Chapter 65: A Nocturnal Conversation in the Mountains Stirs the Heartstrings

Xu You felt a sudden surge of soft, fragrant warmth pressing against his back. The sensation was not merely the physiological pleasure a man might feel from a woman, but a wild, unrestrained thrill that shattered taboos and transcended the constraints of the era. His head grew heavy, and instinctively, his hands moved to wrap around Zhan Wenjun’s waist.

Fortunately, he was a man who had weathered the storms of the world. In the blink of an eye, he realized that if he reached out, he would ruin everything. He immediately took a step forward, breaking contact with her soft, glutinous form. He then turned, gently steadying her arms, and said in a low voice, "Be careful, Madam."

For once, Zhan Wenjun kept her head lowered. Facing him at an angle, she smoothed her hair, perhaps to cool the flush on her cheeks or to soothe her racing heart. Regardless, Xu You was destined never to witness that breathtakingly beautiful sight. When she faced him again, she had returned to her usual composed self, offering a faint smile: "My thanks, sir."

Seeing that she had regained her composure, Xu You did not dwell on the awkward moment, lest he appear frivolous or boorish. "Madam mentioned the 'Calamity-Dispelling Divine Official' earlier? Did he truly arrive?"

"Indeed, and he even clashed with Master Zhu..."

"Oh? There was such an encounter?" Xu You knew little of Xi Yuanda. "Did he win?"

"I do not understand martial arts, but Master Zhu forced Xi Yuanda out of the room with a single move. He looked livid, and even after the crowd dispersed, he kept glaring at Master Zhu. I assume he lost."

Xu You mused to himself: He knew Li Yifeng’s skill level—it was slightly inferior to his own. If Xi Yuanda was considered his peer, the difference could not be great. Did that mean this Zhu Rui’s martial prowess might even surpass his own?

*Surely not?* The original owner of this body was hailed as the finest among the younger generation; it was impossible that he couldn't even best a man whose name he had never heard. Of course, that was the old Xu You. The current version had lost all his martial arts, so calculating these things was pointless.

The important thing was that Li Yifeng had clearly told him the seven deer-meat offerings were under the jurisdiction of the two Governors and the Five Divine Officials. Why had they sent Xi Yuanda now? What was their objective?

He pondered for a moment and asked, "Did Li Yifeng say anything?"

Zhan Wenjun shook her head. "After Magistrate Gu arrived, Li Yifeng left without a word. According to Xi Yuanda, Li Yifeng had other pressing matters and had departed Qiantang, leaving the deer-meat affair in his hands. However, one should not take his words at face value. It is highly likely they are playing a double game, with Li Yifeng lurking in the shadows to act more easily. We must be extremely cautious!"

Xu You suddenly laughed, his snow-white teeth dazzling in the dark night. Zhan Wenjun felt a jolt in her heart; her body seemed to heat up, the memory of that earlier touch returning uncontrollably, almost melting her skin.

She bit her lip and asked, "What is the gentleman laughing at?"

Xu You laughed because he realized this was Li Yifeng’s "cicada shedding its shell" tactic. Since he had already become involved, and Li Yifeng could neither persuade him otherwise nor afford to openly oppose him, he had chosen to withdraw in time. He and Du Jingzhi were at odds, and using such a venomous scheme to seize another’s property would surely invite public condemnation if it were ever exposed. There was no reason to take such a risk; it was better to slip away.

It was laughable that Xi Yuanda thought he had driven Li Yifeng away to reap the spoils of victory, unaware that while the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole is behind. Until the very last moment, no one knew who would truly win.

"It is nothing. I only laugh at the Celestial Master Sect for their unsightly greed. To target one House of Zhan, they have sent two Divine Officials in succession—it is truly laughable!"

Zhan Wenjun tilted her eyes, gazing at him. "Does the gentleman mean to imply that the House of Zhan is unworthy?"

Xu You had not expected the usually magnanimous Zhan Wenjun to suddenly make such a petty remark. He quickly explained, "I would never dare think so! You have a noble spirit, Madam; it was a slip of the tongue. I beg your forgiveness!"

Seeing his polite, distant demeanor, Zhan Wenjun felt an inexplicable wave of irritation. "Very well, I was only joking. Do not take it to heart!"

Xu You was baffled. *Did you look like you were joking?* However, he had a way with women: when it was time to change the subject, one must never dwell on it. "Though I am not well-acquainted with Li Yifeng, I have heard that the Five Divine Officials under the Yangzhou Governor do not get along. Thus, as long as Xi Yuanda is present, Li Yifeng will surely leave. You need not doubt this, Madam!"

Hearing his certainty, Zhan Wenjun knew he must have other sources of information. Just as she had her own secrets, it was only natural that Xu You, as the sole surviving heir of the Xu family, carried secrets of his own.

"Since you say so, I trust you." Zhan Wenjun’s delicate brows furrowed. "Today at the guest hall, Magistrate Gu temporarily suppressed the debate, saying we must first clarify the case of Zhan Yun’s abduction. Only if it is proven that it has nothing to do with Zhan Ting can we discuss the payment of the deer-meat offerings. However, the Celestial Master Sect will surely apply pressure through the Governor’s office. Without concrete evidence, Magistrate Gu cannot hold out for long—three to five days at most..."

"Three days is three days, five days is five days! Even if Zhan Ting is acquitted, we will eventually return to the negotiating table. If your Seventh Uncle does not nod, and Zhan Ting only has the support of Zhan Tian and Zhan Xi, we remain in a stalemate..."

Zhan Wenjun’s face was shadowed with worry. "That is precisely what I fear! My Seventh Uncle is old and no longer possesses his former vigor. We rescued A'ke today, but what about the future? Who can guarantee we will sleep soundly? The influence Zhan Ting has colluded with the Celestial Master Sect is too great. He is an old man with a late-born son—his only treasure. He lacks the courage and the will to keep fighting. If I am not mistaken, as long as Zhan Ting promises not to harm his family and offers him a sum for his retirement, he will undoubtedly turn against us when the talks resume."

Zhan Wenjun certainly knew her own kin better than Xu You did. If this were the case, no matter how they stalled, it would only be for a few days. Xu You made a prompt decision. "There is no time to lose. From tonight, we begin the final training for the storytellers. They have memorized the *Legend of the White Snake*, but they lack the technique to tell the story and stir the hearts of the people. I have a candidate ready who can help them overcome this deficiency."

"Who?"

Xu You smiled. "Do you remember my sickly maid who rode in your palanquin?"

Zhan Wenjun looked surprised. "Can your maid tell stories?"

The term "storyteller" was unheard of in this era; Xu You had introduced it, and Zhan Wenjun and the others found it fitting and adopted it.

Xu You smiled without answering.

She might not be a storyteller, but as a former courtesan of the Frost-Treading School, her greatest talent lay in pleasing audiences, captivating hearts, and holding the emotions of others in the palm of her hand.

Having her teach these neophyte storytellers how to craft a tale that was moving, enchanting, and heart-wrenching was the perfect utilization of her talents.