Madam Tasted Quite Good

The servant froze for a moment, then gave him a knowing smile.

"Yes, young master. I'll go right away."

He turned and trotted out of the courtyard.

Chen Fan picked up his teacup and took another sip.

The tea had gone cold.

He set down the cup, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

In Zhao Long's memories, Liu Ruyan was an exquisite beauty.

Born in a brothel, she was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and even more enchanting in bed.

Back then, Zhao Long had spent eight hundred taels of silver to redeem her from the Spring Breeze House and take her as his second concubine.

But the woman was deeply calculating. On the surface, she obeyed Zhao Long's every whim, but in truth, she treated him as a cash machine and a stepping stone.

She had been secretly saving money for herself, hoping that one day she could leave the Zhao residence.

Zhao Long knew perfectly well, but couldn't be bothered to expose her.

As long as she remained in his bed, nothing else mattered anyway.

Chen Fan opened his eyes.

He was Zhao Long now.

So naturally, Zhao Long's women were his too.

It would be a waste not to sleep with them.

Besides, he needed to get used to this identity and settle into the role as quickly as possible.

And the fastest way to do that was to do what Zhao Long would do.

Yes, that was it. He didn't particularly want to sleep with her.

Footsteps sounded.

A woman in a rosy-red skirt walked gracefully into the courtyard.

She had a graceful figure and a slender waist, and she swayed like a willow in the wind as she walked.

Her delicate, oval face was alluring, her features three parts flirtation and seven parts seduction.

It was Liu Ruyan, the second concubine.

She came before Chen Fan and gave him a graceful curtsy.

"Greetings, young master."

Her voice was soft and sweet, with the seductive lilt unique to women from brothels.

Chen Fan looked her over.

The image in his memories matched the woman before him perfectly.

This woman truly was an exquisite beauty.

"Come here."

He held out his hand.

Liu Ruyan smiled faintly, obediently stepped forward, and placed her hand in his palm.

Chen Fan gave her a gentle tug, and she went along with it, settling onto his lap.

Warm fragrance and soft jade filled his arms.

Liu Ruyan pressed her body against his chest, tracing circles on the front of his robe with her finger.

"Young master, why did you think of me so early today?"

She raised her head, her eyes shifting with doubt and a hint of probing.

Chen Fan didn't answer.

He simply stared into her eyes.

They were beautiful, but deep within them lay calculation and indifference.

This woman had never been sincere with Zhao Long.

But so what?

Chen Fan had no intention of being sincere with her either.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Liu Ruyan's body stiffened, then softened as she began to respond.

Her technique was practiced, every movement just right.

It was a skill she had learned in the brothel.

Chen Fan picked her up and carried her toward the bedroom.

Liu Ruyan wrapped her arms around his neck, a seductive smile on her face.

But in her heart, she was calculating.

What was wrong with this bastard today?

He usually summoned her to his bed at night. Why was he in such a hurry in broad daylight today?

Had something gotten to him outside?

Forget it. Never mind.

As long as she served him well, silver would keep flowing into her hands.

In another six months, she would have saved five thousand taels.

Then she could leave this damned place.

The bedroom door was kicked open.

Then slammed shut.

Two hours later.

Chen Fan got dressed and walked out of the bedroom.

On the bed behind him, Liu Ruyan lay on her side, the quilt covering her only to the waist, revealing her smooth, fragrant shoulders and delicate collarbones.

A flush still lingered on her face, and her eyes were hazy.

Chen Fan glanced back at her.

This woman's body really was quite good.

But that was all.

Without any lingering attachment, he turned and left the room.

In the courtyard, a young maid immediately brought him freshly brewed tea.

Chen Fan took it and had a sip.

The tea was pleasantly warm, just right.

He sat on a stone stool and began considering his next arrangements.

He was due to go to the Azure Yang Temple tomorrow.

Before then, he had to put the Zhao residence's affairs in order.

There were two more women.

The third concubine, Su Qingyu, and the principal wife, Lin Wan'er.

Su Qingyu was timid and weak-willed, so she should be easy to deal with.

As for Lin Wan'er...

A hint of amusement flashed in Chen Fan's eyes.

That ice-cold woman was the most interesting one.

"Go summon the third madam."

He spoke to the young maid.

The maid froze for a moment, then nodded and ran off.

Before long, a woman in a pale blue-green dress walked timidly into the courtyard.

She had delicate features and a slender figure. She kept her head lowered as she walked, not daring to look anyone in the eye.

It was Su Qingyu, the third concubine.

She was the daughter of a modest family. After Zhao Long took a fancy to her, he forcibly seized her and brought her into the residence.

From the day she entered the household, she had lived in fear.

"Y-young master..."

She stood before Chen Fan, her voice as faint as a mosquito's whine.

Chen Fan looked up at her.

This woman was completely different from Liu Ruyan.

Liu Ruyan was alluring and seductive, while she was pure and delicate.

Two completely different styles.

"Come here."

Chen Fan's voice was calm.

Su Qingyu trembled and slowly edged over to him.

Chen Fan reached out and took her wrist.

Her hand was cold and trembling slightly.

"Are you afraid of me?"

Chen Fan asked.

Su Qingyu didn't dare speak, only keeping her head lowered.

Chen Fan smiled.

He stood up and pulled her toward the bedroom.

Su Qingyu wanted to struggle, but didn't dare.

She could only let him pull her along, tears welling in her eyes.

The bedroom door closed again.

Another two hours later.

Chen Fan walked out of the bedroom, refreshed and invigorated.

On the bed behind him, Su Qingyu lay curled up under the quilt, her eyes red and swollen, tear tracks still on her face.

