You’ve Got Mail: A Cautionary Tale

Chapter 46 – Wafts and Whiffs (NSFW)

Edited by DancingDolphinsYo

Things changed in the General’s estate.

Everyone was caught off guard. The general’s beloved Mr. Lu had been taken away by Miss Yue, and the next day, Vice General Man had directed people to move everything Mr. Lu owned in the Wangshu Residence, delivering them all to the Yue Manor.

Next, Wangshu Residence was sealed up, and out of the ten people working there, about eight or nine of them were sold. Most people were aware that the servants who had been sold had all broken the rules of the General’s estate.

It had to be mentioned that under the management of Guan Shanjin and Man Yue, the rules of the estate of the Southern Garrison General were very strict, and its privacy was regarded very strictly, as though an iron wall surrounded it. Any information or news within could not be discussed or mentioned outside, and this applied even more to the privacy of the various residences within.

However, for the past two years, there had been no lack of rumours outside, and no one knew who the source was. Half the citizens of Bastion City all knew that the general liked Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu was not getting any younger, yet had been unable to get married. Most believed that it was the general hindering him, trapping and locking him up in his own exclusive domain.

Despite all these gossips and discussions, many people did not take it seriously. After all, who was Mr. Lu? Was he not the betrothed of the third young miss of the Yue family? If the general had really locked him up, how could Miss Yue be involved?

Still, with the rumours spreading around, people would definitely add all sorts of details from their own imaginations to them. Together with how the general’s estate had not done anything about the rumours for the past two years, they spread even more wildly, as though they were true.

But the servants in the general’s estate were aware. This was not because the general did not care. It was because he pampered Mr. Lu, and so he ignored these rumours. If they had to name someone, everyone knew who the most likely candidate was. Mr. Lu was elegant and refined, and received so much respect and concern from the general. Naturally, there was no need for him to spread such rumours.

However, this was not the case for the people around Mr. Lu. If Mr. Lu was noble and kind, the servants of his residence were arrogant and proud, flaunting their connection to Mr. Lu. No one knew how Mr. Lu managed these people, especially that Hua Shu. Hua Shu’s nose was always pointed up at the sky, and he even refused to interact with the other servants. But towards the servants with a little more status, he would be respectful and deferential, and outside, he had a wide circle of friends.

It was heard that the same day Mr. Lu left, Hua Shu was fed a medicine that made one mute, and sold into labour at a restaurant. Everyone was enlightened, that these rumours were most likely due to the work of Hua Shu. Previously, there was Mr. Lu around to protect him. Now that Mr. Lu had somehow lost favour, he was naturally unable to shield Hua Shu anymore.

The citizens beyond the estate could all secretly discuss the matter of Mr. Lu leaving, but despite having their own speculations, all the servants inside had an example made in front of them, and they were all smart enough to keep quiet and remain cautious.

As such, Wu Xingzi knew nothing about these matters. Mint and Osmanthus knew, but they did not dare tell their master. Also, Wu Xingzi seemed to be troubled these days as well. The cucumbers had just been harvested, and he buried himself into planting bitter gourds, tomatoes and chives. In one breath, half the courtyard of Shuanghe Yard had turned into a vegetable farm, and they even raised a few chickens. Surrounding the other half of the courtyard with a bamboo fence, they placed three hens and a rooster within, allowing them to move around freely, clucking about.

When he was not planting vegetables or raising chickens, Wu Xingzi would sit in the yard in a daze. A few times Mint and Osmanthus tried cheering him up, and Wu Xingzi did smile, but a crease would appear the next moment between his brows, and he would again fall into a daze.

The two girls were extremely anxious, but they were unable to guess what Wu Xingzi was thinking about. If he was missing the general… Ever since a couple of weeks after Mr. Lu had left the estate, the general was almost considered to be living in Shuanghe Yard now.

They personally witnessed for themselves a few times how the general hugged Wu Xingzi as they conversed in the yard. Smiling, Guan Shanjin listened to Wu Xingzi talk about his bitter gourds, his tomatoes, and how the hens laid an egg a day, and one of them was even double-yolked.

