139: Would you like to stay tonight?

Inside the Gu Clan’s Greeting Hall, several people began exchanging pleasantries.

Yun Shang spent a lot of effort rambling and changing the subject, finally getting Lu Qingwu to stop questioning her about her divorce from Gu Feng.

"Mother of the In-Law, there are still many matters at the Sect waiting for me to handle, so I won't stay for long."

Seeing that Yun Shang had indeed not been mistreated, Lu Qingwu prepared to take her leave.

For the upcoming Heavenly Pride Battle, she still had to personally preach the Dao to the Sect's Disciples, striving to cultivate one more Realm King Realm Cultivator.

According to the convention of past years' competitions, to enter the top ten of the Heavenly Pride Battle, one must have at least a Realm King Realm cultivation.

For this goal, her Yunxiao Pavilion had been preparing for a long time.

Leng Yue hurriedly tried to make her stay: "Mother of the In-Law, the banquet to welcome you has already been prepared. Why not leave after tonight?"

Yun Shang also followed suit and persuaded: "Mother, leave tomorrow instead. Let the two of us have a good chat tonight to catch up."

Lu Qingwu gave her a sideways glance: "It's only been a short while since we last met; what is there to catch up on?"

Even so, she still turned to Leng Yue, her tone softening slightly: "Since Mother of the In-Law has spoken, if I insist on leaving, it would seem heartless."

"In that case, I'll stay for one night."

Soon after, night fell.

The Gu Clan's Banquet Hall was brightly lit. Cao Bu and other high-ranking members of the Gu Clan gathered to welcome Lu Qingwu.

Although Lu Qingwu had seen Cao Bu before, she was not familiar with him.

When she heard that Cao Bu's Dantian had recovered, she was first stunned and then filled with surprise.

For powerhouses at the Realm King Realm and above, a shattered Dantian was essentially a false proposition.

But for low-level Cultivators, the Dantian was the foundation for carrying cultivation; once damaged or lost, it was equivalent to ending the path of cultivation.

Upon learning that Cao Bu was Lu Chen's Sworn Elder Brother, she was so shocked she couldn't speak for a long time.

Who was Lu Chen?

He was the indisputably number one powerhouse in the Spirit Realm today!

When several Elders of the Gu Clan heard this news, their reactions were even more intense than Lu Qingwu's, and the way they looked at Cao Bu changed instantly.

After Gu Qingtian's Ascension, Cao Bu's status had not only not dropped, but instead rose steadily.

Now even the number one powerhouse in the Spirit Realm was his Sworn Brother.

Who would dare to provoke such a person?

Furthermore, they knew that not only had Cao Bu's Dantian recovered, but his talent was even more outstanding than theirs.

In addition, the clan had already confirmed that once First Mistress came out of seclusion, Cao Bu would marry Young Miss Gu Yin.

Calculating it this way, Cao Bu was both the Adopted Son of the previous Clan Chief and the future Son-in-law of the Gu Clan.

For a moment, the gaze of several Elders toward Cao Bu held a bit more awe, and they no longer dared to show even a hint of their previous feigned compliance.

The banquet gradually reached its climax.

Holding a wine cup, Cao Bu seemingly interacted with Gu Yin, but in fact, he quietly sent a sound transmission to Leng Yue: "Yue'er, find a way to make Su Li drink the Sleepless Drunken Dream."

Leng Yue's fingers holding the wine cup paused slightly, her brow furrowed, and she immediately sent a sound transmission back: "Why?"

"The matter between us can't be hidden for long," Cao Bu replied, his voice carrying a hint of calmness and decisiveness. "Before Luo Qingcheng finishes her seclusion, we must make Su Li stand completely on our side. Right now, this is the most secure way."

Leng Yue understood instantly, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes: "But what if she would rather die than comply?"

"There's no other choice; we can only try," Cao Bu replied via sound transmission.

Leng Yue quietly glanced at Su Li beside her and nodded slowly: "Alright."

"When the time comes, use a shadow-recording stone to record the process. As long as she isn't stupid, she'll know how to choose."

"Otherwise, none of us will have an easy time."

The sound transmission channel Cao Bu constructed was built through the System; it was absolutely secret and not at all afraid of being intercepted.

He nodded slightly and then sent a sound transmission to Su Li: "Li'er, later Leng Yue will intentionally persuade you to drink the Sleepless Drunken Dream. First, feign refusal a few times, then cooperate with her to finish this play."

