Chapter 559 - 272: What Decent Person Seduces a Widow? (Part 2)

Chen Sheng raised an eyebrow. He vaguely sensed that something was off about Nie Lingshan, but he didn't dwell on it and calmly greeted her.

As for Sun Yuzhi, her gaze immediately fell upon Nie Lingxi. It was the first time they had met, and she fell silent for a moment, unsure of how to address her.

The other woman was Chen Sheng's fiancée and would one day be his official wife, while she, at best, would only be a Co-Wife, a position below the other.

If they were to call each other sisters...

...who would be the elder, and who the younger?

She was older, but the other held a higher status.

However, it was Nie Lingxi who took the initiative to break the deadlock, smoothly stepping forward to exchange pleasantries with Sun Yuzhi.

Sun Yuzhi didn't put on airs, either. Seeing that the other was genuinely friendly, she went along with the conversation. Within moments, smiles had appeared on both their faces.

They began to address each other as sisters.

After they had all exchanged pleasantries for a while, Chen Sheng led the group into the city. Nie Xiangjun, for her part, brought both good news and bad news.

The good news was that a trace of the Cyan Yang Demon Fire had been found.

The bad news was that it wasn't in Yunzhou, but in the Capital City.

To be precise, it was inside the Jingwu Bureau headquarters in the Capital City.

The person who possessed this fire was known as the Cyan Yang Old Monster. He had committed a great crime ten years ago and was suppressed by a Jingwu Bureau expert, imprisoned within the Bureau's underground Black Prison.

For Chen Sheng to obtain it anytime soon was basically a pipe dream.

During their conversation, Nie Xiangjun also told Chen Sheng a few other things.

Because he had entered the top thirty of the Dragon and Tiger List and been hailed as the number one of Yunzhou's younger generation, the Nie Family had already provided Chen Sheng with a significant amount of Cultivation Resources for his training.

And when Nie Xiangjun briefly described those Cultivation Resources, Chen Sheng's heart leaped with joy.

The Nie Family was indeed generous.

They had brought him several types of rare treasures and many Elemental Crystals.

With the help of these treasures, the time it would take for Chen Sheng to break through to the late stage of Profound Mastery would be greatly reduced.

'Who said being the number one prodigy of Yunzhou is just an empty title?'

'This fame is amazing!'

As if sensing what was on Chen Sheng's mind, Nie Xiangjun said with a smile:

"This is how the world works. The better you perform and the higher your potential, the greater the Nie Family's support for you will be.

But as the saying goes, the tree that stands tallest in the forest will be the first to be struck by the wind. You must also be cautious."

"I understand."

Chen Sheng nodded.

"No, you don't understand."

Nie Xiangjun said via voice transmission:

"The family has received word. This time, Chu Zhengnan has also prepared a great deal of resources for you, including three Spirit Nourishing Pills. In addition, he has promoted you to Deputy Fourth-Grade Patrol Envoy.

Someone from Yunzhou City will arrive in a few days.

To reach the fourth grade at such a young age makes you one of the most-watched individuals in the entire court. Even the changes to the Dragon and Tiger List rankings are being pushed by the court.

Although the Nie Family isn't sure what the court's plans are, they are likely trying to build momentum for you. But whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, no one can say for sure. You must remain vigilant.

The Martial Examination is imminent. Be extremely careful."

Chen Sheng looked at Nie Xiangjun's solemn expression, pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

In truth, there was something else Nie Xiangjun hadn't said.

The reason she had come this time, besides escorting Nie Lingxi and her sister, was that the Nie Family had given her another task: to look after Chen Sheng as much as possible and act as his protector in the short term.

...

After a simple reception for the three of them, Nie Lingshan and Nie Xiangjun quickly took their leave.

Nie Lingshan wanted to wander around Ning'an Prefecture, and Nie Xiangjun went with her.

Sun Yuzhi, too, avoided disturbing the reunion between Chen Sheng and Nie Lingxi. After finding an excuse, she left them all the time and space to themselves.

Once Sun Yuzhi was gone, Nie Lingxi suddenly turned to Chen Sheng.

"I was the one who asked Yuzhi to give us some space. You're not mad at me, are you?"

"Of course I'm mad."

Chen Sheng's expression suddenly turned stern.

Nie Lingxi froze for a second, then asked instinctively:

"How are you going to punish me?"

"Seeing as it's your first offense, a spanking should do."

Chen Sheng said with a straight face.

Nie Lingxi burst out laughing and shot Chen Sheng a playful glare.

