Chapter 77: The Wealthy Heiress Latches Onto Me

The setting sun dipped below the mountains.

After Luo Zijun finished his Medicine Bath, he felt the effects were remarkably miraculous.

The soreness throughout his body had vanished.

During the Medicine Bath just now, it had been exceptionally painful at first, and grew increasingly so, but once he endured it for half a quarter of an hour, it began to feel comfortable.

The pain throughout his body began to ease, and his whole body felt a tingling, comfortable sensation.

This continued until the end.

After it ended, he suddenly discovered that the soreness throughout his body was gone.

Even more miraculously, the fatigue throughout his body had also suddenly vanished completely; he felt light all over, exceptionally refreshed and invigorated.

It was truly worthy of the medicine that had cost him nearly ten taels of silver!

And these medicines were not even the best ones.

No wonder martial arts training requires a Medicine Bath; otherwise, training day after day, the body really couldn't withstand it.

Luo Zijun poured out the water, washed the tub, tidied up, and went into the room.

His master was lying on a rocking chair, dozing off.

Su Qingling was sitting behind the counter, trimming the nails on her slender fingers; seeing him arrive, she immediately picked up the Rolling Pin from under the counter.

She certainly hadn't forgotten to bring this thick Rolling Pin.

Luo Zijun rolled his eyes at her and said, "Senior Sister, rest assured, I'm not here to beat you. If I really wanted to beat you, I would just launch a surprise attack; you wouldn't even have time to grab your Rolling Pin."

Su Qingling still gripped the Rolling Pin in her hand tightly, her gaze watching him vigilantly.

Luo Zijun stared at her cold, beautiful face for a while longer, then took a Jade Hairpin from his sleeve and placed it on the counter: "Senior Sister, a gift for you."

He paused, then added: "Don't mind that it's cheap. I've been practicing martial arts lately and have to buy medicinal herbs, so I'm out of money; I could only afford one at this price."

Since this girl agreed to let him have his Medicine Bath here, he naturally had to show some appreciation.

Although this Jade Hairpin wasn't worth much, it's the thought that counts.

Su Qingling was stunned, her gaze staring blankly at him.

Luo Zijun said, "Put it on and try it."

Su Qingling, however, did not move, her beautiful eyes still watching him vigilantly.

"Tch, with Master here, would I dare hit you?"

Luo Zijun looked at the sky outside and waved his hand, saying, "I'm off, see you tomorrow."

After saying this, he went straight out the door and left with a light step.

The shop fell into silence.

A long time passed.

Only then did Su Qingling put down the Rolling Pin in her hand and look at the Jade Hairpin on the counter.

"Sigh..."

Su Dafang, who was lying on the rocking chair dozing off, suddenly let out a long sigh.

Su Qingling slowly picked up the Jade Hairpin from the counter, stared at it blankly for a while, then suddenly raised her head and looked at him: "Grandfather, go buy some medicinal herbs tomorrow."

"Hm? Medicinal herbs? What kind of medicinal herbs?"

Su Dafang opened his eyes, his face full of confusion.

Suddenly, he widened his eyes and jumped up from the rocking chair: "You... you girl! Don't tell me..."

A moment later.

A shrill wail suddenly erupted in the shop: "My little ancestor, my last bit of coffin money, oh oh oh..."

"Swish!"

In the backyard, Luo Zijun was practicing his punches.

His sister was cooking in the kitchen.

His brother-in-law had not yet returned.

So, taking advantage of this time, he decided to practice the Kaishan Fist for a while longer.

After the Medicine Bath, his body had recovered.

And practicing at this time should yield even better results.

The medicine that had entered his skin continued to temper his body as he practiced his punches, feeling hot and tingling.

It felt very marvelous.

In his Dantian Sea, that Inner Strength Seed which had originally grown to the size of a broad bean had now shrunk back to the size of a mung bean.

Clearly, the energy within it had all been consumed by his body.

