Emperor's Cunning Wife

Right after arresting the bandit leader's men, Magistrate Si stayed for a longer time to chat with the women of the Fragrant Orchid Brothel. He could only afford finding a table in the first floor as those in the other floors requires certain qualifications. He never stepped foot in one of them, so he would not missed this lucky opportunity and be surrounded by gorgeous flowers.

"Ay, did you women get frightened by those thugs?" His doubled chin flapped and his eyes had almost disappeared due to the fats in his cheeks.

His fatuous and short hand tried to touch one of the women slender hands but Ning Lou immediately held his to stop it from reaching the woman.

"Indeed they were afraid. Magistrate Si should have assigned some men to patrol at night to prevent any untoward incidents from happening. If that man didn't show up, a life or two would be lost." Her ordinary face had smiles, so it's hard for Magistrate Si to get angry.

Chi- With his fatuous figure, he must've taken the position due to some back door deals, Ning Lou would have not said anything, but towards officials that only know how to warm their seats without doing their duties properly were extremely hateful.

Her words made everyone recalled the man who had left without a word. Therefore the women, who were wearing polite smiles, were immediately filled with contempt. If that man doesn't possess any skills to defend himself, he would likely be defeated under the thugs' blades. It was rare to encounter a citizen who cares for others, who wanted to lay their lives for someone's safety. That man should be rewarded, but a pity he just left without saying anything. Magistrate received a high salary every month but he was known for being lazy in his duties, so one could not help but looked at him with disrespect.

"This one doesn't like those men who only knows how to eat and don't work. Isn't that right?"

Magistrate Si looked at the lady who spoke with slight fury.

"Men who only eats and never work would grow molds in their bodies."

"It's a pity that a man who was righteous and had a sense of responsibility just left like that. Men like him should be the one seating on red sandalwood chairs and wear official hats otherwise the country will rot."

"You…" He finally could not endure and subconsciously spouted a word while pointing the last one who spoke with anger.

But, Mother Shen's eyes casually landed in his form. He shivered and swallowed the rest of what he was going to say.

All the ladies nodded in agreement and stabbed his plump body with their piercing gazes.

He gritted his teeth, grease from the sweat slipping in his face made his skin shone under the lantern's illumination and contrary to Jinlong's handsome face which became even more striking his became scarier.

Magistrate nearly cursed them 's.l.u.ts' but when he remembered Mother Shen's connection with some powerful nobles he held his tongue and only stiffly smiled.

Ning Lou only watched his face undergone a myriad of emotions and laughed inside. She couldn't help but compare him to that Consort Han who only knew how to ride on Consort De's coattails.

"This one is sure that Magistrate had some other matter to take care of, right? Magistrate Si didn't simply want to have a chat with the ladies. " Ning Lou crossed her arms and looked at the other yamen guards that stood on one corner. Their faces had serious expression while restraining those thugs who had awakened due to the noises. Despite being injured by the man, they were able to put great resistance causing the guards to be in a difficult situation. However, instead of helping his guards, Magistrate Si was taking his time flirting.

Magistrate Si spun his sight on the men who finished up tying the culprits, he remembered he specifically instructed them to slow down but these guys wanted to portray a valiant hero, rushed up and tied the thugs in front of the distressed ladies, flexing their figures in the process.

Magistrate Si gave them each a glare. He didn't even give their efforts into consideration.

His yamen guards felt his stare and lowered their heads and did their best to stop the thugs.

"Magistrate Si, we can't hold them any longer." One of the guards gathered his courage and shouted. The thug in his hand had started regaining his strength and was flailing around like some kind of beast on its last struggle.

"If you can't even hold him then what's the use of giving you a wage." Magistrate Si yelled and left the flock of women in reluctance. He threw them a last glance except for Ning Lou which he gave a glare of hate, before continuing in his steps. Despite being angry, their distorted faces only became more beautiful. Except for that woman who slandered him, he remembered her face and began to form plans in his head. Just you wait!

Ning Lou had expected him to develop some ill intentions towards her. People like him and Consort Han held grudges in the wrong way. But, who's the first one to screw who? Ning Lou curled her lips which drew Mother Shen's attention.

Ning Lou felt her eyes and adjusted her expression to a meek one, "Mother Shen, is there something wrong?"

Mother Shen averted her eyes and didn't dwell on her face anymore, "Have the girls return."

It's still not time yet, she still didn't know Mother Shen's reaction towards the surprise she set.

"Restrain him!" Magistrate Si quickly dodged the thug who was about to crash his body. "Put them in the jail first." He wiped off the sweat from the panic and kicked one of the men on the legs.

The man gnashed his teeth but didn't retaliate. He was already use to this pig's attitudes who regards his men like dogs, if not for the good assistant magistrate who help his family overcame a calamity he would long quit his job being a yamen guard. It was such unlucky for him to be called by this pig magistrate since the assistant magistrate had gone out to do some errand.

"Don't be lazy!" The magistrate shouted without shame.

The listeners couldn't help but roll their eyes at his babble.

When his entourage finally left the periphery, the ladies finally could relax. The men who'd hidden themselves in the midst of chaos returned and began to crowd the entrance of the brothel but their numbers had lessened greatly after the incident relieving the ladies of anxiety.

The lady boss was also happy for the customers' return and quickly let the band played the performance.

"You didn't hear what I said? Have them…" Mother Shen asked. Her gaze roamed on the ladies that shrunk their shoulders with guilt.

But Mother Shen's speech was disrupted at the strung of the qin.

Ting-

The men who also thought of leaving came to an abrupt stop and found a suitable place to listen.

The stage was lit and petals where thrown in the air lifting the spectators enthusiasm.

The leading player raised his hand.

Out of nowhere, a woman don in all white with long sleeves landed on the stage. Her two white ankles where visible to see and there were bells tied on each.

She suddenly closed her eyes.

The musicians s.u.c.k.e.d in a cold breath and checked their ears if the plugs were correctly placed. They looked over the leading player and waited for his hand to drop.

Ting- One musicians struck a string. The leading player nodded.

The petals barrages stopped. The woman suddenly opened her eyes.

A streak of silver came down from nowhere and woman flipped her flexible body forward catching the weapon. Her eyes flashed with unknown light.

The spectators drew their breath.

"It's time!" The leading player's hand descended. All the musicians' heart was on edge and simultaneously struck the first tone on the song.

Ting-

--

Outside, Mother Shen hand trembled, she tried to cover her ear. "What is that?" Her voice stuttered, the song had affected her in some degree.

Ning Lou looked at her reactions and was satisfied. Inside she answered her question.

'It's Ambush from ten sides.'