"You!" Liuyue hated it the most when someone brought up her humble origins, and upon hearing this, she was so angry that she couldn't speak.

  Shen Miao said: "You might as well think it over carefully."

  "Since you look down on a fallen person like me, why bother saying such words to me?" Liuxuan smiled instead of getting angry.

  "What I despise are those who willingly sink into the dust of the world." Shen Miao stood up and said, "In a few days, Mo Shuaiwei will come again, and Flowing Firefly doesn't need to rush to answer me. However... serving with one's beauty has never had a good ending."

  Shen Miao gave Mo Qing a look, and Mo Qing hastily took out a silver ingot and placed it on the table. Liu Xuan swept him with a glance, her face somewhat annoyed. Mo Qing was also very embarrassed. Shen Miao didn't plan to stay for long, nodded at Liu Xuan, and got up to leave. Nor did he know what expression Liu Xuan had behind his back.

  As soon as they left the gate of Bao Xiang Lou, Jing Zhen indignantly said: "Sister... Young Master had good intentions to redeem her, but unexpectedly she didn't appreciate it. It's really a case of good deeds going unrewarded."

  Mo Ke wanted to say something, but in the end he endured it.

  "Miss, shall we go back now?"

  Shen Miao didn't respond, her body as still as a statue. Gu Yu found it strange and followed Shen Miao's gaze to see what she was looking at. He saw that the place she was staring at was the corner of the street opposite them, where a man in green robes was standing, gazing up at the small pavilion of Bao Xiang Lou.

  Gu Yu hadn't even had a chance to speak when Shen Miao lifted her foot and walked in that direction.

  Under the eaves, a man in green clothes stood upright, his eyes fixed intently on the direction of Liuxiao Building. He was so absorbed that he didn't even notice when someone walked up beside him. It wasn't until a soft cough interrupted his train of thought that he saw four people standing in front of him. The young man at the forefront wore a white long shirt, with delicate eyebrows and eyes, looking like a finely carved jade. He was smiling faintly on his lips, but it was unclear which family's young master he was.

  Pei Lang was taken aback, feeling that he had seen this young man before. The young man nodded at him: "Mr. Pei."

  "Shen Miao!" Pei Lang's eyes widened slightly. He looked at the attendants and guards behind Shen Miao, then back at her, seemingly shocked, and said: "You... how did you end up dressing like this?"

  It's not uncommon for girls to dress up as boys, and in the Ming dynasty, many young ladies would wear men's clothing when going out to make things more convenient. Occasionally, they would also dress up as men, which could be quite charming. However, Shen Miao... Pei Cang looked at the elegant young man in front of him, momentarily unsure of what to say.

  "We just came out of Baoxiang Building." Shen Miao said.

  Pei Lang suddenly coughed, his face slightly red from the exertion. It wasn't uncommon for women to disguise themselves as men, but he had never heard of a woman doing so to visit a brothel before. And yet Shen Miao seemed completely unbothered, without even a hint of embarrassment.

  Shen Miao suddenly took a step forward, leaned in close to Pei Lang, and with a "pop" opened the folding fan in her hand, blocking the faces of the two. On the other side of the fan, she whispered: "Everyone says that the girls from Bao Xiang Lou are the most beautiful in the world, so I made a special trip to take a look around. Recently, many Persian dancing girls have been added, each one more charming than the last."

  Even if Pei Lang is calm and composed on the surface, he can handle dignitaries with ease. However, facing Shen Miao's slightly ambiguous actions, he is somewhat at a loss. Moreover, Shen Miao's words about these confusing things also made him suddenly have an illusion, as if the person in front of him was really that young master who slept with flowers and slept with willows, discussing which family's dancer was more beautiful.

  "Nonsense!"

  Shen Miao smiled slightly, her eyes curved like a crescent moon, and she said, "But I, I chose the Flowing Firefly Maiden's card."

  As soon as these words came out, Pei Lang's body stiffened.

  Shen Miao put away her folding fan and smiled at him, "I see Mr. Pei has been gazing at the Flowing Firefly Pavilion for a long time, are you also filled with admiration for Miss Flowing Firefly?"

