Chapter 112: Thunderstorm (4)

As soon as the words left her lips, Shen Xiling turned and stepped through the door alone.

Shui Pei was both surprised and anxious. How could she let her pure and innocent young mistress enter this den of wolves and tigers by herself? Naturally, she hurried to follow, but the gatekeeper swiftly closed the main hall’s door, blocking her path. “Your young mistress has already said she would go in alone. Why are you still following? Come with me and leave, so as not to disturb the master’s peace.”

Shui Pei, of course, refused to comply. She attempted to push past the gatekeeper and force her way inside, but he had anticipated her move. Suddenly, two servants appeared from somewhere, covering Shui Pei’s mouth and dragging her toward the main gate.

Amidst the rolling thunder and pouring rain, Shui Pei was drenched to the bone, watching helplessly as she was pulled further and further away from the now-closed main hall.

There was nothing she could do.

Meanwhile, Shen Xiling had already entered the main hall alone.

As soon as she stepped into the room, she immediately noticed an unusual scent in the air. It wasn’t any kind of fragrance she was familiar with, but rather a strange mixture that made her feel uneasy.

Of course, she didn’t know that one of the scents came from Wushi Powder .

Wushi Powder had long been popular in Jiangzuo, especially among the aristocratic families, and was no longer considered rare. However, Shen Xiling had always been protected by Qi Yin and had never encountered such a thing before, which was why it felt unfamiliar to her.

The term “five stones” referred to stone stalactites, sulfur, white quartz, amethyst, and red ochre, all ground into powder. It was rumored that consuming it could bring one to paradise and had long been associated with elegance in Jiangzuo. However, the drug was warm and drying in nature, causing those who took it to become overheated and overexcited. Not only did they need cold food to cool down, but they also required cold baths or loose clothing to dissipate the heat. Many used it to enhance sexual performance, and excessive inhalation could lead to madness or erratic behavior—a truly hedonistic substance.

The Qi family had strict moral standards, and there were clear rules forbidding their descendants from using such substances. Qi Yin himself had never touched them, which was why Shen Xiling had no idea what it smelled like or how people might behave after consuming it. After bypassing the screen, she finally saw Yang Dong.

She had met this steward once at Yi Tower. At that time, he had exuded an elegant demeanor, wearing a fine jade thumb ring on his right hand. He sat across from her, composed and graceful, speaking eloquently and behaving with poise. But now, upon seeing him again, he was half-reclining on the sitting bed in the room, his clothes disheveled, surrounded by scattered cups and plates. He seemed completely unconcerned and showed no intention of tidying himself up when Shen Xiling entered. Instead, he displayed an unsettling air of unrestrained arrogance.

Under normal circumstances, Shen Xiling would have found this strange and become cautious. But now, consumed by anger and devoid of rational thought, she remained oblivious to the dangers around her.

Standing in the middle of the main hall, she coldly eyed Yang Dong, who was also looking at her. His right hand, adorned with the jade thumb ring, held a white jade cup. With a lewd smile, he addressed her, “Miss Fang has such refined tastes to visit on such a stormy night. Your presence truly brings honor to my humble southeastern residence.”

With the recent death of Manager Feng, Shen Xiling had no patience for this man’s pretense. Her face was icy, her expression unchanging as she cut him off, saying, “What did you do to Manager Feng?”

Yang Dong raised an eyebrow at her words, then closed his eyes and chuckled, feigning confusion. “Manager Feng? Who is that?”

Shen Xiling stared at him coldly, saying nothing.

Yang Dong laughed again, tilting his head back to drain the wine from the white jade cup. His unrestrained demeanor grew more pronounced as he said, “Miss Fang, there’s no need to be angry. I meet many people daily, and as I grow older, my memory fades. I truly don’t recall whom you’re referring to. If you don’t mind, perhaps you could remind me?”

Shen Xiling’s gaze grew colder. After a long silence, her anger swelled even more. Never had she been so enraged, leading her to sharply retort, “You don’t remember him? You sent men to destroy his shop and drove him to his death. Today is his funeral, and his wife and child are kneeling before his coffin, weeping—yet you claim you don’t know who he is?”

