In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 243 Is this considered a case of encountering a honey trap?

Gu Shaoan gently raised his eyes and looked into the room.

Sure enough, the window that I had opened when I left home in the morning was now closed.

Stepping into the room, Gu Shaoan glanced around and, as if he had noticed something, his eyes quickly landed on the wooden table in the center of the room.

The wooden table, which should have only contained teaware and a kettle, now had an invitation in dark gold.

Gu Shaoan didn't rush to look at the invitation. Instead, he walked to the bedside and picked up the bundle that was on the bedside table.

After carefully checking everything and confirming that there were no problems with the clothes in the bundle or the ground medicine powder in the bottle, Gu Shaoan walked to the wooden table.

With a slight movement of his fingertips, a wisp of special energy suddenly burst forth from Gu Shaoan's fingertips, brushing over the invitation on the table and turning it over.

His gaze fell on the post, and Xiujuan's handwriting immediately caught Gu Shaoan's eye.

"At three quarters past 9 PM tonight, I will be waiting for Young Hero Gu at Tianxiang Tower in the west of the city."

After taking a gentle sniff to confirm that there was no smell of other drugs, Gu Shaoan reached out and took the post in his hand.

With his thoughts racing, Gu Shaoan went out, locked the door again, and walked to Huang Xuemei's door across the street. He raised his hand and gently knocked three times on the door.

The knock had barely finished when Huang Xuemei's cold voice came from inside: "Who is it?"

"it's me!"

A few moments later, the door was opened, and Huang Xuemei asked, "What is it?"

Gu Shaoan asked, "Is it convenient for me to come inside?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Huang Xuemei's eyes, but she still stepped aside to let Gu Shaoan enter the house.

Upon entering the room, Gu Shaoan did not scan his surroundings but instead took a sniff, but he did not smell the medicinal scent that usually lingers in his room.

So, the target is only me?

Hearing Gu Shaoan's murmurs, Huang Xuemei couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

Gu Shaoan did not hide anything and described the situation in his room.

Huang Xuemei glanced at her and asked, "You mean, someone sneaked into your house and poisoned you while we were away?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "It wasn't poisoning. The medicinal smell in my room was from herbs like bone-healing grass and Danyang vine, which are used to treat rheumatism. It was probably just something left behind by someone who broke into my room."

Huang Xuemei looked at Gu Shaoan with some curiosity and said, "You can identify medicine by its smell?"

Gu Shaoan nodded in acknowledgment.

Upon hearing this, Huang Xuemei narrowed her eyes slightly, and when she looked at Gu Shaoan, her gaze held a somewhat inexplicable quality.

Huang Xuemei glanced at the invitation in Gu Shaoan's hand and said, "To know our room information and to be able to confirm that you will return to the inn before 9 PM and find the invitation means that not only have they been secretly watching us, but even the waiter in this restaurant is very likely one of their people."

After a pause, Huang Xuemei looked at Gu Shaoan and asked, "What are you planning to do?"

Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "What is meant to be will be. Since the invitation has already been sent, it wouldn't be appropriate not to go and see it."

Judging from Pang Ban's injuries, he probably hasn't returned to the Yuan Dynasty yet.

As for Zhu Wushi, he is currently focused on the forces behind the Ghost Hand Gang and trying to find the missing Su Xin, so he is unlikely to pay attention to himself.

Gu Shaoan was also curious: who could be this person who had suddenly started paying attention to him?

Huang Xuemei stopped talking and walked to the bedside to carry the case containing the Heavenly Demon Harp on her back.

Gu Shaoan said, "They came to me, so there's no need for Miss Huang to get involved in this mess."

Huang Xuemei replied without turning her head, "We agreed that I would be at your beck and call for a year. If I'm not even by your side, how can I be at your beck and call?"

Seeing this, Gu Shaoan smiled and said nothing more, then walked outside with Huang Xuemei.

Haishi.

