Heart Protection

As night fell, w.a.n.g Yu Luo started to get busy . The sound of cla.s.sical instruments never ceased . It was lively scene full of music and dance . However the noise of the front courtyard didn"t disrupt the peace of the back courtyard . It was like the middle courtyard screened out the noise . It preserved the night"s tranquility in the back courtyard .

Yan Hui and Tian Yao were given a small building in the back couryard . Looking through the window, Yan Hui could see swaying silhouettes in w.a.n.g Yu Luo . She gobbled down some food: "When we"re done eating, we"re going to visit w.a.n.g Yu Luo . "

Tian Yao raised an eyebrow . He didn"t say anything but gave Yan Hui a subtle look .

Yan Hui turned her head back . Upon seeing his look, she put her bowl down: "What"s with the look? What do you think I"m going to do? It"s a gathering place for the officials and n.o.bles in Yong Zhou City . It has alcohol and beauties . When they get all muddled from the drink and scenery, maybe we"ll be able to snoop out some information . "

That"s true . This place was originally already a place to nose around for information .

Tian Yao looked at Yan Hui . His gaze shifted a little: "Didn"t you tell your friend you won"t investigate this matter?"

"When did I say that? I only told Xian Ge she didn"t have to look into it . I didn"t say I wouldn"t . . . . We need to go before those people get black-out drunk . " Yan Hui shoveled two mouthful of food and gulped them down without chewing . Then without caring if Tian Yao had eaten his fill yet, she hurriedly pushed him out of the room . "I"m going to change . Then we can go . "

Tian Yao didn"t even get a change to put down his bowl and chopsticks before the door was shut in his face . He already got used to Yan Hui"s impulsive and rash behavior . He wasn"t the slightest bit angry . Tian Yao just looked down at his bowl of food and stood a little off to the side to finish it .

When he was thinking about returning the empty bowl to the kitchen, Yan Hui pulled open the door: "How do you do a man"s hairstyle? Help me tie it . "

Yan Hui was wearing an indigo changshan . It looked like she had bound her chest because it was flatter than usual . She was brushing her hair with a comb, but she just couldn"t get the bun right . Yan Hui frowned and tried a few more times before letting go of her hair: "I can"t do it . You comb it for me . "

Yan Hui walked into the room .

Tian Yao stood there and stared, but in the end, he could only follow her in .

Yan Hui sat down in front of the dressing table . She brushed her her onto the top of her head and then pa.s.sed the comb to Tian Yao: "Hurry up . "

Tian Yao placed his bowl down and on the table and then stood behind Yan Hui . He subconsciously started to reach for the comb, but when he saw their reflection in the mirror, his hand suddenly stopped: "Brushing someone"s hair is too intimate . It"s sometime a wife, husband, or parent would do . . . . . . "

"You"ve already bitten and laid on me . How would simply brushing my hair create any sparks between us?" Yan Hui rolled her eyes, cutting off Tian Yao"s words: "Now you care about brushing hair? Don"t worry, it"s impossible something happen between us . "

Tian Yao mulled over it .

True enough .

He took the comb from Yan Hui and gathered her hair without hesitation .

The two of them had an unusual relationship; each had their own plans . The current Yan Hui was completely immune to romance . For Tian Yao, he couldn"t run away from it fast enough . It was exactly as Yan Hui had just said .

It was impossible for something to happen .

Tian Yao go rid of his minor worries for now . Little by little, he brushed out her hair . Then he gathered it at the top of her head and used a hair cloth to bind it .

He was completely engrossed in his task . His eyes never wavered away from Yan Hui"s hair .

Yan Hui studied Tian Yao"s appearance through the dressing table mirror . She never thought that as she got closer to him, he would turn out to be a careful, steady, and filial person . He truly was grateful toward the grandmother to raised him in Tong Lou Mountain . It was obvious he had a grateful heart . . . . . . It could be inferred that he was a gentle demon twenty years ago .

But now . . . . . . he had become someone who didn"t even know how to smile, gloomy and indifferent .

