The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 150 The Number One Person Under Heaven: Dai An
Liang Shicheng gripped the official's sleeve tightly with his withered hands, as if clutching a lifeline. "Your Majesty's health is of paramount importance, and the fate of the nation rests upon you... This servant dares not stray for even a moment. Why not let this old servant carry a lantern and follow behind you?"

Liang Shicheng's cold sweat glistened in the dim lantern light, making him look like a frightened old mouse.

The official turned around, looked at her, and laughed and scolded, "You old coward, you're such a coward!"

She glanced at him sideways: "What could possibly happen if it's only a hundred paces to the left or right? Even if it's a thousand or ten thousand paces, in this capital city of Bianliang, right under the emperor's nose, in the most desirable area! Are my Imperial City Guard and Kaifeng Prefecture just for show? Are all the patrolmen and sentries on the streets just sitting around doing nothing?"

"Could it be that you, old dog, are mocking my peaceful and prosperous era?"

These words were like a red-hot iron, burning Liang Shicheng so much that he let out a scream and his soul almost left his body!

The old face instantly lost all color, turning paler than a newly painted wall. Cold sweat poured out, trickling down the folds of his clothes and soaking the front of his brand-new silk robe, making him look like a drowning dog just pulled from the water.

His two old legs trembled violently, and with a thud, he collapsed to his knees on the cold, hard ground, his forehead hitting the ground with a loud thud, and his cries became distorted:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare me! This old servant deserves to be punished for this foul mouth! This old servant was blinded by greed and let out a stinking fart! This old servant was just worried about Your Majesty's well-being and was overly concerned; I had no other thoughts whatsoever! Your Majesty's wisdom shines brightly, and the world is at peace; this old servant is overjoyed..."

He was incoherent, tears streaming down his face, almost as if he were tearing his heart out to pledge his loyalty.

The official frowned in disgust, too lazy to look at this mess any longer. He snatched the lantern from the man's hand and hissed, "Get lost! Stop making noise!" He then picked up the dim lantern, pushed open the side door, and slipped into the alley.

Behind the door was a narrow alley, right next to Li Shishi's courtyard wall. Tonight, the official was dressed in plain clothes, wearing a brocade robe that resembled that of a wealthy merchant, not a dragon robe, and he only wore an ordinary turban on his head.

He was unfamiliar with this secluded path, and with the night dark and the lanterns dimly lit, he stumbled along the base of the wall like a headless fly.

On the other side of the wall!
Dai'an, Ximen Da Guanren's trusted servant, was pacing along the wall, seething with anger.

He had just failed to catch the lecherous man who had thrown the stone and silk, and was instead ordered to fetch the package, leaving him feeling utterly humiliated.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared on the other side of the wall, carrying a lantern and sneaking around along the base of the wall. The way the figure peeked out was exactly like those libertines who wanted to climb over the wall to steal a kiss or imitate the erotic poetry of Li Shishi!
"Damn it!" Dai'an cursed inwardly. "Another filthy bastard, a toad trying to eat swan meat! I hope Grandpa catches him in the act!"

He rolled up his sleeves, ready to teach this guy a lesson, but then he thought, "No, what if I punch him a few times and he recognizes me? That would cause trouble for my uncle later!"

His eyes darted around, and he bent down to pick up a hard, angular stone. He weighed it in his hand and remembered the hidden weapon technique that Master Ximen had taught him. This technique was something that Master Ximen had personally instructed him on when he was bored while drinking!

The key is to be "steady, accurate, and ruthless." With three fingers gripping the stone, a flick of the wrist generates power from the waist, aiming to strike vital points!

He sneered inwardly, "Heh heh, let me show you what my 'melon-cracking hammer' is like, let you taste the feeling of 'splitting your skull'! You filthy scoundrel! A toad trying to smell a swan's ass? Today I'll open a window in your dog's head and let all your filth seep out!"

He mustered all his strength, aimed at the sneaky figure, and roared at the top of his lungs with all his might:
"Hey! You shady fox who sneaks into the wall! Take this 'Soul-Stabilizing Stone'!"

Before the words were even finished, the stone, accompanied by the whoosh of the wind, shot out like an arrow, heading straight for the back of the figure's head!

As the official was frowning and groping, he suddenly heard a thunderous curse behind him, which startled him so much that he instinctively turned around.

Turning around, I saw a dark object rapidly enlarging in the dim light of the lantern, rushing straight towards my face!

"Ah—!" A short and shrill scream had just escaped his throat!
With a muffled "thud," the stone struck the official squarely between the eyebrows! The force was both heavy and precise!

