Chapter Sixty-Seven: Movements in the Imperial City (I)
Last night, Windshadow ate a simple meal before entering the teleportation array. Spending a purple crystal coin, he rented a carriage just large enough for one person and slept inside. When he stepped out of the array, dawn had not yet broken, and the city gates remained closed.
He found a breakfast shop and sat quietly, enjoying his meal. Once the gates opened, Windshadow mounted his dragon horse and sped away like the wind. Two hours later, he arrived at the Su family estate.
At that moment, Su Yanfeng, the Su family patriarch, was having breakfast. Upon hearing that Windshadow requested an audience, he hastily finished his meal and led Windshadow to the study.
The door closed behind them, and before even sitting down, Su Yanfeng asked urgently, “Why have you returned alone? Was your journey unsuccessful?”
Windshadow thought to himself, “Unsuccessful? It nearly cost me my life.” In his usual emotionless tone, he replied, “The Saintess is the biological daughter of the Seventeenth Young Master.”
Su Yanfeng had just settled and lifted his teacup. Upon hearing this, his hand trembled, causing the cup to knock against his teeth. He quickly set it down and looked up, asking, “Is this truly so?”
Windshadow recounted everything he had witnessed in detail. Su Yanfeng slammed the table in exasperation, “Utter nonsense!” After calming himself somewhat, he added, “Heaven’s will! Had we sent someone else, the Su family would surely have lost the Saintess.”
Suddenly, he slammed the table again, “If that’s the case, am I not beneath that old scoundrel of the Qin family?”
Windshadow thought, “Even without this, you’re still beneath him.”
After a moment’s reflection, Su Yanfeng instructed, “Go to the Qin family yourself and inform that old fox. Arrange to meet him at the East Prosperity Pavilion at nine to discuss matters concerning the Saintess.”
Windshadow replied, “Fifth Master Qin Sihai was present as well. He’s likely already sent word back to the Qin family.”
Su Yanfeng took a sip of tea, his mood lightened, “The Saintess is a descendant of the Su family. The Qin family can only covet her.”
Windshadow mused, “Tao Ming would never agree, and there’ll be drama to watch in the future.”
Su Yanfeng recalled his wife; if he told her this news, she would surely be overjoyed. He instructed Windshadow, “Go yourself.”
Windshadow agreed and turned to leave.
Su Yanfeng followed, his steps notably lighter. The walk that usually took half an hour was completed in fifteen minutes today. Entering the Fragrant Rose Courtyard, the maid Si Chai lifted the curtain to welcome him. Entering the main room, he didn’t see his wife and asked, “Where is Madam?”
Si Chai replied, “Madam is in the bedroom, selecting clothes.”
Su Yanfeng walked through the hall into the bedroom, where he saw Qiao Ruowei standing by the window, examining the garment in her hands under the morning sunlight.
Sunlight bathed one side of Qiao Ruowei, gilding her in golden light. Her beauty was so dazzling it seemed to blur reality.
Su Yanfeng glanced around. Si Chai and Si Shang exchanged looks and quietly withdrew from the bedroom.
Su Yanfeng was quite satisfied, thinking, “The maids trained by my wife truly know their place.”
He gently approached, wrapped his arms around Qiao Ruowei’s slim waist, and whispered softly by her ear, “My dear, you’re so beautiful.”
Qiao Ruowei had noticed him long ago, but pretended not to. She laughed sweetly, “You’re flattering me again.”
She set the garment aside, turned to observe Su Yanfeng’s expression, and said, “You look radiant with joy. Is there good news?”
Su Yanfeng pulled her to sit, “I’ve just learned something wonderful and hurried to tell you. When you hear it, you’ll be as delighted as I am.”
Qiao Ruowei gave him a playful, affectionate glance, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you like this. What is the joyous news?”
Su Yanfeng, affected by her gaze, felt a pleasant tingling in his heart. Unable to resist, he embraced her and whispered, “We have a granddaughter.”
Qiao Ruowei was both surprised and delighted, “Is Twelve’s wife expecting?”
Su Yanfeng chuckled, “If she were just pregnant, how could we know the gender?”
