Graceful and refined, with the elegance of orchids and the heart of the soul, her brows gently lowered and a soft smile warming like jade, a gentle breeze brushed the railing, reflecting against the emerald gauze.
Following the sound, it was a woman who appeared no older than eighteen, with willow-leaf eyes, moon-shaped eyebrows, a jade-like nose, and crimson lips. She wore a pale blue long dress draped with a light veil, her skin smooth and fair as refined porcelain.
At first glance alone, it was clear that this Miss Chen, a member of the Great House, was an absolute beauty.
However, Xu Ping’an was not the type to be swayed by mere appearances. He took a moment to observe her carefully, then cupped his fists in greeting.
“Surely you must be Miss Chen of the Great House? I am Xu Ping’an, a humble Doctor. I pay my respects.”
“I am Chen Wan Hong,” the woman replied modestly.
“I am not worthy of the title ‘Great House’ as you say; that is merely flattery from outsiders. I am but a woman of the mortal world, unworthy of such a name… However, Doctor, you are too modest. You saved His Majesty at a critical moment, sparing Great Qi from devastation. I, too, am among those saved and naturally hold gratitude in my heart. Yet, I did not expect… Doctor, you are quite the gallant man.”
“How so?”
“The way you looked at me just now, with no concealment at all, was so straightforward.”
“Straightforward might be too much to say. The desire to appreciate beauty is natural. Faced with such orchids and jade, one must admire them.”
These words made Chen Wan Hong gently cover her lips, a blooming smile flashing briefly across her face.
“You are quite the eloquent speaker,” Chen Wan Hong said, lightly pulling back her long sleeves with delicate hands.
“Please, come inside.”
“If the Great House invites, I dare not refuse. Please, Miss Chen.”
Xu Ping’an regarded Chen Wan Hong with interest.
She knew a great deal.
Xu Ping’an had hardly appeared at any formal occasions in the City of Zhaoge, yet she recognized him at a glance. This was undeniable proof that someone with far-reaching influence stood behind her.
Now, Xu Ping’an was curious—who was this person behind her, and why did they know so much about him?
Was it the Emperor? The Crown Prince?
Or perhaps someone else coveting the throne?
Whoever it was, it did not concern him much.
After all, he was just a Doctor. He could neither move mountains nor devise strategies.
Why bother worrying so much? Wouldn’t it be better to just live happily?
The three walked side by side toward the main hall.
This Ruanhong Pavilion, though unimpressive from the outside, was meticulously designed within. Every detail of the scenery had meaning, luxurious yet restrained, and the views were pleasing to the eye.
Inside the main hall stood a zither, a writing desk, a long couch, and a wooden chair—nothing else in sight.
Utterly simple.
Chen Wan Hong sat down in the wooden chair and gestured invitingly toward the luohan couch opposite the desk.
“Please have a seat, Doctor.”
Xu Ping’an cupped his fists and took the seat without hesitation.
In this dim room, the others seemed colorless, which only made the woman behind the desk stand out like a bright lamp, drawing one’s gaze.
Yet Xu Ping’an did not look at her long, instead turning toward the door.
From his seat, he could see the pool and covered walkway outside, with a gentle breeze, lending an air of elegance.
“Doctor, since entering the courtyard, except for the first time when you looked me over a few extra times, you have not once given me a proper glance.
Could it be that my appearance is too ordinary to catch your eye?”
Perhaps because Xu Ping’an never looked her directly in the eyes, this flawless beauty carried a certain competitiveness in her heart.
In the past, no matter whom she met—well-read gentlemen pretending to be virtuous or wealthy men hiding their covetousness—not one failed to cast their eyes on her, whether openly or secretly.
Among those gazes, admiration was rare; greed was common.
Having lived through hardship, even as a courtesan, Chen Wan Hong understood these intentions well.
But Xu Ping’an was different. The first glance was a careful appreciation; afterwards, his gaze never rested on her, instead admiring the scenery.
He seemed less like a visitor to a brothel and more like a relative dropping by.
This sparked a bit of curiosity and competitiveness in Chen Wan Hong, prompting her to ask:
“Miss Chen is surely among the most beautiful women I have ever seen, so you are hardly plain. Why then, Doctor, do you not look at me?”
“Confucius said, ‘Do not look at what is improper.’”
“Pfft—haha! Doctor, that’s not how you should interpret that phrase!”
Chen Wan Hong had considered countless responses but never expected Xu Ping’an to quote Confucius so literally.
Anyone else might have passed over it, but she had been well-versed in poetry and the arts since childhood, mastering zither, chess, poetry, and calligraphy.
Xu Ping’an’s misuse of the phrase clashed with his scholarly aura, making her unable to suppress a burst of laughter.
“You are truly amusing, Doctor.”
After a moment, Chen Wan Hong composed herself and looked at Xu Ping’an.
