Chapter Sixty-Nine: Blossoming Everywhere
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Xianyang City
Zi Nu gazed at the similarly adorned Zi Lan Pavilion before her, a wave of mixed emotions stirring within her heart. She never imagined that after all her twists and turns, she would have expanded her enterprise all the way to the capital of Qin.
Li Yu accompanied Zi Nu as they toured the soon-to-be-completed theater.
“Husband~ Are we asking too little for this place? Won’t the previous owner suffer a loss? I’ve inquired, and this location is worth at least twice what we’re offering~” Zi Nu felt uneasy, as if she were using her position to pressure others.
Li Yu smiled and said, “Didn’t the former owner mention? Their family is relocating and eager to sell. Few in Xianyang can come up with twenty thousand gold coins in cash so quickly.”
Zi Nu replied, “Still, the money came from Sister Feixu~ I’ll repay her as soon as possible.”
Li Yu chuckled, “No rush. We’re family; there’s no need to be so precise about the accounts.”
Zi Nu countered, “That’s not the same~ Even brothers settle accounts clearly. For long-lasting relationships, it’s important to keep things clear.”
Li Yu tenderly rubbed Zi Nu’s belly. “You’re about to be a mother soon~ Don’t overwork yourself.”
His thoughts immediately drifted back to a few days prior.
Upon arriving in Xianyang, Li Yu had asked Nian Duan to stay at his residence and help examine Jing Ni.
To his surprise, Nian Duan brought great news.
“Your wife’s health is excellent, and the fetus is progressing smoothly,” Nian Duan said, placing his hand on Jing Ni’s wrist as she reclined.
“Thank you,” Jing Ni said gratefully.
Nian Duan then calmly turned to the others gathered nearby and pointed at Yan Fei. “Come here~ Let me examine you.”
Yan Fei stepped forward, curious. “I feel fine.”
Without hesitation, Nian Duan took Yan Fei’s pulse.
Li Yu’s heart skipped a beat.
Nian Duan’s brows furrowed slightly, as if sensing something.
Suddenly, everyone’s attention sharpened.
Li Yu’s complexion changed drastically.
“You’re also pregnant~ Take good care of yourself.”
That gentle statement sent ripples through the courtyard.
Li Yu looked at Yan Fei’s belly in disbelief, his excitement barely contained.
“Sir, is this true?” Yan Fei, as the one concerned, was equally thrilled.
“Of course~ It’s been over a month, so the pulse isn’t very distinct yet.”
Yan Fei had longed for a child and often looked enviously at Jing Ni’s growing belly.
At that moment, Li Yu seemed to recall something. He took Zi Nu by the hand and approached Nian Duan.
“Master Nian, please check Zi’er.”
Nian Duan did not refuse and placed his hand on Zi Nu’s pulse.
With a nervous heart, Zi Nu awaited the verdict.
Nian Duan nodded.
Nong Yu, beside her, excitedly grasped Zi Nu’s hand. “Zi Nu, you’re going to be a mother!”
Li Yu smiled. “One at a time~”
Now it was Nong Yu’s turn. As she anxiously waited, Nian Duan shook his head.
Nong Yu’s face fell. Li Yu stepped forward to comfort her. “You’re still young. It’s not good to conceive too early. No rush.”
“But husband likes children~” Nong Yu said.
Li Yu laughed, “Silly! Husband loves you all more. Children are the fruits of our love, not the reason for love itself. There’s plenty of time ahead; we have many chances.”
Then, Little Red Lotus, the adorable one, jumped forward and stretched out her delicate hand. “Sir, check me too~ See if I’m pregnant.”
Nian Duan kindly obliged, taking her pulse.
After a moment, Nian Duan shook his head.
Red Lotus looked disappointed and stepped out of the circle.
Li Yu pulled Red Lotus into his arms and playfully brushed her nose. “You’re so young~ Why rush?”
