“Why are you here…” Xu Qi’an hastily stood up, his tone cautious.

Mu Nanzhi glanced at him and sneered, “I was wondering why you were being so secretive, neither returning to the inn nor letting me see you. So it turns out you’ve been sneaking around with Luo Yuheng.”

Damn, how does she know about my relationship with the Imperial Tutor? This doesn’t make sense… Xu Qi’an’s mind was filled with questions, but his expression remained calm. “You’ve misunderstood. There’s nothing like that going on.”

He attempted to placate Mu Nanzhi with sweet words, still not believing that the reincarnation of the Flower Goddess could have discerned his dual cultivation with Luo Yuheng.

What’s with this guilty feeling of being caught cheating… he silently mused.

Ignoring him, Mu Nanzhi turned to Luo Yuheng with a forced smile, “That day when I advised you to dual cultivate with Emperor Yuanjing, you refused. It seems you’ve found someone younger… What’s this? You’re nearly forty, an old cow, and you’re nibbling on fresh grass now?”

“Hmph, I know very well that you suffer from the Scorching Flames for seven days each month. He told me earlier that you’d be seeking him out recently. I knew something was fishy.”

“At the time, I probed a bit, but he didn’t say anything. Today, I had the little white fox follow Li Lingsu’s scent here. Heh, seeing you here, I knew my guess wasn’t wrong.”

So she was already suspicious when she kept questioning me then. Women truly are natural actresses… Xu Qi’an expressionlessly glanced at White Princess crouching by the door.

The little white fox instinctively shrank its neck, sensing it might have done something wrong.

No, it’s not my fault… it silently protested in its heart.

At this moment, Li Lingsu’s mind was filled with the words “impossible.”

“What does she mean by ‘old cow eating fresh grass’? Madam Xu’s words all seem to imply that Xu Qian and Luo Yuheng are having an affair…”

Li Lingsu felt a chill in his heart. If this was true, how dark and unfair this world would be.

“How could Xu Qian possibly have an intimate relationship with Luo Yuheng? It’s impossible. How could the Renzong Daoist Leader fall in love with a married woman… Sect Leader, please say something.”

Li Lingsu was screaming internally. Seeing that no one spoke for a while, he cautiously said, “Madam Xu, I think there must be a misunderstanding here.”

He had wanted to say: Our Daoist Sect Leader couldn’t possibly be interested in your husband.

But he felt that would be too insulting to her, and he couldn’t afford to offend Xu Qian.

“What business is it of yours? Get lost,” Mu Nanzhi furrowed her brows.

With your temper and mediocre looks, if Luo Yuheng really has taken a liking to your man, do you think you stand a chance? Your anger now is just a sign of powerlessness, isn’t it? Li Lingsu inwardly scoffed.

At this point, Second Senior Brother Sun Xuanji had quietly left this troublesome scene.

Luo Yuheng finally spoke, narrowing her almond-shaped eyes, “Quite possessive, aren’t you, Mu Nanzhi? What right do you have to interfere in my affairs? What right do you have to interfere in his affairs?”

She was certain that with Mu Nanzhi’s pride, she probably still wouldn’t admit her feelings for Xu Qi’an.

Xu Qi’an quickly looked at the Princess Consort, his eyes full of expectation.

Mu Nanzhi choked for a moment, catching Xu Qi’an’s gaze, and immediately glared, “Are you feeling smug?”

Huh? What kind of turn is this… Xu Qi’an was stunned for a moment, then realized she was changing the subject.

He found himself at a loss, unsure how to appease her.

He had experienced similar dramatic scenes before. Lin’an and Huaiqing had also quarreled over him, but Lin’an was easy to comfort, and Huaiqing was a smart woman who knew when to stop.

Moreover, when he was caught between Huaiqing and Lin’an, it was essentially a sisterly rivalry, and he was just a tool.

The current situation was different.

Fortunately, Luo Yuheng took the initiative to bear the brunt, saying disdainfully, “I gave you a chance back then. You said you wouldn’t travel the jianghu with him.”

She said this both as an explanation and a threat.

The latter half of her words remained unspoken, but she believed Mu Nanzhi understood.

Unexpectedly, Mu Nanzhi wasn’t intimidated at all. She sneered, “Fine, go ahead and try. See if he’s willing to let you.”

Then, she turned to glare at Xu Qi’an, “She wants to sell me to a brothel.”

“That won’t happen, that won’t happen…” Xu Qi’an waved his hands repeatedly.

Madam Xu, with your looks, even if you were sold to a brothel, no man would be interested… Li Lingsu inwardly scoffed, feeling both schadenfreude and a tinge of jealousy as he glanced at Xu Qian.

Hearing this, the Holy Son finally understood. Madam Xu was right; Luo Yuheng and Xu Qian’s relationship was indeed unusual.

