Unbeknownst to the others, she had closed her eyes, her expression softened, the frost upon her face melted away.

"Senior Sister?" Li Muzhan called out, startling her awake.

She quickly opened her eyes to meet Li Muzhan's teasing, half-smiling gaze, instantly flushing hot and frowning, letting out a soft 'hmph.' "Alright, let's go back. You don't need me to support you, do you?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I wouldn't dare trouble you with such a task; I can manage on my own."

"...Right. Well, I'm leaving then!" With a faint huff, inexplicably irritated, she turned and walked away, swiftly gliding more than ten zhang distant.

She had intended to escort him back, but he had flatly refused, leaving her inexplicably vexed.

"Wait!" Li Muzhan suddenly called out.

Gong Qingyun turned, her mood instantly shifting from gloom to sunshine, secretly delighted, yet feigning impatience as she faced away from him. "What is it?"

Li Muzhan paused, considering. "Senior Sister, for tonight's sake, pretend you never saw me."

Gong Qingyun snorted. "I didn't see a thing!"

"I'll confess everything to the Eldest Miss tomorrow," Li Muzhan said with a slight smile.

Gong Qingyun froze, momentarily forgetting her annoyance. She swiftly crossed back to him, frowning intensely. "Are you insane?!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "There are no perfectly sealed walls in this world. It's not the end of the world."

"The Eldest Miss shows absolutely no mercy!" Gong Qingyun urged, her delicate eyebrows tightly furrowed. "You spoke of self-preservation, but there will be no evidence if you die!"

"The people from the Chaoran Tower can testify," Li Muzhan replied calmly.

Gong Qingyun scoffed. "Useless... Don't do anything foolish!"

Li Muzhan waved his hand, smiling gently. "It's fine, Senior Sister needn't worry. I have my own plans. See you tomorrow."

Gong Qingyun opened her mouth, but seeing the resolute, unmoving look on his face, she sighed heavily and huffed, "Just keep fooling around! ...Hmph, the mansion rules are ruthless; it'll be too late for regrets then!"

Li Muzhan smiled and said nothing. Gong Qingyun stared at him for a long moment, stamped her foot, turned, and floated away, like a white cloud slowly descending, vanishing into the winding path in an instant.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a small smile and, facing the gentle evening breeze, rose to walk toward the village.

He proceeded slowly, his thoughts turning over, when he suddenly reached into his robe, taking out a throwing knife. He pressed the blade with his thumb against his palm; the cool touch of the steel seemed to merge with him, connected to his very flesh and blood.

He flipped his wrist, and the knife instantly vanished, completely concealed by his hand.

He flicked his right hand upward. With a soft chi whisper, a streak of white light shot through an acacia tree ten zhang away, embedding itself into the tree behind it.

He drifted over. The small blade was already sunk deep into the wood, leaving not a trace visible. Turning to the other tree, he saw a thumb-sized hole, surrounded by a scattering of pale yellow and white powder.

He nodded, smiling. His strength had increased significantly; he couldn't pierce a single tree like that before.

A flash of cold light signaled his long sword leaving its sheath. The tip lightly touched the embedded throwing knife. The knife shot out from the tree, and with another light tap from the sword tip, it swung up into the air.

The sword returned to its sheath. He extended his right hand, and the throwing knife landed steadily in his palm. He tucked it back into his robe, thinking: It seems I cannot abandon the throwing knife; it may accomplish miracles at a critical moment.

By the time he reached home, the night was already deep. The lanterns in the small courtyard were bright, making it seem like day. Li Zhuzi and Madame Qin, along with his eldest sister-in-law, Zhao Yiyi, were all chatting in the yard, waiting for his return.

He joined them, and they chatted amiably. Laughter erupted from the group intermittently—a picture of perfect harmony. Looking at their smiling faces and listening to their laughter, Li Muzhan felt a deep sense of peace and joy, and the icy killing intent within him gradually began to melt away.

Seeing Zhao Yiyi's demeanor, it seemed she and his elder brother had reconciled. He let out a long breath of relief; his elder brother had truly seen the light! No matter what, he never wanted them to separate and shatter the quiet harmony of this family.

After chatting for a while, he urged the three of them to retire for the night, while he returned to his room to cultivate the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing.

The next morning, he left home and arrived at the Mei Manor. He didn't go to the Tianshu Courtyard but headed directly to the Lotus Viewing Pavilion, only to find Xiao Yuan sitting there, leaning against the railing and reading.

She wore a soft pink silk robe, looking vibrant and charming. Hearing his footsteps, her gaze flickered over, followed by a look of delight. She set down her book. "Zhanran, you're finally here!"

Seeing her sweet smile and her voluptuous figure, Li Muzhan’s mood brightened considerably. He laughed. "Xiao Yuan, were you waiting for me?"

