As night fell, Hong Shuwen eagerly followed Wang Tongque to catch fish with nets, while two other soldiers from the Feng unit remained in the courtyard. Xu Fengnian left the courtyard, accompanied only by Xu Yanbing and Huyan Guanyin, who was disguised as a young servant boy. They arrived at a place that would make virtuous gentlemen both spit and swallow in amazement—a brothel, conveniently located next to the pleasure quarter in Huangnan Prefecture. Lingzhou was prosperous, and indulgence in courtesans was a common trend. Many wealthy merchants lavished their courtesans with riches, resulting in many of these “celestial maidens” being plump and radiant. Even monks, after viewing sculptures and murals, often lamented the decline of morality in modern times.
Walking through the brightly lit, perfumed alleyways filled with confident, fur-clad patrons, Huyan Guanyin followed closely behind Xu Fengnian, fearful of losing him. Xu Yanbing, unfazed by any situation, maintained his calm demeanor, likely the same composure he had when he passed through the heavenly gates of cultivation. Once the leader of the wayward elite of Northern Liang, Xu Fengnian was well-versed in such affairs. He chose the most splendid establishment, Taosai Pavilion, a three-story building with lanterns hanging high. Unlike neighboring brothels that paraded heavily made-up women at the entrance, this one held itself with great dignity. With a wave of his hand, Xu Fengnian tossed a silver coin to a “turtle leg”—a lowly servant at the brothel who managed the underworld connections. The coin slid effortlessly into the young man’s sleeve without even a glance. His face instantly lit up with a servile smile. These types were no simpletons—sharp-eyed, quick-tongued, and strong-bodied. He gave the newcomers a thorough once-over and immediately identified them as wealthy patrons capable of spending extravagantly. He let out a loud cry, actually a coded message to the madam. As expected, a young woman soon emerged from the building. Unlike most madams, who were aging beauties, this one was young. Xu Fengnian, with his discerning eye, recognized her as the brothel owner’s daughter, known as the “Little Manager.” She approached Xu Fengnian with bright eyes and affectionately leaned against him. Xu Fengnian did not take advantage of the moment but instead slipped a silver note between the folds of her red silk bodice and smiled, requesting two courtesans who could play music—no flower queens needed.
The Little Manager was delighted. In her line of work, she dreaded two types of men: those of moderate wealth who could afford a few weeks of indulgence but flaunted their middling status, and those with little money but minor official connections who took advantage of their status, feasted for free, and caused trouble they couldn’t resolve, leaving the brothel to bear the consequences. The gray-haired young noble before her was a breath of fresh air—lavish in spending and considerate in manner. Hiring courtesans who played music was nearly as costly as hiring top-tier flower queens, but it also boosted their reputation. If the noble were a poet or scholar with a modest reputation, exchanging verses with the courtesans could elevate their status.
Without further words, she led them to an elegant room on the third floor. As they ascended, her swaying hips moved with more effort than usual. She mused that if this refined gentleman requested her company, she wouldn’t mind charging a little less. Men in Northern Liang were usually rugged and strong, but this one had the refined air of a Jiangnan aristocrat—likely to be gentle and pleasurable in their intimate moments.
Upon reaching the third floor, the noble requested a street-facing room. She kindly warned him it might be noisy, but he simply smiled, and she gladly obliged. If the customer wanted to spend foolishly, who was she to stop him? Entering the room, a young courtesan was already waiting. As she turned to fetch another, the noble gently tugged her sleeve, slipping a silver note into her hand without drawing attention. With a smile, he said, “Why go looking for a donkey when you already have one?” The Little Manager’s eyes sparkled with delight, feigning ignorance as she teased him, “What donkey are you looking for?”
But the noble stopped there, never uttering the word “ride,” merely stirring a little mischief in her heart. Such small flirtations came and went quickly, far faster than the clumsy attempts of many men. Xu Fengnian did not sit down immediately. Xu Yanbing left the room, closed the door, and stood outside with his eyes shut. Huyan Guanyin leaned against the wall, her large fur hat hiding her face as she stared at her boots. The Little Manager, with her sharp eyes, recognized her as a woman. Northern Liang had always been open-minded—women were skilled riders, archers, and hunters. Some bold women even invited flower queens into their homes or visited brothels themselves. Some wealthy women with unique tastes even frequented the brothel, and the older courtesans had long grown accustomed to such things. At Taosai Pavilion, an aging flower queen was occasionally summoned by a widow from Lingzhou to “polish mirrors,” and each time she returned, she looked radiant. The Little Manager once asked what it was like, and the flower queen simply replied, “Extremely wonderful,” leaving the rest unspoken. The Little Manager had almost been tempted to try it herself, but the widow preferred women of similar age, so she gave up with a sigh.
