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

Chapter 172 Winter Solstice Reunion, Competition for Favor in the Backyard

Li Guijie had just entered the backyard when, after that night on the horse, she was at the peak of her passion, her body weak and limp.

Her large, watery eyes seemed to wish they could turn into honey threads, sticky and hot, clinging to the man.

She had a lot to say, but she dared not say anything in front of the old lady. Her heart was pounding inside her, and she desperately hoped that the man would glance at her and make eye contact for even a moment. That would be enough for her.

Although she felt a little resentful that Jinlian had gotten the first chance, she dared not be negligent when Yue Niang sent her to the kitchen to deliver a message.

Her eyes darted around, and she skipped and hopped to the stove. A moment later, she returned with a cup of strong, steaming hot Rizhu tea, and under the pretext of serving the tea, she finally managed to get close to the high official.

She swayed her waist like a willow branch in the wind, her voice soft and sweet, with a hint of seduction: "Master, you've been traveling hard and must be covered in dust. Please have a sip of hot tea to calm your throat first. The meal will be served soon."

The official casually took the jade-like teacup, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against Gui Jie's hand, causing her heart to flutter.

He took a sip of hot tea, his gaze lingering briefly on her face, and casually asked, "How are you? Are you settling in well in this mansion?"

When Li Guijie heard that the master had actually asked her a question, her heart was so happy that it was pounding like a deer and almost jumped out of her throat!
She nodded hastily, her face beaming with a sweet smile, her voice growing increasingly coquettish: "Replying to Master, since I entered this household, it's as if I've been reincarnated and given a new life! The mistress treats me so well..."

She glanced quickly at Yue Niang and immediately began to flatter her, "...She is truly kind-hearted and considerate, just like my own mother!"

Now emboldened by the emperor's favor, Pan Jinlian, standing to the side, chuckled upon hearing this, covering her mouth with her handkerchief and glancing sideways.

"Oh my, my dear Gui-jie! Your mouth is truly sweet! Our aunt has such an air about her, with her delicate, slender figure, that people would believe she was my own sister! But in your mouth, she sounds like some seventy or eighty-year-old feudal lord! You've made our aunt sound so old!"

Li Guijie's sweet smile froze instantly after Jinlian's public stab, her face flushing red before turning pale. She tried to protest, "I...I'm not...Auntie, I..."

Yue Niang took in the subtle commotion between the women, but her expression remained unchanged. With a faint smile, she gently waved her hand, cutting off Gui Jie's words:
"Alright, alright, we're all family, just a few jokes. I appreciate Sister Gui's kindness."

Xiangling stood behind Yueniang with her hands at her sides, gazing at the master with her large, watery almond-shaped eyes. Her eyes were filled with joy, and though she did not speak, they were sweeter than honey.

Yue Niang gently took Ximen Da Guanren's arm and led him into the warm and fragrant dining room.

He stepped into this fragrant and gentle haven, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, leaving him feeling completely relaxed and comfortable.

Separated by a heavy, black lacquered door, there are two completely different worlds—outside the door lies unresolved troubles and endless climbing.

Inside the door was a cozy and luxurious haven that he had created himself, a place of warmth, fragrance, and abundant food and drink.

Lifting the curtain, one sees a table laden with delicacies, the bowls and plates gleaming, reflecting the candlelight and shimmering with warmth, the aroma penetrating to the very core.

One of the dishes, glistening with dark soy sauce and oil, was the rare delicacy—bear paws cooked to perfection!

Beside it was a pot of old duck soup, simmered until thick and milky white, the fresh aroma of dried bamboo shoots and ham mingling with the rich flavor of duck meat, tempting one's mouth with every sip.

In addition, three new and elegant seasonal vegetables were added: a dish of snow-covered soup piled up like a snow tower, with white tofu slices drizzled with rouge-colored hibiscus juice, just like snow reflecting the morning glow;
A plate of bright green, glistening stir-fried three-crisp soup features tender bamboo shoots, slightly bitter goji berry tips with a sweet aftertaste, and fresh, smooth small mushrooms. The three colors complement each other, and the aroma is refreshing.
There was also a small dish of pickled radishes, glistening amber in color and sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds. They were sweet, sour, and crisp, perfect for cutting through the richness and whetting the appetite.

Clustered together, with a good balance of meat and vegetables, and a perfect combination of color and aroma.

