"Alright, just joking."
Xian Banmeng smiled radiantly, captivating all the young talents around her.
Meanwhile, Jin’er looked worriedly at her lady.
She clearly understood that despite Xian Banmeng’s seemingly gentle nature, she was incredibly stubborn in certain matters.
"Miss, don’t be discouraged, there are plenty of men in the world, there will eventually be..."
Jin’er was about to offer more words of comfort when suddenly a commotion erupted outside the courtyard.
"The Third Prince of Zixiao Country, Zhou Yu, is here to visit Fairy Meng."
The talents inside the courtyard reacted with varied expressions upon hearing the visitor.
Some showed disdain, some stood up to greet him.
The status of the Third Prince might be exceptionally noble outside, but here it wasn’t considered top-tier.
Yet everyone instinctively heightened their vigilance because this meant another competitor had arrived.
Outside, Zhou Yu nervously adjusted his sleeves before striding in.
Behind him, Su Changqing curiously followed, observing the surroundings.
"Long have I heard of Fairy Meng’s renowned name, today... seeing in person surpasses what I’ve heard."
Having approached a short distance before Xian Banmeng, Zhou Yu gazed at the breathtaking beauty before him, and his usual composure turned somewhat anxious.
He tried hard to suppress the fire of desire within, yet his eyes couldn’t help but burn fervently.
Such gazes were all too familiar to Xian Banmeng.
She wore a polite yet distant smile and nodded slightly, "Greetings, Third Prince."
"I hope my abrupt arrival in Celestial Fate City doesn’t cause much disturbance."
Zhou Yu waved his hand, displaying his princely elegance, and said with as much calm as possible:
"If Fairy Meng has any requests here in Celestial Fate City, feel free to ask. I have some influence in this place."
Xian Banmeng nodded with a smile, then her gaze fell upon Su Changqing.
Seeing this, Zhou Yu remembered there was someone behind him, and he quickly stepped aside to introduce:
"This gentleman is a fellow sect brother, Su Changqing."
Su Changqing, who had been quietly observing the surroundings, looked up upon hearing this.
Upon seeing the stunning beauty before him, even though he was prepared, he couldn’t help but show awe for a brief moment.
But it was only for an instant; his gaze returned to calm as he warmly and respectfully smiled, saying:
"Su Changqing of Little Immortal Sect, greetings to Fairy Meng, long have I admired your fame."
Xian Banmeng hadn’t paid much attention until she saw the tranquility in Su Changqing’s eyes and his clean and warm smile, which made her pause.
How long had it been? She remembered she hadn’t encountered such a genuine smile from men her age since she came of age.
No annoying fervor, no over-the-top affectation.
That gentle tone and clean gaze, just like treating a regular person.
In just a moment, Su Changqing had piqued Xian Banmeng’s great interest.
"Long admired your fame? Mr. Su, have you heard of me before?"
Xian Banmeng asked with a smile, curiosity shimmering like spring water in her eyes.
"Heard much from Brother Zhou along the way."
Su Changqing chuckled as he said, "Now seeing you, Miss, truly lives up to the fairy name, no wonder Brother Zhou is enchanted."
"Brother Zhou is enchanted?"
"So Mr. Su isn’t impressed with me?"
Hearing Su Changqing’s polite yet perfunctory words, Xian Banmeng blinked innocently and asked softly, as if joking.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu and the young talents present were all taken aback.
Previously, when people paid visits, Xian Banmeng would dismiss them after two or three sentences, always maintaining a distant, polite smile.
But facing Su Changqing, Xian Banmeng surprisingly jested as if with a friend?
Everyone’s expressions shifted slightly as they scrutinized Su Changqing.
Su Changqing looked at the slightly hostile gazes around and said helplessly:
"Your words have brought me quite a bit of trouble."
That near-complaining tone caught Xian Banmeng by surprise, but then she quickly burst into a smile.
The genuine joy made her smile brilliant, like flowers in full bloom.
It felt like she had truly met a man who treated her as an ordinary person.
The playful banter akin to that between friends made her extremely happy.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yu and the talents present were all captivated, unable to suppress the fervor in their eyes.
"Hehe, it’s my fault, I apologize to Mr. Su."
Xian Banmeng lifted a cup of wine and drank it in one go, then looked at Su Changqing and said, seemingly scolding:
"Will Mr. Su let me drink alone? Would you join me?"
Su Changqing hesitated a bit because he had never drunk alcohol.
But seeing the young lady drinking and recalling the books saying how people of the martial world indulged in meat and wine freely.
Su Changqing gritted his teeth and also raised a cup to drink it all.
"Cough cough cough, why is it so spicy!"
The wine was no ordinary wine, excessively spicy, causing Su Changqing, who had never drunk before, to cough and turn red.
This scene made Zhou Yu and the talents present twitch their mouths slightly.
At this age... never drank before?
"Pfft... have you never drunk before?"
Seeing Su Changqing’s face turn fiery red, Xian Banmeng asked with suppressed laughter.
"If I had, would this happen..."
Su Changqing grumbled, gulping down a full cup of water.
Seeing Su Changqing’s awkwardness, Xian Banmeng laughed heartily, her eyes gleaming with spring water and full of joy.
Her gaze toward Su Changqing, even she hadn’t noticed, was filled with brightness.
In stark contrast, the talents present, looking at the cheerful and blooming Xian Banmeng, were green with envy.
They had been here for ages, yet it was their first time seeing the fairy smile so happily.
Seeing things not going well, Zhou Yu hurriedly waved his sleeves, and a simple, ancient zither fell into the midst.