Everyone fell silent. Xiuxiu sat down nearby, but the dining table was already in disarray, mostly cleaned up by Zhu Yan.
Feeling embarrassed, Zhu Yan blushed. Xiuxiu didn’t say anything, only instructing the servants to prepare another table and politely telling Zhu Yan not to hold back if she was still hungry.
Zhu Yan’s face turned even redder, her expression full of awkwardness.
To ease the atmosphere, Pan Chi quickly said, “About the matter I asked you to pay attention to earlier, did you notice anything?”
Hearing Pan Chi’s question, Xiuxiu nodded repeatedly, “Young Master Pan’s instructions have been deeply engraved in my heart. I didn’t dare to neglect them. Over these days, I’ve gradually heard some things and even organized the information.”
“Tell me quickly,” Pan Chi’s expression turned serious in an instant.
Before Zhu Yan could react, Xiuxiu was already lost in recollection…
The Xiuxiang Pavilion was frequented by people from all walks of life, a place where information flowed freely. According to Xiuxiu’s observations, the deceased Li Kaixiang and the suspect Li Kairui were brothers who had a very good relationship.
Since their parents died when they were young, the two had relied on each other for many years. They were both hardworking and although life was difficult, they managed to get by steadily.
Perhaps because of their hard life and years of struggling to survive, the elder brother Li Kaixiang had a somewhat volatile temper. However, he was very loyal, a man of his word, always fulfilling promises made to his brothers. He also liked to make friends widely and had a special connection with the chivalrous figures in the jianghu. They often gathered to eat and drink, usually until midnight, their boisterous voices disturbing the neighbors’ sleep.
The neighbors tried to talk to him several times but to no avail. They had no choice but to endure until about six months ago when they finally moved away, unable to bear the disturbance any longer.
Shortly after the neighbors moved out, someone rented their house. This person was Liu Zongyuan.
Under the pretext of doing business, he settled there. Unexpectedly, this man was also outgoing and fond of making friends. He and Li Kaixiang hit it off immediately and quickly became good friends.
The two often drank and ate meat together, chatting happily, often talking deep into the night. They felt as if they had known each other for years.
It was through these interactions that Liu Zongyuan learned some details about Li Kaixiang’s background.
In earlier years, Li Kaixiang, along with his younger brother Li Kairui and brother-in-law Ji Dafu, had started a small business together. They had made some money and even acquired some farmland, becoming relatively well-off.
However, despite this, Li Kaixiang had always harbored an unspeakable pain in his heart, something that made him unable to hold his head high in front of others.
One day, Liu Zongyuan came to drink with Li Kaixiang again. When they were half-drunk, Li Kaixiang began to sigh, his face full of worry, puzzling Liu Zongyuan.
“Brother Li, eating meat and drinking wine should be the most joyous occasions. Why are you sighing today? And with such a worried face? Has something happened?”
Although there were several drinks and his mind was a bit fuzzy, Li Kaixiang had always been deeply troubled by this matter. Even in front of Liu Zongyuan, he found it difficult to speak about it.
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Let’s drink. After this wine, we’ll forget everything.”
Li Kaixiang said, lifting a large bowl of wine and gulping it down.
After putting down the bowl, he poured himself another, his expression extremely dejected.
“Ah, drinking can relieve worries, but haven’t you heard that drowning sorrows in wine only leads to more sorrow? Brother Li, what trouble have you encountered? Do you still consider me an outsider?”
Hearing Liu Zongyuan say this, Li Kaixiang felt touched, but thinking that the matter concerned his private affairs, he was still unable to speak even though he wanted to.
Seeing Li Kaixiang’s hesitation, Liu Zongyuan immediately made a vow, “If Brother Li doesn’t trust my character, I can swear right now. If I ever reveal Brother Li’s secret to others, may I be struck by lightning when I step outside?”
Hearing Liu Zongyuan say this, Li Kaixiang hurriedly tried to stop him, “Brother Liu, you’ve misunderstood. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, it’s just that this matter concerns our male dignity. I find it hard to speak about.”
Hearing this, Liu Zongyuan seemed to understand something. He didn’t feel embarrassed but looked at Li Kaixiang seriously, “Brother Li, could it be that you’re having some… unsatisfactory issues in the bedroom?”
Li Kaixiang lowered his head, his expression full of helplessness, “It’s not a big deal, it’s just that I’ve been too tired lately, and in that area, I always feel… inadequate.”
Liu Zongyuan furrowed his brows, “But we haven’t had any particularly exhausting matters recently. Brother Li, could it be that you’re experiencing some physical weakness?”
Being asked this by Liu Zongyuan, Li Kaixiang found it even harder to speak.
“I’ve already said these things are not easy to discuss in detail. It’s embarrassing. Let’s not talk about this anymore.”
“That’s not the right way to look at it. As men, if we can’t even conquer women, how can we conquer the world beneath our feet? Brother Li, if you trust me, I have a method that can allow you to be with multiple women in one night without faltering.”
“…” Li Kaixiang’s eyes widened, looking at Liu Zongyuan with disbelief.
“Brother Li, do you not believe me?” Liu Zongyuan saw through Li Kaixiang’s thoughts and pressed further.
Li Kaixiang laughed awkwardly, “Of course, I believe Brother Liu’s words, but in matters like this, your claims sound so exaggerated that it’s indeed hard for me to be convinced.”
Liu Zongyuan smiled mysteriously, “I’m not exaggerating. If Brother Li doesn’t believe me, I can let you try it out. Of course, the thing that can restore your vigor isn’t mine to give. If Brother Li is satisfied after trying, in the future you’ll have to…”
Before he could finish, Li Kaixiang already understood Liu Zongyuan’s meaning.
“Don’t worry, Brother Liu. As long as you can cure this problem of mine, I won’t hesitate even if it costs a fortune.”
Hearing Li Kaixiang say this, Liu Zongyuan nodded with satisfaction.
After this heart-to-heart exchange, the relationship between the two grew even closer. Li Kaixiang began to invite Liu Zongyuan for drinks and meals more frequently.
But his main purpose was to inquire when the medicine Liu Zongyuan had mentioned would arrive.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Empress believed in Buddhism, not Taoism. Buddhism was more popular among the common people, with many believers, while few believed in Taoist alchemy.
Moreover, methods like alchemy were not encouraged. Because of this, the solution Liu Zongyuan spoke of couldn’t be brought to light.
After several days of waiting, Liu Zongyuan finally brought a person who appeared to be full of righteous energy to Li Kaixiang’s home.
This person’s name was Yuan Bayuan, and he was a practitioner of the mystic arts.
Due to the unpopularity of such practices, he wore ordinary clothes. However, he stood tall and straight, exuding an air of righteousness. He truly had a somewhat celestial and Taoist aura about him.
After Liu Zongyuan introduced Li Kaixiang, Yuan Bayuan began to introduce himself: “I am a disciple of Yuan Tiangan. Since Brother Li believes in Taoism, naturally, we have some connection. Taking elixirs can not only prolong life but also strengthen the body. Zongyuan has already told me about Brother Li’s situation. There are indeed remedies to improve bedroom skills, but the elixir requires several expensive herbs. The price is truly quite high.”
Hearing Yuan Bayuan say this, Li Kaixiang expressed doubt.
If it weren’t for the fact that Liu Zongyuan had introduced him, he would have truly thought the person before him was a con artist.