Hiding Beneath Her Skirt, Covered in Fragrance; the True Culprit Who Stole the Lock, the Truth Revealed?

Xu Shaoqian looked dejected and sat down on the ground, acting like a rogue. The two maids looked flustered and stood on either side, at a loss. Xu Shaoqian tall and handsome, with fair skin. He came from a noble family and was also quite talented. His figure and appearance were both first-class. If he had not suffered a thousand torments and a thousand and ten thousand incomprehensions in his heart, he would never have acted like this.

Suddenly, Tao Xiangrong sighed, "There's really no way to deal with Young Master Xu. Please come in, Young Master Xu."

Xu Shaoqian's face lit up with joy as he pushed open the door and entered. He saw Tao Xiangrong at the table, her demeanor elegant, her makeup exquisite, even more beautiful than before. She was dignified yet charming, alluring yet refined. Today, she wore the "Fragrant-Bloom Skirt," a magnificent dress with a long, phoenix-tail-like hem that appeared slightly bulky. Although exquisite, the skirt required a woman with both grace and beauty to carry it off. If an ordinary woman wore it, she would be dragged along by the skirt, unable to move an inch, and there would be no sense of beauty in it. Tao Xiangrong had meticulously arranged the clothing and food for each of her banquets for the various heroes she hosted.

Xu Shaoqian was surprised to Tao Xiangrong dressed so formally, her gaze lingering on him. Tao Xiangrong was slightly strange, but it was hidden by her veil, revealing only a vague outline of her face.

Xu Shaoqian's eyes darted around, taking in the entire interior of Stone-Jade Room. The jade table, curtains, bookshelves, bed... He wore a silver crown, having dressed meticulously for his arrival; handsome and refined, with a noble air, he bowed and greeted, "Xiangrong! I hope my sudden visit hasn't disturbed you?"

Tao Xiangrong head and smiled, "Young Master, you are overthinking it. It has gotten chilly in Jade City recently, Xiangrong a slight cold. I am easily tired and fatigued. I am afraid that I will not be in good condition and will not be able to entertain you properly, so I am reluctant to see Young Master Xu."

Xu Shaoqian said, "I see!" He looked around discreetly as he moved about in Stone-Jade Room.

Tao Xiangrong asked calmly, "May I ask, Young Master Xu, what is it that makes you so eager to see Xiangrong?"

Xu Shaoqian said absentmindedly, "If I have nothing else to do, can't I see Xiangrong?" Tao Xiangrong chuckled and said, "Look at what you're saying, Young Master Xu. Xiangrong here. Young Master Xu 've known Xiangrong for quite some time. If you miss Xiangrong, you can come anytime."

Xu Shaoqian walked slowly, inhaling the delicate fragrance emanating from the room. A gentle ripple stirred in his heart, and all his worries vanished as soon as he heard Tao Xiangrong's soft voice. But then he thought again, such a beauty was not his. He continued, "How Xiangrong been lately?"

Tao Xiangrong sighed, "It's hard to say whether it's good or bad. Life is just like this; we just take it one day at a time." She poured herself a cup of hot tea and said with a smile, "Please have some, Young Master Xu."

Xu Shaoqian picked up his teacup, slowly sipped his tea, and walked slowly to the curtain. He then secretly struck out with his palm. The force of his palm pierced through the curtain, dark and invisible, yet extremely powerful. If someone were hiding under the curtain, they would be instantly struck and sent flying. However, the palm missed its mark, and the force of his palm turned into wisps of cold wind and dissipated.

The attempt yielded no response.

It turned out that Xu Shaoqian's sudden visit today was no coincidence. Li Xian and Tao Xiangrong were hosting a banquet for heroes from all over the country, intentionally creating a stir so that the heroes would find it difficult to refuse. In this way, the buzz grew louder and louder.

