Dugu Xiaoyi’s heart pounded erratically against her ribs, one hand fluttering up to touch her cheek in profound embarrassment. In the next instant, she seemed to recall something, letting out a soft, muffled sound, “Tomorrow, I’ll come see you.” Her voice was barely a whisper, still too shy to look up, unsure if that vexing man had even heard her.
“Very well, I shall wait for you tomorrow.” Young Master Jun’s clear, bright voice drifted on the wind, reaching the delicate ears of the lady. By the time the young girl dared to raise her head, the dashing silhouette was already gone from sight.
Dugu Xiaoyi scrambled to her feet, hurried a few steps, reached the doorway of the hall, and looked up. She saw him mounted on a tall horse, just rounding the street corner. Her phoenix eyes were filled with yearning and intoxication, watching the empty street as if in a dream. A faint blush touched her cheeks, enhancing her indescribable charm.
“That wicked fellow!” Hmph! He actually dared to pinch my cheek just now! Why didn't I sock him? I, this young lady, this great miss, hmph—tomorrow I will definitely find him and settle the score! I will absolutely kick his backside a few times!”
Dugu Xiaoyi let out a happy little hum, trying her best to appear angry, but her eyes, like crescent moons, curved uncontrollably, betraying her true state of mind: a mixture of shy delight and deep satisfaction.
Jun Mo Xie rode home alone, leisurely, feeling an indescribable joy bubbling up inside him—a pleasure he hadn't known across two lifetimes. His mind felt slightly giddy, too, as if he were mildly tipsy even though he hadn't touched a drop of wine. Though he hadn't heard any amusing jokes, his lips stubbornly curved into a gentle smile.
That scoundrel! Have I been poisoned by that girl?
Love is like aged wine, one sip and you’re bound for life, with no antidote for eternity!
Oh. This is quite the headache. In this world, although this body has been brought back to health, my physiological age seems to be barely sixteen—still firmly within the minor category. In my previous life, that would be the third year of junior high? Or at most, a youth barely entering high school. Hmm, it seems that girl is about the same age, perhaps even a little younger.
This is pure, unadulterated puppy love!
Good heavens, early romance is forbidden! This is the kind of case that gets parents called into the principal’s office!
Young Master Jun rambled on with ceaseless, fanciful thoughts, his face beaming with cheerful complacency. The clatter of the horse’s hooves sounded exceptionally pleasing and rhythmic to his ears, like a triumphant general returning from victory, as if the steed’s very gait were composing poetry.
He dismounted lightly, stepping onto the threshold of his own residence with a face full of good cheer, until a sudden voice shattered the reverie he was savoring—a daydream in which he had already reached the threshold of the bridal chamber.
Everyone please despise this fellow! Feel free to shower him with recommendations, tips, monthly passes, or three-thousand-word demands to hurry up the updates! Don't hold back any punches on this shameless character—smash him!
To be thinking about the inappropriateness of early romance one moment, and the bridal chamber the next...
“Damn it! You scamp, you’re finally back! I’ve grasped a few new moves today, come look at this!” Ying Bokong suddenly leaped out, his voice trembling with excitement, as if presenting a priceless treasure. He had been wrestling with the concepts for days and had finally managed to integrate one technique flawlessly. Ying Bokong was ecstatic.
Jun Mo Xie, whose eyes and mind were entirely occupied by the lovely vision of the young lady, was suddenly confronted by a fierce, terrifying face framed by flowing long hair, as cold as ice. The contrast—it was too great! Gigantic!
Young Master Jun frowned, looking displeasedly at the Supreme Elder Ying who had interrupted his daydream. He felt a fierce urge to kick him away, but he managed to suppress the impulse. This guy, for now, I simply cannot afford to offend!
“No time! I’m busy, don’t bother me!” Young Master Jun frowned, his face dark, and strode into his room, slamming the door shut with a loud boom, nearly trapping the nose of the following Supreme Elder Ying in the doorjamb.
“What in the world happened? I clearly saw him return smiling, looking utterly overjoyed, but the moment I spoke, he immediately turned into this wretched, unloved version of himself?”
Ying Bokong scratched his scalp, utterly bewildered.
Today was supposed to be a perfectly ordinary day, but because of an invitation, it became anything but ordinary!
All of Xiangcheng was in an uproar today. Utter, complete pandemonium!
Everyone who possessed status or wealth was discussing this “Aristocrat’s Hall”—what exactly was this place that dared to be so audacious?
The invitation was embossed with silver, featuring a single, blooming golden plum blossom, painted with liquefied pure gold. Every petal was rendered with lifelike detail, and even the stamens were clearly delineated!
This invitation alone, just considering its outer casing, was already an expensive work of art!
And what lay within?
Opening the title page, the first thing that met the eye were two lines of gilded characters, matching the cover’s style. The upper couplet read: The down-and-out and destitute must turn away; those worth a million should not darken this door!
Flipping another page revealed a set of engraved seal script characters, radiating magnificent grandeur:
Conversing only with esteemed scholars, avoiding the uneducated in every exchange!
Eminent aesthetes of the mortal realm, the finest specimens of this world—how can their sustenance, clothing, housing, and transport be ordinary? They play the plain zither, peruse the golden sutras, listen to celestial melodies, grasp refined understanding; they taste heavenly tea, drink wine worth ten thousand pieces of gold—a life well-lived indeed.
