Chapter 191: Why is A-Qing so distant today?

"..."

"Have you forgotten that lovely night you and I spent on the tower?"

Boom! As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caused a huge uproar.

Many subordinates who were in the middle of training raised their heads in unison and looked toward the main hall.

Even Huang Yutang, who was directing their training, wore a strange expression.

An Xiaoxi, Lin Susu, and others who were patrolling happened to pass by outside the hall. Hearing Ning Mu's voice, they could not help but stare in astonishment at Wei Youqing, who had turned to leave but now seemed as if she had been struck by a paralysis spell from that sentence.

To think that even Libationer Wei was involved with the Stronghold Master.

That's right.

An Xiaoxi suddenly remembered that night when she noticed someone flying toward the tower behind the warehouse under the moonlight, and finally, it was the Stronghold Master who spoke.

At the time, she had assumed it was one of the wives or the maids from the backyard.

Now it seemed it was this Libationer Wei, who came from the Academy and had tried to invite the Stronghold Master to join the Academy to no avail, only to end up falling for him!

An Xiaoxi and Lin Susu immediately stared at Wei Youqing with eyes full of gossip.

Damn it!

Wei Youqing's face instantly turned as red as blood.

Infinite shame and annoyance surged in her heart.

This guy, he was afraid the matter wouldn't be big enough! Muttering to herself, Wei Youqing immediately lowered her head, turned around, and walked quickly toward the main hall.

She was afraid that if she kept thinking about leaving, Ning Mu, who was on the second floor, might say something even more lewd in front of everyone in the stronghold!

If he were to reveal that she, a dignified Disciple of the Master and Academy Libationer, was secretly writing Erotic Storybooks, her lifelong reputation would be completely ruined in this guy's hands! Good news doesn't leave the house, but bad news travels a thousand miles.

Heaven knows if the news in this small Mountain Stronghold would spread to the Academy, to the ears of scholars and students across the world, or to the ears of the Master! "Yo, is this really true?"

"Our Stronghold Master is too amazing; even a beautiful lady from Jixia Academy couldn't escape him?"

"Jixia Academy, that is the Martial Arts Sacred Land of our Great Qi, leading countless Martial Dao sects in the world, yet its Libationer is infatuated with the Stronghold Master. The background of our Ningyang Stronghold is getting more and more impressive!"

"..."

As Wei Youqing ran into the hall, acting like a shy young woman whose secret had been exposed.

On the drill ground.

A clamor of discussion suddenly erupted.

And after Wei Youqing entered the hall.

Before the flush on her face had faded, she met Liuli, who was looking at her with a strange expression.

"Sister Zen Master~"

Wei Youqing lowered her head and called out with flickering eyes.

This form of address was very strange.

Zen Master is Zen Master, sister is sister.

What the hell is Sister Zen Master?

Liuli couldn't help but look strange, pursing her lips at her to signal her to go straight to the second floor.

"Thank you."

Wei Youqing said thanks with a complicated expression, then lowered her head and walked toward the second floor.

Watching her back, Liuli's gaze could not help but turn complex.

She wasn't very surprised, though.

Wasn't she, a dignified closing disciple of Zen Master Poluo of the Buddha Gate, also taken by her husband and infatuated with him?

A mere Disciple of the Master, what did that count for?

How could she escape her husband's clutches? After Wei Youqing's figure disappeared, Liuli withdrew her gaze and looked back at the System Interface that only she could see.

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host for completing Task Two: Electric Bead Remote Control. Reward: 5000 Cultivation Points, 500 Heroic Couple Points!】

Another 5000 Cultivation Points.

Immediately.

Liuli slightly furrowed her rippling brows, bit her thin lips, and added all 5000 Cultivation Points to her cultivation.

This improvement in cultivation and strength had made her somewhat addicted, unable to extricate herself.

It was so great! There was no need for hard training; she only needed to complete tasks to gain powerful cultivation.

And these tasks were all about pleasing her husband.

One might ask, who wouldn't love such a simple and effective way of cultivation?

Cultivation: Divine Origin Realm (115898/204800) + Looking at how she was only halfway away from crossing the Divine Origin Realm and entering the Saintly Realm, Liuli couldn't help but feel agitated, becoming even more eager to please her husband.

She would never admit that she wanted to use the tasks to gain her husband's affection.

It was a thirst for strength.

Just like at this moment, even though the Electric Bead was still operating at high speed, with electric currents occasionally sweeping through her entire body.

She still gritted her teeth and persisted.

Waiting for her husband's inspection at any time.

It was just to complete the task more perfectly, definitely not to please her husband.

Yes, that was it!

Liuli's face was beautiful and her eyes were peerlessly shimmering; she appeared to be sitting on the hall platform, but her heart had already flown to the second floor.

