Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 184 Beauty

The spring breeze of March gently caressed the city of Li'an, bringing with it wisps of vitality and hope.

The Marquis of Weiyun's mansion is located in a corner of the imperial city. It is locked by high walls, but it cannot stop the gifts of spring. The blue stone path in the main courtyard is winding and twisting, with lush green grass on both sides. The tips of the tender grass are still covered with crystal dewdrops that reflect the shimmering morning light.

Several peach and pear trees are scattered in a pleasing manner, their pink petals as bright as the sunset and their white petals as white as snow, reflecting each other's brilliance. A gentle breeze blows, and the petals fall one after another, creating a scene like a fairyland.

The oriole heralds the dawn; how can we bear to waste the spring sunshine?

After resting in bed for many days, Yu Jue took advantage of feeling a bit better and started practicing swordplay in the courtyard in the morning to loosen up his muscles and bones that hadn't been used for a long time.

The already lightweight training clothes now appear even looser, adding a touch of laziness and casualness. Although her body has not fully recovered from her illness, her movements are fluid and graceful, like a sword piercing through a flower branch, with petals falling like rain. She is as graceful as a startled swan and as lithe as a swimming dragon.

Qi Xin stood at a distance, waiting by the side to serve the tea, ready at any moment for his lady to present it.

She was so engrossed in watching that she didn't realize Ning had mistakenly reached the courtyard gate.

"Lord..."

Just as Qi Xin was about to bow, Ning Cuo raised his hand to stop her, signaling her to be quiet.

Yu Jue seemed completely unaware, and after finishing a set of sword techniques, he twirled his sword and ended the performance.

At this moment, Ning Cuocai clapped and praised, "Madam truly lives up to her reputation as a daughter of a military family; she is a woman who is just as capable as any man."

Upon hearing this, Yu Jue turned around and saw Ning Cuo, revealing a slight embarrassment: "My lord, please don't tease me."

Ning Cuo took the handkerchief from Qi Xin's hand and stepped forward, gently wiping the fine beads of sweat from Yu Jue's forehead: "What I said was from the bottom of my heart."

As she spoke, she reached out and gently pulled Yu Jue's fair wrist into her arms. "But it's still chilly in spring. You're dressed so thinly. What if you fall ill?"

"You're not that delicate. Your praise just now was just flattery."

"Yes, yes, yes, my wife is a daughter of a military family. Her heroic figure when she drew her sword is still vivid in my mind."

"Always good at talking glib and smooth talk."

"I'm innocent! I haven't even finished..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yu Jue punched his chest.

After a moment of laughter and banter, Yu Jue changed the subject, "The other day, I ordered Qin Zhong to serve the Marquis. Did that girl ever do anything to displease him?"

Ning Cuo's smile faltered, and he stared intently into Yu Jue's eyes. "Newlyweds, why are you taking me a concubine?"

“Of course…” Yu Jue gently tugged at Ning Cuo’s sleeve with her fingertips, “to curry favor with the Marquis~”

Ning Cuo was captivated by the swaying, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up. "Why are you trying to please me?"

Yu Jue seemed somewhat embarrassed, "Your Excellency is ordered to lead a southern expedition. You encountered Chicheng on the way, and I hope you can offer some assistance..."

Chicheng was the place of exile for the Yu clan.

The suspicion in Ning Cuo's eyes dissipated, and his smile deepened. "Of course."

Having attachments and desires is good, very good.

What I fear most is being unattached and without desires.

·

Yucheng Pottery House

Lin Youniang helped Tao You wash up and change his clothes, "Is my lord going out to socialize with the Seventh Prince again today?"

"Mm." Tao You raised her arm to make it easier for Lin Youniang to move.

"My lord, you haven't looked relaxed these past few days. Is something troubling you?"

Upon hearing this, Tao You subconsciously frowned. "You're overthinking it."

