Chapter 63: Coming to Settle Scores!

From sunrise to sunset, in the blink of an eye, it was already the afternoon of the second day.

With the departure of Heroine Luo and little Yunli, the small courtyard in Shuanggui Alley had grown much quieter. Under the melon trellis, a trace of green shoots had just emerged, though it was still impossible to tell what kind of plant they were.

The window of the West Chamber was closed. Niao Niao, who had no way to go out and roam, lay flat on the bed with its paws facing the sky. It glanced at the motionless Ye Jingtang, inevitably feeling a pang of nostalgia for big sister Little Watermelon, big sister Big-Breasted, big sister Fatty Dragon, and big sister Sunny-Side-Up Egg who used to feed it...

"Chirp!"

Niao Niao raised its paw and kicked Ye Jingtang to remind him that it was time to eat.

Regrettably, there was no response at all.

Ye Jingtang sat cross-legged near the window, his mind deeply focused, sensing the changes within his body. Although it was indescribable and vague, after studying the "Dragon Roaring Diagram" for a long time, he could faintly perceive a strand of 'qi' circulating inside him.

This strand of 'qi' was fundamentally different from the internal force of martial artists who gathered their breath in the dantian; it was more obscure and harder to track, almost making one feel as though it were merely an illusion.

Yet, as long as he practiced according to the guidance of the Dragon Roaring Diagram, this illusion would manifest. After trying multiple times, Ye Jingtang could confirm that a visible yet intangible strand of qi had indeed appeared within his body.

As for its effects, he hadn't felt any yet, but according to Prince Jing's explanation, practicing the "Dragon-Elephant Diagram" could grant boundless strength. The effect was presumably to nourish the muscles and make the body much more robust.

Ao Ye had stood guard last night, and upon returning, he had pondered over the "Dragon Roaring Diagram" in his room, losing track of time until now. Just as he was practicing intently, a sound suddenly reached his ears:

"Coo~ Coo-coo~~~"

It sounded like a rooster crowing, but the tune was completely out of pitch.

Opening his eyes to look, Niao Niao was standing on the windowsill, lifting its neck... no, it didn't have a neck, it should be lifting its head, cooing directly at him.

A helpless look crossed Ye Jingtang's eyes. He took the box of dried meat from the drawer, placed it before Niao Niao, and then paused to sense his condition—having stayed awake all night, he felt neither tired nor sleepy, and even experienced a sense of invigoration. It seemed the "Dragon Roaring Diagram" was truly no ordinary artifact.

He assumed his posture and attempted to continue practicing the technique of the "Dragon-Elephant Diagram," but before he could re-enter the state of concentration, he heard:

Thud, thud...

"Jingtang?"

Thud, thud...

A knock echoed from outside the courtyard.

Hearing the sound, Niao Niao instantly regained its spirit and began pushing open the window by itself.

Ye Jingtang reined in his cultivation and calmed his breath, threw on a robe, and opened the courtyard gate to find Sanniang standing on the threshold, carrying a food box. She was dressed just like usual, in a waist-length ruqun paired with an exquisite hair ornament, looking every bit like a capable and shrewd woman from a prominent family.

However, her makeup was slightly different; she had meticulously dressed up before heading out, wearing a shade of cherry-red lip tint that could drive men wild, gleaming with a moist luster in the slanted sunlight like freshly picked cherries.

"It's already afternoon, why are you still sleeping? What were you up to last night?"

Shao Xiangjun furrowed her brows, her eyes quite resentful, looking precisely like a aggrieved young wife whose husband had stayed out all night and had come to demand an explanation.

Ye Jingtang hadn't expected Sanniang to revert to this persona after just a few days, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face:

"I was ordered to patrol the imperial city last night and stayed awake the whole time. Come inside and talk."

Shao Xiangjun had come looking for Ye Jingtang the night before yesterday. Having spent two consecutive nights away from home, she had worried that Ye Jingtang had been poached away by Prince Jing.

After all, if her cabbage was poached by a Jianghu Jianghu heroine, it wouldn't affect the Red Flower Tower; but if she was poached by a female prince, the assets of the Azure Dragon Hall would inevitably become part of Jingtang's dowry.

Noticing that Ye Jingtang didn't look too energetic, she walked up to him, touched his wrist to feel his pulse:

"Trouble just broke out yesterday, yet they immediately called you to patrol the imperial city. Does the imperial court just work people to the bone as long as they're useful?"

"Ability comes with responsibility, right? Prince Jing only entrusted me with a heavy task because she appreciates my talents."

"Talent comes with responsibility indeed..."

Seeing that Ye Jingtang's pulse was strong, powerful, and entirely normal, Shao Xiangjun secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over to the main room and set down the food box she was holding:

"Nier girl has left, and there isn't even anyone to cook a meal around here. Why continue living in a place like this? The Shao household is so spacious, it's not like we're short of a pair of chopsticks..."

"I'm used to living alone, and the Shao household is entirely made up of female attendants. Living there is truly inconvenient."

"Hmph~ Afraid the maids at home will take advantage of you?"

"Sigh..."

Ye Jingtang shook his head with a light chuckle and opened the food box to reveal meticulously prepared dishes inside, along with a flask of wine.

Niao Niao instantly perked up, darting across the courtyard in a flash and landing on the table.

Shao Xiangjun scooped Niao Niao into her arms and inquired:

"I heard you ran into Blood Bodhi with Prince Jing? What happened? Tell me about it."

As Ye Jingtang indulged in the meal, he gave a general account of his encounter with Blood Bodhi, and then remarked:

"I used to think Grandmasters were terrifying, but when you actually fight them, they're nothing special. Once my saber technique reaches full mastery, he'd be flat on the ground in a single exchange."

