The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 223 Li Ping'er Indecently Assaults the Official, Gongsun Sheng Submits
The high-ranking official picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, his eyelids half-closed as he pondered deeply. After a while, he finally lifted his eyelids, his gaze sharp as lightning, and shot towards Shi Wengong, who sat upright like a pine tree:
"Instructor Shi, how many men have you gathered in your local militia so far? And how are their horsemanship skills...?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Wengong quickly clasped his hands and bowed, replying in a deep voice, "Reporting to your Excellency, there are a total of thirty-eight strong young men who are capable of forming a unit and serving in infantry combat!"

"Every day, they rise at cockcrow and train until the stars fill the sky before resting. The boys chosen by the steward are all in good shape! As long as they have enough meat and are full of white rice, they are all ready to fight to the death and are fearless in the face of blood!"

“Currently, the military is skilled in combined spear and club techniques, with three men forming a formation, advancing and retreating with precision. However…” He frowned slightly, a hint of difficulty on his face, “Horses are in short supply. Right now, we only have those ten ordinary nags, which we rotate to give the men some legwork training.”

"Our riding skills are decent; we've honed them diligently, daring not to slack off in the slightest. We can control the reins when mounted, and we can keep up with the formation at a trot. They're passable... but we don't currently have any good steeds for real horsemanship battles, so we haven't practiced with them yet."

The official nodded slightly and tapped his finger heavily on the table: "As long as you can ride it and are skilled in horsemanship, that's good enough!"

"I'll give you ten thousand taels of silver! Take my adopted son, Wang Sanguan, with you too." He specifically mentioned this name, with a meaningful tone, "And lead these thirty-eight strong men, set off for Zengtou City immediately."

"Provide everything according to the rations for fifty elite cavalry! Strong bows and crossbows, fine steel sabers, and a complete set of saddles and bridles! Not a single item can be missing!" He paused, a ruthless glint in his eyes.
"Remember, if you have any silver left over, no matter how much, exchange it all for warhorses! Get as many as you can, and gather as many as you can! Choose only the best, strong, and fast steeds from the border regions!"

He stared into Shi Wengong's eyes and said, word by word, "Instructor Shi, this 'deal' concerns our lives and future! You, along with Wang Sanguan and these thirty-eight brothers, must handle this perfectly and flawlessly! Can you do it?"

Shi Wengong suddenly stood up! His burly body brought with it a gust of wind, just like a long-sheathed treasured sword suddenly drawn from its sheath, radiating cold light!
Without the slightest hesitation, he clenched his fists like hammers, took a step back with his left foot, and with a dull thud, his right knee fell heavily to his knees, as if a thousand-pound stone roller had crashed onto the gold brick ground!
The sound was like tearing silk, carrying a do-or-die, reckless killing intent, shooting straight at the beams and pillars:

“My lord! Leave this matter to me! I will risk my life and my life to live up to your trust! I will ensure that those thirty-eight men, not a single hair is missing, and that the fifty elite cavalry, fully equipped and with the spare horses we acquired, are escorted back to your residence safely and intact!”

"Excellent!" Upon hearing Shi Wengong's resounding vow, the high official slammed his hand on the rosewood table, making the teacups clatter. A satisfied smile spread across his face, and he praised repeatedly:
"That's exactly the kind of responsibility we need from you, Instructor Shi! Remember this well. Once you've thoroughly familiarized yourself with the process, the procurement of warhorses and equipment will be a breeze, and you'll be on your way!"

With a wave of his hand, exuding the authority of a superior, he declared, "This matter is now entirely entrusted to you!"

Shi Wengong clasped his hands in a fist salute once more, and roared in a deep, thunderous voice, "As you command, my lord!"

He then nimbly stood up, sat back down, his back still as straight as a taut bow, like a javelin ready to be fired at any moment, completely still.

The official's gaze shifted and landed on Wu Song, who had remained silent like an iron tower: "Erlang!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Song also clasped his hands and stood up abruptly, his movements as swift and decisive as if cleaved by a knife or axe, exuding the untamed and fearless spirit unique to江湖草莽 (jianghu grass-roots) people: "Master's orders! Wu Er, listen up!"

The official instructed, "Take a bag of jewels and set off immediately for the Happy Forest! Find those old customers who know their stuff and make sure they exchange them for silver notes for me!"

He paused, then instructed, "Be quick! Be efficient and efficient! As for the price... just make sure it's acceptable, don't haggle, go and come back quickly, don't delay!"

