11. Venomous Serpent

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Su Mingquan had returned to the mansion, leaving only a few people interested in playing mahjong. Although there were no high-ranking nobles or ministers in the Wang residence, everyone wore happy and content smiles. The atmosphere was harmonious from top to bottom—a warm, loving big family bound by affection. Yang Simin, Jing Lan, and Jing Se were all influenced by this atmosphere. They felt that the maids and women in the mansion seemed different somehow. It was as if their chests were more upright, their hips more prominent, possessing an indescribable charm. Unable to resist, Yang Simin inquired.

Li Lingli chuckled softly, “Second sister-in-law, it’s all thanks to our Jing Chen’s idle creativity. Soon, each of you will receive a set. I guarantee your Lord Wang will love you to the bone. Every woman in our mansion wears them. At first, we were shy, but now we can’t do without them.”

Jing Lan’s eyes brightened with love as she mentioned Jing Chen, though a fleeting hint of sadness crossed her heart. Lingli had it tough, but as long as she was happy, that was enough.

As dusk approached, Yang Simin stood and said, “We’ve stayed too long today. The young master is still a child; we must return early. Let’s meet again another time!”

Jing Xuan refused to go home, saying, “Mother, let’s sleep with Seventh Uncle tonight. There will be skewers and grilled fish for a late-night feast.”

Yang Simin’s face flushed red as she scolded, “Xuan’er, don’t talk nonsense. Hurry and come home with me. If you’re late and your father blames me, I won’t take responsibility.”

Pouting, Jing Xuan said, “If the concubine can sleep with Father, why can’t we sleep with Seventh Uncle?”

Yang Simin turned crimson with embarrassment.

Li Lingli had already commissioned the making of three grades of scented soap: high, medium, and low. The soap was simple—made of lard, wood ash, salt, spices, and medicinal herbs. She presented honey and milk soaps, and the high-grade soaps contained rose and osmanthus essential oils.

She gave each person four bars, releasing a delightful fragrance that was both refreshing and invigorating.

“This is scented soap,” Li Lingli explained. “You can wash your hands or bathe with it to cleanse the skin. Washing clothes with it would be wasteful. I bought it from the chief escort of a security agency. I like it very much and am giving it to you as a small gift. You can also place it in your wardrobes; it will leave your clothes smelling lovely.” She then demonstrated by washing her hands, which immediately became fair, smooth, and tender, the scent captivating.

Li Lingli also secretly gave each of them a set of underwear to open and try on at home. Everyone was like children opening a mystery box, both shy and delighted.

When Jing Chen initially rented the front shop of the Yilou building, he disguised himself simply to meet Yang Simin but avoided meeting her this time to prevent being recognized.

Jing Chen had already undergone a disguise by a ghost-hand doctor and, with Zhang Meng and Zhao Hu, came under the cover of night to a small courtyard. After checking around to ensure no one was following, he knocked on the door using a secret code. Soon, Zhao Yun opened it.

Jing Chen strode inside confidently while Zhang Meng and Zhao Hu guarded outside. Zhao Yun opened the wardrobe and stood guard. Jing Chen entered the wardrobe, opened a hidden door, and entered a secret chamber.

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A man wearing a mask knelt with his head bowed: “Hidden Dragon Guard, Long Yi, pays respects to Seventh Prince.”

Jing Chen helped Long Yi to his feet and said, “When I saw your letter, I could hardly believe it. It’s so good to see you. Quickly tell me, what exactly happened?”

Long Yi burst into tears and recounted everything, handing over a blood-stained silk pouch. Jing Chen’s tiger-like eyes welled with tears.

Inside the pouch were two secret letters and a token. Jing Chen remained composed.

He asked, “Long Yi, are your wounds healed? How many of you are still alive?”

Long Yi replied, “Your Highness, I am mostly recovered, though a scar remains on my face from an arrow wound. I sent five trusted men to search for General Zhang Shan, but there has been no news. They are all Hidden Dragon Guards; apart from me, no one knows their identities. We operate in the shadows, known only to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince instructed me to follow you to the death.” Removing his mask, Long Yi revealed a ghastly hollow left by the arrow.