Red Lotus replied with unique logic, “If my children are born later, won’t they be bullied by the others?”
Li Yu was speechless.
Tide Moon gracefully stepped forward, extending her alluring arm. “Sir, check me as well~”
Nian Duan readily placed two fingers on her snow-white skin.
This time, the examination took longer. Seeing Nian Duan deep in thought, Li Yu’s heart tightened.
“Sir?” Li Yu whispered anxiously.
“This lady, congratulations~” Nian Duan finally looked up with a smile. “The pregnancy is recent, so the pulse is faint. I took extra time to be sure.”
Li Yu exhaled, relieved.
He smiled at the gathered women. “One at a time. Master Nian is the top expert today; cherish this opportunity.”
He gave a flattering compliment right away.
Next was the cold and aloof Bai Yan.
Nian Duan reached out again. Upon first touch, he withdrew his hand and frowned at Bai Yan.
Then he solemnly placed his hand on her delicate wrist again.
“Madam has an innate cold constitution; it’s difficult to conceive.”
Li Yu found this hard to accept, knowing Bai Yan’s body was naturally icy, making pregnancy difficult.
Nian Duan lowered her hand and reassured Li Yu, “I have a cure, Marquis need not worry.”
Li Yu stepped forward excitedly. “Thank you, sir. Whatever you need, just say it. Even if it’s the rarest elixirs, I’ll find a way.”
Hearing this, Bai Yan’s icy expression softened as she grasped Li Yu’s hand to show her gratitude.
Li Yu patted her snowy hand gently. “No need. I’ll write a prescription. You try it first and see how it goes.”
“Thank you,” Li Yu bowed deeply to Nian Duan.
Then Yan Lingji, draped in a blue gauze dress, tiptoed to Nian Duan. Softly, she said, “Master, check me too~”
Such beauty made even other women envious. Nian Duan took her pulse, inhaled thrice, then shook his head.
Li Yu smiled reassuringly. “Fairy, no rush~”
Yan Lingji playfully grinned, “I’m not in a hurry~ Just curious. Jing Ni’s big belly makes moving around inconvenient and no fun at all~”
Li Yu was speechless.
“Hey~ Come over here~” Nian Duan called to Hu Shuangxue, who was hiding outside the crowd.
“I don’t need to, right!~” Hu Shuangxue said unwillingly.
Li Yu awkwardly stood beside, thinking of an excuse.
“This lady looks anemic. Let me check,” Nian Duan looked at Li Yu.
Li Yu had no choice. “Aunt, let the master check you. See if you feel unwell.”
“Aunt?” Nian Duan paused, suddenly realizing something.
Meanwhile, Tide Moon’s lips curled into a mysterious smile.
Nong Yu was confused. Why was Aunt so nervous?
Zi Nu suddenly understood and looked at Li Yu oddly.
Under everyone’s gaze, Hu Shuangxue closed her eyes and extended her slender hand to Master Nian.
After three breaths, Nian Duan withdrew his hand.
“You need to take better care of your health, eat well, and nourish yourself,” Nian Duan said as he gently tapped Hu Shuangxue’s hand, hinting at something.
As a physician, Nian Duan had seen all kinds of matters, especially among nobility—such things were commonplace.
He began to doubt whether bringing Duan Mu Rong here was the right decision.
Looking around at the gathering women, none were simple.
Nong Yu tugged at her mother’s sleeve toward Nian Duan. “Mother, have him check you. That way you can rest easy.”
Hu Ningyue felt despair. Her period was late, making her anxious already. Now this damned rival had brought a famous doctor home—it was killing her.
“No~ I know my own body best. Yu’er, don’t worry,” Hu Ningyue said in panic.
Li Yu felt like dying inside. Ningyue, your expression—
Everyone wasn’t a fool.
Zi Nu looked surprised.
Tide Moon’s sly smile was full of glee.
Only little Red Lotus was puzzled yet impressed.
