The Long family of Luoyang

The Ninth Lady smiled as she comforted him, “Little Yun, it doesn’t matter. You’re still young—if you can’t speak well, then simply don’t. If they look down on you, we can always return to Xianyang.” Though these words sounded reassuring, her heart was far from at ease. This time, she brought Xiao Yun with her to make her stance clear to her sister-in-law—Long Wei’s wife.

Long Wei’s wife, Lady Xu, was the matriarch of the Long family. Affairs outside the family fell under her husband Long Wei’s care, while domestic matters were managed by her. She harbored a deep-seated prejudice against the Ninth Lady, who was not her blood relative. The Ninth Lady was, in fact, the first woman in the Long family to defy Lady Xu’s decisions, which delivered a blow to Lady Xu’s authority within the clan.

Dissatisfied with having her fate dictated, the Ninth Lady left the Long family in Luoyang and traveled far to Xianyang, where she established the Ruyi Tavern and carved out her own sphere of influence. Because of this, Lady Xu both resented and feared her, yet dared not act against her openly. After all, the Ninth Lady remained one of the family’s most outstanding women, and the Long family could not easily forfeit someone of such value.

Naturally, Xiao Yun could not comprehend the labyrinthine relationships within the Long family.

The carriage rolled past Luoyang, and once beyond the city, they saw to the southeast a vast stretch of fields, at the end of which stood an imposing estate.

“That,” Xiao Jing pointed out to Xiao Yun, “is the world-famous Dragon Villa—Ninth Lady’s home.”

“So Sister Long’s home isn’t inside the city, but three or four li away,” Xiao Yun remarked.

Indeed, martial families like the Longs preferred to avoid the constraints of officialdom and the law, so they built their homes outside the city, where the government’s reach was weaker. This granted them the freedom to develop as they saw fit.

Arriving at Dragon Villa, they were greeted by four robust guards standing on either side of the grand gate. With heads held high and chests out, sharp blades at their sides, they exuded an air of pride.

Xiao Yun, unaccustomed to such grandeur, felt both nervous and intimidated as he approached the entrance to this powerful household. It was as if his feet refused to move.

Fortunately, the presence of the Ninth Lady beside him reassured him. He knew nothing and had come at her invitation. Should any trouble arise, the Ninth Lady would shield him. The thought allowed him to relax a little.

Noticing his hesitant steps, the Ninth Lady realized he was tense—though she herself was not at ease either. With no better option, she took his hand and led him inside.

The guards at the gate all bowed respectfully upon seeing her, greeting her with deference—a clear sign of her high standing within the Long family.

Their attitude toward Xiao Yun, however, was one of indifference. Though he had never entered such a grand estate, he understood that the servants of great families often acted arrogantly, sometimes even more haughty than their masters. Without the Ninth Lady accompanying him, they would never have let him in.

She led him deep into the villa’s courtyards. Xiao Yun, looking around, whispered, “Sister Long, where are we going now?”

She smiled, “I’m taking you to the quarters where I used to live. You can rest there, all right?” Xiao Yun nodded.

Inside, all the maids and servants greeted the Ninth Lady with cheerful words—welcoming her home, wishing her a safe journey, and so on. She responded to each with a smile.

Yet when their eyes fell on Xiao Yun, curiosity flickered in their gazes. No one dared question the Ninth Lady, but their glances lingered on him all the same.

Xiao Yun felt extremely awkward, lowering his head like a shy girl and hiding behind the Ninth Lady.

She led him through a side chamber beside the main hall, heading toward the guest lodgings in the rear courtyard. Just then, a beautiful young woman, a little younger than the Ninth Lady, approached them. She wore a pale yellow dress, standing gracefully, with exquisite features, skin like snow, brows as if painted, and a bewitching smile. Yet, within her limpid eyes, there was a faint, intimidating chill.

The first thing Xiao Yun noticed about her eyes was their uncanny resemblance to Bai Xuehua’s. The only difference was that Bai Xuehua’s gaze held a trace of resignation, born of life’s hardships, while this young woman’s eyes shone with the confidence and edge of someone just coming into her own.

In those eyes, one could read stubbornness, competitiveness, and pride—a woman with a spirit all her own.

The beautiful girl smiled at the Ninth Lady. “Sister Nine, you’re back! I’ve missed you so much these past days.” With that, she stepped forward and embraced her warmly.

After their affectionate greeting, she noticed Xiao Yun and, slightly surprised, asked, “Sister Nine, who is he?”

A faint blush colored the Ninth Lady’s cheeks. “He’s a friend of mine—his name is Xiao Yun.”

The girl giggled, “Xiao Yun—what a delicate name. Well, I’m a few years older than you, so you should call me Sister Xing.”

Xiao Yun quickly replied, “Hello, Sister Xing.”

Long Xing’er smiled, “Not only is Xiao Yun gentle in looks, but also so polite. May I hope you’ll always call me that in the future?”

Xiao Yun’s face flushed. He found Xing’er’s teasing as difficult to handle as Xiao Cui’s.

The Ninth Lady laughed, “Xing’er, stop teasing him. Why don’t you show us to a place to rest?”

Long Xing’er replied, “Don’t worry, Sister Nine. As soon as I heard you were coming back, I had someone clean your old quarters in Osmanthus Grove. Everything is ready for you.”

The Ninth Lady smiled, “I knew I could count on you, Xing’er. Thank you, dear.”

With a mischievous grin, Xing’er added, “There’s one small flaw—I didn’t expect you’d bring a friend, so I didn’t prepare a room for him. Forgive me for not being a good hostess.”

The Ninth Lady scolded her playfully, “Enough, who would blame you? Besides, I’m hardly a guest here.”

Xing’er laughed, “Oh, that’s right—I nearly forgot you’re still unmarried and the mistress of this house. How careless of me.”

A faint blush crept onto the Ninth Lady’s cheeks as she chided, “You and your endless chatter!”