Chapter 152 – 152

Chapter 152 - 152

Yuliu Yun had spent the entire night in Nanyan's courtyard, not even aware when he had drifted off to sleep. Upon waking up, he heard the deliberately hushed footsteps inside the room and caught a whiff of the delicate fragrance still lingering on the quilt. In a fleeting moment, it seemed as if he could see that slender, gentle figure coming towards him.

Yuliu Yun instantly regained his senses and instinctively called out, "Yanyan..."

However, when he pulled back the covers, he saw only a pale little maid carrying hot water, with another following closely behind, holding a food tray. The two maidservants were trembling slightly from fright, nearly spilling the hot water in their hands.

"N-My apologies, my lady. I thought the Supreme Leader was already awake and disturbed your rest. Please forgive me."

The maid trembled, barely holding back from kneeling down. Lately, the Cult Leader's mood had been exceedingly foul. Anyone who offended or crossed the line with the Cult Leader met a disastrous end.

Since Madam was sent away, everyone in the sect lived in constant fear, worried that they might be next. There was no one left who could dissuade the Sect Leader, and those servants attending to her became even more anxious. If the Sect Leader could be so ruthless and heartless towards Madam, how much worse would she treat them, mere servants?

Yuliu Yun furrowed his brow, feeling a strange sense of disappointment and emptiness for having misjudged someone. He immediately said with a cold expression, "Who allowed you to enter?"

The young maidservant, feeling the weight of the hot water basin in her arms, trembled as she heard the chilling tone of the Cult Leader. She immediately replied with trepidation, "D-Don't you remember, Milord? At this hour, you usually rise for your morning ablutions and martial practice."

"Back then, Madam would always fret over the Supreme Leader's reluctance to eat properly or take proper care of his health. Thus, she would rise early every morning, instructing the kitchen staff to prepare breakfast dishes tailored to the Supreme Leader's taste, and personally send them to him..."

The maid lowered her head, her face veiled with a hint of fear. Her voice grew softer as she continued, "T-TThese servants have grown accustomed to it, and so has the Cult Leader. Even if Madam is not here, we, we dare not slack off for fear of disrupting the Cult Leader's cultivation."

Upon finishing her words, the maid dared not lift her head casually, remaining obediently bowed, fearing that any misstep might provoke the Cult Leader's displeasure and cost her life.

As Yu Liuyun heard this, he felt a strange sense of bewilderment. He gazed at the food tray in the maid's hands, identical to the one Yan Yan used to carry. In that moment, memories of their past interactions flooded his mind.

In the past, he had always been cold towards his wife, their relationship akin to two separate entities, each respecting the other's boundaries. At some point, Yan Yan began to approach him cautiously, taking the initiative.

With her gentle and reserved nature, she wouldn't have been so proactive unless she genuinely cared. His previous impression of his wife was merely a vague image of a quiet and compliant woman. But after spending time with her, he realized that she was actually quite delicate and sensitive. Yet, despite her fragility, she had made so many changes for him.

She was concerned about his health, mending his clothes as any devoted wife would. She worried about his lack of appetite, mysteriously learning how to prepare dishes from his hometown of Qingzhou with great effort and care...

Such a gentle and tender woman, coddled for over a decade, had poured all her patience into him alone.

Recalling those memories, Yuliu Yun suddenly felt a stinging sensation in his eyes, as if something was about to overflow from within.

Involuntarily, he glanced toward the spot by the table where she used to sit. They once shared meals together, with her laughing as she served him food, asking if it pleased him. She would gently smooth out wrinkles on his clothing and even sit on the swing, smiling at him with warmth...

But now... none of that remained.

Recalling those memories, Yuliu Yun had no appetite for food. He found no joy in anything he did. Each passing day without finding her and bringing her back safely intensified his anxiety and unease.

His subordinate had reported that two individuals had rescued Yan Yan. But where had they taken her?

Why hadn't they come to the Profound Heaven Sect even after he had revoked the assassination order? Why was there no trace of them anywhere? What were they up to?

