Chapter 71
Qin Yuan is a key character in the storyline where Cui Wuyang unlocks his "immunity to all poisons" constitution. However, not only does she not reunite with Cui Wuyang, she is also completely unaware of the situation.
Luo Yan suppressed her surprise and, while checking the location, urged Xue Bao to retrieve the male lead's health data.
The virtual map slowly unfolded, and the green dot representing Cui Wuyang moved slowly within the Bai family's territory. She glanced at the numbers again; they were slightly above the warning line, meaning she wouldn't die anytime soon.
She gritted her teeth: Aren't you guys a little too reliable?
First, Luo Yan herself was delayed in waking up for two years due to a system malfunction. Now, Cui Wuyang is in mortal danger, and the important female supporting character is completely unaware of this.
Olaf innocently replied, "That's how it is in worlds with high freedom of movement. As long as the main plot doesn't deviate, how can the host be resurrected, and how can the minor villains achieve a safe ending?"
"So it's the butterfly effect?"
Sure enough, the room erupted in uproar. Luo Yan denied it, then casually mentioned Yu Rui's experiences, tentatively asking, "Do you really want to waste your whole life in the inner quarters?"
Upon hearing that Yu Rui had not only been freed from slavery but had even chosen her own marriage, Tao Hong's pupils trembled slightly. After regaining her composure, she said, "She...she actually dared to..."
Wang Caifu took in the expressions of the guests and raised his glass to say some polite words.
Taking the opportunity, Luo Yan rolled her eyes and quickly glanced up, but she couldn't see anything clearly. Undeterred, she turned to the right and almost imperceptibly lifted her eyelids.
This time, I was met with a cold gaze.
The person whose gaze fell upon her was a handsome young man with black hair, red lips, and a high nose bridge, which inexplicably reminded her of a statue carved from white jade, a divine being.
Seeing Luo Yan slightly stunned, the young man didn't seem to mind, as if he was used to such looks. She then boldly revealed a faint smile, and then obediently lowered her head.
Wang Caifu continued to shower the imperial envoy with praise, making Luo Yan's legs go numb. She couldn't help but glance at the young man again.
He lowered his eyes to sip his tea, and perhaps because the taste was not good, his brow furrowed slightly, but even so, it did not conceal his noble demeanor.
Before the young man could look over, Luo Yan shrewdly averted her gaze. She didn't know what kind of person this distinguished guest was; if she offended him, the potential for bloodshed would be far greater than the loss.
Fortunately, Wang Caifu was perceptive. Seeing that Imperial Envoy Zhou's face was flushed with alcohol, he ordered all the beauties to raise their heads for the emperor to choose from.
Peach Blossom stood in the center, her full, smooth forehead adorned with delicately painted floral designs. Her eyes sparkled with a captivating beauty. Zhou Huanshan stared, mesmerized, and slurred, beckoned Peach Blossom to come forward.
It was at this moment that Luo Yan took the initiative to go to the boy's table below her.
The attendant in black looked wary, but she was just as nervous. Her long, curled eyelashes fluttered uneasily, like the wings of a black butterfly, but her tone was calm: "Young master, may I stay and serve you?"
Her voice was sweet and clear, without any flattery. "The night is long and many things may happen." Luo Yan's throat also tightened, but she pretended to be relaxed and said, "Hurry up and have the scholar accompany you to cancel your slave status."
After seeing Yu Rui off, she began to plan for herself.
Zhu Yun is currently in a frenzy, showering Luo Yan with affection day by day. However, Luo Yan needs him to gradually forget her so that she can live freely in this corner of the world in the future.
To avoid making things worse, Luo Yan practiced embroidery in the courtyard every day, saying she wanted to make a set of undergarments for the young master herself. In this way, she had an excuse not to go to see Zhu Yun, and others would say that she was quite thoughtful.
On the other side,
The case that Zhu Yun was handling had made progress, and in about ten days, the imperial envoy would be the first to return to the capital.
