"It really is you, Suyi."
After clearly seeing the white-robed girl's face, Zi Yunchuan was stunned for a moment. When he came to his senses, his face showed a hint of embarrassment.
He had wondered why the white-robed girl looked so familiar.
After all, this flawless, breathtaking beauty was something he had seen before at Purple Dew Mountain. How could he forget it so easily?
The white-robed girl was named Ye Suyi. In terms of status, she was his cousin.
However, Ye Suyi had no blood relation to Purple Dew Mountain. Her father had married into Purple Dew Mountain and wasn't a core member of the sect.
Zi Yun'er's mother was the granddaughter of the current master of Purple Dew Mountain.
He had an aunt who was very close to his mother, and the two were inseparable.
Ye Suyi's father was that aunt's husband.
The story was somewhat complicated, but it had a lot to do with Ye Suyi's father.
Ye Suyi was born to him and his ex-wife, but for some unknown reason, he and his ex-wife separated. Later, due to his handsome appearance and refined demeanor, he caught the eye of Zi Yun'er's aunt and was brought back to Purple Dew Mountain.
Ye Suyi only learned of her father's whereabouts after her mother's death and came to Purple Dew Mountain to seek his support.
Zi Yun'er had met Ye Suyi by chance a few years ago and was struck by her stunning beauty, leaving a deep impression on him.
Otherwise, he might not have remembered an ordinary girl.
Now, amidst his shock and embarrassment, Zi Yun'er explained Ye Suyi's background to everyone.
Regarding such private matters known only within Purple Dew Mountain, Zhao Tianfan, Fairy Caiyun, and the others showed great interest.
According to Zi Yunchuan's explanation, his uncle—Ye Suyi's biological father—had no notable background, no talent for cultivation, and no special abilities. However, he was skilled at charming women.
Of course, he also had a handsome and attractive appearance.
Among the handsome men Zi Yun'er had seen in his life, only Gu Changge before him could surpass him slightly.
After marrying into Purple Dew Mountain, his uncle had essentially cut off all ties with his past.
If Ye Suyi hadn't suddenly appeared one day, seeking refuge with her biological father, Zi Yun'er wouldn't have known that his uncle had such a grown daughter.
Zhao Tianfan and the others listened with great interest.
However, it made sense. If he weren't an exceptionally handsome man, how could he have caught the eye of Zi Yun'er's aunt?
After all, his aunt had once been a renowned beauty, admired and pursued by countless suitors.
Thinking of this, everyone's gaze toward Ye Suyi became more understanding.
This girl's extraordinary beauty was likely inherited from her father.
Meanwhile, Ye Suyi, after removing her veil, cautiously glanced at Gu Changge, then lowered her head again, standing silently by his side.
She seemed to pay no attention as Zi Yun'er explained her background and identity to everyone.
At Purple Dew Mountain, she had grown accustomed to keeping her head down and making herself as inconspicuous as possible.
Her half-sister also disliked her face and would often forbid her from looking up whenever they met.
Of course, in terms of status, she should have been the younger sister, but the other party disliked this title and always referred to herself as the elder sister.
Gu Changge gently swirled the wine cup in his hand, remaining silent.
A faint, elegant fragrance wafted from beside him.
Although the white-robed girl kept her head down, she occasionally stole glances at him from the corner of her eye, clutching the plain white handkerchief as if she wanted to return it to him.
"Suyi, why are you here? I remember Auntie told you to get closer to Susu. Given your status, you shouldn't be here."
At this moment, Zi Yun'er spoke again, puzzled as to how Ye Suyi could have been sold to Riverside Pavilion.
No matter what, Ye Suyi was now considered a disciple of Purple Dew Mountain. Who would dare to do such a thing?
The Susu he mentioned was a prodigy of Purple Dew Mountain, on par with him in reputation. Her name was Zi Susu, the daughter of his aunt and uncle, and she was younger than Ye Suyi.
