Chapter 326: Coming with Ill Intentions

Zuan had actually noticed the woman next to Zheng Dan long ago. She had an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and wore a long, goose-yellow dress. Her quiet demeanor was full of alluring grace, and a hint of elegant smile played on her lips, exuding a dignified air that could only be cultivated from a privileged upbringing.

Coupled with her beautiful, seemingly speaking eyes, she appeared radiant and clear-minded, possessing a captivating aura of purity, elegance, and nobility.

Standing elegantly beside Zheng Dan, who was beautiful in her dignified composure, they were like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each excelling in their own way.

She was curiously examining Zuan when suddenly Zheng Dan, who was beside her, gave her a push, causing her to stumble and almost fall into Zuan's arms.

After an annoyed glance at Zheng Dan, she began to introduce herself: "Hello, Classmate Zuan. This is our first meeting. My name is Xie Daoyun. I hope you will guide me in the future."

Zuan had to admit his admiration; even in such a rushed and awkward situation, she exuded an innate confidence, appearing truly poised and graceful.

"Miss Xie, you must be joking. I don't think this is our first meeting, is it?" Zuan said, looking at her with a half-smile.

Xie Daoyun's heart skipped a beat, wondering if he knew about her previous visit to the Immortal Dwelling. However, she didn't panic and immediately replied, "That's right. I witnessed your prowess, Classmate Zuan, at the grand family competition between the Chu and Yuan families, and we've also seen each other at school."

Seeing her quick response, Zuan didn't press the issue. "I've heard of Miss Xie's esteemed name countless times and have admired you for a long time. Meeting you today, I've realized that your reputation doesn't do you justice."

Xie Daoyun's expression subtly changed. Even with her excellent composure, as a young woman, she found it somewhat unbearable to be mocked so openly.

Before she could react, Zuan continued, "Those rumors are completely insufficient to describe even a fraction of Miss Xie's beauty and temperament. I regret not having seen your lovely face sooner."

Wei Suo, standing beside him, stared in awe, thinking, "Boss is truly Boss. His skill at charming women is simply incredible."

At this thought, he couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for himself, wondering why he could eloquently discuss matters with his boss in private but became speechless when facing real people.

Zheng Dan, on the other side, also couldn't help but cast another glance at Zuan, thinking, "This guy really has a way with women."

Xie Daoyun's face flushed slightly. Rarely did anyone dare speak to her in such a manner, and for a moment, she found it rather novel. "Classmate Zuan, you flatter me..."

"Let's talk more when we get to Sifang Pavilion. Young Master Wang is probably getting impatient," Zheng Dan said, taking Xie Daoyun's arm.

Xie Daoyun naturally had no objection. She nodded slightly to Zuan and then followed Zheng Dan into the carriage.

Zuan then instructed Cheng Shoubing and the guards waiting at the school gate, "Tell the second young lady that I won't be returning for dinner later. You can go back with her."

He still needed to find a way to get to the Wei family's residence later, and having people accompany him would be inconvenient.

Cheng Shoubing immediately looked dejected. He had originally hoped to see Sifang Pavilion for himself, but now not only could he not go, but he also had to face the violent second young lady. "Why is my life so hard?" he thought.

Jiao Shan and the other guards naturally had no objection. With Chen Xuan dead and Zuan's crisis resolved, and the City Lord's daughter accompanying them, their constant protection was no longer necessary.

The two carriages soon arrived at Sifang Pavilion. Zuan dismounted and saw a beautiful, multi-story wooden building before him. With its carved railings and exquisite pillars, it had a similar feel to the Immortal Dwelling, but its overall color scheme was much more antique and subdued.

Wang Yuanlong was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing them, he quickly approached: "Brother Zu, Brother Wei, Miss Xie, Miss Zheng..."

After a few pleasantries, Wang Yuanlong stepped aside. "Please come in quickly, everyone. Oh, and Miss Zheng, General Sang is already inside."

Zheng Dan smiled faintly. "Thank you, Young Master Wang."

