Chapter 106: Fierce Debate Within the Mansion

“...Chu Yun!”

Just as the two turned to leave, a faint voice, both tender and cold, seemed to come from behind them. Hearing it, Tianming involuntarily turned around, only to see a petite figure clad in teal—a young girl—panting and glaring at him with sharp eyes.

Why was she here?

Frowning slightly, Tianming looked at the girl in surprise. Wasn’t she the lady Qianlin’s maid? Why would she appear here seeking him out? Could it be she was still upset about what happened that day? After all, any woman subjected to such treatment would hardly find it easy to let go.

With a hint of apology, Tianming spoke, “Does your lady have business with me?”

Beside him, Xiaoying also looked at the girl with puzzlement. Previously, Chu Yun was always the one who came to them... What was happening today? Lady Qianlin of the Ye family had seemingly changed her demeanor, taking the initiative to seek out their young master?

“Hmph! Nothing much. Whatever my lady wishes to say is in here. Go see for yourself!”

Pouting, the girl produced an envelope from her bosom. She seemed to harbor great resentment toward Chu Yun, barely glancing at her before shifting her gaze elsewhere—reluctant, as if granting a favor against her will.

Tianming was speechless at the girl’s expression, as if burdened by countless debts. He couldn’t fathom how Chu Yun had offended this maid so deeply. If a mere maid was so ungracious, he could only imagine the complexities with the lady’s parents...

“Young master, here!”

Without hesitation, Xiaoying stepped forward, snatching the envelope from the girl’s hand and warmly handing it to Tianming, her face radiating an irresistibly sweet smile.

...

Inside the Chu residence.

As Tianming stepped into the hall, he immediately sensed a severe atmosphere thickening the air, as if some ill fate awaited him. His right eyelid twitched uncontrollably, making him deeply uneasy.

“Kneel!”

Sure enough, his gaze landed on a man and woman seated at the head of the hall, accompanied by a woman dressed in a blue-and-white porcelain qipao. Tianming’s heart sank; beside him, Xiaoying had already knelt, bowing her head in apparent contrition.

The qipao-clad woman beside Master Chu sneered silently, looking with malice at the kneeling Xiaoying. “Little wretch, trying to play tricks on me? You’re just a lowly maid, don’t forget your place. You think having a patron means you can do as you please?”

“Father, mother, may I ask what this is about?”

Tianming attempted to help Xiaoying up but failed, so he turned to the two seated figures with confusion. Though addressing them this way was awkward, he knew that if he didn’t, it might expose something—especially with the Divine Realm and the incoming Star Master watching closely.

“...Xiaoying, you may rise.” After a brief pause, Mother Chu spoke kindly.

“Thank you, madam!”

Relieved, both Xiaoying and Tianming breathed easier.

“Chu Yun! Kneel down! Have you learned to bully your sister now?” Master Chu, who had been closing his eyes, suddenly opened sharp, piercing eyes. “Jiaqi, how do you propose to punish him? And to think he even dared to cause a scene at the Ye estate. Luckily, there were honored guests present, otherwise...” His voice trailed off ominously.

“...Father, you already know?”

Though Master Chu’s expression was stern and grave, there was a trace of surprise and affection in his tone. Tianming caught this subtlety and sighed inwardly as he glanced at the qipao woman—spoiled and tragic.

Jiaqi?

It seemed that Chu Yun’s elder sister was named Chu Jiaqi. Though Tianming didn’t fully grasp Master and Lady Chu’s implications, the name suggested a wish for her to be as flawless as a precious jade.

A pity.

“Bastard... How could your old man not know?”

Master Chu cursed angrily upon hearing this.

Seeing Tianming’s casual demeanor, Master Chu was pleased by his strength but feared that if the boy remained so reckless, he would cause great trouble in the future—who then would clean up his mess?

“Master, master! This has nothing to do with the young master. It’s all my fault. If punishment is due, punish me!”

Hearing Master Chu speak of punishing Tianming, Xiaoying immediately knelt, pleading with the two seated figures, tears brimming in her eyes, evoking pity.

“Xiaoying, I know you’re protective of Yun’er, but as a grown man, he must take responsibility for his mistakes! Yun’er, I ask you—do you realize your fault?”

Taking a deep breath, Master Chu shifted his gaze from Xiaoying to Tianming.

“Heh, what fault have I committed?”

Though he agreed with Master Chu’s words, Tianming never apologized for mistakes he never made. As Master Chu said, a grown man should have his own moral compass, but Tianming’s was unbending.

“...Ungrateful son! If I don’t discipline you, you won’t know how vast the world is!”

Master Chu’s fury surged like a boiling cauldron about to explode. He snatched up a nearby ruler with trembling hands.

“Tianlong, don’t be angry! Yun’er may be a bit mischievous and headstrong, but he never lies. Perhaps his words are true?”

Seeing that Chu Yun remained steadfast, Lady Chu sighed and shook her head gently before speaking kindly.

“Hmph!”

“Father, this is all that wretched girl’s fault! If she hadn’t taken Yun’er out, how could he have caused trouble at the Li estate? Besides, our family has always maintained a good relationship with the Lis. It’s all her fault...” Seeing Lady Chu speak, Ye Jiaqi’s sharp gaze turned to Xiaoying.

“Master, I didn’t—I didn’t do those things...”

Lowering her head, Xiaoying trembled, unable to meet anyone’s eyes as she explained.

“Jiaqi! Don’t go too far. You were the first to speak disrespectfully, always siding with the Lis! Now you invert the truth. I want to ask—are you perhaps on their side?” Tianming quickly defended Xiaoying.

“...How dare you say that about me!”

Surprised by Chu Yun’s outburst, Ye Jiaqi was so furious she fell from her chair. Just as she was about to roar like an enraged lion, Master Chu coldly snorted and rose from his seat.

“You two, can you give your father some peace of mind? You’re not children anymore; how can you still be so immature?”

Shaking her head again, Lady Chu gently helped Xiaoying to her feet and then walked toward Master Chu.

“Chu Jiaqi, for your mother’s sake, let this matter go. But if I see you bully Xiaoying again, don’t expect me to show any leniency.”

With that, Tianming took Xiaoying’s hand and left the hall, retreating to a private room.

...

At that moment, Chu Jiaqi remained unusually silent, lost in thought, her long black hair veiling her delicate face.