Compared to the clamor of the front hall, the backyard of Fengyue Tower was extremely quiet.
The flowering branches of the “Lovers’ Tree” stretched to the window, the pink blossoms exuding an intoxicating fragrance.
The window lattice was wide open, allowing the breeze to carry the floral scent inside, ruffling the dark hair at the temples of the “woman” sitting by the window, engrossed in a book.
It should be a woman, right?
At least, after she changed into women’s clothing, not a single trace of masculinity remained.
Instead, she carried a somewhat gentle and graceful air.
Those deep, lively eyes suddenly lifted and looked over.
The distinct black and white eyes showed neither anger nor joy.
Wang Sandong’s heart skipped a beat, his gaze flinching away in fright, but he ultimately forced himself to endure it and squeezed out a smile.
“Miss Yuan Yuan, reading?”
Yuan Di shifted her gaze back to the book, continuing to read as she spoke.
“I heard you bought quite a lot of rouge, powder, and even sanitary belts for me?”
“This… this… well… it’s actually for your own good.”
Wang Sandong finally thought of an explanation.
“By publicly declaring you’re the woman I’ve taken a fancy to, no dandy within the Old Capital would dare to have any improper thoughts about you.”
Thinking of this, Wang Sandong’s mind suddenly cleared, and his speech became faster and more animated.
“Sigh, since ancient times, great beauties have often brought trouble. With you being so stunningly beautiful, it’s inevitable someone would covet you. With me standing in front, it should save you a lot of trouble.”
The corner of Yuan Di’s mouth lifted, revealing a hint of a smile.
“Is that so? Then I should properly thank you, shouldn’t I?”
“No need to be polite.”
Wang Sandong waved magnanimously.
“Between you and me, it’s a bond forged through shared hardship. Such a small matter doesn’t require thanks.”
“What are you standing there for? Come in.”
Yuan Di continued reading without looking up.
“No, it’s brighter outside.”
Wang Sandong sighed.
“After yesterday’s incident, I’m still a bit shaken. I feel short of breath when I stay indoors.”
“Come in. Let me thank you properly.”
“Heh, stop joking. Let’s be serious. Don’t you think what happened yesterday was a bit strange?”
Wang Sandong deliberately asked vaguely, wanting to test whether Yuan Di had noticed that bucket of bloody water and that sanitary belt.
“Strange? What are you referring to?”
“What do you think?”
“Hah… it was fine, I suppose.”
Yuan Di said with a half-smile, “A lecherous person, too physically weak to act on his desires, pent-up for too long, is bound to do some perverted things.”
Hearing this, Wang Sandong’s mind raced through several thoughts before he finally chuckled awkwardly.
“I was just purely curious, conducting an academic study.”
As he spoke, his face actually reddened—admitting to being a pervert, even to cover up a very important secret, was still quite embarrassing.
“Hmph.”
Yuan Di snorted with a laugh.
“I want to talk to you about another matter.”
Wang Sandong said.
“Another matter? There’s nothing strange about that either.”
Yuan Di said.
“A coward, begging for his life on his knees shamelessly, is also quite normal.”
Wang Sandong rolled his eyes.
“Although my cousin has always disliked me, her reaction last night was still somewhat abnormal. I suspect the Disciple of the Demon Emperor used ‘Soul-Seizing’ on her.”
Yuan Di fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
“Perhaps.”
“Also, my cousin’s body has been found. The Zither Emperor might get involved in the investigation.”
Wang Sandong stated his fundamental purpose for coming here.
“The Zither Emperor is one of the Five Emperors, not weak in strength. What if she discovers something… Should we take precautions early?”
Yuan Di said disdainfully, “A mere Zither Emperor is of no consequence.”
“A mere Zither Emperor?
It sounded like boasting.
But…
Since she dares to boast, there probably isn’t much to worry about.
