The Shifang Zhai in the East Workshop is the place with the most comprehensive goods in the entire Lige City. It covers an area of nearly three mu. Although Lige City itself is quite large, a single store with such a large area is unique in Lixia.
The reason why the Shifang Zhai has been able to do such a large business is not only because of its wide - ranging and high - quality products and services, but also because of many unknown dark transactions. In the previous life, the reason why Shen Qingfeng was able to successfully pave the way for Xia Chuli to seize the throne was not only due to the Listening Wind Pavilion he established himself, but also because the Shifang Zhai played a significant role in it.
Shen Qingfeng stood at the entrance of the Shifang Zhai. The building of the Shifang Zhai was still as magnificently decorated as in his memory. The gilded roof shone brightly against the backdrop of the bright lights in the night. Its luxury was almost comparable to that of the Bian Palace in Lixia.
Here, common people could find great - value items, while aristocrats could squander their money at will. It was truly a one - stop business. However, hardly anyone knew that the owner of this seemingly perfect business tycoon was actually a woman.
The image of that enchanting woman flashed through Shen Qingfeng's mind. There was not the slightest bit of disgust in his eyes. Instead, there was a touch of nostalgia and reminiscence.
"The place is really crowded today," Shen Yu said, putting his hands on his hips and squinting. "Let's not let A Man go alone. How about we go in together?"
The Shifang Pavilion inside the Shifang Zhai was extremely well - informed. As long as a member of a noble family entered the Shifang Zhai, they would be invited to consume inside the Shifang Pavilion instead of shopping with the common people outside. The higher the status of the guest, the more high - level service they would receive. This was the operating rule of the Shifang Zhai - a strict and even cruel hierarchical system.
In the previous life, Shen Qingfeng had somehow become the first non - royal person, apart from the successive kings of Lixia, to receive the highest courtesy from the Shifang Zhai. But that was many years later. Thinking about it now, it was a path full of blood and storms.
"Fine," Shen Qingfeng said, gathering his strange look in his eyes and nodding. "A Man, you must follow closely. Don't get separated from the crowd."
A Man gobbled up the last sugar - coated hawthorn on a stick and nodded vigorously.
"Haha, A Man is so cute. We mustn't let her accidentally end up in a place of entertainment," Shen Yu said, rubbing his nose and lowering his voice. "Recently, there has been a new aesthetic trend in the court. The cuter a woman is, the more favored she is by the noble families."
A Man blushed shyly and said, "Don't worry, Young Master. I won't get lost."
"Cute women?" Shen Qingfeng was a bit stunned and didn't react immediately.
Shen Yu looked at him in surprise and said, "Don't tell me you don't know?"
"I..." Shen Qingfeng paused for a moment. Suddenly, he remembered something.
When it came to cute - looking women, the first person that came to Shen Qingfeng's mind was Qi Mengmeng. It was because Qi Mengmeng entered the Eastern Palace that Shen Qingfeng had a big fight with Xia Chuli and then moved back to the Shen family's residence. This was a memory that had been sealed for a long time, and looking back now, it was just not long ago.
His eyelashes fluttered, and he continued, "I know."
Shen Yu looked at him doubtfully, then patted Shen Qingfeng on the shoulder and changed the topic, saying, "Let's go in."
The group walked forward with the crowd. True to its reputation, as soon as they stepped through the main entrance of the Shifang Zhai, a maid walked quickly towards them, bowed respectfully, and with her head down, said, "Two Young Masters Shen, this way, please."
Shen Qingfeng and Shen Yu glanced at each other and then followed the maid. They slowly walked through the front hall along a long corridor and entered the interior of the Shifang Zhai. After crossing a white stone bridge, they arrived in front of the Shifang Pavilion.
The two were invited to sit in a private room. A Man obediently walked to the door and placed the hot tea brought by the maid in front of Shen Qingfeng and Shen Yu.
"Oldest brother," Shen Yu said, "although you know the rules of the Shifang Zhai, you've never been inside, right?"
Shen Qingfeng thought for a while. He really hadn't been here before, so he replied, "Yes."
"Then sit here for a while today. The food here tastes good. You can order some desserts after the meal," Shen Yu said.
Shen Qingfeng smiled and said, "Thank you, big brother. I'll leave it all to your arrangement."
After seeing that both of them had taken a sip of tea, the maid stepped forward again, bowed, and asked, "May I ask what the two young masters would like to buy today?"
"Bring us some high - grade incense," Shen Yu said. "And also serve some of your special desserts."
"Please wait a moment, young masters," the maid replied and respectfully backed out.
A Man also obediently backed out and stood at the door waiting.