"I accidentally broke a teacup that Miss Susu treasured deeply and owed her a large amount of spirit stones."
Hearing Zi Yun'er's question, Ye Suyi was slightly stunned, seeming hesitant to speak. After a moment of hesitation, she answered in a low voice.
"So that's how it was."
Zi Yun'er's expression stiffened again. Although he knew Ye Suyi wasn't well-treated, he hadn't expected her to be sold to Riverside Pavilion by her own sister.
Breaking a teacup was just an excuse.
Zhao Tianfan and the others looked at Ye Suyi with sympathy. It seemed that after seeking refuge with her so-called father, her life hadn't necessarily improved.
How could her own sister sell her to a pleasure house?
However, this was a private matter of Purple Dew Mountain. They couldn't interfere and could only sigh inwardly, treating it as gossip to discuss over tea or meals.
Zi Yun'er's expression was awkward. Even though he knew about this matter, he couldn't intervene.
His aunt didn't care for Ye Suyi at all.
Moreover, her personality was always domineering, and his uncle didn't dare to defy her in the slightest at Purple Dew Mountain.
Ye Suyi, however, wasn't surprised by Zi Yun'er's reaction.
Having spent several years at Purple Dew Mountain, she had grown accustomed to such attitudes and responses.
Although she and Zi Susu were nominally sisters, Ye Suyi was treated more like a servant—sometimes even worse than a servant.
Her father had no authority at Purple Dew Mountain and never dared to go against Zi Susu's mother.
Before her mother passed away, she had repeatedly urged Ye Suyi to find her biological father, which filled Ye Suyi with hope, seeing her father as another pillar of support in her life.
She had traveled far and long, finally reaching the territory of Purple Dew Mountain. However, given her status, she couldn't even enter the sect's gates, let alone meet her father.
Later, she knelt at the sect's entrance for several days, which moved an elderly gatekeeper. He helped her send a message, and she finally received a reply.
However, when she reunited with her father, filled with hope and anticipation, all she received were cold looks, disgust, and disdain.
The moon sank in the west, and the melodious sound of flutes filled the jade boat. A thin mist rose over the river, and the jade towers on both banks became increasingly hazy, as if they were celestial palaces.
The boat was filled with singing, graceful dancing, and the rich aroma of wine wafting far and wide.
Zi Yun'er didn't want to discuss Purple Dew Mountain's private matters further and didn't bring up Ye Suyi's situation again.
The group chatted for a while longer about the upcoming emergence of the Ten Thousand Treasures Secret Realm before bidding each other farewell and departing.
Zi Yunchuan also said goodbye to Gu Changge. After tonight's events, they all had different speculations about Gu Changge's identity and background.
Although they still addressed each other as peers on the surface, they all knew deep down that their statuses were vastly different. They weren't on the same level and couldn't truly become friends.
Before leaving, Zi Yun'er wanted to ask Ye Suyi if she wanted to leave with him. After the Ten Thousand Treasures Secret Realm matter was resolved, he could take her back to Purple Dew Mountain.
However, judging by Ye Suyi's current state, it seemed she had no desire to return to Purple Dew Mountain.
Zi Yun'er guessed that Zi Susu might also be in Purple Return City. Ye Suyi had likely followed her when she left Purple Dew Mountain, only to be sold to Riverside Pavilion later.
In the blink of an eye, only Gu Changge and the white-robed girl, who stood silently by his side like a wooden post, remained on the jade boat.
He gently swirled his wine cup, remaining silent, his gaze fixed on the distant night sky as if deep in thought.
Ye Suyi kept her head down, not speaking, occasionally stealing glances at Gu Changge but unsure what he was looking at or thinking.
"The timing should be just about right."
Gu Changge acted as if the white-robed girl beside him didn't exist, a faint, mysterious smile playing on his lips.
"Huh?"
These words left Ye Suyi utterly confused and bewildered.