Chapter 18: Just Having a Little Wine and Listening to a Little Tune!

Upon hearing that he was the Personal Disciple of her young aunt-in-law, Ye Yutan was stunned for a moment, and then a trace of intense annoyance flashed deep in his eyes and vanished.

His feelings for his young aunt-in-law had already reached a pathological state.

Let alone Ning Mu, this Personal Disciple.

Even if he saw his own second uncle with his young aunt-in-law, infinite rage would surge in his heart!

Any male who appeared by his young aunt-in-law's side was an object of his jealousy and hatred!

However.

After the fleeting jealousy and hatred vanished, he took the initiative to cup his hands and said in a friendly tone, "So it is Brother Ning. To be able to enter the tutelage of my young aunt-in-law, Brother Ning is truly fortunate; it really makes this younger brother envious!"

"Brother Yutan is too kind!"

Ning Mu smiled and cupped his hands in return.

The other party's words seemed to be complimenting him, but in reality, they were flattering Liu Qingmei.

Moreover, between the lines, it seemed to be laced with a hint of gunpowder.

Ning Mu's heart stirred slightly, and he looked at Ye Yutan carefully.

Liu Qingmei did not pay any mind, assuming it was just the usual courtesies between juniors.

After some casual conversation.

The group headed to the inn.

Ruyi Pavilion.

Ye Yutan had already arranged for people to come and notify them.

When everyone arrived, a sumptuous lunch was already prepared in the Heaven-grade private room.

Liu Qingmei and Ning Mu were both already famished.

Without too much polite refusal, they sat at the table and began to feast.

After three rounds of dishes and being wined and dined, they were full.

"Young Aunt-in-law, I have already arranged for three days of lodging here at Ruyi Pavilion; the entire top floor has been booked. You and Brother Ning can stay here temporarily. Daily meals and all necessities for washing and bathing will also be prepared by people from the manor and delivered at set times. Young Aunt-in-law, do you see any other arrangements that need to be added?"

Ye Yutan looked at Liu Qingmei and said with a fawning expression.

It had to be said that all his arrangements were very thorough, like rain moistening things silently; Ning Mu hadn't even noticed when he had gone to arrange them.

However, facing his fawning, Liu Qingmei frowned slightly.

"Three days is not needed; one day, or two at most, will suffice. Your uncle's condition cannot be left without someone, and the various affairs of the villa also need someone to manage them."

"Besides, there is no need for such trouble with the meals. The current environment is difficult, so it is better to prioritize frugality. Little Mu and I will just make do with a few meals here at the restaurant, and for the rooms, just open two adjacent ones; there is no need to book the whole floor."

Liu Qingmei rejected Ye Yutan's suggestions one by one.

Hearing Liu Qingmei's words, Ye Yutan pursed his lips, hiding a bit of disappointment in his eyes, but he still nodded firmly.

"Very well, everything shall be as Young Aunt-in-law arranges!"

He just wanted to let his young aunt-in-law stay here for a few more days.

Even a moment longer would be good.

As for his uncle and Cangjian Villa, they were completely outside the scope of his consideration.

In fact, on some level, if his severely injured uncle were to kick the bucket, it would be even more to his liking!

Liu Qingmei did not notice Ye Yutan's imperceptible state of mind.

She nodded to herself and continued, "The day is still early; Yutan, go and invite Yela over; I wish to speak with him."

"Also, prepare two visiting cards: one for the Head of the Family of the Luo family, Luo Zhangling, and the other... for the Prefect of Yonghang City, Pi Taiyu."

Yela's full name was Ye Bonan; he was from a side branch of the Ye Family and had climbed step by step to his current position within the Ye Family's commercial firms. However, because of his side-branch status, despite his age, he still needed to come and pay respects to the mistress of the main family.

"Very well, Yutan will arrange for people to handle everything according to Young Aunt-in-law's wishes."

Ye Yutan nodded and agreed without a second thought.

……

After finishing lunch.

Liu Qingmei and Ning Mu returned to their respective rooms.

