People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 178, I asked you to tune the piano, not to flirt.

Xinzheng, Zilanxuan.

As the most famous shopping mall in South Korea, it is always bustling with people and lively at all times.

The orange lanterns bearing the three large characters "Zilanxuan" emitted a soft glow, swaying gently in the breeze. Beneath the lanterns, carriages and horses gathered, with elegantly dressed nobles, officials' sons, and merchants coming and going in groups of two or three.

The melodious sound of a piano drifted from the second-floor window, and several dignitaries who were chatting and laughing at the door looked up in astonishment.

"The music is so melodious and captivating. How could there be such a skilled musician in Zilan Pavilion?" one of them exclaimed in astonishment.

"Haha, brother, this is obviously your first time visiting Zilan Pavilion. You don't even know about Nongyu, the top courtesan of Zilan Pavilion? Nongyu's zither skills are said to be unparalleled in Korea."

The other person smiled and patted the other person on the shoulder.

"Is that so? May I ask how I can meet this Miss Nongyu?" the first nobleman asked with some anticipation.

The others laughed and shook their heads in silence, leaving the powerful man looking bewildered.

"Brother, don't even think about seeing Miss Nongyu. Apart from the time she plays in public, Miss Nongyu only plays her zither for one person."

"who?"

Under the questioning gaze of this powerful figure, one of them clasped his hands in a fist salute and raised them towards the direction of the Han King's Palace, saying...
"Of course, it is Xu Qing, the newly risen star of the court, who is in charge of the birth, aging, sickness and death of thousands of people in the six inner courts and thirteen palaces."

Upon hearing Xu Qing's name, the powerful and wealthy individuals who had hoped to meet Nongyu immediately showed disappointment and regret.

Although he was considered a figure in the new regime's elite circles, he was still somewhat outmatched by a rising star like Xu Qing.

"Miss Nongyu can play the zither, which means the Imperial Physician is upstairs. If we can meet her and make a acquaintance, that would be the most important thing."

Yes, yes.

The others echoed this sentiment. For the many powerful and influential officials who frequented Zilan Pavilion, seeking pleasure was secondary; their primary goal was to get close to Xu Qing and pave the way for their advancement in the imperial court.

Just as the powerful and influential people had said, Xu Qing was currently in a room on the second floor of Zilan Pavilion.

Nongyu sat gracefully beside the zither table, her slender fingers plucking the strings, producing melodious music.

Xu Qing leaned back in his seat, his eyes slightly narrowed, listening to Nongyu's zither music with a look of enjoyment. At the same time, the music evoked memories of his carefree life during this period.

This winter was arguably the most relaxed period Xu Qing had experienced since her transmigration.

Since he killed Han Qiancheng, Han Yu has kept a low profile, and Ji Wuye, seeing that Han Yu has not caused any more trouble, has also been too lazy to take the initiative to start a fight.

Upon returning to China, Han Fei did not actively seek out Xu Qing again, but instead chose to keep a low profile and live the life of an idle royal prince.

Thus, the Korean court entered a rare period of stability, and Xu Qing no longer needed to scheme and plot all day long.

Every day, he either flirts and rides horses with Consort Hu and Lady Mingzhu in the harem, or chats and laughs with Zi Nu at the Zi Lan Pavilion. Occasionally, he will tease Luo Jing a couple of times. He lives a very comfortable life.

As the music ended, Zi Nu pushed open the door.

The woman in purple wore a long purple dress, her pretty face lightly made up, her rosy lips painted with pink rouge, and a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

After entering the room, Zi Nu took off the purple slender high-heeled boots she was wearing.

Small feet encased in black stockings stepped onto the floor, their rosy toes painted with pink nail polish, like tiny, slightly red cherries, making one's mouth water.

Upon seeing Zi Nu enter, Nong Yu smiled and nodded slightly to her.

Zi Nu smiled and nodded in response, then walked over to Xu Qing with her long, beautiful legs, placed her hands on her flat stomach, bent her legs slightly, and sat down next to Xu Qing.

The pleats at the waist of the purple dress were straightened, outlining an exaggerated curve of the hips and waist, and the small feet were slightly pressed down by the plump peaches.

"You're quite leisurely, hogging Nongyu and making her play the zither for you."

Zi Nu chuckled and reached out a finger to poke Xu Qing's head.

Xu Qing snapped out of his reverie from Nongyu's zither music, sat up a little straighter, and revealed a helpless expression.

"Today is the Spring Ploughing Ceremony, and I was chosen by the King to accompany him. I've been busy outside the city all day, so I finally have a moment of peace," Xu Qing said with a shrug.

"Don't try to be smug. Ordinary people don't even have the chance to participate in the Spring Ploughing Ceremony." Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing with tenderness in her charming eyes.

The Spring Ploughing Ceremony is the most important event of the year for all countries. On this day, monarchs lead their ministers and royal family members to the altar to worship the heavens, praying for favorable weather and abundant harvests in the coming year. It also marks the official arrival of the new year.

Nongyu watched Xu Qing and Zi Nu teasing each other, a smile flashing in her eyes, and stood up to say...
"Sister, now that you're back, I'll head back now."

Before Zi Nu could speak, Xu Qing spoke up first.

