And he, Huangfu Jinhuan, was also a lofty and significant figure, able to manipulate the state affairs with ease, even deciding the rise and fall of a lower-rank noble family.

Yet now, in just a few short years, everything has changed dramatically.

Although Huangfu Jinhuan is only middle-aged, gray hair has already appeared at his temples, making him look haggard and old. This resulted from years of exhausting efforts to protect the Huangfu Family, laboring his heart and strength.

"Patriarch Huangfu."

While he was deep in thought, a beautiful maidservant of the Qi Refining Realm, at the second or third layer, came out of the "Plucking Plum Garden."

She curtsied gracefully towards Huangfu Jinhuan, respectfully saying, "My lady said she’s feeling somewhat unwell recently and is not ready to meet others. But since it’s Patron Huangfu visiting personally, considering past sentiments, she is willing to meet with you."

Huangfu Jinhuan hurriedly returned the courtesy to the maidservant, "Thank you, young lady."

Given his status, such a maidservant would not even merit a glance from him.

However, beneath the eaves, he must bow his head. Seeking help from everywhere, he certainly dared not put on airs.

Led by the maidservant, Huangfu Jinhuan entered the manor. Everywhere he saw, plum blossoms were in full bloom. This season, it was the peak of spring plum, making the manor filled with the fragrance of plums, truly beautiful beyond words.

Lady Jii must indeed be very fond of plum blossoms to have transplanted so many.

Huangfu Jinhuan felt he had discovered Lady Jii’s preference and secretly thought, after this, he must find some rare varieties of plum blossoms to further strengthen his relationship with Lady Jii.

Over these years, as the Huangfu Family continually declined, more and more noble families paused their interaction with the Huangfu Family. Now, apart from a few allied families, the only one willing to offer some assistance was Lady Jii.

Out of past sentiment, she had lent a hand a few times.

For a moment, Huangfu Jinhuan felt a faint gratitude towards Lady Jii.

"Patron Huangfu, we’ve arrived." At this time, the maidservant leading him suddenly stopped and curtsied gracefully towards Huangfu Jinhuan, "My lady is waiting for you ahead."

"Thank you, young lady."

Huangfu Jinhuan came to his senses, thanked her, and then walked forward.

Ahead was a flower-bedecked stone pavilion.

It stood beside a small lake within the garden, with one side facing the water, open on all sides, the beautiful floral trees concealing everything within the pavilion, leaving only a stone path meandering through the trees, evoking a sense of ethereal beauty.

Walking along the path for a dozen steps, the view suddenly cleared up.

The situation inside the pavilion unfolded before Huangfu Jinhuan’s eyes.

He saw a beautiful woman, draped in a purple gauze dress, leaning lazily on the pavilion’s edge. She was casually shaking a round fan while intermittently tossing fish food into the lake, teasing the fish to swim around eagerly for food, appearing quite lively.

This alluring woman was, of course, Lady Jii.

Upon seeing this scene, Huangfu Jinhuan couldn’t help but feel another wave of sighs in his heart. Back then, these fish were the fry he released, and he didn’t spare them from feeding like this either.

Unfortunately, things have changed now, and these fish have nothing to do with him.

Composing himself, Huangfu Jinhuan put away the disturbing thoughts in his mind, stepped forward, and cupped his hands, "Jinhuan greets Lady Jii."

"Patriarch Jinhuan is here."

Lady Jii withdrew her gaze and languidly hosted Huangfu Jinhuan.

The two sat facing each other in the pavilion, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lady Jii went straight to the point: "Patriarch Jinhuan, have you encountered another problem on this visit?"

Huangfu Jinhuan put down his teacup, sighing slightly, "It is said, adding flowers to the brocade is easy, but delivering charcoal in the snow is hard. In recent years, Huangfu Family has seen the world’s warmth and coldness. Over these years, only my lady has often helped in the shadows, for which Jinhuan is most grateful."

Even someone like Huangfu Jinhuan couldn’t help but feel genuine gratitude towards Lady Jii.