They had never confronted each other directly before, even during their most intense confrontations. But now, Shen Xiling abandoned any pretense of civility, tearing everything apart.

Yang Dong showed no sign of embarrassment or panic at being exposed. On the contrary, he remained perfectly calm, even picking up the wine pot to refill his white jade cup.

Holding the cup, he chuckled lightly, looking at Shen Xiling as if she were a naive child. “Miss Fang, choose your words carefully. I always act within the law and deeply believe in Buddhism. I would never commit such heartless acts. Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding?”

Yang Dong spoke with conviction, appearing as pious as a Buddha, yet his eyes brazenly revealed a triumphant smirk, as if reveling in his victory or mocking something—or someone.

Shen Xiling’s anger reached its peak. She stepped forward and knocked the wine cup out of Yang Dong’s hand, shattering it into pieces!

Standing above him, she declared, word by word, “Obeying the law? Believing in Buddhism? Don’t you find these words laughable coming from your mouth? Or do you think everyone else is blind to your actions? You killed him—a living, breathing human life!”

Despite Shen Xiling’s blunt and heavy accusations—and her dramatic gesture of smashing his white jade cup—Yang Dong remained unfazed, still appearing as if he carried no weight.

Still smiling faintly, he leaned back on the sitting bed, glancing up at Shen Xiling. His smile widened as he said, “When I first met you, Miss Fang, I praised your talent for business. Now, it seems I spoke too soon.”

He leisurely twirled the white jade thumb ring on his right hand, his expression relaxed. “Perhaps you’re not suited for the ways of commerce.”

Shen Xiling furrowed her brows, saying nothing, while her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

Yang Dong seemed utterly oblivious to her fury. Stretching his limbs comfortably, he continued, “Commerce is not a woman’s boudoir, where softness and fragility thrive. Instead, fortunes rise and fall overnight, and families often crumble. I truly don’t know this Manager Feng you speak of, nor have I ever met him. His death saddens me, but only to an extent. Furthermore, I dare say he didn’t die unjustly.”

A layer of sweat formed on Yang Dong’s forehead, likely due to the effects of the Wushi Powder . Yet, far from discomfort, he seemed to radiate an odd sense of pleasure. Continuing, he said, “In both politics and commerce, vision matters more than ability. Only by choosing the right person to align with can one succeed; otherwise, disaster looms. He chose you over the guild—that was his mistake. He became the bird that stuck its neck out for you, and thus, he cannot blame the archer for shooting it down.”

“In commerce, survival belongs to the capable, regardless of the means. Staying alive is the ultimate principle; everything else is mere nonsense,” Yang Dong said, his smile conveying absolute control. Glancing at Shen Xiling once more with the same condescending look, he added, “Miss Fang may find my words despicable today, but only by understanding this truth can you truly grasp the essence of this world.”

Outside, the rain poured heavily, and thunder roared ominously. The sound of wind and rain filled Shen Xiling’s ears. Her hands, clenched tightly at her sides, dug her nails deep into her palms.

Never had she felt such rage—or such confusion.

She found Yang Dong’s words absurd, base, and sinister—but inexplicably, she couldn’t help but feel… that he was right.

He was absolutely right.

What had Manager Feng done wrong? He was just an ordinary small merchant, diligently conducting his business. His tragic end came solely because he made a wrong choice. Had he not followed her, had he compromised with the guild, or even refrained from working so tirelessly for her, he would still be alive today. Even if his life had been poor and difficult, even if he had faced oppression from the guild, he would at least still be alive.

Her arrogance and inflexibility had cost Manager Feng his life, leaving his wife widowed and his child fatherless.

… She had ruined their family.

Shen Xiling’s hands fell limp, her eyes hollow and increasingly lost in despair.

Witnessing her distress, Yang Dong’s smile deepened.

He had heard that the second son of the Qi family had once protected this beautiful young girl, leading him to believe there was a close bond between them. Out of fear for the young master, he had refrained from harming her. However, over the past few months, as tensions between the guild and this girl escalated, the young master had not intervened, much to Yang Dong’s surprise. Later, rumors from the Fu family suggested that the young master’s marriage to Princess Six was set in stone. The princess, known for her intolerance, already viewed Fang Yun as a thorn in her side, and the young master intended to marry her off.

