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墨書 Inktalez
With a hoarse yet determined voice, the man’s words struck Le Yao Yao like a bolt from the blue, leaving her utterly stunned.
A wave of dizziness washed over her, and one thought consumed her mind—
It’s over!
The secret was out; she had hit that arrogant Pig-Headed Man, and now he had come looking for her.
Although she didn’t think she had done anything wrong by hitting him—if given the chance, she would gladly beat him up again—the key was that it should have remained a secret.
Now, she had struck someone, and he had come to confront her. Moreover, the living Yama knew about it; it seemed she wouldn’t see the sun rise tomorrow.
As this realization sank in, fear and sorrow filled Le Yao Yao’s heart.
Especially as the living Yama's piercing gaze bore down on her. Though his expression appeared calm, his eyes were lethal, as if a powerful force was directed at her, sending chills down her spine.
“Uh, well…”
Le Yao Yao hesitated, wanting to explain something. However, the man didn’t give her a chance to speak. With a sharp flick of his sleeve, he turned and strode out of the Elegant Breeze Pavilion towards the main entrance.
Seeing this, Le Yao Yao could only swallow hard, tears brimming in her eyes.
Oh heavens! Could this really be the end for her!?
…
The entrance to Duke Rui's Residence was grand and imposing. The towering Crimson Gate stood heavy and solemn, exuding an air of authority that commanded respect.
Even the guards stationed at the gate were clad in heavy armor, their presence formidable and unyielding, making it clear that they were not to be trifled with!
At this moment, in front of Duke Rui's Residence, a group of unruly servants had gathered.
Leading them was a large man, adorned in gold and silver, with a round face resembling that of a pig—Fatty.
Fatty's pig-like face was covered in bruises, but what stood out the most were the matching black eyes he had received from a recent beating. At first glance, one might mistake him for a national treasure!
This group was none other than Master Shi, also known as Shi Cheng, who had just been thoroughly beaten by Le Yao Yao. Unable to contain his anger, he had rushed home to change clothes, not even bothering to apply medicine before hastily bringing his household servants back to settle the score.
Shi Cheng was the type who relied on his father's influence to bully others in Capital City. He had always been the one to oppress others; no one dared to offend him!
Let alone being beaten so severely as he had just been. Even his father, when enraged to the point of smoke coming out of his ears, had never laid a hand on him—at most, he would make him kneel before their ancestors.
So now that he had been humiliated by someone, and that someone was merely a lowly servant, how could he possibly swallow this anger?
Although that servant belonged to Prince Rui's household, Shi Cheng felt justified in seeking revenge. He believed that even if Prince Rui himself appeared, he would have to give him an explanation!
However, Shi Cheng thought that confronting a mere servant wouldn’t attract Prince Rui’s attention; at most, the steward of Duke Rui's Residence would come out to handle it.
Moreover, with his father's status and his sister being a favored consort of the emperor, surely the steward would not want to offend him and would obediently hand over the servant who had struck him.
With these thoughts in mind, Shi Cheng confidently brought along a large group of servants. Little did he know that things would take an unexpected turn…
As he watched a tall and exceptionally handsome man stride out of the palace gates with confidence, the previously noisy crowd fell silent in fear.
The man wore sparkling white robes with a thin layer of gauze over them. The gauze was intricately embroidered with golden and silver threads depicting auspicious clouds.
As the man moved gracefully, his garments flowed like clouds in the wind, and his long hair danced around him, making him appear like an immortal ready to soar into the sky…
As he approached step by step, everyone naturally sensed the noble aura emanating from the man, but there was also an underlying chill that seemed to seep through.
His cold eyes were devoid of emotion, resembling a bottomless ancient well, making it impossible for anyone to guess his true thoughts.
It was this elusive feeling that created a sense of suffocation and pressure.
Moreover, there was a violent aura surrounding him, one that only someone who had experienced years of bloodshed could possess.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he stepped gracefully out from the doorway. Leng Junyu's cold gaze swept over the crowd.
In an instant, those outside felt an extremely cold current rushing toward them, like the biting winds of December, causing them to shiver uncontrollably.
Ugh...
It's too cold...
