Chapter 71: Dating the National Master?

Zhuang Xian: "……"

Han Xing: "……"

Leng Yue: "……"

Truly worthy of being their master!

After assigning Zhuang Xian's task, Ye Qingran went to Guoshi Fu with Han Xing Leng Yue.

Inside Guoshi Fu, hearing a subordinate's report, Fu Sanxiao sensed a hint of ambiguity.

"Your Majesty, Miss Ye is certainly here to thank you for sending her the Ice Soul Jade Hairpin."

Fu Hanxiu neither affirmed nor denied, because the displeasure he felt upon learning that Ye Qingran had a child was temporarily set aside.

Fu San saw his master in a good mood and hurriedly told the subordinate, "What are you still hesitating for? Miss Ye is an esteemed guest of Guoshi Fu, go invite her!"

Having visited Guoshi Fu several times, Ye Qingran was now familiar with the place, more so than the household itself, and no longer felt the earlier nervousness.

When they arrived at the front hall, the National Master stood with arms crossed, back turned to them.

Sunlight from outside streamed through the windows and doors, falling on the National Master's tall, graceful figure, adding a layer of mystery to his already ethereal aura.

Ye Qingran clicked her tongue softly, exclaiming that the National Master was truly a supreme specimen among mortals!

If not for their melodramatic first encounter, perhaps she might have pursued the National Master after all!

"Miss Ye, you're here!"

Seeing Ye Qingran, Fu Sanxiao greeted her with a melodic smile, very pleased.

He just didn't know what he would think upon learning that the person before him was the Female Lecherous Thief he despised to the core.

Ye Qingran smiled at him and loudly greeted the National Master.

"National Master, I have disturbed you!"

He turned around, sunlight illuminating his face, giving him a handsome, refined, and strikingly beautiful appearance.

Ye Qingran's eyes were filled with astonishment.

His handsome looks seemed as blinding as the sun, impossible to stare at directly.

Today he was dressed in white garments that outshone snow, making him less gloomy and adding a few touches of moon‑like clarity.

Even knowing that this fellow is fundamentally gloomy, Ye Qingran could not be fooled by his appearance.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"You're here."

Uh…

That familiar tone made it seem as if they were a pair of lovers on a date—he arrived first, she followed, and his attitude upon seeing her was just like that.

Dating the National Master?

Eh~

Ye Qingran couldn't help but give a sly shiver!

"Have some tea."

The National Master once again personally prepared a cup of tea for Ye Qingran.

Fu San watched from the side, constantly shaking his head and sighing, thinking that people are still different: Ye Qingran comes to the residence, Your Majesty personally brews tea, and Ye Huanhuan arrives with no seat!

What a gap!

Ye Qingran didn't really mind; after all, she seemed to receive this treatment every time she came.

She's gotten used to it!

She took a light sip of tea, organized her words, and said, "Actually, I came this time to thank the National Master for his righteous intervention at Zhenbaofang last time."

Fu Hanxiu's crimson lips curled, his smile like spring water reflecting on pear blossoms, soul‑capturing.

Ye Qingran averted her gaze.

"It was just a casual act, no need for formalities."

A casual act?

Fu San wanted to complain.

It was clearly deliberate!

"Your Majesty, you are insincere!"

"National Master, you helped me out of a bind, so I owe you a favor."

"If you feel you owe me a favor, the Peach Blossom Brew at Qin Ge is good; we could go have a drink together."

Peach Blossom Brew from Qin Ge?

Isn't that the wine she brewed herself?

Inviting the National Master to drink a cup of her own brew to repay the favor isn't bad at all.

"Since the National Master says so, next time I'll be the host, and I'll make sure there's plenty of Peach Blossom Brew!"

Having said that, Ye Qingran gave Leng Yue a look, and Leng Yue presented the brocade box containing the Ice Soul Jade Hairpin.

Fu Hanxiu saw the familiar brocade box, and his complexion gradually darkened.

Leng Yue pursed her lips.

The National Master's attitude was indeed exactly as she had imagined.

"Miss Ye, what do you mean by this?"

He asked with a half‑smile, half‑serious tone.

