Night had fallen over the Cangluo Continent.
Within the Xuanyue Empire, in Qinghe Prefecture, Lin’an City remained lively despite the late hour. Red lanterns hung beneath the eaves of wooden buildings, illuminating the streets with a warm glow. Vendors were beginning to pack up their stalls, while the melodies of traditional instruments and cheerful laughter drifted from the entertainment houses lining the streets.
The streets were still crowded with people returning home after a long day, while others had only just begun their evening entertainment. Horse-drawn carriages passed along the main roads, their wheels clattering against the stone pavement. The aroma of freshly prepared food lingered in the air, mixing with the fragrance of wine that escaped from nearby establishments.
Among the entertainment houses stood a well-known establishment called the Spring Blossom Pavilion.
Its exterior was decorated with red lanterns and colorful silk curtains. Beautiful women stood near the entrance, welcoming passing guests with practiced smiles and gentle invitations. From inside, the sounds of laughter, music, and lively conversations filled the night.
On the second floor, inside one of its private rooms, a handsome young man sat comfortably on a couch, enjoying the company of three beautiful women.
His name was Shen Yanzhou, the young master of the Shen Family.
He was fifteen years old, with a handsome face, a well-defined jaw, and a straight nose. His clear black eyes carried an air of intelligence, though there was also a mischievous glint in them that made it difficult to take him seriously. His long black hair was loosely tied with a jade hairpin, while several strands fell across his forehead. He had a lean build and an upright posture, and even his casual movements carried the ease of someone who had grown up in a prominent family.
His black robes were slightly disheveled, with his collar loose and his belt no longer fastened as neatly as before. He looked entirely comfortable, as though spending his evening at an entertainment house were the most natural thing in the world.
Two women sat on either side of him, each holding one of his arms. Meanwhile, the third woman embraced him from behind, smiling as she leaned closer.
“Ah, Young Master Shen,” one of the women said with a teasing smile. “What a pity that you're about to get married. After that, we won't be able to spend time with you like this anymore.”
“That's right!” another woman chimed in, gently tugging at his sleeve. “We'll miss you terribly. Who knows when we'll get another chance to see you?”
The third woman rested her chin near Shen Yanzhou's head and giggled.
“Especially your iron rod, Young Master. We'll miss it terribly.”
The three women burst into laughter, exchanging playful glances as they waited for his response.
Shen Yanzhou merely smiled and raised an eyebrow. He seemed completely unbothered by their teasing.
“This young master's iron rod is meant for all beautiful women. Do you really think one woman will be enough for me?”
His shameless reply only made the women laugh harder.
“Then aren't you worried that Miss Chang might find out?” one of them asked after calming down. “After all, Chang-xiaojie is a respected young lady from the Chang Family. I've heard that she's very disciplined when it comes to martial arts training.”
The woman paused briefly before continuing.
“If she discovers you're here, won't you be in trouble? The engagement between your two families has already been arranged, after all.”
At the mention of Chang Shiyue, Shen Yanzhou let out a long sigh.
“Don't bring up that engagement. Chang Shiyue is certainly a fine young lady, but she's far too serious about everything. Whenever we meet, all she talks about is training and martial arts. This isn't allowed, that isn't allowed. Wouldn't it be exhausting to live like that every day?”
He shook his head as though he were facing an incredibly difficult problem.
Shen Yanzhou understood that Chang Shiyue was no ordinary girl. As the daughter of the Chang Family, she had her own standing and reputation to uphold. She was also his officially recognized fiancée, and their engagement connected two prominent cultivation families.
Unfortunately, none of that changed his opinion that she took life far too seriously.
To him, there were countless interesting things in the world. There were delicious foods to taste, beautiful scenery to admire, and, of course, beautiful women to meet. Why spend every waking moment training when life offered so many other pleasures?
He had never understood why anyone would willingly make their own life so exhausting.
“Forget about all that for tonight,” he said, waving a hand dismissively. “There's no point worrying about tomorrow when we can enjoy ourselves today. Come on, let's continue having fun!”
The three women laughed again, and one of them playfully tapped his arm.
“You really are something else, Young Master Shen.”
“Of course,” he replied proudly. “A man must know how to enjoy life.”
For Shen Yanzhou, that was a perfectly reasonable philosophy.
Unfortunately, his father did not share the same opinion.
Just as Shen Yanzhou was about to continue enjoying his evening, a loud crash suddenly shook the room.
BANG!
The door to the private room was flung open.
“SHEN YANZHOU!”
An angry voice thundered throughout the room.
The three women immediately turned toward the doorway, their smiles fading as they saw the furious figure standing there.
Shen Yanzhou's smile also froze.
Standing in the doorway was a middle-aged man dressed in dark blue robes. He had a sturdy build and broad shoulders, while strands of gray streaked his black hair at the temples. His sharp eyes were fixed on Shen Yanzhou, and his expression made his fury unmistakable. Even without raising his voice again, his presence was enough to make the atmosphere in the room tense.
The man was none other than Shen Yanzhou's father.
For a moment, neither father nor son spoke.
Then his father strode into the room, his gaze sweeping over the three women before settling on Shen Yanzhou's disheveled robes.
“Your engagement to the daughter of the Chang Family has already been arranged!” he roared. “Chang Shiyue is a respected young lady from our allied family, yet you dare to come to a place like this to fool around?!”
Shen Yanzhou blinked several times.
He glanced at his father, then briefly looked down at his own clothes as though checking whether there was anything particularly wrong with them.
Finally, he looked back up and replied with an innocent expression.
“Father, if you already know what I'm doing, why are you still asking?”
The room fell silent.
The three women stared at him, momentarily speechless. Even they had not expected him to answer his furious father so casually.
His father's face immediately darkened.
“You insolent brat!”
He strode forward, grabbed Shen Yanzhou by the ear, and pulled him to his feet.
“Ow! Ow! Father, let go! That hurts!”
“Hurts? Just wait until we get home. I'll show you what real pain feels like!”
“Father, please! I'm still young! I haven't even had the chance to properly enjoy life!”
“Silence!”
His father tightened his grip and dragged him toward the door.
“Wait, Father! At least let me put my robes in order!”
“There's no need!”
“But I haven't even said goodbye!”
“Do you want me to drag you all the way home upside down?”
Shen Yanzhou immediately shut his mouth.
His father continued dragging him out of the private room and into the corridor, ignoring every protest that escaped his son's mouth. The servants and guests they passed along the way hurriedly moved aside, pretending not to notice the scene.
Behind them, the three women exchanged glances before covering their mouths and laughing softly.
“Poor Young Master Shen.”
“Looks like he's really going to be in trouble tonight.”
Their laughter gradually faded as the father and son disappeared down the stairs.
Meanwhile, Shen Yanzhou continued to struggle as his father dragged him toward the entrance. He had come to the Spring Blossom Pavilion hoping to enjoy a peaceful evening, only to have his plans ruined in the most humiliating way possible.
He glanced at the night sky beyond the entrance and sighed inwardly.
This world is truly unfair to a gentleman as pure-hearted as me!