Elder Zhao's expression also turned much more solemn.
He looked at his son, Zhao Zheng, whose face was filled with shock.
Previously, they thought that this young master, with his extremely handsome looks and no trace of vicissitude on his face, must be just some idle rich young master from the capital, Chang'an, who spent his days idling around and flirting with women.
But they never expected that not only was he extremely good - looking, but his status was also extremely high.
"It turns out to be a Grand Master. We were blind," Elder Zhao said and was about to step down to pay his respects.
One Grand Master was more important than the entire Zhao family.
Yan Ruyu quickly supported Elder Zhao.
"Elder Zhao, there's no need for this. You're Ning'er's grandfather, so you're also my elder. If you were to kneel to me, it would surely bring me bad luck."
After this speech, Elder Zhao returned to his seat.
Then, Lin Min'er asked, "May I know the Grand Master's name?"
Yan Ruyu pondered for a moment.
He said calmly, "Feng Buran."
He was from the Feng family. Too many people knew the name Yan Ruyu. The surname "Feng" was extremely noble in the Qingyun Kingdom and was also known on the Kyushu Continent. However, as time passed, it was gradually forgotten by people.
"The Feng surname?"
Yan Ruyu nodded.
Seeing the skeptical looks on everyone's faces, he knew that the Zhao family must have doubts about his identity.
He let out a soft laugh.
He stretched out his right hand.
Then, a cyan - purple flame began to leap in his right hand.
He retracted his hand, and even the space around him became distorted.
The ability to distort space meant that he must be an alchemist of at least the ninth rank. It seemed that this young master named Feng Buran in front of them was indeed a Grand Master.
People in the Eastern Wilderness worshiped alchemists like gods.
Zhao Zheng sighed.
He wondered if it was a blessing or the beginning of misfortune for the Zhao family that such a person had taken a fancy to Shu Ning.
"Grand Master, did you come to the Zhao family this time just to attend Shu Ning's birthday banquet?"
Yan Ruyu nodded.
"Then what about last night?"
"Last night, Ning'er was asleep. I couldn't bear to wake her up, so I sent her back. I didn't know that this had violated the taboos of the Zhao family."
Zhao Xiangxiang glanced at her father and silently lowered her head.
Back then, when that dissolute young man, Xie Yu, returned to the Zhao family with her, he had frivolously put his arm around her waist in front of the Zhao family. Because of this, Zhao Xue had chased Xie Yu for three days and three nights, threatening to break his legs.
Now, they were facing a similar situation.
Seeing that Yan Ruyu remained calm and showed no sign of guilt, the Zhao family felt uncomfortable instead. Maybe they had thought too much. As a Grand Master, Feng Buran had no need to lie, nor did he need to insist on their Shu Ning.
Elder Zhao coughed.
Then he said apologetically, "It was my son Zheng who didn't think it through. Grand Master, you are upright and have no ill intentions towards our Shu Ning. This matter ends here. From now on, no one in the Zhao family is allowed to mention it again. Do you understand?"
"Yes, father."
"Yes, grandfather."
Everyone stood up and was about to see Yan Ruyu out.
But at this moment, Yan Ruyu frowned slightly and said slowly, "Elder Zhao, I do have feelings for Ning'er."
What?
Lin Min'er immediately raised her head. Elder Zhao looked shocked.
Zhao Xiangxiang almost tripped over her skirt. Zhao Xue stood there with his mouth open in disbelief. The cup in Zhao Zheng's hand shattered with a loud noise.
"You - what did you say?"
"I do have feelings for Ning'er."
"You? Grand Master, then - what about last night?"
"I didn't do anything. I won't touch her until she agrees." Moreover, Zhao Shuning's body was not fully mature yet.
Yan Ruyu's words were very straightforward.
It seemed that their Zhao family was being insincere.
"What about Shu Ning's feelings for you?"
"Does she have romantic feelings for you?"
Yan Ruyu slowly shook his head.
"Right now, I don't know what Ning'er is thinking. She probably doesn't understand my feelings either."
But Lin Min'er knew that things were not that simple.
Zhao Shuning was their daughter. They knew that their daughter was extremely vigilant. At night, if there was the slightest sound, she would surely wake up. For her to sleep peacefully in Yan Ruyu's arms, Yan Ruyu must be someone she trusted extremely.
Lin Min'er leaned over and whispered her thoughts into Zhao Zheng's ear.
Zhao Zheng looked bitter.
Shu Ning was their child. After she was born, most of the time, she had been studying and improving her spiritual power in various places. The time she had spent with them was extremely limited.
Now that their daughter had finally grown up and returned to them, but at this moment, there was someone else in her heart.
Zhao Zheng was reluctant, but there was nothing he could do.
"If Shu Ning follows you, what can you do for her?"
"I will never let her be in danger. If anything happens to her, I will use my life to protect her."
When Yan Ruyu said this, he was very serious.
He was not deceiving anyone present.
He had missed Ye Ling back then. Now that she was Zhao Shuning, if he could break the millennium - long curse of loneliness, he would surely use all his strength to protect and win her.
"Grand Master, do you dare to swear with your spiritual power?"
Yan Ruyu smiled faintly, raised his right hand, and held up three fingers as he said solemnly,
"If Ning'er follows me in the future, I, Feng Buran, hereby swear that I would rather betray the world than her."
Elder Zhao nodded in satisfaction.
Zhao Zheng also let out a sigh of relief.
Lin Min'er also looked extremely gratified.
It was enough that there was a man willing to protect Shu Ning like this.
Xie Yu was a sycophant and very talkative.
Seeing the solemn atmosphere, he wanted to break it.
So, Xie Yu asked a very gossipy question.
"Grand Master, can I ask how far you and Shu Ning have progressed?"
A look of surprise flashed across Yan Ruyu's face.
Zhao Xiangxiang stomped hard on Xie Yu's foot. Xie Yu hugged his leg and cried out in pain.
But the Zhao family members were actually curious about how far they had progressed.
Under everyone's gazes, Yan Ruyu said, "We've held hands, hugged, and - kissed."
The word "kissed" made Yan Ruyu's face turn a little unnatural.
"What!"
"Grand Master, how could you?"
"Ning'er threw herself at me. She probably wasn't conscious at that time."
Everyone's jaws dropped in shock.
At this moment, Zhao Shuning, who knew nothing about the situation, rushed in and immediately stood in front of Yan Ruyu.
She looked at everyone warily.
"Grandfather, father, mother, and uncle, you're all grown - ups. Why did you call him here?"
Obviously, Zhao Shuning knew nothing about the previous conversation.
Elder Zhao stood up, glanced at Zhao Shuning, then shook his head and walked out. Zhao Shuning looked completely bewildered.
When Zhao Zheng and Lin Min'er walked past them, they looked at Yan Ruyu and said, "We'll leave our Shu Ning in your care."
Zhao Shuning was even more confused. Father and mother? Had they taken the wrong medicine? What did their words mean?
Then, Zhao Xue and Zhao Chao also walked past with meaningful looks on their faces.
Xie Yu supported Zhao Xiangxiang. When they walked to Zhao Shuning's side, he said, "Boss, I didn't know you were such an impatient person."
"However, faced with such a beautiful face, it's normal that you couldn't resist your feelings."
Unable to resist one's feelings? What on earth was this?