Wang Sandong felt slightly relieved and added, “That’s good then. Whew… I didn’t rest well last night, I’m going back to catch up on sleep.”
He turned to leave.
After just two steps, his body suddenly felt as if it was being pulled back by something.
Looking down, he saw a strand of demonic qi wrapped around his waist.
Before he could react, he was suddenly yanked backward by this strand of demonic qi, his entire body flying back.
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
Wang Sandong lay on the bed, limbs spread out in a star shape, pinned down by demonic qi.
Rustle.
Yuan Di still sat leisurely by the window, turning a page, her gaze not leaving the book.
“What’s the hurry? Didn’t I say I wanted to thank you properly?”
She paused, then added, “How should I thank you? How about… keeping you company for something interesting?”
Hearing this, Wang Sandong’s heart tightened violently.
Could it be…
Did Yuan Di already know about his transformation?
This…
This…
In his mind, an inexplicable image surfaced: “husband” and “himself” entangled intimately.
Then, his body actually began to react…
Damn Liu Ruyan’s memories!
“Yuan… Yuan Yuan… you…”
Wang Sandong actually began to stammer, his face burning hot, his body also burning hot.
His mouth was dry, even swallowing saliva was difficult.
“I already said, no need to thank me. Even if you want to thank me… you don’t have to offer yourself in marriage, right?”
His tone wasn’t very firm.
As he spoke, he turned his head, his gaze wandering over Yuan Di’s body.
Judging by his tone and expression, it seemed more like a coy refusal.
Experience with pleasuring a man…
Although he had none, he was still “experienced”…
This sounded contradictory, but it was indeed the truth.
Liu Ruyan’s memories, especially those of past intimate encounters, continuously assaulted Wang Sandong’s thoughts.
Was the evil consequence of plundering memories the possibility of being influenced or even dominated by another’s memories?
This worry surfaced in Wang Sandong’s heart.
However, at this moment, he couldn’t dwell on this problem.
Only one thought occupied his mind: Doing that with a man was too disgusting!
But if that man was a peerless beauty like Yuan Yuan…
It seemed, perhaps, not entirely unacceptable…
Although he had already realized that his state might be somewhat abnormal due to the plundered memories, at this very moment, he really couldn’t control his thoughts.
His mind was filled only with the anticipation of being “possessed” by Yuan Di.
“Offer myself in marriage? You’re thinking too much.”
A smile appeared on Yuan Di’s face.
Wang Sandong was stunned, clearly not understanding the meaning behind Yuan Di’s words.
Creak.
The door of a nearby standing cabinet opened on its own.
A man actually walked out from inside.
Wang Sandong struggled to lift his head to look. When he clearly saw the man’s face, his scalp instantly went numb.
“Cui San’er?!”
Cui San’er’s eyes were pitch black, devoid of whites, only swirling demonic qi.
He was like a walking corpse, moving towards Wang Sandong.
After a brief moment of daze, Wang Sandong immediately understood Yuan Di’s meaning.
His lips trembled, his almond-shaped eyes widened, and then he suddenly struggled desperately to break free from the demonic qi restraints.
“Yuan Yuan! I was wrong! Big Brother! No, Big Sister! Big Brother! Grandpa! Granny! I was really wrong!”
He was so flustered he didn’t know what to call Yuan Di.
“It’s not necessary! My body is weak, I can’t withstand this!”
In his desperation, Wang Sandong actually used “Soul Snatching.”
A black phantom instantly separated from his main body and fiercely struck a palm towards Cui San’er, who was already close.
However, this palm passed directly through Cui San’er’s body, failing to halt his advance.
“Hmph, are you joking with me?”
Yuan Di laughed.
“A body without a soul isn’t afraid of that trick of yours.”
Wang Sandong grew frantic.
“Hey! Stop playing around!”
His voice actually carried a sob.
The thought of his “first time” being given to a “zombie” made Wang Sandong wish he were dead.
