High-class Spring Joy

In the stillness of the night, only a cool night breeze blew by. Almost every household in Bianjing City had turned off their lights, with only a few places still displaying signs indicating that business was open; many shops had already closed.

At this time, almost all the people of Bianjing City had already fallen asleep.

Mangoes were no exception.

But things weren't particularly peaceful outside Mango's new house at that time.

Chen Sha and the others only realized what was happening when they were standing outside Mango's house. He looked at his young master who had just climbed inside, then turned to look at Zhe Ji beside him, and belatedly asked, "So, the young master didn't want the two of us to come because... the young master just said there was a very important matter that he needed the two of us to handle, which was to stand here and guard the gate for him, is that what he meant?"

Zheji smiled and reached out to pat Chensha's head: "That's right, you finally guessed correctly. You're finally starting to get it."

Chen Sha scratched his head, still not understanding: "If he wouldn't let us come, what's the point of him coming himself? Just to watch Mango Girl chop wood and carry water?"

Zheji: "...Forget it, you should just stick to guarding the goal."

Grape entered the house, which was pitch black and quiet; it was obvious that the owner was already asleep.

Grape stood in the backyard of the house. In the center of the backyard was a courtyard with a small opening and a shallow depth. You could see right to the bottom of the well, partly because it was shallow and partly because the water was clear.

Grape has had this house for a long time, but for Grape, who owns many fields and houses, this house is just one of his many possessions.

Grape was also entering this house for the first time, and it was the first time she had properly experienced the house in its backyard.

Grape didn't know what the house originally looked like. Now that he was here, for some reason, even though it was pitch black and Grape couldn't see, he couldn't really look at the house properly or quickly imprint it into his mind through sight.

Grapes could only be found little by little by themselves, but fortunately, Zheji was there to help. Zheji would guide the grapes to the right place in time, the first place being the kitchen.

I don't know if it's because Mango ate dinner late today or because she used the kitchen in the evening, but when Grape went into the kitchen, she subconsciously felt that the kitchen was a little warmer than the outside, with a more welcoming temperature.

As you approach the table, you can smell the aroma of food, though it's not very strong now that the food has cooled down.

But for Grape, it was obvious. Guoguo even said back then that he had a dog's nose.

Grape only sensed these two things, and he felt that he no longer needed to see or touch anything more. It was as if through the aroma of the food and the unusual temperature, he felt the warmth of human life that he had rarely experienced before.

In the past, although Grape often mingled with the people, especially when he went to other places for disaster relief, in addition to setting up soup kitchens and distributing food and clothing to the disaster victims, the thing Grape did most was to observe and communicate with the disaster victims so that he could know their exact needs and understand the original customs and traditions of the place.

Later, when helping disaster victims rebuild their homes, it required not only financial resources but also manpower, materials, and a series of other things. Mango never easily delegated these important matters to others.

It was also during those times of rebuilding their homes that Grape interacted a lot with the people and became one with them. So, Grape himself didn't put on any airs.

The post-disaster reconstruction period, when I was mingling with the people, was the time when Grape felt the strongest, most heartwarming, and most reassuring sense of human connection with the locals.

But no matter who those everyday moments and human warmth belong to, they don't belong to Grape himself; he can only ever be considered an observer.

But today was different. It was just a small house and a small kitchen, with nothing special inside. Grape felt a sense of belonging, like... like she had found a home.

This feeling was somewhat unfamiliar; it was something Grape herself had never experienced or felt before, and she couldn't clearly describe it in words.

If he had to put it into words, Grape felt the biggest difference was that this down-to-earth, everyday feeling made him want to possess it and also want to have it all to himself.

The man standing nearby, whose sword had broken but whose sword had sunk, wisely remained silent, knowing that this was the kind of moment his young master was enjoying.

Instead, Zheji helped Putao to sit down to the side and said softly, "Would you like to sit by yourself for a while, young master?"

"Um."

Grape gave a low response.

Without asking any questions or hesitating, Zheji turned around and left the kitchen and the small house. He went to the gate to guard it with Chensha.

When Grape sat alone in the kitchen, he savored the quiet of the world around him. In the past, Grape disliked quiet the most. He didn't like being alone in silence. He liked the sounds of the world, whether it was people laughing and joking or arguing. He was happy to listen to them.

It seemed that only through these words, through the tone of voice, could he feel that he truly existed in this world.

He himself doesn't perceive much of the world.

