Chapter 91 if·Modern Campus (2)
The campus was packed with people in the afternoon, some sitting on the lawn basking in the sun, others strolling around the pond, and laughter could be heard everywhere.
Upon learning that Luo Yan had just recovered from a serious illness, although she emphasized that she was not feeling unwell, everyone insisted on finding a bench to rest on.
Zhu Yun naturally took the seat next to her. Song Qingqing sensed the gossip and, using the excuse of needing to ask about a math problem, moved to another side with Zheng Qi and the others.
Without Zheng Qi to liven things up, and with Zhu Yun being a very noticeable member of the opposite sex, Luo Yan sipped her milk tea nervously, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
My older brother and cousin were both prominent figures on campus, with outstanding looks and tall statures. I thought that after getting used to seeing them, I wouldn't be easily attracted to anyone else.
But her new deskmate had his legs crossed and his arm casually draped over the back of the chair, his relaxed posture drawing attention.
She unconsciously turned her face slightly, her gaze almost tangible, meandering up from her well-defined knuckles to the protrusion on the boy's throat.
Zhu Yun's expression froze. He wanted to adjust his posture to make himself look more upright, but he was also worried that he would do something wrong and embarrass himself in front of the girl he liked.
After much hesitation, he looked back at Luo Yan with trepidation.
He had originally intended to find some topics to talk about so she wouldn't get bored and wouldn't want to go out with him again tomorrow. But Luo Yan's eyes widened, and she suddenly stood up, flicking her fingers to brush the long hair behind her ear down.
The setting sun melts into gold, and the evening clouds merge like jade.
Beneath layers of verdant green, the light reflected off the carriage, creating shimmering golden hues. A carriage traveled by, heading down the mountain, the crisp sound of bells mingling with the heavy clatter of hooves kicking up dust. In the distance, Baoming Temple gradually disappeared into the mountains.
Lilan lowered the carriage curtain, turned her gaze from the window to the woman beside her, and said nervously in a low voice, "Miss, it's just ahead."
"knew."
A calm voice came through the veil. The woman adjusted the white jade lotus-patterned kimono hanging from her waist. The lotus petals bloomed on the exquisite and translucent white fabric. Her slender fingers touched it, making her skin appear even more like solidified cream.
The woman's face was covered by a plain veil that reached her chest, but it could not conceal her slender figure and elegant and gentle temperament, making one immediately feel that she must be a pampered noblewoman.
But that's not the case.
"By the way, Supervisor Cheng sent another letter today asking to see you, Miss. Do we need the same reason as before?" Lilan said indignantly. She had only been staying at the Zhu family's residence in Shengjing for a few days, and he had already sent three letters. Lilan had never seen anyone more shameless than him!
"He's in such a hurry before even getting married! What does he take the girl for! How can this Supervisor Cheng, over sixty years old, still be so lecherous!"
I've heard that he's taken in quite a few concubines and maids in his backyard. No wonder he's so lewd in his every move, looking every bit the product of excessive indulgence.
Luo Yan remained calm: "If he weren't lustful, Yao wouldn't have had the opportunity to take advantage of me. Send my 'Peach Blossom Chess Game' painting to him tomorrow. I'm currently staying at the Zhu family's house, and out of respect for my aunt, he can't force me to come, but we shouldn't provoke him."
"Then I will return to Supervisor Cheng tomorrow."
The master remained calm and composed, but Lilan sat on pins and needles, as if comforting herself by saying, "When you offered incense today, Miss, you were sincere and devout. The gods and Buddhas will surely grant your wish."
Luo Yan's tone was calm, yet it was like a cool mountain spring striking a rock with great force.
"It's just for peace of mind; it's better to rely on yourself than on God."
The marriage must be called off. Madam Yao wanted to sacrifice her for power and pave the way for her younger brother, but didn't she realize that everyone in the capital was shrewd and capable of gaining benefits through the marriage? Luo Yan didn't know whether Madam Yao was naive or overconfident.
Her father's tacit approval of Yao's mistreatment of her for many years only fueled her resentment.
Surrounded by wolves, the only one who was truly kind to her was her aunt, who took her to stay at the Zhu family home. Her aunt was the second wife of the Zhu family. Although she declined the request to help her break off the engagement, she agreed to take her into the Zhu family home to prepare for marriage, indirectly giving her another opportunity. That man was extremely powerful. If she could gain his power, everything would be solved.
Judging by the time, it should be time.
"Zheng—"
The ear-piercing sound of blades clashing suddenly rang out.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, accompanied by the neighing of the horses, and the two men were thrown heavily against the carriage wall.