Zhenren Su Ying could be pinned as the one who destroyed the skills Tian Yao learned over the millennium . She forcefully disrupted his life"s path .

"Done . " Tian Yao lifted his eyes and saw Yan Hui"s slightly dazed expression in the mirror . He frowned: "Where"s the hairpin? Put it in yourself . "

He turned around and walked away .

Yan Hui randomly selected a hairpin and stuck it through her hair . She followed Tian Yao toward w.a.n.g Yu Luo .

Yan Hui took a fan and started to fan herself, taking on the appearance of a master from a rich family . All of the girls along the way recognized her . Each and every one laughed and called out: "Sir Yan, Sir Yan!"

 Yan Hui had no reaction at all . It was clear this wasn"t the first or second time she had done this .

The pair walked into w.a.n.g Yu Luo . Yan Hui led Tian Yao up two stories . She found a place to sit and asked Tian Yao: "Teach me again the heart technique you taught me in the forest . The one that lets me sense far . I want to investigate . "

 Tian Yao side-eyed her: "You should memorize things when I teach it to you the first time . "

"That time I was in a rush . I learned it and used it . There was no time to take it to heart . This time I will remember it when you teach it to me . "

Tian Yao taught it to Yan Hui again . As expected, Yan Hui learned it quickly . But this time, barely a moment had pa.s.sed before Yan Hui immediately covered her ears: "Too noisy . "

"Last time in the forest, it was quiet all around . Now we are in a noisy place, you have to control it even more now . Listen to what you want to listen . Look at what you want to look . "

Yan Hui pulled a bitter face: "It"s easier said than done . " Although Yan Hui muttered that, she slowly put her hand back down and endured the clamour . Yan Hui slowly grew accustomed to the gaudy surroundings .

When all was said and done, Yan Hui learned very quickly . It wasn"t long before Yan Hui learned to filter out what she didn"t want to hear and focus on what she did want to listen to .

She tilted her hair and delicately started to search .

The girls" light laughter, the mens" arrogant words . Yan Hui heard it all, but not a single person talked about the demon trade . It was like no one in Yong Zhou City knew about this busineses .

Yan Hui frowned .

But at this moment, Yan Hui suddenly heard a slightly familar voice coming from w.a.n.g Yu Lou: "You really saw? She came here again?"

At the same time, Yan Hui looked out the door . She saw someone wearing silk embroidered clothes . He had a scholarly air . . . . . . . A fatty walked into w.a.n.g Yu Lou . It was like some magical force . The chubby man looked toward the second floor and locked eyes with Yan Hui .

"Ah, another trouble came . . . . . . " Yan Hui muttered without even realizing .

Tian Yao heard her words and followed her gaze . He also saw the round scholar .

The man clomped in, ignoring the gazes of everyone around . He swiftly went up the stairs and went directly to Yan Hui"s side . He looked at Yan Hui: "Yan . . . . . . Yan Hui . " He was extremely stirred up . Even his words were unclear . He also sounded a little cautious: "You"re back . "

Yan Hui took a sip of tea . Only then did she turn to look at him: "So it turns out to be Sir w.a.n.g Peng Yuan . Long time no see . "

w.a.n.g Peng Yuan"s face turned red just from those words . He was speechless for a long time . Then, he stammered: "Long . . . . . . long time no see . I heard you were here earlier, but I, I, I was busy . I couldn"t see you . Today, today . . . . . . "

w.a.n.g Peng Yuan"s face turned red just from those words . He was speechless for a long time . Then, he stammered: "Long . . . . . . long time no see . I heard you were here earlier, but I, I, I was busy . I couldn"t see you . Today, today . . . . . . "

"Today, I ought to be leaving . " Yan Hui stood up and smiled . Then she reached out and took Tian Yao"s hand . Tian Yao wanted to take his hand back, but Yan Hui held on tight . She turned and looked at Tian Yao . Her guileless smile had a hint of a warning . "Come with me, Tian Yao . "

 Tian Yao: " . . . . . . "

w.a.n.g Peng Yuan was stunned . He looked at Yan Hui holding Tian Yao"s hand . Then his somewhat shocked gaze swept over Tian Yao"s face: "Yan Hui . . . . . . who . . . . . . . who is he?"