Therefore, Grape cherishes his perception of the world. He likes liveliness and bustling crowds, so he often mingles with the people and never scolds his subordinates for being noisy, talkative, or disruptive.

But now, sitting here, Grape was enjoying this tranquility for the first time. It was as if this tranquility, contrary to his usual self, allowed him to feel inner peace.

It was as if, in this quiet space, he could hear the girl sleeping in the next room, hearing her breathing, her steady breathing, and her beautiful, peaceful sleeping face.

It seems that as long as he can be in the same space as Mango, he already feels very peaceful and satisfied?

This feeling is really strange, really unfamiliar.

Grape didn't know how long she had been in the kitchen before finally standing up, as if she had made a decision, or perhaps she had gained some kind of emotional strength. She leaned on the table next to her to stand up.

Just then, Grape accidentally bumped into a basin of water next to the kitchen. The cold water soaked Grape's shoes and socks, and Grape subconsciously frowned.

Just then, something I didn't know suddenly came over and put on me!

Mango suddenly appeared out of nowhere, holding a stick in her hand. She looked at the person in front of her who had been covered by a burlap sack. There was no light, so she couldn't see the person's face clearly. All she could see was that there was a person in front of her with a sack over their head.

Without hesitation, Mango pressed the wooden stick in her hand against the person. Although she was scared and unsure of herself, she pretended to be calm and composed when she looked at the person in front of her. Just as she was about to speak, she realized that the person in front of her was indeed highly skilled in martial arts.

Even though she was covered by a coarse cloth bag and couldn't see anything, she still got up easily and pinned Mango against the kitchen wall.

Mango was terrified. She hadn't expected this person to be so skilled in martial arts, able to subdue her so easily even when she couldn't see anything and was wearing a bag. Mango felt a mix of fear and regret.

Even so, Mango did not beg for mercy out of fear. She just tightly gripped the oil lamp in her hand. The flame flickered in the night sky, and nothing could be seen. It was better than nothing.

Mango clutched the oil lamp as tightly as she could, as if it were her only lifeline.

"You! Who are you? Why do you enter my house every day? Do you know how despicable your behavior is? No matter what your purpose is, I can take you to the authorities and punish you severely!"

Mango said in a clear voice, and although her voice trembled slightly, she still spoke quite fluently.

Mango stared intently at the person in front of her. She could vaguely sense that it was a man. In fact, to some extent, the reason she dared to ambush this person at night was largely because she believed that this person was unlikely to be someone who wanted to rob and kill her.

He had just put a rough cloth bag over the person's head in the dark, so she couldn't see clearly now. What did the person in front of her look like? Who was he? Did she know him or not, and why was he sneaking into her house?

Because Mango subconsciously felt that this person posed no threat to her life, she dared to loudly ask him, "I've been observing you for a long time. When you come to my house, you're either chopping wood, fetching water, or bringing things—food, necessities, clothes. You seem like a very kind person, and I should be grateful to you. But please consider this: I am a woman living alone in this house. Although it's not large, it's not particularly luxurious or exquisite. It's still my own place to live. Every night, a strange man, whose identity and purpose I don't know, barges in. Any normal person would be afraid, wouldn't they? Please tell me directly, what is your goal? Is it money, wealth, power, or something else? If I can help you, if I can afford it, then I will definitely consider giving it to you."

Mango felt that she had spoken very sincerely, but if the person in front of her was still ungrateful and insisted on not saying anything, there was really nothing Mango could do. She was just bluffing.

Just then, Mango heard a male voice that sounded somewhat familiar, yet somehow not quite.

"What do I want? Can you truly afford it, young lady? Is it really true that whatever I want, you will consider giving it to me?"

Mango felt that the voice was somewhat familiar, but it was too hoarse, as if the person hadn't spoken for more than half a year and had strained their voice as soon as they tried to speak.

It feels like sand scratching through cloth, tearing it.

There's a feeling of something broken...

But if you put aside all the hoarseness, Mango felt like she'd heard that voice somewhere before?

Mango couldn't easily recall where she had heard of it before.

At this point, it was like having a knife to his throat. Mango didn't have time to think or figure out who was speaking. Even if he could identify whose voice it was, it wouldn't be enough to solve his immediate problem.

