Chapter 100 Addiction
The Chu residence is four streets away from the Zhou residence.
As soon as Zhou Lan and Chu Qingtian's carriage left the Zhou family's territory, a crisp slapping sound rang out from inside.
Inside the carriage.
Zhou Lan stared at Chu Qingtian in shock: "You actually dared to hit me!"
Chu Qingtian gritted his teeth: "If I don't beat you up, you won't know your place!"
"Zhou Lan, you are a woman of the Chu family. Can't you use your brain before you act!"
"You've offended your third brother. He won't kill you directly, but he will take the life of the Chu family!"
"Haven't you hurt Yingyang badly enough? How come you never learn your lesson!"
"I harmed Yingyang!" Zhou Lan said in disbelief, her sharp eyes glaring at Chu Qingtian.
"Wasn't it you who killed Yingyang?!"
"You sold your daughter for a ten-year salt transport right in the capital!"
"Chu Qingtian, you're not even human!"
"You are unworthy of being a father!"
Chu Qingtian pointed at Zhou Lan: "If you're a decent human being, tell your son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren not to squander the profits of the capital!"
Zhou Lan gritted her teeth: "Your descendants of the Chu family want profit, so why should you sacrifice my Yingyang!"
"Because she is a daughter of the Chu family! She must serve the Chu family whenever it needs her!"
With a slap, Zhou Lan gave Chu Qingtian a slap.
Chu Qingtian endured the slap for the sake of Zhou Lang's return to Hezhou.
He warned Zhou Lan: "Your parents approve of Li as Zhou's wife!"
"Your third brother dotes on Lady Li so much that he sees no one else but her!"
"The child in her belly might just be the future ruler of this southern land!"
"You, a married woman from the Zhou family, if you still don't know your own worth, I'll make sure you die of illness!"
Zhou Lan gritted her teeth: "You dare! My father will not let you get away with this!"
"Rather than keep you a burden to my Chu clan, I'd rather die with you!"
"Zhou Lan, the Chu family is above all else, you can try it all you want, I dare not!"
Inside the carriage, illuminated only by a luminous pearl, the man's bloodthirsty expression was ferocious and terrifying.
Zhou Lan's heart pounded wildly.
She couldn't accept that her era had passed.
She was no longer the high and mighty eldest daughter of the Zhou family, pampered like a precious jewel by her father and mother.
Just as power shifts within the Zhou family, her position will also be replaced.
She is now a Chu woman, a Chu woman who can't even protect her own daughter.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She held her chin up proudly and elegantly wiped the corner of her eye with her hand.
She hated it, she was resentful.
She had a smooth life from birth, she chose her own husband, and she managed everything in the household.
In his old age, his beloved daughter was sacrificed.
"That's not fair!"
She gritted her teeth fiercely.
"What did Yingyang do wrong? What right does she have to do this?!"
Chu Qingtian replied firmly, "Because she's my daughter!"
*
The moonlight was as bright as day, and the scenery was as beautiful as a tapestry.
In the room, where the candlelight flickered, Zhou Jin, as he had promised, knelt down in front of Li Qu and washed her feet.
Occasionally, her fair and delicate feet could be seen peeking out of the brown medicinal liquid.
Qingguo cautiously said, "Let me do it."
Neither master spoke.
Qingguo glanced at Master Zhou, who was squatting on the ground, carefully playing with the pair of jade feet in the water.
He swallowed hard.
She couldn't help but reach out and touch the ghost-repelling talisman in the sachet at her waist.
Li Qu broke the strange silence with a laugh.
"Green fruit, enjoy!"
Zhou Jin wiped the water off her feet and placed them on the couch.
Then he took off his slippers, sat down next to her, rolled up his trousers, and put them in the water to soak.
He turned to look at her, his eyes lingering on her lips: "May my lady grant me some of her fragrance?"
Qingguo, quite tactlessly, took out the small purse that Liqu usually used for tipping.
Zhou Jin glanced indifferently at the clumsy maid.
Terrified, Qingguo knelt down and prostrated herself on the ground, not knowing what to do.
He looked at her again.
Li Qu took the purse that Qingguo had held above her head with both hands: "Go down."
Qingguo, as if granted a pardon, hastily withdrew.