When Gu Shaoan and Huang Xuemei appeared on the West Street of Nantong Prefecture, the scene before them was completely different from the quietness of other parts of the city.

This riverside street is now as if daytime has been turned upside down.

The entire street was illuminated by countless bright lanterns, their candlelight flickering within the delicate lampshades, casting a warm yellow glow on the bluestone pavement.

Along both sides of the long street, teahouses and wine shops lined the streets, and waiters stood at the entrances, loudly soliciting customers.

But even more bustling were the food stalls along the street. When the steamers were lifted, white steam billowed out, filling the air with a sweet aroma. The sizzling sound of frying made passersby's mouths water. The smoky smell of barbecue and the rich aroma of alcohol mingled freely in the air.

Merchants in fine clothes, scholars waving folding fans, women and children traveling together, drunken patrons laughing and talking loudly, and agile martial arts practitioners everywhere.

People of all kinds converged into a noisy and bustling crowd.

The rumble of carriages and the shouts of sedan chair bearers clearing the way created a cacophony of sounds, as lively and bustling as a boiling oil pot, constantly colliding and bubbling in the night market as the lights began to twinkle.

The Tianxiang Tower, which Gu Shaoan and Huang Xuemei were heading to, was located in the most open area on the riverbank. The three-story building, with its flying eaves and brackets, was magnificent under the illumination of countless lights.

The building is not gaudy and ostentatious, but rather exudes a profound elegance.

The entire structure is made of the finest nanmu wood, with sturdy pillars and intricately carved lattice windows covered with white cotton paper, allowing a soft and warm glow to shine through.

Opposite it is another identical building, except that the lanterns hanging under the eaves are colorful.

Some scantily clad women leaned against the railing, occasionally calling out sweetly to passersby below.

Looking at the signboard again, it turned out to be Yuxianglou.

It is possible to use the characters "玉香" (Yu Xiang) from the idiom "窃玉偷香" (Qie Yu Tou Xiang) as a name.

The meaning of Yuxianglou is self-evident.

Gu Shaoan's gaze swept across the bustling streets and finally landed on the brightly lit Tianxiang Tower, where voices could be faintly heard.

Carrying a large violin case, Huang Xuemei quietly followed Gu Shaoan through the bustling crowd, silently walking towards the elegant, dimly lit high-rise building.

Several young servants in blue robes and small hats, their hands and feet nimble, stood in front of the brightly lit entrance of Tianxiang Tower.

Their eyes were sharp, always watching out for approaching guests.

As soon as they saw Gu Shaoan and Huang Xuemei walking straight towards them, the head servant immediately put on a smile, quickly stepped forward, and bowed slightly, saying, "Distinguished guests, please come inside."

Gu Shaoan didn't stop walking. He only glanced at the attentive servant beside him, said nothing, and raised his right hand to hand over the invitation.

The servant took the invitation, his gaze falling on the unique seal or handwriting. His professional smile was instantly replaced by surprise and even greater respect.

He quickly opened the invitation and glanced at it. His expression immediately became serious, and his bow deepened. His words were full of respect: "So it's Young Master Gu. I'm sorry for my neglect. Please come with me."

He turned to the side, made a more standard "please" gesture, and then quickly turned around to lead the way.

They followed the waiter into the restaurant.

As soon as I stepped into the restaurant, the bustling noise outside immediately subsided by more than half.

In addition to the aroma of food and wine, there was also a faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air.

"Snapped!"

Just as the group entered the restaurant, a powerful, penetrating sound of a gavel striking the floor suddenly rang out on the first floor.

The sudden noise not only drew the attention of everyone else on the first floor, but also made Gu Shaoan and Huang Xuemei shift their gazes and scan the center of the lobby in the direction of the sound.

In the center of the spacious and bright lobby on the first floor, there is an elegant wooden desk about half a person's height.

Behind the table, a sprightly old man with white hair and beard, wearing a slightly worn blue long gown, sat upright. Beside him stood a young woman holding a tea tray. She had an ordinary appearance, but she kept her head down and was quite quiet.

