Li Xian's Clever Scheme: Shaoqian Made a Puppet, Black and White Reversed, Lei Chong Punished Instead!

Meanwhile, inside the Body-Nourishing Tower, gauze curtains and canopies were scattered all over the floor. Dawn broke in the blink of an eye, and the maid Xiao He, as usual, went to the bedroom to knock on the door, calling for her sister to wake up and get ready. But there was no response, and she didn't know that the bedroom had been empty the previous night.

Peach Residence remains unchanged, and the early winter snow has a unique charm. Red plum blossoms and peach blossoms in the courtyard are covered with snow, and the red flowers and green trees are bright and vibrant. Tao Xiangrong's Peach Residence has a total of thirteen maids and servants.

Tao Xiangrong was in charge of everything. Although Tao Xiangrong and graceful, and tormented many men to the point of wishing they were dead, she treated her maids and servants quite well. She treated them generously and rarely beat or scolded them. Even if the maids and servants were clumsy and broke utensils or porcelain, she would only give them a little instruction.

If Tao Xiangrong had free time and happened to obtain a suitable martial arts manual, she would generously pass it on to her maids and servants. How well they learned it depended entirely on each individual, and she would not interfere. However, the maids and servants had limited talent and only had a rudimentary understanding of martial arts, making it difficult for them to master it in detail.

Yesterday was truly a day of wild fun. We had a snowball fight for half a day and had a great time. As a result, we neglected the work in the main residence. Peach Residence has seven floors and three gardens, which need to be taken care of every day. If we are not careful, the grass and branches will grow wildly and ruin the beauty.

The maids and servants, eager to get to work, rose very early. They wore thick clothes and busied themselves with tasks: some swept snow, some mowed lawns, some broke branches...

Meanwhile, in the Body-Nourishing Tower, Li Xian and Tao Xiangrong had only returned at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), Yin Hour it was already past the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), so they had not yet been able to finish their love affair. By the time the sun was high in the sky, at the end of Chen (7-9 AM) or the beginning of Si (9-11 AM), the maid Xiao He was running around anxiously, seeking help everywhere, causing chaos in Peach Residence.

It turned out that... Xiao He had been knocking on the door for a long time, but Tao Xiangrong didn't respond, so she was worried about her health. She pushed the door open and entered the bedroom, only to find that Tao Xiangrong was nowhere to be seen. Normally, as a maid, she wouldn't need to worry too much. But Tao Xiangrong would never disappear without a trace.

In this panic, she was utterly at a loss, thinking, "Sister, such a rare beauty is like the most precious jewel, coveted by countless people. Although Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower is safe, Sister recently lost a valuable treasure. There are always martial arts masters who can cleverly avoid obstacles. Could it be... that they stole Sister? Oh dear, what should we do!" The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, and she hurriedly consulted her maid, He Xiaoshi. Although the maids had followed Tao Xiangrong for a long time and had a broad perspective and wide experience, they had never made a decision on anything themselves. When they gathered to discuss it, they naturally had no ideas or solutions, and in their panic, they didn't know which way to go, so they could only search randomly in Peach Residence. The noise disturbed the two of them.

Tao Xiangrong were glued to Li Xian, her body and soul completely entangled with him, unable to escape. Hearing his breath, feeling his warmth, she felt an indescribable joy. She had never truly experienced such pleasure in her life. Now, suddenly enlightened, she could no longer bear her past loneliness. Her face flushed, she exclaimed, "My dear brother, you've truly taken my life!" She rested her head on his chest, clinging to him with utmost affection.

Li Xian asked, "Will you give it to me, sister?"

Tao Xiangrong said, "I can't refuse." Li Xian, hearing the commotion, said, "Sister, they're all looking for you." Tao Xiangrong, at this point unable to tolerate anything else, said, "Let them look, what's the big deal? Even if the sky falls, sister... sister doesn't want to move."

Tao Xiangrong blushed and said, "I never imagined that my younger brother was not only skilled in swordsmanship and investigation, but also possessed such a strong sense of youthful vigor that other men could hardly match him."

