Chapter 141 How about that aspect?

Their warm lips met, and Yuanzhen held her breath in tension.

Seeing his bright red ears, Lu Jinlan couldn't help but chuckle, "I'm not going to eat you, what are you afraid of? Or... is this your first kiss?"

"No..." Yuan Zhen blurted out, then quickly explained, "My first kiss was with you by the river last time..."

Lu Jinlan's furrowed brows relaxed, and a smile appeared on her lips. "Idiot, that didn't count as a kiss at all."

Yuan Zhen was unconvinced and muttered, "We touched lips, how can it not count? You're the one who stole my first kiss, and you still say it doesn't count."

A naive and innocent young boy, innocent and adorable.

Lu Jinlan sighed softly, "Let me teach you what a kiss is."

Their lips met again, then their teeth touched. The unfamiliar yet intense sensation made Ji Yunyuan's heart pound wildly.

He felt like a deserter. Lu Jinlan came on strong and aggressively. He panicked and ran away without any chance to defend himself or resist. He was defeated and his army was routed. In the end, he could only raise his hands to surrender and accept his fate.

After the kiss, Ji Yunyuan buried her head and fled in panic. At the same time, the system popped up a new notification: "Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking the achievement of capturing the heart of your beloved once again, health points +9999."

Lu Jinlan raised her hand to wipe the water from her lips, and a smile appeared on her lips again.

*

Ji Yunyuan returned to his room, restless and unable to sit still, feeling as if he had a rabbit in his arms.

He simply took a few patterns and went to find some of his relatives' brothers to do needlework together.

His older cousin looked at the work in his hands and laughed, "Why are you making shoes again? Didn't you just do that a few days ago?"

Yuanzhen lowered her head and carefully threaded the needle through the sole of the shoe, replying, "She said they're comfortable to wear. I happen to have some free time, so I'll make her a few more pairs."

The older cousin joked, "Who is she? Is she Lu Jinlan, whom you think about day and night, or Lu Er, whom you see day and night? If you don't explain clearly, we won't understand."

Yuan Zhen glared at him. "Of course it's our alliance leader, my wife. Don't try to take advantage of me because I'm shy. We're a lawfully wedded couple, there's nothing I wouldn't dare say."

The second cousin snorted and said sarcastically, "Oh, so this is someone who's married to the Alliance Leader after all; she speaks more confidently than before. But Yuanzhen, as your older brother, I really have to say a few words to you. We're all brothers; why are you putting on airs like the Alliance Leader's wife in front of us?"

"Knowing you've landed a great marriage, you're practically strutting around like a madman. But there's no need to show off to us. If your mother weren't the head of the alliance, the leader might not even have agreed to marry you."

Yuan Zhen forcefully pulled out a cotton thread and retorted indifferently, "I wasn't showing off; you were the ones who asked. You've always openly and subtly mocked me for being arrogant and unaware of my own pride, but I've never bothered with you. Today, I've only said a few words, and someone's already gotten angry. I wonder who's so arrogant."

The second cousin was about to speak in anger when the eldest cousin quickly stopped him, "Forget it, it's all my fault. It was just a joke, and it caused all this unpleasantness. As for what happened before, it wasn't that your older brothers bullied you; you were just young, and everyone was teasing you. Yuanzhen, give your eldest cousin some face and don't take it to heart."

Yuan Zhen said calmly, "I didn't take it to heart, but if I don't say it, some people will pretend they've forgotten. I might as well lay it all out in the open, so that you won't get used to teasing me and continue doing so in the future."

"It's not that I'm putting on airs as the Alliance Leader's husband, but I am the Alliance Leader's husband now. I don't want anyone to say that her husband is a fool, speaking and acting so pathetically. Besides, I'm already married, so please stop mentioning Lu Jinlan."

Third Cousin chuckled coldly, "Heh, so you know your feelings for Lu Jinlan aren't exactly honorable, and you're afraid the Alliance Leader will find out? You should keep a low profile. The Alliance Leader is new here and doesn't know your background. Otherwise, who would marry a man who's always dreaming of marrying the Emperor?"

My second cousin quickly chimed in, "That's right, that's right. It's true you're ambitious. But your husband is really fickle. Just a few days ago he was talking about Lu Jinlan all the time, but now that he's married, he won't mention her again."

