The alcohol slowly evaporated, dissipating with the spring breeze.
Stepping into the Yijin (Tendon Changing) Great Realm, Lianrou (Body Refinement) and tendon refining, and controlling qi and blood, had already completed the initial construction of the human body's external heaven and earth.
Mere mortal wine, no matter how high its proof, could no longer intoxicate him.
Ning Yue was on leave today, so he was not wearing official robes. He was dressed in a simple moon-white crane-patterned long gown, with the Whispering Blade at his waist and deer-skin upturned boots on his feet, which made him appear tall and elegant.
The warm spring sun gilded the Xiaoqi officer's handsome brows and eyes. He already possessed the qualities of Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, and he walked with a vigorous stride. The young women and married women along the way secretly peeked at him, their faces flushed, but Ning Yue paid them no mind.
It was already late, and a beauty was waiting for him inside Linglong Pavilion.
...
It was strange today; Xue Zige, who usually spent most of her time in the accounting room or her bedroom, was uncharacteristically waiting early at the entrance of the pavilion.
The residents of the inner city were all adorned in gold and silver, dressed in brocade robes, and were people of the world.
Yet, they had never seen a woman of such pure temperament.
Wanting to approach and converse, they saw two tall, strong guards on either side, their faces unfriendly, their eyes like brass bells, staring at people until their hearts turned cold.
The young woman's features were like a painting, with a delicate nose and graceful mouth. She stood elegantly, dressed in a dark blue, wide-sleeved ruqun, its skirt flowing like encircling clouds.
She wore a light, sheer gauze short jacket over it, with gold-thread embroidered hibiscus flowers dancing in the wind, appearing lifelike.
Ning Yue had also never seen a woman with such ethereal charm. Besides Zhao Silu, he couldn't think of anyone who could compare.
If Zhao Silu was a fiery, widespread Golden Core peony, then the young woman before him was a secluded orchid in an empty valley, emanating a subtle fragrance even without the wind.
Their styles were distinctly different, yet each was extraordinary in her own right.
As everyone marveled, the young woman's eyes suddenly lit up. She took light, lotus-like steps, the golden jade rings at her waist jingling, and walked up to Ning Yue.
"This humble one is presumptuous, but might you be Ning Gongzi?"
Ning Yue cupped his hands in return, "Indeed!"
No sooner had he spoken than dozens of fiery gazes pricked him like thorns on his back.
Xue Zige covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "My elder brother already gave instructions. Please follow me, Ning Gongzi."
With that, she led the way.
Ning Yue couldn't help but straighten his attire, raised his head, and looked around, pushing back the envious and fervent gazes, then he gracefully stepped forward to follow her.
Only, his back felt as if it were on fire, and everyone's gazes seemed to want to devour him!
Smelling a faint, subtle fragrance, Ning Yue followed his host, turning left and right, finally passing through a complex corridor and entering a private room.
The private room was quiet despite the surrounding bustle, and its layout was spacious.
Ning Yue sat down with his host, then feigned wiping sweat from his forehead and said, "Only today do I realize that gazes can also kill. I didn't expect the young lady to have so many admirers!"
Xue Zige's pretty face held a smile. She summoned a maid to serve fragrant tea, then softly replied, "Meeting you is even better than hearing about you. Having seen your demeanor today, I now know that what my elder brother said was true."
Ning Yue secretly rejoiced, thinking that his good elder brother must have praised him a lot at home.
The two exchanged another round of polite flattery. Ning Yue's witty remarks took effect, and soon, the initial awkwardness of their first meeting lessened, and the atmosphere in the private room became harmonious.
After the maid served tea and withdrew.
Xue Zige smiled and said, "Brother Yue, there's no need to be so formal; you can just call me Little Sister. My elder brother specifically told me to take good care of you."
Xue Zige had just turned eighteen, a year younger than Ning Yue.
Ning Yue readily agreed and then took out a brocade box from his in arms, saying, "I imagine Xue Ge has already told you. These are jewels from my family's collection. Little Sister, please appraise them first."