Neither of them had slept, yet neither felt sleepy. After a warm and casual chat, Tao Xiangrong her head on her pillow and asked, "Yes, little brother, what do you want your sister to help you with?"

Li Xian said, "To tell you this, sister, you need to agree to some conditions before I can tell you."

Tao Xiangrong angrily, "What do you take your sister for? Would I ever harm you? You're still wary of your sister, aren't you?" She pushed Li Xian away in a huff and turned to get up. In that instant of separation, her heart trembled, and before even a moment had passed, she felt a pang of longing.

Li Xian grabbed her wrist and gently pulled. Tao Xiangrong, who was already reluctant to leave, naturally leaned into his arms. Li Xian said, "It's not that I'm afraid you'll harm me, it's that I'm afraid I'll harm you."

Tao Xiangrong's eyes were red as she said, "I'd rather you harm my sister than have you hide anything from her."

Li Xian felt a slight headache and said, "When the time is right, I will not dare to hide my talents from you, sister. But for now... I hope you will listen to me." Tao Xiangrong said helplessly, "Alright then."

Li Xian said, "Sister, you must promise me you won't investigate this matter further. Just do as I say." Tao Xiangrong at Li Xian and sighed, "Alright, alright, what can I do with you? I'll agree to everything."

Li Xian truthfully replied, "The case of the missing death row inmate at Gold-Seeking Guard was my doing. I hope you won't pry into the reasons behind it, sister. I will explain myself when the time comes. Now that the death row inmate case has stirred up trouble, I need your help to quell this matter."

Tao Xiangrong sided entirely with Li Xian and asked, "Ah, little brother... then your situation is extremely dangerous. What should we do? How can your sister help you? Perhaps you should try to persuade Xu Shaoqian?"

Li Xian said, "It's not necessarily that dangerous. With your help, sister, this matter will be easy. After the death row inmate went missing a second time, Xu Central Lang General suspected it was an inside job and sent people to investigate. I used Bai Qinghao and Iron Fu to clear my name and gained control of the case, so I'll be handling it. But Lei Chong is determined to harm me. Although he doesn't know the details of the case, he'll definitely try to pin the charges on me. Who knows, by some twist of fate, he might actually discover a few clues."

Tao Xiangrong said, "That Lei Chong is utterly detestable! Is he that rather burly man? I saw him once at the birthday banquet years ago." Li Xian said, "Indeed, he is narrow-minded. I originally had no intention of being his enemy. But he once plotted a dangerous attack against me, and now we are sworn enemies. Even if I wanted to befriend him, he would suspect that I had other treacherous schemes. Therefore, between us, it is only a matter of life and death."

Immediately, he recounted in detail the perilous journey to "Evil-Quelling Island." Tao Xiangrong said, "Brother, don't worry, it's your life or his death." Li Xian said, "I've already taken care of this matter, so sister, please don't worry. Actually, I don't want sister to get involved in my dangerous affairs; I only see sister here as a comforting and warm embrace." He thought to himself, "Although sister holds a high position in the brothel, she must be quite capable. But this involves Commandery Princess Anyang, who wields immense power and influence both inside and outside the city. I'm afraid it might cause chaos. If I get involved, it will be even worse. Besides... I really need a place to forget these life-or-death dangers and rest for a while." These words touched Tao Xiangrong. Seeing Li Xian's resolute expression, her gaze softened instantly, and her heart fluttered. She couldn't help but gently embrace Li Xian and said, "Alright, alright, then sister won't interfere. You've always been very decisive. Sister trusts you to handle it."

Tao Xiangrong said, "What do you plan to do? Are you going to pin the blame for the death row inmate incident on Lei Chong?"

Li Xian said, "It's difficult. Although Xu Central Lang General has been kind to me by promoting me, I know he doesn't like me and prefers Lei Chong. Lei Chong has no motive, and such a blatant slander will have little effect. Xu Central Lang General is no fool; how could he so easily take Lei Chong's life? Therefore, this case should be settled peacefully."

"Therefore, I have come here to inquire, sister, whether you know of any powerful and influential figures who can deceive the Gold-Seeking Guard, so that we may use their reputation to pin my crimes on them."

