"Master, don't be hasty or act rashly," Pang Xiongxin, who had just arrived at the inn, said in a low voice.
Song Yuzhi paced the room, unusually restless. "It was my oversight to assume Zhao Zhao would marry Zhou Yuqi based solely on appearances. I should have realized—given her temperament, if she truly liked Zhou Yuqi, how could this engagement have lasted until now? I'll write to Father immediately to propose marriage at Fallen Blossom Valley..."
"The sect leader is currently preoccupied with how to propose breaking off the engagement to Sect Leader Qi, not to mention the mess your second brother stirred up. That's why he sent me to pay respects to Great Hero Chang's family on his behalf. One engagement hasn't been dissolved yet—how can we arrange a second one? Yuzhi, don't lose your composure." Pang Xiongxin held a warm towel, looking every bit the fussy nursemaid.
"I should have broken off the engagement as soon as we returned from the Nether Bamboo Path." Song Yuzhi sat down in frustration. "Sigh, today I saw how Zhou Yuqi treats Zhao Zhao with such gentleness and care, far surpassing me. And Zhao Zhao clearly delights in his company. A gentleman should help others fulfill their happiness—perhaps I should give up this notion."
"Don't say that, Master!" Pang Xiongxin hurriedly interjected. "That Qi Lingbo is truly too fierce. When I reluctantly revealed your whereabouts that day, she actually pointed at my nose and cursed me out. If she really becomes your wife in the future, I wouldn't dare approach you, Third Young Master."—At the time, Qi Lingbo had mistaken him for a servant of the Song family, unaware that he was actually a distant relative from a collateral branch who had sought refuge at Vast Heaven Gate after being orphaned as a child, practically a member of the Song household.
"I apologize for Lingbo's rudeness, Uncle Six. She's been willful and ill-mannered since childhood," Song Yuzhi said quietly.
Pang Xiongxin waved it off. "It doesn't matter for me, but if you marry such a wife, what will become of your future? Xiao Cai Guniang is much better—gentle and cheerful. Look at those two maids by her side, each more impressive than the last. Only a kind and benevolent mistress could raise such attendants."
Thinking of Furong and Feicui, who constantly picked at Cai Zhao's flaws, Song Yuzhi couldn't help but smile. "Zhao Zhao may have a temper, but she never neglects disciplining those under her. She manages Camellia Longevity Abode very well."
"Who says otherwise?" Pang Xiongxin sighed. "But Master, let your uncle speak frankly—such a treasure is rare, and everyone who sees her desires her. If you retreat even a step, countless others will rush forward."
This struck a chord with Song Yuzhi. Even if he were willing to step back, that scoundrel Mu Qingyan would never let go.
Pang Xiongxin continued, "Think about it, Master—how many young ladies from renowned families match your age and status? You're a peerless figure in this world—shouldn't you marry a peerless lady rather than settle for second best?"
Song Yuzhi stared blankly at the lamplight. "I'm not afraid to deal with Mu Qingyan—after all, countless barriers stand between him and Zhao Zhao. But Zhou Yuqi... he's a disciple of North Star. I can't oppose him openly or covertly without disadvantage."
He knew vaguely about Zhou Yuqi and Min Xinrou's unclear relationship, but exploiting someone's private affairs went against his upright and proud nature.
Unexpectedly, Pang Xiongxin chuckled. "Master, that's exactly the right way to think! In truth, the best approach now is to do nothing."
Song Yuzhi was exceptionally sharp—he grasped the implication in those few words. "Uncle Six means I shouldn't act, but let Mu Qingyan take action instead."Pang Xiongxin stroked his beard and nodded: "Exactly my point. Seeing how Young Master Zhou and Zhao Zhao got along today, even you felt uncomfortable, Master. How could that Demonic Cult leader tolerate it? So there's no need for you to do anything—just wait for the Demonic Cult leader to deal with Young Master Zhou."
Song Yuzhi's eyes darkened.
Pang Xiongxin continued: "Moreover, Xiao Cai Guniang has been betrothed to Zhou Yuqi since childhood. If that Mu fellow really eliminates Zhou Yuqi and ruins this engagement, regardless of the outcome, Cai Zhao will surely despise him deeply. Then, Master can reap the benefits."
"No." Song Yuzhi's expression turned solemn. "Zhou Yuqi and I both belong to the Big Dipper Six Sects. If I didn't know, that would be one thing. But now that I know Mu Qingyan intends to harm Zhou Yuqi, I cannot stand by idly."
Pang Xiongxin laughed heartily and lowered his voice: "Master, you're overthinking it. That Demonic Cult leader is far more perceptive than you. Since he has his eyes on Xiao Cai Guniang, he definitely won't harm Zhou Yuqi directly—otherwise, would Xiao Cai Guniang let it go? I suspect the Demonic Cult leader will take a different, more underhanded approach. For example, that Min girl from Jade Pendant Mountain Manor..." He had visited the manor several times and had met Min Xinrou.
"Ruining a girl's reputation is not something our kind would do!" Song Yuzhi's gaze was sharp and unyielding.
Pang Xiongxin sighed repeatedly: "Ah, the sect leader wasn't wrong. Sending you to Nine Conch Mountain too early has made you inflexible under Sect Leader Qi's influence. Who knows where that Min girl is now? Given the temper of those Demonic Cult fiends, do you think they'll wait to capture her before acting?"
"I reckon this scheme will eventually lead to some brothel. Surely you don't need to worry about the reputation of a brothel's top courtesan, do you? Besides, it would test Young Master Zhou's resolve and prevent Xiao Cai Guniang from marrying the wrong man."
Song Yuzhi's expression grew subtly complex.
...
"Where is the largest and most expensive brothel in Wu'an City? Do they have a top courtesan?"
