Temptation
Outside the bamboo garden, several maids who had been driven out by Jie Xiangsi stood under the eaves, listening to the continuous sound of water coming from inside. They looked at each other and blushed silently.
One of the maids nudged the person next to her and whispered, "Sister Shuyu, how did you tell that that was the young mistress?"
Shuyu smiled and whispered, "With that kind of behavior, what else could it be but the young mistress?"
She got so angry just from touching that young master, throwing a tantrum and making a scene. It was so undignified that they couldn't complete their mission and were unable to return to report for so long.
Suddenly, the water in the inner room stopped, followed by an angry shout.
"Someone come here!"
Shuyu immediately composed herself and led a group of maids in quickly.
Before she could even see what was happening inside, she was bumped into by someone rushing towards her. After taking a few steps back, Shuyu finally saw who was in front of her.
All that could be seen was Jie Xiangsi clutching her collar with one hand and awkwardly pulling at an outer garment to cover her legs with the other, which was still stained with blood. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but she was biting her lip, as if she was forcing herself to endure her grievances.
Upon seeing someone enter, she quickly covered herself even more tightly, clearly not wanting anyone to see her like this.
Shuyu quickly lowered her eyes, "My lord, young mistress."
Zhou Yanzhi turned to the side, rubbing his temples with one hand as if extremely impatient, and said coldly, "Take her downstairs to change her clothes, and also, find someone else to serve her."
After saying that, he leaned back and placed one hand on the warm pool.
Thinking of what her master had instructed, Shuyu responded softly, slowly raising her eyes to look steadily at Zhou Yanzhi's arms resting on the edge of the pool. In the misty white fog, his strong and slender arms appeared fair and flawless.
He had only taken two steps forward when Xie Xiangsi suddenly lunged forward, grabbed Shuyu's sleeve, and turned to the person in the pool, saying aggrievedly, "Young Master~"
That cry was incredibly delicate, like a nightingale in spring, yet it carried a touch of melancholy, making one's bones melt.
Shuyu paused in her steps, and then heard Zhou Yanzhi sigh softly and say slowly, "No need for anyone to serve her, just take her to change her clothes."
Shuyu: "..."
Shuyu: "...Yes."
Before leading Xie Xiangsi out, Shuyu looked back one last time. Zhou Yanzhi's arm had been lowered and was hidden in the water, so it was not clearly visible, but it was clear that he was not injured.
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, instructed someone to lead Xie Xiangsi downstairs to change her clothes, and then turned and walked towards the main courtyard.
...
Inside the study inscribed with the words "Tranquility, Respect, and Sincerity," Yang Hui stood with his hands behind his back, watching the snowflakes falling outside the window, and muttered to himself, "This year's snow is so heavy, it's probably going to cause trouble."
Shuyu walked in and curtsied to him, "My lord."
Yang turned around and lowered his eyes. "How is it?"
Shuyu respectfully replied, "That person had no knife wounds on his arm."
Yang Hui paced back and forth. "Did you see clearly?"
"I saw it clearly." Shuyu's expression remained unchanged as she continued, "However, this servant noticed that the woman beside Lord Song doesn't seem to be an ordinary maid, but rather a... young mistress. However, judging from her fiery temperament, she doesn't seem like the kind of woman Lord Song would like."
Upon hearing this, Yang Hui paused, then chuckled lightly, "Then we'll serve you well." After saying this, as if remembering something, Yang Hui turned and asked, "Has there been any news from the capital?"
Shuyu shook her head, "Not yet."
"Hmm." Yang Hui casually agreed, then walked to the window in a daze, reached out and caught a snowflake. "Prepare the wine and dishes, and invite Lord Song to dine with us later."
"yes"
Inside the bamboo garden, Zhou Yanzhi, who had just finished giving instructions to Ji Feng, heard Shu Yu's message and a faint smile appeared on his face. "Since it is Lord Yang's invitation, how could I refuse?"
