Xu Qi An didn’t wait for General Wei’s response before the Golden Gong bearers arrived. Several figures with strong qi auras appeared on the seventh floor, among them two familiar faces: Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai.

“Your Excellency, are you alright?” A burly, muscular Golden Gong bearer, holding a purple-gold hammer, scanned the surroundings with his large, bell-like eyes, as if facing a great enemy.

“We have failed in our duty, not detecting any external enemies. Please forgive us, Your Excellency,” Zhang Kaitai said while expanding his spiritual sense to detect any potential dangers or enemies.

Gradually, the experienced Golden Gong bearers sensed something was amiss. First, with their foundation in the Spirit Refinement realm, their spiritual senses would have alerted them to any danger in the vicinity.

But there was nothing.

The entire Haogi Tower was calm, though the clerks inside were now in a panic.

Secondly, if a powerful enemy had invaded and managed to evade their perception, General Wei would certainly not be unharmed now.

Could it be that, as the legends say, there are hidden experts in the shadows protecting General Wei?

This speculation arose in the minds of the Golden Gong bearers, but none of them associated it with Xu Qi An. It was simple: the roar just now, while its primordial spirit strength might not seem much to the Golden Gong bearers, was incredibly profound and powerful.

It was certainly not something a newcomer to the Spirit Refinement realm could produce.

At this moment, they heard Nangong Qianrou ask Xu Qi An: “Was that you causing trouble just now?”

Nangong Qianrou knew Xu Qi An wasn’t an ordinary Spirit Refinement cultivator.

What trouble, I’m not Ning Caichen… Xu Qi An looked towards General Wei, and seeing him nod, frankly admitted: “It was me. General Wei wanted to test my primordial spirit strength, so I just roared casually.”

The tea room fell into a brief silence.

The Golden Gong bearers silently looked at him, their faces lacking expression.

After a while, Zhang Kaitai tentatively asked: “Xu Ning Yan, you advanced to the Spirit Refinement realm in Cloud Province, right?”

As early as when Jiang Luzhong’s secret letter reached the capital, they had learned that Xu Qi An had advanced to the Spirit Refinement realm. At that time, General Wei spoke of this matter with great pleasure.

However, even so, he had only been in the Spirit Refinement realm for just over half a month, and the intense and pure primordial spirit fluctuation from earlier shouldn’t be possible for a Spirit Refinement martial artist of his experience.

This talent was truly astonishing.

Thinking of this, the Golden Gong bearers looked at Xu Qi An as if examining a strange object.

“I suddenly understand why Jiang Luzhong and Yang Yan would fight over him,” one Golden Gong bearer muttered.

A moment of sudden realization!

The Golden Gong bearers’ gazes grew even more intense.

“Don’t misunderstand…” Xu Qi An waved his hand: “I only advanced to the Spirit Refinement realm at the last moment before death.”

This… The Golden Gong bearers scrutinized him again, and after a brief silence, they spoke in unison: “Your Excellency…”

General Wei shook his head: “Xu Qi An is still under Yang Yan’s command. If any of you want him, go to Yang Yan yourselves.”

“It’s a deal!”

Except for Nangong Qianrou, the six Golden Gong bearers spoke in unison again.

I don’t care whose command I’m under, but isn’t Golden Gong Yang too innocent… Xu Qi An prayed that Yang Yan would return to the capital later, at least after the excitement had died down.

Imagine, Golden Gong Yang, who had been working hard to suppress rebellions and bandits outside, returning to the capital after a long journey, only to be greeted not with cheers, but with the fists of his colleagues. And then, after learning of this, Jiang Luzhong’s backstabbing.

Zhang Kaitai walked to the observation deck, looked out, and said helplessly: “The Night Watchmen and guards have all gathered downstairs.”

General Wei said: “Disperse them. You all know about this matter, but don’t spread it outside.”

“Yes, sir!”

…

After the guards and Night Watchmen outside dispersed, Xu Qi An leisurely drank another cup of tea before taking his leave from Haogi Tower and returning to Spring Wind Hall.

His aunt and Xu Lingyue were sitting at the table waiting, while Xu Lingyin was curled up asleep in her mother’s arms.

“Big Brother, where did you go?” Xu Lingyue came forward, her delicate brows furrowed, saying with lingering fear:

“Why was there thunder just now? Mother and Lingyin were both frightened.”

Xu Lingyue was a sister with a scheming and slightly dark side. She had also been scared pale just now, but in front of her big brother, she wanted to maintain a perfect image.

Cleverly using her sister and mother.

“Thunder on a clear day, it happens sometimes,” Xu Qi An took out a hundred-tael silver note from his bosom and said: “The matter has been resolved. This is the compensation from the Zhao family. You don’t need to worry about this anymore.”

His aunt looked at the silver note in disbelief: “For me?”

Xu Qi An nodded firmly: “Aunt has worked hard for the family, managing everything. This is what you deserve. Unfortunately, it’s only a hundred taels. After all, their backer isn’t small either.”

His aunt took the silver note, looked at him with some emotion, and said softly: “Ning Yan, actually, your aunt just likes to complain. Don’t take some of the unpleasant things I say to heart.”

