Chapter 7: Flowers Splashing Tears

While the entire Xie family was searching for Xie Wu in a fit of rage, she was sitting in the most famous establishment in the capital, Man Tingfang, sipping fine wine and listening to the exquisite melodies of the capital's premier pipa master.

Man Tingfang had been the most renowned pleasure house in the capital for the past five years. The establishment offered a diverse array of elegant entertainments, including song and dance, acrobatics, storytelling, shadow puppetry, marionettes, and even Liubo, making it a true hub of all forms of entertainment.

Among these, the most celebrated was the proprietor of Man Tingfang, the capital's number one pipa master, Hua Jianlei.

Rumor had it that she was not only as beautiful as a celestial being but also possessed a god-given talent; her pipa playing was so transcendent it could startle the heavens. Even the Emperor and Empress Dowager in the palace had summoned her to perform, and she maintained friendships with many of the capital's powerful elites.

However, as the proprietor of Man Tingfang, she rarely appeared in public. She only performed personally when the whim struck her, an occurrence that drew the intense admiration and longing of the capital's scholars, refined gentlemen, and wealthy playboys.

The sharp, resonant notes of the pipa drifted from the Miaoyin Pavilion in the backyard. A playboy, who had failed several times to request an audience with Hua Jianlei, remarked sourly, "I wonder what kind of noble person could actually get Master Hua to play a piece personally for them?"

The woman sitting beside him had eyes filled with sorrow as she murmured darkly, "Is Young Master finding A-Liao tiresome? If that is the case, A-Liao shall leave, and I shall never have the face to see you again."

With that, she truly rose to leave, covering her face. The young man hurriedly grabbed her, "Now, now, A-Liao, I was merely speaking idly. Master Hua's artistry is peerless and unmatched; who in all of the capital wouldn't wish to hear her play a piece in person?"

Only then did A-Liao lift her head, her smile as bright as a flower. "That is true. If my own music could ever reach even half of Sister Hua's skill, I would be satisfied."

"A-Liao's zheng playing is also a wonder of the capital, so beautiful it makes one forget the mundane world."

Inside the Miaoyin Pavilion, Xie Wu had already changed her appearance.

Dressed in white with her long hair tied high, her originally jade-like, delicate skin and exquisite features had been disguised, and even the cinnabar mole beneath her eye had vanished without a trace.

She reclined lazily against a magnificent soft couch, holding a white jade cup, looking every bit the peerless, elegant gentleman.

With such masterful disguise techniques, even her closest kin would find it difficult to recognize her.

As the pipa music faded, Xie Wu smiled and said, "The silver vase shatters and the water splashes; the iron cavalry surges with the clanging of blades and spears. There is a murderous intent within Master Hua's melody."

The woman in red rose with her lute, walked up to her, and smiled. "We haven't met in two years, yet you are less silver-tongued than before, Young Master. You have wasted the effort of my playing this piece for you personally."

Xie Wu rose and glanced at her. "You are dissatisfied yourself, yet you blame my way of speaking?"

The woman in red lifted her eyes slightly, her seductive gaze shimmering with multifaceted charm.

"Is it that you have arrived in the capital harboring murderous intent? Or is there murderous intent within Jianlei's music?"

The pavilion fell silent for a moment. Xie Wu gave a light laugh, casually set her wine cup aside, and said, "Forget it. One must follow the rules when under another's roof. If I offend Master Hua and get kicked out, I'll lose face completely."

Hua Jianlei gave a soft snort. "How would I dare?"

She set the pipa aside and took an envelope from a nearby cabinet, handing it to Xie Wu. "Everything you wanted is in here."

Xie Wu took it and opened it, scanning the contents with rapid eyes. She crumpled the paper in her palm, and a moment later, the paper turned to dust, fluttering down through her fingers.

"You have worked hard these past few years," Xie Wu said softly, looking at Hua Jianlei.

Hua Jianlei smiled lightly. "What kind of talk is that? If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't know where I would be wandering now, suffering humiliation and abuse. How could I have this current glory and freedom?"

Xie Wu said, "When you first entered the capital, I promised that within five years, I would help you avenge your grievances."

Hua Jianlei froze, a strange light blooming in her eyes. "Has the time come?"

Xie Wu nodded slightly. "The time has come."

"Good!" Hua Jianlei stood up abruptly, pacing the hall for two laps before seemingly regaining her composure. When she looked at Xie Wu again, her beautiful eyes were already rimmed with red.

"What do you need me to do?" Hua Jianlei asked.

Xie Wu replied, "Yi Anlu is the Chief Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial and a trusted confidant of the Emperor with immense power. You are to do nothing. I will notify you when needed. If you expose your identity, everyone in Man Tingfang will be implicated."

