A Pawn's Passage

Li Qingnu led Qi Xuansu and Liu Hu to the second floor. After a while, Su Chou and Long Wuji also arrived under the guidance of the maid.

Long Wuji was not surprised to see them there because he recognized the maid who had invited Qi Xuansu. The only thing that surprised him was that Liu Hu, who was disguised as a boy earlier, had turned into a girl.

Su Chou was also a little stunned. He immediately felt a sense of urgency because a mysterious man was standing next to the woman he had a crush on.

At this time, Li Qingnu put on her charming facade as a courtesan. She was no longer the impolite woman who vented her emotions freely in front of Qi Xuansu.

After all, humans were complex, often having multiple facades.

The seemingly obedient Liu Hu could kill in cold blood, but she would also childishly imitate the characters in the novels she read.

Even someone as strong as Zhang Yuelu had a fragile side that she would only let out in the dead of night when she was alone.

Li Qingnu was no exception. At this time, she assumed the role of a well-bred young lady, with impeccable manners and a friendly demeanor.

Since Li Qingnu was acquainted with Su Chou, she briefly exchanged pleasantries and dove straight into the topic. “This fighting competition is not for entertainment. I have encountered some difficulties, so I have a favor to ask.”

Su Chou said solemnly, “Miss Li, please go ahead.”

Li Qingnu smiled and beckoned to Liu Hu, who glanced at Qi Xuansu before going over.

The Finest Courtesan was sitting and holding Liu Hu's shoulders as she introduced the teenage girl. “This is my niece. There have been some changes in my family, so I have to send her to my eldest brother in Liaodong. But due to my identity, I’m afraid I won’t be able to send her there in person—”

Long Wuji suddenly interjected. “This little girl called Brother Wei here her uncle. Miss Li, may I ask, what is your relationship with Brother Wei?”

Qi Xuansu already had an answer prepared beforehand. “We are sworn siblings. I am the third brother, Qingnu is the fourth sister, and Liu Hu’s adoptive father is our second brother. I’m afraid I can’t disclose the rest.”

“I understand, Brother Wei.” Long Wuji nodded. “I just didn’t expect Miss Li to have such a wide circle of friends.”

Li Qingnu smiled and said nothing.

Qi Xuansu continued, “Our second brother is actually much older than me and Qingnu, so he has made many enemies. As such, some people will target Liu Hu. To be honest, I have encountered some assassins on the way over, but I’ve dealt with them. Logically speaking, I should be escorting Liu Hu to her eldest uncle in Liaodong. But I just got the news that something happened with my second brother, so I have to rush back. I have no choice but to leave Liu Hu with Qingnu.”

Li Qingnu played along. “Of course, I also wish I could personally escort my niece to Liaodong, but my situation doesn’t permit it. I have no choice but to entrust my niece to someone else. That’s the reason I held this fighting competition. Since you have won, Young Master Su, what do you think of doing me this favor?”

Su Chou wanted to agree, but Long Wuji quickly stopped him.

Long Wuji intervened. “Miss Li, I get what you’re saying. But going to Liaodong will not be smooth sailing. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Su Chou looked impatient and even wanted to accept this without pay, but Long Wuji held him down.

Li Qingnu smiled. “It is indeed a long journey, so I will compensate you well. Please don’t worry.”

Su Chou finally could not hold back his eagerness to help his crush. He offered, “This is just a trivial matter, so there’s no need for any compensation, Miss Li.”

Qi Xuansu finally understood why Long Wuji was annoyed at Su Chou for being head over heels.

“Brother Su, it’s only right that we pay you for this favor. I hope you will accept the compensation.” Qi Xuansu insisted.

Li Qingnu glanced at Qi Xuansu, secretly cursing this man. She initially thought that she could bat her eyelashes and save some money, but Qi Xuansu ruined that chance.

Qi Xuansu only felt that Su Chou and Long Wuji would take this job more seriously if they were well compensated, hence ensuring Liu Hu’s safety. It was not because he was envious that Li Qingnu had a bigger cut than him for this escort business.

