26 Arriving in Hua Empire
Feng Yi Xuan and Lan You Nian were disguised as merchants as they entered Hua empire’s capital. Hua empire was fabulously rich with magnificent buildings of carved and painted beams. There were green mountains and rivers, and chirping birds and fragrance of flowers. On the streets, shops filled the eyes. The cries of sales came one after another. Men and women walked in groups, forming into a picture of prosperity. Hua empire has already entered autumn but the women still were dressed thinly, as well as the men. In comparison, Lan You Nian seemed to be wearing too much.
“Hua empire’s capital is stunning!” Lan You Nian praised as she looked over the Hua empire that was different than Feng empire. Maybe because she was stuck in the Jing capital every day, the moment she came to Hua empire, Lan You Nian felt this unfamiliar environment made her eyes light up.
“If Nian Nian likes it, once we saved Hua Xiu Yi, we can stay in Hua empire for some time,” Feng Yi Xuan said smiling. Even in Hua empire’s capital, Feng Yi Xuan had a very luxurious courtyard.
After the group entered the courtyard, Feng Yi Xuan held Lan You Nian as he sat and looked to A’Mu who was obviously anxious ever since they arrived in Hua empire, “We haven’t found whether Hua Xiu Yi is alive or dead but this prince believes Hua Xiu Yi’s forces in Hua empire isn’t small. Contact those forces to find whether Hua Xiu Yi is alive or dead. Then we will think of a plan!”
A’Mu bowed and left the courtyard. From the last few days, A’Mu discovered Prince Ming sincerely wished to save Crown Prince, so A’Mu trusted Prince Ming and Lan junzhu. Rumors have it that Prince Ming’s martial arts was very powerful. If they had Prince Ming’s help, they will be able to safely rescue the Crown Prince.
“Xuan, do you think Hua Xiu Yi is still alive?” Lan You Nian observed the brand new courtyard as she asked. Though she already considers Hua Xiu Yi her friend, if Hua Xiu Yi died, they would have wasted a trip.
Feng Yi Xuan carried Lan You Nian as they looked around the serene courtyard. This was a huge ancient courtyard that rested at the food of Hua empire’s secluded and pale mountain in the capital. Behind the courtyard was a forest of bamboo. The segmented bamboo drooped from the walls like whips. Below there was a clean spring well. In the gardens there were rare red and green dragonflies.
“Hua Xiu Yi is very shrewd. Otherwise he would’t be able to sit on the seat of Crown Prince with Hua empire’s emperor’s oppression and take over half the court. Even if he is in danger, with Hua Xiu Yi’s abilities, his life isn’t in danger. Hua empire’s emperor probably won’t kill Hua Xiu Yi at this time!” Feng Yi Xuan hugged Lan You Nian as they strolled around. Amongst the younger generation, Feng Yi Xuan only had a good impression of Hua Xiu Yi. In the past, Feng Yi Xuan had estimated that this Hua Empire will end up in Hua Xiu Yi’s hands.
Listening to Feng Yi Xuan’s a.n.a.lysis, Lan You Nian was in agreement but still asked in confusion, “Why won’t the emperor kill Hua Xiu Yi. I don’t believe Hua empire’s emperor is a father who loves his son!” From what the intelligence report said, this Hua Empire’s emperor was a dissolute man.
“He naturally isn’t a good father but Hua Xiu Yi already has the imperial jade seal in his hand. An emperor without the imperial jade seal, what is his use? So even if he has captured Hua Xiu Yi, he won’t kill him. He will only force a confession of the imperial jade seal’s whereabouts. With Hua Xiu Yi’s smarts, he won’t tell him where the jade seal is!” Feng Yi Xuan answered. This information was only obtained after Ghost Realm spent a lot of effort.
