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

Chapter 156, Zi Nu's Lesson (3k!)
Hearing Hongyu's words, Zinu felt a deep sense of helplessness.

Just as Zi Nu was about to refuse Nong Yu's request, she seemed to have thought of something and nodded slightly.
"Then let her come. It'll be a good opportunity for the Imperial Physician to see the best musician from my Zilan Pavilion."

She understood Nongyu's personality. Since Nongyu wanted to see Xu Qing, the more she tried to stop her, the more Nongyu wanted to see Xu Qing.

Rather than obstructing them, it would be better to let the two meet and dispel Nongyu's curiosity. With her present, Xu Qing would be more restrained, at least he wouldn't blatantly try to steal her man.

She had already experienced the power of Xu Qing's words. If the two of them were to meet in private, Nongyu would be bewitched by Xu Qing in just a few words.

"it is good."

Hongyu glanced furtively at Xu Qing inside the room and asked with some hesitation.
"Won't that disturb my sister and the Imperial Physician?"

Seeing Hongyu's gossipy expression, Zinu took a deep breath to suppress her anger and decisively said...
"will not."

To outsiders, her relationship with Xu Qing was already quite obvious, and no amount of explanation could clarify it. The more she explained, the more people would think she was trying to cover it up.

"Okay, I'll go tell Sister Nongyu right now." Hongyu ran towards the stairs with the excitement of having just heard the gossip.

Zi Nu was left standing there, shaking her head helplessly, before turning back into her room.

Xu Qing calmly sipped his wine and ate the delicious snacks, as if nothing had happened.

Seeing Xu Qing so relaxed, Zi Nu was furious. Her breathing became rapid, and her ample breasts rippled.

"The Imperial Physician is quite leisurely, leaving me to deal with this mess all by myself."

Zi Nu crossed her arms over her chest, her ample breasts bulging, captivating all who beheld her. Her narrow eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Xu Qing with a hint of hostility. Her thin lips moved slightly, and her alluring, mature voice carried a dangerous undertone.

"I would like to help you, but this is an internal matter of Zilan Pavilion. Would it be inconvenient for me to intervene? Or do you want me to become an internal staff member of Zilan Pavilion?"

"Besides, you and I are like brothers, surely Miss Zi Nu wouldn't be angry with me over such a trivial matter?"

Xu Qing poured Zi Nu a cup of wine from the wine pot, gesturing for her to sit down and calm down.

You really have wild ideas. If you were to become a member of Zilanxuan, what difference would that be from a tiger entering a flock of sheep? How many of these sisters would be left?

Zi Nu thought to herself as she looked at Xu Qing, but she wasn't really angry. She just couldn't stand Xu Qing's attitude of turning his back on her after he had done his bidding.

"How's that person I asked you to investigate?"

Xu Qing took the initiative to change the subject. His purpose in coming to Zilanxuan this time was to find out about Luo Jing's identity; everything else was secondary.

Seeing that Xu Qing had brought up serious matters, Zi Nu put aside her displeasure, sat down beside Xu Qing, and began to speak.

"After extensive investigation, her identity is confirmed to be legitimate. She was an extramarital affair kept by Doctor Feng three years ago. Although this matter was kept secret, some people still heard about it."

According to the information Zi Nu gathered, Luo Jing's identity was without any problems, which dispelled some of Xu Qing's doubts about Luo Jing.

"However, based on the information I've gathered, this woman isn't as weak and naive as she appears; on the contrary, she's quite cunning."

"The Feng family is very powerful. After marrying Doctor Feng, she relied on her family's support and acted quite domineeringly and shrewishly. This made Doctor Feng very respectful of her, which is why Doctor Feng has only ever had this one wife and doesn't even dare to keep a concubine."

"However, Luo Jing was able to be kept by Doctor Feng for three years without being discovered, and even after Doctor Feng's family met with misfortune, she quickly took control of the Feng family, which shows her shrewdness."

"If the Imperial Physician is thinking of making a move on her, he should be careful. This kind of woman is very good at manipulating lecherous men," Zi Nu said.

Zi Nu's words implied that Luo Jing was quite cunning and not a simple person, but this only made Xu Qing feel more at ease.

Because that's how Luo Jing presented herself to him, if Zi Nu were to investigate and find out that Luo Jing was a simple and weak concubine, it would only make Xu Qing suspicious.

After all, no concubine would dare to scheme against a rising star in the court for the sake of family property. Even if he didn't know if the other party had other schemes, he needed the network of connections that Luo Jing had.

He understood the principle of "when you need something from someone, you should first ask for their help." In order to get what he wanted, he could only assume that the other party wanted to use him to protect the Feng family's assets.

If the other party truly has ulterior motives, they will eventually be exposed.

The serious look on Xu Qing's face disappeared, replaced by his usual carefree smile, and he teased...
"Is Miss Zi Nu concerned about me? Don't worry, my relationship with her is purely transactional, and I certainly don't have any other thoughts. After all, my heart is with you now."

His heart was indeed with Zi Nu at that moment, so there was nothing wrong with what he said.

In response to Xu Qing's words, Zi Nu simply rolled her eyes with a charming expression; how could she possibly believe Xu Qing's nonsense?

"Physician, please don't make fun of me. You should save those words for this Miss Luo Jing," Zi Nu said with a smile.