She sat down next to him.
They sat side by side on the tatami mat.
She tilted her head and looked at him: "You're the youngest in your family, how can you be so sure you'll succeed?"
"According to the rules, the eldest son should inherit the family business."
"Even though the old man has been in the capital for many years, he has neglected to control the southern region."
"Now that he's back, if Father is willing, what can you do?"
A faint smile appeared on his lips: "What will you offer in exchange for information, Madam?"
He liked the way she looked when she needed something from him.
This way, she will take the initiative to approach him.
Knowing your enemy and yourself is the key to victory in every battle. Li Qu offered a favor: "I'll exchange it for the favor you owed me earlier."
"Walls have ears. Come closer, and I'll tell you."
"Don't say it's a puppy."
Zhou Jin chuckled: "Why would I need to lie to you?"
She then tilted her body slightly and brought her ear close to his face.
When he saw her leaning closer, his gaze softened involuntarily.
He originally intended to speak to her seriously, but he couldn't resist and leaned down to gently peck her earlobe.
She quickly straightened up and ran away, yelling, "You're a puppy!"
He watched her run away barefoot, then smiled and wiped his feet with his leg.
"You're running?"
Where can you run to?
I'll make sure you have nowhere to run!
*
The candlelight went out, and the moonlight couldn't help but chase the two figures deep into the window.
While she was sleeping, he couldn't bear the discomfort and secretly undressed her.
They kissed and caressed each other, gently running their hands over each other.
Then he secretly tied her clothes back up, turned around and got out of bed to take a cold shower.
*
Her every smile and gesture was like a drug, making him addicted.
*
The moon fairly exposes every unbearable character hidden in the night.
Lin Xiaocong in Chuntang Garden was even more miserable than Zhou Jin.
Zhou Jin was still able to secretly make advances while embracing the woman he liked.
Lin Xiaocong was scheming to get his medical fees back from Li Rong once she recovered.
As a result... he was stood up.
He was soaking in ice water at that moment.
*
A cool white towel covered my face.
The beautiful dream in my mind gradually dissipated.
The water in the bathtub, mixed with ice cubes, gently caressed and rippled the firm muscles as the owner breathed.
After a while, a low laugh escaped from his sliding Adam's apple.
Qiu Chan, who was squatting outside the screen, rubbed her arms and said, "Young Master."
"The second young lady didn't know that you had finished the family reunion dinner, and came to Chuntang Garden to wait for her before dark."
"Perhaps today's reunion dinner for the Li family is especially important."
"That's why she didn't come for her final acupuncture session."
He silently lit a candle for the second daughter.
Today, the young master specially had the room decorated in bright red.
Their thoughts were self-evident.
The sound of someone emerging from a bath could be heard from behind the screen.
Qiu Chan got up, and soon saw her young master wearing slippers and an undergarment, heading towards the main house while tying his clothes.
He smiled gently and said, "Yes, what you said makes a lot of sense."
"Rongrong must not have missed the opportunity on purpose."
The cicadas breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'll go find her myself."
Autumn Cicada: "Everyone's already booked, isn't it too late?"
Lin Xiaocong dressed himself, then sighed with a smile, "There's no other way, saving a life is the priority."
*
When the carriage entered Qingqiao Alley and arrived at the Li family's house, only the light in Li's mother's room was still on.
Li's mother is changing her son's diaper.
When the matchmaker knocked on the door and said that Young Master Lin wanted to see her, she thought for a moment, got dressed, put on a veil to cover her face, and went out.
The matchmaker waited by the door, while Lin Xiaocong stood outside gazing at the moon.
A light blue brocade robe accentuated his refined and elegant demeanor.
Hearing footsteps approaching, he turned around, cupped his hands in a respectful bow to Li's mother, and said, "I apologize for my late-night visit."
Respectful and courteous.
"The second daughter needs one last acupuncture treatment to consolidate her condition."
"Tonight is a night of family reunion. I just left the family banquet and rushed over here."
"There's still some time before Zishang, there's still time."
"If we delay the acupuncture until tomorrow, it may worsen the condition."
Li's mother couldn't refuse this reason, but...: "It's so late."
"Young Master Lin, are you able to perform acupuncture in our home?"
