Chapter 261: The Queen Bee

Chapter 261: The Queen Bee

Ning Xiaochuan rubbed his temples and took a deep breath. "Yue Minghua killed him?"

Madam Silver Pool shook her head. "If Yue Minghua had killed him outright, it would have been too merciful. Marquis Qi Tian died of sheer rage. When he entered Yue Minghua’s chamber, he saw his own servant lying in her bed."

Any man who encountered such a woman would likely die of fury.

But Marquis Qi Tian had only himself to blame. Despite his advanced age, he had foolishly pursued the young and beautiful Yue Minghua. It was no surprise she sought revenge.

Any woman who had her purity stolen by a wretched old man would inevitably become twisted, consumed by thoughts of retribution. And Yue Minghua had been a woman of such pride.

Women truly were terrifying creatures.

Ning Xiaochuan lifted his wine cup and drained it. "Was it really worth it? For Yue Minghua to degrade herself like that?"

Madam Silver Pool pursed her lips lightly. "Yes."

Ning Xiaochuan had no desire to play the righteous moralist or dictate how others should live. Still, he said, "Even after exacting her revenge, what did Yue Minghua truly gain? Was she ever satisfied? The pure and untainted Yue Minghua is dead. What remains is only Madam Silver Pool, drowning in her own depravity."

Madam Silver Pool’s five jade-like fingers, hidden beneath her loose sleeves, clenched tightly. Her pearly teeth bit into her lips as her arm swept the wine cups off the table, sending them crashing to the floor.

Bang!

She overturned the table on the bed. "I’ve heard enough hypocritical nonsense. Don’t tell me you don’t want to sleep with me?"

With elegant grace, Madam Silver Pool rose to her feet. Her loose robe slid from her jade-smooth body, revealing a flawless figure—one that could tempt any man in the world. Full breasts, a flat stomach, long and straight jade legs, and perfectly rounded hips.

Her chest was wrapped in a sheer pink bodice, so thin it barely concealed the peaks beneath, while the fabric above pressed her ample curves into tantalizing shapes, as white and delicate as freshly peeled egg whites.

She knew exactly how to entice a man—never fully baring herself, maintaining an air of mystery and allure. She wanted him to tear away the barriers himself, to feel the thrill of conquest.

A seductress like Madam Silver Pool had even ensnared Marquis Qi Tian, a cultivator at the ninth level of the Earthly Venerable Realm, driving him to madness before his demise. How could a young and impulsive man like Ning Xiaochuan resist?

If he claimed to suppress all sinful thoughts, that would be the real absurdity.

"Madam, I must take my leave!"

Ning Xiaochuan had no intention of following in Marquis Qi Tian’s footsteps. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to remain rational, summoning immense willpower to overcome his desires. He immediately turned to flee the carriage.

"Why must the Manor Lord leave in such haste? Have I been a poor host?"

Madam Silver Pool grabbed Ning Xiaochuan's arm, her delicate body collapsing onto him in one fluid motion. Her soft jade arms wrapped around his neck, while a pair of large, supple jade peaks pressed against his chest. An electrifying sensation surged from his chest, spreading throughout his entire body.

Neither in his past life nor this one had Ning Xiaochuan ever experienced such intense stimulation—especially from such an elegant and beautiful woman.

This was practically soul-snatching.

"Still trying to escape? Hehe… No prey I set my eyes on has ever gotten away." Seeing Ning Xiaochuan shudder, Madam Silver Pool knew he could no longer escape this carriage. Today, yet another man would fall under her conquest.

Once a man was conquered by her, even if he were the Manor Lord of Ghost Manor, in her eyes, he would be nothing more than a plaything lower than a slave, his dignity trampled at will.

Her jade fingers traced Ning Xiaochuan’s chest, undoing his buttons, sliding from his collarbone up to his cheeks as she attempted to remove the mask from his face.

Thud!

Ning Xiaochuan shoved her away forcefully, exhaling deeply.

Too close.

This level of temptation was beyond what any man could withstand. Even though he had pushed her away at the last moment, his eyes remained fixed on her, unable to tear his gaze away.

Every man who had ever become Madam Silver Pool’s male concubine had ultimately died by her hand—without exception. Ning Xiaochuan had no intention of provoking this venomous queen bee.

Madam Silver Pool was slightly taken aback—this was the first time a man had ever pushed her away.

"Aiya… You hurt me!"

She collapsed onto the bed, letting out a coquettish moan. The straps of her undergarment slipped, revealing half of a snow-white, full jade peak—round and firm. Just one glance was enough to know that gripping it would be an intoxicating mix of softness and elasticity, enough to make one’s head spin.

Ning Xiaochuan clenched his teeth, summoning a sharp Profound Qi Short Sword in his hand as he glared at her with icy killing intent.

Sensing the murderous aura, Madam Silver Pool’s smile didn’t waver in the slightest. Her phoenix eyes shimmered with amusement, her lips curling in delight.

She simply didn’t believe Ning Xiaochuan would dare strike her down.

