When it was dark, Yu Li rode a fast horse into Huxi Town.
Huxi Town was a small town. The town stood by the lake. Most of the locals made a living by fishing. Therefore, as soon as they entered the town, they could smell the stench of the wind blowing in their faces, causing Yu Li to wrinkle his nose. The dozens of attendants behind him simply covered their noses with their sleeves.
"Dong Chang, are you sure that Jia Shi really lives here?”Turning his head, Yu Li asked his disciple Dong Chang.
Dong Chang was a middle-aged man in his forties. He had a proper appearance and was dressed in a blue robe. He looked quite like a martial artist.
Dong Chang nodded." That's right. According to the information I received, Jia Shi does live here. However, there were less than a hundred people in Huxi Town. It was only late at night, and the roads were already so deserted. They couldn't even find a dog. Where could they find Jia Shi?”Dong Chang looked around and said.
"It's fine. Since there are few people in town, it shouldn't be difficult to find him. I'm just afraid that Jia Shi will hide his identity. Then we..."
Yu Li suddenly paused as if he had discovered something. He pointed at a large wall that stretched for nearly a mile and said,"Dong Chang, look at that house."
In fact, even without Yu Li's reminder, Dong Chang had already seen the ridiculously long wall. In terms of range, the wall was even bigger than the wall of the Baylor Residence. Not only that, but there were also all kinds of lanterns hanging on the wall. When the breeze blew, the lanterns swayed, and the two words "Jia Residence" could be clearly seen on the lanterns.
The master and servant looked at each other and Yu Li said,""We've been searching for him everywhere, but it didn't take much effort to find him. It seems that we've found the right person.”
"Lord Twelve, I'll go take a look first. You wait outside.”
Yu Li quickly waved his hand." Wait, don't alert the enemy."”
Dong Changhui felt apologetic and looked around. There happened to be a bamboo forest a few feet away. He quickly turned his horse around and told his followers to hide in the bamboo forest and wait for the signal. Only then did he follow Yu Li to knock on the door.
A servant came to answer the door." What are you doing?”
Dong Chang bowed." Little brother, we missed the market and we can't find an inn in town. Can we borrow your master for the night?"”
The servant sized up Dong Chang with an extremely contemptuous gaze, as if he looked down on the frugal Dong Chang. However, when he saw Yu Li, who was standing a few steps away from Dong Chang, he was stunned. "Wait, I'll go in and ask.”
Master and servant exchanged a knowing look and waited outside the door.
After a while, the servant returned." Please come in. Our master invites you!"”
Dong Chang cupped his hands." Sorry for disturbing you!"
Just as the two of them walked around the rockery at the entrance, along the winding corridor, across the small bridge, around the lotus pond, and passed by a loft, the window of the loft was opened with a squeak, and a basin of water poured down on Yuli.
Yu Li was stunned and subconsciously jumped back, but how could he make it in time? His head and face were drenched, and even the blue embroidered robe he was wearing had been soaked in soup. He was about to heave a sigh of relief when he suddenly raised his head and heard a gentle and pleasant voice, like an oriole leaving the valley.
"Oh no, Cui Er, you splashed it on someone!”
This voice made Yu Li freeze on the spot. This voice was…
A servant girl with a double bun stuck her head out with a basin in her hand. Beside her stood a young woman around eighteen or nineteen years old. Her wet long hair hung over her shoulders. Perhaps she had just washed her hair, but the basin of shampoo fell on Yu Li's body.
Yu Li raised his head and stared at the young woman. There was doubt, surprise, and disbelief in his eyes.
The woman shouted from the attic,""I'm really sorry, you're all wet. I'll get Cui Er to help you change your clothes later, okay?”
Yu Li didn't answer and just stared at her. He raised his head to look at the woman. She was wearing a moon-white vest, revealing her snow-white arms. Her wet long hair was draped over her body, and her clothes were soaked with water. It reflected her seductive and beautiful body. That description…was very familiar.
When the woman saw Yu Li, she was also stunned. Her body quickly shrank into the attic and she used a slightly trembling voice to say to the servant girl,"Cui Er, quickly go to the master's place and get some clothes for this young master to change into. Remember to personally accompany him, understand?”
Dong Chang quickly stepped forward and took out a handkerchief to help Yu Li wipe his face." Twelfth Master, are you alright? Do you want to change your clothes first?"
Yu Li shook his head and took the handkerchief to wipe it casually. He realized that his hand was trembling slightly." It's okay. She's not a girl. It'll be fine if she touches some water!”
He turned to the servant." Who was that just now? Is she your Miss?"
