Senior brother is so awesome!

The following is the main text of the novel "{?$article_title?}" ({?$jieqi_title?}) provided by {?$jieqi_sitename?}. Please enjoy! "Speak, what brings you here?" Zhong Zhichen stepped forward and took her small hand, leading her into the house.

Yang Shanshan stroked the rough calluses on his palm, feeling a strange sensation in her heart that she couldn't explain or describe; it was just so strange.

Seeing the strange look on her face, Zhong Zhichen placed his hand on her forehead, but Yang Shanshan pushed his hand away, saying, "What are you doing?"

"If you don't have a fever, why is your face so red? Chan'er, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?" he asked, looking at her face, which was as red as the sunset.

"Um... Am I blushing?" She subconsciously touched her cheek and found it was indeed very hot. Oh dear, what's wrong? Seeing him staring at her nervously, she became even more embarrassed and let go of his hand, covering her cheek and saying, "No, I'm fine."

He gently pinched her little nose and laughed, "What a little girl."

"You're just as old as him!" Only in his early twenties, the same age as her in her past life! At the same age, women are generally more mature than men; in other words, she should be more mature than him… But… things might be different in ancient times…

He raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on his narrow eyes. "Do you think I'm old or not?"

"……"satyr!

Whenever he saw her so adorable, it felt like a cat was scratching at his heart, and he longed to pull her into his arms. "You wait, I've picked up some good stuff for you." Getting up and walking into the bedroom, Yang Shanshan rolled her eyes at his retreating figure. "Would I lose a piece of flesh if I didn't call myself 'Your Majesty'? Really."

A moment later, Zhong Zhichen brought out a package and placed it on the table in front of her. Yang Shanshan looked at it from left to right but couldn't figure out what it was, so she looked at him questioningly.

Zhong Zhichen coughed awkwardly. "Um, you can take it back and see for yourself later." Wait, why is his face red? A notoriously ruthless and cruel traitor blushing just because he gave her a package? What a strange sight! But, there's something to gain from visiting friends and relatives—could there be anything better? She picked up the package and was about to leave when Zhong Zhichen shouted, "Where do you think you're going!"

Okay, she was startled by someone again, and obediently sat down, lowering her head and speaking in a voice barely above a whisper: "I can't wait to go back and see what's inside."

He smiled helplessly, "Are you in such a hurry? Do you think it will get lost if you leave it here for a while?"

Before Yang Shanshan could say anything more, a disciple walked in and announced, "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, Master invites you."

"What is it?" He instantly reverted to his usual stern demeanor.

The disciple was clearly afraid of him and dared not look up as he replied, "Miss Ling went to Master's place to cry and make a scene." Upon hearing this, he frowned and waved for him to leave.

She glanced at Zhong Zhichen, who gave her a reassuring smile. "Let's go see what kind of trouble you've caused."

"You hypocrite rejected the beautiful woman who offered herself to you, and then you fell for her heart instead!" She was furious. He really was a treacherous minister; his ability to frame others was superb!

Zhong Zhichen held her hand without any hesitation the whole way. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't break free and had no choice but to accept her fate. From time to time, inquiring glances drifted over from the side. Yang Shanshan wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into, but those glances would automatically disappear when he looked over, which showed how much people feared him.

As soon as she arrived at the entrance of Xianyun Pavilion, she heard faint crying sounds coming from inside. Yang Shanshan was at her wits' end. She was most afraid of this kind of unreasonable and malicious accusation. She wanted to see how this person would twist the truth.

The two walked hand in hand into the council hall. Everyone in the hall looked at them. She looked up and found the room full of people, including all her senior brothers. She was completely confused. What was this big deal? Why did everyone come to join in?

Seeing the two holding hands so tightly, the others wore varying expressions. She noticed her second senior brother sitting calmly to the side of their master, watching her. He nodded and smiled when she looked over, but Yang Shanshan saw hurt in his eyes. It was all her eldest senior brother's fault; why did he have to hold her hand like he wanted everyone to know? She tried to break free, but he gripped her even tighter, as if he wanted to break her hand! He threatened in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Don't look at anyone else!"

Honestly, they can spot even the smallest movements. Just how many eyes are watching...?

After the two entered, Ling Xiang, who had been crying, suddenly raised her voice, delicately wiping away her tears as if the whole world owed her something. Her master, out of politeness, comforted her, "Miss Ling, please don't cry. Your unworthy disciples have been brought here. If they have made any mistakes, I will naturally teach them a lesson."

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiang abruptly stopped crying, pointing her slender, jade-like finger directly at Yang Shanshan and saying, "It's her! I went to visit Brother Zhong, but she saw me and beat me up without even asking what happened. Look!" As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair arms covered in bruises and welts, except for some redness and swelling at her wrists. Yang Shanshan frowned. She hadn't done anything to her; how could she have these injuries? Could it be that she pinched herself to frame her?

Seeing that his youngest female disciple had not spoken, Ye Xianqing said gently, "Chan'er, did you hit Miss Ling?"

Looking into her master's seemingly all-seeing eyes, Yang Shanshan nodded gently and answered in a clear voice, "Disciple did have a dispute with Miss Ling, but Miss Ling was indeed the one who started it. Disciple acted in self-defense, but disciple cannot admit that the injuries on her body were inflicted by me."

Ling Xiang cried even more miserably upon hearing this, as if she were the murderer of her entire family. At this moment, Zhong Zhichen squeezed her hand and said coldly, "Miss Ling, you'd better not distort the truth. You know in your heart who is right and who is wrong. You should not do anything that would damage the reputation of your Ling family."

"Brother Zhong! She's clearly been involved with all of them behind your back, yet you still treat her like a treasure! Xiang'er refuses to accept this!" Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Sitting beside her, Ling Yunyi pulled her close, whispering words of comfort in her ear. But how could Ling Xiang let such an opportunity to ruin her reputation slip by? Who told her to have captured the hearts of these men? Her father had sent her along so that she could find a prince to marry into the Three Pure Ones Mountain family, at the very least becoming a royal consort. But this woman had ruthlessly destroyed all her chances! How could she not hate her!

Zhong Zhichen's chiseled face darkened further as he gently pulled Yang Shanshan into his arms. His sinister gaze seemed capable of tearing someone to pieces. Yang Shanshan spoke before he could, saying, "Chan'er does indeed bear undeniable responsibility for this matter. After all, I possess martial arts skills and shouldn't have fought with Miss Ling." Her beautiful face was filled with self-reproach, making everyone present wish they could protect her from any harm. Even Ling Yunyi, with his worldly experience, couldn't control himself. On the contrary, his sister's words and actions seemed somewhat excessive.

Seeing the situation turn against her, Ling Xiang, in a fit of rage, abandoned her delicate act and grabbed the teacup beside her, throwing it at Yang Shanshan. Everyone present, except for the Ling siblings, was a martial arts expert. Even Yang Shanshan, a self-proclaimed novice, was incredibly agile. She refused to dodge, thinking, "Go ahead and throw it! I'll break her head and see if she doesn't cause a huge scene at your house! Extorting money will be the least of my worries!"