Han Chen, upon hearing Feng Jin Yue’s words, responded directly: “Oh? I dare not claim to be worthy of your guidance. It is I who should seek guidance from Miss Feng’s zither skills. The Drunken Immortal Pavilion receives numerous guests daily. While I cannot claim omniscience, our information network is quite extensive. What would Miss Feng like to ask me?”
“You flatter me, Deputy Tower Master. As a mere woman, why would I need to know about matters beyond my sphere?” Feng Jin Yue replied softly.
“Then, what did Miss Feng wish to inquire about?” Han Chen asked, thinking to himself: If you were truly like all other noble ladies from prominent families, would that person care so deeply about you?
Feng Jin Yue spoke unhurriedly: “The Immortal’s Intoxication from Drunken Immortal Pavilion is truly remarkable. While I am not particularly fond of alcohol, I do appreciate fine tea. The water used for brewing tea must be carefully selected. If my observations are correct, the water used to brew this Immortal’s Intoxication must be of the highest quality. May I ask from which spring this water originates? And would it be possible for me to obtain some?”
She carefully observed the changes in Han Chen’s expression. Clearly, this touched upon the secrets of Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Immediately, she added: “Of course, I would not take the water without compensation. I am willing to exchange something of equal value to the Immortal’s Intoxication. If that is not possible, then forget I asked. I was merely curious and would not insist on something that causes difficulty.”
Han Chen maintained his smiling expression and responded: “While I am indeed the Deputy Tower Master of Drunken Immortal Pavilion, if Miss Feng desires the Immortal’s Intoxication, I would be happy to offer you several more jars. However, permission to obtain the water used for brewing is not within my authority to grant. Naturally, since Miss Feng has made the request, regardless of feasibility, I will provide you with an answer as soon as possible.”
“Then I shall trouble you with this matter.”
“The upcoming auction is about to begin, so I must take my leave now.” Han Chen instructed the attendants to serve them well before departing from the Private Room.
After Han Chen left, Feng Lingze said to Feng Jin Yue with a smile: “It’s been some time since I last heard my younger sister play a piece. Your zither skills have improved again. I’ve also benefited from your connection to taste the rarely available Immortal’s Intoxication. However, were you truly only thinking of using that brewing water for tea when you inquired about it?”
“The better the water, the better the effect when used for brewing tea. Otherwise, what would Second Brother think I want the water for?”
“True enough. It’s just water – it can’t be used for much else anyway.”
At that moment, a maid approached Feng Lingze and Feng Jin Yue and bowed. “Second Young Master Feng, Miss Feng, the auction is about to begin. Please proceed to the seventh floor.” As she spoke, the maid presented a token to Feng Jin Yue. “Miss Feng, the Deputy Tower Master instructed me to bring this to you.”
Feng Jin Yue took it in her hand. “What is this?”
“The token has a gold surface – it is the Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s Gold Guest Token. The Pavilion issues Distinguished Guest Tokens in three types: iron, silver, and gold, corresponding to discounts of ten percent, twenty percent, and thirty percent respectively. These discounts also apply to auction items. Only guests holding Distinguished Guest Tokens may participate in auctions. Guests holding gold and silver tokens may bring two and one companion respectively.”
After listening to the maid’s explanation, Feng Jin Yue directly handed the Gold Guest Token to her second brother.
“Why are you giving it to me, younger sister? I already have a Silver Guest Token.”
“Isn’t this one better? I don’t come here often anyway. If Second Brother doesn’t want it, I’ll take it back for Father.”
“I want it! Who said I didn’t want it?” Feng Lingze quickly took it from his younger sister’s hand and tucked it into his sleeve. “Thank you, younger sister. Your second brother will gladly accept it.”
The two siblings followed the maid toward the seventh floor.
Feng Lingze noticed the continuous stream of gazes around them, all converging on his younger sister. It seemed her complete performance had not only drawn admiration from the Deputy Tower Master of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion but also captivated many others. Yet, judging by his sister’s indifferent expression, she clearly paid no mind to the attention.
