Looking at the delicate petals, he lowered his head and kissed them.
A wonderful sensation washed over him, and Li Daoqiang suddenly increased his force.
After a dozen breaths, He Qinghua, as if unable to breathe, quickly pushed Li Daoqiang away.
Her breathing was rapid, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes seemed to hold water, yet clarity surfaced in them as she firmly said, "I want the three letters and six gifts, a proper marriage with full ceremony—all of it."
"Naturally, as my woman, Li Daoqiang's, as long as you want it, you won't lack any of it." Li Daoqiang agreed readily.
With that, he leaned in to kiss her again.
He Qinghua quickly blocked him again, stubbornly insisting, "From now on, you have to be good only to me."
Li Daoqiang paused, the desire still in his eyes, but he hesitated and straightened up.
He Qinghua was startled, somewhat confused.
"That's going too far," Li Daoqiang said flatly.
He Qinghua frowned, still puzzled. "How is that going too far?"
"It's perfectly normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. How can you demand that I be good only to you?" Li Daoqiang spoke calmly, with utter confidence.
Though he also liked the idea of just taking a woman first and dealing with the rest later.
But when it came to the woman who would lie beside him, he preferred to lay everything out clearly.
Just like with Qi Fang, he had made everything clear from the start.
Especially with a ruthless woman like He Qinghua—if he didn't make it clear, there would be trouble later.
He Qinghua's eyes flickered, then a cold look emerged. Her fiery temper flared as she struggled, angrily saying, "No way. The man of He Qinghua can only have me as his woman."
"It's not good for a woman to be too greedy." Li Daoqiang didn't let her break free, his tone still calm.
Hearing this, He Qinghua couldn't hold back. How dare he call her greedy? Wasn't this only right?
Her eyes widened, and she cursed, "Shameless."
Li Daoqiang wasn't angry. He had actually anticipated this kind of scene.
This was one of the downsides of this ancient martial world.
The more outstanding and powerful a woman was, the more independent she became, and the more she demanded that her husband have only her.
Unlike ordinary men, who could openly have multiple wives and concubines.
Women like He Qinghua were even more so.
That's why he had to make things clear beforehand—if he didn't, things would blow up.
It was better to clarify now, so even if there were conflicts later, they could be kept under control.
He didn't want to be like Duan Zhengchun.
Even if he was going to be a scoundrel, he wanted to be a clear, open, and justified one.
He still didn't let He Qinghua break free, his expression unchanged, speaking seriously, "How is it shameless? I'm telling you upfront, aren't I? If I didn't say anything and just tricked you into bed, that would be shameless."
He Qinghua was so angry she was panting. Hearing this, she naturally wasn't appeased. She said coldly, "Let me go. I don't agree."
"Don't agree to be my woman?" Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I won't be your woman, unless you swear that from now on, you'll only have me." He Qinghua bit down firmly, resolute.
"Alright, I'm a reasonable man, and I value fairness.
If you don't want to be my woman, I'll give you a chance, but then we need to settle today's accounts." Li Daoqiang showed no anger, speaking unhurriedly.
He Qinghua frowned deeper, feeling a fire in her heart, chaotic, wanting to leave immediately.
Hearing this, she instinctively said coldly, "What accounts?"
"Tonight, I offended the Yin Gui Sect for you. That debt needs to be accounted for," Li Daoqiang said slowly.
He Qinghua grew even angrier, grinding her teeth, feeling that the man before her was utterly detestable.
Li Daoqiang didn't care, continuing, "The Yin Gui Sect is powerful, one of the top forces in the Song Kingdom.
They have branches in the Ming Kingdom and the grasslands.
Offending them would take at least fifty million taels of silver to settle this matter.
Qinghua, can you come up with fifty million taels of silver?"
He Qinghua's brows twitched with anger as she glared at the self-righteous man, wanting to bite him.
She had never seen such a detestable, greedy man.
To think he could even settle this with money.
Though she couldn't come up with that much money, she still felt insulted.
"Let me go. I won't agree to be your woman, and I can't come up with the money. Kill me then," she said stubbornly while struggling.
Seeing He Qinghua so fierce, Li Daoqiang only liked her more, feeling an urge to conquer her.
He tightened his grip, unmoving, softening his tone, "Alright, Qinghua, stop fussing.
You can't come up with the money, and I won't kill you, so you're destined to be my woman, Li Daoqiang's. You can't resist."
"Delusion," He Qinghua shouted defiantly.
"Qinghua, do you really want me to lay everything out?" Li Daoqiang said quietly, his calm eyes meeting hers.
He Qinghua met his deep gaze, faltered for a moment, calmed down a bit, and angrily asked, "What do you mean by laying everything out?"
"Heh." Li Daoqiang chuckled, then asked, "Qinghua, why did I save you? Why do I want you to be my woman?"
He Qinghua pursed her lips, unsure how to answer. After a moment's hesitation, she said disdainfully, "Lust for beauty."