“We’re all family,” Xu Qi An said sincerely.

“Ah, right, I have something to do tonight, I won’t be coming home.”

“Something to do?” His aunt put away the silver note and said: “You haven’t rested at home for a single day since you returned from Cloud Province. What business?”

Xu Qi An said: “Discussing a big deal, investing in two mountains, developing a valley, investing countless gold.”

“Big Brother is just talking nonsense. You didn’t return to the mansion last night, surely you can’t be entertaining colleagues again tonight?” Xu Lingyue was somewhat suspicious. Following a woman’s intuition, she asked:

“Father says Big Brother likes to go to the Courtesans’ Quarter.”

“Go away, you,” His aunt spat at her: “Your Big Brother isn’t that kind of person. Even if Second Brother misbehaves, your Big Brother wouldn’t.”

“Then Big Brother, swear to me that you’ve never been to the Courtesans’ Quarter,” Xu Lingyue pressed her lips together, her bright eyes filled with stubbornness.

No, as a sister, where do you get the right to question me… Xu Qi An’s face turned serious as he swore:

“I, Xu Qi An, have never spent money at the Courtesans’ Quarter.”

Xu Lingyue smiled charmingly, her eyes rippling.

“Lingyue, when you get home, you can also question Second Brother like this,” Xu Qi An felt unbalanced and instigated: “I believe Second Brother, like me, is also an upright gentleman.”

“Of course Second Brother wouldn’t go to the Courtesans’ Quarter,” his aunt said confidently, thinking to herself that when that rascal Xu Pingzhi came home tonight, she would question him the same way and see if he dared to swear.

After seeing off his aunt and sisters, Xu Qi An planned to return to Azure Cloud Hall to retrieve his gold badge, but it had already been returned to him.

“Lord Xu, the Chief Constable of the Prefecture Yamen, Lü Qing, requests an audience,” a clerk from Spring Wind Hall came to report.

“Please invite her to the hall,” Xu Qi An turned and entered Spring Brother’s office again.

Soon after, sitting behind the desk, he heard hurried footsteps, as if chasing something. Then, the athletic female constable crossed the threshold and entered the hall.

The moment she saw Xu Qi An, Lü Qing’s pretty face, full of joy and excitement, suddenly froze, looking at him in confusion.

Xu Qi An was also examining his long-unseen friend. Her eyes were bright and spirited, her skin a wheat color, with a high nose bridge, large eyes, and small red lips. Her cultivation seemed to have advanced another step.

The official air about her was also stronger than before.

“Constable Lü, it’s been a while. How have you been?” Xu Qi An stood up with a smile to welcome her.

“Lord… Lord Xu?” Constable Lü stared hard at Xu Qi An.

“I took a rebirth pill in Cloud Province, barely escaping death, but my appearance has changed,” Xu Qi An explained.

Lü Qing nodded, forced a smile, and took out the gold badge from her bosom, saying: “The constables from the Prefecture Yamen told me about the private school incident. I took the liberty of sending Constable Zhu back and personally returning the gold badge to Lord Xu. And to visit you as well.

“I trust Lord Xu will give me this small favor.”

As she spoke, Lü Qing’s pretty eyes were fixed on Xu Qi An. If there was any displeasure on his face, she would immediately apologize and leave after returning the gold badge.

“The gold badge isn’t important,” Xu Qi An tossed the badge on the table and smiled: “It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. How about a drink together tonight?”

Lü Qing shook her head and declined: “Lord Xu, I am a woman after all…”

If you were a man, I would have said earlier: Let’s go drink at the Courtesans’ Quarter… Xu Qi An grumbled inwardly.

The two drank tea and chatted, losing track of time until the signal for the end of the shift sounded. Lü Qing suddenly came to her senses from Xu Qi An’s “beauty” and stood up, cupping her hands:

“Then this humble woman will take her leave.”

Xu Qi An saw her off at the yamen gate, watching the female constable’s graceful figure recede, he couldn’t help but stroke his chin.

“It seems Lü Qing might have some feelings for me? Song Tingfeng said she’s still unmarried. Although in this era she’d be considered a leftover woman, for me, a woman not yet thirty is truly at her peak.

“Forget it, Lü Qing is a respectable woman, different from the courtesans. The world of respectable women isn’t one you can enter and leave as you please. You have to constantly go in and out.”

This was something Xu Qi An definitely couldn’t do.

…

In the sunset, Xu Qi An rode his horse, slowly moving along the wide streets of ancient times, and entered the Courtesans’ Quarter.

Fu Xiang was sick, infected with a cold, lying in bed feverish and pale-faced.

Seeing Xu Qi An come, she was very pleased and struggled to get up.

This made Xu Freeload feel very guilty. He pressed down on Fu Xiang’s shoulders and said remorsefully: “It’s my fault, I’ve worn out the beauty.”

Fu Xiang’s beautiful eyes were half-open, half-closed, drowsy, and she said softly: “Lord Xu can choose any girl from the courtyard as he likes. Let them serve Lord Xu in my place.”