As the tall, refined noble admired a delicate porcelain vase holding a few plum branches, the Little Manager introduced herself as Caigen. Even in a brothel, it was a rare, coarse name. She also introduced her friend, a courtesan named Xueyi, who had a white-feathered parrot in a bamboo cage nearby.
As Xu Fengnian listened to Caigen speak, he ran his fingers along the rim of the vase, then tilted his head, tapping the bottle’s celadon surface, a color like rain-soaked sky. This amused Caigen and intrigued Xueyi, who was still inexperienced in entertaining guests. In a brothel filled with drunken brutes, lecherous old men, and scholars who turned from polite to impatient the moment the door closed, a noble who could patiently examine a cheap vase was a rare delight.
Huyan Guanyin lifted her fur hat slightly, seeing that he had not engaged in any indecent behavior. Though she let out a soft, disapproving hum, her mood lifted slightly.
Xu Fengnian, who had been eyeing the vase since entering the room, let out a breath, winked at the three women, and tapped the slender neck and round body of the vase. He smiled at Caigen, “Listen—two distinct sounds, one like a bell, one like a chime. This is an imperial vase from the Dongyue kiln. Even a shard the size of a fingernail is worth more than gold or jade. The reason for its value lies not only in its rarity but also in its musical tones. As the sage Zhang wrote in *The Book of Music*, ‘A nobleman hears the sound of a bell and thinks of a brave general, hears the sound of a chime and thinks of a loyal minister.'”
Caigen doubted his claim about the Dongyue kiln vase and had no interest in scholarly talk of bells and chimes. She assumed he was just showing off his knowledge. She gave him a flirtatious glance and teased, “Sir, are you here to visit a brothel or to tap on vases? If you want it, take it! If I so much as frown, I’ll not only offer myself and Xueyi to you next time, but I’ll even pay you!”
Xu Fengnian laughed, gathered all his silver notes, and tossed them into another vase. “Believe it or not. I only brought this much money. Taking the vase makes me feel less guilty about the cost.”
Caigen’s eyes widened. “You’re serious?”
Xu Fengnian sat down and asked, “Regretting it already?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Caigen laughed brightly. “No regrets! If you hadn’t said anything, it would have eventually been broken by clumsy hands and tossed into the street. No one would care. But since you’re now penniless, I won’t ask for a single copper coin tonight. However, you must promise to bring your friends to visit Xueyi often.”
As she spoke, she leaned into him, sitting on his lap as they shared the chair. Her curves pressed against him, her face full of charm. Xu Fengnian patted her thigh and gently motioned for her to rise, smirking, “I’m not from Lingzhou. I may not return often. But I have friends who do well here. If Taosai Pavilion ever wants to expand to the capital or faces small troubles in Huangnan, I can have them help. Of course, if you don’t believe me about the vase’s value, you can doubt this too.”
After rising, Caigen, fearing she might miss her chance, quickly asked, “Your friends in the capital? I wouldn’t dare impose on them. But may I ask which nobleman from Huangnan you know? We’d be honored to treat him like a god.”
Xu Fengnian glanced out the window. Taosai Pavilion was slightly shorter than the largest brothel on the street, but from here, everything was visible. The vase had been worth thousands of taels, and Xu Fengnian, always happy to profit, whether in grand deals or small ones, felt good about this first gain in years. He had no ill feelings toward Caigen’s scheming. He considered names in his mind. The local nobles of Huangnan were unknown to him, and even if he named a few, she would only laugh. But the notable young noble, Li Hanlin, had long since moved to Liangzhou, where his companions were more delicate than women. Xu Fengnian hesitated—should he mention Song Yan, the governor? That would be amusing, and even if it reached Song’s ears, the new deputy governor would have no choice but to accept it.
He finally recalled an enemy of Li Hanlin’s. Once beaten badly by Li, this man had survived and risen in rank after Li joined the army. Now, with his father’s position secured, he no longer lived in fear. He even boasted of fighting Li Hanlin from the northern Zudiao Street to the southern Suoyi Street.
Xu Fengnian smiled. “The son of Huangnan’s chief official, Wang Yunshu. We’re acquainted.”
