The female corpse

Xu Qi'an didn't receive a reply from Wei Yuan, but instead encountered the Golden Gongs. One after another, powerful figures appeared on the seventh floor, two of whom were old acquaintances.

Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai.

"Duke Wei, are you alright?"

A burly, imposing man, holding a purple-gold hammer, scanned his surroundings with large, bell-like eyes, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"We, your humble servants, failed in our duty and did not detect the invasion of foreign enemies. Please forgive us, Duke Wei."

As Zhang Kaitai spoke, he spread his mental energy to sense potential dangers and enemies.

Gradually, the experienced Golden Gongs sensed something was wrong. First, based on the foundation they had built in the Spirit Refining Realm, their spiritual senses would give feedback if there was any danger in their surroundings.

But there wasn't any at all.

The entire Haoqi Tower was calm and peaceful, but the officials inside were in a state of panic.

Secondly, if it were a powerful enemy invading, and they were able to keep it from being detected, then Duke Wei would definitely not be safe and sound now.

Could it be true, as the legends say, that a hidden master protects Duke Wei from the shadows?

This guess arose in the minds of all the Golden Gongs. No one had connected it to Xu Qi'an. It was simple: the strength of his Primordial Spirit in that roar might not seem like much to the Golden Gongs, but the sheer power of it was truly astonishing.

It's definitely not something a newcomer to the Spirit Refining Realm could unleash.

Just then, they heard Nangong Qianrou ask Xu Qi'an, "Were you the one playing tricks just now?"

Nangong Qianrou knew that Xu Qi'an was no ordinary Spirit Refining Realm.

What the hell? I'm not Ning Caichen! Xu Qi'an looked at Wei Yuan, and seeing him nod, he readily admitted, "It was me. Just now, Duke Wei wanted to test the strength of my Primordial Spirit, so I just shouted something."

A brief silence fell over the tea room.

The men with golden gongs stared at him silently, their faces devoid of expression.

After a long while, Zhang Kaitai tentatively asked, "Xu Ningyan, you advanced to the Refining Spirit Refining Realm in Yunzhou, right?"

As early as when Jiang Luzhong's secret letter was sent back to the capital, they learned that Xu Qi'an had advanced to the Spirit Refining Realm. At that time, Duke Wei was in a very good mood when he talked about this.

However, even so, he had only been in the Refining Spirit Refining Realm for a little over half a month, and the intense and pure fluctuations of his Primordial Spirit just now should not be what Spirit Refining Realm martial artist at this stage should have.

This talent is truly astonishing.

Thinking of this, the men looked at Xu Qi'an as if they were examining a strange object.

"I suddenly understand why Jiang Luzhong and Yang Yan fought so fiercely for him," a member of the Golden Gong muttered.

Suddenly I realized!

The gong players' gazes grew even more intense.

"Don't misunderstand," Xu Qi'an waved his hand, "I only advanced to the Spirit Refining Realm at the very last moment before I died."

The men with golden gongs examined him again, and after a brief silence, they said in unison, "Duke Wei."

Wei Yuan shook his head. "Xu Qi'an is still under Yang Yan's command. If any of you want him, go find Yang Yan yourself."

It's a deal!

Except for Nangong Qianrou, the six golden gong players sang in unison once again.

I don't care who I join, but isn't Yang Jinluo completely innocent? Xu Qi'an prayed that Yang Yan would return to Beijing later, at least until the hype died down.

Imagine Yang Jinluo, who had been working hard to quell rebellions and suppress bandits, returning to Beijing after a long journey, only to be greeted not with cheers, but with the fists of his colleagues, and then, after learning of this, with Jiang Luzhong's betrayal.

Zhang Kaitai walked to the lookout tower, looked out, and said helplessly, "The Nightwatchers and guards are all gathered downstairs."

Wei Yuan said, "Disperse. This is something you all know, but don't spread it outside."

"Yes!"

After the guards and Nightwatchers outside dispersed, Xu Qi'an leisurely drank another cup of tea before taking his leave of Haoqi Tower and returning to Chunfeng Hall.

Aunt and Xu Lingyue sat at the table waiting, while Xu Lingyin curled up asleep in her mother's arms.

"Big brother, where have you been?" Xu Lingyue greeted him, her brows furrowed, her heart still pounding with fear.

"Why was there thunder just now? Mother and Lingyin were both frightened."

Xu Lingyue is a scheming and somewhat cunning younger sister. She was just scared and turned pale, but she had to maintain a perfect image in front of her older brother.

He cleverly used his sister and mother.

"A bolt from the blue, huh? It happens all the time." Xu Qi'an pulled out a hundred-tael silver note from his pocket and said, "The matter has been resolved. This is the compensation from the Zhao family. You don't need to worry about it anymore."

The aunt stared at the banknotes in disbelief. "For me?"

Xu Qi'an nodded vigorously. "Auntie has worked hard for the family, this is what she deserves. It's a pity it's only one hundred taels, after all, the person behind her has considerable backing."

