Chapter 495: Mother-in-Law, Are You Taking a Bath Tonight?

Chapter 495: Mother-in-Law, Are You Bathing Tonight?

"What are you talking about?"

Zhishuang clenched her pearly teeth, desperately wishing she could commit Qiyuan to a madhouse.

"Young Master-in-law, please mind your status!"

"My status? Am I not a live-in son-in-law?" Qiyuan mused. "Can a live-in son-in-law not ride you?"

"Hmph, the Young Master is a deity descended to earth, riding you is your honor!" Chen Kangbao said solemnly from the side.

"Hey, don't talk nonsense, she's not up to par, I don't want to ride her."

The two seemed to chime in harmony, driving Zhishuang to wit's end, her delicate brows knitting faintly.

...

On the map, Jining Prefecture was long and narrow, resembling the character for "clasp."

Fengshan County lay just to the left of that character; if Jining Prefecture were a province, Fengshan County would be its capital.

Fengshan County was also known as Tu City.

The Tu family was the preeminent clan of Fengshan County, possessing exceptionally formidable power.

The third young master of the Tu family had even taken the daughter of the King of Zhennan as his wife.

At this moment, the third young master of the Tu family leaned against the railing, a white jade pendant at his waist, his robes intricately patterned with cloud motifs.

"Brother Kaixuan, I heard you went to Ninghe County some days ago, did anything amusing occur?" The third young master of the Tu family held his wine cup, speaking casually.

"No, I merely went to see a friend." Wang Kaixuan was a man with narrow, slit-like eyes and a harsh, mean countenance.

The third young master of the Tu family smiled: "It seems you still harbor thoughts for that eldest miss of the Shen family..."

"Miss Shen possesses a beauty that could ruin kingdoms, who would not harbor thoughts?"

A dense greed flickered in Wang Kaixuan's eyes.

"Brother, your methods are too crude. Miss Shen is quick-witted and intelligent; returning from Lake Yeshan, I fear she saw through the deception at a single glance."

"By the time she returns, that live-in son-in-law will already be dead!" Wang Kaixuan said with delight.

The third young master of the Tu family smiled, increasingly finding Wang Kaixuan devoid of brains.

If one wished to win a beauty's heart, how could such methods suffice?

Moreover, even he, the third young master of the Tu family, did not dare provoke that eldest miss of the Shen family, let alone a petty character like Wang Kaixuan.

If not for... he would not even be meeting with Wang Kaixuan.

"I heard that in these past few days, a great matter occurred in Ninghe County." The third young master of the Tu family spoke, fixing his gaze on Wang Kaixuan's eyes.

"Oh? What great matter?"

"Within the Red Cloud Stockade, a powerful specter appeared, capable of executing spiritual soul attacks, unmanageable by anyone beneath a Mysterious-grade weapon wielder."

"The Red Cloud Stockade is finished then," Wang Kaixuan said indifferently.

He cared nothing for the demise of a single stockade.

"No, at that moment, an old man and a youth suddenly appeared at the Red Cloud Stockade and slew the specter," the third young master of the Tu family continued.

"Oh..." Wang Kaixuan seemed indifferent to these matters.

"You went to Ninghe County some days ago, I wished to inquire whether you have seen these two masters," the third young master of the Tu family said, his face bearing a dense expression of wariness.

The news he had received was enough to shock the senses.

Eighty-seven Yellow-grade specters had been slain one by one by that young man wielding a spear.

And that young man had claimed to be a deity descended to the mortal realm.

"The Red Cloud Stockade is no ordinary place. According to the information I gathered, it was a spirit-nurturing ground for the Blood of Thorns. There were... a full eighty-seven Yellow-grade specters there, and yet... all were effortlessly slaughtered by that young man!"

"What?" Wang Kaixuan was also somewhat shaken.

There was actually such a ruthless figure?

With this kind of strength, he would likely rank upon the Prodigy List of the Ning Kingdom.

The eldest miss of the Shen family was ranked within the top ten of that very list.

