Dong Wanyi said, "Am I that foolish?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Doing so is indeed unwise. You’ve offended both sides. Is this treasure so alluring?"

"It is rumored to be the treasure of a top master, perhaps containing secret manuals," Dong Wanyi replied.

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile. "This is troublesome."

"It is…" Dong Wanyi sighed, shaking her head. "My own father is about to turn against me, saying I favor the He family and shame my lineage."

Li Muzhan said, "If it were me, I would be angry too. Once Young Master He passed, this treasure belongs to you; you can dispose of it as you wish."

Dong Wanyi shook her head. "I swore an oath to Brother He that I would never reveal it to a third party."

Li Muzhan slowly nodded. "I see…"

A sliver of respect suddenly bloomed in him. To endure such suffering for the sake of an oath, to hold on this long—it was truly not easy. A woman of heroic caliber, second to none.

Dong Wanyi fell silent, pacing slowly along the wooden corridor until she entered a small pavilion, sitting gracefully by the stone table, gazing at the distant night sky.

The gentle, cool breeze did not stir her fine hair; she remained motionless, as if frozen.

Li Muzhan sighed. "Miss, having come this far, you can only press on. My fear is that you might not endure. Your esteemed father, as the head of a great household, is no novice. A father knows his child best; he knows your weaknesses and aims every move fatally."

"Indeed…" Dong Wanyi looked at the night sky, her face like white jade, illuminated translucently by the lamps, and sighed wistfully. "My father's blows—one after another, each one aimed to kill."

Li Muzhan asked, "Can you handle it?"

Dong Wanyi, fragile and helpless, whispered a soft sigh. "I don't know how long I can hold out."

Li Muzhan smiled. "I will help you."

"Thank you, Young Master!" Dong Wanyi turned, flashing a brilliant smile. "Your martial arts are profound, and you can protect me. I invited you to the manor not merely to repay a debt, but also with the hope of your assistance. Please don't take offense, Young Master."

Li Muzhan shook his head. "It is human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm. If I can be of use, that is for the best."

Dong Wanyi said, "Both Elder Geng and Elder He mean well for me. Please do not take offense at their sharp words, Young Master."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Elder He always refers to you as Madam. I presume he is a member of the He family?"

"He is," Dong Wanyi nodded. "Elder He is under orders from Brother He to protect me."

Li Muzhan said, "If he is of the He family, why doesn't he side with them?"

"He is loyal only to Brother He," Dong Wanyi stated.

Li Muzhan slowly nodded. "That is good. Miss, you are fighting alone against strong opposition. How do you plan to manage?"

"If it truly comes to that, I'll just find a place to hide," Dong Wanyi offered.

Li Muzhan pondered, then shook his head. "Unwise. You can hide for a while, but not forever. If all else fails, Miss, you should just tell them."

"Ah—?" Dong Wanyi’s bright eyes widened suddenly.

Li Muzhan said, "Have the Miss prepare a fake treasure, and then pretend to reveal it reluctantly."

Dong Wanyi shook her head. "Everyone can tell the difference between a real and a fake treasure."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Young Master He said the treasure is real, but what if it's fake? You don't know either, do you?"

Dong Wanyi started, her expression shifting, and she shook her head. "Brother He would never lie to me."

Li Muzhan smiled. "That may not be so! Perhaps Young Master He is testing you. How can you be so certain it isn't fake?"

Dong Wanyi vigorously shook her head. "No, absolutely not! Stop talking nonsense!"

Li Muzhan said, "What is real, what is false—who can truly say! The key to this matter is absolute secrecy."

Dong Wanyi stared blankly, stunned, Li Muzhan's words striking deep into her thoughts… Li Muzhan closed his mouth, observing her quietly. She was gentle and tranquil, like a goddess.

After a long moment, she slowly snapped back to awareness. She turned to look at Li Muzhan, displeased. "Brother He would not deceive me, but will your method truly work?"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "There's no harm in trying; it's better than the current situation, isn't it?"

Dong Wanyi slowly nodded. "Thank you, Young Master Li. I need to rest now."

"Then I shall take my leave," Li Muzhan bowed formally, then left the pavilion and returned to the Purple Bamboo House.

The next morning. Dong Wanyi again taught Li Muzhan literacy. First, she quizzed him on the hundred characters learned the day before, seeing that he remembered them perfectly, and then she taught him another two hundred.

