NOVPUB
Chapter 216: Chapter 216 That Night I Felt Some Regret
Zhan Lan raised his eyes and looked at Mu Yan, who was only an arm’s length away. He put down his wine cup, his thin crimson lips glistening with a glossy sheen.
Though his words were spoken lightly, they carried a heavy sense of oppression.
Soon, the people who had gathered to toast Zhan Lan gradually returned to their own seats.
Zhan Xuerou and Bai Lu exchanged glances before they, too, returned to their seats.
The aristocratic young masters only dared to whisper to one another after they returned to their seats.
The son of the Minister of Ministry of Industry said in a low voice, "Who does the Seal Keeper think he is? If he says drink, we should just drink? To drink with him is to drink a decapitation wine!"
The son of the Minister of Rites shook his head, "To drink just for the sake of face - who would dare?"
Several noble ladies had been enchanted by Mu Yan’s appearance and could hardly keep their eyes off him.
But now that Mu Yan invited them to drink, they didn’t have the courage to step forward, only able to watch him from a distance.
The noble lady behind Zhan Xuerou said, "The Seal Keeper personally blocks the toast; it’s as if he’s helping Miss Zhan out!"
"Truly envious! A hero saving the beauty, and such an astonishingly handsome hero at that," another noble lady sighed.
Bai Lu said mockingly beside Zhan Xuerou, "It’s strange, why is it that Zhan Lan always has people protecting her? And why would the Seal Keeper drink from a cup that Zhan Lan used, didn’t I hear that the Seal Keeper has a serious case of mysophobia?"
"Keep your voice down." Zhan Xuerou was proud and arrogant; she knew that a man like Mu Yan wouldn’t look her way.
But for that very reason, she was even less willing to accept it.
A woman’s vanity, in her case, was to challenge what she could not have.
She had already won the favor of Si Jun; could Mu Yan really be that difficult to conquer?
In an instant, Zhan Xuerou’s competitive spirit was ignited.
The Princess stared at the crowd around her, which quickly dwindled until she was left alone. She looked at Mu Yan’s cold eyes.
What does the Imperial Uncle mean, why is he helping Zhan Lan out?
She protested discontentedly, "Seal Keeper, if it were me, I would definitely make Zhan Lan drink this jar of wine today, what right do you have to interfere!"
Behind the Princess, the eunuch holding the jar respectfully placed it on Zhan Lan’s table.
Mu Yan suppressed the sharpness in his eyes and said to the Princess, "Si Yao, you are overstepping!"
The Princess didn’t expect Mu Yan to call her by her name outright, and he was speaking to her in the capacity of the Imperial Uncle.
The Princess was immediately intimidated by his aura and took a step back.
However, with Mu Yan publicly embarrassing her, where was her dignity as the Princess? She pretended not to know about Mu Yan’s identity, for today she was determined to make things difficult for Zhan Lan!
The Princess’s authority was immediately on full display, and with boldness, she said, "Lord Mu, not even my Imperial Father oversees me; what right do you have to lord over me!"
Zhan Lan watched the conflict between the two on the verge of erupting; she couldn’t bring trouble to Mu Yan and engage in a conflict with the Princess.
It was just a jar of wine, wasn’t it? Even if she drank it, she wouldn’t have any problems, at worst her cold might become more severe.
Mu Yan treated her well, and she couldn’t fail to show loyalty in return.
"Princess, I’ll drink!" Zhan Lan lifted the wine jar, but Mu Yan snatched it away in one swift move.
The next moment, Mu Yan raised the wine jar, pouring the wine down along the Princess’s dress.
The Princess’s gorgeous clothes were instantly soaked, clinging to her skin with a chilly dampness.
"Lord Mu!" The Princess, having received good instruction in royal etiquette, did not scream out loud, but instead shot Mu Yan a bitter glare.
Mu Yan met her gaze, disdain in his voice, "What of the Princess? To coerce another is not the comportment of royalty!"
"Lord Mu, you!" The Princess, humiliated by the looks from all around, quickly had her maids surround her, and under the throng, she returned to her palace to change her clothes.
Mu Yan set down the wine jar and walked away without waiting for Zhan Lan’s thanks.
Everyone was truly astounded.
"The Seal Keeper went to such lengths for Zhan Lan!"
