Chapter 47: Raising a Tea King in the Residence (5.9K words – large chapter)

Three days later.

In the evening, a carriage stopped in front of the General Ning’s residence. The curtain was lifted, revealing Ning Taiyi’s old face and hunched back.

A servant from the mansion hurriedly came to help. At this time, a delicate and lovely face poked out from the carriage.

The young lady held Ning Taiyi’s arm and said obediently, “Uncle Ning, please be careful.”

She got out of the carriage from the side and carefully helped Ning Taiyi down.

Ning Taiyi glanced at the young lady beside him and sighed secretly in his heart.

The young lady beside him was the third daughter of the Great General Qin’s residence, Qin Yi’er. This third daughter was naturally a legitimate daughter and not an illegitimate daughter. In addition, she had another identity, and that was… the fiancée of the Zhuangyuan Lang who had once tried to kill the two Ning brothers.

What an old fox Ning Taiyi was. He could see at a glance why Qin Yi’er was here.

But, he couldn’t refuse.

Before they tore their faces apart, everyone had to follow the rules and reason.

What were the rules?

That was, if you owed a favor, and someone came to you, you had to repay it well.

In the beginning, he had sought a way out for the Ning family and had waited outside the General Qin’s residence for more than a month.

At that time, Manager Zhao had taken good care of him and had never driven him away. And after Madam Zhao returned, she had even helped him arrange the “marriage between Ning Xuan and Qin Jin’er.” Now, Madam Zhao was not being aggressive with this marriage, saying things like “the marriage contract must be adhered to.” This was already giving him a lot of face.

Although the Ning family had risen slightly, it was still small compared to the Great General Qin’s residence.

If people were willing to treat you like this, and you didn’t know how to appreciate it, then you were refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, and you didn’t understand the rules.

What’s more, when Qin Yi’er came this time, she didn’t mention the marriage at all…

After Ning Taiyi and Qin Yi’er sat down in the main hall, he directly ordered, “Call General Ning back.”

The servant went out.

Soon, Ning Xuan came back.

Others couldn’t move him even if they dragged him, but his father’s one word made him come back.

After he came back, he saw the beauty beside his father at a glance.

Petite and pretty, charming and moving, she was of the same type as Xiao Jie.

Ning Taiyi was about to introduce her, but the beauty bowed and said, “I am Qin Yi’er, the third in my family. I have seen General Ning.

I have come here rashly this time because I was anxious to find my mother. I did not expect to encounter evil spirits on the way, and all my guards were killed. Fortunately, I was pitied by the heavens and was able to escape to this place.

Today, I have boldly disturbed you, and I implore the General to allow me to stay for a few days. When my family sends someone to welcome me, I will naturally kowtow and thank you for your great kindness.”

Ning Xuan was stunned for a moment.

Beside him, Ning Taiyi said, “Xuan’er, why haven’t you made arrangements yet?”

“Yes.”

Ning Xuan did not waste any words and wanted to arrange this trouble to a mansion far away from the Ning residence.

How could Ning Taiyi not know his son’s thoughts? But Qin Yi’er had already done the work in advance. At this time, he said helplessly, “Xuan’er, Miss Qin San has encountered evil spirits and is still afraid. You… had better arrange for her to stay near your residence. With you here, she won’t be afraid of any demons or ghosts.”

Ning Xuan’s expression was calm, like a dry well without ripples. He replied, “I know, Dad.”

Ning Taiyi said, “Don’t go to the opposite side at night. What kind of behavior is that, spending time in brothels!”

As he spoke, he leaned heavily on the cane in his hand and coughed violently. The gray hair on his temples trembled, and the wrinkles around his old eyes deepened.

Compared to a few months ago, Ning Taiyi had aged visibly.

Ning Xuan suddenly looked at Qin Yi’er and asked, “Miss San, I wonder if the Qin residence has a way to prolong life?”

He had actually asked Immortal Aunt Yaozhen before, and Immortal Aunt Yaozhen’s answer was no.

Now he was asking the third daughter of the Qin family again. If the other party nodded, then he might as well change his plan.

His father had given birth to him and raised him, and had done his best to pave the way for him.

This kindness was enough for him to go against his original intention. As long as his father could live a few more years, he was not unwilling to get involved in the dispute between the new and old generals.

