19: Life is like a dream, I'm here to drink

After leaving the black market, Xie Weilou did not immediately return to Zhenxi Marquis Manor but instead went to Xie Bian’s residence.

On the plaque of the residence, the four characters “Floating Life Like a Dream” were extremely striking.

Inside the large courtyard.

Xie Bian, as always, was lying on a chair drinking, with numerous wine jars scattered on the ground, and a rich scent of wine permeated the air.

“Third Uncle, I’m here to freeload some wine.”

Xie Weilou walked forward.

Xie Bian opened his eyes and said lazily, “Tie Hu and Black Dragon Pavilion Lord were killed by you, weren’t they?”

Xie Weilou gave a thumbs up: “Third Uncle’s information is really well-informed.”

Third Uncle was incredibly resourceful, so Xie Weilou found it quite normal that he knew about his actions; in fact, Xie Bian probably already knew what he intended to do.

Xie Bian said, “You got information about Tianya Sword from the ledger?”

Xie Weilou smiled and said, “According to the ledger, Tianya Sword originated from a Mysterious Person holding a peculiar Golden Snake Sword. This person brought Tianya Sword to Black Dragon Pavilion for auction, and ultimately, Cao Huaian bought the sword.”

“Golden Snake Sword? You only need to investigate along the trail of this sword, and news will come quickly. Why did you come to me?”

Xie Bian asked.

Xie Weilou shook his head and said, “I don’t think things are that simple. If it’s just about investigating a Golden Snake Sword, it won’t mean much.”

“You’re quite clever, kid!”

Xie Bian praised him.

He continued, “The person holding the Golden Snake Sword is the First Prince’s man, but that Tianya Sword was stolen by that person from Wuya Pavilion. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Thank you for the guidance, Third Uncle.”

Xie Weilou nodded slightly.

Wuya Pavilion was a mysterious pavilion in Tianqi City, rumored to be connected to the Second Prince, who had many eccentric and talented individuals under his care there.

He roughly sorted out the sequence of events.

In the Wansha House case, the First Prince was framed, and three forces sided with the Second Prince. The First Prince was naturally displeased, believing the Second Prince was behind it, and would certainly retaliate.

Having someone steal Tianya Sword from the Second Prince’s Wuya Pavilion, then taking it to the black market for auction, and then having Cao Huaian buy the sword, followed by organizing the Plum Blossom Appreciation Gathering, had a simple objective: to attract Lin Qinghuang’s attention.

Lin Qinghuang wanted to investigate the downfall of the Lin family, and with the appearance of Tianya Sword, she would definitely pursue the matter to the end. With a little more effort, she would eventually discover that Tianya Sword originated from Wuya Pavilion.

If the Lin family’s treasure, Tianya Sword, appeared in the Second Prince’s Wuya Pavilion, then was the Lin family’s downfall related to the Second Prince?

Once Lin Qinghuang targeted the Second Prince and thoroughly investigated the Lin family’s downfall, it would surely cause the Second Prince significant trouble.

And this was the First Prince’s retaliation, using Lin Qinghuang as a blade to achieve his counterattack.

Since the First Prince was so certain that Lin Qinghuang could cause the Second Prince significant trouble, it indicated that the Second Prince was very likely involved in the matter.

Xie Bian shook his head and said, “Many things might not be as simple as they appear on the surface. You should be careful. Instead of investigating this Wuya Pavilion, why don’t you go directly to your bodyguard? If you find him, you might learn a lot of things.”

Xie Weilou smiled indifferently and said, “I know what I’m doing.”

The Lin family tragedy was, in all likelihood, related to the power struggles among those few, after all, as a merchant family, the Lin family had immense financial resources, so it was normal for someone to covet their wealth.

As for who was behind it, he would only know after further investigation.

Xie Bian said, “You’ve borne the blame for the Lin family’s destruction for three years. Now that you’re out, go ahead and investigate!”

“Mhm.”

Xie Weilou nodded slightly.

Not only did Lin Qinghuang need to investigate this matter, but he also had to thoroughly investigate it. He had to uncover everyone involved and make them pay a heavy price.

Xie Bian pondered for a moment, then threw a scroll to Xie Weilou: “I created a force called Seven Nights Snow when I was bored before. This is the information about Seven Nights Snow.”

