Chapter 15: Too Fast with the Hands
Yan Junbin looked at Zhou Miaotong with a heart-wrenching gaze, his thick brows deeply furrowed, conveying both his profound affection and helplessness.
As the two locked eyes in silent emotion, Wang Lu impatiently cast a sidelong glance at Yan Junbin and said, “Choose your own prison, Jiao Yù. Don’t put on an act here and pretend to be all sentimental with me! You, an heir of the Golden Blade Sect, with a father who’s both a top scholar and imperial censor—if you truly cared for this girl, you would have married her long ago. Why bother performing this drama in front of me?”
“Get lost!” Wang Lu waved his hand dismissively, as if swatting away a bothersome fly.
In the play, Yan Junbin’s role was nothing more than a lovesick fool. Despite claiming to be the heir of the Golden Blade Sect, he and his followers were easily cut down by the three Shen brothers.
If you can’t win, why not run?
If you have followers, don’t you arrange an escape route for yourself?
With no sense of urgency, always staring wide-eyed playing the victim, Wang Lu had no patience to entertain him.
“I swear, Miaotong, I will help you redeem your freedom!” Yan Junbin vowed solemnly.
Zhou Miaotong’s eyes reddened slightly as she said, “Let’s go.”
The madam of the brothel showed an apologetic expression, signaling the same sentiment.
Yan Junbin withdrew his hand, cast a deep look at Wang Lu, then headed toward the door.
The madam forced a smile but was met with Yan Junbin’s disdainful glare.
With a bitter expression, she watched him leave and then obediently helped Wang Lu close the door.
Only Wang Lu and Zhou Miaotong remained in the room.
Wang Lu approached Zhou Miaotong, who immediately shrank back in fear but soon realized he was merely passing by. He went straight to the window, closing it until only a narrow gap remained, then turned back.
“My lord, Miaotong will undress for you,” Zhou Miaotong said weakly, looking at Wang Lu with a helpless and pitiful expression.
Without hesitation, Wang Lu scooped her up effortlessly and walked to the bedside.
But the anticipated storm never came. Zhou Miaotong opened her eyes to find Wang Lu gently tracing his fingers over her face and neck.
The tender caress stirred both her disgust and surprise.
Wang Lu’s earlier arrogance now seemed like the soft tenderness of a strong man. She lay back, looking up at him, seeing no trace of ill intent in his eyes.
“My lord…” Zhou Miaotong’s slender, pale fingers climbed to Wang Lu’s waist, expertly untying his belt.
His clothes fell open, revealing a firm chest.
She wrapped her arms around his back, presenting a resigned and pitiful demeanor.
“Tsk.”
Wang Lu rolled over, lying beside Zhou Miaotong, leaving her flustered.
“Did Miaotong offend you, my lord? Tell me how you wish to proceed,” Zhou Miaotong said, turning her face toward him.
Wang Lu’s lips curled into a slight smile.
---
[Special Character Zhou Miaotong from The Embroidered Spring Blade I detected. The world of The Embroidered Spring Blade I is now accessible.]
[Current world: The Embroidered Spring Blade (merged).]
[Identity: Captain Wang Lu, son of Wang Chaoju, Captain of the Northern Pacification Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guards.]
[Main Quest 1: Game of Power (settleable).]
[Description: You have arrived at the late Ming Dynasty in history. Take a gamble and experience the rise and fall of power.]
[Reward (special): Determined by the level of power ultimately attained.]
[Main Quest 2: Pillar of the Embroidered Uniform Guards (settleable).]
[Description: Utilize the full strength of the Embroidered Uniform Guards to sniff out and eliminate traitors.]
[Reward (special): Determined by the number and importance of spies captured or killed, directly or indirectly.]
[Side Quest (triggered): Resolving Karma.]
[Description: After Yan Junbin’s suicide, Zhou Miaotong lost all joy in life. The host, as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, must rewrite her life’s trajectory.]
[Reward: 2–10 deduction points.]
[Current deduction points: 0.]
[Current martial art: Xinyou Saber Technique (mastered).]