Before Qin Yi’er could answer, Ning Taiyi said, “Xuan’er, let alone the Qin residence, there is no such thing in this world.”

He didn’t say the rest.

But Ning Xuan knew.

This was the price of gathering the dragon qi of a region and becoming a high official of a region.

Even the Son of Heaven was like this, let alone the prefects below?

Qin Yi’er bowed slightly and said softly, “Uncle Ning, although the Qin residence does not have a way to prolong life, my mother has always personally led people to collect rare medicinal materials from the mountains and fields. When they are reunited, she will definitely send someone to bring them to you to show her filial piety and respect for the elders.”

Ning Taiyi smiled and said, “Miss San is very thoughtful.”

Immediately, he added, “Xuan’er, Miss San has been frightened all the way and is tired from the journey. Go and make arrangements.”

Ning Xuan did not move, but looked at Qin Yi’er seriously and said, “Miss San, if there is a way to prolong life, I would be very grateful.”

Qin Yi’er said sadly, “If there was such a method, I would have offered it to His Majesty to claim credit long ago. General Ning, there really isn’t.”

Ning Xuan nodded, then walked out the door and shouted, “Xiao Jie, arrange accommodation for Miss San.”

More than half a month later…

Qin Yi’er was admiring the flowers in the pavilion near Ning Xuan’s main residence.

The flowers were beautiful, and the person was even more beautiful.

Today’s Qin Yi’er was impeccable.

She did not wear any makeup, but perhaps because she had been influenced by the top-level zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting since she was a child, and with the blessing of the power and luxury of the Great General’s residence, her temperament was naturally elegant.

At this time, the scene from before flashed through her mind…

Madam Zhao said, “Ning Xuan has the posture of a tiger and a wolf, is extremely lustful, and as a general, his qi and blood are strong, and his temperament and desires are also far stronger than ordinary people.”

After speaking, Madam Zhao looked at her daughter in the carriage and said, “You need to use softness to overcome hardness.”

Then Madam Zhao ruled out the love-struck brain, on the grounds that Ning Xuan had seen countless women, and a love-struck brain would not only not make him like her, but would make him feel very annoyed.

Then, Madam Zhao ruled out the straightforward type, on the grounds that the straightforward type was a bit of a tomboy. Ning Xuan had seen so many women, how could he be moved by a tomboy?

However, the one with superb tea art was not so good either. The reason was that Ning Xuan had seen too many women, and he was decisive in killing, so it was really not easy to fool him.

After thinking about it, Madam Zhao turned her gaze to Qin Yi’er.

This was not only because Qin Yi’er was one of the women in the Qin family with quite high tea art, but also because she was the fiancée of the Ning family’s mortal enemy.

The matter of the Zhuangyuan Lang had not been dealt with, but had been muddled through.

But what the Zhuangyuan Lang had done could not be forgotten by the Ning family.

That was something that had almost caused the Ning family to be destroyed.

This could even be said to be a deep hatred.

Since that was the case, then Qin Yi’er naturally had a kind of “charm,” a “charm of revenge.” Just ask, if the enemy’s fiancée was lying under him, crying and begging for mercy, wouldn’t that also be a kind of revenge, a kind of pleasure?

The general’s qi and blood were already sufficient. If he was touched by this at a critical moment, it would naturally explode.

And as long as he touched Qin Yi’er, he would have to marry her.

A young general with a promising future, and a Zhuangyuan Lang who still needed to rely on her Qin family. Madam Zhao was naturally very happy to let the latter become the former’s stepping stone.

At this time, Qin Yi’er quietly fiddled with the golden roller, grinding the wood incense, and from time to time, she would put it on the side to weigh it, so as to mix a kind of mixed incense that could relax the body and mind, and also urge desire.

This kind of mixed incense was called “Cloud Top Peace,” and the name was given by Madam Zhao.

Lying high on a white cloud pillow, the mysterious woman comes from the sky.

Waving her hand, she scatters the jade stamens, and a thousand peaks of snow enter her embrace.

This poem alluded to the effect of this incense: floating as if riding the wind, soaring up to the clouds, playfully stealing the fairy’s jade pendant, and laughing as she embraces the snow peak and blows the jade flute.

For ordinary people, this incense would be intoxicating, but for a general, it was just right.

In other words, this thing was only good for General Ning.

A moment later, a faint fragrance had already lingered around Qin Yi’er.

