Translator: NovelMultiverse | Editor: NovelMultiverse
The mask made a light silver light in the snow and flew far away, as bright as the snowy night of the day. The face of the man in black was visible.
Before Yu Linglong could see his face clearly, two thin hot lips suddenly fell to the center of her eyebrows, blocking her sharp eyes.
Her forehead seemed to be burned with a piece of hot coal, and the snowflakes on her forehead were gradually melting. Yu Linglong felt an instant shock, followed by a strange burning sensation.
The answer was so close to herself, so real. She was held in his arms, but she couldn’t see his face clearly.
She struggled desperately, but she couldn’t get rid of his iron hoop-like solid chest. She was beating, kicking, pinching, biting, using 18 kinds of martial arts, but she couldn’t push him away.
She was breathing rapidly, ruined.
Just when she was extremely annoyed, a dark and low voice sounded in her ear: “Is it really that important to you who I am?”
The big hand pressed her against his chest, and the man’s voice was full of magnetism with helplessness as if he was coaxing an innocent child.
Yu Linglong stopped her movements. Her smooth forehead was forced to press against his chest. Her voice was stubborn and unyielding: “If you don’t have any tricks in your heart, why don’t you let me know who you are!?”
He didn’t answer her but was silent, but the strength in his hands was not loose, and he imprisoned her in his arms domineeringly.
In the overwhelming snow, the two figures of him and her became a solidified posture, and they did not move for a long time.
For him, he would not move; for her, she could not move.
The warm body temperature gradually spread in his arms, and even through the heavy clothes, the heat was passed in layer by layer, and the warmth made her feel itchy and tempted to be greedy.
Yu Linglong didn’t dare to relax at all. She waited fully guarded, watching his movements all the time, but after a long time, he was motionless like a statue, wondering what she was thinking.
It was silent for a long time. Her slender body was always tight, stubbornly refusing to give in. He must give her an answer.
After a long time, she heard a long sigh that seemed to be compromised: “Follow me.”
The flying cloak wrapped her tightly. Before Yu Linglong could make a protest, her body rose off the ground and leaped into the heavy snow with him.
Yu Linglong’s head and face were covered in a black cloak, and she could not see anything in the darkness before her eyes. She could only lie motionless in his arms, locked in the unique cold smell of his body.
If it weren’t for this scent, she might not have thought it would be him…
She didn’t know where he was going to take her, she could only feel the body being taken up and down by him. It was obvious that he was performing light work and leaping in the air. After a period of time, she finally felt that his feet were slowing down and they were coming down.
There were several sounds of closing and locking a door in her ears. Soon, she was placed on a couch. Her head was loosened, and the cloak had slipped off her face.
The room was pitch black and she couldn’t see her fingers. In the darkness, she only heard his rustling voice, and she didn’t know what he was doing.
Just as Yu Linglong was about to speak, she saw a small cluster of flames ignite.
The man took out some matches and lit the candle.
Yu Linglong’s gaze immediately fell on his face. The silk palace lantern exuded a dim light, but it was enough to outline the handsome side of his face.
Yu Linglong snorted: “It’s really you.”
Lord Xu looked at her, no longer wearing the usual awe-inspiring white clothes. His face was calm as never before, and two golden flames danced in a pair of azure ink eyes, looking at her thoughtfully.
“You knew it was me?”
Yu Linglong turned away, not wanting to answer this question. She couldn’t say that it was because of his unique mint fragrance that she guessed it was him, right? If he knew the reason, he might turn into that sticky candy that couldn’t be beaten and scolded away.
She looked around and saw that it was a small room with all the tables, chairs, and beds available. It was very clean and concise. There were no extra furnishings. Thick black curtains were hung on all four walls, making it quiet and private.
“Where is this?” Yu Linglong frowned and looked at him.
No matter what this guy’s status was, he shouldn’t live in such a small and clean place. It didn’t look like the Xu Palace in any way.
Lord Xu replied indifferently: “Another courtyard.”
Yu Linglong turned her head. A pair of autumn-water and star-like eyes looked at him, and she finally asked, “Who are you?”
The corners of his angular lips showed a faint smile, and he said: “Naturally, I am Yu Lieyang.”
Yu Linglong was speechless. Even though she guessed that the man in black was him, she still had countless questions in her mind, and she couldn’t figure it out and couldn’t find the answer.
For example, why did he always look like a little prince, squandering and doing whatever he wanted? Why would someone follow him and watch his every move? Why was he once again a mysterious man dressed in black, strong in martial arts, cold and wise, full of murderous air?
Who was he? What was he hiding? And what role did she play in his plan?
As if perceiving her probing gaze, Lord Xu slowly sat in front of her and said in a deep voice, “It’s safe here. Just ask what you want to know.”
Thousands of questions rushed to her lips, but she asked an irrelevant question: “…Why did you let me know?”
With his skill, he could knock her unconscious when she lifted his mask, or use light work to leave. No matter which method was used, he could continue to hide his identity in front of her without worrying about his secrets being exposed.
It seemed that she didn’t expect that she would ask this question. Lord Xu looked at her and suddenly showed a sloppy smile and said: “Even if I don’t tell you, with your cleverness, you would guess it sooner or later.”
Yu Linglong said coldly: “Aren’t you afraid I will tell others?”
He tried every possible means to conceal his identity. He didn’t hesitate to turn himself into a worthless man, and even lose his reputation. It must be for an extremely important reason, but why did he let her know?
He said lightly: “I trust you.”
The three words stopped her provocative questioning, but a strange warmth surged in her heart.
She bowed her head and stroked the cushion under her body, groping for the dense needlework of Su embroidery with her white fingertips, with a strange feeling. This courtyard should be his secret stronghold. He was willing to bring her here and let her touch a part of his secrets, which showed a great trust for her.
