"Didn’t expect you to have such tricks?"
Lv Zhaoliang gently and slowly stroked Hong Cui’s hand, smiling slyly and smugly.
"Good! I’ll take all your ideas!"
"Don’t worry, seeing as you’re so devoted to me, how about I make you a concubine the day after the new madam is married?"
After speaking, he leaned over to kiss her.
Hong Cui gracefully avoided him.
"Master..."
She wanted him to want more.
Indeed, Lv Zhaoliang was almost drooling with desire.
"My little beauty, is there anything else you’re not pleased with?"
Hong Cui looked at him with almond eyes full of affection.
"I am still a maid right now!"
"Without any name or status, I wouldn’t dare serve you, please forgive me!"
She looked at him pitifully, making Lv Zhaoliang anxious.
At this indecisive moment, Hong Cui added.
"I only have this one request, please fulfill it!"
Lv Zhaoliang was burning with desire, but he had to agree through gritted teeth.
"Alright!"
"I’m not an unreasonable person, as long as you’re loyal to me, I will care for you well!"
Having said that, he pulled her into his arms, pinching her waist a bit to indulge himself.
Hong Cui winced with pain, tears welling up as she looked at him.
"Master! You’re awful!"
...
With suggestions from those around him.
Over the next two months, Lv Zhaoliang seemed to have transformed entirely.
He didn’t mention marriage and went to the study to read and write daily, progressing so rapidly that even the family’s tutor praised him endlessly.
He showed more filial piety to the elders, never missing his daily greetings.
He no longer beat or scolded servants, but treated them warmly and amiably.
Outside, he underwent a rebirth too.
He cut off ties with loafing friends, leaving home only to visit tutors or go to bookstores and ink shops, or highbrow places like Tianya Tower to make new friends.
Additionally, over the two months, he had sold all one hundred or so concubines around him.
As summer turned into early autumn.
Whether within Fuguo Duke’s Mansion or Capital City, rumors about Lv Zhaoliang, once known as a ’playboy, fop,’ now turned into ’a prodigal son returning is worth his weight in gold!’
Lv Zhaoliang was quite satisfied with this, muttering fiercely to himself: ’Little bitch, once I marry you, I will get back at you for all the anger I’ve swallowed, I’ll torment you!’
He glanced at his hands marked by his tutor’s punishment, resolving more steadfastly.
...
Regarding Lv Zhaoliang’s transformation, none were happier than the old madam and Lady Sun.
One day while paying respects, the old madam smiled delightedly.
"Who said our Liangliang was useless? Look now!"
"My grandson has always been the most ambitious!"
Lady Sun agreed contentedly.
"Who knows what stimulated the child? He suddenly became sensible!"
"Even the back courtyard has quieted down a lot!"
More women, more trouble. Ever since Lv Zhaoliang’s concubines were dismissed, the courtyard became peaceful beyond words.
The old madam was somewhat displeased.
"Hardly enlightenment, my grandson has always been sensible!"
She spoke extravagantly and proudly, seemingly forgetting how Lv Zhaoliang used to anger her to no end.
"Yes, mother is right!"
"But..." Lady Sun grew more worried.
"Now that the child is sensible and accomplished, I suppose he can talk marriage!"
"But..." She wore a worried expression.
"He’s always fancied Miss Jiang and insists on marrying her and no other. But she’s unwilling, Mother, what should we do?"
The old madam’s face filled with concern as well.
"Let’s leave it for now!"
"You can check out other families. Best have people search in Jiangnan, and hopefully find someone even better than her!"
"By then, maybe Liangliang won’t think this way!"
"Mother is wise!"
Lady Sun expressed gratitude.
The old madam waved tiredly: "Enough, it’s nothing. I’m tired, you all may leave!"
"Yes!"
...
Family disapproval didn’t mean Lv Zhaoliang gave up.
He always had people monitor Miss Jiang’s activities.
Being a proper young lady, she didn’t go out often, and so his malicious plans had no chance to unfold temporarily.
The longer he waited, the more impatient he grew.
One day, when a servant reported no news from Shi Mansion again, he suddenly began doubting the correctness of his path.
"Will I keep waiting if she never goes out?"
Hong Cui quickly placated him.
"Certainly not!"
"In a few days, it will be the Qiqiao Festival on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. At that time, all the young ladies in Capital City will attend the Qiqiao Gathering that night. Isn’t that a chance?"