Are you really sure? You could just have your own child, you know.” Zhang Weihao, who was on his way to deliver wedding invitations to the Li residence, was genuinely surprised upon hearing Li Xunhuan’s plan to adopt Li Huai. He couldn’t quite understand the man’s reasoning.

“Marriage and taking a wife are matters of fate, but Lingyu, you’re right—I can’t let my lineage end with me. Otherwise, when I pass on, I won’t be able to face my father, brother, and ancestors. I’ve gotten to know the boy Li Huai a bit; his nature isn’t bad, and he’s quite like you, Lingyu. I think you two would get along well. It’s also a chance to resolve the grudges between me and Manqing. Isn’t that killing several birds with one stone?”

Zhang Weihao truly admired no one but Li Xunhuan. After being screwed over to this extent, he could just let it go—that’s what makes him a ruthless man. It’s right not to learn the Little Li Flying Dagger; such a skill is something I could never master.

No wonder only Li Xunhuan’s flying dagger is the true Little Li Flying Dagger—this guy is just plain crazy.

But then again, Li Manqing screwed over Li Xunhuan, not Zhang Lingyu. Plus, they’re political allies of the Zhang family, so why should he be angry? If the main victim doesn’t care, it’s none of his business.

“Alright, Uncle, whatever makes you happy. If there’s a banquet, I’ll definitely attend as long as I’m free. And I hope you’ll be sure to come to mine.” Zhang Weihao had come today specifically to deliver wedding invitations—naturally, for his own wedding to Yue Lingshan.

Though she’s a concubine, she still has a formal status, and since they’re planning a banquet, some invitations were sent out. Li Xunhuan, as an uncle, wouldn’t miss it.

Li Xunhuan nodded, not criticizing anything. In fact, he was somewhat relieved that Zhang hadn’t sent him an invitation for his wedding to Lin Shiyin—otherwise, even a saintly gentleman like him would have completely lost it.

After visiting Li Xunhuan and delivering the invitation, Zhang Weihao didn’t head straight home. Instead, he went to the Qunyu Courtyard in the capital, a chain brothel with branches in many towns where major martial arts sects were based. The capital was no exception, though this branch was only mid-to-upper tier in scale, not the most iconic one.

Recently, however, this brothel had gained a stunning new courtesan known as “The Invincible East,” instantly boosting its reputation and drawing huge crowds.

Zhang Weihao went there to support “The Invincible East,” unwilling to let anyone else become her favored guest.

Since ancient nights differ greatly from modern ones, evening entertainment in this era starts around 4 p.m., equivalent to our 8 p.m., while 8 p.m. here is already like midnight. Most ordinary people are asleep by then, and some large cities even impose curfews.

Curfew, as the name suggests, prohibits nighttime activities. Once night falls, no one is allowed to wander the streets, let alone set up stalls.

Exceptions are made only for official business, weddings, funerals, or urgent matters like illness requiring medicine or medical attention.

Otherwise, if you’re caught loitering at night, you’ve violated the curfew—known as “committing night offense.” The punishment ranges from twenty strokes of the heavy board to, in severe cases, losing your life.

Curfews in other major cities might not be strictly enforced, but the capital is different—it’s very strict here. While skilled martial artists usually don’t fear it, brothels and many entertainment venues close their doors by then. Even if you want to go out and have fun, there’s nowhere to go—at least not openly.

So, brothels here operate from around 3 or 4 p.m., with some opening after noon, and most close around 8 p.m.

Those already inside can continue drinking and enjoying the company, even staying overnight. Those who haven’t entered by then can’t get in, as the doors are shut to guests.

If you insist on leaving, that’s allowed, but the ladies won’t accompany you—unless you pay extra and use special channels, where the brothel delivers your chosen lady directly to your residence.

This is typically a privilege reserved for the true elite. Most large brothels in the capital have powerful backers, sometimes even ties to the royal family.

Zhang Weihao arrived at 5 p.m. and, guided by a maid, went upstairs with Xue Qianxun and Xue Keren, both disguised as men. There, in an exquisitely decorated room, he met his sister-in-law, Dongfang Bai.

She wore a jade-green silk dress, a golden phoenix crown on her head, with two curved branches on each side ending in golden butterflies. The tassels beneath swayed gently with her dance, making her look like a celestial being descended to earth. Even a simple spin could captivate everyone, and a casual smile perfectly embodied the phrase, “A single glance back, a hundred charms bloom.”

“So? Compared to Qianxun, who’s more beautiful?” Dongfang Bai was quite pleased with her makeup today—surely it would utterly enchant those lecherous men.

“A Datong matron, a Taishan nun, a Yangzhou slender horse, a West Lake boat girl—which category do you fall into?”

“I’m a courtesan, not a common prostitute. Those you mentioned are just entertainers, not the same as me.” Even Dongfang Bai was sensitive about such matters, and she was starting to get angry.

“Courtesan won’t do either. I don’t like it.”

“Hmph, stingy man. This is just a cover. Where else would you have me discuss things? At the Zhang residence? Are you sure you’re not afraid of being watched?”

“You’ve named yourself ‘The Invincible East’—do you really think you won’t attract attention?” Zhang Weihao felt the woman was doing this on purpose, purely for fun, a mischievous whim, not out of fear of exposure as she claimed.

Though The Invincible East isn’t the top martial artist in the world—far from it—even if a grandmaster personally intervened, no one could stop her if she was determined to flee.

Her speed is truly remarkable; only Zhang Weihao could easily catch her.

“Better to be cautious. Those Easterners aren’t suitable to be exposed. It’s not a big deal—just as you predicted, they’ve already taken the Three-Corpse Brain Pill.”

“Good, as long as they’ve taken it. For dealing with these Easterners, the Three-Corpse Brain Pill is more effective than anything. They fear power, not virtue. The evening bidding won’t really continue, will it?”

“Of course it will. What, can’t bear to part with even this little money?”

Zhang Weihao finally understood—she was deliberately trying to drain his pocket money. With a dark look, he said, “My silver isn’t so easy to take. Clean yourself up well. However much you take from me tonight, I’ll make you spit it all back out.”