Last night, to protect Wang Daxia's chastity, Wei Caiwei devised another honey trap scheme—creating the illusion that they had already slept together.
For this purpose, Wei Caiwei insisted that Wang Daxia shave his thick leg hair, which was dense enough to make mosquitoes get lost. Wang Daxia initially refused, "Why should a grown man shave his leg hair?"
But when Wei Caiwei took out a razor and said she would shave it for him personally, Wang Daxia abandoned all principles. He lay back in the armchair, propping his legs high on the left and right armrests to make it easier for Wei Caiwei to wield the blade.
Feeling the pads of Wei Caiwei's fingers glide over his calves, Wang Daxia instantly felt as if he were about to ascend to heaven right there in the armchair. Fortunately, his wide-sleeved crimson robe was loose enough to conceal the awakened Wang Xiaoxia.
After the shaving, Wei Caiwei meticulously instructed him on how to fabricate the scene of an illicit affair. Some of the photinia flowers in Jiangnan had already bloomed, so Wei Caiwei gathered them overnight and extracted photinia floral water. The next day, she handed it to Wang Daxia, telling him to sprinkle it around the bedroom, especially on the bed.
Strange, why sprinkle this?
Though Wang Daxia didn't understand Wei Caiwei's intention, he trusted her. After setting up the scene according to her method, Wang Daxia took out the small gourd bottle and sprinkled the photinia floral water on the bed.
The moment he did so, Wang Daxia caught a strong scent—somewhat sour, reminiscent of lime alkali, putrid, and similar to spoiled soy milk.
In short, it was unpleasant, and moreover, the smell felt somewhat familiar.
Wang Daxia twitched his nose and suddenly recalled where he had encountered this scent before, letting out a mental roar: Ah!
His handsome face flushed crimson, and as if bitten by a venomous snake, he leaped off the bed and hurriedly drew the bed curtains.
But even the thick curtains couldn't contain the odor, which aggressively spread outward from the bed as its epicenter.
Wang Daxia tossed the remaining floral water around the room and then fled the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
Wei Caiwei! How do you know so much!
Outside the courtyard, Ding Wu and Wei Caiwei took turns keeping watch on the two Japanese Pirates guarding the entrance.
Ding Wu said, "They haven't gone in yet, so Wang Daxia should have succeeded. How long will your drug last?"
Wei Caiwei replied, "That depends on how much wine Wang Daxia forced Iron Bull to drink. Usually, three cups will make him sleep for over half an hour—plenty of time."
Wei Caiwei never expected that Wang Daxia would play a mischievous and excessive prank—taking off his large red embroidered shoe and forcing Ming Wang to drink a "shoe wine.The word for "shoe" is a homophone for "harmony", implying harmonious intimacy. To refuse a drink offered with a removed shoe would be to admit one's inadequacy—how could any man allow that? He had to drink!
Wang Daxia's single shoe was at least equivalent to three ordinary women's shoes. Ming Wang fell into a deep sleep, lost in endless spring dreams, slumbering from morning until noon without waking.
Wang Daxia now realized he had gone too far, but there was nothing he could do. The courtyard was heavily guarded, and neither Wei Caiwei nor Ding Wu could enter to provide an antidote. All he could do was wait idly in the study—he dared not enter the bedroom, as the smell there was utterly diabolical.
Just as boredom set in, a Japanese Pirate arrived with a food box to deliver lunch, cautiously knocking on the door, "Ming Wang? We've brought your meal."
Wang Daxia quickly pinched his nose, returned to the bedroom, and gruffly imitated Ming Wang's voice, "Hurry up and set the table."
The Japanese Pirate pushed the door open, first cleared the leftover dishes from the table, and then laid out the steaming hot lunch.The Japanese pirate approached the door and called through it, "Does Ming Wang have any further instructions?"
Wang Daxia, holding his breath in the bedroom to avoid inhaling the suffocating scent of pure pyracantha flower dew, was nearly out of air. He just wanted to quickly send the pirate away so he could step out for fresh air.
Screw it, I'm going all in!
Wang Daxia rocked a bamboo couch in the room, creating a rhythmic creaking sound. First, he pinched his throat to let out a few coquettish giggles like "Ah, be gentle," then growled in a low, gruff voice, "Get lost!"
Wang Daxia had evolved without a teacher—from cross-dressing as a woman to playing two roles by himself.
Hearing the busy and heated scene inside, the Japanese pirate hastily grabbed the empty food container and scurried away.
After the pirate left, Wang Daxia finally escaped his ordeal, gasping for air in big breaths.
But the pyracantha scent in the bedroom clung to his hair and clothes like maggots burrowing into bone. Nauseated, he stripped off his outer robe and skirt to air them out, sitting in just his undergarments and shorts to eat lunch.
He had to eat for two people and use two sets of bowls and chopsticks. Fortunately, he was at an age when he was still growing, so eating double portions came easily to him.
Outside the courtyard, Wei Caiwei fretted anxiously, "Why hasn't he come out yet? It shouldn't take this long—it's already noon." Who would have thought Wang Daxia would get the wild idea to fill his size 45 embroidered shoes with wine! Even without any additives, he'd still get drunk!
Ding Wu remarked, "He's probably had too much to drink and hasn't woken up yet. If anything went wrong, Ming Wang would have called for someone by now."
Just then, two Japanese pirates carrying food containers went in and rushed out in a hurry.
Though Ding Wu sounded calm, he wasn't entirely confident. Picking up a gift list intended for San Niangzi, he pretended to seek Ming Wang's opinion and "coincidentally" ran into the pirates delivering the meal. "Is Ming Wang available now? I have something to ask him."