In front of people, he wore a white robe, pretending to be crazy and silly. In the night, he was dressed in black, cruel, and he could only put down his mask and be himself here, sitting alone with her.
He was so familiar, yet so strange. She was familiar with the fragrance on his body, with his barely perceptible smile, and more familiar with his cold tone and his overbearing voice, but were those the real him?
The light of the palace lanterns was faint but warm, and the faint brilliance surged between them. Even if they were silent and opposite each other, they also revealed inexplicable peace and harmony.
This strange feeling shocked her, and she shrank back subconsciously. Her moist eyes disappeared from the movement that had just flashed, and she became extremely indifferent again.
“Yu Lieyang, what do you want to do?”
From the moment she lifted his mask, she knew that once she knew his true identity, she would completely fall into this huge vortex and could never get out of it.
But can she escape without knowing his identity?
She tried her best to leave, but things happened one after another, each of which was like a fragment full of magnetism, which held her firmly in the past, unable to break free.
This power was too great. Although she only touched the edge of the whirlpool, she still couldn’t escape, and she could only sink deeply involuntarily.
Since you can’t hide, it’s better to face it head-on; maybe you will find a way out.
At this moment, she looked at Lord Xu coldly, trying to get some clues from him. If there was more information, maybe she would not be as passive as she was now.
Lord Xu thought for a moment, and said, “I don’t have much time to explain to you. Just remember that you cannot marry Gan Lin.”
Hearing what he said, Yu Linglong was furious that he didn’t tell her anything but only asked her to do what he asked. Why did Yu Lieyang direct her to treat her as an unconscious puppet, just playing with her?
Her charming little face was raised stubbornly, and she said coldly: “Why?”
If he didn’t give her reason, he didn’t want her to obediently listen to his instructions!
Under the candlelight, Lord Xu’s handsome face had a faint light, and his magnetic voice was full of calmness and confidence.
“Because you can only marry me.”
Yu Linglong was taken aback. She thought he would reject her coldly, or give her a suitable reason, but she didn’t expect to hear such a possessive declaration.
Her beautiful face was instantly covered with a layer of frost. Yu Linglong’s pretty face sank, and she said angrily: “Marry you? Are you dreaming!”
It didn’t seem that he was surprised by her fierce reaction. Lord Xu smiled, raised his big hands, and gently held her ears, gathering her slightly fluffy baby hairs.
The gentle and intimate actions were accompanied by his domineering and quiet words: “As long as I want to, you can’t escape.”
Yu Linglong smiled with anger, thinking of his deliberate publicity on the Ghost Festival. Her pink lips opened slightly, and she said sarcastically: “You designed each step, just to get me? What good can I do, is it worth such a great expense?”
Did he think she was a three-year-old child who was easy to trick? She was not a girl who was ignorant, who had been fooled by him with a few words of rhetoric!
In this classy ancient society, he was the distinguished Royal Highness Lord Xu, and she was the humble commoner’s daughter from the fourth-rank general. Why did he cause so much trouble to get her? Don’t use love as an excuse. In her eyes, love was bullshit!
Hearing her sharp questioning, the big hand that was squeezing her temples suddenly stopped. In a moment, it suddenly stretched out and lifted her delicate chin.
He forced her to greet his eyes. He had an uncontrollable rage in his deep ink eyes, and said fiercely: “Didn’t you say that you want to marry Gan Lin because of the power of Gan Mansion? Why, is my status not as good as the Gan family’s? In your heart, am I not as good as a nasty kid!?”
Yu Linglong turned her face fiercely and got rid of his restraint. Her pink lips spit out words like ice: “Who do you think you are!? In my eyes, you are nothing! You won’t let me marry, so I must marry—”[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]
Before she finished her words, her soft waist had been swept up by him, and a cold and domineering voice blasted like thunder in her ears—
“Yu Linglong, you can only be mine!”
The hot lips fell behind her ears and in her long hair, so dense as raindrops. With a strong breath, it seemed to declare her belonging.
Yu Linglong was caught off guard, and she subconsciously pushed him, but it was like pushing an extremely hard wall. She exhausted all her strength but it was still useless. Seeing his plundering move from behind her ears to her cheeks, it was about to attack her petal-like corners of her lips in a blink of an eye. She couldn’t help but exclaim, “Stop! I won’t marry!”
This was probably her first time conceding defeat.
Lord Xu finally let go of her. His thin lips pressed slightly, and his handsome face was still a little reluctant. His eyes turned to her angry face, revealing a smile with satisfaction.
“Not bad.”
Yu Linglong glared at him angrily, and said bitterly, “I won’t marry him or you!”
The warm smile was fleeting, and Lord Xu was angry and shouted: “What did you say!?”
Yu Linglong stood up quickly, and said fiercely: “I won’t marry you! You will die of a broken heart!”
With two groups of angry flames dancing in his agate-like black eyes, Lord Xu stretched out his hand and grabbed her slender waist again.
Anticipating that he was going to repeat the same trick, Yu Linglong flipped his hand, quickly opened his hand, and said angrily: “Go!”
She thought he wouldn’t let it go, but she didn’t expect Lord Xu to really stop.
The handsome face quickly recovered his calmness. He watched her standing proudly in front of him. His anger was as if he was breathing fire all over his body, and he didn’t know what to do for a while.
After a long while, he sighed and reached out to hold her hand, ignoring her struggles. His tone was gentle: “Linglong, sit down and listen to me explain to you.”
Unable to hold him back, she had to sit down again, but her whole body was still guardingly unwilling to relax.
Lord Xu sat in front of her, his backlit face had an unmatched handsomeness, and his perfect facial features were lined with a bit of coldness and mystery in his thick black robe, but he still could not hide his heroic spirit.
