Chapter 123: An Offer Impossible to Refuse

Fourth Madam is the strongest!

Nong Yu was even more astonished. This formidable woman, whether she was his younger sister or elder sister, was actually only his fourth wife!

Shaoshao’s cultivation had grown even deeper. Yan Fei frowned. This year, Lesser Siming would catch up with her and be the first to break through into the late Grandmaster realm.

“Hmph! Moon Goddess, you truly cannot bear to see Sister surpass you, can you?”

Yan Fei had no objection to Xin Ying giving Shaoshao her full assistance, but she still resented the person who had come up with the plan.

Shaoshao was quite satisfied with her current cultivation as well. “What a pity that Fourth Madam’s technique isn’t suitable. Otherwise, I could have passed it on to Yan’er.”

“Why isn’t it suitable?” Little Yan’er asked, her face full of confusion.

“It’s a long story.” Lesser Siming shook her head indifferently, picked up Yan’er, and said no more.

Only after entering the Grandmaster realm had she realized the flaws in her cultivation method. Fortunately, Sister Xin Ying had given her every bit of assistance she could.

“Thank you, Young Madam.”

Nong Yu had also noticed that her wounds had healed, leaving behind only faint traces. There was not even the slightest pain.

“There’s no need to thank me, Nong Yu.” Such a minor matter had hardly cost Lesser Siming any strength.

The song had ended as well, so Lin Shu rose and walked toward Nong Yu.

“Nong Yu, from now on, stay with us.”

“What? Young Master Lin, you…” Nong Yu shook her head in confusion. She suddenly thought of Han Fei, though he and Sister Zi Nu were much better suited to each other.

Yan Fei gave a light laugh. “Nong Yu is not going to be his wife. From now on, you’ll be Little Yan’er’s qin tutor. We all love your music.”

“That’s right. You’ll be Baby’s teacher from now on. Father says Xinzheng is not a safe place.” Little Yan’er knew quite a lot already.

Lin Shu took the opportunity to study the delicate, sentimental young woman carefully.

“This…” Nong Yu shook her head. How could she bear to leave so suddenly? Besides, she still hoped to find her mother.

So that was it! Zi Nu, who had reached the doorway, found herself in a difficult position. This Young Master Lin truly had come with ulterior motives.

“Young Master Lin certainly has a discerning eye. The moment you arrived, you wanted to take away my dearest sister—and the star attraction of Violet Orchid Pavilion.”

Nong Yu was her trump card. She could never bear to let her go.

“Sister…” Nong Yu was deeply moved. Sister Zi Nu was reluctant to part with her too.

Lin Shu lowered his head and smiled. If Zi Nu truly regarded her as a beloved younger sister, she would not have sent Nong Yu into danger time and again.

Nong Yu had been fortunate enough to escape Madam Mingzhu and the Marquis of Blood Garments, yet in the end, she could not escape Ji Wuye’s poisoned wine.

Even Han Fei had merely been using the foolish girl.

The thought made Lin Shu feel even more sorry for her.

This foolish girl had been ensnared by that scoundrel Han Fei. She was willing to risk her life simply to win his approval, though naturally, she was also trying to repay a debt of gratitude.

With that in mind, Lin Shu felt even more distressed.

“If Miss Zi Nu truly regards her as a sister, then let her leave this place of trouble—and leave your schemes behind.”

Zi Nu panicked. Did he know everything?

“What makes Young Master Lin say that?”

Nong Yu also hurriedly shook her head. “Young Master Lin, Sister has always treated us very well, and she never forces us to receive guests. When the sisters entertain guests, it is only to support our families!”

“Ah, Nong Yu… One day, those people will make you undertake the most dangerous task for their own interests.”

Lin Shu smiled bitterly and sighed.

Nong Yu nodded and gave a faint smile. “Young Master Lin, this is our fate. Otherwise, Sister would have no way to support so many of us.”

They were not merely an establishment of pleasure. They were also a secret organization that gathered intelligence and even carried out assassinations.

Zi Nu felt both ashamed and helpless. What else could she do? There were many things she had no choice in either.

“Young Master Lin holds such an exalted position. Do you truly intend to make things difficult for two helpless women like us?”

Unable to confront him directly, Zi Nu could only put on an aggrieved expression.

Seeing a beauty in distress, Han Fei immediately stepped forward.

“With Young Master Lin’s noble status, he need only utter a word to determine the fate of any noble daughter in Xinzheng. Besides, Nong Yu is accustomed to life here and naturally cannot bear to leave.”

In his anxiety, Han Fei had not thought things through.

Accustomed to you and your entire family! Nong Yu nearly cursed aloud. She now understood that, in the Ninth Prince’s eyes, she was perhaps nothing more than a woman of the pleasure quarters, unworthy of such a nobleman.