When Gu Shaoan's gaze fell on the old man's distinctive face, he was slightly taken aback, and then the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up, revealing an extremely unexpected smile.

The old man on the stage was none other than the Heavenly Mystery Elder, Sun Baifa, whom I had met several years ago.

Gu Shaoan was quite surprised to encounter Sun Baifa again at Tianxiang Tower today. His gaze then shifted to the woman beside the Old Man of Heavenly Mystery.

"Did you disguise yourself?"

After muttering to himself, Gu Shaoan withdrew his gaze and continued to follow the servant with Huang Xuemei.

Led by the servant, the two walked past the bustling lobby until they reached the lacquered wooden carved staircase leading to the second floor, where the servant suddenly stopped.

The servant turned to face Gu Shaoan and Huang Xuemei, his expression showing more caution and barely perceptible unease compared to when he was at the door.

He glanced quickly at Huang Xuemei, who exuded an imposing aura, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, before speaking softly to Gu Shaoan, his voice tinged with caution.

"Young Master Gu, I am truly sorry, but our distinguished guest upstairs specifically instructed that once you arrive, he could only come up alone. Therefore, this distinguished guest..."

The meaning couldn't be clearer.

The servant looked at Gu Shaoan with pleading eyes, then couldn't help but glance nervously at Huang Xuemei.

Huang Xuemei's delicate willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed almost immediately, and her gaze swept over the servant like an icy blade, an invisible chill that seemed to make the other man shrink back.

Seeing the servant's nervous and uneasy appearance, Huang Xuemei's cool gaze returned to Gu Shaoan's face, and she said in a calm and even voice, "I'll wait for you on this floor."

Her gesture indicated that her stay was not out of submission to the other party's rules, but rather out of respect for Gu Shaoan's decision.

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan nodded slightly.

However, Gang Yuan quietly activated: "Later, keep an eye on that old storyteller in the main hall for me. If he leaves before I come down, use the method of telepathy to mention my name to him and ask him to wait a moment."

Upon hearing Gu Shaoan's telepathic message, Huang Xuemei's eyebrows rose slightly.

He immediately nodded in acknowledgment.

Seeing that Huang Xuemei and Gu Shaoan did not pursue the matter further, the servant felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly bowed and thanked them several times.

After the waiter turned aside and called over another person from the shop, he led Huang Xuemei toward the main hall. Only then did the waiter make a "please" gesture to Gu Shaoan, and then lead the way half a step ahead.

The lacquered wooden staircase makes a steady and long, soft sound when you step on it.

Gu Shaoan stepped onto the stairs, his back to the lobby, and walked higher and higher. As he walked, he looked at the waiter opposite him, and suddenly his right hand popped out from his sleeve.

With a flick of his thumb, a pill the size of a mung bean, encased in beeswax, entered Gu Shaoan's mouth and was placed under his tongue.

When they reached the entrance of a significantly larger private room at the far end of the third floor, the servant who had led the way stopped and bowed to Gu Shaoan, saying, "Our distinguished guest is inside."

Gu Shaoan tossed a one-tael gold coin to the servant.

"Excuse me."

The servant smiled and stepped aside after receiving the gold from Gu Shaoan, then stood by the door.

There was none of the joy that ordinary people feel when they obtain gold.

Through this test with a few pieces of gold, Gu Shaoan was basically certain that this servant was no ordinary person.

Looking at the tightly closed door in front of him, Gu Shaoan slowly raised his right hand and steadily pressed it against the heavy, solid sandalwood door.

"Squeak-"

The door hinge turned, making a long, soft sound.

The moment the door was pushed open a crack, what came into Gu Shaoan's view was a huge screen.

At the same time, a rich and elegant fragrance of cosmetics, like an invisible stream carrying warmth, eagerly emerged from inside the door and precisely entered Gu Shaoan's nostrils.

