Chapter 604: Only Third-Rank May Enter

"Yu Dun, Liang Qu, you two will enter the Tiger Hunt. Remember to plan carefully before acting—don't waste your prime years foolishly."

"Master, rest assured—we'll think thrice before acting."

"Shao Qin, how is your True Gang preparation coming along?"

"I'll borrow a line from Little Brother: eight or nine out of ten."

"Good! Cao Rang..."

He gave a few final instructions.

Yang Yang Dongxiong gazed at the moonlight, waving his hand to dismiss the disciples.

"No events tonight—return early and rest. Don't delay tomorrow's birthday banquet."

"Wait." Xu Shi raised her hand. "I have something to say."

"Madam?"

"To the main hall."

The group moved, their footsteps stirring a breeze that made the hanging paintings sway gently.

On the central octagonal table in the hall, nine trays were arranged in a 3x3 grid, each holding two folded garments, two sashes, and beside them, two cold-scented sachets, their faint fragrance drifting in the air.

Xu Shi sat to the side and swept her sleeve.

"One set each. Left-top is the eldest's, left-second is the second's, and so on down—take yours."

Yang Xu pinched the fabric, his expression startled.

"Dragon Silk? Jiao Silk?"

Yu Dun recalled.

"Little Brother's?"

Xu Shi nodded: "In May this year, Little Nine brought back from Xiangyi County—one bolt per person, sent to me to make you all clothes."

"I cut and sewed them—two sets each for the two seasons—and used the scraps to make two sashes and two sachets, all tailored to your sizes. Perfect for tomorrow's banquet—wear them to look proper, so others know we're one family."

Xu Xu Zishuai beamed: "For half a year, I thought Madam had embezzled them—I never dared ask."

"You'll get a beating!"

"Hahaha!"

The nine took their shares in turn.

Liang Qu pinched the fabric on his tray—the sleeve wasn't Dragon Silk, but Jiao Silk: a semi-transparent gauze, not sheer enough to reveal skin, yet light enough to wear as an outer layer—but it looked nothing like a man's garment. And counting, there were six full sets.

"Madam, why are Sister's clothes in my hands?"

"Who said these were for you?" Xu Shi sat, sipping tea. "You have Long Lingxiao—why would I make you clothes? These are for Long Eying and Xiao Yao, and Xiao Li's."

Liang Qu was deeply disappointed.

"No matter how divine Long Lingxiao's transformations, they can't match half your skill."

"You think your brothers' and sisters' clothes were made by me?" Xu Shi rolled her eyes. "Two sets each—eighteen total. Even if I had six more months, I couldn't finish them."

Yu Dun chuckled: "Little Brother, you flattered the wrong person today. The Xu family of Huangzhou is famed across the land for their silk—and their tailors too. When Madam married in, she brought several master embroiderers and seamstresses who settled in Huaiyin. Their skill is unmatched; most of the textile craftsmanship in Pingyang Town sprang from Madam's lineage."

Closed

Sky closed

"The styles, however, were my own design," Xu Shi added.

"I knew it!"

"Enough." Xu Shi gently closed her teacup lid. "Take them back, try them on. If anything's off, bring them back immediately—we've all night to adjust."

"Got it!"

Stepping out of the courtyard, both long corridors were plastered with "Shou" characters.

Servants still bustled past, carrying long tables, potted plants, and screens—no one knew where they were headed.

What a bustle.

Small courtyard.

Liang Qu set down the tray.

"Come on, come out—try on your new clothes!"

Long Yao curiously asked: "Elder, what new clothes?"

"Madam made new outfits for you—all two sets each. The top two are for Long Eying, the bottom four are yours—all of them. Oh, wait—Long Binglin, you don't get any."

Liang Qu saw Long Long Binglin peeking from the side room and sighed bitterly: "Madam favors one over the other—we two brothers got nothing."

"Each of us gets two sets," Long Li smiled, squinting. "Big Brother Long Binglin is too tall—he can't fit them. If Elder really likes them, let Long Eying sister lend you one?"

"Exactly! Elder's cultivation is so high he won't feel cold—tomorrow he can wear Long Eying sister's summer outfit."

