Chapter 302: Chapter 302 Ruyan Tower Master (Third Update)
“Young Master, someone is looking for you!” the Innkeeper walked in and said respectfully.
Hm? Someone looking for me?
Xue An was somewhat puzzled but still nodded slightly.
“Let him in!”
Soon, a young maid entered the room.
“Young Master, I am here on my Miss’s orders to deliver a missive to you!”
“Your Miss?” Xue An was even more bewildered.
“My Miss is the Master of the Ruyan Tower, Zhu Ruyan!” the maid said.
Xue An was unclear about what was happening but still took the invitation. He opened it and a line of delicate script caught his eye.
Hearing of today’s events, my heart longs for, hoping to meet with you in person.
Signed, Zhu Ruyan!
Xue An was somewhat astonished.
Is this an invitation for me?
But I don’t even know this Master of Ruyan Tower.
At this point, the Innkeeper, who could hardly contain himself, stepped forward a few paces, and whispered with a chuckle, “This Master of Ruyan Tower is a woman of outstanding beauty. In Jizhou City, there are countless young gentlemen of noble families infatuated with her, yet it is very difficult to get an audience with her! Yet now she has taken the initiative to invite you! What fortune you have, Young Master!”
As he spoke, the Innkeeper’s face showed a knowing smile that all men would understand.
Xue An felt a mix of amusement and embarrassment, handed back the invitation to the maid, and after a moment’s thought said, “Please relay to your Miss that since we are not acquainted, there is nothing to discuss! So there’s no need for a meeting, right?”
Xue An’s words left both the Innkeeper and the maid stunned.
Could there actually be a man who would reject Zhu Ruyan’s invitation?
Could it be that he is feigning indifference to raise his own status?
But looking at Xue An’s indifferent expression, he didn’t seem to be pretending, and he turned to leave.
At this moment, out of desperation, the young maid knelt down on the ground.
“Young Master, please wait. My Miss is not the kind of frivolous woman you think she is. She invites you because there are important matters to discuss! I beseech you to grant her a meeting!”
Having said this, the maid also gave a bow with her head on the ground.
Xue An, seeing this, was taken aback for a moment and then nodded, “It must be hard for you to be so loyal, alright, rise!”
“So you will go?” the maid was overjoyed.
“Since there are important matters, let’s go see what this is about!” Xue An said indifferently.
In the evening, Ruyan Tower was brilliantly lit.
Three months ago, Zhu Ruyan entered Jizhou City and established the Ruyan Tower.
Very quickly, she became famous for her exceptional skills on the zither and her beauty.
The daily visitors were primarily attracted by Zhu Ruyan.
However, few could ascend to the second floor.
It was said that one did not need a fine appearance or a noble family background, only a high cultivation level was necessary!
This requirement puzzled many, unclear why the cultivation level mattered.
When Xue An followed the maid to the place, the first-floor hall was already buzzing with noise. All seated here were the young scions of the noble families of Jizhou City.
Even though they were sitting drinking and chatting, their eyes were unsettled, glancing toward the staircase from time to time, clearly with thoughts beyond the wine.
As Xue An started upstairs, many issued low exclamations of surprise.
“What’s going on? Where did this guy come from?”
“Don’t know him, he looks like a complete outsider!”
“He doesn’t seem to be dressed like someone affluent, yet he can go upstairs, truly vexing!”
Amidst the murmurs, Xue An climbed to the second floor.
The second floor was spacious and bright, where a beaded curtain divided the entire hall in two.
Under the light,the silhouettes behind the curtain were vaguely discernible but not very clear.
“Young Master, please have a seat!” a voice, cool and elegant, reached him.
From the sound alone, it’s clear that this lady must be a beauty.
Xue An smiled lightly, feeling no discomfort, and took a seat directly in the chair.
This display held no sway over him.
Yet, he was still curious, certain that he did not know this woman. So, what did she want with him?
“Would you like to hear a piece of music, young master?” the woman’s voice asked.
“As you please,” Xue An replied indifferently.
The brief silence behind the beaded curtain broke, and soon the sound of a zither being played filled the air.
The music was melodious and graceful, eliciting a sense of serene joy from those who listened.
Setting other things aside, based solely on this skill with the zither, this woman was no ordinary individual.
Xue An listened quietly.
Suddenly, the music shifted; what started as poised and elegant swiftly plunged into sobbing wails reminiscent of a heartfelt lament.
It seemed as though endless sorrow was imbued in the sound of the zither.
Xue An raised his eyebrows slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Quite intriguing!
After the duration it takes to drink a cup of tea, the music abruptly ceased, leaving echoes that seemed to linger in the air.
Xue An picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then sighed softly, “Full of lament and unparalleled sorrow, miss, are you mourning something?”
Behind the beaded curtain, there was an evident sound of a woman’s surprise, followed by her voice saying, “Young master is truly remarkable, discerning my thoughts just from a piece of the zither music, you’re right, Ruyan… indeed has something on her mind!”
Xue An smiled lightly, “Since my arrival, I have yet to see your face. Is this the attitude you have towards guests?”
His voice carried a hint of mockery.
“Ruyan has been rude!” As she spoke, the beaded curtain was lifted, and a stunning beauty walked out.
Skin fair as cream, eyebrows like distant mountains.
In terms of appearance, this Zhu Ruyan could surely be considered breathtaking.
Xue An, however, remained calm, and not even a flicker disturbed his gaze. He simply continued to smile faintly and sip his tea.
Zhu Ruyan stood there slightly embarrassed.
She hadn’t expected that upon seeing her, Xue An would show no sign of astonishment.
This disrupted many of her plans that were to follow.
A moment later, Zhu Ruyan gritted her teeth, stepped forward, and sat opposite Xue An.
A faint fragrance of a woman wafted over, one that would have ensnared the soul of any man not steadfast in resolve.
But Xue An felt nothing.
This woman was indeed attractive, but compared to An Yan, she was nothing.
Even Tang Xuan’er and the others were somewhat lacking.
She could only boast the grace and demeanor of an ancient noble lady through her period attire and conduct.
“Young master, aren’t you curious as to why I have asked you to come here?” finally, Zhu Ruyan couldn’t restrain herself and asked.
“Not curious,” Xue An replied simply.
Zhu Ruyan’s face paled a bit from the retort. She had always been of a noble status since young, and though later fallen from grace, her stunning looks meant that everyone around her had always been respectful and deferential.
She had not expected that Xue An would be so impervious.
After a moment, Zhu Ruyan bit her lip, took a deep breath, and said, “I have heard about today’s affair, where you, young master, single-handedly defeated the City Lord, exhibiting a charm that is truly captivating.”
Xue An was noncommittal, replying coolly, “If you’ve invited me just to compliment me, then you may proceed!”
Zhu Ruyan finally couldn’t help but look up, her tear-glittered eyes meeting his.
“Young master, there is a matter for which I would implore your assistance. I wonder if you would dare to take it on!”
“Let’s hear it!”
“I want to kill someone!”
“Who?”
“From the Kunlun Immortal Palace, Zuo Yuhu!”