The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 49

Early the next morning, Lu Zhao descended the stairs with an air of effortless charm, his arm draped around a blushing Yunxia.

Wen Yuan listlessly slumped over the table, casting a sidelong glance at Lu Zhao. While he enjoyed the company of beauties every night, she was tormented by Song Ziyan’s teasing, unable to sleep peacefully. The mere thought of it filled her with frustration!

Lu Zhao’s phoenix-like eyes flickered with a feigned look of distress as he addressed the innkeeper, “We’re new here and wish to purchase a residence. Do you happen to know of any good options?”

The innkeeper, having received instructions the previous day to keep a close watch on the group, immediately replied, “The finest properties in Changzhou are under Magistrate Sun’s name. If you’re truly interested, I can help facilitate an introduction, though the price.”

Lu Zhao tapped the table lightly and said indifferently, “As long as the property meets our standards, the price is of no concern. It’s only right to show a little extra respect to Magistrate Sun.”

The innkeeper’s face lit up with a smile. If the deal went through, he stood to make a handsome profit.

That afternoon, the innkeeper led Lu Zhao and his companions to the residence he had mentioned. Upon entering, they were greeted by a lush bamboo grove with the gentle sound of flowing water. Further inside stood a three-section courtyard, elegantly arranged with pavilions and towers, exuding an air of refined sophistication.

A flicker of admiration crossed Yunxia’s eyes as she stepped inside. Lu Zhao, noticing her reaction, declared grandly, “We’ll take this one! My lady likes it!”

The innkeeper thought to himself, This head of the household didn’t even bother asking the price before making the purchase. He’s utterly infatuated with this woman! What a spendthrift!

Soon, news of the Wu family from Lingxi coming to do business spread throughout Changzhou. Everyone whispered that the head of the Wu family had been bewitched by a woman, relocating the family’s assets to Changzhou for her sake.

“Sir, there is indeed a Wu family in Lingxi. The head of the family is a woman who, it is said, prefers the company of women and refused to comply with her family’s arrangements for marriage and children. She has since left home,” reported Yang Quan, Sun Huan’s trusted aide, bowing as he relayed the information.

Sun Huan chuckled thoughtfully. “Summon her to the residence one of these days. If she truly is the head of the Wu family from Lingxi, she’s a fat piece of meat delivered right to our doorstep!”

Yang Quan bowed respectfully and added, “It is said that the head of the Wu family has already purchased a property in Changzhou and has been actively making connections these past few days. Rumor has it she intends to venture into the medicinal herb business, The herbs on Mount Yun to the south of Changzhou are rare. If we can persuade her to acquire that mountain, it would not only serve as a cover for our operations but also generate substantial annual revenue.”

Sun Huan nodded. “Send her an invitation to visit the residence tomorrow evening. Also, have Rou’er come tomorrow to attend to her. Although the head of the Wu family’s wife is a stunning beauty, Rou’er is gentle and charming in her own right.”

That evening, Lu Zhao brought Wen Yuan to Sun Huan’s residence. From the outside, the residence appeared modest, but upon entering, they were greeted by serene pavilions and water features nestled in quiet elegance.

Sun Huan escorted Lu Zhao and Wen Yuan inside. No sooner had they taken their seats than a beautiful woman emerged from an inner chamber. With delicate features and fair, slender hands, she gently grasped Lu Zhao’s arm and said softly, “Rou’er is here to attend to you.”

Rou’er stole a glance at Lu Zhao, who sat with an air of casual elegance, lazily reclining in his chair. He gave a cool, distant nod and replied, “Much obliged.”

Rou’er, being stared at by Lu Zhao, blushed deeply, her heart fluttering like a startled deer. Today, she had been invited by Lord Sun to his residence to serve an esteemed guest. She had expected it to be like before attending to some pot-bellied, vulgar men. To her surprise, the guest was a woman of celestial beauty, exceptionally handsome. Rou’er couldn’t help but feel her thoughts wandering. She had never served a woman before, but if it were her, she might just give it a try. What a pity she was merely a wealthy merchant; otherwise, Rou’er would have pulled out all the stops to secure a position for herself.

After three rounds of drinks, Lu Zhao brought out a famous painting by Master Xie Shan that she had prepared in advance. “I’ve heard that Lord Sun is fond of landscape paintings and calligraphy. Master Xie Shan is a master in this field I hope you will accept this humble gift!”

A flash of ecstasy crossed Sun Huan’s eyes. An authentic work by Master Xie Shan was priceless, and this Merchant Wu was truly generous.

