Chapter 115: Both Madams are in the Young Master's Room

Liu Qingmei sat with her legs crossed, her chin resting on her elbow, looking triumphantly at the unwilling Tong Yuyue and the composed, sitting rebellious disciple Ning Mu.

At this moment.

The benefits of having profound Cultivation Points were made manifest! Everyone in this room added together was no match for a single finger of hers.

As a dignified Grandmaster-level martial artist, how could she be easily manipulated by others? It was simply a matter of her being able to toy with them however she pleased.

"Hurry up, don't waste time!"

"Otherwise, it will be dawn soon."

Seeing Tong Yuyue indignant and unmoved, Liu Qingmei spoke again.

There was no real hatred between the two.

It was just that the atmosphere had been built up to this point, and Liu Qingmei was being overly overbearing—who told this stinky woman to dare drag her out from under the couch just now, making her lose face in front of her beloved disciple! Hmph.

Now you must also taste the feeling of being stared at by this lady.

"Can I not do it?"

"If you don't do it, should I do it? I am your elder sister, and his Master!"

"Stop talking nonsense, hurry!"

"Ugh~ Liu Qingmei, you just wait, one day, I, Tong Yuyue, will definitely make you just as lowly as you are today, being tormented by Ning-lang!"

Tong Yuyue gritted her teeth, ripples blooming in her beautiful eyes.

But her strength was insufficient.

She could only grit her teeth and make a harsh threat, then pick up...

——

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host for completing Task Three, Option One. Reward: 800 cultivation points, 80 Heroic Couple Points, and an additional reward of three Guiyuan Huanyang Pills.】

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host. The owner of the Number One Sub-System, Liu Qingmei, has completed Task Two. Feedback to the Host: 200 cultivation points and 5% of Liu Qingmei's Loyalty Value.】

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host. The owner of the Number One Sub-System, Liu Qingmei, has completed Task Three, Option One. Feedback to the Host: 100 cultivation points and 4% of Liu Qingmei's Loyalty Value.】

【Notification: Because Liu Qingmei still has unresolved attachments in her heart, her fate has not been liberated... Loyalty Value cannot continue to increase...】

Half the spring scenery fell upon her brows, half the spring scenery was imprinted upon her heart.

The sky was slightly bright.

On the horizon, a touch of fish-belly white tore through the sky.

It seemed to also tear through the soul of the infatuated woman before her.

"Ning-lang~"

Tong Yuyue knelt on the ground, calling out softly in a delicate voice.

"Little Yueyue, be good. This item is the most nutritious; eat it."

Liu Qingmei, sitting on the edge of the bed, frowned deeply, hating it in her heart.

Back then, this stinky brat had seduced her in exactly this way.

Yet she had actually believed his evil ways.

But she had to admit, it was indeed effective.

She felt that ever since she started using this to apply to her face, her skin had indeed become much more supple.

The sky was fully bright.

The maidservants began to wake up and busy themselves in the courtyard.

The small courtyard, which had been silent for the night, once again welcomed laughter and joy.

Until the sun was high in the sky.

Chunzhi carried a washbasin and towel and knocked on Ning Mu's door.

"Young Master, it's time to get up~"

Chunzhi called out in a delicate voice.

"Come in."

From inside came Ning Mu's lazy, sleepy voice.

Chunzhi was about to place the washbasin on the ground and push the door open to enter.

At this moment.

The door opened from the inside.

"Young Master..."

Chunzhi revealed a smile, about to offer a greeting.

But when she looked up, she realized.

Standing before her was not her respected Young Master.

It was the Second Madam! "Se, Second Madam?"

Seeing that the person opening the door was actually the Second Madam, Chunzhi was immediately shocked, her almond eyes filled with intense disbelief.

At this moment, Tong Yuyue had already changed into a new set of clothes, perfectly and vividly displaying the mature temperament of a woman newly wed.

Even Chunzhi couldn't help but have her eyes light up.

The Second Madam was already beautiful, glamorous, and poised.

How was it that seeing her today, she seemed to have become even more supple? "Hmm, come in. Your Young Master is still sleeping in."

Tong Yuyue's expression remained unchanged, and there was nothing amiss in her tone.

But her drifting gaze proved the panic in her heart at this moment.

