Unless Yang Kai found a spot far from War City, away from their prying eyes, to advance.
Things had already developed to this point. Whether the succession battle would be affected, even Yang Kai didn't know. If his clan stripped him of his right to participate because of this, it wasn't impossible.
Qiu Yimeng was precisely worried about this that she had pulled Yang Kai inside, closed the doors and windows, and discussed it in private.
But no amount of worry would help now. The clan's decision wasn't something Yang Kai could interfere with—just like the matter of the Blood Guards before. If the clan said he couldn't participate, he couldn't participate. No matter how Yang Kai resisted or argued his case, he'd ultimately have to yield.
Though he'd gained quite a few benefits from that episode, things not going the way he'd expected was still genuinely irritating.
Discussing it with Qiu Yimeng led nowhere. All they could do was stay on guard ahead of time.
"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving." Yang Kai stood up abruptly, ready to take his leave.
Qiu Yimeng stared at him blankly for a moment, then let out a soft hmph and pouted. "In a rush to go find that pure and elegant woman?"
The words dripped with vinegar.
Yang Kai ignored her and strode toward the door.
"Take care of yourself, don't overwork!" Miss Qiu said with a sour expression, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Is that concern for me?" Yang Kai grinned wickedly, halting his steps. He fixed Qiu Yimeng with a burning gaze and tilted his head. "You haven't actually fallen for me, have you?"
Qiu Yimeng's face flushed red. She huffed. "So what if I have?"
Yang Kai was stunned. He hadn't expected her to just admit it so bluntly. He suddenly didn't know what to do. Though he'd teased Qiu Yimeng many times before, that was merely verbal playfulness, meant to keep her in check. Now, having received such a direct answer, he suddenly felt uneasy.
He stood there, not knowing what to say.
Qiu Yimeng, on the other hand, wore an expression of complete nonchalance. She let out a light hmph. "Liking you doesn't mean I want to be with you. Unless you're willing to marry into the Qiu family. Only then could I give up everything, follow behind you, and peacefully be a good wife and mother. Could you marry into the Qiu family?"
Yang Kai shook his head.
"Exactly. So the two of us can only reach as far as me liking you. In the future, I'll marry some young lord of Zhongdu, and the Qiu family will form a marital alliance with his clan. We'll watch out for each other, support one another, and join forces to bring down your Yang family—stamp you under our feet... By then, we might even become enemies." Qiu Yimeng spoke with complete composure, as though talking about someone else. "Maybe I'll marry someone like Huo Xingchen. Hmm, Gao Rangfeng, Kang Zhan, Liu Qingyao, Meng Shanyi—all of them are possible."
"They're not good enough for you." Yang Kai shook his head, suddenly feeling a sense of listlessness.
Qiu Yimeng let out a soft laugh. Bright tears glistened at the corners of her eyes, but she didn't bother wiping them. She turned her head and said softly, "Whether they're good enough or not, it doesn't matter. I'm not good enough for you either, am I? You're so powerful, with such a bright future. You have skill, charm, and such forcefulness. Almost no woman is good enough for you. I used to look down on all the men in the world, but now... I can only look up at you."
Yang Kai suddenly felt he couldn't keep talking with her. If this went on any longer, this strong and wise woman might really break down crying.
He forced a grin. "No talk of feelings, but we could still have some fun."
The words were practically beastly, and even Yang Kai himself despised himself for saying them.
"Not now. When the day comes for me to get married, I'll come find you!" Qiu Yimeng shook her head with perfect seriousness.
Yang Kai stared at her, stunned. "You're joking, right?"
Qiu Yimeng pressed her lips together and laughed, swaying like a flower in the breeze. "What do you think?"
"I'll be going then." Drenched in cold sweat, Yang Kai fled in a panic, choosing the first path he could find.
In the corridor, a crisp, cracking sound echoed. Under the moonlight, a graceful figure lay half-reclined against the railing, gazing up at the starry sky. She held a handful of hazelnuts—where she'd gotten them, nobody knew—and was cracking them with practiced ease.
Her pale blue hair made Yang Kai's gaze linger involuntarily. That face, clear and beautiful yet tinged with a hint of allure, was utterly captivating. Her ruby lips parted and closed, pearly white teeth glimpsed and vanished. Her long, shapely legs were half-exposed to the open air, skin white as jade, drawing the eye irresistibly.
Yang Kai frowned and studied the woman before him.
"Want some?" Shui Ling extended her hand in invitation, her mouth never pausing as she continued to crack nuts with expert skill.
"No thanks." Yang Kai shook his head. "Why are you here?"
"I live next door." Shui Ling pointed to the adjacent room. "Bored at night, so I came out to look at the stars."
"I'm asking why you're in my residence!" Yang Kai snorted coldly.
"What's the big deal? Your estate is huge—what does it matter if I come stay for a bit?" Shui Ling pouted and muttered, "You're not that stingy, are you?"
"Cut the tricks. Living here is fine, but if I catch you with any hidden agenda, you're dead."
"Oh my, I'm sooo scared." Shui Ling bit her delicate lip and stared at Yang Kai with an expression of terror, her large eyes brimming with panic.
"Hmph!" Knowing she was putting on an act, Yang Kai didn't press the matter. After a moment's thought, he asked, "You heard what was said just now?"
Shui Ling continued cracking hazelnuts and giggled. "I didn't hear the first half. The second half I caught every word."
"Go keep her company!" Yang Kai signaled with a glance.
The hazelnut in Shui Ling's mouth slipped out silently. She blurted, "You can't be serious!"
"Either go keep her company, or get out right now."