A glint flashed in Wu Song's eyes, and a cold smile, a product of his years of bloodshed, curled at the corner of his lips: "Don't worry, sir! I, Wu Er, know that Happy Forest like the back of my hand! I'll make sure it's handled perfectly for you, without even a speck of dust being stirred up!"

After speaking, Wu Song did not immediately retreat. His towering figure bowed slightly, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a deep voice:
"Master, there is one more thing."

The official was picking up his teacup again, blowing away the foam, when he heard this and casually asked, "Hmm? What is it?"

"The sorcerer we captured in that alley has woken up. He's making a ruckus and insists on seeing you." Wu Song's voice was flat and emotionless.

"Oh?" The official's lips curled into a playful smile. He took a sip of fragrant tea and said slowly, "What conditions do you want to discuss with me? Are you planning to offer treasures to buy your life, or do you want to haggle a bit more?"

Wu Song remained standing ramrod straight, his usual cold and hard expression unchanged, and he simply uttered a few words: "He shouted that he had surrendered."

puff--! ! !
The high-class jasmine tea that the official had just put in his mouth, along with a few pieces of emerald green tea leaves, was suddenly sprayed straight out without warning!
The official coughed, one hand clutching his chest, the other haphazardly wiping the water from his chin. His handsome face, which exuded a touch of wicked charm, was now displaying a complex and fascinating expression—surprise, astonishment, disbelief, and a hint of doubt.

"Just like that... I surrendered? Do I truly possess that legendary aura of dominance? That my imposing presence will cause heroes from all directions to bow down in reverence?"

The official frowned deeply: "This fellow... surrendered so easily? Is it a delaying tactic? Is he harboring malicious intentions, waiting for an opportunity to turn against us?"

Shi Wengong and Wu Song exchanged a quick glance.

Shi Wengong stepped forward, clasped his hands and bowed: "My lord, from my detached observation, I feel that... this surrender is seven-tenths genuine!"

"Oh?" The official turned his suspicious gaze to Shi Wengong. "Tell me, what makes you so sure?"

Shi Wengong's lips curled into a bloodthirsty grin: "Your Excellency is wise! That sorcerer, even with his evil magic that can summon wind and rain, is ultimately nothing more than a flesh and blood shell!"

“Last night, I personally tested his abilities.”

"Your humble servant is but a crossbow with a three-stone capacity, thirty paces away. Give me a fine horse, and I'll make sure his skull is pierced as easily as a rotten melon!"

“Even without using a powerful bow, if my men get within ten paces and charge forward on horseback, I am confident that I can take his head as easily as taking candy from a baby before he even makes a hand seal! Under such circumstances, what right does he have to be arrogant? What reason does he have to be defiant?”

Shi Wengong's words were resolute, filled with absolute confidence in his own martial prowess and a cold assessment of Gongsun Sheng's current situation.

The doubt on the official's face did not completely disappear after hearing this, but it was somewhat lessened by Shi Wengong's murderous words.

He stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming: "Perhaps... they're not so sure that they won't admit defeat because of our few buckets of 'stinking,' 'lingeringly delicious' 'blood'!"

The official stood up: "Let's go! There's no point in guessing further, we'll know once we see for ourselves."

Led by Wu Song and Shi Wengong, the official, waving a gold-flecked fan, strolled through several courtyards and arrived at the main hall of the guard compound.

Inside the hall stood seven or eight burly guards, each with their hands on the hilts of their swords, their eyes fixed on the figure in the center of the hall, whose arms were bound behind their backs and who was being "invited" in like a lamb to the slaughter—it was none other than Gongsun Sheng, the "Dragon Entering the Clouds," who had been so powerful and arrogant yesterday, but now wore a stained Taoist robe, had his hair disheveled, and reeked of a foul stench!

Gongsun Sheng looked utterly disheveled.

The guards were clearly extremely wary of him. They didn't even dare to take off his filthy Taoist robe, which was stained with blood, let alone change him into clean clothes!

He was roasted like cured meat for most of the day and night by the large, burning bronze stove in the corner of the hall, barely managing to get him "dry" inside and out.

Even so, after flushing dozens of buckets of water, a stench of rotting flesh mixed with blood, filth, sweat, and burnt flesh still wafted over from a few steps away, making one want to vomit!
As soon as the official stepped across the threshold, he was so overwhelmed by the "celestial aura" that he frowned deeply and involuntarily took two or three steps back. He quickly pulled out a brocade handkerchief sprinkled with strong fragrance from his sleeve and covered his mouth and nose tightly, leaving only his gleaming eyes showing.

