Chapter 76: Whoever Covets, I

「？」

Lei Yan, who had just been facing off against Lei Yushan, turned her gaze toward him with an unusual expression.

In this feudal era, she had heard countless times about the Three Obediences and Four Virtues; this was the first time she had ever heard a man say a woman should freely choose her own heart.

Ye Tian didn't care much about any of that.

Instead, he looked curiously at Lei Yushan.

「I haven't had the pleasure of asking— who is this? 」

Though he didn't know Lei Yan's identity, from the standoff between Lei Yushan and her just now, it was clear she wasn't some ordinary servant.

「Cough, cough! 」

Though Lei Yan's words annoyed Lei Yushan, this wasn't the time to dwell on such matters.

He cleared his throat.

Only then did Lei Yushan introduce her to Ye Tian.

「I was careless—I'll introduce you, my nephew: this is my daughter, Lei Yan. 」

After saying that.

He also briefly introduced Ye Tian to Lei Yan.

「This is the Yù Gōngzǐ—Ye Tian—that I've told you about. 」

Lei Yan knew no ladies' etiquette; instead, she made a fist salute to Ye Tian, like a martial artist greeting a peer.

「... 」

Lei Yushan's face darkened again upon seeing this.

So everything I've told you, you've forgotten completely?

Ye Tian didn't mind at all; he couldn't help laughing, and returned the fist salute.

「Miss Lei has the spirit of a true female hero. 」

「Really? 」

Lei Yan's eyes lit up—this was exactly the kind of praise she loved to hear.

Ye Tian smiled silently.

His thoughts churned: Lei Yan's presence here was clearly arranged by Lei Yushan; the reason wasn't hard to guess.

「He really went all out. 」

Glancing at Lei Yushan's beaming smile beside him, Ye Tian's expression turned understanding.

To win me over, he's even resorted to this?

「It's getting late—my nephew, stay for dinner. I'll have the servants prepare something. Yan'er, you'll entertain our guest. 」

Without giving Ye Tian or Lei Yan a chance to refuse, he left immediately.

As for Mei Yongning, who had come with Ye Tian, he silently stepped back—he had guessed Lei Yushan's intent and didn't want to interfere with Boss's plans.

Suddenly, only Ye Tian and Lei Yan remained.

「... 」

Lei Yan's gaze was complex—not because she disliked Ye Tian; at least, her first impression of him was genuinely good.

But Lei Yushan's actions made her deeply uncomfortable—did he really want her to marry so easily? She hated the feeling of everything being arranged, of having no control over her own life.

「You must have guessed my father's purpose, right? 」

After a moment of silence, Lei Yan suddenly looked up at Ye Tian.

「I can guess a little. 」

Hiding or pretending ignorance now would be pointless.

Though he wasn't short on money, Lei Ji Money House could still offer him useful advantages—after all, it wasn't his own money, so spending it hurt the least.

「Then what do you think? 」

Seeing Ye Tian show no emotional reaction, Lei Yan grew defiant—did he find her unworthy?

「Do you have a beloved already? 」

Tilting his head, Ye Tian studied Lei Yan for a moment before asking.

Lei Yan was taken aback by the question and immediately denied it.

「What are you talking about? Of course I don't. 」

「Even if you did, it wouldn't matter—if you're mine, whoever dares to covet you, I'll break their legs. 」

It was clear Lei Yan was a strong-willed woman.

To deal with a woman like her, constant flattery won't work—only assertiveness brings unexpected results.

Besides,

Ye Tian had never intended to be a yes-man.

「You... 」

Before Lei Yan could speak, Ye Tian continued.

「Lei Ji Money House needs me, and for me, Lei Ji Money House is a useful ally—I have no reason to refuse. 」

Ye Tian spoke calmly, as if in his eyes, emotions meant nothing—only interests mattered.

「... 」

This assertiveness left Lei Yan momentarily speechless.

His cold words made it seem that in his eyes, only interests existed—she herself was irrelevant.

「You're different from what I heard. 」

「You'll see even more differences later. 」

Ye Tian offered no further explanation.

Instead, he began to consider: perhaps he could use this opportunity to gradually erode Lei Ji Money House. In this era, merchants held low status, but money itself was undeniably vital.

This calm demeanor only made Lei Yan more resentful.

It sounded as if I were certain to marry you—but Lei Yan did not say that. Instead, she brought up something else.

"What if I said I enjoy wielding swords and blades?"

In this age, few men favored women who wielded swords and blades, appearing publicly in such ways.

"I own several forges."

"What?"

This unexpected reply left Lei Yan momentarily stunned.

Ye Tian spoke again, utterly unconcerned.

"I own several forges. If you have any particular weapon you favor, I can have them craft it for you."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Lei Yan ventured a cautious question.

"Any kind of weapon?"

Her eyes held a hint of anticipation—clearly, Lei Yan truly loved tinkering with such weapons.

"Naturally."

Ye Tian smiled.

In Ye Tian's view, a woman enjoying swords and blades was no issue at all.

,,,

When Lei Yushan returned,

he saw Ye Tian and Lei Yan chatting amiably, and his face immediately softened with satisfaction.

"Cough, cough, seems you two are getting along well."

He cleared his throat and walked over with a smile.

"Since everything's already prepared, nephew, stay for a meal before you leave."

Lei Yan, who had just been reluctant, now looked forward to Ye Tian staying.

"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle."

"No trouble at all."

Lei Yushan waved his hand with a smile.

The food at the Lei residence, though beautifully presented, tasted only average—after all, in this era, seasonings were few, and creating elaborate dishes was hardly practical.

But Lei Yushan ate it with great relish.

After drinking a cup of wine, Lei Yushan began probing toward his true purpose today.

"I see you're about twenty. Have you been betrothed?"

Beside him, Lei Yan paused mid-sip, unconsciously glancing sideways.

"My parents passed away early; I've never been betrothed."

In this age of parental arrangements and matchmakers, marriage was almost always arranged by others.

"I see. That's truly unfortunate."

Upon hearing Ye Tian's parents had died, Lei Yushan's face filled with sympathy—but when he heard Ye Tian had never been betrothed, a faint smile crept onto his lips.

"Cough, cough!"

"Speaking of which, my daughter is the same—wild by nature, always fond of swords and blades, and still unmarried."

"Just the other day, she sneaked out and joined a place called Yue Shan Sect, and even couldn't get herself a new set of clothes."

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