Chapter 149: Enter the Torture of Infatuation

In the backyard of the Zhao Family’s manor, Ah Shu was indeed busy with something. He was busy pleasing his woman.

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He waited for everyone to leave. The servants went to the lobby to clean up the broken porcelain. Only the two of them remained, and the atmosphere gradually became quiet.

Zhao Shan had calmed down, and her weakened self from earlier was gone. She brushed the pleats on her clothes and said in a dull voice, “Thank you for coming over for today’s matter!”

“It’s okay, it’s what I should be doing!” Ah Shu smiled as he replied.

“Oh, how do you know that Zheng Changye was making trouble in the store?” Zhao Shan asked.

Zheng Changye hadn’t arrived for long before Ah Shu soon came along with so many people. He was prepared, so how did he know about his plans?

Stunned, Ah Shu rolled his eyes and made up an excuse. “I… I was afraid that he would be causing more trouble, so I have been sending someone to guard near your house. As soon as Zheng Changye comes, my people will tell me immediately!”

Zhao Shan nodded but said indifferently, “You don’t need to send someone to guard over me. Didn’t we agree that we owe each other nothing more on that day?”

“What if Zheng Changye comes again to make trouble next time?” Ah Shu didn’t want to hear the woman say that they owe one another nothing more. He hummed, “What’s more, you still have my baby in your stomach. How can I possibly ignore it?”

Zhao Shan gawked in amazement. “What baby?”

Ah Shu’s face flushed pink. “We… slept together. Aren’t you therefore pregnant with my baby?”

Zhao Shan was embarrassed. “Who told you this?”

“My chief. She said that men and women will have children after sleeping together!” Ah Shu said.

Zhao Shan’s ears were red, and she did not know whether to cry or laugh as she said, “We had only slept together once, so it is not necessarily true!”

Ah Shu blurted out, “If we don’t strike on one try, then we will sleep together many more times!”

Zhao Shan stared at him with wide eyes, abashed. She turned and walked under an osmanthus tree. “What are you talking about?!”

Ah Shu also knew that he had said a groundless statement, so he walked behind the woman and whispered in her ears, “I mean, let’s get married! After that, let’s have a child!”

Zhao Shan’s heart thumped at an incredible speed. She was afraid that Ah Shu was merely taking responsibility for his affair with her that day, and was not truly sincere.

She turned around, leaning her back on the tree trunk. She lowered her head and muttered, “You don’t have to do this, I know you don’t like me. That day, I willingly did what I had done. You don’t have to marry me because you feel guilty.”

“No.” Ah Shu grabbed Zhao Shan’s arm and explained eagerly, “I like you, and I like sleeping with you!”

Zhao Shan looked up at him suddenly after hearing his last words. A blush spread across her cheeks. “You…”

Ah Shu gazed at the woman’s feminine look, and suddenly remembered what they had done that night. His chest heated up as he leaned over and kissed the woman’s lips, albeit in a rough manner.

Zhao Shan was very delicate. She was leaning against the tree behind her, and there was also a ‘tree’ in front of her. There was nowhere to hide, and she seemed to suffocate in this tiny gap where she stood.

She was drunk that day, and her memory was blurred. However, now, it felt truly real.

She truly felt the man’s strong physique, his strong masculine atmosphere impacting her weak will. She would soon collapse and give in.

After a long time, Ah Shu stopped, breathless. He stared at the woman and spoke with a hoarse voice, “I shall immediately find my chief to witness our marriage. Let’s get together and have children!”

Zhao Shan looked up at him. The man was tall, and her whole body was under him. The sky above her was completely covered as if he had become her heaven.

However, perhaps Ah Shu’s previous refusal was too decisive, and the disgust in his eyes had made her feel terrified. Because of that, she still didn’t feel safe with him.

The gleam in her eyes faded, and the woman lowered her head. “Let me think and reconsider!”

“You are already my woman, what else do you want?” Ah Shu frowned.

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to promise you anything now. Let me think about it!”

Women have this phenomenon called women’s stubbornness.

Ah Shu pressed her head in annoyance and kissed her again as if he was kissing her mouth out of hatred.

“If you don’t marry me, I will kiss you every day!”

The woman fell softly in his arms, her chest full of tenderness and affection.

…

Ah Shu returned to the bodyguard agency. Su Jiu had bought wine for everyone and was directing the men to move to the courtyard.

