In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

He was still wearing an indigo long gown. When he saw Xie Yige get out of the car, a gentle smile appeared in his eyes, and he stepped forward and bowed.

"Young master, shall we go upstairs to talk?"

"Okay, thank you for your help, Butler Xie."

When Xie Yige last visited Wangjiang Tower, she was with Li Zhiwei, so there were many things she couldn't ask. Today was a good day, as she had many questions she wanted answered.

Xie Zhen didn't lead her up the usual stairs, but instead bypassed the reception desk and took an inconspicuous side staircase to the third floor. The stairwell was carpeted thickly, making no sound underfoot. Several ink landscape paintings hung on the walls on both sides, their brushstrokes elegant, a stark contrast to the opulent grandeur of the first floor.

He stopped in front of a door and pushed it open.

Xie Yige stepped into the room and was immediately stunned.

This is a very large, elegant room, simply yet stylishly furnished. There isn't much furniture, but everything is perfectly placed. A calligraphy scroll hangs on the wall, its strokes bold and powerful, signed by none other than the contemporary poet saint. Most breathtaking is the entire floor-to-ceiling window—facing the Qujiang Pool, its waters a vast expanse of emerald green, distant mountains like dark eyebrows, the water and sky merging into one.

"This view from the window... is absolutely stunning." Xie Yige walked to the window, looked at the clear blue river, and couldn't help but exclaim, "The room's layout and the view from the window are perfectly integrated; this design is truly ingenious."

"Young mistress has a good eye." Xie Zhen stood behind her, his tone calm. "This was designed by your mother herself."

"My mother?" Xie Yige turned around, surprised. "Butler Xie, I was just about to ask you, is Wangjiang Tower one of our family's properties?"

"Yes." Xie Zhen nodded. "Strictly speaking, it is your property, young master. You have already included Wangjiang Tower in your dowry."

"Huh? My business?" Xie Yige was completely stunned. "How come I've never heard my mother mention this before?"

She suddenly felt like a poor girl who had just discovered her family was rich, and for a moment she didn't know how to react.

"Young Master, you still have sixteen properties in the capital." Xie Zhen took out a register from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "My master has instructed me to take you to familiarize yourself with them one by one when you have time."

Xie Yige took the book and casually flipped through a few pages. The densely packed records made her feel a little dazed for a moment.

Sixteen industries.

Wangjiang Tower is just one of them.

Who exactly is her mother?

"Thank you for your trouble, Butler Xie." She composed herself, put the book away, and said, "I'm free tomorrow or the day after; I can go with you to take a look."

"Then I will arrange for someone to pick you up from your residence tomorrow," Xie Zhen replied.

Xie Yige nodded, then, remembering the true purpose of her trip, carefully asked, "Butler Xie, my brother has made an appointment with some friends to meet at Wangjiang Tower in three days. Could you... arrange a special room for me?"

Xie Zhen looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Well..." Xie Yige was a little embarrassed, but she still forced herself to continue, "I can see them from another room."

After she finished speaking, she felt that the request was a bit excessive. Just as she was about to say, "If it's inconvenient, then forget it," Xie Zhen smiled slightly.

"some."

Xie Yige was taken aback.

"We have specially treated glass," Xie Zhen explained. "You can see the scene on the other side from one side, but people on the other side can't see this side."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "This is a secret of Wangjiang Tower, used for eavesdropping by special individuals, and it is also one of the greatest values ​​of Wangjiang Tower."

Xie Yige's heart skipped a beat.

It turned out to be the case.

No wonder Wangjianglou was able to establish itself in the capital; it turns out it not only had business on the surface, but also some underhanded dealings.

"Then... could you reserve a room for me in three days?"

"Of course." Xie Zhen nodded. "Young Master, please come at that time, and I will arrange everything."

Xie Yige felt a weight lifted from her heart, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up slightly.

"Young mistress," Xie Zhen said, seeing that she was in a good mood, "then I will come to your residence tomorrow to fetch you and take a look at those sixteen properties?"

"Okay." Xie Yige nodded. "Then let's do it tomorrow."

The next morning, Xie Yige got up early. She changed into a neat Hu-style dress, her hair tied up high, looking dashing and capable. Bichun followed behind her, and as soon as the mistress and servant stepped out of the mansion, the carriage arranged by Xie Zhen was already waiting.

The carriage passed through several lanes and alleys before stopping at a bustling intersection in the East Market.

Xie Yige got out of the car and looked up to see a magnificent two-story building standing on the side of the street. Above the door hung a black plaque with gold lettering that read "Xizi Silk Shop". Next to the plaque stood a stone tablet with the inscription: "Whether heavily made up or lightly adorned, she is always beautiful".

She couldn't help but smile slightly. It was indeed an elegant name.

What made her heart skip a beat was that right next to the silk shop was the Ink Treasure Pavilion.

She remembered Cui Yutang saying that if she wanted to find him, she should send someone to the Ink Treasure Pavilion to deliver a message. Unexpectedly, the Ink Treasure Pavilion was located next to her own silk shop.

What a coincidence!

"Young master, please come in." Xie Zhen's voice pulled her back to reality.

Xie Yige withdrew her gaze and followed Xie Zhen into the silk shop. The shop was elegantly furnished, with various silks and satins arranged according to their shades, from simple moon white and light blue to gorgeous crimson and bright red.

The fabrics are of the highest quality, including brocades such as Yun brocade and Shu brocade woven by famous craftsmen in the Central Plains, as well as exotic fabrics introduced from the Western Regions and Persia. Even royal tributes are on display.

She was engrossed in watching when Xie Zhen led her around the front desk and towards the backyard.

As soon as I stepped into the backyard, I heard a clear, angry female voice coming from next door:

"No way! This tree of yours is taking over my yard. No wonder it was planted by you; it's just as despicable and shameless as you!"

Immediately afterwards, a man's voice rang out, tinged with helplessness and mockery: "Thirteenth Sister, can't you be reasonable? This tree grew there on its own; I didn't make it grow there. Besides, didn't it provide you with shade?"

"Of course you can say whatever you want about my spot since you've taken it. Besides, it's still cold outside, what are you trying to cool off for!"

Xie Yige stopped in her tracks, completely stunned.

Is this...is this an argument?

She looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the courtyard wall was not high, just high enough for someone in the neighboring courtyard to stick half their body out. A woman in a purplish-red dress was standing with her hands on her hips, glaring angrily at a tall, thin man in the neighboring courtyard.

The man was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, dressed in a simple blue robe. He had handsome features and looked like a scholar, but at this moment he looked helpless as he was being scolded.

The man was about to retort when he caught a glimpse of Xie Zhen and a beautiful, unfamiliar young woman standing behind Thirteen Sister. He froze, swallowing back the words he was about to say. He coughed awkwardly and winked at Thirteen Sister, "You have guests. Let's talk properly another time, okay?"