Chapter 155

Chapter 155

Despite the Lin family's efforts to conceal it, news of the Zhao family's intention to annul the engagement inevitably surfaced. Rumors spread that the Lin family's eldest miss had a questionable relationship with the Demon Sect's leader, though the exact details remained shrouded in mystery.

In Qingzhou City, the luminous and upright Fifth Young Master of the Zhao family also had a falling out with his clan, all due to his infatuation with a woman from the Demon Sect, causing him to forsake his fiancée.

The incident caused quite a stir throughout the city.

People were unaware of the specifics behind the event; they only knew that the once highly-regarded Zhao Family's young master was merely a superficial figure. In the realm of martial arts, Zhao Xiuyan's reputation had been prominent, serving as a role model for many young men and women.

Born into a family renowned for martial arts, this man exudes refinement and grace, with an upright character and impeccable integrity. He is a reputable figure in the righteous faction, often being compared alongside the notorious mystic leader, Yu Liuyun, from the demonic cult.

After this incident, the illustrious and reputable Fifth Young Master of the Zhao family could be said to have been utterly ruined. His reputation was now tainted with the stains of lust for beauty, ignorance of right and wrong, and lack of judgment.

To humiliate myself for a demonic cult femme fatale is a disgrace to our ancestors' teachings and a betrayal of the very notion of righteousness.

In the realm of martial arts, one's reputation holds paramount importance. Otherwise, why would one roam the land, practicing chivalry and proclaiming the honor of their reputable school? Could it truly be for ideals and passion alone? Even if fueled by love, such endeavors require silver. Without the backing of a master or school, how can one aid others with abandon?

The Zhao family held a prestigious reputation in the martial world. The higher one stood, the more anxious they were about their reputation being tarnished; a single misstep could lead to a dramatic fall from grace. After occupying a prominent position for a long time, nothing was more intolerable than such a defamation. Now, Zhao Xiuyan's reputation had been largely ruined by a demonic cult femme fatale. Naturally, the Zhao family would not consent to this.

Thus, Zhao Xiuyan had become incredibly busy lately, juggling the task of severing ties with the Lin family while also soothing his clan's elders to prevent them from taking matters into their own hands against Yan Yan.

Zhao Xiuyan was no fool. Few in the martial world were truly benevolent; he himself had ended the lives of numerous villains. He understood that for his elders, sometimes the simplest solution was the most effective. Hence, he had dispatched even more protectors for Yan Yan and spent days navigating the politics within the Zhao family to appease everyone.

On the Lin family's end, they had been mostly pacified. Perhaps because they felt some guilt, the news of their daughter's broken engagement and remarriage would have tarnished her reputation if not for Zhao Xiuyan's discretion. The man later admitted his fault as the reason for the divorce, allowing the Lin family to gracefully back down and dissolve the marriage.

But there was one condition: Zhao Xiuyan had to promise with all his might to rescue his daughter from the demonic clutches of the Xuan Cang Sect.

To this, Zhao Xiuyan naturally agreed.

With this matter settled, Zhao Xiuyan finally let out a sigh of relief. He had been swamped with work these past few days, only managing to steal a glance at her in the courtyard during the late hours of the night. However, every time he visited, Yan Yan would already be sound asleep, leaving him with little chance to converse with her.

Sometimes, Zhao Xiuyan couldn't help but gaze at Yan Yan's sleeping form for extended periods. He mused that even in her sleep, she exuded gentleness. Her eyelashes rested on her eyelids, her rosy lips slightly pursed, presenting an image of serene tenderness.

Not even his gentle kiss upon her lips could rouse her from her exceptionally peaceful slumber.

Gently pushing aside the long strands of hair that shielded her cheeks, Zhao Xiuyan's fingers softly caressed her face. Amused by her oblivious state, she was still unaware that her clothes had come undone, revealing a hint of soft, fair skin on her chest.

Concerned that she might catch a chill, he reached out to carefully adjust her clothing. Though his intentions were well-meaning, he noticed that the red ribbon securing her undergarment around her delicate neck had somehow loosened.