The two girls were not very old, but they were very aware of how the general looked at Wu Xingzi. His gaze was gentle and soft, and his alluring, charming eyes were like glimmers of light, filled with joy.

The general always spent the night in Shuanghe Yard, accompanying Wu Xingzi for all three meals every day. Occasionally, he would even step into the kitchen himself and prepare a few dishes. In the eyes of Mint and Osmanthus, even during the period when the general pampered Mr. Lu the most, he had never reached this step. All he wanted was to carry this person in the palm of his hand, cherishing him, but was also very cautious, afraid that he would fall. Even people standing by the side watching could not help but be moved.

Things in the General’s estate had truly changed. Who in the estate did not know that the general’s beloved had long since changed to that Qingcheng County’s adviser living in Shuanghe Yard?

One morning, Wu Xingzi was still groggily asleep. His hips were still aching! The night before, Guan Shanjin had fucked him through half the night. Treating him like a ball of dough, he even folded him in half, wheedling and coaxing him into licking his own little pengornis. Was this even something a person would do? Wu Xingzi was especially abashed, but in his folded position, he was completely unable to escape. As such, he could only unwillingly lick the Xingzi jr. that was standing erect in front of his eyes.

This lick set off a storm. Guan Shanjin’s eyes turned bloodshot, and he thrust into Wu Xingzi heavily, and continuously. Wu Xingzi was forced to take the leaking head of his cock into his mouth, and it felt as though Guan Shanjin would pierce right through his belly.

Wu Xingzi cried, begging to be let off. Guan Shanjin however paid no heed, instead fucking him until he reached orgasm. Wu Xingzi ejaculated into his own mouth, even swallowing it all down without missing a drop. He was then turned over, and pressed onto the bed, fucked so hard and loud that the bed almost came apart. Wu Xingzi was barely in his right mind, his pink tongue hanging limply from his mouth, drool and tears smeared across his face. Having came, with fluids leaking out from both the front and behind, Wu Xingzi had reached the point where he could not even squirt anymore. Only then did Guan Shanjin fill him up with his come, and Wu Xingzi fainted dead away.

Watching how Wu Xingzi was whimpering and mewling on the bed, Guan Shanjin’s adoration swelled within him. He pulled the man into his arms while kissing him, then pressed his lips into his ear, whispering, “I won’t be in the estate for the next few days. If you’re bored, you can go and explore the city. Those pengornis drawings of yours have already arrived, why don’t you go and collect them?”

The truth was that the drawings had actually arrived about half a month ago, and the Peng society had also sent someone to the general’s estate to inform him. However, Guan Shanjin viewed those pengornises as his nemeses, so how could he allow Wu Xingzi to receive them so easily? Since he had to be away for the next few days, and would not have to see these eyesores, it was a perfect time for Wu Xingzi to bring those pengornis drawings back.

“Oh! They’ve arrived?” Wu Xingzi’s eyes brightened. Instantly, his hips no longer ached, and his legs were no longer weak. His entire being now was refreshed and alert.

Looking at how greatly delighted Wu Xingzi was, Guan Shanjin could not help but feel depressed. He bent his neck, biting Wu Xingzi’s cheek harshly and leaving a mark. It was painful enough for Wu Xingzi to yelp quietly, and pressing his cheek, he turned to look at Guan Shanjin pitifully.

“Aren’t you going to ask where I’m going?” Guan Shanjin pulled Wu Xingzi’s hand down, admiring the bite mark he left with great satisfaction. Although there was no blood, it was fairly deep, and it would definitely need a few hours before it faded away.

“Where are you going?” Wu Xingzi thought, even if he asked, Guan Shanjin might not reply! Also, Guan Shanjin was already so old, and was also the Great Southern Garrison General, it was not possible for him to be lost, right? Recently, the southern barbarians had also been very docile, and Bastion City barely looked like a border city now.

Wu Xingzi’s expression that could conceal none of his thoughts made Guan Shanjin laugh lowly. He patted Wu Xingzi’s buttocks, teasing him. “If you really want to know, it’s not that I can’t tell you, just that you’ll need to pay a little price.”

