Having escorted Sang Wen into the back garden, Fan Xian looked up and saw a scene of singing orioles and dancing swallows, emerald greens and vibrant reds, all harmoniously blended together. It was that time of year when late spring was giving way to early summer, a refreshing breeze carried whispers, and a crescent moon hung in the sky. Lanterns were strung beneath the ancient trees and around the artificial hills, their light mingling with the moonlight, creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. Within this misty glow, a dozen or so young women were chattering away. These maidens, with their gentle, clear eyes, were lightly dressed, some standing beneath the trees, others reclining on couches in various poses. Occasionally, glimpses of their fair skin shone through the sheer fabrics, and a delicate fragrance emanated from them, directly assaulting the senses.

Fan Xian was taken aback, a strange feeling creeping over him. Could he have stumbled into the Spider Cave? When had this magnificent garden become a brothel?

The girls continued their lively conversation, seemingly unaware of Fan Xian standing in the shadows. They were animatedly discussing the events of the day at the Bao Yue Brothel, reveling in the power of that single sword strike and the commissioner's imposing presence as he berated the officials in the street.

The main speaker was one of the two leading ladies of Bao Yue Brothel. Her audience was comprised of wide-eyed young women, their faces filled with curiosity and admiration.

Fan Xian whispered, "Weren't the girls from the brothel sent somewhere else?"

Sang Wen covered her mouth and giggled, explaining, "These are the girls from the garden."

Realization dawned on Fan Xian. He couldn't help but cast a few more glances at the women, sighing inwardly. They said that girls changed dramatically as they grew older, and these orphans and vagrant girls picked up by Si Si on the road, hadn't been in Suzhou for very long, but they had blossomed into such alluring figures. Though their eyes still held a hint of childish innocence and their youthfulness remained somewhat unrefined, there was an undeniable air of youthful vibrancy that was quite pleasing.

Especially since this back garden had always been off-limits to unrelated men. The maids were engrossed in listening to Liang Diandian recount the day's events, their interest piqued. As a result, their manners and postures were rather casual. Some were lying on the couches, playfully sticking out their small, rounded bottoms, while others were posing as refined ladies with fans in hand. The straight, slender lines of their legs, visible through the thin fabric, presented a variety of captivating, taut curves.

The Second Madam of the Eldest Prince, Ma Suosuo, was sitting on a chair, listening intently. Although she had witnessed the scene from afar during the day, Liang Diandian's fragrant little mouth made it sound even more thrilling. However, Liang Diandian herself hadn't personally witnessed the inner workings of the brothel, so her description of Fan Xian, especially her portrayal of his courage in the face of danger, was somewhat exaggerated. She had successfully created the image of a perfect young man that the Qing Kingdom should have been without.

The girls in the garden grew more eager and bashful, their hearts captivated by the commissioner, but they dared not speak their minds. Even Ma Suosuo, as she slightly tilted her head toward the pond, revealed a hint of unusual allure in her eyes.

Fan Xian swallowed hard, knowing that if he continued to watch, he would be making some significant mistakes in his life. Those young girls were still developing, but Little Sister-in-law and Liang Diandian were truly born to be alluring. Their eyebrows were like dark ink, their lips like vermillion, their eyes full of spirit, captivating those who gazed upon them. He couldn't look any further... He was about to clear his throat to remind everyone of his presence when he heard a girl in the garden say something that made him stop and quietly stand in the shadows.

Sang Wen looked at him with suspicion, unsure what had happened.

The little girl, no more than twelve or thirteen years old, asked innocently, her big eyes wide, "Sisters, why haven't we seen the Young Madam?"

Because of the current situation, Fan Xian and his entourage had been living in the Hua Garden for several months without moving to Hangzhou. During this time, Si Si had been taking care of these young girls in the garden. Naturally, they had long since learned the name and identity of their benefactor. Being able to become maids in the commissioner's household was something they considered very fortunate. However, so much time had passed without seeing the Young Madam, which they found rather strange.