Two slender red ribbons slipped down to her chest with the gentle movement, barely concealing the lustrous fairness of her skin, which was wrapped in a sheer layer of fabric that undulated softly with each breath, hinting at the secretive and alluring scenery beneath, like a forbidden temptation one willingly dives into despite knowing it leads to an endless abyss.

Zhao Xiuyan's face flushed slightly in an instant.

His initially composed gaze froze for an instant, as if he had been burned, and he shifted away sensitively and uneasily. After a moment of hesitation, he couldn't resist turning back, only to shift away again in embarrassment after a glance. An inner struggle raged within him.

In the end, he couldn't resist. His fingers gently pinched her delicate, porcelain-like chin, and he leaned down to kiss her without any hesitation. He knew he was overstepping, but he just couldn't shake off the memory of her alluring charm beneath him that fateful night. Before, he could restrain himself, but now that he knew she had feelings for him, how could he possibly hold back?

The breathing within the room instantly grew more measured and restrained.

The lanterns on the copper stand cast a soft, warm glow, and Zhao Xuyan kissed for a long while. Initially, the person beneath him didn't react, but later, perhaps roused from sleep, they opened their eyes, dazed, only to see it was him.

Nanyan instantly felt disgusted. How could this man be so much like a dog, always nipping at people? She slapped his face and muttered, "Stop it... I'm tired."

Zhao Xuyan ceased his playfulness, lowering his head with slightly labored breathing. His warm breath brushed against Nanyan's neck as he inhaled her skin's fragrance, feeling an immense sense of fulfillment.

A hint of longing appeared in his eyes. He buried his face in her hair and whispered softly into her ear, "Yanyan, when will I be able to tease you openly? I want to hear you call me your husband, Yanyan. Please say it just once, for me..."

The person beneath him breathed evenly, clearly having fallen back asleep.

Zhao Xiuyan stroked his cheek, suddenly finding the situation somewhat amusing. He had been tormenting himself for nights on end these past few days, yet she, oblivious and carefree, slept soundly and sweetly.

Zhao Xiuyan pinched her rosy cheeks and then spent the entire night propping his head up, gazing at the person in bed until the sky began to lighten, only then did he leave the courtyard.

When Nan Yan awoke, she naturally didn't see Zhao Xiuyan, who had already left. However, she noticed a brocaded box placed beside her pillow. Upon opening it, she discovered a green jade hairpin inside, its transparency and luster exuding elegance and refinement, complementing the wearer's complexion beautifully.

South Yan accepted the hairpin with satisfaction, forgiving the disturbance to her sleep in the dead of night. It had been a few days since she last saw Zhao Xiuyan. She could imagine how busy he must have been, dealing with rumors outside and the pressure from his elders in the household. Pursuing a relationship with her, a woman from the demonic sect, despite his noble status, was no easy task. But such concerns were not for her to bear.

After Nan Yan finished washing up, she lingered alone in the courtyard. This compound could be considered Zhao Xiuyan's private residence, where every flower and blade of grass was arranged according to his preferences. The elegant and delicate vegetation that surrounded her seemed particularly in harmony with his own refined disposition, imbuing the place with a profound sense of aesthetics and serenity.

However, he was occupied and couldn't entertain her. Naturally, Nan Yan had to find something interesting to do. She pondered over what that person could have said to her young junior brother that day. Why hadn't the boy shown up since his return? It wouldn't be appropriate for her to take the initiative to find him. After all, with her gentle disposition, she might easily ruin her image.

Lost in thought, she sat in the courtyard, gently tugging on a blooming peony from the flower bed. Unconsciously, petal by petal, she was stripping the vibrant flower bare.

When Murong Tu finally arrived at the courtyard, this was the scene that greeted him: Nan Yan, dressed in a subtle green robe, her expression as tranquil and composed as always, sitting quietly and obediently in the yard.

Her gaze was fixed, in a trance-like state, on the flowers in the garden. Physically present, her mind seemed to have wandered elsewhere, a faint hint of melancholy reflecting in her eyes.

For a moment, Murong Tu felt a sense of disorientation. Even her bold and captivating eyes appeared somewhat subdued.

How long had it been since he last saw her?

They hadn't spoken since that day he returned.

Recalling the events of recent times, Murong Tuo knew that his senior brother had been going through a rough patch, dealing with rumors outside and enduring the pressure from their clan. He simply didn't have the time to spare for Yan Yan.

