Chapter 17: Dugu Bo Receives a Formal Invitation

Dugu Bo gradually rose from the wicker chair, his gaze quietly fixed outside the courtyard door.

Ling Yuan appeared outside the small courtyard. Since the main gate was open, Ling Yuan simply walked in without hesitation.

"Sir, you've come to my residence—is there something you need?" Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Ling Yuan.

"I've come to deliver an invitation on behalf of my lady," Ling Yuan replied, placing the invitation on the table in front of Dugu Bo. At the same time, a wave of soul energy rippled from her body.

The purpose of releasing this soul energy was to let Dugu Bo know that Ling Yuan herself was also a titled Douluo.

Dugu Bo glanced at Ling Yuan silently, then picked up the invitation and examined it carefully.

The content of the invitation was brief, so Dugu Bo finished reading it quickly.

"I will be here tomorrow, waiting for your lady's arrival," he said, setting the invitation down and reclining back into the wicker chair.

Although he didn't know why the sender wanted to meet him, the invitation was courteous, and a titled Douluo had personally delivered it. Dugu Bo didn't mind meeting this person.

Ling Yuan nodded lightly, then turned and left the courtyard without further conversation.

After she left, Dugu Bo poured himself a cup of tea from the teapot and began to sip it leisurely.

...

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

Ye Xi was reviewing some intelligence when she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

Setting aside the papers, she walked to the door and opened it, finding Tian Yao standing there, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Second Miss, where are Elder Ling Yuan and Yang Wushuang? I haven't seen them all morning."

Tian Yao rubbed her eyes and asked.

"My sister needed Yang Wushuang's help, so I sent her to assist," Ye Xi explained.

"As for Elder Ling Yuan, she went to deliver an invitation."

Ye Xi stepped aside to let Tian Yao in.

Tian Yao entered and sat down on a chair.

"Second Miss, the sister you mentioned—is that the Young Mistress?" Tian Yao asked curiously.

"Yes," Ye Xi replied, picking up the intelligence papers again and briefly summarizing the events of the previous night.

"The Young Mistress actually came last night!" Tian Yao exclaimed.

"Too bad I was fast asleep and missed her visit," she added with a sigh of regret.

"There will be other chances," Ye Xi smiled casually.

Suddenly, a strange sound echoed in the room:

"Second Miss, when are we going to have breakfast? I'm starting to feel hungry."

Tian Yao rubbed her slightly growling stomach, cheeks faintly flushed.

"There are pastries provided at the hotel," Ye Xi said thoughtfully. "You can have some pastries first to hold you over. When Elder Ling Yuan returns, we'll have breakfast together and then go see the mansion that's up for sale."

"Okay, I'll get the pastries," Tian Yao said, heading toward the door.

"Do you want some?" she asked Ye Xi.

"Just bring me a little, not too much," Ye Xi replied.

Tian Yao left to fetch the pastries.

Shortly after, Ye Xi set aside the intelligence papers and stretched. She had finished reading all the information and now had a good understanding of all the forces in Tiandou City.

At that moment, Tian Yao returned carrying two plates of pastries, placing one in front of Ye Xi before starting to eat from the other.

"Second Miss, why hasn't Elder Ling Yuan returned yet?" Tian Yao asked while nibbling.

"Should be soon," Ye Xi replied, glancing at the time. She realized Elder Ling Yuan had already been gone for over an hour.

"Maybe something delayed her on the way."

"With Elder Ling Yuan's strength, nothing should happen to her in Tiandou City," Ye Xi said lightly, showing little concern.

After all, there were only a handful of titled Douluo in Tiandou City. Someone like Ling Yuan was very capable of handling herself.

Tian Yao nodded vaguely and quietly resumed eating.

About ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

Tian Yao opened it and saw Ling Yuan standing there, holding a packed breakfast.

"Second Miss."

"Tian Yao."

"On my way back, I bought breakfast for you both, so I was a bit late," Ling Yuan said as she entered and neatly arranged the food on the table.

"Thank you, Elder Ling Yuan," Ye Xi said politely.

"Elder Ling Yuan, please join us for breakfast. Afterward, we'll go take a look at the mansion for sale," Ye Xi invited.

"Alright," Ling Yuan agreed, sitting down to eat with Ye Xi and Tian Yao.

Breakfast finished quickly, and the three left the hotel, heading toward the mansion.

Upon arriving, Ye Xi nodded with approval at the mansion's grand gate and the bustling street.

"The location of this mansion is quite good," she said.

As soon as she finished speaking, Ling Yuan knocked on the gate.

After a moment, the mansion's door opened, and a middle-aged man appeared.

"Who are you?" he asked, looking at Ye Xi, Tian Yao, and Ling Yuan with some suspicion.

"Hello, are you the owner selling this mansion?" Ye Xi inquired softly.

"Yes. Please come in; I'll show you around," the man replied, motioning for them to enter.

Inside, the man led them around, explaining details of the mansion.

Ye Xi learned his name was Yun Jin, an ordinary wealthy merchant in Tiandou City.

"How do you find my mansion? Both the location and the environment are quite good," Yun Jin said.

"If you want to buy it, I can lower the price a bit."

"But..." Yun Jin's eyes flickered nervously, as if there was something unsaid.

"But what?" Ye Xi asked casually, still inspecting the surroundings.

She was very satisfied with the mansion and ready to buy if there were no major issues.

"After you buy this mansion, there might be some trouble," Yun Jin admitted.

"To be honest, I offended someone in Tiandou City—a person I cannot afford to anger. That's why I plan to sell this mansion and leave Tiandou City," he sighed helplessly.

Hearing this, Ye Xi frowned slightly and fixed her gaze on Yun Jin.

(End of Chapter)

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