Refining the Mountains and Rivers

The Yang Family were a mysterious family who stood at the top of the hierarchy in East Pole County. This was a known fact, and everyone had to admit it. Even that County Lord who usually stayed in his residence and rarely went out did not have an opinion on this. 

After all, the Yang Family were the ones who approved the County Lord to sit in his position and run East Pole County smoothly. It might seem weird, but if you recall that there was a marshall tent located 1.8 kilometers from East Pole County and that its marshal, Yang Wudi, controlled a few hundred thousand fierce troops, this would be natural. 

Of course, no one admitted the linkage between both ‘Yang’s. However, some things were like that. People could know and swallow it but couldn’t say anything. Otherwise, how could there be a Yang Family in East Pole County if the grand marshal could not leave the marshal tent? It was obvious what was going on. 

Furthermore, the grand marshal at the East Border, Yang Wudi, had an official wife in the Grand Marshal Residence. She was a very celebrated individual and if people really talked about the Yang Family in East Pole County, how was it giving her face? They would be slapping the faces of two elites in the military. No one was so bold, and hence, the situation stayed like that. No one said anything and everyone pretended to be dumb. 

Because of this, Songtao Pavilion on the mountain peak would go against normal rules and welcome guests on the night of the opening of the Jade Gate. 

In the night, the Jade Gate was bright and eye-catching. It looked like a sun that shone its rays down on the east side of the mountain. The direct light rays did not seem to be broken off at any point. Yet, when they were still a distance away from the mountain peak, they suddenly stopped. 

Something seemed to have split the light rays and made them stop in the territory of the Central Desolate Divine Area. 

Yang Fanshan kept a straight face as he looked out of the window in Songtao Pavilion with the best view. He quietly observed the Jade Gate and ignored all the eyes that were surveying him. 

The process of entering the Yang Family had gone by smoothly. It was so smooth that he did not have to use anything that he prepared. This actually made his heart turn colder. However, he tried to be the bright and calm uncle from the Yang Family. 

He had no choice but to accept his lower status. When he left the Yang Family residence today, a group of youngsters from the family sent him off. That was the first time he had felt sincerity from their greetings. 

His heart grew colder. 

With his current circumstances, how could he be bothered with the those eyes from other families? Furthermore, there was already a figure looming in his heart. Although it was only one look that night, her figure had imprinted itself into his heart and that was why he hastily revealed his identity. Otherwise, he would not be in such a poor state now. 

Yang Fanshan did not regret his actions and he would make the same decisions even if time rewound. It was a pity that he might not have a chance to tell her his feelings. 

Of course, if Yang Fanshan wanted to, he would definitely be able to do it eventually. Right now, he could even incite people to bring her here, but he would not do so. If he could protect himself and inherit the Yang Family’s fortunes, he really wanted to meet her again. Since he could not, it was better that they did not meet. 

He sipped his tea and allowed its fragrance to permeate his nose. Yet, Yang Fanshan could only taste bitterness and he started to frown. 

This image made many single ladies who were secretly staring at him in Songtao Pavilion feel heartache. They felt like he was hiding a lot of burdens in his heart today. 

Jiang Zhiyue was not among them and she lost her thoughts as she stared at the cup in her hands. Occasionally she would frown and bite her lip slightly. She originally thought that they would not meet again after the night of the lantern festival. Who knew that they would meet again coincidentally today? 

She did not know what he was hiding that would cause him to leave such a strong impression in her mind even though they had only met twice. In the past, she had met a number of outstanding, talented young men. This included the sons of various families in the city, that lord in the city governor residence, and a few cultivators who were going to inherit their clans. 

Therefore, Jiang Zhiyue could not understand…why him! What made her feel more empty and sad was that she had not exchanged a single word with him until now, and she did not know his name. 

More importantly, she did not know if they had exhausted their fate with each other after today and if they would meet again…when she thought of this, Jiang Zhiyue felt her nose become stuffy and her eyes started to turn red. Her gaze pierced into the tea cup and she was like a tiny ostrich who had buried her head in the sand. 

Aunt Jiang could sense the weird actions of her niece tonight. As an experienced person, she could roughly guess what was going on in the girl’s mind from her gaze. That Sister Rong might take the opportunity to make some snide remarks. 

The girls beside her were all bad at hiding their outright peeking at the young lord. It was hard for them to cover up their emotions as they stared at him. In all honesty, Yang Fanshan was good-looking. Furthermore, the Yang Family had acknowledged him and it was understandable that the girls would desire him. 

However, tonight, Aunt Jiang’s attention did not stay on Yang Fanshan. After a brief look at him, her eyes skipped past him. He was destined not to live long, so what if he attracted everyone else’s attention today? The daughter of the Jiang Family would not marry a man like that. 