However, she was not timid.

Since Ning-lang insisted on playing like this, she would naturally comply.

Anyway, First Madam Liu Qingmei is there to back things up! As for herself, the Second Madam, what does it matter?

Seeing her come out of Ning Mu's room, Chunzhi was already so surprised; if this little maid saw that Liu Qingmei was also in the room, what kind of expression would she have? Tong Yuyue hid a touch of strange anticipation in her heart, and after brushing past Chunzhi, she secretly looked back, listening carefully to the movements inside the room.

Chunzhi was incomparably shocked in her heart.

How could the Second Madam be in the young master's room!

Last night, shouldn't it have been Ning Xiaoxiu's turn to warm the bed!

It was changed to the Second Madam?

My heavens!

What kind of huge secret has she discovered!

The Second Madam actually...

The young master is too incredible! If this were known by those people in the Ye Family, wouldn't they peel the young master's skin off!

No, no.

She must never reveal this news; she should just act as if she saw nothing.

She can't even tell her sister!

Otherwise, the young master will be doomed!

Chunzhi's heart was thumping, and she gave herself a pep talk.

After a long while, having calmed her state of mind slightly, Chunzhi carried the water basin, lifted her feet, and stepped over the threshold.

But the next moment.

She was completely dumbfounded!

"Bang—clatter!"

"Splash~~"

The water basin in her hands fell to the ground, emitting a dull thud, followed by water splashing everywhere, soaking her hem.

What did she see? She saw that at this moment, in front of the vanity, Liu Qingmei was combing her hair by herself.

She was wearing a long dress that perfectly and vividly displayed her voluptuous figure, and she was nearly finished with her long hair, currently pinning it into a bun.

On her neck, that black leather accessory set off her long, swan-like neck even more perfectly.

With her back to the door, her figure could still be recognized at a glance.

No other woman's figure could be as voluptuous as the Madam's without appearing fat.

In private, they all hoped that they could also have a figure as perfect as the Madam's.

No!

Chunzhi finally reacted, standing there in shock and at a loss, just like a child who had done something wrong.

How could the First Madam be here!

What is going on today! It would be one thing for the Second Madam to come out of the young master's room, but the First Madam...

She is the legitimate wife openly married by the Head of the Family of the Ye Family!

No!

Even if the young master is amazing, it is impossible for him to have dragged both the First Madam and the Second Madam into the fish pond at the same time.

It must be that the two madams had something to discuss with the young master, and seeing that he was still lazing in bed, they just barged in...

It must be so! Chunzhi's heart instinctively thought of excuses for Liu Qingmei and reasons to exonerate Ning Mu.

"First... First Madam."

Since she had already witnessed it, it wouldn't be right not to greet her.

Having reacted, Chunzhi had no choice but to bite the bullet and pay her respects to Liu Qingmei.

"Mm, don't just stand there, come over and do my hair."

Liu Qingmei didn't even turn her head, her voice unusually calm, as if she were back in the Wenshui Residence, calling for Chunzhi and the others to step forward as casually as ever.

But the point is.

This isn't the Wenshui Residence!

This is the young master's room! Her gaze shifted.

At this moment, the young master was still on the couch, wrapped in a quilt, holding Ning Xiaoxiu and sleeping soundly!

How thick-skinned can one be!

Chunzhi called it absurd in her heart.

But she still hurried forward to respectfully pin up Liu Qingmei's hair.

"Chunzhi..."

"Madam, please rest assured, Chunzhi saw nothing!"

Liu Qingmei suddenly spoke.

But before she could continue, Chunzhi hurriedly stated her position, her tone unusually firm, her voice even laced with a slight tremor.

After saying this, she seemed still worried and quickly added: "It will all rot in my stomach; I won't say a single word to anyone, including Xia Chan!"

At this moment, Chunzhi was cautious and timid.

She was terrified that she had stumbled upon the First Madam's secret and incurred her displeasure.

Actually.

At this moment, Liu Qingmei was not feeling well either!

She, the dignified Manor Mistress of Cangjian Villa, a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and Ning Mu's master.

Had been "caught" by a servant.

Not to mention whether it would get out or not.

Merely the fact that a servant discovered her illicit affair with her disciple was enough to make her incredibly terrified and uneasy! Not to mention, she was already thirty-eight years old!

