83: entangled with Liu Xuan'er

As for Chunxiang Tower, Zhuang Xian had never left.

The waning moon hung like a hook, and the vermilion gates of Chunxiang Tower shimmered with a seductive light in the night.

Zhuang Xian leaned against a gilded, carved couch. The amber wine in his jade cup rippled with the motion of his wrist. The scent of rouge and wine intertwined, intensifying his intoxication.

The four beauties sent by Bei Batian leaned against him as melodious tunes flowed through the carved tower, leaving him lost in a dream of indulgence.

The next morning, before the mist had cleared, Zhuang Xian stumbled back to the City Lord's Manor with a hangover.

The heavy scent of incense from Chunxiang Tower still clung to his hair. His robes were slightly disheveled, and though his steps were unsteady, he still carried an air of arrogance.

Zhu Changpo was already waiting respectfully at the manor gates. He watched as this malevolent deity strolled leisurely into the inner courtyard, followed by the four beauties, and sighed inwardly.

The four beauties were graceful and charming, their eyes full of spring as they followed behind Zhuang Xian like a unique landscape.

As Zhuang Xian passed the West Courtyard, he suddenly stopped.

Looking toward the desolate courtyard, he suddenly burst into laughter. His laughter sounded particularly piercing in the quiet morning:

"City Lord Bei certainly knows how to be a person! Tonight, let these beauties sing in the East Courtyard!"

After saying that, he led the beauties away, leaving Zhu Changpo behind to secretly speculate on Zhuang Xian's thoughts... In the afternoon, the sun shone lazily on the Rose Courtyard where Liu Xuaner lived.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the courtyard gate. The "thud, thud, thud" sound broke the silence of the courtyard.

Cui Zhu opened the door and her face instantly turned pale—it was actually the wicked Young Master Zhuang Xian who had caused a scene in the manor yesterday.

She suppressed the fear in her heart and curtsied:

"Gree... Greetings, Young Master."

Zhuang Xian sized Cui Zhu up. Seeing that she was delicate and pretty but small and not yet fully developed, he couldn't help but shake his head inwardly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

Then, he raised an eyebrow and asked with a tone of impatience:

"Where is your mistress?"

Cui Zhu was somewhat breathless from the powerful Aura emanating from Zhuang Xian. She spoke with difficulty:

"Mistress, she... she is inside."

"Take me to see your mistress."

Zhuang Xian ordered rudely, stepping forward to enter the courtyard.

Liu Xuaner heard Zhuang Xian's shouting from inside. Her heart skipped a beat, and she knew something was wrong.

But she had no choice. She could only brace herself and walk out, forcing a smile:

"Young Master Zhuang, why have you come?"

Today, Liu Xuaner wore a dark purple gauze dress. The light gauze fluttered in the wind, faintly revealing her snow-like skin and slender jade legs. Every step she took seemed to exude infinite charm, making it hard not to look.

Her features were like a painting. Even with light makeup, her eyebrows were as soft as willow leaves and her eyes as bright as stars.

Her vermilion lips were moist and glistening, like a delicate Cherry, making one's heart race and wish for a taste.

Zhuang Xian's eyes immediately lit up. He stared intently at Liu Xuaner, his breathing becoming slightly hurried.

A moment later.

He slowly walked a circle around Liu Xuaner. His burning gaze seemed to want to carve every part of her into his eyes, and his nose kept sniffing the faint fragrance she emitted:

"Seeing you today, Mistress, I finally know what a beauty is. You are simply a peerless beauty, a woman beyond compare!"

Liu Xuaner dodged slightly, suppressing her inner discomfort, and asked again:

"For what matter has Young Master Zhuang come today?"

Zhuang Xian's face seemed to linger on the memory as he licked his lips and said:

"Yesterday, didn't I say I wanted you to personally brew tea for me? Plus, I have a hangover from last night, so I came to see if I could have a cup of hangover tea made by your own hands."

Liu Xuaner gave an awkward smile and said:

"My tea skills are not good. Why not let a maid do it instead? Young Master Zhuang, please come in for a cup of tea?"

Zhuang Xian thought that since he was here to get close to the beauty anyway, he didn't insist on her brewing the tea. He nodded and said:

"Alright. Next time, you must practice your tea skills and brew a cup for me."

Liu Xuaner forced a smile and said:

"Of course, of course. Young Master Zhuang, please come inside!"

After the two were seated, a maid served clear tea.

Zhuang Xian took a sip, his eyes glued to Liu Xuaner, unwilling to look away for even a second.

That burning gaze made Liu Xuaner quite embarrassed, feeling as if she were being seen through entirely, making her whole body feel uncomfortable.

"Is there something wrong with your health, Mistress?"

Zhuang Xian suddenly spoke, his tone concerned but his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Liu Xuaner was secretly annoyed, but she kept a smile on her face and said:

"Uh... No. Young Master Zhuang, please drink your tea."

"That's good. I thought you were unwell. It just so happens I know a bit of the Medical Arts."

Zhuang Xian smiled slightly, then changed the subject and continued:

"Oh, right. City Lord Bei sent me a message saying that you can take care of my food, lodging, and entertainment in the manor. I wonder if you..."

Zhuang Xian's sudden words left Liu Xuaner dumbfounded, her smile freezing instantly.

After a moment, she managed a strained smile and said:

"It is likely because I manage the manor's expenses, so the City Lord wants me to be responsible for Young Master Zhuang's expenditures."

Zhuang Xian clearly didn't accept this explanation. He sighed and said:

"Then I will ask the City Lord again to clarify what exactly he meant by 'take care of'."

Liu Xuaner sat to the side, feeling awkward and not knowing how to speak. The atmosphere fell into a deadlock.

Just then, Chun Hua came in to announce that Su Yunniang had arrived.

Before Liu Xuaner could respond, Su Yunniang had already walked straight in from the door:

"Greetings, Young Master Zhuang."

Her tone was flat and her expression calm, completely unaffected by Zhuang Xian's intimidation.

Seeing Su Yunniang's arrival, Liu Xuaner was overjoyed, as if seeing a glimmer of hope in the dark. She quickly said:

"Is Sister here to teach me how to plant flowers?"

After saying that, she secretly winked at Su Yunniang, sending a distress signal.

Su Yunniang understood and cleared her throat, saying:

"Of course. But since Young Master Zhuang is here, we can learn a bit later."

With that, she sat down next to Liu Xuaner.

Zhuang Xian knew this was just an excuse to brush him off, but with Su Yunniang there, it wasn't easy for him to continue pestering Liu Xuaner.

There would be plenty of time in the future, and he didn't care about this one moment. So he stood up and said with a smile:

"Since you two ladies have business to attend to, I won't disturb you. It just so happens I'm heading out to listen to music and drink wine."

After saying that, his gaze lingered longingly on Liu Xuaner's lovely figure before he smiled and turned to leave.

Watching Zhuang Xian walk away, Su Yunniang spoke:

"Why don't you come and stay with me? That way, he won't dare to harass you too much."

Liu Xuaner was tempted, but thinking of how difficult Zhuang Xian was and fearing she would disturb Su Yunniang's peace, she said hesitantly:

"Thank you, Sister. I'll stay alone for a few more days first. If it doesn't work out, I'll go to your place."