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The vendor watched helplessly as Chen Yue and Yu Ru walked away, then glared resentfully at his nearby competitors before turning to take the jade hairpin back to his stall. However, a sudden flick of a folding fan ca horizontally, striking him squarely on the wrist.
"Ouch."
The vendor cried out, the jade hairpin flying from his hand, only to be deftly caught by soone with the folding fan.
Just as he was about to erupt in anger, he saw the appearance of the person with the folding fan, and his rage dissipated instantly. He stepped back twice, tremblingly saying, "Nan... Young Master Nan..."
The one called Young Master Nan was dressed in an ornate brocade robe, holding a purple wooden folding fan in his hand, the hairpin lightly resting on the fan's ribs. He didn't even look at the vendor but thoughtfully watched the retreating figures of Chen Yue and Yu Ru.
He then stepped forward and followed them.
The trembling vendor watched his figure but dared not speak, nor did he dare to ask for paynt. After all, the newcor was too powerful, being the third son from the Nan family of Wutong Grove District, the most powerful and influential family there—of course, except for the Prefecture Chief of the City Defense Division.
Chen Yue, leisurely walking with Yu Ru, suddenly saw a figure appear in front, dressed in a white brocade robe, clearly the likeness of a rich young master. He bowed with a smile, "I am Nan An, at your service. Are the ladies visiting Wutong Grove for the first ti? There was a vendor trying to cheat you earlier, which I have already dealt with; consider this item as his way of offering an apology."
With that.
He presented the jade hairpin he had caught earlier.
Yu Ru, unsure how to react, nervously moved closer to Chen Yue. Chen Yue, however, blinked her eyes and very composedly accepted it, saying, "Thanks."
She then continued walking forward with Yu Ru.
Seeing this, Nan An raised an eyebrow and stepped aside to block them again, saying with a smile, "It's unfamiliar territory for the ladies. I happen to know the area well and am free at the mont. If the ladies have a place in mind, I can show the way."
Chen Yue humd playfully, "That would be great, we're heading to the City Defense Division, and we don't know the way, actually."
The City Defense Division?
Nan An's brow furrowed slightly, and shaking his head with a wry smile, he said, "What fun is there at the City Defense Division for the ladies to visit there?"
"I have a brother working at the City Defense Division, and we're going to find him. Aren't you familiar with the place?"
Said Chen Yue with an innocent look in her eyes.
Hearing this, Nan An chuckled, "I am rather well-acquainted with the City Defense Division. May I ask the na of the lady's brother?"
Chen Yue's eyes betrayed a trace of innocence as she said, "Um, my brother's na is Chen Mu, does the gentleman know him?"
Chen Mu?
Cough cough!!
Nan An's expression suddenly stiffened, and upon closer inspection of the girl in front of him, she indeed resembled that person. His lips twitched as he said, "Of course, who in Wutong Grove wouldn't recognize the Prefecture Chief? So the lady is his sister, my apologies. Then, this young lady must be..."
If it had been when Chen Mu first arrived in Wutong Grove and wasn't well-known, it would be normal not to recognize the new Prefecture Chief, but now, all powers in Wutong Grove clearly understood Chen Mu's origins and background.
This included having knowledge of a sister studying at the Yu Family's Martial Arts Institute in the Inner City.
Now that the girl before him was identified as Chen Mu's sister Chen Yue, the other girl, whose appearance and dress were no different, could only be from an even more prominent background.
"My na is Yu Ru,"
Said Yu Ru in a tentative voice.
Indeed!
A person from the Inner City Yu Family.
Nan An's lips twitched again. Luckily, he had sensed earlier that Chen Yue and Yu Ru were no ordinary young ladies and had committed no offense. The Nan family might be powerful in Wutong Grove, but before the Yu family, they were no different from ants.
"We're indeed unfamiliar with the place, so we would appreciate it if the gentleman could show us the way,"
Chen Yue said to Nan An, smilingly.
Nan An inwardly groaned but dared not refuse, putting on a forced smile. He opened his folding fan and fanned himself before saying, "Certainly, then I shall guide the ladies."
…
The City Defense Division.
In the innermost hall office, within the quiet side room, Chen Mu was holding a book titled 'Da Xuan Calendar', flipping through it while occasionally lifting the teacup on his right to take a sip.
Suddenly soone entered the side room and quietly reported, "Prefecture Chief, Young Master Nan An of the Nan family has arrived, bringing two young ladies with him. One of them claims to be your sister, nad Chen Yue..."
Chen Mu's hand holding the teacup paused slightly.
He looked curiously at the officer who had reported the news.
Nan An?
He had so recollection of this third young master of the Nan family; not quite a good man, but not too bad either. Although fond of won, he generally married those he fancied. Since Chen Mu took up his post as Prefecture Chief, his conduct had beco much more restrained.
But when did Chen Yue co to Wutong Grove, and why was she sent here by Nan An? This was a strange combination.
Did Nan An have designs on Yue'er?
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Hmph.
Chen Mu set down his teacup, his gaze turning cold. He gave a light snort in his heart and stood up to walk outside.
In the Hall Office of the City Defense Division near the entrance, used to receive outsiders, both Chen Yue and Yu Ru, as well as Nan An, were present. The attendants of the Hall Office dared not neglect their duties. So were busily offering tea and water, while others followed close by.
The fact that Chen Mu had a sister was well-known even among the bottom rungs of the City Defense Division. No one would dare to impersonate such a status, so Chen Yue could only be Chen Mu's sister. Moreover, Nan Family's third son, Nan An, was with her, which solidified the credibility of her identity.