The servant smiled ambiguously." No, she's our master's concubine. She's just not officially married yet. This way please, our master is waiting!”
Concubine? Then it wouldn't be her. With her looks, talent, and family background, it was impossible for her to be someone's concubine. Moreover, she had died a long time ago, hadn't she?
However, Yu Li still couldn't help but glance at the pavilion before following the servant inside.
After a while, the servant brought the two of them into the hall. Before entering the hall, Yu Li looked up at the huge plaque above him. On it was written,"Thirty-six Mandarin Duck Houses". Mandarin Duck Restaurant? What a unique name. I didn't expect Jia Shi to be so arty.
Seeing Yuli enter, a man in his fifties immediately came forward and knelt on the ground. "Jia Shi greets the twelfth master and pays his respects to the twelfth master!”
A trace of surprise flashed in Yu Li's eyes. He knew his identity? Strange! Not many people knew about his trip to Anhui, so why did Jia Shi know? It looked like he had to inform Fifth Brother to be careful.
Since Jia Shi had already recognized Yu Li's identity, Yu Li was no longer polite. He waved his hand to signal Jia Shi to stand up and sat down on the armchair. Jia Shi quickly called for people to send tea, fruits, and snacks.
"Jia Shi, how did you know I came to Anhui?" Yu Li said after drinking a mouthful of tea.”
Jia Shi smiled." It was Seventh Master who informed me to treat you well when Twelfth Master visits.”
Yukui? So it was him? He should have thought of it earlier. Old Seven had always been on good terms with Old Six and Old Nine. Old Six and Old Nine had been locked up in the Imperial Clan Court one after another, and he had been ordered to investigate his background in Anhui. With Old Seven's slippery personality, how could he not think of some ways to protect himself?
Yu Li snorted coldly. Did Old Seven tell you? Did Seventh Sister tell you why I came to Anhui?”
Jia Shi was still smiling, but a hint of slyness flashed in his small eyes." He didn't say. He only said that Master Twelve is here to investigate a case. I wonder what case it is? How's the investigation going?"
Yu Li glanced at him and asked,""Something big has happened in the capital, do you know?”
Jia Shi shook his head and cautiously replied,"This servant lives in a remote village. I really don't know how the capital is like. I hope Lord Twelve can tell me!"”
"Two months ago, Fifth Brother's house was robbed. Not long after that, the stolen goods were found in Yuanlu Pawnshop. They also found a book. I don't know what was written in the book, but it was handed over to the Emperor to be dealt with. The Emperor told me to come to Anhui to find out who recorded the book and bring him back to the capital to hand it over to the Emperor. The Emperor wanted to personally ask him if the contents of the book were true.”
"May I ask Lord Twelve, what is the name of that book?”
The corner of Yu Li's mouth curled into a cold smile. Just as he was about to speak, a little servant girl was holding a piece of clothing and standing at the door, looking at Yu Li timidly.
The servant who had led Yuli into the house quickly went forward and whispered a few words into Jia Shi's ear. Jia Shi's expression changed and he said to the little servant girl in a low voice,"Cui Er, did you really offend Lord Twelve just now?”
Cui-er was so scared that her face turned pale. She quickly knelt down." Cui-er didn't do it on purpose. Cui-er didn't expect someone to pass by at this time, so…"
Jia Shi shouted," Don't defend yourself. Go and find her for me. I want her to personally apologize to Lord Twelve!"”
"Yes, I'll go now!" Cui 'er replied.”
Not long after, a graceful and beautiful figure slowly walked in. Yu Li's entire body trembled and he almost stood up. It was her! No, she's dead. How could this woman be her?
However, that hair, that figure, and that light and nimble gait showed that the woman in front of him was the person he had been longing for day and night. But she…she looked much thinner and paler. There was a hint of depression in her flustered expression. It was not like her. She was gentle but also loved to smile. She would not have such a depressed expression on her face.
The woman came in front of Yuli and lowered her head to kneel." I offended Lord Twelve just now. Please forgive me!”
Yu Li listened carefully. Just now, when he heard it from afar, he felt that the voice was very similar. Now that he listened carefully, he realized that the accent was wrong. He should have thought too much.
So he waved his hand and wanted to wake her up, intending to take a look at her, but Jia Shi spoke before he could.
"Dai Xiu, do you know who Lord Twelve is?[How dare you offend him? I must punish you today!] Men, bring the family law!"
