The carriage stopped in front of the Ye Manor, and Ye Lingxuan stepped out gracefully.
As she entered the back garden, she saw several disciples sparring.
The young n, noticing her presence, suddenly beca more serious, their movents sharper, their spiritual energy surging.
Their cultivation levels were low, but their intensity… it was as if they were seasoned experts, battling for the very essence of the Dao.
Despite their efforts, their gazes kept drifting towards her.
She might have been humble and unassuming, but she was considered the most beautiful woman in the Ye family. Many of the young disciples harbored secret affections for her.
She smiled politely at their admiring glances, then, clutching the snow lotus, walked towards a secluded corridor.
An elderly man, dressed in plain gray robes, materialized from the shadows.
She turned to face him, her youthful features masking a regal aura. “Elder Wei, is there sothing I can help you with?”
Elder Wei shook his head, smiling. “I was simply concerned for your well-being, Young Mistress.”
She relaxed, her smile softening. “I told you, Elder Wei. I simply went to repay Ye Qian’s debt. There was no need for concern.”
He chuckled, nodding. “That’s what you said, but… you know Mu Zhi’an’s reputation. When the Master entrusted you to the Ye family, he specifically instructed to protect you. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to face him.”
He noticed the snow lotus in her hand, his brow furrowing. “Young Mistress, where did you get that flower?”
He knew she had gone to the Mu Manor. Why had she returned with a flower?
Had soone given it to her on the way back?
She smiled. “Mu Zhi’an gave it to .”
He stared at her, surprised.
He knew she had gone to the Mu Manor on Ye Qian’s behalf, and he rembered her expressing her dislike for Mu Zhi’an yesterday.
Had her opinion of him changed so quickly?
She hesitated, then said, “He’s not as bad as I thought.”
Elder Wei blinked, about to ask her to elaborate, when she suddenly changed the subject. “Do you know how to preserve a snow lotus?”
He pondered for a mont. “Typically, if you have Luminous Soil, it can survive for three months without water. However, Luminous Soil is rare and expensive.”
He paused, then added, “But if I rember correctly, there’s a batch of Luminous Soil being auctioned at the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce in a few days. If you need it, Young Mistress, I can acquire it for you.”
She thought for a mont, then smiled. “There’s no need to trouble yourself, Elder Wei. I’ll ask Qian’er to accompany to the auction. It’s been a while since I’ve taken a stroll.”
…
At the Mu Manor.
Mu Zhi’an quietly opened the door to Bai Ruoxi’s room and saw her, dressed in her usual moon-white robe, sitting by the window, seemingly lost in thought.
He decided to tease her, suppressing his aura as he approached.
But before he could speak, her voice, soft and languid, echoed through the room. “Is there sothing you need, Young Master Mu?”
She turned to face him, her usual aloofness tinged with a hint of alluring charm.
But her eyes held a trace of reproach.
He had promised to simply ditate last night, but he hadn’t been able to resist touching her.
If she hadn’t maintained a sliver of self-control, she would have been bedridden all day.
He knew why she was annoyed. He sat down beside her, retrieving the snow lotus he had picked earlier.
“I passed by the lotus pond and saw this beautiful snow lotus. It reminded of you,” he said, smiling.
“It symbolizes loyalty and purity. It’s perfect for you.”
“A snow lotus?”
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the flower, then back at him. She nodded, her voice soft. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
She accepted the flower, inhaling its delicate fragrance.
“It slls lovely,” she murmured.
She wished she could preserve it forever.
He took her hand, his voice gentle. “If you like it, I can give you as many as you want.”
She blushed, her gaze downcast, her heart filled with a sweet warmth.
A soft knock echoed from behind the door.
She straightened up, adjusting her robes and smoothing her hair. He reluctantly withdrew his hand.
His morning cultivation session had been interrupted. He was not pleased.
Who would disturb them at this hour?
No, it must be for . He waited for her to compose herself, then called out, “Co in.”
The door opened, and a hooded figure, his face obscured, entered the room.
It was one of the Mu family’s spies.
“Young Master.”
He glanced at Bai Ruoxi, his eyes sharp and observant.
They might seem calm and composed, but the atmosphere in the room… it was charged with a subtle intimacy.
She understood his aning. “I’ll leave you two to your business,” she said, her voice clear and lodious.
After she left, Mu Zhi’an turned to the spy. “What news do you bring?”
“According to my sources, soone is investigating you, Young Master.”
He was intrigued. “Who?”
The Gongsun family wouldn’t dare make any moves at this ti. The Bai family was unlikely as well. Investigating soone secretly was a sure way to damage their relationship, and considering his current connection with Bai Ruoxi, there was no need for such an investigation.
The Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce… that was also unlikely. Huang Manting’s father was a shrewd man. He knew what was best for his business.
Could it be Ye Lingxuan?
“It’s the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce,” the spy replied.
“It can’t be Huang Manting’s father… Did one of his subordinates act without his knowledge?” Mu Zhi’an mused.
Then, he realized. “Huang Manting?”
He had gone to the sparring arena yesterday, and she had seen him with Bai Ruoxi.
That temptress was after the inner disciple spot. Knowledge was power. It wasn’t surprising that she would investigate those close to Bai Ruoxi.
The spy nodded, then asked tentatively, “Should we stop her?”
