Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

A clear voice rang out.

Yang Guo slowly stood up: "Eunuch Ke, Miss Lu is innocent. She was only five years old when she was kidnapped by Li Mochou. It's a miracle she survived. As for Li Mochou... I already mentioned it at dinner yesterday. She has reformed and is now a Grandmaster."

Ke Zhen'e frowned deeply: "Guo'er, how can you be sure the other party can reform?"

"I am merely stating the facts," Yang Guo said frankly. "Li Mochou is indeed guilty, but she has sincerely repented. With our resistance against the Mongols imminent, the more grandmasters we have, the greater our chances of victory."

Upon hearing about the resistance against the Mongols, Ke Zhen'e remained silent, but the iron staff in his hand stopped trembling.

Guo Jing spoke up at the opportune moment: "Master, Guo'er is right. We already discussed Li Mochou's matter yesterday, so let's not bring it up again today. Miss Lu is a guest today, and we should treat her with courtesy."

Huang Rong also raised her cup and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, Master, please try this wine. It's Shaoxing Daughter Red that Rong'er specially prepared for you."

Ke Zhen'e's expression softened slightly. He raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, but still snorted, "Guo'er, you've grown wings now, even daring to trust that she-devil. Don't forget, your father back then..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone at the table understood what he meant—Yang Kang had also gone astray back then.

Yang Guo remained calm: "This disciple will remember Eunuch Ke's teachings."

The atmosphere at the banquet then returned to some semblance of liveliness.

However, the expressions of Da Wu and Xiao Wu remained unpleasant, especially when they saw Yang Guo surrounded by women, with Guo Fu frequently serving him food, which fueled their jealousy even more.

Although Ke Zhen'e was blind, his hearing was sharp, and he could sense the subtle atmosphere in the room from the sounds of bowls and chopsticks and breathing.

He suddenly spoke up: "Fu'er, why are you sitting so close? A young lady should know her place."

Guo Fu blushed and quickly moved to the side: "Yes, Eunuch Ke."

Yang Guo smiled and placed a piece of fish on Guo Fu's plate: "Fu-mei, this is your favorite steamed perch."

Guo Fu took it, and a sweet smile returned to her face.

Ke Zhen'e raised a white eyebrow, listened intently, but said nothing more. He simply picked up his wine glass and drank another cup.

The meal continued in an eerie atmosphere.

Guo Jing's gaze lingered on his daughter's neck from time to time.

Although it had been covered with powder, a few faint red marks could still be discerned upon closer inspection.

He glanced at the group of beautiful women surrounding Yang Guo and felt his head throb even more.

Ke Zhen'e suddenly put down his chopsticks and said in a deep voice, "Guo'er, I've heard that all the women around you... are related to you?"

The question was so direct that the room fell silent.

Yang Guo nodded readily: "Yes."

"Nonsense!" Ke Zhen'e slammed his iron staff on the ground. "A real man should prioritize his country and his family! You're so young, yet you're already indulging in women. What kind of behavior is this?!"

Yang Guo stood up: "Eunuch Ke's admonition is correct. But I have treated each of them sincerely and will never let any of them down. Besides, although I am sentimental, I have never neglected my duties—I keep the Mongol military situation and the defense of Xiangyang in mind."

"Hmph, what a silver tongue!" Ke Zhen'e said, though his tone softened somewhat. "Your father was just as eloquent back in the day..."

He didn't finish speaking, but everyone knew he was recalling Yang Kang's past misdeeds.

Guo Jing quickly smoothed things over: "Master, although Guo'er's actions are somewhat... unconventional, he has no major flaws. He did his best in the fight against the Mongols, and even rescued two girls who were delivering military intelligence on the way."

Ke Zhen'e then stopped talking and just drank in silence.

Da Wu and Xiao Wu tried to speak several times, but were intimidated by Ke Zhen'e's previous imposing manner and dared not act rashly.

Finally, the meal was over.

The maids came up to clear away the bowls and plates and served tea.

Ke Zhen'e stood up, leaning on his iron cane: "Jing'er, Rong'er, I'm tired, I'll go back and rest first."

Huang Rong quickly said, "Rong'er will see you off."

"No need." Ke Zhen'e waved his hand, but then stopped and turned to Yang Guo. "Guo'er, escort me back. I have something to ask you."

Yang Guo replied, "Yes, Eunuch Ke."

The two slowly walked out of the front hall.

The moonlight under the eaves was like water.

Ke Zhen'e took a few steps, then suddenly whispered, "Guo'er, those women around you... have you forced them?"

Yang Guo was taken aback, then said seriously, "Absolutely not. They all followed me voluntarily."

"That's good." Ke Zhen'e was silent for a moment. "Back then, your father... used force, ruining your mother's life. If you dare to follow his example, I will be the first to not forgive you."

Yang Guo solemnly replied, "This disciple dares not."

Ke Zhen'e nodded, then sighed, "You're better than your father; at least you're brave enough to take responsibility for your actions. But... what do you plan to do with that girl, Fu'er? She's Jing'er's only daughter."

Yang Guo pondered for a moment and said, "This disciple will treat Sister Fu well and will never let her suffer any injustice."

"Talk is cheap." Ke Zhen'e stopped in his tracks. "Let's find a time to get the wedding done. Once the status is settled, it'll save us from gossip."

Yang Guo smiled wryly: "Eunuch Ke, I cannot marry only Sister Fu..."

"You!" Ke Zhen'e's white eyebrows shot up, but he sighed in despair. "So be it, so be it. I can't interfere in the affairs of you young people. Just one thing—don't let any of them down."

"Your disciple will remember this."

After escorting Ke Zhen'e back to his room, Yang Guo returned to the front hall.

Only Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and the two Wu brothers remained in the hall.

Huang Rong looked at Da Wu and Xiao Wu, her expression serious: "You have all seen what happened today. I have my own plans for Guo'er and Fu'er's matter. If you still consider me your master's wife, then don't cause any more trouble."

Wu Dunru gritted his teeth and said, "Master's wife, we're just worried about Fu-mei..."

"I'll take care of Fu'er, you don't need to worry about her." Huang Rong interrupted him, "If you really care about Fu'er, you should wish her happiness, instead of constantly opposing Guo'er."

She paused, then softened her tone: "You must be tired too, go back and rest."

Da Wu and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, knowing that further discussion was pointless, and could only bow and take their leave.

Stepping out of the front hall, Wu Xiuwen finally couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his fist into a pillar: "Big brother! Are we just going to let this go?!"

Wu Dunru's face was gloomy.

He recalled the red marks on Guo Fu's neck and the intimate interactions between Yang Guo and the women at the banquet.

"Let's go back first," Wu Dunru said in a low voice, "and discuss this further."

The two brothers disappeared into the night.