Chapter 281: The Stone‑Throwing Scheme to Seek a Way

On the other side of the Fang family residence in Yongjia Lane, right in front of the courtyard gate, Dugu Shisan Niang holds a torch, waiting for someone outside to knock, her pretty face twisted with conflicted expression, showing how unsettled she is inside.

The tall Fang Chongyong, like an iron tower, stands beside her, also waiting for someone outside to knock.

According to the daytime agreement, if someone calls at the gate at night and the caller is Dugu Li, then Fang Chongyong will directly return Dugu Shisan Niang.

Of course, if Dugu Li does not come and Dugu Shisan Niang spends the night in the Fang residence, that means she has been abandoned by her family, a matter of fate.

The young lady's other hand tightly grips the cuff of her red gauze skirt, her eyes fixed on the courtyard gate, while she bites her lip and stays silent.

There is someone outside, but no one knocks!

From inside the gate one can hear voices from outside, not very clear, but it is certain that many people are standing there.

After about the length of an incense stick, footsteps outside fade away, and the faint firelight leaking through the door crack dims as well.

Everything falls into silence! Dugu Li ultimately left with his men!

"Lord, the people outside have already left."

Fang Dafu climbed onto the wallhead, took a look, and said a sentence to Fang Chongyong.

"Da... da, I lost the bet. Wh-why, why did it turn out like this."

Dugu Shisan Niang stammered, her words full of grievance. The young lady seems born stutterer; in any case Fang Chongyong has never seen her speak smoothly, let alone utter a complete sentence.

In fact, if Dugu Shisan Niang had shouted just now, Dugu Li would have had a great chance of storming in with the Jinwu Guard.

But she still did not shout, only yearning for her family to come to "rescue" her.

And Dugu Li's departure means the family has tacitly approved Fang Chongyong's misdeeds; they will not break face over Dugu Shisan Niang.

"Life is like that; you'll get used to it over time."

Fang Chongyong let out a light sigh and said to Dugu Shisan Niang.

He thought it a pity inside; if Dugu Li had stormed in with his men, the commotion would have been larger! Now he hopes the Dugu family will cause a ruckus, preferably a harsh slap in the face.

But after the Dugu family suffers such disgrace, how could these people so easily soften?

It's not rare for the powerful to seize women, but when a prince's sister‑in‑law is taken by a border‑town general, how could the family stay silent?

Fang Chongyong feels the world is too crazy.

Or one could say the aristocratic strata that founded the Great Tang have already softened their spines!

After bringing the despondent Dugu Shisan Niang to the bedroom, Wang Yunxiu pulled Fang Chongyong aside and whispered beside him:

"What shall we do with this little lady? The Dugu family doesn't seem to be following Alang's plan.

Now it's either Dugu Li coming or Gao Lishi coming; we have to have one of them, right?"

Wang Yunxiu understands such indecency, but she didn't expect the Chang'an aristocracy's nerve to be so thick!

"Could we just send her back tomorrow?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a helpless expression, having abducted the beautiful, weaponless maiden and taken her home to... do it, which really disgusted him.

"If they don't come, this little lady will definitely have to serve as a concubine! Sending her back directly, where does Alang's face go? Haven't we heard of Gao Qian's past?"

"Once this is done there's no turning back; even killing this little lady wouldn't allow us to send her back."

Wang Yunxiu rolled her eyes and said. Though she felt very uncomfortable inside, her attitude and tone were resolutely firm: Dugu Shisan Niang could not be sent back under any circumstances.

"A thief doesn't leave empty‑handed; there's no logic in robbing and then returning the loot!"

"Since we're bandits now, let's drop the politeness; it only makes us a laughingstock!"

During the Northern Wei era, in Hebei, the eldest of the four Gao brothers, Gao Qian, sought to marry a Cui lady from Boliang, but she refused. On the day the Cui lady was to marry another, the Gao brothers led their many followers to seize her, and Gao Qian forcibly took the bride in the fields.

These people care nothing for propriety, righteousness, or shame!

This matter is similar to what Fang Chongyong is doing today.

Everyone is playing in the arena of power; either you don't seize women, or if you do, you must keep them—there's no such thing as taking in and spitting out, otherwise even dogs despise you.

Only then did Fang Chongyong realize: the Dugu family didn't send anyone by day because they weren't sure they could win. If they lost, there'd be no veil left at all!

"Then tonight is the bridal chamber?"

Fang Chongyong asked softly.

