Chapter 627: Overwhelming Enjoyment

## Chapter 622: Thoroughly Satisfying

He Lingchuan's smile also widened bit by bit. "Exactly what I wished for," he said.

He was equally curious about Fang Canran. "I'll go call the Crown Prince to join us," He Lingchuan offered.

Fang Canran waved his hand. "I already invited him," he said. "His Highness has something on tonight and politely declined."

Hearing this, He Lingchuan dropped the idea, and the two disembarked, heading ashore.

As he was about to leave, two Tongxin Guards followed him.

Fang Canran chuckled, "Young Master He certainly has an impressive security detail."

He Lingchuan shook his head. "Being constantly watched means I can't relax and have fun when I go out; it takes away a lot of enjoyment." He turned to the two guards and said, "Steward Fang and I are just going out to have some fun. It's perfectly safe, so why don't you two rest here? I'll have the chef grill some lamb ribs for you to enjoy with drinks."

The two exchanged glances, then stopped, not insisting further.

The chef at Pianxiang Villa was truly exceptional at roasting lamb. In recent days, Fu Shanyue had often been eating roasted lamb and drinking mead with He Lingchuan, and the tantalizing aroma had wafted over in waves, impossible for them to ignore.

Besides, what danger could there be when he was out socializing with a member of the Golden Horn family?

He Lingchuan kept his word, finding a servant to go to the kitchen and order drinks and dishes for the guards, before finally walking towards the door with Fang Canran. It would be inconvenient if those two were to follow them tonight.

In fact, he keenly sensed that the Tongxin Guards had become much more lax in their surveillance of him recently. They would monitor or not, follow or not, unlike the previous days when they were constantly tailing him.

Besides Fu Shanyue constantly protesting the inconvenience the Tongxin Guards caused him, and recalling the unusual flashes of the Tianluo Star, He Lingchuan vaguely understood the reason.

The Heavenly Palace and the Demon Emperor were already too lazy to bother with them. With laxity at the top, it filtered down, so the Tongxin Guards had no need to be so diligent.

A carriage was parked right outside Pianxiang Villa, and after picking up the two of them, it immediately headed towards Yuexiang Villa. They ran into Lingxu City's evening rush hour, and the roads were congested.

By the time they arrived at Yuexiang Villa, the night sky was already filled with twinkling stars.

The villa was named for its proximity to Yuexiang Lake. Built by the water, the estate commanded half of the lake view. Ancient willows drooped by the water, late-blooming osmanthus trees released their fragrance, mandarin ducks played on the lake, and herds of deer grazed on the lawns. Even the carefully selected water lilies were still blooming, their colors as tender as a maiden's blush.

Standing by the water, admiring the crimson-gold autumn leaves, one could truly feel the crispness of the autumn air. Of course, non-villa guests could not enjoy these elaborate settings, as outside the Yuexiang Villa grounds, the lakeside could not conceal the decay of late autumn.

He Lingchuan had dined at several bustling restaurants in Tianjie, which were always filled with distinguished guests and doing excellent business. However, Yuexiang Villa did not follow this model; it focused on privacy. The vast villa only had seven courtyards, each with lake water flowing into it, a different theme, the sound of deer calls, and hosted only one table of guests.

The courtyards were far apart, separated by wooden gardens, so even if honored guests shouted and made noise to their heart's content, they wouldn't disturb anyone else.

The core concept was simple: private enjoyment. Here, whether for business negotiations, intimate gatherings with friends, or anything else, everything felt exceptionally high-class.

The only drawback was the price. Of course, as an invited guest, He Lingchuan didn't have to worry about the food prices tonight.

Fang Canran led He Lingchuan into the Furqu Courtyard. Huge lotuses bloomed profusely in the pond, a different variety from those outside. After nightfall, fluorescent spores placed in the lotus centers lit up, transforming into beautiful lamps that created a hazy and delicate beauty.

