manynovel Chapter 102 The Tea Remains Even After the Person Leaves
Chapter 102 The Tea Remains Even After the Person Leaves
It was late at night.
Warm Fragrance Pavilion.
Zhou Miaotong, dressed in a light yellow short dress, was resting on the bed.
Sitting at the table opposite the bed was a man named Shen Lian, a minor leader in the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
He was the only one who paid money but didn't ask Zhou Miaotong to work for him.
He felt good about himself and was a hopeless romantic.
But actually?
Zhou Miaotong smiled and pretended to like him, but in reality she disliked him.
When Zhou Miaotong was twelve years old, her family was raided by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and she herself was forced into the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) and became a prostitute.
Among those on the mission was Shen Lian, though he himself was unaware of it.
When Zhou Miaotong woke up, she saw that Shen Lian was still there, so she yawned and invited him:
"Lord Shen, please go to bed!"
Shen Lian shook his head.
He didn't want to be a drifter; he wanted to save enough money to redeem Zhou Miaotong from her servitude before marrying her.
Zhou Miaotong snorted inwardly, deliberately provoking and belittling him:
"With your salary, how long would it take you to redeem me? Just sleep with me and leave!"
She had a lover named Yan Junbin, who was the son of Yan Peiwei, the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate...
There was a man in history named Yan Peiwei, who was one of those people in the "Record of the Five Martyrs' Tomb".
Because Zhou Shichang, one of the so-called Seven Sages of Donglin, was framed by the eunuch faction, he incited the people to beat and kill the people of the Eastern Depot...
In the movie's setting, he is not only the Vice Censor-in-Chief, but also a member of the Golden Knife Sect.
Therefore, the couple Zhou Miaotong and Yan Junbin also have a historical background.
As for the historical Shen Lian, he actually lived during the Jiajing era and was killed by the Yan faction.
Shen Lian refused, saying, "No, no, I have something to do, I'll be leaving now..."
Anyone who heard this would probably think that Zhou Miaotong was complaining that Shen Lian was hogging the job and getting in her way...
Actually, there's not much business at this time.
There was a curfew in ancient times.
Zhou Miaotong said "oh," got out of bed, and prepared to see him off.
Shen Lian would occasionally take an unconventional route and leave through the window.
But not today.
Just as he was leaving, a madam came over and said with a smile:
"What a coincidence! This gentleman is looking for Miaotong!"
The man beside her was none other than the Grand Master of the Nation, Mr. Qi, the third-ranked scholar.
Zhou Miaotong was speechless.
Shen Lian's face turned green, and he asked with great dissatisfaction:
"Who are you? How dare you break the rules and go out so late?!"
Qi Ming smiled slightly and said nothing.
The madam chimed in, "From now on, all of our brothels will be under the control of the magistrate. If you want to redeem Miaotong, you not only need approval from the Ministry of Justice, but also his nod!"
"What?!"
Shen Lian was taken aback: "W-who are you?"
Qi Ming said calmly, "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that your clock has run out, so you should give up your turn. Otherwise, you can add more time, and I won't fight you for it."
Shen Lian asked, distressed, "You...you really won't take revenge?"
He worried that if he added Zhong, Qi Ming would not allow him to redeem people in the future.
Qi Ming shook his head: "We're all in the same boat, why would I retaliate against you? Add me, I'll go find someone else!"
After saying that, he turned to leave.
Zhou Miaotong stepped forward, hugged his arm, and said softly:
"My lord, now that you're here, why are you leaving? I've already spent time with him; now it's my turn to spend time with you."
Shen Lian felt increasingly distressed: "Miaotong! Don't do this, don't demean yourself!"
Zhou Miaotong ignored him and pulled Qi Ming into the house.
She truly hated Shen Lian.
But that doesn't stop her from keeping Shen Lian, that bastard, as a backup option.
She knew even better that even if she tried to please another man, this guy would not only not despise her, but would cherish her even more!
The madam stopped Shen Lian and said in a serious tone:
"Lord Shen, as you know, we don't force daughters here. If she doesn't want to stay with you, extending the time won't help... You should leave now and come back tomorrow."
Just then, Zhou Miaotong's voice came from inside: "Sir, would you like something to drink?"
The adult said gently, "Drinking at night is bad for your health. Come with me for a bath! I'm quite tired after a busy day and need to relax."
Zhou Miaotong responded and walked to the door. Without looking at Shen Lian, whose face was green with rage, she said to the madam:
"Mom, have someone bring some hot water."
Then he turned back.
The madam urged in a low voice, "Lord Shen, even the Ninth Prince can't afford to offend that official. You should go back now!"
He added, "Just let Miaotong spend more time with him. When he's in a good mood, he might not even ask for your ransom and will let you have your way..."
Shen Lian snorted and said stiffly, "I will definitely raise the money as soon as possible!"
He also has dignity and cares about his reputation.
If Miaotong doesn't need him to redeem her, and can manage on her own, then what is he anyway?
After about half a cup of tea's time.
Zhou Miaotong was already in the bathtub, performing her talents for Lord Qi.
Shen Lian was still worried, so he also removed half a tile from the roof and secretly looked down.
Zhou Miaotong was completely unaware of this, and even if she knew, she wouldn't care. She wrapped her arms around Qi Ming's neck and asked curiously:
"My lord, what official are you? How did you end up with this brothel under the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau)?"
Qi Ming chuckled and said, "I cured the emperor's illness and even passed on my immortal techniques to him. So, it's nothing for him to be so filial to me as his master by giving me the entire brothel. Besides, I only want the brothels!"
Zhou Miaotong exclaimed in shock, "You...you're actually an immortal?"
"What, you don't believe me? Don't you feel that the room is much cooler?"
"It's cooler now!"
"I have an adorable ice silkworm in my gourd. Even in the sweltering heat of summer, it can keep the house cool as spring or autumn... Oh, and it can also make ice. I'll teach you a trick!"
"..."
A little while later.
Zhou Miaotong took a sip of tea, shook her head and said, "Immortal Master, no, this tea is already cold."
"Is it cold?"
Qi Ming grasped her hand holding the teacup, and then unleashed his power!
Almost instantly, the cup of tea began to steam.
Qi Ming laughed, "This trick ensures that even after the person leaves, the tea remains warm!"
Zhou Miaotong's eyes widened, and she stammered, "Wow, that's amazing!"
Shen Lian, who was on the roof, was almost speechless with astonishment.
Holy crap, he really is a god!
Qi Ming laughed heartily, patted Zhou Miaotong's head, and urged:
"Stop daydreaming and get back to work! After all, I have to go back to the clinic to heal the sick as soon as it gets light, and I won't have time to spend with you then."
Despite it being late at night, Zhou Miaotong was still very energetic and nodded enthusiastically.
After all, Shen Lian hadn't done anything, and she had taken a nap, so naturally she wasn't tired.
"Master, can I...can I cultivate immortality?"
"Calling me 'Master' is not acceptable, but calling me 'Dada' is."
"Dear Father, I beg you to have mercy and grant Tong'er the divine rain..."
"..."
Shen Lian was about to crack open and fled as if he were running away.
He longed to have a pair of eyes he'd never seen before, and a pair of ears he'd never heard before.
But after calming down, I realized it wasn't a big deal!
He also felt that Zhou Miaotong's flattery was only out of helplessness, and that she loved him in her heart.
In the movie, he only realized that Zhou Miaotong didn't love him after discovering that she was secretly meeting with Yan Junbin.
As for Miaoxuan, she loved Zhu Youjian, not him...
This is for his turtle.