Pawning lifespan, starting from a low-level martial arts world to transform into a dragon.

Chapter 101

Seeing Chen Ye enter, Zhou Yun'e gracefully stood up, her skirt gently brushing against the chair as she moved.

With a smile on her lips, she stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Young Master Chen, please have a seat."

Chen Ye returned the greeting with a cupped hand and sat down opposite him.

A maidservant brought tea.

Chen Ye picked up his cup, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Zhou Yun'e's eyebrows and eyes.

She wore a light touch of makeup tonight, which added a touch of allure to her already radiant beauty, and her eyes seemed to gleam with a subtle, shimmering light.

Zhou Yun'e slightly raised her eyes and gave the maid a wink.

The maid understood, bowed, and silently closed the door for the two of them before leaving.

In the huge room, only Chen Ye and Zhou Yun'e remained.

Inside the room, red candles flickered.

The two shadows fell on the blue brick ground, sometimes overlapping and sometimes shrinking in distance as the light and shadow changed.

A unique atmosphere quietly arose between the two.

Zhou Yun'e did not put on airs like a lady from a noble family. After Chen Ye was seated, she got up and moved to his side, filling a cup with wine.

She parted her lips slightly and said, "Young Master Chen has truly helped me a great deal this time. If it weren't for your advice and strategies behind the scenes, I'm afraid I would still be in a sorry state."

Chen Ye stood up and said with a smile, "Madam, you flatter me. The success of this matter is entirely due to your own wisdom, decisiveness, and proper handling. No matter how good the plan is, it is nothing but empty talk if no one puts it into practice."

"Young Master Chen is quite eloquent," Zhou Yun'e said with a soft laugh, covering her lips with her sleeve. "Please."

She raised her glass, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhou Yun'e wiped her face with her sleeve, returned to her seat, and asked, "Now that Young Master Chen is a scholar and is planning his future with the Cui family, what are your plans for the future? Will you stay with the Cui family as a retainer, or will you seek another path?"

"The Cui family has treated me well, and I have no other plans for the time being." Chen Ye asked, "Does Madam have any advice for you?"

"There's no advice involved," Zhou Yun'e said, her gaze sweeping over Chen Ye. "I was just thinking that if one day you decide you don't want to stay with the Cui family, I'd like to reserve a place for you."

Chen Ye picked up where Zhou Yun'e left off, took a sip of his wine, and said, "I appreciate your kindness, Madam."

But right now I'm still working for the Cui family, so I have to take care of the things at hand first before I can talk about anything else.

Besides, once someone becomes his retainer, how can he easily extricate himself?

Zhou Yun'e smiled slightly upon hearing this and did not ask any further questions.

Her voice carried a hint of something unspoken as she said, "If one day, Young Master Chen becomes unhappy in the Cui family, don't forget what I said today."

"Don't worry, Madam." Chen Ye picked up a wine glass and poured her a cup of wine, saying frankly, "If that day ever comes and I am destitute and come to you for help, I hope you won't look down on me."

"With your abilities, even if you are poor, it's only temporary. You will eventually rise to prominence."

"Oh?" Chen Ye picked up his wine glass and said, "Does Madam think so highly of me?"

Zhou Yun'e said softly, "To dare to use oneself as bait in the dungeon for a sliver of hope is both courageous and resourceful; to be able to attach oneself to the Cui family and gain scholar status through the martial arts examination is exceptionally intelligent. Such a courageous, resourceful, talented, and intelligent person—doesn't he deserve my trust?"

"Your praise makes me feel uneasy."

97

Chen Ye picked up his wine glass, and Zhou Yun'e, understanding, also picked up her glass.

The two of them touched each other lightly, as if by unspoken agreement.

They each drank a glass.

The effects of the alcohol were growing stronger.

As the two sat facing each other and chatted, a tacit understanding grew between them.

Zhou Yun'e's finger slipped.

Ding-dong.

An ivory chopstick fell to the ground in front of her and rolled right in front of Chen Ye.

Chen Ye naturally bent down to pick it up.

As he looked down, he saw a slender, white foot gently resting in front of him.

He glanced up and saw Zhou Yun'e's slender fingers slowly tracing a circle along the rim of the glass. When her eyes met his, there was a hint of flirtation in her gaze.

Chen Ye immediately stopped pretending to be a gentleman.

He reached out and gently grasped that smooth, alabaster ankle, placing it on his knee.

Zhou Yun'e did not refuse.

Chen Ye became bolder.

His palms gently stroked up her smooth calves, carefully playing with those calves that were as smooth as white jade.

Seeing that she remained silent.

He simply got up, picked her up by the waist, and turned to walk towards the bedroom inside.

A slight ripple of true energy.

The bed curtains hung down, concealing the two figures.

That night, the two enjoyed each other's company immensely.

A battle between masters.

Nothing was said that night. It wasn't until the first light of dawn the next morning that Zhou Yun'e slowly spoke.

Inside the bed curtains.

Zhou Yun'e rested her head on Chen Ye's arm, her expression a mix of probing and seriousness, and asked, "Now that Guan Rongci is dead, the Feng family's eldest branch has lost its leader and is utterly defeated. My uncle, Feng Rong, is most likely not going to survive either."

"I would like to ask, in your opinion, what should I do next to ensure my child ascends to the position of head of the family?"

Chen Ye fiddled with something in his hand and asked, "Madam, why don't you tell me who the next generation of the Feng family are?"

-

After a moment's thought, Zhou Yun'e told the truth: "In the next generation of the Feng family, the eldest son of the main branch is Feng Rong, born to the first wife, Lady Guan. The second branch has two brothers, Feng Cheng and Feng Guang, one is twenty-seven and the other is twenty-four."

Feng Guang was of mediocre talent and timid nature, and he never participated in the power struggles within the household.

Feng Cheng does have some talent; with the current turmoil within the manor, he'll probably have some ideas.

The third son was Feng Yanwu.

Now only my son, Feng Qi, is left.

Another one is Feng Zhao, the illegitimate son of the fourth wife. He is fifteen years old this year. His birth mother died early, and he was raised under the care of the fourth wife. He seems to have a knack for martial arts.

After listening and pondering for a moment, Chen Ye suddenly asked, "Madam, have you heard about the imperial court's summons of major families to attack Chongwu Tower?"

'

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun'e raised an eyebrow slightly, wondering why he would suddenly bring this up.

"Of course I've heard of it." She pondered for a moment and said, "Chongwu Tower is causing more and more trouble in Danfeng County. The court's several attempts to suppress it have had little effect, and it has now become a major threat. His Majesty intends to recruit people from the thirteen prefectures in the capital, and each prefecture must contribute its manpower and resources."

I heard that the imperial court has made very high promises this time. If one can make meritorious contributions, one will not only be rewarded with gold and silver, but may also be granted a title and an official position.

However, it is said that Chongwu Tower is full of experts, and the imperial army has suffered losses there.

Each powerful family wanted a share of the spoils and to gain some credit and benefits, but they were unwilling to take too much risk, fearing that their elite troops would be lost in those deep mountains and forests.

Therefore, after the conscription order was issued, most people remained on the sidelines and waited.

Chen Ye said, "First, you should seize control of the Feng family's inner court, then use the promise of succession to entice more members of the Feng family to go to Danling County. As for the rest, we'll see how things go."

"However, you should be prepared that your young master is still young, and this matter cannot be decided in a day or two. We still need to proceed slowly."