Her voice was so soft it tickled him.
"Mhm."
Ye Luan breathed a sigh of relief, "Then go bring Xueqiu over."
Xiao Chi Zhan lowered his eyelids, kissed her forehead, and placed her on the soft couch.
"Then you're not allowed to mention him again either."
This petty, madman.
Ye Luan nodded, "Hurry up and go."
Xiao Chi Zhan was displeased with her perfunctory agreement, but he didn't dare to fuss anymore. He bit her lip heavily before getting up to leave.
As soon as he left, Ye Luan leaned against the side of the couch, her gaze a little complex.
If Xiao Chi Zhan refused to help, she had no way of knowing Lu Feibai's whereabouts.
She couldn't help but sigh, her expression growing more serious.
"The dew of the morning shines, my heart yearns for the light, the road ahead is long and brilliant, may you be well."
The gentle voice still echoed in her ears.
Ye Luan felt a faint unease and a touch of sadness in her heart.
Was he still alive?
When Xiao Chi Zhan returned with Xueqiu, he saw her lost in thought with a medical book in her hands. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes as he strode over and shoved Xueqiu into her arms.
Ye Luan was jolted back to reality by his roughness.
"Meow~"
Seeing the wronged Xueqiu, she kicked him with dissatisfaction.
"Can you be gentler?"
Xiao Chi Zhan seized her foot and began to knead it.
"Where was I rough? Here?"
Her sole felt a heat.
Ye Luan blushed and immediately withdrew her foot, giving him a playful glare.
Seeing her shyness, Xiao Chi Zhan chuckled, stroked her hair, and went to busy himself nearby.
"Oh right, there are tea snacks over there. You can eat some if you're hungry."
He had been busy all day and hadn't had time to eat.
Xiao Chi Zhan glanced at the food by the table and hummed in agreement.
Ye Luan lay half-reclined on the couch, stroking Xueqiu in her arms. She took a deep breath and quietly began reading the medical book.
Within the palace hall, a peaceful silence settled.
He sat at his desk, reviewing memorials, while she lay half-reclined on the nearby couch, holding a cat and reading. A quiet tranquility flowed through the air.
The night breeze was cool, the vermilion window was half-open, and the chirping of cicadas outside carried a hint of coolness into the room.
Ye Luan didn't know how long she had been reading. She felt drowsy and saw that he was still busy. Holding the sleeping Xueqiu, she slightly closed her eyes.
By the time Xiao Chi Zhan finished his work, it was already past midnight.
He glanced at the sleeping figure and the cat on the couch, a smile tugging at his lips. He got up and walked over, picking her up.
Ye Luan groggily opened her eyes, nuzzling into his embrace with Xueqiu in her arms, "Are you done?"
"Mhm."
Holding her, he walked towards the sleeping quarters.
"I need to bathe."
"Alright."
After placing Xueqiu in its sleeping spot, Xiao Chi Zhan carried Ye Luan to the bathhouse behind the palace.
Ye Luan was extremely sleepy. She finished her bath quickly, casually put on a red silk robe, and walked out without even bothering with the man beside her.
Xiao Chi Zhan threw on a robe, scooped her up from behind, and carried her directly back to the main palace.
"Go sleep in your own room."
"No."
Her whole body was soft and boneless as he held her.
He didn't want to spend the night alone.
After Xiao Chi Zhan placed Ye Luan on the cold jade bed, she quickly wrapped herself in the quilt and moved to the inner side, muttering.
"Then be good and don't cause trouble."
Xiao Chi Zhan took off his clothes and got onto the bed. He reached out and pulled her into his embrace.
"Let's sleep holding each other. I won't cause trouble."
Ye Luan's head met the pillow, and she grew even more drowsy.
She was too lazy to argue with him, so she closed her eyes, nestled in his arms, and fell asleep.
Xiao Chi Zhan held her soft, fragrant body, feeling a strong discomfort all over.
