Chapter 104: Whose Feet Are Under the Table? (Please Subscribe!)

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host for completing Task Two. Because the task execution tended toward perfection, you are rewarded with one Superior Kasaya Monk Robe: Bodhi Jade Lotus Zen Robe, 140 Heroic Couple Points, and an increase of 4 points to the Ning Mu Strategy Value!】

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host for completing the Task Two sub-quest. You are rewarded with an additional 0.5 Nine-Turn Divine Origin Pill Fragment and an additional increase of 7 points to the Ning Mu Strategy Value!】

As the system notification flashed by, Liuli blushed and finally let out a sigh of relief.

But the intense shame that followed immediately made her knit her brows tightly; she reached out with her slender, delicate hands and pressed down directly on the skirt that had been lifted by the wind.

Her legs were pulled slightly together.

From then on, the view was completely blocked.

And Ning Mu's dissatisfied voice, that little brat, also drifted over.

???

Liuli was completely bewildered.

Subconsciously, she lowered her head to look.

Seeing the position of her own delicate hands, she immediately realized what had happened; her face turned red with embarrassment, she couldn't help but spit softly, and then, with a kick of her toes, she flew away as if fleeing.

A child who cannot be taught!

Watching the figure gradually moving away, Ning Mu shook his head, his face full of regret.

【Notification: Liuli, the owner of the Number Two Sub-System, has completed Task Two and its sub-quest. Feedback to the Host: 150 Cultivation Points, and Liuli Loyalty Value increased by 4%!】

……

Time passed in a flash.

At dusk.

Ning Mu rode Old Driver and arrived at the main gate of the Ye Family residence.

After picking up Liu Qingmei and Tong Yuyue, one beast and two horses, each carrying its owner, headed toward the Drunken Immortal Pavilion in Yonghang City.

Tonight.

Liu Qingmei had invited the Yonghang City Prefect, Pi Taiyu, to dine at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Originally, she hadn't intended to bring Tong Yuyue along.

After all, she was only a concubine of the Ye Family; if she appeared at the table, others would only say the Ye Family had no one of status.

But thinking that this was, after all, a private invitation.

There were no other people.

Plus, she had a major matter that required relying on this Second Aunt.

【Task Three: With Second Aunt Tong Yuyue present, actively or passively engage in "illicit intimacy" with your Binding Companion Ning Mu, including but not limited to kissing, touching, etc.! Completing the task can yield a maximum reward of 800 Cultivation Points, 200 Heroic Couple Points, and 30,000 catties of superior Bran. Depending on the specific degree of task completion, there is a chance to obtain the "Current·Tide" title!】

Looking at her task list, Liu Qingmei, riding on the Snow Dapple, couldn't help but let her eyes shimmer as she swept a glance at Ning Mu, who was riding the exotic beast Old Driver in front.

This brat, he's getting a bargain! At the thought of what might happen once they arrived at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, her heart couldn't stop surging; waves of emotion rose one after another, layer upon layer, indescribably alluring.

Her face, under the evening afterglow, was illuminated a bright red by the sunset in the sky.

Radiant, and yet amorous.

"Little Ning Mu, listen to sister: you want that gambling den my brother has in the Qintang River area?"

On the other side, Second Aunt Tong Yuyue rode her horse alongside Ning Mu, her beautiful eyes flashing with a bit of curiosity, her tone filled with playful banter.

It was just a gambling den; as far as her father and brother's businesses went, it was only a very small part.

She had no foundation in the Ye Family; if she could use this to draw closer to Liu Qingmei and have Liu Qingmei take better care of her, this deal was absolutely worth it.

"Second Aunt, it's not 'wanting,' it's 'cooperating.'"

Ning Mu immediately corrected Tong Yuyue's phrasing.

Then, with a dark expression, he said: "Also, I'm not 'little' anymore. You adding that 'little' to the front of my name is so awkward!"

"Oh? Not little? Come, come, come, let Second Aunt see, just how big is little Ning Mu?"

Tong Yuyue immediately giggled, her pair of charming, alluring phoenix eyes squinting into lines, flashing with teasing intent.

She gave off an entirely vixen-like feeling.

"……"

Ning Mu was stunned.

This woman doesn't seem like a good person! Or has she been pent up for too long?

Hindered by Liu Qingmei's presence, he couldn't say much, so he could only feign embarrassment.

Liu Qingmei, however, frowned, wanting to reprimand her.

But then she thought, wasn't she happy to see this situation? Why stop it?