His aunt took the silver note, looked at him, somewhat moved, and said softly, "Ningyan, actually, I just like to complain. Don't take some of what I say to heart."

"We're all family," Xu Qi'an said sincerely.

"Oh, right, I have something to do tonight, I won't be going home."

"What's wrong?" Auntie put away the silver notes and said, "You haven't had a single day of rest at home since you came back from Yunzhou. What's the matter?"

Xu Qi'an said, "Let's discuss a big deal: investing in two mountains, developing a valley, and investing countless amounts of gold."

"Brother, you're talking nonsense. You didn't return home last night, so surely you're not out socializing with colleagues again tonight?" Xu Lingyue asked suspiciously, relying on her woman's intuition.

"Imperial Academy of Music."

"Go away, go away!" Her aunt spat at her, "Your older brother isn't that kind of person. Erlang is a scoundrel, but your older brother wouldn't be one."

"That brother swore to me that he had never been to the Imperial Academy of Music." Xu Lingyue pursed her lips, her eyes sparkling with stubbornness.

No, you're just a younger sister, what right do you have to question me...? Xu Qi'an's face was serious as he swore:

"I, Xu Qi'an, have never spent any money at the Imperial Academy of Music)."

Xu Lingyue smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling.

"Lingyue, you can question Erlang like that when you get home," Xu Qi'an urged, feeling resentful. "I believe Erlang, like me, is an upright gentleman."

"Of course Erlang wouldn't go to the Imperial Academy of Music." The aunt was full of confidence, thinking to herself that when Xu Pingzhi came home that night, she would question him in the same way and see if he dared to swear an oath.

After seeing his aunt and sisters off, Xu Qi'an planned to return to Qingyun Hall to retrieve the gold medal, but unexpectedly, it was returned to him.

"Lord Xu, Chief Constable Lü Qing of the Prefectural Government requests an audience," a clerk from Chunfeng Hall announced as he entered.

"Please invite her into the hall." Xu Qi'an turned and went back into Chun Ge's office.

Before long, he heard hurried footsteps behind his desk, as if chasing after something. Then, the lithe female constable stepped across the threshold and entered the hall.

Upon seeing Xu Qi'an, Lü Qing, whose delicate face was filled with surprise and excitement, was suddenly stunned and stared at him in confusion.

Xu Qi'an was also observing his long-lost friend. Her eyes were bright and clear, she had wheat-colored skin, a high nose, big eyes, and rosy lips. Her cultivation seemed to have advanced further.

His official airs were even stronger than before.

"Officer Lü, it's been a long time. How have you been?" Xu Qi'an greeted him with a smile as he rose to his feet.

"Lord Xu?" Constable Lü stared intently at Xu Qi'an.

"I took the Rebirth Pill in Yunzhou, which is how I escaped death, but my appearance has changed," Xu Qi'an explained.

Lu Qing nodded, forced a smile, took out the gold token from his pocket, and said, "The constables from the government office told me about the private school. I took it upon myself to let Constable Zhu go back and personally return the gold token to Lord Xu. I also came to visit him."

"I'm sure Lord Xu will grant me this small favor."

As she spoke, Lü Qing's delicate eyes were fixed on Xu Qi'an. If he showed any displeasure, she would quickly apologize, return the gold medal, and leave.

"The gold medal isn't important," Xu Qi'an tossed the medal onto the table and laughed, "Long time no see, how about we have a drink together tonight?"

Lü Qing shook her head and declined, "Lord Xu, I am, after all, a woman."

"If you were a man, what I just said would have been: let's go to the Imperial Academy of Music for drinks, "Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

The two drank tea and chatted, losing track of time until the sound of the dismissal gong signaled the end of the shift. Lu Qing, suddenly snapping out of his reverie at Xu Qi'an's "handsome looks," rose and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Then this young lady will take her leave."

Xu Qi'an escorted her to the entrance of the yamen, and as he gazed at the slender figure of the female constable, he couldn't help but stroke his chin.

"It seems like Lü Qing has a bit of a thing for me? Song Tingfeng said she's never married, which is considered an older single woman in this era, but to me, women under thirty are truly at their peak."

"Forget it, Lü Qing is a respectable woman, different from the girls in the Imperial Academy of Music. The world of respectable women isn't one you can just enter and leave as you please; you have to keep going in and out."

Xu Qi'an definitely couldn't do that.

In the setting sun, Xu Qi'an rode his horse slowly along the wide ancient streets and entered the Imperial Academy of Music).

Fuxiang fell ill with a cold and lay in bed, feeling dizzy and pale.

She was pleasantly surprised to see Xu Qi'an coming and forced herself to get up.

This made Xu Baipiao feel very guilty. He held Fuxiang's shoulder and blamed himself, saying, "It's my fault. I've made the beauty suffer."

Fuxiang's beautiful eyes were half-open, half-closed, and she said softly, "The girls in the courtyard are for you, Master Xu, to choose from. They can serve you in my place."

