Chapter 2318: Inquiry of Fault

These past few days, Zu'an gradually managed to calm down the furious Bi Linglong. However, his main focus was on staying with Sang Qian and Zheng Dan at the Sang family residence.

Upon learning he was leaving again, Sang Qian was quite reluctant, but she understood that an imperial decree had been issued, making the matter unchangeable.

Sang Hong, meanwhile, enjoyed a leisurely life while recovering from his injuries. His only frustration was that his daughter and daughter-in-law seemed far more attentive to Zu'an than to him, occasionally making him feel like an outsider in his own home.

Fortunately, he was very pleased with Zu'an. As both his daughter's man and his daughter-in-law's man, they were practically family already... Though, he mused, that did sound a bit strange.

Nevertheless, the two had cooperated seamlessly during this period, and after being saved by each other multiple times, their bond had long since become like that of a father and son.

Now, he only hoped his daughter would give birth to a well-behaved grandson; a child with even a fraction of Zu'an's charisma would be enough to bring him lifelong comfort.

Worried that Zu'an might encounter issues at Purple Mountain, Sang Hong spent these past few days frequently pulling him aside to recount various aspects of official life in Yi County, simultaneously helping him analyze all sorts of potential scenarios.

With guidance from such an experienced political veteran, Zu'an felt he had gained immensely, and his confidence for the journey to Purple Mountain had grown considerably.

One day, while Zu'an was basking in the sun and chatting casually with Sang Qian and Zheng Dan in the courtyard, a servant unexpectedly delivered an exquisite and elegant invitation. It was a card personally sent by Miss Nan Xun, the principal courtesan of the Red Sleeve Pavilion.

Upon seeing this, both women immediately grew agitated. Zheng Dan remarked, "It seems you always manage to form deep acquaintances with the most famous courtesans wherever you go."

Sang Qian, standing by, added tartly, "Sister-in-law, you might not know, but the Red Sleeve Pavilion is the most popular pleasure house in the capital, even outshining the Imperial Music Bureau somewhat. This is all due to their principal courtesan, Nan Xun. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, but she's also exceptionally skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and all forms of performance. Countless officials and nobles in the capital eagerly seek her company. On an ordinary day, a basic admission ticket can be scalped for thousands of taels of silver, and even then, one can only glimpse her from a distance. Such tickets are virtually unobtainable at any price, let alone a personal invitation from her."

Although she and Zu'an had no formal relationship, he was, after all, the father of her child. The thought of him being so familiar with a courtesan from a pleasure house truly made her feel as if a jar of vinegar had spilled within her.

Zheng Dan's expression suddenly brightened with realization. "Oh, I remember now! Before Ah Zu left for Yunzhong Commandery last time, it seemed he won Miss Nan Xun's favor amidst fierce competition from many princes and noble young masters. That very night, she allowed him to stay as her intimate guest, which I'm sure made countless men in the capital green with envy."

[Anger from Zheng Dan: 177177177...]

[Anger from Sang Qian: 177177177...]

Zu'an felt a little dejected. "What 'intimate guest'? We were simply having a pure conversation that night."

Both Zheng Dan and Sang Qian rolled their eyes in unison. One was a widely celebrated courtesan, and the other was a notorious philanderer. A man and a woman, alone in a room all night, simply chatting? Did he take them for fools?

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

After much effort to appease the two women, Zu'an finally arrived at the Red Sleeve Pavilion. Of course, it wasn't due to lust; rather, he had suddenly recalled a promise he made to the Peacock Ming King. In the recent past, between his reunion with Chu Chuyan and constantly navigating the treacherous waters of his relationships with several women, he had almost forgotten about it.

Now that she had sent an invitation, how could he possibly not attend?

When he arrived at the Red Sleeve Pavilion, it was still afternoon, well before their usual opening hours.

News traveled swiftly through the establishment. Upon learning that Nan Xun, the principal courtesan, had specifically invited a man, all the other girls gathered to see who this distinguished guest could be.

"Who is that young gentleman? He's so handsome! No wonder Nan Xun personally invited him."

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

"Ah, a man like that! If he could buy my freedom, I'd gladly become his concubine or even a mere servant!"

"Dream on! Him buying your freedom? If he were willing, I'd pay for my own freedom and offer myself to him, I wouldn't even hesitate."

"Beyond his status, I admire his talent more. That poem, 'Drinking and Lighting a Lamp to Watch the Sword,' dedicated to Marshal Qin, stirs my emotions every time I read it."

"I, however, prefer 'The One in My Boudoir Dream.' I heard it was specifically written for Nan Xun. If someone wrote such a poem for me, I'd die happy on the spot. Unfortunately, I know my limits; I don't possess the beauty of a principal courtesan, so how could I be so fortunate?"

"Not necessarily. It's said that 'A Chinese Ghost Story,' which has been incredibly popular lately, was written by him. Isn't that essentially for all us girls in this profession? It perfectly captures our helplessness and sorrow."

"Lord Zu, I love you!"

