Help, stop messing around.
Lian Yue bit her lip, like a little aggrieved bun, silently walking up to Gu Quan and murmuring, “Marquis Gu, I didn’t mean it that way. Please don’t misunderstand me or get angry with me because of this.” Her eyelashes fluttered, her small face deathly pale as if he had committed some heinous crime.
Gu Quan was so angry he laughed.
This woman was just too good at pretending.
But he truly wasn’t a good person – otherwise, last night he wouldn’t have deliberately circulated his qi and forced Dual Cultivation with her when she tested him with her inner force.
Thinking about it this way,
He really was a scoundrel.
“I’m not angry at all,” Gu Quan smiled without it reaching his eyes. “After all, if you don’t want to share a horse with me, you can always walk.”
Walk?
That wouldn’t do!
Upon hearing this, Lian Yue immediately said, “Thank you, Marquis Gu, for being willing to take me.”
Women – so fickle.
Gu Quan nodded: “Get on the horse.”
“Alright.”
This time Lian Yue didn’t chatter anymore, obediently mounting the horse and sitting in front of him.
The young man’s solid arms held her, making her back press completely against his chest, creating an especially intimate atmosphere.
Neither Yuan Jing nor Shao Qing said anything – after all, strictly speaking, Gu Quan should naturally be closer to her.
What could they say? They couldn’t say anything.
They had no standing.
Plus, they were all close friends. Even if inappropriate thoughts arose in their hearts when interacting with the young woman, those romantic feelings that only appeared when the two of them were together shouldn’t be mentioned now.
Yuan Jing looked at the beautiful woman who seemed somewhat flustered on the horseback, his expression growing increasingly detached.
He calmly thought that everything he had previously done for Lian Yue was only because A Quan had asked him to, nothing more.
He withdrew his gaze, mounted his horse, and followed behind Gu Quan, though his slender fingers gripping the reins were tense, betraying that his inner thoughts didn’t match his outward appearance.
Shao Qing glanced at Gu Quan, then at Yuan Jing, before his gaze finally settled on Lian Yue. He cleared his throat.
Too beautiful, too eye-catching.
What man could resist? Thinking about himself being alone with her, it really was…
He took a deep breath.
Going crazy.
Better find a way to stay away.
Lian Yue paid no mind to what others thought, obediently leaning against the young man’s chest, wrapping both arms around his left arm, pressing tightly against him on the bumpy horseback.
During the journey, she looked up.
Even though it was winter, Gu Quan seemed very hot, sweating profusely. Beads of sweat the size of beans rolled from his cheeks to his chin, then from his chin to his Adam’s apple – very sensual.
Lian Yue withdrew one hand and kindly wiped away his sweat with her fingertip.
Gu Quan stiffened all over, unable to resist looking down to warn her: “What are you doing?”
His tone was fierce.
Lian Yue withdrew her hand, wearing an apologetic expression: “I saw you were sweating, so I helped wipe it off. I didn’t mean anything else.”
Ahem.
She pitifully lowered her head: “Don’t get the wrong idea.”
Wrong idea?
Hah.
Gu Quan felt this woman was doing it deliberately, intentionally retaliating for him being fierce with her earlier.
He single-handedly grasped her mischievous hand, his large hand enveloping her small one, unable to resist kneading it a few times as he said angrily: “What wrong idea should I be getting?”
“Or rather,” the young man’s voice lowered slightly, “what are you trying to lead me to think?”
The horse ran fast, the withered trees along the road becoming blurred shadows, with the rustling of wind in their ears.
Lian Yue’s back was pressed against the other’s chest—warm and scorching. Though separated by layers of clothing, the heat seemed to penetrate the fabric, as if ready to burn her skin red.
She rubbed her ears, cleared her throat, and spoke in a gentle tone: “Marquis Gu, could you please stop teasing me? I truly didn’t mean it that way.”
Gu Quan released her: “I didn’t mean it that way either.”
Lian Yue: “…”
Exactly.
She had deliberately touched him—so what if she did? Let him bite her if he dared.
Men had their inherent flaws, and women certainly had theirs too. He was the one who pressed himself against her—she hadn’t initiated it. Why pass up an advantage when it presented itself? So what if she touched his Adam’s apple?
Being so handsome was itself a form of seduction.
That’s what the young woman thought.
Hmph.
Seeing Lian Yue fall silent, Gu Quan continued watching her from the corner of his eye.
Her expression was remarkably serene. Ink-black strands of her hair, blown by the wind, slipped into his collar, their ends lightly tickling his chest—an itchy sensation.
