Chapter 58 Listening Closely to the Whispers of Heaven

Soft singing and delicate dancing, wine cups passing from hand to hand. Beneath the carved railings and vermilion doors, inside the soft green gauze curtains, song and dance continued endlessly while people remained awake.

—Ever the place where souls are bewitched and spirits dissolved, the wax-scented wine of Jinhua dispels the intoxicating sorrow.

At that time, the Qingling Pavilion was still a thoroughly hedonistic pleasure house.

A decade ago, on a late night after the merrymakers had dispersed, the once-boisterous main hall was now silent and desolate, the sparse candlelight flickering in the breeze.

The guards, escorting a girl who had attempted to flee in secret due to illness, were slowly following the madam upstairs. The other women in the pavilion wore varied expressions; some sighed, some were intensely nervous, while others remained as calm as water, wearing thoroughly numb faces.

Back then, only fifteen-year-old Liang Zhanying stood among the crowd.

To evade pursuit by government soldiers, she had hidden here for five days under the alias Xue Ruoqin. During this time, she had constantly used her menstrual period as an excuse to avoid registering for entertaining guests.

Yet deep down, she knew this excuse could not last much longer.

The escorted girl pleaded incessantly, and the madam rolled up her sleeves, fetching a branding iron herself. The faint red glow illuminated a delicate and charming face, though regrettably, upon the collarbone exposed at the lapel of this lovely creature, there grew a cluster of festering pustules that made one's heart tingle with dread.

The madam jabbed a finger against the girl's forehead, sneering, "Run... go on and run! Will the doctor outside be willing to treat you? Besides, this isn't even a serious illness..."

"Me? I can cure it..."

The guards instantly grasped the implication and brutally wrenched open the girl's collar, revealing even more disgusting pustules clinging tenaciously to her emaciated, fragile little body.

The cries and screams were instantly magnified manifold, and the onlookers hurriedly averted their eyes; some lowered their gazes and covered their ears, while others simply closed their eyes altogether.

The madam was quite satisfied, thinking the act of killing the chicken to frighten the monkeys had achieved its purpose.

Yet this time, she did not get her wish.

...

"The mistress fetched a kitchen knife from the kitchen and with a single stroke, chopped off that villainous woman's head!"

"Look, just like this, the mistress was holding that head..."

In the private compartment of the restaurant, Shen Nian and Yan Cheng sat around a round table, laden with fine wine and fresh fruits, accompanied by beautiful storytellers by their side.

Cheng Ruyi felt as though he were dreaming, wishing to listen to the story yet feeling so awkward that he wanted to flee. Yan Kuang, seated beside him, wore an equally unnatural expression, likely finding it no more comfortable than he did.

Only that thick-skinned Shen Nian was happily eating fruit and sipping wine as if entirely accustomed to it, looking as pleased as a corrupt official from a vernacular novel.

Reaching the climax of her tale, the storyteller in purple suddenly slammed her palm on the table! She picked up a jar of wine to serve as a human head, placed her hands on her hips, restrained her smile, and with a deliberately stern face, addressed the crowd—

"The mistress said... If you wish to escape, go ahead. I care nothing for wealth, and you are free to take it. If you do not wish to leave, you may stay, and I shall treat you all like sisters!"

"However, whoever dares to report this to the authorities and spread the word... this shall be her fate!"

The purple-robed woman narrated with vivid expression, timely raising the wine jar she used as a prop for a human head.

The other fluttering beauties around her, upon seeing this, hurriedly cooperated by offering a deep curtsy to the three men and chanting in unison, "From now on, we are willing to take Mother as our guiding light!"

The purple-robed woman said with a solemn air, "Ah, do not address me thus... If you do not disdain me, those younger than me may call me elder sister, and those older... may call me..."

"Call you younger sister!" Seeing the purple-robed woman about to forget her lines, the other girls hurriedly prompted her.

"Right, right, right! What the mistress said back then was younger sister!"

The purple-robed woman raised an eyebrow and declared, "Well? That is the heroic deed of the fifteen-year-old maiden Xue Ruoqin, slaying the wicked wretch and rescuing the dusty flowers!"

