Xiao Nanhui walked with her head down, silent. It was only after a long moment that she stole a glance at the man beside her, only to find him watching her with an exceptionally well-behaved expression, his fair face radiating a sense of pure innocence.
What was she supposed to do? She felt that asking such a question to a face like that would be nothing short of sacrilege. But then again...
It was so much silver!
"What is wrong with Young Master Yao’s eyebrows? They have been twitching incessantly since a moment ago."
Ding Weixiang cast a scrutinizing gaze upon her. Xiao Nanhui’s courage instantly withered. She could only suppress the restless thoughts in her heart for the time being, offering a sheepish smile. "I must have pressed against them while sleeping last night. They feel a bit stiff."
As they spoke, they finally arrived before the side room. Hearing the commotion, Bolao opened the door, her face etched with impatience. "Taking this long just to pick someone up."
Xiao Nanhui pushed her back into the room and signaled for the two men behind her to enter.
Once the carved wooden door was shut, she pressed her ear against the crack for a moment before turning to the two uninvited guests. "Weren't we supposed to wait for news from Hao Bai? Why have you come now?"
Zhongli Jing sat upon the room’s worn wooden chair, composed as he examined the plantain lilies carved into the door. "It is nothing. I simply recalled what Young Master Yao said on the boat and wished to see this 'pleasure house' for myself."
This man’s ability to lie through his teeth was truly not to be underestimated. Xiao Nanhui didn't bother to expose him, though her heart still itched at Manager Zhou’s tempting proposal. She felt that now was as good a time as any to test the waters.
"And what does Brother Zhongli think of it now?"
Unaware of her ulterior motives, he nodded. "It is acceptable. Not quite as unsightly as you described."
Xiao Nanhui blinked, deciding to push further. "Back on the boat, I spoke with Hao Bai about our families. I still don't know what Brother Zhongli’s family does. Are they officials or merchants?"
She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but the moment she asked, Ding Weixiang—who had been standing in the shadows of the corner—seemed to look up and glare at her.
Zhongli Jing, however, took a rare moment to reflect. After a long pause, he spoke indifferently. "I am not as accomplished as Young Master Yao or Master Hao. I merely inherited the family estate."
Seeing an opening, Xiao Nanhui quickly followed up. "Living off one's inheritance isn't a long-term solution. Besides, Brother Zhongli must have many siblings at home. In a large clan, one must make plans for oneself early on..."
"What exactly are you trying to say, Young Master Yao?" Before Zhongli Jing could respond, Ding Weixiang interrupted, his face darkening.
Beside them, Bolao bared her teeth in a protective stance. "It’s just a conversation. Your master hasn't even spoken; why are you jumping around?"
Ding Weixiang was so angry he laughed, and Bolao refused to back down. The two stood frozen in a tense standoff.
Xiao Nanhui hadn't expected her attempt at conversation to end like this. She felt a bit at a loss.
However, the other party involved seemed to have his thoughts elsewhere entirely. Zhongli Jing rose and walked to the dressing table, picking up a peach-pink handkerchief that had been carelessly tossed there. "This handkerchief..."
Xiao Nanhui quickly interjected, "Oh, that’s the handkerchief Bolao and I used to cover our faces last night."
"Is it Brother Yao’s own?"
Xiao Nanhui stared at that splash of peach-pink, her throat feeling a bit tight. Her taste was certainly not like that.
"No. We left in such a hurry this time, why would I think to bring such things? It was found in this room."
He didn't speak, but his fingertips lingered over the fabric, seemingly quite interested.
Just then, a sudden clamor erupted from the backyard. Listening closely, it sounded as though someone had barged in.
The four people in the room exchanged glances and quietly moved toward the window.
For some reason, a bad premonition rose in Xiao Nanhui’s heart. She poked a small hole in the side window and looked out. Seven or eight people had appeared in the courtyard at some unknown point. Leading them was a matron whose stature rivaled that of a sturdy man—it was Li Guizhen, Madam Zhao’s personal steward.
Xiao Nanhui frowned. What on earth had that damned Hao Bai said to Madam Zhao to make her come knocking on the door?
Li Guizhen was built solidly and possessed a powerful voice; when she spoke, the entire courtyard seemed to echo.
"Which one of you served my Master last month? Step forward yourselves. Don't wait for this old woman to catch you personally; it will only make things ugly for everyone."
Wangchen Pavilion kept some hired muscle to maintain order. Though they surrounded the intruders, they didn't dare step forward due to the Zou family’s fearsome reputation. Instead, they all looked to Manager Zhou for direction.