He gave Ji Feng a look, "Go check on the young mistress."
Ji Feng's heart skipped a beat, and he nodded in agreement.
...
It was midday, but the sunlight was completely blocked by thick clouds in the sky.
When Zhou Yanzhi was led by Shuyu to the side hall of the Yang residence, Yang Hui was standing by a charcoal brazier, warming wine. Upon seeing them arrive, he placed the warmed wine on the table and strode forward to greet them, "Lord Song has arrived."
Leading the man to the main seat, Yang Hui gestured to a maid to pour wine. Seeing Zhou Yanzhi looking over, Yang Hui smiled and explained, "Lord Song has come through the snow. According to our Yangqu custom, we should first have a cup of hot wine to warm ourselves up."
Zhou Yanzhi smiled but said nothing, picked up the small wine glass and brought it to his lips, and was pleased to smell a faint fragrance of datura flowers.
It seems that something was added to this wine. As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Zhou Yanzhi was naturally familiar with such things. Usually, people who were hard to talk to could vomit everything after being given this kind of medicine.
Seeing that he remained motionless, Yang narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why is Lord Song not moving? Is there something you are worried about?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanzhi paused, deftly picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. Finally, he turned the cup upside down on the table and chuckled lightly, "I won't say what Lord Yang added to the wine, after all, it's only human nature. But... who gave you the audacity to test me?"
Seeing the slight anger on the man's face, Yang Hui remained calm, stood up and bowed to Zhou Yanzhi, "This matter is my fault, but in order to ensure that the master's plan is foolproof, please understand, sir."
Zhou Yanzhi remained silent, staring intently at Yang Hui. After a long while, just as Yang Hui was about to lose his composure, he smiled and gently pressed him down. "Lord Yang is joking. As someone who shares the same master, I naturally understand."
Yang Hui stood up, secretly wiping the sweat from his palms. He looked up at Zhou Yanzhi, a faint smile curving his lips. "Then thank you very much, sir."
Half an incense stick has burned.
Zhou Yanzhi propped his head up with his hand, a hint of confusion appearing in his dark eyes, no longer displaying his previous sharp demeanor.
Seeing this, Yang Hui stretched out a hand and waved it in front of his eyes.
There was no reaction.
A shrewd glint appeared in Yang Hui's eyes as he slowly spoke, his voice gentle and slightly seductive.
"Where do you come from?"
Zhou Yanzhi frowned, seemingly reluctant to answer, but unable to resist the effects of the medicine, he slowly replied, "The capital."
"Who sent you?"
"...Your Majesty."
Yang Hui frowned, but patiently continued to ask, "Who are you?"
"Song Baiyu".
"Who sent you?"
"...Your Majesty."
"Who is it?!"
"...Your Majesty."
"Whom do you serve?"
"Fourth...Your Majesty."
Yang Hui suddenly stopped and asked, "Four what?"
Zhou Yanzhi frowned even more deeply and mumbled, "It's nothing... Your Majesty."
Yang Hui stared intently at Zhou Yanzhi, trying to find a flaw in his face, but no matter how he tried to entice him, Zhou Yanzhi stuck to his answer. The hidden guard stepped out from the shadows, a cold glint in his hand.
"My lord, shall we...?"
Yang Hui stood up, waved his hand, and a relieved smile appeared on his face. "No need."
If he could reveal who sent him, he would become even more suspicious. After all, their master had trained them, repeatedly administering drugs that clouded their minds until…
Even if they die, they will never reveal their master's identity.
Yang patted Zhou Yanzhi's face, then turned around and gave the order.
“Send the person back to the Bamboo Garden.”
...
Inside the bamboo garden, Jie Xiangsi paced back and forth under the corridor, glancing at the courtyard gate every now and then. Her face appeared calm, but her hurried steps betrayed her inner anxiety, and the handkerchief in her hand was crumpled from being twisted.
