TGPSAC – Chapter 49

Chun Gui was punished by being sent to the kitchen to stoke the fires. As the Grand Princess’s female official, she had never done such work before. Yu Jiuzhou only let her off after she was covered head to toe in soot.

Spouting nonsense came with a price.

At first, Chi Wan didn’t know she was being followed by secret guards. She strolled through the pleasure quarter, finding novelty in everything she saw.

The pleasure quarter was the epicenter of ancient nightlife. The last time she had been on a pleasure boat, she had been stuck on board and hadn’t gotten to experience anything, only watching for a long while as they passed by.

The two secret guards following her were speechless.

An Shi said, exasperated, “Isn’t the Fuma going to the pleasure quarter? She’s been wandering around here for an hour, buying a pile of this and that.”

An Shiyi nodded. “I know, right? Look at all the things Chen Yuan is holding. The people in the pleasure quarter must be getting impatient.”

An Shi replied, “They probably won’t be. The men from the Imperial City Division just arrived not long ago. The silver was given to Huang Yuecheng, so the food should have just been served.”

An Shiyi sighed. “I never expected the Fuma to have such a personality. It’s quite interesting, though.”

Just as the two were discussing this, a voice suddenly came from behind them. “You two, stop talking about me and help me take these things back to Her Highness.”

These two had been staring at her for so long. With such obvious gazes, she’d have to be a ghost not to feel them.

An Shi: “?”

An Shiyi: “?”

“Fuma?” the two said in unison. They had no idea when Chi Wan had appeared behind them.

Chi Wan had Chen Yuan hand the items to them. “Didn’t Chen Yuan tell you that I practice internal martial arts and am exceptionally sensitive to being watched?”

Unless it was another master of internal arts, she could feel any gaze upon her in a crowd, whether it was malicious, benevolent, or unintentional.

An Shi and An Shiyi lowered their heads in embarrassment. This was bad. They had been caught. The chief would definitely put them through extra training.

But they had to obey the Fuma’s orders. An Shi said, “Shiyi, you take the things back to the Princess’s Residence.”

“Alright.” An Shiyi did not refuse and left with the items.

An Shi bowed, then turned and concealed herself in the shadows, not forgetting her mission to follow Chi Wan.

After hiding, she summoned more people, and soon two more figures appeared by her side.

“Ah Shi, Her Highness said that we are to follow the Fuma and that there’s no need to hide it from her. Also, the chief said that since the Fuma is a master of internal arts, it’s not your fault you were discovered.”

An Shi was filled with self-reproach. “The chief is really not going to punish us?”

“No punishment.”

The secret guards knew Chi Wan practiced internal martial arts, but they hadn’t expected her internal energy to be so profound that even seasoned trackers like them could be detected.

They had tailed many people who practiced internal arts, but Chi Wan was the first to ever discover them.

It was said that internal martial arts were divided into levels: entry-level, minor accomplishment, profound, great accomplishment, and consummate. Chi Wan had to be at least at the profound level.

The sect leader of Wudang Mountain and the Celestial Master of Mount Longhu were both at the great accomplishment level. They could leap ten meters into the air and, by pushing off a single leaf, jump even higher.

Such masters could scale hundred-meter cliffs with their bare hands and cross rivers dozens of meters wide by tapping their toes on the water’s surface.

Throughout the entire Great Zhou, only these two were known to possess such formidable internal arts. Those who had reached the consummate level, like the legendary Zhang Zhenren and the Unkempt Daoist, were figures of myth, said to have lived for over three hundred years.

No one had reached the consummate level since, but those who reached great accomplishment could easily live to be one hundred and twenty or thirty years old.

The secret guards had tailed individuals at the minor accomplishment level without ever being detected. The fact that Chi Wan had discovered them meant her internal energy had reached the profound level. According to the secret guards’ investigations, there were no more than ten such people in existence. This showed just how formidable Chi Wan was.

To possess such powerful internal energy and yet have never revealed a hint of it before, nor been detected by the palace experts, she must have learned some technique to conceal her inner breath.

The revelation of Chi Wan’s profound internal energy shocked the secret guards, which was why An Shi and An Shiyi were not punished. It wasn’t their fault; Chi Wan was simply too strong.

A person like that didn’t need the protection of secret guards. It was a good thing Her Highness had said not to hide from the Fuma; otherwise, they would have had to deploy An Yi and An Er.

