NOVEL NEXT Chapter 127: Chapter 127
Chapter 127: Happy and Forgetful
Over the next few days, Zhao Ling regularly took out the flesh and blood of low-level soul beasts from his storage space to host barbecue parties in the mansion.
Perhaps it was because these low-level soul beasts were more than a hundred years old and contained traces of heaven and earth energy within their bodies, but their meat tasted extraordinary. The roasted meat was firm, flavorful, and far less fishy than the pork or beef raised on Blue Star's feed.
Adding chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and other seasonings purchased outside made the flavor even more incredible. Zhao Ling couldn't help but think that he had never tasted barbecue this delicious at the stalls during his previous life.
These barbecue gatherings quickly brought Zhao Ling and the mansion's servants closer. In turn, Zhao Ling learned many amusing anecdotes about Emperor Xue Ye.
For example, one drunken night, Butler Qian recounted how Emperor Xue Ye had written a love letter in his youth, only to be cruelly rejected. He also shared a tale of how Xue Ye, at nine years old, had once peeped at someone bathing.
And Butler Qian wasn't the only one to spill embarrassing stories. Even Emperor Xue Ye's former wet nurse, after drinking too much fruit wine, shared how Xue Ye could draw maps as a six-year-old—though not in the traditional sense.
Listening to these tales, Zhao Ling couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for these loose-lipped servants. Their boldness was astonishing. If Xue Ye found out that his private embarrassments were being exposed, there was no telling if he'd resort to silencing them for good.
As Zhao Ling expected, word of these drunken confessions soon reached Emperor Xue Ye.
It wasn't surprising, considering Xue Ye still had confidants in the mansion who reported everything to him. Enraged, Xue Ye came close to ordering the executions of Butler Qian and the wet nurse as a warning to others.
However, remembering that these servants now belonged to Zhao Ling, Xue Ye hesitated. After all, even when beating a dog, one must consider the owner. Dealing with Butler Qian and the wet nurse would require Zhao Ling's approval.
Ultimately, Emperor Xue Ye chose restraint but sent a stern warning to the servants. They were forbidden from sharing stories about him, and if they dared do so again, they would face execution.
The warning frightened Butler Qian and the wet nurse. They realized how close they'd come to death. Grateful for their survival, they vowed to control their alcohol intake, knowing their loose tongues could cost them their lives.
Zhao Ling had no objections to Emperor Xue Ye's actions. Though gossiping about others' embarrassing stories could be entertaining, he understood the risks. If the mansion were ever handed over to another owner, the same servants might spread his stories as well. Who would want their secrets exposed?
Meanwhile, Zhao Ling's bond with the three women in his company deepened over these few days. Even Bo Saixi found herself increasingly reluctant to leave.
During the day, she would accompany Zhao Ling, Ah Yin, and Liu Erlong to play games like mahjong, fight the landlord, or chess—novelties Zhao Ling had "invented." These games were entirely new to Bo Saixi and brought her endless enjoyment.
At night, she would join the barbecue parties, feasting on delicious roasted meat and drinking fine wine gifted by the Tiandou royal family. These simple pleasures made these days the happiest of her life.
More importantly, Bo Saixi cherished the time she spent with Zhao Ling. She found herself growing fonder of him with each passing day, to the point where she forgot her original purpose of coming ashore: to search for Tang Chen and uncover his whereabouts.
Similarly, Liu Erlong was inseparable from Zhao Ling during this time. She didn't return home even once, though her father, Yu Luomian, visited several times in her absence. Yu Luomian couldn't help but feel like he'd failed as a parent.
It wasn't just her prolonged absence that bothered him; Liu Erlong also neglected her academy studies entirely. Depressed, Yu Luomian returned home, only to notice something strange: the family's Third Elder was regularly summoning a healing soul emperor.
One day, Yu Luomian saw the Third Elder bidding farewell to the healing soul emperor at the family estate. Curious, Yu Luomian decided to investigate.
"Third Elder, who's injured? Why did you need to summon a healing soul emperor? Is it your son?" he asked.
The Third Elder's expression hardened. "Second Patriarch, this matter has nothing to do with you. Why should I report to you if I invite a healing soul emperor?"
He dismissed Yu Luomian coldly, hoping to avoid revealing the truth. After all, the Third Elder didn't want it known that he and the other two elders had beaten Yu Xiaogang so severely they broke his leg.
If this news reached the clan leader, it would undoubtedly cause trouble. It was better to keep the matter under wraps.
However, Yu Luomian was not one to give up easily. He pestered the Third Elder relentlessly, eventually forcing him to reveal everything...
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(End of Chapter)