Could they be directing their resentment towards him onto Yan Yan? Would they harm her? Bully her? What should he do? What could he possibly do?

As these thoughts plagued Yuliu Yun, his torment deepened. His eyes gradually took on a bloodshot hue, and an oppressive sensation as if something was gripping his chest tightly, leaving him gasping for air.

In retrospect, her actions were insignificant compared to his own secret deeds. He was indeed furious back then, blinded by rage, believing that any betrayal from anyone in this world would never be pardoned.

But... he seemed to have forgotten that as a husband, he had never given his wife a sense of security, nor fulfilled his responsibilities and duties. Her sadness, concealment, and distrust were all consequences of his own actions.

He was entangled with his former fiancée, hiding her in an underground palace and arrogantly forcing her to marry him. Throughout it all, he never considered his wife. He committed countless reckless and excessive acts, deceiving her with impunity due to her gentle nature, while she deceived him only once. What right did he have to treat her that way?

If the roles were reversed...

As this thought crossed his mind, Yu Liuyun felt as if a blunt knife was slowly tearing through his chest, leaving his heart bleeding and causing unbearable pain.

An overwhelming regret and panic flooded over him like icy waves, reminiscent of the time when he was young and had accidentally fallen into the water, being engulfed by the tumultuous currents, pressed under the frigid lake. That suffocating, bone-chilling terror left him with a profound sense of hopeless despair.

What should he do? What on earth should he do?

Just as Yuliu Yun was drowning in endless panic, news finally arrived from his subordinates. They had spotted the two traitors and the lady while searching towards Qingzhou City. It seemed that the two were attempting to take the lady back to Qingzhou.

Upon hearing this, veins popped up in Yuliu Yun's eyes, and a dark shadow flickered beneath them. He clenched his fists tightly.

In an instant, he wiped away any trace of emotion on his face and turned to the kneeling informant with an expressionless gaze. "Repeat yourself. Are you certain they intend to take the lady back to Qingzhou?"

The kneeling subordinate hurriedly nodded, trembling with fear as he replied, "Our group didn't make a mistake. They erased their tracks in the direction of Qingzhou City. Lady... She must have been taken hostage and can't escape."

Qingzhou City... After all that, they were actually heading back to Qingzhou.

Although Yu Liuyun didn't know why they would take his wife back to Qingzhou, now that he finally knew her whereabouts, there was no way he could ignore it.

She was his wife. No matter where she had been taken by others, and regardless of the injustices she had suffered, he would bring her back safely and avenge her.

With this thought in mind, Yu Liuyun turned to fix his gaze on the man kneeling before him. "Hurry and give the order. I'm taking a team to Qingzhou City. At all costs, I must bring Lady back unharmed. Also, fetch that woman and bring her along."

Zhao Xiuyan, you'd better behave yourself. If Even a single hair on Yanyan's head is harmed, your fiancée won't escape my wrath!

After making this decision, Yuliu Yun immediately dismissed the subordinate who had brought the news and began preparations for their departure. However, despite his resolution, he still felt an unsettling unrest in his heart. An inexplicable panic and anxiety swirled within him, preventing him from finding peace.

He had no idea what they might do to her.

Why were they taking her to Qingzhou?

What exactly had they done to her?

Yuliu Yun exerted great effort to suppress the inexplicable turmoil surging in his chest, his heart seemingly beating uncontrollably with tension. He was unsure of what was happening to him, why he felt this way.

In his utter distress and loss of control, an inexplicable rage burned within him. How dare they? How dare they abduct his wife so brazenly? Fueled by anger, he spun around and charged straight into the secluded courtyard where Lin Piannian resided.

It had been a long time since he last saw that woman. Ever since that day, she had been left to her own devices in this yard, to live or die as fate deemed fit.

A woman so vain and selfish wasn't worth his hand in marriage. Perhaps he had truly been blinded by anger back then, fueled by the resentment, the bitterness, and the fury after being humiliated by her. How could he have entertained the notion of rekindling their engagement? Why on earth would he bind his life to a woman like her?

