What was inside that it could be taken out and viewed every day?
Her curiosity increasingly urged her to take it out and look. She reached out to touch the brocade box, but just then, footsteps sounded from outside. She quickly withdrew her hand, turned, and looked towards the approaching person.
The afternoon sun was intense, falling in front of the study door. He stood tall and slender there, clad in a moon-white brocade robe. Under the afternoon light, he exuded a dazzling radiance. His face was still ordinary, but the light in his eyes was astonishing.
It seemed to gather the brilliance of countless stars, sparkling.
As he walked in, the radiance receded, but even so, he could not be outshone by the afternoon sun. Instead, he became even more dazzling.
Watching Song Xiuyuan enter, she felt her heart pounding erratically.
"Wife," his deep, magnetic voice rang out, and her heart beat even more frantically.
"Song Xiuyuan, I have something to ask you." She lifted her head to look at him. His gaze fell upon her, as brilliant as starlight.
Subconsciously, she lowered her head again. Damn it, why was her heart beating so fast? She couldn't even speak properly.
"You may all withdraw!" Song Xiuyuan suddenly said.
After a faint rustling sound from within the study, the door closed.
He walked towards her. She instinctively took a step back, suddenly thinking that if there were people in the study, wouldn't her every move be known to him?
"Wife, what are you thinking? You look like this..." He suddenly lowered his head, tilting his body, and whispered, "I want to kiss you."
Her body trembled. She wanted to retreat, but found herself pressed against the bookshelf, with no other escape. He braced his arms on either side of her, creating a small, narrow space between them. She had no choice but to lift her head, forced to look at him.
The light in his eyes flickered brightly, seeming to gather the most beautiful scenery in the world, making one yearn for it.
She heard her heart pounding, but it wasn't just hers; there was another pounding sound. "Wife, do you hear? My heart is beating, for you."
She felt like a steamed bun, radiating heat. She mustered her strength to push him away, but he remained motionless, like a wall standing before her.
"Song Xiuyuan, move aside." She said, angered by her shyness.
"One kiss, and I'll move aside." He looked at her, his gaze serious and firm, as if he wouldn't give up until he achieved his goal.
She felt her face grow even hotter, because it was so warm. His scorching gaze was also difficult to resist.
"Song Xiuyuan, are you a rake?"
"Towards my wife, what kind of rake would that be?" he said with a laugh.
"Song Xiuyuan, if you continue like this, I'll be angry." She frowned, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
He slowly stood up, smiling. "Don't be angry, wife. I was wrong."
"You're not allowed to call me wife. We have no relationship right now." She said through gritted teeth.
"Or perhaps, wife, you wish for something to happen between us? I would be most delighted."
"Who wants anything to happen with you?" She pushed him away and walked towards the door. Upon exiting the study, she realized she hadn't asked any of the questions she intended to. Instead, he had teased her enough.
She had intended to have a proper conversation, but in the end, she felt she was about to explode with anger.
"Master, why is your face so red?" Ruo Feng, who was waiting outside the study, asked Xue Xingyue with concern as she emerged.
"I was angered," she said quickly, walking away.
Angered? Could anger make her face this red? Ruo Feng found it hard to believe.
Inside the study, Song Xiuyuan watched her retreating back, a faint smile on his lips. Mu Xingzhi entered and saw his expression, unable to resist teasing, "Which fairy sister made this hard, stubborn stone like you show such a pleasant expression? Let me guess."
Before he finished speaking, Mu Xingzhi felt the icy gaze from ahead. He smiled and said, "See? See? You're amiable to some people but treat me, who has saved your life countless times, with such an attitude. Truly prioritizing love over friendship."
"You'd best pray you have something important to say, otherwise, I think Bai Yu is eager to see you," Song Xiuyuan said coldly, looking at Mu Xingzhi.
Hearing Bai Yu's name, Mu Xingzhi quickly looked around. "I say, Xiuyuan, this is not right. Last time, when I was saving you, I accidentally saw Bai Yu's behind. We're both men, what's wrong with a glance at a behind? Must you chase me so relentlessly?" Mu Xingzhi was distressed. It wasn't intentional; what was wrong with a glance? He wasn't a woman who needed to be responsible.
"If you have something to say, say it. I dare say Bai Yu is already on his way with a sword," Song Xiuyuan said lightly, glancing at Mu Xingzhi.
"You truly have no humanity. If something were to happen to me, and you were in mortal danger again, no one would save you," Mu Xingzhi complained.
"Speak, what is it? Bai Yu is already at the door."
"You... you're truly despicable," Mu Xingzhi said, tearing at his hair in frustration.
"Speak!"
"I still wanted to use this news to exchange for your treasure, but it seems like that's not happening now." Despicable, so despicable, Mu Xingzhi cried out internally. But between a treasure and being caught by Bai Yu, he still valued his life.
"What news do you have?" Song Xiuyuan asked.
"The Crown Prince's wedding. Envoys from three kingdoms have come to offer congratulations. Jian Nankxiao of Jian Kingdom will also personally come, though disguised as an envoy." Mu Xingzhi replied.
"For the Feng Yu Seal?" Song Xiuyuan looked up, his eyes chilling.
Mu Xingzhi nodded. "However, recently he has a new companion, a State Preceptor, who is said to be skilled in ghost manipulation. He will also accompany them to Yu Kingdom. I sense ill intentions."
"Make yourself a mask, one that's fireproof, oilproof, and waterproof," Song Xiuyuan instructed.
"I know. But you should still be careful. This State Preceptor seems to be unfathomably skilled," Mu Xingzhi said.
"I understand. Does Xuanji Pavilion have any news?"
Mu Xingzhi: "No news for now, but Ming Pavilion seems to have some connection with the Assassin Pavilion."
Ming Pavilion? Assassin Pavilion? "Is it possible they are the same?"
Mu Xingzhi paused. "You mean, it's one pavilion, just called differently? If so, then the direction we were investigating was wrong?"
Song Xiuyuan nodded. "Possibly. The former Ming Pavilion, and the current Assassin Pavilion, might have been established by the same person."
"Oh, right. There's another piece of news. The Empress Dowager of Qi Kingdom has recently been unwell and has not appeared for a month."
Song Xiuyuan's eyes grew cold at the mention. "Send people to keep a close watch on the Lu family."
"Understood," Mu Xingzhi replied.
"Is there anything else?"