That fellow really scammed big sis! She’s rushing here so early in the morning! The young man couldn’t figure out how another man could cause her usually cold and arrogant big sister to act in this way.

This brother and sister duo were none other than Chu Youzhao and Chu Chuyan. No, it was more accurate to call them sisters.

“Did you get the address right? Why haven’t we arrived yet?” asked Chu Chuyan, sounding slightly unhappy.

Chu Youzhao really wasn’t used to her big sister acting like a spoiled little girl. “I’ve had some people look into it. He has taken over Lord Ding’s estate. It should be right over there.”

Chu Chuyan grunted in acknowledgement, her footsteps subconsciously quickening. Chu Youzhao curled her lips in disdain, but followed her sister nonetheless.

They finally found themselves in front of a large manor. Chu Chuyan was momentarily dazed when her eyes fell on the plaque emblazoned with the words ‘Phoenix Baron’. Everyone said that he was just a wastrel feeding off the Chu clan, and yet, he had now been granted the title of baron.

Even though it was the lowest rank of nobility, it was still a beginning. He was now considered a true noble, and could enjoy status and wealth that was not afforded to the common folk.

She wondered what her parents’ reactions had been, after learning that Zu An had become a baron.

Chu Chuyan’s lips curved upwards, as though remembering something interesting.

Chu Youzhao, who had been watching her the entire time, wrinkled her nose. He was just a mere baron. Why was her sister so elated?

Chu Chuyan’s previous impatience disappeared. She fussed with her clothes and her hair in front of the gate, assuming her usual icy beauty. “Help me knock on the door.”

Chu Youzhao rolled her eyes. You were so flustered earlier on, but look at you now—all cool and ladylike again. Just because you have your pride, doesn’t mean I don’t have my own!

However, obedience to her older sister had been deeply ingrained within her. She walked over to the gate with a pout and knocked. “Brother-in-law, are you there? My eldest sister and I have come to visit! Hm? It doesn’t seem to be locked…”

At the sound of her voice, the man and woman inside, who seemed to be playing a game, almost died of fright.

Zu An immediately sat up. The sudden stimulation was too much for him, and he erupted like a volcano.

Qiu Honglei, who had been teasing him with a charming smile on her face, could not dodge in time, and was immediately stunned.

Zu An was equally dazed. Brightmoon City was an outstanding city, and a hub for rich merchants. The people there were used to seeing grand sights. Even so, it had taken just over a year for Qiu Honglei to turn the entire city upside down, overshadowing all the other courtesan queens.

Even though she was always charming and flirtatious, no one had ever seen her truly get close to a man, which imbued her with a unique aura of purity.

It was the perfect combination of these two traits that caused so many officials in Brightmoon City to become obsessed with her. Some even worshipped her as a goddess, perfect and untouchable, who had somehow descended to the mortal realm.

Her gorgeous face was already fatally seductive. Now that it had been ‘embellished’ slightly, it was truly a perfect sight to behold. She was no longer an untouchable goddess who had merely descended into the mortal realm, but one who had fully embraced it.

He took out a handkerchief and passed it to her. “Here, wipe it off.”

Qiu Honglei resentfully took the handkerchief and wiped her cheeks. She didn’t understand what had come over her and compelled her to help him with such a thing. Even though she liked him a lot, matters shouldn’t have developed so quickly.

Was it because they had crossed blows yesterday, after which he had taken on a huge risk to save her master? Did she feel like repaying him in a moment of strong emotion?

It didn’t seem right, though. After all, if it had been any other man, they would have been the ones begging to help her out.

It’s all because this man is too shameless. She had only been joking. She had been in the Immortal Abode for over a year, after all, and had been influenced by the way the rest of the courtesans spoke. She never expected him to take her seriously.

For some reason, she had willingly let him guide her, as though in some sort of trance. She had been a little shy in the beginning, but she slowly grew more passionate, her mind obsessed over how to better please her lover…

The atmosphere within the room had been rather ambiguous, and she hadn’t given it much thought, but now that the knocking had snapped her out of her trance, she felt beyond embarrassed. She did not regret her actions, and was mainly worried that she had left the impression that she was cheap.

“What do we do now?” Qiu Honglei was slightly upset. She couldn’t even wipe this stuff off properly.

“Hide behind that for now,” Zu An said quickly, pointing at a screen inside.

The last thing Qiu Honglei wanted was for someone else to see her in this state. She grunted in agreement, and slipped behind it.