Seeing Ah Shu coming back with a smile, Su Jiu grinned knowingly. “Looking at the happiness on your face, did Miss Zhao promise to be married to you?”

Ah Shu smiled and shook his head. “No!”

“Then what are you happy about?”

“She said she will think about it!”

Su Jiu pouted and patted him on the shoulder. “Very good, keep working hard!”

“How hard?” Ah Shu grabbed Su Jiu’s arm. “Chief, you can help me!”

Because of Su Jiu’s ‘a hero saving a damsel in distress’ solution, Zhao Shan could no longer reject him now. Thus, Ah Shu believed in Su Jiu’s words evermore.

Su Jiu said, “I have studied that secret book. Next up, you have to take the initiative to be attentive. The matters here in the bodyguard agency will be handed over to Zhang Mazi. If you are free, go over to the Zhao Family. She is a girl. She’s alone, and her father’s sick. A person single-handedly tending to a whole shop is very troublesome, so I think you can help her some more. Furthermore, you can also prevent Zheng Changye from causing trouble at her place.”

Ah Shu nodded deeply. “Chief, you are right! I will listen to you, and I will go over to her place tomorrow!”

Su Jiu pouted with joy, extremely proud of her work.

She could finally heave a sigh of relief on Ah Shu’s matters. Alas, just two days later, as she was waiting to hear the good news from Ah Shu, something happened in the business.

Su Jiu went to the trading company at about noon and found that the front door was still closed.

The place didn’t even open for business. Su Jiu felt something was amiss, so she went in through the back door, and saw several housekeepers discussing things in the back hall. They stood behind the counter and sorted goods.

When they saw Su Jiu, they stood up one after another and cried in unison, “Master Su!”

“Master Su!”

Su Jiu nodded lightly and sat down, asking, “What happened? Why didn’t you all open the front door?”

Several housekeepers glanced at each other uncomfortably, and one of them eventually came forward and said, “Reporting to Master Su, someone from the Chamber of Commerce came over early in the morning, saying that our firm broke rules and we are not allowed to open for business again. Master Huan has already gone to the Chamber of Commerce to negotiate with the President. We are thinking about ways to solve this problem too.”

Su Jiu was astounded. “What rules have we broken?”

“People in the Chamber of Commerce say that there are rules for doing business. The first is not to overreach. The only way to do business is to own a single business and not grab onto other people’s businesses. We have a variety of goods in our business, so they claimed that we are snatching the business from other shops. Secondly, it is considered unfair competition to sell our goods at a low price, so the Chamber of Commerce does not allow our business to continue operating!”

Su Jiu was baffled when she heard this. “Our business has been operating for half a year now. When did these rules come out? Besides, what qualifications does the chamber have to prevent us from operating?”

The housekeeper replied, “It is true that the Chamber of Commerce in the city has the right to prevent our store from opening.”

Su Jiu sneered, “Who sets this rule?”

Several housekeepers glanced at each other, unable to come up with an answer. They only said, “The rules have existed for a long time. We don’t know when they were formed, but everyone has always agreed to them.”

“Then are the city’s Ji Family and Zhu Family also restricted by these rules set by the Chamber of Commerce?”

“This…” The shopkeeper frowned, before he continued, “The Ji Manor and Zhu Family do not need to follow them. On the surface, they seem to obey the Chamber of Commerce, but in reality, the people of the Chamber of Commerce do not dare to restrain the two families.”

“That’s it. What a sh*thole this Chamber of Commerce is. Isn’t this bullying?” Su Jiu stood up. “Who knows where the Chamber of Commerce is? Take me over there now!”

Someone stood up and volunteered. “I will take Master Su over!”

“Good!”

The two went out, got on a carriage, and went straight to the place where the Chamber of Commerce was.

The Chamber of Commerce was in a loft in the South of the capital. Usually, it was run by several old shopkeepers who were highly regarded in the city. If someone was wronged, deducted, or owed wages by a shopkeeper, they would come over here. It was up to the people of the Chamber of Commerce to negotiate with their lords on their behalf. If the lords were unreasonable, the chamber would decide on their matters, find lawyers, write accusation petitions, and bring the case up to the government office.

When the Chamber of Commerce was first established, the rules set to help desperate people were indeed good. However, as the Chamber of Commerce further developed, the relationship amongst insiders had become complicated, and all the rules had changed.

