Huangfu Shiyue gave a cold, mocking laugh.
"Heh, I wouldn't dare trouble Boss Huangfu to come and welcome me personally."
Huangfu Yun's heart gave a jolt, realizing at once that something was amiss. Forcing a smile, he said,
"You jest, Young Miss. Without the Huangfu family's support, how could I have achieved today's position?"
Shiyue snorted.
"Then you had best remember that. Keep your people in line, and do not bring shame upon the Huangfu name."
Huangfu Yun hurriedly nodded, then turned toward Lu Shanchuan, his expression icy.
"Speak. What happened here?"
Lu Shanchuan trembled all over, fear thick in his eyes.
"Boss, I truly did not know this lady was—"
"Enough nonsense," Huangfu Yun cut him off sharply. "Tell me the truth."
Lu Shanchuan shivered but dared not speak the real story.
Huangfu Yun's face grew darker still. He swept his gaze over the guards.
"You, then—say it."
None of them dared conceal anything. They confessed the incident in full.
Huangfu Yun staggered in fury, nearly losing his footing, and glared daggers at Lu Shanchuan and the others.
"How bold you are—to dare lay hands upon the Young Miss!"
Lu Shanchuan's face turned deathly pale.
"Boss, I was wrong—I swear I never knew she was the Young Miss!"
Li Muduan hung his head, not daring to utter a word. Qin Dongyang and Zhao Sen also looked stricken, terror in their eyes—they had already guessed the woman's true identity.
There was only one person whom even Huangfu Yun would address as Young Miss.
The radiant jewel of the Jinling Huangfu clan—Huangfu Shiyue.
Not to mention the Qin and Zhao families—even if the three ancient clans of Jiangdu joined forces, they could not rival the might of the Huangfu house.
Huangfu Yun's face grew ashen.
"Get out of my sight. Jianghuai Pavilion has no place for the likes of you—dogs who look down on others by their status."
The two men dared not utter a word, scrambling away in terror.
"As for you," Huangfu Yun said coldly to the guards, "though you claim to have only followed orders, to raise a hand against the Young Miss is an unpardonable offense. Go collect your wages and leave—you are dismissed."
He then turned his gaze back to Qin Dongyang and Zhao Sen.
"As for you two, from this day forth your names are struck from Jianghuai Pavilion's rolls. You are forbidden to ever set foot here again. Begone at once."
The men dared not resist. They turned to leave hastily—
But Huangfu Shiyue suddenly spoke.
"Carry a message to Old Master Qin: for the South District project, the Qin family's participation will no longer be required."
Qin Dongyang stumbled, nearly falling to the floor. He knew he had brought disaster upon his house and dared not linger a moment longer, fleeing in panic.
Huangfu Yun approached Shiyue with a deferential bow, speaking with utmost caution.
"Young Miss, this was due to my poor discipline. Please, mete out punishment as you see fit."
Shiyue waved her hand dismissively.
"I don't wish to see such matters arise again. That will be enough—leave."
Huangfu Yun exhaled in relief, bowed low, and quickly retreated.
Turning to Ye Chu, Shiyue's face softened with apology.
"Brother, I'm sorry to have let you witness such an unpleasant scene."
Ye Chu waved it off lightly.
"It's nothing. In a great forest, it's only natural to find a few rotten branches."
Soon, waiters brought in dish after dish of delicacies, and the three began to dine in cheerful conversation.
"Brother," Shiyue asked curiously after a while, "with your ability, how could you have become a live-in son-in-law?"
Ye Chu gave a wry smile.
"That is a long story. When there is time, I will tell it slowly to Sister Shiyue."
Sensing his reluctance, Shiyue wisely pressed no further.
Their meal stretched past an hour, filled with laughter, their bond growing closer with each exchange.
"Thank you, Sister Shiyue, for your gracious hospitality," Ye Chu said at last. "I would like to offer you a small gift in return. Here, let us add each other on WeChat."
He opened a QR code on his phone.
As Shiyue scanned it, she asked curiously, "What gift?"
Ye Chu smiled with quiet mystery.
"You'll see soon enough."
After she accepted his request, a message popped up—just a list of Chinese herbal names.
"Is this…a prescription?" she asked in astonishment.
Ye Chu nodded.
"Yes. If you follow this formula, prepare the herbs, and undergo medicinal baths for four or five courses at most, the hidden injuries left in your body from cultivation will be healed completely."
Shiyue's beautiful eyes widened in shock.
"How could you know I suffer from such an ailment?"
Dongmei, too, was stunned. Only she and Shiyue knew of this matter—not even the Huangfu family was aware.
Ye Chu's smile was calm.
"Of course, I could see it at a glance."
Shiyue froze, staring at him in surprise, realization dawning as she recalled the prescription.
"Brother…do you also practice medicine?"
Ye Chu bowed his head modestly.
"I have only dabbled a little."
Shiyue knew he was downplaying his skill—anyone who could discern her hidden illness at a glance was far from ordinary. She herself had sought out famed physicians in secret, yet none had helped.
Her curiosity toward Ye Chu deepened. Suddenly, her lips curved with a playful smile.
"Brother, may I ask a favor of you?"
"Speak freely," Ye Chu replied at once.
"I have a friend with a grave illness. All efforts to find a cure have failed. Would you be willing to take a look at her?"
Ye Chu chuckled lightly.
"A small matter. When shall we go?"
"Now," Shiyue answered, rising to her feet.
They left the Imperial Pavilion suite, where Huangfu Yun awaited respectfully outside.
"Young Miss, here is the Supreme Card you requested."
Shiyue accepted it and, without hesitation, handed it to Ye Chu.
"Brother, this is the Supreme Card of Jianghuai Pavilion. You may come whenever you please and spend as you like—it will cost you nothing."
Ye Chu did not refuse. Smiling, he accepted.
"Then I thank you, Sister Shiyue."
From the side, Huangfu Yun could scarcely contain his astonishment. To bestow a Supreme Card so casually—Ye Chu clearly held a special place in Shiyue's heart. He quietly memorized Ye Chu's face.
The three soon departed Jianghuai Pavilion and arrived before a luxurious and elegant manor.
At the gate stood several towering guards in black suits. Their faces were dark, their temples bulging—the look of seasoned experts. Clearly, the master of this estate was no ordinary figure.
A steward emerged from within, hurrying forward when he saw the Bentley.
"Miss Huangfu, the Madam is entertaining guests. She sent me to receive you."
Shiyue inclined her head lightly, directing Dongmei to park the car, then led Ye Chu inside.
They entered a villa, where five people awaited—four men and one woman.
The woman's face was gaunt, her eyes dull, her breath faint. Death's shadow lingered over her. Yet despite being ravaged by illness, her clothing was immaculate, her bearing still elegant and intellectual. It was clear that in health, she must have been a stunning beauty of exceptional grace.
Beside her sat a refined-looking middle-aged man, likely her husband.
Across from them sat three others: a golden-haired foreigner with a high nose, a bald middle-aged man with spectacles, and a silver-haired elder.
All five turned their curious gazes as Shiyue entered.
"Shiyue, you've come. Please, sit."
The sickly woman beamed with joy at the sight of her, attempting to rise in welcome. But her body was too frail—she stumbled almost immediately, nearly collapsing.
Her husband caught her swiftly.
"Jingxuan, your body is weak. Please, remain seated."
…