Chapter 953 - 427: Silk Weights, Opportunity for Fortune, Encounter with the Wine Elder, Drinking and Seeking Guidance!

Chapter 953: Chapter 427: Silk Weights, Opportunity for Fortune, Encounter with the Wine Elder, Drinking and Seeking Guidance!

The Silkworm Dream Tower exudes an air of grandeur, entirely constructed from multicolored silk, stronger than iron and stone, surpassing even precious woods. At first glance, it appears as a multicolored pavilion, with no visible trace of silk, as if it were cast in one piece, exquisite yet imposing.

The plaque hangs high, with two stone statues flanking the door. To the left is the "Gold-Swallowing Toad," and to the right is the "One-Legged Crane." In Jade City, there are many rules and traditions, and for a pavilion, the most important parts are the "plaque," "threshold," and "stone carvings."

The height of the threshold dictates whether those entering are commoners or scholars. In ordinary households, the threshold is "1.2 inches" high, symbolizing the twelve months of the year, keeping out mud and dust as a slight decoration and essentially serving no major purpose, allowing those who are physically able to easily cross over it. Any threshold set at "1.2 inches" symbolizes a lack of barriers and is approachable, allowing the elderly, women, and children... all to enter without hindrance.

Though the Mysterious Medicine Pavilion is magnificent, backed by the Yao Clan, its threshold is also 1.2 inches high, indicating that its business is aimed at ordinary people, allowing everyone to seek medical treatment regardless of status. The sincerity of the doctor’s heart is dedicated, truly commendable. The threshold of the Silkworm Dream Tower is "5 inches" high, designed to gather feng shui and deter wind and sand. It is also more than an inch higher than the thresholds of high-end restaurants, which are usually "3.2 inches" or higher-end ones at "3.6 inches."

This indeed makes one ponder whether they have the capability to cross this threshold. Looking at the plaque, extravagantly made, it speaks volumes of the facade, with nothing left to say. Yet the "Gold-Swallowing Toad" and "One-Legged Crane" hold profound symbolism.

The Gold-Swallowing Toad is revered by the "merchants" of Jade City. This toad, entirely golden, symbolizes drawing in fortune and wealth. Any pavilion with such an artifact must be used for commercial purposes. The Gold-Swallowing Toad statues come in nine grades, with the higher the grade, the more benevolent the toad’s face, and the aura of wealth becomes more reclusive.

The finest toad appears so plump and benign, smiling ever so charmingly. While the "One-Legged Crane" conveys deep meanings, standing before a building, it signifies one thing: the host’s status is exceptional.

Jade City reveres cranes, esteems cranes, adores cranes. Anything related to cranes is extraordinary. Clothes embroidered with crane designs are more expensive. Having a crane statue implies not a shallow status.

In the future, when establishing buildings or setting up shops, merchants and traders would position these at their entrances. If anyone intends to cause trouble or seek discomfort, they would feel uneasy before they even enter, weighing their capabilities carefully.

Among these subtleties, upon first arriving in Jade City, Li Xian only vaguely sensed it.

Yao Yin informed Li Xian that the business of the Silkworm Dream Tower was quite extensive, trading in silk, rouge, incense... many such items. The third floor is set for tea banquets, where highly skilled chefs are hired, cooking very delicious dishes.

Recently, the Silkworm Dream Tower crafted a new type of wine, very aromatic and mellow to the taste. Yao Yin noted down what she heard from her elders’ conversations, and she planned to taste it herself to satisfy her cravings.

Li Xian had once managed the Silkworm Dream Tower, while the one in Qingning County was also imposing and grand, but when compared to Jade City, it paled immediately. In terms of standards, grades, business operations... such differences were worlds apart.

Many of the arrangements were distinct as well. Li Xian recalled his wife once saying: "The Great Wu is vast, differing customs every hundred miles. Here, etiquette could be considered offensive elsewhere. Therefore, the study of etiquette is profound and should not be neglected while practicing martial arts. Even when dealing with the dead, after stripping their bones and taking their lives, a portion of respect should be maintained. However, there is one etiquette that is widespread, which is archery. Since the founder of Great Wu’s martial tradition was an archer, renowned throughout the land, revered everywhere, its influence still lingers. Moreover, with arrows reaching the skies, slaying dragons and phoenixes, how magnanimous, who would dare to defy."

People came and went outside the building, scanning moments, a few clay-bodied and bronze-bodied figures appeared, calmly walking up the stairs. Observing carefully, martial artists were not absent either, from Yu Nan Dao’s Tian Nan Sect, Long Xiong Dao’s Zhen Shui Gate, Wang He Dao’s Pi Chen Valley... each with their own purposes.

The people of the Natural Sect all thought: "Jade City truly is a gathering place of various sects, many of which I have only heard of from elders. Only now do I see the real people."

Li Xian gazed at the pavilion, secretly thinking: "Even though my wife is formidable, she cannot reach the sky with her hands. I quietly visit this place, thinking... there should not be any danger. Yet this Silkworm Dream Tower is truly extraordinary. Hongfu Street is already the busiest street in Zhou Mountain Square, and the wide area that the Silkworm Dream Tower occupies shows genuine financial strength. It’s uncertain if this land is rented or bought. And... the business my wife engaged in seems quite high-class."

Not far into the building, passing through a light red curtain, the sound of a small stream trickling could be heard. Li Xian, Zhou Qingqing, Yao Yin, Wei Qingfeng, Lu Qingguan, Qiao Qing, and others followed the stream, surrounded by intriguing arrangements, mingling water sounds with footsteps, adding an elegant atmosphere.

The first floor is the reception area. Those coming and going were all people of status, sharply dressed, highly dignified. Yao Yin, as the daughter of a large family, Zhou Qingqing, and others, offspring of prestigious families, all had exceptional dress and bearing. Although Li Xian was modestly dressed, his demeanor was not inferior, and walking alongside Yao Yin and Zhou Qingqing, they did seem a harmonious group.

Before long, a young woman came to greet them. This woman, with a lovely appearance, was named "Xiao Qing," and she asked if Li Xian was there to auction silk, drink wine, dine, or rest. Her voice was soft and mellow, very pleasant to hear.

Li Xian informed Xiao Qing that he was there to drink and dine and courteously requested a private room. Xiao Qing smiled gently, seeing the extraordinary demeanor of the party, led the way to a private room on the third floor. Li Xian observed along the way, continually pondering: "This Silkworm Dream Tower is undoubtedly my wife’s business. I just don’t know the relationship between the people here and my wife. I previously assisted her in managing important affairs and vaguely understood the business connections in Jade City. Although my wife did not often come to Jade City, this business likely operates independently."