Hearing him say that put me at ease; at least he wasn't the one being threatened.
"This is just the beginning, Rong Lian. I haven't even used this treasure of yours yet."
His smile was clearly so venomous and resentful, yet why was there always an inescapable layer of sorrow, both desolate and exquisite?
"Speaking of which, how has Ayu been lately?" Yan Suqing suddenly spoke up.
Arabic, the little mute? These two are indeed connected.
"What, did you kill his whole family or did he kill your whole family?" Seeing Yan Suqing's ugly expression, I smiled. "Oh no, the Yan family is all here, so it means you killed his whole family?"
I was right. Yan Suqing has never dared to say a word against me before, but this time he actually dared to glare at me fiercely. It's obvious that he hit the nail on the head.
"You ignorant brat, instead of avenging your own father, you're living with your enemy. Don't you feel ashamed?"
"You're barely able to save yourself when you're trying to cross the river in a muddy mess, why are you worrying about me?"
I raised my eyebrows and spoke clearly and forcefully, intending to make him so angry he'd twist his neck.
"Alright, arguing with her will only make you angry." Jun Guan stood up and walked over. "Since you're so energetic, I'll let you see how Nangong Ling died sooner rather than later, how about that?"
I automatically ignored his word, only thinking that I could finally leave this damned place.
Chapter 75
At dusk, the distant river is calm and still, with the evening glow and mist stretching endlessly, creating a long trail of smoke as the sun sets.
The painted boat wasn't warm enough, and the incense in the stove couldn't suppress the chill. Even holding the stove and wearing thick clothes couldn't dispel the cold.
I brewed a pot of Tieguanyin tea; I must drink it slowly, letting the steam dissipate before I feel better. I had Xiaoruo draw back the curtain, and a long breeze brought in a damp coolness.
There is a waterside pavilion on the riverbank, with a golden roof and glazed beads, and a mahogany seven-colored curtain, which is quite exquisite and unique.
Through the misty curtain, a red figure could be vaguely discerned, tall and beautiful, with a charm as radiant as the moon.
"Miss……"
"Hmm?" She turned her head to look at Xiao Ruo, as if she had something to say.
"Young Master has been very unhappy these past few days. He never drinks, but he got very drunk yesterday. Does Miss know why?"
Why ask such a pointed question when you already know the answer?
"How would I know about his affairs?" I took a sip of tea, looked at the red figure in the waterside pavilion, and slowly smiled. "If you're worried, you can go and serve him. I can handle things here."
She looked at me in surprise, and after a long while, she hurriedly lowered her head, saying, "This servant cannot disobey my master's instructions."
"What do I want you to do? Do I want you to serve me well or keep an eye on me?" Seeing her bite her lip and look troubled, I sighed, realizing how harsh my words were. "Never mind, you stay outside and keep watch. I want to sleep for a while."
Until her figure disappeared, I put down my cup and walked to the window. A red figure on the opposite bank was walking out of the waterside pavilion, swaying gently with fluttering clothes. The halo of the setting sun bloomed like a purple cloud, making the person appear as hazy as moonlight. The water mist was as delicate as silk, sometimes appearing and sometimes disappearing, brushing against his white jade face, jet-black hair and crimson brocade clothes.
His upright back and slightly raised chin exude confidence and nobility. When he stands on the platform, it seems as if he is stepping on the entire world. He stands alone and looks into the distance, with the magnificent landscape at his fingertips.
Suddenly, her slender phoenix eyes looked over, and she smiled, a faint smile like mist, which for a moment made it impossible to look away.
Once you're hooked on this kind of addiction, it's impossible to quit. You naively think you can escape, but little do you know that your mind is gradually being lost, and you become oblivious to everything.
"Your eyes are too gentle, unlike yours."
A low, husky voice sounded beside me. I looked up abruptly, and gloomy eyes were right in front of me. I was so surprised that I forgot to dodge, and then bright red lips, as vivid as blood, covered mine without warning.
A moment of silence fell over the cabin; the green river flowed silently, and even the wind passed without a sound.
Next came the sound of the sky being torn apart. I came to my senses and pushed him away. Jun Guan's eyes were filled with laughter, but it was mockery.
The person was nowhere to be seen on the waterside pavilion platform, which made him feel a little uneasy.
“He saw it, he must have seen it very clearly.”
"You did that on purpose!" I glared at him and vigorously wiped my mouth with my sleeve.
"Say what you will, anyway, you two can be so easily torn apart, such a fragile relationship."
"Why do you say that?"
“There is no trust between you. If he believed you would give him the Guanghan Powder, would he?” He scoffed lightly. “No matter how meticulous his arrangements were elsewhere, there was ultimately a loophole with you.”
His words were like a barbed thorn; they hurt when they went in, and they hurt even more when they were pulled out.
"As for you, it's not necessarily true that you'll trust him that much."
Don't be so incisive, as if you know everything about it.
"...Don't you know you should knock before coming in?"