"Blood Bodhi is practically an old scoundrel of the Jianghu, probably sixty or seventy years old. He retired more than a decade ago, and the fact that he could fight you to a draw just proves he's still full of vigor in his old age."

At this point, Shao Xiangjun offered a warning:

"If the situation turns unfavorable, use your spear. If your identity is exposed to the court, the worst we can do is abandon the Tianshui Bridge businesses and open a branch hall somewhere else. Money lost can be remade, but a life lost is truly gone forever."

Ye Jingtang smiled and said, "I know what I'm doing. When death is truly at the doorstep, how could I hold back my moves?"

"How much longer do you have to patrol in the palace? Sect Leader Li and the others have already set off in advance. The boat arranged by the family is waiting at the docks and can depart at any moment."

"I've already spoken with Prince Jing. I don't need to enter the palace today. If there's nothing else tomorrow, we'll set off."

......

The two had barely chatted for a moment when the sound of carriage wheels suddenly rang out from outside the alley, accompanied by Xiuhe's voice:

"Eh?! This humble commoner pays respects to Prince Jing..."

"No need for formalities. Is Ye Jingtang inside?"

"Yes, he is, with our mistress..."

......

-------

Two luxurious carriages stopped outside the alley, and a tall beauty stepped out of the cabin, escorted by a white-haired elderly woman.

Dongfang Liren was still clad in her domineering Fat Dragon python robe, but her hair was now styled in a scholarly young lady's updo, pinned with a pearlescent hairpin. Combined with the red rouge on her lips, she radiated nobility, instantly brightening the entire old street the moment she appeared.

Dongfang Liren gently raised a hand to signal Xiuhe to dispense with formalities and led the white-haired elderly woman into the secluded alley.

Shuanggui Alley was very old, and the dozen or so houses along the way were dilapidated. Had she not come in person, she would never have known such a rundown place existed in the capital.

"Have a word with the Jingzhao Prefecture and have this street renovated."

"Renovations only fix things temporarily. Dyehouse Street was quite bustling during the previous dynasty, but after the founding of the dynasty, to make governance easier, all large and small workshops were moved to the west of the city, causing this area to gradually decline. To make this place lively again, in this old woman's view, we need to establish a specific trade here..."

Amidst their casual conversation, a certain bird flew up to the wall, flapping its wings in greeting:

"Chirp-chirp-chirp~"

A hint of a smile touched Dongfang Liren's lips. She raised her arm to catch Niao Niao and looked toward the courtyard gate.

At that moment, the courtyard gate swung open, and a man and a woman walked out. The man was tall and handsome, while the woman was graceful and dignified, resembling a perfect young couple blessed in both appearance and talent.

Dongfang Liren blinked, her gaze involuntarily falling upon Shao Xiangjun.

"Your Highness."

"This humble commoner Shao Xiangjun pays respects to Your Highness."

"And who might this young lady be?"

Ye Jingtang stepped forward and enthusiastically introduced her: "This is the head mistress of the Shao household, whom outsiders call Shao Sanniang. I wonder if Your Highness has heard of her."

After getting to know Ye Jingtang, Dongfang Liren had looked into the Shao family and knew that its head was a woman. Seeing her in person now, she couldn't help a trace of surprise:

"I have indeed heard the name, but I didn't expect her to be so young and beautiful."

Shao Xiangjun offered a slight bow: "Prince Jing flatters me. I heard Jingtang had an accident the day before yesterday, so I came to check on him. Um... This humble commoner will take her leave now."

Naturally, Dongfang Liren did not try to make her stay. She nodded in acknowledgment, watching Shao Xiangjun walk away with a graceful and alluring sway, even casting an appreciative glance at Shao Xiangjun's charming and voluptuous figure.

Ye Jingtang didn't notice these minor details. After bidding Sanniang farewell, he gestured for his guest to enter:

"Please come inside and sit, Your Highness."

Dongfang Liren told the white-haired old woman to wait outside and walked into the courtyard holding Niao Niao. Seeing the flowers and plants cultivated by the wall, she looked quite surprised:

"For a grown man, your home is quite refined."

If Ye Jingtang had truly been living alone, the courtyard certainly wouldn't have been this elegant. Since it was hard to explain these details, he simply smiled casually and led Dongfang Liren into the main room:

"The place isn't big, and there isn't much to offer. I hope Your Highness won't mind."

Dongfang Liren was born a golden branch and jade leaf as the Second Princess, and after being granted the title of Prince by her elder sister, even her family's stables were more spacious than this. Seeing that a man as capable as Ye Jingtang lived in such meager quarters, she felt a trace of admiration, believing that Ye Jingtang truly was an unpretentious, modest gentleman who cared nothing for fame and fortune.

However, she didn't show these thoughts on her face. She took the seat of honor beside the square table, put on the demeanor of a female prince, and said with a slightly chilling expression:

"Ye Jingtang, just how many things have you been keeping from this Prince?!"

Ye Jingtang was just about to head to the kitchen to fetch hot water for tea when he heard the aggressive tone and looked blankly:

"Huh? What matters?"

Dongfang Liren sat impeccably straight, her bright and dazzling face naturally imposing, resembling a grand official scrutinizing a rebellious subject who deceived those above and below:

"Confess on your own accord. This Prince might still show leniency. If you force this Prince to point it out herself, don't blame her for showing no mercy!"

"Chirp..."

Sensing that the atmosphere was wrong, Niao Niao quietly closed its beak and sidestepped a few paces away...