Luo Yan quickly lifted the veil and exchanged a glance with Li Lan.
"Thieves! Protect Miss Biao!"
Lilan rushed to help Luo Yan, exclaiming in alarm, "Miss, it would be bad if the horse got frightened and went berserk! Let the guards cover your escape!"
Luo Yan nodded and, with Li Lan's help, ran out of the car.
As soon as he jumped off the carriage, a loud voice suddenly rang out amidst the chaos: "Where is he! Catch him quickly!"
A dozen or so men in black were entangled with the guards of the Zhu family. Luo Yan's appearance made the group break free of the guards' restraints even more forcefully, their eyes red as they raised their silver blades and charged at her!
Something's not right.
Luo Yan's expression, hidden beneath the white gauze, suddenly turned cold. The next moment, she grabbed Li Lan and ran backward.
"Chase!"
The footsteps behind her were approaching rapidly. Luo Yan turned around and saw three or four bandits who were already within arm's reach. Their figures were as fast as ghosts. A few more steps and their sharp blades would sever her fragile neck.
With a "whoosh," the veil was cleaved in two by the sharp blade, and the white gauze billowed in the air due to the swift sword wind. In just a moment, it plummeted straight down like a bird that had been struck.
Her beautiful face was fully exposed in the dim twilight, her eyebrows like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like shimmering waves. Even in her hurried escape, she was captivating, and the verdant greenery and the afterglow paled in comparison.
Luo Yan forced herself to remain calm and asked coldly, "Who are you? How much silver do you want?"
Without pausing, the bandit aimed his sword directly at Luo Yan's heart.
Luo Yan quickly pushed Li Lan behind her with her left hand, and reached for the dagger at her waist with her right hand, about to draw it.
But before he could draw it, a flash of silver light suddenly appeared before his eyes.
The sharp blade that was coming straight at her was suddenly cut in two. The broken blade flew up, and Luo Yan reacted quickly to the side and dodged it. The wind made her hair flutter slightly, and she turned her face to the side and saw the long sword that had cut the sharp blade in two and was now stuck several inches into the yellow earth.
Upon seeing the black jade tassel hanging on the longsword, she immediately withdrew her hand from the dagger.
In an instant, her expression softened, tears welled up in her reddened eyes, and she looked back in the direction they had come from.
Beneath the towering mountain cliff, a man dressed in a wide-sleeved brocade robe embroidered with silver-gray bamboo patterns stood as upright as bamboo. His features were incomparably handsome, yet his eyes and brows revealed a cold and aloof demeanor, exuding a desolate and chilling aura, like the white snow of a high mountain, making people hesitate to approach. His silver crown neatly bound his black hair, not a single strand out of place, so dignified that it showed no trace of the swiftness and ferocity with which he had just thrown his sword.
"cousin!"
Luo Yan called out softly, her pert nose slightly red, her expression a mixture of surprise and helplessness. Her eyes, as she looked at the man, seemed to be clutching at the only straw, brimming with hope.
Faced with the pitiful and forlorn woman, the man glanced at her only once before decisively looking away.
The bandits were stunned by the man's sudden appearance, then quickly drew their swords and stabbed at Luo Yan.
Another clang rang out. The man pulled the longsword stuck in the yellow earth and stepped forward to block it.
A tall figure blocked her way, and a gust of wind lifted her clothes. Taking advantage of the situation, Luo Yan grabbed the man's wide sleeve with one hand and clutched his clothes at the waist with the other, pressing herself against his back with a frightened expression.
"Cousin, watch out!"
As the swords came flying, Luo Yan deftly turned to the side to dodge, while fearfully pressing herself even closer to the blades.
In this way, Luo Yan hugged the man's waist and abdomen tightly from behind, feeling his body stiffen instantly.
The soft fabric clung tightly to the strong body, and the warmth flowed continuously between their skin through several layers of clothing.
Like fledglings pitifully and cautiously seeking shelter, or like intimate lovers entwined in an embrace.
Zhu Yun frowned as he looked at the slender wrist pressed against his waist, but the woman holding him seemed oblivious, instead moving even closer. Just as he was about to push her away, the bandits attacked again.
The attacks were as dense as rain, and he blocked them all with his long sword in a few rounds, but he couldn't help but show some signs of strain.
Taking advantage of his inability to push her away, Luo Yan, who was holding him even tighter, looked down at the broken blade at his feet, her eyes darkening.
Zhu Yun parried several longswords with his own, when suddenly, a streak of silver light flashed past—
A bandit suddenly let out a shrill scream, his sword clattered to the ground, and bright red blood gushed out from between his fingers as he clutched his knee.
The broken blade that he had just chopped off was now stuck in the man's knee.