All the reputable merchants in the city were related to the Chamber of Commerce. Therefore, the veterans of these Chambers of Commerce were all working in favor of these merchants. On the contrary, people who had come to complain would often be casually brushed away.

Eventually, no one would come forward to complain.

The elders of the Chamber of Commerce would usually drink tea to chat or join hands together to suppress smaller merchants. No serious business would be done.

The president of the Chamber of Commerce was chosen every three years. After all, the Chamber of Commerce still had some privileges, so every time a president was to be elected, it would also be the time when these shopkeepers in the city were the most active.

Previously, the big golden-toothed fellow had brought Young Master Liang to find Ji Yuxian, precisely to vie for the position of the president.

Alas, for anyone who would meet with the ever crafty Ji Yuxian, it would be their misfortune.

Su Jiu arrived outside the door of the chambers and exited the carriage. When she saw the old loft, she could still make out its original glory. Two stone lions guarded the door, as the signboard of the chamber hung on above.

There were also two guards guarding the door. When Su Jiu came over, they immediately reached out their hands to stop her. Two pairs of powerful eyes inspected Su Jiu from top to bottom.

“Who are you looking for? Do you have an appointment?”

Su Jiu stretched her arms out, pushed them back, and walked briskly inside.

The two guards did not realize how hard she had pushed, but they were thrown back and fell to the ground on their backs, causing them to scream in pain.

Su Jiu entered through the door and at a glance, she spotted Zhu Hecheng sitting down in the front seat.

She finally understood what was going on. No wonder the Chamber of Commerce had suddenly come to the door of her shop even though it had been open for quite some time. It turned out to be Zhu Hecheng, an old tyrant, who was creating problems.

There were also five or six men in the hall, who were all wearing dark cotton clothes, their faces glowing under the sunlight. At first sight, anyone would know that they were all the old foxes who had been in business for a long time. Seeing Su Jiu barging in, they turned their heads around in unison.

Standing amongst those people was Chang Huan. Although he was young, he was tall, charming, and mature. He did not show any cowardice in front of these men and blended in well with the others.

He turned around, saw that it was Su Jiu, and immediately got excited. “Chief!”

“This is?” An elder looked at Su Jiu and frowned.

He said with a smile, “This is the shopkeeper of our firm, Master Su Jiu!”

Their faces were all riddled with surprise. The gaze they had on Su Jiu went from mere observation to one of stupefaction.

They had heard of the name Su Jiu for a long time, but they didn’t expect such a large and prosperous business to be under such a young person.

Zhu Hecheng stared at Su Jiu with squinted eyes. His eyes were gloomy.

Su Jiu was not only a shopkeeper, but she was also the master of the Qinglong Bodyguard Agency.

Previously, when his grain was transported to Xuzhou, it was escorted by the Qinglong Bodyguard Agency. Now that he contemplated it, it seemed that it was Su Jiu and Ji Yuxian who had set him up together.

He found it ridiculous that although he had been in the business world for decades, he had ended up losing in the hands of two young people. Not only had he lost so much grain, but he had also lost the qualifications of being the imperial merchant. Their actions had also indirectly killed his son Zhu Zhi.

Zhu Hecheng glared at Su Jiu coldly, and his heart seethed with even more contempt.

“Shopkeeper Su, you came just at the right time!” A grey-skinned, thin-faced, long-bearded man spoke with a tight lip. “After careful deliberation, several housekeepers of the chambers have concluded that your firm’s operation had broken the rules, and they would not be allowed to open their doors for business from today onwards.”

Chang Huan’s face was icy. He was about to argue, but Su Jiu gripped his wrist and laughed coldly.

“What rules have we broken?”

“Stealing business and price reduction! These are taboo for us businessmen. Since everyone is doing business in the capital, the purpose of the Chamber of Commerce is to protect the interests of most merchants. Your business harms everyone’s interests and should, therefore, be closed!” Another tall old man chided in a deep voice.

“Doing business depends on your ability! Your shop can’t attract customers, so why is that our business? If you want us to close, it also depends on whether you have this ability!” Su Jiu smiled menacingly. Her expression was clear, as she pulled Chang Huan to leave.

There was no need to speak further nonsense with these people!