No longer was she alluringly smiling, without flattering grins or deliberately feigned fragility. This seemed to be her true self.
Heart-stirringly captivating.
Gu Quan tightened his arm around her waist, his expression darkening.
Fortunately, Lu Xun was already dead. She no longer belonged to any man.
After traveling for a full day, they encountered Cheng Zong returning for the funeral twenty li from the city gate. Informing him that his father’s death might have other causes, they discussed and decided that Gu Quan and Yuan Jing would bring several skilled men disguised as Cheng Zong’s friends to enter the city with him, while Shao Qing remained outside for support.
Cheng Zong, twenty-two years old with the courtesy name Zi Fuxiao, had handsome features. Dressed in a brown robe and green headscarf, he wore a sword at his waist, carrying an air of the martial world.
He said: “I’ve been traveling abroad while my wife remained at home. My heart is truly uneasy—I only wish to see her soon.”
“Understandable,” Gu Quan said. “We’ll enter the city traveling through the night.”
After a brief rest, the group continued toward Fancheng.
In the past, such relentless travel would have exhausted Lian Yue.
But now…
With inner force enhancing her, she felt no fatigue even after a full day’s journey.
Excellent.
Truly excellent.
By the hour of Hai that day, they reached Fancheng. After waiting at the city gate for two hours, Cheng Yi finally opened it with feigned courtesy, welcoming Cheng Zong inside.
Magistrate Cheng had previously served under King Chang Liu. After the king’s death, he pledged allegiance to Gu Quan as his lord.
Cheng Yi wasn’t Magistrate Cheng’s biological son and spent most of his time handling affairs outside, having met King Chang Liu only a few times—let alone recognizing Gu Quan.
Thus, seeing Cheng Zong acquainted with youths of such imposing demeanor, he grew even more wary.
He asked suspiciously: “And these two are?”
Cheng Zong introduced them: “Cui Jinzhao of the Cui Clan and Yuan Meng of the Yuan Clan—both good friends I met during my travels. Hearing of my father’s passing, they specially returned with me to pay respects.”
These two were not prominent figures. Even if they came from the Cui and Yuan Clans, they were likely just collateral descendants—nothing to fear.
Cheng Yi wore a warm smile: “I see, please come in quickly.”
Gu Quan and Yuan Jing entered first. Even under pseudonyms, their aristocratic arrogance was unmistakably evident.
Lian Yue quietly followed.
Petite in stature, she had been hidden behind the tall, sturdy men. Now that the two moved ahead, her figure was revealed, drawing Cheng Yi’s intense gaze and an expression of astonishment.
“And this young lady is?” Cheng Yi found her somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall where he might have seen her before.
“My name is Xiao Yue.” Lian Yue paused upon hearing this, bowed to him, and introduced herself pitifully, “I am Jin Zhao Gongzi’s maid.”
As she finished speaking, a flicker of coldness flashed in her eyes.
She recognized him.
This man had previously met with that gang of bandits in Peng City—she never expected he would be the adopted son of Fancheng’s magistrate.
Gu Quan glanced at her, his lips twitching at her words: “Xiao Yue, follow me.”
With a face full of fear, she replied, “Yes, Gongzi.”
Gu Quan: “What are you up to?”
Lian Yue instinctively raised her hand, her voice small and panicked: “Jin Zhao Gongzi, I was wrong, please don’t hit me.”
Gu Quan was speechless.
In contrast, Yuan Jing revealed a smile.
Interesting.
When they arrived at the government office, Cheng Zong went to the mourning hall to keep vigil, while Gu Quan and Yuan Jing went to pay respects to Magistrate Cheng. Afterwards, Cheng Yi arranged for them to rest in the same courtyard.
The men they brought stood guard in the courtyard, ensuring no one was eavesdropping nearby.
Once the outsiders had left.
Gu Quan looked at the young woman who had brought him the water basin and frowned, “Set it down for now.”
Lian Yue: “Oh.”
Yuan Jing and Gu Quan sat facing each other, a candle lit on the table, its faint warm glow illuminating their three faces.
Gu Quan said irritably, “Earlier in front of others, why did you look at me so fearfully, as if I were some kind of cruel master? Have I offended you?”
He snorted coldly, “What game is Moon Consort trying to play?”
Yuan Jing drank his tea, also looking at the young woman.
Lian Yue lowered her eyes, avoiding the question and changing the subject, “I wish you would call me Xiao Yue, not Moon Consort, alright? When you call me Moon Consort, it always makes me feel as if there’s a barrier between us.”
