Chapter 89: Hongxiu Fang (On Sale, Requesting Subscriptions, Thank You!)

“Pop~~”

Xiao Yu excitedly hugged Hong Qu’s shoulder and kissed her rosy cheek, laughing joyfully: “Bao’er, you’re my treasure, my greatest treasure!”

Hong Qu never expected such a reaction; her body stiffened and her expression went blank for a long while before she shoved Xiao Yu away hard, frantically wiping her cheek, which grew redder the more she rubbed.

“You’re insane! What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?” she snapped.

“Hahaha, my dear Hong Qu, having you is truly wonderful—alas, I wish I’d met you sooner!” Xiao Yu paid no mind to her shoving, only laughing with delight.

She had originally expected this chancellor’s daughter to be an upgraded version of Xia Zhi and Yong Xue—just capable of correctly explaining characters and meanings.

But Hong Qu’s performance shocked her, even stunned her.

She didn’t practice martial arts, yet she understood the Dao of immortal martial cultivation better than anyone.

Xiao Yu was certain Wang Yuyan was nowhere near Dou Gengyan!

Regarding the “Ghost Shadow Grasping Hand,” Hong Qu spoke fluently, explaining it clearly and deeply, making Xiao Yu’s mind suddenly clear.

Xiao Yu immediately felt this chancellor’s daughter was no ordinary person.

She wrote out the heart mantra of “Tiger Soul Seven Kill” to test her.

Hong Qu had never seen “Tiger Soul Seven Kill” before, yet her analysis and explanation still gave Xiao Yu profound insight.

Remember, with the help of the Purple Mansion, her mastery of Tiger Soul Seven Kill had long surpassed Guan Huchen.

Finally, Xiao Yu recited the breathing method of “Male Dragon Art” to Hong Qu, whose interpretation once again opened her eyes.

Xiao Yu even caught the “Dao Qi” within her body—it drifted through her meridians. In other words, she could now attempt “pointing the meridians” and awaken the first thread of “Male Dragon Art” internal breath.

Overjoyed, she hugged Hong Qu and kissed her.

She was ecstatic!

This Hong Qu wasn’t just a small treasure—she was an immortal martial treasure far surpassing Guan Huchen!

“Don’t take offense—I’m just too excited. Ah, the legendary joy upon hearing the Dao, dancing with delight.”

Xiao Yu clasped her hands together and bowed to Hong Qu, begging her forgiveness.

Once Hong Qu’s annoyance slightly faded, she leaned close, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, whispering: “Are these immortal martial theories taught by your father? You don’t train martial arts—only study theory?”

Hong Qu shook her head. “Not immortal martial theories. Immortal martial arts cannot be cultivated—better not even know the theories or manuals.”

Practicing them ruins your physical foundation.”

Studying manuals forms incorrect thoughts.”

My father never specifically taught me anything.”

He just always brought me along when he discussed the Dao with uncles and cousins, or visited reclusive elders in the mountains.”

Moreover, to increase my ‘Dao Qi,’ I began reciting Dao scriptures as soon as I learned to read.”

I memorized all kinds of Dao scriptures first, then listened to the Immortals’ explanations whenever the chance arose.”

The more I listened, the simpler—even crude—the immortal martial manuals seemed. That ‘Ghost Shadow Grasping Hand’? Just study the forms—never practice the internal breath method, or you’ll ruin the meridians in your hands.”

“Tiger Soul Seven Kill” causes massive spiritual damage—humans aren’t ferocious tigers; you’d better not practice it either.”

“Male Dragon Art” may echo the ‘Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon,’ but it’s ultimately a cultivation method of draining others—not the true Dao. Don’t practice it under any circumstances.”

Xiao Yu felt a strange unease. “If you don’t practice anything, how can you teach me immortal methods?”

“I’m only offering advice—the choice is yours,” Hong Qu replied, also feeling uncertain.

She understood better than Xiao Yu how rare an immortal fate truly was.

When her father was still alive, the Dou family was at its peak across the western kingdoms—and still couldn’t find her a true immortal opportunity.

Now trapped in the Jiaosifang, with no control over her fate, should she still cling to the immortal Dao?

Or, like this “Yu Fengxian,” should she first use every means to strengthen her power and seize control of her destiny?

Xiao Yu put down the “Ghost Shadow Grasping Hand” manual and glanced out the window. “The sun’s almost set—why hasn’t a maid come to bring us food or light the lamps?”

Hong Qu replied irritably: “Still think you’re Lady Guan? The ‘daughters’ of the Jiaosifang are servants to the chief singers and dancers.”

Only because we’re special and just arrived haven’t been assigned servant duties yet.”

“Where do you eat?” Xiao Yu asked.

Hong Qu hesitated. “When I lived in the upper pavilion, someone would notify me to fetch meals from the back courtyard. Now...”

Xiao Yu looked around. “Xiao Jingxuan isn’t large, but it’s exquisitely quiet—one of the best courtyards in Hongxiu Fang.”

