Chapter 1: Tearing the Marriage Contract, Storming the Stage

The hot sun baked the bluestone slabs in front of the Zhou Family estate until they glowed red, while shards of broken porcelain lay scattered around the ink-stained wedding certificate. Zhou Jingxing stood just inside the threshold, a ring of nosy idlers crowding behind him. He pinched his sleeve cuff, his gaze raking over Shen Zhiyan with open contempt.

This was a high-stakes gamble. Lu Yanzhou was a Censor; even if the venue buyout involved local thugs, it also touched on public order and the will of the people. If he stepped in, it fell within his official duties and would test the Black Dragon Gang's limits. More importantly, that smile he’d worn last night probably wasn’t just because the storytelling venue was funny; it likely resonated with his inner drive to "clear the innocent" through the hidden themes in the script.

Shen Zhiyan stared at the single lamp inside the Story Pavilion, her fingertips lightly tracing the edge of the shade. The halo of light was warm, but like a candle guttering in the wind, it held a trembling, precarious fragility. The system notification cut in, cold and sharp: “The target script ‘City Crafts’ must be successfully performed for three consecutive days to complete the ‘Feeding.’ Any interruption resets the progress to zero.”

She turned to look out the window. Capital City’s night was deep and dark, the watch-drum echoing in the distance with three chimes. Tomorrow was Day One. If she could lock down that first performance, she’d have a foothold; if she was blocked, three days of accumulated progress would scatter like sand under a gale. What weighed heavier on her heart, though, was that message—the Black Dragon Gang had bought out the venue.

The name flickered through her mind. That man had dropped five taels of silver and left without a word, his demeanor distant yet curiously attentive. Five taels was a fortune for an average citizen, but for a Capital City official of his standing, it was probably just spare change tossed aside casually. But that unspoken understanding of “remembering her name”? That could be the breakthrough.

Shen Zhiyan cut the pleasantries short. With a sharp tug of her hands, the wedding certificate snapped into pieces. The paper scraps danced like snowflakes, and she blew the dust from her eyes, her gaze icy: “I’m tearing this certificate up. Zhou Jingxing, your pathetic attempt to climb up the social ladder is going to be the material of my next storytelling script. I’ll make you the talk of all Capital City.”

The handful of spectators in the seats instantly perked up, their eyes locked onto the subtle details in the story. In the corner, Lu Yanzhou, dressed in plain clothes and there by accident, had meant to leave, but the script’s subtle connections to exonerating the wrongly accused caught his attention. Beneath his cold mask, his gaze sharpened, and he settled into his seat without a word.

Seeing this, Shen Zhiyan said no more and launched right into the tale. She performed even better than yesterday, every word landing with a thud, every plot point striking the heart. She spoke of how blacksmiths forged unyielding spines from their sweat, and how weavers wove resilience into their fates with silk threads.

Shen Zhiyan didn’t hide or cry. She bent down and picked up the wedding certificate that had been tossed on the floor, her fingertips stroking the rough paper. A sweet smile curled at the corner of her mouth. In the sunlight, that smile looked incredibly bright, but it froze Zhou Jingxing’s features instantly.

The corner of Lu Yanzhou’s mouth twitched upward, but he immediately realized he’d slipped, quickly masking it with a cold expression, though the笑意 remained hidden deep in his eyes. He realized this Storytelling Venue held a vitality he had never seen before, and he had become one of its most loyal listeners.

In Shen Zhiyan’s mind, that first lamp suddenly flared, its warm light spreading to illuminate the dim Story Pavilion. The system notification chimed: “Color Sound condensed to 80 percent. Script ‘City Crafts’ Feeding Progress: One day remaining.”

Late at night, Shen Zhiyan checked the Story Pavilion and realized that “City Crafts” needed three consecutive performances to be “eaten” into her system. But she’d learned that tomorrow’s slot had been bought out by the local tyrants. She clenched her fist, staring out at the pitch-black sky. Tomorrow, there would be a battle.

Sure enough, just past the hour of the Dragon, Lu Yanzhou stepped out of the yamen wearing his crimson official robe, his waist cinched with a leather belt, his steps steady. His attendants had the carriage ready. He lifted the curtain to board, but his eyes swept over the corner, his pupils shrinking slightly as his step faltered.

Shen Zhiyan picked up her bowl of soup but didn’t drink. Instead, she studied her reflection in the broth, carefully sorting out tomorrow’s plan. A direct frontal assault was no good; the Black Dragon Gang had the numbers and the muscle. A head-on clash would leave them both bleeding. She needed to use their own force against them.

