The man adjusted his glasses and smiled faintly, not at all offended by her casual tone. His voice was warm yet controlled.
"Yes. Miss Ji, I am Xu Ming. I was present at your and Master Li's wedding ten years ago."
Ji Yu's lips curved, her tone light but edged with steel.
"You seem to be forgetting something. Until and unless I divorce Li Mingxuan, I am Madam Ji to you—and to everyone around him."
Her eyes shifted slightly, glancing at the two guards. That one look was enough to make their hearts tremble. Their faces stiffened as regret washed over them. The mocking words they had thrown at her earlier in the day now seemed like sharp blades pressed against their own throats. They wished they could take them back, but it was already too late. All they could do was pray that Madam Ji would not remember their offense for long.
Xu Ming, however, remained composed. His smile did not waver. He inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her correction with respect.
"Yes, Madam Ji. Master Li has urgent matters to attend to and has asked me to bring you to the residence. Please gather your belongings, and we can depart immediately."
Ji Yu gave a soft nod. "Very well. Wait a moment."
She turned and stepped back into the room. Her belongings were few. She had not even unpacked her bag since arriving. The plain indigo clothes she wore were the same ones from that morning. Picking up her modest bag, she slung it over her shoulder, gave the small room a brief glance, and walked back to the door.
"I'm done packing. Let's go."
Without waiting for them to lead, Ji Yu walked ahead. The three men followed behind her like attendants trailing after their superior, the picture of a quiet procession.
When they exited the hotel, a black Ford sedan was already waiting by the roadside. The vehicle was freshly polished; under the afternoon sunlight, the surface gleamed like still water. The chrome bumper and the silver trim along the windows reflected the surroundings like a mirror. Its sharp lines and heavy build made it look both powerful and elegant, clearly a car belonging to someone of influence.
The driver sat stiffly in the front, his white gloves gripping the wheel. The engine purred with a low, steady hum, giving off the impression of a beast restrained by a leash, ready to run at full speed the moment it was released.
Xu Ming quickly stepped forward and pulled open the rear door. His tone was courteous, almost deferential.
"Madam Ji, please."
Ji Yu bent slightly and entered the car without hesitation. Xu Ming followed her, while the two guards remained outside.
The sedan started smoothly, gliding away from the hotel. As it drove through the streets, Ji Yu looked outside. The cityscape passed by: old gray buildings with tiled roofs, wide streets lined with parasol trees, shops with their banners fluttering gently in the afternoon breeze. Children played with hoops on the sidewalk, women bargained loudly in front of market stalls, and bicycles rattled past in streams. The city was alive with noise, yet inside the car, the silence felt thick and heavy.
From the front seat, the guards began speaking quietly, perhaps forgetting that Ji Yu could hear them clearly.
One of them whispered, "Have you heard? Master Li has been pursuing the lady of the Su family for over a year now. Ever since that night at the grand ball."
The other gave a low chuckle. "How could I forget? He asked her for a dance, but she turned him down flat. Right in front of everyone. Master Li never forgets a slight, but instead of anger, he seemed fascinated. He's been chasing her ever since."
"Frantically chasing," the first guard added with a shake of his head. "Sending gifts, invitations, letters… but the Su lady never accepts. She's polite, but always distant. They say she's as cold as snow on a mountaintop, impossible to touch."
Ji Yu leaned back against the seat, her expression calm, but a faint spark flickered in her eyes. So this was it—the Su lady. From their careless chatter, she knew instantly: this was the female protagonist of this world. The thought stirred a trace of interest in her otherwise detached heart.
The guards went on, their voices low and gossipy, until Xu Ming gave them a warning glance in the rearview mirror. They fell silent immediately, and the car continued in stillness once more.
In less than fifteen minutes, the sedan slowed as it approached the Li Mansion.
The mansion stood behind tall iron gates, guarded on both sides by uniformed men. The gates opened with a loud creak, revealing a long driveway lined with manicured hedges and trimmed trees. The path stretched forward, paved with smooth stones that gleamed faintly under the sunlight.
As the car moved deeper inside, Ji Yu observed the surroundings. To the left was a large artificial pond where lotus leaves floated quietly on the water's surface, and koi fish swam beneath in flashes of orange and white. To the right, a rock garden with carefully arranged stones and evergreen plants gave a sense of balance and serenity.
The mansion itself soon came into view. Unlike the southern-style homes with winding corridors and bridges over flowing streams, this residence stood tall and imposing. The front façade was grand yet austere, built with clean lines and solid stone. High pillars held up the entryway, and the dark wooden doors were carved with intricate designs of dragons and clouds, symbols of power and prestige.
The sedan stopped, and Xu Ming stepped out first. He walked around the car and once again opened the door for Ji Yu. She emerged calmly, her shawl draped loosely around her shoulders, and followed him inside.
They passed through several courtyards, each revealing new layers of wealth. The first courtyard held rows of flowering plants, their fragrance drifting faintly in the air. The second had a pavilion with carved railings, where servants could be seen polishing furniture.
Finally, at the back garden, Ji Yu saw something unexpected—a Western-style building. It was a two-story white house, clean and elegant, with large windows that caught the light. On the second-floor balcony, a lounge chair sat waiting, as if someone had just left it. The contrast between the traditional courtyards and this Western house was striking.
Inside, the living room on the first floor was vast. A crystal chandelier sparkled above like a frozen rain of light. Below, European-style sofas in rich colors lined the space, looking soft enough to sink into. The walls were decorated with oil paintings of nudes, the kind of bold art that flaunted wealth and modern taste. A large gramophone rested near the wall, beside a grand clock that ticked steadily. Every detail whispered of luxury and indulgence.
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