63 - Little Peasant Wife

沈绿曼 felt that wasn't quite what she was thinking, but it wasn't the right time to ask. Her gaze swept across the courtyard and she smiled faintly, saying, "Nothing special." 荆傲雪 touched her nose, agreeing silently. After all, the original protagonist came from a mid-tier family in the world of cultivation, where even the simplest mundane courtyard could outshine this one, not to mention the Jing family residence, which was built grander than a palace. She realized that Shen Luman was mocking her, feeling even more awkward. Fortunately, the path through the courtyard wasn't long and they finally reached Aunt Lan's quarters. The doorkeeper announced their arrival to the young Xiao Cui inside. Startled, Xiao Cui dropped her embroidery, too frightened to look at Jing Ao Xue, and hurried inside to inform Aunt Lan. Seeing this, Jing Ao Xue grew curious about what Liang Shengrong encountered last night to warrant such an abrupt departure. It couldn’t be that he saw her committing murder... Jing Ao Xue narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking: It's possible. However, she was so immersed in the act last night that she paid no heed to her surroundings, and if Liang Shengrong had been trailing from afar, it was natural that she hadn't noticed him. Having figured it out, she whispered a few words into Shen Luman's ear. Just then, a stunning woman in a red dress with her face painted emerged, swaying as she parted the curtain. Her face was adorned with a sultry smile, and her eyes brimmed with allure and charm. She walked straight to Jing Ao Xue, leaning in with a familiar tone, "Ah, you're finally here to see me. I've missed you so." Those words... Jing Ao Xue sharply sensed a chilling aura from beside her. She kept a straight face, distancing herself, "Mrs. Liang, it's been a while. I came this time to—" "Ah, let's not mention the master and spoil the mood. It's rare for you to visit, let’s go to my room as we discussed last time, and have a cozy chat." Saying this, she fluttered her eyes, looking enticingly inviting. Jing Ao Xue felt a headache coming on, just as she was about to resort to violence out of frustration, Shen Luman suddenly smiled and asked, "Dear, who is this lady?" Aunt Lan's expression shifted, rolling her eyes as she fanned herself, "What wife? And who on earth are you, this yellow-faced hag?" Their eyes met in mid-air, and Jing Ao Xue felt as if she witnessed thunder and lightning. At once, both turned their gazes towards Jing Ao Xue. Aunt Lan looked aggrieved, while Shen Luman remained coldly composed. Jing Ao Xue thought, "..." So this is what they call the legendary 'battlefield'? Luckily, she was innocent, and Jing Ao Xue quietly wiped cold sweat from her brow inwardly. Now, saying more would be excessive. She prepared to demonstrate a miraculous escape from death. She walked up to Aunt Lan, without hesitation, grabbed her by the neck, lifting her up completely, smiling pleasantly, "I have pressing matters to attend to, so I won't waste time here. Now be honest, where has Liang Shengrong gone?" "If you refuse to speak, I’m sure Liang Shengrong told you yesterday how I twist people's heads off like tearing a ball to kick around." **Chapter 41: Interrogation** Jing Ao Xue initially thought that after being threatened, Aunt Lan would immediately come clean, especially since the woman was just an ordinary person. Shen Luman thought the same. However, Aunt Lan, even with a hand at her throat, displayed a look of delight, saying, "Ah, darling, you could press a bit harder." Harder? Jing Ao Xue was puzzled, thinking: Doesn’t that mean with more force? Is Aunt Lan so muddled by her grip? Yet seeing Aunt Lan’s flushed face and the gleam of excitement in her eyes, Jing Ao Xue felt a shiver run down her spine, realizing: She had met a truly strange creature; this woman was purely a masochist! For such women, threats were utterly ineffective. So, she exchanged a glance with Shen Luman and released Aunt Lan, letting her back down to the ground. Aunt Lan staggered a bit, but Xiao Cui, her maid, was there to support her, preventing a fall to the ground. Coughing a few times, Aunt Lan clutched her throat, her voice hoarse as she said, "I knew playing with you would be fun, is this suffocation play your new invention?" Shen Luman: "…" Jing Ao Xue widened her eyes, feeling the intense gaze of Shen Luman, and her scalp tingled. She now regretted bringing Shen Luman along. If she had known Aunt Lan was so unfazed by threats, she wouldn't have wasted Shen Luman's time. Now, not only had she failed to achieve her purpose, but Shen Luman was also questioning her innocence. Frustrated, she held her forehead, at a loss for words regarding Aunt Lan, and turned to Shen Luman saying, "Since we aren't getting anywhere, let's go back. Liu'er is waiting." Shen Luman, her expression cold, glanced at the perpetually disruptive Aunt Lan, feeling an inexplicable irritation