Zhu Yun turned her head slightly, and the woman behind her looked surprised and astonished, as if she had only accidentally kicked the broken blade.
The bandits disregarded their companions and launched another attack.
Two bandits broke free of the Zhu family guards and rushed over. Zhu Yun's sword-like eyebrows furrowed deeply, his knuckles gripping his sword so tightly they turned white, and his strong arms bulged. His wide sleeves slid down, revealing a black jade bracelet tied around his wrist, reflecting the sunlight.
He was forced to retreat uncontrollably by the attack, and Luo Yan, who was pressed close to him, lost her balance and was knocked to the ground.
"ah!"
Suddenly, a suppressed yet piercing cry of pain rang out from behind, and one could tell from the sound that the person was in great agony.
Zhu Yun steadied himself and quickly looked down, only to find that he had accidentally stepped on Luo Yan's ankle.
He quickly moved aside, but before he could help the person up, he had to fend off the incoming blade.
The situation was clear: Zhu Yun, though powerful, was no match for several men, and the two were at their wits' end. Luo Yan gazed at the tall figure blocking her path, biting her lip to suppress the pain in her ankle, her mind racing with calculations.
Suddenly, the ground trembled, and the sound of horses' hooves pierced through the thick earth.
Luo Yan's tightly furrowed brows relaxed.
The bandits exchanged glances, their eyes filled with hesitation.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhu Yun swung away the incoming sword. With a nimble twist of his wrist, the blade immediately sliced through the leader's chest, staining him with blood. A few drops of blood were sprinkled like raindrops on the clean, silver-gray hem of his robe.
Seeing their leader wounded and Luo Yan being protected, they had no choice but to injure Zhu Yun first before taking his life, but then reinforcements arrived...
The bandits made a decision in an instant: "Retreat!"
At a command, the bandits covered each other and disappeared in a few breaths, leaving the surroundings empty. If it weren't for the bloodstains on the ground indicating that a fierce battle had taken place, this place would have seemed like just a quiet mountainside in the twilight.
Zhu Yun slung his sword behind his back and squatted down. His robes were still neat and tidy, and apart from his still-breathing breath, there was no indication that he had just gone through a fierce battle.
Luo Yan's red lips had lost their color, her once meticulously combed hair was now disheveled with a few stray strands falling down, one of her earrings was missing, the veil covering her head was broken in two and scattered to the side, her dress was covered in dust from running and falling, and the pearls and tassels on her robes were tangled together haphazardly.
Her appearance was far from neat, but her beautiful eyes were filled with tears, and her nose and eye sockets were red, giving her the look of a fallen beauty, pitiful and charming.
Her lips trembled as she called out, "Cousin..."
Zhu Yun lowered her eyes and looked at that slender ankle.
The woman's white silk stockings and clean white skirt were now stained with black and gray footprints, which were abrupt and glaring.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Can you still leave?"
The man exuded a cold aura and remained calm, with only a slight frown between his brows. Although he spoke words of concern, he maintained the proper distance between men and women. He didn't even offer to help her up, let alone remove her stockings to examine her ankle injury.
The intimacy of their bodies touching just moments before was completely gone.
Lilan had rushed to help Luo Yan when she fell. Luo Yan, her face ashen, was helped to walk a few steps.
Zhu Yun's brows relaxed slightly: "No bones were broken. I will call a doctor when we get back to the manor."
Luo Yan forced a smile through her pain and said, "I know, my cousin only stepped on it accidentally because he was protecting me."
Zhu Yun glanced at her, then looked away.
In the time it took to say those few words, Zhu Yun's subordinates had already ridden up to his side. If they had arrived a few moments later, the blood on the ground would probably not have belonged to the bandits.
"My lord, I am late..."
Zhu Yun raised her hand to stop him from speaking, and said to Luo Yan, "Get in the carriage first, I will take you back to your residence."
Lilan, who was standing nearby, suddenly said, "Young Master, it's getting late. I'm afraid we won't be able to get back before the city gates close..."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yun glanced at the sky. The sun was setting, and the city gate was about half an hour's walk away. It closed at 3:45 PM. He could ride back quickly, but…
Seeing Zhu Yun remain silent, Luo Yan promptly offered a solution: "Cousin, this place isn't far from Baoming Temple, where I offered incense today. Why don't we stay at the temple for the night? Then we can send someone to ride back to the city at full speed to inform my aunt and the others, and return to the manor after the city gates open tomorrow."
Baoming Temple was a place where high-ranking families in the capital often went to burn incense. The Zhu family were frequent visitors and would occasionally stay overnight at the temple. Such an arrangement was not inappropriate.