“Oh, it’s like this!” Lan You Nian had to admit Ghost Realm was much more powerful than Wu Qing Pavilion, for Wu Qing Pavilion didn’t get this news. Thinking that Hua Xiu Yi should be fine, Lan You Nian was rea.s.sured. Looking at the courtyard, she asked, “This courtyard is beautiful. Do you have a place everywhere?”
Feng Yi Xuan considered it. Ghost Realm has been developing well these years, “Not every place but there will be!” That way he and Nian Nian can sight-see together and make Nian Nian happy.
“You’ve already given such a heavy betrothal gift, and you still have so much money?” Lan You Nian muttered. She was stunned when she saw the list of betrothal gifts. It wasn’t a small amount of wealth. It can practically be considered a national treasury. Afterwards, Lan You Nian asked An San if Feng Yi Xuan brought out everything from Prince Ming Manor. An San didn’t refute it.
“I still need to raise you so we won’t be lacking in money!” Feng Yi Xuan replied indulgently. He wasn’t sure how many a.s.sets or money he has but after he sent Nian Nian the betrothal gifts, he gave orders to his subordinates to earn more money. He wanted to give Nian Nian the best life so money couldn’t be lacking.
“A’Mu will need some time to return. Do you want to sleep?” Feng Yi Xuan asked. Though they sat in the carriage, they were in a hurry on the road. Feng Yi Xuan can see the tiredness on Lan You Nian’s face.
“Alright!” Lan You Nian didn’t need to put up a front in front of Feng Yi Xuan. She can remove all of her wrappings and face Feng Yi Xuan with a fragile att.i.tude. What she got in return was the best care and love.
After coaxing Lan You Nian to sleep, Feng Yi Xuan had An Yi bring in some memorials to look over. Though he wasn’t in the capital in person, there was still many matters in the capital and Ghost Realm that required his attention. Feng Yi Xuan looked over those booklets. When he was tired, he would turn his head to look at the sleeping Lan You Nian and feel in a better mood, as if the most dull reviewing of memorials became much more interesting.
“Master!” An Yi softly said outside, “A’Mu has returned. He’s waiting in the gardens!”
Feng Yi Xuan “hn”ed and put down the booklet in his hand and went over to the bed. Though he was reluctant to wake Nian Nian, Feng Yi xuan knew Nian Nian was quite worried. Though he was jealous, he supported Nian Nian, so he can only force his hand to wake up Nian Nian.
“Nian Nian, wake up!” Feng Yi Xuan gently said. Lan You Nian only flipped around and continued to sleep. Feng Yi Xuan chuckled, smiling dotingly and leaned down to kiss the red lips he was obsessed with.
The warm and comfortable feeling made Lan You Nian smile. The warm breath lingered on her nose. The pleasant and familiar breath gave people an inexplicable feeling of safety. The burning temperature pa.s.sed through the lips, as they gently and tyrannically tangled in her mouth. Refusing to be submissive, she answered in reply. Tightly shut eyes turned and suddenly felt something was wrong. Thick eyelashes shuddered. Opening her eyes, she stared into a pair of deep violet eyes that seemed to suck her into those tenderness without return.
“Awake?” Feng Yi Xuan’s voice was filled with suppressed l.u.s.t. He discreetly manipulated his energy to force down his desires. He didn’t expect Nian Nian to answer him while she was still deeply asleep, almost made him unable to hold himself back.
Lan You Nian nodded in a daze. Her eyes that were clear as moonlight seeming to sparkle in the luxurious night. That gaze was innocent and pitiful, a hundred percent cute attributes which made Feng Yi Xuan’s body tense.
“A’Mu is already back. Want to go see?” Feng Yi Xuan hurriedly said to divert his attention; otherwise he will really eat Nian Nian. though the two haven’t entered the last step, what should be done was already done by them. But the more they touched, the less satisfied Feng Yi Xuan became. He really really wanted to truly eat Nian Nian. He usually wouldn’t touch Nian Nian’s body afraid he won’t be able to control his l.u.s.t.