“It has been a long time since I laughed like this. Since you have made me smile, I must return the favor. Tell me, do you prefer the zither or the flute?”
“Either is fine.”
“In that case, allow me to play a piece for you, as a return gift.”
With that, her delicate fingers brushed the strings, and almost effortlessly, a lively melody filled the room.
Listening to the music, Xu Ping’an felt somewhat bored.
Mainly… he had not come to Taohua Alley to listen to music.
He only wanted to broaden his horizons.
The strings never ceased, sometimes rushing like a sudden rain, sometimes flowing like a gentle stream.
Even without deep knowledge of music, Xu Ping’an could not help but admire the way music pierced the emotions.
When the piece ended, Chen Wan Hong lifted her eyes to him.
“Doctor, how was my playing?”
“Very good. Pleasant to hear.”
Xu Ping’an answered honestly, which made Chen Wan Hong frown slightly.
“It seems you are not very satisfied.”
“Not exactly. I have six of the seven orifices of the body ‘open’ to music, but one remains blocked. At best, I can keep time.”
“You truly do not hide anything. Others, even when they do not understand, flatter me just to win my favor. Since I was brought out at fourteen, only two men have been so honest.”
“Oh? Who was the other?”
“That question puts me at a loss.”
“Then I shall not ask.” Xu Ping’an waved his hand, then stood and stretched.
“Well, that’s enough rest. Since the piece is done, I won’t disturb you further. I will take my leave.”
“Doctor, wait.”
Just as Xu Ping’an turned to leave, Chen Wan Hong called out to hold him back.
“Is there something else, Miss Chen?”
“Not really, but… Doctor, can this Ruanhong Pavilion really not keep you a while longer?”
Xu Ping’an frowned, his thoughts racing, quickly reaching a conclusion.
Chen Wan Hong was either a person of the Emperor or the Crown Prince—definitely not anyone else.
“Miss Chen, what do you mean? Ruanhong Pavilion is certainly a fine place, but I have a place to return to and cannot stay long. Besides…”
“The luxury and elegance here must be rather uncomfortable for you. To be honest, Doctor, just a month ago, the place I lived was a small fenced courtyard with barely three rooms. Not to mention luxury, it couldn’t compare to many Great Houses.”
“I am accustomed to a life of leisure among the mountains and clouds. This grandeur is hard for me to adapt to.”
Chen Wan Hong’s willow eyes filled with curiosity.
“Doctor Xu, you do not intend to enter official service?”
So it was. This woman was connected to the Crown Prince.
It seemed the Crown Prince wanted to win him over.
“Heh~ my affairs here will be finished soon. I will leave within a few days. As for official service, that is nonsense. I have no merit, no skills. I cannot write, nor practice martial arts. I am ignorant and weak—why would I foolishly get involved in such troubles? It is better to live freely among the clouds and mountains.”
Chen Wan Hong’s brows furrowed, her expression darkening for a moment before clearing into a smile.
“It seems you have an idea of whom I serve.”
“I have some notion, but it’s not a full guess.” Chen Wan Hong nodded lightly.
“Since you do not wish to serve, my master asked me to convey a message.”
“I do not wish to hear it.”
Chen Wan Hong raised an eyebrow.
“But it won’t hurt to listen.”
Hearing this, Chen Wan Hong could only smile wryly.
It seemed indeed that recruiting him was impossible.
“My master says that if one day you change your mind, you may go east.”
“Understood.”
East?
Among those surnamed Li, who held power to inherit the throne and lived in the east?
The Crown Prince of the East Palace.
The term “East Palace” is not merely descriptive; the Crown Prince possesses rights like a prince, residing independently in his own palace—the East Palace itself.
Upon reaching adulthood, the Crown Prince lives alone in this palace and cultivates his own retinue.
Xu Ping’an cupped his fists and turned to leave, with Chen Wan Hong’s gaze following him until he disappeared from the courtyard before she finally looked away.
Xu Ping’an stepped out onto the street and exhaled deeply.
“Phew~ finally out. That atmosphere inside was truly unpleasant. Don’t you think so, Xiao Hengzi?”
Xu Ping’an glanced meaningfully at Xiao Hengzi, whose smile never wavered as he nodded repeatedly.
“Yes, my lord. Xiao Hengzi didn’t expect that a brothel could be made to feel like… something else entirely…”
“Enough, enough. Let’s go back to the East Warm Pavilion.”
“Yes, my lord.”
This little eunuch even pretended ignorance to him.
No wonder his carriage driver the next day was this clever Xiao Hengzi.
This kid was probably connected to the Crown Prince too.
Otherwise, why would he bring the carriage here?
This Crown Prince’s control over the Palace was impressive.
Even the eunuchs were in his hands.
Perhaps he even knew of the recent commotion and was involved behind the scenes.
No wonder Xu Ping’an shouldn’t have waded into this mess.
These royal people truly had no sense of humanity.
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