However, if a mere glance could make them tremble with cold, then what followed—Leng Junyu's icy voice—was as if they were being pulled into an unfathomable Ice Cave.
"Are you here to cause trouble at the Wangfu?"
Leng Junyu's voice was languid, his words lightly articulated as if carried by the wind through the treetops. Yet, to the crowd, it sounded like thunder.
"N-no..."
"Absolutely not..."
Upon hearing Leng Junyu's words, the crowd turned pale, panic spreading among them.
After all, they wouldn't dare to cause trouble at the royal residence, no matter how many times they thought about it!
Especially since, although the man's voice was low and lazy, there was an invisible sense of heavy pressure that surrounded him.
It felt as if a large stone was pressing down hard on everyone's heads.
Even Shi Cheng, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, now resembled a lost dog, his face pale and defeated.
After all, whether it was animals or humans, when faced with a powerful opponent, a deep-seated fear would inevitably arise.
At this moment, even if Leng Junyu merely spoke a few light words, it was enough to suppress the entire crowd.
The gazes directed at him were filled with unmistakable fear.
Le Yao Yao, who had followed Leng Junyu out, couldn't help but sigh at the scene before her.
This was what presence looked like, wasn't it!?
Looking at Shi Cheng, who had been beaten into a swollen mess, Le Yao Yao felt a surge of satisfaction in her heart.
Seeing the fear etched on Shi Cheng's face made him look utterly pathetic! The more she looked at this big pig of a man, the more she despised him.
However, she completely forgot that when facing the living embodiment of hell itself, her own heart felt just as fearful as anyone else's…
As Le Yao Yao pondered this in her mind, Shi Cheng over there perhaps also felt that being so humiliated in front of so many guards was truly a loss of face.
So despite being terrified inside, he forced himself to maintain a calm demeanor. However, if one were to look closely at his legs, which were shaking uncontrollably…
"Well, Prince Rui, today, I was attacked at the Joyful Inn, and the ones who attacked me were from Duke Rui's Residence. What do you think we should do about this?"
Shi Cheng's initial panic and fear began to fade as he spoke. Perhaps he felt that he was the most innocent party in this situation, and it was Duke Rui's Residence that had wronged him. As he continued to speak, his earlier anxiety dissipated.
After all, he was now standing on the side of 'reason.' Surely everyone would give him an explanation, right?
With that thought, Master Shi straightened his back, and his stuttering ceased.
However, what Shi Cheng didn’t realize was that his demeanor only earned him a disdainful snort from someone else.
"Oh, so it's Master Shi who got beaten up."
Leng Junyu spoke slowly with a low tone, but paired with the look of sudden realization on his face, it only made him seem more infuriating.
His expression—one of blatant contempt—was unmistakable. In Shi Cheng's eyes, it caused his face to flush with anger and embarrassment.
If this person weren't known as the Living Hell, Shi Cheng would have wanted nothing more than to step forward and give him a good beating for looking down on him like that. Unfortunately, this person was indeed the Living Hell. No matter how disdainfully he looked at him or spoke to him, Shi Cheng lacked the courage to confront him.
After all, the ruthless methods and violent deeds of the Living Hell were well-known throughout the Celestial Yuan Dynasty. Just a few days ago, news of an assassin incident at Duke Rui's Residence had somehow spread outside.
It was said that some remnants from Liangshan had foolishly attempted to infiltrate the royal residence to avenge their lost bandits. In the end, they were all dealt with by the Living Hell himself—without exception. The worst part was that each death was uniquely gruesome; limbs severed or heads crushed while hearts and intestines spilled out...
It was truly terrifying beyond words.
So even though Shi Cheng was furious inside, he dared not act recklessly.
However, this was a matter of his own face. Therefore, Shi Cheng steeled himself and awkwardly argued for himself with a face as red as a pig's head.
"This, this is because when I wanted to go to the bathroom, those two people covered my head with a sack, and I was caught off guard, which is why I got beaten..."
As he spoke, Shi Cheng seemed to feel that being beaten was not something to be proud of. No matter how it happened, he had indeed been hit, losing face in the process. Anger bubbled within him, and he continued, "I ask the prince to hand over the two servants who beat me!"
