Character 257: How to Maintain One’s Image (Seventh Update)

The men and women stood in two rows. They were well-trained, and respectfully saluted Madam Yu.

“Welcome home, Madam.”

Madam Yu gave a small, placid smile and nodded—the picture of a matriarch. But she still stood in place until a man who looked like a majordomo came over in a hurry, apologizing to Madam Yu.

Judging from their attitude, everyone in Green Isle Manor seemed to hold Madam Yu in high regard. There was not even a hint of the rumored neglect.

It was unclear whether this Madam Yu was exceptionally skilled or if there were more shenanigans involved. Ye Wenxin was quite curious, but as an outsider, it wasn’t appropriate for her to meddle too much in other people’s business.

“This is Miss Wenxin. She will be our honored guest starting today.” Madam Yu, not leaving Ye Wenxin out, introduced her to the majordomo.

The majordomo took a good, long look at Ye Wenxin, as if to carve her image into memory. Ye Wenxin nodded lightly. She considered this as the first step for the Cozy Gang.

If the two parties were to work together, Ye Wenxin must have a clear understanding of all matters concerning Green Isle Manor.

The majordomo led the way, giving Ye Wenxin a tour on behalf of Madam Yu. From the tranquil environment to the tasteful layout, it was apparent that the Manor Lord of Green Isle Manor knew how to enjoy life.

However, this impression completely contradicted what that old man had given Ye Wenxin. It seemed more like a change someone like Madam Yu would make.

As they walked further ahead, Ye Wenxin saw a training ground, where a group of male and female disciples dressed in emerald green robes were practicing martial arts.

Green Isle Manor specialized in escorting and guarding services, and unlike ordinary escort agencies, most of the escorts here were cultivators. Even the ordinary ones were much more competent than those outside.

However, due to the stringent requirements of cultivation aptitude, the most skilled among them was only at the Golden Core stage.

The other Nascent Soul stage cultivator besides the old man was his uncle, who they had spent a lot of money to keep as their final trump card. Therefore, Green Isle Manor didn’t stand out much in the last Immortal Sect Grand Tournament.

Just as the demon sects had scraped together the Ten Great Demon Sects, the immortal sects had naturally done the same.

“Have you heard? The Golden Age Dynasty now owns Broken Dragon Cave.”

“Right, and now the Ten Great Immortal Sects are down to nine again. I wonder which unlucky sect will be forced to fill that spot?”

It happened to be break time, and everyone was chatting about recent events. They took a certain amount of schadenfreude in the misfortunes of Broken Dragon Cave.

Ye Wenxin was not at all surprised by what she heard. She thought that, given her best friend’s style, she would surely annex Broken Dragon Cave after killing the Cave Master.

However, to make an immortal sect submit to the Golden Age Dynasty in such a short time was something only Long Qingyue could achieve.

Madam Yu’s expression didn’t change as she heard everyone chatting. She slowly walked over, and as soon as they saw Madam Yu, everyone stopped what they were doing to greet her.

“Madam.”

“Madam, you’re back.”

From these conversations, Ye Wenxin learned that Madam Yu had sent Qiao Ni back first, and then accompanied her at the relay station for two days.

“Mm, I’m back. Has anything happened lately?” Madam Yu gently smiled, evoking spirited expressions from everyone, as if she were their idol.

Naturally, it was mostly admiration, as both men and women seemed to like Madam Yu very much.

“Madam Yu, this person is?” Someone noticed Ye Wenxin’s presence.

“Oh, this is Miss Wenxin. She will be our guest starting today.” Madam Yu gave the standard explanation. It was scary, although she treated others with warmth, when she looked at Ye Wenxin, Madam Yu’s expression would always be glacial.

Ye Wenxin forced out a thin smile and introduced herself: “I’m a disciple of the Azure Wings Sect, Ye Wenxin.”

After hearing that she was an Azure Wings Sect disciple, their expressions changed drastically. Some of the men were eager to spar with Ye Wenxin immediately.

Ye Wenxin grinned wryly. She didn’t even know the Sword Qi Technique. If she were to spar with people, she wasn’t sure how she would maintain the new image Fairy Fengya had established for her at the tournament.

“Miss Wenxin is the new tournament champion.” Madam Yu, of course, didn’t forget to mention this, and the others look even more awed.

Ye Wenxin, feeling like a circus panda, could only muster a forced smile as she maneuvered through the people around her.

Madam Yu didn’t offer any help to Ye Wenxin. She just sat down at the side, listening to the majordomo’s report on the recent state of things, immediately entering work mode.

Thankfully, the men were rather polite to Ye Wenxin. But the women naturally wouldn’t be as gentlemanly, as they asked Ye Wenxin various questions.

“Miss Ye, do you have a Dao companion?”

“Are the men in the Azure Wings Sect attractive?”

Although worded differently, they were still the same few questions. Ye Wenxin forced herself to answer, glancing at Madam Yu for rescue, but Madam Yu just smiled softly, obviously not intending to help Ye Wenxin in any way.

Everyone babbled on and on. Ye Wenxin was already dizzy. She didn’t want to linger amidst this clamor, and just as she planned to escape to the privy, she heard that little girl’s voice.

“Sister Wenxin, you’re here.” Qiao Ni appeared dressed in pink.

She was already lovely and cute, but her gorgeous clothes elevated her exquisiteness. It wasn’t difficult to envision Qiao Ni probably being in the top ten of the Unparalleled Beauties List a few years later.

Ye Wenxin was glad for Qiao Ni’s rescue, but Madam Yu frowned slightly at her daughter, asking helplessly, “Shouldn’t you be practicing the zither right now? What are you doing here?”

Qiao Ni, seeing Madam Yu unhappy, hugged her and said cutely, “What child doesn’t come out to greet their mother when she’s back?”

Qiao Ni’s gesture eased the displeasure in Madam Yu’s heart. Madam Yu’s brows relaxed as she listened with relief. The others were also rather fond of Qiao Ni.

Those rumors about this mother and daughter being snubbed here were evidently false.

Ye Wenxin continued to stand quietly at the side. Qiao Ni was making Madam Yu smile and laugh, their atmosphere harmonious.

Seeing as she had restored her mother’s mood, Qiao Ni stepped forward, eagerly hugging Ye Wenxin.

But compared to when they were alone, Qiao Ni behaved as innocently as a normal twelve-year-old child.

For a moment, it made Ye Wenxin suspect that the Qiao Ni who had been teasing her before was fake.