"Miss, here are the candied fruits, sugar dolls, snowflake cakes, lotus seed cakes you asked for…"
The round-faced girl with twin buns ran back, holding a dozen types of snacks.
Just as she got on the carriage, she saw a scene that made her eyes round and stuttered, "Miss, you...you… this is…"
"I don't know, he just stormed in unexpectedly."
Shen Zhixia swallowed the osmanthus sweet cake stuck in her throat, pounded her chest to ease her breath, and barely got her words out, "He said he is the son of the Right Deputy…"
"Right Deputy Imperial Censor?"
Qing'er regained her composure, frowning.
Shen Zhixia nodded, "Yes, the son of the Right Deputy Imperial Censor, and he asked me to send him home."
Qing'er took a deep breath and asked, "Miss, do you remember why we came out?"
"Of course I remember, I was hungry and came out for food." Looking at Qing'er's deep gaze, Shen Zhixia added, "And I was also looking to confront that bastard."
Qing'er pointed at Chen Mo, and said through gritted teeth, "We've been waiting here for half an hour, for him! He is Chen Mo! The man who unilaterally broke the marriage promise for a courtesan, bringing shame on the entire Shen Family!"
Shen Zhixia froze upon hearing this.
She reached out and grabbed Chen Mo, examining him closely.
His face was white as porcelain, and he was as handsome as a crafted sculpture, with distinct facial features.
Even with his eyes closed, one could sense a familiar air about him.
—Indeed, he was her long-lost "fiancé".
"Miss, what do you think?"
"Handsome, lovely to look at."
"???"
"I mean, what is your opinion on this matter!"
Qing'er stomped her foot, indignantly saying, "Look at his frail and listless appearance, he must have been up to something shady with that seductress!"
"Broad daylight, just broke off the engagement and acting so licentiously, even sharing a carriage with you… If this gets out, how can you face anyone?"
Shen Zhixia held her sleek chin and nodded, "You have a point."
Qing'er breathed a sigh of relief, "So…"
"So, why not just keep it between us?"
"…"
"If I hear any rumors or gossip, I'll have to spank you."
"…"
Qing'er looked as if she were constipated.
"Pfft."
Shen Zhixia chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Alright, I'm just teasing. What do others' opinions matter to me? Besides, he just tore the marriage document, our elders didn't approve, and there was no formal annulment, so technically, I'm still the fiancée of the Chen Family."
"But Miss..."
Qing'er wanted to say more, but Shen Zhixia interrupted, "Anyway, let's send him home first, we can talk about other things later."
"Yes."
Qing'er sighed.
Her master had spoken, and she naturally wouldn't defy.
She gave the unconscious man one last glare, then twisted her little waist and stepped out of the sedan.
Shen Zhixia looked at Chen Mo, her eyes flashing inscrutably, grabbed his wrist, and transferred a strand of True Yuan into him.
Moments later, her brows slightly lifted.
"Meridian disorder, depleted True Qi, severe physical overdraft, it seems he just fought a tough opponent."
"Is this a visit to a lover, or seeking a foe?"
…
Qing'er reached the front of the carriage, lightly jumped onto the driver's seat, grabbed the reins, and shook them hard.
"Go!"
The steeds neighed, sprinting down the street.
Her petite form controlling the two big horses looked effortlessly graceful, a jarring scene that attracted many gazes.
"Look at that decoration, seems like the Shen Residence's carriage?"
"General Shen has rules, all Shen Family members must not enter places of ill-repute, who dares to openly come to Brothel Alley?"
"I saw that carriage stopped near The Cloudwater Hall earlier…"
People murmured among themselves.
The Imperial Music Bureau, as the biggest Gold Cave in Tiandu City, occupies half a block, with over a thousand registered musicians and courtesans.
Among them, there are only five Oirans.
Each one is rigorously selected, top-tier in appearance, family background, and learnedness, proficient in musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and compositions.
The Cloudwater Hall, is the residence of "Qin Fairy" Gu Manzhi.