He considered his words, and it took a long time to speak slowly: “The Gan family is not as simple as you think. Although the population of Gan Mansion is small, it occupies an important position in the court and has always been at the core of the capital’s power. You are so smart, why don’t you think about it carefully: The Gan family is so prominent and Gan Lin is the only son of the first wife. Why did Lady Gan go to the Yu Mansion to propose marriage in person? Why should Gan Lin marry you?”
It was true that Yu Linglong has not considered this issue. After she threw the trouble to Yu Qianjiao, she did not think about it anymore. Now, after listening to Lord Xu, Yu Linglong realized that Lady Gan took the initiative to get Gan Lin engaged to Yu Qianjiao. This matter was indeed strange all over.
Lord Xu looked at the slowly surging candlelight and continued: “It is precisely because the Gan family has too much power, and it is precisely because Gan Lin’s position is so special that Gan Taifu has been unable to decide Gan Lin’s marriage. Regardless of Gan Lin’s marriage, marriage between his family and any family will have a very profound impact on the forces between the court and the family. More importantly—”
Lord Xu paused and said in a deep voice: “Gan Taifu knows that his father has been paying attention to Gan Lin’s marriage. It stands to reason that Gan Lin, as the queen’s only nephew, should be qualified to be married by the father himself, but the emperor has been reluctant. I guess Gan Taifu is afraid that the emperor will have to use this to test him, so that he will be in a dilemma, and he refuses to easily agree to any proposal.
Yu Linglong’s fan fist clenched involuntarily. She really didn’t expect that an unintentional move would have such a complicated background behind it, even related to the distribution of power in the court.
She understood what Lord Xu meant. A high-ranking family like the Gan family was involuntary even in marriage and even had to walk on thin ice, thinking about everything. Since even the emperor was secretly paying attention to Gan Lin’s marriage, this matter was indeed a huge problem.
Gan Taifu must be very clear that the emperor will use Gan Lin’s marriage to test the attitude of the Gan family. As an important family in the capital, the relationships were intricate. If the Gan family made a mistake, it would definitely make the emperor suspicious that they were forming a clique. At that time it will not only be involved in the future of Gan Taifu but also the Queen Gan in the harem…
Thinking about this, Yu Linglong smiled sarcastically: “That’s why Master Gan chose the Yu family?”
Although General Yu had military power in his hands, he was only a third-rank military official after all. Now he had fallen to the fourth rank. In the capital, there were so many people like this that couldn’t enter the top-level power. What’s more, General Yu had been out in battle all year round, and his relationship with relatives and friends in the capital was extremely simple, and it would not involve any political factions. And the most important point was that General Yu had a simple mind. Hearing that the Gan family came to propose marriage, he could only agree with ecstasy, and would never refuse, let alone think about it deeply.
In-laws like this were the most suitable candidates for Gan Lin’s marriage.
Therefore, the Gan family used the rescue of Gan Lin by a lady of the Yu mansion as the reason, and naturally proposed the marriage, which could block the leisurely public to prevent people from coveting Gan Lin’s marriage. The opponent could also show loyalty to the emperor, and show that he didn’t intend on forming a clique; internally, he could keep his own sister Queen Gan’s position in the harem, which was really multi-purpose.
Lord Xu looked at her indifferent face and couldn’t help but smiled helplessly: “Yes, the Yu family has nothing to do with the court party. This is the most important reason for the Gan family to choose you.”
Yu Linglong raised her eyebrows slightly: “In that case, why don’t you let me marry Gan Lin?”
Since his analysis was so eloquent, she should be allowed to marry Gan Lin. This was a win-win situation, but why was he obstructing it in every possible way now? What was his real purpose?
Lord Xu smiled coldly: “After thinking about it, the Gan house thought he had taken a wonderful move to retreat. It’s a pity that they chose the wrong person.”
His starry eyes turned to Yu Linglong. The candlelight reflected his handsome face, and Lord Xu said in a deep voice, “I know you are my woman, so I dare to grab you. They really have wishful thinking!”
Yu Linglong remembered the day when she encountered Gan Lin during the Ghost Festival, and Lord Xu was so domineering, and couldn’t help laughing.
She shook her head reluctantly. Yu Linglong finally decided to tell Lord Xu the truth.
“Then you can rest assured. It is not me that Gan Lin is going to marry, but Yu Qianjiao.”
Now that she knew that Lord Xu was the man in black, Yu Linglong simply told him the truth about how she rescued Gan Lin and how she left Yu Qianjiao’s name, except that the process of rescuing Feng Xuanyuan was omitted.
Hearing her words, Lord Xu’s cold expression gradually eased. Hearing Yu Linglong leaving Yu Qianjiao’s name casually, he reached out and took her little hand, put it on the corner of his lips and kissed it, and smiled: “My Linglong is really smart.”
The sudden act of intimacy caused Yu Linglong’s heart to be slightly startled, but before she had time to dodge, her soft little hand was already on his lips.
Yu Linglong acted as if she was scalded by fire. She immediately retracted her hand, looked at Lord Xu alertly, and said in a cold voice, “What are you happy about? Even if I don’t marry Gan Lin, I won’t marry you!”
She said this over and over again, and it was annoying to say it, but the guy in front of her didn’t hear it. No matter how she refused or lost her temper, he just wanted to do what he wanted to do.
Knowing that Yu Linglong would not marry Gan Lin, Lord Xu was obviously in a good mood. He looked at Yu Linglong with a smile in his inky eyes, and said, “When Yu Qianjiao marries Gan Lin, Gan Lin will definitely find himself deceived, when the time comes, how can the Gan family be willing to let you go? You have no other choice but to marry me.”
Only by marrying Lord Xu would the Gan family swallow this breath and stop pursuing Yu Linglong for deceiving them. Otherwise, with Yu Linglong, a little commoner’s daughter who was helpless and powerless, how could he win the battle with the Gan house?
