Chapter 192
Chapter 192: A Slight Restraint in Gaze
Ye He Qi turned and closed the door of the private room behind him, stepping inside. There, he saw Shi Zi Chu, leisurely sitting in a chair.
In the blink of an eye, his tall and elegant figure cast a shadow that enveloped Shi Zi Chu.
Just as Shi Zi Chu was about to lift her teacup, her gaze met Ye He Qi’s. His eyes, resembling the delicate petals of a peach blossom, glistened with a faint, domineering intent.
From his elevated position, a subtle sense of dominance and arrogance oozed from him, the darkness in his eyes tinged with a hint of aggressiveness and conquest.
“Clan Chief Ye,” Shi Zi Chu said softly, her gaze briefly settling on the hand Ye He Qi had placed casually on the armrest of the chair. Her eyes then slowly traced his hand upwards, finally resting on his handsome, unparalleled face.
“Do not let feelings tarnish the pure, noble interests between us,” Shi Zi Chu said with a smile, her voice gentle and melodious, like the whispered words of lovers.
Her posture, one of submission, belied the fact that she seemed the true superior in this exchange.
Ye He Qi’s eyebrows arched slightly, and his intense presence was subdued just a touch.
When interests are too deeply intertwined, emotions inevitably become part of that very equation.
Shi Zi Chu, unruffled, took the teacup in her hand. “There are some matters we need to discuss,” she continued, “but before that, I need to place a bid on this dharmic robe.”
Ye He Qi responded with a nod, retracting his hand and turning to sit on the side.
Noticing that Shi Zi Chu’s gaze had fallen upon the water mirror, he raised the teacup to his lips, taking a slow sip. His voice, calm and composed, lingered in the air. “Linyang Pavilion has released quite a few new items. If you’re interested, you can visit tomorrow.”
Shi Zi Chu turned her head to look at him.
“All these dharmic robes are from Linyang Pavilion,” Ye He Qi said, placing his cup down. He met her gaze and smiled lightly, his expression warm and soft. “Just as you expected.”
Linyang Pavilion was his private property.
A dozen plans to acquire wealth by underhanded means flashed through Shi Zi Chu’s mind in an instant.
A mystic-rank dharmic robe started at a price of three million spirit stones. The thought of how rich Ye He Qi must be was simply beyond imagination!
Ye He Qi chuckled softly. “Perhaps you should slightly restrain that look in your eyes.”
The hunger for spirit stones was evident in her expression.
At times, Ye He Qi couldn’t help but feel as though his past misdeeds had led him to Shi Zi Chu as some form of karmic retribution.
Shi Zi Chu sighed inwardly, her plans dashed. Yet, a thought occurred to her.
“You’re here. Does that mean Clan Chief Jun is also here?” she asked.
Ye He Qi nodded.
Just as Shi Zi Chu was about to speak, Ye He Qi raised his hand to stop her, already knowing what she was about to say.
Moments later, a knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Ye He Qi called out.
Jun Yue Hua stepped inside, his gaze first landing on Shi Zi Chu before he could ask Ye He Qi what was needed.
Shi Zi Chu nodded at him. “I have some matters to discuss with Clan Chief Jun.”
Jun Yue Hua was taken aback. Shi Zi Chu sought him out first? This was a rare occurrence.
He pulled out a chair and sat down, his voice low and cool, “Daoist Shi, please speak.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled softly. “The green? stone from Blue Rain Marsh.”
Jun Yue Hua raised an eyebrow slightly.
The green stone wasn’t particularly rare for Shi Zi Chu. Was she in need of it?
“I have a friend in urgent need,” Shi Zi Chu continued in a gentle tone. “Clan Chief Jun, would you please make an exception?”
After she spoke, she raised the teacup as a gesture of courtesy.
“It’s a small matter, nothing to worry about.” Jun Yue Hua nodded in acknowledgment. “The elder team is going to Blue Rain Marsh the day after tomorrow. Your friend can go along then.”
Selling Shi Zi Chu a favor over such a trivial matter was no trouble at all. Why not?
Shi Zi Chu smiled. “Clan Chief Jun, you’re very gracious.”
Once the matter was settled, Jun Yue Hua stood to leave, offering a final courtesy. “Daoist Shi, have fun.”
As he exited, the sounds from the water mirror filled the room.