This reminded the Holy Son of Madam Xu’s previous mockery of Xu Qian. It turns out it wasn’t a joke; he really did have a stunningly beautiful confidante.

But thinking of Madam Xu’s mediocre appearance, Li Lingsu felt better.

After all, among his many beautiful confidantes, each was as lovely as a flower. This was something Xu Qian could never compare to.

Xu Qian’s relationship with Luo Yuheng was probably due to his cultivation level, not his personal charm. This was an exception; normally, women like Madam Xu were more suited to Xu Qian… the Holy Son inwardly snorted.

Luo Yuheng calmly sipped her tea and said flatly, “Send her away.”

Mu Nanzhi snorted, “The one who should leave is you.”

As the Holy Son was gloating, he suddenly heard Xu Qian’s mental message: “In this situation, what should I do?”

He’s asking me for help, haha, Xu Qian, you old fool… Li Lingsu’s lips curled into a smirk, and he replied in a patronizing tone:

“It’s simple. You need to handle this based on their personalities and their importance to you. For example, if it were the East sisters and Wenren Qianrou quarreling, I would side with the East sisters and find a way to upset Wenren Qianrou and make her leave.”

“Because she’s no match for the East sisters, and the latter are known to be ruthless towards love rivals. I would be protecting Qianrou. If it were Chai Xinger and the East sisters, I would side with Chai Xinger.”

“Because Xinger is a delicate and sensitive girl, hard to comfort, while the East sisters are relatively easier to appease.”

“Between Sect Leader Luo Yuheng and Madam Xu, my advice is to side with Luo Yuheng. Her temper is clearly more difficult and colder, while Madam Xu is your wife and can’t escape. Besides, the Sect Leader is breathtakingly beautiful, how could Madam Xu compare?”

The Holy Son spoke confidently, imparting his experience. After finishing, he immediately regretted it. Why am I teaching Xu Qian? It would be better if he quickly fell out with the Imperial Tutor.

I’ve learned something useless… Xu Qi’an mentally replied, “There are some things you don’t understand. Mu Nanzhi is different from other women.”

What could be so different… Li Lingsu thought dismissively.

Come to think of it, with Madam Xu’s looks, how can she be so righteously indignant in front of Luo Yuheng? Doesn’t she feel ashamed?

Logically, any woman with a sense of shame, upon seeing a heavenly beautiful love rival, no matter how angry, would feel at least a bit inferior.

But he noticed that Madam Xu’s gaze was confrontational, as if saying: “You trash!”

Luo Yuheng put down her teacup and turned to look at Xu Qi’an, her tone growing colder:

“You decide who leaves.”

Ah, this… how about you both stay… Xu Qi’an was caught in a dilemma.

The little white fox felt a bit scared. It looked at Luo Yuheng, then trotted to Mu Nanzhi’s feet, whispering:

“Auntie, let’s go. She’s so beautiful…”

And her aura is so strong, she doesn’t look easy to deal with. The little white fox had a keen intuition for powerful beings.

Auntie isn’t pretty and has no cultivation, she definitely can’t compete with this woman.

Hearing this, Mu Nanzhi let out a “Hmph,” raised her right wrist, letting her sleeve fall to reveal her snow-white, slender wrist and the string of prayer beads.

She glanced challengingly at Luo Yuheng and slowly removed the prayer beads.

In an instant, her appearance and aura underwent a drastic change. Her eyes became round and alluring, like shallow lakes embedded with brilliant jewels, crystal clear and enchanting.

Her lips were full and rosy, with exquisitely carved corners, like the most tempting cherries, enticing men to taste them.

She was as proud as a queen, with a contemptuous attitude towards everything, but no one would think her arrogant because her beauty gave her the right to look down on all other beauties.

She was beautiful indeed, but her temperament and grace were even more outstanding, like a celestial maiden from a painting.

“Xu, who’s leaving?” Mu Nanzhi raised her chin haughtily.

“…” Li Lingsu stood like a statue, his soul deeply shaken from within. When he saw Luo Yuheng, he thought he had met the most enchanting woman in the world.

Now, he felt he had encountered the most beautiful woman in existence.

No one could be more beautiful than her… This thought spontaneously arose in the Tianzong Holy Son’s mind.

The pronunciation of “Xu” and “Xu” is very similar, and Li Lingsu was completely immersed in Mu Nanzhi’s beauty, not noticing this detail.

“Is this her true appearance? Is this Madam Xu’s real face? Right, Xu Qian can disguise himself, why did I assume that her plain appearance was her true face?”

“I’m such a fool, truly. Having such a national beauty by his side, yet I never gave her a proper look…”

The most upsetting thing was that she was actually Xu Qian’s wife.

At this moment, Li Lingsu began to doubt his own charm. The confidence he had built based on Madam Xu’s mediocre looks vanished completely.

