"You've arrived." Hong Weiwen's greeting was quite respectful. Given his position, he didn't bow deeply, but it was rare for a disciple of the sect leader to show such courtesy. The other party didn't take the greeting lightly.
"The Lord of Huanxi Garden wishes to see the Fourth Young Master."
"Please come up. I've prepared the most expensive tea, though I'm not sure if it will suit your taste." Su Yanxin smiled.
"The Huayan Pavilion is under the management of our garden. I know better than anyone how good the food here is."
"Ah, I see." Hong Weiwen scratched his head, expressing a bit of embarrassment. Su Yanxin chuckled softly at his gesture.
The two of them climbed up to the pavilion in a warm atmosphere.
The Huayan Pavilion was one of the five main pavilions within the inner sanctum of the Divine Sect, favored by the higher-ups. Hong Weiwen had chosen the Tianwei Pavilion, known for having the best view within the Huayan Pavilion.
The sky had darkened appropriately, and the fragrant food and cool breeze added to the charm.
Su Yanxin smiled and asked, "By the way, with how busy the Fourth Young Master must be, why did you invite me?"
She was quite direct from the start. However, her smile and voice were so gentle that it didn't make the other party feel uncomfortable at all.
Hong Weiwen shook his head. "There's no particular reason. It's not a difficult thing to treat someone who has been working hard for our sect to a meal."
"Hoho, you flatter me." She knew it was just polite talk, but Su Yanxin still smiled as if genuinely grateful, covering her mouth with her hand.
Hong Weiwen smiled. "This is the rare Jinzun Qing I managed to obtain. Please have a cup."
"Thank you."
The two of them poured each other a drink.
Hong Weiwen casually asked, "How did the approval documents go? Were they submitted smoothly?"
Su Yanxin answered leisurely, "Yes. I had already prepared most of it, so there wasn't much difficulty in revising it."
"You've worked hard."
"It's nothing. I just review and get confirmation from the higher-ups. The actual work is done by the subordinates."
"Creating a good environment for the subordinates to work well is no easy task either. Everyone knows how much effort the Lord of the Garden puts in."
"You're flattering me too much. I don't know where to put myself."
"I'm just speaking as I feel."
The two of them laughed and drank.
From Su Yanxin's perspective, the question about the approval documents was quite weighty. It wasn't exactly unpleasant, but it wasn't something to be brought up casually either.
Yet, her expression showed no sign of disturbance.
'As expected, she's not easy to deal with.'
After all, she was a remarkable woman who had endured decades in the battlefield of the Divine Sect and risen to the position of Lord of Huanxi Garden. She wasn't the type to be shaken by such words.
"How's the wine?"
"It's a bit too strong for my taste."
"Ah, is that so?"
"I don't really like heavy fragrances. But the aftertaste isn't bad."
Hong Weiwen's eyes deepened.
It was just a personal opinion, but it wasn't something easily said to someone who had prepared the wine and food. Moreover, the other party was a disciple of the sect leader.
'Is she offended? Over something so trivial?'
After observing her carefully, Hong Weiwen revised his thoughts.
She wasn't offended or trying to gauge his intentions. Su Yanxin had simply spoken her honest thoughts.
'Impressive.'
In the Divine Sect, where the hierarchy was clear, responding in such a manner wasn't easy. It showed that she knew her own worth well and had strong self-esteem.
'She doesn't like beating around the bush. She's the type to be approached directly. A rare type in our sect.'
At the same time, she was also a very straightforward person. She didn't bother hiding her power, as there was no need to.
"Would you like another cup?"
"Ah, I'll drink slowly."
Just as I thought.
Hong Weiwen smiled and handed her the bottle.
"Then pour me a cup."
A glint appeared in Su Yanxin's eyes.
She was intrigued by his reaction.
"Of course."
She politely filled his cup.
As the cup was nearly full, Hong Weiwen spoke.
"I need your help."
Drip.
Su Yanxin didn't show any panic as she set the bottle down. She didn't respond either.
Hong Weiwen also set his cup down. The wine sloshed as if it might spill, but not a single drop was lost.
"Lend me your hand."
Su Yanxin, who had been staring at Hong Weiwen, drained her cup in one go.
"That was good."
She slowly stood up.
Hong Weiwen, looking up at her, had a smile in his eyes.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
"Before discomfort, I'm against supporting any one candidate."
"Why do you think that way?"
Su Yanxin's eyes deepened.
"Other organizations might do it, but our garden cannot. If our garden moves, the entire sect will be shaken."
It might sound arrogant, but Hong Weiwen agreed with her words.
Many people talk lightly about managing affairs, but few understand how important it truly is.
Especially when it comes to managing the affairs of a colossal force like the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect. From small matters like food ingredients to large ones like finances, the Huanxi Garden covered it all.
While combat organizations might be different, if the Huanxi Garden started to exert its influence, the balance of power in the succession battle would shift. As Su Yanxin said, it could even shake the entire sect.
"I thought the Fourth Young Master would naturally understand that. I'm surprised."
She took out a small pouch from her pocket.
"I've eaten well. I'll pay for what I've eaten."
Hong Weiwen shook his head.
"I invited you, so I'll pay for the meal."
"It's fine."
"And I think the Lord of the Garden is misunderstanding something."
"Misunderstanding?"
"I asked for your hand, not for you to take my side."
The corner of Su Yanxin's mouth twitched.
Her smile was still beautiful, but there was a chilling coldness within it.
