The moonlight outside the door was dim, and the two men clinked glasses and exchanged toasts.
Although the liquor wasn't as good as Jade Spring Liquor, it still had a unique flavor when a lone man and woman cooked together in the house late at night.
Hongyu initially had some of the burden of being the sect leader, and when men teased her with lewd remarks, she pretended to be serious.
But after a few drinks, his eyes gradually softened, and he pretended not to see Ye Xingge's outrageous remarks such as "intricately linked, truly impressive."
But Ye Xingge had indeed drunk quite a bit, and the alcohol was taking effect. After keeping her company for a little over fifteen minutes, seeing that Great Beauty was happy, he lay down on the table and fell asleep peacefully.
"Call..."
The room quieted down, leaving only the rich aroma.
Hongyu sat happily cooking vegetables next to her, glancing at the handsome face beside her out of the corner of her eye.
The man had a slight smudge of alcohol on his cheeks, but he slept peacefully. He had a high nose bridge, long eyelashes, and his features were clearly defined in the candlelight. He was indeed a handsome young man who was famous for miles around!
And she...
She's like a useless, bullied little wife!
Thinking of this, Hongyu made a disgusted face again, but the instructions from her master also flashed through her mind!
She came here primarily for a blind date; only if she found someone suitable would she become her protector.
If they don't like it, they'll just turn around and leave, then try their luck with the annoying junior sister. And if the junior sister doesn't like it either...
She dared not think any further.
In any case, Ye Xingge will eventually have a peerless female master by his side as his Daoist partner and protector.
Otherwise, why give them the Filth-Severing Whip first?
The purpose of giving it to Ye Xingge right from the start was to allow him and his partner to deepen their relationship while simultaneously strengthening their physical constitution.
To avoid the possibility of not being able to even break through the barrier during future dual cultivation, or being crushed into medicinal dregs by some Second Rank eighth-ranked cultivator as soon as you get up...
Before Hongyu arrived in Qingxi, she didn't think that Ye Xingge would really be interested in her, and even suspected that he was her master's illegitimate son!
But now it seems that her master does indeed favor her more, letting her choose the best things first.
If she were to spend all her time thinking about "overthrowing superiors and being the sect leader, which I could certainly do", or even advising her master to find a man to marry so she could become the patriarch's junior sister, she probably would have managed to seduce Ye Xingge on the very night they arrived in Qingxi.
Having gone on so many blind dates, she obviously needs to give an answer by now.
If you like it, stay; if you don't, leave.
If you insist you didn't like it, but stubbornly refuse to leave, there are only three possible outcomes:
1. Ye Xingge quickly won over Three Feet One, her arch-rival successfully getting the first taste of success, while she hid in a side room as an incompetent concubine. Isn't she the aggrieved one?
2. The master felt she wasn't a good match, so he replaced her with the annoying junior sister. Later, she secretly watched the two of them being affectionate, acting like a useless sister-in-law—wasn't that just sending her husband to be cuckolded?
3. The master himself came, acting as an incompetent disciple...
Well... there's nothing we can do about it. Like the saying goes, "If it's going to rain, it'll rain; if a mother wants to remarry, she'll remarry..."
Hongyu definitely couldn't choose to leave. After pondering for a moment, she could only accept that this kid had successfully passed the blind date test and become her boyfriend!
Object...
Hongyu suddenly felt strange. She glanced at Ye Xingge a few more times, and the scene of the two of them at the bottom of the lake flashed through her mind.
They looked at each other and, in her haste, she acted impulsively. As a result, not only was the boy not affectionate, but he also mocked her!
While it's true that in an emergency, it's okay to act expediently, but if it really comes down to kissing your partner, can you really avoid it?
Hmph, a mere live-in son-in-law...
Seeing that Ye Xingge was indeed asleep, Hongyu's eyes flickered slightly. She quietly turned her body and, like a dragonfly skimming the water, leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Smack
Then he sat up straight again, looking as if he had gotten his revenge.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Hongyu helped Ye Xingge to his bedroom to lie down, and then started cleaning up the dishes and tidying up the kitchen.
Dare you say that Nana is the only reliable person among your older sister?
In what way am I inferior to that slut?
No, as a protector of the Dao, one must do a better job than those vixens outside!
After pondering for a moment, Hongyu got back to work...
The following morning, a light rain fell in Yong Capital.
With the Emperor of Yan approaching, various feudal lords and even envoys from beyond the Great Wall have been arriving one after another.
The embroidered-clothes men, who had just returned from outside, quickly dispersed into the city to begin security preparations for the birthday banquet.
