**Chapter 83: Ling Fei's Origins; An Organization Wealthier Than the Treasury** - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

**Chapter 83: Ling Fei's Origins; An Organization Wealthier Than the Treasury** As soon as you agreed, the man folded up his fan with a swift motion. "Please, my lady!" he invited. You tied the reins of your horse, Xiao Hong, and removed your luggage. After instructing a servant to ensure the horse was well-fed, you headed directly to the floor reserved by the “man.” Observing your easy agreement, the patrons on the first floor silently lamented. "Such beauty, yet she turns out to be a shallow person after all." "Indeed, no matter the era, looks seem to rule." Following the man and his three maidservants, you ascended the stairs. The inn, called "Yuèlái Tavern," had four floors: the first and second floors were dining areas, while the third and fourth served as lodging. The fourth floor was exclusively reserved by the "man" for himself and his three maidservants. Although there were many available rooms, he preferred solitude and had the entire floor to himself, even commissioning a complete renovation. You realized that this "man" possessed extraordinary financial means. His room was lavishly decorated, with luxury items adorning every corner. Even the simplest chair was crafted from exotic pearwood from overseas. Once seated in his room, the man introduced himself. "I am Ling Fei, a humble merchant. May I know your name, my lady?" "My name is Xiao Xiyue," you replied calmly, your voice refined and pleasing. Ling Fei’s face immediately reflected his pleasure. "With such beauty, how has the name Xiao Xiyue eluded me until now?" "Are you here for the jewelry auction at the Zhuguang Baogi Pagoda?" "Yes." You were not one to divulge more than necessary, and Ling Fei laughed heartily at your reticence. "Miss Xiao has a quiet demeanor, so I shall not pry." He nodded to one of the three maidservants, a gentle and graceful woman. "Su Jin, show Miss Xiao to the room next to mine." "Yes, sir." Su Jin approached with a softly spoken, warm tone. "Miss Xiao, please follow me." "Thank you." "If you ever need assistance and I am able to help, I certainly will," you promised. Ling Fei smiled gently. "I wouldn't expect repayment in return for this hospitality." "Miss Xiao, I have a fondness for exquisite beauty. If I encounter someone who catches my eye, I'd give away all my possessions without hesitation." "Understood," you said, following Su Jin to your room. You enjoyed the subtle fragrance emanating from Su Jin. A short while later, she led you to your room. Though not as opulent as Ling Fei's, it was elegant and serene, with bright windows and clean furnishings. "Miss Xiao, you can rest here. If you need anything, just call for me." "Thank you." After thanking Su Jin, she shut the door and left. Sitting on the bed, you contemplate your next steps. The infamous Old Ju and his deadly poison techniques must not notice you. Confrontation must be avoided; you need to capture him unawares. Despite your protective skills, you dare not underestimate the danger of poison, as even deities may fail to save you once afflicted. As you deliberated, a commotion erupted outside the tavern. You looked out the window to see a group of beggars encircling the Yuèlái Tavern, led by a short, dark, and somewhat sleazy-looking elderly man. Running a business in Liuzhou city wasn’t for the faint-hearted. A notably corpulent middle-aged wealthy merchant, wearing a padded robe and cap, stood at the entrance. His mere presence made the once spacious doorway seem cramped. The sight of the plump merchant prompted the surrounding beggars to rhythmically strike their bamboo boards, chanting in unison. "Strike the board, strike it loud; let me praise the tavern." "Though grand it seems, its crimes abound." "A shoddy deed here, a vile act there; trading lives with vile tales, breaking many families." "Such actions must be stopped, we shall—" And when they paused, those not singing chimed in. "Stop what, you say?" "Stop them all from blight!" Onlookers gathered, sensing something more sinister afoot. Rumors abounded, suggesting the tavern owner dabbled in human trafficking. "It's no wonder the beggars are here; this establishment's dealings reek of deceit." "True, haven't you heard of the rampant disappearances in Guilin? The authorities are offering rewards for capturing those responsible." "But so far, no progress." "There is such a case?" "Indeed, drawing so much attention that many martial artists were hired to solve it, with a bounty of two thousand silver taels!" "That much reward? The situation's dire." "Could