Suddenly, she rembered Chen Mo’s eyes that seed to penetrate everything and a bold speculation surged in her heart, causing her fair cheeks to instantly flush with red.
"Could it be..."
"No, no way!"
...
...
At dusk, the lights on lody Avenue were just beginning to glow.
The entrance of Hundred Flowers Pavilion was bustling with carriages and horses, a scene of noise and excitent.
The Hundred Flowers eting had ended, and today was the Hundred Flowers Banquet hosted by the Imperial Music Bureau, specially to entertain the esteed clients who had offered generous rewards previously. Several Oirans and the top perforrs from each courtyard would be present.
In this evening’s banquet, the most eye-catching was naturally the newly appointed top Oiran, Yu’er.
From her debut, she caught much attention for her exquisite piano skill and beautiful appearance, yet she never drank with guests, with Chen Mo being the only one to enter her boudoir.
Compared to those girls who had been around for years and had extensive connections, she had no advantage whatsoever.
Even so, she managed to break through against all odds and seized the title of the leading beauty at the Hundred Flowers eting!
Chen Mo’s act of "generously spending a fortune for beauty" also spread widely in the neighborhood, becoming a pleasant tale amongst the populace.
As for Yan Linghu, who also spent two thousand taels, no one ntioned him at all, thoroughly reduced to being just a backdrop...
Back hall.
The room was filled with more than a dozen dressing tables where ladies were outlining their eyebrows and putting on rouge in front of bronze mirrors.
Yu’er, in her erald green dress, was propping her chin and daydreaming.
"Sister, it’s been so many days, when exactly will our master return?"
Gu Manzhi, disguised as a little maid, shook her head, "How would I know?"
Yu’er’s essence needed replenishing, but there had been no news of Chen Mo, which made her sowhat worried.
Could sothing have happened while he was carrying out his official duties?
"Maybe we should ask General Li tomorrow? She should have news of our master," Yu’er suggested.
Gu Manzhi nodded, "Hmm, I’ll go tomorrow."
Her identity was unique, and it was risky for her to appear among the Sky Scale Guard, but she couldn’t help worrying.
Yu’er caressed the white ribbon around her neck, her tongue lightly licking her lips, her clear eyes misting over.
Umm, I miss my master so much...
Not far away, Zi Yan’er sat quietly in front of a mirror.
Her personal maid was combing her satin-like long hair with a comb.
"Lady, several Esteed Clients have co to support us today; rember to toast to them later," the maid reminded.
"Mm."
Zi Yan’er responded indifferently.
Seeing her aloof deanor, the maid’s brow slightly furrowed, feeling that sothing had been off with the lady lately.
But thinking about it, she could understand.
The title of Oiran was taken by a newcor, and the forr Purple Huai Workshop was now soone else’s. Both her status and treatnt had plumted, so naturally, she wasn’t feeling well.
"Lady, don’t be too sad. Even if Mr. Chen favors Yu’er, there will co a ti when he grows tired of her.
Without Chen Mo’s support, her Oiran title is nothing but vain," the maid softly consoled.
Zi Yan’er turned to look at Yu’er with a flash in her eyes, pondering sothing.
...
The evening banquet officially began.
In the hall, guests clinked cups and were in high spirits.
There were wealthy lords in brocade clothes, scholar-officials in Confucian robes, accompanied by ladies snuggled up to them, offering charming smiles and entertaining with drinks.
On the stage, musicians gently strumd the strings of their instrunts, with lodious and lingering music flowing, and dancing girls moved gracefully with long swirling sleeves.
The sound of strings and bamboo instrunts, laughter, and toasting lded together, creating a magnificent and lively atmosphere.
Shangguan Yunfei sat among the guests, toasting and drinking rrily with friends.
He had missed the last Hundred Flowers eting, and had only managed to sneak into this banquet under a friend’s na.
"Brother Shangguan, it’s truly a pity you missed the Hundred Flowers eting; you have no idea how thrilling the situation was then.
Yu’er was initially one of the least rewarded, but then Mr. Chen alone pushed her to first place, overwhelmingly defeating the competition. It was incredibly exciting."
"Alone? I seem to recall that the young master of the Yan Family also spent money, didn’t he?"
"Ha, just serving as a step for Mr. Chen, he was rely a foil, even without Yan Linghu, Yu’er would still have won the title of Oiran. Didn’t you see he didn’t even have the nerve to show up today..."
At this mont, a curious young nobleman in brocade asked, "Yunfei, what have you been busy with lately? You haven’t been seen for two months."
...
Shangguan Yunfei sighed, with unspoken bitterness.
He had missed the Hundred Flowers eting because he helped Chen Mo with a case, and recently missed the opportunity to go to the Northern Territory for Demon Slaying because of family matters...
He had done all the dirty work, yet he hadn’t caught any good breaks!
Damn bad luck!
"Let’s not talk about it, let’s drink."
As Shangguan Yunfei was about to drink, suddenly, the air went silent in an instant.
Everyone turned their heads uniformly towards the entrance, and Shangguan Yunfei followed their gazes, stunned.
He saw a tall figure walking slowly into the hall, his handso appearance like flawless jade, making the splendid lights dim in comparison.
"Mr. Chen?"
Chen Mo saw Shangguan Yunfei in the crowd, walked over with a lift of his leg, and said with a smile, "Brother Shangguan, long ti no see."
?!
The gentlen at the table were all stunned.
Chen Mo pointed to an empty seat nearby, questioning, "May I sit here?"
The crowd ca back to their senses, eagerly nodding.
"Yes, of course!"
"Please take a seat, Mr. Chen."
After Chen Mo sat down, the curious young nobleman in brocade asked, "Mr. Chen, you know Yunfei?"
Chen Mo answered with a smile, "More than just acquaintances, Brother Shangguan and I are close friends. Without his help, how would I have had the ti to co to the Hundred Flowers eting?"
Hearing this, everyone looked at Shangguan Yunfei with different eyes.
Sitting in front of them was the first of the Ten Great Demons, the Sky Scale Guard Hundred Household Officer renowned for solving cases like a divinity, the "Outstanding" awardee of the capital examination, and the number one patron of the Imperial Music Bureau... and he was good friends with Shangguan Yunfei?
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