Volume One, Chapter 19: You Can Give It a Try

He Yueyue blinked, then hurriedly scrambled to follow.

The Grand Preceptor! How did he manage to track her down here? Was that woman Yan Weiyu, always so bent on self-destruction, finally going to capsize her own boat?

Before she had taken many steps, she coughed up a large mouthful of blood, her legs turned to jelly, and she began to collapse. Yuan Yi was quick-witted and caught her just in time. He was about to hoist her onto his shoulder in his master’s style when he saw Yan Weiyu, who was already being carried in front, also cough up a massive amount of blood, staining his master’s meticulously chosen moon-white silk robe!

His master was a germaphobe! Yuan Yi worried that his master might toss her aside the very next second.

Instead, he saw his master—who usually strode forward with an aura of freezing cold—come to a flustered halt. He set her down, pulled her tightly into his arms, and immediately reached out to check her pulse.

"Seven-Day Dissipation—" Yuan Kaiji’s brows smoothed out as he looked coldly at Yan Weiyu. "Can you be any more foolish? To fall victim to such a low-grade poison?"

Yan Weiyu had no strength left to argue. Clutching her chest in agony, she gasped for air.

Yuan Kaiji pulled a porcelain bottle from his robes, shook out a black pill, and commanded, "Open your mouth."

Yuan Yi stared at his master in disbelief, desperate to warn him: Master, surely you’ve taken the wrong bottle! That’s not an antidote; that’s Heart-Tether! It’s a deadly poison! When it takes effect, it’s like ten thousand sharp blades twisting inside the heart. It is agonizing beyond measure; even the most elite shadow guards cannot withstand it. It is far more potent than the Seven-Day Dissipation!

Yan Weiyu clearly sensed something was wrong, but she was completely powerless and unable to resist. She could only clamp her mouth shut, refusing to open it.

He Yueyue also sensed that something was amiss. She grabbed Yuan Yi’s sleeve and asked in terror, "What kind of medicine is that?"

Yuan Yi swallowed hard, not daring to make a sound. So, his master’s insistence on finding the Lady wasn't to bring her home and spoil her, but to truly tear her limb from limb? If they had known, they wouldn’t have searched so diligently! They were all accomplices!

Yuan Kaiji offered a cold smile and pinched Yan Weiyu’s nose. The moment she couldn't help but gasp for air and open her mouth, he seized the chance to drop the pill in. With a swift movement, he pressed against her chin, forcing her to swallow it.

"Master!" Yuan Yi couldn't help but call out. He wanted to ask if treating the Lady this way wasn't too cruel.

Yuan Kaiji shot him a cold glare, took another porcelain bottle from his robes, and tossed it to him. "Give the antidote to that woman. Let her stay here to handle the aftermath."

He Yueyue looked at the small brown pill before her, then thought of the black pill Yan Weiyu had been forced to swallow, and could not bring herself to reach out. If her employer were gone, what reason was there for her to live?

Yan Weiyu, knowing exactly what He Yueyue was thinking, gave a desolate smile and whispered, "Yueyue, you must live. Everything I have, I entrust to you."

He Yueyue suddenly snapped back to reality. Right, there were still the little master and little miss! They were still so young! She snatched the antidote from Yuan Yi’s hand, shoved it into her mouth, and swallowed it dry. She stumbled to her knees, kowtowed deeply to Yan Weiyu, and choked out, "Don't worry, Employer. Even if I have to give my life, I will protect everything you have left behind!"

Yan Weiyu let out a sigh of relief, her head lolled to the side, and she lost consciousness.

A faint smile touched Yuan Kaiji’s lips. He reached down, scooped her up, and strode away. Yuan Yi glanced at He Yueyue, released her, and silently followed.

When Yuan Er and Yuan San saw their master returning while cradling a man, they were utterly disillusioned as they ushered him inside. Yuan San grabbed Yuan Yi’s sleeve and whispered, "What is going on?"

Yuan Yi waved him off with a grave expression, too preoccupied to explain, and walked inside.

"It’s over, it’s over. Could it be that since the master couldn't find the Lady, he’s lost his mind and decided to try out a man instead?" Yuan San muttered to himself before chasing after them.

When he saw his master gently place the person on his own bed and tenderly tuck them in, he felt as if he had fallen into a frozen cellar! It was confirmed! His master had "broken his sleeve" (turned gay)!

Yuan Kaiji glanced back at the disillusioned Yuan San, feeling a surge of irritation, and barked, "What are you standing there for? Prepare the water; I am going to bathe!"

"Master, didn't you just bathe not long ago?" Yuan San retreated a step. He struggled inwardly: Could it be that the master can't wait a single moment? He just brought the person back, and already... would stalling for a while help?

"Get going!" The sight of such an unobservant subordinate only deepened Yuan Kaiji’s annoyance.

"This subordinate is going now." Seeing that his master was about to lose his temper, Yuan San scurried away.

Yuan Kaiji took off his outer robe, looked at the large bloodstain on the back, and tossed it aside with agitation. "Take it and throw it away."

As Yuan San entered to pick up the robe, the master changed his mind: "Wait, leave it there."

Yuan San retreated in confusion. He couldn't fathom why his master was being so difficult over a piece of clothing.

After bathing and changing into a new moon-white silk robe, Yuan Kaiji used pearl powder to cover the dark circles under his eyes, then made his way to his bedroom at a leisurely pace.

Yan Weiyu had already woken up and was scanning the room with wide eyes. Seeing him enter, she immediately tensed up. Still, this bastard was undeniably handsome! She was no stranger to beautiful men, but she found it hard to look away. Unfortunately, she was currently powerless, unable to even lift a hand; she was completely helpless.

Yuan Kaiji walked forward step by step, his gaze never leaving Yan Weiyu. Even though this stubborn woman had disguised her appearance, her nature for admiring beauty remained unhidden. Dressing himself so flamboyantly was specifically to catch that look of uncontrollable covetousness in her eyes.

Watching the man sit on the edge of her bed, Yan Weiyu finally pulled herself out of her daze and asked nervously, "Brother, I wonder what your purpose was in bringing me here?"

Yuan Kaiji leaned in close and curled his lips coldly. "Guess?"

Looking at that handsome face drawing ever closer, Yan Weiyu fought the instinct to shrink back, gathered her courage, and said loudly, "Isn't it my Cangxian Mountain’s influence that you’re after? But if you use such despicable means to abduct me, aren't you afraid of completely enraging Cangxian Mountain? The consequences are something you won't be able to bear."

"Heh... Cangxian Mountain?" Yuan Kaiji watched her bluffing and couldn't help but let a hint of amusement color his voice. "I truly didn't expect that the disciples of Cangxian Mountain would be so incompetent."

"You were the one playing dirty!" Yan Weiyu gritted her teeth. She might be losing, but she refused to show weakness.

Yuan Kaiji reached out a long, slender finger and lightly brushed across Yan Weiyu’s soft, pink lips. The cool touch sent a shiver through her.

Yan Weiyu’s eyes reddened with rage. "You pervert, what are you doing? I’m a man! I don't have that kind of hobby!"

"Is that so?" Yuan Kaiji watched her bristling like a cat, as if he had found an amusing game. He licked his lips wickedly, leaned into her ear, and blew a breath against her earlobe before whispering in a low, husky voice, "Actually, you could try it. That kind of hobby... it should be quite stimulating."