“Shopkeeper Su, stay!” Zhu Hecheng suddenly said.

Su Jiu turned her head. “What else can you tell me, Shopkeeper Zhu?”

“Shopkeeper Su, you are indeed admirable! However, you must know that the arms cannot win the thighs. You’re not from the capital. It is better to observe the rules here when doing business! Otherwise, you will truly know what it means to be overconfident and ultimately fail!” After Zhu Zhi’s death, Zhu Hecheng had become more sullen, staring at Su Jiu with a gloomy expression.

Su Jiu smiled indifferently. “Shopkeeper Zhu, what do you have in store for me?”

“Shopkeeper Su, if you go against the Chamber of Commerce, that is, against all the merchants in the entire Shengjing City, then all merchants will oppose you. All the merchants cooperating with the chamber will stop supplying goods to your firm. The partners that decide to stick with your firm will also, for various reasons, leave the chambers and be unable to return. Thus, even if you have the goods, you cannot maintain your business without people on your side!” Zhu Hecheng sneered.

“No, you just see that our business makes more money and is simply jealous!” Chang Huan felt that the people were united against them, and couldn’t help but shout out his thoughts.

“These are the rules!” Zhu Hecheng emphasized as he slowly sipped his tea.

“Rubbish rules they are!” Chang Huan rebutted angrily.

“Shopkeeper Chang Huan, please also pay attention to your language. Everyone here is of a reputable status, and you are not allowed to behave in this wild manner!” Zhu Hecheng slammed his teacup on the tabletop.

Chang Huan sneered without fear, “I haven’t beaten people in a long time, don’t force me to do it!”

The face of several older shopkeepers of the Chambers of Commerce changed. “You still want to beat people up?”

“Force me and I’ll kill everyone!” Chang Huan’s handsome face was overcast, and his body erupted with a menacing aura. Suddenly, the room became a little quiet.

The shopkeepers turned pale and gawked at Chang Huan.

“You don’t have to be an alarmist here. We reside just at the feet of the Emperor. Kill people and you’ll have to pay for it with your life. So I would like to see who dares to do wrong in Shengjing City!” Zhu Hecheng snorted.

“Shopkeeper Zhu, for you to bully two young people like this, isn’t it a little too overbearing?”

There was a deep and pleasant sound at the door, and everyone whipped their heads to look with startled expressions.

The man was dressed in a red robe adorned with lotus patterns. His phoenix eyes had an eerie coolness to them. His face was as handsome as ever, and his aura was majestic. He ambled in slowly.

“Eldest Young Master!”

“Paying our respects to the Eldest Young Master!”

Everyone in the loft, regardless of seniority, got up at the same time and respectfully greeted Ji Yuxian.

Su Jiu was stunned when she heard the man’s voice. She turned and watched the man looking at her. His eyes were as dark and charming as before. As he looked at her faintly, she felt suffocated by his glance.

Didn’t he go to Jiangnan?

When did he return to the capital?

“Eldest Young Master, please take a seat!” A shopkeeper directed.

Amongst all in the room, only Zhu Hecheng remained seated, remaining calm. After all, the Zhu Family and the Ji Manor still had interests that involved one another, and it was not yet time to sever those ties.

Ji Yuxian glanced across Su Jiu’s face, stepped forward, and stood side by side with her. Tall, magnificent and luxurious, his presence alone seemed to bring dazzle and sparkle to the entire space.

His eyes swept across everyone’s faces. His thin lips lightly flickered and he said in a melodious voice, “Perhaps everyone here may not know, but half of this business here is owned by the Ji Manor. The Ji Manor’s businesses get involved in a wide range of sectors. Now that they are put together under the Ji Manor, that doesn’t count as breaking the rules, does it?”

At this time, the president of the Chamber of Commerce smiled and reassured, “It turns out that the Qingyu Commercial House belongs to the Ji Manor. Then it is all a misunderstanding, misunderstanding!”

Ji Yuxian raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Because they are directly supplied by the Ji Manor, the prices of some goods may be relatively cheaper. But the price is absolutely within the industry price fluctuations, and there is no malicious competition. The shopkeepers here can freely check up on that!”

“We don’t dare to! We merely asked Manager Chang Huan and Shopkeeper Su several casual questions. We don’t mean anything else!”

“Yes, I was not familiar with Shopkeeper Su before, and I just wanted to take this opportunity to get acquainted with her!”