Besides those two, no one among the secret guards could tail a master at the profound level.

Chi Wan, however, was unaware that she had been the subject of such a lengthy discussion among the secret guards. She could still feel people following her. Judging by their breathing, An Shi was still there, but now there were three of them.

She paid them no mind. After she had browsed enough, she finally arrived at the Autumn Water Pavilion.

Several attendants stood outside the entrance. When they saw her approach, they first appraised her attire. Though it was a simple Daoist robe, the material was of high quality and clearly expensive.

Coupled with her overall bearing, the attendants made their judgment: this person was undoubtedly wealthy or noble.

Having reached their conclusion, they immediately came forward to greet her. “Is the young master alone? Do you have a lady in mind, or shall we arrange one for you?”

Chi Wan waved her hand, mimicking Yu Jiuzhou’s aloof expression. “No need.”

She walked inside, an attendant following behind to serve her.

As soon as Chi Wan entered, Huang Yuecheng spotted her and hurried over. “My lord.”

“Where is everyone?”

“The banquet is ready. The Baihus are in the main hall. The six Chiliarchs and eight Vice-Chiliarchs are in one private room, and the two other Assistant Commanders and two Imperial Commissioners are in another, waiting for you, my lord. The remaining Chiliarchs and Baihus are either on duty or on leave at home, too far away to make it back in time. But I’ve summoned everyone who was in the capital.”

All told, there were one hundred and fifty people. The entrance fee to the Autumn Water Pavilion alone was a steep ten taels of silver, which only got you a plate of pastries and a pot of tea. To arrange a meal for everyone here would cost at least twenty taels per person. That was three thousand taels gone just like that.

The private rooms were even more expensive. The two rooms cost two thousand taels. Adding in the flatbread and roasted lamb patties she had ordered for everyone in the Imperial City Division today, the total expenditure came to five thousand five hundred taels.

Huang Yuecheng presented the remaining four thousand five hundred taels with both hands. “My lord, this is the remaining silver.”

“Keep it. Have the Autumn Water Pavilion prepare a few more tables of food and send them to the Imperial City Division for those who couldn’t come. Let everyone eat and drink as they please with the rest of the money.”

Chi Wan waved her hand magnanimously. She had never intended to get any of that ten thousand taels back.

Huang Yuecheng was stunned. She finally understood what it meant to spend money like water. Ten thousand taels of silver, all gone in a single night.

But Chi Wan was about to show the entire Imperial City Division what a last supper truly was. If they were going to eat her food, they had better be ready to put in the effort during training.

A three-month-long hellish training regimen awaited them, and no one could escape. Those who failed would be immediately dismissed from the Imperial City Division, no questions asked. The outstanding graduates, however, could form a new special operations team.

Chi Wan entered the private room where the high-ranking officials of the Imperial City Division were seated. The Assistant Commanders were of the senior fourth rank, and the Imperial Commissioners were of the junior fourth rank.

Upon her entrance, everyone rose and bowed in unison. “Your subordinates greet you, Lord Commander.”

Chi Wan raised her wine cup and announced loudly, “Tonight, I have hosted this banquet at the Autumn Water Pavilion. Please, eat and drink as you wish. But there is one thing: we must abide by the rules of this establishment.”

The most important rule of the Autumn Water Pavilion was that no one was to have physical contact with the ladies, not even holding hands, without their consent.

With so many military men present today, the Autumn Water Pavilion had significantly increased its security.

Chi Wan’s words were also a warning to these men. Eating and drinking were fine, but if they engaged in any harassment, they shouldn’t blame her for being merciless.

Bringing the men of the Imperial City Division to the Autumn Water Pavilion in the pleasure quarter was a grand feast she had prepared for them—a feast before the storm.

Hearing Chi Wan’s words, the men quickly agreed. They all knew what had happened to Chen Hubiao; he was a cautionary tale. One Vice-Commander had been sacrificed to the heavens, and the other now deferred to Chi Wan in all matters. They couldn’t afford to offend her.

Chi Wan drank a cup with them, then went to the Chiliarchs’ room and repeated the same words.

Among these Chiliarchs were some of Chen Hubiao’s men. With Chen Hubiao unable to even save himself, it was hard to say whether these men were still willing to follow him.

After downing two cups of wine, she immediately used her internal energy to expel the alcohol from her system.