Jing Chen pondered a moment and said, “Long Yi, the Crown Prince was wronged; his mother was deposed and committed suicide, and her clan was exterminated. Rest assured, I will avenge them and bring justice. But for now, I must feign ignorance in the capital. Stay close to me for the time being—I intend to form the Thirteen Guardians as my personal guard, and you will be their leader.”

Patting Long Yi’s shoulder, Jing Chen whispered, “I plan to marry the former Crown Princess Li Lingli as my queen. To make this work, I must take this step. I hope you understand, and that the Crown Prince will too.”

Long Yi said, “Whatever Your Highness decides, I will support wholeheartedly.”

“Return with me to the mansion,” Jing Chen instructed. “The Crown Prince is accused of treason; do not reveal your identity, including to Queen Li Lingli.”

“I understand,” Long Yi replied and followed Jing Chen inside.

“Lord, Zhao Yun swears to follow you to death!” Zhao Yun knelt down.

“Ha ha… with you all, I am like a tiger with wings. Even if you don’t follow me, I will repay you. I promised you generous rewards. Currently, the most popular items in the capital are Immortal Drunkenness, Concubine’s Smile, and scented soap—all my ventures. Outside the capital, I plan to entrust them all to you.” Jing Chen smiled.

Zhao Yun was stunned—Immortal Drunkenness and Concubine’s Smile brothels had soared to one hundred taels per pot and were still in short supply. He knelt again, “Thank you, my lord. I will not disappoint your kindness. My parents have passed away, and I only have a younger sister named Zhao Feiyan. Traveling everywhere is inconvenient; I humbly request that my sister be allowed to serve as a maid in the mansion to attend to the queen and lord. I hope my lord will grant this.”

Jing Chen understood the implication and smiled, “Zhao Yun, there’s no need for such formalities. Trust is the key; if you cannot trust, don’t use. Just focus wholeheartedly.”

Zhao Yun insisted, “My lord is benevolent and righteous. How could Zhao Yun not understand? I hope you will honor my loyalty.”

Long Yi added, “Your Highness, Brother Zhao is chivalrous and loyal to the heavens. Please grant his wish and let his sister work in the mansion; this will put his mind at ease.”

“That’s fine. I was just planning to open a Happy Hamburger shop and a cake shop, which I will entrust to your sister to manage,” Jing Chen chuckled.

He continued, “I have already dug a cellar in the mansion’s backyard, connected to the mountain crypt. When the time comes, prepare boats to receive goods at the corner of Eagle’s Beak Peak on the Chang River, then store them in your warehouse. Be sure to keep everything secure. Only you may contact the mansion, and do not reveal these are my enterprises. Start preparing personnel and routes immediately; depart the capital within seven days.”

With that, Jing Chen led Long Yi and the others back to the mansion.

Shortly after, Long Yi left the mansion, scaling walls and vanishing into the vast night.

When Yang Simin returned to the Qinwang Mansion, the household was in turmoil; everyone’s face was filled with terror and unease.

Jing Wei sent Jing Xuan to his room, then slapped Yang Simin across the face with a dark expression and shouted, “You wretched woman, why have you only just returned? Do you know? My beloved concubine was bitten by a venomous snake in the backyard! How do you manage the backyard? If you can’t handle it, step aside! If anything happens to her, don’t expect to live!”

Xiong Xin trembled on his knees before Jing Wei, his voice shaky and distorted, “My lord, I did indeed order two black mambas into the Xiaoyao Mansion. If I am lying, I accept death.”

Jing Wei’s face was murderous as he said, “Xiong Xin, I know your intentions. Obey me and do my bidding, and I will grant you what you desire. I will even give you Yang Simin. But if you dare betray me, I will make your life worse than death!”

Yang Simin, tearful and terrified, stared at Jing Wei.

A tall, thin man with hollow cheeks and triangular eyes that hung beneath his brows, giving an icy chill, glared greedily at Yang Simin’s chest.

He approached and coldly said, “My lord, thanks to the timely antidote, the princess consort is safe now.”

“Thank you, master. What of the senior and junior apprentices?” Jing Wei asked.

“They are in the study, waiting for you to discuss matters,” Dongfang Ying replied, then followed Jing Wei toward the study.

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