Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

As soon as Xie Xiaoyi turned into the lobby, the waiter rushed over, his face plastered with an even more fawning smile than before.

"Thank you, young master!"

You're finally back!

"The people from Ya Yin Fang just came by and brought a jar of plum blossom wine and two boxes of freshly roasted pre-rain tea. I've put them in your guest room!"

Xie Xiaoyi raised an eyebrow, inwardly grumbling.

It's like trying to lead someone by the hand and they won't move, or trying to push them away and they'll back down; Fu Yaoqin is really losing her temper.

He didn't answer, just nodded and walked upstairs.

Pushing open the door, one sees a celadon wine jar on the table, next to two simple brocade boxes, the lids of which are embroidered with the flowing cloud pattern of Ya Yin Fang.

Beside the wine jar lay a plain note with delicate handwriting:

Plum wine to continue our bond, new tea to soothe our hangovers; we hope you will have the time to visit Ya Yin Fang again.

Xie Xiaoyi picked up the plain paper, chuckled softly, and casually tossed it aside.

Just as I was wondering whether I should open the wine jar and have a couple of sips, I heard the waiter's shouts from downstairs again, this time a bit more urgent than before.

"Young Master Xie! Young Master Xie! People from the City Lord's Mansion have arrived, saying that City Lord Bai invites you to a banquet at his residence!"

Xie Xiaoyi paused in his steps.

The city lord is hosting a banquet?

He had only been in Qingjiang City for a few days when he first outshone all the beauties at the winding stream party.

Later, Fu Yaoqin from Ya Yin Fang invited him several times, and now even the city lord has taken a fancy to him.

The limelight has spread faster than expected.

Xie Xiaoyi turned around and leaned against the railing, glancing down.

A blackwood carriage was parked at the entrance of the inn, with the city lord's crest embroidered on the curtain. Two servants in brocade robes stood respectfully below the steps.

When the head servant saw him looking over, he quickly bowed and greeted him.

"Thank you, young master. My city lord has prepared a simple banquet. Please, young master, join us."

Xie Xiaoyi stroked his chin and pondered for a moment. Since he had accepted the other party's precious sword, how could he not give them face?

He then declared loudly, "How could I refuse the city lord's invitation?"

The attendant was overjoyed: "The carriage is ready, young master, please!"

Xie Xiaoyi returned to his room, picked up "Guan Cang Hai" (a type of wine), strode downstairs, ignoring the envious glances of the diners in the lobby, and lifted the curtain to get into the carriage.

The wheels creaked softly as they headed towards the city lord's mansion.

The ebony carriage stopped outside the city lord's mansion. A servant bowed and lifted the curtain, and Xie Xiaoyi, carrying the "Viewing the Vast Ocean" longsword, stepped down from the carriage.

The mansion was already decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Passing through the triple moon gate, one would find the waterside pavilion where the banquet was being held, with glazed palace lanterns hanging under the eaves, which was quite magnificent.

Most of the guests had arrived, all of whom were prominent figures in Qingjiang City, including civil and military officials, renowned scholars, and elegantly dressed individuals, enjoying a lively and convivial gathering.

As soon as Xie Xiaoyi stepped into the waterside pavilion, he was locked onto by a gaze.

Bai Letian, dressed in a brocade robe and beaming with joy, came forward to greet them.

Behind him followed a tall, handsome young man dressed in white, whose appearance was almost as striking as Xie Xiaoyi's.

"Young Master Xie has arrived!"

Bai Letian laughed loudly, patted Xie Xiaoyi on the shoulder, and spoke in a warm tone.

"Today's banquet is all about you bringing the show to a close!"

Xie Xiaoyi thought to himself.

Why are you calling me "Young Hero" now?

Ok.

It must have been a master he sent to follow me, but I managed to shake them off using my "Swallow Turning Clouds" lightness skill.

He thought my martial arts skills were decent, so he changed his address to "young hero".

Who would have thought that a notorious flower thief would one day be called a young hero!

Xie Xiaoyi was secretly delighted, but showed no sign of it on his face. Instead, he cupped his hands to Bai Letian and spoke humbly:

"Lord Bai, you flatter me. I am truly unworthy of such praise."

"Thank you for your modesty, young hero!" Bai Letian laughed loudly, then stepped aside to make way for the white-clad figure beside him.

