Lan Muyan secretly felt pleased, not daring to respond.
He knew that Tantai Ye was telling the truth; failing to return to the barracks after leave was punishable by desertion. But at the time, his elder sister had been captured, and he couldn't possibly worry about anything else.
Lan Murou's expression paused slightly, and she remained silent.
She had heard from Ayian that when she was unconscious, he had insisted on marrying her despite his family's opposition.
"Rou'er."
Tantai Ye gently massaged her waist and called out in a low voice.
Lan Murou snapped back to attention, slapped his hand away, and went to make noodles.
Lan Muyan noticed their little interaction, pouted, and deliberately said.
"Sis, I ran into Brother Yao a couple of days ago. He's back in Suzhou too, and we even drank together. He kept asking about you. You're not getting any younger, perhaps you should meet him."
"----"
Tantai Ye's aura shifted drastically. The surrounding air became piercingly cold, his deep-set features seemed veiled in a haze, and a sinister killing intent shot from his eyes, sending shivers down one's spine.
Lan Muyan was startled by his gaze and quickly hid behind Lan Murou, avoiding his line of sight.
Terrifying.
Lan Murou hadn't noticed their exchange of glances and shook her head.
"Stop worrying unnecessarily. When are you leaving?"
"In two days."
Lan Murou hummed in acknowledgement. "After dinner, go pack your things. The northern lands are cold, bring more thick clothes--"
Listening to her soft, gentle instructions, Tantai Ye's chest warmed slightly. He looked at Lan Muyan with growing irritation, wishing he would just disappear immediately.
Lan Muyan also disliked how he always bullied his elder sister. Before leaving, he decided to cause more trouble and deliberately invited a group of his disreputable friends to the manor for drinks.
Lan Murou didn't want to get involved, but she couldn't resist the young people's enthusiasm. The place was filled with boisterous laughter.
Tantai Ye was almost driven mad with rage, nearly smashing them all. When he saw that so-called Yao Shu trying to grab her hand, he was so furious he kicked the man away.
Everyone was stunned as the terrifying figure entered, instantly sobering them up.
"You little brat, are you looking for a beating?"
Lan Muyan was also startled. Seeing his grim expression, he quickly urged everyone to flee.
Yao Shu, who had been kicked to the ground, was directly carried out.
Suddenly, the room fell silent.
Lan Murou glanced at the man with a ruthless expression, averted her eyes, and quietly walked towards the exit.
Her hand was suddenly grabbed, a cool fingertip grazing her wrist, gripping her tightly.
"What is the General doing?"
Tantai Ye suppressed his murderous rage with great effort and pulled her into his arms.
"You are not allowed to talk to other men."
His jealous demeanor was all too familiar.
Lan Murou suddenly remembered the past and couldn't help but shake her head. If it were him back then, he would have likely confined her and killed all these men.
He had truly changed so much.
In the past few months, he had significantly curbed his old temper.
"We only chatted a little, nothing significant."
Tantai Ye was not satisfied with her answer. Malicious killing intent spread to his heart, making him even want to kill the man who had just desired her.
But he endured it. He had finally made her lower her guard, and he couldn't ruin it.
Lan Murou was unaware of his ignoble thoughts and twisted her waist, trying to break free.
But he wouldn't let go, and even went further, burying his face in her neck and nibbling.
"Rou'er, I miss you so much."
He had been pretending for months, and hadn't even gotten a scrap of flesh.
Seeing him becoming more and more excessive, Lan Murou deliberately put on a cold face and looked at him.
"Didn't General lose his sight? Wear your blindfold obediently and don't cause trouble."
Tantai Ye was stunned; she was still holding grudges.
He held her tightly, his hands restlessly fumbling over her.
"Can I not wear it?"
Lan Murou remained silent. Although her expression was indifferent, the tips of her ears had quietly turned red.
Their bodies were so perfectly matched; his provocation made her body respond involuntarily.
Tantai Ye thought she disagreed and sheepishly covered his eyes.
But he was skilled in martial arts, and for him, sensing his surroundings was not a problem.
"Is this acceptable?"
"---"
Lan Murou didn't speak and pushed him away.
Tantai Ye bent down, picked her up horizontally, and said shamelessly.
"We are already married, you should call me husband."
"We haven't had the wedding ceremony, so it doesn't count."
She retorted weakly.
Tantai Ye rejoiced. "Then let's have a make-up wedding."
Lan Murou, "---"
Her original intention was that they weren't husband and wife, yet somehow he had twisted her words.
"Rou'er, I will go and choose an auspicious date immediately and hold another wedding."
He chuckled softly in her ear.
Lan Murou looked at the face before her, her heart feeling a faint numbness. They had been entangled for so many years.
His temper was stubborn, his disposition obsessive; as long as he wanted something, he would never let go.
She sighed inwardly, her expression calm.
"No need."
Tantai Ye could feel her distance. For months now, he had truly had enough of her coldness.
He desperately wanted her to accept him again, to protect her under his wing.
"Rou'er, you haven't forgiven me, have you?"
Lan Murou's body stiffened, and she shook her head.
"It's all in the past."
"Then why won't you accept me?"
His gaze was fixed on her; even through the blindfold, she could feel the intensity of his gaze.
Lan Murou pushed him and slid off him.
She glanced at the sky outside and said calmly.
"Tantai Ye, I forgive you, but that doesn't mean I want you."
As the words fell, his aura turned terrifyingly dangerous. He grabbed her hand, squeezing it so hard her bones ached.
Lan Murou cried out in pain and turned to look at him.
Tantai Ye forcefully suppressed the rage simmering within him and said calmly, "Then who do you want?"
Lan Murou looked at his expression and heard his tone. Her own face softened uncontrollably, fearing he would suddenly go mad and cause a scene.
Seeing her silence, Tantai Ye decided not to care any longer. He immediately pinned her against the wall behind her and lowered his head, biting her lips fiercely.
"Hiss--"
Lan Murou cried out in pain from his actions and tried to dodge, turning her head, but he wouldn't allow it. He held the back of her head and kissed her passionately.
Her spine instantly tingled, the sensation shooting straight to her heart. Broken moans occasionally escaped her lips, making Tantai Ye feel uncomfortable and stirring his desire.
He buried his face in her neck, kissing her, his voice strained and husky, "Do you want it?"
As he spoke, his hand covered her waist and quietly unfastened her belt.
Lan Murou sensed it and quickly pressed his hand.
"Are you trying to suffocate me?"
He had never been so abstinent before.
Lan Murou was also tormented by him, but a memory from a previous night suddenly surfaced in her mind.
She thought he couldn't see and went to prepare his bed at night.
That night, he suddenly pulled her into bed, and somehow they ended up entangled.
But who knew that he had actually lied to her?
"Wasn't that you that night?"
Tantai Ye instantly understood what she was referring to. That one night was like drinking poison to quench thirst; it only made him want her more.
Since she had fallen unconscious, they had only been intimate once.
"That's not enough, is it?"
Lan Murou didn't know what to say. The next day, she couldn't even get out of bed after that night.
Thinking of this, she reached out to push him.
This little bit of strength was insignificant to Tantai Ye.
However, he had been pretending to be well-behaved for months and naturally couldn't anger her and ruin everything.
He held her tightly, his lips pressed against her ear, his voice obsessive and proud.
"You can only be mine."