Young Master Wen, Wen Liangyu

Lu Chen drove the carriage out through the West City gate.

Inside the carriage, the Mistress sat upright in the center, wrapped in a snow-white fox fur cloak. Beneath it, a dark green dress clung tightly to her body, straining against the two mounds of flesh on her chest that trembled with every movement. Her waist was so slender it could be spanned by a single hand, while her legs were long, straight, and lushly rounded. As the carriage jolted, the soft flesh of her thighs rippled and swayed.

Her expression remained as cold and aloof as ever, yet this body, half-hidden beneath the fox fur, was even more alluring than if it had been fully exposed.

Beside her, Mei Dai looked quiet and demure. Her moon-white dress was simple and pale, making her appear like a water lily. Beneath the hem, her legs were long and slender, encased in plain white silk stockings that shone with a creamy luster in the dim light, as smooth as a freshly peeled egg.

Mei Ying was the most vivacious, dressed in a goose-yellow short jacket paired with a begonia-red horse-face skirt, looking bright and playful.

She leaned against her sister, though her body shifted restlessly. A pair of feet clad in leek-green embroidered shoes stretched out in front, revealing a long stretch of bare, shapely leg, and she would unconsciously wiggle her toes from time to time.

The carriage was warm, and the atmosphere was far livelier than the world outside.

"Mother, do you think that martial hall from Wenwu County is really as formidable as they say? I heard that the people there fight as if they're throwing their lives away," Mei Ying asked curiously.

The Mistress nodded.

"That is not entirely wrong. In the early years, Wenwu County served as a garrison for the Great Liang border troops, so the local customs are naturally fierce and martial. Furthermore, the mountains there are high and the forests dense, teeming with wild beasts. Many of the county's residents make their living by hunting in the mountains, and battling ferocious beasts is a common occurrence. Martial artists tempered in such an environment, when it comes to the ruthlessness of real combat and survival experience, are said to be... indeed a cut above those of us in Wen'an County, who have been raised in times of peace."

Upon hearing this, Mei Ying patted her chest as if in lingering fear, causing her clothes to ripple slightly: "That's a relief, that's a relief. They didn't pick our martial hall. If we really had to face them, what would we do if we lost..."

The Mistress felt a sense of relief as well, though she certainly wasn't afraid.

The foundation of the Plum Blossom Martial Hall still held; if they truly had to fight, they might not necessarily lose.

It was just that... it is better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Since the martial hall had passed into her hands, its influence was no longer what it had been in her father's day.

Over these years, she had painstakingly managed the hall, acquiring many shops and fields in Wen'an County. The rental income alone, combined with the tuition fees paid by the disciples, was enough for the hall to live securely without worry for food or clothing.

The storms of the pugilistic world are best avoided when possible. Protecting this family legacy and ensuring its steady continuation was what she cared about most now.

The carriage fell silent for a moment, save for the sound of hooves and wheels.

The Mistress withdrew her gaze from the window and inadvertently let it fall upon her eldest daughter, Mei Dai, sitting opposite her.

She saw that Mei Dai's eyes were slightly lowered, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the corner of her skirt. She looked distracted, as if she hadn't even heard her sister's words.

"Dai'er."

The Mistress called out softly, "What is it? Are you feeling unwell, or... is something on your mind?"

"Ah?"

Mei Dai seemed startled out of her thoughts and jerked her head up. A flash of panic crossed her face, and she hurriedly shook her head: "No, nothing, Mother. I am fine."

Mei Ying, sitting to the side, chuckled: "Sister must be thinking about a man!"

"You! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Mei Dai's pretty face turned beet red, as if smeared with rouge, even the tips of her ears turning pink. Embarrassed and flustered, she reached out to pinch the soft flesh at Mei Ying's waist:

"See if I don't tear your mouth shut! Let's see you talk nonsense again!"

