Sword drawn from the constellations, poison as its edge.

Chapter 163 Visiting Xuanshuang Manor

As the horse galloped closer, a short, stocky man leaped down and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your subordinate, Han Wu, greets Your Highness!"

Murong Fu said calmly, "Get up and speak."

The man stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, Third Master and Fourth Master!"

Upon seeing Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e's injuries, his face suddenly contorted with rage: "Which blind bastard dared to injure Master Bao and Master Feng? Damn it, I'll gather all my brothers right now and kill that bastard to avenge them!"

Bao Butong shook his head and said, "No, no. First of all, even I, Mr. Bao San, have been injured. With your Iron-Headed Crocodile and your mere Iron Axe Gang, do you think you're worthy of fighting with them? Secondly, you say the person who hit me is a bastard, so wouldn't Mr. Bao San be a bastard who can't even beat a bastard? Finally, heroes don't become friends without fighting. The person who hit us has already become a brother to us. If you want to kill my brother, then you don't respect me, Mr. Bao San!"

After saying that, he kicked the man so hard that he tumbled over and his head hit the ground hard, causing him to bleed profusely. He turned to Jiang Mingzhe and apologized, saying, "This fool from the marketplace is short-sighted. Young Master Jiang, please don't stoop to his level."

His kick was extremely powerful. This big-headed, thick-necked man tried to stand up but fell down repeatedly, swaying unsteadily like a drunkard, unable to get up several times.

Jiang Mingzhe knew that Bao Butong had hit him so hard because he was afraid that he would take offense at the other party's rude words and deliberately wanted to appease him. He waved his hand and said, "Ignorance is no excuse."

Feng Bo'e kicked the man and laughed loudly, "Old Han, you asked for this kick. Get up and come over to pay your respects to Jiang Gongfeng of the Dali Duan family, as well as the Prince of Zhennan and several princesses."

Old Han, dizzy and disoriented, got up and bowed haphazardly, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency; Greetings, Prince; Greetings, Princess."

Feng Bo'e Chong Jiang Mingzhe and the others laughed and said, "This man is Han Wu, the leader of the Wuxi Iron Axe Gang. He is known as Iron-Headed Crocodile. Although he is a scoundrel, he is quite capable in getting things done."

Jiang Mingzhe blinked, thinking to himself, "How dare you and Bao Butong call others idiots?"
Feng Bo'e then said to Han Wu, "I have nothing else to say to you this time. Go and prepare ten good horses and send them over immediately. Be quick, the sooner the better!"

Han Wu replied immediately, "Ten fine horses, yes, yes, I'll go right away!"

He led his horse haphazardly, mounted it, and rode off. Before long, he returned with ten fine horses.

Those ten mounted knights were probably all skilled members of the Iron Axe Gang. They dismounted swiftly and knelt down by the roadside, not daring to raise their heads.

Han Wu said with a fawning smile, "Young Master, Third Master, Fourth Master, are these horses still suitable?"

On his way there and back, he didn't even bandage the wound on his head. The blood that flowed out dried in the wind, and half of his face was still red.

Jiang Mingzhe thought to himself: In the original story, we only saw Murong Fu leading his four powerful retainers around like headless flies, but how could someone who has been plotting to restore his country for generations have accumulated nothing? In the vast Jiangnan region, who knows how many forces like the Iron Axe Gang have been brought under his command.

Murong Fu nodded slightly, and Feng Bo said with a wicked smile, "You've done a good job! Go ahead, and send someone to my manor to collect the horse in a few days."

After saying that, he ignored the man and gave a horse to Murong Fu. Jiang Mingzhe and the others also mounted their horses and headed south.

We traveled non-stop for two hours along the southern side of Taihu Lake and arrived at a wetland. As far as the eye could see, streams and rivers crisscrossed the area, forming a spiderweb-like network that blocked our way, with large swathes of reeds growing among them.

Feng Bo shouted, "Everyone, stay close to me, or you'll stray from the path!"

After saying this, he spurred his horse and entered the reeds first, with the others following behind. They saw him turn here and there, and among the dense reeds, there were small wooden bridges that spanned rivers and streams without any obstruction. Before long, they emerged from the reeds, revealing twenty or thirty neat houses.

Murong Fu reined in his horse and laughed, “My Murong family’s Canhe Manor is hidden deep in the misty waters of Taihu Lake. Let’s rest at Brother Feng’s Xuanshuang Manor for a while, and then take a boat to my manor.”

At this moment, many male and female servants heard the noise of people and horses and began to peek out. When they saw Murong Fu and the others, they rushed out to pay their respects, calling Murong Fu "Master" and Feng Bo'e "Master," all with utmost respect.

Someone turned and ran, shouting, "Madam, Master is back!"

Before long, two maids escorted a plump woman out in a hurry.

Murong Fu smiled and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law! It's been so long, how have you been?"

The woman quickly curtsied and said, "Greetings, young master. Thanks to your good fortune, I am quite well. Oh dear, third brother, how did you get injured? Azhu and Abi, you've come too. Where is your fourth brother?"

