carved from red jade and depicting a pair of lovebirds. The two birds, entwined and lingering, resembled the eternal vow of "I wish to be lovebirds in heaven," condensing their tender affection within this small space.

He handed the small seal to her and said gently, "This is the private seal I carved for Nongnong. You can use it to handle government affairs and correspondence in the future."

Lan Nongnong took it, examined it for a moment, and then stamped her signature with a red seal. Before she could examine it, the letter of commitment was abruptly taken away. Although he watched her write, Qin Jingyao reviewed it word for word, carefully tucking it away deep in his desk drawer under her bewildered gaze.

By this time, the light sweat on their bodies had disappeared, leaving only the sticky feeling of their passionate lovemaking. Qin Jingyao, however, was beaming with joy, as if blessed by heaven. He lifted her up and strode out of the study, heading straight for the hot spring behind the bedroom.

When he reappeared, half an hour had passed, and the person in his arms was already so tired that his eyelashes drooped.

Even so, when they both fell into the brocade quilt, they did not rest until late at night.

---

Yesterday's snow had begun to fall at noon and hadn't stopped all night. Many people woke up in the morning, opened their windows, and saw that the roofs of their courtyards were covered with a thick layer of silver. At this time, those who had glass windows in their homes would bow from afar in the direction of the Shangshu Ling Mansion in Mianhe Hutong before rubbing their hands and starting to sweep the snow.

When I meet my neighbors, I can't help but talk about this auspicious snow.

"This Mingli is truly a treasure! It snowed so heavily last night, yet I didn't hear a single sound. The kang in the room was so warm that not a trace of cold air could get through. I slept so soundly!"

"Who says it isn't? Even though it wasn't freezing a couple of years ago, the windows had to be covered tightly with layers of coarse cloth. Even if that cloth was worthless, it was bought with real money."

"Ever since we installed this glass in my husband's room, I've been able to concentrate more peacefully on my studies. It only costs ten cents a piece, it's windproof and doesn't need to be replaced often, and it keeps out the cold and soundproof. It's a really good, affordable item!"

As they spoke, they had already cleared the snow from their front door. Looking up, they saw the shops on the corner street dismantling their shutters and reopening. Once the boards were removed, a whole wall of glazed glass faced the street.

The clothes, fabrics, utensils and jewelry displayed next to Mingli can be seen clearly from a distance.

A few people simply gathered together with their wooden shovels, pointing and talking: "Wow, the shop has a new style! This time it looks much more handsome than last time."

"The material in the shop looks warm. I'll have to go take a look later."

"I see several shops have new headwear. I wonder what's going on today."

Actually, since the arrival of the Mingli, ordinary people could now enjoy the shops that used to be intimidated by their grandeur. They would inevitably talk about them in casual conversation, and the reputation of these shops had inadvertently spread.

The story of how this glaze became so popular among the people dates back to two years ago. According to the shop owner, this glaze was originally burnt glass and was considered waste.

When Mr. Zhao had no other options for selling and was about to destroy it, the Shangshu Ling Mansion suddenly came to buy a large amount of it. This move not only saved Mr. Zhao's business, but also gave him a sudden enlightenment after he learned the use of the Shangshu Ling Mansion.

Because this glaze is originally waste material, known to the industry, it is sold at a very low price. A grand feat like the Shangshu Ling's, covering the entire mansion with it, is rare and unnecessary.

Ordinary powerful people can only afford a courtyard at most. For wealthy families, this thing is like chicken ribs and is not popular.

Such a low price might be overlooked by the rich, but for ordinary people, it is a great opportunity to give their doors and windows a brand new look. Using the light during the week can save money on lamp oil and candles, and in the winter, it is a treasure that allows you to sleep soundly and warmly.

The owner then made a bold shift, focusing on business with the common people. Because Mingli had been personally used by the Minister of the Chancellery, it was already deeply trusted by the people, and coupled with its low price, it was in high demand as soon as it was released.

He quickly made a killing, expanded his workshop, hired more employees, and within six months, he had opened a branch. The new store was also a frenzy for customers, and his business grew like a snowball.

If colleagues initially did not pay much attention due to the different customer base, and even looked down on it, even if some people saw the huge profits, they could only watch helplessly because their craftsmen could not come up with the formula in the short term.

Later, however, seeing this guy who used to fawn over him becoming increasingly successful, it would be a lie to say he wasn't jealous. Merchants were fighting each other, stealing recipes in endless ways, and there were even more people with ulterior motives.

But Zhao Changping seemed to have developed a knack for business along with his business, using the Shangshu Ling's reputation as a lever. Whether he was genuinely clinging to the title or just using it as a cover, the reputation of a man, like the shadow of a tree, temporarily intimidated quite a few scoundrels.

