Chapter 80: The Identity of Zeng Yiling

Yang Lian was somewhat puzzled. Zeng Yiling had invited him to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion surely not just to listen to this story. What was the significance of this tale? People from the Jiangnan region were all too familiar with it. Zeng Yiling bringing it up seemed to have a specific purpose, Yang Lian pondered inwardly.

"This humble woman has a lingering premonition that Mister Yang’s arrival in Jinling is perhaps not as innocent as it seems." Zeng Yiling looked into Yang Lian’s eyes, the corners of her lips curving slightly upward. Unfortunately, Yang Lian could not see her clearly and had no idea what expression she wore at that moment.

Yang Lian did not rush to reply. Instead, he paced with his hands clasped behind his back, surveying the surroundings. It was an ordinary-looking room, revealing nothing out of the ordinary. Yet the owner of this very room was uttering extraordinary words. What was Zeng Yiling trying to achieve?

Yang Lian raised his head, feigning a relaxed and casual demeanor, and asked, "Then what purpose does the lady believe I have?"

Zeng Yiling smiled faintly and said, "Does Young Master Yang not know the purpose of your own journey to Jinling?"

"Judging by the lady’s tone, you seem to be clearer about it than I am." Yang Lian smiled faintly.

Zeng Yiling frowned and said, "Could it not be for the Wolf of Zhongshan?"

"Who is the Wolf of Zhongshan?" Yang Lian turned the tables and pressed on.

Zeng Yiling smiled. "Young Master knows full well, so why play dumb and try to deceive this humble girl?"

"Very well, since my cover is blown, I might as well tell you." Yang Lian smiled calmly, eyeing Zeng Yiling. "This Wolf of Zhongshan is none other than..." As he spoke, Yang Lian slowly drew closer to Zeng Yiling. Suddenly, outstretching his hand with lightning speed, he lunged toward her, attempting to lift her veil and see her true identity.

However, Zeng Yiling reacted swiftly. She raised her hand to block his palm while taking two steps back. Yang Lian closed in immediately, his large hand striking out at her once more.

"Clack!" With a crisp sound, their palms collided. Yang Lian was slightly startled; Zeng Yiling was actually able to fend off his attack. Judging by her martial prowess, she was definitely no ordinary woman. His curiosity thoroughly piqued, Yang Lian increased his strength.

The two exchanged blows back and forth within the room for a considerable time, neither able to gain the upper hand. Yang Lian grew even more astonished inwardly. Zeng Yiling appeared delicate and gentle, and she played the zither masterfully. He had originally assumed she was merely an ordinary woman of a pleasure house. But now, her extraordinary martial arts alone proved that her status within this brothel was anything but ordinary. What on earth was her true identity?

Yang Lian’s attacks grew increasingly fierce. As the two parried and countered, twenty or thirty rounds passed in the blink of an eye. While Yang Lian was amazed, Zeng Yiling was even more shocked. She had not expected Yang Lian to be so formidable and immensely strong. After fighting for a while, both her palms were aching faintly, yet Yang Lian showed no signs of relenting, giving her a severe headache.

Perceiving that she was nearing her limit, Yang Lian accelerated his offense, raised his hand, and snatched the veil from Zeng Yiling’s head. As the veil fluttered to the ground, Yang Lian looked at her triumphantly, finally able to see what she looked like. However, in the next instant, he froze. It was true that her veil had fallen, but her face was covered with a piece of white gauze, leaving her features still obscured.

A wave of frustration washed over Yang Lian. He tossed the veil back to her and asked, "Lady Zeng, what is the meaning of this?"

"Young Master Yang worries too much. I am only doing this for your own good," Zeng Yiling said with a triumphant smile.

At this moment, Yang Lian could clearly see Zeng Yiling’s eyes—her long eyelashes and clear, luminous gaze were full of expression as she looked at him with a semi-smile. In the split second their eyes met, Yang Lian’s heart stirred, and he suddenly laughed. "Zeng Yiling, Zeng Yiling! I'm afraid this name is not your real one, is it?"

"Why does Young Master say that?" Zeng Yiling asked calmly.

Yang Lian shook his head. "It is merely a feeling. I seem to have met you somewhere before—and certainly not last time at the Xiaoxiang Pavilion."

Zeng Yiling smiled faintly without answering. Instead, she extended her delicate, white hands and said, "Give me the jade hairpin."

Yang Lian drew the jade hairpin from his tunic, twirling it in his hand. "The jade hairpin is in my hand. If you want it, come and take it."

"This belongs to this humble woman," Zeng Yiling said.

Yang Lian shook his head. "Yet you gave it to me. From that moment on, it has been mine."

Zeng Yiling retorted, "This jade hairpin was a gift from an old friend. Although not precious, it holds profound significance. Young Master Yang certainly knows the person who gave it to me."

"Why are you so certain?" Yang Lian asked.

"Because the person who gave me this jade hairpin is the late Princess Yongxing of the current dynasty!" Zeng Yiling dropped a bombshell, revealing the tremendous secret behind the hairpin.

"Princess Yongxing? I heard she passed away many years ago. You actually knew her?" Shock rippled through Yang Lian, but he kept his expression calm and inquired coolly.

"Naturally, I knew her." Zeng Yiling smiled happily. Suddenly clapping her hands, she said, "Young Master Yang, you may leave now."

At her words, the door swung open, and a maidservant appeared before Yang Lian, bowing slightly. "Young Master Yang."

Yang Lian narrowed his eyes. What was Zeng Yiling playing at? A test? What on earth did she know? He immediately cupped his fists and said, "Since that is the case, Yang Lian takes his leave." With that, he strode out.