Mango had nothing more to say, nor dared she easily disobey the person in front of her. She feigned sincerity, saying, "What you said, sir, I naturally mean it sincerely. If I can afford it, if I can give it, and if it doesn't conflict with my life, interests, or safety, I will naturally consider it carefully. But what exactly it is, you'll have to tell me first. Otherwise, if I agree so readily, wouldn't it seem hypocritical?"

The man in front of her didn't rush to speak. He tapped lightly on the wall near her ear with his fingertips, one tap after another. The sound wasn't crisp, but it was rhythmic, like a hammer, striking Mango's heart again and again.

It would be a lie to say I'm not afraid, and it would be a lie to say I completely believe it, but I can't say I don't believe it at all either.

"What do you really want? Are you really considering giving it to me, but what if you decide against it? Wouldn't that mean I've been completely fooled?"

Grape's voice held a hint of amusement, "What a wicked girl! Knowing I bring you things every day, chop wood and fetch water, she even puts a burlap sack over my head at night and carries a stick. She's probably planning to beat me up with my head covered, isn't she?"

Seeing that the man in front of her had accurately guessed her thoughts, Mango, who was already afraid, became even more guilty: "No, I didn't hit you just now, did I? If I really wanted to hit you, the stick would have already gone down, it wouldn't have reached you, right? Would I have given you a chance to retaliate?"

Mango's words were unreasonable yet forceful, but there was nothing she could do; things had already come to this point. However, kneeling down and kowtowing to this person to apologize and beg for mercy would probably be useless at this point.

But this back-and-forth conversation had already given Mango some insight. At least the person in front of her didn't intend to kill her and wouldn't endanger her life; otherwise, he wouldn't waste time arguing with her here.

Mango, in a fit of despair, said, "Fine, just tell me. What do you want? I don't have money, and I only have my life. I have no power or influence either. Even if I had power and influence, I wouldn't be able to live here. As for anything valuable, I don't have any of that either. I used to be a maid, and after working myself to the bone for over ten years, I've only managed to save a few taels of silver. If you want those few taels, take them. If you don't, then forget it. That's all."

Mango never expected she could be so tough.

To everyone's surprise, Mango's words did not anger the person in front of her; instead, a pleasant chuckle escaped from his lips.

The next moment, the man raised his hand, his knuckles slightly bent, and tapped Mango on the forehead: "You little rascal, you're really different now that you've left the Marquis's mansion. You can't even recognize my voice anymore. Who was it that said they wanted to repay my great kindness?"

The voice, which had been hoarse just moments before, was now much clearer and less broken and hoarse; it was simply deep and resonant. Mango recognized the voice instantly.

Third Young Master!

In an instant, upon confirming that the person in front of her was indeed the Third Young Master, Mango was overjoyed. The joy and relief that rushed over instantly overwhelmed her previous apprehension and fear.

But then Mango realized that she might be imagining things, or perhaps she hadn't seen the Third Young Master in a long time. Her eyes were filled with nervousness as she looked at the person in front of her, reaching out to remove the rough sack covering him: "Third Young Master, is that you?"

As Mango asked questions, she took down the rough burlap sack. Only when the person in front of her revealed their face did she cautiously place the oil lamp she had been clutching next to them. When she could clearly see the person's features…

Mango was overwhelmed with joy.

The deathly silent prison cell was shattered by the woman's sweet voice.

After Qingyuan finished speaking, she dared not look at the tall and slender figure.

Chu Jingxian thought there was something wrong with his ears, which he was so proud of, and that he had misheard.

Unexpectedly, that charming voice rang out again: "Please, young master, please give me a child!"

Chu Jingxian frowned in annoyance, still ignoring the owner of the voice.

Another woman sent in by the Marquis's mansion to carry on the family line!

Did he really think Chu Jingxian was going to die here?

This is utterly absurd!

He assumed she would send the same things as before, and realizing he had made a fool of himself, he left dejectedly.

Unfortunately, the one sent in this time seems to be incredibly stubborn.

For every moment he remained silent, she would repeat that sentence as many times as he remained silent.

He's really stubborn.

The figure in the corner remained unresponsive.

Qingyuan remembered that the nanny had said she could get a hundred taels of silver, and she was unwilling to give up easily. She looked up at the man and said, "I just turned 18 this year. Although I come from a humble background, I am absolutely virgin. Before I came, the nanny had a doctor take my pulse. I am healthy and have no hidden illnesses... I have also learned a lot of ways to serve men... Please, young master..."

