Exploring the Illusory Tomb Part 1 [Ancient Times Version] - Chapter 30: The Wind and Moon Pavilion

Chapter 30: The Wind and Moon Pavilion

When I opened my eyes, my head was still heavy. The calming incense Shao Jing lit every night had already stopped giving off its wisps of smoke. In the large room, only a faint layer of soft, warm fragrance lingered.

After I finished washing up and changed into a light green top, I was about to head out. Today was bright and sunny—a rather special day. But the usual joy that daughters of good families take in spring outings was something I had neither the blessing nor the time to enjoy. After all, now was the time to have a talk with the Prince. Just as I reached the door, I saw Shao Jing holding a long object and walking toward me from afar. When she reached me, she said, 

“Miss, are you heading out?”

I smiled and said, 

“There are some things to do. Your master hasn’t forbidden me from going out, has he?”

Shao Jing looked a little embarrassed: 

“Look at what you’re saying. I just came to inform you—a gentleman came to the residence yesterday. This morning I took him around for a walk. And who knew he would reach your Changfeng Courtyard and refuse to leave. He asked me to bring this item to you.” 

After speaking, she handed me the long item. I took it, and it turned out to be a heavy long case.

Shao Jing said, 

“Now that I’ve delivered it, I must return.” 

As she spoke, her face seemed a bit shy. It was tinged with a sparkling blush. 

“That gentleman… he is quite the handsome man. Miss, you really are blessed.”

I was momentarily stunned. When I turned around, I saw this usually gentle girl run off like a startled sparrow. I looked down at the long case in my hands, gently opened the finely crafted lid, and found inside lay a long sword with a greenish hue. I had always had some knowledge of ancient swords and could tell immediately that this was no ordinary piece. The blade was engraved with intricate patterns and two delicate characters: Jin Se (锦瑟).

I thought to myself, this sword looks very familiar—where had I seen it before? I couldn’t help but grow curious about this mysterious guest. Yesterday, Chang Wu had delivered some new gold foil to Kunlun, which I guessed also came from this gentleman’s hand.

Just as I was lost in thought, a soft, fragrant voice suddenly entered my ear: 

“Does Shishi like my humble gift?”

I hurriedly took a few steps back and saw before me a tall man in brocade robes. He was holding a jade fan before his face. He showed only a pair of sparkling peach blossom eyes—almost as if water would drip from them.

“You… you… you!” 

I stared wide-eyed, pointing at him. I was too shocked to say anything else.

“You what? It’s been a while. Did Shishi miss me?” 

His words were anything but proper. When he lowered the jade fan, a familiar handsome face appeared. Those seductive eyes were smiling at me. Wasn’t this the very same Yu Linxing I parted from a few days ago—who else could it be?

“Why are you here?” 

Flustered by her teasing, I frowned and said, 

“You’re a fine young lady—why are you dressed like this?”

But in my heart, I had to admit—Yu Linxing in this outfit looked just like a graceful, elegant young noble. With her beautiful face and luxurious clothing, she even had a soft feminine charm that most men lacked. No wonder Shao Jing had that expression when talking about the “guest”.

“I came to see you, of course!” 

Yu Linxing picked up the conversation and pointed at the ancient sword in the case. Her smile was still soul-stirring. 

“After I got back, I missed you day and night. I just forgot to give you this sword, Jin Se. So I brought it to you today—as a token of affection.”

“Bah, what nonsense day and night!” 

I quickly spat. This demoness truly loved to spout nonsense. My gaze fell on the sword. And after thinking for a while, I suddenly remembered—it was the very same sword I used to kill Yazi at the tomb of Consort Chu. I had left it in the main hall of the tomb in a hurry. I didn’t expect Yu Linxing to retrieve it and bring it back to me.

“Since ancient times, precious swords are given to beauties. Does Shishi still like it?”

I gave her a look and sighed, 

“Stop joking. Tell me—giving that gold foil to the Prince this time—did you manage to get something out of it?”

Yu Linxing wrapped her arm around my shoulder and smiled: 

“Smart girl! There’s a reward for that. Hurry up and change. Come with me—we finally reunited, we should go out for some fun.”

“Where to?” 

I asked suspiciously.

“Catch Green.” 

Yu Linxing suddenly looked serious.

“Catch Green” is a tomb-raiding slang. It means finding a client to investigate the location of burial artifacts—also known as “seeking the cauldron.”

