Seven days later, Suzhou.
He Hansheng arrived at Qianchun Fang based on the information provided by Shen Suining.
Everyone entering Qianchun Fang, whether guests or servants, wore a wooden pass at their waist. Those without one were considered outsiders and would be driven out. Since Qianchun Fang consisted of five courtyards and four halls, each pass granted access to specific areas, with corresponding differences in price.
The shopkeeper explained, “The passes here are made of wood, carved with flowers representing different seasons. These floral designs grant entry to the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Halls. Others are painted with the four divine beasts, symbolizing the four courtyards in different directions. The central courtyard is accessible to all. Apart from the central courtyard, guests may enter up to two additional areas. The passes serve only as entry permits with no usage limits. First-time purchases require registration. If you wish to access other areas later, you may exchange your old pass for a new one. All expenses within the venues must be covered by the guests themselves.”
Uncertain of which venue Song Sanniang was in, He Hansheng asked the shopkeeper, “Which pass grants access to all areas?”
The shopkeeper hesitated briefly before retrieving two jade passes from a cabinet behind him. “These two jade pixiu passes are the only ones in all of Qianchun Fang that grant access everywhere. Naturally, they come at a higher price. Each pixiu pass costs thirty taels of silver, while the most expensive wooden pass is only two taels. If this is your first visit and you’d like to look around, I can arrange for someone to give you a tour before you decide.”
“No need. We’ll take two jade passes.” He Hansheng glanced at Jiang Yuchu, signaling him to pay.
In a nearby pavilion across from Qianchun Fang, Shen Suining, already in disguise, peered through a telescope at the entrance, grinding her teeth in frustration.
A moment later, Shen Fengyu climbed onto the pavilion and handed Shen Suining a bundle from her embrace, along with two wooden passes. “Here, Sister Miao worked through the night to have these delivered. They’re convincing enough to pass as real.”
Shen Suining remained motionless. Shen Fengyu followed her gaze for a while. “What are you looking at?”
“That bastard who deceived me,” Shen Suining hissed through clenched teeth.
“Have they gone in?”
“Yes.” Shen Suining set down the telescope, snatched the passes, and leaped from the pavilion, flying straight toward Qianchun Fang.
Shen Fengyu hurried after her. “Hey! Wait for me!”
Both disguised as men and with passes in hand, they entered without issue.
Once inside, Shen Suining instructed Shen Fengyu, “Go find out Sheng Qingge’s whereabouts. Don’t alert anyone.”
Shen Fengyu nodded. “Then be careful—”
Before she could finish, Shen Suining had already vanished.
Shen Fengyu: “…”
Meanwhile, Jiang Yuchu, following behind He Hansheng, lowered his voice to ask, “Young master, when the shopkeeper registered us, he used a different ledger. Do you think…?”
Even though they had used false names, Jiang Yuchu found it suspicious, especially since the jade passes hung conspicuously at their waists, making them stand out.
Moreover, the passing servants and maids were unusually enthusiastic toward them. They had barely entered when several venue attendants tried to pull them in.
Such conspicuousness made it impossible to proceed discreetly.
He Hansheng pressed his lips together and advised, “Find Song Sanniang’s location quickly, then exchange the passes.”
“Understood.”
As soon as Jiang Yuchu turned around, he collided head-on with a servant hurrying along with his head down.
The servant, holding a pot of scalding tea, accidentally spilled it all over Jiang Yuchu, who yelped in pain and frantically patted the scalded areas.
“My fault! My fault! Let me escort the honored guest to change clothes!”
Seeing the servant trembling on his knees, Jiang Yuchu couldn’t bring himself to make a fuss and simply said, “No need. Just be more careful next time.”
Witnessing the scene, He Hansheng stared at the servant’s retreating figure, sensing something amiss. The next moment, he heard Jiang Yuchu exclaim in alarm, “Young master, my jade token is gone!”
He Hansheng instantly understood and said gravely, “After him!”
After stealing the token, Shen Suining quickly melted into the crowd. Her mastery of disguise was so exceptional that once she blended in, no one could possibly locate her.
Jiang Yuchu, having lost his token, was soon expelled from Qianchun Fang.
As a result, He Hansheng’s movements became even more difficult. As the only person inside still wearing a jade token, countless eyes were fixed on him.
Shen Suining was quite pleased with the outcome.
She tucked away the jade token and entered the underground gambling den in the South Garden using her own wooden pass.
The gambling hall wasn’t overly crowded but was far livelier than outside. Shen Suining searched around until she spotted Song Sanniang in a corner, shaking a dice cup for a customer.
Song Sanniang was dressed entirely in black, a red cord tied around her waist with a wooden pass dangling from it. A gilded half-mask covered her right eye. Even without a clear view of her face, her demeanor alone suggested she was a woman of captivating charm.
The more Shen Suining looked, the more she felt her depiction of Song Sanniang had captured her essence—she was almost entirely clad in black.
Shen Suining approached Song Sanniang, who continued shaking the dice cup without turning her head. Only when the cup was firmly placed on the table did she finally speak, “Ah, Hall Master Shen.”
Shen Suining made no attempt to hide her identity. “Sharp eyes as always, Sanniang.”
Outside, Shen Suining and Shen Fengyu shared the identity of Hall Master of Bifeng Hall. They rarely acted together and never revealed their true faces, so few knew they were actually two different people.
“Hall Master Shen carries such a distinguished aura—even with a thousand different faces, you’d stand out in any crowd,” Song Sanniang chuckled. “One glance is all it takes to recognize you.”
