Chapter 60 - 60 60 Heartbeat

Words : 1365 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Heartbeat Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Heartbeat Zhan Lan watched the events unfolding on the deck, her eyes cold and forest-deep. In her past life, her brother Zhan Hui had endured all the pain of today. Zhan Peng, he finally received his deserved punishment, but it was not enough. Zhan Lan clenched her fists, resolved to make those siblings suffer even greater punishment! Turning to leave, Zhan Lan suddenly spotted a silhouette in the darkness. In an instant, her hair stood on end as she looked toward that person. The person approached step by step, and Zhan Lan finally saw his face clearly. “How come? Miss Zhan enjoys playing in the dark late at night?” The man enveloped her entire being. In an instant, fireworks exploded in the mid-air, illuminating Mu Yan’s eyes that shone like stars. Zhan Lan lowered her head, avoiding Mu Yan’s gaze, now suspecting that Mu Yan had been having her watched all along. Being under surveillance felt unpleasant. She frowned, especially since Mu Yan always appeared so suddenly, somewhat unnerving. Seeing her frown, Mu Yan chuckled lightly, “Are you so worried about your brother Zhan Hui?” He deliberately emphasized the word ‘brother’. Zhan Lan remained silent and didn’t look at him. Mu Yan looked up as another cluster of fireworks bloomed in the sky, and surveyed his surroundings, “How long do you plan to stay here?” Zhan Lan nodded, having already thought of an excuse, “I got lost, could the Seal Keeper please lead me back?” Mu Yan raised an eyebrow, “Is that so? Going back with the Seal Keeper, aren’t you worried about what others might think?” Zhan Lan smiled, “Since the Seal Keeper himself is asking, he surely must be a gentleman of integrity!” Watching Mu Yan just stare at her without responding, she purposefully walked in the opposite direction. Mu Yan shook his head, grabbing her sleeve to lead her back. Zhan Lan pulled her hand away, and Mu Yan’s expression immediately turned cold. Then, disdainfully, he wiped his hands with a cloth, and in front of Zhan Lan, casually tossed the cloth away. As they walked in silence, suddenly, a patrol of the Imperial Army approached and shouted, “Who’s there!” Zhan Lan stopped, and Mu Yan turned to shield her in his arms. Zhan Lan, slightly intoxicated by the woody fragrance of his body, stayed silent in his embrace. “Stand down!” Mu Yan, holding Zhan Lan, commanded the Imperial Army coldly. “It’s the Seal Keeper, our apologies for disturbing Your Excellency’s leisure!” Recognizing the figure as Mu Yan, the lead Imperial Army handed his torch to a subordinate and quickly signaled his men to leave quickly. As the group departed, the leader whispered, “Lord Mu is indeed a romantic, hooking up with some noble lady so quickly at the Flowers Banquet!” Another person clicked his tongue, “Ah, if only I had Lord Mu’s peerlessly handsome face, I’d have women flocking to me too!” “They do look compatible, both in moon-white garments, and matching heights and builds!” “Perhaps, this lady and the Seal Keeper have been together for a while already!” The men murmured as they left. Zhan Lan secretly peeked out from Mu Yan’s embrace, but Mu Yan pressed her head back down. Without the torches of the Imperial Army, the surroundings were pitch black. “Don’t move, they might come back!” Mu Yan whispered in Zhan Lan’s ear. Zhan Lan’s ears flushed, Mu Yan’s breath hot and tickling her ear. She could hear Mu Yan’s rapid heartbeat. Indeed, a man’s heartbeat is more intense than a woman’s. Thump, thump, thump! Three fireworks exploded, completely illuminating the night sky. Mu Yan let go of Zhan Lan, and Zhan Lan looked up at Mu Yan. Their eyes met, and it was as if stars shimmered like flowing light within them. Mu Yan lowered his head, Zhan Lan beneath the fireworks, her