In this way, the process of Skin Refining would be even faster.

His brother-in-law returned very late, eating while talking about trivial matters at the yamen.

He never mentioned anything regarding various cases.

Even when Luo Zijun and his sister asked, he would answer very perfunctorily.

Firstly, it needed to be kept confidential, and secondly, he was afraid they would worry.

"That escaped criminal hasn't been found yet, but portraits have been posted everywhere, and now they are searching house to house; there are also people checking at the city gates, so he won't be able to hide for long."

"He shouldn't dare to come out during the day, and as for the night, I'm at home, so he certainly won't come to throw himself into the net, so you don't need to worry."

Although he said this, Luo Jiaorong remained filled with anxiety.

"Zijun, why don't you just stay home and study for these few days, and don't go out?"

Luo Jiaorong said worriedly.

Luo Zijun comforted her: "Sister, it's fine. When I go out during the day, I am always in crowded places, and that criminal couldn't possibly go to the Academy."

He suddenly asked again: "By the way, brother-in-law, is that criminal a Martial Artist?"

Li Zhengshan nodded and said: "He is a Martial Artist, his cultivation should be at the Martial Artist Second Realm, and he was injured while escaping."

Luo Zijun felt relieved.

If it is only the Martial Artist Second Realm and he is injured, it shouldn't be much of a problem.

"Sister, when you go out to do things during the day, take Xiaohuan with you."

Luo Zijun said suddenly.

Luo Jiaorong looked at him and nodded: "I know."

Xiaohuan stood to the side, looking at her Young Master, her heart feeling warm.

After the meal.

Luo Zijun returned to his room, instructed Xiaohuan to grind the ink, and continued writing his book.

Now he was truly out of money.

As for the money with his sister, he certainly could not touch it.

Therefore, he had to earn money quickly.

And then continue practicing martial arts.

His brother-in-law's job was indeed very dangerous, whether for himself or for his family.

Also, his father and mother were murdered back then.

Although his sister tried her best to hide it, judging from his brother-in-law's expression that day, the murderer had not been brought to justice and might even still be in Lin'an City.

With his brother-in-law's status and strength, he was actually unable to do anything to the other party and had even endured humiliation for so many years. Clearly, the other party's strength or status was now extraordinary.

Therefore, he must practice martial arts as soon as possible and become strong to prevent all kinds of dangers.

When one is weak, the other party might not even spare a glance.

But when you start to slowly become strong, the other party will start to have misgivings, and then, they might take action.

He had now passed the exam to become a scholar and had been exceptionally admitted to the West Lake Academy.

He had already begun to stand out.

If the other party knew, would they let him continue to develop?

If it were him, he certainly wouldn't feel at ease.

After all, it was the grudge of killing his father and mother; who could truly forget that?

"Sigh..."

He couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart.

He had thought that coming here, he only needed to focus on completing his mission, but he hadn't expected it to involve so many things.

And he couldn't just ignore these things.

Even if his heart were colder, even if he didn't take the people and events here seriously, the love his sister and brother-in-law had for him was not fake; he could clearly feel it and touch it.

So, how could he turn a blind eye and ignore it?

He had once lost these things and no longer held any hope for them, but now they had appeared again so vividly, so how could he remain indifferent?

"Young Master, you... what's wrong?"

Xiaohuan was grinding the ink and saw that his mood seemed a bit off.

Luo Zijun came back to his senses, continued to lower his head to write, and said: "It's nothing."

The story was very simple.

It was the same formula as "The Overbearing CEO Falls in Love with Me," except that the "overbearing CEO" was replaced by a rich Young Lady, and the protagonist was replaced by a man; for those scholars who were full of various fantasies all day, this was absolutely a very satisfying story.

As for female readers, they probably also wanted to see how this silly author and the protagonist were indulging in their fantasies.

After this book, "The Rich Heiress Relies on Me," was finished, he would write another one, "The Rich Young Master Relies on Me," with the protagonist becoming a woman.

