The Strange Message

After paying the fee for the tea party, we entered the courtyard. Inside, seven or eight guests were sitting by a charcoal fire, drinking tea and chatting, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Six dancers dressed in colorful costumes and wearing light gauze skirts danced gracefully, swaying their slender waists and full hips.

Xu Qi'an glanced around but didn't see the courtesan who appeared as a refined lady in public but was actually seductive and alluring in bed.

The tea party wasn't just about drinking games; it also included listening to music and watching dances. And the most beautiful courtesan didn't always appear to accompany the guests.

Similarly, guests also need "free space." While drinking games are fun, they are not conducive to discussing private matters.

Some guests come in groups to drink and socialize. In these situations, a little freedom is needed to let them express themselves.

The three took their seats. Song Tingfeng shrugged, smiled with narrowed eyes, and said, "It seems Miss Fuxiang isn't planning to come out and entertain guests tonight."

Xu Qi'an asked, "Why do you say that?"

Song Tingfeng explained, "The tea gathering time is limited. Generally speaking, a group of guests will stay here for a maximum of one hour, and then either move on to the next table or leave."

A drinking game that's to be enjoyed properly will take about an hour.

In other words, our group won't be playing drinking games, so of course Fuxiang won't be there. "Why do you know so much about the rules of the Imperial Academy of Music? You must have been there quite a few times." Xu Qi'an nodded, indicating he had learned something new.

After a dance, the geisha takes a short break.

A young man dressed in a light blue scholar's robe stood up, raised his cup, and looked around. "Is Young Master Yang Ling here?"

He asked three times in a row, but no one answered, so he sat down in disappointment.

At the next table, a middle-aged man dressed like a wealthy man asked curiously, "Brother, who is this Yang Ling?"

"Sparse shadows slant across the clear, shallow water; a faint fragrance drifts in the twilight." The young man in the light blue scholar's robe slightly raised his chin. "Have you heard of it?"

"I vaguely remember," the middle-aged man, dressed like a wealthy man, recalled after a moment.

"Of course, this poem, once it was written, was hailed by contemporary scholars as the finest poem about plum blossoms throughout the ages. Even you people should have heard of it." The young man in the scholar's robe proudly raised his head. "A masterpiece that only we scholars could compose."

The middle-aged man, dressed like a wealthy man, asked in bewilderment, "Why is that young master looking for someone here?"

As the two talked, the other patrons nearby stopped their conversation and listened intently.

"Because this timeless masterpiece was created in the Shadow Plum Pavilion. This poem was a gift from Young Master Yang Ling to Miss Fuxiang blossoms as a metaphor for her, the two complementing each other perfectly, truly showing his exquisite thoughts."

"No wonder Yingmei Pavilion has been overflowing with patrons lately, no wonder Miss Fuxiang never shows her face."

"Yes, I heard that Miss Fuxiang has stopped entertaining guests so easily."

"Sparse shadows slant across the clear, shallow water; a faint fragrance drifts in the twilight—what a beautiful poem! I really want to meet the Fuxiang maiden, and that talented scholar."

Upon hearing this, the young man in the light blue scholar's robe sighed with regret, "That young master Yang only appeared once at the Imperial Academy of Music (a government-run entertainment district), and then disappeared without a trace. The Imperial Academy sent people to Changle County School to look for him, but they couldn't find him."

"Such a strange thing has happened!" Everyone was shocked.

The young man in the light blue scholar's robe said helplessly, "I come to Yingmei Pavilion every day just to wait for him. It's not just me; all the scholars in the capital want to befriend him."

Song Tingfeng clicked his tongue and said, "That's good. Miss Fuxiang is no longer a woman we can covet."

Zhu Guangxiao also sighed.

"Could this be considered unwittingly inflating AC prices?" Xu Qi'an asked guiltily, lowering his head to drink his tea.

Song Tingfeng looked at his new colleague and said, "It's a pity you're good at solving cases but not at writing poetry. If you could write a timeless masterpiece like Yang Ling, even the beautiful Fuxiang would be willing to pay you to stay."

"Paying out of pocket?!" Xu Qi'an noticed the key point.

"Are the romantic tales circulating about courtesans and impoverished scholars made up out of thin air? Occasionally, a poor scholar might compose a fine poem and give it to a courtesan, which would greatly increase her value. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement, and those scholars who become famous at a young age are the objects of courtesans' eager flattery."

"Don't even mention not wanting money, I'd be willing to pay you out of my own pocket. Layman Ziyang of the Cloud Deer Academy was quite talented in poetry back then. After passing the Imperial Academy of Music with top honors, he lingered in the Jiaofangsi (a type of entertainment venue) for three months without spending a single coin," Song Tingfeng said.

Zhu Guangxiao nodded in approval.

Song Tingfeng noticed that his new colleague was dumbfounded, as if he had been greatly shocked, or as if he had heard exciting news, and his breathing became rapid.

A maidservant who was serving drinks to the guests hurriedly left her seat, stared at Xu Qi'an for a few seconds, revealed a look of wild joy, and then, disregarding the guests, ran out of the room.

