Demon Emperor

Chapter 63 Doing Business

Ruan Hu wasn't there to listen to music; he had serious business to attend to.

However, it wouldn't hurt to listen in.

The girl's crimson skirt swept across the blue bricks, and Ruan Hu could smell the scent of styrax. Recently, Ruan Hu had become familiar with the different types of incense and could even distinguish them by their scent.

I glanced at it out of the corner of my eye.

The girl always lagged behind by half a step, her hair piled high with a golden hairpin, which remained perfectly still as she walked.

This demeanor was practiced from childhood, and I don't know how much effort it took.

On its body.

It possesses both the noble air that Ruan Hu is familiar with and the youthful innocence that comes with it.

The mother-of-pearl inlaid sandalwood zither leaned against her arm, adding a touch of artistic flair to the young woman.

Ah!
We must get things done, and we must also cultivate our character.

When the emperor visited, the Chen family spared no expense in their hospitality.

Chen Guang seemed to have a premonition that the emperor would come again, so he made preparations in advance. Some things were displayed in Shiqiao Village that were not there when Ruan Hu came last time.

The Chen family has indeed put a lot of effort into this manor on the outskirts of Beijing; the scenery is pleasant and has a charming pastoral feel.

True wealth is found in the details.

Not only that.

When Ruan Hu toured the manor, he noticed that there were at least twice as many people as when he last visited.

evening.

The banquet was held in a pavilion within the estate, named Cangmo Pavilion.

Next, Ruan Hu witnessed firsthand the wealth and grandeur of aristocratic families.

Three hundred and sixty gilded lotus lanterns lit up outside and hung along the road, illuminating the seven halls as if it were daytime.

Inside the pavilion alone, there were forty servants in blue robes attending to him.

Servants carried in a sandalwood couch inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which was covered with a brocade rug embroidered with three-colored peacocks.

Ruan Hu sat down directly on it.

When the back of my hand brushed against the brocade, I could feel a slight coolness on my skin.

His gaze swept across the room, and despite the many people inside and outside the pavilion, Ruan Hu could hear very little; apart from the faint sound of footsteps, it was extremely quiet.

It was as if the moment he sat down there, even the insects dared not chirp.

When the first dish of minced fish was served, Ruan Hu wasn't thinking about the delicious food, but rather listening to the dripping sound of the water clock under the eaves.

a long time.

Ruan Hu looked down at Chen Guang.

His purpose in coming here this time was to truly reach a tacit understanding with the Chen family of Langfeng: he would give the Chen family of Langfeng wealth and status, and in return, the Chen family of Langfeng would act as his pawn in the imperial court.

He could even promise to let the Chen family replace the Huang family, and let Chen Guang replace Huang Hui.

As long as he contributes enough.

And below.

Chen Guang seemed to have been watching the emperor's every move out of the corner of his eye. He immediately got up, went to the center, and knelt on the ground with his hands clasped.

Ruan Hu: "I have heard that the Chen family has been a family of scholars for generations, and has always passed down the tradition of poetry and etiquette. Why not let me see it for myself?"

Chen Guangxi was overjoyed: "On behalf of the entire Chen family, I thank Your Majesty."

Next, the Chen family members took turns reciting poems.

Even the emperor at the head of the table couldn't tell the difference, but at least it instantly made the banquet more elegant.

Finally, Ruan Hu praised.

"Truly a family of scholars, where poetry and etiquette are passed down through generations."

The Chen family members were deeply grateful for the praise, but there was nothing else they could do.

So, in private, these members of the Chen family all turned their gazes toward Chen Guang, looking at him eagerly.

Although not everyone knew exactly what had happened, let alone what Chen Guang had said when he knelt before Ruan Hu, everyone present knew that this was a huge opportunity.

The Chen family of Langfeng has declined. Although they remain wealthy, few of their members hold official positions, and even fewer have reached the highest ranks of the court.

The emperor's arrival presents an opportunity, but the key to seizing that opportunity lies not in the poems they present, nor in their exceptional talent, but in other things.

Chen Guang understood what he meant and sighed inwardly.

Although sending one's daughter to flatter the emperor isn't a very pleasant thing to say, at this point, whether it sounds good or not is no longer important.

do my best.

