The male servant replied dutifully, “Just one person, just himself, no one else.”
Pang Chengqiu choked up, slowly turning his head to look at Qing Ya.
The scene also fell into silence. Only the intermittent sound of singing and playing drifted over from the garden.
Both Qing Ya and Pang Chengqiu fell into confusion. Apart from the previous trap they had set, they really had not had direct contact with Yu Qing. If it was not for that previous rotten matter, what else could it be? If it was for that matter, what did coming alone mean? Was he skilled and bold?
“This fellow’s cultivation level is reportedly not very good. It is impossible for him to reach the peak in a short time.” Qing Ya muttered to himself.
After pondering for a while, even Pang Chengqiu felt something was unusual. He tried asking, “Master Qing, shall we see him?”
Qing Ya somewhat did not want to see him. He had seen how miserably Wang Wentian had been trapped. Now the huge Zheluo Mountain had also been forced to a precarious state. Now Yu Qing came running to see him. His mentality subconsciously adopted a defensive posture. Before figuring out the other party’s intentions, he wanted to keep his distance from the other party, to avoid being led by the nose.
However, being asked by his subordinate like this, not seeing him would really make it seem like he was afraid.
Of course, more importantly, he was indeed curious. He wanted to see what the other party came to do alone. Crunch. He crushed a peanut. “Show him in!”
After speaking, he tossed the peanut up, raised his head and caught it in his mouth. Dashing!
Pang Chengqiu waved to signal the male servant, who immediately ran off in response.
Not long after, the guest had not arrived yet, but Gu Qingzhao, who had heard the news, came quickly first, lifting her skirt, reeking of alcohol.
She had no choice. When she met noble guests, she always had to raise her wine cup to show some respect.
Pang Chengqiu gave her a slight bow, then stepped back to make way.
Gu Qingzhao only nodded slightly in greeting, then asked Qing Ya, “That little moustache came to find you?”
Qing Ya made an “mm” sound, then asked in return, “The Zhenhai Division has sealed Haishi, everywhere is in chaos. Have any of your guests who know the inside story leaked any news?”
Gu Qingzhao said, “Do not mention it. No one knows what is going on. Everyone is asking each other. Everyone is distracted. This made me lose quite a few customers here too. They probably also want to figure out what is going on. Otherwise they would not be in the mood to play.”
Qing Ya pondered, “If it was not ordered by the Qianliu Mountain side, affecting those big shots’ business, I am afraid Zhu Xuan would not dare to keep the lockdown going for long either.”
Gu Qingzhao said, “What do you mean by asking this? The little moustache coming to find you, is it related to this matter?”
Qing Ya pondered and said, “Should be unrelated. Just received news that the Zhenhai Division withdrew all the eyes and ears monitoring him. If it was related to him, they would not have withdrawn.”
Gu Qingzhao said doubtfully, “Then why did he come to find you? Could it be because of the previous matter, came to settle accounts with you?”
Qing Ya said, “I also want to know what he is up to. Damn it, he came running alone…” His words stopped before finishing, because the guest had already arrived.
The male servant led Yu Qing, who was looking around, here. Gu Qingzhao immediately signaled attendants to prepare tea.
Very quickly, host and guest met in the pavilion. Yu Qing unhurriedly cupped his hands in greeting, “Master Qing, Proprietress, Yu Qing pays his respects here.”
Qing Ya cupped his hands in return, making a perfunctory gesture.
Gu Qingzhao half-squatted in return greeting. Her movements showed very proper and appropriate etiquette, making even Qing Ya beside her glance sideways in surprise. He rarely saw this woman so proper.
To be honest, Gu Qingzhao was a bit embarrassed. Previously she had acted like a shrew, stirring up a basin of dirty water to force onto him. Thinking about it, she felt quite embarrassed.
Then again, if it were other ordinary people, she would not feel embarrassed doing that. But the person before her was the world’s number one talent. She felt a bit like she was being laughed at. She experienced a long-lost sense of shame. Disgraceful to refinement.
“Sit.” Qing Ya raised his hand to signal. He still looked relaxed and comfortable. He was still peeling peanuts in his hand, still casually throwing peanut shells around.
Yu Qing thanked him. There was the sound of crushed peanut shells under his walking feet.
After host and guest took their seats, the tea also arrived. Jinghong Hall had no shortage of fine tea.
In the drifting tea fragrance, Qing Ya asked, “Do you have business with me?”
Yu Qing looked around at the people again, “Does Master Qing normally have a crowd around when chatting?”
This meant he had something to say privately. Qing Ya stared at him in silence for a while. Finally he tilted his head to signal. Pang Chengqiu immediately took his leave.
Gu Qingzhao also waved to signal. She had more people. Several attendants also withdrew.
But Yu Qing then stared at Gu Qingzhao, “Proprietress, I wish to chat privately with Master Qing.”
Gu Qingzhao was startled. She was about to sensibly stand up, but Qing Ya timely stopped her, “Here, anything can be said in front of her. Whatever you have to say, speak freely.”
So Gu Qingzhao adjusted the skirt on her legs and sat firmly.
Yu Qing said, “I heard the proprietress and Master Qing are lovers. Now it seems it is true.”
Qing Ya said, “You came running to find me just to chirp about this?”
Yu Qing tried to put on a composed appearance, “To be honest, I have not been in the cultivation world for long. I indeed have little knowledge. I did not know Master Qing before, had not even heard of him. After the previous commotion, I finally noticed Master Qing. Later I asked around and only then learned Master Qing is the number one figure under the surface in Haishi. Speaking of which, I was disrespectful.”
