Chapter 60 Soft and Alluring

Bai Hua's neck was pressed against the chrysanthemum pillow, her eyes were unfocused and she looked up into the distance. Her shoulders shrugged and her eyes were narrowed. She looked like a duckweed floating on the surface of a pond, being tossed about by the current.

At first, of course, it was difficult. Ning Jue learned from his mistakes and found a new method, no longer rushing to expand territory as he had the night before.

After letting go, he laid her down on the brocade bed, tried to bend down, then spread his knees and pressed his legs together, burying his head in his hands and asking her how she was feeling.

Bai Hua was initially stunned. After realizing what he was about to do, she froze. But soon, her meridians and blood began to boil, as if they were about to burst open.

She was drenched in sweat, her hands and feet curled up, enduring this torment as her body slowly melted away.

The wind is blowing quite hard tonight. Even through the walls, doors, and windows, you can still clearly hear the branches swaying and the leaves rustling outside.

Only when it's quiet enough can you hear the wind. The wind howls, the water splashes, yet at this moment, there's no rain falling outside the window, and the sound of water is close at hand.

Rain dripped from the eaves. In a daze, Bai Hua recalled Ning Jue's words that morning, knowing his demands were high, and so, as if possessed, she asked, "How much?"

Ning Jue paused, propping himself up, and looked up at her, his eyes dark and unfathomable. After a moment's thought, he understood what she was asking, and his gaze deepened.

He gave a slight smile, first using gestures to answer, then replied in a deep voice, "We're halfway there, shouldn't I praise you?"

Bai Hua's cheeks flushed red, her heat rising, and she glared at him reproachfully.

Judging from his tone, did you think she was trying to take credit?

Ning Jue looked at her with a calm and composed expression. Her glare just now had no intimidating power. Her eyes were languid and intoxicated, quite different from her usual self. Her dignity was gone, she was unrestrained, and whatever she said revealed a seductive charm.

Perhaps she herself didn't realize that during the conversation, her body swayed slightly, as if she were cooperating with his rhythm, willingly transforming into a drunken white snake.

Everyone knows what a snake looks like, but what about a snake woman?

It's soft, alluring, and...

Ning Jue's thoughts paused for a moment, and a vulgar word suddenly came to mind, but using it to describe Bai Hua would be too blasphemous.

However, deep down in his heart, he had this inherent flaw, and he couldn't resist loving her flirtatious and wanton side.

The most authentic response comes from the body's instincts.

At that moment, the two were locked in a life-or-death struggle, truly inseparable.

...

Chen Fu was still outside the villa.

He arranged for Guo Zhong to switch shifts with the brothers at the teahouse for a day. As evening approached, it was his turn again, so he once again teamed up with Jiu Qiu and, near the main entrance of the villa, hid behind the jagged rocks under the shadows of the trees.

During the day, there was nothing unusual inside, except that Jiang Shen'er went out once in the early morning. Guo Zhong was watching her at the time, so he immediately sent his men to follow her. They saw that Jiang Shen'er first went to Tianji Pavilion, and then changed into an official sedan chair and went to the Southern Fujian Imperial Palace.

She stayed in the palace for quite some time, not leaving until evening. Afterward, instead of returning to the villa, she rested at the nearby Tianji Pavilion.

Therefore, the defenses within Qimeng Manor are not currently tight; the manor lord is not present, and the number of guards has been reduced by half.

So Guo Zhong suggested to Chen Fu that they take this opportunity to break down the door, in case Young Master Ning was trapped inside, this would be the best time to storm the manor and rescue him.

After careful consideration, Chen Fu did not agree.

Firstly, he felt that with Young Master Ning's superb martial arts skills, he wouldn't be so passive. If he were truly bound by accident, he wouldn't just quietly submit without making a sound.

Secondly, if Jiang Shen'er were to use Miss A Peng as a hostage to force Young Master Ning to submit, then Qimeng Manor would be heavily guarded inside and out, and would certainly not give them such an opportunity.

Therefore, the two sides should not have engaged in hostilities. Jiang Shen'er was certain that Ning Jue would not leave, so not only did she not send more guards, but she also took some with her.

Thinking about it this way, it seems to make sense.

Seeing Chen Fu deep in thought and lost in thought for a long time, Jiu Qiu nudged his arm.

What are you thinking about?

Chen Fu glanced at her and said, "I don't know what the situation is inside. Jiang Shen'er isn't here right now, so the young master and the others should be safe for the time being. But I don't know how long this stalemate will continue. Qimeng Manor may seem beautiful on the surface, but it's actually a den of wolves and tigers that devour people."

Jiuqiu asked, "Why do you say that?"

Chen Fuhui: "Guo Zhong led his men to nearby villages to inquire about the villa from the villagers. However, most of the villagers were wary and silent, as if they did not want to cause trouble, and kept quiet about anything related to the villa. Finally, they learned from two young men that corpses were often carried out of the villa, of unknown origin, and that the government never intervened, which was very strange."