Xu Shaoqian was already completely infatuated with Tao Xiangrong Tao Xiangrong. He was aware that Tao Xiangrong had been hosting banquets for various figures, but he didn't understand the meaning behind it. For several days, he had been feeling extremely tormented, thinking, "Xiangrong has never been so proactive in hosting banquets for others before. Why is she acting so strangely lately? I've asked Liang Xiaoshi several times, but she won't say much. This change started at the Peach Banquet. What exactly happened at that banquet? Ah... Could it be... Could it be... that Xiangrong has already discovered the man she admires at the banquet?"

He immediately lost all interest in handling matters Gold-Seeking Guard. His thoughts and concerns were entirely consumed by this. Upon hearing that Tao Xiangrong hosting a banquet for "Zheng Tianxiong," he thought to himself, "This Zheng Tianxiong is a prominent figure in Wanghe Circuit, a strongman on the Earth List. Xiangrong... could it be that Xiangrong has a particular fondness for such a powerful and established figure?"

Upon hearing that Tao Xiangrong hosting a banquet for "Lin Beijian," he thought to himself, "Lin Beijian... at such a young age, he has already reached the top of the Earth List. His swordsmanship is extremely powerful, and his martial arts are exceptionally strong. This person is not old, but his strength far surpasses mine. I've heard that he created his own unique sword dance using both greatsword and rapier. Xiangrong invited him to the banquet, she must... she must want to see his sword dance."

Each time someone attended the banquet, his heart ached as if being pierced by a knife, an unbearable torment. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, for those he invited were all powerful figures from their respective regions, possessing formidable status, influence, and strength. Xu Shaoqian was always arrogant, a dignified Gold-Seeking Guard Central Lang General, but in terms of martial arts skill, he was second to none. Furthermore, in terms of vision and ambition, he was far inferior. Although Jade City was as precious as a pearl, gathering the essence of the three paths, it lacked the grandeur of the Cangming Domain. Xu Shaoqian grown up in Jade City, and although his vision was broad, he possessed more nobility than ambition.

He was in a terrible mood and irritable. This day, unable to bear the torment any longer, he thought, "I, Xu Shaoqian Xu Shaoqian, have pursued Xiangrong for many years and know her Xiangrong very well. She is unpredictable and will never easily entrust her heart to anyone. My years of pursuit will not have been in vain. I still have a chance. I shouldn't sit idly by and wait for death; I should do something. Besides, even if I lose, I need to know which powerful hero has won Xiangrong's heart!" So he wrote a letter, expressing his longing and love, subtly hinting at wanting to see her.

To his dismay, all the letters he sent disappeared without a trace, and he received no reply. Xu Shaoqian was further devastated, filled with suspicion and constant anxiety. In truth, given his status, he could easily have found a beautiful woman to satisfy his desires. However, his heart was entirely Tao Xiangrong, and he was already deeply entangled in her, unable to control himself. Even if he had lustful thoughts, he was unwilling to seek solace from other women. This pent-up desire became an Tao Xiangrong habit, causing him to lose all his masculinity and transform him into a groveling, anxious pursuer. Seeing that the letters had not been returned, he lost his composure even more. He then tried to send someone to inquire about Tao Xiangrong's current situation. However, the Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower was extremely mysterious, and Xu Shaoqian's reach was limited. After some investigation, he only vaguely heard a few untrue rumors.

This is completely unreliable.

But a rumor lingered in his mind, refusing to dissipate: Tao Xiangrong seemed to be spending a lot of time with a man lately, clinging to him all day and unwilling to part. Xu Shaoqian sneered, "How can such an absurd rumor be believed! If Xiangrong so disrespectful, wouldn't I, Xu Shaoqian, become a laughingstock? Even the old emperor of Great Wu wouldn't give Xiangrong a second glance if Xiangrong n't like him!" But upon closer examination, he felt extremely flustered, and then thought, "No matter what, even if the rumor is false, I need to verify it!"

He then arrived at the Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower. He hesitated for a day, thinking, "Xiangrong is entertaining three guests today. If I ask to see her too early, firstly, I will disturb Xiangrong. If Xiangrong has no ulterior motives and is merely being polite and fulfilling her duties as a host, my actions will only Xiangrong her. Secondly, these guests are quite powerful and not to be trifled with. If there really is such a mysterious 'heartbreaker,' I will wait until later and then try to see her to find out the truth." He waited patiently for a day until the guests left. Xu Shaoqian then stormed into Stone-Jade Room. He heard Tao Xiangrong, citing "a cold" and "exhaustion" as reasons. He felt a chill run down his spine, thinking, "Could it be... could there really be such a person?"