Hua Jianlei took a deep breath, steadied herself, and nodded. "I understand. I have endured for so many years; I don't mind enduring a little longer."

Xie Wu said firmly, "Trust me. Within three months, I will surely show you the result."

Hua Jianlei nodded heavily, her eyes filled with gratitude and trust, showing none of the social grace or seductive charm she displayed in public.

When she had met the Young Master years ago, she was still a youth of eleven or twelve, while she had been disfigured and covered in wounds, sold into the lowest brothels and nearly beaten to death from repeated escape attempts.

She had originally come from a scholarly family; her parents had only two daughters, herself and her elder sister. Though not wealthy, the family had been harmonious. Eight years ago, Yi Anlu, then a commander of the Eastern Depot, had taken an interest in her sister's beauty while on official business. To curry favor with him, local officials had sent men to forcibly abduct her sister to serve a eunuch.

Three days later, her sister was sent back wrapped in a straw mat. Her mother died of rage on the spot, and her father was decapitated while trying to fight the Eastern Depot men.

Yi Anlu's subordinates then offered her to him. In her struggle, she had used a copper hairpin to wound him, then disfigured her own face, cursing him as a subhuman, eunuch thief who deserved to have no descendants.

Enraged, Yi Anlu ordered her sold to the lowest, most wretched brothel catering to the unwashed masses.

She had been caught and beaten nearly to death during an escape attempt, collapsing before the carriage of a passing young master, which is how she was rescued.

The Young Master treated her wounds, brought her back to Shu, healed her face, and gave her a reason to live.

Four years ago, she had volunteered to go to the capital.

Not only to avenge her family, but also to repay the Young Master's life-saving kindness.

"By the way, you asked me to keep an eye on the Duke of Ying's estate these past few years, and there has finally been some movement," Hua Jianlei said, having quickly composed herself, as she sat back down before Xie Wu.

Xie Wu raised an eyebrow. "The Duke of Ying's estate has been peaceful for years. Why the sudden movement?"

Hua Jianlei nodded. "About half a month ago, Lady Fan, the Duchess of Ying, had someone deliver a letter to Tie Men Lane in the south of the city."

"What kind of place is that?"

Hua Jianlei replied, "It is adjacent to Xin Zheng Gate, separated from the Flower Alley of the outer city by only a single gate. That area is a gathering place for all walks of life and various underworld factions in the capital. The Duchess comes from an official background and has never had dealings with people from that area before. Why would she suddenly send a letter there?"

Xie Wu asked, "To whom was the letter delivered?"

Hua Jianlei said, "To an inn called Shun Feng Lou at the end of Tie Men Lane. That inn deals in all sorts of business and is backed by the Liuhe Society. The people there are very vigilant, so I couldn't find out exactly who received the letter. I could only have people keep a constant watch on the inn."

"I originally wanted to pry information from the messenger, but since you said not to alert the enemy, I had to temporarily abandon the idea."

Xie Wu smiled. "As long as we know someone sent a letter, that is enough. Keep your people watching that place. I will handle the matter of the Duke of Ying's estate."

"Are you truly going back to the Duke of Ying's estate?" Hua Jianlei frowned, sounding somewhat disapproving. "There are likely very few good people in that family, and they haven't even sought you out all these years. Before you've even returned, rumors are already flying everywhere!"

"This time, you are actually wrong about them."

"How could I be? Most of the rumors are coming from the Duke of Ying's estate," Hua Jianlei replied, not believing she was misjudging anyone.

Xie Wu said, "Those people in the Duke of Ying's estate would love nothing more than for me to disappear quietly. Why would they want to spread such rumors?"

"Hmm? What do you mean, Young Master?"

"Prince Xin, Qin Mu."

"Prince Xin? Why would he spread these rumors?"

Xie Wu said leisurely, "Naturally, to let everyone know that he is being forced to marry the eldest daughter of the Xie family, who has been missing for over ten years."

Hua Jianlei's expression changed drastically. She gritted her teeth and said, "Shameless!"

Qin Mu not only wanted to have women on both sides, but he also wanted everyone else to bear the brunt of the infamy!

Xie Wu comforted her, "What is the rush? Qin Mu... he always thinks the whole world is foolish and he is the only clever one. His little tricks might fool the Princess of Xin or Lady Fan, but he is far from being able to fool the Duke of Ying."

Hua Jianlei frowned. "Will the Duke of Ying stand on your side?"

Xie Wu lowered her eyes. "That depends on whether Qin Mu or I have more leverage."

Hua Jianlei opened her mouth to curse again when a commotion erupted outside.

A moment later, the voice of the Man Tingfang manager came from outside the door, reporting, "Mistress, Commander Shen of the Jinyiwei has arrived."