Under the flickering candlelight, Mu Qingyan's stunningly handsome features and bright eyes shone brilliantly, yet You Guanyue and Shangguan Haonan couldn't help but shrink back.
"Find the most beautiful and skilled one. We'll set a trap for that Zhou fellow." Mu Qingyan's pale red lips curled slightly into a sinister smile.
"Your Eminence, you mustn't do this!"
Shangguan Haonan shot a disdainful glare at You Guanyue, who had hidden behind him, then stepped forward with loyal fervor to advise, "Xiao Cai Guniang and that Zhou fellow have been betrothed since childhood. Even if Zhou lacks self-control and slips up, once Xiao Cai Guniang finds out, she'll surely despise you, Your Eminence!"
You Guanyue quickly chimed in: "Yes, yes! The current situation is a three-way standoff. Whichever two sides act first, the third will benefit. Your Eminence, impatience spoils great plans!"
"It's best to let Song Yuzhi make the first move. We can even fan the flames—Little Moon has plenty of 'Bewitching Powder' and 'Crabapple Spring' on hand. Once it's done, we can expose him, and Xiao Cai Guniang will surely loathe Song Yuzhi."
"Exactly! Watching Xiao Cai Guniang and her fiancé being affectionate must be torture for Song Yuzhi. He must be seething with hatred!"
"Enough!" Mu Qingyan slammed the table, and Shangguan Haonan and You Guanyue immediately fell silent.
Mu Qingyan was still fuming from the sight of Cai Zhao and Zhou Yuqi being lovey-dovey earlier that day. The memory alone filled him with rage, making him want to storm over in the dead of night and snap that Zhou brat's neck like a chicken's."Did you think I hadn't considered what you're saying?" he said coldly. "Waiting for Song Yuzhi to make the first move? Hmph, that hypocritical fraud is waiting for me to act first! If I don't move, then what? Wait for Zhao Zhao and Zhou Yuqi to get married, consummate their union, and have children?"
"But Sect Leader, if you act first, Xiao Cai Guniang will surely come to deeply resent you. Why not let her direct that hatred toward Song Yuzhi instead?" You Guanyue was practically moved to tears by his own loyalty.
Unexpectedly, Mu Qingyan countered, "Why should I make Zhao Zhao hate Song Yuzhi?"
Shangguan Haonan was taken aback.
"If Zhao Zhao truly loved me, then I'd rather she hated me deeply and forgot me forever. What does Song Yuzhi amount to? At best, he'd be just a passerby in Zhao Zhao's memories—not even worth remembering. Does he think he deserves any significant place in her heart?!" Mu Qingyan's face was full of malice, his gaze dark and piercing, his demeanor fierce.
Shangguan Haonan suddenly understood. "The Sect Leader is right. Women can be strange sometimes—entanglements of love and hatred leave deeper marks than shallow affections."
You Guanyue still didn't quite grasp it, but that didn't stop him from pledging loyalty: "The Sect Leader is wise. The Sect Leader speaks the truth."
Mu Qingyan's anger subsided slightly.
"But..." Shangguan Haonan hesitated. "Are we really going to resort to brothel methods? I don't think Xiao Cai Guniang would be pleased. Isn't there a better way?"
You Guanyue touched his medicine pouch. "There are drugs, of course, but if Zhou Yuqi can't control himself, Zhao Zhao might even pity him for falling victim to a scheme."
Mu Qingyan grew impatient. "Let me think this through again."
He looked up at the ceiling beams. "First, Zhou Yuqi's character shouldn't have any major flaws. Zhao Zhao is sharp—if Zhou Yuqi had any serious faults, she wouldn't tolerate the engagement, nor would she have tolerated me back when my identity was still unclear..."
Shangguan Haonan thought to himself, Given how long that girl was fooled by you, Sect Leader, her judgment clearly isn't all that great.
Mu Qingyan's gaze grew distant, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "Zhao Zhao has never cared about sect or background—only character and integrity. That's why, despite Song Yuzhi's great reputation, handsome appearance, and past accomplishments, Zhao Zhao has always remained indifferent to him. She sees right through his scheming nature—his lack of sincerity."
You Guanyue muttered inwardly, That's because Song Yuzhi was already engaged, so Cai Zhao kept her distance on purpose.
"Second, Zhao Zhao doesn't have particularly deep feelings for Zhou Yuqi. In fact, she's often complained about Zhou Yuqi being too close to that cousin of his, Miss Min." Mu Qingyan frowned. "But if Miss Min is already in the picture, why is Zhou Yuqi being so attentive to Zhao Zhao?"
"Maybe Zhou wants to have both?" Shangguan Haonan blurted out.
You Guanyue immediately cursed, "In his dreams! Xiao Cai Guniang would tear him apart!"
Shangguan Haonan countered, "You never know. Maybe he plans to secure the fish first and slowly swallow the bear's paw later."
"Zhao Zhao isn't some helpless fish—she can walk and fight. If Zhou dares to be unfaithful, even if she married him, she'd turn against him!" You Guanyue argued.
At the words "turn against him after marriage," Mu Qingyan's eyes lit up—but the thought of Cai Zhao dressed in bridal red, bowing to another man in marriage, filled him with such fury that he wanted to turn the wedding hall into a funeral hall on the spot.
Their leader's expression shifted rapidly between delight and malice, leaving Shangguan Haonan and You Guanyue too afraid to speak.
After a long silence, they tentatively ventured, "What should we do, Sect Leader? Please give us your orders."Mu Qingyan pondered for a moment: "Let's set aside the brothel for now, and don't look for the courtesan yet. When it comes to matters of marriage, winning hearts should be our priority. Isn't there a market day in Wuan City soon?"
You Guanyue nodded eagerly.
"Then let's make our arrangements accordingly."
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