Chapter 209 Come to my place tonight

Feng Yuan shrank back in fright, but then she thought of her cousin Ya Ya's happiness and pretended not to see it, hiding behind Jiang Zhi.

Jiang Zhi immediately glared at Lu Yuan again. Why was he being so fierce and bullying her cousin?

Lu Yuan felt a lump in his throat, unable to exhale or exhale, leaving him feeling incredibly angry.

In the end, the three of them still made it to the back mountain.

Lu Yuan didn't even have a chance to get close to Jiang Zhi and exchange a few words; he followed behind the two of them like a dutiful bodyguard.

Finally, he could no longer bear it and took off his sword from his side and handed it to Feng Yuan.

"Miss Feng, you've looked at this knife several times along the way. Are you interested in it?"

Feng Yuan's eyes lit up uncontrollably.

This is the Embroidered Spring Blade of the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

It is said that the Embroidered Spring Blade has undergone repeated folding and forging, with a blade as sharp as frost and a texture that resembles ever-changing clouds, yet the blade itself is extremely tough. It is a weapon that only the Embroidered Uniform Guard can carry.

"Can I really watch it?" she asked, unable to hide her excitement.

Lu Yuan hummed in agreement. "However, your cousin and I have something to discuss. You can take the knife and go to the temple to see for yourself."

"Alright, then come find me when you're done." Feng Yuan smiled broadly, took the embroidered spring knife, and stroked it lovingly in her hand as she walked back.

Seeing that Feng Yuan had finally walked away, Lu Yuan sighed, "It's really not easy to have some time alone with you."

Jiang Zhi looked at him with a half-smile, "Lord Lu has given away even his personal sword. What a sacrifice."

"So shouldn't you compensate me even more?" he asked meaningfully, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Zhi.

Jiang Zhi felt flustered under his gaze and lowered her head to change the subject, "Did Lord Lu only invite me out to admire the flowers today?"

Her original intention was to get Lu Yuan to the point and talk about the Grand Canal Gang, so that she wouldn't have to wait for Feng Yuan to return, but Lu Yuan clearly misunderstood.

He stepped forward, getting closer to her, "It's not just about admiring flowers, of course."

"I've been thinking about you these past few days. No matter what I'm doing, you're the only thing on my mind," he cupped her face in his hands, the pressure in his eyes almost tangible. "And you, have you been thinking about me?"

Jiang Zhi was taken aback, unable to reconcile his usual serious and cold demeanor with his current one.

No one told her that Lu Yuan, who had just lost his virginity, was so good at sweet talk.

Moreover, even when he said such things, his expression was as serious as if he were handling a case in the imperial prison, without the slightest hint of slickness.

Jiang Zhi felt her breath catch in her throat under his captivating, swamp-like gaze, and nodded slightly, lowering her eyes.

The hand cupping her cheek tightened, a shadow fell before her eyes, and her lips were quickly captured. The unique, cool fragrance of Lu Yuan soap enveloped her tightly, so densely that she could hardly breathe.

There was no gradual, tentative exploration, only a long-suppressed eagerness.

"Come to my place tonight?" His breath became a little hoarse, and his large, hot hands gently caressed her waist as their bodies pressed closely together.

She quickly noticed the change in his presence, which made him impossible to ignore.

This person is so unreserved.

"Then promise me one thing first."

"Um."

"You agreed before I even said anything?" Jiang Zhi was ticklish and dodged his deep breathing as he buried his face in her neck.

Lu Yuan pulled her back and made her lean against the thick tree trunk behind her, leaving her with no way to retreat.

"I'll agree to anything you say."

Jiang Zhi reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up at him. "When you return to the capital, you must not reveal my whereabouts in Xuzhou to anyone, including my maids."

Qingxing must be terribly worried about him knowing he's faked his death. If she knew he was in Xuzhou, she would definitely come looking for him no matter what.

Given Xiao Xuanyou's cunning, he must have already sent people to secretly watch Qingxing. As soon as she leaves the capital, his whereabouts will no longer be able to be concealed.

Lu Yuan was well aware of the implications of this matter. "After returning to the capital, I will pretend that Jiang Zhi is dead, and that you are now Ji Zhiya, an orphan girl from the Feng family seeking refuge."

"Thank you, Lord Lu." She tiptoed and kissed Lu Yuan on the lips.

Lu Yuan's breathing became heavier, and the warmth emanating from his hands gripping her waist continued to flow.

"Call me by my name, Azhi." He traced the shape of her moist, rosy lips with his tongue.

Jiang Zhi could barely stand, her hands pressed against his chest as she gasped for breath, "Lu, Lu Yuan."

His kiss stopped, he took a few deep breaths, and asked her solemnly yet cautiously, "Then, are you willing to marry Lu Yuan as Ji Zhiya?"

Before Jiang Zhi could speak, he added, "I will ask the Emperor to grant us a marriage. Don't worry about the difference in our status. I will definitely protect you and won't put you in danger like Shen Ci'an did."

Jiang Zhi was stunned for a moment, and the heat he had so easily aroused vanished instantly.

She hadn't expected him to ask that question so suddenly.

Because she never intended to return to Kyoto.

She also knew that Lu Yuan would not leave the Northern Garrison or the capital for her sake.

"What's wrong?" Noticing her absent-mindedness, Lu Yuan's heart sank.

Just as Jiang Zhi was about to speak, a muffled rumble of thunder suddenly sounded from the horizon.

It's going to rain soon.

There's nowhere to shelter from the rain in this desolate place, so we can't let Jiang Zhi get wet any longer.

Lu Yuan frowned as he looked at the sky, then pulled the person in front of him into his arms. "Let's go back first."

He had a broad back and his arms and legs were longer than those of an ordinary person. He could easily wrap Jiang Zhi up in his arms without letting a single piece of her clothes fall out.

＊

After pretending to leave, Feng Yuan tiptoed back.

What's a knife compared to her cousin Ya Ya's life-long happiness? She wouldn't let herself be blinded by greed.

She wanted to find a secluded spot to secretly observe what her cousin Ya Ya and Lord Lu were saying and doing.

But Lu Yuan, as expected of someone from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, remained vigilant even when emotions ran high.

Feng Yuan peeked out from a distance and saw Lu Yuan, who had his back to her, turn around as if he had sensed something.

Startled, she quickly crouched down and used the grass to conceal herself, thus avoiding being discovered.

But they dared not approach it again.

But from so far away, she could only see Lu Yuan's back; she couldn't even see the hem of her cousin Ya Ya's clothes, let alone eavesdrop on their conversation.

She squatted in the haystack until her legs were almost numb, but she still couldn't think of a way to get close to them.

It seems the mission is doomed to fail.

Disappointed, she was about to get up and go back when she heard a thunderclap from the sky.

Soon, large raindrops began to fall.

Feng Yuan was on the verge of tears.

How can someone be so unlucky?

She rubbed her aching legs and feet, trying to get up, but suddenly heard footsteps approaching from afar.

It's Lord Lu!

She was terrified of being discovered, so she hid in the haystack and didn't dare to move.

Then she opened her eyes wide.

Because she saw that Lord Lu, who looked terrifyingly cold, actually carried her cousin steadily into the pavilion next to the bushes where she was hiding to take shelter from the rain!

As he walked, he kept bending down to kiss her, as if he couldn't wait even a moment longer!