A gentle breeze brushed past, touching Guan Yi's face, seemingly adding a touch of sorrow to his expression.
"Since you can tell I won't live long, you must have also seen the problem within my Eldest Brother just now, right?"
Guan Yi wiped away the bloodstains and took out a bottle of Snow Cliff Dew from his storage ring.
"Have a taste?"
Chu Canyuan shook his head in refusal: "I dislike this substance; I fear getting drunk would spoil important matters."
Guan Yi laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Is that so? I disliked it before too, but..."
Mid-sentence, Guan Yi suddenly took a large gulp of the icy wine, then lowered his voice.
"How much longer can my Eldest Brother live?"
Chu Canyuan hesitated for a long moment before speaking deliberately.
"As it stands, the Eldest Young Master will not live past thirty-five."
Hearing this, Guan Yi paused, then spoke with deep meaning: "Is that so...?"
"For these next two months... stay with me, so as not to arouse suspicion."
Chu Canyuan spoke with some worry: "With my Weight of Karma, aren't you afraid of being affected?"
Guan Yi turned his head, unconcerned: "I won't be living much longer anyway, so it's a good chance to see just how heavy this Karma gets."
Just as the two were talking, a figure slowly approached the Pavilion.
After Guan Yi clearly saw the person approaching, he immediately wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and quickly went to meet him.
"Eldest Brother, why have you come?"
The person who arrived was none other than the Eldest Young Master of Jade City, Guan Xun.
Guan Xun threw an arm around Guan Yi's neck and joked.
"What, Father built this Pavilion for the three of us brothers, and I'm not allowed to come?"
Seeing Guan Xun staring intently at Chu Canyuan, Guan Yi quickly stepped in to explain.
"Eldest Brother, this is a new friend I've made, Chu Canyuan, and he will be my capable assistant in the Young Master succession battle two months from now."
Guan Xun's tone was far from polite, and he looked at Guan Yi with some disappointment.
"Capable assistant? I think he's just another drinking buddy you picked up from the Drunken Dream Pavilion. It seems you haven't taken a single word I said to heart."
Guan Yi looked somewhat awkwardly at Chu Canyuan: "Eldest Brother! My friend is still here."
"Hmph, your eighteenth birthday is in a month anyway; I won't meddle with you much longer."
Chu Canyuan observed the two brothers thoughtfully.
"The relationship between these two brothers doesn't seem as discordant as the courtesans at the Drunken Dream Pavilion claimed."
"Could it be that only the two Madams resent the Little Young Master?"
Guan Yi handed his Snow Cliff Dew to Guan Xun and asked: "So, what is the purpose of your visit, Eldest Brother?"
Guan Xun took the Snow Cliff Dew, took a small sip, and said hesitantly.
"Go home early tonight; Uncle Qian Cheng and Miss Qian Ge are here to discuss the engagement matter with Father."
"This wine is indeed good; I'll be taking it with me."
Guan Yi watched the departing Guan Xun for a long time without reacting.
"Qian Cheng and Qian Ge... could they be from the Tianxia Bank?"
Chu Canyuan had followed Mu Zuo for three years, so his experience had naturally broadened.
Guan Yi nodded: "That's right. The Jade City branch of the Tianxia Bank is managed by Uncle Qian Cheng, and Miss Qian Ge is Uncle Qian Cheng's only heir."
"Perhaps they are attracted to Father's status and reputation... or perhaps it comes from genuine... admiration for Second Brother."
Chu Canyuan was surprised to hear this: "Not an engagement with the Little Young Master? It's with the Second Young Master?"
"That's right... with my Second Brother."
Chu Canyuan looked at the regretful Guan Yi and immediately understood he had stumbled upon a significant story.
...
After settling Chu Canyuan in the Drunken Dream Pavilion, Guan Yi rushed home without any hesitation.
The madam of the Drunken Dream Pavilion stood at the top of the stairs and said seriously.
"Take good care of this Young Master for the next two months; the Little Young Master said this Young Master is a very important guest to him."
"Yes, Madam."
