Chapter 10: Entering the Hall and the Room

Cheng Chuqiu gazed at her with eyes full of gratitude and said with deep emotion, "I never expected you to be so kind to me..."

Li Bao'er said: "What do you think this is? I set this table for a feast to express my gratitude. Thank you for carrying me down the mountain that day and for urgently treating my foot. Elder Tang said that your handling was quite good; otherwise, I might have ended up with a permanent limp."

Cheng Chuqiu recalled the events of the day and thought to himself, "Right, how could I have forgotten about this matter."

Li Bao'er smiled faintly, not responding. She held the wine glass to her lips and took a light sip, gazing at him with her big, dark eyes, filled with laughter.

Li Bao'er said: "Drunk? That's not the case..." After moving a bit, she said: "Can you... give me a push?"

Lü Yanjiao gracefully replied, "Thank you, madam"

These two completely different feelings appeared in his mind simultaneously, like twin brothers. Cheng Chuqiu raised the wine cup to his lips but found it inconvenient to drink. Seeing this, Li Bao'er said, "Oh, look at you, are you afraid I poisoned the wine?"

Li Bao'er still did not allow it, saying: "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Do you have something to do? Hmm, no, your business is my business. As long as I have no issues, how could you possibly have any? Could it be... you are drunk? Unable to bear the shame, you want to take the opportunity to escape?"

Li Bao'er let out a "humph" and said, "Have you learned to be afraid?"

Li Bao'er understood and smiled, saying: "Good!" She lifted the lid of the wine jar and directly poured the wine into the bowl. Although the wine jar was not very large, it was still much bigger than the mouth of the bowl, and with one careless move, the wine spilled all over the table.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "It is not that I wish to take advantage of you, madam; it is merely a matter of the order of events. As long as you drink these three bowls first, I will compensate you two for one, returning six bowls in total."

The candlelit room was warm, with fine wine and beautiful women, a solitary man and a solitary woman sharing the same space. The atmosphere before him reminded Cheng Chuqiu of that night spent in tender embrace with Yao Ji. He seemed to hear Yao Ji's breathing in his ears again, and his nose caught the fragrance emanating from her.

Cheng Chuqiu saw her in a state of agitation; although her words were filled with reproach, they were more rooted in concern. Feeling quite appreciative, he replied: "I understand now, I will be more careful next time"

Cheng Chuqiu found a way to save face, and his defenses immediately crumbled. He continued to think: "If I want to gather more information from Lin Wanquan, I must put in some effort with this woman; I certainly cannot leave just like this." As this thought crossed his mind, the deadly thrill that Yao Ji had brought him that night surged back to his heart, and he turned his body, pressing Li Baor on the bed

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Just a few cups, as long as I don't get drunk." He raised the cup in his hand and drank it all in one go

Cheng Chuqiu suddenly became angry, snorting with a sound, and turned her face aside

Cheng Chuqiu, impressed by her remarkable drinking capacity, felt a surge of admiration. Upon hearing her straightforward remark, he was instantly reminded of the exhilarating sense of justice and camaraderie he had experienced during his months of wandering the rivers and lakes. Thus, he said: "Alright, let's have another round!" He moved their wine cups aside, offered his own bowl, and placed it next to hers. The two bowls gently clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

One wonders: "This medicine likely has significant origins; otherwise, why would he say that I am not an ordinary person? Generally, a person with spring medicine is mostly perceived as a lecherous rogue, using drugs to seduce women in a despicable manner. What is so extraordinary about that? I find the truly extraordinary one to be Master Lin."

Li Bao'er said: "I have noticed that you never refer to yourself as 'little one' or 'servant.' In front of others, perhaps you might say it once or twice when there are many people around, but whenever it is just the two of us in private, you never say such things. You are not accustomed to it; you find it awkward. Perhaps, before this, you were still a young master, a nobleman, or some kind of hero, so your neck is stiff, and you cannot lower your head, am I right?"

Li Bao'er hugged him tightly with both hands and continued, "So when you said you would strike me dead with a single palm, was that also true?"

Li Bao'er shook her head and said, "I really feel that you are very different, unlike before..." Suddenly she stopped speaking and buried her face back into his chest

After a long while, with their lips parted, Li Bao'er buried her head in his shoulder, weakly and softly asking, "What you just said... is it true?"

Cheng Chuqiu suddenly performed a backflip, springing up from the ground. Li Bao'er was taken aback and said, "You are not... you are not..." She attempted to rise from her chair, but Cheng Chuqiu swiftly rushed behind her, gently placing both hands on her shoulders, urging her to sit back down.

After finishing her third glass, Li Bao'er shook her empty wine glass and said, "I've already had three glasses, and you haven't even had one. Aren't you being a bit disrespectful to me?"

Cheng Chuqiu turned around to continue getting dressed and said, "You did not answer my question"

Cheng Chuqiu heard that Lin Wanquan had come to find her early in the morning, and it was likely that he had just returned to the island to see her. There must be something important at hand, so she whispered to Li Bao'er, "Lin Wanquan is looking for you so urgently; there must be something significant. You should go meet him."

Li Baor's cup was filled to the brim with two glasses of wine, and she said, "I will first drink three glasses to express my gratitude." As she spoke, she downed the drinks in quick succession, finishing three glasses in a row.