Shen Zhiyan took a deep breath. She didn’t bring up the Black Dragon Gang. Instead, she pivoted the conversation to a hot topic on Capital City’s streets that morning: “Yesterday’s string of thefts at the West Market—the suspects were wearing the uniforms of Black Dragon Gang members.”

“A gang?” Lu Yanzhou let out a light laugh, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m on a discreet tour today, observing the ‘wind’ blowing through Capital City. If you ban even the common folk’s storytelling, that ‘wind’ is getting rather stagnant and toxic.”

Outside the Yongning Storytelling Hall, a crowd had already gathered. Black Dragon Gang thugs stood scattered around, looking fierce and menacing. Since few people were showing up, several dared to block the entrance, declaring, “This venue is bought out today. Strangers keep out.”

An old man in black robes slowly emerged from the outer crowd. His steps were slow, but each footfall seemed to strike the ground with a heavy, resonant thud. Behind him, dozens of thuggers in black emerged silently, surrounding the Storytelling Venue like a bucket of iron.

The Arousal Block clapped down. The audience’s laughter and gasps intertwined. In Shen Zhiyan’s mind, the first lamp in the Story Pavilion flickered to life, casting a warm glow. The light was faint, but it was real, proving she wasn’t having a dream.

Held by a mix of curiosity and tension, the audience held its collective breath, the atmosphere ramping up to a peak. Shen Zhiyan’s gaze swept the audience, landing on Lu Yanzhou’s upright, cold face. Something in her heart settled; she knew the Color Sound was arriving.

Lu Yanzhou stood in the shadows, his eyes never leaving Shen Zhiyan. He saw the fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her fingers trembling slightly with excitement, and the unyielding fire in her eyes.

The lead Black Dragon Gang thug saw Lu Yanzhou and recognized the face. His pupils shrank, his aura deflating slightly. But he still gritted his teeth and blocked the way: “Magistrate Lu, this is gang turf. You are……”

Shen Zhiyan removed her hat and bowed, her voice quiet but clear enough for those nearby to hear: “Magistrate Lu, Shen Zhiyan has a doubt. I wish to exchange the ‘Color Sound’ theory I mentioned yesterday for a plain explanation.”

Lu Yanzhou wasn’t wearing his official robe, just a plain blue long gown. His expression was cold, his movements unhurried. He didn’t step forward to mediate; he just stood slightly behind and to the side, hands clasped behind his back, watching everything calmly.

“Master, you’re still keeping the lamp lit. Be careful, it’ll drain your spirit.” Ah He tiptoed in, holding a bowl of soothing soup. Seeing Shen Zhiyan’s serious look, she said no more, just silently setting the bowl down.

Lu Yanzhou was silent for a moment, tapping his jade pendant at his waist with a fingertip, the sound crisp and clear: “I’ve been patrolling the West Market recently and need to understand the local sentiments. If you trust me, Shen-jiāng, lead the way.”

Zhao Si Ye’s smile remained, but deep wrinkles squeezed into the corners of his eyes, making him look grotesquely sinister: “Miss Shen, a three-day appointment? Too long. A little kindness from me—a gift for you.”

Zhou Jingxing’s forehead veins bulged. He wanted to have his men move, but the gaze of the onlookers stopped him. He could only grind his teeth and sneer: “Stop putting on that act. Be smart and get lost.”

These were details Ah He had investigated all night. While they might not directly prove the Black Dragon Gang’s involvement, they were enough to trigger Lu Yanzhou’s alertness.

“Magistrate Lu,” Zhao Si Ye cupped his hands, his posture respectfully fake. “I heard you were here and came to ‘visit.’ Did you enjoy the storytelling so far?”

Shen Zhiyan didn’t argue. She pointed to an empty spot in the corner: “Master Bai, I have a wager today. If no one listens, I’ll empty my personal funds to cover three months of rent for this Storytelling Venue.”

In Capital City’s bureaucratic circles, the Censorate was the hub of public opinion, with sharp ears everywhere. She didn’t dare barge in; she just stood outside the gate, waiting for that clear, cold figure to appear.

Shen Zhiyan didn’t retreat. She walked to the center of the floor, picked up the Arousal Block, and raised it high. Her gaze swept over the thugs, landing finally on Lu Yanzhou as he slowly descended from the carriage.