"Speaking of which, we have another distinguished guest today, who is none other than Young Master Su Mubai, known in the martial arts world as the 'White-Clad Scholar Swordsman'."

Xie Xiaoyi looked up.

The young man in white wore a moon-white long robe, with a pure white long sword hanging at his waist. Not only was he handsome, but his brows also carried a touch of the refined elegance unique to scholars.

His demeanor perfectly embodies the image of a "white-robed scholar with a sword."

"Young Master Su has lived in Jiangnan for a long time. This time, he came to Qingjiang City specifically to visit a friend, and it just so happens that he is a guest at my residence today."

Bai Letian smiled as he made the connection.

"You two are both young heroes; it is truly fate that you have met today."

Su Mubai stepped forward and nodded slightly to Xie Xiaoyi. The gesture was polite, but it showed no sign of intimacy.

"I have long heard of the name of Young Hero Xie."

At the banquet where wine cups floated on a winding stream, your three poems about plum blossoms amazed everyone present.

The other day in the city, you again used your light-footed skills to outmaneuver the guards wielding blades. Such proficiency in both martial arts and academics is truly admirable.

These words sounded like praise, but those eyes were fixed directly on Xie Xiaoyi's "Viewing the Vast Ocean" gaze—

His gaze held a hint of inquiry and a touch of weighing, lacking any of the warmth one would expect from a peer meeting.

Xie Xiaoyi could easily sense the distance behind the politeness, but his face still wore that roguish smile.

"Young Master Su, you're too kind."

Many of the rumors circulating in the martial arts world are exaggerated. My meager skills are nothing more than fooling laymen.

How can anything compare to the renowned reputation of Young Master Su's "White-Robed Scholar Sword"?

His words were subtly sarcastic, neither accepting Su Mubai's probing nor failing to subtly flatter him, striking the perfect balance.

A hint of surprise flashed in Su Mubai's eyes, as if he hadn't expected this seemingly carefree young man to speak so succinctly.

"Thank you for your humility, young hero."

I've heard that young hero is not only exceptionally talented in poetry, but also possesses extraordinary swordsmanship.

Mu Bai has always loved making friends with fellow swordsmen. It's a rare opportunity to meet you today. I wonder if there will be a chance in the future for us to spar a bit?

Upon hearing this, Bai Letian immediately clapped his hands and burst into laughter:

"Good! Good! If the two of you could have a friendly spar, it would definitely be a good show!"

Xie Xiaoyi cursed under his breath.

Good my ass!

I've always used a knife, and I've never held a sword for more than ten days in total. How come this guy surnamed Su has heard that my swordsmanship is extraordinary?

Damn it, isn't this like forcing a duck onto a shelf?

Xie Xiaoyi raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor refusing.

"It is good that Young Master Su has such an elegant interest."

However, today is Lord Bai's banquet, so let's drink first and not waste this table full of delicious food and wine.

In short, he both gave Bai Letian face and postponed the competition to a later date, subtly defusing the current conflict.

Su Mubai looked at his nonchalant demeanor, and the scrutiny in his eyes intensified.

As they were chatting, Xie Xiaoyi's gaze swept across the crowd and landed on a seat on the east side of the waterside pavilion.

That is......

Fu Yaoqin?

Fu Yaoqin was sitting there, dressed in green, holding a jade-ribbed fan in her hand, listening to an old lady speaking beside her.

The warm yellow light fell on her face, making her skin appear as white as jade, and the coolness between her brows seemed completely out of place amidst the noise of the room.

At this moment, Fu Yaoqin also looked over at Xie Xiaoyi and Su Mubai.

The moment their eyes met, Fu Yaoqin's hand holding the fan paused slightly, and a very faint ripple flashed in her eyes.

Xie Xiaoyi, however, acted as if he hadn't seen her at all, his smile remaining unchanged, his gaze lightly passing over her.

He then turned his head and followed Bai Letian to the empty seat next to the head of the table, without glancing at her again throughout the entire process.

The slight ripple in Fu Yaoqin's eyes vanished instantly, and her previously gentle, smiling lips unconsciously tightened.

The old lady beside her was reciting the new song from Ya Yin Fang, but she no longer paid attention to it. Her gaze involuntarily fell back on Xie Xiaoyi's back.

He... actually pretended not to know me?