Shen Nian immediately applauded, shouting praise again and again! Although Yan Kuang and Cheng Ruyi were still in a state of shock, it was unseemly to just sit there, so they could only join in with the applause.

The purple-robed woman poured herself a bowl of wine, downed it in one gulp, and continued, "Our original batch of veteran sisters relied entirely on the mistress's rescue to have the good days we enjoy today... Unlike that wicked woman, who treated us like pigs and dogs! Back then, more than one sister contracted an unclean disease..."

"It was still the mistress who sought medical help everywhere, and thanks to finding Medical Officer Wen, who was kind and benevolent and willing to treat us..."

The crowd chimed in with agreement. Hearing this, Yan Kuang and Cheng Ruyi finally understood that Liang Zhanying and Wen Xueying had formed their bond and acquaintance through these circumstances.

The purple-robed woman said with pride and joy, "Knowing the mistress is truly our blessing! Both scholarly and martial, beautiful and kind-hearted, and she doesn't despise us... Alas, people like us, how could we ever be worthy of calling her sister? Therefore, we bestowed upon her a nickname!"

The women once again chanted in unison: "Madam Shattered Jade!"

"A fine... and beautiful name. You ladies truly possess literary talent." Cheng Ruyi smiled; though it was flattery, it was not without genuine sincerity.

Scattered frost and shattered jade, pure white snow falling yet disheveled by the wind—it was indeed an apt description for Liang Zhanying.

Hearing this, the purple-robed woman laughed out loud and said, "Oh, young master! Your mouth is truly sweet... Let me guess, you're not even twenty yet? Calling us elder sister... I'm old enough to be your mother!"

Shen Nian was eating grapes and remarked to the purple-robed woman, "Right, right, right, Zilan, aren't you about to celebrate your thirty-ninth birthday?"

"Oh, it's touching that Lord Shen still remembers... I would have thought your heart held only the mistress!" Zilan teased with deliberate coyness.

Clearly, this joke was frequently made. Looking accustomed to it, Shen Nian continued unceremoniously, "Didn't all of you schedule your birthdays on the same day? This official remembers that even the youngest must be thirty-five by now?"

Hearing this, the women crowded around Shen Nian, chattering noisily, leaving Yan Kuang frowning with a headache.

Cheng Ruyi thought to himself that every single one of these women possessed a unique allure, their glances captivating souls, every smile and frown brimming with charm like blooming flowers. Though slight sagging around their eyes could be discerned, he would have guessed them to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight at most.

Thirty-seven or thirty-eight? Their skill in preserving their youth was truly remarkable...

"Alright, alright, off you go to your business, this official has important matters to discuss with these two."

Shen Nian yawned. The women were very accommodating; though still murmuring playful teases, they all pushed open the door and briskly filed out, leaving only the three men in the private room.

Although Yan Kuang had kept a stern face without speaking, Cheng Ruyi still caught the tightly restrained sorrow deep within his eyes.

Learning of his junior sister's past trials in such a manner—thinking of how much burden that fifteen-year-old girl had carried—how could an elder brother not feel heartache?

At this thought, Cheng Ruyi reached out under the table, grasped Yan Kuang's hand, and gave it a gentle pat.

Shen Nian asked in surprise, "Old Yan, what's wrong with you? I noticed you pulling a deadpan face just now, why did your eyes suddenly open so wide?"

Yan Kuang: "...If you don't know how to speak, you might as well keep your mouth shut."

Naturally knowing the reason, Cheng Ruyi smiled silently and looked toward Yan Kuang. Yan Kuang, however, averted his gaze toward the window and feigned nonchalance as he asked, "Shen Nian, when did you find out about all this?"

Shen Nian pondered and said, "After the affair with Hua Changsheng, Xue Niang and I interacted frequently... The girls in the pavilion also regarded me as one of their own. One time when we were drinking quite happily, someone let it slip."

Cheng Ruyi instantly understood what Yan Kuang meant by that question. Although Liang Zhanying killing people and seizing the pavilion was an act of executing justice on behalf of heaven and rescuing these women, it had nonetheless directly violated the laws of the Great Chu.

And having associated with Shen Nian for all these days—because this man lacked official airs and was so approachable as to be somewhat comical—Cheng Ruyi had almost forgotten...

He was, after all, a court-appointed official.

