Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Madam, Don’t Turn Back

After returning from the Yang Family, Madam Yang’s mood had clearly improved. The only thing that made her feel a little ashamed was that in persuading her brother, she had been forced to tell some lies.

’But this is a good thing for the Yang Family,’ Madam Yang believed.

After all, Chen Sheng knew too much. He even knew he was being treated as a Furnace Cauldron, and he knew Lin Shou had a backer, yet he remained completely unfazed.

She knew then and there that Chen Sheng was supremely confident.

Of course, part of this was just her own perception.

Emotionally, she was somewhat biased toward Chen Sheng. What no one knew was that Madam Yang held a great deal of affection for him, an affection that had first sparked during the confrontation with the Baisha Gang.

She had witnessed the entire event, seeing with her own eyes Chen Sheng’s dominance and power, and felt he possessed an overwhelming aura of sharp, heroic spirit.

That was why, at the time, she had thought to herself that Chen Sheng was a true man.

Because that heroic spirit was something Lin Shou lacked.

The more one lacks something, the more one seeks it. Lin Shou put on a front in public, seeming fine, but only she knew that in private, he acted just like a woman.

This behavior disgusted her from the bottom of her heart.

Of course, even then, though she was fond of him, she didn’t have any improper thoughts. She only lamented that she couldn’t find a man like Chen Sheng and envied her niece’s good fortune.

But that night...

She never could have imagined that Chen Sheng would be so blunt, so direct. He had made her heart surrender right then and there. If she hadn’t come to her senses at the last moment...

...she might have truly, recklessly given up her most precious treasure.

As a result, she had often found herself replaying the scene in her mind these past few nights.

The military tent, the candlelight, the bulging veins, the dragon’s head...

Back at the mansion, after briefly dealing with the servants, Madam Yang hurried back to her room and began searching her wardrobe for a change of undergarments, for she had felt herself grow damp just moments before.

As she was rummaging, a pair of well-defined hands suddenly came from behind her and covered her eyes.

Along with them came a very familiar voice:

"Don’t turn around, Madam. I’m the County Magistrate."

Madam Yang’s body stiffened. She was about to cry out in terror, but after hearing the familiar voice, her heart instantly relaxed, for she recognized its owner.

She hurriedly pulled Chen Sheng’s hands away and turned to shoot him a reproachful glance.

"What are you doing here? This is the Lin Mansion."

As she spoke, the panicked Madam Yang rushed to the door, opened it, and peered outside. Seeing no one, she finally felt relieved, but her heart was still pounding in her chest.

"You hadn’t come to see me for a while, Madam. I thought something might have gone wrong here, so I came to check, fearing you might be in danger."

The lie rolled off Chen Sheng’s tongue, his expression unchanged and his heart not skipping a beat.

"You were... worried about me?"

Madam Yang’s gaze fell on Chen Sheng’s half-smiling expression, and her heart couldn’t help but stir.

"You could say that."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly.

’Although it’s just a transaction between us,’ he thought, ’I’ve come here to collect something, so a few sweet words don’t hurt.’

Madam Yang let out a soft laugh. Of course, she understood Chen Sheng was just coaxing her, but she couldn’t stop the warmth from spreading in her heart. She then brought a cup for Chen Sheng and poured him some tea.

Then, she sat down opposite him with a dignified posture.

"Actually, even if you hadn’t come looking for me, I would have found a way to seek you out."

"Oh? Why is that?"

Chen Sheng raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat surprised.

"There’s been progress with the Yang Family. My brother has agreed to your terms. He’s willing to side with you and make a clean break with the Huang Family. Afterward, he’s also willing to pay a price for what happened before."

Madam Yang reported truthfully.

"I imagine you put in a great deal of effort, Madam?"

A quick thought was all it took for Chen Sheng to realize she must have played a significant role.

After all, convincing that old fox Yang Yi was no simple task.

"It was nothing. I was only doing it to protect myself."

Madam Yang shook her head, not wanting to say too much.

She was a mess of conflicting emotions. She found herself immersed in Chen Sheng’s gentle words, yet at the same time, she had to constantly remind herself not to fall too deep, fearing she wouldn’t be able to get out later.

"Oh, right. My brother also mentioned Gao Yuanfeng’s matter. A couple of days ago..."

Madam Yang then relayed to Chen Sheng, in full detail, what her brother had instructed her to tell him.

But upon hearing it, Chen Sheng showed little surprise.

’Red Snake Blood Grass... that’s a Blood Nourishing Elixir.’

’If I’m not mistaken, it must be intended for that Demon Monk.’

"You have my thanks for your trouble, Madam."

Although he already knew this, Chen Sheng feigned gratitude.

The ambush on the Demon Monk was a matter of great importance; he wouldn’t reveal it to Madam Yang.

"Did you come here today for a specific reason?"

Madam Yang changed the subject, asking about Chen Sheng’s purpose for visiting.

People don’t visit without a reason, especially not to Lin Shou’s residence. She felt that Chen Sheng wouldn’t have taken such a risk if it wasn’t for something important.

Chen Sheng paused for a moment before saying in a low voice:

"I came this time because there is something I need your help with, Madam."

"Help? From me?"

Madam Yang looked surprised. With Chen Sheng’s Cultivation, power, and prestige, he actually needed her help? ’Don’t tell me it’s about dealing with Lin Shou?’ Her heart sank.