This woman was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with an average appearance, a plump figure, and rather luxurious clothes. She had a friendly look in her eyes and a very gentle tone.

Jiang Mingzhe turned his head and saw Feng Bo'e huddled behind Bao Butong.

Bao Butong laughed and said, "Not at all, sister-in-law, it's not just your third brother who's injured." He took a big step to the side, exposing Feng Bo'e, who was huddled up in a ball.

Upon seeing Feng Bo'e's broken arms, the woman let out a soft cry, her eyes immediately reddening. She stamped her foot and said, "You got into another fight? If it's for the young master's great cause, then so be it. But if you're looking for a fight, see if I'll even talk to you anymore."

With the cover gone, Feng Bo'e was in a state of panic. He then saw Jiang Mingzhe, Duan Yu, and the others looking at him with curiosity, and felt extremely embarrassed. He coughed, straightened his thin chest, and put on a domineering expression like that of Emperor He Qiang.

He said in a rough voice, "Men's business is none of a woman's concern. Can't you see how many guests we have? Why don't you go and prepare a banquet to welcome us!"

The woman was stunned, seemingly incredulous: "Are you talking to me like this now? You...you don't mean you're keeping a mistress on the side, do you?"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Azi and the other two girls.

Jiang Mingzhe coughed and clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Sister-in-law, please don't misunderstand. These three are my pets."

Zhong Ling's eyes widened: He admitted it! Brother Jiang admitted it!
The woman forced a smile and said, "These three young ladies are all beauties. How could he possibly be worthy of them? Brother, rest assured, I have no misunderstanding whatsoever."

Feng Bo'e's face flushed red, and he growled, "Didn't you hear me? I have distinguished guests at my door, Young Master and Brother Bao are here too. Bring out my treasured wine..."

Jiang Mingzhe keenly noticed that Murong Fu and Bao Butong both showed expressions of reluctance.

Then the woman's eyebrows furrowed, and the gentle and kind expression on her face vanished instantly. She pulled her left hand back, and with a whoosh, she ducked down. Her round body, like a smooth ball, shot into Feng Bo'e's arms. Her left fist slammed out and hit Feng Bo'e in the stomach with a bang, making his eyes bulge out and his feet leave the ground.

The woman immediately turned around and was already beside Feng Bo'e. Before he could land, she grabbed him around the waist and tucked him under her arm.

Turning back, she smiled gently and kindly, "Young Master, Third Brother, Azhu, Abi, and all the distinguished guests, I'll have Xiaodie and Xiaoe take you to the flower hall. I'll change my husband's bandages and then have him come and drink with you."

Murong Fu and Bao Butong clasped their hands in a fist and palm salute: "Fourth sister-in-law/brother's wife, please make yourselves at home! We are not outsiders, there's no need to be so polite."

Feng Bo struggled and cried out, "Young Master, save me! Third Brother..."

Before she could finish speaking, the woman punched him on the head with a thud, instantly silencing him. She smiled shyly, gave a slight curtsy, and then leaped like an arrow into the backyard.

Only two small-eyed, big-nosed maids remained standing in place, simultaneously gesturing: "This way, everyone."

The young maid led everyone to their seats in the flower hall, which had doors on two sides. To the left was a courtyard, bustling and beautiful, while to the right was a lake, where the sky and water blended into one. On the table were many fruits and delicacies, and the maid poured fragrant tea for everyone before withdrawing.

As soon as the two left, Azi burst into laughter: "Hahahaha, Sister Azhu, your Brother Feng looks so fierce, how come he didn't dare to fight back when his wife beat him up?"

Zhong Ling immediately said, "Yes, yes, is he very afraid of his wife?"

Although Mu Wanqing didn't speak, she looked over with great interest.

Bao Butong interjected, "No, no, my fourth brother is not afraid of his wife. He just loves her. How could you young ladies understand these principles of being a man?"

Azi chuckled and said, "Bao Laosan, do you also get beaten by your wife like this at home?"

Bao Butong immediately blushed and shouted, "How could this be? Who am I, Mr. Bao San? If my wife dared to be so rude, I would kick her back to her parents' house to cry..."

Before he could finish speaking, the voice of Fengbo's wicked wife came: "Why don't you come in and sit down, Third Sister-in-law? What are you doing standing here?"

Bao Butong jumped up in surprise, knelt down and cried out, "I was just joking! My wife, please forgive me for Bao Butong's sake!"

Then they heard the wicked wife outside say, "Oh, it's just a water vat. I thought Third Sister-in-law had come too."

Bao Butong suddenly turned around and saw Feng Bo's wicked wife covering her mouth and laughing as she entered: "Young Master, Third Brother Bao, you and all the distinguished guests, please eat and drink first. Feng Lang is probably tired, he will come to keep you company after a short nap."

After saying this, he clapped his hands, and many maids and servants began serving dishes in a continuous stream.

(End of this chapter)