Shen Nian also realized this instantly and hurriedly added, "That procuress forced good women into prostitution and took lives on numerous occasions, and the guards were her accomplices. Xue Niang wasn't just executing heaven's justice; she was also enforcing Great Chu's laws... Besides, I know all about Xue Niang's background, so what of it..."

Just at that moment, the door burst open with a loud bang—

Liang Zhanying walked straight into the room with a haggard expression, poured herself a cup of tea to drink, and after finishing it, let out two sighs.

"Last night, I ordered all the sisters to return to the pavilion, and conducted a thorough review and screening overnight."

With a painful expression, she said, "The sisters who had been to Ginkgo Village and Penglai New Township were eliminated first... But after eliminating them, there were hardly anyone left in Ling Tianyu... Among these few remaining, either they were smart but not pretty enough, or pretty but not very smart, or too old, or too young..."

Liang Zhanying said helplessly, "By the final selection, martial arts became secondary... Girls who are pretty, smart, composed, know how to adapt to circumstances, and haven't been to Penglai New Township or Ginkgo Village..."

She paused for a moment, then shook her head and said, "There is truly no one in my Ling Tianyu who can shoulder this heavy responsibility. Let us seek another way..."

The group remained silent for a long while before Shen Nian suddenly looked at Cheng Ruyi. Cheng Ruyi also noticed Shen Nian's gaze.

The two exchanged glances, the atmosphere turning rather subtle.

"Um, Mister Cheng, how about..."

"Shen Nian, shut your mouth." Seeing that things were taking a bad turn, Yan Kuang immediately raised his head and glared at Shen Nian.

Shen Nian pursed his lips and lowered his voice, "I am talking to Mister Cheng, what business is it of yo—"

Seeing right through him, Yan Kuang immediately retorted, "Shen Nian, you always boast of your handsome appearance and hold the vital post of a prefect. Since this is an act to benefit the common people, why not take it upon yourself?"

Shen Nian replied unyieldingly, "This official has a robust and upright physique, and a voice like a bronze bell! If I were dressed as a woman, even a blind person could see through it! Look at Mister Cheng instead; last time he wore the clothes I gave to Xue Niang..."

Yan Kuang slammed his palm heavily on the table, interrupting Shen Nian's words. Just as he was about to stand up and flare up, he heard another voice speak softly—

"Well, actually, I think perhaps it might work..."

The person who said this was none other than Cheng Ruyi himself.

Yan Kuang reached under the table, grabbed Cheng Ruyi's wrist with a reverse grip, and said, "I disagree."

Liang Zhanying also said firmly, "I disagree as well. Mister Cheng does not know martial arts, yet he would have to assume a false identity. Once exposed, he would surely die. It's far too risky."

"Is there any better way right now?"

Cheng Ruyi pulled his hand free, patted Yan Kuang's thigh, and spread his hands helplessly. "It wouldn't be that easy to be exposed, right? We're only selecting a maid, not a bride. Doing rough labor and serving people are things I'm all used to; it's very hard to give me away..."

"Where on earth do you get this confidence?" Yan Kuang furrowed his brow, his tone carrying a rare trace of agitation. "No, absolutely not."

"Actually..."

Seeing Yan Kuang so resolute, Cheng Ruyi felt his emotions inexplicably stirred, yet he still stood up and said, "Back in my hometown, every year we had to sacrifice to the river god, which required finding a bride to make a gesture... But no daughters from good families were willing to go, so every year, I was basically the one who went to play the part..."

Shen Nian was stunned. "You can do that?!"

Suppressing his fists in endurance, Yan Kuang said in a deep voice, "I know, but..."

Cheng Ruyi tugged at his own earlobe and looked at Liang Zhanying. "Xue Niang, help me check, have my ear piercings closed up?"

Liang Zhanying: "It seems... they haven't."

...

The next morning.

Yan Kuang and Liang Zhanying waited near the Enchanted Forest. Not far away, Shen Nian was riding a horse at the head of a large group of people hurrying over, followed closely by his secretary and a retinue of bailiffs.

"Old Yan, Xue Niang!"

Shen Nian waved, leaped down from his horse, and walked forward eagerly, saying, "You arrived early. It seems Mister Cheng has already..."