85: This is elegance, everyone understands

Inside a pavilion.

“Tianyin Hall has a Profound Manifestation Realm expert overseeing it, so who on earth destroyed it?”

Yan Wugou’s expression was a bit gloomy.

Someone had already stopped Baili Changqing, but he didn’t expect Tianyin Hall to still be destroyed.

Tianyin Old Ancestor was a Profound Manifestation Realm expert; to kill him, one would at least need to be in the Profound Manifestation Realm. Who was the one who made the move?

Could it be that the commotion caused by Tianyin Hall was too great, displeasing certain individuals?

After this incident, Lin Qinghuang and Xie Weilou actually didn’t die either, a result that also left him quite dissatisfied.

“Your Highness, what should we do next?”

A mysterious black-robed figure respectfully inquired.

Yan Wugou said indifferently, “Send the message to Nine Heavens Tower; they will naturally send people. I will be going into seclusion for a period of time, do not disturb me.”

Repeated setbacks had put him under immense pressure. The most urgent task was to first improve his cultivation, only then would he have assurance.

“This subordinate understands.”

The black-robed figure bowed and then turned to leave.

——

The cold wind of the night was exceptionally sharp, piercing to the bone like an ice blade.

The hazy lamplight was fragmented by the wind and snow, flickering in and out, while the remaining green plants bent over, struggling to stand.

Thick ice and snow accumulated on the ground; yesterday’s melt and today’s cover added to its depth.

In the winter world, a single lantern and a bonfire were insufficient to break the cold; only a spring breeze could bring a glimmer of life.

On the street.

Xie Weilou walked with an umbrella, the wind and snow already covering the oiled paper umbrella.

Zhang Long and the seven others followed beside him, their faces filled with expectant smiles. The wind and snow froze one’s bones, but the beauties of White Jade Capital could warm one’s heart.

“The snow is heavy, I can’t hear the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves…”

Xie Weilou looked around, occasionally seeing some women wearing thick cotton padded clothes, making it difficult to see the graceful figures unique to spring and summer.

Zhao Hu chuckled, “I understand what Young Master means.”

“Oh?”

Xie Weilou looked at Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu’s smile widened: “In the dead of winter, you can’t see beauties on the street wearing thin gauze dresses.”

“Heh heh.”

Zhang Long and the others also let out a series of strange laughs.

The gracefulness that was ubiquitous on the streets in spring and summer was nowhere to be seen in winter. Even if one did see it, the cold winter could suppress a man’s desires, making it difficult to get excited.

Only those warm pleasure houses could make people linger.

“A bunch of commoners! This Young Master is lamenting the wilting of all things in winter, the fragility of life. This is elegance, but what you focus on are the clothes of beauties. That is vulgarity.”

Xie Weilou shook his head, looking utterly disappointed.

“Yes, yes, everyone understands!”

Everyone winked and nudged, as if to say, ‘I know what you mean.’

You, Young Lord Xie, are an old hand in the world of pleasure, who wouldn’t understand?

Not long after.

Everyone arrived at the City center, where a seven-story building stood, with a plaque engraved with three characters: White Jade Capital.

Fire-red lanterns hung from the eaves, and the building was brightly lit inside, displaying itself like golden palace walls, resplendent and magnificent, with an imposing aura.

Inside, the sound of music and singing gradually rose, and the graceful figures of beauties could vaguely be seen. It was an excellent place for a life of debauchery.

White Jade Capital was the number one pleasure house in Tianqi. Those who could come here were either rich or noble; if one didn’t bring enough silver, they wouldn’t even have the qualifications to enter.

“Let’s go!”

Xie Weilou swaggered forward with Zhang Long and the others.

However, just as they approached the main entrance, they were stopped by a middle-aged beautiful woman.

“Gentlemen, there’s a rule for entering White Jade Capital, which is that you must have at least a thousand taels of silver on you.”

The middle-aged beautiful woman smiled broadly as she stared at Xie Weilou and the others.

Xie Weilou gently tidied his sleeve and said with a confident expression, “Don’t worry! I, Xie Weilou, am not short on silver.”

Zhang Long and the others looked curious. Young Lord Xie had already revealed his identity; they wondered if his name was worth a thousand taels.

The middle-aged beautiful woman said with a rich smile, “The Heir of Marquis Zhenxi Manor naturally won’t be short on silver, but White Jade Capital has this rule, and I, your humble servant, can do nothing about it. We still need to verify!”

Xie Weilou isn’t short on silver?

What a joke!

Now, the one in charge of Zhenxi Marquis Manor is Xie Cangxuan, and all the properties have fallen into Madam You’s hands. What does he, Xie Weilou, This Young Master, have left besides a name?

“…”

Zhang Long and the others felt speechless. The Young Master’s name seemed worthless now!

“This Young Master is indeed not as he was before, but do you think I can’t even produce a mere thousand taels?”

Xie Weilou smiled faintly.

“Then I, your humble servant, would like to see.”

The middle-aged beautiful woman extended her hand towards Xie Weilou.

Xie Weilou casually rummaged in his bosom and pulled out a hundred-tael silver note. He rummaged again, only pulling out a few ingots of broken silver and a few copper coins.

“Where’s my silver? Who stole my silver?”

Xie Weilou raised an eyebrow.

“Hehe! Young Master wouldn’t be unable to produce even a thousand taels, would he?”

The middle-aged beautiful woman covered her mouth and chuckled charmingly.

“Joke, what kind of person is This Young Master? A mere thousand taels, isn’t it just a matter of reaching out?”

Xie Weilou’s face straightened. He said to Zhang Long and the others, “Brothers, each of you chip in a bit. Once we enter White Jade Capital, we’ll show the beauties inside a good time!”

Zhang Long and the others twitched their mouths, instinctively wanting to slip away. The silver they had just gotten their hands on, were they going to hand it over already?

Why did it feel like the Young Master wasn’t treating them, but rather making them treat him?

Xie Weilou immediately stopped Zhang Long and the others: “Since we’re already here, how can we not experience it?”

“…”

Zhang Long and the others were speechless and could only silently open their money pouches.

Seven people, a total of seven hundred taels, plus Xie Weilou’s hundred-plus taels, only amounted to eight hundred-plus taels.

“Only this much?”

Xie Weilou looked at Zhang Long and the others.

“That’s all there is.”

Zhang Long and the others smiled bitterly. With so little silver each month, how much could they save?

If it weren’t for the reward they received this time, they probably wouldn’t even be able to produce twenty taels.

“Young Master, you’re still short over a hundred taels.”

The middle-aged beautiful woman’s voice was charming, and her smile held a hint of playfulness.

At this moment, she felt a bit emotional. Was the Heir of Marquis Zhenxi Manor truly finished?

This fellow was proficient in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling; even if he had some silver, he couldn’t keep it.

News had spread before that the First Prince seemed to have given him a lot of silver, but he had gambled it all away. What a prodigal son!

At the same time.

White Jade Capital, seventh floor.

A woman in a black dress and a woman in a white dress were playing Go.

“Reporting to Her Royal Highness, Xie Weilou is outside White Jade Capital, but he seems to not have enough silver to enter the building.”

A maid’s voice sounded from outside the room.

The white-dressed woman said indifferently, “Have Shaoyao give him a couplet. If he can match it, then let him enter the building.”

“Understood.”

The maid walked downstairs.

“Xie Weilou…”

The black-dressed woman picked up a Go piece, a pensive look on her face.

“You tricked him before. If he meets you, what do you think will happen?”

The white-dressed woman asked.

“…”

The black-dressed woman calmly placed her Go piece, her eyes showing no ripples whatsoever.