That was why he had seized this opportunity, when his senior brother was preoccupied, to secretly come and find her.

In truth, he himself hadn't had an easy time either. Due to his senior brother's situation, the elder members of the clan had pressed him for details, and the Lin family was also probing for information, both openly and covertly, hoping to learn about Yan Yan through him. He had managed to deflect all their inquiries.

In truth, these matters were insignificant. What irked and frustrated him the most was that his senior apprentice-brother had been secretly hindering him, not allowing him to come close to Yan Yan at all. He used various tales about the clan's elders to suppress and occupy him, leaving him utterly overwhelmed. Thus, he hadn't had any real opportunity to seek out Yan Yan these past days.

In that very instant, upon seeing Yan Yan, Murong Tuo realized that his longing for her had intensified, as had his resentment and jealousy towards his senior brother.

He could never forget Yan Yan, nor could he bear to witness her being confined by his senior brother for the rest of her life.

It would be tolerable if she were happy, but she hasn't been happy at all these past few days.

In her heart, she didn't genuinely favor her senior apprentice brother.

If that's the case, why can't he snatch her away from Senior Brother?

Senior Brother had been able to disregard her wishes and forcefully take her away from her husband. Why can't he do the same and take her away from Senior Brother? Moreover, if not for what happened that night, Yan Yan wouldn't have compromised herself to be with him.

Meng Ruo's gaze darkened at this thought.

He had indeed matured in these past few days and no longer reacted impulsively as before. He knew that it wouldn't be easy to take Yan Yan away; he needed a well-considered plan.

But truthfully, he had come today simply to see her. He hadn't spoken to her in a long time, nor had he seen her smile in a while.

Fueled by this thought, Murong Tu couldn't hold back any longer. He vaulted over the wall, landed on the courtyard's catalpa tree, and leaped down directly in front of her, snatching the small flower she was holding tightly.

Nan Yan was startled by Murong Tu's sudden descent from the sky. Her eyes widened, an expression of surprise on her face as she stared blankly at him.

She pondered inwardly, How timely is this guy's appearance? I just complained about being bored, and now he's here to entertain me?

Looking at her stunned, somewhat foolish expression, Murong Tu couldn't help but smile.

"What's the matter, did you fall for this young master's captivating charm? With that gaze of infatuation fixed on this young master, you still dare to say you have no ulterior motives towards me?"

His brows relaxed and lifted slightly, as if he had transformed back into the audacious Master Murong of old. He leaned on the stone table in front of him, gracefully bowing his body to allow her a good view.

Upon hearing this, Nanyan finally came back to her senses.

Her gaze fell upon his thick-skinned face, and she deliberately adopted a slightly annoyed expression. Then, she snatched back the flower that had been taken from him.

Turning her head, she huffed through her nose and scolded with disdain, "How shameless! I was merely startled by your enormous face suddenly appearing out of nowhere. That's why I stared for a moment longer. Who do you think is harboring ulterior motives? You should be ashamed of yourself for saying such things!"

Murong Tao observed her disdainful gaze but didn't feel angered. Instead, an unconscious smile appeared on his face. "This young master relies on this handsome face to navigate the world. My skin is thick, and shame is something I've never experienced. Would you like to touch it and see if you can find any?"

He leaned in with his handsome face, his eyes sparkling like stars, the sharpness between his brows less prominent but still strikingly captivating.

Nan Yan pushed away his imposing visage, her cheeks flushed with irritation. She lifted her gaze to glare at him and warned, "If you keep this up, I won't hold back anymore. Don't think I'm unaware of your intentions to take advantage of me. Are you asking for another slap?"

The mention of taking advantage caused Murong Tu's cheeks to flush slightly. His gaze involuntarily fell on her reddened lips. He recalled that he had only taken that one chance before, licking his lips in anticipation, but she had slapped him away without mercy. She aimed directly at his face and struck fiercely. In his entire life, no one had ever beaten him up so badly.

Only this person had repeatedly targeted his face.

He felt that Yan Yan was reverting to her old self, bickering and arguing with him, unlike her previous gloomy demeanor.