Long Wuji chimed in. “Brother Wei, you’re right! We will also be fair in only asking for what we deserve.”

Su Chou wanted to speak, but Long Wuji glanced at him and retorted. “Do you think that you can go by yourself?”

The infatuated young man was about to say yes, but Long Wuji continued, “If something goes wrong, I’d like to see if you have the guts to face Miss Li again.”

Su Chou kept his mouth shut. Money was a small matter. What was most important was not letting Miss Li down. To ensure that he would not disappoint the love of his life, Su Chou needed Long Wuji as a backup.

Li Qingnu smiled sweetly the entire time. Finally, she urged, “Young Master Su, please don’t refuse this.”

For Su Chou, one sentence from Li Qingnu was worth thousands of words from others, so he immediately agreed.

The next step was to sort out the details, like a specific meeting point in Liaodong, the contact person, how to find them, the compensation, and the people accompanying Su Chou and Long Wuji.

Qi Xuansu did not interfere since it had little to do with him.

Just as they were discussing the details, Li Qingnu’s personal maid rushed in with a look of panic on her face. She interrupted the conversation and whispered in Li Qingnu’s ear under everyone’s curious gaze.

“Miss, someone from the Lu family is here.”

Li Qingnu stood up abruptly.

Su Chou also looked nervous, glancing between the maid and Li Qingnu.

There were three major families in the Taiping Sect. The Li family was the first, followed by the Lu family and the Shen family. These three families were related through intermarriage. Although in the eyes of outsiders, the Lu family and the Shen family were vassals of the Li family, the Lu family and the Shen family were not inferior to the Pei family and the Qi family of the Quanzhen Sect. They should not be underestimated.

Compared to the Shen family, the Lu family had been closely related to the Li family long before the revival of the Daoist Order. Their history could even be traced back to the Taiping Sect’s Yellow Turban Rebellion. At that time, the Zhengyi Sect was still called the Heavenly Sect. Therefore, the Li family had to accommodate the Lu family.

Li Qingnu was not afraid of most people because the Li family was her backer. However, the Lu family was an exception.

She did not panic. She maintained her composure and said nonchalantly, “Alright. Please ask them to wait for a moment.”

She then turned to Su Chou and Long Wuji. “My apologies. I have to excuse myself for a moment. Please wait here.”

Su Chou immediately stood up. “I’ll accompany you.”

Just as Li Qingnu was about to refuse, Qi Xuansu interrupted. “The Li family isn’t here to stand up for you at the moment, so we should all go together. Just in case you need support.”

Li Qingnu pondered for a moment before nodding.

Although she did not like Qi Xuansu, she had to admit that he was skilled. After all, she trusted Madam Qi’s judgment.

The group had just walked out of the three-story pavilion when they heard someone call out, “Li Qingnu!”

Another group of people approached them, carrying a sedan chair with a man sitting atop. The man had a pale, clean-shaven face and wore a white robe with a jade belt and a golden crown. He held a folding fan, looking like a noble prince.

Li Qingnu stopped walking, then she greeted the man. “Young Master Lu.”

The sedan came to a stop about 10 meters away from Li Qingnu. The people surrounding the sedan also lined up on both sides, none of them were mediocre servants.

Young Master Lu sat upright on the sedan chair with no intention of getting down. “Li Qingnu, I invited you to visit my house several times, but you refused them all. So I have no choice but to come here to invite you in person. Do you really think of yourself as a young lady from the Li family?”

Li Qingnu said calmly, “Young Master Lu, you have the right to send out invitations, just as I have the right to refuse. There’s no reason why I must drop everything on your command. Or do you regard yourself as a young master from the Li family?”

The arrogant young master’s face turned gloomy. He glanced at Qi Xuansu, Su Chou, and the others. “I heard that you were holding a fighting competition. Are these the boy toys that you selected?”

Li Qingnu asked, “What do you want?”

Young Master Lu scoffed. “I just want to compete with them.”