She moved like a willow swaying in the breeze, as graceful as peach blossoms reflected upon still water—how could one describe such irresistible allure with mere words?
When the girl in a pale yellow sheer dress stepped into the rear garden, Young Master Yu's breath caught sharply in his throat.
The neckline of her delicate gown dipped just enough to reveal a glimpse of snowy skin. Beneath the translucent fabric, the faintest outline of a rose-colored undergarment teased the eye.
She walked with slow, measured steps, her embroidered shoes making soft contact with the gravel path. And with each step she took, the blooming flowers flanking the walkway seemed to dull and fade beside her presence.
At first, she kept her head slightly lowered, eyes following the path at her feet. Just as she neared the pavilion, she glanced up—seemingly by chance—and let her gaze meet Young Master Yu's with a smile resting in the corner of her eyes.
That fleeting glance was like a spell. Yu's forehead immediately beaded with sweat, and his heart pounded like war drums. In a panic, he grabbed the bowl next to him and stuffed the leftover ice cubes from the chilled plum drink into his mouth, crunching down with desperation.
The veiled girl watched his clumsy reaction, then lowered her head again. A fleeting trace of mockery flashed through those enchanting eyes—so subtle, so brief, it vanished like mist.
With an elegant bow, she greeted him. Her lips, hidden behind the veil, moved with the softness of a spring breeze, and her voice—so tender that nightingales and orioles might hang themselves in shame—floated out like the scent of orchids.
"Zhen Luo greets the Great Patron. May you always dwell in peace."
Mouth still full of ice, Yu nodded furiously, mumbling, "Manager Niu, you may leave now. I have something private to discuss with Luo'er."
Manager Niu, who had escorted Zhen Luo, gave a knowing smile in his heart. Even you can't keep your composure in front of her, huh? Yet he didn't dare show even a trace of disrespect on his face. He bowed deeply to Yu and left in haste—he didn't want to linger a moment longer.
Only after swallowing the last of the ice did Yu manage to calm his fire and speak.
"Enough with the formalities. Come in and sit with me."
Zhen Luo replied gently, "In front of the Great Patron, how could Luo'er presume to sit? I shall stand and speak."
Yu didn't insist. He chuckled. "Luo'er, it's only been two months… How did you become such a vision of seduction? You were never this... enticing back at the estate. Wait, could it be—did you lose your virginity to that brat Qin Ren? Did he teach you some dual-cultivation trick that turned you into this temptress?"
Though anger stirred in her heart at his crude words, Zhen Luo didn't let it show. She bowed slightly and answered with composure, "The Great Patron is most perceptive. It's true—Qin Ren seems well-versed in dual-cultivation arts. Ever since that night, my charm techniques have progressed by leaps and bounds. So much so that I now must wear a veil to avoid unintentionally affecting others."
A flicker of jealousy passed through Yu's eyes. His voice dropped low and dark. "Luo'er… I raised you for thirteen years. And now you've been taken by someone else. Do you think I can feel good about that?" His face twisted into a lascivious grin. "Since your techniques are improving so quickly, why don't you let me sample your progress tonight?"
Zhen Luo's tone remained level, betraying no emotion. "You raised me from childhood, and that debt I can never repay, even if I were to die a thousand deaths. Naturally, serving you in bed is my duty. However… my charm arts are still unstable. If I were to engage with the Great Patron now, I fear you may not be able to restrain your vital energy and…"
Yu's expression changed. "What? Are you saying… it might kill me?! Damn it! Not only can I not enjoy the Sacred Maiden of the Nine Yin Sect, now even you are off limits?!"
Zhen Luo lowered her gaze. "There's no need for such distress. Once I've fully mastered control, I'll be able to serve you properly. But until then…"
She didn't lift her head, and beneath the veil, a ghost of a smile tugged at her lips—wry, almost mocking.
"Great Patron," she continued, "I must return to the inn tonight. Lady Lianzou, her cousin Miss Qin, and the mistress of the Blowing Snow Hall, Ye Yingxue, are all lodging there. If I stay too long, suspicions might arise. I beg you—let us discuss the matter at hand and save other topics for another time."