At the mention of the name, both Caigen and Xueyi showed fear. Wang was notorious for his tyranny. With the former governor’s son gone, Wang had become the new bully. His father, a high-ranking official, controlled promotions, and Wang’s adopted brother, a military commander, gave him power. Even martial arts masters feared him. Caigen, in particular, feared him, for he was their top patron. Once, he nearly destroyed another brothel, the Chaifei Courtyard, until it appeased him with gifts and women. Since then, he had frequented Taosai Pavilion, spending lavishly. Coincidentally, Wang Yunshu was in the same building tonight, enjoying two flower queens on the same floor, though in a distant room. Caigen had brought Xueyi here out of kindness, a rare act of compassion in the cruel world of brothels.
Ca Zhen took a step forward then retreated, throwing a glance at Xue Yi. The courtesan began to play the qin, and only then did Ca Zhen smile and say, “How coincidental! Master Wang is just downstairs. Could it be that you are his old friend?”
Ca Zhen had already dismissed the young noble before him as a braggart. If he denied it, she would find an excuse and not pry further. After all, why make things awkward for someone who had come to Taosai House for pleasure on a cold winter day? Initially, she had even considered fetching Wang Yunshu to verify identities, but such a move would have been harmful to all involved. If Wang Yunshu arrived and beat the young noble out of the building, Ca Zhen, as the instigator, wouldn’t benefit in the slightest. What a pointless endeavor.
To her surprise, the young noble walked to the window, leaning casually against the windowsill, and said warmly, “Perfect. Please trouble Miss Cao to go downstairs and say that an old friend from Lanzhou has arrived at your Taosai House.”
Ca Zhen smiled and asked, “Sir, shall I really go then?”
Xu Fengnian replied with a grin, “If you don’t go, you’re a puppy.”
Ca Zhen gave him a sultry look. “How come you, a learned gentleman, enjoy such indecent poses?”
Hu Yan Guanyin, who had been secretly listening, initially felt puzzled. But after she understood, she glared fiercely at that guy.
Xu Fengnian, having suffered this unexpected misfortune, simply turned his head to look at the still joyous Chai Fei Yuan.
Seeing that he was not joking, Ca Zhen quickly weighed the pros and cons and, gathering her courage, went out to summon the temperamental Master Wang.
Xu Fengnian quietly waited for the commotion from Chai Fei Yuan.
Because in his heart, he wasn’t entirely confident that the Northern Liang spies would succeed and escape unscathed.
Han Shang’s unexpected appearance was a pleasant surprise for the Northern Liang agents currently rushing to Huangnan Commandery for an ambush. However, for them, it might well be a bad omen that would cost many lives. Northern Liang is Northern Liang, and the assassins are assassins; they don’t always work hand in hand.
Because Han Shang’s exposure wasn’t anticipated.
With someone of his importance involved, it was highly likely that one or two exceptionally skilled Northern Yan assassins would be stationed in Huangnan Commandery.
The bloody battles between spies, though rarely involving much open conflict, are won by the side that can act with precision and purpose, countering each move with a suitable countermeasure. The more accurate the calculations, the better. If you have a third-grade martial artist present, I’ll send a second-grade lesser master to confront you. If you have one lesser master, I’ll send two. If you have three, I’ll even go so far as to mobilize a first-grade Diamond King without hesitation. The martial world is hard to navigate because the higher-level experts aren’t necessarily the freer ones, especially those who have become government hounds. They must be cautious, for they never know when their next life-or-death battle might be against an equally matched foe or even a higher-level opponent. Even those rare and revered figures, once encountered, are enough to end everything. Decades of diligent cultivation and martial refinement mean nothing if you meet such an enemy. Of course, spy confrontations often involve people like Wang Tongque and Han Shang, who rise through the ranks by acting, adaptability, and luck.
Listening to the melodious qin music, Xu Fengnian turned his head and saw Hu Yan Guanyin finally willing to approach him.
She looked up and softly asked, “That Ren sister in the courtyard, does she like you?”
Xu Fengnian smiled wryly and replied gently, “She likes the next Northern Liang King who isn’t truly a failure inside. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have served Northern Liang since she was nine, feeling it wasn’t worth it. To be honest, if she had seen me in Shenwu City last time and found me to be an ugly, fat-eared fool, she wouldn’t have approached me in the courtyard today to express her wish.”
Hu Yan Guanyin lifted her chin, her eyes wandering. “Then why don’t you fulfill that sister’s wish? Isn’t it just a simple task?”
Xu Fengnian, who had spent a whole incense stick’s worth of time fulfilling her simple request on the road to Huangnan Commandery through a thin layer of silk, smiled.
