Fairy, I am truly a virtuous gentleman!

The dragon roared, its crimson scales, a mix of blue and gold, opening and closing continuously, producing a metallic clang as its massive body, imbued with terrifying power, rose into the air.

They came in a hurry, and they left in a hurry.

The cloud chariot transformed into a streak of light and disappeared from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

Ning Yuan left, and the banquet should have continued, but for some reason, everyone suddenly lost interest and bid farewell to Xiao Heng.

"I apologize, Brother Xiao Heng, I have other matters to attend to today, so I must take my leave now."

"Me too, the elders in the clan have something to arrange."

Xiao Heng acted very magnanimously, not looking down on these people just because they were marginal figures from aristocratic families.

"Alright, alright, Brother Xie Yuan, remember to come again next time. I'll definitely find you some fine men. Don't forget!"

"Brother Zhou Huan, you're right too. We didn't get to drink to our hearts' content this time. Let's get together again later!"

Supported by two maids, Xiao Heng, still slightly drunk, saw everyone off and stood silently at the gate of the Yun Palace.

After a long silence, he said in a low voice, "They're all gone?"

A maidservant standing nearby said cautiously, "They've all left, young master."

Xiao Heng glanced around.

Inside the deserted, ethereal palace, the food was finished, and the cups and plates were in disarray.

Hu Yiyi

Xiao Heng exhaled softly, closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the previous haze was gone, replaced by clarity and lucidity.

"I never expected this..."

Xiao Heng pushed the maid away and muttered to himself, "I thought Ning Yuan had really fallen into depravity, but I never expected that he had been hiding his true abilities all these years. I have known him for several years and I have not noticed anything unusual. This person... is truly terrifying."

After a moment's thought, he dismissed his attendants, took out a jade pendant from his robes, and poured his magic power into it.

The jade pendant quickly responded, and a spiritual light slowly flickered.

Xiao Heng quickly placed the jade pendant on the high couch, then knelt on the floor of the main hall, respectfully calling out, "Great-Grandfather!"

"What is it?"

An aged, serene voice echoed within the hall.

"My great-grandson has important matters to report."

Then, Xiao Heng recounted the events of the day in detail.

The jade pendant remained silent for a while.

What are your thoughts?

Xiao Heng calmly said, "Ning Yuan used to enjoy fine wine, beautiful women, and bamboo music. He has been like this for the past six years. But today he is unmoved by her presence and even deliberately displayed terrifying swordsmanship talent. Something is definitely amiss. Perhaps the Grand Preceptor of Dali is about to make a big move..."

Suddenly, a sigh was heard.

"Sigh, I'm not asking about Ning Yuan, I'm asking about Xiao Lingjiang."

Xiao Heng was taken aback.

"Jiang Xin is resolute and determined. Even after this misfortune, he can still make further progress. He is a rare gem. It's just a pity that he was held back by those people in his family."

The aged voice said calmly, "Ning Muxian's son is indeed of noble status, but my Xiao clan members are no less than him. Hmph, a bunch of rotten old things, they have forgotten their roots. Ning Muxian gave them a bone and they are so eager to wag their tails and beg for mercy. It seems that I have been in the court for too long and some people have forgotten who is the true leader of the Xiao clan."

Xiao Heng's expression changed drastically, his body trembled slightly, and he finally couldn't help but feel a surge of fear.

Although the person opposite the jade pendant spoke calmly, the calmer their tone revealed their ruthless determination.

Xiao Heng lowered his head even further.

He dared not imagine how many important figures in the clan would pay the price for his words after today.

……

……

"Why aren't you saying anything? Don't you like it?"

Ning Yuan leaned against the jade couch in the carriage, a plate of amethyst grapes brimming with spiritual energy on the small table in front of him.

Qiao Shuang lay obediently in Ning Yuan's arms, letting him hold her slender waist. With her jade fingers, she picked up a spiritual fruit from the plate and put it into the boy's mouth.

Opposite the two, Xiao Lingjiang sat alone at a distance, silent, head bowed, like a statue.

"It's boring."

Ning Yuan glanced at the girl sideways, then pulled his own maid over.

"ah……"

Qiao Shuang exclaimed in surprise, her long black hair shining like starlight, illuminating Ning Yuan's face.

"Young master, are you alright?"

The woman's face was flushed, and her beautiful face showed a rare shyness and sweetness. Even though she had been pulled down, her first concern was whether she had pressed down on the boy and made him feel uncomfortable.

"I'm fine."

Ning Yuan took a deep breath, and the captivating fragrance filled his nostrils.

He replied lazily, casually placing her arm under his neck and closing his eyes to pretend to sleep.

After a while, Ning Yuan frowned and opened his eyes again, turned to the side, and buried himself in Qiao Shuang's vast and boundless bosom.

At this point, he let out a soft, contented murmur.

Qiao Shuang's heart trembled slightly, and her eyes welled up with tears, as if they were about to spill. She felt a mixture of embarrassment and happiness.

Today, Ning Yuan once again extended an invitation to Qiao Shuang to ride in the same precious carriage.

Fearing that Xiao Lingjiang might launch a sneak attack while Ning Yuan was off guard, Qiao Shuang thought it over and over again. When she came to her senses, she found herself unable to control herself and subconsciously followed him into the carriage.

Qiao Shuang's authority and status were too high, so the work of serving Ning Yuan was always done by other servants in the manor.

Unable to resist Ning Yuan's request, the two ended up close together, half-heartedly refusing.

And then... it became what it is now.

Ning Yuan pressed his advantage, while Qiao Shuang yielded step by step.

The boy's scorching breath was harder to defend against than any enemy's magic, causing Qiao Shuang to lose her composure and feel dizzy. She tentatively reached out and tremblingly embraced Ning Yuan's back.

This scene was something she had always dreamed of.

She thought she might never achieve it in her lifetime.

Since Ning Yuan's mother passed away, Qiao Shuang, under Ning Muxian's orders, has stayed by Ning Yuan's side and grown up with him.

Watch him go from babbling to playing everywhere.

Watch him grow from an ignorant toddler into a handsome and elegant young man.

Qiao Shuang's feelings for Ning Yuan were far deeper and more intense than anyone else's, but due to their different statuses, no matter how close they were, she could not truly embrace the boy according to her own will.

Ning Yuan was never aware of this deep-seated affection.

For him, the two had been together since birth and had long been an integral part of each other's lives.

To Ning Yuan, Qiao Shuang was both an older sister and a mother figure.

Just like this vast and boundless world, the grass that can be seen everywhere is indispensable, yet it is never conspicuous.

Just like who cares whether there will be air to breathe tomorrow?

Even so, Qiao Shuang remained by Ning Yuan's side without complaint or regret.

At this moment, Qiao Shuang didn't care even if there were other people in the carriage.

She held the boy quietly, rhythmically patting his back, her eyes filled with tenderness.

It felt like stepping back into an afternoon many years ago, where a tired child yawned and nestled into the arms of a maid, falling peacefully asleep in the pavilion, carried by the gentle breeze that swept through the forest.