Unfortunately, besides “Soul Snatching,” he didn’t know any other offensive techniques—except for “Corpse Driving.”
Without thinking too much, he immediately twisted his wrist and used the demonic incantation of “Corpse Driving” on Cui San’er.
It was useless.
Because Cui San’er was already under Yuan Di’s control via “Corpse Driving.”
Wang Sandong’s feeble power naturally couldn’t contend with Yuan Di’s.
“Yuan Yuan! I was wrong! Really! I’ll never dare to tease you again!”
Wang Sandong pleaded loudly.
“I swear! If I break my word, may I be struck by lightning five times!”
As he spoke, Cui San’er had already reached the bedside.
Looking up at his expressionless, lifeless, ashen face looming overhead, watching him slowly raise his arm, Wang Sandong’s eyes reddened with desperation as he roared, “Just kill me! A scholar would rather die than be humiliated!”
Cui San’er’s raised arm froze.
Then, he turned around, left, and returned to stand inside the cabinet.
“Hmph!”
Yuan Di threatened coldly.
“This time, I’ll spare you.”
As her words fell, the demonic qi ropes binding Wang Sandong also dissipated on their own.
Wang Sandong’s stiff body instantly relaxed, going limp.
He gasped for breath a couple of times and muttered, “Scared me to death.”
The image of Cui San’er’s darkened dead face surfaced in his mind again.
He didn’t know what he associated it with, but he suddenly retched dryly.
This ordeal had nearly killed him.
Although he was free now, he was too weak to move, only wanting to lie down and rest.
Yuan Di didn’t rush him, merely continuing to read seriously.
Before long, Wang Sandong actually fell asleep.
He was simply too exhausted.
In his dazed state, he felt as if someone covered him with a blanket.
It must be “husband.”
Wang Sandong lifted an arm, hugging one of “husband’s” legs, the corner of his mouth lifting as he asked in a delirious murmur, eyes closed, “Do you want it? Must be pent-up, huh?”
It had been a few days since coming from the New Capital to the Old Capital.
“Husband” had been alone in an empty room for days, must be pent-up…
Wait!
What husband did he have?!
How ridiculous.
The honorable Third Young Master of the Cui Family, how could he have a husband?
What his hand touched had the texture of a gauze skirt.
It must be a girl from some pleasure boat or brothel.
Or perhaps a little maid from the household.
Heh…
Unable to resist a chuckle, he exerted force with his hand, giving a pinch on the inner side of that leg.
The feel was good.
It was actually soft and springy.
“Come, sit up here, let this young master have some fun.”
Wang Sandong said, his hand beginning to wander upward.
“Yuan Yuan! Come out!”
Suddenly, a shout sounded from outside the room.
Wang Sandong jolted in shock.
The movement of his hand also froze.
The gauze skirt slid past his wrist, and the leg moved away.
Yuan Di opened the door with a strange expression, seeing a woman staggering drunkenly towards her from outside.
This woman had recently switched to Fengyue Tower from elsewhere.
Although her beauty couldn’t compare to Yuan Di and Xing Luo, she was still exceptional.
She had a lover who kept saying he would take her as a concubine.
However, for some reason, a girl named Yuan Yuan appeared.
Her lover saw Yuan Yuan once and fell in love at first sight, subsequently completely neglecting her.
The girl was in a bad mood and had drunk too much.
Staggering over, she looked at Yuan Yuan.
Seeing her cold, aloof demeanor, the girl instantly became furious.
“You little hussy, what are you pretending to be so chaste for?! I’m telling you! Young Master Liu is my man, don’t you dare try to steal him away!”
Yuan Di slightly frowned, looking at the drunken girl, then glanced behind the girl, a trace of anger appearing on her face.
How was Yueniang guarding the door?
How did she let people just wander into the backyard?
“I’m talking to you! Did you hear me?”
Seeing Yuan Di ignore her, the girl actually reached out directly, grabbing for Yuan Di’s hair.
