Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The moment Quan Songcheng's voice fell silent on the other side of the door, Doctor Zhang paled.

Wen Yu did not speak, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Why such a murderous expression?" Quan Songcheng said with feigned concern. "No one's forcing you to sing. I, Lord Quan, wouldn't want to get a reputation for being unreasonable once I leave the Zhai Xian Lou."

Then, Quan Songcheng clapped his hands. Immediately, a subordinate emerged from an adjacent room carrying a silver wine pot engraved with flying feathers, steam curling from its spout. "If you won't sing, that's fine too. As long as Young Master Wen is willing to drink this entire pot of freshly boiled wine in one go... I'll still let you go!"

Autumn had arrived in the capital, bringing a biting frost. To warm themselves and refresh their spirits, some nobles and merchants had gradually developed the custom of drinking heated wine. However, boiled wine was usually prepared by servants in a separate room, allowing its mellow aroma to slowly permeate the corridors until it reached a suitable temperature before being presented for tasting.

But freshly boiled wine was essentially a pot of scalding water. Pouring it down would ruin one's throat.

What a despicable method!!

The doctor beside them turned ashen. He had treated patients like this before, mostly pitiful children tormented by nobles and officials. A whole pot of boiling water poured down the throat; the most fatal consequence wasn't being scalded to death, but the damage to the esophagus, the 'house of grains,' leaving the patient unable to eat and ultimately starving to death.

There was basically no saving them.

This was forcing Wen Yu to choose between his mother's life and his own!

The common people had long heard of the wicked ways of these military officers. They had too many methods to torment others. It was sheer bullying!

Of course, if Wen Yu set aside his dignity, picked up the actor's headdress, and changed into opera costume, he might lose his moral backbone, but at least he could preserve his life...

The doctor slowly lowered his head, unable to bear watching any longer.

After all, faced with such a difficult choice, weighing the pros and cons and preserving oneself was only human nature.

Wen Yu gripped his sword hilt, his gaze sweeping over Quan Songcheng's throat.

There were nine subordinates in the room. The boiling wine could scald the three men nearest him if thrown. The rest... would have to be dealt with by the Jade Spirit Sword at his waist.

When Doctor Zhang looked up again, what he saw was Wen Yu choosing the pot of scalding wine without the slightest hesitation!

"Such backbone." Quan Songcheng, unaware of any anomaly, showed only slight surprise before praising him. "Truly worthy of being the Top Scholar personally selected by the late Emperor, with such unyielding pride..."

"No, you mustn't!" Doctor Zhang took a step forward, interrupting Quan Songcheng. The blade pressed against his neck drew blood, but the old man ignored the pain, his voice trembling as he cried out, "Wen Sheng! Your mother is counting on you to pass the imperial exams and achieve greatness! How can you let yourself be destroyed in such an absurd place..."

"Silence!"

...

As soon as the words fell, a thunderous crash suddenly came from the private room's door!

The window lattices shook slightly, dust swirling and rising into the air. The floor trembled as if someone had kicked the door of the Carved Flower Pavilion open from the outside!!

Startled by the commotion, everyone's hearts lurched. They instinctively turned to look, and through the billowing dust, a figure gradually became visible.

An unexpected guest.

Who in the world was so bold!?

The newcomer's face was unclear, but he exuded an air of noble elegance. His peach-blossom eyes were exceptionally bright, captivating. From this angle, one could barely make out a line of elegant, small characters on the golden folding fan he held: "Top the Golden List, Succeed at Once."

...

Absurd!

What in the blazes was going on?!

The sudden change caught everyone off guard. The leading subordinate was the first to react, frowning as he asked, "Who goes there?!"

"A nobody." The newcomer held the fan, his face not fully visible, resembling a mysterious guest. He merely smiled. "I've come to beg a cup of wine from Lord Quan."

The people in the room collectively let out a breath of relief.

What now?

He looked like a young master of sixteen or seventeen. His fan even had auspicious words for scholars taking exams. Truly an audacious rookie, daring to barge alone into the Carved Flower Pavilion, kick the door open, and not even have a single guard with him?

In this era, there were strict boundaries between merchants, nobles, officials, and commoners. One's status and position could be roughly gauged at a glance by assessing clothing, fabric, and patterns.