After saying this, Shi Cheng glared at the living embodiment of hell itself, convinced that after such a declaration, Leng Junyu would have no choice but to hand over the culprits.
However, Shi Cheng was mistaken this time. If it had been anyone else, they would have likely felt compelled to appease him due to his father's position as the Minister of Rites, perhaps even apologizing profusely and offering compensation.
But when it came to Leng Junyu, that was a different story.
Leng Junyu didn't even glance at Shi Cheng. He merely lowered his gaze slightly and asked the Chief Eunuch beside him in a soft voice, "Chief Eunuch, has any servant left the palace today?"
"In response to the prince," the Chief Eunuch replied, "no one has left the palace today."
Upon hearing Leng Junyu's words, a flicker of understanding passed through the Chief Eunuch's eyes. After all, he had earned his position as the chief steward of Duke Rui's Residence through careful consideration and keen insight. He had watched Leng Junyu grow up; how could he not understand his thoughts?
Just from the slight sideways glance Leng Junyu had given him earlier, the Chief Eunuch had already begun to calculate his response. He quickly adopted a respectful demeanor and lowered his gaze.
In reality, both of them were speaking nonsense.
After all, in such a vast Duke Rui's Residence, with over a thousand servants and guards combined, countless individuals entered and exited daily. How could it be possible that no one had gone out?
So when Chief Eunuch spoke, anyone with a discerning eye could tell he was lying.
If it had been someone else, a bit more clever, they would have realized that Leng Junyu and Chief Eunuch were covering up something and didn’t want to hand anyone over.
Moreover, the esteemed prince of the Celestial Yuan Dynasty, second only to the emperor, could even command the emperor at times. Who in the entire Celestial Yuan Dynasty would dare to oppose him!?
Yet, there was someone with a pig-headed face and a pig-headed brain who refused to acknowledge their own foolishness. Stepping forward, he shouted at Chief Eunuch.
“You dog servant, are you getting old and confused? How could no one have gone out? Stop lying to me! And this token belongs to Duke Rui's Residence; don’t think you can weasel out of this!”
Shi Cheng shouted loudly from the side, and despite Li Kui’s attempts to stop him, it was too late.
After all, Shi Cheng didn’t realize that his foolishness was apparent; Li Kui was not so dull and had already guessed the underlying meaning.
Furthermore, if things escalated now, it wouldn’t end well for them. After all, even if Shi Cheng’s father was an Assistant Minister of Rites and his sister was a favored concubine of the emperor, what did that matter!?
This Celestial Yuan Dynasty ultimately belonged to the Cold Family; they were merely subjects in someone else's realm.
On top of that, this living hell was known for his unpredictable temperament—his love for slaughter meant that if he became displeased, one wrong move could cost them their lives!
The more he thought about it, even Li Kui, who usually stood behind Shi Cheng with an imposing presence, felt his heart race with fear at Shi Cheng’s foolishness.
Unfortunately for Shi Cheng, he remained oblivious to this fact. His pig-like brain was filled with anger as he continued to shout rudely at Chief Eunuch.
After all, Shi Cheng had been spoiled since childhood, which had fostered his arrogant and overbearing personality. Even in the residence, if any servant displeased him, they would certainly face a beating.
Thus, in his eyes, Chief Eunuch was nothing more than a mere dog servant.
Unexpectedly, the previously aloof and indifferent Leng Junyu, upon hearing Shi Cheng's words, was suddenly enveloped in a shadow of gloom. The once calm Cold Eyes now brimmed with an unsettling darkness, and even the temperature around them seemed to drop significantly.
"Since when did the steward of my residence become your concern?"
Leng Junyu's voice was low and heavy, his Cold Eyes shrouded in gloom. The imposing aura radiating from him made him appear like a vengeful spirit emerging from the depths of hell, sending chills down the spines of those present.
Shi Cheng, who had been boasting just moments ago, now found his arrogant expression replaced by sheer terror as he met Leng Junyu's somber gaze. His face turned pale as a ghost.
His hefty body trembled before he stumbled backward.
Unfortunately for the servants behind him, they were caught off guard and fell like dominoes, accompanied by cries of distress.
At that moment, Shi Cheng dared not utter another word; he was on the verge of losing control of his bladder from fear.
