In the Yanxia Dynasty, aside from the imperial surname Zhao, there were six prominent noble families: Xiao, Cui, Liu, Xie, Lu, and Ji, each renowned and illustrious.
The Lanling Xiao clan, with centuries of heritage, had endured through dynastic changes and the chaotic Warring States period, standing unshaken with countless members ennobled as dukes and marquises. The current Empress hailed from this family.
The Cui, Xie, and Lu clans were also noble houses, while the Liu and Ji families, rising only within the past half-century, lacked the same depth of legacy compared to the Langya Cui clan.
Yet, the current Emperor’s stance toward these six families was complex—both restraining and suppressing them, balancing annual rewards with authority and intimidation.
Lady Xie, named Xie Lingwan, was a direct daughter of the Gusu Xie family, of noble status, and technically the Empress’s sister-in-law.
Unfortunately, the Xiao clan’s prodigy never enjoyed such a beauty. On their wedding night, he died mysteriously, leaving Xie Lingwan a widow at the age of her coming-of-age ceremony.
The Xiao clan believed she had jinxed their fourth young master to death. But out of respect for the Gusu Xie family, they couldn’t expel her.
Instead, they relegated her to a secluded courtyard with food and lodging, her future bleak and filled with resentment.
After three years as a living widow, Wei King’s Consort Xiao Yao visited her natal family.
Learning of Xie Lingwan’s miserable state, Xiao Yao took pity and invited her to stay in Ye City to catch up.
Leaving the Xiao clan was a relief for Xie Lingwan, and the Xiao family was eager to be rid of the “cursed” widow.
Thus, both sides agreed, and Xie Lingwan settled long-term in the Wei King’s Mansion, helping Consort Xiao care for the six-year-old heir.
But fortune is fickle. At fourteen, Ji Yanqing lost his mother, Consort Xiao Yao, to illness.
Noble families prized propriety, and by custom, Xie Lingwan should have returned to the Lanling Xiao clan. But Ji Yang, a rough man by origin, cared little for such rules.
Since Xie Lingwan wished to stay, he let her, tasking her with disciplining the heir to keep Ji Yanqing from causing trouble in Ye City.
Passing through a hundred-pace gallery and along a tranquil path, Ji Yanqing, freshly bathed and changed, hurried to the courtyard by Dawn Spring Lake.
Lady Xie lived in the main house, with a side room dedicated to a Buddhist shrine.
The autumn wind was bleak, the courtyard’s exotic flowers withered, a few yellowed leaves still dewy.
With the mindset of visiting a grave, Ji Yanqing knocked lightly and said respectfully, “Auntie Xie, I’m back.”
After a moment’s silence, a delighted voice came from the Buddhist hall. “Yanqing, it’s cold outside—come in quick!”
As a young man with normal inclinations, being constantly watched by a stunning widow was overwhelming. Ji Yanqing usually dodged her like a thief.
But Lady Xie, with a strong sense of duty, felt that with the Consort gone and the Wei King often in Chang’an, she was obligated to discipline the heir. Her zeal for watching Ji Yanqing surpassed even catching an adulterer.
Aside from Ye City’s pleasure houses, there was nowhere she couldn’t find him.
Ji Yanqing cautiously opened the door, greeted by a vision: a beautiful woman with intricately styled hair, dressed in a scarlet gauze skirt. Her cheeks glowed like autumn peaches, her eyes like a seductive fox, her allure soul-snatching.
“Last night, Mo Pang said you were ambushed. I nearly fainted from fright… Your sister Yao entrusted you to me. If anything happened to you, how could I face the Wei King and Consort…” Her voice broke with a sob, her eyes rimmed red.
“Why sit so far? Think your auntie will eat you?”
Reluctantly, Ji Yanqing edged closer, her faint fragrance stirring his senses.
Any man would struggle to keep impure thoughts at bay facing Xie Lingwan’s graceful figure, wasp waist, and curvaceous hips.
Noticing the heir’s awkwardness, Lady Xie frowned, lifting his chin with a resentful glance. “What, after seeing Duke Yan’s second daughter’s youthful beauty, you think your auntie’s nagging?”
“No way, I love Auntie Xie the most. I’ve already broken off the engagement with Duke Yan’s daughter,” Ji Yanqing said with a forced smile, speaking as a junior to avoid ambiguity.
“Silver-tongued…” Lady Xie chided, her tone softening, but her jade-like hand slipped toward his collar.
Ji Yanqing quickly grabbed her wrist, saying earnestly, “Auntie, don’t touch. Men and women shouldn’t be so close.”
“I’m your aunt! What’s wrong with a little touch? I’m just worried about you!” Lady Xie huffed, her face flushing as she realized her misstep. She folded her hands at her waist, resuming her usual refined demeanor.
“An heir breaking off an engagement with Duke Yan’s daughter—just send a divorce letter. But no, you had to go in person. People might think the Wei King’s Mansion is beneath them.”
“Duke Yan guards Liaodong and has the Emperor’s trust. Breaking the engagement was already a slight. How could I not go myself?”
“I don’t care. If something had happened to you, I’d demand answers from Duke Yan.” Her fierce expression softened, and she said tenderly, “Your brother-in-law asked me to discipline you, but how could I bear to? I want to hold you, cherish you, keep you close…”
Twirling a stray lock of hair, her tone was plaintive and seductive, less like admonishing a junior and more like flirting with a wayward lover.
[Name: Xie Lingwan]
[Beauty: 96.5 (Seductive Mature Woman)]
[In the Buddhist hall, the enchanting Lady Xie pours out her heart, revealing her lonely, unfulfilled life…]
[Option 1: Facing such a bewitching beauty, a Wei Wu spirit stirs within you. The secluded hall is perfect—undo your belt, let her take you in her mouth. Reward: Eye of Delusion-Breaking.]
[Option 2: As the saying goes, filial piety is paramount. Since Auntie’s life is lonely, as a junior, you must take responsibility—perhaps at the Buddha’s expense. Reward: Black Dragon Demon Claw.]
[Option 3: Taste the rouge on Xie Lingwan’s lips, savor your auntie’s “care.” Reward: Hypnotic Illusion Mastery.]
Scummy narrator, you beast!
She’s my aunt!
Even setting aside ethics, Xie Lingwan is a direct Xie daughter and Xiao daughter-in-law. Defiling her wouldn’t just invite scholars’ scorn—if the Xiao and Xie clans allied with those behind his ambush, not only his life but the entire Wei King’s Mansion’s thousand souls would be doomed.
A chill ran down Ji Yanqing’s spine. This seductive beauty was both a tender trap and a graveyard of bones.
Noticing her nephew’s distraction, Lady Xie stretched her lithe waist, leaning forward, her ample curves straining, breathtakingly prominent.
“Yanqing, what’s on your mind?”
Snapping back, Ji Yanqing’s gaze lingered on her luscious lips, stirring an urge to taste them.
After a moment’s thought, he replied, “Nothing, just… Auntie Xie looks like a fairy from the Jade Pool today. I was mesmerized.”
“Don’t talk nonsense! I’m your aunt!” Xie Lingwan scolded, her brows knitting, her peach-like cheeks flushing deeper, though her lips curved slightly upward.
“Next time, I’ll really get mad.”
“I know I was wrong,” Ji Yanqing said sincerely, guiltily adding, “What shop does Auntie get her rouge from? I’d like to buy some as an apology.”
“Who… who gifts rouge to an elder?”
Xie Lingwan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her charming face shyly flushed, her voice soft as a mosquito’s hum: “But if you’re serious, go to Yuegui Studio in west Ye City and get the Red Jade Honey Cream.”