A throng of courtesans surrounded him. In their eyes, the plight of virtuous women like Xiaoqian, forced by the Old Hag to seduce scholars and absorb their vital energy, was strikingly similar to their own. They too were kind and good girls, compelled by various circumstances to sell their smiles in pleasure houses, creating a profound sense of shared suffering.

They believed that Zu'an's 'A Chinese Ghost Story' was written entirely out of sympathy and compassion for them, naturally fostering a sense of spiritual resonance with him.

Their fervent enthusiasm quickly overwhelmed Zu'an. Fortunately, Nan Xun appeared just in time to reprimand the other women, barely managing to escort him back to her private courtyard.

As the principal courtesan of the Red Sleeve Pavilion, few dared to offend Nan Xun.

Still, some other courtesans of comparable standing expressed their dissatisfaction: "That hussy just wants him all to herself!"

Once they were inside the private courtyard, the beautiful Nan Xun continued to smile, taking out a fragrant handkerchief to wipe away the lipstick and rouge from Zu'an's face and clothes.

"Lord Zu is as popular as ever; I could hear their declarations of love from a distance," remarked Kong Nanwu, holding a fluffy, adorable little white fox. She herself looked as if she had stepped right out of a painting.

The little white fox, upon seeing Zu'an, excitedly tried to leap from her arms but was held firmly by Kong Nanwu, unable to move. It could only wag its tail incessantly as a sign of affection.

Zu'an chuckled. If he remembered correctly, this little fox was named Hu Hu, wasn't it? Why was it now acting like a puppy?

The little fox was simply too beautiful; he couldn't resist reaching out to stroke its fluffy fur, which felt wonderfully soft. He mused, *Hmm, next time I should ask Tu Shan Yu to transform and let me pet her too.*

Hu Hu, too, closed its eyes in comfort, its mouth curved as if smiling.

Kong Nanwu gently swatted his hand away, pulling the little fox closer as she retreated slightly. She then gave him a slightly annoyed glance. "Hu Hu is a girl; you can't just casually touch her."

Zu'an offered an awkward laugh. He genuinely hadn't remembered that the fox was female, instinctively treating it as merely a pet.

Kong Nanwu then continued, "The reason Hu Hu likes you so much is all thanks to your 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio' stories; they truly resonate with her. Your tales are incredibly powerful – not only for Hu Hu but also for Nan Xun, and even the girls at the Red Sleeve Pavilion are deeply moved. Although each person identifies with them from a different angle, the effect is the same. Young Master, you are truly a great talent."

Zu'an, however, felt a bit embarrassed. "This is the wisdom of our predecessors; I merely stand on the shoulders of giants, and my contribution is negligible."

"You are too modest, Young Master," Kong Nanwu sighed inwardly. People truly are different. Hiding within the Red Sleeve Pavilion, she had coldly observed countless men boast incessantly to win a woman's favor, exaggerating their minor talents into grand achievements. Compared to them, Zu'an was the epitome of a humble gentleman, which explained how he could write such brilliant and moving stories.

Zu'an simply smiled, thinking, *Who could understand the loneliness of telling the truth and having no one believe you?* "By the way," he said aloud, "the feather you gave me last time helped me a great deal. I came here specifically to thank you for it."

Her cheeks puffed slightly. "I somewhat regret giving you that item," Kong Nanwu said, her eyes suddenly taking on a dangerous glint. "Because of you, I inexplicably became a widow before even getting married. How do you intend to compensate me?"

Zu'an felt a little awkward. "So, Miss already knows about the Royal Court's affairs."

Kong Nanwu gave him a lingering, meaningful look. "Should I call you Young Master, or Regent?"

Zu'an chuckled. "Actually, you can call me Uncle."

Kong Nanwu: "???"

She, who always controlled the flow of conversation, was momentarily stunned into bewilderment.

"While I was at the Royal Court, the Peacock Ming King and I addressed each other as brothers," Zu'an said with a straight face. "He even mentioned having his niece visit me next time. However, since I knew you first, let's stick to our existing terms."

"Pfft!" Nan Xun, standing nearby, could no longer suppress her laughter. "Mistress, you finally got a taste of your own medicine."

The little fox, too, was rolling on the couch with laughter, its four cute little paws flailing wildly in the air.

"Quiet, both of you!" Kong Nanwu, no longer maintaining her usual composure, flushed crimson as she glared at the two attendants, then cast a resentful look at Zu'an.

Zu'an laughed heartily. "I was just joking. However, the Peacock Ming King did indeed ask me to take good care of you. Given the current situation in the Royal Court, it wouldn't be convenient for you to return for a while."

"I can probably guess why," Kong Nanwu said, puffing out her cheeks as she looked at Zu'an. "You've made me quite miserable; aren't you truly going to compensate me for anything?"

"What would you like, Miss?" Zu'an asked, sensing the underlying meaning in her words. He grew secretly wary, as it was well-known that this princess of the Peacock King's residence was cunning and often outsmarted others. He couldn't afford to be careless.

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