Yu Linglong snorted coldly: “Didn’t you just say that the Gan family was just looking for an inconspicuous marriage for Gan Lin? Yu Qianjiao is enough, so why would they bother me?”
Lord Xu shook his head: “You don’t understand Gan Lin. Although he is not old, he is extremely stubborn and proud—”
Looking deep at the dimly lit palace lantern, his thoughts were obviously lost in memory: “…I remember that when he was seven years old, he used to like a singer in the prince’s mansion very much, and asked the prince himself to serve her. Who knew that the prince was courting the singer at that time, and when Gan Lin was a child and ignorant, he casually gave him the other two singers. Until the two singers arrived at Gan Mansion, Gan Lin knew that it was not what he wanted. He immediately lost his temper and kicked the two singers out of the house. I thought that would be it, but after a while, at a banquet held by the prince, Gan Lin personally gave a cup of wine to the singer he wanted but didn’t get. After drinking that glass of wine, the singer was poisoned, clutching her throat and twisting on the ground, but could no longer make any sound…”
The corner of Lord Xu’s mouth made a complicated arc, and he said in a deep voice: “In front of the prince, Gan Lin said: What I can’t get, others can’t get!”
A child who was only seven years old was so surly, what kind of temper did he have now?
Looking at her deeply, Lord Xu’s smile had deep meaning: “Guess what will happen if he marries Yu Qianjiao?”
It was nothing! Even if the Yu family was ransacked and destroyed, it was entirely possible!
But Yu Linglong was not moved at all, and turned her face away disdainfully: “Do you want to scare me?”
Lord Xu shook his head, with a calm and serious expression in his starry pupils, staring at Yu Linglong fixedly: “No, I just want to protect you.”
Yu Linglong sneered, and pushed away his stretched hand with her palm: “Protect me? Don’t be hypocritical, okay? Do you think I don’t know? You have been using me all the time!”
Although she didn’t know why he wanted to hide his true identity, she knew clearly that he pursued her in the most ostentatious ways, just trying to use her to hide himself and deceive the eyes and ears of those who secretly monitored him.
By now, she already knew his other identity, but he was still entangled, and kept saying that he wants to protect her? What a joke! If he really wanted to protect her, he wouldn’t force her to come to this mess!
A complex expression flashed across Lord Xu’s eyes, seemingly painful but also helpless. He stretched out his hand to hold Yu Linglong’s wrist, and although she broke free in every possible way, he still clenched.
“Linglong, I did think about using you at first, but later—”
After hearing the first half of his sentence, Yu Linglong was already furious. She didn’t know where she was, she broke free from his restraint, and her pretty face was covered with frost. She shouted, “Shut up!”
Only after shaking off his hand, her body fell into a hard and stubborn embrace, and Lord Xu’s overbearing voice sounded in her ears, and she could not help but refuse strongly.
“Listen to me finish talking!”
Yu Linglong beat him annoyed, scratched him, kicked him, knowing that she could not break free of his imprisonment, but she still struggled regardless.
This damn guy, why was he haunting her!?
He hugged her petite body tightly, with his big hands, grasping her inch by inch, adding strength, seeming to want to rub her into her own bones and blood, but afraid of hurting her. It was so uncontrollable and full of contradictions that he surrounded her with hard arms. She was not allowed to flee.
He had a deep and loud voice, and every word is so serious—
“But now, I really like you! Why don’t you understand!?”
She was so intelligent and unparalleled, how could she never understand his mind? Why did he do his best to look for the best things everywhere to please her; why did he let the entire capital know that she was his sweetheart and could not tolerate anyone bullying or coveting her; why did he ignore the risk of Feng Xuanyuan’s escape, if he refused to hurt her even a little bit; why did he torture her with his affection, to keep her far from danger, to get out in one piece…
Until now, he was more willing to show his true face in front of her, because he did not want to lose her, and he did not want to deceive her.
Yu Linglong stiffened and even forgot to struggle. In the deathly silence, she passively leaned against his chest, clearly hearing his powerful heartbeat, feeling calm.
The unexpected emotions flashed by. Yu Linglong regained her senses, and said coldly: “Are you sick? I beat you and scolded you, but you still say you like me?”
She would not believe his words. She had the experience of her previous life, and if she believed in love again in this life, she would be an out-and-out fool!
Of course, Yu Linglong remembered how she beat him and scolded him every time and how she talked to him. Would he like her like this? If he wasn’t lying, then he was a cheap guy!
Lord Xu pulled her up from his chest, held her pretty face in his hot, big hands, stared into her eyes, and said seriously: “You treat me like that because I am really annoying. Later, I will let you know the real me—”
Yu Linglong pushed away his hand coldly and said in a low voice, “No, I’m not interested!”
This fickle man was full of so many secrets. Why would she want to know him, even if he treated her sincerely? She had made up her mind that she would never fall into the abyss of passion again!
So he can do whatever he likes, but it has nothing to do with her!
She stood up decisively. Yu Linglong said coldly: “Let go of me, I want to go back!”
Lord Xu was silent for a moment, seeming to be sorting out his emotions. After a long while, he slowly got up and said, “I will help you solve the Gan family’s matter.”
Yu Linglong refused: “I don’t need you!”
She didn’t need his help, nor would she accept his kindness. No matter what his purpose was, she doesn’t want to get too close to him.
She didn’t know what time it was. They had been here for too long. The candlelight in the palace lantern jumped a few times and suddenly went out.
In the dark, his big hands were squeezed into fists, as if he was controlling himself not to reach out and grab her. His voice was awe-inspiring with a dull pain, and he said loudly, “Yu Linglong, I want you to live, and live well! No matter what! Whatever happens, I will guard by your side and I will never leave!”
Yu Linglong didn’t want to say more and directly walked out.
