Chapter 78: 76 Prologue Part 2

The pure sound of a zither continuously echoed throughout the garden party.

With the apt music and fitting atmosphere, some smitten young people began discreetly exchanging tokens via their attendants and servants.

A poetic response or a comment on a flute melody could potentially foster a romantic connection.

Zhang Rongfang stood in a corner, observing the increasingly lively crowd at the party.

For a moment, he seemed like an outsider, indifferent to everything.

“Excuse me, are you Young Master Zhang Ying?”

Suddenly, a gentle female voice sounded from the side.

Zhang Rongfang glanced over, and the speaker was a woman in a broad red gown.

The red gown was embroidered with peacocks, white birds, and mandarin ducks in gold thread, making it very splendid.

Her long hair draped over her shoulders, simply tied with a hair ribbon. But the ribbon was intricately designed with gold, silver, jade, and kingfisher embellishments.

The woman was alluring, her eyes like rippling water, truly a rare beauty.

“Apologies, I am merely here at a friend’s invitation and am not interested in the garden party.”

Zhang Rongfang declined simply.

“Though you are indifferent, Young Master Li kept recommending you to us, honestly, it was rather annoying,” the woman smiled.

“Could you kindly speak to Young Master Li and ask him not to bother the sisters of the Yao Yuan Book Club with this matter anymore? Two of our sisters are quite troubled by it and have vainly refused multiple times.”

“Um…” Zhang Rongfang felt a bit awkward; he hadn’t expected Li Huoyun would go this far concerning his personal affairs.

“I’m sorry, it was intrusive of us. I will speak to Huo Yun about it later. My apologies.”

He sincerely apologized.

The woman nodded in satisfaction.

“It seems Young Master Zhang is not as insensible as others have said and does understand some propriety.”

She chuckled.

“In that case, I shall offer you an opportunity—soon there will be an activity to snatch red flowers; Young Master can join our book club’s faction.

If Young Master Zhang performs well and helps our sisters snatch enough red flowers, our book club might help introduce you to some sisters.”

Yao Yuan Book Club, Zhang Rongfang had heard of this name.

It was composed of noble ladies and young women in Tan Yang City, and typically engaged in activities like flower viewing, book appreciation, and music critique.

Even someone like Li Huoyun, among them, was only considered of middle rank.

Yet, despite the woman’s seemingly polite words,

her tone was actually condescending.

Zhang Rongfang chuckled inwardly.

The young ladies of the Yao Yuan Book Club, each is either wealthy or noble. For an average person, marrying any one of them could save years of toil and instantly elevate them to Tan Yang’s upper echelons, enjoying the support of countless people.

The protectors among these people, might include those ranked as high as Third Grade or above.

Thus someone like him, merely a Third Grade martial officer, was indeed insignificant in their eyes.

“I am accustomed to leisure. Thank you for your kind offer, Miss, but I’ll pass on the activity.” Zhang Rongfang wasn’t interested in wasting time with these young ladies.

Given his current composite power standings at Seventh Grade, he had no need to engage with these people.

The woman narrowed her almond-shaped eyes slightly upon hearing this, appraising him.

She had seen countless men going to lengths, desperately trying to connect with the sisters in the book club.

She had also seen those who played hard to get, employing tactics to pique their interest.

And she had seen men feeling inferior, refusing to step forward when given several chances, willingly remaining ordinary.

Who then was this person before her? To which type did he belong?

The dossier of Zhang Ying rapidly flashed through her mind.

Zhang Ying, a Northern People, age twenty-five, just stepped into Martial Arts Third Grade.

His position was formalized through connections with the Li family, essentially starting from Ninth Grade.

Following normal development, this person entering Third Grade at twenty-five, might at most reach Fourth Grade as an endpoint, considering a three-grade promotion every three years.

Martial artists typically see a decline in Qi and Blood after the age of thirty, unable to sustain breakthroughs.

Fourth Grade… counts as a senior protector.

In factions and sects, concentrated in martial arts, Fourth Grade only serves as mid-tier.