He was even more determined not to give up. Tao Xiangrong no choice but to allow Xu Shaoqian enter the room. Xu Shaoqian immediately looked around but found nothing. He noticed that the curtains were the easiest places to hide in the room. So, under the guise of conversation, he quietly approached and used his palm to probe.

Xu Shaoqian's palm strike missed its mark. Confirming no one was behind the curtain and finding nowhere to hide in the room, he felt a great sense of relief, realizing the rumors were false. He immediately felt guilty and annoyed. "Xu Shaoqian, Xu Shaoqian, you're so foolish! How could you believe such rumors? It must be some suitor deliberately spreading them to confuse me and upset Xiangrong. I've been so wise all my life, yet I've fallen for their trap!" Knowing he had misunderstood Tao Xiangrong, he desperately tried to salvage the situation, fearing Tao Xiangrong angered. Xu Shaoqian said apologetically, "Xiangrong, I... I haven't seen you in so long. That's why... that's why I was so eager and abrupt. I'll punish myself with three cups." Tao Xiangrong said plaintively, "I think Young Master Xu isn't here to see me, but to catch a thief." Xu Shaoqian wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "Oh... oh, what are you talking about? What kind of thief dares to cause trouble in the Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower? But Xiangrong, Xiangrong, if there really is a thief who dares to harm you, I, Xu Shaoqian be the first to protect you!"

Looking at Tao Xiangrong, and he said again, "I will risk my life to protect you."

Tao Xiangrong said, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Xu, but Xiangrong not foolish. If danger comes, I should be able to protect myself." Xu Shaoqian smiled awkwardly, "Of course, of course. Xiangrong... since you're here, I have some questions to ask. Please don't be angry."

Tao Xiangrong smiled gently, "Look at what Young Master Xu is saying. Xiangrong that stingy?" Xu Shaoqian asked, "Xiangrong, why have you been hosting banquets for heroes of the martial world lately? Rumors are flying around the streets, saying you've taken a fancy to someone and are looking for a husband. Others say you're captivated by the heroic spirit of these men, hence your repeated foregoing of banquets. There are even rumors that you have a very difficult and important matter to attend to and seek the help of these heroes..." Tao Xiangrong smiled and said, "So, Young Master Xu, you've come for this important matter. Just ask directly, surely Xiangrong wouldn't refuse to answer? Hiding and sneaking around only makes me lose my composure." Xu Shaoqian's heart fluttered; he knew Tao Xiangrong was smiling, and his worries of the past few days had completely dissipated. He said, "Yes, yes. I was indeed inappropriate. Xiangrong, we've known each other for many years. I think if you're in trouble, you can seek my help. Why bother asking those shady characters outside?" Tao Xiangrong said, "That's natural. Last time, Xiangrong lost my rouge, Young Master Xu helped me wholeheartedly, Xiangrong still grateful. If I have any trouble, I'll naturally swallow my pride and seek Young Master Xu's help. But there's no strange reason for Xiangrong host this banquet for the heroes. It's just that the heroes have received the Immortal Peach of Immortality, and these Immortal Peach have special abilities; after using them, they might gain insights. Xiangrong banquet to invite all the heroes to discuss the insights gained from the Immortal Peach Immortality."

Xu Shaoqian immediately understood. He breathed a sigh of relief, his tone relaxing as he said, "I Xiangrong had taken a fancy to one of the heroes at the banquet." Tao Xiangrong and said, "Xiangrong is not yet married; it's not impossible that she has indeed taken a fancy to a hero."