On Azure Dragon Street, the Wujian Inn opened for business ahead of schedule.
Although the weather isn't great, and there's no better time than now, we have a Grand Duke Jupiter in our house. If we don't open for business now, everyone in the capital will be on edge in a few days, and then we won't be able to open at all!
Inside Peach Blossom Lane, the aroma of hot pot had dissipated, and only the soft sound of rain could be heard in the square courtyard.
rustling...
Ye Xingge woke up slowly, still a little groggy from drinking too much the night before. He rubbed his temples slightly before sitting up and looking around.
The result was that the place was spotless, both inside and outside the house, with even the kitchen and bathroom spotless, and freshly washed robes hanging under the eaves.
And at that moment, Great Beauty's voice came from next door:
"Awake?"
Ye Xingge was somewhat surprised to see this scene:
"You did all of this."
"Hmph~ I'm not one to freeload. I'm going to meet up with the Mountains and Rivers Association members. The assassins should be arriving gradually today, so you should get out and get to work as soon as you're done. Hmm~~~~"
The sound of stretching was so loud it felt like the shirt was about to burst open.
Ye Xingge heard the sound coming from the neighboring yard and asked:
"Why don't you sleep here? I can just sleep on the floor. I won't do anything to you in the middle of the night."
"Hmph~"
Hongyu felt that given the way he touched her while drinking last night, it was hard to say for sure, and her response was:
"Alright, head out early. Oh, and I warmed up some porridge for you, have a taste."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Ye Xingge thought Da Piao Liang was Great Beauty virtuous. She quickly dressed and washed up, then went to the kitchen, lifted the pot lid, and looked at the porridge... rice... rice milk... rice paste?
Oh my god...
Ye Xingge tilted his head, observed for a long time, but couldn't figure out what the warm thing was.
But Great Beauty is the leader of the Mountains and Rivers Association, a female knight-errant ranked eighth in the Second Rank. She is already very virtuous for knowing how to wash dishes, do laundry, and make breakfast.
Ye Xingge didn't nitpick based on his own standards. He picked up a spoon, tasted it, and praised it:
"Not bad, not bad, aren't you going to eat some?"
"No need, I'll just go to Myriad Phenomena Tower for dim sum."
" Myriad Phenomena Tower..."
Ye Xingge opened his mouth, looked at the rice porridge in the pot, and also felt a bit like having morning tea.
But I still have to go to the government office, so I think I'll pass...
A light rain was falling.
The enormous government office, occupying half a block, stood silently in the rain. Embroidered-robed officials with swords stood guard outside the high black walls, while inside, there was not a sound.
Outside the high walls, hundreds of people gathered outside a sign on the side.
Half of them were errand runners from wealthy and powerful families, coming to copy the lists; others were from government-run gazettes and major bookstores, all waiting outside for firsthand information, engaged in lively conversation.
"Many people have died in the martial world in the past two weeks, and the Fate-Robbing Saber has changed hands. The Gold List will likely see significant changes..."
"This Ye Xingge is amazing! I'm writing this while chasing after him, but I still can't keep up with the speed at which he stirs up trouble..."
"Otherwise, why would it be called ' Grand Duke Jupiter '? How many people in the martial arts world have such a domineering nickname..."
"By the way, did the nickname ' Subduer of the Three Rivers ' change to ' Rotten Crotch '?"
That's what people call it now, but bookstores certainly wouldn't dare write it that way...
"So, you have to look to unofficial histories for information about the underworld; starting out selling hooks and ending up with Rotten Crotch is perfectly reasonable..."
To the east of the Heaven-Observing Pavilion Judicial Review Bureau.
Shortly after dawn, the embroidered-clothes guards arrived at their posts one after another, waiting for orders in their respective cells.
Luo Xuanqing's office was located in the main hall of the East Office. There was a large courtyard outside the door, but it was raining outside. More than forty military officers were standing in the main hall.
The layout of the main hall was exactly the same as that of Eldest Miss Shen's Armaments Bureau, but the plaque above had been changed to "A Clear Mirror Hangs High".
Beneath the plaque was a large table covered with silk cloth. The Great Beauty Luo, dressed in a blue robe, sat behind the table, holding a dossier and reviewing the execution list that the Inspection Bureau had just sent over.
Although she wore a flower hairpin and looked like a concubine, the solemn atmosphere of the hall still gave her a certain official air, like a concubine ruling from behind a screen!
The big black cat with the word "catching" hanging on its neck is also squatting on the table, its eyes are bright, and it seems to be helping its master's shape.