The official felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, stars flashing everywhere, and excruciating pain instantly overwhelmed his senses. Before he could even finish a groan, his body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud, like a mushy noodle. The lantern he was holding also fell to the ground with a crash.

The flame flickered a few times and then went out.

A bloody hole appeared on his forehead, from which blood gushed out. He had already fainted and was unconscious.

Inside the wall, Liang Shicheng and the guards were listening intently when they suddenly heard the official's ominous scream, which abruptly stopped, followed by a muffled thud as something heavy fell to the ground. They were instantly terrified!

Liang Shicheng's face turned deathly pale. He scrambled open the side gate, wailing shrilly, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, what's wrong?!" The guards, as if their backsides were on fire, drew their swords and swarmed out!

There lay a man on the ground, none other than their official, who was disguised!
A large gash appeared on his forehead, blood smeared half his face, and he was unconscious, his breath faint. Where was the assassin?
There was only a blood-stained stone on the ground and a broken lantern.

"My God! You might as well just strike me dead with lightning!" Liang Shicheng was terrified, his soul nearly leaving his body. He rushed forward and hugged the official, his fingers trembling as he checked his breath. Feeling a faint pulse, he regained some composure and cried out in a distorted voice:

"Quick! Someone come here! The Emperor... the Emperor has been attacked! Quick! Take him back! Take him back!!"

His heart was pounding with fear, and he no longer cared about propriety or seeking pleasure. He had only one thought in his mind: if anything happened to the Emperor, even his nine generations of relatives wouldn't be enough to pay for it!

The guards were also terrified and hurriedly lifted the unconscious emperor.

One person carried it on their back, two others supported them on either side, and one person picked up the shattered lantern fragments. They no longer cared about finding the murderer.
We didn't even see a ghost! We just assumed it was some kind of calamity that came from the shadows.

Liang Shicheng scrambled ahead to lead the way, and the group, like stray dogs, hurriedly scrambled back into that filthy secret passage, eager to get this hot potato, this deadly ancestor, back to the solemn imperial palace!
As soon as he entered the side gate of the palace, Liang Shicheng's shrill voice shattered the silence of the palace, howling with a sob and extreme fear:

"Summon the imperial physicians! Summon the imperial physicians immediately! All the imperial physicians, get over here right now!! Hurry! Your Majesty... Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!!!"

The piercing scream echoed within the high walls of the palace, startling a flock of roosting birds and utterly shattering what should have been another romantic moonlit night in Bianliang, the capital of the Eastern Capital.

Meanwhile, Dai'an watched as the stone slashed across the ground, leaving a dark shadow, and with a muffled thud, it struck the "prodigal son" squarely on the head!
The force was so great that the man staggered, unable to even utter a sound, before collapsing to the ground with a thud. The lantern in his hand shattered into pieces with a crash, and the flame went out instantly.

"Hey! I hit it!" Dai'an was overjoyed, almost shouting out loud. It was as if all the pent-up frustration of the past few days had been released with this stone, and every pore on his body felt refreshed. "Serves you right for being sneaky! Serves you right for being a flirt! Grandpa will crack your skull open to wake you up!"

He was thinking of peeking out to see the scoundrel's pathetic state, and maybe even kicking him a couple more times to vent his anger.

But right at this moment!

With a loud crash, the inconspicuous little side door was violently kicked open! Like a hornet's nest being disturbed, a large group of people rushed out!

The first man, an old fellow dressed in silk but with a face full of panic, cried out in a shrill voice like a hen being strangled: "Your...Your Majesty! What's wrong with you, Your Majesty?!"

Following behind were several burly men. Although they were dressed in civilian clothes, their eyes, movements, and the bulging objects at their waists clearly indicated that they were guards carrying weapons!
They pounced on their prey like hungry tigers, instantly surrounding the bloodied, lifeless figure on the ground. Though their swords were not drawn, the murderous aura emanating from them sent chills down Dai'an's spine from afar!

Dai An's smugness vanished in an instant, completely terrified by the scene before him! His heart felt as if it had been gripped tightly by an icy hand, then leaped into his throat, pounding wildly like a drum, making his eardrums buzz!

"My goodness! What the hell is this?!" Dai'an's mind went completely blank.

That "playboy" in brocade robes on the ground... could he be some powerful and influential figure? Or perhaps a high-ranking official from some government office on an incognito visit?

Judging by the guards' posture, they're even more imposing than the county magistrate himself! My stone didn't just hit a rascal; it stirred up a hornet's nest—no, it stirred up the King of Hell's palace!

