“Cousin, what exactly do you think about what I just said?”
Inside the ornate carriage, the graceful young lady leaned against the headrest, her voice soft and eyes gently curved as she tilted her head to look at the person opposite her.
The young gentleman wore wide sleeves and a long robe, his eyes like autumn waters, his demeanor composed as jade—just sitting there reading was a scene of elegance.
Lu Shuyue stared at Cui Yunqi for a moment, a hint of distraction in her gaze.
When she was young and first saw this cousin of hers, she had felt that only he was worthy of her.
Secretly, she had resolved that she would marry him one day.
But he had caught the eye of the old emperor, who had chosen him as the prince consort for the orphaned Ningguo Princess.
No matter how glorious the Duke Protector of Longxi’s only daughter was, she couldn’t compare to that beloved princess favored and bestowed by the emperor.
So, Lu Shuyue had no choice but to seek another suitable husband.
But now, Great Zhou had fallen.
She refused to believe that the Cui family, leaving the Imperial Capital to seek refuge in Longxi, had no other intentions.
The century-old Cui Clan surely knew how to keep their family prosperous and thriving.
Cui Yunqi put down his book and looked up, a slight smile playing on his lips, his face gentle, his eyes like spring waters.
“Cousin, what you say is very sensible, but unfortunately, I already have a marriage arranged. The whole world knows my wife is the Ningguo Princess, personally bestowed by the Wen Chang Emperor of Great Zhou.”
Lu Shuyue smiled faintly, her tone gentle, “Cousin, would Yifu really agree to your marriage with the Ningguo Princess?”
Cui Yunqi only smiled without replying, gazing at her warmly.
Lu Shuyue spoke softly, “Cousin, if you and I were to marry, it would surely please my father and Yifu. It would also put the Cui Clan’s heart at ease. Longxi lies at a strategic point; otherwise, Yifu wouldn’t have come here. I know the Cui family has many marital ties and wouldn’t lack connections with other families.”
Cui Yunqi’s gentle expression remained, but there was a polite distance in his voice: “Nowadays, I am only your cousin’s advisor, not worthy of you, cousin.”
Lu Shuyue, poised and refined, picked up a teacup, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it toward Cui Yunqi.
“Cousin, you should also think more of Yimu and our cousin Yun Zhan. From what I know, when you sought marriage with the Ningguo Princess, it was also for Yimu and Yun Zhan… No, I believe you had already considered them long ago, or else why would you have accompanied me to the temple to pray for a marriage?”
She stopped there, her eyes burning with intensity as they met Cui Yunqi’s.
But Cui Yunqi looked away, picking up his book again.
After reading a few lines, a shadow crossed his eyes, yet he smiled lightly before raising his head, his face gentle once more.
“From what I know, cousin, you are already married. But I wonder if our second cousin Lu Yuanbai knows what you have done today?”
Lu Sanzhong had six sons.
The eldest was Lu Yuanjun, the second Lu Yuanbai—both born to the Duke Protector’s wife.
Lu Yuanbai was abducted in childhood and became a bandit, living in the mountain stronghold for twelve years.
Lu Shuyue’s face was as serene as Guanyin, graceful yet willful and domineering.
When she came of age, she was kidnapped by mountain bandits, suffered the company of many, and returned two years later with Lu Yuanbai.
Lu Yuanbai returned bearing Lu Shuyue’s husband’s name, but his mother recognized the birthmark beneath his ear and realized he was her abducted son.
This was a secret no one knew about the Lu family.
Lu Shuyue’s smile faltered; her complexion paled.
Her eyes blazed fiercely as she grabbed a teacup and splashed tea at Cui Yunqi.
Cui Yunqi smiled gently, calmly took out a handkerchief, and lowered his gaze to wipe the spill.
“It’s not true!”
The young girl’s hurried, embarrassed voice rang out like a clear warbler’s call amidst the noisy crowd.
Cui Yunqi paused his hand, then resumed wiping.
He lightly drew aside the carriage curtain, pretending to avoid Lu Shuyue’s gaze, turning his head to look outside.
Before him were only dirty, disorderly refugees—thin, near death.
Yuan’er was pure, delicate, and exquisite.
She loved cleanliness and grace; she would never mix with such riffraff, so how could she be here?
Yet he recalled the Southern Qing Temple, the things he had seen there.
His eyelashes trembled as he scanned the crowd again but found nothing.
He lowered the curtain naturally, but his grip on the handkerchief tightened bit by bit.