In that case, those female readers who loved to fantasize all day would probably also be captivated.

It was tacky, but as long as it could sell for money, it was fine.

For the sake of practicing martial arts, he was now willing to sell himself.

Before the third watch, he finally finished writing.

The master and servant extinguished the lamp and went to bed.

Outside the window, a silver moon hung on the treetops, silently watching this cold Human Realm.

Luo Zijun felt no sleepiness.

The Young Maid crawled over from the quilt again, lay on his chest, pressed her smooth little face against his neck, and murmured: "Young Master, if in the future you are really taken a fancy to by a rich Young Lady, I will go with you to serve her, okay? I don't want to be separated from Young Master..."

Luo Zijun stroked her soft hair and said: "Don't worry, wherever I go in the future, I will take you with me. If that day really comes, you won't need to serve her; we'll just let her serve us."

"Ah? How could a rich Young Lady serve us?"

"Why wouldn't she? Your Young Master will naturally tame her until she is obedient and willing."

"Oh, then how will Young Master tame her?"

"It's a secret."

"Young Master, that... can you tame me until I am obedient first?"

"Aren't you already obedient now?"

"No... Young Master hasn't tamed me yet."

"How do you want to be tamed?"

"Young Master... Young Master... Young Master, do you know how to ride a horse? In that book the Madam gave me, a man and a woman..."

"Snore... snore..."

"Young Master?"

"Snore... snore..."

"Ugh..."

The Young Maid pouted, sulked for a moment, then suddenly opened her small mouth and planted a hickey on his neck.

Seeing he was still "snoring," she planted another one on his chest.

Then, she planted another one on his stomach.

Afterward, she prepared to move further down...

"Ah..."

Before she could continue, Luo Zijun kicked her to the other side with one foot.

"Sleep!"

To keep her from moving around, Luo Zijun grabbed her small feet.

The next day.

Luo Zijun took his manuscript and went to the Academy first.

After class ended.

He immediately left the Academy, found a random bookstore on the street, and walked inside.

As soon as he entered, the shopkeeper immediately picked up a large blade from under the counter, looked at him with a face full of vigilance, and barked: "What are you doing?"

Luo Zijun, with his face covered, hurriedly took his manuscript out from his sleeve and said: "Shopkeeper, don't misunderstand, I'm here to sell a manuscript."

"Sell a manuscript?"

The shopkeeper was stunned upon hearing this, took another look at the black cloth on his face, and said coldly: "Why are you covering your face if you're selling a manuscript?"

Luo Zijun said: "My face was scalded, I have no face to show others."

Only then did the shopkeeper put down the blade in his hand, took the manuscript from him, glanced at it, and asked: "Who wrote this?"

"I wrote it."

Luo Zijun said.

"《The Rich Heiress Relies on Me》?"

The shopkeeper glanced at the book title and immediately returned the manuscript to him, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt: "Don't want it." This kid, "The Rich Heiress Relies on Me," has he been daydreaming too much? No wonder he has to cover his face; does he know shame himself?

Luo Zijun hurriedly said: "Shopkeeper, please finish reading it before deciding."

The shopkeeper shoved the manuscript directly back to him and said: "Not reading it."

Just as Luo Zijun was about to speak, the shopkeeper said directly: "What is your name? Have you written books before? Are you famous? Does the book you wrote have sales? Is there any well-known scholar or noble person to introduce you?"

Luo Zijun: "..."

"Go."

Seeing that he couldn't answer, the shopkeeper waved his hand to drive him away.

Luo Zijun was helpless and had to leave.

After thinking about it, he went to look for a second bookstore.

The result was the same.

"Have you written books before? Do you have sales? Is your reputation great? Is there any scholar or noble person recommending you?"

!

He had no choice but to go to a third, then a fourth.

The replies he received were all the same; people wouldn't even glance at his manuscript.

