Chapter 89. Last night, Xiaoye and I looked back.

"Big sister, is something wrong?"

Aoyingshan approached Xiaoye.

Originally, the two were talking together, but suddenly Xiaoye was called away. After she came back, her state was strange.

With a half-dazed face,

she only blinked her eyes rapidly. Clearly, something was not right.

"Sit down. What happened?"

The two moved to a quiet place and sat down.

Xiaoye, with a blank expression, moved her lips.

"I think I'm going to be sold."

"Huh? Sold?"

Aoyingshan's eyes widened.

Who is she? She is the daughter of the head of the Nangong family. There's no reason for her to be sold, and if anyone dared to suggest it, they would be immediately wiped out.

Then what could this mean?

There is only one possibility.

A political marriage.

Realizing this, Aoyingshan became agitated. She patted Xiaoye's arm.

"Oh, oh! How wonderful! Who is it? Who are you being sold to... I mean, who is being mentioned?"

"Chen Huaxue."

"Huh??"

For a moment, the faces of several people Aoyingshan had quickly thought of in her mind disappeared with a 'pop'.

Roughly,

Moyong Jin of the Moyong family.

Pang Wujie of the Hubei Pang family.

Huang Bojiang of the Huangbo family.

And others.

But the heir of the Chen Huaxue family?

It was almost as unexpected as a bolt from the blue.

Then Xiaoye recounted the situation just now.

Aoyingshan, who had been listening intently, opened her mouth wide.

"You were asked to personally guide the elder? Has this ever happened before?"

"No."

This was the first time.

Until now, guiding visitors to the Nangong family, regardless of their status, was not her responsibility.

The beauty of unparalleled charm was excessively protected,

and always treated with great care.

Therefore, her father's request for her to personally guide the heir of the Chen Huaxue family was significant to Xiaoye.

At that moment, Xiaoye smiled.

"No, upon careful thought, there was one instance."

"Who was it?"

"Hou Gong. I think it was when I was five."

"Oh... I thought it was someone else."

Aoyingshan laughed along.

If the visitor was the martial arts alliance leader Hou Gong, whether it was the young Xiaoye at five or the beautiful Xiaoye now, it would be an honor.

But the heir of the Chen Huaxue family is different.

What is he like?

"But, as you said, when the elder said 'slowly,' it carries a lot of weight, doesn't it?"

"That's not all."

"What else?"

"They were accommodated in the eastern garden's annex."

"Why is that significant?"

"You wouldn't know. It might seem similar, but it's different. This place is only allowed for major figures in the martial world. Heads of the nine major sects or those beyond, and even further, only someone like Hou Gong."

Aoyingshan then had a fit.

"Oh, oh! Big sister, how wonderful, how wonderful! This is it. This is it!"

"Huh?"

"I don't get it!"

"What is it?"

"Love for a son-in-law is the same as love for a son!"

Xiaoye frowned and pursed her lips.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes."

"......I'm sorry, big sister."

"Phew...... I never thought such a day would come to me."

Aoyingshan tilted her head.

"Was there any prior relationship with the Chen Huaxue family?"

"None at all."

"Wow, then it means you captured the elder's heart at once."

"That's right."

"Strange. If it was the law enforcer returning, we could acknowledge his martial arts skills, but if that's the reason, he should have been assigned to the stables. It means there's something else...... What happened?"

"I don't know. But what did you feel?"

"About the heir of the Chen Huaxue family?"

"Yes."

"Hmm......"

Aoyingshan looked up, trying to recall.

"What can I say? He seemed lively and impressive? And... it's a bit ambiguous, but I felt like he was looking down on people. It's different from arrogance......"

Xiaoye made a mock-serious face.

"You liked him, didn't you?"

"Big sister, you're so silly. How can you tell from a brief meeting?"

"You're right. How can you know a person from a brief meeting?"

"Exactly."

Xiaoye thought of the heir of the Chen Huaxue family.

Pouring wine for everyone at the Longxian Pavilion.

He was impressive. Even if he tried not to stand out, he did.

'Annoying.'

**

The group was led to the eastern garden.

The scene before them was so unexpected and breathtaking that Tian Gongdan cheered.

"Wow, amazing!"

"Wow, what is this? It's so beautiful."

"Why does the Nangong family have a paradise like this? Are we really staying here?"

The magnificent pavilions and the well-maintained, vast garden.

The pond with its serene atmosphere and the pavilion in the center, connected by a bridge, created a harmonious and beautiful landscape. The surrounding green pines looked like a painting.

Everyone was delighted, but naturally, they also had their doubts.

"Brother, what's going on? We shouldn't be treated like this."

"Hmm......"

Hou Gong agreed.

He had been frowning since they entered.

'Here?'

How could this be?

Hou Gong knew the special nature of this place.

It was where he always stayed when visiting the Nangong family. But now, he was not the martial arts alliance leader but the heir of the Chen Huaxue family.

Yin Angkai spoke up.

"Is this it?"

"What?"

"Feeding the disliked one more cake."

"Haha, that's ridiculous. A foolish, stupid, and poor elder brother."

Of course, it was absurd.

It was too much to be considered a courtesy, and there was no reason for it.

