After Redeeming The Beautiful and Tragic Heroine [Transmigration] - Chapter 7

Outside the City Lord’s Manor, the butler had been waiting for quite some time.

He had a sharp, monkey-like face and a pair of bulging eyes that naturally instilled fear in anyone who looked at him. Yu Yuan already disliked interacting with people, and encountering this butler made her immediately hide behind Xue Qingshu, not wanting him to see her.

However, the butler had already noticed her and seen her movement of evasion. He simply raised an eyebrow, let his gaze linger on Yu Yuan for a moment, and then looked at Xue Qingshu, his eyes flashing with admiration. Is this person perhaps an immortal who has descended to the mortal world? he couldn’t help but wonder.

Xue Qingshu also sensed the butler’s scrutiny. She was currently using Immortal Lord Wen Ti’s face, which, contrary to her own temperament, was of the gentle and dignified sort. Furthermore, the robes she usually wore were embroidered with subtle patterns that cast multiple halos in the sunlight. Because of this meticulous attention to appearance, the face she currently wore was indeed about seventy to eighty percent similar to the divine figures painted in ordinary homes. Therefore, the butler’s reaction was unavoidable.

Having realized this, Xue Qingshu suppressed the murderous intent she felt toward the butler and shifted her gaze elsewhere.

Xue Qingshu was indifferent toward the butler, and Yu Yuan actively avoided him.

Wei Haoran who notice this reaction and seeing the butler’s expression start to falter,  he quickly stepped forward, bowed low, and tried to smooth things over: “Uncle Zhen, this is Immortal Lord Wen Ti of my Miaoyin Sect, and this is the Young Sect Master of my Miaoyin Sect. They are old acquaintances of the City Lord and heard the Young City Master was getting married, so they came together to offer their congratulations.”

[The subtext: These two people have a superb background, which is why they act so aloof. It has nothing to do with me.]

He then turned to Xue Qingshu and Yu Yuan: “Venerable One, Young Sect Master, this is Butler Zhen, the steward of the City Lord’s Manor. Our journey here was thanks to his gracious assistance.”

[The subtext: This old man is essentially half a financial backer; if you offend him, we won’t be able to stay here as the “atmosphere crew.” Don’t smash the rice bowl!]

With these two short speeches, the cold atmosphere warmed up again.

The butler didn’t know when his master had become an “old acquaintance” of “Immortal Lord Wen Ti,” but he had certainly heard of the name and reputation of the Miaoyin Sect’s Immortal Lord Wen Ti. Unlike Wei Haoran, who was merely an outer sect disciple, if he could forge a connection with someone as famous and high-status as “Immortal Lord Wen Ti,” the City Lord wouldn’t just be ecstatic; he himself would benefit and have one more thing to boast about.

Then, looking at the Young Sect Master of the Miaoyin Sect who was so young, quiet, and composed, he found himself growing fonder the more he looked. She truly is worthy of being called someone else’s perfect child. She is pleasing to the eye no matter how you look at her.

“It is an honor to have such distinguished guests! Please, both of you, come inside!” The butler’s mouth stretched into a manic grin, nearly meeting the corners of his eyes.

Inside the City Lord’s Manor, pavilions, terraces, and decorated halls were set against artificial hills and a central lake. The butler led the way, chattering nonstop and introducing the sights to the group.

Yu Yuan followed behind, her gaze fixed on the lotus flowers outside the floating bridge beneath her feet. Though it was clearly autumn, the flowers in the lake were blooming brilliantly, showing no signs of decay. Looking further out, a ring of flowers belonging to all twenty-four solar terms were blooming simultaneously around the lake, competing for beauty amid the desolate autumn wind.

The butler explained that these magnificent views were maintained by a Four Seasons Talisman the City Lord purchased at great expense.

[Four Seasons Talisman: Worth ten thousand spirit stones.]

Yu Yuan pursed her lips, inwardly exclaiming, “As expected of the City Lord of Sleepless City, who relies on cold hard cash to hire the Miaoyin Sect as his atmosphere crew!”