Despite having a devoted wife, one who had been more than generous to him in the face of his hardships and when he was mired in troubles, it was only she who had genuinely cared for him, loved him, and tended to his needs. Why, then, did he let his resentment drive him to this point? What had possessed him to bring everything to such a dire state?

Yuliu Yun burst into the courtyard, kicking the door open. The person inside was distractedly gazing at the outer yard. Upon seeing him, their eyes flickered with surprise for a moment before they turned away, a clear expression of displeasure appearing on their face. "Who asked you to come? What are you doing here?"

"I don't welcome you here at all."

She seemed to have treated this place as her personal domain, forgetting that she was now just a captive.

Yuliu Yun felt a wave of irony wash over him.

The moment she finished speaking, Yuliu Yun's anger became unbearable. He charged forward, his hands instinctively closing around her delicate neck, pulling her towards him. His tone was icy and mocking.

"Have you forgotten where you are? This isn't your Lin family's mansion. Here, you're merely a prisoner to me. What right do you have to discuss such matters with me?"

Yuliu Yun's action was sudden and forceful, causing Lin Piannian to feel an instant suffocating pain. Her eyes, filled with fear and panic, were fixated on him.

"Yuliu Yun, what madness are you indulging in now?"

She had clearly been obedient and hadn't provoked him this time. Why, why wouldn't he let her go?

As her words faded, she noticed the faint redness at the corners of his eyes and his icy stare piercing through her. The pressure from his hand continued to tighten. "You're right, I've lost my mind. Let me warn you, if your fiancé dares to vent his anger on Yan Yan and harms her, I swear I won't spare you. For every bit of harm he inflicts on her, I'll repay you a thousandfold."

The mere thought of what Yan Yan might be experiencing at the hands of those two filled Yuliu Yun with an uncontrollable surge of murderous intent. Never had he been more lucid and resentful in his desire to slay the person before him.

But he couldn't yet... He couldn't kill her just yet.

With this in mind, Yuliu Yun's gaze turned even colder, and his grip instinctively tightened. Lin Piannian felt as if she were truly on the brink of suffocation.

For the first time, she tasted the agony of death - the unbearable pain of being unable to breathe, as if her heart was being pierced by countless needles. Her hands instinctively began to slap at his arms. "Let go, Yuliu Yun, let go..."

She had no idea what was happening. These past few days, she'd been obediently confined to the courtyard. What did this have to do with her so-called fiancé or Yan Yan?

On what grounds does this madman have to vent his fury on her? Why should she bear the brunt of his anger? She was utterly trapped and had no understanding of the meaning behind his words.

Lin Piannian struggled fiercely, slapping at his wrist with both hands. Her lips moved in a strained whisper,

"Yuliu Yun, what nonsense are you spouting? I know nothing at all. On what basis are you treating me like this?"

Upon hearing this, the curve at the corner of Yuliu Yun's mouth turned even colder, "On what basis? Because you're Zhao Xiuyan's fiancée! You still don't know, do you? Very well, then let this seat enlighten you. Your 'dear' fiancé took advantage of the situation to abduct this seat's wife and returned to Qingzhou City with her."

"I'll tell you this, whatever he has done to this seat's wife, every single injury inflicted upon Yan Yan will be repaid without hesitation onto your person!"

Lin Pantian's struggles intensified upon hearing this. She tugged fiercely at his clothes with both hands, her face turning crimson from the strain. "Madman! Let go of me! Just let go!"

Tears uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks as she felt that this man was utterly shameless. "How dare you hold me accountable for what my fiancé did? If you have the guts, go settle scores with him! Are you even a man, resorting to venting your anger on women like a coward?"

Yuliu Yun observed this woman's defiance and a mocking chill flashed in his eyes as he tightened his grip around her neck. "So what if you're a woman? Do you think spouting such words will make this seat spare you? I've never been a good person, and I certainly don't have any sickening habit of not killing women. In this world, apart from Yanyan, there is no one Yuliu Yun fears to slay."

As they struggled, Lin Pantian felt an increasing pain in her throat, blurring her vision. She clutched his clothes with all her might, her nails almost piercing his flesh.