Chu Jingxian frowned even more deeply. After a moment's pause, his voice was low, hoarse, and cold: "How much money did the Marquis's mansion give you?"

What could possibly make a young, innocent woman so devoted to begging him to have a death row inmate carry on her family line?

Silence fell before her, and she remained silent for a long time, as if she were feeling guilty and nervous, or perhaps frightened by his agitation.

Chu Jingxian snorted coldly, his tone mocking: "One hundred taels? One thousand taels? Or ten thousand taels?!"

He thought the woman would be scared away by his barbed and irritating words, but she only remained silent for a moment…

There was a soft rustling sound, followed by a "thud," which sounded like a heavy object hitting the ground.

"This money may not mean much to you, young master, but I really need it. Please, young master, give me a chance. Please grant my request!"

It was still the familiar female voice, but it was mixed with sobs that hadn't been there before. She seemed to be trembling uncontrollably as she spoke, due to her emotional excitement and nervousness.

This emotion is very similar to that of the refugees who, when Chu Jingxian went to provide relief to the disaster victims, had lost their families and had no hope of survival, and could only kneel at people's feet begging for alms. The same despair, the same urgency, the same sincerity.

Chu Jingxian never considered himself a soft-hearted person, but the woman's soft, trembling sobs sounded like a newborn kitten scratching at his heart with its tiny paws.

Chu Jingxian was annoyed by her crying.

Qingyuan was truly at her wit's end and was about to try again when that low, husky voice exploded in her ear:

"come over!"

Qingyuan immediately stopped crying and rushed forward, and he came into full view of her.

His face was pale and handsome, with deep features, a high and straight nose, and thick, red lips. His eyes and eyebrows were covered by a long, dark scarf. Even in prison clothes, he could not hide his arrogant and noble temperament.

Yes.

In the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, the third young master, Chu Jingxian.

The next second, Qingyuan was pulled by the wrist and fell into his arms.

Qingyuan was somewhat flustered, but he had clearly given her a chance, and she wouldn't let it go easily. She reached out to unbutton his clothes.

She had studied it before, but it was her first time, so she was inevitably nervous and made a few mistakes while unbuttoning her clothes.

Chu Jingxian seemed to notice her nervousness and chuckled, "Didn't you say you had studied it?"

"Yes... I learned it from the old lady." Qingyuan couldn't help but blush.

Her hands continued moving downwards until they touched his burning hot abdomen, at which point she subconsciously withdrew them.

Immediately, he grabbed her wrist and said mockingly, "What, scared?"

The man's aggressive aura enveloped her completely, his hot breath brushing against her forehead. Though he was only holding her wrist, it felt as if he had her completely imprisoned, unable to escape.

Qingyuan swallowed nervously.

As if sensing her embarrassment, he, like a hunter teasing his prey, couldn't help but chuckle at her clumsy antics, and a hearty, unrestrained laugh rang out:

You still have a chance to back out.

Qingyuan, her blood boiling from his laughter, felt a surge of anger. She touched his lips with her fingertip and said, "I will never go back on my word."

Her slender arms wrapped around his shoulders like water snakes, and she pressed her ear to his ear, giving him a light kiss...

Chu Jingxian was never a pushover, nor did he possess that much overflowing kindness, but—

She was too soft, too warm, and ultimately, she completely awakened the beast that Chu Jingxian couldn't bear to be seen.

"Chu Jingyu's people?"

Little did she know, Qingyuan's chin was suddenly and gently pinched and lifted.

Rough, hot fingertips caressed her face, from her chin to her lips, nose, and then to her cheeks and forehead, giving Qingyuan goosebumps.

Even though he couldn't see her, his fingertips licked her like a snake's tongue, easily scrutinizing her entire being.

Qingyuan tensed up completely, her blood seemed to freeze, and she didn't dare to breathe.

Chu Jingxian seemed to sense her nervousness and chuckled, "You seem... afraid of me?"

Qingyuan froze completely.

I'm scared, I'm so scared!

One wrong move and you're torn to pieces. Who else are you afraid of but him?!

Before she could move, a strong force grabbed her shoulder and pulled her out from behind the artificial hill!

"Speak, who are you?!"

Those who have trained in martial arts are incredibly strong; it felt like they were about to crush her shoulder blades.

Qingyuan winced in pain. "I am... a maid in the Fifth Young Master's courtyard. I couldn't see clearly at night and got lost, which is why I ended up here..."