Tao Xiangrong covered her mouth and laughed, "You rascal, so that's what you were planning. You're really shrewd, but upon closer inspection, it's not bad. I know a powerful figure on the Guanzhong Dao Ranking named 'Tan Zhisheng,' who hates evil as if it were his enemy, has an eccentric personality, and likes to use private punishments to discipline criminals. He once deliberately rescued a vicious bandit and then tortured him with private torture. It's most suitable to pin this crime on Tan Zhisheng."

Li Xian said happily, "Thank you for your help, sister." Tao Xiangrong blushed, overjoyed, thinking, "Now that I've come to my senses, I realize my heart has truly been stolen by my little brother." She said, "How else can I help you, sister?"

Li Xian said, "Sister, please find a pretext to summon Xu Central Lang General. Subtly hint that Tan Zhisheng has been to Jade City, and that you saw him Jade City. With your silver tongue, you can easily convince Xu Central Lang General without suspicion. I will then present a letter framing Tan Zhisheng. Xu Central Lang General prejudiced, will naturally believe it. If the culprit is Tan Zhisheng, and the Five Thieves of the Ancient Tomb are dead, then although there may be some twists and turns, we can let it go." Tao Xiangrong giggled, "You've already planned everything out before you came. You knew I would help you, haven't you?" "No, not really?" Li Xian looked earnestly at Tao Xiangrong, about to speak. Tao Xiangrong suddenly pulled him close, hooking her Li Xian around his neck, and breathed softly, "No need for further words. But I'm not easily fooled. I have an extra task for you. If you handle it well, I'll help you handle it perfectly too." Li Xian said, "Ah, sister, how could you... break your promise?" Tao Xiangrong retorted, "I'm breaking my promise, so what? Are you going to argue with me?" Li Xian said, "Fine, I've fallen into your trap, sister, and I can't escape now. Please tell me."

Tao Xiangrong giggled, "You've taken advantage and you're still acting cute. But your sister loves your rascal brother the most." She turned to Xiao Shi and said, "Xiaoshi, please invite Young Master Xu Shaoqian to the Red-Silk Boat at Water-Dream Garden. We'll treat him to a three-day banquet, and the cost will be on my tab."

The voice, though subtle and profound, traveled far, reaching the courtyard through the window. Xiao He, Xiaoshi, and the other maids, searching for Tao Xiangrong, were reassured upon hearing the voice. Liang Xiaoshi said, "Alright, sister, I'll go now."

Tao Xiangrong said, "It must be done quickly; Xu Central Lang General must be brought here within a quarter of an hour." Liang Xiaoshi replied, "Yes, sir," and turned to leave Peach Residence.

Tao Xiangrong and said, "Invite Xu Central Lang General to the Red-Silk Boat for three days of fun. Then you won't have to worry about Lei Chong there first, and you'll have no worries at all during these three days."

Li Xian smiled and said, "Sister always says I'm thoughtful, and you are just as thoughtful. Now, what is this mission?" Tao Xiangrong gently stroked his chest, her heart pounding.

Affection without desire cannot last; desire without affection remains superficial. Only when both affection and desire are strong and intertwined can one truly touch the soul.

The Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower is a wondrous building, modeled after the Thirty-Three Heavenly Palaces, each with its own unique scenery. Yet, it is ultimately a "fake heavenly palace, but a truly wondrous building," a "building" rather than a "heaven." Where the heavenly palaces are, the true heaven is; who can possibly reach it? Yet last night, Tao Xiangrong Heaven Realm as if visiting all thirty-three heavenly palaces. Tao Xiangrong, both shy and alluring, smiled and said, "This last task is..." She whispered in my ear, her red lips parting slightly, her voice gentle and seductive, yet tinged with a hint of provocation, "If you have the guts, come and torment your older sister to death."

She finished speaking and giggled, her beautiful eyes gazing intently at Li Xian.

Xu Shaoqian Tao Xiangrong had prepared a private banquet for him on the boat, inviting him to enjoy himself for three days before meeting her again. He clapped his hands and cheered, jumping and leaping like a child. He had never been so distraught in his life. Thinking of the charming face he had glimpsed from afar years ago, he was even more captivated and stunned.