Thinking this, Liu Qingmei dismissed the urge to intervene, her eyes containing an indescribable meaning as she quietly watched the two of them clowning around.

Fortunately.

The Drunken Immortal Pavilion was not very far away.

In the time it took to talk, the three of them had already arrived.

On the third floor, in a luxurious and quiet private room.

"We arrived a little early, let's wait a while."

After sitting down, Liu Qingmei spoke.

"Alright, sister, drink some tea."

Tong Yuyue took the initiative to pick up the teapot, poured a cup of tea for Liu Qingmei and Ning Mu each, and then filled one for herself.

"Little Ning Mu, ordinary people don't get to drink my water, you know. You must learn to cherish it, understand?"

Tong Yuyue's beautiful eyes were like stars and moons as she looked at Ning Mu teasingly.

And just at this moment.

Suddenly.

Ning Mu felt a sway under the table, and immediately after, he felt a foot, soft as if boneless, slowly crawl up along his leg.

Huh? Ning Mu was startled.

He first glanced at Second Aunt Tong Yuyue, who had just sat down opposite him, and then his gaze shifted to look at Liu Qingmei, who was sitting in the main seat, already holding a teacup, sipping slowly, her red lips alluring as she savored the tea.

She looked as usual.

Tsk.

Ning Mu could not help but click his tongue in wonder.

This great woman, her acting skills have improved too quickly! She was actually pretending as if nothing had happened.

Yet the foot had already reached his thigh.

"Many thanks, Second Aunt."

Immediately.

Ning Mu responded to Second Aunt with a playful smile while reaching out his hand to grab the foot that was deliberately making trouble under the table.

"Is this how you give thanks?"

Tong Yuyue sat down, her brows and eyes filled with smiles, the corners of her mouth slightly curled into a charming arc, and a hint of deep meaning flickered in her beautiful eyes.

Ning Mu was stunned.

But just at this moment, a knock came from outside the door.

Liu Qingmei hurriedly stood up to welcome the guest.

"I, Ye Liushi, am deeply honored that the Prefect could grace us with his presence!"

After opening the door and seeing Prefect Pi Taiyu walk in, Liu Qingmei immediately cupped her hands in a salute.

Meanwhile, Ning Mu inside the room was dumbfounded.

His face was full of shock.

His gaze had originally followed Liu Qingmei toward the door, but the next moment he suddenly realized something was wrong. What was going on?

Liu Qingmei had already stood up and gone to the door.

Then whose was this mischievous foot under the table? Before Pi Taiyu entered, there were only three people in the room.

It was not Liu Qingmei.

Then it could only be...

Ning Mu subconsciously looked at Tong Yuyue opposite him, who had a flush on her face and charming, blossoming eyes, and was smilingly staring at him.

"Little one, is Second Aunt's foot soft?"

Tong Yuyue suddenly retracted her foot, and as she stood up, she quickly leaned over to whisper a sentence in Ning Mu's ear, then returned to her normal expression, looking as if nothing had happened, and followed obediently behind Liu Qingmei.

A second ago, she was still a bewitching enchantress 'ambushing' a junior under the table.

The next second, she transformed into the role of an obedient, pretty maid! Hiss...

Ning Mu could not help but feel slightly startled in his heart.

He thought of a possibility.

Was this Second Aunt trying to test him on purpose to compete for Liu Qingmei's favor? Thinking this, he also stood up to welcome the guest.

At this time.

Liu Qingmei had already begun introducing them to each other.

And just after the introductions were finished, before they had time to take their seats.

Another person arrived outside the door.

"Sorry, sorry, my wife had something urgent come up, I'm late."

He Daqian, with his potbelly, wiped his sweat and entered the room with an apologetic look.

But after entering, he could not help but be startled.

"Prefect?"

"President He?"

Pi Taiyu frowned slightly, turned his head to look at Liu Qingmei, and said with some displeasure in his tone: "Did you not say, Your Excellency, that this was just a private gathering? Why invite President He as well? Are there any others?"

Because it was a private gathering, he had dressed plainly on purpose, fearing he would be recognized.

Currently, both in the Imperial Court and the pugilistic world, a powerful vortex was surrounding Cangjian Villa, both openly and secretly.

The pugilistic forces were too large to be controlled.

The Imperial Court was already powerless to manage them.

This time, the Imperial Court intended to take advantage of the fact that Cangjian Villa was leaderless to consolidate power and secretly cooperate with those sects in the pugilistic world that had long-standing grudges with Cangjian Villa to completely eradicate it.

