PS: Xiao Sang's later story has already been covered extensively in other side stories. There's no point in writing more about it, so I'll tell a tale from the era buried beneath the last age instead. Does anyone still remember which one?
A plaintive melody drifted from the flute. Gu Xiaosang stood by the window, one hand on the Jade Flute, its mouthpiece lightly at her rosy lips. Her gaze seemed distant, almost unreal. Before her eyes, flowers fell silently, and swallows flew in pairs.
Knock, knock, knock. A low, rhythmic rapping came from the door. She gathered her gaze and turned around, a smile inscrutable on her face.
"Come in," she said lightly, as if she cared nothing for the Saintess's solemn image.
The door creaked open. A man dressed as a peddler stepped in, bowed, and carefully shut it behind him. Then he said, respectfully,
"Reporting to you, Saintess. The news you asked for has arrived."
He kept his head lowered, not daring to look Gu Xiaosang in the eye, as though afraid to be overwhelmed by her radiant, breathtaking beauty.
"The Exotic Stone from Beyond the Heavens has been stolen again?" Gu Xiaosang's dimples appeared faintly. Her expression revealed nothing.
"Yes. The Exotic Stone from Beyond the Heavens in Zengxian Gate was stolen again last night," the peddler replied honestly.
Gu Xiaosang slipped the Jade Flute back into her belt and gave a slight nod. As if asking in passing, she said, "Have any Outer Scenery Experts passed through the Three Mountains and Four Waters in the past few days?"
The peddler thought hard for a while before answering, "The Cui Family's fleet is approaching. They're planning to head south to Hengyuan and pay a visit to the Zheng Clan. They must have an Outer Scenery Expert