Zhao Yuwei and Jing Shen were drinking and chatting with the manor lord's wife, Lu Yun.
Zhao Yuwei held her wine glass, her eyes sparkling with allure.
She chuckled and said, "Mrs. Lu, your methods of maintaining your youth are truly amazing. If I didn't know you were a mother, I would have thought you were a beautiful young woman!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yun's face lit up with a smile, and she waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Oh, you're so good with words, child. How can my old arms and legs compare to you young people!"
Zhao Yuwei persisted, "Mrs. Lu is too modest! Look at this skin, so smooth and delicate; and look at this figure, so graceful and charming. I would be content if I had even half your charm."
Lu Yun was delighted and was about to say something when she suddenly noticed Xiao Feng walking over.
She greeted him with a smile, "Feng Xiao, why are you only just getting back?"
Xiao Feng was taken aback upon hearing this, then gave an awkward smile: "Ah, I just went out for some fresh air, my apologies."
Lu Yun waved her hand, not minding at all: "It's alright, it's alright, come sit down and have a couple of drinks."
She paused, then a glint of excitement flashed in her eyes: "Oh, right, I was just talking to them. In two days it's an auspicious day, and then Shen Jing and my family will have their wedding. I'm going to give my precious daughter an unprecedented wedding!"
As she said this, Lu Yun's eyes were filled with anticipation and pride.
She said wistfully, "I've already decided. I'll hire the best musicians, host the most lavish banquet, and invite guests from all directions. I want everyone to know that my daughter, Lu Yun's daughter, is the most honored bride of this Jade Sword Manor!"
As Xiao Feng listened to Lu Yun's reverie, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
He glanced at Jing Shen and saw that the other man had a polite smile on his face, but a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.
The mistress of the manor genuinely wanted to marry off her daughter, but they came with ulterior motives.
After the banquet, Jing Shen was arranged to enjoy the flowers in the back garden with Zhuang Wuxia.
The moonlight, like water, spilled across the garden, where flowers bloomed in abundance.
Artificial hills and flowing water, pavilions and towers, all are exquisite and elegant.
As Xiao Feng listened to Lu Yun's reverie, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
He glanced at Jing Shen and saw that the other man had a polite smile on his face, but a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.
After the banquet, Jing Shen was arranged to enjoy the flowers in the back garden with Zhuang Wuxia.
The moonlight, like water, spilled across the garden, where flowers bloomed in abundance.
Artificial hills and flowing water, pavilions and towers, all are exquisite and elegant.
Zhuang Wuxia had a graceful figure and a beautiful face, but Jing Shen lost all affection for her when he thought about her previous violent behavior.
But in order to complete the mission, he could only force a smile and accompany Zhuang Wuxia on a stroll along the garden path.
“Miss Zhuang,” Jing Shen began, his voice tinged with flattery, “Look at this beautiful scene, have you ever thought about having a special token of your love?”
Zhuang Wuxia was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting the man who had come to choose a husband by embroidered ball to ask such a question.
Her eyes lit up, and she said with great interest, "The engagement token must be unique. A jade pendant made of thousand-year-old cold iron, or a necklace made of deep-sea mermaid tears, would be worthy of me."
As Jing Shen listened to these exaggerated descriptions, he wished he could bite off his own tongue.
This woman really dares to speak her mind!
But he still managed to restrain himself and cleverly steered the conversation toward the jade pendant: "I once saw a black jade pendant. If it were carefully carved and made into a token of love, it would surely be quite nice."
Upon hearing the words "black jade pendant," Zhuang Wuxia's expression flashed with disdain: "I also have a piece of black jade, which was given to me by my father."
Jing Shen's heart tightened. He had come to the manor specifically to find out why Zhuang Wuxia had the black jade pendant.
Jing Shen suppressed his excitement and asked calmly, "Oh? Is that so? It must be very precious. I wonder when Miss Zhuang obtained it?"
Zhuang Wuxia, completely oblivious to the odd tone in Jing Shen's voice, continued, "I saw that in my father's study on my sixteenth birthday. I fell in love with it at first sight and kept pestering my father for it. You have no idea how rare that black jade is; my father treasures it so much!"
Upon hearing this, Jing Shen's heart stirred.
He cautiously pressed on, "I see. May I ask where the Master obtained this jade pendant?"
However, at that moment, Zhuang Wuxia suddenly became alert.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, looking Jing Shen up and down, her tone tinged with suspicion: "Young Master Shen, why are you so interested in this jade pendant? You've been asking about it since just now."
Jing Shen was startled and quickly waved his hand, laughing, "Not at all, I'm just interested in rare jade. I've heard that black jade is indeed rare, so I asked a few more questions. Please don't take offense, Miss Zhuang."
Zhuang Wuxia looked at Jing Shen with some skepticism, but ultimately didn't press the matter further.
The two chatted for a few more minutes, and then Jing Shen made an excuse to send Zhuang Wuxia back to her room to rest.
After seeing the young lady off, Jing Shen immediately went to find Xiao Feng and Zhao Yuwei.
The three of them huddled in a secluded corner, all looking somewhat nervous.
Jing Shen lowered his voice and said, "That black jade pendant, it turns out, belonged to the manor lord."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuwei frowned: "This is troublesome. Investigating the origin of the jade pendant from the manor lord will probably not be easy."
Xiao Feng pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to go back to the Ming Cult. Perhaps the people of the Ming Cult can provide some information about the Master."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuwei immediately became nervous.
She grabbed Xiao Feng's arm, her eyes filled with worry: "Are you crazy? Going back to the Ming Cult is too dangerous! What if we get recognized? Don't go and never come back!"
Xiao Feng felt a warmth in his heart when he saw Zhao Yuwei's anxious expression.
He gently patted her hand and said softly, "Don't worry, I'll be careful. Besides, I promised to see all the beautiful scenery with you, how could I break my promise?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuwei blushed slightly.
She glared at Xiao Feng and scolded, "Who wants to see any beautiful scenery with you! Don't talk nonsense!"
Although she said that, her hands still gripped Xiao Feng's sleeve tightly, unwilling to let go for a long time.
Finally, after Xiao Feng repeatedly assured her of safety, Zhao Yuwei reluctantly agreed to his plan.
Watching Xiao Feng's departing figure, a trace of reluctance and worry flashed in Zhao Yuwei's eyes, and she murmured softly, "You must come back safely..."
After Xiao Feng returned to the Ming Cult, he had just stepped through the gate when he saw Liu Qisheng walking towards him hurriedly with a flustered expression.
"Xiao Feng, why are you back?" Liu Qisheng asked in a low voice.
He grabbed Xiao Feng's arm and pulled him to a corner without saying a word.
Xiao Feng was completely bewildered by this sudden action, and his doubts deepened.
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