Her fear deepened in her eyes. "Let go, release me, Yuliu Yun. Do you really intend to kill me? Have you forgotten what Aunt once told you?"

In the face of the terror of death, one truly exerted every effort, regardless of everything, to cling to life; it was an instinct for survival.

At this moment, Lin Piannian was precisely like that. She no longer cared about her past stubbornness or the fact that she had once seen this man as nothing but a pitiful, destitute beggar. In the grip of such suffocating pain, fear overtook her control.

Only now did she realize that when he had reached his limit of tolerance towards her, she could no longer brazenly insult him with impunity, relying on the vague affection that existed between them. She didn't dare to act that way anymore.

Her former arrogance, pride, disdain, and those uninhibited taunts and hurts were all because she knew he would never deal her a harsh blow.

Now, having lost that reliance, when faced with his retaliation, she was merely a humble, pleading, and pitiful person.

Unable to discern whether her emotions stemmed from sorrow or the indignity she felt at being treated so humiliatingly by this person before her, an inexplicable surge of regret and pain welled up in her heart. Clutching at the fabric of his robe with both hands, she wondered how things had spiraled to this point.

He was genuinely intent on killing her.

Hearing her words, Yuliuyun felt a surge of sarcasm within him. This young lady, who had once humiliated him as if he were a beggar, now had the audacity to mention his mother to him—it was utterly ridiculous! Yet, why had he been so persistently infatuated with such a woman in the past? Why had he even entertained the thought of honoring their marital agreement?

In what way does such a woman warrant his abandonment of the wife who has deeply cherished him all along?

Yuliu Yun gazed coldly at the person before him.

At this moment, he was even confused as to why he had lost control and gone mad for such a despicable woman.

What was it about her that warranted his repeated tolerance, yet he was so ruthless with his wife?

...

Just as Lin Pianran thought she might truly be choked to death by this man, he suddenly exerted force, violently throwing her onto the table beside them.

The immense impact caused Lin Pianran's entire body to uncontrollably lean backward.

Inadvertently, she collided with a side table, collapsing onto it while coughing violently. Her cheeks flushed red from the exertion, and tears even welled up in her eyes.

Due to the force of her actions, the clothing she had been gripping tightly in her hand was unintentionally torn apart.

A sharp "riiiip" echoed as the dark, voluminous robe was instantly slashed open, revealing a long tear.

From that tear, a strand of hair bound with a thin red string slowly slipped out and drifted to the ground, light as a feather, landing silently.

Upon witnessing that strand of hair unexpectedly falling from the torn garment, Yu Liumyun froze in astonishment. His fingers, which had been suspended mid-air, trembled slightly, as if they had turned rigid.

How could there be a strand of hair inside the garment?

The ends of the hair were entwined with a thin red thread, cut tidily into a crescent shape. It had been concealed within the lapel of his robe, nestled closest to his heart.

Yuliu Yun lowered his gaze to examine the robe on his body. A long tear had ripped through the dark black lapel, exposing the once neatly sewn stitches that now hung loose, revealing rough threads. It was due to this rupture that he discovered the hidden strand of hair.

In a daze, he recalled an instance when his robe had a tear. As martial artists often wore damaged clothes, he didn't pay it much attention. Later, during breakfast, Yan Yan noticed the torn robe and mentioned that as the leader, he should not be seen in such tattered attire, for it might invite ridicule. She offered to mend it for him.

That day, he was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard while she sat on the swing across from him, threading her needle diligently and gently repairing his robe. Peach blossoms scattered around her, yet she held the garment in her hands, smiling warmly at him beneath the tree. That was the day his heart first stirred for her.

Yet he was unaware when she had secretly tucked this strand of black hair, tied with a red string, into his clothing.

The bond of black hair signifies an profound affection.

She had always loved him deeply.

In an instant, Yuliu Yun felt a stinging sensation in his eyes, his vision blurring. A chill inexplicably swept through his heart, growing colder and colder until his fingers trembled slightly. He then bent down to pick up that strand of hair.

Braiding hair together is a ritual between spouses...