"I must ask you to help me with my Cultivation, Madam."

Chen Sheng didn’t beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

"You..."

Looking at Chen Sheng’s serious expression, Madam Yang’s face changed slightly. She hadn’t expected him to be so impatient.

"I said before, we have to wait until..."

Before she could finish, Chen Sheng cut her off.

"Lin Shou is no threat. If you’re worried, I can take you to see him right now. As for his backer, Hao Tong, he’s a minor threat, but one I can still handle."

"So, this isn’t a breach of our agreement."

Chen Sheng’s expression was solemn.

"This... are you telling the truth?"

Madam Yang still found it hard to believe. It all seemed to be happening too fast. But looking at Chen Sheng’s expression, it didn’t seem like he was trying to deceive her at all, and she immediately felt conflicted.

"So, are you willing to give me the push I need, Madam?"

Chen Sheng stared into Madam Yang’s eyes.

"I..."

Madam Yang was torn.

In truth, she was willing to help Chen Sheng with his Cultivation, but it felt too soon. There was even a faint worry that once he got what he wanted, he would cast her aside like a worn-out shoe.

A slow, drawn-out entanglement would be far better.

Although she wasn’t good at manipulating men’s hearts, she understood one thing.

The easier something is to obtain, the less it is cherished.

Chen Sheng saw her hesitation and wasted no more words. He stood up, walked over, and swept her up into his arms, carrying her toward the inner room.

Such a dominant act left Madam Yang momentarily stunned, unable to process what was happening. But she quickly came to her senses and began to struggle.

"Chen Sheng, are you crazy?! This is the Lin Mansion! Lin Shou is still here."

"So what?"

"C-Can we do it tomorrow? I’ll come find you at the Military Preparation Camp."

Seeing Chen Sheng’s resolute attitude, Madam Yang’s resistance began to falter. Of course, she was also somewhat captivated by his dominance and forcefulness, and she unconsciously forgot her earlier resolve.

Chen Sheng shook his head, laying her gently on the bed. A smile played on his lips.

"No. We’re doing it here!"

...

「Over a hundred meters away, in the study of the Lin Mansion.」

Lin Shou was meticulously grooming his thick beard in a bronze mirror, his mind occupied with his next moves.

If all went according to plan, with his impeachment and Commander Hao’s help, it would be virtually impossible for Chen Sheng to become the true Grand Commander of the Military Preparation Camp.

That being the case, he would have to find a candidate for the new Grand Commander.

But this matter was giving him a considerable headache.

A candidate for Grand Commander of the Military Preparation Camp was not easy to find. It required not only Cultivation and strength but also seniority and merit. And after Chen Sheng’s previous purge of the training grounds, he no longer had any suitable candidates.

Unless he transferred someone from the Prefecture City.

In addition, he also had to carefully plan his dealings with the Yang and Huang Families.

The fall of the Gao Family had a huge impact on him, but it wasn’t entirely a bad thing. He had come to terms with it over the past few days. Before, the three great families were closely connected and deeply rooted.

Even as the County Magistrate, he couldn’t do anything to them, as many people within the county yamen had lingering ties to the three families.

But now, with the Gao Family destroyed and the duo of Chen and Wu growing powerful, the Huang and Yang Families were feeling immense pressure. If he could take this opportunity to bring the two families under his control...

...then with his methods and his backer, he had a great chance of toppling Chen and Wu. When that time came, he would consolidate all power within Changshan County and become its undisputed master.

"Master, this is this year’s new tea."

Just as Lin Shou was envisioning his future, the Lin Mansion’s steward walked into the study with a tray of tea and bowed.

Holding the teacup with a delicate, effeminate grip, Lin Shou took a small sip, a look of bliss appearing on his face. Here in the mansion, there was no need to hide anything. This unrestrained feeling was truly comfortable.

It was even more liberating than being with Captain He, but he still missed it somewhat.

"By the way, has Madam returned to the mansion?"

Lin Shou asked casually as he savored the tea.

He knew Madam Yang had gone to visit her family at the Yang residence today and was also conveying his message to Yang Yi, so he was rather interested in the matter.

"Replying to Master, the Madam returned an hour ago."

The steward said in a low voice.

"Mm, that’s good."

Madam Yang was his gift for Captain He. No mishaps could be allowed, so he kept a very close eye on her.

Thinking of that dear tormentor, a complex emotion flashed across Lin Shou’s face. He stood up, walked to the back of the study, and took out a jade flute, his eyes filled with melancholy and nostalgia.

"Master, I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should."

"Speak."

"The Madam seems to be unwell. Just now, a maid said that she seems to have caught a cold and has a headache. She heard some moaning. Do you think, perhaps, you should go check on her?"

The old steward said in a low voice.

Lin Shou snorted coldly.

"Don’t bother with her."

But then he remembered Madam Yang’s importance. After a moment’s hesitation, he said:

"Fine. Have the kitchen stew some nourishing soup and send it to the Madam’s room."

"Yes, Master. I will take my leave then."

Having received his orders, the steward bowed and left the study.

Lin Shou, however, kept his attention fixed on the jade flute. After a long moment of melancholy, he slowly brought it to his lips and began to play. The mournful sound of the flute rose and filled the mansion.

...