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Chapter 408 Cannibalism
"Shopkeeper, are you a local of Lianxiang City?" Zhu Yu noticed that the shopkeeper's beard was quite gray, and he seemed to be very familiar with the area. So, while the shopkeeper was sending a young waiter upstairs to tidy up the guest rooms, Zhu Yu struck up a conversation.

The innkeeper had just served these generous guests who booked three superior rooms at once, and was in a great mood, so he was happy to chat with them for a while.

"Of course, I was born and raised in Lianxiang City, and I've never left this area." He quickly nodded and replied.

“I’ve heard that there’s a very famous little mountain pavilion in our Lianxiang City,” Zhu Yu said, trying to make his tone sound casual, as if it were just something he mentioned casually in the heat of the moment. “However, on my way into the city, I haven’t actually seen any place with a sign that says ‘little mountain pavilion’.”

What kind of place is this Xiaoshanlou? The name sounds rather unassuming yet full of inner charm. Could it be... a gathering place for literary figures?

Where is that little building? Could you point us in the right direction so we can find our way there and take a look?

When the innkeeper heard her mention the words "Xiaoshanlou," his expression immediately became somewhat subtle. Upon hearing the second half of Zhu Yu's sentence, he hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Please don't misunderstand, guest. Xiaoshanlou is not a place where literati gather, nor is it a place where just anyone can knock on the door."

You've come from out of town, so you might have heard something from elsewhere and misunderstood something, which is why you're curious. Anyway, take my advice: that place has absolutely nothing to do with you. You shouldn't inquire about it, and it's not worth going there to take a look. It's just a building; there's nothing to see there.”

"That place... could it be a place where people can eat each other?" Zhu Yu asked the shopkeeper jokingly.

The innkeeper's expression was a little strange, and he hurriedly waved his hand: "Of course not, but... it's best if you gentlemen don't inquire about that small mountain pavilion. There's really no need. If you're feeling bored, you can listen to some music at the music hall across the river to relieve your boredom. The small mountain pavilion has nothing to do with you, especially... well, anyway, just stay here, take care of what you need to do, and then leave."

The shopkeeper's words were shrouded in mystery, which made Zhu Yu even more curious. However, since he clearly didn't want to explain, she wasn't going to be so tactless as to keep asking.

Soon the waiter returned and said that the guest rooms were ready. They went upstairs, put down their luggage, and then Fu Wen went over and knocked on Yan Daoxin's door, handing him a set of clothes.

Yan Daoxin looked at the turquoise robe in his hand with some puzzlement: "What's this for?"

"Divine Doctor, my master said that you should change into this outfit. We'll meet you downstairs outside in a bit," Fu Wen said respectfully as he handed over the clothes.

Yan Daoxin was a little puzzled, but she still took the clothes, closed the door, changed quickly, and went downstairs to find Lu Qing.

When they got downstairs, they saw Lu Qing and Zhu Yu standing outside the door. The two of them had changed out of their original Taoist robes. One was dressed in moon white, and the other in light blue. Their hair was tied up with jade hairpins, and one of them was holding a fan. They looked like refined young masters.

Zhu Yu then noticed Yan Daoxin, who had changed his clothes.

From the moment he met Yan Daoxin, he always wore a Taoist robe and looked like he was detached from worldly affairs, aloof and cold.

Now, the turquoise robe he wore accentuated his red lips, white teeth, and striking features, making him appear less otherworldly and more like a refined and aloof nobleman. "You made me come down dressed like this, what are we going to do here?" Yan Daoxin asked, somewhat puzzled, as she approached the two.

Lu Qing snapped his folding fan shut and pointed across the river: "Let's find a music hall and listen to some music."

Upon hearing this, Yan Daoxin's jaw nearly dropped in shock: "You... what do you mean we're going to do?!"

“Let’s go to the music hall and listen to some music.” Lu Qing answered naturally, and then raised an eyebrow at Yan Daoxin, “Could it be that you’re afraid to come with me, afraid that you’re not thinking straight and that I’ll notice something and tell Master?”

Yan Daoxin clicked his tongue, shook his head, and pointed at Zhu Yu: "I'm fine with it. With pure eyes and a pure heart, even if I'm surrounded by filth, it's still a pure land."

"But you, taking your wife to a music hall to listen to music—that's unheard of and unseen before."

Zhu Yu smiled and waved to him: "This isn't the first time. Back in the capital, I'm very familiar with Yunyin Pavilion now, following him around."

"I've truly seen something new today!" Yan Daoxin was speechless, shaking his head. "You two really are a match made in heaven!"
"Come on, come on! I'll sacrifice myself today to go listen to some music with you two lunatics!"

The three of them walked at a leisurely pace, crossed the stone arch bridge, and wandered around the music halls on the riverbank. Finally, they chose one that looked larger and more lively. As soon as they entered, the madam greeted them warmly. Lu Qing took out a silver coin and handed it to her. The madam immediately smiled even more and arranged for them to sit in a private room upstairs.

The private room was quite spacious, with a soft couch in the center, on which satin-covered armchairs were placed, and several low stools on the other side.

As soon as the three of them sat down on the soft couch, a servant brought them a wine pot and wine cups. Then the madam brought in several musicians carrying instruments such as the pipa.

"Gentlemen, these are the best girls in our Flower Drum Tower, each of them can play and sing beautifully. Please listen to them first. If you are not satisfied, you can send someone to call me," the madam said solicitously, while carefully observing the attitudes of the three men.

She had already spotted these three people before they even entered the door, not only because they exuded an air of nobility, but also because they seemed to be quite generous.

More importantly, although these three young men are different in stature and appearance, and each has their own characteristics, they are all the kind of good-looking men who make people feel happy from the bottom of their hearts when they look at them.

Although the job of a musician is to play music and sing to please customers, it is still a way to make money. Who wouldn't want to be around such a handsome young man who is so dignified that you can't take your eyes off him?
Lu Qing glanced at the musicians and saw that they were all looking back at him with flirtatious eyes, without the slightest shyness or restraint. He seemed quite satisfied, nodded, and waved his hand, indicating that the madam could leave.

The madam hurriedly walked out with a smile, and as she closed the door to the private room, she couldn't help but glance at the three handsome young men inside. While lamenting her lost beauty and youth, she rushed downstairs to greet other guests.