"This garden is so elegant," Bai Chenxiang said softly.
Huo Wu nodded, admiration in her eyes as well.
There weren't many servants in the manor.
Every so often, they came across a servant or two, each bowing respectfully to Ye Renxin.
Ye Renxin sighed.
"I'm afraid Young Master Yu will find it laughable."
"Only Lingling and I remain of the Seven Heart Begonia family."
His voice was full of the weight of the years.
"In this generation, it's just my granddaughter and me, depending on each other."
Yu Xiaolong glanced at Ye Lingling beside him.
The girl remained silent, her eyes lowered.
Her cool temperament was like a begonia beneath the moon.
The manor's main hall was small and simply furnished.
There were wooden tables and chairs, with several pieces of calligraphy and painting hanging on the walls.
Ye Renxin brewed the tea himself, his movements slow and deliberate.
"The Seven Heart Begonia family was once a distinguished clan."
The old man pushed a teacup toward Yu Xiaolong.
"Sadly, each generation has been worse than the last."
"Lingling's father..."
As he spoke, Ye Renxin's hand trembled slightly.
Yu Xiaolong listened quietly.
He could tell that this old man carried too much on his shoulders.
Ye Lingling stood and bowed slightly to everyone.
She turned and left the main hall, her steps light.
Yu Xiaolong's gaze involuntarily followed her retreating figure.
The girl was slender, her waist so narrow it seemed one could encircle it with a hand.
Her long purple dress shimmered faintly in the moonlight.
Her legs were long, but her steps were tiny.
As if she measured the ground beneath her with every step.
Every now and then, her ankle showed beneath her hem.
Fair and slender, as though it might shatter at a touch.
Yu Xiaolong looked away and picked up his teacup.
Nearby, Huo Wu spoke quietly with Bai Chenxiang.
Ye Renxin sighed again.
"Lingling's father died at the hands of the Ghost Family."
The old man's voice was low.
"The feud between our families has lasted for several generations."
Yu Xiaolong furrowed his brow slightly.
The Ghost Family?
He remembered that Ghost Douluo came from the Ghost Family.
No wonder Ye Renxin had been hunted by Ghost Douluo.
"Old Ye, my condolences."
Yu Xiaolong set down his teacup.
Ye Renxin waved his hand. "That's all in the past."
"Young Master Yu, please get some rest."
"The guest rooms are ready."
Yu Xiaolong stood and left the main hall with Huo Wu and Bai Chenxiang.
Ye Renxin sat alone in the hall, motionless for a long time.
The night grew deeper.
In another part of the manor, in Ye Lingling's bedroom—
Candlelight flickered, illuminating the girl's cool features.
She sat before her vanity, her long hair loose.
The door opened quietly.
Ye Renxin walked in.
"Lingling, still awake?"
The old man's voice was gentle, filled with affection.
Ye Lingling gave a slight shake of her head.
She raised her hand and pointed to the bed, signaling for her grandfather to sit.
Ye Renxin sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his granddaughter's back.
"Lingling, what do you think of Young Master Yu?"
The old man asked cautiously.
Ye Lingling's hand paused.
She didn't turn around or give any other response.
"Grandfather can tell he isn't an ordinary man."
Ye Renxin's gaze was deep.
"Though he isn't exactly young, his cultivation is at least rank seventy."
"And that Soul Tool of his... I've never heard of anything like it."
Ye Lingling remained silent.
Her fingers gently toyed with the comb.
"Lingling, our Seven Heart Begonia family..."
Ye Renxin's voice caught in his throat.
"You're all that's left."
"Grandfather is old. I can't protect you for much longer."
Ye Lingling turned and looked at her grandfather.
Her eyes were clear, yet stubborn.
Ye Renxin looked at his granddaughter, his eyes full of heartache.
"That Young Master Yu is someone you can entrust yourself to."
"Grandfather wants you to... get closer to him."
Ye Lingling's lashes trembled slightly.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Ye Renxin knew what his granddaughter was like.
"You don't have to answer me now."
The old man rose to his feet.
"Take some time to think about it."
He patted his granddaughter's shoulder and left the room.
The door closed softly.
Ye Lingling sat alone in the candlelight.
Her fingers clutched the corner of her skirt tightly.
A fire seemed to be burning inside her.
She didn't want someone else making arrangements for her.
She didn't want to be a chess piece, her fate decided by someone else.
But the look in her grandfather's eyes...
Ye Lingling closed her eyes.
She took a deep breath and stood.
She opened the wardrobe, where dresses in muted colors hung in a row.
Her gaze settled on a purple dress.
It was the one her mother had left her.
Ye Lingling took it out and gently stroked the fabric.
After a moment, she made her decision.
The candle in the guest room was still burning.
Yu Xiaolong sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes closed as he regulated his breathing.
Yu Xiaolong opened his eyes and nodded with satisfaction.
He had gained a great deal from this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
It was very soft, like a feather landing against the door.
Yu Xiaolong frowned. "Who is it?"
There was no answer from outside.
Yu Xiaolong rose and walked to the door.
The moment he opened it, he froze.
Ye Lingling stood outside.
She was wearing that purple dress.
Candlelight from behind outlined her figure.
Pure and graceful, she looked like a celestial maiden out of a painting.
Her collarbones were delicate, just visible beneath her neckline.
Yu Xiaolong noticed the copper basin in her hands.
It was filled with water, and faint wisps of steam rose from it.
"Miss Ye?"
Yu Xiaolong was a little surprised.
Ye Lingling bowed slightly.
She carried the basin into the room, moving gently.
She set it on the stand and turned around.
"My benefactor."
Her voice was soft, yet clear as jade striking stone.
It was the first time Yu Xiaolong had heard her speak.
"Grandfather told me to come."
Ye Lingling lowered her eyes.
Her lashes cast faint shadows in the candlelight.
Yu Xiaolong looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
Ye Lingling took a deep breath.
Her fingers moved to her belt.
She untied the purple sash, and her dress loosened slightly.
Yu Xiaolong's pupils contracted sharply.
The girl's hands didn't stop.
Her outer garment slid from her shoulders.
It revealed her fair collarbones and rounded shoulders.
Candlelight shone on her skin, casting a soft glow.
Her breasts weren't especially full, but their shape was lovely.
Firm and rounded, like two jade bowls turned upside down.
As she moved, her chest rose and fell slightly.
Yu Xiaolong could see the gap in her neckline.
Through it, the faint curve of her snowy-white skin could be glimpsed.
The girl's waist was exceedingly slender.
Beneath the purple hem, her legs were long and straight.
Her hips weren't especially full, but they were shapely and pert.
"What are you doing!"
Yu Xiaolong spun around abruptly.
His voice was stern.
Ye Lingling stopped moving.
Her hand froze in midair, her fingertips trembling slightly.
"Grandfather said..."
"Let me serve you, benefactor."
The young woman's voice was calm.
But Yu Xiaolong could hear how quickly she was breathing.
He turned his back to Ye Lingling and clenched his fists.
"Get dressed."
Yu Xiaolong's voice brooked no argument.
Ye Lingling stood where she was, unmoving.
In the candlelight, her shadow fell across the wall.
The young woman's breathing grew heavier and heavier.
Her eyes gradually reddened.
"Benefactor... do you find me repulsive?"
At last, her voice wavered with emotion.
Yu Xiaolong didn't turn around.
"It's not that I find you repulsive."
He gazed at the wall, his eyes deep and unreadable.
"I don't need this kind of repayment."
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