Unintentional Surprise (GL) - Chapter 6

Among those who noticed the snapped string—and understood the danger it implied—was one more person: the imperial guard Song Tianlang, who stood silently behind Jiang Shunyao.

The fact that the current emperor had dispatched an imperial bodyguard to protect Jiang Shunyao spoke volumes about how highly the court regarded the newly appointed top scholar. And yet, even with such protection, there were still assassins brazen enough to go against the wind in an attempt to take Jiang Shunyao’s life.

Song Tianlang was loyal and capable. Almost the very instant the string broke, he reacted like any seasoned martial artist would—his hand went instinctively to the blade at his side, drawing it lightly as his posture tensed forward, ready to strike. In the next moment, he might very well have chopped Wen Dinglan into pieces and splattered the hall with bl00d.

Of course, Song Tianlang didn’t succeed in doing so—because Jiang Shunyao had stopped him.

Without even turning back, Jiang Shunyao raised a calm hand—an open palm that instantly halted Song Tianlang’s killing intent.

Jiang Shunyao knew Wen Dinglan wasn’t the one trying to kill her.

Killing Wen Dinglan would only startle the real enemy, alerting them without serving any true purpose.

Wen Dinglan had already fulfilled her purpose—she had successfully delivered the warning of the assassination attempt. With that done, she gave a slow, elegant bow. Her tone, syrupy and seductive as ever, suggested she was still playing the flirt, as she murmured softly,
“Many thanks for the top scholar’s wine. I really can’t hold my liquor… so I took the liberty of drinking it through your treasured zither.”

Jiang Shunyao felt a swell of gratitude in her heart, though she regretted that now wasn’t the right time to express it plainly. Besides, when it came to affairs of the heart, she was a total novice—unable to parry or respond to Wen Dinglan’s repeated teasing.

So she could only stand there with a reddened face, silently accepting Wen Dinglan’s playful provocation, and taking it all in without resistance.

The crowd, still clueless, continued to laugh and tease the new top scholar for being so shy.

Having spoken, Wen Dinglan retreated back into the ranks of the dancers. With her zither string broken, she could play no more. Fortunately, Dong Qing and the others were perceptive; the dance formation shifted smoothly, scattering and regrouping to conceal Wen Dinglan’s figure within the troupe.

Thus ended the performance of Ambush on All Sides—though it concluded somewhat abruptly, it was still a respectable and skillful performance.

The musicians and dancers from the “Fuxian Lingyin Pavilion” withdrew from the main hall.

The banquet resumed.

As for what followed—how Jiang Shunyao navigated the remainder of the evening, and whether she avoided drinking any poisoned wine—Wen Dinglan was no longer present to find out.

But seeing as Jiang Shunyao was the top scholar, surely she would have a few tricks up her sleeve. It would be rather disappointing if she couldn’t handle something this minor.

Thinking this, Wen Dinglan’s worries finally began to ease.

As long as Jiang Shunyao remained safe, then the Fuxian Lingyin Pavilion could remain out of trouble.

That way, everyone could enjoy peace and safety—just as it should be.

But now that she thought about it… this new top scholar had quite the striking appearance. What if that face were to be touched up and refined just a bit more?

It was lucky that most of the guests at the banquet were rough men who didn’t notice such details. If everyone had the same seasoned eye for beauty that Wen Dinglan had, honed through years spent in the pleasure quarters—

Then Jiang Shunyao’s disguise might not have held up under scrutiny.

Yes.

Beneath the jeweled hairpins and courtly robes, beneath the painted brows and flawless makeup, Jiang Shunyao was hiding a secret:

She was, in truth, a woman.

“What are you smirking at? The string snapped, the performance barely passed muster, and you’re still grinning?” Dong Qing finally relaxed once they had left the banquet hall. But turning to see Wen Dinglan smiling to herself in a daze—well, that was aggravating.

How could anyone not be annoyed?

Having been caught smiling, Wen Dinglan simply let herself grin more openly, more delightedly.

Dong Qing pressed her for an answer, but Wen Dinglan gave none.

She idly twirled the broken string between her fingers, rolling it thoughtfully before tossing it aside—just like someone toying with another’s heartstrings, light and careless.

She had a feeling that the two of them would meet again very soon.

And when they did… Wen Dinglan had every intention of asking for far more than just a cup of top scholar’s wine.