  Pei Lang stared at Shen Miao, his calm expression suddenly revealing a hint of ferocity.

  Shen Miao remained unmoved, still smiling with abandon, pointing to the nearby Happy Pavilion: "Since Mr. Pei is also full of interest in Liuying, why not come with me for a drink and chat about beauties?" Her demeanor was somewhat frivolous, yet she had an irresistible majesty, folding her fan across her chest, taking the lead to go upstairs, throwing back a sentence from afar: "Fine wine and beautiful women, that's the greatest joy in life."

  Jingzhen Valley Rain and Mo Qing followed Shen Miao's decision without any objection, even though they didn't understand what she meant. They immediately followed her lead.

  Pei Lang stood alone for a moment, then seemed to make up his mind and followed him in.

  The upstairs window position, Ji Yu suddenly jumped up: "See! I said Miss Shen is the heart of that Pei Cang, going around such a big circle to sign the Flowing Firefly girl's nameplate, it's all for today to talk to Pei Cang!"

  Gaoyang didn't respond to him, but secretly wondered: "Just now she used a fan to cover her face, what exactly did she say to Pei Lian?" Gaoyang shook his head: "She deliberately covered it with a fan, could he know that you can lip-read?" When saying this, Gaoyang looked at Xie Jinghang.

  Xie Jinghang shrugged, neither confirming nor denying it.

  "It's a pity to say, but Miss Shen's fan-twirling move just now was truly elegant and refined, even more so than mine." Ji Yu Shu sighed: "Such a beautiful and talented woman, how did she end up with a poor scholar? Even if she followed me, it would be better than following that good-for-nothing pretty boy who can't even afford to take her to the Flower Pavilion."

  Xie Jinghang stood up and Ji Yushu asked: "Where are you going?"

  "Of course, let's hear what they have to say." Xie Jinghang smiled meaningfully: "I'd like to see what kind of chess piece Pei Lang is after all."

  In the elegant room of the Happy Pavilion, Mo Qing stood by the door, Xing Zhen and Gu Yuu standing on either side, all with their heads lowered, as if they didn't exist.

  At the table, Shen Miao was pouring wine.

  The wine is Lu wine, with a color like amber and a fragrance that smells clear. This wine won't get you drunk, as long as your drinking capacity isn't too bad, and having just a little bit won't cause any problems.

  Shen Miao poured two cups, her posture was very elegant, her fingers grasped the handle of the wine jug, and the sparkling wine flowed into the small jade cup, making a pleasant sound.

  Pei Lang's eyes widened as he saw Shen Miao push a cup of wine in front of him, smiling and saying: "Please have some, sir."

  "Shen Miao," Pei Lang called out her name directly, his face had not eased up since he came in, he said: "What do you want to do?"

  "Mr. Pei is so impatient that he discusses beautiful women without fine wine, isn't this a bit like a cow chewing on peonies?" Shen Miao looked at him with a calm and collected expression.

  Pei Lang was taken aback by her words. He had been in Guangwen Hall for several years, and everyone he met showed him respect, even the most mischievous students wouldn't speak to him in such a frivolous tone. If it were someone else, it would be fine, but it was Shen Miao, Pei Lang always felt that Shen Miao wasn't a frivolous person, yet she spoke like this, making him somewhat unclear about her true nature.

  Seeing Pei Lang's silence, Shen Miao couldn't help but laugh softly. She said, "I was just joking with Mr. Pei, why are you so tense?"

  She said this with a clear and bright gaze, but her eyes seemed to hold a hint of shyness, clearly showing the innocent look of a young girl. For an instant, she had an unintentionally alluring charm, causing Pei Lang's gaze to pause for a moment.

  "This wine is from Lu," Shen Miao raised her cup, and toasted Pei Lang from afar. Pei Lang's face suddenly changed color, but Shen Miao seemed to not notice his expression at all, and continued in a slow voice: "In the land of Qi and Lu, the brewed wine is also amber-colored. The Lu wine in Kuai Huo Lou must have been brought over from Qi and Lu by someone."

