"So this is Master Wang! I've heard so much about you!"

"When I returned to Jingzhou with my father before, I did visit Wuxian Garden, and it left a deep impression on me!"

"It's a pity that Master Wang wasn't in the building at the time, so I didn't get to see her. I never expected to meet her in Ruzhou. What a pleasant surprise!"

"Master Wang is even more beautiful than the legends say; truly, like teacher, like student!"

"..."

The Crown Prince of Yu immediately replied.

It must be said that, with royal blood flowing through his veins, the Crown Prince of Yu's demeanor and speech far surpassed those of ordinary people.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness..."

Wang Yingqiu gave a curt reply, showing no particular eagerness in response to his status as the heir apparent.

She has personality, I like that!

The Crown Prince of Yu was used to seeing alluring women throwing themselves at him and was already tired of it. He was particularly interested in women who didn't want to pay him any attention.

This is also why he set his sights on Zhou Ziqiong. Although he felt that the task of training Mu Qingren and her apprentice would be more difficult, he was willing to give it a try!

"Hehe, Master Wang, there's no need to be so modest. I'm just stating the facts!"

"Your Highness, the poetry gathering hasn't started yet, has it?"

At this moment, Mu Qingren suddenly interrupted.

Like Wang Yingqiu, Mu Qingren was actually not fond of the Crown Prince of Yu. To be precise, she was not only not fond of the Crown Prince of Yu, but also not fond of the Lantern Festival Poetry Gathering, which is why she had never participated before.

However, now that she is the head of the Wuxian Pavilion, and she knows that Jing Zhe will be opening a branch of the newspaper here soon, she needs to make more public appearances and maintain a certain level of familiarity with Prince Yu and others so that she can speak on Jing Zhe's behalf when he comes.

In truth, she knew perfectly well that with Jing Zhe's abilities, he wouldn't need her help at all.

But that's how women are; even if they know, they still want to do something for their men, otherwise they'll feel guilty.

As the head of the Wuxian Pavilion, she had never changed her preferences for the sake of the pavilion. Yet, on this day, she willingly came to the poetry gathering for her man. It can only be said that once a woman falls in love with someone, she completely turns her back on him…

"Without Pavilion Master Mu present, how can this poetry gathering begin?"

The Crown Prince of Yu smiled and said, "Everyone has been waiting for Pavilion Master Mu. Now that Pavilion Master Mu has arrived, please take your seats! The poetry gathering will begin shortly!"

Mu Qingren nodded, and then, together with Wang Yingqiu, they walked inside under the guidance of the Crown Prince of Yu.

However, after taking only a few steps, Mu Qingren stopped, as if she had been frozen in place.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Wang Yingqiu immediately asked in a low voice, while looking in the direction Mu Qingren was looking. Upon seeing it, she too was stunned, just like Mu Qingren…

They were dressed the same, made up the same, and looked the same, standing in the same spot, looking in the same direction, instantly becoming a sight to behold in the hall.

Everyone stopped and went to look.

As Mu Qingren and Wang Yingqiu looked out, Jing Zhe was sitting leisurely in a chair, enjoying his tea with a cup in hand, a stark contrast to the others.

Everyone was standing, except for Jing Zhe, who was sitting.

It was really abrupt.

...

Mu Qingren had imagined their reunion many times. She also fantasized about seeing Jing Zhe again, wondering if she could boldly rush up to him and hug him tightly, as if embracing her whole world...

Although she is the head of the Wuxian Pavilion and has been deified in the eyes of outsiders, she is still a woman, and one who has only recently fallen in love.

They had only spent a few days together before parting ways, and her longing for him had already spread like wildfire.

She was considering the consequences of rushing over and hugging Jing Zhe in front of so many people; would it cause an uproar in Ruzhou City tomorrow?

No, it's not just Ruzhou, the entire martial arts world will probably treat her as a laughing stock.

Never mind!

I see my own man, can't I even hug him?

Like a little girl throwing a tantrum, Mu Qingren thought to herself that the power of such intense longing being ignited in an instant was immense. Just as Mu Qingren made her decision and was about to take that step, Jing Zhe frowned at her, seemingly glaring at her...

Are you still glaring at me?

Why are you being mean to me?

Mu Qingren felt so wronged that tears instantly welled up in her eyes. Jing Zhe, noticing this, could only shake his head discreetly and then secretly give her a look.

At this moment, Wang Yingqiu tugged at Mu Qingren from behind: "Master, let's go sit down too!"

"..."

As Jing Zhe's first woman, Wang Yingqiu's longing was no less than Mu Qingren's. However, she clearly understood Jing Zhe better than Mu Qingren. At this moment, his choice not to acknowledge her must have its own considerations. Moreover, Jing Zhe had just given her a look, which further solidified her thoughts, so she reminded Mu Qingren.

"Yes, Pavilion Master Mu! Let's go over and have a seat!"

Yu the Great's heir immediately chimed in, glancing at Jing Zhe with eyes full of disgust: "Ignore him, he's just an outsider!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingren and Wang Yingqiu exchanged a glance.

It seems he really did have something to do, and he deliberately concealed his identity, otherwise why would the Crown Prince of Yu comment on him in such a tone?

"Okay, let's go sit down first."

Mu Qingren nodded, then walked to the two chairs at the front and sat down with Wang Yingqiu. Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Jing Zhe.

Fearing exposure, Jing Zhe glared at them again, while crossing his legs.

Mu Qingren and her apprentice were also helpless: they didn't want to see it either, but they couldn't control themselves! The days they spent apart felt like years; now that they finally met, they couldn't acknowledge each other. Just seeing each other became their bare minimum…

Ha, you dare to glare at Pavilion Master Mu?

When Mu Qingren stopped to look at Jing Zhe, the Crown Prince of Yu followed her and didn't find anything wrong—the only thing that was wrong was that Jing Zhe kept frowning and glaring at Mu Qingren.

This greatly displeased the Crown Prince of Yu, who also felt a sense of contempt: "Your wife is indeed good, but how can she compare to Pavilion Master Mu? It's an honor for you if Pavilion Master Mu even glances at you, yet you dare to glare at her?"

However, this did give me a chance to shine!

Therefore, the Crown Prince of Yu stepped forward, ready to "stand up" for Mu Qingren and Wang Yingqiu!

"You out-of-towner! Do you even know who this is? This is Pavilion Master Mu of the Wuxian Pavilion! Didn't you see everyone is welcoming Pavilion Master Mu? Didn't you see that you're the only one sitting in this hall? What, do you really think you're superior just because you have some money?"

Jing Zhe shook his head. The Crown Prince of Yu thought that Jing Zhe had realized his mistake after being criticized by him, but Jing Zhe's answer the next moment surprised everyone!

Jing Zhe crossed his legs, looking very serious.

"I don't think so!"

"..."

————