Tao Xiangrong raised an eyebrow, her alluring voice continuing, "Of course, if that day ever comes, I will inform Young Master Xu first. If you, Young Master Xu, were to be so rash and interrupt my plans, wouldn't that cause unpleasantness for both of us?" Xu Shaoqian overjoyed, thinking, "Xiangrong mean she doesn't have anyone she likes. Besides... among my many suitors, I, Xu Shaoqian, am undoubtedly the best choice. My actions today were truly rash, and I've also Xiangrong, so she's taking this opportunity to annoy me. I should be more composed." He sincerely said, "I hope that day never comes."

Tao Xiangrong said, "Xiangrong has a request for Young Master Xu." Xu Shaoqian quickly replied, "Xiangrong speak quickly. If you have any request, I will do my utmost to fulfill it, even at the cost of my life."

Tao Xiangrong said, "Young Master Xu truly a fine man! If other men could learn even a little bit from him, that would be wonderful."

Xu Shaoqian was greatly encouraged. However, he was unaware of the meaning behind Tao Xiangrong, which she then told Li Xian. In the past, when Tao Xiangrong asked Li Xian for a favor, Li Xian was cold and demanded payment. Tao Xiangrong's words just now subtly confirmed that the incident was true, while praising Xu Shaoqian was secondary.

Tao Xiangrong said, "Xiangrong Young Master Xu will keep the purpose of my banquet a secret!" Her voice was gentle as she said, "How about we consider it... a secret between Xiangrong and Young Master Xu?"

Xu Shaoqian exclaimed happily, "Excellent! Excellent! This secret is between you and me, and no third person knows it!" Tao Xiangrong said, "Young Master Xu, please go back first. Xiangrong a little tired."

Xu Shaoqian, his worries resolved and fearing he might displease Tao Xiangrong, readily took his leave, in a very good mood. After he left, Tao Xiangrong looked at him strangely and called out, "Naughty little brother, was it fun under my skirt?"

turn out to be...

Before Xu Shaoqian entered, Li Xian knew that Xu Shaoqian sudden visit was unexpected and must have some other reason, as if he were there to catch them in the act of adultery. Li Xian and Tao Xiangrong naturally innocent, but if they were caught in this situation, it would be difficult to explain. Li Xian was not afraid, but felt troubled. She was about to escape through the window.

Tao Xiangrong said softly, "Silly brother, if you try to escape by climbing out the window like this, he will definitely chase after you." Li Xian said, "Of course I know that, so I need you to keep him here for me, sister."

Tao Xiangrong said, "The curtains aren't safe; there's a safe place." Li Xian asked, "Where?" Tao Xiangrong lightly patted her skirt, seemingly frivolous yet teasing, and said charmingly, "It's my skirt hem. This hem is nearly ten feet long. You can lie down in it like a blanket. Even if there's the greatest danger, I'll protect you. But... you have to say thank you three times."

It turns out... the silk threads and craftsmanship of this Fragrant-Bloom Skirt are special. When an ordinary person covers themselves with their bedding and buries their head in, the bulge is quite noticeable. But the hem of the Fragrant-Bloom Skirt is long and trailing, with patterns resembling flowing streams.

Covering her body, though a bulge would still appear, it would be difficult to notice. Li Xian feigned innocence, saying "Thank you, sister" three times before hiding under her skirt. Tao Xiangrong a conversation with Xu Shaoqian before seeing him off. Only then did Li Xian emerge.

Li Xian, smelling sweet fragrance, repeatedly said, "What a pity, what a pity." The implication was that although he was hidden under the skirt, he saw nothing of interest, which was a shame. Tao Xiangrong, unusually embarrassed, scolded, "You little scoundrel!" Li Xian said, "Speaking of which, sister, you could have just told me to run away. Why make such a sacrifice by letting me hide under your skirt? I'm not a gentleman. What if I suddenly had a wicked thought and caught you off guard? You'd regret it then."

Tao Xiangrong, "Even if you dared, would I be afraid of you? I'm afraid you'd reveal yourself and cause the plan to go wrong. We've reached a critical moment, and we can't afford any mistakes." She thought to herself, "Allowing you to hide in my skirt to avoid disaster is exactly how I subdue this brat. You're hiding in my skirt today, and you'll be my servant tomorrow. Isn't that easy? This skirt has an inner and outer skirt. This brat only hid in the outer skirt, so my private clothes underneath shouldn't be exposed. Fortunately, I didn't let this brat get away with it too much."

