Chapter 478: So Many People, Who to Choose?

The guest room wasn’t large to begin with. It was big enough for two, but with so many tall, well-built males crammed inside, it felt exceptionally crowded.

Qin Muye saw Jiang Qingli surrounded by his rivals and realized he’d arrived too late—there wasn’t even room for him to stand. He demanded irritably, "What are you all doing here?"

The moment he spoke, all the males turned to look at him, and not a single gaze was friendly.

Jiang Qingli: "..."

’I suddenly have the urge to facepalm.’

’Most people would pick a fight with one person at a time, but Qin Muye walks in and declares war on the entire room with a single sentence.’

’He’s going to lose the argument and then go off to sulk again.’

Jiang Qingli coughed twice, breaking the awkward tension. "Why did you climb in through the window?"

Remembering what he’d knocked over just now, Qin Muye rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "It was easier."

Baili Jing explained at the right moment, "The Space Ability I copied can’t cover a very long distance at once, so we landed near the City Lord Mansion. Muye was worried they might send someone to investigate, so he volunteered to patrol the area."

Qin Muye lifted his chin slightly, a look of someone expecting praise in his eyes.

His posture was just like that of a knight guarding his castle.

Gu Nian almost let out another cold laugh.

’There goes his white-phosphorus personality, igniting all on its own. Head high, chest out, as if afraid people don’t know he’s all brawn and no brains.’

Before Gu Nian could unleash his mockery, the girl beside him stood up. Amused, she walked over to Qin Muye, patted his shoulder, and offered her thanks. "You worked hard, Prince."

Perhaps it was because they hadn’t seen each other in so long.

The moment she drew near, Qin Muye’s heart pounded. He had a sudden urge for his snow leopard ears and tail to pop out so he could shove them into her arms and beg for a pat.

But with so many rivals watching, the prideful Prince could only force himself to hold back.

Qin Muye, trying his best to appear calm, took hold of her fingers.

’But that seemed to make it worse.’

’The moment he held her hand, he wanted to lower his head to sniff and lick it.’

His Adam’s apple bobbed. Suppressing his urges, Qin Muye said, "Ahem, it was nothing."

Jiang Qingli blinked. "Your use of idioms has gotten pretty good."

Qin Muye pressed his lips together and gave her a slightly reproachful look.

Thinking he was just embarrassed, Jiang Qingli’s grin grew wider.

She didn’t notice the young man’s gaze fall upon her full, rosy lips, where it lingered for a long time.

He struggled for control, but as their eyes met, his breathing unconsciously grew heavier, becoming unbearable.

Just then, a voice interjected at the perfect moment. "Miss, it’s getting late. You should be resting."

’I know I should be resting!’

’But the problem is, with so many men here, who am I supposed to rest with?’

’We haven’t used the old rotation schedule since we came to the Lower District.’

’Even if we did, it wouldn’t matter. Today’s Saturday, which was always a free day on the schedule.’

’With so many of them here, no matter who I pick, the others will object.’

’It’s not like we can all sleep together.’

’That would be way too weird.’

Jiang Qingli’s gaze swept over the males—their expressions variously fiery, blatant, or seductive. After a moment’s thought, she turned to the Gray Wolf Butler standing in the corner. "Yi Nuo."

Yi Nuo’s eyes lit up.

’Is she... asking to continue what we were doing earlier?’

The young man’s spine straightened slightly as he answered, "Miss."

Jiang Qingli smiled at him. "Have someone arrange rooms for them. I’m going to go see my bro— I mean, Marshal Xie."

’Given the time, Xie Youchen should be asleep. I’ll go and keep him company for a bit.’

The males in the room fell silent.

They all knew that Xie Youchen’s heart had been pierced by a vine during the mission. Since his condition had only just stabilized, it was perfectly understandable that Jiang Qingli would want to visit him.

Though resentful and feeling it was unnecessary, none of them tried to stop her.

