The Martial God who started at Mantuo Manor

Page 11

Wang Meng secretly assessed the situation and his wariness of this Aunt Wu increased even further.

He had originally thought that he might be able to take advantage of the chaos in this villa with his meager skills, but now it seems that he was too naive.

After Wu Ma's scare, the atmosphere in the canteen immediately plummeted to freezing point.

Supported by two familiar servants, Old Liu groaned as he left first, seemingly to find some medicine to treat his wounds.

The remaining people had lost all appetite.

The bloody scene just now, and Wu Ma's chilling warning, were like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads, completely extinguishing the flames of excitement that had been ignited in everyone's hearts by the food and gossip.

Each of them turned ashen-faced and fell silent, not daring to utter another word, let alone continue to enjoy this "last meal."

Before long, most of the people in the canteen had left, heads down, hurrying back to their respective residences.

After a hearty meal, Wang Meng mingled with the crowd and quietly left the kitchen.

As he walked, he was still savoring the power of Wu Ma's whip, secretly calculating that in this perilous Mantuo Manor, he would have to be even more careful in his future actions.

Just as Wang Meng reached the vicinity of the courtyard where the servants lived, his sharp eyes spotted several maids dressed in matching blue cloth skirts carrying heavy objects as they walked towards him.

As they got closer, everyone could see clearly that what the maids were holding were several cold iron chains as thick as a child's arm, and a number of large brass locks that gleamed with a cold light!

The lead maid, holding a roster, scanned the faces of the gathered servants with her eyes, as if inspecting livestock, and said in a deep voice, "Stand still!"

"Don't push or shove, listen to my roll call!"

None of the servants dared to disobey, and they all stood respectfully with their hands at their sides.

The maid counted the number of people according to the roster, and after confirming that there were no mistakes, she winked at the maids behind her.

The maids understood and immediately stepped forward, their movements swift.

A series of ear-piercing metallic clanging sounds rang out as the iron chains were skillfully wrapped around the gates of several courtyards and the fences of the main passageways leading to the servants' quarters.

Then, with a few clicks, the brass padlocks firmly locked the joints of the iron chains, enclosing the entire servants' living area like a temporary prison.

After doing all this, the head maid turned around and faced the group of servants who looked surprised and suspicious. In a cold and emotionless voice, she announced: "By order of the master, starting tonight, after nightfall, no servant shall leave their room without permission."

The lock is closed at 7 PM and opened at 5 AM every day.

During this period, if anyone is found leaving their room without permission and wandering around the manor, don't blame the manor rules for being ruthless!

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the faces of everyone present like an icicle, and said, each word deliberate and chilling, "Kill! Without! Mercy!"

Everyone heard it clearly and couldn't help but shudder.

Everyone understood that something earth-shattering was about to happen in the manor; otherwise, why would they be so paranoid, treating even the servants as potential threats and keeping them under such strict surveillance?

However, on the other hand, when the sky falls, there are always tall people to hold it up.

As for locking the courtyards where these servants lived, it might not be entirely a bad thing in some ways.

The wind was high and the waves were rough at night. If any notorious bandits or womanizers were to sneak into the manor, or if heroes from all walks of life were to fight over the treasures, swords and spears would have no eyes. If these unarmed servants wandered around and stumbled upon something they shouldn't have, losing their lives would be the least of their worries.

Being locked in the courtyard like this, although it means losing some freedom, also feels like having an invisible barrier, making it safer.

Furthermore, even if someone harbors grievances, how many would dare to voice them?

Therefore, faced with the maid's cold announcement and the heavy iron chains on the door, the servants, though their hearts were pounding, dared not show any dissatisfaction or objection on their faces.

Each of them lowered their eyes and respectfully replied "Yes," then silently returned to their respective houses like livestock that had been confined.

Wang Meng was moving with the crowd, head bowed and eyes down, towards his house, but he was already planning how to avoid being seen and find a quiet place to practice his skills.

Just then, the head maid's clear, cold voice came from behind, calling out names: "9527! 9526!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Meng's heart stirred slightly, and he paused in his tracks.

Zhao Song also stopped, looking completely bewildered.

The two of them turned around at the same time and looked at the maid holding the register.

The maidservant remained expressionless, her gaze sweeping over the two of them. She calmly instructed, "You two were previously kitchen helpers. Today, we have distinguished guests visiting the manor, and the banquet is of great importance. The kitchen is currently short-staffed."

You don't need to go back to your rooms tonight. Go to the kitchen immediately and be ready to serve throughout the night. There must be no mistakes.

Upon hearing this, Wang Meng outwardly showed little emotion, but inwardly he rolled his eyes.