Her daughter was almost the same age as Ning Mu.

Yet she was still so shameless.

She wondered what Chunzhi must think of her! But for some reason.

Amidst the intense anxiety and fear, a strange feeling unconsciously rose from the bottom of her heart.

This sense of immorality actually brought an indescribable thrill lingering in her heart.

"Ahem... you misunderstood!"

Liu Qingmei gave a dry cough; although she persistently forced herself to appear calm, her face still flushed a faint, imperceptible red, and a flash of shyness flickered in her watery peach-blossom eyes. "Second Madam and I came over to discuss an important matter with Ning Mu, but this brat is still sleeping and won't get up!"

"I just happened to find that my hair wasn't pinned up properly, so I borrowed his vanity mirror here."

Liu Qingmei explained, feigning composure.

Regardless of whether Chunzhi believed it or not.

At least this excuse was enough for her to accept!

Besides, these days, she and Tong Yuyue had indeed often come to find Ning Mu to discuss matters.

It seemed as if she wanted to increase the credibility.

And it also felt like there was a hidden meaning in her words.

Pausing for a moment, Liu Qingmei spoke again, scolding in a delicate voice: "Hmph, this brat, one day I really should teach him a good lesson; he shouldn't play around too much!"

To Chunzhi's ears, there was nothing wrong with these words.

But to Ning Mu, who had already woken up and was still on the couch, these words sounded like they had a double meaning.

Heh.

This mature woman!

Still finding opportunities to trade barbs with him.

Since you've said as much, then wait and see how your disciple teaches you a lesson another day.

Ning Mu couldn't help but smirk, his hand subconsciously exerting force, which immediately caused Ning Xiaoxiu to frown slightly, though she dared not cry out in pain.

So that was it!

Chunzhi suddenly realized.

I knew it, this must be the truth of the matter.

I only have myself to blame; what kind of dirty and filthy things have been in my head lately, being corrupted by the Young Master!

Chunzhi was filled with chagrin, yet at the same time, she felt a bit relieved.

"This servant understands. It was this servant who overthought things and misunderstood the Madam and the Young Master. This servant deserves to die!"

Chunzhi hurriedly apologized.

"That's enough, go tell the brat to get up. Second Madam and I will wait in the courtyard."

Liu Qingmei waved her hand, not daring to look back.

Fortunately, Chunzhi was just a maid and dared not stare or examine her too directly; otherwise, she would have surely seen at a glance how unnatural the flush on Liu Qingmei's face and the evasiveness in her eyes were at this moment.

"Yes, Madam."

Liu Qingmei stood up and walked toward the door.

Upon reaching the doorway.

She suddenly turned back, looked at Chunzhi, who was tidying up the washbasin and towel, and said with a hidden meaning: "Chunzhi, I still prefer you all to call me Young Lady."

After saying this, she cast a glance at Ning Mu, who was sitting up, her eyes containing a trace of deep meaning that only the two of them could understand.

"Ah, alright, Young Lady!"

Chunzhi was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, but immediately nodded with a beaming smile.

The maids who had come over from the Liu Family actually preferred to address her as Young Lady; it seemed to make them feel closer.

She thought Liu Qingmei's intention was to make them feel closer.

Little did she know that Liu Qingmei's words were actually meant for Ning Mu.

Ning Mu's heart stirred, and he nodded at Liu Qingmei with a smile.

He knew that the meaning behind Liu Qingmei's words was to show him that although she was once the wife of Ye Bufan, now... she preferred to be the Young Lady of the Liu Family! In this way, she could approach him with a more appropriate identity.

It also highlighted from the side that the shackles and bonds in her heart were being broken and eliminated bit by bit.

Constant perseverance will eventually wear down the stone!

————

In the blink of an eye, two more days passed.

The Sacrificial Saint Festival activities had officially begun.

The entire city seemed to be shrouded in a strange, festive atmosphere.

A large number of government buildings were undergoing renovation or repairs.

People were coming and going on the streets, several times busier than usual.

Ning Mu also had Yu Linglong make arrangements to clear the vacant lot near the Qintang River at the Yichun Courtyard to build a courtyard and a six-story building.

The courtyard was for his own residence.

