In Yue Ming's perception, Ye Qian was a man of overwhelming presence—arrogant, domineering, and utterly unyielding.
Back when he was still courting her, he had made his feelings known with a boldness that edged into terrifying.
He'd declared his affection in words that sent chills down her spine—saying that if anyone else so much as laid a hand on her, he would slaughter them without hesitation.
Such blatant threats had once filled Yue Ming with dread, and she had despised him for it.
But now, something had shifted. She found herself unable to summon even a trace of that old resentment.
Recalling what had just happened, Yue Ming couldn't help but blush, her heart pounding faster than before. A flutter of fantasy stirred in her chest, and she found herself nervously posing a question, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Could I... could I ever go back?"
She longed to return, to see her family again. With a fragile hope glimmering in her heart, she dared to hope Ye Qian might let her go.
At her words, Ye Qian's expression darkened, a chilling calm settling over his features.
"Didn't you hear what I just said? I already told you—from now on, you belong to me. Since you are mine, you should naturally stay by my side.
Going back? Don't even think about it. Your only place is with me."
Ye Qian had never been one to let a prize slip from his grasp once claimed. And Yue Ming still carried so much Luck—precious, untapped. He would squeeze every last drop from it, harvesting Villain Points without mercy.
These cold words struck like a splash of icy water, jolting Yue Ming awake from her fleeting hopes. Only then did she remember—she had been sent here by her own father.
How could she possibly return? Even if she did, would her family welcome her back with open arms?
No. Returning would be like carrying a ticking time bomb into their midst. No one would feel safe. No one would trust her.
A bitter taste filled her mouth, and she nodded helplessly, her heart heavy with resignation.
"I... I understand."
She finally accepted that resistance was futile. Obedience was her only path.
And yet, this man before her was a riddle wrapped in shadows. One moment, he doted on her with almost unnatural affection; the next, he was cold, distant, as if he had never cared at all.
Which side was real? Which was a mask? She could not tell. Could not guess. Did not know how to guess.
Just then, a voice suddenly came from outside.
"Young Master, Madam has something to ask you. She requests your presence."
Hearing that his mother, Yun Yao, wished to see him, Ye Qian felt a flicker of curiosity but didn't linger on it.
"Head to the back garden yourself—Xia He and Qiu Lan will brief you on your new position and responsibilities."
With that, Ye Qian turned and strode past Yue Ming, leaving the main hall with effortless grace.
After Ye Qian's departure, only Yue Ming remained in the grand hall. She gazed around at the opulent space, the silence pressing in, and felt a quiet sense of uncertainty settle over her.
I've been left here just like that. What should I do next?
Yue Ming recalled Ye Qian's earlier instruction to head to the back garden to find Xia He and Qiu Lan, so without hesitation, she set off toward the secluded retreat.
When she arrived, the scenery struck her deeply—its beauty was breathtaking, its extravagance almost otherworldly. Rare immortal plants and precious materials, each capable of sparking fierce contention among lesser families, were scattered about as mere decorations.
She knew that, outside these walls, such treasures would be fought over with blood and desperation. Yet here, they were treated as commonplace, effortlessly obtained by those born into privilege.
The disparity between her world and this one was staggering, almost unbearable.
A pang of sadness tightened in her chest.
For small families, every resource was a hard-won victory; for the great clans, such things were cast aside without a second thought. The gulf between them stretched wide, a chasm carved by fate and fortune, impossible to bridge.
Just then, Yue Ming caught sight of two exquisitely beautiful women, whose grace, appearance, and aura matched her own in every way.
As Yue Ming approached, Xia He and Qiu Lan noticed her immediately. Earlier, Ye Qian had quietly informed them about Yue Ming through a secret sound transmission technique, so they had been waiting for her arrival.
Toward Yue Ming, Xia He and Qiu Lan showed little warmth—only a subtle edge of aversion. In their eyes, it was Yue Ming who had triggered Ye Qian's Qi Deviation, plunging him into unconsciousness.
If not for his fortunate recovery, they would have made sure she paid dearly for it.
"You are Yue Ming?" Xia He asked, her tone cool.
Even though Yue Ming now stood as Ye Qian's companion, Xia He's regard for her remained distant.
Beside her, Qiu Lan mirrored Xia He's icy demeanor, her delicate features expressionless.
Yue Ming, sharp as ever, instantly sensed the chill in their gaze, a far cry from their earlier warmth. She understood all too well what lay beneath their frosty welcome.
Clearly, they are very unhappy about my arrival.
"Honorable sisters, Ye... the Young Master asked me to find you."
She had meant to call Ye Qian by his name, but after only a single syllable, Xia He's cold gaze silenced her, and she quickly corrected herself.
"Hmph! If it weren't for the Young Master's boundless mercy, you wouldn't even be alive to set foot in this courtyard today.
But since he has spoken, we will not lay a hand on you. From this moment on, as his new maid, you will be under his protection.
Still, let this be clear: no matter what the Young Master demands, you must obey swiftly and flawlessly. There will be no tolerance for hesitation or mistakes. Remember—every task matters!"
Xia He's tone was firm and unwavering.
When under another's roof, one must bow one's head.
Although Yue Ming wanted to retort, the words caught in her throat, stifled by an unspoken dread. In the end, she managed only a single, quiet word.
"Yes…"
She could not deny Xia He's words. What Ye Qian had done in the main hall earlier—his sudden coldness, his ruthless demeanor—had made it painfully clear to Yue Ming that defiance was not an option.
She did not know what the consequences of resistance would be, but she feared the outcome would be dire.
Afterward, Xia He and Qiu Lan began instructing Yue Ming on the precautions for living in the Ye Family.
Though they harbored no fondness for her, they were not hypocrites. Since this was Ye Qian's request, they carried out their duty with unwavering diligence.
…
On the other side, Yue Qingshan was pushing his breakthrough to the limit.
The effects of the Exploding Pill wracked his body with searing agony. It felt as if every meridian inside him threatened to rupture, his skin flushed a deep crimson, his form swollen with surging blood.
Veins bulged across his forehead as he clenched his teeth, refusing to yield. He clung to the certainty that this time, he would shatter the barrier and ascend to the Enlightenment Realm.
With the weapon left by his master in hand, perhaps he could finally stand against Ye Qian.
The thought of rescuing Yue Ming after his victory sent a surge of determination coursing through him.
"Aaah!"
With a wild cry, Yue Qingshan felt the stubborn bottleneck that had held him back for so long begin to give way.