"Alright, Master, I trust you," Liu Liu's lips curved into a faint smile, her entire face radiant, a soft sigh lingering in her heart. Master, I hope you won't disappoint me.
Abbess Minghui breathed a sigh of relief, took Liu Liu's hand, and walked back into the courtyard. Dai Mei stood waiting outside the gate.
Liu Liu stayed in the room, chatting with her Master for a while. Her Master seemed very happy. As long as she was with her Master, she was always happy.
Before, she had understood it as her Master liking her, a very, very deep affection. But now she wasn't sure. If this was a pretense, she wanted to ask, after eight years, was it tiring to do this?
But she asked nothing. She was afraid of hurting her Master's feelings. If her Master truly loved her, then she would be hurt. So, she kept her doubts hidden in her heart.
By the time Liu Liu came out, it was already noon. The two of them left the nunnery.
White clouds drifted lightly in the sky, the distant green mountains seemed to yearn for vibrancy, forming a jade-green barrier between the mountain ranges. So emerald, so verdant, with fine strands of gold interwoven.
Nearby, jade-like water flowed with a murmuring sound. Scattered wild flowers occasionally fell into the ravines, brushing against the water's surface. They walked along the secluded path, heading down the mountain.
Liu Liu glanced at Dai Mei beside her. Her charming face was serene, like an exquisite, understanding flower. Whenever Liu Liu felt troubled, Dai Mei would know to remain silent, allowing her to immerse herself until the gloom in her heart dissipated.
Just like now, she smiled, her lips lifting.
"Dai Mei, I'll treat you to tea. You can tell me about the situation with the shops in Black Street."
"Alright," Dai Mei smiled, her eyes curving into charming crescents, captivating and alluring. Men would surely fall under her spell, unless they possessed exceptional willpower.
The two went to Wangyue Teahouse together. It was noon, and the teahouse was quite crowded. However, the proprietor actually remembered Liu Liu and Dai Mei because the two of them were too striking. Handsome men and beautiful women are unforgettable wherever they go.
The proprietor personally came out to greet them and seated them in a private room on the second floor, though it wasn't the same one as before, which was likely reserved for Jin Shaoyuan and his party.
The teahouse leaned against the lake, with lotuses in its center. The lotuses were gone, replaced by small, tender lotus buds. Exquisite pleasure boats shuttled through them, and occasionally mischievous young girls would reach out to pick a few, playing with them triumphantly on the bow of their boats.
"Were all those shops sold?" Liu Liu shifted her gaze from the scenery to Dai Mei opposite her. Dai Mei sipped her fragrant tea, her delicate eyebrows relaxed, a smile gracing her lips as she nodded. Liu Liu knew then that the matter was mostly settled.
It made sense, really. Black Street was in a prime location, and they had sold the properties at a ten percent discount. It was unreasonable for astute merchants not to take advantage of such an offer. Liu Liu nodded with satisfaction.
The two of them savored tea and had some pastries. The pastries at Wangyue Teahouse were excellent, soft and crumbly, melting in the mouth.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted downstairs. Liu Liu frowned in displeasure, surprised that such an elegant place could still harbor vulgar people. Dai Mei's eyes, however, flashed with clarity, and she whispered, "My Lady, are you listening to them?"
Liu Liu listened closely and heard the people downstairs discussing a martial arts convention, their voices raised with excitement.
A martial arts convention? Liu Liu's eyes also brightened. She had established the Seven Star Tower, but many martial arts sects were unaware of what the Seven Star Tower was. So, she was contemplating how to advertise it, how to let the people of the martial world know of the Seven Star Tower's existence.
Unexpectedly, there was talk of a martial arts convention. Since there was a free platform to make them known, why shouldn't she take advantage of it? A smile played on her lips as she softly instructed Dai Mei.
"Go and find out where this martial arts convention is being held. At that time, our Seven Star Tower will come forward to challenge all heroes. This way, the Seven Star Tower will gain fame throughout the martial world."
"Yes, My Lady," Dai Mei replied with a shallow smile. The moment she heard there was something to do, and especially something so interesting, every fiber of her being buzzed with anticipation. Is this considered a perverted behavior, Dai Mei mused to herself.
Liu Liu stood up. She had finished her tea and pastries; it was time for her to go back to avoid causing worry. The Prime Minister's mansion was not like other places. If even the slightest misstep on her part fell into the ears of those with ulterior motives, the Liu family would suffer. Therefore, caution was indeed necessary.
If there were any actions to be taken, she could do them after entering the palace. After all, no one visited Huaqing Palace. Even if she disappeared for half a month, no one would likely notice.
"Alright, I'm leaving."
"Let's go, I'll escort you," Dai Mei stood up and accompanied Liu Liu downstairs. The two of them were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice someone approaching.
They bumped into each other directly at the corner. Liu Liu quickly steadied herself, but half of her body tilted into the other person. Then, a teasing voice rang out, "So, young master, you like to throw yourself into arms?"
Liu Liu looked up with cold eyes, scanning the man directly. Her eyes held a moment of surprise. The person she had collided with was a man dressed in grey. The grey was originally dull, but when worn by him, it seemed to radiate a radiant glow.
Paired with his handsome features, he immediately captured the attention of many in the teahouse. Liu Liu's lips curled into a chilling smile. Another show-off, she thought, calmly and without anger, she spoke.
"Young master, you think too much. If someone likes to show off, please don't involve me."
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned to leave. However, a long arm reached out and blocked her path. The man stared at her with disbelief.
"You are a strange young master. I just saved you, and you're leaving without even a word of thanks? Do you just walk away like this?"
"Save me?" Liu Liu's mouth twitched. He claimed to have saved her, when he had merely offered a stabilizing hand. To call that saving her, had she encountered someone trying to kill or hack her?
And even if he hadn't reached out, would she have fallen? This was quite a funny joke, but her expression turned grim and dark.
"Move aside, I don't have time to mess around with you," Liu Liu said, her delicate eyebrows tinged with coldness. She didn't want to attract attention here, and many people were already watching them.
Upon seeing that the man in grey seemed to be deliberately pestering her Lady, Dai Mei's charming face flashed with a captivating smile. She shifted her body, quickly taking the man in grey's arm, and said in a soft, boneless voice.
"Young master, why must you make my mistress thank you? This humble servant is willing to thank you instead."
As Dai Mei finished speaking, many men in the teahouse wished they could turn into a gentle spring breeze and collapse at Dai Mei's feet.
Yet, the man in grey acted completely indifferent. He even reached out with his large hand, picked up Dai Mei's jade-like hand, gently moved it aside, and then dusted the spot Dai Mei had touched, as if Dai Mei were a germ.
Liu Liu stifled a laugh, surprised that Dai Mei was at a loss. She suspected Dai Mei was unwilling, and indeed, Dai Mei's expression changed, her eyes growing cold. This man was really asking for trouble.
"Young master, what is the meaning of this? Is it not allowed for someone as beautiful as this humble servant to thank you?"
"I'm not interested in women," the grey-clad man's words caused a stir, eliciting gasps from one after another in the teahouse. Little did they know this grey-clad man would be so outspoken, declaring his lack of interest in women in front of so many people.
Perhaps he was interested in this handsome young master, which explained why he wouldn't let him go. How shameful! Most people looked at the grey-clad man with disdain, but he seemed completely unaffected, as if unaware.
His pair of deep eyes met Liu Liu's gaze directly, as if sending electric sparks, shimmering with brilliance. Liu Liu curled her lips in disdain, hmph.