Chapter 118: The Beginning of the Scheme

Until Gu Fei left the Feng family, she looked upon Feng Puyu’s face—his head full of white hair and furrowed wrinkles. This wise old man had lived his life with integrity and openness, yet at the end, he might face the prospect of having no descendants. She could not bear it, and so she never uttered a word about Feng Lizhi’s decision.

After returning to the Gu household, within a few days, news reached her that Feng Lizhi had been confined and forbidden from stepping outside even half a pace.

This outcome was not unexpected; in fact, she was not at all surprised. More than that, she knew the Feng family’s mansion gates could never truly restrain Feng Lizhi—sooner or later, he would emerge.

One day, news from Ziyuan arrived. Gu Fei carefully avoided idle onlookers and quietly made her way to the Linlang Pavilion.

She did not show herself but stayed hidden in a flower hall’s side chamber. The chamber was separated by a large floor-to-ceiling screen embroidered with vivid landscape scenes made of multicolored threads, pierced with small openings—clearly arranged to allow discreet observation of the flower hall’s activity.

You Er waited nearby, out of Gu Fei’s sight, with only the nightingale attendant by her side.

Before long, Ziyuan’s voice—clear and melodious like that of a warbler—reached them, sweetly coaxing:

“Madam Guo, it’s been so long since you graced Linlang Pavilion with your presence. Ziyuan thought perhaps you had forgotten me.”

Ziyuan’s tone was always so alluring, regardless of whether she spoke to a man or a woman.

Yet strangely, her manner worked. A strange voice replied, “Ziyuan, you flatter me. It almost sounds as if the lady here were heartless and unkind. Your mouth—aren’t you afraid of sounding so shrill?”

Gu Fei glanced sideways and leaned closer to the screen. The embroidered scene allowed her to see everything clearly inside the flower hall.

She saw Ziyuan suppress a laugh behind her hand and subtly glance towards her direction. Then, a woman entered—her hair pinned high with a red gold phoenix hairpin set with rubies, dressed in a lilac brocade robe embroidered with butterflies and flowers. She appeared about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

“Not shrill at all,” Ziyuan said bluntly. “I was just thinking that if Madam didn’t come to Linlang Pavilion soon, I’d starve from no sales at all.”

Ziyuan spoke without a hint of guile, which seemed to endear her to Madam Guo.

“You never stop talking nonsense. Well then, hurry and bring out those rare treasures for me to see,” the noble-looking Madam said, taking the seat of honor at the head of the table, casually sipping her tea.

Ziyuan’s peach-blossom eyes sparkled as she coquettishly approached Madam Guo and whispered a few words. Madam Guo’s breath caught; a faint blush rose to her cheeks. With a glance full of reproach and amusement, she scolded softly, “If my husband the governor scolds you when you return, I’ll deal with you myself.”

Ziyuan smiled like a beguiling enchantress, her vermilion lips curving seductively. “Madam, take this item home. I’m sure Governor Guo will cherish you even more, and where’s the scolding to fear?”

At her signal, the waiting maidservants entered with trays covered in red silk, placing each item on the table before stepping back out. The servants attending Madam Guo were also led away at Ziyuan’s gesture.

Ziyuan mysteriously invited Madam Guo to one tray, lifting the red silk with a lifted pinky and a gleam in her eyes. “This item comes from the Western Three Thousand Buddha Kingdom. It’s known as ‘Buddha Oil.’ After your evening bath, applying a drop on your body not only warms and dispels cold, but most importantly, Governor Guo will definitely adore you even more.”

Madam Guo’s breathing grew warmer; her face flushed deeper, her beauty like a peach or plum ripe for picking.

Governor Guo Mian of Yizhou was renowned for his unwavering devotion to his wife. Despite numerous women seeking his favor over the years, the Guo household’s inner chambers had belonged solely to Madam Dongfang Mei.

Hearing Ziyuan’s words, she recalled intimate moments with her husband. Though it was difficult to speak of, Governor Guo had always been physically attentive since their marriage, while her own constitution was frail and there was no concubine to share the duties. She knew well the governor’s kindness, so upon hearing Ziyuan’s words, her heart stirred.

Of course, she wished for Governor Guo’s happiness as well.

“Is what you say true?” Dongfang Mei asked, her eyes bright.

Ziyuan covered the tray again and led her to another, revealing a delicate coral tree, fiery red, about the length of a palm, with intricately interwoven branches, exquisitely graceful and refined. The twisted branches resembled a man and woman entwined in passionate embrace—a rare and wondrous treasure, scarcely seen even in the grand capital of Dayin.

“This is South Sea Blood Coral. When it arrived at Linlang Pavilion, a sage blessed it. Placing it on a scholar’s desk symbolizes great fortune,” Ziyuan explained lightly. She was certain the Buddha Oil and this coral would sell today.

Indeed, Dongfang Mei was immediately taken by the coral tree, already imagining how splendid it would look on Governor Guo’s desk.

“Very well, I’ll take both items,” she declared without hesitation.

Ziyuan smiled and supported Dongfang Mei as they exited the flower hall. “I knew Madam was discerning. You go cool off by the pavilion; I’ll personally wrap these treasures for you.”

