"Xin'er, why so impulsive? This isn't like you at all."
Fumo Xin'er's grandmother spoke in a low, measured voice.
"Lady Gusu, I was reckless. Please punish me."
As Fumo Xin'er spoke, she actually stepped back a pace, then dropped to one knee in a gesture of supplication.
Seeing this scene, both Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun were left slack-jawed, and their fear only deepened.
They had no idea who this old woman was.
But judging from Fumo Xin'er's reaction, one thing was clear.
This old woman surpassed Fumo Xin'er in both status and strength.
But who on earth was she?
As members of the Long Clan, they considered themselves fairly well-informed.
Yet they had never seen either of these two figures before.
At that moment, Fumo Xin'er's grandmother noticed the stares from Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun.
But she said nothing. Instead, she extended a finger and lightly tapped each of them on the forehead.
The next instant, Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun froze in place, as if turned to stone.
After finishing this, Fumo Xin'er's grandmother turned her gaze to Fumo Xin'er.
"Rise. What crime is there to speak of?"
She spoke to Fumo Xin'er gently.
"Thank you, Lady Gusu."
Fumo Xin'er bowed her thanks before she dared to stand back up.
"Lady Gusu, when did you return?"
Fumo Xin'er asked.
"I only just arrived," her grandmother replied.
"Did everything go well?" Fumo Xin'er pressed.
"It did." Her grandmother smiled, then added, "Stop beating around the bush, Xin'er. If you want to say something, just say it."
"Well..."
Fumo Xin'er hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke.
"Lady Gusu, about today's events — could we keep them from the Young Master?"
"We can."
"However, Xin'er, there is something I need you to answer truthfully."
Her grandmother's tone shifted.
"Please, Lady Gusu, go ahead," Fumo Xin'er said.
"You haven't fallen for Chu Feng, have you?"
Fumo Xin'er's grandmother asked directly.
"No — Xin'er wouldn't dare."
Hearing this, Fumo Xin'er shook her head vigorously. But the panic that flickered through her beautiful eyes betrayed her.
"Xin'er, I'm telling this for your own good. You must not fall for Chu Feng."
"He is a man you cannot afford to love. Do you understand?"
"If you fall for him, even I won't be able to help you."
Her grandmother's voice was firm.
"Thank you for the warning, Lady Gusu. Xin'er will keep it firmly in mind."
Fumo Xin'er nodded repeatedly.
"Good. Go on back. I'll handle things here."
Her grandmother waved her off.
"Xin'er understands."
With that, Fumo Xin'er obediently departed the area, not daring to linger even a moment.
Fumo Xin'er's grandmother then gave a sweep of her wide sleeve.
The fabric rustled without stirring the faintest breeze.
But Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun, who had been kneeling on the ground moments before, suddenly stood up.
Not only that — they were restored to the exact postures they had held during their earlier conversation.
"Alas, even ants have their own lives to lead."
"Intrigue and scheming — it seems no group is free of them."
"Such is human nature, I suppose."
Fumo Xin'er's grandmother shook her head at Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun, then her figure drifted and dissolved into the air.
Once both Fumo Xin'er and her grandmother had departed one after the other,
Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun, who had been frozen stiff, suddenly came to their senses.