"In just a few days there’ll be a grand literary gathering. That son of the Great General who loves to play at being cultured will definitely attend. That will be the best time to make our move!"

The man cross-dressed as an opera performer nodded. "Since that’s the case, we’d better act carefully these next few days. We can’t afford any mistakes!"

"Relax! I’ve already arranged everything. But that woman just now was quite interesting. Even though she was wearing a veil, I still recognized her as the eldest young lady of the Ren Family!"

The opera man nodded. "I had already seen it too. She’s the Ren Family young miss who’s engaged to the Great General’s son!"

"That’s right, it’s her! Strange, why would she appear here? And who was that man with her?"

The opera man frowned. "I don’t know either, but he’s definitely not ordinary. He saw through my real identity with just a single sentence!"

The man who appeared later let out a sigh. "Yeah, even though his cultivation is only at Seventh Grade Wu Yi Lang, the aura on him is like a vast ocean. He can’t be underestimated!"

As he said this, his expression hardened. "Who was the one that attacked you just now?"

The opera man gave a wry smile. "Who else could it be? Of course it was Shura Hall!"

"So it really was that lot. Damn them!" The later man’s face twisted with hatred.

The opera man shook his head. "At such a critical time, we can’t stir up extra trouble. No matter who that man is, and no matter what Shura Hall is planning, just remember—our goal this trip is the Great General’s son, nothing else!"

"Understood!"

And right while the two were plotting in secret, Xue An had already taken Ren Ning up into the sky.

"What did that man just say to you?" Xue An asked.

"Nothing much. He just asked my name, but I ignored him," Ren Ning said cautiously.

Xue An’s expression turned thoughtful.

With one look he could tell that the man who appeared later was also some sort of evil being.

He was clearly closely tied to that opera man.

Thinking of the internal strife among these evil beings, the corners of Xue An’s mouth couldn’t help but curl into a faint smile.

"Let’s go. We’ve walked the streets enough. Time to head back!"

"Mm."

And just as Xue An was leading Ren Ning back.

Ren Xing was pacing anxiously back and forth in the parking lot.

All of a sudden!

With a thunderous rumble, a massive carriage slowly descended into the parking lot.

When she saw this carriage, Ren Xing couldn’t help but brighten with joy, then hurriedly rushed over.

The carriage door slowly opened wide, and an energetic elder stepped down from within.

Ren Xing immediately bowed. "Father!"

Though called an elder, in appearance he looked only around forty. When he saw Ren Xing, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Good daughter, you came here to welcome your father?"

Ren Xing nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Father. Ever since I heard you were coming back, I’ve been waiting here in the parking lot. My patience has finally paid off—I finally get to see you!"

Ren Xing’s father, the Ren Family Family Head Ren Butong, burst into hearty laughter.

"Good! Good! As expected, you’re the thoughtful one. Where’s that useless elder sister of yours?"

At the mention of Ren Ning, Ren Butong’s tone cooled by several degrees.

Ren Xing had been waiting for this line. When she heard her father ask, joy surged in her heart, but not a trace showed on her face. Instead, she put on a look of grief and indignation.

"Father, you don’t know. While you were away, my sister threw her weight around, no one dared provoke her. It was hard enough to get her to go out and do something, but who knew she’d quickly bring a man back with her. I was furious but didn’t dare speak up, so I could only wait for you to return and decide what to do!"

"What did you say?" Ren Butong almost thought he’d misheard.

After all, Ren Ning had always been honest and dull, to the point of being overly honest.

This was precisely why Ren Butong had felt free to decide on his own to betroth her to the Great General’s son.

This trip of his was mainly for the matter between Ren Ning and the Great General’s son.

He had never imagined that while he was working hard to cement this marriage, his always-honest eldest daughter would bring a man home.

How could this not leave Ren Butong’s head full of question marks?

Especially when he thought of what might happen if the Great General found out about this, Ren Butong’s face turned ashen.

He ground his teeth. "Where is your sister now?"

"I don’t know. When I went to her courtyard earlier, I heard that man saying he was going to take Sister to a nearby city to stroll around!"

Bang!

With a dull boom, the ground at Ren Butong’s feet instantly shattered, and he stormed off in a fury.

Ren Xing rejoiced inwardly.

Heh!

Let’s see how arrogant you are now!

You actually dared slap me. Now you’re really in for it!

And as for you, Sister, after this, your image in Father’s heart will only sink lower. Then what will you use to compete with me?

Of course, all these thoughts only churned inside Ren Xing’s mind. Not a hint showed on her face. On the surface she even looked anxious and worried, as if the sisterly bond between them was oh so deep.

Ren Butong could no longer endure even a moment. He strode into the inner courtyard and was about to take to the air to search for Ren Ning and Xue An.

But just then, Xue An and Ren Ning had already returned to the Ren Family Manor and descended into the courtyard where Ren Ning lived.

This scene fell into Ren Butong’s eyes, and his anger flared even hotter. He immediately changed direction and headed toward Ren Ning’s side.

At the same time, when Ren Ning saw her spotless, completely renewed courtyard, her mouth fell slightly open and her face went blank with shock.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen the little courtyard this clean.

Especially after those old women had figured out Ren Ning’s temperament, they’d grown lazier by the day, until in the end it was her personal maid who had to do all the work.

But today, after a few slaps from Xue An, those old women who always watched which way the wind blew had finally relearned what fear meant.

Just as Ren Ning was still in a daze, hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, and then Ren Butong led a group of people in.

When he saw Xue An, Ren Butong’s whole body jolted, and then his face twisted with rage.

Ren Ning also saw her father arrive. Though fear gripped her heart, she still hurried forward.

"Father, you’re back..."

Before she could finish, there was a sharp crack as Ren Ning was slapped back several steps.

Then Ren Butong raised a hand to point at Xue An, speaking in a sinister tone.

"Who is this brat? Speak! What is he to you?"

Ren Ning clutched her face, stunned by the blow.

Seeing her like this only made Ren Butong even angrier. He lifted his hand, ready to give her another slap.

But just then, a figure stepped in front of Ren Ning, shielding her behind him.

"First, my name is not ’this brat.’"

"Second, whatever our relationship is, it’s not something you can interrogate in such an overbearing way," Xue An said calmly.