As the state banquet was prepared to celebrate the victorious war, Yan Rong and Yan Jing were the main stars of the banquet. Luckily for Yan Luan, many visitors beganing forth towards their table to congratte the men of House Yan, hence Yan Jing had no other choice but to release his strong grip on her hands. Yan Luan rubbed her painful hands softly before cing them on the table carefully, refusing to ce them under the table.


    A royal decree arrived for Yan Rong halfway through the banquet, announcing his rank up from Duwei to Shangshu, henceforth cing him in a high ranked position right underneath the prime minister and allowing him the honor of attending court.(TNote: apparently as the princesss consort, he wasnt allowed to attend court previously.)


    Right after that, the royal eunuch announced the rewards earned by the Noble House HuaiYin, they were bestowed many different treasures of the country.


    The list of rewards was extremely long and unending, and before long, Yan Luan began looking around in boredom, finallynding her gaze on the northern continents princess.


    The princess was one year older than her and dressed up in formal attire while her hair decorated in gems and pieces of jewelry while her face looked young and adorable, if not for the fact that she was currently kneeling right in front of the guests and ring weakly at Emperor QiLing.


    Noticing that Jiang FuYuan was, too, staring at the sobbing princess, recognizing her after recalling the gossiping she had heard from her hand-maiden this afternoon. This was the most pampered princess from the northern continents, sent here to be apart of Emperor QiLings concubines.


    Yan Luan sighed in relief when the banquet was finally over, awfully d that Yan Jing hadnt proceeded further with his horrible molesting before leaving quickly with her mother, in case anything happens.


    Mother, the city has been hot recently, can I take a holiday at the mountain vi? Suddenly remembering her friends request, Yan Luan shook her mothers arm softly before asking.


    Go ahead, that vi would be yours in the future anyway, in the meantime, I will search for more ces and build you more vis that you can visit. Prince YongKang smiled gracefully, patting the head of her recently-recovered ill daughter.


    Thank you, mother! Yan Luan grinned sweetly in respond.


    After receiving Princess YongKangs approval, Yan Luan rushed into her room and began listing down the items she ns to bring. There was a lot of preparations needed because she intended to stay there with her best friend until autumnes.


    The next morning was a somewhat cool and chilly day, and after she finished preparing herself in the morning and checking the items on her carriage, she proceeded to the entrance of her residence, only to be stopped by her mothers personal hand-maiden.


    WengZhu, slow down, The Princess is asking for you.


    Yan Luan had no other choice but to follow her mothers MoMo, but her face dropped immediately when she saw her elder brother standing beside Princess YongKang while grinning at her slyly like an old fox.


    Ah Luan, youre here, you brother had suffered a lot during his times at war, please allow him to apany you to the vi. Youre all allowed to stay there as long as you want to, just remember to enjoy yourselves there! Princess YongKang said gently as she grinned lovingly at her children while hoping that they get along after years of separation.


    Ah Yan Luans excitement disappeared in a sudden poof while she took a step towards her mother, intending to reject her good intentions.


    But before she could voice out her opinions, Yan Jings deep voice sounded out clearly, Do not worry, mother. I will take good care of sister.


    Noticing Yan Luans hesitation, Princess YongKang sighed deeply, Ah Luan, remember to be a good girl and listen to your brother, do not assume that you can ignore mothers words just because Im not there at the vi, as your brother has the authority to discipline you in my ce if youve been bad, alright?


    Yes mother She groaned unhappily before turning her head towards her elder brother.


    Yan Jing was dressed in an elegant white attire filled with streaks of pale green bamboo, while the sleeves were sewn with silver dragons. His dark and long hair were held up handsomely by a jade hairpin, giving him the image of a gentle and studious young man.


    Big brother, can we stop by Jiang Guo Gongs residenceter? I would like to bring Miss Jiang alon


    Yan Jing chuckled softly before even allowing her to finish her words, Ah Luan, mother only told me to bring you along, lets go quickly, arent you in a rush to visit the vi?


    In a rush to go? Yan Luan thought about her panic and rush yesterday night while making preparations, shuddering as she realized that Yan Jing had probably realized her true intentions, and right now, it felt like she was an innocent goat entering a lions cave.


