Although the new home had been cleaned before, it still needed some tidying up if he wanted to move in. At least Shen Hao wasn’t planning to sleep there tonight—he had other arrangements.

He had the guards escort him to Hong’en Hall—tonight, Zhang Qian and Gan Lin were hosting a welcome banquet for Shen Hao here.

"Oh my, isn’t that Lord Shen! Please, come inside—Households Commander Zhang and Households Commander Gan have been waiting for you awhile already." The madam was quick with information; the upheaval in Xuanqing Guard this round, who got promoted and who got demoted, she’d long had word. Besides, Shen Hao wasn’t just a Hundred Households Officer of Xuanqing Guard—he wore the hat of a romantic talent, and was among the most popular guests of the Flower House, so his face was well known.

Shen Hao just nodded and followed the exuberant madam inside, all the way up to the Warm Pavilion on the top floor. As the door opened, he saw Zhang Qian and Gan Lin sitting in chairs, flirting with two songstresses.

"Hahaha, Lord Shen is here!"

"Yo, Lord Shen, you’re positively glowing!"

Their tone was exaggerated, but the congratulations were obvious. They cut out a lot of courtesy; everyone here was on the same side, so there was no need for it.

"Please, sirs, don’t tease me. Haven’t even warmed my seat yet—it’s all Lord Jiang’s kindness."

Jiang Cheng wasn’t here, probably busy, but drinking with these two still followed Jiang Cheng’s old rules: eat well first, then drink freely, using bowl-sized cups instead of dainty ones.

Maybe because Jiang Cheng wasn’t around, Gan Lin and Zhang Qian were letting loose—even the songstresses, two for each man.

"Shen, is it okay if we call you that?"

"Of course, we’re all family here. Honestly, addressing by title feels a bit distant."

"Hahaha, straightforward. We’re a few years your senior, so let’s be bold. Shen, here’s a toast for your prosperous martial luck!"

"Many thanks, brothers!"

After a few drinks, the forms of address changed, and the mood grew even livelier. Now that Jiang Cheng had left Fengri City, with a promotion no less, wasn’t Shen Hao the only reliable one in the Xuanqing Guard branch? So naturally, ties needed to be deepened.

Halfway through, the Warm Pavilion door was knocked open, and a fragrant breeze drifted in—none other than Lian Xiang, the Green Waist Songstress, long unseen.

Lian Xiang wore a red dress today, with a sheer shawl over her shoulders. Her makeup was heavier than usual, adding a touch of cold glamour, and combined with her seductive energy, she was practically lethal. Shen Hao had to circulate his qi to dispel her Charm Skill before he regained his composure.

"Heehee, Lord Shen, long time no see. You look even more heroic now."

Back when Jiang Cheng was present, this fairy always liked to stick to him. Now that Jiang Cheng was gone, she plopped right down next to Shen Hao, pushing out the songstress that had been playfully teasing him.

Shen Hao laughed out loud, raised his cup, and said, "I’ve just been too busy lately, and haven’t visited Miss Lian Xiang for so long—my apologies, my apologies, hahaha..."

Lian Xiang tilted her head, picked up a freshly set small cup, clinked it lightly against Shen Hao’s cup, and drained it. Then she wrapped her arm around Shen Hao’s, pouting coyly: "I never minded before, but now that Lord Shen is working in Fengri City, you’ll have to come see me more often in the future."

"Absolutely, absolutely!" Shen Hao tried to pull his arm back, but upon realizing she noticed, she only held tighter—the sensation was scorching.

This... what on earth does this fairy want?

Shen Hao paused after trying to pull away, because exerting any more force would make things too awkward. He didn’t know Lian Xiang’s true background—not worth causing trouble over this. But damn, those were really something: big, soft, and so hot it made Shen Hao’s throat dry; he quickly drained a big gulp from his cup, which just made him feel hotter.

"Lord Shen, are you very thirsty? Want some meat?"

Feeling the floods of seduction crashing in, Shen Hao was practically on fire. Was this fairy planning to eat him tonight? He was both curious and puzzled. He thought secretly: I’m not taking advantage because I don’t want trouble; do you really think you can just mess with me?

No sooner did he think this than his hand under the table acted on its own—grabbing firmly and kneading without letting go.

"Ah!"

"Hmm? Is Miss Lian Xiang feeling unwell?"

"Hmph!"

Just a coquettish glare and pout—and that’s it? She wasn’t resisting, just letting him knead like that?

Shen Hao got playful—drinking with Zhang and Gan, while his hands were busy under the table, plotting mentally. He wondered if this fairy was looking for a new patron. After all, Liao Chengfeng had been reassigned to the Jingnan Garrison Commander’s Office—his influence in Fengri City had waned. Jiang Cheng had left, and the new man in charge, Wu Changhe, was practically unknown. For now, maybe Shen Hao made for a pretty decent candidate?

Am I really the backup now?

But Shen Hao couldn’t go too far—this wasn’t the occasion. Still, he ended up sweating, and Lian Xiang beside him was limp, her pretty face flushed, mouth gasping for breath, looking exhausted.

Everyone present knew what was going on under the table—after all, this was the place for such games. Zhang and Gan were happy as well, a bit envious maybe, but they were hosting and Shen Hao having fun meant they did well. And they were curious too: Lian Xiang Songstress, normally just a little enchanting, was suddenly so bold—was she just into talented men?

They drank until darkness fell. Zhang and Gan chatted a bit more with laughs, then left—they couldn’t stay over, had families to consider.

Shen Hao, the lone wolf, could stay anywhere he pleased. Tonight, with his fires stoked, he dragged a songstress to a side room for rest. Before leaving, he gave Lian Xiang a sweeping, hungry look; she blushed and stubbornly glared back.

...

In the small courtyard behind Hong’en Hall, Lian Xiang came home earlier than usual today. Her two maids hustled back and forth—hot water, helping with clothes and makeup removal—but both noticed their mistress seemed odd: her face kept blushing, and she sat in her chair lost in thought, as if daydreaming.

"Miss, what’s wrong?"

"Hmm? Nothing."

"Heehee, Miss, you saw Lord Shen today, didn’t you? Got your Divine Soul all scrambled?"

"Pfft! What nonsense, asking for a beating!"

"It’s not nonsense! I’ve seen Lord Shen myself—so young and handsome. Besides, didn’t the Sect Leader send a letter last time, telling you to keep an eye on Black Banner Battalion? Isn’t this perfect?"

Also, I’ve heard from Liu Nu, who accompanied Lord Shen last time on the Flower Boat, that Lord Shen is quite skilled in that department—Miss you... Ouch, stop hitting me, I won’t talk, okay?"

All three immediately started horsing around in the room. Oddly enough, the two giggling maids dodged and shimmied nimbly like monkeys, while Lian Xiang’s movements were ghostly and unpredictable, always catching up and patting them lightly on the backs of their heads no matter how the maids tried to escape.