Oolong
The hangover left Xu Lan with a splitting headache when she woke up the next day. She tapped her groggy head.
My throat was dry and itchy, and I was just about to ask Xiaoxi to bring me some water.
A faint, lingering scent of agarwood wafted into my nostrils, but I couldn't find any familiar figure beside me.
Has he been here?
"water."
When she opened her mouth, her voice was hoarse, and the vibration of her voice caused a pain in her throat, as if the mucous membranes in her throat were stuck together and forced apart.
He could only manage to utter one word.
She didn't feel any better until she finished drinking the whole pot of water.
"Did Cen Yan come over last night?"
Unexpectedly, he actually chased after her, but unfortunately she was drunk and didn't see his sour face.
"Yes, the young lady even brought a bow and insisted that the young master accompany you hunting."
'Pfft!' He had just drunk the last cup of water when he was shocked by Xiao Xi's words and spat it out.
Xu Lanxin gave an awkward, dry laugh.
"Besides hunting, I don't think I've done anything excessive, have I?"
Xiao Xi nodded: "No, the girl just kept trying to take off the young master's clothes, saying she wanted to dissect him."
After listening, Xu Lan scratched her head in frustration.
She vowed never to drink again.
When did he leave?
"Your son-in-law took care of you for most of the night and left before dawn."
Xu Lanxin was filled with sweetness, but Xiao Xi's next words broke her defenses.
"Miss, you keep pushing away your fiancé and insisting that he find you some little puppy. Miss, I went to check this morning, and there happens to be a litter of puppies on the estate. Would you like me to catch one for you?"
"Thank you so much!" Xu Lanxin sighed, rubbing her forehead in exasperation. "This dog is not that dog."
"Has anyone else woken up?"
"The Prince of Yan'an and his friends are very drunk and have not yet woken up."
"Call Qingyu and let's go for a walk."
As soon as she stepped out of the room, she encountered the black and white door gods.
"Big brother, cousin, what's up so early in the morning?"
"Cousin, are you going out? I noticed there's a bamboo grove near this villa, and I was thinking of asking if you'd like to go there for tea?"
"Is your older brother going too?"
Seeing the man nod, Xu Lanxin wondered to herself, what kind of quirk do these two have that they always like others to join them?
"Let's go then."
It seems she'll have to give them a helping hand.
Not far away, Yan'an's flamboyant figure quickly approached her.
Look, here comes the assist.
"Sister-in-law, where are you all headed?"
"Want to go for tea and gossip?"
"Go ahead."
Xu Lanxin grabbed Yan An and left, taking the opportunity to educate him about same-sex love, and together they discussed how to make things happen between the two of them later.
As night fell, the strange glances that Yan'an kept casting at them from ahead gave the two of them goosebumps.
At this moment, the villa manager rushed over and handed Xu Lanxin a name card.
"The Third Prince?"
Xu Lanxin recalled Zhao Yi's face; half a year ago, when she was tricked by Princess Qingya, he had helped her.
Regardless of his motives for helping her at the time, he still owes her a favor.
Since she's been invited to the banquet, I'll go and see.
"Yan'an, the Third Prince invited us to have roast whole lamb tonight, shall we go?"
“His Maple Forest Villa is nearby.”
After Yan'an finished speaking, he paused for a moment, then turned to a serious look and continued:
"Sister-in-law, I can't see through Zhao Yi."
Xu Lanxin's lips curled into a smile, her eyes gleaming: "Then let's go and meet them."
When the group arrived at the stable, they found that they didn't have enough horses.
"Brother, why don't you take my cousin for a ride?"
Xu Lanxin spoke first, and when she saw that he didn't move, she gave him a wink, but the man couldn't understand at all.
She stepped closer to him and whispered:
"Brother, we need to take the initiative!"
Ye Lanyi, looking utterly bewildered, strode forward, mounted his horse, and rode away while Xu Lanxin remained stunned.
Hey, that's so arrogant.
Yan'an leaned closer and nudged her with his elbow.
"Sister-in-law, shall we still try to matchmake them?"
"Yes, we have to ship them, we have to ship them."
After regaining her senses, Xu Lanxin asked Qingyu to help her mount the horse.
In the bamboo forest, the wind rustles the shadows, and the weather during the transition from spring to summer is quite pleasant.
With the tea set set out on the low table and the incense burner emitting wisps of smoke, there's a hint of the charm of tea in a bamboo grove.
Xu Lanxin quickly pulled Yan An to sit on the same side.
"Big brother, cousin, please have a seat too!"