Wei Qing was furious. Seizing the moment when Cheng Chuqiu had not finished speaking, he suddenly raised his right hand, and several concealed arrows shot out.

Cheng Chuqiu happily said: "Thank you, A Jiao"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "To call me a dignified man, yet to rely on your favor, is that not rather frustrating?"

Cheng Chuqiu brought the wine bowl in front of her and said: "I noticed. I noticed that you spilled the wine at that time, reached under the table to adjust your skirt, and then, while serving me the wine, you put your right thumb into the bowl."

Wei Qing thought of this and unconsciously slowed his pace. However, Cheng Chu Qiu did not intend to let him off so easily; she circled around and rushed up behind Wei Qing

He knew very well that it was no longer on him, yet he still reached into his pocket. The moment he let go, Li Bao'er sat up from the bed, threw her arms around him, and kissed him passionately on the neck

Cheng Chuqiu did not need to look back to know that Wei Qing had arrived. Not wanting to be recognized, he said nothing and, with a light push of his toes, swiftly retreated along the path he had come.

Li Bao'er trembled all over and said, "Then... why..." As her lips parted, she could not help but let out a low gasp

Li Bao'er held him with both hands, only twisting her body continuously, moaning and murmuring: "That is not poison... No one wants... wants your life... That is... that is a spring... medicine..."

Cheng Chuqiu was lost in thought and did not pay her any attention, continuing to ponder: "Later, when I fell into the water, I thought I had already lost the book in Dongting Lake, but it was actually picked up by Lin Wanquan. Indeed, I was severely injured and unconscious, so he must have examined everything on me. It turns out that the medicine was not lost; he had hidden it away. Since he is well-versed in medical theory, he naturally understands pharmacology, so he knows this is a spring medicine."

Upon entering, the first thing one sees is a table filled with an array of food and drinks, accompanied by a pair of lit candles at the side. Cheng Chuqiu was left speechless, unsure of what to make of it

Li Bao'er let out a soft "murmur," captivating Cheng Chuqiu completely, who could not help but lower his head to caress and kiss her delicate neck and chest. After a moment, Cheng Chuqiu seemed to recall something and suddenly said: "I warn you, do not play tricks in front of me again, or engage in those acts meant to intimidate others. Also, I will do as I please, do not even think about trying to control me, do you hear me!"

Li Bao'er continued, "But rest assured, I, Li Bao'er, am not someone who lacks understanding. I am not difficult to serve; however, there is one thing you must remember: I absolutely detest it when someone goes against me. Everything else is negotiable, and you will gradually come to understand that. Do not forget, if it weren't for me, you might be toiling away on the mountain right now"

At this thought, he shouted, "Where is the medicine?" Only then did he notice that Li Bao'er had completely stripped off her upper garment, revealing her full and rounded body

Lü Yanjiao said: "Does the lady have to have something to do in order to seek you out?" She brought him to the door of Li Bao'er, and after announcing their arrival, Cheng Chuqiu entered alone.

Li Bao'er was well aware of Lin Wanquan's ability to discern people, and thus she believed about seventy percent of what Cheng Chuqiu said. With a quick turn of her eyes, she asked, "Then what is your second option?"

Cheng Chuqiu returned to her original position facing her and said, "Alright, you want to know why, don't you? Then let me tell you first."

Cheng Chuqiu said: "We drank wine, and you were lying on me, so of course it would feel hot. Can you really not get up?"

Lü Yanjiao listened to his gentle voice, and suddenly, in a fit of playful annoyance, she retorted: "What are you daydreaming about in broad daylight? Who would want to be nice to you?"

Cheng Chuqiu naturally could not go back on his word, so he honored his promise and drank six bowls in a row. Li Bao'er was very pleased, clapping her hands in delight. This wine was quite strong, which typically women would not prefer, but Li Bao'er's nonchalant demeanor suggested that she was accustomed to drinking it regularly

Lü Yanjiao said: "Next time? Is there going to be a next time?"

The two chatted and laughed, having also enjoyed some appetizers. Ever since Li Bao'er spilled the drinks, Cheng Chuqiu had been eager to pour the wine. Shortly after, Cheng Chuqiu shook the wine jar, realizing that the remaining amount of wine was insufficient for them to fill a few more bowls. Therefore, after filling both their bowls once more, he took this opportunity to bid farewell

She let out a startled cry, suddenly realizing that she had only wrapped herself in a sheet. At this moment, she could not casually run out to find someone, so she turned around and ran back to the bed to look for her clothes

Li Baor saw that he was insincere in his words, but she did not take offense. She said, "Then tell me, have you offended me? Should you drink these three cups?"

Li Bao'er tightened her hands again with force, suddenly raised her head, widened her eyes, and looked at Cheng Chuqiu

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Shouldn't I be the one to ask you this? How is it? What does it feel like to suffer the consequences of your own actions? Tell me, who exactly sent you to harm me? You don't have the antidote on you, do you? Otherwise, you would have acted by now. However, as long as you confess the truth, perhaps I can save your life."

Li Bao'er had beads of sweat on her forehead, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes showed a hint of anger as she said: "I already said, I... I did it accidentally..."

