Shen Miao Qi looked back and saw Yu Pin Yan walked in with an expressionless face and holding the Xiu Chun sword in his hand. He wore a crimson red official robe that the hem of which seemed to be stained with lots of liquid, turning the already intense red robe into an inky color. The liquid was so dense that as he walked, drop by drop, it slid off the fabric.
A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it not the fragrance of hundred flowers in blooms, but a nauseating fishy smell.
It was only when Shen Miao Qi saw the series of bright red polka dots dotting the cobblestone slab that she realized the hem of his robe was stained not with water, but with blood. Exactly how many people had to be killed to bring out such a strong smell of blood and thoroughly soaked wet the heavy fabric?
It was as if Shen Miao Qi had returned to the dark, sunless dungeon of the Dragon Scale Guard station, her legs and feet couldnât help but weaken.
Just then, she had reached the door and Jin Momo kindly reminded her, âYoung Miss, itâs time to cross the brazier.â
Shen Miao Qi reflexively raised her foot, but stepped into the red-hot charcoal due to her unsteady standing. She cried out and hastily leapt away. A few sparks splashed down on her long skirt, immediately burning a few charred black holes.
Yu Pin Yan crossed right over her. He bent down to pick up his gorgeously dressed younger sister and reached out to brush away her wind-blown hair on the forehead.
âElder Brother, you have blood spots sticking on your face.â Yu Xiang pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it off for him.
The blood had dried and clung to the skin which was difficult to clean up. Yu Xiang squinted to steal a smile then put a finger in her mouth before smearing it wetly over the spot and gently wiping it off.
Yu Pin Yan didnât dislike it at all. His gaze lingered a little longer at her delicate red lips, then looked over at Shen Miao Qi who seemed to be in a sorry plight as she frantically flapped her skirt.
The sparks went out quickly. Old Madam raised her voice and shouted, âWhatâs the panicking and crying out? Terrified by just a trifle matter! Hastily take Young Miss for a change of clothes!â
Lin Shi was so distressed that she cried her eyes out and quickly hugged her badly shaken daughter back to her room.
Old Madam waved away the smoke and dust flying in her nose, then sighed deeply as she looked at the overturned brazier. Indeed a bane of othersâ existence, how could one brazier dispel the bad luck she carries.
Thinking of this, she pointed at Wan Qiu and ordered, âGo tell Miao Qi to take a bath with some pomelo leaves before coming to meet me in the front hall.â
Wan Qiu undertook the task in a low voice and left hurriedly.
âYanâer, you should also go wash up, look at the mess.â The impatience in Old Madamâs tone was all replaced with distress. Recently, two major cases have fallen on her grandsonâs head, and the torture and murder everyday was truly a sin. If Jun Jie hadnât gone early, leaving behind this manor full of old as well as weak women and children, with a bunch of paternal uncles who were like wolves and tigers, how could her grandson have taken this extremely difficult and perilous path.
Yu Pin Yan nodded, taking his younger sister along with him.
***********
In a modest and atmospheric room, Yu Xiang was half seated on a soft divan, holding a snuff bottle in her hand and playing with it, while her eyes bore straight to the back of the steaming screen.
Liu Lu who was standing outside the door, dared not enter but inwardly she was anxious like a scratching cat. How could the younger sister guard in the inner room while the elder brother was taking his bath? But both siblings were never aware or avoided such taboo. It was fine when they were young, but now that they were getting older, they still didnât take this seriously. They needed to change their habits right away, otherwise how would her master get married in the future?
Just stepping out a foot on the blood-soaked official robe, blood quickly seeped along the fabric and stained the tip of the shoes. The blackish red color looked very frightening that Liu Lu shivered and promptly shrunk back. Propping her hand on her forehead, she looked at Tao Hong not too far teasing the bird and secretly sighed: itâs great to be a fool who has no worries.
There was a splash of water sound behind the screen, and a short while later, a peerless handsome young man walked out with a headful of wet hair. He had a black brocade robe and a jade belt around his waist. The lapel was wide open revealing a strong chest and several solid abs. The bronze-colored skin reflected a glowing light due to the glistening water, and looked extremely sexual.
Yu Xiangâs ears were hot, but her eyes glued to the young manâs body and unable to pull off. It was not until she heard a deep husky laugh that she realized her fingertips had jabbed on his hard abs and were sliding along the lines of the skin texture.
The tips of her ears instantly turned red like dripping blood.
Yu Pin Yan took her small hand in a reverse grip and leisurely brought it upward, where it eventually rested on his broad chest, letting her feel his desires growing restless by the day.
The heartbeat was rapid, but also steady. Ba-thump, ba-thump, like a small hammer hitting on her palm. Yu Xiang felt her palm not covering his skin, but rather on the fiery charcoal which was incredibly hot.
She moved her fingers to pull her hand back, but the young man took the first step to release the palm that pressed against the back of her hand then handed over a piece of cloth towel, âDry my hair for me.â
The enchanted atmosphere shattered like a bubble, while Yu Xiang blinked in a trance. She took the towel and gently wiped it. Like always, she then lied prone on her elder brotherâs back, sniffing the sandalwood scent in his hair.
Neither of them spoke. Their respective rapid heartbeats silently returned to normal. Yu Xiang laughed lightly twice and smiled wryly, wrapping her slender arms around the youthâs neck and asked, âElder Brother, if I fall into the water at the same time as my sister, who will you save first?â
What kind of question was that? Feeling jealous? Yu Pin Yan didnât answer, instead he lowered his head and laughed. The arms around his neck tightened more, as if warning him that she would be ruthless if he didnât give a satisfactory answer soon.
Stretching his arms and fetching his younger sister into his arms from behind, Yu Pin Yan nudged the tip of her nose and said, âNaturally, Iâll save you.â
âThen if I fall in the water the same as mother, who will you save first?â Yu Xiang leaned closer to stare into his eyes.
âOf course, itâs still you.â Yu Pin Yan replied quickly. His eyes shone brightly with pleasure. He loved Xiangâer who made no secret of her possessiveness.
âThen if Iâm with âŠ.â realizing that it was not suitable to compare herself and grandmother while setting out to make things difficult for her elder brother, she omitted her unfinished words and hugged her brotherâs strong slender waist with a contented smile.
Yu Pin Yan forced her into his arms and sighed silently.