“I…” Didn’t want to know in the first place! Fortunately, Wu Xingzi was still able to understand what Guan Shanjin wanted. Biting his lip, he asked, albeit conflicted, “What price would I have to pay?”

Guan Shanjin laughed cheerily, planting a firm kiss onto Wu Xingzi. “You won’t have to do anything. I’m leaving Hei’er behind, you just need to bring him along when you go out, understand?”

Huffing out a breath of relief, Wu Xingzi hurriedly nodded, expressing his agreement.

“Just sleep a little while more, I’ll get Mint to prepare some porridge for you later. As for the Peng Society in Bastion City, you only need to ask Hei’er. When you’ve collected the drawings, don’t stay too long, and don’t take this opportunity to bring home the Pengornisseur.” Guan Shanjin cuddled Wu Xingzi all over with much strength, before reluctantly putting him back into bed and tucking him in. Only when all these were done, did he turn and leave.

Wu Xingzi watched until his view of Guan Shanjin’s back was blocked by the door, then he curled back under his blanket, rubbing his chest lightly.

Over the past few days, his chest kept feeling stifled. Wu Xingzi had secretly asked Mint to ask the physician to come over for a checkup, but there had been no illnesses found. Finally, the physician had only said that it was melancholy, and wrote a prescription for medicine to settle his mind, asking him to drink it for two days.

Time had entered spring. Occasionally, Wu Xingzi would suddenly detect a whiff of peach blossoms in the air. However, Mint and Osmanthus had clearly said that there were no peach trees in Bastion City, and definitely none in the general’s estate. In the years that they had lived, they still had yet to even see how a peach blossom looked like!

Wu Xingzi could vaguely guess what was going on. If this was not hysteria, then that meant… He sighed lightly. He tossed and turned about on the bed, tired yet unable to fall asleep. His body was lethargic, but he did not want to lay in bed.

As such, he got off the bed, and pulling on a coarse robe, he walked out of the room.

Again, he busied himself in his garden, removing the weeds, tiling the soil, spreading fertiliser, and catching the pests. There were many pests in the south, and where Bastion City was, there were all varieties of pests. Spring had only just come, and they all came out as though it was a parade. The two girls and Wu Xingzi all had to spend quite a lot of time catching the bugs every day.

When Mint discovered him, Wu Xingzi had already cleared more than half the garden, and was taking a break, drinking his tea.

“Master, why didn’t you call me when you woke up?” In Mint’s hand, there was a steaming bowl of porridge. From far away, Wu Xingzi could smell the captivating fragrance. Rubbing his tummy, he realised that he was truly hungry.

“There’s nothing important, so I wasn’t going to disturb Osmanthus and you.” Even now, Wu Xingzi was still not used to being served by others. His interactions with the two girls were more like family, even though these two girls whom he saw as nieces always called him Master or Mr. Wu.

“But my sister and I are meant to serve you, what’s there to disturb? You must be hungry! Quick, hurry up and have some porridge to fill your stomach.” Mint strode forward and handed the bowl of porridge to Wu Xingzi, then picked up the rest of the gardening work.

Not long after, Osmanthus too hurried over. When she saw Wu Xingzi, she heaved a huge breath of relief, patting her chest.

“Master, why didn’t you call me when you woke up?”

“Ah, I’ll definitely inform both of you in the future.” Wu Xingzi smiled wryly. He blew across the bowl of porridge, cooling it, before finishing it mouthful by mouthful.

This porridge looked plain and ordinary, but was cooked slowly with bone broth. The rice grains were so soft that they had turned thick and almost pasty. Scattered on top were fried garlic chives. Salty and aromatic, the flavour refreshed the body. Other than some slight greasiness that came with using bone broth, the taste was rich and flavourful.

Wu Xingzi finished the porridge in a few gulps, and Osmanthus took the bowl from him. “I’ll get another bowl of porridge for you. This porridge has been prepared by the general before he left, and he instructed us to watch over the fire. Master, do you like it?”

