Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 320 - 268: A Wife Knows Her Husband Best, Cai Shang Seeks Entry, A Strange Encounter Under the River, Mistakenly Boarding a Pirate Ship

Chapter 320: Chapter 268: A Wife Knows Her Husband Best, Cai Shang Seeks Entry, A Strange Encounter Under the River, Mistakenly Boarding a Pirate Ship

Wen Caishang stood quietly, gently arranging her hair, adjusting her silver hairpin. Her beautiful eyes concealed a blend of annoyance and delight. While the Ancestral Silkworm sought silk, Li Xian must be here. Her hands crossed before her abdomen, exuding a cool elegance. Bathed in moonlight, she seemed to be surrounded by a halo.

The long dress brushed the ground, dignified and graceful. Named the "Moonlit Immortal Visit Dress," it hinted at moonlight embellishment. The fabric was special, capable of capturing moonlight, making her appear like an ethereal fairy.

Footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

Someone muttered, "At such a late hour, who could it be?" They pushed open the vermilion gate. This person was quite portly, clad in embroidered robes.

This was exactly "Tian Fu."

Upon seeing Wen Caishang, Tian Fu momentarily froze in astonishment. He thought, how bizarre, how bizarre... How is it that everyone these few days is so exceptionally handsome? Could heavenly fairies collectively descended to the world?

He belonged to powerful local forces, also of a flirtatious nature. To him, appreciating flowers and the moon, and romantic entanglements were commonplace. Yet, compared to this, he felt somewhat vulgar.

Seeing Wen Caishang slightly frown, his mind wandered, inexplicably shy. He bowed respectfully and asked, "This..." Initially wanting to call her "girl," he sensed Wen Caishang’s charm was too mature, lacking girlish naivety. Her cheeks slightly reddened, as if she were seeking a lover.

It was more apt to call her "madam." So he said, "Madam, have you also come... to view the residence?"

Wen Caishang thought: "That poor boy Li Xian, without me, how could he afford to buy a residence? Turns out, he’s using this opportunity to flaunt and deceive, to digest the Essence Treasure. He knows the Recipe·Golden Light, happened upon Yellow Nine Ginseng, naturally scheming thus."

No one knows a man better than his wife. Li Xian was nurtured by her own hands. Though she hadn’t revealed secret traditions to him, she understood his nature completely.

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Indeed. Otherwise, why would I come searching in the dead of night, for amusement?"

Tian Fu said with difficulty, "Unfortunately, a great figure has taken an interest in this residence." Wen Caishang’s smile widened, asking, "Which great figure? Have they paid? If they haven’t paid in silver taels, I should be able to view the residence, no?"

Tian Fu said, "Indeed, no silver taels were paid. But... this person enjoys tranquility. We verbally agreed to let them try living here for a few days, to experience the essence of serenity. If suitable, they would purchase. Such a person, even if the transaction fails, is not to be offended. Therefore, madam... I deeply apologize."

Wen Caishang privately laughed: "That mischievous boy, not only deceived me but others most thoroughly. His mouth... sounds delightful when speaking sweet words, yet terribly detestable when deceiving."

She said, "Afraid to offend him but not me? Lead me in, I shall view the residence, admire the flowers, and if I encounter him, I’ll explain myself."

With a gentle wave of her sleeve, Tian Fu felt the world spin, his body floating and ethereal. When he regained his senses, he found himself on the blue stone path in the yard, several feet from the vermilion gate. Terrified, he realized if this madam wished to kill him, it would be exceedingly easy. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Wen Caishang stood a yard away, gazing into the distance, and said quietly, "Lead on, then."

Seeing this, how could Tian Fu refuse? He straightened his jade pendant, hairpin, and jade belt, then led the way through the garden.

Wen Caishang said, "Tell me everything he said and did." Tian Fu was astonished, "Why?"

Wen Caishang gently replied, "Don’t ask too much." Feeling slightly annoyed. Tian Fu dared not ask more and complied.

Passing "Jade Green Pine Rock." Tian Fu recounted Li Xian’s words, details may have been off, but the gist was the same.

Wen Caishang reminisced about the mountain estate of past days, the duo exploring hand in hand. She taught Li Xian the ways of admiring and observing, and now this little thief used it here.

Wen Caishang softly said: "Exactly, it’s correct, but not entirely. This jade pine stone does not originate from Su Mountain."

Tian Fu said, "Madam... this..." Thinking, the storekeeper had guaranteed during purchase, how could it be false?

Wen Caishang laughed, "He... now is just half-accomplished. Deceiving you is more than enough, yet he needs much practice in the art of appreciation and examination."

Her voice gentle, caressing the Jade Green Pine Rock, she said, "You see this stone, moist as jade, half-green half-yellow. The texture naturally comes from water washing. In fact, it’s the riverbed’s ’End-Table Rock.’ You’ve been duped."

"This kind of stone, cold and never seeing the sun, because it resembles jade pine stone, was passed off as genuine."

Tian Fu said, "How could this be possible?"

Wen Caishang said, "If you don’t believe me, I shall cleave it." Her sleeve flipped to draw a sword, casually splitting the stone. Yellow water flowed out...

Accumulating over years at the river bottom, muddied water.

Wen Caishang said, "End-Table Rock comes from lake beds, soaked in water, breeds yellow water. It’s considered poor feng shui. You sought ostentation, using family wealth to personally arrange the courtyard garden. Yet the myriad intricacies, could you fathom them? Naturally deceived without knowing."

"To the extent of selling the house, there was warning long ago."

Speechless in shock, Tian Fu stood dumbfounded. Wen Caishang smiled, "Hurry, lead on, where is the next place he went?"

Tian Fu obliged thrice, his attitude subtly shifting, respectfully leading the way, passing by "Picture and Calligraphy Pavilion," "Grass and Wood Corridor," and "Rockery Stone Forest," among many garden vistas.

A few days ago, Li Xian showcased such talent, speaking eloquently. Tian Fu admired greatly, memorizing many comments, retelling them one by one.

Wen Caishang first listened to Tian Fu recounting Li Xian’s comments, shaking her head with a soft laugh, her spirit lively. Days of melancholy seemed to dissipate, as if seeing Li Xian beside her, witnessing his ostentatious deceptions, most amusing. However, after each account, she would correct them, providing deeper interpretations.

She must surpass Li Xian by a notch.

With vast knowledge and a wide vision, even if time allowed, a single painting or herb could lead to many miscellaneous learnings. Three days and nights couldn’t exhaust the topic. If Li Xian were here, she’d willingly converse, wander leisurely, flirt lightly. But Wen Caishang’s patience was limited, unwilling to speak much with Tian Fu. Matters of appreciation and examination, she’d overturn Li Xian’s comments, or point out their faults, then stop there.