People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

Yingge recalled once again the embarrassment she felt when she walked into that pharmacy before going to Feixue Pavilion and learned from that old man what clove oil was. She almost smashed it on the spot.

Her gaze couldn't help but linger on Jing Ni and Li Wu for a few moments.

I didn't expect them to be so open about it. Can you handle it?

Jingni and Liwu seemed to sense something and turned away simultaneously, as if it were none of their business.

Cao Ze calmly put it away. They were all family, so there was nothing to be embarrassed about. They would be using it together from now on anyway.

Yan Lingji rolled her eyes. Is it really an oil that can open the mind?

Considering that Cao Ze and Jing Ni are so strong at such a young age, it doesn't seem unreasonable to say that they possess treasures that can enhance their spiritual strength.

Yan Lingji felt she had discovered Cao Ze's secret, and a smile couldn't help but appear on her pretty face.

Yingge glanced curiously at the stunningly beautiful Yan Lingji standing beside Cao Ze.

Why is she smiling so broadly... and even looking forward to it?

Do you really enjoy being treated like that by Cao Ze?

as big as World, nothing is nonexistent.

Yingge couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Cao Ze carefully put away the oil.

I don't know if there are any alternatives in Xinzheng, so I'll have to use them sparingly in the future.

"What's the situation on Nightfall's side right now?"

Cao Ze glanced at the night sky; the time he had agreed upon with Han Fei was fast approaching.

Yan Lingji quietly pricked up her ears; she was no stranger to the name Nightfall.

Yingge glanced at Yan Lingji, guessing that the woman had already been subdued by Cao Ze, so she didn't bother to hide it.

"Apart from Ji Wuye's anger over the death of the Red Owl, everything else remains the same."

Cao Ze asked, "Isn't there anything else?"

Yingge frowned slightly, and after thinking for a while, she said, "I have privately reviewed some intelligence. Not long ago, because of the war between Qin and Zhao, Marquis Xueyi was ordered by the king to go to the border."

“In recent days, Ji Wuye and Xueyi Hou have mentioned military pay many times in some of their letters, as if they have some ulterior motive.”

"In addition, Ji Wuye has been asking us to find a way to make Nine Spring Gold, which is similar to gold. According to Nightfall's usual practices, they may be eyeing next year's military pay."

Cao Ze immediately thought of the ghost soldiers robbing the military pay and asked, "Do you know the purpose of Nightfall's plot to seize the military pay?"

"...Maybe they're short of money."

Parrot gave a perfectly reasonable answer.

"Given South Korea's military spending, their pay is at least 100,000 taels. Why does Nightfall need so much money?"

Parrot shook its head: "I don't know."

She paused for a moment, then said, "This matter was probably brought up by Ji Wuye himself; Xueyi Hou initially refused."

That means he stopped refusing later; the "it smells so good" principle transcends time and space... Cao Ze smiled, wondering if the deal was split 30/70 and the wealthy man returned the money in full.

"Very good. You can only gain unexpected benefits by reading things you shouldn't read whenever you have nothing to do."

It can now be confirmed that Ji Wuye and Xueyi Hou are indeed in a cooperative relationship.

In addition, there was the information he obtained from Ya Fei.

He was 80% certain that both the Blood-Clad Marquis and Ji Wuye had grand ambitions, and there must be some discord and shady dealings between them. He just didn't know what their plans were.

……

Cao Ze rode his snow-covered horse alone from the alleyway into the street.

The sky had completely darkened, and luxurious carriages carrying wealthy nobles dressed in fine silks and jade robes converged on Zilan Pavilion from all directions.

Han Fei, unusually, didn't drink. Instead, he gave the wine to his beloved white horse and rode the half-drunk horse to meet Cao Ze.

Cao Ze thought to himself, "No wonder he's a drunkard's horse. Does this count as drunk driving?"

"Brother Cheng, have you made all the arrangements?"

Han Fei naturally knew that "Brother Cheng" referred to Cheng Jiao.

“It’s all arranged. As long as he doesn’t go out, no one will know who he is. Moreover, I’ve given him a Fire Meteor. Even if something unexpected happens, as long as we’re in Xinzheng, we’ll be able to detect it.”

Cao Ze glanced at his brother-in-law in surprise; it was rare for him to be so reliable.

Is it because it involves South Korea?

Thinking of how Han Fei would never betray his sister even when he was buried alive, but later betrayed her for the sake of the state of Han, Cao Ze was lost in thought.

If he led his troops to beat up the state of Han, would Han Fei obediently send his sister to him?

Cao Ze and Han Fei dismounted and walked together toward the Purple Orchid Pavilion.

Compared to the understated luxury and elegant style of Feixue Pavilion, Zilan Pavilion is a completely different story, exuding magnificence.

Before you even get close, the rich fragrance of flowers wafts over you. Rows of trees with pink blossoms are incredibly beautiful, and behind them are rows of purple-toned pavilions, from which the occasional laughter of women can be heard.