"Luan Luan."
She had actually fallen asleep!
Disappointment flashed in his eyes. He lowered his head and licked her lips before embracing her and closing his eyes.
The night passed without incident.
--------
The border was unstable, and the Southern Jiang region repeatedly invaded Lingnan of Da Liang.
Crown Prince Li Qian did not wish for war. He repeatedly submitted memorials to the imperial court, only to be reprimanded by the King of Dingbei, causing him great humiliation. Shortly after, he was placed under house arrest in the Eastern Palace for reasons unknown.
Panic spread throughout the court.
Within a few days, the King of Dingbei, overruling all objections, gathered troops and issued an order for General Dingxi to proceed to Lingnan to cooperate with the King of Lingnan in attacking the Southern Jiang.
For this campaign, the aristocratic sons of King Guangyang, eager to earn military merits, insinuated themselves into the army at every opportunity.
Tan Taiye had wanted to deal with these aristocratic scions for a long time. To purge the army, he practically lived in the military camp, so busy that he rarely returned to his estate.
Lan Murou enjoyed a few days of peace and comfort.
However, one day, the estate's butler announced that Tan Taiye was attending a banquet and ordered her to dress and accompany him.
But after getting into the carriage, she lost consciousness. When she woke up again, she was in a Buddhist shrine.
She was greatly alarmed and quickly looked around.
In front of the Buddha statue, a dignified and elegant woman was kneeling. Her back view was somewhat familiar.
"You're awake."
The woman stood up and turned around.
Madame Yue Hua!
Lan Murou was shocked. She hurriedly tried to support herself to stand, but for some reason, her body was weak and powerless, and she could only slump on the ground.
'Kneel before Madame.'
The old woman behind her immediately held her down, straightening her, and forcing her to kneel on the ground.
Lan Murou's heart was filled with fear. She knelt respectfully, her face composed, and remained silent.
Why did she use Tan Taiye's identity to bring her here? Was the butler bribed by her?
What did she want to do?
The scenes of her being reprimanded by Madame Yue Hua when she first arrived in the capital flashed through her mind, and a chill ran through Lan Murou's heart.
Madame Yue Hua looked down on her status and rarely met her. Why was she seeking her out now?
"You're quite spirited. No wonder my son doesn't even return home."
Her chin was lifted, and her eyes met a pair of calm, unfathomable eyes.
Lan Murou instantly understood. She was referring to the incident where Tan Taiye had gotten angry that day and refused to return to the ancestral home even when the old matriarch had a heart ailment.
She had come to settle the score.
Madame Yue Hua looked at the woman kneeling quietly on the ground, her face expressionless.
"You are quite obedient, but it's a shame your background is too humble. You truly cannot enter the doors of the Tan Tai family."
A hint of sarcasm flashed in Lan Murou's lowered eyes. She didn't like families like theirs either, and she didn't need them to constantly remind her of her status.
Seeing that she was unmoved, Madame Yue Hua sat down leisurely and took a sip of tea.
"Miss Lan, Ah Ye hasn't returned to the estate for several days, has he? Do you know that he has been accompanying the Princess all along? He is probably taking Ah Yan to the Southern estate for a banquet now."
"He doesn't even remember someone like you now. After Ah Yan marries in, will he still dote on you? If he takes in a few more concubines, will he still remember you?"
Lan Murou lowered her eyes and said, "Madame, please speak your mind."
Upon hearing this, Madame Yue Hua lightly tapped her teacup and said in a soft voice.
"Years ago, I reminded you that a man's favor is fleeting, but you refused to leave. Now, he is about to marry, and families like ours absolutely cannot tolerate an outside mistress."
As she finished speaking, the old woman behind her suddenly brought over a tray, on which lay a dagger, poison, and a white silk ribbon.
"Choose one. You've enjoyed so many years of wealth and glory by his side, and it can be considered a life well-lived."
This woman had to be executed.