Chapter 713: The Legitimate Wife's Aura

“Xu, Xu Youran?”“Was this Xu Youran?”

Yue Mingzhu had long since sent people to inquire about Jiang Fan’s only official woman, so she naturally knew her name. Her heart skipped a beat. Her arms, which had been crossed, unconsciously lowered, and even her proudly held head bowed slightly. Like a petty thief caught red-handed by the owner, she retreated to the side with a slightly flustered expression.

Xu Youran glanced at her, then came before Jiang Fan and quietly gazed into his eyes. Jiang Fan, feeling utterly guilty, said, “Youran, I’m sorry, I…” He truly didn’t know how to explain. In fact, there was nothing to explain. His nature was what it was; any excuse would only seem hypocritical and shameless.

Xu Youran covered his mouth. Tears suddenly streamed down her face. “I’m the one who should apologize to you,” she said, “I didn’t even know you went through so many dangers.” She leaned on Jiang Fan’s shoulder, filled with remorse. She and Chen Siling had been too well protected, still carrying out Level Three missions deep within the Nine Sects’ territory even after the Battle of Boundary Mountain ended. By the time they learned of the desperate situations Jiang Fan had faced at Boundary Mountain, he was already deeply mired in the demon tribe’s troubles. She felt she was even worse than Liu Qingxian, who, she heard, had almost died on her way to Boundary Mountain for Jiang Fan’s sake. This made her question at one point whether she was a competent fiancée.

Jiang Fan’s heart softened. He put his arm around her waist and said softly, “I’m the one who should apologize to you and Siling. I made you worry.” Chen Siling’s eyes reddened, and she too rushed into Jiang Fan’s embrace. “Husband, Big Sister and I thought we’d never see you again,” she sobbed, “We were even preparing to return to Lone Boat City to keep vigil over your cenotaph.” As she spoke, tears began to fall. Jiang Fan was moved and pulled her into his embrace as well. “I made you worry,” he said. “Please rest assured from now on. Your husband may not have many other skills, but I’m excellent at self-preservation. Even if a Nascent Soul expert were right in front of me, I’d barely have some tricks to escape.”

The two women cried for a long time. As more and more people gathered around, they felt embarrassed, so they wiped away their tears and stepped out of Jiang Fan’s embrace. Out of the corner of her eye, Xu Youran spotted Yue Mingzhu in the crowd. It was hard for her not to notice this beautiful eighteen-year-old girl, who seemed to have an unusual interest in Jiang Fan. Glancing at the Bodhi seed in her hand, Xu Youran said, “My husband gave you this, didn’t he?”

Yue Mingzhu tightened her grip on the Bodhi seed. As a Sect Master, she was accustomed to being the one who exerted pressure on others, but now Xu Youran was putting immense pressure on her. Feeling guilty, she said, “He gave it to me. Is there a problem?” Xu Youran calmly replied, “I don’t agree. Give it back.”

“What? Why should I?” Jiang Fan gave this to her; why should Xu Youran take it back? She bit her red lip slightly. Always unconventional and pursuing freedom, she would never bow her head. “Jiang Fan gave it to me,” she insisted. “If you’re so capable, make Jiang Fan take it back!”

Xu Youran cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Fan, but instead of putting him in an awkward position in front of everyone, she simply said, “Let this be an exception. Without my permission, I don’t want other women presuming to accept things from my fiancé!” Everyone understood that Xu Youran was asserting her authority. It was no wonder she acted this way. Jiang Fan’s fame was rising, and too many female disciples wanted to pursue him. While genuine admiration was one thing, there were many with ill intentions. Giving them an early warning wasn’t a bad thing; it just infuriated Yue Mingzhu, who was used as an example to warn others.

Yue Mingzhu had never suffered such humiliation. She now understood why Liu Qingxian and Xu Youran couldn’t get along; anyone with a bit of pride couldn’t tolerate Xu Youran. Yet, she was the official fiancée, and no one could contend with her. Suddenly, she spotted Gong Caiyi in the crowd, hiding behind everyone with a guilty expression. Yue Mingzhu was furious. “Oh, you were there when we were all feasting,” she thought, “but when it’s time to take the beating, I’m the only one?” Her eyes darted, and she called out loudly, “Sect Master Gong! Don’t you want a Bodhi seed? Among the ten, there should be one for you.”