"I really thought you were angry. You're such a tease! You acted so proper back at the Nie Family estate. I really misjudged you."

"Am I not being proper now?"

Chen Sheng asked with a smile.

"What kind of proper man talks about spanking a girl's bottom?"

Nie Lingxi pouted and then continued:

"What kind of proper man hooks up with a widow?"

Chen Sheng's expression stiffened.

Although he knew Nie Lingxi was aware of the matter, he hadn't expected her to actually bring it up.

"What? Cat got your tongue?"

Nie Lingxi blinked, then said half-jokingly:

"I didn't realize your tastes were so... unique. I remember you had some dealings with that Ouyang Ke, right? And you just... with his mother... Can he accept that?"

"Of course, I don't mean to blame you. I'm just a little curious.

What's so great about that Lady Lan anyway? You knew her for less than half a month and you were already... mutually in love.

Is she beautiful? But I don't think Sun and I are that bad off, are we?"

"She fell for you? A woman who falls for a man after just a few days lacks a bit of self-respect. Besides, she's a widow—the widow of the former Ten Thousand Poisons Sect Leader.

If news of this gets out, it will affect your reputation."

Although Nie Lingxi and Chen Sheng weren't married yet, they were already engaged. Therefore, after learning about this, she felt somewhat uncomfortable, feeling that Chen Sheng was being a bit too casual.

Having female confidantes was fine; she could accept that.

Having three wives and four concubines in the future wouldn't be a problem; she could choose not to be jealous.

But he couldn't just bring any random person into the family.

She would not accept a woman of dubious character.

Chen Sheng narrowed his eyes and took a light sip of his tea.

"Husband, you don't think I'm being nosy, do you?"

Seeing Chen Sheng's somewhat stern expression, Nie Lingxi charmingly scooted a little closer.

"Husband? We're not married yet, are we?"

Watching her, Chen Sheng couldn't help but smile.

"You don't like it? Then should I call you Sheng? Chen Lang? Or perhaps... brother-in-law?"

The smile on Nie Lingxi's face grew wider.

"Lingxi, you... where did you learn this? Does the Nie Family teach this stuff too?"

Hearing her talk about "brother-in-law" and the like, Chen Sheng actually felt a little... excited.

"I learned it from a book. I heard men are very interested in things like Twin Lotuses. You can forget about my sister, but since we're identical, I can pretend to be her."

After learning some things from Sun Yuzhi, even though she understood that Sun Yuzhi might be biased or have her own leanings, Nie Lingxi still couldn't bring herself to feel any goodwill toward that Lady Lan.

'What kind of decent person hooks up with her son's friend?'

This time, Nie Lingxi also wanted to try and persuade Chen Sheng.

It could be considered fulfilling her duty as his fiancée.

"Reading is good. You should read more in the future."

Chen Sheng praised.

"So you're not mad that I'm being nosy?"

Nie Lingxi changed the subject back.

Chen Sheng sighed and briefly explained the situation with Lady Lan:

"There's actually more to the story. Between Lady Lan and I... also, she isn't actually a widow. The truth is, she..."

These were things Chen Sheng hadn't originally planned on revealing.

But seeing Nie Lingxi's attitude, if Lady Lan were to one day really come to Ning'an, there was no guarantee there wouldn't be trouble. Sun Yuzhi and Nie Lingxi might even team up to ostracize her.

That was a situation Chen Sheng did not want to see.

"Is what you're saying true?"

Nie Lingxi frowned, finding it a little hard to believe.

"It's the truth."

"But even so, she's still a bit..."

Nie Lingxi opened her mouth, at a loss for words. After a long pause, she finally sighed:

"Fine, let's not talk about her. Once she joins the family, there will be plenty of time to interact."

"Lingxi is so understanding."

"As long as you understand. How can a wildflower smell sweeter than the flower at home?"

Nie Lingxi shot Chen Sheng a look.

"Is that so? Let me have a sniff then."

Chen Sheng smiled, stepped forward, and swept her into his arms.

Nie Lingxi's body tensed, then quickly relaxed as she stared intently at Chen Sheng.

"You can get handsy, but before we're married, none of *that*."

"Fine, then I'll just get handsy."

Chen Sheng hadn't even dared to hope he could get handsy, but she had unexpectedly drawn the line for him.

Nie Lingxi breathed a sigh of relief, then her beautiful eyes darted and a flash of panic appeared in them.

"Brother-in-law, what are you doing? I'm my sister—pah, I'm Lingxi's big sister!"

——————