Young Master Murong shifted uncomfortably, his ears tinged with red. He huffed, "Who took advantage of you? That day, I only accidentally bit you because you made me so angry. Don't you remember how fiercely you attacked that day? You looked so delicate with your slender arms and legs, but then suddenly, you pounced on me like a tigress, pinning this young master to the ground. I couldn't even muster the strength to resist; all I could do was lie there and endure your onslaught..."

He continued in a softer voice, mumbling indistinctly, "If you're still unhappy, I can let you bite me back, can't I? You can choose wherever you want – my face, my lips, or maybe even my tongue. I'm not afraid of pain. I even drank some flower tea this morning; it had a sweet, fragrant taste that I think you'd enjoy too..."

South Yan didn't catch what he was muttering towards the end. She only saw his mouth moving and noticed the flush on his cheeks. Turning her head curiously, she asked, "What are you muttering over there? Are you talking bad about me again?"

A suspicious glint flickered in her eyes.

Young Master Murong took a deep breath and turned to glare at her. He grumbled, "Who's talking badly about you? You're just an insensitive block of wood."

Nan Yan: "..."

This brat, what had she done to offend him? Why did he suddenly say she was ignorant of romance? She was quite well-versed in it, thank you very much. The brat was just blind.

Murong Tu noticed the disdainful look she shot him and felt as if an arrow had pierced his heart, leaving him deeply frustrated.

But then he decided against pursuing the matter. Why should he argue with her?

She had only just started to engage him in light-hearted conversation. He didn't want to see that unhappy expression on her face again.

Thus, Young Master Murong rubbed his face forcefully, composed himself, and turned back to flash a generous smile, adopting an attitude of a gentleman not quarreling with a lady.

"Hey, what do you think? Isn't Qingzhou a land of talents and beauty? Surely it's more charming than the lush green peaks of your Profound Azure Sect, isn't it?"

Nan Yan turned away, not wanting to engage in conversation.

Murong Tu didn't mind at all. Straightening up, his eyes gleamed with excitement as he proposed, "How about I take you out to have some fun? You probably don't know, but this young master is quite the big shot around Qingzhou. Many of the delicious foods and drinks here are different from those in your Profound Azure Sect. Would you like me to show you around?"

Upon hearing this, Nan Yan finally reacted. She turned to look at him, her eyes shimmering with moisture, a hint of amusement and curiosity flickering within them.

Yet, a thought flashed through her mind, and the light in her eyes faded gradually. After a moment of hesitation, she lifted her gaze to look at Murong Tu and said, "But Senior Brother Zhao mentioned that it's not very safe outside lately. He told me to stay indoors and avoid going out if possible."

Upon hearing her mention Senior Brother, Murong Tu's heart sank. He knew that Senior Brother had always confined her, from childhood to now. That man appeared relaxed and indifferent, but he had an immense desire for control over what he wanted.

Ironically, he was treating Yan Yan the same way now. Did he think Yan Yan was his possession? Why did he have the right to control her?

Murong Tu exhaled, trying hard to calm the turmoil in his heart caused by the mention of Senior Brother.

Then, he reached out and took hold of Nanyan's wrist. With serious black eyes, he looked at her and said, "With me here, what are you afraid of? Senior Brother's words aren't imperial decrees. Here, you can go wherever you want. This place isn't your prison, and you're not a bird caged by him. Don't you want to be free from his control and decide for yourself for the rest of your life?"

Upon hearing this, Nan Yan looked at him in a daze, seemingly unable to process the information.

Meng Ruo Tu observed her disoriented state and, without hesitation, grabbed her wrist resting on the cushion. Ignoring the approaching maidservants, he encircled her waist and lifted her into his arms before leaping into the air.

They landed on the same osmanthus tree they had entered through, effortlessly jumping over the courtyard wall and leaving the pursuing group behind.

Watching his agile and effortless movements, Nan Yan couldn't help but smile. She gripped his shirt tightly, feeling his rising body temperature and rapid breaths. Playfully, she teased, "Meng Ruo Tu, you're burning up. Why are you feverish all of a sudden?"

Mourning Tu, upon hearing this, instantly felt a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance. Their feet slipped, nearly causing them to tumble down. He held her even closer, eventually turning his face red with frustration as he snapped, "Be quiet."