The two private rooms were separated only by a screen, which Chi Wan had someone remove.

No one dared to try and get her drunk, and with her present, the men couldn’t fully relax and drink freely.

Just then, a wave of cheers erupted from outside. Chi Wan cupped her hands. “Enjoy yourselves. I’m going to go see what’s happening.”

As soon as she left, the atmosphere in the room improved considerably, finally becoming lively.

Chi Wan, meanwhile, watched as a woman in red leaped down from the third floor opposite them. Holding a red silk ribbon, she danced gracefully in mid-air, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“Courtesan Fu Yue’s dancing is becoming more and more beautiful.”

“Indeed. To win Courtesan Fu Yue’s favor would leave a man with no regrets in this life.”

“What are you dreaming of? Courtesan Fu Yue is a pure courtesan. Her dancing is alluring but not vulgar, captivating the soul. She’s not someone a person like you can touch.”

“I heard Courtesan Fu Yue only performs three times a month. We’re lucky to have caught her today.”

“If I could also hear Courtesan Qing Qian play the zither and sing, it would be worth it even if I failed the palace examination.”

That last speaker sounded like a provincial graduate. Instead of studying hard at home for the metropolitan examination next spring, he was here in the pleasure quarter, saying such things. How could he face his family?

Chi Wan shook her head, admiring Courtesan Fu Yue’s dance.

She didn’t know that An Shi, who was following her, was taking notes: The Fuma looked at Courtesan Fu Yue twice. The Fuma stared at Courtesan Fu Yue for ten breaths. An Shi was just waiting to go back and tattle.

Chi Wan leaned against the railing when a pleasant voice sounded beside her. “Are you alone, my lady?”

She turned her head to see a woman in a cyan dress standing beside her. The woman’s attire was not thin, but it was far from thick—something one might wear in early summer. On her, it looked as ethereal as a fairy’s robes.

Standing together, Chi Wan had the air of an immortal Daoist, while the woman resembled a celestial maiden from the ninth heaven. An Shi wished she could paint the scene, but she settled for drawing two small figures standing together, carefully noting the distance between them: less than ten centimeters.

The next second, Chi Wan took a step back and said quickly, “I already have a wife. I do not accept invitations to private chambers.”

The woman: “?” Listen to that. Is that something a person says?

“My lady, please don’t misunderstand. My name is Qing Qian. I merely came out to watch Sister Fu Yue dance. I saw that your eyes held only appreciation, with no trace of lewdness, which made me want to strike up a conversation.”

Qing Qian spoke softly, “Look at the crowd below. They all wish to possess Sister Fu Yue. Only you, my lady, are simply admiring her.”

“And when you saw me, the first thing you said was that you have a wife. Are you not aware that more than half of the men below have wives? Yet you would be the only one to refuse an invitation to a courtesan’s private chambers here at the Autumn Water Pavilion.”

Chi Wan shook her head. “I am simply afraid of my wife.”

“But no Qian Yuan would admit to being afraid of their wife in public.”

It seemed that for everything she said, Qing Qian had to emphasize how special she was. Once or twice was fine, but there was no need to keep harping on it. Wouldn’t that just make people think she was a hypocrite?

Chi Wan smiled and turned her attention back to Courtesan Fu Yue’s dance, ignoring Courtesan Qing Qian beside her.

It seemed the fish had taken the bait. Prince Bao’an had received news of her arrival and immediately sent someone.

As for what mission this Qing Qian had, it was still unknown.

Courtesan Fu Yue soared into the air again, using the second-floor railing for leverage, and quickly approached her side.

With a light tap of her toes, Courtesan Fu Yue’s red silk ribbon was about to brush across Chi Wan’s face, a fragrant breeze passing by, stirring one’s longing.

Normally, no one would dodge, but Chi Wan had never been one to follow convention. She took a step back and avoided it.

The onlookers: “???”

“Who is that person? Why did they dodge Courtesan Fu Yue?”

“Yeah, how ungrateful.”

“I think that’s the Fuma, Chi Wan. She used to come to the pleasure quarter often, but she only ever drank in the main hall. Why is she willing to get a private room today?”

“You wouldn’t know, would you? Her Majesty appointed her Commander of the Imperial City Division. She’s hosting a banquet for her subordinates at the Autumn Water Pavilion tonight.”

