Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 393: Don’t be afraid, let me tell you a story!

Chapter 393: Chapter 393: Don’t be afraid, let me tell you a story!

This was the first time Vermilion Bird held a woman like this. Xue Lingling nestled in his arms, rubbing herself against his clothes.

Vermilion Bird nearly threw her off completely.

He snapped, "Xue Lingling, I’m warning you: if you dare throw up on me, I won’t let you off the hook!"

His stern warning had absolutely no effect. Xue Lingling began smacking Vermilion Bird’s chest vigorously as she said, "Don’t be so petty! I’ll repay you with silver... My father has loads and loads of silver. I can take care of you!"

Vermilion Bird furrowed his brows and retorted, "Are you really a woman? Your strength is ridiculous!"

Xue Lingling giggled, "Vermilion Bird, even though you rank third in my heart, you’re still the one I find most agreeable... I’ll reluctantly make you my attendant!"

Vermilion Bird asked impatiently, "Who’s first and second then?"

He was purely curious, with no ulterior motives.

Xue Lingling suddenly touched his face as she said, "You’re not satisfied with being third? I haven’t even counted my brother yet..."

The corner of Vermilion Bird’s lips twitched. He must’ve lost his mind to ask such a ridiculous question to a drunk girl!

He carried her up into the carriage and placed her on the soft cushions inside. Xue Lingling curled up into a ball and fell asleep.

Upon arriving at the Prince’s Manor, Vermilion Bird could only carry her back to the courtyard.

With some filth still on her, he helped her remove her outer garment, threw it away in disgust, and was about to leave.

Suddenly, a streak of lightning split the sky, and in an instant, torrential rain began to pour incessantly.

Xue Lingling shuddered and abruptly opened her eyes, gripping Vermilion Bird’s arm tightly.

The look of sheer panic on her face softened Vermilion Bird’s heart. He patted her tense back as he comforted her, "It’s okay, don’t be scared. It’s just thunder."

Xue Lingling clung to Vermilion Bird’s arm, refusing to let go. He could feel her arms trembling, her entire body quivering along with them.

This girl was actually afraid of thunder!

He had planned to leave, but couldn’t bear to. Instead, he said soothingly, "Don’t be afraid. I’ll tell you a story."

Xue Lingling’s grip on his arm gradually loosened. Vermilion Bird looked at her flushed cheeks, illuminated by the candlelight, and began, "Legend has it, there’s a monster that eats people..."

"Ah!" Xue Lingling suddenly hugged Vermilion Bird’s waist, burying her face against it. "You’re scaring me... You’re awful..."

Vermilion Bird rubbed his temples and continued, "Let go of me. I’ll tell you another."

Xue Lingling clung tightly to his waist as Vermilion Bird resumed, "Every year on the seventh of July, it’s Chinese Valentine’s Day. The legend says that on this day, Niu Lang and Weaver meet on the Magpie Bridge..."

After hearing the story of Niu Lang and Weaver, Xue Lingling started bawling, tears and snot soaking Vermilion Bird’s clothes.

She cried openly, "Why can they only meet once a year... It’s so tragic!"

"Miss, let go of me!" Vermilion Bird was at wit’s end. How did he end up with this ridiculous task?

Putting someone to sleep—when was that ever proper work for a Hidden Guard?

If he’d known, he would’ve dealt a lethal blow to Xue Lingling when they first met and been done with it!

"Tell me... another story..." Xue Lingling slurred, tugging at Vermilion Bird’s clothes.

Vermilion Bird closed his eyes briefly before continuing, "Legend has it, Madam Nuwa sculpted little clay figures..."

As he spoke, he suddenly felt the grip around his waist loosen gradually. Xue Lingling had toppled onto the bed, breathing evenly in sleep.

Vermilion Bird got up and stretched his stiff back. He couldn’t fathom why the Master was so fond of spending time with Madam; women were obviously so troublesome!

Anyone constantly hounded by Xue Lingling would surely be driven mad!

Vermilion Bird tucked Xue Lingling in, extinguished the candles in the room, and headed off to bathe.

While bathing, he kept mulling over one thing: earlier, he had instructed his subordinates not to deliver the wine to Madam in the presence of the Prince. Had he made himself clear? Why did his right eye keep twitching?

...

The autumn rain poured down urgently and heavily. Zhan Lan opened the window and stared into the downpour outside.

Gazing at the distant flickering lights, she murmured, "Rain on banana leaves, autumn’s chill... If only there were some fine wine to go with this."

