Chapter 235: Unspoken Rules

Du Ruo was chatting and laughing happily with Madame Lin and the others.

The women gathered together, nothing more than chatting about food, clothing, gossip, complaints, and their husbands and children.

Even the mistresses of wealthy noble families are no exception.

Du Ruo actually doesn't much like such occasions; they're just social obligations with little genuine feeling. However, Jiang Li will surely climb higher someday, and once she reaches a certain height, lady-like diplomacy will be unavoidable.

So getting used to it in advance is also not a bad thing.

"Madame Du, you don't like the taste of this daughter-red wine?" Seeing Du Ruo only eating vegetables and not touching alcohol, Madame Lin asked concernedly.

Du Ruo shook her head. "No, it's because my constitution is special; I get drunk just from touching alcohol, so..."

Oh, I see, that's how it is.

Madame Lin suddenly understood, turned her head to order a servant to fetch some plum juice, when suddenly she heard an argument not far away.

She frowned, gave a glance to the maid beside her, "Go see."

The maid quickly returned, her face strange.

"Madam, General Shen says he's had too much to drink and wants to go into the small flower garden to look at the scenery and clear his head."

The noble ladies looked at each other.

Looking at the scenery and clearing his head is fine, but the problem is that this small flower garden has already been used to entertain female guests, and General Shen surely knows that.

Knowing that, he still insists on barging in—what is he trying to do?

Madame Lin hastily rose to block him, but after just a few steps she bumped straight into Shen Jing Bin.

Shen Jing Bin stood with his hands behind his back, arrogant, "You must be Madame Lin, right?"

Madame Lin's facial muscles twitched; she was very displeased.

This so-called benevolent and brave general is indeed as her father-in-law said—utterly lacking, knowing nothing of etiquette.

But who made his background so big? He's not only the nephew of the Prefect, but also a cousin of Prince Yu; today's farewell banquet was specially held for him, so it's not wise to offend him.

Madame Lin put on a smile, "General Shen, perhaps you took a wrong turn? How about this: I'll take you to the rear bamboo grove; the setting is tranquil, the scenery better, perfect for refreshing the mind—what do you think?"

Shen Jing Bin waved his hand, "No need, I, the General, don't like bamboo; I like flowers."

Saying that, he let his eyes wander wantonly into the pavilion.

The noble ladies in the pavilion all rose and bowed.

Du Ruo had no choice but to follow along with a bow, lest she be the only one sitting and too conspicuous.

But in her heart she couldn't help cursing.

"Damn it, what kind of crazy fit is this impotent man having? Instead of staying in the nice flower hall, why did he come here?"

"I hope he's blind, can't see me..."

Shen Jing Bin spotted Du Ruo at a glance.

Instantly he froze in place, his eyes unblinking, fixed on the voluptuous, stunning young woman before him, full of a breathtaking beauty that could not be concealed.

Seeking flowers is no exaggeration; she really is a top-notch great beauty!

Originally Shen Jing Bin just wanted to disgust Jiang Li, to let Jiang Li know the consequences of offending him; he had little interest in Du Ruo herself.

After all, judging by Du Ruo's former appearance, even if she washed away the pockmarks, she wouldn't be much better.

But now, just one glance, and Shen Jing Bin knew he had fallen.

He had fallen completely.

This woman isn't human; she's a spirit who has snatched away his soul...

"General Shen?" Seeing Shen Jing Bin's lecherous look, Madame Lin's heart jumped; she hurried forward to block his view, tugged at the corner of her mouth, "Since General Shen likes it here, we've almost finished eating anyway, so we won't disturb your scenery viewing."

She turned and called out, "Ladies, let's go feed the fish by the pond?"

The others also noticed something was up and quickly agreed.

Shen Jing Bin struggled to shift his gaze from Du Ruo's face, cleared his throat, and said, "All right, you go ahead first; Madame Du, stay behind—I, the General, have something I want to say to you."

Du Ruo: "..."

Exactly what she feared has come to pass.

She forced a smile, "General Shen, if you have business you should go see my husband; I'm just a proper woman and can't make decisions."

"Exactly, exactly." Madame Lin also chimed in, "Men's affairs are none of our business as women; General Shen, don't make things difficult for Madame Du."

Shen Jing Bin grew impatient, "This has nothing to do with Jiang Li; what's the point of telling him?"

Madame Lin grew increasingly uneasy.