The official was enveloped in the fragrance of cosmetics, the aroma of food, and the warm glow of the charcoal fire. He listened to Yue Niang's gentle words, which seemed to completely ignore the bloodshed outside and only cared about his hunger and cold. He smelled the rich aroma of the stewed old duck soup. Even if he still had some worries in his heart, they seemed to be gently brushed away by a soft hand and dissipated.

He relaxed his tense shoulders and sat down in the main seat.

The Moon Goddess sat down close by, murmuring to herself, her words filled with comforting, everyday warmth:

"My lord, you have no idea! We've been eagerly waiting all day for this hot soup and rice, and we're so impatient we're about to burst!"

She extended her slender fingers and pointed at Jinlian, Guijie, and Xiangling, who were standing by, and said with a smile, "Xue'e has been adding firewood to the stove countless times, afraid that the soup will get cold or the meat will get tough. These three little hussies have been leaning against the door frame, waiting anxiously, muttering 'Why isn't Master here yet?' 'When will Master arrive?' My ears are practically calloused from their constant chatter!"

Looking at the table laden with delicacies and surrounded by his beautiful wives and maids, the official felt even more at ease. He deliberately laughed and said, "You lot! If you're hungry, you should eat first. Why are you waiting for me? Won't you ruin your health by starving?"

Upon hearing this, Yue Niang's almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of coquettishness in them. Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, gently dug its nails into the silk robe on the master's arm.
"My lord, you've completely forgotten what day it is today? It's the 'October Festival'—the Beginning of Winter!" Although it's not a major festival, our household has its own rules and regulations!

“If you were going out for a social engagement, you would have given us a heads-up beforehand, so we wouldn’t have to wait around like wooden statues. But today, you left without a word while it was still pitch black, without even having a cup of hot tea! We absolutely have to wait for you to come back so the whole family can have a proper meal together!”

The Moon Goddess, while urinating, picked up a pair of ebony chopsticks inlaid with silver tips and carefully poked at the bear paw in the box, saying to the high-ranking official:

"My lord, please try this. It's quite a coincidence. A few days ago, when you were in the capital, Lai Bao was stopped by some villagers from the mountains on his way back from Hu Family Village. They were selling wild game. Lai Bao saw that the bear paws were being sold for much cheaper than in the market. Knowing that you like them, he decided to buy four. Now that you're back, Xue'e is quick and efficient. She has already prepared one for you to try, and the other three are kept in the ice cellar."

As she spoke, Yue Niang gently tapped the thick part of the bear paw with the tip of her chopsticks:

"My lord, look! This is the finest right bear paw! As the saying goes, 'left deer, right bear.' This right paw is used by bears to dig for honey and pick fruit, so it is very active, with flexible muscles and especially rich and moist collagen, making it the most nourishing and healthy."

"Xue'e also put in a lot of effort. First, she soaked the meat in the finest Jinhua wine and aged Shaoxing wine overnight to remove the wild and fishy smell. Then, she simmered it in ham and old hen soup for most of the day until the bones were soft and the meat was tender, so that the meat was tender and the flavor was fully absorbed. Just before taking it off the heat, she drizzled a spoonful of thickened wild honey juice on top to brighten it and enhance its aroma. That's how she achieved this appearance and taste."

As she spoke, Yue Niang skillfully used a silver knife and a small spoon to carve off several pieces from the thickest, softest, and trembling front part of the bear paw, which resembled amber jelly. Along with the glistening, thick, almost stringy gelatinous sap, she steadily placed them into the Ding kiln dish in front of the master, saying gently, "My lord, try it and see if Xue'e's cooking is just right?"

After saying that, he turned to Jinlian, Xiangling and the other two who were standing and said, "You should sit down and eat too. Today is the Beginning of Winter."

The three shook their heads repeatedly, saying they dared not.

The official laughed and pointed to the embroidered stool next to him, saying to Jinlian, Xiangling, and the other two, "What are you afraid of? It's rare for your aunt to ask you to sit down, so sit down! Today is the beginning of winter, so let's have a family feast and not stand on ceremony. Try this bear paw, it's a rare delicacy."

Only after the official spoke did Jinlian, Xiangling, and Guijie dare to move.

The three sat down and saw that the bear paw in the box was even more dazzling and had a wonderful aroma.

The three little ones, who had been hungry for most of the day, were already craving food, but dared not reach for their chopsticks, though their eyes couldn't help but dart towards the precious bear paw.