Li Mianyu blushed deeply, almost jumping out of Yan Shi’s embrace.
She shouted loudly, then noticed several gazes turning toward her and blushed even more.
She lowered her voice, “Madam Chen! He and I are neither cousins nor betrothed!”
After speaking, she tugged Yan Shi’s sleeve, “You must explain it to Madam Chen quickly!”
The young man glanced at her and then turned to Madam Chen, “We are neither cousins nor betrothed.”
When Li Mianyu was anxious or flustered, her cheeks would redden, and her eyes glistened as if filled with tears.
Strangers would think she was shy.
Madam Chen Xiue looked at Li Mianyu kindly, mistaking her for a bashful, spoiled girl, and replied along, “Alright, alright, not cousins, and no betrothal.”
Even without a formal betrothal, it was almost as if there were.
Otherwise, why would Xiao Yan treat Xiao Yu so intimately?
She didn’t even reveal her surname.
If they were truly siblings, why bother with such secrecy?
Seeing Madam Chen believed her, Li Mianyu sighed in relief and emphasized, “We really are just… siblings.”
She almost said the word “Dark Guard” but stopped herself at the last moment.
Madam Chen smiled, glanced at Zhu Dacheng, and exchanged a look full of meaning: “Look at how awkwardly they speak. Only a fool would believe they are siblings!”
Yan Shi said nothing, standing silently like a bamboo stalk.
Distracted by this, Li Mianyu no longer cared about whether the Duke Protector’s daughter’s birthday or betrothal was happening.
Embarrassed and annoyed, when the carriage quietly retreated onto the mountain path, she couldn’t help but lean toward Madam Chen and say seriously, “Madam Chen, I am already betrothed.”
Her tone was solemn.
Madam Chen glanced at the silent Yan Shi, who was crouched nearby fingering his sword, then covered her mouth to laugh and said, “Alright, I understand.”
Li Mianyu hesitated but still told her, “My fiancé is graceful and handsome, gentle as jade, incomparable to ordinary men.”
Her tone was proud and a little boastful.
Yan Shi slowly looked at Li Mianyu but said nothing.
Madam Chen studied Yan Shi’s handsome, delicate features—truly worthy of the phrase ‘graceful as jade.’
His complexion was fair, his aura either fierce or calm.
How could an ordinary person possess such presence?
But seeing Li Mianyu so earnest in her explanation made her hesitate.
If they were not betrothed, why would they share a bed?
A humble farm woman like Madam Chen dared not imagine the life of a wealthy family’s young lady.
She nodded, “I truly understand now. Xiao Yan is not your fiancé.”
Li Mianyu exhaled deeply and leaned back into Yan Shi.
Yan Shi quietly closed his eyes, arms crossed, resting.
She wanted to speak to him but seeing him like this, she only leaned on him silently.
Perhaps it was because of Madam Chen’s words earlier, Li Mianyu glanced at Yan Shi’s face—his thick eyebrows slanted into his hairline, his nose sharp and elegant, his jaw smooth and handsome, lips red and teeth white…her Dark Guard truly had the appearance of refined jade, handsome and elegant!
If he were an ordinary nobleman’s son, surely they would already be betrothed, right?
Wait! Do Dark Guards even marry?
Li Mianyu stared at Yan Shi a while. Just then, the carriage hit a small rut, and she swayed, resting on his arm.
When she looked up, he had already opened his eyes, his long lashes lowered slightly, his dark eyes looking straight at her.
She was momentarily stunned but recalled the question she had just thought of and asked curiously, “Yan Shi, do Dark Guards marry?”
Her voice was low, careful not to be heard by Madam Chen, and she leaned close to his ear.
The young Dark Guard answered quietly, “I don’t know.”
Li Mianyu didn’t understand. Either they married or they didn’t; how could he not know?
She whispered again, “Either they marry, or they don’t. How could you not know?”
“Because we die young,” he said calmly.
He didn’t say more, but it was enough.
Li Mianyu would think for herself.
For instance, what if a Dark Guard was betrothed but died suddenly, leaving behind painful, unwilling tears?
Or what if they died before reaching the age of marriage, perishing while protecting someone…
Her face showed regret.
“I’m sorry…”
Yan Shi looked at her, quietly asking, “Sorry?”
Li Mianyu thought her question must have been terribly harsh for a Dark Guard.
She remembered the last time his flesh was torn and how he never took off his clothes in front of her since.
