Chapter 33
The possibility of taking someone away right under Zhu Yun's nose is extremely slim. But that's the reality, and judging from the situation, Luo Yan wasn't coerced.
He was restless and agitated, loosening his clothes and throbbing veins on his forehead.
After standing still for a moment, he barely regained his composure and paced around the room twice, examining every nook and cranny for any traces. Then he went back to his room to retrieve his sword, intending to leave, but then he noticed a familiar letter beneath the sword tassel.
That's impossible.
Last night he personally placed it back under his pillow, and this morning he was awake when Luo Yan left, extremely vigilant. Unless the letter sprouted legs and appeared out of thin air.
In that instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind, including supernatural and bizarre ideas, but he ultimately put them aside.
The most important thing is to go to the capital immediately to confirm that Luo Yan is safe and sound.
Zhu Yun took the token and the cigarette, whistled to summon the brown horse, and Yun Pian Gao glanced at it curiously over the courtyard wall before lazily lying back down, just like its owner.
Zhu Yun sat up almost instantly and used a dagger to push aside the culprit—a small mouse the size of a cup.
Luo Yan was terrified and clung to him, her soft face pressed against the boy's shoulder and arm, trembling.
She looked up with a wronged expression, her eyes unfocused in the darkness, and said in a pitiful voice, "I want to sleep on the outside."
Zhu Yun nodded silently, then, realizing that she couldn't see him, replied succinctly, "Okay."
Just as Fang was about to help her out of bed, Luo Yan let out a soft, almost inaudible whimper, like a cat's meow. Zhu Yun, who was usually praised by the Grand Tutor for remaining calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, twitched at the corner of his forehead.
"Your outer robe is dirty." Since the conversation had turned to the marriage agreement, Luo Yan was curious and propped her face up to look at him: "Don't you have any childhood sweethearts, white moonlights, or lovers in the capital? In the stories, those who are forced into marriage by their parents always end up with a tragic ending."
Zhu Yun didn't know how to answer on her behalf, but fortunately Qing Niang brought over steaming hot venison: "The meat dishes are very oily and spicy, I don't know if you two can get used to them. There is also clear soup and two vegetarian dishes on the stove, so please don't feel uncomfortable."
In her past life, Luo Yan was used to helping her parents. She quickly got up to set the table and called out to the southwest side room, "Sister Wu, it's time to eat."
Seeing that she was born delicate and had the air of a young lady from a wealthy family, yet was clever and approachable, Qingniang gradually opened up and started talking.
It turned out that the male head of the household was named Chen Qiu, and he made a living by selling cattle and sheep. Because Master Zheng was taking a concubine, he held a grand banquet in town, and Chen Qiu drove his cart to deliver meat before dawn, and could not return until after dinner.
Mentioning her husband, Qingniang's wheat-colored cheeks flushed slightly. She glanced behind Luo Yan and asked, "Are you two husband and wife?"
Luo Yan feigned shyness: "The wedding will take place at the beginning of the year."
"No wonder," Qing Niangzi said with genuine envy. "The newlyweds are truly sweet."
At this moment, Madam Wu prepared a guest room and served Zhu Yun a large bowl full of rice: "Young man, eat more so you can have the strength to support your beautiful wife."
Zhu Yun glanced at Luo Yan, a rare hint of helplessness appearing in his usually cold and indifferent eyes.
Luo Yan suppressed a laugh, took some from his bowl, and casually made up a story: "Sister, you don't know, my husband's family is in the waterway business. This time, I accompanied my husband south, and we encountered water bandits halfway. There were at least thirty or fifty of them."
She patted her chest as if she were still shaken: "I couldn't fight back, so my husband protected me and went into the water. We were swept several miles away from our village, and luckily we survived."
Upon hearing this, Wu's eyes welled up with tears: "Heaven have mercy on us."
Qingniang also sighed, "Those who survive such a calamity are sure to be blessed with good fortune. Amitabha."
“Who says otherwise?” Luo Yan replied, quickly placing the mustard greens from her bowl into Zhu Yun’s hand, and said tenderly, “Husband, eat more.”
In an instant, Wu's pity turned to relief, and she praised the deep affection between the two as husband and wife.
Zhu Yun: "......"
The truth is probably that some people are just picky eaters.
After the meal, Luo Yan borrowed a set of clean clothes from Qing Niang. Knowing that the Chen family was not wealthy and that the window paper was still drafty, she offered to exchange her own clothes for them.
The luxurious fabric could fetch a good price in town. Qingniang was overjoyed and became even more hospitable to her guest. She took two of her treasured bath beans and gave them to Luo Yan: "There is a clear stream in the back mountain. Except in winter when they are willing to heat some water, they usually go there to bathe."
"Thank you, Madam Qing."
