"The usual"

The three arrived outside an inn, a seven-story palace-like building with gauze curtains rippling in the wind. Jade qilin stood on either side of the entrance, the bluestone steps gleamed, and the signboard prominently read "Auspicious Crane Pavilion."

Tang Yao swallowed. This place looked expensive.

"Brother Yao, what are you doing? Hurry inside!" Tang Yi'an was already standing at the door.

Wait, weren't they all strapped for cash? How did this brat already have one foot through the door?

Tang Nan seemed to see Tang Yao's concerns and urged, "Yao, when have I ever not treated you? You go away once, and now you're acting like we're strangers!"

So the original owner had been freeloading before?

Tang Yao cleared her throat and stepped into the inn, following the other two. The three casually chose seats near the stage, and a waiter came fawning over. "Oh, Young Master Tang, you're finally back!"

"I hear you even ranked first among the Azure Cloud Sect's new disciples! You've certainly done Heavenly Mist City proud!"

Tang Yi'an was even happier than Tang Yao to hear this, as though he were the one being praised. "Of course! My Brother Yao is bound to become the number one sword cultivator someday!"

Tang Nan nodded. "Well said."

Tang Yao remained silent. So this was the pack of lackeys surrounding a wicked young wastrel...

Nothing but brainless flattery.

"The usual," Tang Nan told the waiter.

The waiter looked troubled, unsure how to begin. "Young Master Nan, it's so early, and there aren't many guests. If we find people to sing and dance now..." He pressed his lips together. "It'll cost a little extra."

Tang Nan nodded, gesturing for the waiter to go ahead.

A short while later, several waiters brought wine and dishes in succession and respectfully poured their wine. At that moment, Tang Yao discovered a fatal problem-

She couldn't drink!

If she took one sip and collapsed unconscious right here, that would be far too... inappropriate, wouldn't it?

Seeing Tang Yao leave her drink untouched, Tang Nan asked in puzzlement, "Have you gotten tired of it? Want something different?"

"Hiss..."

Just then-

Several people in brightly colored clothes slowly took the stage, their long hair cascading down. Some carried pipas, some held zithers, and several were dancers.

At the sight, Tang Yao immediately changed her tune. "I won't drink today. I'll just enjoy the singing and dancing."

Tang Nan smiled knowingly and took a small sip, his gaze turning to the stage as well. Suddenly, he asked meaningfully, "Brother Tang, which one has caught your eye? Every man on that stage is first-rate."

"Come here." Tang Nan casually pointed at a male courtesan, who looked rather pleased to be chosen and walked over.

Tang Yao: ???

Tang Yao's mouth fell slightly open as she stared at Tang Nan in shock. Tang Nan wore an expression that said, I understand you.

Beside them, Tang Yi'an merely sighed and looked away. Clearly, he had long since gotten used to this.

The male courtesan walked straight toward Tang Nan, his figure like a jade tree and his long brows like willow leaves. He bent slightly and asked softly, "Sir, which dance would you like to see?"

Tang Nan: ...?

The two were mere inches apart.

"Wrong person!" Tang Nan's face darkened, and he pointed at Tang Yao beside him. "It's him!!"

Tang Yao's eyes widened. She hurriedly waved her hands and pointed at Tang Yi'an across from her.

"It was him."

Tang Yi'an, who had been watching the show from the sidelines: ?

He immediately panicked and tried to point back! Only then did he realize he couldn't afford to offend either of the two opposite him!

His finger hung in midair for a long moment before he helplessly pointed at himself, wanting to cry but finding no tears. "Yes! It's me."

The male courtesan walked gracefully to Tang Yi'an's side and considerately topped up his wine, his fingers brushing Tang Yi'an's hand "by accident."

Watching this, Tang Yao sighed.

Brother, thank goodness for you!

Tang Nan nudged Tang Yao with his elbow and asked in some puzzlement, "Don't like this one?"

Tang Yao could only nod.

Tang Nan immediately laughed. "See? You're just too embarrassed to say it." Looking as though he understood everything, he continued, "Come on! Pick one yourself this time. I won't choose blindly!"

She finally knew how her reputation as a cut-sleeve had been "carried forward."

Who went to a restaurant and asked for "the usual"-watching male courtesans dance?

Tang Yao looked as though she didn't know how to begin. Seeing this, Tang Nan kept encouraging her.

"Powerful people all have their little peculiarities. It's perfectly fine!"

Tang Yao raised her eyes hesitantly. "Really?"

"Really! Go ahead and pick!"

Tang Yao once again feigned bashfulness, lowering her head with a sigh.

"Brother Nan, can I pick you? Actually, I've always..."

She promptly lifted her head, a deeply affectionate expression appearing on her face as she stared straight at Tang Nan.

Tang Nan sprang up as though he had seen a ghost, staring at Tang Yao in horror.

At his reaction, the corners of Tang Yao's mouth curved upward.

Meanwhile, Tang Yi'an was faring little better across from them, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg. Then a hint of indignation came over him. "Hey, why him?"

Tang Yao: "..."

Tang Nan: "..."

Their expressions were surprisingly alike as they frowned at Tang Yi'an.

"Actually, I've always..." She stood up and punched Tang Nan in the head. "Always wanted to hit you."

"Who told you I liked men? Before, I was simply appreciating them. Are you ever going to stop? I've been putting up with this for ages!"

Even after being punched, Tang Nan still hadn't figured out what had happened.

Tang Yi'an, however, breathed a sigh of relief and gave a little scoff. "That's what I thought. Even if you did, it'd be me, all right!"

"I'm the ultimate king of lackeys." With that, he raised his face proudly.

Everyone: "..."

Then Tang Yao swept her gaze over the few people in the restaurant. "You lot? You all heard that too?!"

The waiters and male courtesans hurriedly nodded, afraid that a moment's delay would earn their heads a devastating blow too. This was no joke-that would be a devastating blow from the Azure Cloud Sect's chief disciple.

Tang Nan came to his senses and rubbed the swelling bump on his head. If he could beat Tang Yao, he really would have hit her back immediately.

When had he ever suffered such grievances in the Tang Household? Today, he could damn well be crowned the king of forbearance! He kept taking deep breaths to calm himself.

"Brother Yao, did that punch knock Brother Nan stupid? Why does he keep getting angry one moment and smiling the next?" Tang Yi'an slipped over to Tang Yao's side and asked quietly.

Tang Yao followed his gaze toward Tang Nan and flexed her wrist, thoroughly satisfied with her handiwork-

First, Tang Nan was wearing a defensive Law Artifact robe, making his head the ideal target for a devastating blow. Second, she had controlled her strength perfectly and hadn't knocked him unconscious. Otherwise, there would be no one to pay the bill.

Tang Yao walked over with a smile. "Brother Nan, we're brothers. I didn't control my strength properly just now. You don't mind, do you?"

"Or would you rather I picked you than have a headache?"

Half the darkness instantly vanished from Tang Nan's face. He forced out a smile. "It shows that your cultivation has improved quite a bit again, Yao."

"As your older cousin, how could I be angry?"