Nian Duan understood and stood up, saying to Hu Ningyue, “You may have a hidden illness. Let’s talk privately.” He led her into a room.
Hu Ningyue, seeing no escape, nervously followed.
Nong Yu tried to follow but was stopped by Zi Nu. “Your mother doesn’t want you to know. Stay back,” she said, casting a glance at Li Yu.
Li Yu was stunned—socially dead.
Inside, Nian Duan raised Hu Ningyue’s tender hand, feeling her pulse. “Madam, you’ve been pregnant for almost two months. It will show in about a month. You must take care of yourself. And the others must avoid strenuous activity. Intimacy should be stopped for now. I’ll prescribe some medicine to stabilize the pregnancy—you’ll take it too. The child’s safety is paramount.”
Listening to Nian Duan’s pointed words, Hu Ningyue regretted her illicit affair with Li Yu even more.
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But such things aren’t easily controlled by will alone.
As time passed, Li Yu’s place in Hu Ningyue’s heart grew ever more important, and she found herself increasingly unable to live without him.
……
Puyang
Capital of Wei Kingdom
In truth, the entire Wei Kingdom was reduced to a palm-sized territory: Puyang.
Wei was merely a vassal of the powerful Wei State.
Even the city’s commanding generals were Wei soldiers.
Jin Yi was a descendant of Jin Bi.
Jin Bi was the sacrificed commander who had stolen the military tally to save Zhao.
Back then, Lord Xinling had ordered Jin Bi’s execution to rescue Zhao from peril.
Because of Lord Xinling’s unilateral decision, the Wei King treated the Jin family well, and they did not fall after Jin Bi’s death.
Facing Jin Yi was Li Yu’s old acquaintance, Qin’s Supreme General Meng Ao.
Meng Ao personally led 150,000 troops to confront the Wei army.
War was about to erupt.
Years of conflicts between Qin and Wei had left Wei retreating steadily since the death of Marquis Wu of Wei.
Qiyi
Capital of Wei
A young woman stood on the city tower, gazing at the war-torn battlefield before her.
She felt no fear, only a restless eagerness.
“Father, I wish to accompany you to war,” the girl said to the armored man beside her.
“Zhi’er, the battlefield isn’t decided by personal valor. You’d better stay at the palace,” he replied.
“Father, Grandfather died at the hands of the Wei. Why do you still serve the Wei King?” the girl voiced her deepest thoughts.
“I am Wei-born but raised by Wei. My father’s death was not the King’s fault. How can I abandon Wei in its hour of need?” the man looked down at the approaching Qin army and said to his just-turned-eight daughter:
“You and your mother must leave the capital immediately for Daliang. If you delay, it will be too late.”
“But Father—” the girl hesitated.
“Go!” he commanded quietly.
A carriage left the eastern gate of Qiyi.
The girl lifted the curtain and looked toward the capital.
The city gates had been breached, and she worried for her father’s safety.
A woman grasped her hand. “Zhi’er, your father’s greatest worry is you.”
“Mother, I know!” the girl whispered.
The battlefield shifted rapidly; no one could predict what would happen next.
A troop of thousands of Qin soldiers lay in ambush on the road to Daliang, ready to strike the retreating Wei army.
A luxurious carriage, guarded by dozens of Wei soldiers, stood out like a prize.
The Qin general gave a signal.
The ambushers silently surrounded the carriage.
“Kill!”
At the order, the Wei soldiers around the carriage fell one by one.
With a charge from the Qin forces, the remaining Wei soldiers barely resisted.
Inside the carriage, a lady was struck by a rain of arrows, clutching her chest, near death.
Breath faint, she urged the terrified girl, “Zhi’er, run!”
“Mother—”
“Go now!”
The young woman mustered her last strength to speak, blood trickling from her lips as her eyes closed.
Filled with grief, the girl glanced once more at her mother, then jumped down and fled aimlessly into a nearby thicket beside the road.
