Tbh I didn't mean to bring the sect leaders and heirs in this early, especially Jin Guangshan who is his own warning, but there are no loyal Wen Sect servants who wouldn't blab to outsiders.
Warning for minor character death after four sections. Wen Ruohan was bound to slip sometime lmao
Thanks for reading.
-Lucicelo
Zhang Xuehua couldn't help the heart palpitations of the thought of this impromptu dinner.
While they waited for their food, they resumed looking through the sect's documents. Her mind wandered on the reason why Wen Ruohan thought of inviting her for dinner. For the longest time, he ignored the Original and didn't take an interest on whether she appeared before him or not. As far as the Original's memories go, Wen Ruohan had not invited her to his birthday banquets for the last few years.
She guessed her skills as an accountant impressed her husband enough to voice out this sudden request. If she were honest, many of these skills were taught to noblewomen, first wives, who ran their household. To not know how to handle a budget or distribute funds correctly would ruin their husband's family.
As much as she was nervous, the Dreamer was excited at the progression of the relationship between her and Wen Ruohan. This was easier than she expected. The stress of remembering everything about the sect, shifting through paperwork, and handling various relationships of the sect was tiring.
The thought of sleeping with Wen Ruohan sounded nice.
It was one thing to wake up being fucked, but to initiate made her blush. Technically, she wasn't together with this man, but the Original was . She could let events play out and let the one night a month of fucking to arrive. The next night of consummation was in a few days. The Dreamer felt reassured of Wen Ruohan's satisfaction, eager to make her boneless in her bed.
After criticizing, no, gently guiding him to the right path, the man was amazing with his hands and his cock. The Dreamer had nothing to complain about.
"Shall we reserve talk of trades tomorrow morning?"
Zhang Xuehua nodded her head as she stretched her arms above her head. "Sure! I noted a trade agreement over the export of fruits native to Qishan that I wanted to shift through. I'll see if we weren't tricked into accepting a lower price for them."
"You may look through them all tomorrow morning." Sitting down at the low rise desk, Wen Ruohan clapped his hands together.
Servants entered inside of Wen Ruohan's office with barely concealed surprise. Zhang Xuehua couldn't blame them. She was rarely seen in this area of the sect. Even less so in Wen Ruohan's office or seen in the presence of Wen Ruohan himself.
One servant in particular looked pallid. Her hands quivered as she set down various covered plates of food onto the table. She somehow managed not to spill a thing onto them or the table. The Dreamer would have thanked her if it wasn't awkward enough already. She assumed Wen Ruohan would have given her an odd look for her sudden need to thank everyone.
Making herself comfortable, Zhang Xuehua looked at all the food. Piping hot and steaming. Everything looked particularly delicious. There was more meat than vegetable, but she noted small slips of vegetables and spicy sauces throughout the meals. The spiciness shouldn't have surprised her, Qishan Wen seemed like the sort of place that enjoyed a bit of spice. Good thing she loved spiciness. A meal wasn't complete without some flavor in it.
Before the couple started eating, Zhang Xuehua inquired. "Ah ..how about inviting Xu-er?"
Wen Ruohan hummed. "You informed me that he was possibly eating or had eaten dinner."
Zhang Xuehua said. "It has been a while since he has sat alongside us for a meal. It's not too late for him to accompany us. Maybe, Wen Jia has not served him his dinner yet."
She hoped her nervousness didn't show through her voice. Discussing the terrible money management in the sect was one thing, sleeping with the man another, but to speak to him without these topics between them made her anxiety spike up.
Wen Ruohan nodded his head. "I'll call for a servant to retrieve Xu-er."
Wen Xu rubbed his eyes for the umpteenth time as he stared at his parents speaking to one another in low voices.
Out of everything which passed through his mind, Wen Xu couldn't believe his parents were having dinner together inside of his father's office.
The office was a forbidden zone for him to wander into. Not that he knew where it was. His father didn't remove him from his rooms often unless there was a party. Even then, He Jiao tagged along to test his plates and drink while guards shadowed him throughout the whole event. Wen Xu couldn't wander around Qishan Wen as he wished. No one let him leave their sights
With his mother's sudden need to walk around Qishan Wen, Wen Xu was able to see his future lands. Although he couldn't leave his mother's side, he was able to soak in the places his father wandered about when he was little.
His mother commented. "Husband? Would there be a chance for me to have a personal container full of the chili blend placed for your dinner?"
His father inquired. "Do you enjoy the flavor?"
"Yes! I don't know why my meal trays never get this jar! I should have sampled it when we first wed. I missed out on years of great chili oil."
"You should have." Wen Xu turned to his father who scooped a serving of oil onto his mother's plate.
His mother chuckled. "For this chili oil, I should just have dinner with you in the grand hall. Honestly, I'm bored of looking at the same walls all the time."
"Why haven't you gone?"
"You're busy!"
"Ah, we should schedule more family dinners then,"
"Absolutely." His mother turned to Wen Xu with a big smile. "What do you think, sweetheart?" Wen Xu's chest filled with warmth. He loved it when his mother addressed him with sweet words. "Should we go eat dinner with your father from now on?"
Wen Xu nodded his head.
Observing his parents, Wen Xu noticed that his mother sat close enough to his father that their knees were almost touching. His father glanced at Wen Xu every so often, but otherwise, responded to whatever questions his mother asked.
