Chapter 25
Under the bright moonlight, the two walked out of the village hand in hand. It wasn't late; a few farmhouses still had their lights on, like scattered fireflies.
Luo Yan was inspired to write a poem: "Goodbye, Mom, I'm setting sail tonight."
Zhu Yun: "......"
"Don't laugh." She tickled his palm as punishment, then casually asked, "What did you and Grandma talk about?"
“I said I’d take you back to Cangxi to pay respects at the mountain.”
The so-called "paying respects at the mountain" is actually tomb sweeping. The Jia family does have a memorial tablet for Madam Luo, but it would be more sincere to personally visit the grave to pay respects. Upon hearing this, Jia Yufang not only did not object but also gave them several ingots of silver for travel expenses.
Luo Yan gave him a thumbs up: "You're quite good at making up stories."
“It’s not nonsense.” Zhu Yun used a lantern to brush aside the branches and led her slowly down the steep slope, explaining, “As your son-in-law, I should take the time to pay respects to your deceased parents.”
She gave an understanding "Oh": "Then should I pay respects to your parents?" After all the commotion, it was already lunchtime, but Zhu Yun was holding Luo Yan in a large bathtub.
She rested her chin on Zhu Yun's shoulder and said weakly, "Young Master, are you going out of the manor today?"
"Hmm." Zhu Yun was too lazy to remind her not to pry into her master's whereabouts, and said casually, "I've been busy lately and haven't had time to visit you."
Luo Yan feigned sadness, wrapping her arms tightly around him: "Official business is of utmost importance. Anyway, I have Xiangye and Xiangming to accompany me on my trip. As long as you don't think I'm spending too much money, that's fine."
He gave a light "humph": "Buy it if you like it. What I lack least is money." He frowned slightly, glanced at the purse whose stitching and texture were indescribable, and sneered, "Other women embroidered it themselves, but you, you're using my money to offer something for nothing?"
Without a word, Luo Yan kissed him on the lips, looking aggrieved: "Young Master said you've never had a sweetheart, so why do you know so much about how other women sewed purses by hand?"
Another silence fell. Zhu Yun, unaware of her joy, replied, "Wang Caifu delivered your indenture the very next day. From now on, you must abide by the rules of the manor to some extent, understand?"
She nodded vigorously, her almond-shaped eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she smiled, resembling a satiated little fox.
Zhu Yun's gaze softened, and he praised, "I don't like people who think they're clever. You did very well."
Luo Yan couldn't help but feel smug, and softened her voice: "Thank you, Young Master."
With one thing on her mind, Luo Yan stopped nagging and, after finishing her bowl of noodles, got up to take her leave.
Zhu Yun was sitting at his desk writing, his back ramrod straight, his face refined. Upon hearing this, he merely gave a curt "hmm" without raising his head.
Luo Yan didn't mind at all, and happily let her maid lead the way, taking a stroll around the mansion. It turned out that her own courtyard was not far from the study, but it was quite a distance from Zhu Yun's Qingfeng Courtyard.
She walked along the clear stream where fresh flower petals floated, pondering that Zhu Yun was of noble birth and wealth, and that once she returned to the capital, she would definitely forget everything that had happened in Jinzhou.
At that time, I will be the mistress of this wealthy mansion, and I will live a carefree life. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
When Shizhu came over, Luo Yan was squatting by the stream, playing with the floating leaves. Her wrists were slender, her nose was round and upturned, and her smile when she turned her head made the flowers and moon pale in comparison. She was indeed a rare beauty.
"Is something the matter?" Luo Yan asked when she saw Shi Zhu looking dazed.
The servant looked away in alarm and said truthfully, "Lord Zhou has invited the young master to Tianxiang Tower tomorrow, and he also wants Miss Luo to come along."
Luo Yan understood: "Does the young master wish me to go with him?" Tianxiang Tower is the only brothel in Jinzhou.
If Wang Caifu hadn't chosen Luo Yan back then, she probably would have been sold into this place too.