His current state was solely due to his lack of experience holding women, making him momentarily unaccustomed! Back when he had no particular feelings for her, he found her softness comforting when embracing her. Now that he knew his true feelings, how could his temperature not rise when holding the one he loved? How could his heartbeat not quicken? He wasn't made of wood.

Especially when he looked down and saw her smiling in his arms, with her delicate waist within reach, his heart rate accelerated even more, didn't it?

Some thought must have crossed his mind, as Mourning Tu's face flushed even redder, feeling his heart burning with intensity.

It was as if something was about to burst forth.

Muruo Tu was indeed well-versed in the pleasures of Qingzhou City. He led Nanyan to a nearby orchard, where summer was in full swing. The grass by the stream flourished, and a few wild ducks paddled across the lake. The fruits in the orchard were at their peak ripeness, their juicy flesh glistening with a tender pink hue.

Both of them felt their mouths water, and they shared a glance, unable to suppress their smiles.

In the end, the ever-hungry Young Master Muruo climbed the tree without hesitation. Nanyan directed him from below, "Over here, this way, a bit more to this side. This one is bigger, pick that one..."

"Aiyo, not that one! Muruo Tu, you almost hit my head. Be careful!"

"Did you see that? Muruo Tu, what's wrong with your eyes? I told you it wasn't that one. Can you manage or not?"

When Murong Tu heard his name called from below, there was an indescribable tenderness in the tone, a soft and slightly complaining voice that melted his heart.

He glanced down and casually responded, "Alright, alright, I didn't see properly. Just point it out again, isn't that enough?"

Looking at the girl below, drenched in sweat from her busyness, a delighted smile involuntarily graced Murong Tu's face.

He recalled how, at the beginning, she had been full of integrity, looking at him with disdain, insisting that she would never eat stolen fruit. Yet, within moments, her true nature had emerged. Now, she was picking up every single fruit he had knocked down, holding her skirt as she did so.

And with her head lifted, she eagerly directed him from below, worried that the fruits he hit might not be big enough or, if he missed her favorite one, she would scold him.

It is truly...

His true nature is utterly revealed.

He knew that this woman was the same as him, with a nature that craved food and play at her core, previously confined within the boundaries of Xuan Cang Sect, unable to step out. Now, arriving in Qingzhou, she had finally unleashed her true nature.

How delightful it was to see her smile like that.

The two spent the afternoon feasting on fruit, eventually giving away the excess to neighboring villagers. Before departing, Murong Tu tied a silver coin to the tree that had borne the brunt of their indulgence as a token of appreciation. Satisfied, he led his companion back with a contented heart.

On their way back, both felt a sense of unsatiated joy. Especially when Murong Tuo saw the long-lost smile finally grace the face of the lady beside him, he couldn't help but suppress the joy in his heart.

Observing a thin layer of perspiration on the person's forehead, he instinctively reached out to brush away the hair clinging to her cheek, without any ill intentions. However, as he gazed at her cheeks, which were subtly flushed with a rosy hue, an inexplicable itch arose within his heart. This sensation was particularly pronounced when his eyes fell upon her vivid red lips. Unable to resist any longer, he finally leaned down and stealthily kissed her.

Moments after his stealthy kiss, before he could savor the moment, this person beside him had already seized his ear, causing Murong Tu's face to flush crimson, extending all the way to his neck. He truly had it coming.

With such a golden opportunity, how could Nanyan let him off?

Would they truly believe she was a girl to be trifled with if she didn't teach them a proper lesson?

South Yan tugged fiercely at the man's ear, her cheeks flushing slightly, as if dusted with a delicate layer of blush. She glared at him with a mix of embarrassment and anger in her eyes.

"Rascal, you're taking advantage of me again."

She increased her grip, causing Murong Tao to yelp in pain, "Ouch, ouch! Be gentle, you weren't like this before. You used to slap me, so why are you twisting my ears now? I knew you were up to no good, pretending to be weak and vulnerable back then. Now you're all over me, you almost twisted my ear off!"

"Gently, gently..."

