Strings of Ji Xian

Two streets away is Wenchangfang.

Shen Xiaoxiao stopped in front of a three-courtyard house and took out a key from her waist.

Gu Qingxuan and Qingluo followed closely behind, looking up and observing. The courtyard had blue brick walls, a black lacquered gate, and a pair of bronze door knockers on the lintel. The whole residence exuded a sense of refined elegance.

Gu Qingxuan asked, "How much will this cost?"

Shen Xiaoxiao pushed open the door, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Don't worry, you can afford it."

She stepped over the threshold and said as she walked, "Wenchangfang is only two streets away from Zhenfusi, just a short walk away. It's also close to the East Market, making daily shopping very convenient. At night, the Jinwu Guards take turns patrolling, and most of the neighbors are officials. Even if you go to the yamen, you can leave Qingluo at home without worrying about bandits."

Gu Qingxuan nodded and led Qingluo inside.

Entering through the main gate, passing the screen wall, and going through the front hall into the central courtyard, there are five main rooms and three rooms each in the east and west wing rooms.

Finally, in the backyard, there was even a small lotus pond in the courtyard.

The door to the main room was ajar.

Shen Xiaoxiao reached out and pushed the door open. The room was fully furnished, with tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets.

Gu Qingxuan looked around and nodded secretly: "This house is very well-maintained and elegant. Is your friend a young woman?"

Shen Xiaoxiao nodded: "The monthly rent is four taels of silver. If you think it's suitable, I'll have the deed written for you tomorrow. The previous owner just moved out not long ago, so all the furniture is ready. You can move in tonight."

For four taels of silver, renting a three-courtyard house in this area is considered a great bargain.

According to the current market conditions in the Eastern Capital, even the smallest residences near government offices would cost five or six taels of silver per month or more.

Gu Qingxuan asked, "Qingluo, what do you think?"

Qingluo was taken aback, somewhat flattered. She instinctively wanted to say "servant," but then remembered that Gu Qingxuan didn't like her referring to herself that way, so she lowered her head and whispered, "I...I'll listen to Young Master."

Gu Qingxuan stroked his chin: "Actually, it's a bit big, but it's quiet and close to the government office, so let's take this one. We'll sign the contract tomorrow and write the IOU at the same time."

Shen Xiaoxiao laughed and said, "No need. Anyway, you're under my command now. Do you think I'm afraid you'll run away?"

She handed over the keys and the thousand taels of silver: "Get some rest, we have important business to attend to tomorrow."

Gu Qingxuan took it and casually said, "Is this the case that Commander Wu mentioned...?"

Shen Xiaoxiao nodded and glanced at him: "This matter is also related to you."

Gu Qingxuan was quite surprised: "Me? What's the connection?"

Shen Xiaoxiao said, "This case concerns Yu Zhongqian. He has already been imprisoned in the Imperial Prison."

Yu Zhongqian.

Gu Dingyuan's most trusted confidant!

Gu Qingxuan was taken aback, his mind racing—when he rushed out of the Marquis's mansion tonight, he had thought that this former subordinate might be tired of cleaning up the messes of a good-for-nothing, which was why he stood by and did nothing. But what if he was not unwilling to come, but simply unable to?

"Could it be... that there's another reason why he hasn't shown up lately?"

Gu Qingxuan blurted out, speaking rapidly: "Is it Xie Tinghe or Huo Zhengming? Huo Zhengming wouldn't dare to plot against the Commander of the Imperial Guard, so it must be that bitch Xie Tinghe! With He Juncheng acting as her go-between, she has enough manpower and connections to set up a scheme... No wonder Liu Qiang acted that way tonight, was it framing her? Or premeditated murder?"

He paused for a moment after saying this.

Just a moment ago, my thoughts seemed to be pushed by something, automatically piecing together in my mind. My head felt like it had been chewing mint, with a refreshing coolness emanating from the inside out!

He was secretly alarmed. This must also be the effect of the Heavenly Heart Lotus Seed, purifying the mind and preventing the arising of distracting thoughts.

So this is what it feels like to think about a problem without being disturbed!

Shen Xiaoxiao was also somewhat surprised. She had only mentioned a name, yet Gu Qingxuan had pushed the entire clue to this point in an instant. His keen insight was truly astonishing.

She nodded: "This matter is a bit strange. It seems that he was arrested first, which is why Xie Tinghe and Huo Zhengming dared to target you. This case is quite complicated and cannot be explained in a short time. I will tell you the details after I report to the yamen tomorrow."

Gu Qingxuan wasn't in a hurry. The two saw her off and said goodbye to each other.

Shen Xiaoxiao watched the door close, frowned, and walked to the right.

The scenes from tonight kept replaying in his mind—Gu Qingxuan seeing through the seal on the Heavenly Secrets Silk at a glance, breaking the Heavenly Secrets Token in a few breaths, using his first-level Acquired cultivation to block Duan Beilou's Mind-Controlling Technique, and just now pushing the plot behind the scenes from the word "Yu Zhongqian"...

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that this person was a complete mystery.

How did that cowardly coward in the rumors become like this overnight?

With something on her mind, she slowed her pace and unknowingly walked to the next room.

Just as I was about to take out my keys, a lazy female voice suddenly rang in my ears.

"I miss men."

Shen Xiaoxiao was startled. She looked up and saw that the door in front of her was open a crack. A woman in a light blue dress was leaning against the door with her arms crossed, looking at her with a wicked smile.

The woman was extremely tall. Shen Xiaoxiao was already considered tall and slender among women, but she was half a head taller than Shen Xiaoxiao. She wore a long, narrow-sleeved blue silk dress, her long hair was casually tied into a side bun, and she wore a long jade hairpin. Her features were exquisite, and the corners of her lips were slightly upturned, as if she were smiling but not smiling.

