Outside the alley.
Jiang Xuan was completely panicking inside. Right now, he was using both the cosmetic lotion disguise and female attire to hide his identity. And yet, she still recognized him? And claimed it was by scent?
Was she a damn bloodhound or what?
Too much! Murong Ying, this foreign-blooded princess, had long since been added to Jiang Xuan’s blacklist of sponsors. He never wanted to deal with this domineering former sponsor again.
Back then, after accepting the spirit stones, on the very first day he came to serve this woman, the first thing she said was:
“I really like your scent. From now on, stay in Murong Mansion.”
At first, Jiang Xuan didn’t take it seriously. As a good, reliable man with high integrity, he only wanted to play the part of a servant for a few days, do his job well, and leave once the agreement ended.
And with all his daily life skills maxed out, being a servant wasn’t even a challenge for him.
After preparing dinner for Murong Ying that night, she took a bite and let out a satisfied hum.
“To please me, you even mastered cooking to this level?”
Stunned and unsure how to respond, Jiang Xuan could only go along with it:
“It’s my honor to receive your praise, Lady Murong.”
He thought things would go smoothly. But by evening, Jiang Xuan noticed that all the servants in the entire mansion had been dismissed.
Now, only he and Murong Ying remained.
Before he could even ask about it, Murong Ying spoke first:
“I won’t allow any other woman to get close to you. You can only belong to me. Just you is enough for me.”
“Come, massage my shoulders.”
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
What kind of insane logic was that? He was just a worker! And now all the other workers were gone, leaving him to do all the chores in this massive mansion by himself?
He couldn’t take it. No way was he going to be the only one doing everything. So Jiang Xuan decisively ended the contract on his own and even returned 900,000 of the original 1 million spirit stones.
At the time, Jiang Xuan naïvely believed that would be the end of it.
But his actions thoroughly enraged Murong Ying.
Only when he saw her Favorability drop to -1000 did he realize he might’ve acted rashly.
Sure enough, Murong Ying immediately stepped forward and grabbed his hand.
“I already told you—you’ll stay in Murong Mansion, by my side.”
“If you don’t listen, I’ll make you beg me to stay.” Get faster updates on g.com.
As she spoke, she gripped his chin, her stunningly beautiful face now showing a hint of cruelty and madness.
She didn’t let him go. Instead, she locked him in the woodshed.
His hands and feet were chained to the wall, and Murong Ying left him with one final sentence:
“Don’t think you can defy me just because I favor you. Reflect on your behavior. We’ll see how you perform tomorrow.”
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
At this moment, Jiang Xuan finally confirmed—this woman was absolutely insane.
What kind of twisted, chaotic dynamic was this?! He simply wanted to quit his job, and this female war goddess went off the rails with all kinds of wild fantasies. He really didn’t mean any of it!
But now, under her roof, he had no choice but to play along and calm this lunatic down before he could plan his escape.
The next day, Murong Ying came to the woodshed.
Seeing his disheveled state, the first thing she said was:
“Do you know what you did wrong?”
Jiang Xuan: “…..”
He gave her a pitiful look and said:
“I shouldn’t have been so arrogant because of your favor yesterday. After reflecting all night, I now realize my mistake. I hope Lady Murong will give me another chance to make things right.”
Outwardly obedient, Jiang Xuan had already added her to his personal blacklist. If he ever ran into a crazy sponsor like this again, he’d walk the other way. He was mentally exhausted. Let the world burn.
Luckily, Murong Ying was satisfied with his answer and unlocked the chains binding him.
As she did, she forcefully pinched his chin.
“Hmph, men like you shouldn’t keep using these tricks to get my attention. Otherwise, the deeper you fall, the harder it’ll be to leave me.”
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
He had no words. From now on, any sponsor that couldn’t communicate like a normal person would be blacklisted without hesitation.
Sensing her grip tightening, Jiang Xuan hurriedly said:
“I’m sorry, Lady Murong. I just… I’ve always admired you as the war goddess who protects the empire, and I guess I accidentally crossed the line because of that admiration.”
He quickly realized—this Murong Ying only listened to flattery. Anything else went in one ear and out the other.
So, he had no choice but to play the part of a clueless, sweet, adoring servant who was just too starstruck to act rationally.
Now that he had reached this point, Jiang Xuan began searching for the right time to escape again.
But unexpectedly, Murong Ying took things even further. That very night, after he finished cleaning up the dishes, she hugged him tightly from behind.
“You performed well today. I think you deserve a reward.”
At that moment, Jiang Xuan desperately wanted to respond: Or: Forget the reward—can I just have the spirit stones in cash instead?
But of course, he couldn’t say that. That would ruin the persona he had worked so hard to maintain.
So, instead, he showed a bashful smile and said:
“Being held like this by Lady Murong… is already the greatest reward for me.”
“Oh? You’re much more obedient now. Good. Seems you’ve taken my words to heart.”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
His inner monologue:
If I hadn’t, I’d still be chained up in that damn woodshed. Please, stop being insane already!
Every day I have to guess what this lunatic is thinking and act like her biggest fan. I’m so tired I could die.
At that moment, Murong Ying leaned into his ear and whispered softly:
“I’ve always been someone who rewards and punishes fairly. Since you’ve been so obedient and well-behaved today, your reward will be… spending the night with me.”
As soon as she said it, Jiang Xuan’s mind exploded.
What the hell kind of “reward” is this?! You call this a reward?! This is just pure torture!
On the outside, he stammered, “L-Lady Murong… I-I really don’t deserve such a reward. I’m just a lowly servant. I don’t have the qualifications…”
Before he could finish, Murong Ying interrupted coldly.
“What? You’re not disobeying me again, are you?”
“No, not at all. I’ll do whatever Lady Murong says…”
While he looked obedient and submissive on the surface, Jiang Xuan was already silently plotting his escape route.
He came here to earn some money—not to play house with a war goddess.
It was time to shake off this crazy sponsor once and for all.