287: The Princess Consort of Yan, whom I had not seen for a long time...

In the dead of night, Li Shengyuan moved like lightning, silently sweeping over the rooftops and alleys of the capital, rushing towards the suburban location described in the letter.

His mind was in turmoil; that single character, 'Pei,' was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

Could it be her?

The Yan Consort in the Prince Yans Mansion in the Northern Territory, who had no affection for Prince Yan, Muyun Xiao, and was merely a figurehead.

The woman who had been ambiguously entangled with him several times, and then mysteriously disappeared after Prince Yan was executed... Pei Shuyun!

Recalling it now, when he sent a poem to her in the backyard of the Prince Yans Mansion, there were still two lines he hadn't told her... After he executed Prince Yan and took control of the Northern Territory, he had sent people to search for her whereabouts, but there was always no news, as if she had vanished from the earth.

He never expected that after more than a year, she would actively appear in the capital and arrange to meet him in this manner.

The destination was a secluded manor in the suburbs, nestled within a bamboo forest, appearing exceptionally quiet under the night sky, even with a hint of eeriness.

Li Shengyuan restrained his aura, landing in the courtyard like a ghost.

Moonlight, like water, spilled onto the graceful figure standing with her back to him in the center of the courtyard.

A simple yet elegant dress, unable to conceal her charm, outlined her exquisite curves; just her back view was full of allure.

Seemingly sensing his arrival, the figure slowly turned around.

The moonlight illuminated her face; she was still as charming and captivating as ever, her eyes, when they moved, carried a bone-chilling allure.

However, there seemed to be a depth and elusiveness in her brows that had not been there before.

It was Pei Shuyun!

She looked at Li Shengyuan, a seductive smile that could topple nations curving her lips, her voice soft and intoxicating:

"It's been a long time, Lord Li. You are now renowned throughout the land, your might reaching across the seas. Surely you haven't... become forgetful, like a nobleman, and forgotten this humble one?"

Before Li Shengyuan could answer, she sighed lightly, as if lamenting her own fate, her eyes dimming with a hint of sorrow:

"That's true. My beauty has faded, and I am a woman of sin, the widow of Prince Yan..."

"Now I am merely a rootless duckweed; how could I still catch Lord Li's eye? Indeed, I was overreaching."

Her words were barbed, both true and false, making it difficult to discern her true feelings.

Li Shengyuan did not immediately respond, merely watching her with complex emotions.

After more than a year apart, Pei Shuyun had changed considerably; not only was her demeanor more profound, but more importantly... Li Shengyuan keenly sensed that the spiritual energy flowing around her had reached the realm of a nascent third-rank expert!

One must know that when she was in the Northern Territory, her cultivation was merely fourth-rank.

What had she experienced in this past year? What fortuitous encounter had she had?

He suppressed the surprise and doubt in his heart, finally sighing, and asked in a low voice:

"Shuyun... where have you been this past year?"

"After I left the Prince Yans Mansion, I could no longer find any trace of you."

Hearing the long-unheard 'Shuyun,' Pei Shuyun's delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly. The charming smile on her face gradually receded, replaced by a look of composure and complexity.

She avoided Li Shengyuan's probing gaze, looking towards the distant darkness, and said softly:

"Some things... I had to leave. For the specific reasons, please forgive me for not being able to explain them clearly now."

Seeing that she was still unwilling to be frank, an inexplicable surge of anger and... a hint of worry that even he hadn't noticed, welled up in Li Shengyuan's heart.

His face darkened, and without another word, he took a step, his figure like an illusion, instantly appearing before Pei Shuyun.

Pei Shuyun gasped, and before she could react, she was pulled into Li Shengyuan's strong arms and held tightly.

"Ah! You..."

Just as she was about to struggle, Li Shengyuan raised his hand and, without mercy, delivered a solid slap to her rear!

"Slap!"

The crisp sound was exceptionally clear in the silent night.

Pei Shuyun's delicate body trembled from the blow, leaving her instantly stunned.

Immediately, an indescribable sensation coursed through her body, causing her fair cheeks to flush crimson, and her eyes instantly shimmered with a hazy, watery glow.

"Li Shengyuan! You... what are you doing?!" She was both ashamed and angry, her voice trembling.

Li Shengyuan's face was stern, his gaze burning as he stared at her, his tone commanding and undeniable:

"This is to punish you for leaving without a word back then, making me... needlessly worried!"

The unspoken words in his statement shook Pei Shuyun's heart, her anger instantly dissipating, transforming into an indescribable bitterness and flutter.

Her red lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to explain something, to defend herself... However, Li Shengyuan did not give her the chance.

He lowered his head and precisely captured her luscious, dewy red lips, which were slightly parted in surprise.

He sealed all the words she hadn't yet managed to utter within a domineering and fervent kiss.

"Mmm...!"

Pei Shuyun's struggles weakened, eventually turning into silent whimpers and gradually softening submission.

The complex emotions of a long-awaited reunion, the loneliness and forbearance of the past year, all seemed to find an outlet in this sudden kiss.

Her hands involuntarily climbed onto Li Shengyuan's firm back.

The two embraced tightly...