As far as he remembered, his mother never ate dinner with him and his father. Maybe his parents ate together when he was a baby, but he wasn't sure. She was always in her room. He's glad to have been invited along though. He wouldn't have believed it if someone told him his parents ate dinner together.
He ignored He Jiao serving him his portion of their dinner but managed to thank her. Receiving a disappointing stare from his mother was gut wrenching. In no time, He Jiao retreated to do whatever she was supposed to do. Wen Xu watched as his parents spoke to one another in soft tones, looking comfortable.
This was the image Wen Xu dreamed of.
For his parents to speak to one another and share a meal with him while everyone enjoyed themselves. To look like a normal family.
This should happen more often.
Taking a bite of food, Wen Xu attempted to listen to what his parents were saying. Some of which was boring, more or less grown up talk. Sighing, he slowly ate everything on his plates without dropping a piece onto his robes. Wen Xu caught the approving nod from his father.
"It appears the rumors were true." His father slurped his tea. "Xu-er has grown out of his distaste for vegetables."
"Our Xu-er is not picky! He is a maturing boy." His mother crooned. "See? He ate every single vegetable on his plates."
Wen Xu turned to look at his father who nodded in approval. "As it should be."
Wen Xu couldn't help but smile big at his father's agreement. He knew his mother was always proud of him. She showered him with affection and voiced her satisfaction. His father, on the other hand, was a distant figure. The few times Wen Xu saw him, they didn't have much conversation.
To eat a simple meal with his parents was exciting.
His father inquired. "Have you started your meditation sessions?"
"Yes, Fuqin."
"I shall ask Elder Hua about your progress." His father declared. "Her grandson is decent enough of a Shifu to begin your cultivation studies. I expect good results."
"Yes, Fuqin." Wen Xu agreed.
Yawning, Wen Xu cuddled against Zhang Xuehua's arms, clinging onto her robes despite his tiredness. Zhang Xuehua barely managed to clean his face before he climbed into her arms. She held back the urge to kiss his little face until he pushed her face away from him.
Ever since she began physical affection with Wen Xu, he took full advantage and took every opportunity to embrace her. He received her kisses and returned them as well. Zhang Xuehua concealed her amusement whenever they saw each other first thing in the morning or she went to retrieve him. This child expected her to kiss him without fault. If she missed one kiss, he would pout until she kissed him.
Had she had an easier time connecting with people in her past life, maybe she would have had a family of her own. She was more introverted than extroverted. An uneven balance of someone who enjoyed being at home while also enjoying going out every so often.
Then again, the sadness of having lost her children would have kept her in the same state as the Original. As much as she begrudged the woman for having seemingly abandoned her family, the Dreamer knew she would have reacted similarly. She judged Original in factors she knew through memories, not experiences.
For all the Dreamer knew, she was internalizing her sadness over losing her mother and siblings. There was no way to know what would cause her to tip over the edge and release her anguish.
At least, she was enjoying being pampered like a noblewoman. She only received similar treatment during the instances where she booked spa retreats during her vacations. In between her constant workload, she only used her vacation time whenever she appeared her worst.
Pressing a kiss against Wen Xu's forehead, Zhang Xuehua let out a sigh. Peering up at Wen Ruohan, she watched him watch them. Throughout the dinner, Zhang Xuehua wasn't blind to his observations. His red eyes followed their every move. There was no maliciousness in the manner he watched them.
Keeping her eye on Wen Ruohan, Zhang Xuehua muttered to Wen Xu. "Kiss your baba goodnight, darling."
"Hmm…okay." Wen Xu lifted his head from Zhang Xuehua's neck, just enough to kiss Wen Ruohan's cheek. Well, his jaw. Zhang Xuehua barely reached Wen Ruohan's shoulders. "Night night…baba."
Wen Xu burrowed back in Zhang Xuehua's neck and went to sleep.
Zhang Xuehua cut back a laugh at the sight of Wen Ruohan's shocked face. He touched his jaw, seemingly astonished at the fact his son kissed him. Wen Ruohan looked at her, questioning the suggestion she gave their sleepy son.
Responding to none of his unanswered questions, Zhang Xuehua repeated the same words. "Good night." Without thinking, she kissed Wen Ruohan's cheek and swiftly left the room.
She walked a fair distance before what she did registered in her mind. Blushing hard enough for her face to turn bright hot, she persisted in walking away. She didn't hear Wen Ruohan calling her back, maybe he was just as shocked as her.
She wouldn't have heeded his order to stop. The embarrassment of having kissed him in the first place pushed her to almost run from the main palace.
Ever since the latest night of pleasure with his wife, Wen Ruohan woke up hard and ready.
If he was honest, he was in this state ever since his wife acted on her lustful thoughts. Her wandering hands and muttering words stirred the simmering fire inside of his soul.
He woke up with the scent of magnolias in his nose, remnants of her warm body against his own, and the memory of her moans into his ear. Consistent enough to where Wen Ruohan used the excuse of sleep to recollect her passionate hands and clinging legs. For someone like him, who wasted no time for research and training, he disliked misusing his time in worthless endeavors. Daydreaming was never an option. If he desired something, he would snatch it for himself. There was no need for him to imagine scenarios .
