Otherworldly Companions: Every Handsome Man is Extraordinary

"You must have misunderstood Commander Kong and me. We've already explained everything clearly." Jiang Yu sighed, looking at the woman before him who was barely able to contain her pride, and continued:

"Since things have come to this, let's do as you said and go sit down with Mrs. Tini to clear up all the misunderstandings."

"So, where is Mrs. Tiny?"

Ren Kecheng's eyes were already filled with tears. She stared blankly at Jiang Yu, and the hand that had been gripping Jiang Yu's arm tightly just moments before unconsciously loosened its grip.

Jiang Yu sensed it and took her hand in return.

Those around were stunned by what they saw, but soon they understood why Lord Jiangyu had done this.

All they wanted was to get Ren Kecheng away as quickly as possible, to salvage what little pride and face she had left, and to prevent things from becoming too ugly. Anything that needed explaining or clarifying was certainly easier to say in private.

Out of politeness, most of the onlookers spontaneously dispersed and went about their business.

Fan Qingyin grabbed Jiang Yu's other hand, looking at her with some disapproval. Why should his little Yu have to spend her precious time dealing with the mess that this crazy, shrewish person had made, or covering it up for her?

"Qingyin, don't worry, you stay here with Chen Xin and the others and wait for me." Jiang Yu comforted Fan Qingyin. "I've met Mrs. Tini before. She's a kind and approachable elder. With her as a witness, we can put this matter to rest."

Fan Qingyin then released her and said, "I'll go with you." Her tone was resolute and left no room for compromise.

Jiang Yu saw that she had convinced him and no longer refused his company.

Kong Yiche, who was blocking Ren Kecheng's way, looked at Fan Qingyin with complicated emotions, feeling a mix of envy and jealousy. He said, "Then let's go together."

He then bowed to the elders present along with Jiang Yu and the others, and then slightly bowed, indicating that Ren Kecheng should lead the way.

Ren Kecheng raised her head, lifted her skirt, and took the lead in leaving the dance floor, walking towards the side gate of the courtyard.

She had inquired several times, asking many servants, before finally obtaining Lady Tini's whereabouts from a familiar attendant. She must have been too bored to go to the lounge to rest, but why did she end up in such a remote palace?

She recalled the servant's stammering tone and quickly put it out of her mind.

No one was tactless enough to follow, so in the end only Jiang Yu and her group of four left. The other three followed Ren Kecheng, and as they walked, some doubts began to surface in their minds.

Lady Tini was supposed to be attending the banquet with His Majesty the Emperor tonight, but she hasn't shown up all night. Now they're saying she's resting in this remote lounge.

Well, we'll know what's going on once we meet.

Ren Kecheng led them through a maze of twists and turns until they arrived at a courtyard hidden deep within lush vegetation. The palace within this courtyard was exquisitely designed, but not very large. It was concealed among layers of tall trees, reminding Jiang Yu of the greenhouses of the Forest Empire.

Lady Tiny was born in the Forest Empire, so it's understandable that she would like to rest in such a palace.

Strangely, not a single servant was in sight. The entire palace was deserted. If Lady Tinie was truly here, why was no one serving her?

Ren Kecheng also asked with some doubt, "I inquired for a long time before I found out that Lady Tini was resting here. The servants only said that the lady did not allow them to serve her personally. Could it be that she dismissed all the servants around her?"

In the quiet palace, the clamor from the distant courtyard where the banquet was being held seemed very far away; only the faint sounds of dance music and voices could be heard. So the four of them unconsciously slowed their pace.

They crossed the lush, verdant covered bridge. Standing at the main entrance of the palace, just as they were about to knock and ask for permission, they heard some slight noises coming from the pavilion not far away.

It sounded like the rustling of fabric. There were also faint whispers.

They exchanged a glance and then walked in that direction in tacit agreement.

All four of them felt they were making a perfectly legitimate visit. Therefore, they didn't try to sneak around or remain completely silent. After all, they were visiting the distinguished Lady Tini, and appearing before her without a sound would seem impolite.

From the palace's main gate to the nearby pavilion, one must cross a long covered bridge, also draped with lush vegetation.

Tall trees, layers of shrubs, and dense vines twining around the stone pillars of the covered bridge. Even though they had reached the vicinity of the pavilion, their view remained completely obstructed by these plants.

As they approached, it seemed as if their presence had just been noticed by the people in the pavilion, for they heard Mrs. Tiny let out a panicked scream.

"Who is it! Stand there, don't come any closer!" Then came a rustling sound.

Ren Kecheng responded loudly, "Madam Tini, it is I. I am Ren Kecheng, daughter of the Ren family. I am accompanied by Lord Jiang Yu of the Jiang family and her husband, Divine Envoy Fan Qingyin, as well as Commander Kong Yiche of the Forest Empire."

Aside from some slight noises, there was no response from Mrs. Tini inside the pavilion.

The group dared not act rashly and could only stand still and wait.

After a while, Mrs. Tini's voice came through: "Come in."

The four of them then took a few more steps forward, bypassing the dense vegetation. They stood in a position where they could see inside the pavilion. Semi-transparent curtains had been added between the stone pillars surrounding the pavilion, so even standing next to them, one could only vaguely see what was inside.

"Mrs. Tini." Upon seeing the figure vaguely sitting inside, the four people stood outside the curtain and bowed in unison.

"Come in, children." Unlike her earlier exclamation filled with displeasure, Mrs. Tinie's voice was now gentle again.

Fan Qingyin and Kong Yiche then gently lifted the gauze curtains from the left and right, revealing the entire view of the pavilion.

The polygonal gazebo is furnished with extreme luxury and comfort. In the center stands an exquisitely shaped crystal table laden with fruit, pastries, and wine, surrounded by comfortable cushions and sofas in vibrant colors. Numerous intricate patterns and laces adorn it, creating a distinctly tropical rainforest atmosphere.

It seems this palace belongs exclusively to Lady Tiny, otherwise it wouldn't have been so meticulously decorated to resemble the Forest Empire.

Mrs. Tini sat facing them on the sofa in the center, wearing a light green long dress with a wide, layered skirt. It was full of romance and girlish sweetness, and even the chest was decorated with lace embellishments with bows.

Lady Tinni was well-preserved; as the Emperor's wife, she was the most honored woman in the empire. Though past middle age, she still looked charming and beautiful, but this dress was still too youthful for her, both in style and color.

It's like a voluptuous and alluring 30-year-old woman wearing a middle school uniform.

Mrs. Tiny sat there and looked up at them.