"What do you all think? What should be done?" Seeing the silence in the room, Ye Jingyu spoke first. With a stronger physique came thicker skin. Regardless of his actual feelings for the alluring women, the fact that they had waited for him for so many years meant he absolutely could not let them down. Of course, sometimes he still needed to defer to Jiu Feng and Ling'er’s opinions.

Luo Ling'er maintained a gentle smile, but her large eyes were fixed on Yao Yao. She had long heard rumors of Yao Yao's notorious reputation but never realized this woman was in love with her own husband.

As for Gongsun Xiangyi and Hu Yanmeng, Luo Ling'er held few objections. Both had served Ye Jingyu closely for a long time, and in Luo Ling'er’s mind, it was only a matter of time before Ye Jingyu took them into his chambers.

Jiu Feng, however, kept her gaze solely on Ye Jingyu. She was the most gentle and considerate; as long as Ye Jingyu was happy, she wouldn't mind him taking three women, or even a hundred. Her love for him was arguably the most selfless. Simply being allowed to stay by his side now was satisfaction enough for her.

The woman who knows how to be content is the one who finds true happiness—this truth Jiu Feng understood deeply.

Facing the scrutinizing looks from Ye Jingyu, Jiu Feng, Luo Ling'er, and Xi Yang, Yao Yao met their gazes without fear. She was a woman of the Hundred Flowers Sect, a woman who theoretically shouldn't harbor deep feelings. Yet, once she committed her heart, her love was fiercely intense.

After waiting for several millennia, having finally secured the return of the man she loved, how could she possibly let him go again?

Gongsun Xiangyi, in contrast, modestly lowered her head. Her status was merely that of Ye Jingyu’s maid; she only wished to remain by his side, serving him, without undue ambition. But now that Ye Jingyu had called her forward, it clearly signaled his intent to confirm her status. Her heart fluttered with nervousness, a touch of awkwardness, and a subtle current of hopeful anticipation...

After all, who wouldn't wish to become the woman of the man they deeply love rather than merely remain his servant?

"What should be done? What needs to be done? If you want to marry Yao Yao, if you want to marry Xiangyi, that is your business. I never said I would marry you!" Hu Yanmeng’s expression was distinctly cold. Seeing the varied emotions on the faces of the other women, she was the first to speak out.

For Ye Jingyu, her feelings leaned more toward kinship. If he desired her body, she wouldn't resist, but the idea of marrying him did not sit right with her. Everyone held their own perspectives, and Hu Yanmeng was no exception.

With those words spoken, Hu Yanmeng turned and walked toward the exit, leaving the assembled group staring in surprise...

Ye Jingyu’s expression turned somewhat awkward. He had assumed Hu Yanmeng, like Gongsun Xiangyi and Yao Yao, would refuse to marry anyone but him. Clearly, that wasn't the case. He had thought himself devastatingly handsome, yet this girl showed him little deference. He resolved to devise a way to 'discipline' her later.

"Hoo-hoo, my dear husband, I wasn't implying I wanted to marry you either! I suspect these two feel the same way? Husband, don't get too self-absorbed, alright?" Seeing Hu Yanmeng simply turn and leave, Xi Yang, who had been gently massaging Ye Jingyu’s back, chuckled coquettishly.

"If you marry me, I will certainly marry you. If you do not marry me, I will still marry you!" Before Ye Jingyu could recover from his awkwardness, Yao Yao rose swiftly from her seat and spoke with utter solemnity. Her faint blue eyes locked onto Ye Jingyu’s without flinching, holding only the most resolute conviction—a decision forged after a thousand years of contemplation.

If you marry me, I will certainly marry you. If you do not marry me, I will still marry you...

What a domineering declaration. Ye Jingyu had always believed that only men could be truly overbearing, but hearing Yao Yao utter such a phrase, he realized that a woman’s assertion could surpass a man’s.

I won't marry you, and you still have to marry me? If I refuse, how can you marry me? Are you planning to kidnap me or something? That’s pushing the boundary a bit, isn't it? But... I like it...

Beyond a moment of shock, Ye Jingyu was flooded with joy. A woman, and such a beautiful one at that, declaring that she would marry no one but him—didn't that testify to his immense charm? The slight embarrassment caused by Hu Yanmeng's departure vanished without a trace.

Hearing Yao Yao's utterly frank words, Jiu Feng smiled faintly, casting an admiring glance her way. Only someone who had been in the Ming Yan Tower with her could understand the depth of devotion a courtesan like Yao Yao held once she truly loved someone.

Luo Ling'er was clearly unprepared for Yao Yao to lay her intentions bare so directly. Due to her upbringing, while she didn't look down on women from brothels, she always considered them fickle. She hadn't anticipated Yao Yao’s love for Ye Jingyu ran so deep. Her large eyes flickered between Yao Yao and Ye Jingyu, and finally, she settled her mind: she would defer completely to Ye Jingyu’s wishes; as long as he liked it, she wouldn't object.

Xi Yang, however, felt a surge of irritation upon hearing Yao Yao’s near-blatant demands. "Hey, what is your problem, woman? Even if you like our husband, saying something like that right in front of us is a bit much, isn't it? Do you have any shame?" Her nature was straightforward; she spoke whatever came to mind without considering delicacy.

She lacked Jiu Feng's thoughtfulness or Luo Ling'er's understanding. Though not young, her mindset was akin to a little girl’s, unwilling to share her beloved with other women. Luo Ling'er and Jiu Feng were exceptions—one his original wife, the other someone with whom she shared many years of deep companionship. Now with another added to the mix, she felt compelled to speak up.

"Will you marry me or not?" Yao Yao ignored Xi Yang, her seductive eyes fixed intently on Ye Jingyu's. She had cast all caution aside today; she refused to believe her charm and sincerity couldn't move him.

Faced with Yao Yao's aggressive gaze, Ye Jingyu felt no annoyance; instead, he was rather pleased. He had always thought she excelled only at seduction, never expecting her to be capable of such assertive pressure—and that assertive demeanor was somehow incredibly charming, too.

"Xixi, should I marry her?" Instead of answering immediately, Ye Jingyu turned and asked Xi Yang.

This question startled every woman present...