novelraw Chapter 90 : A Thigh Thicker Than Anyone’s
Chapter 90 : A Thigh Thicker Than Anyone’s
Chapter 90: A Thigh Thicker Than Anyone’s
“Shen Yanzhou actually came?”
“Your Majesty, shall we go meet him directly?”
After being stunned for a moment, Wei Gong also came back to his senses, his expression slightly strange.
How could there be such a coincidence in this world?
His Majesty had suddenly decided to come here to wait for Shen Yanzhou, and yet, although Shen Yanzhou had not come to Yuxian Pavilion for quite some time, he just happened to show up today.
Could there truly be such a thing as fate guiding this?
Emperor Mingde listened to the laughter and chatter coming from the corridor outside the private room, his gaze carrying a faint glint. After a pause, he lightly shook his head. “He’s a clever man. If we meet him directly, it will surely arouse his suspicion.”
Wei Gong nodded. He had met Shen Yanzhou before and naturally knew how sharp-minded that man was.
“Go and find out which courtesans and clean girls he usually prefers to summon,” Emperor Mingde said calmly.
Wei Gong was momentarily taken aback, but quickly understood and smiled. As expected of His Majesty—this would make the meeting seem perfectly natural.
There were many ways to meet Shen Yanzhou face-to-face.
And competing for a courtesan or clean girl in a brothel was the most ordinary of all.
A short while later, he left the room, found the steward of Yuxian Pavilion, and after slipping him some silver, managed to get the information. Then, taking out a thick stack of silver notes, he ordered those very same courtesans by name to serve them.
“Honored sirs…”
Before long—
Madam Ruan of Yuxian Pavilion entered the private room herself, looking hesitant.
She recognized the two middle-aged men before her. They had arrived around noon, full of noble bearing, but had only ordered some tea and instructed the attendants not to disturb them. It was as if they were treating Yuxian Pavilion as an ordinary teahouse.
However, the more portly of the two men had spent generously—throwing down several stacks of silver notes just to ensure silence.
But now, the two suddenly wanted to summon courtesans like Ningyu and the others.
That put her in a difficult position.
Because Shen Yanzhou had just arrived not long ago—and had also asked for those same familiar girls by name.
“Ningyu and the others are already reserved. Another guest has called for them.”
“Honored sirs, if you’d like, I can send over some other girls instead—they’re all beautiful and talented, skilled in song and dance…”
Before Madam Ruan could finish speaking, Wei Gong impatiently interrupted her.
“How much did that guest pay you? My master will pay ten times that.”
He pulled out a handful of silver notes from his sleeve and tossed them before her.
Madam Ruan’s mouth twitched. Even after so many years in Yuxian Pavilion, this was her first time seeing someone treat money so carelessly—each note was worth a thousand taels!
Thrown out like that, she hardly dared to touch them.
Just who were these two men?
“This isn’t a matter of money, honored sirs. That guest is… rather special. He’s one of our regulars. And, in the Imperial Capital—this must be your first visit here, yes?—there are certain people that, when they come, we have to be very careful in how we serve them.”
Madam Ruan chose her words carefully, trying not to offend either side.
Even if Shen Yanzhou was no longer the Heir of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, Yuxian Pavilion could not afford to offend him casually.
“In all matters, one must respect the order of arrival. We’ve been here since noon, enjoying the river view, watching the crowds and the local customs. By right, shouldn’t Yuxian Pavilion give us priority?”
Emperor Mingde spoke. His voice was rich and gentle, carrying an invisible force that calmed one’s heart.
Madam Ruan had been in the capital long enough to know how to read people. From just a few words and gestures, she could tell that the richly robed man before her was anything but ordinary.
She hesitated, then decided to inform Shen Yanzhou and let him decide.
“Please wait a moment, honored sirs. I’ll ask that guest for his opinion.”
With that, Madam Ruan hurriedly excused herself.
Wei Gong glanced at Emperor Mingde, who was once again gazing out the window, and whispered, “Will Shen Yanzhou come?”
“He’s a clever man. Naturally, he’ll understand.”
“He’ll definitely come,” Emperor Mingde said casually—but his tone carried certainty.
Wei Gong couldn’t read His Majesty’s thoughts and thus remained silent.
He found it strange, though—His Majesty had never met Shen Yanzhou before, so why did he seem to know him so well?
It wasn’t long before the sound of Madam Ruan’s voice came from outside the door: “Heir Shen, the two honored guests are right in here.”