Gong Caiyi’s heart leaped, and she stomped her foot in exasperation. “Why did you mention me?” she thought. She was trying to avoid Xu Youran, but that hateful Yue Mingzhu had exposed her. However, Xu Youran had already looked over, and everyone else was watching, so she couldn’t hide even if she wanted to. She could only brace herself and walk forward, saying, “Miss Xu, please don’t misunderstand. Jiang Fan and I are merely acquainted.” After a moment’s thought, she took out a small spirit beast and added, “A small gift for you on our first meeting.”

Xu Youran observed her closely. How could she not see that Gong Caiyi felt very guilty around her? She knew without thinking that, just like Yue Mingzhu, she was also a woman who had fallen for Jiang Fan. She sighed softly to herself. Jiang Fan’s charm was truly immense. First, it was the daughter of a Nine Sects Master; now, even a Nine Sects Master herself admired him. She naturally minded Jiang Fan having other women, but she didn’t object. With Jiang Fan’s increasingly elevated status, he would attract more excellent women, and this wasn’t something that would disappear if she opposed it. Instead of being a useless, jealous woman, it would be better to manage them well for Jiang Fan’s sake. If they were stable and harmonious, Jiang Fan could have no worries. Gong Caiyi, standing before her, was gentle and amiable, unlike Yue Mingzhu, who was disobedient. So, Xu Youran naturally didn’t give her a hard time. She accepted the gift with a smile and said, “When my fiancé first entered the Azure Cloud Sect, Sect Master Gong took good care of him. Youran is grateful. Husband, you should give her one too.”

Jiang Fan naturally had no objections and immediately took out a Bodhi seed as well. Gong Caiyi was pleasantly surprised. She had been worried that Xu Youran would target her everywhere, making her feel as humiliated as Yue Mingzhu. Yet, she was treated with such favor. This infuriated Yue Mingzhu. Xu Youran’s meaning was practically written on her face: those who obeyed her, she would accept; those who didn’t, she would completely shut out. But by her nature, how could she submit to anyone? She stomped her foot and left in a huff.

Xu Youran’s gaze then swept over everyone else. When it fell on Xia Chaoge, her heart thumped. She quickly opened her palm, feeling guilty, and explained hastily, “Aunt-Master, I, I don’t want it anymore. I’ll give it back to you.” Xu Youran smiled calmly, “Since it was given to you, my niece, just keep it.” She was a little puzzled. Why was this girl flustered? She was dealing with the women around Jiang Fan; what did it have to do with a junior in terms of seniority? Based on her understanding of Jiang Fan, no matter how confused he might be, he wouldn’t mess around in such matters. Giving her a Bodhi seed must have been out of consideration for a very important junior. Xia Chaoge’s face flushed, and she muttered to herself, “Seriously, why am I nervous? I’m just a niece; Aunt-Master isn’t talking about me.” Only then did she put away the Bodhi seed with complete peace of mind.

Jiang Fan gave a helpless smile and said, “You’re quite imposing.” Xu Youran glared at him reproachfully, “Do you think I want to be the bad guy? It’s all for your sake.” Chen Siling wrinkled her delicate nose. “Husband,” she said, “you have no idea how popular you are. Just from the rumors I’ve heard, several sect elders want to introduce their female disciples to you. And there are countless others I don’t know about. If Big Sister doesn’t establish her authority, you’ll be constantly bothered.”

At this moment, Ye Cangyuan’s booming voice echoed from Boundary Mountain: “Jiang Fan, come to the camp immediately! The Pavilion Master has an order to read to you.” The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master? Jiang Fan was filled with respect. If the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master hadn’t saved him from afar this time, he certainly wouldn’t be alive. This kindness must be repaid. If the order he was about to give was to assign a task, he would carry it out without a frown, even if it meant climbing a mountain of blades or descending into a sea of fire.