Liang Diandian paused slightly upon hearing this, remaining silent. These young girls were unaware, but she, being from the capital, knew about the widely publicized marriage between Fan and Lin. The fact that Miss Lin was the Eldest Princess's illegitimate daughter had gradually transformed from a secret known only to the court's elite into a widespread rumor among the common people. Though not officially confirmed, few doubted its truth. And everyone knew that Master Fan and the Xinyang faction had long been irreconcilable enemies. This situation…

One of the girls spat and scolded, "We have no right to discuss the Master's affairs. If Sister Si Si hears you, you'll be in trouble!"

The first girl chuckled sheepishly, "Hehe, actually... Xi'er just wants to see what kind of celestial beauty could be worthy of the Young Master."

In their hearts, Fan Xian was, of course, the most superior of men. Naturally, they were curious about what kind of person Lin Wan'er was.

"I've heard that the Young Madam is also a virtuous and graceful lady," Liang Diandian suddenly said with a playful smile. "However, I've also heard that her appearance isn't particularly outstanding, perhaps not even as good as Si Si."

"That's true, few can match the Young Master…"

"Hehe, I really wonder about the future… Oh, right, isn't there another lady living in our garden? We just haven't seen her much, she keeps herself so high and mighty."

Liang Diandian gave a knowing smile and said, "I've heard... she's also a confidante of the Master. But unlike Si Si, who is an old-timer, she has no official status."

"Shut up!" The maid who vaguely knew Haitang's identity didn't want to scold Liang Diandian, so she grabbed the other girl and quickly berated her, "You really have a death wish! Why would such a noble person bother putting on airs for the likes of you, you good-for-nothing?"

…

…

Fan Xian couldn't listen any longer. He cleared his throat twice and stepped into the light.

The maids were startled and quickly stood up, composed themselves, and bowed respectfully to Fan Xian, saying softly, "Greetings, Young Master."

The etiquette in Hua Garden still followed the rules of the Kyoto residences.

Fan Xian shook his head at these young girls, thinking that if the gossip in his own home was already like this, he could only imagine how scandalous the rumors outside must be. However, he was a man of easygoing nature and didn't care what others thought of him. He said slowly, "It's late, go to sleep."

The maids stuck out their tongues, bowed again, and quickly tidied their clothes, quietly returning to their respective rooms.

Only Liang Diandian and Ma Suosuo were asked to stay behind by Fan Xian.

Fan Xian stared at Liang Diandian's face, which was naturally filled with charm amidst its beauty, for a long while without saying a word.

Liang Diandian felt a surge of joy in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she deliberately acted weak and timid, lowering her head slightly, displaying her most beautiful side.

Back in Kyoto, during the marriage between Fan and Lin, the common people rumored that Fan Xian was extremely fond of his sickly wife, which showed that this Master Fan was a man who valued relationships. Among all the young ladies, Fan Xian was the dream lover of many, and Liang Diandian, despite growing up on a pleasure boat, was no exception, although she had a bit more scheming and considerations that weren't so pleasant.

Liang Diandian was extremely confident in her appearance. She thought that if the Young Madam, who was far less beautiful than her, could receive Master Fan's affection, then this man must like to cherish people. So she deliberately put on this act, and since Master Fan hadn't let her entertain guests after the opening of the Bao Yue Brothel's Suzhou branch, he must have some feelings for her…

Feeling Fan Xian's unwavering gaze, Liang Diandian's joy grew stronger. She lowered her head shyly, not saying a word.

Standing behind Fan Xian, Sang Wen's lips curled into a sneering smile as she watched this scene.

Fan Xian suddenly spoke, "Everyone has the right to live a better life, so I don't dislike your thoughts."

Liang Diandian looked up in surprise, meeting Fan Xian's emotionless gaze. Only then did she realize that she had misunderstood his intentions, and her heart skipped a beat.

Fan Xian continued coldly, "However, I don't like it."

Liang Diandian felt ashamed and didn't dare to say anything.

"No one is born to serve others. If you don't want to work at Bao Yue Brothel, have Manager Sang change your registration to free status. Once you've earned back the money, you can leave the brothel." Fan Xian stared at her beautiful face and said, "Sang Wen, pack her luggage and find her another place to live."

