Chapter 705: Masked Leader!

Ye Qingran gazed at the drifting Phoenix Tail Flower, and for a moment some images surfaced in her mind.

She recalled that on some items Yun Ling had left her, the Phoenix Tail Flower's pattern could be seen—for example, on the clothes she had sewn for her as a child, and even on the hairpin she herself wore, the flower's motif seemed to appear.

"Come quickly, someone!"

Just as Ye Qingran sank into her thoughts, Lu Yi shouted loudly toward the outside.

Soon, someone came running, including Fu Hanxiu.

"What happened?"

Ye Qingran shook her head and smiled at Fu Hanxiu, "It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of your mother-in-law."

Fu Hanxiu tugged at the corner of his mouth, his large hand rubbing Ye Qingran's head.

That scene was overflowing with indulgence.

"What happened?"

The middle-aged man glanced at Ye Qingran, then his gaze settled on Lu Yi and asked, "What happened?"

Lu Yi pointed at the Phoenix Tail Flower, "This woman not only attacked me, she also destroyed the Phoenix Tail Flower!"

"What?"

The members of the Spirit Chaser Wing all turned to look at the Phoenix Tail Flower, discovering it scattered in pieces, the stems destroyed as well.

"It's over!"

The middle-aged man's face turned deathly pale.

This Phoenix Tail Flower is the Leader's treasure! If he learns it's gone, they will surely die a miserable death.

For a moment, the middle-aged man was both shocked and angry, scolding, "Lu Yi, why did you bring her here for no reason?"

Lu Yi was left speechless by the question.

"I wasn't thinking that much just now either," Lu Yi said weakly, her mouth pouting as she was about to cry.

Immediately she glared at Ye Qingran, "It's all because of her—if it weren't for her, the Phoenix Tail Flower wouldn't have been destroyed!"

As she spoke, she even convinced herself.

Indeed, if this woman hadn't ignored her words and provoked her, would she have taken the initiative to attack her?

So, it's all this woman's fault!

"You're saying she destroyed it?"

Lu Yi hardened her heart, "Yes! It's her!"

The middle-aged man obviously believed Lu Yi, looking displeased at Ye Qingran, "Miss, why did you destroy this Phoenix Tail Flower? It is the Leader's beloved treasure; now that you've destroyed it, how are we to answer to him?"

Ye Qingran gave him a faint glance, "The flower wasn't destroyed by me. It was her."

Lu Yi's body stiffened; thinking of what had just happened, with no third party witness, and given her good reputation in the Spirit Chaser Wing, as long as she insisted, everyone would believe her and not an outsider, making her all the more resolute.

"Wuuu… why are you doing this? Just because I said you're not fit to join the Spirit Chaser Wing, you want to frame me? The Spirit Chaser Wing isn't open to just anyone; besides personal qualifications, it demands absolute loyalty, and you won't even tell me your name—how can we trust you?"

Upon hearing Lu Yi's words, the members of the Spirit Chaser Wing all furrowed their brows, their gazes at Ye Qingran filled with displeasure.

"Lu Yi, get up quickly."

The middle-aged man went to help Lu Yi up, and she cried, "Wu Ge, what do we do? The Phoenix Tail Flower is destroyed; once the Leader knows, he'll surely kill me!"

"Lu Yi, it's not your fault, you'll be fine."

"But this matter ultimately stems from me! I cannot shirk responsibility!"

The middle-aged man looked at Lu Yi with heartache, feeling that this young lady was so sensible it made his heart ache, and thus his gaze at Ye Qingran grew ever more dissatisfied.

"Miss, today you must give us an explanation from the Spirit Chaser Wing, no matter what!"

Ye Qingran found it amusing, "I said the flower was destroyed by her, it has nothing to do with me—what explanation do I need to give you?"

The middle-aged man made it clear he didn't believe her, "Even now, you still want to make excuses?"

"You haven't investigated at all, yet you conclude that I destroyed the Phoenix Tail Flower?"

"Here there's only you and Miss Lu Yi; if it wasn't her, then it can only be you!"

The middle-aged man said firmly.

"Exactly, Miss Lu Yi knows full well this flower is the Leader's treasure; she would never touch it!"

Others chimed in agreement.

"Everyone, stop talking—this older sister didn't do it on purpose!"

Lu Yi spoke up at the right moment.

"You keep saying it was Lu Yi who did it, yet Lu Yi is defending you—do we really need to spell out exactly who destroyed the Phoenix Tail Flower?"

For a moment, the Spirit Chaser Wing members looked at Ye Qingran with growing rejection.

"Wu Ge, why waste more words on her? Seize her to give the Leader an explanation!"

"Exactly! One who destroys the Leader's flower and still denies it dares to dream of joining our Spirit Chaser Wing?"

Observing everyone's attitude, Lu Yi, in a spot unseen by the crowd, revealed a triumphant smile.

"Since you refuse to cooperate, don't blame us for being impolite!"

The middle-aged man gave a cold shout; those around him felt their aura sink, as if ready to come to blows.

"Stop!"

Just then, a low voice came from outside; as the words fell, two figures appeared in the courtyard.

One man and one woman, both wearing masks.

The members of the Spirit Chaser Wing all stared, then upon seeing the newcomers clearly, showed a hint of delighted surprise.

"Leader!"

It was evident that the Spirit Chaser Wing members held the Leader in great awe.

One could see that the Leader wore a silver mask engraved with a Phoenix Tail Flower, showing his deep affection for the flower.

He is tall and slender, his black robe immaculate, even his hair bun neat, not a single strand out of place.

Originally, this person and Yun Zhongyue should have had nothing to do with each other.

Yet strangely, the moment she saw this Leader, Ye Qingran involuntarily superimposed Yun Zhongyue's face onto his, finding no sense of incongruity.

"This Leader couldn't be my third uncle, could he?" No way, no way.

She simply could not associate that wanton slut with the immaculate masked man before her.

The difference is too great!

Yet that strange, inexplicable sense of familiarity compelled her to do so.

How odd! How strange!

Upon seeing the masked Leader, the woman in green instantly became exceedingly shy.

"Leader~"

The woman in green called out in a coy, affected manner.

The Leader didn't even give her a glance.

"Leader, the Phoenix Tail Flower..." the middle-aged man said with a troubled expression.

The masked Leader looked toward the Phoenix Tail Flower, and upon seeing it shattered, his aura sank.

He flashed to the Phoenix Tail Flower, knelt, and picked up the petals one by one, but could not restore it to its original state.

"Who did this?"

The pressure in the courtyard suddenly dropped.

The woman in green immediately pointed at Ye Qingran, "It's her!"

Only then did the masked Leader notice Ye Qingran; as he looked at her, a faint light flickered in the depths of his eyes.

"Care to explain?" his voice gave no hint of emotion.

"I say it wasn't me—do you believe me?"

Meeting those eyes, the Leader hesitated.

In that instant, his true thought was... belief!

He must be going crazy!