57. You Niang
◎I’ll hang myself tonight for you to see!◎
Chapter 57
Jiang Qiuye couldn't understand the urge she felt right now. She wanted him to call her by her real name, to be with her true self. For over a decade, she had never cared, even deliberately resisting such impulses that defied reason. In those days of living on the edge of a knife, any sudden impulse would have completely destroyed her.
She classified her desire to be called Ye'er today as the same as her desire for a physical hug that year.
Without understanding or deep thinking, I just pursue it impulsively.
Jiang Qiuye sat directly on him, her arms tightly hooked around his neck, sobbing in her nose, "Brother Jian Xi, from now on you must call me Ye'er, not Qiu Ziye."
Ji Ci hugged her small waist, which was slender and soft, as if she was still in a fire, full of restlessness.
Not hearing his answer, Jiang Qiuye anxiously hugged his neck tightly, "Did you hear that? Ji Ci!"
He didn't understand her eagerness, thinking she was frightened by the fire and seeking his protection and safety. She was like a shivering scavenger with burnt fur hiding in his arms.
Enduring the scorching heat, he patted Jiang Qiuye's back soothingly and said, "Ye'er, be good."
Jiang Qiuye almost cried, but held it back, still burying her head in his neck. She took a deep breath, and a refreshing bergamot scent entered her lungs.
She felt the changes in the person beneath her and said in a muffled voice, "It's time to go to bed."
"Um?"
She raised her voice a little and repeated, "It's time to go to bed. Go back to the couch."
The bed had been adjusted when she arrived, facing southeast.
Ji Ci's fingers froze, and he sighed in his heart that his little wife was too proactive.
Well...that's a good thing...
He helped her up, and the friction made him even more itchy, so he walked back to the dormitory steadily.
…
The next morning, Ji Ci woke up earlier than Jiang Qiuye again.
He felt a little difficult to breathe at first. When he fully opened his eyes and glanced down, he saw his little wife pressing on him like an octopus, drooling, wetting a large area of her pajamas in front of her chest, and she was more rampant than before.
Her changed pajamas were hanging loosely, with her skirt piled up in one place, revealing her sexy body. She seemed a little overheated and was sweating a little.
He sighed and raised his hands to pull her away and let her sleep on the bed, but she frowned, hummed softly in displeasure, and twisted her body again. His heart softened, and he dared not move her again, so he could only hold her tightly.
Forget it, let’s sleep a little longer.
The sky outside gradually brightened, the snow piled up layer by layer, the sunlight shone through the white paper bed, there was plenty of charcoal fire burning in the house, the doors and windows were closed, and I always felt full of comfort and security.
He kept moving forward, and the few times he stopped to rest were always because of her. Resting and being kind to himself really gave him a new sense of purpose in life.
In the past, he had devoted his life solely to the Great Jin and its people, never cherishing his own frail body. But now, with someone who depended on him and saw him as a safe haven, he could no longer act with such reckless abandon. He had promised her his protection, and that he would be her lifelong support. Perhaps he really should treat himself better, to fulfill his promise to her.
The two of them slept until noon. When Ji Ci opened his eyes again, he felt helpless. He couldn't understand why she was still sleeping. She must have been too lazy. Thinking of his appointment with County Magistrate Liu in the afternoon, he had no choice but to grab her off his body.
He lifted her hand and moved her slowly like a silkworm cocoon. Despite being so careful, Jiang Qiuye still woke up.
She drowsily opened her eyes and met Ji Ci's gaze. She had already slumped down on the bed, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She smiled shyly before rushing forward and hugging him tightly around the waist. To be honest, she had rarely slept so well before. Perhaps it was because Ji Ci was beside her that she felt extra safe and no longer needed to be vigilant about her surroundings or any movement.
Ji Ci felt helpless in the face of this little wife who always loved to act like a spoiled child. He half-raised his body and lay back down, gently rubbing her messy head. "Okay, I still have an appointment with County Magistrate Liu... Ye'er, be obedient."
Jiang Qiuye reluctantly let him go, yawned, narrowed her charming peach blossom eyes and complained: "My husband is so cruel, I am so pitiful."
After saying that, she stopped looking at him, turned over with her back to him, and seemed to fall asleep again.
This stingy guy!
Ji Ci leaned over helplessly and placed a gentle kiss on the side of her cheek. Seeing that she didn't react, he parted her hanging black hair, stared at the attractive red mole behind her ear, and bit her earlobe hard.
"Ah—" Jiang Qiuye felt both pain and itchiness. He flipped over, covered his ears, stared at him with wide eyes, and yelled, "Ji Ci!"
Ji Ci pursed his lips, forcing himself to suppress his smile. He felt a real pain in his heart. After taking a few breaths and looking into each other's eyes, he returned to his usual expressionless face and said, "Be good, if you're still sleepy, go back to sleep. I have to get ready to go out."
It’s already like this, why are you still sleepy?
Jiang Qiuye deliberately rolled her eyes at him, lifted the quilt and walked under the bed, opened the bedroom door, called the maid in, and helped Ji Ci prepare to wash up. After she finished washing up, she helped him put on his clothes and fastened his belt.