In the bedroom, the eyes of the three pretty maids lit up instantly.

Xu Qi'an shook his head, refusing seriously. "My wife is suffering from a cold, how can I be in the mood for pleasure? I will help you by replenishing your vital energy."

After saying that, he grasped Fuxiang's wrist and channeled a stream of energy into her.

Qi can unblock the meridians, activate the body's vitality, nourish the internal organs, and greatly enhance one's resistance. Minor colds are no match for it.

"Cough, cough, cough!" Fuxiang coughed violently, her pretty face turning red.

Fifteen minutes later, her complexion indeed improved significantly.

"My love, I'm much better." Fuxiang's eyes sparkled as she gazed at him with tender affection.

The three maids also showed delight.

The lady's condition didn't improve after taking the medicine, but as soon as Young Master Xu arrived, her complexion immediately improved. It felt so good to have a man to rely on.

"Get some rest, I'll come see you again tomorrow." Xu Qi'an pinched her cheek and left Yingmei Pavilion.

After confirming he had left, Fuxiang opened her eyes and said softly, "You can all leave now. There's no need for anyone to stay in the room."

The three maids responded and left.

The bedroom door slowly closed, Fuxiang's complexion, which had just improved, quickly deteriorated.

A soft sigh echoed in the bedroom.

Xu Qi'an turned and went to Qingchi Courtyard, where another courtesan, Ming Yan, lived.

Mingyan, the courtesan, was petite and delicate, a typical southern girl. After their last meeting, the two had a heart-to-heart talk.

Mingyan was born in the Jiangnan region. In her youth, she followed her father, who was promoted, to the capital. What she thought was the beginning of a bright future turned out to be a disastrous end.

The following year, her father was purged for choosing the wrong side and exiled three thousand miles away, never to be heard from again. Mingyan was also sent to the Imperial Academy of Music).

"Lord Xu!"

Upon hearing from the gatekeeper that Xu Qi'an had arrived, the courtesan, dressed in a light blue, elaborate long dress, adorned with precious headdresses, and dressed in a flamboyant and captivating manner, came to greet him with great joy.

Upon seeing Xu Qi'an, her smile turned into astonishment, and she almost thought she had mistaken him for someone else.

"A day apart feels like three autumns." Xu Qi'an smiled and nodded. "We can talk about the drastic change in appearance later. It feels like three lifetimes have passed since I last saw Mingyan. Ah, so our love is destined for three lifetimes."

"You speak so sweetly." Mingyan, the courtesan, was so surprised that her eyes welled up with tears, her smile growing even sweeter and more tender.

Sigh, I'm getting better and better at using these irresponsible sweet words. Xu Qi'an felt a pang of shame.

However, places like the Imperial Academy of Music type of entertainment venue) are only for seasoned veterans to thrive; there's no room for straight men.

Mingyan, the courtesan, led Xu Qi'an to a seat and asked in a sweet voice, "Why didn't Young Master Xu stay overnight at Yingmei Pavilion?"

As he spoke, he picked up the wine pot in one hand and gathered his sleeves with the other, pouring Xu Qi'an a cup of wine.

"Because I miss Lady Mingyan," Xu Qi'an replied sincerely.

Mingyan, the courtesan, turned her head happily and instructed her maid, "Close the courtyard gate; there will be no tea party tonight."

She nestled into Xu Qi'an's arms, raised her bright and delicate face, and gazed at Xu Qi'an with adoration. After more than a month apart, Xu Qi'an's appearance had changed dramatically.

If she valued his talent before, now the courtesan Mingyan is somewhat lusting after his body.

Xu Qi'an briefly recounted what had happened in Yunzhou, speaking eloquently:

At that time, eight thousand rebel troops besieged the Yunzhou Provincial Administration Office. There were people everywhere, and the governor was trapped inside the hall, his life hanging by a thread.

"Left with no other choice, I had to stand alone with my sword before the eight thousand rebels. I would kill one if they came, and two if they came. Who else could stand against me? I think it was only me, Xu Qi'an."

"I chopped away for a full half hour without blinking. I finally held out until reinforcements arrived."

As they talked, they moved from the living room to the bedroom, then to the bathtub, and finally rolled onto the bed.

"Young Master Xu, didn't we agree that I would perform a dance for you?" Mingyan pouted, acting coquettishly in displeasure.

"Let's have a Latin dance then."

In Qingchi Courtyard, the bed of Mingyan, the courtesan, rocked until the wee hours of the morning.

The next day, a spirited Xu Qi'an left Qingchi Courtyard and rode his horse to the palace.

From afar, he saw the young eunuch supervising him pacing anxiously back and forth not far from the palace gate.

"Oh, young master, you're being unusually polite today."

Xu Qi'an sat on horseback, joking with a smile.

"Lord Xu, you've finally arrived." The young eunuch hurried up, saying as he walked, "Something's happened! Something's happened! Last night, someone pulled a woman's corpse out of the well!"