Chapter 161: Starry Night, Paying Respects at Li Hill.

Night, at the end of the You hour.

The Lin Residence on Suimian Street.

Inside the second courtyard’s flower hall, the five members of the Spark group—Lin Dafu, Chen Yi, Li Baicheng, and others—sat around the table.

The exquisite banquet and fine wines were all prepared. Everyone looked quite relaxed and happy, yet no one had touched their chopsticks.

After chatting for a while, the star of the evening still hadn’t appeared. Li Meimei finally couldn’t help but ask, “Big Brother, didn’t you send someone to notify the Sixth Brother just now? Why hasn’t he arrived after so long?”

“Ahem.”

The look of unease on Lin Dafu’s face flashed by, then he said to Uncle Zhang, who was guarding the door of the flower hall, “Old Zhang, go to the residence of Head Ding next door and ask again.”

“Yes.”

Lin Dafu had specifically emphasized going to the ‘next door’ to ask, but after Uncle Zhang left the flower hall, he did not head toward the main gate, but instead turned toward the back courtyard.

In front of the moon gate at Huguai Garden, Granny Zhang, who was guarding the spot like a loyal Soldier, whispered a few words with Uncle Zhang and then said, “You wait here for a moment, I will go urge him again.”

With that, Granny Zhang walked toward the Ji Pavilion deep inside Huguai Garden.

Granny Liu was guarding downstairs; they exchanged a look, and Granny Liu shook her head, signaling that the Princess had not finished being ‘busy’.

On the second floor.

The candlelight was dim.

The swaying silk curtains gradually returned to stillness.

Granny Zhang downstairs, accustomed to standing watch, listened carefully for a moment. Judging by the movements upstairs, she guessed they were taking a break. She quickly walked to the stairs and called out softly, “Princess, the Master and the Young Masters are already seated in the front hall, and have sent someone to urge Head Ding.”

“Understood, I’m coming.”

The one who responded was Ding Suian.

A moment later, he poked half his body out from the curtains. His outstretched arm was just about to touch the clothes placed beside the couch when a tender, jade-like arm suddenly reached out from behind, grabbing his shoulder and pulling him back.

“Tell Nanny… just… tell her that Young Master went to Chilao Alley to visit his uncle.”

This time, the person answering was a slightly breathless Lin Hansu.

Big Sister is going to eat me! So scary.

Good times always pass quickly.

After several bouts of fighting, by the time his brain could think normally again, it was already deep into the Zi hour. By now, not only had the banquet in the front hall long since ended, but even the chickens raised by Make Do had fallen asleep.

After the release, Lin Hansu’s blood and Qi flowed to the surface of her body, leaving her complexion rosy and her spirit vibrant. The corners of her eyes and brows still held traces of lingering passion, but more than that, she exuded a sense of satisfied tranquility and unhurried control.

She sat sideways with her legs crossed and put her undergarments and blouse back on.

The sideways posture outlined her curvaceous and graceful figure, carrying an air of lazy, mature charm.

“Big Sister, can you wear your Princess ceremonial robes next time?”

Ding Suian rested his arms behind his head, smiling in a not-so-serious manner.

“Pah.”

Lin Hansu naturally understood that when he spoke of wearing the ceremonial robes, he meant for certain special times—like just now. But after spitting, she curled her phoenix eyes and laughed along, saying in an indulgent, older-sister tone, “Next time, next time I’ll bring the ceremonial robes to the silk shop.”

As she spoke, her fingertips nimbly tied the silk sash at her waist, and she raised her hand to carefully smooth out her slightly disheveled hair.

Every movement was imbued with the dignified composure cultivated over many years.

Unhurried and steady, graceful and gentle.

“Big Sister, why are you getting dressed in the middle of the night?”

“You put yours on too.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Take me out for a stroll; the room is full of that smell, it’s stifling.”

“Alright.”

Ding Suian thought for a moment, then rolled over and got dressed.