The official first took a sip of warm Jinhua wine to moisten his throat before picking up his chopsticks and taking a piece of bear paw meat from the cloth that Yue Niang had brought.

The meat trembled and glistened, coated in a rich sauce. When you put it in your mouth, it was incredibly tender and melted in your mouth. The rich collagen mixed with the aroma of wine, meat, honey, and the mellow and fresh fragrance of ham and chicken soup instantly spread across your tongue. It was truly the ultimate taste.

He squinted his eyes in satisfaction and said to Yue Niang, "Hmm! Good! Xue'e's cooking skills are getting better and better! This bear paw is stewed perfectly, the flavor has all penetrated it! This wine is also good, mellow and rich. You should try this paw too." As he spoke, he also put a piece on Yue Niang's plate.

Suddenly, he turned his chopsticks and picked up three more pieces of glistening, tender bear paw meat from the plate, placing them one by one into the small dishes in front of Jinlian, Guijie, and Xiangling, and said with a smile, "Don't just stand there like idiots, you should all try this good stuff!"

The three little hooves were flattered and hurriedly bowed to express their gratitude.

Jinlian, quick as a flash, picked it up and put it in her mouth. Xiangling also took a small bite, and they both exclaimed, "Thank you for the treat, Master! It's truly a taste from heaven!"

"It's so delicious it melts on your tongue!"

When it was Li Guijie's turn, she tremblingly picked up the piece of meat, carefully put it in her mouth, chewed it only twice, and suddenly her eyes reddened, her voice choked with sobs, and she said intermittently:

"Master...Auntie...How can this be...When I was a child, let alone eating at the table, it was rare to even get a hot bowl of leftover soup or rice from the kitchen. If I was not satisfied, I would be beaten and scolded until my skin was torn and bleeding!"

"I never dreamed... never imagined that in this life... I would receive the master's love and the mistress's care, stepping into a mansion like the Ximen residence... and even... even sitting... at the same table with the master and mistress... enjoying such a blessing that only gods could experience..."

As she spoke, large tears could no longer be held back and rolled down her cheeks, landing on the plate in front of her.

Moon Lady sat beside her, listening intently. Seeing her pitiful crying and her sorrowful words, a wave of pity welled up in her heart.

She reached out and gently wiped away the tears on Gui Jie's cheeks with the corner of her handkerchief, and comforted her gently, "Don't cry! Now that you've entered this door, you're family. Let's not talk about the past. Just live your life in peace from now on. Good days are ahead."

Pan Jinlian watched coldly as Yue Niang gently wiped away Gui Jie's tears, and listened to Gui Jie's lament that "even a hot meal is hard to come by." A sour feeling welled up in her heart, and she almost vomited.

She gritted her teeth and cursed inwardly, "Pah! What a vixen who knows how to play the victim! She's revealed all her cheap past from crawling out of a brothel! It's just a bear's paw, but she's crying like she's got dragon liver and phoenix marrow!"

"They even fooled the old lady. A few drops of her cat pee were enough to soften her heart, and she even wiped her face herself! It's obvious how precious she is!"

"Why didn't I think of this earlier? Last time we ate pickled goose feet, I should have cried about my past of being sold several times, and cried even more miserably than her. Then my father would have held me in his arms and kissed me tenderly that night!"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She felt that even the bear paw meat in her mouth had lost its flavor, and she chewed it resentfully.

Seeing Gui Jie shed tears and being comforted by Yue Niang, the official felt even more pity for her. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, Yue Niang is right. Once you're in this door, let's not talk about the past. It's just a piece of meat, what's it worth? Eat more if you like."

After the meal, the official summoned Dai'an and instructed him, "Ride a fast horse and find the best traditional Chinese medicine doctor specializing in bone injuries in Qinghe County! Invite him to your residence, Master Ying, within three quarters of an hour. Give him a generous sum of money for the consultation, and tell him that he was invited by Master Ximen. Tell him to give it his all and examine the patient carefully!" Dai'an nodded, led his horse out, and sped off in a flash.

The Earl Ying's residence was nestled deep in a narrow alley called "Niupi Alley" behind the county government office.

When Dai'an arrived at the door, he saw two wooden doors, their paint peeling off in patches, half-closed.

Pushing open the door, you enter a courtyard of moderate size with a few houses covered in blue tiles.

