Chapter 63: The Classic Triple Wipeout
“A letter from Miss Huang?”
Mu Zhi’an frowned, looking at the servant standing before him.
This guy’s got no tact… Does he not realize the situation? Handing me another woman’s letter so openly?
“Oh, and Miss Huang’s servant asked me to relay a message,” the clueless servant continued.
“She said to tell you to be sure not to miss the auction in two days. She’ll be waiting for you in her private room. Those were her exact words.”
A strange silence fell over the courtyard. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating ripples on the surface of the pond, the snow lotuses swaying gracefully, their beauty seeming to mock him.
Are you sure you’re not a Gongsun family assassin sent to ruin me? You’re not helping. Mu Zhi’an sighed. “I understand. You’re dismissed.”
After the servant left, he turned to the two women.
Bai Ruoxi’s eyes were downcast, her voice soft, a hint of sadness in her tone. “It seems you enjoyed your conversation with Miss Huang.”
It was as if she were saying: You seem to have a good relationship with your mistress.
He sighed. “I went to the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce to secure those three market districts from the Gongsun family. The conversation with Huang Manting… it was just to pass the time. I couldn’t just sit there in silence, could I?”
She stared at him, her expression unreadable. “And the auction in two days… you’re going with her?”
You chatted with her to acquire the market districts, what’s the excuse for the auction?
He reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
She was clearly displeased.
He looked at Wei Mengrou, hoping for support.
She didn’t even bother speaking, simply giving him a look of utter disdain, as if he were a bug beneath her shoe, then vanished silently.
Her disdain, it’s strangely exciting, he thought to himself, watching her go.
Thankfully, she wasn’t the jealous type. She might be quiet and reserved, but she was understanding and mature.
She was leaving to give him and Bai Ruoxi some privacy.
Dealing with Bai Ruoxi alone would be easier.
Despite her cold exterior, she was soft-hearted. He could tell from her ample bosom. All he needed was a reasonable explanation, and she would calm down.
He retrieved the letter from Huang Manting and offered it to her.
She tilted her head, confused. “What’s this?”
He sighed. “Ruoxi, I know you’ve been feeling insecure lately, with everything that’s happened to your family. I’ve been neglecting your feelings.”
“If you don’t trust me, let’s open this letter together and see what she wrote.”
She looked up at him, surprised. “You’re letting me… read it?”
He took her hand, his voice sincere. “Anything to ease your worries.”
This time, she didn’t resist, her gaze downcast, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
He opened the letter, and they both read its contents.
“Young Master Mu,
To be honest, before writing this letter, I wanted to visit you at the Mu Manor. However, I’ve calmed down somewhat.
I have to admit, I underestimated you. Miss Bai’s taste in men isn’t as bad as I thought. You might only be at the third level of Foundation Establishment, but you’re quite clever.
Visiting the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce to intimidate the Gongsun family, acquiring three market districts… you’ve played your cards well. But rest assured, I’m not angry. In fact, I admire your resourcefulness. You’re the first person to outsmart me.
I’ll be waiting for you in my private room at the Morning Glory Auction House the day after tomorrow. I hope you’ll honor me with your presence.
Huang Manting”
Even a casual observer could sense the simmering rage beneath her polite words. Imagine being a cunning and ambitious woman, used to getting her way, only to be outsmarted by a seemingly foolish playboy.
It was enough to make your blood boil.
If Mu Zhi’an wrote back, it would be a truly devastating blow.
Bai Ruoxi looked at him, her voice soft. “You tricked her?”
Her eyes, which had been filled with a hint of darkness, now sparkled with amusement.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I simply chatted with her. I never lied to her.”
It was true. He had simply gone to the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, chatted with Miss Huang, and satisfied her curiosity. Nothing more.
“That’s true, but I feel a little sorry for her,” Bai Ruoxi said, sighing. “Huang Manting… she’s so arrogant. To realize she’s been played, she’ll probably lose sleep over it.”
He looked at her, smiling. “If you feel sorry for her, why are you smiling?”
She frowned. “I’m not smiling.”
She bit her lip, her expression serious, as if trying to maintain her aloof facade.
But she couldn’t help but smile, imagining Huang Manting’s frustration.
He was also in a good mood. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
She blushed, but didn’t resist. Her current behavior was a stark contrast to her past coldness towards him.
The crisis had been averted.
“Are you going to meet with her the day after tomorrow?” she asked suddenly.
He nodded, smiling. “If I’m free, why not? I’m curious to see what tricks she has up her sleeve.”
She frowned. “I also want to go to the auction.”
Luminous Soil wasn’t particularly rare, but it was difficult to find near Tianxuan City. To preserve the snow lotus, she needed to acquire some.
Her unspoken message was clear: She wanted him to accompany her.
He pondered for a moment, then smiled. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”
As for Huang Manting, it didn’t matter. He would simply meet with her briefly, then leave.
Choosing between her and Bai Ruoxi wasn’t a difficult decision.
Bai Ruoxi was far superior in certain areas. And he had no interest in Huang Manting.
She leaned against him, her heart pounding, her gaze meeting his for a fleeting moment, a soft smile on her lips.
…
Rising Phoenix Inn.
Feiying sat on the bed, watching her sister write a letter.
It was mid-autumn, and Lan Mulian wore a beautiful moon-white robe that accentuated her slender figure, her waist cinched by a thin ribbon. Despite her beauty, most people felt intimidated in her presence, their gazes downcast.