Yet if they put us in such a fine place, why don’t they assign us two maids?”

Hong Qu sneered again. “You really think Aunt Liu moved us here to reward you for starting to ‘entertain clients and earn money’?”

“I don’t take pride in it, but I’ve earned a lot of silver,” Xiao Yu said.

Hong Qu sighed softly. “Xiao Jingxuan sits at the farthest edge of Hongxiu Fang—that’s why it’s quiet, and why, in case of a mortal-immortal battle, the damage to Hongxiu Fang will be minimal.”

“Mortal-immortal battle...” Xiao Yu’s expression turned strange. “Is it for you—or for me?”

“I don’t know. More likely, no mortal or immortal will come at all,” Hong Qu said bitterly.

“Who cares about mortals or immortals? Right now, my stomach’s the true immortal.”

Xiao Yu put down the “Grasping Hand” manual, stood up, and asked: “I’m going out to find food—do you want to come?”

“No.”

Xiao Yu left Xiao Jingxuan and wandered through the maze-like corridors, found no food, but was soon spotted by Aunt Liu.

“You’ve just recovered from a serious illness—why aren’t you resting quietly in your courtyard? What are you running around for?”

“I’m starving! No maid brings us meals—what else am I supposed to do?” Xiao Yu cried.

“It’s still early,” Aunt Liu glanced at the crimson western sky. “Hongxiu Fang is a pleasure quarter—mealtimes are later than ordinary households. Dinner is usually served at Xushi.”

“The later your work, the earlier you should eat!” Xiao Yu said.

Aunt Liu looked at her strangely. “If the guests haven’t eaten, how can we eat?”

“Leftovers?” Xiao Yu exclaimed.

Aunt Liu looked even more puzzled. “Are you Sha Man Yu or Dou Gengyan?”

“Ah, don’t treat the Sha Man princess like she’s nothing! I’ve forged iron, fired pottery, boiled salt, plowed rice fields—I had thousands of Sha Man warriors at my command!”

“My food was no worse than that of ordinary wealthy families in Tianmen Town,” Xiao Yu said.

Aunt Liu studied her thoughtfully. “Wait then. Even I have to eat leftovers.”

“Not the leftovers on the table—what’s left in the kitchen pots.”

“In short—no waste allowed.”

“Where’s Jin Lian?” Xiao Yu asked.

“She’s eating right there with the guests, of course.”

After a pause, Aunt Liu added: “Jin Lian is different from you two—she has her own private stove.”

Xiao Yu said: “I’m not as extravagant as Sister Jin Lian, but I have some wealth—can I hire two maids to care for my and Hong Qu’s daily needs?”

Aunt Liu replied: “Hong Qu hasn’t even asked for such a thing.”

Making you ‘upper-class daughters’ serve yourselves isn’t about tormenting you.”

It’s to strengthen your bodies and temper your character.”

After all, Hongxiu Fang isn’t the chancellor’s mansion.”

The ‘noble ladies’ raised here are still meant to fetch a high price.”

Even at the level of Shao Yao and Li Manman, you still serve others.”

Lower-class nobles are served by lower-class singers; upper-class nobles are served by upper-class singers.”

No matter how high a singer rises, there’s always a higher-ranking noble above her.”

This time as a ‘daughter’ is meant to help you see reality clearly, find your true place, so you won’t later misunderstand your position, offend nobles, and bring upon yourselves disgrace and death.”

“Aunt Liu, I understand your intentions—but there’s a saying: ‘Teach according to talent.’”

Xiao Yu pointed to herself and sighed: “You know my background, Aunt Liu—I’m already mature to the point of ‘nature hard to change.’ Hongxiu Fang’s methods of tempering character are useless to me.”

Aunt Liu was surprised. “You’re remarkably direct.”

Even if she’d said, “I’ve long understood my place and don’t need character training,” Aunt Liu wouldn’t have been shocked.

“I’m a barbarian—I don’t play games,” Xiao Yu laughed.

“Fine. You can be an exception. I’ll send a maid to Xiao Jingxuan later—you negotiate her monthly allowance yourself,” Aunt Liu said.

Regardless of whether Xiao Yu understood reality, she was certain of one thing: Hongxiu Fang’s character-training methods were useless to her.

This girl was born with innate wisdom—too mature.

“Aunt Liu, you know I’m cultivating martial arts—I need medicinal soups, like Bone-Strengthening Soup, Warm-Spirit Soup...”

Aunt Liu waved her hand. “Spend your own money—I won’t interfere.”

Xiao Yu frowned. “I thought once you entered the Jiaosifang, you weren’t even your own person—let alone private silver.”

Aunt Liu nodded. “You’re right. According to Da Shu law, private silver is forbidden in the Jiaosifang. If found, it’s all confiscated, and the punishment is severe—death by beating isn’t uncommon.”

But the court soon realized this approach made the Jiaosifang lose money.”