"It can only be this way; the house just gets another concubine.

I can't let outsiders gossip that Alang is inhumane, that he seized a beauty only to watch her?"

Moreover, even if we send this little lady back, even if Alang does nothing, how will outsiders view her? Would they think she remains chaste?

Such hesitation will only drive her to death.

Wang Yunxiu let out a long sigh, saying that the clearer one sees, the more displeased one feels, yet there's nothing that can be done.

The two muttered there, while Dugu Shisan Niang stood dumbfounded beside them, watching Fang Chongyong and his wife discuss with strange expressions, her heart pounding.

After consulting with Wang Yunxiu, Fang Chongyong took Dugu Shisan Niang to a side chamber. Seeing the little lady's embarrassed yet nervous expression, he pulled a letter from his chest and handed it to her to read.

【49】 "Read it first, then speak."

"Read it first, then speak."

Fang Chongyong sat opposite the desk with a calm face, beginning to scrutinize Dugu Shisan Niang's delicate little face.

I must say, under the lamp a beauty becomes more spirited the longer one looks. Fang Chongyong knew what would happen tonight; inside his heart a monkey seemed to itch.

"It—it's actually like this!"

Dugu Shisan Niang, after reading the letter, couldn't help but exclaim, showing an expression of disbelief.

The letter was written by King Ying to Fang Chongyong, stating that his wife, the Dugu family's Thirteenth Lady, admires him and wishes to come to Hexi Liangzhou to watch the long river sunset with him.

Sadly, Dugu Shisan Niang had no idea about this! Neither King Ying nor Dugu Li ever mentioned it.

If not for seeing this letter, she would still have been kept in the dark!

Actually, regarding matters between men and women, Dugu Shisan Niang isn't completely ignorant; she roughly knows how her family might arrange her.

The Dugu family originally planned to make the Thirteenth Lady half of her brother‑in‑law's wife, with sisters sharing one husband, serving King Ying. Because Dugu Li thought the Thirteenth Lady's mind was simple and she was a natural stutterer, she would likely be unable to marry properly as a noble's wife.

But they didn't expect King Ying's thoughts weren't even on the lower half; he thought more far‑reaching, originally intending to give the Thirteenth Lady as a "gift."

Perhaps in the future they could even play at sharing sister‑in‑law relationships or something.

In the aristocratic circle, you only get better at playing; there's no one who's the best!

"You see, on the surface today it looks like I'm forcibly taking a common girl, but in fact I'm saving you from walking over a thousand li."

"I didn't do anything wrong, right?"

Fang Chongyong couldn't help teasing, his skin as thick as a city wall.

Anyway, everyone is doing dirty, filthy deeds; he and King Ying are cut from the same cloth.

Only one is a brazen, open robbery, the other a stealthy delivery. In essence there's no difference.

Like a piece of cargo, Dugu Shisan Niang had no say from start to finish. Whether she was with anyone or not, no one ever asked her opinion or cared what she thought.

This is the trend of the times.

"I, I, am called, called Dugu Yao."

Dugu Shisan Niang—oh, should be Dugu Yao—said softly, lowering her head, lost in thought.

"If you want to go back, I'll leave the house now. Then tomorrow I'll let you go, and we will have no more ties after that."

Fang Chongyong's gaze was aggressive, as if it actually brushed Dugu Yao's fair, slender neck, and the smooth, fragrant shoulders and delicate collarbone that the red sheer skirt couldn't conceal.

Although he said he could let her go, his expression, demeanor, and gaze were an unmasked "I will completely possess you."

"Al‑already like this, going back, back, what, what does it mean?"

Dugu Yao stammered, taking ages before she managed a complete sentence. She lowered her head, cheeks burning like red clouds, heart drumming, her whole body trembling slightly.

Hearing that, Fang Chongyong rejoiced, grabbing Dugu Yao's shoulders and giving a passionate kiss. When they broke apart, Dugu Yao's breath was ragged, her starry eyes half‑closed, her seductive gaze like silk.

Though she said nothing, it seemed Dugu Yao was already ready.

Understanding the young lady's resolve, Fang Chongyong seized her waist, lifted her, walked straight to the bedside, and laid her on the bed.

Both parties went all out; when a flower blooms it must be plucked, so why bother with politeness?

Facing Fang Chongyong's intimate contact, Dugu Yao did not resist, turning her head away, not daring to look at the man about to "devour" her, allowing him inch by inch to strip away all her clothes.

