199: Twilight Disturbance

Shen Xingwan felt her earlobe go numb from his bite. She reached out and gave his arm a light pinch, but he took the opportunity to grab her hand and press it to his lips for a kiss.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you."

Situ Jun picked up a pearl hairpin and carefully tucked it into her bun.

"There, that looks beautiful."

In the bronze mirror, the woman's eyes curved into crescents, her cheeks still flushed with a lingering blush. He had smoothed the stray hairs at her temples perfectly, and the pearl hairpin swayed gently with her movements, catching the light of the setting sun and creating a scene of peaceful serenity.

Shen Xingwan reached up to touch the hairpin in her hair. Her fingertips met the cold pearl, but her heart felt warm and fuzzy.

She turned around and looked at Situ Jun's face, which was inches away. The tenderness in his eyes was like thick honey, prompting her to stand on her tiptoes and give his lips a light peck.

Situ Jun was momentarily stunned, then let out a low chuckle, cupping the back of her neck to deepen the kiss.

It wasn't until Shen Xingwan was out of breath that he released her, resting his forehead against hers with a smile in his voice.

"Why are you being so proactive today?"

"Who... who's being proactive?"

Shen Xingwan turned her face away, but he pinched her chin and turned it back, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Still denying it?" He arched an eyebrow, his thumb stroking her lips. "Who was the one who kissed me first just now?"

Shen Xingwan was left speechless. She could only glare at him, but with her reddened eyes, she lacked any intimidation and instead looked like she was acting spoiled.

Situ Jun chuckled and reached out to pick her up by the waist.

"Let's go, time to eat. If we keep this up, we'll truly go hungry."

Shen Xingwan let out a cry of surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her steadily and walked toward the outer room with light, slow steps.

The place settings were already laid out on the carved round table. Steam rose from the lotus seed soup in the celadon bowl, and the sweet scent mixed with the aroma of osmanthus honey drifted through the air.

Situ Jun placed her on a chair and held a spoonful to her lips.

"Try it?"

The lotus seeds were stewed until soft and waxy, melting in the mouth. The sweetness was just right, perfectly soothing her empty stomach.

Shen Xingwan nodded with the spoon in her mouth. Seeing a bit of honey-colored soup on his lips, she reached out to wipe it away for him.

When her fingertips touched his warm lips, both of them were momentarily startled.

Situ Jun caught her hand and lowered his head to give her palm a light bite.

"Husband!"

Shen Xingwan pulled her hand back, her cheeks heating up again.

Outside, the sky had turned completely dark. A maid entered carrying a glass lantern, the warm yellow light washing over Situ Jun's profile and making the curve of his jawline appear exceptionally soft.

He suddenly spoke.

"Tomorrow, I'll have the Embroiderer bring some fabrics over. Pick some you like and have her make a few new sets of clothes."

Shen Xingwan was stunned for a moment.

"There's no need for such trouble..."

"You are the City Lord's Wife; you shouldn't lack the proper dignity," he interrupted her, his tone serious. "From now on, you are also the mistress of this manor."

Her heart warmed. She looked down and stirred the lotus seed soup in her bowl with a spoon, whispering:

"I don't care about those things."

"I do." Situ Jun looked at her, his gaze deep. "I want everyone to know that you are my, Situ Jun's, wife."

Just as he finished speaking, a hurried set of footsteps came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by a Guard's lowered report:

"City Lord, an urgent message from the Southern Frontier."

The tenderness on Situ Jun's face vanished instantly as he said deeply:

"Enter."

A black-clad Guard knelt on one knee and presented a secret letter sealed with wax.

As Situ Jun opened it, Shen Xingwan saw his brow gradually furrow, his knuckles turning white from the force. Under the warm yellow light, his entire aura shifted back to that of the decisive City Lord of the Northern Frontier.

"Understood. You may leave."

After the Guard withdrew, the room returned to silence, but the warm atmosphere seemed to have been punctured, letting in a slight chill. Shen Xingwan asked softly:

"Did... something happen in the Southern Frontier?"

Situ Jun remained silent for a moment before holding the letter over the candle flame to ignite it. The orange flames licked the paper, burning the writing into ashes.

"Some issues have indeed arisen. Let Little Lotus serve you dinner; I need to go to the study and will come back to accompany you later."

Shen Xingwan's heart tightened, but she still nodded.

"Don't worry about me. Go attend to your business. I'll prepare some late-night snacks for you tonight."

Situ Jun wiped the corner of her mouth and rose to leave the room.

The moment the door closed, he returned to being the Lord of the Manor who controlled East Lin and whose orders were strictly followed. The grimness between his brows deepened, even carrying a hint of imperceptible Evil Qi.

He did not go to the study but instead teleported to the Meeting Hall of the City Defense Army.

The hall was brightly lit, and several East Lin generals and advisors were already waiting.

When Situ Jun entered, everyone bowed in unison.

"My Lord!"

Situ Jun sat in the main seat, his black brocade robe shimmering with a cold, hard luster under the candlelight.

His gaze was like lightning as it swept over the crowd, finally landing on the face of Yang Feng, the Commander responsible for city defense.

"Where are the forces of the Poison Scorpion Cult now?"

"Reporting to my Lord!"

Yang Feng stepped forward, his voice loud but tense:

"The Scouts report that they did not enter the city directly but are camped at Moon Gazing Peak, ten miles outside the city, seemingly waiting for something. Their numbers have increased to about thirty, including at least three people with extremely powerful auras, suspected to be Golden Core Cultivators."

"Moon Gazing Peak..."

Situ Jun's fingertips tapped lightly on the red sandalwood armrest, making a dull 'thud, thud' sound. Every beat seemed to strike the hearts of those present.

"Across the Canglan River is the Dayue Dynasty. But the Dayue Dynasty has always been weak and has never invaded Tianqi. Combined with the natural barrier of the Canglan River, which cannot be crossed except by a Golden Core Cultivator, who is this Poison Scorpion Cult waiting for..."

"My Lord."

An elderly advisor stroked his beard and said:

"They have gathered here yet do not enter the city; I fear they have some scheme. Should we... notify the Sovereign and have him send experts to help Guard East Lin?"

The hall fell silent for a moment as everyone looked at Situ Jun, waiting for his decision.

Situ Jun remained silent for a moment, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Notifying the Sovereign would certainly be safe, but the Sovereign had long been suspicious of him. The people he sent would likely only get in the way.

More importantly, Hua Hanxiang was already his. If the Poison Scorpion Cult truly intended to harm East Lin, she would surely have sent word. Since there was no movement now, their target was likely not the city itself.

" No need."

He finally spoke, his voice as steady as a rock: "No need."

"Pass down the order: double the elite Guards at the four gates, and strictly monitor and investigate any suspicious individuals. Within the city, deploy all hidden sentries to keep a close eye on all inns, taverns, and gambling dens, especially those with unfamiliar faces. As for Moon Gazing Peak, send three more teams of Scouts to rotate every twelve watches. I want to know their every move—not even the time a single fly enters or leaves can be missed!"

"Yes!" Yang Feng took the order... Situ Jun then proceeded to give further instructions, sharing information with Zhu Changpo, Bai Yu, and others to get a clear picture of the current situation in the Southern Frontier. Only then did he breathe a small sigh of relief, though the solemnity between his brows did not diminish in the slightest.

The candles in the Meeting Hall flickered, reflecting off Situ Jun's tense profile.

The tapping of his fingertips stopped. His gaze swept over the Map spread out on the table. The Canglan River acted as a natural moat protecting East Lin, while Moon Gazing Peak stood like a giant by the river, overlooking both Great Yue and East Lin.