After Drugging the Female Lead with an Aphrodisiac (Ancient-Style Lily Futa) - Chapter 9

The moment the lake water closed over her head, Jiang Xiyue mentally cursed every single one of Lu Qian’s ancestors for eighteen generations.

At first, when her mother mentioned hosting a banquet, she had been unwilling. If not for waking up the next morning to find that grotesque cock between her legs had suddenly vanished without a trace, Jiang Xiyue would definitely have pretended to be ill and hidden away today.

That cursed thing had appeared abruptly and disappeared just as strangely. If not for the shameful wooden box still buried at the bottom of her book chest, Jiang Xiyue would almost have believed the whole thing was an absurd nightmare.

In any case, with the wretched thing gone, Jiang Xiyue could finally breathe a long sigh of relief. She no longer had to avoid her maids; she resumed her tyrannical ways in her own courtyard, ordering people around left and right.

Since it was the Flower God Festival banquet—and her Brother Jingyuan would also be attending—Jiang Xiyue had prepared meticulously for days in order to outshine every other flower there. She had three brand-new outfits made by the embroiderers alone, and chose the most fashionable hairstyle and makeup currently popular in the capital. On the day of the banquet, when all the other young ladies had already gathered in the garden—sipping tea and admiring the colorful paper butterflies stuck to the flower branches—Jiang Xiyue finally made her grand, belated entrance.

She wore a bean-red short jacket with open front, lined with a wide-sleeved lotus-root-colored long robe. Embroidered on her left shoulder and right arm were branches of blue and orange-pink crabapple blossoms. Below was a matching lotus-root-colored high-waisted ruqun skirt. A bean-red sash hung long on both sides, its ends adorned with walnut-sized openwork copper balls containing tiny fragrant pills. With every step her jade pendants tinkled, and a wave of powdery fragrance drifted ahead of her.

She was still quite far away when her smiling voice arrived first: “Sisters, have you been waiting long? My apologies—something came up at home and delayed me a little.”

The other young ladies knew she always treated people with disdain. Though her mouth said “sorry,” it was obviously just an excuse for her laziness in coming out to deal with them. But the Duke’s household was too high-status to offend, so they had no choice but to patiently wait for her with forced smiles.

They all pulled out polite, fake smiles: “How could we possibly make Second Miss apologize? The Duke’s garden is so beautifully built—we’ve always dreamed of coming to sit and admire the flowers. Today we’re already thrice-blessed to receive invitations from Madam and Miss—how could we ever blame our hosts?”

These ass-kissing words made Jiang Xiyue feel thoroughly comfortable. She couldn’t help lifting her chin a little higher. Her gaze swept over the women in the pavilion; seeing that none of their outfits could compare to hers, she felt even more satisfied—until her eyes landed on the white figure casually leaning against the railing in one corner of the pavilion, idly fiddling with a flower branch.

Why the hell was Lu Qian here too?!

Seeing Jiang Xiyue’s expression change, the other young ladies followed her gaze—and realized it was that common-born girl they usually ignored. Those eager to curry favor with Jiang Xiyue immediately caught the hostility in her eyes and promptly sneered: “Our Second Miss is simply impeccable in manners—unlike certain people from small, lowly households. When the host arrives, they don’t even know enough to stand and greet her. Probably never received more than a few days of proper upbringing in their life. Truly unfit for any proper company. Who knows how she even wormed her way into this banquet.”

Though no name was mentioned, in a pavilion full of high-born noble daughters, everyone knew exactly who “small, lowly household” referred to. All eyes turned to Lu Qian, waiting to see how she would lose face.

But Lu Qian merely turned her head slightly. Those long, narrow phoenix eyes looked toward the crowd-surrounded Jiang Xiyue with clear mockery.

Jiang Xiyue flushed crimson with rage at the derision in that gaze. This bitch still dared to act so arrogant in her own home! Now that the cursed cock was gone, Jiang Xiyue was no longer so afraid of her. She stepped forward, face dark: “I don’t recall sending you an invitation. Which dog-brave nanny or slut let you sneak in on your own?”

Jiang Xiyue deliberately spoke harshly—not only mocking Lu Qian for shamelessly trying to cling to nobility, but also insinuating she must have slept with some servant to get inside—publicly grinding Lu Qian’s face into the mud.

A-Yao beside Lu Qian immediately flared up, about to step forward and declare that it was the Duchess herself who had sent the invitation to their miss—but Lu Qian raised a hand to stop her.

“So the Jiang household’s gates are this loosely guarded,” Lu Qian’s naturally thin, almost heartless lips curved into a faint arc. “I’m honored to have learned this—it’s truly eye-opening.”

Jiang Xiyue choked. Of course she knew Lu Qian couldn’t have entered without an invitation—she had only said it to humiliate her. But this Lu Qian, wrapped in that aloof, otherworldly shell, actually had a sharp tongue. She turned the insult right back, implying the Duke’s mansion lacked proper discipline. If Jiang Xiyue kept insisting Lu Qian had sneaked in, wouldn’t that mean admitting even the grand Duke’s residence was less orderly than some seventh-rank petty official’s household?