Zhu Yun was chopping wood in the courtyard. Although his movements were clumsy, his strength was precise. The stone axe, which was as long as his forearm, seemed to be as light as a feather in his hands.
Luo Yan held the clothes, her gaze sweeping over his slender waist, her cheeks burning.
Zhu Yun had already noticed her presence. After waiting for a while and seeing that Luo Yan was not approaching, he lifted his eyelids in confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"
She couldn't very well say that she was seduced by beauty.
Luo Yan coughed lightly: "You, come with me to the bathhouse."
Chapter 8 Newlyweds
Luo Yan urged, "Pay attention to me."
Where she couldn't see, a blush crept onto Zhu Yun's usually cool and aloof face. His voice was slightly hoarse as he forced himself to remain calm, saying, "It's not that I'm unwilling, it's just a woman's private property..."
"Light the lamp first."
The light brought her endless warmth, but for Zhu Yun, it revealed all her expressions.
Luo Yan gave him no time to think, lightly tugged at her sleeve, and commanded in a tone devoid of any threat: "Hurry up."
Zhu Yun straightened up as instructed and lit the oil lamp with a tinderbox.
"Wait." Noticing that he was about to leave, Luo Yan quickly said, "I'll wait for you outside. Just wash up quickly and come back soon."
With Zhu Yun not around, she would never dare to be alone with rats and ants.
He did as instructed and hung his outer robe high to drain, thinking to himself, "What a chaotic night."
And I couldn't help but wonder, if Jiang Chen were here, what would he do?
Her smooth, jet-black hair brushed against Zhu Yun's taut jawline; her shallow breaths sprayed onto the collar that had involuntarily opened during the tug-of-war.
An itch shot straight to her heart. Several farm women were sitting in the shade at the village entrance. Luo Yan lifted her skirt and quickly went up to them to start a conversation.
She was beautiful, and when she smiled, she was like a lotus flower in full bloom. She would tilt her head up and sweetly call out "Sister," easily making the peasant women happy.
A woman, being naturally hospitable, invited her to her home for a meal. Luo Yan did not refuse, beckoning to Zhu Yun a few steps away and saying, "Sister, I won't eat for free. I hunted some wild game on the way, so please don't find it offensive."
The woman, surnamed Wu, grinned and said, "It's just simple food, I was afraid you'd find it unpalatable."
Zhu Yun walked over calmly, carrying his prey. He had an otherworldly air about him and was handsome. The peasant women stared in disbelief, murmuring, "There really is such a divine figure."
"Who can argue with that?"
Wu rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and exclaimed, "With the two of you standing here, we won't need to burn money for lamps at night!"
Luo Yan then introduced him: "This is my husband, his surname is Yang."
Her tone was affectionate, and her demeanor was as usual, giving Zhu Yun the illusion that they were truly a young couple.
Seeing that Zhu Yun stood there silently, Luo Yan poked him with her finger, and he then composed himself and greeted her gently.
Ms. Wu was over forty years old. Her husband had passed away two years ago. She had a son who was twenty-three years old and a daughter-in-law. She said, "Our village is far from the town. You should rest for the night and go together in my eldest son's oxcart tomorrow."
Luo Yan repeatedly praised, "Thanks to your kind heart, elder sister."
"What sister? You look a few years younger than my daughter-in-law."
Even so, Madam Wu felt comforted and quickly came to regard Luo Yan as one of her own.
She appeased Madam Wu, turned her head, winked at Zhu Yun, and looked smug. In that instant, her already stunning beauty became even more vibrant.
The boy's eyes burned, and he subtly avoided looking at the boy to prevent making a big mistake.
Zhu Yun pursed her lips, speechless for a long time.
"Ah Yun," she called out in a trembling voice. Zhu Yun stopped fifty paces away, turned his back, and focused intently on keeping watch for her to prevent other villagers from accidentally wandering in.
Luo Yan glanced at the boy's tall and straight back, feeling inexplicably at ease, and slowly stepped into the water, lifting her skirt.
Luo Yan was completely unaware of this, and instead felt a real sense of leisurely vacation. The scenery was beautiful, with clear waters and lush mountains, a return to nature and simplicity. No wonder people in later generations, after achieving success and fame, pursued a pastoral life.
It's a pity she can't watch TV while taking a bath. With nothing else to do, she called out to Zhu Yun, "We'll be going to town tomorrow, are you excited?"
When a good person is happy, their tone can become incredibly cold.
She calmed herself down for a while, then regained her interest and continued, "Are you in a hurry to get back to the capital? I didn't hear you urging me along the way, I almost forgot that I was on the run. You don't know, this is the happiest day I've had since I... cough cough... I recovered from my illness."
