The Jade Balance Sect Master's Personal Disciple

After showing Ye An and Yu Shaowei into a side hall and seating them, Chen Yanming smiled and cupped his hands. "Please make yourselves comfortable. I'll go give the kitchen a word and have them prepare a more generous dinner."

He turned to his eldest daughter. "Qingyao, take good care of our two honored guests. Don't neglect them."

Chen Qingyao nodded lightly. "I understand, Father."

Chen Yanming gave Ye An and Yu Shaowei another courteous smile before leaving the side hall.

Ye An and Yu Shaowei exchanged a glance.

They could both see that Chen Yanming's warmth had come a little too quickly. He plainly thought they were no ordinary people and wanted to make their acquaintance.

Ye An bore him no ill will for it. Reading people was a merchant's instinct; it was Chen Yanming's trade, and there was nothing wrong with that.

Yu Shaowei cared even less. She had seen plenty of this at the Jade Balance Sect and had met all sorts of people.

When Chen Yanming returned to the rear courtyard, Shen Sanniang rose to meet him, confusion on her face. "Husband, what's gotten into you? Why are you letting two outsiders stay the night?"

Chen Yanming's face turned stern. Holding her gaze, he warned her word by word, "Speak less at dinner. Don't pepper them with questions at the table, and don't put on that superior face you wore in Willow Alley."

"Do you understand?"

Shen Sanniang lowered her head and answered reluctantly.

Chen Yanming said no more and walked away.

Shen Sanniang stayed where she was. Once he was out of sight, she curled her lip.

Years of living under the Chen Family's roof had taught her to bow her head to those above her, but deep down, her contempt for the poor folk