Stab!

Ning Xiaochuan plunged the sword into his own thigh. Blood gushed out, splattering onto the carpet. The searing pain coursed through his body, but it also brought him back to his senses.

Madam Silver Pool froze, a strange glint flashing in her beautiful eyes.

Ning Xiaochuan withdrew the sword, giving her one last look. "I’ve met Qi Chan'er. Now I finally understand why she refused to stay and train at Marquis Qi Tian’s residence. Why she despises her own mother so much. Even your own daughter looks down on you. Madam… take care of yourself."

With that, he limped out of the carriage, leaving Madam Silver Pool lying stunned on the fragrant carpet, staring at the pool of blood on the floor as his words echoed in her mind.

"Madam, Young Master Chuan… he… Ah!" The maidservant entered the carriage and gasped at the sight of blood everywhere.

Madam Silver Pool wrapped her robes around herself, dressed neatly, and sat calmly on the bed. "Young Master Chuan, has he left?"

"Yes," the maidservant nodded.

Madam Silver Pool's gaze drifted to the bronze incense burner at the center of the carriage, her eyes hazy as she smiled seductively. "He thinks he's escaped my grasp, but he doesn’t realize this is only the beginning. But… Chan'er is clearly cultivating at the Emperor's Martial Palace. How does he know her? Could he also be from the Emperor's Martial Palace?"

Madam Silver Pool harbored deep resentment toward Young Master Chuan. The words he spoke before leaving had struck her heart like a dagger, inflicting unbearable pain. The side of herself she least wanted exposed had been ruthlessly laid bare by him.

Moreover, this was the first time she had ever failed to ensnare a man. She swore silently to herself that she would conquer Young Master Chuan—otherwise, her heart would never find balance.

"Manor Lord, what exactly happened between you and Madam Silver Pool inside the carriage?" Situ Fengwu asked curiously.

She knew exactly what kind of woman Madam Silver Pool was and the methods she used to manipulate men. That was precisely why she was even more curious about what Ning Xiaochuan had done inside the carriage—and why he had ended up injured.

"Some things are better left unasked," Ning Xiaochuan advised coldly.

After escaping from Madam Silver Pool’s carriage, Ning Xiaochuan was burning with pent-up desire, his blood boiling. Even the sight of Situ Fengwu’s swaying waist stirred wicked thoughts in his mind, igniting an impulse to strip and ravage her.

Ning Xiaochuan knew better than anyone how dangerous these thoughts were, so he struggled to suppress them.

Situ Fengwu was intimidated by the look in his eyes and dared not press further.

Ning Xiaochuan channeled his Martial Arts Profound Qi to heal the wound on his thigh, took a deep breath, and led Situ Fengwu through the secret passage into the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

"Who goes there?"

Two elderly guards stood watch over the passage. Upon seeing Ning Xiaochuan bringing a woman inside, they immediately unleashed their formidable Martial Arts Profound Qi, which enveloped a bronze war sword.

Ning Xiaochuan produced the Green Jade Token. "I wish to see the Marquis."

The two elders immediately sheathed their swords and bowed respectfully upon seeing the token.

Ning Xiaochuan strode directly into the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and made his way to the Old Marquis’s study.

"Enter," the Old Marquis’s voice sounded from within.

Ning Xiaochuan instructed Situ Fengwu to wait outside and entered the study alone.

The Old Marquis sat at the head of the study, his aged eyes narrowing slightly as he observed Ning Xiaochuan’s approach. "You’re injured."

"I clashed with the Crown Prince earlier and sustained some wounds, but they’re no longer serious."

Ning Xiaochuan removed the mask from his face and glanced toward another corner of the study. Bowing slightly, he asked with a puzzled expression, "Second Uncle, weren’t you supposed to have returned to the military camp to lead troops? Why are you back?"

Within the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, Ning Xiaochuan considered only the Old Marquis and Ning Xin'er as family. After them, the one he held in highest regard was this Second Uncle—Ning Qiancheng.

Although Ning Xiaochuan had not spent much time with Ning Qiancheng, he knew that this uncle cared deeply for him. Even while leading troops abroad, Ning Qiancheng would send back precious medicinal herbs every year to help treat Ning Xiaochuan's congenital ailment.

Thus, Ning Xiaochuan naturally held deep respect for Ning Qiancheng as an elder.

Ning Qiancheng was still clad in armor. He retrieved a jade bottle from a pouch on his breastplate and handed it to Ning Xiaochuan, saying gruffly, "What do you mean it's nothing serious? Your meridians are nearly severed, yet you still pretend to be fine. Here’s a bottle of Broken Meridians Healing Pills. Take one first, and once your injuries stabilize, we’ll discuss serious matters. By the way, it was the Crown Prince who injured you, wasn’t it? Damn it, seems I didn’t beat him hard enough back then. I’ll have to find time to thrash him again."

Ning Xiaochuan had heard rumors that this uncle had once dominated the Imperial City in his youth, even beating up the Crown Prince. It turned out those rumors were true.

.