Yet, he couldn't help but regain hours of lost sleep by engulfing himself in his memories. His dreams grasped his attention, keeping him from wanting to leave his bed. If only, to recollect the bruising from her suckling and scratches from her nails. Wen Ruohan willed his body to not get rid of those physical reminders of her passions.
After years of having her underneath him, Zhang Xuehua reciprocated the interest most sect wives faked .
Her sincerity showed in her sudden gasps of pleasure, the dilation of her eyes, her limbs frantic in keeping him from leaving her pussy. The clenching of her walls milked him dry . Leaving remnants of his cum inside of her body. She willingly kissed him, threading her fingers through his hair.
She thought he wouldn't hear her mutters of:
Finally, finally, I'm close .
Oh….Oh fuck!
Make me lose my mind.
He should have been insulted at his apparent lack of prowess. Her claim of not having ascended to heaven dug into this pride, incensing him to prove her wrong . Throughout the years, he fucked into her and finished. Uninterested in giving her pleasure. Zhang Xuehua had not complained. She laid back, did her duty, and kept her comments to herself.
There were no complaints. None whatsoever. There was disinterest in her mannerisms. Unlike the rare whore he propositioned in his youth, his wife laid on the bed, lifeless. Had he not developed curiosity on the children they would create, he would have disposed of the woman and picked another woman to marry.
Good thing he controlled his impulse, Wen Xu was an exceptional child.
During the latest contractual night, she looked deep into his eyes, disappointment and dissatisfaction was clear. She tugged on his hair, informing him of his terrible performance. The sparks of the warrior he witnessed during the night hunt resurfaced at last.
Then the next contractual night, which happened recently, he was delighted to have similar results. For the first time in their marriage, his wife touched his cock with her hands. She appeared shy on the mention of using her mouth, but she promised to do this soon enough.
He couldn't wait until the next contractual night to fuck his own wife. Having tasted what she could offer, Wen Ruohan wanted to bed her frequently.
Every night if he so wished.
The thought of disregarding the contract came to mind, but Zhang Xuehua said nothing about ignoring the agreement. She jumped into looking through documents of the sect, balancing numbers, and spending time with their son.
From the looks Wen Ruohan managed to witness, his wife was growing antsy at not having her husband in her bed. Her heated and appreciative glances were not discreet. She desired him just as much as he desired her.
Wen Ruohan reached to his side drawer, yanked it open and grabbed his preferred oil. His cock wasn't going to go down anytime soon and needed to be dealt with.
He needed to stop thinking of his wife or he would get nothing done.
Pouring his oil on his hand, he made sure to coat his fingers. He wasn't bruising his cock from his rough tugging. Hand grasping his cock, Wen Ruohan thought back on the smell and touch of his wife. Almost as if he inhaled her magnolia scent, he enraptured himself in his fantasy.
Zhang Xuehua wore a sheer robe, tied loosely around her shapely body. Her hair was bound up, accessorized with the hairpins he gifted her on her birthdays. There would be limited makeup, only enough to amplify her looks. He didn't need powder and lip stain transferred onto his skin. Instead of the dead stare, she gave him a sultry look, as she climbed onto the bed.
Grunting, he saw her running her hands onto his torso, slowly dragging her fingertips down his body. One of her hands would tug his robes open, exposing his cock to her. She licked her lips, hungry to see him ready for her.
She uttered, "My dear husband, you're ready for this wife." Her dainty hands wrapped around his cock, tugging onto it slowly as she pressed herself against his side. She stopped pumping his cock to oil her hand before resuming her actions.
He pulled her into a kiss. Open mouthed, filthy, enough to weaken her body, forcing her into his embrace. Her hand wouldn't leave his cock, for she was intent on pleasing him instead of herself. At some point, she pressed her fingers against her clit, giving herself pleasure while her other hand serviced him.
For her insolence, he slapped her ass, tutting at her for not focusing on him. She bit into his lip, hard, not enough to break the skin. She smirked before kissing him deeply. Afterwards, his wife got on top of him, her plush ass pressing against his cock. She grinded back, making sure to circle her hips on his cock. Almost giving him an example on how she would bounce on him.
Wen Ruohan placed his hands on her hips, keeping her planted in place. Her hands ran down his exposed chest, tweaking his nipples with her soft fingertips. He pressed her down against his cock, making her moan.
Lost in the haze of his fantasy, Wen Ruohan didn't hear the door to his chambers open.
His bed was positioned in a way where he faced away from the door. He never slept well when facing the door. The feeling of vulnerability was intolerable for him. Which was why his room was changed around to promote positive energy to flow inside. He didn't understand why his late father liked sleeping with his bed facing the door, but changing this aspect and replacing the bed did wonders to promote sleep.
He was getting closer and closer to his peak when he heard a gasp.
" Ah ! Wen Zongzhu! "
Wen Ruohan snapped from his fantasy, immediately taken out of the image of fucking his wife. Cock in hand, he looked to the side and saw a young servant standing a distance away from his bed. Sitting up, Wen Ruohan removed his hand from his cock, his red eyes almost glowed under the dimmed lights of the room.
"This servant apologies, Wen Zongzhu!" The servant fell onto the floor, she dropped the laundry basket in her arms, causing it to roll away from her, "Y-You're never in your chambers at this time-"
Whether he slept in his bed or not was his business. His servants should know better than to enter inside without peeking inside to check if he was in need of service. This servant walked right into his room, not thinking to knock or even back away when she saw him fucking his own hand.
