Senior brother is so awesome!

The following is the main text of the novel "{?$article_title?}" ({?$jieqi_title?}) provided by {?$jieqi_sitename?}. Please enjoy! The decoration in the hall was simple yet understated, reflecting the owner's personality. Today's guests were none other than Ling Yunyi, the young master of the royal merchant Ling family, and his sister Ling Xiang. Originally, Zhong Zhichen had used his merits to investigate Ling Zhao and the Mountain and River Map, but he ended up chasing them all the way to the Ling family. Ling Zhao had already been tortured and interrogated in the dungeon. After a long and arduous journey, he returned home and fainted unconscious. Zhong Zhichen came to demand the Mountain and River Map. Ling Tian, ​​the head of the Ling family, blushed with shame, lamenting how he, a man of great wisdom, had given birth to such a worthless son. When Ling Zhao woke up, he claimed that the Mountain and River Map had been stolen on the way, but he did not know who it was.

Ling Tian knew that Zhong Zhichen was decisive, ruthless, and vicious. Moreover, Sanqing Mountain was renowned and respected by everyone. Therefore, he had no choice but to send his young master, Ling Yunyi, to apologize in person. His daughter, Ling Xiang, also accompanied him, which had another deeper meaning.

Yang Shanshan rushed over in a flurry. She had dressed up a little since she was meeting outsiders, but unfortunately, there were very few women on the mountain, and her clothes were not fancy or beautiful, and were even a bit rough. Although clothes make the man and the horse, it also depends on who is wearing them, right? Qin Yuechan's stunning beauty could not be hidden even in coarse clothes and simple hairpins.

Upon entering, Zhong Zhichen, who had been keeping his head down, raised it and stared at her with piercing eyes. His gaze was so greedy that she had no choice but to lower her head and pretend not to see him. After bowing to her master, Ye Xianqing pointed to the man seated and introduced him, saying, "Chan'er, please greet Young Master Ling and Miss Ling."

Yang Shanshan looked up and saw a man sitting on the seat to her left. He was wearing a light blue robe and a piece of clear jade was inlaid on his sapphire blue jade belt. Even someone like her who didn't know much about jade could tell that it was a rare and fine piece of jade. She wondered what it would feel like to touch.

"If Miss Qin likes it, Yunyi, would you please send some over when you get back?" Wenya's voice contained a hint of laughter. She was reminded that she had been staring at the man's waist. Looking at the man's smiling face, she felt embarrassed, especially since he was such a handsome guy! Beneath his thick eyebrows were a pair of seemingly clear but worldly and shrewd eyes, and his thin lips gave the impression of being eloquent and persuasive.

Ling Yunyi was visibly stunned when Yang Shanshan raised her head to reveal her beauty. In all his years of traveling, how many social engagements had taken place in brothels? What stunning women hadn't he seen? Yet, she was truly breathtaking. Jian Shuiqiu looked at herself awkwardly, her smile deepening. Just as she was about to speak, she felt a gaze upon her, like a sharp sword! It was Zhong Zhichen! The possessiveness in his eyes was too obvious; was he warning her? She couldn't help but smile bitterly. Indeed, only a woman of such beauty could win the Regent's favor.

Yang Shanshan was unaware of the contest between the two men, because the woman beside Ling Yunyi was looking over with a critical eye. She found that the woman was also a beauty, with high-arched eyebrows and delicate features that exuded a heroic air. She looked down at Yang Shanshan with a haughty air. Despite the hostile attitude of the newcomer, Yang Shanshan was a guest from afar and she couldn't embarrass her master. She quickly bowed and greeted her, her figure as graceful as a willow in the breeze. Ling Yunyi's gaze once again fell on her uncontrollably, while Zhong Zhichen coldly said, "Junior sister, if you have nothing else, you may leave."

Yang Shanshan knew his gaze could freeze a person to death even without looking at him. Her master had invited her here today, so she wasn't going to listen to him. At this moment, Ye Xianqing said gently, "Young Master Ling of the Ling family has come today for two reasons: first, to apologize for Young Master Ling's intrusion into Sanqing Mountain; and second, Young Master Ling has something to give you."

What would be the first thing that came to her mind upon hearing this? A sudden realization struck her: she and Ling Zhao had no apparent connection; for him to openly give her something was tantamount to wronging her, wasn't it? Oh no, she was doomed…

Seeing her pale face and slightly furrowed brows, Ling Yunyi's heart skipped a beat. He quickly handed her the small box on the table and said gently, "This is something I found for you while I was injured. I said you would like it, so please accept it."

She didn't dare look at her master and the others, quickly took the box without opening it, and bowed, saying, "Young Master Xie Ling, since there's nothing else, I'll head back now. I have something to attend to..."

Ling Yunyi smiled knowingly, "Then Miss, please go ahead with your business. I won't disturb you any longer." As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Xiang, who had been standing aloof and silent beside him, coldly stopped her from celebrating. She said, "I wonder what relationship Miss Qin has with my second brother? That he would be so badly injured that he would search the whole city for a gift for you?"

Yang Shanshan was startled and glared at her angrily. She really knew how to rub salt in the wound! She glanced at her master's expression, which remained calm and smiling, as if she understood everything. She steeled herself and retorted, "Why should I tell you about my affair with your second brother?" Then she turned back to her master and bowed, "Disciple has to go now."

Ye Xianqing smiled and nodded, and Yang Shanshan, as if she had received a pardon, ran out with the small box in her arms.

Ling Yunyi's gaze followed her until she disappeared by the door before he reluctantly came back to his senses. Seeing Ye Xianqing and Zhong Zhichen looking at him, he realized that he had lost his composure and quickly clasped his hands and said, "Yunyi was impolite and made a fool of himself in front of you, senior."

Upon hearing this, Ye Xianqing waved his hand dismissively and said, "Since you two have come from afar and the misunderstanding has been cleared up, why don't you stay on the mountain for a few days so that I can fulfill my duty as a host?"

The two Ling siblings quickly stood up to thank them.

Yang Shanshan ran all the way back to Luoxue Pavilion clutching the small box, praying that her master wouldn't punish her. Hmph, that Miss Ling has such a grand air about her, she's doing it on purpose! How hateful.

But what gift could that kid Ling Zhao possibly bring her? It was just a one-night favor; how could she be sure she'd like it? Slowly opening the antique rosewood box, she found a hairpin inside. She was initially a little disappointed, but when she saw the various dazzling gemstones inlaid on the hairpin, she beamed with joy. Especially since the main body of the hairpin was gold! So beautiful, such a valuable gift! ~ She liked it! Haha, this could fetch a lot of money when she roamed the martial world! Hehe, she'd keep it safe.

However, as for what Ling Zhao actually looked like, her impression of this little thief was only that he had a pair of charming and captivating eyes, and his face was always covered by a veil, making him quite mysterious. But judging from the appearance of his brother and sister, she knew that they must be quite similar. Then she thought, what does it have to do with her what he looks like?

So he happily closed the box and placed it on his bedside table.