He didn't need to get involved in such a trivial case, but since the new mansion was still under construction and he didn't want to see the new concubines being promoted from the side gate every day, he simply chose to stay away from them.
Zhu Yun was initially somewhat unsettled and only wanted to find out about Wang Caifu as soon as possible and return home. But then Luo Yan came along, and her charm, her cunning, and her increasingly demanding nature gradually filled his memory, while the past events in the capital gradually became blurred.
"Alright," he said lazily. "I'm busy today."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Huanshan smiled sarcastically: "Young master is different from us. You have a beauty like an angel at home, so you can't be in such a hurry to go back."
Zhu Yun raised his eyelids coolly: "I heard that Lord Zhou has recently taken the most beautiful courtesan from Tianxiang Pavilion as a concubine. I wonder if the carriages and horses returning to the capital will be able to be accommodated."
Return to Beijing.
Li Zhiying silently tightened his throat, thinking to himself that with Zhu Yun's mother being so fierce, he certainly wouldn't take Luo Yan to the capital. In time, a mistress who had lost favor would be at the mercy of others.
Zhu Yun also thought of this, and after returning to the mansion, he first summoned Liu Mama and asked, "Has the prescription for the contraceptive soup been changed?"
"Reporting to young master, it was changed the day before yesterday."
The new prescription was specially prepared by the imperial physicians for the concubines who were physically weak. It was to prevent them from conceiving too early and thus avoid damaging their health, while still providing nourishment.
His indulgence of Luo Yan was evident to all the servants. Due to the rules, no one dared to speak out, but Granny Liu had to remind him: "Even if the young master wants Lady Yan to have an heir, he must make arrangements after your wedding, so as not to damage the relationship between husband and wife."
The couple naturally refers to Zhu Yun and a noblewoman from a prominent family.
Zhu Yun said calmly, "Go down."
It had been about three days since I last saw Luo Yan. Usually, she would come to Qingfeng Courtyard on her own initiative after receiving news, but today was an exception.
He went to the courtyard alone and saw Xiangye diligently acting as a doorkeeper. Inside, it was quiet and clearly empty.
"And her?" Zhu Yun asked.
Xiangye curtsied and said, "Mistress Yan has gone to the teahouse to watch a play."
Actually, that wasn't the case. Luo Yan's twenty-day agreement with the bookstore had already expired, and she left the mansion early. The shopkeeper had printed over a hundred copies, which were placed to the left of the renowned Mr. Donglai.
Although the illustrated book is thick, you can read it all in a short while or two, unlike a real storybook, which needs to be bought and carefully appreciated at home.
As a result, a lot of people gathered in front of the bookshelf, but they all just looked and didn't buy anything.
Luo Yan comforted the shopkeeper: "Sharpening the axe won't delay the work of chopping wood. It's also a good thing to make a name for yourself first."
Zhu Yun was still in Jinzhou, so it was inconvenient for her to put her skills to use. Besides, she had only wanted to see how the carving and printing were done, and Luo Yan was already satisfied with the quality.
The shopkeeper, seeing that she was so young yet so composed, couldn't help but look at her with new respect: "Well done, young lady, you see things very clearly."
It was getting late, and Xiangming had returned after buying the sweet cakes. Luo Yan didn't say anything more and turned to get into the carriage.
Halfway through the journey, the coachman suddenly stopped. Puzzled, she lifted the curtain and saw Zhu Yun standing coldly in the middle of the street. Meeting her bewildered gaze, Zhu Yun's anger intensified, and he spurred his horse forward: "Come here."
"Young master, are you going to take me horseback riding?" She smiled and opened her arms, allowing Zhu Yun to hold her as she sat on the horse's back.
Their intimate gestures remained unchanged.
Zhu Yun suppressed his doubts, held her firmly in his palm, and strolled leisurely towards the mansion, informing Luo Yan along the way: "From today onwards, you will move to Qingfeng Courtyard."
Luo Yan looked astonished and subconsciously refused, saying, "That would be against the rules."
