“Mn, I know. And I haven’t thanked Ah-Xun for saving me yet.”
“No need to thank… Gege does not need to thank me.”
Jun Xun’s face flushed red suddenly, and he shook his head in a flurry of panic. It seemed as if the faint, clean scent of Mu Chengyan still lingered upon his hands.
Mu Chengyan leaned in a fraction closer. “What is it that Ah-Xun wants?”
Gazing at that exquisite, breathtaking face, Jun Xun’s eyes deepened, his throat tightened, and he shook his head.
“Nothing…”
To be by his side was all he ever wanted. He dared not hope for more, nor was he worthy of hoping for more.
Mu Chengyan let out a soft chuckle and spent a good while rummaging through his robes before pulling out a crumpled little item.
Opening his palm, fair as jade, he revealed a small, unevenly embroidered pouch featuring a rather ugly-looking little yellow duck. Its appearance was truly difficult to describe.
“This is a pouch I embroidered myself. I am gifting it to you as a token of thanks for saving me just now.”
“Thank you, Gege.”
Jun Xun received it with the utmost care, as if he were cradling a fragile treasure.
Yueying twitched the corner of his mouth. To think His Highness could actually give away something of his own, and that someone would actually want it?
“The embroidery Gege made is truly beautiful, and the little chicken on it is lovely, too.” Jun Xun gazed at the pouch with burning intensity; this was the finest gift he had ever received.
“Ah-Xun, that is not a chicken; it is a little duck.” Mu Chengyan pointed at the figure on the pouch, earnestly educating the youth.
“Mn, the little yellow duck is also beautiful.” Jun Xun nodded seriously. So, this is a little duck.
Jun Xun held the pouch, completely enamored with it. Yueying stood to the side, arms crossed, his mouth twitching once again. Not only a fool, but also blind.
“Since Ah-Xun likes it, I shall tie it on for you.”
“Okay…”
Mu Chengyan tied the pouch to the youth’s waist. The ugly little yellow duck stood out strikingly against the white fabric of his robes. Yueying desperately wished he could cover his own eyes. His Highness… seems to have found someone else who can accept his handiwork; I suppose I can retire now. It isn’t so bad having this person tag along…
“Beautiful, Gege embroidered it beautifully. It is the best pouch I have ever seen.” Jun Xun stroked the pouch at his waist, his eyes overflowing with happiness.
“Finally caught her! Let’s see how she runs now! Today, she must be made to bow at the wedding ceremony!”
“Grab her and bring her back! Whether we succeed or not depends on this!”
Mu Chengyan heard the commotion and turned his head to see a group of men escorting a woman. It was the same woman from earlier, the one riding the horse; her face was cold and detached, her dark, ink-black eyes as still as dead, stagnant water.
As they passed Mu Chengyan, she cast a glance in his direction.
Suddenly, she broke free with the frenzy of a madwoman and charged straight toward the blade of one of the men’s swords!
“Quick, stop her! If she dies, our leads will be severed!”
The soldiers beside her attempted to intervene, but it was too late the woman’s speed was simply too great!
“Yueying!”
A calm voice rang out. Yueying’s dark figure flashed forward, catching the woman by the collar of her robes and hoisting her straight up into the air. His Highness was kind-hearted; he would never tolerate an innocent person dying right before his eyes.
Mu Chengyan sighed helplessly, bracing his forehead. “Yueying, one cannot treat a lady in such a manner.”
Upon hearing this, Yueying immediately released his grip, causing the woman to land thwack against the ground, face-down…
“I… I didn’t mean to.”
Mu Chengyan shook his head helplessly. It appeared that Yueying was destined to never win a wife in this lifetime.
The man leading the party stepped forward, his appearance rugged and untamed. “Many thanks to this noble hero for your assistance.”
“What are you all doing? Why are you kidnapping a woman and forcing her into marriage?” Yueying asked with curiosity.
“That is not something convenient to disclose. However, if you noble heroes wish to attend the wedding, I am sure my master would be most welcoming he is fond of talented individuals.”
Yueying looked toward Mu Chengyan, who offered a nod.
“Of course we may. We are newcomers here, after all; we wouldn’t mind joining in the fun.”
“In that case, do come along with us.”
The man led his party at the front. Jun Xun suddenly grabbed Mu Chengyan’s hand. “Gege, let’s not go…”
Ever since he had seen this woman, Gege’s gaze had remained fixed upon her. I don’t want… I don’t want Gege looking at anyone else. No one… no one is allowed.
A paranoid obsession flickered in the youth’s eyes, yet Mu Chengyan failed to notice, simply stroking his head gently.
“Ah-Xun, let us go see what is happening.”
Mu Chengyan bent down, his handsome face drawing near to the youth’s. His ink-black pupils shimmered with a radiant glow, his long, butterfly-like lashes casting a faint shadow, and his entire demeanor exuded nothing but gentleness.
Jun Xun nodded blankly. “Okay…”
“Mn.” Mu Chengyan held the youth’s hand as they followed behind.
Jun Xun stared at the large hand clutching his own, his heart quickening its pace. He moved his fingers, brushing them against Mu Chengyan’s warm palm.
A thrill of excitement…
“Gege…”
“Mn? What is it?”
Jun Xun lowered his eyes, shaking his head in panic.
Ahead lay a massive estate, its magnificent gates inlaid with intricate gold patterns and draped in black fabric. As the wind blew, the fabric fluttered in mid-air, creating an eerie, ghostly atmosphere. There were no other buildings in the vicinity; it stood alone in the desolate corner.
“We have arrived. This is the place. Let us all head inside; it is quite lively within.”
The guards escorted the woman inside first. In ordinary weddings, people used red cloth and red flowers. Yet, this household used black cloth and white flowers…
The more Yueying looked at it, the more ominous and bizarre it seemed. He stood guard in front of Mu Chengyan.
“Your Highness, this place is not right. We should not enter.”
“It is fine…”
Mu Chengyan stepped inside. The interior was indeed bustling. Many people mostly elderly folk who presumably loved excitement sat about the massive courtyard. It appeared they had overthought the situation; perhaps this was simply the local custom.
Jun Xun swept his gaze across the surroundings; he could clearly sense the terror radiating from the depths of their eyes. He stayed by Mu Chengyan’s side, keeping a tight grip on his hand.
“Guests have arrived! More guests have arrived!”
“Ah, they look like travelers from out of town. How truly pitiful.”
Several elderly people shook their heads, heaving helpless, soft sighs.
Just then, a side door suddenly swung open, and a man dressed in black robes with a white flower pinned to his chest emerged.
“I hear it was you who helped capture the bride. Truly, many thanks to you all. Why not stay and enjoy a meal with us?”
“Then we thank you for your generous hospitality.”
Ah-Xun had been walking for so long; he must be hungry. Even if this place did feel somewhat unsettling, he had to ensure Ah-Xun filled his stomach first. The boy was nothing but skin and bone, stunted by poor nutrition, and it seemed he hadn’t grown a single inch since being in his care.
Mu Chengyan felt a pang of guilt as he gripped the youth’s small hand. He had never truly cared for another person; it had always been others caring for him.
“Your Highness, this place is strange. We should keep moving and not stay here.”
The people all around them acted abnormally, looking at them as if they were staring at… a dead man!