Qing Ya slowly peeled peanuts and fed them into his mouth, “If we are really talking about knowledge, we are all petty. You are the one with great vision. Reportedly even meeting the emperor in court is a small matter to you. If you do not like the look of the emperor, you smash your crown and leave. When you want to play, you can explore Xiaoyun Jian together with Qianliu Mountain, Sinan Mansion and Daye Division. This spirit. Whether you know Qing or not really does not matter.
“As for not having been in the cultivation world long, that is even less of an issue. Daring to smash the shop of the Zhenhai Division Commander’s family in Haishi. Bored enough to voluntarily send yourself into Zhenhai Division prison. Coming and going as if nothing happened. To be honest, Qing has not seen many this arrogant in Haishi. Zheluo Mountain was also played by you to the brink of collapse in the blink of an eye. Tanhua Lang truly lives up to the name of world’s number one talent.”
This pile of words completely tore away the fig leaf, no longer hiding and covering up. Clearly and unmistakably informing, I know who you are, so stop acting in front of me.
Yu Qing played the same old tune, “It is all in the past. There is no longer any Tanhua Lang in the world.”
Nonsense. Qing Ya silently cursed. If you were not that what, what qualification would you have to come see me? Do you think I am someone anyone can see?
Of course, what he said was another matter, “Tanhua Lang, I have no interest in your past or present life. You are not really bored enough to come find me for idle chat, are you? I do not have that kind of refined interest.”
Yu Qing said, “They all say Master Qing is a capable person in Haishi. I wish to make a deal with Master Qing.”
Deal? Gu Qingzhao, listening from the side, had flickering eyes.
Qing Ya also showed slight doubt, “What deal could there be between us?”
Yu Qing said, “I want to first see Master Qing’s capabilities. I want to see if Master Qing has the qualifications to make this deal with me.”
Qing Ya realised there was a trick in it. He immediately showed a half-smile. He completely did not follow Yu Qing’s path, automatically admitting defeat, “Tanhua Lang is someone who visits Xiaoyun Jian and the Zhenhai Commissioner’s family shop. Qing admits he is out of his depth. Does Tanhua Lang have any other business? If not, forgive Qing for not seeing you out.”
Not even interested in asking what the deal was. Guarding against it, afraid there was a pit waiting for him. Keeping distance was paramount. He could still maintain his posture as Haishi’s number one local snake.
With this attitude, how could they talk? Yu Qing was somewhat speechless. After his brain quickly turned a corner, he simply spoke directly, “Alright, then can I ask Master Qing for a favour?”
Qing Ya’s gaze slowly moved on his face, observing the other party’s expression and reaction.
Gu Qingzhao’s flickering eyes looked at this one then that one.
After slight hesitation, Qing Ya still felt the visitor came with ill intentions. He still felt he should avoid risk. The lessons of Wang Wentian and Zheluo Mountain were truly too painful. After peeling a peanut into his mouth, he chewed and refused, “Sorry. We do not have that kind of relationship yet. I will not help.”
Yu Qing’s face slowly darkened. The other party’s unmoved attitude made him unable to continue. The problem was he was urgently waiting for something to save lives here.
His eyes turned darkly. After a burst of rapid thinking in his brain, he suddenly waved his hand in a sweep, sweeping everything on the table with a clattering sound. Teapots and tea cups were smashed all over the ground. He also stood up and said to Qing Ya, “What old Jianghu tricks are you playing in front of me? Giving face but not wanting it, right?”
Qing Ya looked at the tea water splashed all over his bare feet. He also became annoyed. He actually dared to act tough in front of him? He also stood up, “A Shiheng, do you think this is a place where you can act wild? Today, giving face to you as the world’s number one talent, chop off one of your own hands, and I will not pursue this matter.”
Gu Qingzhao, stunned, also quickly stood up, looking left and right.
Yu Qing’s expression did not change. He directly hurled a sentence at Qing Ya, “You are actually the mastermind behind kidnapping that child.”
This shout was like thunder to certain people.
The fierce expression on Qing Ya’s face instantly dissolved like bubbles. He was indeed somewhat stunned by those words. After reacting, he immediately seized the initiative and said, “Do you really think talking nonsense means no one can deal with you?”
Gu Qingzhao’s face also flashed with some panic due to those abrupt nonsense words.
Yu Qing said, “Whether it is nonsense or not, whether it is related to you or not, report it to You Cliff. Let You Cliff investigate and we will know.”
Killing intent instantly appeared in Qing Ya’s eyes. The peanut in his hand was directly crushed into dregs. He said through gritted teeth, “Are you addicted to snitching?”
This matter had finally passed with difficulty. How could he stir up waves again and let You Cliff investigate? Would he be happy if they found out he was not the mastermind but a main accomplice? As long as someone reported it, You Cliff would probably first ask Wang Wentian. Wang himself was already in that situation. Could he still expect Wang to desperately speak well of him?
Yu Qing gave a cold snort, “Want to kill to silence? You can try. See if you can silence everyone completely. Come, I will teach you a thorough way to silence everyone. You had best quickly send someone to Youjiao Port and kill the people from my Miaoqing Hall too. Otherwise, try touching a single hair of mine.”
Gu Qingzhao was both shocked and suspicious. She could not help repeatedly looking this person up and down. She found that this person did not look like any world’s number one talent at all. He was clearly just a ruffian and scoundrel.