"Husband, wait a minute!"
Ji Ci stood there and watched her run out of the dormitory. She quickly returned with a plate of dragon beard candies in her hand. He put down the plate and put the dragon beard candies into his already empty mandarin duck pouch.
"alright."
Ji Ci lowered his eyes and pinched her gently, then looked at her for the last time and went out directly. Tian Qu and several guards followed him, and they rode their horses to Huaishan Lake.
The border between Jin and Li was defined by Huaishan Mountain, at the foot of which lay Huaishan Lake. Located within Jin territory, it wasn't large, but it was a popular destination for socializing. Because Wangyou Tower had burned down, County Magistrate Liu couldn't continue his meeting with Ji Ci there, so he chartered a pleasure boat on the lake.
There are many pleasure boats on Huaishan Lake, most of which are filled with music played by pianos and actors singing. Occasionally, there are dancers performing in the pleasure boats in the middle of the lake.
When Ji Ci stepped into the pleasure boat, County Magistrate Liu couldn't wait to greet him, his face covered with layers of fat, and with a somewhat obscene smile, "Oh, Master Ning is finally here."
"Sorry to have kept Lord Liu waiting." Ji Ci bowed and followed County Magistrate Liu to take a seat. Then the pleasure boat began to sail.
As Magistrate Liu poured tea, he glanced at Ji Ci stealthily and said through gritted teeth, "I never imagined that such a large Wangyou Tower would be completely burned down. I really don't know if it was a natural disaster or a man-made calamity."
Ji Ci took the teacup and sipped it gently, then shook his head and sighed, "What a pity! I wonder how County Magistrate Liu is investigating this matter."
County Magistrate Liu sighed deeply and shook his head, saying, "We haven't yet determined the exact cause of the fire. We only know it seems to have started in the kitchen on the fifth floor. I wonder if one of the cooks failed to oversee it properly. This makes me truly angry."
His eyes rolled as he continued, "By the way, I've made some progress on the business we discussed last time. I wonder when Young Master Ning's 40,000 taels of gold will be ready?"
Seeing that Magistrate Liu was restless, Ji Ci thought that the incident at Wangyou Tower must have caused him a lot of losses, and he was eager to get his money to fill the gap. But now that the fish had taken the bait, Ji Ci was no longer anxious.
He smiled softly, put down the teacup in his hand, and said, "Master Liu, in fact, when I came to Huaixi this time, I already brought 40,000 taels of gold with me. Now it's all stored in a courtyard in Huaixi. But... now I think about it, I can't think of any business that can make such huge profits as Master Liu said. If I don't get it clear, I will feel uneasy."
"The risk is so great, I'd rather go back to Jiangnan and look for other options."
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Liu coughed, accidentally spitting out some tea foam. He put the teacup down and immediately wiped his mouth and body with a handkerchief. He bit his lip and said, "Mr. Ning, you know that businesses that make huge profits often don't follow the right path. The new laws are so strict now. Although the emperor is far away, even small local officials like us are afraid of being reported."
Ji Ci lowered his eyes, smiled softly, and said, "I understand Lord Liu's heart, and I sympathize with him."
"Hey, hey." County Magistrate Liu smiled, thinking that he had convinced Ji Ci.
"Then let's just forget about this deal. I'll go back to Jiangnan and focus on my jewelry business."
Ji Ci was about to stand up when County Magistrate Liu froze. He quickly stood up and pulled him back to sit. How could he let go of such a huge mountain of gold?
County Magistrate Liu was anxious, so he stopped beating around the bush. Seeing Ji Ci sitting firmly, he lowered his voice and said, "Master Ning, let me tell you this. Our business is about plundering. We buy girls under the age of fourteen and sell them all over the country, including to Li State."
Ji Ci raised his eyebrows, smiled, and said, "So this is the kind of business you're in. As far as I know, looting is prohibited in the Great Jin. How come you've grown so big without any government interference?"
"Alas, Master Ning, you are still naive. Am I not a government official?"
County Magistrate Liu raised his teacup again and drank from it, then laughed heartily. He glanced at Ji Ci and saw that he was laughing too.
Now that things had come to this, County Magistrate Liu wasn't afraid to talk to him any further. The deal for today's pleasure boat trip had to be concluded; if it wasn't, Ning Jiu would have gone without a chance to return.
"Young Master Ning, you may not know this, but the official behind us is a lover of beauties, especially young girls. Generally, the goods we plunder will be sent to him for his approval. If he likes them, we'll keep them. At the same time, they'll learn a lesson, so even the more aggressive ones will become more obedient. When he gets tired of them, we'll sell them to various places, whether it's brothels, maids or concubines in wealthy families, or even in remote mountain villages to have children born."
"On this trip, we get at least sixty or so goods. If we can get two or three top-notch ones, we can make five times the profit. And they don't have to be under fourteen, either. Pretty girls are the most profitable among our goods."
If it was the concubine from Ning Jiu's family, although she was a little older, based on her appearance, I'm afraid the profit would be more than five times.
