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The Xiao Family.
It was an extraordinary existence.
Unlike most wealthy and powerful families who lived in the bustling city center, the Xiao family resided in a secluded paradise, nestled in a remote corner on the outskirts of the city.
However, anyone who set foot on this land would be shocked by the sheer scale of the Xiao family’s estate!
Their territory was vast, occupying an entire mountain by itself.
Yin Hanyu drove for several hours before finally arriving at the foot of the mountain where the Xiao family resided, with Lin Qingyou in tow.
Standing at the base, they looked up and saw the Xiao family’s grand structures scattered across the rolling hills, resembling a magnificent painting spread across the landscape.
Surrounding the estate, there were no other homes—only lush, expansive herbal gardens filled with a vast array of rare medicinal plants.
Ming Yu was immediately captivated by these herbal gardens. Every single plant was precious and hard to find.
In a cultivation world, these herbs would undoubtedly be considered treasures of nature.
Moreover, many of these rare medicinal plants weren’t supposed to thrive in the climate and soil conditions of the imperial capital, yet here they flourished, growing strong and healthy.
Ming Yu’s eyes lit up with excitement.
The moment she stepped out of the car, she ran toward the herbal gardens.
There were so many precious plants that she felt both overwhelmed and overjoyed.
Yin Yixuan, noticing her enthusiasm, remarked, “So you like this kind of architectural style? I can build one for you.”
Ming Yu shot him an annoyed glance. “I’m interested in the rare medicinal herbs, not the architecture.”
Yin Yixuan replied, “I can grow them for you too.”
Lin Qingyou rolled her eyes. “You talk big. Let’s see you actually do it first! Do you think growing flowers and plants is easy? Take that medicinal peony over there—it wouldn’t survive in your hands for more than three days.”
Yin Yixuan frowned. “Is it really that hard? Isn’t it just planting it in the soil and watering it?”
“Not at all,” Ming Yu said. “That medicinal peony is one of the easiest to care for. But see that plant over there? That’s Seven-Star Grass, which can neutralize all snake venom. It’s incredibly rare and difficult to grow. Taking care of it is harder than looking after a pampered princess. It grows at night, yet it needs constant watering. You have to wake up in the middle of the night to water it, but not too much, or it’ll die instantly.”
Yin Yixuan silently took note—it really was troublesome.
The group continued walking.
Since they were still at the foot of the mountain, they weren’t allowed to drive up without permission from those at the top.
They had to wait for someone from the Xiao family to come and escort them.
When they arrived, they had already submitted an official request from the elder of the Yin family. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been allowed to come close at all.
Yin Yixuan took the opportunity to tease Lin Qingyou, “You’re the biological granddaughter of the Xiao family, yet an old man’s request letter holds more weight than you do?”
Before Lin Qingyou could respond, Yin Hanyu suddenly pointed excitedly at a particular herb in the distance.
Yin Yixuan, noticing his odd reaction, asked, “What’s up with you?”
“Do you see that plant over there?” Yin Hanyu asked.
Yin Yixuan looked over. “Yeah, I see it. It’s just a plant, right? Its leaves are a little big, but that’s about it.”
“That’s the rare spirit herb Ming Yu has been searching for but could never find,” Yin Hanyu explained.
“A spirit herb?!” Yin Yixuan immediately looked again. “What kind of spirit herb?”
Yin Hanyu smirked and nudged him. “Does it matter? All you need to know is that Ming Yu would love it. If you pick it and give it to her, she’ll be really happy. Don’t say I never helped you out—I’m literally handing you the perfect chance.”
Yin Yixuan hesitated, then looked skeptical.
But despite his doubts, his body moved on its own as he headed toward the herb.
As he walked, he turned back to Yin Hanyu and muttered, “Are you sure about this?”
Yin Hanyu shrugged. “Believe it or not, what do I gain from lying to you?”
“…Fair point.”
Still somewhat doubtful, Yin Yixuan quickened his pace and reached for the plant.
But the moment his fingers touched it, he felt a sharp sting shoot through his fingertips.
Not giving up, he tugged at it harder.
Suddenly, an intense wave of pain and burning spread through his entire hand and up his arm.
“AHHHHHHHHH—!!!”
A bloodcurdling scream erupted as Yin Yixuan jumped back like he had been electrocuted.
“What the hell is this thing?! It actually bites?!”
Yin Yixuan, completely disregarding his usual composure, frantically shook his hand in pain while cursing furiously.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingyou, who had been watching the whole thing, burst into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over with tears in her eyes.
“Hahahahaha… Yin Yixuan, you’re such an absolute idiot! You call yourself a genius, yet you can’t even recognize stinging nettle?!”
Yin Yixuan was left speechless in the face of her ruthless ridicule.
With a pitiful look, he turned to Ming Yu and held out his swollen, throbbing hands. “Ming Yu, they’re bullying me.”
Ming Yu sighed and took a spray bottle from her bag, applying medicine to his hands.
The pain and itchiness subsided almost instantly.
Just as Yin Yixuan was about to turn around and give Yin Hanyu a piece of his mind, Yin Hanyu gestured upward.
Yin Yixuan frowned. “Don’t try to trick me again.”
“He’s not tricking you,” Ming Yu said. “Look up.”
“What is it?”
Yin Yixuan turned to look and saw several Xiao family guards marching toward them with intimidating expressions.
At the same time, lights illuminated the entire mountain.
The sight was awe-inspiring.
From a distance, the Xiao family’s territory stretched as far as the eye could see, grander than many famous tourist attractions.
Not only that, but the estate was heavily secured. Highly trained guards patrolled day and night, protecting the mysterious mansion and its valuable herbs.
Each guard stood tall and carried themselves with an air of authority, resembling royal palace guards from ancient times—enough to make anyone feel intimidated.
“Who gave you permission to touch our medicinal plants?” one of the guards asked coldly, glaring at Yin Yixuan with an air of hostility.
Yin Yixuan shot a glare at Yin Hanyu. “You’ve gotten me into serious trouble.”
Yin Hanyu smirked. “It’s a faster way to get them to come down, isn’t it? Otherwise, we would’ve been waiting forever.”
“…You really planned this all along?”
“Security Captain, we’re here to visit. We’ve already submitted a formal request,” Lin Qingyou quickly explained.
The guards exchanged glances before making a call to confirm.
After receiving approval, they finally allowed the group to board a vehicle heading up the mountain.
As soon as they got in, Lin Qingyou turned to Yin Hanyu with admiration. “Baby, you’re so smart. This way, we got up the mountain much faster.”
Yin Yixuan, still glaring at his swollen hands, pouted. “Smart? No, he’s just plain mean.”
Yin Hanyu: “…”
Lin Qingyou: “…”
Ming Yu: “…”