The eighth day of the first month.

Since yesterday, Lian Xiang hadn’t gone to Hong’en Hall to entertain guests, but stayed peacefully in her own courtyard to rest.

These two days every year were her rare rest days.

Don’t think being a Songstress is easy; even a Green Waist Level Songstress like Lian Xiang is actually exhausted—never-ending smiles, endless guests, and having to force herself to endure her likes and dislikes while navigating the claws of men’s desires. Both body and mind are weary.

As the madam often said: "Eating this bowl of rice always comes with its share of bitterness. Where in the world does one only take advantage without suffering for it?"

Lian Xiang always agreed with the madam, though not for the same reason. The rice she eats isn’t that of a Songstress.

Maid Xiaoqin was busy combing Lian Xiang’s hair, looking smugly in the mirror at Lian Xiang, saying, "Miss, your prediction was really spot on—Lord Shen is in the spotlight right now, and there really are orders to investigate him!"

The other maid, Xiaorong, who was tidying up the wardrobe, cut in before Lian Xiang could speak, "Exactly! Miss sure has a good eye for men."

"Ugh! What do you mean a good eye for men? If you can’t talk properly, close your mouth!" Lian Xiang teased sharply. Her feelings for Shen Hao weren’t like for other men—there was always a mysterious allure she couldn’t put into words.

In the past, whenever orders from above landed in their hands, they were always happy. Every mission completed meant a merit earned, and with enough merits, they could leave Hong’en Hall and return to the organization and no longer have to wear masks among living people. Peacefully focusing on cultivation—who wouldn’t choose that over this?

But this time, when she received the order to investigate Shen Hao, Lian Xiang felt unaccountably anxious for the first time. She said aloud, "Lord Shen has a lot of potential, and so on," yet deep down, she really didn’t want to see anyone investigating Shen Hao.

Usually, receiving orders to investigate someone meant that person was about to be in trouble. What’s more, the order to investigate Shen Hao offered quite a lot of merit—a sign that the price paid from above wasn’t small. Whoever was behind the investigation was probably formidable and wealthy.

After living together for years, Xiaoqin saw Lian Xiang’s slight frown in the mirror and laughed, "Miss, what’s wrong? Do you actually have feelings for Lord Shen?"

"Nonsense! How could I have any feelings?"

"Hehe, that’s not for sure. Lord Shen is young and capable, handsome and unmarried, I hear, plus he’s got both potential and talent. It’s totally normal for you to be interested."

"Focus on your combing, say one more silly thing and I’ll smack you!" Lian Xiang pretended to lash out, scaring Xiaoqin enough to hunch her neck, her face smiling but finally shutting up and not teasing her mistress further.

But both maids caught Lian Xiang’s reaction—how could they not understand?

Xiaorong finished tidying the wardrobe, snorted, and said, "Miss, don’t fall for him. Men in the Flower House are all rotten, nine out of ten words are lies. Let’s just finish our task, and when we return you can choose a perfect husband. I just can’t stand that Shen guy anyway."

"Xiaorong, quit it! Miss knows what to do." Xiaoqin stood behind Lian Xiang, seeing her face in the mirror darken, quickly spoke up to comfort her.

The three had worked together for years and shared deep feelings; it wasn’t truly master-servant. This conversation showed how the two maids worried for Lian Xiang.

Lian Xiang, however, remained silent. Her expression turned indifferent, as if the earlier exchange hadn’t happened. The maids glanced at each other, pursed their lips, and sensibly said no more, quietly minding their own business.

Just after five p.m., Lian Xiang finished preparing herself. No heavy makeup, no luxurious attire—just a red dress, her long hair tied behind her head, with a small gold ornament, nothing more. She had lost her usual seductive air, but if you looked closely, you’d see that her allure was hidden within, making her even more enchanting.

In the kitchen, Xiaoqin was head chef, Xiaorong helped; their movements quick and nimble, they’d made a whole table of dishes, all set in the main hall. With the floor dragon burning, it was warm inside, so the food wouldn’t get cold quickly.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Coming!"

The knocking sounded; Xiaorong ran out from the kitchen, answering loudly as she opened the latch, and sure enough, the guest of honor had arrived.

"Lord Shen, please come in!"

Shen Hao came in smiling, following Xiaorong’s lead into the main hall.

The room was warm; as Shen Hao entered, he saw Lian Xiang stand and smile as she greeted him with a salute.

"Lord Shen, what’s wrong?"

Shen Hao was slightly dazed; at her words he smiled, "Miss Lian Xiang looks really good in this light makeup, it gives a better impression. You caught me staring again just now."

"Hehe, sit, let’s talk." Lian Xiang patted the seat beside her, inviting Shen Hao to sit down.

"Do I really look better with light makeup?"

"Yeah. At least I think so. So, can we eat now? I’m hungry."

"Let’s eat. Xiaoqin and Xiaorong are eating in the kitchen. Tonight’s table is just for us two." She said it, blushing a little as something suddenly came to mind.

Shen Hao acted naturally, picked up his chopsticks and started eating. He’d gotten used to Jiang Cheng’s habit—eat first at the table, then talk business and drink later.

Lian Xiang sat close by, smiling as she ate, occasionally picking dishes for Shen Hao. The two would chat between bites.

"Your maids can cook; not much worse than the cooks at Hong’en Hall." Shen Hao nearly ate half the table’s worth of dishes by himself, then picked up the wine jug and sniffed—it was Wuliangye. He hadn’t expected this woman to put in real effort.

"Oh, and here’s a gift—happy birthday."

Shen Hao took a sip of wine, then pulled out a small silver box from his Storage Bag. The box was from the auction, deliberately wrapped with a red silk ribbon, a kind of rustic beauty—this was the basic packaging for gifts in this world. Shen Hao thought about removing the wrapping but decided against it.

"Oh! You brought something? What is it? Can I open it?"

"Yeah, see if you like it."

Opening the box, the ring inside caught Lian Xiang’s eye. Crafted by an Artifact Refiner from the Valley of Love Flowers, it was flawless in beauty—a green fox curled into a ring, rare, charming, and special.

"Let me put it on for you."

Shen Hao took out the ring, circled his right arm around Lian Xiang’s waist, then held her left hand, slipped the ring on her finger.

Lian Xiang didn’t resist, smiled and let Shen Hao do as he pleased. After the ring was on, she asked with a smile, "Does it look good?"

"Looks great. Try channeling True Qi into it to activate—it’s got a magical array that boosts your Charm Skill."

"Nope!"

Shen Hao was startled, "Why not?"

"You always resist my Charm Skill, it doesn’t work on you. Why waste my time trying?"

"Well, this time I won’t resist, try it."