People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 153, Zi Nu: Nong Yu, you can't handle him (Extra chapter late at night, please subscribe and vote)
Xinzheng, Zilanxuan.

As autumn deepens in Xinzheng, the bleak autumn wind howls, carrying a chill that makes the orange lanterns sway.

Although the night was cool, it could not stop the nobles of Xinzheng from seeking pleasure. Carriages gathered outside the Zilan Pavilion, and groups of nobles walked side by side into the pavilion.

A woman in a purple brocade dress stood by the window on the third floor, looking at the people coming and going below, a hint of loneliness flashing in her eyes.

"Sister Zi Nu, what are you thinking about? Are you perhaps thinking about the Imperial Physician again?" A light voice rang out behind Zi Nu.

Zi Nu turned around and looked helplessly at the bright yellow figure in the room, her long, charming eyes filled with a hint of doting.

"Nongyu, if you keep joking with me, I'll have to give away the sheet music I just got." Zi Nu narrowed her eyes, her words carrying a hint of threat.

As the top courtesan of Zilan Pavilion, Nongyu, despite being in such a brothel, remained untouched by the allure of cosmetics, like a secluded orchid in a secluded valley, untainted by worldly dust.

Unlike most of the women in Zilanxuan, Nongyu had delicate and refined features, with slender eyebrows and pale lips.

Her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars, her gaze calm as autumn water, subtly carrying a deep and melancholic quality, giving people a unique sense of poetry.

Her long, flowing, wine-red hair cascaded down to her waist, its light and airy strands complementing the fitted golden dress, giving her an elegant and graceful appearance that was both feminine and dignified.

A hint of nervousness flashed across Nongyu's delicate and clean face. She took small steps to Zinu's side and hugged Zinu's hand.

"Sister, how could you do this? I've wanted that sheet music for so long," Nongyu said coquettishly, pulling on Zinu's hand.

"How old are you? You're still acting like a child." Zi Nu sighed and ruffled Nong Yu's wine-red hair.

Although Zi Nu treated everyone in Zi Lan Xuan as her sisters, only Nong Yu was treated and protected by her like a younger sister.

When she found Nongyu, Nongyu was only twelve or thirteen years old. Because of the war, Nongyu's teacher was brutally murdered. Just as the bandits were about to harm Nongyu, she appeared and saved her.

From then on, Nongyu followed her by her side, traveling with her to various countries, and eventually they arrived in Xinzheng, South Korea, where they opened the Zilanxuan.

Besides the captivating beauty of the women, the greatest credit for Zilanxuan's success was Nongyu's superb zither playing.

"Sister, are you really not thinking about the Imperial Physician? In the days since he's been away, you've often looked at the road he usually takes," Nongyu teased.

Upon hearing Nongyu's words, Zinu paused slightly, her gaze drifting towards the road directly opposite the window.

Since Xu Qing sent someone to request an investigation into Luo Jing, he has not come to Zilan Pavilion again.

Thinking of this, Xu Qing's dignified yet otherworldly face involuntarily appeared in my mind.

Wait, why am I suddenly thinking about that jerk?
Zi Nu shook her head slightly, trying to shake Xu Qing's image out of her mind, but the more she did so, the clearer Xu Qing's image became.

Seeing Zi Nu slightly lost in thought, Nong Yu's eyes were filled with curiosity. This was the first time she had ever seen her sister Zi Nu so attentive to a man.

"Could it be that my sister's heart has already been stolen by this Imperial Physician?" Nongyu teased.

Zi Nu snapped out of her daze and feigned anger.
“Nongyu, if you keep joking with me, I’ll really give this sheet music to someone else.”

Having her weakness exploited, Nongyu immediately went limp and pouted, saying...
"Sister, I was wrong."

Seeing Nongyu give in, Zi Nu showed a helpless expression, and with a flick of her left hand, a roll of cloth and musical score appeared in her hand.

Nongyu's eyes lit up as she looked at the sheet music. She reached out her slender little hand, snatched the sheet music, and began to read it.

"This is the sheet music. It's a piece left behind by the great Korean traditional music master, Bao Qing. How did you find it, sister?" Nongyu said happily.

“Bao Qing was an ancestor of the Bao clan, and his belongings are all kept in the Bao clan. Now, the young lord of the Bao clan wants to establish a relationship with Xu Qing through Zi Lan Xuan. I mentioned this musical score to him, and he sent it to me the next day,” Zi Nu said with a smile.

"It's all because of the Imperial Physician. I really want to see who this Imperial Physician is."

Nongyu's beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation. Although she had never met Xu Qing, she often heard her other sisters talk about him.

His words were full of praise, describing Xu Qing as handsome, refined, and exceptionally talented, making him seem less like an ordinary person and more like a celestial being.

Upon hearing this, Zi Nu's smile vanished, and she looked at Nong Yu with a solemn expression, giving her instructions.
"No, you can't go see him so easily."

"Why? Is it because you're afraid I'll steal the Imperial Physician's Order from you?" Nongyu covered her mouth and chuckled.

Why? I'm just afraid that Xu Qing will target you and steal your soul, right? Zi Nu thought to herself.

Even if Xu Qing, a seasoned player in the game of love, was easily tricked, how much more so would a naive young girl like Nongyu be?

