Three years later

  Misty, oh misty...

  Reporting non-flower, mist non-fog... comes at midnight, leaves at dawn... comes like a spring dream, not for long... goes like morning clouds, nowhere to be found... goes like morning clouds...

  "Goes like morning clouds, nowhere to be found~~" The woman's singing voice was soft and melodious, like spring silken threads, so gentle and affectionate, it rippled and rippled on the misty lake...

  Alas, after finishing one round, the woman seemed extremely satisfied with her voice. Her delicate chin was slightly raised, and she smiled at the beautiful girl sitting quietly at the stern of the boat, her eyes full of wild charm. The latter dipped a nearly transparent hand into the water, her eyebrows lowered in silence.

  "Lan Qier, you've sung the lyrics your sister taught you so many times, singing them morning and night. You should have memorized them by now, right? The Twelve Beauties sing them, the Silver Zither girls and Jade Celestial girls sing them, the second sister, the third sister, and Yu Hong sing them all day long, even Aunt Shuang teaches you. Have you remembered? They're very nice to listen to, aren't they? Flower non-flower, mist non-fog, comes at midnight, leaves at dawn~~"

  The woman laughed freely, rocking the oars, unconcerned by the silence of the beautiful Hu girl. She continued, "If you remember, I'll teach you the 'Eighteen Models of Sensual Songs' next time! Ba ha~~ We'll learn while playing music with the Silver Zither girls. These 'Eighteen Models of Sensual Songs' are very profound. 'Model girls' have eighteen moves, 'model boys' have eighteen moves, we have to sing thirty-six moves, thirty-six moves become seventy-two forms, seventy-two forms change into one hundred and eight methods. Hahaha, it's great, we'll sing it upside down!"

  She raised her eyebrows and suddenly lowered her voice.

  "Remember, don't let your brother know. If he finds out I'm singing sensual songs to you and teaching you, he'll definitely come looking for trouble. Hmph, it's been over a month, and if your dear elder brother doesn't come back, your dear sister will find another lover! Damn it, he's wasting my beautiful youth! There are so many good things outside, I'm itching to see them! Once I kick out the old stuff, you'll follow me to eat and drink well, stay here with the other sisters, and don't bother with your brother, okay?"

  This sister is really interesting... really, really... so interesting...

  In her memory, her sister often took her to play. Sometimes there were three other younger sisters, and sometimes, like today, it was just the two of them... Her sister seemed to know she loved boating on the lake, and would often take her out on the river and lake in a light boat... Also, her sister loved to be close to people, hugging her, holding her, kissing her, and taking her to soak in flower petal baths, making them both fragrant and beautifully dressed...

  Her sister also liked to nag about her elder brother, saying he was the biggest corrupt merchant in the land, and that men from the Western Desert were all bad. But if her elder brother left the waterside pavilion for several days, or even two or three months, her sister would pretend to be indifferent, saying she would find another man, but she never actually did...

  And then, she discovered that every time her elder brother traveled far, her sister couldn't sleep well and ate very little, inexplicably losing a lot of weight... Alas... Alas alas... Comes like a spring dream, not for long... goes like morning clouds, nowhere to be found... nowhere to be found... Flower non-flower, mist non-fog... mist non-fog...

  The autumn mist is very thick.

  The peeled white is a vast expanse, as if the distant view is covered by a whole screen of white gauze, without clouds or clouds, without sun or moon, even the returning birds are hidden, only white, vast and boundless.

  There are countless fallen maple leaves on the water. The fallen maple leaves are still red. The light boat glides over the leaves. The red leaves are carried by the water waves and drift away to both sides, like rootless duckweed, like ethereal silken threads. And that clear little hand immersed in the water seems to be there and not there, as if trying to grab the swaying red.

  "Stop playing, little fool. Look how cold your hands are. Don't you feel cold?"

  Scolding with a smile, Hua Duomei temporarily put down the oars and quickly pulled Lan Qier's hand out of the cold lake water. She blew on her icy fingers and rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them.

