Wan Hua on the left, Fu Man on the right

Luocheng was the wealthiest commercial center in the world, its bustling prosperity and beauty captivating scholars, practitioners, and wealthy merchants alike. It was said that even the Emperor himself braved the arduous journey by boat to visit each year. The city’s commercial vibrancy had spawned countless trades and professions, drawing throngs of visitors to its myriad shops and stalls, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled liveliness.

With so many winding streets, Luocheng naturally boasted a great number of intersections. At this renowned spot on Luzheng Street, one could turn left to the House of Blossoms or right to the Fortune Pavilion.

“Dongmei,” who had never before left home, gazed about with unabashed curiosity, her excitement barely contained. “Shall we go to the House of Blossoms or the Fortune Pavilion?”

Qiu Xiang could not help but laugh and cry at once. “The House of Blossoms is not a respectable place; the Fortune Pavilion is.”

Zheng Fanren chuckled, “In terms of function, the Fortune Pavilion is for eating and drinking, but the House of Blossoms offers eating, drinking, and merrymaking.”

Dongmei exclaimed gleefully, “Then of course we must go where there is merrymaking!”

With a casual flick of his sleeve, Zheng Fanren declared in a clear voice, “Very well! I shall take you to the brothel!”

…

Though the sun shone brightly overhead, many self-styled men of letters favored visiting the courtesans who had yet to make their debut at this hour. The main hall was sparsely populated, but strains of music drifted from the various private rooms where the young ladies entertained their guests.

Zheng Fanren shamelessly instructed Qiu Xiang to slip a banknote to the madam, then announced airily, “Young Master Nangong has sent me to see Miss Luoxue.”

The madam looked troubled. “There are too many guests in the rear garden; I fear Miss Luoxue would not be pleased.”

Dongmei asked with great interest, “Is Miss Luoxue very amusing?”

Even the battle-hardened madam nearly stumbled, her face darkening with displeasure.

Only after Qiu Xiang, disguised as a scholar, produced another banknote did the madam brighten and lead the way.

As they walked, Zheng Fanren inquired, “How much was it?”

Qiu Xiang replied, “A hundred taels for the two notes.”

“Then we’ll ask Miss Luoxue to return them later!”

By now, the madam had taken a thorough dislike to the three shameless guests and said loudly, “Straight ahead—you may go in, but if you do not see Miss Luoxue, there will be no refund!”

Dongmei burst into laughter, while Qiu Xiang was already accustomed to Zheng Fanren’s manner of speaking.

…

Exiting through the rear door, they were greeted by a field of pure white summer snow blossoms. In the distance, the scene was one of quaint bridges and flowing streams, just like a painting of idyllic life.

The small courtyard was picturesque, as if it had always been destined to nestle among the artificial hills. Cross the bridge and you entered the rock garden, small but ingeniously designed, with countless oddly shaped stones and the gentle murmur of water weaving through the air.

Beyond the rock garden lay Luoxue Hall, already crowded with people. Before they entered, an exclamation rang out: “Young Master! Young Master! That servant from Nangong Mo has brought two maidservants—”

“You fool! This is a place of refinement, not for the likes of you servants to be unruly!” The words were ostensibly a rebuke to his own servant, but anyone could tell the target was Zheng Fanren.

It was none other than the second son of the Murong family.

Zheng Fanren, always up for a battle of wits, smiled and replied, “Young Master Murong, have you not seen Miss Luoxue yet? My young master sent me to liven things up for you—how could I refuse?”

Murong Shushan responded coolly, “If it’s about livening things up for me, I hardly think your young master is qualified to make such a claim.”

“No matter, no matter. When my young master meets Miss Luoxue, he’ll surely ask her to show mercy for your sake, seeing as you pine for her so hopelessly.”

Zheng Fanren had long delighted in poking fun at Murong Shushan along with Nangong Mo. The two most notorious wastrel sons in all of Luocheng were already the talk of every brothel in town.

Previously, Zheng Fanren had always played advisor to Nangong Mo, so after countless failures, Murong Shushan began to pay attention to this servant by Nangong’s side—though no one else recognized Zheng Fanren.

Murong Shushan asked, “Nangong Mo hasn’t arrived? Is he afraid, perhaps? I suppose it’s no matter if a servant like you is embarrassed.”

Zheng Fanren replied, “I’m just waiting for him. Today happens to be Miss Luoxue’s riddle day—my young master certainly wouldn’t miss the chance to meet her.”

Murong Shushan laughed heartily. “Your young master is truly delusional!”

The others all chuckled quietly to themselves. Was meeting Miss Luoxue so easy? In three years, only a handful had seen her true face—each one a renowned prodigy of the Han Empire. Not to mention the others, but even Young Master Zhou Zitian of the Zhou family in Luocheng had been among them; he was a student of the Grand Profound Academy.

The Grand Profound Academy itself needed no introduction—it was the most prestigious institution in the empire, the dream of every scholar and practitioner.

With a new round of admissions approaching, talented youths from across the land had flocked here. Perhaps today, someone might finally solve Miss Luoxue’s challenge.

Dongmei, finding the proceedings dull, adjusted her loose robe and strode confidently to the seat of honor, where she sat down without ceremony.

She was here to see Miss Luoxue, after all. What did the affairs of the Nangong and Murong families matter to her? She called out, “Young Master, aren’t we here to see Miss Luoxue? Why are we just sitting around?”

Everyone stared in astonishment. Who was this young master, whose servant so brazenly claimed the seat of honor? All eyes turned to Zheng Fanren.

Murong Shushan nearly leapt to his feet, but his shrewd advisor quickly restrained him. “Let it be, Young Master Murong. His behavior will only bring him greater humiliation in the end.”

Murong Shushan bowed respectfully. “Sir, you are wise indeed. You’ll surely see them disgraced—and Nangong Mo as well!”

At that moment, a woman of lingering charm entered from the rear hall. She smiled gently but said nothing to rebuke Dongmei.

The entire hall fell silent. All eyes focused expectantly on the elegant figure.

“Thank you all for visiting the Luoxue Pavilion,” she announced. “We are honored by the presence of so many scholars and practitioners. Today is another riddle day; I hope someone will successfully meet the challenge.”

As the woman spoke, Dongmei grew ever more curious. What was so interesting about solving riddles? From her words, it seemed that passing the challenge would earn a meeting with Miss Luoxue.

She looked eagerly at Zheng Fanren, who was deep in thought. “Where is that Nangong Mo? Why hasn’t he arrived yet?”

Just then, the woman spread her hands, revealing a silk cloth embroidered with exquisite designs.

The colors were subtle and elegant, the embroidery masterful. There were pavilions and flowering trees, rock gardens and flowing streams. Fallen blossoms seemed to move, the water shimmered with life, and even the rock garden held the faint figures of several maidservants.

Suddenly, the maidservants in the embroidery began to frolic! The petals fell, and the stream began to flow—the entire scene was animated.

A chorus of astonished exclamations filled the pavilion. Many guests stood up, eager to see the marvel with their own eyes.

The woman was clearly pleased with their reaction. In a loud, clear voice, she announced, “Today’s challenge is a riddle. Who will try first?”

Zheng Fanren quickly stopped Dongmei. He still did not know Nangong Mo’s plan, so it was safest to wait.

He was happy enough to trade barbs and boast, but as for stepping into the spotlight with nothing to gain—better to leave that to the so-called great figures.

At that moment, a voice rang out from among the guests. “I’ll give it a try.”

A slender young man raised his hand, then, with an air of confidence, led his alluring maidservant toward the woman at the front.