So that was what he thought of her!

Zi Nu was delighted. She had not misjudged him. Han Fei was willing to offend the Northern Kingdom for her sake.

Lin Shu shook his head with a bitter smile. The scene made him look like some great villain.

“Han Fei, I am not coveting her beauty. I simply do not want such a lovely woman to be dragged into the whirlpool of your struggle for power.”

A whirlpool indeed. Han Fei smiled bitterly and nodded. Ji Wuye was becoming increasingly brazen, while the Qin army had begun reinforcing its troops along the border.

Lin Shu glanced at his second uncle, who was glaring at him, but paid him no further heed. After all, he had to show his second uncle some consideration.

“Zi Nu, hear the conditions I am offering first.”

Since he could not directly pressure Nong Yu, Lin Shu could only persuade the proprietress first.

“Please explain them, Young Master Lin. However, Violet Orchid Pavilion will never force one of its sisters into anything.”

Zi Nu breathed a sigh of relief. As long as there was room for discussion, things were manageable. She had only feared that he would refuse to say more.

Lin Shu nodded and continued.

“In a little while, I will offer ten thousand gold pieces in exchange for five years of Nong Yu’s time. Naturally, all I ask is that she serve as tutor to the Empire’s little princess.”

Ten thousand gold pieces!

Not only Zi Nu was shocked—even Yan Fei began to wonder about her husband’s true intentions.

He was actually willing to spend ten thousand gold pieces! That sum was equivalent to a hundred million in modern currency, and even Nong Yu was stunned by the enormous fortune.

“Thank you for your favor, Young Master Lin. However, Zi Nu will not force Nong Yu.” If Nong Yu was willing of her own accord, Zi Nu would not stop her.

Ten thousand gold pieces could accomplish countless things. Even if she refused, her family would certainly agree in her place.

Nong Yu secretly sighed with relief. Thankfully, Sister had not agreed. Her birth might have been humble, but she was not something that could be bought and sold with money!

Lin Shu smiled and continued. “The Empire’s goods are divided into seven portions for trade among the Seven Kingdoms. From now on, an additional portion may be allocated to Violet Orchid Pavilion, and no force will be permitted to interfere.”

Zi Nu was even more shaken. This time, she feared she truly would be unable to keep Nong Yu. Her family would certainly force her to agree.

Wei Zhuang gave a cold laugh and shook his head. The father and son of the Northern Kingdom were both debauched beyond measure.

With such a character, he had somehow become a Grandmaster. Heaven truly was blind!

Seeing Sister Zi Nu’s troubled expression, Nong Yu did not know what to do.

She did not dislike the thought of accompanying them, but she could not bear to leave her many sisters behind. Nor had she found her mother yet.

Han Fei did not wish to say anything more either. He simply had not expected Young Master Lin to value Nong Yu so highly.

When no one spoke, Lin Shu continued. “I will not make things difficult for Zi Nu, nor will I make things difficult for Violet Orchid Pavilion. But I will show no mercy to the forces behind it.”

“Please calm your anger, Young Master Lin.” Zi Nu did not dare say anything more. The moment their family’s identity was exposed, the Kingdom of Han would eradicate them without Young Master Lin ever needing to act.

Nong Yu had never seen Sister so flustered. She knew that she no longer had a choice.

“Please do not blame anyone, Young Master Lin. From now on, Nong Yu will serve you and all the madams, even if I must work like an ox or a horse.”

She bowed deeply, and with that gesture, she made her decision.

Zi Nu let out a bitter sigh. Han Fei and Wei Zhuang’s expressions were grim as well.

At that moment, a burst of laughter broke the heavy atmosphere.

“Hee-hee! Sister Nong Yu, you’re going to be Yan’er’s teacher from now on!”

“Nong Yu, you don’t need to serve us. Just teach Yan’er well.” Lin Shu hoped that Yan’er would become a little more quiet and gentle in the future, and learn more about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

“Thank you, Young Master. Nong Yu will not disappoint you.”

There was no trace of vulgar greed in the young master’s eyes, and that reassured Nong Yu considerably.

In truth, she was deeply moved. She had never imagined that anyone would be willing to spend tens of thousands of gold pieces for her.

Though the agreement was only for five years as a music tutor, she regarded it as a deed of sale for herself.

“We probably won’t leave Xinzheng before the year is out. Our little residence is only a few hundred yards to the east. Come visit whenever you have time.”

“Ninth Prince, Master Wei Zhuang, Miss Zi Nu, I shall take my leave. I hope we may drink and converse together again someday.”

With that, Lin Shu turned and departed without waiting for the dazed group to respond.

“Han Fei, I’ll see Young Master Lin out.”

Han Fei asked Zi Nu and the others to remain behind, then hurried after him.