Li Bao'er appeared somewhat dazed and said, "Take me out? Why? Isn't it good to stay here with me?" The collar was pulled increasingly open, revealing a light green undergarment.

Li Bao'er felt her ears turn red with embarrassment and said, "You ... ... "

Wei Qingdao: "Your martial arts skills are not weak; you must be a person of significance. However, I wonder if you are acting for yourself or for others"

Cheng Chuqiu praised, "Madam truly deserves to be called a heroine among women"

Moreover, that was the first time in Cheng Chuqiu's twenty-five or twenty-six years of life that he had tasted sour plums. The memory of that flavor in his mind was undoubtedly hundreds or even thousands of times more profound than the sour plums themselves. In a daze, he already felt his lips dry and his heart racing.

Li Baor was overjoyed and said, "Alright, I forgive you. Let's eat some vegetables; you must be hungry too, right? Hurry up, the food has gone cold."

Cheng Chuqiu inquired, "Madam, are you alright? How do you feel now?"

Li Bao'er, in anger, said: "I didn't ask him to come wait for me so early..."

Li Bao'er said playfully, "I am happy..."

Li Bao'er lowered her head and said in a playful tone: "Alright, I know you are different from them; they are my servants, while you are my master. Is that acceptable?"

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Is this still called 'not difficult to serve'?" He said, "Madam's method is very effective; I am now terrified to death."

Lü Yanjiao looked at him with a skeptical gaze and said, "I just told the lady that you rushed to find Lin Tie'er for medicine because of a recurrence of an old injury. If the lady asks about it later, just go along with it, do you understand?"

Cheng Chuqiu hesitated for a moment, but thought that drinking just a few cups would not get him drunk. He then proceeded to drink three cups in quick succession to comfort Li Bao'er

Li Bao'er placed her hand on her chest and said: "They... they made me leave, and before tomorrow morning, no one will come near this house... It's strange, it's already several months in, and it's still so hot..."

Cheng Chuqiu said: "I am feeling bored and restless, so I am wandering around to get a better understanding of the surroundings"

Li Baor said: "Yes, that day you disregarded my orders and went to find Lin Tie'er on your own. I was calling for you while you kept walking away. At that time, I was very angry; not sending someone to capture you and lock you up was already a grace on my part"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Madam, are you still unwell?"

Li Bao'er had already taken off her skirt, and the only thing she wore was a thin, form-fitting pair of long pants. Upon hearing Cheng Chuqiu ask her to take something out, without a second thought, she directly unfastened her belt and took off the entire pair of pants, approaching him completely bare.

Li Baor and others presented the tea and immediately inquired: "I have heard that Master Lin has been waiting for a long time. May I ask what urgent matter requires attention?"

Cheng Chuqiu suddenly opened his arms and embraced her, saying: "How could I bear to..."

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Madam is drunk, it would be better to rest early... Is A-Jiao outside? I will call her in..."

Li Bao'er blushed and retorted, "No, I won't wear clothes; it's cold."

Cheng Chuqiu was quite surprised to see her change tactics so quickly. He raised his left knee and bumped into her elbow. Li Bao'er let out a "Oh!" and stepped back, distancing herself from the situation.

Li Baor's柳眉 stood upright in anger, and she said: "Hmph! Does being obedient also include sleeping with me?"

Only then did Li Bao'er notice beads of crystalline sweat forming on her nose and chest, and while her face was initially just flushed, her fair chest now also showed a slight reddening. However, Cheng Chuqiu continued, "Thus, after drinking the second or third bowl of wine, your thumb would be resting on the rim of the bowl, like this. Therefore, there is no doubt that something is amiss with your right thumb. It seems to me that you have concealed powdered medicine under your thumbnail and took the opportunity to dissolve it in my wine." But Cheng Chuqiu continued, "Thus, after drinking the second or third bowl of wine, your thumb would be resting on the rim of the bowl, like this. Therefore, there is no doubt that something is amiss with your right thumb. It seems to me that you have concealed powdered medicine under your thumbnail and took the opportunity to dissolve it in my wine."

At that moment, Li Bao'er suddenly could no longer resist, unfastened her belt, took off her outer garment, and swayed her body, falling to the floor from the chair. Cheng Chuqiu observed that she did not seem to be pretending, and quickly picked her up, preparing to place her on the bed. Unexpectedly, Li Bao'er clung tightly to his neck and would not let go.

After three rounds of drinks, the two finished a jar of wine. Li Bao'er bent down to pick up the jar of wine that had just been brought in and said, "Come, let us finish this jar, and let all past grievances vanish into thin air"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "I am willing to serve you, madam." After finishing the polite remarks, he once again expressed his desire to take his leave

Li Bao'er first praised, "Good skill." Then, with a glance, she said, "You still claim you don't want to get me drunk, yet you want me to drink three large bowls in a row. What is your true intention?"

His sudden attack was akin to a sneak attack. Cheng Chuqiu hurriedly crouched down to evade, as two hidden arrows flew over his head, one of which lodged into the tree trunk. He thought to himself, "These hidden arrows come swiftly, but their aim is too poor." He further reflected, "Fortunately, I learned today that he has this trick up his sleeve; otherwise, if I had faced him directly at close range and he had launched a surprise attack, it would have been difficult to evade."

