Well, Isn't This a Coincidence?

After the meeting at Azure Dragon Hall broke up and Ye Jingtang left, Pei Xiangjun took her maid Xiuhe to her elder sister-in-law Zhang Yulian's quarters and recounted what had happened.

"Jingtang may be young, but he truly has the bearing of a leader. None of the eight Incense Masters look down on him anymore. Once he makes a name for himself in the martial world, the internal troubles of the Red Flower House will settle down..."

Dressed in a pale yellow ruqun, Pei Xiangjun sat sideways on a carved, cushioned couch, embroidering a picture of Niao Niao playing in the water as she softly praised Ye Jingtang's performance.

Madam Zhang sat opposite her. Her expression eased somewhat at this, but she showed little joy. Instead, a faint trace of worry lingered on her face.

"However well Jingtang performs, he's only Second Uncle's adopted son. He has no blood ties to the Pei Family, nor has he received so much as a scrap of kindness from us. If he shoulders the burden for the Pei Family, it's out of loyalty. If he chooses not to, that's his freedom, too. The Pei Family has no right to complain."

"Don't worry, Sister-in-law. I know what sort of man Jingtang is."

Madam Zhang had, after all, been the sect leader's wife for many years, and she truly had more experience than Pei Xiangjun. She sighed softly.

"Third Madam, there are still some things I need to say. People's hearts can change. Judging by what Jingtang showed today, once his wings grow strong, you certainly won't be able to rein him in. Such a vast family enterprise can't depend on the word 'trust' alone. You need to find a way to keep his heart here."

"Jingtang has a strong chivalrous spirit. His strength is that he cares little for fame or fortune, but that's his weakness, too. If he wants to help the Pei Family, he'll do his utmost without my asking. If he doesn't, what could I possibly do to make him stay?"

Helplessness flashed in Madam Zhang's eyes. Seeing that there were no outsiders present, she leaned closer.

"What men desire comes down to power, money, fame, and women. Jingtang isn't greedy for wealth, and he doesn't need the Pei Family to give him power or fame. That leaves only the last one..."

Pei Xiangjun's needle paused over Niao Niao's embroidered figure, and she raised her eyes.

"You mean a honey trap? Jingtang is better-looking than ninety-nine out of a hundred women. I don't think there are many women in this world who could tie him down."

Madam Zhang glanced over Pei Xiangjun's figure.

"An ordinary woman naturally couldn't, but since when were you ordinary? You're the female leader of the Red Flower House, and you're beautiful in a thousand enchanting ways. As they say in the martial world, 'A thousand taels of loyalty can't match four ounces on a woman's chest.' You've got at least two pounds there, haven't you? And you couldn't tie down one young man?"

?!

Pei Xiangjun stared in astonishment, drawing her bulging neckline closer together, a touch of embarrassed irritation showing on her face.

"Sister-in-law!" What nonsense are you talking about? You and I belong to the same generation. Jingtang calls me Martial Aunt!"

"What martial aunt?"

Madam Zhang spoke earnestly. "You're a disciple of the Pei Family, and Jingtang is the Pei Family's adopted son. Your relationship is so distant that eight bamboo poles laid end to end couldn't connect you. Who would object if you married? Jingtang is a fine-looking young man, and his talent seems exceptional, too. You're in the pavilion closest to the water, yet you won't reach for the moon. You're simply handing such a fine young man to someone else. Isn't that your loss? If I had a daughter, I'd betroth her to Jingtang right now..."

"Sister-in-law, don't go tying the wrong lovers together. If your clever scheme backfires, it'll be humiliating."

"I'm not joking. If you can't bring yourself to do it, then find someone in the Red Flower House. We have countless disciples, and no shortage of pretty women. You must at least choose one to send to Jingtang's side to warm his bed and fold his quilts. Unless you become family, how can you ensure his heart stays with the Red Flower House?"

Xiuhe, who was brewing tea nearby and listening in, subtly puffed out her chest. She even "accidentally" knocked a teacup to make a noise. All that was missing was a couple of coughs.

Pei Xiangjun ignored the lovestruck Xiuhe, but she knew her sister-in-law had a point. After a moment's hesitation, she sighed.

"I'll sound Jingtang out first and see whether he's interested in starting a family."