“That explains it. She usually only comes here to drink and never vies for the courtesans’ favor. But today she has a woman by her side. So it’s for official business.”

“What do you know? She’s not favored by Her Highness the Grand Princess. I heard they still sleep in separate courtyards. They’ve been married for two or three months now. It’s only natural that she can’t stand it anymore and comes out to hunt for beauties. I just wonder if Her Highness the Grand Princess will make the Fuma kneel on the floor when she finds out.”

Their voices were low, but Chi Wan’s hearing was sharp, and she heard every word.

What nonsense. Did they think the Grand Princess was a tiger? Making her kneel on the floor?

Chi Wan snorted softly. Yu Jiuzhou was cold on the outside but soft on the inside. Otherwise, with Chun Gui’s presumptuous translations and Xia Qu’s boisterousness, the two would have been kicked out long ago. How could they still be in the residence? These people knew nothing and just spouted nonsense.

With rumors like these, the more you tried to explain, the messier it got. As long as they didn’t say it to her face, she could ignore it.

Chi Wan turned to go back to the private room, but Qing Qian blocked her way. “Won’t you have a drink with me, my lady?”

“I don’t drink.”

Chi Wan refused flatly. Trying to lure her onto the hook without a shred of sincerity—where could one find such a good deal?

Qing Qian’s proactive approach and Courtesan Fu Yue’s flirtation were clearly orchestrated by Prince Bao’an.

And just as expected, someone in the crowd recognized the woman beside her.

“Look, the one standing next to Chi Wan is Courtesan Qing Qian. It’s actually her.”

“You’re right. She’s even harder to see than Courtesan Fu Yue. One usually only hears her voice, but never sees her person.”

“Why is she with Chi Wan? Don’t tell me she’s taken a liking to her.”

“How is that possible? What is Chi Wan, anyway?”

“You can’t still think of Chi Wan as that young lady from the Marquis’s residence, can you? Unable to inherit the title, unable to pass the examinations, only able to get an official post through hereditary privilege. The Chi Wan of today is the Fuma, the Commander of the Imperial City Division, and the Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision. Throughout the entire Great Zhou, how many have held such high positions at her age?”

“But isn’t that all thanks to Her Highness the Grand Princess? Without the Grand Princess, she’s nothing.”

“If you’re so capable, why don’t you go latch onto the Grand Princess? Then all of this could be yours.”

“What are you dreaming about? Even if you married Her Highness the Grand Princess, could you infuriate Yuan Yiqing until he fainted and persuade the scholars to retreat, thus relieving Her Majesty’s worries?”

“Exactly. The Fuma is a person of noble character, a loyal and virtuous official. Who are you to even discuss the Fuma?”

Unbeknownst to her, Chi Wan had gained a reputation among the scholars. Many of them frequented the Autumn Water Pavilion, and many had witnessed the grand spectacle that day.

Everyone knew that if the Fuma hadn’t angered Yuan Yiqing to the point of fainting that day, allowing him to brand the scholars as rebels forcing the palace, the scholars would have been doomed.

Therefore, whether they had been there or not, they all owed Chi Wan a debt of gratitude.

Even those from prestigious noble families, who had not yet been tainted by the filth of officialdom and still held onto their ideals, had a newfound respect for Chi Wan.

Chi Wan had never believed that one’s birth determined one’s character. The first to throw themselves into the fray back then were precisely those from noble families. They never feared death and had their own ideals and ambitions.

It was just that after some passed the examinations and became officials of the Great Zhou, they had no choice but to blend in and compromise.

Otherwise, they would be outcasts, subject to attack. The consequences ranged from losing their official posts to losing their lives, or even the lives of their entire families.

Chi Wan smiled. Just as she was about to leave, Qing Qian blocked her again. “My lady, are you aware that Courtesan Fu Yue has yet to perform her most masterful dance? If you go in now, you’ll miss it.”

Chi Wan paused and asked, “Is there a performance where many young ladies dance together?”

“Ah?”

Seeing Qing Qian’s confusion, Chi Wan waved her hand. She was just thinking about how Yu Jiuzhou got to watch many beautiful ladies dance, and she wanted to experience it too.

“It’s nothing.”

Chi Wan hesitated for a moment, then started walking downstairs. Courtesan Fu Yue had just landed and was preparing to dance.

Qing Qian followed behind Chi Wan. She ignored the people who greeted her, appearing quite aloof.

