Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Pleading with Master to Save Me

Lady Qiutong spoke calmly.

“I was born into a poor family and sold to a pleasure house at a young age. Because I had some beauty, I received careful training in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and even some knowledge of flowers, birds, insects, and fish.”

“At sixteen, I debuted on stage and became locally renowned. The madam, wanting to raise my price, claimed I was a courtesan who only sold my artistic talents, not my body. My reputation grew even more prominent in just two years.”

“At that time, a wealthy patron offered a thousand gold taels to buy my first night. The madam was tempted but happened to encounter Elder Li Guan at a social gathering. He heard me play the pipa and was deeply impressed, wanting to ransom me.”

“The madam saw me as a cash cow and initially refused. But Li Guan revealed his identity as an Inner Peak Elder of the Cloud Firmament Sword Sect, forcing her to comply.”

“Although Elder Li Guan passed away just a month after I entered his household, to be honest, I was no longer a virgin.”

The woman recounted her experiences calmly, without sorrow or pretense, hiding nothing about her background or past.

Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng looked at her refined appearance and felt a sense of regret. She was like a masterpiece painting, now stained with ink, no longer flawless.

Perhaps it was precisely these experiences that cultivated her indifferent nature, like a noble scholar, unmoved by praise or insult, serene and composed.

Lu Chengfeng’s heart was burdened with many things, and he hadn’t planned on staying long. He was merely fulfilling a formality by coming to see her.

However, after exchanging a few words with Qiutong, he felt that this woman had unique insights into people and matters, yet she remained detached, not striving or competing, like a floating cloud in the sky or flowing water in a stream. She possessed a somewhat Daoist-like mindset of non-action.

Lu Chengfeng enjoyed conversing with her, losing track of time until the little maid, Die’er, called them for a meal.

“Since you’re here, Husband, why don’t you try Die’er’s cooking? She has quite a talent for culinary arts, especially with vegetarian dishes. They’re quite unique and refreshing,” Qiutong said.

Lu Chengfeng, who usually preferred meat, was intrigued. He gently reached out and helped Qiutong, who had been kneeling for a while, to her feet.

Her delicate hand rested in his, and a faint fragrance wafted over, a mix of plum blossoms and her natural scent, refreshing his senses.

Lu Chengfeng felt a stir in his heart. He turned his wrist and led her out of the inner room, hand in hand.

Qiutong didn’t resist and followed him obediently.

Seeing them walking out hand in hand, Die’er’s eyes lit up with a smile. “Master, Lady, come and have your meal!”

“Haha, I heard from Qiutong that your cooking is excellent, Die’er. I must try it today,” Lu Chengfeng said as he and Qiutong sat down on opposite sides of the table and began their meal.

Indeed, Die’er’s culinary skills were unique. The dishes were well-balanced, not greasy or heavy, yet bursting with flavor, leaving a lingering fragrance on the palate and stimulating the appetite.

Lu Chengfeng unknowingly ate a lot, almost finishing all the seven or eight dishes on the table.

“Heehee, if Master likes it, Die’er will cook for you again next time,” Die’er said with a smile, happy to see him enjoying the food as she cleared the dishes.

Lu Chengfeng said, “You were just watching us eat. Haven’t you eaten yet? Did you save any food for yourself?”

Die’er’s big eyes crinkled with laughter, and dimples appeared on her slightly chubby cheeks. “Master, I saved some. While you and Lady are talking, I’ll go brew some tea for you.”

Lu Chengfeng waved his hand. “No rush. I’m about to head to Black Crane Peak. I’ve been in seclusion for half a year and need to pay my respects to Master.”

Die’er hurriedly said, “You’re leaving so soon, Master? You haven’t been here for long…”

“Die’er,” Qiutong said softly, and Die’er immediately stopped talking, efficiently clearing the table and leaving the room.

Lu Chengfeng thought to himself that this little maid was quite well-mannered. Though sharp-tongued with outsiders, she was respectful and proper within the house, and her hands and feet were quick and efficient.

“It’s important for you to see Master. You should have paid your respects as soon as you left seclusion. It’s already past noon, so don’t delay any further. The sooner you go, the sooner you’ll be back,” Qiutong said, her tone as calm as ever, revealing no hint of attachment or reluctance.

Lu Chengfeng nodded. “I’ll go see Master first. I’ll arrange for two more maidservants to help you with the cleaning and chores. If you need anything, just tell them to fetch it from the mountain’s storeroom.”

“If there’s anything the storeroom doesn’t have, just send someone to let me know, and I’ll arrange for it to be delivered.”

“Things aren’t very peaceful in the sect these days. Die’er is a young girl and quite pretty. It’s not safe for her to go to the town alone to buy things, so don’t let her go out.”

“As you wish, Husband. I’ll follow your arrangements,” Qiutong replied, and the conversation ended there.

Lu Chengfeng stood up. “Then I’ll be on my way.” Reaching the door, he turned back and said, “I’ll come see you again another day.”

Qiutong nodded. “Take care, Husband. It just snowed, and the mountain paths are slippery.”

Lu Chengfeng smiled and left.

After leaving the courtyard, he couldn’t help but look back, recalling the woman’s every move. She was like a snow lotus on a high mountain, beautiful to admire from afar but not to be touched.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t beautiful, but her aloof aura made one hesitant to approach her.

“A gentle home truly is a hero’s grave. Even though it was our first meeting, I already feel reluctant to leave.”

He sighed and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. The cold sensation transmitted through his palm, bringing him back to his senses.

Lu Chengfeng used his lightness skill and hurried on his way. It didn’t take long for him to reach Black Crane Peak. However, this time he didn’t encounter Zhou Tong. It was still Zhu Yuxian’s personal maid, Caixia, who came to greet him.

“Young Master Chengfeng, why haven’t you visited since you became a disciple? That’s quite impolite,” Caixia said, dressed in a blue satin palace dress today, looking like a dignified and elegant court lady.

She sounded slightly reproachful upon seeing Lu Chengfeng.

“Sister Caixia, there’s a reason for my absence. I was confined to Bixia Peak by the Law Enforcement Hall for half a year and just came out of seclusion today. I came to pay my respects to Master as soon as I tidied myself up,” Lu Chengfeng explained.

“How could that be? I heard you made great contributions during the beast tide. Why would you be confined for no reason?” Caixia’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Who would dare to be so bold? Are they bullying Black Crane Peak because we have no one to defend us?”

“I knew Sister Caixia cared about me. I’ll tell you more after I see Master,” Lu Chengfeng said with a smile.

Caixia finally came to her senses and quickly said, “Then follow me. Master is having tea. You’ve come at the right time.”

“Thank you, Sister Caixia,” Lu Chengfeng said gratefully.

Caixia led him to a door within the palace and whispered inside, “Master, Young Master Chengfeng is here to see you.”

“Hmph!”

A cold female voice came from within.

“Why are you here? Why don’t you go worship that old man from the Law Enforcement Hall as your master instead?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chengfeng immediately knelt down.

“Master, this disciple knows his mistake. Please save me, Master, or I fear my life will be in danger.”

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