Gongsun Sheng was left in the hall like a stinking mud on the street. The guards around him held their breath, their eyes filled with disgust and vigilance, and their bodies honestly kept their distance from him, as if getting any closer would bring bad luck.

Gongsun Sheng was so proud and arrogant. When had he ever been looked at like this, as if he were looking at dog excrement? His face flushed red and then turned white. He was so ashamed and indignant that he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. He was left with nothing but embarrassment and helplessness.

The official stepped back a few paces before taking off his handkerchief: "Master Gongsun, we meet again!"

Gongsun Sheng looked up upon hearing the sound, his gaze first sweeping over the two figures standing like door gods on either side of the official's back!

On the left was the ferocious humanoid beast that had completely suppressed the five skilled outlaws.

The terrifying power of the wind howling on the hill and the devastating force of the punches still chills him to the bone!
On the right is the archer who, though it was a sneak attack, possessed a lightning-fast, cunning, and ruthless archery skill that nearly brought him to his death—a skill that no ordinary bandit could possess!

This man exudes a deep and imposing aura, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's; he is clearly a fearsome military figure who has emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

What shocked Gongsun Sheng even more was that these two were so powerful and ruthless that they could dominate the region!
At this moment, they stood obediently behind Lord Ximen, just like the most loyal house dogs!

With lowered head and meek eyes, completely submissive! Where was there even a trace of arrogance in that posture? It was clearly reverence and submission from the very core of his being!

Seeing this, Gongsun Sheng's last trace of resentment and hope vanished completely.

The color drained from his face, leaving only a dejected and defeated expression.

He smiled bitterly, shook his head with difficulty, his voice dry and hoarse, filled with self-mockery and an incredulous sense of absurdity: "Heh...heh...this humble Taoist...this humble Taoist has truly been blind! Traveling all over the country, claiming to have glimpsed the secrets of heaven...but I never expected, never expected this!"

Gongsun Sheng stared intently at the official, his once clear eyes now clouded and filled with fear, confusion, and a sense of helplessness and bewilderment as if facing an abyss.

The one who robbed the 100,000 strings of cash for the birthday celebrations… was actually a high-ranking official, a "Chief Judge" wielding the power of life and death, openly presiding over cases in the yamen! This… no one could have imagined this, no matter how hard they tried!

His throat bobbed as he recalled the moment he saw the magistrate telling his fortune yesterday. The overwhelming, surging purple aura that rushed towards him was like a dense, impenetrable, chaotic fog that completely obscured his life's work in physiognomy and fortune-telling, shattering it all!
Only then did he realize what had happened, his voice trembling like a withered leaf in the autumn wind: "No...no wonder! Last night, when I set off, I carefully calculated with my fingers, and it was clearly auspicious, a very lucky omen! How...how could I have ended up in such a miserable situation!"

"Even when the birthday tribute was robbed, I cast a divination, and the hexagram clearly indicated smooth sailing and blessings from the heavens... yet I still suffered a complete defeat!"

"So...so the root of all this lies with you, sir!" Gongsun Sheng's eyes revealed a near-desperate realization. "Even the mysterious secrets of heaven have been scattered and murky by your purple aura!"

The official curled his lip in a cold, impatient sneer, put his hands behind his back, and said, "Stop spouting this nonsense! I don't have time to listen to your rambling! Have you surrendered?"

Gongsun Sheng, as if grasping at a straw, nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice: "I surrender! I surrender! From now on, I am willing to serve you, my lord, with utmost loyalty and devotion! I will never have any other thoughts!"

Instead of showing any joy, the official's face revealed a strange and extremely sarcastic expression: "Oh? You think... I would believe your clever tongue?"

He leaned forward slightly, "You think you can make me accept you, this source of trouble that's hard to tell whether you're a magic pill or poison, just by talking big?"

Gongsun Sheng choked abruptly, completely stunned.

According to his previous plan of a "wise ruler accepting a worthy man," shouldn't this official be personally untying the ropes, offering gentle words of comfort, and then bowing down in gratitude, thus creating a harmonious relationship that would become a celebrated tale? How... how could it be that this is not the case at all?!
The high-ranking official scoffed, his laughter as cold as a knife pulled from an ice cave: "Want to become my subordinate? Fine! Give me a solid, convincing reason! Make me believe you're sincere, not harboring ill intentions and waiting to bite back!" His eyes suddenly flashed with a chilling light, each word like an iron nail striking the ground, "Otherwise, I'd rather kill a thousand innocent people than harbor a threat! Today I'll teach you a lesson about what it's like to be a wild dog scavenging for food in a mass grave!"

