She had no intention of sharing the core technique behind the spiritual point activation method. But as for the rest of her experience with the Secret Art of Paper Crafting, she could share as much or as little as she pleased, depending on the flow of the conversation.
Fortunately, Manager Liang was a smooth talker and a thoughtful listener. Their exchange was pleasant, full of mutual compliments and subtle probing. Neither revealed too much, but both revealed just enough. It was the underworld version of polite fencing, and Song Miaozhu played the game with ease.
Every time someone approached, You Long leaned in and whispered softly into her ear.
"That's Manager Peng of Nightbreeze Incense. Their paper talismans have a fire-retardant seal unique to their shop."
"That's Boss Wen of the Red Willow Emporium. She specializes in illusion-grade burial offerings."
His tone was calm, his breath neutral, his words efficient and well-timed. With his help, Song Miaozhu was able to carry on conversations as though she already knew each guest, exchanging warm smiles and auspicious greetings.
"May your business thrive like blooming magnolias in spring."
"I've always admired your craftsmanship from afar. Anshou Hall would be honored to collaborate in the future."
The ghosts, like merchants anywhere, appreciated fortune-filled phrases and compliments with just enough weight to sound sincere. By the time a few rounds of GhostLink additions were done, she'd already made soft connections with six merchants and memorized three competitive weaknesses.
And then, more guests arrived at the main gates.
The energy shifted slightly as attention turned toward the newcomers. It was a moment that could have become awkward—Song Miaozhu wasn't part of the original circle here, and being left standing while others refocused could've easily dulled her shine.
But Jing Hong, sharp as ever, stepped in with perfect timing.
"Manager Song," she said gently, voice like silk, "your seat is this way. Please follow me."
She held out her hand again, cool and fragrant, guiding her through the slight lull with the poise of someone trained not only in charm but in situational control. It was smooth. Seamless.
Song Miaozhu didn't need to be told that this move had saved her from standing in a room where she might suddenly feel like a guest without a chair. Jing Hong's timing was too perfect to be coincidence.
"So she's not just pretty—she's sharp too."
Once seated, her position afforded a full view of the main hall without being too exposed. Jing Hong knelt on her left and immediately began fanning her with a sandalwood-scented fan, her movements graceful and quiet. On her right, You Long took his place, posture upright, tone even, resuming his role as her softly murmuring guide.
"This table is shared with merchants from upper Yinshui Alley. Most are veteran paper crafters. That's the Shuangye sisters—twins, they specialize in dream offerings. The one with the magnolia pin runs the Burning Cloud Atelier... they've been trying to expand into fourth-grade goods, but still rely heavily on third-grade suppliers."
His voice was like a calm river: quiet, informative, and smooth enough to slip right into her ear without jarring the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Jing Hong's hands had shifted—still subtle, still professional—but now gently massaging her shoulders with just enough pressure to be both comforting and distracting. Song Miaozhu's gaze drifted downward for half a second, taking in the shimmer of crimson silk, the scent of plum blossom drifting in her wake.
"Definitely more than just a pretty face."
She stole a quick glance at the other tables. Some had attendants, of course—but none quite as poised, efficient, or radiant as the pair seated beside her now.
They weren't just decorative.
They were like senior executive assistants disguised as celestial beauties, wrapped in layers of elegance and charm. It was unnerving. It was impressive.
It was also… just a little dangerous.
She couldn't help the private thought that crept up in her mind—if she ever expanded Anshou Hall's business, she would want people like this at her side. Sharp minds. Light hands. Beautiful faces.
Preferably female.
Song Miaozhu took another slow sip of tea, mind already back to business. But that didn't stop her from enjoying the soft press of Jing Hong's fingers or the gleam of recognition in her eyes when she noticed Song Miaozhu suppressing a smile.
The setup of the Flowing Wine Courtyard was just as remarkable. Aside from a single wooden pavilion, there were no buildings. The entire courtyard was filled with artificial hills, grassy knolls, and artfully arranged flowers.
What stood out the most was a stream, bright as silk and shimmering with reflected light.
It wound gracefully through the garden, with mossy blue stones scattered along its banks, and willow branches dipping into the water. Petals of peach and plum trees fluttered through the air.
Floating along the stream were porcelain cups and incense burners balanced on lotus leaves. They drifted with the ripples, sometimes brushing against the mossy stones and releasing a delicate fragrance.
The ghost guests, including Song Miaozhu, were seated by the rocks. Each one had two ghost attendants who served them wine and lit incense.
Over by the pavilion, another group of ghost attendants were placing lotus leaves laden with wine and incense onto the stream. The leaves floated in a full loop, returning to the pavilion where new offerings were then placed onto the water.
Indeed, it was a stream with no beginning or end, yet it flowed continuously.
If Fu Feng had not told her earlier that this was paper water, Song Miaozhu would never have believed that such a clear, cool stream was made entirely of paper. It was so lifelike that the only hint of something amiss was the unnatural way it looped back into itself, defying the laws of physics.
"Another masterpiece from my ancestors?"
The craftsmanship behind the stream was so exquisite that Song Miaozhu found herself ignoring the attractive faces of the other merchants and attendants. Instead, her mind drifted back to the Secret Art of Paper Crafting.
Sure enough, she found a matching technique: the Spiritual Point Scenic Creation Technique.
There was an entire section dedicated to its uses.
Mountains, grass, wood, stones, streams—anything found in nature could be replicated through this method, and the result would be indistinguishable from the real thing.
Song Miaozhu became completely absorbed.
"Incredible."
Only when all the guests had arrived and Manager Liang raised her cup to announce the start of the banquet did Song Miaozhu finally snap out of it.