Addictive

He Lingchuan’s smile widened bit by bit. "I would be delighted." He was just as curious about Fang Canran. "I’ll go fetch the Crown Prince to join us." Fang Canran waved a hand. "I already invited him earlier. His Highness has matters to attend to tonight and politely declined." Hearing that, He Lingchuan let the matter drop, and the two stepped off the boat onto the shore. Seeing that he was about to head out, two Tongxin Guards fell in behind him. Fang Canran chuckled. "You travel in quite some style, Young Master He." He Lingchuan shook his head. "Being watched at every waking moment takes all the fun out of going out for a good time." He turned to the guards and said, "Chief Manager Fang and I are just heading out for a bit of entertainment. It's completely safe. Why don't you two rest here? I'll have the kitchen roast some lamb chops for you to have with your drinks." The two exchanged glances and halted without pressing the issue. The cooks at Pianxiang Villa made exceptional roast lamb. Over the past few days, Fu Shanyue had often shared roast lamb and mead with He Lingchuan. Waves of rich aroma had drifted their way whether they wanted to smell it or not, tormenting their appetites. Besides, what danger could there be in going out to socialize with someone from the Jinjiao clan? True to his word, He Lingchuan summoned an attendant to have the kitchen send out food and wine before walking to the main gate with Fang Canran. Having those two trailing along tonight would have been terribly inconvenient. In fact, his keen senses told him the Tongxin Guards had grown much slacker in watching him lately. Keeping tabs on him or not, trailing him or letting him go—it had all become optional, nothing like the relentless shadowing of days past. Aside from Fu Shanyue constantly protesting that the guards were disrupting his daily life, He Lingchuan could guess the reason when considering the anomalous flashes of the Tianluo Star. The Heavenly Palace and the Demon Emperor could no longer be bothered with them. With those above indifferent, those below grew slack; there was no reason for the Tongxin Guards to be so zealous. A carriage waited outside the gates of Pianxiang Villa. Once the two boarded, it set off toward Yuexiang Villa. ... Heading out during Lingxu City's evening rush hour meant congested roads. By the time they arrived at Yuexiang Villa, stars hung high across the night sky. Named for its proximity to Yuexiang Lake, the estate sat right on the water, claiming half the lake’s scenery for itself. Ancient willows drooped along the water’s edge, evening osmanthus wafted fragrance, mandarin ducks frolicked on the surface, and small deer roamed the lawns in herds. Specially cultivated water lilies were surprisingly still in full bloom even now, their hues as tender as a young maiden's blushing cheeks. Standing by the water and gazing at the scarlet and golden leaves brought a crisp sense of autumn freshness. Of course, anyone who wasn't a guest of the villa could never enjoy such exquisite landscaping, for once outside Yuexiang Villa's grounds, the lakefront could not hide the bleak decay of late autumn. He Lingchuan had dined several times at the grand taverns along Heavenly Street, which buzzed with bustling traffic and packed dining halls full of distinguished guests. But Yuexiang Villa did not cater to that crowd. It emphasized privacy. Across the vast estate, only seven floral courtyards were open. Each drew lake water into its grounds, featured a distinct theme, allowed guests to hear the gentle bleating of deer, and served only a single table of patrons. The courtyards were spaced far apart, separated by lush gardens of trees and blossoms. Even if guests shouted and made a racket to their hearts' content, they would not disturb anyone else. Its essence boiled down to two words: Exclusive privacy. Whether negotiating business, sharing deep confidences with friends, or conducting any other affairs, the atmosphere was exceptionally prestigious. Its only drawback was the price. Of course, as an invited guest of the host, He Lingchuan had no need to worry about the bill tonight. Fang Canran led He Lingchuan into Fuqu Courtyard. In the pond, massive lotuses bloomed in wild profusion, of a variety different from those outside. As darkness fell, fluorescent spores placed in the hearts of the lotuses began to glow, turning them into lovely lanterns that lent the night an ethereal, bashful beauty. The pavilion had three stories: the first for dining and drinking, the second for sipping tea and playing the zither, and the third featuring sleeping quarters for resting guests. Once they were seated at the table, He Lingchuan remarked, "This doesn't seem like a new building." "Yuexiang Villa has two hundred years of history. It was originally called Jingliu Villa. Does the name ring a bell, He Xiao?" Naturally, He Lingchuan shook his head. As a newcomer, how could he know the origins of estates in Lingxu City? "The first master who built Jingliu Villa was surnamed Huang. His family thrived in Lingxu City for two hundred years before finally falling into decline. Jingliu Villa happened to be built right when their fortunes turned from prosperity to ruin, so it was sold before construction even finished." Fang Canran had already ordered the food. A clean-cut young servant carried over a small square basin shaped like a lotus, in which two golden goblets were warmed. "The temperature is just right. Come! Try their signature Fox Maiden wine." Beneath the square basin sat a tiny charcoal brazier. Listening to autumn cicadas in the late cold, warming wine while conversing of Lingxu—how many people found refined pleasure in just this? "Is this wine brewed by fox demons?" "Originally, yes," Fang Canran smiled. "It's said that the master of Jingliu Villa did a great favor for the fox demons of Qingqiu, and they repaid him with an exclusive brewing recipe. That recipe was later passed down alongside Jingliu Villa, while the master himself has long been forgotten." He Lingchuan remarked offhandedly, "Such tales seem dime a dozen in Lingxu City." "Aren't they? Countless as carp crossing a river—swimming along until they simply vanish," Fang Canran said leisurely. "The second owner of Jingliu Villa was a spy sent by another country. Using the estate as cover, they operated in Lingxu City for years. After they were caught, Jingliu Villa was put up for auction. The Jinjiao