"See, you always react like this when it comes to things you're guilty of." It was rare for him to smile; there was neither that layer of gloom nor that faint sadness in his eyes. He was truly beautiful and radiant.
They all think they can control my personality, huh? I couldn't be bothered with them anymore. I stared straight out the window, but all I saw was the lonely shadow of the waterside pavilion.
"Rong Lian." He suddenly called me in a very serious tone.
"What?" I asked without turning my head.
"I told you before that if you couldn't stay in Wuyue Palace, you could come to Tianjue Sect. What do you say now?"
"What, do you think we can't be together because we don't trust each other enough?" I frowned, feeling a little irritated.
He was taken aback by what I said, then his smile became chillingly beautiful, aloof and cold.
"I offered you a way out, but you refused it. I didn't realize you could be so persistent, so determined to become a pair of doomed lovers with him?"
“Yes, I didn’t realize that Master Jun was such a busybody.” I pushed him aside and started to walk out of the cabin.
"Where are you going?" His face darkened, and he grabbed my collar.
"I'm looking for my other half."
Jun Guan's eyes instantly turned sinister and vicious. I was startled and just stared at him blankly.
"You really deserve to die. I wonder if the deepest hell will accept you."
"How can you decide her fate? Brother Jun Guan, you've frightened her."
A soft laugh spread out, as graceful and delicate as fluttering flowers and butterflies, like the most beautiful melody played on a zither.
The man, dressed in red, leaned against the door, exuding elegance and wealth. His smile was gentle and harmless, and his eyes sparkled with a captivating light.
A faint, cool fragrance wafts in on the river breeze, its subtle aroma captivating the heart.
"How could you..." Jun Guan was somewhat bewildered, quite surprised.
"How did I get here?" He blinked, his long, curled eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. "I came by boat. Oh, or you're asking how I got in? Luo Qiu, huh? Last time he easily defeated two of our family's protectors. Since we've met again this time, to prove them wrong, you see, I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to.
He looked great, and his smile was as radiant as a flower and as clear as water. Looking at him, I felt at peace.
"What are you dawdling about? Why are you so late?" As she spoke, she realized her voice was trembling.
Only then did he slowly look at me and stare at me directly, his eyes dark and bright.
"Missing me?" After a long pause, he managed to utter this sentence.
I stared at him, speechless, and felt my face flush. He was teasing me, and I really did blush.
Just as I was wondering how to end this, I suddenly felt a little short of breath. I turned around and saw that Jun Guan had grabbed my collar.
"Was Master Huizhi ultimately incapable?"
“The master is already in his fifties. Why did you have to incite him to come? He is too old to take any serious injury. Brother Jun Guan, you are holding on too tightly.”
"Hmph, useless thing." Jun Guan laughed again. "It's better to tighten it, otherwise what if she escapes?"
Master Huizhi is useless? Jun Guan, your expectations are too high.
I shifted my body in dissatisfaction. It was so frustrating that Yunzhi was right in front of me but I could only look at her and not touch her.
Chapter 76
"City Lord or Rong Lian, which one do you want?"
Nangong Ling blinked at him, "Of course I want both."
"You can't have your cake and eat it too. There's no such thing as a free lunch."
"There's no such thing as a free lunch, it's just that this set of rules doesn't apply to me."
He found a more comfortable spot to lean against the door, half-closing his eyes, fiddling with a very familiar jade thumb ring in his hand.
"You!" Jun Guan suddenly opened his eyes wide, his face deathly pale.
"What's wrong? Does it look familiar?" He shook the ring on his finger, his expression as playful as if he were teasing a cat.
"Han Xuanmo... So everything was planned by you all along? We were just following your plan. You were just using my need to get rid of those useless crooks, and incidentally eliminate the Nine Ministers, so you could legitimately consolidate your own position... Did you already take over the capital city?!" Jun Guan analyzed step by step, and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat as he spoke. "Even my ability to bring her out of the capital city was part of your plan?"
"You understand quickly. If we're going to take action, there are too many spies in the city, and it's dangerous everywhere. So I think it's better to hand her over to you; at least her life won't be in danger." He put away the jade ring, his eyes suddenly sharpening. "But what happened to the wound on her neck?"
He didn't ask anything, but when I asked, I remembered that Yan Hailan had disappeared somewhere and I hadn't seen her since I woke up that day.
Jun Guan's expression was very unpleasant, and he tightened his grip on my collar.
"Do you really think that old fox Tan Gongqing would just hand you over to the position of city lord? Do you know how many years he's coveted this position? He was the one who killed the old city lord, and he was the one who spread the rumor that the city lord hadn't designated a successor. That's how he managed to steal this time to change the rule that nobles can't be city lords, but Yan Moluo has always refuted it. After all these years, do you think he'd just willingly give you what he's about to have?"
He said something and Jun Guan's hand tightened. Damn it, Nangong Ling, can you stop talking so much nonsense? I'm about to burst!
"Ah, that's too much stimulation. Loosen your grip a bit, or Lian'er will be in pain."