Han Fei wanted to recruit Wei Zhuang, so a battle of words was naturally unavoidable.
In any case, the final outcome was bound to remain unchanged. No matter how proud Wei Zhuang was, when faced with a smooth operator like Han Fei, even if he had a belly full of Vertical and Horizontal stratagems, he might not be able to change anything.
Wang Shu left Purple Orchid Pavilion first. Though he still wanted to tease Nong Yu a little, have her play the zither for him, or perhaps play the flute, he remembered that he had business to attend to and decided to put it off.
"Brother Wang Shu, you're leaving already?" Han Fei asked with some regret.
"I have matters to deal with. But Brother Han Fei, you should work hard as well. Having the help of a Ghost Valley descendant would be extremely beneficial for you in establishing yourself at court," Wang Shu said.
"Mm, but if Brother Wang Shu were willing to help me, then..." Han Fei asked tentatively.
But before he could finish, Wang Shu interrupted him and said directly,
"Your foundation is too weak, and I won't remain in Han State forever."
Han Fei was very disappointed, but he did not say anything more.
At the entrance to the third floor of Purple Orchid Pavilion, Wang Shu suddenly turned back and said to Nong Yu by the window,
"When I come next time, play the zither for me, alright?"
With that, Wang Shu left Purple Orchid Pavilion without looking back.
Nong Yu stared blankly at Zi Nu, her classically beautiful face full of confusion.
Zi Nu shrugged, but her gaze fell upon Wei Zhuang.
Wei Zhuang said nothing as he turned around to face the window, cold and aloof.
"Brother Wei Zhuang, let's continue!" Han Fei ran over, his face beaming.
"Hmph!" Wei Zhuang crossed his arms, looking utterly frosty.
After leaving Purple Orchid Pavilion, Wang Shu first returned to Han Fei's Residence.
Flame Spirit Ji had been struck by Madam Mingzhu's Bewitching Incense and was likely still unconscious, so he returned first to check on her.
But the moment he entered the inner courtyard, he saw the charming and lovely Flame Spirit Ji walking out while holding her forehead, looking as though she had just awakened. Every inch of her radiated allure.
Her every gesture, every smile, was utterly bewitching.
Flame Spirit Ji's head hurt. She did not even know how she had fallen asleep. The moment her consciousness cleared, she saw Wang Shu standing beneath the corridor in the distance.
A delighted expression immediately appeared on her exquisite little face as she cried happily,
"Master!"
With that, her fiery-red figure became a fragrant breeze as she threw herself into Wang Shu's arms. Her fair cheek rubbed affectionately against his chest, like an adorable little kitten.
What a temptress!
Feeling the soft, warm body in his arms, Wang Shu sighed inwardly as the blood throughout his body began to race.
And Flame Spirit Ji seemed not to realize just how provocative her intimacy was!
Though he was reluctant to part with that wonderful sensation, upright Wang Shu still gently pushed Flame Spirit Ji away. His expression hardened as he said,
"You're already grown up. Why are you still so clingy?"
"Hehe, your disciple is only like this with Master."
Flame Spirit Ji lifted her delicate neck. Her sapphire-blue eyes stared at Wang Shu, while a sly smile curled her rosy lips.
"Enough. How does your body feel?" Wang Shu asked.
Upon hearing that, Flame Spirit Ji's face fell as she said aggrievedly,
"Your disciple feels dizzy, and my chest feels tight."
"These are symptoms of Bewitching Incense. Luckily, your master was by your side. If you are alone in the future, you cannot be so careless. Understood?" Wang Shu said sternly.
"Got it, Master," Flame Spirit Ji replied with a smile. As for how much she had truly taken in, that depended entirely on her mood.
Because all her attention was on Wang Shu!
The phrase "a feast for the eyes" could be used for men, but sometimes it applied to women as well.
Inside the resting pavilion, Wang Shu placed his hand over Flame Spirit Ji's small hand, streams of true qi flowing from his palm into hers.
Flame Spirit Ji had originally felt unwell, but under Wang Shu's true qi treatment, all those negative reactions vanished completely.
The effects of the Bewitching Incense were forced out as well. Flame Spirit Ji's skin turned fair with a rosy glow, tiny beads of sweat appearing on its surface and sliding over her smooth, tender skin.
"Ahem. Go take a bath. Bewitching Incense may not be a particularly potent drug, but if it remains accumulated in the body for too long, it can leave lasting effects. That is why your master helped force it out."
Wang Shu gazed up at the azure sky. He did not look at Flame Spirit Ji, who was dazzlingly alluring at that moment, because she was simply too much of a temptress.
Flame Spirit Ji felt extremely comfortable now, as though her entire body were floating. Even her inner strength had increased by a great deal.
There was no need to think about it. Her great master had definitely given her special treatment.
Feeling delighted beyond measure, Flame Spirit Ji boldly said,
"Master, you must be tired too. Would you like to bathe with your disciple?"
"Ahem... Don't talk nonsense," Wang Shu quickly scolded.
"Hehe!"
Leaving behind a string of crisp, pleasant laughter, Flame Spirit Ji drifted away, leaving only a faint fragrance in the air.
"What a temptress!" Wang Shu sighed.
Evening.
Wang Shu and Flame Spirit Ji were still enjoying their time alone in the inner courtyard, utterly at ease.
"I need to make another trip to the palace later. This time, you should not come with me," Wang Shu said.
"Why?" Flame Spirit Ji pouted, thoroughly unhappy.
"You fell for their trick last night. I do not want you to suffer again tonight. Besides, there are some hidden things in Han King Palace. It will be more convenient for me to act alone," Wang Shu said.
"Alright."
Though Flame Spirit Ji could be willful at times, she was generally quite obedient.
"Good girl!"
Wang Shu could not resist reaching out to stroke the little temptress's cheek. The feel of it truly set one's heart racing!
"Mmnh~"
A soft, coquettish sound reached his ears. Flame Spirit Ji's cheeks reddened all the way to her ears, making her incredibly alluring.
"Ahem!"
After clearing his throat, Wang Shu left briskly.
Flame Spirit Ji stared blankly at Wang Shu's retreating back until he had completely disappeared from sight.
Then she immediately covered her cheeks with both hands and jumped about on the spot!
Han King Palace.
Compared to last night, nothing unusual had happened in the palace. The patrols remained meticulous in their vigilance, overlooking no hint of disturbance.
Wang Shu moved across the palace rooftops as lightly as a feather, utterly silent.
He had originally intended to head straight for the Han King's palace, but as he walked, he somehow found himself at Madam Mingzhu's pavilion.
"Damn it, how did I end up here?" Wang Shu thought of that woman, even more mature and alluring than Flame Spirit Ji, and certain images involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
What is Madam Mingzhu doing at this hour?
Wang Shu thought as he gently lifted a curved roof tile and took in everything within the pavilion below through the opening.
He was somewhat disappointed, because Madam Mingzhu was not bathing today as she had yesterday.
At that moment, Madam Mingzhu seemed completely unaware that someone was peeping at her.
She wore a black silk dress as thin as cicada wings. Graceful and seductive, she swayed through every corner of the pavilion.
Between her slender fingers, she lightly held a thin stick of pale brown incense.
"Lighting incense?" Wang Shu muttered softly to himself.
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