This match, the Nie family thoroughly lost, and they were convinced. This matter will bring unfavorable influence to the Nie family. Nie Bowen was cultivated as the next head of the household since he was young, with a few parts of cleverness and courage. At this time, he smiled slightly and turned the situation around: "Miss Ye, before the match, I had asked Master Gu to tell you that if you won against my brother, I would immediately ask my father to accept you as his personal disciple. Now that you have won, I naturally keep my word. Please make preparations, at the latest in two days, the Nie family will send someone to pick you up and take you to Nan Yun City. If you are worried about your elderly grandparents, bring them along, just notify the people of the Nie family in advance, we will prepare a house for you in Nan Yun City."

  What's the harm in losing this match? As long as Ye Zhuo is taken in as a disciple of the Nie family, this glory will belong to the Nie family, and the splendor of the Southern School will only be more glorious.

  Ye Yuqi was so excited that he almost shed tears when he heard this. The Nie family, after all, was an existence that was too high to reach. Just a while ago, Yang Jianxiu was still worried about helping Ye Zhuo enter the Nie family. As a result, the money was spent, but there was no response. Now, Young Master Nie actually told her that he wanted to take Ye Zhuo as his personal disciple of Master Nie. With this identity, everyone in Nanshan Town would have to address him with respect when they saw him, and those workshop owners who looked down on him would have to come and flatter him. Although he was not proud, such an honor still made him extremely proud.

  Isn't it all about this bit of dignity and respect for which people struggle to live a life?

  Gu Xun heard Nie Bowen's sentence, his lips slightly opened, as if he wanted to say something. However, he closed his mouth again and said nothing, just looking at Ye Zhuo, waiting for her response.

  Ye Zhuo raised her eyes and looked at Nie Bowen, seeing him smile with a very sincere expression. She let out a slight sigh in her heart and said: "I remember my grandfather saying that to become a disciple of the Nie family, one must pass the big competition two months from now. Please, Nie Gongzi, allow me to participate in the competition, and after winning a place, I will formally and properly acknowledge Nie Da Shifu as my master."

  Ye Yuqi was anxious as soon as he heard this. He would let go of such a good opportunity and instead participate in some big competition, what was Ye Zhuo thinking? However, the big and small things that had happened during this period of time had made him develop the habit of following Ye Zhuo's decisions. Although he was anxious and strongly disagreed with Ye Zhuo's approach, he didn't open his mouth to persuade her, and even took the initiative to make a decision on her behalf and agreed to it on the spot.

  Nie Bowen's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Ye Zhuo with a probing gaze.

  In Nanshan Town, who didn't cry and shout to enter the Nie family as an apprentice? Even if they couldn't become apprentices, they would try every means to get involved with the Nie family in order to gain many benefits. Just like Yang Jianxiu's gift of a malachite carving some time ago, wasn't it meant to attract his father's attention and take Ye Zhuo as an apprentice? Now that he has spoken up, why is Ye Zhuo not only unenthusiastic but also looking for excuses to decline? Is she thinking of choosing a higher branch to worship at the North School because she sees Gu Chen appreciating her? Doesn't she fear that the Nie family will vent their anger on the Ye family and make life difficult for her grandparents?

  Ye Zhuo saw Nie Bowen's expression, looked down and pouted slightly, then said: "I'm saying this for the sake of the Nie family. I was taken in as a disciple by Master Nie, there must be some reason for it? If someone with ulterior motives were to investigate, today's matter wouldn't be able to be hidden. If this gets out, won't it affect the reputation of the Nie family workshop? I don't want to be blamed by Master Nie before I even enter the Nie family."

  Nie Bowen furrowed his brow.

  He just wanted to forget about this matter.

  But this girl, was she really refusing to enter Nie's household because of concerns about this matter?

  Present at the scene, Gu Xun avoided suspicion to prevent the Nie family from thinking that she was instigating or stopping Ye Zhuo from entering the Nie residence, so for now, she just watched and didn't speak. As for Ye Yuqi, he was Ye Zhuo's grandfather, and whatever he said wouldn't be suitable. Feng Chengzeng had nothing to do with this matter, and it wasn't necessary for him to come out and speak, lest he offend the people present with one careless sentence. As for Du Haoran, he knew that Nie Bowei had misunderstood his relationship with Ye Zhuo, and last time, he had stopped Ye Zhuo from entering the Nie residence because of this. If he were to speak up now, the result might be counterproductive. Moreover, he couldn't understand what Ye Zhuo meant either - why she was unwilling to go to the Nie residence - so he also chose not to speak.

  Yuan Chaolin saw that everyone was silent, and after rolling his eyes, he spoke up: "Nie Gongzi, Ye Gu'niang is right. Anyway, with Ye Gu'niang's abilities, she won't have to worry about not getting a good ranking in the competition two months later. It would be better for her to enter the Nie household at that time, so as to avoid others gossiping."

  Nie Bowen's mind had turned around at this point, and he felt that Ye Zhuo also made sense. However, without a step down, it was somewhat embarrassing to loosen up. Seeing Yuan Chaolin hand him a ladder, the expression on his face relaxed, and he nodded: "Lord Yuan is right, let's do it this way." After finishing, he looked deeply at Ye Zhuo for a moment, turned around and sat back down in his seat.

  Gu Dun smiled and said, "Everyone, please take a seat."

  Everyone then returned to their seats and sat down.