Hearing the two words "Dai Xiu", Yu Li's eyes widened. Dai Xiu? Her name was Dai Xiu? In this world, there was only one person called Daixiu, and that was his deceased lover, Zhu Daixiu. But why was this woman also called Daixiu? Could it be that there were really people in the world who were so similar, even to the point of having similar names?
The woman named Dai Xiu trembled and lowered her head. She didn't say a word and just kneeled there quietly.
Just as Yu Li had yet to recover from his shock, a servant had already brought over a thin and long rattan whip and handed it to Jia Shi. Jia Shi took the whip and whipped Dai Xiu without thinking.
Dai Xiu grunted, her delicate body trembling violently, but she still bit her lip, allowing the vine whip to land on her again and again.
Cold sweat dripped from her forehead onto her body, and traces of blood seeped out from her tightly clenched lips, revealing that she was in great pain.
There were a few times when Yu Li couldn't help but want to ask Jia Shi to stop, but when he thought of the fact that this woman called Dai Xiu was Jia Shi's concubine, this was Jia Shi's family business. He had no right to interfere in other people's family business. Then he thought of his purpose in coming to Anhui, he forcefully suppressed that impulse and forced himself to sit on the chair, wanting to see what Jia Shi was up to.
Cui-er, who was watching from the side, was trembling with fear. Although it was not the first time that the young miss had been punished, it was the first time she had been beaten up in front of everyone. This was too…
Cui-er looked at Yuli. The problem was with this refined and good-looking Lord Twelve. If he was willing to say something, then Miss would not have to suffer! After all, Miss was punished because of her, so she had to help Miss.
Thinking about it, she did not care about what would happen to her after this and rushed forward to kneel in front of Yu Li. "Lord Twelve, please save Miss! I can't continue to fight. If I continue to fight, Miss will lose her life. I beg you, Cui 'er will kowtow to you. I beg you, I beg you!”
Dai Xiu gritted her teeth and said in a trembling voice," Cui 'er, you don't have to beg him. I'd rather be beaten to death than…Ah!”
With a scream, Dai Xiu's body fell forward. It turned out that Jia Shi had raised his foot and kicked her in the chest, almost knocking her unconscious on the spot.
"You cheap slave, I have always treated you and your daughter well. It's fine if you don't want to repay me, but you offended Lord Twelve first and now you're speaking rudely. Do you think I don't dare to beat you to death? As he spoke, he pretended to want to kill Dai Xiu.
Yu Li's eyes narrowed as he stood up."Stop, Jia Shi! If you don't welcome me, just say so. Why do you have to teach your concubine a lesson in front of me? Dong Chang, let's go. Remember to tell Seventh Brother about the good disciples he has trained!”
Jia Shi threw down the vine whip in a panic." Please forgive me, Twelfth Master! Lord Twelve is willing to visit my humble abode, and I can't even beg for it. How can I dare to make Lord Twelve angry again? It's just that this cheap girl is too insensible, so this little one gave her a light punishment. If Lord Twelve doesn't like it, then I'll never hit her again! Please don't tell Seventh Master."
He said to Dai Xiu, who was sitting on the ground and rubbing her chest with a pale face,"Daixiu, why aren't you thanking Lord Twelfth for his grace?”
Dai Xiu sat quietly, not moving at all.
"Dai Xiu, I told you to thank Lord Twelve for his grace, didn't you hear me?”
She nodded reluctantly and kowtowed to Yu Li to express her gratitude.
Jia Shi then said,"Twelfth Master, let Dai Xiu help Twelfth Master change his clothes?"Lord Twelve is a golden branch and jade leaf. If he suffers from the cold and dew, this servant can't bear it.”
He clapped his hands, and a few maids immediately came in with new clothes, socks, and boots.
"This is a small token of my appreciation."Daixiu, help me change my clothes."”
Dai Xiu's entire body trembled as she struggled to get up. Without saying a word, she lowered her head and bowed to Yu Li. Then she walked forward without looking up at Yu Li.
When she passed by Yu Li, Yu Li smelled a fragrance coming from her body. That fragrance was something he was familiar with, something that he had been dreaming of. His gaze could not help but follow her movements, and his heart was filled with suspicion.
Jia Shi naturally noticed all of this. He stepped forward without batting an eyelid." Twelfth Master, please!”
" Mm!" Yu Li humphed and walked forward.
Originally, this mandarin duck restaurant was divided into two halls, north and south. In the north, there were 36 mandarin duck restaurants, which were used by Jia Shi to entertain guests. As for the south pavilion, it was called the Eighteen Mandala Flower Pavilion. The pavilion was built according to the mountain. The mountain was full of Mandala flowers. There was a private room in each corner, which was used by Jia Shi to entertain guests. Dai Xiu stood in a room near the north and waited.
