"Though I, Yang Zhao, may be cunning and scheming, I wouldn't resort to such underhanded methods to defeat Number Nine! In this war of succession, I fought Number Nine with every ounce of my wit and strength, using any means necessary. I lost, and I bear no grudge! Slut, you have no right to judge me. Dare to say anything like that again, and I won't hesitate to make you the first noble lady from a great family to die in the succession war... Whatever Number Nine dares to do, I dare too—and I'll be even more ruthless than him!"
Yang Zhao's hoarse, low voice sounded like a demon's call from the depths of hell. Terror and horror rapidly flooded Ye Xinrou's beautiful eyes.
Looking into Yang Zhao's eyes, Ye Xinrou was truly afraid.
She could tell he wasn't bluffing. If she spoke out of turn again and angered him, it was very likely she would really die here.
"I was wrong. I won't dare again," Ye Xinrou immediately softened, as a woman, she wouldn't feel ashamed by yielding.
Yang Zhao snorted coldly and finally let her go.
After climbing off the bed, Yang Zhao said: "Those people gathered at my manor simply want to use my name. Without me, they could use Eldest Brother's name instead. Since my Yang family allows them to do this, I cannot resist it! However, trying to take them to deal with Number Nine is impossible! Go now. All matters of the manor, from this moment on, are under your complete control!"
Ye Xinrou, still flustered in panic, heard this and couldn't help but quicken her breath, her voice trembling: "Second Young Master, you..."
"Doubt it not. This manor is yours from now on. The experts of the seven families will also be under your sole command. Aren't you a woman who chases power? If not for our shared tastes, we wouldn't have come together. Now is your chance."
Ye Xinrou didn't mind the sarcasm in Yang Zhao's words. Her cheeks flushed, she seemed incredibly excited, and after pondering a moment said: "But... how should I explain this to the people in the manor?"
"Is an explanation needed? I agree to let them use my name, and that settles it. As for the external explanation, say whatever you want."
Ye Xinrou smiled. Her smile was like a flower, her voice sweet: "The Second Young Master has suffered a setback but hasn't lost heart. Instead, he has broken through and reformed himself. Now his energy fluctuates, already at the verge of a breakthrough, and he must enter seclusion for cultivation!"
"Very well," Yang Zhao sneered repeatedly. "It seems I should thank you for giving me a good excuse, saving face for me."
"We are family. No need for such formalities." Ye Xinrou gave Yang Zhao a coy glance. "Perhaps in the future, this servant will really have to entrust herself to the Second Young Master. I only hope that when the Second Young Master becomes the head of the Yang family in the future, he will look after my Ye family."
Yang Zhao sneered: "See if you can even survive against Number Nine first."
Ye Xinrou's face twitched, a look of fear suddenly appearing in her eyes, but soon she calmed down, her voice sweet: "With the current lineup at the manor, Yang Kai shouldn't have a chance anymore, right?"
Yang Zhao closed his eyes and said nothing more.
"This servant will take her leave now." Ye Xinrou withdrew gracefully.
Walking out of the room, she looked up.
Night had fallen, a full moon hanging in the sky.
Ye Xinrou smiled, a happy smile, then glanced back at Yang Zhao's room, a flash of disdain crossing her lovely eyes.
She hadn't expected Yang Zhao to make such a decision. But since he had handed command over to her, she could truly let loose and act freely.
Her face was filled with elation, and her giggling laughter soon echoed, sending chills down the spine of anyone who heard it.
Before long, the leaders of the seven forces at Yang Zhao's manor gathered in the side hall.
Ye Xinrou sat at the head.
Below her sat Liu Qingyao of the Liu family, Kang Zhan of the Kang family, Gao Rangfeng of the Gao family, Qiu Yimeng of the Qiu family, Huo Xingchen of the Huo family, and Meng Shanyi of the Meng family—all looking at her with complex expressions.
Ye Xinrou's expression was calm, her demeanor outstanding, without a trace of unease.
Her peach-blossom eyes swept over everyone below, and Ye Xinrou spoke first: "Brother Meng, is the Eldest Young Master not here?"
The called-out Meng Shanyi couldn't help but get goosebumps. He said in a deep voice: "The Eldest Young Master says he is likely on the verge of a breakthrough soon. He is currently in seclusion. This matter will be fully represented by me on behalf of the Eldest Young Master's manor."
Ye Xinrou looked surprised, covering her mouth with a delicate laugh: "Oh, what a coincidence! The Second Young Master is also about to break through and must enter seclusion, probably unable to come out for a long time. The Yang family people are truly interesting, both brothers breaking through together. They really are dragons among men, truly admirable."
Hearing her say this, everyone's expressions shifted.
Huo Xingchen asked: "Sister Ye, if the Second Young Master isn't coming out, who will be in charge of this seven-family coalition? Surely not you?"
"That's right," Ye Xinrou responded sweetly, shifting her posture with endless charm. "It's me."
Huo Xingchen chuckled.
"The Second Young Master has said that before he emerges from seclusion, all manor affairs are under my complete control. Everyone must obey my commands!" Ye Xinrou's expression turned solemn, and she called out sharply.
The expressions of the other six became extremely strange.