Therefore, when the two of them got ready and arrived at the brightly lit front hall, everything felt perfectly natural.

Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei have just appeared.

Chu Yuan wondered if it was just her imagination, but there was a strange feeling that things weren't quite right between them. Could it be...?

It seems that when it comes to relationships, taking advantage of a moment of weakness can be quite effective!

"Father." Yan Ling stepped forward and carefully examined Yan Mu's body, afraid that he might have been injured in the palace but dared not tell anyone.

Xie Wei also called out in a calm voice, "Lord Marquis".

I'd rather call him "uncle," but now's not the time to reveal my identity.

The room was full of people, including the four of them, the steward of the Yan family, and the generals of the Yan family army... Everyone was staring at Yan Mu with eager eyes.

That night, everyone's hearts were like they were being fried in oil, but seeing Yan Mu alive and well at that moment seemed to ease their anxiety.

The vast flower hall was quiet and still, with only the crackling of the burning candlelight.

Yan Mu's eyes gradually reddened, and he suddenly cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you all for your hard work today!"

He bowed deeply, his words sincere and earnest.

"I won't say thank you, it would be too formal."

If there's ever anything I can do to help you, just say the word. If I refuse even half a word, I'm not a man!

After saying that, he sent many people to sleep. Even if they could only sleep for an hour or two, it was better than just staying up all night.

Everyone put aside their worries and left the Yan residence happily.

Only Chu Yuan, Jiang Xuening, and Xie Wei remained seated in the flower hall, and the servants of the Yan residence promptly replaced their tea with fresh tea.

They must all know that Yan Mu wanted to speak to them privately.

Compared to the people who had just left, Yan Mu was much kinder to the three of them.

Without saying a word, he stepped forward and bowed deeply to Xie Wei and Chu Yuan again. Chu Yuan was so startled that she quickly stepped aside, while Xie Wei quickly stepped forward and helped Yan Mu up. "What is Lord Yan doing?"

"You two have gone to great lengths to resolve the predicament of my Yan family, and I, Yan, am naturally obliged to do the same!"

Even though one was his elder sister's child and the other was his soon-to-be-married daughter-in-law, and both were juniors, Yan Mu never took it for granted and showed no airs of a marquis.

They even pulled Yanling along to bow.

Yan Ling smiled broadly, completely content, since one was her elder brother and the other her future wife.

You should worship.

Moreover, while bowing to Chu Yuan, he thought to himself with delight, how wonderful it would be if husband and wife bowed to each other.

Xie Wei reacted quickly and immediately returned the greeting.

Chu Yuan had no choice but to do as she was told, and thus, by sheer coincidence, she became exactly as Yan Ling had hoped.

His eyes were blazing, and he was grinning like an idiot.

Yan Mu slapped him on the back of the head. "You're laughing like a fool, aren't you?"

Turning back, she smiled at the three children: "You girl, Jiang girl, and Master Xie, since you're all coming tomorrow anyway, why not stay tonight? I'll have the servants arrange guest rooms for you each, how about that?"

The three of them lowered their eyes and said in unison, "No!"

Yan Mu: "???"

Xie Wei: "My old ailment hasn't healed yet. I'll go back and take my medicine before I come back."

Jiang Xuening: "I prepared a gift for Yan Ling and said I would pick it up first thing tomorrow morning. Besides, my parents are also very worried about the Marquis. I will go home and tell them that the Marquis is alright so that they can rest assured."

Upon hearing this, Yan Mu couldn't help but sigh, "Yes, I almost forgot. Although Brother Boyou usually appears moderate, he is actually a very sentimental person. Well then, go back and thank him for me."

After speaking, he looked at Chu Yuan.

Everyone in the room was looking at her.

She thought to herself, it's not surprising that others are in a hurry to go home, but someone of her status doesn't need to be so formal, does she?

Facing these confused and ambiguous gazes, Chu Yuan subtly glared at Yan Ling.

She was leaving, not for the same reason they were, but entirely because... she was afraid of being eaten!

As a modern person, Chu Yuan is not bound by the restrictions of not being able to have sex before marriage, but things are different now that Yan Mu is not here.

You'd better behave.

Moreover, Yan Mu must have had some private conversations with his son before Yan Ling came of age.

...

Chu Yuan kept her word and left decisively.

When Yanling escorted her to the gate of the You residence, it was already broad daylight.

It shouldn't have come to this, but it was all because of Yan Ling, who insisted on telling the coachman to slow down. A journey that should have taken an incense stick to burn took half an hour.

If Chu Yuan went back at this time, she would at most take a bath, change her clothes, and do her hair and makeup before going out again.

Yan Ling looked depressed and clung to Chu Yuan's waist, refusing to let go. "Don't go in, it's too much of a hassle."

As soon as she finished speaking, with a clatter, one of the hairpins on Chu Yuan's head came loose and finally fell to Yan Ling's feet.

Chu Yuan raised her eyes, looking at him with a half-smile: "Now, are you still saying you won't let me go back?"

If she doesn't tidy herself up, she might as well not see anyone after her coming-of-age ceremony today!

Yanling blushed, feeling embarrassed and ashamed.

The boy's emotions were clearly evident.

Chu Yuan was deeply moved. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gently kissed the young man's rosy cheek: "After you come of age, marry me as soon as possible, then we can be together every day, right?"

A beautiful woman offered a kiss, sweet as honey, and Yanling's smile never faded on her lips the entire way back.

This prompted Yan Mu, who had been waiting for him, to shake his head helplessly: "My son has grown up. I'm afraid he'll forget his father after he gets married!"

*

The next day, just after Chenshi (7-9 AM), firecrackers began to go off incessantly at the Yan residence.

Originally, it was just a coming-of-age ceremony, something every family with a child has done. There was no need to be so high-profile. But after what happened last night, Yan Mu had figured many things out. What did it matter if he was high-profile or low-profile?

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