So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

Chapter 36 Underground Treasure Vault

Mu Ziyan was startled and quickly said, "Your Majesty, this commoner had no such intention. I was unaware of Your Majesty's countenance and was very offensive. I truly..."

As she spoke, she tried to get up and apologize.

But Qin Xiao's hands remained as still as iron hoops, holding Mu Ziyan tightly in his arms.

She smiled slightly and reassured him, "Alright, there's no need to be so nervous or afraid. In front of me—no, in front of me—just be yourself. I like to see you as you truly are."

Mu Ziyan's pretty face was still flushed.

Surprisingly, after hearing Qin Xiao say that, my tense mood relaxed quite a bit.

She nodded slightly and replied quietly, "Then this humble woman... Ziyan understands."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiao smiled with satisfaction: "That's right."

"That……"

Mu Ziyan parted her lips slightly, as if she wanted to ask something, but hesitated to speak.

Qin Xiao gently guided, "Zi Yan, if you have something to say, please speak freely."

Mu Ziyan blinked her beautiful eyes: "Then I'll say it, since you are the emperor, isn't the Prince of Jin yours...?"

"By seniority and age, he is my third elder brother."

Qin Xiao answered proactively.

"Is that so..."

Mu Ziyan seemed to be deep in thought.

A moment later, a look of realization dawned on her face, and she said with a smile, "No wonder you were so calm after hitting him!"

That's a very straightforward statement.

With a touch of girlish naiveté and schadenfreude.

Qin Xiao couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this.

Mu Yunshan, standing to the side, was sweating profusely.

My little darling!

His Majesty told you not to be nervous, but you can't be completely relaxed and blurt out everything, can you?

Seeing that his daughter was about to say something more, he quickly stepped forward and advised, "Yan'er, you mustn't speak nonsense! How can you talk about the Prince and His Majesty like that!"

Mu Ziyan was taken aback: "Father, but..."

"Why!"

Qin Xiao waved his hand: "It's alright, Zi Yan is just fine like this, so genuine and adorable, I like her!"

"His Majesty likes things to get better..."

Mu Yunshan forced a smile and raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

"By the way, President Mu, is there anything else?"

Suddenly, Qin Xiao looked at Mu Yunshan and asked a question out of the blue.

Mu Yunshan straightened his expression and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, nothing is more important than serving Your Majesty!"

"..."

Qin Xiao said somewhat helplessly, "President Mu, I'm not being polite with you. What I mean is, if you have important matters to attend to in your chamber of commerce, go ahead and take care of them. As for Ziyan Pavilion, Ziyan is enough. I need to stay here for a while longer."

That's quite clear!

Mu Yunshan suddenly realized.

His Majesty feels that he is in the way and disturbing him and Yan'er!

He immediately agreed, as if he had suddenly remembered something: "Oh! Look at my memory, there are indeed a few important business deals with the Chamber of Commerce that I need to keep an eye on personally! I almost forgot! Thank you for reminding me, Your Majesty."

After saying that, he tentatively asked, "Then...then I shall take my leave?"

Qin Xiao nodded: "Go ahead and get busy!"

Mu Yunshan smiled and said, "My residence is in the east of the city, not far from here. If Your Majesty has any orders, no matter how small, please send someone to summon me at any time. I will be there immediately!"

Qin Xiao said calmly, "Thank you for your trouble, President Mu."

"This humble subject takes his leave!"

Mu Yunshan bowed again and took a few steps back.

Then he turned around and strode away from Wenxuan Tower with the speed of the wind.

Mu Ziyan looked at her father's back, then at Qin Xiao who was so close to her, and still felt a little dazed, as if she were in a dream.

At this moment, Qin Xiao tightened his embrace and said softly, "From now on, there's no need to be so reserved. As for my identity, there's no need for the maids and guards in the pavilion to know it for the time being. As for how you address me, just call me 'Young Master,' it'll keep things low-key and save a lot of trouble."

"Yes, I understand."

Mu Ziyan nodded obediently.