Soon after, the courtesan, dressed in her finest attire, appeared. Her long skirt trailed on the ground, and the exquisite jewelry adorning her dark hair complemented her beautiful face.

The dress is the perfect thickness, neither making the wearer look bulky nor failing to accentuate her curvaceous and mature figure, nor giving the impression of being overly provocative.

Her attire was noticeably more refined than when Xu Qi'an first met her. She no longer seemed like a courtesan from Imperial Academy of Music, but rather a socialite of considerable status and renowned beauty.

Fuxiang Niangzi's beautiful eyes swept over the guests, pausing briefly on Xu Qi'an.

"Huh, Fuxiang just looked at me." Song Tingfeng was slightly surprised.

Zhu Guangxiao glanced at him, straightened his back, and said Qi Ingestion, "Watch me."

After bowing to the guests, Fuxiang said in a soft, melodious voice, "This humble servant will perform a dance to enhance the enjoyment of our guests."

The guests were overjoyed, never expecting that the most popular courtesan in the Imperial Academy of Music would make an appearance.

The more perceptive guests thought even deeper: Fuxiang, the courtesan, is known for her mastery of both music and poetry, but not for her dancing. Why then is she dancing today?

"If only someone with that figure could dance a song of pure bliss for me," Xu Qi'an thought to himself as he admired the graceful dance.

After the song ended, Fuxiang drank a cup of wine, her face flushed, and took her leave.

Song Tingfeng laughed and said, "It was worth it."

Zhu Guangxiao nodded.

Song Tingfeng raised his wine cup and gestured to Xu Qi'an, "Miss Fuxiang rarely dances, but she often plays the zither. Since you're new to the Imperial Academy of Music, it's worth the money to see her dance."

Xu Qi'an raised his glass in return. "It would be great if I could stay at her room tonight."

Song Tingfeng burst into laughter.

Zhu Guangxiao shook his head slightly.

Just as Song Tingfeng finished laughing, a maidservant approached and said, "Young Master Yang, my mistress invites you in for tea."

Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao stared blankly at Xu Qi'an, their expressions gradually stiffening.

Xu Qi'an patted him on the shoulder. "Meet me at the courtyard gate at dawn tomorrow."

Clang! The scholar in the light blue Confucian robe suddenly stood up from his desk, his face showing shock and elation. He shouted, "Young Master Yang, you are Yang Ling? You are Yang Ling? Brother Yang, Brother Yang! I am Du Ying!"

Xu Qi'an stopped, bowed to him, and left with the maid.

The patrons in Yangling's room stared wide-eyed, while several scholars in Confucian robes were overjoyed.

Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao exchanged a silent glance. "???"

A warm, spring-like bedroom, a bathtub behind a screen.

Xu Qi'an soaked in the hot water filled with flower petals and let out a comfortable sigh.

Draped in a light veil, Fuxiang, with fair skin and an outstanding figure, knelt beside the bathtub to serve him, her soft little hands kneading his body.

"You've become even more handsome in just a few days." The courtesan admired Xu Qi'an's strong physique, her bright eyes almost unable to look away.

Xu Qi'an used to have handsome features, which was quite good. Today, when they meet again, although his appearance has not changed, he gives people an indescribable temperament.

"As long as you like it, my changes are worthwhile." Xu Qi'an raised an eyebrow.

Fuxiang blushed, a shy yet delighted expression on her face.

She said with a resentful expression, "You're just good at saying nice things to deceive me. Young Master clearly doesn't think much of me."

What man could hold her all night and do nothing?

The courtesan woke up the next day with great doubt about her own charm.

"I was quite tired that day," Xu Qi'an said with a sigh, a statement that sounded like an excuse from a man in his forties or fifties.

He immediately changed the subject and asked, "Are you cold?"

The courtesan nodded immediately, then said aggrievedly, "It's cold~"

Xu Qi'an pulled her into the bathtub.

Thump.

A sudden, unexpected scream.

Fuxiang nestled in Xu Qi'an's arms and said coquettishly, "You're so naughty."

She sat on Xu Qi'an's stomach, hooked her arms around his neck, and chatted casually, asking him for advice on poetry.

Although Xu Qi'an was a fraud, he had a lot of poems memorized, and when he occasionally blurted out a few lines, the courtesan would be so excited that she blushed.

"By the way, have you heard about Vice Minister Zhou's dismissal and exile, Young Master Yang?"

Her seemingly casual remark made Xu Qi'an wary.

"I've heard about it. It seems he was impeached by Marquis Weiwu," Xu Qi'an said.

The courtesan raised her alluring face, gazed at him, and chuckled, "It seems that it's because that Young Master Zhou hasn't given up his wicked intentions and has kidnapped the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Weiwu."

"So beauty is a double-edged sword," Xu Qi'an said, half surprised and half wistful.

As a seasoned criminal investigator, no one could easily extract information from him. However, Fuxiang might have become suspicious.

What a coincidence! They had just finished reminiscing about the old days when Zhou Li actually made a move against the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Weiwu. Well, it might not be suspicion, but it was definitely curiosity.

I need to increase this woman's favor towards me, to make her genuinely lean towards me, so that she won't one day talk about me to some official.

