Shen Hao originally thought Jiang Cheng had something important for him, but when he finally met Jiang Cheng, he was told: Tonight I’ll take you out drinking!

So this is why he sent an order for him to "come at the call"?

Drinking?!

Jiang Cheng burst out laughing, amused by Shen Hao’s confused expression, and slapped Shen Hao’s shoulder hard, saying: "It’s been a while since we last met, kid, your cultivation has improved a lot! I remember you’re only twenty-six this year, right? Already at Gathering Spirit First Layer, your future is limitless!"

"Lord, you overpraise me, I’ve just had a few sudden insights lately, that’s all."

"Hey, it doesn’t matter how humble you act. In cultivation, anyone with eyes can tell your level at a glance. Being modest won’t fool anyone, it just makes you look less sincere—get what I’m saying?"

Upon hearing that, Shen Hao straightened up, clasped his hands, and respectfully bowed to receive the advice.

When the hour for the errand came, Jiang Cheng brought Shen Hao aboard a carriage. He expected they’d head to some Flower House, but the carriage went straight out of the city, speeding south for nearly half an hour before stopping by a river.

Though it was his first visit, Shen Hao recognized it as the Jinshui River, a tributary of the Bai River, running west to south—it’s also the largest stream within Fengri City.

Now it’s mid-August and the entire Baijiang River System is swelling, and Jinshui River is no exception. But unlike the main stream, Jinshui’s water level has risen but remains clear and gentle—not turbulent.

After getting off the carriage, he looked up to see five or six Nine-zhang Boats docked at a small pier by the riverbank. Unlike usual, these boats were all colorfully decorated, clearly not meant for hauling cargo or passengers.

"This place has a name—’Water Flower House’. All the best Flower Houses in Fengri City set up here, it’s classy, lots of variety. But I rarely come, it’s too far." Jiang Cheng explained to Shen Hao as they walked, making it clear tonight’s gathering was on these Flower Boats.

Sure enough, Jiang Cheng led Shen Hao onto one of the flower boats. Shen Hao noticed the boat was called ’Hong’en Boat’, probably run by Hong’en Hall from within Fengri City, right?

The boat wasn’t big—nine-zhang long and just over a zhang wide. The top deck had a canopy, elegantly decorated, much like the warm pavilions in Flower Houses Shen Hao had visited. Inside, a banquet table was already set, attended by five singing courtesans.

The songstresses’ clothing was clearly exquisite, ranked by grade, though Shen Hao still couldn’t tell which grade was which. However, among them he spotted a familiar face.

Green Waist Songstress, Lian Xiang.

"Oh my, Lord Jiang, Shen Zongqi, finally you’re here, we’ve been waiting all afternoon!"

Upon seeing them, Lian Xiang immediately pressed herself softly against Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng, laughing, smoothly swung his arm to hug another songstress by Lian Xiang’s side without missing a beat.

Shen Hao squinted slightly, secretly thinking: Even this man from the ranks like Jiang Cheng is careful to avoid suspicion—this Lian Xiang Songstress must not be simple.

"Lian Xiang, don’t drag me in—if you want to blame someone, blame Shen Hao for being late, haha."

Shen Hao rubbed his nose, feeling a bit awkward at being used by his superior as a shield. He just smiled, sat with the flow at Jiang Cheng’s side, and took a sip of tea offered by a nearby songstress.

"Shen Zongqi, you’re a celebrity now! Both your poems are hot all over Jingxi. One of my sisters sent a letter from the Imperial City mentioning your works—she said lots of scholars are working themselves to the bone trying to write something to surpass yours, hehe, are you worried?"

Shen Hao set down the tea cup, smiled and shook his head: "I make a living killing people, not with poems—not by looks either, so I’m not worried."

As soon as Shen Hao finished, the room went silent for a moment, then several songstresses wore faintly nervous expressions; only Jiang Cheng roared with laughter, thoroughly amused.

"Hahaha, Shen Hao, you always spit out golden lines—not bad! You truly make your living by cutting off heads, and composing poetry is just a pastime, so naturally you’re not worried about being surpassed."

Lian Xiang pouted charmingly at Shen Hao, unhappy: "Shen Zongqi, you just love scaring people with your words. Tonight you’re not allowed to say anything terrifying, okay?"

With this mysterious Green Waist Songstress, Shen Hao naturally played along: "As Miss Lian Xiang commands! If I ruin the mood with unpleasant words tonight, I’ll drink three cups as punishment!"

"No no no, you think we don’t know how much you can drink, Shen Zongqi? Punishing with wine is useless. The real challenge is you must compose another poem!"

Lian Xiang’s suggestion at once drew cheers from the other songstresses—their biggest hope tonight was for Shen Hao to produce another work. For them, that was everything.

After chatting idly for a bit, Jiang Cheng suddenly stood up, his gaze passing outside the boat window to spot a huge carriage escorted by a squad of black-clad cavalry heading for the pier.

"Come, Shen Hao, follow me ashore for the welcome!"

"Yes!"

Still rather confused, Shen Hao nonetheless followed Jiang Cheng off the boat. Seeing even a Households Officer like Jiang Cheng being so deferential, Shen Hao’s curiosity grew—who could be important enough for such treatment?

Once the large carriage got closer, Shen Hao noticed striking Taotie Patterns on the carriage, and those black-armored cavalry around it also wore Taotie Patterns—his heart skipped.

Taotie Patterns?! These people are Xuanqing Guard?!

Making Jiang Cheng step off the boat for a welcome? Could it be someone of Xuanqing Guard’s senior leadership?

The huge carriage stopped at the pier, the black-clad cavalry secured the area—even the Hong’en Boat was boarded by five or six black-armored knights, presumably to check for hidden threats.

Shen Hao took in the whole scene, inwardly sighing: "What an extravagant show!"

At that moment, Jiang Cheng smiled, bowed toward the carriage, and called out: "Jiang Cheng welcomes the arrival of the Governor!"

Governor?

Shen Hao hurriedly saluted with Jiang Cheng, watching as a pale-faced scholar alighted first from the carriage—thin, short, but the embroidery on his Black Robe stung Shen Hao’s eyes. Clearly, it was the uniform of a Junior Fourth Grade Governor of Xuanqing Guard.

After the Governor came down, two more followed, also wearing Xuanqing Guard’s unique black brocade robes, but theirs bore the patterns of Senior Fifth-Grade Thousand Households Officials.

One Governor, two Thousand Households Officials. Counting Jiang Cheng, that made three Thousand Households Officials. Shen Hao had never seen so many bosses at one gathering.

"Haha, Jiang Cheng, you’ve been waiting long, eh?"

"Lord Liao, not at all—waiting for you to give us the honor, how could we not?"

"You, you! Come on, let’s get aboard and catch up."

The four bigwigs were clearly acquainted; their exchanges, though courteous, were casual. Still, Shen Hao sensed their eyes occasionally swept past Jiang Cheng and lingered on him, sizing him up.

Just as they boarded, Lian Xiang darted like a gust into Lord Liao the Governor’s arms, cooing: "Lord Liao, Xiang’Er missed you to death!"