Wang Lu’s suspicions were confirmed.
The moment he saw the name tag bearing Zhou Miaotong’s name, an answer had already taken shape in his heart; now it was fully verified.
The updated main quests once again displayed special rewards. More importantly, the side quest triggered by Zhou Miaotong caught Wang Lu’s attention.
Change Zhou Miaotong’s life path?
Karma?
The direct cause of Zhou Miaotong’s family’s ruin was the Embroidered Uniform Guards raiding their home, but the deeper cause could only be traced back to Wei Zhongxian and the emperor. The guards were merely the executioners.
Still, with the system’s prompt, Wang Lu had no objections. Changing Zhou Miaotong’s fate was not difficult, especially since his own arrival made it nearly impossible for her not to change.
The minimum reward for the side quest was two deduction points. Wang Lu briefly considered that if he simply killed Zhou Miaotong with one stroke, he might fulfill this objective.
But he imagined that if he did so, the deduction points would be minimal at best.
Zhou Miaotong’s palms sweated slightly. The lord who had been smiling moments ago now, within a few breaths, carried a dangerous aura, as if assessing the best place to strike.
Such mental telepathy made Zhou Miaotong tense all over.
Having spent six years at the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, Zhou Miaotong had seen all manner of clients and immediately wondered if this Embroidered Uniform Guard lord had some perverse tastes.
She stared nervously at Wang Lu, deciding to take the initiative and coax him to reveal himself first, hoping he would then likely abandon any twisted intentions.
Suppressing her tension, Zhou Miaotong turned sideways, embraced Wang Lu, and pressed her lips against his cheek.
---
“…”
Wang Lu’s eyes widened as he attempted to push her away, only to make Zhou Miaotong even more nervous.
Which man could resist her seduction?
After all these years at the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, which man hadn’t ogled her hungrily, longing to release themselves upon her?
Yet Wang Lu actually wanted to refuse?!
This only strengthened Zhou Miaotong’s conviction that Wang Lu had some unusual proclivity. She clung tightly to his neck, unwilling to let go, as if she wished to dissolve him into her very being.
Originally, Wang Lu had no intention of acting on Zhou Miaotong immediately. Before confirming her identity, he had already contemplated how to use her.
No coincidence—Zhou Miaoxuan of the Northern Studio, who held partial leverage over Lord Xin, was almost certainly Zhou Miaotong’s sister.
Lord Xin was weaving a secret plot to overthrow the dynasty and capture Wei Zhongxian, while Wang Lu was similarly targeting Lord Xin, constructing a trap called “Undercutting the Cauldron.”
His arrogant dismissal of Yan Junbin and playful treatment of Zhou Miaotong were merely to avoid suspicion.
He had no qualms about Zhou Miaotong’s identity; cleanliness or other concerns meant little to this rough man—otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered washing feet.
The problem was that he still needed to use Zhou Miaotong. Sleeping with her now would only complicate matters.
“Ah~”
A sharp pain burst from her lips. Zhou Miaotong released Wang Lu, her delicate fingers touching her mouth, where bright red blood stood out vividly.
“If you don’t let go, I’ll have to remind you this way,” Wang Lu said with a smile. “This might be good—you can rest a few more days and avoid entertaining clients, right?”
Wang Lu’s considerate words left Zhou Miaotong flustered. Her brows knitted as she asked, “My lord, you seemed so urgent when you first saw me, as though something had to be done immediately. Now that I’m at your mercy, why are you suddenly retreating?”
Wang Lu sat up in response to her question. “I just don’t like being passive.”
Zhou Miaotong showed no hesitation, undoing the silk ties of her clothes with nimble fingers, revealing a peach-colored bellyband in an instant.
Wang Lu was momentarily dumbfounded—her speed was faster than his words.
He quickly pressed her hands down as she reached to undo the bellyband, then said, “Wait, don’t be hasty. I have a question for you.”
“My lord, please ask,” Zhou Miaotong replied calmly, having noticed Wang Lu’s previous doubts.
“Do you know Zhou Miaoxuan?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhou Miaotong’s expression changed drastically.