Fairy, I am truly a virtuous gentleman!

"Dual...dual cultivation?"

Xiao Lingjiang looked somewhat bewildered, her face stiff as she asked, "Is it the dual cultivation I'm thinking of?"

Ning Yuan gave her a strange look. "Who else could it be?"

Yes, Xiao Ling and Jiang Tian had been waiting here since dawn, and watched the two of them walk out of the room arm in arm, clearly having rested together last night.

In this situation, what other kind of dual cultivation could it be besides sharing a bed and being deeply in love?

Xiao Lingjiang is no longer engaged to Ning Yuan, and yesterday she even took the initiative to refuse the young man's request to fulfill the engagement a second time.

Therefore, neither she nor she had the right or status to interfere too much in Ning Yuan's private life.

Not to mention, Ning Yuan still maintained an open and honest demeanor, appearing as a gentleman without any pretense.

Keep in mind, they only met for the first time yesterday!

Xiao Lingjiang had nothing to say.

but.

but……

Why did she feel a strange, inexplicable discomfort in her heart?

Is it a regret, or...?

She recalled the boy's kind concern for her yesterday, his genuine feelings, and his undisguised earnestness and appreciation.

Xiao Lingjiang's girlish thoughts were like tender buds in early spring; the ice melted, and they broke through the soil, only to be frozen again by the cold wind.

How could he do this?

A cold voice echoed in Xiao Lingjiang's mind, tinged with resentment.

It was her master who stepped forward.

Xiao Lingjiang pursed her lips slightly and lowered her head a little.

"Master, he didn't really do anything to me. I've already said that Young Master Ning is a gentleman and has no designs on me, which is why he's being so open and honest."

"But he clearly..."

The clear, cold voice sounded slightly hurried, as if it wanted to say something, but then fell silent even faster.

As Xiao Lingjiang said.

Ning Yuan did not try to hide anything. When the two met in private, they were frank with each other, explained the advantages and disadvantages, and finally reached an agreement.

They hadn't made any special promises to each other; Xiao Lingjiang had actually gone to the banquet with the intention of causing trouble for Ning Yuan.

However, since she began cultivating, she had been forging ahead without ever encountering any great obstacles. The first one she encountered was the handsome young man in front of her.

It was precisely during this low point, when even his family stood by and did nothing, that he disregarded personal gain and loss and pulled himself out of trouble.

She was incredibly understanding, smiling as she said, "I'm on your side, I'll help you."

How could Xiao Lingjiang not be moved?

She just didn't realize it herself.

"But you, Miss Xiao, what brings you to my courtyard so early in the morning?"

Seeing that Xiao Lingjiang remained silent for a long time, Ning Yuan immediately took the initiative to ask a question.

Xiao Lingjiang finally remembered her purpose and immediately replied, "I already said I would be your maid, so I should do what I'm supposed to do. Therefore... I'm going to help you get up and wash..."

In the end, the girl clearly lacked confidence.

As a noblewoman from a prominent family, although not a direct descendant of the main branch, she still belonged to a large and influential family. With the love and pampering of her parents, Xiao Lingjiang had never tried to serve anyone, not even in her wildest dreams.

But last night, after she summoned two maids from the mansion and learned about Ning Yuan's daily routine and habits, this idea immediately popped into her mind and became an obsession.

She came with an indescribable feeling of excitement.

I want to see Ning Yuan again as soon as possible.

However, they did see it.

But upon seeing the mature fairy with graceful figure and charming demeanor, who was holding the young man's arm, that feeling immediately disappeared.

But what did the other party do with his maid, and what does that have to do with him?

Oh right, now I'm his maid too...

After hearing Xiao Lingjiang's reply, Ning Yuan said without changing his expression, "She is just a maid in name only. Miss Xiao, you should stay at my manor to rest and recuperate. Anyway, I am rarely visited. Just treat yourself as a guest."

Xiao Lingjiang immediately said anxiously, "How can this be?"

Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the girl's intense reaction.