  Lan Qier was still very obedient, letting her do as she pleased.

  "Let's go ashore and rest for a while." Hua Duomei tucked her hand into her warm cloak, then brushed her bangs before picking up the oars again.

  In a moment, the small boat docked. There was a small stone pavilion on the willow-lined bank, a place where they often stopped for a short rest when they went out boating.

  "Come." Hua Duomei took Lan Qier's small hand and led her ashore, while carrying a double-layered bamboo basket full of food, water, and tea sets with her other arm. The two graceful figures stepped into the pavilion at the same time.

  After wiping the stone table and stone chairs in the pavilion and settling the beautiful girl, who was like a jade doll, Hua Duomei worked skillfully. In less than a quarter of an hour, she had set up the tea snacks and tea sets, and lit the charcoal fire in the small earthenware stove to heat the boiled water. The two girls enjoyed the tea in the desolate autumn air.

  Three years of autumns and winters have passed. Hua Duomei has long been accustomed to taking care of Lan Qier. She is the elder sister, and she has been managing the "Feixia Tower" since she was young. Naturally, she treats all the girls as her own sisters, especially those who are weak and helpless, her maternal instincts are greatly stimulated.

  "Blow on it before you drink. Blow five times." She placed a porcelain cup filled with eight parts full tea into Lan Qier's hand and instructed her. Seeing Lan Qier obediently following her words, her plump lips curved in praise. "That's right, Lan Qier, you're doing very well. If you blow on it before drinking, it won't scald your tongue!"

  Lan Qier's face was calm. After drinking several cups of tea obediently, she lowered her eyes and stared fixedly at the white porcelain cup in her hand.

  Hua Duomei didn't mind. She knew that she would often fall into her own world, concentrating intensely on something, with an indescribable seriousness in her expression, yet also very endearing.

  Unable to resist, she reached out to rub Lan Qier's hair, pulled her thick warm cloak closer, and gently stroked her slightly cool face with her palm, tidying up her slightly messy hair strand by strand.

  "You're so good. You've worked hard these three years, and you've grown to be rosy-cheeked, strong and healthy. Lan Qier is truly a considerate girl! Your elder brother will be very happy to see you healthy and without illness! Alas, alas, you are his 'heart's treasure', do you know?" At the end, her fingertips suddenly became very mischievous, and she habitually picked at the girl's beautiful chin.

  Sister too...

  Also "heart's treasure"...

  The silent girl still lowered her eyebrows and said nothing.

  Hua Duomei picked out a few small shortbreads and delicate tea snacks and placed them on the small plate in front of her. Just as she was about to tell her to have them with tea, a sound of hurried horse hooves came from afar. Following the sound, she turned her head.

  In the misty cold fog, a gray swift shadow appeared first, followed by seven or eight more. Those people galloped their horses, sweeping away the quiet atmosphere by the willow bank.

  The gray shadow at the front approached, and the outline of the person on the horse gradually became clear. He was about to fly past the small pavilion when he suddenly seemed to realize something, pulled the reins, and forced his mount to stop. The seven or eight subordinates behind him, who had rushed past, also followed suit. Instantly, the bank was filled with the sounds of "迂" and horse neighing, almost causing a stampede.

  The big man at the front rode his horse back.

  He dismounted, strode into the stone pavilion without invitation.

  "What a coincidence, meeting you here." The man's huge palm affectionately stroked Lan Qier's head, his bright eyes staring at the beautiful woman at the opposite table, his tone conversational, betraying his good mood.

  Hua Duomei narrowed her eyes and hummed. "It really is a coincidence. How did I run into Master Lei Salang?"

  "Mm." He nodded, his lips slightly curved. He quickly glanced at the boat docked by the shore, then looked back at the tea set and pastries spread on the stone table, and said with his arms crossed lazily, "If I hadn't seen the owner set up such a grand display, I would have thought the owner had deliberately come to the pavilion to wait for me."