"Watching the girl dance just now, I was suddenly moved and a few lines came to mind." Xu Qi'an put his arm around the beauty's fragrant shoulder and recited. "This year's laughter will come again next year, autumn moon and spring breeze pass by idly."

This year's laughter will return next year, autumn moons and spring breezes will pass by idly. Tears welled in the courtesan's eyes as she sobbed softly, "Young master, are you stabbing my heart? You are so cruel."

That night, the courtesan's bed rocked until midnight.

At dawn the next day, Xu Qi'an, dressed and served breakfast by a slightly haggard beauty, bid farewell to the affectionate Fuxiang.

The head maid who served Fuxiang looked at him with such adoration this morning, which made Xu Qi'an feel incredibly proud.

Upon exiting the courtyard of Yingmei Pavilion, I saw two spirited colleagues at the gate.

As expected, she didn't ask me for money. Ah, what a pity I've done her a great favor. Xu Qi'an said in a light tone, "Good morning, you two."

The three left the alleyway of the Imperial Academy of Music side by side. As they parted, Song Tingfeng narrowed his eyes and couldn't help but ask, "How was Miss Fuxiang?"

Even the taciturn Zhu Guangxiao looked over.

Xu Qi'an stared straight ahead, a hint of arrogance and roguishness in his eyes, and smirked. "From now on, call me Layman Run."

He bought several bolts of silk in the inner city and rented a carriage to return to the Xu Residence.

Second Uncle Xu took the day off and stayed home to wait for his news. Xu Xinnian didn't study either; he wasn't in the mood.

The family only felt relieved when Xu Qi'an had his servants return with the silk.

Xu Qi'an didn't explain much, pointing to the silk and saying with a smile, "It's for making clothes for my aunt and sisters."

The aunt was holding back her anger. She raised her fair, pointed chin and snorted.

The little boy tugged at his trouser leg, trying to climb up, shouting, "Big brother, big brother, I saw my sister secretly crying yesterday!"

Xu Lingyue, with her oval face, blushed deeply.

Not wanting to appear too affectionate in front of his family, Xu Qi'an smiled at the beautiful girl, then kicked the little one into the air like a shuttlecock and reached out to hug her.

The aunt was startled, while the little boy laughed heartily without a care in the world.

Uncle was taken aback. "You've entered the Qi Refining Realm."

After receiving Xu Qi'an's affirmation, the second uncle revealed a fatherly smile of satisfaction.

In the study, Xu Qi'an briefly explained what had happened to his second uncle and Erlang.

Both father and son were left feeling a sense of lingering fear.

Xu Xinnian scrutinized his cousin. "Why would the Eldest Princess send someone to follow you?"

"I'd like to know too," Xu Qi'an guessed. "Perhaps I was the only outsider at the academy that day?"

On the day the strange phenomenon occurred at the Sub-Sage Academy, the eldest princess was also at the academy and could not possibly have been unaware of it. Therefore, it was reasonable for her to monitor the only outsider present that day.

Xu Xinnian said in a deep voice, "The Princess is very shrewd. Not only has she studied at the Cloud Deer Academy for many years, but she and Wei Yuan are also practically master and disciple. Her chess skills are superb. Her recommendation of you as the Nightwatchers is definitely not a casual move on a whim."

"If she summons you in the future, don't be surprised, but remember to be careful and cautious."

Xu Qi'an hummed in agreement.

The fact that the proud and arrogant Xu Cijiu values and fears her so much shows that this princess is no ordinary person.

After Xu Xinnian finished speaking, he suddenly raised his chin and said, "I have entered the Self-Cultivation Realm."

I have also become a master of the eighth rank of Confucian School!

Xu Qi'an was pleasantly surprised, "What kind of extraordinary abilities do Confucian scholars at the Self-Cultivation Realm possess?"

Xu Xinnian smirked. "Where righteousness lies, though there be thousands, I will go."

In that instant, Xu Qi'an felt a surge of heroic spirit and the courage to face a massive army alone.

This inexplicable courage lasted for fifteen minutes before slowly dissipating.

"Cultivating oneself is a process of honing one's literary courage. A Confucian scholar who has reached this level commands respect in every word and deed. For example, my elder brother just now found my words to be reasonable, and thus unconsciously followed them. When I enter the court as an official in the future, my judgment in cases will be no less than yours."

"No, I relied on my real skills, you relied on cheating!" Xu Qi'an said with a clear conscience.

This was essentially a courage buff, a nascent form of Law Follows Speech. Xu Qi'an's eyes lit up, and he exchanged a glance with his second uncle. The former said, "Cijiu, your elder brother has treated you well."

"Get out!" Xu Xinnian said, turning away before the other could finish speaking.

A crude and vulgar brute.

Xu Qi'an returned to his courtyard and took a nap.

Suddenly, he woke up inexplicably, startled by the small jade mirror hidden under his pillow.

On the jade mirror, a line of small characters appeared:

[Nine: Where are you?]

P. S.: Seeing the word count of this chapter should explain why the update is late.

Combining the two chapters into one not only completed the update but also earned me an extra chapter for being a patron. I'm so happy!