Chapter Seventeen: Then Why Take a Concubine?

Two hundred years of true energy…
What kind of monster must one be, and what inner cultivation technique must one practice, to possess two centuries’ worth of true energy?
Even among the esteemed Taoists skilled in nurturing qi, it is said that their sect leader wields three hundred years of true energy—but that is the head of an entire sect, bolstered by the supreme Taoist heart method.
“In that case, Governor Xue’s ability to face two opponents alone—even counting his secret cards—marks him as a rare martial genius,” Wu Qingsheng remarked candidly.
Song Tong replied,
“Perhaps so, or maybe… that master simply intended to toy with Governor Xue, exchanging life for life.”
Wu Qingsheng frowned slightly, then shook his head with a wry smile:
“No matter how we speculate now, no conclusion can be reached.
The Secret and Dark Cult arrived from the Western Regions and has held sway in the Central Plains for centuries. It is not surprising that an unparalleled master exists among them.
Let us think positively: at least the Sacred Maiden is dead, and the cult has suffered grievous losses. This master will dare not act rashly.”
Hearing this, Song Tong smiled bitterly and nodded:
“Governor Wu speaks truly.”
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed in the government office.
A messenger burst in, loudly reporting:
“Governor, Elder Lin has sent someone to request an audience.”
Wu Qingsheng furrowed his brow and muttered,
“Elder Lin’s intelligence is truly sharp—already aware of the East Depot’s incident so soon.”
He then called out loudly,
“Send them in.”
Shortly after, a young scholar clad in silk Confucian robes entered and respectfully cupped his hands to Wu Qingsheng.
Surprised, Wu Qingsheng said,
“I never expected Young Master Lin would come in person.”
Though he bore no respect for Elder Lin and even despised him, Wu Qingsheng stood to return the greeting.
There was no other choice: Young Master Lin Yan’s status was undeniable.
“My apologies for the intrusion. My father heard of this tragic event and thus sent me to inquire in person,” Lin Yan said politely.
Song Tong quickly responded,
“I have already dispatched word to your household.”
Lin Yan then turned to Song Tong:
“My father has met with the East Depot personnel, but…”
His words trailed off. Both men understood that this inquiry was but a superficial pretext.
Lin Yan spoke plainly,
“The vacancy at East Depot’s governorship—do you have a temporary candidate in mind?”
Wu Qingsheng frowned:
“That, of course, is for the royal family to decide.”
No wonder Lin Yan was sent personally.
Before his death, Governor Xue Youge had close ties with the Lin family. Now that the Lin household had learned of Xue’s demise, they naturally wished to seize control swiftly to prevent the East Depot from slipping beyond their grasp.

---

Lin Yan replied courteously:
“Even the royal family must first consult with the Cabinet.
My father said that since all serve the royal house faithfully, they must confer beforehand and act with unified purpose.”
Wu Qingsheng responded smoothly,
“In that case, let Deputy Governor Song act as interim governor until the royal family appoints a successor.”
Lin Yan glanced at Song Tong.
Startled and sensing the threat in Lin Yan’s gaze, Song Tong hastily declined.
Lin Yan then turned away and said,
“Since Deputy Governor Song firmly refuses, my father has another candidate.
Chen Zunming, a hundred-house commander from the West Depot, performed outstandingly in this matter. Why not promote him to thousand-house commander and let him temporarily hold the East Depot governorship?”
Wu Qingsheng’s brow tightened:
“But there is only one thousand-house commander position.”
Unexpectedly, Song Tong interjected:
“It is said that during this incident, no one saw the presence of Commander Min. Submit a report to demote him to East Depot sergeant and vacate the thousand-house commander position for Commander Chen.
He has earned Elder Lin’s trust, and after all… he would only serve temporarily, and eventually Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will dispatch officials from the Court of Rites.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Qingsheng pondered deeply and felt somewhat swayed.
This was not merely due to pressure from the Lin family.
More importantly, he noticed that Chen Zunming’s conduct seemed somewhat different from before.
He had originally thought Chen was corrupt, which explained his close ties with the Lin family.
But even when the East Depot governor reprimanded him and sent Commander Li to bully and oppress him, Chen stood firm to uphold the East Depot’s honor, refraining from adding insult or defaming his reputation.
Reflecting on this, Wu Qingsheng looked at him with newfound respect.
Perhaps this man was truly upright and just, and his previous misdeeds were calculated restraint—small faults without compromising his greater principles—all aimed at one day reforming the capital.
Such clandestine patience was truly… ambitious.
As for that cult master and Chen Zunming, Governor Wu did not associate them at all.
If any suspicion remained before, Song Tong’s words had dispelled it completely.
How could a West Depot hundred-house commander possess two centuries of true energy?
Even in a martial family, a hundred-house commander of his age would only be at most seventh rank.

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“Are you awake?”
Chen Yi looked at Yin Tingxue.
She rubbed her eyes, and in the flickering lamplight, clearly saw the man beside the bed, stiffening instinctively.
Chen Yi smiled darkly,
“Know you were wrong now?”
Yin Tingxue lowered her gaze and murmured hoarsely,
“I do…”
Chen Yi reached out, cupping the back of her head, and asked,
“Will you dare run away again in the future?”
The Princess of Xiang Kingdom was silent.
Chen Yi looked at her with a sinister gleam, making her shiver.
“If you run away again, I won’t just claim you—I’ll burn down Silver Terrace Temple to the ground.”
Startled and frightened, Yin Tingxue looked at him, then lowered her eyes.
“I won’t…”
After a long moment, she shook her head and stammered,
“I’ll serve you forever.”
Chen Yi relaxed his brow.
After a while, he spoke:
“The Sacred Maiden of the cult is dead.”
The Princess of Xiang was stunned.
Chen Yi reached out and scratched her chin playfully like petting a cat:
“Forget the past.”
Hearing this, she was puzzled and softly asked,
“What do you mean by that?”
Chen Yi smiled but did not answer.
The girl turned her face aside, grabbed his sleeve, stretching her neck toward him, asking again:
“What exactly do you mean?”
Chen Yi considered for a moment and explained:
“After this battle, the cult in the capital has been utterly eradicated—no remnants remain, and no one will think to bring you back.
Besides, I found a corpse disguised as you. To everyone, the Sacred Maiden is dead, and this matter is closed.”
Yin Tingxue listened silently. She disliked the cult and, following her mother’s dying wishes, had no desire to be the Sacred Maiden.
Yet, despite this, her brows furrowed lightly, lips pursed, and with growing despair, she lowered her gaze—realizing she truly had no way out.
Nothing left.
A bitter smile flickered across her delicate face. She turned away, eyes reddening, curling weakly on the bed, her shoulders aching intermittently.
After all… she had signed a death contract.
After all… she never really sought a way out…
She truly was a concubine now,
completely belonging to her husband’s family, with no ties to her own.
Resigned, Yin Tingxue curled into a ball.
Behind her came the sound of clothing being loosened; a large hand pressed gently on her waist—it was Chen Yi climbing onto the bed, pulling her close.
The Princess of Xiang tried to retreat toward the wall, but Chen Yi moved forward, holding her firmly so she could not escape.
Yin Tingxue gritted her teeth, then closed her eyes sadly.
She had defied him and therefore must endure mistreatment, forced into unwilling shameful acts. She comforted herself silently:
Let it be…
After all, this villain does not like women—not one bit!
She repeated this in her mind, forcing herself to believe it.
But she did not think deeply—nor dare to…
If he truly did not like women, then why take a concubine?