The less established shops were the first to see the situation clearly, realizing they had no hope of competing. So, they hit upon an idea and proactively approached us, seeking to become middlemen. Conversely, the more established shops proved the old adage, "outsmarting yourself is foolish." The more they thought about it, the less they dared to act rashly.

The Shangshu Ling Mansion was now powerful, and no one dared to lose face for such a small business. Therefore, those who were unwilling to give up this lucrative business turned to honestly studying the formula.

The Sheng Dynasty has a vast territory and numerous prefectures. As long as a formula is developed, there will be no shortage of markets. Even if the current dynasty is saturated, there are still foreign vassal states to explore.

Zhao Changping took advantage of this opportunity and frequently went to the Shangshu Ling Mansion to ask for an audience, and he actually made this "backer" a reality. Now the business of the shop has spread to more than ten towns around the capital, benefiting the local people.

Even in places where they couldn't afford it, merchants would still travel thousands of miles to actively purchase it. It can be said that over the past two years, tens of thousands of people have been spared the bitter cold of winter thanks to Mingli, saving countless lives.

This product not only generated considerable profits but also won widespread public praise. The imperial court, observing the peace and security reported throughout the country, also felt that this product would greatly benefit the people. Given the prosperity of the Sheng Dynasty, the imperial court had no desire to compete with the people for profits from what merchants considered a highly profitable business.

Being able to benefit the people is already a great good policy.

Zhao Changping knew who his business depended on, so he spent every day figuring out how to please that important figure. His dedication paid off, and he developed some truly ingenious gadgets.

Regardless of whether the noble person liked it or accepted it, he would send new and interesting toys to the mansion during festivals and holidays, rain or shine.

He was also tactful and never asked to meet the owner of the mansion. He always left quietly after delivering the gifts.

At dawn that day, Zhao Changping hurried to the workshop. His current courtyard was also covered with a glazed roof, so he wasn't troubled by the accumulation of snow. The glazed formula was the foundation of his fortune, so he had built his house next to the workshop, staying there unless he had important matters to attend to. The workshop was right next to his neighbor's house, only a dozen feet away, and he could reach it in a cup of tea.

As soon as he entered the door, he asked anxiously, "How is it? Is it done?"

The craftsman had been guarding the furnace all night and had just opened it to take out the items. He was in a state of extreme excitement. He didn't even bother to greet the master when he heard the voice. He hurriedly bowed to the master, his voice still trembling: "Master, I am very happy! Master, you are so talented! Please look - this lotus lamp is done!"

Zhao Changping was shocked when he heard this. After the craftsman moved aside, he was immediately amazed when he saw it.

The craftsman's workshop was dimly lit, but the shimmering pastel colors filled the room with a vibrant glow. On a black lacquer square table, a half-foot-tall glazed lotus flower stood gracefully.

The body of the cup gradually changes from pink to white from top to bottom, the glaze flowing like clouds, the texture clear and transparent like ice and jade. In the flickering candlelight, the precious light is hazy and the splendor is shimmering. It is truly a fairy product from the fairyland that has descended to the mortal world, wonderful beyond words!

Zhao Changping was a man who had seen the world, but at this moment he was staring intently. He bent over, stretched his neck, and circled the edge of the table five times. No matter which angle he looked at it from, he found it flawless.

Then he stood up, rubbed his aching neck, held his waist and laughed, bowed repeatedly to the craftsman, and took out a bulging purse from his sleeve and stuffed it into his hand: "Master Liu, you have worked hard! Excellent craftsmanship! Now that this thing is finished, you will not be shortchanged in the reward!"

Although Craftsman Liu did not sleep all night, he was satisfied that he had made this unique treasure with his own hands and was the first person to see its splendor, even if he did not take a penny.

Moreover, the boss was known for his generosity, and any craftsman who could produce a fine piece of porcelain would receive a generous reward. Although he didn't open the purse on the spot, the heavy weight of the money was enough to indicate a generous reward, a sum that his entire family could not possibly save.

His hands, holding the purse, trembled slightly. He quickly tucked it tightly into his arms and bowed repeatedly to his boss: "Thank you, boss! I will do my best to make even better colored glass for you!"

Zhao Changping had no time for anything else. He called for his attendants to bring in a gilded nanmu box, rolled up his sleeves, and carefully placed the glazed lotus flower cup inside the box, which was covered with thick silk. He then carefully covered it with a protective cover before gently closing the lid.

He waved his hand and had the secret contract brought over. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he said to Carpenter Liu with a smile, "You know the rules here. Whenever something new is fired, a confidentiality agreement must be signed. This agreement will be filed with the authorities. If it's leaked, you'll be sued."

The craftsman nodded and agreed immediately, and pressed his fingerprint without hesitation.

Zhao Changping put away the deed and politely sent the man away. He didn't even have time to have breakfast. He immediately ordered someone to harness the carriage and personally got on board, carrying the wooden box and setting off.