The moon hung high in the sky, illuminating the night as bright as day.
Its pure, silvery light poured over the mortal world, shimmering and flowing, lighting up the small estate nestled in the mountain valley.
Qi Huan was lifted down from the carriage by Li Shuchen. After looking around, she asked in confusion, "Shu, why did you bring me here?"
"To practice shooting."
This place was remote, rarely visited by people. The estate housed retired, lone elderly generals from the Yan Family Army, as well as orphans adopted by the Yunying Caravan from various places. They were taught martial arts here, to be used at his disposal.
Passing through the understated ebony wood door, and walking further inside, they reached the training grounds.
Qi Huan was led by him to the shooting range in the southeast corner of the training grounds. She took the handgun he handed her, held it with both hands, and pulled the trigger.
Then she realized... the gun wasn't loaded.
She had pulled the trigger for nothing.
When she turned back, Li Shuchen had just received a magazine from his subordinate. He walked to her side, teaching her how to load the bullets, then demonstrating how to shoot, along with explaining the key points of shooting.
After listening, Qi Huan fell into deep self-doubt.
Who was really the time traveler here?
Why was his learning ability so strong? His comprehension so high?
The system answered for Li Shuchen: "Because he's the destined Purple Star, unlike the host who was just a useless nobody in her past life."
Qi Huan: ?
"...Are you being polite?"
"Host, please don't be angry."
"If intelligence is lacking, at least make up for it with character."
"Fortunately, you accumulated good karma in your past life, so in this life you're bound to the smart, clever, and unparalleled system that is me, which is enough to make up for your deficiencies in this area."
...
"Oh. Since you're so smart, figure out how to earn points yourself from now on, don't ask me for them."
The system immediately said: "How about you just mute me instead..."
It shouldn't have loaded the "Uninhibited" voice pack.
With her ears finally quiet, Qi Huan focused on gun practice.
However, imagination is rich, but reality is harsh, and there's a huge gap between the two.
In her mental image, she should have been valiant and formidable, hitting the bullseye every time.
In reality, her hand had a mind of its own, not holding the gun as steadily as she'd like...
The bullet whizzed past the target, barely grazing it.
But she had a patient, reliable, serious, and incredibly good-looking teacher. So the practice wasn't dry or boring at all.
They practiced until the sky began to show hints of light blue, and the rooster in the estate, disturbed all night, was now crowing at the top of its lungs...
She finally made some progress.
At least she could hit the target now.
On the way back to the city, she yawned while telling Li Shuchen: "Being able to hit the target is not bad. Even if I can't kill them instantly, given the current medical conditions, the wounded wouldn't survive anyway. But still, I want to be able to kill an enemy with one shot."
"I'll come back to practice more often in the future..."
Her mumbling voice grew softer and softer, and gradually, leaning against Li Shuchen's shoulder, she fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke up again, she was back in her boudoir in Qinghuan Court.
Outside the window, it was already broad daylight.
Hearing the sounds of her getting up, Ruo Lan knocked on the door, and only after getting a response did she enter with a copper basin to help her wash up.
"What time is it?"
"My lady, it's time for lunch."
...She had woken up just in time for a meal.
Qi Huan absent-mindedly swallowed a piece of tofu while worrying about Tao Su's situation.
At this moment, inside Jinyu Building.
Tao Su was gnawing on roast duck, her mouth glistening with oil.
It wasn't that she lacked grace, it was just that the roast duck was too delicious.
Sitting across from her, Aunt Shuang watched her unrefined eating with a satisfied smile.
This is exactly how Tao Yao's daughter should be...
One lowly, one uncouth.
If it weren't for her master's orders to keep Tao Su, she would have long ago tricked her into the Intoxicated Flower House, to make her just like her sister, with "a jade arm pillowed by thousands, a red lip tasted by tens of thousands."
A flash of resentful emotion passed through Aunt Shuang's alluring peach blossom eyes, but it instantly turned gentle when she noticed Tao Su finishing her meal and wiping her mouth.
She took Tao Su's hand, speaking in a soft, gentle voice, "Tao Su, dear, Fu Guang isn't feeling well. If you want to see her, I'm afraid you'll have to bear with coming back to the Intoxicated Flower House with me..."
"I hope you won't find my place too dirty?"
Tao Su, approaching her with a purpose, naturally had to cater to her. She squeezed out a smile even more sincere than Aunt Shuang's, and said with a grin:
"How could I? The Intoxicated Flower House must be full of great beauties. I couldn't be happier to go with Aunt Shuang and broaden my horizons..."
"That's wonderful. Since you've finished eating, shall we set off?"
"Sure!" Tao Su stood up, proactively linking arms with her, and kept asking about the Intoxicated Flower House.
"Aunt Shuang, how much silver does it cost to sleep with a girl at the Intoxicated Flower House?"
"You dress so well, you must have earned quite a lot, right?"
"Do you have troubles when you have too much silver? Like worrying about how to spend it?"
"Or perhaps, worrying about others coveting your silver?"
"I've heard that business in the Capital City is not easy, and you need a backer for everything. The highest-ranking official I've seen is the old master of the Song Family, a sixth-rank official. I wonder if your backer has a higher rank than him?"
...
At first, Aunt Shuang's ears were buzzing from her chatter, and she couldn't help but think: Such a chatterbox, she must be Tao Yao's real daughter!
No matter what she thought inside, Aunt Shuang always wore a perfectly appropriate smile on her face. She seemed patient, but was actually annoyed as she answered Tao Su's questions one by one.
When it came to the question about backers, she was very discreet and careful, but the pride in her tone was unmistakable.
"Which merchant family that can stand firm in the Capital City doesn't have some backing? The Intoxicated Flower House naturally has its own."
Tao Su nodded with a naive smile: "Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Since you have a backer, I don't need to worry about people coveting what you have. With an aunt like you, I'll feel more confident moving about in the Capital City in the future..."
Seeing that she showed no aversion to the Intoxicated Flower House, and appeared to be a buxom beauty with an empty head, Aunt Shuang let down her guard a bit.
Following her train of thought, she casually reassured her, "Don't worry, the Intoxicated Flower House has been open in the Capital City for over thirty years, and no one dares to cause trouble. As we interact more in the future, your aunt will naturally protect you..."
"Thank you, Aunt." Tao Su's face showed an expression of admiration.
And in her heart, she quickly pondered the words "over thirty years."
Last night, Er Ya had said that the master behind the Intoxicated Flower House was a consort, but there was no consort over thirty years old in Emperor Longshun's harem...
Er Ya had once privately told her: Emperor Longshun was very devoted, devoted to young women.
He was extremely unsentimental about past relationships.
Those who had been with him since his days as the crown prince, not one of them had a good ending.
The consorts in the harem now were all young and beautiful, all selected from candidates who had entered the palace in the last seven or eight years.
Tao Su counted on her fingers, they would be at most in their twenties, where did the "over thirty years" come from?
Could Er Ya have heard wrong?
Both lost in their own thoughts, they arrived at the back door of the Intoxicated Flower House without realizing it.