Though Leng Junyu had only spoken a few words lightly, the murderous intent emanating from him was enough to instill deep fear in everyone around.
Everyone was terrified that this lord might decide to eliminate them all in a fit of anger. After all, hadn’t the bandits from Liangshan been wiped out overnight by this very man? They were nothing compared to that.
It was only then that Shi Cheng began to feel genuine fear. He abandoned thoughts of revenge or saving face and urged his servants to help him leave quickly.
After all, this living nightmare was far too terrifying; it was better to retreat than risk losing his life.
Thus, the crowd that had been so boisterous at the entrance of the palace fell silent after Leng Junyu's simple remark, each person scrambling away in panic. Even Le Yao Yao, who had been watching from the side, forgot her own predicament and nearly stood up to cheer in excitement.
Heavens!
Look at these useless little bastards, weren't they all arrogant this morning?! Now, just a few words from the prince have them scared out of their wits.
I spit!
Just as Le Yao Yao was inwardly despising these worthless little bastards, she suddenly felt a strong wave of killing intent rushing towards her, causing her scalp to tingle.
Startled, she slowly turned her gaze toward the source of that murderous glare, moving like a robot.
When her eyes met those cold eyes, as frigid as a thousand-year-old ice, Le Yao Yao's heart sank, and her face instantly fell—
It's over! I forgot there's a living hell right next to me!
She had dealt with the little bastards just now, but how was she supposed to handle this living hell!?
Could it be that her life was truly in danger!?
In contrast to Le Yao Yao's distressed expression, Leng Junyu narrowed his cold eyes slightly, his red lips pressed tightly together, revealing his displeasure.
His voice was like a chilling wind blowing from an ice cave, so cold it made one shiver—
"Not bad, not bad. You've got some guts."
His low and hoarse voice seemed to express approval, but the underlying anger was unmistakable.
"Uh..."
Hearing the words from the living hell, it felt as if a piece of cotton had lodged itself in Le Yao Yao's throat, rendering her speechless.
Moreover, that small body trembled with a lack of courage.
After all, she was truly afraid!
Just thinking about the man in front of her, who had ruthlessly killed dozens of armed men just days ago, leaving none alive, made her heart race. His strikes were brutal and merciless.
He was like a cold-blooded demon, effortlessly dispatching those strong men. She couldn't help but feel that if he were to strike her with a single slap, she would be utterly helpless.
The more she thought about it, the more frightened Le Yao Yao became, her delicate face turning pale as a sheet.
Fortunately, the oppressive feeling above her head vanished almost immediately.
It wasn't until the steady footsteps faded into the distance that Le Yao Yao dared to slowly lift her head and let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, that living hell had already left.
However, she was somewhat surprised that the living hell did not kill her.
After all, hadn’t Little Muzi mentioned that last time a little eunuch had merely knocked over a cup in front of the living hell and had been dealt with severely? So why was it that now, after she had caused such a huge mess, he had spared her?
How strange, truly strange!
Just as Le Yao Yao pondered this in disbelief, an angry voice pierced through her thoughts, pulling her back to reality.
When she saw Chief Eunuch’s gloomy face, Le Yao Yao felt like crying without tears…
Damn it, this misfortune just wouldn’t let her go…
The early summer weather remained unpredictable.
Before long, the once clear blue sky was completely obscured by thick, dark clouds, leaving no trace of blue above.
The low-hanging clouds pressed heavily in the air, resembling a black vortex that instilled a sense of suffocation in anyone who gazed at it.
There was always a calm before the storm.
Even the air felt stiflingly hot, devoid of any cool breeze. At that moment, Le Yao Yao knelt on the ground with her hands holding a water basin above her head. She was drenched in sweat, her clothes clinging heavily to her body. A sheen of perspiration covered her full forehead.
Large beads of sweat slid down from her brow, tracing along her pale cheeks and dripping from her pointed chin onto the ground below.
With a soft 'thud,' the beads of sweat were quickly absorbed by the dry stone floor beneath her.
At this moment, Le Yao Yao had been kneeling beside the door with the water basin for nearly an hour.
The daytime sun had been blazing, making the ground unbearably hot.
Although she wore clothes, they were thin and light due to the summer heat.