He Xiaoshi said, "Xu Central Lang General, your sister needs you to arrive within fifteen minutes. Otherwise, the Red Boat Banquet will be offered to someone else. Xu Central Lang General know that young ladies are easily embarrassed; if you miss this opportunity, then..."

Xu Shaoqian regained his senses and said, "Yes... yes... Xiangrong by Rong Ruo's distress because of me, and I would gladly die for it. However, I do have some official business to attend to..." He Xiaoshi asked, "A dignified Central Lang General, do you not have any capable subordinates? Well, my sister said that if Young Master Xu is busy with official business, you must not disturb him. The Gold-Seeking Guard the safety of Jade City and the livelihoods of countless people, which is beyond the reach of a mere woman like me."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shaoqian's blood boiled, and he asked tremblingly, "Xiangrong... Xiangrong... do you really say that?" He Xiaoshi replied, "How dare I fabricate such a thing?" Xu Shaoqian thought to himself, "Ah! Xiangrong... Xiangrong's words are asking me who is more important, her or the millions of ordinary people? The lives and deaths of the millions of ordinary people are determined by fate. What does it have to do with me, Xu Shaoqian? But Xiangrong... is the Xiangrong of my dreams, the Xiangrong I have longed for for so many years. Let alone millions of people, even if there were millions more, none would be as important as her. I... even if I suffer some punishment, even if..." "If neglecting my duties could Xiangrong Xiangrong's heart, I would be more than happy." "No... the more I am punished, the greater the loss. In Xiangrong's eyes, the more I value her, the happier she will be, and the more it will prove my sincerity. It's just a pity that recently, the Gold-Seeking Guard has only had cases of missing death row inmates. Even if I am negligent, at most it will only be a failure in handling cases and damage the Gold-Seeking Guard. But I cannot be severely punished." He said, "Miss Xiaoshi, thank you for conveying the message. I will go to Red-Silk Boat now." He Xiaoshi said, "Young Master Xu's character is so good, Sister was right about him."

Xu Shaoqian said, "But... is it really only a quarter of an hour? I just practiced archery for a long time, and I'm covered in sweat. This is..." He Xiaoshi covered her mouth and laughed, "How do you know that I don't like this look? Maybe I'm used to seeing fine clothes and just happen to like this sweaty shirt?"

Xu Shaoqian said, "Yes, yes. That makes sense." He then boarded a carriage and headed towards Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower. Riding on Immortal-Sending Bird, he arrived at Rosy Cloud Heaven and saw a red boat drifting by. His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but think, "Xiangrong that Xiangrong... could she be waiting for me at this boat shop?"

He leaped into the boat, lifting the pale red curtain to reveal a white jade table with a pot of fine wine and a plate of delicacies. Xu Shaoqian sat down, looking around with increasing disappointment. He did not see Tao Xiangrong.

He sipped the wine gently, a surge of joy in his heart. This was "Heart-Misleading Brew," surpassing even the Drunken Flower Brew in quality; only distinguished guests could enjoy it. Xu Shaoqian couldn't help but feel smug. "There are countless young masters in Jade City, but I'm probably the only one who has ever tasted Xiangrong's Heart-Misleading Brew. Hahaha, in terms of lineage, I, Xu Shaoqian, am the most distinguished member of the Xu family in Jade City. I am of the highest rank. Although there are many heroes in this world, none are as young as me in ability. Those younger than me are of lower status. Those of higher status are not as handsome as me. Even those who surpass me in every way are not as sincere as me. Xiangrong towards me alone is not without reason. If I were to truly Xiangrong with Xiangrong forever, the joy here would be boundless, hahahaha..."

I was already completely intoxicated. Suddenly, I heard the melodious sound of a zither. The windows of the boat opened on all four sides, and three small boats came from the side. Eleven women stood on the boats, and various musical instruments were placed around them. They were all skilled female musicians.