  Pei Lang looked at her and suddenly picked up the wine cup on the table, drinking the wine in one gulp.

  "This wine won't get you drunk," Shen Miao said with a smile: "Otherwise, others would think that Mr. Pei is a wine jar." Her tone was playful, but her words made Pei Cang's palms slightly moist. She said: "Speaking of which, people from Lu are good at drinking, and they often use jars to drink. Mr. Pei just now seemed like one of them."

  Pei Lang pursed his lips and didn't speak, but his warm and gentle eyebrows twisted slightly.

  She supported her cheek with one hand, and as she drank, a faint flush rose to her face, even though she was not drunk. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him, like a peach blossom in spring sleep. However, because she was dressed as a man, a different charm was born from her refreshing beauty. She said: "I remembered that more than ten years ago, there was a prefectural governor in Luoyang who seemed to have the same surname as you, Pei. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that Mr. Pei and that person were from the same family."

  Pei Lang suddenly slammed the wine cup on the table, and at the same time, Mo Qing's eyes widened, his right hand pressed on the sword at his waist.

  "Unfortunately, Pei Zhifu was involved in an old case from the previous dynasty at that time and was beheaded along with his entire family by Your Majesty. All the men in the mansion were executed, and the daughters were exiled and became official courtesans." Shen Miao couldn't help but smile: "I heard that Pei Zhifu still had a pair of outstanding children who were young at the time, but they also died in this turmoil."

  Pai Lang's lips trembled slightly as he asked word by word: "What kind of person are you?"

  "Hush." Shen Miao made a silencing gesture to her, and poured herself another cup of wine. A flush rose to her snowy cheeks as she said, "Actually, I've also heard a secret that I'll share with Mr. Pei, since we share the same surname."

  "That Pei Zhifu originally had the ability to send a pair of children to escape, avoiding disaster. Unfortunately, the official was chasing tightly, and could only save one person, so...Pei Zhifu saved his own son, but his daughter was caught by the official." She shook her head regretfully: "The officials are all like wolves and tigers, they will never show mercy to the families of sinners. That little girl was caught, how can she have a good ending?" Shen Miao sighed: "In my opinion, Pei Zhifu clearly knew that his daughter would fall into the tiger's mouth and be worse than dead, yet he still pushed her out, which is somewhat heartless."

  Pei Lang closed his eyes, a pained expression appearing on his face.

  "Mr. Pei is so sentimental, it seems he can relate to it." Shen Miao leaned against her cheek and smiled brightly at him: "But thinking about it, this has nothing to do with Mr. Pei, because Mr. Pei is not a native of Lu, Mr. Pei was born in the merchant city of Dingjing. Mentioning these things, it's just because of the intoxicating wine of Lu, and he's feeling sentimental for a moment."

  The gentle color on Pei Lang's face suddenly disappeared, replaced by a strong sense of vigilance and defense. He said, "Is this what General Shen means?"

  Shen Miao shook her head.

  "My father loved me and gave me an embroidery workshop, but the workshop was missing a seamstress." Shen Miao dragged out her words: "I heard that more than ten years ago, the eldest daughter of Lord Pei could embroider on both sides since she was young. Coincidentally, this Flowing Star girl from Treasure Fragrance Pavilion also knows how to embroider on both sides. I thought, we're all fallen into the dust, and we can both embroider on both sides, who knows if Flowing Star girl has some connection with that wrongly accused Miss. I felt a bit of sympathy, so I rescued her from the dust." Shen Miao looked at Pei Lian and asked: "Mr. Pei, do you think what I did was right or wrong?"

  She called herself a "student", with her whole head of black hair wrapped in a men's official hat, and her smiling face looked like that of a jade-like young man. However, the deep secrets and intentions hidden in her clear eyes made it impossible for people to see through or guess. In this deliberately playful and agile manner, she was actually displaying the skill of hiding a knife in a smile, which was commonly used among officials in the imperial court, with great mastery.

  Dealing with her is like walking on a tightrope over a cliff, with hidden meanings in every word, making it hard to distinguish friend from foe.

  Pei Lang turned his head: "What do you think?"

