Songbailou is a long-established restaurant in Chang'an. The owner has a powerful background, rumored to have an ambiguous relationship with a high-ranking official in the court. Carriages bearing the insignia of various wealthy families are frequently seen here, and it's said that many high-ranking officials enjoy dining here.
The dishes at Songbailou are indeed exquisite. It's said that one of the head chefs in the kitchen once worked in the palace. Another factor contributing to its popularity is its superb ambiance. The main building of Songbailou only occupies a quarter of the restaurant's area; the back courtyard is where the most expensive dining area is located. In the back courtyard, there are individual courtyards, isolated from each other by high walls. Even guests in adjacent courtyards don't know who lives next door.
Moreover, the houses in the courtyards have incredibly good soundproofing, thanks to some unknown method.
Without visiting Songbailou's back garden, one cannot know what a hidden world it is. Without entering the houses in the back garden, one cannot know the wonders of these houses. Even if one entered, only a perceptive person would notice these things.
The most secluded courtyard of Songbai Tower was always closed, rarely seen with guests coming or going. Even when there were no guests inside, this courtyard was not open to outsiders. If a guest inquired, the waiters would politely reply that it was their owner's private quarters, not a private room in the restaurant.
Hearing this answer, no one would suspect anything.
In reality, however, this was where many high-ranking officials in the court secretly held meetings. And unless it was for important matters, the officials would not gather here. Minor matters were discussed while eating and drinking in other courtyards.
On the evening of the second day of the second lunar month, the gate of this courtyard opened, and a dozen or so people with gloomy faces entered. They were all wearing thick cloaks, their hats covering their foreheads, only their faces below the eyes were visible, but it was still clear that they were all in a bad mood.
The waiter responsible for serving them was also a confidant of the Songbai Tower owner, and he never left this courtyard unless there was something going on.
After a dozen or so people entered the courtyard, the waiter immediately closed the gate. The group quickly went inside, took off their outer cloaks, and hung them on the coat rack by the door. They sat down on chairs inside and didn't speak until the waiter had served the tea and left.
"Wu Yidao has gone too far."
A tall, thin man said discontentedly, "Since we asked Prince Yi to intervene, we've already given him a way out. If he's willing to honestly hand over everything and leave Chang'an, we can consider his 'Trading the World' business a pipe dream, and he might even be spared. Is money and his business more important than his life? We've already given him plenty of face, yet he doesn't appreciate it!"
Another, slightly plump man sighed, "We can't delay any longer. This time, Wu Yidao secretly helped His Majesty transport troops to the Northwest, and the strength of 'Trading the World' has already shocked His Majesty. Before His Majesty decides to annex 'Trading the World' to the court, we must make Wu Yidao bow his head!"
"That's right."
A man sitting near the edge said, "His Majesty is clearly interested in 'Trading the World.' If an imperial decree were issued to annex 'Trading the World' to the court,' officials from the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel, and even the Ministry of Justice would be sent down to audit the accounts… If His Majesty knew even a small part of it…" "Everyone in the imperial court has a stake in the 'Trading World' business, the Emperor is bound to be furious!"
"That's not the key point... the key point is, none of us are clean."
One person sighed, "Prince Yi revealed that investing in 'Trading World' was a sure way to make money. How could we not believe the Prince? So we all invested, more or less. Who knew Wu Yidao would be so audacious, accepting everyone... Later, he really did make money, so we poured more and more money in, and naturally, our hands became increasingly dirty. You and I both know this. We might have disagreed a bit before about profit sharing, but now we must sit down and seriously discuss how to make Wu Yidao bow down."
"Before His Majesty's decree arrives, we must all withdraw, withdraw cleanly!"
A refined-looking person shook his head and said, "Have you considered why Wu Yidao would rather offend half the court officials than give in?"
"He's an idiot!"
Someone cursed angrily. "He's not an idiot!"
The person who had spoken earlier thought for a moment and said, "I've been trying to figure out Wu Yidao's thoughts for a while now, but it only dawned on me yesterday. Why is he willing to offend us all, even defying Prince Yi? What's his purpose?"
He paused and continued, "Naturally, it's because he can't bear to part with his family's wealth! His current resistance against us isn't real resistance; his real resistance is against His Majesty. He's holding onto so many things to blackmail us. He wants us to speak in court and stop His Majesty from shutting down the 'Trade Through the World' empire! He wants to force us to help him protect his family's wealth. Anyone who has worked so hard to build such a large fortune would cherish it like their own child; anyone who tries to take a piece of it will be met with strong opposition." "Resist, even... even His Majesty."
"You mean, he won't give in no matter what?"
"Difficult!"
"Then what do we do?"
"Kill him?"
"What's the use of just killing Wu Yidao? We don't know where he's hidden the account book, and he must have remembered all our shady dealings over the years. He must have hidden it somewhere no one else can find it, otherwise how could he be so fearless?"
"Not knowing where the things are is ultimately a troublesome matter. Killing Wu Yidao is easy. If killing could settle this matter, would we still be sitting here discussing this?"
The previously refined-looking person hesitated for a moment and said, "We've analyzed this before..." Before going to the Northwest, Wu Yidao sent his daughter, Wu Yinyu, to Qingle Mountain in Jiangnan. Perhaps that thing is in her hands! He wouldn't trust anyone else with something so important, so unless he keeps it himself, it's probably with Wu Yinyu."
