Plum Sword Mountain Villa

"Plum Sword Mountain Villa welcomes Head Scholar Su's esteemed arrival—and, of course, our young friend Ye."

At the mountain villa's entrance, its two manor lords, Mei Luoting and Mei Mingxuan, had come out especially to welcome them. Both were refined gentlemen, one dashing and the other scholarly, yet neither dared presume upon Su Hongxiu.

Su Hongxiu returned the greeting with cupped hands. "Sorry for the trouble, Manor Lords, having you personally come out to welcome us. Hongxiu is ashamed. I've come unannounced this time for the sake of this troublesome student of mine. We've been rather presumptuous."

Ye Kang glanced at Su Hongxiu when he heard that.

This Head Scholar could lie through her teeth without missing a beat.

Did she really not know who she was here for?

He didn't contradict her, simply returning the greeting with cupped hands.

The two manor lords exchanged a glance. Mei Mingxuan spoke up. "May I ask what brings you here? If our Plum Sword Mountain Villa can be of any help, we'll spare no effort. Young Friend Ye saved my daughter's life; I'll naturally do everything in my power."

Su Hongxiu was delighted. This was going well. She patted Ye Kang on the shoulder. "Tell the two seniors what happened."

"No need to rush. Let's enter the villa first. I'll brew the two of you a pot of early-spring Plum Blossom Green, and we can discuss matters over tea."

Mei Luoting gestured invitingly. Ye Kang and Su Hongxiu said no more and followed him inside.

In an ancient pavilion within the villa, a cool breeze wafted through, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air. Mei Luoting personally brewed wine and steeped tea, while Mei Mingxuan sat with them.

Mei Niannian came over too, bringing everyone an assortment of exquisite pastries.

After