"I don't see much difference beyond the choice of words."
"It's completely different. As the Lord said, I'm not unaware of the Huanxi Garden's characteristics."
"Even if it's different, it doesn't matter. Our garden does not support any candidate unless it's a just cause."
"That's not explicitly stated in the sect laws, is it?"
"It's my way of loyalty, beyond the sect laws."
"I suggest you reconsider that way of loyalty."
"I've eaten well."
Su Yanxin turned her back.
Hong Weiwen, who had been quietly watching her back, spoke.
"Do you need the Qinggui Siyecao?"
Su Yanxin's steps halted.
She still had her back turned. Her expression was unreadable.
Hong Weiwen spoke in a relaxed tone.
"It's a rare herb. Even in Yunnan, where most of the herbs in our sect are cultivated, it's hard to find. I heard it's almost impossible to find even near the eastern sea."
"......"
"If you need it, I can give it to you. I have no use for it anyway."
Hong Weiwen didn't elaborate further. He knew that dragging out the conversation would only provoke the other party.
Some time passed.
Su Yanxin slowly turned around.
Her beautiful face was still the same, but the smile that had been on her lips was gone.
Hong Weiwen smiled and picked up the wine bottle.
"Would you like another cup?"
Su Yanxin, who had been glaring at him, sat down and picked up her cup.
Hong Weiwen didn't act arrogantly. He politely filled her cup as usual.
Su Yanxin drained her cup in one go.
Hong Weiwen filled her cup again.
After draining her cup three times in a row, Su Yanxin finally spoke.
"How did you know?"
"Is it important how I knew?"
"It's important. At least to me."
Hong Weiwen shook his head.
"If you want to hear that, you'll have to bring something of equal value for the trade. I don't do business that doesn't balance the scales."
Su Yanxin smiled coldly.
"It seems your scales include coercion."
"Circumstances have forced my hand. I hope you understand."
Hong Weiwen smiled.
"For a smooth trade, you have to offer what the other party wants. At least, I think the Qinggui Siyecao is a fair trade for the Lord. What do you think?"
Su Yanxin looked at him without answering.
Some time passed.
"Let's hear it first. What is it that the Fourth Young Master wants?"
Hong Weiwen's smile deepened.
The hardest part of any task is getting it started. Once it's rolling, it becomes easier.
Now that her resolve had been broken, if there were any future dealings, they would be easier than now.
"It's nothing much. If we have a good relationship, it could be resolved with a simple request."
"......"
"You want me to get to the point. Understood. I'll tell you."
Hong Weiwen, who had drained his cup, spoke lightly.
"Does the Huanxi Garden manage maids as well?"
"......"
"I'd like you to give a secret order to one maid."
"Which maid? And what is the secret order?"
"Do you know a maid named Yinghua?"
Su Yanxin shook her head.
Hong Weiwen smiled as if he had expected that.
"She works at the Third Young Master's residence."
"......!"
"I want her to send me a letter every day for three months, detailing the Third Young Master's movements."
Su Yanxin's eyes wavered for a moment.
"Are you planning to target the Third Young Master?"
"I thought you weren't the type to ask unreasonable questions."
"I didn't think you were the type to make unreasonable requests either."
"Is that an unreasonable request?"
"It's quite unreasonable. If that girl is caught reporting on the Third Young Master's daily life, do you know what will happen to me, who instigated it?"
"Handle it well so it doesn't get discovered."
"It's dangerous."
Not impossible, but dangerous. At least it means it can be done.
"It's not particularly dangerous. She just needs to live as usual. Just send a simple letter at the end of each day's work."
"Easier said than done......"
"Even if there's a problem, it can be easily resolved."
"Easily?"
Hong Weiwen filled his cup and said.
"The truth is as empty as the smoke from a cigarette."
"......"
"If the pipe disappears, no one will know who smoked the cigarette."
"......!"
Su Yanxin's face was now visibly stiff.
"Are you suggesting we kill to silence?"
"I'm just stating the worst-case scenario. In reality, there will be no need to take such measures. You know that, right?"
"......"
"If you agree to this request, I'll give you the Qinggui Siyecao. Just so you know, it's the real deal."
A moment of silence.
Su Yanxin broke the silence.
"Even so, it's a difficult request."
"Lord of the Garden."
"It's not a matter of my resolve, but of uncertainty. I don't know what kind of girl Yinghua is, so I can't entrust her with this task."
"Then it's fine to change the maid. To someone you trust and can entrust with the task."
"......"
"You know that if you set your mind to it, anything is possible."
Hong Weiwen pressed on.
"Will you do it? Or will you give up?"
Su Yanxin's lips trembled slightly.
Hong Weiwen smiled with satisfaction. He realized she was almost persuaded.
He filled Su Yanxin's cup.
"Well, then I'll consider the deal done......"
At that moment.
"Really, how long are you going to sip that blackened cup?"
The two of them, startled, turned their heads.
From beyond the door leading to the private room, a clear voice rang out.
"Originally, the first round should be light, and the second round should be hearty. Isn't it about time to wrap up the first round?"
"Who's there!"
The waiting guards swung the door open.
"......!"
Su Yanxin and Hong Weiwen's eyes wavered.
Beyond the open door, Xu Liang stood with a wine bottle in hand, a baby fox perched on his shoulder.
"It's cheap baijiu, but the cups are clean. What will you do? Will you come over, or will you continue to enjoy yourselves there?"