  Shen Miao smiled, her smile was pure and seemed to be genuinely happy for herself. She said: "I think it's good. Even if that son of Lord Pei knew about his sister's whereabouts and came to redeem her himself, I'm afraid with Miss Pei's resentment towards Lord Pei back then and her own temperament, she wouldn't be willing to. On the contrary, she would ruin her own life."

  Pei Lang didn't say anything.

  "There are some people in the world who were originally jade, but after being mixed with stones for a long time, they also became stones. But there are some people whose pride is hidden in their bones, even if they are crushed and ground into dust, the pride in their bones will not change one bit. I heard that Pei Zhifu, although he committed a crime, was originally a proud person, and it's likely that his two children were taught well. Tell me," Shen Miao looked at Pei Cang: "Would you rather live as a fallen noble lady or as a famous courtesan who has washed away her makeup?"

  "After saying so much," Pei Lian coldly smiled: "What do you think I should do?"

  "Mr. Pei is intelligent beyond ordinary people, I knew I couldn't deceive you. Seeing the subtle and knowing the grand, hearing the stringed instrument and understanding the elegant meaning, it's exactly as said." Shen Miao lavished praise on Pei Lang without restraint before asking: "Mr. Pei has a wonderful talent, with strategies in his heart, why doesn't he enter officialdom?"

  "Shen Miao!" Pei Lang suddenly shouted loudly, not knowing which sentence of Shen Miao's had touched his sore spot, he became excited all at once, and even Jing Zhen and Gu Yu looked at him sideways. Pei Lang angrily said: "You dare not think so!"

  "Mr. Pei, don't be impatient, just listen to me calmly and peacefully." Shen Miao smiled and said: "Perhaps Mr. Pei was frightened by the story I told earlier. He thinks that in this officialdom, if one is not careful, it will easily implicate the entire household, full of dangers and uncertainties. Moreover, after entering officialdom, generally speaking, there is no more freedom than being a carefree scholar."

  Pei Lang's complexion gradually returned to normal, as if he had once again become that elegant and refined gentleman.

  "But now, sir, you are alone, with no family or relatives to worry about. Moreover... in this world, the higher you stand, the farther you can see, and the more you can do. To protect those who need protection, just being a lone gentleman like yourself is not enough. Although you may have many connections, when something really happens, the wealthy and powerful will avoid getting involved, so how can they be expected to go all out?" Shen Miao raised her cup calmly, seemingly smiling, but with a hint of cold indifference.

  "Only when one is strong oneself can one be righteous." Shen Miao's voice was like a siren, and it was even more enchanting than the seductive tunes of the Treasure Fragrance Pavilion.

  "Who taught you to say these words and what is your purpose? I'm entering officialdom, what benefit does it bring to him?"

  Shen Miao smiled slightly, and Pei Lian, this person, seemed gentle and calm, but was indeed a master who didn't bother with external things and focused on teaching. However, whenever discussing matters, he could always ask piercing questions that got to the heart of the issue. In his previous life, Fu Xiuyi had tried every means to win Pei Lian over as his aide, and even later when he ascended to the throne of National Master, it was not by chance.

  "Why does Mr. Pei ask what's good for others, but not what's good for himself?" Shen Miao didn't answer his question, instead skillfully dodging it and replied indifferently: "Getting promoted, getting rich, marrying a wife, in the end, all these benefits are yours to keep, sir. In business, who asks how much profit others made, but not how much they themselves earned?"

  "Where did I make money?" Pei Leng said calmly.

  "Master didn't make any money, but Flowing Firefly made some." Shen Miao smiled as she looked at him, with a faint glimmer in her bright eyes: "A woman who has reformed and become good will have a stable support for the second half of her life, but saving someone else's life is a different matter."

  Pei Lang stared at Shen Miao, if he still didn't understand Shen Miao's intention by now, then he was truly an idiot.

  "What will I do after entering officialdom?" Pei Lang asked.