"Oh," Yan Hui casually threw out her words: "I"m with him now . "

Tian Yao"s mouth twitched . Yan Hui turned her head to look back at him . She smiled through slightly clenched teeth: "Isn"t that right, Tian Yao . "

" . . . . . . "

w.a.n.g Peng Yuan was thunderstruck: "To . . . . . together? You two . . . . . . "

Yan Hui ignored him . She led Tian Yao away, brushing past w.a.n.g Peng Yuan . He was left alone on the second floor . It seemed like he wanted to cry, but no tears fell .

When they reached the back courtyard, Yan Hui let out her breath: "We kept hidden when we came here in the morning . Who were we still discovered?"

Tian Yao shook off Yan Hui"s hand and wiped his hand: "Was he one of the people you tricked into becoming gay?"

"The girls were just joking," said Yan Hui . "He knows I"m a female . "

Tian Yao didn"t have much interest in this topic . He just said something to make fun of Yan Hui before dropping the subject . He focused back on the actual reason why they were here: "Did you hear anything about the demon trade while we were in the building?"

Yan Hui shook her head: "The people who came to w.a.n.g Yu Lou are all rich and respectable people . They didn"t mention the l.u.s.t fragrance, let alone the demon trade . It"s like no one in this city knows about it . "

Tian Yao contemplated that for a few moments: "Or perhaps, they don"t have the status to know about it?"

Those words made Yan Hui"s eyes light up . According to what the fox demon said earlier, the fragrance was sold to n.o.bility . After a fox demon was captured and their blood drained, it then had to be refined into the fragrance . When all was said and done, the amount of l.u.s.t fragrance was extremely scarce . Even money might not be enough to buy it . You had to have the status . . . . . .

Those words made Yan Hui"s eyes light up . According to what the fox demon said earlier, the fragrance was sold to n.o.bility . After a fox demon was captured and their blood drained, it then had to be refined into the fragrance . When all was said and done, the amount of l.u.s.t fragrance was extremely scarce . Even money might not be enough to buy it . You had to have the status . . . . . .

"Wait," Yan Hui suddenly said . "Maybe he can get some information!"

"Who?"

Yan Hui pointed toward back where they came from: "The fatty just now . " She continued: "Don"t look at his size . He"s actually the son of the mayor of Yong Zhou City . I heard before he has an older sister who entered the palace and became an imperial concubine . His dad controls Yong Zhou City . If you want to do business here, you definitely have to get permission from the dad . "

This p.r.i.c.ked Tian Yao"s interest: "With that status, even though he more on the stout side, he could have any girl . Why would he like you?"

"Ling Xiao used to come to Young Zhou City pretty often to get rid of demons . Sometimes he would bring me along . Once time, the fatty fell asleep in the city outskirts and was captured by demons . I saved him . Then . . . . . . ah, wait! What did you mean by those words? What"s wrong with liking me?"

Tian Yao focused on the second floor: "Go ask him . "

Yan Hui followed Tian Yao"s lead and focused back on why they were here: "We can"t today . It"ll be too obvious why if we go back now . He"ll come looking for me tomorrow . We"ll lie in wait and seize the chance . "

Yan Hui finished talking . She waited for a long time, but she didn"t hear a reply from Tian Yao . She looked up and saw him staring at her .

Yan Hui thought that was strange: "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing . " Tian Yao turned his head . The corner of his lips quirked up . His voice was so soft that even the sharp-eared Yan Hui couldn"t clearly hear him . "Just looking at a fool . "

When Yan Hui and Tian Yao entered the back courtyard, they pa.s.sed through a small room . The two of them didn"t notice w.a.n.g Peng Yuan was behind them, hiding behind a pillar . He resentfully stared after those two . Even whey their figure could barely be seen, w.a.n.g Peng Yuan still didn"t move .