Anyone who made it onto the Prodigy List of the Ning Kingdom stood a chance of stepping into the Earth-grade, becoming a true hegemon of a region.

It was precisely because of this that seeing the eldest miss of the Shen family marry down to the worthless Qiyuan filled his heart with jealousy and resentment.

"Did they have any identifying features?" Wang Kaixuan asked.

"The weapon used by that young man was very peculiar—it was a thick and long spear!" said the third young master of the Tu family.

Generally speaking, spears were long and slender; very few people utilized a thick one.

Wang Kaixuan shook his head: "Ninghe County is but a backcountry, I have never seen the person you speak of."

"He claims to be a deity descended to earth; I wonder what his true origins are." The third young master of the Tu family's gaze grew deep.

His identity was particular; he had been investigating the Blood of Thorns all these years, even going so far as to conceal his identity to become a member within their ranks.

Regrettably, he could not enter the core, unable to truly understand this colossal entity.

"Hmph, this person is too arrogant, actually daring to call himself a deity descended to earth," Wang Kaixuan remarked with a face full of disdain.

The third young master of the Tu family was unsurprised by Wang Kaixuan's display.

After all, even within the Wang family, Wang Kaixuan was not highly regarded.

Right at that moment, suddenly, Wang Kaixuan's expression changed drastically: "That live-in son-in-law Qiyuan... how is he not dead?"

He leaned against the high tower railing, overlooking the streets of Fengshan County, particularly the wide street outside the Shen estate.

At a single glance, he spotted a familiar figure outside the grand courtyard of the Shen family.

It was none other than Qiyuan!

Wang Kaixuan's face shifted repeatedly through various emotions: "Young Master Tu, could you accompany me to the Shen family? I need to go..."

"No, I have other matters to attend to." The third young master of the Tu family furrowed his brows slightly, looking at Wang Kaixuan as though looking at a fool.

The Wang family had shielded him far too well; he did not even know his own weight.

What the third young master of the Tu family cared about most now was that man who claimed to be a deity descended to earth.

Having slaughtered so many specters of the Blood of Thorns, if he could approach him closely, the magical artifact he obtained from the Blood of Thorns could sense the other party's bloody aura and uncover his identity.

As for the live-in son-in-law Qiyuan, he did want to meet him to ask about that mysterious weapon wielder who claimed to be a deity, but not right now.

After all, with such an event occurring in Ninghe County, the Shen family would surely place Qiyuan under house arrest.

...

"Once we meet Old Zhong and confront him, the truth of the Ninghe County matter will come to light!" Zhishuang looked at Qiyuan, her face like frost.

"Mm, I also want to see who instructed this old codger to frame me." Qiyuan stretched his back.

Chen Kangbao looked at the grand residence ahead, his eyes shining brightly: "Young Master, following you, this old servant lives a life rivaling an emperor, eating ten buns a meal!"

"A pity, my wife is very young. If only she were eighty or ninety years old, that would be wonderful," Qiyuan said casually.

In that case, he could live off a woman's wealth.

Or even, after a few days, attend a funeral feast and inherit a great fortune.

A cold glint flashed in Zhi Shuang's eyes, but she said nothing; she had long grown accustomed to the bizarre remarks of the two before her.

"Ahhh, how dare you bully my sister, cuckold her—you're asking for death!"

A shout of rage came from the courtyard, and a slender young man appeared, with rosy lips and white teeth, as handsome as Pan An.

He was carrying a huge log, storming out with murderous intent.

"Young master, no, no!" A group of servants and maids followed behind, their faces anxious.

"Careful, don't hurt yourself!"

The handsome youth, holding the log, his face flushed red, glared angrily at Qi Yuan.

"Don't talk nonsense," Qi Yuan said calmly, looking at Shen Lingfeng.

This was the brother-in-law of Qi Yuan, the live-in son-in-law.

Qi Yuan, the live-in son-in-law, had only met him once and wasn't familiar.

"You say no? I heard you took a fancy to that widow!" Shen Lingfeng shouted angrily, still holding the log.

