It turns out...
After the lady loosened her restrictions, Li Xian was like a fish in water, living freely and carefree. Meanwhile, the lady spent her energy managing the "Golden Scales in the Pond," contemplating the essence of magic.
Today, after finishing her tasks, she felt joyful but also deeply aware of how much her "Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique" had deteriorated over time.
She casually asked Uncle Xiang about Li Xianâs recent activities. She learned that although he had not neglected martial arts, he had a playful nature, galloping on horseback, sometimes sightseeing, and other times visiting old places. She couldnât help but smile to herself, thinking how young people play to their heartâs content but tend to forget to return home.
Madam Wen said, "The wind and snow in Qingning have been blowing for ten consecutive days, and it might not stop. My Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique has been declining, and if Li Xian doesnât return soon, there will be no one to aid me in my practice."
She intended to summon Li Xian back.
However, the snowstorm was so heavy that the ordinary Nursing Home servants would get lost as soon as they left the manor, lacking the skills to deliver the message. Madam Wen thought it over and decided it was best to call him in person.
This is how the scene unfolded.
Her white robe fluttered, and she clasped her hands in front of her abdomen with an elegant demeanor.
Li Xian hurried to greet her and asked, "Madam, why have you come?"
"Why?" Madam Wen retorted, playfully annoyed, "Am I not allowed to come?"
"Of course you can come," Li Xian replied.
Madam Wen stepped over the threshold and saw a table set with food in the courtyard, with hot soup being cooked. She said, "You little rascal, always coming up with odd ideas. In such a blizzard, how can you eat outside? Is there nowhere else to go?"
The constables looked at each other, put down their bowls and chopsticks, and respectfully called out, "Madam!"
Madam Wen nodded and said, "Is this your meeting place?"
Li Xian took her hand and led her inside, explaining as they walked, "Yes, over there is my study, and over there is my inner courtyard, where I practice martial arts. And this side is where they live..." He pointed to each area.
Madam Wen said, "Though small, it is complete." She walked slowly, and her pace was very deliberate. Luo Xia and the constables felt stiff, their blood running cold, and they only dared to look at the hem of her skirt.
Li Xian asked, "Madam, in this blizzard... why did you come to find me personally? If there is anything, please instruct me."
Madam Wen did not answer directly but instead asked, "Are these people your life-and-death brothers?"
"Yes," Li Xian nodded.
"Life-and-death brothers?" Madam Wen curiously asked, "Would they really die for you?"
Zhang Hou stepped forward and resolutely said, "Madam, I, Zhang, am willing to die for the lord."
"Oh?" Madam Wen said, "Really?" Then, with a slight motion, she gathered a stream of Inner Qi and gently released it.
The inner Qi took shape, displaying a colorful array. It floated very slowly, like walking step by step. Li Xian said, "Zhang Hou, step back!"
Zhang Hou saw the colorful Qi approaching, swallowed his saliva, and stood firm with determined eyes, not moving. Li Xian gathered Qi, intending to strike Zhang Hou away across the air.
Madam raised her hand to pinch his wrist, and with a light force at her fingertips, she instantly immobilized him. Li Xian couldnât move, and Zhang Hou, seeing this, thought, "If Iâm going to die, I might as well be bold; why make it difficult for Lord Li?" He resolutely took a step forward and collided with the colorful Qi palm.
His whole body trembled, and a mist of blood burst forth.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Hou suddenly exclaimed, "Why am I not dead?"
Madam Wen said, "Why should I kill you? This inner Qi forces the impure blood from your body. It has benefits and no harm."
"You can die for Little Immortal, which is good. Continue to do so in the future."
"Yet someone here thought me malicious."
She glanced at Li Xian.
Li Xian said, "I would rather be punished than have Brother Zhang Hou die for me."
Madam Wen said, "Hmph!" She let go of Li Xianâs hand, her gaze slightly cold. She was not very satisfied with Li Xianâs performance today, but true emotions and temperament naturally showed through and were unavoidable.
"If he showed no response at all, with a deep mind, I would need to be cautious. His behavior just now wasnât great, but it only means he needs more of my guidance. Time is long, and I will slowly teach him," Madam Wen thought. She then raised her hand slightly, indicating for Li Xian to hold her arm again.
Li Xian, knowing well that Madam Wen was unpredictable and that she wouldnât hesitate to take lives at her whim, felt the presence of everyone added danger. He immediately said, "Zhang Hou, Wang Wu, take everyone and clean up the boiler. Todayâs banquet is over; I have something to discuss with Madam."
Zhang Hou, Wang Wu, and the constables felt relieved and all thought, "This madam is terrifying!" They quickly cleaned up the tableware.
Madam Wen raised her hand to gesture them to stop, and they halted their actions. She said, "I see this table full of dishes and meat, not yet finished. The fire under the stove is burning brightly. Why rush?"
"Since Iâve come, and you are Little Immortalâs brothers, please have a seat."
Madam Wen sat down, smoothing her skirt, and the constables followed suit. Li Xian brought bowls and chopsticks, filled with hot soup, and served it before Madam.
Madam Wen said, "Was it your idea, this strange idea of cooking and eating in the snow? In all my years, youâre the only one Iâve seen do such a thing."
"If you met that old mischief-maker, your nature would fit well with his."
Li Xian guessed, "Madam specifically sought me out, perhaps to practice the Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique." He added, "What about Madam?"
Madam Wen smiled without speaking. The atmosphere relaxed, and everyone drank a few glasses of wine, their courage bolstered.
Madam Wen gently asked, "Since you are all Li Xianâs brothers, tell me, in Qingning County, does he have any favorites? Has he entangled with respectable women?"
