Chapter 31 The Bite Mark He lowered his eyes to look at the bite mark, a flicker of emotion crossing his calm gaze…
*
In the left wing of Ruian Residence, a lamp was still lit for the night. The light, dim as it flickered and bounced with the breeze that blew in as the door opened and closed.
Inside the light gauze curtain, the brocade quilt was pulled up, as if someone was sleeping inside.
Hearing the noise, the cicada that was guarding the bedside immediately got up and went to greet her.
"Girl, you're finally back."
"Has anyone been here?" Shen Qinglu walked to the charcoal brazier, frowning as she dried herself from the steam. The firelight reflected in her dark eyes, instantly turning into a raging inferno, as if it would burn away everything in its path.
Xia Chan removed her outer garment and draped another garment over her. "Qiu Lu came by, but I sent her away."
Upon hearing the name Qiu Lu, she twitched the corners of her mouth, her expression turning cold.
Inside the raised brocade quilt, two pillows and several pieces of clothing were laid out. After Xia Chan put these things back in their places, she tidied the bed again.
"Knock knock"
A knocking sound came from outside the window, startling both the master and servant.
Shen Qinglu quickly took off her outer garment, loosened her hair, lifted the brocade quilt and lay down. She then gave Xia Chan a wink, and Xia Chan quickly packed everything away before going to the outer room.
Then, pretending to have been woken up, he asked in a casual tone with a hint of hesitation, "Who is it?"
"It's me."
It's Yu Jingliang!
Yu Jingliang was still wearing the uniform he wore when he was on duty as a member of the Divine Martial Guard, looking dashing and imposing. He had obviously just returned to his residence and hadn't had time to change before coming here.
Shen Qinglu seemed to have been woken up, rubbing her eyes with a confused look on her face.
"Second Brother?"
"It's my fault for being so impatient. I saw the light was still on in your room and assumed you were up late like me." He slapped his forehead, took out a packet of pastries from his pocket, and handed it to Shen Qinglu. "Tongfulai plum blossom cakes, Ali, you'll definitely love them."
Shen Qinglu leaned against the headboard, her loose hair framing her small, delicate face, making her look even more beautiful. She immediately opened the paper package, pinched a piece, and put it in her mouth.
Yu Jingliang watched her eat with her cheeks puffed out, her manner completely unaffected. His eyes held an undisguised smile, but before the smile could spread, a hint of unease crept in his eyes. "Did something happen at the Marquis's residence today?"
She shook her head and then nodded, looking completely naive. She rambled on, recounting most of what had happened at the Mu family.
"That's strange, I didn't hear anything wrong." Yu Jingliang frowned, looking like a young man just beginning to worry, his brows furrowed. "What's wrong with Ah Lin?"
"Second Brother, what's wrong with him?" Shen Qinglu seemed to be completely focused on the bag of pastries, like a little squirrel happily munching on them, and asked him casually.
He scratched his head, puzzled, and said, "For some reason, Ah Lin seems a bit sullen tonight. He even asked me if I would still consider him a friend if he didn't become the heir of the Marquis's mansion?"
Shen Qinglu slowed down her chewing.
What else did he say?
"He said quite a lot, but I didn't pay much attention at first. It seemed like he was saying he couldn't implicate his family, didn't want the Marquis's mansion to be gossiped about, and apologized to the Yu family. He also said he couldn't let go of the past and had to give up being the heir. It was all so strange. I thought something had happened today?"
After Yu Jingliang finished speaking, seeing that she didn't speak, he assumed she didn't understand and laughed, "Why am I telling you all this? You're still a child, how would you know about adult matters?"
She laughed along, her eyebrows curving, looking completely oblivious.
When he bent down to get the snacks, his eyelids drooped, concealing all his deep thoughts.
*
Lightning flashed across the dark night sky from time to time, and the wind blew a fine drizzle, like wisps of chilly mist that lingered around the entire bamboo forest.
The bamboo grove swayed in the wind, as if welcoming guests.
