Great Dao Lord through Deducing Myriad Arts

A host monk led Wu Liangchen and his two companions to an elegant private room. The room was built beside the water, and outside the window flowed a small, exquisite stream.

The murmuring water eventually flowed into a pond, its surface veiled in a swirling mist that made the scene look like something out of a fairyland.

One had to admit, the monks of Longxing Temple had impeccable taste. The small building was constructed with an elegant and truly remarkable style.

Just as they sat down for tea, the host monk who had just left returned with a charming young maidservant in tow.

Upon seeing Wu Liangchen, the young maidservant giggled and performed a graceful curtsy.

"Young Master Wu, do you remember me?"

Wu Liangchen looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Taotao?"

The young maid, Taotao, beamed, apparently not expecting Wu Liangchen to remember her name. She nodded vigorously.

"Yes, that’s me! My lady is having a meal upstairs. She saw you arrive and would like to invite you to join her."

’Her lady? The daughter of the Zhu family’s main branch, Zhu Wan’Er?’

Wu Liangchen was taken aback for a moment. He couldn’t figure out why this esteemed young lady would want to see him.

’We’re complete strangers. Then again, she was the first to send a gift after my hard-fought victory at Flower Square.’

’Now we have this chance meeting at Longxing Temple. I wonder what this is about.’

She was likely a friend rather than a foe, so after a moment’s hesitation, Wu Liangchen nodded.

"Then forgive the intrusion."

"This way, all three of you!"

"Us two, as well?" Yang Lian’Er asked in surprise.

"Of course," Taotao said with a smile. "My lady holds you both in high esteem and wishes for you to join her as well."

Now even Yang Lian’Er couldn’t make heads or tails of the situation.

’She had just been chuckling to herself, thinking this young lady from the Zhu family had taken a liking to Wu Liangchen and was planning to make him her husband.’

’But now Zhu Wan’Er was inviting the two of them as well. What was she planning?’

Full of suspicion, the three of them followed the young maidservant, Taotao, to a luxurious private room on the second floor.

Upon entering, they saw a poised and serene woman sitting by the window.

When she saw them enter, the woman rose with a smile and gave a slight nod. "Forgive me for not welcoming you properly," she said.

Wu Liangchen wasn’t particularly impressed, but Yang Lian’Er’s eyes lit up behind him as she muttered to herself.

’Holy shit, she’s so elegant! And gorgeous!’

As if sensing that intense, shining gaze, Zhu Wan’Er turned to look at her and offered a small smile.

"You must be Miss Lian’Er. Your reputation is well-deserved; you are truly a peerless beauty."

Yang Lian’Er was silent for a moment before her expression completely changed. She put on a gentle smile and said, "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Zhu. You flatter me."

Seeing her friend’s behavior, Wu Mengchan, who was standing beside her, began to question reality.

’Is this the same person who insisted on crawling into my bed last night and refused to leave no matter how much I tried to push her away?’

Zhu Wan’Er merely pursed her lips in a smile and said no more, turning her attention to Wu Liangchen.

"Young Master Wu, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet."

Wu Liangchen nodded slightly. "I should be the one saying that. After all, I accepted your gift but never even met the one who sent it. It was terribly rude of me."

"Haha, it was just a small token of my esteem. It’s not worth mentioning. Please, sit!"

Once they were seated, the tea was cleared away and a procession of novel and exotic dishes began to arrive, one after another.

Longxing Temple didn’t serve alcohol, but it didn’t prohibit patrons from bringing their own.

So, at a word from Zhu Wan’Er, a guard quickly entered with two jars of fine, top-grade wine.

The meal progressed with the group eating and chatting.

This Zhu Wan’Er didn’t put on airs or act pretentiously. Yet, every word she spoke and every response she gave was perfectly timed and appropriate, making one feel as pleasant as if basking in a spring breeze.

Even Wu Liangchen had to admit that Zhu Wan’Er was the very picture of a well-bred lady from a prominent family.

Only someone who had received an exceptionally fine education from childhood could achieve such effortless grace.

No wonder the old master of the Zhu family ignored his many sons and grandsons from concubines and collateral branches, choosing instead to dote on the eldest daughter of the main line.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Wu Liangchen put down his cup and looked directly at Zhu Wan’Er.

"Miss Zhu, we’ve eaten and we’ve drunk. Let’s not beat around the bush. Why did you really invite me up here?"

Zhu Wan’Er smiled and set down her cup as well.

"Young Master Wu, you certainly are direct. Must there be a reason for me to invite you here? Can’t it simply be for a meal?"

Wu Liangchen laughed.

’It was because he suddenly recognized in Zhu Wan’Er the same feeling he used to get in his past life while navigating the world of high-stakes business.’

’He remembered meeting a woman much like Zhu Wan’Er back then—someone also born into a prominent, wealthy family.’

’Back then, his naive self had nearly lost his life over it. Ever since, he had made a point to steer clear of people like her.’

’He understood people like Zhu Wan’Er all too well.’

’They seem gentle and refined with everyone, but they never truly invest any real emotion.’

’In the kind of upbringing they received, feelings were never a necessity—they were merely bargaining chips to be traded.’

’So, while Wu Liangchen didn’t know what value he possessed to have caught the eye of this young lady of the Zhu family...’

’...he was certain it had nothing to do with romance.’

Seeing Wu Liangchen’s gaze, which remained completely unaffected and grew only clearer and brighter, Zhu Wan’Er couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise.

’She knew that throughout her life, countless men had been willing to give up everything for a single one of her smiles or frowns.’

’Especially now, the scions of the great families in the Huangpu Guard practically worshipped her, going to great pains just to earn a single glance.’

’Yet this young man was completely unmoved. His eyes even held a faint trace of mockery.’

’It was as if he had seen right through all her little tricks.’

This forced her to take him seriously. She sat up straighter, her expression turning solemn.

"To be frank, there is one matter. A while ago, your establishment had a fire. I was wondering, has anything been built on that plot of land yet?"

Wu Liangchen immediately understood her intentions. A cryptic smile played on his lips. "And why do you ask? Is Miss Zhu interested in it?"

"I am."

By now, Zhu Wan’Er had figured out Wu Liangchen’s personality. She realized he was the type who couldn’t tolerate any nonsense, so it was best to be direct. Beating around the bush would only backfire.

"I intend to open an upscale restaurant at your establishment. Would you be amenable to that, Young Master Wu?"

Wu Liangchen gave Zhu Wan’Er a long, hard look. He was beginning to realize just how formidable and difficult this woman was.

’She figured out my personality after only a few sentences and immediately adjusted her strategy. It’s a good thing it’s me. Any other man would be played for a fool until he was ruined, wouldn’t he?’

"And what if I say no?" Wu Liangchen asked coolly.

The moment he spoke, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

The two girls, who had been busy stuffing their faces, immediately stopped their chopsticks and looked from Zhu Wan’Er to Wu Liangchen.

But Zhu Wan’Er suddenly chuckled, breaking the tension. She raised her cup and said, "If you’re not willing, then just pretend I never brought it up. It was just a sudden thought I had upon meeting you, Young Master Wu."

"Come, let’s drink!"