"Really? Then sister must take a closer look…"
Su Meiniang suddenly stopped, turned around, and gave Ye Fan a meaningful glance.
Her eyes slowly drifted downward, teasing and playful, as if she were inspecting something.
Ye Fan froze mid-step and instinctively shielded his vital area with both hands. "Sister… the way you're looking at me… it's making my skin crawl…"
"Just teasing you, silly little brother."
Su Meiniang chuckled, turned back around, and stepped into the dark room, leaving behind a trail of laughter like silver bells.
Ye Fan exhaled deeply and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
This woman really was the reincarnation of a temptress.
When he followed her into the dark room, he was immediately stunned by the sight before him.
Though the room wasn't large, it had a hidden elegance.
The walls were embedded with luminous night pearls, casting a soft glow that lit up the entire space.
A dazzling array of spirit weapons was neatly arranged on shelves, categorized with precision.
Each weapon radiated a unique aura, gleaming under the gentle light.
"This one—'Zhou Ri'—is one of my favorite swords."
Su Meiniang walked over to a long sword adorned with golden streamers. She turned and smiled charmingly at Ye Fan. "But… it's not so easy to obtain."
"Sister, don't smile at me like that… I'm getting nervous…"
Ye Fan looked flustered and swallowed hard.
Hadn't she agreed to sell him a high-grade Xuan-rank spirit weapon for ten thousand low-grade spirit stones?
Why was she suddenly making it sound like a challenge?
Was he supposed to offer himself in exchange?
That would make the price… a bit steep.
"Oh, where did your mind wander off to?"
Su Meiniang caught his expression and gave him a playful glare. She gently stroked the sword's surface with her jade-like fingers. "This sword has a spirit. If you want it, you'll need its approval first."
"Wait a minute…"
Ye Fan frowned. "Are you sure? I thought only royal-grade spirit weapons possessed intelligence."
"Oh? My little brother knows quite a bit."
A flicker of surprise crossed Su Meiniang's eyes. She explained, "Royal-grade weapons have intelligence because they're forged with a 'Heart of the Vessel.' This Zhou Ri Sword was refined with one as well, which gave it spiritual awareness. However…"
"However?"
Ye Fan leaned in, curious.
Su Meiniang whispered into his ear, her breath warm like an orchid's scent. "Its intelligence… isn't very high."
"So how do I earn its approval?"
Ye Fan felt his ears burning and quickly changed the subject.
He stepped toward the Zhou Ri Sword.
Buzz…
The sword suddenly let out a low hum.
A wave of heat surged through Ye Fan's body.
"Hmm?"
Su Meiniang's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Looks like this sword and I are destined."
Ye Fan smiled and activated his Solar Meridian.
He could feel the sword responding to his Sun God Body.
"Come."
Golden spiritual energy surged into his palm as he reached out.
Whoosh!
The sword flew into his hand, responding instantly.
"Seems sister underestimated her little brother."
Su Meiniang smiled, her gaze sweeping over Ye Fan. "Since the Zhou Ri Sword has acknowledged you, all that's left is a blood bond."
She gently traced Ye Fan's wrist with her slender fingers. "Would you like sister to help?"
Ye Fan quickly pulled his hand back and laughed nervously. "No need to trouble sister with something so small."
He bit his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall onto the sword.
Immediately, golden light flared from the blade, runes danced across its surface—it had come alive.
Su Meiniang's eyes sparkled. She stepped closer, her fragrance enveloping him. "Now that the sword has accepted you, why not let sister teach you how to wield it?"
"Sister is too kind. I wouldn't dare let you go to such trouble."
Ye Fan waved his hands quickly, thinking that if this continued, he'd be devoured by this enchantress.
He changed the subject again. "Actually, there's something I wanted to ask sister."
"Oh? What is it?"
Su Meiniang's eyes gleamed. Her jade hand rested lightly on Ye Fan's shoulder. "Let's talk outside?"
Without waiting for a reply, she took his arm and led him out.
As they exited the dark room, the door closed silently behind them.
Su Meiniang guided Ye Fan toward the bed, her skirt swaying, her scent intoxicating.
Ye Fan quickly pulled away and smiled awkwardly. "Sister, let's focus on the matter at hand…"
"Why not come sit beside sister?"
Su Meiniang reclined lazily on the bed, her eyes full of playful mischief.
Ye Fan pretended not to notice and said seriously, "I wanted to ask about someone. Does sister know the Third Prince?"
"Oh? What are you scheming?"
Su Meiniang raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Don't tell me you're still hung up on Qingcheng? She's already married into the Third Prince's household. Surely you're not into married women?"
"Of course not!"
Ye Fan waved his hands. "I just heard that the Third Princess has ties to Wanbao Tower. I recently offended the Third Prince and was wondering if sister could ask the Princess to speak on my behalf—maybe whisper a few words in his ear."
"Qingcheng is my junior sister."
Su Meiniang twirled a strand of hair. "But asking her to influence the Third Prince? That's tricky. Though she's married into the royal family, she's never shared a bed with him."
Mu Qingcheng—the Third Prince's consort—was the young lady of the Mu family, one of the imperial city's three great clans.
She was also Su Meiniang's junior sister.
Though they came from the same sect, their personalities were worlds apart.
Ye Fan's eyes narrowed. "Is it because the Third Prince is… a stone girl?"
"Stone girl?"
Su Meiniang chuckled, a trace of pity in her gaze. "No, it's because of my junior sister's cultivation."
"Huh?"
Ye Fan blinked, surprised.
Cultivation made her a stone girl?
That was new.
"I walk the path of affection. My junior sister walks the path of devotion."
Su Meiniang sighed. "Unless she meets her true love, she can't engage in intimacy. Her 'stone girl' condition is just a seal."
She gazed out the window, her tone tinged with melancholy. "She's pitiful. Her marriage was arranged for political gain. She's just a pawn in a power game…"
"I see…"
Ye Fan nodded, suddenly understanding.
The Mu family was a powerhouse. Compared to them, the Ye and Lin families were second-rate.
What Duan Tianya—the Third Prince—really needed was the Mu family's backing.
If the Su family discovered that Lin Qingyue was pregnant with Duan Tianya's child…
The political alliance would collapse.
"What's my little brother thinking?"
Su Meiniang waved a hand in front of Ye Fan's face. "Don't worry. If the Third Prince bullies you again, just come to sister. I'll protect you."
"Then I must thank sister."
Ye Fan snapped out of his thoughts and bowed politely.
"Is that all?"
Su Meiniang's eyes sparkled, her lips curling into a smile. "Sister is looking forward to some… practical gratitude."