"Yuyao, my dear sister, is here, Mr. Lin, are you so heartless not to go see her?" In the backyard of "Lin’s," Si Miaoxue handed over a cup of hot perilla drink.

Although milk tea is delicious, it contains too much sugar. Occasionally drinking it is not a big problem, but over time, it can lead to health issues.

Of course, for someone like him who practices martial arts, he can completely metabolize it as energy. But in his previous life, he was used to a healthy diet. Even in this reincarnation, it hasn’t changed, except in the matter of "lust." In his past life, he had desires but was powerless, longed for but couldn’t achieve. Now, however...

"What should I say to her?"

"Today, you went with Youwei to the embroidery house to customize wedding clothes. She must have seen it, otherwise, she wouldn’t have come looking for me." Si Miaoxue said.

"From the very beginning, I disagreed with this matter. We barely know each other and don’t understand each other, and she might not accept such an arrangement. We don’t have a foundation of feelings..."

"Mr. Lin, you don’t have feelings with Yuyao, but what about with me? Aren’t we doing well now?" Si Miaoxue said with a smile.

"Ours developed over time; it’s different. Besides, she still has a resistant attitude towards me. Her environment is different from yours."

"I know where Yuyao’s resistance comes from." Si Miaoxue chuckled, "Actually, she doesn’t mind my relationship with you, and she doesn’t care if she’s your only one. She actually wants the title of the main wife."

"That’s impossible. Although you all will be called concubines in the future, I won’t actually treat you as such. Besides household authority, everything else is the same. You all have your own careers and personal spaces to do what you love." Lin Miao said.

"Will you acknowledge us?"

"Of course. One day, I will acknowledge you all as my wives without having to worry about anyone." Lin Miao nodded.

"Actually, being the woman behind Mr. Lin is already very fortunate. At least now I’m living comfortably, without oppression, and don’t have to consider all those vexing issues," said Si Miaoxue. This was indeed her heartfelt feeling.

The identity of the Moon Worship Sect was indeed a kind of shackle, but since her master was captured and thrown into the Moon Demon Prison, she completely broke with the Moon Worship Sect.

She owes the Moon Worship Sect nothing, and her future life belongs to her.

"When you have time, you should go to the embroidery house to have a wedding dress made. Once I marry my senior sister, I’ll marry you along too."

"Mr. Lin, are you serious?"

"Of course. I just can’t accompany you right now, I hope you won’t blame me for this." Lin Miao reached out to gently caress Si Miaoxue’s cheek.

"Actually, Shen An’s behavior today was somewhat unusual. Based on my observation and understanding of him, he shouldn’t be so impatient. Surprisingly, he brought up the matter of selecting a son-in-law directly in front of Yuyao. Also, his second uncle suddenly coming to Li Hen City is purposeful."

"Life-taking Saber Shen Hao is probably coming for the Celestial Essence Fruit at the Heaven-Dominating Tower’s auction." Si Miaoxue analyzed, "Similarly, Helian Wanwan of the Snow Mountain Sect is probably after it too. Helian Wanwan has been at the Peak of Meridian Passage Realm for many years without a breakthrough. One Celestial Essence Fruit can increase the chance of breakthrough success by thirty percent. Who wouldn’t want it?"

"But the appearance of the Celestial Essence Fruit at the Heaven-Dominating Tower’s year-end auction hasn’t been confirmed yet. Aren’t they afraid there might be nothing?"

"Even if there’s nothing, at most, they made a wasted trip. But what if they miss the opportunity? They’d regret it for life."

"Did you receive an invitation to Nie Tian’s Celestial Essence Banquet at the Heaven-Dominating Tower?"

"I received one. I actually have two invitations; the other one is Lin Bei’s. If Mr. Lin wants to go, you can use his identity." Si Miaoxue said.

"Give me Lin Bei’s mask, as well as everything he did, his movements, the people he met, and the words he said. Tell me all of it in detail." Lin Miao thought for a moment and instructed.

"Alright, Mr. Lin, please wait. I’ll fetch it for you." Si Miaoxue smiled with pursed lips, a note of joy in her voice.

Si Miaoxue quickly turned around, bringing back not only Lin Bei’s mask but also a box containing all the clothes and shoes Si Miaoxue wore while impersonating Lin Bei.

In simple terms, it was the complete set of props.

Si Miaoxue was a few centimeters shorter than Lin Miao, so she used lifts to appear closer to his height during her disguise. However, in recent months, Lin Miao grew two or three more centimeters, which was a significant flaw.

However, since Lin Bei often disappears mysteriously, this flaw wouldn’t be easily noticed unless someone paid very special attention.

As for martial arts styles, there’s no need to worry. Si Miaoxue used the swordsmanship and boxing techniques taught by Lin Miao during sparring.

The only difference was that Si Miaoxue’s punches or sword moves appeared softer, but unless someone had extremely high discernment, it wouldn’t be noticeable.

Besides, Si Miaoxue was also disguised, and so was he. Even if someone figured out Lin Bei was in disguise but hadn’t seen his true face, who could conclude he wasn’t the real "Lin Bei"?

Lin Bei also had another fake identity, as a lay disciple of Shanglin Temple. This identity was prepared for contingencies, and he was already registered with Fahai, the monk with the big bald head.

He also knew some martial arts from Shanglin Temple, and learning more from Fahai, the bald head, would be just a matter of asking.

This identity wasn’t at risk of being exposed.

As long as it’s not scrutinized, the identity shouldn’t be exposed. At least, if someone investigates, he can get the message immediately.

"Mr. Lin, I have to go now, otherwise Sister Yuyao will be upset for waiting too long."