I used to think Madam Xu had a special fondness for me, and I reluctantly tolerated it… The Holy Son’s face burned with embarrassment, suddenly realizing that the ridiculous one was himself all along.

Xu Qi’an was stunned for a few seconds, then with great willpower, he shifted his gaze and grabbed Mu Nanzhi’s wrist, quickly putting the bodhi bracelet back on her.

“Don’t be reckless. With powerful enemies around, it’s dangerous for you to be like this,” he said in a deep voice.

Although the art of reading auras has distance limitations, and one couldn’t see the Princess Consort’s myriad splendid auras from afar, the bracelet must be worn at all times. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

The moment the bracelet was back on, Luo Yuheng let out a sigh of relief.

Mu Nanzhi said angrily, “Then make her leave.”

She was like a possessive little cat.

Xu Qi’an was about to speak when he saw the Tianzong Sect’s unparalleled charming Holy Son turn and walk away, his back view lonely, like a child abandoned by the whole world.

Li Lingsu’s suggestion had given him quite a good inspiration.

Although my dual cultivation with Luo Yuheng was in the name of a transaction, from what I understand, the Imperial Tutor takes dual cultivation very seriously. Once she decides to dual cultivate, it’s with the goal of “developing into a Dao partner.”

If she didn’t have feelings for me, she would never dual cultivate with me. But we’re still one step away from love. If I don’t side with her now, I’m afraid it might wear away that bit of affection she has.

The same principle applied to Mu Nanzhi.

But I didn’t need to choose between them – I could use her personality to my advantage.

“The State Preceptor’s Tribulation is imminent,” I said gravely. “Last time, she helped me deal with the Earth Sect Leader, buying time for me to kill Yuan Jing. But because of that, she was corrupted by the Earth Sect’s dark forces, and can no longer suppress it.”

“She’s running out of time,” Xu Qi’an said solemnly.

As expected, the kind-hearted Mu Nanzhi was at a loss for words, her face alternating between pale and flushed. She was torn between not wanting her best friend to die in the Heavenly Tribulation and being unwilling to let Xu Qi’an dual cultivate with her friend.

Her eyes reddened as she gritted her teeth. “You always bully me.”

At this moment, Luo Yuheng looked at Xu Qi’an and said coolly, “Leave. I need to talk with her.”

Xu Qi’an glanced at Mu Nanzhi, and seeing no objection from her, quietly left the tea room.

Outside, the winter wind was biting cold. His gaze swept across the courtyard and landed on Li Lingsu, who stood under the eaves facing the cold wind, silently staring into the distance.

Unbidden, a song lyric flashed through Xu Qi’an’s mind:

“I cry alone, no one cares anyway, letting all my tears flow might ease my heart…”

He slowly walked over and sighed, “Ah, I envy you. You always manage to handle relationships between women so harmoniously.”

Li Lingsu slowly turned his head, forcing an ugly smile. “Senior, did you use to make fun of me?”

“How could I?” Xu Qi’an shook his head.

Just as Li Lingsu started to feel better, Xu Qi’an added, “I never considered your level worth noticing.”

Go die, you scoundrel! Li Lingsu’s face stiffened. Taking a deep breath, he asked about something that had been bothering him:

“Madam Xu’s true identity is…”

He couldn’t believe such a peerless beauty could be unknown.

Xu Qi’an was frank: “Have you heard of the Great Feng Dynasty’s First Beauty?”

Li Lingsu’s body trembled, his face turning slightly pale. “She… could she be…”

“She is,” Xu Qi’an confirmed.

Li Lingsu swayed slightly, feeling as if all color had drained from the world.

Luo Yuheng belonged to Xu Qian, and now the First Beauty of Great Feng was also his. Was there even any point in going to the capital anymore?

Such a heartbreaking place – better not to go at all!

She’s a Princess Consort, a married woman. I should throw you both in a pig cage – no, just you… Li Lingsu was bitter beyond measure. The world’s most enchanting woman was Xu Qian’s confidante, and Great Feng’s First Beauty was Xu Qian’s wife.

What’s the point of keeping such a man alive? Should we save him for the Spring Festival?

After a while, he forced another smile worse than crying: “What Madam Xu said before… about you having many similar romantic companions… is that true?”

Xu Qi’an waved his hands repeatedly in denial.

*Sigh of relief* I knew it! With these two peerless beauties, how could he want more? Besides, they wouldn’t allow Xu Qian to philander!

Li Lingsu felt much better.

“There are a few more in the capital, but not as many as you,” Xu Qi’an said.

Just die already!! Li Lingsu’s mouth twitched. “Senior, I… I suddenly have some insights into the Supreme Emotionless Cultivation. I… I should go back to cultivate…”

That’s what you get for showing off, for being smug… Xu Qi’an smiled broadly and waved: “Take care!”

After Li Lingsu left, Xu Qi’an exhaled and waited silently for a quarter-hour.