Feng Jin Yue had no interest in concerning herself with such matters. Her thoughts were preoccupied with the water source for brewing the Immortal’s Intoxication, hoping Han Chen would provide the answer she sought.
Meanwhile, on the seventh floor, in a secluded room.
The person currently in the room was none other than Han Chen, the Deputy Tower Master of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, while seated in the main position before him was another individual.
“I must admit, your future consort is truly dazzling. Her music possesses a startling brilliance—even those with no understanding of melody can be drawn into the world of her composition. I doubt there is anyone in the entire Tianquan who can reach her level.”
Han Chen casually took a seat in a nearby chair, grinning as he spoke. “Not to mention, her beauty surpasses that of a painted immortal. It’s been said that a single smile from a beauty is worth a thousand gold, and indeed, a thousand gold seems too little.”
“Did she smile at you?”
“Of course! She even praised me as a handsome young man. Do you think if I showed my true appearance, she’d compliment me even more?”
“You seem quite eager to hear her praise you!”
“…” Those simple words made Han Chen feel an overwhelming chill. The situation was turning dangerous, and he knew it was time to make a swift exit. “The auction is about to begin. I need to oversee it, so I’ll take my leave now. Also, your consort wants the water for brewing Immortal’s Intoxication. Think it over and remember to give her a response.”
With that, Han Chen dashed off in a flash. Liu Ying and Liu Shang, standing by Qi Bei Han’s side, were inwardly flustered. That unreliable Han Chen and his careless remarks had left them trembling with anxiety.
As Han Chen exited Qi Bei Han’s room, he happened to run into Feng Lingze and Feng Jin Yue, who were coming upstairs.
The maid leading the way bowed and said, “Deputy Tower Master, I have brought these two esteemed guests here to rest for a while.”
“Mm, good.” Han Chen pondered for a moment before suggesting, “How about Miss Feng uses this room? The person inside happens to be an acquaintance of yours.”
With those words, Han Chen pushed open the door he had just closed. “Miss Feng, you know him, right?”
As the door opened, Feng Jin Yue immediately spotted the person inside—it was Qi Bei Han.
Just as Feng Jin Yue was about to refuse, Qi Bei Han’s voice rang out, “Come in.”
Feng Lingze sensed something amiss but reasoned that since the Regent King and his younger sister were legitimately engaged, there should be no issue with the Regent King inviting her. “Ahem, little sister, I won’t accompany you further. I’ll wait outside for you.”
Inside, Liu Shang and Liu Ying exchanged a glance before stepping to the doorway and respectfully addressing Feng Jin Yue, “Miss Feng, please come in.”
Feng Jin Yue entered, and the door was closed behind her by Qi Bei Han’s two attendants. However, the two did not follow her in but instead withdrew.
Outside, Liu Ying and Liu Shang shot Han Chen a fierce glare, but he ignored them and walked away. Feng Lingze also declined the maid’s offer to escort him to another room, opting to wait right outside.
Inside, Feng Jin Yue walked up to Qi Bei Han. She had her suspicions. “Even the Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s auction can draw the Regent King’s presence?”
“Come, sit. Have you forgotten what I said to you earlier today?”
Without another word, Feng Jin Yue took a seat in the chair to Qi Bei Han’s right.
“Tonight’s performance at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion truly amazed everyone.”
“Just casually playing a tune,” Feng Jin Yue said offhandedly, but as she looked at Qi Bei Han, he seemed somewhat displeased?
“The Deputy Tower Master of Drunken Immortal Pavilion, Han Chen—you think he’s quite good?”
Feng Jin Yue didn’t understand the implication. “He’s a polite and proper person, passable, I suppose.”
“Just passable? You praised him for being handsome and even smiled at him!”
“How does Your Highness know that?” Feng Jin Yue blurted out.
Wait, Feng Jin Yue pondered carefully—Qi Bei Han’s tone… Could it be that Qi Bei Han is jealous?