Yu, visibly disappointed, waved a hand. "Fine, fine. Let that brat Qin Ren have the upper hand for now. Speak—what news do you bring? You wouldn't come to me for no reason."
Zhen Luo began her report with measured calm. "Though Qin Ren left me behind and has made no effort to find me, I've remained close to Lianzou Luo'er, Qin Ni'er, and Ye Yingxue on my journey north. We arrived in Dingzhou twelve days ago. About ten days ago, while I remained at the inn with Ye Yingxue, the other two went out to search for Qin Ren.
"When they returned… both looked like they'd seen ghosts. It didn't take much coaxing for me to piece together what happened—they'd found him. Not only that, they fought with him and another woman he's become involved with in Dingzhou.
"The outcome? Qin Ren was beaten near death by the two women. But here's the strange part—both Lianzou and Qin Ni'er seem to regret it deeply. Especially Lianzou, who has been crying in secret.
"The woman he's entangled with is Du Xiaoyan, daughter of Lord Du of the Tianping Manor. And from what I can tell, she's fallen completely for him as well."
Zhen Luo went on to describe how both Lianzou and Qin Ni'er had become hollow shells of themselves, endlessly searching or staring blankly into space. Qin Ni'er, usually cheerful, had grown quiet and strange—muttering words like 'dog,' 'bones,' and 'teeth' to herself. Zhen Luo couldn't make sense of it.
"As for Qin Ren's whereabouts," she said, "Lianzou claims a servant rescued him. Since then, he's vanished without a trace. Du Xiaoyan has mobilized Tianping Manor's network to search for him, but under the alias 'Li Gang,' to protect his identity."
Zhen Luo paused before her conclusion.
"I know the Martial Summit begins in eight days, and that the Great Patron will be arriving in Dingzhou. Since Qin Ren has abandoned me, I had no choice but to report directly to you."
Yu fell silent for a long moment, fingers tapping lightly.
"This Qin Ren… he's no ordinary youth. To make a girl like Du Xiaoyan loyal even after learning his identity—now that's dangerous. And if Lianzou and Qin Ni'er refuse to testify against him at the Summit… our planted witnesses might not be enough to bring him down."
He narrowed his eyes. "This water grows murkier by the day…"
"Luo'er, return and continue investigating. I want to know everything that happened between them. The moment you learn more, come to me at once. Oh—and what of Ye Yingxue?"
Zhen Luo hesitated. "After… that night, Ye Yingxue was never the same. She mutters words like 'kill' and 'carve' constantly. If there's one who hates Qin Ren to the bone—it's her."
Yu laughed. "So at least one of them hasn't been seduced. That's good—if she's willing to stand as a witness, we can still corner him. And once Qin Ren's back is to the wall… I will find a way to tame him. Dingzhou is a mess of factions—Tianping Manor, the Iron-Blood Fortress—my reach here is limited, and I cannot appear openly. The burden falls to you. Find him, and use your arts to take control."
Zhen Luo bowed. "Yes, Great Patron. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
Yu waved her off. "Go. If you linger longer, I might just risk my life to have you…"
He chuckled as she bowed again and left in silence.
Only when her silhouette vanished with the last rays of sunset did the lecherous smile fall from his face, replaced by a cold, calculating stillness.
As twilight fell, the space beside Yu flickered faintly. A figure emerged from the shadows—a man cloaked in black mist, his features so obscured he seemed more phantom than flesh.
If not for the faint shadow cast upon the ground, one might have mistaken him for a ghost.
"She cannot be trusted," the phantom said, his voice low and ethereal, like wind howling through a tomb. "She dared not meet your gaze the entire time."
Yu's expression shifted subtly. The depth vanished, leaving only cruelty—and a touch of lascivious madness.
"I know," he said with a grin. "That damn Qin Ren must've pleased her too well. She's forgotten who she belongs to… and now she wants to betray me."