After paying the entrance fee, Xu Qi'an and his group entered the courtyard where several guests were sitting inside a room, drinking tea and chatting.

Six dancers dressed in colorful clothes were dancing gracefully, swaying their slender waists and plump hips.

Xu Qi'an scanned the room but didn't see the courtesan who usually seduces clients in bed.

Playing drinking games was not the only activity in the tea house. Guests could also listen to music and watch dances. However, the courtesan didn't always appear with the guests.

Similarly, guests needed some "free space" to socialize privately. Playing drinking games was fun, but not conducive to discussing personal matters.

Some guests came in groups to drink flower wine and bond with each other. At this time, they needed some freedom to express themselves.

The three of them sat down, and Song Tingfeng shrugged his shoulders and smiled with his eyes half-closed. "It seems that Miss Fu Xiang doesn't plan to accompany any clients tonight."

Xu Qi'an asked, "Why do you say that?"

Song Tingfeng explained, "The time for playing drinking games is limited. Usually, a group of clients can only stay here for an hour or renew another table or leave. And playing drinking games for fun also takes about an hour."

In other words, our group is not playing drinking games, so Fu Xiang won't appear... Why do you know so much about the rules of the Official Brothel Sector? Haven't you visited here often? Xu Qi'an nodded, indicating that he learned something new.

After a dance ended, the dancers took a short break.

A young man in a light blue Confucian robe stood up and held up his cup, looking around. "Is Yang Ling, Young Master Yang here?"

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He asked three times in a row, but no one answered, and he sat down disappointedly.

At the next table, a middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy man curiously asked, "Brother, who is this Yang Ling?"

"Reflections slanting across the clear shallow water, fragrance wafting in the darkening moonlight." The young man in the Confucian robe raised his chin slightly. "Have you heard of it?"

"I have some impression." The middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy man recalled for a moment.

"Of course, this poem has been hailed as the immortal plum verse by contemporary scholars since it was first published in the Shadow Plum Blossom Pavilion. Only us scholars can create such beautiful verses." The young man in the Confucian robe proudly lifted his head. "That's why I'm looking for someone here."

The middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy man asked in confusion, "Then why are you looking for someone here?"

As they talked, the nearby drinkers also stopped chatting and listened attentively.

"Because this immortal verse was dedicated by Young Master Yang Ling to Miss Fu Xiang, and it describes her as a plum blossom in full bloom, shining with brilliant radiance."

"No wonder the Shadow Plum Blossom Pavilion has been receiving many distinguished guests lately, and no wonder Miss Fu Xiang never appears.""Yes, I heard that Miss Fu Xiang no longer accompanies guests easily."

"The slanting shadows of sparse trees and clear shallow water, the hidden fragrance floating in the moonlit dusk... such a beautiful poem. I really want to meet Miss Fu Xiang and that talented scholar."

Upon hearing this, a young man in a light green Confucian robe sighed and lamented, "That young master Yang only appeared once in the Official Brothel Sector, and then disappeared without a trace. The National Academy sent people to search for him in Changle County, but he was nowhere to be found."

Everyone was shocked by this strange occurrence.

The young man in the light green Confucian robe said helplessly, "I come to the Shadow Plum Pavilion every day just to wait for him. It's not just me, but all the scholars in the capital want to make friends with him."

Song Tingfeng clicked his tongue and said, "Now it's no longer possible for us to covet Miss Fu Xiang."

Zhu Guangxiao also sighed.

Xu Qi'an felt guilty and wondered if he had unintentionally raised the price of the AC.

Song Tingfeng looked at his new colleague and said, "It's a pity that you are good at solving cases but not at writing poetry. If you could write a poem like Yang Ling's, Miss Fu Xiang would even be willing to pay for you."

"Pay?!" Xu Qi'an discovered something.

"Did you make up the story about the romantic affair between a poor scholar and a courtesan out of thin air? When a poor scholar occasionally writes a good poem and gives it to a courtesan, her value will soar. This is a mutually beneficial thing, and those young scholars who are famous at a young age are the objects that courtesans compete to praise. They are willing to pay even if it means paying more than the usual price. The master of the Purple Sun Residence at Yunlu Academy, who was quite talented in poetry, spent three months in the Official Brothel Sector after passing the imperial examination and didn't even spend a penny," said Song Tingfeng.

Zhu Guangxiao nodded and agreed.

Song Tingfeng noticed that his new colleague was stunned and seemed to be greatly shocked, but also seemed to have heard some exciting news, and his breathing became rapid.

A maid who was serving drinks to the guests quickly left the table and stared at Xu Qi'an for a few seconds before showing a look of ecstatic joy and running out of the room, ignoring the guests.

Soon after, a courtesan in gorgeous attire appeared, her long skirt trailing on the ground, her beautiful jewelry and charming face complementing each other.

The thickness of her dress was just right, neither bulky nor too revealing, highlighting her mature figure. She didn't look like an ordinary courtesan, but rather like a socialite with a certain status and a well-known reputation.