Hearing this, Lan You Nian’s eyes cleared up as she sat up and let Feng Yi Xuan help put on her clothes. This has become the two’s habit.
When Feng Yi Xuan and Lan You Nian came to the garden, they saw A’Mu waiting there anxiously with beads of sweat on his head. Lan You Nian had to admit, Hua Xiu Yi’s shadow guard was really loyal.
“Prince Ming, Lan junzhu!” A’Mu hurriedly bowed.
Feng Yi Xuan held Lan You Nian as he sat down, “Speak!” This was Feng Yi Xuan in front of outsiders. Because Lan You Nian was by his side, the cold air around him wasn’t as severe. If Lan You Nian wasn’t by his side, he would be surrounded by an air permeating with coldness.
“The Crown Prince has been imprisoned in the palace by the Emperor but we are unable to find where the Crown Prince is imprisoned no matter how we search!” A’Mu said anxiously. Even with all the spies from Crown Prince Manor in the palace, they weren’t able to find out where the Crown Prince has been imprisoned.
“This prince knows!” Feng Yi Xuan nodded and said to An Yi, “An San has come too right? Have An San come over to see me!”
“Hm?” Lan You Nian looked at Feng Yi Xuan in confusion, not understanding why Feng Yi Xuan had An San come over for. From the look of things, it seems Feng Yi Xuan already had his own plan when he decided to bring An San to Hua empire.
“Give me a kiss and I will tell you!” Feng Yi Xuan’s smile was elegant and gentle, and peerless yet contained a hint of wickedness that stirred one’s heart and soul.
Lan You Nian’s red lips slightly curved. Those brilliant pupils lit up the arched brows like willow by the lake on the third month, carrying the bright and beautiful spring light. Lan You Nian wasn’t shy as she offered up her red lips but only kissed Feng Yi Xuan’s cheek, making Feng Yi Xuan happy and disappointed.
“Talk!” Lan You Nian grinned. She won’t fall for his tricks and kiss him. Every time they kissed, the one who lost out was her.
Feng Yi Xuan helplessly kissed Lan You Nian’s red lips. If the mountain didn’t come to him then he will go to the mountain.
“Hua empire’s emperor is a lover of beauty. There are over thousands of women in the imperial harem. If a beautiful woman caught his eye, he will take her into the palace by all means! He didn’t even let go of the previous emperor’s consorts!” Feng Yi Xuan played with Lan You Nian’s long hair, hair soft as silk made Feng Yi Xuan unwilling to put them down.
Lan You Nian widened her eyes, as a cunning smile took over her lips, “Does Xuan plan to let An San use the beauty scheme?” Lan You Nian really thought the two of them were a perfect match. Last time she had Jing Wu An use the beautiful man scheme and now Feng Yi Xuan wanted An San to use the beauty scheme. Though this method was vicious, it was the best and quickest way.
“En!” Feng Yi Xuan nodded. “Though Hua empire’s emperor is a lover of beauty, he has great ability so we can only use the beauty scheme!” In Feng YI Xuan’s eyes, it wasn’t important what strategy they used. What was important if that they achieve their goal. In the past Feng Yi Xuan used all means to achieve his motive but now he had Nian Nian, his methods have become better.
“Master! Mistress!” An San bowed in greeting. Though she was used to not having any manners in front of the matriarch, and was like friends with the matriarch, An San didn’t dare to act so with the master present. Otherwise An San was certain her death will be horrible.
“You’re here?” Lan You Nian looked over An San. Usually An San always wore a black stealth uniform and her hair was put up in a man’s style nor was there any makeup on her face or any accessories to decorate herself with. Because of practicing martial arts and killing, An San’s skin wasn’t very good but Lan You Nian noticed after carefully inspecting her that An San was a beauty, belonging to the seductive type. If they were to polish her up, she would definitely be able to bewitch someone’s heart.
“Yes!” An San felt gooseb.u.mps rise on her skin from the matriarch’s inspection of her, not there was anything wrong with her gaze but the matriarch’s focus made master’s killing intent start to invade her.