  Her face turned red. "Should I know when Master will return?"

  "I thought the snow pigeons in my hand should have sent the information to 'Feixia Tower' a few days ago. I was afraid of the long journey and unforeseen circumstances. I sent five snow pigeons. They must be very tired after flying for so long. Did the owner treat them well?" His bad habits were hard to change, and he started to "play with women" again.

  "...If I see those snow pigeons, I will treat them well." She took a sip of tea, deliberately avoiding his deep gaze.

  Lei Salang curled his lips and said nothing. Although his dark face was weathered and his brows showed a slight fatigue, his expression was inexplicably soft.

  Looking at her again! "Lan Qier and I are out today... to drink tea and enjoy the lake view." Her voice weakened halfway through? Hua Duomei really wanted to pinch her thigh! Her cheeks were hot, as if from guilt.

  "In this misty, cold and damp weather?" His thick eyebrows were slightly raised.

  "As long as one has the heart, one can see flowers in the mist. Doesn't Master know?" She retorted with a deliberately娇声 (coquettish voice).

  " owner is right." Lei Salang spread his hands, seeming to agree with her words, but it sounded harsh. It was as if he meant, "I won't make things difficult for a little lady."

  Really annoying!

  Hua Duomei gritted her teeth and took a few deep breaths. She no longer looked at him and coaxed Lan Qier, "Let's ignore your elder brother. Good girl, eat the rose jelly on the small plate. It's Aunt Tian's specialty, your favorite."

  The silent girl shook her head and raised her face. She didn't look at anyone, but she was very obedient. She put down the small cup that was warming her hands and ate the tea snacks on the plate with her small bamboo fork, chewing elegantly.

  The force in his chest suddenly became stronger. Lei Salang was gradually getting used to this strange feeling.

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  Every time this woman and her sister ganged up to "exclude" him, it made him laugh and cry. Sometimes, seeing Lan Qier so obedient to her, like a little lamb, nestled beside her, he would actually feel jealous.

  He flicked his cloak back and suddenly his strong arm stretched across the stone table, holding the woman's jade jaw.

  "What are you do— mmm..." He kissed her fiercely.

  Hua Duomei narrowed her beautiful eyes and glared at him at close range. Just as she was about to bite back fiercely, he suddenly withdrew, leaving her unable to kiss him, and she was stunned for a moment.

  "It's getting late. Will the owner allow me to take a boat home with you?" He stroked her face.

  "Wha-what?"

  He didn't explain further, only said softly, "Wait for me for a moment."

  She stared blankly as he turned and walked towards the seven or eight Hu men waiting outside the pavilion.

  Going home...

  Her lips were burning, and her heart was agitated. She felt a bit miserable, like a bug caught in a spider web, unable to break free from the sticky threads...

  After being tied up, the man handed his mount to his subordinates to take care of. He also drank several cups of the good tea she had brewed. Seeing that there were still many shortbreads and tea snacks left, he opened his mouth wide and finished them in a few bites. Alas.

  She knew that those Western Desert men lived in a spacious mansion about ten miles outside the city. He bought it three years ago after deciding on his business partners. Outside the house, there were large wild forests and grasslands where they could gallop their horses and stretch their muscles. At the same time, it was also where many camels and mules were kept. Twice a year, they traveled between the outer regions of Western Han and the Central Plains, bringing back precious exotic fragrances and medicines at astonishing prices.

  She never asked about his business, but she subconsciously paid attention to observing him.

  He occasionally traveled far, not necessarily returning to the Western Desert, nor necessarily for business. He seemed to be busy with other matters and had made some good friends in the beautiful Jiangnan.

  To have been "involved" with the same man for three years completely went against her original intentions, making her heart a little flustered, a little chaotic. The inexplicable anxiety made her feel like she was walking on thin ice, and every step she took should be carefully considered. But paradoxically and strangely, she vaguely felt that she might also be looking forward to the next step, which would break the ice, fall, and then be submerged.