At a time like this, if it were discovered that he was meeting privately with the Manor Mistress of Cangjian Villa, it would have a very bad impact on him if it got out!

"No more, no more. President He was called by me. Prefect, please take the main seat. I specifically invited the two pillars of Yonghang here this time because I have an immature idea and suggestion that I would like to discuss with you two noble guests."

At this time.

Ning Mu hurriedly stepped forward.

He gave He Daqian a wink, then cleared the way to let Pi Taiyu take the main seat.

At this moment, he had no heart to dwell on whose foot that was under the table just now!

"Yes, yes, yes, let's listen for now. This young nephew does have some ideas. Prefect, please take your seat!"

He Daqian also hurriedly provided cover, half-pushing and half-pulling Pi Taiyu to the main seat.

Pi Taiyu's expression was very unpleasant.

But He Daqian controlled almost all the grain in Yonghang City and knew many of his secrets, and at present, this was the time he relied on him the most, so he had to give him this face.

"Speak if you have something to say; I still have official business to attend to."

After sitting down, Pi Taiyu went straight to the point.

Tong Yuyue cast a worried glance at Ning Mu, then picked up the teapot to serve tea.

Everyone took their seats in turn.

Ning Mu did not delay, saying directly: "Prefect, President He, if my guess is correct, the Imperial Court's disaster relief decree has not yet been issued, has it?"

"Or rather, has it already been issued, but it is not for disaster relief from the Imperial Court?"

He Daqian was startled, his eyes showing some surprise.

He had only just received this news himself; why did this kid Ning Mu know about it even earlier than he did?

The reason he was late was certainly not because his wife was too busy.

It was because he had taken the opportunity while Pi Taiyu left the prefectural office to go have a secret tryst with Yu Ji, and even found time to have a go with his first love.

Pi Taiyu could only offer a cold smile and did not respond.

Clearly, he wanted to see what Ning Mu would say next.

"The number of disaster victims now likely exceeds 150,000. Such a massive number of victims gathered outside Yonghang City all day is, in the end, not a sustainable situation. Relying solely on the major charity shops is difficult to sustain; disaster victims are dying every day, and I have even heard that those families who cannot receive thin porridge have begun to trade their children to eat, just to survive."

"If this continues, not to mention anything else, this scene will inevitably cause a shock to the economy of Yonghang Prefecture!"

"The greatest impact will be on the reputation of the local official; Prefect, am I right?"

Ning Mu looked at Pi Taiyu with a calm expression.

Pi Taiyu's gloomy face finally softened somewhat, his tightly furrowed brows knitting even closer, his eyes carrying a touch of helplessness.

Seeing Pi Taiyu's expression, Ning Mu knew he could continue.

"Relying solely on the local gentry is definitely not enough; even a Grain Merchant with such vast assets as President He cannot shoulder this responsibility alone!"

"The Imperial Court's relief is slow to arrive."

"If this triggers a large-scale rebellion by the disaster victims, then I fear, at the very least, Prefect, you would be charged with dereliction of duty..."

Pi Taiyu looked at Ning Mu, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

After a moment, he spoke slowly and asked: "What ideas do you have?"

Seeing that Pi Taiyu finally spoke, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

Especially Liu Qingmei and Tong Yuyue.

Tong Yuyue hurried over to serve tea, and Liu Qingmei also spoke at the right moment: "The Prefect is busy with ten thousand matters, having arrived in such a rush, please drink some tea to moisten your throat first, and we can talk slowly!"

While speaking, Liu Qingmei signaled to Tong Yuyue to go out and instruct the kitchen to prepare a meal.

Tong Yuyue took her leave and withdrew.

Liu Qingmei then turned her gaze toward Ning Mu, her eyes filled with encouragement.

Under the table.

A slender, delicate hand suddenly reached out.

Feeling Liu Qingmei gripping his hand tightly, Ning Mu smiled calmly and immediately said: "Prefect, President He, I suggest raising the grain price by another thirty percent or so; Coarse Grain at six qian per jin, Bran at two qian per jin, or even three qian would be fine. The price of polished rice does not matter; just keep it as it is."

"Absurd!"

"Shameless!"

*Slap! *

As Ning Mu's words fell, Pi Taiyu was instantly furious and slammed his palm directly onto the Eight Immortals table.

The tea set on the table trembled violently, and tea splashed out, soaking the tabletop.

Clearly.

This Prefect Pi Taiyu was not just a weak scholar, but a practitioner with Cultivation Points.

(End of chapter)