An exclusive courtyard with a tranquil environment, only guests who are invited have the privilege to enter.
At this moment, a portly man said, "From what I see, the Shen Family must have come to demand an explanation."
Someone else questioned, "What do you mean by that?"
"You guys still don't know?" The plump man looked around, lowered his voice, and mysteriously said, "Today, Chen Mo tore up the marriage contract in public, demanding a divorce, and the Shen Family is in uproar!"
"A divorce?"
"Is that true?"
A buzz of surprise rose around.
"I have a nephew who serves in the Shen Residence, this is absolutely true!"
Seeing himself being doubted, the plump man looked displeased and dropped another "heavy news": "Moreover, I heard that Miss Shen, who has achieved success in martial arts, has left Martial Saint Mountain and returned home!"
"That Martial Arts enthusiast who ranked sixth on the Qingyun Ranking is back?"
"Gosh, this will be quite a spectacle."
"The Chen and the Shen Families have been lifelong friends, why has it come to this?"
"Do we even need to ask? In the entire Tiandu City, who doesn't know about Chen Mo's infatuation with Gu Manzhi?"
"For an Oiran, he didn't hesitate to turn against the general's house... Young Master Chen really is a man of passion."
"Beauty is truly a disaster..."
The discussions grew even more heated.
Among the crowd, a gray figure slowly retreated and disappeared into the shadows.
...
Imperial Music Bureau, Cloudwater Hall.
In the bedroom, Gu Manzhi sat cross-legged, a bluish gleam emerging from her brow. Upon closer inspection, it was a miniature version of a scripture.
"Blue light protecting my body, reflecting upon me..."
As she recited the spell softly, the pages of the book turned slowly, and characters flowed out like a tide, continually entering her body. Her pale cheeks gradually regained some color, and her breath also stabilized.
But this was merely a temporary suppression of her injuries.
The power of those eight palm strikes was too fierce.
Even though the Green Jade Mirror had absorbed some of the force, it nearly killed her, and the fire poison within continued to burn her heart meridians.
Full recovery would require several months of recuperation.
"I underestimated him," Gu Manzhi sighed.
A Magician, though skilled in numerous techniques, needs space to utilize them, and they dread most being approached by Martial Artists.
She had been a little complacent due to being a major realm above Chen Mo, yet she didn't expect Chen Mo's strength to be so formidable, his strikes so ruthless!
His cold and ruthless demeanor was utterly unlike before!
Now thinking back, his previous care and attention towards her were nothing but an act...
"Tsk tsk, who would have thought, the Holy Daughter Gu, renowned for manipulating people's hearts, would be cut so deeply by a man?"
At that moment, a mocking voice rang out.
From a corner, the shadows twisted and a figure wrapped in a gray robe emerged.
Gu Manzhi frowned, "What are you doing here?"
"Obviously, I came to see your joke."
"That guy was utterly enchanted by you, right? How come the hunter was pecked in the eye by the wild goose?"
The voice of the person in the gray robe was hoarse and unpleasant, unidentifiable as male or female.
"Those who plot against others are in turn plotted against, it's just mutual scheming."
Facing the ridicule, Gu Manzhi's expression remained calm as she spoke, "Chen Mo came prepared this time, anticipating every move I made... I lost fairly."
"Is that so?"
The gray-robed person folded their arms, their tone playful: "But don't you find it strange? Even though he knew it was a trap, why did he still risk coming alone?"
"He clearly could have killed you in the end, but yet he spared you?"
Gu Manzhi's eyes flickered slightly.
This was also puzzling to her.
Regardless of killing or capturing her, for Chen Mo it would be a great accomplishment.
There was no reason to let her off so easily...
Especially the words he spoke at the end, it seemed like a reminder for her to leave quickly.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Gu Manzhi asked sternly.
The gray-robed figure shrugged, "I heard that Chen Mo publicly regretted the marriage for you, not hesitating to tear his face with the Shen Family... Is it possible, he didn't plan to scheme against you but actually fell in love with you?"
Hearing this, Gu Manzhi was struck as if by lightning, completely stunned.