This was a three-story elegant residence: the first floor for dining and drinking, the second for tea tasting and playing the zither, and the third for guests to rest on a couch.

The two sat down at the table, and He Lingchuan immediately remarked, "This place doesn't seem like a new building."

"Yuexiang Villa has a history of two hundred years," Fang Canran replied. "Its original name was Jingliu Villa. He Xiao, does that name ring a bell?"

He Lingchuan naturally shook his head. He was new to the city; how could he know the origins of these villas in Lingxu City?

"The first owner who built Jingliu Villa was named Huang," Fang Canran continued. "His family was prominent in Lingxu City for two hundred years but eventually declined. Jingliu Villa was built just as his family was transitioning from prosperity to decline, so it was sold before it was even fully completed." Fang Canran had already ordered the dishes. A handsome young servant then brought a small lotus-shaped basin with two golden goblets soaking inside. "The temperature is just right!" Fang Canran said. "Come, try their specialty, Fox Maiden Wine."

Beneath the basin, a small brazier kept the contents warm. In late autumn, listening to the cicadas while warming wine and chatting about Lingxu — how many people found such joy in this?

"Is this wine brewed by a fox spirit?" He Lingchuan asked.

"Originally, yes," Fang Canran chuckled. "It's said that the owner of Jingliu Villa once greatly helped a Qingqiu fox spirit, who then repaid him with an exclusive wine-making recipe. This recipe was later passed down along with Jingliu Villa, while its owners, ironically, became unknown."

He Lingchuan casually remarked, "It seems such stories are countless in Lingxu City?"

"Indeed, aren't they?" Fang Canran said leisurely. "They're like carp crossing a river: abundant, yet easily forgotten. The second owner of Jingliu Villa was a spy sent by another country. They used Jingliu Villa to hide their identities and operated in Lingxu City for several years. After these individuals were captured, Jingliu Villa was put up for sale. The Golden Horn family purchased it, renamed it, and renovated it, thus creating today's Yuexiang Villa."

He Lingchuan was astonished. "So this was originally a spy base?"

"Indeed, wasn't it?" Fang Canran said, pouring him some wine. "With Lingxu City holding the reputation of the world's foremost city, how many outsiders envy and covet it?"

He Lingchuan took a small sip. The wine was jade-green, sweet and smooth, went down easily, and had a subtle fruity aroma. After a few more sips, his mouth began to water.

"It certainly has a unique character," he commented.

As soon as they entered, they had the maid send the fish bucket to the kitchen. Now, Yuexiang Villa's new chef presented his specialty dish.

That bighead carp was indeed the first to be prepared, cooked in two ways. The thick fish head was first deep-fried, then wet-roasted with chili and vegetables. With one bite, the fish skin was half-crisp and half-soft, half-spicy and half-sweet, bursting with flavor.

He Lingchuan truly hadn't expected that his first time eating charcoal-grilled bighead fish in this world would be in such a classy place. Before, he had always eaten such dishes at roadside stalls, sitting on a small stool on the sidewalk, accompanied by a few bottles of the cheapest beer.

It seemed to be getting windy outside; the trees rustled. Tucked away in a luxurious house, eating roasted fish and drinking fine wine in such weather was incredibly delightful.

The other dozen or so small fish were fried until dry and crispy, sprinkled with seasoned pepper; each bite was a satisfying crunch. The kitchen, using local ingredients, also specially presented a dish of pickled plums.

Yuexiang Villa's hundred-year-old plum trees had a bumper harvest. The picked plums were preserved with salted wine and preserved plums, a treat loved by both adults and children. He Lingchuan picked one up, put it in his mouth, and bit into it. It was tart, crisp, and sweet—indeed excellent for cutting through richness, sobering up, and relieving fatigue.

Fang Canran also ate two pieces of fish, then cleared his throat and asked, "Brother He, what do you think will be the outcome of the Immortality Elixir case?"

