My lord, spare his life!

"Please trim these eyebrows again..."

"Could this mouth be a little...?"

"Fingers, fingers need to be longer and stronger..."

"Could my legs be made longer?"

Zhang Yang put in a lot of effort to complete the initial sculpting. The woman standing to the side admired the brand-new human skin, offering her honest and sincere feedback, pointing out subtle adjustments in every detail. Thinking it wasn't a huge amount of work, Zhang Yang decided to oblige.

Unfortunately, there are many areas where women need to adjust!

Fan You also figured it out.

Are you sure you used to look like this?

Wasn't the plan to restore Xiu Ying to his former appearance?

Making changes here and there, can that still be considered a restoration?

The woman retorted confidently, "Back then, Lie Xing Jiang Li was only a few years old, and his appearance hadn't fully developed yet. How do you know that he didn't have his looks altered when he grew up? I've been the number one beauty at Mingde Academy for many years, so how could I have the flaws of an ordinary person?"

Fan You: "..."

The woman rallied her allies: "Yuan Yi, don't you think so?"

Du Guan sneered, "Since we're already here, let's make it as perfect as possible."

The woman said, "Listen to that, Yuan Yi's words are much more pleasing to the ear."

Fan You's words were a spoilsport and an insult.

Fan You: "..."

Zhang Yang agreed with Du Guan's words.

If we're going to do something, we'll be at the top of the industry!

Even when it comes to sculpting a character's face, she insists on creating the most perfect one!

Repair, repair, repair!

The woman's bone structure was already excellent, and the skin provided by the face-sculpting tool was even more delicate and smooth, seemingly fragile enough to break at a touch. With further adjustments to the skin, an impeccable face was born! She straightened up, exhaled a breath of stale air, and admired her masterpiece!

"Take a look, are you satisfied with this character creation?"

"Very satisfied, very satisfied."

Women can't wait to put on this new skin!

The customer gave Zhang Yang a five-star review, which gave him a great sense of accomplishment. He casually stuffed the tools he had marked with checkmarks and crosses back into his game inventory before finally saving the character creation data.

"Locked!" As a pale golden starlight quietly appeared, the previously freely adjustable character customization tool underwent a subtle change. The skin covering below the collarbone began to shrink little by little until it returned to the familiar headgear state of the woman. "Here you go."

Zhang Yang picked up the face-pinching prop and handed it to the woman.

Watching the woman's hands tremble as she accepted the brand-new human skin, Zhang Yang said, "Put on this human skin tonight, and give me the other one tomorrow. I'll help you import the data. That way, you'll have two identical human skins to change into. Of course, if you find the repetitive appearance a bit boring, you can have a new one made in a different style, but we don't accept custom orders."

You can only choose one face from the existing character creation data.

Women are exactly like the demanding clients described in the sample analysis—they have so many conflicting opinions, wanting everything and everything. Zhang Yang has helped revise it several times, and the final product is completely different from the original drawing. This isn't just restoring one's appearance; it's plastic surgery!

The woman, clutching the human skin with great emotion, asked, "...Should I change it?"

Fan You: "Or should we change the human skin?"

Listen to this, is this even human language?

The woman shook her head: "We can't change or wash it; human skin is precious."

She had just discovered a terrifying secret: it wasn't that she and the two human skins were perfectly compatible, but rather that the two human skins were perfectly compatible with her—or rather, these two human skins could perfectly fit and be compatible with any painted-skin ghost in the world!

Realizing this, her heart clenched.

No one understands the value of this human skin better than the Painted Skin Ghost!

The woman hesitated, then asked, "May I ask you something, Your Excellency—"

Zhang Yang: "Go ahead and ask."

"How long can this human skin be used?"

"I don't know, but theoretically it should be usable indefinitely." This character customization item, like the player's appearance, has a locked durability setting and shouldn't break normally. However, considering the damage to Zhang Yang's appearance from previous quests, she couldn't guarantee that the character customization item in the homestead side map would remain intact. "I'm not sure exactly, but it's definitely more durable than human skin."

The woman's emotions fluctuated with Zhang Yang's words.

Slightly disappointed, she could only console herself not to be too greedy—she had the opportunity to alleviate the pain of changing her skin, eliminate the omnipresent stench, allow her to appear openly in front of others, and even restore her former beauty. These were already blessings that ordinary ghosts who had changed their skin could not even dream of, and she could not ask for more.

Zhang Yang was unaware of her thoughts.

He simply said in his usual indifferent tone, "If it's broken, replace it."

"We're a large and wealthy family, it's not like we can't even afford a face-shaping prop: If you have any psychological burden, once you join the company, I'll have someone adjust your salary structure, and part of it will be compensated with a human skin mask."

At that time, women can change their skin like they change their clothes.

You can wear whichever human skin you want.

The woman paused, then asked, "Really?"

Zhang Yang nodded: "Of course it's true, I don't make empty promises."