  What was wrong with her?

  And what was wrong with him?

  "...On the Western Desert side, Lie Erzhen has done an excellent job these three years, and his prestige among the tribes has also increased. When I left, I had already handed over all the tribal chief's tokens to him. That's what he wanted. If he wanted it, I gave it to him."

  "But the elders in the tribe still value you. No matter how well Lie Erzhen does, he is not legitimate. It's been three years, and some tribes still oppose him. You are our true Wolf Lord!"

  "I am no longer."

  "Wolf Lord..."

  "The current Lei Salang is just a simple Hu merchant, and has nothing to do with the 'Western Desert Wolf Lord'."

  "But the elders..."

  "Tell those who come to persuade me to go back to the Western Desert. Continuing to pester me will only be a waste of words. Since I handed over the tokens, I will not turn back. Or, I'll just spend my life in Jiangnan, find a woman I like and have children, and consider it settling down."

  When he said the last sentence, his tone was slow and even, but whether it was her imagination or not, the volume seemed to be deliberately increased. Even though he was standing outside the stone pavilion at the time, his back to her and his tall and strong subordinates, she couldn't see his face, but she felt he had intentionally said it for her to hear.

  Alas, it's getting complicated. There's the "Western Desert Wolf Lord," and then "elders in the tribe," and finally the idea of "settling down"... What was wrong with him?

  She was also wrong. Why should she be so flustered and agitated by his seemingly true words, with her heart beating so loudly, unable to find peace?

  After bathing, she walked into a strange deep purple.

  That kind of purple mist was created by the moonlight falling on the leaves of the purple acacia tree.

  The "Langping Water Pavilion" was already rich in plant species and flowers. After the man settled down three years ago, another type was added inexplicably. At that time, he had already cleared land and planted it without even informing her, the owner.

  This tree is also strange. Its growth rate is astonishing. In just three years, each tree has grown taller than a person, and the branches are slightly dense. The ginkgo-like leaves are all deep purple. Last year, it bore its first fruit in spring. The small, olive-like fruits were sweet and sour, and very delicious.

  According to the man's messy and insincere words, the growth of the purple acacia tree depends entirely on its mood. If it's in a good mood, it grows fast; if it's in a bad mood, it's too lazy to grow upwards.

  Alas, she would be a fool to believe him!

  But "settling down"... was he serious?

  "Oh! Wow—" Her thoughts layered upon each other, and she didn't even pay attention, stumbling forward.

  She maintained the posture of falling, not moving at all, as if in disbelief. The fallen leaves and small grass beneath did not hurt her. She was just stunned.

  She turned over and saw that the culprit that tripped her was a slightly protruding tree root. Her water-like eyes widened round and bright, and she vaguely thought, this "root" really made her "land"!

  Suddenly feeling absurd, she couldn't help but laugh, her slender shoulders shaking, her cheeks flushing.

  "You fell and you're still laughing?" A deep male voice accompanied a tall figure stepping into her sight. He might have been watching everything quietly behind her, but chose to appear at this moment. The man didn't approach immediately but leaned against the tree trunk leisurely with his arms crossed.

  Hua Duomei's eyebrows still held a smile. She hummed, "I'm laughing, and I won't cry. Also, all things considered, aren't you, Master Lei Salang, the one who caused me to fall on the ground!" She propped herself up slightly with a seductive posture, lifted her jade foot, and deliberately showed him the silver chain. "You've been locked up for three years, what is this?" It was a mix of spoiled anger and perhaps not real anger.

  Lei Salang grinned and chuckled lowly. He finally walked to her side and squatted down to gently hold one of her delicate feet.

  She still didn't like wearing shoes. At this moment, her foot, tender as snow, was stained with grass and night dew, and was slightly cool. He rubbed it with his large palm, mimicking her words, "The owner has also been locked up for three years. What is this?"

