After Hua Jieyu left, Yi Xiang and the others returned to the yard.
“Going to Nandou tomorrow?” Yi Xiang asked.
“Were you eavesdropping?” Ye Futian looked up in shock and asked.
“You were speaking so loudly. There was no need to eavesdrop,” Yi Xiang said indifferently. Ye Futian made a face at this. “I’ll take you there tomorrow,” Yi Xiang said.
Ye Futian finally smiled. “Headmaster, you really do see me as a disciple.”
“Don’t overthink. Your master stole one of my students who still won’t return to the right path. Yu Sheng listens to you too so you have to live well for now,” Yi Xiang said and then left.
Ye Futian was speechless. He knew that Yi Xiang thought highly of him but refused to admit it. He had a bad temper as well. Thankfully, Ye Futian was not his son-in-law.
“You’re really going?” Yi Qingxuan asked, looking at him. She felt like it would lead to trouble.
“Even Masteress told me to go. She won’t try to hurt me. Anyway, I have Minister Zuo’s decree too. Even if the Nandou clan wants to kill me, they won’t do it inside their home and your father will protect me on the way. Nothing bad will happen.”
Ye Futian was very clear. Minister Zuo had said that he was favored by the ruler of Nandou nation. Minister Hua controlled the military but was equal to him. Even though he was kind to Ye Futian, someone so powerful was definitely intimidating. When he came to Donghai Academy last time, the big figures of the seven schools all had to bow down to him.
“Then, be careful,” Yi Qingxuan told him.
“Okay.” Ye Futian nodded.
Yu Sheng said, “I’m going with you.”
“I’m going to go see my girl. What are you going for? Stay here and look after your own girl.” Ye Futian glared at him.
Yu Sheng glanced at Yi Qingxuan. He scratched his head and said, “Oh.”
When Ye Futian said ‘girl,’ Yi Qingxuan saw that Yu Sheng glanced at her. She blushed and ran away.”
“Yu Sheng, it seems like you’ve got everything down. Nice.” Ye Futian looked at his friend, laughing.
“No.” Yu Sheng smiled a little and turned away. Looking at his backside, Ye Futian smiled. He couldn’t believe this guy knew how to be shy.
…
The next day, he arrived at the Nandou clan. This was a lord mansion with centuries of history. It felt somber.
Centuries ago, the pioneer of Nandou nation had walked out of here. He was a true king but after him, none of the Nandou descendants could rival him in glory and they finally lost the throne.
Two figures appeared outside. Yi Xiang personally saw Ye Futian to the gate and he said, “I will wait for you outside.
As the headmaster of the School of the Finance Star, he had nothing to do with the Nandou clan so he clearly could not go in. He only came because he was worried Ye Futian would run into danger on the way. He no longer had to worry after Ye Futian stepped into Nandou’s territory.
Ye Futian nodded lightly and walked forward. He gazed at the mansion, feeling butterflies in his stomach. The first day he arrived at Donghai City, his teacher had brought him here and told him he must conquer it in the future. He had to help Hua Fengliu enter confidently to bring his wife out. However, neither of them expected that he would become involved with the clan so early due to his relationship with Hua Jieyu.
Smiling, Ye Futian lifted his feet and walked toward the mansion. The guards seemed to know who he was. They let him enter without stopping him.
The path led straight into the mansion. Ye Futian advanced forward. Figures flashed in the mansion, seemingly to go report his entrance. After a short while, Ye Futian realized that there were many people around him. They were all young and glared at Ye Futian with animosity. Some were also curious.
They all knew that this guy before them was the disciple of the Qin Devil. His teacher had snatched Nandou Wenyin; now, he had snatched Hua Jieyu—the most skilled woman of the Nandou clan, unmatchable in both talent and beauty.
Under this situation, even if they knew how brilliant Ye Futian was, many of the Nandou clan still hated him.
Of course, some girls also thought deep down that he truly was handsome. Hua Jieyu probably didn’t like him just for his talent.
In the mansion, a beautiful figure ran over. Seeing Ye Futian, her eyes brightened. She stopped before Ye Futian and said softly, “You’re here.”
“Yeah.” Ye Futian smiled. Hua Jieyu smiled sweetly as well. She reached out and took Ye Futian’s hand. She was telling the Nandou clan her attitude and determination.
Ye Futian was touched. He knew how much courage the action required. He grasped the hand tightly and they walked forward together.
This scene made many uncomfortable and unhappy. This b*stard, they thought, he’s holding hands with our most talented woman.
It was not just the younger generation either. As they walked forward, many seniors looked unhappy as well. However, no one stopped them. Apparently, they had already walked hand in hand at the School of the Emperor Star. Stopping them now was meaningless. They would let the clan leader decide.