Her voice was muffled, “Of course, I know that you’re so kind to me, always taking care of me, all because of Lu Xun—it has nothing to do with me personally. But I thought, since we’ve known each other for so long, we could become friends, not just because of Lu Xun.”
Gu Quan: “Friends?”
Lian Yue lowered her head even further, softly uttering an “Mm,” as if deeply embarrassed.
Gu Quan sneered, “Who wants to be friends with you?”
She had just deliberately set him up and now she’s trying to change the subject—did she think he had no temper at all?
Lian Yue was stung.
Too much, too much.
Can’t we just talk properly?
She turned to Yuan Jing for help, her eyes glistening, tears somehow clinging to her eyelashes, making her look utterly pitiful.
Gu Quan: “…”
This woman really knew how to provoke him.
Yuan Jing refilled his own teacup, casually adding half a cup for Gu Quan as well, avoiding those captivating eyes.
His expression was particularly aloof, and he did not chime in, though the joints of his fingers gripping the cup were white—no matter how much he pretended not to care, he was still angered by the young woman using him to provoke someone.
This wasn’t just provoking A Quan; it was provoking him too.
Thus, Yuan Jing also remained silent.
Lian Yue was left hanging, looking even more like a pitiful little thing. Anyone unaware would think they were showing her no consideration at all.
Wow.
She bit her lip, her voice murmuring, “I was presumptuous.”
The young woman’s voice carried a hint of humiliation, her tone growing softer, “I come from a lowly background, while both of you are from noble families. We’re not the same kind of people—it’s only natural that you look down on me and don’t want to be friends with me. I understand. I’m sorry, my earlier words overstepped.”
Gu Quan twitched the corner of his mouth.
If someone truly felt inadequate, they wouldn’t speak like this. These words sounded like an accusation that they were looking down on others.
No. He was no dog.
Almost got tangled in my own words.
Gu Quan sneered coldly: “At least you have some self-awareness.”
Lian Yue: “…” Such a sharp tongue.
Hah, hilarious.
Who wants to be friends with you anyway?
I was just saying it, and you actually took it seriously.
She cleared her throat, her voice losing its forced sweetness: “Forget I said anything.”
With that, she put on a cold expression and casually picked up a teacup to pour herself some tea, completely shedding her previous unease.
Tired of pretending.
Time for a break.
The atmosphere in the room remained heavy. A long while passed without anyone speaking.
Seeing her cold expression, Gu Quan raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze to the composed Yuan Jing.
Their eyes met.
A flicker of understanding passed through Yuan Jing’s eyes. Seeing the young lady finish her tea, he refilled her cup and smoothed things over: “Helping you was indeed because of Lu Xun initially, but human relationships develop through interaction. After all we’ve been through these days, even if you hadn’t said anything, we already consider you a friend.”
He then looked up at Gu Quan: “Right, A Quan?”
“Hmph.” Gu Quan snorted lightly. “Perhaps.”
His gaze returned to Lian Yue.
Friends? He only wanted to be her lover.
Lian Yue immediately felt the urge to perform again, putting on a shy smile: “Then from now on, could you all call me Xiao Yue? ‘Madam’ sounds too distant. I’d like to be closer to you all.”
Gu Quan nodded.
“Acceptable.”
Yuan Jing remained silent, appearing to agree.
Lian Yue said: “Since we’re all friends now, could you help me? I can’t mobilize the inner force in my Dantian. It’s so difficult to refine.”
When she first learned that having inner force invade her body could allow others to control her life, she had been somewhat apprehensive. But then she thought – she was weak to begin with. Anyone who wanted her life could take it anytime. Whether she tried to defend herself or not probably made no difference to them.
Lian Yue could take it slow, but today she discovered that some of her old enemies were still alive. She needed to eliminate them.
Those who prey on others deserve to die.
Therefore.
Better take shortcuts and live off others.
Unaware of the hatred in Lian Yue’s heart, Gu Quan could only sigh helplessly: “Xiao Yue, Xiao Yue, you’re certainly clear about your goals.”
Lian Yue blinked: “Is that okay?”
When you find a sucker, of course you milk them for all they’re worth.
Gu Quan glanced at his friend, his eyebrow twitching as he deliberately said: “If you want to quickly refine the inner force I gave you, it requires Dual Cultivation. Are you willing?”
Lian Yue answered without hesitation: “Willing, willing!”
Crash—
The teacup in Yuan Jing’s hand shattered, fragments cutting his slender fingers.