The Martial God who started at Mantuo Manor

Page 61

Even with her extensive experience and a mind hardened by hardship, she felt a burning sensation on her cheeks and couldn't help but blush slightly.

She subconsciously avoided Wang Meng's smiling, probing gaze, her eyes falling on a gentleman beside her who was calculating accounts. However, out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't ignore the extremely aggressive and powerful profile of that man.

But in my heart, I whispered words of shame.

"Huang Rong, Huang Rong!"

In the back hall, there were still maids walking back and forth, as well as accountants who were concentrating on their work.

As the wife of the great hero Guo Jing and the leader of the world's largest gang, how can you lose your composure in such a situation?

But...this...is too...ugh!

Countless thoughts raced through Huang Rong's mind, and she could only feign composure and pretend that she hadn't seen anything.

But her slightly dry throat betrayed her inner turmoil.

She swallowed lightly, trying to moisten the sudden heat in her body.

"Young Master Wang!" Mei is here, Mei is here, you are here, you are here, Lin is here, is she here...

She finally spoke, her voice steady and without a trace of abnormality, but the way she addressed herself unconsciously carried a hint of weakness and softness, "There is something I would like to discuss with you."

When Huang Rong said those words, she herself was somewhat surprised.

What she wanted to discuss was, of course, the grain and fodder contract that concerned the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Xiangyang.

Logically speaking, such an important matter should be discussed with Li Qingluo, the true owner of Mantuo Manor.

For some reason, when she saw Wang Meng effortlessly resolve the conflict between Abbess Miejue and the Ming Cult, her keen intuition told her that this seemingly lazy and casual young man, who appeared to be detached from the matter, was now the one in this manor who could truly make decisions and take charge.

It was as if a voice from the depths of her being was telling her that if she wanted to accomplish this, she had to go through him.

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Vanished Wu Ma!

Wang Meng was incredibly quick-witted; the thought flashed through his mind in an instant, and he had already figured out the whole story.

Why did Huang Rong come to see him?

He immediately ruled out the impulsive kiss he had given by the pavilion and hot spring that day.

He could see clearly that although Huang Rong was anxious at this moment, she was more pleading and expectant. Her bright and beautiful eyes were filled with a lingering worry, and she did not look like she was coming to interrogate him.

Furthermore, given Huang Rong's personality, if she were truly going to pursue the matter, she would never act in this way. Therefore, excluding this "private matter," only "public affairs" remain.

Today's treasure appraisal event, besides the eye-catching rare treasures and martial arts manuals, also includes several seemingly ordinary but actually the most important things in the world: silk from Jiangnan, brocade from Sichuan and Chongqing, cotton cloth from Songjiang, and grain from the Central Plains.

A few days ago, Wang Meng had nothing to do, so he looked through the transaction ledgers of Mantuo Villa over the years.

These confidential items were naturally off-limits to outsiders, but since Li Qingluo had given herself to Wang Meng, she was completely unguarded with these things and allowed him to read and examine them at will.

In those thick ledgers, Huang Rong's name appeared one of the most frequently.

Besides rare medicinal herbs, the largest item she purchased was grain.

He remembered clearly that last year alone, Huang Rong purchased over a million dan of grain from Mantuo Manor and transported it through the Beggars' Sect disciples to supply the military needs of Xiangyang City.

Xiangyang City, a world-renowned frontline city in the fight against the Mongols, is an absolute heroic city, but also an iron city that does not produce a single grain of rice.

After a year of fierce fighting, the city's food supplies were already running low. Expecting the beleaguered Song Dynasty to provide sufficient supplies was nothing short of wishful thinking.

Therefore, Huang Rong's primary purpose in coming to Mantuo Manor was to purchase military rations.

However... things in the business world are not so simple.

No merchant is honest, and Li Qingluo is no saint.

The price of the grain sold to Huang Rong last year was 30% higher than the market price.

This is probably still out of consideration for their past sisterly bond.

If sold to Mongols who also desperately need food, the price would increase by 50% or even double, and the Mongols would have no choice but to accept it.

He glanced at the stunning beauty gazing at him with expectant eyes and couldn't help but chuckle.

She's coming to him now simply to bypass Li Qingluo and get a more favorable grain contract from Wang Meng, this seemingly easier-to-talk-to "newly rich man of the village".

Is this... treating herself like a sucker who can be taken advantage of at will, and preparing to use her beauty to seduce someone?

Wang Meng's mind raced with thoughts, but his face remained calm, instead revealing a gentle smile.

He led Huang Rong, avoiding the maids walking back and forth, to a more secluded corner in the back hall.

"I am flattered by Chief Huang's seriousness."

After Wang Meng stopped, he stared intently at Huang Rong's pretty face, which could express both joy and anger. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but just loud enough for her to hear clearly: "I wonder... do you want to talk to me about 'official business' or 'personal business'?"

"Young Master Wang...you jest."

Huang Rong blushed again. She forced herself to calm down, avoiding Wang Meng's gaze that seemed to see through people's hearts, and said solemnly, "I have come here for a matter of great importance concerning the lives of hundreds of thousands of people."

"Oh? A matter of life and death for hundreds of thousands of people?"

Wang Meng raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise, then changed the subject, a playful smile appearing on his face. He leaned closer, his warm breath almost brushing against Huang Rong's earlobe, and said, "That is indeed a momentous matter."

