Ignorant vermin, seeking death.

Unlike the small taverns scattered along the bustling streets, the places accessible here were mostly reserved for the upper echelons of society. The Yingjiang Tower, renowned as the first building in Yanjing, was famous for its luxurious and extravagant atmosphere during the Zhou Dynasty, and it also paid great attention to details. The restroom was a separate small room, divided by gender, and was very secluded and clean.

If someone ate too much and needed to relieve themselves midway, they would definitely hesitate to do so in front of others, especially those who valued their reputation. After all, who would want to soil their pants?

The more Xian Yue thought about it, the more amusing it became, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud. Her skin was as fair as jade, tinted with a rosy hue; her clear eyes sparkled with hints of drunkenness. The flickering lights danced in the wind, and the lush trees on both sides reflected in the water, creating gentle ripples. The cool breeze of the night blew in, and the reflected light danced on the walls, casting dappled green shadows. This scene was refreshingly elegant compared to the opulence of the tower, and she didn't mind the critical and disdainful looks; she simply hadn't had enough to drink.

No matter how rich and fragrant the wine was, it couldn't compare to the thrill of stealing it.

The courtyard was deep, and the corridors were winding. The night was quiet, and no one was around; even the slightest rustle could be heard clearly.

"Have you found it?"

"Didn't they say it was over here? I thought I saw someone just now."

"Still haven't found it? Hurry up and look."

At the end of the corridor, three or four figures huddled together, whispering. In the still night, even their faint voices drifted to Xian Yue's ears.

"Are you looking for me?"

While they were still discussing, Xian Yue patted one of the men on the shoulder, kindly reducing their search time.

"Be quiet; don't you see the master is busy?"

The man turned around and rudely brushed off Xian Yue's hand, then continued his discussion with the others.

"Were you not looking for me? Then forget it."

Xian Yue pretended to understand, wearing a nonchalant expression. She waved her hand and turned to leave. After taking a couple of steps forward, the man she had patted suddenly came to his senses, looked at Xian Yue, and shouted, "Stop!"

"Are you calling me?"

Xian Yue pointed to herself, swaying slightly as she leaned against a pillar in the corridor.

Back at Lihua Pavilion, whenever she had nothing to do, she would secretly go drink the snow pear wine brewed by Liu Xinyou, which was sweet and fragrant. Over time, after thousands of cups, she had built up a tolerance, but that one cup could still knock someone down. Even a robust man would pass out after a jug, let alone Xian Yue, who treated it like water.

Dressed in white with a bare face and red powder between her brows, she looked slightly tipsy. In the quiet evening at Yingjiang Tower, there were only a few guests present; who else could it be but her?

"It's you!"

Seeing that Xian Yue was still young and a woman, the group relied on their numbers, becoming more brazen.

"Didn't you just say it wasn't me? Why is it me now?"

Xian Yue chuckled softly, her slightly drunken voice blending with the night breeze like a natural song. She waved her hand and ignored them.

"Follow her."

Before Xian Yue could take a few more steps, she was surrounded by those men who had caught up from behind. In the dark, the four men were all tall and strong, their bodies sturdy like bears. Did they think that being big made them invincible?

"Look at her; she's so lively. No wonder she caught the master's eye."

One man leered, and the others shifted their gazes to Xian Yue. His black skin glistened with a mischievous light, and without warning, he reached out to touch Xian Yue's face.

Although Xian Yue was somewhat tipsy, her mind was clear. Having spent years at Lihua Pavilion among the small animals on the mountain, her senses were unusually sharp. With her eyes closed, she accurately grasped the man's wrist, snapping it with a crack. That wrist, as thick as a tree branch, withered instantly. With a gentle pull—so light it felt almost effortless—the man who weighed several hundred pounds was suddenly lifted into the air and slammed against a pillar with a loud thud, as if the pillar might break.

How could such a delicate figure possess such great strength, effortlessly lifting and throwing a man of such weight? The others were startled and stepped back, suddenly aware of their predicament.

Just a young woman, yet she could turn things upside down? As they exchanged glances of encouragement, they rushed toward Xian Yue.

