Sanniang, you...

Meanwhile, after giving Ye Jingtang a few days off, Pei Xiangjun began making arrangements for him to "return to his ancestral shrine."

The Red Flower House was a vast organization, with branches scattered across Southern Heaven and the northern lands. It had originally formed as an alliance of several boat gangs, with the Pei Family acting as their spokesperson. After it evolved into the Red Flower House, the branch belonging to the Pei Family became known as the Azure Dragon Hall.

Capital City was the hub of all trade in Great Wei, and the Red Flower House could not leave it without someone in charge. Thus, when the dynasty was founded, the Pei Family had taken the opportunity to move the Azure Dragon Hall there.

But as a martial-world family rooted beneath the emperor's feet, the Pei Family dared not parade its martial-world identity through the streets. It had always concealed itself among ordinary people, directing affairs from the shadows.

At noon, three incense masters who had traveled from afar sat at the table in the reception hall of the Pei Family residence: two men and one woman.

The men were two elders named Li Sanwen and Wang Ren. The woman was Madam Yellow Candle. All three were incense masters of the Azure Dragon Hall.

Pei Xiangjun and her eldest aunt, Madam Zhang, sat beneath the central hall's wall display, listening to Madam Yellow Candle's complaints.

"The Zhou Family coming to the wharf to steal our business is one thing, but even a second-rate outfit like the Embrace Origin Gate wants a slice of the pie. If I weren't keeping the bigger picture in mind, I'd go straight to Embrace Origin Mountain myself and talk some sense into them..."

Incense Master Li Sanwen was the oldest among them, currently the Azure Dragon Hall's most senior "uncle." Even Pei Xiangjun had to address him respectfully as an elder. Holding his teacup, he shook his head.

"Li Hunyuan's Embrace Origin Force has reached a divine level of mastery. He's a Grandmaster of some renown throughout Yunzhou. You're just a little incense master. What makes you think you can talk sense into him?"

On the surface, he seemed to be saying Madam Yellow Candle did not know the height of heaven or the depth of earth. What he really meant, however, was that he was dissatisfied with Pei Xiangjun's inability to keep the martial world in line.

Madam Yellow Candle shot back, "My business is being stolen, and I'm not even allowed to say anything? You're one of the family's elders. You should be the one stepping forward over something like this. It's bad enough that you won't, but you're sitting here making snide remarks..."

Bang!

Li Sanwen slapped the table.

Pei Xiangjun raised a hand to stop their argument.

"Enough. I called you here this time to introduce someone. Yuanfeng left behind an adopted son named Ye Jingtang. He arrived in Capital City a few days ago. He's a good young man..."

"How old is Ye Jingtang?"

"Eighteen. A little young..."

Li Sanwen had a blunt temper and spoke without mincing words.

"At eighteen, he won't even have laid a solid foundation. What can he do? House Master, you've made such a fuss and summoned all the incense masters back from elsewhere. Surely you aren't planning to throw down your burden and find any random member of the Pei Family to take your place? If that's the case, you might as well make Pei Luo the house master..."

Madam Zhang said unhappily, "Luo'er isn't part of the martial world. He shouldn't even know about its affairs. Besides, with his idle, pleasure-seeking ways, what would happen if he found out the family had so much money? Tomorrow he'd buy the White Horse Academy and make himself its teacher..."

Knowing the incense masters did not trust young people, Pei Xiangjun spoke again.

"Jingtang may be young, but he handles himself and his affairs with sound judgment. His martial skills aren't exceptionally high, but he certainly qualifies as a first-rate expert. You'll understand the details once you meet him. You won't be disappointed."

At those words, the three incense masters' expressions grew serious.

In the martial-world tales circulating through the streets, people started with Grandmasters and the Eight Great Beauties; first- and second-rate experts barely seemed worth mentioning. But reality was nothing like that.

Despite the Red Flower House's immense size, only three of its members were honored by outsiders as Grandmasters. Even men as powerful as She Long and Shang Jianli were considered "disgraces to Grandmasters." One could imagine how high the threshold for a first-rate expert was.

Wang Ren's eyes held a hint of doubt, but since he had not met the young man, he could hardly argue. He nodded.

"Since the house master thinks so highly of him, bring him over for us to meet once all the incense masters arrive. If he truly is as you say, it will be a blessing for our Azure Dragon Hall, and even for the Red Flower House as a whole."

