Xuanqing Guard
Chapter 105: Eye of the Storm
How can there be smooth sailing in a lifetime? Each of us is trembling in the midst of failure and hardship, only by picking up scraps of success can we keep climbing upward.
To speak of worry—who hasn’t worried? The more dazzling someone seems on the surface, the more deeply they hide it. The reason? Nothing more than not wanting others to glimpse their weakness. It’s all self-defense.
The songstresses present—haven’t they ever been troubled? Of course, but absolutely not as much as the four bosses here today.
Songstresses fret over livelihood and future; these few bosses worry about prospects and conflict.
This phrase "draw the saber" is used so well. Sometimes, when your heart’s a mess, you just want to draw the Yanji Saber at your waist and hack those vexing people or things into utter pieces—settle it once and for all.
The poem’s pivot: "Cut water with a blade, but the water flows on." That hits right at the heart. If all our worries could be chopped away by a knife, would they still be called worry? Trying to fix troubles with a blade’s about as useful as slicing water with a knife—it does fuck all.
That half a line at the end paints the troubled soul thoroughly. Who hasn’t tried to drown their sorrows in wine? Is it any use? Even drunk, the worries are still waiting there—same fuck-all benefit.
"Good!" Jiang Cheng, caught up in the moment, couldn’t restrain his usual habit, slammed the table so hard he shattered a piece of it with sheer force, yet somehow used clever strength, bellowing with delight. I’m uncultured, but all I can say is "good"—got a problem with that?
Liao Chengfeng and the other two were jolted back to their senses by Jiang Cheng’s loud praise, faces flushed, clearly so moved they didn’t know what to say.
Not to mention the five songstresses beside them—all their eyes fixed dead onto Shen Hao, as if hooks could reel him in, some of their gazes practically glowing. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
Shen Hao felt inexplicably numb in his scalp, muttering internally: Surely it’s not that serious?
Actually, it absolutely is that serious!
In this barren world devoid of entertainment, poetry and lyrics are the highest elegance, adored by the upper-tier. An eloquent poet brings not just dazzling works but also an almost tangible aura of talent that sweeps into the heart.
A talented man isn’t just a title here—it’s genuinely valuable!
No one suspected Shen Hao’s two pieces were pre-written; everyone was convinced he improvised them. Though clearly unfinished and with some gaps, even so, they were impressive enough to shake the soul.
No question about it—the wine must be drunk now.
By the rules, when poetry arises that wins everyone over, the wine game for this round is over. A "King of Wine" is chosen for the day, and the rest are losers—so those giant sea bowls are now relevant.
In the end, the bosses talked for ages with gusto, choosing Shen Hao as today’s "Wine King," since they felt "Draw the blade to cut water, water flows on; raise a glass to dispel sorrow, sorrow grows stronger" had deeper meaning and endless resonance. Of course, the songstresses still liked the earlier "Long Yearning" more, but they wouldn’t dare argue with the bosses over it.
Thus, even though Jiang Cheng had brought backup, he still ended up drinking a giant bowl of wine—though unlike before, he didn’t "drink alone," but happily raised the sea bowl together with Liao Chengfeng and the others.
Finally, he had someone to share the load—Jiang Cheng felt coming here wasn’t in vain.
"Lord Liao, shall we continue?"
"No. Hearing two fine works tonight is already a great pleasure—even if Shen Hao has more unshown talent, I need to catch my breath and reflect properly. That’s safest." Liao Chengfeng waved his hand with a wry smile, ending the wine game. He had no mood for composing poetry tonight.
With Liao Chengfeng’s word, no one at the table objected. They started eating and chatting, or joked and flirted with the songstresses nearby, hands busy under the table.
All these songstresses have rank and haven’t left the house yet. Groping is permitted, but mounting isn’t happening—unless you’re ready to pay the Flower House a sky-high fee for breaking her contract, and have enough clout to hold the scene. Otherwise, money alone won’t get you there.
Of course, idiots abound, but there are few truly reckless spenders. Those with that kind of power generally don’t bother with such overpriced deals.
Still, with a figure so outstanding and a sweet face pressed up close, the feeling is enough to set a man on fire. Plus, those sultry eyes look ready to shoot flames, warmth enough to scorch your heart. So even Shen Hao, for all his worldly experience, found his mind wandering, thinking he might look for a more practical venue for a little "adjustment" later.
After everyone had eaten and drank their fill, the attendants swiftly cleared away the big table, setting up thick, soft reclining chairs and small tea tables for each guest, with a portion of clear tea and hot towels, perfect for digestion and relaxed chat.
"Jiang Cheng, things have been lively on your end lately—word from above is blowing through, and you sure know how to seize the moment."
The speaker, surnamed Zhang, was a Households Officer from the Imperial City. Though his rank matched Jiang Cheng’s, he was always at Liao Chengfeng’s side, so his backing was stronger.
"Households Commander Zhang, what are you saying? Just routine operations, nothing out of the ordinary," Jiang Cheng enjoyed the songstress’s massage without opening his eyes, replying casually.
This exchange made Shen Hao lying at Jiang Cheng’s right tense up. He suddenly sensed that tonight’s real subject was only just beginning.
Sure enough, Households Commander Zhang continued: "No moves? The Jingbei Army Governor’s Mansion already sent a document to our Governor’s Office, probing your Fengri City situation inside and out, and you’re still pretending!"
"Jingbei Army Governor’s Mansion? What are they getting involved for?"
"What else? The Wen Family’s business, of course! You took their son and won’t let go—they’re bound to look for ways in, aren’t they?"
The Wen Family? Shen Hao couldn’t help but tense up inside. Isn’t that about Wen Renhai’s case he’s handling?
Jiang Cheng finally opened his eyes at that, sat up straighter, and smiled: "If they move doors, why not come through mine? Wen Family’s big and wealthy—are they looking down on Jiang Cheng?"
"Bah, it’s you, Households Commander Jiang, who’s looking down on them. Still, to be fair, the Wen Family’s got real clout—getting the Jingbei Army to wade into muddy waters at a moment like this! Tsk tsk."
Jiang Cheng smiled without replying.
But the topic shifted as another Households Officer, surnamed Liu, chimed in: "What else can they do? Jingbei Army is probably riding the tiger, no way out but to help."
"Let’s leave that for now." Suddenly Liao Chengfeng spoke up, cutting in and sitting up, addressing Jiang Cheng: "Ever since the Commander’s Office set up the Black Banner Battalion, your Fengri City has never left the eye of the storm—always making trouble and showing up in the reports. Out of all the Thousand Households guarding the Xuanqing Guard Stations, I’ve always thought you, Jiang Cheng, had the biggest guts."
"Heh heh, Lord Liao, my guts are indeed big—but this time it’s just luck, just luck!"
"Hmph! At the eye of the storm, either you soar or you plummet. Your nerve isn’t just big, you’re ready to stake your family and life for a gamble—am I right?"