  Shen Miao watched him with satisfaction, weighing the pros and cons in the shortest time possible and making the most beneficial choice, which was Pei Lang's consistent style. However... she couldn't help but think of when Fu Xiuyi deposed the Crown Prince, she had also knelt down to beg Pei Lang, whose tone of discussion was as rational and emotionless as it was now. Now that the balance of power was in her hands, and this former high-and-mighty National Master could only be manipulated by her, a faint sense of pleasure floated up in Shen Miao's heart. This pleasure showed on her face, turning into joy.

  "It doesn't matter anyway." Shen Miao said: "Sir, you are talented and will naturally be recruited by a nobleman after a year, even if you don't take the initiative to enter officialdom. I just hope that at that time, sir won't refuse the nobleman, think of a way to respond to him, of course, on the surface, it's responding, but actually for my use."

  "You want me to be a spy?" Pei Lian looked at Shen Miao in incredulity.

  Shen Miao shook her head: "How can it be considered an insider? Mr. can be promoted and wealthy, I guarantee that Mr.'s identity will not be exposed, just need to tell me some news at some times."

  Pei Lang fell silent for a moment, then looked at Shen Miao: "The noble person you mentioned, who is it?"

  Shen Miao smiled slightly: "Ding Wang Fu Xiu Yi."

  Pei Lang was startled and involuntarily looked at Shen Miao again. He knew that Shen Miao's past infatuation with Ding Wang had almost become a laughing stock in the entire city, and also knew that Ding Wang, such a low-key person, didn't even bother to give Shen Miao a glance. Later, he didn't know when it started, but Shen Miao seemed to have changed into a different person, Pei Lang always felt that there was someone behind Shen Miao giving her directions, but now thinking about it, he couldn't help but wonder if it was because of love turning to hate, so she would even scheme against Ding Wang?

  But is it just because of unrequited love that one would become like this?

  Pei Lang felt a bit bewildered. The girl in front of him was dressed in men's clothing, looking lovely, and after drinking wine, her face had a faint red glow, just like the tender age of youth, with skin as white and delicate as jade. Her eyes were like those of a newborn animal, untouched by the dust of the world, yet she carried an unintentional air of elegance in every gesture. Pei Lang felt somewhat uneasy.

  At the same age as Shen Miao, girls speaking to him was like an elder to a younger one, or at least like brothers and sisters. But now, it seemed that he was the one being led by the nose, unable to resist even if he wanted to.

  "What do you really want to do?" Pei Lian had asked this question many times, and now he was no longer sure if the person who did these things was someone else or Shen Miao herself. It was as if his own trump card had been seen through by Shen Miao, but he hadn't even figured out her original intention.

  Completely suppressed.

  "I don't want to do anything, I just want to make a decision that is beneficial to both me and the master." Shen Miao smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, making her neck look even whiter and more delicate. She said: "Master, should we or shouldn't we?"

  "Can I only answer here?" Pei Lang asked.

  "You have... " Shen Miao pointed at the wine jug: "The time it takes to finish this jug of wine. After you've finished drinking, sir, tell me the answer."

  "It's unnecessary." Pei Lang interrupted her: "If you can keep your promise, I'll agree to it."

  The room fell silent for a moment. A moment later, Shen Miao laughed and picked up the wine jug to refill the two empty cups, then raised her own cup as if to toast with Pei Lang.

  Pei Lang hesitated for a moment before raising his cup, and a strange feeling arose in his heart as he drank with his own student at the wine house...his heart was actually getting hot.

  "Wishing Mr. a bright future and boundless prosperity." Shen Miao smiled as she downed the wine in one gulp. She drank very quickly, and a thread of liquor flowed out from the corner of her mouth, tracing across her slightly pointed chin, and disappeared into the white collar of her clothes.

  Pei Lang opened his eyes, and the beautiful Doukou girl was still lovely, but after all, she was young and inexperienced. Especially Shen Miao, with her gentle and elegant eyebrows and eyes, was even more dignified and reserved. Pei Lang wasn't a person who loved beauty, but for an instant, he felt a slight disturbance in his mind, thinking that this was very wrong, discordant.

  A hint of joy flashed in Shen Miao's eyes.

