Chapter 330: Sword Dance

The first to enter was a woman dressed in a skirt of interwoven dark red and black, the high-waisted blouse and skirt making her skin appear whiter than snow and her figure fuller.

When she lifted her head, an oval face of perfect proportions was revealed; though her features were bold and vivid, her expression carried an inner-outward coolness.

"I am Mei Ying."

The young lady gave a slight bow, her complexion still pale.

Gu Xixi thought to herself, truly living up to her name—she is indeed a red plum blossom blooming in the cold, dark shadows.

Gorgeous yet neither coquettish nor affected.

Everyone loves beauty; An Qinghe couldn't help but glance at her twice more.

He snapped out of his initial astonishment, furtively glancing aside, lest Gu Xixi think him a fickle lover.

Yet Gu Xixi paid no attention to An Qinghe's side.

She too was intently watching the beauty, her eyes full of appreciative smiles.

He Jinglan said, "This jade-dew fragrance is too sweet and cloying; I don't like it. Miss Mei Ying is skilled at this, so please first prepare another batch, lighter and subtle."

Mei Ying nodded, turned, and knelt at the side of the tea table.

A servant girl would take the original incense burner out to replace it.

Gu Xixi glanced doubtfully toward the door, wondering why the man named Jian Lan still hadn't entered.

He Jinglan leaned in and said, "Jian Lan's talent still needs some preparation; just wait a bit longer."

"Let's eat first."

An Qinghe was already hungry and immediately dug in without restraint.

"This steamed lamb in milk is fragrant and tender, with no muttony smell—delicious!"

"This begonia-shaped yam mash is sweet; Gu Xixi should like it."

"This honey-glazed dish is just as authentic as the one I ate when traveling south!"

……

The servant girls filled the table's wine cups.

The wine gleamed gold like amber, clear and lustrous.

Gu Xixi couldn't help lifting the cup to sniff; it gave off a rich green-plum aroma, sweet as well.

He Jinglan chuckled softly, "The plum wine isn't strong; drinking just two small cups won't get you drunk."

Gu Xixi stared at the wine in her cup, her expression torn as desire and principle wrestled within.

He Jinglan, knowing exactly what she thought, said, "I'm guarding you—what's there to fear?"

Her tone was tempting, "The plum wine at the Planting Flowers Pavilion is exquisite; you'll regret not trying it."

Gu Xixi's expression relaxed, and she set aside her heavy principles.

"Then… just a little, two small cups."

She thought, such a tiny cup, even if finished it's less than half a sip—there'd be no problem.

She simply brought the cup to her lips.

As the plum wine entered her mouth, Gu Xixi involuntarily showed a heartfelt smile, "Delicious!"

Plum fragrance filled her mouth, sweet and tart; aside from a faint wine scent, there was hardly any alcohol taste at all!

He Jinglan personally took the wine pot, "Another cup?"

Gu Xixi happily nodded, then nodded again, "Mm-hmm, fill it up!"

At that moment, a faint, serene flute sound drifted in through the window.

A man in frost-colored robes stepped in slowly to the rhythm of the flute.

Gu Xixi knew at once that this was Jian Lan.

She gripped the cup and stared; the man's wide sleeve slipped down, a long sword flashed out, its light dazzling, simultaneously revealing his stunning, otherworldly visage.

Gu Xixi couldn't help recalling when she first saw Mu Nan Zhao at the village entrance.

His handsome looks made one's breath catch.

Indeed, upon first glance, any ordinary person would inevitably feel that way.

Only, this Jian Lan before her had a softer appearance than Mu Nan Zhao's, lessening the sense of pressure for the beholder.

The Regent Prince's manor.

When He Jinghui entered the study, Mu Nan Zhao was still handling official documents.

He Jinghui pulled out a chair for himself and sat, "Those two ladies took An Qinghe out to play all day."

"Before I came over, I heard from a maid at the Jade Bamboo Courtyard that Jing Lan had sent word she wouldn't be returning to stay tonight."

Mu Nan Zhao didn't even lift his head, grunted an "oh," and said, "She's been in the capital this long; it's only right she goes out and about."

"If you're worried about money, just go to my manor's accounts office anytime."

He Jinghui rolled his eyes skyward, "I know the Regent Prince's household is deep-pocketed; you're not short of funds."

"But my sister finally managed to invite friends out for fun; this little expense our He family can still afford."

Mu Nan Zhao didn't respond further, picked up his brush, and wrote.

He Jinghui glanced sideways, first flashing a sly, wicked smile.

Then he collected his smile, spoke solemnly, "Jing Lan not returning home—I'm just a bit curious, so I asked a few more questions."

"I heard she seems to be planning to take Boss Gu to the Planting Flowers Pavilion."

Mu Nan Zhao's brush paused mid-stroke.

He Jinghui didn't look at him either, seemingly muttering to himself, "Although the Planting Flowers Pavilion is a refined place, its beauties include not only women but also men."

"Among them is one called Jian Lan; a single sword dance is a supreme art. It goes from soft to hard, first stirring and lethal, making one feel as if on a battlefield; then it turns sorrowful like a dream, breaking the heart."

"Just by this dance alone, I don't know how many noble ladies in the capital would ache for him, wishing to hold him in their palms."

Yet he is well-read, his bearing elegant, his speech refined.

Mu Nan Zhao continued writing his own, 'Just a performer, that's all.'

He Jinghui said, 'What's wrong with a performer? People at the Flower-Planting Pavilion sell their art, not their bodies, and they only sign temporary contracts, like palace ladies in the Imperial City; once they come of age they must be released, regaining their freedom.'

I recall that Jian Lan has less than two years left; he has saved a fairly substantial fortune at the Flower-Planting Pavilion, and after leaving he could still start some business—truly a wealthy idler. What's not good about that?

Mu Nan Zhao said indifferently, 'You sure know him well.'

It seems the work I've given you lately is still not enough.

He Jinghui's face tightened, he ground his teeth, and increased the pressure: 'When you were in Xi Bei, there were some damned lunatics in the capital saying that Jian Lan's brows and eyes resemble yours somewhat.'

Mu Nan Zhao said lightly, 'Are they all dead now?'

He Jinghui choked, 'Is that the point?!'

However he still answered, 'More or less. Even those not dead had their whole families exiled.'

Mu Nan Zhao fell silent again.

He Jinghui waited a moment, then had to glance at his expression and say: 'A few maids at the Jade Bamboo Courtyard, when they chatted, their faces flushed and they giggled secretly; I heard them mention Jian Lan, and they also said it's a pity the master didn't bring anyone along today.'

You say my sister might be a bit over the top? Taking Boss Gu to the Flower-Planting Pavilion would've been fine, but you insisted on ordering the top male fox spirit, Jian Lan.

Ordering a fox spirit would've been bad enough, but you actually wanted to stay overnight?

A crisp crack sounded, truly making one ache for that Xiangfei bamboo pen shaft.

Mu Nan Zhao said coldly, 'Nonsense!'

He suddenly rose and walked out from behind the desk.

There's a show to watch, He Jinghui's heart leapt with joy, desperately adding fuel to the fire while stifling laughter.

Jian Lan is nearly thirty yet his looks haven't faded; you say if he truly resembled you, Boss Gu wouldn't want you—wouldn't she then look for a substitute?

Just then the study door burst open, a gust of wind lifting He Jinghui's sidehair.

Looking outside again, there was no silhouette.

He Jinghui couldn't keep the smile from his lips, laughing as he chased out: 'Hey! Wait for me, I know Pingkang Ward better than you—let's go together!!'