After running to a few more, he had to give up.

It seems that without a reputation, it is impossible to sell a book.

Unless you have a known channel.

Bearing the noon sun, he stood blankly on the street for a while, then sighed and walked toward Tianxian Pavilion.

Forget it, I'll just go find that Liu.

Being a laughingstock is fine, as long as it can be sold for money.

He is so short on money now that he even wants to sell himself; what does a little bit of face matter?

He did not enter through the main gate.

He turned into the small alley next to it and knocked on the back door.

A woman's voice immediately sounded from inside: "Who is it? If you are a guest, please go to the front door."

Luo Zijun said: "I am looking for Bi'er."

"Looking for Bi'er?"

The woman was stunned for a moment: "Which Bi'er?"

Luo Zijun said: "Liu Chujian, the Young Maid beside Liu; she said that if I come here in the future, I can enter through the back door."

The woman immediately asked: "What is the Young Master's name?"

"Luo Zijun."

As soon as Luo Zijun finished answering, the woman let out an "Oh my," and hurriedly came over to open the door.

"Young Master Luo, so it's you!"

Standing inside the door was a woman wearing a thin gauze dress, with charming eyes, a slender waist, and dressed in a flashy, gaudy manner; it was actually that girl named Mei'er.

He remembered that she was Wang Dafu's dream lover.

Back on the Flower Boat, both Wang Dafu and Su Bie had voted for her.

Luo Zijun took a glance; indeed, she had a slender waist and a perky bottom, with exposed shoulders and navel, quite alluring, but the heavy makeup on her face and the strong scent on her body made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Young Master Luo, I am Mei'er. Do you still remember me?"

In truth, the two had no real connection; they had perhaps only glanced at each other once on the Flower Boat.

At the time, she had perhaps felt his attire was nothing special and had not even come to solicit his vote, but now she likely knew he was the author of that poem "Life is Like First Sight," so she was being exceptionally enthusiastic, her soft, delicate body pressed directly against him, as if she wished to sink into him.

"Naturally, I remember. Miss Mei'er's dance on the Flower Boat was enchanting and full of charm."

Luo Zijun replied with a perfunctory remark.

Mei'er, however, said gloomily, "No matter how enchanting, Young Master Luo still ignored me and turned around to write a peerless poem for Miss Liu."

Luo Zijun had serious business to attend to, so he hurriedly said, "Miss Mei'er, I have other matters to attend to today..."

"What business could you have coming here? Isn't it just to see Miss Liu? Hmph."

Mei'er hugged his arm tightly, pulled him into the house, then went up to the second floor and dragged him straight into her room, saying with a charming face, "Young Master, go play in my room for a while first. Miss Liu might still be sleeping. It won't be too late to go over after you've finished playing with me."

She then pressed her chest against his, rubbing it back and forth, her eyes brimming with flirtatious charm, and said in a sweet, delicate voice, "Young Master, Mei'er has nothing to do today. Just come into Mei'er's room. Mei'er won't charge you; you can do whatever you like with me, okay?"

Luo Zijun thought about it seriously and said, "Since Miss Mei'er is so warmly inviting, then... how about this, Miss Mei'er, you go to the room and wait first. Later, after I finish my business, I will come to find you immediately."

Mei'er pouted her little lips and said, "How long will Young Master need?"

Luo Zijun said, "Just a moment."

"Really?"

"A gentleman's word is as good as a team of four horses!"

Seeing that he did not seem to be joking, Mei'er beamed with joy and let go of him, "Then I will go to the room and wait for you, Young Master. You must be quick, okay?"

"Um, that, Miss Mei'er, remember to put on a bodice."

This young lady was empty underneath right now.

Mei'er let out a coquettish laugh, twisted her body to rub against him again, and blinked her eyes, "Does Young Master like to undress me yourself?"

"Yes, it gives a sense of accomplishment."

"Hee hee, this servant will go put one on now. By the way, what color does Young Master like?"