Her beautiful eyes held a mixture of reproach and shyness, yet concealed a cunning scheme.

She overlooked one crucial point: even if it was an outer skirt, even if it was a tactic to win people's hearts, when would she ever truly be willing to use it? If Xu Shaoqian, Lin Beijian... were in danger, their lives hanging by a thread, would she be willing to lend her the skirt for protection? Probably not! But her actions today were completely natural.

The two strolled through the garden, practiced martial arts, rested, and discussed their plans for the next day. The following day, a maid delivered invitations: the first banquet was for "Mountain-Moving Elder," the second for "True Tiger Daoist," and the third for "Tao Kulin."

Li Xian hid behind the curtain. Tao Xiangrong, looking somewhat solemn. This matter concerned the location of the "Longevity Lock," and the slightest deviation would require changing the plan. Several days of building momentum had led to today's banquet.

By 7:45 Chen Hour, the Mountain-Moving Elder was nowhere to be seen. Tao Xiangrong looked at the curtains, and Li Xian gestured for her to calm down. Tao Xiangrong slightly and continued to sit quietly and wait.

At 1:15 AM, the Mountain-Moving Elder finally arrived, shuffling along, and laughed heartily, "Peach Blossom, the most beautiful Tao Xiangrong of the Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower, I thought she was looking for a husband and had invited only the finest talents. I never imagined I would be so fortunate as to be invited. Could it be that Peach Blossom doesn't love young talents but prefers an old man like me with white hair? Hahahaha."

The Mountain-Moving Elder was hunched over, leaning on a cane, and walked very slowly. Tao Xiangrong recalled her conversation with Li Xian the previous night:

At the time, Li Xian said, "At the banquet that day, the actions of the Mountain-Moving Elder and the True Tiger Daoist seemed to suggest that they had been in cahoots for some time. But would the renowned Mountain-Moving Elder and the True Tiger Daoist really collude and cheat for the sake of my sister's Longevity Lock? I'm afraid that with their abilities and pride, they wouldn't stoop to such a thing. I suspect that the Mountain-Moving Elder and the True Tiger Daoist are either pretending. If they are, my sister can ask the Mountain-Moving Elder about his past, and even fabricate a little, so that he will reveal his flaws."

Tao Xiangrong said, "Disguise?" Li Xian said, "The Mountain-Moving Elder and the True Tiger Daoist are renowned, but no one has ever seen True Person. Moreover, the Immortal Peach of immortality from the Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower are given to the heroes already in the city, not delivered to their residences. If that were the case, the Immortal Peach Immortal Peach ripen and be delivered to the residences of various heroes, Daoists, and prefectures, and then the heroes would have to travel thousands of miles to attend the banquet. The round trip would be extremely long, and I'm afraid a whole year would be wasted here." Tao Xiangrong said, "You're right, but disguising yourself won't be easy. The Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower has thirty-three heavens, and each heaven has a ' Heaven-Watcher.' These seniors are very experienced; how could they be easily fooled?"

Although Tao Xiangrong initially refuted the claim, upon careful consideration, she came to agree with Li Xian's conjecture. Who could possibly know all the heroes of the world? The land is vast; how could there Wu Cuo? The Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower stands majestically, its fame widespread, known as the "Miracle Tower of the World." But having been stable for so long, it had become complacent, and oversights were indeed possible. Tao Xiangrong invited the Mountain-Moving Elder to sit down, expressing her respect. The Mountain-Moving Elder gave a forced smile, refusing tea, wine, and banquets. Tao Xiangrong, skilled in conversation, quickly grasped the rhythm of the conversation.

She would ask the Mountain-Moving Elder past deeds from time to time, gradually increasing the difficulty. At first, the Mountain-Moving Elder answered fluently and did not reveal any flaws. But when he talked about the third past deed, he became quite hesitant and could not hide the truth.

