84: Arriving at Jinxiu Pavilion again

Su Yunniang sighed and said,

"Our husband, the Mansion Lord, must already know of Zhuang Xian's reckless behavior, yet he hasn't stopped him or even sent a message. What on earth is he thinking?"

Liu Xuaner hesitated to speak, then said obscurely after a moment,

"If our husband is afraid of offending the Xihua Sect or wants to curry favor with Zhuang Xian, then our fates will no longer be in our own hands."

Su Yunniang was startled, and her gaze toward Liu Xuaner held a bit more pity.

She thought that if she hadn't met Situ Jun, she would probably be like Liu Xuaner, powerless to resist before the strong and seeing no hope for the future.

She reached out to grasp Liu Xuaner's delicate hand and comforted her,

"Sister, you don't need to be so pessimistic. I will protect you and won't let anyone bully you."

Liu Xuaner gave a forced smile.

"Thank you, Sister. If only I were a Golden Core Cultivator like you, I could control my own destiny. By the way, Sister, when did you advance to the Golden Core Stage? Could it be that our husband..."

Su Yunniang gave a gentle smile and said,

"It's been a month and a half since I advanced. If it weren't for Bei Batian's help, he wouldn't even know."

Her voice carried a hint of coldness and detachment; she clearly had complex feelings toward Bei Batian.

"Then, Sister..."

Liu Xuaner hesitated, not quite knowing how to bring it up.

Su Yunniang's expression softened slightly as she picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

"You want to ask how I advanced to the Golden Core Stage, right? Actually, the process was somewhat magical. If you want to advance, Sister can help you."

After saying this, a peculiar smile appeared on her face, as if she were hiding a secret.

Hearing this, Liu Xuaner was stunned.

"Could it be that Sister has a Medicinal Pill or Spirit Medicine for advancing to the Golden Core Stage?"

Su Yunniang smiled without answering. After a moment, she looked at Liu Xuaner and said,

"Don't worry too much. I'll tell you when the time is right. Perhaps you won't even need me to tell you; you might advance on your own. By the way, our husband's attitude toward us sisters is rather intriguing. You must be more careful, lest something happens that leads to eternal regret."

"Thank you for the warning, Sister. But if I truly cannot avoid becoming a discarded pawn, it's not something a weak woman like me can change or resist. Since we have nothing to do, why don't we call Sister Lin and Sister Nangong over for a meal and a chat?"

A vibrant glow appeared on Liu Xuaner's tender face, as if she had regained the confidence of the powerful woman who managed the mansion's shops and finances.

Su Yunniang nodded and said,

"As you wish, Sister. It's been a long time since we've eaten together, haha."

...Meanwhile, relying on his cultivation at the Golden Core Stage, Situ Jun had already returned to the 'Jubao Pavilion.'

He first checked in with Wang Fu regarding the shop's affairs, then hurried back to the rear courtyard.

Inside the living room, sandalwood incense curled upward, its fragrance filling the entire space.

Situ Jun felt slightly more at ease after learning about the situation in the mansion from Cao Guang and the others.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the tabletop. After a moment, he murmured to himself,

"There are only a few days left before the date to go guard the Mine Tunnel. As a Golden Core Cultivator, there isn't much point in me going or not going. However, I must find time to bring Zhu Changpo under my command as well, so the mansion's security can have another layer of protection."

He stood up and walked to the window. Sunlight spilled over him, casting a long shadow.

After pondering for a while, he took out a sound transmission talisman to send a message to Tu Xiong, instructing him to develop their influence in East Lin City and secretly protect Chen Yufei. After all, Chen Yufei's cultivation was too low, and he couldn't rest easy... The afternoon sun cast slanted shadows on the blue tiles of the silk shop, and the gilded sign 'Brocade Pavilion' shimmered brilliantly in the light, reflecting a dazzling glow.

Zhuang Xian swayed his folding fan as he strolled leisurely into the 'Brocade Pavilion.'

Inside the shop, a faint scent of silk mixed with incense greeted him, making one feel a sense of comfort.

