“Tang Ling, regardless of whether Tang Yan's dantian is destroyed or not, it’s a fact that he molested Miss Lin. The City Lord’s mansion in Yun City has always been just and impartial, not favoring any family, but we will not tolerate any family’s provocations or insults. Tang Family must give the City Lord’s mansion an explanation! Where is Tang Yan? Tang Ling, stop hiding him!”

In the main hall of the Tang family, a middle-aged man’s loud voice rang out.

“Someone looking for me?” A warm voice echoed, and Tang Yan strode into the hall, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Tang Ling glanced at his grandson, then at Mo Bo, who was standing behind Tang Yan with a helpless expression. He exchanged a quiet, questioning look with Mo Bo, who subtly conveyed an expression of helplessness and reassurance.

At this point, Tang Ling knew hiding his grandson was no longer an option. He sighed inwardly, thinking about how he might protect Tang Yan from this predicament.

There were seven visitors: five men and two women. Among them, two were guards from the City Lord’s mansion, two were guards from Miaodanfang, and the middle-aged man was Qin Changdao, a guest elder from the City Lord's mansion.

Tang Yan carefully observed Lin Dongxue, who had delicate brows and striking eyes, her lips like cherry blossoms, and her tall, graceful figure complemented by her long, flowing black hair. She exuded an innate noble aura.

Tang Yan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Her beauty was truly overwhelming; no wonder the previous Tang Yan had been so audacious as to try his luck with her.

Standing beside Lin Dongxue was the woman from Miaodanfang, Wu Xuan. Wu Xuan’s aura, though also noble, was distinct. Her eyes were dark and piercing, her teeth white and sharp. She carried herself with poise and grace, standing silently yet unmistakably regal, resembling a classic lady of high birth.

“Miss Lin, Miss Wu, long time no see,” Tang Yan greeted both women with a smile.

“Humph, ‘long time no see’?” Wu Xuan’s cold voice cut through the air. “I believe this is our first time meeting, Young Master Tang. Qin, you may now state your purpose.”

“Tang Yan, five days ago, you attempted to molest Miss Lin in public and tarnished the reputation of the City Lord’s mansion. Do you acknowledge your crime?” Qin Changdao pointed at Tang Yan and demanded.

Tang Yan jumped up in fury, pointing back at Qin Changdao and yelling, “What nonsense are you spouting? I’ve always been honorable and upright! How could I have molested Miss Lin in public? You’re slandering me!”

Tang Ling, upon hearing this, nearly choked. “You honorable and upright? This is the most irritating thing I’ve heard today! How can you even say that with a straight face?”

The others were stunned, their expressions frozen. The most notorious playboy of Yun City had just spoken—of course, it would be something out of the ordinary.

“W-What? You dare insult me?” Qin Changdao, a guest elder of the City Lord’s mansion, stood frozen, shocked by someone daring to speak back to him. He had long lost the ability to hear insults like this.

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“I didn’t insult you!” Tang Yan retorted. “You’re the esteemed guest elder of the City Lord’s mansion, a master at the Profound rank, and I’m just a normal person with a destroyed dantian. Do you think I would insult you? I was simply rebutting your accusations. Miss Wu, I’ve heard much about your fairness and sense of justice. You tell me—just because someone powerful insults a small person like me, does that make it right? And just because I speak up, I’m the one in the wrong?”

The people of the Tang family were once again dumbfounded. "Has this kid lost all sense of decency?"

Wu Xuan furrowed her brows. She had heard the rumors of Tang Yan’s playboy reputation, but she didn’t expect him to be so quick-witted and eloquent. She said coolly, “Though your words are bold, they don’t prove your innocence. Let me ask you: If you didn’t intend to disrespect Miss Dongxue, why did you approach her with such lewd words and even try to touch her?”

Tang Yan blinked and innocently replied, “Miss Wu, you’ve misunderstood. There’s actually more to the story.”

“What’s the full story? Please, I’d love to hear how you’ll try to explain this away!” Lin Dongxue, her expression filled with distaste, interrupted. Though she didn’t have much contact with Tang Yan, she was well aware of his reputation and the incident that had occurred. Her disdain for him had only grown since that day.

Tang Yan hesitated for a moment, as if making a significant decision. Then, with a sudden lift of his head, he spoke earnestly:

“The whole of Yun City knows me as a playboy, a useless person, the city’s scourge. But the truth is, I had no intention of disrespecting Miss Dongxue that day.

It all started nine years ago.

When I was seven, at the temple fair, I saw Miss Dongxue playing with the City Lord, and I immediately fell in love with her. I carried that feeling with me, and over time, I realized I couldn’t be a martial artist—no matter how hard I worked, I remained a mere ordinary fighter, unable to earn her attention.”

“Over time, I became despondent, living a life of luxury and recklessness, hoping to catch Miss Dongxue’s attention. But I only made her more disgusted with me. Five days ago, I finally saw her up close again, with so much I wanted to say, but I was too nervous, too confused, and that led to what happened.”

Tang Yan paused, then with a shy expression added:

“Actually… actually, I was planning to recite a poem for Miss Dongxue. I spent three years crafting it, editing it 5,209 times before it was finished.”

As he said this, a hint of bashfulness appeared on his face.

Tang Ling was utterly dumbfounded. “I’ve watched this brat for sixteen years, and this is the first time I’ve seen him shy? He writes poetry? Edited it 5,209 times? How did I never know about this?”

Seeing Tang Yan’s serious expression, Tang Ling was taken aback. Could it be true? Was this why he had been acting this way for all these years—because he had been so infatuated with Lin Dongxue that it had clouded his mind, leading to such reckless behavior?

Even Tang Ling had been convinced by Tang Yan’s sincerity. The others were equally stunned, as the act seemed so genuine.

Lin Dongxue, for the first time, began to question her own assumptions. Had she misunderstood him? Was it possible that he really had been that desperate to get her attention?

Wu Xuan, who had heard various rumors about Tang Yan but never met him, now stood slightly shaken. Could it be that all of Tang Yan’s earlier misdeeds had been to catch Lin Dongxue’s eye?

There were many who admired her, but none were as devoted as Tang Yan. For a brief moment, Wu Xuan even felt a tinge of envy toward Lin Dongxue.

However, after a moment of reflection, the sharp-minded Wu Xuan quickly noticed a flaw in his story and coldly responded:

“Your words are indeed touching, but just saying you spent three years writing a poem doesn’t make it true. Would you be so kind as to recite the poem for us? Let us hear it.”

Though Tang Yan’s performance had been impressive, the others were not fools. Upon hearing Wu Xuan’s question, Qin Changdao also caught on and sneered:

“I advise you not to plagiarize others’ words. I’ve been reading since I was five years old, and I’ve read thousands of books. If I don’t catch it myself, I’ll bring it back to the mansion, and someone will recognize it as plagiarism. You won’t get away with it!”