Lan Yixuan lowered his head as the courtyard was adorned with vibrant red lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere. The dim red light cast a soft glow on her face, reminiscent of stars scattered across the night sky. Her eyes, imbued with a hint of intoxication, sparkled brighter than the celestial bodies above. With a playful blink, she maintained her characteristic charm; even her most boorish actions exuded an effortless grace that delighted those around her. In this moment, her smile, filled with a hint of flattery and affection, was utterly endearing to Lan Yixuan, who could not help but find her playful demeanor reminiscent of a child tugging at her mother's sleeve for sweets.
In Feng Jiulan's eyes, she seemed like an eternal child, the kind of girl who only indulged in capriciousness in his presence. As he gazed at Xianyue, she was equally intent on looking up at him, her laughter ringing out like a melody, and only he understood the joy swelling within him.
Lei Yun and Lei An had already risen from the table. A glance exchanged between them revealed a mutual understanding of the excitement and happiness reflected on Lan Yixuan's face.
"What are you laughing at? Where's my red envelope?"
Xianyue shot a playful glare at Lan Yixuan, her expression wholly that of an innocent girl. She tugged at his hand, presenting her open palm before him with a pout: "Red envelope, red envelope, hurry up and give it to me!"
In truth, she felt immense gratitude for her current life. Despite the trials and hardships endured over the past decade, she had persevered. Once known as Su Zhixin, she now realized she was merely a substitute, uncertain of her own identity—what a sorrowful existence! Yet now, though abandoned by her mother and neglected by her father, she possessed a legitimate identity and a caring brother.
The Su family was a prominent household in the area, steeped in tradition. With four sons and one daughter, the daughter—despite her folly—was cherished like a jewel. Every year during the New Year festivities, after a hearty meal, the family would gather on the sofa to watch the Spring Festival Gala. The four young masters, typically subdued, would endure their younger sister's relentless pleas for red envelopes, each demand met with loving indulgence from their parents. She had been like that, a single utterance of "Wishing you prosperity," followed immediately by a "Where's my red envelope?" Their parents, full of affection, would bestow upon her the carefully prepared gifts, leaving the young masters to begrudgingly prepare their own, fully aware of their parents' favoritism toward their one and only silly sister. In those moments, she could only lean against the wall, filled with envy.
Fools are often blessed, and perhaps that saying was meant for her.
She thought that no matter how resilient one might be, even a heart hardened like stone still craved warmth.
"What red envelope?"
Lan Yixuan allowed Xianyue to tug at him without resistance, his smile deepening as he fixed his gaze on her, his gentle eyes shimmering like rippling water.
"Lan Yixuan, you know very well what I'm talking about."
Xianyue shouted: "Don't tell me you haven't prepared one!"
With a fierce glare, she regarded Lan Yixuan, as if to say he would be doomed if he dared to claim ignorance.
Before he could respond, she nearly pressed herself against him, her hands mischievously sliding into his clothing.
Though accustomed to her unpredictable behavior, Lan Yixuan's body froze for a moment, her hands warm against the winter chill, igniting an unexpected fire within him. As her hand brushed over his chest, his mind momentarily blanked, his cheeks ablaze.
Suddenly, the dark night sky burst into brilliant fireworks, illuminating her porcelain-like face. It was as though he had been jolted awake, and he instinctively grasped her hand. As the golden sparks faded into the night, a gentle smile graced his face, regal and untouchable. "When will you behave like a proper woman?"
Xianyue understood precisely what he meant; in front of Lei Yun and Lei An, she had audaciously pressed against him. Though it had been through clothing, she felt the warmth vividly, knowing she was merely playfully teasing him.
Even if Lan Yixuan had not held her hand, she understood it was time to rein herself in. With a carefree smile and no hint of embarrassment, she appeared to insist that he was to blame for this situation: "It's only because I'm a woman that I touch you! If I were a man, why would I touch you? Can only men indulge in desires? Must they alone have their harems and wander through brothels while we cannot take advantage of men?"
Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she burst into laughter: "Lan Yixuan, I'm merely doing what they wish they could do but are too timid to attempt!"
"Do you know?"
Lan Yixuan pressed his lips together, and at this close distance, Xianyue sensed his good humor.
