An outing

On a river within the city.

The lights aboard the pleasure boats illuminated the river at night, like little sprites dancing, lending the nighttime scenery an even more magical, enchanting air.

Aboard a luxurious pleasure boat, Ming Hao, Shui Furong, and the others leaned against the railing, watching the crowds lining both banks release paper lantern boats. Children chased and tussled with one another onshore, shopkeepers shouted their wares with all their might, and countless beauties chatted in sweet, lilting voices aboard the flower boats. The scene brimmed with the bustle of everyday life!

Peals of laughter rang out now and then.

"Young Master Ming Hao, my father agreed to give you a special-admission disciple slot."

Shui Furong gazed at the lively, prosperous scene along the banks and spoke with a delighted smile.

"How many spirit stones will it cost?!"

Beside her, Ying Ming Hao was equally animated, looking this way and that like a curious child.

"Father said there's no need for spirit stones. Consider it a gesture of friendship."

Shui Furong had been surprised herself when she heard the news.

"That won't do. When I'm asking someone for a favor, how could I possibly let them foot the bill too?!"

With that, Ying Ming Hao took out a Storage Ring with a mischievous grin and stealthily caught Shui Furong's little hand.

"What are you trying to do?!" Shui Furong reacted instantly, pulling her hand free and hiding behind Shui Huo'er.

"Give you spirit stones, naturally. I was afraid you wouldn't accept them, so I thought I'd put them into your hand myself."

Wearing a wicked grin, Ming Hao ran over, trying to catch Shui Furong behind Shui Huo'er.

Naturally, Shui Furong would not let him succeed so easily. Clutching Huo'er's collar, she dodged from side to side.

Huo'er felt playful too, and the group began playing hawk-and-chicks on the deck.

As their sweet laughter rippled outward, mingled with a mischievous male laugh, visitors along both banks craned their necks, eager to see what was happening!

"Young master, look! That's the Shui Family's boat!" At the shout, Mu Xiaoyuan's attention was drawn to the river a short distance ahead.

An equally luxurious, sizable boat was sailing slowly along, a conspicuous character for "Shui" emblazoned on its sail.

The man who had called out wore a servant's uniform. Pointing ahead, he shouted with a face full of delighted surprise.

At the report, Mu Xiaoyuan sprang to his feet as though struck by lightning, hurried to the side, and rose onto his toes to gaze into the distance.

Sure enough, an exquisitely crafted boat came into view nearby, the large "Shui" character on its sail flickering in and out of sight.

It's the Shui Family's boat! Delight stirred in Mu Xiaoyuan's heart. He stared at the boat and noticed what seemed to be a formation circulating around its hull, its faint glimmer making it difficult to see clearly inside.

I wonder if Shui Ying'er is aboard too? Mu Xiaoyuan's brows creased slightly with uncertainty.

After a moment's consideration, he gave a decisive order. "Bring us alongside at full speed!"

His voice was cold and firm, his blue-green robes snapping in the wind, seemingly as cold as his mood at that moment.

Meanwhile, aboard the Shui Family's large boat, Ming Hao and the others were having the time of their lives.

"Haha, watch what I can do!"

"Hey, you're cheating!"

"No, I'm not!"

Everyone laughed and played, making quite a lively scene.

Suddenly, Shui Ying'er called out, "All right, stop fooling around. A boat is approaching fast!"

At her words, Ming Hao and the others stopped. Sweat beaded their foreheads, and they were panting slightly, clearly worn out.

Shui Furong slumped onto a blanket brought by a servant, unconsciously rubbing the Storage Ring that had just been forcibly slipped onto her finger. Somehow, it seemed different now.

An indescribable emotion glimmered in her limpid eyes.

Huo'er, meanwhile, went forward to investigate with some annoyance. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed herself this much.

Usually, she was rather carefree and headstrong, rushing about with none of the bearing of a well-bred young lady. She was more like a man.

Naturally, few people were willing to play with her. They were all refined young ladies, and she alone did not fit in.

Though she acted as if she did not care, who knew what she thought in private?!

Today had given her a rare chance to let her true nature loose, and she had not had enough fun yet. Naturally, she was displeased by the sudden interruption.

Huo'er rose onto her toes to look at the Mu Family's large boat, which was already very close, and immediately spotted Mu Xiaoyuan in blue-green robes at its bow.

"Hmph, I wondered who it was. So it's Mu Xiaoyuan of the Mu Family, one of the Five Great Talents. Did your nose catch Ying'er's fragrance from afar, sending you chasing after her?"

Huo'er snorted without mincing her words.

Mu Xiaoyuan, who had already raised his left foot to leap across, stiffened. For a moment, he was caught between advancing and retreating.

Still, he was one of the Five Great Talents, and he quickly found a response.

"You jest, Huo'er. I was merely invited to the Heavenly Prodigy Gathering and happened to encounter you on the way, so I came to say hello."

The moment his words ended, he appeared on the deck.

"Ying'er, it's been a long time."

