Xuanqing Guard

Busy with work, seems there’s never any downtime.

Zhang Qian and Gan Lin, whom I haven’t seen in ages, invited me out for drinks again. Said Hong’en Hall had some new girls in, they wanted to try something fresh, and asked if Shen Hao wanted to go check on his lover.

The so-called "lover" was that Green Waist Songstress, Lian Xiang, from Hong’en Hall.

After Lian Xiang’s birthday, Shen Hao had been buried in work, so busy that he didn’t even bother with last month’s Blue Moon Festival—just ate a simple Blue Moon Cake at home and called it a day.

He actually hadn’t planned on going today either, but Zhang Qian and Gan Lin camped out at the Thousand Households Station waiting for him, and as soon as Shen Hao came out, they dragged him onto the carriage.

"Hey, you two, I’ve heard of forcing someone to become a courtesan, but never heard of forcing someone to visit the Flower House. What’s up with today, got some juicy story?" Shen Hao didn’t bother struggling—Zhang and Gan were old friends, wouldn’t bother with all this coaxing unless there was a reason.

"Juicy story for sure. Ever heard the name Ning Ziye?"

"Ning Ziye? Sounds familiar... Wait, isn’t that the Songstress that sings ’Wallflowers’?"

"Hahaha, yep, that’s her. But she’s not a Songstress anymore: long ago freed herself, now she’s a member of the Le Family specializing in zither art and singing."

Shen Hao smirked and joked, "Looks like business in the Flower House really pays—redeems herself and still hangs around, even turns herself into a ’family’ and keeps mixing in there. Is she just desperate for money? Can’t wrap my head around it."

Gan Lin chimed in from the side, "And you call yourself a scholar! What a nasty mouth. So what if they work the Flower House? If these gals didn’t do that, how would we buddies have any fun drinking and partying?"

Shen Hao thought Gan Lin had a point. After all, everyone’s doing what they want—no need to fuss over it. What business is it of yours if you don’t get it? Folks spend money for fun or to make money, there’s all kinds of tricks in there, and outsiders really don’t need to butt in.

Zhang Qian pulled the conversation back: "Ning Ziye travels all over, learning local music, supposed to be a one-of-a-kind in zither and singing. Just arrived at Fengri City the other day, and tonight she’ll perform here. Rare chance, you’re not going—sure you’re not missing out?"

"But I’m not into zither or singing! Not interested in Ning Ziye either. Why don’t you two let me off? I’ll grab a bowl of noodles and finish today’s work instead." Shen Hao wasn’t buying it, demanding to know why they insisted he come along.

"Hey! Shen, do you know Ning Ziye has ties with your lover? Wouldn’t it be rude not to show up?"

"Lover, my ass." Shen Hao was both amused and annoyed, the two flanking him tightly, like they were afraid he’d jump out of the carriage.

"It’s true. Lian Xiang’s zither art was taught by Binding Princess, same as Ning Ziye—they’re basically fellow apprentices."

Shen Hao didn’t want to mess around anymore and asked directly: "Are you two going to tell the truth or not? If not, I’m out. You won’t be able to stop me."

He really couldn’t be stopped. Zhang Qian and Gan Lin exchanged suffering smiles: "Knew we couldn’t fool you, kid."

"Spill it."

"Honestly, it’s nothing big. The news of Ning Ziye at Hong’en Hall spread, so they jacked up the prices—a single table in the main hall is five thousand taels, and private rooms are even higher. With drinks included, you’re looking at spending twenty, thirty thousand taels for the night, easy." Zhang Qian’s expression was a bit awkward as he explained.

Gan Lin added, "We’ve lost a lot gambling in the Garrison lately, can’t touch household money, so we’re counting on you."

Shen Hao was stunned. Damn, straight up damn!

Did these two take him for a sucker, or a Money Shop?

Just as he was about to respond, Zhang Qian spoke up again: "Brother, don’t get the wrong idea. Old Gan and I wouldn’t con you. Your reputation’s big now, especially in Fengri City, plus you’re a famous scholar. Hong’en Hall specifically saved you a private room, regular price, no price hike. Pretty sweet, right? Of course, Old Gan and I will cover the bill, you just show up and we’ll handle the money. How about it?"

That’s when Shen Hao figured it all out.

It’s basically like borrowing the tiger’s prestige, right? Except this time, the "tiger"—him—is just being dragged along by these two old foxes.

He felt like jumping off the carriage, but seeing the grins on Zhang Qian and Gan Lin’s faces, he decided to let it go.

"You guys are treating?"

"Of course! You have our word!"

At this point, things were all out in the open. Shen Hao nodded, agreeing to board the pirate ship, and Zhang and Gan burst out laughing. They were delighted by Shen Hao’s reaction, a sign he still saw them as brothers—no airs, no distance. That was their real motive today, under all the seemingly sudden hustle.

Shen Hao still couldn’t guess that motive.

The carriage kept rolling along, nice and easy.

Gan Lin leaned against the carriage, legs crossed, teasing, "Too bad you missed the Blue Moon Festival, or else Lian Xiang wouldn’t have had her courtesan title snatched. Old Gan and I each threw thirty thousand taels but couldn’t hold it."

"Yeah, if you’d come, a couple poems from you and who could compete with Lian Xiang? She’d have snagged the courtesan spot three times in a row, maybe even upped her rank another level."

"You can actually upgrade the courtesan rank with three straight wins?" Shen Hao genuinely didn’t know. No wonder Hong’en Hall sent him invite after invite, and Lian Xiang came around too, but he’d been too swamped to accept. If Zhang Qian and Gan Lin hadn’t dragged him out today, he wouldn’t be going either.

"Absolutely! The winner was another Songstress. But you should’ve seen her—the Songstress who took courtesan this year has a figure that’s just scorching! Especially her chest, damn, really hard to handle! And her ass..."

Listening to their filthy talk, Shen Hao found it amusing—occasionally chiming in himself. Consider it a warm up for tonight’s flower wine. Zhang and Gan were already inviting Shen Hao for another round at the new courtesan’s spot, saying they’d widen his horizons and all that.

Shen Hao rolled his eyes: I’m way past needing to "unlock achievements" in my mind, and these idiots want to broaden my horizons? What a pair of blockheads!

"By the way, isn’t the South a bit unstable lately?"

Out of nowhere, Gan Lin dropped this question.

Shen Hao was stunned at first, then laughed, "Brother Gan, your trick for fishing info is pretty dated, you know that?"

"Dated? Haha, you’re the expert here, Old Zhang and I are out of the loop. How about you give us the lowdown? Don’t worry, we won’t spread it."

If they’re asking, they must’ve already heard something, just can’t confirm it yet.

Shen Hao didn’t put on any airs, nodded and said directly, "The Southern Barbarian Race is gearing up to make moves this year. Southern Army Chief Officer Zuo Yuliang has already sent troops out past Zhuo Huo Pass as a vanguard, and there’s been a few skirmishes. Details I can’t share, but soon enough your Military unit will hear about it."