Without hesitation, she nodded: "Those noble ladies are often kept in seclusion, and when they see a dashing figure like you, how could they not feel a flurry of emotions? They shyly lower their heads, hesitatingly confessing their desire to be with you, their hearts full of longing yet devoid of courage."
With her chin held high, she spoke earnestly.
Lei Yun bit his lip to stifle his laughter, while Lei An beside him wore a similar expression. Though they felt they didn't truly know this woman, they were inexplicably intrigued, eager to ask her how she knew these things, as if those noble ladies were precisely as she described—tongue-tied and shy, their desires unvoiced.
Xianyue spread her hands in front of Lan Yixuan: "Red envelopes symbolize good fortune. Since my brother is not here, who else would I ask for one? Lan Yixuan, you are known for your generosity; how could you possibly withhold such a trivial amount? If my brother were here, I wouldn't even need to ask; you were already reminded to prepare one for me! After all, I'm younger than you, so you must give me a red envelope."
By the end, she had wholly shifted the responsibility onto Lan Yixuan, behaving rather petulantly.
Lan Yixuan fixed his gaze on her, a flash of fierceness evident in his eyes, but it was fleeting, as it always was. He tightened his grip on her hand, and as she struggled, he quickly released her.
Xianyue twisted her wrist where he had held her. Though he had gripped her tightly, it hadn't hurt much; had it been Bai Zhanfeng, her wrist would surely bear bright red marks.
"Lan Yixuan, if I were like every other woman, even if I were a princess, would you still insist on marrying me?"
What difference did it make if she were a princess? Ning Yunyin, Hua Chuxue—were they not all princesses? If he wished to marry, it would be no trouble at all, yet he showed her no real effort. He was drawn to her resilience; in this world, the unattainable was always the most desirable. Moreover, she was undoubtedly more exceptional than either Ning Yunyin or Hua Chuxue.
"Though I'm not solely devoted to you, what can be done?"
Xianyue shook her head and sighed, "You insist that you will marry no one but me. A person like you could never easily relinquish what they desire. Although many men wish to marry me, your chances are the greatest—greater than Bai Zhanfeng's. I am seventy percent inclined to marry you. What's wrong with me wanting to embrace my own man? If I wish to touch, then I shall touch."
With that, Xianyue lunged at Lan Yixuan, tugging at his collar with reckless abandon. "Hurry, give me a red envelope! If you don't give me a red envelope, don't expect me to let go!"
She entwined herself around Lan Yixuan like an octopus, her legs wrapping around his waist and her arms encircling his neck, to the point where he could scarcely breathe, yet he made no effort to evade her, allowing her to revel in her whims.
To Leian, it was undoubtedly a display of petulance. He smirked, feeling a gentle gaze directed at him, as soft as the delicate rain of March. Yet, although it was gentle, it felt chilling and somewhat piercing against his skin. Leian hurriedly lowered his head, wanting to escape but lacking the courage to do so.
Inwardly, he lamented that even inebriation should not lead to such antics.
Beside him, LeiYun tugged at his sleeve, pointing at Xianyue, who was clinging to Lan Yixuan. "What sort of wine did you bring?"
Snow on Lips, a cup of intoxication—this wine was not particularly strong, nor had she ever been seen drunk. Compared to her previous behavior, she hadn't consumed much earlier.
"Moonlit Dew,"LeiYun replied.
LeiYun cast a glance at Leian, silently acknowledging why he had brought out their master's prized possessions.
"Quick, give me a red envelope!"
"If you don't give me a red envelope, I won't let this go!"
Xianyue collapsed against Lan Yixuan, her slender fingers occasionally wandering through his disheveled hair. This sight of Lan Yixuan was a first for both Leian and LeiYun.
Their master was known for his remarkable patience, yet they both understood that if it had been an ordinary woman, no matter how agile she might be, she could never manage to ensnare him in such a disheveled state.
Their master was notoriously fastidious, particularly regarding unwanted feminine contact. In the dim light, they observed as Xianyue's saliva nearly splattered across his face.
Leian, head lowered, tugged at LeiYun's sleeve. "Do you have any red envelopes on you?"
LeiYun regarded Leian with suspicion, shaking his head. Leian, unconvinced, retorted, "You must have prepared one for her."