Her family's weakness left her no way out. Since she had come this far, she shouldn't think of anything else—just go all out.

"Come, tonight indulge completely, be the Jiedushi's woman!"

Fang Chongyong blew out the candle, lay on the bed holding Dugu Yao, and whispered temptingly in her ear.

In the darkness Dugu Yao gave no reply, but responded with her pure body, raw and fervent.

……

"Spring sleep knows no dawn, everywhere one hears chirping birds.

At night the wind and rain sound, who knows how many flowers have fallen.

What a poem, truly a good poem!"

After a night of frenzy, the next day Fang Chongyong rose feeling refreshed and triumphant, so delighted he just wanted to sing loudly.

How to put it, King Ying's sister‑in‑law, that was truly wonderful, an endless tale of love like the clouds and rain of Mount Wu.

Fang Chongyong felt that now, in the art of "reading women", he was approaching Ji Ge's level.

"Ah, Ah Lang… last night, you, you were so wicked."

Dugu Yao also woke, sat up and clung to Fang Chongyong's arm, her face full of shyness.

Although Dugu Yao had dressed, the clear marks on her fair neck were not fully covered by clothing. Fang Chongyong thoughtfully wrapped a silk scarf around her, and the two couldn't help to nuzzle each other again.

From a girl to a woman overnight, Dugu Yao today looked delicate and radiant, exuding a feminine charm she hadn't had before.

Fang Chongyong was very satisfied last night, and she was also very satisfied.

However, at this moment Fang Chongyong had a deeper understanding of Great Tang's power dynamics; his mind was filled with political matters, not women.

Great Tang truly is a paradise for the aristocracy! As long as you have power and influence, any noble lady is like a luxury item on a supermarket shelf, manipulable for a small price!

You can even occasionally get a zero‑yuan purchase.

Within the mighty Great Tang system, as long as you stand at the top of the pyramid, you can easily indulge in decadent feasts and endless women.

Until you become weary and numb of such oppressive wealth.

Just like Ji Ge.

"Lord, someone from Xingqing Palace has arrived; the Sage has summoned you."

From outside the side chamber came Fang Dafu's voice.

"Your father probably went to the Sage to lodge a complaint."

Fang Chongyong, half‑smiling, looked at Dugu Yao and said.

"Then, then, what, what should we do? I, I…"

Dugu Yao stammered, nervously clutching Fang Chongyong's arm and not letting go.

Last night the two first made love, then heated water and bathed together in a tub. After the lovers' play in the water, they returned to the bed for the second half. Round after round, they were nonstop busy.

Dugu Yao's body is now limp and weak, unable to walk without Fang Chongyong supporting her. She now fully comprehends the feeling of a woman being completely possessed by a man—a mix of satisfaction and bittersweet loss.

If she were sent home now as if nothing had happened, how could she return, and how could she even get back?

"Don't worry, I'll go to Xingqing Palace first."

Fang Chongyong pinched Dugu Yao's nose, whistled as he stepped out, a flippant expression on his face.

Fang Dafu, seeing him like that, couldn't help praising, "Lord, you really know how to act."

"Just so‑so, no need to stay for a meal today; I still have to go to Dugu's house to ride the Flying Dragon face later."

Fang Chongyong shrugged it off and said.

"Lord, if Dugu Li gets angry and sends a group of servants to beat you, what then?"

"Should we also call General He and his men?"

Fang Dafu asked anxiously.

"If the Prime Minister is in a dream, then you are in a dream as well."

Fang Chongyong left those words with deep meaning, then stepped out of the house and headed toward the Xingqing Palace just across the wall.

……

Because he had been too reckless last night, Fang Chongyong's steps were a bit unsteady today. When he arrived at the study in Qinzhengwubenlou of Xingqing Palace and was summoned by Ji Ge, he saw the "old drunken dragon of the pleasure house" looking at him with a meaning‑laden gaze.

The slight upturn of his mouth seemed to carry a hint of mockery.

A middle‑aged man was still standing before Ji Ge; after seeing his features clearly, Fang Chongyong realized the man was Du Gu Li.

"Fang Guozhong, why did you come to Chang'an and immediately raid other households to abduct women?"

"Where is the dignity of a military governor!"

"I gave you command of the western frontier troops, not permission to come to Chang'an to bully men and women!"

"You scoundrel!"

Ji Ge launched a barrage of insults, making Du Gu Li beside him feel embarrassed.

"Your Majesty, as the saying goes, a demure lady is matched with a gentleman."

