Chapter 1574: Asking for Accountability

In recent days, Zu'an had gradually managed to appease the angry Bi Linglong. However, he primarily spent his time with Sang Qian and Zheng Dan at the Sang family's residence.

Sang Qian was reluctant to see him leave again but understood that the imperial edict made it unchangeable. Sang Hong, on the other hand, enjoyed a leisurely life while recuperating from his injuries. His only frustration was that his daughter and daughter-in-law seemed to care more about Zu'an than about him, sometimes making him feel like an outsider in his own home.

Fortunately, he was very satisfied with Zu'an. Being the man of both his daughter and daughter-in-law, they were already as close as family could be. *Hmm, why does that sound a bit odd?* The two had cooperated seamlessly during this time, and having saved each other's lives multiple times, their relationship was already comparable to that of father and son. He now only hoped his daughter would bear a grandson; even a fraction of Zu'an's charm in the boy would be enough to bring him lifelong comfort.

Worried that Zu'an might encounter problems in Purple Mountain, Sang Hong frequently pulled him aside in recent days to explain the intricacies of officialdom in Yi County and help him analyze various potential scenarios. With such an experienced political veteran guiding him, Zu'an felt he had learned a great deal and gained more confidence for his journey to Purple Mountain.

One day, while Zu'an was in the courtyard, basking in the sun and chatting casually with Sang Qian and Zheng Dan, a servant suddenly delivered a delicate and elegant invitation card. It was a personal invitation from Miss Nan Xun, the leading courtesan of the Red Sleeve Pavilion.

Seeing this, the two women immediately became uneasy. Zheng Dan remarked, "You really do have deep connections with courtesans wherever you go."

Sang Qian, standing nearby, added sourly, "Sister-in-law, you might not know this, but the Red Sleeve Pavilion is the most popular brothel in the capital. Its fame even surpasses that of the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, largely due to its courtesan, Nan Xun. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, but she is also skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and all performing arts. Countless officials and nobles in the capital flock to her. On a regular day, a common entry ticket can be scalped for over a thousand taels of silver, and you can only get a distant glimpse of her. Even then, they're hard to come by, let alone a personal invitation from her." Although she and Zu'an had no official relationship, he was, after all, the father of her child. To be so familiar with a courtesan from a brothel truly made her feel as if a vinegar bottle had been overturned in her heart.

Zheng Dan wore an expression of sudden realization. "I remember now," she said, "before Ah Zu went to Cloudzhong Commandery last time, he seemed to have won Miss Nan Xun's favor amidst competition from many royal descendants and young masters. That very night, she kept him as a favored guest. I wonder how many men in the capital envied him."

Rage value from Zheng Dan: 177,177,177...Rage value from Sang Qian: 177,177,177...

Zu'an was a bit frustrated. "There was no 'favored guest' business. That night, we just talked."

Zheng Dan and Sang Qian simultaneously rolled their eyes. One was a courtesan of widespread renown, and the other a known philanderer. A man and a woman, alone in a room all night, just talking? *Did he think they were fools?*

Zu'an was also helpless, wondering why no one believed him when he told the truth.

After finally appeasing the two women, Zu'an arrived at the Red Sleeve Pavilion. It wasn't because he was truly infatuated; rather, he suddenly remembered some things he had promised the Peacock Bright King. In the recent past, due to his reunion with Chu Chuyan and being constantly caught in drama among several women, he had almost forgotten about this matter. Now that he had received an invitation, how could he not come?

When he arrived at the Red Sleeve Pavilion, it was still afternoon, not its usual business hours. News traveled quickly within the establishment. Learning that the courtesan Nan Xun had specifically invited a man over, all the girls gathered to see who this esteemed guest was.

"Who is this handsome young man? No wonder Nan Xun herself extended the invitation."

"You don't even know him? He's a favored figure in the Crown Prince's palace, the youngest marquis in the empire, Lord Zu, who has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats!"

"Ah, a man like that! If he could redeem me, I'd be willing to become his concubine or even a maid!"

"Dream on! Him redeem you? If he were willing, I'd pay for my own redemption and offer myself to him without a moment's hesitation!"

"Compared to his status, I admire his talent more. That poem, 'Drunkenly Trimming the Lamp to Look at the Sword,' dedicated to Grand Marshal Qin—every time I read it, my heart is stirred."

"I, on the other hand, like 'The One in My Boudoir Dream.' I heard it was specifically written for Nan Xun. If someone wrote a poem like that for me, I'd die content instantly. Unfortunately, I know my place; without the beauty of a courtesan, how could I have such good fortune?"

"Not necessarily. It's said that 'A Chinese Ghost Story,' which is very popular recently, was written by him. Isn't that written for all the girls in our profession? It perfectly expresses our helplessness and bitterness."

"Lord Zu, I love you!"