Mu Yan stood up and said, "Madam, please wait."

Suddenly, a Hidden Guard reported from outside the door, "Master, Madam, Mr. Xiao has sent over several jars of wine."

Zhan Lan rose from the divan and opened the door. The Hidden Guard brought in six jars of peach blossom brew.

Mu Yan paused in his steps as he caught sight of the glow in Zhan Lan’s eyes.

Zhan Lan lifted one jar, unsealed the lid, and took a sniff. Looking at Mu Yan, she said, "It smells wonderful."

But as she spoke, her smile froze on her face. Mu Yan’s expression seemed faintly displeased.

However, that displeasure vanished the moment their eyes met.

Could it be that Mu Yan disliked Xiao Chen? Perhaps it was because she had been spending too much time around Xiao Chen?

She’d better privately inform Xiao Chen that Mu Yan was a vinegar jar of jealousy, indiscriminately hostile. In the future, it’d be best not to gift her wine anymore.

Honestly, she’d been sneaking bitter medicine and was craving wine. She hadn’t expected Xiao Chen would deliver such a surprise.

But Mu Yan wouldn’t forbid her from drinking the wine Xiao Chen brought... right?

Unexpectedly, Mu Yan smiled faintly and said, "Then I shall accompany my Princess for a drink or two."

"Of course!" Zhan Lan placed the jar on the table.

Mu Yan turned to the Hidden Guard, "How did you come across Mr. Xiao?"

The Hidden Guard responded deferentially, "Master, while in the night market, we encountered Mr. Xiao. Miss Xue Lingling happened to be drunk, and the Commander carried her back, leaving us to deliver the wine."

"Dismissed," Mu Yan instructed, then picked up the wine bowl resting on the table and poured Zhan Lan half a bowl of peach blossom brew.

Zhan Lan raised a brow at Mu Yan, "Vermilion Bird’s progress is speedy, eh?"

Mu Yan chuckled, "Speedy progress is unlikely. Vermilion Bird isn’t like me; he’s a proper gentleman."

Zhan Lan nudged Mu Yan playfully with her elbow, "If you were a proper gentleman, we probably wouldn’t have gotten together until the next lifetime."

Previously, she hadn’t realized Mu Yan’s feelings for her. Since he hadn’t spoken up, and she hadn’t taken the initiative, the two of them might have missed each other entirely in this lifetime.

The corner of Mu Yan’s lips curled as his gaze softened. Leaning closer to Zhan Lan, he teased, "So, Madam apparently doesn’t care much for proper gentlemen?"

"No, of course not. A proper gentleman is naturally refined and noble!" Zhan Lan backtracked under Mu Yan’s intense gaze, then relented, "Fine... I don’t like them."

Mu Yan’s mood clearly improved. He poured Zhan Lan another serving of peach blossom brew.

After drinking for an hour, Mu Yan stared at the rainwater dripping from the eaves and cascading down the roof tiles. He suddenly asked, "Lan’er, if someone in this world were also as deeply infatuated with you as I am, would you choose between him and me?"

Zhan Lan, a little tipsy, reached out to catch the rain, only for it to splash onto her face. She laughed joyfully as Mu Yan tenderly wiped the droplets from her cheeks.

Her head slightly dazed, Zhan Lan replied, "Why choose?"

The room carried the faint aroma of peach blossom brew as Mu Yan stared into the bowl of wine, thinking of Xiao Chen’s silent yet undeniable affection. Like a jar of wine sealed and buried underground—if one day that love spilled forth uncontrollably, would it leave Lan’er in tears?

Men understand men just as women understand women. Mu Yan could sense Xiao Chen’s inescapable love for Zhan Lan, the kind that would cling for a lifetime—because he himself felt the same.

Zhan Lan inhaled air tinged with dampness and the sweet fragrance of peach blossoms. She placed her wine bowl down and said, "This lifetime, I wish only to stand by one person, to gaze upon the vast mountains and rivers, to marvel at human splendor, to witness the coursing galaxies—that would make this life worthwhile."

Their eyes locked, and Zhan Lan’s gaze overflowed with affection.

Mu Yan’s breath quickened as Zhan Lan suddenly grabbed his collar, pulling him closer. Her lips gently met Mu Yan’s, kissed with the lingering scent of peach blossoms.

Mu Yan’s heartbeat stumbled as Zhan Lan released his collar. Her flushed cheeks and trembling lashes paired with her warm breath near his ear intoxicated him further.

The words that followed ignited his blood.

"Mu Yan, the one I... have feelings for is you!"