"I, your humble servant, was enchanted by Du Gu's thirteenth lady and wish to take her as a concubine."

"Then I simply carried her home."

"I am only eager for beauty; what is wrong with that?"

Fang Chongyong replied confidently, showing no shame at breaking into a house to abduct a young lady.

"Um, General Du Gu, technically you are also my in‑law. Your twelfth lady is Princess Ying, the consort of King Ying, so we are family."

"Since the thirteenth lady and Fang Guozhong are mutually enamored, I will act as matchmaker and make her Fang Guozhong's concubine. How do you feel about that?"

Ji Ge wildly twisted the argument, smiling as he asked Du Gu Li, having completely abandoned any impartial stance.

"Your Majesty, this… this is inappropriate, right?"

Du Gu Li was stunned; he never expected Ji Ge's earlier promise to "uphold justice" to turn into this.

Last night Du Gu Li dared not knock on the Fang residence's gate, fearing Fang Chongyong's overwhelming power; if his daughter failed to return, the Du Gu family would suffer further disgrace.

So early this morning he came to Xingqing Palace, hoping the Son of Heaven would intervene and restore his position.

Although his daughter is now like a dead dog that cannot be retrieved, he at least wants to give Fang Chongyong a taste of retribution, lest the Du Gu family's honor be lost.

"What's inappropriate about that? How about you come to my house later and ask the thirteenth lady if she wishes to return?"

Fang Chongyong brazenly retorted.

"You!"

Du Gu Li trembled with anger; if Ji Ge weren't present, he would have lunged at Fang Chongyong and beaten him.

"Enough, General Du Gu, you may return. I have issued an edict allowing Fang Guozhong to take a concubine; no one has died, so this matter ends here."

Ji Ge impatiently ordered the guests to leave, but did not tell Fang Chongyong to depart.

Du Gu Li glared at Fang Chongyong, then after bowing respectfully to Ji Ge, exited the imperial study of Qinzhengwubenlou. Once he left, Ji Ge, his face fierce, scolded:

"What are you doing! Pulling off such a botched act!"

"Replying, Your Majesty, I am also a man. If I cannot obtain a woman I like, what kind of hero am I?"

Fang Chongyong still answered shamelessly.

"Sigh, your words have some point, but you must mind the impact in the future; our Great Tang still upholds the law."

"Later send some gifts to the Du Gu household, and this incident will be put behind us; it shall not happen again!"

Ji Ge, with a stern face, admonished.

Fang Chongyong quickly crossed his hands in salute, saying, "I understand, I will go to the Du Gu house shortly to deliver the gifts."

Indeed, taking a concubine nowadays still requires procedure. Some concubines come from families of considerable standing, so one cannot be too careless.

"Hmph, at least you know your limits; fortunately you desire the Du Gu family's thirteenth lady. Had you set your sights on the twelfth lady (Princess Ying), I wouldn't know how to accommodate you!"

"My favor will never be repaid in your lifetime; you must serve me faithfully thereafter, understand?"

"I will devote myself to the Son of Heaven until death."

Fang Chongyong feigned a trembling demeanor, bowing without raising his head.

Seeing the timing was right, Ji Ge asked lightly, "Regarding the courier matter, how is your handover with the officials in charge of the task?"

"Replying, Your Majesty, it is progressing smoothly. It is slated for official launch on your birthday this year."

"However, by then I expect to be sweeping thousands of troops in the Western Regions for you, and unable to attend to this."

Fang Chongyong bowed modestly and said.

"Hmm, I sent you to Xingqing Palace today, and there is another matter."

"The military governor An Lushan of Pinglu has arrived at the eastern station of Chang'an, but has not entered the city."

"I plan, three days from now, to personally interrogate the assassination case of Pei Kuan at the Great Justice Hall. Then you will confront An Lushan and clarify all matters related to the case."

Ji Ge's expression remained indifferent, seeming unconcerned, implying Fang Chongyong was merely to play a part.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"Alright, go. When this case is concluded, you will ride swiftly back to Hexi to prepare for campaign."

"I have given you everything you need; do not disappoint me."

Ji Ge raised his hand, indicating that Fang Chongyong could leave.

After exiting Xingqing Palace, Fang Chongyong finally felt the heavy stone in his heart settle.

He employed a "throw a stone to ask the way" tactic, probing Ji Ge's limits; once he left Chang'an, he could act freely with his fists and methods.

(End of Chapter)