At this moment, Aymu's smile sent shivers down Fang Muyang's spine.
He knew that he was now in an impossible situation; from the moment he got involved with this woman, Fang Muyang might have completely said goodbye to a peaceful life.
Fang Muyang still looked at Li Xuan with a hint of disbelief, only to see that the Little Cat merely wore an expression of enjoying the show and had no intention of speaking up for him.
"Alas, so be it."
Fang Muyang also knew this was what he owed Aymu.
"Alright, whatever you say it is."
Fang Muyang resignedly said.
"Very good, Dr. Fang, I truly didn't misjudge you!"
Aymu nodded happily, very satisfied with Fang Muyang's good sense.
"Tell me, what do I need to do next?"
Aymu was well-prepared for Fang Muyang's question.
She took out a booklet and handed it to Fang Muyang.
"Dr. Fang, this contains the details of your interactions with Zhou Mama. Study it well recently, so you don't get the details wrong if someone asks about them later."
After Fang Muyang took the booklet and flipped through it, a vein immediately throbbed on his forehead.
The details on it were simply too unbearable to look at.
Moreover, this booklet described Zhou Mama's various detailed preferences very thoroughly. If it wasn't fabricated, then a meticulous investigation had been conducted beforehand.
Fang Muyang knew that his previous guess was not wrong; Aymu's trip was likely for Hu Yu House.
And what Aymu's purpose was in taking over Hu Yu House, Fang Muyang no longer wanted to know.
"The more you know, the harder it will be to extricate yourself later."
"I hope this guy still has some conscience and doesn't intend to drag me completely into this."
Fang Muyang muttered in his heart.
Then, Aymu shook the house deed and land deed in her hand, telling Fang Muyang, "As for other matters, you don't need to worry. I will naturally arrange everything. You just need to play your role well then."
"As long as you play it well, it's not a problem to really give you this Hu Yu House in the future."
Aymu also knew how to dangle a carrot for Fang Muyang.
Fang Muyang chuckled, dismissing Aymu's words as nonsense.
Moreover, he had no interest in Hu Yu House at all, because this place always made him sentimental, with the familiar figure that he could no longer touch occasionally flashing before his eyes.
Aymu caught a hint of sadness flashing in Fang Muyang's eyes and continued, "When you become the owner here, you can freely control the fates of those girls."
"Perhaps, who knows, you might even become their savior."
Fang Muyang was silent, his expression complex.
Although Hu Yu House primarily featured Hu (ethnic minority) courtesans, it wasn't without Great Xing women, though they were much fewer compared to other brothels.
Most of these women's backgrounds were similar to Fang Muyang's childhood sweetheart; they were forced into the brothel.
There were even many young girls.
When they grew older, they would also be unable to escape the fate of receiving guests.
It must be said that Aymu still had some tricks; with just a few words, she made Fang Muyang interested in Hu Yu House.
"You can also do this kind of thing," Fang Muyang said, staring at Aymu, his tone unfriendly.
Her using Xixi to persuade him made Fang Muyang unhappy.
Facing Fang Muyang's accusation, Aymu did not get angry; she merely smiled slightly, strolled to the window, leaned on it, looked up at the moonlight in the night sky, and softly said, "I am not a good person."
For some reason, Li Xuan and Fang Muyang both felt that Aymu at this moment was distinctly different from usual, but they couldn't pinpoint exactly how.
All matters settled, Li Xuan and Fang Muyang also left Hu Yu House.
However, Li Xuan was personally sent out of the window by Aymu, held in her hands, while Fang Muyang was led downstairs by the pimp.
Seeing that Aymu and Fang Muyang finally settled things amicably, Li Xuan was greatly relieved.
Of course, as for whether they were satisfied with the results of their discussion, Li Xuan couldn't concern himself with that much.
He eagerly returned to Xingqing Palace and entered Princess Ankang's room.
Princess Ankang had been playing in the capital city during the day and was now sound asleep from exhaustion.
Yuer was resting in a small room nearby; she could hear Princess Ankang anytime if she needed anything.
Outside, Chief Steward Shang led the Flower-Clothed Eunuchs in protection, so it should be foolproof.
Li Xuan immediately took out the two beans he had obtained from Aymu, and without further hesitation, after coiling the ink jade box with his tail, he directly poured the two black and white beans into his mouth.
With a few crisp "crunching" sounds, Li Xuan chewed the beans and swallowed them.
Li Xuan smacked his small mouth, savoring the taste, and only a pure bean fragrance remained in his mouth.
