A few days later, Hai Ru Yue arrived with a group of people in Qingshan.
Not seeing the desired progress in training the Wuli and Yinyang Guards, she expressed her dissatisfaction to Shang Chao Zong and urged him to hasten.
In truth, for Hai Ru Yue, after her son's recovery, the creation of the Yinyang and Wuli Guards was no longer as crucial. It was important for Wandong Heavenly Palace. Thus, she came here under this pretext, and Wandong Heavenly Palace granted its consent.
Just as Niu You Dao had expected, on the second day, not seeing the desired outcome, Hai Ru Yue headed out of the city towards the mountain gorge.
Niu You Dao washed his face and brushed his teeth early in the morning, then went to personally greet Hai Ru Yue.
Only a few of Hai Ru Yue's people were allowed to enter the mountain gorge. The rest were denied entry.
“Does Senior Princess wish to see something?”
As they entered the mountain gorge, Niu You Dao noticed Hai Ru Yue's gaze constantly lingering on his people. Thus, he asked with a smile.
Hai Ru Yue: “Am I not allowed to admire your scenery here?”
Of course, she wanted to see Mister Ming here. If she saw him here, it would resolve her doubts.
She believed that if Niu You Dao was behind this, he wouldn't have enlisted others.
“How could I dare? Please, Senior Princess.” Niu You Dao burst out laughing. He understood that she was looking for people, not scenery.
And as they approached Niu You Dao's dwelling, the other people were forbidden from proceeding further.
Li Wu Hua, who accompanied Hai Ru Yue, looked displeased. However, he did not openly complain in front of everyone.
When they ascended halfway up the mountain, they saw a single hut.
Hai Ru Yue was surprised:
“You work so hard for Shang Chao Zong, yet you live in such a dilapidated place?”
She had long prepared to say this. She wanted Niu You Dao to switch his allegiance to her.
Niu You Dao looked at the mountain peak:
“It's a good place, there's work to be done.”
Hai Ru Yue looked at the outlines of the pavilions and saw craftsmen bustling between the mountains.
Niu You Dao invited her to the stone table outside the hut. Black Peony served them tea at the table.
“We need to talk privately,” Hai Ru Yue said in a cold tone, looking at Black Peony.
Niu You Dao waved his hand, signaling Black Peony to leave. Afterward, he poured her tea himself and casually asked:
“Is everything all right with your son?”
Hai Ru Yue immediately narrowed her eyes. She had precisely wanted to discuss this matter. Could it be that this fellow had done everything and sent someone to her?
This matter was no trivial thing. It had been a lump in her throat. Because of it, she tossed and turned at night, knowing neither sleep nor peace. In short, her heart had sunk upon receiving that letter. Thus, she rushed here to find out everything.
For this, she devised every known method to prevent Wandong Heavenly Palace from revealing her son's recovery for now. She acted precisely as advised in the letter.
She slowly sipped her tea and said: “Thanks to you, he is well!”
Niu You Dao smiled and said with a sigh:
“Speaking of the Red Yang Fruit, my apologies. I did indeed go to the Ice and Snow Palace and exerted all my strength to obtain it. It's just that an incident occurred, which you must have heard about. Therefore, I was too ashamed to face Senior Princess.”
“Pff... cough, cough...” Upon hearing this, Hai Ru Yue choked on her tea and started coughing. She had only just wanted to ask about the Red Yang Fruit, but who could have known this fellow would suddenly deny it?
Niu You Dao was surprised: “Senior Princess, no need to rush. If you like the tea, we have more. I can gift some tea to Senior Princess.”
Setting down her cup, Hai Ru Yue took a handkerchief from her sleeve and began wiping her lips. She stared intently at Niu You Dao for a long time.
As soon as they sat down, he immediately asked about her son and then immediately denied any connection to the Red Yang Fruit. How could she not be suspicious?
Niu You Dao touched his face and asked: “Am I handsome?”
Hai Ru Yue nodded: “Very handsome. Perhaps you would like to come with me and be my favorite?”
Niu You Dao looked at her with a smile. He knew she was speaking both in jest and with seriousness.
After associating with these imperial household members, he had learned much. In every kingdom, there were women who kept male favorites. It was an open secret.
In typical situations, such women were no less common than powerful men. For such women, if a man was handsome, it was quite possible he would become her favorite. Was there anything bad about it? You would be clothed, shod, fed, and live in comfort. You would only need to please the woman and fawn over her. It was a common affair. Only, they must not cause a stir or draw attention to themselves, and then there would be no trouble. Of course, if these women married powerful and influential men, then naturally they had to behave more modestly.
As for this personage, one could say she currently controlled the Xiao family, with all power in her hands. Furthermore, she was a widow, so she had nothing much to fear.
“I am still young and not suitable for that,” Niu You Dao replied.
Hai Ru Yue was slightly angered. She, mind you, took good care of herself—a woman in her prime, yet he was telling her she was too old for him?
She looked away, sneered, and said again:
“Thank you for sending someone a few days ago.”
Niu You Dao was surprised: “Sent someone? Who? I didn't send anyone!”
Hai Ru Yue ground her teeth and said with a cold sneer:
“Don't play the fool. Besides you, who else could it have been?”
Niu You Dao asked, feigning surprise: “Senior Princess, the more I listen to you, the less I understand. What exactly is going on?”
Hai Ru Yue looked at him with a cold gaze. How could she say such a thing? What if it wasn't him? Then she would truly be inviting trouble upon herself.
