Chapter 317 Teasing, Shen Chu Visits Tianxiang Tower

Li Anning choked, looking at Ling Ce with a wary expression.

Who are you?

Ling Ce smiled and said, "Your ally."

Li Anning looked at him with suspicion. "An ally? Why should I trust you?"

"Just because I helped you evade Granny Fang's search earlier, if I wanted to harm you, you would have been arrested by the guards here by now."

Li Anning remained silent, seemingly assessing his credibility.

Ling Ce said, "Li Anning, you have no other choice but to trust me."

"Granny Fang shouldn't be far yet, right? Believe me, if I shout right now, they'll come back and arrest you immediately."

Li Anning's expression changed slightly.

How did you know my name was Li Anning?

Her name here is Anning, but everyone assumes her surname is An.

Ling Ce chuckled, "Really not going to tell? Ah, Mr. Fang..."

He pretended to shout outside.

Li Anning's expression changed, and she instinctively rushed forward to cover Ling Ce's mouth.

The soft, fragrant, and delicate texture instantly made Ling Ce stiffen.

A wave of heat rose from my neck, spreading down my ears to my face.

Li Anning glared at him, her face full of ferocity.

"If you dare to shout again, I'll kill you."

Ling Ce saw that although she tried her best to look extremely fierce, her eyes were round, and her round face looked like a silver plate, and she looked angry.

For some reason, I find it kind of cute.

A strong urge to tease suddenly welled up in Ling Ce's heart.

He removed Li Anning's hand, glancing at her disdainfully, "You? You're not big-chested and you're skinny, what do you have to fight me with?"

I was looked down upon.

Li Anning subconsciously looked down at her chest, her face instantly turning bright red.

"You...you think you're so great just because you're big?"

Ling Ce winked at her and said in a high-pitched voice, "Of course it's amazing."

Li Anning was so angry that her head was practically steaming. "Who exactly are you? If you don't tell me, I'm really going to get rough with you."

Seeing her face turn red and her neck contorted, Ling Ce dared not tease her any further.

"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. I'm here on someone's behalf to investigate the case of the missing girl in Yangzhou. If I'm not mistaken, you have ulterior motives for coming here, don't you?"

How about we work together?

Li Anning was skeptical. "Really?"

Ling Ce nodded with a smile, "I'd be a dog if I lied to you. Now can you tell me if you found anything tonight?"

Li Anning stared at him for a moment, then leaned closer in quietly.

------

The next morning, after Shen Chu had breakfast, Luo Heng came to pick her up.

The two went directly to Tianxiang Tower.

When she got off the bus, Chen Chu paid special attention to her surroundings.

The main entrance of Tianxianglou is located in the street behind Mingde Class, so it can be said that it is back-to-back with Mingde Class.

From the outside, it's impossible to tell that the two courtyards are connected.

The main entrance of Tianxianglou is just two ordinary black lacquered wooden doors, like the back door of a wealthy family's house.

After Luo Heng showed the invitation, someone immediately led them into the flower hall.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I will go and fetch Steward Zhao immediately."

Manager Zhao was a woman over forty years old who still retained her charm; she smiled before even speaking.

"Oh my, isn't this Young Master Luo, the richest man in Yangzhou? What brings you to our Tianxiang Restaurant?"

Luo Heng raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Manager Zhao knows me?"

Manager Zhao laughed heartily, "Young Master Luo is too kind. You are the richest man in Yangzhou and now a high-ranking official in the capital. Who in Yangzhou doesn't know you?"

Her gaze shifted and landed on Chen Chu.

"May I ask who this young master is?"

Luo Heng said, "This is my sworn brother, his surname is Shen."

"So it's Young Master Shen. I've heard so much about you. May I ask what brings you two gentlemen to Tianxiang Pavilion today?"

Shen Chu smiled faintly, "Manager Zhao's question is quite amusing. What could we possibly need from Tianxiang Restaurant?"

Manager Zhao rolled his eyes, then smiled and lightly patted his lips.

“Young Master Shen is right. I should slap myself. You two gentlemen, just tell me what kind you like, and I will definitely find it for you.”

Shen Chu and Luo Heng exchanged a glance, about to speak, when they suddenly heard Luo Heng snort coldly.

"Everyone says that big shops bully their customers, but I didn't expect Tianxiang Restaurant to be the same. Manager Zhao, is it because you think we're here for the first time and don't know the rules?"

Does Manager Zhao treat other guests the same way?

To be frank with you, my brother is no ordinary person. The person he chose isn't for himself; he's sending him to the most prestigious place in the world.

Manager Zhao's eyes flickered slightly, and he looked at Shen Chu with a more scrutinizing gaze.

Shen Chu opened the folding fan in her hand with a swish and stood up with a calm expression.

"It seems Brother Luo's praise of Tianxiang Tower is an exaggeration. I'm afraid I won't find the person I'm looking for here."

"Brother Luo, let's leave."

Having said that, he turned and was about to leave.

"Oh dear, Young Master Shen, please don't be in such a hurry." Manager Zhao stepped forward and pulled Shen Chu back, smiling obsequiously, "It was my fault for not recognizing your greatness. Please wait a moment, gentlemen. Everything will be done according to the rules of Tianxiang Pavilion."

"This way, gentlemen. I will personally accompany you to make your selection."

Shen Chu's expression softened slightly, and she turned to look at Luo Heng, feigning hesitation.

Luo Heng advised, "Since you're already here, why not take a look? What if you really find someone you're looking for? Wouldn't you be missing out?"

Shen Chu nodded reluctantly.

Manager Zhao smiled broadly, "Please follow me, gentlemen."

The three of them left the main hall and entered a very spacious garden.

Around the garden, a courtyard was built in each of the four corners.

Manager Zhao said with a smile, "These four courtyards are Plum Courtyard, Orchid Courtyard, Bamboo Courtyard, and Chrysanthemum Courtyard."

As their names suggest, the girls in the Plum Blossom Courtyard are as noble and pure as plum blossoms, the girls in the Orchid Courtyard are as fragrant and elegant as orchids, the girls in the Bamboo Courtyard are as free and unrestrained as bamboo, and the girls in the Chrysanthemum Courtyard are as unique and unconventional as chrysanthemums.

"Which courtyard would you two gentlemen like to begin with?"

Shen Chu raised an eyebrow. "Let's start with Plum Courtyard in order."

Manager Zhao led them into the Plum Garden.

As its name suggests, the courtyard is filled with plum trees, with plum blossoms blooming on the branches, their fragrance lingering in the air.

Shen Chu was surprised, as this season was clearly not the time when plum blossoms were in full bloom.

As she got closer, she discovered that the plum tree was adorned with carefully crafted silk flowers, meticulously tied to the branches.

From a distance, it looks like plum blossoms in full bloom.

The fragrance she smelled was emanating from the girl in Merlin.

Four or five girls were among the plum blossoms, some painting, some reading, and others dancing gracefully in the forest.

Everyone there was beautiful, dressed exquisitely, and had a graceful figure, making it hard to look away.

Manager Zhao glanced at Shen Chu's absent-minded look and chuckled to himself. He then led them to the Orchid Courtyard and the Bamboo Courtyard in turn.

The situation was similar to that of Meiyuan.

As they entered the last chrysanthemum courtyard, a girl in an orange dress suddenly rushed up to Chen Chu.

She stared intently at Chen Chu, her smile alluring and charming.

"Young master, are you here to buy a concubine? For yourself or as a gift? What do you think of me?"