An Old Brother, Here's a Widow for You

That day, Qin Feng, Hall Master of Vermilion Bird Hall, arrived at Jiang Yuan's residence in high spirits.

At her side stood a woman with a curvaceous figure and breathtaking beauty. She stood prettily behind Qin Feng, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Don't be afraid. Older men know how to cherish women, unlike that dead husband of yours. If you can win his favor, you'll live in glory and wealth for the rest of your life." Qin Feng smiled sweetly and comforted the woman.

"Mm." The woman's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Brother Jiang, are you home?" Qin Feng called softly.

Jiang Yuan had been sitting cross-legged inside, cultivating. Hearing Qin Feng's voice outside, he hurried out to welcome her.

"Hall Master Qin? What brings you here?"

Jiang Yuan looked curious. Strictly speaking, she was still his superior. If there was anything she needed, she only had to summon him. Why make the trip personally?

Qin Feng led the beautiful woman into Jiang Residence with a smile. "Brother Jiang, you've worked hard lately. I specially brought someone to reward you."

"Hmm?"

Jiang Yuan froze slightly and turned his gaze toward the woman beside her.

Though dressed in plain clothes, the woman's proud figure could not be concealed. Her eyes shimmered like autumn waters, and her face was devastatingly beautiful—enough to stir any man who saw her.

"Hall Master Qin, this is..."

Jiang Yuan looked utterly stunned.

Qin Feng covered her lips and smiled. "I heard that as soon as Brother Jiang entered the Black Market, you couldn't wait to redeem two women and hide beauties in a golden house. You may have kept it from others, but you couldn't keep it from me."

"Ah, this..."

Jiang Yuan's old face reddened. Just as he was about to explain, Qin Feng continued with a smile.

"Don't worry, Brother Jiang. Though this goes against Vermilion Bird Hall's rules, how could I bear to blame you?"

"See? I even brought you a pretty widow today!"

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Jiang Yuan coughed violently, then said righteously, "Hall Master, I'm afraid you misunderstand this old man. I am already advanced in years, and my heart has long been free of distracting thoughts. I no longer care for the pleasures of this mortal world."

"Hehehe... Old brother, you're still putting on an act with me."

Qin Feng pushed the woman behind her toward Jiang Yuan. "Brother Jiang, look at her figure, look at her face. Even in our Vermilion Bird Tower, she'd be the top courtesan."

"And besides..."

Qin Feng leaned closer and lowered her voice. "This widow only just arrived at Vermilion Bird Hall. Her gambling-addict husband owed Azure Dragon Hall a great deal of money and refused to repay it. He was beaten to death on their wedding day. This young wife was sold to me before she even had the chance to enter the bridal chamber, so she's still a virgin."

"Brother Jiang is getting on in years and still has no descendants. You need someone to look after you. How can those women of the dust be reliable? You still need a home, after all."

Qin Feng winked repeatedly, looking as though she were considering everything for Jiang Yuan's sake.

She really had thought of everything, damn it.

Jiang Yuan looked hesitant. "Hall Master, I appreciate your kindness, but..."

"But, but, but—what but? I mean well, so why doesn't old brother know how to appreciate it?"

Qin Feng gave Jiang Yuan a push, her face full of mock reproach. "If old brother doesn't want her, I can only send her to Vermilion Bird Tower and let others defile her. What a waste that would be!"

In the end, after Qin Feng's endless persuasion, Jiang Yuan finally accepted her with great reluctance.

"Many thanks, Hall Master Yan. Next month, this old man will pay special attention to the southern district's business to repay Hall Master Yan's kindness!"

"Oh my, that's wonderful."

Qin Feng was overjoyed and tossed Jiang Yuan a seductive glance. "Old brother truly is a man of feeling. You can call me Feng'er from now on. If there are such good things in the future, I'll bring them to you again!"

It had to be said that although Qin Feng was already in her thirties, her figure and looks were beyond reproach. What should have curved, curved; what should have lifted, lifted. Her charm remained undiminished.

After being teased like that again and again, Jiang Yuan's old face flushed red.

People all said young girls were wonderful, but little did they know that married women were the true treasures!

"No need. I thank Hall Master Qin for her favor, but this old man is not blessed enough to enjoy it."

Jiang Yuan spoke with a solemn expression, but his eyes remained fixed on Qin Feng without blinking.

"Oh? Could it be that old brother has taken a fancy to me?" Qin Feng smiled brightly.

"I wouldn't dare."

"There's nothing to dare. If old brother thinks highly of me, I can accompany you tonight, you know?"

"Old brother—"

"Hall Master, please conduct yourself with dignity!"

"Hehehe..."

Qin Feng covered her lips and smiled before leaving, her face brimming with delight as she departed.

After meeting him today, she had seen through him completely. Jiang Yuan was an old lecher pretending to be proper despite his age!

People like that were the easiest to control!

Once Qin Feng had left, the lecherous look in Jiang Yuan's eyes vanished at once, replaced by a depth as still as an ancient well.

"Qin Feng sent you here to keep an eye on me, didn't she?"

"Ah?"

The woman was startled and immediately dropped to her knees, her beautiful face full of panic. "Master Jiang... you..."

"No need to be nervous. It's no big matter. Just do whatever you should be doing, understand?"

Jiang Yuan spoke calmly.

"Under... understood." The woman trembled.

This woman was clearly a spy Qin Feng had conveniently planted at Jiang Yuan's side.

It was an old trick the Black Market often used.

Both sides knew it perfectly well; they simply did not expose each other.

Still, this woman did not seem to have been trained yet. She could still be saved.

"Mm. What is your name?" Jiang Yuan asked.

"Shuang'er."

Jiang Yuan nodded and headed toward the bath chamber. "Come. From today onward, you'll follow me."

"M-Master, are we going straight to the bridal chamber?" Shuang'er lowered her head, her face full of shy embarrassment.

She was a widow, burdened by many taboos.

Now that she had been given to Jiang Yuan, at most she could only become a concubine. There could be no grand ceremony.

But if she simply gave herself to him like this, she felt it was a little too casual.

Jiang Yuan frowned slightly and instructed the others, "Go prepare some things for me. Make it a bit more festive."

The next morning, at dawn.

Jiang Yuan rose with a rosy complexion, stretched lazily, and could not help letting out a moan.

"Master, shall I help you dress?"

A warm, tingling voice came from behind him. Shuang'er struggled to rise, only to discover that she could not move even a single finger.

The ceremony they had held the previous night had been rushed and simple.

Yet she was very satisfied, and deeply grateful.

Though the man had changed, she had at least completed the most important process in a woman's life and made up for her regret.

"No need. Rest well."

Jiang Yuan turned around, caught her in his arms, and motioned for her to lie back down and continue resting.

At the same time, he considered how to arrange Shuang'er.

To be fair, Shuang'er was different from the four sisters Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju. It would not be right to casually toss her into another residence.

Seeing Jiang Yuan's hesitation, Shuang'er gently took his hand and said solemnly, "Rest assured, Master. Shuang'er knows what should be said and what should not be said."

To her, she had already acknowledged Jiang Yuan as her man.

Because Jiang Yuan existed, she had avoided being sent into Vermilion Bird Tower and retained the last of her dignity.

Jiang Yuan was moved. After thinking about it, he wondered if he had been a little too heartless.

"How about this? This residence is large. Go find yourself a room to stay in. If there's anything, I'll call for you."

"But without my permission, you are not to enter my room freely. Do you understand?"

At those words, Shuang'er became overjoyed and nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, Master!"