Kneeling there, it was hard to tell whether it was the scorching stone floor burning her feet or if her knees were swollen and red from the strain. Either way, her knees felt like they were on fire.
It was as if they were being scorched by intense flames.
Not to mention that she still held a basin of water above her head, which contained half a basin's worth of water…
Damn it, this wicked society!
This perverted eunuch has come up with such twisted punishments that it tortures people to the point where they can't live or die.
If it were possible, she would really want to smash the water basin in her hands, but unfortunately, she couldn't.
Moreover, the Chief Eunuch had ordered that she must kneel here for two full hours, not a minute less, and she had to hold the water basin high. If she lowered it, she would have to kneel for another hour...
Just thinking about the Chief Eunuch's gloomy and detestable face made Le Yao Yao want to kick him hard.
Damn it, that dead eunuch! If he didn't give her Le Yao Yao a break, he would be the first one to suffer!
Le Yao Yao thought fiercely in her heart, her mind constantly imagining the scene of the Chief Eunuch being beaten by her, kneeling at her feet and begging for mercy, calling her "Auntie"...
Perhaps now she could only use these unrealistic thoughts to get through this difficult moment and make herself feel a little better...
However, as a gust of wind swept by, suddenly sand and stones flew everywhere, and the world changed color.
Then with a loud crash, a torrential downpour fell mercilessly...
"Damn it, why does even the heavens have to treat me like this..."
Le Yao Yao cried out weakly, her face filled with despair...
Meanwhile, inside the Elegant Breeze Pavilion—
Night fell, the lights began to glow, and the weather felt slightly muggy.
In the Elegant Breeze Pavilion, a large Luminous Pearl was set high on the wall, its bright yellow light illuminating the entire room as if it were daytime.
At this moment, Leng Junyu stood with his hands clasped behind him, his handsome face slightly raised. His deep Cold Eyes, dark as night and calm as a still lake, made it impossible to discern his thoughts.
He quietly stood by the window, the soft glow gradually enveloping him, accentuating his lanky figure, like a jade tree swaying in the wind.
However, beneath that calm exterior, there was an unmistakable chill.
The room was silent, and the man remained still at the window. If one did not look closely, they might have mistaken him for a stone statue.
After a long while, the drapes that had been hanging down suddenly lifted slightly as if stirred by the wind.
Two shadowy figures had silently entered the room.
From their unusual agility, it was clear that these two possessed formidable martial skills.
As the two black-clad individuals entered, Leng Junyu remained quietly at the window, not turning his head even once. It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head. After a considerable pause, he finally spoke.
"Xing, what is it?"
His voice was low and hoarse, devoid of warmth, like a cold wind sweeping through.
However, the two men in black seemed accustomed to Leng Junyu's indifferent tone. The one who answered him was a young man of about seventeen or eighteen years old, with strikingly handsome and sunny features.
This young man was Xing!
Among Leng Junyu's Shadow Guards—Mei, Yue, Xing, and Chen—Xing possessed the highest martial prowess. Moreover, they were all Leng Junyu's most capable assistants.
Aside from Mei, Yue, and Chen, who all have cold personalities, Xing is the most cheerful among them.
Although he is a Shadow Guard, he spends his days with a playful smile. However, he possesses the highest martial arts skills among the four, and his techniques are clean and efficient. Not once has he failed in any mission assigned by Leng Junyu.
Thus, it is hard to imagine that such a cheerful and handsome man is a ruthless killer as a Shadow Guard.
Xing's personality and fierce martial prowess have earned him the nickname "Smiling Tiger" among others.
At this moment, upon hearing Leng Junyu's words, Xing raised his ever-smiling face and grinned.
"Reporting to my lord, the Seventh Prince will arrive in Capital City in a few days. However, he is coming secretly and does not want others to know. He mentioned wanting to temporarily stay at Duke Rui's Residence and would like to ask for your opinion."
Upon hearing Xing's words, Leng Junyu, who had originally appeared cold and distant, slowly showed a hint of warmth on his face.
Yue and Xing, standing behind him, naturally noticed this change.
It’s no surprise!
Their master was inherently icy, making it difficult for anyone to approach him.
However, after turning ten, by chance, he caught the attention of the renowned Tianshan Daoist from the martial world and became his disciple.