Shi Zi Chu set down her cup, her attention once more fixed on the mirror.
Lan Xi’s voice brightened as he introduced, “The starting bid for the seventh item is ten million spirit stones, with increases no less than one hundred thousand spirit stones…”
…
Perhaps due to the absence of Chu Zhi Rou, Shi Zi Chu managed to smoothly secure the dharmic robe she desired.
By the time the auction ended, it was past midnight, and Warm Jade Pavilion was bustling with activity.
Wan Yan Qian personally delivered the dharmic robe to Shi Zi Chu.
“I can see you’re busy. Let’s reschedule for another time,” Wan Yan Qian said with understanding.
Shi Zi Chu nodded in agreement.
After their farewell, she was about to leave with Ye He Qi when someone called her name.
Turning, she saw Yan Yan, Qiu Yue Bai, and Qian Jin Jin stepping toward her with confident strides.
Yan Yan threw her arm around Shi Zi Chu’s shoulders, a playful and seductive smile on her face. “Had I known you’d be here, we would’ve come together.”
Ye He Qi raised a hand in greeting. “Venerable Yan.”
Yan Yan gave a slight bow in return. “Clan Chief Ye.”
Qiu Yue Bai and Qian Jin Jin exchanged glances, their surprise clear as they regarded the young, refined man before them. Was he truly the Clan Chief of Ye?
“How’s the fun been?” Yan Yan teased with a mischievous grin. “The courtesans here are famous for being top-notch.”
Shi Zi Chu shot her a playful glare. “Big sister, are you teasing me again, Clan Chief Jun?”
Yan Yan and the others turned their attention to the man in the dark robe who stood with an air of aloofness, his every movement radiating the grace and dignity of someone in a higher position.
Jun Yue Hua nodded slightly in acknowledgment and then greeted Yan Yan with, “Venerable Yan.”
Yan Yan returned the gesture, lowering her arm from Shi Zi Chu’s shoulders.
The presence of two clan chiefs from top families made Qiu Yue Bai and Qian Jin Jin uneasy.
Shi Zi Chu swiftly introduced them. “This is Qiu Yue Bai, and this is Qian Jin Jin. They are both my friends.”
Qiu Yue Bai and Qian Jin Jin offered a stiff nod in greeting.
Jun Yue Hua studied them both for a moment, his gaze lingering on Qian Jin Jin for a brief second before turning to Shi Zi Chu. “Is it this Daoist Qian who needs the green? stone?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
Jun Yue Hua turned to Qian Jin Jin. “Daoist Qian, would you be available tomorrow? If so, I’ll have the elder meet you at Venerable Yan’s tavern at dawn to discuss the details of the Blue Rain Marsh trip.”
His cool voice, though still pleasant, carried an underlying distance.
“I’ll be available,” Qian Jin Jin quickly replied.
Jun Yue Hua nodded, then turned back to Shi Zi Chu. “Daoist Shi, for convenience, I believe we should exchange contact information.”
“I agree,” Shi Zi Chu said, taking out a communication talisman.
It would certainly be easier to contact each other in the future, rather than burdening others whenever something arose.
Once they exchanged contact details, Jun Yue Hua gave a polite nod to Yan Yan and Ye He Qi before leaving.
Ye He Qi glanced at Shi Zi Chu and then turned, heading toward the nearby carriage, leaving them to their conversation.
With the two clan chiefs now gone, Qiu Yue Bai and Qian Jin Jin sighed in relief.
After a while, Qian Jin Jin eagerly rushed up to Shi Zi Chu, hugging her in excitement. “Ah! Little sister Zi Chu, did you really manage to get it for me?!”
Shi Zi Chu, in a rare display of self-satisfaction, smiled. “Of course. I always keep my word.”
Qian Jin Jin was so moved that she could barely contain herself. “Good little sister, I’m going to love you forever!”
Yan Yan, with a mischievous grin, pulled Qian Jin Jin away. “That’s enough now.”
Shi Zi Chu laughed softly, her smile gentle and endearing, her demeanor warm and approachable.
Yan Yan spoke up again. “If you’re still in Supreme Virtue City tomorrow, come to the tavern and play. While you’re at it, you can con her out of a little something.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled and nodded.
After bidding farewell to the three, she turned and made her way to Ye He Qi’s carriage.