“Save the pleasantries, Sanniang. When it comes to presence, who could possibly rival you?”
As they exchanged compliments, a round of gambling concluded. Song Sanniang overturned the dice cup on the table and turned to Shen Suining. “I know why you’ve come to see me. Out of respect for the past ties between Qianchun Fang and Shuyu Villa, I advise you, Hall Master Shen, not to wade into these troubled waters.”
“And if I insist?” Shen Suining met her gaze without flinching.
After a moment of tense silence, Song Sanniang picked up the dice cup and shook it again, smiling. “Then it depends on your skills, Hall Master Shen.”
“I’ve never lost on the gambling floor,” Shen Suining declared, stepping back and reaching for the chips.
Song Sanniang slid the dice cup across the table and moved the chip tray away. “Trying to take chips without paying?”
Shen Suining laughed in exasperation. “With the rapport between us, you’re talking about money?”
“Even brothers settle accounts clearly. Besides, with Hall Master Shen’s notorious reputation, I’m wary you might do something to strain our friendship,” Song Sanniang said, carrying the chip tray to the side. “I have to protect myself.”
Shen Suining: “…”
Seeing right through her, Song Sanniang raised an eyebrow. “What? Is Hall Master Shen a bit short on funds lately?”
Exposed, Shen Suining seemed to have been struck at her core, her tone growing impatient. “Let me gamble a couple of rounds first, and I’ll naturally have the money to pay you.”
“No, Qianchun Parlor has rules—clear pricing, no credit,” Song Sanniang flatly refused. “Better come back with the money, Hall Master Shen.”
…
When Shen Suining found He Hansheng, she discovered he wasn’t living as “miserably” as she had imagined.
On the contrary, as a major patron holding a jade waist token, the servants at Qianchun Parlor bowed and scraped before him, fawning obsequiously. At the moment, He Hansheng was lounging on a bamboo chair in the Feixian Pavilion of the central garden, with three servants massaging his shoulders and legs, and two others bustling about serving tea and water. He looked utterly content.
As Shen Suining entered, a servant inside impatiently shooed her away. “Hurry up, get out! The guest is resting.”
He Hansheng had a book covering his face, looking completely at ease. He only lifted his head when he heard the noise.
As the book slowly slid down, He Hansheng revealed half his face, eyeing Shen Suining—dressed as a servant—with a faint, mocking smile.
Then, He Hansheng took a silver ingot from his sleeve and said, “You all go attend to other matters. Let this new one serve me.”
The servants immediately complied: “Yes, yes, of course. Young Master, just call if you need anything.”
Shen Suining was fuming.
After the servants left, He Hansheng leaned back, adjusting into a more comfortable position. “Come, massage my shoulders.”
Massage? Massage your head!
Shen Suining sneered as she stepped forward, grabbing He Hansheng’s arm to pull him up.
Unexpectedly, He Hansheng had been prepared and didn’t budge an inch.
“What are you doing?” He Hansheng asked knowingly. “Bullying the customer just because the shop is big?”
Shen Suining took a deep breath and tossed Jiang Yuchu’s jade waist token to He Hansheng, effectively revealing her identity.
Her face stern, she said, “Are you still looking for Sheng Qingge or not? Get up now!”
As she spoke, she tugged at him again, but this time not only did He Hansheng remain unmoved, she nearly stumbled herself.
He Hansheng lay there calmly, covering his face with the book, and patted his shoulder, signaling to Shen Suining.
Shen Suining was about to throw a punch when she reconsidered—she had let anger cloud her judgment.
She just needed some money; she didn’t necessarily have to take him along.
Instantly seeing reason, Shen Suining switched attitudes, obediently stepping forward to knead He Hansheng’s shoulders.
The man’s shoulders were broad and solid. As she kneaded, Shen Suining’s gaze gradually drifted toward the money pouch at He Hansheng’s waist.
“Harder.”
He Hansheng’s voice snapped Shen Suining’s attention back. Gritting her teeth in frustration, she secretly imagined He Hansheng as a lump of dough, kneading with all her strength.
“Is this enough?”
He Hansheng hummed in approval, satisfied. “This is good. When you’ve paid, you ought to enjoy it properly.”
Shen Suining rolled her eyes wildly at him.
Seizing the moment as she switched hands, Shen Suining discreetly slipped a sedative into her sleeve. The drug was colorless and odorless; anyone inhaling it would be sounder asleep than a log within a quarter of an hour.
He Hansheng was highly alert. Without drugging him, Shen Suining stood no chance of getting her hands on his money pouch.
A quarter of an hour later, He Hansheng’s breathing gradually evened out. Shen Suining stopped her massage and tentatively called out, “Hey?”
He Hansheng didn’t respond. Shen Suining removed the book from his face, waved a hand in front of his eyes, and even gave his ear a hard pinch. Seeing he still showed no reaction, she finally felt at ease.
“You bastard, how dare you make me serve you,” Shen Suining grew angrier the more she thought about it, viciously pinching He Hansheng’s face. “If not for your passable looks, I’d have chopped you up and fed you to the dogs!”
After venting her anger, Shen Suining didn’t forget her main task and reached to untie the money pouch at He Hansheng’s waist.
After struggling with it for a long time, the knot only seemed to grow tighter. Her patience wearing thin, she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, “You bastard, tying a few measly coins so tightly.”
Just then, He Hansheng, who had been knocked out by the drug, suddenly raised his hand and grabbed hers. Startled, Shen Suining stumbled and fell heavily into his embrace.
“You’ve taken every advantage, and now you’re cursing me too? That’s not very nice, is it?”
Author’s note: