Xu Jiu wasn’t particularly interested in beautiful women. As a man of iron resolve, he only wanted to build the Leopard Gang into a powerful force—other temptations he could resist quite well. It was precisely this kind of steadfast character that allowed him to reach his current position at such a young age.

He used to entertain guests at Wuyou Pavilion, but now he preferred coming to Wangqiu Tower. Ge Qiu carried herself with dignity, pleasing guests with her talent and skills. Her movements were never frivolous, she spoke with proper measure, like an understanding flower that knew people’s hearts. Don’t let his rough, martial exterior fool you—though he drank heavily and ate heartily, his standards for women were actually quite high.

The young lady before him with a smile like blooming flowers—he glanced at her once, gave her a smile in return, then pulled his gaze away. But for some reason, his heart held an indescribable feeling, making him want to look a second time.

On the second look, the young lady’s smile was still beautiful. Since reaching adulthood, he had received favor from many women, with some bold ones even throwing themselves at him directly. Yet her gaze was clear and transparent, not showing infatuation toward him, but rather like an old friend. Among the women he knew, none were this beautiful and genuine. From her graceful standing posture, he could tell she came from a good background—probably some aristocratic young lady. You must know, for people like them in the boat gang, aristocratic young ladies wouldn’t deign to acknowledge them. The women he usually encountered were either women of the jianghu, courtesans, or ordinary maidens.

As he was about to walk past her, he waited for her to call out and stop him. However, she only watched him pass by.

Unable to resist, he turned back for a third look.

Her lips moved, silently forming two words—Xu Jiu.

He was greatly astonished and was about to ask who she actually was, when he saw her expression suddenly turn playful, revealing a smile he found instantly familiar. Smooth-talking, indescribably oily—common in the marketplace, but among those who left a deep impression on him, there was only that one person. But that person was a man, and this was a young lady!

His body continued forward while his head turned backward, his eyes blinking repeatedly, mouth opening and closing several times. Finally, in a hesitant tone, he asked, “Miss, is your surname Mo?”

Hearing him ask this, Mo Zi knew he hadn’t figured it out, so she decided to tease him. “Ninth Master, this young lady’s surname is indeed Mo.”

Xu Jiu asked again, “Does Miss have a brother called Brother Mo?”

Mo Zi’s smile deepened. This Xu Jiu had quite an imagination.

Seeing her smile, Xu Jiu thought he had guessed correctly and immediately became very enthusiastic. “Who would have thought Brother Mo had such a heavenly sister and never mentioned it to me—truly inconsiderate! Seeing Miss Mo smile at me, I suppose your brother mentioned me? I, Xu, pay my respects to the young lady. Brother Mo and I are like brothers, so Miss Mo is also my sister. We should interact more in the future.”

Mo Zi’s eyes curved into crescents, wanting to laugh. “Ninth Master, I heard you weren’t interested in women, but now it seems that was just a rumor. For a young lady you’re meeting for the first time, I see you’re quite enthusiastic, immediately claiming a sister.”

Xu Jiu secretly worried he had been too forward with the beautiful lady and quickly spoke in his defense. “Miss Mo, don’t listen to others’ nonsense. I, Xu, have always conducted myself properly—”

Conducted himself properly? A fellow who ran to Wuyou Pavilion day and night? Seeing Xu Jiu anxiously trying to explain, Mo Zi found it amusing and finally laughed out loud. “Xu Jiu, look carefully—who exactly am I?”

Xu Jiu was baffled by her laughter, but her expression made him feel increasingly familiar. “Miss Mo—”

“My surname is Mo, I have no brothers. People all call me Brother Mo. If Ninth Master doesn’t mind, I’m willing to lend you my assistance.” She borrowed some words from their first meeting and made a gesture of bowing.

Xu Jiu’s eyes widened, his feet stamped, and he leaped backward two zhang, crashing into Mei Shan.

Mei Shan was a scholar—how could he withstand such a collision from Xu Jiu? He immediately started falling backward.

Fu Tian merely called out “Careful!” and one of the four experts in green robes moved, pushing Mei Shan upright with one palm.

But Xu Jiu couldn’t comprehend the domino effect he had nearly caused. His long arm raised straight, index finger pointing at Mo Zi, stammering, “You… you… wo… woman…”

Brother Mo is a woman!

He stared fixedly at this graceful and elegant figure. Her slender shoulders—he seemed to have patted and embraced them countless times. He had even drunk strong liquor with her, used coarse language, played finger-guessing games like close brothers. He had admired her like a strategist, utilized her like an ally, never suspecting she was actually a woman disguised as a man.

“Ninth Master, you’re a jianghu hero, and the Leopard Gang has women managing affairs too. Surely you won’t look down on me for this?” Once Mo Zi spoke, Xu Jiu couldn’t get angry.

True, the jianghu was probably the circle that cared least about gender distinctions in this era. However, the advantage of physical strength between men and women still clearly favored men.

“Though Brother Mo isn’t from the jianghu, you possess seventy percent of the uninhibited spirit of jianghu men and women.” Xu Jiu’s tone was stiff and he couldn’t speak fully, so it was Fu Tian who spoke up.

Mo Zi smiled gratefully at him for speaking up for her. “Alliance Leader Fu is generous—I, Brother Mo, don’t deserve such praise. It’s just that previously, when conducting business and traveling by boat, it was truly difficult as a woman, so I presented myself in men’s clothing. Now that I’ve finally established a foundation, I don’t wish to continue deceiving those who have been sincere to me. This young lady’s surname is Mo, given name Zi. I greet you all.”

Most of these were seasoned jianghu veterans who had seen plenty of women in charge. Since they weren’t familiar with Mo Zi, they actually found it easier to accept than Xu Jiu did. Those who cupped their fists, those who nodded—they all exchanged greetings.

“Miss Mo Zi, last time at the Leopard Gang headquarters, you dared to speak fairly. I, Fu, have always been grateful. They say a planned meeting isn’t as good as a chance encounter. If you don’t mind, please join us in admiring the moon.” Fu Tian’s invitation, whether genuinely polite or not, seemed sincere.

“This—” Mo Zi only wanted to find Xu Jiu to ask if he had any connections. Looking at a group of men while wearing women’s clothing, she felt some hesitation.

“Wuyou and several young ladies will also be coming later. However, if Miss Mo Zi feels it’s inconvenient, there’s no need to force yourself.” Fu Tian’s gaze was sharp, guessing eighty or ninety percent of Mo Zi’s thoughts.

Mo Zi once again marveled—this boat gang leader truly didn’t have an empty reputation. With such a good opportunity to further her acquaintance, it might prove helpful to her. She no longer hesitated, accepted the invitation, and followed everyone toward the garden.

What Xu Jiu had reserved was the best pavilion in front of Yunge Terrace, capable of accommodating two tables.

Just as Mo Zi was about to step inside, Xu Jiu pulled her back.

She smiled. “Can Ninth Master finally speak properly now?”

Xu Jiu’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice somewhat heavy. “Miss Mo… Zi.”

Hearing him still very awkward, Mo Zi raised her eyebrows. “Ninth Master can still call me Brother Mo. Today I came out in a hurry and forgot to change into men’s clothing. If I didn’t have matters requiring Ninth Master’s help, and feeling that continuing to conceal this would be unfair to Ninth Master’s brotherly friendship, I simply decided that choosing a day isn’t as good as bumping into one and let you discover the truth. However, Ninth Master’s reaction was slower than expected—you even managed to bring up sisters and brothers.”

Better not to mention it—once this was brought up, Xu Jiu’s face couldn’t maintain composure. “Brother Mo deceived me first, so you really can’t laugh at me. I just didn’t expect Brother Mo’s women’s attire to be truly captivating. I was momentarily smitten, which is why I said those absurd things.”

This time, it was Mo Zi’s turn to blush, not knowing how to respond for quite a while.