Though Manager Zhou was advanced in years, he was no slouch when it came to holding his ground. He maintained his usual kindly smile, but his words were sharp. "I’m afraid I don't understand your meaning, Matron. Master Zou’s legs belong to him; he comes as he pleases. As for which lady or gentleman he was looking for, shouldn't you ask your Master yourself?"
Li Guizhen’s slanted eyes narrowed, and the thugs behind her threw something onto the ground.
Xiao Nanhui squinted to see and immediately touched her ear in guilt.
That bundle of emerald green on the ground—wasn't that the very handkerchief she had lost at the Zou manor last night?
Li Guizhen let out a cold snort, pointing aggressively at the handkerchief. "A thief entered the Zou manor last night, and this is what they left behind. In a moment, I shall have someone take this to the authorities. I want to see which shameless hussy seduced our Master and then dared to come to our door at midnight to play ghost."
Li Guizhen’s words were quite intimidating. After all, businesses in the red-light district dreaded involvement with the authorities. Even if the investigation turned up nothing major, they would still lose a layer of skin in the process.
At this thought, Manager Zhou was nearly fuming with internal rage.
The confrontation intensified, and people throughout the building poked their heads out to watch the excitement. The servants were happy to have such a show to watch, taking the opportunity to rest from their chores.
Jin Dou’er was holding a pile of freshly washed bedsheets. Peering through the crowd, he spotted the handkerchief on the ground and instinctively shuffled forward.
"Eh? This... looks like the one I took to Sister A-Yun’s room before..."
As Jin Dou’er spoke, his hand unconsciously pointed toward the side room on the top floor.
Inside the side room, three pairs of eyes instantly snapped toward Xiao Nanhui.
Xiao Nanhui gave a dry laugh, feeling that she had truly committed a grave sin this time. If Li Guizhen came up to this room, they would all be caught in one fell swoop.
At this critical juncture, the door next to the side room—which had been tightly shut—suddenly swung open. A beautiful man with his robes half-undone and a face full of resentment stepped out. It was A-Xi. His young servant followed behind with an anxious expression, unable to stop him.
A-Xi glanced at the aggressive matron below and spoke arrogantly. "I wondered who was making such a racket. It turns out to be nothing but an old hen."
Li Guizhen was wearing a dark grey beizi embroidered with rice pearls—her favorite garment. But now, according to this man, she had become a "speckled hen." Her face turned green with rage.
"You half-man, half-woman, filthy, lowly dog..."
A-Xi was already harboring a grudge from being toyed with by Master Zou previously. He began to throw a tantrum, spewing insults that turned Li Guizhen’s face shades of blue and red. Enraged, she led her men on a charge toward the third floor.
"If I don't tear that mouth of yours apart today, I won't be able to give the Zou manor an explanation!"
Xiao Nanhui was startled by this sudden turn of events. By the time she reacted, a chaotic brawl had broken out outside.
The narrow staircase was suddenly packed with people fighting, people trying to break it up, and innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Manager Zhou held his feather duster but couldn't squeeze in, forced to watch helplessly from the periphery.
A-Xi, after all, had the slender frame of a singer and dancer. How could he compare to a rough laboring matron like Li Guizhen? Within moments, his hair was seized. He immediately let out a shrill cry: "You foul woman! Let go!"
Li Guizhen was not about to let him off easily. She dug her fingers in with even more force. "Today, I shall act on behalf of Heaven and take down a pest like you! Let’s see who else dares to ruin our Master!"
A-Xi felt his scalp tightening; if this continued, he feared he would go bald. In his desperation, he shouted, "Zou Sifang was only in my room to discuss business! If you want someone to blame, go find Xiong Bingnan!"
Li Guizhen’s hand stopped. She immediately understood. "You’re saying the Master came to you just to meet with the Xiong family in private?"
"Who knows what kind of favors that Xiong Bingnan was trying to curry! Hmph, your own backyard is on fire, yet you blame it on others..."
A-Xi continued to grumble, but Li Guizhen released him. Her face was terrifyingly grim. She barked at her thugs, "Move! We’re going to the Xiong house to get to the bottom of this!"
The farce finally came to an end. Manager Zhou busied himself with clearing the battlefield and shouting orders, while A-Xi stomped his feet and demanded a physician. In the chaos, Jin Dou’er picked up the handkerchief from the ground, and for a moment, no one noticed.
With Li Guizhen’s departure, the courtyard gradually returned to peace.
The four people in the side room were silent for a long time before Bolao broke the eerie atmosphere. "What do we do now?"
Xiao Nanhui felt quite dejected. Who could have guessed that her desperate actions last night would cause such a massive stir?