Then Hou Gong suddenly had a thought and tilted his head.

He looked down at his hands and scanned his body.

'......?'

Young? No belly.

No wrinkles on his face, and his hair was smooth, as expected.

'A young man......'

Thinking about it,

Hou Gong laughed to himself, though he doubted it.

'No way. Nan Gongxue may have a quirky side, but surely not......'

**

As night deepened,

Hou Gong strolled under the moonlight.

The pine-lined path around the annex was perfect for a walk.

The faint scent of pine was satisfying.

A chuckle caught his attention.

On the roof of the pavilion,

the beggars, now complete with the addition of Qiu Yungai, gathered to share stories and relieve their pent-up feelings.

'Haha, what a bunch of clowns.'

Why do they always go up on the roof?

It's a mystery. There are many rooms and a large garden, yet they always go up on the roof like cats.

Beside the group of beggars on the roof, Miao Bingbing also joined in, laughing and chatting as if she had always been part of the Beggar Sect, showing no sense of alienation.

If it weren't for her fair skin and clean clothes,

she could pass for a fellow Beggar Sect member.

"Yang Xiao."

"Yes, Master."

Yang Xiao, who was following a step behind, bowed and waited for instructions.

"Through the Nangong family, inform Master Mo that I wish to see him."

"Yes."

The treasure and the story behind it from the Medicine King Sect.

Master Mo would surely be curious about it.

Master Mo has the right to hear it.

Although it took time, Master Mo eventually deciphered the coded document. He also understood the subtle hint to avoid complications and left without asking for reasons.

While waiting, Hou Gong changed locations.

He crossed the bridge.

Sitting in the pavilion in the middle of the pond,

splash, splash.

A frog leaping over the lotus flowers made a splash.

It had been a long time.

This place, this sound.

'That's how it was back then.'

Perhaps because she met Xiaoye earlier,

Hou Gong smiled, as if he could see the young Xiaoye in front of him.

Was she four then?

Or five?

While the former head of the Nangong family, Nangong Xian, was chatting with someone, the young Xiaoye, who had a seat, rested her chin on the table with her hands and looked around.

But since no one played with her, she soon looked bored.

Splash, splash.

The frog broke her boredom.

Xiaoye walked to the railing to look at the pond.

She moved around, watching the frogs.

When a frog jumped, she followed it.

The curious child must have thought of catching a frog. She tried to climb over the railing. Just as she was about to lose balance and fall, Hou Gong reached out and gently pulled her in.

Aerial capture.

Xiaoye, floating in the air, found it interesting and forgot about the frog, insisting on climbing over the railing.

Each time, when he used aerial capture to pull her in, she giggled and said, "Again. Again. Again."

One day, Xiaoye offered to show him around the house.

Although he already knew every corner,

he couldn't help but follow her as she led the way, gesturing for him to come quickly.

Before long, they hadn't even toured half of the place,

"I'm tired, let's stop here."

Even though she didn't sweat, she pretended to wipe her forehead and smiled.

Time flies.

That little girl has grown into a proper lady.

Hou Gong's memories ended there.

"Master, Master Mo has arrived."

"Please show him in."

A moment later,

Hou Gong met Master Mo.

The events after Master Mo left the Medicine King Sect.

He told him about the treasure, the Yuetuo, and how it led to the consumption of the Lingyao grass by the Tian Gongdan. Master Mo couldn't stop laughing, as if he had taken the medicine himself.

Hou Gong distinguished between what he could share and what he shouldn't, but they still had a lot to talk about, and time passed unnoticed.

The first night at the Nangong family,

passed quickly and deeply.

**

The next morning.

Xiaoye came to the eastern garden.

She was greeted by Songhua.

"Miss, why are you here......"

"Is the heir inside?"

"Yes, he is meditating."

"I want to personally guide the distinguished guests who have come to our family today."

"Huh?"

Songhua's eyes widened.

She was momentarily stunned, not understanding.

The daughter of the Nangong family, with a beauty like a celestial being, offering to guide them. Songhua felt honored that her master was receiving special treatment, but she was also bewildered.

'Clearly...... buried......'

Moreover, the group included beggars.

But she couldn't ask for a reason.

"Please, wait a moment."

Songhua bowed politely and entered the pavilion.

She rushed to her master.

"Master, Master! Right now......"

"Calm down."

"That's not it. Who came......"

"I heard."

Hou Gong, seated, spoke softly.

He had already 'hmm' and understood the situation upon hearing the conversation outside.

'Nan Gongxue, you really......'

This place, the eastern garden, was already too much, and now he had Xiaoye guide them, clearly trying to connect Xiaoye with the heir of the Chen Huaxue family.

Step by step, closer.

If he had the discerning eye, it was worth praising.

He must remember that nurturing talent means keeping them close.

Haha, but it's absurd.

The problem is that he is Hou Gong.

Thinking about it, Hou Gong couldn't help but smile.

"Master, please get ready......"

"Songhua."

"Yes, Master."

"Tell them this."

"......?"

Songhua was puzzled.

One corner of her master's mouth was raised in a pleased manner.

"Last night, I already toured the Nangong family with a young girl."

And,

that time was pleasant.

Of course, the following words echoed only in Hou Gong's heart.