First Madam

"First Madam?"

Since Han Gui had spoken, Su Yuan had no choice but to return to the house and bring the workers along.

Wang Er was among the group, his eyes fixed viciously on Su Yuan's back.

Su Yuan turned and grinned. "Brother Wang, those five taels of silver I asked you to deliver to Lord Han last time—you gave them to him, right?"

"Five taels?" Wang Er froze.

At those words, Han Gui's icy gaze swept toward Wang Er.

"Of course I gave it all to him." Wang Er's hand trembled slightly as he hurriedly produced another two taels of silver and secretly stuffed them to Han Gui.

Han Gui accepted them, but turned his chilling gaze toward Su Yuan.

Damn. Su Yuan's eyelid twitched. Left with no choice, he too took out two taels of silver and handed them over.

He had truly lifted a rock only to smash his own foot.

Han Gui tucked the silver into the money pouch at his waist, a smile curling over his lips.

He did not care about his subordinates fighting among themselves. What mattered most was that silver ended up in his pocket.

Su Yuan was helpless. Han Gui was insatiably greedy. The moment he had begun bribing him, he had already sunk into the mire. Who knew how much it would take to fill that bottomless stomach? He would have to find another way.

Before long, the group arrived before the Inner City gates.

The Inner City's hierarchy was strict. Even Han Gui had to stop and verify his identity.

Han Gui was registered as second class, while everyone else was third class.

When it was Su Yuan's turn, the inspecting soldier gave him several surprised looks. This was the very man who had called him mud a few days ago.

Yet they were both third class, and the soldier showed him no kindness, keeping a stern face.

Once inside the Inner City, the scene was completely different from the Outer City.

The streets were broad and spotless, their bluestone paving polished bright enough to reflect people. Towers, pavilions, and terraces stood in orderly beauty.

The passersby wore splendid clothes—silk brocades and fur robes, jade pendants and hats—and walked with unhurried ease. Most were Liang People.

They soon arrived at the Shan Estate.

The residence had high walls and deep courtyards. Its vermilion gates stood grand and imposing, stone lions glaring before them. Its grandeur proclaimed the status of its master.

This was merely one of the Shan Family's residences in the Inner City. They possessed more than a dozen estates like it.

The group passed through covered corridors and reached the familiar side hall.

Han Gui had everyone else wait in the courtyard, then led Su Yuan inside alone.

The side hall was particularly warm today, with silver-thread charcoal burning brightly.

"First Madam, I have brought him," Han Gui said, leading Su Yuan in a bow.

They really are huge! Su Yuan glanced over, then hurriedly lowered his head.

Madam Shan sat upright in a rosewood round-backed chair. She was extraordinarily tall; even seated, her frame was a full size larger than Yun Xu, who hung beside her.

Her skin bore the cool pallor common among Liang aristocrats. Her nose bridge was high, and her eye sockets slightly deep.

She wore a dark-purple brocade padded gown beneath a silver-fox fur cloak. The fabric was stretched taut over her astonishingly full breasts, while a jade belt cinched sharply at her waist, making her appear even more noble and voluptuous.

She toyed with a wooden carving of Yun Xu in her hand and spoke in Jing Language, her voice somewhat rough. "Now that he has been brought here, you may withdraw."

Nearly all Liang nobles understood Jing Language.

"Yes." Han Gui retreated respectfully and closed the door behind him.

First Madam rose and strolled to Su Yuan's side, looking him over from above.

"Taller than Tie Niu."

Su Yuan hurriedly stepped back. "What orders does Madam have?"

Seeing how timid he looked, First Madam lost some of her interest. She walked to Yun Xu's side and lifted her chin with a finger. "Tsk. Such a pretty little face, one even I would pity at the sight of. No wonder Xiongqing was bewitched out of his wits by you."

She suddenly turned sideways, her voluptuous rear about to settle onto Yun Xu's sunken waist and back.

At the instant she was about to touch her, Yun Xu's lowered lashes abruptly flew open.

Several silver patterns suddenly lit up across the dark iron chains binding her, and a violent aura faintly seeped out!

First Madam's expression changed slightly. Her movement halted at once. She stepped back and stared at the chains with a cold snort. "You truly are a wild mare that cannot be touched."

She turned to Su Yuan, who stood with lowered head, and spoke unpleasantly. "You are that Carpenter Su? Today, carve a new statue for me. Carve me riding atop this wild mare!"

Su Yuan understood at once.

What First Madam sought was spiritual conquest and humiliation.

But Yun Xu still had something up her sleeve—something that could stop First Madam from riding her.

Seeing him remain silent, First Madam's eyes chilled. "What? If I do not mount the horse, then you cannot carve it?"

Su Yuan's expression did not change. "Madam misunderstands. I was only considering how to make it avoid the commonplace and better display Madam's heavenly bearing."

He took out paper and a brush. "May this humble one first draw several sketches, for Madam to choose a pose from?"

"Fine."

The charcoal pencil rasped softly over the paper.

With only a few strokes, he outlined several poses with entirely different charms. In one, she rode sideways upon Yun Xu's back, elegant and at ease.

