Volume Three: Walking Outside the Bounds of Carefree, Chapter 110
Only when she saw the person behind Jin Li did the expressions of the servants soften a bit. One after another, they bowed and greeted, “Greetings, Lord Sinian.”
Lord Sinian? Was it really him? How could he be here? Wasn’t he supposed to be bedridden with a cold?
Jin Li turned around, and sure enough, before her stood a man in a dark brocade robe embroidered with elegant patterns, exuding a regal air. He still wore that black mask, his cold gaze fixed on Jin Li with a mixture of disdain and contempt, followed by a faint flicker of irritation upon recognizing her. He spoke in a cold voice, “Leave.”
The servants bowed and quietly withdrew. The garden was in full bloom, a perfect spring scene, yet only the two of them remained to appreciate it, lending an odd, almost eerie atmosphere.
Lord Sinian swept his sleeve and sat down. “Didn’t I tell you to leave? Yet here you are, boldly entering the stronghold.”
His tone was devoid of anger; instead, it carried a hint of helplessness.
Strange.
“Lord Sinian knew all along I wouldn’t leave so easily?”
Sinian did not answer but shifted his gaze from her to the teacup, then muttered to himself, “I advise you, don’t entertain any sinister thoughts here. Otherwise, your life and death won’t be yours to control.”
She met his challenge head-on. “My life and death? That’s no one else’s judgment to make. You worry too much, Lord Sinian.”
“I don’t care about your life or death. I only hope you will personally tell the city lord that you refuse this marriage.”
What? Why?
“What?” she asked sharply.
Sinian slowly raised his eyes, his patience thinning. In the past, if a junior dared speak to him this way, he would have struck with a palm. One ought to know their place. Having spent months secluded in Lianchuan, hardly ever stepping outside, Jin Li’s boldness now was truly unexpected.
It was time for the elder to teach this junior a lesson.
A mischievous smile curled at the corner of the young woman’s lips.
That smile made Sinian’s chest tighten—a familiar expression, yet somehow different.
“I won’t.”
Sinian froze. “...What?”
Jin Li sat down opposite him, poured herself a cup of tea, leisurely blew on it, and deliberately enunciated, “I. Will. Not.”
Her words and expression radiated provocation, quietly igniting Sinian’s anger.
He rose abruptly, flicked his sleeve sharply, then folded his hands behind his back. “I’ve said all I need to. Whether you can or cannot do it is your affair. Just don’t regret it later.”
Why would she regret? It was utterly baffling.
Jin Li pursed her lips, casting a sidelong glance at Sinian’s retreating figure.
Who was he always scowling at?
Truth be told, she had never liked Lord Sinian from the bottom of her heart.
---
The night was deep. Jin Li tried on the wedding dress—the fit was perfect, no alterations needed. She was a natural model; no matter the style, the garments suited her figure impeccably, even exuding a unique beauty. Setting aside her current appearance, just her silhouette alone was that of a genuine beauty.
Alone in her room that evening, she admired herself in the mirror one last time before putting the dress away.
Half an hour later, her thoughts churned over the wedding tomorrow. It simply must not proceed. She wondered how Ayuan was faring—had he safely returned to Bu Zhaoshan? Had he calmed his mind to focus on cultivation? Had he successfully ascended? She held unwavering faith in the young man’s ability to ascend to immortality.
She missed him.
No, she needed to see the city lord soon. Silently, Jin Li vanished once more into the shadows.
---
At the city lord’s hall.
Just as Jin Li was about to enter, she noticed flickering candlelight inside. Hiding at the door, she overheard something she was not meant to hear—the city lord and Lin Zhong quietly conferring.
The city lord’s voice was heavy. “How did it go?”
“The young master finally agreed,” came Lin Zhong’s reply.
The city lord sighed deeply. “So be it. This is his own tribulation. Consider it his merit.”
“The city lord is kind. I wonder if the young master appreciates your intentions.”
Jin Li was puzzled but focused on her mission. With a flick of her fingers, a talisman appeared on the table. She watched silently.
“Lin Zhong, go check what that is.”
She heard footsteps, then Lin Zhong’s voice: “City lord, it’s a celestial script from Lianchuan.”
“Is it from the Lady?”
“City lord, please look.”
Before the matter could progress, someone announced from behind, “City lord, Lord Sinian requests an audience.”
Jin Li’s displeasure flared. Why had Lord Sinian come to disrupt things at this crucial moment?
“Send him in,” the city lord ordered.
Jin Li watched Sinian walk past her, wishing she could strangle or knock him out. So, she extended a foot.
“Oh dear, Lord Sinian, mind your step. Careful not to fall.”
Sinian waved her off. “I’m fine.”
He glanced behind him with curiosity and confusion beneath his silver mask.
She followed him inside.
The young man’s eyes paused; a faint, almost imperceptible smile curved his lips.
“City lord.”
---
The city lord had changed into casual attire but still radiated the aura of royalty.
“Lord Sinian, what brings you here so late?”
“My younger brother wishes to discuss something with our elder sister.”
At these words, the city lord exchanged a glance with Lin Zhong. Lin Zhong then said, “Everyone else may leave.”
Once the servants had departed, Sinian spoke, “Elder sister, Si Mu is not the best choice for marriage.”
What did he mean?
Jin Li sat at a round table nearby, nibbling on grapes from a fruit plate. She found Sinian’s words puzzling—what was wrong with Si Mu? Why was he unsuitable?
“Lord Sinian, why do you say that?”
He continued, “You desire Si Mu’s maternal authority and intend to marry a woman into his family. But if I told you I could grant you Si Mu’s maternal rights, would you reconsider this marriage?”
Lin Zhong’s expression shifted. His narrow eyes quickly flicked to the city lord before he said to Sinian, “Lord Sinian, you jest. It’s late, and the city lord is tired. Please return for now.”
But the city lord paused, raised a hand, and fixed his gaze on Sinian. “You have changed.”
“My younger brother has not changed. He only wishes to preserve your position as city lord.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“No other motives?”
“None.”
Jin Li looked at the man before her—his countenance dim and resolute. For a moment, she found herself believing him.
Perhaps it truly was only about safeguarding the city lord’s seat.
“That’s good. After all, we are siblings of the same mother. I trust you.”
She saw suspicion and doubt flicker in the city lord’s eyes as she tested and warned the man.
He lowered his gaze. “Of course.”
Yet, she sensed a faint scent of conspiracy.
Well, these grapes and seeds were quite good.