21: Once you have energy, you won't feel tired.

Lin Manor.

This Lin Manor was not the previous Lin Manor, but Lin Qinghuang’s own residence.

The residence was grand, with large fiery red lanterns hanging above, casting bright light. Inside were multiple pavilions, exquisitely decorated, elegant and ancient.

The front courtyard was spacious, with a lotus pond where ice was frozen, and petals subtly floated. Around it were many ancient trees in pots. The back courtyard was also not small, with numerous plum trees, their fragrance wafting in the air.

Although the residence was spacious, there were few people to be seen inside, making it feel somewhat desolate.

“Miss, you’re back.”

Seeing Lin Qinghuang return, a maid immediately ran over.

When she saw Xie Weilou, a hint of confusion appeared in her eyes.

Since she came to Lin Manor, she had never seen her Miss bring a man back. Today was an exception.

Lin Qinghuang handed the oil-paper umbrella to the maid and softly said, “You go busy yourself with your own matters.”

“Oh, oh!”

The maid nodded gently.

“Follow me.”

Lin Qinghuang led Xie Weilou towards an ancient and elegant pavilion.

Inside the pavilion.

Lin Qinghuang brewed a pot of fragrant tea and poured a cup for Xie Weilou.

Xie Weilou took the fragrant tea and shook his head, saying, “If I drink tea at night, I probably won’t be able to sleep. Aren’t you afraid I’ll climb into your bed while you’re asleep?”

“Do you have that capability?”

Lin Qinghuang glanced at Xie Weilou.

“I really do.”

Xie Weilou said with a smile.

“Heh heh.”

Lin Qinghuang didn’t mind.

Xie Weilou took a sip of the fragrant tea, warming himself, and asked, “Where’s that maid from the Lin family now?”

He was referring to the maid who accused him of destroying the Lin family!

Lin Qinghuang was silent for a second: “She was injured at the time and left not long after.”

She then stared at Xie Weilou, saying with a serious expression, “The Lin family’s matter needs an explanation. Aren’t you tired of taking the blame for so long?”

Xie Weilou’s gaze fell on Lin Qinghuang’s graceful figure, and he softly said, “Let me touch your leg, and as soon as I feel energetic, I won’t be tired.”

“You…”

Lin Qinghuang couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed when Xie Weilou changed the subject.

For three years, this guy was as he always was; at crucial moments, he would change the subject.

She glared at Xie Weilou and said, “Let’s talk about the Tianya Sword.”

Xie Weilou smiled and said, “According to the information I gathered from Zhenxi Marquis Manor, the Tianya Sword comes from Wuya Pavilion.”

“Wuya Pavilion, Second Prince.”

Lin Qinghuang pondered in her heart.

It seemed the Mysterious Person holding the Golden Snake Sword was not important; the key lay with Wuya Pavilion.

This information from Xie Weilou could save her a lot of time.

Xie Weilou looked at Lin Qinghuang and said, “Some things cannot be judged by appearances. Even if all the evidence is laid out before you, it may not be real. You must have various hypotheses. Every seemingly impossible target could be your enemy.”

This sentence was not only a reminder to Lin Qinghuang but also a warning to Xie Weilou himself.

Once a person enters a game, they are very likely to be led by the nose. In many cases, what you think you have found might even be intentionally arranged by the schemer. To break the situation, one must be calm enough.

“I know.”

Lin Qinghuang replied with a calm expression.

“Alright! Then I’m tired.”

Xie Weilou put down the teacup and walked towards the bed beside him.

Seeing this, Lin Qinghuang immediately stood up and said, “Don’t lie down here.”

“That won’t do.”

Xie Weilou didn’t care and lay down on the large bed. The bed was soft, carrying a faint fragrance.

“……”

Lin Qinghuang clenched her fists, her forehead covered in black lines, her expression utterly annoyed. This guy was truly not polite at all.

This was her own bed, and he just lay down on it like that?

Change the quilt, she must change the quilt tomorrow!

No!

She would move to another building in the future.

Xie Weilou yawned and said to Lin Qinghuang with a playful smile, “Lin Qinghuang, I climbed into your bed. Do I have the capability?”

“You win.”

Lin Qinghuang said with a cold face.

Xie Weilou smiled and said, “It’s late at night, a lone man and woman in the same room. The bed is cold. Qinghuang, would you like to warm it together? Don’t worry, I’m very honest and won’t mess around!”

Lin Qinghuang took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart, poured a cup of tea, and took a sip.

Xie Weilou continued, “Would you like me to recite a poem for you?”

“Oh?”

Lin Qinghuang looked at Xie Weilou, a hint of interest appearing.

During the Plum Appreciation Gathering, the poems Xie Weilou presented crushed the competition. Whether those poems were copied or original, she didn’t know.

Now, hearing Xie Weilou wanted to recite a poem, she was a bit curious, wondering if this guy could once again produce a masterpiece.

Xie Weilou pulled up the quilt, covering himself, and said with a dejected expression, “I’m just a profligate young master. How could I compose poetry? Those were all copied by me…”

“Then copy another one.”

Lin Qinghuang said indifferently.

“Alright!”

The dejected look on Xie Weilou’s face instantly vanished, replaced by a mischievous smile.

Lin Qinghuang saw Xie Weilou’s expression change so quickly and immediately felt something was amiss. She instantly said, “Forget it! You still shouldn’t recite.”

Xie Weilou said with a serious expression, “That won’t do. Poetic inspiration arises with the wind; I won’t stop until I recite.”

Lin Qinghuang said speechlessly, “Alright! You recite, I’ll listen.”

Xie Weilou cleared his throat and said with a smile, “The north wind blows, fragrance fills the building; a beauty sighs before her dressing table. Her husband lies in bed, easing lovesickness; her green skirt slips, revealing tenderness. Plum blossoms and snow contend in beauty, surpassing immortal skin; flowing water and fallen flowers share white hair…”

When Lin Qinghuang heard this, she instantly bristled. She glared at Xie Weilou and said, “You recite very well, truly worthy of a profligate who often frequents taverns and brothels. Don’t recite again next time.”

“Haha! Done reciting, time to sleep.”

Xie Weilou closed his eyes, satisfied.

After a while, faint snores began to sound.

“So carefree, he’s already asleep? Isn’t he afraid I’ll kill him?”

Lin Qinghuang looked at the sleeping Xie Weilou and couldn’t help but shake her head.

She sat cross-legged on the ground, her face deep in thought.

After her trip to the black market and clashing with four experts at Shackle Realm (Peak), her cultivation had entered the early stage of Territory Expansion Realm.

Given her current age, entering the Territory Expansion Realm was certainly not weak, but she could not be complacent and still needed to continue working hard.

“Cultivate!”

Lin Qinghuang formed a hand seal, and the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged towards her, a faint green light enveloping her.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, early morning.

Xie Weilou opened his eyes and looked at Lin Qinghuang, who was still meditating and cultivating. He felt emotional; this woman was truly diligent.

He quietly left the bed, walked towards Lin Qinghuang, and reached out to touch her leg.

“If you dare to touch me, I’ll break your hand.”

Lin Qinghuang slowly opened her eyes and coldly swept a glance at Xie Weilou.

Xie Weilou retracted his hand and said with a smile, “Have you been cultivating all night? Are you tired? I’ve warmed the bed all night, it’s nice and toasty. Would you like to lie down for a bit?”

“No.”

Lin Qinghuang got up and glanced out the window. It was time to go to the Tianquan Division; she had many things to do today.