Chapter 735: Decline Is Not Without Reason

Ye Qianning met the young woman’s scrutiny with a faint smile.

The young woman frowned instantly, her expression filled with disdain. She strode over to them. "What important business could you possibly have with a fisherman’s daughter? My cousin is here today, and I specially selected a batch of extra-large seafood from the port. I’m planning to cook myself, so come and help me."

"I already told you I’m busy. You should find someone else."

"Hmph, if you don’t listen to me, I’ll have Luo Wen punish you later." As she spoke, the young woman seemed to be showing off to Ye Qianning.

Ye Qianning sensed her petty scheme and said with a helpless smile, "Luo Feng, go help this young lady."

"Sect Leader..."

"Don’t call me that when we’re outside. Just go," Ye Qianning interrupted Luo Feng.

Luo Feng didn’t want to go at all, but he couldn’t disobey the words of his Sect Leader. He could only shoot the young woman a glare before heading for the door.

The young woman triumphantly lifted her chin at Ye Qianning, then turned and followed him out.

Ye Qianning chuckled and shook her head. ’So childish.’ But the girl’s behavior reminded her of someone. ’Cousins... they really are alike!’

She turned to look out the window. The streets were bustling and crowded with people, horses, and carriages. The scene looked even more lively than the Imperial City back then.

All sorts of sounds reached her. Ye Qianning covered her ears, blocking out the bustling noise, and Old Prince Feng’s furious voice from upstairs broke through.

The Shopkeeper of the Immortal Sea Building stubbornly refused to give up the reservation for a full buyout on June twelfth, angering Old Prince Feng. To curry favor, his lackey, Huo Tu, put on a full display of thuggish and domineering behavior.

The Shopkeeper, however, was not one to be intimidated and refused everyone. Infuriated, Huo Tu attacked him directly, but after landing just one blow, he was stopped by a servant who rushed forward.

Seeing that brute force wasn’t working, Old Prince Feng had no choice but to summon the City Lord. He wanted to buy out the Immortal Sea Building.

The moment Old Prince Feng’s invitation was sent, Ye Qianning understood completely. This business deal in Nanyuan was no longer viable.

Since they wanted to burn the bridge after crossing it, she saw no reason to concern herself with Nanyuan’s livelihood anymore.

She had initially wanted to change Nanyuan because Pangtuan was born there, and her own mother was a native of Nanyuan. The memory of her mother’s difficult life was what motivated her to improve the region’s current state.

’Now it seems there’s a reason for its poverty and decline.’

"Sect Leader... Miss." Luo Feng returned from the back kitchen.

Ye Qianning looked up. "Finished already?"

"Yes."

"Who was that young woman from before?"

"She’s the younger sister of a friend of Master Luo. They were separated during a flood when they were children. She was found a few years ago during the expansion of Dayu City and was settled here." Luo Feng was clearly quite annoyed by her.

Ye Qianning nodded slightly. She had indeed heard from Du Yi that he was rescued by her father, who was passing by while leading troops during a flood in his hometown.

The girl’s overall features—her eyes, brows, and mouth—were very similar to Du Yi’s, as they were cousins.

Du Yi was quite handsome, so the girl could also be considered a beauty, but her personality had been nurtured to be a bit spoiled and overbearing.

"Miss, our Sect Leader will also be arriving in Dayu City the day after tomorrow. Elder Chen’s birthday banquet will definitely be very lively then." Luo Feng had previously been worried that Elder Chen’s banquet would be overshadowed by Old Prince Feng.

Now he wasn’t worried at all. The Xianyue Sect had quite a few people stationed in various places, and he heard they were all rushing toward Dayu City.

"The excitement starts now. Go gather some people and secretly surround the Immortal Sea Building."

’The excitement won’t be limited to just that day.’

"Miss... Yes."

Luo Feng had wanted to ask why, but then he thought better of it. ’The Sect Leader’s word is law. There must be a good reason for her order to surround the place.’