This fragrance is neither the strong, coarse, and cheap perfumes found in the marketplace that make people frown, nor the vulgar scent of ordinary courtesans.

It is extremely elegant and gentle, with a touch of orchid fragrance and plum blossom coolness, and also incorporates a very expensive and indescribable exotic floral fragrance, with distinct layers that are refreshing and delightful.

However, Gu Shaoan's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly the moment he smelled the pleasant fragrance.

Gu Shaoan could clearly smell a hint of bitterness in the fragrance.

It is clearly a drug containing epimedium, dodder seed, etc.

These drugs are not toxic.

It complements these aromas quite well.

However, unlike other drugs, those infused with these aromas have the effect of warming the kidneys and aphrodisiac.

As night deepens, they invite you into the chamber, using cosmetics and perfumes infused with special medicinal ingredients.

Gu Shaoan could easily guess the other party's purpose.

"Could this be considered a case of being lured by a honey trap?"

The door was flung open, and Gu Shaoan stepped into the elegant room without making a sound.

The servant behind him, who had been leading the way, swiftly and silently stepped forward and closed the door tightly the moment Gu Shaoan entered the room.

"I'll take my leave, villain."

After the door was completely closed, the servant's voice could be heard from the doorway.

Immediately following was the sound of footsteps quickly receding into the distance, not quiet at all, as if deliberately letting Gu Shaoan hear his departing footsteps.

After the servant's footsteps faded into the distance, Gu Shaoan withdrew his attention and, after walking around the screen to the side, took in the situation inside the room.

The walls are adorned with landscape paintings by renowned artists, and on a round huanghuali wood table in the center, exquisite cold dishes, warm delicacies, and a pot of fine wine being heated are already laid out, with pairs of jade cups.

Wisps of steam rose from the wine jug and then mingled with the air.

However, the aroma of wine did not overpower the fragrance of cosmetics; on the contrary, the rich aroma of wine complemented the fragrance of cosmetics in the room.

The scent of special cosmetics mixed with elegant aphrodisiacs such as epimedium in the air grew stronger and more lingering, silently stimulating one's senses.

"Zheng~"

Just then, a soothing and melodious melody flowed out unexpectedly from another area separated by the screen in the elegant room.

The sound was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear, like a mountain spring dripping into a deep pool, instantly breaking the silence in the room and just right drawing Gu Shaoan's attention.

Following the sound of the piano, Gu Shaoan's gaze naturally turned to the other side of the room.

There, too, was cleverly separated by a screen embroidered with elegant ink-wash clouds and mist, forming another independent space.

At that moment, the bright candlelight shone through the screen, clearly projecting the figure of the zither player onto the thin silk screen.

It was an extremely elegant profile.

With a slender waist and straight back, her neck droops slightly, and her long, smooth hair is tied into a simple bun, adorned with a simple jade hairpin, revealing the graceful curves of her neck and shoulders.

A pair of slender hands rested on the zither, their fingers as delicate as scallions. With each pluck of the strings, a melodious tune flowed forth. Even just a silhouette projected onto the screen exuded an indescribable tranquility and elegance.

Because it is a shadow reflected on the screen, her graceful figure can evoke endless imagination.

Her figure alone is enough to conjure up an image of an unparalleled beauty in one's mind.

Just then, the soft and dignified voice from behind the screen rang out, clear and melodious like a spring breeze rustling through willow leaves. Each word was enunciated clearly, carrying a perfect balance of gentleness and distance.

"I am deeply sorry to have failed to greet you properly. Please wait a moment, young master, while I play a tune on my zither."

The sounds mingled with the faint scent of perfume and aphrodisiacs, creating a strange tension within the luxurious, enclosed room.

Looking at the graceful figure reflected on the screen and listening to the soft voice echoing in his ears, Gu Shaoan's lips curled into a smile.

They even resorted to using their femininity.

At this moment, Gu Shaoan became even more curious about the other party's identity and goals.

(End of this chapter)