Chen Xuance, as the adjutant, stood before the crowd, two swords hanging from his waist, holding a roster and calling out names aloud:
Li Baoyi.
"Arrive!"
Cen Ping.
"Arrive..."
Ye Xingge waited in the corridor outside the door. Seeing this familiar yet unfamiliar scene, he suddenly felt that it was more comfortable to be the innkeeper. At least he could make his own decisions in the inn.
Later, when I got a job in the government office, I had to get up at 8 every day. It must have been incredibly tough...
Fortunately, he has a good relationship with his female boss. Being scolded by her at the government office during the day and then being flirted with by her at night is not without its own kind of fun...
" Ye Xingge!"
Before Ye Xingge could even ponder it, Chen Xuance's loud voice rang out from inside the hall. He immediately put aside his distracting thoughts, straightened his clothes, and went to the door.
The people inside the hall were all military officers from the Judicial Review Bureau.
Among them were twenty-two Embroidered-Robe Commandant, nine Night-Walking Lieutenant, and seven or eight others who were on duty in other places and had not all come.
Upon hearing the footsteps, all the military officers present turned around in unison.
After all, only a portion of the people present went to Qingxi, and relatively few had actually seen Ye Xingge. In the past few days, they had only heard about him but had not seen him in person.
Upon seeing the person outside the door, who was just a young man in his early twenties with a rather amiable face, everyone was clearly a bit surprised, feeling that his appearance didn't resemble the " Grand Duke Jupiter " they had been told about the other day.
"This humble Ye Xingge, pays respects to Lord Luo and Lord Chen."
No need for formalities.
Luo Xuanqing had a great time last night, but in front of his many subordinates, he naturally couldn't flirt with them. Instead, he adopted the aloof and elegant demeanor of Flower Judge and greeted them accordingly.
"Come in."
The big black cat also raised its paw in greeting, like a lucky cat.
After bowing to the many heroes inside the gate, Ye Xingge went to the front.
Having witnessed Ye Xingge's impressive resume over the past few days, Chen Xuance's lips curled into a smirk, practically screaming "My brother's awesome!" But in this formal setting, he had to restrain himself and introduced him properly:
"This is Ye Xingge. I will not repeat his deeds here. If it weren't for the fact that the upper limit for the assessment is Night-Walking Lieutenant, he would be standing in my position now."
"Effective immediately, Ye Xingge is promoted to the rank of Night-Walking Lieutenant, a sixth-grade official, and granted a gold token. Seeing him is equivalent to seeing the commander-in-chief. He may mobilize personnel below the rank of Assistant Commander without a warrant. If any of you have any objections, you may go outside and speak with Lord Ye privately."
Being a Gold Medal Military Officer at the Heaven-Observing Pavilion is a great honor, currently held only by Chen Xuance in the Judicial Review Bureau. Granting it to Night-Walking Lieutenant is an excessive reward.
But at this moment, no one in the hall had any objections. Even if he were directly parachuted into the Inspection Bureau as its head, they probably wouldn't have much of an opinion there.
Seeing that none of the underlings dared to object, Chen Xuance was very satisfied. He turned around, fetched a tray containing an embroidered robe, a gauze hat, Black Banner Saber, and a gold medal, and handed it to Ye Xingge.
Ye Xingge reached out and accepted it. "Thank you for your appreciation, Lord Luo and Lord Chen."
The numerous military officers present then clasped their hands in a fist salute:
"Greetings, Lord Ye!"
Dozens of people greeted him in unison, their voices echoing in the hall.
Ye Xingge often helped the county government, so he was used to this kind of situation.
"You're too kind, brothers."
Luo Xuanqing and the others completed the formalities before putting down the dossier in their hands.
" Chen Xuance, delegate the tasks and get back to work. Ye Xingge, come with me."
"Yes!"
Chen Xuance immediately accepted the order and led a group of military officers out the door.
The big black cat seemed to have received the order and trotted out to patrol its territory.
Tap tap tap...
Ye Xingge carried the tray and followed along. After everyone had left, she breathed a sigh of relief.
A quick glance revealed that the Great Beauty Luo was walking in front of him, her face as white as mutton fat and as alluring as ever, her long, jet-black hair tied back with the flower hairpin he had given her.
Although the skirts are the same color, their styles are different.
This one is more business-oriented.
The light blue skirt was neatly tailored, perfectly outlining the waistline. Paired with the misty rain outside the window, it even evoked a sense of ethereal beauty reminiscent of the Jiangnan region in the rain. From behind, her figure looked as graceful as a peach blossom or the moon...