Half-reclining in Qing Yun's arms, Ming Hao asked in bewilderment, "What the hell are the Five Great Talents? And who's this Mu Family?"

Carefully wiping away Ming Hao's sweat, Qing Yun explained in a gentle voice:

"Young master, the Five Great Young Masters is a title bestowed by busybodies in Ascension City. Supposedly, cultivation and background aren't considered, only talent, literary accomplishments, and looks.

"The Mu Family is one of Ascension City's great powers, only slightly inferior to the Shui Family.

"Mu Xiaoyuan is the legitimate grandson of the Mu Family's grand elder. His talent, literary accomplishments, and looks are all exceptional. He was chosen as one of the Five Great Talents after reciting a poem at the Fragrant Pavilion and winning its leading courtesan's heart."

Shui Furong looked at the master and maid before her, then at her own maid, Qiu'er, who was likewise wiping away her sweat. For some reason, she suddenly gave a cold snort and turned to gaze at the mist-shrouded river.

"Young Master Mu, it's been a long time," Shui Ying'er replied, her expression slightly chilly.

"Ying'er, were you also invited to Purple Mist Shore for the Heavenly Prodigy Gathering hosted by the City Lord's Residence? I'm heading there myself. Why don't we go together?"

Holding his Feather Fan and Silk Cap, Mu Xiaoyuan gently fanned himself and swept his gaze across the boat. Suddenly, he froze. There were actually two breathtaking beauties aboard whom he had never seen before!

"Sorry, Young Master Mu. We're merely out enjoying ourselves, and we aren't going that way. I'm afraid we can't accompany you!"

A trace of disgust flashed in Ying'er's eyes as she spoke.

"Do you have friends aboard, Ying'er? Why not introduce us?!"

Mu Xiaoyuan's wide eyes stared fixedly at Qing Yun and Qing Ying, making his intentions all too obvious.

The disgust in Shui Ying'er's eyes deepened. Before she could reply, Huo'er shouted:

"Mu Xiaoyuan, where are those dog eyes of yours looking?!"

Mu Xiaoyuan was clearly a formidable sort. Even this did not make him storm off in anger. Instead, he stepped closer and cupped his hands in what he considered a graceful greeting.

"Forgive the embarrassing display, miss. I am Mu Xiaoyuan of the Mu Family. Ying'er and I have been childhood sweethearts since we were young. Might I ask your lovely name?"

Shui Ying'er's face twitched. This fellow spread nonsense everywhere, making everyone believe they were childhood sweethearts.

In truth, their families were simply comparable in influence. Mu Xiaoyuan's grandfather, the Mu Family's grand elder, was always hoping to arrange a marriage between his grandson and the Shui Family, and she was naturally the intended bride.

Shui Ying'er had made her refusal clear long ago, but Mu Xiaoyuan had not given up. Instead, he used their families' friendly relations as an excuse to keep arriving uninvited.

As time passed, with the Mu Family fanning the flames, everyone in Ascension City and even throughout the Misty Sect came to believe they had been innocent childhood sweethearts.

By the time Shui Ying'er tried to clarify their relationship, few people were willing to believe her. One person told ten, and ten told a hundred; her denial alone could no longer accomplish anything!

Qing Yun and Qing Ying did not respond.

Mu Xiaoyuan was left standing there like a fool, but he refused to abandon this chance to strike up a conversation with such peerless beauties.

He continued, "You may not know this, miss, but our Mu Family is one of Ascension City's renowned great powers. From the farthest south to the northern seas, across the five lakes and four seas, our family has businesses everywhere.

"Ying'er and I are also both Personal Disciples of the Misty Sect. My master is a renowned elder of the sect!"

Having finished, Mu Xiaoyuan smiled confidently. This approach had always carried him triumphantly forward. Even those who were not especially respectful would never dare offend him too badly!

Yet Qing Yun continued carefully wiping the sweat from Ming Hao's chest, never once looking Mu Xiaoyuan in the eye.

Qing Ying washed the used towels and likewise ignored him.

He had noticed Ming Hao in Qing Yun's arms long ago, but had assumed he was their younger brother or something similar. He had never considered anything else.

After all, who would imagine that peerless beauties like Qing Yun and Qing Yun were personal maids to a half-grown boy like Ming Hao?!

"This young gentleman must be your younger brother. One look tells me he's a dragon among men, a favored son of heaven. Our clan has quite a few graceful young ladies his age too. When you have time, you could come over to exchange ideas and learn together!"

Seeing that Qing Yun and Qing Ying would not acknowledge him, Mu Xiaoyuan changed tack and set his sights on Ming Hao.

Ming Hao had seen through his little scheme long ago. He had merely wanted to see what tricks the man could come up with, but after only a few words, the map had unrolled and the dagger stood revealed.

"They're my bedchamber maids."

Holding Qing Yun's hands, Ming Hao spoke with a beaming smile.

As though thunderbolts had struck him from every direction, Mu Xiaoyuan left in a daze.

A trace of disappointment flashed through Miss Shui's eyes beside them!