As for the six-story building, it would be the new landmark of Yonghang City and the new venue for the Yichun Courtyard.

Many wealthy households, under the pressure or enticement of the Prefect Pi Taiyu, also began to build courtyards, restaurants, and other structures, taking advantage of the low labor costs.

But even so.

The number of disaster victims was increasing daily, and things were still a bit stretched.

There were still a large number of disaster victims who could not rely on self-sufficiency to make a living.

This day.

Yingyue Terrace.

Jia-sized Courtyard.

In the hot spring pool.

Ning Mu, holding the Jin Family Sect Leader Jin Xiangyu—who had come to meet him in private and was already thoroughly satisfied—leaned against the rock layer at the edge of the pool and opened the system.

【Do you wish to issue the following task to the owner of the Number One Sub-System, Liu Qingmei?】

【Task Two: Have you often witnessed Tong Yuyue and your Xia Lu Ning Mu together, and felt unwilling to accept it? Yet you have never been able to overcome the inner demon in your own heart? Are you worried that by being so conservative, you will displease your Xia Lu Ning Mu? Then what are you waiting for? Take action!

Task Details: Choose an auspicious date and time, and perform a flower melody with your Xia Lu in the back courtyard! Task time limit: seven days.

Upon completing the task, reward the Host with 1000 Cultivation Points, 100 Heroic Couple Points, and reward one Decoration: Anklet Ring. If the task fails, one-tenth of the Host's Cultivation Points will be deducted!】

【Task Three: Put on the Explosive Modification Jumping Bead given by your Binding Companion Ning Mu, and accompany Ye Yin and Ning Mu to inspect the disaster situation. You must not take it off during this time, and you must not use your cultivation to forcibly dispel the sensation. Upon completing the task, reward 800 Cultivation Points, 80 Heroic Couple Points, and an additional small increase in Ye Yin's favorability toward Ning Mu. If the task fails, every time you carry the jumping bead hereafter, the tidal sensation will increase sharply, and it will be impossible to dispel it with the power of cultivation!】

After glancing at the task details, Ning Mu nodded with satisfaction and then issued them directly.

Next.

He turned his gaze to the task issuance panel of the Number Two Sub-System.

【Do you wish to issue the following task to the owner of the Number Two Sub-System, Liuli?】

【Task Two: In order to enhance the emotional foundation between you and your Xia Lu Ning Mu, the system now issues the following task: soak in the hot spring with your Xia Lu Ning Mu, scrub each other's backs, and at the same time, allow your Xia Lu to touch you in certain ways.

Task time limit: three days.

Upon completing the task, reward the Host with 0.5 Nine-Turn Divine Origin Pill Fragment. If the task fails, the five senses will be sealed for half an hour, and cultivation will regress by ten percent!】

【Task Three: Choose one of the following options!】

【Option One: In the hot spring pool, use various means to help Ning Mu relieve his fatigue, including but not limited to hands, mouth, breasts, etc... Everything depends on the Host's will. Upon completing the task, reward the Host with 2000 Cultivation Points, 200 Heroic Couple Points. If the task fails, cultivation will regress by thirty percent!】

【Option Two: Go to the southern mountains with your Binding Companion, ride the same mount, go out of the city to play, and herd the old driver. During the journey, a certain amount of intimate contact is required. Upon completing the task, reward the Host with 1000 Cultivation Points, 100 Heroic Couple Points. If the task fails, mobility will be lost for five hours!】

【Option Three: Wearing the Bodhi Jade Lotus Zen Robe, take your Binding Companion Ning Mu to worship Buddha in a temple near Yonghang City. You must maintain a pious Empty Gap State and walk hand-in-hand with Ning Mu. Upon completing the task, reward the Host with 800 Cultivation Points, 80 Heroic Couple Points. If the task fails, you will gradually lose your worship of the Buddha Lord!】

Come to think of it, Liuli seems to have disappeared again these past few days.

Looking at the task list, Ning Mu nodded with satisfaction, a triumphant smile crossing his lips, and issued them directly.

He was a little expectant: which one would Liuli choose?

"Young Master, what is making you so happy?"

Sensing that Ning Mu's mood seemed somewhat excited, the silent Jin Xiangyu raised a hint of curiosity in her beautiful eyes and whispered softly, asking inquisitively.