Zhu Yunwei nodded slightly.
"Thank you for escorting me, cousin."
Having survived a near-death experience, the woman had lost all her strength, and even her voice was weak, soft yet clear, which inexplicably sounded like a coquettish tone.
Zhu Yun's eyes were cold and devoid of emotion. He gave a low "hmm" and turned to walk towards the carriage, his demeanor extremely distant.
Luo Yan was injured and walked very slowly. Zhu Yun, who was guarding Li Wei, did not walk with her. He strode onto his horse and waited by the carriage.
Luo Yan walked to the carriage, smiled at the man sitting on the horse, her gentle smile as graceful as a peach blossom in early spring.
Zhu Yun remained unmoved, quietly watching her maid help her into the carriage.
However, the carriage was too high, and Luo Yan's legs were injured, making it less convenient than before. She tried five or six times but couldn't get on, and almost fell to the ground again.
Lilan had no choice but to ask Zhu Yun for help: "Young Master, I am not strong enough, could you please help the young lady up?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent, and everyone glanced at the man sitting motionless on his horse.
Although Luo Yan was living in the Zhu family as the niece of the second wife of the Zhu family, her status was lowly, and Zhu Yun was the only son of the first wife of the Zhu family, so he could ignore the affairs of the second wife.
But since she was a cousin, the guards couldn't very well step forward to help her. After looking around, it seemed that only her cousin Zhu Yun could help.
But Zhu Yun didn't move, he just looked at Luo Yan with a calm yet imposing gaze.
Luo Yan, ever the understanding one, came to the rescue: "How can we trouble our cousin with such a small matter? Lilan, let's try again."
"Yes." The carriage arrived at Baoming Temple after about an incense stick's time. When Luo Yan lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage, there were already people waiting to greet her in front of the familiar temple gate. It seemed that Zhu Yun had sent someone to inform her in advance.
Zhu Yun dismounted and discussed the arrangements for the night with the abbot and others who had come to greet him. When he returned after the discussion, Luo Yan still hadn't gotten out of the carriage.
She had injured her ankle and had only managed to get onto the carriage with Zhu Yun's help. Getting off the carriage was even more difficult than getting on, and a slight mishap could worsen her injury. Therefore, Lilan, who was following below, was also very careful.
Luo Yan was so anxious that she broke out in a cold sweat. She looked at Zhu Yun apologetically and said, "Cousin, please go in first. I can manage on my own."
After saying that, he tried to get off the car by moving his injured foot, but his posture looked awkward no matter how you looked at it.
Zhu Yun observed for a few moments, then finally stepped forward.
Luo Yan looked at him with a hint of surprise, but he only lowered his eyes and did not look at her. His long eyelashes covered his eyes, making it impossible to tell any emotion from him.
My arm was held firmly, the heat coming through my clothes and then disappearing in an instant.
They parted abruptly, his indifference exactly the same as when he helped her into the car earlier, maintaining the most basic politeness and manners of a young master from a prestigious family.
Restrained yet distant.
As soon as Luo Yan landed firmly on the ground, the man quickly withdrew his hand, turned around and left. When she looked up, she could only see his tall and straight back.
"Thank you, cousin."
Luo Yan said to him.
The man didn't respond, nor did he stop walking, but she knew he had heard her.
Lilan responded and lifted Luo Yan up by supporting her arm and waist.
The guards couldn't help but feel sorry for the scene.
It's such a pity that such a beautiful woman as Miss Biao was wasted.
Everyone present knew that the eldest son of the Zhu family was young and promising, with a handsome appearance and a high position. However, he was extremely indifferent, had few close friends, and was distant from others, especially from women. At the age of twenty-one, he had never been with a woman, and was as cold as an immortal descended to earth.
"ah!"
A gasp rang out as Luo Yan lost her footing, frantically grabbing at Lilan, and almost fell to the ground. Her ankle twisted in the movement, and the few traces of color that had returned to her face vanished completely, with a few beads of cold sweat appearing on her forehead.
A force came from her arm and easily steadied her body.
Luo Yan yawned: "See you tomorrow."
The phone screen went dark, revealing Zhu Yun's silly, upturned face, which startled him so much that he fell off his chair. He got up, rubbed his face, and opened the door: "Shangguan Chang—"
"Here!" Shangguan Chang peeked out from behind the sofa. "Are you here to thank me for carrying your homework home? I just happened to have a duel with Miao Shuyu this weekend, bro, come and keep me in check."
"I don't participate in children's games."
Zhu Yun pinched her younger brother's nape, her smile deepening. "Let's talk about how you tattled on us to Mom and Dad first."
"..."
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