Clear the Air

Shen Sanniang's face went deathly pale.

She watched helplessly as her husband, the man in charge of the Chen estate's third branch, bowed to the young woman she had taken for a mere attendant.

Shen Sanniang scrambled to her feet, but in her haste, her knee struck the underside of the table. She staggered, and the chair behind her fell to the floor with a crack...

She made no move to pick it up. Her mind was buzzing.

Chief Disciple Yu... the Jade Balance Sect's Chief Disciple? The Sect Master's personal disciple?

What had I just said? What had I done?

I actually spoke to the Jade Balance Sect's Chief Disciple in that tone?

I was even planning to make things difficult for Chief Disciple Yu at dinner, Fang Cai?

If Yu Shaowei holds a grudge... what will happen to my standing in the third branch? Shen Sanniang dared not think any further.

Cold sweat sprang up on her forehead. Her lips trembled, but she could not force out a word.

Where was the woman who had looked down her nose at everyone in Willow Alley?

Shen Sanniang had almost forgotten how she had spent these past few years...

Chen Yanming remained bowed. Catching sight of Shen Sanniang's discomposure from the corner of his eye, he cursed inwardly and hurried to smooth things over.

"My wife knows nothing of martial arts and did not recognize Chief Disciple Yu. Her words, Fang Cai, were offensive. I hope you will be generous enough not to take them to heart."

Yu Shaowei set down her wine cup, speaking as casually as if she were commenting on the evening's food. "It's nothing. I'm hardly the petty, sharp-tongued sort."

As she spoke, her gaze swept across Shen Sanniang.

That single glance felt like a massive