“This Prince is quite the capable person. His connections span everywhere. Doing business with him is rather interesting. You know, at Mo Yin Valley, aside from tomb raiding, we have quite the business sense too. This time I traded some gold foil from the tomb with the Prince and got a few valuable leads.”

I stared at Yu Linxing. I was eagerly waiting for more. She leaned in mysteriously and whispered, 

“This time the lead is about Liu Guizang.”

My heart sank.

“Well? Shishi, are you interested?” 

Yu Linxing looked at me with those sly fox eyes. She was clearly setting bait.

I lowered my head and stayed silent. Liu Guizang—back then, most of the gold foil had ended up in his hands. If this clue was real, couldn’t it lead to the whereabouts of the “Jade Shuttle Record”?

After a long pause, I quietly nodded.

Yu Linxing clapped her hands and smiled: 

“Good, then come with me. But before we go, you’ll need a little makeover.” 

Saying this, she pulled me and dragged me out.

Half an hour later

I stared at the mirror, at the unfamiliar yet familiar young man—it was like a dream. A moon-white outer robe of fine silk, deep-blue long garment inside, a jade pendant with double dragons casually tied at the waist, and the familiar jade hairpin was still where it belonged in the hair bun. It was my first time cross-dressing. Everything had been arranged by Yu Linxing. After some shy fussing, I was done. Yu Linxing stood nearby. She was nodding repeatedly.

“Not bad, not bad.” 

The demoness smiled cunningly.

I glared at her. The two of us went to the Prince’s mansion gates. There stood a luxurious carriage. Clearly, it was prepared by Yu Linxing. I lifted the curtain and peeked inside. And I couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.

Inside sat a white-clad youth. His long hair was tied back with a single white jade band. It was adorned with an exquisite jade ring. His black hair, even tied, still spread across the brocade carpet. He wore a moon-white mask. Even so, he radiated a cold, snowy charm.

Yet the man looked a little stiff. From behind the mask, his gaze had a hint of bashful unease.

“Luo Shen?” 

I cried.

Luo Shen looked at me. Her pale lips tinted with pink, her deep eyes unreadable.

“You ghost! Still so awkward. I told you to wear it before and you wouldn’t. Now look, don’t you look good?” 

Yu Linxing jumped onto the carriage. She was laughing and teasing Luo Shen. She gave a small, awkward cough, lifted the curtain, and looked away out the window.

The carriage wove through the bustling city. Yu Linxing and I chatted lazily about recent events. Luo Shen remained silent. From time to time, I’d lift the curtain and look outside. Ying City, where the Prince resided, had always been a prosperous place. Shops lined both sides of the street, and the crowds were lively and endless.

After a while, the carriage stopped. The three of us got out. Before us stood a magnificent pavilion—splendidly decorated. Every corner was gilded. People came and went, but all were men. At the entrance stood several charming young women. They were swaying their hips and cheerfully greeting those men with beaming faces.

I frowned and looked up. Hanging above was a massive signboard with three large flirtatious characters: Wind and Moon Pavilion (风月阁).

Seeing the building, the clothing and demeanor of the men coming and going—I suddenly realized what this was. And my face turned green.

“Yu. Lin. Xing!” 

I turned around and stared at her, furious. I said each word with emphasis.

Yu Linxing grinned. She lifted her fan as if to shield herself, and said, 

“Aiyo, such killing intent!”

I stepped forward, enraged: 

“Don’t tell me, the client for this ‘Catch Green’ is in this brothel!” 

If looks could kill, this demoness would’ve died ten times over.

No wonder we all had to dress like men—turns out it was to enter *this kind of place*. If Kunlun found out I—a proper young lady—had entered a pleasure house, who knows what her face would look like.

Luo Shen looked up at the building silently. The curve of her lips seemed frozen. Behind the mask, her eyes showed faint helplessness.

Yu Linxing, however, said, 

“Shishi, this you don’t understand. The so-called ‘hidden in plain sight’—isn’t that exactly the idea? The client is indeed inside the Wind and Moon Pavilion. How could my information be wrong?”

Just as she finished, several gaudily dressed women walked over. The one leading had alluring charm in every movement. She smiled flirtatiously and said, 

“Gentlemen, please come inside.”

Her voice was sweet. It was like a pool of spring water.

She stepped up to take my arm. My face flushed bright red. I quickly slipped away, retreating several steps to distance myself.

The woman looked surprised. She then let out a giggle: 

“This young master is truly adorable. Could it be your first time here?”