    Princesss YongKangs personal vi on the southern mountains was built on the orders of her fathers orders and gifted to her on her wedding day. The entire ce was exquisite to the brim, filled with pavilions, ponds, and canopies lined with foreign flowers, as expected of a vi built by thete emperor.


    As soon as they entered the vi, Yan Jing immediately chose the east building while Yan Luan chose the center building. Right after that, they proceeded to have their lunch together, but Yan Luan was unable to calm herself down, hence she had gobbled down her food in a rush before running off into the distance, leaving behind a table full of food and a smiling Yan Jing.


    An enormous pool was built in the backyard of the center building while a huge wooden canopy was built on top of the pond, lined with flowers and coated with half-translucent silk that fluttered in the air. Yan Luan sighed at the beautiful scenery before kneeling down beside the pond, cing her hand in and grabbing a fistful of the fallen petals which floated peacefully on the pond.


    The water temperature was perfect, not too hot and not too chilling. With a nod of satisfaction, Yan Luan stripped off herplicated dress swiftly before entering the pond gracefully, sighing in bliss as the water cooled down the burning heat.


    WengZhu should spend more time in the water even though its not a hot spring, as this pool is filled with expensive herbs that is perfect for a youngdy like you and itll keep your skin beautiful.


    Yan Luan nodded slowly as she yed around with the floating petals around her, she could smell the sweet scent of flowers in the air and she sighed once again at the rxing atmosphere, enjoying the fluttering of the silk and the rustling of the flowers due to the gentle wind.


    Leave me be, Shemanded the little girl who was squatting nearby, as a modern woman, she was still not used to having her naked body viewed by another person, regardless of gender.


    Water flowed endlessly from the golden dragon head on the wall, as if it was a mini waterfall, soothing Yan Luans tension and hiding the soft footsteps that were moving slowly towards her.


    When she finally heard the heart-stopping footsteps and turned her head around in horror, Yan Jing was already standing and grinning behind her back while gazing at her fooling around with the water.


    Ah! Yyou! How did you enter this ce?! Go out! Yan Luan screamed in shock as she sank herself into the pool, ring in rage at her brother while trying to hide herself from his invasive gaze.


    Ignoring her desperate screams, Yan Jing settled down beside the pool before grinning at her slyly, sighing in content at her alluring screams before slowlynding his gaze on her neck and at her torso which was hidden beneath the floating petals.


    But still, her wary eyes somewhat upsets him.


    Why are you sitting there? Leave! O otherwise Ill scream for help! Yan Luan cried out in rage at her elder brother as his lustful eyes were still glued to her naked body and it filled her with difort.


    He stood up slowly upon hearing her screams, but to her dismay, he began untying his belt as he slowly undressed himself right in front of her eyes.


    Yyou! What are you doing!? A sharp shriek escaped her lips as she jumped in panic at his sudden actions, Help! Someone! Momo!


    Yan Jing grinned in amusement at her cries for help, before entering the pool while slowly stripping off his pants. Yan Luan stared at him in shock before rushing off into the other direction, intending to swim over to the other side and leave the pool quickly.


    If I dont escape now, I will surely beid by this crazy man after hes done undressing!


    Somebody, help!!


    Characters list:


    Yan Luan  Title Mi Yang Weng Zhu, the daughter of the imperial princessYan Jing  Eldest brother of Yan LuanYan Dao  Second brother of Yan LuanImperial Princess  Title Princess YongKang, favorite sister of the current emperorYan Rong  consort of Princess YongKang, father of Yan Luan, Yan Jing, Yan Dao and Yan Fei.Lord Chu  Title Guo Jiu, brother of the current Queen Dowager(TNote: Guo Jiu means uncle of the country, usually bestowed to the emperors uncle.)Lady Chu  Legitimate wife of Lord Chu after his previous legitimate wife passed awayChu YanShang  Title Xian Zhu, daughter of Lord Chu, pampered and loved by the queen dowagerJiang FuYuan  the other girl who had drowned together with Yan Luan on the day of the feast.Lord and Lady Jiang  House Jiang was bestowed the title Heng Guo Gong. It is a title of nobility and authority. (TNote: From what Ive seen, there are usually 4 of these Guo Gong in each country, the position is pretty high, I think its right under the Wang title if Im not mistaken)