Hua Jieyu brought Ye Futian to a courtyard. Nandou Wenyin and Nandou Wenshan were both there. They had prepared a meal. It was clear that inviting Ye Futian today was Nandou Wenyin’s idea.
“Masteress, uncle,” Ye Futian greeted them.
“Come sit down,” Nandou Wenshan said with a smile. Ye Futian nodded; he and Hua Jieyu sat before the table.
“I heard that they all know now?” Nandou Wenyin asked Hua Jieyu.
“Yes. The way here was filled with people.” Hua Jieyu nodded lightly.
“Let’s eat,” Nandou Wenyin said. Her motive was just that: invite Ye Futian here to express her attitude. In the past, she had been forcefully separate from Hua Fengliu. Now, her daughter was about to step onto the same path but she hoped the ending would be different.
Hua Jieyu put some food onto Ye Futian’s plate. Ye Futian smiled warmly and tasted the food. Then he looked up at Nandou Wenyin and said, “Your cooking is so good.”
Nandou Wenyin glanced at Ye Futian. She said, “I heard from Jieyu that her father really likes you. After seeing you, I understand why. You two are the same type of person. Perhaps he sees himself in you.”
Nandou Wenshan smiled too. He said, “Indeed, he and Fengliu both have faces that women can’t reject. No wonder both Jieyu and her mother have fallen so hard.”
“Professor is much better than me,” Ye Futian said, lying against his conscience. He had to preserve Hua Fengliu’s ego before his wife.
“No, you’re wilder than he was,” Nandou Wenyin said. The boy was not even 17-years-old and yet, he had already announced to the entire academy that Hua Jieyu was his. This was not something an average person would do. Wenyin knew how talented her daughter was. The average person would be intimidated but instead, Ye Futian had called her his. He had even killed the prodigy of the School of the Emperor Star in front of everyone.”
“His talent is better too,” Nandou Wenshan added. “Ye Futian, thank you.”
Ye Futian glanced up in shock.
“You don’t know how Wenyin had been living these years,” Wenshan said with a smile. “She’s like a zombie every day. When she heard that Hua Fengliu had returned to Donghai City, she finally came back to life. After seeing you at the Luo Palace, I guessed that you have a special relationship with Jieyu. I told her and she started paying attention to you. Yesterday was the first time she stepped out of the mansion all these years.”
Ye Futian gazed at Nandou Wenyin. He could guess how deep her relationship with Hua Fengliu was.
“Masteress, I’ll treat Fox well in the future. I’ll have my master come get you too,” Ye Futian said.
“Where did you get the nickname ‘Fox’ from?” Nandou Wenyin glared.
Ye Futian chuckled awkwardly. Hua Jieyu also glared at him and said, “Mother, the first time this mean guy saw me was when I first entered Qingzhou Academy. He said that this doll looked so sinful at 12-years-old that I’ll definitely become a fox in a few years.”
The two Nandou siblings were taken aback. Nandou Wenshan smiled after a while and said, “You were already so inappropriate at 12. You truly are better than your professor.”
“I wasn’t wrong,” Ye Futian muttered awkwardly. He gave Hua Jieyu a look; the girl smiled at him mischievously.
“Wenyin, I heard you’re better now,” a voice traveled from outside the courtyard. Then they could hear various footsteps walk toward here.
Nandou Wenyin looked in that direction. After a bit, a group of people came in. At the head was the clan leader, Nandou Tai. Nandou Ku stood beside him. He studied Ye Futian with a sharp expression.
“Uncle,” Nandou Wenshan rose and greeted him.
Nandou Tai nodded. He scanned Ye Futian and said with a smile, “You must be Ye Futian, Hua Fengliu’s disciple.”
“Greetings, senior,” Ye Futian stood up and said. No matter what, he could not be impolite.
“The heroes come from the youths. I heard that you are unrivaled at the School of the Emperor Star and are even favored by Minister Zuo. You have surpassed your master,” Nandou Tai said with a smile. “Do not mind the grudges of the past generation. I heard that Hua Fengliu isn’t well these days. If there’s the chance, please tell him to come visit. You and Jieyu are good friends so you can come visit in the future as well. I’m sure Wenyin will like it.”
Ye Futian was a little shocked. How could the Nandou clan be so agreeable? But also, what did he mean by saying Ye Futian and Jieyu were ‘good friends’?
“Uncle,” Nandou Wenyin stood up and said to Nandou Tai, “Jieyu is almost 17 now and has someone she likes. They are both in love. I am planning on betrothing Jieyu to Futian and arranging this marriage. Uncle, what do you think?”