Cold sweat poured down his back, and he felt a tightness in his crotch.

His hands and feet were ice cold, and he didn't even dare to breathe loudly, let alone watch the excitement.
While the crowd was still bustling around the injured man and no one had noticed him in the shadows by the wall, Dai'an, like a startled cat, suddenly pulled his neck back and pressed his body tightly against the cold shadows of the corner of the wall, wishing he could disappear into the cracks in the wall!
"Run! Run! Run as far as you can!" This thought was like a red-hot iron, sending a shiver down his spine.

How could he dare to linger? Crouching low, he tiptoed along the deepest shadow of the wall, using all his strength, like a wisp of black smoke rolling along the ground, and with a "whoosh," he darted off in the opposite direction!
He deliberately chose to sneak into nooks and crannies, among the shadows of trees and flowers, tumbling and crawling, looking utterly disheveled. He only wished that his parents had given him more legs, and even with oiled soles on his shoes, he still felt he was too slow!

His heart was still pounding wildly in his chest, making his vision blur. As he fled for his life, his mind was in turmoil: "I've messed up! I've messed up terribly! This kind of entourage... they must be some kind of wealthy family... I'm doomed, I'm doomed, whoever they are, they might be a deadly ancestor!"

He fled far away, until he could no longer hear the wailing and commotion, and hid behind a stinking pile of firewood. Only then did Dai'an dare to stop and catch his breath. His clothes were soaked with cold sweat, and the wind chilled him to the bone. He collapsed to the ground, his teeth still chattering uncontrollably.

"This matter... this matter must never be spoken of! Not to anyone! It must remain buried in my heart!" He pinched his thigh hard, the sharp pain bringing him to his senses slightly. An unprecedented fierceness and fear flashed in his eyes as he looked up at the dark night sky and cried out in his heart, "If Uncle Ximen asks, I'll just pretend it never happened! Today's events will just be like encountering a ghost!"

After making the vow, he took a deep breath and pretended to be nonchalant as he re-entered Li Shishi's villa.

Outside, an official was struck by a flying stone, his head broken and bleeding.

In the back garden in late autumn, the night was cool and still, and a few clumps of late chrysanthemums were swaying in the cold wind, exhaling their lingering fragrance.

However, Ximen Qing was in high spirits and had already ordered people to set up an easel next to the Taihu stone. He also summoned Li Shishi and several clever maids.

“Miss Shishi, this is a beautiful time, let’s not waste this moonlit night and the shadows of the flowers.” Ximen Qing, dressed in a brocade robe, truly resembled a refined painter at this moment, but the burning desire hidden deep in his eyes betrayed him. He pointed to a spot beside the Taihu stone: “Come, lean against this spot.”

Li Shishi was slightly surprised, but she followed his instructions and moved lightly to the cool Taihu stone.

Today, in order to practice her singing, she wore only a thin, apricot-red crepe blouse, tied with a plain white embroidered skirt. Her exquisite figure was faintly visible in the moonlight, making her waist appear even more slender and delicate. Her mature and beautiful body pushed the thin blouse into a breathtaking curve, and her round and pert buttocks created an alluring charm as she walked.

"Bring the lanterns!" Master Ximen commanded decisively. Three maids immediately stepped forward with bright silk lanterns.

A maidservant held a lantern high, pointing it directly at Li Shishi. Ximen Qing then said, "Don't shine it directly; tilt it to the left by a third, and then block it with a piece of Xuan paper!"

The maidservant quickly did as she was told. The strong light shone through the snow-white Xuan paper, transforming into a warm, jade-like halo that enveloped Li Shishi's upper body. It immediately made her beautiful face appear as if it were carved from fine jade, so delicate that even the fine downy hairs on her cheeks were clearly visible, and her cherry lips were moist and luscious.

What's even more wonderful is that the soft light penetrates the thin gauze, vaguely yet incredibly realistically outlining her curves, making her even more alluring than when she's naked.

Looking at her skin under the lamplight, Li Shishi was surprised to see it become even smoother, and she trusted the man even more.

Another maidservant, carrying a lantern, stood slightly behind and slightly higher than Li Shishi. The light shone down from above, as if gilding her figure, highlighting her swan-like neck, the smooth lines of her shoulders and back, and the breathtaking curves between her full hips and slender waist. Even the straps of her undergarment, faintly visible beneath the thin gauze, were clearly discernible.

