At the Golden Kylin Gathering.
A slender, graceful figure ascended the stage with measured steps beneath the eyes of the crowd.
The woman wore a moon-white gown, as though draped in moonlight, its flowing folds falling like clouds and rippling in elegant curves.
A simple sash cinched her waist, fully revealing her slender, supple figure.
A light veil covered her face, her eyes were like autumn waters, and her skin resembled flawless white jade.
Even without seeing her entire face, one could tell she was a peerless beauty!
And with every delicate step, she exuded a natural, captivating charm.
That alluring blend of innocence and softness could truly steal a soul at a glance and set a heart racing.
"Su Wanyue!"
Gu Chenfeng had never expected this woman to appear here.
No wonder the male animals in the crowd looked as though they had been pumped full of chicken blood.
Lady Su, the Imperial Capital's foremost Courtesan, wielded astonishing influence.
Among those present today were numerous society beauties from the Imperial Capital, its renowned talented lady Shangguan Bingxin, and even a princess of the reigning dynasty.
Yet in terms of fame and followers, those two were nowhere near Su Wanyue's level.
The reason was simple.
Shangguan Bingxin and Princess Yaoyin were like the noble young ladies of distinguished families in Gu Chenfeng's previous life.
Ordinary people knew little about them and had no way of coming into contact with them.
Su Wanyue, however, was like a superstar who stood above even the A-list in his previous life.
Wherever she went, her fans cheered with the roar of mountains and seas.
Thus, the moment Su Wanyue appeared, the atmosphere surged straight to its peak.
Even Princess Yaoyin was startled by the spectacle. Forgetting to take Shangguan Bingxin away, she asked in surprise.
"Bingxin, who is that woman? She's so beautiful."
"She's the finale guest I invited, Su Wanyue, the Imperial Capital's foremost artist."
As she spoke, Su Wanyue could not help glancing back at Gu Chenfeng, her gaze carrying a meaningful look.
Clearly, Shangguan Bingxin had already heard of Drunken West Chamber, as well as the romantic affair between Third Young Master Gu and Lady Su.
Princess Yaoyin usually stayed in the palace and had yet to hear about it.
Still, she had long heard of Su Wanyue's reputation as the Imperial Capital's foremost artist.
"So she's Lady Su. Judging by her looks and bearing, she truly is a peerless beauty.
"I just wonder what talents she has to dare call herself the foremost artist. I've heard she and you are known as the Imperial Capital's two great talented ladies, Bingxin."
While the two women spoke, a maid onstage had already placed an elegant paulownia-wood zither on the low table at its center.
Lady Su paid no heed to the crowd's fervor. She stepped forward and gracefully seated herself on a cushion.
Once seated, she did not hurry to begin.
She merely flicked back her long sleeves, revealing a stretch of luminous white wrist. Her slender fingers hovered over the strings for several breaths, as though gathering her focus.
A moment later, her flawless index finger seemed to hold some mysterious magic as it gently, precisely plucked the central string.
Ting...!
An exquisitely clear yet ethereal, lilting note burst forth, echoing above the gathering.
The venue, which had been boiling with noise a moment earlier, fell instantly silent, as though someone had pressed a mute button. Not a crow called; even a falling pin could have been heard!
Only in that utter stillness did Lady Su's clear, pleasing voice leisurely ring out.
"Allow me to offer a zither piece to our honored guests."
As her words faded, her fingertips began to dance across the strings.
The curling strains spread like the misty rains of early spring south of the river, gently and silently soaking through the entire gathering...
The audience's minds seemed to leave their bodies, drawn along by the silken threads of melody.
Without realizing it, they sank into the music, their eyes growing ever more dreamy and entranced.
The piece reached its end as Lady Su's fingertip plucked the final lingering note.
The sound seemed to possess the power to pierce the heart, its echoes lingering among the rafters without fading.
At that moment, the center of the Golden Kylin Gathering held only that cool yet enchanting woman in moon-white gauze.
And the peerless music flowing beneath her fingers, capable of holding ten thousand people breathless and intoxicating their souls.
"Bravo!"
No one knew who first shouted that word.
Only then did the audience seem to wake from a dream, breaking into cheers and applause.
