Volume 1: This Heart's Inclination Chapter 22: Who Are You?

  This is what it looks like when someone gets angry.

  Still smiling, still calm, but the smile is chilling, and the calmness is like suppressing a surge, but it's unknown when it will burst out.

  Tai Shi Lan was escorted home by Rong Chu himself, and this time she finally felt the "majestic aura" in her heart, which was awe-inspiring without being angry.

  Rong Chu didn't kill that demon, but the demon's face was even more miserable than death. It was clear that he thought living and going back was far more terrifying than killing himself right there, but Rong Chu wouldn't let him die, so he really didn't dare to die. Tai Shi Lan saw him crawl up, his pants completely wet, his previous calm and collected demeanor crushed by Rong Chu's one sentence.

  She was a bit puzzled, what's the most difficult thing in the world? Only death is left, and if you're not afraid of death, what else is there to be afraid of?

  She glanced at his tightly pursed lips, and this person who was usually carefree and smiling, once he really put on a stern face, the aura of being in a high position without anger but with majesty made people tremble, like a god sweeping away clouds and mist, revealing a golden body with piercing eyes.

  Perhaps someone who constantly provokes Rong Chu doesn't dare to cross his line, so when Rong Chu gets angry, the other party will retreat and even bully a few people to vent for Rong Chu.

  What a bunch of perverts.

  Tai Shi lifted the curtain of the horse carriage, and behind him, the figures on the mountain were flashing, Rong Chu's guards were dealing with the chaotic battlefield and the wounded, their movements were skilled, looking like they were all old hands.

  Perhaps in this matter, Rong Chu would also have his own way of handling it, but for the time being, she couldn't see him.

  Tai Shi Lan thought he wasn't a curious person, but looking at the horse carriage's dim light and shadow, he couldn't help but speculate about Rong Chu's exceptionally beautiful and exceptionally clear face.

  This thing is probably another unbearable beautiful woman's favor.

  The Duke of Jin's position is high and his power is heavy, the Rong family's influence is strong, whoever dares to show such possessiveness towards him must also be extraordinary.

  The tone of what that person just said is exactly like a proud and arrogant princess.

  As for why Rong Chuyi was angry... Tai Shi Lan suddenly didn't want to think about it.

  The horse carriage stopped, and Rong Chu, who had been quiet for a long time, lifted the curtain and said, "We've arrived at the Yi Estate."

  "I won't go in," he said. "My carriage will take you back, and the Yi estate shouldn't give you any trouble."

  Tai Shi Lan didn't care about the attitude of the Yu Fu at all, but still nodded in gratitude due to his rare kindness.

  "Today you won that fight." Chong Chu stared into her eyes, making sure she didn't know the truth, and for now, not planning to tease her about it, "Actually, the reward is not just my one request..."

  Tai Shi Lan looked at him.

  Her bright eyes reflected the moonlight, clear and refreshing like a jade spring. Suddenly, she hesitated and stopped talking, smiled slightly, "Forget it, I think you're not interested in some things either."

  Tai Shi Lan nodded and didn't ask what it was about, then turned around and left.

  She felt that the Yi's residence was not a place to stay for long either, thinking of going back to pack up her valuable belongings and change into another set of clothes before leaving.

  "Wait."

  She turned around, Chu Yun lifted the curtain and handed out a few small bottles.

  "The black bottle treats bruises, for external use, apply to the neck; the red bottle is taken orally, once a day." His gaze fell on her neck where the bruise still lingered, "Don't forget to use it. You weren't looking too good to begin with, and now you look like a hanged ghost."

  The warmth that had just risen in Tai Shi's heart was suddenly extinguished...

  "You look great." She fell silent for a moment, took over the bottle, "Just like a girl."

  He grabbed his bottle and turned around to leave, what expression could he have?

  ……

  The horse carriage stopped at the street corner did not leave immediately. Rong Chu watched as Tai Shi Lan was welcomed out by his family and taken in, before slowly leaving.

  The horse carriage swayed slightly, and Rong Chu's expression returned to its usual calmness.

  Just now, I wanted to ask her if she was willing to go back to Beijing with him.

  Want to ask her if she wants to be a person who controls everything.

  I want to tell her that the real meaning of today's Dragon Head Festival is to select an excellent young man to enter the most important and most dangerous hub of Southern Qi, but in the end, he chose her.

  He saw her unparalleled talent and rare ability, which should not be buried in a remote southern place like Anzhou.

  But... changed his mind at the last minute.

  The scene of her being hanged swirled before his eyes, and the mark on her neck seemed to constrict his breathing as well.

  He suddenly softened in his heart and gave up a certain persistence.

  Although Beijing is beautiful and power is beautiful, behind the prosperity and glory, there are more sinister killings and conspiracies.

  Maybe... she's not suitable.

  Then let this thorny ice flower slowly melt in the wind of the southern country and open a new softness...