"Sir . . . . . . " A servent who stood off to the side softly called out . "We should go back now . Otherwise, Madam will be worried . "

w.a.n.g Peng Yuan tightly pressed his lips together: "Yan Hui is mine . "

"Sir?"

"I want to make Yan Hui mine . " When he said those words, w.a.n.g Peng Yuan"s eyes were red with jealousy .

As night fell, w.a.n.g Yu Luo started to get busy . The sound of cla.s.sical instruments never ceased . It was lively scene full of music and dance . However the noise of the front courtyard didn"t disrupt the peace of the back courtyard . It was like the middle courtyard screened out the noise . It preserved the night"s tranquility in the back courtyard . Yan Hui and Tian Yao were given a small building in the back couryard . Looking through the window, Yan Hui could see swaying silhouettes in w.a.n.g Yu Luo . She gobbled down some food: "When we"re done eating, we"re going to visit w.a.n.g Yu Luo . " Tian Yao raised an eyebrow . He didn"t say anything but gave Yan Hui a subtle look . Yan Hui turned her head back . Upon seeing his look, she put her bowl down: "What"s with the look? What do you think I"m going to do? It"s a gathering place for the officials and n.o.bles in Yong Zhou City . It has alcohol and beauties . When they get all muddled from the drink and scenery, maybe we"ll be able to snoop out some information . " That"s true . This place was originally already a place to nose around for information . Tian Yao looked at Yan Hui . His gaze shifted a little: "Didn"t you tell your friend you won"t investigate this matter?" "When did I say that? I only told Xian Ge she didn"t have to look into it . I didn"t say I wouldn"t We need to go before those people get black-out drunk . " Yan Hui shoveled two mouthful of food and gulped them down without chewing . Then without caring if Tian Yao had eaten his fill yet, she hurriedly pushed him out of the room . "I"m going to change . Then we can go . " Tian Yao didn"t even get a change to put down his bowl and chopsticks before the door was shut in his face . He already got used to Yan Hui"s impulsive and rash behavior . He wasn"t the slightest bit angry . Tian Yao just looked down at his bowl of food and stood a little off to the side to finish it . When he was thinking about returning the empty bowl to the kitchen, Yan Hui pulled open the door: "How do you do a man"s hairstyle? Help me tie it . " Yan Hui was wearing an indigo changshan . It looked like she had bound her chest because it was flatter than usual . She was brushing her hair with a comb, but she just couldn"t get the bun right . Yan Hui frowned and tried a few more times before letting go of her hair: "I can"t do it . You comb it for me . " Yan Hui walked into the room . Tian Yao stood there and stared, but in the end, he could only follow her in . Yan Hui sat down in front of the dressing table . She brushed her her onto the top of her head and then pa.s.sed the comb to Tian Yao: "Hurry up . " Tian Yao placed his bowl down and on the table and then stood behind Yan Hui . He subconsciously started to reach for the comb, but when he saw their reflection in the mirror, his hand suddenly stopped: "Brushing someone"s hair is too intimate . It"s sometime a wife, husband, or parent would do " "You"ve already bitten and laid on me . How would simply brushing my hair create any sparks between us?" Yan Hui rolled her eyes, cutting off Tian Yao"s words: "Now you care about brushing hair? Don"t worry, it"s impossible something happen between us . " Tian Yao mulled over it . True enough . He took the comb from Yan Hui and gathered her hair without hesitation . The two of them had an unusual relationship; each had their own plans . The current Yan Hui was completely immune to romance . For Tian Yao, he couldn"t run away from it fast enough . It was exactly as Yan Hui had just said . It was impossible for something to happen . Tian Yao go rid of his minor worries for now . Little by little, he brushed out her hair . Then he gathered it at the top of her head and used a hair cloth to bind it . He was completely engrossed in his task . His eyes never wavered away from Yan Hui"s hair . Yan