Just as she was thinking of finding an excuse to take Du Ruo away together, a servant suddenly came running, panting, and shouted, "Madam, hurry and have a look—the Third Miss is fighting someone in the bamboo grove!"

Madame Lin's face changed drastically, "This wicked obstacle!"

She had warned early this morning not to fight, not to fight, yet it turned out this way; she doesn't know whose child is unlucky this time, but she must absolutely avoid injuring anyone.

Madame Lin stamped her foot, didn't bother with anything else, and took off running toward the bamboo grove.

The noble ladies glanced at each other and also followed.

Du Ruo had just lifted her foot when Shen Jing Bin darted forward to block her path, smiling with a thick-skinned face, "Madame Du, I, the General, truly have something very important to say to you."

Du Ruo stepped back two paces, putting distance between them, her heart full of disgust, "If you have something to say, just say it; if you have a fart, just let it out."

Shen Jing Bin: "..."

Spicy enough—he likes it.

"It's like this: my General's maternal grandmother, Old Lady Zhao, has suffered from an eye ailment for over twenty years; her condition is worsening and she may soon be unable to see anything. Madame Du, your medical skill is excellent; I would like to ask you to accompany me to Phoenix Yang Prefecture to treat her."

After a pause, he added, "Rest assured, the payment will certainly not be lacking; as long as there is improvement, I, the General, am willing to pay you a consultation fee of one hundred taels of silver."

One hundred taels—that's Jiang Li's annual salary!

The moment he saw Du Ruo's true appearance, Shen Jing Bin changed his mind.

As for merit and such, there will be plenty of opportunities later; worst case, I can have my mother beg my uncle again.

But if a beauty like the Du Clan cannot be made one's own, what's the point of his living?

So he must first lure the Du Clan to Fengyang Prefecture; then, when Jiang Li is far away, he can use money to win her over, unafraid that Du Ruo will not submit.

He had used this trick before, coaxing several beautiful women, who in the end willingly became his caged birds.

Shen Jing Bin thought it wonderful.

But Du Ruo's cold refusal came from beside his ear: 'Not going.'

Shen Jing Bin wondered, 'Why?'

Du Ruo said lightly, 'I'm not short of money.'

Having said that, she couldn't be bothered to waste more words on this self-important man, turned and left.

Shen Jing Bin panicked, thinking Du Ruo objected to the amount being too little, quickly raised the offer: 'Two hundred taels, two hundred taels enough?'

Du Ruo quickened her steps, turning a deaf ear.

Shen Jing Bin gritted his teeth, caught up to her again, blocked her path, and threatened: 'Du Niang Zi, do you think Jiang Li's merit this time is secured? Let me tell you, don't be naive—even if Lord Li and Lord Lin stand on Jiang Li's side, what does it matter? The final decision still lies in my maternal uncle's hands; do you think my uncle will help an outsider or his own nephew by blood?'

Du Ruo narrowed her eyes, 'What do you want to say?'

Shen Jing Bin moved closer to her, lowered his head to gaze at that stunning face, and coaxed her gently.

'I'm not an unreasonable person either; as long as… as long as Du Niang Zi you are willing to spend one night with me, just one night, I will yield this merit to Jiang Li—how about that?'

Du Ruo's hand clenched suddenly, her eyes turning cold.

Damn bastard, really not doing proper work, actually trying to pull those unspoken rules on her—*** disgusting.

If I don't beat you to a pulp today, I swear I won't keep the Du surname!

Du Ruo glanced around.

The servants of the Lin Manor were all busy, no one noticed this side; only Shen Jing Bin's servant Xun Hua stood a few dozen meters away, occasionally glancing over.

Seeing Du Ruo look over, Xun Hua immediately tactfully turned his back, so as not to make Du Ruo uncomfortable.

'How about it? Trading one night for one merit—surely a good deal for you?' Shen Jing Bin kept chattering, 'Rest assured, Jiang Li will never find out about this…'

Du Ruo raised her hand, a strange fragrance slipped into his nostrils.

Shen Jing Bin inhaled deeply twice, intoxicated; a beauty is a beauty, even her scent is so pleasant.

His tone grew more urgent: 'Du Niang Zi…'

Du Ruo gave a cold smile, 'Are you sick?'

Having said that, she lifted her skirt, turned, and ran off swiftly.

Shen Jing Bin was a bit dazed, wondering what 'are you sick' meant—was it an insult or a reminder?

Besides, he still hadn't clarified whether she agreed or not.

He was unwilling, wanting to catch up again to confirm, but the next moment he felt something was off with his body.