Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Madam, You Wouldn’t Want...

In a carriage outside the Military Preparation Camp.

Yang Xueyao clutched her handkerchief tightly, her eyes filled with panic. She never imagined things would change so quickly. The Yang Family had clearly been somewhat resistant to the marriage alliance before.

This had allowed her to cling to a sliver of hope that perhaps she wouldn’t have to marry Chen Sheng.

But after Chen Sheng annihilated the Gao Family in a single battle, everything changed. Her eldest uncle personally sought her out to explain the importance of the marriage alliance. If they failed to secure it, the Yang Family would be in danger of being overthrown.

Therefore, the marriage was unavoidable. She had to do her best to make a good impression on Chen Sheng and keep relations between him and the Yang Family as amicable as possible. But she wasn’t even fully mentally prepared yet.

And then her aunt had brought her onto the carriage, saying they were going to meet Commander Chen to discuss the marriage.

Along the way, her aunt had listed all of Chen Sheng’s good qualities. Yang Xueyao instantly understood: the Yang Family and her County Magistrate uncle-in-law had clearly reached an agreement to win Chen Sheng over.

And she was just a bargaining chip in the deal.

"Xueyao, don’t look so glum. Commander Chen is a hero. It’s your good fortune to be able to marry him."

Madam Yang said comfortingly.

To be honest, Yang Xueyao’s impression of Chen Sheng was terrible. First, he had killed her fiancé. Second, she had witnessed his arrogant and domineering behavior at the Baisha Gang’s headquarters that day.

She thought Chen Sheng was a crude and brutish man. If they really married, he would surely torment her in countless ways.

But because of her family, she had no choice but to obey. In reality, though, she was secretly quite resistant.

So, after hearing her aunt’s words, Yang Xueyao pursed her lips and retorted:

"I wish I could give this ’good fortune’ to you, Auntie."

"I actually wish I could."

Madam Yang laughed self-deprecatingly in her heart.

She actually envied her niece for being able to marry a capable man like Chen Sheng. Her marriage had also been a family alliance, but she had been married off to a man who preferred other men—a veritable boy toy himself!

The pain of that desolate loneliness was an unbearable torment every night.

The carriage slowly came to a stop at the entrance of the Military Preparation Camp. A guard immediately stepped forward. Madam Yang lifted the curtain and said softly,

"Please inform Commander Chen that the County Magistrate’s wife has come with Xueyao to pay him a visit."

"Please wait a moment, Madam."

Upon hearing this, the guard’s expression turned serious, and he hurried off to deliver the message.

A short while later, the guard rushed back, bowed, and said,

"Commander Chen has given an order: only one of you is to enter the tent."

Yang Xueyao’s face instantly turned pale.

’Just one person? Could Chen Sheng be that lecherous?’

But before she could say a word, the soldier’s next sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured over her.

"Please enter the tent, Madam."

"Huh???"

Hearing this, both Madam Yang and Yang Xueyao froze on the spot.

Madam Yang looked at him hesitantly and asked,

"Commander Chen is asking for me to enter alone?"

"Yes."

"Auntie..."

Yang Xueyao’s mouth fell open.

She had been afraid Chen Sheng would summon her into the tent alone to humiliate her, but now that he had ignored her, a sense of failure washed over her instead.

’Could it be that Chen Sheng has grown to despise me because of the Yang Family’s previous attitude?’

For a moment, she was overcome with a strange mix of anxiety and disappointment.

.....

[My name is Chen Sheng. When you see this sentence, I... Tonight, Madam Yang came with Yang Xueyao to discuss the marriage alliance. However, that was merely a stopgap measure. Now that the Gao Family is destroyed, I no longer need to pretend, so I sent someone to politely decline their visit and prevent them from disturbing my Cultivation.

However, what I did not expect was that Madam Yang possesses the rare Three Yin Body and has practiced the Surprised Yin Nourishing Yuan Skill for many years. If I could seize her Yin Yuan and refine it, my Cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds. If I keep her for later, she could even help me break through to the Innate Realm in the future.

Furthermore, because her husband Lin Shou, a man who prefers other men, views her as a mere Furnace Cauldron, Madam Yang despises him and is terrified for her own safety. What no one knows is that our previous two encounters have left her with a faint, hidden fondness for me. With the right approach, it may not be impossible for me to make her fall for me, or even offer herself up willingly....]

