Ding Wu refused to have such a brother-in-law!
Although he had seen Wang Daxia's even more enchanting and flirtatious appearance when fighting Japanese Pirates in Xinghua City, and even admired Wang Daxia's dedication to eliminating the White Lotus Sect and Japanese Pirates by sacrificing his charm, considering him extremely professional.
However, at that time, Banxia and Wang Daxia had no formal relationship, and Ding Wu didn't regard him as a brother-in-law. What doesn't concern you doesn't worry you—you don't feel the pain until the knife cuts you. Now, with Wang Daxia repeatedly calling him "brother-in-law," Ding Wu felt utterly unwilling and thought him unworthy of his sister.
Ding Wu asked, "You're already married to my sister Banxia. As a husband, you should stand firm and be responsible. Why are you dressed like this again?"
Wang Daxia sighed softly, putting on a helpless expression of being "forced into prostitution." "I don't want to do this either, but Lu Ying said that Sect Leader Zhao Quan has seen my face. If I'm recognized, you could be in danger. If I disguise myself as a woman, even if I walk right up to Zhao Quan, he won't know who I am, making it less suspicious."
Hearing that it was Lu Ying's request, Ding Wu had no objections and asked, "Where is my sister?"
Ding Wu was a principled man, and his principle was Lu Ying. Lu Ying's judgment was always correct, so Wang Daxia ought to dress as a woman.
Wang Daxia also missed his newlywed wife. He had been forcibly deprived of his wedding leave and compelled to take on this new mission. He said, "She said she wanted to open a pharmacy in Fengcheng. I strongly opposed it—this is enemy territory after all, too dangerous. So, I persuaded her to stay with General Qi for now as a military doctor. Once you and I set a time, Lu Ying will escort her here disguised as a merchant selling cosmetics to meet you at the pharmacy in Fengcheng."
General Qi referred to Qi Jiguang, who had been urgently transferred to guard the northern border.
Hearing this, Ding Wu felt somewhat relieved. "You did well. This place is indeed fraught with trouble. Although I miss her dearly, it's best she comes here as little as possible."
Wang Daxia raised his hand in a delicate gesture, flicking the stray hairs at his temple. "Naturally, everyone cherishes their own wife." Wang Daxia always denied it verbally, but inwardly, he had long immersed himself in the role, every smile and glance exuding charm.
Ding Wu pretended not to see it and said, "Since I'm out, I need to buy something to report back. Help me pick a few items to give to San Niangzi."
Wang Daxia recalled Jin Ying's appearance—her eyebrows like distant mountains, skin as pure as highland snow, lips pale like early spring cherry blossoms. From the counter, he selected grayish-green eyebrow pigment, almond cream for moisturizing, whitening, and brightening the skin—made from almond oil mixed with jasmine pollen, finely ground mica flakes, clam powder, borneol, and other ingredients—a box of hibiscus powder with gold and silver foil, and two bottles of hand cream.
Ding Wu knew nothing about makeup. Pointing to the most expensive spiral eyebrow pigment on the counter, he said, "This should be the best, right? Why give the lower-priced green pigment to someone as worldly as San Niangzi?"
Wang Daxia refused to switch. "The spiral pigment is too dark—it suits Banxia but not San Niangzi. This green pigment has a grayish tone that complements her features better. Also, this almond cream already contains powder; it moisturizes while adding a rosy glow and brightness to the skin. After applying this, no additional powder is needed. As for the hibiscus powder, don't use it all over the face—just lightly brush it on the cheeks as blush for the best effect."In my memory, Jin Ying always wore a cold expression, her face slightly pale.
Ding Wu listened as Wang Daxia spoke with such authority, feeling increasingly uncomfortable inside: How could my sister fall for someone like him! He consoled himself, thinking, "It seems you've learned quite a bit in advance to infiltrate Fengcheng in this line of work."
Wang Daxia said, "Over the years, I've gained some benefits from disguises. I often dress as a woman and have slowly figured out some insights. For the past three years, I've frequently styled Banxia's hair and applied her makeup—no matter how intricate the hairstyle, I can manage it. Everyone says the makeup I do for Banxia looks beautiful. When my brothers need disguises for missions, they all come to me for help. Everyone's skin tone is different, so the cosmetics used must vary. That's why I opened a rouge shop—aside from fighting, this is the only skill I have."
Wang Daxia deliberately flaunted his abilities in front of his brother-in-law. "This business is quite profitable. I've calculated that it earns more than running a pharmacy. In the future, even if I leave the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I can rely on this skill to support my family. More skills mean more opportunities. If Banxia marries me, she'll never have to worry about food or clothing."
Ding Wu was speechless for a moment, forcing himself to think positively: Fine, consider this your strong point. Who told my sister to fall for you? Since she's already married you, I have to accept you as my brother-in-law. I can't cause trouble for Banxia or put her in a difficult position.
Wang Daxia skillfully cut matching silk fabric in color and texture, wrapped each cosmetic item carefully, and handed them to Ding Wu.
Ding Wu asked, "How's business today?"
Wang Daxia replied honestly, "Counting your order, brother-in-law, I've just opened for the day."
And he claims he can support a family! He might as well live on air!
Ding Wu couldn't help offering some advice, "Stop standing or sitting improperly at the door while snacking on melon seeds. You don't look like a respectable woman at all. No proper lady would come here to buy things."
Wang Daxia suddenly understood, "So that's it! No wonder my recent big orders have all been from groups of girls from the street corner, and a few shady men who kept hinting and asking where I used to do business. They thought I was in the flesh trade, not the cosmetics business."