Seeing this, Xu Jiu relaxed and laughed heartily. “Brother Mo truly looks exactly like a man in disguise. If you hadn’t revealed it yourself, with Miss Mo Zi’s gentle demeanor, I, Xu Jiu, would indeed have thoughts of taking you home. Now, knowing Brother Mo is Mo Zi, I dare not be presumptuous. Brother Mo is too formidable—I, Xu Jiu, don’t know if I’m worthy. If Brother Mo has feelings for Xu Jiu, then that would be another matter entirely. To receive Miss Mo Zi’s favor—Xu Jiu would be willing to arrange three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts, eight palanquin bearers, and marry you with full wifely ceremony.”

Xu Jiu openly declared he liked Mo Zi’s female appearance, even thought about the possibility of marriage, but also expressed his concerns, ultimately leaving the decision to Mo Zi.

Mo Zi forgot to breathe, her head buzzing. To put it plainly, was Xu Jiu confessing to her? But this was way too sudden. The moment she returned to women’s clothing, this man proposed marriage.

“Ninth Master, why choose me?” She didn’t know what to do, but wanted to ask this question. “Is it because I’m good-looking? But there are so many beautiful women out there.”

Xu Jiu nodded then shook his head. “Miss Mo Zi’s women’s attire is indeed captivating—that’s reason one. Mo Zi is Brother Mo—that’s reason two. When Brother Mo disguised as a man, I, Xu Jiu, already admired Brother Mo’s great talent and wanted to establish friendship. Now that Brother Mo is a young lady, naturally marrying you would be best. Brother Mo isn’t an ordinary woman, and I, Xu Jiu, also have ambitious aspirations. Husband and wife singing in harmony, riding horses through the jianghu—wouldn’t that be a magnificent life? However I think about it, I, Xu Jiu, should propose marriage to Brother Mo, lest someone else beat me to it.”

Mo Zi had been very nervous, but hearing these words, she couldn’t help but laugh. So Xu Jiu valued her abilities and wanted to bring her under his wing—being husband and wife was the most secure kind of partnership.

“Good thing it’s not heartfelt affection.” She really had broken out in a cold sweat. She murmured to herself. This way, when she refused him, he wouldn’t be too hurt.

“Huh?” As a martial artist, Xu Jiu heard her low murmur, his face showing confusion. “We boat gang men—what’s there to be coy about when choosing a woman? If I like you, I say I like you. If it works, it works; if not, it doesn’t. You’re not ugly, I’m not bad-looking. You have talent, I have capability. If we can make a match, we’ll live a good life together.”

“What if we can’t?” On this beautiful Mid-Autumn Festival, she was encountering all sorts of situations.

“Does Brother Mo have someone in your heart?” Xu Jiu leaned slightly toward Mo Zi.

Mo Zi leaned back, reached out to pat Xu Jiu’s shoulder, making him stand straight. “No, but I don’t feel that way about Ninth Master. We can be brothers and sisters, but husband and wife—no.” Moreover, this man’s proposal didn’t come from emotion, but from rational calculation.

“Why is that? I would be a good husband. Marry me, and you’ll never suffer in the future.” Xu Jiu felt his conditions were quite good.

“Xu Jiu, let me ask you—if Leng Liu and I were both in danger, neither of us able to save ourselves, who would you save first? Don’t overthink it—immediately tell me your choice.” Mo Zi smiled faintly. She knew what his choice would be.

“Leng Liu. But—” He would save both of them.

“Xu Jiu, one day when you meet a woman you’re willing to save at any cost, she will be the one you should marry.” Mo Zi stood at the doorway, seeing that everyone in the pavilion had taken their seats. “I’m selfish—I only want to marry the man who would save me first. Although I also know that valuing loyalty makes one a hero. But I would rather he not be a hero.”

In matters of the heart, she was an unambitious little woman, unable to be the behind-the-scenes support for some magnanimous figure, not caring about anything, then being sacrificed by her husband. Hearing people sing praises before death about how half the military merit is yours, half is mine—that’s purely a consolation prize.

Someone like her, if she could still marry, would want a husband who treated her as the world’s most precious treasure. Not a henpecked husband, not a husband who henpecks—neither needs to be that strict. As long as they cherish each other and remain joyful together until their hair turns white.