Token of Their Meeting

Jiang Yu peered at Yao Tang and tried to size her up. Other than her outstanding appearance, he found nothing remarkable about the girl. Although, he had to give her credit for getting this far.

She looked to be no more than 20 years old, yet she was able to enter the Cabinet and earn the approval of so many elders.

After thinking about it some more, Jiang Yu surmised that she probably wasn’t as simple as he initially thought.

He flashed her a debonair smile and removed the jade pendant from his folding fan. “How nice to meet you. I don’t have anything else on me, so please take this jade pendant as a token of our first meeting. I look forward to seeing you often in the future.”

Yao Tang could tell at a glance that the jade piece was of excellent quality.

Fine patterns were carved along its surface. Without a doubt, it was crafted by a great master. This must be the only one of its kind in the entire capital.

With that said, the jade pendant was a little too precious for an introductory gift.

But before she could refuse, Elder Wang had already stepped forward and grabbed the pendant, and proceeded to stuff it in Yao Tang’s hands. “Don’t be too polite toward him. The String Pavilion doesn’t lack such items. It would be a waste not to take it.”

Jiang Yu glanced at the old man’s expression and said nothing.

Yao Tang turned to Elder Xu for guidance, and the latter gestured for her to accept the pendant.

“Well, won’t you thank your uncle for his generosity?” Elder Li said with a smile.

Again, Yao Tang nodded obediently and thanked Jiang Yu.

The elders’ open affection for the girl piqued Jiang Yu’s curiosity even more. “I wonder, who is this beautiful girl’s teacher, exactly?”

Each elder was protective of his own apprentice, and rarely regarded a peer’s pupil as his own. And yet, they all appeared to be doting on Yao Tang.

Moreover, these were the five great elders of the Cabinet. They were the most powerful and influential in the inner circle, and their backgrounds were not to be underestimated.

“It’s me, of course!”

Elder Wang was the first to speak, his face filled with pride as he stroked his beard.

Elder Li immediately retorted, “Nice try, Old Man Wang. Tangtang is clearly my disciple. Don’t even think about snatching her away!”

“How shameless, I was the one who found Tantang first!”

Elder Xu cried out in outrage.

The old men exchanged a look of annoyance, none of them willing to give an inch. This wasn’t surprising, as they were all stubborn by nature.

Jiang Yu was understandably taken aback. These were the respectable elders whom a lot of people looked up to. It was jarring to see them throw tantrums like children.

Elder Xu noticed his expression and gave him a sheepish smile. “Our Tangtang is much too talented, so we made the unanimous decision to train her together. In short, we are all her teachers. I do apologize for showing you such an embarrassing display of immaturity just now.”

“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. I don’t mind.”

Jiang Yu shook his head and took a closer look at Yao Tang, his interest growing by the second.

He had no idea just how good this girl was, but she had somehow reduced these elders to squabbling over her like kids at kindergarten. It was almost inconceivable, if not for the fact that he had just witnessed it for himself.

He narrowed his eyes at Yao Tang and tried to look beyond her appearance.

The elders misinterpreted his obvious curiosity and practically jumped in panic. What if the String Pavilion tried to take advantage of Tangtang as well?

With that thought in mind, they wasted no time sending Jiang Yu away.

“It’s getting late, Elder Jiang,” Elder Xu said gently. “We still have important matters to discuss among ourselves, so we won’t keep you any longer.”

“Of course. I shall take my leave, then. Tangtang, do come over and play the zither with me when you are free.”

Jiang Yu knew how to read between the lines. He promptly said his farewell.

He was still marveling at the encounter as he left. He didn’t know what kind of spell that apprentice had cast on the elders, but they certainly cared a lot about her.

As soon as Jiang Yu disappeared from sight, the elders waved Yao Tang into the meeting hall.

They settled down and asked Yao Tang to recount everything that had happened.

“Quick, Tangtang. Tell me who you managed to return!” Elder Xu said anxiously.

“Did anything else happen on your way back?”

She must have faced a great deal of danger. It was a miracle that she had returned safely.

Yao Tang didn’t say much. “Chauffeur Wang betrayed us. He has joined the Green Cloud Pavilion and brought us to a remote highway for an ambush. In the end, one of their Elders came to take over the situation.”

She shot a meaningful look at the elders when said that last bit.