Mu Zhi’an chuckled, shaking his head. “Let her investigate. I have nothing to hide.”
He paused, then added, “I have a more important task for you.”
The spy looked at him expectantly.
“Go to the Gongsun Manor and demand compensation,” Mu Zhi’an said.
“Tell them that the fight between Ruoxi and Gongsun Cheng caused and Miss Bai… emotional distress. We require compensation. I’ll be recuperate at the Two Polarities Sect for three months. That’s all you need to say.”
The spy hesitated. “What kind of compensation, Young Master?”
“Three market districts,” Mu Zhi’an replied.
The spy stared at him, stunned. Then, he spoke cautiously, “The Gongsun family… they won’t agree to that…”
They only had ten market districts! And the young master was demanding three? They weren’t fools.
“The emotional distress alone might not be worth three market districts, but three months of peace and quiet, that’s a different story,” Mu Zhi’an said, taking a sip of tea. “And besides, the Gongsun family might refuse… but Gongsun Xiong won’t.”
Gongsun Xiong was a capitalist, through and through.
And what were capitalists?
Selfish creatures.
His family mbers were vying for his position. He didn’t want to relinquish control, but he also didn’t want to be disturbed during his recovery. He would have to pay a price.
“But I also need to visit the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce,” Mu Zhi’an continued.
If it was just the Mu and Bai families, Gongsun Xiong might hesitate. He would probably try to form an alliance with the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce.
Even if they couldn’t defeat the Mu family, they could at least protect themselves.
But if the Mu family joined forces with the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce… the situation would change drastically.
“Master Huang isn’t eting with anyone right now,” the spy said.
Huang Manting’s father was a cautious man. He would avoid any unnecessary risks. Even if Mu Zhi’an visited him personally, he would probably refuse to see him.
Mu Zhi’an swirled his tea, a thoughtful expression on his face. “What about Miss Huang?”
“She wants to investigate , doesn’t she? Let her.”
“I’ll let her ask anything to my face.”
He was certain that news of his visit to the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce would reach Gongsun Xiong.
And in his current state, Gongsun Xiong was like a frightened bird. He would overthink everything.
“Go to the Gongsun Manor in two hours and demand those market districts.”
“Just tell him what I said. He’ll agree. He’s a reasonable man.”
“What if… he’s not?” the spy asked.
Mu Zhi’an set down his cup, smiling. “If he wants to be reasonable, let him. If he doesn’t… help him be reasonable.”
…
After the spy left, Bai Ruoxi returned to the room.
He was sitting on the bed, lost in thought.
She closed the door and sat down beside him. “What’s wrong?”
He inhaled her fragrance, returning to the present. “Nothing much. Just thinking about… how to approach the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce.”
“Why are you going there?” she asked, confused.
She added quickly, “You don’t have to tell if it’s a secret.”
She was simply concerned. If he didn’t want to share, she wouldn’t pry.
He shook his head. “It’s not a secret. I’m going to et with Miss Huang.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist, his movents so natural that she barely reacted.
“Are you going to see her father?” she asked after a mont.
He shook his head. “Miss Huang.”
He felt her stiffen slightly, then relax.
She glanced at him, her voice soft. “Why are you eting with her?”
“No reason,” he replied with a smile. “But I have to go.”
He had to visit the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce to put on a show for the Gongsun family.
“I see”
She lowered her eyes, her cheeks puffing out slightly. She gently removed his hand from her waist. “If you have things to attend to, you should go. I’m going to ditate.”
He looked at her. She was frowning, her lips pursed, clearly displeased.
He pulled her close, his voice gentle. “Don’t you trust my feelings for you, Ruoxi?”
His words, his warmth… her eyes sparkled, and she looked up at him, speechless.
He gazed at her, his heart pounding.
She was so alluring when she was shy. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
He leaned down, kissing her softly.
“Do you trust now?” he whispered.
She blinked, her gaze darting around like a trapped deer. She turned her head away, her voice barely a whisper. “I never said I didn’t.”
She quickly lowered her head, hiding her blushing face.
It seed a ninth-level Foundation Establishnt cultivator was indeed no match for a third-level cultivator… at least, not when it ca to Mu Zhi’an.
She fidgeted slightly, feeling awkward, then looked up at him, about to speak, but their eyes t.
She was captivated by his gaze, her lips parting slightly, her heart filled with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. She closed her eyes, as if waiting for sothing.
He understood her unspoken plea and kissed her again, deepening the kiss.
Finally, she pushed him away, burying her face in his chest. “Alright, go. Attend to your business. I need to ditate.”
He looked at her, his voice serious. “There’s no need. A cultivator knows no laziness, even during the day.”
She rolled her eyes, then asked after a mont, “Won’t this waste your ti?”
For so reason, his intense gaze made her feel flustered. She clutched her skirt nervously.
He smiled, his expression solemn. “To help you reach Core Formation… no effort is wasted. It’s all worth it, Ruoxi.”
…
Half an hour later, he was sitting in front of a mirror, combing his hair.
He glanced at her. She was lying in bed, seemingly asleep, her face hidden beneath the blankets.
“I’m leaving,” he said.
She didn’t answer, remaining motionless.
After a mont, a muffled “Mmm…” ca from beneath the blankets.
He left the room, feeling refreshed and invigorated, and ordered a carriage to take him to the Morning Glory Chamber of Comrce.
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