The spring night was slightly chilly. Lu Xingzhou was soaking in a hot water tub, resting and easing the fatigue of the past few days.

The little maidservant was pouting aggrievedly while scrubbing him.

Although she felt she had come to find Lu Xingzhou not because of a task, her Master had indeed arranged a task. The fact that the damned Lu Xingzhou had also guessed it made her feel a bit guilty.

Otherwise, the so-called “maidservant” was just a fun title from long ago. Where was the need to genuinely act as a maidservant and help him bathe?

But in fact, it wasn’t just the maidservant problem… Originally, after she returned to the Pei family, there was no longer any need for her to “pretend to get along” with Lu Xingzhou. Just as she had asked him during their last meeting, “Are you worried that I will break ties with you after I go back?”

At that time, Lu Xingzhou had answered, “Was worried before.”

She originally could indeed no longer pay attention to Lu Xingzhou, let alone act as a maidservant.

After that, everyone didn’t continue to discuss why she didn’t break ties… It was as if it was a default that Pei Chuyun was reluctant to leave him and didn’t want to break ties.

In reality, both sides knew deep down that it was because he had value. How could the little Hehuan demoness, who had managed such a long relationship, be willing to casually break ties?

Saying this would hurt feelings, so both of them very tacitly avoided mentioning it.

But was it merely because of value? Were the loneliness in that attic and the longing to see him fake?

The little demoness didn’t dare admit it, and wasn’t too willing either. It was the first time the Hehuan Saintess had left the mountain, and she hadn’t deceived anyone else but had fallen for herself first?

It was infuriating.

Her Master’s task, who knew how much of it was an excuse to continue being close to him and to indicate that she hadn’t fallen?

But what did the man think deep down?

Pei Chuyun somewhat angrily scrubbed him, using force to rub his skin red.

“Let you bully me! You didn’t even pull your hair, yet you still bully me!”

Actually, Lu Xingzhou fundamentally didn’t question the little demoness. Unconsciously, his trust in the little demoness had mysteriously exceeded the standard a bit… At this moment, his mind was still immersed in pondering Madam Ye’s problem.

The last time they met, Madam Ye was still very friendly because he had helped Meng Guan solve the infant ghost case. It was evident that she was at least a righteous person.

This time, her attitude was a bit strange. It must be because she discovered the reason why he hadn’t truly broken ties with Yanluo Hall, which made her somewhat vigilant.

The Emperor wasn’t vigilant, Zhenmo Si didn’t say anything, so why were you, Madam Ye, so vigilant about this matter? Did you have a grudge against Yuan Muyu? Did that lead to you being particularly sensitive?

Yes, that’s really possible… This Madam Ye was likely a first-grade expert. Her actual age, same as Yuan Muyu’s, was unknown, spanning many years. It was extremely possible that these two didn’t get along in the Jianghu when they were young, and their grudge might have even predated him knowing Yuan Muyu…

Yuan Muyu had indeed never spoken of her past. After knowing her for so many years, he was completely ignorant of her history.

So upon reflection, it suddenly became clear. Madam Ye’s so-called coming to teach him was intentionally watching him?

“Snort…” Lu Xingzhou unconsciously snorted with laughter, which instantly turned into: “Hiss, you’re trying to murder your husband!”

“I’ll scrub you to death!” Pei Chuyun said spitefully, “Truly relying on being there like a master, making me serve and scrub you! I am now a noble lady, do you know how many people are pursuing me? And you’re still snorting, I’ll snort you to death!”

“I was just lost in thought, not laughing at you.” Lu Xingzhou grabbed her wrist and laughed, “Little one can also help Miss Pei scrub.”

“Dream on!”

“See? If I let you help me scrub, you’re not happy; if I help you scrub, you’re also not happy… This makes it very difficult for this little one to handle.”

“You can help me wash my feet.”

“Really?”

Pei Chuyun was stunned for a moment, then laughed and cried, “I forgot you’re an abnormal one.”

“Then let’s be a little more normal.” Lu Xingzhou reached out and pulled. Pei Chuyun, without resistance, was pulled into the tub, only to emerge dripping wet, glaring angrily.

Lu Xingzhou lowered his head and kissed her, while simultaneously reaching out to scrub.

Pei Chuyun didn’t resist, responding gently for a moment before slightly separating. She said in a low voice, “Although Master has given an order, I don’t necessarily have to listen to her. It’s the same with you as it is with the Pei family.”

“I know.”

“But as you said, if I muddle along… Sooner or later, I will lose the sect’s trust, and at that time, things will change…”

“How is the Pei family treating you? They seem to be treating you well.”

“Currently, I haven’t seen the people from the Hedong clan, nor my two uncles. Judging solely by my father and elder brother, both are treating me well.” Pei Chuyun hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, “But after these past few days, I’m very certain that I don’t like living this life of a Pei family noble lady.”

“This is indeed understandable. Aristocratic families have many rules and great worries. It’s far from the freedom and ease of walking the Jianghu.”

“So if I rely on the Pei family, I must live a life I don’t like, and perhaps in the future, they will also make me deal with the sect, and my marriage will not be autonomous. But if I rely on the sect, then I must gain the sect’s trust, whether it’s harming the Pei family or harming you, I don’t want to do it.” Pei Chuyun murmured, “Talking about muddling along, I… I’m still a bit confused.”

“Is this the reason you can’t help but come find me?”

Pei Chuyun was startled for a moment, then smiled self-mockingly, “Yes, perhaps. At least you won’t harm me.”

“Then have you considered… relying on me?”