A bitter look appeared on Zhao Song's face, clearly indicating his reluctance at the thought of working all night again.

But within this Mantuo Manor, have their wishes ever been taken seriously?

The two could only nod and agree repeatedly, not daring to disobey in the slightest.

Seeing that the two were sensible enough, the maid didn't say anything more, but simply waved her hand, indicating that they could leave.

So, under the watchful eyes of the servants, some sympathetic and some gloating, Wang Meng and Zhao Song turned around and headed toward the brightly lit and bustling kitchen.

Upon returning to the kitchen, a bustling scene of activity unfolded.

Dozens of cooks, helpers, fire starters, and vegetable preparers from outside the resort were busy with their own tasks, keeping their feet constantly on the ground.

As soon as Wang Meng and Zhao Song arrived, they were assigned tasks by Granny Sun, the head of the kitchen.

Wang Meng was assigned to chop wood and carry water, which were all physically demanding tasks, but he did them quite well and didn't find them particularly strenuous.

Exquisitely prepared dishes were continuously brought out from the various stoves and carefully delivered to the banquet hall in the inner courtyard by dedicated maids.

The dishes, in terms of both ingredients and preparation, were far beyond what these servants could imagine on a daily basis, clearly demonstrating the high standard of tonight's banquet.

Just then, Granny Sun, who was in charge of the kitchen, shouted in her distinctive high-pitched voice, "Hey, that rascal!"

Yes, I'm talking about you, the woodcutter!

We already have enough firewood; there's no need to chop any more!

Upon hearing this, Wang Meng paused in his actions, slowly raising his head. He saw Granny Sun pointing at him with her finger outstretched, her face displaying an imperious demeanor.

Wang Meng didn't care.

He answered "Yes," and put down the axe as instructed, brushing the sawdust off his hands.

Seeing that he was obedient, Granny Sun continued to instruct, "The wine at the banquet is almost gone. Go to the storeroom and fetch some more wine immediately."

Remember, those wine jars marked with red ribbons are all top-quality aged wines, reserved for distinguished guests. Be sure to bring all those jars over.

"Be quick and return promptly, lest you delay our distinguished guests from enjoying their drinks!"

"got it!"

Li Qingluo, who was seated in the head seat to the right of the main seat, suddenly changed her expression.

She was already stunningly beautiful, and today she was even more meticulously dressed, her luxurious purple palace gown making her skin look as white as snow and her demeanor graceful and charming.

She interacted with the guests with a charming smile, downing her drinks in one gulp, displaying a generous and capable demeanor.

However, after a few rounds of drinks, she suddenly felt dizzy, her vision blurred, and her stomach churned slightly.

She gently touched her forehead with her slender hand, and her delicate face, which was originally slightly flushed with the color of peach blossoms due to the wine, was now even more crimson.

"What's wrong, Qingluo?"

A gentle, slightly coquettish voice sounded beside her, its tone revealing concern.

Sitting next to her was a woman dressed in a pale yellow silk dress.

At around thirty years old, her beauty was beyond compare, and her bright eyes sparkled with a captivating charm.

Her skin was as white as snow, and her figure was graceful and exquisite. Although she was already a married woman, she still retained a girlish charm.

Especially her chest, even though it was covered by clothes, its amazing curves were hard to hide, rising and falling slightly with her breathing.

At this moment, the woman in the pale yellow dress had a slightly flushed face, clearly having drunk quite a bit of wine. Her eyes were slightly glazed, adding to her alluring charm.

Seeing that Li Qingluo seemed unwell, she moved closer with concern, and a faint, warm scent, a mixture of wine and the woman's natural fragrance, wafted towards her.

Hearing the soft question beside her, Li Qingluo barely opened her hazy eyes. She let out a soft "hmm" through her nose, her voice carrying a barely perceptible weakness and exhaustion, and said in a breath as sweet as orchids, "Sister, I... I don't know why, perhaps it's because of the many affairs at the manor lately, and I haven't had a proper rest. Right now, I just feel dizzy and weak all over..."

Before she finished speaking, her delicate hand, which had been gently supporting her forehead, slipped down as if it had lost its strength.

Her whole body, like a vine that had lost its support, went limp and, with a touch of languor and dependence, fell straight into the arms of the woman in the pale yellow dress.

As if she had anticipated this, she not only did not avoid it, but instead slightly adjusted her posture, stretched out her other arm, and gently and steadily pulled Li Qingluo into her arms, allowing her soft and delicate body to lean more securely against her ample chest.

In an instant, a captivating fragrance and a soft, warm touch enveloped Li Qingluo.