Ding Wu asked him, "How did you respond?"
Wang Daxia said, "I just told them, 'Don't ask about my past,' and focused only on business, nothing else."
Well, Wang Daxia had unintentionally almost confirmed that his previous work wasn't exactly respectable.
Seeing Ding Wu's displeased expression, Wang Daxia quickly raised his hand to swear, "I'll never greet customers like that again. I'll just wait properly behind the counter for business. You have to believe me, brother-in-law—I've always remained chaste for Banxia."
Ding Wu said, "You're constantly surrounded by women and cosmetics. I hope you don't mess around. You know better than anyone what my sister is capable of. If you dare hurt her, I won't plead for you."
From the double homicide of Thousand Household Chen and his son to the clever killing of Yan Shifan with dancing mushrooms at Wudang Mountain, Wei Caiwei had maintained a flawless record of lethal successes. If you dare cheat on my sister, your head won't remain on your shoulders.
Faced with this threat from his brother-in-law, Wang Daxia hastily swore his loyalty to the heavens, "I will strictly abide by the way of a faithful husband. Though I walk through the flowers, not a single petal shall cling to me."
Ding Wu and Wang Daxia arranged to meet Banxia the day after tomorrow. Then, carrying gifts, Ding Wu went to the Khanate Court.Lu Ying escorted Banxia to Fengcheng. As they passed through Bansheng Land, they witnessed the fields cultivated by fifty thousand White Lotus Sect followers—deeply dug wells, newly built irrigation channels striving to alleviate the drought's devastation of crops, and heavily guarded earthen fortress villages. Seeing the sect's power in Fengcheng with their own eyes, they finally understood the weight behind Ding Wu's vow: "I shall not return until the White Lotus is destroyed."
This was truly daunting!
Had they not seen it themselves, they could never have grasped the nearly hopeless pressure Ding Wu faced daily in enemy territory. The journey had been an eye-opening, deeply shocking experience, especially for Wei Caiwei. After their reunion, she couldn't suppress her concern: "Brother Ding, the White Lotus Sect's influence here is deeply entrenched, not built in a day. When will you be able to return?"
Would Brother Ding have to sacrifice his entire life here?
Seeing Ding Wu's hardships, Wei Caiwei didn't even notice Wang Daxia's antics under the table: he'd taken off his embroidered shoes and was using his foot to playfully entangle her leg—a trick he'd learned from the ladies at his rouge shop's major clientele. Still basking in newlywed fervor after days apart, Wang Daxia was craving his wife's company.
Wang Daxia's heart belonged to Wei Caiwei; Wei Caiwei worried about Ding Wu; while Ding Wu's gaze lingered on the faint scar on Lu Ying's face as he remarked:
"You've seen those sect followers laboring in the fields. Most are peasants who lost their land in the Central Plains, deceived by the White Lotus Sect into reclaiming wasteland here for survival. They farm honestly, self-sufficient, neither stealing nor robbing—they're not evil. True scoundrels like leader Zhao Quan, who guide Tartar troops to invade his own homeland, are few. Not all in the White Lotus Sect are wicked."
Lu Ying's expression turned murderous. "Then we eliminate only the ringleaders—take out those traitors who guide the enemy. The ordinary followers won't pose a threat afterward. Compile a list, and we Embroidered Uniform Guard will execute them. Without guides, Tartar armies won't find it easy to raid our borders again."
That... was actually a viable approach. The Tartar forces were fierce warriors, and while Qi Jiguang defending the borders was a peerless general, he'd just arrived without his familiar Qi Family Army. Reorganizing and training new troops would take time.
Having infiltrated the White Lotus Sect for seven years, Ding Wu knew every villain and crime intimately. He took up his brush to write the list, filling stack after stack of paper before binding them into a ledger.
Lu Ying skimmed through it—over a hundred names! These betrayers of nation and hometown deserved execution.
Wang Daxia cracked his neck and knuckles. "Finally, real work instead of mixing cosmetics. Let's eliminate these traitors together."
Lu Ying declared, "We'll call it Operation Locust—wiping out these pests that plague our country and people."
Wei Caiwei added, "Count me in. I brought plenty of 'special supplies' this time. The sooner we eradicate these locusts, the sooner Brother Ding can return home."Wei Caiwei couldn't focus solely on her own happiness with Wang Daxia. Every time she looked at Ding Wu, her heart ached. In her previous life, by this time, the Ding family had already been exonerated, with official status and property restored. Ding Wu had returned to the capital from his exile in Tieling, reuniting with his father Ding Rukui who had been released from the Embroidered Uniform Guard Prison. Restored to his status as an official's son, he finally gained freedom and began traveling everywhere, living a carefree life.
In this reborn life, Ding Wu had taken on the responsibility of eliminating the White Lotus Sect, trapped in purgatory yet yearning for the human world. Wei Caiwei resolved that this time, she must rescue Ding Wu from this hell. In this lifetime, they all must find happiness—not a single one left behind.
Ding Wu was going through the list one by one, detailing the positions and residences of the locusts within the White Lotus Sect, when they heard someone banging on the door. Wang Daxia said, "A customer here to buy something. I'll go see and send them away."
Wang Daxia walked to the main hall and called through the door, "Sorry, we're taking inventory today. Please come back tomorrow."
The person outside snarled viciously, "Open up now! We're here to investigate Ming dynasty spies!"
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