Lin Youniang pouted and turned her head away, "Indeed, I am but a shallow woman, so there is no need for you to say such things to me, my lord."

"What are you saying?" Tao You cupped Lin Youniang's face and straightened her up. "Youniang has been very kind to me, and I will always remember it."

Seeing that Lin Youniang still had her lips pursed and did not smile, she said helplessly, "It's just that I have some disagreements with my seventh brother about interpersonal relationships, and Tao Shi and Uncle Rong are fighting like cats and dogs over accounts at the trading company. These trivial disputes often drag us into the mess..."

As she spoke, Tao You let out a soft sigh.

Seeing this, Lin Youniang stopped being coy and cautiously asked, "Then... is it really impossible for you to return to Anguo, my lord?"

Tao You comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, You Niang. I will make sure your father and brothers are settled before I leave. Madam is cheerful and easygoing, and she will definitely treat you well after you arrive in Anguo."

Lin Youniang hesitated for a moment, then simply nodded with her lips pursed and obediently saw Tao You out.

Upon reaching the gate of the mansion, Tao You waited for a while before glancing at the sun, frowning, and ordering, "Go and see if Seventh Master has gotten up yet."

A moment later, a servant rushed over and said, "Third Master, Seventh Master suddenly remembered that he had accepted the invitation from Young Master Wu and set off early, saying that you can handle things at the trading company yourself."

Tao You didn't want to complain in front of the servants, so she said irritably, "Fine, bring the carriage over first."

"This..." the servant hesitated, "Seventh Master took him with him when he went out..."

Tao You's face showed a hint of anger: "Has your household fallen so low that you don't even have a carriage anymore!"

"Seventh Master went to the countryside for a spring outing, saying he couldn't let down the Tao family of Le County, so he had to make a grand entrance... Now all that's left in the manor are the carts used for hauling goods..."

Tao You laughed and said, "Let's go! Everyone has legs!"

As Lin Youniang watched Tao You's departing figure, her hand, hidden in her sleeve, unconsciously clenched an object, and her elder brother's advice echoed in her ears.

"Time waits for no one; my sister can take advantage of this."

·

Pingshan Pass Military Camp —

"The best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans; the next best is to disrupt their alliances; the next best is to attack their army; and the worst is to besiege their cities. War between two countries is not just about fighting and killing, but also about military strategy and tactics."

Lu Xun sat upright at his desk, taking notes diligently.

Shen Qing changed the subject, "Today, let's talk about the timeless beauty trap!"

Lu Xun paused in his writing, and Shen Qing noticed the boy's disapproval. "Xun'er, what is your understanding of the 'honey trap'?"

"It's nothing more than using a beautiful appearance to lure lustful people. This plan is really crude, and those who fall for it can hardly be considered heroes."

Shen Qing couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Lu Xun, so precocious for his age, standing tall and proud, with an air of righteousness that even though he was only ten years old, he would never be tempted by beauty in the future.

"What you're talking about is nothing more than the lowest form of honey trap, which is certainly not respectable. But if you've been reading history books lately, you should know how many outstanding people throughout history have fallen victim to honey traps."

Lu Xunyu paused for a moment before saying, "This really puzzles me. How beautiful can a person be? Aren't they all just two eyes and a mouth? And high-ranking officials and nobles are never short of beauties around them, are they?"

"Ha~ because the beauties in a honey trap are mostly not human."

"what is that?"

"It's a ladder to get over the wall, a step to go downstairs, a scapegoat, a pot that can be thrown around at any time!"

"what?"

Seeing Lu Xun's confusion, Shen Qing said, "But this is nothing more than a mid-level honey trap."

Although Lu Xun was a little confused, he still asked, "What about the superior one?"

Shen Qing smiled meaningfully, turned his back and stood with his hands behind his back, "You haven't met an opponent worthy of your superior fighting style yet."

again!

Lu Xun puffed out his cheeks, for he hated riddle tellers more than anything else in his life!