"It's been almost two months!"
The tall, thin man said, "Our men sent to Jiangnan haven't sent back any news. This Wu Yidao is a cunning old fox! He probably foresaw this day, which is why he spent so much money sending Wu Yinyu to Qingle Mountain to cultivate Taoism. I used to think he just doted on his daughter, giving her whatever she wanted, but now I realize his intentions are so far ahead!"
"We can only wait. If our men from Jiangnan don't bring back good news…" "This matter can only be resolved in the capital. If all else fails, we'll eliminate Wu Yidao first. Then, we'll kill all his close associates. That way, even if His Majesty wants to find the account book, he won't be able to. If we can't get it, no one else can. To maintain secrecy, Wu Yidao probably doesn't have many people who know about this. So, we can't kill many people."
"That guy named Fang Jie... he's been staying at the Sanjin Marquis's residence recently. Do you think... Wu Yidao might have given him the item?"
"It's unlikely. How could Wu Yidao trust an outsider?"
"Prince Yi has already sent people to Fang Jie's side. If Wu Yidao really gave the item to Fang Jie, he'll definitely be able to find out."
The last person to speak was none other than Qin Liuqi, Prince Yi's steward!
...
...
Qingfeng Temple.
Prince Yi, strolling along and admiring the surrounding scenery, couldn't help but praise, "This temple is one of the most tranquil and serene places in Chang'an. No wonder the True Immortal has never left the city since arriving. If I stayed here long enough, I fear even I would fall in love with its serenity."
Accompanying him was the abbot of the Yiqi Temple on Qingle Mountain, the leader of the Great Sui Daoist Sect, Master Xiao. This old Daoist, whose status in the martial world was unparalleled, didn't possess any particularly ethereal or otherworldly air. If it weren't for the black Daoist robe symbolizing his status, he would have been easily forgotten in ordinary civilian clothes.
Such an old man, even if you brushed past him on the street, wouldn't leave any impression. Ordinary, utterly ordinary. The abbot of Qingfeng Temple and the Crane Cry Daoist in red robes, walking a few meters behind them, looked more like enlightened masters than Master Xiao.
Master Xiao smiled and said, "Your Highness, living amidst the dust and grime of the world, I never imagined you would harbor such a Daoist heart."
Prince Yi laughed heartily, "What Daoist heart? I've simply grown weary of the hustle and bustle. Suddenly being in this Daoist temple feels like stepping into a paradise, bringing me much peace. If I were to spend my days here with oil lamps and scriptures, wouldn't I suffocate?"
Master Xiao said, "I dare not invite Your Highness to stay long, otherwise this temple would soon be filled with beautiful women."
Prince Yi laughed so hard he almost fell over, saying as he walked, "Master Xiao, you see things clearly. In my life, I've been inseparable from three things: fine wine, beautiful women, and delicious food. If I were to truly stay in this courtyard, perhaps the girls from all the brothels in Chang'an would come looking for me."
Master Xiao smiled but did not reply. Prince Yi walked outside the main hall, turned back to look at the path he had traveled, and said with some emotion, "This is the highest point of the Taoist temple. Looking back, the entire path is laid out before me. It's always better to stand high up and enjoy the view, the higher the better. Even if the journey is arduous halfway up, it's worth it from the top."
Master Xiao said calmly, "It's cold up here."
Prince Yi said, "Then wear something thicker."
Master Xiao added, "The coldness on the body isn't real cold; even the thickest clothes can't hide the coldness in one's heart."
"Why is your heart cold, Master?"
Prince Yi asked, "Is it because you're standing too high?"
Master Xiao said, "I'm not even as high as Your Highness, how can it be too high?"
He pointed to his feet, indeed a step shorter than Prince Yi. He hadn't stepped onto the small square in front of the main hall; he was just one step away.
"Why don't you take another step, and stand as high as I am?"
Prince Yi asked. After a moment of silence, Master Xiao said earnestly, "If I stand where I should stand, no matter how high I am, I'm not high. If I stand where I shouldn't stand, no matter how low I am, I'm still standing high. And sometimes, Your Highness sees things too beautifully from a high place. In reality, in terms of scenery, there's little difference between the mountaintop and where you're just a step away. If I stand one step below Your Highness, I doubt there's much difference between what I see."
Prince Yi nodded and said, "That makes sense."
He looked down and then up again: "Standing on the mountaintop and standing just a step away from it, the view is certainly not much different. But the view from the mountaintop and from halfway up the mountain will definitely be very different. But as long as…" "While still in the mortal world, standing atop the highest mountain, one can only see a limited vista. But what if one leaves the mortal world and looks down from the heavens?"
Master Xiao smiled and shook his head: "No one can stand in the heavens, no one can."
Prince Yi smiled, paused, and asked: "Master Xiao, there's something I've always wanted to ask you, but I've held back because it's impolite. Since we've come to talk about superiority today, I'll take this opportunity to ask... Do you think you're superior, or is Dean Zhou superior?"
Master Xiao was silent for a moment, then said, word by word: "I don't know how superior Dean Zhou is, so I can't compare. But I do know how superior I am... Don't laugh at me, Your Highness, I am truly superior."