My romantic history is simple; I only have six wives and concubines in my family.

In a hidden dense forest.

Ji Chan'er's face was frosty as she commanded the hunched, black-robed old woman beside her.

"Granny Qi, immediately send someone to find the Dao Son of the Tianji Holy Land, Pu Genshuo. Tell him that if he wants to get that thing back, he must come to Falling Cloud Valley in the Eastern Divine Domain immediately. If he arrives late, he can forget about ever finding what he lost."

"Yes, This Servant will send someone to handle it right away!"

Hearing this, the old woman bowed respectfully to Ji Chan'er and then transformed into a wisp of black smoke, drifting away without the slightest hesitation.

After the old woman left, Ji Chan'er's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, a cold light flickering in the depths of her gaze.

"Shen Wuji, since you refuse to follow the rules, this seat will let you meet the real Celestial Pole Dao Son."

Just then, Ji Chan'er's expression changed abruptly as she suddenly looked toward the direction of Falling Cloud Valley.

"Oh no! The Formation around the phantom star grass has been disturbed!"

Sensing that anomaly, she did not dare to delay. Her figure moved like a dancing butterfly, covering thousands of feet in an instant as she soared through the air... Soon, Ji Chan'er returned to the bamboo building. She first discovered that the various Restrictions outside were intact, with no signs of an outsider's intrusion, which allowed her to breathe a small sigh of relief.

"I hope this is just a false alarm."

While thinking, she didn't stop her pace, quickly rushing to the entrance of the secret passage. After traveling underground for a while, she finally reached the place where the phantom star grass was Sealed.

Huh?

The scene before her left Ji Chan'er completely stunned. The phantom star grass she had firmly trapped had disappeared at some point, leaving only a familiar figure standing motionless on the spot like a wooden carving.

Qi Da? Why would he appear here?!

Ji Chan'er stared wide-eyed, blankly watching the scene before her. Her mind went empty as a wave of panic and bewilderment swept through her heart.

A moment later, she suddenly snapped back to her senses. With a grim face, she walked up to Qi Yuan. Just as she was about to question him, her vision blurred... By the time she recovered, she found herself inside a low, crude earthen house. The four walls were bare, containing nothing but some old furniture and decorations.

"Who am I? Where is this?"

Ji Chan'er's brows furrowed tightly as she fell into a state of confusion... Meanwhile.

Wanxiang Pavilion.

"Great Official, you finally have time to come. This Servant has missed you to death these past few days."

Qi Yuan held a flirtatious, provocatively dressed woman in a pink dress, his expression still somewhat dazed.

Compound surname Ximen, given name Qing.

The family ran a medicinal herb shop in Qinghe County.

Because he was smooth-tongued and good at socializing, he could navigate both the legal and illegal worlds. Over the years, his career had been smooth sailing, and he had amassed a large estate.

In addition, he was a lecherous man whose relationship history was very simple and unpretentious. He didn't like romantic complications; if he saw someone suitable, he would just marry them. To this day, he only had six wives and concubines at home... I am Ximen Qing?

Seeing him somewhat distracted, the woman beside him playfully pounded Qi Yuan's arm and pouted.

"Sir, you really have no conscience. This Servant has been so worried about you that I've lost my appetite, yet here you are, distracted the moment we meet. Do you have a new lover outside and have forgotten about this old flame?"

After speaking, she looked like she was about to burst into tears, as if she had suffered a great grievance.

Only then did Qi Yuan snap out of his contemplation. He skillfully pinched the woman's cheek and chuckled.

"How could that be? Those common beauties outside aren't even half as alluring as you, Yuchuan'er. Look, didn't I come here specifically to accompany you?"

These words came out completely naturally, as if they were part of his instincts, leaving even Qi Yuan himself feeling a bit surprised.

Yuchuan'er, a top courtesan of Wanxiang Pavilion, immediately turned her anger into joy and giggled, rubbing her delicate body against his chest. "Great Official, you certainly have a way with words. My heart is fluttering from your flirting."

Qi Yuan subconsciously followed up with another line:

"I don't believe you, unless you let me feel it."

"How naughty!"

Yuchuan'er shyly pushed him away. "Great Official, This Servant has prepared the best spiritual wine for you. Try some first..."

It was only noon, but the Wanxiang Pavilion was already more than half full. The hall was vast and luxuriously decorated. Many guests were embracing women on both sides, behaving dissolutely. The air was thick with the scent of cosmetics.

Strangely, although Qi Yuan found himself feeling completely at ease and in his element in this kind of setting, for some reason, he just couldn't muster any real interest.

The Yuchuan'er before him had a rosy face and red lips, with a graceful figure—clearly a one-in-a-hundred beauty. Yet, he remained unenthusiastic. Despite his usual flirting, his heart was as calm as a still well, as if he were looking at thin air.

In short, he didn't look like a veteran lecher at all.

Seemingly noticing Qi Yuan's lack of interest, a man with a sharp chin and a thin mustache immediately approached and whispered.

"Great Official, let me tell you something. You'll definitely be very interested. Once you succeed, don't forget to reward your little brother here."

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked doubtfully, "Brother Ying, what are you talking about?"

From his slightly chaotic memories, he recalled that the man was named Ying Bojue, one of his many fair-weather friends.

Although Ying Bojue's name contained the word 'Earl,' it actually had nothing to do with any official noble title. The name was purely given for good luck.

As it turned out, Ying Bojue did not disappoint his family's expectations; he grew up to be a glorious street thug.

He was clever and silver-tongued, relying on his sycophantic skills to thrive in Qinghe County, earning the appreciation of many big figures.

Seeing that the other party was interested, Ying Bojue immediately perked up and said with a beaming smile:

"Two days ago, a couple moved in from the neighboring Yanggu County. The man is called Wu Da. He's a filthy, dull fellow who sells steamed buns, with a short stature and unremarkable looks."

"Of course, that's not the point. The point is his wife..."

"Tsk tsk... I don't have much education and can't describe her to you, but I can guarantee that you won't find a second woman as beautiful as her in the entire Qinghe County."

As he spoke, Ying Bojue's beady eyes flickered with light, clearly reminiscing about the beautiful scene from before.

"Forget it."

Even so, Qi Yuan didn't show much excitement. Instead, he stood up directly and said perfunctorily:

"I have things to do. Brother Ying, you stay here and have fun. Let's meet another day."

After speaking, he casually tossed a bag of silver coins onto the table and walked straight out of Wanxiang Pavilion.

Once he reached the street, Qi Yuan finally breathed a long sigh of relief and prepared to head to his family's medicine shop to take a look.

Halfway there, a gust of wind suddenly blew past.

In the next moment, a thin bamboo pole supporting a window curtain fell from a window by the street, landing squarely on his head...