"This is a glorious deed of yours; the Alliance Leader will find out sooner or later. How long do you think you can be so smug?"

"Don't come crying to us if you get rejected later. There are many tricks to being a husband. Don't dream that you can win your wife's heart by making a few pairs of shoes and pretending to be virtuous."

Yuan Zhen said angrily, "If you're happy to tell her, then go ahead and tell her. Who asked you to keep it from her?"

Third cousin jumped up and said, "Fine, I'll go. You think I wouldn't dare? I'll go and tell them right now."

As soon as he turned around, he saw Ji Yunyao standing at the door with a livid face. He froze and silently lowered his head.

Everyone was startled and stood up, not daring to look up, only whispering, "Auntie."

Ji Yunyao said coldly, "Anyone who dares to spread Zhen'er's past will be ruthless and I will not tolerate such a person staying on the mountain."

No one dared to utter a sound. Ji Yunyao glared at them and said, "Zhen'er, come to my room. Your mother needs to speak with you."

Seeing that his mother's expression was not good, Ji Yunyuan dared not say anything and obediently followed her.

Sure enough, as soon as he entered, Ji Yunyao threw a package on the ground and said sternly, "Kneel down."

Yuan Zhen knelt obediently. Ji Yunyao pointed at the item and said, "The bookstore owner at the foot of the mountain said this is what you wanted, and he asked someone to bring it up the mountain for you. It almost ended up in the hands of the Alliance Leader. Luckily, I saw it and took it beforehand. Otherwise, what would you expect him to think?"

Yuanzhen opened it and saw that it contained several new editions of Lu Jinlan's poetry collections.

Ji Yunyao said angrily, "Zhen'er, how can you be so unfaithful to your husband? You're already married, you should settle down and serve your wife properly. If you're so restless, people will say your mother failed to raise her son well, where will I put my old face then?"

Yuan Zhen's eyes reddened with anxiety, and she quickly explained, "Mother, I pre-ordered these from the bookstore a month ago. I wasn't married then, and I didn't even know the Alliance Leader. What's wrong with buying a few poetry collections?"

“These past few days have passed, and I’ve completely forgotten about it. I haven’t been unfaithful or unchaste. It’s one thing for my cousin and the others to talk nonsense, but you’ve wronged me too.”

Yuan Zhen was so aggrieved that tears streamed down her face. Ji Yunyao frowned and said, "Don't feel wronged. I can believe you if you say this to me, but do you think the Alliance Leader will believe you? Will he even listen to your explanation?"

Yuan Zhen wiped away her tears. "How could she not know? She already knew I used to like Lu Jinlan. It's not like I hid it from her, lied to her, or fooled her into marrying her."

Ji Yunyao said angrily, "It's one thing for her to know, but it's another thing for someone to repeatedly remind her. You made a mistake because you didn't think things through, and you still dare to talk back? I'll hit you."

She had just raised her hand when she suddenly heard someone outside the door say, "Mother-in-law, please wait."

The two people inside were both stunned. Ji Yunyao considered herself to have excellent hearing. There was someone outside the door, yet she didn't hear a single footstep or breath. This mistress of the house was truly amazing.

Yuan Zhen turned around with teary eyes and saw Lu Jinlan push open the door and stride in.

She glanced at the things on the ground and said to Ji Yunyao, "Mother-in-law, please let us handle the matter between Yuanzhen and me. You are getting old, so please don't worry about the affairs of us younger generation. I will take care of it myself."

These words were both gentle and firm, carrying an air of unquestionable authority.

Ji Yunyao could only nod repeatedly, "Alright, then... then you can decide what to do. This was indeed Yuanzhen's fault, and I've already scolded him for you. He's already married to you, so you can do whatever you want with him. But you must believe that he is absolutely loyal to you, and he hasn't done anything to betray you."

Lu Jinlan nodded, "I know."

She extended her hand to Yuanzhen, "Come back with me."

Yuan Zhen grasped Lu Jinlan's warm hand and slowly stood up. Just like the day he was swept away by the flood and suddenly felt someone pulling him back, he felt a sense of salvation and peace in his heart.

When the two returned to their room, Yuanzhen thought she would scold him like her mother had.

Lu Jinlan didn't scold him, but only said, "Don't think about the past, let bygones be bygones. Stay away from those gossips, they're not good people."