Li Sanwen considered this. "House Master, have you summoned us all because you intend to name Ye Jingtang the young master directly?"

"That is indeed my intention."

"How could that possibly do? The Red Flower House is beset by troubles within and threats without. The White Tiger Hall has its eyes on the helm. If you appoint a young master who cannot win everyone's allegiance..."

Pei Xiangjun said solemnly, "If I've made this decision, then I have confidence in it. Once you've met Jingtang, you won't think I'm being hasty."

Seeing that Pei Xiangjun had made up her mind, Li Sanwen said displeasedly,

"Very well. I'd like to see what sort of young man could make the house master this determined. If I happen to give the junior a hard time, I ask your forgiveness in advance."

Winning the allegiance of one's subordinates required more than praise from the person in charge. It had to be earned through one's own abilities, so Pei Xiangjun said no more.

After they chatted for a while, Wang Ren brought up another difficulty.

"The last time we went to the Zhou Family, we only met a steward. We didn't even get to see an elder from their second branch. They truly showed us no consideration. Business at Clear River Wharf is flowing downhill by the day. If we don't reach an agreement with the Zhou Family and draw clear boundaries..."

"The Zhou Family's old master will soon celebrate his birthday. I'll visit to offer my congratulations and discuss this matter while I'm there. They may refuse to give you face, but if I go in person, they'll have to weigh things carefully."

The three incense masters clearly disagreed. After all, among the martial world's great houses, when had a leader ever personally visited another family to negotiate some minor business?

Seeing the atmosphere grow oppressive, Madam Yellow Candle spoke to smooth things over.

"Old Master Zhou is a renowned swordsmith. He's forged no fewer than a thousand weapons for others in his lifetime. For his eightieth birthday, the distinguished figures of Zezhou's martial world will all visit to offer their congratulations. I've heard even the wife of the Sky-Pacifying Sect's leader will attend. It wouldn't cost the house master any face to go..."

Pei Xiangjun did not want to dwell on troubling matters either, so she changed the subject.

"I've never met the Moon Palace Goddess. I hear she was once the greatest beauty in the martial world..."

Madam Zhang smiled. "Your disadvantage is that, as the person at the Red Flower House's helm, you can't show your face publicly. If you dressed up prettily and visited, then sat beside the Moon Palace Goddess, I'm afraid the title of the martial world's greatest beauty would belong to our Red Flower House from then on."

"Ah..." Pei Xiangjun shook her head. "If the person steering the Red Flower House became famous for her looks, I'm afraid people would take us even less seriously..."

Early the next morning.

The sky had cleared after the rain, and the townspeople emerged from their homes one after another. Crowds thronged the streets around Skywater Bridge, with vendors' cries ringing out incessantly.

With a few days off, Ye Jingtang had spent all his time wandering around with Luo Ning. He was almost "having too much fun to miss his aunt," forgetting all about Third Madam.

Just after he got up that morning, Yang Chao suddenly came running over to say Third Madam wanted to see him. Only then did he remember he still had a job to go to.

Although he had only been there a few days, nothing he had done had been trivial. Almost everyone around Skywater Bridge knew him now, and he heard greetings from the shops along the way.

"Young Master Ye."

"The Young House Master is here..."

After returning their greetings, Ye Jingtang arrived outside the Pei Family residence deep within the alley.

Third Madam wore a goose-yellow, waist-high ruqun and stood at the entrance with her maid, Xiuhe, gazing into the distance. Gentle and demure, she looked like a modest young woman waiting for her beloved to return.

"Third Madam, why are you waiting outside again?"

"Chirp chirp!"

After enduring the incense masters' nagging for ages yesterday, Pei Xiangjun had been left with a little resentment. She caught Niao Niao as the bird flew over and knitted her brows, looking like a young wife who had suffered a grievance.

"I gave you a few days off because I wanted you to see the Pei Family as your own family. And look what happened. Unless there's business, you never show your face. Even your bird won't fly home. You really do treat us like outsiders. Ah..."

"Chirp."

Niao Niao also looked aggrieved, proclaiming innocence.

A little ashamed, Ye Jingtang entered with Pei Xiangjun and explained,

"I received Prince Jing's token. Since I had nothing to do these past two days, I went to the Black Bureau to get acquainted and build some connections. I helped them with a few assignments."

