Chapter 129: First Volume, Chapter 129: Guests Like Clouds

First Volume, Chapter 129: Guests Like Clouds

Qin Feng grinned and pulled several second-class cards from behind the counter: "First, get your card. Only after you have a card can you wait—this is our shop's rule. Please forgive us. One second-class card: five hundred taels of silver."

Since that day's parting with the Jingzhong Magistrate, Gao Song had shut himself away, diligently cultivating his mind; though he had made considerable progress, hearing Qin Feng's words now stirred his anger: "Qin, are you mad? Why do others pay only five taels for a second-class card, but we must pay five hundred?"

Qin Feng beamed with a servile smile: "Your esteemed status naturally differs from others'. If you find it too expensive, how about a third-class card? Just five taels per card—but you'll only be allowed to dine in the main hall, not the second-floor Yajian."

Gao Song was about to explode, but Li Rui held him back.

Li Rui casually took the cards and handed them out, grandly declaring: "Five hundred taels? I'll pay. You fellows shouldn't waste your temper on a petty man."

Seeing Li Rui's extravagance, Qin Feng's eyes gleamed: "Young Master Li, you still have money? You're truly an endless pit—no matter how much you scrape, it never runs dry."

At these words, Li Rui's face flushed crimson. His Small Treasury had long been emptied by Qin Feng—he had no money left. The few thousand taels he now possessed were drawn from his family's accounting office, and he hated spending them.

Still, today Li Rui had come here with Gao Song and the others specifically to humiliate Qin Feng. Spending a few thousand taels to vent his Hatred was worth it.

Qin Feng didn't care about these petty matters—he was delighted to have made money. He simply had Qin Xiaofu place a few long benches in a corner of the DaTang, ordering these Jingzhong nobles to wait in the shadows.

As for when a table would become available—that was up to Qin Feng. They could wait.

Watching Qin Feng's smug expression, Gao Song seethed—but then he remembered what was coming next, and his mood lifted. A smirk crept onto his face: "Qin Feng, Qin Feng, let's see how long you can stay smug."

At that moment, a loud voice rang out from outside.

"Miss Xie arrives!"

At these words, every gaze in the room snapped toward the entrance.

Ning Hu jolted upright as if shocked: "Yun'er? Why is she here?"

Qin Feng was equally stunned. When he planned the Wuhu Da Jiu Lou's operations, he targeted Common People—he never expected these aristocratic brats to line up like this.

Though puzzled, he rose to greet her. After all, that violent girl had a fickle temper—if he offended her and she smashed the place, he'd have no recourse.

As Qin Feng reached the door, a red figure flashed inside.

Xie Yun'er stood with one hand on her hip, the other holding a horsewhip. She scanned the bustling DaTang, surprised: "I never thought this dump could be so popular."

Qin Feng bowed quickly, offering a warm, welcoming smile: "Miss Xie, what brings you here?"

Xie Yun'er glanced at Qin Feng and sneered inwardly—she despised him intensely. Yet recalling the chaos he'd stirred in Jingdu, she couldn't help but admire him.

"Hmph! I can come if I want to. Are there any Yajian left on the second floor?!"

Qin Feng didn't dare hesitate. He gestured urgently upward: "Yes, yes, yes—please, go right up."

Xie Yun'er didn't move immediately. She snapped: "I heard you need a card just to eat here. Are you going to break your own rule for me?"

This woman clearly came to pick a fight.

With so many guests present, a scene would be hard to contain.

Qin Feng immediately pulled out a second-class card and offered it with both hands, grinning: "What's the relationship between us? Why pay? I'll gift you one outright."

Xie Yun'er snatched the card casually, her face brimming with pride: "Good. You're finally sensible."

Then she waved her hand: "Bring it in."

Two servants entered carrying a plaque inscribed with four large characters: "Business Flourishes."

Seeing the plaque, Qin Feng froze. Every single person in the room stared blankly. Murmurs erupted everywhere.

"What's going on? Xie Yun'er—the First Female Demon of Jingdu—came here to congratulate Qin Feng?"

"Wasn't there a rumor that Qin Feng and Xie Yun'er were mortal enemies? This doesn't look like it!"

"Strange. Qin Feng not only spied on Xie Yun'er bathing, but spread it all over town. At Ji Wang's birthday banquet, they even clashed. These two should've fought to the death on sight—how did they suddenly become friends?"

Ning Hu clenched his teeth, consumed by envy and resentment. In all of Jingdu, few could make Xie Yun'er visit to offer congratulations. What had Qin Feng done to earn this?

Qin Feng stared at the plaque, not with joy, but with dread: "Miss Xie, what are you doing? If I've offended you, I'll take a beating or a scolding—but please, don't play tricks on me."

Xie Yun'er had been holding back resentment. If not for her father's orders, she'd never have stepped into Qin Feng's door.

Yet seeing Qin Feng's terrified expression, she found it amusing—and her mood improved.

"Hmph! One thing at a time. Don't get cocky. Our grudge isn't settled. We'll see who wins."

With that, she strode up to the second-floor Yajian.

Sitting in the corner, Gao Song seethed: "Qin, you said there were no seats left on the second floor—so why is there one for Xie Yun'er? You're clearly ignoring me!"

Qin Feng looked innocent. "There was only one left. Truly."

Before the crowd could settle, another voice rang out from outside.

"Ji Wang arrives."

At the words "Ji Wang," half the guests leapt to their feet.

Gao Song and the others rose automatically, faces pale with shock.

Qi Cheng swallowed hard, eyes glazed: "H-how did Ji Wang come here? Qin Feng's just running a wine house—is this really necessary?"

Gao Song's face darkened with envy. Ji Wang's status and rank—even his father, Grand Commandant Gao—must treat him with respect, never dare neglect him.

Liu Hongyan, who had been helping upstairs, rushed down and grabbed Qin Feng's shoulder in alarm: "How did Ji Wang even come here? Qin Feng, how many people did you invite?"

Qin Feng looked helpless: "Sister, I didn't invite anyone. They came on their own."

Liu Hongyan rolled her eyes and spat: "Pfft. Do you really think you're that important? Xie Yun'er I can understand—but did Ji Wang really come here to congratulate you? Who do you think you are?"