Xuanqing Guard

Lian Xiang’s master was a woman called the Binding Princess. Before today, Shen Hao had never even heard of her—it was only on the way here that Zhang Qian mentioned her. He’d thought she was just some old Zither Master, but now it looked like things were much more complicated. No wonder she could maneuver things and persuade Ms. Zi Yi’s Master to agree to let Ms. Zi Yi buy her freedom.

The zither music continued to play, but the scene was quite odd now. Everyone else was lost in the music, intoxicated, but only the two sitting together whispered away, not listening at all.

"Let me know when Hong’en Hall wants to promote new talent." After a few drinks, Shen Hao suddenly changed the subject, not wanting to keep talking about that Ning Ziye.

"Why?" Lian Xiang smiled sweetly, leaning into Shen Hao’s arms.

"If I can’t help with other things, at least when Hong’en Hall wants to promote someone, don’t you need poems or lyrics? Lending you guys a hand is no big deal for me."

Shen Hao’s poems were all the cream of the crop from his textbooks—using them to support a Songstress was almost overkill.

"You’re this generous? You’re not up to something, are you?"

"Didn’t you say Hong’en Hall has no one to succeed you? Just make someone popular and there’s your answer. If not, pick two—you’ll just need a few more poems. The main thing is to keep your Master satisfied. Then you can ask your master, and maybe she’ll help you, and you’ll be able to buy your own freedom just like Ning Ziye."

Lian Xiang smiled and closed her eyes, even shifted her body, as if searching for the most comfortable spot in Shen Hao’s arms.

That was as far as the conversation went, halfway finished.

Lian Xiang didn’t ask why Shen Hao wanted to do this. And Shen Hao didn’t question why Lian Xiang didn’t respond.

They both understood. They were both covered in thorns, and it wasn’t easy to find this delicate balance—neither dared to break that fragile understanding.

Outside, the zither melodies rose and fell. Each time the music stopped, applause thundered like a storm. Judging from that, Ning Ziye’s performance was a definite success. But Shen Hao didn’t have the time to listen right now.

It wasn’t until early 9 p.m., when Ning Ziye finished her last song on stage, singing and playing herself before bowing off, that the night’s excitement was truly over.

"She’s not coming up to say hi to you?"

"If she does, there’s no way she could! Someone here probably wants to get close to Ms. Zi Yi, am I right?"

"She’s not as old as you, and she isn’t as, well, voluptuous. Why would I want to get close to her?"

"Ugh!"

After just a few lines, Zhang Qian and Gan Lin snapped back to their senses too, cheering loudly and quickly making up for all the drinks they’d missed during the performance.

The atmosphere at the table lit up again. But after 9 p.m., it was about time to call it a night. Surprisingly, neither Zhang Qian nor Gan Lin went home. They both chose to spend the night at Hong’en Hall. But Shen Hao had to go home.

When it was time to leave, Lian Xiang held Shen Hao’s hand, looking reluctant, making Zhang Qian and Gan Lin each laugh before hugging their respective companions and disappearing into their rooms.

At the gate, Lian Xiang finally let go of Shen Hao’s hand, only looking away when he was far off. She didn’t go back upstairs to Hong’en Hall, but called over Xiaoqin, who had been waiting outside the room, and the two cut through the main hall, took a small path behind Hong’en Hall, and after an alley, arrived at Lian Xiang’s small courtyard.

Unlike usual, there were voices in the courtyard—Xiaorong was busy boiling water, and there was another maid who normally wasn’t here,

Pushing open the door, there sat a woman in a purple dress in front of the dressing table. It was Ning Ziye, who had just come down from the stage.

"Ms. Zi Yi." Lian Xiang grinned and hugged Ning Ziye from behind.

"What took you so long?"

Ning Ziye’s voice was gentle. She patted the hands hugging her, then took off her hairpin so as not to accidentally poke Lian Xiang’s face. She turned around to look at Lian Xiang, her expression somewhere between a smile and a smirk.

"Ms. Zi Yi, what’s up with that expression? You look weird." Lian Xiang squirmed, a bit awkward under Ning Ziye’s gaze, released her hands—only to have Ning Ziye grab them again.

"Xiaoxiang’Er, how long have you been like this?"

"Been like what?" Lian Xiang looked blank, as if she didn’t get it, but her eyes dodged a little.

"Don’t play dumb with me! Xiaorong told me everything just now!"

Just now?

Lian Xiang cursed Xiaorong for being such a chatterbox in her heart. No wonder Ning Ziye came back half an hour before her but still hadn’t finished taking off her make-up—so she was listening to gossip!

"I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ms. Zi Yi. I’m going to wash up..."

"Don’t you dare!"

"Ms. Zi Yi!" Lian Xiang’s voice went soft and coquettish as she grabbed Ning Ziye’s arm, shaking it, looking nothing like the seductive Songstress from Hong’en Hall, more like a little girl.

It was obvious Lian Xiang and Ning Ziye’s relationship was very close.

Seeing the act, Ning Ziye’s lips curled up. Even though they hadn’t seen each other for over a year, her junior sister really hadn’t changed. Every time she was caught out, she’d try to act cute and get away with it.

"Don’t give me that look. You’ve got some nerve—actually catching feelings? Do you have a death wish?"

"You’re scaring me for nothing. I don’t believe the Sect Leader would go that far. Besides, the Sect Leader is so busy, how would she know my business? In two more years I’ll be done here anyway, I’m not afraid." Lian Xiang already had her own plans. Now that Ning Ziye asked, she didn’t bother playing dumb anymore.

"Scaring you? Hmph, have you forgotten what happened to Wang Xiaqing? Why did the Sect Leader throw her into the Black Abyss, where she wished for death until she finally slit her own throat?"

"Wang Xiaqing tried to betray the Sect—that’s why she was punished. I’m not like her."

"It’s forbidden to get involved emotionally while on assignment, even more forbidden to reveal your identity. That’s why catching feelings is off-limits. Don’t pretend you don’t understand. Xiaoxiang’Er, listen to me—please, don’t risk it! Just hold on for two more years until you leave here, all right?"

Lian Xiang pressed her lips together, saying nothing. Ning Ziye had to keep gently persuading her.

...

While Lian Xiang was being lectured by Ning Ziye, Shen Hao was leaning back on the seat in his carriage, eyes closed in thought.

Just before he left Hong’en Hall, Lian Xiang had held his hand and written a character on his palm in secret. Now that he thought about it, it was the character "toad."

What was she warning him about?

Shen Hao’s first reaction was to remember Lian Xiang mentioning someone was investigating him at the banquet. That much must be true. It’s just that Lian Xiang couldn’t say it out loud or it wasn’t convenient to speak—so she wrote a warning in his palm?

The "toad" character wasn’t common. Shen Hao’s first guess: Celestial Toad Sect.

Yu Shengjue, the Celestial Toad Sect prodigy, had died at Shen Hao’s hands. His ancestor Yu Ao Feng had tested Shen Hao face-to-face on Chang Baifeng earlier. Shen Hao thought the matter had been put to rest, but they were still investigating in secret, clearly not letting him off the hook.

Luckily Shen Hao had always been careful. The only thing on him that could expose him was that box of mid-grade Spirit Stones. But they weren’t on him anymore; he’d given them to Flying Dragon to trade slowly on the Black Market. Nothing should give him away.

Still, the incident was a real warning for Shen Hao.

Also, the organization or Sect Lian Xiang belonged to must have impressive connections—otherwise Yu Ao Feng wouldn’t know how to get to them, either.