Inside the house, Ying Bojue was lying on the earthen bed, his head wrapped up tightly, looking like a freshly cooked rice dumpling. White cloth strips were wrapped from the top of his head to his ankles, leaving only his eyes, mouth and nostrils exposed.

But his eyes darted around, gleaming with a cunning glint.

On the bench beside the kang (a heated brick bed), sat Xie Xida, Zhu Shinian, Sun Guazui, and several others, all wearing colorful robes.

Xie Xida had one arm slinged across his chest, Zhu Shinian's legs were not very agile, and Sun Guazui's face was swollen like a steamed bun, with bruises still visible.

The whole room reeked of the stench of liniments mixed with sweat.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves was heard outside the courtyard, and soon the high-ranking official strode in. Upon seeing him, everyone hurriedly struggled to get up and pay their respects.

The official waved his hand, dragged over the only armchair in the room and sat down. He looked at Ying Bojue on the kang (a heated brick bed), frowned and said, "Good for you, Ying Er! How did things get to this state?"

Upon seeing the arrival of the high-ranking official, Ying Bojue, who was fidgeting on the kang (heated brick bed), tried to get up, but the official gently pressed him down to stop him: "Just lie there, don't strain yourself and reopen your wound."

At this moment, Dai'an led the doctor through the door.

Seeing that Master Ximen was also present, the physician dared not be negligent. He stepped forward to apologize, untied the strips of cloth, and carefully examined the bruises and wounds on Ying Bojue's head, face, chest, abdomen, and limbs. After taking his pulse, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and bowed to the master, saying:

"Reporting to Your Excellency, it is fortunate that Second Master Ying has suffered such injuries! Although the injuries look frightening, they are mostly superficial wounds to the skin, muscles, and bones, and have not damaged the internal organs. However, this beating was quite severe, resulting in a deficiency of both qi and blood, and some depletion of vital energy. He needs to rest and recuperate for some time, apply medicine and take medicine on time, and remember not to get angry, avoid women, or eat anything oily or cold!"

Upon hearing that no one inside was injured, Earl Ying spoke in a muffled voice through the cloth strip, with a hint of boasting to the high official:

“Brother, look! I told you, Ying Er’s physique is like a rock from a cesspool—stinky and hard, forged from being thrown around since childhood! A few scrapes and scuffs on the outside, after a few days of rest, he’ll be a strong and upright man again, still running errands for you, brother!”

The doctor prescribed a prescription, and Dai'an paid a hefty consultation fee before seeing the doctor out.

With no outsiders in the room, the high-ranking official sat upright in his chair, stroking the brazier, his face grim. His cronies, observing his expression, began to chatter amongst themselves. Xie Xi, his arm in a sling, hissed and gasped, grimacing as he complained to the official, "Brother, you must know! That night, Han Laowu was in a terrible state! We managed to protect his manhood, but he was pinned to the ground, kicked relentlessly in his buttocks and thighs! He's still lying on the kang, whimpering like a woman in confinement! I wonder if he'll still be able to go to the brothels with us after he recovers."

Zhu Shinian leaned on a wooden stick that looked like a fire poker, approached the kang (a heated brick bed), and, not forgetting to turn sideways toward the master, lowered his voice and said, "Brother, what happened that night had a strange feel to it! As you instructed, we hid in that dark alleyway opposite the gate of your mansion as soon as it got dark."

"Sure enough, just before dawn, Lai Bao and his convoy had just left when they spotted a dark figure, cowering and looking like a rat stealing oil, sneaking out through the side gate like a rabbit seeing an eagle, darting straight towards Tongshafang!"

With one side of her mouth swollen, Sun Guazu hurriedly tried to speak, her words muffled and unclear, afraid of falling behind:

“We brothers immediately followed, but who would have thought that as soon as we reached that dark, gloomy alley behind the gambling den, seventeen or eighteen strong men suddenly emerged from the cracks in the ground! They were all carrying gleaming batons and short sticks! Without saying a word, they started beating us down! Their blows were ruthless and vicious, targeting our most vulnerable spots! They were clearly trying to kill us!”

Xie Xi spat and said angrily to the big official, "Brother, this is not right. Even if the casinos in Qinghe County are at odds with us, they wouldn't dare to beat us like this. Those who beat us are all greenhorns, and they're complete strangers!"