He gave a light hum and said nonchalantly, "I am the rule."
The young man curled his lips into a cold smile: "After years of planning, why not go to the head of the table?"
At this moment, all the women flocked to Zhou Huanshan in an attempt to win the favor of the protagonist of the night, but she went against the grain and came to this corner.
Seeing the coldness in the young man's dark eyes, Luo Yan dared not be presumptuous and asked instead, "Does Young Master want to hear the truth?"
Upon hearing this, he raised his chin and said, "Tell me about it."
"I like girls who are good-looking."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on Luo Yan's forehead.
She thought to herself that her carefully cultivated charm and naivety, which she had worked so hard to achieve over the past few days, would not only be ineffective on the young man in front of her, but would also likely backfire.
“Young master.” She softened her voice, trying to appeal to his emotions, “I was sold to the county magistrate’s mansion when I was six years old. I have never seen the scenery outside the high walls. How can I talk about lofty ambitions? If you can keep me, I will do my best to serve you from now on.”
The boy gave a meaningful "Oh," and as he saw hope light up in Luo Yan's eyes, he smiled mockingly and said decisively, "I won't keep her."
The attendant, with perfect understanding, brought the sword hilt to her eyes: "Please."
Her glistening tears were forced back, and she said no more, bowing to the young man: "Thank you, young master."
Not taking her offense to heart was already a favor, so Luo Yan wisely left.
A wealthy merchant from Jinzhou, sitting just across the street, chuckled, "But there are so many beautiful women in the capital, does the young master not find our Jinzhou ladies appealing?"
Zhou Huanshan was immediately jolted back to his senses and was about to speak when he heard the young man lazily say, "Hmm, not as good as me looking in the mirror."
No one could refute these words, and Luo Yan was amused, her lips curving silently.
She stood obediently, neither arrogant nor impatient. Her appearance was already exceptionally beautiful, and because of her young age, her every move was charming and endearing, attracting the attention of many guests.
A moment later, the man addressed as Lord Li gestured for her to come forward.
Li Zhiying was of average appearance, but he was only twenty years old. Luo Yan couldn't be picky at the moment, so she gently asked after his greeting and sat down respectfully on the prayer mat.
"Upon closer inspection, the young lady appears even more beautiful."
Faced with the teasing, Luo Yan feigned shyness, pursing her lips and remaining silent. In reality, a thin layer of goosebumps rose on her skin beneath the gauze dress.
Li Zhiying then asked a few more questions, feigning gentleness, such as her hometown and who her teacher was. Luo Yan straightened her back and responded to each question, her clear voice filled with tender affection.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just getting good, Li Zhiying stopped talking, pushed the rhinoceros horn cup carved into the shape of a deer in front of Luo Yan, stared greedily at her rosy lips, and asked, "Would you like to offer me some wine, young lady?"
"哺" does not mean "to feed".
This means that Luo Yan should hold the wine in her mouth and press her lips together.
She was on high alert, her fair face flushed crimson, whether from shame or anger, it was hard to tell.
What Li Zhiying saw ignited a raging fire in his heart, and he immediately lost his patience, tapping his cup with his fingers, producing a crisp sound. It was like a demonic murmur in his ears, or a vengeful ghost demanding his life.
Luo Yan gritted her teeth, raised her wine glass in one go, and was about to close her eyes and gulp it down when she heard the boy's clear, spring-like voice.
He said calmly, "Come here."
At the same time, Luo Yan reached out from behind and forcefully pulled her back to the right side by grabbing her slender waist.
Luo Yan smelled a strong stench of blood. She looked up with delight and saw that it was indeed Zhu Yun.
But Zhu Yun didn't look at her; his expression was slightly ferocious, and his eyes were fixed on a certain spot without blinking.
She followed the gaze and saw Cui Wuyang's hand slip down to her wrist, firmly encircling her. Perhaps he hadn't controlled the strength well, for faint red marks could be seen between his fingers.
Luo Yan's heart skipped a beat:
Oh no, he's angry.
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