The woman sighed inwardly.

Such a person’s future life is foreseeable at a glance, clearly aware of the limits, not presuming to pair with women of higher stature.

“I understand Young Master Zhang’s sentiments.”

“Thank you, Miss, for understanding.” Zhang Rongfang smiled.

The woman promptly refrained from further words, turned around, and left with two maids.

Only then did Zhang Rongfang realize, the conversation between him and the woman had drawn the attention of several eyes around them.

“Wow, Brother Zhang, you’re really something!” Li Huoyun suddenly popped out from nowhere, his expression exaggeratedly admiring.

“What do you mean? Is that woman very formidable?” Zhang Rongfang asked with a smile.

“Formidable is an understatement…” Li Huoyun shrank his head, “You know our Tan Yang’s highest martial authority is Lord Lin Qixiao of Households. Then you also ought to know there’s someone even higher, a big figure in entirety of Tan Yang, right?”

“You mean…” Zhang Rongfang immediately guessed something.

“That’s right, it’s the Governor Lord Sun!” Li Huoyun clicked his tongue, “Just now that lady’s name is Sun Chaoyue, and she is the governor’s treasured daughter.

This one was born a martial arts prodigy, nurtured by esteemed teachers and resources, advancing without any detours, ranked upon entering at eighteen, reaching Fourth Grade at twenty-two. Do you say she’s formidable or not!?”

“Twenty-two years old at Fourth Grade….” Zhang Rongfang’s complexion shifted with astonishment, “Certainly formidable….”

After ranking entry, her grade almost ascended on an annual basis, if it continued at this rate, she might reach Ninth Grade by thirty….

Another future Households leader!

Unstoppable and unbeatable.

Zhang Rongfang felt he should steer clear of such distinguished figures.

At merely Third Grade, he wouldn’t withstand against them.

Moreover, the governor was Spirit Race, if Sun Chaoyue genuinely entered Ninth Grade, her future status might soar even higher.

Of course, martial arts aren’t as simple as they sound.

To reach Ninth Grade requires talent and also depends on one’s insight.

Many skilled individuals stall at Sixth Grade due to insufficient insight. Or finding martial arts not compatible with their talents.

This is why many experts exchange their children to other schools.

Like someone naturally slow and thick-skinned, inheriting agile martial arts, isn’t that self-inflict misery?

“And so, Sister Sun Chaoyue dominated all of Tan Yang City more than Lin Qixiao in her prime. Sister Lin Qixiao at most bullied ordinary classes. While this one, nine out of ten people are beneath her across Tan Yang.”

Li Huoyun said helplessly.

“To be ashamed, this Young Master’s childhood was often bullied and beaten by her. Now when I see her coming from afar, there’s a shadow in my heart.”

“So targeted?” Zhang Rongfang was speechless.

“Not really, when we were kids, we all got hit by her, not just me.” Li Huoyun shook his head.

Zhang Rongfang had nothing to say.

After chatting for a while, Li Huoyun was called away by others. Before leaving, he repeatedly urged Zhang Rongfang to be proactive.

Unfortunately, this guy was destined to be disappointed.

Time slowly passed, and finally, the one-and-a-half-hour garden party slowly ended.

The participants left in their own carriages.

Some left hurriedly on foot, with their heads down, the clear social hierarchy made Zhang Rongfang feel sentimental as he exited.

Suddenly, his eyes swept across and noticed a woman in a black dress talking to a man who had just left the garden.

The man was facing Zhang Rongfang, his expression forced to be calm, but the cold sweat on his forehead and his flickering eyes already showed his panic.

This is what caused Zhang Rongfang to notice the two.

Soon, the man fled in panic, hurriedly boarded a carriage, and disappeared into the flow of vehicles.

Zhang Rongfang withdrew his gaze.

“What? Looking at the eldest daughter of Xu Tongzhi’s family.” Li Huoyun slapped him on the shoulder from behind.

“Just looking around.” Zhang Rongfang smiled.