Hui studied Tian Yao"s appearance through the dressing table mirror . She never thought that as she got closer to him, he would turn out to be a careful, steady, and filial person . He truly was grateful toward the grandmother to raised him in Tong Lou Mountain . It was obvious he had a grateful heart It could be inferred that he was a gentle demon twenty years ago . But now he had become someone who didn"t even know how to smile, gloomy and indifferent . Zhenren Su Ying could be pinned as the one who destroyed the skills Tian Yao learned over the millennium . She forcefully disrupted his life"s path . "Done . " Tian Yao lifted his eyes and saw Yan Hui"s slightly dazed expression in the mirror . He frowned: "Where"s the hairpin? Put it in yourself . " He turned around and walked away . Yan Hui randomly selected a hairpin and stuck it through her hair . She followed Tian Yao toward w.a.n.g Yu Luo . Yan Hui took a fan and started to fan herself, taking on the appearance of a master from a rich family . All of the girls along the way recognized her . Each and every one laughed and called out: "Sir Yan, Sir Yan!"  Yan Hui had no reaction at all . It was clear this wasn"t the first or second time she had done this . The pair walked into w.a.n.g Yu Luo . Yan Hui led Tian Yao up two stories . She found a place to sit and asked Tian Yao: "Teach me again the heart technique you taught me in the forest . The one that lets me sense far . I want to investigate . "  Tian Yao side-eyed her: "You should memorize things when I teach it to you the first time . " "That time I was in a rush . I learned it and used it . There was no time to take it to heart . This time I will remember it when you teach it to me . " Tian Yao taught it to Yan Hui again . As expected, Yan Hui learned it quickly . But this time, barely a moment had pa.s.sed before Yan Hui immediately covered her ears: "Too noisy . " "Last time in the forest, it was quiet all around . Now we are in a noisy place, you have to control it even more now . Listen to what you want to listen . Look at what you want to look . " Yan Hui pulled a bitter face: "It"s easier said than done . " Although Yan Hui muttered that, she slowly put her hand back down and endured the clamour . Yan Hui slowly grew accustomed to the gaudy surroundings . When all was said and done, Yan Hui learned very quickly . It wasn"t long before Yan Hui learned to filter out what she didn"t want to hear and focus on what she did want to listen to . She tilted her hair and delicately started to search . The girls" light laughter, the mens" arrogant words . Yan Hui heard it all, but not a single person talked about the demon trade . It was like no one in Yong Zhou City knew about this busineses . Yan Hui frowned . But at this moment, Yan Hui suddenly heard a slightly familar voice coming from w.a.n.g Yu Lou: "You really saw? She came here again?" At the same time, Yan Hui looked out the door . She saw someone wearing silk embroidered clothes . He had a scholarly air . A fatty walked into w.a.n.g Yu Lou . It was like some magical force . The chubby man looked toward the second floor and locked eyes with Yan Hui . "Ah, another trouble came " Yan Hui muttered without even realizing . Tian Yao heard her words and followed her gaze . He also saw the round scholar . The man clomped in, ignoring the gazes of everyone around . He swiftly went up the stairs and went directly to Yan Hui"s side . He looked at Yan Hui: "Yan Yan Hui . " He was extremely stirred up . Even his words were unclear . He also sounded a little cautious: "You"re back . " Yan Hui took a sip of tea . Only then did she turn to look at him: "So it turns out to be Sir w.a.n.g Peng Yuan . Long time no see . " w.a.n.g Peng Yuan"s face turned red just from those words . He was speechless for a long time . Then, he stammered: "Long long time no see . I heard you were here earlier, but I, I, I was busy . I couldn"t see you . Today, today " "Today, I ought to be leaving . " Yan Hui stood up and smiled . Then she reached out and took Tian Yao"s hand . Tian Yao wanted to take his hand back, but Yan Hui held on tight . She turned and looked at Tian Yao . Her