"Does big brother often come to the Shifang Zhai?" In Shen Qingfeng's impression, Shen Yu had always been busy with matters in the Divination Hall and surely didn't have much time for entertainment here.
Sure enough, Shen Yu shook his head after hearing this and said, "Not often. But this is a place where the children of the noble families in Lige often come. You've been in the palace all this time, so I guess you've never been here. I'll take you to see it. After all, you don't live in the palace anymore. You can have more contact with people from other noble families in the future."
After saying this, Shen Yu secretly glanced at Shen Qingfeng while sipping his tea. He really had this in mind. After all, he didn't know when Shen Qingfeng's mind would go astray again. Since he wasn't in the palace now, he should have more contact with others. It would be best if he could quickly discover other beauties. Maybe he would fall in love with someone else. He had to make Shen Qingfeng forget about Xia Chuli quickly.
Shen Qingfeng heaved a heavy sigh in his heart. He knew himself very well. Even if he hadn't been reborn, at that time, no matter what Shen Yu did, he wouldn't have changed his mind. And if it had been the Shen Qingfeng of that year, he would surely have slapped the table and left in anger after hearing Shen Yu's veiled criticism. But after all, he wasn't that same person anymore.
Shen Qingfeng picked up his tea and took a slow sip. He said, "Big brother is right."
"Hehe... Ahem!" Shen Yu was extremely happy to hear Shen Qingfeng's straightforward answer. It was like a long - drought - stricken land meeting rain or a starving person getting a bit of fine rice. He couldn't help but burst out laughing and quickly cleared his throat to cover his embarrassment.
Just then, the maid served the food. Shen Yu quickly filled Shen Qingfeng's bowl and picked up some dishes for him, constantly praising the food, looking as if to say, "You have no idea how wonderful the outside world is," which made Shen Qingfeng not know whether to laugh or cry.
"Do the children of the noble families in the city often come here?" Shen Qingfeng naturally knew this, but he still followed Shen Yu's train of thought and asked.
"Yes. After all, this place is more 'classy' than other places," Shen Yu said, looking contentedly at the empty plates. "How do you feel? Is it delicious?"
Shen Qingfeng nodded. "It's delicious." The food in the Shifang Zhai was still as delicious as in his memory.
"It's getting late. Let's go back?"
"Okay."
The two then picked up their things and got up to leave.
Unexpectedly, just as they were about to go out, the maid who had served them before opened the door and walked in. She closed the door tightly behind her. Still looking respectful, she walked straight up to Shen Qingfeng, bowed to him, and said, "Our shopkeeper has a message for you, young master."
Both Shen Qingfeng and Shen Yu were stunned.
The shopkeeper. Wasn't that the proprietress of the Shifang Zhai, Liu Mei?
Shen Qingfeng's expression changed slightly. In his memory, his real connection with Liu Mei hadn't started at this time.
"Shopkeeper Liu?" Shen Yu was even more surprised. He looked at Shen Qingfeng with wide - open eyes.
The intelligence network of the Shifang Zhai was extensive. Their so - called black market transactions involved the sale of information, and only important court officials knew about this. Ordinary people had no chance of knowing. So Liu Mei would surely not reveal any information without good reason, unless it was very important or beneficial to the Shifang Zhai. Without hesitation, Shen Qingfeng said softly, "Please tell me, miss."
The maid lowered her head. "The shopkeeper said: If Young Master Shen has someone he wants to see, then go through the front door. If not, the back door of the Shifang Zhai will be opened for you."
Shen Qingfeng remained expressionless and pursed his lips without saying a word.
After hearing this, Shen Yu cursed under his breath. Who else could his younger brother want to see other than Xia Chuli!
He had finally started to slowly guide Shen Qingfeng out of his obsession. What was this Shopkeeper Liu doing, meddling for no reason!
Shen Yu gritted his teeth so hard that they made a clicking sound. He almost answered "the back door" on Shen Qingfeng's behalf, but he was still afraid of Shen Qingfeng's stubborn nature, so he held back and stared fixedly at Shen Qingfeng.
Only to see Shen Qingfeng's eyes move. After hesitating for a while, he said, "Miss, please lead the way. We'll go through the back door."
"!" Shen Yu almost jumped for joy.
Father! There's a good chance that our youngest son will finally move on this time!
"Achoo -!" Lu Yan suddenly sneezed.
Xu Ruhui was extremely speechless. "If you're cold, go inside and look for them! What are you waiting for here?"
"I'm not cold," Lu Yan said, rubbing his nose. He stubbornly stood in the alley, his eyes fixed on the main entrance of the Shifang Zhai not far away.