"The Patriarch is summoning me?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Fang Han’s mind.

’It’s been over half a month since Xiao Chen’s challenge. If the Patriarch wanted to see me about that, he would have summoned me long ago. It’s hard to guess the reason for this summons now.’

His expression remained impassive as he nodded.

"Please lead the way, Uncle Zhong."

"Young Master, please follow me."

Fang Zhong turned to lead the way, walking at a brisk pace.

After passing through several courtyards, they arrived outside Songtao Pavilion. Fang Zhong stopped at the entrance, bowed, and announced their arrival.

"Patriarch, Young Master Fang Han is here."

"Have him come in."

Fang Lingyuan’s deep, steady voice came from inside.

Fang Han straightened his robes and stepped into Songtao Pavilion.

The scent of sandalwood still filled the pavilion, but the atmosphere was slightly different from usual.

Patriarch Fang Lingyuan was not in the head seat. Instead, he and a strange middle-aged man were seated opposite each other as host and guest.

The middle-aged man wore a navy blue brocade robe and had a refined face. A sharp light glinted in his eyes, and his aura was as deep as an abyss. He was clearly an expert of the Inner Qi Realm, in no way inferior to Fang Lingyuan.

Seated next to the middle-aged man was a young woman.

The young woman was about seventeen or eighteen, dressed in an aqua-green gown embroidered with lotuses. Her figure was graceful, her skin fair, and her features so delicate they looked as if they had been painted.

Her beauty surpassed even that of Fang Xue, who was considered the prettiest in the Inner Hall.

Even Fang Han, who had seen plenty of beautiful celebrities in his past life, had to admire the young woman’s stunning looks.

Right now, the young woman’s gaze was lowered, her slender fingers toying absently with a Ring Pendant at her waist. She seemed preoccupied, clearly uninterested in the conversation between Fang Lingyuan and the other man.

"Fang Han, you’ve arrived. Come over here."

A gentle smile appeared on Fang Lingyuan’s face as he saw Fang Han, and he beckoned him over.

"Disciple Fang Han greets the Patriarch."

Fang Han took a few steps forward and bowed respectfully.

His arrival naturally drew the attention of the middle-aged man and the young woman.

The middle-aged man’s gaze was sharp as lightning, instantly locking onto Fang Han. It was a look of scrutiny and investigation, as if trying to see right through him.

Hearing his voice, the young woman also lifted her eyes. Her cold gaze swept over Fang Han for a brief moment before she looked down again, returning her focus to the Ring Pendant in her hands.

However, Fang Han felt—though he couldn’t be sure if he was imagining it—that her glance held neither curiosity nor goodwill. Instead, it carried a barely perceptible coldness and distance.

"Fang Han, this is the Patriarch of the Lishan City Wang Family, Uncle Wang Zhengyang. And this is his daughter, Miss Wang Meng. Uncle Wang and I are old friends, and he is here today as a guest of our Fang Family."

’The Wang Family of Lishan City?’

He suddenly recalled that Wang Miao, who was ranked one-hundredth on the Celestial Pride List, was from Lishan City and also had the surname Wang.

’From Lishan City, with the surname Wang... It’s highly likely that Wang Miao is from the same Wang Family as these two!’

"Greetings, Uncle Wang, Miss Wang. I am Fang Han of the junior generation."

Fang Han bowed again, his etiquette impeccable.

Wang Zhengyang stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes holding the warm regard of an elder for a junior.

"No need for such ceremony. I’ve long heard that the Fang Family produced a remarkable Qilin’er. Now that I’ve met you, I see you have an extraordinary presence. You live up to your reputation."

"You flatter me, Uncle Wang,"

Fang Han said modestly.

"Fang Han, this is Miss Wang’s first visit to the Fang Family. How about you fulfill the duties of a host on my behalf and show Miss Wang around the scenic parts of the estate?"

Fang Lingyuan said with a smile.

"Yes, Patriarch,"

Fang Han answered respectfully.

Wang Zhengyang also smiled. "Wan’er has a rather quiet personality. I’ll have to trouble Nephew Fang."

"You’re too formal, Uncle Wang. It is my duty as a junior."

Fang Han turned to Wang Meng and gestured for her to proceed. "Miss Wang, please follow me," he said in a calm tone.

"Father, Uncle Fang, I will take my leave now."

Wang Meng stood and gave a slight bow to the two patriarchs. Her voice was as clear and crisp as the chime of jade.

"Please."

Fang Han bowed to the two patriarchs and then led Wang Meng out of Songtao Pavilion.

The two walked one after the other, maintaining a noticeable distance. The gap between them was large enough to create a sense of estrangement.

If Fang Han had been uncertain before, he was basically sure of it now.

’This Miss Wang from the Wang Family of Lishan City is indeed quite cold and distant toward me. I just don’t understand why she has this attitude, since this is the first time we’ve ever met.’

"Miss Wang, planted here are..."

Fang Han continued to walk, pointing out the sights to Wang Meng along the way.

After passing through several moon gates, they came to an exquisite garden planted with many rare and exotic flowers.

This place was rather secluded, with only a few servants tending to the flowers and trees in the distance.

"Young Master Fang, there’s something I think we should get out of the way now."

Wang Meng suddenly stopped. Her bright, clear eyes, still holding that distant look, stared directly at Fang Han. Her voice was cold as she spoke.

"Please speak freely, Miss Wang."

Fang Han’s expression was calm as he met her gaze.

He was also quite curious. It was their first meeting, so why did she seem to have taken issue with him?

"The man I envision as my future husband must be a true prodigy like my brother, Wang Miao—someone who can earn a spot on the Celestial Pride List and whose name is known throughout the commandery."

Wang Meng said, her chin lifted slightly, her tone tinged with an innate pride.

"I came with my father because I couldn’t disobey our elders’ wishes. It was not my own choice. Regarding... certain ideas our elders might have, I do not share them. I hope you won’t misunderstand, Young Master Fang, or waste your time."

After she finished, Fang Han showed no sign of anger or embarrassment. Instead, a look of understanding dawned on his face.

’So that’s why she seemed to have a problem with me, even though we’d just met. Our elders were trying to set us up, and she clearly wasn’t interested.’

"So that’s what this is about. You can rest easy, Miss Wang. I, Fang Han, may not be a great talent, but I am certainly not a tactless person. I won’t pester you."

Fang Han said calmly, his tone light and forthright.

Although Wang Meng was beautiful, it wasn’t enough to make him persist shamelessly after a clear rejection. Besides, he had no plans to marry early himself.

"It’s best that you see it that way, Young Master Fang. Thank you for your understanding."

Wang Meng was slightly taken aback. She hadn’t expected Fang Han to back down so readily.

She was quite confident in her looks, so Fang Han’s quick and decisive withdrawal was rather unexpected.

She studied Fang Han carefully. Seeing that his composed expression was genuine and not just an act, the tension within her eased slightly. The frosty look on her face began to thaw.

She let out a soft breath. Her tone softened considerably, and she even sounded faintly apologetic.

"You don’t need to worry about it, Miss Wang. Something like this has to be mutual,"

Fang Han said, shaking his head.

’As for the view from the Celestial Pride List... sooner or later, he would climb up and see it for himself. But there was no need to say that to Wang Meng. It would only make him a laughingstock. Besides, his desire to reach the Celestial Pride List had nothing to do with her.’