As they were eating, Xia Hua, clad in brilliant red like a sudden burst of flame, rushed near. "Miss, Young Master Mo the Third is here!"

Dong Wanyi frowned. "Young Master Mo the Third?"

Xia Hua confirmed, "It's the same Mo Zichen who visited yesterday. He's here to pay his respects to you, Miss."

Dong Wanyi’s dark brows furrowed. "Tell him I am not here!"

Xia Hua shook her head. "I already did, but he didn't believe it. He said he knows you are here!"

"Is that so…" Dong Wanyi frowned and inquired, "Where are Elder He and Elder Geng?"

Xia Hua replied, "They are currently keeping an eye on him."

Dong Wanyi pondered for a moment. "Invite him in then!"

"Got it!" Xia Hua bustled away energetically.

Li Muzhan asked, "Miss, should I withdraw for a moment?"

"No need," Dong Wanyi shook her head. "This Young Master Mo the Third is not coming with good intentions. Having you nearby puts me more at ease."

Li Muzhan smiled. "No matter how ill-intentioned he is, surely he wouldn't resort to violence?"

Dong Wanyi said, "I've inquired about this Young Master Mo the Third; he is an arrogant man who holds everyone in contempt."

Li Muzhan nodded. "Then I shall broaden my horizons."

As they spoke, a group approached gracefully, soon arriving nearby. Leading them was a tall, strikingly handsome young man, clad in a blue robe, sharp sword-like brows framing eyes full of vigor and spirit.

As he surveyed the scene, his demeanor was lively and spirited. He quickly reached them, cupped his fists, and laughed heartily. "Mo Zichen pays his respects to the Sixth Miss!"

Dong Wanyi rose gracefully and returned the salute. "Young Hero Mo, please forgive my delayed welcome. Do sit."

"Thank you, Sixth Miss," Mo Zichen cupped his fists and sat opposite her, laughing loudly. "Please forgive my unannounced intrusion, Sixth Miss."

Dong Wanyi offered a gentle smile. "May I ask what counsel Young Hero Mo seeks?"

She felt she had been rather curt, but to an outsider, she appeared gentle and approachable, which stirred Mo Zichen's interest. He smiled slightly. "I heard the Dong family's spear techniques are peerless. I wish to learn a thing or two."

"That might have been the case…" Dong Wanyi inclined her head slightly. "But regrettably, I am not versed in martial arts. Young Hero Mo has sought the wrong person."

"Hehe…" Mo Zichen chuckled. "If the Sixth Miss is unskilled, I know her guards are all top-tier experts."

Dong Wanyi frowned and glanced toward Elder He and Elder Geng.

Mo Zichen continued, "The Sixth Miss’s guards include not only Dong family experts but also supreme masters from the He family. To pay my respects to experts from both families in one visit saves me a journey. Why not rejoice?"

Dong Wanyi turned to the elders. "Elder He, Elder Geng, what are your thoughts?"

Elder He stroked his beard and smiled. "Madam, age impairs our sinews. Our old bones aren't worth much now. Let the younger generation spar."

Elder Geng chuckled heartily. "Young Master Li, how about you?"

As they spoke, both men turned their gaze toward Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan, seated beside Dong Wanyi, was already conspicuous, and now he drew everyone's attention.

Li Muzhan pointed to himself, feigning surprise. "Me—?"

"Hehe…" Elder Geng laughed. "Young Master Li, you are of similar age, both young heroes. When talent meets talent, why not have a match?"

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. "Must we…?"

Dong Wanyi interjected, "It is unsuitable for Young Master Li to engage in combat. Elder He and Elder Geng should suffice for Young Hero Mo’s sparring."

Elder Geng sighed helplessly. "Miss, I fear I am no match for Young Master Mo the Third."

Dong Wanyi paused, then glanced at Elder Geng again, knowing he spoke the truth. She frowned and looked toward Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan waved his hand and smiled. "My knowledge of spear techniques is superficial, Young Master Mo. I fear you will be disappointed. It is better to hide one's shortcomings than expose them clumsily, so perhaps we should skip it."

Mo Zichen narrowed his eyes, sizing up Li Muzhan. His gaze was unrestrained, clearly showing contempt.

Li Muzhan remained unmoved, meeting it with a smile.