“Go dress up and have An Yi make arrangements. You are going to seduce Hua empire’s emperor and find out where Hua empire’s crown prince is detained!” Feng Yi Xuan covered up Lan You Nian’s eyes as he gave the orders.
“Yes!” An San accepted the orders. In their life, everything their master said was to be followed and obeyed, even seduction. As for whether or not they need to do the deed, it will depend on each one’s abilities.
Lan You Nian pulled on Feng Yi Xuan’s hair, “Let me dress up An San. I promise Hua empire’s emperor will fall over his feet for her!” Lan You Nian wasn’t bragging. The modern makeup was veyr much like surgery. Though Lan You Nian didn’t like to put on make up, it didn’t mean she didn’t know how to.
Feng Yi Xuan pursed his lips in disapproval but before Feng Yi Xuan could think of a reason to refuse her, Lan You Nian pouted, “If you don’t agree, change An San into me. I don’t need makeup and I can seduce…mph…”
Before Lan You Nian could finish her words, her red lips were blocked by Feng Yi Xuan. Feng Yi Xuan took a bite of Lan You Nian’s lips in anger, making Lan You Nian exclaim in pain. After taking a bite, Feng Yi Xuan tenderly licked it and said with a cold face, “Next time don’t utter nonsense!”
“I was just saying it!” Lan You Nian didn’t mention it again when she saw Feng Yi Xuan’s freezing expression and glanced at An San whose head was so low it was against the ground, “Are you going to let me dress up An San?”
“Eh!” How could Feng Yi Xuan let Nian Nian suffer any grievances as he helplessly uttered, “Alright! Do whatever you want!”
Lan You Nian was overjoyed as she had An Yi, a man, go out to buy some powdered blushes and perfumes. An Yi had an inner struggle because he was a man yet he was ordered to go buy women’s things but seeing as it was the matriarch’s orders, An Yi didn’t didn’t refute it and obediently went.
Lan You Nian grabbed all the makeup and led An San into the room and found an outfit she never wore before and very seriously put makeup on An San…
Outside, Feng Yi Xuan looked over some memorials as he waited. An Yi and An Si as well as A’Mu stood there waiting. Then they all saw a completely different An San.
They saw An San wear a light pink floral outfit that wrapped around her body with a white gauze jacket draping over it, exposing the beautiful neck and visible clavicle. The pleats of the skirt was like snow and moonlight as it gently fluttered to the ground, dragging on the floor, making her gait graceful and delicate. Three thousands strands of hair was tied up, with a b.u.t.terfly hairpin inserted and a strand of black hair drooped over her chest. There was a light layer of makeup, only adding some color. The faint pinkness on her cheeks gave off the feeling of skin being lovely and delicate as a flower petal. She gave off an air of a b.u.t.terfly flying with the wind and the spirited and transparent snow…but An Yi smiled so coquettishly, so the two qualities combined at once, making it difficult to tear one’s eyes away.
When An San stepped out, Feng Yi Xuan only swept over her without expression and gently pulled Nian Nian into his arms. As for An San being dressed up so prettily, for Feng Yi Xuan, the odds of getting information became greater.
“Wow! An San, you actually turned into this. It’s too scary!” An Si shouted in horror. Usually An San was a tomboy. In the eyes of the shadow guards, she was a man but seeing An San dressed up, An Si felt his heart move.
“Scary? Where am I scary? Tell me!” An San pulled up her sleeves, about to knock An Si on his head.
“An San, you are now a gentlewoman. Calm!” Lan You Nian said helplessly. The moment An San opened her mouth she exposed her real nature.
An Yi and the others burst into the laughter. Dressed so beautiful yet her words lacked any beauty. An San shot An Si a glare and remembered the gesture the matriarch taught her and curtsied, her voice seductive as she said, “This humble girl gives greetings!”
“Perfect!” Lan You Nian clapped…