She had used the opportunity of the Yang Family disciple journeying out and the opening of the Songtao Pavilion to use the County Lord’s token to come here. Her objective from the start was not Yang Fanshan. 

Aunt Jiang had not told anyone about this and she even kept her niece in the dark. Not to mention Sister Rong and the rest…they were only people Aunt Jiang dragged along to cover up her true goals. 

The seat that Jiang Zhiyue was in was not considered good and she did not spy on Yang Fanshan like the rest. She sat by herself, but she ended up catching their eye. This was something that Aunt Jiang noticed from the start and it was the reason why she kept silent. 

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That’s because the real person she cared about was that young military officer by the window who was wearing armor and carried a weapon. His eyes had already swept over two times. 

That was enough! 

The disciples of the Yang Family who were qualified to train with the army were all resilient men. If he saw her once and then twice, it meant that she had formed an impression in his mind. If things could…Aunt Jiang’s heart could not help beating in excitement. 

From this angle, it was a good thing that Zhi’er met that man tonight. Aunt Jiang smiled and her attitude became warmer. 

Right at that moment, that young military officer by the winder walked over and sat beside the Yang Family lord. 

Yang Fanshan turned around and met his gaze. He frowned, “You are the one who is going to pass the order today?” 

The young military officer nodded quietly and he took out a jade token from his waist. He placed it on the table and said, “The disciples of the Yang Family are not afraid of hardship. Since you want this status, you have to take on the risks and responsibilities.” 

Yang Fanshan fell silent for a while. Then he slowly spoke, “I hope that the risk comes from the outside world and not because someone wants me dead.” 

The military officer looked at him, “I can swear to you that the Yang Family would not engage in internal murders.” The two spoke quietly and they were also intentionally covering up their conversation. The people in Songtao Pavilion only saw how the military officer walked up to Yang Fanshan to say a few words. They could not hear the conversation. 

However, this already piqued the interest of everyone and they could not help having their gazes linger on this military officer. The more they looked at him, the more their hearts tightened. 

Yet, Jiang Zhiyue still did not lift her head. 

As such, the military officer looked at her a third time. This time was different than before and he stared at her for a longer time. 

The long-eyebrowed lady seemed to have sensed it this time and she lifted her head and met his gaze. She could not help frowning. Aunt Jiang had been observing her from a side and when she saw Jiang Zhiyue frown, she did not panic but her smile became even brighter. 

As the saying went, the fairy’s lack of expression was a tease. Even if you were an elite of the heavens, as long as you fall into her arms, your heart would be in her hands. This was especially so since Jiang Zhiyue did not know her emotions. As such, this reaction came from the bottom of her heart. 

The person opposite her was the real disciple of the Yang Family who came while hiding his identity. He had a determined personality and his eyes lit up. He maintained a sincere attitude. 

This was a pleasant surprise. 

Tonight, her efforts of pleading with the County Lord to bring her niece here had not gone in vain. The girls beside them who started to notice the military officer later were already a step behind. They could not compare to Jiang Zhiyue at the moment. 

“Hmph!” 

Jiang Zhiyue frowned and scoffed lightly as she turned her head. She remembered Aunt Jiang’s words to not cause any trouble at Songtao Pavilion. However, this man’s stare was making her unhappy. Even though he was staring at her in admiration, it felt like it was a bare invasion of her privacy. 

She did not lower her heart because she did not want the other party to think that she was nervous or embarrassed. As such, she turned towards the window and ignored him blatantly. 

I don’t like you! 

This was her attitude. 

The young man called Yang Qianren was one of the more outstanding sons of his father. He stayed by the marshal tent often and he had food foresight. There were talks about his marriage before, but he did not fancy any lady. 

Tonight, he was ordered to head to Songtao Pavilion to observe that bold man who wanted to join the real bloodline of the Yang Family. He would also take the opportunity to destress. After all, he followed his father most of the time and it was not an exaggeration to say that his father was half tiger and half father. 

Surprisingly, he had an unexpected find. This lady had caught his eye. 

Then, she was going to be his. 

The military officer’s lips twitched and he suddenly turned. His eyes fell on Aunt Jiang and he met her gaze. Aunt Jiang’s expression changed and her smile grew even wider. 

The lady’s measures seemed exquisite and full but they were ineffective in the end…Yang Qianren was smiling and he was growing more excited. This exquisite lady and the young girl’s eyebrows looked the same. There was a charm in them. 

However, right at this moment, Yang Qianren frowned and he was no longer in the mood to admire them. Aunt Jiang opposite him also revealed a look of surprise. 

Jiang Zhiyue immediately sat straight and her eyes bulged wide as she looked outside with an expression of excitement and disbelief. She looked and stared again and again and she could not help pinching herself. 

Ouch! 

It was him!