At that time, the Former Emperor was still alive and was quite pleased about it.
After all, Tianshan Daoist was exceptionally skilled and had an unpredictable height. Although he was now over a hundred years old, he remained famous in the martial world—known by all and respected by many.
Moreover, both in the martial world and the court, he was held in high esteem.
There is, of course, a reason for this.
Although the Tianshan Daoist appears indifferent to worldly affairs, he possesses a patriotic heart.
Decades ago, several feudal states united in an attempt to attack Heavenly Origin. In the end, it was the Tianshan Daoist who took up the banner of war and joined the battle, driving those feudal states back.
Since then, the Tianshan Daoist's status in the Celestial Yuan Dynasty has been unimaginable. At that time, the Former Emperor even intended to invite him into the court. However, the Tianshan Daoist had no interest in fame or fortune and vanished without a trace.
The Former Emperor lamented at that time, feeling it was truly a pity that such talent could not be retained.
Unexpectedly, decades later, the Tianshan Daoist took a liking to Leng Junyu and declared he would take him as his disciple.
The Former Emperor was overjoyed upon hearing this news, as he had few heirs—only one crown prince and another prince.
The crown prince was gentle and kind, making him the best candidate for future emperor; however, he was only skilled in literature and lacked martial prowess. If his other prince could learn the true teachings of the Tianshan Daoist, it would be nothing short of ideal.
Leng Junyu did not disappoint the Former Emperor. Although he had a cold demeanor, he was a martial arts genius.
In less than seven years, he surpassed his master’s expectations, bringing great joy to the Tianshan Daoist.
However, aside from Leng Junyu, who became his foremost disciple, the Tianshan Daoist later accepted two more disciples. One of them was Nangong Junxi, the Seventh Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty!
Nangong Junxi was one year younger than Leng Junyu but had a personality that was worlds apart.
One was proud and aloof; the other was flamboyant and unrestrained. One resembled an eternal Ice Cave while the other basked in sunshine.
These two individuals—one cold and one warm—were initially completely unrelated and seemed to have nothing in common. Yet after spending several years together under the Tianshan Daoist's guidance, their bond gradually deepened.
Upon hearing the report from Xing, Leng Junyu raised an eyebrow, his handsome features revealing a hint of understanding as he asked, "What trouble has he gotten into this time?"
Although it was a question, Leng Junyu spoke with certainty. After all, based on his knowledge of this junior disciple, it was clear that he must have caused some trouble to sneak over here without letting anyone else know.
Xing, grinning widely at Leng Junyu's confident words, couldn't hide the glee in his tone as he replied, "It is said that he ran away from a marriage, so he secretly came to Capital City to seek refuge with you!"
"Ran away from a marriage?"
At Xing's words, Leng Junyu merely twitched the corner of his mouth and shook his head helplessly.
Xing, fearing that his master might not be fully aware of the situation, eagerly spilled all the details he knew. The gossip he shared was far more lively than that of any busybody.
"I heard that the Seventh Prince has had a childhood betrothed. Her father was once the National Protector General of the Great Xia Dynasty, but he died in battle. Her mother later fell ill and passed away as well. In the end, the Great Xia Empress took pity on her and brought her into the palace, intending to marry her off to her son. Now that the Seventh Prince is seventeen, the Great Xia Empress has been anxious to find him and arrange their marriage. However, the clever Seventh Prince got wind of this early on and secretly escaped here to avoid it..."
After talking for quite a while, Xing had run out of breath, but the delight on his face only grew stronger.
After listening to all of this, Leng Junyu lightly parted his red lips and said calmly, "You certainly know quite a bit."
"Thank you for the compliment, Master."
Regarding Leng Junyu, Xing accepted it with a cheerful smile.
All it earned was a twitch at the corner of Leng Junyu's mouth. Did he just compliment him!?
However, everyone was used to Xing's thick skin, so it was hardly surprising.
Yet, the thought of Junxi coming soon brought a hint of warmth to Leng Junyu's eyes.
It had been a long time since the two brothers had seen each other, hadn't it!?
...
After sending Yue and Xing away, Leng Junyu slowly leaned back on a Pear Wood Concubine Chair, closing his eyes to rest.