These words were somewhat chilling, but Jiuqiu's expression remained unchanged as if they were nothing out of the ordinary.

Having spent a lot of time in all sorts of places, she naturally developed a good mental fortitude, and ordinary life-and-death situations no longer frightened her.

Jiuqiu spoke casually: "Jiang Shen'er is the head of Tianji Pavilion and the leader in charge of gathering intelligence for the young emperor of Nanmin. It's not surprising that he would conduct secret investigations on a regular basis. Even if he were to bring someone to Qimeng Manor to eliminate them discreetly, it wouldn't be hard to understand."

Chen Fu turned his head and looked at Jiu Qiu with a complicated expression. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, especially when she casually said the words "get rid of" and the probing look in his eyes became even stronger.

Jiuqiu noticed Chen Fu's gaze and smiled as she looked back at him: "What's wrong? Don't you think I'm like a girl?"

Chen Fu shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "You must have encountered quite a few tricky and dangerous situations in the past, right?"

Jiuqiu's smile faded, but she quickly regained her composure: "I'm alright. Do you know where I used to make a living? Those places, on the surface they're all decorated with flowers and colorful silks, but in reality they're bottomless pits of blood and gore. You wouldn't survive long ago with just a pretty face. I've seen so many life-and-death situations around me that my mind has become sharper and my heart has become ruthless. Only in this way can I barely make a living."

Chen Fu did indeed send someone to inquire about her background.

She was once the most famous courtesan in Yecheng's largest brothel, and many romantic men would spend a fortune just to catch a glimpse of her beauty.

Although Chen Fu also lived in Yecheng, he never frequented brothels, and the two had no interaction, so he had no impression of her.

Brothels are, of course, complex places, a melting pot of all sorts of people, making it difficult to deal with patrons, not to mention the open and covert struggles within.

To successfully become the top courtesan, she needed not only outstanding beauty but also a keen understanding of social dynamics.

Chen Fu's gaze swept across Jiu Qiu's face before quickly withdrawing, then he uttered a seemingly unreadable remark: "So ruthless and clear-headed, how could she have ever liked Fang Lun in the first place?"

That's really bringing up the very thing you shouldn't be talking about.

Jiuqiu looked a little embarrassed. Looking back on the first half of her life, she believed that Fang Lun was the stupidest thing she had ever done.

She only made one mistake. Whether it was a mental lapse or blindness, even an old horse can stumble. It's not surprising that she made a mistake once.

The only consolation was that she hadn't been bullied in vain; if anyone hurt her even a little, she would make them pay with their blood.

Jiuqiu spoke casually, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary: "Fortunately, I stopped the damage in time and killed him with my own hands."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fu's pupils contracted, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He turned his head to make sure he hadn't misheard, but still asked her again, "You mean you killed him?"

Jiuqiu didn't hide anything: "Yes."

Chen Fu frowned: "How could that be... You clearly know that I was the one who set the fire that day."

Jiuqiu has not yet told anyone what happened after the fire; she doesn't trust others. But Chen Fu is different; he is her benefactor.

So I answered honestly: "He woke up later, you didn't know that? Maybe he really passed out before, or maybe he pretended. When I got away and was about to leave the mansion, I saw him half dead and desperately trying to crawl out. When he finally grabbed the threshold, he thought there was a chance of survival ahead of him, so I went over and extinguished his last hope of survival."

After saying that, he smiled brightly and asked Chen Fu, "Do you think I'm scary? I'm telling you the truth. No matter how you see me, I will not change my mind about repaying your kindness. You sow good seeds, and I am the good karma you create."

Chen Fu didn't think she was wrong to retaliate against Fang Lun at all. He only said, "What you did was too risky. If someone sees you, Fang Yanhai is eager for revenge. Do you think he will let you off easily? He is the president of the Chamber of Commerce and has a wide range of influence in Ye City. If he targets you, you will have nowhere to hide."

Jiuqiu smiled and found it quite easy to talk to Chen Fu.

She replied, "I know, that's why I boarded the ship with you. Although I didn't understand the situation at the time, Yecheng was definitely dangerous, and the sea would be safer. Besides, you are more trustworthy than others. Anyway, at worst, I can just return the life I saved to you, and we'll be even."

Chen Fu looked at her without saying a word; she always liked to talk to herself.

However, after this experience, Chen Fu understood Jiu Qiu's background and her initial intentions for getting close to her. When facing her again, he was more aware of her situation and no longer put his guard up. Instead, he felt closer to her.

He instructed, "Don't tell anyone else what happened at the Fang family's villa. I can't hide it from Young Master Ning. After I tell him the truth, I will do my best to persuade him to let you stay."

Jiuqiu looked at Chen Fu, the curve of her lips becoming even more pronounced, and replied, "Okay."

Then, as if remembering something, Chen Fu asked her, "Is Jiuqiu your real name, or...?"