  The horse carriage moved forward with a rumbling sound, and the long street at midnight unfolded under its wheels like a vast expanse of green light. The carriage gradually went further and further away until it disappeared into the darkness ahead.

  As soon as Tai Shi Lan entered the mansion, he knew that tonight's escape plan was doomed.

  The housekeeper of the Fu manor received her from the main gate and led her to the backyard, where she was directly invited into Tui Bo's courtyard, which was brightly lit, indicating that everyone was present.

  The Yu family has rules, dinner is always eaten in the Yu Pei courtyard, men's table in the outer hall, women's table in the inner hall, if there are not many people and the young masters are not present, they will be combined into one table.

  It's already past dinner time, and it's rare for everyone to be so complete. Tai Shi Lan's mouth slowly hooked up, knowing that the resentment accumulated in the past few days, plus ruining Yu Shengwei's good things today, the doubts and hatred of the Yu family, finally exploded tonight.

  As soon as she entered, she saw Wei Shitao among the young masters, secretly giving her a wink, with a worried look in his eyes. Tai Shi Lan glanced at him and felt that his mood was not bad.

  Inside the hall, Tui Po was also there, sitting upright and properly dressed like Mrs. Tui, with dishes on the table neatly arranged, but the heat had dissipated. The young ladies and daughters-in-law were not seated at the table, but instead sat in order below the main hall, each one's back straight, eyes shining brightly, especially Tui Shiwei's expression was the most excited, although her eyes were red and swollen, but her face was full of eagerness.

  "Haven't you eaten dinner yet?" Tai Bo's first sentence was not as accusatory as Tai Shi Lan had imagined, but rather he stretched out his hand to point at the table and said lightly, "If you haven't eaten, eat your fill before speaking, lest others say that I mistreat my daughter."

  She sat down to eat the sumptuous dishes on the table, her stomach had been hungry for a long time since she refused Rong Chu's invitation to dinner earlier.

  Eating under the tiger-like gaze of a room full of people requires courage. Most people would be at a loss in such a situation, but Tui Bo observed Tai Shi Lan for a long time and found that this "daughter" was indeed as calm as if no one was around.

  Not pretending to be arrogant and ignoring others, but rather seemingly not treating the many people around as human beings.

  This feeling made Wei Bo somewhat uncomfortable, and his doubts deepened. Madame Wei glanced at his face and whispered in his ear: "Master, look at her appearance... the girls said that there might be some truth to it."

  Tian Bai's face was overcast, and he nodded slightly.

  At this time, the maid brought a bowl of steaming chicken and duck tongue soup, and as she walked past Mrs. Yi's side, she glanced at her, and Mrs. Yi nodded slightly.

  Wei Shiwei and Wei Shuzhu's eyes immediately burst with joy.

  Tang Duan arrived in front of Tai Shi Lan, the other dishes had already gone cold, this hot soup was fragrant and enticing, it seemed especially tempting. Tai Shi Lan picked up the bowl and drank...

  Wei Xiwei was overjoyed and couldn't help but slightly lift her butt up.

  "Pfft!" Tai Shi Lan suddenly opened her mouth, and a mouthful of soup splashed onto the face of Wei Shengyi, who was sitting across from her and was just about to lean in.

  "Too much salt!" Tai Shi Lan heavily put down the soup bowl.

  Across from her, Wei Yi stood stiffly, the soup dripping slowly down her still flushed face, sliding past her narrowed eyes, flowing over her flared nostrils, and falling into the corners of her just opened mouth...

  Everyone's face turned green instantly...

  "Preposterous!" With a loud bang, Tuo Bo slammed his hand on the table and stood up, "Shi Lan, what are you doing?!"

  Wei burst into tears, Mrs. Wei rushed forward to hold her, the others glared at Tai Shi Lan with anger, Tai Shi Lan sat upright and straight, without turning his head.

  "I said it's too salty," she picked up the soup bowl and swirled it around, "don't believe me? Come taste it?"

  Everyone's condemning gaze immediately turned evasive, and Yi Bo coughed and forced out, "Even if you're salty, you can't treat your sister like this!"

  "Maybe she wants a drink too." Tai Shi Lan stared at Cui Shi Wei, "This soup tastes good, doesn't it? Look, it's dripping into her mouth."

  Wei immediately panicked and pushed away Mrs. Wei, hastily looking for a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, and only came back to herself after wiping twice, with her hand still suspended in mid-air.

  The four sides had already been silent as a crow, everyone was embarrassed, some turned their faces away, and others scratched their fingers.

  "Bo'er coughed again and changed the subject. 'Shi Lan, I have a question that has been bothering me, and I've been waiting for you here today to ask for clarification.'"

  "Oh?"

  "Since that night when your father's house caught fire," said Tuo Bai, staring into her eyes, "you seem to have never called out 'Dad' again."

  "Oh."

  "Everyone says you're very strange." Tai Bo's forehead twitched with anger, but he suppressed it and said slowly, "I didn't believe it at first, but now I have no choice but to believe - I'm asking you, who are you?"