"Brother Chen, my concern clouded my judgment. Youâre much more level-headed." Shen Qingyao was full of admiration.
This was indeed the case. The shock she had just experienced had left her in a state of panic; she couldnât see the forest for the trees.
Of course, it wasnât that she lacked intelligence, but rather that her experience in the Jianghu was still shallow and she hadnât been through enough.
But Chen Cheng was different. He had knocked around the City Guard Department for nearly two years, dealing with people from all walks of life. He was surrounded by constant crises where his life was often on the line, which had naturally made him more seasoned.
Only a Jianghu novice like her would do something as unprecedented as taking Chen Cheng to a brothel!
An unmarried maiden taking a man to a brothelâif word of this got out, it would probably send the entire Linji City into shock.
Shen Qingyao belatedly realized this problem. With an earnest gaze, she said, "Brother Chen, you must not speak of todayâs events to anyone. When you report to our superiors, just write that you entered this place alone and I was providing support from the outside."
"Alright," Chen Cheng replied with a slight nod.
In truth, Chen Cheng hadnât expected Le Wujiâs Civil Music to be performed in a place like this. He feared that from now on, Shen Qingyao would be clinging to him.
The bond between men is forged through shared hardshipâcarrying guns together, fighting in wars together, being classmates together... The feelings only grow deeper.
But thereâs no such thing as a purely platonic friendship between a man and a woman. After visiting a brothel together, if they donât end up as a couple, they might very well become mortal enemies.
âSince weâve had this experience that transcends friendship, I can only accept Shen Qingyao. Of course, thatâs assuming she wants to marry. After all, I promised Shen Qingshuang Iâd take a concubine from the Shen Family. I have to keep my word.â
âShen Qingyao has many flaws and isnât as perfect for me as Mu Xiaowan, but sheâs acceptable enough as a concubine. Itâs not too bad a deal.â
With their minds on different things, the two sat on the soft couch, staring at each other. After an unknown amount of time, Shen Qingyao asked:
"Brother Chen, what are you looking at me for?"
Chen Cheng retorted irritably, "Arenât you looking at me too? I figured you had something to say, so I was all ears."
"Oh, I have nothing to say," Shen Qingyao murmured. She had a thousand things she wanted to say, but for a moment, she didnât know where to begin.
Suddenly, out of the blue, Shen Qingyao asked, "By the way, have you slept with Xiaowan?"
Chen Cheng shot her a look. "Weâre husband and wife. Of course we sleep together. Do you think we sleep in separate beds?"
"Right." Shen Qingyao picked up the wine cup on the table before her, wanting to drink to hide her embarrassment, but then she thought better of it and put it down.
This was an investigation, after all. She couldnât just drink carelessly, especially not some unknown wine. Though she had little experience in the Jianghu, she at least understood such basic principles.
In reality, what she wanted to ask wasnât whether Chen Cheng and Mu Xiaowan slept together, but whether they had consummated their marriage.
To be honest, a large part of why she paid attention to Chen Cheng was because of Mu Xiaowan.
In her eyes, Mu Xiaowan had exceptional talent for the Martial Dao, possessed an unearthly, world-toppling beauty, and was exceedingly intelligent and understanding. Even though she came from a Humble Family, she was in no way inferior to her, the eldest young lady of the Shen Family.
It wouldnât be an exaggeration to call her heavenâs favored daughter. A person like that should naturally be married to a peerless genius as brilliant and dazzling as the sun, moon, and stars.
For a long time, Shen Qingyao had felt that Chen Cheng wasnât worthy of Mu Xiaowan.
But as she spent more time with Chen Cheng, she suddenly realized that the perpetually unassuming Chen Cheng might not be some mediocre, unremarkable talent.
She even had a faint feeling that this Chen Cheng was profound and inscrutableâtruly the most stunning young man she had ever met.
But how could that be possible? Chen Cheng was clearly from a Humble Family. And while his Martial Arts Power was decent, he was only at Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm. He shouldnât be giving her this kind of feeling.
Besides Mu Xiaowan, Shen Qingyaoâs focus on Chen Cheng also stemmed from Shen Qingshuang. From what she knew of Shen Qingshuang, she was as proud as a swan, looking down on all the men in the world and never giving them a second glance.
The only exception was Chen Cheng. She had even given her most beloved villa on Bailu Avenue to him.
Putting aside the factors of Mu Xiaowan and Shen Qingshuang, Shen Qingyao tried to look into her own heart and was surprised to discover a certain fact.
Now, whenever she wasnât Cultivating the Martial Dao, she would find herself unconsciously thinking of Chen Cheng. Joining the Demon Suppression Department and bringing Chen Cheng along on investigation missions seemed normal on the surface, but only she knew that it was all because she wanted to spend more time with him.
"Brother Chen, I heard from Master Gongsun that she told Xiaowan she could only consider matters between a man and a woman after she reached the Bone Forging Realm for her Cultivation.
"Since you sleep together, does that mean youâve already..."
Shen Qingyao was ultimately very curious. As for why, perhaps only she herself knew. Or perhaps, she couldnât even explain it to herself.
Thus, the moment the words left her mouth, Shen Qingyao secretly regretted them. Yet she couldnât bring herself to take them back by saying something like "I was just kidding."
"So indecisive!"
A realization then hit Chen Cheng. âMusician Le Wujiâs Sound Law Technique is truly profound! And there seems to be something special about the scent of cosmetics in this place!â
Chen Chengâs expression suddenly darkened. The Qi Blood Power around him surged by ten percent, and his eyes became crystal clear, flashing with a cold light.
The music bewitches the heart; the fragrant incense muddles the mind.
Although Shen Qingyao was still conscious, her mind had actually been affected, causing her to specifically focus her thoughts on matters between men and women.
Chen Chengâs sharp remark undoubtedly woke her up as well.
A powerful aura erupted from her body. Shen Qingyao also quickly became exceptionally clear-headed and calm, then glanced at the red-robed woman sitting on the stage, leisurely playing her instrument.