Chapter 76: The Pretense Becomes Real
The proprietress laughed at Xiaoyao Lang, "You're quite the ladies' man!"
The carefree and playful man retorted, "No way! I didn't sleep a wink last night, burning the midnight oil, just to wait for my beloved to share my dreams. But you? Cold and heartless, you were nowhere to be seen, leaving me waiting in vain!"
Hearing this, the proprietress walked over to his side and whispered, "You have two stunning beauties by your side, and you're still not satisfied? Be careful, or you'll get your clothes soaked with oil and burn yourself!"
As they drew close, Xiaoyao Lang felt a fragrant aroma fill his nostrils, accompanied by soft, delicate voices. He reached out his left hand to embrace her waist, and the proprietress lifted herself up, their lips meeting, their bodies pressed together.
The proprietress was pulled into his arms, and she immediately tensed up, her heart pounding. She tried to lean back, avoiding a kiss from Xiaoyao Lang. Xiaoyao Lang leaned in for a kiss, and the proprietress's heels slipped off the ground, causing her to fall against the railing.
Xiaoyao Lang did not let go, and at the same time, he leaned down and slowly pressed his lips to her red lips.
When the proprietress saw Xiaoyao Lang, with his rosy lips, fair and delicate face, and bright, gentle eyes, her breathing became even more rapid, her heart pounding, and without realizing it, she closed her eyes.
Seeing her eyes lightly closed, Xiaoyao Lang raised his horn and smiled. Just as he was about to look up, Yin Xiaosheng opened the door and came out. He was shocked to see the scene before him and could not bear to look at it!
Upon hearing the door open, the proprietress's eyes widened, and she slapped Xiaoyao Lang hard across the right cheek. She then pushed him away, stood up, and quickly left.
Xiaoyao Lang touched his right cheek, looking completely innocent. He thought to himself, "This is it. The charade has become real, and I'll have to apologize to them."
Yin Xiaosheng sneered, "Xiaoyao Lang, you're actually quite the ladies' man. It's a pity we all misjudged you."
Xiaoyao Lang hurriedly said, "Brother Yin, things aren't as you think..."
Yin Xiaosheng interrupted, saying, "You don't need to explain. I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false? Save your words for your junior sister! Perhaps she will spare your life!" After saying that, he turned and left.
Xiaoyao Lang, looking utterly shameless, said, "...What kind of mess is this!" As he spoke, he raised his hand and slapped himself across the face.
The landlady returned to her room, her back pressed against the door, her breathing gradually calming. She thought to herself, what had she been doing? She had almost made a terrible mistake. He was handsome and dashing, but so frivolous—how could she let him bewitch her!
The proprietress returned to her dressing table, tidied her hair, and gracefully adjusted her clothes. Just then, a knock sounded at the door!
The proprietress asked in a cold voice, "Who is it?"
Xiaoyao Lang declared boldly, "It's me!"
Upon hearing this, the proprietress put down her bamboo comb, looked at herself in the mirror, and felt conflicted, unable to make up her mind. If she paid attention to him, she would find his frivolousness repulsive; if she ignored him, she would be reluctant to do so.
She closed her eyes and pondered for a long time before finally getting up and leaving the room. Approaching the door, she asked in a cold voice, "What are you doing here? If you have something to say, find the shop assistant."
Xiaoyao Lang said softly, "Your Excellency is of noble birth and your beauty surpasses that of the four cities. You are also dignified in conduct, virtuous in character, and of high moral character and impeccable manners. I have offended you by being unworthy of your virtue and have offended you. Please forgive me."
Upon hearing this, the proprietress was momentarily bewildered. She didn't know whether Xiaoyao Lang was truly frivolous or just putting on an act!
Amidst her distracting thoughts, her heart softened. She opened the door and answered softly, "It's alright, it's all in the past, young master, please don't worry about it!"
Seeing her expressionless face, Xiaoyao Lang said softly, "I am very grateful for your forgiveness. May I come in and sit for a while?"
The proprietress was in a state of confusion and blurted out, "My husband is at home and is not feeling well. Please make yourself at home, sir." After saying that, she closed the door and leaned against the bedroom door.
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyao Lang looked puzzled and said leisurely, "You've misunderstood me!"