"I'm not afraid he'll kidnap you, but please don't believe the rumors about him."

Zi Nu's rosy lips parted, but the words caught in her throat as she hesitated to speak, because she didn't know how to evaluate Xu Qing.

After pondering for a moment, Zi Nu said softly.
"Anyway, you can't meet with him privately; his methods are beyond your ability to handle."

Nongyu looked at Zinu with confusion, and just as she was about to say something, a commotion came from outside the window.

"The Imperial Physician has arrived! Greetings, Imperial Physician!"

"I haven't seen the Imperial Physician for many days. What brings you to Zilan Pavilion today?" Hearing the voice outside the window, Zi Nu's eyes flashed with a sharp light. She immediately let go of Nong Yu's hand and tied up her half-loose hair.

"Remember my words, never believe any other person's praise of Xu Qing. This man is not simple."

"You can study the score at your leisure. I'll go greet the guests."

After Zi Nu finished speaking, she swayed her slender waist and walked towards the door.

Watching Zi Nu's impatient departure, Nong Yu couldn't help but stick out her tongue.

If she actually believed Zi Nu's words, then it would be truly unbelievable. She herself said that Xu Qing was no ordinary person, but when she heard that the other party had arrived, she was more excited than anyone else.

"You say you don't care? You're worried I'll be kidnapped. My sister, your soul has already been stolen!" Nongyu complained, but she was even more curious about Xu Qing.

She was eager to see who Xu Qing really was, that he had managed to trick her sister Zi Nu away.

Seeing the door close again, Nongyu shrugged helplessly and walked towards the table where the guqin was placed.

Nongyu's original coquettish and soft demeanor vanished in the blink of an eye, replaced by a cool, gentle yet lively and elegant appearance. Only when she was with Zinu could she act like a little girl.

"The Imperial Physician? I really look forward to meeting you."

Nongyu plucked the strings of her zither, a smile appearing on her lips.

Slender, fair hands plucked the strings, and the light, expectant music echoed in the room, as if telling the story of the player's feelings.

Inside the main hall of Zilan Pavilion, the girls watched helplessly as the guests left, then gathered around Xu Qing.

A group of powerful figures and sons of officials surrounded Xu Qing, showering him with compliments. News of the day's events in the court had already spread to Xinzheng after the court session ended.

In particular, Xu Qing, as the Imperial Physician, participated in court politics, and with just a few words, he determined the fate of a Right Sima and a Junior Minister of Works.

This all reveals Xu Qing's increasingly prominent status as a rising star in the court, and the fact that he is regarded as a confidant by King Han An.

As for Han Fei's eventual return to China, they didn't care. After all, in their minds, Han Fei was still the Ninth Prince who indulged in wine and women.

Instead of worrying about Han Fei, they should think about how to get in touch with Xu Qing and obtain an official position as soon as possible.

After dealing with everyone, Xu Qing finally broke free from the crowd and went up the stairs to the second floor, where Zi Nu was already waiting for him at the top.

Looking at the woman in the purple dress, who was mature, charming, elegant and noble, Xu Qing smiled slightly.

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing, a hint of a smile in her narrow eyes, and said with a slight upturn of her lips.
"The Imperial Physician hasn't been here for a long time. People might think that I, Zi Nu, have offended you in some way, making you dislike Zi Lan Xuan."

Hearing the slightly complaining words, Xu Qing walked up the stairs to Zi Nu and looked at her with a solemn expression.

"W-What's wrong?" Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing in confusion.

"It's nothing, I just felt that Miss Zi Nu's outfit today was a bit too mature. Women should take better care of themselves. It seems that I haven't been here enough and haven't been able to pay more attention to Miss Zi Nu," Xu Qing said with a sudden smile.

A look of surprise flashed across Zi Nu's eyes, and she immediately realized that Xu Qing was teasing her. She rolled her eyes at Xu Qing in annoyance.

"Alright, if you really care about me, you can't just send someone to leave a message and then disappear for ten days or half a month."

Zi Nu clicked her tongue, her words light and cheerful, devoid of her previous complaints.

Perhaps because of their heart-to-heart talk last time, Zi Nu unconsciously relaxed a bit in front of Xu Qing, letting go of her mature and charming facade and revealing her true self.

"I've been too busy with official duties lately, and you know my situation isn't looking good," Xu Qing said helplessly.

Who knows what his daily life is like? Caught between Hu Meiren and Chao Nu Yao, he must be exhausted every night.

If he hadn't been strong and healthy, let alone come to Zilan Pavilion, it's questionable whether he could even leave the Han Palace.

“I’ve heard some of it too. Let’s go inside and talk about it,” Zi Nu said.

She was also aware that the power struggles in the Korean court had become increasingly intense recently, and that Xu Qing, as a rising star in the court, would inevitably encounter many troubles as he was caught up in it.

"it is good."

Zi Nu habitually took Xu Qing's arm and followed him into the private room.

Just as the two were passing by a room, they suddenly heard the sound of a table being overturned and porcelain bottles being smashed.

"Who sent you? Go and fetch Nongyu here!"

A middle-aged man, slightly drunk, shouted angrily, followed by the sounds of two girls apologizing profusely.

Zi Nu and Xu Qing both stopped in their tracks, and Zi Nu glanced at Xu Qing.

(End of this chapter)