Hearing the contempt hidden beneath Cheng Yu's polite words, Mei Ruoying's eyebrows twitched beneath her veil, her beautiful eyes flashing with displeasure.

But the emotion was fleeting, quickly concealed by a bewitching smile.

Composing herself, she removed her veil, her beautiful eyes gazing at Cheng Yu in the grand master's chair. "Master Cheng, you are too kind. With my current status, I am indeed not worthy of your greeting, so how could I possibly blame you?"

After a playful remark, Mei Ruoying gracefully sat down before Cheng Yu.

Her exquisite and stunning face caused a hint of amazement to appear in Cheng Yu's eyes, and for a moment, he even felt the urge to possess the beauty before him!

But in the end, he was wary of Mei Ruoying's background.

Coupled with his rich experience, he was not easily swayed by desire, and quickly calmed down, saying steadily, "This young lady, the seal you gave to the gatekeeper comes from the Jiangzuo King's manor, but judging by your overall bearing, you don't seem like a common messenger."

At this point, a dangerous glint appeared in Cheng Yu's eyes. "May I ask, what is your relationship with the Jiangzuo King?"

Having spent many years in the court, Cheng Yu had some confidence in his judgment of people.

Although the woman before him was beautiful beyond compare, her unfathomable eyes clearly showed that she was by no means a benevolent person.

If this troublesome woman was really the Jiangzuo King's bed partner, then he would have to reconsider his daughter's marriage!

Seemingly sensing Cheng Yu's apprehension and dislike, Mei Ruoying smiled brightly, softening her tone as she said, "Master Cheng, don't misunderstand."

"Although I came to visit with the Jiangzuo King's seal, there is nothing between him and me. I am merely residing in his manor temporarily."

Hearing this, Cheng Yu frowned, saying, "You're a young woman, living with him, and you say there's nothing between you?"

"Don't think that just because I'm being polite to you, you can be presumptuous!"

Seeing Cheng Yu's suddenly gloomy expression, Mei Ruoying showed no fear, her smile even brighter.

"Master Cheng, you truly deserve to have risen through the ranks on the battlefield. When you get angry, it's really frightening... However, treating one's savior with such an attitude is a bit rude, don't you think?"

"Savior?"

"This is utter nonsense!"

Cheng Yu sneered, his tone tinged with impatience. "Did you come to visit me today just to say these nonsensical ramblings?"

"I warn you, don't think that just because I've been cultivating my moral character these past few years, I've become soft-hearted. Tell me the truth about your relationship with the Jiangzuo King, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

His icy words made the air grow cold.

But Mei Ruoying still maintained her calm and collected appearance, and her gaze towards Cheng Yu even carried a hint of pity.

"Master Cheng, I thought a hero like you, who occupies a region, would be a clever person, but I didn't expect reality to be so disappointing!"

"A chance to save your life has been delivered to your door, yet you are blind and don't know how to cherish it!" At this point, Mei Ruoying's tone suddenly became sharp.

Her pair of alluring phoenix eyes also revealed endless malice, sending chills down one's spine!

Cheng Yu only met her gaze for a moment before he was shocked into averting his eyes. When he recovered and spoke again, his tone was no longer as contemptuous as before, and even carried a hint of solemnity.

"You said that my Cheng family will face a catastrophe. Do you have any evidence for this?"

"If it's just empty talk, then I, Cheng, will have to be impolite and keep you in my manor for a few more days!"

Hearing this, Mei Ruoying smiled faintly, ignoring Cheng Yu's threatening gaze, and said leisurely, "I am the best evidence."

"Master Cheng, I've been in your manor for so long, haven't you asked for my name yet?"

Meeting that smiling face, Cheng Yu's eyes grew even more unfriendly, and he cursed inwardly, calling her a pretentious showoff.

He said sarcastically, "Oh, you're the evidence?"

"Then you must be very capable, able to bring down our entire Cheng clan by yourself? Since you're so amazing, I'd like to hear your great name!"

Looking at Cheng Yu, who was still somewhat skeptical, Mei Ruoying raised her eyebrows slightly, the malice in her beautiful eyes running rampant.

What a stubborn old thing, she was really looking forward to his reaction when he learned the truth... Sure enough, acting alone was much more interesting than following that good-for-nothing Jiangzuo King!

Gathering her thoughts, Mei Ruoying smiled gently, saying with great interest, "Master Cheng, my surname is Mei, my given name is Ruoying. My ancestors rose to prominence in the south, and my family has some fame in the Great Wei."

"Strictly speaking, our two families can even be called acquaintances."

In Mei Ruoying's soft voice, Cheng Yu's face gradually turned green, and his eyes widened.

It was as if the person sitting opposite him was not a pretty and charming woman, but a ferocious demon with a green face and fangs!

With a bang!

Cheng Yu suddenly stood up, his violent movement knocking over the sandalwood chair behind him.

"You, you are Mei Wenshi's daughter? Are you that criminal woman who hijacked the emperor not long ago, Mei Ruoying?!"

Disgusted, Mei Ruoying avoided Cheng Yu's trembling finger pointing at her, and nodded gracefully. "That's right, Uncle. After so many years, are you surprised to see your niece again?"

"I remember that before my father moved to the imperial capital, our two families often visited each other."

Cheng Yu was completely flustered at this time, but after hearing Mei Ruoying's blatant lies, he still roared instinctively, "You're talking nonsense! I have nothing to do with you traitors!"

"When Mei Wenshi was an official in the south, as the regional commander, I naturally had to interact with the local officials during festivals. Don't try to make up a relationship!"

"Is that so?" Mei Ruoying said playfully, "Then guess, if the emperor knew about today's events, would he believe your explanation?"

As she spoke, a smile reappeared on her face, and she said softly, "Master Cheng, I advise you not to have any foolish ideas of binding me and sending me to the imperial capital to show your loyalty to the emperor. After all, since I dared to come, I have already made preparations."

"If anything happens to me, your Cheng family will only suffer even more!"

Exposed, Cheng Yu's expression froze, and he said with a gloomy face, "You came with the Jiangzuo King's things... You, you are in cahoots with him?"

"Yes, it didn't take you too long to realize that... But my relationship with that good-for-nothing Jiangzuo King is not what you think." Mei Ruoying's eyes softened slightly. She hated fools, but she would be more tolerant of clever subordinates.

"To tell you the truth, the Jiangzuo King and our Mei family used to be allies, but he has now been imprisoned by the emperor in disguise, and it is very likely that he has been caught with a weakness."

"Therefore, you, who are petitioning the emperor for a marriage at this time, have just happened to walk into the line of fire!"

"Coupled with your previous relationship with our Mei family... Master Cheng, do you still think I'm talking nonsense when I say that a great disaster is befalling your Cheng family?"

Cheng Yu's face changed drastically, and anger burned in his eyes.

To think that he, who had spent half his life in the world, would actually be ambushed in this way.

He wouldn't let this matter rest!