Zhi Shuang couldn't help but press her forehead.

Qi Yuan's actions in Ninghe County had tarnished the Shen family's reputation, but only a few in the Shen mansion knew the full story.

Yet Shen Lingfeng, with his loud shouting, had exposed it directly.

The servants and maids, though trying to stop Shen Lingfeng, were already itching to gossip.

What? The young master... cuckolded the eldest miss?

How dare the young master?

That was the eldest miss, unmatched in beauty!

"Young master, be careful with your words!" Zhi Shuang sighed. Clearly, the young miss was as clever as ice, so why was her brother so reckless?

After today, the entire Shen mansion would likely know that the live-in son-in-law Qi Yuan had cuckolded the eldest miss.

If the Shen mansion knew, wouldn't Fengshan Commandery soon follow?

"Careful with my words, my ass—I'll beat him to death!" Shen Lingfeng charged at Qi Yuan with the log.

Bang!

"Ah, young master, watch out!"

Well, he didn't hit Qi Yuan; he tripped over himself, fell, and the log pinned him down.

The servants and maids tensed up, quickly helping Shen Lingfeng move the log off him.

Shen Lingfeng got up, panting, and glared at Qi Yuan furiously: "I'm going to—"

"Enough!" At that moment, a cold voice rang out.

The servants and maids present immediately bowed their heads, their expressions respectful: "Madam!"

The newcomer was none other than the mistress of the Shen mansion, Shen Lingfeng's mother.

She appeared to be around thirty, as if time had left no mark on her—radiant and striking.

Her figure was curvaceous, with the plump beauty unique to a married woman.

Her black hair was coiled up, a gold hairpin slanting through it, her forehead exposed, and her looks were still stunning.

She was already so luscious now; one could only imagine how breathtaking she must have been in her youth.

Mother-in-law?

Qi Yuan recognized her, and in his mind, he wondered whether he should prepare her bathwater tonight.

After all, that was the duty of a live-in son-in-law.

"Madam, I have brought the young master back. He says the matter in Ninghe County was a setup by someone. If we can find Old Zhong to confront him, everything will be clear!" Zhi Shuang said respectfully, her head bowed.

"Old Zhong is dead," Madam Shen said.

"What? Dead?" Zhi Shuang's expression shifted. That meant there was no proof left.

"It must be that this bastard was afraid his shameful deeds would be exposed, so he silenced Old Zhong!" Shen Lingfeng quickly interjected.

Having said that, he felt quite proud of his quick thinking!

Madam Shen gave her reckless son a helpless look: "Old Zhong's body was discovered this morning. According to the autopsy, he has been... dead for half a month."

"Half a month?"

At these words, Zhi Shuang's expression changed dramatically.

Half a month ago, Old Zhong and the young master had not yet gone to Ninghe County.

And yet... Old Zhong had died half a month ago.

Then who was it that accompanied the young master to Ninghe County?

A chill ran through Zhi Shuang's heart, making this icy beauty even colder.

She frowned, sensing a conspiracy.

It was as if an invisible hand was manipulating everything.

Could this conspiracy be targeting the young miss?

Had she wronged the young master?

Thinking this, Zhi Shuang couldn't help but feel guilty.

"Even if Old Zhong is dead and there's no proof, the fact that he cuckolded my sister can't just be brushed aside!" Shen Lingfeng said cleverly.

Unfortunately, no one present paid him any attention.

"Qi Yuan, the matter in Ninghe County must have been a misunderstanding. Stay in the Shen mansion these days and try not to go out," Madam Shen said calmly. "I will find the real culprit for you."

Zhi Shuang hesitated, as if wanting to speak.

Shen Lingfeng looked bewildered; his brain couldn't handle such complicated thoughts.

"Mother-in-law?" Qi Yuan called out softly.

Hmm?

Madam Shen glanced at Qi Yuan—this form of address was a bit odd.

Who calls their mother-in-law "mother-in-law" like that?

"What is it?"

"Are you taking a bath tonight?" Qi Yuan asked boldly.

"..."