Translator: NovelMultiverse | Editor: NovelMultiverse
The mask made a light silver light in the snow and flew far away, as bright as the snowy night of the day. The face of the man in black was visible.
Before Yu Linglong could see his face clearly, two thin hot lips suddenly fell to the center of her eyebrows, blocking her sharp eyes.
Her forehead seemed to be burned with a piece of hot coal, and the snowflakes on her forehead were gradually melting. Yu Linglong felt an instant shock, followed by a strange burning sensation.
The answer was so close to herself, so real. She was held in his arms, but she couldn’t see his face clearly.
She struggled desperately, but she couldn’t get rid of his iron hoop-like solid chest. She was beating, kicking, pinching, biting, using 18 kinds of martial arts, but she couldn’t push him away.
She was breathing rapidly, ruined.
Just when she was extremely annoyed, a dark and low voice sounded in her ear: “Is it really that important to you who I am?”
The big hand pressed her against his chest, and the man’s voice was full of magnetism with helplessness as if he was coaxing an innocent child.
Yu Linglong stopped her movements. Her smooth forehead was forced to press against his chest. Her voice was stubborn and unyielding: “If you don’t have any tricks in your heart, why don’t you let me know who you are!?”
He didn’t answer her but was silent, but the strength in his hands was not loose, and he imprisoned her in his arms domineeringly.
In the overwhelming snow, the two figures of him and her became a solidified posture, and they did not move for a long time.
For him, he would not move; for her, she could not move.
The warm body temperature gradually spread in his arms, and even through the heavy clothes, the heat was passed in layer by layer, and the warmth made her feel itchy and tempted to be greedy.
Yu Linglong didn’t dare to relax at all. She waited fully guarded, watching his movements all the time, but after a long time, he was motionless like a statue, wondering what she was thinking.
It was silent for a long time. Her slender body was always tight, stubbornly refusing to give in. He must give her an answer.
After a long time, she heard a long sigh that seemed to be compromised: “Follow me.”
The flying cloak wrapped her tightly. Before Yu Linglong could make a protest, her body rose off the ground and leaped into the heavy snow with him.
Yu Linglong’s head and face were covered in a black cloak, and she could not see anything in the darkness before her eyes. She could only lie motionless in his arms, locked in the unique cold smell of his body.
If it weren’t for this scent, she might not have thought it would be him…
She didn’t know where he was going to take her, she could only feel the body being taken up and down by him. It was obvious that he was performing light work and leaping in the air. After a period of time, she finally felt that his feet were slowing down and they were coming down.
There were several sounds of closing and locking a door in her ears. Soon, she was placed on a couch. Her head was loosened, and the cloak had slipped off her face.
The room was pitch black and she couldn’t see her fingers. In the darkness, she only heard his rustling voice, and she didn’t know what he was doing.
Just as Yu Linglong was about to speak, she saw a small cluster of flames ignite.
The man took out some matches and lit the candle.
Yu Linglong’s gaze immediately fell on his face. The silk palace lantern exuded a dim light, but it was enough to outline the handsome side of his face.
Yu Linglong snorted: “It’s really you.”
Lord Xu looked at her, no longer wearing the usual awe-inspiring white clothes. His face was calm as never before, and two golden flames danced in a pair of azure ink eyes, looking at her thoughtfully.
“You knew it was me?”
Yu Linglong turned away, not wanting to answer this question. She couldn’t say that it was because of his unique mint fragrance that she guessed it was him, right? If he knew the reason, he might turn into that sticky candy that couldn’t be beaten and scolded away.
She looked around and saw that it was a small room with all the tables, chairs, and beds available. It was very clean and concise. There were no extra furnishings. Thick black curtains were hung on all four walls, making it quiet and private.
“Where is this?” Yu Linglong frowned and looked at him.
No matter what this guy’s status was, he shouldn’t live in such a small and clean place. It didn’t look like the Xu Palace in any way.
Lord Xu replied indifferently: “Another courtyard.”
Yu Linglong turned her head. A pair of autumn-water and star-like eyes looked at him, and she finally asked, “Who are you?”
The corners of his angular lips showed a faint smile, and he said: “Naturally, I am Yu Lieyang.”
Yu Linglong was speechless. Even though she guessed that the man in black was him, she still had countless questions in her mind, and she couldn’t figure it out and couldn’t find the answer.
For example, why did he always look like a little prince, squandering and doing whatever he wanted? Why would someone follow him and watch his every move? Why was he once again a mysterious man dressed in black, strong in martial arts, cold and wise, full of murderous air?
Who was he? What was he hiding? And what role did she play in his plan?
As if perceiving her probing gaze, Lord Xu slowly sat in front of her and said in a deep voice, “It’s safe here. Just ask what you want to know.”
Thousands of questions rushed to her lips, but she asked an irrelevant question: “…Why did you let me know?”
With his skill, he could knock her unconscious when she lifted his mask, or use light work to leave. No matter which method was used, he could continue to hide his identity in front of her without worrying about his secrets being exposed.
It seemed that she didn’t expect that she would ask this question. Lord Xu looked at her and suddenly showed a sloppy smile and said: “Even if I don’t tell you, with your cleverness, you would guess it sooner or later.”
Yu Linglong said coldly: “Aren’t you afraid I will tell others?”
He tried every possible means to conceal his identity. He didn’t hesitate to turn himself into a worthless man, and even lose his reputation. It must be for an extremely important reason, but why did he let her know?
He said lightly: “I trust you.”
The three words stopped her provocative questioning, but a strange warmth surged in her heart.
She bowed her head and stroked the cushion under her body, groping for the dense needlework of Su embroidery with her white fingertips, with a strange feeling. This courtyard should be his secret stronghold. He was willing to bring her here and let her touch a part of his secrets, which showed a great trust for her.