The woman stood there, watching him. The bright redness of her cheeks showed the effect he had on her. Her hand covered her mouth, eyes half mast.
Grabbing his sword, he got up from his bed, uncaring that his robes remained open. The woman wouldn't be able to comment on his cock in death. He ignored her pleads of mercy, growing angrier and angrier as he got closer to her.
With one slash, the servant's head rolled onto the ground. Blood splattered throughout the surrounding area. His sleeping robes, exposed skin, face, and parts of his hair were drenched in blood.
"Fucking …" Wen Ruohan looked down at his limp cock, annoyed that was unable to finish. Losely tying his dirty robes closed, he yelled. "Guards!"
The spread of the death of another servant brought down the atmosphere of the main manor home. Even more so than usual. Previous ease dissipated quickly as the servants went through extra strides to not get in Wen Zongzhu's way. No one wanted to be tossed out of the manor home, headless, left to rot out in the open.
The senior servants who cleaned Wen Zongzhu's bedroom were stone faced. Many of whom worked back when the old Wen Furen disposed of people in the dungeons. This wasn't a new occurrence for them.
Qishan Wen's dungeons were continuously used for decades , uninterrupted.
All of them grew used to the bloodshed their sect leader spilled in his own home. He tended to punish his servants in the dungeons, not in his own personal rooms. Whatever this servant did to anger him to this extreme was disputed behind trembling hands.
Whispers of his newest kill reached He Jiao's ears.
He Jiao listened with attentive ears, deciphering underneath the panic stricken claims. She spoke to various servants who warned her to keep Wen Furen away from him. Claiming the sect leader was losing himself in his bloodlust and to not let him near his wife and child.
She would have to converse with Deng Rong. He was just and fair whenever he spoke about a person. He wouldn't mince words.
The guards were always watching and intervened when needed. Wen Ruohan needed no extra protection, keeping them to boost up his sect as strong and protected. These guards wouldn't act on behalf of Wen Ruohan unless they wanted to be in between his sword and the victim.
From rumors alone, Wen Ruohan rarely slept in his bedroom. Preferring to use his time for other pursuits, seeing sleep as a waste of time. The servant possibly saw something that angered Wen Ruohan enough to dispose of her.
He Jiao suspected the servant walked inside without checking inside.
A deadly mistake.
As the servant pleaded for her to keep Wen Furen away, He Jiao arched her brow. "You think Wen Zongzhu will turn away from Wen Furen after she denies him carnal nights? You are out of your mind." She glared at the girl, indignant of her having suggested such a thing.
The servant grimaced. "You don't want your mistress to be safe-"
He Jiao snipped, glaring at her coldly. "I am looking out for her best interest. Wen Furen knows better than to anger her husband. Especially while her husband is in such a mood. You don't think ahead."
The servant bowed her head. "My apologies."
"Now, go. Return to your work."
Once He Jiao left to inform her mistress, the rumor seeped through Qishan Wen walls.
Wen Ruohan's complete disregard of his servants wasn't new. His lack of control over his impulses was well known. Rumors spread of the sect leader's short temper and impossible expectations. There was no one who satisfied him. None of the high level sects dared to anger Wen Ruohan enough to retaliate against him.
The underlying terror of Wen Ruohan rose when knowledge of smaller sects being taken under his banner was spread around. Tacking on the death of a servant was used as more of a shock factor.
The noblemen didn't give a damn about a servant girl's death. They liked the feeling of morality over someone powerful, yet undeserving of his position.
"Wen Zongzhu killed a servant, Wen Furen."
"Oh."
The Dreamer knew her reaction to Wen Ruohan's kill was odd. She lacked the usual concerned expression a different woman would have expressed. Where an immediate reaction of isolating herself and her son from Wen Ruohan was expected, she appeared unaffected at the news.
Original heard more than her fair share of rumors about Wen Ruohan disposing of servants. She was of the opinion of keeping herself out of his way. Wen Ruohan never directed his anger onto her or her servants.
The Zhang sect punished their servants through paddlings and position switching. The humiliation did more than enough to curb rebellion and correct mistakes. These consequences weren't new to the Original. In fact, she watched Zhang Furen beat her own servants when they didn't complete her orders to the letter.
The Wen Sect was in a higher position of notoriety. Wen Ruohan could do as he wished with the servants under his banner.
He Jiao's stunned expression was enough for her to feign interest in brushing her hair. She averted her eyes, grabbed her hairbrush and brushed a loose strand of hair. There was no need to touch her silky hair, it was perfect, but she needed to gather her thoughts.
If she was honest, she wasn't concerned about Wen Ruohan's actions. Having seen his down spiral into madness, he seemed short tempered, but reasonable. He was a powerful cultivator who never stopped training himself to be above the other sects.
There was always a reason, no matter how ridiculous, for his actions.
Zhang Xuehua hummed. "What did this servant see when she entered his rooms?"
Shaking her head, He Jiao collected herself. "According to the guards, Wen Zongzhu was in a state of undress when the servant walked in without checking if someone was inside."
