Qizhou City, one day before the banquet.

It was evening time, with glowing lanterns shining across the city. Due to the banquet, the city guards patrolled everywhere.

" Tsk, this is the biggest event happened in Qizhou City in the last ten years."

" Indeed, I heard many important families would be coming to attend the banquet."

" The Cai Family is also attending. To think they alone managed to defend against the monster tide of the Nanhai Mountain range."

The guard shuddered when he heard his partner. " The Nanhai Mountain range, aren't mystical demons and ancient monsters living there?"

" Else, why do you think the Imperial Army hasn't conquered it yet?"

" Who knows?" The partner shrugged. " However, thanks to the Cai Family, we are safe from the barbarians beyond of the prairie."

" Hehe, don't forget the Grand General of North, who is standing against those bastards."

" True. I heard the Ren Family, the Wonderous Earth Group and a young master from the Shen Family of the Capital city are also participating."

" Ahh, have you heard? The Du Family Young Master Du Xiang came out of seclusion? He already reached the Innate realm!"

" My goodness! Innate realm? He didn't even reach the age of 30 yet!"

" Hehe, let's see what will happen."

Cai Yixue looked outside the window, a gentle sigh on her face.

' The city does look bright. Alas…' She suddenly felt a sense of emptiness without a certain cheeky man beside her.

' He did say he will return in a week. Who knows, maybe he arrived at the Cai Family household.'

' How delusional I am.' Cai Yixue shook her head. ' Even if he heard about my departure, it's impossible for him to attend this banquet tomorrow.'

Suddenly, a soft knock on the door disrupted her thoughts.

" Enter."

A maid entered the room and bowed her head. " Lady Cai, a small gathering of nobles is happening in the Du Family manor."

Cai Yixue sighed as she pinched her forehead, " Very well, lead the way."

She realized that even if she says no, someone will create an excuse for her to go there. So, Cai Yixue couldn't be bothered with such a scheme.

Picking up her sword, she left her room.

The Du Family was one of the great families of Qizhou City. Though still lesser than old clans like the Cai Family, the Du Family still has their foothold in Qizhou City's business.

" Greeting, Lady Cai. Please, come inside."

When Cai Yixue got down from her carriage, a few maids bowed before her and guided her inside the mansion.

The courtyard was large, decorated with utter luxury. Cai Yixue could see young men and ladies from noble household.

" Ahh, Greetings, Lady Cai. I am Du Caicheng, the second young master of Du Family." Du Caicheng smiled as he cupped her fist. " I am glad that you decided to come here."

Cai Yixue gave a demure smile, " It would been rude if I had rejected such sincere invitation."

" Please, come in. We have a lot of preparations here." Du Caicheng nodded.

Cai Yixue didn't have an ounce of willingness to socialize. Alas, she couldn't help but curse her bad luck.

" My my, such a fortune of mine to see you."

Cai Yixue hid her irritation as she turned around," Lady Lian, it's been a while."

" Indeed, it's been a while indeed." Lian Luoqiu smiled. " I am not seeing Young Lord Jia, though?"

" He had some work, so he was unable to come." Cai Yixue answered swiftly.

" Ahh, too bad." Lian Luoqiu clicked her tongue, " As a wife, aren't you given too much work to Young Lord Jia?"

" Lady Lian is very thoughtful indeed." Cai Yixue smiled. " But, I can't seem to recall any privilege granted to you for being able to meddle between the life of a husband and wife."

" Maybe, you should marry as fast as possible." Cai Yixue's eyes landed on her, " After all, not many pick the fruit that remains bottom of the basket."

" You!!"

Lian Luoqiu's brows twitched as she almost shattered the jade wine cup in her hand. However, with a breath, she steadied herself, keeping the serene expression.

" Sister Yixue really picked some quirky words. Hope you can still use them."

" For now, enjoy the party."

Cai Yixue sighed as she looked at where the food was being served. Looking at the food, she couldn't help but suddenly crave the chocolate that Jia Hao brought last time.

' Mmm, I shouldn't have finished them so fast.' She grumbled inwardly.

" Lady Cai, would you like any drinks? We have both tea and wine."

" Tea." Cai Yixue nodded to the servant.

Suddenly, her instinct triggered as she hurriedly turned around. Her eyes narrowed as she saw a young man, around the age of 16, holding the hilt of her sword.

The young man was startled as he took a step back, " Ahaha, please forgive me. I was just intrigued by your sword."

" You must be Cai Yixue, from the Cai Family, right?" The young man cupped his fist, " I am Gordon Chen from Wonderous Earth Group."

" Wondrous Earth Group? Ah, you are from the organization that deals with treasures." Cai Yixue recalled. " Gordon Chen? Are you an otherworlder?"

" Haha, my mom is from the Great Yan Empire. My father is a dwarf who lived in Moonlit Forest." Gordon smiled. " I am just here to accumulate experience. And I couldn't help but see your sword."

" So…"

Cai Yixue was speechless when she heard that. However, without much thought, she handed her sword to Gordon Chen.

Gordon unsheathed the sword and appraised it with his hands. " Hmm, thin and tapered to the tip, it looks elegant, perfectly matching your taste."

" However, I can't help but admire the quality of the steel itself. It's so refined and…"

Suddenly, the sword buzzed as a light edge appeared on it. Gordon nodded, " The flow of internal energy is also seamless. Just from quality, It would be comparable with an Xuan grade treasure."

" But, it does lack special inscription and energy in it." Gordon looked at Cai Yixue, " So, I heard it's true! The Cai Family's blacksmiths are forging better quality weapons!"

Cai Yixue couldn't help but chuckle, ' Well, I shouldn't be too surprised. It was bound that the improvisation in our smithies would spread.'

The sword was something brought by Jia Hao. Cai Yixue usually never carries a weapon with her. However, since she came here, she decided to keep the sword.

" Lady Cai, will you allow us to visit your smithy once?" Gordon's eyes shone as he looked at Cai Yixue.

" Uhhh, I guess so?" Cai Yixue stumbled, " If you ever come to Nanhai City, please do visit our Cai Family."

" Thank you, Lady Cai." Gordon grinned as he handed back the sword.

' Hmm, the refinement is extremely fine. I need to know how they refined such a sword.' Gordon muttered inwardly, ' Father might have some interest in this.'

Cai Yixue saw Gordon leaving and looked at her tea. Suddenly, she frowned as she looked at the tea. With a slight movement, she spilled a bit of tea on her ring.

' No changes. Was I being paranoid for nothing?' Cai Yixue muttered as she drank the tea.

" Look! It's Third Prince Li! Prince Li Yuan has arrived!"