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Zhuo Ruting smiled sweetly and worked even harder with her hands.
Junior Sister Fan would never have imagined that she had already instructed the disciples outside to notify her whenever Qi Yuan arrived, under the pretense of greeting a distinguished guest. This allowed her to meet Qi Yuan before anyone else, increasing her chances of success while keeping Junior Sister Fan in the dark.
When it came to the art of service, Zhuo Ruting had excelled in the Miaoyin Sect's assessments. Naturally, she knew how to make Qi Yuan feel comfortable.
She leaned closer, whispering in his ear, "Thank you for your compliment, sir. I won't let you down."
A faint floral scent filled Qi Yuan's senses. His ears felt warm, and something soft pressed against his back. He narrowed his eyes, quickly deducing the source of this sudden affection.
Zhuo Ruting had never acted this way at the Miaoyin Sect headquarters. Given her high status within the sect, she rarely made such moves on her own. This shift in behavior had to be prompted by an order from above.
Since she had offered herself willingly, Qi Yuan saw no reason to refuse. Once a prize fell into his hands, it would never escape.
Time passed quietly.
Zhuo Ruting's hands grew sore from the continuous massage. Noticing that Qi Yuan remained passive, merely enjoying her efforts without reciprocating, doubt crept into her mind. Was she not enticing enough? Were her signals too subtle?
"Sir, my hands are sore," she murmured, wrapping her arms around Qi Yuan's neck with a pitiful expression.
Qi Yuan opened his eyes, smiling as he took her hands in his own. He gently kneaded her fingers, feeling their smooth softness. "Let me help. The pain will go away soon."
A proud glint flashed in Zhuo Ruting's eyes. She hadn't expected the formidable Qi Yuan to be so easily captivated. Completing her assigned task would not only earn her a generous reward but also secure a powerful backer on par with a late-stage Jindan cultivator. And, as a bonus, it would infuriate Junior Sister Fan.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock at the door interrupted the moment.
Qi Yuan's gaze flickered with interest. "Come in."
A woman in a purple dress entered gracefully. Her attire barely covered the essentials, leaving little to the imagination.
Fan Jingmei bowed. "Jingmei greets you, sir."
Zhuo Ruting's expression darkened. The woman's revealing outfit made her intentions obvious. "Junior Sister Fan, your attire is hardly appropriate for greeting the young master."
Fan Jingmei covered her mouth, chuckling. "Senior Sister Zhuo, look at yourself."
Had she not received the tip-off from her maid, Lian'er, she would have arrived too late. From the looks of it, Zhuo Ruting had already made considerable progress.
Zhuo Ruting was well aware of how things appeared. With most of her body pressed against Qi Yuan, her face burned crimson like a fiery sunset.
Qi Yuan, unfazed, asked, "Left Envoy Fan, what brings you here?"
Fan Jingmei stepped forward, kicking off her embroidered shoes. Her movements were graceful, her smile enchanting. She half-knelt beside him, lightly tapping his thigh with a soft powder hammer. "I am here to serve you. My sister only knows how to massage shoulders, but who will take care of your legs?"
Was this turning into a competition?
The left and right envoys of Miaoyin Sect vying to please the same man—if word got out, others would be envious. After all, both women were known for their beauty and status.
Zhuo Ruting snorted, refusing to be outdone. She resumed massaging Qi Yuan's shoulders, determined not to lose favor.
A stunning contrast unfolded before him—one woman with cool, sharp eyes kneading his shoulders, the other, warm and charming, tending to his legs. This was no ordinary service. If outsiders saw this, they would be envious beyond words.
Qi Yuan simply closed his eyes, savoring the moment.
Zhuo Ruting, however, felt uneasy. If she didn't find a way to stand out, she might soon be forgotten. All her efforts would be wasted.
Her gaze landed on a plate of spirit fruits on the small table. Picking one up, she cooed, "Sir, let me feed you some spiritual fruit."
Qi Yuan's eyes lit up with amusement. He allowed her to place the fruit against his lips, biting into it. The sweet juice flowed across his tongue, leaving a pleasant aftertaste.
Zhuo Ruting beamed at his reaction, throwing a triumphant look at Fan Jingmei before offering another fruit.
Fan Jingmei, still kneeling, felt an urgency creeping in. Unlike Zhuo Ruting, who had easy access to the table, she had no means of feeding Qi Yuan. But when she noticed him reaching for his teacup, an idea struck her.
Quickly, she snatched the cup before he could, gently blowing away the rising steam before presenting it to him with a soft smile.
Qi Yuan accepted it with a small hum of approval, casting her a look of acknowledgment.
For an hour, the two women vied for his attention, each trying to outdo the other. But eventually, they seemed to reach their limits. There were likely other means to win his favor, but with a third party present, they were hesitant to use them.
It was time to step away, let things simmer, and strike at the right moment.
Qi Yuan straightened his robes and stood. "That's enough for now. You've both been at this for an hour. I'll take my leave."
Zhuo Ruting hesitated before slipping on her embroidered shoes. Fan Jingmei did the same, both following him to the door.
"Sir, take care," they said in unison.
Qi Yuan nodded, then turned to Zhuo Ruting. "Remember to handle what I instructed you to do."
"I will keep it in mind." She bowed with a charming smile.
In the next moment, Qi Yuan vanished.
Fan Jingmei's brows furrowed. She had overheard Qi Yuan's instructions. If she could find a way to be involved, she might gain an advantage.
"Senior Sister Zhuo, what did the young master ask of you? Perhaps I can assist?"
Zhuo Ruting chuckled, her voice filled with smug satisfaction. "It's just a small matter. No need to trouble yourself, Junior Sister."
With that, she sashayed away, her hips swaying slightly.
Fan Jingmei clenched her teeth. "That scheming vixen."
She needed a new plan. The next time Qi Yuan visited, she wouldn't let Zhuo Ruting steal the spotlight.
"Lian'er."
A delicate maid stepped in. "Madam, I am here."
Fan Jingmei ordered, "Reassign all the disciples guarding the front hall today. Disrupt Zhuo Ruting's arrangements."
Lian'er hesitated. "How should we explain this to Right Envoy Zhuo?"
"I will handle it. Just do as I say."
A cunning smile curved her lips. Next time, things would go differently.
(End Of Chapter)