Seeing the young man's listless air, Miao Jingyun was so furious his ears rang and his vision blurred. He suddenly stomped his foot, pointing at the doorway, and roared, "You, you brat! Get out of here right now! You truly infuriate this old man!" "In that case, this junior will take his leave."

Jun Moye bolted instantly.

Watching Jun Moye’s figure vanish at the door, the rising and falling of Miao Jingyun’s chest had not yet settled. After a long moment, he suddenly let out a fierce roar, stomped his foot, and boom—a gaping, bottomless hole instantly appeared in the ground.

To one side, Miao Xi and Miao Jian exchanged looks, whispering to each other!

"Did that kid really leave?"

"Is there any doubt?"

"He actually just left like that?"

"Didn't you see it?"

"He actually dared to leave just like that?"

"..."

Faced with these endlessly repeated questions, Miao Jian wisely chose silence. The facts were laid bare; what the hell was there to ask? Even if he wasn't tired, this fellow was! "That night, the high echelons of the Miao family gathered, secretly discussing the related affairs of this matter. It seemed the result was, for reasons unknown, perhaps because Miao Xiaomiao’s father, Miao Huanyu, said something—the Old Master immediately flipped the table and stormed off in a rage..."

Jun Moye made his way back to his residence, where things were remarkably calm.

In truth, if he had a choice, the Young Master would never have spoken that way. Given the current situation, abandoning Miao Xiaomiao was already impossible! But to ask him to abandon the others? That was even more out of the question!

On this matter, it was a fundamental issue that superseded Jun Moye’s principles!

No retreat was possible!

If things truly came to that, he would just stuff Miao Xiaomiao into the Hongjun Pagoda and run—let them try to find him then...

That old fellow actually intended for me to set aside one wife and take another? Pah, I’m no Chen Shimei! Such a thought shouldn't even cross my mind...

The next morning, just as dawn was faintly breaking, Jun Moye was dragged out of his warm bed. Today was the main day: the five-hundredth birthday celebration of the Miao Family Head. The Miao family had sent people before daybreak to invite Young Master Mo to the feast...

The four individuals sent to hurry him along were dispatched by Miao Xiaomiao’s father. Miao Huanyu was worried that Jun Moye might hold a grudge because of his father’s words yesterday. He felt helpless concerning the Old Man, but if this young man also threw a tantrum and refused to come—what would happen if his daughter faced trouble again?

Fortunately, Jun Moye didn't seem bothered, acting as if nothing had happened the day before. After a simple wash and dressing, he headed to the Miao Residence early...

As for Cao Guofeng and the others, they maintained their status, only arriving near noon to offer birthday wishes and partake in the feasting. Saint Emperor experts were figures of considerable standing even within the Illusionary Manor; they naturally had their own reserve. "There is one more thing worth mentioning: yesterday's events truly made Old Cao and the seven brothers hold their heads high. The ordeal faced by Young Master Mo's entourage completely relieved the former anxiety of Old Cao and the others...

Look at our disciple; even the Family Head can’t handle him—what an honor..."

Though the sky was barely lightening, the Miao Residence was already festooned with lanterns and banners, bustling with activity!

When Jun Moye arrived, he sat in the side hall sipping tea for a while before an intense discomfort settled over him. The room was packed with Miao family women—a full hundred or so, practically investigating his ancestry back eight generations. One question or several questions per person, a cacophony of voices, left the usually sharp-tongued Evil Monarch completely overwhelmed...

He finally escaped using the ultimate weapon—the "Pee-Exit Maneuver"—only to discover his clothes were completely soaked! Dealing with this army of women was far more exhausting than fighting a full-scale battle...

As the sun climbed high, congratulatory guests from various families and places finally began to arrive in succession, truly a never-ending stream. The already lively Miao Residence now seemed to boil over. "And at this moment, Miao Xiaomiao, dressed in her finest attire, finally appeared before Jun Moye.

Upon first seeing the Young Master, Miao Xiaomiao’s face suddenly flushed crimson, clearly recalling the impudence this bane had shown her yesterday...

Miao Xiaomiao was already a peerless beauty, and dressed up like this, she appeared even more graceful and enchanting, brimming with charm. Even Young Master Jun, with the experience of two lifetimes and having seen almost every stunning woman, couldn't help but be momentarily dazed...

Though a light veil still covered her face, the sight of her swaying, elegant figure was enough to intoxicate the hearts of every man who looked upon her!

"Jun... you... arrived early..."

Miao Xiaomiao approached Jun Moye and asked shyly.

Just speaking a few words, the blush had clearly spread to her neck...

"Mhm... came a bit early..."

Jun Moye rubbed his nose, looking up at the sky—it was nearly noon! Poor brother had been interrogated by those women for several hours... "Jun... I know about yesterday's matter..." Miao Xiaomiao suddenly raised her head bravely, her clear, water-like eyes fixed on Jun Moye with soft affection.

"Uh?"

Know what? The healing matter, or...? "I know about Grandfather's matter..."

Miao Xiaomiao lowered her swan-like, delicate neck again, murmuring faintly like a mosquito's buzz, "Jun... don't worry, I... I... will ultimately be yours..."

