After much thought, there was truly no solution in sight. As he was turning his eyes, trying to calculate a strategy, he heard Xiao Douya ask curiously, "Young Master Mo, what are 'Palace Exclusive Professionals'?" The little girl’s curiosity, piqued by that earlier statement, had not yet subsided...

Now that the young mistress was awake, and it seemed the two had reconciled, Xiao Douya’s complexion had brightened considerably. It looked like the young mistress was set to marry Young Master Mo, and I suppose I’ll have to become one of his maids...

"Palace Exclusive Professionals... they are naturally people who specifically serve the Emperor and Empress," Jun Mo Xie chuckled vaguely, all the while thinking, How do I get down? How do I cover myself? As he spoke casually, he added, "Those people, compared to normal individuals... they are missing something."

"Missing what?" Xiao Douya’s round, curious eyes stared wide, relentlessly pressing the issue, refusing to let it drop.

"Xiao Douya!" Miao Xiaomiao cried out, both embarrassed and mortified. Naturally, she was far more experienced than Xiao Douya, and seeing the two actually debating such a profound topic, she quickly intervened!

"Ahem... I suppose I should be going down now..." Jun Mo Xie coughed twice, looking troubled. "But my trousers..."

"Pfft..." His mentioning it only made it worse. The two women instantly clapped their hands over their mouths, their faces turning crimson as they shook with silent laughter. Their lovely eyes narrowed into crescents, their delicate shoulders trembling, their gazes seemingly fixed pointedly on a certain area...

"What are you laughing at?" Young Master Jun rolled his eyes, glancing around quickly, before suddenly walking to the window. With a heave, he tore a strip from the curtain, smoothed it out with his right hand, and tied it around his waist, tucking the hem of his robe in tightly...

Once pulled taut like that, the robe would completely conceal what was underneath...

Jun Mo Xie breathed a sigh of relief and stepped toward the stairs. Just as he reached the doorway, he heard a shy voice from behind him call out, "Jun... did what you said just now... was it really true?"

Jun Mo Xie froze mid-step, his back still turned, and nodded deeply. "It is true!" He said those three words with absolute finality, without hesitation.

Behind him came a muffled sound of uncontrollable ecstasy. Miao Xiaomiao sobbed softly, "Your concubine also does not wish to cause trouble for you, Jun... I only hope you won't forget... your little wife..."

Jun Mo Xie felt an inexplicable warmth spread through his chest. He took a deep breath, almost unable to resist turning back immediately to tightly embrace this pitiable woman. But finally, he forcibly controlled the urge, nodded once, let out a soft hum, pushed the door open, and walked out...

Behind him, Miao Xiaomiao tearfully watched his retreating back. Her smile was filled with joy and contentment, mixed with a deep sense of happiness. All these emotions blended together made Miao Xiaomiao at that moment appear exceptionally beautiful, like a rose glistening with dew.

Yet, as she touched the skin of Jun Mo Xie's nape, a rather strange thought suddenly occurred to her: His facial complexion, and the skin on his arms and neck, are not white at all; in fact, they could even be described as somewhat dark... But why is the skin on his thighs... that area... so fair, delicate, and crystalline? So beautiful!

As she thought, Miao Xiaomiao’s face suddenly flushed red. A wave of confusion still rippled through her mind, but she immediately shook her head, throwing the question far behind her. That area was perhaps too awkward to contemplate... This was the most beautiful moment where she had attained happiness; she didn't want to dwell on such inappropriate thoughts...

Almost as soon as Jun Mo Xie stepped out, two figures rushed toward him, nearly colliding with the Young Master. They were Miao Xiaomiao’s parents, Miao Huanyu and Madam Miao.

Madam Miao gave him a look filled with complex emotions and then rushed past him into the room.

Miao Huanyu smiled, looking at the youth before him, and gently patted his shoulder. "You’ve worked hard."

"It is my duty, how dare I accept the term 'hard work' from Uncle!" Jun Mo Xie managed an awkward smile.

"Hmm, indeed," Miao Huanyu said, then sighed deeply, his tone grave. "Treat my daughter well." Without waiting for Jun Mo Xie’s reply, he walked into the room.

"I will!" Jun Mo Xie did not turn back, merely answering silently in his own heart.

From inside the room came Madam Miao’s joyful voice, mixed with soft, hushed conversation...

Jun Mo Xie smiled faintly and slowly walked down the stairs. Only now did he realize that his body felt strangely breezy, with air flowing from both front and back—it was actually quite refreshing...

In the main hall, many of the people who had gathered there earlier had already dispersed. Only a few remained, such as Miao Jingyun, Miao Dao, and Miao Jian, who were already sipping a pot of fine tea. They sat with narrowed eyes, savoring it, seemingly enjoying the moment, completely devoid of the fierce hostility from earlier that had almost demanded Jun Mo Xie be stripped and quartered...

"Finally decided to come down?" Miao Jingyun snorted, lifting his eyelids slightly.

Now that his daughter was safe, Miao Jingyun had instantly reverted to the transcendent bearing of the Master of the Ethereal Illusionary Mansion. Every movement and word displayed an airy elegance, subtly carrying an air of aloof refinement...