“Everyone is doing business in the capital, so we need to look out for one another!”

…

As soon as Ji Yuxian appeared, several housekeepers immediately changed their attitudes and focused on pleasing the man. Zhu Hecheng sat there, peering at the group of spineless men. He grew increasingly frustrated, clenching his fist tightly and grinding his teeth so hard that blood almost flowed out of his mouth.

It’s no wonder that they butter up to Ji Yuxian. The Ji Manor was now the only royal merchant, monopolizing the shipping, satin, and money houses. Every year, the Ji Manor would contribute more than a third of the money to the Daliang Association. Even the courts would treat the Ji Manor differently. Many people knew that they lived on the support of the Ji Manor, and no one would dare to offend Ji Yuxian.

Su Jiu peeked at Ji Yuxian and sighed silently.

They said so much, but they couldn’t match just a sentence of his words. The power truly lied in one’s status and money.

She believed that even if she justified herself with the words that Ji Yuxian had spoken, no one in the Chambers of Commerce would listen to her.

It was because she was not Ji Yuxian.

“This matter was misunderstood by our Chamber of Commerce, and it will never happen again in the future. This Shopkeeper Su takes after Young Master Ji and is young and promising. She is truly admirable!” The president began to praise Su Jiu again.

The president of the Chamber of Commerce was President Wu, who was a famous powerful merchant in Capital. His firm had been in business for several generations, and naturally, he had inextricable links with the Ji Manor.

He had managed to get into the position of the president with Ji Yuxian’s help. So, even though he was an elder to Ji Yuxian, he was still respectful to the man.

Su Jiu was indignant. What did he mean by saying that she had taken after Ji Yuxian?

It was fine if he wanted to butter up to the man, but why pull her into it?

However, when she reflected on it, there was nothing wrong. At first, he was indeed her husband, and she had learned her business skills from him.

“Anyway, everyone is in the capital, so it is therefore inevitable that we will have to deal with one another in the future. Let today be the day we are formally introduced to one another!” Ji Yuxian said gracefully, giving off a charming look with his smile. He seemed to be insinuating, “Can I take Shopkeeper Su with me now?”

“Of course, of course!” The president and several housekeepers bobbed their heads furiously.

Ji Yuxian nodded slightly. “Farewell then. I will catch up with each shopkeeper soon!”

With that, he turned around, naturally grabbed Su Jiu’s wrist, and brought her out.

Su Jiu made a subconscious effort to wipe off his hand, but the man looked straight ahead, his face unchanged. Her eyes rolled, and she had no choice but to calmly follow him.

Before he reached the door, Ji Yuxian suddenly seemed to remember something. He stopped, turned back to look at Zhu Hecheng, and said, “I forgot to tell you, Shopkeeper Zhu. Because the river in Chongzhou City was blocked, the stock on hand is currently low. A batch will arrive tomorrow, but because President Wu has already ordered in advance, I can only ask that you wait for a few more days. I heard that the Ji Manor’s supervisor has notified you in this manner, Shopkeeper Zhu. However, I feel very sorry for this matter, and I want to come here personally to express my apologies.”

Zhu Hecheng said with a smile, “It doesn’t matter.” When he looked up, he suddenly saw President Wu’s thoughtful and cold eyes, causing his heart to sink.

Nevertheless, he still managed to squeeze out a small grin. “Eldest Young Master, you are too polite. It is merely a few days late, so it’s no big deal!”

“Yes, you are always so generous, Shopkeeper Zhu. I can be rest assured now!”

With that, he turned and left.

With that, President Wu switched his complexion. It was Zhu Hecheng who had insisted that the Chamber of Commerce punish the Qingyu Commercial House. Now that he had heard Ji Yuxian’s words, he realized that Zhu Hecheng was dissatisfied with the shipping, and had deliberately provoked matters between him and the Ji Manor.

He had heard that Ji Yuxian would be out for a few days. If he had not returned today, they would have sealed that business up or colluded with other businesses to boycott the business. By then, he would have completely offended Ji Yuxian.

This old sly fox, Zhu Hecheng, had played him!

“Shopkeeper Zhu!” President Wu said indifferently. “You already knew that this business was part of the Ji Manor, don’t you?”

Zhu Hecheng turned his eyes and smiled. “Naturally, I didn’t know. If I knew, I would have to give the Ji Manor some face!”

