An Invitation to Dance Together

The palace where You Su lived was called Qinglan Hall, and it was built right next to Jade Ring Pool.

On the lakeside side of the main hall is an open courtyard. A refreshing lake breeze gently blows through, and the shells and jade hanging on the window frames collide, producing a light and melodious sound, like a symphony played by the wind.

Beneath the jade wind chimes, You Su and Ji Xueruo knelt on either side of the tea table. Both of them possessed stunningly beautiful appearances that could amaze the world. From the side, even the myriad lotus flowers behind them, framed by the beams and pillars, could only be relegated to the background.

The two remained silent until You Su poured Ji Xueruo a cup of tea, breaking the silence.

"Miss Ji's sudden visit... why didn't you give me any prior notice?"

Ji Xueruo raised her fragrant tea, took a small sip, glanced at You Su with an unfriendly look, and said:

"Do you think I'm getting in your way?"

"Miss Ji, could it be that you have some misunderstanding?"

You Su's tone was helpless. If it weren't for the fact that Miss Ji was his junior sister's family member, he wouldn't care at all what she thought.

Ji Xueruo the teacup down, making a dull thud, as if to indicate that she still harbored resentment.

"If Miss Ji still doesn't believe it, she can ask Jade Immortal Master. Both this bedchamber and the concubines were prepared in advance by Jade Immortal Master."

You Su is still willing to make a final stand.

"Utterly hypocritical."

Ji Xueruo looking at You Su's dazed eyes. Then, she didn't even bother to look at the young man anymore, shifting her gaze to the magnificent Jade Ring Pool on her right, as if to cleanse her eyes.

You Su was suddenly subjected to such harsh criticism, which aroused some Resentment Qi. It was right to try to please her family, but that was not a reason for them to take advantage of her.

"Nonsense."

In response to You Su's rebuttal, I picked up my teacup, calmly took a sip, and decided not to put on a fawning act any longer.

Ji Xueruo, and instead of being angry, she smiled:

"I called you hypocritical, and you're still not Qi Ingestion? You think I'm still holding a grudge about the misunderstanding earlier? Little do you know, that's your most hypocritical trait."

You Su was taken aback for a moment. The girl's tone was harsh, but he wasn't angry.

Looking back on the eighteen years he had spent growing up, struggling and walking on thin ice, no one except his master had ever criticized him. He didn't know if it was because he had truly done the best a blind person could do, or because the people around him were so tolerant and generous towards a blind person.

"You Su would like to hear the details."

Seeing You Su's humble demeanor, Ji Xueruo finally suppressed some of her disdain and said:

"To please you, Jade Immortal Master specially sought out beautiful concubines to serve you; however, these concubines are attracted to strength, and since you are quite handsome, they inevitably developed their own feelings for you. Even though you must have instructed them to keep their distance, they won't completely obey you. In the eyes of these maids who have been taught from a young age to please their masters, you are merely feigning modesty. Therefore, they will only intensify their efforts to test your limits, which led to the misunderstanding just now."

You Su nodded. "Miss Ji is right. I thought you hadn't thought of this in your haste."

Ji Xueruo and asked:

Are you still smug about having withstood the test? Do you think that by turning away the beautiful woman who offered herself to you, you are True Lord with self-respect and dignity?

"I've never thought of it that way." You Su shook his head honestly, in his view this was simply what he should do.

"But you clearly didn't even need to undergo this test, yet you still chose to accept it." Ji Xueruo sneered, then added, "A wise man doesn't stand under a crumbling wall. You knew the purpose of Jade Immortal Master arranging the beauties for you, yet you still chose to let them into your room. In my opinion, you're nothing but a hypocrite."

Upon hearing this, You Su pondered for a moment and said:

"Miss Ji is right. I used accepting the kindness of the owner of Jade Ring Pool as an excuse. In fact, I could have simply had them replaced with two male servants."

"What's the use of backing out now? You only agreed because you thought you were so noble, but everyone has desires. When the next irresistible temptation comes along, what makes you think you can guarantee you'll be able to resist?"

"You Su has learned a lot, but I feel that Miss Ji still has some misunderstandings about me."

What's the misunderstanding?

"First of all, I have never considered myself a gentleman. Secondly, I have already told Miss Ji that I have a reason to step under a dangerous wall. This has nothing to do with my hypocrisy; it's just that the real treasures are hidden under dangerous walls."

Ji Xueruo glanced at You Su, then recalled her kind suggestion to 'Young Master Xu' last night.

The little Xiao Yu near the sacred Jade Ring Pool had mysteriously transformed into that eerie appearance, yet the Jade Ring Pool remained unmoved. Coupled with some unpleasant rumors circulating in the streets, she couldn't help but speculate that there was some intricate connection between the Jade Ring Pool and the sickly Xiao Yu.

Her original intention was to hope that Young Master Xu would understand her hint and back down, but he refused. She initially thought it was just Young Master Xu being presumptuous and boastful, but after hearing You Su say it again, she realized that this young man was not so simple.

