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Chapter 195: Chapter 195: You’re a Wolfdog, Don’t Cower When You See Mu Yan!
Xiao Chen noticed Mu Yan’s expression and then realized Mengmeng must be Zhan Lan’s private name.
A woman’s private name can only be called by her husband and closest kin, does Mu Yan really not know that?
Mu Yan looked at Xiao Chen, who was looking at him with enmity: "Mengmeng needs to rest, is it appropriate for you to come to a lady’s boudoir so late?"
While speaking, his slender hand picked up a clean wine cup and poured himself a drink.
Xiao Chen coldly said, "Lord Mu, is it really appropriate for you to visit Miss Zhan’s room so late at night?"
Zhan Lan, seeing the full-on tension between the two, was perplexed by their sudden readiness to quarrel.
Mu Yan raised his eyebrow and retorted, "It’s fine, I’m just coming to see if the winter clothes Mengmeng promised to make for me are ready yet?"
Xiao Chen felt a tightness in his chest, astonished that Mu Yan, this shameless man, managed to get Zhan Lan to make clothes for him!
Zhan Lan asked Xiao Chen, "Xiao Chen, go and rest for now, I’ll come to see you another day."
She didn’t know what else Mu Yan might say next, and could only send Xiao Chen away first.
Xiao Chen left disgruntledly, and Zhan Lan looked at Mu Yan, "Lord Mu, can you please not use my private name in the future?"
Mu Yan bent down, looked at Zhan Lan seriously, and answered, "That depends on the mood of the Seal Keeper."
Zhan Lan ignored him, bowing her head and continued sewing the winter clothes.
Mu Yan, observing her poor sewing skills, chuckled, "I like black; it should suit me well."
Eventually, the fabric Zhan Lan chose for him was black. Mu Yan felt pleased inside, noticing that Zhan Lan had indeed paid attention to his preference for wearing black.
In her mind, Zhan Lan scoffed: Mu Yan is quite narcissistic.
Distracted for a moment, she pressed too hard, and the needle pierced her skin.
Zhan Lan winced and dropped the clothing, blood quickly rising to her fingertip. The next moment, her body was pulled forward by Mu Yan, who clasped her finger; then, a warm sensation spread between her fingers.
Mu Yan pressed his head close and gently sucked her finger, causing Zhan Lan’s throat to dry up and her ears to turn red.
She withdrew her hand, but Mu Yan pulled it back. He lowered his head, looking at Zhan Lan’s finger, and after a few breaths, he said in a deep voice, "It’s not bleeding anymore, why are you so careless?"
Mu Yan looked up, meeting Zhan Lan’s deer-like bright and confused eyes.
Zhan Lan was clever in tactics, but her mind was much simpler regarding emotions between men and women.
The candlelight flickered, their bodies were very close, and as they looked into each other’s eyes, Mu Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and Zhan Lan dodged his gaze, saying, "It’s nothing."
She had endured many injuries on the battlefield; a mere embroidery needle was nothing and would heal shortly.
Mu Yan let go of Zhan Lan’s hand, his heart beating faster.
He pretended to act natural as he bowed his head, petting Little Black who lay on the ground, motionless, enduring Mu Yan’s handling.
The two remained silent, and after several moments, Mu Yan stood up, "You’re so clumsy; you don’t have to make winter clothes for me."
Zhan Lan watched Mu Yan’s cold departing back and frowned. What’s wrong with this man now?
Before, he was like the Death Summoner, visiting daily, urging her to hasten with the clothes.
Now that the clothes are nearly done, he suddenly doesn’t want them.
Zhan Lan pursed her lips, watching his retreating figure. Suddenly, Mu Yan turned back to look at her, "Imperial order, come and get it when you’re free."
Zhan Lan’s lips twitched; this man must be deliberately tormenting her!
First, the imperial order, she went to fetch it, and Mu Yan was not in a hurry.
Mu Yan had visited several times, asking her to help bring it back, but he always forgot.