"I brought a medicine kit to protect the reputation of the Second Miss. It's so late, I should administer the acupuncture under your watchful eye, Aunt."
An upright and honest gentleman.
Thinking of her third daughter's words, Li's mother coughed and said, "Young Master Lin, you've come at the right time. There are some things I feel I need to make clear to you."
"Please speak freely, Auntie."
"We'll pay whatever the consultation fee is due for Rongrong, since you've gone to the trouble of treating her."
Lin Xiaocong smiled and said, "Auntie, you're too kind. As long as the second young lady can get rid of her heart ailment, I'm willing to do any hard work."
Li's mother waved her hand: "One thing at a time."
"If you are truly devoted to your second son, you should follow the proper etiquette and ask your elders or a matchmaker to come and propose marriage."
"We should still pay the consultation fee."
Lin Xiaocong smiled and replied, "Yes, I understand."
Li's mother then welcomed Lin Xiaocong into the courtyard.
Then I went to Li Rong's room to call for help.
*
In Li Rong's room.
Li Rong was sleeping soundly when her mother woke her up. She sat up sleepily.
"Mother, is it past 3 AM yet?"
"Why am I unusually sleepy tonight?"
She yawned, squinted, and got out of bed.
She was going to the steamed bun shop to make steamed buns at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).
When Li Rong got up, Li's mother patted Li Han, who was sleeping with Li Rong.
"Han'er, go sleep in your mother's room. I'll make room for your second sister to get acupuncture."
Li Rong was dizzy as she stepped out of the room, not hearing the conversation between her mother and Li Han.
I went outside and stretched.
Lin Xiaocong, who was standing in the courtyard, happened to look over.
The woman wore only an undergarment, her long hair flowing smoothly down her shoulders, stretching out as she yawned.
A slender, fair waist, resembling a willow branch, was revealed beneath the hem of her dress.
The curve from the hips to the chest is stretched into a beautiful S-shape.
The moonlight shone on her sleepy face, casting a soft glow on her clean and fair complexion.
He could clearly hear his heart beating faster.
When Qiu Chan, who was beside him, saw Li Rong leave in her undergarments, she lowered her head and turned away.
Li Rong didn't notice Lin Xiaocong and his servant. Rubbing her eyes, she slipped on her shoes and went to the bathroom next to the kitchen in the east wing.
After washing up, she went back to her room to get dressed, as was her usual routine.
Then, she saw...Young Master Lin in the room?
She rubbed her eyes.
Lin Xiaocong placed the incense burner in his hand on the bench at the foot of the bed, sat down on the bed, and patted the bed with a smile: "Second Miss, this young master will give you acupuncture."
Her mind cleared instantly: "Why are you at my house?"
"Didn't I tell you? Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there's a banquet at the mansion. I can only give you acupuncture in the evening."
Lin Xiaocong looked at her with a smile: "I asked you to wait for me at Chuntang Garden, but you didn't go."
"I had no choice but to come."
"Second Miss, take off your clothes."
"Cough!" Li Rong quickly turned around and glanced behind her.
In Li's mother's room, the child was crying and fussing, and Li's mother was trying to soothe him.
The matchmaker returned to her room in the west wing to sleep.
No one heard it.
Li Rong did not tell her family about having to take off her clothes for acupuncture.
She felt ashamed to speak of such a disgraceful matter.
I don't want anyone else to know.
Lin Xiaocong spoke in a gentlemanly manner: "A doctor saves lives and heals the wounded, regardless of gender."
"What, you didn't mention the acupuncture procedure to your aunt and the others?"
"No."
Li Rong coughed, thinking that since it was the last time she would get acupuncture, and it was at home, it didn't really matter.
She went inside and prepared to close the door.
A small foot peeked through the crack in the door.
Li Rong looked down and saw Li Han outside the door say, "Second sister, Mother asked me to come and help."
"Go to sleep, you need at least half an hour."
"Then I'll stand guard at the door. Just call me if you need anything."
Li Rong patted her head: "Go to sleep."
Li Han patted the stool that had been moved to her side long ago.
Li Rong then opened the door: "Then come in and sleep."
Li Han entered the room and gave Lin Xiaocong a sweet smile: "Dr. Lin, you don't mind me being here, do you?"