Zeng Yiling’s bright eyes followed Yang Lian. Seeing him walk away at a steady, unhurried pace, she did not utter a word to make him stay. Only after he vanished from sight did she let out a lingering sigh.

"Sister Ling, did you manage to test him?" the maidservant asked.

Zeng Yiling shook her head. "This man is too composed, revealing neither joy nor anger. For now, it is impossible to tell. Moreover, it truly baffles me that he failed to discover the secret of the jade hairpin."

The maidservant sighed. "And yet... yet he was clearly somewhere around Sakura Islet that day."

"His presence there proves nothing. You must know, it is very likely the Princess Consort Huairou who summoned him," Zeng Yiling said, shaking her head.

"Do not rush. Let us observe a little longer. Even the most cunning fox will eventually show its tail," she added.

The maidservant’s heart leaped to her throat. Swallowing hard, she asked, "If... if he really is him, what will Sister Ling do?"

"Fight the Wolf of Zhongshan alongside him." Zeng Yiling smiled. The story Yang Lian had told was quite interesting indeed.

"Fight the Wolf of Zhongshan?" The maidservant asked, perplexed and uncomprehending.

Zeng Yiling offered no explanation. She slowly paced over to the window and lifted the curtain. Yang Lian was walking downward, nearly reaching the doorway. Smiling faintly, Zeng Yiling dropped the curtain and gently plucked the zither strings, sending a wave of martial music drifting through the air.

Deep in his heart, Yang Lian had hoped Zeng Yiling would call him back. Yet this was a battle of wits and willpower; he could not turn around. To turn back would be to surrender the initiative. Until he could ascertain Zeng Yiling’s true identity, Yang Lian was determined not to expose himself prematurely. He resolved in his mind that the Xiaoxiang Pavilion must be thoroughly investigated.

Meanwhile, seeing Yang Lian emerge, Li Hongji intercepted him and demanded, "Yang Lian, what happened in there?"

Yang Lian sized up Li Hongji and could not help letting out a laugh. "I wonder if you are speaking to me in the capacity of the Duke of Dongping or as Li Hongji?"

Li Hongji was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"If you speak as the Duke of Dongping, I apologize: Yang Lian is the commander of the Divine Martial Army and dares not associate too closely with the Duke of Dongping. What transpired just now is none of the Duke's business," Yang Lian replied with a faint smile. A military general interacting too frequently with an imperial prince would likely arouse the sovereign's suspicion. As for the Prince of Qi, he was the designated heir apparent and harbored no personal ambitions, which was why Yang Lian chose to befriend him.

"And what if I speak as an individual?" Li Hongji’s pupils contracted sharply, dissatisfaction flaring in his heart, yet he asked stubbornly.

"Has the Duke of Dongping just woken from sleep to ask such a foolish question?" Yang Lian retorted.

Unable to contain his anger, Li Hongji clenched his fists. "Yang Lian, what is the meaning of this?"

"What camaraderie is there between you, Li Hongji, and me? During the trial the other day, you shot a covert arrow in the dark. If not for the fact that you are an imperial prince, I would have flayed your skin long ago!" Yang Lian said coldly, a trace of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. "And you still expect to question me? Do you think I would tell you anything, Duke of Dongping?"

Furious, Li Hongji had sought out Yang Lian because of his obsession with Zeng Yiling. He never expected Yang Lian to refuse to curry favor with him despite his princely status, but instead hurl malicious insults at him. Sneering, Li Hongji threw a punch.

Yang Lian sidestepped slightly to evade the blow and strode away.

Having missed his target, Li Hongji did not pursue him—after all, his status constrained him. After pacing outside the Xiaoxiang Pavilion for a long while, Li Hongji ultimately rushed inside, hammering on Zeng Yiling’s door. "Lady Zeng, it is Li Hongji. Will you open the door and let me in?"

The maidservant called out from within, "Duke of Dongping, you are a dignified imperial prince; please maintain your self-respect."

Li Hongji had come in disguise, and hearing this, he choked back his words. His status was delicate, and the Emperor disliked him, leaving him constantly walking on thin ice. Fortunately, his mother was highly favored; although he held only the rank of a duke, his power was undiminished, and he maintained a group of loyal retainers in his household. Regrettably, most of them had been slaughtered by Yang Lian during the martial trials a few months prior, leaving him deeply aggrieved.

"Zeng Yiling, open the door at once, or I will set fire to this place!" Li Hongji shouted.

"Li Hongji, this humble woman is merely a fragile creature of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Does the Duke of Dongping truly not fear the ridicule of the world by bullying me so, relying solely on your status?" Zeng Yiling’s voice drifted out, soft and unperturbed, completely unchanged by the preceding events.

Li Hongji banged on the door again, but it remained firmly bolted. Soon, personnel of the pleasure house gathered upon hearing the commotion. Several matrons recognized Li Hongji and felt a twinge of fear. One of them, mustering her courage, said, "If the Duke of Dongping wishes to see Lady Zeng, naturally none of us would dare to stop you. But since Lady Zeng is unwilling to receive you, the Duke would do well to leave early and spare us humble folk any further trouble."

Many people knew of Li Hongji’s romantic interest in Zeng Yiling, and out of deference to his status, they usually allowed him to throw his tantrums. Yet Li Hongji dared not push things too far either; if word reached his imperial mother and the Emperor, a severe reprimand—or even confinement—await him. Pondering this, Li Hongji hurried away, his figure gradually vanishing from the crowd's sight.

Stepping out of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Li Hongji glanced back, a cold sneer tugging at the corners of his lips—gone was the lovesick fool of moments before. Casting one last profound look at the pavilion, Li Hongji hurried back to his manor. He still had many things to do.