Jiang Xiyue felt like she’d swallowed a tooth and couldn’t spit out the blood. She was stuck there, unable to step down. And none of the other young ladies were truly on her side—seeing her suffer a hidden loss, they were all secretly delighted to watch the show. Not one stepped forward to help her.

It was one of Madam Fang’s trusted maid who finally eased the tension. She lightly slapped her own face with a theatrical “aiyo”: “It’s all this old servant’s fault. Madam later thought that Dao Fang Zhai worked so hard to make a thousand hundred-flower cakes for the household, so she specially instructed this old servant to invite their proprietress. Since it was a later addition, this old one got busy with other matters and foolishly forgot to inform Miss. And so a misunderstanding arose.”

On the surface the maid was apologizing and taking all the blame, but every word subtly demeaned Lu Qian by emphasizing her merchant status. The gazes of the aristocratic young ladies on Lu Qian immediately turned even more contemptuous and disdainful.

A-Yao clenched her fists in fury, but her miss simply looked away with calm indifference toward the colored paper butterflies on the branches outside, as though the stares didn’t exist.

This banquet was never going to be friendly—Lu Qian had known that from the start. For her, as long as Jiang Xiyue couldn’t jump around anymore, that was enough. The petty gossip from these old women and maids didn’t even register.

But today’s gathering was truly interesting. Lu Qian had originally assumed this was another of Jiang Xiyue’s stupid schemes, but now it seemed the mother was plotting something—and hadn’t even told Jiang Xiyue herself. That made Lu Qian want to stay and see exactly what medicine Madam Duchess was selling in her gourd.

Ignoring everyone, Lu Qian made the maid look awkward. Jiang Xiyue was lost in her own thoughts and didn’t respond. The other young ladies were useless. Just then, voices drifted from the flower path in the garden—a group of young gentlemen strolled over chatting idly. The one walking in front and talking with the Duke’s heir was none other than Pan Jingyuan.

The maid’s eyes lit up instantly. She led the servants forward to greet them. The young ladies in the pavilion also gracefully performed their curtsies.

Pan Jingyuan’s gaze went straight to Lu Qian, who had quietly stood in the corner. His eyes sparkled: “Miss Lu!”

Lu Qian wasn’t surprised at all to see Pan Jingyuan here. If this was a setup, of course the “male lead” had to witness it personally. It would be stranger if Madam Duchess’s plan didn’t include him. She gave a lukewarm nod: “Young Master Pan.”

Jiang Xiyue twisted her handkerchief so hard it nearly tore. She was standing right there, yet Brother Jingyuan had completely bypassed her to greet that bitch—how utterly humiliating!

Several other young ladies were also twisting their handkerchiefs. Pan Jingyuan had long been monopolized by Jiang Xiyue, so they didn’t dare openly covet him—but that didn’t mean their hearts weren’t secretly moved. Now, seeing the handsome Marquis heir treat their whole group like air and look only at that low-born girl, how could they not feel tears welling up in their lovely eyes?

But they stole glances at Jiang Xiyue—seeing her stand there with a face like iron—and suddenly felt much better. No matter how high her status, she still wasn’t placed in her beloved’s eyes either.

By now Pan Jingyuan had already invited Lu Qian for a stroll by the lake. Lu Qian glanced at the black-faced Jiang Xiyue, raised an eyebrow, and readily agreed.

Watching their backs as they walked away side by side, Jiang Xiyue finally couldn’t hold back and wanted to rush forward to make a scene. Lin Mama hurriedly stopped her, whispering: “Miss, just let them go. Madam has already made arrangements. Once they reach the lakeside, that surnamed-Lu girl will get what’s coming. Rest assured—this time we’ll handle her once and for all. She won’t be able to block your path anymore.”

Jiang Xiyue froze. Remembering her mother’s methods, she could roughly guess what would happen. After hesitating a moment, she said: “Then I want to watch from the side.”

She gnashed her teeth. Right now, more than Pan Jingyuan, what she cared about was seeing Lu Qian suffer: “I have to see with my own eyes that bitch get what she deserves!”

Jiang Xiyue beckoned, and a group of young ladies and gentlemen followed to the lakeside. Everyone strolled slowly along the great lake of the Duke’s mansion, admiring the tender green willow buds and early spring lakeside scenery.

Lu Qian listened to Pan Jingyuan making idle conversation beside her. Her gaze fell on the still-chilly lake water.

Heh. At this time of year, if someone fell in and wasn’t rescued quickly, it could very well cost a life.

She wondered whether Madam Duchess wanted her dead, or just wanted to ruin her reputation? Lu Qian cast a faint glance backward through the crowd with the corner of her eye—and spotted a man dressed in brocade robe and jade crown, but with a lewd, shifty expression. She understood immediately.