President Wu snorted. “However, I noticed that you were not at all surprised when Eldest Young Master Ji spoke on the matter, Shopkeeper Zhu. It seemed like you had known this very early on!”

Zhu Hecheng’s face changed slightly. Now that the Zhu Family had lost their qualifications of being the royal merchant, they were no longer the same. If not, there was no way President Wu would question him like this.

“President Wu, Ji Yuxian had suddenly mentioned this matter before leaving. I know he wanted to create animosity between you and me. President Wu, please do not be fooled!” Zhu Hecheng pleaded in a deep voice.

“And yet, Shopkeeper Zhu, you still want to create animosity now between Master Ji and me. Who do you think I will listen to?” President Wu scoffed silently and sauntered away.

Zhu Hecheng’s face was iron green, and he punched heavily on the table. The teacup vibrated from the shockwaves that evoked from his punch.

He had sent someone to find out beforehand that Ji Yuxian was in Jiangnan, and it would be a few days before he could return to the capital. Therefore, he had wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to constrain his business empire. How could he suddenly appear?

What made him even more annoyed was that he hadn’t been able to emerge on the winning end whenever he encountered Ji Yuxian.

Even though he had been in business for a few decades now, was he not as good as someone of a younger generation?

Su Jiu was taken out of the chambers by Ji Yuxian. She immediately tried to break away from his hand once they were outside.

Ji Yuxian, however, gripped her wrist strongly and refused to let go. He glanced back at her and said softly, “We are still here in front of the Chamber of Commerce. Do you want to let everyone know that the two shopkeepers behind the scene are not on the same page?”

Su Jiu looked up at him, her gaze landing in his thick and deep phoenix eyes. She quickly shifted her eyes.

Other people wouldn’t even mind getting closer and taking a closer look.

“I have something to say to your chief. You go back first!” Ji Yuxian gestured and spoke to Chang Huan, who was behind them.

Chang Huan’s face was dull as he stared at Su Jiu.

Hearing Ji Yuxian, Su Jiu nodded at Chang Huan.

Chang Huan’s face grew a little sullen, but he didn’t say much. He went back to the commercial house in the same carriage he came in.

“What’s the matter?” Su Jiu asked.

Ji Yuxian took her hand and walked slowly with her. His handsome face was faint, and he didn’t reply.

It was already the early winters. The weather was cold, but the man’s hand was as warm as ever. They wrapped tightly around her palm and seemed to warm up her whole body.

The gold thread on his cuffs rubbed the back of her hand gently as the two moved forward. It produced a slight itch; a tickling itch.

After a moment of silence, Su Jiu asked again, “When did you come back?”

“Last night.” The man whispered back and turned his head to look at her. “When I was away, what did you steal from the study?”

Su Jiu suddenly froze and blurted out, “How did you know?”

Looking at the man’s narrow and playful phoenix eyes, Su Jiu felt a little embarrassed and said dumbly, “I just wanted to take a look, and I will return it after I finish it!”

“You haven’t seen enough before? Is it because you missed me so much at night that you used the book to satisfy you? The positions inside, which ones do you still need me to teach you?” The man raised his eyebrows evilly.

Su Jiu glared at him. “Who can’t sleep from thinking about you? Don’t think so highly of yourself! I… I read it for Ah Shu!”

Ji Yuxian frowned instantly. “…You read it with Ah Shu?”

“No, I help him to see it!” The more Su Jiu explained, the more chaotic her explanation became. She threw away Ji Yuxian’s and turned to walk to his carriage. “I can’t tell you clearly, so I’m going back!”

She had taken two steps when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned back to take a look and realized that Ji Yuxian was following her. She asked in amazement, “Why are you following me?”

“Where are you going?” Ji Yuxian asked.

“Heading to the commercial house!”

“I am also going to the commercial house, and it happened to be the way that Shopkeeper Su is heading!”

“Why are you going to the commercial house?”

“Baby, half of the commercial house belongs to me too. I used to trust my wife, so I didn’t visit. Now that my wife no longer cares about me, I have to check on it myself.” Ji Yuxian narrowed his eyes and smiled. His smile was as radiant as the winter sun.

Su Jiu’s big dark eyes looked at him, and she was speechless for a while.