Just from these words, one could tell that Lin Hansu was now very confident. Back when she first returned to Central Heaven, she would never have been alone with Ding Suian outside; even when they met occasionally, it was always in extremely private places.

Initiating a stroll outside the residence like tonight was a Breakthrough.

It seemed that the favor of Princess Xingguo, being a Disciple of Divine Immortal Yuan, and Ding Suian’s rising fame had gradually allowed her to see hope for them to be together openly.

At the start of the Zi hour.

Ding Suian led the Mythical Beast out of the side gate of the Lin residence.

There were only a few lonely lanterns, and the long street was desolate.

Sitting on horseback wearing a veil hat, Lin Hansu couldn’t help but take a deep breath of the cool spring night air.

The satisfaction after the act, combined with the freedom and lightness of strolling down the street, made her feel exceptionally happy. Therefore, she swallowed the question she had intended to ask about the ‘Southern Zhao Princess’, so as not to ruin the rare atmosphere.

“Young Master, who is that seductive woman you brought back from Southern Zhao?”

But this matter had to be cleared up.

“Seductive? Oh, her, that’s Ah Ji, Zhao Yan’s fellow Disciple, the enchantress that AZhi wants to reform.”

“What is she doing in Central Heaven?”

“She wants to carry forward the Zhao-style service in our Great Wu.”

When they were in Southern Zhao, Ding Suian was surprised to learn that Ah Ji wanted to come to Central Heaven with them.

Later, he heard her explain that she wanted to open a ‘flower pavilion’ in Central Heaven. A so-called flower pavilion meant an individually owned courtesan house. Although it was still prostitution, it required having one’s own elegant villa, considerable talent, and social skills. It was very high-end, or rather, it only served high-end clients.

Ding Suian thought for a moment and agreed to her request to accompany them. Firstly, Ah Ji clearly knew much more about the secrets of the Jile Sect than Zhao Yan; for Ding Suian, this was a way to gather information and maintain a subtle, tacit understanding with the Jile Sect.

Secondly, since Ah Ji had come to Central Heaven, if she wanted to run her flower pavilion well, she would inevitably need to seek protection. Zhao Yan was fully capable of handling this; after the incident with the Yulin Street cleaning fees, many people already knew that Zhao Yan was a woman in Head Ding’s household.

This name was enough to deter rascals and some low-class playboys.

Ah Ji relying on Zhao Yan meant relying on Ding Suian, and in the future, it would provide another intelligence channel independent of the West Yamen.

As they talked in low voices, they unknowingly walked to the East Gate of Central Heaven. The nine gates of Central Heaven were not closed unless there were special circumstances. It was late at night, and there were few pedestrians. Inside the guard room of the barbican, a Soldier wearing the armor of a Dutou had one foot on a bench, holding a large black porcelain bowl in one hand, draining it in one gulp, and letting out a satisfied “Ah.”

Ding Suian shook his head inwardly.

Drinking on duty again.

“What are you looking at!”

Beside the gate tunnel, a Soldier on duty saw Ding Suian glancing into the guard room and couldn’t help but snap.

Ding Suian frowned, but remembering he had Lin Hansu with him, he didn’t respond and led his horse out of the city.

It was past the start of the Zi hour. The main streets of Central Heaven were still brightly lit, but after leaving the city and traveling only a mile, the world was left with only the starlight dotting the firmament.

“Young Master, come up.”

With no one around, Lin Hansu no longer needed to be discreet. She took off her veil hat, leaned down, and offered her hand. Ding Suian smiled, took her soft hand, used a little leverage, and nimbly vaulted onto the horse.

“Big Sister, hold on tight!”

Ding Suian wrapped his arms around Lin Hansu’s slender waist from behind and squeezed the horse’s flanks. The Mythical Beast shot forward like an arrow from a bowstring.

The strong forward thrust made Lin Hansu lean back involuntarily, pressing completely into Ding Suian’s embrace. The night wind instantly became fierce, whistling past their ears, scattering the hair that Lin Hansu had carefully groomed, with a few strands playfully brushing against her cheeks and sweeping across Ding Suian’s jaw.

