Xiao Yuan frowned slightly. What was the taciturn Young Master Hang really thinking? Why did she always see a hint of pain in his cold, calm eyes? Especially when he looked at her, there was affection, tenderness, and pity in his eyes. She recognized it, because Pei Junwu sometimes looked at her that way too!
She walked over, and Yan Minyu smiled excitedly at her and said, "Xiaoyuan, I'm going to accompany Yi Su to the Hang family. I heard Bianjing is very lively. Yi Su said he'll take me there if there's enough time."
Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded, "Yes, that's great. Senior Sister, go and find Yuan Xun, I have something to tell you."
Yan Minyu's eyes widened nervously. "Is it that important?"
Xiao Yuan nodded again, and Yan Minyu's face tightened. "I'm going right now," she said, running off in a hurry. Xiao Yuan watched her retreating figure and sighed. Such an innocent senior sister must also have an innocent love, right?
"Did you need something?" Hang Yisu stroked the horse's mane, not looking up at her.
"Young Master Hang, I just want to know, will the Hang family really stand on our side?" she asked, looking at him.
Hang Yisu's hand, which was stroking the horse, suddenly stopped. He looked at her, his expression cold yet gentle, "Even if I don't stand on the Pei family's side, I can guarantee that I won't be their enemy." His voice and eyes were equally trustworthy.
"Young Master Hang, I hope you can find a way to keep my senior sister and Yuan Xun in Bianjing. If trouble breaks out... at least they won't be harmed."
Hang Yisu didn't speak for a long time before asking, "And you?"
Xiao Yuan smiled, looking at the floating clouds in the sky, "Me? I want to go to Uncle Zhu's place. I know that if I ask my senior sister to come with me now, she... won't agree."
Hang Yisu nodded with a wry smile. She was right; Xiaoyu would not agree to leave his side.
“Yuanxun is the heir apparent of Western Xia. Once he arrives in Bianjing, he will be taken care of. I’m just worried that he might act recklessly and run back on his own.”
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." His tone was flat, yet reassuring. "Why do you trust me?" he suddenly asked.
"Because my senior sister likes you." She looked into his eyes. "A man who is worthy of her love is definitely worthy of my trust."
In an instant, she saw that inexplicable pain in his eyes again. Trust? The weather was hot, yet her palms were sweating. Her senior sister was determined to go to the Hang family with him; she had tried to dissuade her, but she wouldn't listen. Right now, all she wanted was to stay by Hang Yisu's side. So, she had no choice but to risk it.
After all, the senior sister and the meritorious official are just outsiders, so harming them won't have much effect.
Yan Minyu and Yuan Xun rushed over, followed by Yi Chunjun.
Xiao Yuan's expression turned cold. Wherever there's trouble, he's sure to be there! She deliberately stared straight at Yuan Xun, not even glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
Yuanxun immediately started arguing when he heard that she wanted him to go to Bianjing. Xiaoyuan grabbed his hand with a headache and shook it like she was coaxing a child: "Yuanxun, this time Murong Mingji has gathered a lot of people. We are outnumbered and outmatched. If you go to Bianjing, the envoys of Xixia will definitely be able to send some people to you. This way, we will have a better chance of winning."
Yuan Xun nodded solemnly, "Xiao Yuan, don't worry. I'll definitely come back as soon as possible to lend you a hand." Xiao Yuan nodded, then wanted to sigh again. This guy... is so easy to fool.
Yi Chunjun, who had been observing coldly, finally spoke up. He took out a small jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Yuan Xun, saying, "Take this to my shop in the capital. There are some skilled fighters there. Bring them back with you."
Yuanxun's interest was further piqued, and he nodded vigorously, "I'll go pack my luggage right away."
"Xiaoyu, you should go and get ready too. We'll leave as soon as it gets dark." Hang Yisu smiled at Yan Minyu, and she happily followed Yuan Xun away.
“Yuanxun…” Xiaoyuan glanced at Yi Chunjun. Even a fox can miscalculate sometimes, right? She never intended to let Yuanxun come back.
He sneered and interrupted her rudely before she could speak, "Once he goes to my shop, he won't be able to leave. I guarantee he'll live a life of luxury in Bianjing, with beautiful women serving him."
She scoffed, "He thinks he's so smart!" Ignoring him, she said solemnly to Hang Yisu, "Please take good care of him along the way." Hang Yisu nodded and led the horse back to the stable.
She turned and left, but Yi Chunjun stood still and chuckled coldly, "You haven't even figured out your own problems, yet you're worrying about other people's."
She paused, then quickened her pace. This time he came back like a madman, constantly picking fights with her. With a major argument looming, she didn't want to fight, so she could only ignore him.
Her hair was slightly lifted by the wind he blew, and in a flash, he was already standing in front of her.
She glared at him and stopped in her tracks.
"They've all left, what are your plans?" he asked, still somewhat politely.
"I'm also heading to the bamboo forest tonight," she said, looking at the flower fence beside her.
"You're not allowed to go!"
She glared at him, unable to contain herself any longer. "What am I supposed to do here? You're stupid, clumsy, and your martial arts skills are terrible. Aren't you just a burden?"
"You!" He looked at her with a murderous expression again. She looked at him warily, but unexpectedly, he pulled her into a tight embrace. "I won't let you go, you're just a burden!"
Her face was pressed against his chest, his strong heartbeat disrupting her thoughts. What was going on with his repeated strange behavior? She suddenly felt a little annoyed. He clearly liked men, yet he kept disturbing her heart! Being held so tightly by him, she... she almost felt a sense of attachment.
“Now, Pei Family Village is under the watchful eyes of those greedy martial artists. Even Hang Yisu has to sneak away at night. As for you… aren’t you just a lamb falling into a pack of wolves?” His low voice warmed her heart and made her forget to resist his rudeness. She pressed herself against him, helplessly realizing that she didn’t want to push him away.
Suddenly he scooped her up in his arms and leaped behind a boulder. Startled, she stared at him blankly. He grinned mischievously and whispered in her ear, "Someone's coming." His breath brushed against her ear, and she trembled all over.
Sure enough, two maids carried buckets of water over.
Feeling her trembling, he lowered his head to look closely into her eyes. She turned her face away, both ashamed and angry. What was wrong with him? And what was wrong with her?
He put her down, and she realized that her legs were actually weak. Just as she was about to pretend nothing had happened and walk away, he pressed her hard against the rocks, the protruding stone edges making her back hurt.
“You…” Her face turned bright red.
"Pay me back what you owe me before you drive me crazy." He looked at her blushing face and smiled teasingly.
"What do I owe you?" She clenched her fists, trying to stop herself from trembling.
"If you don't kill Murong Xiao, you owe me this!" He kissed her fiercely again. Unlike the previous times, she wasn't panicked and wanted to push him away. She trembled as she accepted his kiss, even responding slightly to him.
He groaned, lifting his head from her lips, his eyes glazed over, "Not now..." he murmured, panting heavily.
What do you mean, "No"? She couldn't understand him again.
So close, she looked intently into his eyes, "You like kissing women, right? Do you even like men?"
He choked for a moment, then closed his eyes tightly. When he opened them again, she was startled.