By the poolside, Grand Mentor Shui Bailan gently laid her dazed best friend on the ground and explained what had happened to her sister-in-law and the others.
“Drowned?”
The Family Head Yu Lu’s beautiful yet aloof face showed a rare flicker of surprise. It was simply too absurd—more unbelievable than a fish drowning.
A Mystic Ancestor expert who cultivated Water Mystic Force could stay submerged for a year without issue, unless they were attacked and lost consciousness.
In other words, her sixteen-year-old son-in-law—a Six-Star Mystic Master—had defeated her useless little sister—a Two-Star Mystic Ancestor—in the span of a mere quarter-hour.
What utter nonsense!
Elder Yu Yan found it a bit inconceivable as well. She crouched down, channeled a bit of her power, and expelled the excess water from her little sister’s body.
For a Water Attribute Mystic Cultivator, it was as simple as eating or drinking.
Dean Yu Qing coughed twice as her awareness slowly returned. Her eyes refocused, and upon hearing her big sister’s voice, she blinked her beautiful eyes. Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. Then, memories of her earlier humiliating ordeal flooded back. She shot upright, frantically scanning the area for Yan Zhen. Fuming, she snapped, “Where’s that little punk? If I don’t flay him alive today, I’ll take his damn name!”
“What happened, Little Qing?” Elder Yu Yan asked. “How did you end up drowning?”
“I—” Dean Yu Qing faltered. “It was that kid playing dirty, scheming against me. Otherwise, how could I possibly…”
“Possibly what?”
All three pairs of beautiful eyes fixed on her with curiosity.
Dean Yu Qing suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Though the water on her skin had evaporated, the sensation of ultimate ecstasy still lingered in her mind. If they found out she’d squirted just from her nephew-in-law touching her, how could she ever show her face in the Yu Family again?
“N-Nothing. I just got careless and fell for that kid’s trick.”
As she spoke, her best friend, big sister, and second sister all shot her looks of disdain, as if to say, “A Mystic Ancestor losing head-on to a junior Mystic Master? How embarrassing.”
Dean Yu Qing’s face flushed crimson, but she had no rebuttal. She could only swallow her frustration.
After all, she really had “lost it.”
“Is Little Aunt okay now?”
The culprit himself appeared. He’d already dressed, a relaxed smile on his face as he strolled over casually. Everyone couldn’t help but nod inwardly—this was one handsome young man. Only Dean Yu Qing was livid, veins bulging on her forehead as she glared daggers at Yan Zhen, looking like a mother cat ready to pounce on an intruder.
“Looks like she’s fine,” Yan Zhen said with a laugh. “I’m relieved, then.”
Dean Yu Qing clenched her fists, itching to strike but holding back. For one, she feared that “lewd technique” of his; for another, she worried he’d spill the beans about what happened.
Ugh, this is infuriating!
The Family Head Yu Lu glanced at him, then at her sister, her worries deepening.
“Alright, it’s getting late. Everyone head back.”
With that, she turned and left first.
Yan Zhen blinked in surprise. “No punishment for me?”
“What, you want us to punish you?” Shui Bailan said irritably. “We were just scaring you earlier. Who told you to be so bold, sneaking into the White Jade Spring like that?”
“I-I was wrong.”
“Good that you know. We’ll let it slide this time, but no more next time—or your aunt-in-law really will get mad.”
“Got it, Aunt.”
Seeing how obedient he was, a smile tugged at Shui Bailan’s lips.
Elder Yu Yan smiled warmly from the side. “…Let’s go, Little Yan Zhen. The banquet’s starting soon. Time to introduce you to the Yu Family members.”
“Sure thing, Great-Aunt.”
Yan Zhen hurried after Elder Great-Aunt’s footsteps.
Shui Bailan turned to her best friend and extended a hand. “Let’s head out too, Yu Qing. No need to stay mad at a kid.”
Dean Yu Qing huffed, placed her hand in her friend’s palm, and was pulled to her feet.
The two left last.
Back at the Yu Family’s main residence, the Family Head Yu Lu summoned a servant to escort Yan Zhen to a side room for rest. The four women each returned to their quarters.
The Yu Family consisted solely of women, so even the guest rooms smelled sweetly fragrant.
Lying on the spacious, soft bed, Yan Zhen pulled out a Messaging Talisman to contact Mentor Yu Xuan. He recounted the earlier events but conveniently omitted Dean Little Aunt’s explosive climax, saying only that she’d chased him and he’d turned the tables on her.
Upon hearing that the four elders had gone to intercept Yan Zhen, Mentor Yu Xuan immediately understood. They’d likely been exposed earlier. The elders had feigned ignorance out of concern for her reputation, yet she’d lied through her teeth one after another…
Mentor Yu Xuan’s cheeks burned red. She felt utterly mortified. How was she supposed to face them now?
Yan Zhen stowed the talisman and was about to meditate when a maid knocked, saying she was there to attend to his bath and change of clothes.
The banquet was that evening, after all.
Yan Zhen opened the door to find three maids. The two flanking the leader held trays—one with flower petals, the other with fresh clothes. The red-clad maid in front curtsied first.
Yan Zhen returned a simple bow and let them in. “Sisters, I’ve already bathed. I just need to change.”
He had no desire to be bathed by strangers—that would be too awkward.
The lead red-clad maid spoke in a soft, voice. “That won’t do, Young Uncle. The Family Head instructed us sisters to serve you fully for bath and attire. Skipping any would mean punishment when we report back.”
Ah…
“Very well, then. Sorry for the trouble, sisters.”
“You’re too kind, Young Uncle. Just call this servant ‘Hong Xing.'”
Thus, Yan Zhen stripped bare and soaked in the tub while three pairs of tender white hands scrubbed and massaged him.
Thankfully, they were proper maids who didn’t strip down to join him—it was purely service.
Having been “tasted” by Mentor Yu Xuan not long ago, Yan Zhen held firm without embarrassment.
That said, since the maids had never served a man before, their gazes occasionally drifted to the dormant Dragon Pattern Great Vessel, leaving Yan Zhen feeling rather impure.
After the bath, the three maids helped him into new clothes, which accentuated his youthful handsomeness even more.
Yan Zhen checked himself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
Perfect fit, fine fabric—comfortable all around.
“Speaking of which, Mother-in-law prepared clothes for me ahead of time. How thoughtful.”
“That shows how much the Family Head favors you, Young Uncle,” Hong Xing said with a smile. “Alright, it’s about time. Follow this servant to the banquet hall.”
Yan Zhen nodded and followed Hong Xing out of the side room, where he found Mentor Yu Xuan and her maids already waiting.
Mentor Yu Xuan had changed into an elegant aqua ritual gown adorned with long gemstone earrings. Her soft oval face bore light makeup, and she’d applied the delicately scented Drip Dew lotion. She radiated allure, utterly captivating Yan Zhen for a moment.
“Do I look good, Yan Zhen?”
“You look stunning.”
“How stunning?”
Gulp.
Yan Zhen deliberately swallowed hard.
Mentor Yu Xuan and her two maids all covered their mouths in light laughter.
She stepped to his side, took his arm of her own accord, and together they headed to the banquet hall.