However, having witnessed the true nature of this old scoundrel, Jun Mo Xie would never again fall for this pretense. Hearing the words, he smiled. "Naturally. It would be a pity not to appear. At tomorrow's birthday banquet, it seems one course will be missing—mine."

"Do you really think this old man cares about the few scraps of stinking meat on your body?" Miao Jingyun huffed. "Sit!"

Jun Mo Xie made no ceremony, stepped forward, pulled over a chair, and plopped down. He felt a faint twinge of pain in his rear, and instinctively, as he sat, he spread his legs wide, fearing contact would only intensify the ache. Then, remembering something, he quickly brought his legs back together, chuckled, picked up a cup of tea, and was about to soothe his parched throat...

Suddenly, Miao Jingyun opposite him looked straight ahead, his high and aloof refinement instantly vanishing. Two noises like a chicken being throttled rattled in his throat, and a mouthful of hot tea shot out with a Pfft, landing perfectly on Young Master Jun! Jun Mo Xie cried out in shock, but before he could question it, Miao Jingyun fiercely grabbed the lapel of his robe, his face menacingly ferocious: "What exactly were you doing up there, you brat? Tell this old man the truth!"

His tone was dangerously threatening.

"What did I do? Can’t you hear it?" Jun Mo Xie impatiently shook off his hand, still feeling a lingering fear. "I... I was nearly castrated by your precious granddaughter! What else do you expect...?"

Miao Jingyun snorted, releasing his grip. Then he suddenly squinted and laughed twice, immediately following up with a sudden, booming bout of laughter...

Miao Dao and Miao Jian were sitting on either side, so they hadn't witnessed the embarrassing display of Young Master Jun’s momentary exposure, nor did they know what the Mansion Master was laughing so unrestrainedly about. They stared blankly at Miao Jingyun, exchanging glances with each other: What is wrong with him?

Miao Jingyun roared with laughter, slapping Jun Mo Xie’s shoulder. "Good heavens! What a fellow! I’ve truly seen something today!"

Though Jun Mo Xie knew perfectly well what the old man had seen, he couldn't help but feel somewhat confused at the response. He scratched his head and asked, "This... are you talking about me... or it? Does it really warrant such shock?"

"Cough, cough, cough..." Miao Jingyun hadn't managed to swallow his mouthful of tea and began to cough violently. He pointed a trembling finger at Jun Mo Xie, momentarily unable to speak, caught between laughter and choking. After a long moment, he spat out a thick glob of phlegm, coughing, "You brat... cough, cough, cough... Can’t you have any sense of shame? No one said anything about you walking around with your bare head exposed, but you shouldn't just go around without... without..."

"I tried my best to restrain myself," Jun Mo Xie sighed, finally finding a moment to sip his tea and moisten his throat. He said helplessly, "But this was done by a sword slash. In that haste, where was I supposed to find clothes? Upstairs is your own daughter's private chamber—all women’s attire. You can’t expect me to change clothes up there, can you!"

"Alright, alright. We'll discuss this matter after you come out! This old man needs to have a serious talk with you! Our Miao family daughters cannot just be taken advantage of by you until you’ve had your fill and done the deed..."

Miao Jingyun abruptly waved his hand, as if remembering something important, his expression suddenly becoming exceedingly grave. "Put that aside for now. Come with me to a place first; someone wants to see you..."

"Someone wants to see me?" This time, Jun Mo Xie was genuinely surprised.

For someone of Miao Jingyun's status to relay a message, and then have to escort him to meet this person...

Who could that person be?

Jun Mo Xie’s mind raced, and he immediately thought of one possibility: Could it be some ancestor of the Miao family?

This guess was almost certainly correct!

But... which generation's ancestor was it? And what was the reason for the meeting?

"Come with me," Miao Jingyun suddenly stood up. Miao Dao and Miao Jian immediately positioned themselves behind him.

"Then at least give me some clothes to change into first..." Jun Mo Xie called out.

"No need to change," Miao Jingyun stated unequivocally. Then, as if realizing something, he added, "We are all men. Just treat it like entering a bathhouse; how much difference can there really be?"

Jun Mo Xie was at a loss for words, finding the logic absurd. It seemed I was the one entering the bathhouse now, while you gentlemen are still fully clothed... at least you aren't parading your wares exposed...

Urged on by Miao Jingyun’s repeated insistence, the four of them walked out of the hall together.

On the way, Miao Dao leaned close to Jun Mo Xie's ear and spoke fiercely, "Brat, you're lucky today to have escaped a calamity! Don't forget the disrespect you showed this old man just now. One day, I will make you regret it!"

"In several thousand years, I will certainly seek you out for a decisive battle to settle today’s score!" Jun Mo Xie glanced at him subtly.

Miao Dao was instantly choked with fury!

Several thousand years from now...

Perhaps it wouldn't even take that long. With the astonishing growth rate of the Ethereal Body, by then he would surely be a terrifying existence that made everyone tremble. Even if he were lucky enough to still be alive then, he would probably be ancient and decrepit...

'I'll fight you in several thousand years?' What a ridiculously grandiose boast.