"Additionally, you must find a way to make Lu Qingwu drink this wine as well."

Su Li was very smart and instantly understood Cao Bu's plan.

She nodded imperceptibly and sent a transmission: "Alright, how do you want me to act?"

"Should I first show unswerving loyalty until death, then pretend I have no choice but to agree?"

"Or should I be impressed by your ability from the start and fall for you wholeheartedly?"

"Or should I be faithfully chaste and ready to die to prove my resolve, and then you use reason and emotion to pull me into your embrace?"

After hearing this, Cao Bu was truly somewhat speechless.

How could this woman be so enthusiastic about acting?

During the last roleplay, she was so excited that she dragged him into acting all night.

Something like 'The Overbearing Clan Chief Falls for Me, a Beggar on the Road'.

'The Overbearing Emperor Falls for Me, a Single Mother'.

'The Overbearing Holy Lord Falls for Me, a Piece of Trash'.

And 'The Eldest Miss of an Imperial Clan Falls for Me, a Loser'.

'The Empress Madly Pursues Me, a Debtor'.

That night, he felt like he was meeting Su Li for the first time.

This woman was simply too talented.

"Act however you want; the final result just needs to be that you have no choice but to agree to join Leng Yue's and my camp."

Receiving Cao Bu's transmission, Su Li's beautiful eyes darkened slightly, as if she were contemplating how to play this scene well later.

While each had their own thoughts, the banquet gradually came to an end.

Su Li and Lu Qingwu ultimately couldn't withstand the alcohol and both collapsed drunk.

Leng Yue looked at the drunk Su Li, a trace of satisfaction flashing in her eyes, then she instructed Yun Shang: "Yun Shang, help your mother down to rest."

"Okay, Mother," Yun Shang nodded in response.

She stood up, supporting Lu Qingwu beside her, and walked toward the Lingxiao Courtyard.

Before leaving, she couldn't help but glance at Su Li.

This Concubine Su as well—she clearly couldn't drink, yet she insisted on persuading Mother to drink the Sleepless Drunken Dream. Now look, both of them are drunk.

Afterward, she cast another imperceptible glance at Cao Bu.

Because the alcohol was rising, the suppressed desire in her heart had reached its peak.

The hint in that gaze was more than obvious: she wanted him to visit her tonight.

"Aunt Xue," Leng Yue called out toward the outside of the hall.

Soon, Aunt Xue walked quickly into the hall and bowed: "Second Mistress!"

Leng Yue nodded, her gaze falling on Su Li: "Help your mistress down."

"Yes, Second Mistress." Aunt Xue bowed again, stepped forward to carefully support Su Li, and turned to leave.

Leng Yue stood up and said indifferently: "Alright, that's all for today's banquet."

With those words, she lifted her long, beautiful legs and stepped away.

As she left, her peripheral vision inadvertently swept over Cao Bu.

Looking at Gu Yin, who was drunk and limp beside him, Cao Bu also reached out to support her and walked toward the Qiwu Pavilion.

The Qiwu Pavilion was originally Luo Qingcheng's residence, and Gu Yin had always lived with her mother.

Now that Luo Qingcheng was in seclusion deep in the Gu Clan's back mountain, only Gu Yin remained in the Qiwu Pavilion, along with the Maidservants and guards responsible for her care.

Seeing Cao Bu walking over while supporting Gu Yin, the guards and Maidservants did not step forward to stop him.

By now, everyone in the Gu Clan already knew that Cao Bu was the Gu Clan's prospective Son-in-law.

In addition to his roles as the Ninth Elder, Steward Cao, and the Adopted Son of the previous Clan Chief, the Maidservants and guards chose to turn a blind eye to his entry into the Qiwu Pavilion.

Supporting Gu Yin as they entered her Sleeping Quarters, Cao Bu was just about to turn and leave when his finger was suddenly pulled gently.

He looked back and saw Gu Yin with hazy, drunken eyes, her cheeks flushed with an alluring crimson.

Her originally clear eyes were covered with a layer of mist, and amidst the shimmering light, there was a hint of blurred confusion, a bit of shyness, and an undisguised, bold expectation.

"Big Brother," she called out softly, her voice soft and sweet, with a hint of slightly tipsy raspiness. "Stay and accompany Yiner tonight, alright?"