The third maid lowered the lantern, almost touching the ground, and shone it upwards from below. Though weak, the light was extremely subtle, penetrating the hem of Li Shishi's plain white embroidered skirt!
The skirt subtly reveals the silhouette of a pair of jade-like feet clad in soft satin embroidered shoes, as well as the upward-extending, shapely, and taut lines of her calves, evoking endless reverie.

"Good, good! Forgive me, Li Shishi!" Ximen Qing clapped his hands, his eyes burning. He stepped forward and placed his hands on Li Shishi's slender waist, the heat of his palms penetrating through the thin gauze to her skin. "Turn your body a little more to the side, towards this chrysanthemum, towards..."

He gently adjusted her body into an alluring angle. One hand slid down, grasping her slender ankle, and gently lifted it, placing her jade-like foot, clad in a soft satin embroidered shoe, lightly on a low lake rock. The movement slightly lifted her skirt, revealing a fair and delicate calf.

“This hand,” he said, lifting Li Shishi’s right arm with his other hand, his fingertips intentionally or unintentionally tracing her sensitive armpit and the inside of her elbow, “resting on this stone, elbow slightly bent, fingers… like this, loosely gathered, as if picking at something…”

Li Shishi trembled violently, an indescribable tingling sensation shooting straight to the top of her head, almost making her moan. She had to bite her lower lip tightly to swallow the whimper.

But his fingers didn't stop; they slowly and methodically slid down the inside of her smooth, satin-like arm.

He manipulated her slender fingers, each subtle bend revealing meticulous care. Finally, he leaned closer, his breath almost brushing against Li Shishi's sensitive earlobe, his voice low and commanding: "Lower your head a little more, your eyes... like this, three parts languid, seven parts melancholy, gazing into the depths of the flower shadows..."

Following his instructions, Li Shishi adjusted her body into an extremely alluring and suggestive pose, leaning against a rock with her left leg bent and her jade foot touching the stone, her right arm outstretched, her head slightly lowered, and her eyes sparkling.

She was the queen of the pleasure quarters, every move she made was a seductive charm, but now she was shocked to realize that Ximen's "manipulation" was a hundred times more exquisite than any of the seductive skills she had learned!
Every angle, every line, subtly resonates with a captivating rhythm, showcasing her ample breasts, slender waist, round hips, and long legs to their fullest extent under this strange lighting, exuding a subtle yet unrestrained sensuality.

She couldn't help but curse inwardly: "That damned bastard! He's even more skilled at manipulating people than the brothel madam!"

What made her even more uneasy was that although Ximen Qing's hands lingered and caressed all over her body, he controlled the force with great restraint. This very restraint made her have some wild fantasies.

Mingming watched as the large hand reached out to grab her ample breasts, unsure whether to feel more joy or fear. She wanted to scold it, but the five fingers dodged at the last moment and grabbed at a safer spot instead.

Li Xingshou's heart tightened and then relaxed, feeling like an ant crawling on its body. He couldn't help but scold, "Why don't you grab me? What are you doing provoking me!"

After everything was arranged, the official sat down and focused on painting.

The chill of autumn seems to strike at this very moment.

A cool breeze blew, and the sweat instantly turned into icy needles, piercing her skin and flesh. She couldn't help but let out a soft "Achoo!" and her body shivered violently. Her delicate body instinctively wanted to curl up into a ball for warmth, but her pre-arranged flirtatious posture was like an invisible shackle, making her unable to move.

Her pitiful appearance, struggling to stay upright and trembling like a flower, coupled with her pale skin that appeared even more delicate and rosy under the lamplight, added an extra touch of captivating charm, making even the maid holding the lamp's heart skip a beat.

Ximen Qing was intently observing her writing when he caught a glimpse of her slight trembling and her forced composure.

He frowned slightly and stopped what he was doing.

Just when Li Shishi thought he was going to scold her, she saw him take off his outer coat!
"The autumn dew is like a knife; don't let it freeze Li Xingshou." His voice was gentle, but his actions left no room for refusal.

In an instant, Li Shishi's entire delicate body was completely covered! From her rounded shoulders to her full breasts and alluring waist and hip curves, everything was wrapped in thick, warm brocade, revealing only her still astonished and blushing face and her pair of delicate jade feet.

Li Shishi was stunned. A huge wave of warmth instantly enveloped her, dispelling the biting chill. At the same time, a hot, sweaty smell emanated from her coat, like the strong body odor of a burly man just pulled out of a steamer, carrying a strong, masculine odor that assaulted Li Shishi's nostrils, making her head spin!
Her body was taut like a fully drawn bowstring, her legs clamped tightly together, the soft, white flesh of her thighs bulging out hard ridges.

