Chapter 323: Coming with ill intentions

Zu'an had actually noticed the woman next to Zheng Dan much earlier. She had an oval face and willow-leaf eyebrows, and wore a long goose-yellow dress. Her quiet demeanor exuded a subtle, captivating allure, and an elegant smile played on her lips—the noble and graceful bearing that could only be cultivated through a privileged upbringing.

Coupled with her beautiful, seemingly expressive eyes, she appeared radiant and clear-minded, exuding a captivating aura of purity, elegance, and nobility. Standing gracefully beside Zheng Dan, whose beauty was evident even in her dignified bearing, they were like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each possessing their own unique charm.

She was curiously studying Zu'an when Zheng Dan, who was beside her, suddenly gave her a push, causing her to stumble and almost fall into Zu'an's arms.

Glaring good-naturedly at Zheng Dan, she then began to introduce herself: "Hello, Classmate Zu. It's our first meeting. My name is Xie Daoyun. I hope to learn much from you in the future."

Zu'an couldn't help but admire her. Even in such a rushed and awkward situation, she still exuded an innate confidence, appearing genuinely poised and dignified.

"Miss Xie, you jest. I don't think this is our first meeting," Zu'an said, looking at her with a half-smile.

Xie Daoyun's heart skipped a beat. *Could he know about my visit to the Immortal Dwelling last time?* she wondered. But she didn't panic and immediately replied, "Indeed. I also witnessed Classmate Zu's impressive performance during the Chu and Yuan family martial arts competition, and we've met at school before."

Seeing her quick response, Zu'an didn't expose her. "Miss Xie's esteemed name is well-known to me, and I've long admired you. Meeting you today, I've realized that your reputation doesn't do you justice."

Xie Daoyun's expression subtly changed. Despite her excellent self-control, being mocked so directly was still a bit much for a young woman to bear.

Before she could react, Zu'an continued, "Those rumors simply cannot describe even a fraction of Miss Xie's beauty and temperament. I only regret not having had the pleasure of seeing your beautiful face sooner."

Beside them, Wei Suo's eyes widened. *As expected of the boss, his skill in charming women is truly formidable,* he thought.

This made him feel a bit sorry for himself. *Why is it that in private I can speak so eloquently and discuss grand matters just like the boss, but when I meet someone in person, I can't say a single word?*

On the other side, Zheng Dan couldn't help but glance at Zu'an again. *This guy really has a way with women.*

Xie Daoyun's face flushed slightly. No one usually dared to speak to her like this, and for a moment, she found it somewhat novel. "Classmate Zu, you flatter me..."

"Let's talk more when we get to the Four Directions Pavilion. Young Master Wang is probably getting impatient," Zheng Dan said, taking Xie Daoyun's arm.

Xie Daoyun naturally had no objection. She gave a slight nod to Zu'an and then followed Zheng Dan into the carriage.

Zu'an then instructed Cheng Shoubing and the few guards waiting at the school gate: "Tell the Second Miss that I won't be returning for dinner later. You can go back with her."

He still needed to find a way to go to the Wei family later, and having people follow him would be inconvenient.

Cheng Shoubing immediately looked distressed. He had originally hoped to see the Four Directions Pavilion for himself, but now not only could he not go, he also had to face the Second Miss, that violent woman. *Why is my life so miserable?*

Jiao Shan and the other guards naturally had no objection. Now that Chen Xuan was dead and Zu'an's crisis was resolved, and with the City Lord's daughter accompanying them, there was naturally no need for them to provide constant protection.

The two carriages soon arrived at the Four Directions Pavilion. When Zu'an dismounted, he saw a beautiful multi-storied wooden building before him, with carved railings and ornate pillars. It had a similar feel to the Immortal Dwelling, but its overall color scheme was much more rustic and subdued.

Wang Yuanlong was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing them, he quickly approached: "Brother Zu, Brother Wei, Miss Xie, Miss Zheng..."

After the pleasantries, Wang Yuanlong stepped aside: "Please, everyone, come right in. Oh, Miss Zheng, General Sang is also inside."