Ye Yutan went to arrange the matters Liu Qingmei had entrusted to him. It would be a lie to say he wasn't tired after spending almost the entire morning on horseback, even though he could lean against Liu Qingmei's back and enjoy the warmth and softness.

But the long-term jolting still made one's body feel as if it were falling apart.

Returning to his room, under the care of a maid, Ning Mu lay directly on the bed to take a nap.

As for Liu Qingmei, she was not as relaxed as he was.

She sat cross-legged with her eyes closed to nourish her spirit, and after less than half an hour of using her internal energy to recuperate, a knock on the door sounded.

It was the head Shopkeeper of the commercial firm, Yela, who had arrived.

She could only brace her slightly exhausted body to converse with Yela.

In the room, besides Yela, there were two maids.

As for Ye Yutan, who had brought Yela over, he rolled his eyes and went to the door of the room next door.

Knock, knock, knock...

Having just dozed off for a while, Ning Mu couldn't help but open his eyes upon hearing the faint sound of knocking.

Ever since he stepped into the practice of Martial Dao, his perception had become much stronger than before.

"Young Master, it is the Third Young Master."

A maid came in to report.

Ye Yutan? Ning Mu raised an eyebrow; why was he here to find him? Served by the maid, he got up from the bed, washed up briefly, and Ning Mu went to the outer room.

"Brother Yutan, thank you for your hospitality. I wonder what business you have coming to find me?"

Ning Mu cupped his hands and looked at Ye Yutan.

Ye Yutan smiled faintly and said mysteriously, "Brother Ning must be visiting Yonghang City for the first time, right?"

"Indeed."

Ning Mu looked at him, puzzled.

"Hehe, I, Yutan, am incompetent and inferior in the path of cultivation, but when it comes to the path of commerce and the ways of pleasure in this bustling great city, I am quite familiar. Since Brother Ning has finally made a trip here, and my little aunt is likely busy today, why don't you and I, brothers, go out and have a good time? How about it?" Ye Yutan stared at Ning Mu with a mysterious, mischievous grin, his eyes filled with encouragement.

Ning Mu was taken aback.

He did not hear anything else in those words.

"The ways of pleasure?" Ning Mu showed an interested expression.

Seeing that Ning Mu was on board, a flash of success crossed Ye Yutan's eyes. He immediately waved his hand to signal the maid to withdraw, then leaned in and whispered, "That's right, hehe. Yonghang City has the Double Pavilions and Four Towers, among which Hua Man Ge stands alone in its excellence. The young ladies at Hua Man Ge are absolutely peerless; not only are they proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but each one is a stunning beauty of the mortal world."

"There is a jingle in Yonghang City: for a meal, go to Ruyi Pavilion; for flower wine, go to Hua Man Ge."

"Any ultimate enjoyment you can imagine, you can ask them to do for you there. And as it happens, I know the top courtesan of Hua Man Ge. Why not take this golden opportunity for me to introduce her to Brother Ning so you can enjoy yourself?"

Ye Yutan kept encouraging him with a mischievous grin.

"Isn't that a bit inappropriate? What if Master finds out..." Ning Mu pretended to glance toward the direction of the next room, looking worried.

Seeing that his eyes were full of longing, only held back by the little aunt, he dared not take action.

Immediately, Ye Yutan patted his chest and guaranteed, "Rest assured, Brother Ning. This matter enters my ears and no third person will know!"

"Besides, Brother Ning is in the prime of his youth. It's just going out with your brother to drink some wine and listen to some tunes; isn't that perfectly normal?"

"Don't worry, the little aunt won't take such a small matter to heart."

Ye Yutan waved his hand and looked at Ning Mu with a sincere expression.

"Then... then alright. We are only going to listen to music and drink wine, nothing else!"

"Don't worry, you don't trust me? We definitely won't do anything else!"

"Then, shall we go?"

"Let's go!" Ye Yutan grinned and immediately cleared the way, "Brother Ning, please go first!"

"After you, Brother Yutan."

"After you, Brother Ning!"

"Together, let's go together!"

(End of this chapter)