When she saw Yu Li come in, she lowered her head silently and reached out to help Yu Li take off his clothes. Yu Li grabbed her wrist.
"Your name is Dai Xiu?"
She nodded and her body trembled slightly, trying hard to break free from his hand."Lord Twelve, please let go."
"What's your surname?"
She panted and tried to shake him off with her small hands." Please let go of me, Lord Twelve. I can't help you change."”
"Tell me your surname first."
She still did not answer. The surroundings fell into silence, so quiet that they could hear each other's breathing.
"I know even if you don't tell me. Your surname is Zhu, right?" Yu Li probed.”
She slowly raised her head. Her astonishingly beautiful face was filled with depression and helplessness, and her pair of beautiful eyes were filled with sadness.
Upon seeing her appearance, Yu Li was stunned. As if he had been struck by lightning, he suddenly let go of her.
Is that so? No? Really? Was it a dream? Did he really see the face that he missed day and night, the face that he would never forget even in his dreams?
He reached out his trembling hand and gently caressed her beautiful face. His fingertips moved from her eyebrows, her eyes, her nose, all the way to her slightly opened mouth. Finally, he could not help but pull her into his embrace. His hot lips suddenly pressed against hers, sucking heavily and savoring the aftertaste.
It was her! It was indeed her! This fragrance, this intoxicating red lips, this small mouth that he had kissed countless times, this irreplaceable familiar feeling proved one thing. His Daixiu was not dead. His Daixiu was still alive and well.
Yu Li kissed her even deeper, searching for her beauty and shyness in his memory.
That overbearing and affectionate kiss almost made Zhu Daixiu faint. It was him. It was really him. It was really him hugging her and kissing her. This was not a dream, nor was it a wild imagination. It was the real him!
She hugged him tightly and wanted to cry in his arms, telling him about the longing and thoughts she had for him since they were separated. However, Jia Shi's fat and wretched face suddenly flashed into her mind, causing Zhu Daixiu to be shocked and immediately push Yu Li away. "Lord Twelve, don't be like this, don't!”
Yu Li didn't care about Zhu Daixiu's rejection. He held her face tenderly and looked at it carefully. He said in disbelief,"Qing `er, it really is you? Am I dreaming? Qing 'er was Zhu Daixiu's nickname. It was a secret only the two of them knew. Because the so-called " Daixiu " meant " Qingshan," Yu Li called her Qing' er.
Zhu Daixiu shook her head bitterly and pushed Yu Li away again." Twelfth Master, don't ask so many questions. Let me help you change, okay?"”
Why would Yuli care about clothes now? He just wanted to find out why she wasn't dead.
"No, tell me first, why didn't you die?”He thought that she had died in that fire. He was heartbroken for her and almost wanted to kill himself and follow her. He didn't expect her to not die?
"That's not important. The important thing is to help you change your clothes first. Otherwise, you'll catch a cold.”
"No, I just want to know why you're not dead. Since you didn't die, why didn't you come and find me? You know…"
Zhu Daixiu's expression turned serious." Lord Twelfth, whether I'm dead or not, that's all in the past! The Zhu Daixiu you knew back then is already dead. The current Zhu Daixiu is Jia Shi's concubine. You should know what this means.”
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured on Yu Li's head, causing his excitement and joy to instantly dissipate.
That's right! He had almost forgotten that she was Jia Shi's concubine. No matter what happened between them in the past, she was now Jia Shi's concubine and his woman. Therefore, Jia Shi could beat and scold her at will, trample on her at will, and even order her to change his clothes.
Thinking of this, Yu Li's expression turned cold." I don't dare! You're now Grandpa Jia's beloved concubine, so you should avoid being exposed. How can I let you change my clothes?”After saying that, he turned around and wanted to leave.
Zhu Daixiu hurriedly pulled him back." Lord Twelve, please let me help you change your clothes. Otherwise, Lord will find another reason to punish me." It doesn't matter if I'm punished, but I'm afraid that even Cui Er will be implicated.”
Yu Li looked at her and did not speak for a long time.
So Zhu Daixiu reached out to untie the long buttons on Yu Li's body, from bottom to top, carefully trying not to touch Yu Li's body. However, a strong male aura kept coming from Yu Li's body, disturbing her mind. Her fingertips trembled and she accidentally pulled off a button.
Zhu Daixiu was stunned. She was so flustered that she didn't know what to do."I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I'll sew it up for you right away."”