Ye Qingran, with a contrite smile, said: "There is a saying that one should not accept rewards without merit; National Master, you helped me, and I am very grateful, but the Ice Soul Jade Hairpin is indeed very expensive, I cannot afford it. So I have come today to return it to you."

Returning the Ice Soul Jade Hairpin, she would invite the National Master for another drink, settling that favor debt.

Ye Qingran was doing mental calculations.

She, deep down, is not really willing to have much interaction with the National Master. After all, there is a hidden enmity between them; the deeper they associate, the harder it would be if her crimes were ever exposed.

Fu Hanxiu lowered his eyes to look at the brocade box, his emotions deep and obscure in his gaze.

His subordinate reported that Ye Qingran had come to his residence; like Fu San Yi, he thought Ye Qingran was coming to give thanks. However, who could have imagined that she actually came to return the Ice Soul Jade Hairpin!

As expected, he cannot think of her with a normal person's mindset!

"What a case of receiving no reward for no merit!" Fu Hanxiu sneered coldly, and his entire aura changed.

Ye Qingran slightly lifted the corners of her eyebrows, feeling a faint surprise.

Is this one about to start turning dark again?

Though his clothes are white, the aura surrounding him has already turned black!

"Since you don't want it, then smash it!"

Fu Hanxiu said in a cold, composed voice.

Smash it?

Ye Qingran doubted that she had misheard.

"National Master, this Ice Soul Jade Hairpin contains an Ice Soul Crystal; it is too valuable, I truly cannot accept it."

Ye Qingran explained.

The Ice Soul Jade Hairpin is surrounded by Ice Soul Jade, and it contains an Ice Soul Crystal that can gather spirits and repel evils; it is a rare treasure, but the people at Zhenbaofang are short‑sighted and failed to notice it.

Ice Soul Crystal?

Fu Hanxiu's eyes flashed.

He naturally knows the rarity of the Ice Soul Crystal. However, he does not care about the item; what he cares about is Ye Qingran's attitude.

"Is it because of the Ice Soul Crystal that you intend to return it to me?"

His tone seemed slightly softer.

"I suppose so," Ye Qingran said ambiguously.

If it were just an ordinary Ice Soul Jade Hairpin, it wouldn't be a rare item; she wouldn't value it, and the National Master naturally wouldn't either. However, because she doesn't want to owe the National Master anything, she will return it if she must.

Fu Hanxiu looked at her, his gaze heavy.

"The Ice Soul Crystal is useless to me; consider it a gift!"

Ye Qingran: "......"

I thank you!

He makes her seem like his servant.

"National Master, think it over carefully again!"

If the National Master can take it back, that would be best; if not, she won't persist any longer.

She doesn't want to refuse for nothing; the key is she also doesn't want to offend the National Master over this matter.

"No need to consider it!"

Fu Hanxiu waved his hand grandly.

"Since the National Master's mind is set, then I shall be impolite. Leng Yue, put away the Ice Soul Jade Hairpin. Han Xing, present the gift I brought for the National Master."

She had actually guessed this outcome long ago, so she also made double preparations.

Upon hearing this, Fu Hanxiu raised his sword‑like eyebrows.

Ye Qingran, you even brought him a gift?

"National Master, these two Top‑level Third Grade Gold Creation Pills were purchased by me at great expense in the Medicine King Pavilion. I present them to you as a thank‑you gift for the Ice Soul Jade Hairpin."

The so‑called great expense was actually just a casual purchase.

Even the lowest‑grade pills she has are above Third‑Grade.

Although she possesses higher‑grade pills, in others' eyes she is just a waste; pills are something you can only buy with money.

Giving even higher‑grade pills would still be inappropriate.

Top‑level Third‑Grade pills are the best!

The two pills lay alone in a jade box, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

For ordinary people, Top‑level Third‑Grade pills are already a rare treasure, but for Fu Hanxiu, they are of no consequence.

"Fu San, put it away."

Fu Sanxiao smiled melodiously as he took the pills from Han Xing's hand.

Whether intentional or not, his finger brushed Han Xing's hand, and Han Xing slashed an eye‑cut at him.

Fu San had three question marks hovering over his head.

Did he commit some heinous act? Otherwise, why would this woman glare at him so ferociously?

As expected, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea; being single is better!