The extended Lincoln stopped in front of the most luxurious five-star hotel in Nanhai City. As she got out of the car, even a picky woman like Lian Wu Ding couldn't help but look up and praise, "It really is just like Qiongyao Palace."

Ye Fan, however, sensed something different. The surroundings of the hotel were very quiet. It was late afternoon, near twilight, typically a high occupancy time for the hotel, especially since Nanhai City is a famous tourist city and not currently in the off-season. How could there be so few guests?

"Mr. Ye, my lady has especially arranged for you to stay here. She specifically cleared out all guests from the hotel, compensating them threefold, to ensure your comfort tonight. You may use all the facilities here at your leisure," said Xiao Ning, approaching with a professional bow, her tone calm and natural.

Ye Fan said, "That's quite a grand gesture. Did all the guests willingly give up their reserved rooms?"

"They had no choice but to comply. Our compensation is substantial, and we've arranged equally comfortable and free accommodations for them elsewhere. If any guests truly refused, we have ways to ensure they vacate without causing trouble for Mr. Ye and your friends!" Xiao Ning replied reflexively.

She didn't need to explain; Ye Fan could roughly guess what she meant by "ways" — likely using forceful methods for those who didn't comply. It seemed that the woman inviting him here was quite powerful.

"Is it worth it?" Ye Fan asked.

Xiao Ning smiled slightly and replied, "The hotel itself is owned by my lady. For welcoming Mr. Ye, this small expense is worthwhile."

Xiao Ning led the way into the hotel. Unlike the stay in the Forty-Nine Cities, all the hotel lobby staff came out to greet them, treating Ye Fan almost like an emperor.

"We have specially prepared the presidential suite for you, undoubtedly the most comfortable room in all of Nanhai City. Please, upstairs."

Xiao Ning seemed to be of high status, accustomed to receiving distinguished guests, maintaining flawless etiquette.

They went upstairs to the highest floor, the nineteenth. Inside, it was resplendent, styled in a European manner, with decor that could only be described as extremely luxurious. Ye Fan commented, "This kind of room isn't suitable for us."

"Then Mr. Ye must be dissatisfied, no problem, please follow me."

The second room they entered had a completely ancient Eastern style, with carved beams and painted pillars. Even the beds were ancient-style couches, with high beds and warm pillows, alongside rustic bath tubs.

Once inside, more beauties in ancient clothing entered, lifting the sheer curtains draped in the room, and finally hanging up the lanterns. Xiao Ning said, "This is set up to imitate the Qianqing Palace of the Imperial Palace. If Mr. Ye is not satisfied, we can change it elsewhere."

Ye Fan couldn't help but smile wryly. How much thought had this host put into their invitation? The Qianqing Palace was the emperor's bedroom, implying that he was akin to an emperor, and this could even be his and Li Zhaojun's "bridal chamber."

"Does this room usually accommodate guests?" Ye Fan didn't recall any room being this comfortable in Nanhai City.

Xiao Ning shook her head and replied, "The nineteenth floor of the hotel has never been open to anyone aside from my lady. Even previous guests could only go up to the eighteenth floor. Since the room was set up, you are the first guest, Mr. Ye. This will be your residence whenever you are in Nanhai City. Apart from the maids for daily cleaning, no one else will disturb you."

"Maids?" Ye Fan naturally glanced at the beautiful women dressed in palace costumes beside him.

Xiao Ning nodded, "Yes, they hold the status of maids, selected by my lady over recent years. Mr. Ye can consider this place as the Imperial Palace, and their role as palace maids. Should Mr. Ye be interested, you may command them as you wish."

Ye Fan couldn't help but laugh bitterly. The woman who invited him certainly had many whimsical ideas.

Even Wu Ding, standing nearby, reacted with a hint of ridicule, "According to you, he can be an emperor here, and these women can all be his concubines?"

"Indeed," Xiao Ning nodded. "That is exactly my lady's intention, as interpreted by Madam."

Wu Ding snapped, "Who is Madam? I don't care what relationship your lady has with my junior brother. Please open the door to the room next door. I'll stay over there. How unlucky!"

Ye Fan asked, "Shouldn't Senior Sister be more suited to this room?"

"I've grown accustomed to halls. Can't I change my taste? It's you who can be the night-loving emperor over here. Senior Sister won't be bothering you!" Wu Ding seemed upset, storming off to the European-style room next door.

Yesterday, Wu Ding had enjoyed living in the hotel, liking that she could turn on the light and the bathwater with a mere gesture.

Ye Fan shook his head helplessly. This kind of thoughtful service seemed absurd to him. They were just taking a brief rest here, not intending to stay beyond six hours before heading to the Tianhai Sect. Yet, such a grand arrangement was made as if they were here to indulge.

"Miss Ning, may I call you that? If there's nothing else, may I have some peace?" Ye Fan looked at Xiao Ning and asked.

"Of course," Xiao Ning gestured, and all the women in palace attire didn't just turn and leave but gracefully exited to the doorway. "If Mr. Ye needs anything, just contact me using the landline, or meet me by the stairs. I will be on call 24/7."

"Miss Ning, there's no need for such trouble. We'll be leaving tonight. If your lady comes in time, I'd like to meet her, see who she is," said Ye Fan.

Xiao Ning nodded and was the only one to turn and exit through the door.

After they left, Li Zhaojun asked, "Do you know them?"

Ye Fan spread his hands helplessly, "I'd like to know who invited us here."

"They're friends, not foes. If they were enemies, there'd be no need to host us this way. But this place is really nice; I love these ancient vibes," Li Zhaojun commented, moving to open the simple huanghuali wood cabinet, revealing many palace costumes from different dynasties, including those for empresses, various concubines, and even imperial robes.

Li Zhaojun picked up an empress's dress, feeling the silky softness of Yun brocade, seemingly lost in thought.

Ye Fan walked over and said, "If you like it, just put it on."

Li Zhaojun glanced at Ye Fan, shook her head slightly, and placed the clothing back into the cabinet.

Lian Min Shang also approached, examining the garments, touching them curiously. She wasn't sure why she was drawn to these costumes, lacking the emotions of ordinary women.

"Can I try them on?" Min Shang asked Ye Fan, as if he were the master of the room and everything depended on his decision.

Ye Fan smiled and nodded. Min Shang quickly pulled out two pieces, seeming to realize something as she went into the inner room, changing behind the screen. When she reemerged, she had transformed from an ordinary girl into a beautiful princess of the ancient court, but there was no smile on her face.

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