Although Li Bao'er felt somewhat disappointed, she had no choice but to say: "Alright, please have Master Lin wait for me in the flower hall and tell him I will be there shortly"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Madam, do not be afraid. I only wish to know why; it will not endanger your life."

Cheng Chuqiu was furious, forcefully prying her hands apart, and shouted: "Speak! Who ordered you to take my life! I am no longer welcome here, and you have nothing to fear!"

Li Bao'er was even more enraged this time, angrily saying: "You..." Not knowing what else to say, she suddenly raised her right arm and slapped him.

This is akin to someone who has once tasted the sourness of a plum; the next time they see a plum, without needing to taste it again, the sour flavor will naturally evoke in their mind, causing their mouth to water, as if they have once more tasted the sour plum

Cheng Chuqiu was lost in thought when suddenly the figure of Yao Ji flashed through his mind, causing his heart to flutter. Fortunately, he did not forget the matter at hand; regaining his composure, he grasped Li Baor's arm and asked, "I ask you, where is the medicine that Lin Wanquan entrusted to you?"

Cheng Chuqiu turned around and glared at her. Li Bao'er cleared her throat and said seriously, "What should I say to him? Given my status, is there anything I need to explain to him?"

Lin Wanquan cleared his throat twice and said, "There is still one matter to discuss, but it is not convenient to mention it at this moment." As he spoke, he cast a glance at Cheng Chuqiu.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "I could strike you dead with a single blow, carry you to the back mountain, dig a hole, and bury you. You can recall the day I carried you down the mountain; for me, carrying someone up and down is nothing. I could go back and forth without anyone noticing. After burying you, I would sneak back to sleep, and if anyone asked, I would feign ignorance. Who could do anything to me? Even if suspicion fell on me, it would ultimately return to the current situation. I could... After burying you, I would sneak back to sleep, and if anyone asked, I would feign ignorance. Who could do anything to me? Even if suspicion fell on me, it would ultimately return to the current situation. I could... I could capture the second lady and take a gamble. I have lived on the edge in the martial world, so what do I have to fear?"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Madam, with your beauty and elegance, you must be a person who values cleanliness. How could you unknowingly dip your fingers into someone else's wine? Moreover, your cleanliness is not merely my assumption. Just look at your handkerchief; you do not change it just once a day. Since I left with you this morning, this is already the fourth handkerchief I have seen. I ask, how could someone like you possibly put their fingers into wine without realizing it?"

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "You hold the power of life and death; who would dare to disobey? However, if you expect me, Cheng Chuqiu, to be like those others, crouching at your feet like a dog, then you have misjudged me." He then said: "So, Madam, you specifically summoned me today to warn me about the consequences of disobedience."

Li Baor said, "This is what you said." She then drank the wine that Cheng Chuqiu had just poured for her. Cheng Chuqiu immediately poured another glass, and Li Baor, without changing her expression, proceeded to drink the third bowl.

Since there was no fear of identity being exposed, there was a desire to test Wei Qing's abilities. Thus, I slowed my pace, deliberately waited for him to catch up, and then took him running around everywhere.

Cheng Chuqiu murmured to herself, "So it was Lin Wanquan." She thought, "Yes, I remember when I was at Yuelu Academy, during a banquet at the residence of Lord Xu, there were two scoundrels with ill intentions towards Miss Xu. At that time, I caught one of them and took the drug he had intended for Miss Xu. It was meant to find clues regarding the murder case of Yao Ji. Where has that drug gone now?"

Cheng Chuqiu's gaze became unfocused as he said, "I feel very dizzy and strange, unable to exert any strength... Please let me lie down for a while; I will close my eyes and rest a bit..."

Li Bao'er said: "I don't know, I... I feel a tightness in my chest, very... very hot..."

Cheng Chuqiu expressed his interest and said, "Come again!"

Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback and said, "Spring | Medicine?" Looking at Li Bao'er in front of him, there was indeed a hint of allure.

Lü Yanjiao said irritably: "This time you were lucky, but next time, it won't be so cheap..."

The signature skill of Cheng Chuqiu, known as the Seven Scatter Hands, is renowned for its dexterous techniques. Although it ultimately results in the same outcome of dislocating joints and breaking bones, it differs from conventional grappling techniques in that the Seven Scatter Hands places greater emphasis on deceiving the opponent. In close-quarters combat, the key is reaction time, responding to attacks as they come. However, employing feints within such a short reaction distance is indeed quite challenging; yet, this is precisely where the Seven Scatter Hands excels.

Wei Qingdao: "Who are you, Your Excellency? What is your intention in bringing me here?"

That is what I should do

Cheng Chuqiu smiled awkwardly and thought, "Everyone says that my elder sister's talents are not as great as my younger sister's, but I believe both are equally impressive; they simply excel in different areas."

Then Li Bao'er, sitting beside, said: "Come over and help me." Cheng Chuqiu complied and went over, assisting her to sit at the table

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Of course it is true. Do you see who I am? Would I lie?"

