Zhu Zhuyu's face instantly turned a deep shade of crimson. Like a startled deer caught in the open, she hastily pulled her hand away from Ye Yin's grasp. She took a quick step back and lowered her head, her heart a chaotic mix of panic and embarrassment. She had almost lost her composure right in front of her sister. +2
Ye Yin, of course, noticed Zhu Zhuqing as well. His face still held that same gentle, calm smile. He gave Zhu Zhuqing a polite nod as if nothing unusual had happened at all. +2
Zhu Zhuqing walked over toward them, her cool gaze sweeping between her sister's flushed face and Ye Yin. She turned her eyes toward Ye Yin and gave him a slightly reproachful look, silently questioning his behavior. +4
Ye Yin paused for a moment, then turned his attention back to Zhu Zhuyu. His tone remained soft and kind as he spoke. "Miss Zhuyu, you should go back and rest now. What is in the past is in the past. Things will be much better for you in the future." +2
To Zhu Zhuyu, those words felt like a great pardon. She nodded quickly, stole one last shy glance at Ye Yin, and then hurried away with her head down. Her heart was pounding like a drum against her ribs. +2
Zhu Zhuqing watched her sister's retreating back until she was out of sight. She then turned to look at Ye Yin, who was still wearing an innocent expression. She let out a soft hmph and asked, "Did I ruin your good time?" +4
Ye Yin simply nodded in agreement. +2
Zhu Zhuqing stared at him, her mind filled with question marks. +2
"Get out! Get out! Dai Mubai, you might as well kill me! If you have the guts, just kill me right now!" +4
The voice was high-pitched and sharp, filled with absolute despair and a touch of madness. Dai Mubai looked down at the person crying in despair on the bed. +2
Perhaps he wanted to vent the complex emotions that had built up in his heart. Perhaps he wanted to completely trample the dignity of Dai Weisi to establish his own authority. Or perhaps it was simply because of the tear-streaked and fragile appearance of the person before him. Whatever the reason, Dai Mubai steadily approached. +3
Davis watched Dai Mubai approach with wide, horrified eyes. "You... what do you want to do? Dai Mubai! I am your..." +4
"Big brother?" +4
Dai Mubai interrupted, his voice sounding slightly rough from alcohol and a strange hoarseness. "Are you still my brother? You are merely my spoils of war now." +4
He reached out and pinched Davis's chin, forcing the other to look up. Looking at this face, which was somewhat similar to Dai Weisi's but even more delicate, a surge of emotion filled Dai Mubai's eyes. Eventually, that emotion was replaced by a powerful sense of possessiveness. He abruptly pulled the figure into a tight embrace. +3
"No! Let go of me! You beast! Dai Mubai, I hope you die a horrible death!" +4
Davis struggled desperately, crying and shouting curses. However, without any spirit power left to use, there was no way to resist the strong and powerful Dai Mubai. +4
The sound of clothes tearing was particularly harsh in the silent night. The wails and curses eventually turned into quiet, desperate sobs. Inside the secret villa of the Star Luo Imperial Family, something occurred that would shock any person's moral understanding. +3
Although the information was kept under a strict seal, there is no wall in the world that can block every sound. Some vague rumors still began to circulate within the highest circles of society, causing endless shock and horror. +2
After hearing some of these whispers, Zhu Zhuyun felt even more glad about the choice she had made. She no longer had a single shred of doubt about the arrangements Ye Yin had made for her. +4
As for Zhu Zhuyu, she happened to overhear some maids whispering. They mentioned that Dai Mubai seemed to be unusually attentive to his newly acquired spoils of war. She was stunned at first, but then a complex sense of joy at another's misfortune flashed in her eyes. +4
"Dai Weisi, the pain you caused my husband is now being repaid to you twice over!" she thought to herself. +4
Her admiration and gratitude for Ye Yin grew even deeper. If it weren't for him, she would likely still be struggling within the Zhu family. She certainly wouldn't be witnessing her enemy suffer such a fate. +4
The vague feelings of affection in her heart began to take root and grow after she learned this shocking news. Her gaze toward Ye Yin's courtyard became increasingly gentle and complex. However, because of her sister Zhu Zhuqing, she never dared to show these feelings. She buried these thoughts deep within her heart. +4
One day later, Davis became Dai Weisi. +4
His body had recovered, but the emotional trauma he had suffered was immense. Dai Mubai gently embraced Dai Weisi and spoke softly. "Big brother, I will be the Crown Prince, and you can assist me. Isn't this a good arrangement? I am happy, and you are joyful." +1
Dai Weisi roared in response. "Get out! You get out of here!" +4
The situation in the Star Luo Imperial Capital entered a new phase after the shocking defeat of Dai Weisi. Dai Mubai began to quickly and assertively take over the forces and resources his brother had left behind. +4
With the secret support of the Old Prince and General Lei Meng, along with the defection of the Zhu family, the process was very smooth. Ye Yin stayed behind the scenes, removing obstacles and strategizing. He sat calmly like a skilled chess player, watching the changing tides of the capital while collecting resentment value. +3
The matters on the Star Luo side were basically settled. +4
The night in the Star Luo Imperial Capital seemed very silent because of the upheaval in the imperial family. However, under the surface, many things were still moving. The downfall of Davis and the rise of Dai Mubai had completely changed who held power. +3
During this delicate time of change, a graceful figure moved through the darkness. She quietly arrived outside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's branch office. Zhu Zhuyun wore a dark hooded cloak that covered most of her face. Even so, the cloak could not hide her graceful figure or the urgency in her steps. +4
In her hand, she tightly gripped a small, empty jade bottle. It had once held netherworld essential oil. Her fingertips were white because she was squeezing the bottle so hard. +4
The scene from the day of the duel stayed in her mind like a nightmare. The humiliating transformation and defeat of Dai Weisi and the cold words of Dai Mubai filled her with fear. Yet, she also felt a secret sense of relief. She was glad she had chosen the other side early on. +4
However, Ye Yin had kept a very low profile since that day. He had not made any moves, which made her feel increasingly anxious. That brief encounter they had shared, the mysterious oil, and the powerful man himself all weighed on her mind. He was like a poison that affected her logic, making her both want to see him and fear him at the same time. +2
Tonight, she finally could not hold back anymore. She decided to come forward. She wanted to show her loyalty and seek a way to be free from her fear while climbing to the top of power. +2
Like a ghost in the dark, she skillfully avoided the guards. She found the back window of Ye Yin's courtyard. Taking a deep breath, she tapped on the window frame with a specific rhythm. +2
After a moment of silence, the window opened quietly from the inside. Ye Yin appeared at the window. He looked as if he had just finished bathing. He was wearing a loose bathrobe, and his dark hair was still slightly damp. He looked less like a distant, powerful man and more relaxed and attractive. +2
He looked at Zhu Zhuyun, who was wrapped tightly in her cloak. He did not seem surprised to see her. A small smile appeared on his lips as he spoke. "Miss Zhuyun? You are visiting quite late at night. Is there something I can do for you?" +1
His voice was slightly hoarse, and it made Zhu Zhuyun's heart flutter. She pulled down her hood, revealing her pretty face. She had applied her makeup carefully, but she could not hide how nervous and eager she felt.
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