clan bought it, renamed it, and renovated it, giving us the Yuexiang Villa of today." He Lingchuan was surprised. "So this used to be a spy hideout?" "Indeed." Fang Canran poured him a goblet. "Carrying the renown of the world's foremost city, how many outsiders covet and envy Lingxu City?" He Lingchuan took a sip. The wine was the color of green jade, sweet, mellow, and going down smoothly with faint hints of fruit. A few more sips, and his mouth began to water pleasantly. "Distinctive indeed." Upon entering, they had instructed a maidservant to take the fish bucket to the kitchen. Now, Yuexiang Villa's new chef had sent out his specialty dishes. The bighead carp was indeed the first to be dealt with, prepared two ways. The thick, fatty fish head had been flash-fried in plenty of oil before being braised and roasted with chili peppers and side garnishes. With a single press of the chopsticks, the skin yielded—half crispy, half tender, balanced between spicy and sweet, packed with rich flavor. He Lingchuan truly hadn't expected that his first time eating charcoal-grilled giant fish head in this world would be in such a sophisticated venue. Back then, it had always been at roadside stalls, sitting on small folding stools crowding the sidewalk with a few bottles of the cheapest beer. Outside, the wind seemed to pick up, rustling the woods. Nestled inside a luxurious pavilion on such a night, eating roasted fish and drinking fine wine, felt utterly sublime. The dozen or so small fish were deep-fried until crisp and dry, dusted with spiced pepper—crunchy and savory in every single bite. Using local ingredients, the kitchen also presented a dish of pickled plums. The century-old plum trees at Yuexiang Villa had yielded a bumper harvest; harvested and pickled with salt, sugar, wine, and preserved sour plums, they were beloved by young and old alike. He Lingchuan picked one up and nibbled it. Tart, crisp, and refreshing, it was indeed ideal for cutting through the richness of the fish and clearing the head of wine. Fang Canran ate a couple of bites of fish before asking in a clear voice, "How do you think the case of the elixir of immortality will be concluded, Brother He?" "I don't know," He Lingchuan admitted frankly. "I understand very little about Lingxu City. The royal court, the Demon Emperor, the celestial gods, even National Preceptor Qingyang... Ah! Who knows what compromise will emerge from all their maneuvering?" "You left out one important faction." "Oh?" He Lingchuan asked casually. "Which one?" "The vassal demon kingdoms," Fang Canran said. "If Chiyan and the Jeweled Tree Kingdom hadn't taken an unyielding stance, demanding a thorough investigation to the very end, this matter might have been swept under the rug long ago." True enough. At times, He Lingchuan forgot the force standing behind him. "The frightening thing about this case is that even after it's settled, the storm likely won't subside anytime soon." "Indeed." He Lingchuan tilted his chin toward the lake outside the window. "Beneath all the picturesque scenery lies lurking danger. In all my time in Lingxu City, I haven't enjoyed a single day of true peace." Fang Canran laughed heartily. "That's because you court hardship and danger, charging straight toward a mountain of blades. Look at the common folk out there—they only strive for two square meals a day. What danger could they possibly encounter?" "Is that so?" He Lingchuan gave a faint scoff. "The servants at Panshan Residence were just sweeping floors and cooking meals to support their families. How did they end up suffering such disaster out of nowhere?" Crown Prince Huan had wanted to teach him and Fu Shanyue a lesson, but in the end took his fury out on the servants and the mansion. The fate of ordinary people was like duckweed. A sudden, senseless wave crashed in, and they were shattered. Never assume you can live out your days in safety, even if you are in the imperial capital. The snakehead fish Fang Canran had caught was also finished by now, presented on the table in fiery colors. The new chef had chosen to bake it: thick, boneless fish fillets were lightly coated in starch, given a quick sear, and then transferred into a clay pot to slow-bake with fermented black beans. The broth, infused with rich cured ham, was baked right into the flesh. Who knew what secret seasonings the chef had added, but the flavor of the fish was remarkably layered; when He Lingchuan savored the aftertaste, there was even a faint hint of creaminess. Though the red chilies looked ablaze, the dish was not spicy at all, only bringing a pleasant warmth to the diner. What kind of place was Yuexiang Villa? If esteemed guests were left red-faced, sniffling, and wiping away tears, its refined prestige would be completely shattered. Fang Canran asked him, "What do you think of this chef?" "Excellent," He Lingchuan said without looking up, full of praise. "A rare delicacy indeed!" Even a border city in his other world could gather wondrous flavors from across the realm, yet he had truly never tasted fish this delicious. Fang Canran promptly poured him more wine. "Then don't hold back. Eat as much as you like." He Lingchuan was certainly not about to be polite, burying his head in eating fish and drinking wine. In just a quarter of an hour, the several-jin snakehead was mostly devoured. The more he ate, the more delicious the fish became, and the more addictive it felt. Wait. Addictive? The word flashed across He Lingchuan's mind, feeling distinctly off. But his head was already swimming; whether from eating too much fish or drinking too much wine, his neck could barely hold his head up. With a clatter, his chopsticks hit the floor, and He Lingchuan actually slid under the table. Fang Canran caught him by the arm. "He Xiao? Are you alright?" He Lingchuan's eyes were half-closed, his pupils unfocused. "Your tolerance for alcohol really is too poor," Fang Canran said between laughter and dismay. "Can you truly not walk?" He Lingchuan's eyes suddenly snapped wide, his body bolting upright. "I... I need to go... to the latrine!" The reaction was like a corpse abruptly sitting up, startling Fang Canran. Pointing toward the back hall, he asked, "The privy is right in the back. Shall I help you over?" In a place like Fuqu Courtyard, they didn't simply place a chamber pot behind a folding screen like ordinary inns; rather, a dedicated washroom was constructed, known as a privy.