In front of people, he wore a white robe, pretending to be crazy and silly. In the night, he was dressed in black, cruel, and he could only put down his mask and be himself here, sitting alone with her.
He was so familiar, yet so strange. She was familiar with the fragrance on his body, with his barely perceptible smile, and more familiar with his cold tone and his overbearing voice, but were those the real him?
The light of the palace lanterns was faint but warm, and the faint brilliance surged between them. Even if they were silent and opposite each other, they also revealed inexplicable peace and harmony.
This strange feeling shocked her, and she shrank back subconsciously. Her moist eyes disappeared from the movement that had just flashed, and she became extremely indifferent again.
“Yu Lieyang, what do you want to do?”
From the moment she lifted his mask, she knew that once she knew his true identity, she would completely fall into this huge vortex and could never get out of it.
But can she escape without knowing his identity?
She tried her best to leave, but things happened one after another, each of which was like a fragment full of magnetism, which held her firmly in the past, unable to break free.
This power was too great. Although she only touched the edge of the whirlpool, she still couldn’t escape, and she could only sink deeply involuntarily.
Since you can’t hide, it’s better to face it head-on; maybe you will find a way out.
At this moment, she looked at Lord Xu coldly, trying to get some clues from him. If there was more information, maybe she would not be as passive as she was now.
Lord Xu thought for a moment, and said, “I don’t have much time to explain to you. Just remember that you cannot marry Gan Lin.”
Hearing what he said, Yu Linglong was furious that he didn’t tell her anything but only asked her to do what he asked. Why did Yu Lieyang direct her to treat her as an unconscious puppet, just playing with her?
Her charming little face was raised stubbornly, and she said coldly: “Why?”
If he didn’t give her reason, he didn’t want her to obediently listen to his instructions!
Under the candlelight, Lord Xu’s handsome face had a faint light, and his magnetic voice was full of calmness and confidence.
“Because you can only marry me.”
Yu Linglong was taken aback. She thought he would reject her coldly, or give her a suitable reason, but she didn’t expect to hear such a possessive declaration.
Her beautiful face was instantly covered with a layer of frost. Yu Linglong’s pretty face sank, and she said angrily: “Marry you? Are you dreaming!”
It didn’t seem that he was surprised by her fierce reaction. Lord Xu smiled, raised his big hands, and gently held her ears, gathering her slightly fluffy baby hairs.
The gentle and intimate actions were accompanied by his domineering and quiet words: “As long as I want to, you can’t escape.”
Yu Linglong smiled with anger, thinking of his deliberate publicity on the Ghost Festival. Her pink lips opened slightly, and she said sarcastically: “You designed each step, just to get me? What good can I do, is it worth such a great expense?”
Did he think she was a three-year-old child who was easy to trick? She was not a girl who was ignorant, who had been fooled by him with a few words of rhetoric!
In this classy ancient society, he was the distinguished Royal Highness Lord Xu, and she was the humble commoner’s daughter from the fourth-rank general. Why did he cause so much trouble to get her? Don’t use love as an excuse. In her eyes, love was bullshit!
Hearing her sharp questioning, the big hand that was squeezing her temples suddenly stopped. In a moment, it suddenly stretched out and lifted her delicate chin.
He forced her to greet his eyes. He had an uncontrollable rage in his deep ink eyes, and said fiercely: “Didn’t you say that you want to marry Gan Lin because of the power of Gan Mansion? Why, is my status not as good as the Gan family’s? In your heart, am I not as good as a nasty kid!?”
Yu Linglong turned her face fiercely and got rid of his restraint. Her pink lips spit out words like ice: “Who do you think you are!? In my eyes, you are nothing! You won’t let me marry, so I must marry—”[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]
Before she finished her words, her soft waist had been swept up by him, and a cold and domineering voice blasted like thunder in her ears—
“Yu Linglong, you can only be mine!”
The hot lips fell behind her ears and in her long hair, so dense as raindrops. With a strong breath, it seemed to declare her belonging.
Yu Linglong was caught off guard, and she subconsciously pushed him, but it was like pushing an extremely hard wall. She exhausted all her strength but it was still useless. Seeing his plundering move from behind her ears to her cheeks, it was about to attack her petal-like corners of her lips in a blink of an eye. She couldn’t help but exclaim, “Stop! I won’t marry!”
This was probably her first time conceding defeat.
Lord Xu finally let go of her. His thin lips pressed slightly, and his handsome face was still a little reluctant. His eyes turned to her angry face, revealing a smile with satisfaction.
“Not bad.”
Yu Linglong glared at him angrily, and said bitterly, “I won’t marry him or you!”
The warm smile was fleeting, and Lord Xu was angry and shouted: “What did you say!?”
Yu Linglong stood up quickly, and said fiercely: “I won’t marry you! You will die of a broken heart!”
With two groups of angry flames dancing in his agate-like black eyes, Lord Xu stretched out his hand and grabbed her slender waist again.
Anticipating that he was going to repeat the same trick, Yu Linglong flipped his hand, quickly opened his hand, and said angrily: “Go!”
She thought he wouldn’t let it go, but she didn’t expect Lord Xu to really stop.
The handsome face quickly recovered his calmness. He watched her standing proudly in front of him. His anger was as if he was breathing fire all over his body, and he didn’t know what to do for a while.
After a long while, he sighed and reached out to hold her hand, ignoring her struggles. His tone was gentle: “Linglong, sit down and listen to me explain to you.”
Unable to hold him back, she had to sit down again, but her whole body was still guardingly unwilling to relax.
Lord Xu sat in front of her, his backlit face had an unmatched handsomeness, and his perfect facial features were lined with a bit of coldness and mystery in his thick black robe, but he still could not hide his heroic spirit.
