Another day, another outing. I woke up early, so you won't need to wait for my usual noon post today.
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The young masters and ladies of the seven great families gathered together, and Ye Xinrou sat in the seat of honor, speaking with clarity and precision. Her well-reasoned arguments made quite a few people reassess their opinion of her.
Turns out this woman isn't just good at pouting and acting cute, they all thought.
When she sat in that elevated position, she could quickly adjust her mindset and make statements befitting her status.
Her words were logical and reasonable, and the others couldn't help but be drawn in, turning to look at her.
"A surprise strategy?" Gao Rangfeng couldn't help but ask. "What kind of surprise strategy?"
Ye Xinrou smiled. "Anything the Young Master wouldn't anticipate is a surprise strategy!"
Gao Rangfeng frowned slightly. This coy act from Ye Xinrou made him a bit uncomfortable, and he said in a deep voice, "Be specific."
Ye Xinrou gave a light chuckle, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Qiu Yimeng. "Sister Qiu, to the Young Master, is the biggest surprise strategy of all."
Qiu Yimeng's head snapped up, her eyes blazing with fury at Ye Xinrou.
Huo Xingchen let out a low, sinister chuckle beside her.
The expressions of the others grew strange. Everyone suddenly understood what Ye Xinrou was scheming.
"Sister Qiu has been staying at the Young Master's residence, working alongside him. He considers her a trusted right hand, and she's intimately familiar with all the matters of his household—probably more so than anyone else. Moreover, she only left Yang Kai's residence this morning. The Young Master would never imagine that, in just one day's time, she would become his enemy and lead an attack against him, would he?"
"Ye Xinrou, you'd better think carefully about what you're saying." Huo Xingchen stared at her with cold, dangerous eyes.
Ye Xinrou scoffed. "Young Master Huo, what do you mean by that? I know perfectly well what I'm saying. It's your attitude... are you perhaps dissatisfied with me?"
Huo Xingchen continued to sneer.
"Remember, I currently represent the Second Young Master. Displeasing me is displeasing the Second Young Master, and I have every right to ask you to leave this manor. A single rat dropping can ruin a whole pot of porridge. The Second Young Master's household can't afford to have any black sheep." Ye Xinrou's words were laced with barbs, full of cold sarcasm.
Huo Xingchen's expression shifted. He was tempted to storm out in anger, but the memory of the old man's threat before his departure forced him to suppress his restless impulses.
His mouth moved silently, forming words that couldn't be heard—cursing, most likely.
Ye Xinrou smiled again, her tone gentle. "Actually, there are many considerations behind my suggestion. What I mentioned earlier is just one of them."
"What other considerations?" Gao Rangfeng pressed, suddenly realizing that after experiencing one succession battle, Ye Xinrou's growth had been terrifyingly rapid. The old her wouldn't have had so many cunning thoughts, nor such a forceful demeanor.
Probably from spending too much time by the Second Young Master's side, he thought, influenced and shaped by proximity.
"Based on how the Young Master dealt with Nan Sheng and Xiang Chu last time, it's clear he values the friends around him highly. Sister Qiu is also his friend. Given the Young Master's personality, he wouldn't have the heart to strike against Sister Qiu."
"That does make sense," Kang Zhan nodded lightly, agreeing that Ye Xinrou's analysis was reasonable.
Last time, those two idiots Nan Sheng and Xiang Chu were chased down by Yang Kai for thousands of miles, even dying after hiding in Zhao Zhao's manor, all because they had injured a disciple of Lingxiao Pavilion.
Qiu Yimeng had spent considerable time with Yang Kai, enduring hardships together. She had made immense contributions to Yang Kai's household. With his character, it would be strange if he could raise a hand against her.
"Therefore," Ye Xinrou continued with a smile, "perhaps if Sister Qiu goes, leading just a few people, she could defeat the Young Master without shedding a drop of blood." She gazed at Qiu Yimeng, her smile gentle yet insistent, and pressed, "What do you think, Sister Qiu?"
Qiu Yimeng's expression remained cold. She looked back steadily and said calmly, "You're overthinking it. While Yang Kai values friendship, he's also an incredibly selfish person! When those two things conflict, he will choose to protect his own interests."
Ye Xinrou feigned surprise. "Sister Qiu certainly understands the Young Master well. I think you really are the only one for this job. How will we know if it works unless we try?"
As she spoke, her gaze bore into Qiu Yimeng, the very picture of someone who wouldn't rest until her proposal was accepted.
"Fine," Qiu Yimeng suddenly laughed. "Since you put it that way, Sister, I'll listen to you this once and see if I can capture Yang Kai for you using my own methods."
"Sister truly is a remarkable woman. So decisive."
"And thank you, dear Sister, for looking after me and giving me this prime opportunity." Qiu Yimeng laughed softly.
Ye Xinrou also covered her mouth, smiling. "Why mention such things between us sisters? Just a few days ago, I was also taken care of by you, Sister. Hehe... I'll remember it forever and ever."
A sudden, bone-chilling cold permeated the side hall.
Gao Rangfeng, Kang Zhan, and the others couldn't help but shudder involuntarily.
They didn't know exactly what these two women were referring to, but they could tell that something had happened between them in the past few days.
A few days ago, Ye Xinrou had snuck into Yang Kai's residence to seduce him, only to have her clothes torn to shreds by him and be left alone in the side hall. Then, Qiu Yimeng had assigned several guards to watch the door.
Naked Ye Xinrou had been trapped there for a full three days.