Other than that, there was no other abnormality.
Li Xuan frowned his small brows, lying on the ground and waiting for a long time, but he didn't feel any reaction from his body, not even a slight warmth.
"Did that Aymu trick me, by any chance?"
Li Xuan immediately felt something was amiss, but he wasn't quite sure.
"Aymu, she…"
Li Xuan originally thought that Aymu's attitude towards him was very respectful, so she wouldn't do such a thing.
But then he thought about it carefully, Aymu wouldn't be so respectful to him, just a cat, for no reason.
"Could it really be to trick me?!"
Thinking of this possibility, Li Xuan immediately felt his body tremble with anger, and large tears streamed down his face uncontrollably. When could the Little Cat...
But before Li Xuan could finish his combo, he suddenly noticed the Yin-Yang Power within him slowly becoming active.
The change wasn't significant, similar to when he practiced normally.
"Hmm, could it be that those two beans are slow to take effect?"
Li Xuan thought it would be better to confirm it thoroughly before settling scores with Aymu.
He looked at the sky outside and found that it was just the right time for practice.
Li Xuan didn't procrastinate and directly climbed onto the rooftop, bathed in the silvery moonlight, and began to circulate the Yin Weak Qi Gathering Technique.
But as soon as he circulated the cultivation method, Li Xuan noticed something was off.
The Yin-Yang Power in his body was much more active than usual.
The two beans Li Xuan had eaten earlier were like taking root and sprouting within him, slowly exerting their efficacy.
The effects of the pill he had taken before had long been fully absorbed, and his cultivation progress had returned to its previous slow pace.
That pill was refined by Imperial Physician Xue using the Noon Twin Lotus. When he first took it, it directly increased the progress of his two cultivation methods by fifteen points each.
Later, the medicinal power slowly exerted itself, increasing the progress of each practice session. If calculated cumulatively, it added up to a total increase of thirty to forty points.
"I hope these two beans can help me achieve complete mastery and cultivate True Qi."
Li Xuan couldn't help but mutter in his heart.
And when he finished circulating the cultivation method and re-checked his progress, his face immediately lit up with joy.
"Oh, it actually increased by three points."
[Yang Deficiency Qi Induction Method: 85%]
[Yin Weak Qi Gathering Technique: 85%]
Li Xuan immediately grinned, thinking contentedly:
"I wonder how long this effect will last? Although it didn't increase all at once, improving the progress of each growth is also very good."
"As long as this continues for a few more days..."
Just as Li Xuan was about to count the days on his Little Cat's bamboo shoots, he suddenly froze.
"That's not right. I was practicing Yin Weak Qi Gathering Technique just now, so why did the progress of the other Yang Deficiency Qi Induction Method also increase by three points?"
Li Xuan seemed to have discovered a blind spot he hadn't noticed before.
He double-checked and found that it was indeed the case.
"What, what is going on?"
Just as Li Xuan couldn't figure out what effect the two beans he had eaten earlier were having, he made another surprising new discovery.
[Yang Deficiency Qi Induction Method: 85.1%]
[Yin Weak Qi Gathering Technique: 85.1%]
"Why is this still increasing on its own!"
Li Xuan's cat eyes widened, followed by a burst of ecstasy.
"The other cultivation method not only doesn't regress in progress, but even increases along with it?"
"There's actually such a good thing!"
Li Xuan chuckled foolishly, almost twisting his mouth crooked from smiling.
He had originally felt that the two beans Aymu gave him were far less effective than the pills refined by Imperial Physician Xue.
But now, it was truly delicious!
"Indeed, heavenly materials and earthly treasures are the best food in this world!"
Just as Li Xuan was overwhelmed with joy, Princess Ankang on the bed murmured:
"Li Xuan, Li Xuan..."
"Hehe, hehehe~"
Princess Ankang mumbled in her sleep, and actually started giggling foolishly along with Li Xuan.
Li Xuan immediately jumped onto the bed and saw Princess Ankang curled up in the quilt, not knowing what beautiful dream she was having, grinning and calling out Li Xuan's name, giggling non-stop.
Li Xuan couldn't help but stick out his tongue and lick the silly little girl, but his heart was filled with worry:
"Cute, yes, but why is she getting sillier and sillier?"
"She didn't hit her head when she crashed into Sixth Princess last time, did she?"
Li Xuan's face was filled with the worry of an old father.
But besides sleeping with Princess Ankang's head in his arms, he couldn't think of any other way to save her.
