Everywhere He Went, He Ran Into Rebels

I took the day off today. No work-what a wonderful day.

Getting leave as an imperial guard wasn't as troublesome as people said. I just gave the commander a word, and she approved it. What happened to all the paperwork? This was far too informal!

Come to think of it, the Qi Capital was so big, but I hadn't had a good look around yet. I had time today, so I might as well get to know it.

Big sis would take care of buying the silk, so I didn't need to worry about that... Speaking of which, there was also a treasure belonging to the protagonist in the Qi Capital's Bureau of Music. Why not pick it up while I was out?

Mm, it was settled. For the sake of the treasure, I had no choice but to reluctantly go to the Bureau of Music and listen to some music...

I love music!

Bang!

Qi Yueli slammed the diary shut.

What treasure? He simply wanted to visit that kind of pleasure house!

Hmph, that lecherous little rebel!

As for what came next in the diary, she already knew without looking...

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Jin Yan hurried into the hall.

"Did Zhang Qiandao escape?"

"He did. A first-rank expert intervened," Jin Yan said gravely. "I checked the Mystic Shadow Guard's records. None of Great Qi's known first-rank experts match her."

Qi Yueli nodded lightly. "There is no need to investigate this person any further."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Starting today, I am removing you from your post as commander of the Mystic Shadow Guard."

Jin Yan froze.

"Go to Qingzhou and investigate a few matters for me."

"Qingzhou?" Jin Yan was puzzled.

"You must not let a third person know your whereabouts, nor may you use your identity as Jin Yan. You must not reveal a single detail of what you investigate to anyone but me."

Jin Yan's expression grew grave. She asked softly, "Your Majesty, has something happened in Qingzhou?"

Qi Yueli did not deny it.

True qi rose and carried the papers on the desk to Jin Yan.

"Make sure you get to the bottom of every matter written here."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will not fail you!"

The Bureau of Music.

Unlike ordinary pleasure houses, most of the women there were daughters of officials convicted of crimes.

That status did much to satisfy men's desire for conquest.

As a result, business was excellent.

Of course, it was expensive too.

Gu Yuan was clearly not such a shallow person. He simply loved music.

"Oh my, young master, you're so handsome! The girls spotted you from a long way off, and they're all fighting for the chance to play for you!"

"Would you do the girls the honor?"

Gu Yuan had only just reached the entrance when a sharp-eyed woman slipped her arm through his. Her inviting softness pressed tightly against him, enough to set his blood racing.

"How could I refuse an invitation from a beauty?"

The woman smiled radiantly and said:

"It's the girls' good fortune that you've come to the Bureau of Music, young master.

I'll take you to a private seat right away. If any of the girls catch your eye, just tell me, and I'll arrange it for you at once."

Gu Yuan smiled faintly.

"Is Miss Meixiang available?"

The woman gave his chest a light pat and said coquettishly, "Hehe, so you've come looking for Miss Meixiang too, young master. Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's not a good time."

"Why not?"

"The heir of Prince Duan, the son of the capital prefect, and the son of the minister of revenue have already requested Miss Meixiang. All three are notorious young silk pants in the capital. Young master, you really mustn't provoke them."

Good grief, did I stumble into a nest of rebels?

Prince Duan, the capital prefect, and the minister of revenue-weren't those the three major rebels in the Qi Capital?

Gu Yuan smiled. "There's no hurry. I have plenty of time today. Miss Meixiang can come see me when she's free."

"Hehe, very well, very well." Seeing how agreeable Gu Yuan was, the woman's smile grew even brighter.

"Shall I arrange for a girl with excellent musical skills to attend to you first, young master?"

"Very well!"

The woman led Gu Yuan to a private hall. Before long, a strikingly beautiful young woman walked in carrying a musical instrument.

"My name is Ciyue."

"Greetings, young master!"

Gu Yuan smiled and nodded.

Soon, a graceful, moving melody filled the air.

Gu Yuan raised his cup, a smile on his lips. He was utterly content.

This was what you fucking called living!

Standing guard for the empress was no job for a human being!

"Purple sleeves and crimson strings beneath the moon so bright; she played, moved by her own song, her face lowered out of sight. Where strings grew still and fingers paused, and all the notes were through, a thousand layers of deep feeling lingered there anew."

"Miss Ciyue, you played beautifully."

Ciyue's cheeks flushed slightly.

The young master before her was not only handsome, but also remarkably gifted with words.

He was truly captivating.

"You're too kind, young master. Let me offer you a toast."

Gu Yuan raised his wine cup.

"Miss Ciyue, how long have you been at the Bureau of Music?"

"Three years now."

"Have any strange things happened at the Bureau of Music recently?"

"Strange things?" Ciyue frowned slightly. "Nothing particularly strange."

"It's just that, over the past few months, someone has fallen ill every day. Even when we call a physician, they can't find the cause. Two of the girls are unwell today and unable to receive guests."

That's it!

Gu Yuan smiled faintly.

"Young master, might I have the honor of knowing your name?"

"Gu Yuan."

Ciyue covered her mouth and gasped, her eyes full of surprise. "Could you be the imperial guard appointed by the empress herself?"

"You know of me, Miss Ciyue?"

"Not only do I know of you, I'm afraid every girl in the capital does." The flush on Ciyue's face deepened as she said gracefully, "Everyone says you're a martial arts prodigy seen only once in a century, and that even Her Majesty the Empress has considered taking you as her disciple."

"I never imagined I would have the honor of attending to you, Young Master Gu."

Ciyue moved closer, hooked an arm around Gu Yuan's neck, and sat gently on his lap. In a soft voice, she said:

"Young Master Gu, the Bureau of Music may sell performances rather than our bodies, but if you're interested, I would be willing... How about letting me attend to you in bed tonight?"

Gu Yuan's breath caught.

What a vixen!

Just then.

Bang! A tremendous crash shattered the intimate atmosphere.

Ciyue frowned, displeasure appearing on her face.

"Please wait a moment, young master. I'll go see what happened."

"Let's go together." Gu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

This Ciyue was clearly experienced.

He had been a virgin in both his lives, and he had nearly lost control!

"Your Highness, please don't... The Bureau of Music sells performances, not our bodies. I can't serve you like that... Ah-no!" A woman's cries came from a private hall upstairs.

"Hahaha, scream all you like, Miss Meixiang. Even if you scream your throat raw, no one will dare come in."

"Be good and submit to me!"

"Tch."

Ciyue spat softly, disdain in her eyes.

The others in the Bureau of Music seemed accustomed to it. They carried on with whatever they had been doing, showing no reaction.

"Does this happen often?" Gu Yuan raised his eyes and asked slowly.

Ciyue nodded.

"Does no one stop it?"

"On one side are young masters of powerful clans, and on the other are lowborn courtesans. No one would be foolish enough to stand up for a lowly servant girl."

"That may not be true."

Ciyue froze. "Young Master Gu, what are you planning to do?"

"Now that Meixiang is in the Bureau of Music, something like this was bound to happen sooner or later."

"He's Prince Duan's heir. Even if you have Her Majesty's favor, you still can't afford to offend him. Please don't do anything foolish, or you'll end up in prison."

Gu Yuan smiled.

"Prison... I couldn't wish for anything better."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yuan leaped into the air and landed steadily in front of the private hall upstairs.

"He... went..."

Ciyue stood rooted to the spot. Looking at his retreating figure, she said in a daze:

"How could there be someone so foolish in this world...?"

Bang!

Gu Yuan kicked the door open, his clear, loud voice ringing through the Bureau of Music:

"Hey!"

"Let her go!"