At the Nine Nether King's Estate, ever since the Nine Nether King and Ning Chen returned, royal nobles had come calling without cease for several days.
As usual, Ning Chen received them all without turning anyone away. Pot after pot of tea was replaced, and set after set of teacups was discarded.
Over the next several days, the Nine Nether King never appeared again. All affairs of the estate were handed over to Ning Chen.
The day after the Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince left, the Ninth Prince sent over two maidservants, named Shi Yu and Shi Qing. Whether in beauty or temperament, both were among the finest of the finest, rare sights in the world. His purpose went without saying.
Yet during the several days the two women spent at the estate, Ning Chen truly treated them as maidservants, ordering them to serve tea and water and clean the residence, without the slightest hint of tenderness toward flowers or pity for jade.
At first, Shi Yu and Shi Qing still held expectations. However, as the days passed and they saw that the young master of the Nine Nether King's Estate had no interest in them whatsoever, they gradually gave up hope.
"Shi Yu."
Inside the royal hall, after seeing off the last batch of guests for the day, Ning Chen glanced at the tea set on the table and called out.
"Your Highness."
Outside the royal hall, Shi Yu walked in. Looking at the man before her, she gave a graceful bow.
"Clear it away and throw it out."
Ning Chen spoke calmly.
"Yes."
Shi Yu answered softly. Walking to the table, she cleaned away the tea set, then turned and headed outside the hall.
Outside the royal hall, Shi Qing looked at Shi Yu as she emerged. A