Chapter 1227

First Volume, Chapter 1227: Imperial Cousin, Robber Kin

The servant had never seen Gao Cheng react so fiercely—he didn't need to think to know these three women who suddenly arrived in Cao Yun County must possess an extraordinarily terrifying family background.

He dared not hesitate a moment and rushed off to notify the head of the Gao Family.

At the same time, the door of Xianglai Yizhan was already packed with onlookers; Liu Tao and Wang Li, accompanied by ten-plus servants, had completely blocked the entrance.

The crowd outside pointed and whispered at the door.

"Didn't I say so? Those three women are too showy—Imperial Selection of Maidens is near, and all virtuous women have hidden away; at this deadline, who dares to show their face and not invite the greed of wealthy gentry?"

"Ah, what can you do when someone won't listen to advice?"

"Now it's settled—they've caught Liu Tao and Wang Li's attention; they're unlikely to end well."

The common people sighed in dismay; though they genuinely pitied Liu Hongyan and the other two women, what could they do?

In Cao Yun County, it's better to offend the county magistrate than to offend these powerful households.

Who knows which Imperial Consort they have behind them?

Though the common people couldn't see what was happening inside the post station, they held no hope for Liu Hongyan and the other three women.

At the same moment, the atmosphere inside the post station was tense as drawn swords.

The shopkeeper had already hidden behind the counter, not daring to make a sound.

The three women sat in their chairs, watching Liu Tao and Wang Li with keen interest.

Liu Tao had met many noble ladies; there were far more lavish ones than these three, but once they arrived in Cao Yun County, even a Strong Dragon must coil up, and a Local Snake must lie down.

Liu Tao felt no fear whatsoever; instead, he grinned and began to tease.

"Brother Wang, it seems the servants weren't exaggerating—these three beauties truly possess beauty that can topple a nation."

"Three fairy-like women arrive at once; you and I take one each, and hand the rest over to the court—wouldn't that be perfect for everyone?"

Wang Li beside him wore a lewd grin.

"Hahaha, no wonder you're Brother Liu—you've arranged this perfectly."

Saying this, Wang Li pointed directly at Xie Yun'er: "I'll take this one; the other two are yours to choose, Brother Liu."

"Hehehe, Miss, you're lucky—being chosen by this Young Master means you'll enjoy endless wealth and honor for the rest of your life."

"Even if you can't become the principal wife, being a concubine is more than enough."

Facing Wang Li's lewdness, Xie Yun'er's gaze showed no ripple; her face retained its faint, elusive smile.

Clearly, these two beasts had spent years bullying men and oppressing women.

As Qin Feng's wife, Xie Yun'er naturally intended to help her husband eliminate these monsters plaguing the region.

She feigned weakness and smiled sweetly: "You're Young Master Wang, correct? I'm afraid that won't work—I'm a married woman."

Wang Li had never intended to grant Xie Yun'er any "status"; even the most beautiful woman eventually grows tiresome.

The difference is merely that a woman of this caliber can be toyed with a little longer.

Wang Li immediately teased: "No problem!"

"Even if you're a mother, I don't care—hahaha."

"Just come with me, and I'll give you a sum of money; kick out your pitiful husband and follow me—you'll live happily ever after, won't you?"

Liu Tao beside him gave Wang Li a thumbs-up.

He thought: No wonder he's Brother Wang—this speech was truly bold!

Although Shedynasty valued etiquette and tradition, it placed no great restrictions on women remarrying; not only common people, but even former emperors had taken widows as consorts.

As for the superstition that a widow brings misfortune to her husband—that's nonsense; the more widows, the more they prove their "hard fate."

As long as they could claim the beauty, Liu Tao and Wang Li didn't care if they turned her into a widow.

The Qiyang Commandery Princess sitting across couldn't help laughing softly.

"Hehe, this is the funniest joke I've ever heard in my life."

"I wonder who gave you the courage to tell Miss Xie to remarry?"

Miss Xie? Her surname is Xie?

In an instant, Liu Tao and Wang Li ran through every powerful household in the area—but couldn't recall any prominent family with the surname Xie.

They must be noblewomen from elsewhere; as the saying goes, a Strong Dragon doesn't overpower a Local Snake—even if they're golden phoenixes, they mean nothing in Cao Yun County.

Liu Tao finally caught the condescension hidden in the Qiyang Commandery Princess's words.

His face darkened instantly, and he snorted coldly: "I see you're asking for trouble."

"Daring to act high and mighty in Cao Yun County—you're truly clueless about death."

"Who gave me the courage? Let me open your eyes—have you ever heard of Imperial Consort Yi?"

"Hmph! Don't scare yourself to death—Imperial Consort Yi is my own aunt!"

The Qiyang Commandery Princess suddenly understood—no wonder Liu Tao dared act so brazenly; he had connections inside the Hou Gong.

She had indeed heard of this so-called Imperial Consort Yi, but since her rank was too low and she was always proper and extremely discreet, her impression was faint—she only knew such a person existed.

There were countless such Imperial Household members!

Liu Tao lifted his head proudly: "Now you're afraid, aren't you?"

"In Cao Yun County, if you throw a brick, nine out of ten people you hit are Imperial Relatives."

Saying this, Liu Tao pointed at Wang Li beside him: "Open your eyes and look well—this man's ancestors once produced an Imperial Consort!"

Wang Li stuck his chin high, assuming an air of superiority.

Unbeknownst to him, the Qiyang Commandery Princess was already sneering inwardly.

An ancestor who once produced an Imperial Consort? This man's ties to the imperial family were surely severed long ago.

These so-called powerful households were merely exploiting distant, negligible kinship to swindle and bully the Folk.

Liu Tao and Wang Li had declared their lineage, expecting to terrify the three women into trembling—but the outcome was unexpected.

The three women before him showed not the slightest change in their cold smirks.

Liu Tao couldn't help muttering to himself: "Strange, they aren't frightened?"

"Could these three women be from the Capital?"

"No… if they were truly daughters of high-ranking officials, they'd have a large escort."

"Besides… even if they were daughters of the Capital, what of it? Could their status be higher than an Imperial Consort?"

With his thoughts cleared, Liu Tao's last trace of caution vanished instantly.

As he walked toward the three women, he sneered mockingly: "Don't think I don't know your backgrounds."

"I'll say it plainly: no matter what background you have, it means nothing before me, Young Master."

"If you submit peacefully, you can avoid physical suffering. How about it?"

Liu Tao had had enough of their icy smirks; he waved his hand at once: "What are you waiting for? Take the three ladies back to the mansion!"