Of course, Gu Ruoyun was not aware of the incident at the Hundred Herb Hall. She was in the Xia Family Estate, heading towards the outer courtyard when she was blocked by a group of people.

　　The leader of the group was a man dressed in richly embroidered robes. His eyes examined the young girl in front of him from head to toe. His lips carried a trace of disdain and his chin was raised as if the latter was only fit to gaze upwards at him.

　　“You’re Gu Ruoyun? I think not. The rumors say that you’ve tamed the Azure Dragon and the White Tiger. And yet, with such majestic Divine Beasts in your hands, how could you possibly be dressed like a stinking merchant? Haha! I reckon that you deliberately sent people out to spread these rumors so that the world would hold you in high esteem and bow before you. I, Xia Ying, have never met such a shameless woman!”

　　That’s right. He believes that this woman is not actually in possession of the Divine Beasts! She must be deliberately creating fantastical airs, simply to convince the world that the Divine Beasts have vowed their loyalty and devotion to her.

　　He could not understand it. Why would the Master bring such a shameless woman like her into the Xia Family home?

　　“Step aside!”

　　Gu Ruoyun frowned and spoke calmly.

　　“Haha, you’ll have to defeat us first if you want us to step aside!” The man in the richly embroidered robes sneered and watched Gu Ruoyun, “If you’re a merchant, you’re a merchant. No matter how powerful the Hundred Herb Hall becomes, it won’t change the nature of merchants! When compared to me, I believe that the Divine Beasts would certainly choose me as long as they aren’t blind! But you’re quite good-looking as well, how about you become my concubine? Then I’ll swallow the bitter pill and take you in, hahaha!”

　　The man in the richly embroidered robes laughed again and the people behind him laughed as well.

　　“Gu Ruoyun, our master is the first distant relative in the Xia Family! His skills are not very far from the direct descendants, following him would be far better than toiling and rushing about.”

　　“Exactly. A woman should look like a woman! Supporting a husband and raising children is what you should do. Otherwise, no one would ever want a woman like you, even if you were gifted on their doorstep as a concubine, let alone becoming a wife! Luckily, our master is kind and is willing to take you in. Lest you are unable to find a man for the rest of your life. Haha!”

　　“That’s right! Since you’re going to become our master’s concubine, everything you own shall belong to our master. Don’t forget to prepare the Hundred Herb Hall as your dowry, it may be filled with a thick stench, but our master will certainly accept it — reluctantly.”

　　The group laughed as if Gu Ruoyun was actually going to marry their master and the Hundred Herb Hall was already in the bag.

　　Hearing this, Gu Ruoyun did not get angry. She smiled and slowly walked towards the man in richly embroidered robes who stood in front of the group, “You want my Hundred Herb Hall? Well… Then we should see if you have the ability to take it.”

　　The face of the man in richly embroidered robes changed color and he replied coldly, “If you won’t do this the easy way, then we’ll do it the hard way! If you do not agree to hand over the Hundred Herb Hall today, don’t think of ever leaving this place.”

　　“Oh?”Gu Ruoyun raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Since you are all so willing to be used, how can I not agree? If I refuse, am I not wasting your big talk?”

　　At that moment, the man in richly embroidered robes’ face turned ugly.

　　She knows that he’d said all of those things in order to force her to act. For if she were to lay a hand on the brothers of the Xia Family, the Master, who was now shielding the girl, will never let her get away with it. Furthermore, she knows that they were sent by the Second Master!