Rise of the Poor

Chapter 450: The Lecher

Casual Jottings:The sun rises over Fusang, a full zhang high;

All affairs of the human world shrink small as downy hair.

A wild man, enraged at injustice before his eyes,

Grinds down the ancient blade that has slept in his chest for ten thousand years.

Zhu Ping’an silently recited this poem—Casual Jottings by the famed Tang poet Liu Cha—as he urged his horse forward at an unhurried pace toward the Marquis of Linhuai’s residence.

It was just past noon. The sunlight was brilliant, pouring down like molten gold, leaving no corner of the streets or alleyways untouched. Every shadowed nook that might have hidden filth or secrets was mercilessly exposed beneath the blazing sky. Heaven and earth alike were wrapped in a warm, expansive glow, as though the whole world had decided to be generous for once.

The Linhuai Marquis’s estate was unusually quiet at this hour. The young masters and ladies of the household had all gone out to enjoy the spring scenery and had yet to return. After entering through the main gate, Zhu Ping’an handed his fine steed over to the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper blinked in surprise. Zhu Ping’an had come back far earlier than expected—it was barely noon. According to the arrangement, wasn’t he supposed to return after sunset?

Today really is strange, the gatekeeper thought. Just earlier, Fifth Miss returned ahead of schedule… and now Fifth Young Master-in-law is back too.

Scratching his head in confusion, he chalked it up to coincidence and led the horse toward the stables.

Inside, one particularly fortunate black horse—its mane styled in a wild, flamboyant fashion—was enthusiastically whispering nose-to-nose with a red horse in the neighboring stall. If not for the fact that it was Fifth Young Master-in-law’s beloved mount, the gatekeeper might honestly have considered gelding it, just to keep it from being so restless…

Remove Ads“Miss, why hasn’t Young Master-in-law come back yet? He returned before us, didn’t he? But it’s been so long…”

The bun-faced little maid propped her plump, fragrant cheeks on her hands, staring boredly at the doorway as she muttered to her mistress, who was reading at the desk.

“Whether he comes or not, I don’t care,” Li Shu huffed, puffing out her cheeks. “Someone who disappears without a word and leaves whenever he pleases—it’d be better if he never came back at all.”

She was still thoroughly annoyed about Zhu Ping’an vanishing without explanation during their spring outing.

“Miss—Miss—Young Master-in-law is back!”

The little maid suddenly dragged out her words, her voice rising dramatically.

Li Shu immediately dropped her book and looked toward the door.

There was nothing there.

Not even an ant.

At once, Li Shu realized she’d been fooled.

“Heehee… sorry, Miss. I must’ve been seeing things. Young Master-in-law isn’t back after all.”

The bun-faced maid covered her mouth as she giggled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

“Oh? You little shameless thing,” Li Shu said, her pretty face flushing red and growing even more charming. She flashed her tiny tiger teeth and threatened in a coquettish tone, “You’ve grown bold enough to lie to your own mistress now? Let’s see how I deal with you…”

Her pale, slender hands reached out and began mercilessly tickling the little maid.

The bun-faced maid was deathly afraid of tickling. After only a couple of touches, she completely broke down, laughing so hard tears streamed from her eyes.

Forgetting all about propriety between mistress and servant, Hua’er bolted for her life. Li Shu gathered her skirts and chased after her. One fled, the other pursued, circling the room as peals of girlish laughter filled the air.

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Soon enough, Li Shu caught up with her in front of the bed, pinned her down, and tickled her even more thoroughly in that position.

The bun-faced maid wriggled like a worm, laughing until she was breathless, tears pouring down as she begged for mercy.

“Miss, spare me…”

“Miss, please don’t…”

“I—I can’t take it anymore, Miss…”

Just as Zhu Ping’an stepped into his courtyard, he heard these sounds drifting out of the room—sounds that could easily set one’s imagination running wild.

Come to think of it, the last time he’d heard noises like this was back in the dormitory, watching a certain island nation’s “action films” with a bunch of shameless animals.

…What on earth is going on?

Confused, Zhu Ping’an walked into the room.

The moment he saw the scene before him, his heart skipped several beats.

What are you even doing?!

He stared at the ambiguous sight, frozen stiff, the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

Uh… is this really the Great Ming?

Has friendship between girls evolved to this level already?!

But in the next second, he noticed what was really happening.

He’d overthought it.

The two girls were simply playing a tickling game—Li Shu’s little hands were busily at work, attacking the bun-faced maid’s weak spots.

Remove AdsEven so, it was still a powerful blow to the eyes.

“Ah?!”

The bun-faced maid was facing the door and immediately noticed Zhu Ping’an when he entered. She let out a shy cry, her entire round face flushing crimson as if it might drip blood. She instinctively covered her face with both hands.

“Miss, Miss, stop already—Young Master-in-law… Young Master-in-law is back…”

She reminded Li Shu in a flustered, embarrassed voice.

“Oh, so now you still dare to lie to me?” Li Shu scoffed. “Looks like you haven’t suffered enough yet…”

Like the story of the wolf, Li Shu had already been tricked once—there was no way she’d fall for it again.

“It’s not a lie! He’s really back!”

The bun-faced maid was crying from laughter now.

“Still lying—”

Li Shu gave a coquettish snort and turned her head, but her words cut off halfway.

She had only meant to glance back casually.

Instead, she found herself face-to-face with Zhu Ping’an, who was standing at the doorway wearing an unmistakably awkward expression.

“Yah?!”

Li Shu shrieked in shock. Startled out of her balance, she tipped backward and fell off the bed.

What followed was a scream of pure panic.

As she dropped toward the floor, Li Shu felt as though her soul was about to leave her body.

This is Zhu Ping’an’s bed! I actually climbed onto his bed—and he saw it with his own eyes!

It’s over. Completely over.

Not only did that toad see my unladylike, downright crazy side—I’m even about to tumble right in front of him! This is beyond humiliating. I don’t want to live anymore.

Remove AdsFalling in free descent, Li Shu’s mind went blank. She wanted nothing more than to find a crack in the ground and disappear into it forever.

If my head hits the floor, will it hurt? Will I look ugly after the fall?

Wrapped in shame and dread, she waited for the inevitable impact.

But instead of hitting the ground, she landed in something warm.

In the instant she fell, Zhu Ping’an had rushed forward without hesitation and caught her, pulling her into his arms and narrowly preventing the tragedy of her face meeting the floor.

Li Shu opened her eyes in confusion, just in time to see Zhu Ping’an lowering his head.

She was in that toad’s arms.

Their eyes met.

Her face turned red in an instant.

“You—lecher!”

In the next moment, Li Shu glared at him with misty eyes wide open, baring her tiny tiger teeth in furious embarrassment.

“What did I do now?”

Zhu Ping’an felt utterly wronged. Saving you from smashing your face isn’t exactly a crime, he thought. With the height of that bed, you’d have gone from Xi Shi to Dong Shi in one fall. And instead of thanking me, you call me a lecher?

“You—bad person,” Li Shu snapped, shooting him an annoyed look. “Where do you think your hands are?!”

Zhu Ping’an shifted slightly.

Remove AdsUh—cough, cough.

“Sorry. It was urgent—I didn’t notice.” He coughed awkwardly, then reluctantly moved his hand away from beneath Li Shu’s slender waist.

“Put me down…”

Li Shu turned her face away, drawing out her words, her delicate cheeks burning red.