Startled by this blatant killing intent, Gongsun Sheng hurriedly straightened his posture and said:
"My lord, you are wise! We, the people of the Daoist sect, will never make enemies of two kinds of people! First, those who are destined by heaven and blessed with great fortune, true dragons! Second..."

His voice trembled slightly, carrying a sense of awe towards the unknown, "Even someone like you, sir... has a destiny that stirs up the secrets of heaven, is chaotic and unpredictable, and whose path is unclear!"

"But you, sir... I dare to observe, and it seems... it seems you possess both!"

"Stop! Stop!" The official waved his hand sharply, as if shooing away an annoying fly. "Stop trying to feed me this nonsense! What destiny and anomalous numbers? What utter rubbish! I don't believe in this nonsense at all! If that's all you have to say, you can die now."

Gongsun Sheng was truly desperate now! Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and temples, instantly soaking the dirty collar of his Taoist robe.

How could my promising future, which led me down the mountain to serve under the Imperial Preceptor, suddenly turn into my death sentence?

Judging from the icy tone of this Mr. Ximen, it was clear that he had already decided to kill, and it was by no means just a threat!
The official's lips curled into a cold, icy smile, his eyelids half-closed, as if he were looking at a dying mangy dog: "What? Did a wildcat steal your tongue? Can't come up with a decent excuse?"

He snorted coldly, and without turning his head, he ordered in a deep voice, "Wu Er...send this 'immortal' to paradise as soon as possible, so he won't cause any more trouble!"

"Just what I wanted!!" Wu Song replied with a sinister grin, his two iron palms, as big as palm leaves, collided with a loud "bang," the joints cracking like popping beans!
He strode forward with a fierce gait, bringing with him a gust of wind, and approached the limp Gongsun Sheng, his eyes like those of a butcher approaching a lamb to the slaughter.

"My lord! Wait! Wait! I have something to report! A very important matter to report!" Gongsun Sheng was so frightened that his voice cracked as he screamed.

The official didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, merely lazily raising his right palm. Wu Song's towering figure stopped just a step away from Gongsun Sheng.

Gongsun Sheng dared not hesitate for a moment longer. He poured out his secrets, revealing how he had been secretly ordered by the current imperial advisor, Lin Lingsu, to go down the mountain and secretly support some outlaws to stir up trouble in Shandong, paving the way for the Taoist sect to "govern the people on behalf of Heaven" in the future. He revealed everything in detail.

"...My lord! I have now revealed this earth-shattering secret. If you were to leak it to the Imperial Preceptor, I would have no place to stand in the Daoist sect!" Gongsun Sheng gave a bitter smile. "This...this is my pledge of allegiance! My life or death is entirely in your hands!"

The official frowned deeply!
That's it!

The fog in his heart suddenly cleared up—no wonder Liangshan Marsh, full of murderers, ruffians, and convicts, could still cause such a huge upheaval; it turned out that there was such a "deity" behind it all!
They even claimed to the outside world that "the 108 constellations have descended to earth" and "to act on behalf of Heaven," but it turned out that it was all a scheme orchestrated by Lin Lingsu, a Taoist sect that was raising a tiger's skin flag behind the scenes!
It seems that this imperial advisor is not satisfied with his empty title of "Golden Gate Hermit" and is eager to reach into the boiling pot of military power to grab a piece of the pie!

He couldn't stand the loneliness and wanted to experience the feeling of holding life and death in his hands and commanding thousands of troops.

After hearing this, the official's smile deepened, carrying a hint of cat-and-mouse playfulness, as he slowly uttered three words: "Not—enough!"

Gongsun Sheng was struck dumb, his whole body stiffening!
He had sold off even the most important and irreplaceable things, such as the foundation of the Taoist sect and the secret orders of the National Preceptor. He had also completely destroyed the last remnants of his ancestors. Wasn't that enough?
Is it because you think your head isn't heavy enough?
But how could he hesitate for even a moment! Seeing the sinister smile on Wu Song's lips reappear and his towering body about to close in again, Gongsun Sheng was so frightened that his soul almost left his body and his spirit almost ascended to heaven! He no longer cared about any dignity or rules.
All I want right now is to survive!

