Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

"Master Zhou, if Yin Zhang wishes to perform at the Imperial Music Academy, do you have any connections?"

As they were talking, Song Yinzhang suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Zhou Feng.

This immediately surprised Zhao Pan'er and Sun San Niang.

Previously, when Song Yinzhang was single-mindedly trying to get rid of the music and entertainment industry, Zhao Pan'er brought up the matter when she was thinking of further solidifying her relationship with Zhou Feng. However, she did not expect that Song Yinzhang would take the initiative to go to the music and entertainment industry.

"Yinzhang, why...? Perhaps there will be a chance for you to be released from your status in the future!"

Zhao Pan'er didn't say it very clearly, but she glanced at Zhou Feng and knew that Song Yinzhang should understand what she meant!

Song Yinzhang understood perfectly well; she even sensed that Zhou Feng had no feelings for her whatsoever.

She even treated Sun Sanniang more intimately than she did!

This was unacceptable to Song Yinzhang, who always considered herself the best pipa player in Jiangnan. She was a top-tier geisha in the music camp, so why couldn't she even compare to a cook?

Even though Song Yinzhang didn't mean any contempt for Sun Sanniang, as a woman herself, she couldn't help but make comparisons.

Although when she went to find Zhang Haohao, Chi Yanei also said that he could get a transfer order with his connections, she still trusted Zhou Feng more than Chi Pan.

"Yinzhang, the brothels in Tokyo are not like those in Qiantang. That place is a melting pot of all sorts of people. We don't know anyone there, so how are we going to survive?"

Zhao Pan'er looked at Song Yinzhang with some helplessness.

This younger sister is usually timid and hesitant, but she has a stubborn streak in her personality. If she wants to do something, she will do it almost without considering the consequences.

The same thing happened to Zhou She before, and it's probably the same now that he wants to go to the Jiaofangsi.

"Don't talk about her anymore. I'll have Chen Xiao go to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) and ask the director to take care of her. There shouldn't be any major problems."

When Zhou Feng was no longer in this world, Chen Xiao acted as his representative and contacted many officials in the past few days.

The largest of these was the Xuanhui Academy, the direct superior unit of the Jiaofangsi.

After all, Zhou Feng held the position of a court attendant in the Chonghe Hall, belonging to the inner court's service officials. His personnel file and register were managed by the Xuanhui Academy.

However, Zhao Heng appointed him to a higher rank than other officials, which meant that the heads of the North and South branches of the Xuanhui Academy were all ranked one rank below him.

Therefore, even the head of the Xuanhui Academy had to give Zhou Feng some face, not to mention its subordinate Jiaofangsi.

Song Yinzhang first bowed to Zhou Feng, then looked at Zhao Pan'er: "Sister Pan'er, not only do you want to protect me, but I also want to protect you. As long as I enter the brothel and receive the emperor's praise like Zhang Haohao, no one will be able to bully you."

"Wait, it's your business if you like to play the pipa at the brothel and meet the emperor. You don't need to worry about her. If I can't protect her even here, then you can't do anything either."

Zhou Feng interrupted Song Yinzhang's frank expression with a dark look on his face.

In this world, putting aside the modern weapons in Chen Xiao's hands, his status alone is extremely high, even comparable to that of a Privy Councilor.

As his future wife, how could Zhao Pan'er possibly need Song Yinzhang to play the pipa to elevate her status and provide protection?

Isn't this a joke?

Zhao Pan'er rolled her eyes at Zhou Feng, somewhat speechless.

With his high status, it's really quite boring that he would stoop to the level of his own sisters!

"What would you like to eat tonight, Mr. Zhou? I'll take charge of the cooking!"

Sun San Niang stood up excitedly, and Zhou Feng nodded seriously as well.

This woman was probably around thirty years old and somewhat mature; her quick movement to stand up caused her to sway uncontrollably a few times.

Perhaps it's also a problem with the actress who plays Sun San Niang; her physical gifts are too strong.

Whether it's Bai Ling, Qin Jingru, Lou Xiao'e, Tao Muyao, or Zhao Pan'er, none of them can compare to Sun San Niang in this respect.

After finishing his meal, Zhou Feng declined the three women's offer to accompany him and went to his own courtyard.

After midnight, he would travel back to the world of the courtyard house.

After all, the status upgrade here is still in process, while they are about to get married. It would be a bit much if they didn't show up in the last few days.

"Yinzhang, if business really gets worse in a few days, why don't you play a few rounds of music in the teahouse? It'll definitely attract a lot of business."

The three women were sitting in the carriage on their way back to the mansion when Sun San Niang suddenly had an idea and gently nudged Song Yin Zhang's arm.

The latter gently stroked his pipa and shook his head vigorously: "I won't play the pipa for those tea drinkers! My music is for connoisseurs and those who understand music, not for commoners!"

"Besides, I'm about to join the Imperial Music Academy. Sister Hao Hao said that she had never heard me play the pipa with such skill in the Imperial Music Academy. I'm sure I'll make a name for myself!"

Normally, Song Yinzhang is timid and hesitant, but when she talks about the pipa, which she excels at, she radiates confidence.

"Very well, then let's wish our introductory essay will soon receive the Emperor's praise!"

Hearing the conversation between Sun San Niang and Song Yin Zhang, Zhao Pan'er's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

Now she and Sun San Niang run a shop, while Song Yin Zhang goes to the Jiaofangsi to perform; it seems they each have their own paths.

However, Zhou Feng's status was too high. He could enter the palace to meet the emperor at any time. He didn't even need to personally transfer Song Yinzhang's music registration to Tokyo. He could also have the head of the Jiaofangsi (a music and dance academy) take care of her.

Even if she runs the teahouse very well, she is still just a mere businesswoman.

If the two of them were really together, what makes her worthy of being the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhou family?

"Pan'er, you don't need to worry too much. Perhaps Chi Pan was just using Yin Zhang to scare us!"

Noticing Zhao Pan'er's expression, Sun San Niang thought she was worried about the teahouse, so she quickly reached out to comfort her.

"It's alright, things will work themselves out. Even if what he says is true, I have my own ways of dealing with it."

...

The Zhou Mansion on the other side of Tokyo City.

Zhou Feng was playing on his phone, waiting for midnight to arrive, when Chen Xiao leaned closer to him and said, "Boss, Lin Yin just reported that Yu Zhongquan from the original story has set his sights on Zhao Pan'er."

???

Zhou Feng looked at him with some surprise: "Wasn't Gu Qianfan locked up outside the city by us? How could he still pull this stunt? Is it aimed at me?"

"No, it's Gao Hui from the Observer. That Uncle De found her and made Zhao Pan'er the target of hatred. The person she found then found Lei Jing, and Lei Jing also wanted to win over Ouyang Xu, the third-ranked scholar who had already caught the emperor's eye and volunteered to become a palace official. So he just assigned the matter to Yu Zhongquan."

"So the process is completely different from the original story, but the result is the same, right?"

Zhou Feng was also a little confused. Could this be a world correction?

But why isn't there a Siheyuan world?

"Sir, should we deal with Yu Zhongquan ahead of schedule?"

"No need. You should focus on the mission and avoid any unnecessary complications. But I want to remind Su Xiaoya to make sure all weapons are ready, and be extra vigilant with Lin Yin's drones. We won't launch an attack, but we also shouldn't let ourselves be trampled on. I'll stay another day to resolve this before leaving!"

If Chen Xiao and his team had already resolved all the dangers, how could Zhao Pan'er possibly remember his kindness?

The hero saves the damsel in distress—it's a cliché, but it's absolutely effective!