He considered his words, and it took a long time to speak slowly: “The Gan family is not as simple as you think. Although the population of Gan Mansion is small, it occupies an important position in the court and has always been at the core of the capital’s power. You are so smart, why don’t you think about it carefully: The Gan family is so prominent and Gan Lin is the only son of the first wife. Why did Lady Gan go to the Yu Mansion to propose marriage in person? Why should Gan Lin marry you?”
It was true that Yu Linglong has not considered this issue. After she threw the trouble to Yu Qianjiao, she did not think about it anymore. Now, after listening to Lord Xu, Yu Linglong realized that Lady Gan took the initiative to get Gan Lin engaged to Yu Qianjiao. This matter was indeed strange all over.
Lord Xu looked at the slowly surging candlelight and continued: “It is precisely because the Gan family has too much power, and it is precisely because Gan Lin’s position is so special that Gan Taifu has been unable to decide Gan Lin’s marriage. Regardless of Gan Lin’s marriage, marriage between his family and any family will have a very profound impact on the forces between the court and the family. More importantly—”
Lord Xu paused and said in a deep voice: “Gan Taifu knows that his father has been paying attention to Gan Lin’s marriage. It stands to reason that Gan Lin, as the queen’s only nephew, should be qualified to be married by the father himself, but the emperor has been reluctant. I guess Gan Taifu is afraid that the emperor will have to use this to test him, so that he will be in a dilemma, and he refuses to easily agree to any proposal.
Yu Linglong’s fan fist clenched involuntarily. She really didn’t expect that an unintentional move would have such a complicated background behind it, even related to the distribution of power in the court.
She understood what Lord Xu meant. A high-ranking family like the Gan family was involuntary even in marriage and even had to walk on thin ice, thinking about everything. Since even the emperor was secretly paying attention to Gan Lin’s marriage, this matter was indeed a huge problem.
Gan Taifu must be very clear that the emperor will use Gan Lin’s marriage to test the attitude of the Gan family. As an important family in the capital, the relationships were intricate. If the Gan family made a mistake, it would definitely make the emperor suspicious that they were forming a clique. At that time it will not only be involved in the future of Gan Taifu but also the Queen Gan in the harem…
Thinking about this, Yu Linglong smiled sarcastically: “That’s why Master Gan chose the Yu family?”
Although General Yu had military power in his hands, he was only a third-rank military official after all. Now he had fallen to the fourth rank. In the capital, there were so many people like this that couldn’t enter the top-level power. What’s more, General Yu had been out in battle all year round, and his relationship with relatives and friends in the capital was extremely simple, and it would not involve any political factions. And the most important point was that General Yu had a simple mind. Hearing that the Gan family came to propose marriage, he could only agree with ecstasy, and would never refuse, let alone think about it deeply.
In-laws like this were the most suitable candidates for Gan Lin’s marriage.
Therefore, the Gan family used the rescue of Gan Lin by a lady of the Yu mansion as the reason, and naturally proposed the marriage, which could block the leisurely public to prevent people from coveting Gan Lin’s marriage. The opponent could also show loyalty to the emperor, and show that he didn’t intend on forming a clique; internally, he could keep his own sister Queen Gan’s position in the harem, which was really multi-purpose.
Lord Xu looked at her indifferent face and couldn’t help but smiled helplessly: “Yes, the Yu family has nothing to do with the court party. This is the most important reason for the Gan family to choose you.”
Yu Linglong raised her eyebrows slightly: “In that case, why don’t you let me marry Gan Lin?”
Since his analysis was so eloquent, she should be allowed to marry Gan Lin. This was a win-win situation, but why was he obstructing it in every possible way now? What was his real purpose?
Lord Xu smiled coldly: “After thinking about it, the Gan house thought he had taken a wonderful move to retreat. It’s a pity that they chose the wrong person.”
His starry eyes turned to Yu Linglong. The candlelight reflected his handsome face, and Lord Xu said in a deep voice, “I know you are my woman, so I dare to grab you. They really have wishful thinking!”
Yu Linglong remembered the day when she encountered Gan Lin during the Ghost Festival, and Lord Xu was so domineering, and couldn’t help laughing.
She shook her head reluctantly. Yu Linglong finally decided to tell Lord Xu the truth.
“Then you can rest assured. It is not me that Gan Lin is going to marry, but Yu Qianjiao.”
Now that she knew that Lord Xu was the man in black, Yu Linglong simply told him the truth about how she rescued Gan Lin and how she left Yu Qianjiao’s name, except that the process of rescuing Feng Xuanyuan was omitted.
Hearing her words, Lord Xu’s cold expression gradually eased. Hearing Yu Linglong leaving Yu Qianjiao’s name casually, he reached out and took her little hand, put it on the corner of his lips and kissed it, and smiled: “My Linglong is really smart.”
The sudden act of intimacy caused Yu Linglong’s heart to be slightly startled, but before she had time to dodge, her soft little hand was already on his lips.
Yu Linglong acted as if she was scalded by fire. She immediately retracted her hand, looked at Lord Xu alertly, and said in a cold voice, “What are you happy about? Even if I don’t marry Gan Lin, I won’t marry you!”
She said this over and over again, and it was annoying to say it, but the guy in front of her didn’t hear it. No matter how she refused or lost her temper, he just wanted to do what he wanted to do.
Knowing that Yu Linglong would not marry Gan Lin, Lord Xu was obviously in a good mood. He looked at Yu Linglong with a smile in his inky eyes, and said, “When Yu Qianjiao marries Gan Lin, Gan Lin will definitely find himself deceived, when the time comes, how can the Gan family be willing to let you go? You have no other choice but to marry me.”
Only by marrying Lord Xu would the Gan family swallow this breath and stop pursuing Yu Linglong for deceiving them. Otherwise, with Yu Linglong, a little commoner’s daughter who was helpless and powerless, how could he win the battle with the Gan house?
