Chapter 337: 337: Don't Believe Me, Try Tonight...

Words : 1479 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 337: Chapter 337: Don’t Believe Me, Try Tonight... From a distance came the screams of a few people, but Zhan Lan and Mu Yan remained calm and composed, as both had weathered great storms in their lives. These black-clad individuals had who knows how many lives on their hands; their deaths were well-deserved. Clasping her hand, Mu Yan said: “Lan’er, I wanted you to have some fun, but I didn’t expect...” With a slight smile, Zhan Lan replied, “You’re helping to eliminate evil and uphold justice. How could I be unhappy about that? I’ve had my fun today, and I won’t come here again!” Mu Yan paused in his steps, “Why won’t you come again?” Zhan Lan answered with a smile: “A place like this can cloud one’s mind. Winning once makes you want to win again, but there aren’t so many easy gains in this world.” Mu Yan nodded in approval and patted his shoulder, saying: “Climb aboard; I’ll carry you.” Since there were hardly any people in the alley, Zhan Lan leaned on his back, and Mu Yan stood up to carry her. Mu Yan turned and said, “Look at the sky.” Gazing at the starry heavens, Zhan Lan exclaimed, “Even in darkness there is light, and in the night sky there are stars!” “I offer you all the stars in the sky, yet I find them still pale in comparison to you.” Listening to his words, Zhan Lan gently rubbed her chin against his neck, and the corners of Mu Yan’s lips curled up slightly. Carrying her, he took steps out of the alley, one after the other. The Vermilion Bird and the Hidden Guards followed behind the two, not daring to walk too quickly, watching their silhouettes from afar. Moved beyond words by the scene before him, the Vermilion Bird—similar in age to his Master and having grown up with him—had seen him endure so much hardship, maturing bit by bit alone like an ascetic to this day. Now that he finally had a beloved, he would no longer be alone and isolated, shrouded in cold solitude. Upon returning to the mansion, Mu Yan saw that Zhan Lan had fallen asleep, so he carried her back to her room, tucked her into bed, and stood outside the door to get some fresh air. Seeing the Vermilion Bird with a faint smile on his lips, Mu Yan inquired, “Are you happy for me?” The Vermilion Bird nodded. With a slight smirk, Mu Yan said: “All right, no need for the nourishing diet anymore. If something happens to you, I’ll have no one else to rely on!” Almost moved to tears by his Master’s words, the Vermilion Bird responded. “Thank you, Master!” “Do you have a girl you like?” Mu Yan continued to ask. The Vermilion Bird’s ears turned red, and he shook his head: “The first rule of a Hidden Guard is no romantic entanglements.” Mu Yan smiled faintly, “Such emotions, how can they be controlled? Rules are made by humans.” Turning to enter the room, he said: “Scrap that rule!” The Vermilion Bird: “...” Is this the cold-blooded Master he knew? Mu Yan entered the room, gazing at the tranquil sleeping face of Zhan Lan, gently lifted a corner of the quilt, and carefully slipped into bed, wrapping his arms around her to sleep. When Mu Yan woke up the next morning, he found that his legs were numb. Rubbing her eyes as she awoke, Zhan Lan looked at Mu Yan, “What’s wrong with you?” Mu Yan pursed his lips, “My legs are numb.” Embarrassed, Zhan Lan lowered the leg that had been draped over Mu Yan, “I’ll be more careful next time.” Mu Yan’s lips curled into a smile, “Just last night I had a good night’s sleep. Seems like unless I wear you out completely, you won’t sleep soundly...” Zhan Lan’s ears turned red as she looked at Mu Yan, “You’re talking nonsense...” With a teasing, low voice, Mu Yan continued: “Don’t believe me? Let’s try again tonight.” “Try it and you’ll see!” Zhan Lan shoved him out of the bed. With a playful grin, Mu Yan got out of bed and got dressed, then said to Zhan Lan, “I have some things to take care of.” “Be careful.” After Zhan Lan spoke, she suddenly felt a soft touch on her forehead. Mu Yan kissed