As she mused, she suddenly looked up, her attention drawn to a small pavilion in the center of the lake. Inside the pavilion, a person was kneeling, its body was frail and thin, as if a gust of wind could blow them away.

Who is that?

Curiosity piqued, Yu Yuan silently moved her steps, wanting to get closer for a better look.

She had only taken half a step when a deep, extremely penetrating voice boomed right next to her ear and nearly shattering her eardrums.

“Distinguished guests have arrived! I am so sorry for not coming out to greet you sooner! My deepest apologies!”

The City Lord, having just received the butler’s message and learning that Yu Yuan and Xue Qingshu had arrived, lumbered over from the other end of the floating bridge. His body was so swollen, he resembled a wall; every step he took made the floating bridge tremble two or three times.

“Zhen Youqian greets Immortal Lord Wen Ti!” The City Lord reached Xue Qingshu and bowed.

Zhen Youqian (Zhen Has-Money)? That name really fit his character. Yu Yuan mumbled inwardly, then noticed two other people following the City Lord.

One was a woman, graceful and heavily adorned with pearl hairpins, practically screaming the words, I AM RICH! The other was clearly a younger version of the City Lord, also dressed with outrageous, inhuman extravagance.

Yu Yuan guessed he must be named Zhen Tuhao.

“This is my son, Zhen Tuhao,” the City Lord introduced.

Yu Yuan: …

Everyone else: …

Seeing the suppressed smiles on everyone’s faces, the City Lord quickly explained, “You young friends do not know, but when my son was born, a half-immortal passed by and said he lacked the Earth element, and that having the character ‘Tu’ (Earth/Soil) in his name would ward off disaster.”

Yu Yuan couldn’t help but ask, “And what about ‘hao’ (tyrant/grand)?”

The City Lord stated simply, “‘Hao’ is his generational name.”

Yu Yuan: Good heavens, he was destined to be a local tyrant (tuhao)!

She inwardly sighed, then noticed that everyone’s eyes had somehow converged on her.

Yu Yuan: …

She should have just remained mute.

The City Lord smiled squintingly at Yu Yuan: “This must be the Young Sect Master! Truly a dragon among people, you are indeed extraordinary!”

Yu Yuan: ……………….

Extraordinary? How? Did I grow horns or a tail?

“The City Lord exaggerates,” she replied perfunctorily.

The City Lord only praised her further: “The Young Sect Master is too humble.” He then turned to his beloved son, speaking earnestly: “Tuhao, you should learn more from her in the future. Look at her, then look at yourself. You’re about to get married, yet you still act like a child.”

Zhen Tuhao: …

Yu Yuan: ……………………..

Pure friction. He’s intentionally attracting resentment!

Xue Qingshu stood next to Yu Yuan and sensed her embarrassment. She gave the City Lord a cold look, stepped between him and Yu Yuan, and pointed at the pavilion Yu Yuan had been looking at, subtly changing the subject. “City Lord, I see a person kneeling in that pavilion. May I ask what mistake she has committed?”

The City Lord: ?

He looked at the person kneeling in the pavilion, his temple throbbing.

Behind him, the City Lord’s wife, who heard Xue Qingshu’s question, immediately lost her smile and quickly fabricated a lie:

“Immortal Lord, you misunderstand. That is an enslaved demoness from my court. This morning, I ordered her to pick lotus seed pods for me by the lake. Who knew she would ruin all the pods in the entire lake and still fail to bring me a single one? I was furious, so I punished her by making her kneel in that pavilion.”

After speaking, she quickly gave a look to the old maidservant behind her.

The maidservant understood her mistress’s command and rushed in three steps, then four, to the pavilion to escort the person away.

Once the person was gone, the City Lord’s wife put her smile back on and told Xue Qingshu, “Immortal Lord, the tea is ready in the front hall. Please, follow me.”

Xue Qingshu gave a small nod in response.

Yu Yuan stood behind her, her gaze fixed on the person being dragged away by the maidservant in the distance. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the person seemed to be looking at her…

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