The night had grown deep when suddenly a cold wind swept into the room, carrying with it droplets of icy water. This made Leng Junyu, who had been propping his chin with one hand and closing his eyes, slightly open his weary Cold Eyes and gaze toward the window.
Through the intricately carved window, he noticed that it had started pouring rain outside without him realizing it.
The cold wind howled as the rain fell in torrents, creating a natural screen that completely obscured the distant scenery.
Watching the downpour on this rainy night caused Leng Junyu to momentarily lose focus, his thoughts drifting back to a certain night.
That night, there was also a wild storm raging. He had gotten drunk and lost track of where he was. All he remembered was that beneath him lay a woman who kept pleading for mercy...
Unfortunately, he had drunk too much then and couldn't see her face clearly; all he recalled was how she cried pitifully...
And those tear-filled eyes—large and brimming with tears—so beautiful, so... familiar. It felt as if he had seen them somewhere before!?
But where exactly could it be!?
Leng Junyu furrowed his brows, lost in thought.
Just as he was on the verge of grasping something, a sudden, crisp knock on the door pulled him completely back to reality.
"Come in."
The unexpected knock made Leng Junyu's handsome face momentarily pause, and he glanced outside at the darkening sky.
Unknowingly, it had grown so late. The person coming in at this hour must be that little eunuch!
At first, he had been somewhat angry that this little eunuch had dared to provoke the son of the Minister of Rites.
However, upon seeing the arrogant and overbearing young man outside, his displeasure towards the little eunuch vanished entirely.
Someone like that wastrel, who relied on his father as a backing, deserved to be taught a lesson.
Thus, he had sheltered his little eunuch and refrained from handing him over.
Even so, there were rules within the royal residence. If he let 'him' off this time, who knew what 'he' might do next? What if 'he' offended someone else and got caught!?
With that thought, Leng Junyu couldn't help but sigh.
He found it hard to bring himself to blame this little eunuch!
This feeling was something he had never encountered before!
As he pondered, Leng Junyu's brows furrowed slightly upon seeing the shadow of a person entering the room.
"Who are you!?"
The voice, devoid of warmth, was like a cold wind sweeping in during the harsh winter of December, making one involuntarily shiver.
The newcomer was equally startled, trembling as he stammered, "I-I am a servant named Little Li, sent by the Chief Eunuch to attend to the lord..."
After finally managing to finish his sentence, Little Li's slender frame continued to shake uncontrollably, resembling a yellow leaf caught in a wild wind, looking utterly pitiful.
Upon hearing Little Li's words, Leng Junyu's already furrowed brows deepened into a frown, his eyes reflecting a hint of confusion.
"Where is Xiaoyaozi now?"
"Replying to the lord, Xiaoyaozi is currently being punished by the Chief Eunuch and is kneeling at the main gate!"
"Kneeling!?"
At this word, Leng Junyu's cold eyes flickered for a moment as he recalled something. In the royal residence, if a servant made a mistake, they would be punished; kneeling was considered a light punishment. However, as he thought about this, Leng Junyu couldn't help but turn slightly to gaze out at the rainy night.
Although it was early summer, the temperature had noticeably dropped at night. With heavy rain pouring outside, it must be quite cold out there.
Thinking of that cute little eunuch with delicate features and anxious water-like eyes, Leng Junyu felt a pang of compassion.
How could such a delicate body withstand the harsh winds and relentless rain?
Thinking of this, even Leng Junyu himself was surprised by the concern that had crept into his gaze.
Though it was faint, if anyone who knew him saw it, they would surely think the sun had risen in the west today.
After all, this cold and ruthless figure, known as the living Yama, had never shown such a human expression, especially towards a mere eunuch!
As for this point, Leng Junyu was unaware. Just as he was about to ponder further, his words slipped out as if they had a mind of their own—
"Tell the Chief Eunuch to have Xiaoyaozi prepare a bath for me!"
...
The sky seemed to have been torn apart, and the pouring rain showed no signs of stopping, hitting him painfully.
At this moment, Le Yao Yao felt like a drenched chicken, with not a single dry spot on her body.
Moreover, she felt as if this body wasn't her own (well, it really wasn't), heavy and cumbersome.