Fu Xiang glanced over the guests with her beautiful eyes, pausing on Xu Qi'an for a moment.

"Hey, Fu Xiang just looked at me," Song Tingfeng said, slightly shocked.Zhu Guangxiao glanced at him, straightened his back, and said, "You're looking at me."

After bowing to the guests, Fu Xiang said in a soft voice, "I will perform a dance to entertain the guests."

The guests were pleasantly surprised to see the most famous courtesan from the Official Brothel Sector appear before them.

Perceptive guests wondered why Fu Xiang, who was known for her musical and poetic talents, was dancing tonight.

"If only she could dance a piece of music from the Pure Land for me..." Xu Qi'an admired her graceful dance while lost in thought.

After the dance, Fu Xiang drank a cup of wine and left with a flushed face.

Song Tingfeng laughed and said, "It was worth it."

Zhu Guangxiao nodded.

Song Tingfeng raised his glass to Xu Qi'an and said, "Fu Xiang rarely dances, but she often plays the piano. It's worth the money you spent to see her dance since you're new to the Official Brothel Sector."

Xu Qi'an raised his glass in return and said, "It would be great if I could stay in her room tonight."

Song Tingfeng laughed heartily.

Zhu Guangxiao shook his head slightly.

Just as Song Tingfeng finished laughing, a maid approached and said, "Young Master Yang, my lady invites you to her room for tea."

...Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked at Xu Qi'an in confusion, their expressions gradually becoming stiff.

Xu Qi'an patted Song Tingfeng's shoulder and said, "Let's meet at the courtyard gate tomorrow at the hour of the Rabbit."

The scholar in the light blue robe suddenly stood up from his seat and shouted with excitement, "Young Master Yang, are you Yang Ling? You're Young Master Yang Ling? I'm Du Ying..."

Xu Qi'an stopped and bowed to him before leaving with the maid.

The room full of guests stared in amazement, and the scholars in their robes were overjoyed.

Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked at each other in silence: "???"

...

In the warm bedroom, there was a bathtub behind the screen filled with warm water and flower petals.

Xu Qi'an soaked in the hot water, feeling comfortable as he exhaled.

Fu Xiang, with fair skin and a beautiful figure, knelt beside the bathtub, softly massaging his body with her soft hands.

"It's been a few days, and you look even more handsome, sir." The courtesan admired Xu Qi'an's strong physique, her bright eyes couldn't help but linger on him.

Previously, Xu Qi'an was already handsome, but today, although his appearance had not changed, he exuded an indescribable charm.

"As long as you like it, my changes are worth it." Xu Qi'an raised his eyebrows.

Fu Xiang blushed and felt a little shy and happy.

She said with a hint of melancholy, "You always say sweet things to deceive me. You clearly don't like me.""Is there any man who can hold her all night without doing anything?"

The courtesan woke up the next day, doubting her own charm.

"I was just tired that day..." Xu Qi'an thought to himself, but it sounded like an excuse from an old man in his forties.

He immediately changed the subject and asked, "Are you cold?"

The courtesan nodded immediately and said in a pitiful tone, "I'm cold~"

"If you're cold, let's take a bath together." Xu Qi'an pulled her into the bathtub.

Splash...

An unexpected scream.

Fu Xiang lay in Xu Qi'an's arms and acted coquettishly, "You're so annoying."

She sat on Xu Qi'an's belly, hooked her hands around his neck, and talked to him about poetry and literature.

Although Xu Qi'an was not well-versed in literature, he still remembered a lot of poems and occasionally recited a few lines, which made the courtesan excited and blush.

"By the way, did Yang Gongzi hear about the dismissal and exile of Zhou Shilang?" she asked casually, making Xu Qi'an alert.

"I heard that he was impeached by the Marquis of Wei." Xu Qi'an replied.

The courtesan raised her charming and affectionate face, gazed at him, and smiled lightly, "It seems that it was because Zhou Shilang was greedy and kidnapped the Marquis of Wei's daughter."

"So beauty is a double-edged sword." Xu Qi'an said half surprised and half emotional.

As an experienced criminal investigator, no one could easily get information from him. However, Fu Xiang might have some doubts.

It's too coincidental. Just after talking about past events, Zhou Li actually made a move on the Marquis of Wei's daughter... Well, it may not be suspicion, but there must be curiosity.

I have to enhance this woman's favor towards me, so that she won't talk about me to some official one day...

"I was touched by the girl's dance just now and wrote a few lines..." Xu Qi'an hugged the beauty's fragrant shoulders and recited, "The hairpin hits the shattered clouds, the blood-colored skirt turns wine-stained. This year's laughter will be next year's memory, and the autumn moon and spring breeze will pass by leisurely."

"This year's laughter will be next year's memory, and the autumn moon and spring breeze will pass by leisurely..." The courtesan's eyes were filled with tears, and she cried softly, "Is the gentleman poking at my heart, how cruel of you."

After bathing, the two lay on the luxurious brocade bed, and Xu Qi'an flipped through the album placed beside the pillow.

