“Hiss—”
Lu Zheng’s gaze suddenly froze. Had he been that obvious just now?
“Moreover, I can sense your emotions, my lord~”
Swallowing hard, Lu Zheng felt his face must be burning.
Shen Ying bit her lip, “In truth, on our wedding night, he was drunk as a lord, and the next day he set off on a journey, travelling non-stop until he was killed. We never consummated our marriage.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes darted about. Why was Shen Ying telling him this? Not that he cared, mind you…
Wait, what was he thinking?
“When my family fell on hard times, his family already had regrets, but they married me to save face,” Shen Ying murmured, a trace of resentment in her eyes. “He was not kind to me, which is why, though I wear a married woman’s hairstyle, I use my maiden surname.”
Lu Zheng nodded stiffly, unsure what to say.
“Now, as a half-ghost, I’m bound to this peach grove, unable to meet someone who stirs my heart. Even if I do, it’s often a case of mortal and ghost being worlds apart.”
Shen Ying drew closer, her breath cool and fragrant by Lu Zheng’s ear, “But you, my lord, have mastered the martial path. If we were restrained in our intimacy, it would do no harm to your foundation.”
Lu Zheng swallowed again, making a final effort, “Actually, I didn’t save you for this…”
“I know,” Shen Ying’s eyes shimmered like water, her voice laced with affection. “But that only makes me fall deeper into your net.”
Her voice softened, “I’m but a caged ghost, with no desire to entangle you or compete with the Liu girl. I seek neither title nor status, only a sliver of your heart.”
“If you’d spare a moment to visit me, I’d be content.”
“My lord~”
Shen Ying’s jade-like hand slid from Lu Zheng’s shoulder to his chest, her body turning to face him, leaning in until her pink cherry lips brushed near his.
Her peach-blossom eyes, lightly dusted with pink shadow, glistened as they met his gaze.
“My lord, am I beautiful?”
At this point, if Lu Zheng didn’t act, he’d hardly deserve the surname Lu.
Perhaps Wei, as in Wei Zhongxian.
Or Li, as in Li Lianying.
With a tiger’s roar, he swept Shen Ying into his arms and headed for the bed.
As the saying goes:
A night of spring breeze crosses Mount Wu, tender sounds and whispers grow in delight.
Snow-white skin, jade-like bones, and orchid-scented sweat, red candles flicker as they share the bed.
…
The night passed, and Lu Zheng lay on the bed, utterly relaxed. Looking up, the weather was fine, with threads of sunlight filtering in, casting a warm, hazy glow that made him reluctant to move.
Shen Ying’s languid voice sounded by his ear, “My lord~”
“Ying’er.”
That was what Shen Ying had asked him to call her last night.
“You’d better call me Madam, lest you get used to it and slip up in front of Sister Qingyan.”
“There’s nothing between me and Miss Liu, really.”
“Not yet, perhaps,” Shen Ying said with a playful smile. “But the way Sister Qingyan looks at you, it’s as if her eyes could melt.”
Lu Zheng’s mind wandered.
Shen Ying let out a soft cry, her gaze sultry as she glanced at him, “My lord, no.”
Lu Zheng felt a touch of embarrassment, but it was understandable, wasn’t it?
“Sister Qingyan is a lovely girl, my lord. Don’t miss your chance,” Shen Ying said, soothing him with a knowing tone. “You might be in for a surprise.”
“Heh.”
Lu Zheng gave a dry laugh. He wasn’t used to discussing another woman while lying with one.
Truly, the ancient ways were grand!
…
Getting dressed, Shen Ying helped Lu Zheng wash up. Qian Bo had already prepared one front and one hind leg of the wild boar, and Xiao Cui had crafted peachwood sheaths for the two curved blades overnight.
“You have businesses in the city, my lord, and much to do. You should head back,” Shen Ying said, straightening his clothes once more.
“Alright, I’ll come back when I can.”
“No need to visit too often. You’re new to the path of cultivation, so focus on your practice. A visit every ten days or half a month will do.”
“Don’t worry, I’m gifted, and my cultivation progresses quickly!”
Shen Ying smiled, her eyes curving, and patted his chest, “Off you go, my lord.”
Urged on, no less.
Lu Zheng nodded, slung the two massive boar legs over his back, and, avoiding the main road, affixed a divine travel talisman to himself, darting through woods and grass back to the city.
At home, he tossed one front leg to Aunt Liu, then knocked on the neighbour’s door to give the hind leg to the Liu family.
“Brother Lu!” Liu Qingquan exclaimed, “How’s there such a huge pig leg!”
Liu Qingyan came out, her eyes wide with shock at the sight.
“Hunters in the mountains got it, sold it cheap. I saw it and brought back two legs to cure and eat slowly.”
“Hunters?” Liu Qingyan’s gaze fixed on him, her tone astonished.
Lu Zheng nodded, “Yes, mountain hunters rarely catch such a boar. Couldn’t pass it up.”
“Well, that hunter must be quite skilled,” Liu Qingyan said, going along.
Just then, Madam Liu emerged from the back, waving her hands, “No, no, that leg must cost a fortune. We can’t accept it!”
“Take it, please. I’ve already got one at home, and I can’t eat more. Besides, your cooking’s so good, I’m hoping you’ll make extra so I can enjoy it too,” Lu Zheng said with a laugh.
Madam Liu beamed, nodding, “Very well!”
Gift delivered, Lu Zheng was about to head home when Liu Qingyan called out.
“Wait a moment, Lu.”
Soon, she returned with a set of dark cyan clothes.
“What’s this…”
“Summer’s nearly over, and autumn’s coming. I had some free time, so I sewed a padded jacket. Try it on, see if it fits.”
“I couldn’t possibly…”
“We didn’t hesitate to take your pork, did we?”
Lu Zheng looked at Liu Qingyan, whose cheeks flushed as she instinctively averted her gaze.
“Thank you, Miss Liu.”
He took the jacket and slipped it on right there.
“Fits perfectly!”
Madam Liu glanced at them with a smile, then said, “Stay for lunch, Lu. I’ll head to the kitchen.”
“I’ll drop the clothes at home.”
Lu Zheng returned the jacket home, waited a bit, then went back to the Liu house.
Madam Liu’s cooking was exceptional, and with the fine pork, Lu Zheng ate until his mouth glistened with oil.
