I manage female characters in all the heavens.

Jiang Biehe's back was covered in cold sweat.

He actually had some connection with the Yihua Palace. Back then, he betrayed Jiang Feng partly out of jealousy towards Jiang Feng, and partly because the Yihua Palace made a deal with him.

He betrayed Jiang Feng, and the Yihua Palace helped him become a famous hero in the martial arts world. This was arranged by Yaoyue herself.

It was only after meeting Yaoyue that I realized how terrifying the Yihua Palace was, and how much I should not offend it.

Leaving aside the two ladies, Yaoyue and Lianxing, no one in the entire martial arts world dares to provoke them. Although this young girl looks young, which woman from the Yihua Palace is easy to deal with?

Although the Jiangnan hero was renowned, he was far from being able to withstand the might of the Yihua Palace.

What if she's just a junior out there gaining experience, with the entire Yihua Palace backing her up...?

Ouch, that's terrifying!

His smile instantly grew even warmer, and his tone became subtly solicitous: "By the way, may I ask your name, young lady?"

“Master Jiang, you may address me as Yu Yan,” Jiang Yu Yan replied, without revealing her full name.

After all, the name "Jiang Yuyan" is very much in the style of Jiang Biehe's children.

Jiang Biehe's heart stirred slightly. The surname Yu? That's quite rare.

He showed no sign of it on his face, and continued to lead her through the courtyard with a smile.

Upon learning of Jiang Yuyan's stated purpose, Jiang Biehe was both amused and exasperated. He quickly refused Jiang Yuyan's filial piety offer to come and serve as a servant to help him arrange the birthday banquet, and instead treated Jiang Yuyan with the highest level of hospitality.

Jiang Yuyan was flattered and thought to herself that he truly deserved to be called the peerless hero of Jiangnan. He welcomed her, a junior visitor, with such hospitality and without the slightest impoliteness. He was indeed worthy of the title of hero of Jiangnan!

Although the Jiang residence is not large, its layout is quite elegant.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a blue stone screen wall. Beyond the screen wall lies a path paved with blue bricks, lined with lush bamboo that rustles in the wind.

At the end of the passageway is the main hall, with a plaque hanging above the door that reads "The Virtue of the Benevolent" in elegant and simple calligraphy.

As Jiang Yuyan watched the process, her affection for this father grew even stronger.

This mansion exudes an air of integrity, unlike the gaudy and vulgar displays of those nouveau riche.

My father must be a man of high moral character to live in a place like this.

Little did she know that the entire layout, decorations, and even the calligraphy on the plaque of the mansion were specially designed by Jiang Biehe at great expense.

The goal is to ensure that every guest who visits the house forms a first impression of the host as a "gentleman" the moment they step through the door.

This was an elaborate scam, and she was stepping into it with great anticipation.

Jiang Biehe personally led Jiang Yuyan to the guest room in the east wing, and instructed the maid to take good care of her before taking his leave.

He walked out of the room, his smile slowly fading, and his brows furrowing slightly.

Why did the people from Yihua Palace suddenly visit?

He walked toward the study while pondering.

As he passed through the garden, he encountered his wife, Madam Shen, with their son, Jiang Yulang, and daughter, Jiang Yufeng, admiring the flowers in the pavilion.

Shen rushed forward, her face full of anger: "Jiang Biehe, who was that bitch just now? Wearing a mask and acting all mysterious, was she afraid I would recognize her?!"

Just now, Jiang Biehe took Jiang Yuyan to the guest room, and Shen happened to see them.

This is a jealous woman who is very strict with Jiang Biehe. She usually forbids him from contacting other women, but now, her husband has actually brought another woman home. This is outrageous!

"Madam, please don't talk nonsense!" Jiang Biehe quickly waved his hand, lowered his voice, and avoided Shen's gaze, showing that he was afraid of her.

Shen was originally a disciple of Yihua Palace. She was forced into his side by Yaoyue after they made a deal.

Jiang Biehe's success today is not only due to his own efforts, but also inseparable from the help of the Shen family. In addition, the Shen family's identity as a disciple of the Yihua Palace has made Jiang Biehe fearful since before his marriage.