She solidified the mixed incense again, picked a little and lit it on the side, and then looked at the sky.

She had an appointment with General Ning.

General Ning had to come, because General Ning hoped that she would leave as soon as possible more than anyone else. These days, General Ning had also tried his best to avoid her.

She had no choice but to throw out a piece of information, that is, the Qin residence was about to send someone to welcome her, but this matter needed to be discussed with Ning Xuan.

And today, she would accomplish it in one battle.

As long as the General came here, she would use the effect of this “Cloud Top Peace,” untie her clothes, and say, “In the past, that Huang Lang set up a trap in Manfeng Mountain to harm the General and Chou Nu, which almost caused a monstrous disaster. This kind of hatred is deep, and I am willing to atone for my sins with my body and compensate for my past mistakes.”

Huang Lang was that Zhuangyuan Lang.

Qin Yi’er mentioned this matter, aroused Ning Xuan’s anger, and then took off her clothes. With the help of this incense, it was ninety percent certain.

Even if Ning Xuan restrained himself and didn’t touch her, her clothes were already off, and her body had been seen. She could still make a fuss.

With many thoughts falling, Qin Yi’er had already made full preparations.

In the distance, footsteps had already sounded.

A young figure appeared in the full moon gate.

Qin Yi’er was about to welcome him, but she saw a petite lady following behind the young man.

She recognized this young lady.

Xiao Jie.

After Ning Xuan sat down, Xiao Jie was behind him. No matter how Qin Yi’er winked or hinted, Xiao Jie just wouldn’t leave, until Qin Yi’er said helplessly, “General, can you let Miss Xiao Jie avoid for a while?”

Only then did Ning Xuan say, “Xiao Jie, you can go down first.”

But there was no response.

“Xiao Jie?”

Ning Xuan turned his head to look.

He saw that the fair Miss Xiao Jie was twisting her body, biting her red lips, her eyes full of tenderness, as moist as an apricot in a light spring rain.

“General, I’m hot.”

“General… I… I’m so hot.”

Xiao Jie tore her clothes, revealing her fair skin, and sat on Ning Xuan’s thigh. She hooked her arms around his neck and began to seek pleasure as if no one was around.

Qin Yi’er was completely stunned.

How could what she was going to do be preempted by this little maid?

“General… I… I can’t take it anymore.”

“General!”

Xiao Jie turned into a white swan, her snowy neck held high, her hot breath exhaled, and she began to moan.

Ning Xuan was also upset, and then looked at Qin Yi’er opposite him with an apologetic expression, and said, “I’m sorry, Miss San.”

After speaking, he held Xiao Jie and returned to the room in Qin Yi’er’s still dazed gaze.

After a night of passion.

Xiao Jie was exhausted. She pointed at the General’s brow and said, “You have to add money.”

Ning Xuan smiled and said, “You are still capable. You saw through what that Miss San wanted to do at a glance.”

Xiao Jie chuckled, and while laughing, she said, “Remember to add money.”

The next day.

In the garden.

Qin Yi’er was thinking about countermeasures.

She sniffed a flower hanging from a branch, but her thoughts were drifting far away.

She had already determined her enemy in this inner residence.

This enemy was Xiao Jie.

If it weren’t for that maid named Xiao Jie causing trouble yesterday, she would have already succeeded.

Afterwards, when the general with a decadent aura appeared again to discuss matters with her, he had already changed to another place, and all her preparations had naturally failed.

In the past, Madam Zhao had waited for Ning Taiyi for more than a month, so she would only stay for more than a month, and would not create any extra favors.

She only had so much time to carry out her mission.

Now, there was not much time left…

No matter what, she had to find a way to get rid of this maid, and then do it again.

Of course, she couldn’t kill anyone here, so she had to use her proud tea skills to make the enemy leave the stage.

She had observed Xiao Jie’s movements. As long as Xiao Jie was still in the General’s residence, she would pass by here at this time every day.

She was waiting.

She had already thought of a strategy.

After waiting for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Xiao Jie really came.

“I have seen Miss San.” Xiao Jie bowed gracefully, and then wanted to hurry forward.

Qin Yi’er shouted, “Stop.”

Xiao Jie stopped and asked, “What are Miss San’s orders?”

Qin Yi’er stared at her. After hearing footsteps nearby, she suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself hard.

The sound of the slap was very clear!