Regardless of whether it was useful or not, he picked out the most important and "sincere" things and poured them out, including all the secrets of the Taoist sect, the dirty dealings among his fellow disciples, and even his own childhood misdeeds such as stealing chickens and dogs and stuffing wet firewood into his master's wife's stove!

Spittle flew everywhere, and he spoke incoherently, hoping to gain even the slightest chance of survival.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, knelt on the ground, and cried out in a voice as mournful as the hooting of a night owl: "This humble Taoist...this humble Taoist is willing to swear a 'Mysterious Code of Prohibition' to the Three Officials (Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official)! This is the most solemn blood oath of our Taoist sect! If I betray you, I am willing to suffer the divine punishment of the Mysterious Code! I will fall into the three evil realms (hell, hungry ghosts, and animals), and be condemned to eternal damnation, never to be reborn! If I utter even a single falsehood, may I be struck by five thunderbolts and my soul be annihilated!"

His forehead slammed heavily against the gold brick floor, blood mixed with cold sweat streaming down his face. His Taoist robe was filthy, and he no longer possessed any semblance of his otherworldly demeanor.
A barely perceptible hint of satisfaction finally crossed the official's face.

He nodded slightly: "Hmm...that's more like it. Fine, I'll trust you this time."

He waved his hand lazily, "Untie him. Take him away, find a quiet room, and give him a good wash! Don't let this filthy body defile my place!"

Gongsun Sheng felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and collapsed to the ground, repeatedly saying, "Thank you, sir! Thank you for saving my life! This humble Taoist... no, this lowly one... this lowly one can never repay your kindness even if I die ten thousand times!"

"Enough! As long as you serve me diligently, I'll treat you with respect. There's no need for such humility!" The official interrupted impatiently, standing up. "It's getting late, and you don't look presentable. Go and rest, recharge your energy. Tomorrow at dawn, come to my residence to report for duty! I have important matters to attend to!"

"Yes, yes, yes! I will obey! I will be waiting for you early tomorrow!" Gongsun Sheng nodded and bowed.

After giving his instructions, the official turned and left.

Reaching the deserted corridor, he paused slightly, not turning his head, and said in a very low voice: "Wu Ding, keep a close watch on him these past two days! See what he's been doing and who he's been seeing!"

A knowing look flashed across Wu Song's fierce face. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and replied in a deep voice, "Don't worry, sir! I'll take care of it!"

Only then was the official relieved, and he strolled out of the heavily guarded gate of the mansion.

He glanced up at the tightly closed, exquisitely decorated side gate of the Hua residence diagonally opposite, adorned with auspicious patterns, and sighed.
"Sigh... I still need to go and tell that Ping'er... that good-for-nothing Hua Zixu... he'll probably be spending a good few days in jail this time..."

The high-ranking official had put on a brand-new fifth-rank official robe, with a lion-shaped jade belt around his waist and a black gauze hat. He looked majestic and imposing.

He exuded the air of a dignified chief magistrate. He stepped towards the corner gate of the Hua Mansion diagonally opposite and patted it twice.

The side gate creaked open a crack, revealing the pretty face of Li Ping'er's personal maid, Xiu Chun.

Upon seeing this powerful and influential official, Xiu Chun hurriedly bowed and performed a deep curtsy, saying, "Greetings to the esteemed official!" She then stepped aside and respectfully led the official to the front hall.

Li Ping'er, whose beauty was in no way inferior to Jinlian's, stepped out.

Her face was small and delicate, set against her dark, cloud-like hair.

Her waist was so slender it could hardly be grasped in one hand, yet it was connected to a plump and full-figured body.

As she walked, her round, full buttocks, visible beneath her thin jacket, resembled a full moon, undulating gently, only slightly smaller than Wang Xifeng's large millstone.

What's most striking is its skin, so white it's almost unbelievable, like porcelain.

Among all the women around the official and those he has seen, only Qin Keqing's milky white skin and Li Ping'er's porcelain white skin are comparable. Not to mention the entire Qinghe County, even the capital city would probably not be able to find another porcelain beauty as dazzlingly white and radiant as this!

Upon seeing the official's imposing presence, Li Ping'er felt a tingling, ticklish sensation in her heart, as if scratched by a kitten's paw. She quickly stepped forward, curtsied, and said sweetly, "My lord, you look magnificent today! Please, have a seat. Xiuchun, bring some tea!"