"I hope it won't affect the child's intelligence."
Li Xuan contentedly hugged Princess Ankang in his most familiar posture and fell asleep, looking forward to what progress his cultivation method would reach when he woke up tomorrow morning.
Compared to his previous diligent practice, upgrading just by sleeping was simply too exhilarating.
...
For the next few days, Li Xuan, besides practicing twice a day, spent his time wandering around the capital with Princess Ankang, and then waiting for his cultivation methods to progress on their own.
Li Xuan would occasionally check his progress, which would make him incredibly happy, giggling foolishly endlessly.
The two beans Aymu gave, although not potent in effect, were stable.
Li Xuan could now steadily gain a lot of progress every day, even without practicing.
Seeing his two cultivation methods getting closer and closer to completion, how could he not be happy?
"Li Xuan, what good thing has happened to you these past two days?"
"Why are you grinning foolishly all day, aren't you afraid of twisting your face?"
Princess Ankang rubbed Li Xuan's furry face and asked curiously.
Li Xuan didn't say, planning to give the two girls a surprise later.
Li Xuan was more expectant of this Yin Yang True Qi than anyone else.
To practice those two Qi Sensing Realm cultivation methods, Li Xuan had expended an unknown amount of effort.
Since he started cultivating martial arts, this was the first time his progress had been so slow.
But adhering to the principle of 'you reap what you sow,' Li Xuan also knew that this Yin Yang True Qi was definitely extraordinary.
Otherwise, no human genius would have successfully cultivated it for so many years.
"I hope the power of Yin Yang True Qi won't disappoint me."
"And importantly, it looks like I've caught up again."
Li Xuan glanced at Princess Ankang and quietly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
These past few days, the Three Little Ones had almost visited all the famous places in the capital, gaining a lot of knowledge.
Just as they were starting to feel bored, a letter arrived from the palace.
It turned out that Fifth Prince had asked Princess Ankang to visit some places to check in.
Although these places were not particularly famous scenic spots, they were rumored to have appeared in some widely circulated poems.
Fifth Prince asked Princess Ankang to visit these places, mainly hoping to inspire Princess Ankang's talent and encourage her to create some good poems again.
Moreover, Fifth Prince hadn't finished visiting these places last time, so he asked Princess Ankang to enjoy them on his behalf and tell him about them when she returned.
Princess Ankang thought she had nothing else to do, so she agreed. Anyway, for the Three Little Ones, anywhere was fun.
And today, the Three Little Ones had just visited a academy recommended by Fifth Prince and were on their way back to Xingqing Palace.
"The place Fifth Prince recommended is too boring. I think we might as well not go to the next places."
Princess Ankang went to the place recommended by Fifth Prince for the first time today, but she was greatly disappointed.
Li Xuan, however, understood Fifth Prince's intentions but didn't point it out to Princess Ankang.
Li Xuan himself had limited knowledge, so he couldn't just show it off casually. It would be better to surprise everyone at an important moment later.
Otherwise, Li Xuan's reserves would soon be completely exhausted, and he might even leave Princess Ankang with the label of having exhausted his talent.
"Li Xuan, the academy wasn't fun, but we can go see other places. Why are we going back already? It's only noon."
With a whole afternoon left, Princess Ankang didn't want to just stay idle in Xingqing Palace.
She used to always sit in a wheelchair, but now that she could run and jump, she naturally didn't like to stay idle anymore.
She didn't know how she used to endure it; now, as soon as she sat down for a while, her bottom would start feeling uncomfortable.
Li Xuan smiled slightly, then wrote with his tail in front of Princess Ankang:
"The day is almost here."
Princess Ankang and Yu'er were startled, immediately understanding what day Li Xuan was referring to.
Princess Ankang even asked nervously, "Li Xuan, Ling Xu Finger Strength is also approaching its third time. Are you really okay?"
"I feel fine recently and haven't noticed anything unusual with my body. Why don't we wait a few more days?"
Princess Ankang was now even more aware of the coldness in her body than Li Xuan.
Previous cultivation methods all reached completion after three practices, and then the coldness in her body would surge.
After this time, if nothing unexpected happened, Princess Ankang would be able to cultivate Ling Xu Finger Strength to completion, and the coldness in her body would become even more dangerous next time.
To Princess Ankang's worries, Li Xuan just shook his head and explained:
"My strength is about to break through recently, and there will be no danger next time."
Seeing Li Xuan's serious expression, Princess Ankang and Yu'er finally nodded in relief.