"I don't need to outwit my aunt, I don't need to be bossed around by the master, and I don't need to listen to my half-sister's sarcastic remarks." Luo Yan patted the water cheerfully and said whimsically, "Why don't I stay here?"
“No good,” he said decisively.
"Hmph, you're just prejudiced against me."
Luo Yan assumed Zhu Yun was looking down on her. After all, Zhu Yun had been quite demanding along the way, acting like a pampered young lady who couldn't bear any hardship. In this remote and impoverished place, she probably wouldn't be able to take care of herself.
All right.
Luo Yan thought regretfully.
Zhu Yun didn't turn around, but started walking down the mountain: "I'll take you back first, and I'll come back myself later."
Invited by her old friends, Wu went to see the newborn calf, while Qingniang deftly peeled peanuts in the yard.
What was said without malice may have been taken to heart by the listener.
He knew that Luo Yan considered him her fiancé, and in common folk, lovers often exchange tokens such as hand-embroidered purses. The fact that both were together suggested that her fiancé had another woman besides her.
The purse was embroidered with lush green bamboo, and even though Luo Yan was not skilled in needlework, she could appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship. Inside, there was an unknown fragrance, delicate and pleasant, and it also had a refreshing effect.
He picked out a black pill and told Luo Yan, "It's sealed with wax, so it won't spoil when it gets wet."
After she finished reading, she sat back down and sighed again.
Zhu Yun lowered his eyebrows and looked up at her, his eyes asking, "What do you intend to do?"
Suddenly, Luo Yan had an idea. She grinned and gave a charming smile: "Let's chat!"
He remained noncommittal: "What are we talking about?"
In the summer, black, unidentified insects inexplicably swarm out of the girls' dormitory, their screams echoing throughout—it's practically become a regular occurrence. You can't really blame her for being delicate; considering she's an ordinary girl living in a civilized and convenient era, it's only natural that she finds it difficult to adapt.
After trying to calm herself down, Luo Yan forced a smile, but was reluctant to leave Zhu Yun's embrace.
Luo Yan asked cautiously, "Are you cold?"
"It's not cold." With his internal energy and years of martial arts training, Zhu Yun was helpless against the night wind.
After a moment of silence, Luo Yan looked up at the sound, moonlight shimmering in her eyes. She spoke shyly, "But, I'm a little cold—"
"A tiny bit."
Luo Yan's eyelids were drooping, and she responded vaguely.
Zhu Yun grew increasingly uneasy and, before making a grave mistake, tried to confess: "If I weren't Jiang Chen, what would you do?"
Upon hearing this, she excitedly pulled out the oil paper package: "This is all my belongings. Once we get to town, we can pawn it and have some money."
Luo Yan also found it uncomfortable, so she used her slender white fingers to reach his collar and stuffed it inside. She even patted it afterward, saying quite casually, "You can keep it for me."
She was completely unaware of this, her crimson lips brushing against Zhu Yun's earlobe: "How about we hide my jewelry for a while? What if the villagers see us dressed so richly and get the wrong idea?"
"It's alright." Zhu Yun turned her head away, avoiding the ticklish sensation, and said bluntly, "They can't beat me."
It's definitely a sarcastic remark.
She followed behind with her arms crossed, and, unconvinced, raised her voice to defend herself: "If you were to compare me to other noble ladies, perhaps I would be the least pretentious one. So what if I'm afraid of mice and flies? I stayed up all night watching over you and even washed and dried your clothes."
Zhu Yun's ears immediately burned, and she gave in, saying, "I was narrow-minded."
Seeing that he was sincere in admitting his mistake, Luo Yan stopped arguing and walked side by side with him toward the village entrance.
The village is built against the mountain, and the houses resemble the courtyards of later generations, with wooden walls and green tile roofs, and the barking of dogs can be heard everywhere.
Luo Yan: "After thinking about it, I still prefer big cities. They're lively, safe, and you can even register a female household, which is suitable for women living alone."
"The city? Living alone?" Zhu Yun frowned.
It is against etiquette, but there are extenuating circumstances.
After all, in this vast world, it is a rare occurrence for complete strangers to become closely connected for some reason.
Zhu Yun kicked aside the head at his feet, pulled the silver sword from the corpse, and casually tossed it behind him.
A handsome young man reluctantly caught it, pressed it into the snow to wash it carefully, and said with a pout, "Your sword can cut through iron like mud, why do you still need mine?"
Another person had witnessed Zhu Yun squatting down to wipe his shoes halfway through a murder, and said it was nothing out of the ordinary: "Xiao Qi changed his sword tassel, he treasures it."
The boy yelled twice, "The shoes embroidered with cranes can't get dirty, and if the sword tassel gets touched, my hand will be chopped off. How many other taboos are there? Just give me a quick death."
Zhu Yun ignored him, used the terrain to determine the direction, and said coldly, "Let's go."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