Without drawing attention, Lu Qian shifted slightly closer to Pan Jingyuan, letting him block her from the man. The movement was small, but it made the man anxious. He wasn’t actually high-born—just a distant, poor relative of the Duke’s household, connected only through three generations upward. He had been summoned to the mansion for one purpose: to “deal with” that Lu girl ahead. The Duke’s steward had promised—if he could manage to get her into the water, let their clothes soak through while embracing her tightly—not only would the Duke’s household reward him handsomely, but Dao Fang Zhai alone would be enough to let him live comfortably for the rest of his life.

So seeing Pan Jingyuan block Lu Qian so thoroughly, how could he not panic? He shot a look at Lin Mama. She understood, then signaled two maids behind her. Immediately everyone heard a loud “aiya!”—one maid “accidentally” knocked over the food box she was carrying. The maid beside her instantly raised her eyebrows and began berating her loudly.

The commotion made everyone pause and turn to look. Seizing the moment, the man took a few quick steps and suddenly charged head-down toward the figure partially visible behind Pan Jingyuan.

He rushed fast and hard, startling Pan Jingyuan. Before he could react, the man had already barreled past like a shadow. Only then did Pan Jingyuan realize his intent. He urgently reached out to grab—but was too late. In that split second, just as the collision seemed inevitable, Lu Qian nimbly sidestepped. With a splash—the man, unable to stop his momentum, plunged straight into the lake himself.

Lin Mama was momentarily stunned, but she had backup plans. She signaled the other maids, who immediately rushed to the lakeside shrieking and wailing: “Young master cousin! Save young master cousin!”—though their mouths called for “young master cousin,” their bodies all shoved toward Lu Qian.

By now who couldn’t see it? The Duke’s mansion was blatantly trying to frame this Lu girl. Several young gentlemen’s mouths twitched; they thought to themselves that the Duke’s household really didn’t play fair.

Pan Jingyuan was furious. Eyes bloodshot, he kicked at the maids crowding toward Lu Qian. A-Yao was also enraged and charged forward from behind to save her miss. Lu Qian herself remained calm. With clever footwork she lightly sent each maid flying back toward their “young master cousin.”

The farce should have ended here—but Jiang Xiyue, provoked beyond reason, suddenly reached out and shoved A-Yao as she ran past. Who knew what she was thinking—perhaps in her rage and humiliation, she simply had to drag someone from Lu Qian’s side into the water to settle the score.

Lu Qian’s expression finally changed. A-Yao was just an ordinary girl without martial skills—if she fell into the February lake, she’d come out with a serious illness at best. With a toe-point, Lu Qian flashed forward. The girl was already tipping into the water—Lu Qian twisted her waist and dove, swooping low like a wild goose skimming the surface to scoop A-Yao back to shore.

Unfortunately, her martial training was still too short. After saving someone, her balance faltered—giving Jiang Xiyue the opening she needed. The woman threw all her strength into a push. In a flash of lightning, Lu Qian only had time to shove A-Yao safely onto the bank—then grabbed Jiang Xiyue’s arm. Seeing the smug triumph on the Duke’s daughter’s face turn to shocked disbelief, Lu Qian grinned wide and unrestrained.

Splash—water exploded in all directions. Amid the surrounding screams, the two of them fell into the lake together.

Icy, bone-piercing lake water rushed in from every side. Jiang Xiyue opened her mouth to scream for help—only to have it filled with water. She flailed desperately, but the more she struggled, the more water poured in. In despair, she stared into the pair of eyes beneath her.

Those ink-jade eyes, underwater, gleamed with an eerie deep green. They were colder than the lake itself, calmly watching her futile thrashing. Strands of hair floated around her like water plants, while the hand gripping her never loosened in the slightest.

For some reason Jiang Xiyue remembered that absurd night of tumbling passion—Lu Qian had treated her with the same cold, merciless indifference, like a demon wearing a beautiful skin.

The air in her chest grew scarcer. Jiang Xiyue felt she might really die here—dragged to the bottom by Lu Qian, never to surface again. Slowly she closed her eyes, unsure whether to blame her mother or herself.

Then lips colder than the lake covered hers. A steady stream of breath passed through the seam between their lips. Jiang Xiyue opened her mouth and sucked greedily, clinging tightly to those lips, desperately taking everything they offered.

Jiang Xiyue opened her eyes—and met that deep green pool underwater.

With a crash, two figures broke the lake surface. People on shore shouted and reached to pull them up. Lu Qian’s wet hair clung to her cheek. She looked down at the shivering woman in her arms: “Miss Jiang should know by now what to say once we’re up there, right?”

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Author’s Note:

How was it? Did it capture that signature brain-dead inner-residence catfight style from farming novels? Every time I see these tropes I feel zero intelligence whatsoever, but playing with these rotten clichés still makes me unreasonably happy lol

Why did the young miss’s cock disappear after a few days? Of course because they missed a certain crucial step during their previous hole-fucking session. As for which step… well, won’t the next chapter explain it? (manual doge head)