Chapter 53: The Woman at the Foot of the Mountain Is a Tigress

The night was as bright as day.

When Mingyu Mountain fell into darkness, it seemed to enter another realm. The solitary moon hung high, casting a cold, ethereal light that lent an otherworldly aura to the carved railings and painted beams hidden among the surrounding trees.

Wan Qi, dressed entirely in black, stood alone on the cliff behind the estate. The jutting bluestone beneath her feet resembled the open mouth of a great dragon, cold and watchful as she gazed toward Qiantang City in the distance. It was well past midnight; the city lay shrouded in utter darkness and silence. Occasionally, a flock of crows would streak across the pale horizon, their mournful cries adding a touch of loneliness and solitude to the extinguished lights below.

Suddenly, a large flock of black sparrows burst from the forest at the mountain’s base. Wan Qi turned and saw a large procession emerging along the forest path. Most striking was a bamboo palanquin carried by eight men, its silk curtains hanging inverted at the corners. Seated cross-legged within was Lady Zhan Wenjun, hands folded neatly inside her sleeves and resting on her chest, eyes softly closed. In the night’s dim glow, she resembled a pure white lotus Buddha statue.

Wan Qi’s figure flickered as she made her way down the mountain to meet them.

“Why have you come?”

Though Lady Zhan’s eyes remained closed, she seemed to sense Wan Qi’s arrival.

Wan Qi quickened her pace alongside the palanquin. “Madam did not return on schedule, so I came to check.”

“Indeed, I was delayed,” said Lady Zhan, her fatigue barely concealed. “The guest hall was lively today.” She paused, then shifted the topic. “Is Lord Xu settling in well?”

Wan Qi’s mind replayed the brief encounter and scant words exchanged with Xu You earlier that day. Calmly, she replied, “He did not express any dissatisfaction. I suppose he is comfortable.”

A faint, enigmatic smile played on Lady Zhan’s lips. “Foolish girl, you don’t understand him. Even if he had complaints, he wouldn’t voice them openly… But, well, this isn’t a question for you to answer. Bai Hua is far more attentive.”

Wan Qi’s expression flickered—she had forgotten to warn Bai Hua not to reveal the day’s embarrassing moments to Lady Zhan.

Sensing something amiss, Lady Zhan opened her eyes and cast Wan Qi a curious glance. “Is something wrong?”

“N–no, nothing!” Wan Qi quickly masked her unease, unwilling to linger on this topic. She lowered her voice. “How is it at the guest hall? Why has it been delayed until this hour?”

A shadow of worry crossed Lady Zhan’s eyes briefly before steeling into firm resolve. “Ninth Brother is determined to ally with the Celestial Master Sect. If Zhu Rui had not personally come to mediate, the council meeting would have descended into chaos…”

Back at the estate, after washing up, Lady Zhan instructed Wan Qi to attend to another important task before summoning Bai Hua. Seeing her rubbing sleepy eyes, she said, “You’re always so fond of sleep. There’s still work to be done tonight. Endure it now, and tomorrow you can rest as much as you like.”

Bai Hua yawned long and rubbed her eyes. “Madam, even when I’m asleep, my heart is always attentive. Don’t think I’m heartless…”

Lady Zhan shook her head, unable to help her. “What did Lord Xu do during the day? Big or small, tell me everything.”

“As you wish!”

Bai Hua counted on her fingers. “He’s very honest. Since arriving at the estate, he hasn’t gone anywhere, just stayed in his room. Aside from telling stories to the twenty men we gathered, he hasn’t done much else. He seems rather dull. Oh, and it’s no longer twenty—two of the less capable were driven away and locked up by him…”

“Telling stories?”

Lady Zhan’s brow lifted. Xu You had kept the purpose of those twenty men a secret, so she was unaware of his plans. “What stories?”

“I didn’t listen closely, but it seemed to be a strange tale about a white snake transforming into a human, finding a husband in the mortal world, and marrying him.”

“A white snake…” Lady Zhan’s heart stirred with a thoughtful expression.

“Heh, if Madam wants to know, you should ask Wan Qi.”

“Oh? Why?”

Bai Hua covered her mouth, eyes blooming with amusement. “Sister is usually so indifferent, but she became completely absorbed in Lord Xu’s story—she even lost her appetite at lunch… Her distracted look was truly amusing.”

“Is that so?”