"You mean, you deliberately gave these sisters hope that they could get close to you, so you could learn more about this mysterious Jade Ring Pool from them?"

"Could it be that Miss Ji is trying to get something out of that shrewd Jade Immortal Master? It was Miss Ji who revealed to me that the Jade Ring Pool is not so simple."

Ji Xueruo remained silent for a moment, her arrogance fading considerably. She didn't know whether to praise You Su's quick wit or feel sorry for her foolish younger sister, secretly lamenting how Lingruo could possibly outwit her senior brother...

"So you're willing to use your body as bait?"

"Without good bait, how can you catch the big fish in this Jade Ring Pool? You Su isn't afraid of being glanced at by the two maids, but he's afraid of wasting time in this Jade Ring Pool and still not getting what he wants."

Ji Xueruo raised her fragrant tea again, sipping it with a mixture of shock and disbelief. She hadn't expected You Su's awareness to have reached this level.

"It seems you're blaming me for hindering your plans."

"No, I am very grateful to Miss Ji for allowing my plan to move forward."

It was indeed Ji Xueruo's interference that made the twin sisters even more fond of You Su.

You Su smiled slightly, looking like a harmless and gentle young man.

In Ji Xueruo's eyes, however, it was as if she saw a sinister evil spirit dressed in an exquisite human skin.

"They're just ordinary maids; they'll be given to foreign guests sooner or later. What secrets could they possibly know?"

You Su asked in surprise, "Has Miss Ji already questioned those four pale-faced youths in her palace?"

Ji Xueruo knew perfectly well that You Su's deliberate emphasis on having four handsome male servants was to retaliate against her for criticizing You Su for having female servants. She cursed him inwardly for being petty and narrow-minded, then turned to face the lake breeze.

A few strands of her dark hair fluttered like willow branches; her once aggressive demeanor had transformed into an aloof and unapproachable nobility.

"Do you think you're the only one in the world with a brain? Unfortunately, they can't explain it either; what they say is almost identical to what people say."

"How did Miss Ji do it?" You Su asked curiously.

"Anyway, it's not because of your despicable methods of selling your body."

Ji Xueruo glanced at You Su, and thinking of the scene where she used her secret technique to make the four teenagers answer questions honestly, she also felt a little unsure of herself. Her method didn't seem much more upright than You Su's.

"You Su's strength is weak, and without Miss Ji's methods, he can only resort to this inferior strategy."

"Disregarding male virtues." Ji Xueruo curled her lip in disdain.

You Su concealed her embarrassment, straightened her collar, and smiled:

"What brings Miss Ji to the Qinglan Hall so suddenly?"

Ji Xueruo looked embarrassed. Her purpose in coming here was very simple: to catch the adulterers in the act. After she drugged the four enthusiastic male servants who were about to serve her, she immediately thought of what might happen in this palace, so she rushed over without stopping. Fortunately, the situation was not as bad as she had imagined.

"Nothing much, just wandering around, and heard a woman calling for help, so I came in to uphold justice."

You Su remained noncommittal, but the true intentions were revealed at the last minute.

"So, Miss Ji, what exactly is your relationship with my junior sister?"

"What's it to you?"

Ji Xueruo stood up, not directly answering You Su's question, but instead asking, "What brings you to Jade Ring Pool?"

Although the other party was unwilling to admit their identity, You Su had already made a rough guess in her mind.

"Lotus Root Heart".

"You're here to find Lotus Root Hearts too?" Ji Xueruo asked in surprise. "Lotus Root Hearts are a holy medicine for healing. Are you injured?"

"It's just a task assigned by Bihua Venerable of the Xuanxiao Sect." You Su wouldn't reveal to anyone that his Mistress was injured.

"Fine, don't tell me then. A single task isn't worth coming all this way. Luckily, you have more than one Lotus Root Heart, otherwise, I wouldn't have given it to you."

Ji Xueruo would not be deceived by such a simplistic lie. She moved gracefully toward the palace gate, her back straight and confident.

"I live in the Zilan Hall next door. Be careful, I can see everything."

The girl walked out the door, leaving behind a threatening remark. You Su knew that although the words sounded like a threat, they were actually telling him that he could rely on Miss Ji for help in any situation.

You Su enjoyed the pleasant lake breeze alone for a while before calling out towards the outside of the hall:

"Please come in, Fairies."

At his command, two young girls, now dressed in exquisite traditional Chinese dresses, gracefully entered the hall.

They walked up to You Su, bowing and scraping, their posture humble, as if they had already regarded You Su as their master whom they served wholeheartedly.

"Young master, you may call us Yu Meng or Yu Long. We are of lowly birth and unworthy of the title of Fairy. If our parents hear this, we will be punished."

"Then I apologize for the inconvenience. You were startled just now. Miss Ji did not do it on purpose. I apologize on her behalf."