Xiao Lingjiang said, word by word, "I am a person who can distinguish right from wrong. At the banquet, I invited you to a magical duel for two reasons: first, to scheme against the Xiao family, and second, to clear my mind and eliminate my inner demons. But I have already come to know your character and know that you are a truly good person who owes me nothing. Under such circumstances, how can you expect me to accept your assistance without hesitation?"

Ning Yuan frowned for a moment, as if he hadn't expected Xiao Lingjiang to say that.

So he asked, "So?"

Xiao Lingjiang took a deep breath and said with bright eyes, "I am at a critical moment in my rebuilding. It is very important to have a safe and excellent place to cultivate. The attitude of the Xiao family's higher-ups is unclear. The outer immortal sects of the Great Li Realm dominate all living beings. Although you are only providing me with a place to stay, it is of utmost importance to me."

The more the girl spoke, the clearer her logic became, as if she had found a justifiable explanation for her behavior, and she became much more composed.

"Right now I'm only at the Qi Refining stage and can't help you much, so I can only do what I can to repay you. Don't worry, I'll take care of the maids' work and I certainly won't let you down."

They've even started calling him "Young Master," so it seems they've successfully immersed themselves in the role.

Remaining calm in the face of both honor and disgrace, being able to bend and stretch, allows one to promptly recognize their current situation and adjust their attitude accordingly.

With such a mindset, it's no wonder he achieved great things later in life.

Ning Yuan nodded slightly, a new idea suddenly forming in his mind.

He glanced at the iron basin the girl was holding, which contained a handful of clear, clean purple dew, a spiritual substance that he always used to wash and moisturize his face.

"Very well, since Miss Xiao is so certain, then I shall respectfully comply."

Ning Yuan paused, then stood in the courtyard and said, "Ling Jiang, Da Qiao has already helped me get dressed. Now you can help me wash up."

Xiao Lingjiang blushed slightly because Ning Yuan called her by her name.

That's true; it's normal for a master to address a servant by their first name.

Then the girl got busy.

She took a rolled-up towel, soaked it in the warm purple dew for a moment, wrung it out herself, spread it out on Ning Yuan's face, and gently rubbed it.

Ning Yuan couldn't see Xiao Lingjiang's expression, but he could imagine the serious look on her face.

The girl's fragrance was more sweet than the dew of a magical creature, and her slender fingers were even more tender than a towel.

Even through the fabric, it feels like a gentle spring breeze, incredibly comfortable.

It's less like washing your face and more like a massage or caress.

It was a truly enjoyable experience; it felt pretty good.

Ning Yuan rinsed his mouth with the remaining Purple Dew, thus completing his mission.

Just as Xiao Lingjiang breathed a sigh of relief and was about to pick up the iron basin and leave, Ning Yuan called out to her.

"As my maid, you only need to serve me well and don't need to leave. The rest is up to the others."

Qiao Shuang understood immediately and summoned some of the other maids and servants from the manor.

Without the iron basin, Xiao Lingjiang was like a soldier without armor, standing still, unsure of how to interact with Ning Yuan.

"So what do we do next?"

Xiao Lingjiang couldn't help but ask.

"Let me think about it, then I'll go... practice my sword."

"Practicing swordsmanship?"

The girl's eyes lit up.

She was serious about repaying the debt.

She was also serious about spiritual practice.

If one could have both, that would be ideal.

Little did he know, Ning Yuan's gaze swept lightly over the girl's youthful figure.

The lotus buds are just beginning to emerge.

Compared to the glamorous and mature dignified fairy, this innocent young girl has a unique charm.

A century later, Xiao Lingjiang, having endured many hardships, gradually became cold and ruthless, regarding human life as worthless. Upon hearing of Ning Muxian's demise, in order to rid herself of her inner demons, she did not hesitate to breach the Heavenly Palace of Luodu, sacrificing millions of innocent people of Dali, in order to destroy the ancestral land of the Xiao clan and hunt down Ning Yuan.

But will she ever cry for herself one day...?

That's something to look forward to!

The boy revealed a fleeting, wicked smile.