So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

Zhi Shu snapped out of her daze, looking troubled: "I-I could, but..."

Before she could finish speaking, she looked in Qin Yuan's direction, feeling her throat go dry and her heart pounding like a drum.

By this time, several attendants had already "pushed" Qin Yuan out of the wall.

But Qin Yuan remained unconscious, covered in blood and dust, looking extremely disheveled.

"you……"

One of the attendants looked up, glaring venomously at Qin Xiao and Zhi Shu, seemingly wanting to utter a few harsh words to regain some face.

However, before he could finish speaking, Qin Xiao glared at him, shutting him down.

He hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to look any further.

Together with several others, they carried the unconscious Qin Yuan and slunk away from Ziyan Pavilion.

By this time, the crowd had long since dispersed.

In the area behind the main building, only Qin Xiao and the staff of Ziyan Pavilion remained.

Don't worry.

Qin Xiao withdrew his gaze, clearly understanding Zhi Shu's worry, and calmly said, "Didn't the Prince of Jin just say that if he loses, he will accept his fate and can't blame anyone else?"

Upon hearing this, Zhi Shu gave a helpless, bitter smile.

That's what they say, and that's the logic behind it.

But that's the Prince of Jin!

The entire Jinyang Prefecture was his fiefdom.

Calling him a local tyrant wouldn't be an exaggeration!

Having suffered such a great loss at Ziyan Pavilion today, losing all face and being seriously injured, how could I possibly let this go?

Even if it's not easy to retaliate openly for the time being, there will definitely be no shortage of covert retaliation.

However, this matter was far beyond what a maid could handle or bear.

Zhi Shu took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her worries and fears, and bowed to Qin Xiao: "Young master, please follow me."

……

Walk through several corridors and around the shimmering lakeside.

Zhi Shu led Qin Xiao to the three-story embroidered building overlooking the lake.

As soon as she stepped into the boudoir, a faint, cool, and sweet fragrance wafted towards her.

Inside the room, Mu Ziyan had been waiting for a long time.

She sat upright in a rosewood carved chair with soft cushions.

She was wearing a long, flowing purple dress.

She has a slender and graceful figure, and a refined and elegant demeanor.

Her long, jet-black hair was simply held up with a single white jade hairpin, without much adornment.

A few strands of her dark hair fell beside her ears, adding a touch of gentleness to her appearance.

Upon seeing this, Qin Xiao felt that Mu Ziyan's appearance was even more captivating than the fleeting glimpse he had caught with his divine sense.

Just sitting there quietly, she exudes the dignified air of a scholarly family and a lady from a prominent family.

Absolutely captivating!

Upon seeing Zhishu lead Qin Xiao in, Mu Ziyan slowly rose, gracefully curtsied, and said in a gentle and charming voice, "Congratulations, young master, on passing both the literary and martial arts tests! Your talent and skill are truly admirable!"

Before Qin Xiao could respond, she had barely finished speaking.

Zhi Shu quickly walked to Mu Ziyan's side and quietly reported everything that had just happened.

Even though Mu Ziyan was calm and composed, she couldn't help but turn pale upon hearing such shocking news.

She looked incredulously at Qin Xiao, who stood calmly to the side, her red lips slightly parted.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

Did they attack the Prince of Jin?

This is absolutely outrageous!

Seeing this, Qin Xiao spoke up before Mu Ziyan could say anything, "Miss Mu, there's no need to worry. This matter all started because of me. I will take full responsibility for my actions and will absolutely not implicate you or Ziyan Pavilion in the slightest. Please rest assured!"

Mu Ziyan was taken aback upon hearing this and gave Qin Xiao a deep look.

Her beautiful eyes held a complex and unfathomable depth.

After a moment, he nodded slightly and waved to Zhishu and the other two maids standing in the room: "This is none of your business. You may leave now."

"Yes, Miss."

Zhi Shu glanced at her young mistress with concern, then looked at Qin Xiao with awe.

Then he led the maids out of the room quietly and gently closed the door.

Only Qin Xiao and Mu Ziyan remained in the room.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Mu Ziyan gestured to the seat opposite her: "Please sit down, young master."

Qin Xiao calmly stepped forward and sat opposite Mu Ziyan across a tea table with an incense burner and tea set.

Mu Ziyan personally picked up the teapot simmering on the red clay stove and poured Qin Xiao a cup of steaming fragrant tea, her movements elegant and fluid.

After setting down the teapot, she raised her eyes and looked at Qin Xiao with clear eyes, sincerely advising him, "I am grateful for your responsibility, young master."

"However, Prince Jin is, after all, a prince of a vassal state, and his power here is deeply entrenched."

"He will certainly not let this matter rest."

"Although you are highly skilled in martial arts, you cannot fight against four hands with two fists, and even a tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves."

"For your own safety, young master, it would be best to leave Jinyang Prefecture as soon as possible to avoid causing trouble."

These words were spoken entirely from Qin Xiao's perspective.

The Ziyan Pavilion, which would inevitably be implicated, was not mentioned at all.

Qin Xiao was tempted. He took the teacup from Mu Ziyan and calmly said, "Don't worry, Miss Mu, nothing will happen. At least for the time being, he won't dare to be arrogant."

"Um?"

Mu Ziyan was slightly taken aback, her beautiful eyes showing confusion. "What do you mean by that, young master?"

Qin Xiao picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said calmly, "Because the emperor is about to arrive in Jinyang Prefecture."

Upon hearing this, Mu Ziyan was taken aback: "His Majesty is coming to Jinyang Prefecture? How can you be so sure, young master? Are you perhaps from the capital?"

As she spoke, she began to speculate about Qin Xiao's identity.

To possess such martial arts skills and have such a thorough understanding of the situation in the capital.

Could he be the son of a high-ranking official in Beijing?

Or perhaps the heir of some prince's mansion?

Qin Xiao nodded slightly: "Yes, I am indeed from the capital."

Upon receiving confirmation, Mu Ziyan's mind raced, and she felt even more strongly that the person before her was no ordinary person.

After hesitating for a moment, unable to suppress his curiosity, he tentatively asked, "Young master, since we are enjoying tea here, wouldn't it be more honest to show our true faces? Would it be convenient for you to remove your mask?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiao did not hesitate. Under Mu Ziyan's gaze, he slowly raised his hand and gently removed the mask.

The moment the mask was removed, Mu Ziyan's breath hitched slightly.

She considered herself to have met many talented young men and noblemen.

But never before has anyone possessed such a unique and powerful charisma.

It made her momentarily lost in thought.

After a moment, Mu Ziyan came to her senses and carefully examined Qin Xiao's face, trying hard to search her memory for a matching identity.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried to recall, she couldn't match any of the high-ranking officials or scions of prominent families she knew in the capital with any of them.

Who is it?

Mu Ziyan's doubts deepened.

But her good upbringing prevented her from losing her composure.

She merely lowered her eyelashes slightly to conceal the turbulent thoughts in her eyes, and said softly, "Young master, you truly possess the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix."

Qin Xiao casually placed the mask he had taken off aside and smiled slightly, saying, "Miss Mu, you are also a beauty of unparalleled grace and charm."

"Young master, you flatter me."

Mu Ziyan smiled gently, a strange shyness welling up inside her. Suddenly, she said, "Young master, you were able to match my poem. Is this some kind of telepathic connection?"