"Of course I was!" Xiao Yuan shot him a look. "Look at the time; you're only just arriving!"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Did the Eldest Miss summon me?"

Cultivating the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing meant he had no awareness of the passage of time; often, he would only awaken when the sky was already bright. He wasn't concerned.

Xiao Yuan quickly turned and walked inside. "Yes, the Miss has been waiting for a long time. Follow me quickly!"

As he walked in behind her, Li Muzhan asked with a smile, "Xiao Yuan, why is the Miss in such a hurry to see me?"

Xiao Yuan suddenly stopped, her bright, round eyes fixed on him. "Sister Gong came to see the Miss and told her about you."

"Oh—?" Li Muzhan’s brow twitched, and he smiled. "Senior Sister Gong really can't keep a secret, can she."

Xiao Yuan huffed. "Anyone couldn't keep a secret about something like that! ...That Fang Shaohua truly is a scoundrel; I knew he wasn't a good sort from the start!"

"Indeed..." Li Muzhan sighed.

He was inwardly surprised, his thoughts spinning rapidly, but he forced a smile. "However, that's only human nature. We can't entirely blame Chief Fang!"

Xiao Yuan was dismissive, glaring fiercely at him. "Hmph! Wicked deeds start with lust! And you're still making excuses for him. None of you men are any good!"

Li Muzhan frowned slightly and sighed. "Senior Sister Gong told her everything?"

His thoughts moved like lightning: Wicked deeds start with lust... Senior Sister Gong... Fang Shaohua—connecting these three phrases, he immediately grasped the implication: Gong Qingyun’s story must have been designed to ruin her own reputation to save his! He inwardly lamented the depth of Senior Sister Gong’s painstaking effort.

Xiao Yuan nodded. "Yes, she told her everything! ...It's a good thing you came back; otherwise, if Fang Shaohua had succeeded, Sister Gong wouldn't have had the face to live on!"

"Alas..." Li Muzhan shook his head with a heavy sigh.

Their steps were light and quick, and in a matter of moments, they reached the Resting Garden. Following Xiao Yuan, they ascended the rockery to the small pavilion.

Mei Ruolan and Gong Qingyun were already seated there. One in purple, the other in white, their flowing sleeves danced in the gentle breeze, their radiant beauty illuminating the small pavilion.

Li Muzhan glanced at Gong Qingyun, shook his head slightly, and clasped his hands in salute to Mei Ruolan. "Greetings, Eldest Miss. I have something to discuss."

"I was just about to look for you. What is it?" Mei Ruolan asked calmly, her posture serene, her gaze faintly captivating.

Li Muzhan said, "I killed Chief Fang Shaohua last night. I have come to accept my punishment!"

"Mmm, I already know," Mei Ruolan replied with a slight nod.

Li Muzhan continued, "Senior Sister Gong must have told you. Last night..."

"Zhanran, I already told the Eldest Miss. You don't need to repeat it!" Gong Qingyun sharply interrupted.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "Perhaps I should tell the story one more time, just to be sure, Eldest Miss?"

Mei Ruolan's brow moved slightly, and she nodded gently. "Hearing it again won't hurt."

"Zhanran!" Gong Qingyun chided softly.

Li Muzhan looked at her, then back at Mei Ruolan.

Mei Ruolan said serenely, "Qingyun, sit down and listen to Zhanran speak!"

"Eldest Miss..." Gong Qingyun began nervously.

"Finish listening before you speak!" Mei Ruolan waved her hand, turning her attention to Li Muzhan. "Zhanran, please proceed."

Li Muzhan then recounted the entire sequence of events: how he was trying to cause trouble for Fang Shaohua on behalf of a friend; how a conflict arose in the restaurant; and how, when Fang Shaohua ambushed him midway, he was forced to fight desperately, resulting in the accidental killing of two men.

Mei Ruolan listened quietly; Gong Qingyun glared at him hatefully. Zhanran is supremely intelligent; he certainly understands my meaning, she thought, yet he insists on acting unilaterally, wasting the entire night I spent desperately trying to devise this plan.

When he finished, Mei Ruolan glanced at Gong Qingyun and shook her head.

"Eldest Miss..." Gong Qingyun felt a pang of guilt and lowered her head, showing a rare trace of bashfulness.

Mei Ruolan snorted. "That's enough! ...You two—" Her captivating gaze swept across them both before she sighed. "Zhanran, killing fellow disciples is absolutely forbidden in our manor! ...Regardless of the circumstances, you have taken lives. How you should be disciplined, I must discuss with the Steward and the others... Follow me!"

She stood up and left the pavilion. "Xiao Yuan, please invite the Steward, Deacon Zhao, Commander Jin, and Deputy Deacon Li."

"Yes, Miss!" Xiao Yuan replied, glancing worriedly at Li Muzhan.