Lady Zhan knew Wan Qi’s nature well—she was naturally cold and rarely interested in anything. This was indeed rare. “I’m eager to hear it myself. Go to the guesthouse; if Lord Xu isn’t asleep, invite him for a chat.”

Xu You, of course, was awake. He had anticipated that Lady Zhan would come up the mountain tonight no matter how busy she was. So he was chatting with He Ru and Zuo Yun in the courtyard when Bai Hua arrived, catching the three laughing heartily at some amusement. She bowed and said, “Lord Xu, Madam requests your presence.”

Xu You nodded and exchanged a glance with He Ru before rising to leave. Zuo Yun followed closely behind, his sword never leaving his hand.

Bai Hua frowned. “Lord Zuo, are you still not at ease? Madam is no tiger—she won’t eat Lord Xu, will she?”

Zuo Yun paused, glanced at He Ru’s expression, and suddenly burst out laughing.

Xu You couldn’t help but laugh as well, waving Zuo Yun off. “You stay and keep Qi Yi company; I’ll be back soon.”

As he left, Bai Hua found herself puzzled, repeatedly glancing back at Zuo Yun and He Ru in the courtyard. Pouting, she leaned toward Xu You and asked, “Did I say something wrong just now?”

“Why do you say that?” Xu You smiled.

“Lord Zuo was laughing like a fool, and Lord He’s face was strange. I’m no fool—I know I said the wrong thing.”

When Bai Hua arrived, Xu You was teasing He Ru. Since He Ru had once been a monk, the teasing was related to that. If there were any other time travelers present, they would understand. Xu You had sung a folk song popular in the lowlands, calling the women down there “tigers,” though he had altered the lyrics to suit this era’s style. It had caused He Ru to laugh uncontrollably, and Bai Hua’s timely comparison of Lady Zhan to a tiger had only made the scene more hilarious.

This meeting was held in a private chamber, with even Bai Hua sent away. Xu You was no prude; understanding the nature of their conversation, he welcomed Lady Zhan without hesitation.

Kneeling on a meditation cushion, Xu You straightened his posture, his eyes gentle as polished jade. “Judging by your expression, Madam, it seems this day has not gone smoothly.”

Lady Zhan smiled faintly. “You’ve guessed rightly. Zhan Ting is considered a rare treasure by the Celestial Master Sect and is tightly controlled by them. Dealing with it is truly difficult.”

“Misguided as Lord Wuqu may be, though regrettable, it is also fortunate.”

Lady Zhan studied Xu You intently. “You say it is regrettable, and I understand that. But where does this fortune come from?”

Xu You shrugged. “There’s a saying in Yixing: ‘Don’t fear an enemy like a god, but fear a colleague like a pig.’ The Celestial Master Sect chose Lord Wuqu to collaborate with us. Isn’t that fortunate for us?”

Lady Zhan chuckled softly. “You are witty, sir. I cannot match you.”

Her features were distinct and clear, her blinking eyes like autumn waters rippling, yet imbued with a vibrant spirit. The combination was strangely captivating.

Xu You had grown numb to flattery. He wasn’t particularly humorous, but carrying the weight of information from the future internet era, his casual remarks often sounded like deliberate jests to those of this time.

“I heard from Bai Hua that the Zhu family has a distinguished guest?”

Pouring tea for Xu You, Lady Zhan asked, “Have you heard of Zhu Rui from Wu County?”

Xu You racked his memory but found no recollection. Slightly embarrassed, he admitted, “I am but a soldier, unfamiliar with scholarly affairs. Forgive my ignorance, Madam.”

Lady Zhan’s expression turned serious. “I asked poorly. You have the welfare of the realm in your heart and would not concern yourself with the affairs of this small corner of Sanwu. And not all soldiers are uncouth; do not belittle yourself.”

Xu You’s thick skin would never truly allow him to demean himself; he feigned modesty to conceal his humble background.

“Zhu Rui, styled Zi Yu, is not yet nineteen but is one of Wu County’s brightest young talents, deeply versed in the Zhu family’s martial arts heritage. Alongside Liu Hongyu, the sixth daughter of the governor of Yangzhou, they are known as the twin prodigies…”

Lady Zhan spoke smoothly, her voice steady and unhurried. Her fresh face bore no makeup, yet was as captivating as the most exquisite beauty.

Xu You listened in silence; the room fell completely still.