Their light clothing swayed in the breeze. The women played the zither, flute, and drum, creating a beautiful melody that echoed across the lake. Xu Shaoqian his fingers lightly to the rhythm, completely absorbed in the music. Suddenly, he paused, a thought flashing through his mind, "Just now, He Xiaoshi said that I needed to enjoy myself on the Red-Silk Boat for three days Xiangrong meet me. There must be a hidden reason. Xiangrong's arrangement must have a purpose. Could it be... that she's using these three days to observe me closely? If that's the case, she must be watching me from the shadows."

Thinking this through, he immediately sat up straight, straightened his cuffs, and then thought, "As the saying goes, a gentleman does not deceive himself in the dark. A person's character can be disguised in the open, but it will be revealed in the shadows. Xiangrong this test is just like that. I need to show my composure now."

After a performance, he laughed heartily, explaining the origins of the lyrics and music, and delving into the intricacies of the zither, pipa, and other stringed instruments. He even borrowed a jade flute and improvised a piece. Xu Shaoqian was quite young, only in his early thirties, but he was indeed one of the best in the Xu Clan, Proficiency in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. His comments were also very insightful. After each performance, Xu Shaoqian would make a point of showcasing his skills, whether it was martial arts, knowledge, or experiences. He would also talk endlessly about every dish and fruit platter. He didn't find it tedious, but the maids serving the dishes were getting annoyed. They all thought to themselves, "This young master may have a high status, but his personality is too strange. He's enjoying the Red Boat Banquet alone, without any relatives or lovers around. He keeps babbling on and on, but I don't know who he's talking to. He seems quite smug, as if he's very proud of himself."

The first day passed, and that night, Lei Chong discovered the truth. He went to Xu Shaoqian's residence to report, but Xu Shaoqian was nowhere to be found. After making many inquiries, he guessed that Xu Shaoqian gone to the Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower. He could only sigh and continue his investigation, refining his clues, and waiting for Xu Shaoqian before reporting back. The second and third days passed in the blink of an eye. Xu Shaoqian counted the days, knowing that three days had passed, and stood on the bow of the boat, eagerly waiting. Although he was elegant, his heart was burning with anxiety. Suddenly, he saw a boat gently rocking in the distance, and a beautiful woman standing gracefully on the bow. Her red dress was eye-catching, and her beauty was unparalleled.

She approached thoughtfully, holding her pipa and half-concealing her face. Though her face was lightly veiled, her eyes were full of affection. The affection in her eyes was that of lingering enjoyment, not of longing to see her lover.

But her charm was subtle and alluring, and she was naturally Xiangrong, which made her easy to misunderstand. Xu Shaoqian was mesmerized. He had never seen Xiang Rong with such an expression before. Her face was flushed, her eyes were like pools of water, and every glance, every frown and smile conveyed her deep affection.

Tao Xiangrong herself, "Xu Shaoqian has been kind to my brother, so he has never said a bad word about him. If I want to see my brother often without being disturbed, it would be best to keep him around. Alas, my brother just left, leaving me all alone. This cold boat and black water, this stinking wood and mixed flowers, are truly meaningless. This brother is really something else. Just a joke from my sister, and he really seems to want to torment me to death." She thought for three days, her face flushing even more.

The two boats bumped gently against each other as they approached. Xu Shaoqian and Tao Xiangrong snapped out of their daze. Xu Shaoqian murmured, "Xiangrong, you're so beautiful, especially beautiful today." Tao Xiangrong curtsied gracefully and said, "Thank you for Young Master Xu compliment, Young Master Xu. You are indeed exceptionally handsome."

Tao Xiangrong stepped lightly onto the Red-Silk Boat. She felt her legs were weak and trembling, fearing it would take several days to fully recover. She smiled and said, "Please come in, young master. Xiangrong most grateful if you could wait for Xiangrong three days."

Xu Shaoqian said, "Don't mention three days, even five, seven, or ten days, I'm willing to wait for you." Tao Xiangrong and said, "Young master can wait, but I can't." She thought to herself, "My younger brother doesn't know his place. If we were to spend five or seven days together... I would truly risk my life. But if my younger brother has the same feelings as you, then that would be good."