Zhu Yun would bring her along when visiting brothels, presumably because he prefers purity and wants to use Luo Yan to ward off unwanted suitors.
Therefore, she abandoned her ethereal white dress and put on a long, fitted skirt embroidered with summer lotus flowers, paired with a pink brocade bodice and tied with a light green ribbon.
With its graceful curves, lotus blossoms in full bloom, and every step it takes seems to create a lotus flower.
Luo Yan turned around with satisfaction and asked her maid Xiangming, "How is it? Will your young master like it?"
Having received permission, Xiangming spoke to Luo Yan, and with a slightly flushed face, said reservedly, "You are extremely beautiful."
"Thanks."
Luo Yan rubbed her lip rouge with her pinky finger to lighten the thick color, making it complement her appearance.
Once everything was ready, she followed Xiangming to the front hall, where Zhu Yun was already waiting.
Sure enough, from afar, one could see a handsome young man in a light blue robe playing with a long sword. He used the tip of the sword to pierce the heart of a falling leaf, his movements leisurely, yet his accuracy was astonishing.
Luo Yan couldn't help but clap her hands.
Hearing the noise, Zhu Yun sheathed his sword and turned around. His gaze lingered on her bright, smiling face, which was different from her usual appearance, for a few moments, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
"Young master, do I look good today?" The sad atmosphere vanished, and Luo Yan shamelessly leaned closer to him, eagerly resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, young master. I will serve you wholeheartedly for the two months you spent in Jinzhou."
He remained noncommittal, flicking his fingers to push Luo Yan away, seemingly unaccustomed to the closeness of strangers.
But she wasn't wearing any perfume, and her scent was refreshing, so it was bearable.
She leaned forward as if seeking praise, her eyes reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun, breathtakingly beautiful.
Zhu Yun ignored her and gestured for Xiangming to bring over a veil, which he awkwardly put on Luo Yan. Only after her face was covered did Zhu Yun reveal a satisfied smile and say, "Let's go."
Luo Yan: ? Luo Yan mentally punched him twice, but on the surface, she still smiled gently.
So be it. At least she doesn't have to submit to Wang Caifu. Zhu Yun is beautiful, and even if she has a bad temper, so be it. She has plenty of time in the future.
He had spent most of the day painstakingly applying makeup, yet she was completely covered up. "Young Master Hou" frowned, seemingly speechless.
The attendant nodded, then respectfully withdrew, her figure disappearing from sight in a few breaths, as if she were some kind of monstrous flood.
However, her kiss made it difficult for Zhu Yun to find fault with her, so he reluctantly accepted it and said, "Tonight, I will be entertaining guests in the front courtyard."
Luo Yan had never managed the household affairs before, but since she was the only mistress of the household, she obediently replied, "I'll go and prepare right away."
"No need." Zhu Yun didn't even look up. "You stay in your room and don't come out."
She paused for a moment, then realized that it made sense; she was at best a mistress who couldn't be brought into the open, yet she dared to presume to be the mistress of the house. But she also felt a vague sense of resentment, resenting that Zhu Yun was as stubborn as a rock that couldn't be warmed.
Noticing Luo Yan's silence, Zhu Yun finally deigned to look at her directly. Since he was sitting, his gaze first fell on a certain spot where her breasts were undulating. He licked his lips, his voice slightly hoarse: "Speak your mind."
"Young Master~" On an ordinary night, a heavy snow quietly arrived. When I woke up, the trees outside the window were already covered in silver blossoms. If I peeked out, all I could see was a white expanse stretching to the horizon, pure and flawless, breathtakingly beautiful.
At these times, all is quiet, even anger temporarily ceases.
Only a plum tree in the corner of the wall, undeterred by the severe cold, rustled off the snow from its heart, its delicate beauty and stubbornness indescribable, as it grew trembling red stamens amidst the biting cold.
