Chapter 17: The Arrival at Yonghang

"Master, let me help you."

After Ning Mu dismounted, he stretched out both hands to assist Liu Qingmei.

Liu Qingmei had intended to flip and leap off the horse; with her strength, she was far from needing anyone's assistance.

She had intended to refuse.

But noticing Ning Mu's expectant gaze, she hesitated for a moment, then placed her slender, delicate hand into his, and leaped down.

Following the downward momentum, the greater part of her body almost pressed into Ning Mu's embrace.

She could even feel Ning Mu's intense masculine scent, as well as the warm breath gushing from his nostrils, brushing against her delicate face.

It was like a refreshing, intoxicating, and rustling breeze in the spring.

"Let's enter the city!"

After her feet touched the ground, Liu Qingmei's earlobes burned; she hurriedly released Ning Mu, cast her gaze elsewhere, and whispered.

And at the same time.

At the city gate.

The Second Shopkeeper of the Yuhong Trading Firm, Ye Yutan, along with stewards Li Mingquan, Li Mingyang, and others, were leading a group of trading firm servants and Ye Family maids from the Yonghang City residence, craning their necks in anticipation.

Ye Yutan was of the Ye Family's direct line, a cousin-nephew of Ye Bufan.

His father, Ye Bupo, and Ye Bufan were cousins.

Because he was still young and his talent for Martial Dao was mediocre, he was arranged to gain experience in the trading firms under the Ye Family as soon as he turned eighteen.

With Liu Qingmei arriving in person this time, Ye Yutan, as her cousin-nephew, was very excited.

He had been away from the Ye Family for more than half a year.

During these six months, besides following Yela to learn the art of management, he often went on external errands, traveling north and south, and had visited several large nearby cities, but he had not returned home even once.

So, upon learning that his young aunt-in-law Liu Qingmei was coming, he was so excited he did not sleep all night.

At the crack of dawn, he burned incense and bathed, then arrived early at the city gate with his people to wait.

The reason he attached such importance to this was because of a small, deep-seated secret hidden in his heart, one that was unknown and difficult to speak of.

Ever since he understood the affairs between men and women, there was a beautiful encounter where he had accidentally caused trouble and was being chased all over the courtyard by his father, who was brandishing a bamboo rod; his young aunt-in-law had come to discuss matters with his father and shielded him tightly, saving him from the brutal beating. That moment caused her graceful figure to be imprinted in his mind, never to be forgotten.

When he dreamed of her in the dead of night, she often lingered in his heart, making him feel a longing that was hard to suppress...

This forbidden, secret crush was something he could not speak of.

He could only bury it deep in his heart.

When his longing grew deep, it often made him lose his appetite, and only by seeing his young aunt-in-law could he face life with full vigor.

Fortunately, over the past six months, he had been busy with the affairs of the trading firm; the Head Shopkeeper, Yela, was advanced in age, and the family intended to groom him as the new successor to the trading firm, to manage the businesses under the Ye Family.

This busyness had actually faded the longing in his heart quite a bit.

But being able to see the young aunt-in-law he admired once again, the longing surged back like a tide.

Only...

When he saw his young aunt-in-law riding her horse with heroic spirit, approaching from afar, the joy that had been growing on his face gradually froze.

After the distance closed, he noticed that behind his young aunt-in-law was a handsome man of similar age to himself.

The key was that these two were actually riding the same horse! Damn it!

Even his second uncle, Ye Bufan, the Villa Master, had never ridden the same horse as his young aunt-in-law! Moreover, his second uncle was her husband!

Who was this man? Just as Ye Yutan furrowed his brows, feeling suspicious and secretly hateful.

Next, a scene that left him dumbfounded and unable to believe his eyes occurred...

He saw his heroic and powerful young aunt-in-law, like a delicate young girl, having her slender hand held by that man, jumping off the horse half-held in his arms, their behavior intimate, and her expression revealing a hint of intriguing charm.

The two were even pressed tightly together.

Although they separated as soon as they touched, that warm, jade-like, fragrant body had actually thrown itself into the embrace of that strange youth! This...

Ye Yutan immediately could not suppress the anger in his heart; his fists were clenched tight, his brows furrowed, and his complexion gradually turned livid.

"Eh? Who is that man?"

"In the Madam's letter, she didn't mention bringing anyone else along?"

