Chapter 540: A Single Glance is Enough to Easily Ensnare
Chapter 540: A Single Glance is Enough to Easily Ensnare
With the destruction of the Nangong family, the six noble families became five.
At this point, it was necessary to find a replacement family.
Although the Fu family had been dominating the south for many years, if they were allowed to enter the capital, it would signify that the Fu family would rise even higher.
They would not refuse and would even be extremely willing.
Old Master pondered for a moment. "The Gu family among the noble families seems to have some relationship with the Fu family, right?"
Hou Yunjiao nodded. "Yes, the interpersonal connections from your generation, nowadays, the two families hardly communicate more than a few times a year. This time, the Fu family's arrival in the capital can also help us probe their intentions."
Old Master placed his tea cup on the table and stood up slowly.
He walked in front of Hou Yunjiao and asked in a deep voice, "With the Fu family's extensive network in the south over the years, are you sure they will remain obedient after coming to the capital?"
Hou Yunjiao's expression remained calm, his tone devoid of any fluctuations. "If the Fu family has the ability, they can climb as high as they want. As long as they don't resort to the ruthless methods like the Nangong family, the Hou family will not suppress their power. If they use unscrupulous means to vie for power, then don't blame the Hou family for intervening. Let the Fu family come, it's only because, based on their current status and position, they can rival the other five noble families in strength."
A look of relief appeared on Old Master's face as he nodded repeatedly. "I understand your meaning. Throughout the centuries, whenever there have been changes in the four major families and the six noble families, it has been due to their despicable competitive methods that angered the public. I'm getting old and I don't want to witness the downfall of these hundred-year-old families anymore. Ah Jiao, as the one in power in the Hou family, you have the means. The Fu family is ambitious, and I hope you can handle them properly this time. The downfall of a major family will implicate countless people, and it is the ones at the bottom who suffer."
Huo Yunqiao stood up, showing a respectful attitude. "I understand, Grandfather."
The old master sighed. "Lately, I've been feeling more and more powerless. I'm planning to go find your second uncle and come back when Ruan Ruan is about to give birth."
A faint smile appeared on Huo Yunqiao's lips. "That's a good idea. I will arrange for someone to accompany you to find Second Uncle."
With the grandfather out of the capital, it would save him from witnessing those heartbreaking matters.
Old Master turned and walked towards the desk. "Go on then. Your complexion doesn't look too good. Go back and rest. There are many things that cannot be resolved in a short time. Take care of your health first."
"Yes."
Old Master looked weary and waved his hand at his beloved grandson.
Hou Yunjiao nodded slightly and turned to leave.
Hou Yirong, not far away, quickly caught up with him.
"Yirong!"
Hou Yirong had only taken a few steps when he heard the stern voice of the old master from behind.
Hou Yirong put on a mournful face and slowly turned around.
In an instant, his face changed rapidly.
Hou Yirong smiled and stood in front of the desk where Old Master was. "Grandfather."
The old master had a stern expression. "Do you have any explanation for your actions regarding the journey to the Witch Clan this time?"
Hou Yirong's expression returned to normal, and he said in a low voice, "Grandfather, you also know the cause and effect of the matter. I can't just watch Hou Zhi being harmed by them."
Huo Old Master lowered his gaze and stared at his hands.
"You have violated the rules after all."
Hou Yirong quickly raised his hand and assured, "There won't be another time, Grandfather. Please believe me. I was manipulated by the Witch Clan this time, and my mind was not clear."
The old master shook his head. "There's no room for discussion. After resolving the matter with the Nangong family, you will spend a day in the Punishment Hall."
Hou Yirong pursed his lips lightly.
He knew that it would be difficult to change the old master's decision.
He could only nod heavily and say, "I understand, Grandfather."
"This is just a warning. Remember not to act impulsively in the future."
"Yes—"
"You can go now."
Hou Yirong nodded, turned around, and left.
Seeing his third brother waiting outside the study, his face filled with sadness, he sighed, "Third brother, you're so heartless. You didn't even plead for me."
Hou Yunjiao glanced at him and said, "Grandfather is not in a good mood. If I had pleaded for you at this time, it would only result in a harsher punishment for you."
Hou Yirong thought for a moment and didn't refute, "That's true. Grandfather doesn't feel good about the downfall of the Nangong family."
The two brothers walked down the stairs, one in front of the other.
As they reached the door, Hou Yunjiao said to Hou Yirong beside him, "Second brother, I'm going back to check if Ruan Ruan is awake. I'm planning to take her to the Nangong family and make arrangements with the Xiao family regarding the Nangong family's assets."
"I know you're anxious to go back and see younger sister. Hurry on."
Hou Yirong's expression showed a hint of disdain.
Nowadays, he was the only lonely person in the Hou family.
The eldest brother had a wife, and the third brother also had a spouse, leaving him as the only bachelor.
...
Qin Ruan was still lying in bed, sound asleep, with the sound of water rushing in her ears.
She turned over and accidentally pressed on her stomach, then deliberately shifted to the side.
With her eyes still closed, she reached out and groped for the bedside table.
She easily found the phone that she had left on the table before going to sleep.
Qin Ruan opened her drowsy eyes and glanced at the time on her phone.
It was already ten in the morning.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She had truly slept until late in the morning.
Qin Ruan furrowed her delicate eyebrows.
The rushing water sound that had just woken her up had now disappeared.
She could hear footsteps moving in the room.
Qin Ruan raised her head slightly and looked towards the source of the sound.
Hou Yunjiao, wearing a bathrobe that exposed a large area of fair skin, came into view, clearly reflected in her eyes.
There was still a hint of damp heat emanating from him, water droplets fell from his hair onto the robe, and there were droplets on the tips of his hair that were about to fall.