her and then, with a gentle smile, left the room. By the time Mu Yan’s figure had disappeared, Zhan Lan buried her face in the blanket, her smile brimming over. So this was the feeling of mutual fondness; her heart was sweet and joyful at the thought of Mu Yan. Having finished her washing up and looking through some military tactics, Zhan Lan found it tedious and decided to play with the three puppies in the garden instead. Little Black and Little White joyfully chased each other around, oblivious to the three little ones. Zhan Lan held Little Little White and Little Little Black along with Heibaihua; the three had grown fatter and bigger, and she could hardly hold them all at once. She said to Little Black, “Take it easy, huh? Don’t go having litter after litter, or the yard will be full of dogs!” Little Black didn’t hear a word Zhan Lan said and continued frolicking with Little White. Zhan Lan continued, “Mu Yan said when the assassin came in, you were the first to notice. You deserve a chicken leg as a reward!” Upon hearing ‘chicken leg’, Little Black abandoned his wife and ran straight to Zhan Lan’s side, shamelessly wagging his tail and lolling his tongue. Zhan Lan shook her head speechlessly. “Xiao Tao, bring it here!” Zhan Lan called out. With a cheerful smile, Xiao Tao placed two chicken legs into two dog bowls, and Little White also came running over. Just as Zhan Lan was merrily playing with the dogs, a Hidden Guard came to report, “Princess, three people have arrived at the door claiming to be your grandmother, your second uncle, and his wife.” Zhan Lan lifted her eyes and said, “Let them in.” “Yes!” The Hidden Guard bowed and left. Xiao Tao frowned and said, “Miss, with Old Madam and the others coming, it can’t be good news!” Xiao Tao still remembered, since she was young, how the Old Madam would always make snide remarks about Zhan Lan; seeming alright on the surface but all the servants knew the Old Madam didn’t like Zhan Lan. Zhan Lan smiled indifferently, “It doesn’t matter.” Madam Wang and Zhan Xincheng, accompanied by Mrs. Zhang, were led into the Regent Prince Mansion by the Hidden Guard. Madam Wang’s gaze was fixed forward, but she couldn’t help feeling impressed by the splendid Regent Prince Mansion. The girl she once looked down upon, a fostered daughter from the backyard, had turned out to be the legitimate daughter of the General Mansion, and was now the most prestigious woman in Nanjin. Everyone knew that the Regent King now held reins of power, and the Crown Prince was but a puppet. Mu Yan was truly the one with power second only to the Emperor. Zhan Xincheng was reluctant to come, partly due to ill-health, and partly because he couldn’t swallow his pride. Mrs. Zhang was terrified; if not for Madam Wang insisting on her company, she would have been scared to come here. She was extremely wary of Mu Yan; her own family had been suppressed by him, squeezed out of the four big clans and facing constant struggles. Moreover, it was Mu Yan who had arranged for her daughter, Zhan Liluo, to marry Li Changlong. She detested Mu Yan intensely, yet she could do nothing but seethe in silence. The Regent Prince Mansion looked grandiose, and the stern-faced guards made her hair stand on end, always feeling like they might rush over and give her a beating at any moment. The three of them followed the Hidden Guard into the main house. “Please wait a moment, our Princess will be here shortly,” said the Hidden Guard. The three of them waited and waited, looking out at every noise, but Zhan Lan was nowhere in sight. Zhan Xincheng started to get restless and said gravely, “Mother, perhaps we should leave!” Madam Wang gave him a look and said, “Wait a little longer.” Zhan Lan was swinging in the garden, with Liu Xi pushing her from behind. Zhan Lan lazily asked, “How long has it been?” Liu Xi nodded, “It’s been a quarter of an hour.” Zhan Lan smiled slightly, “Let’s go then, it’s time to meet them.”

Chapter 337: 337: Don't Believe Me, Try Tonight...

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