Now he’s asking her to fetch it again; doesn’t Mu Yan find it bothersome?
Or is he deliberately making her run back and forth, to torment her!
Zhan Lan, annoyed, jabbed a few stitches into the winter clothes for Mu Yan, pouted, and patted Little Black’s round head, "Little Black, show some spirit, you’re a wolfhound, don’t be a coward when you see Mu Yan!"
"Ow...meow meow..." Little Black lowered its head and made a few eerie cat meows before rubbing against Zhan Lan’s legs.
Zhan Lan: "..." Little Black, where’s the bravery of your past life? Got eaten by a dog?
Zhan Lan decided to take Little Black for some wilderness training to awaken its wolf nature. Otherwise, she felt thoroughly dominated by Mu Yan, unable to even lift her head!
...
Mu Yan returned to his chambers and took out the Imperial Decree.
Zhan Lan didn’t know how to maintain propriety between genders, and that Xiao Chen, he just couldn’t stand him.
Mu Yan stored away the Imperial Decree; she would have to come retrieve it herself eventually.
Knocking sounded outside the door. Mu Yan slightly excited, opened the door, only to see the narcissistic face of Bai Chen.
He was disappointed and about to close the door.
Bai Chen hastily said, "Big brother, I came to discuss serious matters."
Mu Yan then fully opened the door, and Bai Chen automatically poured himself a glass of water saying, "Why have you moved here, it was hard to find you."
Mu Yan stared at him: "What’s the matter?"
Bai Chen swallowed the tepid water, put down the glass, and took out a portrait from his bag, unfolding it: "This is a portrait of Xiao Yin."
Mu Yan looked carefully and said, "It does indeed bear some resemblance."
"You mean the new third-place scholar, Xiao Chen!"
Mu Yan’s expression cooled, "Soon to be second place."
"Right, this morning at court, Ouyang Qingming’s rank as second-place scholar was revoked by Emperor Xuanwu," Bai Chen nodded.
"Is that all? You can go now!" Mu Yan packed away the portrait of Xiao Yin.
Bai Chen looked shocked, "You’re so heartless! I’m staying here tonight, it’s too cold, I don’t want to go home!"
As he spoke, Bai Chen rushed towards Mu Yan’s bedroom. Just as he was about to reach the bed, Mu Yan almost yanked his arm off, pulling him back.
"I have a cleanliness obsession, have you forgotten?" Mu Yan stared at his bed thoughtfully.
Bai Chen frowned, "Stingy, fine, I’m going home!"
Bai Chen suspiciously turned back, looking at Mu Yan guarding his bed as if fearing he might suddenly return in a violent rush.
Bai Chen pouted, after so many years of brotherhood, Mu Yan guarding him like a thief, what’s wrong with sleeping on his bed!
Was Mu Yan afraid he had inappropriate thoughts? Truly a peculiar man.
Mu Yan stood by the bed, watching Bai Chen leave and closed the door behind him, then he sat on the bed.
His handsome eyes gazed at his bed, just two days ago Zhan Lan drunkenly fell asleep here, it seemed the sheets still retained her scent.
"Master, do you need the servant to change the bedding?" A servant outside asked.
Mu Yan coldly responded, "No need...don’t change it anytime soon."
The servant scratched his head; wasn’t the master obsessed with cleanliness? Changing sheets every day, the bedding on schedule, what happened today?
Mu Yan was in a good mood, absentmindedly put a piece of preserved fruit into his mouth, looking toward Zhan Lan’s chamber.
Under the lamplight, Zhan Lan was sitting and writing.
Mu Yan closed the curtains, pondering: Why is Zhan Lan with a descendant of Xiao Yin, and their interaction, doesn’t seem like they’ve known each other for just a day or two, but rather like acquaintances of many years, people familiar with each other.
Mu Yan could see, Zhan Lan trusted Xiao Chen.
But why, a year ago Xiao Chen was still living in Western Rong, why would he obey Zhan Lan?
...