Ye Lan sat down expressionlessly, and Lin Yun'an began to brew tea.
The two didn't talk or interact, which made her anxious and frustrated. So, she tugged at Yan'an's sleeve.
"Brother, Yan'an and I are going to fetch some water."
"Sit tight, there's enough water."
The four of them fell silent for a moment. Yan'an looked at Xu Lanxin somewhat awkwardly, their eyes communicating silently.
'Sister-in-law, didn't you say they were close? You must be mistaken.'
'How could that be? They always look at each other strangely.'
"How about we leave for a bit, so they won't feel so awkward?"
"Cousin, Yan'an and I are going to take a look around the neighborhood."
This time, she didn't say a word to Ye Lan.
"There are bamboo trees all around, so my cousin can see the same way from here."
Okay, okay, let you two be alone to build your relationship. I don't understand, but your penchant for having others as third wheels is surprisingly consistent.
Xu Lan glanced cautiously at the people opposite her; their dawdling was making her anxious and irritated. So, she made up her mind:
"Hey, you two brothers, you like each other, why do you always need outsiders to accompany you?"
The teacup shattered with a 'crack'.
Ye Lanyi's face was hidden by a mask, but anger was brewing in his eyes, and Lin Yun'an's expression was also not good.
“Cousin, stop talking nonsense! When have Brother Ye and I ever violated the rules of propriety? I am attracted to women.”
"Then why are you always together? My cousin even came to my house to keep my older brother company."
Lin Yun'an glanced at the man beside him. He had overheard what the man said to Cen Yan last night, and it seemed that the man had no ill intentions. It appeared that he had been overthinking things.
"We're all doing this because of you. You're my only sister, and now that you've come back from Nanjing, I have another brother. I...I..."
He took another teacup, poured tea, and handed it to Ye Lanyi.
"Brother Ye, there have been many misunderstandings before. I was narrow-minded. I hope you can forgive me with a cup of tea today."
Ye Lanyi didn't make a move, so Xu Lanxin quickly stepped forward and shook his sleeve:
"Brother, I was wrong. I shouldn't have misunderstood you and my cousin."
Ye Lan lowered his eyes and looked at Xu Lanxin, who was squatting in front of him. In the end, he couldn't be angry with his own sister!
"If you have any questions in the future, just ask me directly. Don't overthink it."
"Yes, yes, brother is right."
After Xu Lanxin returned to her seat, Yan An leaned forward and whispered through gritted teeth:
"Sister-in-law, what kind of look is that? I didn't even see it. Your ability to judge people is terrible!"
"Shut up!"
How could she know these two were siscon? Whether in the modern world or here, she'd never had brothers, and her siblings here weren't close to her. Who would have thought having an older brother would be like this?
The group chatted idly, but it was mostly her and Yan'an who were talking, followed by Lin Yun'an, with Ye Lan occasionally chiming in with a word or two.
Upon returning to the manor, they soon went to the Third Prince's Maple Forest Villa.
Inside the villa.
The third prince sat in the main seat, while the others sat on either side.
"Madam Cen, you must try this roasted mutton later. The roasted mutton made by the chef at this villa is absolutely superb."
Xu Lanxin nodded, "Thank you, Third Prince."
"Thank you for your help last time, Third Prince. I have prepared some small gifts, and I hope you will accept them."
Qingyu stepped forward and handed over a wooden box.
The Third Prince Zhao Yi opened the box, and a crack appeared on his usually calm face.
"Madam Cen, what is this...?"
What does "several ingots of gold" mean?
"Does the Third Prince find this too much? This money is so practical, buy whatever you want."
Yan'an, on the other side, couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of wine.
Zhao Yi smiled again, "Your wife is wise."
The lamb was roasted and just served when the servant brought Cen Yan over.
Dressed in blue, he walked in the moonlight, his expression obscured.
"Lord Cen, you've come at the perfect time. This mutton is just right."
Zhao Yi greeted him in a seemingly warm manner.
"Third Prince, I have come to fetch my wife to take her back."
"No rush, I have something to discuss with Lord Cen later. Lord Cen, you can try this roasted meat first."
"What does the Third Prince wish to discuss with me?"
Zhao Yi glanced at him for a moment, his eyes sharp, and just when everyone thought he was angry, he laughed.
"Since Lord Cen is in such a hurry, very well, come with me!"
Cen Yan followed Zhao Yi at a distance, neither too close nor too far, until they reached the study.
"Lord Cen, or should I address you as 'Jade-Faced General'?"
Cen Yan's eyes darkened, and a turbulent storm was brewing deep within his pupils.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com