The proprietress thought for a moment before realizing her mistake and quickly said, "My husband isn't home. I opened the door to offer you a seat, which may have caused a misunderstanding. Please leave now!"
The carefree rogue replied, "Alright, then I'll take my leave."
After thinking for a moment, the proprietress said, "The Yanyang Tower across the street has many beautiful and charming girls, and endless fun. You should go and have a look!" She didn't know where the idea came from, but she wanted to know if Xiaoyao Lang was truly a man of pure heart and a gentleman.
Xiaoyao Lang heard this but said nothing, turned around and left. Outside the Qingyun Inn, he overheard a passerby say, "Today is the Dragon Boat Festival; the Yanyang Tower must be bustling with activity!"
"That's right! I heard that today, Jing San Niang will be performing a seductive dance and tossing a ball again!"
"Is this really true?! It only happens three times a year, I never expected it to be on the Dragon Boat Festival this time!"
"Let's hurry over there! Maybe we'll get lucky and catch the ball!"
Xiaoyao Lang heard the name Jing San Niang, and it sounded familiar. Upon closer inspection, he remembered that Xue Qingrou had mentioned her, saying that she had an unclear relationship with Liu Changjun.
Having made up his mind, he walked towards the Yanyang Tower diagonally opposite. Upon entering the tower, he was immediately struck by its novelty.
The building was incredibly spacious, with red ribbons hanging high. Atop the balustrade, a woman sat playing the zither. Downstairs, a dozen or so wooden tables were arranged, filled with worldly people drinking and flirting, exuding an air of romance.
Seeing this, Xiaoyao Lang hurriedly turned and left. The woman playing the zither stopped plucking the strings and leaped away as he departed.
Just then, cheers erupted. Xiaoyao Lang, hearing this, couldn't help but turn around to take another look.
A woman in red appeared gracefully atop the railing. She moved with light steps, leaping through the air before landing on the red ribbon.
Instantly, everyone sat up in surprise, cheers erupted from all sides, and everyone looked up and stared wide-eyed.
Looking at Xiaoyao Lang, he saw a woman dressed in a high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with long hair reaching her waist. She appeared to be around twenty-two or twenty-three years old. She was pretty and charming, with makeup that was both heavy and light. Her eyes were expressive, her breasts were full, and her figure was slender. She was extremely alluring.
After looking at him for a while, Xiaoyao realized that the woman was also looking at him, holding a red silk embroidered ball and smiling charmingly at him.
It is undeniable that men are lustful, and Xiaoyao Lang was no exception. When he saw a woman dancing seductively, he wanted to see the dazzling spectacle.
The woman, wielding a red ribbon, smiled broadly as she danced in the air, her alluring figure displaying her beauty. After a moment, she reclined on the red ribbon and softly said, "Next, I will toss down the embroidered ball. Whoever catches it will spend the night with me!" With that, she looked at Xiaoyao Lang.
At this moment, a cheer erupted from inside the building, as everyone stared at the embroidered ball in the woman's hand.
Xiaoyao Lang now understood that this woman was Jing San Niang, truly a beauty that could topple empires, whose charm flowed like the eastward stream, and whose beauty was unparalleled.
After Jing San Niang finished speaking, she stood up again and waved her hand. The embroidered ball in her hand was tied to a piece of silk and thrown in all directions. Then she picked it up and threw it back. She did this several times.
The crowd around them scrambled excitedly, grabbing, pouncing, and leaping to snatch the ball, but all to no avail. Some with a bit of skill even leaped into the air to grab it by force. But He Jing San Niang was also skilled; her ball-handling was like the wind, sweeping away opponents with ease. Within three or five moves, all the attackers were defeated.
Seeing that Xiaoyao Lang stood coldly to the side, neither competing nor fighting, Jing San Niang assumed that he was less skilled than others, so she repeatedly offered him the ball, but he remained unmoved. She then swung the ball again and observed the situation calmly.
Inside the Qingyun Inn, Murong Hanchan and Yu Linglong, having spent the night together, had gotten to know each other quite well. They chatted and laughed, their friendship blossoming. Just now, they were exchanging martial arts techniques and discussing them with each other.
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