The courtesan's brown eyes were as bright and moist as a small deer in the forest, and her face was blushing with a charming peach color. She was shy but willing to be picked, with a voluptuous figure and smooth and flawless skin, like a beautiful jade statue.

"What does it mean?" Xu Qi'an looked at her and raised the album in his hand.

Fu Xiang pursed her lips and dared not answer."Do you really think I'm a virgin chicken that needs education?" Xu Qi'an sneered and threw the album away.

That night, the bed of the courtesan was shaking until midnight.

...

The next day at Mao Shi, Xu Qi'an dressed himself under the service of a slightly haggard beauty, had breakfast, and bid farewell to the affectionate Fu Xiang.

When Xu Qi'an saw the big maid who served Fu Xiang this morning, the worshipful look in her eyes made him feel proud.

After leaving the courtyard of Ying Mei Xiao Ge, he saw two energetic colleagues at the door.

"They really didn't ask me for money... I don't want to freeload, but the beauty owes me a favor..." Xu Qi'an said in a light tone, "Good morning, guys."

The three of them left the alley of the Official Brothel Sector side by side. When they parted ways, Song Tingfeng squinted and couldn't help but ask, "How was it with Miss Fu Xiang?"

Zhu Guangxiao, who was always quiet, also looked over.

Xu Qi'an looked straight ahead, with a hint of arrogance and a hint of rascality, and said with a smile, "That girl... was very moist!"

...

He bought several pieces of silk in the inner city and rented a carriage to rush back to the Xu family's mansion.

Xu Er Shu took the day off today, waiting for his news at home. Xu Xinnian didn't feel like studying.

It wasn't until Xu Qi'an had the servants bring the silk back that the family felt relieved.

Xu Qi'an didn't explain much, pointing to the silk and smiling, "To make clothes for Aunt and the sisters."

Aunt was holding back her anger, lifting her snow-white, pointed chin and snorting.

Xu Lingyue blushed.

It was not appropriate to show too much intimacy in front of family members. Xu Qi'an smiled at the beautiful girl, then kicked the shuttlecock and kicked Little Dou Ding into the air, reaching out to catch him.

Aunt was startled, but Little Dou Ding laughed carelessly.

"You've stepped into the Qi Practicing Realm," Xu Er Shu said in surprise.

After Xu Qi'an's affirmation, Xu Er Shu showed a relieved smile like an old father.

In the study, Xu Qi'an briefly explained the situation to his uncle and cousin.

The father and son were both scared.

Xu Xinnian scrutinized his cousin, "Why did the Princess send someone to follow you?"

"I want to know too..." Xu Qi'an speculated, "Maybe among the outsiders at the academy that day, I was the only one?"

On the day of the anomaly at the Holy Academy, the Princess was also there. It was impossible for her not to pay attention to the matter. Therefore, it was reasonable to monitor the only outsider that day.Xu Xinnian said in a deep voice, "The Princess Chang is very thoughtful. She has been studying at Yunlu Academy for many years and has a semi-master-disciple relationship with Wei Yuan. Her chess skills are exceptional. Recommending you as a Nightwatcher is not just a spur of the moment decision."

"If she summons you in the future, don't be surprised. Remember to be careful and cautious."

Xu Qi'an responded with a sound of agreement.

If Xu Cijiu, who was proud and arrogant, valued and feared her so much, it showed that Princess Chang was not a simple person.

After Xu Xinnian finished speaking, he suddenly raised his chin and said, "I have entered the realm of self-cultivation."

"I have also become a master of the eighth rank in Confucianism!"

Xu Qi'an was pleasantly surprised and asked, "What miraculous abilities do Confucianists in the realm of self-cultivation possess?"

Xu Xinnian raised the corner of his mouth and said, "If the path is righteous, even if there are thousands of people, I will go forward."

In that instant, Xu Qi'an's heart was filled with boundless courage, bursting with the courage to face thousands of troops and horses alone.

This kind of inexplicable courage lasted for a quarter of an hour before slowly dissipating.

"Self-cultivation is the process of honing one's literary courage. A Confucianist in this realm is convincing in every word and deed. For example, just now, Big Brother felt that what I said made sense and unconsciously followed it. When I become an official in the court in the future, my ability to judge cases will not be inferior to yours."

No, I rely on real skills, while you rely on cheating! Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

This was equivalent to a courage BUFF, a prototype of "words have power." Xu Qi'an's eyes lit up and he looked at his second uncle, saying, "Cijiu, I have treated you well..."

"Get lost!" Xu Xinnian didn't wait for him to finish speaking and left with a flick of his sleeve.

A vulgar warrior...

...

Xu Qi'an returned to his small courtyard and took a nap.

Suddenly, he woke up inexplicably, and the source of his alarm was the jade and stone mirror hidden under his pillow.

On the jade mirror's surface, a line of small characters appeared:

[Where are you, Jiu?]

PS: Seeing the length of this chapter, you should understand why the update is late.

Two chapters in one, completing the update and fulfilling an alliance leader's bonus chapter request. So satisfying.