Hundred Flowers Convention

Perhaps it wasn't just about having watched it, but also about having acted in it firsthand.

The Frost Fairy didn’t seem too fond of watching the dramas she had performed in.

But that was fine—Little Li, who boasted of having browsed countless films, had an astonishing collection—and no, we’re not talking about his hard drive or browsing history.

"Ice Block seems to prefer anime over movies."

"She watched 5 Centimeters Per Second very intently, loved cola, and snacked on chips..."

Li Mo smacked his lips as he stepped out of the room, the lingering taste of chips now faint.

But it wasn’t the flavor of chips he was savoring.

Not long after heading downstairs, he ran into Zhong Zhenyue and Xie Xuan, who were on their way to open the Moonlit Pavilion—a pastime they had grown quite fond of.

"Brother Li, you’re just waking up? I thought you’d gone to the Sword Forge again when I didn’t see you in your room earlier," Zhong Zhenyue remarked curiously.

Lately, he’d been observing Li Mo closely. Even after the Hidden Dragon Tournament ended, Li Mo kept returning to the Sword Forge, grinding so relentlessly it made Zhong Zhenyue’s scalp tingle. He couldn’t even bear his own idleness anymore.

If it weren’t for the Moonlit Pavilion’s staggering profits, that is.

"He’s not just absent from his room today," Xie Xuan muttered, chewing on a blade of grass.

The bitterness that had faded over the past few days seemed to resurface in his heart.

"Brother Li, forgive my bluntness, but love weakens a hero’s resolve. Though the temptations you face are irresistible, you can’t keep indulging like this," Xie Xuan said with deep sincerity.

Li Mo: "?"

So this is your excuse for abusing your authority to get multiple foot baths in a day?

"We were just watching a movie."

"What’s a movie?"

"Ah..."

Li Mo’s slightly pitying gaze made Xie Xuan feel insulted.

Zhong Zhenyue, clueless but brimming with curiosity, waited for an explanation.

As they walked out, Li Mo casually pulled out a bag of chips.

"Well, it’s like watching an opera or reading a script together, with some snacks—popcorn, chips, that sort of thing," Li Mo said nonchalantly, his expression righteous.

As everyone knows, chips and popcorn tend to dirty your fingers.

But Ice Block’s delicate hands never did.

If she ate all the snacks, wasn’t it only fair for him to find something else to munch on?

Was that reasonable? Who cares if it’s reasonable or not!

"Brother Li, ever since you took first place, you’ve grown lax," Zhong Zhenyue sighed in relief.

Lately, his father had been sighing at him daily.

Those sighs carried the weight of comparison—seeing how outstanding other juniors were, the old man grew increasingly frustrated with his own dim-witted son.

Old Zhong felt this couldn’t go on.

"Brother Li, how about this—I’ll call you ‘Godfather,’ and you keep calling me ‘Brother.’ We’ll each stick to our own titles."

"Huh?"

Li Mo couldn’t fathom the genius idea brewing in Zhong Zhenyue’s little head.

Even a prodigy like him was stumped.

Xie Xuan smirked, his lips twitching harder than a pig at New Year’s.

"Does that mean Little Zhong has to call me ‘Uncle’ now?"

Li Mo thought for a moment and shook his head. "No, it’s the opposite."

"?"

"Elder Du and I became sworn brothers after a ritual with a rooster and yellow paper. Your master’s seniority might not even cut it."

"????"

Seeing Xie Xuan’s confusion, Li Mo decided to keep the secret buried in spring—for now. He wouldn’t tell Manor Lord Xie about Xie Xuan’s "thousand-mile journey beginning with a single step" just yet.

Otherwise, Xie Xuan might end up beaten like a disobedient grandson.

With such a gap in seniority, how could they remain brothers?

"Shouldn’t this count as an investment? A well-intentioned one at that. Why isn’t the system crediting me?"

Li Mo climbed into the carriage.

"Brother Li, why are you coming with us?"

"She’s training. I’ll go check out the shop with you."

First and foremost, Little Li harbored no impure thoughts—this time, he was genuinely a gentleman.

The Moonlit Pavilion was now one of his sources of collective faith and investment returns.

And right now, he was short on both.

The Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod was still stuck in his pocket dimension, immovable.

He wondered if, one day, with greater physical strength, clad in the Golden Chainmail, Lotus-Step Cloud Boots, and Phoenix-Winged Purple Gold Crown, bolstered by collective faith...

he might just manage to pull it free.

---

Moonlit Pavilion

In the third-floor private room, a middle-aged man in merchant’s attire, wearing a half-mask, entered first.

Behind him were Luo Yexian and a noble young master adorned with a qilin jade pendant and a lofty mountain crown, exuding refined elegance.

"Why has the Moonlit Pavilion changed so much?"

Young Master Song seemed displeased.

"Young Master Song, immersed in the Imperial Academy’s sacred texts, has been unaware of the outside world. This place has changed hands, hence the alterations," the Blood Refining Hall Master said deferentially.

"Oh? Without reporting to the Ministry of Rites? I’ll have to see if this complies with propriety."

The Moonlit Pavilion had once been the Fourth Prince’s venture, but all pleasure houses in the capital fell under the Ministry of Rites’ jurisdiction.

In fact, it had originally been directly managed by the Ministry—where the wives and daughters of disgraced officials were sent.

Every brothel in the capital shared one backer: the Ministry of Rites.

And the Minister of Rites? Also surnamed Song.

"I’ve heard it’s quite proper—too proper, in fact."

Luo Yexian sighed.

Why not just turn it into a mahjong parlor?

"Ultimately, it’s all up to Young Master Song’s word. After you."

The Blood Refining Hall Master led the way inside.

They didn’t call for courtesans, only ordering pastries and wine.

Young Master Song frowned. "Though my father emphasizes propriety, now that we’re here..."

I finally escaped the academy for some fun, and you’re making me dine with you?

Sure, his father was the Minister of Rites, but they could at least offer! He could always refuse!

He’d even prepared a righteous speech: if three rounds of selections failed, he’d sternly declare, "A gentleman upholds decorum."

What was this nonsense now?

The Blood Refining Hall Master smiled. "Patience, Young Master. I’ve invited the Moonlit Pavilion’s former top courtesan. She’s preparing as we speak."

Young Master Song relented. "We’re old friends—you should’ve said so earlier. What’s the matter this time?"

"Last time, the Heavenly Honor instant noodles promotion went well. I’d like to propose another small idea."

"Oh?"

"Young Master, consider this—the Hidden Dragon Tournament showcases prodigies, but where’s the equivalent for the most enchanting beauties? Why not hold a Hundred Flowers Gala?"

"There’s no precedent. It might be improper—"

"Imagine—these flowers of femininity, each peerless in grace and charm. Ah, especially the Frost Fairy, not yet eighteen, yet hailed as a celestial maiden, outshining even the moon goddess..."

"Hiss..."

Young Master Song leaned back, cup in hand, intrigued.

Seeing this, the Blood Refining Hall Master and Luo Yexian exchanged glances.

This was as good as done.