80: Silk Shop

Late summer in Northern Border City; the breeze carried the fragrance of blue plumbago flowers throughout the city, but within the living room of the City Lord's Manor's East Courtyard, a suffocating tension of gunpowder was brewing.

Su Yunniang's body was surged with azure spiritual light like a raging tide, and the silver hairpin in her hair vibrated and chimed with her spiritual power, causing ripples in the dark gold spiritual power barrier of the Golden Core Elder opposite her.

Under the clash of the two spiritual energies, the table full of delicacies turned into dust, and the fine wine was ground into mist before it could even hit the ground.

"You are actually a Golden Core Cultivator?"

The elder's voice carried undisguised surprise, and the spiritual power around him erupted instantly like a surging dark gold wave, ruthlessly suppressing the azure spiritual light around Su Yunniang.

The two powerful spiritual energies clashed violently in the air, emitting a piercing screech; the beams and pillars in the room shook violently, and fine wall dust rustled down as if a small earthquake were occurring.

Those who knew Su Yunniang were all dumbstruck at this moment; they had never imagined that the usually gentle Su Yunniang would hide such powerful strength.

Just as the Golden Core Elder was about to strike a killing blow to take down Su Yunniang, Zhuang Xian suddenly raised his hand to stop him.

He glanced sideways at Liu Xuaner's flushed cheeks and Su Yunniang's tense body, then suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly, striking his folding fan heavily against his palm, his voice tinged with playfulness:

"Forget it, forget it! With these ladies protecting a mere maidservant like this, this Young Master Zhuang has lost interest."

Having said that, he took a flask of fine wine from his Storage Pouch and tilted his head back to gulp it down, the amber liquid dripping down his chin onto his lapel:

"Chunxiang Tower, is it? This Young Master Zhuang wants to see just how much worse the goods trained by the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce are compared to the beauties of the City Lord's Manor!"

Zhu Changpo's back was already soaked with cold sweat, and he hurriedly bowed:

"Young Master Zhuang, please take a short rest. Your Subordinate will prepare the carriage immediately!"

A strange smile curled at the corner of Zhuang Xian's mouth as he said:

"Commander Zhu, please prepare a courtyard for me later; I intend to stay in this manor for a few days."

As soon as he finished speaking, he strode out of the door, with the Golden Core Elder following closely behind, not forgetting to glance at Su Yunniang and Liu Xuaner before leaving.

Especially Liu Xuaner; Zhuang Xian's gaze wandered wantonly over her body, finally landing on her graceful curves before he turned and left with lingering interest.

Zhu Changpo immediately followed him out, hurriedly instructing the Guards to prepare the carriage.

Su Yunniang slowly withdrew her spiritual power, but her fingertips were still trembling slightly.

She knew very well that this disturbance was merely the calm before the storm; the elder's Cultivation was far above her own, and she didn't know what kind of crisis awaited them next.

Lin Suwan held Hong Mei, gently wiping the blood and tear stains from her face, her gaze toward Liu Xuaner filled with guilt:

"If it weren't for me..."

"Say no more."

Liu Xuaner interrupted her, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the wrist Zhuang Xian had touched, as if trying to erase that disgusting sensation:

"Let's go check on the Guard's injuries first."

The three of them hurriedly left with the maidservants, leaving behind only the mess of the banquet hall.

Not long after, the carriage carrying Zhuang Xian slowly drove out of the City Lord's Manor.

The afternoon sunlight spilled onto the wide streets like a layer of gold, yet it could not dispel the tension permeating the air.

The carriage rolled over the bluestone roads of Northern Border City, making a piercing creaking sound, as if it were also mourning for the turmoil this city was about to face.

"Young Master, are we really going to Chunxiang Tower?"

The elder asked, looking at the driver.

Zhuang Xian let go of the maidservant beside him and smiled slightly, his eyes flashing with a calculating light:

"No rush. Let's explore Northern Border City first, especially those large shops selling rouge, powder, jewelry, and silk. These are places women frequent, so there must be many beauties."

Hearing this, the elder realized and smiled flatteringly:

"Young Master is indeed wise; how could I not have thought of that? I will immediately instruct the driver to go to the city's largest rouge and powder shop and the finest silk manor."

Zhuang Xian nodded and ignored him, calculating in his heart how to get close to those beauties in the North City Manor.

He had stopped the elder from acting because he didn't want to reach a deadlock; he wanted to stay in the North City Manor and, by relying on his own methods and the power behind him, make them submit and win the beauties for himself.

As for the Bei Batian, he didn't take him seriously at all; perhaps after that City Lord found out, he would even proactively send the beauties to him.

Before long, the carriage stopped at a bustling area.

The elder lifted the carriage curtain and said:

"Young Master, this is the largest silk manor in the city. I heard that many noblewomen from the city's major families have their dresses custom-made here, and the owner is a great beauty, hehe."

Hearing this, Zhuang Xian immediately showed a look of interest:

"Then stop the carriage and let's have a look."

...This was a silk manor named "Brocade Pavilion," located on the South City Main Road.

Its reputation stemmed not only from its exquisite and varied silks but also from its proprietress, Jin Xuanxiu, known as the Embroiderer.

It was midday, the warm sun hung high, and the market was bustling with the sounds of street vendors hawking their wares.

The warm sun lazily spilled onto the carved window frames of the silk manor; inside, the shop was filled with a dazzling array of silks and satins, colorful and brilliant like splendid clouds.

At this moment, a beautiful woman dressed in an azure brocade long dress was standing behind the counter with a beaming smile; she was the proprietress of the silk manor, the Embroiderer.

Her skin was as smooth and delicate as mutton-fat jade, glowing with a faint soft light, as if it could be pinched into water.

Her eyebrows were as slender as willow leaves, and her eyes were like a clear spring, bright and transparent, revealing a thousand charms in her glances.

Her nose was straight and small, like a meticulously carved piece of jade.

Her lips were naturally red without makeup, just like a Cherry, lustrous and dripping; the slightly upturned corners of her mouth always carried a warm smile, a smile that seemed to have a magical power to instantly relax customers entering the shop.

Her jet-black, lustrous long hair was carefully tied into an elegant bun, with a few stray strands falling by her fair neck, adding a touch of charm.

Seeing Zhuang Xian enter, she moved with graceful steps and welcomed him with gentle courtesy, her voice soft and sweet like an oriole in a valley:

"Honored guest, please come inside. The shop has just received many high-quality fabrics; I'm sure there's something you'll like."

With every gesture, she exuded the charm of a mature, beautiful woman, making it impossible for Zhuang Xian to look away, as if this small silk manor had become radiant because of her presence.

"Honored guest?"

Seeing him dazed, the Embroiderer called out softly again, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly in a perfect smile, her two shallow dimples appearing faintly, adding a bit more allure.

Zhuang Xian finally snapped back to his senses and smiled with burning eyes:

"My apologies, the proprietress is so beautiful that this Young Master was entranced. I heard your shop's silk is of superior quality, and I'd like to pick out a few bolts to take back."

The proprietress chuckled, her voice as crisp as silver bells:

"The Young Master overpraises me. If you have any needs, just let me know; the shop will serve you with all its heart."

As she spoke, she gently picked up a bolt of silk, her movements elegant and practiced, and began introducing the material, origin, and characteristics of the silk to Zhuang Xian.

Her voice was soft and pleasant, every word seemingly carrying a unique rhythm that made Zhuang Xian involuntarily immerse himself in it, but his gaze constantly wandered over the Embroiderer, his eyes filled with desire.