Journey to the End of the Night

Chapter 1683 - 1010: Qin Lou and Chu Pavilion

What is even stranger is how such a high price could be called for the Thousand Cuts and Bitter Dan without anyone bidding against it?When something odd occurs, there must be a reason.

Moreover, the person bidding on the Thousand Cuts and Bitter Dan only reported the room number.

They intentionally hide their identity and origin.

Baili An kept an extra eye on this matter.

At this moment, Chief Li from Wanggui Building personally delivered lunch, yet discovered that in this elegant room, a pot of spiced brine was bubbling fragrantly, which greatly astonished him.

He gazed at the woman cloaked in green robes and bright garments, her posture alluring and graceful, even as she crouched to fan the fire. A flicker of awkward surprise flashed in his eyes.

He had no idea such an enchanting woman was hidden within this room.

Earlier, Fourth Miss Qin lingered in this room for quite a while, making the situation awkward indeed.

No wonder... no wonder Fourth Miss Qin left the room with her eyes and neck red from anger.

Chief Li’s face was awkward, managing his gaze not to look around aimlessly.

However, there is a rule in Wanggui Building that does not allow guests to personally cook and light fires like savages.

Especially with such a large iron pot, it truly offends propriety.

"Haha... Master Ji and your guests, if you are hungry, you may ring the bell to order a meal.

Although Wanggui Building mainly hosts auction affairs.

Every cook within the building is skillful and creative; it is unnecessary to trouble the guests to cook themselves."

Meanwhile, Chief Li had already ordered some lads to take away the nearly finished pot of sauce.

Shu Ci was about to flare up but was interrupted by Baili An’s voice, saying:

"Chief Li, I wonder at today’s Golden Immortal auction, has the Steward from Qin Lou attended?"

A peculiar look in Chief Li’s eyes deepened, as he chuckled, saying:

"Master Ji’s question is misplaced, for I am merely a minor steward of Wanggui Building. How could I constantly pay attention to the moves of the Qin Lou Steward?"

"Chief Li is too modest. Wanggui Building is the only place with auctioning qualifications in Shifang City. You, as the chief here, surely are no ordinary person.

Just now, Fourth Miss Qin mentioned to me repeatedly that Chief Li is a confidant under the Qin Lou Steward."

Chief Li’s face twitched slightly, "Please forgive my ignorance, but I cannot understand what Master is talking about."

"It’s alright if you don’t understand. Chief Li, if you happen to see the Qin Lou Steward in the future, you might as well convey a message from me."

"What message?"

Baili An smiled faintly, a subtle depth flowing in his eyes, his fingers tapping the tabletop rhythmically.

"At the Chu Pavilion, the thin horse always clings."

"At the Chu Pavilion, the thin horse always clings?" Chief Li hesitated, perplexity in his eyes, seemingly unable to grasp the meaning of these words.

Baili An sighed softly, saying: "The Qin Lou Steward has grand ambitions and a resolute hand.

For Chief Li to choose a good tree to rest upon is understandable; it’s not an outlandish act.

But I advise Chief Li: natural selection means the tree below may be either sound or rotten...

One must probe deeply to discern before deciding whether to rely upon it."

Chief Li is ultimately a smart man; with Baili An giving a little hint.

He seemed to comprehend something, his eyes widening, staring at him: "Who exactly is Master Ji?"

Baili An sneered: "Who I am is irrelevant. Chief Li might as well relay my words back to that woman, to see her reaction.

Then Chief Li will surely know whether it is better to align with Miss Fang or the mother and daughter of the Qin family."

Chief Li’s eyes flickered faintly, his face showing some displeasure, but he eventually nodded with his head bowed:

"Master Ji’s advice, I will remember."

After Baili An’s interruption, Shu Ci unusually quieted down, no longer clamoring for her iron pot back.

After Chief Li left, Shu Ci asked: "At the Chu Pavilion, the thin horse always clings... what does that mean?"

Baili An explained: "In places of indulgence in the world, there is a common term; aside from the vulgar term ’brothel,’ there is an elegant term ’Qin Lou Chu Pavilion.’"

Shu Ci may not see through worldly human emotions, but her innate skill in analyzing strategic plots was bone-deep. She knit her small brows:

"That Fourth Qin just visited today, yet you had foreknowledge and investigated her mother?"

Baili An was surprised at Shu Ci’s perceptive understanding in such matters, tilting his head to look at her with a smile:

"You pretend to be ignorant in many things, yet you’re so sharp in this aspect. It wasn’t that I predicted Qin Muqing would come looking for me today.

Instead, I had already done a superficial investigation of the various forces and the backgrounds of those in power in Shifang City before coming."

Shu Ci looked incredulous: "Did you truly just do a superficial investigation?"

Baili An only smiled, saying no more.

...

...

"Alright, you’ve been crying all morning. I told you long ago that Ji Xinnian is not simple, yet you had to provoke him.

In the past, I couldn’t be bothered to lecture you on how you clashed with Fang Geyu!

But now that Fang Geyu’s time is nearly up and our great endeavor is about to succeed, how could you still not restrain yourself and meddle with someone from the Taixuan Sect?"

The Qin Lou fussed with the incense ash in a silver stove, while Qin Muqing, recently humiliated by Baili An, lay sobbing on her lap:

"Mother, never in my life have I suffered such humiliation!"

The Qin Lou looked disdainful: "You brought this humiliation on yourself! From what I’ve heard, there’s some intelligence on this Ji Xinnian.

He’s not merely any Taixuan Nine Classics disciple; if he were truly just a Taoist absorbed in meditative studies.