Their eyes met, and Ji Yuxian’s eyes gradually dimmed as he reached for her waist.

Su Jiu twisted and flexibly got out of his grip before he had his opportunity. She walked briskly towards the carriage, whispering, “Fine, you can go!”

The two of them got into the carriage. Su Jiu instructed Er Mao to bring them back to the commercial house and he drove away.

The light in the carriage was dim, and Su Jiu sat up straight. Although she was not looking at the man, she still couldn’t ignore the deep and hot eyes lurking on the opposite side.

The two were silent and seemed to want to say something to each other, but they didn’t know where to start.

“I want to drink water!” The man said abruptly.

Su Jiu glanced at him, reached out, and poured him a cup of herbal tea.

Ji Yuxian took the tea in one hand, quickly putting it aside. Meanwhile, his other hand had already grasped Su Jiu’s wrist as he pulled her into his arms.

Su Jiu instinctively resisted. She twisted her body, causing the man to fall. However, he used the momentum of his fall to roll towards her. Somehow, she ended up with her embraced in his arms.

“Ji Yuxian, let go!” Su Jiu struggled hard.

She struggled, but her arms were restrained by the man, who was holding her tightly. In a flash, the sound outside the car window had drowned out, leaving only the man’s breath in her ear.

The man leaned against her forehead. His eyes narrowed, and he gently whispered in her ear, “Do you miss me?”

His familiar breath hit her hard, and her body suddenly softened. The man’s face was exquisite and beautiful, and every inch of skin was something she was familiar with.

When she could not sleep at night, she thought she was just not used to being alone.

Only when she saw him did she realize that she was thinking of him.

But now, looking at his deep, swirling eyes, she couldn’t say anything.

Ji Yuxian closed his eyes and said softly.

“Baby, it’s cold. Let’s go home!”

Su Jiu immediately felt cold air gushing into her nose, and something swelling up in her eyes. She hurriedly shut them tight.

“Su Jiu…”

“Su Jiu…”

He kept whispering her name. With his palm resting on her head, he turned slightly towards her, and his thin red lips touched the corner of her lips.

“There was something wrong in Jiangnan. I wanted to use it to escape from reality and let you calm down. However, within a few days, I couldn’t wait to come back, because I had missed you so much I was going crazy!”

“No matter in the day or at night, I only have you in my mind. You laughing, talking, and being intimate with me. Su Jiu, what kind of terrible magic did you put on me?”

Su Jiu’s eyes were closed, her long eyelashes were trembling. Her hands clasped the clothes on the man’s chest. The man’s warm breath sprayed on her face, bringing a string of numbness. She tried to control herself, resisting the urge to kiss him.

The man seemed to know what she was thinking, and at the next moment, he opened his mouth to cover her lips.

Their lips stuck together, and both quivered hard.

Su Jiu seemed to have exhausted all her strength just to clench her teeth hard and not allow him to enter. It was like if his tongue entered her as well, she would have completely lost it.

The man was not in a hurry. He kissed her softly and tightly, and a low, rough voice penetrated her eardrums.

“I don’t care about your relationship with Xiao Lie, and I don’t dare to lose my temper at you. Baby, just don’t leave me alone! Don’t leave me!”

“You are more powerful than the Half Moon Devourer. It makes me suffer once a month, but you torture me day by day!”

Ji Yuxian gasped quickly, squeezing Su Jiu’s waist as he lined her open mouth with his. His soft tongue suddenly broke in, wreaking havoc within her.

Su Jiu pushed him away anxiously, her hoarse voice shattered by her kiss.

“Ji Yuxian, no… we already…”

“Don’t say it!” Ji Yuxian forcibly blocked the words she was about to say. His good-looking long fingers grazed her cheeks as he said in a husky voice, “I only have you as my only wife, and we have never been separated! I have already sent Old Housekeeper Yu to speak with the Su Family about the dissolution of the marriage contract. I can give the Su Family compensation, as much money as they want. I can also help them return to the capital. As long as they agree, I will agree to all of their conditions.”

Su Jiu’s dark eyes stared at him.

The man looked at her faintly, his voice low. “I know I’m crazy, but as long as you are in my arms, I can take care of anything!”

“Ji Yuxian…” Su Jiu spoke his name, only to realize that her voice was soft and sentimental as if it was not coming from her mouth.