She seemed to be leading someone over.
Knock, knock, knock—
The sound of knocking followed.
Wei Gong stood up and opened the door, and saw Shen Yanzhou standing there—looking slightly surprised—with Madam Ruan behind him.
Even though he had already met Shen Yanzhou once at the headquarters of the Chilin Guards, Wei Gong still felt dazed upon seeing him again. The resemblance was uncanny—even the white robe with embroidered cloud patterns was almost identical.
Miss Qingshu had also liked to wear white garments embroidered with clouds—simple, clean, and pure.
He quickly shook his head, pushing those thoughts away, and feigned ignorance as he asked Madam Ruan, “And this young master is?”
At that moment, Emperor Mingde turned from the window.
He stared blankly at Shen Yanzhou standing by the door, his breath quickening despite himself, though he soon reined it in, returning to calm composure.
The resemblance—it was astonishing.
No wonder Wei Gong had said what he did.
Though their features did not seem alike at first glance, the bone structure and eyes—those were almost carved from the same mold as Qingshu’s.
And he was even wearing a plain white robe embroidered with cloud motifs.
Was that… truly not intentional?
Emperor Mingde said nothing, but his gaze deepened considerably.
Madam Ruan quickly smiled to smooth things over. “This is Heir Shen Yanzhou of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion. He was the one who requested Ningyu and the others to serve him. This humble one couldn’t decide, so I explained the situation to Heir Shen.”
“Heir Shen was most understanding, and wished to meet you both to discuss if perhaps there’s a way to compromise.”
As she spoke, she tactfully stepped aside, determined not to offend either party.
Brothels like this often saw guests competing for the most popular courtesans or clean girls.
At such times, it came down to a contest of wealth and status.
Shen Yanzhou, meanwhile, was quietly studying the two unfamiliar middle-aged men before him. The slightly plumper one was clearly a servant, while the noble-looking man standing by the window was his master.
He was faintly surprised. Madam Ruan might not have noticed, but he had.
These two were clearly here for him.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have lingered at Yuxian Pavilion for an entire day without calling for even a single singer—only to begin competing for Ningyu and the others right after he arrived.
Still, judging by their appearance, they didn’t seem to know him personally.
And strangely, he couldn’t sense their cultivation at all.
Were they in disguise? Or perhaps from outside the capital?
“Madam Ruan, you may leave.” Shen Yanzhou’s expression didn’t waver as he waved his hand lightly.
He had only come to Yuxian Pavilion to find a quiet place to speak frankly with Ran Yi, who had been tailing him all the way without bothering to conceal her presence.
But how had these two known he would come here today?
If they had been waiting for him daily, that would be one thing—but according to Madam Ruan, they had only arrived today.
Such a coincidence?
At his words, Madam Ruan, clearly unwilling to be involved in such matters, quickly withdrew.
“Heir Shen, please.”
Wei Gong smiled and gestured invitingly.
Shen Yanzhou didn’t hesitate; he wasn’t concerned that the two would harm him.
As soon as he entered the private room, Wei Gong closed the door behind him and stood by it.
Shen Yanzhou immediately noticed a faint flash of a jade talisman in the man’s hand—then, invisible runic waves rippled outward, enveloping the entire room, cutting off all outside sound and perception.
Such a move only confirmed Shen Yanzhou’s suspicion: these two had come seeking him for something.
Lately, aside from the Chilin Guards and the Bureau of Immortal Inspection, other powers would surely also wish to approach him.
He just didn’t know who these two truly were.
Shen Yanzhou considered waking Lin Qingcang to help investigate, but then dismissed the thought—Lin Qingcang had already awakened once back in the Bureau’s Treasury of a Hundred Treasures.
Even oxen and horses needed rest.
Let alone a Martial God’s lingering obsession.
“Heir Shen must be wondering why we’re looking for you?”
Emperor Mingde spoke leisurely, his voice rich and calm, as if reading Shen Yanzhou’s very thoughts.
“If you didn’t wish to see me, you wouldn’t have gone to such lengths,” Shen Yanzhou replied evenly.
Emperor Mingde smiled faintly and gestured for him to sit.
Shen Yanzhou, unceremonious, pulled over a stool and sat down.
“It’s true,” said Emperor Mingde unhurriedly, “that we came to discuss a matter with you.”
“Then you may as well be direct,” Shen Yanzhou said. “Let’s not waste each other’s time.”