The embrace of that woman in the pale yellow dress was unexpectedly warm and supple; her breasts, like the finest silk, rose and fell gently with her soft breaths, lightly pressing against Li Qingluo's cheeks and neck, bringing a blissful, intoxicating comfort. Almost instinctively, Li Qingluo snuggled closer to that soft depth, her nose inhaling the alluring scent of orchids and musk mixed with a hint of wine, finding this embrace more intoxicating than any brocade couch in the world.

The woman in the pale yellow dress felt the person in her arms wriggling restlessly, and felt her warm breath brushing against the sensitive skin of her neck. She couldn't help but chuckle softly, her laughter as clear as silver bells, carrying a hint of teasing and understanding.

She lowered her head slightly, her warm breath brushing against Li Qingluo's ear, her voice soft yet tinged with a hint of cunning: "Hehe, my dear sister, are you trying to use drunkenness as an excuse to escape this drink?"

Or perhaps... the younger sister finds her older sister's plain appearance unreliable enough for you to rely on?

Hearing this, Li Qingluo didn't even lift her eyelids. Instead, she pressed her cheek closer to that astonishing softness, letting out a barely audible, languid moan. Her voice was hoarse from the alcohol and carried a hint of deliberate, unrestrained allure: "Oh... my dear sister, you... your embrace is truly... truly a haven of gentle comfort... so soft and warm, with a sweet fragrance, even more intoxicating than ten-year-aged daughter's red wine... I... I wasn't trying to escape the alcohol, I was clearly... clearly bewitched by your figure, sister..."

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of resentment, self-mockery, and undisguised envy and teasing: "Don't make fun of me... I'm a widow, living alone in my empty room for many years. Like a flower that no one waters, I've long since withered and become unrecognizable. How could I possibly have the energy to deal with those strong liquors?"

"Unlike you, sister...tsk tsk..." She deliberately drew out her words, her tone full of implications, "...Sister, your body is so supple and tender, one touch and you can tell it's been carefully 'watered' and 'nourished' day and night by Master Guo... Your skin is as smooth as satin, your breasts, your waist and hips...tsk, it must be that even the rain and dew have a special fondness for you to cultivate such...such a ripe, alluring, watery appearance. My dry, fiery body dares not compare with your spring water, sister...I'm afraid that if I were to just touch a spark, it would be...dissolved without a trace by your abundant 'inner strength'..."

By the end, her voice was barely audible, tinged with self-pity and a hint of blatant teasing. Her breath lingered intimately on the neck of the woman in the pale yellow dress, causing her to tremble slightly and blush even more vividly.

The girl in the pale yellow dress blushed crimson at Li Qingluo's bold and blatant teasing, her eyes sparkling with allure. She extended a slender, jade-like finger and gently tapped Li Qingluo's smooth forehead, scolding playfully, "You naughty sister, always trying to twist my words!"

They don't care if others laugh at them for using phrases like "dry wood and raging fire" or "vast spring water"!

In my opinion, little sister, you're not 'withered' at all; you're clearly 'a bud about to bloom.' You just lack someone who appreciates your beauty and cherishes you enough to 'water' it.

As she spoke, she did not withdraw her hand. Instead, she followed Li Qingluo's hair, her fingertips lightly brushing against her delicate earlobe, causing Li Qingluo to tremble slightly.

Her fingertips were slightly cool and carried a hint of alcohol, yet they felt exceptionally soft. She chuckled softly, her voice lowered as if whispering between lovers: "Besides, little sister, with your figure, where is it 'dry'?"

I see, everything that should be there is there... it's just hidden a bit deeper."

Her hand slid down naturally, seemingly unintentionally resting on Li Qingluo's slender waist, feeling the supple curves through the thin fabric.

Her thumb moved gently, as if measuring the amazing softness and elasticity, or as if probing deeper secrets.

Despite being so disrespected, Li Qingluo was not angry. Instead, she leaned closer to her and let out a satisfied moan, like a cat being stroked.

She glanced at him with seductive eyes, her breath sweet as orchids: "You really know how to comfort people... Compared to your 'fully blooming' peony, my little 'budding' peony is nothing but a roadside weed!"

Don't just criticize me, feel it for yourself...

As she spoke, Li Qingluo's hand, which had been resting on her shoulder, began to wander.

Her slender, jade-like hands, with nails lightly painted with henna, slid down the edge of her pale yellow dress like nimble snakes. Her fingertips, slightly warm, brushed against the astonishing fullness beneath the fabric. Even through the silken satin, the touch revealed a breathtaking softness and elasticity, as if with the slightest pressure, one could probe into the warm depths and savor the intoxicating sensation.