the beggars know something?" "Who knows?" "Years ago, no gang was more notorious than these beggars for kidnapping and trafficking children." "But with new leadership, such acts ceased." "Now it seems the beggars are privy to secrets." "Ah, this will be interesting." Listening to the murmurs, the merchant's complexion shifted from one shade to another. He yelled at the lead beggar. "Old Lu, don't you dare spew false accusations!" "Heh, whether or not I'm lying, let's see the evidence!" "The girls you captured are locked in your silver vault!" "Check that vault, and you'll know the truth!" The merchant immediately balked. "Our silver vault isn't open to outsiders!" "And what about me?" At that moment, a commanding female voice rose as a group of lawmen approached, led by an exceptional woman whose beauty shone with authority. Their uniforms drew whispers from the crowd. "It's the Divine Constabulary! This will be a spectacle." "Yes, they're directly affiliated with the central court and trained to capture fugitives." "This spells trouble for Yuèlái Tavern." When the merchant saw the opportunity to conceal the truth had vanished, he dropped his facade. "So what if I did it? You think you can capture me?" With that, he unleashed his agility, leaping great distances toward the city gate. His nimbleness clashed starkly with his portly figure. Seeing this, you grabbed a nearby flowerpot and hurled it with force, striking the merchant mid-air. The blow sent him plummeting, blood streaming down his face. Everyone anticipated the merchant's escape, but your intervention caught him off guard, leading to applause and cheers. "Bravo, heroine!" The female constable glanced at you, momentarily entranced by your appearance. "Thank you, miss." "No thanks needed," you replied. Before long, the merchant was shackled by the constables from the Divine Constabulary. Even as he was led away, his mind remained muddled. The kidnapped girls were soon freed from the vault. Watching this unfold, you felt a twinge of concern. With the impending investigation, the tavern might be sealed, leaving you homeless. However, hours passed with no sign of closure. The establishment continued operating normally. Relieved by this development, you discovered the reason from Su Jin during dinner. Ling Fei had spent thirty thousand taels to bribe officials, effectively transferring the tavern's ownership to himself. Impressed by Ling Fei's maneuvering, you marveled at his extravagance. [Such extravagance, not even the Su family at its peak could match.] [Thirty thousand taels.] [It was equivalent to six months' profit for the Su family.] Upon entering the private room, you noticed that the female constable from earlier in the day, too, was present at the banquet. As you walked in, the constable immediately stood up to thank you. "Thank you for your help earlier today." "It was nothing," you replied. Ling Fei, observing your acquaintance with the constable, appeared intrigued. "I didn't expect you two to know each other." The constable then recounted the events of the day to Ling Fei, who seemed surprised by your adept handling with the projectile. "I didn’t realize Miss Xiao was an expert with hidden weapons," Ling Fei remarked. "Please, have a seat. The dishes have just been served. Let's eat while they're hot." Once seated, Ling Fei introduced the female constable as Kong Bing, a disciple of the Divine Constabulary. Ling Fei had met her the previous day and invited her today, captivated by her presence. As you listened to Ling Fei's cordial conversations, a peculiar feeling crept into your heart. You couldn’t help but wonder why Ling Fei, who disguised herself as a man, seemed so fond of women. Moreover, it was clear from Kong Bing’s demeanor that she had not realized Ling Fei’s true gender. Throughout the dinner, Ling Fei spoke at length, eventually revealing her identity to you. According to her story, she had inherited an enormous commercial empire, wealthier than even the imperial treasury. This statement left you with a lingering sense of disbelief. How could any organization surpass the wealth of the imperial court? Yet, you chose not to question her claim, contenting yourself with the meal before retiring upstairs to rest. Later, in the depth of night, peculiar sounds began emanating from the adjacent room—intense, pained moans echoing through the walls. Driven by curiosity, you discreetly pierced a small hole in the wall with your finger. Through the opening, you glimpsed Ling Fei, having shed her male attire. Her breathtaking face was flushed, entwined in an intimate embrace with three other exquisite figures... (End of Chapter)