Martial Arts Hall

Hearing Ronan's refusal, Wei Wei frowned, her expression turning even colder.

To refuse her invitation in front of so many people—where was she supposed to put her pride?

But before she could speak, a faintly mocking voice rang out from the crowd:

"Did hearing that we're going to the martial arts hall scare you so badly that you're itching to run for the door?"

"Were you beaten too badly by Big Brother Xiang last time? Trash like you dares to show your face at Yi Lin Manor? And you even had the nerve to pester my sister for her number. What a joke."

The entire hall fell silent.

Ronan frowned slightly. A flicker of anger also passed through Wei Wei's eyes.

She was indeed very displeased with Ronan, but if an outsider humiliated Yi Lin Manor in front of everyone, it was no different from slapping her in the face! Although the person who spoke had used a teasing tone, if anyone truly pursued the matter, his family would certainly dismiss it as childish mischief.

But among the young nobles of Bo Ning District, Yi Lin Manor's prestige would undoubtedly take a considerable hit.

That was what Wei Wei was considering.

Ronan, on the other hand, was thinking about something else.

Because the one who had spoken was none other than the boy still childish in appearance standing beside Su Xiao.

He looked several years younger than Ronan, but he was already quite tall. His physique was solid, and he seemed rather strong. Clearly, he had undergone decent training.

"You're Su Xiao's younger brother?"

Ronan glanced at him.

The boy raised his chin even higher. "I'm Su Jie. Like Big Brother Xiang, I can't stand flies like you buzzing around my sister. If you don't have any ability, don't go reaching out blindly. Only Brother Nanbei is worthy of my sister. Country bumpkins and trash like you should roll as far away as possible!"

"Shut up!" Su Xiao finally could not hold back any longer.

Her face flushed red with anger as she grabbed Su Jie by the ear and reprimanded him in a low voice. "This is Yi Lin Manor, Miss Wei Wei's home. If you keep talking nonsense without knowing the rules, I'll ask Father to punish you with confinement when we get back!"

"Hurry up and apologize to Young Master Ronan!"

Su Jie looked aggrieved. "What did I say wrong? He's a coward to begin with! Sister, you're actually defending him."

"We're all going to the martial arts hall to have fun, and he's already preparing to slip away. If that doesn't make him trash, what does? Just look at him—he obviously hasn't received any scientific training. He might not even pass the most basic assessment!"

Whispers rose from the crowd.

Su Jie's words immediately focused everyone's attention on Ronan.

Ronan's direct confrontation with Xiang Feihu at Christine's birthday banquet had gradually spread his name around. But most people had secretly laughed at him for overestimating himself and bringing trouble upon himself.

So what if he had gotten Su Xiao's number?

Did this boy from the countryside truly have the qualifications to compete with Li Nanbei?

There was only one answer: impossible!

Even if he truly was Yi Lin Manor's heir, it would still be impossible.

What was more, judging by his behavior today, he really did not dare go to the martial arts hall with everyone else. He was probably either terribly unskilled or had never trained at all.

Ill-intentioned gazes swept back and forth over Ronan.

Wang Xiaoman anxiously tugged at Wei Wei. She could feel that her good friend was extremely angry!

On one hand, it was naturally because of Su Jie's insolence. On the other, it was because Ronan had been so disappointing. Yi Lin Manor's dignity could not possibly be upheld by one girl alone.

"Wei Wei, don't force him. Like you, Ronan has only just recovered from that incident. Maybe he's simply feeling unwell." Christine spoke up to persuade her. Her voice was not quiet, and everyone present could hear her. It could be considered a way of giving Ronan an excuse to leave gracefully.

Su Jie snorted and was just about to say something when Su Xiao shot him a fierce glare. In the end, he lost his nerve and merely muttered a few words.

A subtle atmosphere brewed among the crowd. In the recent upheaval, the Li Family had seemingly ended up making concessions across the board, but everyone knew that the Li Family's future was still bright.

Though Xiang Feihu had not attended, Su Jie, as his little follower, had always echoed him. What he said was not merely mocking Ronan; he was venting some private resentment on behalf of the Li Family. Damaging Wei Wei and Ronan's reputations was also a good thing. Even if someone investigated afterward, he was from the Su Family and was only a child. No one could hold it against him.

Wei Wei looked at Ronan with some disappointment before finally saying coldly, "If you're truly tired, then get some proper rest."

"However, I don't want Yi Lin Manor to have finally gained a male heir, only for him to be a coward."

The moment those words were spoken, everyone was shocked!

If Yi Lin Manor's attitude had previously been ambiguous, then Wei Wei's words had practically announced Ronan's relationship to Yi Lin Manor as its heir!

It had finally gained a male heir.

There were so many men in the manor, but naturally, they did not count. Only a direct blood relative, or a man capable of shouldering great responsibility, could qualify!

Could the rumors be true?

Was Earl Will going to entrust Yi Lin Manor's future to this nephew of humble birth?

The people below the stage began whispering among themselves.

But Wei Wei no longer looked at them. Surrounded by Wang Xiaoman and Christine, she was the first to head toward the side door. The servants called out to the young nobles, indicating that the path to the martial arts hall was in that direction.

Before long, the crowd followed after them in groups of two and three.

Only a few people remained in the hall.

With his hands in his pockets and his brow tightly furrowed, Ronan considered what Wei Wei's words had meant.

Su Xiao glanced at Ronan with some concern, but ultimately said nothing and left with several friends. Su Jie even made a few provocative gestures at Ronan, but Ronan ignored him completely.

"Huh? They've all left?"

Ronan looked up in surprise. He had been thinking too deeply and, before he knew it, nearly everyone had gone.

He truly did not want to concern himself with these troublesome matters.

But Wei Wei's expression and words had stirred something deep within him.

"She really seems to see me as part of this manor."

"After that incident, has she finally acknowledged me?"

Ronan gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

No matter how dull he was, he could still sense the helplessness and unwillingness in Wei Wei's heart when she had said those words.

Yi Lin Manor truly was not something one girl could support by herself. Su Jie's mockery was a minor matter; the shadow hanging over the manor's future was what was truly terrifying.

Although the servants cleaning up still treated Ronan respectfully on the surface, traces of disdain had already appeared in their eyes.

The Steel Empire revered martial prowess. If someone did not even have the courage to visit a martial arts hall, they would easily be labeled trash.

One maid beside Ronan kept glancing at him as he stood there in a daze, and the contempt in her eyes grew increasingly pronounced.

"A few days ago, Miss Wei Wei even said that Young Master Ronan was actually pretty good, that he was a responsible man. What a joke. He really is just a country bumpkin, a complete coward! He wasn't worth all the worry Miss had for him before."

The maid thought bitterly.

But just then, a fairly handsome face suddenly appeared before her.

"Do you know how to get to the martial arts hall? I'm still not very familiar with the paths around the manor."

The maid snorted inwardly.

Everyone had already left, and now he was putting on an act?

Why had he not had the courage to accept Su Jie's provocation earlier? He was surely only saying this because he assumed a mere maid would not know where the martial arts hall was.

Too bad he had picked the wrong person! The maid felt rather pleased with herself. She was one of Wei Wei's personal maids. The only reason she had remained in the hall was to manage and direct the other servants.

So she replied bluntly, "I know. What does Young Master Ronan want to do?"

Embarrassed now, huh? Let's see what excuse you come up with next.

The maid thought.

Yet Ronan merely said calmly:

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

"Please lead the way."

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