Chapter 63: Today, She Arrived!

"Oh, that's good then." Ye Kun chuckled softly and said no more. If only he knew that the girl by his side was nearly ten thousand years old, who could say what he'd think.

Ye Li finally understood now why her aunt always claimed to be eighteen, and especially just now when she said sixteen—her cheeks felt flushed with embarrassment.

"Husband, do you care a lot about age?" Ye Li asked with curiosity.

Ye Kun halted, turning to look at Ye Li seriously. She bit her lip gently—here it came again.

"Are you really sixteen?" he asked earnestly. Did she just mature early? It didn't seem that way.

"Husband, I would never lie to you. Ye Li has never been one to deceive," she replied solemnly, though in her heart she thought, like father, like daughter—deceit runs in the family.

"I wouldn't lie to you either," Ye Kun said with a gentle smile. Ye Li also broke into a soft smile.

Yet behind those smiles, daggers seemed to be hidden.

Before they reached the door, Ye Kun caught sight of the carriage convoy from earlier, now stopped right outside his home!

Could it be… her? Had she arrived already?

Ye Li noticed Ye Kun's surprise, glanced at the carriage, and asked curiously, "Husband, is something the matter?"

Ye Kun had planned to find someone himself, so his parents wouldn't have to arrange anything. He wasn't fond of these marriage alliances, and thought the other girl surely wouldn't be willing either.

It would be better to let her go free.

But he never expected this—she arrived ahead of time!

A sudden idea struck Ye Kun.

"Ye Li, there's something I want to discuss with you."

"Please speak, my husband."

Ye Kun explained everything in detail. A girl like her, by rights, ought to mind such a thing. There was still time to leave. If she didn't, then something was off.

Ye Li said nothing after hearing his words. Ye Kun also held his tongue. Even if she left now, he wouldn't regret it. He wasn't the sort to be swayed by a pretty face.

Suddenly, Ye Li took out the gold coin from before and asked softly, "Does your word still stand?"

Ye Kun took a deep breath, feeling a bit cornered.

Ye Li was someone who meant what she said. Despite how things turned out, that little monk still chose to marry her. Her earlier words had been a way to urge herself to leave.

Logically, upon seeing her face, no one would stay. This bald-headed youth truly was unusual.

Perhaps it was worth seeing what would happen next.

Ye Kun pondered furiously. Since she wouldn't give up, the only way was to let the other girl retreat on her own.

But that girl was introduced by his father; when it came time to refuse, he'd have to be tactful, so as not to spoil relations.

Here he was, troubled over how to turn down a beautiful girl—who could relate to such a mood?

No, wait! If I refuse, won't things turn out the opposite? Just like when I met those two supreme elders six years ago—being too clever sometimes backfires.

Then what should he do?

Looking at the gold coin in Ye Li's hand, Ye Kun felt vexed. He'd acted too rashly just now, and fallen into a trap…

"My lady, let's go inside," he said at last.

Ye Li smiled and nodded, finding it all terribly amusing. It had been so long since she'd felt this way; finally, a bit of excitement in her otherwise dull life.

The two walked without overt intimacy—Ye Kun in front, Ye Li following a step behind, slightly closer than before.

Ye Li was a proper young lady, after all. Despite her age, her heart still held the spirit of a sixteen-year-old.

Or rather, she was playing at being young.

As soon as they entered the gate, Ye Kun saw two rows of guards standing at attention in the courtyard. In the main hall, his whole family awaited.

And there stood a woman dressed in a white, embroidered, floral robe trimmed with gold, draped in a shimmering cloud-patterned shawl, radiating an ethereal beauty that drew the eye again and again.

It really was her!

Yan Muer slowly turned to look at Ye Kun, a faint smile curling her lips. Six years had passed… the boy had grown taller, but his hair had not come in.

She'd sensed Ye Kun's presence as soon as she arrived. Upon hearing everyone call him by name, and recalling the words of the Yan Muer she had killed—who'd also mentioned the Ye family—she couldn't help but suspect a connection. A cat's intuition never lies.

Sure enough, here he was. Little bald-head, you never saw this coming. Back then, you rode and tormented me; now I've returned for revenge. Wait and see if I don't make you pay...

Cats hold grudges, after all.

Suddenly, Ye Kun sensed an odd tension and stole a glance.

The two girls were sizing each other up. Though both wore smiles, it was the smile of death.

Ye Li fixed her gaze on Yan Muer, who stared back just as intently. Both felt a surge of caution—neither could fathom the other's depths, but both sensed something hidden and formidable.

After all, each was a “big girl” nearing five digits in age, blessed with terrifying innate abilities. It was only natural that neither could read the other.

While Ye Kun possessed great physical strength, he knew not a single technique.

As Brother Kun would say, "If I mastered everything, how could anyone else survive? One has to make things a bit challenging for oneself."

Ye Li now understood her father's words—this place was anything but simple!

Yan Muer, too, grasped her master's warning—outside was a dangerous world indeed. She'd just set out and already encountered a strange woman.

Ye Kun glanced at his father and mother, noticing their puzzled looks directed at Ye Li, and at his own younger brother.

Oh no! He'd forgotten about his brother. Wasn't this rubbing salt in his wounds…?

How was his brother's wife faring now? As the older sibling, to behave this way…

Brother, trust me—this was truly an accident.

Looking at his brother, he seemed a bit off. Could it be jealousy? After all, father had introduced such a beautiful girl for him. My God…

A friendship of sixteen years—was it about to collapse?

My poor brother, I never meant for this. Maybe I can break off this engagement after all. Brother Kun, after all, is a man of devotion.

"Kun Kun, who is this young lady?" Dongmen Meng asked, puzzled. Why had Kun Kun brought such a beautiful girl home, and at such a crucial moment? Could it be…?

Ye Ming whispered, "Meng Meng, looks like Kun Kun is up to something today."

Dongmen Meng thought so too. After all, they'd once said that if Kun Kun found someone himself, they wouldn't force the issue.

But now the others had already arrived.

Suddenly, Ye Kun took Ye Li's hand. The gesture stunned her, leaving her mind a complete blank. Aside from her father and brother, this was the first man ever to hold her hand!

She felt a sudden urge to hit him. How dare he take her hand without asking—such impudence!

You're finished. You've made me truly angry.

"Father, Mother, her name is Ye Li. She is my wife," Ye Kun announced, bracing himself for what was to come.