In another, she sat slanted, one hand lightly lifting the "horse's" chin, displaying utter teasing control.

In another, her toe barely touched Yun Xu's back, like an exiled immortal treading upon clouds and rainbow mist, proud and aloof.

[Painting: 105/2000 (Complete)]

First Madam's gaze swept over them, and the corners of her lips curved up. "I want them all."

She followed the drawings and tried leaning sideways, but found the pose awkward and insufficiently elegant. Then she tried the toe-touching stance, but it lacked lightness.

First Madam raised a brow. Remembering how Shan Xiongqing always sought out those delicate Jing women, irritation rose in her heart. She simply said, "Since you can draw them, come help me arrange the pose yourself. You Jing craftsmen have the cleverest hands, do you not?"

Su Yuan's fingers curled slightly as he lowered his head. "Madam, that may be disrespectful."

"I permit it. How is that disrespectful?" First Madam interrupted, her tone carrying the bluntness common to Liang People. "Stop dawdling."

Su Yuan sighed softly and walked to First Madam's side.

First Madam, meanwhile, kept staring at his lean, handsome face.

"Madam, relax first..."

"Mhm." A strange anticipation rose in First Madam's heart, and she relaxed her body.

"Then please watch carefully and follow me. A fairy descends to earth." Su Yuan merely touched down on his toes and spread his arms, demonstrating the pose from the drawing with airy grace.

First Madam watched a man somehow imitate the pose with genuine charm, and at once her competitive spirit was stirred. She began to copy him.

Su Yuan observed her build and frame, offering adjustments at the appropriate moments.

"Madam, this pose is perfect. This humble one has captured the form. Please rest now." Su Yuan took out a piece of wood and began carving.

First Madam was already panting heavily. These movements truly did not suit her. Fragrant sweat beaded faintly over her skin, and she removed her fur cloak, making the rise and fall of her chest all the more startling.

She lowered her eyes toward Su Yuan's focused profile, several flickers of strange light passing through her gaze.

Yun Xu had witnessed the farcical scene as well, lifting her eyes toward Su Yuan.

Su Yuan's carving knife never stopped. His lips moved slightly, silently sending her two words: Trust me.

A glint flashed through Yun Xu's eyes, and she closed them.

Before long, three wooden carvings had taken shape.

First Madam stroked their conveyed spirit, flaunting them before Yun Xu with teasing pride. So she too could be this elegant. Smiling broadly, she said, "Good! Su Yuan, well done. What reward do you want?"

Su Yuan bowed. "This humble one begs for Madam's grace. Grant this humble one a Martial Registry."

First Madam glanced at Su Yuan, then seized him in one motion.

"First Madam, what are you doing!?"

"Feeling your bones..."

After a moment, First Madam sighed, regret in her voice. "Low-grade bone structure."

"What? I actually have low-grade bone structure?" Su Yuan's expression changed slightly.

First Madam consoled him. "It is no matter. With low-grade bone structure, if you are willing to endure hardship and persist for one or two years, you may still become a Martial Warrior."

"One or two years? But my fate says I can do it in half a year?" Su Yuan asked in confusion.

First Madam looked at his lean body, which seemed ready to fall apart at a touch, then found a brocade box. "Your body is far too weak. Take this Treasure Fish home and nourish yourself with it. Later, I will have Han Gui handle your Martial Registry. When the time comes, you may study at the Shan Family Martial Academy."

Su Yuan happily accepted it and immediately thanked her. "Many thanks, Madam!"

Han Gui was waiting outside. Hearing First Madam summon him, he pushed open the door and entered.

"Little Gui, go arrange Su Yuan's Martial Registry and send him to the Shan Family Martial Academy. Make up the Martial Assessment afterward," First Madam instructed.

Han Gui's gaze moved between First Madam and Su Yuan. He lowered his head and answered, "Yes!"

Han Gui led Su Yuan out, then checked his bone structure again. It truly was low-grade. "Good lad, you really are something."

Su Yuan raised a brow and handed over five taels of silver. "Lord Han, First Madam was very pleased with this humble one's wooden carvings. Many thanks to Lord Han for giving me this opportunity."

Han Gui accepted the silver and nodded slightly. "Mm. Go back and wait. Once the Martial Registry is settled, I will come find you."

Su Yuan cupped his hands in farewell and left the Inner City with light steps.

The matter of his Martial Registry was finally resolved, and he had even obtained a Treasure Fish.

Wang Er watched Su Yuan's receding figure, jealousy churning in his heart. He moved close to Han Gui and whispered, "My lord, should today's matter be reported to Young Master?"

"What matter?" Han Gui's eyes sharpened.

Wang Er did not back down. "My lord, Su Yuan only has low-grade bone structure. He cannot become a Martial Warrior. Training in martial arts would only waste time. Since his woodcarving skills are so good, he should be kept solely for carving, so he can bring in more silver.

"Besides, this boy is shamelessly flattering and full of honeyed words. It has only been a few days, yet he has already attached himself to First Madam. He has no loyalty at all. Before long..."

Han Gui's gaze flickered, as though weighing the matter.