Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1574 - 966: Shameless Old Man (Part 2)

In that case, even if I were to be married into Shifang City, what does it matter?

Shifang City is unstable, and when disaster strikes, it will cease to exist.

Fang Geyu is carrying my child; if she doesn’t come with me, is she expecting her husband to rely on her grandfather?

"Young Master, you are profoundly wise!" The two attendants behind him were filled with awe after hearing his words.

They had never imagined their Young Master could perceive things so far ahead, his thoughts so unbound and original.

An overly simple mind surely leads to arrogance.

The Young Master's heart is like a polished mirror, deeply calculating and insightful; he perceives what others cannot, and even in his understanding of people and situations, he differs greatly from the common man.

However... although this is a private discussion, marriage is ultimately a matter of great consequence.

Yet, as I listen closely to the Young Master, whether it's the Eighth Princess from Guyin or the Third Lady from Shifang City.

They seem like two items on a display shelf, calmly weighed to determine which is more valuable to acquire.

Mu Yunye, with his sharp perception, noticed the subtle hesitation of his two close attendants and gave a slight nod, speaking indifferently:

"Do you believe that when I discuss my own marriage, I am too coldly rational, perhaps even detached?"

The two confidants quickly lowered their heads: "We would not dare!"

"Even if you harbor such thoughts, what is so strange about that? To me, seeing through the facade to the core, the world is ultimately unfeeling.

A capable politician never requires superfluous emotional considerations; before the life-and-death struggles of power, these ephemeral matters of love hold no significance."

Heavy snow fell, and the air grew cold; the fish in the lake seemed to have descended into the mud in slumber, unwilling to surface. Mu Yunye glanced up at the sky, his interest in fishing waning.

He tossed the bamboo rod to an attendant, stating: "Naturally, I also have my own considerations. As for a person of interest, Fang Geyu draws me in more than the Eighth Princess."

The attendant who caught the bamboo rod displayed a look of surprise.

The Young Master had never taken an interest in romance, and they certainly didn't expect it from him.

This marriage, which in the Young Master's mind was purely a calculation of benefits versus losses, surprisingly held a whisper of personal affection.

Mu Yunye offered a faint smile, remarking: "Her eyes, so devoid of emotion and so proud, resemble a deity more than I do. This, to a man, is quite alluring, wouldn't you agree?"

...

...

The snow had fallen for an entire day, and as far as the eye could comprehend, the land was an endless white canvas.

Dusk began to creep in, yet the mansion showed no hint of encroaching darkness, with the three thousand Luminous Pearls suspended beneath the eaves shining as brilliantly as daylight, casting a glow upon the estate that appeared perpetually frozen in snow, resembling a region of extreme cold.

The warm, amber lights of the tower flickered to life.

As everyone resumed their places, a new seat was positioned three meters away from Fang Geyu.

Under Qin Lou's guidance, each individual took their designated spot.

The disarray from the day's earlier conflict had been meticulously cleared, replaced with pristine carpets and brand-new tables and chairs, arranged with great care.

However, Fang Geyu had changed her attire; it had taken the entire afternoon, but upon closer examination, it remained the same snow-white robe adorned with fox fur and the opulent golden gown.

"Everyone gathered here is a hero and talent of great renown; it is truly my daughter's good fortune that you have journeyed so far."

In a sense, this was Baili An's initial encounter with Fang You, the City Lord of Shifang City.

A man of mature and handsome bearing, despite his high standing, he exuded no deliberately intimidating presence.

His brows and eyes conveyed tranquility and refinement; his bearing was quite sophisticated. Although the City Lord of Shifang City, his clothing was remarkably understated, unlike Fang Geyu, whose presence suggested an air of lavish opulence.

Upon seeing City Lord Fang You, Baili An finally comprehended the origin of the persistent rumors within Shifang City.

Within the world of cultivators, there exists a saying about discerning the spirit and the bone structure of an individual.

Gazing upon Fang You and Fang Geyu, this father and daughter pair, whether in their facial features or their underlying bone structure, belonged to two entirely different styles, exhibiting no discernible resemblance.

If not for the inherent kindness and warmth radiating from Fang You's gaze whenever he looked at Fang Geyu, even Baili An would have been inclined to doubt the veracity of the circulating tales.

With the addition of City Lord Fang You to the gathering, although Fang Geyu's indifferent and dismissive demeanor from earlier in the day remained unchanged, the atmosphere during the dinner evolved into one of significantly greater ease.

Perhaps assured that Ji Xinnian, Rong Lijun, and Sparrow Deity would engage in conflict amongst themselves, Situ Ye ceased his pointed barbs directed at Baili An.

The evening banquet proceeded in a harmonious fashion.

Occasionally, certain hopeful suitors, seeking to impress with their displayed talents and demonstrated abilities, engaged in conversation with City Lord Fang You.

They appropriately articulated their earnest desire for marriage and their profound admiration for the Third Lady.

However, every action was performed with restraint, avoiding any haste or forceful conduct.

Mu Yunye, meanwhile, maintained an aura of tranquility and self-possession throughout the entire event.

He neither overtly revealed his desires nor deliberately created distance.

When City Lord Fang You posed inquiries, Mu Yunye responded with answers that were both polite, thorough, and beyond reproach.

Despite his reserved approach, differing from the eagerness of others, he was the one who effortlessly earned goodwill.

Baili An, positioned near the exit at the far end, seemed to be rarely drawn into discussions with Fang You, possibly due to the significant disparity in their social standing.

Content in his solitude, he engaged in the simple act of shelling walnuts from two plates, appearing as an outsider observing the proceedings.

Following a period of conversation, Fang You took another sip of the clear wine, poured by Steward Qin Lou, to soothe his throat.