“It’s great, it’s great. Many thanks to all of you.” No wonder this taste was so familiar, and Wu Xingzi’s heart could not feel any sweeter. Guan Shanjin was extremely adept in the kitchen, and never liked to cook anything that looked ostentatious. What he made was simple and basic, but delicious and exquisite, making one wish for more.

Osmanthus ran lithely towards the kitchen, and Mint bent over, diligently catching pests and removing weeds. Wu Xingzi looked at the scene in front of him, and unconsciously, he fell into a daze again. Watching the cotton-like clouds in the sky, he only returned to his consciousness when Osmanthus came back with another bowl of porridge.

Silently finishing three bowls of porridge, Wu Xingzi then realised why did he have to trouble the little girl to run here and there. He should have gone to the kitchen himself to get his porridge.

Now that his stomach was about seventy percent full, Hei’er had appeared out of nowhere next to him. Quietly, Hei’er followed him around, and even helped him sweep the chicken coop.

Hei’er only spoke up when everything was done. “Would Mr. Wu like to go visit the Peng Society?”

“Ah… Of course, of course…” Thinking about the pengornis drawings, Wu Xingzi’s eyes curved in a smile, and he became more alert as well, shoving those emotions stirring within his heart deep down inside him.

The two girls too wanted to go out and play. Thirteen year old girls happened to be in their most playful period, and so Wu Xingzi did not stop them. The only thing was that the Peng Society might not be suitable for the girls to enter, but Hei’er had said that the branch in Bastion City was disguised as a treasury, and there were many interesting toys that could broaden the girls’ vision.

In that case, the four of them marched on to the Peng Society.

With only one step into the Peng Society, a familiar voice came drifting over. “Isn’t this Adviser Wu?”

“Huh?” Wu Xingzi turned towards that voice. Beyond surprised, he saw a familiar salesman welcoming him with a bright smile.

“The manager has been awaiting Adviser Wu’s arrival for many days, please follow me.” The salesman cast Hei’er a side-eye, his smile dimming slightly. “Commander Hei is here as well, I hope that you would not be destroying our little shop again.”

“The general won’t be doing so, therefore I won’t dare to do so.” With hands lowered, Hei’er’s tone was respectful, and the salesman choked.

Mint and Osmanthus had already been entranced by the various little trinkets displayed on the shelves. Tilting their little heads, they were whispering to each other as they looked at some bright glass beads in particular, their faces red with excitement.

Wu Xingzi first confirmed that the two girls were enjoying themselves before following behind the salesman and heading inside.

Compared to the Peng Society in Goose City, this branch in Bastion City was a lot bigger, but also a lot plainer. The pavilions all exuded an aura of simplicity, and the path did not wind as much. Soon, the salesman led them to a bamboo pavilion. Within was a beauty dressed in a deep yellow palace attire, and with a brush in their hand, no one could see what they were writing. Their slender and long fingers were extremely beautiful, and the brush between them was an inky black colour, the black so very conspicuous.

Seeing that it was a lady, Wu Xingzi’s face immediately blushed a deep red. Standing outside the pavilion, he hesitated, not daring to step inside. Instead, it was Hei’er who was a lot more straightforward, cupping his hands towards the person within.

“Manager Rancui, we meet again.”

Manager Rancui? Wu Xingzi was stunned. He hurriedly focused his eyes, and that was really the familiar, beautiful face of Manager Rancui. The only difference was that there seemed to be some cosmetics applied to his face, making him look even more charming and attractive. When he heard Hei’er speak, his brows knitted slightly, and he looked up. Soon he noticed Wu Xingzi and revealed a warm smile.

“Adviser Wu, it’s been awhile.” Rancui straightened agilely, curtseying to him. His smile turned brighter, “You came at a perfect time, would you like to take a look at the latest copy of the Pengornisseur?”

“Ah, sure, sure!” Wu Xingzi responded, a delighted look upon his face. In an unguarded moment, he had clean forgotten about Guan Shanjin’s instructions.