It was Qing Lan. Yao Ji couldn't be mistaken. It was Qing Lan, her friend from Green Abyss Valley.

The final round of their training had been abruptly halted by Ye Chong Lou. Qing Lan hadn’t participated and had been left without a place to go. Among the thirty girls, Qing Lan was second only to Yao Ji in beauty. Yao Ji had believed that the Boundless Sea Tower wouldn’t simply discard her. She hadn't expected to find her here, in the Pei household.

This must have happened recently. Yao Ji immediately summoned the head housekeeper of the inner courtyard and learned that, indeed, a new batch of maids had been purchased half a month ago, and Qing Lan was among them. She had been assigned to the courtyard of Pei Yan’s uncle, Pei Shou.

The Pei family was vast and wealthy, and all the direct descendants resided in the main house. Pei Shou was the only son of the old master, Pei Che. Unfortunately, he was a good-for-nothing, incapable in both scholarly pursuits and martial arts, entirely unfit to inherit the leadership of Tiandu. Therefore, over a decade ago, Pei Che had passed the position of head of the family to his eldest daughter, Pei Ming Zhu, Pei Yan’s mother. After Pei Ming Zhu’s death, as Pei Yan was still young, Pei Che resumed leadership but appointed Pei Yan as acting head.

Stripped of his inheritance, Pei Shou hadn't protested. He was a hedonist, without ambition, his only interest being beautiful women. The Pei family’s wealth was immense, more than enough to support his idle lifestyle. So Pei Shou spent his days within the confines of his courtyard, indulging in frivolous pleasures with his concubines and maids.

Qing Lan had been assigned to Pei Shou’s courtyard. What did that mean…? Yao Ji’s heart sank. Qing Lan was proud and spirited; how could she endure being defiled by Pei Shou?

Even knowing this, Yao Ji was powerless. Qing Lan’s arrival had been kept quiet, which meant Ye Chong Lou didn't want her to know. Even if she did know, she had to pretend otherwise. When they met again, they would have to act like strangers.

This incident deepened Yao Ji’s unease.

First, she had been made to swallow an unknown pill. Then, she'd been ordered to save Pei Yan’s life. Now, Qing Lan had been sent to the Pei household… These seemingly unrelated events pointed to one undeniable conclusion: Ye Chong Lou’s scheme against the Pei family had begun.

Yao Ji wanted to warn Pei Yan, but she didn't know how. She was a part of the conspiracy, an enemy Pei Yan needed to be wary of.

Pei Yan was oblivious to all of this. He was busy with his duties, but no matter how occupied he was, he always made time for Yao Ji. Fearing she might be lonely, he began bringing her along when he attended to business. One day, in the study, Yao Ji was sorting through a pile of calling cards for him.

Given the prestige of the Tiandu Pei family, countless people sought an audience with Pei Yan every day. Pei An, Pei Yan's assistant, filtered out the less important requests, leaving the remaining cards to be reviewed by Pei Yan himself.

Yao Ji read the names on the cards aloud, occasionally exchanging lighthearted banter with Pei Yan. Suddenly, her voice faltered.

“What is it, Yao Yao?” Pei Yan set down his jade brush.

Yao Ji clutched the card tightly. “Nothing,” she quickly replied, forcing a smile. She casually placed the card down. On it were two lines of elegant calligraphy: Boundless Sea Tower, Ye Chong Lou respectfully requests an audience.