That delicate strand of cool hair coiled around his palm, twining gently around his little finger, just as her touch used to softly entangle with his in the past.

An unprecedented wave of regret surged within him.

He shouldn't have treated her that way, shouldn't have uttered such heartless words to her, and above all, he shouldn't have callously dismissed her amidst her tears.

They were husband and wife.

She was his wife, lawfully wedded through formal ceremonies. They had paid respects to heaven and earth, honored the gods; they were a legitimate couple. As her husband, it was his duty to protect her, love her, and treat her well for a lifetime. Wasn't it possible to resolve any grievance between spouses? How could he... how could he be so ruthless towards her?

At this moment, an overwhelming tide of regret and pain flooded him, never had he experienced such agony before.

What should he do? What on earth should he do? He was now at a loss for any course of action.

Unprecedented remorse...

Yuliu Yun left the courtyard in a disheveled state. Clutching the strand of black hair tightly against his chest, he returned with a pale face. The empty swing beneath the tree swayed gently in the breeze, and the cherry blossom tree bloomed once more, its petals falling softly with the wind, just as they used to.

As he gazed at the bamboo swing beneath the tree, for an instant, he seemed to be hallucinating. He saw Yan Yan sitting beneath that cherry blossom tree, just as she always had...

Holding the newly sewn garment in her hands, she would grumble to her maid about his clumsiness in tearing his clothes again, yet when she lifted her gaze and saw him, she couldn't help but smile at him. Her smile was gentle, with her brows and eyes resembling two crescent moons.

He instinctively reached out towards the tree, but the illusion dissipated, leaving him with an indescribable pain that suddenly surged through his chest, rapidly spreading throughout his limbs.

It was as if countless steel needles had pierced the spaces between his bones, inflicting pain even with each breath he took.

He truly regretted it now.

He had hurt the only person in the world who loved him, and he had betrayed the wife who loved him more than anyone else in this life.

He had wounded her deeply, departing in despair. The words he had spoken to her now echoed like a razor-sharp blade, torturing his mind and soul inch by inch, causing his fingers to tremble with pain.

He held the strand of hair gently in his palm, fearful of causing the slightest damage to it. It was only now that he realized his love for his wife ran deeper than he had ever acknowledged.

But what can be done? Is it not too late for him?

Would she still forgive him?

Are you willing to give him another chance?

...

In the inn on the other side, the atmosphere had been tense and oppressive these few days, but Nanyan was oblivious to it. After all, if the fish in the pond started fighting among themselves, she wouldn't bother. They would eventually tire themselves out, and then she could step in to deliver the final blow.

She had spent the past two days lounging in her room, living a life of luxury, tended to meticulously by others.

Although she occasionally pretended to resist, pushing away their touches and attempts to draw near, since Zhao Xiuyan had acknowledged his feelings for her, his patience had significantly increased. He treated her as if she were an Empress, attending to her every need with meticulous care.

It had to be said that a gentle and considerate man was indeed more satisfying than a hotheaded young lad who only knew how to bicker with her.

Lately, Zhao Xiuyan had been making his presence felt in front of her, taking care of all her needs from food to clothing. Seeing her in a foul mood and refusing to speak, he would patiently describe the customs and landscapes of Qingzhou City to lift her spirits. When he caught a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes, an unconscious smile would grace his face, and he would share with her the more amusing tales.

Nan Yan hadn't expected such a marked change after just one night's sleep. An immature thought crossed her mind – if all future missions were this effortless, wouldn't that mean...

But upon reflection, she dismissed the idea. With the energy of these "faithful" men, she might not be able to keep up.

In a way, their relationship seemed to have grown closer, and he was clearly trying to establish his position early on, given that she was still a married woman.

Nan Yan pondered that, as a married woman, she needed to maintain some restraint for a few more days. It was impossible to forget everything so quickly and embrace him without reservations. That wouldn't align with the gentle and composed image she had cultivated all along.

The delicate veil between the two had been torn, and the formalization of their relationship was merely a matter of time.

By the time she finally emerged from the guest station, two days had passed outside. During that period, there had been an eerie tranquility between Zhao Xiuyan and Murong Tu.

