Wang Jingxuan's words were sincere, but they made Shen Cuiyu look at him for a longer time.
Was it really the case that he didn't even have the time to write a single letter in a whole month?
How much of what Wang Jingxuan said was believable?
However, Lu Chun's doubts and grievances gradually faded away in the face of Wang Jingxuan's heartfelt explanations and confessions.
It was rare for a couple to be young. They had known each other since they were in humble circumstances and had supported each other during the toughest times. After the death of their parents, the only family members she had left were her elder brother and her husband. Now that she had found her husband again, Lu Chun felt a sense of peace that she hadn't felt in a long time.
She admonished herself that she should trust her husband more.
However... when she recalled how Wang Jingxuan had ridden through the streets on horseback during the day and how the passers - by had regarded him and the county princess as a perfect match, a hint of sourness welled up in Lu Chun's heart.
"What's the deal between you and the county princess?" Lu Chun hesitated but still asked the question that had been weighing on her mind.
Hearing this, a look of just - right helplessness and honesty immediately appeared on Wang Jingxuan's face.
"The county princess has reached the age of adulthood. The prince is recruiting talented people widely and intends to choose a good husband for her. Thanks to the prince's appreciation, I do have the opportunity to be often by his side..." He paused for a moment, carefully observing the nervousness on Lu Chun's face, and then changed the subject, comforting her gently, "But I have already told the prince that I already have a virtuous wife at home. The prince is reasonable and will naturally not think about it anymore."
He took Lu Chun's hand and said in a kind and longing tone, "My official career is just starting now, and I need to take care of many things. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble my wife to bear with me for some time to come. When I gain a firm foothold here and achieve success and fame, I will definitely bring you and your elder brother here to reunite and share the glory. How about that?"
His words were sincere, and the future he described was bright enough. Looking into her husband's sincere eyes, Lu Chun finally suppressed her doubts and replied in a low voice, feeling at ease for the time being.
Pei Yu stared at Wang Jingxuan's expression for a moment, then glanced at his wrist wrapped in gauze, and suddenly asked casually:
"Bitten by a snake?"
Only then did Lu Chun notice his injury and nervously checked it.
Wang Jingxuan's expression faltered slightly, and then a look of just - right bewilderment appeared on his face. "What snake? Where did the snake come from? This was caused by accidentally falling off my horse while doing errands for the prince outside the city a few days ago. I was scratched badly by the dead branches beside the road. It's just a skin injury. It's nothing serious."
He answered smoothly and naturally, but his eyes subconsciously avoided Pei Yu's eyes that seemed to be able to see through everything.
He paused for a moment and then added as if suddenly realizing something:
"Do you mean the black snake that Xiaochun once saved? Has it disappeared too?"
"The last time I saw it was at home. Snakes are not naturally close to humans. I think it left on its own after it recovered from its injury."
He said this so casually, as if he was talking about having a meal or drinking water.
Naturally, Lu Chun didn't suspect anything. That wasn't an ordinary snake, but a snake demon with spiritual powers!
She even hoped that Wang Jingxuan had nothing to do with that snake!
After comforting Lu Chun, Wang Jingxuan looked obviously more relaxed. Only then did he turn his gaze to Shen Cuiyu and the others.
"Xiaochun, you haven't introduced these guests to me yet," Wang Jingxuan sized up the people in front of him. When his gaze fell on the evil - ghost mask on Dongfang Xiao's waist, his eyes froze.
Lu Chun quickly said:
"They are the celestial masters from the Wonders Academy and also elder brother's friends. I couldn't find you for this whole month and tried every possible way... They came to help too!"
Wang Jingxuan stepped forward, bowed, and said some words of thanks. Then he slowly said to Lu Chun:
"It's getting late today. You can stay in the inn. Early tomorrow morning, I'll take you all around the county for a tour and then send you back."
Lu Chun was a bit stunned. "Won't you take me to your place?"
".... I'm currently living temporarily in the prince's villa. There are many inconveniences, and I'm afraid I won't be able to take good care of you," Wang Jingxuan said with a proper smile. "Moreover, since these celestial masters have come from afar, if they were to stay in the villa, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to entertain them well."
Wang Jingxuan's appearance hadn't changed, and his way of always considering others hadn't changed either. But looking at him, Lu Chun always felt that there was something different about the man in front of her, yet she couldn't put her finger on it...
Lu Chun fell silent, and for a moment, the atmosphere became tense.
The disciples were used to dealing with ghosts and gods and were inexperienced in worldly affairs. Now that they had suddenly gotten involved in the affairs of this couple, they all felt a bit embarrassed and uncomfortable.
Even Dongfang Xiao, who was always enthusiastic and talkative, was silent at this moment. Although there was still a proper smile on his face, he whispered in a voice that only those around him could hear:
"I really want to escape..."
Zhong Shengwan replied expressionlessly using ventriloquism, "Me too..."
Perhaps realizing that his attitude had been too cold, Wang Jingxuan plastered a flattering smile on his face and finally conceded:
"Alright, I originally planned to get everything in order before bringing you here... Since that's the case, all of you celestial masters can come with me too."
Everyone followed Wang Jingxuan to a rather elegant courtyard.
Looking at the pavilions and ponds, Lu Chun's eyes showed a hint of surprise and uncontrollable envy and joy.
"Is... is this a reward from the prince? He really treats you well..." Lu Chun came back to her senses and gently tugged at Wang Jingxuan's sleeve. "One should know how to repay kindness. How about I make some hometown snacks tomorrow and you take them to the prince and the county princess to taste?"
Wang Jingxuan's steps barely perceptibly paused, and a flash of disgust quickly passed through his eyes, which was immediately suppressed by a gentle smile.
He subconsciously glanced at Shen Cuiyu and the others' expressions first, and then said gently:
"Xiaochun, don't bother. There are several pastry chefs specially invited from Yangzhou in the prince's mansion. All the pastries are exquisite. These ordinary things probably won't catch the eyes of noble people."
A look of embarrassment flashed across Lu Chun's face. She twisted the corner of her clothes with her fingertips and didn't say anything more.
The courtyard had a standard quadrangle layout, but the doors and windows of several side rooms were firmly locked with copper locks.
Wang Jingxuan explained that there were old items from the prince's mansion stored there. Since he was only living there temporarily and didn't have the keys, it was better not to touch them.
Shen Cuiyu's eyes carefully scanned those closed doors, and then she imperceptibly shook her head at Pei Yu and the others - there was no demonic aura coming from behind the doors. It was abnormally clean.
However, when everyone stepped into the guest room prepared for Wang Jingxuan, they couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
It was seen that bright - yellow talismans were hanging in a staggered pattern under the beams and on the walls. They fluttered without wind, adding a bit of strangeness!
"When I first moved in, I always felt restless when sleeping," Wang Jingxuan explained in a normal tone. "These are all talismans for calming the nerves and protecting the house that I got from a master. Hanging them is just for peace of mind."
The disciples took a rough look, and the few talismans they saw were indeed the most common talismans for protecting the house. There was nothing abnormal about them.
Just then, a gust of autumn wind blew into the room, causing a few talismans to rustle.
But in this wind, Shen Cuiyu keenly caught a very faint fishy smell...
It wasn't like the bloody smell she was used to seeing. Instead, it was more like the fishy smell of river - bottom mud mixed with cold scales, damp and sticky, silently coiling up. It was as if in some dark corner that couldn't be seen, there was some living creature coiled up, silently peeping at all the uninvited guests in the room with its cold, vertical pupils.
This was... the unique smell of a snake.