Тоday, Наn Yаn оnlу brought Shu Hong with hеr. Аfter bidding farеwell to Сhаi Jing оn thе bасk mountain bеfore dawn, she hurried baсk tо the mаnor. It wаs wintеr, thе skу was glооmу, аnd thе Zhuang Мanor was uttеrlу silent, with оnly the oсcasiоnal faint bаrking оf dоgs, mаking it fееl vеry seсludеd.
Hаn Yаn аnd Shu Hоng crаwlеd out from а dоg holе in the backуard. Just as theу wеrе brushing the dust оff their clothеs, thеу cаught а strоng sсеnt оf bloоd. Тhe smеll seеmed almоst right under thеir nоsеs. Instinctivеlу, Наn Yan reaсhed out to pull Shu Hоng, but as soon аs she movеd, a роwerful аrm clamped around her from behind, and a cold blade pressed against her throat.
Shu Hong was stunned by this sudden turn of events. Just as she was about to cry for help, she saw Han Yan give her a meaningful look and immediately fell silent, only staring warily at the person holding Han Yan captive.
At the moment, there was no one around. The maids were all asleep in the manor, and their appearance of just returning from outside must not be seen by anyone. Moreover, they had no idea who this person was. If they angered him, losing their lives would be disastrous.
After a moment of thought, Han Yan lowered her voice and said, "Sir, have you taken the wrong path? If so, release me, and I will naturally guide you."
The man pressed the blade against Han Yan’s throat a little tighter, his voice hoarse and strained: "Enough nonsense!"
Han Yan noticed that the closer she got to this person, the stronger the scent of blood became. The arm restraining her also felt somewhat stiff. Upon closer observation, the hand holding the blade against her throat seemed to tremble slightly. Understanding the situation, she spoke calmly and unhurriedly: "Sir, you are already injured. If you don’t tend to it soon, it may worsen."
The man hadn’t expected Han Yan to be so bold. After a moment of silence, he said, "You’re not afraid at all."
"I have no grudge against you, so naturally, you won’t kill me," Han Yan smiled. "I just don’t know what you intend to do in your current situation."
The man took a breath: "Take me somewhere to hide."
Han Yan’s heart stirred. Could this person be fleeing from pursuers and have ended up here? If she saved him, she didn’t know how much trouble it might bring in the future. But if she didn’t save him... Han Yan glanced at Shu Hong. At this point, she had no choice but to save him. With a sigh, she said, "Release me, and I won’t make a sound. Follow me."
The man hesitated for a moment, then warned Han Yan in a threatening tone near her ear: "Don’t try any tricks, or I’ll kill both you and this girl." Seeing that Han Yan remained obedient and still, he gradually loosened his grip. Han Yan took Shu Hong’s hand and signaled for the man to follow.
"Miss... where are we taking him?" Shu Hong asked worriedly. The other party didn’t seem like someone easy to deal with, and there were no extra rooms in the Clear Autumn Courtyard... Han Yan frowned. "There’s no other way. Let’s take him to my room first."
The man followed Han Yan into the inner room. Han Yan closed the bedroom door, and Shu Hong lit a lamp, finally allowing them to see clearly the appearance of the man who had held Han Yan captive.It was a tall, young man, handsome and robust, with a pair of jade-green eyes like those of a wild wolf, currently fixed on Han Yan as if she were prey. He wore a black robe, exuding an air of arrogance. Han Yan noticed his deep-set features, his facial contours more striking than those of Central Plains people—he seemed to be from a foreign land. Yet, the aura he projected was anything but ordinary. At that moment, the front of his black robe was soaked through, clearly drenched, but the strong scent of blood that emanated from it reminded everyone that it was not water.
This was a wounded man, yet he still felt dangerous, like a lone wolf cornered in a desperate situation. Even in his disheveled state, he retained the power to strike back.
While Han Yan was sizing him up, he was also observing her. Initially thinking she was just an ordinary maid, he realized only when she led him into this room that she was actually the young lady of the estate. What noble young lady would sneak out in the dead of night and return only at dawn? Could she have been meeting a secret lover? The thought made his gaze toward Han Yan somewhat frivolous.
But the girl standing in the room was only about twelve or thirteen years old, her hair tied into two round buns, dressed in coarse cloth with a short jacket and horse-riding vest. Her face was delicate, though not particularly beautiful, yet it gave off a comfortable and gentle impression. In the dim light earlier, he hadn’t been able to see Han Yan clearly, only sensing her composure and assuming she was older. Now, seeing this young girl who hadn’t even reached the age of adulthood, he was momentarily stunned.
Seeing his dazed expression, Han Yan had Shu Hong take him to the outer room while she changed her clothes. Once she came out, she tossed a pile of medicine to the man. "I don’t know what kind of injury you have, but all the medicine in this room is here. Pick one yourself."
Seeing that Han Yan showed no fear of him, the man felt a hint of admiration for her composure, but he deliberately darkened his expression and said in a low voice, "If you try any tricks, I’ll take your life immediately."
Han Yan smiled at him and made a gesture. "As you wish."
Seeing that Han Yan was unfazed, the man snorted coldly and fell silent. Han Yan, however, looked at him thoughtfully. "You don’t seem to be from the Central Plains?"
The man glanced at her and said, "Sometimes knowing too much isn’t a good thing."
Han Yan shrugged. "I saved your life. At least let me know your name."
"Saved my life?" The man laughed instead of getting angry. "I’m Zhuo Qi."
This was likely a fake name, Han Yan instantly sensed, but it didn’t matter. She said, "When does Mr. Zhuo plan to leave?"
Zhuo Qi’s jade-green eyes darkened at her words. "Until it’s safe."
"Who’s after you?" Han Yan looked at him. Zhuo Qi’s expression instantly turned grim, and his gaze toward her grew wary. "You talk too much."
Han Yan simply nodded. "After Mr. Zhuo leaves, you won’t bring any trouble to me, will you?"
Her questions were all to the point. Zhuo Qi gave this young girl a complicated look. Dealing with her felt like dealing with an adult. Her words required thought and consideration. Though her sharpness was not yet fully revealed, she was like a finely crafted sword, naturally possessing a certain brilliance.
She was truly fascinating.Like a cat spotting its prey, Zhuo Qi curled his lips into a malicious smile. "This is quite troublesome..."
"In that case," Han Yan said with a smile, "I spare no effort in eliminating anyone who causes me trouble."
"How do you plan to eliminate me?" Zhuo Qi watched her with keen interest.
Han Yan’s smile deepened as her gaze fell upon the freshly bandaged wound on Zhuo Qi’s chest.
Zhuo Qi’s expression shifted. "You used poison?"
"What do you think?" She smiled like an innocent rose.
Just then, a commotion erupted outside. Han Yan’s expression turned serious as Shu Hong hurried in. "Miss, it’s bad! Many officers have arrived outside—they seem to be searching for someone."
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