Chapter 1070: Wang Jiaoyan
The Ziguang Society was exceptionally skilled at gathering intelligence. It was once said that wherever there were women, there were their eyes and ears.
This was not mere exaggeration. It was a fact. The Daoist Order had personally confirmed that their network could infiltrate nearly anywhere and was impossible to guard against.
Wang Jiaoyan was a woman, and many of the people she interacted with were women. Some among them might well have been members of the Ziguang Society.
Qi Xuansu, wary of false accusations and mindful of his reputation and future, was careful not to form overly close relationships with any woman other than Zhang Yuelu.
Still, Qi Xuansu was intrigued and asked, “Where did you learn all this? I doubt it’s mere hearsay.”
Chen Jianqiu smiled faintly. “Have you ever heard of the Emerald Lodge?”
Qi Xuansu thought for a moment. “No, I haven’t. Is it another secret society?”
Chen Jianqiu shook her head. “It’s not a secret society. But it’s a small association officially recognized by the Daoist Order. In the Imperial Capital, there are many guild halls where officials, gentry, and scholars from the same hometown gather. The Emerald Lodge is similar in form, but instead of being based on regional ties, it’s a place where women of particular social standing meet for tea and conversation.”
Qi Xuansu asked, “What sort of ‘special status’ are we talking about? Are you one of them?”
Chen Jianqiu replied, “Yes, I was invited and am a member of the association. But I’m only an ordinary member. There are higher-ranking members above me, and a few who serve as the Lodge Mistress.”
Qi Xuansu grew more curious. “Even a Commandery Princess enfeoffed by the Great Xuan Court is only considered an ordinary member? Then what identity do the Lodge Mistresses have? Are they Imperial Princesses of the Great Xuan Court?”
Chen Jianqiu explained, “No, but they are still women of great lineage. In its earliest days, the Emerald Lodge began as a poetry club founded by noble ladies from powerful families. It was quite elegant then. Each lady took turns hosting gatherings to compose poetry and paint. But after those young ladies married and became matrons of their households, they became busy maintaining their households and had far less leisure for artistic pursuits. The poetry club gradually lost its elegance and evolved into a social venue for noblewomen. Eventually, it became a business venture and expanded its services. To join, one had to pay a substantial membership fee. But in return, one could enjoy various forms of entertainment and luxury, rivaling even the famed Sycamore Villa of the Imperial Capital.”