"Lady Su's skill truly is extraordinary. Such music belongs only in heaven!"
"To hear Lady Su play a single piece has made today's visit worthwhile."
In an instant, cheers and applause drowned the venue.
Even Princess Yaoyin, who had forgotten to leave the pavilion where Gu Chenfeng sat after being drawn in by the music.
Could not help clapping vigorously, her eyes filled with wonder and admiration, looking every bit a devoted young fan.
"What beautiful music! Lady Su truly is a celestial being.
"I can't imagine what kind of man could ever deserve a woman like her!"
Beside her, Shangguan Bingxin's expression grew stranger still.
Meanwhile, once the piece had ended.
Lady Su, who had conquered the audience with her peerless beauty and exquisite music, inclined herself toward the crowd.
Then she stepped down from the stage and headed straight toward a pavilion on the western side of the venue.
Seeing this, the crowd immediately began to murmur.
"That pavilion seems to be... where Third Young Master Gu is."
"I heard Third Young Master Gu became Lady Su's intimate guest. Their relationship is anything but ordinary. The rumors really were true."
"Anything but ordinary? I heard that lately, Third Young Master Gu has been going to the Thousand Beauties Pavilion every day and leaving with a hand against the wall for support.
"They must have developed feelings after all that time together!"
As Lady Su entered that pavilion, gossip and wistful sighs filled the gathering.
Yet inside the pavilion, the atmosphere was stranger still.
Princess Yaoyin, who had been won over by Lady Su's grace and musical skill.
Watched Lady Su walk toward her.
At first, she had been eager to make her acquaintance.
Until Lady Su stepped gracefully into the pavilion, her lovely eyes shifting toward Gu Chenfeng inside.
"Third Brother."
That address held a little surprise, a little shyness, and a sweetness of intimate affection.
Gu Chenfeng jolted, feeling a tingling sweep through his entire body until he went numb.
Before he could react, a delicate fragrance drifted beneath his nose. Su Wanyue had already approached and sat beside him.
"Third Brother, how did you know I would be performing at the Golden Kylin Gathering today?
"You slipped over here without even telling me."
Gu Chenfeng secretly drew a deep breath.
What was this woman playing at?
From the moment she entered the pavilion, every word and gesture suggested their relationship went far beyond friendship.
Even if they had agreed to put on an act in public, surely it did not need to be this intimate.
Soon, as Su Wanyue looked at him, Gu Chenfeng caught something.
When her gaze flicked from the corners of her eyes toward the other two beauties in the pavilion.
A trace of sharpness flashed inadvertently through her eyes.
He understood at once.
This woman was staking her claim.
As it turned out, Su Wanyue had also been surprised to see Gu Chenfeng from the stage.
Especially when she spotted Shangguan Bingxin and Princess Yaoyin in the pavilion, two vivid, breathtaking beauties.
She had immediately grown wary.
She was currently planning to conquer Gu Chenfeng's heart and make him fall for her completely.
Only then could she recover her Lifebound Gu and, along the way, bring Gu Chenfeng under her control for her own use.
The sudden appearance of two outstanding women had given her a sense of crisis.
So, once her performance ended, she hurried over to stake her claim.
By now, Shangguan Bingxin had also noticed the unusual atmosphere in the pavilion.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, she gave Su Wanyue a slight nod, then tugged at Princess Yaoyin's sleeve.
"Princess, let's go. Didn't you have something to tell me?"
Yet when she tugged, she found she could not move the princess.
She looked at Princess Yaoyin in surprise, only to see her gaze flicker a few times before she suddenly spoke.
"Actually, it wasn't anything important. We can talk about it next time.
"There are too many people at the Golden Kylin Gathering. I've always preferred peace and quiet.
"There happen to be fewer people in this pavilion, so let's stay here."
Without waiting for Shangguan Bingxin to say anything more, Princess Yaoyin pulled her back into her seat.
Whether intentionally or not.
Princess Yaoyin pushed Shangguan Bingxin into the seat on Gu Chenfeng's other side.
Then she sat down close beside Shangguan Bingxin.
And just like that, Gu Chenfeng found himself surrounded by three delicate, ravishing beauties.
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