Someone walked around the bamboo grove and gently knocked on the door knocker.
After waiting for a while, the door finally opened from the inside.
"Uncle Yang, is Uncle Jiu asleep?" Mu Lin asked.
The steward's surname was Yang, and his given name was Zhen.
"Young Master, Ninth Master..." Yang Zhen was about to say that his master was not here when Mu Hanshi's voice came from inside, "Let him in."
Mu Lin entered respectfully and immediately saw someone who, like himself, was covered in the dampness of the rain. "Did Uncle Jiu go out?"
Mu Hanshi neither agreed nor disagreed, but gestured for him to warm himself in front of the brazier.
The finest charcoal burned a deep red, smokeless and odorless. They sat facing each other beside the gilded bronze basin shaped like a four-legged beast. Although they were uncle and nephew, the age difference was only a little over four years. However, despite such a small age difference, which could easily be mistaken for brotherhood, Mu Lin dared not be casual or presumptuous in the slightest.
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Ninth Uncle, I've thought about this for a long time. You're right. As the heir of the Marquis's mansion, my wife also has responsibilities. If I were to relinquish this position as heir, could I marry the girl I want?"
Yang Zhen was about to add charcoal to the charcoal brazier when he heard this and looked at him in surprise.
The young man's handsome face was especially vibrant and full of youthful vigor in the firelight, and his words revealed the arrogance and boldness that only someone his age could possess, which was truly admirable.
He lowered his head and reached out to warm his hands by the fire, not daring to look at Mu Hanshi.
Mu Hanshi's hands were resting on his knees, covered by his sleeves. Upon hearing this, his hand under his sleeves seemed to move slightly, but he did not reprimand him. Instead, he looked up at the bamboo forest painting, his gaze rippling like the continuous drizzle outside.
After a long silence, she asked him, "Do you think it's worth it for her?"
"I...I don't know either. I've thought it over carefully. Between the position of heir apparent and her, I seem to want to choose her more." His voice lowered, and he didn't know where he got the courage, but he asked, "Ninth Uncle, have you ever had someone you liked?"
Yang Zhen was startled and almost shouted at him, "How dare you!"
As soon as he asked the question, he was suddenly struck by how little he knew about his Ninth Uncle. It seemed that neither his grandmother nor his father ever talked about him, and when they did, they were always extremely restrained and respectful.
Given Uncle Jiu's looks and abilities, he shouldn't have such a poor marriage prospects. Besides, at his age, he should have been married and had children long ago. His grandmother never mentioned it, and his father never seemed to care. Why?
The burning embers spread relentlessly, infecting newly added embers, one piece spreading to another, one piece burning out as another took its place, as if the flame would never go out.
After a long pause, he did not receive a reply from Mu Hanshi and regretted his abruptness. "Uncle Jiu, I... I overstepped my bounds."
"You are not allowed to mention the idea of becoming the heir apparent again. As for your marriage, there's no need to rush. Think it over and observe more. If you later come to know the woman's character and temperament but still don't change your mind, then we can discuss it then. But remember, you must not harm Miss Yu!"
The last sentence was delivered with a distinctly sharp tone from Mu Hanshi.
"I understand, thank you, Uncle Jiu."
Mu Lin's voice was light and cheerful, a stark contrast to the somber tone he had when he arrived.
He didn't know why, but he knew that in this mansion, his Ninth Uncle's words carried more weight than anyone else's, even his own father, who was a marquis.
As Yang Zhen watched his noticeably straight back as he left, she was once again moved by her master's tolerance and high regard for him. "My master truly treats the young master like a son or nephew."
Mu Hanshi lowered his eyelids, lifted his sleeve, and revealed the bite marks on the thenar eminence of his hand.
The bite marks were very deep, and there were dried blood streaks on them.
"My lord, what's wrong?" Yang Zhen quickly fetched the medicine and carefully applied it to his wound. "Who bit him? Who would be so bold?"
He looked down at the bite mark, a ripple appearing in his calm eyes.
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