Chapter 30: Chapter 30: I’m Taking Bribes For You! Rebellious Phase

The gentry, unworthy of even being named, had departed.

They departed as quietly as they had come. With a wave of their sleeves, they left only chests of silver behind.

Liu Yuheng watched from the side. Though she scorned the gentry for their bribery and Pei Shaoqing for his extortion, she couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter at the sight of those gleaming chests of silver.

The Iron Sword Sect ran numerous businesses, yet what they had left after a full year of expenses was only about this much. And this was just a "welcome gift" for Pei Shaoqing from the city’s gentry.

What’s more, he would be receiving a long-term cut every month from now on.

"My lady... my lady? Lady Gongsun!"

"Yes, I’m here. What is it, Young Master?" Liu Yuheng finally snapped out of her reverie, turning her gaze back to him.

Pei Shaoqing waved a hand. "Have someone take this away and store it. I can’t stand the stench of money. So vulgar!"

’He’s being so pretentious.’

’If it’s so bothersome, why did you accept it?’

’If it’s so vulgar, why were you just haggling for more?’

"You think I’m being insincere, my lady?" Pei Shaoqing asked with a faint smile, having read her expression perfectly.

"I wouldn’t dare," Liu Yuheng said, quickly lowering her head.

"I’m not short on cash, but that doesn’t mean Sect Leader Gongsun isn’t," Pei Shaoqing remarked casually.

Stunned, Liu Yuheng looked up at him in astonishment.

"The Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion has deep enough coffers to cover the petty costs of my daily debauchery—wining, dining, whoring, and gambling. But for an undertaking as expensive as supporting the Iron Sword Sect, I have to find the funds myself." Pei Shaoqing shook his head, a helpless look on his face.

’So his corruption and bribery are all to help the Iron Sword Sect!’

’Is... is that right? So that’s how it is.’

A wave of realization washed over Liu Yuheng, and she felt a flush of shame for her earlier dark thoughts and scorn.

She bit her red lip lightly and bowed. "On behalf of my husband and the disciples of the Iron Sword Sect, I thank you, Young Master."

’Even though this money was gained through corruption, it was for the sake of her Iron Sword Sect. Anyone else might have the right to despise Pei Shaoqing, but she, the Sect Leader’s Wife, did not. On the contrary, she had to be grateful.’

As she bowed, her ample bosom visibly dipped, only to bounce back as she straightened up.

"You’re too kind, my lady. Now, have someone put this silver away." Pei Shaoqing waved a dismissive hand and started to walk out.

"Yes, Young Master," Liu Yuheng replied.

"Mistress." A short while later, Zhao Zilan came over. Seeing Liu Yuheng directing servants to carry chests out, she asked curiously, "What’s inside?"

"Silver," Liu Yuheng replied, her expression complicated.

"Silver?" Zhao Zilan started. "Whose is it?"

"Who else could it be from?" Liu Yuheng sighed softly. "It’s a ’tribute’ from the local gentry to Young Master Pei."

Zhao Zilan’s expression grew complicated as well upon hearing this.

’If the Iron Sword Sect could obtain so much money this easily, Master wouldn’t have to struggle so much.’

’I have to fulfill Master’s request as soon as possible.’

She bit her lip, hardening her resolve.

「The next morning.」

When Pei Shaoqing awoke, neither Xie Qingwu nor General Li were present. He called for an attendant to help him wash up.

But the one who entered with a basin of water was no maidservant.

It was Zhao Zilan.

"What are you doing here?" Pei Shaoqing asked, taken aback.

Having deliberately dressed and made herself up, Zhao Zilan looked especially radiant today. She pursed her red lips and said softly, "Your kindness to the Iron Sword Sect is as vast as the sea, Young Master. My mistress can manage your household, and I, Lan’Er, also wish to do what little I can to repay your grace. Please allow me to serve you from now on."

"Why the sudden change in attitude, Miss Zhao?" Pei Shaoqing asked, taking a subtle step back.

"I was being foolish before. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Young Master." Forcibly suppressing her disgust and shame, Zhao Zilan put on a docile facade and said in a cloyingly sweet voice, "My master had a heart-to-heart with me before returning to the mountain. I now fully understand your importance to the Iron Sword Sect."

As a fellow hypocrite, Pei Shaoqing instantly deduced the reason for her swift change in attitude: she’d been brainwashed and guilt-tripped by Gongsun Yi.

’She’s willingly throwing herself into his arms—and bed—for the sake of the Iron Sword Sect.’

’Interesting.’

"Then I’ll be in your care, Miss Zhao." Pei Shaoqing stood his ground and held out his arms, waiting for her to help him wash and dress.

Zhao Zilan set the basin aside, wrung out a cloth, and stepped forward to wipe his face. The entire process filled her with a sense of grievance. After all, when had she ever served anyone else?

’And to be serving a corrupt official, a lecherous scoundrel, no less.’

Breathing in her intoxicating fragrance, Pei Shaoqing only had to glance down to see her lovely face, the grievance and indignation in her eyes, and her burgeoning chest.