Ji Yuxian’s eyes deepened as he leaned in and kissed her heavily, seemingly exhausting all his strength for each kiss. From her eyebrows to the corners of her lips, from her chin to her collarbone, from shallow to deep, he gave her endless obsessive kisses. It was as if he was making up for all those days where he had felt so alone and empty.

The carriage had stopped in front of the commercial house, and Er Mao said, “Master, we are here!”

Su Jiu and Ji Yuxian completely ignored him. At that moment, each only had the other in their eyes.

It was as if the world would fall apart the next day, leaving only that as the last lingering moment.

It was getting a bit dark, and Su Jiu’s lips and tongue were already numb. She was lying on his shoulders, gasping for air.

For a long time, there were only interlaced breaths in the carriage.

Ji Yuxian hugged her, palming her silky ink-black hair gently and saying hoarsely, “Come home with me!”

In the dark, Su Jiu’s eyes were dim as she slowly shook her head. “I can’t go back right now!”

Ji Yuxian naturally knew what she was concerned about, so he should act as soon as possible.

“Then I’ll go with you.” He hadn’t slept well for several days. She was in his arms now. Even if he didn’t do anything, he could feel at ease.

Su Jiu was softening up in her heart and almost wanted to give in to his request. She bit her lower lip and finally said, albeit cruelly, “It’s not good at all! Now that we don’t have a relationship, how can we live together? It’s just like in those opera excerpts where we will be committing adultery!”

“Nonsense! I won’t show you these messy books in the future!” The man frowned slightly. “You are the wife I am marrying, and no one is more befitting for me than you!”

Su Jiu said stubbornly, “That won’t work!”

His legal wife was Su Yuejiu after all, not her.

Sighing, Ji Yuxian stood up slightly and held Su Jiu’s face in his palms. His eyes were wet and full of affection. He leaned over and kissed her gently between her picturesque brows. “Then stay here obediently at Qiao An’s place. Once things are settled on my end, I will take you home immediately!”

Su Jiu nodded and asked, “What if the Su Family does not agree to the divorce?”

“I will make them do it!” Ji Yuxian’s slanted eyes flashed with a glare.

It was already dark, but Ji Yuxian was extremely reluctant to part with Su Jiu. He stroked her cheek and kissed her again. “Su Jiu, wait for me!”

“Mm!” Su Jiu nodded her head vigorously. Although the carriage was dark, she was looking straight at him.

“I’m going now. I will send someone to monitor Zhu Hecheng. If there are no matters, do not get in touch with him. Your husband will solve it for you!”

“I know!”

“It’s cold, go back early. Now that you don’t need to learn words in the morning, you can sleep a little longer in the day. A new batch of fox fur has been added to Robes Square, and I’ve gotten people to pick the best silver fox fur to make you a cloak. It’s already done, and I will get them to send it to you tomorrow!” Ji Yuxian explained carefully. He always felt that when she was not by his side, he would be more worried.

Su Jiu smiled. “Ok, I will wear it, even when it’s not cold!”

“Stupid girl!” Ji Yuxian smiled gleefully and kissed the tip of her nose, his heart awash with tenderness. He hated that this moment could not last any longer.

“Go quickly!” Su Jiu feared that he would continue on and on. She reached out and pushed him away.

Ji Yuxian hugged her again, before getting up and getting off the carriage.

The Ji Manor’s carriage was stopped in front, and Jin Feng remained motionless for nearly half a day as he guarded it.

Su Jiu opened the carriage curtain, watching the man’s red robe flying in the night breeze, his hair fluttering and dancing like a butterfly with wings spread. She condensed her thoughts on all the gorgeousness in the atmosphere.

The man turned around and looked over. Su Jiu seemed to see the man winking at her charmingly across the misty night.

Su Jiu put down the carriage curtain and sat alone in the carriage, a gentle quiet smile forming on her lips.

She waited for a while, before lifting the curtain to look outside. The carriage had gone, and there were only muffled clip-clops made by the horses in the night fog.

Su Jiu raised her hand and stroked her swollen lips, only to feel elation from the inside out.

On the top floor of the commercial house, Chang Huan had been standing by the wooden railing. His handsome face had a deep and sullen look. He did not seem to be a twenty-year-old boy.

Su Jiu’s carriage had left. However, he still stood there, as if he was cast in stone on the spot as he gradually merged with the night.