Qiao Ruowei’s delicate brows furrowed, “Of all the children, only Twelve is married. Could one of the others have secretly fathered a child?”
Su Yanfeng stroked away her frown, “Seventeen’s daughter is the current Saintess.”
Qiao Ruowei’s lips parted slightly, “Is this true?”
Su Yanfeng repeated everything Windshadow had told him, then sighed, “According to Windshadow, Seventeen has truly inherited my spirit!”
Qiao Ruowei pinched him playfully, “You old rascal!”
She continued teasing, “No wonder Seventeen refused to marry Qingyao. Had I known, I wouldn’t have locked him in the courtyard.”
Su Yanfeng soothed her, “It’s a blessing. Seventeen should return by evening. I’ve arranged to discuss this with Qin Youchuan. I’ll be off now.”
Qiao Ruowei cautioned, “Don’t let it turn into a quarrel.”
Su Yanfeng agreed repeatedly and left the room.
Windshadow arrived at the Qin family’s gate, just as the gatekeeper was seeing someone off. Once that person left, Windshadow stepped forward, “The Su family patriarch has sent me to pay respects to Elder Qin. Please deliver the message.”
The gatekeeper regarded Windshadow with surprise, “Wait a moment.” He turned, entered the manor, closed the side door behind him, and hurried to find the steward.
The steward, upon hearing the news, rushed to the study, where Qin Youchuan was practicing calligraphy. He waited for him to finish a character before respectfully reporting, “Elder, as expected, the Su family has sent someone.”
Qin Youchuan set down his brush, “Bring him in.”
The steward fetched Windshadow at the gate, hurrying with him to the study. Outside the door, he announced, “Elder, the guest has arrived.”
Qin Youchuan replied, “Enter.”
Windshadow, ever composed since entering the Qin manor, focused his mind and kept his gaze steady. Upon hearing Qin Youchuan’s command, he stepped into the study.
Qin Youchuan sized him up briefly and asked, “Why did the Su family patriarch send you?”
Windshadow’s voice remained emotionless, “The patriarch requests Elder Qin to meet at the East Prosperity Pavilion at nine to discuss the Saintess.”
Qin Youchuan understood but feigned ignorance, “The Saintess is a descendant of the Qin family. What business is it of the Su family?”
Windshadow thought, “How could you not know yourself?”
He replied bluntly, “My message is delivered. I’ll return to report.” With that, he turned and left.
Qin Youchuan was left momentarily speechless, then muttered, “When Tao Ming returns, I’ll surely lodge a complaint!”
He glanced at the clock; only half an hour remained until the appointed time. He called for a servant to help him freshen up and change clothes, then set out alone for the East Prosperity Pavilion.
Su Yanfeng also prepared and went alone to the East Prosperity Pavilion.
The two arrived simultaneously, exchanged polite compliments, and entered together.
The young attendant at the door wondered if it would rain red today—these two arriving together was unprecedented.
Not daring to be negligent, he hurried to greet them, “Master, Lord Qin, would you like to sit together?”
Su Yanfeng replied, “Wind Listening Pavilion, finest tea.”
Qin Youchuan kept silent, thinking, “Since we’re at the East Prosperity Pavilion, of course we’ll eat and drink for free.”
One after another, they entered the Wind Listening Pavilion. After the attendant served the tea and left, closing the door behind him, the two men exchanged smiles and simultaneously said, “Please, Su family patriarch, you first.”
“Please, Lord Qin, you first.”
Qin Youchuan, being impatient, said immediately, “We’ve known each other a long time; let’s skip the formalities and speak directly.”
Su Yanfeng, usually refined and scholarly, found Qin Youchuan’s demeanor irksome, but knew this was not the time to quibble. He replied, “Lord Qin speaks truly.”
Qin Youchuan inwardly scoffed, “What’s so true? You still speak like you always do.”
He pressed on, “I am a generation your senior; you could call me uncle. Since you’ve invited me, it must be about the Saintess. What do you propose?”
Su Yanfeng felt secretly pleased, “The Saintess should bear the surname Su.”
Qin Youchuan was displeased, “What difference does that make? Your Su family only just found out.”