Long Long Eying, holding the garments, cast a glance over.

"Cough, cough—no fooling around. Go change and try them on—if they don't fit, we can still fix them."

"If Elder wants to see, just say so!"

"I don't!"

Liang Qu spoke with solemn righteousness.

Moments passed.

Long Yao and Long Li pushed Long Long Eying out; she turned slightly.

"Beautiful," Liang Qu sincerely praised.

"It's too late to disturb Madam—quickly change into the other set!"

The rooster crowed.

Dawn glowed violet.

Near the start of winter, the morning air carried chill; leaves had fallen bare from the branches, only a few trembling precariously.

Yet the entire Xu family mansion blazed with energy.

A gong rang; the opera troupe in the back garden flipped somersaults on stage.

Maids moved through the crowd, pouring tea.

The birthday banquet began at the ninth hour, so the stage featured only short, situational plays—not full operas.

Youngsters gathered in small groups, sipping tea, chatting, eating fruit.

Looking around.

Many new faces filled the garden—some from families returning recently; when they met, both sides felt awkward.

There were simply too many people—even those sharing the surname Xu couldn't tell who belonged to which household.

But many knew Liang Qu.

After the Great Tiger Hunt, many youths wanted to greet him but were too shy, stealing glances instead.

Like the friend of Ji Shui Bao was only Wei Huo Hu.

Different circles inevitably bred self-consciousness.

They feared approaching him only to be rebuffed, humiliated in public.

Of course, many glances didn't land on Liang Qu at all—they fell on the dragon maid beside him.

Meanwhile,

The Huo and Chi families, along with various minor clans, kept arriving—including the Prefect of Huangzhou, Xu Xu Wanxing, and his deputy and assistant magistrates.

They exchanged pleasantries.

Assistant Magistrate Tang Tang Yuyou scanned the crowd, then walked straight toward Liang Qu.

"Lord Liang!"

"Lord Tang!"

"I sent men to find you days ago, but learned you'd gone to Peng Ze—we never crossed paths."

"Has the Zhao family case made progress?"

After the Great Tiger Hunt, Zhao the Elder was captured, but Liang Qu never handled it—he handed it fully to the professionals.

Not only to let Huangzhou officials share the credit, but also because it followed proper protocol.

After all, this was Huangzhou territory.

Tang Tang Yuyou shook his head.

"Won't talk?"

"Won't talk to us," Tang Tang Yuyou corrected. "Fat Zhao says he has vital information—but he'll speak only to a third-rank official. He warned us it's not good news."

No need to say.

The tactic worked well.

Tang Tang Yuyou had planned to use torture, but after hearing this, he reported it to Prefect Xu Xu Wanxing, who ultimately abandoned the idea.

After years in office, both knew some things were better left unknown.

Involving remnants of the former dynasty—caution could never be too great.

The man was already in custody; gaining credit without stirring trouble was enough.

"Third-rank official..."

Liang Qu pondered.

Was this a hint that Su Guishan himself must come?

The River Office's chief, Wei Lin, was only fourth-rank; Xu Xu Yue was fourth-rank from the dragon rank. Aside from Su Guishan, no one held a higher rank than these two.

Zhao Fatty really has something.

Playing tricks on a third-rank official will end far worse than torture.

Tang Tang Yuyou's glance swept over and caught sight of the wooden box at Liang Qu's feet, curious.

"What birthday gift has Master Liang prepared? Why is it stored in purple sandalwood? And why so wide and flat?"

Unless seeking a favor, given Liang Qu's standing, a gift of a few dozen taels, at most a hundred, would suffice.

The purple sandalwood alone weighs considerable, and the carvings on top appear crafted by a master—exquisitely detailed.

Just the box is worth over a hundred taels; what's inside must be worth thousands?

"A worthless trifle," Liang Qu waved his hand. "The box was given to me by the shopkeeper when I went to pick it up."

"Oh?" Tang Tang Yuyou was surprised. "Could Master Liang reveal a little?"

"At the hour of Chen, when gifts are announced, you will know, Master Tang."

"I look forward to it."