After speaking, You Su was about to bow in greeting.

Yu Meng Yu Long stepped forward, and together they supported You Su's strong arms. Both of them had rosy complexions and stepped back to give a curtsy.

Yu Long said, "Young master, you flatter me. It was clearly me who overstepped my bounds. How could I allow you to apologize to us? If you continue to be so polite, I will truly be alarmed."

In her heart, she thought that You Su was truly knowledgeable, polite, and gentle, while Miss Ji, though stunningly beautiful, had a terrible temper and was completely unworthy of Young Master You.

"Then we're even. I'll trouble Yu Meng and Miss Yu Long at Jade Ring Pool." You Su smiled and gestured for them to sit down. "Please, both of you, have a seat. I'm new here and know very little about Jade Ring Pool. I'd appreciate it if you could explain it to me. That way, I won't embarrass myself in front of the host at the banquet tonight."

The girls exchanged glances, did not refuse, and after sitting down, one raised a cup for You Su, and the other poured tea for her.

"What would you like to ask, young master?"

You Su knew that he couldn't rush things, so he replied:

"Let's start with the heads of the Jade Ring Pool family..."

At night, the stars and moon shine brightly over Jade Ring Pool, and when reflected on the lake's surface, the entire area around Jade Ring Pool seems to be adorned with fireflies, glowing softly.

The buildings surrounding Jade Ring Pool are divided into five rings according to their distance from the lake. The smaller the ring number, the higher the status of the house owner. For example, Qinglan Hall, where You Su is located, is in the extremely prestigious second ring. Tonight, the banquet prepared by the head of the family for You Su is actually held in a palace called 'Small Pool' in the first ring, which is not to be easily entered.

Unlike the surrounding palaces, which seem to soar into the clouds, Little Pond Palace is a delicate and petite structure, like a charming young lady standing gracefully on the shore. It also differs from the surrounding dark blue or black buildings; even under the moonlight, one can see the crimson hue flowing across its eaves.

Pure white egrets perched side by side on the eaves of the Little Pond Palace. The arrival of You Su and Yu Meng Yu Long startled them, and in an instant, the flock of egrets took flight and scattered in all directions, leaving a few pure white feathers falling from the sky.

You Su had arrived for the banquet. A maid led him into the hall and showed him to a seat.

You Su used his Divine Sense to survey his surroundings. The reception hall was small, containing only two sets of tables and chairs.

According to Yu Meng Yu Long, the people of Jade Ring Pool all share the surname Yu, and there are three patriarchs at the Void Glimpse Realm: Venerable Shenxi, Venerable Cuihe, and the highest-ranking Venerable Chengtao.

You Su sat upright, waiting for his host. He felt a strange sensation in his heart. He had thought it would be a grand banquet, but it seemed more like a private feast. He wondered who his fellow guests would be.

Yu Meng Yu Long stood quietly behind him. The servants in the Little Pond Palace were all beautiful young girls. The silence in the palace was soon broken. The melodious sound of silk and bamboo instruments was like a clear spring flowing in the mountains. Along with it came a group of butterflies dancing and rushing to the sea of flowers.

Each of these stunning dancers wore a light, flowing dress, revealing her long, slender legs and her arms that rose and fell gracefully. The gauze danced in the air without wind, carrying with it a unique and fragrant scent that belonged only to women.

Each dancer here, if chosen individually, is no less beautiful than Yu Meng Yu Long. Even if the great poets and painters of Book Immortal Peak came here, they would not be able to fully capture this breathtaking beauty.

You Su could not see, but the dance seemed to possess a divine power. Even through Divine Sense, one could feel its natural beauty, as if he had personally witnessed this vivid and beautiful painting.

He was somewhat mesmerized.

Like a stream encountering a precipitous fall, the music reached its climax. Seven dancers moved to the music, spinning rapidly, their swirling skirts and arms making them resemble blooming lotuses in a pond. And among the seven lotuses, the one that had been hidden deep within suddenly broke through the formation.

She wore a pink dress all over, and her exposed skin was only pink and white, even her ankles and elbows were the same, like the most delicate pistil of a lotus flower.

"Young Master You, would you... be willing to dance with me?"

The young girl walked with a graceful stride, smiling sweetly at You Su as she gently extended her hand.

You Su could sense that among all the maids and dancers present, the girl who had invited him to dance was the only mortal without any cultivation, yet she was the most beautiful among all the Fairies.

This kind of beauty doesn't need to be seen, it only needs to be felt.

You Su didn't understand the young woman's intentions. He couldn't dance, and he didn't want to dance with her, so he frowned slightly and refused:

"You Su is foolish, so..."

The young girl's beautiful eyes were fixed intently on You Su's.

You Su's brows relaxed, his smile bright, and he straightened up to take the girl's hand.

"Please enlighten me Fairy."

There are still 2k chapters left, but the plot is disjointed, so I'll add more tomorrow.