The two were playing chess on the stage.
People from Mingyue Tower had set up a giant chessboard. The black and white pieces, magnified countless times, were all made of magnetic stone. Every time they made a move, graceful and beautiful women would help place the piece on the large board, making it easy for the spectators to watch.
"A true gentleman watches chess in silence."
The first floor was quite quiet at this moment.
The waiter said softly, "May I ask the young master's surname?"
"My surname is Gu, with no offense intended."
"Then Young Master Gu, please wait here briefly. It will be your turn after the person on the stage finishes." The waiter left, leaving the couple looking at each other. They should at least arrange a seat for them. The first floor was packed. Were they expected to stand the whole time?
That would be too silly, wouldn't it?
"Fuer, wait a moment, I'll find someone to share a table with."
Lu Nianfu had the same idea and was looking for familiar faces when a young maidservant walked through the crowd. "Madam Gu, my young lady invites you over."
Large eyes, a long face – wasn't this Yin Zhu, the maidservant by Zeng Weiyang? Lu Nianfu asked, "Didn't your young lady reserve a spot on the fourth floor? Why have you come down to the first floor?"
"Mingyue Tower has a rule that customers who spend a certain amount can enter the first floor to watch the matches. Lord Gu, Madam Gu, please."
Gu Yanchen did not recognize her and tugged at Lu Nianfu's sleeve, "Do you know her?"
"She's the maidservant of the eldest daughter of Pingning Earl's estate."
Pingning Earl's estate? Gu Yanchen immediately strode forward. "Let's go take a look."
Yin Zhu: ...
Lu Nianfu had no choice but to follow.
Zeng Weiyang was elaborately made up, her exquisite makeup concealing her sickly complexion. Under the lights, she looked as beautiful as a valley orchid quietly blooming in the dark of night.
Without the sickly pallor, she could indeed be called a beauty. She stood up, her voice still as soft as ever. "Sister, brother-in-law, please sit down."
Lu Nianfu said, "If Miss Zeng is here to claim kinship, then we dare not share this table."
Zeng Weiyang did not expect Lu Nianfu to show her no face even in public. Her eyes reddened with grievance, but she quickly put on a smiling face. "It was a slip of the tongue. I hope Madam Gu will forgive me. Yin Zhu, go order some pastries. What kind of tea do you two prefer?"
Gu Yanchen waved his hand. "No need. We just finished eating. We'll just sit here; we're here to share a table."
And to see what the woman who stole his daughter-in-law's identity looked like.
His voice was not loud, but it was not soft either.
The surrounding people cast curious glances. Gu Yanchen was unconcerned and pulled Lu Nianfu to sit down grandly. Zeng Weiyang sat back hesitantly, feeling extremely awkward.
Lu Nianfu felt a little embarrassed, thinking she might have bullied someone. So she explained, "Yanchen said he's going to try the challenge. We'll leave after he's done."
Zeng Weiyang quickly waved her hand. "It's alright, you can sit for as long as you like."
Then she looked at Gu Yanchen with admiration. "Lord Gu, which challenge will you be attempting?"
"Martial combat."
"I've heard that Lord Gu is peerless in wisdom and bravery at sea. Tu Xianhong will surely not be your match." Zeng Weiyang poured Gu Yanchen a cup of tea and raised her cup. "I toast you with tea instead of wine, Lord Gu. May you be victorious."
Gu Yanchen glanced at her with disinterest, downed the tea in one gulp, and then turned his gaze back to the stage.
Zeng Weiyang received a cold shoulder and could only tuck her nose and sit properly. Was the Seventh Prince like this in private? So aloof. It would not be easy to get close to him.
Upon seeing Lu Nianfu's face, which was already exquisitely beautiful with just a touch of makeup, she felt her hopes diminish even further.
Just then, a sigh of regret came from the side of the stage.
The challenger had lost.
Losing at Mingyue Tower was common. The challenger said a few grand words and then stepped down from the stage. Several waiters quickly cleared away the chessboard and table. The beauty who had been moving the pieces announced the next challenger: martial combat.
Lu Nianfu could clearly feel the atmosphere in the audience becoming more enthusiastic.
Indeed, who would watch the black and white stones clash if they weren't chess enthusiasts? It was naturally more exciting to watch real people fight.
The defender of Mingyue Tower was Tu Xianhong, the former deputy leader of the Qianren Gang.
Speaking of the Qianren Gang, it was a renowned sect in the martial arts world fifteen years ago.
Back then, martial arts sects were numerous, and large gangs could even claim their own territories, rivaling the imperial court. The martial artists of that era were truly arrogant. Revenge, assassination, arson, annihilation – there was nothing they dared not do. Finally, fifteen years ago, they thoroughly angered the imperial court.
Emperor Changwu, while suppressing them, also offered amnesty. After three years of effort, most of the sects in the martial arts world disintegrated. The famous figures of the past scattered to different places; some retired, some established escort agencies, and some accepted wealthy employers, gradually fading into obscurity.