Ning Mu smiled frankly and pushed her directly into the water.

Then, he blocked her mouth.

Don't speak when you shouldn't be speaking!

……

And at the same time.

In an ancient temple southwest of Yonghang City.

Liuli was slowly ascending the bluestone steps leading into this thousand-year-old temple.

On both sides of the road were all kinds of exotic flowers and strange stones, clustered in blooms, decorated as if it were the ancestral court of the Buddha Lord.

This temple was named Jikong Temple.

It was one of the temples with the most flourishing incense and the widest fame in Yonghang Prefecture.

As Liuli stepped into the square outside the Daxiong Baodian.

Suddenly.

A group of bald monks wearing kasayas could be seen leading a group of young novices, quickly coming to greet her.

"I did not know that Divine Nun Ciyun had graced our humble temple with her presence. It brings light to our dwelling; we are deeply honored. We sincerely hope the Divine Nun will be magnanimous!"

The leader was the Abbot of Jikong Temple, Zen Master Hui'an.

As the only remaining closed-door Disciple of Puluo Zushi in the present age, Liuli's status within the Buddha Gate was naturally immense.

The Abbot greeting her in person was even underestimating her.

In ordinary times, if she had sent notice in advance, they would have had to open the mountain gates wide, not to mention purifying the path in advance; even believers would not have been allowed to climb the mountain to disturb her.

"The Abbot is a highly virtuous and respected monk within this Yonghang Prefecture. I wonder, regarding the current disaster, has the Abbot provided any relief?"

Standing imposingly in the Daxiong Square, Liuli did not even chant a Buddha name first, but went straight to the point, her tone containing questioning and a trace of anger.

This sentence immediately caused the expressions of Zen Master Hui'an and the others to change slightly.

Naturally, they had done nothing.

Not only did they not provide relief, but they had instead closed the mountain gates to prevent refugees from storming them.

Liuli's visit to call them to account made Zen Master Hui'an feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

"Goodness! Reporting to the Divine Nun, our temple's incense offerings are limited; we truly cannot provide relief." Zen Master Hui'an braced himself, chanted a Buddha name, and explained patiently.

However.

Liuli did not listen to his explanation and flicked her sleeves.

Suddenly.

The merit box not far away shattered into pieces, and immediately after, a large amount of gold, silver, copper coins, and other items were exposed to view.

"What a great excuse the Abbot has!"

"Since that is the case, I have come today to borrow your temple's precious grounds to reshape the golden body for my Buddha and rebuild the Buddha hall. The manpower required must not come from the temple; it must all be recruited from the disaster victims down the mountain. The Abbot shall reimburse me for all expenses!"

Liuli spoke forcefully.

The government offices, merchants, and wealthy families down the mountain were all engaging in large-scale construction, using Work-for-Relief.

Why was it that the Buddha Gate, which gathered so much incense money in this prosperous age, was keeping its mountain gates closed in a year of great disaster?

The Buddha Gate of pure cultivation is not a Sacred Land for committing evil! "Reverend Nun!"

"Is this action not inappropriate? Furthermore, my Jikong Temple does not belong to Bolu Ciyun Temple, and the Buddha Lord whom this poor monk and others worship is not the Bodhi Buddha that the Reverend Nun venerates. To speak such coercive words, is this not bullying people too far?"

Zen Master Hui'an's expression sank, and with a wave of his large hand, the monks immediately took up their stances.

It was as if they would take action against Divine Nun Ciyun at the slightest disagreement.

Liuli sneered, swept a glance over these fat-headed and big-eared monks, and flicked her sleeve, causing a surge of immense power to pour out instantly.

It knocked all the novice monks over, sending them flying backward.

"This poor nun is informing you all, not consulting with you!"

"Agree, and descend the mountain tomorrow to recruit!"

"Disagree, and within three days, Jikong Temple will be removed from the Buddha Hero Ranking forever!"

"My teacher is Bolu, so I ask the Abbot to grant this poor nun these three points of face. Amitabha~"

After chanting a Buddhist name, Liuli flew up, her figure disappearing from the eyes of the horrified monks.

Yet the lingering sound she left behind echoed for a long time over the Mahavira Plaza, slow to dissipate.

(End of this chapter)