At night, in the General's House
Lin Wan'er, the wife of the Dingguo Duke, used to go to bed early because of poor health. The Dingguo Duke, who loved his wife deeply, would retire early to be with his wife. The guards and servants returned to their rooms after a busy day. The General's House would fall silent for the evening. The reunion of the Nine Prominent Figures wouldn't end like this.
As darkness fell across Can City, the moon rose into the sky and cast a soft glow down on the landscape below. In the yard, there was a trail paved with cobblestones.
In the night, a figure made his way swiftly through the arch and onto the cobbled path of the courtyard, heading to Yun Canglan's room.
This was the only courtyard with it's lights on at the General's House.
The figure crept to the door, looked around quickly, pushed the door and went after ensuring the coast was clear.
Inside, Yun Canglan had changed from her red robe into a white gown and looked radiate and sweet. Adding a hint of allure to her innocent ensemble was a red hairpin with fringes in her hair.
A man sat at her side, looking beautiful in an androgynous sort of way. He had sculptured features and carried himself with an extraordinary charm which was captivating.
Yun Hu entered and went to Yun Canglan kneeling on one knee before her, his immense respect for her shone in his eyes.
"Mistress, good evening."
Yun Canglan had asked him not to call her "Mistress", but she was the Mistress, and he was the guard. Yun Hu wouldn't allow himself to be so familiar. Every time Yun Canglan called him "Uncle Yun Hu", he was overwhelmed by the unexpected honor.
"Good evening, Uncle Yun Hu." Yun Canglan replied. Yun Canglan sat up straighter; since Yun Hu had always been like an uncle to her, she should behave in front of him. "Uncle Yun Hu, were you followed?" Yun Canglan was anxious to know.
Yun Hu shook his head, "Mistress, you may rest assured. I was careful the whole way here."
Yun Canglan nodded and gave him a look to sit in the nearby chair. Yun Qin and Yun Qi entered then, and they provided a summary of the reunion of the Nine Prominent Figures.
"Yun Xiang, let's start with you first, " said Yun Canglan looking at Mister Zi Zhu. The bet for which was the true Night Phoenix vs. the false one was the highlight of the reunion of the Nine Prominent Figures.
Yun Xiang still wore his blindingly bright gold clothes.
"Among the Nine Prominent Figures, five are friends; Mister Liu Huo, Mister Jue Sha, Mister Yao Yan, you and me. As for the remaining four, Yun Yu investigated Mister Feng Gui before. He has no underground business at all. Therefore, Mister Feng Gui hasn't enough power." "As for Mister Wu Hen..." Yun Xiang raised his eyebrow and glanced at the Mistress and her mean boyfriend, who was scowling.
Mister Zi Zhu continued, "Mister Wu Hen is popular in jianghu, and is a beloved prince of the Lie Kingdom. But Mister Wu Hen knows you well enough, Mistress, he wouldn't be so stupid and hire someone to dress up as you. Besides, he bet 100, 000 Liang on you."
Mister Zi Zhu started the bet for his own reasons.
"Mister Yang has enjoyed considerable popularity in recent years but has remained in his proper sphere all the time in the imperial palace of the Can Kingdom. The last one is Mister Yao Xi." Yun Xiang frowned heavily and felt uncomfortable when he thought of Mister Yao Xi. "We have no idea how of when he entered Can City. His whereabouts were unknown the entire time. After the reunion, Mister Jue Sha followed him to an inn, where he quickly disappeared. Mister Yao Xi is, therefore, the most probable suspect in the matter of the fake Night Phoenix."
Yun Canglan sta
Mistress!" her cohorts responded in unison, all of them amazed by Yun Canglan's resourcefulness. There was a storm coming to the Can Kingdom, in a short five days.
"Any questions?" Yun Canglan asked, looking around the room.
People all shook their heads and withdrew one by one under Lei Tianyan's expectant look.
The room was finally silent, and slowly the coldness filled with a romantic atmosphere.
Lei Tianyan took hold of a handful of Yun Canglan's hair smelling her unique fragrance of Red Spider Lily radiating, his breathing sounded sexy.
"Yun'er..." Lei Tianyan grumbled as his lust grew.
Yun Canglan gave him a look of confusion, "What?"
"What am I going to do?" He asked, his voice taking on a husky quality.
Yun Canglan cocked her head raising a brow, "You are going back to the Si Kingdom. The situation in the Si Kingdom is turbulent now. You can't stay away long." Yun Canglan had planned that her conquest of the world would start in the Can Kingdom.
Lei Tianyan pouted, discontent with her response, and in his most charming voice, "Yun'er, I want to stay with you."
She never understood why he missed her so much and seemed to suffer when she wasn't by his side. He knew she was the Fire Phoenix that her mission was to unify the world. He saw only that he wanted to be by her side, that he was a man and she was a woman.
"What's the matter with you?" Yun Canglan asked, feeling that Lei Tianyan was a bit strange.
"I'm fine." Lei Tianyan said lowering his head. After a few minutes he looked up again, back to being charming, "We haven't seen each other in so long Yun'er, have you missed me?" 'I missed you so much!' Lei Tianyan kept his admission to himself.
Yun Canglan stared at Lei Tianyan. Lei Tianyan pulled her close avoided looking into her eyes. The scent of Red Spider Lily was intoxicating, and he couldn't resist it anymore. He lowered his mouth, kissing her hard.
He knew she didn't want a relationship and he was only a friend with benefits. That was why he kept his true feelings from her.
It wasn't the full moon tonight, but he was unable to bear any longer. She was his beloved and right in front of him, and he wanted to follow his desire.
Yun Canglan didn't reject him, instead, she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck; she pulled him closer to her while he pulled her into his arms, and the two bodies fit together perfectly.
On a roof not far away, a lonely figure sat watching all night.