On a winter afternoon with perfect weather, a figure in spotless white robes slowly made its way into the Ten Directions Studio along with the crowd.
The white veil on the bamboo hat completely concealed Shen Qingfeng's handsome and elegant face. As he lifted his foot and stepped through the main entrance of the Ten Directions Studio, a young maid came forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Sir, do you have any item to prove your identity?"
People like Shen Qingfeng, who dressed in such a way as to avoid showing their faces, were either of noble status or martial arts masters. Generally, the Ten Directions Studio would first confirm their identities; otherwise, they were not allowed to enter. It was almost impossible to force one's way in if they refused to provide identification. After all, the Ten Directions Studio had achieved such great success in business not only because of its substantial funds.
Shen Qingfeng took out a golden token from his sleeve, covering it slightly from the sight of others, only showing the big character "Shen" on the token to the maid.
The maid understood and bowed to Shen Qingfeng, saying, "Sir, please follow me."
Shen Qingfeng put away the token and followed the maid. Crossing the white stone bridge, he entered the Ten Directions Pavilion again.
Shen Yu was right. Except for that one time before, this body of his had never entered the Ten Directions Pavilion. However, in Shen Qingfeng's memory from his past life, he was familiar with every sight and object in this pavilion.
The maid was about to lead him to a private room, but Shen Qingfeng didn't want to waste time. He directly said, "I want to see your boss lady."
The maid was not surprised to hear this. After all, there were many people who wanted to see Liu Mei every day, but she was not someone one could meet just by wishing. So she just nodded slightly and said, "Sir, please wait a moment. I'll go and inform her."
"Okay." Shen Qingfeng nodded and said, "You can directly tell her that I'm here this time only asking for one thing, the Jade Cicada Dew."
The maid lowered her head, bowed, and then backed out.
The door was slowly closed. Shen Qingfeng took off his bamboo hat and placed it aside. He picked up the hot tea on the table, blew on it, and then took a sip.
Holding the teacup with his cold and pale hands, he looked out of the window, waiting quietly.
After a stick of incense had burned, there was suddenly a knock on the door. Even someone with such excellent hearing as Shen Qingfeng hadn't noticed her approaching footsteps.
Unexpectedly, Liu Mei's martial arts were already so good at this time. Shen Qingfeng sighed silently in his heart and calmly said, "Boss Liu, please come in."
"Creak—" The door was slowly pushed open by a pair of delicate hands. There stood a woman with unbound long hair, leaning casually against the doorframe. She wore heavy makeup and bright red lips. As if impervious to the cold, even in the middle of winter, she still wore her signature low - cut curved robe, revealing a deep cleavage. A spotless fox - fur shawl was draped over her arms. The bottom of her ruffled skirt was slit, reaching all the way up to her thigh, revealing her fair legs and looking extremely enchanting.
"Mr. Shen." Liu Mei spoke first. She gave Shen Qingfeng a charming smile, and her voice was also full of allure. "You're looking for me?"
Shen Qingfeng stood up and bowed to Liu Mei, saying, "I've long admired your great name, Boss Liu. Meeting you today, I see that your reputation is well - deserved."
"Oh?" Liu Mei's tone rose slightly. She stopped leaning against the doorframe and slowly walked into the room. Behind her, the door seemed to be gently pushed shut by someone.
"I wonder what kind of great name of mine has Mr. Shen heard?" As Liu Mei got closer, Shen Qingfeng could almost smell the familiar and strong rose fragrance on her.
"A great business magnate, a woman not inferior to men. Boss Liu has a natural charm. I'm truly impressed." Shen Qingfeng's words were not entirely polite. In his past life, he had always thought that Liu Mei, as a woman, was truly formidable for achieving such a status, even though she had engaged in many shady deals.
Liu Mei laughed a few times. Her laughter seemed to have an otherworldly charm. She sat down on another chair on her own and said to Shen Qingfeng, "Mr. Shen, please sit down."
"Thank you, Boss Liu." Shen Qingfeng lifted his robe and sat down.
"It's the first time I've seen Mr. Shen so up close. Mr. Shen is truly a handsome and outstanding man. No wonder the world calls you Gentle Mr. Shen." Liu Mei poured herself a cup of tea and boldly and wantonly sized up Shen Qingfeng.
"Boss Liu is joking." Shen Qingfeng said.
Liu Mei let out a few "giggle" laughs and said, "I'm not joking. Gentle Mr. Shen is truly well - informed. He even knows about the royal secret medicine of Lixia."
Shen Qingfeng also smiled slightly and said, "Boss Liu, you're overpraising me. Compared to you, I'm still far behind. After all, I only know that there is such a medicine, but you've already managed to obtain it."