Perhaps it was because the man's attempt to be amusing and cheer her up was too obvious, Nan Yan couldn't help but let out a soft giggle, her eyes curving like blooming pear blossoms.

She had initially been deliberately wearing a stern expression, but this laughter quickly injected vitality into her face. Her eyes sparkled, causing Murong Tao to burst into laughter as well.

They had finally returned to how they used to be.

Murong Tao thought to himself that he disliked seeing her frown every day, looking gloomy. He preferred when she debated with him, full of liveliness, especially when she wouldn't let go when she was right, nor when she was wrong.

It was fine if she hit him; his skin was thick, and he could take a beating.

Nanyan pinched his earlobe firmly and exhaled a warm breath, her chest rising and falling slightly as she glared back at him. "Who's the one being clumsy here? Do you have any shame? You call yourself a hero, but you're nothing but a petty thief, a stinky fruit snatcher. Do you think I'm easy to bully just because I don't know martial arts? Let me tell you, if you ever do this again, I'll..."

Before Nanyan could finish her threat, Murong Tu immediately apologized sincerely. "I dare not, I dare not. I won't do it again, alright? You're a forgiving person, you wouldn't hold a grudge against a small mistake like this, right? Please forgive me this time?"

He lowered his head, his face redder than hers, perhaps due to the momentary loss of control when emotions flared up. After all, he had only kissed her twice, including the one just now. He thought he had shown great restraint.

His swift apology left Nanyan speechless, unable to deliver the scolding she had intended. She simply stared at him with wide eyes.

Seizing the opportune moment, Murong Tu, unnoticed by Nanyan, gently took the hand that was still pinching his earlobe and held it firmly in his palm.

South Yan lifted her gaze to glare at him, just as she was about to withdraw her hand. But he firmly held onto it, provoking her to instinctively call out his name, "Meng Ruo Tu."

"Mm, I'm here," he replied, his expression appearing peculiar, his eyes seemingly deep and intense, while his grip on South Yan's hand tightened.

Feeling uneasy under his odd gaze, she subconsciously took a step back, only to be pulled back again, leaving her somewhat frustrated. "Why haven't you let go yet? Are you bullying me because you think your martial arts skills are superior?"

Although she had a general idea of what he meant, she maintained a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance on her face.

Meng Ruo Tu took a deep breath, as if he had something to say. He had been holding back for a while, in truth, he should have spoken up earlier. Had he done so, his senior wouldn't have beaten him to it.

He longed to ask her if she would leave with him, if she would give him a chance.

Perhaps he had a short temper and impulsive nature, but he was willing to change. He would take good care of her, gradually grow into the person she would love, and make sure she was as joyful every day as she was today. He didn't want to concern himself with too much; all he wanted was to see her smile each day, let her be her true self.

He might not be as thoughtful as his senior brother Zhou in his actions, nor as mature in his thoughts. Yet, he possessed boundless courage and enthusiasm. Though not the sharpest tool in the shed, he was obedient. In the future, he would spend his entire life listening to her, doing whatever she asked. Didn't they say there was a phrase that fit well? "Wife leads, husband follows." He could do that!

In short, he vowed to treat her well for the rest of his life.

As Murong Tu exhaled softly, ready to pour out his heartfelt admiration and joy,

"Ayan, would you be willing to be with me..."

Just as he was about to speak,

A slightly chilling voice suddenly interrupted, shattering the intimacy between them, "Ayan, Junior Apprentice Sister, it seems you two are here."

Upon hearing this voice, Nanyan's body froze. She turned around to see Zhao Xiuyan standing not far away. He looked at them with a calm gaze, his expression gentle as usual. However, upon closer inspection, one could discern a subtle hint of displeasure in his eyes, a chill that betrayed his true feelings.

Nan Yan pressed her lips together, a hint of nervousness appearing on her face. Her fingers, which had been held in Murong Tu's palm, struggled free with some effort. She then turned her head to look at him rather awkwardly.

"Why are you here?"

Seeing her like this, Zhao Xiyan didn't get angry. Instead, he approached her naturally and took her hand, his voice low and gentle. "I came to fetch you home."

