Touched by their kindness, Meng Fuyao remained silent. Was her luck good or bad, exactly? Yes, she got into trouble often, but it was often because of them. Perhaps without them, she would simply be a peaceful, well-behaved baby. Hence, this was a paradox no different from that of the chicken and the egg. There was no explanation, and all she could do was to accept her fate and continue undergoing training by all three handsome men.

Although the three men held no good impressions of one another and fought endlessly, they had a common understanding when it came to Meng Fuyao. While training her, they did not forget about her subordinate as well. Zong Yue sent a top spy to teach Yao Xun about scouting, concealing, and gaining connections. Yao Xun excitedly reported his plan to gather his Godly Palm Sect to Meng Fuyao. He wanted to train up a team like Zhangsun Wuji’s secret guards. Meng Fuyao snorted, waved and had him think about it on his own.

Zhan Beiye’s Dark Wind Horses stayed in Yaocheng while their chief followed him to Huazhou. During Tie Cheng’s break time he was in charge of imparting horse riding techniques. With Meng Fuyao’s identity, she could now initiate an administration, regulating the 5,000 White Pavilion soldiers in Yaocheng and Suishui and also be protected by her own guards. Zhan Beiye trained Tie Cheng with the intention of grooming him into becoming the head of Meng Fuyao’s future guards. Born from the mighty Dark Wind Horses, one could imagine how powerful her first army would be.

Meng Fuyao did not notice the scattered ability those who had relied on their own character and charm had gained, and that they had started to break out of their embryonic form under the nurture of farsighted and impressive fighters. Her mind wasn’t in the Five Region Continent as her goal had always been to leave. Why go through so much for someone who was going to leave sooner or later? It would be more crucial for her to gather travel money. As such, the short-sighted Miss Meng idled and placed her focus on obtaining money. Her entertainment dance club continued expanding after the war, and because of her increase in status, her business boomed even more. Next, her goal was to branch her dance hall into different levels, and that included the masses. The citizens were the biggest target audience, and they would drive clothing, tailoring and weaving businesses, all of which she would enter. Just imagining all the money rolling in made the moneygrubber Meng grin.

––––

It was the opening day of the first entertainment club in Huazhou and naturally, as the boss, Meng Fuyao was present. She had practically been locked at home and wanted to have some fun, picking up girls and attracting rich men for a change, especially since she had heard that there was a reputable male brothel a.k.a. “Chrysanthemum Path.”

She had heard that the men in there were beautiful, and as a woman who enjoyed reading mangas about male homosexual love, she was deeply intrigued and had to visit the place for herself. Of course, she mustn’t let too many people follow her on this trip, and to make things easier, she decided not to invite anyone along. They could make it there themselves if anything.

Early in the next morning, Meng Fuyao got up and dressed up. Lord Yuan Bao, who had been following her everywhere recently, squatted before his own closet, thinking about what was appropriate for such a grand event. He strongly believed that he would be letting the audience down if he, as the perpetual protagonist, did not dress the part.

Meng Fuyao laughed as he rummaged through his clothes, failing to make a decision. She then retrieved something from her pocket. It was a dress.

Lord Yuan Bao raged in heavy resistance against Meng Fuyao’s insult toward the opposite sex.

Meng Fuyao approached him with a smile. “Don’t you know? The only time your master had ever complimented my beauty was when I wore a dress like this. He can’t resist a dress. If you want him, certain sacrifices must be made. Plus, doesn’t having the bottom wear a dress create some kind of mood?”

Lord Yuan Bao’s eyes flickered.

“This dress suits your figure – slim at the waist and full at the hips – the perfect S-line body. Wow, wow…” Meng Fuyao continued stirring, seeing that he was wavering.

Just like that Lord Yuan Bao put on the dancing dress, evoking a sigh from Meng Fuyao. ‘A “slender waist” indeed. Perfect barrel bodyline…’

She put him in her pocket and sneaked a glimpse outside. ‘Door… no one. Courtyard… no one.’

In the garden, Zong Yue was analyzing the herbs he had grown, and he was dressed in his white robe and shoes. It appeared as if a cloud was floating amid the dark purple and light green garden. Upon spotting her, he casually greeted, “So early?”

Before she could feel guilty thinking about an excuse, he continued, “At this time the turbid air rises and fresh air falls. It’s a great time for a stroll. Be inspired by the spiritual influence, or you might become dumber each day.”