As the observations of the sample groups have shown, making empty promises is unethical; delivering tangible results is far more appealing. A good boss not only keeps their word but also understands their subordinates' needs and solves their problems.

If a boss can think things through and make arrangements for her employees in advance, she will have a loyal following who will always support her!

Zhang Yang is a little far from her goal, but she will work hard.

Through her observations, explorations, and summaries over this period, she discovered that being a good boss is exactly the same as being a good parent; the two have a high degree of overlap. If she can be a good mother to the common people of Tianyue, she can certainly be a good boss to Fan You and others!

The woman forced out her heart's blood without hesitation.

"Xiao Sui greets Your Majesty."

This wasn't the first time Zhang Yang had received heart's blood from strangers. She appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly she was somewhat puzzled. Why had Fan You and a few others given her their heart's blood, while the others hadn't? However, the thought of the pain involved in drawing blood made her dismiss the idea.

"Your name is Xiao Sui?"

Xiao Sui, courtesy name Xiuying.

Zhang Yang lowered his eyes and thought for a while.

Is it "the ear of grain is called 'ying'"?

Xiao Sui said, "Yes, that's right."

Ying originally refers to the end of a grain ear, implying standing out from the crowd, like the ear of grain. This name was full of the parents' expectations for their future eldest son. Unfortunately, Xiao Sui's birth chart (a name associated with the eldest son) disappointed the two elders, forcing them to turn to supporting Xiao Sui's siblings to succeed him.

Zhang Yang said seriously, "It's a good name."

It's rare that she can guess the origin of a name, which is good. She decided to take some time tomorrow to create a different and beautiful face for Xiao Sui, no less beautiful than today's.

Hearing Zhang Yang, a young man, give such a serious yet mature evaluation of her name, Xiao Sui wasn't embarrassed or annoyed; she merely smiled. This young man before her was none other than her current lord.

Xiao Sui finally couldn't resist Du Guan's enthusiasm and went to stay at her house for the night. The latter sent someone to inform Xiao Sui's steward and his men not to worry. Proper accommodations would be arranged the next day. What Zhang Yang didn't know was their private conversation.

Du Guan: "When did Xiu Ying become so reckless?"

Loyalty with one's heart and soul doesn't mean being bound to one lord for life, nor does it mean one can't betray them and join another, but both are more difficult than being free. Du Guan can resign and join someone else one day, but Xiao Sui will have to pay a certain price.

This cost varies from person to person.

Du Guan was truly shocked by Xiao Sui's choice.

However, given the circumstances, she couldn't easily stop them.

Xiao Sui calmed down at this moment, but showed no remorse.

"Once a move is made, there's no going back. And if you were me, you might make the same choice. As long as this human skin remains in the Lord's hands, I can't live without her. For Yuan Yi, smelling air without any odor is the most commonplace thing, but it's not for me. Beauties, like famous generals, are not allowed to grow old in this world. Even the painted-skin ghost has a short life, let alone someone like me who has been through so many trials."

As for whether Zhang Yang's actions align with her moral principles?

That's actually not important.

Or rather, the Painted Skin Demon has no principles.

Xiao Sui's only principle was to cling to a sliver of humanity and refuse to peel the skin off a living person; that was all. With just a few words, she conveyed to Du Guan the desolation and bitterness in her voice.

Du Guan murmured, "Suddenly, I miss the days at the academy."

They were still human back then.

It's not a ghost that can't be seen in the light.

Xiao Sui's lips curled into a bitter, mocking smile.

Before they could finish speaking, the carriage had already arrived at Du Guan's residence. Du Guan had sent someone ahead to inform her, so when the two women arrived, her husband had already finished school a quarter of an hour early and was methodically arranging for the servants to prepare for their arrival, making sure not to be impolite.

This momentum—

There was a sense of apprehension, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Xiao Sui noticed the man's nervousness and chuckled inwardly.

However, one should still show respect to the host family on the surface.

Zhang Yang diligently prepared a lavish meal for the residents of Weiyin County. As the Prefectural Magistrate, his household meals were naturally quite good. To impress his husband, he practically overflowed the dining table with meat and vegetable soups, and even went to the wine cellar to fetch some wine. Xiao Sui had been quite fond of wine in her youth, but since the descent of the stars, she had been forced to give it up. Alcohol made her smell even worse and her skin less durable; now, she had no such worries.

She can judge the quality of wine with just a light sniff.

Well, it's barely edible.

"We haven't seen each other for years, shall we drink until we drop tonight?" Seeing that she was interested in alcohol, Du Guan's mood brightened.

If she could, she would naturally hope that the other person would be well.

Xiao Sui: "I'd risk my life to accompany you."

Du Guan's husband did not linger in the main hall and soon found an excuse to get up. He walked outside, but then, worried about Xiao Sui, he had an idea and pointed to a young servant to go inside and serve wine.

He had a premonition when he saw Xiao Sui today—

This scoundrel is still plotting against us!