Wrapped in strips of cloth, Ying Bojue tried to get closer to the high-ranking official, but fell back in pain: "Brother, this matter... is quite sinister! If we don't dig out the roots of these treacherous killers and get to the bottom of things, I'm afraid... I'm afraid that in the future, we brothers will have to walk with our tails between our legs in Qinghe County! Even your prestige... will inevitably be looked down upon!"

The official laughed and said, "Don't worry, we'll make up for it tenfold or a hundredfold!" He then gestured with his chin toward Dai'an and said, "Dai'an, bring some silver to calm your Second Master Ying and the others down. Buy some chicken, duck, fish and meat to take good care of them."

Dai'an nimbly pulled out several heavy, sharp-edged new silver ingots and stuffed them into the hands of his sycophants. Ying Bojue and the others hurriedly clutched the silver tightly, shouting "Thank you for your kindness, elder brother!" and "Elder brother, you are my second parents!" with tears streaming down their faces in gratitude.

By the time Master Ximen returned to his grand mansion, it was already dark and windy.

The only light in the mansion came from the lanterns of the night patrolmen.

Without calling out, the official quietly made his way to the training ground in the backyard. He wasn't really confident that his arrows could help Wu Song and Shi Wengong in today's melee, and thought to himself that he still needed to practice more.

In the east wing, Pan Jinlian was using a dim candlelight to embroider mandarin ducks with intertwined necks on a light red silk bodice, her slender fingers holding a silver needle. The flickering candlelight illuminated her rosy, fair face.

Just as she was engrossed in her embroidery, she suddenly heard a series of deliberately hushed whispers coming from the corridor outside the window. The rustling sound was like two mice stealing lamp oil.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she nearly pricked her finger with the silver needle. Holding her breath, she quietly slipped to the window and peeked out.

In the dim light, Li Guijie could be seen pulling on the arm of a night watch maid, their heads close together, whispering in each other's ears. The maid was nodding her head like a chicken pecking at rice.

Jinlian's heart sank: "What a shameless whore! Seducing a night watchwoman in the dead of night, she must be up to no good!"

Li Guijie was unaware that Jinlian'er was watching her.

She used a faded old silk flower to ask the maid to keep an eye on the letter.

The maid had already spotted Master Ximen returning and heading briskly to the backyard. Having received this small reward, she naturally ran over eagerly to inform him.

When Li Guijie received confirmation that her master had gone to the backyard to practice martial arts, she was overjoyed and hurriedly turned back to her room.

Carefully, I took out a slightly worn paulownia wood pipa and meticulously wiped the strings with a fine silk cloth.

She smoothed her temples in front of the mirror again, pulled down her peach-colored bodice to reveal her plump, snowy breasts, and then, holding her pipa, swayed her waist and twisted her pert buttocks as she gracefully made her way to the martial arts training ground in the backyard.

From afar, one could see the official standing as still as a pine tree, practicing something on a straw target.

Li Guijie's heart skipped a beat, her steps faltered slightly, and then a smile that could melt anyone's heart bloomed on her face. She then used her delicate, trembling voice to send out a melodious, winding, and seductive tune:

“Dad—Dad—!”

Upon hearing that seductive voice, the official turned around abruptly and saw Li Guijie standing under the moon gate, holding a pipa, like a bewitching flower blooming at night.

"Hmm?" the official chuckled. "What brings you here!"

Seeing that the master didn't blame her, Li Guijie felt relieved. She swayed her slender waist as she stepped forward, deliberately holding the pipa in her arms higher, making her trembling breasts, covered by her peach-colored bodice, even more conspicuous. Her voice was soft and sweet, with just the right amount of grievance and admiration:
"I was thinking of Father, tossing and turning, my heart felt like it was being scratched by cat claws, how could I sleep! And... I was afraid that if I went to the study rashly, I would disturb Father's important business and incur his displeasure... so I thought I would come out for some fresh air, but who would have thought... that I would bump into Father here under the moonlight... so I went back to get this."

As she spoke, her eyes darted around, hooking at the man's face and body, while her slender fingers gently plucked a string from the pipa, producing a clear, melodious, yet slightly provocative, vibrato.
"Father is so valiant, he must have practiced so hard... If you don't mind my clumsy skills, why don't you... let me stay here and use this music to entertain you and relieve your fatigue?"

The official watched as Li Guijie, a delicate little girl, carried her zither over, her body slightly sweaty, panting, her chest heaving – it was no easy feat for her.

