The broker pushed open the main gate. The houses here were expensive, so every now and then, they would hire some women to clean them up.

It didn't cost much, and when tenants arrived, they would always see a house that looked brand new.

If the place was dusty and covered in cobwebs, the price would definitely be bargained down.

These days, there were plenty of people who couldn't afford to eat, and for a few copper coins, you could find many willing to do the job.

In front of the courtyard house was a small yard, with a stone table and chairs under a tree.

The yard was also very clean, with no fallen leaves or weeds in sight.

"We have people come to clean here every few days," the broker said, bowing and gesturing for them to take a look inside.

Li Yingling stepped in first, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Naturally, it couldn't compare to the scale of Li Yingling's home, but it was far better than the ruined temple.

At least it was clean and tidy, and she wouldn't have to fix a drafty door.

Li Yingling walked to the stone table, gently brushed her hand over it, and saw that there was indeed no dust.

She casually chose the side room on the right, opened the door, and found it was also clean.

There was no mattress or quilt on the bed, but the desk and chair were complete.

Chu Xingchen also stepped into the courtyard, glanced around, and then asked Li Xingtian beside him:

"What do you think?"

"As long as Master thinks it's fine."

Li Xingtian truly didn't care much about where he lived; otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to sleep behind the ruined temple.

The broker was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

Master? The relationship among this group seemed different from what he had assumed.

"Master, this place is really nice."

Li Yingling emerged from the side room, appearing quite satisfied with the house.

The broker quickly praised, "Of course, in all of Yuzhou City, this location and house are top-notch."

Seeing the satisfied expression of his first disciple, Chu Xingchen decisively took out twenty taels of silver.

"Let's rent it for half a year first. You handle the paperwork and give it to me later."

The broker's eyes lit up instantly, and he eagerly accepted the silver, then respectfully handed the key at the door to Chu Xingchen.

"Alright, here's the key. I'll deliver the rental certificate to you tonight."

After Chu Xingchen took the key, the broker tactfully withdrew and left.

Seeing his master had rented these things, Li Xingtian decisively carried his belongings inside, placing the pots and pans where they belonged.

"Master, why did you decide to come to Yuzhou City?"

Li Yingling curiously asked, having originally thought her master would take her to some mountain.

Her first disciple's question was quite astute. Coming to Yuzhou City, Chu Xingchen had his reasons:

"Good question... I'll explain it to you tonight. For now, see what's missing and go buy some things from the street. We might be staying here for a while."

As he spoke, Chu Xingchen untied the silver pouch from his waist and tossed it to Li Yingling.

"Alright, Master~" Li Yingling's eyes lit up as she caught the pouch. "Junior Brother, let's go shopping."

"Coming..."

After putting down the package, Li Xingtian emerged from the side room but first glanced at his master.

Chu Xingchen nodded and said, "Go ahead, go with your senior sister and buy some essentials."

"Yes, Master," Li Xingtian nodded in agreement.

Then, Li Yingling energetically led her junior brother out for shopping.

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Li Yingling likely bought a lot, as she had Li Xingtian carry the package he had just unloaded.

As their footsteps gradually faded away.

Chu Xingchen first closed the main gate outside, then discreetly set up a few concealment formations in hidden spots.

The formations weren't very powerful, only serving to alert the caster if someone stepped inside, allowing a quick glance through divine sense.

Thus, they didn't require spirit stones to operate. Chu Xingchen left a few strands of his own spiritual energy to ensure it would last until he returned.

After finishing everything, Chu Xingchen's figure suddenly vanished from the center of the courtyard.

——————

If you were to ask where the best place in Yuzhou City was.

It would naturally be Manchun Courtyard, where the girls were like a spring garden.

Gentle breezes and drizzles, elegant ambiance, everything you could wish for.

But if you were to ask where the highest class was.

It would have to be Bamboo-Jade Courtyard.

While Manchun Courtyard offered everything from high to low, from meat to vegetarian, anything easily obtainable wasn't considered very classy.

After all, anything that could be solved with money was just a facade, and for wealthy families, spending money wasn't difficult.

Bamboo-Jade Courtyard was entirely different. Even the maids serving tea and water were untouchable and unscoldable.

Not to mention the courtesans responsible for music, chess, calligraphy, and painting in Bamboo-Jade Courtyard, each one more aloof and proud than the last.

Even if you threw down a thousand taels of gold, you wouldn't see them, not even through a white veil.

Those who had seen the courtesans of Bamboo-Jade Courtyard without their faces covered were few and far between.

But everyone who had seen them described them as beautiful as heavenly immortals.

Moreover, the power behind Bamboo-Jade Courtyard seemed immense, as no one in Yuzhou City had ever forced a courtesan to meet someone they didn't want to.

So, this unattainable top-tier class was the ultimate pursuit for men.

Anyone who had seen the face of a courtesan beneath the white veil could boast about it throughout Yuzhou City.

Strictly speaking, Bamboo-Jade Courtyard was divided into two parts: the part that entertained guests and sang was Bamboo-Jade Courtyard.

Behind Bamboo-Jade Courtyard, where the courtesans lived, was known as White Jade Tower.

At this moment, Chu Xingchen was in White Jade Tower—in the boudoir of the courtesan Yaoqin.

It was a very simple and elegant boudoir, with no extra decorations, not even rouge or face powder in sight.

At the tea table, Chu Xingchen was leisurely sipping the slightly bland tea in front of him.

Opposite Chu Xingchen was a young maid with a cute, round face and large almond eyes, pouting angrily at him.

The maid was brewing tea.

Though he was sipping, Chu Xingchen was more like a wild boar unable to appreciate fine dining; he only knew the tea was expensive and likely unaffordable for him, so he wanted to drink as much as he could while it was free.

"Tsk tsk." Chu Xingchen downed the tea in one gulp, still unable to discern its quality, but he could still make a comment:

"It's too bland. Next time, don't be stingy when brewing tea; add more leaves for flavor."

The maid nearly fainted from anger, wanting to smash the teapot on this shameless man's head.

Did he even know how expensive this little bit of tea was?!

Did he know that this tea was only left because her mistress couldn't bear to drink it?

Normally, just smelling the tea's fragrance was like a holiday for her!

The maid huffed and said angrily, "If you can't appreciate it, don't drink it!"

"Don't be rude, Little Ling."

A cold female voice came from outside the door.

Upon hearing this, Little Ling instantly straightened up, quickly stood from her chair, and obediently moved to the side.

Chu Xingchen looked up at the door.

A tall woman, dressed in a white long dress, with a white veil covering her face, and her smooth black hair held in place by a white jade hairpin.

Her face was obscured by the veil, but her slightly cold eyes were exceptionally beautiful.

Even without seeing her full face, it was clear that the woman before him was as beautiful as a heavenly immortal.

She was holding a zither in her arms, her eyes fixed intently on Chu Xingchen, who was seated.

"Long time no see, Miss Yaoqin."

Chu Xingchen greeted her first.