fox nature
Ah Qiu had already figured out part of the reason why Master Wanqiqing had gone mad at the palace banquet.
The flute music suddenly changed after the white-robed dancers released "Summer Dream Memories," and she herself was also significantly affected. Therefore, her master must also have been affected by those "Summer Dream Memories," thus triggering the inner demon illusion.
Xia Meng Suo Yi wasn't poison, but rather a blend and fermentation of different layers of spice ingredients, a completely new scent created by Gongye Fusu that no one had ever seen before. Therefore, even highly skilled martial arts masters with a keen sense of smell wouldn't be alarmed by it. That's how she herself fell for it.
Master must feel the same way. Ah Qiu just couldn't imagine what his master's inner conflict might be.
In her heart, her master was always invincible, calm and unrestrained, as awe-inspiring as a high mountain, and possessed a calmness beyond ordinary people, which could even be described as ruthless.
Could such a master also have fatal weaknesses and inner demons?
Compared to his master, A-Qiu found himself even more unbelievable.
As an assassin of the Lanling Hall, her past was like a vast, desolate snowfall, so pale that it left no trace, not even of birds or beasts.
Her earliest and clearest memory of life was that one mountain morning when she slowly awoke from a deep, confused state after a high fever. The sun was rising over the mountains, and the rosy glow illuminated the snow-covered foothills and plains.
Master Wanqiqing, dressed in white robes, arrived gracefully like a celestial being.
She knelt on the snowfield and bowed three times to Wan Qiqing's majestic figure.
After that, she returned to Lanling Hall with him. Her memories thereafter consisted of the days spent with her fellow disciples, joking and teasing each other within the sect.
After entering the palace, she began to have some unusual dreams. The scenes in her dreams seemed to have actually happened in her life, so she had an inexplicable sense of familiarity and intimacy.
Beneath the vibrant colors of these dreams lies a profound sense of loss and sorrow.
After inhaling the scent of "Summer Dreams," she entered a world of memories created by the fragrance.
But what exactly did she see in that world?
The incident happened suddenly; she was awakened by Gu Yi's piano music and didn't have time to savor it properly.
At this moment, the room is empty and vast, with the sound of rain pattering outside the window, and time seems to stand still.
Although Gongye Fusu was the richest man in Dayan, due to his genius as the "Sage of Fragrance," he possessed a reclusive temperament that was as pure as a gentle breeze and bright as the moon, as elegant as a jade tree, making people forget the mundane world upon seeing him.
When Gongye Fusu saw that Aqiu did not answer, he did not press the matter like an ordinary person would. Instead, he smiled and took out a pair of delicate scissors about an inch long from his waist pouch and began to trim the jade-colored plum blossom bonsai he had brought.
A-Qiu gazed at his methodical pruning technique, as thin branches fell onto the table and some petals drifted down like snowflakes.
The sea of fire spread from afar, growing ever closer. The sky above the palace was also filled with a bloody darkness.
She was carried away and flew away like a bird soaring over the magnificent rooftops and carved beams below.
"From now on, I will be your master."
The voice was soft yet firm, carrying its usual composure and confidence.
A Qiu's whole body trembled violently, all color drained from her face, and she could no longer remain calm.
That was the voice of her master, Wan Qiqing, the head of Lanling Hall.
"From now on, I will be your master."
Therefore, she must have had a master before. And her master was not Wan Qiqing.
A Qiu, hearing her own voice, replied blankly, "'Summer Dreams and Miscellaneous Memories' is the scent of memories, so did Young Master Fusu ever experience the taste of those memories?"
Gongye Fusu, who was concentrating on pruning, suddenly stopped, and a large branch of blossoms was cut off and fell with a "thud" onto the gleaming black lacquered table.
Gongye Fusu stared at the flower for a long time without answering.
As if waking from a dream, A Qiu suddenly remembered that there was a ceramic vase that had been empty for many years on the flower table by Gu Yi's bedside. She quickly got up to fetch it and inserted the large branch of flowers that Gongye Fusu had mistakenly cut into it.
The dark, almost purple jar exudes a warm luster, and paired with this gnarled and twisted plum branch, it appears even more ancient and exquisite, while also radiating dynamism and vitality.
The striking contrast of the flower arrangement before him brought Gongye Fusu back to reality.
He raised his head and smiled at A Qiu, saying, "Since I blended this incense, I must have smelled it many times during the blending process, so it should be unaffected. However, during the White Silk Dance, due to the infectious music, dance moves, and the female chanting, I was actually reminded of some long-forgotten memories."
A Qiu had no idea why Gongye Fusu had come to visit her today. In terms of status, most people in the palace were of higher status than her and more qualified to associate with Gongye Fusu. In terms of familiarity, although she might have left a good impression on Gongye Fusu after only a few meetings, she didn't think she was good enough for him to come all the way here and humble himself to befriend her.
Therefore, Gongye Fusu must have something to ask him.
But all Gongye Fusu knew of her was that she was merely a dancer. Why did he believe she could be of help to him, the wealthiest man in Dayan and the ruler of Wanxiang Kingdom?
Gongye Fusu indeed stopped pruning, put the scissors back into the brocade pouch at his waist, and smiled, "Actually, besides congratulating Miss Aqiu on her housewarming, I have another matter I would like to ask you."
Upon hearing the words "congratulations on moving," A Qiu blushed slightly for some reason. No wonder Gongye Fusu had specially brought a bonsai plum tree; it turned out to be a congratulatory gift for her move to Jinlingtai. His refined taste and thoughtful manner truly made him likable.