Zu An quickly smoothed out his clothes before greeting his visitors.

“You were inside all along! Why did it take you so long to come out?” Chu Youzhao was less than happy when he finally appeared. Her eldest sister might just have strangled her if they’d come all this way just to be met with an empty building.

“I was taking care of something else just now, so I was slightly absentminded.” Zu An said with a guilty laugh. He turned to Chu Chuyan. “Chuyan, you’re here as well.”

“Yes, I am. I came to see your new place. I haven’t paid you a visit yet.” Chu Chuyan smiled, then suddenly stared at his cheeks. “Huh? Why is your face so red?”

“It’s probably because it’s too hot inside, haha.” Zu An fanned himself with a free hand, trying to bluff his way through.

“Is the weather considered hot today?” asked Chu Youzhao, clearly confused.

Zu An paid her no heed. It was clearly in his best interests if he didn’t welcome them inside, in case they noticed Qiu Honglei.

But how could he do that? It would immediately seem suspicious if he didn’t welcome them in, especially since they’d made the trip over.

In the end, the two sisters still entered the residence. Chu Chuyan immediately frowned when she entered. Chu Youzhao was much more straightforward. “Huh? What’s that smell?”

Zu An felt his face stiffen. “I just moved in and haven’t had time to clean it yet. It’s probably left over from the last occupant,” he said with an awkward smile.

“Oh,” replied Chu Youzhao, satisfied with his reply.

Chu Chuyan’s expression grew stranger still. Her youngest sister was still a little girl, so she might have been able to recognize the smell, but how could she not?

No wonder this guy’s face is so red and his clothes look a little messy! He was fooling around on his own…

Perhaps he couldn’t hold it in anymore? But the two of us just…

Her face flushed red. Her little sister had probably scared him, causing him to lose control.

She unwittingly recalled the incident from the other day, and her face heated up even further.

“Huh? Big sis, why is your face so red? Is the weather really that hot today?” Chu Youzhao was bewildered. She didn’t feel hot at all! Her eldest sister even cultivated the Snowflake Sword. Why would she be affected by the heat?

Chu Chuyan stared at her little sister. The little brat had a stupid, bewildered look on her face. She really needed a good spanking. Coughing lightly, she changed the topic. “Why aren’t there any servants or maids here?”

Zu An pointed at the imperial palace. “I was afraid that they wanted to install some spies here, so I decided to reject their offer of servants. Besides, I’m used to living alone.”

Chu Chuyan shook her head. “This is a large place. How can you take care of everything alone? If word gets out, you’ll become the laughingstock of the entire capital city. I assumed it was because you were too poor to hire any servants.”

Zu An chuckled. “Their mouths belong to them. If they want to talk, then let them.”

Chu Youzhao rolled her eyes. “You still need someone to clean this place regularly, at least. Otherwise, this place will always have this weird smell.” Her voice was dripping with disdain.

Zu An didn’t know what to say.

Seeing his expression, Chu Chuyan couldn’t help but smile. “How about this? I’ll arrange some servants for you. If you don’t trust the people in the capital, I’ll bring in some people I know from Brightmoon City.”

“That’s a good idea.” Zu An could see the logic in this. This wasn’t like an apartment from his previous world. He’d work himself to death if he had to clean it himself.

Chu Chuyan looked at him again, a slightly dissatisfied expression on her face. He seemed to be acting rather strangely. “By the way, I heard that assassins appeared in the Eastern Palace yesterday. Did you encounter any danger?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Zu An held her small, soft hands. He hadn't yet had the chance to tell her that he was now an Embroidered Envoy. This damned Chu Youzhao was always hanging around like a third wheel. Even though he trusted Chu Chuyan, he didn’t trust this brat. Chu Youzhao did not look like the tight-lipped sort at all.

Besides, the Qin clan was a core part of King Qi’s faction. Telling Chuyan about this would only cause her more trouble, and leave her conflicted.

“I wonder where those assassins came from,” said Chu Youzhao. “The official word is that King Qi instigated them! Absolute nonsense.”

Zu An gave her a sidelong glance. “How do you know that it wasn’t King Qi?”

Chu Youzhao snorted. “Of course it wasn’t him. King Qi is famous for his wisdom and virtue. Why would he do something like this? He was clearly set up! Those assassins really are shameless!”

Qiu Honglei was still behind the screen, massaging her sore wrist. She frowned when she heard this. This brat was cursing her sect right in front of her!

Chu Chuyan suddenly turned around. “Show yourself!”