Zhou Family Residence

"Who is that girl? How can you have a fan like her?" Ye Ningjie asked after they exited the restaurant. She approached her horse, then leaped up in one fell swoop.

"She is the second young miss of the Tang family. The Tang family is also noble here. It is difficult to evict her openly."

"A noble's daughter who likes a noble's son. If she is good, I will bless her. Unfortunately, she is very rude. So I will help keep him away from you. What do you think about it?" Ye Ningjie raised her eyebrows, making Zhou Yan laugh.

"How are you going to do it?"

"I will think about it later. I am more curious about your family residence. How about you take me there now?" Ye Ningjie asked a little impatiently.

"Alright!" Zhou Yan nodded. He started to run on his horse, while Ye Ningjie followed behind.

The Zhou family's residence was not too far from the restaurant they visited. It only took a moment before a large and closed residence began to appear before the eyes.

Like the residences of other imperial nobles, the Zhou residence was a place that could not be visited carelessly. There is a large gate made of wood. The gate blocked the residence from the bustling outside world.

There is no guard at the gate. Zhou Yan first got off the horse, then knocked on the door with a hanging iron. Not long after, a guard opened the door.

"Young Master …." The guard turned his head to look at Ye Ningjie questioningly.

"Open the door! Let us in," Zhou Yan ordered.

"Very well, Young Master."

The guard finally opened the gate wider. Now they could enter with their horses too. However, before they could go any further, someone suddenly appeared.

"Wait!" A woman from inside the residence shouted. The woman looked a few years older than Zhou Yan and Ye Ningjie. Her demeanor was graceful, but her piercing eyes made her look a little evil.

"Sister Yingyi?" Zhou Yan felt a little astonished. Zhou Yingyi is his older cousin. Could it be that she had something to say?

"Zhou Yan, who is the girl with you?" Zhou Yingyi asked as she looked at Ye Ningjie. This was the first time Zhou Yan had publicly brought a girl into the Zhou residence, so she was both surprised and a little wary.

"I want to meet with grandfather first. We have something to talk about," Zhou Yan replied seriously.

Zhou Lin in Xianqi had already reminded him to tell grandpa about Ye Ningjie's matter. Maybe his grandfather already knew about Zhou Lin going to help the descendant of King Ye Tian.

"Zhou Yan, you must first tell me who she is and what her identity is. How can you be sure she is a good girl and worthy of entering the Zhou residence?" Zhou Yingyi's facial expression was even more sinister.

One had to know that in this large residence there were many descendants of the Zhou family living. As the eldest miss in the Zhou residence, Zhou Yingyi was already used to being a role model for other younger descendants. Many of her nieces and nephews often ask her for opinions and advice.

Zhou Yingyi was used to help determine their move. It made her accustomed to behaving like a senior who understands many things. Undoubtedly, she was an arrogant woman.

Faced with such a woman, Ye Ningjie felt a little annoyed. She only wanted to stay a few days in the Zhou residence while thinking about how to safely enter the imperial palace.

She also wanted to know the ins and outs of Jin An city and the imperial palace well. Sneaking into the king's palace might still be easy, but sneaking into the imperial palace was something difficult. The guard must have been much stricter.

So, she wouldn't be careless. It was better to stay in this Zhou residence while preparing. However, before that, she had to make them believe that she would not harm this family.

"Sister Yingyi, she is an honored guest of our family. That's why I wanted to take her to see grandfather first." Zhou Yan trying to explain.

Zhou Yingyi narrowed her eyes, she doubted Zhou Yan's words. Even though Ye Ningjie looked beautiful, she didn't seem like an honored guest. After all, if she's an important guest there must be someone to look after her. However, where is it? There were no bodyguards or anything by her side.

Don't tell that Zhou Yan is lying? Perhaps the girl was the girl Zhou Yan liked. That's why the man wanted to meet her with their grandfather?

Thinking of that possibility made Zhou Yingyi feel displeased. She looked at Ye Ningjie with disdain, then asked, "Do you know who we are?"

Ye Ningjie smiled. "Of course. Who doesn't know the Zhou noble family? Sorry if my arrival surprised you a bit."

Zhou Yingyi snorted. "Then what qualifications made you want to enter this family?" Zhou Yingyi asked bluntly. Her tone was scornful.

"Sister, don't say that! I am going in now," Zhou Yan said irritatedly. He looked at Ye Ningjie and immediately asked her to come along.

Ye Ningjie just nodded and stepped after Zhou Yan. Talking to Zhou Yingyi was just a waste of time.

"You guys really…." Zhou Yingyi was speechless at the two's attitude. She disliked Ye Ningjie even more. "That girl really made Yan'er act so impudent to me!"

"Zhou Yingyi..." Suddenly a voice came from another direction. She turned and saw the girl who had just arrived. "Tang Yue?"

"Looks like we have a problem today," said Tang Yue, Tang Yin's older sister. She had a fairly good bond of friendship with Zhou Yingyi.

"Please come in. Let's talk about this inside," Zhou Yingyi said seriously.

"Alright."

***

Meanwhile, Ye Ningjie was still following Zhou Yan. The Zhou residence was indeed a large place. They had walked for quite a while but still had not reached their destination.

She was curious where Zhou Yan had taken her. If it was to meet the Zhou family's grandfather, it would be quite a serious encounter. She had to behave well in front of him.

They passed a very fine lotus pond, then came to a small pavilion. An old man was sitting reading a scroll made of bamboo.

"Grandfather!" Zhou Yan called out as he stepped in. The old man immediately turned around. His brow furrowed at his arrival.

Zhou Yan bowed slightly in respect, then said, "Grandfather, I have something to say."

"Wait …." Grandfather Zhou was about to get up from his seat. Zhou Yan immediately helped his grandfather's old body which was getting old.

"What is the matter, Grandfather?" Zhou Yan asked not understanding.

The grandfather named Zhou Wanwu ignored his grandson. He looked at Ye Ningjie with a complicated expression. "You ..."

Ye Ningjie saluted politely. "Lord Zhou, I am Ning Jie'er."

"Oh, god!" Zhou Wanwu was filled with shock. He quickly was about to kneel in front of Ye Ningjie. His attitude immediately made Zhou Yan and Ye Ningjie no less surprised.

"Grandfather, what are you doing?"