  Yuan Chaolin and Feng Chengzeng were both worldly-wise, vaguely feeling that the previous matter was a bit subtle. This trial of the Nie family ultimately ended in defeat, and Nie Bowen and Nie Boyi must have been unhappy and unwilling to mention it again. So they changed the subject and began introducing Gu Chen to the local conditions and customs of Nanshan Town. Gu Chen seemed particularly interested, asking many questions, indicating that he would be visiting this area in the next few days to take a look around and appreciate the beauty of the south.

  "Speaking of which, Gu Chen smiled and turned to Ye Zhuo: "Miss Ye, do you have time to accompany me on a stroll around these few days?"

  Ye Zhuo was slightly stunned, then quickly stood up, bowed to her and smiled: "Whether it's accompanying Princess Yu or Master Gu to enjoy the scenery, both are an honor for Ye Zhuo."

  Everyone burst out laughing at this remark.

  Nie Bowen stood up and bowed, saying: "Master Gu has come to the south with great difficulty, so we must give him an opportunity to show our hospitality. Tomorrow morning, my mother will come to town, and I will also follow Master Gu around. Wherever Master Gu wants to go, just instruct me."

  "Yes, my wife may be from a humble background and lacks experience, but she can still manage household chores. Please give her a chance to serve you, Your Ladyship." Yuan Chaolin and Feng Chengzeng also quickly stood up and said.

  Gu Dun waved his hand and said seriously, "To be honest with everyone, I'm just tired of the social gatherings in the capital, so I came here to take a walk. I appreciate your kind intentions, but I just want to quietly observe by myself. As for Ye Niang, I also like her lively and clever nature, seeing her is like seeing my younger self, that's why I asked her to accompany me. You all should continue living your lives as usual, even if I'm here, I won't see you."

  Once she became serious, her high and mighty temperament was revealed, and the words that came out were not to be refuted. Everyone naturally obeyed in a hurry.

  "If I have anything to do in Nanshan Town, I will naturally send someone to find you. Alright, it's getting late, so I won't keep everyone for dinner. If anyone has something to attend to, please go ahead." With that, he picked up his tea cup.

  Everyone quickly stood up and bid farewell before leaving.

  "A'ying, since Ye Xiangu is our guest, we should naturally send her back home. You go and escort Ye Xiangu back home before returning." Gu Chen instructed again.

  Ye Zhuo declined with a couple of words and then thanked her. He followed the woman called A Ying out and got back on the same horse carriage they came in.

  Nie Bowen had wanted to say a few words to her, but with the servant from the Gu's family following closely behind her, he ended up saying nothing and directly got into the carriage and left.

  Riding in the Gu family's carriage to the end of the alley, they got off and exchanged a few pleasantries. Watching them leave, Ye Zhuo was about to turn around when Ye Yuqi couldn't wait to ask: "Why did you refuse to enter the Nie residence earlier?"

  Ye Chou rubbed his brow and walked home, saying: "Grandfather, don't ask for now, let's talk when we get home."

  Ye Yuqi also knew that this was not a place to talk, so he had to follow her back home. After entering the courtyard, he patiently answered Gu Shi and Zheng Shi's words, before finally arriving at the hall. He dismissed those around him and looked towards Ye Zhuo.

  "Grandfather." Ye Zhuo didn't beat around the bush either. "How do you think Nie Shifu is treated in the Nie family?"

  "Nie Shifu?" Ye Yuxi was slightly stunned, not quite understanding the meaning behind Ye Zhuo's question. However, he still replied: "As Nie Dashi's direct disciple, his craftsmanship is pretty good, and being a member of the Nie family, his status in the Nie household should be relatively esteemed, right? Just look at those people in the Nie family compound, they all have to consider his face when taking action. Of course, no matter how esteemed he is, he still can't compare to Young Master Nie. But that's normal, after all, Nie Guifei isn't his own aunt."

  "What do you think, Master Gu's sudden arrival in Nanshan Town, will it have something to do with the Nie family?" Ye Zhuo asked again.

  "Master Gu......" Ye Yuqi furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment before looking at Ye Zhuo with a probing gaze, "Could it be that she wants to compete with the Nie family for territory?"

  Ye Chou shook her head: "I don't know if she's here to grab the market share or not. But I always feel that she came here for a reason."

  "What does this have to do with you going to Nie's house?" Ye Yuqi asked in confusion.

  "Grandfather, before today, I was thinking of going to the Nie family's place. Mainly because I wanted to learn their special carving techniques and also find a backing for our family so we wouldn't be bullied by others at will. But after what happened today, I really don't want to go to the Nie family anymore. Look at that Nie Shifu, as Nie Daxi's direct disciple and a member of the Nie family, his status in the Nie family is already high enough. Yet when faced with an event, he was still trembling with fear, afraid of doing something wrong and being scolded by Nie Daxi or blamed by Nie Gongzi. So tell me, if I were to go to the Nie family and Nie Daxi arranged for me to marry someone I don't like, would I have a choice? If he wanted me to do something I didn't want to do, could I refuse? Grandfather, I don't want others to control my fate. It's better if we just live our lives as is. We may not be wealthy or noble, but at least we're free and easy-going, without so many worries and troubles."

  "That's right, and with your stepfather around, no one in this town dares to bully us." Ye Yuqi nodded. He was originally a carefree and contented person, without any thoughts of currying favor with the powerful. His hope for Ye Zhuo to enter the Nie family was simply because he thought his granddaughter was a capable person who should walk a higher path and live a good life. He just hoped his granddaughter could be happy. Now that his granddaughter didn't want to go to the Nie family, he wouldn't force her to go either.

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