The pirates exchanged lewd smirks. One made a small circle with his right thumb and forefinger, sliding it repeatedly over his left index finger. "Ming Wang is busy with Madam Ximen right now, so busy he's forgotten about food and tea. Branch Leader Ding, don't interrupt Ming Wang's fun. You can't disturb a man during this—it'll ruin his mood. Better not risk it."
Ding Wu nodded as if he understood perfectly, slipping two silver ingots to the pirates. "Thank you both for the advice. I get it now."
Returning, he told Wei Caiwei, "Wang Daxia is still acting. He really must have drunk too much."
Wei Caiwei finally relaxed. Observing her expression, Ding Wu said, "You seem very concerned about him. Even back in the capital, you treated him differently from others. In Tieling, you preferred to keep to yourself and didn't like socializing, but in the capital, when he came over to eat every day, you never refused him."
Wei Caiwei stubbornly denied it. "Elder Brother Ding, you're overthinking it. I just needed a backer in the capital."
Ding Wu pressed, "Now that you have Consort Shang as your supporter, is Wang Daxia, a mere Hundred-Household Commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, still that important?"
Wei Caiwei replied, "He's not some rag to be used and tossed aside. After almost a year together, we're friends now."
Ding Wu pursued relentlessly, "What kind of friends?"
Wei Caiwei thought for a moment and said, "Like the kind of friends you and Lu Ying are."
Hearing this, Ding Wu fell silent. This girl had been clever since childhood—one misstep and she'd turn the tables on you.Wei Caiwei noticed Ding Wu's sudden silence, confirming her inner suspicions. However, now was not the time to discuss matters of the heart. Firstly, the White Lotus Sect remained undefeated, and secondly, Lu Ying was still in the midst of her mourning period.
Wei Caiwei could only say, "Lu Ying sacrificed her appearance to save Brother Ding. That scar would be difficult for anyone to accept, man or woman. I'll do everything I can to help reduce its visibility. Despite being in mourning, she's been working tirelessly and has sacrificed much. Though she comes from a noble family with loving parents and siblings, the pressure she faces is no less than what you endure, Brother Ding."
"Her mother constantly pressures her to marry. Currently, Wang Daxia is using his charm as a pretense to temporarily appease Li Yiren, but in three years, this issue will resurface. I hope that by then, Brother Ding and Lu Ying will have defeated the White Lotus Sect. When they return to the capital with great achievements and receive due rewards, you can restore your reputation, and Lu Ying can prove her worth extends far beyond being a virtuous wife and mother. Then, there might be a chance for things to change."
Three years. Ding Wu secretly clenched his fist.
Between intelligent people, some things need not be spoken aloud.
Observing Ding Wu's expression, Wei Caiwei sincerely hoped that lovers could be both undercover agents and partners, that Lu Ying wouldn't be forced into marriage, widowhood, or monastic life, and that Ding Wu could finally have a home instead of wandering alone.
In this lifetime, may we all be well.
By dusk, Ming Wang Iron Bull finally awoke. He was completely naked, bald, and tanned dark from years at sea posing as a Japanese pirate, without even wearing pants, resembling a smooth loach.
As Ming Wang rose, his legs felt weak and unsteady. He quickly grabbed the bedpost for support, feeling pain in his chest and back. Glancing in the mirror, he saw several bloody scratches like cat scratches, and the air was thick with the pungent, intoxicating scent of aftermath.
The bed was strewn with scattered cherry blossom petals, from the pillow to the foot of the bed, many crushed into pulp—evidence of the storm that had swept through. Madam Ximen had worn two cherry blossoms in her hair that day.
Ming Wang picked up a withered flower and sniffed it, chuckling to himself. Today, he had met his match. It had been a long time since he'd felt so exhilarated. Married women were far more interesting; those delicate, inexperienced maidens only knew how to cry, which was utterly disappointing.
Torn clothes lay scattered on the floor, none wearable. Ming Wang fetched a robe from the wardrobe, put it on, and opened the window to air out the room.
"My beauty! Where is my beauty?" Ming Wang called out for Wang Daxia.
"Here," Wang Daxia replied lazily from the study.
Ming Wang pushed open the door to the study. "Why are you here, my beauty? Why not stay with me in bed?"
"You were too fierce, my lord. My waist is nearly broken—I dare not provoke you further," Wang Daxia said, rubbing his waist and skillfully tying his hair into a bun. The scent of the pure dew Wei Caiwei had concocted was so overwhelming he couldn't stand it for another moment.
Having played the role of a woman for over a month, Wang Daxia had become proficient at doing his own makeup and hair. He applied a peach blossom makeup, making himself look as if he had just emerged from a passionate encounter.
Seeing such beauty, Ming Wang longed to revisit their intimacy, but his steps were unsteady, as if walking on clouds. Though willing, he lacked the strength and didn't want to appear "timid" before his beauty. He decided to rest for a couple of days before reclaiming his vigor.Thus, he gifted Wang Daxia a jade ruyi scepter, two sets of gold-inlaid gemstone headdresses, and a bolt of Shu Brocade, saying, "Madam Ximen has worked hard today. This is but a small token of my appreciation."
Wang Daxia accepted them all. Only when they saw him safely walk out of the courtyard gate did Wei Caiwei and Ding Wu truly breathe a sigh of relief.
After returning, Wang Daxia recounted the events in the chamber to everyone, "...We've passed today's trial, but who knows when Ming Wang might take a lustful interest in me again."
"He likely won't," Wei Caiwei said. "I administered a potent drug that damaged his liver and kidneys. From now on, he won't be able to get erect even if he tries—let alone dream of harming other young women. Even if he wants to harass you again, he lacks the tools to do so."
Author's Note: When it comes to ruthlessness, Banxia takes the crown—yet another instance of "cut it off to cure it forever."
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