The middle-aged man muttered to himself, but only dared to say it behind their backs, certainly not in the elder's hearing.
Everyone in the Nalan Family knew the elder's temper. Once he decided the first grandson was paramount, then the first grandson would undoubtedly inherit everything from the family, and nothing would change that. He was an absolute old diehard, clinging stubbornly to his outdated beliefs, unyielding to anyone's opinions. Even though the entire family knew Nalan Tianyu was a good-for-nothing, it did not alter his inevitable fate as the heir. This was why Nalan Tianyu was so arrogant in the Nalan Family, untad by anyone. Not even the elder uncle had much authority over him in Nalan Tianyu's eyes.
In the attic, Nalan Tiancheng stood silently beside the elder, unsure of what he was contemplating. True to his nature, Nalan Tiancheng didn't ask. He could stand here with the elder all day, doing nothing, and not uttering a single word.
The elder's attention was fixed on the departing figures of Nalan Tianyu and Black Mouse as they drove away from the estate. Only when they were out of sight did he withdraw his gaze. His face remained expressionless as he turned to Nalan Tiancheng by his side and softly said, "Sit."
"Thank you, Grandfather." Nalan Tiancheng respectfully took a seat next to the elder, showing absolute deference to the family head.
"I heard from your elder uncle that you're displeased with Tianyu's teaching of the boxing technique?" The elder asked softly.
Nalan Tiancheng hesitated briefly, then lowered his voice and replied, "Grandfather, the boxing technique that elder brother teaches us has been altered by him and does not fully demonstrate the power of our Nalan Family's style. Moreover, elder brother is sowhat impulsive and rash. Letting him teach doesn't seem very suitable."
The elder frowned slightly, glancing at Nalan Tiancheng, and said, "Do you understand that, regardless, he is your elder brother and the Nalan Family's eldest grandson?"
"I understand," Nalan Tiancheng nodded and said. "But even if he is my elder brother, even if he is the eldest grandson, his mistakes are still mistakes. The entire family shouldn't have to accommodate him just because of his status as the eldest grandson!"
These words caused the elder's expression to shift subtly, a gleam flashing in his eyes, leaving his thoughts indecipherable. After a long pause, he nodded slowly and said, "I understand. You may leave now."
"Yes!" Nalan Tiancheng stood up, bowed respectfully to the elder, and turned to leave.
"Rember, he is still the eldest grandson of the Nalan Family. Try not to provoke him in the future!" The elder said suddenly as Nalan Tiancheng reached the staircase.
Nalan Tiancheng turned back to look at the elder, hesitated slightly, but ultimately said nothing. As he descended two steps, the elder's voice rang out again, "If you wish to train in boxing, co here and find . I will personally teach you!"
A spark lit up in Nalan Tiancheng's eyes at those words—this was trendous news indeed. Nalan Tiancheng had no other passion but martial arts, and his dissatisfaction with Nalan Tianyu's teaching stemd from his zeal to excel. The elder offering to personally teach him was nothing short of a monuntal opportunity, filling him with joy.
In fact, Nalan Tiancheng had initially thought the elder was reprimanding him with his earlier remarks. But now, it seed, the elder was looking out for him after all. It's just that in the elder's mind, the eldest grandson had to maintain the dignity befitting of the role, which explained what he said earlier.
"Thank you, Grandfather!" Nalan Tiancheng expressed his gratitude exuberantly and descended the stairs cheerfully.
The elder watched Nalan Tiancheng walk away and sighed softly. Rising from his seat, he walked slowly to the edge of the attic, gazing quietly at the distant sky. At that mont, his thoughts grew heavier; there was too much to consider for the sake of the family.
anwhile, Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu, hand in hand, took a flight to the Capital. Though they exchanged few words, the warm grasp of their hands mirrored the intimacy of a couple in love. Huangfu Ziyu, in particular, radiated happiness. Being with Ye Qing filled her with joy, to the extent that she had montarily forgotten the life-threatening Twin Life Gu still within her body.
The two released each other's hands only after disembarking the plane, yet they walked side by side out of the airport. Huangfu Ziyu carried hardly anything, while Ye Qing held a long, narrow box containing the Seven-Star Ancient Sword.
Carrying the Seven-Star Ancient Sword had initially made it impossible for Ye Qing to board the flight. Fortunately, Huangfu Ziyu had connections on that side, which helped resolve the issue. Now planning their trip from the Capital to the Miao Borderlands, Ye Qing had already called Zhao Chengshuang for assistance with the arrangents.