“That’s good, about the Xu family… uh, how to say, the person is a bit off.” Li Huoyun pointed at his head.

“Got it.” Zhang Rongfang nodded.

“It’s good to understand. Their eldest daughter is named Xu Miaotong, reportedly sent out to study from an early age. After returning, she became a bit mentally odd, often asking people strange questions.

I’ve also been asked once.” Li Huoyun said helplessly.

“Really?”

Zhang Rongfang looked again at the woman in the black dress, but she was already gone.

The garden party ended without results. He didn’t hitch a ride with Li Huoyun’s carriage and instead walked home on his own.

Walking through half the city, approaching the Ministry of Justice.

He saw the woman in the black dress again in front of the public bath at his doorstep.

The hem of her dress had velvet rims as soft as coral, with little silver shimmering on her chest and waist, seemingly mixed with silver threads.

The dress’s length just covered her thighs, but both legs were clad in long gray leather boots, which were practically pants.

Even her arms were adorned with thin black silk gloves, extending to her shoulders.

This attire is generally seen only on certain foreign missionaries among the Huxi people.

But the skin exposed at her neck was pale as jade.

As if noticing his gaze, the woman turned and looked over.

Before Zhang Rongfang could dodge, she strode towards him directly.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

The woman’s first words upon approaching made Zhang Rongfang slightly tense.

“Miss Xu?” He paused, greeting her politely.

Yet his heart was alert.

He was just slightly distracted momentarily, and the other party had silently approached within three meters.

Such speed seemed normal, but it was clearly unusual.

“You know me? I also know you, Zhang Ying, the friend brought by Li Huoyun.” Xu Miaotong said calmly.

Honestly, her looks were not beautiful, just ordinary, and her figure wasn’t graceful, merely commonplace.

But her demeanor had an inexplicable tranquility.

Before speaking, she herself seemed like a stagnant pool.

“They say you’re third grade, but I don’t think so.” Xu Miaotong continued.

“Haha… Miss Xu, don’t say things randomly. I really am just third grade, just recently broke through to this level.” Zhang Rongfang’s heart skipped, but his face remained unchanged.

“As for Miss Xu, that body technique just now is hidden quite deep.”

To have approached unnoticed and suddenly so close, this technique, if not fifth grade, is at least fourth grade.

A government family’s young lady, reportedly only in her early twenties, already with such technique….

The two fell silent for a moment.

“May I ask why Miss Xu is looking for me?”

Zhang Rongfang spoke first. He did not believe she had come here by accident.

“I didn’t believe it before coming, but now seeing you, I believe it too.” Xu Miaotong said lightly.

“According to the rules, I’m giving you this.”

She raised her hand, threw out a round purple jade pendant.

Zhang Rongfang raised his hand to catch it, of course through his sleeve.

He took it for a look.

The pendant was carved into a lifelike wing.

A golden letter was sculpted in the center.

“You’ve been chosen, Zhang Ying.”

Xu Miaotong continued.

“This Feather Talisman can save your life at critical moments. When you desperately need help, take it to Cloud Mist Residence for assistance.”

“What do you mean?”

Zhang Rongfang was puzzled. Looking at the pendant, its material was evidently not ordinary fare.

“Something has happened at Qinghe Palace. The Seven Counties uprising has begun internal turmoil. Sea Dragon and Red Dog King sent people to Hua Xin and discovered some clues. Your affairs may be exposed anytime.” Xu Miaotong continued.

“So, it’s for your life-saving.”

“What….!!?” Zhang Rongfang’s heart tightened. The other party actually knew even this.

“Don’t worry, your identity was handled through the route your master Zhang Xuan took initially with us. No one else will know.”

“…Who are you people?” Zhang Rongfang’s mind flashed with various guesses. They knew too much, perhaps related to Master Zhang Xuan?

“We are the Golden Wing Pavilion.” Xu Miaotong replied softly.

“We’ve received news that Qinghe Palace is currently in chaos, I suggest you best hurry back now.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep