That day, Meng Zhao and the other three did not leave the Xie residence. Instead, Xie Wen enthusiastically kept them there to rest.
Whether this Third Steward Xie harbored thoughts of currying favor, no one knew. Besides treating them to fine wine and good food, he personally selected four of the most beautiful and alluring women from among his concubines and maidservants and sent them to attend the four men's rooms.
His intentions needed no explanation. He meant to use beauty as a bargaining chip to befriend them.
Though it was somewhat inhumane, it was also a common custom in this world.
Meng Zhao did not place much value on female beauty and naturally had no use for it. Because of Luo Ning, Xiang Qing did not accept either.
Si Peng and Wei Hua, however, accepted the beauties. What happened after a night of tossing and turning went without saying.
The next day, Si Peng took the initiative to report the matter to Meng Zhao. It was not that he was truly unable to resist lust; he simply wished to set Xie Wen's mind at ease, lest the man start overthinking.
Though the words were unpleasant to hear, they did make sense. Xie Wen had already displayed his sincerity. One of them declining was fine; two declining was also acceptable. But if all four refused, Xie Wen would begin to suspect that they had other designs.
After all, if they did not even want beautiful women, might they be after something greater—such as his family fortune?
Through this matter, Meng Zhao and Xiang Qing also saw that Xie Wen was indeed closer to Si Peng and Wei Hua, as though he regarded them as his own people.
Of life's four bonds forged in iron, these three had barely claimed one