The official cherished it in his heart and uttered a single word: "Good."

After saying that, he picked up a stick and started twirling it.

On the other side, Li Guijie's zither playing immediately changed, and she was indeed a very skilled player! The zither music was clear and melodious, sometimes like tearing silk through the clouds, and sometimes like a secluded spring gurgling over rocks, it was truly wonderful.

Upon hearing this, the official's spirits were immediately lifted.

Under the moonlight, I looked closely at Sister Gui: her small face was like a rosy dumpling, fair and delicate. Her lips were naturally red without any makeup, and her slight pursing added to her charm.

Her body was exquisite and translucent, and her snow-white breasts swayed gently as she played the zither, their flesh dazzlingly white.

No wonder that old pious woman, Mama Li, at the Lichun Courtyard regarded her as a cash cow and a treasure trove, hoping to compete with the most beautiful courtesan in the capital for a single day!

What is truly remarkable is that when Gui Jie plays the zither, her fingering is skillful, her demeanor is calm, and her brows reveal the dignified air of a well-bred lady. Her graceful movements are composed and without any frivolity, creating a captivating contrast that is truly enchanting.

If one did not know her background, who would believe that she was actually a courtesan trained in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution)?
Just as he finished practicing a set of exercises and was engrossed in listening, a delicate, trembling voice called out "Father!" from behind him, piercing the official's ears and stopping him.

The official turned around and saw Pan Jinlian wearing a soft satin nightgown in begonia red. The satin was so smooth that it clung to her body, making her figure appear even more alluring and bulging.

Her waist and hips were rounded, and she wore a loose, matching sheer blouse. The blouse was as thin as a cicada's wing, which not only failed to conceal her inner beauty but also added a touch of alluring mystery.

Her jet-black hair was not combed, but tied at an angle with a jade hairpin, with a few strands of hair hanging playfully beside her pink cheeks, making her face look even more beautiful: like a silver basin, white and smooth.

She moved with light, graceful steps, and under the moonlight, the thin veil outlined her curvaceous and exquisite figure. She was so beautiful that she would be neither too plump nor too thin, and every part of her was captivating.

Seeing her so vibrant and alluring, the official asked in surprise, "Why are you up, you hussy? You're usually fast asleep at this hour."

Pan Jinlian didn't answer immediately. Her eyes first swept over Li Guijie, whose smile had slightly stiffened, with a half-smile. Li Guijie's cherry lips parted slightly, carrying a perfectly measured hint of doubt and worry:
"I was sound asleep when I was surprised to find some ill-mannered maid playing the zither so noisily in this mansion."

She paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping over Li Guijie again, her tone tinged with 'concern': "The music could be heard clearly even from several courtyards away. I was afraid of disturbing Madam's peaceful sleep. Madam is a light sleeper and cannot be easily awakened. So I specially got up to come and see who was being so inconsiderate..."

As she spoke, she seemed to finally recognize Li Guijie, feigning surprise as she covered her mouth: "Oh dear! It's you, Guijie! You... you're quite diligent, coming to play the zither for the master in the middle of the night? Be careful not to disturb the old lady."

Upon hearing the words "disturbing the old lady," the official frowned slightly. Jinlian's words did indeed make sense, so he said, "Jinlian is right. Guijie, you should stop playing the zither. Yueniang is a light sleeper, so she should rest."

Li Guijie's charming smile froze instantly. She glared at Pan Jinlian hatefully and said, "Yes... I... didn't think things through." With that, she sullenly pushed the pipa aside.

Pan Jinlian smiled faintly with a hint of smugness. She strode forward to the man's side and, as she passed by, even took the handkerchief that Li Guijie had left on the stone table.

She extended her slender fingers and gently dabbed the beads of sweat on the master's forehead and neck with Li Guijie's handkerchief, her voice so soft it could melt water:

"Father, you've worked up a good sweat, and the morning dew is heavy. Be careful not to catch a cold. Go back to your room and take a hot bath to get rid of the chill. Look at this sweat... it smells so good, it's making me drool."

The official patted Jinlian's buttocks: "You're the kind of slut who likes this. Come on, go get some hot water, let's take a bath in your room."

The steam was thick and dense, filling the spacious bathhouse and enveloping the huge cypress bathtub like a fairyland.

Taking advantage of her early advantage, Pan Jinlian seized the opportunity to secure a favorable position.