Qin Xiao smiled slightly, then suddenly remembered something and asked casually, "Zi Yan, take me to the basement inside the pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Mu Ziyan raised her eyes in surprise: "How did you know there was a basement in the pavilion, young master?"

The basement was used to store valuables, vintage wines, and ledgers.

It was extremely private, and outsiders had no idea about it.

Qin Xiao remained expressionless: "I observe that your pavilion has an exquisite layout, built by the lake, and the foundation seems to be deeper than that of ordinary buildings, so I guess that there may be a cellar or secret room for storage and cooling."

"I see. If you wish to see, young master, there is no problem. Please follow me."

Without thinking much, Mu Ziyan immediately stood up from Qin Xiao's lap and straightened her slightly wrinkled dress.

After saying that, he led Qin Xiao out of the hall.

Qin Xiao followed closely behind, thinking to himself.

Once underground, it will be much easier to use one's divine sense to carefully explore the precise location and scale of the spirit mine.

They can start mining without attracting attention.

Soon, the two walked out of Wenxuan Tower side by side.

Mu Ziyan has adjusted her mindset.

Although they now knew Qin Xiao's identity.

But at Qin Xiao's request.

Given the pre-existing feelings, things quickly returned to normal.

She even took the initiative to introduce the scenery along the way to Qin Xiao, chatting and laughing.

And at this moment...

Zhi Shu and the other maids, who were standing guard in the corridor not far away, were all dumbfounded when they saw the two of them chatting and laughing.

What's going on?

Did you get past the master's hurdle so easily?

Was the matter resolved so smoothly?

……

Mu Ziyan led Qin Xiao away, without returning to her boudoir.

Instead, they entered a three-story building called the "Library" next to the embroidery building.

While it's called a book collection, it actually houses a considerable number of antique treasures.

The environment is more tranquil.

She led Qin Xiao past rows of tall bookshelves to the innermost wall, where a display shelf was embedded.

Mu Ziyan reached out and gently pressed on the carved wooden decoration on the side of the shelf.

A soft "click" sounded.

The seemingly perfectly sealed wall had a hidden door that could accommodate many people, revealing a downward stone staircase.

A cool breeze blew out from below.

"Young master, please follow me, watch out for the steps."

Mu Ziyan went down first and took out an exquisitely designed glass lamp from a hidden compartment in the wall.

Something was burning inside the lamp, emitting a bright light that made the downward steps clearly visible.

Qin Xiao followed closely behind.

The stairs weren't long; it took about twenty steps to reach the bottom.

Suddenly, everything became clear. Even Qin Xiao, who was well-traveled and knowledgeable, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The underground space was much more spacious than he had imagined.

It was several meters high, yet it lacked the oppressive feeling of an ordinary cellar.

The ground is paved with smooth bluestone slabs, and the walls have been treated with special paint.

What's most amazing is that the ceiling of the entire space is not completely sealed off, but cleverly inlaid with transparent glazed tiles.

At this moment, sunlight refracts through the soil and glazed tiles.

Although not as bright as the outside world, it still illuminates the underground space brightly.

Looking around, rows of neat sandalwood shelves are arranged in an orderly manner.

The items are neatly categorized and arranged on top.

There are well-sealed wine jars.

There were neatly arranged brocade boxes, which must have contained precious jewelry and jade artifacts.

There were also a large number of scrolls tightly wrapped in oilcloth, which looked like account books or paintings.

The entire underground space is like a well-planned, dry, and well-ventilated treasure trove!

"Tsk tsk..."

Qin Xiao looked around and couldn't help but shake his head slightly, sighing, "The Four Seas Chamber of Commerce truly lives up to its reputation as the wealthiest chamber of commerce in the world."

"Such skill and ingenuity are found even in the cellar of Ziyan Pavilion..."

"If I were truly an ordinary emperor, it would be hard not to be tempted by Chairman Mu's wealth!"

This was half a joke, half a serious statement.

Such immense wealth is enough to make anyone drool.

If other emperors saw this, they would probably be restless and unable to eat or sleep!

Mu Ziyan was placing the glass lamp on the stone platform beside her when she heard this. She paused, turned around in surprise, and asked, "Young Master, what does this mean...?"