“Huu—”
Mu Xinlian took a deep breath. After shaking off the excitement from successfully making contact with Shen Qingci, she grew nervous once again.
Staring at the carved wooden door of Room 603, she fidgeted with the hem of her clothes.
“Calm down. Don’t get worked up. Don’t make any mistakes.”
She mentally reminded herself to stay calm before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
The private room was not large, decorated in a fresh and elegant style that contrasted sharply with the extravagant luxury of the first floor.
A faint, pleasant fragrance filled the air. Through the lattice screen, Mu Xinlian saw Shen Qingci leaning back on the sofa, his gaze also appraising her.
Shen Qingci extended one hand, gesturing for Mu Xinlian to sit opposite him.
Mu Xinlian walked over somewhat stiffly and sat down across from him. Just as she was wondering how to begin, Shen Qingci spoke first.
“From the very first moment our eyes met in the crowd, I felt as if we were old friends. Have we met before, miss?”
Mu Xinlian’s train of thought was interrupted by his words, making her even more nervous.
She began thinking rapidly. She was certain this was her first time meeting Shen Qingci; they had never known each other before. So why did he say they felt like old acquaintances at first sight?
Was it merely polite small talk? Mu Xinlian didn’t think so. She felt he was hinting at something. So she decided to probe carefully.
“When I first saw Young Master in the crowd, I was struck by your extraordinary bearing and couldn’t help but look a few more times.”
Shen Qingci maintained his smile. He stood up and cupped his hands in greeting. “Perhaps this is fate. I am Shen Qingci. May I know your name, miss?”
Seeing his gesture, Mu Xinlian quickly stood up as well and returned the greeting. “This humble one is called Mu Xinlian. It is my honor to make your acquaintance today, Young Master.”
Shen Qingci nodded. After sitting back down, he poured two cups of warm osmanthus wine from the pot on the table and pushed one toward Mu Xinlian.
“Mu Xinlian? A lovely name. This osmanthus wine is neither too sweet nor too strong—it is one of the finest. Why don’t you try a few sips, Miss Xinlian?”
With that, Shen Qingci lifted his cup and drained it in one go. Mu Xinlian hurriedly followed suit.
She gradually understood Shen Qingci’s intention. By exchanging names proactively, he wanted her to reveal her true purpose.
Now that she understood, things became much simpler. Mu Xinlian went with the flow and continued according to his lead. “This osmanthus wine truly is an exceptional brew. Since Young Master Shen enjoys such light and elegant wines, I wonder if you also have an interest in poetry and literature?”
Seeing that Mu Xinlian had touched upon the key point, Shen Qingci sat up straighter. He noticed the crucial hint in her words and grew serious inside, though his expression remained unchanged.
He smiled faintly, his eyes fixed on her. “Of course I do. Could it be that Miss also has a deep appreciation for poetry?”
Mu Xinlian observed him carefully. Shen Qingci’s subtle reaction was exactly as she had expected.
“It seems that meeting Young Master Shen today means I have found a kindred spirit. Though I am not very talented, I do have some slight knowledge of poetry.”
“Since Miss is interested, why don’t you compose a poem fitting for this occasion and scenery?”
“Then I shall make a fool of myself. Please don’t laugh at me, Young Master Shen.”
As she spoke, Mu Xinlian stood up, paced a few steps around the room, and pretended to think for a moment.
“This is late spring, and I have had the fortune to meet Young Master Shen as a kindred spirit. I am moved to compose a poem for this moment and scene.”
Mu Xinlian unfurled a folding fan and recited:
“Alone I sit on the quiet terrace, longing for you who does not come.
Southwind knows my intent, clear frost hence fills the branches.”
The moment her voice fell, Shen Qingci waved his hand and cast a spell. The technique spread rapidly, enveloping the entire private room in an instant.
Shen Qingci’s expression turned grave, no longer hiding his seriousness. “I have used a spell to isolate the space within this room. Unless a Nascent Soul powerhouse personally breaks it, no sound or movement from inside will leak out.”
His eyes locked tightly onto Mu Xinlian. A spell was already charged and ready in his left hand. If he wished, he could reduce her to ashes at any moment.
Mu Xinlian’s heart rose into her throat. In that brief moment just now, Shen Qingci had already contacted Southwind Immortal Kingdom and confirmed that Mu Xinlian was not one of their spies.
Shen Qingci couldn’t help but consider the possibility that he had been exposed. In the past month alone, two Southwind spies had already been captured. The psychological pressure on him had been immense.
“Who exactly are you?”
If Mu Xinlian’s answer did not satisfy him, Shen Qingci would kill her immediately and flee from Jade Water Immortal Kingdom.
Faced with such pressure, Mu Xinlian was terrified inside, but she forced herself to remain calm and answered steadily:
“Young Master Shen, there is no need to be alarmed. I have come to ask for your help on a certain matter.”
She then recited another line of poetry:
“Southwind knows my intent, moon sets and frost fills the sky.”
Hearing this second line, Shen Qingci’s tension increased. As a spy himself, he always prepared for the worst.
He knew this second line belonged to He Shu. The worst-case scenario was that He Shu had broken under interrogation and revealed some secrets.
“Tell me, what is your relationship with He Wanyi?”
Mu Xinlian raised her hand, not answering directly.
“This humble one is the goddaughter once adopted by He Wanyi. I come on her orders to seek Young Master’s assistance.”
“Besides, I am only at Foundation Establishment. I pose no threat to you whatsoever.”
“What reason do I have to believe you are not lying? How can you prove that you are not someone sent by Hua Yanyun to test me?”
Shen Qingci did not trust her words easily. The spell in his left hand remained fully charged and ready to release at any second.
Seeing that Shen Qingci was still wary, Mu Xinlian explained in detail how she had met He Shu and how she had come into contact with her.
Only after listening to the full story did Shen Qingci relax slightly and withdraw the charged spell in his left hand.
“This is the token Miss gave me. Please examine it, Young Master Shen.”
Mu Xinlian took out the white jade hairpin that He Shu had once given her back in Flowing Flower Immortal City and handed it to Shen Qingci.
He Shu had not instructed her to do this, but Mu Xinlian improvised to gain his trust.
Shen Qingci took the hairpin and examined it carefully, confirming it was indeed a personal item that had once belonged to He Shu.
“According to what you’ve said, He Wanyi is not dead but is being held captive by Hua Yanyun?”
Shen Qingci asked. Mu Xinlian nodded.
He knew that He Shu had been publicly taken into the harem and had heard about Liu Shumei and the others bullying her, but he knew nothing of what had happened afterward. He had assumed she had already been tortured to death.
Shen Qingci remained silent for a moment before returning the hairpin to Mu Xinlian.
“I will do everything I can to contact our homeland. I will help you as much as possible without exposing my own identity.”