Chu Qing initially focused his attention on Chu Yunfei's grand banquet.
If this 'wandering doctor' had not appeared, he would only need to send a message to Chu Yunfei.
But now, with this variable in play, his purpose had to change. Just as he was pondering it, he suddenly heard the news.
Moreover, this juicy gossip involved him directly.
"So, she said that about me?"
Chu Qing laughed with a hint of resignation.
Miss Wu's full name is Wu Qianhuan, the only daughter of Wu Ganqi, the City Lord of Celestial Dance City.
A heavenly girl who received endless love and favors since young, two years younger than little Chu Qing.
Their acquaintance dates back to a time long ago... back when little Wu Qianhuan was running around the streets with her naked bottom and braided hair, causing trouble behind him.
A typical example of childhood friends.
The Chu Family is the top family in Celestial Dance City, and they often share both glory and disgrace with Wu Ganqi.
After all, in this Martial World, where it's eat or be eaten, how could Wu Ganqi withstand all kinds of hardship without support?
Thus, the two families have always maintained good relations.
Wu Qianhuan is two years younger than Chu Qing, and the impressionable young girl was quite annoying.
Since childhood, she loved to follow him everywhere, doing everything he did.
This caused Chu Qing great dislike, but he couldn't shake off this little shadow.
Later, after she began practicing martial arts, Chu Qing disliked her even more.
Because her talent and comprehension far exceeded Chu Qing's, initially he could suppress her with two years of extra training, but eventually, he could no longer hold her down. In their childish fights, Chu Qing always ended up battered and bruised.
Later on... the two families arranged a marriage.
This arranged marriage was incomprehensible and shocking for the original Chu Qing.
But now Chu Qing understands that Chu Yunfei was paving a bright path for Chu Qing's future with this arrangement.
Chu Tian can inherit everything from the Chu Family; his future was already determined.
Chu Fan joined the Taiyi Sect, and with his talent, he naturally had no worries... only this academically and martially lacking younger son's future seemed bleak.
While Chu Yunfei was alive, Chu Qing could continue to be a carefree wanderer within the Chu Family.
But when the family business was handed over to Chu Tian, then what?
Many things change; Chu Tian will have his own family. What about the relationship between uncle and sister-in-law?
If they aren't close and there's someone constantly whispering in Chu Tian's ear, without the father's suppression, no matter how much Chu Tian cares for his brother, time might create rifts.
If Chu Tian grows to disdain him, Chu Qing's good days would come to an end.
To prevent such a situation, Chu Yunfei sought another path for Chu Qing.
With shamelessness, he went to Wu Ganqi to propose a marriage, showing his deep concern.
This would not only strengthen the ties between the families but also, since Wu Qianhuan is Wu Ganqi's only daughter, what won't belong to Wu Qianhuan after Wu Ganqi is gone?
As her husband, even if Chu Qing is useless, his future wouldn't be too bad.
Moreover, Chu Qing has the Chu Family behind him.
Even if Wu Qianhuan despises Chu Qing after marriage, she wouldn't dare go too far.
In the future, there's always some hope.
The original Chu Qing didn't understand these things, so he was depressed, thinking his father didn't understand his aspirations, and considered running away.
Of course, how much of this was about worrying that marrying Wu Qianhuan would lead to being beaten by the little brat daily is up for interpretation.
In any case, it happened.
It's just unexpected that this seemed to have a considerable impact on Wu Qianhuan.
She even spoke about the shame of the Chu Family, insisting on keeping it in mind and so forth...
"The little brat wouldn't be faking it, right? According to my memories of her, she's prideful and arrogant, unlikely to approve of this marriage."
Chu Qing, having gathered the information he wanted, casually tossed the tea money down.
After leaving the teahouse, the matter of Wu Qianhuan was left behind.
He strolled along the main road, plotting in his mind, buying a few fresh peaches from a roadside stall, eating and pondering:
"If it's him, I can pretty much guess what he'll be doing tomorrow.
"But, since Mirror of Sin failed this time, their next move will likely be even harder to guard against... who exactly is behind wanting Chu Yunfei dead? Does the old man have any idea?
"Seems like there's a lot to do tomorrow.
"Hmm, Tasteful Loft and Emerald Bamboo Pavilion will have many chefs and waiters heading to the Chu Family's back kitchen tomorrow, close to the back courtyard. Maybe I can use this chance to slip in and do something."
With plans in mind, he acted smoothly and leisurely.
After browsing several shops, buying some items, he finally settled into a room at the Eight Directions Inn.
That night passed without incident, and the next day, before dawn, Chu Qing was already up.
He donned a set of Night Clothes.
Using the cover of darkness, he quickly moved to a secluded alley.
All he could hear was the unceasing sound of footsteps and a voice urging:
"Hurry up, hurry up, today the Chu Family is hosting a banquet, the tables must be set by daylight.
"The Chu Family is well renowned; if this job is done well, everyone will be rewarded, so don't delay."
They were from the Tasteful Loft.
And there were quite a few of them, besides cooks, there were many waiters.
Behind the waiters followed porters carrying shoulder poles.
Some had firewood, which was indispensable for the Chu Family's three-day and three-night running feast.
Others carried wine; Tasteful Loft's most famous wine is Immortal Drunk.
Celestial Dance City always has it in feasts, and the Chu Family's demand for it was large, hence the numerous porters.
This was within Chu Qing's expectations.
He quietly watched the group pass through the narrow alley, then tilted his figure and vaulted down from the wall like a crane in flight. Suddenly, he twisted, and his descent slowed, rising half a foot mid-air, and his silent steps landed soundlessly behind a porter.
He reached out and seized the porter's shoulder, immobilizing him before he could react, and dragged him into a side alley.
He carefully set down the shoulder pole and the Immortal Drunk inside it.
With deft hands, Chu Qing swiftly stripped the porter of his clothes, and within moments wore them himself.
He then bound the porter's hands behind, gagged him properly.
The acupoint technique's effectiveness would gradually fade, and when inner strength dissipates, the acupoints naturally open.
This precaution was to prevent an early escape.
After securing him, Chu Qing inserted two ounces of silver into the man's waistband.
After all, taking his shoulder pole and stealing the clothes meant no work for the day.
It's important to compensate him somewhat.
The silver was also placed in his waistband to prevent others from seeing it and getting greedy, causing unnecessary trouble.
After completing these tasks, Chu Qing picked up the shoulder pole and lazily moved forward, using his Lightweight Technique to catch up unnoticed to the group ahead.
The whole process was akin to Flowing Clouds and Water, with no one sensing anything amiss.