Xian Yue leaned back, and in that instant, her eyes flew open, cold and bright, resembling a moon hanging high in the sky—noble and distant. Her slender waist bent like a spring, and in a blink, she was comfortably pressed against the corridor wall with her arms crossed. The men hadn't yet figured out how she did it when her white figure suddenly unfurled like a blooming lily, descending right in front of them.

The robust man, who had been down on the ground with his right arm incapacitated, reached into his chest with his left hand, pulling something out. He suddenly sat up straight and threw the wrapped item at Xian Yue.

Xian Yue's petite body leaped into the air, catching hold of the horizontal beam of the corridor with one hand. Under the light, the powder glimmered a brilliant crimson, stunningly beautiful. Her cold and clear eyes flickered with intensity, suddenly colder than the moonlight itself.

How dare they delay her from enjoying her stolen drink with such underhanded tactics?

"It's been so long; why haven't they returned?"

Bai Zhanfeng's gaze was fixed on the direction of the door, his tone unconsciously tinged with urgency as he turned to Lan Yixuan beside him. "Is something wrong?"

With Xian Yue absent, the others seemed much more at ease, especially those beautiful women who had been ridiculed by Xian Yue. They put on their best manners to charm the composed Lan Yixuan while Bai Zhanfeng, bold and unrestrained, shot him flirtatious glances. Hearing Bai Zhanfeng's words, they gritted their teeth in hatred; what was so good about that woman? She was rude and uncouth, lacking any decorum.

Lan Yixuan smiled, still maintaining his calm and composed demeanor, revealing no signs of worry. He raised his chin slightly, gazing at Yingjiang Tower, the corners of his mouth lifting. "The shrimp soldiers and crab generals are nothing to worry about."

Yingjiang Tower felt a jolt, staring intently at Lan Yixuan. He appeared elegant and noble like a celestial being, without any hint of unusualness, and he let out a breath of relief, realizing it was probably just his overthinking.

"Ah."

Suddenly, a woman's sharp scream echoed from the elegant room. Her eyes widened, pointing towards the window facing the river, her cheeks flushed as if on fire, hurriedly covering her eyes with her hands.

Everyone turned to follow her finger and saw four burly men, dressed only in half trousers, suddenly hanging from colorful ribbons, their hands bound. Their posture was quite peculiar, with two of them pressing their faces together in a suggestive embrace, while the other two hung like door gods, their faces covered with strips of cloth that appeared to have been torn from their bodies.

"Foolish vermin."

Someone read the first line.

"Stealing fragrance and plundered beauty."

That was the second line.

"Seeking death."

The voice of the couplet's header resonated powerfully, booming like a mountain's roar. In a flash, the figure moved like lightning; before anyone could react, he had already reached the window. Then, a cacophony of panic erupted by the riverside, splashes of water flew everywhere. Beyond the droplets, nothing was clear, and soon the four burly men hanging in the air disappeared from view.

Curious, a few young masters ran to the window, craning their necks to see what was going on. However, their faces, which had flushed from curiosity, turned pale as paper, and some even crouched in the corner, gagging.

Yingjiang Tower cast a glance at those people, moving closer to the window. Those who had been hanging in the air were now bloodied and mangled, floating by the riverbank.

Yingjiang Tower's complexion turned pale as he looked at Bai Zhanfeng, who had a furious expression, his lips blue and trembling.

"I'll go find someone."

Bai Zhanfeng glared at Yingjiang Tower, then turned to Lan Yixuan.

Yingjiang Tower didn't look at Bai Zhanfeng again, instead, he leaned against the window frame, gazing at the indistinguishable figures of the servants, his watery eyes flashing with malicious hatred, yet his smile was oddly twisted.

"Young Master."

Leiyun, who had been standing behind Lan Yixuan, called out softly.

"This renowned Yingjiang Tower indeed has its share of oblivious flower thieves."

Leian laughed as he spoke.

"The Third Prince, my friend here is notoriously unruly; no one can keep him in check."

Lan Yixuan rose, a proud smile gracing his face, his brows slightly furrowing, even more intimidating than Bai Zhanfeng's earlier glare.

"Your Highness's birthday is a fortunate day. I will prepare a generous gift and personally come to congratulate you. I must take my leave first."

Having said this, Lan Yixuan left Yingjiang Tower and the others, who were pale and trembling, and departed.