She wore a tight-fitting purple dress that day. Her waist was cinched so tight it seemed one could wrap their hands around it. That, combined with a rear that wasn’t fleshy but was nonetheless round and pert, created a stunning visual.

Pei Shaoqing suddenly wrapped his arm around the slender waist in front of him.

Zhao Zilan’s body shuddered. Her first instinct was to break free and slap him, but she forced it down. She continued wiping his face as if nothing were amiss, only speaking up when she felt his large hand slide down to her rounded bottom. "Young Master, please, show some restraint," she said, her voice trembling. "Remove your hand."

"Have you ever washed your senior brother’s face?" Pei Shaoqing asked, not removing his hand. He sounded quite intrigued.

Zhao Zilan’s face flushed crimson. The thought of her senior brother was sheer agony. With a bitter expression, she shook her head. "Never."

"Then I’m luckier than he is," Pei Shaoqing stated.

Tears glittered in Zhao Zilan’s eyes. As she felt his hand begin to lift her skirt and slip underneath, she finally couldn’t take it anymore and wrenched herself free. Smoothing her dress, she took a deep breath and said, "You’ve crossed a line, Young Master. I don’t actually dislike you, and I know you have feelings for me. But if you wish to win my heart, you shouldn’t be so frivolous."

"What use do I have for your heart? It’s not like I’m in the business of harvesting organs. I just want your body," Pei Shaoqing said, pinching her chin.

’So naive, and she’s trying to play hard-to-get with me? Dream on.’

’All he wanted was to get inside.’

Zhao Zilan met his gaze defiantly. "But you know I have someone else in my heart," she asked, clenching her jaw. "Doesn’t it bother you to be intimate with me?"

"You don’t understand me," Pei Shaoqing said, shaking his head with a brilliant smile. "It only makes me more excited."

"You... you’re shameless!" Zhao Zilan was so angry she couldn’t suppress her true feelings and the words just slipped out.

Pei Shaoqing feigned innocence, spreading his hands in confusion. "How am I shameless? I don’t even care that your heart belongs to another man, as long as your body belongs to me. A man as magnanimous as that... don’t I deserve to be called a gentleman? And yet you curse me as shameless!"

"Lan’Er misspoke. Please forgive me, Young Master." Zhao Zilan struggled to calm herself, lowering her head in apology.

’For the Sect. Everything is for the Sect.’

"I’m quite fired up now!" Pei Shaoqing said, pushing down on her head and forcing her to squat. He looked down at her and added, "An apology takes more than just words."

Squatting, Zhao Zilan tilted her head back, her large, watery almond eyes gazing up at Pei Shaoqing in utter confusion.

’She didn’t understand what he meant by this.’

Pei Shaoqing sighed. ’The sex education in this world is sorely lacking,’ he thought. ’As a transmigrator, I have a duty, an obligation, to take on the responsibility of imparting knowledge... and fluids.’

"Lan’Er!" Liu Yuheng, having heard that Zhao Zilan had gone to attend to Pei Shaoqing, had come looking for her. The scene before her made her face go pale. She rushed into the room and bowed low. "Has Lan’Er been unaccommodating? Please, Young Master, show mercy and forgive her. I am willing to accept any punishment in her place."

Gazing at the voluptuous Liu Yuheng, Pei Shaoqing released Zhao Zilan. "Please rise, Lady Gongsun," he said with a laugh. "Miss Zhao has served me very well. I find her quite capable. She can stay by my side from now on."

"I’m afraid that’s..." Liu Yuheng began, trying to refuse.

But Zhao Zilan cut in, "Yes."

Liu Yuheng looked at her beloved disciple, both shocked and confused.

Zhao Zilan kept her head down, not daring to look at her mistress.

It wasn’t until they had left Pei Shaoqing’s courtyard that Liu Yuheng asked, "Lan’Er, why did you just..."

"Mistress, after the past few days... I think Young Master Pei is actually a good person," Zhao Zilan cut in.

"Do you have any idea what you’re saying?" Liu Yuheng’s face was a mask of disbelief. But knowing her disciple as well as a mother knows her own child, she suddenly understood. "Are you doing this because you think you’re helping your master? Helping the Iron Sword Sect?"

Zhao Zilan lowered her head, lips pressed tightly together, and remained silent.

"Foolish girl! These are not matters for a child like you to worry about! How heartbroken do you think your master would be if he knew?" Liu Yuheng was so furious she was trembling like a leaf.

’I’m doing this precisely so Master *won’t* be heartbroken.’

"I’m not a child anymore! Daughters from normal families are already married by my age." Zhao Zilan lifted her head. "I know what I’m doing, Mistress."

With that, she turned and ran off without a backward glance.

"Lan’Er! Lan’Er!" Liu Yuheng called after her, sighing helplessly. "That child..."

’No, I can’t just stand by and watch my disciple walk down the wrong path.’

’If I can’t even look after Lan’Er, how can I face my husband?’

..................

「Meanwhile...」

Sun Youliang rode for three days and two nights, changing horses along the way, finally reaching the State Mansion over a thousand li away.

He urged his horse through the city gates, charging recklessly through the streets.

"Urgent report from the Jing’an Guard! Make way! Make way!"

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