He wouldn't feel at ease unless someone was assigned to keep an eye on things.

Xiao Sui smiled as she looked at the young man serving the drinks.

"Do you also keep such a remarkable person in your household?"

I found it on the street.

She was not the entertainer who served guests that Xiao Sui thought she was.

In those days, prominent families and high-ranking officials often enjoyed keeping beautiful young men and women as godsons and daughters, but their true purposes varied. Some were legitimate godsons and daughters, while others were used to entertain guests or for their own enjoyment.

Du Guanke doesn't have that kind of spare money.

Xiao Sui should also rein in her dissolute behavior.

The latter understood the implication, suppressing her frivolous smile and keeping her distance from the young servant. Perhaps because she hadn't drunk alcohol in many years, her tolerance wasn't as good as she had imagined. After a few jugs, a flushed red quietly crept onto her cheeks.

"How many of these human skins does the lord possess?"

"I don't know, but there are definitely a lot."

"What makes you say that?"

"The Lord plans to make a fortune off the Painted Skin Ghost using human skin; it's a lucrative business." Having poured his heart and soul into it, Du Guan didn't hide anything. Xiao Sui chuckled upon hearing this; so she was the first Painted Skin Ghost to take the bait—she was getting a good deal.

What if this human skin wasn't bait, but rather merchandise?

It's easy to imagine that there are many more people competing with Xiao Sui for her human skin, and who knows how much they could fetch for a single human skin.

She's now getting two free tickets and a promise to repay her salary with human skin—this incredible benefit must have been secured for her by Yuan Yi. What a true friend, always thinking of her when there's something good to be had.

Du Guan quietly asked her, "Do you have any connections?"

Xiao Sui gave her a look.

The two looked at each other for a long time, then slowly smiled and raised their glasses to drink together.

I definitely have the connections!

All are high-quality clients, and there's plenty of money to spare.

A sudden realization dawned on Xiao Sui, and all the details she hadn't quite grasped connected. She chuckled and teased, "You, Du Yuanyi, tell me, was that first human skin disguised as you on purpose?"

Du Guan felt wronged: "It has nothing to do with me."

She simply asked the Lord to make the character's face look rather ordinary.

It was Fan Shuyan who said that the character should be portrayed as ugly.

Therefore, Fan You bears greater responsibility.

"really?"

"Of course it's true!"

Du Guan's answer was always firm and resolute.

Xiao Sui was skeptical.

After a few more drinks, his mind started wandering to other things.

His expression turned grave: "How did Qin Shiming and Ruxin react to your trip? If you stay here any longer, they will surely become suspicious."

Xiao Sui said, "Qin Shiming sent me to investigate along the way."

The investigation of this kind of matter can take a long or short time.

She only needs to reply with perfunctory letters every now and then; she's still a ghost in disguise, and can use changing her appearance as an excuse to delay for a year or two. If the truth can't be hidden forever, she can just lay it all out then. Qin Huang can't do anything about it.

Du Guan: "Investigate what?"

Xiao Sui said, "Didn't he send someone to take over the position of Tianyue County Prefect a while ago? That unlucky guy died unjustly, and he can't spare the time to deal with this for a while. It just so happens that I was coming to see you, so he gave me this job. I can just deal with it."

Are you really hoping she'll uncover the truth through investigation?

She never intended to work seriously in the first place.

Now that they've changed sides, it's even less likely they'll continue.

Du Guan nodded: "That makes sense."

The two looked at each other and smiled, then raised their glasses to drink together again.

Although a gentleman is supposed to be strict with himself and lenient with others, it's not uncommon for two people with the power to summon evil spirits to drink too much and gossip about each other behind their backs. They were tacitly in agreement that they were dissatisfied with Qin Huang.

Since we are far away, some of the information is just hearsay.

Xiao Sui was his former subordinate.

"...I don't know where Qin Shiming learned this from, but he picked up bad habits from the leader of that bunch of thugs and went to adopt a son. Is he really stupid or just pretending? Doesn't he, someone who was once an adopted son, know whether his adopted son can save his life?"

It's not uncommon for adopted sons to kill their adoptive fathers.

"Adopting a godson?"

"He probably knew that the hierarchy of ruler and subject wouldn't save his life, nor could it control those thieving soldiers, so he hoped that fathers and sons could play a role. A subject betrays his ruler, but a son can't kill his own flesh and blood..." Xiao Sui said, shaking her head. In the last century or two, the chaos of war had intensified, and those who held military power were used to doing whatever they wanted, killing rulers as easily as cutting melons and vegetables. "Whether he could or not, didn't he know?"

??(?_?)

Sigh, this matter has really blown up. Many people have contemplated jumping off buildings, and even a pregnant woman climbed to the roof. I wonder what the outcome will be...

P.S.: I've been looking forward to this for a long time, and I hope you can write about XX's wandering life and his adoptive mother's story _(:3」∠)_