Although Leian did not name her explicitly, both understood who she was. She had mentioned her several times, and LeiYun, being perceptive, would certainly remember.
"If this continues, our master will surely have my head."
Leian felt an urge to cry; that Moonlit Dew was personally brewed by their master. They were unaware of its composition, but it was known to be potent. Leian himself, having only tasted a small bowl, was already utterly inebriated. It was merely a whim that had led him to bring it along, never expecting Xianyue would become drunk or act out in such a manner.
LeiYun bent slightly, retrieving a prepared red envelope from his pocket, reluctantly handing it to Leian. As Leian took it, he inquired, "Do you have another?"
"What more do you need?"
LeiYun lowered his voice intentionally, thinking that helping their master out of this predicament was sufficient.
"Give me one more."
With a grimace, he replied, "If our master gives her a red envelope and she comes to ask me for one, and I have none—"
His words trailed off, but LeiYun understood. If she approached them demanding a red envelope and they had none to offer, it would be far worse than the consequences of the Moonlit Dew. She was their master's woman, and even devoid of any ulterior motives, she was not to be touched. Furthermore, while Leian might not be particularly fastidious, he certainly wouldn't wish to be embraced by a drunken woman spraying saliva everywhere.
LeiYun reached into his pocket, pulling out a handful of red envelopes. Leian glanced at them, counting at least a dozen, and shot LeiYun a dissatisfied look.
"These are meant for the servants of the estate."
With their master frequently absent, everything here required the care of servants, providing them with the necessary silver in return for their loyalty—an entirely fair exchange.
LeiYun snatched the envelopes and turned around. Xianyue had already leaped off Lan Yixuan, holding what appeared to be a painting. It was merely a thin piece of paper, and with the effect of the light, although they could not see clearly, they discerned that the person depicted possessed flawless features, a gentle smile, and wore purple robes. The misty eyes seemed to hold a hint of mirth, exuding nobility and elegance, yet losing the once-unapproachable aura.
"Lan Yixuan, what is this for?"
It couldn't be consumed, nor could it procure anything edible. It was merely a thin layer of paper that would crumple with a careless poke, and one could hardly tell if it was waterproof.
"Didn't you want a red envelope?"
Lan Yixuan gazed at Xianyue, his clear eyes reflecting a dreamy intoxication, somewhat hazy and indistinct. His cheeks were flushed, and after all the commotion, a light sheen of sweat glistened on his face.
Xianyue accepted the painting and made as if to hand it back to Lan Yixuan, but he stopped her, saying, "Take this. I'll grant you a condition: do you want a mountain of gold or a mountain of silver?"
"Any condition I want?"
Lan Yixuan nodded. "As long as I can fulfill it."
Xuan Yue hurriedly withdrew her hand, carefully folding the disheveled image into a neat bundle before placing it into the red envelope that Lan Yixuan had given her. She tucked it into her pocket; although there were restrictions, it was still a good deal. What Lan Yixuan could accomplish was undoubtedly worth more than mountains of gold and silver.
Lan Yixuan watched her actions intently, pointing to her pocket, "Aren't you going to return that to me?"
Xuan Yue shook her head. She considered herself no great person, and it was perfectly acceptable to change her mind. With her thick skin, how could she be provoked by Lan Yixuan? "What you gave me is mine now; no one is allowed to take my things."
Xuan Yue widened her eyes, her slightly pointed chin lifted, exuding an air of arrogance. Despite her small stature, she appeared frail, as though no amount of food or sleep could make her gain weight.
It would be a lie to say she had no thoughts on the matter. Others were doing everything possible to get her to agree to their proposals—Liu Xinyou was one, Jun Pinyu another, and Ning Yunyans' three conditions were won through her own risky efforts. She had only done two things for herself, and looking at it now, she wouldn't even pursue the third condition; why would she willingly seek out embarrassment? As for Nian An, most of the things he had given her were likely out of gratitude. But what about Lan Yixuan?
Aside from her brother, it seemed that no one had ever proactively promised her anything. If Lan Yixuan wanted to marry her, then whether she wed or not was hardly a decision she could dictate.
She knew her own identity and pondered whether her actions were meant to leave a path of retreat for whom. She had no idea; she just felt that he genuinely cared for her, and that alone was sufficient.