beautiful eyes showing kindness, her red lips slightly parting, seemingly inviting him. Mu Yan’s Adam’s apple moved, and awkwardly turning away, he left behind a chillingly indifferent remark, “Zhan Lan, continue the journey on your own!” Zhan Lan nodded, “Okay, thank you!” Without looking back, Mu Yan left, only he knew how fast his heart was beating at that moment. Zhan Lan’s impression of Mu Yan changed slightly tonight. Mu Yan was protecting her; if the Imperial Army had seen her face. By tomorrow, the city would be awash with rumors about her and Mu Yan. Moreover, Mu Yan seemed to know the purpose of her visit, as if he was purposely there to cover for her! ... Having reached behind the rockery, Mu Yan found someone appearing behind him. “Master, as you ordered, I intentionally delayed Young Master Zhan Hui from meeting the Grand Princess,” Biluo stood in front of Mu Yan, bowing as she handed over a sealed letter. “Well done!” Mu Yan’s voice was icy cold. Biluo bowed, “Then your servant will take leave now, staying out too long may raise the Grand Princess’s suspicions.” Mu Yan waved his hand lightly, continuing to gaze at the fading fireworks. Vermilion Bird stood not far away watching the two; Biluo, overtly a palace maid for Si Yao, is truly the confidante of Si Jun. But in fact, she is a subordinate of the Master! Vermilion Bird observed Mu Yan suspiciously, earlier when the Master met Miss Zhan, the Imperial Army came, and he had already sent a secret signal to the Master. The Master could have avoided the Imperial Army, yet he chose to embrace Miss Zhan. There must be some personal feelings involved, Master! The next time he meets Miss Zhan Lan, he should be more courteous since she might well be the future Family Head Madam! Although Master verbally expresses his dislike for Zhan Lan. Yet, his actions always speak otherwise, which all seems quite suspicious! ... Zhan Hui left the pleasure boat alone, failing to see Zhan Lan, but he did see Chu Yin enjoying the fireworks. There was a man beside Chu Yin, constantly talking to her. Approaching closer, Zhan Hui saw to his annoyance Chu Yin being made to laugh by the man, her eyes curving up. A strong discomfort surged from inside Zhan Hui. He approached Chu Yin from behind and pulled her away abruptly. With her wrist being grabbed, Chu Yin was startled, but relaxed a bit after seeing it was Zhan Hui. The man beside her glared at Zhan Hui; the man chased after them, but a stern look from Zhan Hui stopped him in his tracks. Not far away, Chu Yin forcefully freed her arm, “What are you doing? Zhan Hui!” Zhan Hui’s expression was also unsightly as he admonished, “In the palace, you, being so close and merry with a man, what is this behavior?” Chu Yin was nearly overwhelmed by anger fueled by Zhan Hui’s words, her eyes sparkled under the moonlight, “None of your business! Who do you think you are?” “Even merely as an acquaintance, I am your brother and I have a right to care!” Zhan Hui retorted petulantly. The word “brother” incensed Chu Yin again. She knew it, Zhan Hui never regarded her as an equal, always treating her as just a little girl! Chu Yin lifted her head, meeting Zhan Hui’s obsidian-like eyes, “Then better take good care of your own sister, Zhan Xuerou! Who cares to have you as a brother!” Zhan Hui grabbed Chu Yin’s wrist, “If Zhan Lan knew about this, she would be upset too!” “Stop dragging Zhan Lan into this, you have no right to dictate me!” Chu Yin, fuming, turned and walked away. Taking advantage of the night, Zhan Hui, not knowing where his courage came from, reached out his hand towards Chu Yin. Just as Chu Yin took a step forward, she felt a tight grip on her wrist and was pulled back into Zhan Hui’s embrace. “What are you doing...” Chu Yin’s cheek pressed against Zhan Hui’s chest, her cheeks instantly flushed.

Chapter 60 - 60 60 Heartbeat

Comments (0)