"You really are capable, catching even Wingless Owl. Looks like I'll have to raise your wages. Otherwise, any case you take on will earn you more than half a year's work for the Pei Family, and you'll come home even less."

"Working cases means licking blood off a blade. It's dangerous. How could it compare to the security of working here with you, Third Madam? There's no need to raise my wages. Even with what I'm earning now, I feel like I'm living off a wom... eating for free..."

As they chatted, the three turned down a corridor and went straight through the hanging-flower gate.

Beyond the gate lay the rear residence. Since Young Master Pei Luo was away, its occupants were the eldest aunt, Pei Luo's concubine mother, the maids, and others-all women.

As a man, Ye Jingtang felt it was inappropriate to enter, so he asked,

"Third Madam, did you call me here for something?"

Stroking Niao Niao, Pei Xiangjun said unhappily,

"Can't I invite you over for a visit if there's nothing to do?"

"..."

Unable to argue, Ye Jingtang could only keep his gaze straight ahead as they passed the lotus pond beside the koi pool and arrived at the main courtyard occupied by the eldest branch.

Ye Jingtang had assumed Third Madam would take him to sit in the tea pavilion, but as they walked, he realized they were heading the wrong way. With light, graceful steps, Third Madam arrived outside her bedroom and instructed,

"Xiuhe, go take a rest."

Xiuhe, who had been following them, hurried away.

"..."

Ye Jingtang surveyed the empty courtyard and the alluring, mature figure swaying gracefully before him. Quite naturally, his thoughts wandered astray. He hesitated.

"Third Madam, you..."

"Come in."

Creak-

The door opened. Third Madam entered the elegant bedroom, then turned to glance around, checking whether anyone was watching.

*?*

What was she planning to do?

Watching Third Madam act as though she were preparing for a secret affair, Ye Jingtang felt decidedly strange. He asked,

"This is your private bedroom, Third Madam. Isn't it inappropriate for me to enter?"

Pei Xiangjun withdrew her gaze. She could tell Ye Jingtang's mind had wandered, but offered no explanation.

"Come in. I just want to talk to you about something. No one will see."

Ye Jingtang hesitated, but ultimately entered the bedroom.

Click.

Once Ye Jingtang was inside, Pei Xiangjun tossed Niao Niao out and closed the door, leaving just the two of them alone in her bedroom.

"Chirp?!"

Ye Jingtang looked back, his eyes filled with surprise as he gazed at the charming, lovely Third Madam.

"Uh..."

Pei Xiangjun sat down beside the bed with gentle elegance and patted the spot next to her.

"Jingtang, come sit down."

"Third Madam, what are you..."

"Sit down! Stop letting your imagination run wild!"

*?*

We were already getting onto the bed, and she wanted me to stop imagining things?

Seeing Third Madam's brows draw together in displeasure, Ye Jingtang had no choice but to sit beside her.

"I... Fuck!"

The instant Ye Jingtang sat on the edge of the bed, he felt empty space beneath him. The bedboards collapsed, and he toppled straight backward.

Thud!

In the blink of an eye, the two of them landed in pitch-black underground darkness. The ornate bed closed above them, shutting out every trace of light.

Ye Jingtang had truly not expected this. Still shaken, he looked around.

"Third Madam? What are you doing?"

"What did you think I was going to do?"

"Uh..."

Ye Jingtang had thought Pei Xiangjun was about to do something to him, so he explained,

"I thought you were going to introduce me to the family's businesses, Third Madam. I didn't expect the introduction to happen somewhere like this... Where are we?"

"Hmph."

Fss...

The sound of a fire striker being lit rang out, and its faint glow illuminated their faces.

Pei Xiangjun held the fire striker to an oil lamp beside the stone wall. The lamp lit, then lights spread forward one after another, revealing a door at the far end of the passage.

Pei Xiangjun set aside her soft, delicate air, straightened her clothes a little, and walked down the passage toward the underground doorway.

The stray thoughts Ye Jingtang had just suppressed rose again. After all, a bedroom, a secret passage, and an underground chamber made it very easy to imagine something improper...

"What is this place?"

Creak-

As he spoke, the door opened, revealing a brightly lit hall before them...