Sang Wen was taken aback. She had never expected the Commissioner to be so unromantic, but she didn't dare say anything. She led the teary-eyed Liang Diandian into the house to pack.

At this point, only Fan Xian and Ma Suosuo remained in the garden.

Ma Suosuo suddenly spoke softly, "Master, should Suosuo also leave the residence, so as not to pollute the serenity of this garden?"

Fan Xian's lips twitched slightly, and he gave a bitter smile. Looking at the Hu princess's sea-blue eyes, straight nose, and deep, beautiful features, he said softly, "Stay. Don't say much, don't ask much. I like you very much. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll help you."

Ma Suosuo was slightly surprised and looked up at Fan Xian, seemingly not expecting that he would see through everything so clearly and even express such intentions. She said gratefully, "Thank you, Master."

Fan Xian said calmly, "You're welcome. I've always liked standing on ice to see the world."

————————————————————————

Back in his room, Si Si had already prepared hot water. After washing his face and soaking his feet in the hot water, Fan Xian sighed contentedly. Then he closed his eyes and began to use the method taught by Haitang, using tiny trickles to repair the meridians that had been injured by Ye Liuyun's sword energy that day. Since childhood, the methods he had practiced were different from those of ordinary people. The proper meditation process was as easy as dozing off for him.

He didn't know how long he had dozed, but when he slightly opened his eyes, he circulated his true energy throughout his body and found that he felt much better. He also noticed that the room was quiet, which felt somewhat unusual.

Looking to the side, he realized that Si Si had fallen asleep on the desk, probably because she had been worried for too long during the day and waited too long at night. The young lady was too tired.

Fan Xian smiled and didn't wake her up. He took a towel to dry the water from his feet, walked quietly behind her, and draped his robe over her, worried that she would catch a cold.

He stood behind Si Si for a while, looking at the strands of hair near the young lady's white nape, and sighed inexplicably. He remembered the days when he and Si Si were copying books in Danzhou. How relaxed and carefree they were then, with no external worries. There was only a bean-sized lamp, an inkstone, a worn brush, and a beautiful servant. The two of them sat side-by-side, copying *The Story of the Stone*. Though there were no commentaries in red ink, those delicate and beautiful characters were still truly fragrant.

He thought for a moment, then gently placed his right hand on Si Si's nape and rubbed it for her. He applied subtle true energy to a few acupoints, helping her to regulate her body and encouraging her to sleep soundly. Only then did he carefully pick her up, place her on the bed, pull up the thin blanket, and pat her cheek reassuringly before slipping on his shoes and leaving the room.

As he closed the door, he seemed to see a safe and content smile on Si Si's sleeping face.

…

…

Wearing a robe, slippers, and shrugging his shoulders, Fan Xian strolled through Hua Garden without caring about his image. He seemed to want to use the gentle night breeze to blow away the gloom in his heart. Though the Hua Garden, gifted by the salt merchant Yang Jimei, was beautiful, it couldn't cleanse his heart.

Too many things weighed on his mind. Fifth Bamboo wasn't by his side, Wan'er wasn't by his side. He truly had nowhere to confide, nowhere to discuss, nowhere to vent.

No one knew why he was acting so urgently and recklessly in Jiangnan, carrying out such a major reversal at all costs. Everyone, including his friends, his subordinates, his enemies, and his relatives... seemed to have a mistaken impression of Fan Xian.

And this impression was what angered Fan Xian the most.

Everyone assumed that Fan Xian could be ruthless when it came to power struggles, so they intentionally or unintentionally forgot the intricate connections between him and the Eldest Princess. They were only waiting to see how he would trample the Xinyang faction underfoot, but they didn't realize that Fan Xian not only wanted to trample them, but also wanted to do it beautifully.

Fan Xian had no affection for the Eldest Princess, but he was deeply in love with Wan'er, and Wan'er was, after all, the Eldest Princess's biological daughter.

Everyone had forgotten this point.

Everyone had deliberately forgotten this point.

Fan Xian was angry and gloomy, even though he had already made secret arrangements.

If one day the Eldest Princess truly died at his hands, what would happen to Wan'er?

…

…

Nowhere to confide, nowhere to confide.