The official sat down with an imposing air, cleared his throat, and deliberately put on a serious expression: "I've come today specifically to tell you something. The matter of Hua Laosi... has really caused quite a stir... I'm afraid... I'm afraid he'll have to suffer in humiliation inside for some time."

"Ah?!" Upon hearing this, Li Ping'er's porcelain-white face instantly lost all color, becoming even paler than the plain white silk jacket she was wearing!
Her beautiful eyes widened in shock, her slender fingers twisting an embroidered handkerchief tightly. Her voice trembled with tears as she cried out, "What...what should we do?! My lord! You...you are all-powerful, you must find a way to save him!"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she anxiously watched, her frightened and helpless, delicate and timid appearance truly like a pear blossom battered by a sudden spring rain, a sight that evoked pity in me.

Seeing her like this, the official inwardly chuckled, but outwardly sighed and said gently, "Don't panic! Brother Hua is inside, and I've had people take care of everything. He absolutely won't suffer the slightest grievance! He's being provided with good food and drink, and has a private room. Just think of it as... going in to find some peace and quiet and avoid the storm. After some time, when things calm down, he'll naturally come out unharmed. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything!"

That resolute "I'll take care of everything" was like a stabilizing force, a life-saving elixir, instantly calming Li Ping'er's anxious heart. Through her tear-filled eyes, she looked up. In her blurred vision, the official spoke gently, without a trace of arrogance. His impeccably tailored official robe accentuated his tall and robust figure, like a pine tree. The confident air between his brows, exuding an aura of power and authority, was like strong liquor, piercing straight to the heart and captivating the soul!

As Li Ping'er listened, the frightened tears still trembled on her eyelashes, but her eyes gradually became hazy, staring intently at the broad, sturdy chest beneath the official's robe—

Beneath that brocade lay chestnut-colored muscle, the result of countless nights she had spied on while watching martial arts practice, a sight that haunted her dreams and kept her tossing and turning in her sleep!

The strips were distinct, the blocks distinct, taut and glossy, gnarled and twisted, brimming with boundless, inexhaustible brute force…

An unnamed, malevolent fire suddenly surged up from her lower abdomen and instantly engulfed her entire body!
What was the meaning of Hua Zixu, what was the imprisonment? In an instant, all she wanted was to burn to ashes by this burning desire! At this moment, all she wanted was to hold tightly to the imposing, powerful, and masculine man before her!

"My dear lord, my good man, have pity on me!" Li Ping'er suddenly let out a seductive cry that was almost a moan, like a swallow returning to its nest or a starving mother leopard pouncing on its prey, and her whole body, carrying a sweet fragrance, crashed straight into the arms of her lord!
Two white, soft, jade-like arms, like cast iron vines, tightly gripped his strong waist, which was dressed in an official robe!
The force was so great that even the shrewd and strong man, who was skilled with sticks, couldn't help but feel breathless!
The official was completely taken aback! He was utterly dumbfounded!

The words of comfort he had prepared stuck in his throat, and the solemn and gentle expression on his face was instantly replaced by astonishment and bewilderment.

This woman's face changes way too fast?! Just a moment ago she was crying and sobbing, and in the blink of an eye she's like a red-hot iron or scalding honey, sticking to me like glue?

What made him even more amused and exasperated was that Li Ping'er pounced on him without any regard for manners or propriety!

Those cherry lips, exhaling sweet and moist breath, carelessly rubbed and kissed his neck, his sharply defined chin, and even the official badge that symbolized his authority, leaving behind wet marks!

Two restless little hands, as if they had gone mad and found a life-saving treasure, eagerly and haphazardly groped, rubbed, pinched and twisted that hot, solid chest!

Those sharp fingernails seemed determined to knead and squeeze the juice out of his proud, angular chestnut-shaped body before they would stop!

"My lord... your official robes... are truly imposing... but your body... is as hard as a rock... like a lump of iron... it's really going to kill me..."

While greedily pinching and twisting his full, bouncy chest muscles, feeling the amazing strength and heat under her fingers, Li Ping'er pressed her plump, hot body against the master's chest, wishing she could crush herself and melt into his body.

The official was completely flustered by the woman's sudden and passionate enthusiasm!
He cursed inwardly that this woman was a rare and unusual person, unlike any he had ever seen before.

On the one hand, he felt that he, a dignified fifth-rank official and the real tyrant of Qinghe County, was now like a young virgin being forcibly embraced and kissed by a vulgar lecher. He couldn't exert his official power and was rather helpless and ridiculous.

(End of this chapter)