He had other things to do and didn’t wish to linger.
Emperor Mingde wasn’t angered by his bluntness. “The Demon Suppression King, Shen Jingxiao, has stretched his hand too far into the Southern Border. There are those who wish to move against him, but they lack solid evidence.”
“I imagine the Chilin Guards and the Bureau of Immortal Inspection have already approached you.”
Another one after Shen Jingxiao?
Shen Yanzhou wasn’t particularly surprised.
Plenty of people in the capital wanted Shen Jingxiao dead.
But that man had a remarkable knack for survival.
“And you, sir—whom do you represent?” Shen Yanzhou asked.
Emperor Mingde smiled. “No one. I represent only myself.”
“So you want to deal with the Demon Suppression King?”
“Indeed.”
An enemy of his enemy was a friend. Shen Yanzhou’s tone softened slightly—he could hardly object to more enemies targeting Shen Jingxiao.
Of course, he didn’t entirely believe the mysterious man before him.
“So, you want to cooperate with me?” Shen Yanzhou asked.
“Something like that,” Emperor Mingde nodded.
Shen Yanzhou gave a faint, mocking smile. “Does Shen Jingxiao know how many people wish him dead?”
Emperor Mingde neither confirmed nor denied. “When one holds a certain position, one must do what that position requires. When he does what he should not, hatred naturally follows.”
Shen Yanzhou didn’t care what sort of feud or interest lay between this man and Shen Jingxiao.
He only wanted to know what benefits he could gain.
At present, he was already cooperating with the Bureau of Immortal Inspection and in contact with Wei Gong of the Chilin Guards—he had no reason to get entangled in yet another faction.
“If I were to work with you, what could you offer me?” Shen Yanzhou asked plainly.
Emperor Mingde smiled faintly, his tone still gentle. “Whatever you want, I can give it to you.”
“What a bold claim.”
Shen Yanzhou narrowed his eyes. That confidence—could this man be one of the two great families backing the Bureau of Immortal Inspection?
Were they really willing to pay such a price to buy him off?
Emperor Mingde tapped the table lightly with his pale, jade-like fingers. “If you think I’m joking, so be it. But whatever the Bureau or the Chilin Guards can give you, I can give you as well—and more.”
Shen Yanzhou’s heart skipped.
Could it be… this man was truly that one in the Golden Luan Hall?
Whatever he wanted, this man claimed he could grant?
And that unshakable confidence—it didn’t sound like an empty boast.
“There’s no need to refuse so quickly,” Emperor Mingde said softly. “I will need your help eventually, but not now. When the time comes, and you find yourself in need, you may come to me.”
When Shen Yanzhou remained silent, Emperor Mingde thought for a moment, then smiled faintly. He removed from his thumb a simple-looking purple jade ring engraved with a qilin pattern and placed it gently before Shen Yanzhou.
Standing by the door, Wei Gong’s pupils shrank sharply as he watched, his heart surging with shock.
His Majesty was giving that ring to Shen Yanzhou?
Could it truly be… that?
His breath quickened; his emotions churned uncontrollably.
Shen Yanzhou studied the unassuming purple jade ring. Though he sensed no spiritual energy within it, something deep in his intuition told him this was no ordinary trinket—it carried a strange, inexplicable power.
The engraved qilin pattern was ancient and primal, as if it could leap into the air and manifest in reality at any moment.
His thoughts stirred violently.
That earlier suspicion surfaced again—could this man truly be the one from the Golden Luan Hall?
Shen Yanzhou’s heartbeat quickened.
If so, this was a thigh thicker than anyone else’s.
Compared to him, the Bureau of Immortal Inspection and the Chilin Guards weren’t even worth mentioning.
But… if it really was him, why seek him out? Was it simply to find evidence of the Demon Suppression King’s rebellion?
Or… something else?
Could it be that the power of the True Explanation of Primordial Unity he displayed at the Chilin Guards’ headquarters had caught this man’s attention?
Countless thoughts flashed through Shen Yanzhou’s mind, though his face remained impassive.
Whether or not this man truly was that one, he couldn’t let it show.
If he really was the Emperor, then since the other had chosen to travel incognito, he had even less reason to expose it.
“What’s this?”
“Looks rather plain. Doesn’t seem like it’s worth much.”
Shen Yanzhou picked up the purple jade ring with deliberate casualness, turning it over in his hand with the air of someone unschooled in finer things.