Qi Yan Su Luo replied coldly, "No need, one is enough for me to deal with. I'm afraid I won't live past thirty if there's another one."
Furthermore, you are not allowed to call me Luo Luo."
"Just go ahead and call me Luo Luo. What can you do to me?"
"I think you're asking for trouble!"
They laughed and joked all the way until they finally arrived at the Spring Breeze Building.
The women in the Spring Breeze Building were already familiar with Qin Zhao. They knew she was a distinguished guest of the courtesan Nangong Ling, so they didn't bother her.
Instead, they approached Qi Yan Su Luo with flirtatious gestures. "Oh, this young master here, is it your first time? You seem unfamiliar."
Qi Yan Su Luo remained cold and indifferent, showing no fear towards the aggressive women.
Qin Zhao quickly intervened and stopped them, saying, "This young master already has an appointment."
The women pouted and stepped aside to clear the way.
The two of them went straight inside and headed to the private room reserved by Liu Yu.
Upon entering the room, it seemed that Liu Yu had been waiting for a while.
She stood up and greeted Qin Zhao, "Miss Qin, it's been a long time. I've been looking forward to seeing you."
She then looked at Qi Yan Su Luo and asked, "May I know who this young master is?"
Qi Yan Su Luo spoke up, "Su Luo."
From her voice, Liu Yu could tell that she was a woman and replied, "So you're Miss Su. I'm Liu Yu. Nice to meet you."
After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them sat down at the table.
Qin Zhao asked, "What brings you here, Miss Liu?
No, I should address you as Liu Bangyan. Congratulations on achieving such excellent results in the imperial examination."
Liu Yu smiled and said, "Let's not talk about that. I only ranked second, which is far from my expectations."
Qin Zhao commented, "Miss Liu, you're knowledgeable and talented. It's indeed a pity that you ranked second."
Liu Yu showed no modesty and said, "It's not just a pity. The entire court is unworthy of me!"
Liu Yu was around twenty years old and still had a hint of baby fat on her face.
While saying these words, she didn't come across as childish but rather exuded a sense of melancholy about being unappreciated for her talents.
Qin Zhao patted her shoulder and comforted her, "One day, your talents will be recognized by the world."
Liu Yu quickly shook off her previous despondency and gazed into Qin Zhao's eyes, asking, "Will it be you who creates that opportunity?"
Taken aback by the sudden display of deference, Qin Zhao hesitated, "What do you mean?"
Liu Yu took out a gadget from her pocket that looked like a compass, except the pointer on it pointed at Qin Zhao instead.
Liu Yu explained, "This compass is a heirloom of my clan."
Qin Zhao didn't understand, "I don't see it pointing north."
Liu Yu raised her hand higher, allowing Qin Zhao to see more clearly, and said, "The north indicated by this compass doesn't represent the geographical north, but the North Star.
And the North Star has another name, the Purple Forbidden Enclosure Star."
Liu Yu continued, "You are the Purple Forbidden Enclosure Star!"
Qin Zhao smiled and said, "So, that's why you insist on seeing me despite being rejected several times?"
Liu Yu nodded, "I came to the capital primarily to find you. Participating in the imperial examination was just a side quest.
I don't intend to seek fame and fortune in a court without you."
"I never expected someone as young as you to have such great ambitions," Qin Zhao said. "If the wrong person hears you say these things, it could cause trouble."
Liu Yu replied, "But I assure you, it's safe to talk to you."
Qin Zhao asked, "What star are you born under?"
"The Star of Civilization and Art."
Rumble!
Just as Liu Yu was speaking, her stomach growled.
She felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Sorry, I didn't have breakfast this morning."
"No problem. It's already noon. Let's order some dishes. The chefs at the Spring Breeze Building are skilled," Qin Zhao suggested.
He called over a young maid who was waiting outside and told her the names of a few dishes, giving her some silver pieces as a tip.
The maid thanked him profusely and was moved to tears by Qin Zhao's generosity.
She hurriedly ran out, perhaps too excited to pay attention to the road, and ended up tripping right outside the door.
Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock on the door. It was likely the delivery of the food.
Qin Zhao said, "Please come in."
Indeed, several older maidservants entered the room carrying the dishes.
But there was another person behind them.
Nangong Ling was graceful and captivating, impossible to ignore. The attention of the three people in the private room was immediately drawn to her.
Nangong Ling's gaze swept over the three of them and finally settled on Qin Zhao. She said, "I heard that Lord Qin has arrived, so I came specially to keep you company."
Qin Zhao suppressed his laughter and inwardly commented that Nangong Ling loved to put on a show even more than he did!
A young lady?
Since getting to know Nangong Ling, Qin Zhao's impression of her had been that she was decisive and ruthless. In fact, she had nearly killed him once.
A person like her could hardly be called a young lady. If she was a young lady, then there would be no real women left in the world.
Qin Zhao exposed Nangong Ling's act and said, "Stop pretending. This tone doesn't suit you."
Nangong Ling regained her composure and sat down next to Qin Zhao. "My Lord, I have some good news to tell you privately."
Qin Zhao glanced at Qi Yan Su Luo and Liu Yu and said, "You can say it here. They are on our side."
Nangong Ling said, "The people ranked first and fourth on the World's Top Experts List have already made contact."
Qin Zhao asked, "Where are they now?"
"They are here at the Spring Breeze Building."
"After I finish my meal, I'll go see them."
Nangong Ling replied, "I'll go and prepare them."
"Alright, go ahead."
Nangong Ling left the private room.
Qi Yan Su Luo asked, "Who is she?"
Qin Zhao answered, "Nangong Ling, the leading courtesan of the Spring Breeze Building."
Qi Yan Su Luo smiled ambiguously and said, "When you said you wanted to take a concubine, you were actually thinking of taking one yourself, weren't you?"
Qin Zhao waved his hand and said, "It's not that I don't want to. It's just that my body can't handle it."
Qi Yan Su Luo remained silent.
After the three finished their meal, Liu Yu took her leave.
Qin Zhao told Qi Yan Su Luo, "Wait for me in this room. I'll be back soon."
He handed her a dagger and said, "Here's your dagger. Use it for self-defense."
"Okay."
After Qin Zhao left, Huo Chengjin walked down the corridor on the third floor and approached the door of the room where Qi Yan Su Luo was staying...
He heard footsteps and looked up, saying, "My lord, please wait a moment and let them finish this game."
Qin Zhao replied, "Very well."
She also watched from the side.
Little did she know, but when she looked, she was startled!
These two people weren't playing go according to the rules at all. It seemed like they had made up their own set of rules to play with.
Judging by Nangong Ling's expression, she clearly noticed this too. She didn't understand it any more than Qin Zhao did, but she pretended to find it fascinating.
Qin Zhao couldn't help but laugh and cry, secretly admiring Nangong Ling's social etiquette.
After the two finished playing, half an hour had passed.
Qin Zhao said, "Tell me your conditions, if you have any."