Zhang Xuehua's eyes twitched at the thought of this servant having seen Wen Ruohan nude. She was certain he screwed around before marriage, but he hadn't strayed while married to the Original. "And this girl thought to walk right inside the sect leader's personal chambers without announcing herself?"
"Apparently so."
Zhang Xuehua put down her hairbrush on her vanity. "I don't begrudge my husband for his actions, but he should have punished her instead. Being placed in an indignant position for a week would have curbed her lack of sense." She breathed hard through her nose. "This is not good."
He Jiao inquired. "Why is that?"
"Because his short temper will come back to bite us all in the ass." Zhang Xuehua rubbed the back of her neck, giving He Jiao the hint to massage her shoulders. "Then again, no one will dare think of him as weak minded or lacking in power. Showing weakness brings out opposing threats."
He Jiao dug her thumbs into Zhang Xuehua's upper back, bringing out a groan. "Are his actions concerning you?"
"Not at all. He hasn't directed a temper toward me or Xu-er." Zhang Xuehua quickly answered. "He has been quite hospitable despite my lack of support as his wife. There have been no slandering rumors about me to keep servants from obeying my orders. He is secretive about private matters which gives us room to unite behind closed doors."
He Jiao nodded her head. "His consideration is a high boon." She leaned close to mutter into her ear. "The servant who informed me of the event suggested you stay clear of Wen Zongzhu. How you needed to keep yourself and his own son away from him."
"No chance." Zhang Xuehua tipped her head back, almost letting out a humorless laugh. "I'm not putting myself in danger because of the words of a stranger. I'm not denying him access to myself or Xu-er. Did this girl not think of the repercussions of being identified as the person who gave me such ridiculous advice? She should consider himself lucky that you came to me and not to my husband. Her body would be displayed out in the gates rather than paddling."
He Jiao smoothed down the strands of hair on the sides of Zhang Xuehua's face. "Is that your will? Shall I round up the servants who spread such information and punish them?"
Zhang Xuehua gulped down the immediate no. She couldn't take her words back. For as much as she wanted to not perpetuate the corporal punishments, she needed to keep this noble lady act together. The added respect would stop others from daring to put a wedge between her and Wen Ruohan.
This random girl should have known better. Anyone in their occupation knew better than to ramble about such things to their Furen's own maid . He Jiao would go to her and inform her of unsavory words going through different factions of her household. This servant girl voicing such words was grounds for punishment.
Zhang Xuehua knew it wasn't just this one person. There were possibly multiple people adding to the flames of discontent. Wen Ruohan was disliked as well as respected.
She was surprised that Wen Ruohan wasn't killing servants left and right.
Memories of Wen Ruohan's canon storyline counterpart was already showed him going down the dark path. Warped enough to not listen to reason and steeped into his own sense of superiority.
In the pit of her stomach, she suspected the man didn't give a damn. Wen Ruohan didn't care about the minds of those lesser than him. He needed servants to run his household. Killing them all was counterproductive. The same went to his disciples.
Best to start low, then build up the punishments.
There were levels to making a point. Simply killing someone or whipping them for a lesser leveled crime was counterproductive.
"Use the Zhang sect route. The humiliation one, not Zhang Furen's way. I'm sure there are a lot of disgusting jobs around here that the ones who spread rumors could do for a week." Zhang Xuehua clarified before He Jiao took it upon herself to paddle the girl's back into a bloody mess.
He Jiao chuckled. "I wouldn't have used your lady mother's methods. Not yet."
Zhang Xuehua pouted. "Humiliation works far better than beating someone up. Everyone else in their position wouldn't want to land themselves in a similar state!"
Inside of his favored brothel's exclusive private chambers, Jin Guangshan emptied himself in his new favorite courtesan's body. She loudly proclaimed her pleasure as she slumped against the sheets. Her hands splayed against her sides while catching her breath.
Jin Guangshan made sure to empty every single drop before he pulled himself out of her. He was satisfied to see his cum trickle out of her, pooling in the sheets below her.
Sitting up, he ran his fingers through his sweaty hair and fanned his face. This particular brothel was insulated enough to where the rooms grew hot after some time of activity. He reached out to grab a saucer of wine and downed it to parch his thirst.
The other two courtesans who joined in on their session were naked, eager to please Jin Guangshan once he was ready to resume.
The woman Jin Guangshan finished inside was using a damp cloth to clean her pussy and freshening herself up. A green paste stained the cloth, giving the indication that all of these women used a protective paste to not fall pregnant. These young, beautiful ladies couldn't continue on working if they fell pregnant. The Madam didn't like lazy, ignorant courtesans not earning their keep in her establishment.
Jin Guangshan didn't mind having a pit of paste on his cock. He didn't want to lose a good brothel because he impregnated another woman and went through his usual lies. The bag full of blown glass, which he alluded to as pearls, always shut many of them up from coming to Lanling Jin. It served him well not to enter these establishments with his emblem on his robes, less likely for these women to find him. One little pearl calmed the hysteria these women expressed, enough for him to continue the lie or to make his escape.
Not that many of these women were tolerable enough for him to keep up appearances. He didn't need to be considerate of them whatsoever. They wouldn't cross paths outside of brothels anyway.