The final page held only eight characters, written in bold, sweeping cursive: Having reached this point in life, what more could one desire?
The message was crystal clear: anyone wishing to enter must possess a net worth of at least one million! This was unmistakably a blatant act of snobbery—even the name, “Aristocrat’s Hall,” was dripping with elitism.
Yet, on this invitation, which reeked of vulgarity and nouveau riche ostentation, there were three seals affixed!
The personal seal of Jun Wuyi, Third Master Jun of the Jun Family!
The official seal of the Tang Family Clan.
Most surprisingly, there was the seal of the Estate of Prince Ping Deng, the only noble title holder in the entire Tianxiang Empire!
These three seals alone were enough to suffocate anyone who dared to oppose them! Who would dare refuse? That would be courting death. Even the Murong and Dugu families admitted they couldn't afford to cross this trio—the combined might of these three behemoths!
Instantly, the aristocracy and gentry of Tianxiang City erupted in gossip. The incident was the sole topic of discussion.
In just one day, a fierce public opinion storm had brewed. Initially, there was widespread criticism, suggesting that this so-called “Aristocrat’s Hall” was acting far too recklessly—such naked favoritism toward the rich was unacceptable. But eventually, the entire tide of public sentiment flipped.
Those who did receive invitations lamented the decline of human morality, yet their faces were smugly triumphant… because so many others felt indignant: Why didn't I get an invitation? My assets are well over a million! The invitation’s intent was clearly to sweep up every noble and wealthy person in Tianxiang City, so why was my name omitted? Am I somehow inferior? Is this not looking down on me? What kind of logic is this!?
Thus, grievance turned into resentment, evolving from private whispers to open complaints. Those who received the invitations moved from initial dread and anxiety to smug pride and arrogance.
Look, your lordship is an aristocrat! A renowned scholar! Understand? Tsk, tsk. This ranking was vetted by the three topmost powers in the capital: the Jun Family, the Tang Family, and the Prince’s Estate. Do you dare object? What? Are you richer than me? Have more money? Then show me your invitation!
Status! Status!
What proved status? Simple: if you have the invitation, you have it; if you don’t, you must surely be worth less than a million, or perhaps you’re just a commoner!
This single invitation rapidly became the marker of status among the city’s elite! Some fellows would wear pristine white robes and casually stick the invitation into their collars, strolling about as if unconcerned, seeking out crowds wherever they went, holding their heads high and swaggering with an air of supreme confidence—I am a scholar, I possess refinement, and I am exceedingly wealthy!
Those without invitations, refusing to be outdone, racked their brains and tried every means possible to acquire one. They glared at those who seemed no more accomplished than themselves but could flaunt their invitations, their eyes blazing with envy.
Many who rarely left their homes suddenly began visiting friends and relatives incessantly after receiving the invitation. The most extreme example involved visiting over a dozen households in a single day, leaving themselves exhausted and panting like dogs, yet they kept at it, utterly delighted.
This wasn't even the most outrageous aspect, as there were even more absurd developments—developments that would have long-lasting repercussions.
The sheer uproar caused by this single invitation in Tianxiang City was something even its originator, the great Master Jun, never could have foreseen. So much so that later, some people brazenly requested an audience with Third Master Jun, willing to spend enormous fortunes just to obtain one invitation...
This situation left Jun Wuyi speechless and amused. People pleading for favors right at his Third Uncle’s doorstep—it was truly too much...
It must be admitted that this world had always maintained a strict hierarchy, but never before had anyone so openly dared to defy convention and blatantly establish such a thing as the Aristocrat’s Hall.
In life, who doesn't crave recognition?
Now that such a golden opportunity existed to stand above others, how could they not flock to it? It was just like in modern society where two women, even if both wore identical gold rings, would inevitably compare whose was larger, let alone the massive stir caused within the entire aristocracy of Tianxiang City.
The Aristocrat’s Hall, opening directly opposite the Sheng Bao Hall, immediately captured the attention of the entire upper echelon of Tianxiang City!
This auction house, not yet officially open, had countless people eagerly awaiting its debut. Such a sensation was unprecedented in Tianxiang City!
At dawn, as the first ray of sunlight pierced the east, the grand doors of the Aristocrat’s Hall quietly swung open.
Two lines of guards filed out, arranging themselves into two neat ranks at the entrance. What met the eyes of the onlookers next was an entire courtyard brimming with vibrant greenery! Waves of fragrant blossoms emitted their rich perfume, intoxicating everyone who inhaled the scent.
Looking further inside brought a sense of sheer delight; even the most critical observer would be utterly captivated and unable to look away.
In this late autumn season, the courtyard was overflowing with blooming flowers and lush greenery, as vibrant as if it were the height of spring. The vast space was entirely planted with various flowers and plants, leaving only a single, exquisitely elegant path winding through the floral expanse. Shaded by the trees on either side, the path inexplicably acquired a profound sense of secluded, ethereal charm. This short, winding passage, only a few dozen feet long, inexplicably gave the feeling of bottomless depth, stretching endlessly out of sight!
Merely based on this feature alone, it surpassed all other establishments!
Truly worthy of the name Aristocrat’s Hall!
Never mind other aspects, to manage to have so many flowers of different blooming seasons all flower simultaneously on the same day in late autumn, without any trace of artificiality—what sort of manpower, resources, and wealth would that require?!