At the very heart of the resort lay the hot spring grounds.
They sprawled across the landscape like a natural paradise—lakes and hills interwoven with steam and mist. Scattered throughout were fifty or sixty individual pools, each one carefully separated and named. Before every pool stood a stone tablet, its inscription carved in dignified calligraphy, solemnly listing its supposed medicinal effects.
Eye-Cleansing Spring.
Body-Invigorating Spring.
Skin-Smoothing Spring.
Each sounded more miraculous than the last.
The Heir Apparent's Consort halted abruptly before the Skin-Smoothing Spring.
She leaned closer, reading the tablet word by word.
Formulated with dozens of precious medicinal herbs… inherited from the ancient prescription records of Zhang Zhongjing… one soak preserves youth, restores vitality, and delays aging…
Her breathing subtly quickened.
Zhang Zhongjing.
Ancient physician.
Dozens of herbs.
In an era untouched by the horrors of modern advertising, those words struck with devastating force. Her rational defenses collapsed almost instantly.
She wanted—no, needed—to soak immediately.
Unfortunately, it was still broad daylight.
A dignified noblewoman could not simply disrobe and enter a hot spring in public. Such a thing would scandalize half of Xi'an. She would have to wait until nightfall, when the crowds thinned, then order her maids to erect privacy screens before indulging properly.
Nearby, several other noblewomen had reached the exact same conclusion.
They clustered together, whispering urgently, already forming a battle plan.
"We'll block off the area tonight."
"Send the men to the Body-Invigorating Spring."
"Precisely. Let them invigorate elsewhere."
With the women already plotting territorial control, the group moved onward.
From the hot spring grounds, they entered the interior of the hotel.
The architectural style was inspired by ancient palaces, yet subtly different. A modern designer's hand was evident—less rigid, more flowing. To scholars trained in strict classical aesthetics, it lacked a certain traditional gravitas.
But to these Ming-era visitors…
It was shocking.
Inside, luxury assaulted the senses.
Gold.
Silver.
Jade.
Glass appeared everywhere—clear, flawless, used so casually it seemed worthless. Entire windows were made of it. Some even stretched from floor to ceiling, allowing sunlight and misty scenery to pour into the rooms without obstruction.
Standing beside such a window, one felt as if the barrier between indoors and nature had dissolved.
Wu Shen and Shi Kefa immediately claimed a tea table beside one of the great glass windows.
Rain drizzled softly outside.
Wu Shen sighed in pure bliss. "Sitting here, drinking tea while watching the rain… I could write ten poems."
Shi Kefa stroked his beard. "Twenty."
The merchants, meanwhile, were already calculating.
Bring business partners here, they thought. Negotiate deals here.
Compared to this, the taverns in the city are mud huts.
Next came the guest rooms.
The butler led them first to the most extravagant option.
"The Royal Suite," he announced calmly.
"One hundred taels of silver per night."
A collective intake of breath followed.
The room itself was breathtaking. Everything within was top-tier. The bed alone stretched a full three meters wide—clearly designed with wealthy households in mind, where wives and concubines shared space in harmonious excess.
Later generations' hotel service philosophy utterly eclipsed Ming-era inns.
Everything had been prepared.
Bathrobes.
Slippers.
Toothpicks.
Oiled paper umbrellas.
It was comfort refined into an art.
Li Daoxuan, mindful of ancient customs, had made special adjustments. The outer chamber held small beds for maids. Beyond the private courtyard were designated guard rooms for escorts.
The suite wasn't merely luxurious—it was compatible with aristocratic life.
Still, these features alone didn't impress Zhu Cunji. His Qinwang Mansion had all this, and more.
What made his pupils shrink—
Was the courtyard.
Behind the suite lay a private hot spring pool.
The Heir Apparent's Consort's eyes lit up instantly.
A private pool.
No outsiders. No crowds. No waiting until night.
If I take this room… I can soak whenever I want.
The butler smiled knowingly. "Every suite includes a private bath. Noblewomen may enjoy the hot spring without entering public pools. Complete privacy. Absolute discretion."
Zhu Cunji's heart thundered.
Unrestrained revelry, echoed a sinful thought.
He shot a glance at his Consort.
She returned it with a smile that promised disaster.
Behind them, secondary wives and concubines all lowered their eyes… then lifted them again, shimmering with expectation.
Zhu Cunji felt like his soul had grown wings.
"This is excellent," he declared loudly. "I'll take it. Half a year."
The butler did not blink. "Half a year is one hundred seventy-seven days. Original price: seventeen thousand seven hundred taels. We'll round it down."
"Seventeen thousand taels."
The number stabbed him.
Even for a prince, that hurt.
But—
One glance at his Consort's gaze.
One image of the private pool.
Pain… was temporary.
"I'll take it," Zhu Cunji said firmly.
The deal was sealed.
The others continued touring.
Business suites.
Family rooms.
Standard rooms.
Single rooms.
Each group found accommodations matching their wealth.
A few merchants hesitated. The prices stung.
But retreat now would mean losing face—utterly and permanently. Business in Xi'an would become impossible.
Gritting their teeth, they booked the cheapest rooms.
Twenty taels per night.
At least we must show we can afford it.
By sunset, nearly every top merchant and official in Xi'an had surrendered a significant chunk of silver.
At first glance, the room prices alone seemed manageable.
Then—
They opened the price lists.
Egg-fried rice: two taels
Tea: two taels
Happy Fat Water: two taels
Chocolate: one tael per mace
Snow Crackers: one tael per pack
Potato chips: one tael per bag
Silence fell.
And then they saw the final line.
All consumption subject to a 20% service charge.
No tricks.
No hidden fees.
Everything clearly marked.
Blatant. Shameless. Open exploitation.
And yet—
After long contemplation, calculations, and internal struggle…
Every last one of them nodded.
Accepted.
And calmly placed their necks beneath the blade.