She had recognized the disguised person long ago as Murong Yingxue, the adopted sister of the Palace Master and the young lady of Yunshui Villa.
It was said that the Palace Master's life was saved by Murong Yingxue's father, the Master of Yunshui Villa, so the Palace Master treated Miss Yingxue like a sister.
Although not overly doting, the Palace Master would generally fulfill any wish Miss Yingxue had.
This was because the Palace Master had promised Miss Yingxue's father, the old Master, that he would take good care of Miss Yingxue. The old Master had passed away a year ago, and Miss Yingxue was supposed to observe a three-year mourning period at Yunshui Villa. However, she wondered why she had left the villa now.
Did the Master know about this? It was likely that he would soon find out, as there was nothing in the world that could be hidden from the Master.
"Hmph."
Murong Yingxue was extremely proud, her arrogance a level above Mo Ruyan's self-confidence.
As the eldest young lady of Yunshui Villa and the adopted sister of the Divine Dragon Palace Master, she was not only talented and beautiful but also possessed formidable martial arts skills. Most importantly, the Palace Master had always treated her very well.
Mo Ruyan poured tea and casually handed the carved jade rose in her hand to Murong Yingxue.
This jade rose was Murong Yingxue's hidden weapon. Her skill with hidden weapons was exceptional, and ordinary people in the martial world were no match for her. If it had been anyone other than Mo Ruyan today, they might not have been able to catch it.
"Miss, please have some tea."
Facing Mo Ruyan's gentle and charming smile, Murong Yingxue's inner chill subsided considerably. The malevolent glint in her eyes smoothed out, and she lightly lifted the teacup, took a sip, glanced around the room, and spoke indifferently.
"You're doing quite well for yourself here."
Yunshui Villa, built against mountains and nestled by water, was a mysterious and unfathomable place, serving as the secret base of the Divine Dragon Palace.
Mo Ruyan, as one of the Four Protectors, had naturally been to Yunshui Villa and therefore knew of Miss Yingxue.
However, the subordinates in this Rouge Pavilion had never seen Miss Yingxue before, which led to the previous misunderstanding.
Murong Yingxue's words were openly sarcastic.
She was jealous and resentful of these subordinates of the Divine Dragon Palace. They all worked under Brother Murong, which made her uneasy, fearing that Brother Murong would be snatched away by them.
This was something she absolutely would not allow. She had always treated Mo Ruyan poorly, but she treated the other three protectors much better.
This was because Mo Ruyan was a woman, and a captivating one at that.
Murong Yingxue naturally worried about Brother Murong being snatched away. She was the only person in this world who had seen Brother Murong's true face.
Four years ago, her father had rescued him. His exceptionally beautiful and heavenly appearance, which made women sigh in shame, was her lifelong obsession.
His eyes were like the most precious jewels in the world, and his countenance was like the most magnificent brocade. All the handsomeness she had previously thought of or seen paled in comparison, like the difference between heaven and earth.
He was like a noble and crystalline snow lotus on a snow-capped cliff, or like a dazzling star in the firmament.
From the moment she first saw him, she vowed that she would marry no one but him in this life.
However, he had always treated her as a sister, being neither warm nor cold to her. Whatever she wanted, he would procure for her. But if she sought anything deeper, there was nothing more.
Even though her father had made him promise to take care of her for life before he died, she thought he might change and was overjoyed. Yet, afterward, his treatment remained the same.
She accepted all this, as he treated her much better than others.
However, after he recently left the villa, she had quietly knocked out the person guarding the study and broke in, wanting to see what he was hiding in the study.
This was because the room was forbidden territory, and no one was allowed in without his permission. When she entered, she was utterly enraged.
This was because in his study, there hung a painting, a portrait of a woman.
This woman had rosy cheeks and dark eyebrows, an arrogant nose, and cherry lips, appearing extremely cute and pretty. But compared to her, there was a significant gap.
The woman in the portrait could at best be described as cute or delicate. Women like her could be found everywhere on the streets, while she was much more beautiful and charming than that woman.
Yet, Brother Murong was indifferent to her but kept her portrait in this study, which outsiders were forbidden to enter. Without even thinking, she knew this must be Brother Murong's beloved.
Therefore, she hated it intensely and could no longer wait for two more years.
In two years, Brother Murong might even have children. So, she felt compelled to leave the villa immediately and come to Rouge Pavilion.
She didn't know about other things, but she had once overheard a conversation among the Four Protectors, learning that Mo Ruyan was selling herself in Rouge Pavilion.
Mo Ruyan remained composed, observing coldly. She knew that Murong Yingxue held no good feelings for her.
Similarly, she had no good feelings for this woman, but her status dictated that she must be respectful, and she was as cautious and respectful as the other desired.
At this moment, she saw the woman opposite her with a complexion alternating between pale and green, and a cruel, venomous light in her eyes. When this woman became fierce, she was like a young she-wolf on the plains, utterly bloodthirsty.
"Does the Palace Master know about Miss Yingxue leaving the villa?"
Upon hearing Mo Ruyan's words, Murong Yingxue's expression changed, her pupils covered with a fierce, cold gaze. She coldly commanded.
"If my whereabouts are leaked, you, Mo Ruyan, can wait to die."
Mo Ruyan's charming face remained unchanged, a smile playing on her lips, her pupils deep, with a ghost-like glint.
This was not her fault; it seemed heaven was on her side too. She couldn't help but smile charmingly, "Miss, please don't worry, I won't say anything. It's just, why did Miss leave the villa?"
Murong Yingxue's face suddenly turned cold, and a sinister smile curved her lips. A hint of ferocity appeared on her pretty face. She reached into her embrace and drew out a painting.
The painting had been torn apart and then pieced back together.
The person in the painting was now somewhat distorted and unclear, but the general appearance could still be discerned: a woman with a delicate and pretty face.
This woman was not exceptionally beautiful, but she was very cute. The smile that lightly bloomed on her face was so natural and unpretentious, like the clear, transparent snowmelt on a snow mountain, unstained by dust.
"What is this?"
"The painting in Brother Murong's room. This woman must be his beloved."
"What?" Mo Ruyan cried out in shock, her face filled with disbelief. How could the Palace Master like this woman? Wasn't he a homosexual? He liked that young master named Leng Yue, and seemed to detest women.
Upon hearing Mo Ruyan's cry, Murong Yingxue's expression soured, and a cold, sharp light shot from her eyes. Mo Ruyan immediately realized she had lost her composure and quickly regained her demeanor, offering a shallow, gentle smile like flowing water.
"Miss, perhaps you are mistaken? I know the Palace Master has someone he likes. He is? He is?"
For a moment, she couldn't utter the word "man." Murong Yingxue on the opposite side was already anxious. She leaned on the table with both hands and called out coldly, "Who? Is it the person in the painting?"