"I don't know," He Lingchuan replied honestly. "I don't know much about anything in Lingxu City. The Royal Court, the Emperor, the Celestial Gods, even State Preceptor Qingyang—ah! I have no idea what kind of outcome this case will eventually yield."

"You missed mentioning one important power," Fang Canran said.

"Oh?" He Lingchuan casually asked. "Which one?"

"The Vassal Demon Kingdom," Fang Canran stated. "If not for Chiyan and Baoshu Kingdoms' strong stance demanding a thorough investigation, this matter might have been dropped long ago."

That's right; He Lingchuan sometimes forgot about the power behind him.

"The terrifying thing about this case is that even after it concludes, the fallout probably won't fade away anytime soon."

"Indeed," He Lingchuan said, raising his chin towards the lake outside the window. "This place may seem to have beautiful mountains and waters, but in reality, it harbors hidden dangers. During my time in Lingxu City, I haven't truly enjoyed a single day of peace."

Fang Canran laughed heartily. "That's because Young Master He seeks out challenges and dangers, intentionally throwing himself onto a mountain of blades. Look at those ordinary folk outside, who only seek two warm meals a day. What dangers could they possibly encounter?"

"Is that so?" He Lingchuan said with a slight sneer. "Then the servants at Panshan Residence, sweeping and cooking, were also earning money to support their families. How then did they suffer such an undeserved disaster?"

Crown Prince Huan wanted to teach him and Fu Shanyue a lesson, but in the end, he took his anger out on the servants and the residence itself. The fate of ordinary people is like duckweed: a sudden great wave can come crashing down, and they are shattered. Don't think you can simply muddle along, even if you live in the Imperial Capital.

The black fish Fang Canran had caught was now prepared and, as soon as it was served, displayed a fiery red color. The new head chef chose to bake it. The thick fish fillets were deboned, quickly roasted after being coated in starch, then transferred to an earthenware pot and slowly baked with fermented black beans. The ham broth was baked into it.

He didn't know what secret seasonings the chef had added, but the fish had exceptionally layered flavors. As He Lingchuan savored it, he even detected a hint of milky fragrance. The chilies looked vibrantly red, but they weren't spicy at all, merely providing a pleasant warmth. What kind of place was Yuexiang Villa? If honored guests were to eat until their faces turned red, tears streamed, and noses ran, the entire high-class ambiance would be shattered.

Fang Canran asked him, "What do you think of this chef?"

"Very good," He Lingchuan said without even lifting his head, praising profusely. "It's truly a rare delicacy!"

A small border town in another world could gather exotic flavors from across the universe, but he had truly never tasted such delicious fish.

Fang Canran quickly poured him more wine. "Then don't be shy; have more," he said.

He Lingchuan indeed didn't stand on ceremony, burying himself in eating the fish and drinking wine. In just about fifteen minutes, several catties of the large black fish were mostly eaten.

This fish truly became more delicious and more satisfying with every bite.

"Hm? Satisfying?"

Those two words crossed He Lingchuan's mind, and something felt off. But he was already feeling muddled, unsure if he had eaten too much fish or drunk too much wine, and his neck could barely support his head.

With a clatter, his chopsticks fell to the ground, and He Lingchuan actually slipped under the table.

Fang Canran quickly propped him up. "He Xiao? Are you alright?"

He Lingchuan's eyes were half-closed, his pupils dilated.

"Your tolerance for alcohol is really too poor," Fang Canran said, both amused and exasperated. "Can you really not walk?"

He Lingchuan's eyes suddenly opened, and he straightened his body. "I need to go, go, to the privy!"

His reaction was like someone coming back from the dead, startling Fang Canran. He pointed to the back hall and said, "The private room is back there. Shall I help you?"

A place like Furqu Courtyard wouldn't simply have a bucket behind a screen like a common inn. Instead, they constructed dedicated lavatories, referred to as private rooms.

(End of Chapter)