It's hard to imagine how Zilanxuan manages to keep the flowers in full bloom during the approaching winter season.

Han Fei looked at the four-story pavilion, each floor adorned with pink and red lanterns that swayed in the purple gauze curtains on the pillars, making the pavilion appear exceptionally magnificent.

The plaque in the center of the gate reads "Zilanxuan" in large characters.

"Brother Cao, what do you think?"

Han Fei was intently observing Zilan Pavilion when he realized there was no response, so he turned his head away.

Just then, Cao Ze was seen chatting with two graceful young women at the entrance of Zilan Pavilion, occasionally making the welcoming girl laugh, making her laugh so hard she was shaking.

Han Fei was speechless. Didn't Cao Ze notice that the layout of Zilan Pavilion was a bit off?

It clearly doesn't resemble a brothel that's simply profit-driven.

Han Fei leaned closer and overheard Cao Ze brazenly saying, "Miss Zi Nu and I are good friends. She said that as long as I come to Zi Lan Xuan, I can play as much as I want without paying, and she will even accompany me personally."

Hearing Cao Ze's words, Han Fei shook his head. While arranging Cheng Jiao's affairs, he had done some investigation.

Zilanxuan is a well-known brothel in Xinzheng, frequented by high-ranking officials and wealthy young men. Their expenses are calculated in gold coins, and there has never been any story of them offering free entertainment or having the proprietress accompany them.

Two pretty girls were chosen to greet the guests; they were quick-witted and eloquent.

Even though she disagreed with Cao Ze's words, seeing that Cao Ze was dressed in fine clothes, had a large sword at his waist, and spoke with extraordinary manners, she still smiled and joked with Cao Ze on the surface.

Cao Ze was quite impressed by their excellent professionalism; they were truly worthy of being his sisters-in-law.

He was just about to continue bragging to the girl, expressing his excitement about visiting the three sacred sites of Qin Shi Huang, when Han Fei ruined his plans and pulled him into the main hall of Zilan Pavilion.

I had to say goodbye to the two girls with regret, hoping we'd see each other again sometime.

"Brother Cao, stop looking, something's not right here."

Han Fei lowered his voice and asked, "Did you notice anything?"

Cao Ze inhaled the scents of perfume and wine in the main hall of Zilan Pavilion. He looked at the various luxurious and elegant furnishings, which were lavishly decorated and satisfied his impression of places of pleasure.

That's exactly how it should be!

Feixue Pavilion cannot be described as a brothel or dance hall; it is more accurately described as a semi-open high-end club.

"What did you notice?"

Han Fei said cautiously, "Brother Cao is a learned man, haven't you noticed that the layout of Zilan Pavilion is deeply rooted in the principles of the Guigu School?"

"That's it?"

"Isn't that enough?" Han Fei almost blurted out that the Guigu Sect was behind Zilanxuan.

So casual and reckless, aren't you afraid of getting screwed over?

"It's alright, it's alright."

Cao Ze waved his hand dismissively, thinking that Uncle Wei Er could not possibly have any ill intentions.

As everyone knows, he is only interested in his senior brother.

Han Fei couldn't help but whisper, "There's a good chance that people from Ghost Valley are hiding in Zilan Pavilion."

Cao Ze imitated Uncle Gai Nie's tone and said calmly, "The Ghost Valley Sect is a small sect, there's no need to be nervous."

Han Fei nearly collapsed to the ground. Was Guigu a minor sect?

He seriously suspected that Cao Ze was teasing him. Even the most uneducated disciples of the Hundred Schools of Thought would know who the phrase "one anger can make the princes tremble, and peace can bring tranquility to the world" refers to.

Thinking of this, Han Fei felt a little worried.

What is this disciple of Guiguzi trying to achieve by choosing South Korea?

Cao Ze patted Han Fei on the back, "Alright, why think so much? We agreed to treat, let's have some fun!"

"Achoo!" Han Fei sneezed, feeling a bit groggy; the cold had come at a really bad time.

A girl dressed in flamboyant attire walked up to Cao Ze and Han Fei.

She smiled and said, "Would you two like a private room?"

"Yes, I want the best private room!"

Cao Ze said generously, "Let's have two more girls playing music to keep us company."

The girl chuckled, and to avoid running into a fool, she said in a coquettish voice, "A private room costs ten gold coins a night, you're quite generous, sir!"

Cao Ze said nonchalantly, "Ten gold coins is nothing, it's just a drop in the ocean."

Han Fei subconsciously touched the money pouch on his body, and there were still seven or eight gold coins.

In places near Sanghai, staying overnight for several nights is not a problem.

But to my surprise, a private room at Zilanxuan costs ten gold coins.

Oops... is this a trap?

If he hadn't known that Cao Ze was a prominent figure, he would have thought that Cao Ze and Zi Lan Xuan were in cahoots.

"Brother Cao, how about we change to a more private room?"

Han Fei wore a bitter expression.