This outer coat completely covered her breasts and buttocks, which were most likely to arouse imagination! Not a single glimpse of her skin was revealed! This action formed a huge contrast with his aggressive gaze and the intimate manner in which he posed just now.

A surge of indescribable warmth and astonishment welled up in Li Shishi's heart. If he were truly such a lustful and despicable man, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to take advantage of her and feast his eyes? Why would he be so considerate as to wrap her up so tightly?
She looked up at Ximen Qing, and the "resentment" in her eyes faded unconsciously, replaced by genuine confusion and trust.

The official seemed completely unconcerned, as if he had simply done something perfectly natural. He picked up the charcoal pencil again, his gaze sharp and focused once more. The pencil scratched across the paper, and his gaze seemed to penetrate the brocade, still traversing and measuring her wrapped body.

Li Shishi didn't know how long Ximen Qing had been manipulating her while drawing; she felt her entire body stiffen, and even the three maids standing beside her couldn't help but cover their mouths and yawn, their heads nodding off in a daze. Finally, Ximen Qing put down his charcoal pencil, carefully lifted the drawing paper, and walked over.

"Miss Shishi, what do you think of this first draft?" Ximen Qing's voice was slightly hoarse from painting as he handed over the drawing paper.

Li Shishi hurriedly clutched the heavy brocade cloak she was wearing, still carrying his strong scent, wrapping it tightly around her chest and waist before standing up and extending her trembling hand to take the drawing paper. Her gaze froze the moment it fell upon the paper!
On the drawing paper, the background was a cluster of autumn flowers, blooming in a hazy, vibrant display; though only a few strokes were used, the overall atmosphere was perfectly conveyed. And the main subject of the painting was herself! Though only half-length, it was already breathtaking—

In the painting, her head is slightly tilted and lowered, and the charm of her lotus-like face is captured in every detail! Her eyebrows are like distant mountains shrouded in mist, and her eyes are like autumn waters rippling across the surface. Her eyes, which are three parts languid and seven parts melancholy, seem to be able to truly bewitch the soul. They are filled with a wet and sticky affection as they look straight at the viewer outside the painting!
Her delicate nose was exquisitely beautiful, and her slightly parted lips revealed a hint of crimson, like a ripe cherry, glistening and moist, as if she were about to utter a soft, trembling moan. The blush on her cheeks was perfectly applied, carrying the shyness and arousal of being teased.

What's even more amazing are the calves and jade feet that are exposed outside the skirt and rest on the lake rocks in the painting!

The lines of her calves were slender yet full, white and smooth as cream. Her bare feet, like newly sprouted jade shoots, were shyly curled up, yet also alluringly alluring.

The face and the jade-like feet were painted so vividly and alluringly that they seemed to leap off the page at any moment, carrying a fragrant and seductive aura, and rush into the arms of the viewer!
Li Shishi's heart pounded as she watched, overwhelmed by an indescribable surge of admiration and pride. This Ximen Qing master's painting skills were truly divine!
She knew her own appearance and figure best, but she never imagined that someone could depict her so vividly and captivatingly with ink and brush! If this painting were to circulate, the princes and nobles of Bianjing would surely be even more infatuated with her!

But... when her gaze fell upon the large blank space depicting the body in the painting, a profound sense of regret and loss welled up within Li Shishi. The ample bosom, tightly concealed by the outer cloak; the slender waist, so delicate it could be encircled with one hand; the full, round, pert buttocks...

These very things that best showcased her stunningly alluring figure are now nothing but emptiness! It's as if a priceless treasure has been covered with a thick brocade, leaving one only with an unbearable itch and endless fantasies.

"Li, does she meet my standards?" Ximen Qing's voice carried a hint of amusement as he stared intently at the changing expressions on her face.

The tingling sensation of being captivated by the painting's artistry, mixed with regret for the blankness of her figure, and the flustered feeling of being wrapped in his cloak and enveloped by his scent, caused Li Shishi to blurt out, her voice carrying a soft, coquettish tone she herself was unaware of:

“My lord…please stop calling me ‘Li Hangshou’…just call me…Shishi.” She raised her watery eyes, her gaze shifting, revealing a genuine mix of shyness and intimacy in her eyes, which had been tinged with three parts languor and seven parts trust.

Inside the courtyard, Li, the head of the Li family, shyly asked the high-ranking official to call her Shishi. The cause of the wailing in the palace was all outside her courtyard.

[Dai'an is asking for monthly votes! I'll update more chapters after entering the top four in history!!]

(End of this chapter)