"I mean, a bath!" Qi Yuan explained, afraid his mother-in-law might not understand.

"..."

As a son-in-law living with his wife's family, I must do something for this household.

Pouring bathwater for my mother-in-law is my duty as a live-in son-in-law!

Mother-in-law, call me when you bathe, and I'll pour the water for you myself!

At these words, every servant and maid present stared at Qi Yuan in shock and horror.

What... kind of talk was that?

Pouring bathwater for his mother-in-law—what was he up to?

Could there be... an illicit affair?

Madam Shen's almond eyes narrowed, as if she were suppressing her fury. With a sudden flick of her sleeve, she turned and left.

Seeing this, Zhi Shuang quickly followed.

"Madam, the young master was sent to the asylum in Ninghe County. His mind may be damaged, which is why he raves like a madman. I beg your forgiveness!"

Thinking back on how she had misunderstood the young master along the way, treating him as a lecherous brute who assaulted women, her heart filled with guilt.

"Alas," Madam Shen sighed. "Troubles come in threes."

"Regarding this matter, the young master said Wang Kaixuan's shadow looms behind it," Zhi Shuang said after a moment's thought, her voice low.

"He... is only slightly smarter than Ling Feng. He probably doesn't even realize he's being used as a pawn by others," Madam Shen said calmly, but a glint of murder flashed in her eyes. "Go to the Wang family. If they refuse to hand over Wang Kaixuan, tell them I will pay a personal visit!"

The Wang family was a powerful clan, but compared to the Shen family, the gap was vast.

Hearing this, Zhi Shuang's heart tightened. She knew the madam was enraged.

"To marry into the Shen family is to become one of us. To dare touch a member of the Shen family—that is a death wish!"

...

"Master, what do you think of taking that woman as your mount?" Chen Kangbao munched on a steamed bun, offering advice like a self-aware strategist.

"She's my mother-in-law, a relative. If I rode her and someone found out, they'd accuse me of incest!" Qi Yuan still had his moral principles.

Chen Kangbao paused, confused. "Master, why would you take your wife as a mount? She's also your kin. If discovered, wouldn't that also be incest?"

Qi Yuan pondered this, finding some logic in it.

He racked his clever brain, then suddenly realized: "Even the r****d forum wouldn't accept you!"

He had almost been led astray by Chen Kangbao.

"Brother-in-law, I've come to apologize. I misunderstood you—I thought you were cuckolding my sister!"

A voice rang out as Shen Lingfeng, thin and frail, approached with an embarrassed look on his face.

Perhaps when God closes a door, He opens a window.

But all of Shen Lingfeng's doors were shut, while his sister's windows were wide open.

The eldest Miss Shen was ice-clever and unmatched in talent—completely unlike Shen Lingfeng's brash and impulsive nature.

Of course, this temperament wasn't entirely innate; it was tied to the magical artifact Shen Lingfeng controlled.

To some extent, the artifact also influenced the wielder's personality.

"It's fine, as long as the misunderstanding is cleared up," Qi Yuan said casually.

This brother-in-law wasn't a bad sort, just very dense.

"Alas, I always thought you were weak and useless, with only your face to recommend you. But today, when I charged in with such fury, you stood your ground without fear!" Shen Lingfeng spoke with admiration. "I am humbled."

"Mother said, 'When three walk together, one can be my teacher.' Brother-in-law, I'll learn from you from now on!" Shen Lingfeng's words came thick and fast.

Because of his personality, Madam Shen often told him to observe and learn more.

"Learn what?" Qi Yuan asked idly.

As a live-in son-in-law, was he supposed to tutor a younger sister-in-law?

No younger sister-in-law existed, so he'd have to tutor his brother-in-law instead.

Shen Lingfeng paused, then whispered, "Brother-in-law, you're young and already have a wife. I haven't even... ahem, I want to learn how to..."

"Pick up girls?" Qi Yuan looked at Shen Lingfeng, his expression calm. "I have plenty of experience with that!"

At this, Qi Yuan perked up.

(The chapter ends)