Although she had verbally agreed to cooperate with Zhongli Jing and the others, everyone still had their own hidden agendas. She had originally thought they only needed to find a way to heal Zou Sifang, then let Hao Bai sow discord to draw the snake from its hole. Once Master Zou brought the item out, she and Bolao would find a way to pull a bait-and-switch, surely securing the item without making a sound.
Now that Madam Zhao and the Xiong family were at odds, this matter could no longer be handled quietly. Not to mention that Madam Zhao had come looking for them; the secret of the Imperial Seal likely couldn't be kept much longer. Once Master Zou was saved, he would have to come clean, and they would inevitably have to deal with Madam Zhao.
At this thought, Xiao Nanhui’s mind took an involuntary turn. Muerhe had already caused such a commotion; it was impossible for the various factions to remain idle. Yet, looking at the city now, everything seemed calm. It appeared that those seeking the jade were not just after the object itself—they were also waiting for a person.
Xiao Nanhui did not answer Bolao’s question. Instead, she asked another. "Since entering Huozhou, have any of you heard news of the Qu family?"
As soon as she asked, Bolao winked at her frantically, her meaning clear: *It’s not yet clear if they are friend or foe; don't tell them too much.*
But Xiao Nanhui simply didn't believe it. A man as shrewd as Zhongli Jing would surely know no less than she did, even if she said nothing. When dealing with someone like him, being straightforward was sometimes better than hiding things.
Sure enough, there was no hesitation on his face as he calmly uttered two words: "I haven't."
That was strange. Inviting someone to appraise jade was clearly a matter that shouldn't be publicized, yet the news had spread out of Huozhou long ago. Now that everyone had arrived after much delay, Zou Sifang had fallen ill, and the appraisal obviously couldn't happen. Aside from that bit of news a month ago, the Qu family seemed as though they had never appeared at all. Unless...
"Do you think the news of inviting the Qu family might be a trap?" After a pause, Xiao Nanhui felt her deduction wasn't without merit. "It’s possible someone wants to lure everyone who knows about the Imperial Seal into one place and kill them all."
Bolao shook her head. "Who do you think that person would be?"
Xiao Nanhui shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe the Emperor, or maybe..."
"Impossible."
Before she could finish, she was coldly interrupted by Ding Weixiang.
She looked over, puzzled. "How can you be so certain?"
He stole a quick glance at the composed Zhongli Jing before slowing his voice, speaking without a flaw. "If the Imperial House wanted to pursue this matter, they wouldn't have waited until now. They would have acted years ago. Besides, Huozhou is a place of many eyes and ears. Why go to such lengths to set a trap here? It would only be asking for trouble."
Xiao Nanhui nodded as she listened, but she remained doubtful of the current situation.
Zhongli Jing, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Why make groundless guesses? It would be better to find an opportunity for everyone to come out and see what kind of people we are dealing with."
He turned his gaze toward her.
Xiao Nanhui felt an ominous premonition rise from the depths of her heart. Sure enough, he continued.
"The Zhuming Festival in three days—is Young Master Yao confident in participating?"
She was stunned. "The Zhuming Festival? Why participate in that?"
He smiled, and a sudden, breathtaking sharpness appeared in his eyes. "To seize the Imperial Seal."
"You want Zou Sifang to offer the Imperial Seal as a sacrificial tribute?" Xiao Nanhui found it hard to believe.
Setting aside how much Master Zou valued that "precious jade," even if he reluctantly agreed to offer it, what were the chances she could take the top prize at the festival? Even if she did win, she would have shown her face before everyone. What were the chances she could leave Huozhou alive with that object?
Realizing this, she finally reacted with anger. "You’re pushing me onto the edge of a blade." She then pointed at Ding Weixiang. "His martial arts are likely not inferior to mine or Bolao’s. Why don't you let him go?"
"Weixiang’s skills are somewhat unique; he would be recognized the moment he stepped onto the field, which would only cause trouble." He spoke his excuses as if they were the most natural thing in the world, not forgetting to add, "The fact that this matter has become so thorny is partly due to Young Master Yao’s contribution. Please do not decline; consider it making amends for your mistakes."
This wasn't just pushing her onto the edge of a blade; it was roasting her over a fire.
Xiao Nanhui looked at Bolao with grief and indignation. She had felt that the handkerchief used as a mask was unreliable, and now it had truly brought her ruin.
Thinking of the competition content of the Zhuming Festival, she tried one last struggle. "How do you know I’m reliable? Aren't you afraid I’ll take the item and fly far away after winning?"
"You are naturally reliable."
Xiao Nanhui watched in a daze as the man rose from his chair and walked toward her, step by step.
"I knew that from the first time we met." Having said that, his face suddenly leaned close to her ear. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he whispered her name.
"Xiao Nanhui, am I right?"
***
