Da Li Temple - Chapter 38.2

Chapter 38.2
Crisis

Su Moyi didn’t notice and still lowered his head to put on the clothes. He replied softly a few moments later, “I must go.”
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“To gain Official Zhang’s trust, I must pass his trials. Since I already came, these things were all in my estimation.” As he spoke, he wore his inner clothes. He walked out of the screen and handed the dirty clothes to Lin Wanqing.
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Lin Wanqing naturally took it. “But ……” She was uneasy and hesitantly said, “I always feel that Official Zhang is not a simple person. He can be in Hongzhou for so many years. Government mines, fake silver, private soldiers. Which one is not stepping on the Emperor’s bottom line? These people use their brains to do things. They must be evil to the extreme. Don’t underestimate them.”
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Su Moyi straightened his lapel and looked at Lin Wanqing, “I know what you mean. But to deal with it, I must see how it goes.”
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“Well ……,” Lin Wanqing chased Su Moyi to the door, reaching out to pull his sleeve, but Su Moyi stopped first.
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“Wait for my news at the Zhang Mansion. If there is any change, I will have Ye Qing fetch you.” He turned back to look at her. His voice was deep and indifferent, the way he always was. It was not bright enough to see his face in the dim room, but Lin Wanqing felt her face hot, burning by his sight.
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“Okay.” She nodded solemnly and watched him leave. The hand that hadn’t had time to touch his sleeve was left hanging mid-air, and she subconsciously clenched it. Her other hand clutched the underwear he had just taken off that still retained his body heat, feeling an emptiness in her heart.
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The inspection of the official mine went well. Official Zhang brought Su Moyi to inspect the large and small mines under his jurisdiction. Along the way, the two talked a lot about forging weapons and all kinds of mineral topics, and Su Moyi answered the questions fluently.
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However, in addition to these high-sounding contents, Official Zhang didn’t mention the purpose of this invitation to Zhou Yipu. He couldn’t push Su Moyi too fast.
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In the height of summer in July, the sun was scorching hot. Despite someone supporting the umbrella and fan, they were still inevitably exhausted and had sweaty clothes.
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In the evening, they finally ended the last inspection and sat on the carriage for the return trip.
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The carriage shook slightly and reeled lightly. Su Moyi leaned against the wall, pretending to close his eyes. On the other side, Official Zhang also sat calmly, occasionally lifting the curtain to look at the market outside.
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With the driver’s call to stop outside the curtain, the carriage stopped. Someone lifted the curtain and said to Official Zhang: “Lord, we have arrived.”
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Su Moyi did not open his eyes, but from the distance and speed of the carriage, he knew that they had not returned to the Zhang Mansion.
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“Lord Zhou,” Official Zhang gently patted his shoulder, “We’ve arrived.”
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Only then did Su Moyi open his sleepy eyes and surveyed the outside of the carriage, “This is ……”
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“This is the most famous Qin Lou Chu Pavilion in Hongzhou,” Official Zhang laughed, “Today, it just so happens that young madam is not here, so you can have a good time.”

Su Moyi smiled without saying anything and followed Official Zhang’s guidance down the carriage.

This small courtyard had high walls that encircled the whole building, and there was no other sound except for the zither clanging, with several blooming lilies and purple jasmines on the red walls and blue tiles above.
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If not for Official Zhang’s instruction, Su Moyi would not have thought that a mere Qin Lou Chu Pavilion would be so elegant.
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“Please.” Official Zhang traveled to Su Moyi’s front, extended his hand to invite him, and they entered the small courtyard one after another.
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“Has Brother Zhou tasted the hot spring pool in the mansion?” Official Zhang asked.
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Su Moyi sniffed. His face roiled with a flirtatious and unrestrained smile, responding, “I’ve tried it.”
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“Oh?” Official Zhang understood, came close to his side, and said, “Then, Brother Zhou must try the spring here to see if the taste is better than that of Zhang’s mansion.”
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“Heh ……” Su Moyi nodded his head and smiled without answering.
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It was so strange. Although this small courtyard was secluded, today was too deserted. There are no other guests here other than Su Moyi and Official Zhang.??

Su Moyi’s eyes swept through those who came and went in the courtyard and found that apart from the girl, who still looked natural, several men were extraordinarily vigilant, with their eyes closely following the two. He knew that Official Zhang’s real test should begin now.
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A large bathroom door opened in the backyard filled with flowers and trees, and instantly, a white, hot mist like in the fairyland appeared.
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Under the white mist, a green-colored pool in the center of the room with four jade pillars appeared before Su Moyi’s eyes. But, what’s more conspicuous than this pool is the standing gauze-clothed women. They all have exquisite figures and charming attitudes, wearing thin robes and holding all kinds of snacks and drinks, with lowered brows and drooping eyes, waiting to be favored.

Su Moyi’s face sank uncontrollably.
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“Brother Zhou,” Official Zhang asked with a smile from the side, “Do you like it?”
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“En,” Su Moyi answered. His eyes swept over those women in front of him. Without showing it on his face, his heart could not help but diffuse a trace of disgust. It turns out that not every woman who wears less can make him lose control.
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“Then let them serve Brother Zhou to undress.” Official Zhang spoke, smoothly gesturing to a courtesan.
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The courtesan approached Su Moyi’s side and was about to raise her hand when he blocked it.
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“Did you use perfume on you?” Su Moyi asked, his expression serious.
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The courtesan nodded confusedly.
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“What’s wrong?” Seeing this, Official Zhang became curious.
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“Oh,” Su Moyi chuckled with an appearance of both powerless and reluctance. “Brother Zhang also knows that jealous woman in my family. This morning, she didn’t allow the maid to change my clothes. If she smelled another woman’s scent on me, she would mess with me to no end. “
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Official Zhang’s expression turned cold but still seemingly thoughtless when saying: “Yes, I have seen young madam’s jealousy.”
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After speaking, he lightly laughed, looked at Su Moyi, and said, “Then, Brother Zhou, take off your clothes yourself.”
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Su Moyi answered, turned around, and marched behind the screen, slowly began to undress.
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Outer robe, middle garment, inner garment —
One by one, the robes were handed over to Hua Niang, and then Su Moyi took a long robe, wrapped himself up, and walked out of the screen.
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Official Zhang has already sat in the pool.
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Su Moyi was about to enter the water when Official Zhang stopped him.
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“Brother Zhou, why do you wear a robe to soak in a hot spring?” Official Zhang raised his lips, but the emotions in his eyes were extremely cold, reflecting the color of the water in the pool, leaving a bright light in his dark eyes, as cold as a sword.
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Su Moyi lifted his eyes to look at him, unmoved.
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Official Zhang softly said, “Brother Zhou should remove his robe.”