On the second floor.

Wei Youqing slowly took steps to ascend the stairs.

Her heart grew increasingly nervous.

However.

When she arrived at the second-floor balcony and turned to look toward the railing, her expression changed in shock, a rosy glow flickered in her eyes, and her pretty face was covered in a crimson flush.

*Clatter. *

The storybook she was clutching tightly in her hand fell to the ground, frightened out of her grip after seeing the scene before her.

"My... Young Master Ning."

Ning Mu turned back around, his eyes filled with deep meaning, and he looked at the nervous and shy Wei Youqing with a smile on his lips.

"You've come."

Ning Mu's tense body gradually relaxed.

Then, he turned around directly, a faint smile on his face, completely unconcerned, and walked toward Wei Youqing with a calm expression.

*Eek! * Watching Ning Mu continuously closing in.

Wei Youqing could not help but be startled.

Immediately, she hurriedly bent down, her expression filled with panic, and quickly picked up the storybook that had fallen to the ground, then hid it behind her back.

"I, I've come!"

Wei Youqing said with a flustered expression, her face red and ears burning.

Her pair of beautiful eyes flickered and darted about; she seemed not to know where to look!

It was too shameful!

How could this guy be like this! If it were in private, it would be fine; looking was just looking.

But right now.

On this balcony, it was one thing for this guy to be doing this in broad daylight.

But there was also Zhu Yaluan, who was leaning against the railing, panting incessantly, in a wretched state, looking as if she had been tortured all over, and covered in filth.

Although her eyes were rolled back and she seemed to be in a daze, drifting away.

She was, after all, a living person.

To be treated like this right in front of her, how could she remain calm? Wei Youqing could not help but step back a few paces, her expression full of resistance.

Clearly.

Even though she had just blossomed in love and was prepared to marry none but Ning Mu in this life, even if it meant entering the Ning household as a concubine.

She was, after all, a maiden who had never left her boudoir. She had not yet received much "instruction" from Ning Mu.

Therefore, she could not let go of her inhibitions.

Seeing Wei Youqing retreat, Ning Mu smiled and stopped where he stood.

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host, owner of Sub-system No. 2 Feng Xiangling has completed Task Two. Feedback for the Host's task reward: obtained 500 Cultivation Points! Feng Xiangling's Loyalty Value increased by 1%!】

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host, owner of Sub-system No. 2 Feng Xiangling's Loyalty Value toward you has reached 100% (Absolute Loyalty).】

【Notification:...】

The system skipped a series of notifications, all concerning Liuli Shitai; Ning Mu remained unmoved, his expression very calm.

This was within his expectations.

Looking at Wei Youqing's reserved and resistant appearance, Ning Mu raised his eyebrows, turned around, picked up a silk robe to drape over himself, and then looked at Zhu Yaluan.

"Stronghold Master Zhu, go back to the backyard and rest for a while first."

"I presume your son has already left the Mountain Stronghold to fetch reinforcements to seek revenge on this Stronghold Master?"

"That is fine; for the sake of the Madam, this Stronghold Master will give him one more chance. If he truly comes to seek revenge, then the Madam will have no reason to stop me. Of course, if he can be obedient, this Stronghold Master is not opposed to letting him live out his life in peace."

"He left carrying hatred; you and I cannot control it. Whether he lives or dies, everything is determined by Heaven."

Ning Mu looked down from above, gazing at Zhu Yaluan, who was gradually regaining her senses, and said indifferently.

At this very moment, Zhu Yaluan looked as wretched as one could possibly be.

Being wretched was secondary.

The main thing was the beauty and seductiveness she displayed, which made it impossible for anyone to look away after a single glance.

It was as if she were a woman from a pleasure house, no longer possessing even a shred of the aura belonging to a Stronghold Master.

Hearing Ning Mu's voice.

A trace of panic flashed in Zhu Yaluan's eyes, which were like rippling lake water.

She hurriedly wiped the corners of her mouth, then crawled to Ning Mu's feet and grabbed his leg, not even caring that she was stark naked and exposed right under Wei Youqing's gaze.

Her eyes filled with panic, and she begged hoarsely: "Don't, Ning Zhaozhu, I beg you, I beg you to spare Xiao'er!"

"This humble one swears on her life that Xiao'er will never harbor hatred toward the Stronghold Master!"

"Allow this humble one to send a letter; I will definitely pacify him, I beg you..."

Zhu Yaluan's voice was hoarse, as if she had become a different person, clutching Ning Mu's leg, begging bitterly, her tears streaming down.

Her throat was sore; every word she uttered felt like a blade scraping her throat.

But for the sake of her son's safety, she had to beg.

