Lory had seen different types of men all through her life, but men with self-destructive tendencies like Gu Lian Fu were rare. Such a person naturally had the urge to sabotage his own relationships, thus it was impossible for such a person to have a long-term relationship. They may have some hope in this world since one didn't need a woman's consent to get married.

"So… How did you know he is not serious about you?" Lory secretly lit a candle for Gu Lian Fu.

​​

"Because I know he fell in love with Tang Mei Yi," She responded with indifference.

"Tang Mei Yi? The owner of Fu Hua, Tang Mei Yi?" Lory gasped. It was a good thing she had not sipped on her tea as she may have spat it out in shock.

Yang Xi Ying nodded. "Yes, it's not that weird. She has many suitors. Gu Lian Fu is not the only one."

"Really?" Lory remained skeptical. Everyone in the Hei Shen Sect looked at Tang Mei Yi with disdain and ridicule. This made Lory think she was not someone to be admired despite being as beautiful as a fresh blossoming flower.

Yang Xi Ying nodded, "Yes. It's also because she is the only disciple of the goddess, Lu Yao."

"Who's that?" Lory squinted with curiosity.

"A very talented cultivator who reached the Heavenly King level at the age of sixteen. She comes from an influential family from the Northern continent and is known for her mesmerizing beauty which she had maintained with age. She has many suitors but she's never married. There is a rumor that says she fell in love with a man who didn't love her but…who knows?" Yang Xi Ying shrugged.

Their conversation was disrupted when they heard a commotion on the first floor. Lory and Yang Xi Ying looked at each other before they walked out of the door and met Mong Ki and Mong Yi standing guard. Lory looked over the wooden railing and saw a woman in a soft green dress enter the room. Everyone swarmed around her with excitement. It remained Lory of an idol greeting fans.

"Tang Mei Yi..." Yang Xi Ying said. She pointed at a young nobleman following behind Tang Mei Yi, "Look…" Yang Xi Ying look down in disdain.

"Gu Lian Fu…" Lory chuckled. She didn't know whether she should pity or laugh at him.

"He still follows her like a puppy even after all these years," Yang Xi Ying sneered coldly.

"Why does everyone admire her so much and why is she here? Isn't this place her competitor?" Lory leaned on the railing and crossed her arms lazily.

"She's trying to buy this place but she has never found the owner. It is the reason she keeps coming," Yang Xi Ying smirked. "She has lost a lot of money and clients because both the Hei Shen Sect and Jiu Yun are pressing her. I heard from Jiu Yun's shadow guard that many people are looking for trouble with her. She used to walk like a peacock when the Hei Shen Sect supported her but now..." Yang Xi Ying scoffed loudly. She didn't hide her joy and was looking forward to Tang Mei Yi's downfall.

"No one knows who owns this place?" Lory asked.

"No. There are only rumors but nothing is certain?" Yang Xi Ying sighed.

"Do you think the owner wants to sell this place?" Lory wondered.

"I heard the owner would close this place if he doesn't find a good buyer in a year…" Yang Xi Ying replied.

"Really? This place is famous. Why is he suddenly closing down?" Lory frowned in confusion.

"I don't know?" Yang Xi Ying shook her head. She was unsure about the owner's thoughts. "However, it is why Tang Mei Yi is trying so hard to own this place."

"So, what is your plan?" Lory smiled mischievously.

Yang Xi Ying tapped her chin. "I have a plan but I don't know if it would work."

__________________________________________

While Lory was having fun with her new bestie, a certain Lord was left alone in the villa. He lay lazily on the couch in his study while drinking wine with half-closed eyes. He wanted to cultivate but Huo Long kicked him out of the mystique realm saying it was not good to rush his breakthrough after achieving his new level.

Zhao Li Xin was bored yet it had only been two hours since Lory left. Time seemed to move at a turtle pace when she's not around. He let out a long sigh. He never felt lonely before but now…the silence was unbearable.

Someone suddenly knocked on the door softly but didn't dare open it. The person, a shadow guard kneeled outside the door and said, "Milord, the Third Prince is waiting outside the front gate."

There was silence for a few seconds before he heard his Lord's Monotone voice, "Send him in…"

"Yes, Milord!" The shadow guard left immediately.

Not long after, a man with lavish purple robes in silk entered the villa with two other men, the man was Zhao Yi Chen he walked at a steady pace with his bodyguards, behind him. The male servants, old maids, and even the gardener sweeping the garden stopped what they were doing and watched Zhao Yi Chen walk past them. They didn't look at him with awe and respect like other servants in a noble household, but with vigilance and wary.

Zhao Yi Chen realized every single one of the people he passed had high cultivation. They would all attack him without any hesitation if he dared to do anything funny. Even his two bodyguards who were high-level cultivators looked tensed. It was the first time Zhao Yi Chen understood what is like walking into a lion's den meant.

"Please…" The old housekeeper opened the black wooden door that led to the study room but stopped Zhao Yi Chen's bodyguard from entering after him.

"I'm sorry, sirs, only the Third Prince can enter the room," The old housekeeper said politely.

"Wait here!" Zhao Yi Chen told his two bodyguards, is not like they can save him if something happens.

The bodyguards had no choice but to comply and it was not like they could do anything since even the old housekeeper's cultivation was no joke. They could only curse inwardly.

'What the hell is this place!'

When Zhao Yi Chen entered the room, he found Zhao Li Xin laying on the couch lazily. Zhao Yi Chen was used to being treated with respect, not only by the officials but also by the other princes. Even scumbag, Zhao Mu Fan, had no choice but to give him face but Zhao Li Xin didn't even bother to get up. Zhao Yi Chen didn't feel offended as their world belonged to the strong and Zhao Li Xin obviously one of the strong ones.

"Sixth brother," Zhao Yi Chen greeted calmly.

"I'm not your brother…" Zhao Li Xin responded with the same monotone voice.

"Are you still angry about that?" Zhao Yi Chen smiled amicably.

"Why should I?" Zhao Li Xin looked back at him with a confused expression.

Zhao Yi Chen scoffed. His brother never treated the royal family as his own family and verse versa. There was no reason Zhao Li Xin would feel hurt.

Zhao Li Xin finally sat up, straightens his back, and leaned back into the couch with the same lazy expression, "Are you here because you are dying?"

"You knew?" Zhao Yi Chen gave an ironic smile.