Chen Yue leisurely strolled about, her small hands clasped behind her back, looking left and right.
Ever since she had been sent to train at the Yu Family's Martial Arts Institute in the Inner City, she had not left it. This was her first return to the Outer City. She had co to play in the South City District, having been brought out by soone from the won's institute.
If she wanted to travel between the Inner and Outer Cities on her own, and co and go freely from the Yu Family Martial Arts Institute, she had to reach the Body Refinent Realm in the Body Tempering thod and achieve Perfection in her swordsmanship. With such strength, she was essentially safe in the Outer City.
Common thugs could be easily dealt with, and the more troubleso figures, recognizing the prestige of the Yu Family, dared not lay hands on them.
My brother has already beco a Prefecture Chief...
Chen Yue looked up at the ceiling of the Hall Office, her heart suddenly filled with indescribable emotions. Just a few years ago, she and Chen Mu were poor siblings huddled under a cotton quilt for warmth during winter. Now, everything had changed dramatically.
A Prefecture Chief, who controlled hundreds of attendants and governed over a hundred thousand commoners.
In the past, such a figure was so high above that one couldn't even hope to look up to them.
Yet now, Chen Mu himself held that position, and anyone with discerning eyes could see that with his age and talent, he would not stop there. The future held broader prospects for him, perhaps even reaching the position of Deputy Head Officer or higher.
In comparison, her own changes were significant as well. In just a little over a year, she had reached Perfection in Skin Toughening and Major Achievent in swordsmanship. At the won's division of the Martial Arts Institute of the Yu Family, she was considered one of the foremost in talent. This was also related to her diligence in practice, which far surpassed that of the others.
It wouldn't be long before she too could step into the Body Refinent Realm.
The days of longing just for a new piece of clothing or a hearty al were long gone.
"Yue'er?"
Just as Chen Yue was lost in a silent reverie, a familiar voice reached her ears.
A glimr of joy flashed in Chen Yue's eyes as she turned around and saw a familiar face in dark green official's robes, approaching with a gentle smile.
"Brother."
Chen Yue bounced cheerfully in front of Chen Mu, her voice ringing clearly as she called out to him.
Chen Mu's expression was gentle as he reached out to touch her head, saying, "Hmm, you've grown a bit taller."
Having said that.
He then turned to Yu Ru, smiling amiably and said, "Yu Ru is here too? Why didn't you tell in advance so I could arrange for soone to pick you up?"
This was the third ti he had t Yu Ru. He didn't harbor much in the way of other thoughts towards her; he simply saw her as a young girl yet to grow up. Although she was pretty and lovely, she seed even more immature than Chen Yue.
"Chen Mu."
Yu Ru called out his na shyly, not daring to look at Chen Mu directly.
This was mainly because Xu Hongyu had comnted on a marriage discussion involving Chen Mu and her during a visit to the Yu Family. By then, Yu Ru had t Chen Mu once with Chen Yue and found him a gentle and steadfast brother, without any other thoughts in mind. However, Xu Hongyu's sudden ntion of marital arrangents left her unsettled.
Ever since Xu Hongyu brought up the matter, thoughts of Chen Mu would appear in her mind and she'd beco daydreamy. Being pulled by Chen Yue to visit Chen Mu, she wasn't sure how to feel. All she knew was that upon seeing Chen Mu, her heart would thump wildly, leaving her at a loss for words.
Chen Mu noticed Yu Ru's evasive eyes and the faint blush on her ears, guessing the reason with just a thought. He couldn't help but chuckle, finding her shyness rather adorable upon a second glance.
"...I see, so that's why you ca to find ."
After hearing Chen Yue's account, Chen Mu couldn't help but smile and say, "Wutong Grove District doesn't have much to offer. After a while, I'll take you both to the main street of South City District instead."
Speaking of which.
He finally turned his head to look at Nan An, who stood to one side, his expression awkward and uncertain whether to sit or stand.
Chen Mu's eyes grew cold as he said, "Considering my two sisters are strangers here and needed escorting, I suppose I have to thank Young Master Nan for his protection on the journey?"
Nan An grimaced and said, "It's... it's part of the job, no need for the Prefecture Chief to thank ."
"Part of the job?"
Chen Mu narrowed his eyes, his tone less than friendly.
Nan An, usually quite articulate and carefree when teasing girls, suddenly seed as if his throat was clamped, stumbling over his words, unable to co up with a suitable response.
Yu Ru, watching from the side and peeping at the situation, blinked. With Nan An draped in a white brocade robe, handso enough and possessing a suave deanor, he was quite the dashing young master. Yet in front of Chen Mu, he seed like a loach coming face to face with a flood dragon, his confidence deflated. This made Yu Ru's gaze towards Chen Mu twinkle with additional brightness.
Chen Yue, watching Nan An's stiff appearance from the side, had a mischievous gleam in her wide eyes.
Experience tales at m v|l e'-
"Hmph."
Observing Nan An's lack of a coherent response, Chen Mu finally gave a cold snort, waved his sleeve, and said, "Guards, take him to the holding cell to sober up. Also, send soone to the Nan Family for them to co and collect him!"
"Yes."
Imdiately, an attendant complied and took Nan An away.
Chen Mu turned his head towards Chen Yue and Yu Ru, his previous sternness dissolving back into warmth. He smiled and said, "Let's go, I'll change into casual clothes first."
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