Looking closely, this young master's attire was quite ordinary. He wasn't wearing bright colors like crimson or dark blue-green. The fabric didn't seem to be fine silk or gauze. The patterns were just flowers and birds...

Only the fan covering his face looked luxurious. So, that fleeting impression of noble elegance from before was probably an illusion. If he were truly from a prominent family, why would he be so low-key coming to an opera house? He must be the son of some wealthy merchant.

Where did this reckless little ruffian come from?

Quan Songcheng, however, remained silent, staring intently at the uninvited guest's eyes, then slowly letting his gaze slide down to the hand holding the golden fan.

"Let this young master in." He signaled for them to stop, then added, "Close the door."

"..."

The subordinates were momentarily stunned. Exchanging glances, they understood Lord Quan's meaning and revealed malicious smiles.

This kind of aloof, noble, naive, fearless, and spirited young master was like a lamb straying into a wolf's den. The Lord hadn't tasted this type before.

As the mysterious guest entered and the subordinate nearest the door was about to close it, someone suddenly grabbed the doorframe with a deathly tight grip.

Boss Yu, his face swollen and red, poked his head in, startling the man who let out a yelp. Afraid of disturbing Lord Quan's mood, the subordinate leaned out to block the door, keeping the manager outside, and cursed in a low voice, "Old Yu? You dare show your face here again? Haven't you had enough of our beating?"

Boss Yu's face was swollen from slaps, his lips numb. He was so anxious his words were slurred. "Sir, that young master who just went in... let him out quickly."

"Can't you understand human speech?" the subordinate scolded. "Get lost. Don't make me slap you again."

"You mustn't!!" Boss Yu said urgently. "That is someone you absolutely must not touch!"

"Who is there that we cannot touch?" The man sneered. "Judging by his attire, he's at best the son of a wealthy merchant. Being noticed by the Lord is an honor for him, and—"

Boss Yu, his speech garbled from swelling, insisted, "He's in disguise because he's afraid his father will find out...!"

"What are you shouting about? You can't even speak clearly. The Lord is inside. Are you deliberately looking for trouble?" The subordinate grabbed Boss Yu's collar, raising his hand to strike. "Old Yu, it seems you don't want this opera house anymore!"

-

"Didn't you come to borrow wine?"

"I have plenty here." Quan Songcheng chuckled lowly, his voice hoarse. "You can drink however you like."

The flickering candlelight in the Carved Flower Pavilion illuminated the mysterious guest's side, alternating between light and shadow. "Good."

...

Wen Yu frowned slightly.

This absurd farce continued.

Wen Yu knew this journey back to the capital would be exceptionally difficult. His father killed, his family exiled, he had traversed thousands of miles of mountains and roads with his gravely ill mother, returning to the nightmarish capital, all to save the life of his only remaining family.

He thought, even with lofty aspirations, once trapped in this mire, there was no way to emerge unscathed. Even if it meant killing every military officer in this room and risking his life, he had to bring the physician safely back to his mother’s side.

The steam from the heated wine blurred his vision, as if all clarity was gone for good.

Suddenly, within his line of sight.

A beautiful hand slid past his wrist, fingers pale as white jade with distinct knuckles brushed against his palm, taking the boiling wine pot from his grasp.

That person took the pot of hot wine and strode straight toward Lord Quan.

The next second, with a sizzling splash.

The scalding wine was poured entirely onto Quan Songcheng’s crotch.

On the main seat, white steam billowed, mist swirling, and even the sound of fabric shrinking rapidly from the heat could be heard, setting one’s teeth on edge.

Outside the pavilion, Boss Yu was frantic, refusing to let go, pleading desperately: "My lord, listen to this old man’s advice—that is someone you absolutely must not provoke! That’s the Young Marquis of the Luo family…!"

Before he could finish, a howl of agony and shock suddenly erupted from the carved pavilion.

The scream was deafening, piercingly shrill, so shocking that even the performers downstairs fell silent.

The guests too fell silent.

Inside Zhaixian Tower,

all fell silent.

...

"The court-appointed top scholar can’t cure your ailment, but Physician Luo has a folk remedy."

Beneath the folding fan, the Young Marquis lowered his gaze, seemingly seething, gritting his teeth with a light laugh: "Still swelling up on you?"