Yunxi's gaze swept over the jade box, and she said politely,
"Thank you, Senior Brother Sheng. I appreciate the thought, but there is no need for the gift."
Sheng Yuhong had not expected Yunxi to refuse. The hand holding the jade box paused, and he said with some disappointment,
"Junior Sister Yunxi, this is a congratulatory gift."
A flicker of annoyance passed through Yunxi's eyes, but she still said politely,
"Senior Brother Sheng, the gift you are giving is clearly very valuable. I would feel undeserving accepting it."
Sheng Yuhong was, after all, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator. Naturally, he had caught that fleeting flash of annoyance in Yunxi's eyes. He suddenly felt somewhat wronged. He had come to her door bearing a gift, only to have it refused. This was the first time he had ever experienced such treatment.
The other four Wei family disciples said nothing. They were guests here, and they believed Yunxi would handle such matters properly.
Only Wei Yunqing's heart brimmed with envy, jealousy, and resentment. Seeing Sheng Yuhong in an awkward position, she stepped in to smooth things over.
"Yunxi, Eldest Senior Brother means well. Saying that makes you seem rather too distant."
Yunxi gave a smile that did not reach her eyes.
"Of course I would not be distant with all of you. But Senior Brother is, after all, Senior Brother."
Sheng Yuhong immediately said,
"Sect Master Master and True Lord Yuling are fellow disciples. By that reckoning, Junior Sister and I share the same grandmaster, so our relationship should be closer."
Those words only irritated Yunxi further. Could this man not understand her hint? He was still trying so hard to forge familiarity. Frowning slightly, she said,
"Senior Brother Sheng, that is not how I judge closeness between people."
The meaning