Tao Xiangrong sideways at the curtains, filled with admiration. "My younger brother is truly a visionary. Without his help, I really wouldn't have been able to see through all this." They continued their conversation, speaking in a casual tone, mentioning past exploits such as: killing a pack of wolves in the Wind-Snow Mountain, fighting the seven sons of the Black Clan alone, rushing to the Heroes' Assembly single-handedly, and killing a powerful figure with a flick of his finger... Each mention subtly concealed a trap. The Mountain-Moving Elder, sweating profusely and struggling to keep up, had already given himself away! Tao Xiangrong's expression grew cold, increasingly certain, and she said in a cold voice, "My Blue-Heavens Long Dream Tower has been disrupted and ravaged by a scoundrel like you! It is truly a disgrace! Brother, help me capture him!"

Li Xian leaped out from behind the curtains, drawing his sword horizontally, Intent Infusion, making the blade's edge incomparably sharp. The Mountain-Moving Elder, still trying to defend himself, slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

But just as he made a move, Tao Xiangrong dipped her finger in tea and flicked it lightly. Several droplets of water hit the Mountain-Moving Elder's acupoints, instantly paralyzing his entire body and hindering his movements. Li Xian knew that Tao Xiangrong was terrifyingly powerful, and was secretly surprised to see her make a move. He swung his sword horizontally, leaving the old man covered in knife wounds, and finally placed the last blade against the old man's neck.

The Mountain-Moving Elder was terrified and filled with extreme regret, crying out, "My life is over! My life is over! I shouldn't have taken chances and gone to this feast. Alas, it's too late for regrets!"

Li Xian said, "If you don't attend this banquet, we'll personally capture you. With your strength, where can you escape to?"

Tao Xiangrong stood up and said, "My younger brother is best at catching thieves. He's already seen through your tricks. Confess quickly, and maybe he'll spare your life!"

The Mountain-Moving Elder cried out, "I confess! I confess! Heroes and heroines, spare my life! Spare my life! I am a legendary thief, known as the ' Ghost Thief.' I have a child who has been stealing with me since childhood. I once had a thief brother named ' Li Hengfeng,' who came to Jade City to steal and never returned. We thieves take pride in stealing from Jade City and leaving intact. This time, I came to Jade City using the name of the Mountain-Moving Elder."

"Unexpectedly, I received Immortal Peach from the Peach Banquet and was invited to attend. I thought to myself, if I could steal one or two things from the Peach Banquet, that would be wonderful. My child and I made preparations early. At the Peach Banquet, the voices of various masters were deafening. I knew my place and was afraid of being exposed and revealed on the spot. After some investigation, I learned that Miss Peach was also attending the banquet. I thought that a delicate beauty like Miss Peach must be weaker than the heroes, so I set my sights on the Golden Lock anklet on her ankle."

Upon hearing the name "Li Hengfeng," Li Xian immediately understood. Tao Xiangrong said, "You wicked thieves are truly despicable. Catching me as the only one to steal from is infuriating! How did you know I had Golden Lock on my ankle?"

The Mountain-Moving Elder chuckled and said, "I must mention my nose. I can smell the scent of gold and silver. I sensed a special gold object tied to Miss Peach's ankle. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was Golden Lock."

Li Xian asked, "If that's the case, how did you and your son manage to commit the theft?"

The Mountain-Moving Elder said, "To be honest, my son and I are very cautious. Although we have locked onto our target, we dare not advance rashly. I have a strange beast: the Gold-Swallowing Ant. Although it is very small, its mandibles are sharp and can bite through metal. But this beast can only be controlled by sound."

"The manipulation of the music by my father and me was bound to be noticed by others. We were already imposters, so it would be even more inappropriate to play music abruptly. At that moment, this Miss Tao seemed to be playing a piece Nanling Battle-Breaking Melody.' It sounded like she was lamenting for her lover. We had a sudden idea, so we pretended to quarrel, which eventually led Miss Tao to play the music herself."

"In this way, the Gold-Swallowing Ant will crawl over and bite through the Golden Lock. We only need to pick up the Golden Lock when the opportunity arises."

(P. S.: Visiting relatives during Chinese New Year is still tiring.)