Madam Zhang felt that Pei Xiangjun was simply too thin-skinned and embarrassed to take a younger man for a ride.

"If a lad of eighteen or nineteen isn't thinking about girls, there must be something seriously wrong with him. Young men like him aren't old hands who've seen every romantic trick in the book. They're the easiest to handle. Just 'please' him a little, and he'll treat you like his precious darling and obey your every word..."

"Eww!"

Pei Xiangjun flicked her flowing sleeve, cutting off her sister-in-law's shameless talk. Seeing that it was still early, she rose to take her leave.

"I'll go sound him out. Don't start playing matchmaker behind my back."

Madam Zhang shook her head and resumed her embroidery.

"You just can't swallow your pride and pursue a man. When you regret it one day, don't blame me for not giving you advice."

"I know. Honestly, you..."

Rumble, rumble...

A short while later, a luxurious carriage bearing a wooden plaque inscribed with "Pei" rolled over the worn roadway of Dyeing Street.

The carriage curtain lifted, and Xiuhe's fresh, pretty face poked out as she looked up and down the street.

"Why does Young Master Ye live in such a shabby place? I've been in the Capital City for years, and I've never even come here."

"Jingtang is frugal by nature. He had little money when he first arrived in the capital, so he settled here."

Pei Xiangjun sat inside the carriage, having taken a little extra care with her appearance. She wore a splendid pale yellow spring dress with a shawl draped over her shoulders and a light touch of rouge. She looked refined and alluring, like the fully blossomed eldest daughter who managed a wealthy household.

Although Pei Xiangjun had no intention of grazing on tender young grass, her sister-in-law was right: there was no real relationship between her and Jingtang. He was unmarried, and so was she, while neither his looks nor his character had the slightest flaw. Having no such intentions was one thing, but she shouldn't deliberately resist the possibility, either. It was best to let everything take its natural course.

She had come to sound Jingtang out, yet for some reason, Pei Xiangjun had the odd feeling that she was offering herself for his bed.

Just as Pei Xiangjun was pondering how to broach the subject, her ears twitched. She suddenly heard strange sounds coming from deep within an alley.

Swish, swish-

The sound of a sword thrusting straight ahead was accompanied by a man and woman's voices.

"Wait, heroine! Don't, don't, don't..."

"Go on, keep running! Let's see how long you can keep it up!..."

?!

Pei Xiangjun's eyes narrowed slightly, and she instantly snapped to attention.

She hadn't spent much time with Jingtang, but she had some understanding of his character. The last time she had come to his door in disguise to attack him, he had remained calm in the face of danger despite having no chance of winning. What sort of formidable enemy could have frightened him to this extent?

Whoosh-

In the space of a single thought, the carriage curtain stirred, and Pei Xiangjun vanished from her seat inside.

In just two bounds, Pei Xiangjun swept over the deserted houses and landed in a courtyard that had been completely transformed since her last visit.

Tap-

Her feet landed steadily, and Pei Xiangjun saw two people standing in the main room!

Jingtang stood to the right of the table, looking flustered. His hand was still raised in a gesture meant to stop someone, and he stared at her in astonishment!

Across the table stood a young married woman with a willow-slender waist, peach-blossom eyes, and willow-leaf brows. Her face was as cold as an iceberg, her beauty utterly flawless. She even possessed an ethereal grace untouched by the mortal world. Even Pei Xiangjun, herself a stunning beauty, felt a flicker of amazement at the sight.

But this woman clearly hadn't come with good intentions!

Anger still lingered in the woman's eyes. In her right hand, she held a three-foot blade pointed at Ye Jingtang. Numerous sword marks scarred the floor and walls.

Pei Xiangjun's expression chilled, and she immediately moved to rush inside and subdue this outrageously brazen female intruder!

But just as she moved, she noticed the lavish meal on the table, along with Niao Niao crouching there watching the show...

There were two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table, as well as some half-finished wine...

On closer inspection, the sword-wielding woman's face was flushed, and she wasn't even wearing shoes...

No matter how she looked at it, this seemed like lovers flirting and bickering!

??

Pei Xiangjun froze in place. The composure that came with her high position kept her from losing her poise, but her face still flushed as she asked:

"Jingtang! You... who is this lady?"