However, after this blow, the junior apprentice brother had clearly become more mature and composed than before.

In the past, he was flamboyant and unrestrained, with a prestigious long sword hanging at his waist, exuding an air of arrogance and capriciousness in every gesture. But now, he was reserved and enigmatic, his sharp gaze softened, making him appear less intimidating.

The sunlight was perfect outside, casting shimmering shadows on the green-tiled roof of the inn's first floor as the afternoon sun reflected its rays. These delicate patterns danced gently in the breeze, illuminating Nanyan's fair and pristine complexion.

Indeed, she had been well-taken care of these past two days, evident from the rosier glow in her complexion compared to when they first met. However, she needed to maintain some restraint, not appearing too content in her role as a victim, even though that was indeed the case.

Thus, when Murong Tu ascended, he found Nan Yan standing tranquilly by the vermilion railings, with the lanterns hanging under the eaves swaying gently in the breeze.

She stood serenely, her gaze placid and slightly lowered, her eyebrows gently furrowed as she gazed transfixed at the courtyard below, seemingly lost in contemplation of the flowering crabapple tree. It was as if she had distanced herself from the world, creating an isolation between herself and all others.

Muru Tao deliberately intruded into her line of sight. When Nan Yan caught sight of him, her gaze flickered slightly, then she lowered her eyes, striving to assume the appearance of a victim.

Upon catching sight of her dispirited demeanor, Murong Tu couldn't help but clench his fists. He strode upstairs and headed straight for her.

Nan Yan was compelled to take a step back by the man's intense aura. She wondered if he would again utter those heartless words, scolding her for being shameless and seducing his senior apprentice brother.

To her surprise, he suddenly reached out and pulled her into his embrace. One hand pressed against the back of her head, while the other circled tightly around her waist, holding her protectively with a gradually tightening grip.

In that instant, Nan Yan's body froze at his touch, followed by an awkward struggle.

Meng Ruo Tu seemed to sense her stiffness. He gently buried his handsome face in the crook of her neck. As she tried to resist, he whispered apologetically, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

"I didn't protect you when you were at your most vulnerable and scared. I wasn't there to shield you. I used to bully and intimidate you, saying hurtful things to provoke you. Yan Yan, can you forgive me?"

Nan Yan was slightly startled. She didn't expect that the incident had affected him so deeply? It was understandable, after all, one was his senior brother and the other was a woman he had feelings for. Both had dealt him a severe blow, no wonder he had matured significantly.

Upon hearing his words, Nan Yan's struggling gradually subsided. She lowered her gaze, then softly spoke after a long while, "I thought you would blame me. Blame me for seducing your senior brother, for being shameless that night..."

Before she could finish, Murong Tu instantly tightened his embrace around her.

Recalling what happened that night, he felt as if a venomous bee had stung his chest, causing his entire body to tremble in pain. His voice roughened as he said,

"No, it wasn't your fault... I don't blame you, don't speak of yourself like that. How could it be your fault? You couldn't possibly have any martial arts skills... you were completely... unable to escape..."

How could she possibly escape Senior Brother's grasp?

In that situation, how could she have possibly fled?

She hadn't done anything wrong from the very beginning.

The one at fault was the person who disregarded her wishes, forcefully bullied her, and even attempted to claim her as his own!

Muru Tan gently caressed Nanyan's shoulder, patting her back. He had never comforted anyone before; he only imitated how his mother soothingly stroked his hair when he was young. After a while, he felt the emotions within his embrace gradually subside.

He abruptly released her, then gazed into her eyes with sincerity. "Yanyan, let me take you away, alright? Away from this place that brings you sorrow, away from the memories of the past, and from those who have made you cry or suffer. I'll keep us far from them. We'll start anew and live a peaceful life together, alright?"

This idea hadn't come to him impulsively; he had pondered over it for quite some time.

These past two days, he had been consumed by a mix of suppressed resentment and agitation. He couldn't bear to part from Yanyan, nor could he stand the thought of her being with his senior brother. He had finally found someone he truly cared for, and his feelings for her were entirely different from his previous infatuation with Pianpian.

