Chapter 60: Soybeans with Cold Water

Young Master Ye naturally had no idea about Liu Liwa’s wicked plan. But Qin Wan’er had been chosen by Wu Liniang to serve Wen Jun. It’s said that a gentleman doesn’t take what belongs to another. In a pleasure house, fights over women are rare. So, it was time to test Young Master Ye’s wisdom.

He stepped forward and bowed to Wen Jun with clasped fists. “General, I apologize for your wait. I’ll punish myself with three cups!”

“Not at all, not at all. You exaggerate, Young Master!” Wen Jun boomed with laughter.

“Today, I swear to match you cup for cup!” Young Master Ye declared heartily. “But I have a small request. Back home, my father forbade the presence of women during drinking. He said alcohol is solely for the masculinity of men!”

“Exactly!” Wen Jun concurred instantly. “That’s how Old General Ye taught us back in the day! Drink strong liquor, bend stout bows—that’s a true man’s spirit!”

Wen Jun immediately waved Wu Liniang and the others away. “You two, withdraw for now. Return when we’ve drunk our fill to attend us. Young Master Ye, after you!”

“After you, General!”

Wen Jun laughed and strode ahead without further courtesy. Seeing Young Master Ye seemed to transport him back to those heroic, blood-drenched years under Old General Ye’s command—killing enemies on the battlefield, drinking wine stained with blood—that was true manly romance!

Wen Jun led the way. Young Master Ye’s lips curled into a knowing smile. Who knew his harsh, iron-fisted father had such charm? He deliberately trailed two steps behind. As he passed Wu Liniang, he whispered urgently, “I have vital business to discuss with Liu Xiaoqi. Send this young lady to cooperate with him. Success will bring you substantial reward!”

Wu Liniang stared dumbfounded as Young Master Ye ascended the stairs. Qin Wan’er heard him too. Both wondered what grand scheme Liu Liwa and Young Master Ye were plotting that required Qin Wan’er’s involvement. Were they conspiring to drug a girl?

But the shrewd Wu Liniang quickly grasped that Liu Liwa and Young Master Ye had forged a close connection. Wen Jun’s reverence clearly revealed that Young Master Ye’s father wasn’t just any Vice Minister of War. He commanded immense fame and influence within the military. Even the powerful Wen Jun deeply respected the old general. Such a man definitely deserved cultivation.

Wu Liniang steered Qin Wan’er to Liu Liwa’s side. Directly placing Qin Wan’er’s small hand into Liu Liwa’s grasp—like entrusting a lifetime’s bond—Wu Liniang beamed with unprecedented radiance: “Liu Xiaoqi, I warn you again. Whatever Young Master Ye demands, fulfill it. Whatever tricks you possess, employ them fully. I and the entire Intoxication Pavilion stand behind you!”

With that, Wu Liniang left to supervise upstairs, ensuring things remained peaceful should Wen Jun become unruly. Pausing abruptly at the foot of the stairs, she stressed once more: “Liu Xiaoqi, remember! Building a strong bond with Young Master Ye is worth any price for me and Intoxication Pavilion. You understand me!”

You understand? So modern! Liu Liwa scoffed grimly. What could Intoxication Pavilion possibly offer besides its women? Yet the two lords upstairs hardly seemed like patrons seeking pleasure. They’d likely prefer girls keeping him company.

He watched Wu Liniang climb the stairs, her full figure swaying—especially the round, inviting curve of her hips, prominent as she ascended. Liu Liwa involuntarily swallowed hard, captivated. Suddenly, needle-sharp pain pierced his hand. Glancing down, he saw Qin Wan’er’s nails digging into his flesh. Liu Liwa snapped his gaze forward, meeting her fairy-like visage. Blurting out honest admiration, he stammered, “You have such large hips!”

In the small backyard hut, flames roared triumphantly for the first time in the neglected stove. A large wok, cleaned spotless, sat ready. Though oilless, Liu Liwa diligently stirred two pounds of soybeans inside. Awkwardly wielding the spatula with his left hand—his right was nearly crushed by Qin Wan’er, now raked with bloody scratches.

Was stealing a couple glances at the Madam’s backside really worth such savage retaliation?

Inside the room, Qin Wan’er chatted with Meng Xinying. The little loli adored Qin Wan’er’s white gown and the graceful makeup she’d carefully applied. Qin Wan’er herself cherished her new look, though she acknowledged the underlying truth—her surface beauty masked a life steeped in tears and blood beneath the pleasure house veneer.

“Hey! What are you doing out there? Not planning to cook for us, are you?” Qin Wan’er called from the room, finally dislodging the shreds of flesh trapped beneath her nails.

Liu Liwa stewed in frustration. Had it not been for last night’s Blood Plum Blossom proof of her innocence, he’d have abandoned this farce. Raucous shouts and the clamor of drinking contests drifted down from upstairs—Wen Jun and Young Master Ye were rapidly descending into drunkenness. Drunk men in a pleasure house only faced two outcomes: they’d either be incapable… or they wouldn’t leave!

Liu Liwa had to hurry. Though his cooking skills were nonexistent, merely roasting the beans until cooked would suffice.

Qin Wan’er emerged from the room, grinning at the sight of his labor. Observing his mutilated right hand, she gently lifted it to her soft, red lips, blowing soothingly upon the wounds. Her tender breath melted Liu Liwa’s resistance. Her large, misty eyes gazed at him adoringly: “I wish I could hold your hand like this forever… watch you fetch water, tend the garden, cook meals…”

“Hold on,” Liu Liwa countered, perilously close to crumbling under her tender assault again. “If I did all that work, what would you do?”

“Eat!” she declared shamelessly. “You do the cooking. Of course I’ll just enjoy eating!”

“Hope you don’t mind chewing,” Liu Liwa grumbled. “These beans are quite hard. Should I chew them for you first?”

“Blech…!”

Admittedly, Qin Wan’er possessed remarkable charm. Her natural beauty alone meant the industry lost talent when she didn’t immediately embrace pleasure house life. Since losing her innocence, her secluded garden of maidenhood had opened—and so had her mind. Wu Liniang’s training played its part: the house’s core philosophy taught women to charm men, conquer them, and ultimately rule the world using their innate feminine gifts!

Qin Wan’er draped herself over him like an affectionate kitten. Gently rocking their clasped hands, her touch scraped his resolve like claws. Tragically vulnerable, she murmured, “Soon I must attend that so-called Supervisory Commander… But don’t worry! I’ll be thinking of you the whole time. I’ll… pretend he’s you!”

“What?!” Liu Liwa exploded. “Pretend he’s ME? Absolutely not! You must treat him like a mortal enemy you utterly despise…!” Reassuringly, he added, “But trust me! Even if you serve him, I’ll ensure he dismisses you instantly. Here… eat!”

Liu Liwa scooped the entire two pounds of roasted soybeans onto a plate and offered it to Qin Wan’er. The plain-fried beans looked indistinguishable from their raw state—utterly unappetizing. To complete the ‘treat’, he presented her with a bowl of icy well water… brimming with bacteria and microorganisms.