Shang Xuan stood in the ornate hall of his residence, his thoughts racing. Today marked a new chapter in his journey, as he prepared to enter the Shang Clan Academy. He knew it was a place where the ambitious thrived, and the weak were trampled. Standing by his side, as always, were Lianhua and Meihua, their loyalty unwavering.

  "We need to talk before we leave for the academy," Shang Xuan said, his voice calm but firm. "Things will be different from now on."

  Lianhua and Meihua exchanged glances. They could sense the weight of his words, but neither of them spoke. They trusted him completely, but the changes he referred to worried them.

  "We can no longer act as master and maids," Shang Xuan continued. "It will draw too much attention. People will question why A-grade talents like you two are serving me. We need to blend in, at least for now."

  Meihua's face twisted with defiance. "But my lord," she protested, stepping forward, "we are proud to serve you. It doesn't matter what others think. We've been with you since childhood, and we will always be by your side."

  Lianhua, ever the calmer of the two, nodded in agreement, though her cold, expressionless face remained stoic. "She's right. We belong to you, my lord. That's never going to change."

  Shang Xuan sighed softly, appreciating their loyalty, but he knew the risks. The Shang Clan Academy was filled with the brightest and most dangerous young minds, and any misstep could spell disaster. His strategy required them to move carefully.

  "I know you both take pride in serving me," Shang Xuan said, his tone softening. "But think of this as a temporary measure. Acting as friends will allow us to avoid unnecessary challenges. We'll be able to gather information more freely and act without drawing too much suspicion."

  A tense silence followed as the twins processed his words. Meihua was clearly unhappy, her fiery spirit resisting the idea of abandoning her role as his maid, even if only in appearance. Lianhua, more thoughtful, seemed to understand the necessity of the change.

  "It will only be in public," Shang Xuan reassured them. "In private, nothing changes. You will always be my maids."

  Lianhua finally bowed her head slightly, conceding. "If it's what you wish, my lord, we will follow your command."

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  Meihua hesitated a moment longer, her gaze lingering on Shang Xuan before she sighed in defeat. "Fine, but only because it's you asking."

  Shang Xuan smiled, a rare warmth showing in his usually composed expression. "Thank you. I knew you would understand."

  With the matter settled, they made their way toward the academy. The bustling streets of Shang City were alive with activity as traders hawked their goods and Gu Masters walked with authority. The whispers and glances directed toward the trio were inevitable—Shang Xuan, the Third Young Master, was a figure of interest, and with two stunning A-grade twins by his side, they made quite the impression.

  As they approached the grand gates of the Shang Clan Academy, the weight of their new environment began to settle in. The academy was a towering structure of stone and jade, an imposing testament to the power of the Shang Clan. It was said that those who excelled here could rise to the very top of the clan's hierarchy, while those who failed were quickly forgotten.

  Upon entering the academy grounds, Shang Xuan's sharp gaze scanned the crowd. The students here were from all branches of the Shang Clan, along with allied families. They were ambitious, and ambition bred rivalry. Shang Xuan knew that every move he made would be watched, every interaction scrutinized.

  "Remember what I said," Shang Xuan whispered to the twins as they passed through the academy's gates. "We need to keep a low profile for now. Observe, learn, and blend in."

  The twins nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. Meihua, who was usually full of energy and charisma, kept herself in check. Lianhua, as always, maintained her cold and distant demeanor, a perfect mask for the sharp mind beneath.

  Their first day was spent settling into their assigned quarters and familiarizing themselves with the academy's layout. Shang Xuan took note of the different cliques forming among the students, paying close attention to those from influential branches of the clan. Meihua, with her natural charm, quickly attracted attention from some of the girls in their cohort, while Lianhua remained more reserved, observing from a distance.

  By evening, Shang Xuan had already begun forming a mental map of the power dynamics within the academy. There were certain students whose names carried weight—he would need to decide who to approach and who to avoid.

  As they gathered in their shared quarters for the night, Shang Xuan turned to the twins. "Tomorrow, we begin our lessons in Gu refinement. It's important that we make a good impression, but remember—our goal is to stay under the radar for now."

  Lianhua, ever the perfectionist, nodded. "I'll do my best to impress the elders without drawing too much attention."

  Meihua grinned mischievously. "And I'll make sure to charm my way through whatever comes our way."

  Shang Xuan chuckled softly. "Just don't charm too much. We don't need more attention than we already have."

  With that, the trio settled in for the night, their minds focused on the challenges that awaited them. Tomorrow would be the beginning of their time at the Shang Clan Academy—a place where power, influence, and cunning would decide their fates.