Xiaotuan was very young and knew not the complexity of love. Seeing them sometimes good, sometimes bad, they exchange sword thrusts and sweet words alike. Their expressions varied, leaving her astounded.
Wen Caishang said, "Dear Mr. Li La, if I wanted to kill you, youâd be dead by now. You should know I canât bear to kill you." Li Xian, knowing his life was safe, felt conflicted, unsure whether to be happy or worried. Wen Caishangâs words carried sentiments, yet he couldnât discern truth from falsehood. Regardless, there was some solace, and he replied, "I canât bear to be without you either, Madame."
Wen Caishangâs expression softened slightly, leaning towards Li Xian, she said, "Li La, itâs rare for us to meet, I have something to give you." She flicked her sleeve. In front of the stone table appeared a Heaven and Earth Box.
Wen Caishang wished for Li Xian to fear, dread, love, and cherish her but didnât want him to fear her too much or feel intimidated. Having just settled accounts, she promptly changed demeanor, preparing the honey dates in advance.
The Heaven and Earth Box was opened, revealing a red-yellow halo, misty like fog, radiating like clouds, slowly surging. It was the Human Yellow Essence Treasure "Dew of Dawn." Wen Caishang smiled, "I know youâve been seeking this treasure, collecting the Recipe·Golden Light. You, by chance, obtained Yellow Nine Ginseng, just one step away from completion. I prepared this small gift specially for you, do you rejoice?"
Li Xian said, "Rejoice, but Iâm astonished." Wen Caishang said, "You may take it and drink it, Magic Dao·Golden Light... Iâve only heard of it, never seen it used. Everyone has their fate, you are fated with this magic."
Li Xian said, "Thank you, Madame."
Wen Caishangâs beautiful face blushed, coquettishly said, "You should thank me. Having ventured out, you should be aware of the dangers of Jianghu, how scarce resources are, how hard to earn wealth. For this âDew of Dawn,â you must face great risks, endure great difficulties, suffer great hardships, only then could barely obtain it, or you might return empty-handed. But I acquired it effortlessly with money, with mere words. If you serve me well, why would I give you any less?"
Li Xian said, "Madameâs benevolence, Li Xian is humbled." Wen Caishang closely observed him, as if in her dreams the visage has come to life before her eyes, causing her heart to sway, emotional thoughts flooded her mind. She was extremely intelligent, meticulously calculating anything, demanding perfection in all things. Yet with Li Xian, through many events, love deeply rooted, she wished all could be clear and calculated, yet not entirely clear and calculated, feeling contradictory, thinking if all were clear, would there be no entanglement?
Wen Caishang said, "Yes, Li La... do you remember what you promised me?" Li Xian, extremely intelligent, said, "Does Madame refer to... my eyes?"
Wen Caishang said, "Thatâs right, Li La~ you wouldnât deceive me, would you? If you remove your eyes for me, I... I would greatly rejoice." She leaned her head against Li Xianâs shoulder.
Li Xianâs heart was full of anguish. To be favored by Madame, was truly a mixed blessing, he said, "I will remove my eyes for Madame."
Wen Caishangâs beautiful eyes glistened, indescribably joyful, she teased, "If not for your flirty nature and lack of honesty, I wouldnât impose this upon you, donât blame me." Li Xian embraced Wen Caishang, the jade-like beauty in his arms, mind racing, he said, "I donât blame Madame, but can you allow me a few more days?"
Wen Caishangâs expression turned cold as ice, "It seems youâre ultimately unwilling."
Li Xian sincerely said, "Itâs not unwillingness, but knowing I wonât see Madame again upon removing my eyes, I really canât bear it."
Wen Caishang was greatly moved, thinking, "Ah! True, Li La, if he removes his eyes now, heâll see me no more. I should let him look a few more times to engrave it into his heart." She laughed, "So thatâs it, I misunderstood."
Li Xian said, "Allow me some time to properly admire Madame." Wen Caishang said, "Naturally, thereâs no harm. This makeup is all for your sake."
Li Xian said, "No wonder youâre breathtaking. Madame... the two of us..." Wen Caishang was quite tempted but suddenly remembered this ladâs slyness, if too quick to indulge, itâd be easy to lose rhythm and control; a little impatience ruins great plans. The art of controlling a spouse is not easy.
Wen Caishang flicked her sleeve, tossing Li Xian several feet away, with a smile, "You, go rest first, all these fantasies. Iâll allow you time to compose yourself today, donât think that a few sweet words will easily sway me. I want to forgive you, but not just yet."
She turned quickly to leave, her mood restless, after so long apart, a dry well suddenly bestowed with new streams, dry wood met star fire. Undercurrents surged, hidden fire seared.
Li Xian coughed lightly, dusting himself off. From afar came Wen Caishangâs voice, "Xiaotuan, take him to the side pavilion to wash."
The Green Fragrance Water Pavilion stood four stories high, one main pavilion, three side pavilions. Fresh and elegant, ingeniously constructed, with a waterfall view on the second floor of the main pavilion, itâs a rare sight. Xiaotuan led the way, Li Xian observed intently. Suddenly discovering the courtyard layout involved "Yin Yang and Five Elements Theory."
Utilizing mountain water, flowers, rocks, and green lakes... formed a cleverly trapped setting. Li Xian had minor achievements in Five Elements Magic, still hard to fully grasp its principles, though he detected some clues. Realizing this place, one misstep could reverse Yin Yang, suspend Heaven and Earth, causing imbalance and confusion, the more desperate to escape, the worse the fall.
Arriving at the side pavilion, Xiaotuan said, "Young Master Li, here we are. From today, youâll reside here." Li Xian said, "Alright, thank you Miss Xiaotuan."
Xiaotuan chuckled, "Young Master Li indeed has an extraordinary demeanor. The last imposter was frightened silly after a few stages, his embarrassed appearance was extremely humorous... Oh well, may you do well." She hurriedly retreated. Secretly feeling like pins on her back, guessing Madame was spying, another word from her, Li Xian might remain unharmed, but sheâd be hard-pressed to keep alive.
Xiaotuan hurried back to inform Wen Caishang. Wen Caishang frowned and glanced over, scrutinizing, seeing Xiaotuan was young, yet her brows were clear and beautiful, her jealous nature intense. Just caught the loverâs affection, in a whirl of love and hatred, unwilling any female to get close, she nonchalantly said, "Iâll personally handle matters with Li Xian. If he talks to you, you shouldnât respond."