Meeting Tang Yuehua Again

Su Xuan chuckled and gave the cheeky guard a terrifying look.

"Heh, kid? After not seeing me for so long, are you itching for a beating?"

The guard curled his lip, clearly not taking it to heart.

"At my age, I think I can still take another couple of beatings..."

Speechless, Su Xuan turned his head away, not particularly interested in dealing with the man.

The guard sensed that the atmosphere had grown somewhat cold and took the initiative to lighten it, smiling at Su Xuan as he said:

"Young Master Xuan, could you tell me what major events have happened on the continent these past few months? We spend every day guarding Moonlight Pavilion, and our information is terribly cut off. We can't get any firsthand news."

A trace of helplessness showed on the guard's face. Moonlight Pavilion naturally held a lofty status, but it stood above the fray rather than at the center of power itself. Although everyone here was a true scion of the highest nobility, they all knew their limits. How could they be like common street louts, talking loudly and without restraint, broadcasting every piece of news to the public? Thus, despite being in Moonlight Pavilion and seeing distinguished people come and go, the guard still felt that news here was severely limited.

Su Xuan gave a soft laugh and said irritably:

"I think you don't know how good you have it! What does Moonlight Pavilion represent? At the very least, it's a respectable, well-paying job. Yet you're still so greedy, wanting everything your way. A snake trying to swallow an elephant will choke sooner or later."

The guard chuckled, unconcerned by Su Xuan's teasing, and shamelessly continued:

"Young Master Xuan, you've forgotten another benefit."

Su Xuan raised a brow, the corner of his mouth lifting.

"Moonlight Pavilion does indeed have plenty of hidden perks. It's normal that I overlooked one. Tell me, which one did I miss?"

"Heh, Young Master, you forgot that at Moonlight Pavilion, people like us, whose status is worlds apart, can still come into contact with figures we could never have approached before."

Su Xuan smiled.

"Meeting influential people? Hahaha, kid." Su Xuan arched a brow. "What, did you manage to court a noble young lady?"

The guard gave a bitter smile. "Young Master Xuan, stop teasing me. I'm just a rough man. How could I possibly be worthy of those delicate, pampered young ladies?"

Su Xuan patted the guard's shoulder and waggled his brows. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Have some faith in yourself. Maybe there's a blind one out there who'll take a fancy to you."

The guard smiled bitterly and did not pursue the subject.

"Young Master Xuan, let's not talk about that. Tell me what major events have happened these past few months. These last few weeks, strange moods and rumors have been coming out of the imperial palace." The guard lowered his voice. "Even Moonlight Pavilion has taken on that oppressive atmosphere. There are even rumors that... Xue Ye... is about to pass away."

As he spoke those final words, the guard kept looking around, as though terrified someone might overhear him.

Su Xuan fell silent. After a pause, he closed his eyes for a moment and said calmly:

"Those aren't things you should concern yourself with. Just guard your door properly."

Something complicated flickered in the guard's eyes.

"Young Master Xuan, I know you have a certain status..."

The pale gold in Su Xuan's eyes revealed the authority of one who stood above others.

"Ask no more..."

The guard said nothing further. Although Su Xuan had always seemed easygoing and approachable, that did not mean people could speak without restraint and casually say things that might have serious consequences.

Su Xuan sighed. Is it beginning, Sister Qian?

At that moment, the man who had gone to announce him returned. He respectfully nodded to Su Xuan, signaling for him to enter.

Su Xuan nodded in return. Before going in, he glanced once more in the direction of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, then forced himself to look away. There was no point thinking too much now. Resolving the matter before him was what mattered.

Su Xuan quietly followed the attendant forward, his expression solemn and his face heavy with worry.

Upon reaching the top floor, the attendant stopped. His status only allowed him to come this far. What lay ahead were Tang Yuehua's private chambers, her personal domain. Ordinary subordinates and students were not even qualified to enter without permission. Of course, one person was an exception: Lord Su Xuan. Su Xuan was the only person who could enter this top floor directly without being announced. It was clear enough how close the two were. As Tang Yuehua's kindred spirit, Su Xuan was far more to her than merely someone whose talent resonated with hers...

Su Xuan pushed open the door. Before him stretched a low-key yet luxurious corridor, crafted from precious huanghuali rosewood. This alone represented wealth that an ordinary family could never earn in a lifetime. Even the wealthiest magnates could not obtain it, because it was a symbol of status and standing.

Su Xuan continued onward until he reached the balcony on the top floor. A melodious, beautiful tune drifted through the air.

Tang Yuehua was playing an instrument.

Su Xuan stopped. Every meeting began this way. This gentle, flowing melody could soothe the restlessness in one's heart. It was exceedingly rare, an absolutely masterful performance. Ordinary people might never hear such a melody even once in their lives, but for Su Xuan, it had already become commonplace...

The piece came to an end.

Tang Yuehua set the instrument aside and smiled lightly. "Well?"

Su Xuan applauded, praising her sincerely. "Wonderful. Your skill and artistic conception have improved once again. I feel you've already surpassed the level of a master."

After receiving Su Xuan's praise, a faint and barely noticeable pride appeared on Tang Yuehua's beautiful, fair face. The corners of her lips curled upward. "Haha, I'm still a little short of that."

Though her words were modest, her tone was anything but. Su Xuan wanted to tease her, but held himself back. He was still on her turf, after all. If he angered her, he would be the one to suffer. Su Xuan forced a smile.

"Pavilion Master, have these past few months been all right?"

Tang Yuehua gave Su Xuan a resentful look, as though he were some heartless man who had abandoned her.

Su Xuan took half a step back. Damn, don't look at me like that. You're making even me start to feel guilty.

"You went from visiting once every half month to showing your face only once a year. I thought you were dead."

Su Xuan wiped away a bead of cold sweat. What a vicious woman. I was only gone for a few months, yet in her world, I'm already dead? Heh. Women... Of course, Su Xuan did not dare say any of that aloud. He only muttered it quietly in his heart.

"Ahem, ahem. Aren't I here to see you now?"

Tang Yuehua gave the slick fellow another resentful glance. Just like always, was he unwilling to give her even the slightest promise?

Tang Yuehua sighed. How many years had they known each other? Counting it up, perhaps six or seven years. When had she started liking this man? Had affection grown with time? Or was it the mutual attraction between kindred spirits?