Shen Zhiyan gripped the jade pendant tightly, warning bells ringing in her head. She looked at the lamp in the Story Pavilion; the light was bright, but under this oppressive aura, it seemed to dim.

Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, Shen Zhiyan changed into a sharp, neat blue robe and put on a slightly worn felt hat. She skipped the Storytelling Venue and headed straight for the Censorate.

Shen Zhiyan climbed the platform and struck the Arousal Block, her voice clear as spring water: “Today I open with ‘City Crafts,’ speaking of how street artisans use clever hands to steal from heaven.”

As the audience dispersed, Lu Yanzhou left five taels of silver and departed without signing his name. Shen Zhiyan accepted the silver, mentally calculating how to plant her feet in Capital City.

Lu Yanzhou’s expression didn’t change, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: “I’ve already noticed this matter. How does the ‘Color Sound’ you speak of, Miss Shen, relate to the case?”

In the audience, the scattered few grew into a larger crowd. Drawn by the life force bursting from this dilapidated Storytelling Venue, people began to stand on their tiptoes.

Before he finished speaking, he had already stepped into the carriage. He didn’t have the driver whip the horse; instead, he told his attendant: “Go to the Yongning Storytelling Hall. I’m on a discreet survey. Keep it quiet.”

When Shen Zhiyan reached the part about the artisan’s clever design, she intentionally paused to build suspense: “What mechanism is hidden inside this lock cylinder? Give me your best guesses, everyone.”

Lu Yanzhou said nothing, but he lowered his hand and didn’t let the coachman drive her away. He stepped aside half a pace, his gaze deep as he looked at her: “Speak.”

“This is the deposit,” he said, his voice low. “Tomorrow, I’ll be back. I hope Miss Shen’s story also speaks of ‘justice.’”

Shen Zhiyan: “Young Master Zhou talks lightly. If you know the Shen Family has fallen on hard times, why specifically pick this midday hour to let all of Capital City see the joke?”

He wore a pleasant smile, but his eyes were as cold as a viper, fixed on the jade pendant in Shen Zhiyan’s hand, then sweeping toward Lu Yanzhou.

On that document, the official seal of the Censorate was clearly stamped, but the content was an accusation of “Shen Zhiyan impersonating an official degree to commit fraud in Capital City.”

Shen Zhiyan put away the silver and laughed: “How much he took in doesn’t matter. What matters is that he’s started remembering my name.”

She turned and left, Ah He scurrying after her with the bundle in hand. The two cut through the long street, heading straight for that dilapidated tea house and Storytelling Venue.

Just as she thought the crisis had passed and she could prepare for the next two days in peace, the commotion outside the venue suddenly turned chaotic.

Inside the Storytelling Venue, thick dust covered everything. Bai Shouzhu guarded his Arousal Block; seeing Shen Zhiyan barge in, his face twisted in disgust as he slammed his cane to the floor.

Lu Yanzhou had moved closer at some point. He nodded slightly, holding a green jade pendant between his fingers, and tossed it gently toward Shen Zhiyan.

Shen Zhiyan caught the pendant; it felt smooth and cool against her skin. She looked up, meeting Lu Yanzhou’s bottomless eyes.

As the final Arousal Block clack faded, the room went silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

On the way home, Ah He muttered quietly: “Master, how much of that did Magistrate Lu actually take in?”

The moment those words were out, the surrounding citizens whispered among themselves. The Black Dragon Gang thugs looked troubled and didn’t dare move.

Bai Shouzhu looked skeptical, his face dark, settling into the corner. He didn’t leave, just watched from the sidelines.

Bai Shouzhu: “A woman taking the stage disgraces literary culture! I advise you to go home and embroider.”

Zhou Jingxing: “The Shen Family is already ruined. This marriage? I terminate it today.”

He snapped his fingers. A thug held up a black-lacquered wooden box and opened it slowly.

However, his mere presence was a silent intimidation.

Inside the box, there was no gold or silver, but a yellowed document.

The water in Capital City was far murkier than she had imagined.

Shen Zhiyan felt the heavy stone in her heart drop, and she quickly caught up.

Lu Yanzhou’s face darkened, his aura becoming deadly.

Shen Zhiyan’s pupils trembled. This was framing. This was silencing.

That old man was the head of the Black Dragon Gang, Zhao Si Ye.

“Silence?” Lu Yanzhou narrowed his eyes slightly.

She sighed with relief, looking to her side and rear.

Cheering voices surged like a tide.

“Lu Yanzhou.”

“Brilliant!”

“Good!”

Three days.