Jiang Qingli took in all their expressions and smiled. "Well, I’m off. If you all are busy, feel free to head back~"

With that, she backed out of the room, giving them a little wave before she left.

Jiang Qingli thought that by resolving the immediate issue, she had averted any conflict.

She had no idea that after she left, the atmosphere in the room grew even more tense and strange than before.

The Beast Husbands sized each other up, their faces etched with displeasure.

Gu Nian was the first to lash out, turning on Baili Jing and Ye Linyuan. "Why didn’t you two protect Sister properly? You let an outsider have an opportunity. Now that he’s taken a hit for her, there’s nothing stopping him from joining the family."

Ye Linyuan sneered. "And you weren’t there because you were dead?"

It finally dawned on Qin Muye, and he erupted in fury. "What?! That bastard Xie Youchen wants to join the Jiang Family?!"

Yuan Shimo, who had long anticipated this day, said calmly, "The matter is already set in stone. There’s no point in discussing it."

Baili Jing said with a sigh, "Alright, alright. We’re all family here. We should be thinking about how to get along from now on."

At his words, everyone went quiet.

The next second, Ye Linyuan dissolved into a black mist and vanished, leaving only a cold sneer lingering in the air.

Gu Nian, finding the sight of so many men utterly irritating, opened a spatial rift and returned to his dorm.

Yuan Shimo had no intention of staying long either. He finished his tea, stood up, and nodded to Baili Jing and Qin Muye. "Mr. Baili, Prince, I’ll be returning to the banquet."

Before stepping into the shadows, Yuan Shimo passed Yi Nuo, his gaze landing on the ever-calm butler.

"Housekeeper Yin," Yuan Shimo said coolly. "The female master is still young. It’s normal for her to browse the field. The grass at home is indeed cleaner than the grass outside, but I do hope you know your place."

Yi Nuo lifted his gaze to meet that pair of sharp, jade-green cat eyes.

The young gray wolf’s tone was placid. "Mr. Yuan, I am the miss’s butler. That is what I am now, and what I will continue to be."

’Yi Nuo knew Yuan Shimo was worried he would cajole Jiang Qingli into making him a Beast Husband, forcing him to compete with Xie Youchen for her favor.’

’He couldn’t be bothered to explain, ordinarily.’

’But he had no desire to get involved in their squabbles.’

’So he might as well tell them plainly—’

’He knew his birthright was nothing compared to the nobles and the Prince.’

’Fortunately, his ambitions had never been that grand. He’d never even considered vying for the position of a Beast Husband.’

’Compared to the strict rotation the Beast Husbands had to follow, Yi Nuo much preferred his current role as a butler.’

’Being able to stay by her side at all times, to handle everything for her, to help her with tasks she couldn’t conveniently do herself, to follow her like a shadow... and for her to occasionally meet his gaze and offer a smile...’

’That was enough.’

’To have just that made Yi Nuo feel utterly content, and deeply happy.’

-

Jiang Qingli had no idea that, in her absence, the males had already gone through several rounds of bickering.

She tiptoed downstairs and made her way to the infirmary.

Xie Youchen was out of danger but still unconscious due to the medication.

Two nurses stood guard at the door for the night watch.

When they saw Jiang Qingli, one of the nurses stood up to greet her. "Advisor Jiang."

Jiang Qingli nodded to them. "I’m going to stay with him for a little while."

The two nurses, of course, wouldn’t stop her, and they both stepped aside.

Just as Jiang Qingli pushed the door open, one of the nurses behind her suddenly spoke up. "Oh, by the way, Advisor Jiang. A box fell out of Marshal Xie’s pocket earlier. It has an iris lock, so it must be very valuable. The City Lord asked me to give it to you."

As he spoke, he took out a palm-sized gift box.

Jiang Qingli thanked him and took the box.

After entering the hospital room, Jiang Qingli closed the door and glanced at the gift box out of curiosity.

The moment she looked down, an infrared light shone from the lock, scanning her iris.

The next second, there was a crisp CLICK.

The gift box opened.