“What exactly are you plotting?” Hai Ru Yue asked angrily.
Niu You Dao was even more surprised: “I haven't done anything. Senior Princess, what are you talking about?”
Hai Ru Yue slowly picked up her teacup and drank. Then a glint appeared in her eyes. She put down the teacup and said:
“Alright, come over to my side, help me. I am no worse than Shang Chao Zong. Money, treasures, women—I will give you everything. Name your terms!”
It didn't matter to her how or what, she wanted such a person for herself.
Niu You Dao shook his head and refused:
“There is no need for that. I am grateful for Senior Princess's kindness. I appreciate it.”
Hai Ru Yue: “What's so good about Shang Chao Zong?”
Niu You Dao: “I don't like living off others' provisions. A peach may be sweet, but one's own meal tastes better.”
Hai Ru Yue said displeased: “You won't be persuaded?”
Niu You Dao shook his head: “It's better not to discuss this for now.”
“Very well!” Hai Ru Yue nodded:
“If you won't, then give me one person.”
This time, Niu You Dao was truly surprised. He asked:
“Who do you want?”
Hai Ru Yue: “Yuan Gang!”
“...” Niu You Dao froze. This woman was indeed far-sighted. She had noticed that Yuan Gang was a capable individual. She understood that he could help her. However, he shook his head:
“I am not his master.”
Hai Ru Yue: “Is he not your subordinate?”
Niu You Dao said with a bitter smile:
“In this matter, I am not the one in charge. Let's put it this way: if he wishes, I will not hold him back. If he does not wish, I will not force him.”
Hai Ru Yue looked around and asked:
“Where is he? Why haven't I seen him? Let him come, I will speak with him.”
Niu You Dao stood up and walked to the cliff edge. He waved his hand, and Black Peony came over.
“Tell Yuan Gang to come here,” Niu You Dao waved his hand.
“No need. Take me to him. I can enjoy the pleasant scenery on the way,” Hai Ru Yue stood up.
Niu You Dao gestured with his hand and instructed Black Peony to lead her. He did not wish to go with them. He knew Yuan Gang would not go with this woman.
Niu You Dao stood at the cliff edge, smiling as he watched the woman descend the mountain.
Of course, he could not admit that he had given her the Red Yang Fruit. For then he would be admitting that he had stolen the fruit. It was enough for her to know that the Red Yang Fruit had cured her son...
Gazing at the stunning beauty beside him, Yuan Gang wondered: “Why did Lord Dao tell me to take a walk with her?” It didn't seem like Black Peony was lying to him.
He felt no aversion towards Hai Ru Yue, but also no particular fondness.
He felt no aversion towards her because he knew of this woman's difficult fate. But he felt no fondness because she constantly tried to cling to him.
“Are you sure you won't reconsider? You don't need to worry about Niu You Dao. He has already agreed, you just need to consent.”
They slowly strolled along a mountain path, and Hai Ru Yue suddenly began to persuade him.
“He's mad in the head, that's why he agreed,” Yuan Gang replied in a cold tone.
Hai Ru Yue froze. If he spoke of Niu You Dao in such terms, it meant he truly wasn't Niu You Dao's subordinate. She continued to persuade him:
“I can give you everything, just not here!”
Yuan Gang: “What I need, you cannot give!”
A glint flickered in Hai Ru Yue's eyes: “Perhaps you'll tell me what you need?”
Yuan Gang shook his head: “If I tell you, and you can't give it, then what's the point of saying it?”
He lowered his head and, looking at her skirt, said:
“Senior Princess, let's go back. It's not fitting for you to stroll around here in such attire.”
“Alright!” Hai Ru Yue nodded with a smile and, turning around, suddenly cried out.
“Ah!”
Hai Ru Yue swayed.
Yuan Gang subconsciously supported her and asked:
“What is it?”
“I twisted my ankle,” Hai Ru Yue said painfully.
Yuan Gang led her to a stone and began to examine the place where she had twisted her ankle.
“It hurts... it hurts...” Hai Ru Yue whimpered painfully.
Finding no dislocation, Yuan Gang, furrowing his brow, said:
“Wait a moment. I'll go call some people to examine you.”
Hai Ru Yue, looking around, said:
“You'll leave me here? What if someone kills me here?”
Yuan Gang: “Calm down, this place is guarded by several sects. Outsiders cannot come here.”
“What if wild beasts or insects appear? I'm afraid to stay alone. Perhaps you could carry me down the mountain on your back!”
“Fweee...” Yuan Gang put his fingers in his mouth and whistled.
From behind, a *rustle* sounded, which nearly scared Hai Ru Yue to death. She saw a person behind her, completely covered in grass. It turned out a camouflaged person had been hiding there, and she hadn't seen him.
And not just him. Three more such people appeared around her. Hai Ru Yue was speechless.
She inadvertently felt glad. It was good that she hadn't clung to Yuan Gang here, otherwise, they would have seen much, and it would have been awkward for her.
The four people approached Yuan Gang.
Yuan Gang pointed at Hai Ru Yue and said:
“Look after her.”
“Understood!” the four people replied.
Hai Ru Yue felt a jolt of fear. If someone came and noticed that nothing was actually wrong with her, her ruse would be exposed. So, she quickly replied:
“Alright. I can walk slowly.” Having said this, she stood up and tried to take a few steps. Then she smiled beautifully and said:
“I can indeed walk after all.”
Yuan Gang watched her with a cold gaze...