“Take the storage ring I gave you and go to Seven Nights Snow. From now on, you will be the master of Seven Nights Snow. You can have them investigate any information you want. This is another gift from me.”

“Seven Nights Snow…”

Xie Weilou took the scroll, his heart stirring.

Seven Nights Snow was a special pavilion in Tianqi City. Many people who wanted to listen to music would choose to go to Seven Nights Snow, a place for leisurely listening to songs and watching performances.

Seven Nights Snow had beautiful women, highly skilled musicians, and excellent quality wine. The women there performed but did not sell themselves, so many elegant guests would go there to listen to music and drink wine.

The original owner had also been to Seven Nights Snow once and even flirted with a beautiful musician, only to almost get beaten up.

He hadn't expected that this Seven Nights Snow was actually founded by Third Uncle.

He opened the scroll and read it carefully; it contained some general information about Seven Nights Snow.

After reading it, Xie Weilou was somewhat surprised. As expected of Third Uncle, the Seven Nights Snow he created was extremely extraordinary, with its influence extending throughout the Great Xia Dynasty.

“There’s no time like the present. Go to Seven Nights Snow tonight. The moment you become the Lord of Seven Nights Snow, you will also have to bear the responsibility for Seven Nights Snow’s development.”

Xie Bian waved his hand.

“Understood.”

Xie Weilou bowed.

He pondered for a moment, then added, “If I were to kill your brother…”

Xie Bian chuckled, “He’s just a half-brother. We didn’t get along back then, and now that the old man is gone, that so-called brotherly affection naturally no longer exists. If he threatens you, you can handle it as you see fit.”

“Understood.”

Xie Weilou smiled indifferently, then walked away with his hands behind his back.

——

Princess’s residence.

“Failed?”

Yan Ruyu looked at the black-robed maid, her brows slightly furrowed. Tie Hu was already at the Territory Expansion Realm, so she hadn’t expected him to fail.

The black-robed maid said in a deep voice, “Tie Hu was instantly killed by a single sword strike. The strength of the person who acted was at least Tuojiang Realm Late Stage.”

Yan Ruyu was silent for a second, then shook her head and said, “Never mind! Since we’ve already alerted them, we’ll look for another opportunity.”

The black-robed maid nodded slightly and added, “Black Dragon Pavilion was destroyed. I find this matter a bit strange.”

“Of course it’s strange! How could a mere Lin Qinghuang, a mere Shackle Realm (Peak), destroy Black Dragon Pavilion?”

Yan Ruyu’s expression was mocking.

“Could it have been the First Prince’s people who acted?”

The black-robed maid asked tentatively.

“Possibly.”

Yan Ruyu said calmly.

She naturally knew what the First Prince wanted to do.

Presumably, he believed the Second Prince was the mastermind behind last night’s Wansha House incident and intended to use Lin Qinghuang to deal with the Second Prince.

Lin Qinghuang was now a sharp blade, and the First Prince didn’t want her to break, so it was understandable for him to send people to clear some obstacles for her.

Her thoughts, however, differed from the First Prince’s. She believed that the true instigator of last night’s Wansha House incident might be the Third Prince.

In that case, letting the First Prince and Second Prince fight each other would allow the Third Prince to reap the benefits.

However, there was no problem with the First Prince and Second Prince fighting.

After all, the Second Prince was ultimately a stumbling block, and if he could be suppressed with Lin Qinghuang’s help, that would naturally be for the best.

“What movements has the Second Prince made?”

Yan Ruyu continued to ask.

The black-robed maid said, “There hasn’t been much movement for now. According to reports from the scouts, after the Second Prince learned of Black Dragon Pavilion’s destruction, he showed no surprise, as if he didn’t care about it at all.”

Yan Ruyu shook her head and said, “He doesn’t not care about this matter; otherwise, why would Black Dragon Pavilion have acted against Lin Qinghuang? Lin Qinghuang has already broken one situation, and he will certainly have various other moves later. Some things, once done, will leave various traces. Now, it just depends on whether Lin Qinghuang can become a qualified blade.”

“…”

The black-robed maid showed a thoughtful expression.

Yan Ruyu waved her hand and said, “I’m tired. You may leave.”

“This subordinate takes her leave.”

The black-robed maid bowed and then turned to depart.