"The Eldest Miss was betrothed to Young Master Zhang since birth. They grew up together, a childhood romance," Elder Xia said unhurriedly. "But yesterday, after Young Master Zhang visited the City Lord's Mansion, the young lady has been rather despondent. Could I trouble you to help counsel her?"
"Senior, lovers quarrel; it's common. It's perhaps not appropriate for an outsider to interfere," Xiao Man politely declined. Interfering in others' relationships felt like a no-win situation. If it went well, people might say you broke up a good marriage; if it went poorly, they would accuse you of sabotaging their union, leaving you between a rock and a hard place.
"We merely ask you to accompany the young lady, to cheer her up. We old folk are too old, we don't know how to talk to young people. You are of similar age to the young lady, and you understand her feelings better than us old fogies."
Xiao Man hesitated, reluctant to go.
"Alas, our dear young lady is to be pitied. She lost her mother at a young age and is devoted to her fiancé. I can probably guess why she's unhappy, but I don't know how to comfort her," Elder Xia pressed on. "That Young Master Zhang was traveling with another woman for months on a training expedition. If it were someone else accompanying him, there would be no cause for worry. But it was just the two of them. The young lady is worried about her marriage changing."
Xiao Man was silent for a moment. "Then I will go and keep the young lady company."
"So be it. I thank you, young friend," Elder Xia smiled and stopped. "This is the young lady's courtyard."
Xiao Man watched Elder Xia, who trembled slightly but moved with surprising speed, a peculiar glint in her eyes. Were all the people in this City Lord's Mansion so deeply hidden? Elder Xia was the only one in this mansion she couldn't see through so far.
Yan Yan stared blankly at the demonic crystal on the table. Normally, she would be overjoyed to receive gifts from Zhang Sheng, but this time, she couldn't find any happiness. The thought that he hunted this demonic crystal with another woman made her feel as though the crystal was mocking her inadequacy.
"Is the demonic crystal that captivating?" Xiao Man had been standing by for a long time, but Yan Yan hadn't noticed her arrival. Xiao Man spoke to draw her attention.
Yan Yan startled, quickly closing the box and looking at Xiao Man. "You're finally awake. You've slept for so many days; you must be hungry. What would you like to eat? I'll have the kitchen prepare it."
Xiao Man sat down at the table and casually picked up a pastry. "If you don't want to smile, then don't. Your smile is more unsightly than a cry."
Yan Yan suppressed the smile on her face. "Xiao Qin, do you ever get troubled by love?"
"I have been troubled by love before," Xiao Man said casually.
"Then what did you choose in the end?"
"I chose the one who loved me, instead of the one I loved."
Yan Yan was taken aback. "So your problem is that the one you love doesn't love you, so you decisively chose the one who loved you, instead of the one you loved?"
"No, the person I loved happened to love me too, but due to various reasons, we couldn't be together. The one who loved me always stayed by my side, whether in times of glory or hardship. He was always there for me."
"Then do you love him?" Yan Yan asked expectantly. She must love someone who loved her so wholeheartedly.
Xiao Man pondered for a moment before stating her answer. "To me, he is my family, my friend, and someone I care about. However, in this life, I ultimately owe him."
"So, he can be your family, your friend, but not the one you love, right?"
"Young Lady, many times, the one who stays by our side is not the one we love, but the one who is suitable," Xiao Man said meaningfully. "And love, it can arise from constant companionship; it's not set in stone."
Yan Yan's complexion faded as she heard these words. Reciprocal affection through shared experiences; she understood that, especially if the other person was an outstanding individual. It was easy to develop feelings.
In the cultivation world, most people admired strength, regardless of gender. That's why she felt uneasy and began to doubt herself.
"Xiao Qin, tell me, does my fiancé love me?"
"When you ask this question, you already have the answer in your heart," Xiao Man said calmly. "You just don't want to believe it."
Yan Yan fell silent. Did she truly have an answer in her heart? They had grown up together, childhood sweethearts, innocent and pure, and betrothed before birth. She had once believed such a relationship could last forever, but it couldn't withstand his unattainable status. In Wuji City, the status of the City Lord's Eldest Miss, though seemingly glorious, was like an ant compared to the Seven Great Sects. Su Dan Novel Network.
"Xiao Qin, privately, I believe he loves me. He's just been blinded by the superficial splendors outside, momentarily infatuated. I believe nothing happened between him and that woman."
Xiao Man listened quietly as Yan Yan finished speaking, then said softly, "Sometimes, I truly admire women. They are so ruthless, even deceiving themselves. What's more, knowing it's a lie, they can still convince themselves it's the truth and firmly believe it. As long as no one shatters the illusion, they can deceive themselves their whole lives."
"You think I'm lying?"
"No, you are merely deceiving yourself," Xiao Man shook her head and denied. "When the question of whether he loves you arises in your heart, it means you already sense he doesn't love you. The reason he hasn't left you yet is that in his calculation of gains and losses, he hasn't found anything better. Once he is certain he can obtain something better, you will be ruthlessly abandoned."
"I don't believe it."
"That's why I say I admire women. They are so cruel to themselves, yet dare not be cruel to those who hurt them," Xiao Man leaned back in her chair and said in a languid tone. "Any man would want to bully such a woman, after all, there would be no price to pay for doing so."
Yan Yan looked at Xiao Man indignantly. "Xiao Qin, I never thought you were this kind of Xiao Qin!"
"What did I do?" Xiao Man teased. "I didn't bully you, so why are you angry with me? Go and be angry with the person who makes you sad and uneasy!"
"The other party is a powerhouse at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. There are not a few handsome and powerful male cultivators in the Seven Great Sects. Do you think she's crazy or had her head slammed in a door to not want a handsome and high-cultivation male cultivator, but instead insist on a man of ordinary appearance and cultivation?"