Zuan felt a slight annoyance, though he knew the feeling was unreasonable; it was ultimately just male possessiveness at play.

Wang Yuanlong then explained to Zuan, "Brother Zu, the River Defense Camp also contributed to my rescue, so I invited them along. I hope Brother Zu doesn't mind."

Zuan smiled faintly. "I wouldn't be that petty."

The group ascended several floors. Each floor had fewer guests than the one below, clearly indicating that the higher one went, the higher the status of the guests.

When they reached the staircase leading to the top floor, a crowd had already gathered there. Clearly, everyone was curious about the top floor but couldn't go up, so they could only stand around and observe.

"It's Young Master Wang!"

"He truly is a distinguished figure!"

"Oh, isn't that Young Lady Xie? The City Lord's daughter, both beautiful and talented. We're truly fortunate today."

"And next to her is Young Lady Zheng! They're both so stunning. Even though we can't go up to the top floor today, seeing them makes this trip worthwhile."

At this moment, the tall and handsome Sang Qian also came down to greet his fiancée. After exchanging greetings with the others, he looked gently at Zheng Dan: "Dan'er, you're here."

Zheng Dan subtly glanced at Zuan, then coldly stated, "General Sang, although we are engaged, we are not yet married. Please refrain from addressing me so intimately in front of everyone."

Sang Qian's smile faltered. He hadn't expected her to disregard his reputation so openly.

However, he didn't mind, guessing that she was likely still angry about the incident at Giant Whale Island.

Moreover, he rather liked her spirit—this untamed quality further indicated her reserved and ladylike nature.

Thinking this, he felt relieved and smiled slightly. "Miss Zheng is right."

Zuan pursed his lips, thinking, "This guy truly has the traits of a sycophant."

However, remembering his ruthlessness in leaving no one alive on Giant Whale Island, Zuan didn't dare genuinely underestimate him.

Just as the group was about to ascend the stairs, an untimely voice rang out: "How is it that just anyone is qualified to go up to the top floor of Sifang Pavilion?"

Everyone stopped. In the crowd, a man with triangular eyes was staring at them provocatively.

Wang Yuanlong's expression also turned sour. After all, he was hosting on his own territory, and such a fuss was being made. "They are my personal guests. Is that not allowed?"

The triangular-eyed man replied, "Young Master Wang is the young owner of Sifang Pavilion, so he naturally has that authority. It's just that from now on, Sifang Pavilion's reputation will probably plummet."

"It's well-known that only the most outstanding individuals in various fields are qualified to ascend to the top floor of Sifang Pavilion. For someone like Miss Xie, the recognized great talent, and Miss Zheng, a genius from the academy's top class, and General Sang, who is young, highly cultivated, and holds an important position, we naturally have no objections to them going up. But what gives this fellow the right to go up? Is it simply because he's the live-in son-in-law of the Chu family?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the crowd burst into laughter. Clearly, many people present also felt displeasure.

"So many of us here are highly talented and widely learned, yet we can't go up. What makes him so special?"

"Exactly! I think Sifang Pavilion shouldn't bother with these pretenses anymore. Just say that only the rich and powerful are allowed up."

Wang Yuanlong's face turned ashen. He was now in a dilemma: allowing Zuan to go up would destroy the reputation Sifang Pavilion had painstakingly built over the years.

But not allowing him up was also a problem, as Zuan was a guest he had personally invited, and it would cause him to lose face.

At this point, Zuan's eyes narrowed slightly. How could this guy recognize everyone present so clearly?

He didn't seem like an ordinary diner; it was likely someone had specifically sent him here to upset Zuan.

He glanced to the side and noticed Sang Qian's half-smile. Remembering how Sang Qian had deliberately come downstairs to greet them, Zuan suddenly understood.

He had thought Sang Qian was genuinely there to meet Zheng Dan, but it turned out he was there for Zuan.

But why?

Could he have found out about Zuan and his fiancée?

At this moment, the triangular-eyed man sneered, "What's wrong? Speechless, are we?"