"Red, I suppose."

"Alright! Young Master, you must come quickly!"

Mei'er suddenly stood on her tiptoes, kissed his cheek, and then left happily.

"So many enchantresses."

Luo Zijun touched his cheek and turned to go up to the third floor.

Just as he went up, he saw Bi'er with a cold little face staring at him from the top of the stairs. Seeing him look over, she let out a "hmph" and turned to walk away.

"Bi'er, is Miss Liu asleep?"

Luo Zijun followed behind and asked.

Bi'er ignored him and walked quickly down the corridor, looking quite sulky.

Clearly, she had seen something just now.

"Miss, he is here."

Bi'er entered the room and said in a very unpleasant tone.

Liu Chujian asked in confusion, "Bi'er, what's wrong?"

Before Bi'er could answer, Luo Zijun had already arrived at the door and bowed, saying, "Miss Liu, I am disturbing you again."

Liu Chujian was wearing a pink long dress embroidered with peonies; she hurriedly lowered her head and bowed, "Young Master Luo, please come in. There is no need to be so polite with me."

Their eyes met, and Liu Chujian's cheeks flushed slightly.

Clearly, she remembered her "impulsive" act from that day.

After the incident that day, she felt a bit ashamed and a bit regretful, fearing that the other party would feel burdened and would not dare to come see her again in the future.

After all, men all care about their face; being given money by a woman would likely damage his dignity.

Furthermore, she was afraid he would think she had some designs on him, and then he would look down on her and reject her...

So for these past two days, she had been overthinking and regretting.

Seeing him arrive today, her heart finally relaxed.

She couldn't help but speak first, "Young Master Luo, regarding what happened that day, I did not mean anything else by it. I hope you will not take it to heart, and even more so, do not have any misunderstandings. I... I was just presumptuous, treating you as a friend, and that is why..."

"Miss Liu, I have come to borrow money today."

Luo Zijun said straightforwardly.

"Ah?"

Liu Chujian opened her mouth, stood there blankly, and for a moment, did not react.

Luo Zijun took out his manuscript and handed it to her, "I am in urgent need of money right now; yesterday's money is all spent. This is a newly written manuscript. I went to many bookstores today, but they wouldn't accept it. Can you help me sell it? It doesn't matter if it's cheaper."

Liu Chujian finally came to her senses, hurriedly took the manuscript, and looked at him, "How much money does Young Master need?"

"Miss..."

Bi'er, who was to the side, hurriedly tried to stop her.

Luo Zijun said, "Naturally, the more the better. Miss Liu can take this manuscript and ask around to see how much it can sell for. Also, the previous manuscript can be sold as well. To tell you the truth, I only have a few coins left on me."

Liu Chujian was silent for a moment, then turned and walked into the inner room.

Bi'er's eyes turned red with grievance.

After a moment.

Liu Chujian brought out a money bag, held it with both hands, handed it to him, and said softly, "There are one hundred and sixty taels of silver inside. Young Master, you can take it and use it first."

Luo Zijun hesitated for a moment, took it in his hand, looked at her, and said, "If that manuscript sells for money, you can just deduct it from this. I... if I weren't in urgent need of money, I wouldn't..."

"Young Master, just take it."

Liu Chujian smiled slightly and said softly, "This young woman and Bi'er live here and have no need for money at all. In any case, I have confidence in your manuscript; it will definitely sell for a good price."

Seeing her say this, Luo Zijun did not say anything more; he looked down at the silver in his hand and said, "Then, thank you, Young Lady."

"Mm."

Fearing that if he continued to stay here it would be awkward, and also fearing that Bi'er might say something improper, Liu Chujian asked softly, "Does Young Master have any other business?"

"No."

Luo Zijun bowed solemnly and thanked her once more.

Then he took his leave and departed.

After he went out the door, Bi'er suddenly said while crying, "Young Lady, that was our last bit of silver. That guy... that guy took our money, and in a moment he's going to go find Young Lady Mei'er..."