"Young Master, do you know who that handsome man beside the Madam is?" "..."

Ye Yutan felt like killing someone.

Yet at this moment, the trading firm stewards, the brothers Li Mingyang and Li Mingquan, were still echoing each other's questions, not noticing at all that the Second Shopkeeper's expression was ugly.

"I don't know either; we'll know once the young aunt-in-law comes over and we ask," Ye Yutan said, suppressing his inner anger, his tone stiff as he spoke to the Li brothers.

Only then did the Li brothers realize that their master's tone was not right.

The two looked at each other, both shrugged, looking completely bewildered, and remained silent.

Not long after.

Liu Qingmei, bringing Ning Mu with her, passed the inspection of the city gate soldiers and arrived before Ye Yutan.

Ye Yutan had already adjusted his state.

Despite his anger, this sentiment was incredibly forbidden and could not be known by outsiders.

He could not even let Liu Qingmei know.

Otherwise, given the unyielding and chaste nature of his young aunt-in-law Liu Qingmei, he feared he would never be able to see her again in this lifetime!

"Respectfully welcoming the young aunt-in-law!"

"Respectfully welcoming the First Madam!"

"..."

Ye Yutan, the Li brothers, and the crowd of servants and maids all offered their greetings.

"Mm, you may all rise."

Liu Qingmei had long since composed her state of mind, devoid of the hesitation and panic she felt when alone with Ning Mu; her entire person was once again filled with the dignity befitting the First Madam of Cangjian Villa.

With a light flick of her sleeve, Liu Qingmei cast her gaze toward her nephew, Ye Yutan.

The Ye Family's current generation was quite prosperous in numbers.

Aside from her husband's lineage, which had only one daughter, there were many nephews and nieces from other branches.

And Ye Yutan, although his talent for Cultivation Points was mediocre, was obedient and sensible, possessed excellent character, and never fought or scrambled for anything; he was the one among the many Ye Family nephews and nieces who satisfied her the most.

"Yutan, how has your training been over this past half-year? Look at you, you've grown darker and thinner, but you also look much more spirited; you've shed your childishness and gained a bit of composure. You must pay attention to your health and get plenty of rest."

Liu Qingmei smiled slightly, reached out to pat Ye Yutan on the shoulder, and showed him the utmost care.

"Many thanks for your concern, Aunt. Your nephew is doing well." Ye Yutan's joy was immediately written all over his face, and he felt inexplicably grateful.

Feeling as though the warmth from his aunt's slender, soft hand still lingered on his shoulder, he could not describe how excited he felt inside!

He even made a secret decision.

From now on, he would never wash this garment, but would store it away so that in the dead of night, he could gaze upon the object to remember the person and relieve the bitter longing in his heart.

Then, he hurriedly looked at Liu Qingmei with admiration and said eagerly, "Aunt, you have traveled a long way, and your nephew has already had people arrange hot water and fine food at the residence. After you have washed away your fatigue and eaten, your nephew will take you to the trading firm. Does this arrangement suit you, Aunt?"

Liu Qingmei raised an eyebrow, glanced at the two stewards, then looked at Ning Mu, and immediately said to Ye Yutan, "There is no need to go to the residence; it is too crowded and noisy. I do not intend to stay long on this trip. Just find a quiet inn and open a room each for me and Xiao Mu."

Upon hearing Liu Qingmei's words, a flash of disappointment appeared in the depths of Ye Yutan's eyes.

He had hoped that his aunt would stay for a few more days on this trip so that he could frequently gaze upon her beautiful face.

But since his aunt had given an order, how could he disobey?

He nodded immediately and said, "Very well, your nephew will have it arranged right away."

After speaking, he looked at Ning Mu, put on an innocent and harmless expression, and asked curiously, "Aunt, I wonder who this brother is..."

However, the hostility in the depths of his eyes was still detected by Ning Mu.

"This is my Personal Disciple, Ning Mu. He is a few months older than you; you should address him as elder brother."

"Xiao Mu, this is the young master of the Ye Family's second branch, Ye Yutan."

Liu Qingmei introduced them to each other.

She had long been familiar with Ning Mu's birth date and horoscope; after all, he was her Binding Companion and also her Personal Disciple, so she naturally had to have a thorough understanding of such basic information.

(End of this chapter)