Chen Xiao

"Get some rest once you're done. You seem tired."

Those words stirred something inside Xue She. She had just buried eight juniors the previous night, yet her supposed Pavilion Master didn't even seem to know about it.

She was baffled as to why they were forced to serve anyone other than their Sect Master. She was the one on the ground, the one who saved them, the one who took care of them. Where was this Grandmaster when they were suffering or surrounded by enemies? Even last night—where was she when they were battling for their lives?

Xue She couldn't help but feel bitter. How could an all-powerful Grandmaster be unable to use even the simplest of skills? Wasn't it just the Lightness Skill? Was she doomed to be her mule for life? Who would want to be a bodyguard to this weakling, she thought.

There was no way this little girl was more powerful than her Sect Master. Her mind drifted to the events of the previous night before she was suddenly interrupted.

"It seems we have arrived, Xue She. You can put me down now."

Her commands again. Why did she have to listen to this person's commands? She subtly clenched her fists before loosening them.

She placed Mingyao down, and they both entered the Yin Lian Pavilion. The place was the same as usual, yet beneath the surface, if one were observant enough, they could feel the grief.

The entirety of Yin Lian Pavilion, apart from the so-called Grandmaster, was in mourning.

Mingyao walked past multiple women dressed plainly—no fancy clothes, makeup, or bedazzled jewelry. They were as simple as they could be. Mingyao was puzzled. Was she too early to see them in their usual glamorous form? She pondered briefly before moving on.

She headed to her usual room, where she and Yue Ying always had their conversations. Sitting comfortably on the silk couch, she waited for Yue Ying to arrive. A woman she was not acquainted with walked in, carrying an assortment of refreshments.

A kettle of brewed osmanthus tea, steamed lotus seed buns, pine nut cakes, glutinous rice balls in osmanthus syrup, candied osmanthus persimmons, and honeyed kumquats.

"Enjoy as you wait," the woman said before setting them down and taking her leave. The aroma from the delicacies before her was mouthwatering.

Mingyao was fairly hungry, having left the Su Residence early in the morning without eating a single thing.

"Don't mind if I do," Mingyao muttered to herself as she dug into the snacks.

"Tastes like heaven," she murmured, tearing through the cakes, rice, and buns. She had a bit of everything before washing it all down with the osmanthus tea.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself, Master," Yue Ying remarked as she walked toward the couch, sitting opposite Mingyao.

Mingyao hadn't noticed Yue Ying walk in, so when she heard her voice, her chopsticks paused mid-air. The warmth of the tea she had just swallowed turned scalding in her throat. She froze as if she were a child caught stealing meat from a simmering pot.

"If you are done now, can we begin, Master?" Yue Ying asked, her voice and expression as cold and indifferent as ever.

"Yes, right away," Mingyao responded, quickly wiping any residue of food from her face. "But before we begin, is Mo Yan available today?"

"You called?" a male voice responded from the door. Mo Yan walked in and sat next to Mingyao. "Did you miss me that much?"

"You are an important part of the plan. We only have a few days until the auction, so I'll cut to the chase. From your report, I found the perfect prey. We will go after Chen Xiao."

"Nice choice. I would have gone for the good-for-nothing playboy too. So, what's the plan?"

"...To seduce him," Mingyao quickly skimmed over the words.

"Right, to seduce him. Wait—what do you mean, to seduce him?" Mo Yan exclaimed.

"Indeed, Master, what do you mean by seducing him?" Yue Ying reiterated, though her expression remained stone-cold.

"Why destroy them when we can steal them?"

"Are you planning to turn the Chen family into an asset?"

"Exactly."

"But how, though? Through marriage?" Mo Yan asked, a wry smile forming.

"Don't worry, I have my own plans."

"And apparently, they include bedding an illegitimate Chen. If you're curious about how it feels to sleep with a man as a woman, you can always come to me. I know a thi—"

"Mo Yan, show some respect to the Pavilion Master," Yue Ying interjected.

"But she is right, Master. How exactly do you plan to do that?"

"Don't worry, both of you. By the end of this, we will have the Chen house under our control."

"If you say so, Grandmaster," Mo Yan replied.

"I trust in your abilities, Master," Yue Ying added.

"Oh, and one more thing, Mo Yan—I would like you to follow me from now on using the face of the Crown Prince. We need to train your mannerisms for what is to come."

"Anything for you, Grandmaster. Oh, what fun we are going to have."

Mingyao was confident in her plans, but how was she going to seduce a man? She thought, I know nothing of such a thing.

But she had to learn—and fast—otherwise, it would all be for naught. First, she needed to look beautiful, and luckily, there was someone who could help her in one of Yin Lian's branches, Fanghua Hall.

That was her next destination. Mingyao had sent Xue She to rest, as she seemed exhausted, so she had to go on her own. Mo Yan offered to take her there.

Mo Yan suggested they walk instead of dashing all over the city.

"Morning walks can be quite a sight."

The streets were bustling—food stalls, teahouses, and restaurants lined the roads, merchants preparing to welcome their customers.

Mingyao appreciated the sight.

Then, an irregular attraction of the masses directed her gaze to the far end of the street. The murmurs of the crowd stimulated her curiosity. What was attracting such a large crowd? she wondered. She asked Mo Yan if they could go see what the commotion was about. Mo Yan, being his usual self, joked around with her before agreeing.

Mingyao struggled to see anything in the packed crowd. Seeing this, Mo Yan helped, applying a little pressure from his Qi, which quickly created space for Mingyao to see what the frenzy was all about.

Then, the sight reached both their eyes. The memory intrusively resurfaced in Mo Yan's mind, as fresh as it was.