The next moment…

Xiao Jie fell to the ground as a conditioned reflex. Her right hand skillfully pressed and clawed at her cheek, and immediately, five clear marks appeared on her snow-white face.

Qin Yi’er was stunned again.

And in this moment when she was stunned, Xiao Jie was already crying her eyes out, and while crying, she shouted, “I’m sorry, Miss San, it’s my fault, it’s all my fault, sob sob sob…”

Footsteps came from outside. It was a stout maid from the mansion.

When the stout maid saw this scene and then saw the swollen marks on Xiao Jie’s face, she immediately came forward and shouted, “Sister Jie, what’s wrong with you?”

Xiao Jie pulled the maid.

The maid looked at the third miss standing on the other side in horror, and immediately understood something. Her legs went soft, and she hurriedly knelt down and said, “Miss San, Miss San.”

Xiao Jie covered her face and said, “Miss San, please spare me. I am of humble status. Miss San, please don’t take it out on me.”

There were also guards outside. When they saw this scene, they hurriedly ran to find General Ning.

Qin Yi’er finally reacted.

She… had been set up.

No.

To be precise, it wasn’t that she had been set up, but that she had set up a trap, but this maid named Xiao Jie was faster than her, so she had used her trap to turn the tables on her.

Qin Yi’er was furious.

She glanced at the surroundings and began to wait for Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan had long sensed the situation in his mansion. Before the guards had even arrived to report, he had already appeared.

Qin Yi’er hurriedly came over, bowed gracefully, and said sadly, “General, please listen. Today, the wind was gentle and the sun was beautiful. I was leisurely admiring the flowers in this garden. At that time, this maid named Xiao Jie came in a hurry from somewhere. Before I could ask, she actually raised her hand and slapped herself hard, and then she kept begging for mercy. I was really confused and didn’t know what she was doing. I hope the General will investigate and get to the bottom of this matter.”

Xiao Jie cried like a pear blossom in the rain, covering her face and saying, “It’s all my fault, it’s not Miss San’s fault, it’s all my fault. Please punish me, General.”

Ning Xuan’s face immediately turned green.

He squatted down beside Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie threw herself into his arms and cried even harder, “I… I know that Miss San’s status is noble and her position is high. I only beg Miss San not to take it out on the General. It’s all my fault. If you want to punish me, then punish me… sob sob sob…”

Ning Xuan held Xiao Jie tightly, then looked at Qin Yi’er, and said in a calm tone, “Miss San, I’m sorry for the poor hospitality.”

Xiao Jie hurriedly grabbed Ning Xuan’s hand, then bravely wiped away her tears, like a small flower that had experienced a storm but was still trembling and standing straight on the ground.

She said softly, “General, it’s okay, I’m not in pain.”

Qin Yi’er still wanted to explain.

Xiao Jie interrupted her at the right time and said again, “I’m not in pain.”

Ning Xuan’s face became even more livid.

Qin Yi’er’s mentality collapsed. Her face was ferocious, and she said, “Good! Good! Good! It’s really good!

General Ning, you have raised a tea king in your back residence to resist foreign invasion, right?

The General is really capable. There are fierce soldiers guarding the border outside, and there are maids guarding the back residence inside. I admit defeat! I admit defeat!!”

Half a month later, the carriages of the General Qin’s residence came and took away the third miss, Qin Yi’er.

After the carriage left Wangyue Prefecture, Manager Zhao, who was driving the carriage himself, said simply to the back, “Ning Xuan has requested a reduction of one prefecture, and His Majesty has granted it. Now his jurisdiction has been changed from two prefectures to one prefecture, Wangyue Prefecture.”

In the carriage, Qin Yi’er, who was like a defeated rooster, her eyes suddenly lit up.

“Uncle, is it true?”

Manager Zhao’s fat face showed a smile, and he said, “It happened a long time ago. The First Lady knew that you would not succeed.”

“A general of one prefecture?” A sneer appeared on Qin Yi’er’s pretty face. This smile found her a way out. The corners of her lips curled up, and her decadent expression quickly returned to calm. Then she commented, “In a situation of great contention, he doesn’t dare to contend. When the wind comes, he doesn’t dare to soar. What kind of general is he?”

Manager Zhao smiled and didn’t say much.

He could see that his niece’s trip to Wangyue Prefecture was not smooth. But it was impossible to say that she was bullied. If she was really bullied, his niece would have exploded long ago.