"Exactly." Li Daoqiang admitted it outright, saying frankly, "It's precisely lust for your beauty. You're so beautiful, and I've taken a liking to your beauty."
He Qinghua was furious. He admitted to being shameless and lecherous so openly.
"Of course, your beauty is your capital, but just relying on that alone, do you think I, Li Daoqiang, would give up all the outstanding women in the world for you?
Qinghua, do you think that's possible?" Li Daoqiang continued leisurely.
He Qinghua's eyes widened, and she gritted her teeth, "Are you saying that I, He Qinghua, am not outstanding enough?"
"You could see it that way. At least, your excellence hasn't reached the point where I'd give up other women," Li Daoqiang nodded seriously.
"Heh, Li Daoqiang, you really are shameless," He Qinghua laughed bitterly.
"No, this is honesty. I don't want any misunderstandings between me and my woman, so I'm laying it all out." Li Daoqiang showed no guilt, still confident.
He paused, then continued, "Qinghua, tonight is our first meeting. I offended the Yin Gui Sect for your beauty.
In the future, I could certainly do the same for other equally outstanding women.
So really, don't overthink it, and don't harbor delusions.
If you really want to think about it, there might be a way."
He Qinghua's teeth ground audibly as she glared hatefully at Li Daoqiang.
This bastard had stripped everything bare.
There was nothing beautiful about it—he was just lustful.
Shameless, despicable.
But hearing the last part, she couldn't help but show a hint of inquiry.
Li Daoqiang didn't hide it, directly giving her the method, "If you want to monopolize me, you can.
Just as I want to monopolize you, it depends on whether your excellence reaches the level to monopolize me.
In other words, as long as you can defeat me.
No, as long as your strength is not inferior to mine, you'll have the right to monopolize me.
Now and in the future, whenever you have that strength, you can monopolize me anytime.
So, Qinghua, you can't blame me or anyone else for this. You have to look at yourself.
Then work twice as hard to achieve it.
Qinghua, am I right?"
He Qinghua was nearly driven mad. How could she not understand?
This bastard was clearly implying she wasn't good enough, wasn't qualified.
Her eyes almost blazed with fire as she roared angrily, "Who wants to monopolize you? Delusion."
"Qinghua, isn't that what you meant? I'm just reasoning with you, presenting the facts.
These are the most fundamental truths of this world.
If you're not outstanding enough, how can you demand that your partner be so outstanding?
Similarly, since I'm so outstanding, how can you expect me to have only you?
That doesn't make sense.
Qinghua, don't be a foolish woman who ignores reason, throws tantrums, and can't see the essence of this world." Li Daoqiang's voice unconsciously turned colder.
In the silent night, it carried immense pressure.
Like a demon from the abyss.
He Qinghua felt that in decades, she had never been so insulted, being told to her face that she wasn't good enough.
She had always been proud and self-assured, how could she bear this?
Yet under the circumstances, she found she couldn't refute him.
Every word this bastard said was true, reflecting the essence of this world.
She trembled with rage, barely maintaining her composure, and said bitterly, "Fine, I, He Qinghua, am not good enough, not worthy of you, Li Daoqiang.
I can't afford to provoke you, so I'll avoid you, alright?"
"You can avoid me, but bring fifty million taels of silver first," Li Daoqiang said without hesitation.
He Qinghua's breath caught, her cheeks puffing slightly.
After a moment of silence, Li Daoqiang sighed softly, "Qinghua, stop fussing. What's this about being worthy or not?
As long as I like you, you're worthy of me. I offended the Yin Gui Sect for you—isn't that enough to prove I like you?
Meeting tonight was fate, and you can't change that.
And instead of getting angry, why not focus on training hard to defeat me sooner?
Besides, you can also try to win my favor. If you can bind my heart to you alone, then everything will fall into place.
I've heard of your reputation before. The Poison Hand Rakshasa isn't one to admit defeat easily."
He Qinghua trembled slightly, angrily saying, "Don't provoke me, and don't try to confuse me.
What you're saying is just twisted logic, trying to make me submit to you. Delusion."
"Hahaha." Li Daoqiang laughed, unbothered. "Alright, Qinghua, you're not wrong, but you've been in the martial world for years.
You know very well whether what I'm saying is true.
Right now, you're just angry, and you've never met a man as outstanding as me who speaks so plainly.
It's natural that you can't wrap your head around it.
So I'm not angry. After all, you're my woman, and I, Li Daoqiang, am always magnanimous and patient with my women.
Take your time to calm down."
He paused, his tone turning slightly serious, "As your man, I want to warn you about something that matters for life.
Instead of raging helplessly, strive to achieve what you want.
Raging helplessly is for mediocrities; striving is what a smart, strong person does.
As my woman, Li Daoqiang's, you must be both smart and strong."
(Thank you for your support.) ·······