"Patriarch Jinhuan overpraises." Lady Jii shook her round fan, chuckling lightly, "Initially, I intended to make money with your Huangfu Family. However, fate led me to end up collaborating with the Changning Xu Family instead. Since the Jinhuan Family did not blame me for it, a bit of help on my part is nothing but a small compensation for the emotional deficit."

Huangfu Jinhuan sighed lightly in his heart.

Back then, after the Huangfu Family failed to compete with the Changning Xu Family in the weaving industry, Lady Jii quickly sided with them, profiting handsomely using the Jii Family’s connections.

Though he wanted to hold a grudge against Lady Jii, the Jii Family was wealthy and powerful, so even if he resented her, it was of no use. He had to pinch his nose and continue interacting with Lady Jii.

Unexpectedly, this Lady Jii appeared delicate and thorny on the outside but was actually very attentive to relationships and loyalty.

Such a bold woman even garnered Huángfǔ Jinhuan’s subtle admiration.

In the future, once the Huangfu Family recovers from its low point and returns to its peak, he must find a way to properly repay Lady Jii.

He cupped his hands and said, "To be honest, Jinhuan came this time to bother Lady Jii for an important matter."

"Patriarch Jinhuan, feel free to speak directly." Lady Jii smiled charmingly, "You know my nature; I don’t like beating around the bush."

Huangfu Jinhuan immediately put on a serious face and solemnly said, "I wonder if Lady Jii has heard of a one-time use exclusive Spirit Treasure from the Purple Mansion Academy, the ’Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl’."

"Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl." Lady Jii’s brows furrowed slightly, "Forgive me, I know little about such things."

Huangfu Jinhuan glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, then lowered his voice to explain, "My lady is not interested in fighting and killing, so it’s understandable she doesn’t know. Our Purple Mansion Academy has long been opposed to the Yin Sha Sect, and in this enduring conflict, we’ve developed some Spirit Treasures specifically to counter the Yin Sha Sect."

"This ’Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl’ is specifically used against the strong ones of the Yin Sha Sect. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to refine this Spirit Treasure, and using one means one less; even within the Purple Mansion Academy, only direct disciples are eligible to exchange for it."

Lady Jii’s brows arched slightly, and she couldn’t help but scrutinize Huangfu Jinhuan with doubt and confusion in her charming eyes, "Why does Patriarch Jinhuan want this ’Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl’? Are you planning to deal with someone from the Yin Sha Sect?"

"My lady might not be aware." Huangfu Jinhuan shook his head with a heavy expression, "Once, a branch of the family was involved with the Yin Sha Sect, which was not only angering and distressing but also brought hidden dangers to the main family. I’ve received news that a master from the Yin Sha Sect intends to retaliate against my Huangfu Family. Now that my ancestor has yet to recover from his injuries, I can only buy a specific Spirit Treasure to add some protection for the family."

"As this Spirit Treasure is a one-time use, it’s priced around two hundred thousand Qian Gold within the Purple Mansion Academy. If my lady is willing to use her connections to obtain it, our Huangfu Family is willing to purchase it for three hundred thousand Qian Gold."

"A hundred thousand difference..." Lady Jii’s eyes narrowed slightly, "Since Patron Jinhuan seeks to protect himself, I could attempt it. However, I dare not guarantee I can obtain it."

"It’s enough if my lady makes an effort." Huangfu Jinhuan stood up and cupped his hands, "If so, Jinhuan won’t disturb you further. I’ll take my leave first."

After a round of farewell exchanges, Huangfu Jinhuan hurriedly left the manor with his people.

He still needed to visit other allied families. The Purple Mansion Academy’s control over the "Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl" is quite strict, and he wasn’t entirely confident that Lady Jii could secure it. He needed to visit several families and make more preparations for greater assurance.

After the people left, Lady Jii’s gaze gradually became elusive. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

As expected, this long-term plan of the Patriarch’s was worth it to catch this big fish. The countless baits laid out through years finally showed some success.

With this accomplishment, the Patriarch will surely reward me, right?

Heh heh heh~

Thinking of something amusing and thrilling, Lady Jii couldn’t help but let out a string of charming yet mischievous laughter.

...