However, Yuli did not notice at all. His attention was completely on her arm. He noticed that her fair and flawless arm was covered with whip marks, some new and some old.
He frowned." What's going on? Does Jia Shi often hit you?"
She shook her head and continued to take off his long robe and change into the new clothes that Jia Shi had prepared for him.
Yuli grabbed her hand again." Didn't you hear what I asked you just now? Does Jia Shi beat you often? Otherwise, why would you have so many scars on your body?”
She still shook her head, but her sparkling tears fell one by one."Master, if you really love Daixiu, please don't ask anything, okay?"”
Yuli frowned even more." Are you afraid of him?”
She still shook her head and had already helped Yuli put on his clothes. She also combed his hair and braided his hair again.
After everything was done, Zhu Daixiu took a step back and said respectfully,"Master, please come this way. Master is waiting.”
Yu Li didn't move and looked at her deeply." No matter why you're not dead, no matter what our relationship was in the past, I have to tell you that I'm here to investigate a case." If you know something, you'd better tell me everything. Otherwise, if we really investigate, even chickens, cats, fish, and dogs won't be spared. Zhu Daixiu is no exception!"
Yu Li flicked his sleeve and left the greenhouse, leaving the dumbstruck Zhu Daixiu standing there alone.
Heavens, why was it him? She thought that she would never have the chance to see him again in her life. She did not expect to meet him in such a sorry state.
In fact, it was not that Zhu Daixiu did not expect that she would see Yu Li again. From the time Jia Shi saved her from the fire, she already knew this. After all, Jia Shi was the Seventh Prince Yukui's man. If he let Yukui's disciple buy him, wouldn't that mean that he would one day see Yukui again? However, she did not expect this day to come so quickly, so suddenly, so unexpectedly, and so miserably.
Yes, sorry! Ever since she was born, she had never been in such a sorry state. It was fine if she was beaten up, but it was in front of Yuli? Why? Why did he have to see this scene? What would he think of her? She thought about how she had used a trick to leave him back then. Now that he knew that she was not dead, it did not matter. She even let him see her in such a sorry state. Why did the heavens tease her like this?
As Zhu Daixiu thought about it, tears unknowingly filled her eyes.
She walked out of the room and was about to return to the attic when Jia Shi's sturdy figure blocked her way. "Where do you want to go?"
Zhu Daixiu retreated nervously. She didn't know why, but she was afraid of him. It wasn't because he often beat her, but because she was afraid for no reason.
"No, I want to go back to my room," she stammered.”
"Back to the room? Lord Twelve is still waiting for you to serve him, and you want to go back to your room at this time?”
Zhu Daixiu widened her eyes and shook her head. Grandpa, I beg you, I'll do anything you want me to do. Please don't make me serve Lord Twelve."”
Jia Shi snorted coldly. Daixiu, have you forgotten what you promised me?”
Zhu Daixiu's face turned pale." I didn't forget…"
"When your father was killed and you and your mother were almost burned to death, who saved you and your mother at the critical moment and gave you such a stable and comfortable life?”Jia Shi approached step by step.
"Yes, sir." Zhu Daixiu retreated step by step.
"You once said that you would repay me. Have you forgotten?”Jia Shi forced Zhu Daixiu into a corner, leaving her nowhere to run.
"I didn't forget." Zhu Daixiu covered her chest with her hands, subconsciously wanting to protect herself.
Jia Shi reached out and pinched Zhu Daixiu's chin, turning her beautiful face to him. "Then tell me, how are you going to repay me?”
Zhu Daixiu closed her eyes." I'll do whatever you want me to do."”
"Is that so?" Jia Shi tugged at Zhu Daixiu's clothes, revealing her beautiful body that was riddled with whip marks but still flawless.
"You were originally mine. If it wasn't for the future and for the sake of Seventh Master, I wouldn't have wasted such a gift and left you in the attic without touching you. You should know what I mean, right?”
Zhu Daixiu's body trembled. Of course, she understood what Jia Shi meant. If it wasn't for today, she would have been raped by Jia Shi like her mother. How could she have lived until now?
"Serve Lord Twelve well. If he says he wants to take you away, you have to go with him, understand?”
Zhu Daixiu raised her head abruptly." But Mother…"
Jia Shi smiled deeply."Your mother is my woman. Although she is not officially married, who in the Jia residence doesn't call her Madam? Don't worry, I won't mistreat her. As long as you are obedient and serve Lord Twelve well, she will be safe. Go wash your face and let Cui Er help you dress up. Tonight, go accompany Lord Twelve. He's tired from the capital to Anhui. It depends on how you serve him, okay?”#
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。