Fan Xian couldn't stop.

On the officialdom, in the martial world, and even in Hua Garden, he couldn't stop. He strode past the quiet pond, walked through the deserted corridor, purely out of habit, following that familiar stone path, walking towards the quiet study at the far end of Hua Garden.

He looked up at the door and couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly. How did he end up here again?

In *A New Account of Tales of the World*, Wang Xianzhi lived in Shanyin and, missing Dai Andao, braved the snow and sailed through the night to visit him. At dawn, Wang arrived at Dai's door, but instead of knocking, he turned and left. The servant asked, and Wang said, "I came on a whim, and now that the whim is gone, why should I see Dai?"

Fan Xian didn't have that awkward scholarly demeanor, didn't like to play unspoken games, and didn't approve of Xu Shi and his companion's affected behavior. Since he had come, he understood that he had become accustomed to seeking her out for advice when faced with true inner turmoil, seeking a solution, or at least a way to calm his mind.

So he stepped up the stone steps and gently pushed open the moon gate.

The study wasn't bolted shut. For the past half year, she had been living in it, quietly, living alone in the secluded part of Hua Garden.

Haitang had already woken up when he reached the door. She had sat up in bed, wearing a floral shirt, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at him with a smile.

There were no lights in the study, only the faint moonlight shining through, but with their levels of cultivation, they could naturally see everything in the room, including the expressions on each other's faces.

The night was a bit chilly. Fan Xian rubbed his hands, turned around and closed the door, slipped on his slippers, walked to Haitang's bed, and impolitely lifted a corner of the silk quilt, climbed inside, and sat on the other end of the bed, facing Haitang across the bed.

The quilt was very warm, with no fragrance, only a clean and warm feeling.

Haitang looked at this rascal and said helplessly, "You should know that I'm still planning to get married in the future."

Fan Xian rubbed his feet against the cotton fabric on the bed, sighed comfortably, and was somewhat surprised and disappointed that he didn't touch Haitang's feet. It seemed that the girl on the opposite side was sitting cross-legged.

He said, "I'm the adulterer." Then he smiled and said, "You're the adulteress."

"Of course," he said with a smile. "That's what they're saying outside."

Haitang glared at him.

Fan Xian said, "There's just one thing that I can't accept even if I die. I may have been born slightly better looking than others, but I haven't used any sweet words or seductive gestures to lure you in any way. Why are you so determined to say that we're having an affair? Duoduo, I'm just not convinced. Now that I've already ruined my reputation, I'm not going to say I regret it, but since it's already like this, why don't we take it a step further..."

These words were so resentful.

Haitang only sighed, "This excerpt hasn't been published yet, but Si Si copied it and showed it to me a few days ago. It's what Qingwen said in the 77th chapter. Why are you using it to mock me? I'm not Master Bao, and you're not a pretty maid. Ye Liuyun hasn't injured you to the point of death. Don't act so miserable here, when I'm sure there is something you're furious about."

Fan Xian shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, not saying anything for a moment.

The bedroom that had been a study fell into silence.

"I don't like playing games with ambiguous intentions," Fan Xian said softly. "You probably don't understand what I mean, but I do enjoy talking with you."

Haitang's bright eyes shone in the darkness.

"But right now, we are definitely being ambiguous," Fan Xian said with a smile. "I originally wanted to vent my troubles, but I didn't expect that I would suddenly feel a desire to do something I shouldn't, and discover another source of trouble."

"Everyone will get married."

Fan Xian leaned back against the bed frame, closing his eyes slightly, and said, "But why do I feel so uncomfortable when I think about you marrying someone else in the future?"

The smile in Haitang's eyes gradually deepened, turning into a crescent moon, turning into a moon in the water, turning into strands of moonlight slowly leaking out of a bamboo basket. She gently pulled at the corner of the quilt with both hands, covering her chest, looked at Fan Xian's face, and slowly said, "Then... how about marrying you?"

(I enjoyed writing this chapter very much. Men will be men… I would like to thank classmate Se An for providing a youthful video. It's the last day of the month, and as usual, I'm asking for monthly votes. Rules are rules…)