If that was the case, why should the guild hold back?

She was merely an inexperienced young girl, now without the protection of Young Master Qi. Wasn’t she now at their mercy?

Yang Dong’s smile grew deeper as he slowly straightened his posture. His eyes, influenced by the Wushi Powder , gleamed with an even more pronounced madness.

Suddenly, he grabbed Shen Xiling’s hand!

Lost in thought, Shen Xiling snapped back to reality and immediately tried to pull her hand away. But Yang Dong held her tightly, preventing her escape.

Furious and startled, Shen Xiling demanded coldly, “What do you think you’re doing, Steward?”

Yang Dong clutched her hand, feeling it as smooth and cool as a piece of fine jade. This sensation momentarily alleviated the burning heat coursing through his body from the Wushi Powder , sending waves of desire through him.

Smiling at Shen Xiling, he said, “I am a businessman, always mindful of profit and loss. I don’t engage in losing ventures. After spending so much time talking with Miss Fang today, surely you won’t let me leave empty-handed?”

Before Shen Xiling could respond, his other hand reached out to touch her arm. Staring intently at her, he grinned and said, “Today, I sought paradise, but you interrupted me. Such a disruption to my well-being… Since you’ve come, why not compensate me?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he yanked her arm with force. Shen Xiling, frail and weak, was no match for Yang Dong’s strength. She was immediately pulled onto the sitting bed.

Never having encountered such a situation, Shen Xiling was naturally shocked and terrified, her mind blank. When she regained her senses, she began to struggle fiercely, trying with all her might to break free from Yang Dong’s grip. But he held her hand firmly, rendering her immobile. His sweaty palm pressed against her skin, making her feel sickened. Meanwhile, his face drew closer, his smile growing lewd and deranged.

Looking down at her with eyes full of greed and lust, he whispered hungrily, “Little girl, let me teach you something. Your true advantage lies in your appearance and figure. Why endure the hardships of competing in the world of commerce? Why not become a pampered golden sparrow? I guarantee your life will improve a hundredfold!”

Overwhelmed with disgust and fear, Shen Xiling fought desperately to break free. But her struggles only seemed to excite him further. Laughing loudly, he taunted, “Even if the young master of the Qi family doesn’t want you, it doesn’t matter. You can always sell yourself to another buyer! Isn’t this the way of commerce? Switch trades—it’s worth it, very much worth it!”

His cruel laughter echoed in her ears, and Shen Xiling never imagined hearing someone mention Qi Yin at such a moment.

Already frightened and heartbroken, the mention of him made her feel even more sorrowful and wronged. She berated herself for being so foolish, thinking she had become worthless without his protection, and now, stupidly, had fallen into this predicament.

She longed to see him, but she knew he wouldn’t come. As Yang Dong had said, he no longer wanted her…

Her heart sank to the bottom of the abyss. It was as if all the sadness in the world had transformed into tonight’s thunderstorm, crashing down on her and extinguishing every last shred of hope.

At that moment, Yang Dong suddenly lowered his head to kiss her. The stench of decay and debauchery emanating from him made Shen Xiling feel nauseous to the point of collapse. She quickly turned her head, but he managed to kiss her neck. Instantly, her entire body trembled with revulsion. Summoning all her strength, she struggled violently and screamed for Shui Pei, but outside, only the wind, rain, and thunder responded—no one answered her cries for help.

Yang Dong’s hot, rancid breath was so close it terrified her. She heard him murmur lewdly, “So inexperienced, still a virgin? How could the young master of the Qi family resist touching you? Well, well, well, let me show you what paradise feels like…”

As soon as he finished speaking, a deafening clap of thunder exploded in Shen Xiling’s ears. Simultaneously, a fierce wind blew open the door, and slanting gusts of cold rain swept into the room, overturning the screen and creating an even louder cacophony.

Amidst the endless chaos and despair, amidst the ceaseless wind and rain—

Shen Xiling vaguely saw the person she had been waiting for, rushing toward her through the storm without hesitation.

—Just like their first meeting years ago.