Lin Xiaocong smiled and got up, opening the pastry box he had brought on the small table in the room.
"I don't mind."
"Wow, Xingyuanlou's pastries! Thank you, Dr. Lin!"
Li Rong closed the door and looked at Li Han, who had already started eating: "What you saw tonight, you're not allowed to tell anyone?"
Li Han nodded: "I know."
Li Rong then looked at Lin Xiaocong.
Lin Xiaocong got up and went to the window.
Li Han ate her pastries while observing the two of them.
Then Li Rong was seen to have taken off all but her bra and panties.
Li Han choked.
This was beyond her comprehension.
She quickly poured herself a glass of water to soothe her throat.
Li Rong lay down on the bed and covered her chest with the undergarment she had taken off.
It covered the skin from the armpits to the lower abdomen.
She said, "Alright."
Lin Xiaocong turned around, picked up his medicine box, went to the bedside, opened the box, and took out the silver needle pack.
Then put on special gloves.
Li Han moved closer to him: "Dr. Lin, do you like to wear gloves when you treat patients?"
"Your second sister is a woman, so she should be mindful of her behavior."
What kind of gloves are these?
"The swim bladder is made of special material, thin, thin, and waterproof. I'll send you a pair tomorrow if you like."
"I cannot accept a reward without merit, Dr. Sherin, please continue."
Lin Xiaocong smiled and took out a silver needle from his needle pouch.
After the silver needle reached his fingertip, the smile on his face gradually faded, and his eyes became serious and quiet.
Li Han stepped back a little.
Seeing that Young Master Lin looked solemn and serious, she scratched her head.
Huh? This guy seems like a decent gentleman, so why does Mother always tell my second sister to be wary of him?
The little mind has not yet seen through the dangers of the world.
She sat back down and continued eating her pastries.
Gradually, Li Rong's head, arms, and back were covered with silver needles.
As the last silver needle was inserted, Lin Xiaocong said, "Don't move around. If you're sleepy, go to sleep."
Li Rong hummed in agreement.
While waiting for the needles to be removed, Lin Xiaocong sat down opposite Li Han.
He looked at Li Han, who was propping her eyelids up with her hand: "Why don't you go to bed and sleep for a while?"
Li Han rubbed her eyes: "Let's play a game together."
She doesn't want to sleep.
Although this person seems like a very upright gentleman, it's right to listen to Third Sister.
We must be on guard.
Lin Xiaocong smiled: "What game?"
"In checkers, you roll the dice, and you move the number of spaces you get."
Lin Xiaocong pretended not to see through the little devil's thoughts and started playing checkers with him.
He either doesn't fish at all, or if he does, he makes sure the fish lower their guard and bite the hook willingly.
Are you in such a hurry to finish this job?
He smiled, and after the incense burned out, he took out the needle.
Then I took my leave.
It was as if staying even a moment longer would tarnish one's gentlemanly conduct.
He truly behaved with propriety.
Li's mother saw him to the door, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Lin."
Lin Xiaocong said gently, "She's tired after every acupuncture session, so don't disturb her. Let her sleep as long as she can."
"Usually in Chuntang Garden, she is allowed to sleep after acupuncture."
"It helps to calm the mind."
This explains why an hour and a half of acupuncture is sufficient.
The reason why Li Rong often spends half a day in Chuntang Garden.
"Once she wakes up, I will give her a bowl of calming medicine."
"Two days later, I will come to your door again to give the second young lady a follow-up examination."
Lin Xiaocong's earnest instructions.
He was also elegant, handsome, and courteous.
Li's mother clicked her tongue in disbelief.
As she watched Lin Xiaocong's carriage rumble away into the moonlight, she lifted her veil.
"If you come to my door with all the proper formalities and gifts to propose marriage, I will immediately give you my daughter in marriage."
After she returned to her room, Li Han, who was in charge of monitoring her, reported to her mother.
"Even though my second sister's arms and legs were exposed, he didn't look at her at all."
Li's mother nodded: "He is the best candidate to be a son-in-law."
"He's a hundred times better than the son of the butcher at the market."
"He is a million times better than that crooked-nosed, slanted-eyed young master of Shunlong Restaurant."
She stretched.