and an urge to hit the woman. She sarcastically remarked, “What, don't want to leave?” Jing Ao Xue: "…" Wrongfully accused! She wasn’t even familiar with this woman; today was essentially their first proper meeting, so what was there to miss? The original protagonist was mistakenly implicated in this mess. If Shen Luman said anything more, she would have to use deadly force to prove her innocence with Aunt Lan. Even though she felt uneasy about Aunt Lan, who opened her mouth recklessly, it seemed Aunt Lan, after catching her breath, was still set on stirring trouble, casting a flirtatious glance, "Sweetheart, if you really want to know Liang Shengrong’s whereabouts, you should beg me properly, maybe I’d soften up and tell you." Jing Ao Xue was speechless, saying, "No need! I don't believe he can hide outside forever!" Aunt Lan playfully twirled a lock of hair, batting her eyes, "He won't hide forever. But once he regains his composure, he’ll definitely find a more permanent solution, like... hiring a killer. Liang Shengrong has plenty of silver, so surely there will be many willing to do his bidding." Jing Ao Xue had already worried about this, as she and Liang Shengrong were now mortal enemies. If she backed down today, he would find an opportunity to rise and strike back. Unwilling to be at a disadvantage, Jing Ao Xue pressed for Liang Shengrong's whereabouts, yet Aunt Lan remained unfazed. Wait. She narrowed her eyes at Aunt Lan, smiling, “Aunt Lan, what did you just say?” Aunt Lan, ignoring Shen Luman's chilly aura, leaned in and touched Jing Ao Xue’s chest with lacquered fingers, saying ambiguously, "I said I want you to please me." Before Aunt Lan’s fingers could touch, Jing Ao Xue grabbed her hand, smiling, "Ah, you should have said so earlier." With a swift action, she tripped Aunt Lan, who fell harmlessly onto the grass. Aunt Lan lay there in an enticing pose, unconcerned with prying eyes, fixing her gaze on Jing Ao Xue, curiously nudging her chin up, "What do you plan to do now?" Jing Ao Xue crouched by her feet, pressing a knee against one of Aunt Lan's legs. She glanced at Shen Luman, who seemed very upset, having turned away, ignoring her. Jing Ao Xue sighed, resigning to handle this herself. She beamed at Aunt Lan, removing her shoes and socks, and said, "Naturally, I plan to please you, Aunt Lan. Enjoy." Then, she pulled out a few blades of grass, slowly sweeping them across her soles. Aunt Lan hadn’t expected this form of "pleasure," and the tickling left her body trembling, overwhelmed by a pervasive itchiness that seemed to seep into her very bones. She couldn’t hold back her laughter, quickly teetering into tears as she pleaded, "Stop... let go!" Jing Ao Xue remained impassive, feeling she was losing face today. If this didn’t extract Liang Shengrong's location, she might truly lose her mind. She pouted at Shen Luman, who continued to stand with her back turned. If she did uncover the truth, another challenge awaited. Sighing internally, she said, "Aunt Lan, you asked for me to please you. Now feel my sincerity." Aunt Lan cried from the tickling, her makeup running. She looked helplessly at the doorkeeper and Xiao Cui. Both had retreated under the eaves, keeping a fearful watch and not daring to intervene. Annoyed and unable to hold out any longer, Aunt Lan conceded, “Alright, alright, I’ll tell! Liang Shengrong... is hiding in the bandit’s lair behind Lingbian Village." Hearing this, Jing Ao Xue released her grip, “See, if only you’d said so sooner. Don’t waste my time.” Aunt Lan lay there, rolling her eyes, “Fun as it was, that tickled way too much, not my favorite.” Jing Ao Xue spared her a look of disbelief and said to Shen Luman, "Let’s go." Aunt Lan shifted, rested her chin in her hand, and taunted, “How heartless, leaving after playing with me.” Shen Luman turned back to Aunt Lan, saying, “If you’ve spoken even a half-truth, guard your life carefully!” “Oh, the fierce yellow-faced woman threatens me. I’m so scared,” Aunt Lan retorted, rolling her eyes. Rising, she dusted herself off and called to Xiao Cui, “Xiao Cui, bring me something from my room.” Jing Ao Xue said, “Apologies for any offense. We’re leaving!” But Aunt Lan grabbed her hand, “Hold on, since you entertained me so thoroughly, allow me to repay you.” “No need!” Jing Ao Xue curtly refused. Despite this, Aunt Lan cheekily leaned in and whispered something into her ear. Jing Ao Xue’s eyes widened as she took in Aunt Lan’s words. Aunt Lan puffed out her chest, “I’ve dealt with many big shots in my time. If you don’t believe me, take it back and see for yourself.” Jing Ao Xue was tempted for a moment, yet saw Shen Luman growing impatient. They departed toward the gate with resolute strides. Understanding it was crucial to pacify Shen Luman, Jing Ao Xue couldn’t deny the allure of Aunt Lan's whisper. However, there would be plenty of chances to verify her claims later, whereas an angry wife would be a lasting problem.