“Come in!”

Luo Yuheng’s voice called out.

He entered the tea room immediately and saw Mu Nanzhi sitting by the table, holding the little white fox in her arms. She refused to look at him and said coldly: “I’m returning to the capital.”

The little white fox raised its head in surprise and said sweetly: “Eh? Weren’t we going into the pagoda?”

Mu Nanzhi gave it a sharp knock on the head.

The little white fox pressed both paws against its head, whimpering “yi yi yi.”

Xu Qi’an wanted to say something but felt it wasn’t the right time to provoke her. He sighed, summoned the Buddhist Treasure Pagoda, and collected Mu Nanzhi and the little white fox inside.

“How did you convince her?” Xu Qi’an tried to appear composed.

“I told her this was just a transaction between us,” Luo Yuheng said.

This explanation gives both sides a way out, a temporary solution… Xu Qi’an said softly: “Just a transaction?”

Luo Yuheng gave him a light glare.

In that instant, the cold and aloof immortal seemed to come alive, full of charm.

With the troublemakers gone, no one would disturb them, but knowing what was to come made the atmosphere tense.

Luo Yuheng’s expression remained cold and calm, as if unconcerned about what was about to happen, but her frequent tea drinking betrayed her inner unease.

Xu Qi’an felt like he was back to his first love, experiencing the same awkwardness, nervousness, and slight embarrassment as when first discussing life with a girlfriend.

“This isn’t right, I’m an experienced man. Were all those years with the courtesans in the pleasure district for nothing…”

Xu Qi’an took a deep breath and asked: “The Karmic Fire comes tonight?”

Luo Yuheng paused before answering: “At midnight.”

Another silence fell.

“Has your cultivation recovered somewhat?” Luo Yuheng asked.

“Yes, I’ve extracted two,” Xu Qi’an replied.

Then silence descended again.

Time trickled by, and the sunset, and bloody twilight filled the windows.

Luo Yuheng suddenly stood up, her skirts falling around her. She said coolly: “There’s a pool in the back courtyard. I’m going to take a bath.”

Xu Qi’an swallowed: “Ah, good, good.”

Luo Yuheng gave him a sideways glance and left the tea room without expression.

Xu Qi’an hurriedly poured himself a cup of tea but didn’t drink it. After letting the scalding tea cool completely, he quietly stood up and left the tea room, heading toward the back courtyard.

His goal was clear – go to the hot spring and request to bathe with the State Preceptor.

Walking through corridors and courtyards for half a quarter-hour, he saw steam swirling ahead like a great fog.

Xu Qi’an plunged in, but after a few steps, though the view cleared, he found himself back outside.

She even set up a maze formation. Now, we’re about to dual cultivate anyway, what’s the big deal about bathing together… He grumbled internally but took the hint and left, arranging for the maids of Qingying Garden to prepare hot water.

By the time he finished bathing, night had fallen.

Luo Yuheng had also finished her bath. She was preoccupied, having forgotten to use magic to dry herself. Her hair hung wet and loose, her face flushed pink from the hot spring.

She couldn’t hide her allure.

“I need to meditate in peace. Don’t disturb me.”

Without looking at Xu Qi’an, she spoke and entered the bedroom, leaving him alone in the outer chamber.

Her steps were hurried as if she didn’t want to stay with him.

Is she shy? Surely not… Xu Qi’an unconsciously said “Oh,” watching her leave as the bedroom door closed.

The room was large, divided into an inner bedroom and an outer chamber. The outer chamber was where maids slept, convenient for serving their master with tea and other needs throughout the night.

Xu Qi’an looked at the water clock – still two hours until midnight, plenty of time.

He turned to review the day’s events.

“I predicted the Buddhist sect would confront me in Yong Province, but I didn’t expect it so soon. As soon as I arrived, I was ambushed by Dunan.”

“The teleportation device in Dunan Jin’gang’s possession was crafted by an artificer, proving the Buddhist sect is indeed working with those degenerates. But today only Dunan Jin’gang appeared, with no sign of Xu Pingfeng’s subordinates.”

“Did Dunan Jin’gang act alone, trying to capture me first? Heh, this foolish Jin’gang alarmed the snake in the grass. Though using a Dragon Qi Host as bait was indeed a difficult stratagem to counter.”

“Even knowing it was a trap, I had to jump in. But I could still decide how to jump. In the past, as a pure martial artist, I could only meet force with force.”

“But now I have the Seven Fatal Poisons, which gives me more room to maneuver…”

As he reflected and pondered, time trickled away until midnight approached.

At that moment, he heard a female gasping from the bedroom as if she was trying hard to endure something.

The sound was hoarse and sweet, making one’s heart itch.

Xu Qi’an took a deep breath, rose from the couch, put on his shoes, and slowly approached the bedroom door.