The man lowered his head and gently blew a warm breath by her ear: "What's not allowed?"
The heat sent a shiver through her, and she murmured, "Not today..."
She had left in a hurry and forgotten the medicine the Old Miracle Physician had given her.
If she stayed here much longer, her cold ailment might flare up.
Yan Zheng's eyes darkened with mischief as he teasingly traced his hand along the curve of her waist. "Then when is it allowed?"
Even through the fabric, his touch sent tremors through her. Biting her lip, Chu Ruoyan blurted out, "Next time!"
Only then did his tormenting hand still.
Yan Zheng straightened, leisurely smoothing his robes before saying with deliberate slowness, "Ah Yan, you said it yourself."
Chu Ruoyan froze.
Only now did she realize he had never intended to push further—he had merely been coaxing her into making a promise...
Flustered, she snapped, "You tricked me!"
"All's fair in war, Ah Yan. You taught me that."
Chu Ruoyan widened her eyes. "When did I ever—? You—!"
But the scoundrel was already strolling toward the door, calling lazily, "Attendants, escort County Princess Changle back to her residence."
Then he turned back, feigning concern. "Ah Yan, would you like to bathe first?"
Chu Ruoyan stiffened.
Oh, now she remembered!
Last time, to stop him from seeking out Ansheng, she had deliberately seduced him, stoking his desire before slipping away—leaving him with nothing but two buckets of cold water...
This man truly held a grudge!
"No need for a bath, Chief Minister Yan. Farewell!"
With that, she swept out of the room. "Third Sister, let's go."
Chu Ruolan stuck out her tongue at Yan Zhao before scurrying after her sister.
Yan Zhao, who had been chased into a fluster, approached his elder brother. "Third Brother, what kind of women are these in the Duke of Chu's Mansion—?"
Under Yan Zheng's mild but pointed glance, he wisely corrected himself, "They're all heroines among women, especially my future sister-in-law!"
Only then did Yan Zheng nod in satisfaction. Then, recalling Chu Ruoyan's words, he added, "You must remain as you were before—no going out, understand?"
Yan Zhao clenched his jaw. "I know..."
To the world, he was already a "dead man."
After all, attempting to assassinate the Emperor in court—even under mind control—was a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire clan.
Perhaps this was the price for trusting those Southern Barbarians.
A lifetime without freedom, never again to appear as Yan Zhao...
Meanwhile, in the carriage.
"Eldest Sister, what's wrong? Why are your hands trembling?"
Chu Ruoyan quickly tucked them into her sleeves. "It's nothing. Tell the coachman to hurry."
Chu Ruolan complied, and they rushed back.
Once inside Bodhi Courtyard, Chu Ruoyan hastily retrieved the Old Miracle Physician's pills and swallowed two before gradually feeling relief.
Just then, Yulu entered, announcing that her aunt had arrived.
She hurried out to greet them and saw Chu Jing entering with Xue Ling, followed by servants carrying numerous chests.
"This is the dowry Mother prepared for you, including a portion from Grandmother. It's quite lavish!" Xue Ling said cheerfully.
Chu Ruoyan smiled. "Thank you, Aunt. Please convey my gratitude to Old Madam Cao as well."
During her last wedding, her aunt had still been under the Xue family's thumb, only daring to send her daughter with the gifts.
Now that she was with the Cao family, she could finally return openly without fear of her in-laws' disapproval.
How wonderful.
Chu Jing sighed. "Ruoyan, you and Chief Minister Yan have parted and reunited, but fate has brought you together in the end. For your wedding in a few days, your cousin and I won't attend—your uncle is still bedridden, and we wouldn't want to dampen the joyous occasion..."
"Aunt!"
Chu Ruoyan tried to protest, but Chu Jing waved her off. "No need to say more. This was our decision. Oh, here’s a jade bracelet your mother left for your wedding. It should have been given to you last time, but a maid misplaced it. We only just found it."
She pressed a flawless green Hetian jade bracelet into Chu Ruoyan's hands—an exquisite piece with the character "Yun" carved inside...
Chu Ruoyan's fingers trembled, and she instinctively gripped Frost Snow Sword.
Yun again?!
Song Jia had once mentioned that her Frost Snow Sword once belonged to the regent of the previous dynasty.
And now, her mother's bracelet bore the royal surname of that fallen empire...
Could she truly have ties to the previous dynasty?
"Thank you, Aunt. About my mother—"
Before she could finish, Yuetao rushed in. "Young Mistress! Empress Pei has arrived!"
In the main hall, Empress Pei sat in the seat of honor, flanked by Old Madam Chu, Lady Jiang the Younger, and Lady Liu.
When Chu Ruoyan moved to bow, the Empress stopped her. "No need for formalities, Changle. Come sit beside me."
Under the varied gazes of the others, she approached. "Your Majesty, what brings you here today?"
"To add to your dowry."
With that, a dozen eunuchs filed in, carrying golden statues, hairpins, necklaces, bracelets—everything glittering so brightly it nearly blinded the onlookers.
Empress Pei took her hand. "The Emperor said you and the Chief Minister rendered great service during the crisis. He considered granting you another title, but I thought practical gifts would serve you better—so I requested a dowry fit for a princess. You don’t mind my presumption, do you?"
Chu Ruoyan shook her head fervently. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Pride invites ruin; excess invites downfall.
Though she and Yan Zheng now stood at the pinnacle of favor, he was already Chief Minister—the most powerful subject. Any further rewards would leave the Emperor no choice but to eliminate them.
The Empress was protecting them!
Empress Pei smiled approvingly. "You lack greed and know restraint—a rarity in this world. Rest assured, the Emperor is still grieving the Princess and the Fifth Prince. He won’t attend your wedding, so consider this our blessing in advance."
Chu Ruoyan knelt immediately, and the room followed suit. "We thank Your Majesty and Empress Pei!"
After the formalities, the Empress asked Chu Ruoyan to walk her out.
At the gates, she asked softly, "Does Your Majesty have any advice for me?"
Empress Pei glanced at her. "You’re too clever by half. It’s my tenth brother who insisted I relay this: If life with the Yan family becomes unbearable, seek him in Yuzhou. The position of Lady of the Imperial Uncle remains yours."
Chu Ruoyan gasped. "But—"
"Don’t worry. My brother is whimsical—today he’s infatuated, tomorrow he’ll forget. Pay him no mind." The Empress paused. "But you... I’ve heard you’ve been frail since childhood. Are you better now?"
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips together. "Much improved. Thank you for your concern."
"Good. The Chief Minister has no family left. If anything were to happen to you..." Empress Pei trailed off with a light laugh, but Chu Ruoyan’s heart clenched. "Would he really...?"
"Silly girl, even the blind can see his devotion. Be at ease."
After the Empress left, Chu Ruoyan secluded herself for two days.
One phrase echoed relentlessly in her mind:
"If anything were to happen to you, he might not survive either."
Indeed, how had she never considered that if she were to die, Yan Zheng would not live on alone?
But she had so little time left, unless...
Gritting her teeth, she finished writing the letter before calling Nanny Zhou in. "Take this letter to Tianyi Tavern and deliver it personally to Young Master Lang."
Nanny Zhou looked surprised. "Now? I was just preparing your jewelry for tomorrow..."
"Now. Go at once."
Nanny Zhou assented. Chu Ruoyan walked to the window, gazing at the moon beyond.
Yes, tomorrow was the wedding day.
She could only hope Young Master Lang would help her one last time.