A group of young women responded in agreement.
After the madam left, the group of women gathered outside Chu Canyuan's room, discussing him curiously.
"Who exactly is this young man?"
"He's young enough to call the Little Young Master his sworn brother."
"Perhaps he's a disciple from some major Sect out traveling for cultivation practice."
"The young man has a refined and elegant temperament, and he carries a Peach Wood Sword on his back; he is very likely a Sect disciple out for leisure."
With a creak, Chu Canyuan opened the room door.
Looking at the several beauties before him, they all possessed faces and figures capable of toppling cities.
Chu Canyuan blushed and lowered his head, randomly pointing to one. That beauty immediately followed Chu Canyuan into the side room.
After entering the room, Chu Canyuan sat down on the bed, but he hadn't expected that beauty to sit down next to him as well.
"Young Master, just call me Qing Yu."
"Then please, Miss Qing Yu, answer a few questions for me."
Seeing the beauty beside him nod, Chu Canyuan straightened his collar and spoke.
"What is the relationship between the Little Young Master and the Eldest Young Master, and what is it like with the Second Young Master?"
Upon hearing this, the beauty shifted her body, moving a bit closer to Chu Canyuan.
"Replying to the Young Master, as far as I know, the Eldest Young Master and the Little Young Master have always had a good relationship."
"The two of them often went out together, but the Eldest Young Master was very strict with the Little Young Master."
"The first time the Little Young Master visited the Drunken Dream Pavilion and was discovered by the Eldest Young Master, the Eldest Young Master confined him to the residence for a week."
"But as the Little Young Master grew older and became more rebellious, the Eldest Young Master gradually lost control over him."
"As for the Second Young Master... the Second Young Master has always preferred to be alone."
"It's rare to see the Second Young Master and the Little Young Master together."
Chu Canyuan spoke again: "What about the engagement between Qian Ge of the Tianxia Bank and the Second Young Master?"
"Replying to the Young Master, when the Third Madam was still alive, the engagement was originally set between the Little Young Master and Miss Qian Ge."
"But after the Third Madam passed away, the Little Young Master's health declined year by year, and he was unable to embark on the Path of Cultivation."
"When Master Qian Cheng and Miss Qian Ge saw the Little Young Master in this condition, they proposed breaking the engagement shortly thereafter."
"Then, somehow, Miss Qian Ge gradually began to reconnect with the Second Young Master."
"So Qian Cheng discussed with the City Lord and the Second Madam, and the engagement was set between Qian Ge and the Second Young Master."
"Counting the time, it should be about time to choose a date for the wedding."
As she spoke, the beauty placed her hand on her collar. Just as she was about to remove her clothes, Chu Canyuan quickly grasped her hands.
"Miss... please maintain your decorum."
...
City Lord's Mansion.
As soon as Guan Yi entered the residence, he saw Qian Cheng and Qian Ge standing in the center of the main hall.
Guan Lin, seated in the main seat of the hall, immediately spoke upon seeing Guan Yi return: "Guan Yi is back. Good, Uncle Qian Cheng and the others have just arrived. Take your seat quickly."
Guan Xun quickly beckoned, and Guan Yi subsequently sat down beside Guan Xun.
"Brother Qian, please have your niece Qian Ge take a seat as well."
Inside the hall, Guan Xun and his two brothers, along with Qian Ge, sat on the west side of the hall. Qian Cheng and the two Madams sat on the east side, with several servants standing behind each group.
Not long after, the dining table was filled with a dazzling array of delicacies. Every dish resembled a work of art, arranged neatly and pleasing to the eye.
Guan Yi once again took out a bottle of Snow Cliff Dew from his storage ring, savoring the mellow aroma of the wine and the freshness of the food by himself.
Guan Xun leaned over and whispered: "Today is the day your Second Brother and Miss Qian Ge are getting engaged."
"Try to manage your emotions a bit; don't keep such a stern face."
Guan Yi nodded silently, saying nothing, and did not look at Qian Cheng or Qian Ge once throughout the entire time.