By the end, her voice was barely audible; unless the Young Master possessed profound mystical cultivation, he might not have heard it at all. However, the look in the peerless beauty’s eyes was filled with firm resolve.

Jun Moye let out an "Oh," saying, "Rest assured..."

At this moment, he didn't know what comforting words were appropriate, so he offered a casual assurance.

Miao Xiaomiao, however, seemed emboldened by this great promise. Her eyebrows and eyes instantly filled with extreme joy. She slightly tilted her head, stealing sidelong glances at Jun Moye, her expression clearly a mixture of shyness, delight, and deep contentment. Her gentle affection seemed ready to envelop him entirely...

"Little Sister Xiaomiao..."

Just then, a surprised voice rang out, shattering the ambiguous atmosphere between the two.

A strikingly handsome young man in white robes strode forward quickly with two attendants, his face beaming with pleasant surprise.

Miao Xiaomiao let out a slight huff, a look of displeasure crossing her eyes. Without any discernible movement, her entire bearing instantly reverted to the noble, aloof demeanor she usually held.

It seemed this girl only acted unusually compliant and yielding around Jun Moye; when facing others, she truly showed no softness whatsoever. That ice-cold aura, enough to inspire awe, could freeze a person’s heart solid...

"Little Sister Xiaomiao, I am indeed late. Today is a great occasion." The young man approached them with a warm, intimate smile, completely ignoring Jun Moye as he walked straight toward Miao Xiaomiao. "As the hostess on this joyous day, you must be exhausted, right? How about... I take you out for some relaxation tomorrow?"

Miao Xiaomiao replied coolly, "Thank you for your kind concern, Brother Qiu. Today is Little Sister's Grandfather's full five-hundredth birthday; it is my duty as hostess to manage everything. There is no talk of exhaustion. As for my activities, I have my own plans; Brother Qiu need not trouble himself arranging them."

"Little Sister Xiaomiao is still so reserved and polite, hehe... We have long been acquainted; why be so distant? May I ask who this is..." That so-called 'Brother Qiu' seemed utterly oblivious to the coldness in Miao Xiaomiao's words. His face remained warmly cheerful, his gaze unwavering, but he turned toward Jun Moye. A fleeting glance revealed a sharp edge in his eyes, but upon seeing Jun Moye's utterly unremarkable appearance now, his vigilance immediately lessened.

"This is Mo Junye, Brother Mo."

Miao Xiaomiao stated blandly, "Brother Qiu must have heard of him already. Junye, let me introduce you; this is Qiu Peng, a prominent figure among the younger generation of the Qiu family."

When introducing Mo Junye to Qiu Peng, she spoke while facing Qiu Peng, her tone quite cold; but when introducing Qiu Peng to Mo Junye, facing Jun Moye, her expression softened beautifully, and her tone became exceedingly gentle.

Furthermore, the difference in familiarity in their dialogue was stark. When addressing Qiu Peng, she used the formal, courteous titles 'Prominent Young Master of the Qiu Family' and 'Brother Qiu,' concluding with an extremely cool tone; but addressing Mo Junye, she used his given name directly—'Junye'—her tone intimate and laced with a clear hint of reliance. The difference in attitude, any fool could discern and perceive, let alone the prominent young master of the Qiu family!

Qiu Peng stared fixedly at Miao Xiaomiao, then at Jun Moye. His face gradually darkened, but he forced a smile and cupped his hands in greeting. "So, you are Young Master Mo Junye, the possessor of the Ethereal Physique who recently became famous throughout the Illusionary Manor, defeated the Zhan family brothers, and crippled Gu Feiyu of the Gu family. I am Qiu Peng of the Qiu family; I pay my respects."

"Brother Qiu is polite," Jun Moye returned calmly.

However, the more Qiu Peng thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, a rush of anger surging upward. "Little Sister Xiaomiao, I have a few words I wish to say to you privately. Are you available?" As he spoke, he glanced at the Young Master, showing an almost 'discerning' eagerness to step aside, as if signaling, Didn't you hear we need privacy for private talk?

Miao Xiaomiao replied coolly, "What cannot be said to others can be said in front of others. If Brother Qiu has something to say, say it here. Junye is not an outsider; it doesn't matter."

"Junye is not an outsider."

This single sentence struck Qiu Peng’s heart like the sharpest steel needle, causing his handsome face to twitch violently, as if beyond his control.

Truthfully, Qiu Peng and Miao Xiaomiao were childhood acquaintances, having grown up together. Qiu Peng was two or three years older than Miao Xiaomiao and had admired her for a long time. Yet, Miao Xiaomiao had always treated him with icy indifference, which he ignored, believing that even a virtuous woman succumbs to persistent courtship—if he applied enough effort, Miao Xiaomiao would naturally become his. Thus, he never gave up, never discouraged even by formidable rivals like Zhan Yicun.

But today, seeing that she treated him with the same frostiness as before, yet displayed a rare gentleness layered with affection toward that Mo Junye—something Qiu Peng had yearned for but never attained—had now appeared on someone else... At this moment, Qiu Peng felt as if his heart was about to split into two raw, bloody halves. (To be continued. For the continuation of this story, find more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!)