In the bedroom, the eyes of three pretty maids suddenly lit up.

Xu Qi An shook his head and refused seriously: “My lady is ill with a cold. How could I be in the mood for pleasure? I’ll transfer some qi to you.”

With that, he grasped Fu Xiang’s wrist and transferred streams of fine qi into her.

The qi could clear the meridians, activate the body’s vitality, nourish the organs, and greatly increase one’s resistance. A mere cold was nothing.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Fu Xiang coughed violently, her pretty face turning red from the exertion.

A quarter of an hour later, her complexion indeed improved greatly.

“Lord Xu, I feel much better,” Fu Xiang’s eyes sparkled, gazing at him with deep affection.

The three maids also showed signs of joy.

The mistress didn’t improve even after taking medicine, but as soon as Lord Xu came, her complexion immediately improved. It’s so good to have a man to rely on.

“Rest well, I’ll come see you again tomorrow,” Xu Qi An pinched her cheek and left Yingmei Pavilion.

After confirming he had left, Fu Xiang opened her eyes and said softly: “You all go out, there’s no need to leave anyone in the room.”

The three maids responded and left.

As the bedroom door slowly closed, Fu Xiang’s complexion, which had just improved, rapidly deteriorated.

In the bedroom, soft sighs echoed.

…

Xu Qi An turned and went to Qingchi Courtyard, where another courtesan – Ming Yan – lived.

Courtesan Ming Yan was petite and delicate, a typical southern girl. Last time, after Xu Qi An helped her understand “how knees can touch shoulders even when lying down,” they had initially established a close friendship and shared many heartfelt words.

Ming Yan was from the Jiangnan region. As a young girl, she had come to the capital with her promoted father. They thought it was the start of a prosperous future, but instead, it brought a ruinous end.

The following year, her father was purged for siding with the wrong faction and was exiled three thousand miles away, never to be heard from again. Ming Yan was then sent to the Courtesans’ Quarter.

“Lord Xu!”

After being announced by the doorkeeper, learning of Xu Qi An’s grand visit, the courtesan, dressed in an elaborate light blue gown, wearing precious headdresses, decked out beautifully and charmingly, came to greet him with great joy.

Upon seeing Xu Qi An, her smile turned to astonishment, almost thinking she had mistaken someone else.

“A day apart feels like three autumns,” Xu Qi An smiled and nodded: “I’ll explain about my greatly changed appearance later. It’s been over a month since I’ve seen Lady Ming Yan, it feels like three lifetimes… Ah, it seems our love is destined for three lifetimes.”

He speaks so beautifully… Courtesan Ming Yan’s eyes moistened with joy, her smile growing ever sweeter, filled with deep affection.

Ah, these irresponsible sweet words, I’m getting better and better at them… Xu Qi An felt a moment of shame in his heart.

But in a place like the Courtesans’ Quarter, only old hands could thrive. There was no room for survival for straightforward men.

Courtesan Ming Yan led Xu Qi An to a seat and said in a coquettish voice: “Why didn’t Lord Xu stay at Yingmei Pavilion?”

As she spoke, one hand holding a wine pot, the other gathering her sleeve, she poured a cup of wine for Xu Qi An.

“Because I missed Lady Ming Yan,” Xu Qi An answered sincerely.

Courtesan Ming Yan turned her head happily and instructed her maid: “Close the courtyard gate, we won’t be entertaining guests tonight.”

She then snuggled into Xu Qi An’s arms, raising her bright and delicate face, gazing at Xu Qi An in a daze. After not seeing him for over a month, Xu Qi An’s appearance had changed dramatically.

If before she was attracted to his talent, now Courtesan Ming Yan was somewhat craving his body.

Xu Qi An briefly recounted what had happened in Cloud Province, talking eloquently:

“…At that time, eight thousand rebel troops surrounded the Cloud Province Administrative Commissioner’s yamen. There were human figures all around. The Provincial Governor was trapped in the hall, his life hanging by a thread.

“Left with no choice, I alone, with just a sword, stood before the eight thousand rebel troops. One came, I killed one; two came, I killed a pair. Who else could stand with a sword on horseback? I think, only I, Xu Qi An, could.

“I chopped for a full half hour without even blinking. Finally, I held out until reinforcements arrived.”

As they talked, they moved from the hall to the bedroom, then to the bathtub, and finally rolled onto the bed.

“Lord Xu, didn’t you say you’d let me dance for you?” Ming Yan pouted, her tone a mix of displeasure and playful sulking.

“Then let’s have a Latin dance,” he replied.

In Qingchi Courtyard, on the bed of the famed courtesan Ming Yan, the music swayed until the early hours of the morning.

…

The next day, a refreshed Xu Qi An rode out from Qingchi Courtyard and made his way to the palace.

From a distance, he spotted the young eunuch assigned to monitor him, pacing anxiously near the palace gate.

“Oh, the little eunuch seems especially polite today,” Xu Qi An teased, sitting confidently on his horse.

“Lord Xu, you’re finally here!” The young eunuch hurried over, speaking quickly as he walked. “There’s been an incident—last night, a female corpse was pulled from a well.”