A Qiu tried her best to appear natural as she said, "Young Master Fusu, please feel free to ask. I will answer all your questions to the best of my ability."
A gentle smile appeared on Gongye Fusun's beautiful face as she gracefully said, "If that's how you see it, then I won't stand on ceremony. May I ask, have you ever heard of the name Duan Shaoan?"
As he said this, his gaze remained fixed on A-Qiu's face, as if he wanted to take in every change in her expression.
A Qiu was immediately taken aback. No matter how hard she racked her brains, searching through her mind from all the martial arts figures she had ever seen or heard of in her life to those in the imperial court, she simply couldn't recall anyone she knew named Duan Shaoan.
But judging from Gongye Fusu's expression, he seemed to be waiting for her to arrive. Gongye Fusu wouldn't just grab anyone and ask if they knew Duan Shaoan. He must have preconceived notions that she should know something in order to ask such a question.
A Qiu racked his brains and thought about it again, then hesitated and said, "The most famous people with the surname Duan should be the Qinghe Duan family, a powerful clan in the north, one of the thirteen most prestigious families in the world."
Gongye Fusu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked with great surprise, "Does the young lady know people from the Duan family of Qinghe?"
Seeing his expression, A Qiu couldn't bear to disappoint him, but she had to tell the truth: "I have never been to the North in my life, so how could I know anyone from the Duan family? Moreover, I heard that when the Northern Qiang entered the pass, the Duan family of Qinghe was exterminated for defying them. The Gongye family's incense products are sold all over the world, and they are well-informed. I'm sure you know this very well, young master."
The radiance on Gongye Fusu's face vanished, and he murmured, "Is that so? Is that so? It should be so, it should be so. There can be no other possibility."
A Qiu then asked, "Why do you think I know Duan Shaoan? Who is he? How old is he? What does he look like? What are his distinguishing features?"
Seeing Gongye Fusu's distraught appearance, she instinctively felt she should do her best to help him. Regardless of whether she knew Duan Shaoan or not, the Xingfeng Hall of Lanling Hall was renowned throughout the land, with connections across the country; finding someone for him was always within her power.
Her words reminded Gongye Fusu, who looked at Aqiu again and hesitated before saying, "He should be twenty-seven years old this year, and his height... is probably about the same as mine. He should be quite handsome. If I had to describe his features, it would be that he always has a cheerful face and is very eloquent."
He was twenty-seven years old, about the same height as him. He was handsome, had a cheerful face, and was eloquent.
A Qiu pondered these clues in her mind, and suddenly felt a bitter taste in her mouth.
If this person weren't named Duan Shaoan, she would actually know someone like him.
She raised her head with a guilty conscience, only to meet Gongye Fusu's expectant gaze. Then, she instantly understood.
Gongye Fusu appeared gentle and composed, but in reality, he retained his cunning and shrewd nature as a businessman. He already suspected that her senior brother, Gongyi Xiu, was actually that Duan Shaoan, yet he subtly probed her for information.
But when had her senior brother ever used the identity of Duan Shaoan? She had never heard him mention it before.
Could it be that the usually dashing and debonair senior brother also has a secret he doesn't want anyone to know?
A Qiu tried her best to keep her expression calm and smiled, "Actually, I would like to return the favor to you with the words you gave me back then."
Gongye Fusu looked surprised and asked, "Which sentence is it?"
A Qiu readily agreed, "If you really want to know if someone is Duan Shaoan, you can ask him yourself. Why go to such lengths to ask a mere woman like me?"
Gongye Fusu was taken aback, then chuckled and said, "What you say is true, young lady. I shall take my leave now."
He was a smart man and knew that he wouldn't get what he wanted from A Qiu. He figured that further entanglement would only make things worse, so he immediately took his leave.
His tactful manner made A-Qiu feel awkward, and she said, "Young master, it's rare for you to come here. Why don't you have a cup of tea before you leave?"
She said this but didn't leave, because she knew very well that Gu Yi had neither tea nor teaware. She had spent almost the entire day and night searching for it. Jinlingtai was somewhat similar to her master's Songxuetang, both being places of calligraphy, painting, music, and chess, with a refined and elegant style. The difference was that while Jinlingtai had a beautiful and ornate name, it was actually far less down-to-earth.
Gongye Fusu regained his carefree smile and said, "No need. I dare not accept the tea that you poured, young lady." Seeing A Qiu's blank expression, he then pointed his chin outwards meaningfully.
Looking in the direction he pointed, A Qiu felt as if his soul had been ripped away and a bucket of ice water had been poured down his spine.
Beyond the carved doorway, beneath the eaves, stood a tall figure in flowing black robes, seemingly intently watching the rain falling outside.
His black hair reflected a faint silver light; who else could it be but Gu Yi?
I have no idea how long he's been here or how much he's heard.
Gu Yisheng had never been a thief. When he returned and stumbled upon the two talking, he naturally didn't try to avoid them. Too lazy to engage in pleasantries, he simply waited outside without going in.
A Qiu instantly listed three major crimes against herself: First, bringing outsiders into Jinlingtai. Second, having a secret rendezvous with a strange man. Third, allowing Gu Yi, the host, to wait outside and brazenly use his place to receive guests. There was absolutely no sense of hierarchy whatsoever.
Everyone knows that the Grand Tutor's Jinling Terrace is a forbidden area, and outsiders are not allowed to enter without permission. Even the emperor must be informed before he comes.
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