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墨書 Inktalez
Jiang Xuanzi said seriously, "You should not call me clan leader now!"
Seeing Li Hong stunned, he then smiled and said, "You should call me elder!"
Li Hong realized this and chuckled.
Jiang Xuanzi continued, "You sent Shui Qingzi and Shui Miaozi to Lingnan on an errand. They sent me a sound transmission talisman. With nothing else to do, I brought Green Lotus along to see you, and we happened to run into five disciples from Zhao Zhen Sect. So we all decided to come find you together."
Just as he was speaking, a loud call came from the hall: "The Holy Presence has arrived!"
It was Zhao Gou. Li Hong exchanged glances with Wei Ming and others, personally going to the front of the hall to greet him. Only Jiang Xuanzi remained seated, leisurely sipping the exquisite Dragon Well tea brewed by Liu Zhong, and remarked, "This tea is quite good; make sure to bring me ten pounds when you return tomorrow!"
As Zhao Gou stepped into Emerald Cold Hall, he immediately spotted Jiang Xuanzi sitting at the head of the hall and was quite surprised at how this young man could be so presumptuous. However, having dealt with Li Hong and others for a long time, he knew that one should not judge a person by their appearance, especially not the age of these National Guardian Masters. Therefore, he was not annoyed at all and smiled warmly, saying, "More Celestial Masters have come! Chu Hongzi, the National Protector, please introduce them. Are they all from your overseas immortal mountain?"
Li Hong didn't want to clarify things for him; he feared that Zhao Gou would be shocked if he did. He vaguely replied that Jiang Xuanzi was an elder of very high rank like his own master.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gou's face lit up with joy. He immediately ordered, "Ten pounds of exquisite Dragon Well is not enough! I fear that Elder Celestial Master might look down on our Mortal Realm's tea leaves. Just in time for this year's spring tribute tea to arrive; since Elder Celestial Master likes it, please feel free to choose as much as you want. Even if it's a thousand or a hundred pounds, it's just a matter of words!"
Li Hong secretly laughed at this and invited Zhao Gou to take a seat while Jiang Xuanzi accompanied him on his right side, with himself sitting below.
Seeing the hall filled with elders, Zhao Gou happily said, "Come here! Pass the word down that today we are hosting a welcoming banquet for our newly arrived elder. The imperial feast will be set here. Also, let’s ask the Empress Dowager if she is interested in joining us to meet Elder Celestial Master. Additionally, have Consort Wu prepare music; it must be elegant tunes as our National Guardian Masters cannot tolerate those noisy and unrefined lively pieces."
Wei Ming and Jiang Xuanzi were both surprised; they did not expect this emperor to be so considerate and thoughtful, especially since he always wore a cheerful smile without any hint of imperial arrogance—quite rare indeed.
Little did they know that Zhao Gou had long been completely under Li Hong's influence. Moreover, Zhao Gou's nature was such that he was soft-hearted and accommodating.
Just as they were joking, Green Lotus could no longer contain her restlessness and stepped out. She paid no attention to the court etiquette, not even glancing at the emperor seated in the main position, and walked straight up to Jiang Xuanzi, saying, "Father, is there any excitement to see? I want to come out and take a look."
Zhao Gou glanced at her and was immediately struck dumb, his eyes fixed on her as if he were enchanted, nearly drooling. He shamelessly asked, "Who is this young lady?"
The hall fell silent. Everyone's expressions changed as they looked at Zhao Gou's lecherous demeanor, feelings of disgust rising within them.
Jiang Xuanzi's previously smiling face instantly turned cold as he stood up and said, "What is this!" With a cold snort, he took Green Lotus back inside.
Zhao Gou was first angry but then realized the gravity of the situation as cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He quickly composed himself and chuckled, "I was just taking a look, just a look... The beauty of this fairy is rare in the world; even Xi Zi cannot compare. Though I am a ruler, I am still a mortal; looking at her even once feels like an offense to the fairy. Zhao Gou will apologize to everyone here!" He stood up and bowed deeply to Li Hong, speaking earnestly, "I ask Chu Hongzi, the National Protector, to invite Jiang Xuanzi and the fairy out to enjoy the dance together; I will not be reckless again."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions finally softened a bit.