Sun Huan shoved Rou’er into Lu Zhao’s arms. “This young lady is quite a charmer. Though you already have a fairy at home, it’s always nice to have someone gentle and attentive by your side! Take Rou’er home with you, Merchant Wu!”

“Rou’er, from now on, serve Merchant Wu well! Understood?”

Rou’er pressed herself tightly against Lu Zhao, lowering her eyes and speaking meekly, “Rou’er understands. Rou’er is willing to go back with Merchant Wu.”

Lu Zhao loosely encircled Rou’er with her arms, her phoenix eyes smiling, though the warmth didn’t reach their depths. She said lightly, “Then I graciously accept!”

Wen Yuan had long since sent someone back to the residence to deliver a message, instructing Yunxia to tidy up the easternmost wing, as Lu Zhao would be bringing back a young and beautiful woman.

Yunxia had been spending her days quite contentedly making incense at home. Upon hearing the message, her hands, which had been arranging petals, paused. She replied indifferently, “Understood.”

Yunxia directed the maids to clean up the wing, then waited quietly by the door. The sky gradually darkened, the moonlight stretching her shadow long across the ground, but that person had yet to return.

Leaning against the doorframe, Yunxia lifted her gaze to the bright, clear sky, feeling inexplicably downcast. Though she knew Lu Zhao was acting for the sake of the court, the mere thought of her flirtatiously exchanging suggestive words with others made her heart ache as if being wrung tightly.

After what felt like an eternity, the sound of carriage wheels finally clattered into earshot. Lu Zhao spotted Yunxia waiting at the entrance at once, her heart stirring. She quickened her pace, wrapped an arm around Yunxia’s slender waist, and nuzzled her neck, murmuring softly, “Xiaxia. I’m back.”

Wen Yuan laughed from behind, “Boss, come help Miss Rou’er down! How can you be so lacking in chivalry?”

The person in her arms stiffened. Lu Zhao shot a cold glance at Wen Yuan and said calmly, “Escort Miss Rou’er to the eastern wing.”

Rou’er lifted the carriage curtain and caught sight of a slender figure held tightly in Lu Zhao’s embrace. Lu Zhao’s lowered gaze and the tender, focused expression on her face were entirely different from the cold detachment she had shown at the Sun residence.

Rou’er watched the retreating figures with a heavy gaze, her heart stirring. Her grip on the curtain tightened. Perhaps she, too, could win that person’s favor and become the one cherished in her heart that way, she could escape Sun Huan’s control! Maybe she could even strive to become the rightful wife.

As soon as they entered the room, Lu Zhao pinned Yunxia firmly against the door, her hand caressing Yunxia’s temple. Her eyes held a smile, but her voice was husky and low, “Are you angry?”

Yunxia turned her head away, pushing against Lu Zhao’s chest, and said sulkily, “The Regent is so charming, always bringing women home. Why should I be angry?”

Lu Zhao chuckled softly, “Xiaxia. are you jealous?”

Yunxia pinched the soft flesh at her waist, protesting urgently, “I am not!”

“Even if you want to accompany that Rou’er or Yi’er, I can’t stop you. We’re not married yet you can bring back as many as you want, and I have no right to interfere.”

Lu Zhao held her tightly, and Yunxia immediately caught the scent of powder on her. Her eyes instantly reddened, and her voice trembled as she asked, “Did you really hold someone else?”

Lu Zhao wrapped her arms around Yunxia’s slender waist, pulling her even closer. She leaned down and gently kissed her lips, then said pitifully, “I was dizzy all night from the smell of that powder. Our Xiaxia still smells the best!”

Yunxia’s eyes brimmed with affection as she softly circled Lu Zhao’s neck, stood on her tiptoes, and captured Lu Zhao’s earlobe, her breath as fragrant as orchids. “Then… will you hold anyone else from now on, sister?”

A tingling sensation spread through Lu Zhao’s entire body. She lifted Yunxia by her legs, pulling them even closer together.

A mischievous smile played on Yunxia’s lips. Her gaze was seductive as silk, her body already melting like soft water, her voice unbearably sweet, yet her words were hard to accept.

“Sister, not today! It’s not convenient for me.”

Lu Zhao froze on the spot, and before she could react, Yunxia had already broken free from her grasp, giggling as she ran into the inner room.

The sensation of her softness still lingered in Lu Zhao’s hands. Clenching her teeth, she shouted, “Xu! Yunxia! You’ve really outdone yourself!”