A warm smile involuntarily appeared on his face. "Don't you know what time it is? If you get bored staying in the courtyard, why don't you send someone to tell me? I heard from the maid that you went out for a stroll with your junior apprentice brother, so I got a bit worried. That's why I came straight over. Yan Yan, next time if you feel bored, just tell me directly. I'll take you out to have fun."

Upon hearing this, Nan Yan pursed her lips, a touch of hesitation flickering in her eyes. "But aren't you very busy lately?"

Zhao Xiuyan gently pinched her palm, "I've almost finished my duties. From now on, I'll have more time to accompany you. You can rest assured now, right?"

Upon hearing this, Nanyan nodded at him and obediently walked to his side. She seemed to revert back to her former quiet and gentle demeanor.

Muruo, witnessing this scene, involuntarily clenched his fists. He knew that if it hadn't been for his senior brother, if his senior brother hadn't done those things to her or used that incident to control her, she would never have been with his senior brother.

However, Zhao Xiuyan seemed oblivious to his junior standing by the side. He took out a handkerchief from his chest as if no one else was around, softly wiping away the thin layer of sweat on Nanyan's forehead. Then, he chuckled, "It seems you had a lot of fun with Junior Brother today."

Hearing this, Nanyan was about to nod and smile at him but then recalled his recent reminders not to go out. The smile on her lips gradually faded away.

The voice came out muffled, "Not really..."

Seeing her reaction, Zhao Xiuyan's heart softened, and he couldn't help stroking her head. "Alright, I didn't mean to blame you. I just worry about the recent gossip in the city. I'm afraid you might be upset after hearing them, that's why I stopped you from going out."

"But if there's someone to protect you, it should be fine. Alright, get into the carriage first. I'll have the steward take you back. I still have some matters to discuss with my junior brother, so I might return later. Remember to change your clothes when you get home. Your dress is a bit wet."

Nan Yan naturally agreed with his suggestion.

She turned to glance at Murong Tu beside her, her lips moving, but in the end, she said nothing.

Only when Nanyan climbed into the carriage did Zhao Xiuyan turn around, his gaze slightly cold as he looked at his gloomy junior brother.

Muruo Ta sneered. He had now completely severed ties with his senior brother. He confronted him directly, "Is that so? Senior Brother hasn't even married Yanyan yet, but you're already dreaming of controlling everything about her? You want to dictate who she can go out with as well?"

"And what if it is?"

His demeanor was indifferent now, devoid of the gentle restraint he displayed when facing his beloved. Raising his gaze, he met his junior's dark eyes directly, without flinching or avoiding them. "Junior, I am aware of your feelings. Therefore, I forbid you from persisting in your pursuit of Yan Yan."

Murong Tu had been striving to maintain his composure, but upon hearing these words, an inevitable surge of anger rose within him. He clenched his fingers tightly, his eyes suddenly darkening as he fixed the man with a gloomy stare. "Who exactly is harassing her? Don't I share the same feelings as Senior Brother? On what grounds do you forbid me from getting close to her? Is it merely based on your own despicable actions?"

Zhao Xiuyan's gaze also turned cold as he looked at his junior with disdain. "Because I'm going to marry Yanyan, and she has already agreed to marry me."

He turned to look at his junior apprentice brother before him. To be honest, they had grown up together, and he truly regarded this junior as family. But if the younger man didn't restrain himself and continued to harbor unscrupulous desires for his sister-in-law, he would not be able to tolerate it in the slightest. Thus, he had issued an ultimatum at this moment.

His eyebrows and eyes were clear and indifferent, and there was not a trace of a smile on his face at the moment. "So, younger brother, put away those improper little thoughts of yours. I can forgive you for making a few small mistakes when you were not sensible one or two times, but if you keep touching my bottom line again and again, I will really get angry."

After Zhao Xiuyan finished speaking, he didn't bother to engage in further argument with him. He turned around and walked in the direction where the carriage had departed.

I watched helplessly as my senior caught up to the carriage, and then, once more, I saw him take Yan Yan away right before my eyes.

Muru Tan had endured long enough; he could no longer suppress his fury. He kicked over a small tree by the roadside, his expression as dark as still water. He wouldn't let this slide. How could a despicable scoundrel, who gained power through defiling women, have the right to stand beside her? Was it solely because of his shameless tactics?