Translator: CinderTL
Inside the room, the woman sat in the main seat, her hand trembling uncontrollably as she held her teacup. A wave of lingering fear washed over her.
So close... just a fraction off. If that palm strike had landed even slightly differently, it would have pierced her daughter's heart. She might never have seen her daughter again.
"Tell me exactly what happened," the woman demanded, her gaze icy as she fixed it on the two girls.
Wang Qingyu, feeling slightly guilty, lowered her voice and explained, "Third Aunt, we sisters had planned to visit the Phoenix Bathing Pool outside the city. We were ambushed by a rogue cultivator. Sister Xuan'er took a palm strike while protecting us."
Wang Ruixin, who was terrible at lying, simply lowered her head and remained silent, nodding in agreement.
The woman said nothing, her unwavering gaze fixed on them.
As Wang Qingyu continued, her confidence grew, as if the story were true. Her usually cold expression shifted to one of righteous anger. "The attacker wore a mask, so we couldn't see his face, but his voice sounded male. He was short and stocky, and his cultivation level was likely at the Peak Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm."
The woman frowned deeply. "Short and stocky, Peak Stage Dao Seeking Realm..."
She racked her brain, trying to recall any enemies of the Wang Family, but after a long search, no one matched the description.
Wang Qingyu continued, "Later, a young hero happened to pass by and drove the villain away. We sisters managed to escape with our lives. Otherwise... the consequences would have been unimaginable."
"Hmm..."
The woman nodded calmly, then looked up and asked, "Do you remember what the young hero looked like?"
"Yes, he was very handsome."
The woman lowered her gaze, piecing together the story based on her niece's description.
Her daughter had been out for a stroll when she was attacked by a villain. The villain's cultivation level was neither too high nor too low—enough to injure her daughter but not enough to kill her outright, leaving time for someone to intervene.
And by sheer coincidence, a handsome young hero happened to pass by. Even more coincidentally, he stepped in to save her, driving the villain away but failing to kill him.
The young hero was also a noble and selfless individual, offering his help without seeking any reward.
The woman sneered inwardly. So many coincidences...
She had never encountered so many coincidences in her entire life, yet her daughter had experienced them all in a single day.
If her suspicions were correct, the selfless "young hero" was likely still in the city, waiting for the Wang Family to send someone to find him.
Do they really think the Wang Family are fools?
The woman clenched her teeth, slammed her hand on the table, and rose abruptly, shouting, "Guards!"
"Third Madam, your orders?" a male voice responded from outside the door.
The woman rolled her eyes, her gaze icy. "Take Qingyu and 'invite' that young hero back. Use any means necessary—just bring him back!"
She deliberately emphasized the word "invite."
"Yes, Madam."
Wang Qingyu glanced at the woman's face, her heart sinking.
Damn it, Sister Xuan'er's plan seems to have gone wrong...
But she dared not disobey her Third Aunt's orders. She shuffled toward the door, subtly glancing at Wang Ruixin.
Wang Ruixin understood the signal. She bowed and retreated, then hurried to Wang Zixuan's room, urgently relaying the situation.
Wang Zixuan's brow furrowed deeply. How had she never realized her mother was so shrewd?
What should she do now...?
"Sigh... Go fetch Mother."
"Hmm, has Sister Xuan'er thought of a solution?" Wang Ruixin asked, relieved, assuming she had a plan. She immediately stood up to find the Third Madam.
Wang Zixuan shook her head with a bitter smile. "Go ahead."
"Okay."
Wang Ruixin turned and left, returning shortly with the Third Madam.
Wang Zixuan waved her sister out, leaving only the two of them in the room.
"Tell me what's going on," the Madam said, sitting by the bed. Her expression had regained its composure. She had already sensed something amiss in Wang Qingyu's expression earlier, and Wang Ruixin's actions only confirmed her suspicions. She knew her three daughters were hiding something from her.
"Mother... actually..." Wang Zixuan hesitated, struggling to find the words.
The Madam looked at her daughter's injured arm with tenderness, her eyes softening. She gently stroked Wang Zixuan's cheek and said, "What's wrong, Xuan'er? Is there something you can't tell your own mother?"
Wang Zixuan pouted and wrapped her good right arm around the Madam, her voice filled with remorse. "Mother, I'm sorry. I lied to you."
The Madam smiled warmly. "It's alright, Xuan'er. I don't blame you."
As a mother, she knew her own child well. The moment Wang Zixuan stuck out her rear, she knew her daughter was about to drop a few "sheep dung pellets".
TL/N: A local euphemism for lies.
"Actually... I inflicted these injuries myself. There was no assailant at all..."
Wang Zixuan decided to tell the truth, but with a slight embellishment.
The woman didn't interrupt, listening quietly. She knew her daughter must have a reason for this. After all, her daughter wasn't foolish; why would she harm herself otherwise?
Wang Zixuan pouted. "I've fallen for a man. Today wasn't about going out to play at all—I was secretly meeting him."
Her voice grew softer, and she stole glances at her mother's expression.
The woman's expression remained unchanged, a gentle smile fixed on her face. Even though a tempest of fury raged within her heart, her composure remained impeccable.
The woman was convinced her daughter had been deceived!
Her daughter was so innocent and pure, beautiful, gentle, and kind. Being born into the Wang Family was already a cruel twist of fate, but now some blind fool dared to deceive her!
"What kind of man is he?" the woman asked, her smile warm and inviting, as if discussing everyday matters.
Seeing her mother's smile, Wang Zixuan felt a flicker of relief, her complexion brightening. "He's wonderful. Not only is he talented and handsome, but he's also kind-hearted..."
The woman listened quietly, nodding occasionally. The room was filled with an air of domestic tranquility.
On the other side,
Xu Sanyan fastened his belt and pushed open the door. Downstairs on the stage, the dancers were still twirling gracefully, though a new group had taken their place.
He turned to close the door, his gaze sweeping over the limp girl on the bed. He exhaled a long, satisfied breath.
Plenty of tricks, but not as good as Lanlan from the ghost city.
The sky outside had darkened, but the brothel was even more lively. A massive crystal embedded in the ceiling bathed the pavilion in a radiant white light, making it seem like daytime.
Xu Sanyan leaned against the railing, his gaze drifting down to the dancers on the stage. From this angle, he could catch glimpses of their smooth, pale skin.
Just then, four figures entered: three men and a woman. Xu Sanyan glanced at them. The woman was Wang Qingyu, but in the crowded, noisy hall, she didn't immediately notice him.
As soon as the group entered, courtesans rushed forward to greet them. The three men impatiently shoved the women aside, their purpose clear as they began searching the lower-level compartments with aggressive determination.
Xu Sanyan frowned. This looks... hostile?
Has something gone wrong?
That shouldn't be possible. The Purple Mountain Heart-Planting Art has never failed in all this time. It shouldn't have been detected.
Then the problem must lie with the three girls?
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c406. [+38]
🔑Read upto Ch348 for FREE visit the pinned post on my pa. treon to learn how!🎉
💥Translated (6) Series, (4.6K+) Chapters, (6.7M+) Words.