"I'm just a little curious, compared to this important matter, which is more important... the 'important matters of life' we discussed in the bamboo grove that day?"

Wang Meng's words were ambiguous and contained a double meaning.

His warm breath, like the most alluring feather, gently brushed against Huang Rong's sensitive, slightly burning earlobe.

In that instant, Huang Rong felt a tingling electric current explode from behind her ears, quickly spreading throughout her limbs and bones.

She felt as if she had been pricked by a needle, and suddenly took half a step back, creating some distance between herself and the needle.

"You—you mustn't talk nonsense!"

Her pretty face was like the fiery clouds at sunset on a summer evening, with two beautiful blushes rising instantly. Her bright phoenix eyes were wide open, seemingly glaring at Wang Meng, but there was not a trace of real anger in her eyes. Instead, there was three parts of anger and seven parts of unspeakable shyness.

She composed herself, forcibly suppressing the panic pounding in her heart, but her voice still trembled slightly: "Young Master Wang, please have some self-respect!"

"We are not related by blood. That kiss that day... that day was nothing more than a misunderstanding born of momentary passion. Why must you hold a grudge and make fun of me like this?"

Her words were spoken with righteous indignation, as if she were determined to draw a clear line. But anyone with discerning eyes could see that her evasive gaze, her tightly pursed, even more luscious red lips, and her chest, bound by palace sashes and rising and falling slightly, all spoke of a coy and insincere demeanor.

Huang Rong took a deep breath, seemingly trying to force the conversation back on track so she could escape this awkward and helpless situation.

"Xiangyang is now in imminent danger, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians are hanging by a thread..."

Listening to her high-sounding and righteous words, Wang Meng couldn't help but secretly curl his lip.

What a quick-witted and clever Huang Rong!

With just a few words, they slapped the label of national righteousness on them, belittled their romantic affair into "insignificant love affairs," and absolved themselves of all responsibility.

This is like they're planning to fish the fish out of my deep pool without even using bait.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Even the most greedy beak wouldn't fall for an empty hook!

Wang Meng was about to speak again, to tease this seemingly hypocritical beauty and see how much girlish shyness was hidden beneath her tough facade.

At this moment, a sudden change occurred!

"Not good! Not good!"

A maid who was in charge of chores in the back hall rushed in from outside in a panic. Her face was pale and she staggered. It seemed that she was going to go directly through the back hall to the front hall to find Li Qingluo.

"stop!"

Wang Meng's voice suddenly turned serious, the previous languor and playfulness vanishing instantly, replaced by an undeniable authority: "What kind of behavior is this, rushing around like this and bumping into a guest? Do you want to be turned into fertilizer?"

The maid was startled by his shout and trembled. Only then did she see Wang Meng clearly. She immediately knelt down and reported in a tearful voice, "Young Master Wang...!"

Oh no!

"Miss, she, she ran away!"

"say clearly!"

Wang Meng frowned.

"It's...it's Aunt Wu!"

The maid was so anxious that she couldn't speak coherently: "Madam, it was you who arranged for me to monitor Miss. I overheard Miss saying that she was going to let Young Master Biao go... that traitor Murong and his retainers."

I wanted to stop her, but... but Wu Ma suddenly appeared from behind and knocked me unconscious with a single slap!

When I woke up again, a quarter of an hour had passed, and in the courtyard… Miss and Wu Ma were gone!

Aunt Wu?

Wang Meng's pupils contracted slightly.

Upon careful consideration, he realized that he had indeed not seen Wu Ma today.

You know, Wu Ma is practically Li Qingluo's shadow on weekdays, never leaving her side. But she's nowhere to be seen on such an important occasion as today. There must be something fishy going on!

A quarter of an hour... not a long time, but enough for them to get close to the dungeon where Murong Fu was imprisoned.

After a moment's thought, Wang Meng had already made up his mind.

He turned to Huang Rong, who had also heard these words and whose expression had become serious, and said loudly, "Chief Huang, would you mind accompanying me on this journey?"

Before Huang Rong could answer, he continued, his tone sincere and firm, no longer displaying the lewd and infatuated look he had just had: "I'm sure Chief Huang knows that Murong Fu is a narrow-minded and vindictive man."

If this person escapes, my Mantuo Manor will surely face annihilation.

As long as Chief Huang is willing to lend a hand, I guarantee he won't escape!

As he spoke, a very clear thought suddenly flashed through Wang Meng's mind.

He suddenly realized that he might have gone astray.

He had always regarded Huang Rong as prey that could be conquered, a woman of great wisdom and resourcefulness, yet ultimately a woman of exceptional beauty.

He teased her with ambiguous words and probed with aggressive eyes, enjoying watching her go from calm and composed to blushing with embarrassment.

He believed that to deal with such an exceptionally intelligent woman, one must use stronger methods to suppress her and more cunning ways to break down her defenses.

But just now, in her momentary daze, Wang Meng suddenly woke up.

I shouldn't have just been flirting with her.

For the first time, a deeply ingrained question surfaced so clearly in his mind: Why did Huang Rong fall for Guo Jing?

In terms of family background, she was the apple of Huang Yaoshi's eye and the young mistress of Peach Blossom Island.