Li Baor continued to twist her body, moaning as she said: "It's true... and the book is true... It's Lin Wanquan... Lin Wanquan told me this, he said... he said this bottle of medicine was found in your pocket, he said... he said it's an aphrodisiac, he handed it to me... he said you are not a simple person, and asked me... asked me to find an opportunity to test you... Oh, I can't take it anymore... he said it's an aphrodisiac, he handed it to me... he said you are not a simple person, and asked me... asked me to find an opportunity to test you... Oh, I can't take it anymore... I can't take it anymore..."

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, someone suddenly rushed out from the side and said, "Where have you been?" Cheng Chuqiu turned around and saw Lu Yanjiao glaring at him with her cheeks puffed up on both sides.

Cheng Chuqiu stood up to pour wine for Li Bao'er, saying, "No, madam, you should first down three bowls in a row to atone for your slip of the tongue." His strength was great and his technique skillful, filling the wine bowl to the brim without spilling a single drop

Cheng Chuqiu knew she was referring to her previous "men". Clearing her throat, she said: "I have already stated, do not compare me to them"

Wei Qing was almost furious, but on the other hand, he was secretly alarmed, constantly pondering: "Who on earth is this person? His martial arts skills are so high, yet I know nothing about him. Looking at his clothing, he is clearly one of my associates. Could he be Wang Xuqing or someone from Bao Dan? What is his intention in eavesdropping on my conversation? I wonder how much he has heard?"

Li Bao'er said: "No... there isn't... I just feel... so thirsty..." She slowly walked to the table and drank the remaining wine in the bowl

Li Bao'er was in great embarrassment, her face flushed, struggling desperately. Cheng Chuqiu paid no heed to her, leaning down and kissing her lips.

Li Baor sat up straight and said, "Please take a seat."

Lin Wanquan said: "What I want to discuss is precisely related to him"

Cheng Chuqiu simply decided to speak nonsense, saying: "I am working for the heavens."

Lü Yanjiao grabbed his hand and pulled him aside, scolding, "What business is it of yours what I do? Why don't you take a look at yourself? You've had your shoulder chopped, and something stabbed in your face. Is that amusing? What did I instruct you before I left? Have you forgotten your current status so quickly? Next time, it will be you who gets thrown into the lake to feed the fish! Do you even understand?"

Wei Qing's heart was filled with uncertainty and fear. The more he thought about it, the more apprehensive he became. Suddenly, he realized: "Oh no, this is bad. His martial arts are clearly not inferior to mine, yet he has been making me chase him all this time. Why is that? He must be trying to buy time; there is likely an ambush nearby!"

Cheng Chuqiu followed behind Li Bao'er, making his way to the flower hall. Just as he was about to step into the hall, Lu Yanjiao happened to arrive from the side. The two met eyes, and Lu Yanjiao gave him a knowing glance. Cheng Chuqiu, puzzled, responded by making a face at her.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Which sentence? The one about slapping you to death?"

Li Baor's seeing that he still refused to sit, said: "Chu Qiu, I ask you, do you consider yourself extraordinary?"

Cheng Chuqiu said, "Then I shall respectfully comply with your wishes." He obediently sat down in front of Li Bao'er

After a while, Li Bao'er suddenly said, "It's getting late, I need to get up." Saying this, she left Cheng Chuqiu's embrace and went to retrieve the clothes that were thrown by the bedside. Cheng Chuqiu snatched her clothes and said, "Why put on clothes? You look quite good like this."

Cheng Chuqiu felt a chill run down his spine as her tone of voice was strikingly different from before. This reminded him of something, so he said: "You mentioned that Lin Wanquan wanted to test me. Now that you have tested me, how do you plan to report back to him?"

A series of questions can only be answered by stopping the other party, but given the current situation, it seems extremely difficult

Wei Qing realized that the hidden arrows could not harm him, and he could neither catch up nor escape. Whether he wanted to or not, he had no choice but to stay in place, watching him leave with wide eyes. Then he retraced his steps, racking his brain along the way, trying to see if he could extract him from his mind.

Li Bao'er quietly nestled in his arms, which could be considered an answer

As she spoke, she lifted the wine bowl and took a sip. However, whether intentional or not, she filled it too full, causing the wine to spill from her lips, trickling down her chin and neck, eventually flowing into the slightly open collar of her garment. Cheng Chuqiu's gaze followed the droplet of wine, and for a moment, he felt the world spinning around him. He said, "I..." hurriedly standing up, but in his fluster, he first knocked over a chair, and then suddenly fell backward, landing with a thud on the ground. Cheng Chuqiu's gaze followed the droplet of wine, and for a moment, he felt the world spinning around him. He said, "I..." hurriedly standing up, but in his fluster, he first knocked over a chair, and then suddenly fell backward, landing with a thud on the ground.

Li Bao'er seemed to be somewhat tipsy, with some wine splashed onto her dress, yet she merely laughed and casually brushed off the hem. She first returned the wine bowl to Cheng Chuqiu and said, "Are you trying to get me drunk? How about we each down three bowls first and see who gets drunk first?" Her expression was a mix of laughter and teasing, with a hint of allure as she raised an eyebrow.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "That's right, women must be gentle and considerate to be lovable. If you treat me this way, I can only cherish you more. If you want to give me orders, then I will turn against you."