He had always believed himself to be in love with Pianpian. However, when he saw her with his senior brother, he never experienced that pang of jealousy and hatred. He only felt that his friend had been taken away, and after his senior brother entered the picture, Sister Pianpian no longer treated him with the same devotion.

He would get angry, feel frustrated, and be resentful, but he never entertained the notion of harming his senior brother. But now, things were different. After learning about what his senior brother had done to Yanyan that fateful night, his hatred towards him was accompanied by an irresistible urge to kill.

He was aware that such thoughts were unwarranted, but he found himself unable to suppress them.

Since he couldn't kill his senior brother, he could take Yan Yan away, remove her from this place, and distance her from all those who had hurt her and caused her pain.

Upon hearing this, Nan Yan seemed slightly taken aback.

After a moment, she lifted her gaze to meet the man's eyes. From his expression, she could tell that his intentions were genuine; there was not an ounce of insincerity in him.

However, it was typical of an inexperienced young man to come up with an immature solution to a problem. All he thought about was taking someone away, rather than ousting his senior brother and seizing the position for himself.

A hint of hesitation flickered in Nanyan's eyes as she gazed at her junior brother. Her lips moved slightly, about to speak.

But then, Zhao Xiyan's calm and gentle voice suddenly echoed from behind, "Junior Brother, where are you taking Senior Brother's fiancée? Is something happening? Why didn't you inform Senior Brother beforehand?"

His tranquil black eyes looked over, reflecting a detached glow in the fragmented sunlight, fixating on the two figures not far away.

Upon hearing that indifferent voice trailing from behind, Nanyan's body instantly froze.

It seemed that she had recalled something embarrassing. Either out of fear or anxiety, her eyelashes fluttered as she lowered her gaze, leaving her unfinished words hanging in the air.

Muru Tao immediately shot back with a cold expression, firmly pulling the person beside him behind him. He stood protectively in front of her and sneered at his senior brother, "Is that so? Are you, Senior Brother, relying on your capabilities to force her again right before my eyes?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiuyan slightly furrowed his brows, his gaze landing on the woman behind Muru Tao. Indeed, he noticed her face had turned pale, and her lips were tightly pressed together.

These past few days, he had deliberately avoided mentioning that incident, fearing that it might remind her of that night and cause her to resist him. However, his junior brother's words did irk him.

Zhao Xiuyan's tone was calm, but his gaze grew colder when it shifted towards his junior brother, "I won't force her, Junior Brother. But this is between Yan Yan and me; it's not your place as a younger brother to intervene just yet. Since we are brothers, I, as your Senior Brother, have no intention of bullying you or overstepping my bounds, nor do I wish to hurt your pride."

"I'll pretend that today's incident never happened. Until I settle my relationship with Yan Yan, Junior Brother, please restrain yourself and refrain from causing any more trouble."

Junior Brother was still Junior Brother, no matter how mature he appeared; impulsiveness and quick temper lurked beneath the surface. At his Senior Brother's words, anger flickered in his eyes in an instant.

Zhao Xiuyan met his Junior Brother's furious gaze calmly.

"Can you return her to me now?"

Then, he shifted his gaze back to Nanyan, his look gentle and composed, devoid of any coercion. "Yan Yan, would you come over to me, please?"

"You know, I wouldn't harm you."

He extended his hand towards her, a cloak draped over his wrist - an indication that he had brought it along upon noticing her inadequate attire, but was unforeseenly met with the scene of his junior brother holding her in his arms. More surprisingly, he discovered that his junior brother entertained the notion of fleeing far away with her.

To be truthful, Zhao Xuyan felt a twinge of anxiety at that moment. Compared to him, who disregarded her consent and forcibly took her innocence, his junior brother, though impulsive, had never harmed or coerced her in any way.

He was deeply concerned that she might consider his proposal, agreeing to run away with him and start anew. Therefore, unable to contain himself as she hesitated to speak, he interrupted, unwilling to hear even a hint of assent from her lips.