Chapter 9: Nie Feng

"Wen Xue, why aren't you celebrating your birthday at home with your parents?" Su Yi casually asked as they made their way to the Juyun Tower.

"I'm already sixteen years old. Since today is my birthday, it's up to me to decide," the girl by his side blinked her beautiful eyes and said with a smile. "But later in the evening, I will be with my parents."

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "Moreover, my grandmother will be turning eighty the day after tomorrow. It's a significant birthday celebration, and my parents and other relatives are busy preparing for it. They don't have the time to attend to me."

Su Yi narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded.

Wen Lingxue's grandmother was none other than Lady Liang Wenbi, who held an extremely prestigious position within the Wen family. Even the clan leader, Wen Changjing, didn't dare to disobey her will.

Her eightieth birthday was a grand event that the entire Wen family couldn't afford to neglect.

"Brother-in-law, let's hurry. It's almost noon," Wen Lingxue said eagerly.

"Alright," Su Yi smiled and followed along.

After all, his little sister-in-law was only sixteen years old.

A youthful age filled with beauty and vitality.

Juyun Tower.

It was the highest-ranked and largest restaurant in Guangling City, known as the number one establishment in Guangling.

Those who frequented it were either wealthy or influential.

There was a saying that a single cup of Juyun Tower's wine could equate to ten years of savings for a poor family!

It was not an exaggeration.

When Su Yi and Wen Lingxue arrived, they were warmly and respectfully escorted by the waiters to a tastefully decorated private room on the third floor.

Several figures were already seated in the private room, aside from a young man, all the others were girls, around the ages of fifteen or sixteen.

As soon as Wen Lingxue arrived, she was warmly welcomed.

"Lingxue, you look so beautiful today. This is a gift specially prepared for you. I wish you success in entering the Qinghe Sword Manor as soon as possible!"

"Hehe, if our classmates knew that today is the birthday of the most beautiful girl in our Songyun Sword Manor, they would probably line up to give you gifts."

... The girls presented the prepared gifts while chatting and laughing with Wen Lingxue, their demeanor polite and enthusiastic.

With a sweep of his gaze, Su Yi noticed many things.

Wen Lingxue's classmates were all dressed impeccably, clearly coming from extraordinary backgrounds with prominent families.

Some were lively and outgoing, others were gentle and reserved, and some exuded a bold and elegant aura... Their appearance and temperament were outstanding.

However, it seemed that Wen Lingxue's appearance today was too beautiful and dazzling, catching everyone's attention.

As these female classmates chatted with Wen Lingxue, there was a subtle hint of envy and jealousy in their eyes, albeit well concealed. However, it didn't escape Su Yi's perceptive gaze.

He couldn't help but smile. The friendship between girls may seem close, but each harbored their own thoughts.

Fortunately, none of this was of great consequence.

"Nie Feng, what are you doing here?" Wen Lingxue suddenly turned her gaze towards the only young man in the group, her eyebrows slightly furrowed and her expression turned cold.

The lively atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

The young man, dressed in a jade robe with handsome features, approached with a smile and said, "Lingxue, today is your birthday. This is a small token of my affection. Please accept it."

He opened a golden and jade-inlaid box with both hands.

A light purple hairpin appeared before everyone's eyes.

The hairpin was exquisitely carved, depicting a lifelike phoenix spreading its wings. It was clearly the work of a master craftsman.

"The Purple Phoenix Hairpin! It is the masterpiece of Master Mo from Yunhe County. They say the material used is a piece of natural purple cold spirit jade, worth three hundred gold coins alone!"

"And after being carved by Master Mo's skilled hands, the value of this hairpin has surpassed a thousand gold coins!"

A girl with delicate makeup had her eyes shining as she recognized the origin of the hairpin.

"This... This is too expensive!" Some of the girls from prominent families couldn't help but exclaim, astonished by Nie Feng's extravagance.

Nie Feng was satisfied with this effect. He smiled faintly and spoke in a gentle voice, "Wen Xue, do you like it? I specially prepared it for you."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the surrounding girls subtly changed, unable to suppress their envy towards Wen Lingxue.

Nie Feng.

The legitimate son of Nie Beihu, the commander of the City Lord's Mansion's guards. With outstanding talent and a graceful appearance, he was already a prominent figure in the Songyun Sword Manor at the age of sixteen, admired by many female classmates.

Such a talented and extravagant person, showering affection with a hairpin as a gift, was a matter of great pride for any girl.

Who wouldn't want such a scene to happen to them?

Wen Lingxue's brows furrowed even more deeply, and her expression grew colder. She said, "This gift is too precious. You should take it back."

Nie Feng's expression froze, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face.

Before he could say anything, Wen Lingxue invited everyone to take their seats, specifically asking Su Yi to sit beside her.

Throughout the gathering, she completely ignored Nie Feng.

However, seeing Nie Feng in an awkward situation, some of the girls couldn't bear it and warmly invited him to take a seat.

Nie Feng quickly regained his composure, sat down with a smile, as if he had completely forgotten the awkward situation that just happened.