He exuded a seductive and lazy aura, standing elegantly at the doorway of the bathroom, displaying an innate sense of nobility and natural charisma.
The extreme sexiness and allure that emanated from this man's bones could easily captivate anyone with just one glance.
Hou Yunjiao had one hand on the belt of his bathrobe, and the other hand was wiping his hair.
His deep gaze met Qin Ruan's eyes, who was already awake in bed, showing a hint of surprise that quickly disappeared.
Qin Ruan clearly saw that within his seemingly amorous and flirtatious yet cold and indifferent deep eyes, there was a faint glimmer of emotional light.
Just below his nose, those slightly pale thin lips parted slightly, and he asked in a hoarse voice that was both sexy and deep, "Did I wake you up?"
Qin Ruan stared at the scene of this exceptional man after his bath, forgetting to respond.
In the presence of such a handsome man, she was too absorbed in admiring him, completely ignoring what Hou Yunjiao had said.
Her absent-minded state was clearly observed by Hou Yunjiao.
He lifted his chin slightly, his lips curved with a hint of restraint, exuding an aura of pleasure from head to toe.
Hou Yunjiao walked calmly and steadily, step by step, towards the edge of the bed.
He bent down, getting closer to Qin Ruan's dazed eyes.
"Little girl, what are you looking at? Hmm?"
This man liked to ask in a nasal tone, his voice both ambiguous and sexy.
Qin Ruan blinked and slowly reached out to touch his face.
It was warm, and the touch was quite good, very smooth.
Better than a woman's skin.
"Oh, you're back." Qin Ruan finally realized.
She thought she was dreaming.
After sleeping in the same bed for so long, this was the first time she had seen the alluring and sexy Third Young Master.
Hou Yunjiao couldn't help but laugh.
He reached out and tousled Qin Ruan's hair, the action appearing rough but actually gentle.
"You're still half asleep?"
Qin Ruan gazed at the man in front of her, still a little dazed.
When the man lowered his gaze to look at her, his dense long eyelashes were very prominent.
His eye sockets were somewhat deep, and his lazy peach blossom eyes were fixed on her.
There was a complex light in his eyes that she couldn't decipher, and Qin Ruan inexplicably felt a sense of danger.
She swallowed and instinctively moved away from the hand that was resting on her head.
Qin Ruan propped herself up on the bed with both hands and sat up.
She spoke in a relaxed tone, "I was a bit drowsy. Third Young Master, why did you come back so soon? Wasn't it supposed to be a few more days?"
Hou Yunjiao sat at the edge of the bed, drying his hair and casually tossing the towel aside.
In an instant, he reached out and pulled Qin Ruan, who was leaning against the head of the bed, into his embrace.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Don't you want to see me earlier?"
Qin Ruan did not resist this embrace, and her body responded before her brain, instinctively hugging him back.
"I just saw you, and I thought I was dreaming."
Qin Ruan had no idea what those words meant for a man.
Her obedient demeanor pleased Hou Yunjiao.
The sexy laughter of the Third Young Master echoed in Qin Ruan's ears.
His distinct and slender fingertips gently tapped on Qin Ruan's lips, his finger pads slowly caressing her pale lips.
"Little girl, the way you say that sounds like you've missed me for a long time."
Qin Ruan was about to say something, but the words from Hou Yunjiao made her obediently close her mouth.
Because Hou Yunjiao spoke the truth.
She really missed him.
Qin Ruan held onto the hand of the Third Young Master and slowly let go.
Sensing her intention, Huo Yunqiao leaned forward.
Qin Ruan followed the force and leaned against the head of the bed again.
Her body touched the hand that Hou Yunjiao had placed around her waist, as if he was afraid she would hurt herself.
His warm gesture inadvertently softened Qin Ruan's heart.
She raised her eyes and met the man's deep, faintly desire-filled eyes.
The light in Hou Yunjiao's eyes was like that of a ferocious beast, causing Qin Ruan to be startled.
She instinctively protected her belly with her hands.
Hou Yunjiao lowered his gaze and observed her anxious movement.
In just a moment, his restlessness subsided.
He didn't know what had happened just now, but the thought of someone having thoughts about Qin Ruan while he was away from the capital ignited an indescribable anger within him.
"Third Young Master, I'm hungry."
Perhaps sensing his change in mood, Qin Ruan spoke softly.
Hou Yunjiao lifted his eyelids, his peach blossom eyes gazing deeply at Qin Ruan.
Suddenly, a pleasant curve formed at the corner of his lips as he lightly parted them, "Little girl, I heard that someone bullied you while I was away?"
"No, they didn't."
Qin Ruan didn't feel like she had been bullied.
If someone wanted to bully her, it would depend on whether she allowed it or not.
Hou Yunjiao slightly opened his thin lips, "Nangong Chang."
Qin Ruan instantly understood and shook her head, "No, he almost injured my second brother. I broke his arm."
For Qin Ruan, this couldn't be considered as being bullied.
Qin Ruan's obedient and sensible attitude left Hou Yunjiao unsure of what to say.
He had planned to comfort Qin Ruan, but seeing her current demeanor, it seemed that she didn't even need comforting.
Hou Yunjiao lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on top of Qin Ruan's head.
His tender voice slowly echoed, "It was my fault for not being by your side this time and allowing you to be bullied. It won't happen again."
His assurance left Qin Ruan a bit puzzled.
No matter how you looked at it, Nangong Chang was the one at a disadvantage in that situation.
She hadn't been injured, and for the time being, she hadn't faced any difficulties from the Nangong family.
From the way the Third Young Master spoke, it seemed as though she had suffered greatly.
