Outside the room, a little bird perched on a branch, chirping busily, while the autumn cicadas continued their final attempts at attracting mates. The scorching autumn heat in Jiangzhou City would likely taper off in about a month. The door to the boudoir was closed. Zhou Xingcai expertly began preparing tea and other tasks, while on the tea table beside Yuchi, high-quality tea leaves were served. Lips noticeably touched with rouge parted, as Zhou Xingcai affectionately caressed her cheeks, her face adorned with an eager smile. "Young master, don’t be afraid of me. I can wholeheartedly be devoted to you." Zhou Xingcai said with a smile: "A few nights ago, I noticed something extraordinary about you, young master, that’s why I acted this way." "I hope I haven’t caused you any displeasure, I simply wish to get along well with you, young master." Zhou Xingcai batted her eyes flirtatiously at Yuchi. Her red tongue lightly brushed her lips, leaving a hint of a red blush on the tip. Older sister, could there be any poison in the rouge you’re ingesting like that? Feeling like a wolf entering a tiger’s den, on the other hand, Yuchi pretended to stay calm. He replied with a smile, saying: "Not at all, a few nights ago, I too came over after hearing about Miss Zhou’s reputation." "Half of me wanted to share a drink with Miss Zhou, but instead, it was Miss Zhou who noticed me first." "In the end, Miss Zhou even had to help cover the cost of the tea, which I feel quite embarrassed about." A man’s words, a liar’s oath. Clearly, Yuchi was actually aiming for Feng Dongran, never expecting such an encounter. Zhou Xingcai couldn’t discern the truth from the lies. In her view, this kind of circumstance seemed incredibly implausible. Otherwise, where in the world is it so coincidental to approach her without knowing her beforehand? Clearly, he must have known her reputation before approaching for tea. She merely noticed his intentions first, which proved her discerning eye. My eyes can see through heaven and earth. Whether someone is worthy to interact with me can be discerned at a glance! "Young master needn’t make a fuss, it’s just a few silver taels, money is ultimately a worldly possession." "Many matters become quite vulgar once they are tainted by wealth." "I’m curious to know what the young master thinks about Cai’Er?" Zhou Xingcai sat next to Yuchi with a small tea table between them. With one hand supporting her cheek, she picked up the teacup with the other and took a gentle sip. Yuchi could clearly see the crimson lipstick mark left on the teacup. "Miss Cai’Er has an outstanding aura, I can clearly sense the warmth it emanates." "Additionally, she directly controls thirty percent of the clothing trade within Jiangzhou City!" "Being young and accomplished, it truly leaves me in awe." "If Miss Cai’Er could teach me some business tactics, I would be immensely grateful." Yuchi began to flatter. Indeed, Zhou Xingcai possessed an alluring charm. Under this charm, few young men could resist. Her allure was too overwhelming. It was just like a ripe pomegranate; who could easily withstand it? If it weren’t for the presence of Shanlan and the other ladies at the Ascension Gate, Yuchi honestly doubted he could have withstood it upon arriving here. Zhou Xingcai covered her lips with a bewitching smile. "You flatter me, young master. Cai’Er is merely a woman." "But the young master truly is young and accomplished, becoming the commerce association president of Xufu Town at such a tender age." "And you managed to unite all the family businesses in Xufu Town, a true magnate indeed." Yuchi put on a face of being very moved and convinced. Mutual business flattery... Of course, he could see through it now. The Zhou Xingcai before him was definitely not just some small fry, could a small fry become such a person? Past experiences taught him never to underestimate anyone who stands on equal footing with him. No matter how simple someone may seem, unless Yuchi admits everyone around him is useless, Zhou Xingcai is not a fool. Given that, Yuchi slightly shifted his posture to adjust his aim. When his clothes felt less tight and uncomfortable, he looked at the other’s enticing figure and smiled, saying: "Actually, it wasn’t just me, the government over there mainly supported this." "I don’t mind if Miss Cai’Er finds it laughable." "My visit to Jiangzhou City was primarily to get to know some influential figures." "But given the current situation, my position as commerce association president isn’t that useful." "I still can’t integrate into this circle, which might be a bit disappointing to Miss Cai’Er." After speaking, Yuchi took a sip of tea. The tea had a light fragrance and brought warmth to his body. This warmth was accompanied by an overwhelming drowsiness. This thought immediately crossed Yuchi’s mind. As the thought emerged, he felt a bit panicked. God knows what substance the other party used, but amidst the spiritual qi within him, he understood. This substance seemed non-toxic, merely inducing drowsiness and fatigue. "Damn, never thought Zhou Xingcai would actually drug me?" "Is this a forceful attempt?" She intended to render him unconscious, and when he awoke, the deed would likely be done. He ran a high risk of becoming an unintentional father. Zhou Xingcai watched as Yuchi took a sip of the tea, her eyes filled with pleasure. Her flushed cheeks revealed her barely contained joy. She stood up, approached Yuchi, grabbed the teapot handle with both hands, and leaned forward to pour tea for him. Feeling his restless breath after drinking, she glanced at the tightly restrained Yuchi with a beet-red face. "Young master intends to smooth the relationship in Jiangzhou City to facilitate commerce?" she asked. "Yes." Yuchi gauged the effect of the drug. It seemed mild, lasting about five minutes, which left him with roughly five minutes to act recklessly. Since he would soon lose consciousness, he might as well ask some bold questions while he could. Later he could pretend to be unconscious and see what this little vixen intended to do, just hoping she wouldn’t take his kidney! "A young man out should protect himself well, there are too many bad people." Yuchi silently mocked with a bitter smile. Zhou Xingcai was delighted, and as she gazed at the tea, satisfied, she responded with a smile: "Actually, I don’t know much about many things in Jiangzhou City." "Take the Celestial Capital Department for example, it’s difficult to form good relations with them." "As for the Imperial Decree Department, they’re generally useless, only appearing when money is involved." "Whether you gain or lose money annually, they demand every last silver tael." "And the Demon-slaying Bureau?" "The Demon-slaying Bureau is rather enigmatic, delivering a peculiar vibe." "Lastly, there’s the Defense Department, you’re aware of Master Xun Yu, he’s quite stern." Zhou Xingcai’s account was in line with Yuchi’s basic assessment of the Four Major Institutions. Were their views on these matters indeed identical? Staring at her inflate his attire, so why drug me?