19 The City Lord's Mansion

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Aunt Liu led several young women to the closed door, taking a deep breath. Her expression was grave, as if the room beyond was a den of dragons and tigers, causing the brightly dressed girls behind her to hesitate.

Aunt Liu whispered, “Once inside, just put on a show. Don’t truly get involved with that young master.”

One of them asked, “Sister Liu, what do you mean? If that young master is so particular, why would he come to our Xiangjiang Pavilion?”

Aunt Liu quickly covered her mouth. “Quiet! Just listen to me—play the part well, but don’t let it become real!”

She thought of the young man inside, his handsome face made all the more intoxicating by drink, and worried one of the bolder girls might lose her senses and forget her warning. She emphasized again, “If you want to keep your life, remember what I said.”

After speaking, she placed her hand on the door and pushed hard.

The door didn’t budge as if sealed shut.

A flicker of understanding crossed her eyes. She exhaled and said loudly, “Enough, you all may leave.”

The vibrant women muttered, “Aunt Liu really knows how to make trouble,” then twisted their bodies and dispersed.

With the crisis averted, Aunt Liu fanned herself and walked to a nearby corridor window. Leaning against the frame, she gazed down at the bustling familiar marketplace, a trace of nostalgia in her eyes.

She had lived three hundred years and, the first time she came to the mortal world, she met that person here. Though their entanglement lasted no more than five years, she had returned here again. Why this place? Perhaps because it held her happiest memories.

She lowered her gaze just as Old Li, the wonton seller, passed by, trembling as he carried a basket of vegetables.

“Old Li, the Xiangjiang Pavilion is closed tonight. There’s plenty of fresh food in the kitchen; I’ve asked someone to deliver it to you.”

Old Li paused, then nodded with a deeper smile carved by time. “Thank you, Lady Liu.”

Aunt Liu sighed softly. She thought that the repetitive scenery of Lanya City grew wearisome over time, but Old Li’s wontons were something she could never tire of.

A gentle breeze wafted through the corridor window. Beyond the door not far away, the clear chime of silver bells rang incessantly.

Burning lips pressed gently against Jiu Wu’s neck, licking softly. The cool breath carried a hint of wine, and a firm arm wrapped around Jiu Wu’s waist, enclosing her within the narrow space between the chair and his chest.

The young man’s eyes reddened slightly from restraint. His scattered kisses traced Jiu Wu’s collarbone, earlobe, cheek, and finally the corner of her lips.

Though he had already sunk his dignity into the mud, speaking now brought no less shame. He nuzzled the corner of Jiu Wu’s mouth, his heated breath trembling as he pleaded with the cold, indifferent girl whose clear eyes bore no warmth.

“I want…”

Jiu Wu turned her head slightly to avoid him, feigning ignorance, “Puppy, what are you saying?”

His eyes filled with chaotic fragments, voice hoarse with shame: “Puppy wants… master.”

Jiu Wu’s fingers traced down his chest, pausing close to his most sensitive spot.

She blinked. “Here?”

His throat felt parched, blood surging through every limb. He bent down to gently nibble her lip, a soft moan escaping his throat.

Jiu Wu looked at the face she liked no matter what—now stained with lust, like a pearl hanging high that had fallen, soaked in dazzling nectar, its sharp brilliance softened, trembling on petals, vulnerable to being plucked.

Lost in thought, she was caught unawares as his burning knuckles found their way inside. Her supple waist trembled, but her expression held no anger, eyelids drifting closed like a pampered cat.

After a long while, Jiu Wu lifted her head, breathing lightly.

Satisfied, she tidied her disheveled skirt and pressed the flustered youth back onto the chair. Her gaze swept over his naturally drooping, pale, slender hands with defined knuckles, then coolly turned away.

His cheeks flushed faintly. He curled his damp fingers inward.

His narrow eyes cast a sidelong glance at Jiu Wu’s indifferent demeanor, as if she regarded him as disposable.

A liar.

The door opened. Jiu Wu leaned against the edge, looking toward Aunt Liu at the corridor’s end.

Aunt Liu sashayed over with a flattering smile. “Sister, are you going to bathe?”

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She stood thoughtfully on the other side of the door, concealing the room’s interior.

Jiu Wu smiled. “Yes, please prepare some cold water, and don’t forget plenty of ice.”

Aunt Liu hesitated, daring to glance inside. The young man resting on the chair was neat except for a slightly disheveled collar, the same as when she left.

Sensing Jiu Wu’s icy gaze, Aunt Liu quickly averted her eyes. “Wait a moment, I’ll go prepare it. Since the young master hasn’t been detoxified yet, shall I bring the antidote as well?”

Almost immediately, she felt Jiu Wu’s scrutiny, as if annoyed by her words.

Aunt Liu stammered, “Ice baths are good, they cool heat and disperse fire. And you can sip some if you get thirsty…”

She babbled nonsense while hastily retreating.

She shivered. This girl was dangerously eerie—scared her to death.

By dusk, Xuan Yi emerged from the ice bucket, drenched. The ice inside had been replaced several times before the raging heat in his body was finally quelled.

He took the towel Jiu Wu handed him, coldly brushing aside her hand. Water droplets followed his sleeve, splashing onto Jiu Wu. She raised an eyebrow and snorted lightly.

“What, now that the poison’s gone, you won’t be a dog anymore?”

Xuan Yi silently picked up the prepared clothes and disappeared behind the screen. When he reemerged, only the tips of his black hair remained damp.

Jiu Wu leaned against the window. The youth’s sharp gaze shot toward her. His handsome face resumed its usual distant, unapproachable expression, his back straight, showing no hint of the humility he had displayed kneeling by her side earlierI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.