The treasures collected by He Wenbin, the second son of the He Family, were naturally extraordinary. Xue Zige opened the box and gasped slightly, secretly astonished.
The gemstones were colorful and translucent, without a single speck of impurity; the chicken-blood stone was as vibrant red as pigeon's blood, a rarity even in Linglong Pavilion.
In addition, there were countless glowing jade, amethyst, pine-forest stone, tourmaline, and more. A quick glance suggested they were worth no less than ten thousand taels!
Xue Ren had already given instructions, so Xue Zige did not inquire further. Instead, she summoned a maid and had her send the jewels to the accounting room for a detailed appraisal.
Then she parted her red lips and said, "Brother Yue, rest assured. These gemstones are quite valuable, many of which are rarely seen even here. Once the shopkeeper reports the price, I will raise it by another 20% for you, so you will certainly not suffer any loss."
With that, her beautiful eyes sparkled, "By then, Brother Yue, whether you use it for cultivation, to supplement your household expenses, or to make your sister-in-law happy, it should certainly be enough."
Ning Yue looked at the smiling younger sister and only felt...
Though both were fragrant teas, the tea in Linglong Pavilion was incomparably more fragrant than that in Gaoyang Restaurant.
So he replied, "My mother passed away not long ago, and I am still observing mourning. I am all alone and have not yet married."
Xue Zige's smile widened by three points. Noticing the saber at Ning Yue's waist, she wrinkled her delicate nose and said, "My elder brother is truly biased. He treasures this Whispering Blade as if it were a rare gem, never easily showing it to others; even I have never seen it."
"This shows that in my elder brother's heart, Brother Yue's importance is probably even greater than mine."
Ning Yue smiled at her words, then pondered and replied, "That's not it, Little Sister, please don't misunderstand. This Whispering Blade is fierce and can harm people. Perhaps Xue Ge was worried about accidentally injuring you, which is why he acted that way."
Xue Zige feigned displeasure, "Brother Xue is always good at bluffing people. I didn't know this blade was so fierce?"
"Since this blade has fallen into your hands, I wonder if I might fulfill a wish?"
Ning Yue smiled freely, "Why not?"
He gripped the hilt and pulled with force!
The Whispering Blade opened a slit, and Xue Zige's face lost its color.
One breath... two breaths... three breaths!
"Clang!"
The long saber returned to its sheath, and Xue Zige's heart slowly settled. The recent experience lingered in her mind like a nightmare, unsettling her.
Ning Yue, however, keenly noticed that although she was startled, she remained composed. Her performance just now was much stronger than that Xie Family brother in the Lian Rou Realm, clearly indicating she possessed considerable martial arts skill.
Beautiful, kind-hearted, and skilled in martial arts—how could any child of an aristocratic family be a simple character?!
"Are you alright, Little Sister? It was my recklessness just now, inadvertently offending you. I truly deserve to die!" Ning Yue said, feeling ashamed.
Xue Zige, however, would not have it. She dropped the dignified demeanor of an aristocratic young lady, grabbed Ning Yue, and demanded compensation!
Mist welled up in her beautiful eyes, making even a tough man's heart soften like water.
Ning Yue couldn't refuse and had to reluctantly take out a string of white mutton-fat jade beads, crystal clear and naturally formed, which was even more precious than the box of jewels he had just presented!
His private funds were plundered, and Ning Yue's heart instantly turned to ashes.
Xue Zige, however, snatched the bracelet, swiftly put it on her wrist, then went to the window and carefully examined it against the light.
In the sunlight, the white jade was warm and lustrous, and her jade-like arm was graceful. The two vied for attention, making Ning Yue momentarily unable to distinguish which was fairer.
Xue Zige looked for a long time, then calmly turned her gaze back, the mist in her eyes seemingly evaporated, no longer visible, her frown replaced by a smile.
She was about to express her thanks properly, but then heard a growing clamor and noise from outside.