Chapter 36 Building A Harem Was The Standard
After gaining the affection of the beasts around her with meals, that’s when the worst bullying happened.
She recalled waking up in the middle of the night during her second year only to discover that in her single solitary cabin, three pairs of eyes lurked in the shadows.
Those eyes belonged to senior disciples she never met before. They did not hesitate to stuff her mouth with a cloth as soon as she awakened and attempted to assault her.
It was most unfortunate for them that they thought she was alone. For the unsuspecting future rapists, Chou made quick work of stuffing them one after the other into his large belly. The stench that emitted from his digestive juices that night was the worst scent Li Meirong ever smelled.
Yet the thought of their hands crawling on her filled her with far worse dread. It was the first time Li Meirong weighed the life of another being in her hands and decided to end it. Chou was all too happy to fulfil that task.
As for Captain Liang, she suspected that woman was behind the incident, after several disciples "mysteriously" disappeared from Li Meirong’s residence, no one dared to follow with petty tricks.
To this day, many aren’t aware of what occurred. Some disciples thought she was really done by the men who arrived, and then they took off from the sect. Others thought the grandmaster of the division suppressed the knowledge of the dual cultivation which took place.
No one suspected Li Meirong, and no one was aware of "little" Chou.
The third prank that had been placed on her, arrived at a very important time for the sect.
It was the illustrious once in a century gathering of heroes.
All famous disciples and grandmasters of righteous sects congregated in Forgotten Waters Sect for the assembly, and the budget for the event "somehow" landed in Li Meirong’s incapable hands.
Naturally, if she would have failed her mission, even death would be considered too light a punishment.
However, as funny as it was, the hardest of tasks was the easiest for Li Meirong. Dealing with accounting and finances was practically effortless on her end.
Li Meirong recalled the bulging eyes of the succeeding disciple Liang, better known as no eyebrows lady, as she calculated all the notes in less than a few minutes, what would have possibly taken another experienced disciple who has been handling the finances in the sect for years, at least several days. Obviously, even the Abacus was not needed.
From an undignified trash, Li Meirong slowly built a name of an "unfortunate genius."
The whispers diverted from "Don’t come near her, who knows how many men she’s been with.."
And switched towards "It’s a shame she has multiple veins, such a talent! No matter which task she was given, she handled it all with care. Diligent! Quite diligent."
She wanted to say she didn’t care one way or another, but having the scorn lessen around her assisted her self-esteem tremendously.
Since she’s been appointed as an outer sect disciple in the bestiary division, she hadn’t seen Zhu Zhang, her grandmaster even once. He was known for rarely leaving his pavilion and even more so, interacting with others.
It was a pleasant surprise to receive frequent visits from her companions who she met early on in this world.
In the first few years, only Mo Jing and Shu Qianqian kept in touch.
Mo Jing arrived once in a blue moon, he helped her build her little garden and brought her spare herbs and concoctions he brewed, along with many fruits and vegetable seeds. She was very thankful to him and probably wouldn’t have been able to prepare appropriate meals for herself and others without him. For Li Meirong, from her three young companions, she got along with Mo Jing the most.
Mo Cheng, in the beginning, disappeared from sight, it was from one moment to the next that he began to stick to her like glue. from the third year of their acceptance to the sect, he had a habit of visiting her the most. He was very considerate and kept demanding her to ask him for help whenever she needs any.
She always politely declined when he invited her out or bought her gifts. He was a sweet boy who grew into adulthood, but she didn’t wish for any misunderstanding between them.
While she felt that Mo Cheng showed a romantic inclination towards her, it also did not stop him from accepting Shu Qianqian’s advances. She recalled how the bright youth once made her heart flutter. Sadly, he gave off the impression of having an agenda of making everyone’s hearts flutter.
Li Meirong disliked that attitude from men. Not to mention, she promised Shu Qianqian that she had no interest in him.
She couldn’t fault him as his attitude was not improper, considering that in this world befitting more ancient customs, building a harem was the standard norm.
Shu Qianqian visited the least, but when she did, her friendliness was genuine. As she grew older, she blossomed into a beautiful maiden and was confident enough in herself to not erupt in anger with every woman who approached Mo Cheng.
Unfortunately for Shu Qianqian, there were quite a few of those. Mo Cheng was a woman’s magnet. Being so naturally gifted and handsome to boot, he attracted women like a flower coated with pollen, surrounded by bees.
Shu Qianqian throughout the years learnt to curb her outrage, yet when she visited Li Meirong, it was to vent out her displeasure about her beloved accepting any woman who comes his way. It was not that he did not like her, it was just that he didn’t dislike the rest. That was what Qianqian at that time said.
Li Meirong’s heart ached for the girl. She knew what it was like to be in a relationship with a man who kept glancing sideways to fresher flowers which he hadn’t tasted. On one hand, Mo Cheng was very kind to Li Meirong, and so she did not wish to speak ill of the young man, but she felt that he was undeserving of Shu Qianqian’s affections.
Speaking of the troublesome man, it was only yesterday that an event which shook Li Meirong’s heart occurred.
Mo Cheng visited her as night fell down and the sun only peeked behind the ocean’s edge. The skies were filled with shades of purple and pink.
Li Meirong joyfully greeted her friend and led him inside her cabin, making sure she hid Chou properly in her sleeve.
Mo Cheng held his hands at his back, as he stepped into her house, he brought his arms to the front and offered her a bouquet of flowers.
After tending to her garden, she was familiar with a few of the types he held. They were not only beautiful but very rare.
She wanted to refuse his gesture but her mouth watered at the sight of the flowers.
He did prepare well for her!
Li Meirong thanked him and grabbed the flowers. She placed them in a high bowl and fetched water from the nearby pond to nourish them.
Mo Cheng’s smile was wide from ear to ear when Li Meirong accepted his tribute.
Actually, Mo Cheng was a tad apprehensive of Li Meirong. Especially five years ago. His heart felt like it would burst out of his chest every time he saw her. Especially after he gave her the medicine to heal her scars. Blood rushed to his head as he used to stare at her stupidly. That unnamed feeling made him keep his distance from her.
He regretted not being there for Li Meirong when she experienced all the bullying, he really did wish he could go back in time and change his stupid thoughts then perhaps then she would think better of him now.
It was only after three years since their separation into different divisions that Mo Cheng realized, he actually truly liked her. Thoughts of her plagued his restless mind long after he stopped seeing her. When he met other women, he envisioned her face. She must be his leading lady. The rest can become concubines, it’s not as though he couldn’t accommodate several women..Such was the conclusion he came up with.
Countless times he visited her and actively wooed her, but from all the women he ever met, she was the most stubborn one.
Yet, also the one he wanted to conquer most.
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