Chen Fan didn't look back.

He walked into the courtyard, sat down, and picked up his teacup.

The tea had gone cold again.

He frowned and set the cup down.

"Go invite the first madam here."

He spoke to the young maid.

This time, the maid was utterly dumbfounded.

What was wrong with the young master today?

In one afternoon, he'd taken all three concubines...

And now he wanted to summon the first madam too?

She was his principal wife!

Besides, who in the entire residence didn't know about the relationship between the first madam and the young master?

They were like fire and water!

"What are you standing there for? Go."

Chen Fan's voice was devoid of warmth.

The maid jolted and hurried off.

Chen Fan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Lin Wan'er.

The woman Zhao Long had been most fixated on, according to his memories.

And the only woman whose heart he couldn't win.

Of Liu Ruyan and Su Qingyu, one had merely been playing along, while the other had been forced to submit.

Only Lin Wan'er had never bowed her head to him, from beginning to end.

She hated him.

Hated him to the bone.

But the more she did, the more Zhao Long wanted to conquer her.

Unfortunately, even in death, he never got his wish.

And now...

Chen Fan opened his eyes, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

He was no longer Zhao Long.

He was Chen Fan.

A Chen Fan with a modern man's soul and no psychological burden whatsoever.

Footsteps sounded.

They were light and slow, marked by obvious reluctance.

Lin Wan'er walked into the courtyard.

She wore the same plain dress, her face bare of powder and rouge, cool as frost.

She stopped at the courtyard entrance and came no farther.

"You wanted to see me?"

The voice was icy, carrying a note of accusation.

Chen Fan did not get up.

He simply sat there, sizing her up.

Lin Wan'er was not the most beautiful of all the women in the Zhao residence.

But her aloof, unapproachable bearing was one of a kind.

Like a snow lotus blooming on a cliff.

Close enough to admire, but forever out of reach.

"Come here."

Chen Fan spoke.

Lin Wan'er did not move.

"I am not your maid, nor am I your concubine."

Her voice grew colder.

"I am your lawfully wedded wife."

"Whatever you have to say, say it here."

Chen Fan smiled.

Sure enough, this woman was different from the others.

"Then I'll say it here."

He stood and slowly walked toward her.

Lin Wan'er instinctively took a step back.

But Chen Fan was faster.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!"

Lin Wan'er struggled, her eyes filled with terror and anger.

Chen Fan did not let go.

He lowered his head and leaned close to her ear.

"I am your husband."

His voice was soft, yet carried an authority that brooked no question.

"You are my lawfully wedded wife."

"So what is wrong with doing what a wife should do?"

Lin Wan'er's face turned deathly pale in an instant.

"You... you're shameless!"

She pushed him with all her strength, but could not budge him at all.

Holding her in his arms, Chen Fan walked toward the bedchamber.

"Shameless?"

He laughed.

"I am your husband."

"Between husband and wife, how could there be anything shameless?"

Lin Wan'er panicked completely.

She struggled desperately, even opening her mouth to bite him.

But Chen Fan exerted just a little force and tossed her onto the bed.

"You dare!"

Lin Wan'er scrambled up from the bed, her eyes full of hatred.

"My father may be gone, but I still have my clansmen!"

"If you dare touch me, I'll report you to the authorities!"

Chen Fan stood beside the bed, looking down at her from above.

"Report me to the authorities?"

His smile deepened.

"Do you know who the magistrate of Qinghe County is?"

Lin Wan'er froze.

"My father."

Chen Fan enunciated each word.

"Where are you going to report me? To my father?"

All color drained from Lin Wan'er's face.

She had forgotten.

She had forgotten that most important fact.

In Qinghe County, the Zhao Household was the heavens.

And she was just a woman forced to marry into it.

No one would help her.

Nor would anyone dare to help her.

"You... you beast..."

Her voice trembled, and tears finally spilled from her eyes.

Chen Fan looked at her.

This woman had finally shown her vulnerable side.

But not a ripple stirred in his heart.

He was only doing what Zhao Long would do.

Nothing more.

He bent down and kissed her lips.

Lin Wan'er struggled desperately, but was quickly restrained.

The bedchamber door closed for the third time.

Night fell.

Chen Fan emerged from the bedchamber, wearing nothing but an outer robe draped over his shoulders.

On the bed behind him, Lin Wan'er curled up beneath the covers, her eyes vacant, like a broken porcelain doll.

Chen Fan did not look back.

He walked into the courtyard and looked up at the night sky.

The moon was full, and the stars shone brightly.

Today, he had slept with three of Zhao Long's women.

Without the slightest burden on his conscience.

Because he was Zhao Long now.

And everything Zhao Long had was his.

"Young master, dinner is ready."

The young maid spoke timidly.

Chen Fan nodded.

"Serve it in the main hall."

He turned and walked toward the main hall.

From the bedchamber behind him came the sound of muffled sobbing.

Chen Fan did not pause.

He entered the main hall and sat in the seat of honor.

The table was laden with delicacies from mountains and seas.

He picked up his chopsticks and ate at a leisurely pace.

It tasted good.

He could not begin to say how many times better it was than the chaff and vegetables he had eaten as a woodcarver.

This was the life of a young master.

This was Zhao Long's life.

And now, all of it was his.

He finished eating and put down his chopsticks.

"Prepare a carriage first thing tomorrow morning."

He spoke to the steward.

"I'm going up to Azure Yang Temple."

The steward froze for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, young master."

Chen Fan stood and walked out of the main hall.

The night breeze blew in, carrying a hint of chill.

He looked up in the direction of West Mountain.

Azure Yang Temple was there.

Martial Dao was there!