Before they knew it, the others had slowly retreated.

And then, something even more elegant happened. Ruan Hu looked to his left and right and observed that musicians had quietly appeared behind the crystal curtains on both sides, tuning the phoenix-headed harp.

The woman who had been serving the emperor all along finally went down to perform.

Chen Guang may actually be older, but he looks like he's in his early thirties; some people would believe he's in his twenties.

I never imagined my daughter would grow up so big.

The woman played the zither, but sang in the Chu dialect.

"If there is someone on the mountain slope..."

The five-colored silk ribbons hanging from the eaves fluttered gently in the night breeze, reflecting the starry sky.

Ruan Hu listened to the music and gently tapped out the rhythm.

Subsequently, a large number of dancers poured into the pavilion.

After the dancers left, actors performing various plays came up.

Good heavens, these scions of powerful families know how to enjoy life far better than Emperor Ruan Hu in private.

The sheer number of concubines and servants he kept, and the extravagance of his daily expenses, were simply unimaginable to ordinary people.

Fine wine and delicious food are served before you, beautiful women with flowing sleeves are in the air, and the sounds of string and bamboo instruments fill the air.

When the banquet ended.

Ruan Hu suddenly remembered: "Hmm, it seems we haven't discussed things yet?"

When Ruan Hu wanted to talk to Chen Guang about serious matters, it was already very late at night.

There's no other way, let's rest for now.

Talk about it later.

However, upon entering his lodgings, he discovered that the girl had suddenly appeared beside his bed.

Ruan Hu entered the room. The beauty, who was sitting on a purple bench, immediately got up upon hearing the noise and knelt on the ground with her sleeves waving.

He looked at the beauty and vaguely understood something.

It's not that the matter wasn't discussed.

Or rather, can we continue the discussion only after certain conditions are met?

The price offered by Lady Chen of Langfeng to accept this beauty is one price; if she doesn't accept it, then it will be another price.

At the very least, it's impossible for Ruan Hu to expect the Chen family of Langfeng to go all out.

The emperor's lust is not merely lust; the many figures in the harem interfere in every aspect of the world, affecting the interests and lives of countless people.

There was no other way but to make things difficult for Ruan Hu; he was the only one left to shoulder the responsibility for the well-being of the people.

After pausing briefly, Ruan Hu changed his mind and made the decision to suffer for the sake of the people, lifting the curtain and going inside.

Although Ruan Hu had already met the other party today, they were at a distance, or perhaps they were being watched by many eyes.

At this moment, the two were facing each other, and Ruan Hu could even smell the fresh fragrance of the other's hair after it had just been washed.

There were only a few maids in the room.

"Get up and let me see you."

The lamplight was dim, and the beauty seemed to have redone her makeup; the flower between her brows was as red as blood, and her lips were deep red.

Yellow light shines through the lampshade, the pale yellow and crimson red intertwining, making it even more captivating.

The hazy, dim lighting here erases any imperfections in the details, leaving only a captivating classical beauty.

Even the maids carrying lanterns in front of the screen were as beautiful as fairies. Those who could stand here were naturally top-notch in appearance, but each had their own unique beauty.

The girl stood up and timidly looked up at the already majestic emperor, while Ruan Hu's special qualities added a sense of unbridled aggression and wildness to the emperor's majesty.

Ruan Hu: "What's your name?"

Girl: "Chen Yaoji!"

Ruan Hu then asked, "What is your birth order in Minister Chen's family?"

The girl replied obediently, "Grandpa only has one daughter, me."

Ruan Hu thought to himself, "Chen Guang is really willing to go all out." He understood Chen Guang's willingness to risk everything even more.

Without any hesitation, Ruan Hu picked him up in one swift motion, wrapping one arm around his waist and moving upwards, while the other hand went around his knees and pressed against his thigh.

The beauty: "Your Majesty, the lamp."

Ruan Hu: "Why are you blowing out the light?"

Ruan Hu had drunk quite a bit of wine today, and his malice was growing stronger. Even after a bout of passionate lovemaking, he still felt unsatisfied.

With a reach, he pulled both maids outside the tent inside.

"What, this is your cousin?"

who cares!
(End of this chapter)