Chapter 16: You Threaten Like a Spoiled Child

Page 1/3

Almost stripping Wang Lu bare in the blink of an eye, Zhou Miaotong suddenly froze as if time itself had been halted by him. Her pale fingers were held firmly by Wang Lu’s hand, her eyes wide open, filled with confusion and surprise.

Her delicate, flawless face—like a polished goose egg—especially with that mix of resistance and invitation, made one almost want to tease her. If Wang Lu didn’t have the habit of handling business first, he would have taken care of Zhou Miaotong right then and there.

“It seems you still remember things from childhood,” Wang Lu said, looking down at her from above. The distance between them was barely four or five inches; both could feel each other’s breath, especially Zhou Miaotong.

Wang Lu had been caught off guard earlier when she almost stripped him in a flash, but now he had regained his usual composure, once again holding Zhou Miaotong completely in his grasp.

As he had said, he preferred to take the initiative rather than be passive.

That feeling of controlling someone else was far more gratifying to him than the matter itself.

Zhou Miaotong was so beautiful—Wang Lu wasn’t about to castrate himself.

Those who transmigrated into eunuchs often tried every possible way to restore their manhood; how could he possibly spiritually emasculate himself?

Zhou Miaotong suppressed the tremor within, trying to reach out to grab Wang Lu, only to find her hands firmly pinned by his one hand, unable to move.

Women were inherently weaker, and someone like Zhou Miaotong, who earned her living lying down, was even more fragile, powerless to resist.

Feeling her struggle, Wang Lu tightened his grip on her soft, tender hands and raised an eyebrow, saying:

“Don’t struggle, and don’t scream. Since I’m asking, it means I know something you don’t. If you want to know, I’ll let you go, and we can talk it through slowly?”

After biting her lip and thinking for a moment, Zhou Miaotong finally nodded.

Who were the Embroidered Uniform Guards?

They were the notorious, ruthless agents of the imperial court, feared and despised in the capital for over a century. Zhou Miaotong’s family had been confiscated by them. Now, whenever Zhou Miaoxuan’s name was mentioned, how could Zhou Miaotong not be afraid?

Words like “settling scores after the autumn harvest” flashed through her mind like lightning.

Page 2/3

The next moment, Wang Lu rose from the bed and walked straight to the table.

There were still some leftover dishes and wine on it, but Wang Lu disliked eating leftovers. He opened the door and ordered fresh food and wine.

Closing the door behind him, Wang Lu noticed Zhou Miaotong sitting motionless with her hands crossed over her chest. His eyes involuntarily lingered on her embroidered bodice for a long while, indulging in the sight before finally saying, “Do you still want to hear what I have to say? Hurry up and get dressed. Otherwise, the delivery eunuch might come in and see everything.”

Zhou Miaotong snapped back to reality, quickly tying her bodice and loosely fastening her clothes.

That snow-white skin was immediately hidden, much to Wang Lu’s diminished pleasure.

She sat on the edge of the bed, a hint of sadness in her expression, and said, “I’ve been looked at countless times here already. One more time won’t make a difference.”

Wang Lu placed his sword on a cabinet by the wall and paced over to the window, gazing at a white figure glimpsed in the distant small garden. A faint smile crept onto his lips as he said:

“You can’t say it like that. Work is work, life is life. You have to separate the two. Even if you’re a government courtesan, you must have your own principles, right?”

Zhou Miaotong steadied her racing heart, unwilling to be toyed with by Wang Lu, and feigned indifference: “At this point, life and work are both beyond me. It’s just about getting through the remaining days. When my beauty fades, I’ll be sent away to serve new girls, washing clothes and cooking, waiting to die.”

“You’re such a pessimist, girl. Tsk tsk. Didn’t your lover, Yan Junbin, say he was saving money to redeem you?” Wang Lu deliberately stared outside without moving.

Ding Baiying held her breath, eyes darting to see if the man at the window had vanished, cursing silently in her heart.

“Did he really find me, or was it a coincidence? What exactly does this lackey want? My senior brother said he might be trouble. Looks like he was right!”

“How do you know that?” Zhou Miaotong asked in surprise.

Wang Lu turned with a smile: “The Embroidered Uniform Guards are intelligence agents. There’s nothing happening in the capital that I don’t know. But right now, shouldn’t you be more concerned about what I just mentioned—Zhou Miaoxuan?”

At the mention of Zhou Miaoxuan, Wang Lu returned and lowered his voice.

“Your name is Zhou Miaotong, and she’s Zhou Miaoxuan. Isn’t that a remarkable coincidence?” Wang Lu stepped in front of her.

Panic flashed in Zhou Miaotong’s eyes, but then she suddenly realized something and asked, “How do you know my surname is Zhou, sir?”

“Uh, isn’t it written on your sign?” Wang Lu calmly lifted a strand of her hair.

“The sign only says ‘Miaotong,’ no surname!” Zhou Miaotong stared intently at Wang Lu.

Page 3/3

Wang Lu felt slightly embarrassed and was about to explain when Zhou Miaotong spoke again with conviction:

“Looks like I misunderstood you. Before, I really thought you came here just to seek pleasure. Now, it seems your real purpose has always been me, hasn’t it?”

Bang!

Wang Lu suddenly grabbed Zhou Miaotong’s delicate neck with the hand that had been playing with her hair. Her body staggered backward from the force, but a smile appeared on her face.

Wang Lu stared at her seemingly triumphant expression and said calmly, “Women always like to think they’re clever.”

Though Zhou Miaotong was being choked, she felt no fear now because she believed she had discovered Wang Lu’s true motive for coming here.

“Am I wrong? Or perhaps I’m not your real target, and your true goal is… Miaoxuan?” Zhou Miaotong deliberately paused when mentioning Miaoxuan’s name.

But Wang Lu did not become angry or embarrassed as she expected; instead, he smiled and said, “Looks like you have some brains after all. Since that’s the case, stop playing hide and seek with me. Be straightforward—I ask, you answer.”

Zhou Miaotong was puzzled. According to Wang Lu, she seemed to be right, so why wasn’t he afraid?

“If I’m right, aren’t you afraid?” she asked.

Wang Lu looked surprised: “Afraid of what? I’m a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Afraid of a government courtesan like you? Are you joking? You think knowing a little lets you bargain with me? You need to get a grip on your position.”

Zhou Miaotong was stunned. Wang Lu’s words made a certain sense.

Even if she knew something, what could she do?

Seeing her expression, Wang Lu chuckled, “Have you thought it through? Heh, to threaten someone, you need strength. Otherwise, it’s just like throwing a tantrum. Now that you’re a bit clearer, can I ask my questions?”

Zhou Miaotong nodded in humiliation.

Threatening someone and having them call your bluff, questioning your ability—no one, man or woman, can stand that, especially when one truly lacks the power.

“What is your relationship to Zhou Miaoxuan?” Wang Lu asked.