Jiuqiu truthfully said: "My given name is 'Qiu' (秋), and the character 'Jiu' (九) was given to me by my mother in the brothel. I got used to using it as my given name."

Chen Fu was cautious and thoughtful: "To be on the safe side, you'd better not use this name anymore. Why not change the character 'Jiu' and use your original surname?"

This would avoid many unnecessary risks, and changing her nickname should be an easy thing for her.

But Jiuqiu didn't speak and remained silent for a long time.

Chen Fu, not knowing why she didn't answer, added, "Or you can use your mother's surname, that's fine too, just for the purpose of disguise."

Jiuqiu finally reacted. She shook her head, her voice a little muffled: "No."

What does "nothing" mean?

Chen Fu had already found out her place of origin and knew that she was not an orphan without parents, and that she was not unaware of her background and did not have a surname.

But she clearly had it, yet she said she didn't.

Chen Fu was perceptive and guessed that there must be some hidden story, but it was irrelevant to what they were doing, and he had no right to inquire about it.

It must have been something upsetting, for he rarely saw a look of melancholy in Jiuqiu's eyes.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Fu spoke up again: "How about I call you A Qiu from now on? No need for your surname, just call you A Qiu, it's easy to pronounce and sounds nice."

Jiuqiu paused, then murmured, repeating, "Aqiu..."

Nobody has ever called her that.

Chen Fu looked at her expectantly, feeling that his idea was excellent and had a very high probability of being adopted: "How about it?"

For some reason, Jiuqiu's originally cold and hard heart suddenly felt a little warmer.

Why didn't she think of such a win-win solution?

She calmed herself down and agreed.

Chen Fu smiled and persisted, asking, "Isn't it beautiful? Ah Qiu, Ah Qiu..."

He repeated it twice.

Jiuqiu lowered her head to hide her expression. She didn't want to show her vulnerability, but unfortunately, her eyes welled up with tears.

After a short while, she replied in a soft, weak voice, "Yes, it sounds nice."

From then on, her name was A-Qiu.

The two remained silent for a while, then turned their attention back to the gate of the manor. The moon was bright and the stars were few, the gate was deserted, and there was no unusual activity inside or outside.

When your nerves are relaxed, it's easy for your eyelids to feel heavy and you to feel sleepy.

Chen Fu tried hard to suppress the urge to yawn.

Jiuqiu noticed this and continued to chat with him to dispel his drowsiness: "Do you think that since Jiang Shen'er isn't at the manor, Young Master Ning and Miss A Peng might be able to relax for a while and get a good night's sleep tonight?"

Chen Fu thought for a moment, then shook his head and replied, "Young Master Ning is a man of deep thought. Now that we are getting closer to the truth he wants to find, he will be on high alert at all times and will not let his guard down for a moment."

Jiuqiu didn't know Ning Jue well, nor did she know what he wanted to explore. She was only willing to help because she wanted to follow Chen Fu.

In addition, she had a good impression of Miss Apeng, and since this matter concerned Miss Apeng's safety, she certainly wouldn't stand idly by.

Jiuqiu said worriedly, "Miss Apeng is so gentle and frail. She has never experienced hardship. Now that she has suffered such a calamity, she must be terrified and unable to sleep soundly."

Chen Fu sighed, "No one can get a good night's sleep, neither can you. The night is still long, let's just endure it."

Jiuqiu remained silent, responding with a sigh in return.

...

The night is half over.

But at this very moment, in the bedroom of the side courtyard of Qimeng Manor, Ning Jue and Bai Hua were indeed still awake.

Two bundles of dry firewood, burned again and again, and the raging fire burned them again and again.

Bai Hua didn't know how much water she had lost, but she was indeed parched and her throat felt like it was on fire after holding on until now.

Of course, a dry, hoarse throat could also be due to just having shouted.

Jiang Shen'er never returned. Before leaving, she specifically instructed the servants in the manor not to approach and disturb her. Since she had such good intentions, Bai Hua naturally could not let her down. So, throughout the turbulent journey, during so many moments of disorientation, Bai Hua did not feel uncomfortable or stifled, but vented it all out to her heart's content.

With no one around, no matter how she called out, only Ning Jue could hear her, so there was no need for her to feel too ashamed.

Now that this has stopped, it should be over...

She tried both lying face up and lying face down with her back to her, two rounds each time. Although she only managed to get "more than halfway in" each time, it was already her limit.

Ning Jue was sometimes strict and sometimes encouraging, skillfully employing the strategy of giving a slap followed by a sweet treat.

Bai Hua was completely under his control, and even gave in to his demands, kneeling down in the final round... She felt like crying, clutching the fine Shu brocade in her hand, the exquisitely embroidered bed sheet with holes poked out by her fingertips.

She didn't know if she would be released until dawn...

If that's the case, what about the martial arts competition tomorrow, young master?

At this point, she's probably... too busy taking care of herself.