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

Chapter 208, Like a Poet
"Before we test our swordsmanship, I would like to ask Brother Wei Zhuang to come with me to meet a friend. He should be in the Purple Orchid Pavilion right now."

Han Fei gestured for Wei Zhuang to proceed, and Wei Zhuang lowered his hood.
"Is it Xu Qing, the Imperial Physician? It seems you're quite interested in him, but unfortunately, he doesn't seem to approve of you," Wei Zhuang said.

"Brother Xu just doesn't believe in my abilities yet; one day he will acknowledge them."

Han Fei ignored Wei Zhuang's sarcasm and turned to walk towards the pavilion ahead. Xu Qing had given him a great gift today, and he felt he should at least go and express his gratitude.

"Tonight, Zilan Pavilion is truly blessed with distinguished guests. Instead of seeking out my sisters in the front courtyard, the Ninth Young Master is having a secret rendezvous with a man in the back courtyard."

A magnetic, mature female voice rang out above the two of them. They looked up and saw that Zi Nu had appeared on the wall at some point.

Seeing the amused smile on Zi Nu's face, Han Fei smiled helplessly and said...
“Miss Zi Nu, you’ve misunderstood me. Even if I’m going to the front pavilion, I’m going to find a man.”

Seeing Han Fei's shamelessness, Zi Nu jumped down from the wall and walked to the two of them, saying...
"Then come with me. He and Nongyu should be on the third floor."

"Thank you for leading the way, Miss Zi Nu."

Zi Nu led Han Fei and Wei Zhuang towards the front pavilion, and the three of them went up the stairs to Xu Qing's room.

"Stab~"

Zi Nu opened the door, and Xu Qing and Nong Yu, who were once so affectionate, were now sitting on opposite sides of the table, looking like respectful friends.

When Zi Nu and the other two arrived at the stairwell, Xu Qing noticed them, so he quickly released Nong Yu and composed himself.

Ever since the incident where the "Tide Demoness" caught him cheating, Xu Qing has become particularly vigilant when doing certain things, fearing that he might be caught again.

"You've worked hard. This is a drink I specially made for you. Come and have a taste."

Xu Qing walked to Zi Nu's side, took her hand, and led her into the house.

Zi Nu looked at the two of them suspiciously. She knew Xu Qing too well. How could he have done nothing during this opportunity to be alone with Nong Yu?

The fact that Xu Qing and Nongyu appear to be perfectly normal is actually the biggest abnormality.

When she leaves, Xu Qing will definitely take the opportunity to do something to Nongyu, at the very least he will make some verbal teasing.

"Sister Zi Nu".

Nongyu looked nervously at Zinu, intending to ask about her mother's condition, but after seeing Han Fei, she didn't ask.

Zi Nu looked Nong Yu up and down. Seeing that the other party looked normal and was dressed neatly, and did not seem to have been touched inappropriately, she put her doubts aside.

Under Zi Nu's gaze, Nong Yu couldn't help but feel guilty, but remembering Xu Qing's instructions to her earlier, she forced herself to maintain a normal expression.

Zi Nu was aware of the complicated relationship between Xu Qing and Nong Yu, after all, she had even condoned or encouraged it. One was the man she loved most, and the other was her younger sister whom she had raised as a daughter. As long as their actions weren't entirely aboveboard, she would turn a blind eye.

Zi Nu turned to look at Xu Qing, her narrow eyes slightly narrowed, and she revealed a charming smile as she spoke.
"You can mix drinks now?"

Seeing that Zi Nu no longer had any doubts, Xu Qing pressed Zi Nu back into her seat and said with a smile.
"Of course, don't you know my abilities? I'm proficient in everything."

Zi Nu rolled her eyes at the frivolous Xu Qing and said in a sweet voice
"Be serious, there are still guests."

Xu Qing looked at Han Fei and Wei Zhuang, whom he had ignored, and the two of them also looked at Xu Qing.

Wei Zhuang remained as indifferent as ever, having long been accustomed to Xu Qing and Zi Nu's affectionate interactions. As long as he wasn't embarrassed, it was others who were.

Han Fei, however, lacked Wei Zhuang's composure and looked at Xu Qing with a face full of embarrassment. He hadn't expected Xu Qing to be so frank, showing no restraint in their intimacy with Zi Nu. The Zhou rites stipulated that although men and women had different degrees of intimacy, they should still respect proper etiquette. Even when sharing a room and being close to each other, they should each maintain their proper roles and not be impolite.

Although Han Fei was a disciple of the Legalist school, he came from a noble family and studied at Xiaoshengxianzhuang, so he still had a certain reverence for the Zhou rites.

"Brother Han Fei, are you satisfied with my gift today?" Xu Qing asked.

Han Fei also emerged from his awkwardness, shrugged, and said in a rather helpless tone.

"Brother Xu, this gift caught me completely off guard, but I really like it. Thank you for the gift."

"I'm glad you like it. I suppose you came to see me today to thank me?"

Xu Qing smiled and gestured for Wei Zhuang and Han Fei to come in and talk.

"If the three of you have something to discuss, I'll head back with Nongyu first," Zi Nu said, picking up her wine cup.

As she was saying goodbye to Madam Hu, she was asked to pass on a message to Nongyu. Nongyu looked so nervous and worried that if she didn't tell her about Madam Hu's safety, she probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

“Okay.” Xu Qing looked at Nongyu.

Nongyu bowed slightly to Han Fei and Wei Zhuang, then left with Zi Nu.

"Ah, it's rare to meet Miss Nongyu. I was hoping to hear the music of Zilan Pavilion's top courtesan," Han Fei said with a hint of regret as he watched the two leave.

"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Let's talk about how you plan to repay my gift first," Xu Qing asked, changing the subject.

"Brother Xu is quite wealthy, so he obviously wouldn't be interested in ordinary gifts. How about I invite you to a good show tomorrow?" Han Fei said with a smile.

"A good show?" Xu Qing glanced at Han Fei.

“That’s right. I believe that after tonight, my two uncles, Lord Anping and Lord Longquan, will confess everything. At that time, there will definitely be a good show in the court,” Han Fei said.

"Then I'll wait and see."

Seeing Han Fei's overconfidence, Xu Qing didn't try to discourage him. According to the original story, Mo Ya should have killed the two of them tonight, but that was none of his business anymore.

He had already achieved his goal by using the ghost soldiers to rob the supplies; as for other matters, they were no longer his concern.

"The matter has been taken care of, and the person has been delivered to the designated location," Wei Zhuang said to Xu Qing.

"I naturally trust Brother Wei Zhuang's abilities; there won't be any problem with you taking action," Xu Qing nodded and said.
After the words were spoken, the three fell silent, staring at each other, unsure how to continue the conversation.

"It's getting late. I have to go to the Imperial Hospital for duty tomorrow, so I'll be leaving now," Xu Qing said, standing up.

He naturally had endless topics to talk about with women, but Xu Qing felt there was no need to waste his breath on two men.

"Alright, Brother Xu, you may go first. See you tomorrow," Han Fei said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Stay."

Xu Qing returned Han Fei's greeting with a cupped hand, then turned and left.

He didn't go to the backyard to find Zi Nu and Nong Yu, but left directly, preparing to go home to practice martial arts.

(End of this chapter)