"Han'er, come out with me tomorrow and let's talk about your second sister's willingness to bring her shop as part of her dowry."
"Marrying someone of equal social standing is the first choice."
As for this best son-in-law...
If he doesn't propose marriage, he's out of the running.
Trapped to death.
The mother and daughter yawned simultaneously and turned to walk towards their respective rooms.
*
Lin Xiaocong left Qingqiao Alley and went straight back to the Marquis's residence.
What's the point of having warm tents and red quilts in Chuntang Garden without her?
He was in a good mood.
After disembarking from the carriage and entering the mansion, we headed towards Zhaoshan Residence.
Qiu Chan, following behind, asked in confusion, "Second Miss broke her promise, aren't you angry, Young Master?"
Lin Xiaocong laughed: "What's wrong with giving her two more days?"
Ever since receiving Mrs. Zhou's warning letter, he knew that the Li family would not be easily fooled.
How can we not be sincere?
Upon returning to Zhaoshan Residence, after washing up and going to his room, he sat on the couch and instructed Qiuchan, "Bring over the things that the matchmaker sent a couple of days ago."
Qiu Chan went to get something, while Qiu Ju, dressed lightly, carried a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup and gracefully knelt down in front of Lin Xiao Cong.
Lin Xiaocong glanced at it.
Looking down, one can see the deep cleavage that is slightly exposed by the tight corset.
Qiu Ju lowered her head, raised the tray in her hand, and said, "Young master, it was the old lady who instructed us to do this."
Her voice grew softer and softer, like a mosquito's buzz, delicate and frail.
After saying that, the tips of his ears were already so red they were practically bleeding.
Lin Xiaocong sat cross-legged on the couch, tapping his knuckles on the low table, his eyes fixed on the bowl of soup that Qiuju was holding.
"Try it and see how it tastes."
Qiuju hurriedly begged for mercy: "Young master, please spare this servant."
"This servant knows that the young master does not like the people around him to act like this."
"But the old lady has given the order, and this servant dares not disobey."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened.
Lin Xiaocong nodded: "That makes sense. Then let's drink half and see the effect."
Although Lin Xiaocong is gentle, it doesn't mean he doesn't have a master's temper.
Qiu Ju glanced at Lin Xiaocong's serious eyes and resignedly drank half a bowl.
When Qiu Chan returned, Qiu Ju could no longer bear the sadness in her body and shakily raised her hand to climb onto the corner of Lin Xiao Cong's trouser leg.
Lin Xiaocong nodded as he looked at the woman's seductive eyes and the hand that couldn't help but reach out to him.
"The medicine is quite effective."
He pulled his trouser leg back up: "Go take a cold bath."
Qiuju quickly kowtowed and withdrew.
She rushed out in a panic and bumped into Qiu Chan as she entered, nearly falling over.
Qiu Chan then reached out and grabbed her waist to protect her.
As their breaths mingled, her gaze towards Qiu Chan almost melted into tears.
Startled, Qiu Chan quickly let go of her and fled into the room, asking, "What's wrong, Sister Qiu Ju?!"
Embarrassed, Qiuju took out a handkerchief, covered her face, and ran away.
It's one thing for her master to reject her, but even that wretched Qiu Chan avoids her like the plague! How despicable!
Inside the room, Lin Xiaocong opened the box that Qiu Chan had sent.
He took out the three forged documents and the official document from the place of household registration, and nodded.
"Hua Yang did a good job. Tomorrow I will tie up Cao Guangli and send him to his bed."
Qiu Chan couldn't bear it: "Are you really going to lie to Second Miss?"
Lin Xiaocong put the items into the box and closed the lid.
His gaze swept towards the cicada.
Qiu Chan immediately raised her hand and promised, "This servant will keep an eye on Granny Yue tomorrow."
"Until your good deed is accomplished, young master, we will absolutely not allow Granny Yue to set foot in the Li family."
Lin Xiaocong smiled faintly: "No need for that. Just listen to my instructions tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Okay, go down and rest."
After the cicadas had gone away, Lin Xiaocong raised his hand and stroked the patterns on the box.
Thinking of the cat stretching and revealing a section of its fair waist, a soft warmth seemed to gradually spread through my palm.
"Rongrong~"
His smile deepened.
"You're seducing me again~"
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