C83 Dreaming
"What were you just thinking about?" Meiniang asked, raising an eyebrow as she put away the white silk.
Su Hu looked up, "When will Gongsun Pei finally be in my grasp?"
Meiniang privately thought this wasn't a hard question to ponder. In dreams, perhaps...
At the Nether Market, within the Four-sea Merchant Alliance.
Feng Tiange was also discussing the Azure Jade Sect issue with Rong Qi. Yaoyue simply wanted to bring down Meixi Workshop to restore the Azure Jade Sect's reputation. The current dilemma was whether she should fight for that reputation.
If she did, it would undoubtedly be a slap in the face to Lyi Xiaotian. If not, the problem was straightforward. One word: money.
Behind the golden mask, Rong Qi's mouth twitched. Please don't ask for money; you have no idea how much I dread that.
"Tiange believes that to establish a foothold in the Fish Market, we can't let this matter slide, so..." After some hesitation, Feng Tiange realized that asking for help wasn't as difficult as she thought, "Tiange would like to borrow five million taels from the alliance leader..."
"Sure."
"In gold."
Both Feng Tiange and Rong Qi were momentarily stunned. For Feng Tiange, she never imagined the Four-sea Merchant Alliance's resources were beyond her wildest dreams. Five million taels of gold equated to fifty million taels of silver, and Wen Yu agreed without a second's hesitation.
For Rong Qi, he was mentally kicking himself. He thought five million taels were better than fifty million taels, so he agreed quickly before the terms changed. Who would have guessed it was in gold?
"Rest assured, Leader. What I borrow today, I will repay double in the future," Feng Tiange declared confidently, knowing that her past wealth could rival even the mightiest merchant alliances.
Rong Qi was overwhelmed with anxiety, his only concern being whether he would live to see that day.
"How do you plan to use it?" Rong Qi forced himself to stay calm, trying to keep his voice steady.
Feng Tiange gave a slight smile. "Some things are best kept secret."
Rong Qi was on the verge of tears. He had spent fifty million dollars, only to hear, "Some things are best kept secret"?
Oh, heavens, if you have any mercy, take the Silver Mask away instead. I'll avenge Dugu Yan myself!
After Feng Tiange left, Rong Qi hurried to the Carefree King Mansion. The old man there owed him two hundred dollars, and today was the day to collect.
With fifty million in hand, Feng Tiange headed straight to the Fish Market.
Meanwhile, Lyi Xiaotian at the No-south House was reviewing the accounts, frowning occasionally. Ever since the Azure Jade Sect opened their shop at the Fish Market, he had hinted to Meiniang to lower prices to match theirs.
To his surprise, prices had dropped by 30% in just three days. This wasn't business; it was a price war.
Just then, someone announced a visitor.
When Feng Tiange entered, Lyi Xiaotian greeted her with respect.
"No need for formalities, Mr. Lyi," Feng Tiange said as she took a seat, glancing at the ledger on the table. "Is this the financial record for Meiniang's shop?"
"Exactly." Lyi Xiaotian walked over. "The Azure Jade Sect has changed leadership, and their new venture, the Moon Tin Workshop, is coming on strong. I took it upon myself to support the Meiniang Workshop financially. If that was the wrong move..."
Feng Tiange handed Lyi Xiaotian a check for fifty million dollars. "You did nothing wrong. The reputation of the No-south House isn't something that can be easily taken away."
Seeing the check, Lyi Xiaotian was deeply moved. He knew exactly who was being protected here.
"I need to see Meiniang."
The Azure Jade Sect used to be her domain, and she knew exactly where the Moon Tin Workshop sourced their tin ore. She wanted to propose a surefire business deal to Meiniang.
However, before she could extend an invitation, an unexpected guest arrived.
At first glance of Yaoyue, the hairs on the back of Feng Tiange's neck stood up.
Other women were beautiful in a pleasing way. Yaoyue was beautiful in a way that sent chills down your spine.
The woman before her could be summed up in two words: black and white.
Her robe was half black, half white, with silver hair on one side and dark hair on the other. The pleated skirt peeking out from under the robe followed the same pattern, as did her boots—one pure black, the other pure white.
Feng Tiange could understand all this; the world is vast, and unique individuals are bound to exist. But what she couldn't wrap her head around was that Yaoyue's makeup followed the same stark style.
The left half of her face looked like it was painted with ink, while her eyes and brows were accentuated with white powder, giving her an alluring charm. The right half was covered in so much rouge it was as white as paper, yet her features were drawn with a dark pencil, creating an enchanting allure. Her lips were a striking red...
Even Feng Tiange, along with Lyi Xiaotian, who had spent a lifetime navigating the world, was taken aback by the woman before them. People from the No-south House rushed in, only to be waved away by Lyi Xiaotian.
Yaoyue stopped at the front of the hall, her captivating eyes glancing at Feng Tiange as she gave a slight smile. "Seeing ghosts in broad daylight!"
Feng Tiange was startled to see that Yaoyue could manage to curl one side of her mouth while keeping the other side perfectly still.
"Are you from the top of the No-south House?" Yaoyue's voice was smooth and soft, her left hand gracefully poised.
Feng Tiange appeared calm, but was still reeling from the shock.
Yaoyue smiled lightly, "Nothing much, just thought I'd drop by to say hello since I'm new here, and maybe discuss the No-south House giving up Meixi Fang."
Seeing Feng Tiange remain silent, Yaoyue felt a slight chill in her heart. Such composure!
In truth, Feng Tiange just needed a moment to gather herself.
"Of course, as a reward for the No-south House's wise decision, I will ensure that any losses incurred during this time are repaid a hundredfold." Yaoyue stood to Feng Tiange's left front, so from Feng Tiange's perspective, she mostly saw that pale face.
To be honest, if it were Tiange, and she had to dress up like this, she'd probably choose a full white face and use a fine brush to outline her eyes and brows. It would definitely look better than this. The outfit doesn't need to be so symmetrical either; mixing and matching could bring a pleasant surprise.
"Who gave you the nerve?" Tiange finally spoke up.
Yaoyue was momentarily stunned. "What?"
Who on earth gave you the nerve to come out and act like this in broad daylight, scaring the life out of me!
"Do I look like I'm desperate for money?" Tiange asked, her lips curving slightly with pride.
Yaoyue's expression changed instantly, though only she knew it; others couldn't tell.
"What, I'm here personally to offer you a dignified way out, and you're not taking it?" Yaoyue's voice turned colder as she looked at Tiange.
Who exactly is Tiange!
"Who sent you here?" Tiange sneered.
Three rhetorical questions left Yaoyue speechless.
Seeing Yaoyue turn away, Tiange wasn't having it. "Do you think you can just come and go as you please at the No-south House?"
With that, Yaoyue turned back. "Wanna fight?"
"That's a bit crude," Tiange shook her head. "Since the master is interested, why don't we have a little competition? If your place disappears from the Fish Market first, I'll personally visit and pay my respects. How about that?"
On one side, Lyi Xiaotian was secretly sweating bullets but kept silent.
"Alright!" Yaoyue seemed intrigued. "If the Moon Pavilion closes first, I'll bet my life on it!"
How foolish, betting one's life like that.
Having lived through it all once before, Feng Tiange realized there was nothing more important than life itself. As long as you're alive, there's hope. As for dignity, sometimes it’s priceless, other times it’s worthless.
Watching Yaoyue's proud figure walk away, Feng Tiange felt a subtle shift in her emotions. Though she had never met this person before, there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity. It was something she couldn't quite put into words...