The wide array of silks gleamed with a soft luster under the sunlight, multicolored and breathtakingly beautiful.

As soon as the manager, Wei Zhong, saw Zhuang Xian from behind the counter, a fawning smile instantly appeared on his face. He bowed low and hurried forward, his posture suggesting he wished he could carry Zhuang Xian in the palms of his hands.

"Young Master Zhuang's presence brings light to my humble shop! What does the Young Master require today? I shall personally select it for you!"

Zhuang Xian glanced sideways at Wei Zhong with a wicked smile. Ignoring the manager's eagerness, his gaze swept directly across the shop.

By an embroidery frame in the corner, an Embroiderer dressed in a moon-white jacket and skirt sat with her head bowed, embroidering.

Only a simple wooden hairpin adorned her jet-black hair. Her lowered eyes were focused intently on the piece in her hands, her slender fingers nimbly weaving the silk threads. Her hibiscus-like face looked exceptionally gentle and moving in the sunlight, like an exquisite painting.

"How about having your wife embroider a sachet for me?"

Zhuang Xian pointed his folding fan and asked Wei Zhong with a smile, his eyes full of possessiveness.

Hearing this, Wei Zhong quickly waved his hands and said,

"A small matter! Young Master, please go to the inner room for tea. Once the Embroiderer has finished, she will naturally deliver it to you."

Zhuang Xian smiled slightly and said,

"No need. I enjoy watching the Embroiderer work from the side."

Wei Zhong was displeased to hear this and showed a look of hesitation.

"This..."

Zhuang Xian gave a demonic smile and pulled out a bottle of Medicinal Pills, handing it to Wei Zhong.

"Manager Wei, do you think this price is appropriate?"

Wei Zhong took the pills, and his eyes instantly lit up. After carefully examining the pills in his hand, he said with great joy,

"Many thanks, Young Master! Please, feel free to look around."

After giving a quick instruction to the Embroiderer, he happily ran back to the counter to study the pills, throwing his wife's safety to the back of his mind.

The Embroiderer bit her lip, her eyes filled with helplessness. She walked over to Zhuang Xian and curtsied.

"Greetings, Young Master!"

Zhuang Xian looked her up and down, his gaze wanton and blatant as it roamed over her body.

He reached out to tilt the Embroiderer's chin and said in a frivolous tone,

"You truly have a charming look, with a bit more curves than that Liu Xuaner. Not bad! Not bad! Hehe."

"Young Master Zhuang, what is the meaning of this?"

The Embroiderer's face instantly turned bright red. she jerked her head away, took a step back, and her eyes were filled with anger and shame.

Zhuang Xian was not angered; instead, he burst into laughter, a sound filled with arrogance and madness.

Seeing his wife being teased, Wei Zhong immediately rushed over, his face full of fury.

"Young Master Zhuang, please show some respect! My shop only does silk business. Please do not make things difficult for my wife."

As he spoke, he shielded the Embroiderer behind him, acting the part of a protective husband.

Zhuang Xian smiled and said,

"Your wife is indeed as beautiful as a flower. I happen to be lacking a maid to serve tea and water. I wonder if Manager Wei would allow your wife to serve by my side for a period of time?"

Seeing the ugly expression on Wei Zhong's face as he prepared to shout in anger, Zhuang Xian raised his hand to stop him.

"Let me finish first. As long as you are willing, I can satisfy you with wealth, Cultivation Techniques, Secret Manuals, or even secular political power."

Wei Zhong's mustache trembled with rage. He glanced at the old man behind Zhuang Xian, sensing the powerful aura emanating from him, and forcibly swallowed the curses in his mouth.

"Young Master Zhuang is surely no ordinary person. Why bother joking with a small shop owner like me? I do business here in North Border City and have connections with the ladies of various families. Even the ladies of the North City Mansion buy clothes and silk from me. Since you have connections with the North City Mansion, aren't you afraid the ladies there will blame you for causing trouble in my shop?"