Schemes from All Sides

Although Huang Yuancheng had seized all authority for himself and thoroughly sidelined Zhu Zhen, he still did not dare to openly mistreat the man. In their daily interactions, he maintained a courteous facade, even expending thousands of taels of silver each month to fund Zhu Zhen's hedonistic lifestyle.

If not for his advancing years and a growing, deep-seated dread of death, Zhu Zhen would have been entirely content to indulge in these pleasures indefinitely, never wasting a single thought on political achievements or official promotions.

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Yichun Pavilion

Zhu Zhen sat within a private room, surrounded by the drift of burning incense and fine wine. Courtesans flanked him on either side, while a slender-waisted singing girl danced gracefully in the center of the floor, creating a scene of absolute merriment.

"Where is Bai Lan? Why is she not here today?"

Zhu Zhen glanced around the room before questioning the madam standing nearby.

The madam immediately stepped forward with a practiced, beaming smile. "Your Excellency, you have arrived at an unfortunate time. Miss Bai Lan was called away by another guest just a moment ago."

"However, Qiu Lan and Yan Yue are equally skilled in song and dance. I shall have them serve you, Your Excellency. They will surely delight your heart."

Zhu Zhen frowned, waving his hand in dismissal. "No. I want only Bai Lan. Go and fetch her quickly."

In all of Qingshui County, who did not know that the Magistrate held a singular fondness for Bai Lan of Yichun Pavilion? Ordinarily, even if another patron had requested her company, they would obediently step aside the moment they heard of Zhu Zhen's arrival.

After all, there was no reason to offend the Magistrate over a mere courtesan.

The madam sighed helplessly, having no choice but to turn and walk toward an adjacent room.

Inside that chamber sat a young man with a gloomy, sullen countenance. His embroidered silk robes were disheveled, and he exuded a coarse, earthy arrogance, clearly thoroughly intoxicated. Clutched in his embrace was a stunningly beautiful woman with skin as pale as fine lard, her features carrying a delicate blend of innocence and allure.

The youth in splendid attire knitted his brows in irritation. "Can you not see I am enjoying myself? What are you barging in here for?"

The madam forced a smile, the deep wrinkles on her face bunching together like a blooming chrysanthemum. "Young Master Lu, this old servant truly wishes nothing more than to avoid disturbing your pleasure, but a distinguished guest has specifically requested Miss Bai Lan. I had no choice but to come."

Though the madam was a figure of some standing within Qingshui County, on one side stood the Magistrate who governed tens of thousands of common lives, and on the other was the younger brother of a Qi Condensation cultivator from the immortal Lu family. Neither was an individual she could afford to cross.

Lu Shiyang sneered arrogantly, "What sort of dog-fart 'distinguished guest'? Speak his name and let me hear it."

The Lu family had risen to prominence practically overnight, and Lu Shiyang was young. In the various townships north of Qingshui County, absolutely no one dared provoke him. He was born of humble, peasant stock, and his brother's sudden glory had made him exceptionally prideful, overbearing, and utterly contemptuous of others.

Over the past few years, although the Lu and Lin families had developed decently well, they had been consistently suppressed and confined to the rural mountain villages by the Zhou and Huang families, unable to secure even a foothold in the county seat's commerce.

For the Zhou family, whose own businesses were already being relentlessly squeezed by the Huang family, it was impossible to allow any newcomers to take a share of the profits. As for the Huang family, they viewed the Lu and Lin families merely as chives to be harvested at their leisure; they would never allow them to grow truly formidable.

Now that the Lu family had finally forced open a channel to enter the county seat, the Lu family cultivator-though fully aware of his younger brother's reckless nature-had no choice but to dispatch his only blood brother to manage their affairs in the city due to their lack of trusted kin.

The madam hurriedly tried to hush him. "Young Master Lu, that guest is of noble status beyond words. It is truly best not to inquire."

In matters of pleasure within a brothel, a tacit understanding was always best; one never explicitly named names.

"Heh." Lu Shiyang let out a cold laugh. The people of this county seat were truly hypocritical, completely lacking the straightforwardness of the mountain villages. He merely assumed this so-called distinguished guest was some minor official from the yamen. "Tell that distinguished guest to come see me himself."

What he did not realize was that from the very moment he set foot inside the county seat, he had already been ensnared in a web woven by the merchants of the Zhou and Huang families.

From the day he entered the city, they had ensured that Lu Shiyang heard nothing but constant praise of how beautiful Bai Lan of Yichun Pavilion was, while deliberately withholding the fact that she was the exclusive favorite of Zhu Zhen.

A youth of wild and unrestrained temperament, he could not resist the temptation and came seeking Bai Lan on his second day in the city. Under the covert manipulation of those with ulterior motives, he had been steered into a direct collision with Zhu Zhen.

As the two private chambers were adjacent and the doors were wide open, Zhu Zhen naturally heard Lu Shiyang's loud shouting from next door. Believing that someone was intentionally causing trouble in Yichun Pavilion, a flash of displeasure crossed his face as he stood up and walked over.

The madam was burning with anxiety, still hoping to soothe the situation, when she suddenly felt a heavy presence behind her. Turning her head, her face paled instantly.

"Which family's child are you to dare behave with such unbridled arrogance?" Zhu Zhen's expression darkened the moment his eyes fell upon Bai Lan.

Seeing that the newcomer was dressed in relatively ordinary attire, Lu Shiyang's heart settled. He stood up and barked insolently, "This young master is Lu Shiyang of the Lu family! Old man, if you know what is good for you, scramble out of here. Do not ruin my fun!"

Before his departure, Lu Shiyang had been strictly instructed by his brother that there were three figures in the county seat he must absolutely never provoke: the County Magistrate, the County Commandant, and the County Assistant. Anyone else was of little consequence.

However, in his mind, those three high officials would surely be draped in magnificent silk and splendid brocade. How could they possibly resemble this plain-looking old man before him? With the alcohol clouding his senses, he desired nothing more than to flaunt his authority in front of a beautiful woman.

Zhu Zhen's brow furrowed deeply as he bellowed in rebuke, "This old man is Zhu Zhen! How dare you!"

The name struck Lu Shiyang like a bolt of lightning, instantly jolting him awake from his drunken stupor. His knees buckled, and he dropped straight to the floor, prostrating himself. "This lowly one was drunk and lost his senses! I beg Your Excellency to forgive my offense!"

"This lowly one shall leave immediately and will no longer defile Your Excellency's sight!"

With that, Lu Shiyang scrambled on all fours, desperately fleeing the room.

Though he was arrogant and overbearing, he was not entirely a fool. He knew exactly who could be offended and who could not.

When faced with someone he could not afford to cross, he would suppress his pride and beg for forgiveness, terrified of bringing ruin upon himself and his clan.

Once Lu Shiyang had fled, Bai Lan naturally threw herself into Zhu Zhen's embrace with a deeply aggrieved expression. "Your Excellency, this servant has suffered such fright."

She wept piteously, her tears falling like pear blossoms in the rain, instantly stirring a deep sense of tenderness in anyone who beheld her.

Zhu Zhen pulled her tightly into his arms, comforting her, "Is this old man not here now?"

Moments later, the sounds of music and dance resumed within the chamber, returning to a scene of indulgence.

Meanwhile, Lu Shiyang slunk out of Yichun Pavilion like a beaten dog, his expression as dark as a stagnant pool. He turned back to spit a curse at the establishment before boarding his carriage, ordering it to drive toward his residence.

Yet, from the shadows of the surrounding buildings, several cold gazes converged upon his form, silently tracking Lu Shiyang as he departed into the distance.

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