However, quite a few people greeted Chi Wan. “Fuma.”

Hearing this, Qing Qian feigned surprise. “So you are the Fuma.”

Then she added, “No wonder you’re afraid of your wife.”

It was one thing for her to say it herself, but hearing it from someone else was somehow irritating. “You’re mistaken. It’s a matter of romantic interest. What would you know!”

Qing Qian laughed out loud. “Then why don’t you dare to be alone with me, Fuma?”

Unexpectedly, Chi Wan shook her head. “You talk too much.”

She didn’t like this kind of woman who feigned aloofness. Even though she was being talkative to her, it just made her seem both aloof and chatty. She didn’t like it.

Aloof when she wanted nothing, talkative when she wanted something—a classic two-faced person.

Her blunt words made Qing Qian’s face darken for a moment. After a forced laugh, she said, “The Fuma is truly straightforward.”

Chi Wan was sending a message to the person behind Qing Qian: don’t try to fool me with these tricks. I’m not falling for it. The bait isn’t good enough.

If she fell for it too easily, she might not be able to extract any useful information.

Qing Qian waved her hand, and someone prepared a table for Chi Wan, setting out wine and pastries. Then she stood by to wait on her.

Even after she had been so rude, Qing Qian still stuck by her side. She clearly had an ulterior motive.

Chi Wan wasn’t an impolite person, nor did she lack emotional intelligence. She didn’t have to speak so bluntly, making herself seem crude and rude.

But when you were out and about, you created your own persona. Any persona that could get you information was a good one.

“Courtesan Fu Yue’s solo dance is a bit monotonous. It would be even better if Courtesan Qing Qian went up to play the zither, accompanied by a few dozen other ladies.”

That would turn it into a grand gala. What a spectacular scene. She could go back and show off to Yu Jiuzhou: Your Highness, I also got to see many pretty ladies dance!

Qing Qian was speechless. This person had quite the imagination. One Fu Yue wasn’t enough; she also wanted her to play the zither. Didn’t she know that someone had once offered a thousand taels of gold to spend a night in the same room with her, just to hear her play a single song? Did this person even know what she was saying?

Of course, Chi Wan knew. That was precisely why she had proposed it. If they agreed to this, it would be a clear sign that the Autumn Water Pavilion was trying to trap her.

She didn’t drink the wine, picking up the tea instead and sipping it as she enjoyed the stage performance.

Qing Qian, who was sitting beside her, stood up. A moment later, the sound of a zither filled the air, and dozens more ladies appeared on stage. But why were there male dancers too? They were handsome and well-built, but she didn’t like it. If it wasn’t all pretty ladies, the dance lost its meaning.

Chi Wan lost interest and got up to go upstairs. As she passed by An Shi, she even said, “Tell Her Highness I’ll be back in an hour.”

An hour was more than enough. She didn’t need any longer.

An Shi was speechless. How was it that wherever she hid, the Fuma could find her? At least the Fuma hadn’t discovered the little notebook she was using to tattle.

Chi Wan didn’t watch the people dancing on stage, mainly because there were too many male dancers. It made her head spin. Seriously, she preferred women. She only wanted to see an all-female dance.

However, Qing Qian’s zither playing was indeed beautiful. Coupled with her singing, it seemed to be a poem set to music. It was lovely. No wonder so many people adored her. Her voice was neither sweet nor commanding, but something in between. Especially when paired with the zither, it rang out in the bustling hall, causing everyone to naturally fall silent.

The zither and her voice, ethereal and distant, reached deep into one’s soul. Such a fresh and pleasant sound seemed to calm and purify the mind, leaving one captivated and deeply moved.

Chi Wan leaned against the second-floor railing. The music had drawn even the men from the Imperial City Division out of their private room. They were about to greet her, but she made a shushing gesture, so they refrained from bowing.

When the song ended, there was a full ten-breath pause before the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

An Shi wrote: The Fuma was mesmerized by Courtesan Qing Qian’s music, unable to extricate herself.

Chi Wan came back to her senses and smiled, her eyes narrowing. She saw Qing Qian searching for her in the crowd below and raised a hand in acknowledgment.

An Shi wrote: The Fuma gave Courtesan Qing Qian a gentle greeting.

