Chapter 164: A Momentary Lapse

Mu Shan, standing behind Yuwen Lingxi, struggled to suppress a laugh. This scene was all too familiar, a playback of the first time he and his young master had met Miss Yue at the Yue residence three years ago. The only difference was that the person following Miss Yue was different, and her posture had changed.

Lian Yue rubbed her forehead with a delicate hand, silently cursing whoever it was that didn't know how to step aside. Yet, this embrace felt somewhat familiar. When she looked up and saw the owner of the embrace, she recoiled a step in haste.

How could it be him? Was it truly because of their betrothal? The magnetic field between them felt far too powerful. But for the sake of the many fine gifts he had bestowed upon her, she decided it was best to make a quick exit.

"My apologies, I'll be going now." Lian Yue tried to escape, but how could this man be so difficult? Even if he disliked talking, couldn't he at least offer a cold, expressionless "no harm done"?

Little did she know, the person standing before her was a completely different man. Just as she grew impatient and prepared to leave, the corners of Yuwen Lingxi’s mouth curled up naturally. "Where is Miss Yue heading in such an outfit?"

"Huh?" Lian Yue had never expected him to ask such a question. Her first reaction was that she had misheard, and when she met his half-smiling eyes, she began to wonder if her own vision was failing her.

She couldn't help but glance up at the sun in the sky, feeling utterly baffled. It hadn't risen in the west, so why had this notoriously cold and stoic man suddenly changed his style?

Fortunately, Lian Yue was adaptable. "I have an appointment at the Wanxiang Pavilion."

Wanxiang Pavilion? Yuwen Lingxi’s gaze sharpened. Why would his Yue'er go to such a place? Then again, she would only dress like this to visit such a location. He had to admit, however, that Lian Yue, dressed as a man, looked quite dashing.

Yuwen Lingxi had intentionally waited on this path to manufacture a chance encounter, hoping to make Lian Yue slowly accept him. The true identity of An Ming could not be exposed; even if he trusted Lian Yue, An Ming’s identity involved the entire Yuwen family and the Rakshasa Palace.

Although half of the Eight Great Powers were aware of the connection between the Yue family and the Hidden Sect, the Rakshasa Palace was different. As the only assassin organization, and given the existence of the Red and Black Lists, it could not afford to be entangled with any single faction. If the other powers discovered that the Rakshasa Palace and the Yuwen family shared the same master, the Palace would lose its reason for existence, and the Yuwen family would pay a heavy price.

"I have nothing to do, let me accompany you," Yuwen Lingxi said, trying to make his tone sound like a suggestion, though it didn't come across that way to Lian Yue.

How could he have changed so much in just one night? It was as if he had been influenced by Qiao Zhi. However, after learning from her eldest brother about the developments during the Eight Great Powers’ meeting, she knew Yuwen Lingxi had truly helped the Yue family, and she found it hard to refuse.

Moreover, she felt a strange sense of excitement, as if she were looking forward to his company. It was a confusing, peculiar feeling.

Yuwen Lingxi observed every flicker of emotion in her eyes. He was surprised by her sensitivity—a woman’s intuition was not to be underestimated. Yet, he was pleased with her current state; if she had remained indifferent to his presence, he would have been truly dejected.

"That place is not suitable for you," Yuwen Lingxi felt the need to explain. "Besides, if it were only the two of you, your disguise would be easily discovered. It will be better with Mu Shan and me as company."

Lian Yue glanced at Zi Zhu, who was dressed as a page boy and did look somewhat feminine. Since she didn't want to be rude to Yuwen Lingxi, she let him follow.

"Then let's go." Thinking of her earlier unease, she consciously distanced her tone.

Yuwen Lingxi didn't mind. He stepped aside to clear the path, and Lian Yue walked ahead, with Zi Zhu and Mu Shan trailing behind. The four of them departed the Prince’s mansion.

Lian Yue’s destination was clear, but once on the bustling streets, she was struck by a moment of panic. She had forgotten one crucial detail: she had no idea where the Wanxiang Pavilion was.

Yuwen Lingxi watched her standing at the gate and asked, "Weren't you going to the Wanxiang Pavilion? Why have you stopped?"

Lian Yue cast a side-long glance at his white sleeve and steeled herself. She turned and asked, "Do you know where the Wanxiang Pavilion is?"

Yuwen Lingxi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. So that was it.

Lian Yue felt embarrassed, and seeing his raised eyebrows made her even more flustered. "Do you know or not? If not, I’ll ask the guards."

"I know. Follow me." Yuwen Lingxi took the lead, but Lian Yue’s quiet muttering behind him nearly made him trip.

"I knew you men loved those places; how could you not know!"

After regaining his composure, Yuwen Lingxi pondered her words and decided he couldn't reply, or it would only get more complicated. At the same time, he couldn't deny having been there; after all, a brothel was a place where guards were lowered, making it a perfect spot for an assassination.

"No denial means you admit it! Men are all the same!" Lian Yue complained, glaring at his back. This man was truly detestable; how could he frequent such places when he was betrothed to her?

Then, she paused, feeling a sudden surge of joy. She was going to break the engagement anyway, so what did it matter to her? If something happened today, she wouldn't even need an excuse to call it off. But why did his back look so familiar? If this white robe were black...

Her vision blurred, and Yuwen Lingxi’s clothes seemed to shift to black, overlapping with the figure in her mind. Everything around her flickered back to the forest, where she had followed him just like this, clutching the hem of his sleeve.

Yuwen Lingxi felt a tug on his sleeve and his heart tightened. He looked down in disbelief at the delicate hand gripping his clothes. How had she figured it out? His gaze moved up to meet her unfocused eyes, and he breathed a sigh of relief, realizing what had happened.

Just as he was about to wake her, Lian Yue snapped out of it. Seeing the situation, she quickly pulled her hand away and hurried forward without daring to look at him.

Her head was bowed, her cheeks flushed, and her brows tightly knit. How could she have mistaken him for someone else? And to have acted so brazenly—would he misunderstand? Heavens, she was mortified!

If she had been alone, she would have been pulling at her hair in frustration. It was too embarrassing.

"You're walking in the wrong direction for the Wanxiang Pavilion."

The voice of the culprit came from beside her. Lian Yue resignedly looked up and said earnestly, "The reason I lost my composure just now is that I mistook you for someone else."

"I know." *And that other person is me too!* Yuwen Lingxi thought, feeling quite pleased.

"So you must forget what just happened! No, you definitely must forget it!"

"Very well!" *I can forget it, but An Ming will remember.*

Lian Yue cast a suspicious look at Yuwen Lingxi, who seemed far too cheerful, and remained skeptical of his promise. But it would be unwise to dwell on it.

"Then lead the way..."

Yuwen Lingxi didn't refuse. This time, Lian Yue grew smart and walked side-by-side with him, preventing a repeat of the incident.

Behind them, Zi Zhu felt uneasy. How had her mistress’s attitude toward Young Master Yuwen changed so much after just one trip to the palace?