Yu Linglong snorted coldly: “Didn’t you just say that the Gan family was just looking for an inconspicuous marriage for Gan Lin? Yu Qianjiao is enough, so why would they bother me?”
Lord Xu shook his head: “You don’t understand Gan Lin. Although he is not old, he is extremely stubborn and proud—”
Looking deep at the dimly lit palace lantern, his thoughts were obviously lost in memory: “…I remember that when he was seven years old, he used to like a singer in the prince’s mansion very much, and asked the prince himself to serve her. Who knew that the prince was courting the singer at that time, and when Gan Lin was a child and ignorant, he casually gave him the other two singers. Until the two singers arrived at Gan Mansion, Gan Lin knew that it was not what he wanted. He immediately lost his temper and kicked the two singers out of the house. I thought that would be it, but after a while, at a banquet held by the prince, Gan Lin personally gave a cup of wine to the singer he wanted but didn’t get. After drinking that glass of wine, the singer was poisoned, clutching her throat and twisting on the ground, but could no longer make any sound…”
The corner of Lord Xu’s mouth made a complicated arc, and he said in a deep voice: “In front of the prince, Gan Lin said: What I can’t get, others can’t get!”
A child who was only seven years old was so surly, what kind of temper did he have now?
Looking at her deeply, Lord Xu’s smile had deep meaning: “Guess what will happen if he marries Yu Qianjiao?”
It was nothing! Even if the Yu family was ransacked and destroyed, it was entirely possible!
But Yu Linglong was not moved at all, and turned her face away disdainfully: “Do you want to scare me?”
Lord Xu shook his head, with a calm and serious expression in his starry pupils, staring at Yu Linglong fixedly: “No, I just want to protect you.”
Yu Linglong sneered, and pushed away his stretched hand with her palm: “Protect me? Don’t be hypocritical, okay? Do you think I don’t know? You have been using me all the time!”
Although she didn’t know why he wanted to hide his true identity, she knew clearly that he pursued her in the most ostentatious ways, just trying to use her to hide himself and deceive the eyes and ears of those who secretly monitored him.
By now, she already knew his other identity, but he was still entangled, and kept saying that he wants to protect her? What a joke! If he really wanted to protect her, he wouldn’t force her to come to this mess!
A complex expression flashed across Lord Xu’s eyes, seemingly painful but also helpless. He stretched out his hand to hold Yu Linglong’s wrist, and although she broke free in every possible way, he still clenched.
“Linglong, I did think about using you at first, but later—”
After hearing the first half of his sentence, Yu Linglong was already furious. She didn’t know where she was, she broke free from his restraint, and her pretty face was covered with frost. She shouted, “Shut up!”
Only after shaking off his hand, her body fell into a hard and stubborn embrace, and Lord Xu’s overbearing voice sounded in her ears, and she could not help but refuse strongly.
“Listen to me finish talking!”
Yu Linglong beat him annoyed, scratched him, kicked him, knowing that she could not break free of his imprisonment, but she still struggled regardless.
This damn guy, why was he haunting her!?
He hugged her petite body tightly, with his big hands, grasping her inch by inch, adding strength, seeming to want to rub her into her own bones and blood, but afraid of hurting her. It was so uncontrollable and full of contradictions that he surrounded her with hard arms. She was not allowed to flee.
He had a deep and loud voice, and every word is so serious—
“But now, I really like you! Why don’t you understand!?”
She was so intelligent and unparalleled, how could she never understand his mind? Why did he do his best to look for the best things everywhere to please her; why did he let the entire capital know that she was his sweetheart and could not tolerate anyone bullying or coveting her; why did he ignore the risk of Feng Xuanyuan’s escape, if he refused to hurt her even a little bit; why did he torture her with his affection, to keep her far from danger, to get out in one piece…
Until now, he was more willing to show his true face in front of her, because he did not want to lose her, and he did not want to deceive her.
Yu Linglong stiffened and even forgot to struggle. In the deathly silence, she passively leaned against his chest, clearly hearing his powerful heartbeat, feeling calm.
The unexpected emotions flashed by. Yu Linglong regained her senses, and said coldly: “Are you sick? I beat you and scolded you, but you still say you like me?”
She would not believe his words. She had the experience of her previous life, and if she believed in love again in this life, she would be an out-and-out fool!
Of course, Yu Linglong remembered how she beat him and scolded him every time and how she talked to him. Would he like her like this? If he wasn’t lying, then he was a cheap guy!
Lord Xu pulled her up from his chest, held her pretty face in his hot, big hands, stared into her eyes, and said seriously: “You treat me like that because I am really annoying. Later, I will let you know the real me—”
Yu Linglong pushed away his hand coldly and said in a low voice, “No, I’m not interested!”
This fickle man was full of so many secrets. Why would she want to know him, even if he treated her sincerely? She had made up her mind that she would never fall into the abyss of passion again!
So he can do whatever he likes, but it has nothing to do with her!
She stood up decisively. Yu Linglong said coldly: “Let go of me, I want to go back!”
Lord Xu was silent for a moment, seeming to be sorting out his emotions. After a long while, he slowly got up and said, “I will help you solve the Gan family’s matter.”
Yu Linglong refused: “I don’t need you!”
She didn’t need his help, nor would she accept his kindness. No matter what his purpose was, she doesn’t want to get too close to him.
She didn’t know what time it was. They had been here for too long. The candlelight in the palace lantern jumped a few times and suddenly went out.
In the dark, his big hands were squeezed into fists, as if he was controlling himself not to reach out and grab her. His voice was awe-inspiring with a dull pain, and he said loudly, “Yu Linglong, I want you to live, and live well! No matter what! Whatever happens, I will guard by your side and I will never leave!”
Yu Linglong didn’t want to say more and directly walked out.