If it weren't for his shrewish wife, he would have brought Jiang Yuyan and her daughter home long ago.

"This is not the woman I found. She is a distinguished guest from Yihua Palace. You should know what she represents. You must treat her well and not neglect her. There will be a banquet tonight. You should bring Yulang and Yufeng to accompany her. Do not be impolite."

Shen was startled. It was actually someone from Yihua Palace. Who was it?

Although she was once a disciple of the Yihua Palace, she eventually married and left the palace.

Jiang Biehe was unaware of the affairs of Yihua Palace, but she was well aware that Yihua Palace was not a place that valued incense offerings and sentiments, especially under Yaoyue's leadership, where it had become extremely biased.

Even if she doesn't treat the disciples from the palace well and offends them, they can turn on her in a heartbeat.

Moreover, those who can leave Yihua Palace alone to carry out missions are all high-ranking officials. Back when she was in Yihua Palace, she was just a maid of Yaoyue, and her status was far inferior to that of the high-ranking officials who could leave alone. She must be treated well!

Hearing this, Jiang Yulang's eyes darted around, and he leaned forward with a grin, saying, "Dad, is that lady pretty? How can you see clearly with a mask on?"

He knew nothing about the Yihua Palace or martial arts taboos; the spoiled brat only cared about indulging in debauchery and bullying others because of his father's name.

Jiang Biehe glared at him: "Stop with your petty thoughts. If you offend her, our whole family will suffer a terrible fate!"

Jiang Yulang shrank back and awkwardly retreated.

Jiang Yufeng, who was standing by the pavilion, listened quietly without interrupting.

She looked toward the east wing, her eyes filled with curiosity, but without any other emotion.

The banquet was held in the flower hall in the back hall. The space was not large, but it was decorated exquisitely and warmly.

The dishes, though not extravagant, were plentiful and delicious, with a good balance of meat and vegetables, still reflecting the style of a Jiangnan master, and it was clear that they were prepared with care.

Jiang Biehe sat in the main seat, with Madam Shen to his left, and Jiang Yulang and Jiang Yufeng sitting in order.

Jiang Yuyan was seated to Jiang Biehe's right—a seat reserved for honored guests.

"Miss Yu, this is just a simple meal, nothing special." Jiang Biehe raised his wine cup, his smile warm. "I'll offer you a toast first, to express my gratitude."

Jiang Yuyan quickly raised her glass in return: "You're too kind, Master Jiang. It's I who have bothered you."

They each finished their drinks, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Jiang Biehe then introduced Jiang Yuyan's family: "This is my wife, Madam Shen; this is my son, Yulang; and this is my daughter, Yufeng."

Ms. Shen was not yet forty, well-maintained, with a beautiful face and an air of elegance in her every move.

Although she had become lax in her martial arts skills after getting married, she hadn't completely lost them. She still practiced from time to time, and her skills had only slightly declined compared to when she was in the Yihua Palace. Her martial arts skills were still considered third-rate in the martial arts world.

This gave her a heroic spirit unlike that of ordinary women.

Now, if they put on a good performance, they will certainly look glamorous.

Chapter 119 Speaking of Law in the Martial World? The Woman Who Occupies the Sky

She smiled and nodded to Jiang Yuyan, her tone gentle: "Miss Yu has come from afar. Please forgive me if I have failed to take good care of you."

Madam Shen did not inquire about Jiang Yuyan's identity in Yihua Palace. She was no longer a disciple of Yihua Palace and had no right or standing to ask about it. She only needed to know that Jiang Yuyan was here and could represent Yihua Palace.

She had already sensed the unique aura of Mingyu Gong emanating from Jiang Yuyan. Since she practiced Mingyu Gong, she could certainly represent Yihua Palace, and she had to do her best to respect her.

Jiang Yulang was a boy of seventeen or eighteen years old. He was handsome with clear eyes and bright eyes, and had red lips and white teeth. He looked like a charming young gentleman.

He stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful greeting, and said with a smile, "Greetings, Miss Yu."

His bow was perfectly timed, neither impolite nor lacking in youthful vivacity. He appeared gentle and approachable, with an elegant demeanor, much like his father.

Jiang Yufeng simply nodded slightly and smiled, saying, "Miss Yu."

She was in her early twenties, with a spirited and dashing appearance.

Although she was quite good, compared to Liu's gentleness and Jiang Yulang's demeanor, she seemed rather ordinary; only her appearance was worthy of Jiang Biehe's genes.

Her attitude was neither warm nor cold, neither intimate nor distant, merely maintaining basic politeness.

Jiang Yuyan secretly compared them in her mind: Madam Jiang was gentle and dignified, Young Master Jiang was polite and courteous, but this Miss Jiang... was rather aloof.

She wasn't a petty person, but looking at Jiang Yufeng's nonchalant young lady demeanor, she felt somewhat uneasy.

This feeling mainly comes from comparison.

Jiang Yufeng, who was a nice person to begin with, did not try to show off and simply treated Jiang Yuyan, the distinguished guest, with a normal attitude.

Although Jiang Yufeng is a good person, she has been the eldest daughter of the Jiang family for twenty years and has some minor flaws. She doesn't try to hide them, so they are naturally overshadowed by the performance of Madam Jiang and Jiang Yulang.

Of the three, Jiang Yuyan had the worst first impression of Jiang Yufeng, feeling that Jiang Yufeng was not like a member of the Jiang family at all and that she was somewhat tarnishing Jiang Biehe's image, and she was somewhat dissatisfied with her.

It has to be said that her feeling was right; Jiang Yufeng really didn't seem like a member of the Jiang family at all.

In the Jiang family, a veritable melting pot of corruption, it was truly unexpected that Jiang Yufeng was able to maintain her kindness and principles, becoming the only conscience in the entire Jiang family.

Jiang Yuyan was unaware that Jiang Yufeng acted this way because she was the only "outlier" in the Jiang family.

In this family where the father's kindness and the son's filial piety are all an act, and the gentleness and virtue are all a facade, she is the only one who is real, and who will show kindness to the unfamiliar sister who has come from afar.

Others respected Jiang Yuyan only because of her status as a member of the Yihua Palace, not because of her as a person.

Unfortunately, Jiang Yuyan was not yet able to see through this facade.

During the meal, Jiang Biehe chatted and laughed, talking about interesting stories from the martial arts world and local customs. His words were neither pretentious nor ostentatious, but rather showed humility and grace.

Shen would occasionally chime in with a few words, her tone gentle and appropriate, often expressing concern for Jiang Yuyan.

Jiang Yulang, standing to the side, cracked jokes and amused Jiang Yuyan, who covered her mouth and chuckled several times.

Jiang Yufeng, however, ate her food silently the whole time, occasionally responding with a word or two, and then said nothing more.

Jiang Yuyan glanced at her a few times and shook her head inwardly: This young lady is probably spoiled and doesn't know how to treat people.

The banquet was a great success, with both hosts and guests enjoying themselves immensely.

After the maid cleared away the leftover food and served tea, Jiang Yuyan hesitated for a long time before finally making up her mind and saying, "Master Jiang, I have an important matter I would like to discuss with you."

As soon as she said this, Jiang Biehe paused slightly in his tea-serving hand, and his heart skipped a beat.

—It's coming! It's coming! The people from Yihua Palace are finally going to reveal their true colors!

I knew it! How could the people from Yihua Palace be here to celebrate my birthday? I'm not worthy!

He felt bitter inside, but dared not show it on his face, maintaining a warm smile:

"Oh? Please speak freely, young lady. I will do my best to help you with anything within my power."

As he spoke, he waved for Shen Shi, Jiang Yulang, and Jiang Yufeng to leave, as the mission of Yihua Palace could not be known to others.

However, Jiang Yuyan waved her hand and said seriously, "There's no need to avoid everyone. This matter... concerns everyone in the Jiang family."

Jiang Biehe: "..."

His hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.