  The woman who was lying on the ground and had no intention of getting up playfully wrinkled her nose. Her charming eyes flickered, and she sighed, "Yes, you lock me, I lock you. We can't get out of this cycle of revenge, what should we do?"

  She withdrew her jade foot from his palm and then reached for his neck, drawing circles on the silver ring on his neck with the tip of her toe.

  The silver ring was slightly wide and exquisitely crafted, with no visible seam. It was custom-made three years ago at a great expense by a master craftsman who had long retired.

  The day she received the silver ring, she and he had a passionate tryst. She still chose to attack him at his most "vulnerable" moment.

  He threw his head back and roared, releasing his essence. Then his huge body fell onto her sweaty, soft chest. Her flushed arms wrapped around him, and also wrapped the silver ring around his neck, fastening it.

  She couldn't find a clever way to open the silver chain, nor did she want to ask him, but returning the favor was a must. That silver ring was her return gift, and he had worn it for three years, unable to undo it either.

  "Then let's do it the old way, each rely on their own skills!" The man nodded and suggested, holding down the fruit-like foot that was playing on his neck, and holding it in his palm again.

  "It seems that's the only way." She agreed with a nod.

  Suddenly, neither of them spoke. His eyes were deep, gazing into her misty water-like eyes.

  The autumn moonlight was so bright, and then faintly colored by the leaves of the full forest of purple acacias. The night at the water pavilion was not completely dark. The forest seemed to have purple clouds floating, drifting with the wind. Those light halos, as if alive, fell into the pupils of the man and woman.

  "I am very grateful that you have been taking care of Lan Qier for me while I was away for more than a month." Lei Salang suddenly broke the silence, his deep voice slightly hoarse.

  Hua Duomei was startled. She hadn't expected him to suddenly thank her, and his expression was so solemn that it made her breath falter.

  "...That... uh... that's your 'heart's treasure', if I don't take good care of her, I'm afraid you'll swallow me alive when you come back. If you only deal with me, it's not a big deal, but if you get angry for your sister and refuse to sell 'Dragon Charm Powder' to our 'Feixia Tower', then it won't be good."

  His lips curved, and his thumb rubbed the sole of her foot intentionally or unintentionally. She tried to withdraw, but his large palm did not allow her to.

  "In the past three years, Lan Qier's condition has improved day by day. Her epilepsy has been removed, and her body has been strengthened. She seems to like you very much. When you talk to her, she always listens. Whatever you ask her to do, she obediently complies. She listens, understands, and reacts. Perhaps one day she will be willing to speak again. What do you think?"

  "I, I think..." The sole of her foot was both numb and itchy, and it was burning hot from his grip! "I think one should seize the day, and doing is better than saying."

  That tingling sensation seemed to scratch her heart, making her tremble uncontrollably.

  Discovering that her face was hot and her heart was pounding, and that her blood was boiling under his deep gaze.

  Who was she, Hua Duomei?

  She was the peerless beauty of the world, the king of a hundred flowers, how could she lose her dignity so easily in front of a man?

  She lifted the foot that was not held, her eyes like silk, seducing him. This time, the tip of her toe did not move to his neck but slid over his hunched knees, then slowly slid down his strong thighs to the inner side.

  He squatted with his legs spread apart, one high and one low, and her foot rested boldly between his legs, her white toes drawing circles.

  Lei Salang's chest heaved instantly, and his breath became thick and hot.

  The woman had issued him a challenge again, a fierce and bold one, not allowing him to think too much.

  Never backing down, he accepted the challenge as usual, and with a slightly rough movement, he pulled her closer, lifting her pair of flawless white jade legs and fitting himself into that silver chain.

  She giggled, proud and unrestrained, sitting up halfway and loosening his waist tie and trousers.

  He gasped uncontrollably, pushed her down without mercy, and pounced on her alluring body like a fierce tiger.

  Their bodies intertwined, and their four lips also clung together, kissing passionately.

  The autumn air was no longer bleak. The entire purple forest seemed to have a barrier, and passion ignited.

