Mu Zhi’an went back to his room, adjusted his robes, styled his hair, and then headed towards the main hall.

It wasn’t about impressing a girl. He was representing the Mu family, after all. He had to maintain a certain image.

Besides, he preferred mature women to younger ones.

They were more understanding, more forgiving, more… accommodating.

He entered the hall, but instead of the sweet and innocent Ye Qian, he saw another young woman.

If he remembered correctly, she was also from the Ye family… Ye Lingxuan, was it?

She wore a light purple robe, her figure slender yet subtly alluring, her skirt adorned with violet patterns. Her hair was held in place by a simple jade hairpin, a single strand escaping to caress her cheek.

Although she was still young, her beauty was undeniable. She would blossom into a captivating woman.

The Ye family had another beauty like this?

He was surprised.

She was even more beautiful than Ye Qian. Once she matured, she might even rival Bai Ruoxi.

“Ye Qian is unwell today, so I came in her stead. I hope you don’t mind, Young Master Mu,” Ye Lingxuan said, turning to face him, a sweet smile gracing her lips.

She’s wary of me. Despite her smile, he sensed her guardedness.

She was still young, and she couldn’t fully conceal her suspicion.

“Health is paramount. Is Miss Ye Qian alright?” he asked, smiling warmly.

He sat down across from her, gesturing for a servant to serve them tea.

She nodded. “She needs some rest. She’ll recover soon.”

She lifted her hand, and he noticed a simple yet elegant ring on her finger.

A Profound-grade storage ring?

No, it was an Earth-grade ring. The Ye family possessed such a treasure?

She retrieved a beautifully crafted sandalwood box from the ring and placed it on the table.

“This is the payment for the Foundation Establishment Pill, including the cost of the ingredients and your labor.”

He opened the box, then chuckled, shaking his head. “The payment for the pill is enough. There’s no need for additional compensation.”

“You’re aware that Elder Ren from my family is an alchemist, aren’t you? Refining a Foundation Establishment Pill is a trivial matter for him.”

He took half the Spirit Stones, then returned the box to her.

She frowned slightly.

She had offered double the payment to avoid putting Ye Qian in his debt. She was worried he might try to exploit the situation, taking advantage of her friend’s naivety.

However, seeing his warm smile and sincere eyes, she couldn’t refuse. She accepted the box, storing it in her ring.

After a moment of silence, she spoke, her voice soft yet firm. “Young Master Mu, Qian’er is a pure and innocent girl. Please don’t bother her.”

He chuckled, amused by her protectiveness. “I’ve never forced myself on anyone. You seem to have a misunderstanding about me.”

“I’m not interested in your past behavior,” she replied, her tone cool. “However, you lured Brother Ye Yu to the Dragon Head Forest and used him to eliminate one of the Northern Region’s Seventh Seat’s demon cultivators. That’s a fact, isn’t it?”

He tensed, taking a sip of tea to mask his surprise. He studied her, his eyes narrowed slightly.

She knew about the Seventh Seat. She was more than just a simple young mistress.

The Ye family was a second-rate force in Tianxuan City. Only he and Bai Yuanfeng knew about the Seventh Seat.

How had she obtained this information?

“I’m not interested in demons or the Seventh Seat, Young Master Mu. Your motives are irrelevant to me,” she continued, her voice calm and measured. “I simply ask that you leave Qian’er alone.”

“And if possible, avoid any further conflict with Brother Ye Yu.”

Your “Brother Ye Yu” is obsessed with me! He’s the one who keeps provoking me! He sees me and it’s always: Let’s duel! Loser calls the other “Daddy”!

He smiled pleasantly. “I’m afraid that’s not entirely up to me. If you’ve investigated me, you know I’ve never initiated a conflict with Young Master Ye.”

She frowned, knowing he was telling the truth.

She had investigated him, learning about his past encounters with Ye Yu. Each time, it was Ye Yu who had initiated the conflict.

They were in the wrong.

However, she didn’t care about Ye Yu.

She just wanted to protect Ye Qian.

They had grown up together. She was like a younger sister to her.

And as an older sister, she had to look after her.

As for Ye Yu, she would help him if she could, but if not… there was nothing she could do.

They had been estranged since he became a “cripple.”

It wasn’t that she or Ye Qian had refused to interact with him. He had become withdrawn, refusing to communicate with anyone.

He had only recently emerged from his self-imposed isolation, after regaining his talent.

But he seemed to believe that they had abandoned him during his difficult times, that their renewed attention was simply flattery. He often treated them with indifference.

He didn’t understand that it was his own withdrawal that had caused the distance between them.

No one had looked down on him.

He had looked down on himself.

She wanted him to be happy, but he had become fixated on his broken engagement, spiraling back into self-pity.

His constant emotional turmoil was tiring.

“If Miss Bai hadn’t broken off the engagement, Brother Ye Yu wouldn’t be like this,” she said suddenly.

Mu Zhi’an scoffed. “If you were my fiancée, and you despised me, would you marry me or break off the engagement?”

It was easy to judge others.

But when faced with a similar situation, would they make the same “correct” choices?

She fell silent, pondering his words.

Finally, she spoke, her gaze fixed on her teacup. “I apologize. I was being simplistic.”

Bai Ruoxi’s marriage had been arranged when she was a child. Now that she was older, she had chosen to break off the engagement… Was she wrong?

Perhaps, but if she were in Bai Ruoxi’s shoes, she would have done the same.

Every girl dreamed of a loving relationship. No one wanted to be forced into a marriage they didn’t want, to spend their life with someone they didn’t love.

She understood now.

One of the reasons she had disliked Mu Zhi’an was because of Bai Ruoxi’s broken engagement.

But now… she realized that Bai Ruoxi’s actions were understandable.

She looked up at him, her eyes sincere. “I’ve learned a lot today, Young Master Mu. I have some errands to run. I’ll visit again another time.”

She had expected him to be a shallow and arrogant playboy, as the rumors suggested, but he was different.

He had been kind, considerate… like a friendly older brother.

He smiled. “I’ll escort you out.”

She was still wary of him, but her hostility had lessened.

It was a good start.

He watched her leave, then, after a moment of thought, retrieved a snow lotus from a nearby vase and followed her.

He caught up to her at the manor’s entrance, placing the flower in her hand.

She looked up at him, surprised.

He smiled. “Don’t worry about owing me a favor, Miss Ye. The snow lotus symbolizes loyalty and purity. I simply thought it suited you.”

It wasn’t a romantic gesture. It was a genuine compliment.

No one disliked compliments.

Her expression softened, and she nodded, accepting the flower. She descended the steps gracefully and entered her carriage.

He watched as the carriage departed, then turned and headed back inside.

She was intelligent and cautious. Flirtation or overt displays of affection would only make her more suspicious.

But a subtle approach, like water seeping into stone… she wouldn’t resist.

Her hostility had lessened.

And if she was this wary… what about Ye Qian?

He had to be patient, taking things slowly.

Besides, he wasn’t interested in the younger girl. He simply wanted to uncover the forces behind Ye Lingxuan.

Her knowledge, her demeanor, her subtle warnings… she was more than just a Ye family disciple.

Lost in thought, he walked past the lotus pond, then paused. He picked a snow lotus and headed towards Bai Ruoxi’s room.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay