Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 389: Vermilion Bird: Sinning Ah!

Mu Yan looked into her eyes and said, "Lan’er, do you still remember when I stole the two Luminous Pearls that Emperor Xuanwu had gifted to your father?"

Zhan Lan nodded. Mu Yan continued, "There are ten Luminous Pearls in total, and they contain secrets about my lineage."

Zhan Lan’s pupils dilated as she listened attentively.

"Back then, Nanjin, Eastern Wei, Beiyue, and Western Rong were four smaller nations. To maintain balance, each nation sent a hostage to Zhongzhou."

"The hostage sent by Nanjin was Emperor Xuanwu’s father, Si Xuanyi, correct?" Zhan Lan asked.

Mu Yan nodded. "Yes, him. I’ve opened all ten Luminous Pearls. In your room, of the two I opened, one recorded that Si Xuanyi forced himself upon my mother, resulting in my birth. My mother loathed him deeply."

Zhan Lan finally understood why Mu Yan was ruthless toward the Si Family, determined to root them out completely!

It turned out their goals were surprisingly aligned.

"Mu Yan, you resemble your mother, don’t you?" Zhan Lan asked, staring at Mu Yan’s strikingly handsome face, akin to an otherworldly immortal.

In her past life as Empress, she had seen a portrait of the late Emperor Si Xuanyi in the royal palace, but compared to Mu Yan’s appearance, there was still a noticeable difference.

Moreover, Si Xuanyi had died at a young age. Could there be more to the story?

Mu Yan shook his head and said, "I have a faint memory of how she looked. Whether she abandoned me or is still alive, I don’t know. From the age of ten, I lived alone. Still, I’m grateful she gave me this identity—Zhongzhou’s loyalist remnants never abandoned me."

Zhan Lan found it hard to imagine the hardships Mu Yan endured, scheming alone since the age of ten, to grow into the man he had become today.

As Mu Yan fell into his memories, he suddenly felt a softness against him; Zhan Lan had silently embraced him tightly.

A warm wave washed over Mu Yan’s heart. Even though they were already married, his heart still raced whenever Lan’er initiated such intimacy.

"Lan’er, with such a shameful background..."

Before Mu Yan could finish, he felt softness on his lips—Zhan Lan had kissed him.

Mu Yan’s heart seemed to erupt with radiant fireworks. He pulled her slender waist closer, deepening the kiss.

After a long while, Zhan Lan’s eyes glistened with moisture, and her ears turned red.

They locked eyes. Mu Yan murmured, "An Chun, I like your boldness..."

Zhan Lan’s ears reddened further. Usually, she was daring, but when it came to matters of romance, she became inexplicably shy.

"I’m no An Chun! I’m your master!" Zhan Lan retorted, indignant. "Your archery has improved recently, hasn’t it? Are you ready to graduate and stop calling me ’master’?"

Mu Yan leaned close to her ear, his voice raspy, and said, "Master, shall we spar then...?"

His warm breath tickled Zhan Lan’s ears, making her itch. The word "master" seemed to take on a different tone altogether. Zhan Lan pushed him away and said, "Just call me An Chun!"

Mu Yan smirked and stared at her with growing seriousness. "Lan’er, Si Jun has been secretly training soldiers. Last time, I found out their location, but he was quick to react—by the time the Iron Armor Guard arrived, the soldiers had already moved."

Zhan Lan looked toward Mu Yan.

Having lived her life again, she understood: One needs to act with kindness and plan with cunning to succeed. Mu Yan was the perfect balance of these qualities—a Bodhisattva’s heart coupled with thunderous methods!

Zhan Lan knew Si Jun well and continued, "Si Jun covets the throne more than anything. Soon, he’ll turn his focus more aggressively toward the Crown Prince. That will be our chance to strike."

Mu Yan nodded in agreement, then turned to look at Zhan Lan with helplessness, lightly pinching her cheek as he teased, "How could you have ever thought he was worthy?"

Zhan Lan shot back, "Well, you treated Miss Qingcheng quite well before, didn’t you? Hmph!"

Mu Yan felt like he’d shot himself in the foot. He stared at Zhan Lan meaningfully and asked with a smile, "Are you jealous?"

"I am not!" Zhan Lan replied, turning her gaze away. "Don’t mention him again. It was only because Zhan Xuerou kept praising him in front of me. I thought he was so remarkable—I was deceived but never liked him."

Mu Yan placed Zhan Lan’s hand on his chest and said, "Alright, I promise you. And you must never bring up Miss Qingcheng in romantic terms again; I’ve never had any feelings for her."

Zhan Lan sighed with slight regret and said, "Why didn’t I meet you earlier?"

Mu Yan looked into her eyes, contemplating whether to reveal the truth—that he was actually Lan’er’s master. They had met when she was ten years old.

However, the girl had grown up and changed considerably, and he hadn’t recognized her.

Back then, she was incredibly cautious and lied about her name, calling herself Lan’er.

Indeed, she had been nothing but a little trickster!

Of course, he hadn’t revealed his true identity to her either, so it was fair play!

"Lan’er..." Mu Yan was about to disclose their past when a sudden knock at the door interrupted him.

"Master, Madam, I need to report something," came Vermilion Bird’s voice.

"Come in," Mu Yan responded toward the door. freeweɓnøvel.com

Vermilion Bird entered the room and respectfully said, "Master, Madam, could you have Xue Lingling stay in a different courtyard instead of with me?"

"Why?" Mu Yan asked, his expression serious.

Vermilion Bird sighed heavily and replied, "She... living with her is awkward for me."

Mu Yan asked, "Awkward how?"

Vermilion Bird’s ears turned red, and he stammered, "Sometimes, she... she... she dresses too revealingly, and she... she... Anyway, it’s inappropriate!"

Mu Yan’s expression hardened as he solemnly said, "The Poisonous Insect Clan is known for their uninhibited customs. Showing arms and legs is normal for them. In summer, they even wear cropped tops and short skirts—this is their culture. Xue Lingling is a guest; you must respect her."

Vermilion Bird could hardly bear how Xue Lingling, freshly bathed and bare-skinned, would stroll about in front of him.

He’d become so unnerved that he’d stopped leaving his room!

Mu Yan scolded Vermilion Bird sternly, leaving no room for argument.

"Go now, and take good care of Xue Lingling. The princess and I are still waiting for her to refine poison," Mu Yan said, ushering him out.

Zhan Lan noticed the playful smile curving Mu Yan’s lips and asked, "You did that on purpose, didn’t you?"

Mu Yan slid an arm around Zhan Lan’s waist and replied, "That kid’s gotten bold—you have no idea what he’s done!"

Zhan Lan’s curiosity was piqued. "What did he do?"

Mu Yan’s ears reddened slightly, and he muttered, "It’s a secret."

Outside the door, Vermilion Bird stared at the sky, his expression forlorn.

Despite serving his master for so long, this was the first time he felt so helpless.

Feeling stifled, Vermilion Bird returned to his courtyard, frustration brewing. He decided to take a bath.

Irritated, he kicked open the bathhouse door, only to be stunned by the sight of steam rising around a young woman’s graceful figure.

Their eyes met, and both simultaneously screamed.

"Ahhh!"

Vermilion Bird’s cheeks flushed as he bolted out and slammed the door shut. He had never imagined Xue Lingling would be inside!

She hadn’t even put up a sign indicating someone was already using the room!

Oh, what a calamity!