Just as the golden mist stirred, and the spirit's eyes—shining like twin suns in the void—narrowed slightly as if preparing to speak, a sudden knock echoed from the door of Ye Xian's room.
Knock. Knock.
Ye Xian flinched slightly, then offered a polite smile to the spirit within his consciousness.
"Looks like someone's here. Pardon me," he said, and withdrew his focus from the inner world.
He rose from the bed and took care of the sheets that was in mess before heading towards the door . As he slid the door open, a breath of fresh morning air swept in.
Standing outside was Ye Ling'er, an eighteen-year-old girl with a graceful, refreshing presence. Dressed in a white-and-blue hanfu, her slim figure and jade-like skin glowed in the morning light. Her peach blossom eyes shimmered with curiosity, and her high ponytail danced lightly in the breeze.
Though slender, her chest was surprisingly well-developed, pressed gently beneath the layered robe and curves were gently defined. She greeted him with a soft smile, hands folded with grace.
Ye Ling'er, Ye Xian's childhood friend, was like a fairy from legend—elegant, distant, and breathtakingly beautiful.
"Good morning, Ling'er," Ye Xian said warmly, offering a gentle smile as he took in her presence. "You're up early."
Ye Ling'er's peach blossom eyes sparkled with a touch of concern. "I stopped by because I didn't see you yesterday and worried something happened. Are you alright?"
Ye Xian's expression softened, and a warm smile curved on his lips. "Thank you for your concern. I'm doing fine now."
She tilted her head slightly, eyeing him with playful suspicion. "You do look more spirited today. Did something good happen?"
He rubbed his neck sheepishly and recalling the moaning Sheng Qianying in his head. "Let's just say I had a small breakthrough."
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, there was surprised and delight, then she gave a satisfied nod.
"Then I'm relieved."
As her eyes drifted around the room behind him, Ye Xian noticed and subtly stepped forward, closing the door behind him with a soft click. Ling'er blinked but didn't comment, her gaze returning to his face.
"Oh, also—Clan Master asked me to come fetch you," she said, clasping her hands politely before her.
"He wants you in the main hall as soon as possible."
Ye Xian's brows furrowed slightly. "The Clan Master? Alright. Let's go."
Side by side, they began walking toward the main Ye Clan hall. The path was lined with trimmed plum trees, their petals dancing in the breeze. But as Ye Xian walked, his thoughts grew muddled.
'Why would Ye Tian summon me now? Is it related to the marriage with Meng clan? Or something else?'
He glanced at Ling'er, who walked beside him with quiet poise. Her steps were light, almost soundless, and her peach-blossom gaze occasionally drifted toward him, studying him from the corner of her eye.
But Ye Xian's mind was already drifting—back to the golden eyes in the mist, the Reverse Taiji, and Sheng Qianying's warm body from the night before. He quickly shook his head, pushing the thoughts away before they became visible on his face.
"I wonder what this is about…" he muttered under his breath.
As Ye Xian and Ye Ling'er were walking together, she happened to step a bit ahead of him. Naturally, his eyes wandered—how could they not? Her slim waist, the way she moved, and those long, shapely legs… it was a sight hard to ignore. He swallowed quietly, trying to keep cool.
Suddenly, Ye Ling'er spun around and caught him red-handed.
"Pervert! You're totally staring at me!" she snapped, clearly teasing but with a sharp edge.
Ye Xian, caught off guard, felt a bit embarrassed but quickly recovered with a smirk.
"I was just admiring a beautiful view. Is that a crime now?"
Ye Ling'er gave him a look like she was about to smack him. "Looks like someone needs a beating."
Ye Xian grinned. "No, I don't. But if the topic is beating, maybe we should discuss who's on top?"
That earned him a scoff and a half-smile from Ye Ling'er. When Ye Ling'er heard what he said, she instantly felt like this scoundrel really deserved a slap.
As Ye Xian entered the grand hall, his gaze swept across the crowds gather in the hall and immediately landed on the imposing figure seated at the head—Ye Tian, patriarch of the Ye Clan.
His long mustache, commanding aura, and sharp eyes radiated unquestionable authority. Even in silence, his presence demanded respect.
To Ye Tian's right sat Ye Feng, Ye Xian's father. His brows were furrowed, his expression heavy with worry, as if carrying the weight of unseen burdens. Beside him stood Ye Shen's mother, a beautiful woman whose charm was spoiled by the malice in her eyes and the smirk curling her lips. Her gaze glittered with schadenfreude, clearly enjoying the scene that was about to unfold.
Next to Ye Feng sat a short, plump man with small, cunning eyes and a round belly barely contained by his silk robes. Beside him stood a beautiful woman with a slim waist and long, flowing brown hair. Her elegance was impossible to ignore, and many in the hall stole discreet glances at her.
To Ye Tian's left was his wife, sitting with quiet grace and an unreadable expression. Below her stood Ye Ling'er, who had walked up to her earlier when she and Ye Xian entered the hall. She had received a sound transmission through ki telling her to fetch Ye Xian—but she didn't know what was going on. Ye Ling'er was Ye Tian's adopted daughter.
In the middle of the hall, a woman in a traditional green dress knelt on the cold floor, her body trembling as she sobbed.
Her face was thick with makeup, clearly an attempt to cover her otherwise average appearance. She was plain, forgettable—yet now, twisted with rage and humiliation, she was the most noticeable person in the room.
The moment her tear-streaked eyes met Ye Xian's, they burned with furious hatred.
Then, her shrill voice broke the silence.
"Clan Patriarch! It was him! He used my body for last two nights and promised to accept me as his woman!"
Silence.
The entire hall seemed frozen. Every pair of eyes turned to Ye Xian.
Ye Xian, caught off guard, had been momentarily dazed—his thoughts wandering as he looked around, half-expecting to see Sheng Qianying.
But she wasn't here. Only his father's cold snort brought him back to the present.
Ye Xian's lips curved faintly into a smirk. He turned toward the accusing woman, his posture relaxed, as if this absurd scene was nothing but a minor interruption.
"Oh? Sorry, I was a little… distracted. What were you saying, miss?"
A few soft chuckles echoed in the hall. The woman's face twisted with humiliation at his indifferent tone.
A quiet laugh.
He turned slightly and caught Ye Ling'er's gaze—her calm, peaceful eyes locked on his. He quickly looked away, shifting his attention back to the green-dressed woman.
It was time to deal with this nonsense.