His future legal wife was beautiful, but scary . She looked like the sort to cut off his cock than to tenderly stroke it the way he liked. Her association with the Violet Spider , Yu Ziyuan, brought another level of terror onto his fiance's image. He couldn't stand the idea of being married to someone like her. Yet, her flawless pedigree and lineage made her a perfect match for him. His parents insisted on keeping up the match and future marriage.
Lanling Jin needed a viable heir for the sect and Jin Guangshan couldn't shuffle the work to someone else. He was to be sect leader soon. Once he married his wife, he would elevate up into this precious position. No more would he rely on his father managing his allowance, he was free to do as he wished once he became Jin Zongzhu.
Suffering years under this marriage was somewhat tolerable for the power and prestige alone. Also, the addition of extending his legacy sounded good. One living son and he wouldn't touch his future wife ever again.
Although he had possible bastards out in the world, none of the women dared step forward.
One of the three ladies immediately leaned on her stomach in front of Jin Guangshan and cleaned up his cock with her tongue. Afterwards, she sucked him off, unaffected by the mixture of juices from her fellow courtesan and Jin Guangshan's cum.
In no time at all, he was hard and ready to go.
After one orgasm, he felt a bit chatty. Jin Guangshan wasn't shy in revealing private cultivation secrets. Piles of gold kept most of his secrets concealed, but he knew some rumors slipped through these supposed private walls. He wasn't worried about these rumors going back to him. No one would believe these courtesans' claims.
"I don't know why my good friend Wen Ruohan doesn't take my offer to come to this establishment. All of you lovely ladies would surely calm his frustrations." Jin Guangshan groped one of the workers' sides while the woman was at his feet continued to service his cock.
The woman he touched fluttered her lashes and caressed his chest. "Why do you think he hasn't come around, Jin Zongzhu?" She purred. "We are more than capable of changing his mind. We satisfy our customers for continual returns."
Jin Guangshan sighed. "I don't understand. Surely, his wife is not tolerable enough for him to wander about. The pleasure of killing is not as satisfying as fucking a woman."
"Hmm… all husbands come here. Even if their wife is lovely and sweet, and gives them all the sons they want, husbands still spend money in our establishments. I'm sure there will be a day when he walks through our front doors." She bit Jin Guangshan's ear and squealed when he smacked her ass.
Smirking, Jin Guangshan moved the woman who was sucking his cock away and motioned for the one touching his chest to do it. "You talk so sweetly. Might as well put that mouth to better use."
She didn't hesitate before she laid down and serviced him.
Lan Qiren rubbed his temples at the news of another death by Wen Ruohan's hands. This wasn't surprising to him. Wen Ruohan seemed to bring chaos wherever he went. Not too different than before he took over Qishan Wen. As an heir, he was mischievous, but without power. Once he became Wen Zongzhu, Lan Qiren heard whispers of him slowly taking over smaller sects, putting them under his banner.
Distracted by Wen Ruohan's business, Lan Qiren couldn't focus on the paperwork on his brother's desk and decided to go visit him. Putting away the sect's paperwork in their proper place, Lan Qiren prepared a tray of tea and snacks before he ventured to his brother's separate quarters. His long strides made a longer trip to his brother's quarters far shorter than usual.
These walks gave him the peace of mind to think of what used to be.
He used to be a simple scholar but was now a temporary sect leader. A role he never wished to take. A subject he rarely needed to study. He wasn't the heir, Qingheng-jun was. Yet, Lan Qiren was shuffled into an inopportune position of ruling over Gusu Lan while his brother placed himself in self-seclusion.
Qingheng-jun's rooms were right next to his wife's home.
The closer he made it his brother's home; he heard the sound of cry. The loud cry of his newest nephew, the heir of Gusu Lan. The one who would grow up and take this position away from him.
The birth of Lan Huan brought joy throughout the sect. There was an heir to take on the mantle of Lan Zongzhu. Yet, the crime of Lan Huan's mother, Wang Jiali, brought an encroaching darkness upon the child. The elders were not pleased over Qingheng-jun siring a child with the woman who killed a revered elder, seemingly rewarding her with a lofty title and the prestige of being the future Lan Zongzhu's mother.
Lan Qiren pushed aside his preconceived notions to celebrate his nephew. He wouldn't sire his own children, he was a scholar focused on cultivation. Which left his elder brother's children for him to nurture and coddle.
Knocking the door, he heard Qingheng-jun ask who he was. When Lan Qiren announced his presence, his brother allowed him to come inside of his home.
Lan Qiren was one of the few people who actually visited his brother. He visited Qingheng-jun without the underlying anger that the elders expressed whenever they spoke with their real sect leader. The elders never forgave Qingheng-jun for marrying below his standing.
Lan Qiren entered inside to see bags under Qingheng-jun's eyes. It appeared Lan Huan kept him awake just as much as Wang Jiali. He didn't need to see his sister-in-law to know she was in similar straits. Their son was a newborn. Needing constant attention and care.
Qingheng-jun sighed at the sight of the tea pot Lan Qiren set onto his table. "You made my preferred blend, didi?"
"Yes, Xiongzhang." Lan Qiren served them tea and made himself comfortable. "Huan-er has kept you awake?"
"Every night." He picked up the tea cup and placed it near his nose. "I didn't know babies needed to cry so much. I can only imagine how Wang Jiali is handling him."
"Every child is different. He'll settle down soon." Lan Qiren said. "I have news from Qishan Wen."
