Lu Sui: "And this hibiscus half-life flower is an extremely precious spiritual herb. To be able to produce such an item, the Miss Murong you speak of must have an extraordinary background."
Lu Chengze: "I originally wanted to invite Miss Murong to stay at our estate, but she declined, so I arranged for her to stay at the Lanyue Inn instead."
As someone who had spent years navigating the treacherous seas of commerce, how could Lu Sui not know what was on Lu Chengze's mind?
Lu Sui: "Ze'er, although the world says that merchants value profit above all else, we also value loyalty and affection. This time, Miss Murong saved your lives. From now on, she is an honored guest of the Lu Estate. Regardless of her background, you must not harbor any manipulative thoughts toward her."
Lu Chengze: "This son understands."
Lu Sui: "If Miss Murong needs anything, do your utmost to help. If you cannot resolve it, come to me."
Lu Chengze: "Yes."
After Lu Chengze left, Madam Lu, who was standing nearby, spoke up: "Husband, this Miss Murong's background is indeed rather mysterious. Are we really going to befriend her?"
Lu Sui: "My dear, since Miss Murong was able to save Chengze shortly after they met, it proves she is not someone of vicious intent, and her cultivation talent is so formidable. Befriending her is simply out of gratitude for being Chengze's savior; there is nothing wrong with that. Who can know what the future holds? We might as well take it one step at a time."
Madam Lu: "You are right, husband. I was only worrying about Ze'er."
Lu Sui: "You know Ze'er's character better than anyone. His eye for friendship is never wrong—he has a steady temperament, doesn't panic in crises, and is calm and composed. It's just that he has too few friends."
Madam Lu: "Then about going to Shuangmeng Academy..."
The two of them had originally intended to tell Ze'er upon their return that the three of them should go to Shuangmeng Academy together, but they simply hadn't brought it up yet.
However, what Lu Sui and Madam Lu did not expect was that Lu Chengze had already made up his mind.
Lu Sui: "Ze'er should go as well, otherwise who knows what kind of trouble those two troublemakers might stir up at Shuangmeng Academy! Besides, at his age, he should be cultivating and learning alongside his peers, rather than running around and bustling for the family business."
"It's just that you and I will have to be a bit busier, my dear," Lu Sui said, looking at his wife with an apologetic expression.
Madam Lu merely smiled faintly, shook her head, and replied calmly: "Since I am the mistress of the Lu Family, it is only natural that I share the burden with you, husband."
Lu Sui: "Wanyuan, it is so good to have you."
To have such a wife, what more could a husband ask for?
...
The next day, Nangong Yushao, dressed in a dazzling red robe, swaggered into the Lanyue Inn. "Miss Murong!!!"
The innkeeper hurried over, his face beaming with smiles. "Third Young Master Nangong, what brings you here?"
Nangong Yushao: "Where is Miss Murong who checked in yesterday? Which room is she in?"
The moment he entered the city, he had ordered the guards who escorted the pirates back to keep track of which inn Miss Murong stayed at. Upon returning, he had attended to some business affairs for the chamber of commerce and the cargo brought back yesterday, and he came bright and early this morning for fear that Miss Murong might not be in.
Naturally, the innkeeper had also heard that Third Young Master Nangong and Miss Nangong had returned yesterday riding in the Lu family carriage, so it stood to reason that they knew Miss Murong.
"Young Master Nangong, Miss Murong is in the Heaven-grade room on the third floor."
Nangong Yushao put his hands behind his back, looked up toward the third floor, and chuckled as he waved a hand at the innkeeper. "Alright, this young master will go up myself. You don't need to follow."
Innkeeper: "Understood, Young Master Nangong."
...
Meanwhile, on the third floor in the Heaven-grade room, Murong Yunsheng, wearing a mask, leaned against the window, watching the endless stream of carriages and spiritual horses of all colors on the bustling street below. Magnificent carriages, guards riding tall steeds, and the roar of the crowd—today's imperial capital was even livelier than yesterday.
Yet, it was also far more dangerous. The influx of so many factions into this imperial capital was not just for the upcoming auction, but also for the impending opening of the Tianluo Ruins. One could say that the competition had already begun, and no doubt, people were about to lose their lives.
How many more skeletons would be buried in this imperial capital?
...
"Knock, knock, knock!!!"
Murong Yunsheng: "???"
"Who is it?"
Nangong Yushao: "Miss Murong, it's me, Nangong Yushao."
Murong Yunsheng: "???"
Why is he here so early? Doesn't the Third Young Master of the Nangong Family have anything else to do?
Murong Yunsheng: "Come in."
Resting her cheek on one hand, Murong Yunsheng tilted her head to look at Nangong Yushao as he pushed the door open, and asked with a slight smile, "Third Young Master Nangong, don't you have anything else to attend to?"
For a chamber of commerce as large as theirs, there must be countless matters to handle every day! To think he still had time to wander over here and idle about.
Nangong Yushao: "Not at all, this young master is very free. Besides, if it weren't for me, who would fill you in on all these factions arriving in the imperial capital?"
Just as Nangong Yushao's voice trailed off, another voice rang out from outside the door.
"Me."
Nangong Yushao turned his head and saw Lu Chengze staring at him with an unfriendly expression. "Lu Chengze? What brings you here?"
Lu Chengze: "Only you are allowed to come, but this young master isn't? Third Young Master Nangong, doing this isn't very sporting of you. Miss Murong is this young master's honored guest, and you're openly trying to poach people right in front of me!"
Fortunately, he had arrived in time; any later, and this fellow really would have beaten him to the punch.
Nangong Yushao, however, wore the thoroughly unbothered expression of a brazen rogue, and said indifferently, "Tch, so what if I'm poaching? Just consider me unsporting."
Lu Chengze: "..."
Utterly speechless. This guy... is an absolute scoundrel, isn't he?
?????
Lu Chengze: "Hmph!!!"
Murong Yunsheng raised an eyebrow slightly, watching Lu Chengze as he quite naturally seated himself in the chair opposite her, and smiled faintly. "What is Young Master Lu here for...?"
Lu Chengze: "Didn't you want to learn about the various factions on the Shuangmeng Continent? I compiled some information and brought it over for you."
As he spoke, he took out a small booklet and pushed it across the table toward Murong Yunsheng. "This records primarily the hidden forces of the Shuangmeng Continent."
"Miss Murong, this is the admission token for our auction. Just bring it with you when the auction starts," Nangong Yushao chimed in, refusing to be outdone as he retrieved a circular dark-colored token from his storage ring.
Upon seeing the token, Lu Chengze couldn't help widening his eyes in surprise. "Nangong Yushao, you're really splurging!"
Murong Yunsheng took the token and asked doubtfully, "Is this dark token very valuable?"
To look at it in her hand, it seemed like nothing more than an ordinary token.