She was clearly saying something mean and silly, yet she maintained a dignified and composed demeanor.

Shen Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes: "It's so late, you're still not asleep?"

"How could I have seen Commander Shen bringing a man into my house in the middle of the night if I was asleep?"

Ji Xuan gestured with his chin toward her back: "I just moved out, and you've already found someone? Tell me! Was this all planned?"

"Grow your head, my foot!"

Shen Xiaoxiao laughed and scolded, pushing away the woman's face as she leaned in, and slipped inside: "Why aren't you in your secluded chamber meditating on your treasure? What are you doing out here? If people see Ji Xian, the former top courtesan of Ningxiang Garden and one of the four great courtesans of Dongdu, appearing in my house, I'm afraid I'll be blocked at the door again!"

Ji Xian said helplessly, "It finally calmed down a bit, so I came out for some fresh air... Who is it that you're so concerned about? Helping it settle down in the middle of the night? Our Commander Shen never gives you the time of day~"

Shen Xiaoxiao ignored her teasing, remained silent for a moment, and then briefly recounted what had happened that night.

Ji Xian listened with admiration, then laughed, "An interesting person. He must have had some extraordinary experiences, but clearly, his zither is much more obedient than mine. I'm so envious; I'm almost driven crazy by 'Duyou'!"

In the end, Ji Xuan looked distressed and sighed repeatedly.

Shen Xiaoxiao felt deeply sympathetic, but there was nothing she could do, so she could only shake her hand.

Three months ago, with Shen Xiaoxiao's help, Ji Xuan redeemed himself and went to Laojun Mountain to relax and have fun.

Whether it was good or bad luck, they unexpectedly gained the recognition of the celestial treasure [Duyou Qin], which was sleeping in the mountains.

That zither is incredibly powerful; it can control one's qi, stealing souls and causing the heavens and earth to tremble in shock!

[Duyouqin] She doesn't need to find a way to obtain the method of control through "Xiangbao". When she recognizes the master, she and the zither are already in sync, and she will naturally know how to play it.

The problem is that Du Youqin is not satisfied with her level of musical skill. She often plays music on her own without playing, and because she and her instrument are connected, the strings of her instrument move, and her heartstrings move in response, which disturbs her peace of mind.

He could only stagnate and practice diligently, trying to find a way to satisfy that zither as soon as possible.

Therefore, she specifically sought out Shen Xiaoxiao to borrow her soundproof room to practice the piano, and also asked her to help rent out the house she was planning to live in, since she had just spent a large sum of money to redeem herself and didn't have much left, and leaving it empty would be a waste...

Shen Xiaoxiao glanced at her: "Why don't you ask him to take a look? Maybe Du You's unusual behavior is hiding some other reason? It's perfect timing to sign the contract tomorrow..."

"never mind."

Ji Xian shook his head and chuckled: "If he's a romantic and talented scholar, then I might as well meet him. But if he's a martial artist, then forget it. I'll have to trouble the beautiful Xiao Xiao. It's good to be supervised by the zither, after all, what you learn is your own."

Shen Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at her: "All you do is avoid being idle."

Ji Xuan deliberately exclaimed "Ouch!" and pressed his head, saying, "No, no, they're rushing me again. I have to go back!"

After saying that, she lifted her skirt and ran away.

Shen Xiaoxiao shook her head helplessly.

On the other side, Qingluo chose the first room on the left, preparing to rest. Gu Qingxuan sat cross-legged on the bed, closing his eyes and circulating his internal energy.

This was his first real Qi cultivation experience in this world.

After being tempered by the Dragon Elephant Pill, one undergoes a complete transformation. The originally weak and sluggish meridians are now unobstructed, and the internal energy flows freely and exhilaratingly!

Even more miraculous was the change brought about by the Heavenly Heart Lotus Seed. When ordinary people meditate, their minds are always distracted and it is difficult to enter a state of deep concentration. But at this moment, he was free from those distracting noises, his mind was clear, his spirit was highly focused, and the operation of each cycle of the body was as clear as a picture.

"This is what cultivation should be like!"

Gu Qingxuan muttered something and, following the family's secret technique, "Ice Heart Manual," guided his Qi back to his dantian and circulated it through his meridians.

Half an hour later, as strange sounds emanated from within the body, the acupoints were opened.

A warm current surged from the dantian, flowing through the meridians for a complete cycle, leaving the limbs and bones feeling as if they had been washed by warm water, resulting in a completely comfortable sensation.

The day after tomorrow, the second floor!

Gu Qingxuan opened his eyes, quite satisfied. Looking at his hands, he thought, "My cultivation speed is already pretty fast. As long as I can get some more Qi-refining and body-tempering pills, I can quickly increase my strength!"

"Buying pills requires money... There are illicit activities in the Zhenfu Division's case handling, rewards for promotions, and there are also appraisal fees for the [Shan Hai Xuan Jian] treasure... No rush, take your time."

He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind involuntarily replaying the scene of Jiang Nihuang dancing with her sword under the moon: "Those thighs are quite beautiful... ugh! Those thighs are quite reliable. This time I secretly learned her 'Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations,' and also unintentionally obtained her 'Heavenly Heart Lotus Seed.' I have to help her out. Xuanjian said this thing is for suppressing the inner demons that arise from cultivating the 'Purple Star Returning to Origin Method,' I have to think of how to help her avoid it..."

Just then, a very subtle and beautiful piano melody suddenly came to my ears.

Gu Qingxuan closed his eyes and gradually fell asleep, muttering to himself, "Who's so inconsiderate, playing the zither in the middle of the night... The playing is quite good, but the piece is too old..."