She found it hard to imagine.

That between a man and a woman, it could actually be like this.

It was just that, one time would likely require half a month of recovery to return to normal.

Seeing Zhu Yaluan's sorrowful expression, Ning Mu could not help but raise his eyebrows, sigh, and say: "With the Madam like this, what more can I say?"

"Go send your letter, but the contents must be submitted to the First Madam for review before it can be sent."

"Go down."

Ning Mu waved his hand and gave instructions.

"Thank you, thank you, Stronghold Master!"

Zhu Yaluan immediately kowtowed repeatedly, filled with gratitude.

Ning Mu reached out to help her up, then pinched her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze; looking into her delicate, shimmering, and hazy eyes, he curled his lips into a playful smirk and teased, "We've reached this point, and you're still so distant?"

"It seems your mouth just won't stay shut, will it?"

Ning Mu made a move as if to rise, intending to repeat the cycle and go again.

Zhu Yaluan's expression changed slightly at once.

Although she did not know why, deep down she felt a hidden anticipation for this humiliation.

But she still needed her voice! She immediately retreated subconsciously, kowtowed with a panicked look in her eyes, and changed her words: "Master, this slave knows she was wrong, this slave was wrong!"

"I don't like that form of address."

Ning Mu shook his head slowly.

Zhu Yaluan was stunned, and doubt inevitably arose in her heart.

She had called him Master, indicating she had sold herself into slavery, so why was he still displeased?

Could it be that Ning Zhaozhu wanted to hear her call him 'my lord'? But, as a person of lowly status and a prisoner, how could she use such a title?

Not to mention that she couldn't get past the hurdle of her late husband, even the three wives wouldn't agree to it, right?

After all, that was a title only the wives could use! She hesitated for a moment.

Suddenly, she thought of Yang Yanqiu and Ning Xiaoxiu, and her face flushed red, her gaze sheepish; finally, she gritted her teeth and spat out those two words that brought her such immense shame.

"This servant greets her master!"

Before the words had even faded, her forehead had already touched Ning Mu's feet.

"Go on down!"

A satisfied smile appeared on the corner of Ning Mu's mouth.

"Yes..."

Zhu Yaluan rasped, stood up, picked up her clothes, and after hurriedly putting them on to cover herself, she lowered her head, brushed past Wei Youqing, and rushed downstairs to the backyard to write a letter persuading Wu Yuxiao.

And after Zhu Yaluan had left.

On the terrace, the atmosphere was, for a moment, somewhat awkward and stifling.

Ning Mu walked directly to the edge of the central patio, beside a circular pillar.

He tugged on a thin string hanging from it.

Then, he picked up a trumpet-shaped object resting on the pillar and spoke into it: "Xiaoya, send up some cold snacks and iced melon and fruit."

Seeing this scene.

Wei Youqing couldn't help but blink her bewildered eyes.

Who was he talking to?

How could she know that this was a small-area intercom Ning Mu had researched using bamboo tubes.

A rope was tied to a bell, leading directly to the backyard.

After using the bell to notify the backyard to pay attention to answering the intercom, he would then use this speaking trumpet to tell the other party his needs.

Before long.

Liu Xiaoya carried a tray upstairs.

On the tray were two plates of cold snacks and a plate of already-cut iced melon and fruit, looking thoroughly refreshing.

Having been busy all afternoon, it would be a lie to say he wasn't tired.

Even with Cultivation Points in his body.

Ning Mu still liked to eat something to replenish his energy.

"Young Master~"

Liu Xiaoya greeted him affectionately and placed the tray on the table.

Then, she glanced at Wei Youqing with some surprise, a hint of joy flickering in her eyes, and giggled as she went downstairs.

This was the first time she had seen Libationer Wei come up to the second floor.

As the young master's personal concubine, she understood this better than anyone.

Any woman qualified to come up to this second floor was, almost certainly, one of the young master's intimate companions.

"Come over and have some?"

Ning Mu looked at Wei Youqing and extended an invitation.

Wei Youqing hesitated for a moment, then, with a blushing face, took small, dainty steps forward and sat down opposite Ning Mu.

"Why is A-Qing so distant today?"

Ning Mu picked up a piece of cold cake, leaned forward slightly, fed it to Wei Youqing's lips, and with a hint of expectation in his eyes, feigned sadness.

Wei Youqing's face was delicate and pretty; she parted her lips slightly and took a light bite of the cold cake.

Immediately, her eyes swirled with thick jealousy and shy anger as she glared at Ning Mu, snapping, "I am devoted to you in every way, yet you, right in front of me, treat another woman so... so degradingly, and you even blurted out what happened that night in front of everyone—how can you expect me not to feel flustered and stifled!"

(End of this chapter)