Xu Shaoqian heard this and had a different feeling. He thought, "Xiangrong mean she can't wait to see me. Even though there's a veil between us, I... I can feel that Xiangrong seems to be blushing. Today, Xiangrong is truly... truly even more charming."

Tao Xiangrong and Xu Shaoqian took their seats. Tao Xiangrong first played the pipa, the beautiful music captivating Xu Shaoqian. Then, she skillfully steered the conversation, naturally leading to the topic of "the Guanzhong region's top scholars; Tan Zhisheng." Tao Xiangrong thought to herself, "My brother said that Lei Chong would definitely take on this case and bite him. I won't intervene openly, but by subtly guiding Xu Shaoqian, I can protect my brother without leaving a trace."

She immediately used persuasive language to praise Xu Shaoqian's heroic and imposing manner, Gold-Seeking Guard were military men, inevitably prone to jealousy and hatred among themselves, yet Xu Shaoqian was able to subdue and suppress his subordinates, which was truly rare. She then gave an example, saying that some time ago, she had two sisters who framed each other simply because one was more beautiful than the other. In the end, she took charge of the matter and managed to temporarily quell the conflict.

She then subtly feigned weakness, saying that Xu Shaoqian would have handled the matter much better, expressing her deep admiration. Xu Shaoqian, upon hearing this, was completely captivated, unaware that he had fallen into her trap. He knew that if he encountered anything involving "Lei Chong" or "Li Xian" in the future, he would inevitably think of the "Beauty and Ugliness Sisters" and appreciate her praise today. She was extremely skilled in conversation, her words capable of both captivating and mesmerizing men. Half an hour later, Tao Xiangrong summoned a boat, preparing to depart. Xu Shaoqian, having misunderstood several times, suddenly grew bolder and asked, "Xiangrong, you... you're just leaving like this? Didn't you have anything special to tell me about this banquet you hosted alone?"

Tao Xiangrong herself, "Inviting someone requires a pretext. Since Xu Shaoqian asked, I need to find a suitable excuse. It's also my brother's fault for keeping me from having a moment's peace. I came here completely unprepared. This excuse is perfect." She said, "Young Master Young Master Xu is quite impatient. Important matters are naturally told last. Xiangrong's request is indeed because there is a very important matter that I must personally tell you."

Xu Shaoqian suppressed his excitement. Tao Xiangrong said, "Xiangrong has recently composed a piece of music. She will be playing it in a while. She cordially invites you, young master, to come and listen."

Xu Shaoqian slightly disappointed and asked, "What kind of tune is it?" Tao Xiangrong stepped onto a pale yellow boat and smiled, "You'll know when the time comes, young master. Please, young master, come!"

Xu Shaoqian called out, "Of course, of course," and watched the beauty depart. He then left Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower and on his way back, he encountered Li Xian delivering a case report. He was in a good mood, and although he disliked Li Xian, his attitude was excellent. He immediately opened the report to examine it. He had always trusted Li Xian's investigative abilities, and after a cursory glance, he saw that the case was clear and pointed to the work of "Tan Zhisheng."

Xu Shaoqian was surprised. "Is it that Tan Zhisheng? I was just talking to Xiangrong, and it seemed like he mentioned him casually. He likes to punish criminals with private justice. Well, he's a powerful figure on the local Earth List, and those five thieves are already sentenced to death, so it doesn't matter who kills them." He was completely convinced and decided to drop the case. On the same day, Lei Chong also submitted his case report. Xu Shaoqian opened it casually, glanced at it, and saw that the report pointed to Li Xian everywhere. He immediately thought, "This Lei Chong really has no good intentions. Last time Li Xian misunderstood him, and he held a grudge. He's determined to get revenge. Xiangrong said that I would handle this kind of matter more fairly. Hahaha, he's right." He didn't bother to read the details of the report. He was prejudiced and assumed that Lei Chong was deliberately slandering Li Xian. No matter how reasonable or meticulous the report was, it was just Lei Chong's sophisticated methods. Xu Shaoqian summoned Lei Chong and gave him a severe punishment, publicly reprimanding him to demonstrate fairness.

But Tao Xiangrong more than a thousand pieces of gold.