"Ouch! You're only angry because I hit the nail on the head!" Mei Ying dodged, giggling as she continued to tease her, "Mother, look at Sister, her face is as red as a boiled shrimp!"

"Mei Ying! Stop it!"

Mei Dai, both angry and embarrassed, lifted her foot and gave Mei Ying a light kick.

Mei Ying let out an "ouch" and, refusing to be outdone, immediately struck back.

The sisters traded blows. Although they didn't use any real force, the narrow carriage was soon filled with the rustle of skirts, accompanied by low gasps, playful scolding, and coquettish protests—a scene of great commotion.

"You two! What kind of behavior is this! Stop at once!" The Mistress was both annoyed and amused, and she quickly spoke up to stop them.

From the front of the carriage, Lu Chen suddenly asked: "Mistress, is everything alright inside?"

He had heard the commotion and felt compelled to ask.

The Mistress looked at her two daughters, who hadn't quite separated yet, still glaring at each other, panting with flushed cheeks. She couldn't help but smile, cleared her throat, and spoke toward the curtain:

"It is nothing. Ying'er is being mischievous again, playing around with her sister. Just focus on driving."

Inside the carriage, Mei Dai and Mei Ying exchanged a glance upon hearing this.

Mei Ying stuck out her tongue, while Mei Dai turned her face away in embarrassment, each busy smoothing out their disheveled clothes and hair.

The small disturbance gradually subsided amidst the steady rumble of the carriage wheels.

This trip was originally supposed to be taken by Zhou Lan and Lu Chen together.

But when the appointed day arrived, Zhou Lan had an urgent matter come up and couldn't make it.

There was no other way, so in the end, Lu Chen accompanied the Mistress and her daughters alone.

As for Master Deng, he had never liked such events and did not join them.

The carriage passed through the final stretch of sparse woods, and the roar of the crowd rushed in along with the cold winter air.

They had arrived at the banks of Yunmiao Lake.

The lake was frozen solid, like a mirror.

In an open area by the shore, a wooden stage a zhang high had already been erected, enclosed by thick ropes and adorned with several flags representing the local martial arts circles, which snapped loudly in the cold wind.

A dense crowd of people had gathered all around the stage.

There were martial artists carrying weapons, wealthy households in fine attire, and, more numerous than any, common folk who had heard the news and come to watch the spectacle.

The hawking of vendors, the playful shouts of children, and the buzzing discussions of the crowd merged into a single hum, mingling with the white steam drifting from the nearby food stalls to dispel some of the winter's bleakness.

Lu Chen found a relatively spacious spot on the outskirts of the crowd to park the carriage, then jumped down first to set out the footstool.

Madam Deng gathered her fox-fur cloak and stepped down from the carriage with graceful, composed bearing.

Mei Dai and Mei Ying followed closely behind.

The arrival of the three women, especially the clear and vibrant beauty of Madam Deng and the two young ladies, immediately drew many gazes.

Madam Deng remained calm, preparing to lead her daughters and Lu Chen toward the viewing area reserved for the martial arts hall.

A handsome youth of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a white brocade robe, walked quickly over from the crowd and bowed respectfully:

"This junior, Wen Liangyu, pays his respects to Madam Deng. I hope this Madam is well."

Lu Chen watched from the side, his eyes flickering.

He recognized this Wen Liangyu; wasn't he the classmate of Mei Dai and Mei Ying from when he went to the Martial Education Academy to pick them up?

Madam Deng heard the voice and raised her eyes to look Wen Liangyu over.

The youth was a stranger; he was neither a disciple of the martial arts hall nor a scion of any family she knew in Wen'an County.

"And this young master is...?"

Mei Dai stood beside Madam Deng, her cheeks flushing deeper the moment Wen Liangyu approached. She hurried half a step forward, her voice soft and hurried:

"Mother, this is Young Master Wen Liangyu, a classmate of mine and Ying'er's at the academy. His... his family runs a business in another province."