Not getting an answer but feeling lighter than if he had received one, she turned around with a stern face and secretly smiled.
Xu Fengnian turned his head to look at the brothel and thought to himself: Assassins with no hopes left will die even faster.
The reason he didn’t get involved wasn’t just because he didn’t want to interfere too much in the spy system, but also because if he and Xu Yanbing acted too early, the extermination would be too smooth. Some old turtles hidden deep in the mud might prefer to watch their disciples and apprentices die rather than risk coming ashore recklessly.
Many matters that could have been simply handled often became complicated because he was Xu Fengnian, forcing him to proceed with great caution.
Xu Fengnian listened to the increasingly discordant qin music. Her lack of skill was a secondary reason; the real issue was that although this new qin was cleverly made, since it couldn’t use quality materials from mountain peaks, it used old cedar beams from a house, a common compromise for poor qin players. This wasn’t the main problem. Many beginners and even seasoned players who had spent their lives immersed in qin techniques didn’t realize that the soundbox didn’t necessarily have to be smooth and even. Those who can play the qin may not be able to make it, but those who can make it must be able to play it well. In his youth, Xu Fengnian had split open countless famous qins and discovered that the grooves and cavities weren’t as smooth as the qin manuals described but were instead “irregular and rough,” resembling chives.
With Xu Yanbing outside the room, there was no need to worry about not knowing if something happened in Chai Fei Yuan. Since Ca Zhen hadn’t yet fetched Master Wang, Xu Fengnian, with nothing better to do, walked toward Xue Yi, asked her to stand up, and under her astonished gaze, swiftly split the qin to expose its belly. He quietly took out a flying sword and helped her adjust the qin slightly, smiling as he said, “If I damage the qin, I’ll buy you a new one later. I have enough silver for that. Actually, a good qin is like a woman undressing to tempt a man, almost but not quite undressed, always leaving the most vivid imagination. When she’s completely naked… well, maybe that’s a poor analogy, too vulgar. What I can do now is limited, but if you ever need help making a qin in the future, you can tell someone these principles…”
Xue Yi listened to this refined young nobleman’s endless, warm ramblings. At first, she tried to memorize every word, but later she couldn’t help asking with a brave smile, “Sir, are you really here at Taosai House to get drunk?”
Xu Fengnian didn’t look up and teased, “You haven’t even given me any wine yet. You did give me tea, but even if I drank an entire teapot, it wouldn’t get me drunk.”
Hu Yan Guanyin approached the bamboo birdcage and made a face at the parrot.
Xue Yi was about to fetch some wine, but Xu Fengnian shook his head. “No need.”
Then Xue Yi saw this careful young nobleman, who was carving the qin, staring into space.
Xu Fengnian suddenly stood up, then sat back down, Absent-minded staring at the broken qin he had personally carved. He Take back his gaze, closed his eyes, and lightly tapped his temple with one finger, murmuring softly. In fact, he was repeatedly saying one sentence: “When things are not balanced, they make a sound.”
Xue Yi thought this young noble had become so obsessed with carving the qin that he had gone mad.
The young noble continued to talk to himself, but his words were fragmented, and she was already worried, so she couldn’t hear clearly.
“Master Xun Ping once said there is a righteous spirit between heaven and earth…”
“I once roamed freely through the heavens and earth…”
Xu Fengnian reached out as if trying to grasp something.
Then his fingers moved through the air, drawing haphazard lines.
Xue Yi moved further away from him.
Outside the room, Xu Yanbing suddenly opened his eyes, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Meanwhile, further away, Ca Zhen almost felt she was risking her life knocking on Wang Yunshu’s door. Inside, there was laughter and revelry, and outside, a large group of attendants waited. There were the guards of Wang’s adopted brother, the military commander, and the disciples of Huangnan’s major sects. The way they looked at her, the young head girl, was anything but respectful.
Sure enough, the door didn’t open. Only Wang Yunshu’s angry voice came from inside, threatening that if anyone dared to ruin his refined mood, men would have their legs broken and be dragged out to feed the dogs, while women would be given to his men for their pleasure. Ca Zhen, who was young but experienced in the martial world, was so frightened that her voice trembled. She didn’t dare to push the door and nervously said, “Master Wang, it’s Ca Zhen. I have something to report. A young man from Lanzhou has just arrived at our Taosai House. He’s had a bit to drink and claims to be your old friend. I don’t know if it’s true, but I took the liberty to inform you, just in case he really is your friend…”
She said he had been drinking, but inwardly she sighed. That young nobleman, Ca Zhen had done her best to cover for him, but she could only go this far.