A flock of young women surrounded him. In their eyes, the excellent girls like Xiaoqian were forced by the 'Granny' to seduce passing scholars and absorb their vital energy, a situation remarkably similar to their own. They, too, were good, kind girls who, for various reasons, could only ply their trade in brothels, giving them a sense of shared suffering. In their opinion, Zu'an's 'A Chinese Ghost Story' was entirely written out of sympathy and pity for them, naturally giving rise to a feeling of spiritual resonance with him.

Their enthusiasm quickly overwhelmed Zu'an. Fortunately, Nan Xun came out in time and reprimanded the women, only then managing to escort him back to her small courtyard. As the leading courtesan of the Red Sleeve Pavilion, naturally, few dared to offend Nan Xun. However, some other courtesans of similar standing were dissatisfied, muttering, "That wench only knows how to hog everything!"

After entering the small courtyard, the beautiful Nan Xun kept smiling, and at the same time took out a fragrant handkerchief to wipe off the lipstick and rouge from Zu'an's face and clothes.

"Lord Zu is still so popular!" Kong Nanwu said, holding a fluffy, adorable little white fox in her arms. She truly looked as if she had stepped out of a painting. "I could hear their declarations of love from afar."

When the little white fox saw Zu'an, it excitedly tried to leap from her arms, but Kong Nanwu held it firmly, rendering it unable to move. It could only keep wagging its tail to show friendliness to Zu'an.

Zu'an chuckled. "If I'm not mistaken, this little fox is called Huhu, right? Why is it acting like a puppy now?" The little fox was so beautiful that he couldn't resist stroking it. The fluffy feeling was truly delightful. "Hmm," he thought, "next time I'll ask Tu Shanwu to try transforming too." Huhu also closed its eyes comfortably at this moment, its curved eyes seemingly smiling.

Kong Nanwu gently patted his hand away and pulled the little fox back slightly. She gave him a slightly annoyed glance. "Huhu is a girl," she admonished, "you can't just touch her anywhere."

Zu'an gave an embarrassed laugh. He truly hadn't remembered that Huhu was a girl; he had subconsciously treated her as a pet. At this point, Kong Nanwu continued, "The reason Huhu likes you so much is thanks to your 'Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio' tales, which she finds very relatable. Your stories are truly remarkable. It's true for Huhu, and also for Nan Xun. Even the girls at the Red Sleeve Pavilion were deeply moved. Although everyone related to them from different perspectives, the effect was the same. You are truly a great talent, young master."

Zu'an, on the contrary, felt a bit embarrassed. "This is the wisdom of those who came before me," he said. "I merely stand on the shoulders of giants, and my contribution is negligible."

Kong Nanwu secretly sighed. People were indeed different. Because she was hidden in the Red Sleeve Pavilion, she had coldly observed too many men who, to win the favor of a beauty, would boast wildly, turning a tiny bit of skill into ten parts. Compared to them, Zu'an was truly a modest gentleman. No wonder he could write such wonderful and touching stories.

Zu'an smiled, thinking, *Who could understand the loneliness of telling the truth and no one believing you?* "Oh, by the way," he said, "that feather you gave me last time helped me a great deal. I came here specifically to thank you this time."

Kong Nanwu puffed out her cheeks slightly, and her eyes suddenly became a little dangerous. "I somewhat regret giving you that thing," she said. "Because of you, I inexplicably became a widow before even marrying. How do you plan to compensate me?"

Zu'an was a bit embarrassed. "So, you already know about the royal court's affairs, Miss," he said.

Kong Nanwu gave him a lingering glance. "Should I call you young master, or Regent?" she asked.

Zu'an smiled. "Actually, you can call me uncle," he replied.

Kong Nanwu: "???" She, who had always controlled the conversation, was momentarily dumbfounded.

"When I was in the royal court, the Peacock Bright King and I called each other brothers," Zu'an said seriously. "He even said he'd have his niece visit me next time. But since you and I met first, let's address each other as we please."

"Pfft!" Nan Xun, standing nearby, couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Miss, you finally got a taste of your own medicine today!" The little fox, even more amused, rolled around on the couch, its four cute little paws kicking wildly towards the sky.

"Shut up, both of you!" Kong Nanwu was no longer as calm as usual. She glared at the two maids, her face flushed with embarrassment, then looked at Zu'an with a resentful gaze.

Zu'an burst out laughing. "I was just joking," he said. "But the Peacock Bright King did indeed ask me to take good care of you. Given the current situation in the royal court, it's not convenient for you to return anytime soon."

"I can probably guess the reason," Kong Nanwu said, looking at Zu'an and puffing out her cheeks. "You've made me so miserable. Are you really not going to compensate me for anything?"

"What does Miss want?" Zu'an asked, sensing the implication in her words. He secretly became wary, having long heard that this princess of the Peacock King's residence was resourceful and cunning, often manipulating others. He couldn't afford to be careless.

A flicker of triumphant cunning flashed in Kong Nanwu's eyes. "I want..."