"Okay." Lin Miao was holding a thick stack of documents, which would take quite a bit of time to finish reading and memorizing.

...

A cup of hot milk tea was almost finished, but the sugar-coated hawthorn on a stick was picked up and put down again. It was unclear whether to savor it or hesitated on how to start eating.

Until Si Miaoxue came over.

"Sister Yuyao, what’s wrong? You seem to have something on your mind," Si Miaoxue said with a smile as she sat down in front of Baili Yuyao.

"Miaoxue, you are here." Baili Yuyao glanced at Si Miaoxue and replied feebly.

"What’s wrong? Who upset my sister? I’ll go find them for you!" Si Miaoxue said.

"Is the sugar-coated hawthorn tasty?"

"You’ll know whether it tastes good or not once you take a bite." Si Miaoxue laughed, trying to trap her into admitting it. This girl must have forgotten who she was dealing with.

"Sister, is Brother-in-law behind you?"

"Oh, he just left. Why, do you want to see him?" Si Miaoxue admitted generously. Saying Lin Miao didn’t come would be a lie, as Baili Yuyao’s intelligence would easily see through that.

So, it’s crucial to talk artfully.

"He came but didn’t come to see me?"

"Yuyao, think carefully. You still have a choice now. Once you’ve chosen, your brother-in-law is very domineering. Once he considers someone his own, he won’t let go," Si Miaoxue said.

"I just want to ask him face to face if he truly wants to marry me, or if my mother offered him some conditions for him to agree to this marriage?"

"I don’t know about that. If you want to meet, I can help arrange it."

"Okay, Miaoxue, please help me arrange it." Baili Yuyao picked up the sugar-coated hawthorn and left.

...

"Yuyao left. She wants to see you and ask face to face if you sincerely want to marry her, or if you’ve agreed to some conditions with her mother." Si Miaoxue returned, reporting truthfully to Lin Miao.

Lin Miao was taken aback and then put down the documents in his hand: "She wants to choose a life that belongs to her. But being born in the embroidery village, with her mother as the contemporary embroidery lady, she can’t shake off her responsibilities. Baili Bingyun wants to change the future of the embroidery village. If it continues this way, it will eventually decline one day, losing the original intention of the first generation of embroidery ladies who established the embroidery village."

"What was the original intention of the first generation embroidery lady?"

"To provide a refuge for these unfortunate women, akin to duckweed and chaff, in a chaotic world, to teach them a skill to make a living and the ability to protect themselves," Lin Miao said.

Si Miaoxue nodded: "I see, the vision of the first generation embroidery lady is truly admirable."

"Yes, actually, the original Mandarin Duck Pavilion Master had a similar idea. However, their concepts differed, and they didn’t take the same path. The Mandarin Duck Pavilion Master believed that just as there are good people, there are bad people too. It’s the same with women in this world; some are self-respecting and earn their living with their own hands, while others get money the easiest and most direct way. That’s human nature. Doing things that go against human nature is counterproductive, so it’s best to let everyone go their own ways. That’s how the Mandarin Duck Pavilion and the embroidery village came to be. Unfortunately, the Mandarin Duck Pavilion Master died early, and the first-generation embroidery lady took over the Mandarin Duck Pavilion. The Mandarin Duck Pavilion appeared to merge with the embroidery village, but they still operated independently. The Mandarin Duck Pavilion is much larger, and the embroidery lady wanted to close it down, but it wasn’t feasible. Regarding earning money, the Mandarin Duck Pavilion was far above the embroidery village. The older generation at the Mandarin Duck Pavilion followed the rules and didn’t do anything wrong. After these old ones are gone, the newer generation started thinking about their own interests, money, power, and their business concept changed. They began to force or coerce the girls under them to do things they didn’t want to do..."

"So, the Mandarin Duck Pavilion, now the embroidery building, is no longer under the control of the embroidery village?"

"More or less. Still, the five major stewards of the embroidery building have pretty much shifted to Zhuang Rong." Lin Miao nodded.

"Wasn’t it said there are thirteen major stewards in the embroidery village? What about the other eight stewards?"

"Among the remaining eight stewards, Baili Bingyun can only control six, with two having ambiguous attitudes. The dyeing workshop, weaving workshop, silk workshop, and embroidery academy are divided into north and south academies, each with a steward, and Yang Mengyou is responsible for the embroidery village’s customization, she is the ninth steward among the embroidery village’s thirteen."

"These are the original basic allegiances of the embroidery village, right?"

"Yes, if Baili Bingyun cannot control the embroidery village, how can she stabilize the situation?" Lin Miao said. "Among the remaining two stewards, one is the embroidery village’s guard commander, Jing Wushuang. She is the Mandarin Duck Pavilion Master’s disciple, and the other handles miscellaneous affairs, known as Meng Po, a rare surviving elder from the era of the first embroidery lady and the Mandarin Duck Pavilion Master. Jing Wushuang and Zhuang Rong don’t get along well, but she isn’t Mr. Baili’s confidant either. However, Baili Yuyao works under Jing Wushuang and has a good relationship, considered a semi-disciple. As for Meng Po, she only does her job and doesn’t get involved in internal strife."

"So, you mean it’s a fifty-fifty split, with balanced forces?"

"Not exactly. The embroidery village has a few older elders who are still alive and don’t manage affairs anymore, but they still support Mr. Baili. Plus, Mr. Baili’s breakthrough to the Celestial Essence stage can stabilize the situation, so the embroidery village remains a unified whole."

"So this is why the internal situation of the embroidery village is so complex? Mr. Lin, how do you know this?" Si Miaoxue asked curiously.

"Baili Bingyun told me all this," Lin Miao said.