As they stepped over the threshold, with Dongfang Mei’s foot half out the door, suddenly—

“What a beauty! Truly fragrant!”—a strange voice with a stiff, peculiar accent sounded.

Instantly, both women were pushed back inside the flower hall.

A woman with honey-colored skin, long braided hair, radiating a wild, primal beauty, stepped forward. Her dark golden vertical pupils fixed on Dongfang Mei with a devilish gleam as she licked her lips seductively.

It was none other than Du Gula, the barbarian from the south.

“Who are you?” Ziyuan immediately stepped before Dongfang Mei to shield her. “Leave now!”

Du Gula’s gaze shifted to Ziyuan, her molten gold eyes flashing. She chuckled, revealing small sharp teeth. “Step aside. I won’t eat you. I’m only interested in that lady.”

Hearing the word “eat,” Ziyuan frowned. After a moment, her expression changed drastically. “Southern Qi barbarian!”

Dongfang Mei was even more terrified, her soul nearly fleeing her body. She glared at Du Gula, trying to muster courage. “How dare you! Do you know who I am? My husband is the Governor of Yizhou. If you harm me, I will have your entire clan exterminated.”

Du Gula sneered contemptuously. With slow, ominous movements, she pressed a finger to her lips, then licked it, making an indecipherable smacking sound. “I’m going to eat you right now. Let’s see who dares exterminate me.”

She took a step back, bending slightly, poised to strike.

Ziyuan didn’t turn away, her gaze locked on Du Gula. She whispered urgently to Dongfang Mei, “Madam, when the time comes, I’ll hold her off. You run quickly. She’s a Southern Qi barbarian—truly a man-eater.”

“Ah…” Dongfang Mei nearly fainted, the mere look in Du Gula’s eyes tearing her courage apart.

Just as Du Gula seemed ready to pounce, Ziyuan suddenly surged forward, grabbing her waist and shouting loudly, “Help! Someone, save me!”

Dongfang Mei’s limbs were weak; she collapsed to the ground, so frightened she could barely breathe, much less flee.

Du Gula glared angrily at Ziyuan holding her, swiping her hands fiercely but unable to break free. Growing impatient, she emitted a beast-like growl.

Help arrived swiftly. The Linlang Pavilion guards burst in within moments, drawing swords and charging at Du Gula.

Ziyuan momentarily loosened her grip, but before she could react, Du Gula flung her aside, landing near Dongfang Mei.

For a time, Du Gula fought fiercely against the dozen or so guards, who found her invincible.

Du Gula glanced at Dongfang Mei with a grudging look, unwilling to flee hastily.

At that moment, another voice rang out, filled with surprise and suspicion—

“Southern Qi barbarian!”

A man clad in pale moonblue robes, his hair tied with a jade crown, his features noble and dignified, his bearing quietly rich, appeared.

Mo Geyi, of the prominent Mo family of the capital, recalled that the band sent previously to lure and kill Gu Fei had been slaughtered by barbarians, with one even devoured to the bone. He sneered coldly, thinking this was a stroke of luck earned without effort.

He stepped forward, hands clasped, and called out loudly, “I am Mo Geyi of the Mo family, here to see the stewardess of Linlang Pavilion. Might I offer assistance?”

Ziyuan massaged her aching waist and rose slowly. Through the flower hall’s entrance, she saw the impressive man looking their way.

She smirked slightly, glanced once more at the great embroidered screen, and replied, “Please, Mr. Mo, we beg you to help us capture this barbarian and save the family of Governor Guo of Yizhou.”

Hearing that the governor’s family was involved, Mo Geyi did not hesitate. With a wave, he signaled a wide-brimmed hat-wearing attendant behind him to seize the barbarian alive.

The attendant stiffened, then clenched his fist and leapt forward. Almost instantly, Du Gula sensed the pressure. Without hesitation, she broke through a gap and fled.

The Linlang Pavilion guards wanted to pursue, but Ziyuan shouted, “Return! Do not chase a cornered foe—you are no match for her.”

Thus, only Mo Geyi’s attendant gave chase.

Ziyuan turned and helped Dongfang Mei to her feet, apologizing gently, “Madam, I am sorry you were frightened here in Linlang Pavilion.”

Dongfang Mei, still shaken, clutched Ziyuan’s wrist tightly, her eyes filled with gratitude and fear. “It’s alright. You protected me with your own body. I will remember this kindness.”

At that moment, even her speech shifted from the formal “Madam” to the personal “I.”

Ziyuan smiled and withdrew her hand just as a slender scroll, about the thickness of a finger, slipped from the folds of her sleeve. She looked at Dongfang Mei in surprise. “This isn’t mine…”

They exchanged a glance, both struck by sudden realization. Before they could speak, Mo Geyi entered.

“I have the honor to greet you both,” he said.

Ziyuan quickly composed herself, stepping aside to block his view. Pretending casualness, she bent down, retrieved the scroll, and tucked it back inside her sleeve before turning to smile. “Thank you, sir, for your timely rescue.”