Her hands were stiff, her knees numb, but she dared not relax. Her beautiful eyes, drenched in rainwater, were fixed intently on the incense burning gently under the eaves ahead, her heart racing with urgency.
Soon, soon—she would be able to endure for just two more hours. If she could manage that, she could change into clean clothes and curl up in her warm bed to rest.
Damn it, she was so hungry and so cold right now...
This wicked Slave Society—damn it! Heaven, could you strike down a lightning bolt and send me back? She didn't want to stay here!
Le Yao Yao silently shouted in her heart, but unfortunately, despite the pouring rain at that moment, there was not a single flash of lightning, leaving her hopes dashed.
Just as she sighed in helplessness, suddenly, an aged voice rang out—
“Xiaoyaozi, you can get up now.”
It was the voice of the Chief Eunuch.
Upon hearing this, Le Yao Yao was momentarily stunned. She glanced at the still-burning incense and felt a surge of confusion.
Could it be that this twisted old eunuch had finally found his conscience? Was he going to let her go!?
Though puzzled, Le Yao Yao couldn’t dwell on it too much. Since he had spoken, would she really be foolish enough to remain kneeling there?
She had never knelt before anyone in her life, not even her own parents. Yet here she was, kneeling before this old eunuch—what a disgrace!
Moreover, the basin of water she had been holding was only half full, but after the heavy rain, it was filled to the brim. It was so heavy that it nearly broke her arms. Her legs had long since gone numb; she could barely stand.
In the end, Le Yao Yao tilted the basin and collapsed onto the ground, flailing her limbs until they regained feeling.
She had thought that after the Chief Eunuch said those words, he would allow her to return to her courtyard where she could finally get some rest. However, when the Chief Eunuch spoke again, he completely pulled Le Yao Yao back into the Ice Cave—
“After you loosen your limbs, remember to go to Elegant Breeze Pavilion to serve the prince during his bath. Do you understand?”
“What!?”
At this, Le Yao Yao felt as if she had been struck by lightning, freezing in place.
He had to serve the prince with his bath!?
What a ridiculous situation!
This cursed Slave Society...
On a night of torrential rain, the wind howled mercilessly outside, and the downpour fell in sheets, the sky a dark abyss that seemed ready to swallow the entire earth. Just looking at it sent chills down one’s spine.
In stark contrast to the chaos outside, inside the Royal Pavilion of Elegant Winds, it was an entirely different scene.
Rui Wang Leng Junyu, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, enjoyed endless wealth and power, and his residence was naturally extraordinary!
Especially at the back mountain of the Elegant Breeze Pavilion, where numerous varieties of peach blossoms were planted.
Although it was early summer and the peach blossoms were sparse, failing to display their former splendor, beneath the peach trees grew many Jasmine plants.
The emerald green leaves sparkled like jade, and the clusters of small flowers scattered among them were utterly charming.
The fragrant aroma wafted through the air, bringing a sense of comfort to anyone who inhaled it.
In the center of the back mountain, a path paved with pebbles formed a circle around a hot spring nestled within.
The Jade Tower stood elegantly with intricately carved beams and painted rafters. Flowers bloomed in clusters, mingling with the wisps of steam rising from the hot spring. The gentle heat shimmered on the water's surface, creating an enchanting scene that resembled a fairyland!
Le Yao Yao, having just changed into clean clothes upon arriving here, gazed at the beautiful sight before her in disbelief. Her beautiful eyes widened in astonishment, and her small mouth gaped open wide enough for a sparrow to fly in.
She couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Tsk tsk tsk, rich people really know how to enjoy life!
This place was clearly not natural; it was an imported hot spring.
But how much money must that cost!?
Someone like her, earning only two taels of silver a month, would probably never experience such luxury in her lifetime!
As Le Yao Yao pondered this, she suddenly thought of something else. She blinked her beautiful eyes and scanned the area around the hot spring, feeling puzzled.
"Hey, why is there no one here!?"
Hadn't the Chief Eunuch just said that the prince was inside? So where was he now!?
Just as Le Yao Yao was lost in thought, a sudden splash echoed from the shimmering hot spring. A strikingly handsome man emerged from the water before her—
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