139. Little Darling's Fragrance Bewitches Me to Death (First Update)

Yanliu lowered her gaze, her fan-like eyelashes casting tantalizing shadows upon her fair face. Though she bowed her head in silence, the graceful curve of her swan-like neck was exposed, glowing with a soft, ethereal light that begged to be marked. A few stray locks of hair slipped from behind her ears, grazing the low collar of her dress and disappearing into the neckline, their delicate path along the curve of her neck only adding to her bewitching allure.

Wang Huaiyuan’s breathing hitched. He stared at the beautiful woman before him, unable to tear his eyes away.

In this room, scented with a faint, lingering fragrance, they were entirely alone. Pink silk curtains hung from the ceiling, billowing in the breeze, lending an air of coy, feminine shyness to the space.

"Is this your handkerchief, Madam?" Wang Huaiyuan steadied himself, pulling the crimson cloth embroidered with a lone lotus from his robe.

Yanliu’s eyes flickered, shimmering like a tranquil pool of water, moist and brimming with hidden desire. She cast a fleeting glance at the handkerchief in his hand before quickly looking down, a faint flush rising to her cheeks. "Yes... it is mine."

She spoke in a whisper, reaching out to take it. Her hands were like jade shoots, her nails filed to a delicate point, making her slender fingers appear impossibly soft and boneless.

Wang Huaiyuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He pulled his hand back, leaving hers to grasp at thin air. He tucked the handkerchief back into his robe and seized her small hand instead. "Madam, ever since I caught a glimpse of you in the market yesterday, you have occupied my thoughts all night long. My skin is still burning with longing—don't believe me? Feel for yourself."

Not only were his words crude, but he also pulled Yanliu’s hand toward his own body. She stumbled, nearly falling to the floor.

Wang Huaiyuan was prepared. He swept his arms around her snake-like waist and pulled her into a tight embrace. "My little beauty, you are the death of me. It took me quite some effort to track down your whereabouts."

Yanliu’s face was filled with panic. She pushed against him, but could not break free. "Let go! Master Wang, please let me go... I do not sell my body—"

Her struggle only fueled Wang Huaiyuan’s mounting desire. Ignoring her protests, he buried his nose into her chest and inhaled deeply, chuckling, "Not for sale? Little beauty, do you know how much silver I paid the madam of this house? Even if you scream until the heavens collapse, no one will dare enter."

At these words, the color drained from Yanliu’s face. Tears welled up in her eyes—clear, autumnal pools—shimmering but not falling, making her look all the more vulnerable and ripe for ruin. "No... the madam promised me..."

Wang Huaiyuan had no more patience for her games. With one hand pinning her waist and his legs trapping her to prevent movement, he used his other hand to rip at her thin garments. Her skin, white as a peeled egg, was exposed, and a rich, intoxicating scent of sweet osmanthus filled the air. Wang Huaiyuan’s breathing grew heavy and ragged as he buried his head into her neck, biting and nuzzling her.

"No..." Yanliu shivered. With one hand restrained and the other lacking the strength to fight back, she was completely at his mercy.

Just then—

*Bang!* The door was kicked open, and harsh light flooded into the room.

Wang Huaiyuan, enraged, turned to see a burly man standing in the doorway. He snapped without thinking, "Where the hell did you—"

Before he could finish, he heard Yanliu weeping, crying out piteously, "Husband, save me..."

Before he could react, the man roared like thunder, "You shameless scoundrel! To dare bully my wife? If I don't beat you to death today, I don't deserve the name You!"

Without another word, the man charged in, his fist connecting with Wang Huaiyuan’s back with such force that he nearly lost consciousness.

Yanliu broke free, darting behind the man. "Husband, I have no face to look upon you," she sobbed even more piteously. "Not only was I abducted by this wretch to such a filthy place, but I have also been violated. Please, Husband, divorce me."

The man did not comfort her; instead, his rage toward Wang Huaiyuan intensified. Without a word, he raised his fist for a second strike.

Wang Huaiyuan finally managed to collect his senses. Something felt wrong. He had paid a fortune to the madam of this brothel after spending great effort to track Yanliu down, and he had paid her a large sum today just to ensure silence. From start to finish, this woman was clearly a professional courtesan—where could she possibly have a husband?

Seeing the fist descending, he was terrified. "Stop! Stop! Do you know who I am?"

The man sneered, "I don't care who you are. You bullied my wife, and even if you were the King of Heaven, I would still beat you to death."

With that, a second blow landed on Wang Huaiyuan’s face, knocking several teeth loose on the spot.

Wang Huaiyuan finally realized he had been set up. He glanced at Yanliu with eyes swimming in pain, spat out blood, and cursed, "You bitch..."

Before he could finish, the ruffian’s fist struck again, specifically targeting his face. After several blows, Wang Huaiyuan wanted nothing more than to pass out, but the man had done something to him that kept him agonizingly, painfully conscious of every moment.

The room remained wide open, yet no one came. Usually, the madam would have rushed in by now, but the place was deathly silent, as if no one could hear his screams.