Inside, the distinct sound of fat jiggling accompanied Wang’s panting as he cursed, “Tell that guy to get lost early. If he comes to bother me again, I’ll make you two have fun right outside Taosai House!”
Ca Zhen had no more illusions and silently cursed herself for being a fool, wishing Wang Yunshu wouldn’t go to Xue Yi’s room to cause trouble. She immediately apologized and turned to leave.
Suddenly, the indecent noise inside stopped. “Wait a minute, did you say he’s from Lanzhou?”
Ca Zhen secretly grimaced, wishing she could slap herself. Even though Wang Yunshu couldn’t see her, she still managed a forced smile and said, “Yes, from Lanzhou. Master Wang is wise.”
“What does he look like?”
“Fairly decent.”
“Go to hell! If you’re playing games with me again, do you think I won’t make you go sit by the toilet all night?”
“He’s quite handsome.”
“Did he bring a large retinue?”
“No, just one person. Not nearly as imposing as Master Wang. He’s far inferior.”
“One person? Yes, one person is right. You woman with long hair and no insight, what do you know about imposing presence? Wait, I’m coming to take a look.”
The sound of hurried dressing inside made Ca Zhen nearly despair.
Taosai House imitated the architecture of southeastern Residence and Miao ethnic Tube-shaped apartment building, with an open courtyard in the center, unobstructed, perfect for cooling in summer and viewing snow in winter, uniquely designed. However, the rooms inside were divided into inner and outer chambers. Xue Yi’s room faced the street market, while someone like Wang Yunshu combined both chambers, making it much more spacious without the distinction of inner and outer. The room’s decoration was extravagantly luxurious, with all sorts of items of considerable value, far surpassing what a courtesan like Xue Yi could match. Wang Yunshu was treated as a god of fortune by Taosai House because of his peculiar fetish. He enjoyed dragging women who were slightly less attractive than the flower maidens to the inner window to engage in intimate activities, allowing many guests on the same floor to feast their eyes. He called it “joy shared by all.” Therefore, whenever Master Wang visited Taosai House and didn’t summon a flower maiden, many men would rush over to catch a glimpse, even if they couldn’t share in the pleasure, they could at least satisfy their eyes.
Clearly, the men on the same floor opposite couldn’t feast their eyes today. Fortunately, Wang Yunshu had once privately said that one day, when his father became the governor of Huangnan Commandery, he would make both flower maidens obediently stand by the window, allowing everyone to enjoy the sight. He called it “universal celebration.”
The door opened, and a flower maiden who had a bad relationship with the young head girl gave Ca Zhen a sidelong glance filled with only women could understand coldness and schadenfreude.
Ca Zhen led the hastily dressed Wang Yunshu, who wore a fox fur, forward, her steps heavy.
Wang Yunshu kicked Ca Zhen’s calf. “Are you limping? Or have you been softened by serving others? Hurry up, if you delay my important matters, just wait. I don’t care if you’re Hong Dama’s daughter. Haha, if you report false information, then even less need be said. In the military, it’s an immediate execution. Anyway, you women, who are not clean anywhere on your bodies, should have been drowned in the river long ago. How could I show any mercy to you sluts?”
Ca Zhen bit her lip and then smiled, though she didn’t know who she was smiling for.
Wang Yunshu, accompanied by his group of henchmen, grandly headed toward the supposed old friend from Lanzhou that Ca Zhen had mentioned. In Huangnan Commandery, he was a young noble with the arrogance of a heavenly emperor, yet there was a hint of hidden gloom in his eyebrows.
That guy better not have any connection to the surname Lin, even the slightest.
If there was even the smallest relation, even if he was just a small fry, Wang Yunshu would never dare to beat him, and might even have to treat him as an honored guest.
This wasn’t because Wang Yunshu was easygoing—he wasn’t. He had no choice. In the wealthy Lanzhou, Wang Yunshu feared almost no noble offspring or military descendants. There were only a few, a handful at most, who could coexist without conflict. But there was one person he feared above all.
In terms of family background, the other person’s father was a second-grade official. Not only in Lanzhou, but throughout the entire Northern Liang, which was known for its iron cavalry, only the Great General and the newly appointed Northern Liang protector, the monstrous Chu, could surpass him. Wang’s father was several steps behind! In terms of martial skill, a hundred Wang Yunshus couldn’t defeat one of them. As for military achievements? Even Wang Yunshu, who was thick-skinned, didn’t dare to compare.