"Why am I being told about anything about the outside, didi?" Qingheng-jun inhaled the scent of the tea and hummed in approval.
Lan Qiren breathed through his nose. "Who else am I to speak to other than my own brother? Secluded you might be, but you're not going to be ignorant of what happens outside of these walls. Best to not be ignorant, Xiongzhang." Coughing into his hand, he resumed his topic of conversation. "Wen Ruohan is continuing his murderous escapades on his hands."
"Hm?" Placing the lip of his tea cup to his lips, Qingheng-jun slurped his tea. "I'm not shocked. Wen Ruohan is short tempered when it comes to his will."
Lan Qiren rubbed his temples. "From the news, he beheaded the servant girl without giving her a chance to explain herself. Then, tossed the corpse outside to rot in the sun."
"Why?"
"What do you mean, why ? Because he disregards human life."
Qingheng-jun set down his teacup and looked at his brother. "There is always a reason, brother. Tell me, why would he kill a simple servant girl if she had not breached his orders?"
Lan Qiren denied he grimaced. "You give Wen Ruohan too much credit, Xiongzhang."
Qingheng-jun chuckled lightly. "Alright then, describe the event and I might change my mind." Lan Qiren arched his brow. "I never said I changed my opinion lightly, Didi."
Lan Qiren hid his opinion on his brother's wife well. Maybe not too well, since his brother avoided speaking of his growing family whenever they met. Qingheng-jun continued to hold such a high opinion of his wife that Lan Qiren gave up in attempting to convince him to release her from marriage.
His opinion of his sister in law used to be not favorable. Her connection to Cangse Sanren and being a rogue cultivator herself made her guilty by association. Most rogue cultivators Lan Qiren met during his travels lacked manners and showed no respect for authority. Once he got to know her during these dinners, he couldn't help but address her respectfully. Wang Jiali was kinder and understanding than expected. She never left her imprisonment or attempted to escape. Wang Jiali accepted the consequences of her actions.
The same couldn't be said about Wen Ruohan. All the sect leaders and their heirs knew better than to give him the benefit of the doubt. He was violent and dangerous. His acquisition of minor sects and harboring less than reputable disciples was a sliver of the wrongdoing he had done.
Lan Qiren spoke of the intel he received. The description of the event and the callousness of Wen Ruohan disposing of his own servant instead of punishment.
Qingheng-jun had another gulp of his tea before he asked. "Would you have allowed anyone access to your rooms without them verifying someone was inside?"
"Who would dare enter my personal rooms?!"
Qingheng-jun reached out his hand and poked Lan Qiren's forehead. "For all the proclamations of having Gusu Lan's self control, you sure react quite quickly to my comments." His eyes squinted in amusement. "Just like when we were children."
Lan Qiren glared at him. "I allow no one other than myself inside my own rooms. I keep them as clean as possible. Why would anyone ever go inside?"
"Now, I'm not on Wen Ruohan's side. I never established anything other than an acquaintanceship to defend his actions." Qingheng-jun poured himself another serving of tea. "But, even I understand I have to check the inside of a room before I enter. And the fact this girl saw him in a state of undress…was this with or without his wife?"
Lan Qiren's blush extended to his ears. "Ah… he was alone, Xiongzhang."
"I wouldn't have reacted in a similar fashion, but I understand the embarrassment–"
"That man is shameless ! He wouldn't react to anyone seeing him in any state of undress." Lan Qiren insisted. "I distinctly remember his lack of care when he undressed in front of us after a night hunt."
For the first time since his hastily done wedding, Qingheng-jun laughed out loud. "Oh, Didi. I remember that quite differently. We were drenched in soil and ghost fluids. Wen Ruohan simply wished to bathe in the river to get rid of that scent on his body. We had to let him borrow my second set of extra robes for him to return home. He learned to carry an extra set of clothing ever since."
Lan Qiren harrumphed. "Our robes didn't help boost his image. The shamelessness still seeped through his very pores."
Nie Zimo shooed away his informant with a wave of his hand.
He didn't have time to ponder about Wen Ruohan's lack of restraint or Jin Guangshan's supposed newest impregnated dalliance. This was old news to him. He wasn't surprised at their actions or continuous lack of decorum. Knowing them through conferences was enough for Nie Zimo. He wasn't close enough to them to give a damn. These were the sects who always seemed to be ones causing rumors to run amok.
He thought he was safe from scandals from Gusu Lan. The holier than thou attitude many of them expressed gave the impression they did nothing wrong. When Nie Zimo heard of the disastrous marriage of Qingheng-jun and a rogue cultivator, he was shocked to the core. The illustrious Qingheng-jun fell for a rogue cultivator at first sight according to rumors. Nothing bad about rogue cultivators. Nie Zimo knew his own fair share of them who were decent and respectable. Some ended up coming into his sect to settle in a mundane lifestyle.
He hoped Yunmeng Jiang's betrothal didn't come with its own problems. Although rumors of Meishan Yu's Yu Ziyuan didn't place her in a favorable light. Powerful she may be, but she didn't inspire camaraderie between cultivators. She cold and asseritve, wanting glory and notoriety on her own terms. Yu Ziyuan was unlike his Liu Xinyi, who took hits for disciples and protected those who earned her loyalty.
And she might not do this for much longer.
