Chapter 26: The Three Goods of Women

Liu Liwa wasn’t very close with Miss Liuyun. That she shared such private insights revealed her inner fears and the principles she clung to.

Liu Liwa deeply understood her feelings. He didn’t want to see her tears, mostly because she was strikingly beautiful and precisely his type.

Women like Miss Liuyun, with their ice-cold attitude, distant elegance, ethereal beauty – as aloof as a queen and as noble as a Princess – were something Liu Liwa had only seen in films from that island nation. Even their ecstatic cries sounded like imperial proclamations, though he knew those were fake.

In the later, decadent world he came from, people grew up with character education, pursuing happiness as their core value and a comfortable life. Laugh a little, feel young. If women there acted like this – not shedding a tear or cracking a smile, with a face as impassive as a mountain, like heartless divine maidens – they’d either be pretentious or downright foolish!

But Miss Liuyun was different. She lived in a feudal society, raised under its rigid ethics, holding virtue and propriety in high regard. The Three Bonds and Five Constants were the moral compass; the Three Obediences and Four Virtues were the behavioral code; staying confined within the inner courtyards was the basic rule. In such a society, when a woman encountered a man, she’d either be shyly reserved, coolly aloof, or act invisible. This wasn’t affectation; it stemmed genuinely from the heart and personality. Therefore, Miss Liuyun was a queen, a true, genuine queen!

And every man harbored a desire to conquer. Manifestations of conquering women were everywhere: earning a higher salary than hers to inspire dependence, possessing greater physical strength and stamina to provide security, and even exerting full prowess in bed to make her beg mercy. These were all facets of the conquest urge. Especially towards such an aloof, proud, lofty queen-level woman – the urge was nearly overwhelming, wanting to bind her right to the bed, employing ropes, a leather whip, mouth, and vibrators all at once, all just to make her utter one word – “Submit!”

While Liu Liwa was lost in wild, inappropriate thoughts, Miss Liuyun, having voiced her fears, felt slightly better. Some things were simply beyond her power to change. But like Sister Caixia, she must cling to her principles, safeguard her most precious possession, and firmly believe in the possibility of a future.

Speaking of Sister Caixia seemed to give Miss Liuyun emotional support. Her spirits lifted a little. Seeing the sky, which was no longer dark and almost brightening, she whispered softly, “Thank you, young master, for your rescue today; your kindness will not be forgotten. It’s getting late, nearly dawn. Liuyun must return now.”

Huh? Liu Liwa was startled out of his fantasy of conquering the queen – one hand holding ropes, the other brandishing a leather whip, sheer ecstasy! Miss Liuyun’s voice snapped him back. He forced a smile quickly. “Indeed, the night is deep, and the dew is heavy. Hurry back and rest. Don’t dwell on morbid thoughts; I will ensure your safety. Oh! Did you hear the story I recounted today?”

Miss Liuyun instantly flushed crimson, nodding almost imperceptibly. That story had been far too explicit. Not even the girls of the Intoxication Pavilion told such crude tales. Afraid she’d misunderstand, Liu Liwa hurriedly added, “I noticed today’s guests thoroughly enjoyed such tales. Likely they’ll seek more from me in the future. I might soon steal your title as the Flower Queen. That could put you in danger! So, to preserve your innocence and safeguard your hopes for the future, I’ve decided you shall accompany my storytelling!”

“Accompany… how?” Miss Liuyun looked at him, puzzled. Liu Liwa patiently explained. “Your skill on the zither is peerless. My stories are equally rare. A perfect combination! Let the zither music set the atmosphere for the tales, making them more vivid. This way, you retain your unique strength, your value remains…”

Miss Liuyun understood immediately. Liu Liwa intended this to protect her. Given the guests’ reaction to his stories today, this truly seemed a way out, a glimmer of hope in utter despair. Miss Liuyun rose solemnly, curtsying deeply. “Thank you, young master, for your thoughtful plan. Liuyun is profoundly grateful.”

“Both adrift at the ends of the earth, mutual aid is only natural,” Liu Liwa waved dismissively. “Please, Miss, return swiftly.”

Miss Liuyun nodded. Under the starlight, her face was pure and beautiful, pale and luminous. Her radiant smile was like a snow lotus unfurling, indescribably captivating. With light steps, she traversed the rooftop towards the main Intoxication Pavilion building, truly resembling a goddess walking on waves, ethereal and otherworldly. Just as she was about to climb onto the pavilion veranda, Liu Liwa suddenly called out: “Miss Liuyun, will you light a candle when you return?”

Miss Liuyun, baffled by his odd question, nodded automatically.

Liu Liwa grinned broadly. “Dare I ask, Miss… if wax dripped onto your skin, would it hurt?”

Utterly bewildered, she answered honestly. “In that instant, it hurts. But after a while… it feels warm, ticklish… surprisingly comfortable.”

Yes! Pain mixed with pleasure! The ultimate joy of dripping wax! Liu Liwa’s heart soared with excitement. He impulsively mimicked a fierce lashing motion with a whip. His foot slipped. He tumbled straight off the rooftop.

Thankfully, a large tree in the courtyard below had thick, leafy branches. He crashed into them. After much effort, he managed to climb down safely. But the racket had woken the people sleeping both below in the men’s dwelling and nearby.

In the slaves’ quarters – whether male or female – once they woke and saw this strange, terrifying environment, sighs and sobs instantly erupted. The uncertainty of tomorrow bred despair.

Liu Liwa harbored no despair himself. Several beautiful women needed his help. In his past life, he’d been forced to aid Furong and Yufeng, enduring immense hardship and exhaustion. Yet, his innate “base nature” turned it into a habit. Now, with Qin Wan’er, Meng Xinying, and Miss Liuyun so reliant on him, he felt ready to step back onto the “procurer’s” path, becoming a “Friend of Women” once more. However, any one of these three women, even disfigured, would surpass the looks of those two from his past life combined.

The thought stirred fervor in Liu Liwa. Three great beauties, each unique. Meng Xinying: The Three Goods of Lolis – clear voice, soft body, easily tipped over. Qin Wan’er: The Three Crafts of Tsunderes – docile, tactful, adeptly laid flat. Miss Liuyun: The Three Goods of Queens – wooden horse, dripping wax, leather whip cracking…

A transmigrated life was truly wonderful.

“Achoo…” Life was wonderful, but the weather was changeable. Having slept on the Eight Immortals table all night one moment and jawed on the rooftop the next, he was a lowly condemned slave, clad only in thin clothes. It was Mid-Autumn weather. This was ancient earth – unpolluted, environmentally untouched, not suffering global warming. Mid-Autumn was already bitterly cold.

One sneeze led to a runny nose, a sore throat… Oh no. It was the environmental adjustment sickness – he was catching a cold. This was an era lacking robust medical knowledge. Since ancient times, the poor had struggled to access care, let alone a slave like him. Even a minor cold, without timely treatment, could be fatal.

Shivering, he tightened his thin robe. Glancing at the sky, dawn was approaching. The moment when Yin yielded to Yang, the moon yielded to the sun, and night yielded to day. Liu Liwa, the old him, was gone. A new life began right here… Achoo…