Mi Lan could easily discern the intentions of Qin Hanzhong and the others.

In Mi Lan's view, her presence in the Qin Family was essentially dispensable, especially to Qin Feng, for whom she was like a thorn in his side.

As long as she got married, not only would she no longer compete with him for the Qin Family's wealth and business, but she could also ally with the powerful Luo Family, bringing him immense benefits.

However, Mi Lan had also heard that although she was to marry the eldest son of the Luo Family, he was an extremely twisted individual, much like Qin Feng in personality.

The Luo Family's eldest son, Luo Zongfang, had had five wives in the past, but each one of them committed suicide, unable to endure his perverse behavior.

Although she couldn't imagine what methods Luo Zongfang used to drive those women to suicide, Mi Lan understood that she absolutely did not want to experience it herself.

In her mind, the day she married into the Luo Family would be the day of her death.

...

The Luo Family in Wenzhou.

Early in the morning, Luo Qianqi hurriedly returned to the Luo Family residence.

The first thing she did upon returning was to head straight for her grandfather's room.

Mr. Luo had a habit of drinking morning tea and was sitting in his room watching TV while sipping tea. Suddenly, seeing Luo Qianqi burst in, he instinctively looked up and reprimanded, "Girl, you're a credit to our Luo Family, you're no longer a child. Don't behave like one."

By Mr. Luo's side was an elderly man of similar age, dressed in traditional Tang suit. Upon hearing Mr. Luo, he poured more water and said, "Sir, Miss Qianqi has always been so swift and decisive, much like you in your younger days."

"Haha, Old Ghost, you're quite the talker." Mr. Luo seemed to have a good relationship with the elder, laughing heartily, then looked at Luo Qianqi, "Weren't you at the Longjing Villa auction? Why have you returned in just a day?"

Luo Qianqi opened her mouth, dismissed all the other servants in the room, and then sat down opposite Mr. Luo. She glanced at the elder in Tang suit, "Grandpa Ghost, I want to speak with Grandpa alone."

The elder in Tang suit quickly filled a teacup for Luo Qianqi, then nodded to Mr. Luo and retreated.

Seeing the elder leave, Mr. Luo looked at Luo Qianqi curiously, "Girl, what is it that not even Old Ghost can hear?"

"Grandpa, this is a significant matter. Although Grandpa Ghost has grown up with you, I'm still worried," Luo Qianqi said in a lowered, worried tone. "Actually, I've been hiding something from you. Do you remember when I found the treasure-laden tomb on Snake Head Mountain, I encountered someone named Ye Guichen?"

Mr. Luo sipped his tea and nodded slightly, "You mentioned it before. You said you found the treasure together and he took part of it, leaving the rest for you. What's the problem?"

Luo Qianqi bit her lip, "Grandpa, I actually lied to you."

"Hmm?" Mr. Luo looked up to stare at Luo Qianqi, "Why do you say that?"

Seeing no way to keep it hidden, Luo Qianqi recounted everything honestly, explaining how Ye Guichen only handed over the treasure in exchange for fifty-one percent of the Luo Family's estate.

Mr. Luo's lips twitched slightly as he finished listening, "So, according to you, the treasure isn't ours; it's actually that Ye Guichen kid's?"

"Yes." Luo Qianqi lowered her head, ashamed, "I didn't dare to tell you because it was too significant, fearing you'd blame me. But something happened at Longjing Villa last night that made me unable to keep it from you any longer."

"What happened?" Mr. Luo's eyes gazed sharply at Luo Qianqi.

He finally understood why Luo Qianqi had returned so suddenly.

It seems something major had happened at Longjing Villa.

Otherwise, given the importance of the antiques, the auction would likely take at least three days.

Luo Qianqi described in detail how Ye Guichen slew Iron Arhat and Shuang Feiyan, then anxiously awaited Mr. Luo's response.

Mr. Luo was shocked.

He held a cup of tea in midair, neither drinking nor putting it down, until the tea had cooled, lifting his gaze, "Do you mean to say the other party is a top-tier master, or even higher?"

"Yes." Luo Qianqi's expression was solemn, "I also spoke with Uncle Lou. He thinks that Ye Guichen might indeed be at the pinnacle of the first-class level."

"Hiss..." Despite his usual calm, Mr. Luo's hand trembled, causing tea to spill.

In these years, Mr. Luo had only seen one person reach such a level, now respected as the Green Emperor, looking down on everyone else, long treating worldly matters as playthings.

How could anyone achieve such mastery without decades of tempering and refinement?

"Are you sure that Ye Guichen is in his twenties, not just someone using youth-preserving techniques to appear young?" Mr. Luo found it hard to believe that someone as young as Ye Guichen had such cultivation.

Luo Qianqi nodded emphatically, "No mistake. If he really used youth-preserving methods, Uncle Lou's expertise should have detected some clue."

Mr. Luo gently placed the teacup on the table, narrowing his eyes at Luo Qianqi. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Girl, you know I'm getting old and will eventually pass on. The extensive Luo Family estate will be handed over to you all. So all these years, no matter how you have fought, I turn a blind eye, supporting the worthy.

This time, your brother Zongfang's marriage alliance with the Qin Family, though not brilliant, shows deep foresight. Although the Qin Family isn't as strong as ours, we need the backing of a big family. If this marriage works out, your brother Zongfang will surely gain much support from the clan..."

Pausing, Mr. Luo scowled lightly, "But if Ye Guichen emerges now, and seizes fifty-one percent of our family estate, everyone will see you as an enemy, nullifying all your efforts, leaving you helpless against Zongfang. Do you understand?"

Luo Qianqi's face fell, but she nodded. "Yes, Grandpa. That's why I haven't told anyone. I'd rather take this to my grave. But Ye Guichen's power is so overwhelming, I'm worried he's not alone. If that's true, our family might be in real danger."

Even now, Luo Qianqi didn't plan on handing over the family estate to Ye Guichen.

She came today hoping Mr. Luo could provide a better solution to avoid a tragedy.

Mr. Luo, sharp and experienced, understood Luo Qianqi's thoughts, but both she and Zongfang were dear to him, and he wouldn't favor one over the other.

"Girl, there are some things I shouldn't say too much about. But if you manage to bring Ye Guichen over, even just as a Guest Elder, it would be immensely beneficial for you, also shifting the balance between you and Zongfang…"

"Recruit him?" Luo Qianqi's eyes widened in disbelief at Mr. Luo, "Grandpa, are you saying you'd rather sacrifice half our family's estate to get along with Ye Guichen?"

Mr. Luo laughed, shaking his head, "Girl, any more from me and it wouldn't be fair. Some things need careful thought on your part."

He then waved her off, "Alright, go on. I need to drink my tea. Today, let's pretend you never came, and I never heard any of this. And don't mention it to anyone else. Understand?"

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