As Wang Yunshu thought of that person surnamed Li, his mood grew darker.
When he saw the tall man standing outside the room, Wang Yunshu instinctively stopped and dared not move forward.
Because he felt a more terrifying aura than when his adopted brother, the military commander, occasionally got truly angry. It was a strong sense of crisis, like a cat encountering a tiger.
Wang Yunshu was indeed arrogant and brutal, but he wasn’t truly foolish beyond redemption.
You know, outside Lanzhou, there was a unique young master in Northern Liang, who spoke of several golden rules for the survival of young nobles. For example, if we want to thrive and last long in the world of young nobles, relying on family status, evil servants, friends, or wealth are all emergency measures that won’t save us in the long run. It’s better to rely on our own brains. At first, Wang Yunshu scoffed at this, but later, after experiencing some hardships, he increasingly understood the truth in those words. It was only after his face fell that Wang Yunshu realized this. Many of his fox-like friends stumbled and fell, and some were so severely punished that they never had a chance to regret. For example, a close friend since childhood went to a place outside Northern Liang to cause trouble a couple of years ago. He killed women and martial artists, and finally even killed soldiers. To this day, his body has not been found. Was his family background in Lanzhou any worse than his own?
People of different standings see the Jianghu in different lights. For Grass Sprout and Snow Clothing, courtesans of the pleasure quarters, their Jianghu is ruled by the twin sovereigns of beauty and song — the famed Bai Liuxiong stood as their unrivaled sovereign.
As for Wang Yunshu and his ilk of aristocratic idlers, he himself was practically a terrestrial immortal among the noble wastrels, a peerless figure with none to rival him. Where else could you find a young master who dared to enter the imperial palace in the capital without kneeling before the emperor? Where else might one encounter a wastrel bold enough to accompany an aged sword immortal into the fabled city of the Martial Emperor?
Wang Yunshu could not bear to see others living better than himself, yet he knew when to yield to those he could not afford to offend.
Grass Sprout was not the least bit surprised by the silent, ever-closed-eyed retainer standing at the door — merely a tall, taciturn figure, no more. But when she noticed the unusual solemnity on Wang Yunshu’s face, she began to sense something unusual. Her knock and push on the door grew slightly more cautious.
Yet no matter how gently she pushed, the door would not budge. Thinking that perhaps the room had already been bolted for some amorous activity, she was about to call out and remind the young master and Snow Clothing inside.
The silent retainer finally spoke, his voice slow and measured: “Wait.”
Grass Sprout herself bore no objection to such matters — not even if she were to be included — but she feared the fury of the young master behind her. If he were to lose his temper, not only would she, a mere head servant girl, suffer, but the entire Peach-Blossom Pavilion might be caught in the crossfire.
The young master behind Grass Sprout chuckled lightly: “Let’s wait a little longer.”
Grass Sprout felt as if she were being slowly roasted over a fire, each moment stretching into eternity.
After what seemed an eternity, she felt the darkening fury behind her — Wang Yunshu’s face had grown so grim it could drip with wrath.
“Enter.”
At last, two words — neither loud nor soft — floated from within the chamber. To Grass Sprout’s ears, it was the sweetest sound she had ever heard in her entire life.
The door was gently opened by Snow Clothing. Wang Yunshu, his patience long since exhausted, stepped across the threshold with a sinister smile — only to freeze at the sight of the figure seated behind a broken zither, someone he had never imagined he would see here.
He would recognize that face even if it were turned to ash!
In a moment of decisiveness that even he himself would later admire, the young master of Huangnan Prefecture dropped to his knees with a thunderous crash, his palms slamming against the floor, his forehead striking the ground with a resounding thud.
Not even a fart dared escape Wang Yunshu’s backside as he lay there, fully prostrate.
Such a mastery of obsequiousness, unique to the idle nobility — even if he fell short of a terrestrial immortal, surely he had reached the level of a minor grandmaster of the second rank?
Outside, Grass Sprout twitched at the corner of her lips. Inside, Snow Clothing fared worse — startled into pressing herself tightly against the wall, hand clutching her heart, too terrified to steal even a glance.
Even more unbearable for Grass Sprout was the young nobleman she had mistaken for a mere aristocrat — the very youth who had so casually accepted the prostration of young master Wang — now gazing toward her with one hand resting on his cheek, a half-smile playing on his lips, neither warm nor cold.
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