Chapter 244: Yunxiang Pavilion

"Let's go, Grandfather is waiting for you," Chi Shao yuan whispered. "Be ready to take a beating; Grandfather looks very angry."

"Be beaten?"

"Impossible!"

"How could the maternal grandfather be willing to beat her?"

"You damned girl, you still know how to come back!" She had just stepped into the hall when that roar already reached her ears.

"Qingmei and a few others knelt on the ground, Chi Zhongshan stared at her with fierce ox eyes."

"Maternal grandfather, what's wrong? Who has displeased you?"

"Chi Nan Yi rolled her eyes, hurried forward, and wrapped both hands around his arm: 'Maternal grandfather, maternal grandfather…'"

"In the past, this move was very effective for the Chi elder."

"After all, who can refuse the pampering of one's own granddaughter?"

"But today, the Chi elder stubbornly didn't even give her a word."

"Heh, you still know I'm your maternal grandfather? For such a big matter as entering the elder's house, why didn't you send someone back to tell me? If it weren't for Ji Bai, I still wouldn't know you've gotten into a life‑and‑death lawsuit!"

"What life‑and‑death lawsuit? It's just those thieves framing you; it's already been resolved, so you needn't worry."

"I know you don't want to expose your identity, but you must not put yourself in danger!"

"Alright, alright, I know, I've remembered everything," Chi Nan Yi said with a smile. "I've been toiling all day, and I'm hungry."

"Then starve yourself to death."

"The elder said that, then immediately shouted at Chi Shao yuan: 'What are you still standing around for? Aren't you going to deliver the dishes?'"

"Deliver… deliver dishes?"

"Him?"

"Chi Shao yuan twitched his lips a few times, thinking the granddaughter is a little deity, and this grandson is a true grandson!"

"Late night."

"In the Chi elder's room, candlelight flickered, and a dark silhouette appeared behind the screen."

"Here."

"Mo Junyan stepped out slowly."

"Thank you today, Prince, for stepping in to help."

"You're too kind; this is what I ought to do."

"Did the Prince consider what I said a few days ago?" Chi Zhongshan said gravely. "The Prince is not a good man; Yi'er and you together will only be drawn into endless scheming. My Chi family's daughter cannot continue living like this. If the Prince truly cares for Yi'er, please keep your distance from her. I will find another husband for her, so she can live worry‑free."

"Impossible." Mo Junyan lifted his black eyes, his gaze full of resolve. "In this life, this Prince will not marry anyone but Chi Nan Yi; the Chi elder need not think about choosing another for her. If you find one, I will kill one; if you find two, I will kill a pair. In this world, whoever dares to make a move on her, I will kill them."

"Upon hearing that, Chi Zhongshan's brows furrowed."

"This life and this world, Chi Nan Yi will only be this Prince's consort," Mo Junyan said word for word. "I, this Prince, will use my life to protect her peace for a lifetime, and will also use these hands to bring the world before her eyes."

"Tonight is destined to keep many awake; besides Mo Junyan, Qing Shan, and the Chi elder, there is also Mo Junheng."

"After smashing various porcelain in the room, Mo Junheng felt his anger had nowhere to vent."

"Damn! All of them damn!"

"Gaofeng stood outside the door, listening to Mo Junheng's roar inside, his eyes full of worry."

"If such commotion spreads, the Emperor will surely suspect, and eventually the suspicion will fall on the Prince."

"Taking advantage of the fading sounds in the room, Gaofeng lightly knocked on the door: 'Your Highness.'"

"Scram!"

"Your Highness, calm down."

"The words hung in the air, and Mo Junheng violently flung the door open, his twisted face glaring at Gaofeng: 'Calm down? How do you expect me to calm down? Can't even handle this little matter, what's the point of me raising you? What's the point?'"

"Your Highness, Suo Xing Liu Jinming is already dead; even if the Emperor wants to investigate, there is no evidence. Moreover, the bunch of idiots at the Dali Temple have always only follow the book, and will never uncover anything, so this matter will just fizzle out."

"Mo Junheng loosened his grip on the collar, a hint of clarity flashing in his crimson eyes, his brows slightly raised as he sized up Gaofeng, the earlier ferocity fading a bit: 'Indeed! You're right; why didn't I see the crux of this?'"

"He patted Gaofeng's shoulder, a faint shadowed smile on his face: 'Good! As expected of my personal guard! It's just a pity we couldn't catch Southern First Young Master this time; next time trying to catch her won't be so easy.'"

"Your Highness, no rush; as long as she's still in Jingcheng, we can plot slowly. One day, Your Highness will be able to hold her in the palm of your hand."

"As dawn broke, Chi Nan Yi had already gotten up to wash and dress."

"Today, she shed her usual male attire, putting on a cloud‑embroidered brocade dress, and draped over it a pure white fox‑skin cloak."

"Her smooth long hair fell behind her, held only by a delicately crafted jade hairpin."

"Three days ago, Chi Nan Yi had already sent Qingmei and a few others to spread the news that Yunxiang Pavilion would soon open; the ladies who had already experienced the effects of the Jade Face ointment could no longer contain their excitement, and even before opening, carriages were already parked at the entrance today."

"Miss, we can't get in through the front," Qingmei whispered. "Let's use the back door!"

"Pulling back the curtain, Chi Nan Yi looked at the dozens of carriages parked ahead, a speckled smile in her eyes."

"She believes Yunxiang Pavilion will be even more bustling than the business of the World's First Manor."

"Zhou Shi paced nervously in the hall, beads of sweat subtly forming on his hands, fingertips trembling; the thought of soon having to face those high‑status ladies made his heart race faster and faster."

"As her mind unsettled, Chi Nan Yi's light laugh reached her ears: 'What, scared?'"

"Miss."

"Afraid?" Looking at the panic in Zhou Shi's eyes, Chi Nan Yi stepped slowly toward her, a faint smile in her gaze: "Think of A Man, are you still afraid?"

"Zhou Shi was startled by the words, and the image of his daughter's voice and smile flashed before him; in the next instant, he seemed ignited by a force, inhaled deeply, and when he lifted his gaze, most of the panic had vanished."

"Don't forget how I instructed you."

"Miss, rest assured, I have memorized it."

"Chi Nan Yi led Qingmei and Yulan to the elegant upstairs room; Cui Zhu and Qiu Ju helped Zhou Shi manage the shop, while the other young servants and maids were all meticulously trained by the Chi family, keeping Yunxiang Pavilion orderly and each fulfilling their duties."

"As the auspicious hour approached, Xian Shi inhaled deeply, a proper smile on his face, and opened the shop's main door."

"At this moment, the crowd waiting outside grew, almost completely surrounding Yunxiang Pavilion."

They had been waiting for a long time and were already impatient.

If the effect of the Jade‑Complexion Ointment weren't so astonishing, they wouldn't have come here to humble themselves and queue.

Zhou's face bore a gentle smile; they stepped forward slowly, their voice soft, making listeners feel extremely comfortable.

"Esteemed guests, welcome to Yunxiang Pavilion."