Zheng Dan smiled faintly: "Thank you, Young Master Wang."

Zu'an felt a touch of annoyance, but he knew the feeling was irrational; ultimately, it was just a man's possessiveness at play.

Wang Yuanlong then explained to Zu'an: "Brother Zu, the River Defense Camp also contributed to my rescue, so I invited them along. I hope you don't mind, Brother Zu."

Zu'an smiled faintly: "I'm not that petty."

The group ascended several floors, with fewer guests on each successive level. Clearly, the higher one went, the higher the status of the patrons.

When they reached the staircase leading to the top floor, a crowd had already gathered there. Evidently, everyone was curious about the top floor but couldn't go up, so they could only stand around and observe.

"It's Young Master Wang!"

"He truly is a handsome and talented man!"

"Oh, isn't that Young Lady Xie? The City Lord's daughter, beautiful and talented. We're so fortunate today."

"And next to her is Young Lady Zheng! Both are so beautiful. Even if we can't go up to the top floor today, seeing them makes this trip worthwhile."

Just then, the tall and handsome Sang Qian, having heard of their arrival, came down to greet his fiancée. After exchanging greetings with the others, he looked gently at Zheng Dan: "Dan'er, you're here."

Zheng Dan discreetly glanced at Zu'an, then said coldly, "General Sang, although we are betrothed, we are not yet married. Please refrain from addressing me so intimately in public."

Sang Qian's smile stiffened. He hadn't expected her to disregard his face so openly in front of others.

However, he didn't mind, guessing that she was still upset about the incident at Giant Whale Island.

Furthermore, he rather liked this spirit in her, her defiance, which only reinforced her image as a reserved and refined lady.

With this thought, he relaxed and smiled faintly: "Miss Zheng is right."

Zu'an pursed his lips, thinking, *This guy truly has the makings of a fawning devotee.*

However, recalling his ruthlessness in completely wiping out Giant Whale Island earlier, Zu'an dared not truly underestimate him.

Just as the group was about to ascend the stairs, an untimely voice rang out: "How is it that just anyone is qualified to go up to the top floor of this Four Directions Pavilion?"

Everyone stopped. From the crowd, a man with narrow, triangular eyes was looking at them provocatively.

Wang Yuanlong's expression also soured. After all, he was hosting on his own territory, and such a disruptive incident had occurred. "They are my personal guests. Is that not allowed?"

The man with triangular eyes replied, "Young Master Wang, as the young proprietor of the Four Directions Pavilion, naturally has this authority. However, from this day forward, the reputation of the Four Directions Pavilion will likely plummet. It's well-known that only the most exceptional people in various fields are qualified to ascend to the top floor of the Four Directions Pavilion. For instance, Miss Xie is a renowned scholar, Miss Zheng is a genius from the academy's 'Heavenly Class,' and General Sang is young, highly cultivated, and holds an important position. We naturally wouldn't dare to have any objection to them going up. But what gives *this* fellow the right to go up? Is it merely because he's an in-law of the Chu family?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd burst into laughter. Clearly, many felt discontent as well.

"So many of us here are highly talented and well-learned, yet we can't go up. What makes him so special?!"

"Exactly! I think the Four Directions Pavilion shouldn't bother with these pretenses anymore. Just say that only the rich and powerful can go up."

Wang Yuanlong's face turned ashen. He was now in a dilemma: letting Zu'an go up would ruin the Four Directions Pavilion's hard-earned reputation of many years. But if he didn't let him go up, Zu'an was a guest he had personally invited, and he would lose face.

At this moment, Zu'an's eyes narrowed slightly. *Why could this guy recognize everyone present so clearly?* He didn't seem like an ordinary diner. *Perhaps someone specifically sent him here to provoke me.*

He quickly scanned to the side and noticed Sang Qian's half-smile. Recalling Sang Qian's deliberate act of coming downstairs to greet them, a realization dawned on him. *I thought he really came to pick up Zheng Dan. Turns out, he was aiming for me.*

*But why?*

*Could he know about what happened between me and his fiancée?*

At this moment, the man with triangular eyes sneered, "What's wrong, speechless now, are we?"