Fortunately, the Seven-Star Ancient Sword was just a sword and not a modern weapon, so the matter wasn't too difficult to handle.
The flight from the Capital to the Miao Borderlands was three hours away. Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu exited the airport intending to find a nearby place to eat and rest before boarding. However, as soon as they stepped outside, sothing seed off.
Several groups of people were gathered outside the airport, many holding flowers as if waiting to greet soone. Among them, two groups even held banners emblazoned with the words—Welco Miss Huangfu Ziyu to the Capital!
Upon seeing the banners, Huangfu Ziyu froze in confusion, having no idea what was going on.
"Are they your friends?" Ye Qing asked softly.
"What friends? I don't even know them!" Huangfu Ziyu replied.
"Then what's this all about?" Ye Qing was equally puzzled. The circumstances of their trip to the Capital were known to very few. Even if Huangfu Ziyu had friends here, there was no reason for them to know about her visit.
Huangfu Ziyu shrugged, looking more baffled than Ye Qing.
"Forget it, let's not bother with them. It probably doesn't an anything good!" Huangfu Ziyu tugged at Ye Qing's arm and said softly, "Let's go!"
Ye Qing, likewise uninterested in entanglents in the Capital, shared her sentint and followed her lead to leave. However, the attention of several groups imdiately shifted towards the two of them.
These people had co to the airport upon hearing news of Huangfu Ziyu's arrival. Though they weren't sure of her appearance, beauty was unmistakable, and Huangfu Ziyu's striking presence left no doubt. One look was enough for them to unanimously conclude that she must be Huangfu Ziyu.
After all, who else could possess such breathtaking beauty that could captivate the soul?
The crowd fixated on Huangfu Ziyu, whispering among themselves to confirm her identity. When they saw her and Ye Qing about to leave, one group could no longer hold back. They quickly approached as their leader, forcing a composed smile, asked, "Excuse , are you Miss Huangfu Ziyu?"
Stopped in her tracks, Huangfu Ziyu imdiately frowned and said coldly, "What does it matter to you whether I am or not?"
That question essentially confird her identity. Upon hearing it, the surrounding groups closed in together. The young man who had first spoken bead with excitent, unbothered by her frosty deanor, and quickly introduced himself, "Miss Huangfu, hello. I'm Ding Ziyang, the son of the chairman of Dingyuan Group in the Capital. I heard from a friend that you were coming to the Capital, so I ca to welco you personally. Vehicles and accommodations have been arranged. Can I invite you to dinner tonight?"
Before Ding Ziyang finished speaking, another young man strode forward and interjected, "Miss Huangfu, hi, I'm Li Lin, the grandson of Li Changxing. When I heard you were arriving in the Capital, I ca specifically to invite you to dinner. Could you spare a mont to join ?"
Anyone else from the Capital hearing this exchange would certainly be shocked. Li Changxing was a high-level minister—a figure of imnse authority. This young man's background was indeed formidable, which explained his assertive tone, entirely different from the businessman-like politeness of Ding Ziyang.
"Miss Huangfu, my na is…"
Other individuals also began stepping forward, introducing themselves and their distinguished backgrounds. Among them were officials, business magnates, and even individuals with underworld connections. Collectively, they represented the upper echelon of the Capital's second-generation elite, but their shared goal was clear—they all wanted to invite Huangfu Ziyu to dinner.
The chorus of invitations only made Huangfu Ziyu furrow her brows deeper. She had always disliked self-important, attention-seeking people, and now being surrounded by them was particularly agitating. More critically, Ye Qing was right beside her, and she didn't want him to feel uncomfortable.
Frowning tightly, Huangfu Ziyu gritted her teeth and said sternly, "I don't care who you are or what your status is. Leave my sight imdiately, or you'll have only yourselves to bla for the consequences!"
Her uncompromising stance made the surrounding individuals exchange uneasy glances. Finally, Li Lin furrowed his brow and asked, "Miss Huangfu, we have co with good intentions to invite you. Are you truly unwilling to give us the courtesy of a response?"
"Miss Huangfu, regardless of what brings you to the Capital, feel free to let know. There are very few things in this city that I cannot make happen," Ding Ziyang said leisurely, clearly implying a quid pro quo—if she agreed to dine with him, he would aid her endeavors.
Hearing this, the other individuals chid in as well, so offering veiled threats while others made enticing promises. Their collective goal was evident: to outshine one another and gain Huangfu Ziyu's favor. For them, the competition wasn't simply about a beautiful woman—it was a way to boost their image and simultaneously suppress their rivals' standing.
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