Su Xiaoliu couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile. A mischievous thought crossed her mind. She looked at Zhong Fengyue and called out, "Ziyi."
Zhong Fengyue looked down at Su Xiaoliu and gave a slight bitter smile. He whispered, "When you call me this name, I really think you're calling another man."
Bai Qing shook his head with a smile. Fang Xie, who had been silent all along, just stood quietly. His face was unclear, and no one knew what was on his mind.
"By the way, here's this. It can change your voice and help you go incognito." Bai Qing suddenly remembered something. He took out two small porcelain vials and handed them over.
Su Xiaoliu and Zhong Fengyue both looked down, then took the vials.
Su Xiaoliu suddenly recalled the time when Chang He had given her a medicine that had "poisoned" her dumb. She felt a lingering fear, but still opened the vial, poured out the black pill into her palm, and swallowed it with her head tilted back.
"The leader is probably still in the room at this time. He usually comes out at night," Bai Qing looked at the others and continued, "In the battle at Wanku Valley last time, the leader was seriously injured. He hasn't looked through the documents for a long time. If we sneak in now, we might be able to get the information while he's off guard."
As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Xie's voice slowly rang out.
"Not necessarily. After the recent defeat, Leader Zuo should be at his most vigilant. If we're not careful, we'll be seen through right away."
Su Xiaoliu listened to his words and thought there was some truth in them.
But even though the leader was vigilant, they couldn't just stop trying to find out the information, could they?
Zhong Fengyue held the porcelain vial, withdrew his gaze, and looked at Bai Qing. He said, "How about this? Since we're already here, let's just stand out openly." After thinking for a while, he added, "South Star Lord, do you know much about the matter of Apprentice Elder Liu Ziyi of Hall Master Sun and Miss Lin Wanyun?"
Su Xiaoliu followed Zhong Fengyue's gaze and saw Bai Qing pondering for a while. Then he looked up and replied, "I know a bit."
Zhong Fengyue curled his lips and said, "That makes it easier to talk about."
Inside the room, the leader in a crow - colored long gown was sitting quietly in front of the table, with a trace of exhaustion on his face.
A man in a brown long robe walked up to the leader, bowed his head, and said, "Your Excellency, Apprentice Elder Liu Ziyi of Hall Master Sun and his wife, Miss Lin Wanyun, are requesting an audience with you."
The leader slowly opened his eyes, looked at Wang Chengyang, let out a long breath, and said, "Hall Master Sun?" He frowned slightly, trying to recall the man. Hall Master Sun lived on the border near the Western Regions. If his apprentice elder Liu Ziyi had come to see him, he must have traveled a long way. It would be his fault if he didn't hold a banquet to entertain them. Thinking of this, he slowly said, "Go and prepare a feast. Give them a good reception."
Wang Chengyang replied in a low voice, bowing slightly, "Yes." He looked up at the leader, hesitated for a moment, then turned around and left.
The leader picked up the writing brush beside him and gently tapped the inkstone. He thought to himself, Hall Master Sun didn't have much contact with him. What could his apprentice elder and his wife want when they came to see him?
In the brightly - lit main hall, on the red carpet, there was singing and dancing. People from the Jianghu were sitting in two rows.
Su Xiaoliu looked up at the leader sitting on the long chair, then her gaze fell on Wang Chengyang in the brown long robe beside him. She pursed her lips.
Zhong Fengyue beside her took her hand, curled his lips into a smile, and glanced at her with his jade - like ink - black eyes. He whispered, "Let's go over there."
Su Xiaoliu smiled, nodded, and followed.
Zhong Fengyue led her, and they walked up not far from the leader.
Zhong Fengyue looked at the leader, bowed slightly, and said with a smile, "Liu Ziyi, apprentice elder of Mingzheng Hall, pays his respects to the leader."
His originally beautiful voice now became a gentle murmur. A hint of a smile flashed in Su Xiaoliu's eyes. Reacting, she also bowed her head and said, "I, Lin Wanyun, pay my respects to the leader."
The leader's under - eyes were dark blue, obviously due to improper rest and over - work. He hid the weariness in his eyes, waved his hand, and forced a smile. He said, "Young Master Liu, Lady Liu, there's no need for such formalities."
Su Xiaoliu raised her head and looked at the leader. Wang Chengyang just stood quietly beside him, but his eyes never left them, as if he was keeping an eye on them.
"This is a gift from my master to the leader. It's just a small jade ruyi. I hope the leader won't mind." Zhong Fengyue looked at Su Xiaoliu and smiled.
Su Xiaoliu quickly handed over the box in her hand. Wang Chengyang walked over and took it.
The leader took a look, then turned his head to look at the two standing not far away. He smiled slightly and said, "Hall Master Sun is so kind - hearted. How could I mind? Please thank Hall Master Sun for me. Next time when he's free, I must invite him for a chat."
Su Xiaoliu stepped back and smiled secretly. The jade ruyi was just an ordinary jade object, nothing special. The key was that the leader actually took it seriously...
Su Xiaoliu looked up and exchanged a glance with Zhong Fengyue. Remembering the words they had prepared before, she turned to the leader and said softly, "Since I'm lucky enough to meet the leader, I'd like to play a piece of music to liven up the atmosphere. What does the leader think?"
The leader slowly raised his head and looked at Su Xiaoliu. He saw her beautiful peach - blossom eyes were surprisingly alluring. Her not - extremely - beautiful but charming face had a unique charm. He was slightly stunned, then nodded and said with a smile, "That would be great."
Su Xiaoliu smiled slightly. Bai Qing, who was sitting below, carried a qin and walked forward, then handed it to her.
Su Xiaoliu took the purple - wood qin. Remembering the tune Fang Xie had taught her before, she took a gentle breath, then sat down beside it. She looked up at Zhong Fengyue with a bit of nervousness.
Zhong Fengyue stood beside her. A hint of a smile flashed across his jade - like ink - black eyes, signaling her not to worry.
Su Xiaoliu calmed down a bit. She stretched out her hand, and her slender fingers gently brushed across the qin surface. With just one stroke, a clear and melodious sound came out.
Then, the sweet and gentle sounds of the qin connected. The tune was originally beautiful, and the qin was made of high - quality material. The lingering sound of the qin echoed in the air.
When the piece ended, the people below were still in a daze. It took them a while to come back to their senses.
The leader couldn't help but look at Su Xiaoliu and clapped his hands. He said, "Lady Liu's qin - playing skills are truly extraordinary. I'm impressed."
The people below also began to whisper to each other, praising the piece.
Su Xiaoliu looked up at Zhong Fengyue. He was looking at her with approval. Her face blushed slightly. She looked up at the leader, thinking that this piece was just learned temporarily. If she hadn't practiced with Zhong Fengyue in the qin shop for a few days, there would probably have been many loopholes and she would have been criticized.
After another boring round of polite greetings, the feast was finally coming to an end.
The moon was shining brightly, and the silver moonlight covered the ground.
After the feast ended, everyone dispersed. After separating from Zhong Fengyue, Su Xiaoliu secretly hid behind a tree, waiting for the leader to come out.