Pei Chuyun laughed, extending a slender finger to scrape his face, “Then wait until you can truly be someone people can rely on… This young master who wants me but doesn’t have the guts to take the plunge is not qualified now.”

“Do you really think I don’t have the guts?” Splash, splash went the water as the two of them changed positions.

Pei Chuyun’s eyes widened quickly, feeling the clear troops at the city gate: “You…”

Her heart pounded uncontrollably. This was in the water, very slippery, and in this messy posture, one careless move would truly result in going in!

Lu Xingzhou lowered his head and kissed her again. Pei Chuyun suddenly had a strong feeling that he seemed to be playing for real.

She didn’t know why, as she had clearly quite hoped he would make a real move before, but at this moment, a feeling of panic arose. Pei Chuyun reached out to protect the hairless area, begging somewhat weakly, “Don’t…”

Lu Xingzhou stopped his actions and said in a low voice, “So who is without guts?”

“It’s me, alright!” Pei Chuyun said urgently, “I lost my Yuan Yin, and I can’t control you, how do I explain it? The Pei family side will also see.”

As soon as these words were out, the air suddenly became quiet.

Pei Chuyun opened her mouth again, seeming to want to say something, but finally remained silent.

These were her true words spoken in haste, almost plainly stating that if something truly happened, she wouldn’t control him… The matter Lu Xingzhou had worried about before was no longer a concern.

Now, it was her turn to worry. Would Lu Xingzhou, for a moment’s pleasure, instantly break her currently temporarily stable situation?

“Does the little maidservant still dare to provoke young master’s general?” Lu Xingzhou hugged her waist, stepped out of the bathtub, and then casually pulled a bath towel to help her dry.

Pei Chuyun exhaled, her eyes like water, softly watching him gently wipe her, as if wiping an exquisite porcelain.

While wiping, Lu Xingzhou casually said, “Actually, many things are not that complicated. It’s just that you, this literary young lady, are prone to gains and losses. I told you early on, what you need to do now is wait, wait for both sides to show their true intentions of what they need you to do, then turn to me to discuss it. Now, it’s all just forced worries for new words.”

“Forced worries for new words… Is there a full poem?”

Lu Xingzhou found it truly amusing: “There is. Put on your clothes, and I’ll go write it for you.”

“Do I need to take anything in exchange?”

Lu Xingzhou pointed to his face: “It’s always an exchange of a kiss, without cheating children or the elderly.”

Pei Chuyun slanted her eyes at him, then suddenly reached out and lightly pushed.

Lu Xingzhou retreated one step, Pei Chuyun pushed another step, and Lu Xingzhou then sat down on the bed.

Lu Xingzhou was just about to say something when the little demoness already had her hand on her flute: “Pretending that you only want to kiss my face? I, this Saintess, have long seen through your little routine of wanting to capture hence letting go… Anyway… Since you can rein in yourself at the cliff’s edge, I will never let you hold back, just like the top scholar’s reward…”

As she spoke, she slowly bent down.

The sound of the flute gradually rose.

Lu Xingzhou swallowed back all the words he wanted to say, exhaling and remaining still.

So, a man who is angry only thinks about this, and in the end, it’s still this…

Sheng Yuanyao excitedly led A Nuo to the casino to exchange his bets, getting rich overnight.

The subordinate who had previously been sent to inquire if Qingyao Garden was for sale also gave feedback. Qingyao Garden was unexpectedly already on sale, and the price was even lower than the market price.

The reason was simple: people had died there… Although for some people, it was a place where new talents fell and was worth paying respects to as a relic, for young masters and misses who wanted to tour the garden, that was considered unlucky.

This period was exactly the perfect time for spring tours, yet Qingyao Garden could turn away visitors at its gate. Maintaining such a large piece of mountain forest and a lake was not cheap, and the original owner had wanted to sell it for a long time.

This misfortune, however, was a stroke of luck for Sheng Yuanyao. One wanted to sell, and one wanted to buy, so the change of ownership was announced on the spot.

As for the matter of no one coming to play and losing money, for a connected official’s child, it didn’t matter at all. Simply having the Pei family siblings organize several events here would bring the reputation back…

But in the short term, Sheng Yuanyao still didn’t want to entertain guests. The first guest, of course, had to be Lu Xingzhou.

After buying Qingyao Garden, Sheng Yuanyao excitedly returned with A Nuo, wanting to invite Lu Xingzhou to see everyone’s heaven-sent place tomorrow. Even the money to buy it was earned thanks to Lu Xingzhou becoming the top scholar. He was truly a lucky star.

Just as they reached Lu Xingzhou’s door, Pei Chuyun hurried out, wiping her mouth. Sheng Yuanyao suspiciously blocked her: “What were you two just doing in there?”

A Nuo looked up at the sky.

Pei Chuyun swallowed a mouthful of saliva with difficulty, then slowly answered, “Nothing, Lu Xingzhou became the top scholar, I just sent him a small gift. Miss Sheng, did you come empty-handed?”

Sheng Yuanyao was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t prepared a gift… Did the land deed count? Even if it did, this wasn’t the time to give it!

But she was unwilling to show timidity in front of Pei Chuyun. She stiffened her neck and said, “I will naturally send something, it won’t be worse than yours anyway.”

Pei Chuyun showed a playful smile: “Then I look forward to it. How can you not be worse than mine… Can I see?”

“No.” Sheng Yuanyao angrily turned her away and entered the door in a flash: “Old Lu, the top scholar exam was good. As a reward, how about going to tour the garden tomorrow? Don’t just stay nested at home every day, you’ll make yourself sick.”

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