Just as she had said, there was a seventy percent chance she would marry him. She would not allow herself to fall for him; however, having such affection bestowed upon her meant that even if he were to have three thousand beauties in his harem in the future, no one would dare bully her. Of course, even without the emperor's favor, she would not allow herself to be wronged by anyone. If such conditions existed, could they allow him to set her free?
Xuan Yue cheerfully accepted the red envelope given by Lan Yixuan, sincerely expressing her thanks. In her heart, she felt a great deal of happiness, believing she was luckier than the foolish Su Zhixin because all she received was money, lacking any creativity. She smiled, suddenly rushing forward to embrace Lan Yixuan, and before he could react, she had already stepped back. "Lan Gongzi, you are truly a wonderful person."
Her words lingered in his ears, but she turned away without a hint of hesitation. His hand, which had instinctively moved to the back, called out to her name in his heart, Feng Xuan Yue. That gentle smile now seemed like a pearl veiled in dust, slightly dimmed. Except for Feng Jiulan, who could make her cry and feel pain, she remained indifferent to others, and this phrase barely scratched the surface; this woman was utterly heartless.
Xuan Yue's steps faltered slightly as she steadied herself against the table, shaking her head. Though her path wasn't straight, she nonetheless made her way, unwavering, to Lei An and Lei Yun. With her hands outstretched, she faced both Lei Yun and Lei An, declaring, "Wishing you prosperity!"
Then she beckoned with her finger, the implication unmistakable.
Lei Yun first handed over the red envelope he had prepared for her. Normally, Lei An would have bantered with Xuan Yue, but now he dared not, fearing that she might act out in her drunken state. Without a second thought, he gave her all the envelopes he had taken from Lei Yun.
Xuan Yue looked at her palm, slowly gathering the envelopes. With her other hand, she pointed at Lei An. "You, come with me."
Her tone was not one of negotiation but a command that brooked no dissent.
This time, Lei An did not glance at Lan Yixuan; there was no time to seek approval. Before his gaze could meet Lan Yixuan's, Xuan Yue had already reached out her hand. Startled, Lei An took several steps back. "I'll go with you."
Xuan Yue pointed at Lei An, laughing loudly as she dashed towards him. Her speed, already swift, now seemed even faster, and in the blink of an eye, she was before him, tapping his forehead playfully. "I'm not interested in you."
If it were anyone else, Lei An would have retorted. However, he was acutely aware that the person he was competing against was akin to a deity in his mind.
Xuan Yue's laughter ceased as she grabbed his hand and headed for the exit. Lei Yun struggled, causing Xuan Yue to pause, her smile vanishing, replaced by a slight upward turn of her lips that made Lei An feel apprehensive.
"If you don't let me pull you, then carry me out."
Upon hearing this, Lei An instinctively glanced at Lan Yixuan, who stood nearby with an expression that remained indifferent.
Lei An felt that Xuan Yue was somewhat tipsy, and arguing with a drunken woman was like a scholar encountering a soldier—no amount of reason could prevail. "I can walk myself; you drunken woman!"
With a frustrated shout, Lei An bolted out the door. Had he known it would come to this, he would never have let her mingle with that moonlit liquor. Now he truly understood what it meant to lift a stone only to smash his own foot.
"Why are you running so fast? I won't eat you!"
Xuan Yue laughed as she chased after him, and Lei An ran even faster, as if being pursued by real ghosts.
"Young Master, Miss Xuan Yue is drunk."
Lei Yun observed as Lan Yixuan suddenly appeared before him, bowing slightly.
Lan Yixuan took a few steps forward, his expression neutral. "Three parts intoxication." The remaining seven parts were still sober.
He was well aware of her alcohol tolerance. Although the moonlit liquor was strong, she hadn't consumed much. If she were truly drunk, merely swaying her head would be ineffective. Instead, she used her inebriation to voice her thoughts and act on her desires, yet she still hadn't revealed her true feelings.
Lei Yun said nothing, quietly standing behind Lan Yixuan. Was it really just three parts intoxication?
Seventy percent of what the Young Master sought would ultimately belong to him; he never doubted that.
As Lei Yun watched the departing figure, the outside suddenly became lively, with a cacophony of excited shouts and cheers that pierced through the air. Before he could even discern what was happening, Lan Yixuan had already stepped outside.