  After drinking, some emotions hidden in her heart grew like guilt. She remembered that Pei Lang was dignified and solemn, and most particular about reason and emotion. In front of Pei Lang, she had interpreted the four words "motherly virtue" with great eloquence, but in the end, she was still defeated by Pei Lang's utilitarianism.

  That was the national teacher who could decide Fu Ming's life and death in his previous life, but now he is being held by her weakness. In front of Pei Lian, she maintained the demeanor of an empress, even for He Qiong Yu's big cry, it was not allowed. Now...she didn't have the dignity of an empress, nor did she have the virtue of a chaste woman, dressing as a man, strolling in the flower building, drinking with students and teachers, her behavior was frivolous and licentious, Pei Lian could do nothing about it.

  He can't do anything to her either.

  However, that comfort was short-lived.

  At the time of Pei Lang's response, she knew it was unnecessary to continue entangling herself.

  The charm born from the intoxication in her eyes dissipated, inch by inch crawling back to sobriety. She stood up, slightly raised her chin, and restored herself to that slightly stern Shen Miao.

  "After the firefly girl is settled, she will inform you of the location of the embroidery workshop." Shen Miao nodded: "The silver has been paid, sir, please drink slowly, the rough wine from Lu Di is not something that can be drunk often."

  The last sentence, it's unclear whether it was sarcasm or politeness, caused Pei Cang to furrow his brow slightly as he watched Shen Miao lead a few people out.

  He picked up his wine and took a sip, which should have been a rich and fine vintage, but was surprisingly astringent.

  As they stepped out of the door, Jing Zhen and Gu Yu didn't dare to speak. They both saw that Shen Miao's mood was not good at this moment, and what Pei Lang had just said sounded vague to them. With their sensitive intuition, they felt that this matter was not trivial, and they didn't dare to open their mouths easily.

  The chill of the outside wind blew away the red glow on her face, Shen Miao closed her eyes and when she opened them again, her eyes only held coldness.

  For Pei Lang, it was ultimately a lingering resentment from his initial inaction, and no matter how he tried to conceal it, a hint of it still seeped through.

  However, the goal has been achieved.

  "Return to the mansion." She walked towards the carriage.

  That lively building next to Fang Cai's elegant room had another hidden elegant room, where several people were silent.

  I just watched a great play. At first, I thought it was hilarious, but now that the excitement has worn off and I think about it carefully, I find it quite shocking.

  Ji Yu swallowed his saliva, seemingly wanting to break the dull atmosphere, and said: "It's really good that this building has a relationship with it. At least when listening to the wall corners, it's more convenient. Not only can you listen, but also look, hehe, great."

  Behind the carved pillar, there is a huge glass window with delicate railings, said to be from the Western world. From that side you can't see this side, but from this side you can see that side. Moreover, there are copper pillars full of small holes, whatever is said can be heard clearly.

  But after Ji Yu Shu finished speaking, the other two people in the room did not respond to him. Gao Yang leaned on his folded fan against his chin, which was a gesture he often made when thinking, while Xie Jing Hang propped up his head with his elbow, playing with the tea cup in his hand and pondering something with his eyes cast down.

  Unable to bear the atmosphere, Ji Yu Shu spoke up: "You two stop being silent, it's not like it's a big deal about Governor Pei of Lu Prefecture, Pei Lian is just Governor Pei's son!"

  Shen Miao's story was told lightly because she believed Pei Lang would understand, and the three people here weren't fools either, they understood it with a little thought.

  Lü Di's guilty minister, Pei Zhifu, had a pair of children, a sister and brother. The sister was Liu Ying, and the younger brother is now Pei Lang. During their escape, in order to protect Pei Lang, the people arranged by the Pei family abandoned Liu Ying, and Liu Ying eventually fell into prostitution. Meanwhile, Pei Lang followed the pre-arranged route of the Pei family and became a resident of Dingjing, living here since childhood, born into a merchant family, his parents passed away several years ago, now he is alone.

  A naturally formed physique, many years passed without anyone noticing.

  However... Xie Jinghang lazily hooked his lips and said: "So, how did she know what Bai Xiaosheng couldn't even investigate?"

  In the end, the tone turned cold, and a fierce aura spread from the peach blossom-like eyes.