The pounding hooves of the pursuing cavalry grew louder.
The girl stumbled and fell.
Four mounted riders charged toward her.
She braced for a desperate fight.
At that critical moment, a gentle breeze stirred.
A white-clad youth appeared before the frightened girl.
“I’ll save you—follow me,” Li Yu said, scooping the tearful girl into his arms.
“Who are you?” the lead officer reined in his horse and barked.
“Thank you for your efforts. Return,” Li Yu said calmly.
The officer raised his sword and swung at Li Yu.
With a single hand, Li Yu deflected the blade, redirecting it to slash a horse’s tail, startling the animal upright.
Li Yu glanced at the panicked officer, then toward the approaching Qin army of over a thousand.
He touched his brow and quietly spoke, “Qian—”
He vanished.
The remaining cavalry froze mid-attack, exchanging confused glances.
……
Handan
City of the King of Zhao
King Zhao Yan sat in the main hall.
“The Qin army has deployed troops near the border of Ye City, their intentions clear. What are your thoughts?”
A portly middle-aged man stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I suggest recalling Li Mu from the border to counter the Qin.”
Guo Kai, a handsome middle-aged man, then stepped out and bowed to King Zhao Yan. “This time the Qin general is not Meng Ao but the newly promoted Wang Jian. Is it necessary to mobilize our Wuan Lord? I believe Yan Ju is capable.”
He addressed the other official. “Lord Chunping, even if General Li Mu comes to Ye City, it will take over a month. The battlefield changes rapidly; the Qin won’t wait for us to deploy.”
King Zhao Yan nodded, agreeing. “Send Yan Ju to Ye City. Crush the Qin army thoroughly—make them suffer and fear us. This avenges Changping.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Guo Kai accepted the order.
While King Zhao Yan and his ministers discussed strategy, Li Yu strolled with his queen beside a small lakeside outside the city.
“Li’er, the myriad lights and scenery pale before your beauty,” Li Yu gently caressed the courtesan’s soft hand, his expression tender.
“Yu Lang! Why bring me here today?” Lan Li’er, gazing at the tranquil lake, realized how long it had been since she had left Handan to enjoy such natural beauty.
Li Yu cradled Lan Li’er’s enticing chin and whispered into her ear, “Today you’re not wearing your corset~ Let’s have some fun~”
Lan Li’er’s eyes sparkled with charm and desire as she looked at Li Yu. She melted into his arms. “Yu Lang~ How do you want to play? I’ll follow you.”
Li Yu chuckled and hoisted the courtesan onto his shoulder.
Suddenly, the fields echoed with her melodious laughter, alluring and captivating.
……
Tiandou City
Li Yu wandered the streets with Xiao Wu on his left and Liu Erlong on his right.
“Long’er, where shall we go today?” Li Yu smiled at the sulking Liu Erlong.
“Anywhere you want,” Liu Erlong replied tersely.
Now Liu Erlong deeply regretted impulsively betting with Li Yu.
“Then let’s go to the auction house! We’ve been here a while but haven’t been. Today’s a good chance to broaden our horizons,” Li Yu said, holding Xiao Wu’s hand.
“You’re always idle. Where does your strength come from?” Liu Erlong voiced his long-standing doubts.
Li Yu quickly seized Liu Erlong’s hand, kissed it swiftly, and grinned. “Just like this.”
Liu Erlong yanked his delicate hand away, frowning. “You’re asking for death.”
He raised his hand to strike.
“Long’er, are you sure? This is the street,” Li Yu teased.
Liu Erlong recalled how, when she tried to sneak attack, Li Yu always pinned her and spanked her. Embarrassed, she lowered her hand.
“When I can beat you, I’ll wash away today’s shame.”
Li Yu nodded, adoring his companion. “Alright.”
Seeing Li Yu’s expression, Liu Erlong knew he wasn’t believed. She continued, “You have to teach me your magic.”