Yuan Di had no interest in tangling with a woman of the night.
She directly released a strand of demonic qi.
The demonic qi instantly wrapped around the girl’s neck.
The girl sobered up considerably, terrified, wanting to open her mouth and call for help.
Unfortunately, the demonic qi choked her throat, preventing any sound.
Yuan Di turned and went back into the room, seeing Wang Sandong lying on the bed, seemingly fast asleep.
This kid…
Was he dreaming just now?
With a thought, she pulled the girl, who was nearly strangled to death, into the room with a backward gesture.
“Hey! Wake up!”
Yuan Di called out.
Wang Sandong frowned, stretching lazily with his eyes closed.
“What? You’re disturbing my sweet dreams.”
Yuan Di stared at Wang Sandong’s face and said, “Use ‘Soul Snatching’ to kill her.”
Wang Sandong was taken aback, sitting up, rubbing his bleary eyes, looking at the girl whose neck was constricted by demonic qi, on the verge of death.
With a suspicious expression, Wang Sandong asked, “Kill her? Why?”
Yuan Di said with a cold face, “I’m telling you to kill, so kill.”
“Uh, can’t you just strangle her yourself?”
“I told you to use ‘Soul Snatching’ to kill her. Just do as I say, why so much nonsense?!”
Yuan Di’s tone was sharp, seeming somewhat irritable.
Wang Sandong looked at the girl who was already starting to roll her eyes white, hesitating whether to act.
This girl hadn’t provoked him.
Killing her would weigh on his conscience.
And…
Using “Soul Snatching” to kill would plunder memories.
His mental state was already problematic from plundering too many memories.
If he killed another brothel girl…
Those memories of pleasuring countless men were something Wang Sandong really didn’t want.
Also…
Why did Yuan Di deliberately want him to use “Soul Snatching” to kill?
This question was worth pondering deeply.
“Sigh, she’s just a poor, fallen woman.”
Wang Sandong sighed weakly.
“Already pitiful enough, why bother…”
As he spoke, he noticed Yuan Di’s icy gaze and immediately choked back his words.
“Will you kill her or not?”
Yuan Di stared into Wang Sandong’s eyes and asked coldly.
After a brief hesitation, Wang Sandong actually shook his head, saying very seriously, “How can we treat human life as worthless grass? Although she practices a lowly profession, she is still a living human being…”
Before he could finish, there was a crack.
The girl’s neck was snapped by the demonic qi, instantly dead.
“Too soft-hearted, you’ll never achieve greatness.”
Yuan Di said gravely.
Wang Sandong agreed with this sentiment.
But killing indiscriminately…
The main issue was that after killing, he would passively plunder memories.
Wang Sandong’s current state wasn’t good.
If he added another messy set of memories, the problem would likely become more severe.
No choice, he could only pretend to be soft-hearted.
Wang Sandong sighed, then raised a hand to rub his temples.
“I’m very tired, going home to rest.”
After saying this, he slowly got up and leisurely left. Only after exiting the backyard and not being pulled back again did he feel slightly relieved and couldn’t help but quicken his pace.
Once in the carriage, sitting inside the compartment, Wang Sandong gasped for breath, completely collapsing onto the seat.
Recalling the dead face of Cui San’er controlled by Yuan Di, and his own death-defying behavior just now akin to “pulling a tooth from a tiger’s mouth,” Wang Sandong’s back turned cold, sweat poured down, and his heart pounded wildly.
His memories were problematic, seemingly showing signs of “schizophrenia.”
He had to find a way to resolve this quickly.
In the backyard of Fengyue Tower, Yuan Di sat by the window, holding a book but unable to read.
After a long while, she lowered her head to look at her own leg.
Her fingertips lightly brushed over the creases pinched into her skirt, her eyes trembling slightly.
Fortunately…
Fortunately her legs were long enough.
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