Zhao Gou secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking that he had managed not to offend the Celestial Masters.
Li Hong went to the inner hall to invite Jiang Xuanzi and Green Lotus out again. This time Zhao Gou observed with great caution; aside from showing affection towards Consort Wu, he dared not glance at Green Lotus even once. Although his peripheral vision often strayed toward her, it was already quite rare.
Jiang Xuanzi's expression finally improved significantly.
In front of the Emerald Cold Hall, performances quickly began. As spring blossomed, courtesans dressed in light and colorful silk dance garments danced gracefully among the peonies. The elegant music played by the inner court musicians drifted in from afar; flutes and reeds sang melodiously while warm spring breezes caressed their faces. Everyone was captivated by the scene.
Green Lotus was particularly entranced. Having been frail and sickly since childhood, despite being several thousand years old, she had spent most of her time struggling on her sickbed and had rarely enjoyed the pleasures of life. Her mind was as innocent as that of a young girl. Now that she had finally recovered her health and resumed her cultivation with her father's help, returning to the Initial Stage of Caution, she found herself in this vibrant Lin'an Palace. Witnessing such splendid scenes of song and dance amidst blooming flowers while looking at the heroic figure beside her truly felt like perfection. A genuine smile remained on her lovely face.
Jiang Xuanzi was most concerned about his daughter; seeing her happy made him feel good too. His previous dislike for Zhao Gou was finally suppressed as he reluctantly accepted a few cups of wine offered by the emperor.
After several rounds of drinks, as dusk approached and the flowers dimmed, the performances came to an end. Green Lotus felt disappointed and looked over at Jiang Xuanzi, softly pouting, "Father, I want to see more."
Without needing to be instructed by Zhao Gou, Consort Wu immediately got up and went out to make arrangements.
After a moment, a group of Eunuchs came in carrying exquisite crystal lamps, placing them throughout the flower bushes. The brilliant light from the crystal lamps illuminated the peony flowers, particularly the clusters of Yao Huang and Wei Zi, which were truly breathtaking, even more radiant than in daylight.
Next, Little Yellow Gate quickly brought in a gold-embellished Lotus Platform and set it among the flowers. The music and dance began anew.
In the distance, the sound of flutes and pipes resumed, playing a melodious tune of "Shanglin Spring," drifting gently into everyone's ears.
Amidst the clear music, a beautiful Courtesan dressed in white gauze gracefully stepped onto the Lotus Platform, her waist bending as she began to dance.
Her Willow Waist was soft and unmatched, twisting and turning as she waved a flowing white long scarf in her hands, moving like a startled swan, delicate as if lacking bones. Suddenly, with a point of her toes, she spun rapidly on the Lotus Platform, the white scarf fluttering around her powdered face, half concealing it like a pipa, revealing only her enchanting eyes and a hint of her crimson Cherry Lips.
As the rhythm of the music quickened, a sudden chime rang out. The Courtesan on the high Lotus Platform bent backward, her body forming a soft little bridge. Standing up again, Cherry Lips had bitten into a large and radiant Yao Huang.
At this moment, the flutes and pipes ceased; the music had ended.
The Courtesan held the Yao Huang in her mouth and danced over to Green Lotus. She crouched down and raised her head, presenting the brilliant Yao Huang with her powdery white hands to Green Lotus. In a clear and delicate voice, she said, "Fairy, please wear this flower. Your beauty is already unmatched; wearing this flower will surely enhance your grace."
Green Lotus's face flushed Crimson Glow as she shyly accepted the Yao Huang and gently placed it in her hair while glancing at Li Hong. Her eyes sparkled with affection; beside her hair was a trembling peony that made her even more charming than the flowers.
Ignoring the hundreds of people present, she directly asked Li Hong, "Chu Hong, do you think this flower suits me?"