The forests and cottages along the official road turned into blurred black shadows, rapidly retreating backward.

Overhead was the vast, boundless, and brilliant galaxy, as if it were within reach.

“Hahaha~”

Nestled in Ding Suian’s arms, Lin Hansu suddenly let out a burst of inexplicable, excited laughter, like a madwoman. She turned her head, her phoenix eyes bright and watery, reflecting the myriad stars, the usual dignified grace replaced by childish, joyful abandon. “Haha, Young Master, faster! Make the Mythical Beast go faster!”

“Alright! Big Sister, hold tight!”

Lin Hansu maintained her half-turned posture, stretching out her arms to hug his tiger-like waist. She didn’t look ahead, as if it didn’t matter where Ding Suian took her.

Riding at night was still somewhat dangerous.

Ding Suian focused on controlling the horse. After letting the Mythical Beast run along the official road for a while, he gradually slowed down and finally stopped on a hill with an open view.

The Mythical Beast snorted, scraping its front hooves with unfinished enthusiasm, as if it still wanted to run for a while longer.

Ding Suian pulled the reins tight, stopping the Mythical Beast’s restless urge.

The surroundings fell silent again, leaving only the rustling of the breeze through the grass and their own not-yet-fully-calmed breathing.

Lin Hansu’s cheeks were flushed, her chest heaving slightly, and her eyes were bright and vivid.

She looked up at the vast starry sky. After a long while, she turned back to look at Ding Suian, her eyes rippling with thick, inseparable affection, and sighed softly, “Young Master, it’s fortunate that you are in this world~”

Ding Suian lowered his head slightly, sniffing at the hair bun that had been blown askew by the wind, and suddenly said, “Big Sister, shall I take you somewhere?”

“Where to?”

“To see my mother~”

“Ah? Hmm, alright!”

The first “Ah” was shock. After all, she knew that Young Master’s mother had passed away from illness many years ago. By the second sound, she had already realized.

Ding Suian gently pulled the reins, and the Mythical Beast slowly descended from the hill. On the way, Ding Suian suddenly said, “It’s strange to say, there are no mountains or ridges within a hundred miles of Central Heaven, yet a hill has appeared out of thin air here.”

“This place. It is Li Hill.”

“Li Hill? What does that mean?”

Hearing Ding Suian’s question, even though they were in the wilderness, Lin Hansu couldn’t help but lower her voice. “I only found out after I started working at the Princesss Residence. When His Majesty raised an righteous army to overthrow the previous dynasty and killed Emperor Ning Li, he buried him here.”

“Big Sister, are you saying this is the mausoleum of Emperor Ning Li of the previous dynasty?!”

Ding Suian, who had just arrived at the foot of the hill, turned his head sharply and looked at this ordinary, grass-covered hill.

If not for the trip to Southern Zhao, he wouldn’t have had any feelings about the so-called “Emperor Li.” But having read the History of Ning, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation in his heart.

Two hundred years of demon calamity had almost severed the Bloodline and Legacy of the Human Race, and it was this man who stood up to hold up the sky and end the chaotic times. Based on this achievement alone, he could not be a foolish man.

Yet he did not know why, after founding the country, he pushed hard for the equality of civil and military officials, offending all forces, and ultimately ending up with his death and the destruction of the country. After his death, he was stigmatized.

Presumably, he couldn’t have been unaware of the risks he faced, but he was still so radical; perhaps there was a reason he could not continue to wait.

Ding Suian stopped his horse for a moment, then suddenly dismounted and bowed to the nameless, stele-less, desolate hill.

“…”

Lin Hansu on horseback was startled, instinctively looking around, fearing that someone else might see.

Emperor Ning Li—whether ‘Li’ (cruel) or ‘Yi’ (righteous)—didn’t matter to her.

But if it became known that Ding Suian was privately paying respects to an evil emperor of the previous dynasty, there would be trouble.

“Young Master, what are you doing?”

“I remembered a sage, so I paid my respects.”