"That’s the Emperor’s favorite gem; the Seal Keeper truly fears neither heaven nor earth..."
"We better hurry and leave, in case the Princess reports this to the Emperor later."
"Yes, it’s about time, let’s hurry and go!"
Zhan Lan watched as the guests at the banquet dispersed unhappily, she too took her seat in the sedan chair and returned home.
After returning, Zhan Lan saw that Mu Yan’s room was lit, so she came to Mu Yan’s house through the secret door.
Outside the door, the Hidden Guards pretended not to see because the Vermilion Bird Leader had instructed them to show respect at the sight of Miss Zhan and to be somewhat discerning.
Vermilion Bird saw Zhan Lan and immediately greeted her.
"Miss Zhan, you’ve come."
Zhan Lan nodded slightly, "Please inform Lord Mu that I need to speak to him."
"Yes!" Vermilion Bird immediately went in to report.
After a while, he came out with a dejected face and awkwardly said, "Miss Zhan, my master has retired for the night!"
Zhan Lan’s lips twitched, this man actually wasn’t seeing her!
Last time he had forcibly kissed her without permission, and if anyone should be angry, it should be her. What was Mu Yan angry about?
Feeling disgruntled, Zhan Lan coughed twice, and the door creaked as Mu Yan opened it from the inside.
"Miss Zhan, please come in!" Vermilion Bird immediately cleared a path.
Zhan Lan walked into the warm house and looked toward Mu Yan who was facing away from her.
"What do you want to say?" Mu Yan’s voice was clear and cold, devoid of any emotion.
Zhan Lan stepped forward, approaching close enough that their conversation wouldn’t be overheard by the Hidden Guards outside.
"Lord Mu, I’d like to thank you for today’s matter."
The candlelight flickered, Mu Yan remained motionless with his back to Zhan Lan, his chest heaving intensely.
Zhan Lan continued, "I will be leaving Ding’an City early the morning after next. If Little Black wants to see Little White, I would trouble Lord Mu to arrange a meeting when you have the time."
Little Black hadn’t seen Little White for two days, and it seemed to be suffering from lovesickness, spending all day listlessly perching by the window looking at Mu Yan’s courtyard.
"Are you done?" Mu Yan’s voice rang out.
Zhan Lan spoke with difficulty, "Mu Yan..."
Hearing his name, Mu Yan finally turned to look at Zhan Lan.
Zhan Lan looked at him with confusion but still asked, "Mu Yan, have I done something to anger you?"
Mu Yan walked towards her step by step, stopped in front of her, and looking down at her, asked softly, "What did you call me?"
"Lord... Mu," Zhan Lan was confused, what had she just called him?
His name? She had called out Mu Yan’s name.
Mu Yan liked hearing Zhan Lan call his name; his eyes intensely fixed on her, "Zhan Lan, do you think I’d be angry over some foolish thing you did?"
Zhan Lan met his fiery gaze, "I want to know."
Mu Yan smirked, "I wouldn’t be angry with you!"
For the first time, Zhan Lan felt anxious for not being able to grasp someone’s thoughts, "I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong that would make you angry, but I can feel it, you are angry with me."
She pursed her lips in embarrassment, "Should anyone be angry, it should be me. That day you were drunk, you to me... you to me...."
Zhan Lan struggled to say recalling the events of that night.
The atmosphere became ambiguous as Mu Yan thought of that drunken night.
His gaze turned ambiguous too, reverting to his typical playful and flirtatious demeanor.
He moved closer to Zhan Lan, step by step, as she stepped backward.
His look was intense, just like that night, as if he wanted to consume her.
As he drew near, the pleasant woody scent from his body slowly filled Zhan Lan’s nostrils.
Mu Yan’s lips curved in a teasing smile, "What, did the Seal Keeper do something to you? Can’t speak of it..."
Finally cornered against the wall by Mu Yan, he wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, "That night, I have some regrets...why I didn’t take advantage of you!"
His hot breath sprayed on Zhan Lan’s ear, the cold she brought in from outside seeped into Mu Yan’s palms and neck.
With flushed cheeks and heart pounding like thunder, Zhan Lan composed herself, looking at Mu Yan, "Are you intentionally saying these things to anger me?"