Seeing countless gazes fixed upon him, Li Hong felt extremely embarrassed and was at a loss for words. He cleared his throat and said, "Green Princess certainly deserves a peony that matches your beauty. Um, I have urgent matters to attend to; please continue enjoying the flowers and performances while I step away for a moment."
With that, he clasped his hands together in salute and dared not look at Green Lotus again as he hurriedly made his way into the Emerald Cold Hall.
Zhao Gou understood that this fairy girl must be a princess from some celestial mountain. Such talent was beyond his reach, especially since she had already set her sights on Chu Hongzi, the National Protector. A wave of jealousy surged within him, but he quickly realized that Green Lotus would never belong to him. With a sigh, he began to make other plans.
In the distance, Consort Wu gracefully approached; this special performance was arranged by her. Zhao Gou quietly gave her a thumbs up, and they exchanged smiles across the crowd.
At that moment, Consort Wu felt warmth in her heart. The earlier feelings of jealousy and displeasure were instantly forgotten.
The next day, Empress Wei invited Green Lotus to Cining Palace. Soon after, an edict spread throughout the palace: the Empress Dowager had adopted Green Lotus as her goddaughter and conferred upon her the title of Yao Xian Princess, equivalent to being the emperor's adopted sister. She was granted all court privileges and received a large number of rare silks and jewelry, all precious items.
Like any girl, Green Lotus was very interested in bright clothing and was soon encouraged by the Empress Dowager to dress up.
Naive and innocent, Green Lotus captured Empress Wei's interest. As they conversed, Empress Wei learned more about Green Lotus's background. From initial awe to genuine affection and concern, within just a few days, she began to see Green Lotus as a daughter.
Living in Lin'an Palace, Green Lotus thrived. She spent her days with the Empress Dowager either boating or enjoying flowers and performances; life was quite pleasant for her. Jiang Xuanzi saw his daughter so happy that he couldn't help but smile every day, which led him to develop some fondness for Zhao Gou.
At this point, Zhao Gou finally felt at ease. He also had his own little scheme: he often took the opportunity to pay respects to the Empress Dowager so he could admire that extraordinary beauty up close.
Li Hong remained neutral regarding Empress Wei adopting Green Lotus as her goddaughter but felt relieved that she had something to do in the palace instead of constantly bothering him.
In recent days, he had been busy investigating five suspicious locations and gradually piecing together some clues.
The Demon Sect indeed had people stationed in Lin'an, but one thing was very strange: they all seemed to be directly under Li Xiaolou's command. Their techniques were similar, their cultivation levels were low, and like Li Xiaolou, they deliberately concealed their Demonic Cultivation Technique aura. They maintained their disguises and did not act recklessly; they were deeply hidden within Lin'an.
From these observations, it appeared that these outer pieces of the Demon Sect were merely Li Xiaolou's doing and not directed by the higher-ups of the Demon Sect.
This situation is indeed strange and quite perplexing. To untangle this mystery, it seems that the only way to understand the intentions of these individuals is to find Li Xiaolou herself. However, after several searches, it has been discovered that she is not within a five-hundred-mile radius of Lin'an.
Li Hong pondered deeply; what exactly does Li Xiaolou intend to do?
There is also an interesting coincidence: Qin Hui's only son, Qin Xiang, has taken a liking to the top courtesan of Lianxiang Courtyard, known as Autumn Maiden, who happens to be one of Li Xiaolou's subordinates. This woman has practiced a modified Demonic Cultivation Technique. Although her skills are pitifully shallow and she would not last even half a move against Li Hong's subordinates, she is far too powerful for ordinary people. A hundred so-called elite guards would not stand a chance against her.
This peculiar so-called courtesan is involved with Qin Xiang in a passionate affair, declaring that she will marry no one but him, which carries significant implications.
Li Hong felt that since they could not locate Li Xiaolou for now, they could start by investigating Autumn Maiden. She might know something useful.
After discussing with Chuxuan, the two decided to visit the renowned courtesan Autumn Maiden at Lianxiang Courtyard tonight.
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