Ji Ci swirled the tea in his cup, feeling disgusted at the thought. However, he raised his eyes and laughed, “Five times? Then I’ll definitely take over this deal.”
"Great! I like people as generous as Mr. Ning!" County Magistrate Liu immediately raised his teacup to toast Ji Ci, "There's no wine in this pleasure boat, so I'll serve tea instead today. I wish us a happy cooperation!"
A powerless merchant, as long as he gets the money from this fool, he will no longer need him. Then he can snatch the concubine away, let the master enjoy it first, and then enjoy it himself.
After watching Ji Ci drink the tea, he clapped his hands, and saw a beautiful woman slowly walking out from the back of the pleasure boat. She was charming and enchanting, with a curvy figure, and she was really charming.
County Magistrate Liu asked the beauty to sit next to Ji Ci and said with a smile, "This is You Niang, the top prostitute of Wangyou Tower. Unfortunately, Wangyou Tower has burned down and You Niang has nowhere to go. This made me think of you, Young Master Ning. Although you already have a stunning beauty in your mansion, one more person won't be a problem. Young Master Ning, why don't you take You Niang in as your wife?"
After hearing this, You Niang immediately stood up and knelt, kowtowed three times, and looked at Ji Ci weakly while crying, "Master, please have mercy on me. I will serve you well in the future."
Ji Ci narrowed his eyes, feeling a pang of discomfort at the sight of the tearful beauty before him. He couldn't understand why the stingy guy could cry so pitifully and adorably, while this woman's sobs were so disgusting. But he also realized that this You Niang was the person sent by County Magistrate Liu and the person behind the scenes to monitor him. If he didn't accept You Niang today, he was afraid that this deal wouldn't be done.
Seeing this, Ji Ci smiled and nodded, saying, "How can one have too many beauties? My aunt will just make trouble for a few days at most. Please get up, Youniang. From now on, you will be a member of my courtyard. There is no need for so many rules."
You Niang replied "yes" with joy, and immediately stood up and sat back next to Ji Ci to peel grapes. Her skirt brushed against Ji Ci's arm, and he lowered his eyes, dodging secretly, and quietly moved a few inches to the side, unwilling to have any contact with this woman.
It was almost night when Ji Ci slowly brought You Niang back to the house. He saw Jiang Qiuye standing at the door from a distance. He tightened his horse's belly and sped up a few steps with him. When he arrived at the door, he dismounted.
"Why are you waiting at the door?"
As he said this, he immediately took off his cloak and put it on Jiang Qiuye.
Before Jiang Qiuye could even feel the warmth, she smelled the scent of powder on her clothes, which made her feel sick. She frowned and was about to ask when she saw You Tian coming up behind her, bringing You Niang slowly.
Jiang Qiuye glanced at Ji Ci with a questioning look, only to see him curl his lips and avoid her sight.
With Tian Qu's help, You Niang dismounted and stepped forward, only then seeing Jiang Qiuye's face. Her heart tightened. As the top prostitute at Wangyou Tower, she had prided herself on her unrivaled beauty. But seeing the "little aunt" mentioned by County Magistrate Liu, she realized how narrow-minded she had been.
"Who is this?" Jiang Qiuye asked Ji Ci with a pout, her face full of anger.
Ji Ci coughed and said, "This is Youniang. Wangyou Tower has been burned down. Youniang is very pitiful and has nowhere to go. From now on, she will be a member of my courtyard. Let's put her in the small courtyard next to ours tonight."
"I'm here to pay my respects to you, Aunt." You Niang took two steps forward and bowed slowly towards Jiang Qiuye.
Jiang Qiuye yelled, "What Youniang?! I won't agree! Ning Jiu, if you don't send this woman away, I'll hang myself tonight!"
After saying that, she ignored anyone's reaction and turned and ran towards the house.
Ji Ci smiled awkwardly at You Niang and said, "Ye'er has been spoiled by me, but don't worry, You Niang. She's just a woman. I'll go and comfort her. I'll have to bear with you in the empty room tonight."
You Niang felt resigned, but she also understood Ning Jiu. She simply laughed at the concubine in her heart. Men hated women interfering in their decisions. Right now, she was just relying on her beauty and a bit of novelty. If she continued to cry and make such a fuss over time, she would naturally be despised.
"Yes, Master, you have worked really hard tonight."
Ji Ci shook his head helplessly and said, "You Niang is really considerate."
After saying this, he nodded, turned around, and ran towards the courtyard to find his beautiful concubine who was about to hang herself.
And You Niang was led by Tian Qu to her own residence to rest.
The author has something to say:
Ji Ci calls Jiang Qiuye: little widow, stingy, little wife
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided me with nutrient solution between 2024-07-01 06:00:00 and 2024-07-03 06:00:00~
Thanks to the little angel who threw the grenade: Xiyue 1;
Thanks to the little angels who cast mines: Xiyue 1;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated the nutrient solution: Shao Yingying and Qiyu 30 bottles; Parking and Sitting in Love Fenglinwan and Villain 10 bottles;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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