  "Did I tell you?" The man thought he had subdued the little person beneath him, but in fact, he was the one being subdued.

  "Tell... tell what..." She moaned, indulging her heart.

  "I said... the flowers of the purple acacia tree are aphrodisiacs, and they are the key ingredient for making 'Dragon Charm Powder'... I said, yes... yes... I definitely told you, I remember..." His face was also flushed. In the misty purple forest, his stern face was full of mystery yet also outwardly revealed, making people's hearts flutter and unable to fathom him.

  "Mm... Ah ah..." Her delicate hand gripped his broad shoulders.

  "Da Xiang..." He called the woman by her nickname, panting, "Then... did I ever tell you, there is an ancient legend in the Western Desert... they say... if the purple acacia tree is watered with golden wind and jade dew, the flowers that bloom will have independent lives, they are flower spirits that induce passion... one by one... all flower spirits... Ah ah—"

  Hua Duomei couldn't speak, because the male body pressing on her became more oppressive.

  She wanted to respond to his words, she really wanted to, but both man and woman were out of order, exploding, trembling, something burning and seeping out, falling into the fallen leaves and the soil.

  Hua Duomei thought in a daze, her flower-like lips curled softly.

  With their irrigation, the flowers that bloomed in this purple acacia forest next spring would definitely be extremely beautiful, extremely beautiful...

  "Da Xiang... Da Xiang..."

  The man whispered in her ear, and she smiled contentedly, not knowing that tears were streaming down her face.

  Da Xiang...

  He always called her by her nickname.

  If they argued, or occasionally teased her, he would call her " owner".

  After the tryst, he got up and carried her. His heart tightened, and he couldn't help but kiss the tears on her cheeks. He had satisfied her, he was quite sure of that. He smiled slightly.

  The person behind him was still conscious. She let out a soft moan with her pretty eyelashes, her hair scattered lightly, her face buried in his neck, her lotus-like arms clinging to him somewhat affectionately.

  He kissed her forehead and then carried her out of the purple acacia forest. As soon as they left the forest, the water was cold and the wind was cool, and their burning bodies finally cooled down slightly.

  Walking across the small bridge and the long corridor, they returned to the elegant room. The two maids who had stayed behind, with blushing faces, rushed to take over. He dismissed the maids and personally cleaned her up simply, and also cleaned himself.

  Then he climbed onto the bed and hugged her from behind.

  Snow gauze fluttered around them, and incense lingered in the air. His rough cheek rubbed against the woman's dark, soft hair.

  She was very interesting, quite interesting.

  Normally, she acted like a scoundrel, and her words were often not serious. Sometimes she really made people angry enough to bite their teeth. Moreover, she knew that she had a seductive figure and was naturally beautiful, so she was very good at using her appearance as a weapon, especially against him, acting outrageously and using every means possible...

  But he discovered one thing—

  Every time he spoke his heart to her in a serious tone and softened his posture in front of her, this woman's sharp tongue would often be ineffective. She would stammer, and then her ears would start to turn red, spreading a warm blush on her cheeks. Just like tonight, when he mentioned Lan Qier to her, and thanked her, saying he was very grateful for it, her proud face suddenly froze, and for a moment, she looked foolish, making him chuckle.

  Faced with such a situation, to cover her shyness, she would usually choose to "counterattack" him, acting even more outrageously, boldly, and arrogantly, trying to regain her dignity and maintain her image as " owner".

  It was truly infuriating and amusing, yet also very arousing. He accepted her "challenge," fought fiercely, and then it was as if the sun and moon shone together.

  "Da Xiang..." he murmured lowly, tightening the iron arm around her waist.

  The person behind him vaguely responded, her sleepiness profound, her small hand naturally resting on his arm.

  "Our deal is getting more and more agreeable, and there's still a lot to do, don't you think?"

  He furrowed his brows, his hot lips nibbling at her ear, as if it were delicious...