The constables often heard Luo Xia say, "Your Martial Captain Gong, although young and majestic, revered as a king, and blessed in love, in reality... such blessings are hard to bear. Beauty is like a bone-shaving knife, and that oneâs beauty, even more so, is a sawtooth bone-shaving knife."
Now they deeply understood. Zhang Hou said, "Madam, Lord Li upholds justice and integrity and would never entangle with respectable women."
Wang Wu echoed, "Yes, though there are many admirers of Lord Li, he maintains purity and is naturally good. He usually stays away from women, diligently practicing martial arts, which we can only aspire to. Madam can rest assured."
Li Xian sighed, "It wasnât a waste of my training!"
"Oh?" Madam Wen said, "Not interested in women? Thereâs quite a beauty here."
She had long noticed Luo Xia, lifting Luo Xiaâs chin with her hand, examining her face, and suddenly laughed, "What a beautiful face, but half of it is burned?"
There was hidden joy in her tone, and her heart relaxed slightly.
"Madam, it was the work of a treacherous villain," Luo Xia said nervously.
Madam Wen said, "In that case, you should assist Little Immortal well." She glanced at everyone and said, "I have important matters, so I wonât chat with you all. Take your time eating and drinking, Little Immortal, weâre leaving."
Li Xian said, "Yes." He supported the lady and left. The two disappeared into the wind and snow.
Inside the Martial Captain Hall.
All the constables breathed a sigh of relief, realizing their clothes were soaked with sweat. Luo Xia sighed, "Lady Zhe Jian... has become even more terrifying."
"I have to say, Li Xian is truly something. It seems the relationship between Lady Zhe Jian and Li Xian is not simple. Has he really won over this dangerous beauty of the Jianghu?"
"How are you going to handle such a fortune of love? If you donât manage well, it could be your undoing."
...
...
Inside the Jingxin Tower.
The lamps were lit on all four sides, the wind and snow outside roared endlessly, while the inside was quiet and peaceful.
Madam Wen removed her robe, sat cross-legged, and regulated her breathing. Being neglectful with the Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique for over a month, her heart felt tense yet secretly expectant.
Madam Wen said, "Little Immortal, during this seclusion, you wonât need to leave the tower. Itâs snowy and windy outside; you canât go out anyway."
"Will that... be disrespectful to Madam?" Li Xian asked.
"You little brat," Madam Wen said, "Havenât you seen enough already?" She turned her hands behind her back and said, "Help me put on the silk clothing!" Her face turned slightly red.
The silken clothing flowed around, locking the joints, blocking and hindering the acupoints all over the body.
Madam Wenâs eyes flickered, thinking about her fierce reputation outside. Yet, every time she practiced this technique, she inevitably felt controlled by others.
Though her limbs were restrained, her inner qi was pure. Lady Zhe Jian still had many methods.
Her thoughts drifted, and emotions suddenly arose.
Her heart felt like a deer running and a cat scratching.
Li Xian saw Madam fall into his hands, exhaled a little, and thought to himself, "If only I could defeat you, now I would surely take control."
Madam Wen, now clad in silken clothing, could no longer move, all her arm and wrist joints restrained. Li Xian joked, "Madam, youâre in my hands now."
"You brat, what are you planning to do?" Madam Wen was not upset, her brows and eyes curved, tinged with shyness and reproach.
Li Xian thought, as they journeyed together, Madamâs attitude gradually changed. In Taihang Mountain City, they drank and ate together. He could try a bit and said, "I want to properly deal with Madam."
"You little ingrate, tell me, how will you deal with me?" Madam Wen said softly.
Li Xian said, "Madam, first promise me, let me act recklessly, and never blame me in the future."
"You brat, youâve learned to threaten me." Madam Wenâs voice was as soft as honey, her heart stirred, "I just want to see how bold this brat can be." She said, "Try it if you dare, as long as itâs not the final step, I wonât blame you."
Li Xian gently stroked her jade-like neck and said, "Even if I do like this, does Madam not blame me?"
Madam Wen said, "After all, Iâm a daughter of the Jianghu, do you think Iâm some timid young lady?"
Li Xian asked, "What about this?" as he lightly teased her hair.
Madam Wen frowned and said, "Youâre boring with such little courage. Just go ahead."
There was a sudden shock, suddenly feeling the situation changed drastically, the approach became fierce. Madam Wen raised her brows, understanding, "This brat is playing a passionate ploy with me, and Iâve really fallen for it."
Li Xian seized the rare opportunity to boldly discipline the lady. Using the Cloud Rubbing Eight Techniques cleverly, at times she cursed him, at times her body shook with laughter.
After fooling around for half an hour, the ladyâs eyes were like rippling water, leaning against Li Xianâs chest.
Madam Wenâs cheeks were flushed, she said, "Little Immortal, I need to cultivate, you should leave the tower."
Li Xian complied. Walking out of the tower, he saw the inner courtyard was full of spring fragrance, recalling the scene in the tower, he sighed:
"Madam is ruthless, sinister, cold. Yet she is also a woman."
"Itâs only when one truly surpasses Madam in strength that one can reveal her womanâs side."
Li Xian washed away the fragrance from his hands, calmed his heart, continued practicing martial arts, striving for improvement.
Madam Wen closed her eyes for inner cultivation, her power gradually increasing. Before long, she opened her eyes, her cheeks still rosy, and they flushed anew. Recalling the scene just now, when had she ever been manipulated like this?
The proud Lady Zhe Jian, if someone offended her or humiliated her, sheâd surely kill them quickly. But at this moment, she wasnât angry.
Instead, she felt a strange mix of shame and joy, scolding herself, "The real master hides his true self, this brat became bold, and indeed dares do as he pleases."
"Actually, thereâs no need to be too obedient; otherwise, itâs utterly boring."
"I will let you be a few times; when I have the âOne-Heart Gu,â then Iâll slowly teach you a lesson."