Manager Zhao was a little curious about what his niece had encountered, but he would not take the initiative to ask.

At this time, when he saw her comment like this, he only thought that she was venting, and it was fine.

For him, he quite admired that young general.

In the past, he held two sabers, and with one step forward, he scared the personal guards of the General’s residence into holding their weapons. He could also solve the demon disaster in Ping’an Prefecture and retreat completely. It was really not simple.

At this time, this move of “requesting a reduction” seemed to have lost its bloodiness, but if it was combined with what was happening on this land at this time, it was really the right thing to do.

But… it was just the right thing to do.

Now, the demon disaster was like a fire entering a wasteland, and it was igniting everywhere. A retreat could certainly seek temporary stability, but a prefecture was ultimately “a clever wife cannot cook without rice.”

He had also heard about His Majesty’s “Divine General Plan.” This plan was indeed a rare opportunity for a small family with only “the foundation of a prefect’s term” to rise.

That Ning Xuan should have seized it.

But he refused.

His Majesty also agreed, because although a general was rare, this vast land could produce a general from tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people, so there were many. What’s more, with the development of the demon disaster, there would only be more and more generals and demonic plague martial artists in the future.

His Majesty agreed because His Majesty was not short of talent.

A general who could use the power of demons, but had not even entered the ranks, and did not dare to fight, would soon be eliminated.

Thinking of this, he turned his head slightly and smiled to comfort his niece, “After you entered Wangyue Prefecture, many things have actually happened. This time, you failed. In fact, it is not you who should be annoyed, but that Ning Xuan… he failed to seize the opportunity when the tide was just rising.”

Qin Yi’er nodded, and then suddenly seemed to have remembered something, and said viciously, “Uncle, after you go back, find someone to help me investigate a maid named Xiao Jie by Ning Xuan’s side.”

Manager Zhao was stunned for a moment, but this matter was just a piece of cake, so he replied, “Alright.”

“His Majesty has agreed to your request for a reduction. The new tiger tally will be sent soon. That tiger tally will only have the power of one prefecture.” Immortal Aunt Yaozhen’s tone was very flat. At the same time, she placed the pill refined from the “Incense-Stealing Mouse” on Ning Xuan’s table, and added, “This pill can still be refined with the dragon fire of one prefecture. It won’t work if it’s a higher level!”

Ning Xuan took the pill and looked at it carefully in the sunlight.

The fragrance of the pill made him feel refreshed. He felt a sense of relief in his heart, because he had heard Immortal Aunt Yaozhen say that “the gap between the pill consumer and the pill he consumes must not be too large. If they are similar, then it is ninety percent certain.”

In this way, he could first summon the Heavenly Demon Record of the “Incense-Stealing Mouse,” let his spirit surpass that of the “Incense-Stealing Mouse,” and then consume the “Incense-Stealing Mouse” pill.

At this time, Immortal Aunt Yaozhen added, “His Majesty has also issued a secret decree.”

Ning Xuan turned his head and said, “I know.”

“But, I haven’t said what the secret decree is yet.” Immortal Aunt Yaozhen said curiously.

Ning Xuan said, “What secret decree?”

Immortal Aunt Yaozhen said, “His Majesty said that he knows your heart of seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, and it is good to hide for a while, but you must not neglect your cultivation. Now, to the outside world, His Majesty has personally written your strength on your evaluation book as ‘not in the ranks’.”

Ning Xuan was stunned for a moment.

He… should have already entered the second grade.

The information about him outside could be displayed as the first grade.

“Hiding a little, revealing a little” could last for a long time.

If he revealed too much, he would certainly have to fight hard, and it would be difficult to resist when he encountered great risks; but if he hid too much, it would also attract unnecessary trouble.

After thinking for a while, he said carefully, “Immortal Aunt, do you think it’s possible to ask His Majesty to change my strength back?”

Immortal Aunt Yaozhen: ???

She snorted, and her mood, which had improved because of His Majesty’s secret decree, also worsened.

She flicked her sleeves and left.

Ning Xuan stood there, his hands slightly clenched.

These two arms did not have scales yet.

But, it was coming soon.

Now, the Ning family had finally jumped out of the original confusing and dangerous situation. He also had time to slowly develop, slowly enjoy, and slowly explore.