The decline of his wife's health persisted in his thoughts. An incurable sudden illness that attacked her meridians, broke down the core of her cultivation, kept her bedridden most days. His Liu Xinyi never failed to reprimand him for stewing in his thoughts but was touched at his unrelenting care for her.
How could he not care for his own wife?
She was far more important than thinking of what other sect leaders and heirs were doing with their time. He was far too busy with personal and sect issues to offer a bit of his thoughts. All of his meals were shared with Liu Xinyi and he made her to visit her in between these meals. The sight of her withering body was too much to bear, he swallowed his pity to not earn her ire.
Like always, he took his lunch along with him to take to his wife's room. Nie Zimo would have brought his son, but Nie Mingjue was stubborn and insistent in continuing his training. Something Nie Xinyi didn't begrudge their son for. She always appeared livelier whenever their son visited her and explained his expertise on a sword or martial arts move.
Sitting beside her, Nie Zimo ate his full course meal while Liu Xinyi slowly scooped a hearty stew into her mouth. She ate slower but was meticulous in keeping herself clean. She never spilled liquid onto her robes if she could help it. Nie Zimo didn't jump to help her eat, Liu Xinyi would have snapped at him for treated her like she was incapable to do so.
After they finished their meal, Nie Zimo called in a servant to retrieve their dirty dishes. The servants who entered held back tears in their ears as they looked upon their Nie Furen. To their horror, Liu Xinyi noticed, but she didn't say a word as the servants rushed out of the room.
Kissing her teeth, Liu Xinyi snipped. "The constant pity stares are getting on my nerves."
"Yi-er-"
"There is no need to flutter around my sensibilities." Liu Xinyi harrumphed from her bed. "I know my time is limited. I can feel my body breaking down by each passing day. Which is why I spoke to Huang Zihan to become your second wife."
Nie Zimo grimaced. "A-Yi, you're not even close to dead yet. Why would I think of replacing you so quickly?"
Liu Xinyi coughed into her hand. "I trust no one around my son but my oldest friend. She will rear him as well as I could have done. Given the circumstances, you don't have much choice in the matter. Once I'm diagnosed as terminal, the elders will rush to betroth you to someone else."
Nie Zimo couldn't argue with her. She was right . Oh, his wife was always right. Once her diagnosis was deemed terminal, his elders would waste no time in finding another spouse for him. He barely managed to scramble reasons for them to agree to their marriage. Liu Xinyi wasn't high enough in the noble ladder to be viable for his wife, but he fought for her anyway.
She was a high level disciple, eager to fight alongside the men and teach the women tricks to fight against those stronger than her. Nie Zimo remembered how she defeated him in a spar and knocked him off of his ass. Liu Xinyi was statuesque and lovely when she looked down at him with that cocky smile of hers. As tough as she was, she was nurturing and well loved by the Nie disciples.
Everyone would miss her.
Nie Zimo could only imagine the devastation this would bring to their beloved boy.
Their son, their only child, Nie Mingjue, was sensible and bright. He already showed signs of being a great asset and heir to the Qinghe Nie. Despite being young, Nie Mingjue began training alongside the fresh faced disciples, disliking the idea of being babied by those around him. Liu Xinyi encouraged his behavior while also bandaging his scrapes and kissing his bruises.
Nie Mingjue's progression shut up the disagreements trailed behind his birth. Many thought Nie Zimo's choice in bride brought down his son's value, but it was Liu Xinyi's stubborn and determined spirit that coursed through Nie Mingjue's veins.
He sighed. "Has she agreed?"
"She was hesitant to agree." Liu Xinyi laid back onto her pillows. The large pillow made her appear small and helpless. Unlike the towering, muscle built woman Nie Zimo first gazed upon as a young man. "Understandable since she was tossed aside by the callous members of her late husband's family."
Huang Zihan's husband died on their wedding night. This was due to resentful ghosts overfilling the wedding venue, killing weaker cultivators, including the new husband. This left Huang Zihan a new widow of an unconsummated marriage.
By pure luck and happenstance, Nie Zimo and Liu Xinyi were duty bound to attend an important discussion conference. Liu Xinyi's previous annoyance of not being able to attend was replaced with disbelief. Had she attended this wedding, she might have been injured or worse, killed. Divine intervention came in between her and disaster.
Not too long after the slaughter, Huang Zihan was left discarded by her late husband's family to die on the streets. The wedding was unconsummated. She was seen as a curse by those who thought the deaths symbolized her bringing bad luck.
Liu Xinyi wasted no time in flying over to this sect, caused a scandal, and brought her back to the Nie sect. The family of the deceased weak cultivator was left shame faced over her actions. The following investigation revealed tampering on the venue's talismans, which lured in vengeful ghosts, by no fault of the new bride. An envious neighbor was found as the culprit.
Huang Zihan was cleared of gossip, but she didn't return back to her late husband's family. There was no point. The minute bond they managed to develop in the betrothal process dissipated .
Nie Zimo grasped his wife's hand. "Will you be able to go in peace if I accept her hand?"
"Yes."
Nie Zimo nodded his head. "Alright, I'll have a conversation with her and her father. We will begin negotiations and wait for the appropriate grieving period before we…marry."
As Liu Xinyi closed her eyes, a smile formed on her face. "That's all I ask."
TBC