Even ran at a loss.”

To make a horse run, you must feed it grass.”

Whether the horse actually gets the carrot isn’t the point—first, it must see the carrot ahead.”

“So, Aunt Liu, have you ever seen a horse actually eat a carrot?” Xiao Yu smiled.

Aunt Liu’s eyes held a trace of helplessness. “Even if a horse eats one carrot—what does it matter? A horse is still a horse. Wherever it goes, it’s still a horse’s fate.”

“Better to burn incense, pray devoutly, work hard, and live honestly this life—hoping the Buddha will bless me with rebirth as a good person in the Central Lands next life.”

“Ah, Aunt Liu is too stingy—running such a vast business, with guests flooding in and gold pouring in daily—and still eating leftovers every day,” Xiao Yu sighed to Hong Qu upon returning to Xiao Jingxuan.

Hong Qu sneered. “What does this have to do with Aunt Liu? Hongxiu Fang belongs to the Jiaosifang, and the Jiaosifang belongs to the court. No matter how much money Hongxiu Fang makes, not a single copper coin goes into Aunt Liu’s pocket.”

Everyone ate leftover food, and the money saved each year could build a new palace for the Prince of Qinghe.

You are the Prince of Qinghe—how would you choose?”

Xiao Yu blinked and said, “Why not build a new palace for the Prince of Shu?”

Hong Qu sneered, “The Prince of Shu is merely a puppet the Prince of Qinghe puts on display to deceive the Qin Empire.”

The Emperor certainly suppresses our Lu State, but he also does not wish for Shu to grow strong.”

As Prince of Shu, under constant watch, many things are hard to do.”

He dares not even be too wise.”

Only by being dull and confused can one survive long.”

Li Jingyu is nominally a carefree prince, but behind the scenes, who knows what schemes he’s hatching against the tyrannical Qin!

“If you know this, doesn’t Great Qin know too?” Xiao Yu said.

“They’re all just watching each other, scheming against each other!”

Xiao Yu fell silent.

“Sister Fengxian, I’m here~~”

Soon, Ziying’s cheerful laughter came from the doorway.

By the time Xiao Yu rose and stepped out, Ziying had already run into the courtyard.

“Ziying, just you alone?”

“You’re just looking for a girl to fetch your meals— isn’t one enough?” Ziying tilted her head at her.

“You’ll fetch my meals for me?” Xiao Yu was surprised.

She had assumed Ziying came with maids to apply for the job—she never expected Ziying herself was the applicant.

“Am I not good enough?” Ziying looked nervous.

Xiao Yu waved her hands quickly. “No, no—Sister Ziying is certainly excellent. I just thought you were Liu Gu’s little housekeeper.”

Ziying fell silent for a moment, then muttered, “I also serve as Liu Gu’s maid—she pays me two strings of cash each month.”

Xiao Yu immediately said, “I’ll pay Sister Ziying five strings a month! By the way, how much silver is one string worth?”

Ziying burst out laughing. “You don’t even know how much one string is worth, yet you offer me five? Are you teasing me?”

“I don’t know how much one string is worth, but I’m certain Sister Ziying is worth five strings,” Xiao Yu said.

“Five strings is too much—one is enough,” Ziying waved her hand and laughed.

“Alas, you don’t understand—I eat a lot. Five strings will do. It’s just that Sister Ziying pities me and is willing to help.”

Seeing Ziying still wanted to speak, Xiao Yu hurried on, “You don’t understand now, but once you’ve seen how much I eat, you’ll probably regret it!”

Ziying was doubtful. “Let’s try half a month. If your appetite doesn’t shock me, we’ll go back to one string.”

“Fine. I suspect by then you’ll have to raise the pay. Alas, Sister Ziying is shrewd—you’ve let me get no big advantage,” Xiao Yu said with a look of regret.

Ziying covered her mouth, giggling uncontrollably. “I don’t believe you eat more than my little Hui.”

“What’s Hui? Not a pig, is it?”

“Hehehe, yes, it’s a pig, hehehe.”

“What’s Ziying’s situation? Do you know?” After sending Ziying off, Xiao Yu turned to ask Hong Qu.

“I don’t know,” Hong Qu said bluntly.

But she quickly added, “You don’t need to ask—you can guess. She has family, and they desperately need money.”

Who else but family could make a girl in the Jiaosifang, still unopened, work so hard?”

“Alas, all beings suffer. Immortals and Buddhas who wield dominion over the world cannot save it at all—how utterly despairing!” Xiao Yu gazed out the window at the darkening sky and sighed deeply.

Hong Qu looked at her as if she were an alien. “You’re talking nonsense again. Of course the Immortals and Buddhas are saving the world—and they can save it!”

Sorry, I promised to post by midnight, but I only started checking for typos at ten. I planned to release ten chapters at once, but after two hours of fussing, I still hadn’t finished checking them—my efficiency is too low. Sorry.