Cheng Chuqiu said: "If I hold you, it won't be cold anymore..." It unexpectedly sounded like flirting between newlyweds.

Li Bao'er forbade him and said: "Your skill in pouring wine for others is truly impressive. Next time we drink, I will come to you again"

Cheng Chuqiu said solemnly: "Madam Guo, I am not afraid. If you are determined to turn against me, I currently have two options: one is to take you hostage, using you as leverage to force your subordinates to prepare a boat for me to leave. You may not yet fully understand my skills, but Lin Wanquan is right; my background is not simple. To be frank, the martial arts of the three elders of the Dongting Gang are not worth a laugh in my eyes. If I take you away from here, I have at least a fifty percent chance of success."

Cheng Chuqiu, unwilling to show weakness, smiled and said: "This table of wine is provided by the lady, and the wine is also poured by the lady. How can I say that I want to get the lady drunk?"

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself, having drunk the wine but not eaten the food is rather strange. Moreover, he was indeed hungry, so it would serve two purposes; why not enjoy it

He first returned to his residence to organize his clothing and washed his face, and then went back to Li Bao'er’s place. At that time, the sky was filled with red clouds, and it was close to the hour of You.

Later, Miss Xu really died, and this debt still hangs over him. He is not clear about the cause of Miss Xu's death, but if he truly ignores Li Baor, and she really dies tomorrow, then this debt will still fall on him.

Cheng Chuqiu recalled the original owner of this bottle of medicine and the words spoken that night. He said that if he did not take it, it should be given to him; otherwise, Miss Xu would undoubtedly die, and there was no need to waste it in vain

Cheng Chuqiu stepped forward, his eyes fixed on her, and said: "Do not forget, it was you who took the medicine and stubbornly clung to me; it was not I who seduced you!"

Cheng Chuqiu let out a low growl, and this time he had become the beast, indulging in the prey that had come within his grasp. Suddenly, he drew back his left palm and struck the table with a forceful motion. The flames of the two candles on the table first dimmed and then extinguished, releasing two wisps of curling white smoke

Li Bao'er was taken aback at first, looking at her bowl, which indeed bore the same lip print on the rim. She felt somewhat annoyed with herself for not having noticed it earlier and said, "Aren't you afraid... afraid that I might suddenly discover... discover that the rim of the bowl is clean, and... and become suspicious?"

Cheng Chuqiu felt a chill in her heart and raised her eyes to look at him. The two of them locked eyes in silence, not uttering a word

Cheng Chuqiu said: "You are talking nonsense. It was you who put it in the wine, and I saw through it. Now you actually claim it is my medicine"

Cheng Chuqiu realized that it would be entirely unbeneficial to fall out with her at this moment. Thus, she walked to the bedside and softly said, "Why suddenly turn against each other when everything was fine?"

Cheng Chuqiu leaped back into the underground chamber, retracing his steps, and emerged from the nearly ruined red brick house.

Li Bao'er was like a wild beast that had not eaten for several days, almost throwing her entire body onto Cheng Chuqiu, whispering: "In... in my waistband..."

Li Bao'er smiled and said, "Indeed, I have tried it. You are valiant and skilled in battle, exceedingly brave..."

It is not easy for Cheng Chuqiu to be hit by others. As soon as she moved her right shoulder, one could tell she was about to strike. Acting swiftly, I used my left hand to push away, my four fingers resting on her right wrist, and with a gentle pull, "bang," she ended up hitting her own left shoulder.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Drinking poison to quench thirst, does it ultimately make one thirstier? Or does it eliminate thirst altogether?"

Li Bao'er covered her chest with both hands, biting her lower lip, and said: "Who... who exactly are you?"

Li Bao'er continued, "Moreover, this... this medicine is not mine; it is... it is yours..."

Li Bao'er intentionally replaced soup with wine, so as they ate, Cheng Chuqiu would sometimes naturally pick up a wine glass to drink. Moreover, it had been a long time since he had tasted wine; after a few cups, the wine bug in his belly began to stir. Cheng Chuqiu then forgave himself once more, reassuring himself that his strong self-discipline would serve as a solid support, preventing past tragedies from recurring

However, the events that transpired after that day left a profound impression on Cheng Chuqiu. His life became a turning point from that night, plummeting from the peak to the abyss, falling from heaven to hell. His friends, his lover, his career—whether by choice or circumstance—suddenly distanced themselves from him. The myriad experiences of yesterday, akin to yesterday's demise, became the best portrayal of him

Li Bao'er said: "What... what... why..." She tried to appear calm, but her voice trembled unconsciously

Li Bao'er let out a soft giggle and said, "Good, good, good..." She wrapped herself in a bed sheet, got out of bed, walked to his back, and tightly embraced his waist with both hands, saying, "As long as you treat me well with sincerity, I guarantee you will live in luxury and enjoy a carefree life on this island." As she spoke, her face gently rubbed against his back, filled with deep affection, as if they were inseparable.

