066 Unexpected

According to the funds provided by Mr. Gu, Shen Tang procured each variety of wine. Almost instantaneously, the potent and domineering fragrance of the wine permeated the elegant chamber, arousing Mr. Gu's love for liquor. Without hesitation, he poured himself a cup, abandoning all other plans.

Despite Mr. Gu's sickly appearance, resembling one on the verge of departure from this world, he was indeed a fervent lover of alcohol.

"Exquisite wine!" he exclaimed after draining the cup, sparing no praise.

As he imbibed, a slight flush colored his pallid and ailing countenance, imbuing it with a newfound vitality. Yet even an unlearned person would recognize the folly of this action—illness ought to be tended to with care, not exacerbated by excessive drinking. Shen Tang wore her disapproval plainly on her face.

Mr. Gu, however, was adept at multitasking. While indulging in the wine, he remained vigilant of Shen Tang.

Observing the fleeting concern on her face and the murmurs emanating from within her, Mr. Gu couldn't help but feel intrigued. This Shen Lang was truly fascinating. Despite knowing that she harbored some unfavorable intentions towards him, he marveled at her lavish display of "kindness."

He had half-expected this intriguing Shen Lang to desire nothing more than his demise, given the fleeting glint of murderous intent she had directed at his neck earlier. Meeting Shen Tang's gaze squarely, Mr. Gu poured himself another generous cup. "Truly excellent wine!"

Shen Tang remarked, "Excessive drinking harms the body."

Mr. Gu countered, "Shen Lang, while 'excessive drinking harms the body' may hold true for ordinary individuals, for me, indulging in liquor is the key to longevity. The wine concocted through your linguistic mastery is no less than any renowned vintage. If I possessed such talent, it would save me a considerable sum spent on alcohol."

Shen Tang quipped, "..."

This line sounded eerily familiar. "Someone told me the same not long ago. Is this wine truly that exceptional?"

Mr. Gu expressed surprise, "You haven't tried it?"

Shen Tang replied, "I have, last night."

However, the events of last night were too harrowing. Unless she was alone, drinking posed a threat to the safety of others.

Unaware of the circumstances from the previous night, Mr. Gu assumed Shen Tang's young age and lack of appreciation for wine as he teased, "That's because you're still young and unfamiliar with the joys of wine. As you mature, you'll understand—wine is the finest elixir, capable of curing a myriad of ailments."

Shen Tang remained expressionless, internally certain that wine could not cure all ills—Mr. Gu's consumption of an entire cask of Lanling wine without curing his own ailment served as proof of his deception.

Oh, how she wished Mr. Gu could hear the foul language she was hurling his way through the "people's hearts are separated by their skins" linguistic art. What a missed opportunity!

Mr. Gu remarked, "..."

Shen Tang silently counted the number of wine jars.

After a while, she completed her tasks.

"The wine is ready. Please enjoy at your leisure, Mr. Gu."

As Shen Tang made to leave, Mr. Gu unexpectedly set down his cup. "Shen Lang, are you truly Shen Lang?"

"If not, would I be 'Mr. Gu' instead?" Shen Tang retorted.

"I harbor doubts about that. It's not that I distrust Gong Yunchi's words, but rather, I place greater faith in what my eyes see and ears hear! Regardless of how one looks at it, Shen Lang's appearance is too coincidental. What is your purpose? What is your identity? And what is the reason behind redeeming Chu Yao? What can a man whose literary aspirations have been ruined offer you?"

Suppressing the furrow forming on her brow, Shen Tang's tone turned particularly hostile.

"What does that have to do with you? I'm just a humble liquor vendor trying to make ends meet. If you have the time to dwell on me, Mr. Gu, you might as well tend to your own affairs. The Western Desert Sunset Map? Hmph, from the Northern Desert? Concealing such information within a painting... compared to me, Mr. Gu's intentions are much more intriguing. Are you trying to muddy the waters, or perhaps stir up trouble?"

Both spoke with measured tones, their voices scarcely rising.

Yet, the atmosphere in the chamber grew palpably tense.

"Master, the musicians are here," a soft, mellifluous voice from outside broke the tense atmosphere.

"Please, come in. Shen Lang, you may as well stay and enjoy the performance," Mr. Gu's tone inexplicably softened.

Shen Tang's expression soured. "I have no interest in such diversions."

"Are you disinterested in women, then? Or perhaps, in men?" Mr. Gu quipped.

"Yes, such as the one called 'Weng Zhi,'" Shen Tang retorted.

She vaguely sensed that Mr. Gu and the servant had an extraordinary relationship; they were either master and disciple, or perhaps something else entirely. That "servant" was likely not an ordinary one, given their complex history. How else could they refer to each other as "old friends," even after the former young noble Gong Cheng had fallen into destitution?

Her deliberate choice of words in Mr. Gu's presence was a provocation, a challenge, meant to incite anger or disgust in Mr. Gu.

Yet, Mr. Gu's reaction was unexpected.

"Weng Zhi is not quite suitable," he remarked solemnly.

Shen Tang retorted, "..."

Mr. Gu continued earnestly, "If you fancy, we can arrange for someone else. However, Shen Lang, at your tender age, you shouldn't indulge in such matters."

Shen Tang remained silent.

As Shen Tang was about to decline, the wooden door to the chamber swung open.

Seated outside were a troupe of musicians, all around thirty years of age. While not considered youthful in the entertainment district, their skill was unparalleled, captivating audiences with every performance. The literati of Xiaocheng often frequented such events.

In addition to the musicians, there was also a new addition—a dancer.

Today, she was to perform atop the flower drum.

This dancer's appearance was not extraordinary, but in the Lyric Pavilion, she was not among the best. Her most notable feature was the absence of one ear.

Shen Tang observed the dancer.

The dancer gazed at Mr. Gu.

Mr. Gu looked at Shen Tang.

Their silent exchange persisted until the dancer emitted a strange cry, her previously gentle and graceful demeanor giving way to madness as she charged toward Shen Tang. Shen Tang sneered, delivering a swift kick to the dancer's shoulder, sending her sliding across the floor.

Feigning surprise, Mr. Gu remarked, "This dancer is new..."

Shen Tang cut him off icily.

"Not only is she new, but she's also one of the women exiled by the Gong family! Mr. Gu, you sit here, enjoying the spectacle of a woman exiled by the Gong family dancing. If your constitution permits, perhaps you might find rejuvenation. I must ask—does Gong Yunchi have no objections to this?"

At some point, she had acquired a dragon-patterned longsword.

The gleaming blade reflected Shen Tang's expression at this moment.

Cold, solemn, bloodthirsty.

Perhaps even she was unaware of this side of herself.

Mr. Gu replied, "Gong Yunchi naturally has no objections."

Shen Tang retorted, "..."

Her sarcastic tone hinted at her frustration with Mr. Gu's consistently unexpected responses. It felt like punching cotton.

Shen Tang sneered, "Is he truly indifferent, or is he simply unaware?"

"Unaware. Even if he were aware, I imagine it wouldn't concern him. After all—" Mr. Gu paused, prolonging his words. Even as Shen Tang's sword seemed poised to strike his throat, he remained unruffled, calmly delivering the next line, "she is the principal wife of the Shen family's dowry."

Shen Tang muttered, "Damn!"

Mind-reading was a literary technique of "Mr. Gu's," activated passively (meaning constant consumption of literary energy, leaving him perennially depleted, unable to fully replenish his energy, forcing him to constantly listen to others' thoughts), rendering conventional linguistic arts ineffective against it. Thanks to this ability, his physical health had always been poor, relying on medication and alcohol for pain relief.