The air froze for a moment. Liu Mei suddenly covered her mouth and laughed. Propping her chin on her elbow, she leaned a little closer to Shen Qingfeng and said in a slightly alluring tone, "Mr. Shen, you really suit my taste."
Shen Qingfeng just smiled without saying a word.
Liu Mei's eyes were full of smiles. She straightened up slightly and said, "However, I remember I've already helped Mr. Shen once. I'm a businesswoman. In business, we should give and take. One price for one item. Does Mr. Shen understand?"
Shen Qingfeng said, "I naturally remember your previous help. After Boss Liu gives me the Jade Cicada Dew this time, I'll settle the accounts for both transactions at once."
Liu Mei looked at Shen Qingfeng with great interest. She changed her posture, leaned back, and then lifted her long legs, placing them on the edge of the table. The slit in her skirt was lifted by this movement, revealing her smooth legs in front of Shen Qingfeng. With one hand supporting her face, she looked extremely charming.
Liu Mei parted her red lips slightly, and her voice was still full of allure and charm. "I can give you the Jade Cicada Dew, but can you give me what I want?"
"I wonder what it is that Boss Liu wants?"
Liu Mei's eyes curved. "I want you to do something for me."
Shen Qingfeng raised his eyebrows.
In his past life, it was Xia Chuli who came to Liu Mei to ask for the Jade Cicada Dew. Did Xia Chuli also agree to this condition?
"What is it?" Shen Qingfeng calmly asked.
"It won't be difficult for you. In fact, you might even be quite happy about it." Liu Mei said. "So, how about it? A deal?"
Shen Qingfeng asked, "Then, when will I do it?"
Liu Mei said mysteriously, "The time hasn't come yet."
"Understood." Shen Qingfeng nodded. Since Liu Mei had said this, it was likely that Xia Chuli had also agreed to her back then. Otherwise, with Xia Chuli's unfavored status, he would never have been able to obtain the Jade Cicada Dew.
For a moment, Shen Qingfeng's vision blurred. He seemed to see many years ago, Xia Chuli leading a person who looked seven or eight parts like himself up to him and saying, "Qingfeng, look. Doesn't he look like you? His name is Yu Shuang."
Shen Qingfeng gritted his teeth secretly and forcibly pulled his thoughts back. He said, "It's a deal."
Liu Mei looked at Shen Qingfeng meaningfully and suddenly said, "The Jade Cicada Dew is made of precious ingredients. It's a life - saving thing for the royal family of Lixia in case of emergencies. Who are you trying to save with it?"
Shen Qingfeng looked up at Liu Mei and smiled. "Boss Liu is joking. I just want the Jade Cicada Dew to ensure my own safety."
"Really?" Liu Mei smiled enigmatically.
"Really." Shen Qingfeng replied.
-
The next day.
It was the last day of the seventeenth year of the Qingfeng era. The weather was kind, and the warm sun seemed to be ready to draw a perfect end to this year.
Every year on New Year's Eve, the king of Lixia would host a banquet for the disciples of the major noble families and civil and military officials. This was also the busiest day in the Bian Palace.
Relatives of the major noble families would all attend. Even two remote vassal kings had come. Besides Lu Yan, the Southwest Marquis of Xigi and the Dongxiang Marquis of Dongzhi had also come to Lige. The other two vassal kings were too busy dealing with internal affairs in their fiefdoms to come.
For a moment, the entrance of the Bian Palace was crowded with people, who were entering one after another.
As for the Shen family, Shen Shiqiu had gone to the palace to get busy before dawn. Shen Yu had also gone early to gather his subordinates from the Divination Hall and was busy arranging tonight's sacrificial ceremony. Only Shen Qingfeng was the most idle. He slept until late in the morning, slowly got dressed, had lunch at home, and then yawned and got into the sedan chair on his way to the Bian Palace.
"Hey, Lord Lu, you're still waiting here? Aren't your legs numb? Do you want me to get you a stool to sit on?" Xu Ruhui gloated as he looked at Lu Yan, who had been standing at the entrance of the Bian Palace for the whole morning like a "husband waiting for his wife." He shamelessly burst into laughter.
Lu Yan glared at him and scolded, "Why hasn't he come yet? Have you checked inside the palace?"
"My dear senior brother, I've checked for you three times. Sister - in - law isn't in the palace. What else do you want me to do? Am I supposed to rummage through the latrines? Besides, who stays in the toilet for the whole morning?" Xu Ruhui rolled his eyes.
"Then where is he?"
"He just hasn't come yet!" Xu Ruhui said. "Can you stop waiting here? Go inside and wait."
"But..." Just as Lu Yan was about to say something, he saw a sedan chair slowly approaching in the distance. The sedan - chair carriers were the ones from the Shen family that Lu Yan had already inquired about.
Lu Yan's eyes lit up, and he took a few big steps forward. "He's coming!"