At the Dream Immortal Tower.
The madam flicked her handkerchief, eyeing Ji Hongli sideways with a sneer on her lips. "Young Master Ji, have you had too much to drink today? Or has the courtesan addled your head? Buy the Dream Immortal Tower? Do you know how much this place is worth?"
Her voice was sharp and thin, carrying the pettiness of a marketplace woman. Several servants and courtesans who had followed her in couldn't help but cover their mouths and snicker, their eyes full of disdain.
Lin Wan stood to the side, unconcerned, watching the spectacle before her with great interest.
Ji Hongli, however, remained composed. She lightly tapped her folding fan against her palm, her voice low and assured. "Just summon whoever can make the decision."
The madam gave a cold laugh. "Our Dream Immortal Tower sees guests coming and going every day. Every prominent figure in Chang'an City knows everyone else's background. Your Ji family is merely in the silk business in the eastern part of Chang'an. No matter how deep your family's pockets, how could you possibly afford to buy the Dream Immortal Tower?"
She deliberately drew out her words, her eyes carrying a provocation, as if waiting to see Ji Hongli embarrassed.
Ji Hongli didn't respond. Instead, she retrieved something from her sleeve and gently placed it on the table.
A Night-Luminescent Pearl.
Its lustrous glow flowed like water, illuminating the entire room until even the candlelight seemed dim in comparison.
Anyone who wasn't a fool could see this was a priceless treasure beyond estimation.
The madam's eyes instantly went wide. Her throat bobbed, and it took her a long moment to squeeze out any sound. "This... this..."
"Is it enough?" Ji Hongli asked.
The madam swallowed hard, barely maintaining her composure, but her fingers had already begun to tremble uncontrollably. "Please wait a moment. I'll go fetch the owner immediately."
...
Before long, footsteps sounded on the stairs.
A woman in her early thirties descended slowly. She wore a plain-colored silk dress, with only a white jade hairpin in her hair. Her entire demeanor didn't resemble that of a brothel owner, but rather a lady from some noble household.
She was none other than the renowned Boss Zhou of this famous brothel.
No one knew her background, only that over a decade ago, she had been one of the courtesans here. Now, she had become the owner of this establishment.
The woman picked up the Night-Luminescent Pearl, her fingertips gently stroking its surface. She raised her eyes to look at Ji Hongli. "Young Master Ji certainly has a lavish hand."
Ji Hongli said indifferently, "Name your price."
The woman replied, "In terms of value alone, a Night-Luminescent Pearl of this size is certainly enough."
In the next instant, however, she shook her head with a smile. "But... this isn't about the price."
"Oh?" Ji Hongli raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "Please enlighten me, Boss Zhou."
The woman couldn't help but cast an envious glance at Lin Wan, who stood apart from the matter with her cool demeanor. After knitting her brows in thought for a moment, she suddenly spoke. "Since I've encountered such a devoted person as Young Master Ji, I'll speak plainly."
"I'm all ears."
"The Dream Immortal Tower is backed by the current Prime Minister." The woman pushed the Night-Luminescent Pearl back. "Your pearl, though priceless, can buy this building, but it cannot buy people's hearts."
Ji Hongli was silent for a moment, then the corner of her lips curled with cold amusement. "And so?"
The woman sighed and lowered her voice. "Additionally, I'll tell you the truth. The Prime Minister's son has long had his eye on Miss Lin here. Redeeming her? Buying the building? All of it requires the Prime Minister's personal approval."
This time, even Lin Wan couldn't quite maintain her composure.
What? There was a pleasure-seeking scion who had taken a fancy to her?
She couldn't help but glance at Ji Hongli, only to see a cold glint flash through her wife's eyes before she regained her calm and nodded. "I'll return at this time tomorrow."
Lin Wan felt both amused and exasperated. This was a character in a dream—what was there to be jealous about?
Still, her heart couldn't help but silently mourn for that Prime Minister's son.
Ji Hongli gave Lin Wan a meaningful look before turning to leave.
The woman watched her depart, then turned her gaze to Lin Wan who stood at the door, her tone complicated. "This Young Master Ji treats you with true devotion."
Lin Wan leaned against the railing, half-smiling. "Is that so?"
The woman shook her head, a trace of pity in her eyes. "What a pity."
What a pity—the most useless thing in this world is devotion.
...
As Ji Hongli descended the stairs, she happened to see Bai Li.
The young woman stood beneath the corridor, dressed in simple clothes, with only a wooden hairpin in her hair. Though lacking ornate decorations, she couldn't hide the pride in her bones. She kept her head slightly lowered, seemingly lost in thought. Her profile, illuminated by the candlelight, appeared especially pale.
Ji Hongli's steps faltered. Her gaze fell upon the young woman, and she couldn't help but ask the madam accompanying her downstairs, "Who is this young lady?"
The madam cursed inwardly. Men truly were fickle creatures. Just moments ago, he had been showering Miss Lin with deep affection and extravagant spending!
However, ever since this Young Master Ji had produced that Night-Luminescent Pearl, his status in her eyes had risen considerably. So she put on a smiling face and explained, "This is Miss Bai. Her father was once the Prefect of Chang'an City, but because he offended the current Prime Minister, he was caught in a scandal. Not only was his family's property confiscated, but his only daughter was sent here as well."
Ji Hongli's eyebrow lifted slightly as she fell into thought.
Just then, Bai Li turned her gaze and locked eyes with Ji Hongli.
She paused for a moment, thinking: What a handsome gentleman.
But in the next instant, she recalled her current circumstances. Bitterness rose in her heart, and the light in her eyes dimmed. She hurriedly lowered her head.
Ji Hongli, however, gently curved her lips upward.
But the next moment, she thought of something and frowned slightly.
This girl... wasn't she that fox's daughter?
Her gaze sharpened as she studied Bai Li once more. Though Bai Li was dressed simply and looked haggard, the spirited aura between her brows couldn't be disguised.
How did she end up lost in this forbidden realm?
Ji Hongli pondered silently.
Moreover, with this little girl's cultivation level, if she hadn't happened to encounter her, she would probably be lost here for the rest of her life.
After a moment's consideration, she took a silver ingot from her sleeve and placed it in the madam's hand, speaking indifferently. "Please look after this Miss Bai."
The madam was first startled, then accepted the silver with delight, nodding repeatedly. "Young Master Ji, rest assured! Miss Bai will not suffer the slightest grievance here! Besides, she's only just arrived. We won't make her receive guests anytime soon."
Ji Hongli gave a slight nod, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Once her figure disappeared beyond the door, the madam's smile instantly vanished. She pursed her lips and cursed under her breath. "Hmph, men!"
Just now, he had spent lavishly on Miss Lin, and in the blink of an eye, he was showing concern for Miss Bai.
She weighed the silver in her hand, then glanced at Bai Li standing in the corner, calculating how to extract more profit from this "new favorite."
...
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