Yuan Zhen nodded repeatedly, "I'll listen to you."

*

The next day, Lu Jinlan descended the mountain, shot the letter he had written onto the gate of the government office, and left in a carefree manner.

Since the government officials would cooperate with her act anyway, she simply said to the members of the alliance, "The most dangerous place is the safest place. The government will never guess that we haven't left yet. Why don't we buy some supplies and bring some food and necessities for the old and young people on the mountain?"

Xu Lin: "The Alliance Leader is right!"

Lu Jinlan took out some more silver and distributed it to everyone. The members of the alliance, who had endured hardship for so long, couldn't wait to make her a dragon robe and drape it over her shoulders. They were all overjoyed and happily went to the market to buy things.

Yan Wuxin nudged Lu Jinlan's arm, gesturing for her to look at Chi Cheng, who was hiding in the corner.

Lu Jinlan looked over, and Chi Cheng blinked pitifully.

Lu Jinlan looked around and quickly walked over.

The two hid in an alley, and Chi Cheng quickly grabbed her and wouldn't let go.

Lu Jinlan smiled and patted him on the back, "What's wrong?"

"I miss you," he said in a muffled voice.

Lu Jinlan smiled. "Soon, we'll have results in less than half a month. Besides, we've already met."

Chi Cheng said sadly, "I sent a letter home a few days ago. My mother knows I'm here and insists that I go back."

Lu Jinlan said, "Then you should go back. I'll send someone to pick you up after I've finished my business."

Chi Cheng was sullen. "But half a month is a long time. You haven't seen me at all. Have you forgotten me?"

Lu Jinlan pinched his cheek. "Nonsense, I've been thinking about you. I was thinking about you yesterday."

"Really?" Chi Cheng's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but kiss her.

Lu Jinlan smiled helplessly, then simply pressed down on the back of his neck and kissed him back forcefully.

Ji Yunliu, holding two freshly baked sweet potatoes, turned pale upon seeing this scene and ran up the mountain as fast as he could.

*

Yuanzhen was doing needlework alone in his room when his uncle and his second uncle, Huixian, came to visit him.

The uncle said with a worried look, "Your mother sent me to see you. Although she's your mother, there are some things she can't ask. Your father passed away early, so just tell your uncle what's on your mind. Tell me honestly, the alliance leader didn't do anything to you yesterday, did he?"

Yuan Zhen said, "No, she's very good to me."

Uncle Huixian hurriedly asked, "How so?"

Yuan Zhen thought of Lu Jinlan, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her lips. "She said to let bygones be bygones and to keep my distance from those gossipy men."

The uncle quickly asked, "She didn't get angry or make things difficult for you?"

Yuan Zhen shook his head repeatedly, "Really not."

Uncle Huixian looked at him suspiciously, "How could he not be angry? Could it be that he's unhappy inside but pretending everything's fine?"

The uncle largely agreed, saying, "It could also be a ploy to lure you in, waiting for you to make an even bigger mistake so they can just divorce you."

Yuan Zhen was caught off guard, and the needle pricked his finger, causing bright red blood to gush out.

Yuan Zhen covered his hands and frowned, saying, "Uncle, Second Uncle, please don't scare me. You're making me all anxious."

Uncle Huixian quickly said, "We've all been through this, and we're not trying to scare you. What wife can tolerate her husband openly liking another woman? It's definitely a thorn in her side, and she might be holding a grudge."

Yuan Zhen said in a panic, "She looks fine, but I have no idea what she's thinking."

After thinking for a moment, the uncle quickly asked, "How's it going on your end?"

Yuan Zhen looked blank. "In which aspect?"

The uncle asked, "Is she affectionate towards you?"

Yuan Zhen's face flushed, and she whispered, "She really likes to kiss me; she kissed me three times yesterday."

"Oh, that's not what I meant. I meant matters between husband and wife." The uncle gritted his teeth and said bluntly, "It's about whether she likes sleeping with you, whether it's a routine or something she can't get enough of in one night."

Yuan Zhen blushed crimson. "I...she...oh dear, actually we haven't consummated our marriage yet."

"What?!" The uncle stood up in surprise.

Before he could finish speaking, Ji Yunliu rushed in, breathless, "B-B-B-something terrible has happened!"