While Meng Fuyao was rendered speechless, she had long gotten used to his vicious speeches and could sense the warmth beneath it. Not wanting to bicker with him, she laughed it off. “Yes, yes, it’s no wonder you’re living like a piece of abstract art. It’s the spiritual air’s doing.”

Zong Yue threw her a quick glare and ignored her words. She quickly passed the garden and entered the courtyard, only to spot Zhan Beiye. He was training Tie Cheng, and upon seeing her, his eyes lit up. “Come, come beat him up,” he waved.

Happy that he seemed unaware, she drew a circle on the ground with a foot. “We’re going to try something new today.”

“What is it?” Zhan Beiye asked, crooking his head and smiling.

“Let’s have a match,” she giggled. “We fight in this circle, and whoever leaves, loses.”

“Alright.”

“You start since you’re the superior sex.”

“Alright.”

Zhan Beiye stood obediently in the circle, and Meng Fuyao emphasized, “No coming out or you lose. The loser doesn’t get to talk for 3 days.”

“Will I lose?” he asked with a slightly disdainful look.

“Eat this!” She waved her fist.

Meng Fuyao launched her attack with great power but turned to grab her tummy midway. Frowning, she said, “Ahh, a stomachache all of a sudden? I need to shit…” At that, she ran out, waving. “Don’t leave the circle. Wait for me…”

Shaking his head, Zhan Beiye scolded, “This unrefined woman…” In spite of that, he stayed where he had to be.

Meng Fuyao rushed to the latrine, jumped off the wall and lamented over the War God’s naivety. She had already escaped once through this method, so why was he falling for it the second time?

As the main gate came into view, Meng Fuyao did a little happy dance. Suddenly, a person emerged from behind the screen wall, letting out an idle smile. “Morning, Fuyao.”

Meng Fuyao’s excitement was instantly shattered by his voice, but she still reached a hand out to wave. “Morning–––”

“You look beautiful today,” Zhangsun Wuji complimented. “The yellow flowers match the deep purple color in your robe really well.”

“Yeah, yeah… you look beautiful too… what a beautiful color,” Meng Fuyao mocked.

“I’ve been wearing this color for a long time, and you’re finally learning to appreciate it,” he laughed, casting his gaze toward the interior. “Sir Zong is not up yet? I need some guidance.”

“Ah?” Her eyes lit up. “He’s up, he’s up. In the garden with his herbs,” she informed, eagerly grabbing onto his sleeve and pointing toward his location. “The last one, you know it.”

“Alright,” he stated before walking off.

“Phew,” she let out, but as she was about to leave she caught him turning around. “Oh right. Where are you going this early?”

“Ah?” She uttered, placing her foot down carefully and smiling sheepishly. “I’m sick of the food here. I heard that the rock candy beancurd outside is soft and fragrant, and I am planning to buy some back for you guys.”

“It’s rare that you’re this generous. In fact, I think this is the first time,” Zhangsun Wuji noted, calm and sarcastically, before heading in. “Be quick then.”

Pleased, Meng Fuyao let his sarcasm go and agreed readily before vanishing like a puff of smoke.

Finally passing through the main entrance, she let out a long breath of relief. As Meng Fuyao had been undergoing bitter training and pressure, she finally had the chance to release stress. She was going to have some good fun.

Since it was still early, she decided to have a taste of the chrysanthemum at Chrysanthemum Path first. She got on her horse happily and lifted her sleeve. “Yuan Bao, the flowers over at that red tree are sweet. Want some?”

Immediately upon hearing about food, Lord Yuan Bao shot his head out to take a look and dashed over to where she pointed.

“Meow!”

A cat pounced out from within a bush.

Lord Yuan Bao turned rigid, slowly shifting his head downward and seeing the cat sizing him up in curiosity. It was seriously wondering if the strangely dressed and shaped object was its arch enemy, a rat, or a relative, a rabbit.

Meng Fuyao laughed merrily on the horse, watching the event unfold.

Meng Fuyao was up to no good that day, and couldn’t possibly allow that little fellow to tag along. However, with the telepathic connection he shared with his owner, he might use it to call for Zhangsun Wuji if she did not bring him along. That would spell the end of her fun, and she would not let that happened. As such, she chose to find something to keep the little one occupied.

A few days back she had noticed a hole with a young cat in it. It was the perfect opportunity for her to test if a rat that was unafraid of a cat existed.

Lord Yuan Bao finally confirmed the yellow ball’s identity and let out a screech. He jumped off the tree, attempting to flee, only to remember that he was in a dance dress that made movements clumsy. With such a hindrance he slipped a few steps later, and upon getting up to run again, he tumbled once more.