“Of course~ You can learn anything.”
“Brother, you two are flirting and ignoring me,” Xiao Wu pouted.
Li Yu lifted the little rabbit onto his shoulder.
Liu Erlong’s brow twitched as she looked at Xiao Wu on Li Yu’s shoulder. “Who’s flirting with him?”
Xiao Wu kicked her little legs cutely and said, “Erlong, Brother is just helping you. I heard you were deceived in love and felt sorry. He wants to help so you won’t suffer.”
Liu Erlong glared at Li Yu. “What did you say to Xiao Wu?”
Li Yu embraced Liu Erlong. “Long’er, I’m not courting you because of that. I truly like you.”
Liu Erlong squirmed, uncomfortable with the hug. “Let me go first.”
Li Yu shook his head. “No~ Not until you kiss me.”
Liu Erlong’s face flushed with anger. She averted her gaze.
The Tiandou Empire auction house was vast.
Li Yu presented his purple gold card, granting him smooth entry.
“Our guests’ identities are confidential. Please wear masks,” said the guide, a brown-haired young woman in a miniskirt, walking gracefully and confidently as she led them inside.
Holding their bidding paddles, they surveyed the large auction hall, surprisingly sparse with only a few dozen attendees.
Xiao Wu excitedly studied a detailed brochure listing various items.
Soon, a red-haired man with sunglasses appeared center stage.
“Welcome to the Tiandou City auction! Today we have five items. I believe you’re familiar with them. Let’s start with the first.”
A woman with sunglasses brought out a tray.
“The first item is a soul conductor with ten cubic feet of storage—a rare spatial soul conductor. Starting bid 5,000.”
Just then, a voice from the second floor called, “6,000!”
Li Yu admired the bracelet-like soul conductor and raised his paddle. “10,000!”
The auctioneer was stunned by this generous bidder.
Since the auctioneer’s income depended on the final price, such lavish customers were welcomed.
“10,000 from this guest. Any higher bids?”
The voice upstairs countered, “11,000.”
The auctioneer beamed. “Sect Master Ning bids 11,000. Anyone else?”
Li Yu was surprised. Ning Sect Master? Ning Fengzhi? There couldn’t be another in Tiandou City.
He stood and bowed. “Since Sect Master Ning likes it, I’ll graciously give way—consider it a friendship gesture.”
He sat back down.
From above came, “Thank you, young brother, for giving Ning face.”
Li Yu smiled and sat.
The first item was sold to Ning Fengzhi.
The next two items did not interest Li Yu.
Until the fourth item appeared.
“This is a woman’s gauze robe from an ancient ruin. The material is soft and light, perfect as a gift for a loved one. Its function? It can mask a person’s aura, like covering natural odors. The starting bid is 1,000 gold soul coins,” the auctioneer said, unimpressed by the gimmick.
But this caught Li Yu’s eye.
He quickly raised his paddle. “2,000!”
Xiao Wu soon understood his reason.
“2,100,” a fat man at the front row bid.
“3,000,” Li Yu countered.
The fat man glared fiercely and raised to “4,000.”
Li Yu gave a disdainful glance. “8,000.”
Spending 8,000 gold soul coins on a gimmicky dress? Either mad or a prodigal heir.
The fat man looked at the two beautiful masked women beside Li Yu and realized they were likely companions, so he stopped bidding.
Li Yu happily won the gauze robe.
“Next, the highlight of today,” the auctioneer said, pointing behind him.
A large cart covered with red cloth was pushed on stage.
Li Yu looked on curiously.
The catalog said it was a leopard girl.
The auctioneer revealed the cloth.
A golden cage appeared, containing a scantily clad girl with a slender leopard tail swaying enticingly—a real eye-catcher.
The fat man in front stood excitedly, clearly targeting her.
Others also stared, some astonished.
