Reborn: The First Rank "Madam"

C26 – Isn’t It a Bit too Early to Find a Woman?

Zuo Shaoqing, accompanied by Wu Junzi, approached with a warm greeting, “It’s been a while, how have you been, my dear second brother?”

Zuo Shaoling’s face displayed a rapid succession of emotions upon encountering his third brother. Unconsciously, he took a couple of steps backward. Lately, he had been plagued by nightmares, each featuring Zuo Shaoqing’s eerie smile after being betrayed by him, clutching his throat with a bloody hand.

“Second brother?” Zuo Shaoqing blinked innocently, gazing at him with a puzzled expression.

Zuo Shaoling jolted awake, a cold snort escaping his lips. His eyes darkened, and his teeth gritted as he muttered, “You scheming scoundrel, you played your part well, didn’t you? Do you think I’m oblivious to your deliberate betrayal? Just you wait!”

With that, Zuo Shaoling paid no heed to the onlookers relishing the drama and hurriedly retreated down a different path.

Zuo Shaoqing’s eyes welled up with tears as he hung his head low. Leaning against Luo Xiaoliu for support, he appeared like a pitiable soul who had been wronged. After garnering ample sympathy from passersby, he departed with Luo Xiaoliu.

Once they turned the corner, Zuo Shaoqing straightened up and issued a cold command, “I have another task for you. Tomorrow, head to the west street and locate a woman named Liu’er.”nove(l)bi(n.)com

“Master, may I inquire why you seek her?” He wanted to ask, given the elder’s age, wasn’t it a bit early to be seeking companionship?

Zuo Shaoqing cast a chilling glance at him and then silently entered the Zuo’s Mansion.

Luo Xiaoliu slapped himself on the face and swiftly followed his master into the courtyard. He couldn’t help but inquire, “Master, what is our plan once we find her?”

This time, Zuo Shaoqing didn’t disregard him. Instead, he remarked, “Once we locate him, we’ll discreetly secure his release.” Observing Luo Xiaoliu’s puzzled expression, he cautioned, “Remember, hands off her!”

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiaoliu reacted enthusiastically, exclaiming, “Master, Lil ‘Six wouldn’t be attracted to a woman like her.”

Zuo Shaoqing raised an eyebrow and jestingly inquired, “So, what type do you prefer? Should I help you find a more suitable match?” Zuo Shaoqing recollected that even after leaving the Zuo Family, Luo Xiaoliu remained unmarried. He now relied on medicine to suppress his desires, but winning people’s affection remained essential.

Luo Xiaoliu blushed, hesitating to provide a direct response. He stammered, “Well, she’s just not his type.”

Zuo Shaoqing’s heart skipped a beat as he scanned the maids around the same age, finding no suitable candidate for Lil ‘Six.

Among the maids in the Zuo Mansion, those accompanying his wife were meticulously groomed, intended for his sons’ concubines, while the others were potentially for his use one day.

Even if a few slipped through the cracks, Zuo Shaoqing would never allow Luo Xiaoliu to marry them.

There was no rush; he didn’t need to take action immediately. When the time came, he could find an ordinary girl for Lil ‘Six once they left this place.

In the future, he planned to depart from this frigid prison with Nanny Liu and Little Six. If possible, he would marry a gentle, virtuous woman. Whether or not his Zuo Family had a male heir would no longer concern him.

Thinking of this, his mood finally became cheerful.

Luo Xiaoliu patiently awaited his master’s return while pondering the mud stains on his attire. Could it be that San Ye had ventured into the academy’s back mountain during the rain?

A possibility crossed his mind, and he muttered under his breath, “No wonder Master San instructed him to repair the thatched cottage on the back mountain and procure all those items. It must have been part of a premeditated plan.”

Luo Xiaoliu took pride in his sharp wit as he discreetly observed Zuo Shaoqing. He noticed that Zuo Shaoqing seemed more fatigued than usual, yet his demeanor radiated an unusual sense of contentment.

He wondered just which Heavenly Immortal Zuo Shaoqing was, to have the ability to send his master on clandestine nocturnal outings with an expression that conveyed, “I never tire of this.”

In the midst of his musings, Young Eunuch Lu, who had been muttering to himself in the academy’s back mountains, suddenly sneezed. He scowled as he tossed the charcoal into the brazier.