Mei Ruolan continued without stopping, treading lightly down the steps. "Also, invite the four from the Tianshu Courtyard and the two from the Kaiyang Courtyard."

"Yes, Miss!" Xiao Yuan acknowledged.

Mei Ruolan walked in front, with Li Muzhan and Gong Qingyun following behind. The three descended the rockery southward, passing through a moon gate into a courtyard.

The north side of the small courtyard held a main house with three rooms; on the east and west sides were single side rooms. Plum blossoms filled the yard, and a cross-shaped path led to each structure.

Mei Ruolan led the way directly into the main house.

A faint, delicate fragrance drifted out. Li Muzhan took in the interior: the light green carpet looked like soft grass, the furniture was simple but elegant, possessing an air of refinement.

Mei Ruolan pointed toward a screen on the east side. "You two hide behind that for a moment."

The screen was taller than a person, composed of six connected panels, each depicting a sweeping landscape painting. Connected, they formed a massive, continuous range, exuding a majestic atmosphere.

Li Muzhan frowned but ultimately said nothing, following Gong Qingyun behind the screen.

Mei Ruolan sat down on an embroidered stool, picked up a scroll, and began reading quietly, her posture dignified and calm. Bright sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in soft, gentle illumination.

Behind the screen was a long couch covered with a cooling mat. The two sat cross-legged. Gong Qingyun glared at him and leaned closer, dropping her voice. "You really are stubborn!"

The faint fragrance reached his nose, causing a ripple in Li Muzhan’s composure. Looking at her up close, her skin was like congealed fat, exquisitely fair and smooth, possessing the sheen of ivory, framed by two tender cherry lips. He was suddenly overwhelmed by an impulse to kiss her mouth, but he quickly turned his gaze away, suppressing the carnal thought, and smiled. "Thank you."

"Alas..." Gong Qingyun glared at him resentfully, huffing, "Forget it. Anything said now is too late. It all depends on how the Eldest Miss decides to handle it!"

Footsteps sounded, and both fell silent, listening intently.

Commander Jin's gruff voice rang out. "Eldest Miss, what is the urgent matter?"

"Steward, Commander Jin, Deacon Zhao, Deputy Deacon Li, please take a seat!" Mei Ruolan said calmly. She then recounted Li Muzhan's situation.

"Miss, Zhao Yuzhen and the others have arrived," Xiao Yuan entered.

Mei Ruolan said, "First, invite the people from the Tianshu Courtyard in."

"Miss, since this involves my younger brother, this subordinate should recuse himself," Li Mufeng’s voice was low.

Commander Jin replied, "Deputy Deacon, if it were anyone else, yes, you should step aside. But you, everyone trusts you completely—no need to leave!"

"This..." Li Mufeng hesitated.

Li Muzhan shook his head. Although his elder brother possessed exceptional intelligence and remained calm and steady, he himself was his brother's weakness. Hearing about his situation suddenly, Li Mufeng had lost his composure.

"Deputy Deacon, just remain to observe the proceedings," Mei Ruolan’s voice cut in.

"...Yes!" Li Mufeng answered.

Subsequently, two groups entered in succession. The four from the Tianshu Courtyard entered first. After Mei Ruolan questioned them briefly, Zhao Yuzhen and the others spoke truthfully.

Then, Kong Li and another youth from the Kaiyang Courtyard entered and also recounted the facts honestly.

Once they all departed, the remaining group sat in silence.

Mei Ruolan said coolly, "Zhanran, Qingyun, you may come out now."

Zhanran and Gong Qingyun rose from the couch and stepped out from behind the screen.

Mei Ruolan sat in the center, with Cai Xiuping and Zhao Faning to her left, and Jin Kaitai and Li Mufeng to her right. Seeing him emerge, Li Mufeng looked toward him with concern.

Although Li Muzhan disliked the atmosphere, which felt like a trial, he remained outwardly composed, maintaining inner peace and stillness. He clasped his hands and bowed to everyone.

Mei Ruolan stated plainly, "Let us discuss what punishment Zhanran should receive."

Jin Kaitai grunted heavily. "We all know what kind of person that Fang boy was; he brought it upon himself! ...But still, Zhanran killed someone, which isn't right either. ...In my opinion, let's fine him by having him face the wall for a year!"

Having spoken, he looked toward Cai Xiuping, then at Zhao Faning.

Cai Xiuping slightly closed his eyes, his face expressionless, as if he had fallen asleep. Zhao Faning frowned deeply, gazing downward, deep in thought. Seeing that neither spoke, Jin Kaitai asked, "Eldest Miss, what do you think?"

"What is Chief Steward Cai's opinion?" Mei Ruolan asked quietly.

Cai Xiuping slowly opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on Li Muzhan, remaining silent.

Li Mufeng stared intently at him, and Jin Kaitai watched with a tense face, eyes wide.