Her delicate hands were gently kneading the man's temples. The pressure from her fingertips was just right, completely dispelling the fatigue he felt after practicing martial arts.

The official closed his eyes, a deep groan escaping his throat in comfort, every pore on his body feeling blissful.

Jin Lian'er's lips curled slightly, holding a faint smile that was unmistakably that of a victor.

Her eyes, like hooks dipped in honey, swept lightly and with utter contempt over Li Guijie, who stood stiffly by the bucket, her face already ashen.

Li Guijie clutched the mandarin duck handkerchief, which had been twisted beyond recognition, tightly in her hand. She felt as if the bathtub in front of her was an impenetrable wall, with the great man's huge body submerged in the water.

All that was left for her was a lonely arm to serve.

She sneered inwardly: She'd seen plenty of this kind of jealousy and rivalry since she was a child in the brothel; she could only manage to stop the ignorant and honest Xiangling! To deal with someone like Jinlian, she needed to use some extraordinary methods!

With that thought in mind, Li Guijie suddenly tossed the wet, heavy handkerchief in her hand onto the brass rack beside her. The crisp "snap" broke the enchanting tranquility of the steamy air.

Immediately afterward, amidst Pan Jinlian's astonished gaze and the slightly opened, drunken eyes of the man, Li Guijie grabbed the collar of her thin silk blouse, which was already damp with moisture and clung tightly to her skin, and forcefully pulled it off.

Her movements were astonishingly fast. Before Pan Jinlian could react, Li Guijie had already kicked off her soft satin embroidered shoes with both hands and feet, braced herself against the edge of the tub, and lifted one long, shapely, white leg—

"Pfft!"

Water splashed everywhere! Li Guijie, like a nimble yet aggressive white fish, slid directly into the large bathtub!

The hot water surged violently, causing the petals and herbs to float aimlessly.

The official was so startled by the sudden commotion and the splashing water that his eyes widened completely.

Pan Jinlian was caught off guard, and the splashing hot water wet her temples and front of her clothes. She instinctively cried out and took half a step back.

She scrambled to steady herself by grabbing the edge of the tub, her smug expression instantly turning into one of shock and anger. Her eyebrows shot up as she pointed at Li Guijie in the water and yelled, "You...you little slut who's asking for trouble!"
Li Guijie acted as if she hadn't heard. The moment she entered the water, her body sank precisely, and using the buoyancy of the water and her own strength, she nimbly twisted her waist and squeezed right next to the official's legs!
Her body, made even more slippery and supple by the hot water, clung tightly to the master with astonishing heat and elasticity.

"Master~~~" Li Guijie's voice was steamy and alluring in the misty air, carrying a kind of wanton and coquettishness, with the last syllable drawn out and penetrating straight into the heart.

She tilted her head back, her face, made even more alluring by the steaming hot water, her captivating eyes shimmering with moisture, and stared intently at the master:
"I see your thigh muscles are so taut. Just pinching them with my thin, bony fingers is like scratching an itch through a boot. How can that really relieve your fatigue? Let me... use my body to give you a good relaxation!"

Before she could finish speaking, she gave the official and Pan Jinlian no time to react. She stretched her arms back, braced herself against the barrel wall, and thrust her waist downwards with all her might!
With the weight of her entire body and the force of the water, her buttocks pressed down firmly and with astonishing elasticity and resilience onto the man's strong thigh muscles!
Li Guijie supported herself on both sides of the bathtub with her hands, using her entire delicate body as an anvil and her hip bones as a hammer, supplemented by her soft and supple body weight and twisting force to loosen the knotted and tired muscles and bones on the master's legs!
Pan Jinlian, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed!
My heart feels like it's being fried in boiling oil, splashed with vinegar, and burned by charcoal!

It's like flipping through the Book of Life and Death in front of Yama, the King of Hell—it's an eye-opener!

This shameless little slut! How could she harbor such wanton tricks?
I've given the old man many massages, and I always thought that kneading and pressing was just a skill, but I never imagined that I would have this kind of business!
Bah! This is clearly a secret, top-secret skill kept hidden away in the brothel!!

good good!
I wondered what kind of extraordinary ability it was.
You think you can't learn to bully me?

Just you wait!

Speaking of your ass, it's not even half as plump as mine!
Just wait until I surpass you tenfold, and then I'll make you lose face!

(End of this chapter)