Chapter 70: Secrets

“Go find two people to keep an eye on those three. If they make any move, let me know at once.” Qian Zhiyao’s expression was a touch cold and elegant as she gave a quiet order to a servant before turning to leave.

Meanwhile, Feng Yewu and her companions ascended to the second floor. The handrails were made of ancient sandalwood, and clusters of grapes and other fruits hung here and there, ripe for the picking wherever one walked. A few steps farther, fine wine cascaded from above, lending the place an air of effortless leisure and pleasure.

“This proprietor’s name is truly odd. She has such refined looks, yet her name is so plain—Qian Zhiyao, Qian Zhiyao. Isn’t it just ‘only cares about money’?” Lu Jue muttered the name twice under his breath, finding it increasingly amusing and shaking his head at the thought.

“What, do you find the proprietor more intriguing than her name?” Feng Yewu’s tone was cool, her slight smile tinged with mockery.

“Er… no, not at all.” Lu Jue hurriedly waved his hands in denial, his expression turning serious at Feng Yewu’s question.

“Then how did you know about this place?” At Feng Yewu’s inquiry, Lu Jue hesitated, then gave an awkward laugh and began to explain.

“I stumbled upon it while investigating the Penglai Pavilion before. Oh, and it was Brother Zheng who brought me in at the time.” As he finished, Lu Jue quickly pulled over Zheng Tianlan, who could only respond with a wry smile, using him as a shield.

“Enough fooling around—we have more pressing matters!” Feng Yewu cast a stern glance at the exasperated Zheng Tianlan and spoke in a low voice.

Their foremost concern now was to find leverage against the Prince of Huainan.

“Just now, Zhou Yangfeng went into the innermost room. Why don’t we try the one next door?” Feng Yewu frowned and was about to press forward.

But Lu Jue and Zheng Tianlan hesitated. After all, this was a house of pleasure. If Zhou Yangfeng was engaged in any shameful act and Feng Yewu witnessed it, wouldn’t that be mortifying?

As the two wavered, a coarse voice suddenly rang out, accompanied by a tremor underfoot.

“Out of the way! Move, you fools!” A hulking brute of a man strode up the stairs.

“A Tidi tribesman?” Feng Yewu was startled. With war raging in the north, all of Ye’s dynasty was at odds with the Tidi people.

For a Tidi tribesman to appear in the heart of the capital at this moment could only bode ill. The three immediately stepped aside to let the giant pass, and once he was gone, they spoke up.

“Why is there a Tidi tribesman here? Does this mean the mastermind behind all this is not from Ye?” There was an undercurrent of anger in Feng Yewu’s voice. The Tidi had always been savage and arrogant. Not only in the capital—Feng Yewu would not tolerate their presence anywhere in Ye’s lands.

“This music house has long been a neutral ground. Eastern Yi, Southern Barbarians, even the Tidi—anyone of status can enter,” Zheng Tianlan explained, understanding Feng Yewu’s unspoken thoughts.

“Hmph! All of Ye is my domain, and the capital is the very heart—my own doorstep! To have such brazen Tidi tribesmen here is intolerable!” In her anger, Feng Yewu even forgot to veil her self-reference.

“Your Majesty, not now!” Lu Jue pulled Feng Yewu back urgently, warning her to be cautious.

Just then, the three watched as the massive Tidi tribesman entered Zhou Yangfeng’s room. Their eyes immediately lit up.

“Your Majesty, here’s our chance!” Lu Jue smiled, glancing at Feng Yewu and Zheng Tianlan.

The Prince of Huainan might be untouchable, but his son was another matter entirely.

The three moved to the side of Zhou Yangfeng’s room. Zheng Tianlan discreetly dealt with the servant guarding the door, and they slipped inside. Yet none of them noticed another pair of eyes watching from behind.

“You summoned me here—aren’t you afraid your Ye’s empress will find out?” The Tidi tribesman’s voice was thunderous, rumbling through the room.

At the mention of the “empress,” a trace of anger flickered in Feng Yewu’s heart, though her expression remained composed. Meanwhile, Lu Jue and Zheng Tianlan struggled not to laugh.

It wasn’t that the rooms here lacked soundproofing—the Tidi tribesman’s voice was simply too loud.

On the other side, Zhou Yangfeng replied, “This music house has stood since the previous dynasty. You have nothing to fear. I can’t vouch for other places, but here, no one would dare lay a finger on you.”

“Hmph, you people of Ye are too cunning. I don’t trust you, nor do I care to. Did you bring what I asked for?” The Tidi’s challenge made Feng Yewu’s eyes narrow in suspicion. Clearly, Zhou Yangfeng was trading with the Tidi.

“Rest assured, I keep my word. Here is the latest map of the northern military. I hope you will also keep your promise?” Zhou Yangfeng’s words answered the trio’s doubts, though what the Tidi offered in return remained unclear.

“We Tidi value our promises above all. Give us the map, and when the city falls, you will be granted a territory of your own. You’ll be our tribe’s greatest ally!” Hearing this, the three listening were appalled.

Zhou Yangfeng was plotting treason?

“I hear you’re a prince of Ye—why betray your own?” The Tidi’s question piqued the trio’s interest even further.

Zhou Yangfeng froze in surprise, not expecting the tribesman to know so much about him. Rising to his feet, his gaze grew fierce.

“Hmph, prince? My father is nothing but a drunken philanderer, lacking any ambition. I am among the heirs of the seven great lords. Feng Yewu was once a lord’s daughter herself—if she can do it, why can’t I?” Zhou Yangfeng had no idea these words were sealing his doom.

The three were about to listen further when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Startled, Lu Jue rushed to the door and asked.

“Sirs, our proprietor has instructed me to bring you some Hu tea,” came the servant’s reply. Lu Jue was about to decline, but the servant continued, “Our proprietor says this Hu tea is a token of goodwill, and she hopes you will continue to honor us with your patronage.”

Feng Yewu, hearing this, realized Qian Zhiyao was indeed shrewd. With just a few words, she made refusal impossible.

“Let them in,” Feng Yewu signaled Lu Jue with her eyes, then smiled and allowed the servant to enter.

“Give our thanks to your proprietor—you may leave.” She smiled as the servant set down the teapot.

“The proprietor instructed me to say that if you don’t care for this Hu tea, it can be replaced. This is our custom, as Young Master Zheng knows well.” Feng Yewu had been about to dismiss the servant, but was surprised by his persistence, and glanced at Zheng Tianlan.

Zheng Tianlan offered a slight, helpless smile and explained, “Proprietor Qian keeps a record for every guest who has ever visited, noting each one’s tastes and preferences in great detail—even for those who have only come once.”

At this, Feng Yewu was secretly impressed. To conduct business with such meticulous care—perhaps only Qian Zhiyao could achieve such finesse.