She didn’t know how much he had recovered…
But no matter what, she didn’t want her Dark Guard to die.
She whispered into his ear, “You definitely won’t die. You will live a long life.”
“Why?”
“Because I won’t allow you to die.”
Yan Shi lowered his gaze to her, silent for a moment before speaking again, “And then?”
Li Mianyu blinked, smiled lightly, a little shy but excited.
“Then what kind of young lady do you like? I’ll find the most beautiful one for you, so you can marry.”
The young man said nothing, glanced at her once, then closed his eyes again, muttering, “I don’t know.”
How could he not know anything?
Li Mianyu sighed softly, “You’re still young, not yet of age. Your feelings haven’t awakened. That’s normal. When you grow up and your feelings open, you’ll know.”
Yan Shi couldn’t help but open his eyes to look at her again.
Li Mianyu read his gaze and immediately smiled, “I’m counting the days. Soon, I will come of age. I’m mature and early in bloom. I already know what kind of man I like.”
Yan Shi gave a soft “Oh” before closing his eyes.
Li Mianyu wanted to say more about Cui Yunqi but saw Yan Shi had closed his eyes and regretted keeping quiet.
Nearby, Madam Chen edged toward Zhu Dacheng, talking about memories of Chen Village, feeling a bittersweet homesickness.
She worried that when they returned, everything would have changed—especially since she had invited others to come back with her.
Zhu Dacheng smiled heartily, “No matter what, Chen Village should have a piece of land for me to build a house, our home.”
Madam Chen nodded and smiled, but soon looked worried again.
“I wonder if the two children will find their way here.”
“They will. The eldest is very good at finding paths and clever. He will come.”
Zhu Dacheng smiled confidently.
“And since I’m strong, I will definitely bring his sister here.”
Madam Chen nodded again, watching the nearby mountain, suddenly noticing how quiet it had become.
She turned her head to see the delicate young lady had fallen asleep in the young man’s arms.
She looked on and couldn’t help but smile.
As the sun set behind the western hills, the ornate carriage finally entered the city and stopped at the Duke’s Mansion.
Cui Yunqi escorted Lu Shuyue inside.
When Lu Shuyue stepped down, her face was still pale.
But when she turned to look at Cui Yunqi, her expression was arrogant, completely lacking her earlier gentleness.
“Cui Clan’s eldest son, your reputation is well deserved. You’ve opened my eyes.”
Then she laughed, “But now you, Cui Yunqi, are no longer a noble son of the Capital. You’re just a small pawn under my father’s command. So what if you know about my relationship with my second brother? If I want you to marry me, then you will marry me—even if it means becoming a cuckold.”
She lifted her leg and strode into the mansion.
In front of the Duke’s Mansion gate, Cui Yunqi was publicly humbled by her in front of many, but his face remained as gentle as spring.
He turned, mounted his horse, his sleeves fluttering elegantly, graceful as ever.
Yet once inside, that gentle demeanor vanished.
His face darkened as he sat in his chair, lowered his head to sip tea, then raised his face, gentle once more.
He turned to his attendant, “Find out if any of the refugees who entered Longxi today resemble Yuan’er.”
The attendant nodded.
Cui Yunqi sat drinking tea.
After a cup’s time, someone arrived at the hall.
“Young Master, the Prime Minister requests your presence.”
He smiled faintly, set down his tea, straightened his sleeves, and stood.
After Li Mianyu climbed down from the carriage, she looked at the village nestled in the mountain hollow, near water, the houses scattered neatly, a charming scene.
Her eyes glistened with the sunset’s glow.
She tugged on Yan Shi’s sleeve, her eyes moist, about to shed tears.
“Yan Shi, until we find grandfather, we’ll settle here, won’t we?”
Yan Shi nodded, then quickly looked toward Madam Chen and Zhu Dacheng not far off.
The two were speaking with someone in front of a village house.
Li Mianyu looked too and saw Madam Chen’s eyes briefly redden before someone shoved her.
Zhu Dacheng immediately stepped forward to block, and the other person fell to the ground.
Soon, several others came out and surrounded Madam Chen and Zhu Dacheng.
She was stunned, shocked by such rudeness in front of her.
She stopped looking at the scenery and grabbed Yan Shi’s hand, running toward the scene.
This was outrageous—to bully Madam Chen in front of her.
Did they think she and her Dark Guard were dead?
She and her Dark Guard had plenty of strength and means!
Yan Shi: “I have strength.”
Li Mianyu: “I have means!”