Li Baor smiled and said, "Good, this is what masculinity is all about!" As she filled his wine cup, she continued, "Since I have already expressed my gratitude to you, next, you must drink three more cups as an apology to me"

Cheng Chuqiang winced in pain, exclaiming "Ouch!" Li Bao'er felt extremely embarrassed and hurriedly said, "Ah... I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..." She struggled to get up, but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't find her balance. After a few attempts to prop herself up, she fell back down again, feeling both angry and anxious, nearly on the verge of cursing.

At dawn, Cheng Chuqiu had already risen and was getting dressed. Li Baoer, waking up slowly, instinctively pulled the bed sheet around herself, leaning lazily against the headboard, staring blankly at his back. Suddenly, she let out a few soft giggles.

Cheng Chuqiu spread his hands and said, "Even if you discover it, it doesn't matter. You have already promised to drink three bowls. You drank the first two bowls more heartily than a big man, so what reason do you have not to drink this third bowl? And if you deliberately knock it over... heh heh, I will say this without reservation: if that is the case, no matter what trick you use, you will definitely not escape my eyes. Even without you drinking, I can be certain that you have poisoned the wine." At this point, he glared at her fiercely.

Upon entering the flower hall, Lin Wanquan had already been waiting there. When he saw Cheng Chuqiu entering alongside, he appeared somewhat surprised. However, this expression of surprise quickly vanished, and he soon regained his composure.

Cheng Chuqiu initially intended to tease her, but upon seeing her shy demeanor, he suddenly felt it was inappropriate. He then said, "You mentioned that the lady is looking for me; what is it about?"

Cheng Chuqiu frowned and said, "Apologize?"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Aren't you going out? Are you back?"

Li Bao'er steadied herself, pressing both hands firmly against Cheng Chuqi's chest, slowly sitting up while saying, "I... I can do it now, I have strength..." Suddenly, she burst into laughter, exclaiming, "I actually got drunk... Hehe..."

The two individuals began to eat in the room. During this time, apart from two young maidservants bringing in wine, no one else entered to disturb them

At that moment, someone knocked on the door from outside and said, "Good morning, madam, Master Lin is here to see you." Cheng Chuqiu recognized the voice as that of a young maid she had never met before

Cheng Chuqiu's technique was remarkably skillful, effortlessly achieving a significant effect with minimal effort. However, Li Bao'er, completely unaware, saw her own hand unexpectedly strike back at herself and assumed it must be the work of Cheng Chuqiu. She turned sideways and used her elbow to jab at his lower back.

Li Bao'er said, "You are the first one to dare to lose your temper in front of me." After a pause, she continued, "However, that is not important. I have said that what I dislike the most are disobedient people, not those who lose their temper. Besides, occasionally throwing a tantrum is what it means to be with someone; if one only responds and deliberately provokes the other without getting angry, it is no different from being carved out of wood, is it not?"

Wei Qing sneered, "I see. You consider yourself a champion of justice, viewing everyone else as mere pawns. You can kill at will, coming and going as you please, is that it?"

Li Bao'er said with a smile, "Alright, I concede that you have a point." She picked up the wine bowl and said, "Then I shall drink first as a toast." With that, she tilted her neck back, gulping down the wine, and in an instant, the bowl was turned upside down.

Cheng Chuqiu took the porcelain bottle filled with medicine into his hands and tossed aside his pants. However, the sound of Li Bao'er’s gasping filled his ears, causing him to feel flustered. Just as he was about to push her away, he heard Bao'er say, "I can't take it anymore, hurry, come... please..."

Cheng Chuqiu continued his actions without looking back and said: "What are you laughing at?"

She muttered to herself, slowly walked back to the edge of the bed and sat down, reaching out to tug at her collar, saying: "So hot... so hot..." As she spoke, she opened her collar, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the beads of sweat from her chest.

Li Bao'er gritted her teeth and said, "I will go call someone to arrest you and execute you!" With that, she moved her body and rushed towards the door. Cheng Chuqiu's left hand shot out, grabbing the bed sheet wrapped around her, and with a gentle tug, Li Bao'er’s body rolled out like a rice dumpling freed from its bamboo leaves, completely naked.

Cheng Chuqiu was somewhat angry, but since he admitted that he was serving the heavens, he needed to maintain a certain nonchalant arrogance. Thus, he laughed heartily and said, "What is there to do? Are there any birds in this tree? Hahaha..." As he spoke, he leaped away from the other side.

Li Baor said happily: "Really? That's wonderful." She turned to Lu Yanjiao and said: "Madam, if I find it effective after taking it, I will also get a portion for A Jiao."

Madam, why do you say that?

Cheng Chuqiu lowered his voice and said ambiguously, "If one wants to keep something a secret, one must not do it oneself. What I want to do is not important; what matters is, what do you want to do?" The meaning was vague, and his attitude was unclear. After saying this, even he found it amusing.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "What are you looking at me for?"

Li Baor sat there smiling without answering, which made her even more certain, and she said: "Aren't you going to sit down?"

Li Bao'er was startled and got up to show her concern. Cheng Chuqiu closed her eyes, furrowed her brows, and wore a pained expression, saying: "I... I..." She shook her head vigorously, unable to speak.

Lü Yanjiao glared at him with a sidelong glance and said, "I thought you were quite clever. I didn't expect you to act without thinking." With a change in her expression, she questioned, "Where on earth have you been?"