guileless smile had a hint of a warning . "Come with me, Tian Yao . "  Tian Yao: " " w.a.n.g Peng Yuan was stunned . He looked at Yan Hui holding Tian Yao"s hand . Then his somewhat shocked gaze swept over Tian Yao"s face: "Yan Hui who . who is he?" "Oh," Yan Hui casually threw out her words: "I"m with him now . " Tian Yao"s mouth twitched . Yan Hui turned her head to look back at him . She smiled through slightly clenched teeth: "Isn"t that right, Tian Yao . " " " w.a.n.g Peng Yuan was thunderstruck: "To . together? You two " Yan Hui ignored him . She led Tian Yao away, brushing past w.a.n.g Peng Yuan . He was left alone on the second floor . It seemed like he wanted to cry, but no tears fell . When they reached the back courtyard, Yan Hui let out her breath: "We kept hidden when we came here in the morning . Who were we still discovered?" Tian Yao shook off Yan Hui"s hand and wiped his hand: "Was he one of the people you tricked into becoming gay?" "The girls were just joking," said Yan Hui . "He knows I"m a female . " Tian Yao didn"t have much interest in this topic . He just said something to make fun of Yan Hui before dropping the subject . He focused back on the actual reason why they were here: "Did you hear anything about the demon trade while we were in the building?" Yan Hui shook her head: "The people who came to w.a.n.g Yu Lou are all rich and respectable people . They didn"t mention the l.u.s.t fragrance, let alone the demon trade . It"s like no one in this city knows about it . " Tian Yao contemplated that for a few moments: "Or perhaps, they don"t have the status to know about it?" Those words made Yan Hui"s eyes light up . According to what the fox demon said earlier, the fragrance was sold to n.o.bility . After a fox demon was captured and their blood drained, it then had to be refined into the fragrance . When all was said and done, the amount of l.u.s.t fragrance was extremely scarce . Even money might not be enough to buy it . You had to have the status "Wait," Yan Hui suddenly said . "Maybe he can get some information!" "Who?" Yan Hui pointed toward back where they came from: "The fatty just now . " She continued: "Don"t look at his size . He"s actually the son of the mayor of Yong Zhou City . I heard before he has an older sister who entered the palace and became an imperial concubine . His dad controls Yong Zhou City . If you want to do business here, you definitely have to get permission from the dad . " This p.r.i.c.ked Tian Yao"s interest: "With that status, even though he more on the stout side, he could have any girl . Why would he like you?" "Ling Xiao used to come to Young Zhou City pretty often to get rid of demons . Sometimes he would bring me along . Once time, the fatty fell asleep in the city outskirts and was captured by demons . I saved him . Then ah, wait! What did you mean by those words? What"s wrong with liking me?" Tian Yao focused on the second floor: "Go ask him . " Yan Hui followed Tian Yao"s lead and focused back on why they were here: "We can"t today . It"ll be too obvious why if we go back now . He"ll come looking for me tomorrow . We"ll lie in wait and seize the chance . " Yan Hui finished talking . She waited for a long time, but she didn"t hear a reply from Tian Yao . She looked up and saw him staring at her . Yan Hui thought that was strange: "What are you looking at?" "Nothing . " Tian Yao turned his head . The corner of his lips quirked up . His voice was so soft that even the sharp-eared Yan Hui couldn"t clearly hear him . "Just looking at a fool . " When Yan Hui and Tian Yao entered the back courtyard, they pa.s.sed through a small room . The two of them didn"t notice w.a.n.g Peng Yuan was behind them, hiding behind a pillar . He resentfully stared after those two . Even whey their figure could barely be seen, w.a.n.g Peng Yuan still didn"t move . "Sir " A servent who stood off to the side softly called out . "We should go back now . Otherwise, Madam will be worried . " w.a.n.g Peng Yuan tightly pressed his lips together: "Yan Hui is mine . " "Sir?" "I want to make Yan Hui mine . " When he said those words, w.a.n.g Peng Yuan"s eyes were red with jealousy