28: Purchase medicinal herb seeds

Inside Xiangyun Garden, the summer night wind, carrying the rich fragrance of Wan Xiangyu, gently brushed past the window lattice.

Inside the gauze curtains, Situ Jun and Su Yunniang slept in each other's arms; their affection lingered throughout the night.

The next day, the morning light once again softly spilled into Xiangyun Garden.

Su Yunniang slowly woke up, and when she raised her eyes, they met Situ Jun's deep, affectionate gaze. They smiled at each other, their eyes filled with an undeniable tenderness and sweetness.

When Situ Jun arrived at the Stewards Office to handle affairs, his thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the day he lost his token.

Thinking back carefully, the only suspicious period was the time he spent handling matters in the North Courtyard.

The North Courtyard had always been busy and chaotic, with various people coming and going. It was highly likely that while he was focused on his duties, someone with ulterior motives took the opportunity to approach him and steal the token.

With suspicion in his heart, Situ Jun naturally would not stand idly by.

As night fell, he used the cover of darkness to sneak into the North Courtyard.

Relying on his Foundation Establishment Stage Three Cultivation, he silently moved between the various courtyards, holding his breath and concentrating as he eavesdropped on every conversation that might be unusual, his gaze warily observing the surrounding movements.

In the process, he witnessed many scandalous and embarrassing scenes. This unexpected “harvest” instead made him excited, increasing his motivation to investigate.

East Courtyard.

In one of the courtyards.

Cao Guang was sitting comfortably in a chair, drinking wine, while an attendant stood respectfully beside him, reporting the situation.

“Lord Cao, this is the situation regarding that young man these past few days.”

After the attendant finished speaking, he lowered his head, quietly awaiting Cao Guang's instructions.

If Situ Jun had been present, he would have recognized immediately that this attendant was a servant from the Stewards Office of the West Courtyard.

Cao Guang nodded slightly and waved his hand casually, signaling the attendant to withdraw.

After the attendant left, Cao Guang frowned deeply and muttered to himself:

“Situ Jun actually replaced the Medicinal Pills, but why does that brat run over to Su Yunniang's place every day? Could it be...”

A bold conjecture surfaced in his mind, startling him.

He was originally just working for someone else, trying to remove Situ Jun and replace him with that person's confidant. But this time, he not only failed to achieve his goal but also nearly offended Su Yunniang.

Thinking of this, Cao Guang was filled with vexation:

“Regardless of whether my guess is correct, Su Yunniang values him so highly that it will be even harder to deal with him now. Damn it, a miscalculation!”

The thought of offending Su Yunniang filled his heart with regret.

Recalling the spiritual energy fluctuation Su Yunniang inadvertently revealed that day—that was the Cultivation of Foundation Establishment Peak, far beyond what the person who commissioned him could compare to.

He pondered internally and thought:

“This is getting thorny. Maybe I should return the benefits I received...”

Cao Guang's hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he got up and walked out of the courtyard... Rose Courtyard.

The curtain of night descended in the west, obscuring the last sliver of light.

Liu Xuaner had just finished bathing, and a faint fragrance emanated from her body.

“Madam, it's almost time for bed, why are you still dressing up?”

Cui Zhu asked, confused.

Chun Hua glanced reproachfully at Cui Zhu and explained with a smile:

“The Manor Lord has returned, so of course, we must always be dressed beautifully. What if the Manor Lord suddenly comes over?”

Liu Xuaner gave Chun Hua an affectionate glare.

Then, she couldn't help but turn her head to glance outside the door, her eyes full of anticipation.

Since that time the Bei Batian favored her, he had never stepped into this courtyard again, making her extremely anxious.

Well.

Hearing that the Bei Batian had returned to the manor, she meticulously bathed and dressed every evening, wholeheartedly hoping the Bei Batian would favor her again.

“Madam, why don't you proactively go and see the Manor Lord?”

Cui Zhu whispered the suggestion.