Li Bao'er asked with concern, "What’s wrong with you?" She bent down to take a closer look, but suddenly lost her balance and fell onto Cheng Chuqiu.

Li Baor shook her head and said, "You say you can't bear to part with it, is that true?"

In short, I will not make the same mistake again

Wei Qing is not a fool; he initially thought he had lost the person he was pursuing, but unexpectedly caught up again. He then felt that the other party was deliberately circling around, with their pace alternating between fast and slow

Li Baor said: "Let him wait in the flower hall... No, you... you tell him to come back in two hours, I have a headache." It turned out that Cheng Chuqiu had been hugging her, and suddenly his desires arose again; at this moment, he was groping all over her body, causing her own feelings of spring to stir.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "From the first two cups of wine you drank, I could tell that my wine was quite peculiar. Therefore, when I was pouring you the third cup, I switched my cup with yours." As he spoke, he turned his cup halfway around, revealing a faint lipstick mark on the rim.

Cheng Chuqiu listened and immediately reached out to touch her waist, and indeed felt a hard object, saying: "Take it out and return it to me"

Li Bao'er rested her elbows on the table, cradling her chin in her palms, her eyes half-open and half-closed, lazily saying: "It's your turn, Chu Qiu..."

***

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Carelessly? That is also a possibility. I initially thought that you might be a bit drunk, drunk enough not to notice that you had dipped your fingers into my drink. However, when I asked you to finish three bowls in a row, I noticed that when you drank the first bowl, you deliberately held the bowl in your palm to avoid your thumb touching the rim of the bowl."

Li Bao'er initially struggled and resisted, but soon her strength began to wane, and thereafter her lips and tongue responded in kind

Li Bao'er explained: "I... I was careless..."

Thus, hand movements have always been Cheng Chuqiu's forte; Li Baor's attempts to show off in front of him can only be considered her misfortune

Lin Wanquan said: "This time, the old man has gone off the island to procure medicinal materials. In strict accordance with the lady's instructions, I have gathered all the medicinal materials required by the lady. Next, as long as the lady can spare some time, I will be able to prepare the medicine for her immediately"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Well... Madam, are you also drunk?"

Then the voice outside said: "But Master Lin has been waiting since early morning; at that time, the lady had not yet risen. She has already been waiting for more than an hour..."

Li Baor looked in the direction of his gaze and smiled knowingly, saying, "It's alright, Chu Qiu is one of us"

Cheng Chuqiu remained still, lowering his head and saying: "Madam is dining; there is no place for a servant."

Li Bao'er said: "But..." Cheng Chuqiu handed her the clothes and whispered: "Quickly put it on, I will go with you..."

Li Bao'er said resentfully: "Then why don't you just kill me, to avoid the burden."

Li Baor was furious. With a push of her hands, she suddenly sprang up from his back and exclaimed, "What did you say? Do you mean to say that you do not want to listen to me!"

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Did I not say that I couldn't bear to part with it? The latter statement is true, so the former must naturally be false! Why ask?" He then said: "Of course I was lying to you; did I not say I couldn't bear to part with it?"

Li Bao'er, with her charming eyes, became utterly compliant, sweetly saying: "Yes, my lord..."

Wei Qing hurriedly turned around, and Cheng Chuqiu executed a move called "Pulling Onions from Dry Ground," swiftly leaping to the treetop, looking down from a height, with his face perfectly backlit.

Cheng Chuqiu recalled the person who had just been confused and struck down by him. Although there was a sense of guilt in his heart, he felt no regret. He said: "Let’s not speak of others for now, let’s talk about you! A gentleman does not deceive in the dark, and those who bully weak women are certainly not good people. Moreover, if you wish to coerce the emperor to command the feudal lords, you must have a naive and ignorant target. If I find out that you continue to bully Li Beier, that person just now will be your example!"

Li Baor sat down and asked him to sit as well. Cheng Chuqiu followed Lv Yanjiao and stood right behind Li Baor, his demeanor natural, as if he were meant to stand there all along

In order to win Li Bao'er over completely, he demonstrated with his own bowl while saying: "... However, when you finish the first bowl, take the opportunity while I pour you more wine to quickly wipe the remaining wine on your thumb onto your sleeve... Madam, you have a handkerchief; why not use it to wipe? That is because the direction is wrong, as you want to wipe your hands but are afraid of me seeing..." That is because the direction is wrong, as you want to wipe your hands but are afraid of me seeing...

Li Bao'er lay on his chest, feeling him getting hotter and asked, "Are you okay..." After moving a few more times, she murmured to herself, "Strange... strange..."

At that time, Cheng Chuqiu had finished arranging his clothes and turned around to say: "I remember I made it very clear to you yesterday. Since I live on this island, I will take care of my own matters properly. But if you expect me to be a servant, to be a docile dog, that is out of the question"

Li Bao'er was taken aback and said, "Wh... what?"

Wei Qing shouted loudly and rushed up from behind. Cheng Chuqiu darted high and low through the forest, and upon hearing the footsteps behind, he already knew that in terms of lightness of skill, he was superior.

Cheng Chuqiu lay on the ground, observing her every move, and said: "Madam, should I just say that I am drunk and have someone help me out? Lying here is rather unsightly."