Luo Yan easily caught the scent of his hair, which resembled green leaves or bamboo branches, fresh and refined. The fragrance spread from the tip of her nose to the tangled strands of hair, silently permeating her.
Overwhelmed by emotion, her tenderness overcame her fear, and she gently cupped Zhu Yun's head in her soft palms, whispering, "Young Master has not yet answered me."
Zhu Yun's eyes were filled with satisfaction, and he didn't mind her offense. He raised his head and kissed her full lips. He realized that Luo Yan liked it very much when he treated her this way.
Sure enough, the fire spread far and wide, burying the insignificant pain. Moved by his burning kiss, Luo Yan involuntarily wrapped her arms around him, wanting to bring Zhu Yun pleasure.
He grew increasingly tender, leaving a refreshing scent on Luo Yan.
A moment later, noticing her relaxation, Zhu Yun rubbed his swollen lips together and said in a captivating voice, "I have no fiancée."
Luo Yan had never hated herself so much for being greedy and lustful.
"Yanyan." Zhu Yun called her softly in a pleasant voice.
Luo Yan was completely bewildered and continued to relentlessly pursue his advances.
Luo Yan kissed him again, her slender white fingers gripping his sleeve and gently shaking it. "If you think Yan Yan's status is too low, Yan Yan can also dress up as a maid."
After being repeatedly shut down by her, Zhu Yun's temple throbbed with pain.
He wanted to explain, but he had never done such a thing. He frowned, pulled back his sleeve, and said coldly, "Don't bother me."
Upon hearing this, Luo Yan blinked her eyes and said, "Everyone in the manor receives a monthly allowance, and I want one too."
Zhu Yun tapped her forehead with his finger. "If you want how much monthly silver you can get, ask Xiangye and have her take you to the bank."
"Thank you, young master." Luo Yan kissed his lips twice, then got up and dressed, eager to leave immediately.
Her exquisite and shapely body was laid bare before my eyes, her curves alluring, her face beautiful, as if it were the masterpiece of a painter.
Zhu Yun licked her lips and looked away, so as not to spend the whole day in her room.
Zhu Yun was still angry, her eyes red, and she said in a cold voice, "Find someone else to teach you."
Luo Yan assumed that he was being conservative because of his status and unwilling to lower his pride, so she accepted the order and said to the outside, "Brother Cangshu, the young master asked you to teach me how to ride a horse."
So, when they arrived at the scenic riverbank, she called Yu Rui and the others, and they followed behind Cang Shu, who looked very uncomfortable.
In her previous life, Luo Yan dreamed of traveling the world. But now that she's in the Great Ling Dynasty, transportation is limited, so if she could learn to ride a horse, it would be entirely beneficial.
Cangshu dared not look her in the eye. With a wooden, broad face, he silently demonstrated how to mount the horse, then bent down and said, "Please try it, Master Yan."
The horse was tall and strong. Luo Yan was a little timid, but she still went for it and jumped on it, just like Cang Shu had done earlier.
Once she had firmly gripped the horse's belly, she smiled and said to Zhu Yun, "Young master, look, I learned it in no time!"
Zhu Yun simply gave a faint "hmm" and went to the shade of the tree.
Luo Yan, disregarding her own emotions, earnestly asked Cang Shu, "Then what should we do?"
Cang Shu had served Zhu Yun for many years and knew that his young master was already burning with anger beneath his calm expression. He immediately broke out in a cold sweat and said dryly, "Princess Yan, you should ask the young master. Riding a horse requires teaching him step by step. I cannot teach you."
However, she forgot that from a certain day onwards, Zhu Yun would lock the doors and windows when bathing and changing clothes, so much so that her memory of what lay beneath her clothes remained that of a child.
etc!
Luo Yan glanced around the inner room, which contained only a canopy bed. The bathroom had a narrow couch, half of which had been accidentally splashed with water.
She covered her rapidly rising face, belatedly wondering if tonight she would be fast-forwarding from holding hands to sharing a bed.
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