Chapter 2: Red Flower Pavilion

Amidst the clamor outside the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, on the second floor of a nearby cloth shop, a beautiful lady stepped away from her desk and walked to the window, her gaze falling upon the commotion below. She wore a waist-length skirt paired with a deep crimson cross-collared top that accentuated her graceful figure. An exquisite belt cinched her slender waist perfectly, while a string of emerald beads adorned the hem, complementing the pale white of her skirt. Her eyes were bright as almonds, and a touch of vermilion graced her lips, perfectly matching her intellectual and mature aura. When Ye Jingtang appeared with the intent to issue a challenge, she was not angered; instead, a flash of admiration crossed her eyes. "This man possesses an extraordinary spirit. He is both bold and unrestrained, yet chivalrous and righteous, not to mention his scholarly elegance... Truly a remarkable talent." Her maid also stood on her tiptoes to watch from afar, commenting, "He is indeed handsome, but he seems rather unwise to challenge without first investigating his opponent. Should we call out a warning, lest Chen Biao strike too heavily..." Suddenly, a muffled thud echoed as Chen Biao was subdued by Ye Jingtang. A hush fell over the surroundings, and the two watching women were stunned. "My father is Shao Yuanfeng..." As this clear voice reached her ears, the beautiful woman's gaze shifted from casual to solemn, and then to an eager enthusiasm as if she had found a precious treasure. But this was not because she harbored any ulterior motives toward Ye Jingtang. She, known to the world as Third Lady Shao, and truly named Shao Xiangjun, appeared to be a lady of a merchant household, but in truth concealed another identity—the current Master of the renowned Red Flower Manor in the martial arts world! The Great Liang Dynasty had stood for sixty years, ruled by an Empress. With formidable enemies at the borders and treacherous princes plotting within, the turbulent times had given birth to a thriving Jianghu. In the Jianghu, those who dominated a region were called Grandmasters, and the pinnacle among them—the One Immortal, Two Saints, and Eight Great Champions—were the eleven most powerful individuals under heaven, to whom even the imperial court had to yield. The former Master of Red Flower Manor, Shao Cang, was the Spear Champion of the Eight Great Champions, ranked Seventh Under Heaven. The status of Red Flower Manor in the Jianghu spoke for itself. Shao Cang was not only Shao Xiangjun's master but also Shao Yuanfeng's biological father. In this sense, he was also Ye Jingtang's adoptive grandfather. Shao Yuanfeng had once been the second son of the Shao family, gifted with extraordinary talent, but a family tragedy drove him to leave home, vowing not to return until he had made a name for himself. The result was obvious: Shao Yuanfeng remained obscure until his death. He did not pass on true martial arts to Ye Jingtang, not out of reluctance, but to prevent him from repeating his own mistakes. After Shao Yuanfeng's passing, his instruction for Ye Jingtang to relinquish the family estate and travel to the capital was not a test of his character, but rather a way to present a calling card to the family. An ordinary person would not abandon their inheritance and become a wanderer simply because of a dead man's words. But Shao Yuanfeng knew Ye Jingtang would do exactly that. His sole intention was for the family to acknowledge Ye Jingtang, allowing him to join Red Flower Manor and inherit the position of Master and the title of Spear Champion—that was the true legacy. Shao Yuanfeng might not have foreseen that the current state of the Shao family was no better than his own. Shao Cang had passed away years ago, and the eldest son who succeeded him was assassinated by rivals. The title of Spear Champion changed hands, and Shao Xiangjun was forced to take over as Master of Red Flower Manor. Though Shao Xiangjun was a woman with considerable martial prowess, she still fell short compared to the Eight Great Champions and struggled to bear the weight of a prestigious Jianghu faction, causing the reputation of Red Flower Manor to plummet. With external Jianghu forces coveting their wealth and internal hall masters vying for power, Shao Xiangjun's position was precarious. She had even secretly searched for the whereabouts of the Second Master, hoping he would return to stabilize the situation. Shao Yuanfeng's death was a blow to the Shao family, but Ye Jingtang's return undoubtedly brought them hope—the Shao family desperately needed a brilliant Young Master to stabilize both internal and external affairs! Thus, upon discovering Ye Jingtang's outstanding martial skills and learning of his identity, Shao Xiangjun revealed an eager expression. As Ye Jingtang prepared to leave and passed beneath the window, Shao Xiangjun pushed the window open and gently nudged the prop stick, letting it fall. Clack, clack, clack.