Looking at the text manifested by the Celestial Book, Chen Sheng’s expression turned a little strange.

’Well, damn.’

’This "Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil" entry from the Celestial Book is packed with information.’

’This Madam Yang came with some hidden baggage!’

’The problem is, I’m not exactly skilled at seducing virtuous women.’

Moreover, he had truly never expected Lin Shou to prefer men. Recalling the strange way Lin Shou had seemed to look at him before, a wave of disgust washed over him.

’That bastard couldn’t have had ideas about me, could he?’

It was precisely because of the Celestial Book’s contents that Chen Sheng had invited only Madam Yang inside. As for Yang Xueyao, he really wasn’t very interested. After all, she had no value for him to exploit.

As he was pondering how to deal with Madam Yang, Chen Sheng suddenly recalled their previous meeting at the Lin Mansion. His eyes shifted, and he immediately shrugged off the robe he had just put on.

He revealed his well-defined muscles.

Just as Madam Yang stepped into the main tent, her heart full of doubt, she saw Chen Sheng sitting with his eyes closed, deep in arduous Cultivation. Her own eyes widened in a fixed stare, because he wasn’t wearing a robe.

Gazing at that body, full of powerful, aesthetic beauty, Madam Yang suddenly felt her mouth go dry.

"Commander Chen, why are you receiving guests without being properly dressed?"

After coming back to her senses, Madam Yang quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to look at Chen Sheng.

"Don’t be alarmed, Madam. I was just in a meditative state for my Cultivation and wasn’t very aware of my surroundings."

Chen Sheng opened his eyes and smiled, casually grabbing a nearby robe and draping it over his shoulders. His gaze, however, was brazenly sizing up Madam Yang’s full, graceful figure.

"Please, have a seat, Madam."

Chen Sheng said politely with a smile.

"Thank you."

"You’ve come so late at night, Madam. Might I ask what is the urgent matter?"

After a few more pleasantries, Chen Sheng got straight to the point.

"I have come about the previous matter of the marriage alliance. Commander Chen once said that we would proceed with the marriage after the water bandits were defeated. Now that the Black Snake Water Stronghold has fallen, I wonder when the Commander plans to formalize the engagement with Xueyao?"

A faint smile touched the corner of Madam Yang’s lips.

"Engagement? Heh... Why wasn’t the Yang Family so enthusiastic before? It’s obvious you’re just afraid I’ll settle old scores now that the Gao Family is gone. As for this engagement, let’s just forget it."

Chen Sheng’s expression turned cold.

He knew exactly what the Yang Family was thinking. They had conspired with the Gao and Huang Families to kill him, and failed. Now that he had the upper hand, they came to discuss a marriage alliance? It was laughable.

Madam Yang hadn’t expected Chen Sheng to be so blunt. After a moment of shock, she hurried to explain,

"Please, calm your anger, Commander Chen. It is true the Yang Family was shortsighted before. However, I have come today on their behalf to apologize. As long as the Commander agrees to the alliance, the Yang Family will certainly provide a generous dowry. Moreover, with the Yang Family’s help in Changshan County, whatever the Commander wishes to do will be twice as effective. Besides, this is also the County Magistrate’s wish..."

"Apologize? And how does Madam intend to apologize on the Yang Family’s behalf?"

Before Madam Yang could finish, Chen Sheng chuckled, stood up, and placed a heavy hand on her fragrant shoulder.

Madam Yang’s body trembled slightly.

"Commander Chen, what are you doing?"

"Madam, the marriage alliance isn’t entirely out of the question. It’s just that I have no interest in that Yang Xueyao. You, on the other hand..."

"Commander Chen, please don’t joke. I am already a married woman. How could I..."

Madam Yang trembled, trying to remove Chen Sheng’s hand, but found she had no strength.

"A married woman? The wife of a man who prefers other men? Or the wife who is treated as a Furnace Cauldron, to be cast aside like a worn-out shoe?"

"You... How do you..."

Madam Yang’s mouth hung open, her eyes filled with shame and astonishment.

Chen Sheng bent down slightly, his hot breath brushing against Madam Yang’s earlobe.

"Madam, you wouldn’t want..."

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