"It seems you don't believe me, but that's alright, time will prove my sincerity."

Xu Qing revealed a sorrowful expression, downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, like a man whose heart had been broken.

Zi Nu smiled without saying a word, picked up her wine glass and drank with Xu Qing, her feelings slightly complicated. She couldn't tell whether Xu Qing was telling the truth or not, and even if he was telling the truth, she couldn't accept his feelings.

After all, the two had vastly different identities, whether it was the publicly known owner of Zilan Pavilion and the newly appointed Imperial Physician, or their hidden identities.
Seeing that Zi Nu was not very interested, Xu Qing changed the subject, and Zi Nu chatted and laughed with Xu Qing about these topics.

Just as the two were chatting and laughing, there was a sudden knock on the door. The door opened, and a beautiful golden figure appeared in Xu Qing's sight.

The newcomer was dressed in a golden off-shoulder dress, holding an ancient-style zither in her hands. Her smooth, wine-red hair was half-loose, adorned with emerald green hair ornaments, with two strands of hair resting on the zither strings.

A slight smile graced her delicate, elegant face; her slender features curved slightly downwards, and her starry eyes held deep affection.

Her fair skin was flawless, and the long golden dress perfectly accentuated her graceful figure. Her long, beautiful legs were faintly visible beneath the hem of the dress, and she wore a pair of emerald green high heels.

What truly captivated people was her refined, gentle, and elegant demeanor, like a rare orchid in a secluded valley.

Despite being in a place of pleasure and debauchery like Zilan Pavilion, Nongyu exuded a noble and dignified aura, like a lotus rising from the mud, untainted by its surroundings.

As Xu Qing was sizing up Nongyu, Nongyu was also looking at Xu Qing, her beautiful eyes full of curiosity.

Looking at Xu Qing's handsome appearance and the ethereal and otherworldly aura he exuded, Nongyu couldn't help but think of many words of praise, such as "handsome and dashing" and "imposing and dignified."

This Imperial Physician is nothing like the cunning and scheming woman Sister Zi Nu described; he's clearly just a handsome young man.

After muttering a few words to Zi Nu in her heart, Nong Yu bowed slightly to the two of them and said...

"Sister Zi Nu, Imperial Physician."

"Didn't the Imperial Physician want to see Nongyu? It just so happens that Nongyu also wanted to thank the Imperial Physician for helping her get rid of the Right Sima's entanglement, so I let her come."

Zi Nu's voice was as gentle as ever, but a warning glint flashed in her slightly narrowed purple eyes.

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow and looked at Zi Nu, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"I, Xu Qing, am a well-regarded gentleman who has never been interested in beautiful women. How could I possibly harbor ill intentions towards Nongyu?"

"I don't believe you for a second. Do you think I don't know what kind of person you are?"

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing speechlessly, and the two communicated with their eyes.

Nongyu looked at the two exchanging glances and chuckled softly.

"I have long heard of the Imperial Physician and admired him for a long time, but unfortunately I have never had the chance to meet him. Today, seeing you, you are indeed as rumored, with a dignified and outstanding demeanor."

Xu Qing finished exchanging glances with Zi Nu, glanced at the Fire Rain Agate at Nong Yu's waist, and then stood up and said...
"I have long heard that there is a qin player in Zilan Pavilion whose qin skills are superb, comparable to the famous master Kuang Xiu. It is a pity that Miss Zi has never introduced him."

After Xu Qing finished speaking, he glanced at Zi Nu, whose face showed a hint of helplessness.

Why won't she let you see her? Don't you have any idea? Even if you were just a little more honest, she wouldn't treat you like a thief.

"My sister probably thinks that Nongyu is not refined enough and is worried that I will spoil the Imperial Physician's mood," Nongyu said with a light laugh.

"You two are talking as if I'm deliberately obstructing things. You're always resting when the Imperial Physician comes, and he comes and leaves in a hurry. How could he possibly have time for the two of you to meet?"

Zi Nu got up and walked to Xu Qing's side, put one hand on Xu Qing's shoulder, and said with a light laugh.

Feeling the slight pressure from Zi Nu's hand, Xu Qing's face twitched slightly as he spoke.

"That was indeed my misunderstanding. Now that we have met today, I wonder if I might have the honor of hearing Miss Nongyu play a tune?"

“Of course.” Nongyu nodded in agreement and walked toward the zither table next to her.

"Nongyu is the apple of my eye, so you mustn't have any other ideas," Zi Nu said in a voice only the two of them could hear.

Xu Qing glanced at Zi Nu, reached out and took her small hand, placing it on his chest, and said with tender eyes.

“What do you take me for, Miss Zi Nu? You are the only one in my heart. When I have a frank conversation with you, Miss Zi Nu will understand the sincerity of my friendship with you, like that of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya.”

Listening to Xu Qing's somewhat incoherent words, Zi Nu felt that he was flirting with her, but she couldn't figure out what was wrong with what he was saying.

After giving Xu Qing a disdainful look, Zi Nu pulled her hand away and pinched the back of Xu Qing's hand hard.

Xu Qing winced in pain and blew on his reddened hand a few times.

Upon seeing this, Zi Nu revealed a satisfied expression, her beautiful eyes filled with smiles.

If we don't teach Xu Qing a lesson, will they really think she's not gentle and easy to bully?

(End of this chapter)