"What's wrong with your master?" She turned sharply and snapped at the maid beside her, "Why did you take so long to see my young master? Are you trying to force someone into his room?!"
The maid who was asked the question inwardly groaned. She had never seen such a domineering concubine before. Ever since her master invited Lord Song away, she had been acting suspiciously, as if someone was trying to entangle her young master.
That's incredibly stingy.
It's fortunate that she was a concubine; if she were the principal wife, she would have been divorced long ago for committing one of the seven grounds for divorce!
But while that's what he thought in his heart, he still had to force a smile on his face: "This... how could we possibly fathom the thoughts of adults?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Xiangsi's face showed impatience. She deliberately snorted and pretended to be jealous. She turned around and walked to the pillar, but her heart was pounding even more.
Zhou Yanzhi has been called away for a while now, why hasn't he come back yet?
What is Yang Hui going to do to him?
Just then, a sound came from outside the courtyard.
"Young Madam!"
It's the sound of the monsoon.
Looking up, I saw Ji Feng helping Zhou Yanzhi approach.
"Young Master!" Xie Xiangsi rushed forward and helped Zhou Yanzhi up from the other side, anxiously asking Ji Feng, "What's wrong, Young Master?"
Ji Feng replied, "He's drunk."
The two settled Zhou Yanzhi on the bed. Ji Feng glanced at the door and whispered to Xie Xiangsi, "Young Master has drunk the 'Seduction Powder.' I have other matters to attend to. I would appreciate it if Miss Biao could look after Young Master here for a while."
Before Jie Xiangsi could even process that Zhou Yanzhi had actually drunk the Temptation Powder, she nodded blankly upon hearing this.
After Ji Feng left, Jie Xiangsi washed her handkerchief and slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, looking at Zhou Yanzhi.
He looked like he was sleeping soundly, and his deep features had softened a bit. He didn't have the oppressive feeling he had when he was awake. His long eyelashes trembled slightly, like ink butterflies adorning white porcelain.
A damp handkerchief gently wiped his sweaty forehead. Taking advantage of Zhou Yanzhi's current sleep, Jie Xiangsi muttered softly, "Zhou Yanzhi, Zhou Yanzhi, you absolutely must investigate Yangqu's case thoroughly, or else I'll..."
"Or else you will?"
A sudden voice rang out beside her, startling Jie Xiangsi.
Zhou Yanzhi had opened his eyes at some point, his dark eyes staring straight at Xie Xiangsi, making her surprise impossible to hide.
She composed herself and then preemptively accused him, saying, "Cousin, you were eavesdropping on me."
Zhou Yanzhi had just managed to sit up when he heard this nonsensical accusation. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing. However, to Xie Xiangsi's shocked gaze, Zhou Yanzhi slowly pulled a blood-soaked hairpin from his sleeve. Instantly, the stench of blood in the room became terrifying.
Perhaps aggravated his wound, for fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead again.
"Sorry, I dirtied your hairpin." He bent down to clean the bloodstains off the hairpin, his voice slightly hoarse.
"It's nothing." Jie Xiangsi came to her senses and quickly rummaged through her makeup box for some medicine powder.
Sprinkling the powder on the bloodied arm, Jie Xiangsi carefully wrapped Zhou Yanzhi in layers of gauze. Seeing the gauze instantly soaked in blood, even though she had prepared herself mentally, she was still shocked by the horrific sight and her fingertips trembled.
Unable to resist glancing at Zhou Yanzhi, who was silently enduring the pain, Xie Xiangsi suddenly asked softly, "Do you... encounter this kind of thing often?"
Perhaps due to the shock of losing the hairpin, Zhou Yanzhi's eyes gradually lost focus, and his mind began to become confused.
Upon hearing the question, she merely opened her tightly closed eyes slightly, her gaze clear and untainted, and softly replied, "Hmm?"
He appeared completely unguarded.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