Liu Xuaner sighed softly, saying with a crestfallen expression:

“The Manor Lord isn't mine alone. Between wives, concubines, and women who serve him, there are dozens, if not a hundred, in the manor. How can a mere concubine like me just go and see him? If I were to anger him...”

Thinking of the women who had angered the Bei Batian, been banished to the North Courtyard, and forbidden to leave for life, Liu Xuaner couldn't help but shiver, her heart filled with worry and dread.

The night deepened.

Liu Xuaner sat alone on the couch, hugging her knees.

A stream of clear tears traced down her delicate, beautiful face.

Several months had passed since that time, and the Bei Batian had never come. The mixture of longing and grievance cut her heart like a knife... On this day, the sun was about to set.

Situ Jun had just finished dealing with the Stewards Office matters and was comfortably lying on a lounge chair, drinking tea.

Suddenly, he thought of Liu Xuaner.

That woman hadn't asked him to massage her feet in a long time, nor had she flirted or teased him.

This thought made him worry. What should he do if he couldn't increase her favorability?

“Oh, right, there's also Xu Lian. I haven't gone to comfort her in days. I really miss her.”

Thinking of Xu Lian, a wave of heat surged through Situ Jun's heart.

That woman was incredibly gentle and accommodating toward him; no matter how embarrassing the request, she would try her best to fulfill it. He always immensely enjoyed the time spent with her.

But after thinking for a moment, Situ Jun shook his head:

“Another time. Tonight, I'll patrol the North Courtyard again.”

...Meanwhile, in the side room of Nangong Xue's bedchamber, Xu Lian was carefully helping her bathe.

In the hazy mist, Nangong Xue's beautiful body was faintly visible, and crystal water droplets slowly rolled down her fair, smooth shoulders.

Her long eyelashes were damp with moisture, fluttering charmingly, making her indescribably lovely and adorable.

Nangong Xue suddenly let out a small huff and said grumpily:

“That heartless man of yours hasn't come to see you in days.”

Xu Lian's hand paused slightly, and she replied with a playful smile:

“Didn't Madam forbid him from coming?”

“Hmph, I think he satisfied himself and then forgot all about you!”

Nangong Xue said, pouting.

“Tomorrow, I'm going to follow him to the market. I want to see what scheme he's up to.”

Early the next morning, when Situ Jun arrived outside Su Yunniang's courtyard, he was surprised to see Nangong Xue standing nearby, arms crossed, looking ready to demand an explanation.

Seeing this, Su Yunniang's eyes flashed with a hint of displeasure, but she quickly recovered her elegant smile:

“Is Junior Sister Nangong going with us too?”

“I'm idle anyway, so I might as well join the fun.”

Nangong Xue said without reservation.

The group arrived at the market together. The place was bustling with people, and various Spirit Plants, Medicinal Pills, and Magical Artifacts were dazzlingly displayed.

Su Yunniang stopped at a Spirit Plant stall, carefully selecting seeds.

Nangong Xue also pretended to browse and pick things out, while Xu Lian followed behind with a gentle smile, occasionally stealing a glance at Situ Jun, her face full of tenderness.

Situ Jun stood to the side, his gaze warily sweeping the surroundings. In his heart, among these three charming and beautiful women, two were his beloved, and he secretly vowed to keep them safe.

Throughout the morning, the group stopped and went, visiting jewelry stores, clothing stores, and cosmetic shops, checking if anything caught their fancy.

During this time, Nangong Xue noticed that Su Yunniang's gaze toward Situ Jun was unusual—it carried the same tenderness as Aunt Xu's, which greatly surprised Nangong Xue.

After they returned to the manor, as they were parting ways, Nangong Xue looked at Xu Lian and said she would come to her courtyard for drinks that evening.

Situ Jun glanced at Su Yunniang and awkwardly smiled as he agreed.

Judging by the inexplicable smile on Su Yunniang's face, she might have already guessed something.

He thought that he should find a time to confess his relationship with Xu Lian to her, lest she hold a grudge or misunderstand that he deliberately concealed it, which could lead to a fracture in their relationship.