“Are you writing to the Mu family’s young master?” Feiying asked suddenly.
Lan Mulian paused, then nodded. “He sent me a letter. It’s only polite to reply.”
“Oh…”
Feiying’s tone was laced with amusement.
With her sister’s status and reputation, she was certain she had received countless letters from admirers. She had never seen her reply to any of them.
But she wouldn’t point it out.
She glanced at the box of osmanthus cake on the table, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Did he give you that as well?”
“Yes. Try some if you like. He said it’s a famous pastry from Tianxuan City,” Lan Mulian replied, her voice calm.
“It is quite famous. I enjoy their osmanthus cake. I occasionally visit the Tide Sea Inn to indulge myself.”
She glanced at the snow lotus in the vase.
“Did he give you that as well? My, my… it seems he’s truly smitten with you. But Sister, you’re twenty-three this year, several years older than him, aren’t you? If I remember correctly, the Mu family’s young master is only…”
She paused, her lips curving into a playful smile as she noticed her sister’s gaze upon her. “But age doesn’t matter for cultivators, does it? As long as you love each other.”
Lan Mulian glared at her flirtatious sister. “We’re not like that.”
She ignored her sister and continued writing.
Feiying chuckled, leaning back in her chair, pouring herself a cup of tea and taking a piece of osmanthus cake.
She glanced at the snow lotus, then said, “By the way, we recently acquired a batch of Luminous Soil at the auction house. You’re welcome to browse our selection if you’re interested.”
Luminous Soil wasn’t particularly rare. She knew her sister could easily acquire some.
But she was currently in Tianxuan City. By the time she returned to the sect, the snow lotus would have wilted.
“Unfortunately, I’ll be hosting the auction, so I won’t be able to accompany you. If you need someone to guide you, perhaps you could invite him?”
She smiled, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “I can arrange a private room for you, so you won’t have to worry about being stared at.”
Lan Mulian’s eyes flickered, a ripple of interest disturbing her usually calm demeanor.
Her sister’s suggestion was… tempting.
If she were at the sect, she could easily preserve the snow lotus. But here in Tianxuan City, Luminous Soil was her only option.
And she had come down the mountain early, only to spend her days cooped up in an inn, it was a waste.
She looked at the letter she had been writing, then opened it again, adding an invitation for Mu Zhi’an.
…
Ye Manor.
Beneath the soft moonlight, Ye Qian, her youthful face pressed against Ye Lingxuan’s shoulder, clung to her arm.
“Sister, let’s go to the Tide Sea Inn next time. Their osmanthus cake is really delicious,” she said suddenly.
Ye Lingxuan glanced at her, a knowing smile on her lips. “Is it the cake that’s delicious, or is it because the Mu family’s young master gave it to you?”
“What are you talking about, Sister?” Ye Qian protested, nudging her playfully.
Ye Lingxuan chuckled, seeing the blush on her cheeks.
She was so innocent… easily swayed by a Foundation Establishment Pill and some pastries.
If she wasn’t here, Mu Zhi’an would probably steal her heart… and everything else in a few days.
“By the way, Sister, there’s an auction in a few days. Should we go?” Ye Qian asked suddenly.
“I heard they’re auctioning Luminous Soil, which can preserve flowers for a long time.”
“It would be a shame for that beautiful snow lotus to wilt.”
Ye Lingxuan pondered for a moment, then nodded.
She had been planning to invite her friend, but Ye Qian had beat her to it.
“But Sister, do you know how auctions work?” Ye Qian asked.
She didn’t recall Ye Lingxuan ever attending an auction. Whenever she wanted something, a mysterious benefactor always provided it. She never lacked anything, so there was no need for auctions.
Ye Lingxuan shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
She paused, then said, “Perhaps we could ask Brother Ye Yu to take us?”
Ye Qian frowned slightly. “Whatever you think is best, Sister.”
She didn’t seem happy with that suggestion.
Ye Lingxuan, noticing her reaction, quickly changed her approach. “The Mu family’s young master has plenty of free time. Perhaps I should send him an invitation.”
Ye Qian’s eyes lit up. “Wouldn’t that be troubling him?”
“….”
Ye Lingxuan stared at her, speechless.
She still believed Mu Zhi’an had ulterior motives, but seeing Ye Qian’s reaction… she couldn’t criticize him.
“I’ll have a servant deliver a letter to him,” she said with a sigh.
He was a clever man. After her warning earlier, he would know to behave himself.
And the snow lotus… it was a rare treasure in Tianxuan City. It was worth preserving.
…
That night, Mu Zhi’an finished his meditation, having contributed to Bai Ruoxi’s cultivation progress.
He sat in the courtyard, bathed in the moonlight, his hands behind his head, a troubled expression on his face as he read a letter he had just received.
He heard footsteps approaching and turned to see the servant who had delivered the letter earlier.
“What is it now?” he asked, frowning.
The servant hesitated, then presented another letter. “A servant from the Ye Manor delivered this, Young Master. It’s from Miss Ye Lingxuan.”
He accepted the letter, dismissed the servant, and opened it.
He read its contents, then silently opened another letter he had received earlier.
He spread out all three letters.
The first was an invitation from Huang Manting.
The second was a letter from Lan Mulian, inviting him to the auction at the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce.
The third was from Ye Lingxuan, also inviting him to the auction.
He stared at the invitations, recalling Bai Ruoxi’s request earlier, and a cold dread washed over him.
“Oh no… did I mess up?”