Ye Jingtang looked up and saw the beauty by the window, yet he was not captivated like other men. "Is the lady so careless?" Shao Xiangjun was exceptionally beautiful, and few men remained unmoved by her. Secretly praising him, she feigned displeasure. "How rude. I am Shao Xiangjun, the junior martial sister of your adoptive father, known as Third Lady. Since you are the son of my second brother, why did you not announce your arrival before returning home?" Adoptive father's junior martial sister... Martial aunt? From his adoptive father's letters, Ye Jingtang only knew his family was in the capital; he knew nothing else. His adoptive father had told him to hand over all the family assets to the Shao family. As a dignified man, having given up his estate, he would naturally not live under another's roof. But the beauty before him... He must not covet her either! Having confirmed Shao Xiangjun's identity, Ye Jingtang bowed and said, "Greetings, Martial Aunt. My adoptive father instructed me to deliver these items. Once done, I must go to the yamen to process my identification tally. After I have settled in the capital, I will naturally pay a formal visit." This was clearly a polite refusal, indicating he had no intention of visiting. But the large black bird on Ye Jingtang's shoulder was far less courteous. Hearing they were relatives, the bird, ever the socialite, flew up to the second-floor window, landed on Shao Xiangjun's chest, and opened its beak. "Chirp~" This black-feathered bird was Ye Jingtang's hunting bird, named Lord Bai, which meant Freeloader Lord. It was supposed to be a bird, yet it had grown into the shape of a sphere. Ye Jingtang didn't know its breed. When he was young and drying grain at home, this bird came to scavenge for food. He caught it and kept it. He had thought it was an auspicious beast of the mountains and marshes, but after years of raising it, he found it had no special traits other than eating, sleeping, and acting cute, and occasionally acting foolish. Now, taking it upon itself to beg for food, it landed on the woman's chest. Its little claws sank into the soft fabric, and seemingly finding it comfortable, it kneaded twice before looking back at Ye Jingtang. "Chirp~" As if to say—so soft. Shao Xiangjun blushed and quickly lifted the bird away. "Oh, this bird is so clingy." Ye Jingtang awkwardly called it back. "Come back." "Chirp..."

Only then did the bird fly back to Ye Jingtang's shoulder. Adjusting her collar, Shao Xiangjun continued, "Just call me Third Lady. Martial Aunt makes me sound old. Your second brother asked you to bring the family assets, but if the Shao family accepts them, we will be laughed at. Since you are here, we are family, so there is no need to be so formal. Take the silver back. From now on, you are the young master of the Shao family, and that escort agency will be handed over to you to manage. How does that sound?" Ye Jingtang had sold the escort agency for a thousand taels of silver. Though not a vast fortune, it was still a substantial sum; the escort agency in the capital was worth ten times as much. A man does not eat food handed out in charity. Ye Jingtang refused, saying, "I thank Third Lady for her kindness, but my adoptive father's orders are not to be disobeyed. My adoptive father's friends and relatives are my own. If you ever need anything, you may inform Escort Leader Yang. The escorts are all veteran members of the household; I hope Third Lady will treat them well. I shall take my leave now." Seeing Ye Jingtang uphold his principles and refuse unearned wealth, Shao Xiangjun admired him all the more. She did not press him to stay, exchanged a few polite words, and watched him leave. Soon, Ye Jingtang, along with his horse and bird, disappeared into the crowd. Only after he vanished did Shao Xiangjun's smile fade, sinking into deep thought. Her maid, Xiuhe, whispered, "My Lady, has the Second Master sent us a treasure? Young Master Ye is truly handsome. Just that one glance made my knees weak..." Shao Xiangjun narrowed her eyes slightly, showing a hint of displeasure, before nodding. "I truly didn't expect Second Brother to take in such a handsome adopted son. Even I was moved... Regardless of his martial skills or character, his looks alone would allow him to stand firm in the capital." Xiuhe asked with a smile, "How is Young Master Ye's talent? Did you notice anything, My Lady?" Shao Xiangjun mused, "Though his aura is mixed, his internal energy is strong; though his fistwork is chaotic, his bone structure is excellent. Second Brother only gave him the basics and did not pass on his true teachings. To have such cultivation at eighteen makes him a prodigy. If he receives the true lineage, he will surely become a renowned figure in the Jianghu within a few years." Xiuhe said seriously, "Then what should we do now? Find an opportunity to tell Young Master Ye about the Manor's affairs, teach him the spear techniques, and groom him to be the Young Master?" Shao Xiangjun shook her head. "He traveled far to deliver the family assets in accordance with a dying wish, and his character appears excellent, but the human heart is hard to fathom. Martial arts are techniques of life and death, not to be taught lightly. The affairs of Red Flower Manor are grave, and the choice of the future Master is not mine alone to decide. We must observe him further." "But Young Master Ye has a resolute personality and refuses to live under the Shao family's roof. How can we observe him?" "Those new to the Jianghu all have a proud spirit. I will go and persuade him tonight, and he will naturally soften..." "My Lady." "Hmm?" "That sounds somewhat inappropriate..." "?"