Chapter 12: Lady Ya Fei and Young Master Oba
Xiao Ze and Xiao Xuner walked side by side, strolling down the main street.
Their elegant and refined appearance attracted frequent glances from passersby.
However, they paid no heed to the onlookers and headed straight for their destination.
When they arrived at the Shengde Tavern, the evening lights had just begun to illuminate the surroundings.
Inside the tavern, lights were bright, and the sound of chatter filled the air.
"What a lively tavern! It truly deserves to be the number one tavern in Wutan City!" Xiao Ze remarked as he looked at the bustling crowd entering and exiting the establishment, speaking to Xiao Xuner.
"We might have to wait for a while," he added.
"Don't worry, Xiao Ze, I've already made arrangements. We can go straight in," Xiao Xuner replied, flashing a mysterious smile and leading Xiao Ze into the Shengde Tavern.
Soon, guided by the waiter, they reached a private room upstairs.
The design of the room was quite clever.
Looking inside the tavern, they could see the performers and diners in the main hall. Looking outside, they could see the well-lit marketplace even in the darkness of night.
"Xuner, this private room you've chosen is excellent!" Xiao Ze exclaimed.
"Hehe, I specifically booked this room to avoid any unwelcome disturbances," Xiao Xuner chuckled, pulling Xiao Ze further into the Shengde Tavern.
Before long, they were seated in the private room and ready to enjoy their meal.
"By the way, how much does this private room cost?" Xiao Ze inquired.
Xiao Xuner raised a fair finger and replied with a light smile, "Including the Monster Feast we're having tonight, it's a total of fifteen hundred gold coins!"
"Wow! That's expensive! If I remember correctly, the annual profit of the Xiao family is only about a hundred thousand gold coins!" Xiao Ze exclaimed. "Hmm, the Xiao family's annual profit can only cover about two months of dining in the Shengde Tavern!"
"How about it? Isn't Xuner's treat sincere enough?" Xiao Xuner asked.
"Very sincere!" Xiao Ze agreed.
As they chatted and enjoyed the scenery, the Monster Feast gradually began.
These were edible monsters, specially bred and prepared. After consumption by humans, they provided many benefits, enhancing vitality and strength.
Though not as potent as alchemist potions, they were still highly sought after in the world where strength was paramount.
The aroma of meat filled the air, and Xiao Ze couldn't help but salivate as he looked at the table full of monster meat.
"Don't just stare, Xiao Ze, dig in!" Xiao Xuner urged.
"Together!" they said in unison, chatting and enjoying the delicious Monster Feast.
However, their happy time was short-lived. As Xiao Ze picked up a glass of ice-blue juice and clinked it with Xiao Xuner's, he felt an intense coldness upon drinking, followed by a burning sensation as if flames were raging inside him.
"This juice is quite peculiar," Xiao Ze remarked.
Xiao Xuner explained, "It's a low-level medicinal ingredient cultivated by the Shengde Tavern. Drinking it regularly can enhance a weak Qi..."
Xiao Ze paused, realizing the slight increase in his Qi. Thanks to his thorough understanding of his own body, he was able to detect the subtle change.
"...Drinking it regularly can indeed enhance a weak Qi. But by promoting it like this, they can attract more customers," Xiao Ze repeated the word "weak" and elicited a light laugh from Xiao Xuner.
"However, with Shengde Tavern offering so many enticing items, there must be a powerful force behind it," Xiao Ze speculated.
Xiao Xuner nodded, saying, "In fact, there's a slight connection with the Xiao family. The force behind Shengde Tavern is the Nalan family!"
"The Nalan family! One of the three major families in the Agama Empire, and they used to have a good relationship with the Xiao family?" Xiao Ze exclaimed, surprised to learn that the force behind the tavern was the Nalan family.
However, as one of the three major families in the Agama Empire, it was not uncommon for the Nalan family to have influence throughout the empire.
"No wonder Shengde Tavern can operate smoothly in the heart of Wutan City with such profits. So, it's backed by the Nalan family," Xiao Ze remarked.
"My third brother's fiancée, who was promised in marriage, is also from the Nalan family," Xiao Xuner added with a hint of meaning.
"In the past years, the Nalan family used to have frequent contact with the Xiao family, but things may not be the same from now on," Xiao Ze understood the implications of what Xiao Xuner said.
Indeed, from the original text, the head of the Nalan family kept his promise and didn't cancel the engagement even after Xiao Yan became useless.
"But you can't be sure. Maybe the head of the Nalan family doesn't care about these things?" Xiao Ze suggested.
Xiao Xuner nodded, acknowledging the uncertainty of the future.
"Master Oba! Please behave yourself!" Just as they were admiring the view outside the window, a scolding voice suddenly came from downstairs.
They couldn't help but look down to see a beautiful woman in a cheongsam, her posture proud and imposing, her face covered in frost.
Facing her was a chubby teenager, about thirteen or fourteen years old.
However, signs of excessive indulgence were evident: sunken eye sockets, pale skin, and a vacant, sinister smile on his face.
The teenager seemed startled for a moment, but then, recovering, his eyes filled with lewdness as he continued to stare at the woman.
Before long, the manager of the tavern approached them, intervening to prevent further conflict and warning the teenager not to cause trouble.
Perhaps due to the crowded tavern, the teenager didn't escalate the situation further and instead found a seat in the hall.
The beautiful woman went upstairs to dine.
Xiao Ze and Xiao Xuner exchanged glances.
"Isn't that Miss Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the Mitter Auction House?" Xiao Ze asked.
Xiao Xuner was surprised. "How did you know she's Miss Ya Fei?"
"Didn't we invite Miss Ya Fei to the Xiao family's coming-of-age ceremony last year?" Xiao Ze reminded her.
"Oh, right! And I heard from Miss Ya Fei that she's from the Oba family," Xiao Xuner recalled, then quickly changed the subject.
"Although the Oba family is one of the three major families in Wutan City, it seems they're not on par with Miss Ya Fei from the Mitter Auction House."
Xiao Ze nodded, remarking, "That's called letting desires cloud one's judgment! And judging by his behavior, it seems he's not planning to give up."
Xiao Ze gestured for Xiao Xuner to look downstairs, and indeed, the young master of the Oba family kept eating, occasionally glancing towards the staircase.
"Thank goodness we came early and booked a private room," Xiao Xuner sighed in relief.
"Otherwise, encountering this guy, even if we're not afraid of him, our good mood would have been ruined," Xiao Ze agreed.
"True, considering Miss Ya Fei, she probably doesn't have a good mood to enjoy her dinner now," Xiao Ze pondered for a moment, then suddenly said to Xiao Xuner, "How about we wait a bit longer before heading back? Let's watch a good show!"
Xiao Xuner, clever as ever, quickly understood what Xiao Ze meant by a good show.
After a moment's thought, she agreed, and they ordered a few more desserts.
During this time, Xiao Ze checked the price of this lavish feast. It was just within his budget, but after today, he'd be broke again!
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(End of Chapter)