“Miss Nongyu, didn’t you say you composed two new pieces today and wanted me to appreciate them? Why are you in such a hurry to leave?” Xu Qing asked Nongyu with a smile.

"Nongyu has played two pieces for you today, she's already tired enough, can't you let her rest earlier?"

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Zi Nu's eyes, which had been full of tenderness, turned cold, and she reached out to pinch Xu Qing's waist.

Ever since she got together with Xu Qing, she's come to understand this scoundrel of a man more and more. Xu Qing claims to be appreciating the music, but whether he truly appreciates it or not, only he knows.

Sensing the killing intent at his waist, Xu Qing quickly grasped Zi Nu's small hand and nodded to Nong Yu, saying...
"It was my oversight. Miss Nongyu, you should get some rest."

Seeing Xu Qing and Zi Nu so affectionate, Nong Yu felt a pang of disappointment, but she still maintained her smile.

"Alright, then I'll head back now. It's going to rain tonight, so Imperial Physician, please don't be late."

Nongyu, holding her guqin, bowed slightly to Xu Qing and Zi Nu, then turned and left.

"Okay, thanks for reminding me."

After Nongyu left, Zinu stopped pretending and broke free from Xu Qing's grasp, looking at him with hostility.

"Why are you suddenly angry?" Xu Qing asked with a forced smile.

"Hmph~ Don't you know why I'm angry? I asked you to help Nongyu perfect her zither piece and help her appreciate the music so that she could improve her skills, and what have you been doing?"

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing, her arms crossed over her chest, her breasts bulging, and beneath the black netting, the abyss was faintly visible.

"Is it just about simply appreciating the music? Tuning the zither for Nongyu as you requested?" Xu Qingyi said righteously.

But he picked up on the second half of the sentence in his mind, and also took the opportunity to admire Nongyu.

"is it?"

Zi Nu stared at Xu Qing suspiciously, then pinched Xu Qing's waist muscles hard with one hand.

"It hurts."

Xu Qing immediately put on the mask of pain.

Seeing Xu Qing's pained expression, Zi Nu let go of his hand in annoyance. She felt that she should never have agreed to let Nong Yu ask Xu Qing to help her appreciate the zither music.

After she and Xu Qing got together, she couldn't be bothered to hide it from the Zilanxuan sisters anymore, so she simply admitted that their fake relationship had become real.

After Nongyu played the zither for Xu Qing for the first time, she regarded him as a soulmate.

After learning that she and Xu Qing had confirmed their relationship, she came to ask her to let Xu Qing help her appreciate her piano skills and correct any shortcomings.

At the time, Zi Nu was head over heels in love, and with her good sister Nong Yu's request, she agreed without much thought, completely forgetting Xu Qing's lecherous nature.

By the time Zi Nu realized what had happened, it was too late to warn Nong Yu to be wary of Xu Qing, because Nong Yu had already regarded Xu Qing as a kindred spirit.

Seeing that Zi Nu was angry, Xu Qing also put away his frivolous attitude, took Zi Nu's small hand, and said with a serious expression.
"Don't you trust me? No matter how unreliable I am, I won't date someone from my own neighborhood."

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing, who had a serious expression, and a strange look flashed in her purple eyes. She then leaned on Xu Qing's shoulder.

“Nongyu is a good girl, so don’t have any bad thoughts about her,” Zi Nu said softly.

Although she spoke lightly, Zi Nu's views on the relationship between Nong Yu and Xu Qing were quite complicated.

After she and Xu Qing initially fell in love, she was indeed immersed in love for a period of time and temporarily forgot everything else.

After the initial passion of love subsided, Zi Nu couldn't help but rationally consider her future with Xu Qing again.

Although she longed for the future Xu Qing described to her, the fate she carried left her with a lingering unease.

Although Zi Nu is mostly very rational, she possesses a sensitive heart filled with maternal love. She fears that she might betray Xu Qing's love and be unable to journey with him to that beautiful future.

So even though she knew that Nongyu had a special affection for Xu Qing, she did not stop the two from interacting. She even thought that if she could not be by Xu Qing's side in the future, it would be okay for Nongyu to take her place.

However, because of her love for Xu Qing, Zi Nu also felt a certain possessiveness towards him and was unwilling to let Nong Yu get close to or have contact with him.

Amidst these complex emotions, Zi Nu was at a loss for what to do and could only drift along, watching Xu Qing and Nong Yu interact.

Fortunately, Xu Qing did not disappoint her. Although he could be a bit frivolous at times, he never did anything excessive, at most just making a few jokes.

"Don't you trust me? Nongyu is your sister and my sister-in-law. How could I possibly have any ill intentions towards her?" Xu Qing comforted her softly.

He did have feelings for Nongyu, but that was based on the resonance they shared in music. He genuinely regarded Nongyu as his sister-in-law.

Zi Nu raised her head slightly and gave Xu Qing a charmingly disdainful look.

"Do you even believe what you're saying?" Zi Nu asked.

"I swear, I truly consider Nongyu my sister-in-law. If I have any improper intentions towards her, may I be struck by lightning."

Before Xu Qing could finish speaking, Zi Nu covered his mouth.

A hint of seriousness and tension flickered in Zi Nu's eyes, and her rosy lips moved slightly as she spoke.
"I believe you, but please don't say things like that again."

(End of this chapter)