The girl looked terrified, pitifully scanning the crowd.
Xiao Wu tightly grasped Li Yu’s hand, her expression full of anger.
Li Yu patted her hand, reassuring.
The auctioneer paced beside the iron cage, enthusiasm rising. “Due to a soul mutation, she gained leopard traits, becoming a leopard girl. Guests, isn’t she interesting? Starting bid: 100,000 gold soul coins.”
At that moment, a figure appeared in Li Yu’s mind: the treasure girl Zhu Zhuqing.
It was time to find her.
Xiao Wu’s face was full of fury. “These bastards auctioning people like objects!”
Li Yu smiled and raised his paddle. “110,000.”
The fat man matched. “120,000.”
Another bidder at the front raised a paddle. “130,000.”
Competition heated.
Though Li Yu wouldn’t normally spend so much, he raised to “180,000,” adding 50,000 outright.
Everyone gasped.
Who was this rich young master so lascivious?
Ning Fengzhi also looked down curiously.
Spending 180,000 for a leopard girl was extravagant unless one had a special fetish.
The price far exceeded expectations, and no one else bid.
Interest in Li Yu’s identity grew.
The handover went smoothly. When Li Yu brought the leopard girl and the gauze robe to Xiao Wu, he handed her the robe.
“This is a gift for you, Brother.”
Xiao Wu didn’t hesitate and took it. She stood on tiptoe and kissed Li Yu’s cheek.
“Try it on~ This color suits you.”
“Okay~” Xiao Wu loved the robe.
She opened the box, donned it, and twirled.
“Brother! How do I look?”
Li Yu smiled warmly. “Beautiful!~”
Liu Erlong approached, circling the leopard girl. With her graceful figure and sweet face, she asked Li Yu, “Are you keeping the leopard girl?”
Li Yu smiled, pulling out a contract and handing it to the girl. “You’re free now. If you have nowhere to go, I can recommend a place.”
The leopard girl stared at the contract in disbelief. “Is this real?”
Li Yu laughed, “Of course! I never lie to women~”
Only then did the leopard girl believe him. Grateful, she bowed deeply. “Thank you! Where is this place you mentioned?”
Li Yu beckoned her over and whispered a few words, then handed her something from a soul conductor.
“When you arrive, give this to the person in charge. They will arrange everything.”
The leopard girl bowed again, feeling as if dreaming.
She looked toward the distant sun and leapt away, disappearing from sight.
Liu Erlong truly admired Li Yu now. Spending 180,000 gold soul coins was no small matter for anyone, and Li Yu wasn’t a reckless spendthrift. Yet, to spend lavishly for a good cause without hesitation showed extraordinary resolve.
“Don’t regret it?”
Li Yu smiled and glanced at Liu Erlong. “Long’er, do you like me now? Feeling moved?”
“Tch~” Liu Erlong flipped her hair and strode down the stairs, leaving Li Yu with a graceful back.
Xiao Wu smiled, feeling content.
Li Yu lifted Xiao Wu onto his shoulder and exited the auction.
All of this had been observed clearly by Ning Fengzhi from a second-floor window.
Now the auction manager personally greeted Ning Fengzhi.
“Sect Master Ning, your auction items are ready. When shall we deliver?”
Ning Fengzhi, curious, asked, “Do you know who that young brother just now is?”
The manager paused, then apologized, “We keep our customers confidential. Please understand, Sect Master Ning.”
Ning Fengzhi nodded.
The manager continued, “That young brother also bought one of our supervisors.”
“Oh?” Ning Fengzhi’s curiosity about Li Yu deepened. At the auction, everything had a price, including the manager before him.
Why would someone buy a supervisor? Unlike ordinary servants, supervisors were carefully selected and trained, capable leaders and executors. Naturally, they commanded a high price.
But Ning Fengzhi hadn’t seen anyone extra leaving with Li Yu.
His curiosity about Li Yu grew.
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