Wang Huaiyuan had never felt such despair. He felt as though his bones were being shattered, yet he was cursed with perfect clarity.

"No... don't... I..." he slurred, pleading toward Yanliu, who was sitting at the table, calmly pouring herself a cup of tea.

After landing several more blows, the man stood up, caught his breath, kicked Wang Huaiyuan in the stomach, and then walked over to shut the door tight.

Wang Huaiyuan did not know if he would die. His face was grotesquely swollen, his mouth full of blood. As he watched the light in the room dim and the door latch shut, panic seized him—he had no idea what this man intended to do next.

To his surprise, the man ignored him entirely. Without even glancing at Yanliu, he walked behind the eight-panel screen and soon pushed a wheelchair out from behind it.

Wang Huaiyuan could only see a pair of small, dark silk shoes embroidered with emerald orchids resting on the wheelchair’s footrest, and the hem of a lake-blue skirt with subtle, dark blue patterns of fallen leaves. Then, he heard a voice from above: "President Wang, you look truly wretched."

The voice sounded vaguely familiar. He froze, struggling to lift his head, until he saw a face as pale and flawless as jade. Large, crystalline eyes with striking black pupils stared down at him—a pair of breathtaking, otherworldly eyes—followed by delicate, lotus-like features. A slender figure sat in the wheelchair.

Shock was written plainly across his face. His lips trembled as he managed to choke out two words: "Gu... Gu Fei..."

Gu Fei covered her lips with her sleeve and laughed softly. She leaned forward, observing his blood-stained face. "President Wang, long time no see."

Since Gu Fei had emerged from behind the screen, Yanliu had set down her tea and stood behind her, head bowed in humble submission.

Wang Huaiyuan surveyed the scene and finally understood: today’s events, including yesterday’s encounter in the market, were all part of a grand conspiracy.

He struggled to rise, but his limbs were racked with pain, weaker than a dying dog.

Gu Fei lifted her chin and signaled to You Er behind her. You Er produced a document from his robes and presented it to her. She pinched it between two fingers and said to Wang Huaiyuan, "This is a letter of resignation from the presidency of the Ink Merchants' Association. Decide whether you want your life or this position."

The resignation letter fluttered down onto Wang Huaiyuan’s face like a falling leaf, soaking up the blood—the ink turning from black to red—a sight that chilled him to the bone.

"You... you... will not succeed..." Wang Huaiyuan mustered his strength to shout.

Gu Fei was not afraid of stubborn people. Besides, Wang Huaiyuan was hardly a man of integrity; otherwise, he would never have forced himself upon Yanliu. Even if they had baited him, had he been a man of pure heart, he would never have been caught.

"You Er, it seems our President Wang is reluctant to give up his post," Gu Fei said languidly.

You Er chuckled, strode over to Wang Huaiyuan, and stepped onto his five fingers, twisting his heel for good measure.

"Ah!" Wang Huaiyuan shrieked.

Gu Fei remained expressionless, her fingers stroking the armrest of her chair. "To borrow your words, President Wang, even if you scream until the heavens collapse, no one will come."

Wang Huaiyuan felt true, soul-crushing despair and the cold threat of death. Unable to endure any more, he abandoned his greed and nodded frantically. "I resign... I resign..."

Without needing a signal from Gu Fei, You Er stopped, knelt down, and spread the paper before Wang Huaiyuan. Yanliu had already prepared a brush.

Wang Huaiyuan had no choice. You Er forced the brush into his hand, and he tremblingly signed his name, finishing by pressing his bloody thumbprint onto the page.

With that, the resignation was official.

Gu Fei smiled as she took the paper, unafraid of any future retaliation. "President Wang—no, Master Wang—do rest here for a while. Someone will come to attend to you later."

"Master Wang, you must think carefully. Yesterday, upon seeing Madam Yanliu, you harbored evil intent. Today, you abducted her to this house of pleasure and attempted to violate her, not to mention your slanderous lies claiming she was a common courtesan when she is a respectable lady. The evidence is clear, and the madam of this brothel can serve as your witness. I suggest you behave yourself."

With those words, You Er pushed the wheelchair out of the room. Yanliu followed with light steps, not sparing Wang Huaiyuan a single glance.

Wang Huaiyuan felt the blood surging in his chest, a sharp, searing pain in his heart. As he watched Gu Fei disappear from view, his throat grew sweet, and he vomited a mouthful of blood before finally losing consciousness.

Once they were out of the brothel, Gu Fei felt her breathing ease. Her sense of smell was keen, and the cloying scent of powder and perfume in the brothel was unbearable.

"You did well," she said without turning around, addressing Yanliu.

Though Gu Fei could not see her, Yanliu curtsied, her skirt rustling. "I dare not take the credit, my lady. It was all thanks to you."

Gu Fei did not stand on ceremony. "Ziyuan told me you wished to be the manager of the Linlang Pavilion in Yizhou. As it happens, Ziyuan has no intention of managing it any longer. I possess the Blood Jade Fox pendant, and Ziyuan says that is enough to act on behalf of the Nine-Fox King, the master of the Pavilion. So, as you wish—you may take up your post tomorrow."