While Xiang Anping, who was out for a stroll, remained oblivious to Yuan Hui's presence, the other person was equally unaware.
Zhang Zichen looked at Yuan Hui, a glint in his old eyes. His plan had a small flaw: this monk named Yuan Hui, when initially ordered by the Queen of Shanghai to investigate the matter related to Xiang Anping, hadn't actually intended to inform Jiang Yingji of Yuan Hui's existence. However, like a cunning rabbit with multiple burrows, he didn't place all his hopes on Xiang Anping. Yuanhui was another pawn. Moreover, he unexpectedly discovered that although Yuanhui didn't possess Xiang Anping's rare "Eight Yang Physique," her naturally strong physique, coupled with years of nurturing as a donor, was no less impressive than a Four Yang Physique.
She could also be cultivated into another "vessel." Considering all these factors, Zhang Zichen truthfully reported the relationship between Yuanhui and Li Dong to Jiang Yingji. However, Zhang Zichen hadn't expected things to develop so smoothly. With Xiang Anping's success, Yuanhui, as a backup plan, had become a hidden danger.
But…
Zhang Zichen's eyes flickered. His survival since the Ming Dynasty was due to his caution and having multiple escape routes. Besides, for some reason, he always felt there were aspects of Xiang Anping he couldn't see through. Therefore, Yuanhui, as a backup plan, couldn't be easily discarded. Thus, to prevent him from exposing Xiang Anping, he had to find a way.
A thought flashed through Zhang Zichen's mind, and he made up his mind.
"What? I'll make breakfast for the Queen of Shanghai?"
Xiang Anping stared at the hunched old man before him. He had never cooked for anyone in his life, not even his "deceased" single father who had given him wealth and luxury.
A cold glint flashed in Zhang Zichen's eyes as he said in a low voice, "Fool, do you think you're safe now?"
"The Queen of Shanghai isn't so easily fooled. You have to imitate Li Dong in every way, otherwise how can you completely win her heart?"
"If you don't make it today… hehe."
Zhang Zichen's face, which had been like a vegetable for life, with degenerated facial nerves covered in age spots and wrinkles, gave him an almost ghostly appearance, revealing a sinister look.
Xiang Anping shuddered, both annoyed and frightened. He suddenly remembered that this old ghost was no ordinary being; it was a genuine, living "ghost" that had existed since the Ming Dynasty hundreds of years ago!
******
Xiang Anping, of course, couldn't cook. Under Zhang Zichen's coercion, the resulting mess was predictably a complete disaster…
This dish, served to the Queen of Shanghai, naturally caused Jiang Yingji to frown slightly. However, upon learning that it was Xiang Anping's first time cooking, a faint blush appeared on her elegant and beautiful face, captivating and indescribable.
Despite the unpalatable appearance, her soft, white hands reluctantly picked up a spoon and took a few small bites…
Seeing the Queen of Shanghai swallow this barely passable "porridge," Zhang Zichen, who stood beside her like a shadow, a glint of excitement flashed in his eyes.
Jiang Yingji suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her, but she didn't think much of it. Managing the vast and complex Jiang family business was inherently exhausting, and it wasn't surprising that she felt this way today, having specifically stayed home to entertain "guests." So she gave an order, went upstairs, took another shower, changed into her pajamas, and planned to take a short nap.
However, she hadn't expected the drowsiness to be so deep and intense. As soon as she entered the bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed, resting her slender arms above her head, and closed her eyes in her weariness…
The room quickly fell silent, save for Jiang Yingji's even breathing.
About half an hour later, a slightly stiff footstep sounded, followed by the silent opening of the locked door, and a hunched figure dragged in.
Zhang Zichen's lips curled into a strange, stiff smile. His bloodshot eyes, now completely undisguised, stared greedily and intently at the Shanghai Queen sprawled on the bed.
Her thick, jet-black hair cascaded down the bed like a black lotus. Her delicate face was slightly tilted, revealing exquisite, jade-like dimples. From her snow-white neck to her chin, and down her entire face, the lines were graceful and beautiful, as smooth and delicate as fine porcelain, with a subtle translucence. There wasn't a single flaw, not even the finest wrinkle.
Yet, the elegant and graceful beauty emanating from her bearing and demeanor, the refined and alluring charm, all befitting a mature woman of her age, was utterly captivating.
Her alluring, curvaceous figure was clad in a red outfit that blended elements of cheongsam and Hanfu, both figure-hugging and highlighting her elegance. The finest silk was adorned with modern, sheer, openwork details, revealing her shapely, long legs encased in black stockings made of a silk-polyester blend—both supple and incredibly soft, subtly revealing glimpses of her skin.
Even Zhang Zichen couldn't help but sigh, "The Ming Dynasty is truly incomparable to today… Does Na really possess such a treasure?"
"Hehe, what a pity."
Even faced with such a beauty, his body remained completely unresponsive. The Queen of Shanghai was incredibly meticulous; how could she have left such a loophole? Her carefully chosen prisoner was an elderly man who had been in a vegetative state since childhood, paralyzed for decades. Not only was his bone structure short and his muscles atrophied, but even his facial nerves were paralyzed, and his lower body was no exception.
He was practically a living eunuch. Once a powerful figure in the Ming Dynasty, even bestowed the title of Celestial Master by the Emperor, he now lived such a life. How could he not scheme and plot to escape his "cage"?
Even in this state, the Queen of Shanghai remained extremely cautious. She kept several special birds highly sensitive to poisons, sleeping pills, and aphrodisiacs, almost always making them taste the food before she ate it herself…
Of course, Zhang Zichen knew that this wasn't entirely directed at him, but rather at the monster residing deep within the Yingluo Manor, a monster even he somewhat feared.
The former head of the Jiang family, Jiang Hua.
Fortunately, as he expected, the Queen of Shanghai didn't follow her usual practice of having the special birds test the food beforehand. This allowed him to accomplish what was previously impossible: drugging and incapacitating the Queen of Shanghai.
Zhang Zichen moved closer to the bedside. Although his time was limited, he might as well indulge himself... After all, he had been eyeing this Queen of Shanghai for far too long.
Almost from the first day he opened his eyes in this body, he had harbored a lustful desire for her, and now his wish had finally come true.
So, his withered, claw-like old hands trembled as they reached for Jiang Yingji's small, black lotus-like buttocks hanging outside the bed. His fingers traced the graceful lines of her rounded heels and soles, his entire hand resting on them. The first sensation was silky, delicate, soft, and supple...
A myriad of exquisite sensations transmitted through his palms.
Zhang Zichen was extremely grateful. The Queen of Shanghai, the Queen of Shanghai...
"Blame it on you, choosing this vegetative person who still retains normal touch and taste. I'll use that to collect some interest for now, hehe!"