Liu Chujian smiled and said, "He won't. Young Master Luo likely has urgent business that requires money."

Bi'er stomped her feet and said, "Young Lady, it's true! This servant just saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears; that guy was flirting and whispering intimately with Young Lady Mei'er downstairs."

Liu Chujian smiled, sat down before the table, looked at the manuscript on the table, and said, "You can follow him to see. I suspect he has already left directly."

"This servant doesn't believe it!"

Bi'er immediately chased after him.

Just as she reached the railing, she saw that figure had already gone downstairs. Mei'er was at the second-floor railing stomping her feet in anger, shouting loudly, "Young Master Luo, didn't you say that a gentleman's word is as good as a team of four horses?"

Standing next to Mei'er was Shui Shui, who also said angrily toward below, "Young Master Luo, you made this servant wait so long last time! You bad thing, you bad thing!"

That figure pretended not to hear, exchanged a greeting with Liu Mama, and then walked away quickly.

Mei'er and Shui Shui were on the second floor, cursing in anger.

Hearing their cursing, Bi'er let out a "pfft" of laughter, stood in place for a while longer, and then returned to the room.

Liu Chujian was sitting at the table, quietly looking at the manuscript on the table. Hearing the sound, she asked, "How was it? Was I right?"

Bi'er said deliberately, "Young Lady guessed wrong. That bad guy couldn't wait to enter Young Lady Mei'er's boudoir, and Young Lady Shui Shui went in too."

Liu Chujian smiled slightly, flipped through the manuscript, and said, "Bi'er, when did you learn to lie?"

Bi'er looked at her, somewhat puzzled, and said, "Young Lady, you... how can you trust him so much?"

Liu Chujian paused, raised her head, looked at her, and said, "Bi'er, tell me, am I prettier, or are Mei'er and Shui Shui prettier? Tell the truth."

Bi'er said immediately, "Naturally, Young Lady is prettier! Even Liu Mama said that in this Tianxian Pavilion, only Young Lady can be called a true celestial beauty."

"So..."

Liu Chujian's slender willow eyebrows arched slightly as she said, "He didn't even take a second look at me, and after coming into my room and saying a few words, he left. Do you think he is that kind of person?"

Bi'er was suddenly speechless.

"But, Young Lady, are there really men who aren't lustful?"

"No."

Liu Chujian answered very firmly.

Bi'er was stunned: "Then why does he..."

Liu Chujian was silent for a while before saying softly, "He must have many things on his mind that he needs to do. He is different from other men; he can control his desires and focus on doing what he ought to do. A man like this... I feel that no matter what he does in the future, he will succeed."

Bi'er looked at her and said, "Young Lady, then does he have any... toward you?"

Liu Chujian was dazed for a moment, looked down at the manuscript, and did not answer.

Because she did not know either.

Even if she knew, what could she do?

What was her status now?

Merely a performing girl in a Brothel. Although she still maintained her purity, people outside did not think so.

And he was a scholar full of talent with a bright future.

"Bi'er."

After a moment, she suddenly raised her head again, a look of determination appearing in her eyes, and said, "I have decided. From today on, I am going to go out to play the zither and earn money."

Bi'er pouted and said, "To earn money for him to spend?"

Liu Chujian looked at her and said, "We must redeem ourselves early and leave this place."

Speaking of this, she lowered her head again, was silent for a moment, and murmured in a low voice: "I am afraid that he... will look down on us."

She paused.

She looked at the manuscript on the table and the book title on it, and said in a low voice: "Once we redeem ourselves and leave, I will continue to earn money, go to the mansions of those nobles to play the zither, or open a bookstore... I want to be a..."

Her clear, beautiful, and soft pink cheeks suddenly flushed with two faint blushes, and she murmured in an even lower voice: "Be a... wealthy Young Lady..."

(End of chapter)