Meanwhile, anger surged within Qing Qian. She had played the zither specifically for Chi Wan, with Fu Yue and a host of other ladies accompanying her, yet this person had gone up to the second floor and was chatting with someone else, looking as if she hadn’t been listening at all.

For someone who loved and cherished music, this was an insult.

Could Chi Wan say that she had indeed been listening to her song? If music could be graded as first-rate or second-rate, then Qing Qian’s zither and singing were in a class of their own.

Qing Qian made her way upstairs. The men from the Imperial City Division who had gathered around Chi Wan immediately made way for her.

Only Huang Yuecheng remained. She had to protect the Fuma for Her Highness the Grand Princess and not let her be seduced by some courtesan.

“Does the Fuma find Qing Qian’s music unpleasant?” Qing Qian’s tone held a subtle question, a slight expression of her displeasure at Chi Wan having gone upstairs alone.

At this point, if someone was interested in her, they would try to coax her. If not, she would have to think of another way.

Fortunately, Chi Wan smiled and said, “Courtesan Qing Qian’s music is like the celestial music of the heavens. At times a soft whisper, at others a battle hymn at dawn. If Courtesan Qing Qian were to join the army, she might even win military honors.”

Qing Qian felt a strange stirring in her heart. It wasn’t that no one had ever heard the rousing, battle-like passion in her zither playing, but no one had ever said something like that.

They would only say: What a pity Courtesan Qing Qian is not a Qian Yuan. Otherwise, on the battlefield, she would surely be a jade-faced general.

They thought it was a compliment, but it displeased her. As a Kun Ze, she could also do very well, if only given the chance.

Unfortunately, she could only sell her charms in this Autumn Water Pavilion. Even though she was a pure courtesan who sold her art and not her body, to those patrons, their minds were still filled with the thought of possessing her.

Just as she had told Chi Wan today, others watched Fu Yue’s dance with desire, while only she watched with appreciation.

Still, Chi Wan’s finally softened attitude was a relief. Otherwise, if her superiors were to blame her, she wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences.

“The Fuma is so sweet-tongued. How about having a drink with me?”

“That would be excellent.”

Chi Wan raised a hand to stop Huang Yuecheng’s attempt to dissuade her and followed Qing Qian to a private room.

An Shi wrote: The Fuma is in a room with Courtesan Qing Qian. They are alone.

Hey! She had just entered the room. How could she be so sure there was no one else inside?

This was just An Shi’s preemptive record-keeping. She handed the small notebook to another secret guard who had come with her. “Deliver this to Her Highness and ask if she requires me to bring the Fuma out.”

The notebook was quickly delivered back to the Princess’s Residence. Reading its contents, Yu Jiuzhou’s expression was unreadable, but the air around her grew much colder.

Xia Qu looked at the chicken soup she had prepared, wanting to urge her to drink some, but not daring to.

Chun Gui stood beside Yu Jiuzhou, perfectly positioned to see the contents of the notebook.

The Fuma watched Courtesan Fu Yue dance, looking many times. One time, she stared for ten breaths without looking away.

The Fuma and Courtesan Qing Qian stood very close, as shown in the drawing.

Two little figures were drawn pressed together.

The Fuma was mesmerized by Courtesan Qing Qian’s voice. The Fuma was exceedingly gentle with Courtesan Qing Qian. The Fuma is alone with Courtesan Qing Qian.

Whether An Shi had written it that way or not, that was how Yu Jiuzhou’s mind filled in the blanks.

Chun Gui’s mind filled in the blanks in the same way. She thought to herself: The Fuma is done for.

Xia Qu didn’t know why, but she could feel the heavy atmosphere. She secretly moved next to Chun Gui and whispered, “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t talk.”

After a long moment, Yu Jiuzhou spoke. “Tell An Shi there is no need to bring the Fuma back.”

Xia Qu finally couldn’t hold back. “Why?”

“If she wants to come back, she will come back on her own.” She didn’t need someone to remind her, or to be brought back.

Hadn’t Chi Wan sent a message, asking her to wait an hour?

Yu Jiuzhou smoothed her sleeves and sat cross-legged on the arhat bed. “Set up the Go board.”

She caressed a Go stone on the board. Kneeling on these should be very painful, shouldn’t it?

She would send the message to the Emperor tomorrow. She had to make sure Chi Wan’s trip to the brothel wasn’t in vain.

---

Get instant access to all chapters now.