Bairan turned around and saw a young man standing not far away. He was in his early twenties, dressed in a white hanfu with sky-blue edges. His thin lips, straight nose, and pair of peach-blossom eyes gave him a gentle appearance.
It was none other than Lu Yichen.
There was a hint of surprise flickering across his eyes, but it soon turned into joy. He walked quickly toward her. Yet when he came near, Bairan instinctively took a small step back.
Lu Yichen's steps froze. He looked at her with a soft, sad voice.
"A'Rou... what's wrong?"
Bairan's gaze flickered over him quickly as though she were looking at a stranger.
But inside, she thought, "So this is Ruolan's fiancé. Not bad at all, but I hope he forgives me, young master but I don't like playing the role of young lover with you. She will leave here as soon she found Ruolan's killer.
Bao'er hurried to her side and said,
"Young Miss, this is Young Master Lu."
Bairan glanced at him once more, then bowed gracefully.
"Ruolan greets Young Master Lu."
Lu Yichen's hand trembled slightly under his sleeve. He forced a smile and said,
"why such a formality?it looks like what Master Lin said is true... That A'Rou losting her memory"
Bairan met his eyes calmly, a soft smile still on her lips.
said, "A'Rou is very sorry for not remembering how to speak to you, Young Master Lu. Perhaps my father has already told you-after that accident, I lost my memories, and I don't remember anyone."
Lu Yichen was silent for a brief moment before nodding slowly. Said, "Yes... Master Lin told me that on your way to his courtyard in the village, your carriage met with an accident. You were injured and haven't remembered anything since."
After he said that, he swallowed slowly, his gaze tracing her face inch by inch today she didn't wore any makeup, her hair simply styled.
Before, she used to greet him with shy smiles, dressed in bright colours, always trying her best to please him.
But now, that warmth was gone. She looked at him gently without the slightest attachment.
He raised his hand, wanting to hold hers. But before his fingers could touch her, Bairan quietly stepped back again.
At same moment, Zhouyan took a step forward.
Hanyue was slightly surprised by his master's sudden movement but still followed after him.
Lu Yichen glanced down at his half-raised hand, wanted to say something but when he felt their approaching, he quickly lowered it.
Zhouyan and Hanyue stopped before them. Zhouyan gave Bairan a small nod in greeting.
Bairan raised a brow inwardly, thinking, "Did Hanyue's master just greet me out of nowhere?!
But on the surface, she quickly bowed respectfully.
"Ruolan greets the two Darens."
Hanyue clasped his hands and greeted her back and
Zhouyan didn't say anything but silently watching how easily she changed her expressions.
Bairan quickly turned to Lu Yichen and said softly,
"Young Master Lu, Ruolan was able to return safely this time only because of these two darens' help-Master Pei and his master."
She didn't know Zhouyan's name but acted as if it were perfectly natural to call him Master Pei's master.
Lu Yichen's gaze swept over the two men before him.
One was cold and unreadable, the other gentle and polite, yet he could sense their strength.He had met many noble sons in the capital, but these two carried an aura far beyond them-especially the cod one.
He bowed respectfully.
"Lu Yichen is deeply grateful to you, darens, for saving my fiancée."
Hanyue returned the gesture with a warm smile.
"There's no need for thanks. It was all fate."
Zhouyan didn't respond. But when he heard him call Bairan his fiancée, his expression grew even colder.
Lu Yichen didn't know why he felt such cold pressure.
Did I say something wrong?
Fortunately, Master Lin's warm and welcoming voice echoed from the hall entrance.
"Ah, darens! You've arrived just in time. Come in, come in! The meal is ready."
Looking at Yichen and Bairan standing by them as well, he said, "Oh, I see...you've already met Young Master Lu Yichen, my elder daughter's fiancé."
Hanyue smiled faintly.
Said, "Yes, we already met him."
Zhouyan walked first-his every step measured and silent.
He didn't spare Yichen even a glance. The cold air around him was so still that Yichen unconsciously took a step aside.
Bairan straightened her sleeves calmly, joking in her heart, It looks like I'm not the only one Master Pei's master finds annoying. Today, Young Master Lu is the unlucky one.
Lu Yichen didn't concern about that noble people are like that looking others as ant it's not new thing for him. He followed them, smiling politely at Master Lin, but his eyes couldn't help glancing back at Bairan.
When they all entered the hall, servants served wine and dishes.The air was filled with the fragrance of lotus soup, roasted meat and many special dishes from the town.
Madam Luo and Ruomei were there, greeting them all respectfully.
Ruomei glanced at Hanyue and Yichen from time to time-one out of old habit, and the other with new hope.
Bairan noted that quietly in her mind.
Master Lin sat and began the conversation.
"Yichen, I've heard you returned from the capital just a few days ago. It's truly wonderful that you came to visit us this time."
Yichen raised his cup and replied courteously,
"Master Lin, we are family. Yichen didn't fulfil his duties very well for these two years because of work. I hope you can forgive me."
Master Lin looked pleased and said proudly, "It's fine. You're now fourth-ranked official on capital of course. You're busy."
Lu Yichen smiled every time anyone on the town mentioned his official rank he couldn't stop himself from being proud, but this time he wasn't much proud he worried about something else.
He said, "Actually, this time I came back for special reason."
His eyes flickered toward Bairan. hoping get surprise glance from her.
But Bairan quietly poured tea into her cup and
listened to their exchange without any reaction.
She could feel Yichen's gaze on her, but she acted as if she didn't notice.
Instead, it was Madam Luo asked smiling,
"Oh, And what is that special reason bring young master Lu?"
Yichen hesitated when Bairan showed no reaction.
Everyone believed their marriage was delayed because Ruolan mourned for her mother, but in truth, he had secretly requested the delaying himself asked her not tell anyone before every time he came to see her, she would ask when they would marry, but now she didn't even give him a single glance.
Did she truly forget everything... or is she angry with me?
He looked toward Zhouyan and Hanyue side wonder did the men had anything to do her change. Did they give her any promises to not want him anymore. He will never let anyone took her from him.
His fingers around the win cup tightened.
Master Lin called him "Yichen?!"
He came back to his senses and said,
"I think A'Rou and I have delayed our marriage for too long. I'd like to send my family next week to discuss the arrangements."
Master Lin and Madam Luo were both surprised when in the morning heared young master Lu came they were both anxious may the news obout Ruolan's absent lake out and he's here to asking them for explanation they never expect him to say this .
Master Lin forced a smile.
"Yichen, this-"
Yichen himself hadn't expected to say it so suddenly-and in front of outsiders.
Ruomei looked at Bairan with annoyance but said nothing.
Hanyue was curious if the young man find out her biancée
Was missing for a month did he still doing what he saying write now.
Across the table, Zhouyan's fingers tapped once on the armrest, his eyes was dark and calm lingered briefly on Bairan before moving away again.
Just know he did something out of control when he saw Lu Yichen wanted to hold Bairan's hand he could stop himself he wants to stopped. He jocking sadly on his head "Xinyi, you see I'm losing my mind slowly I can even let other get slightly shadow of her only because she had some habits as you" he didn't want to satay anymore he wanted to be alone
But heard Bairan's soft voice.
"Father," Bairan interrupted gently but firmly enough for everyone in the hall to hear.
They all turned toward her. She put down her teacup.
then looked toward Yichen.
"Young Master Lu, I hope you don't rush in this matter. My mother's death date is one month away, and as you know I'm still in mourning period, however I do not remember the past between us hearing you speak like that makes me nervous and frightened. I just returned from the gates of death. If you truly care about A'Rou, you should at least give me some time to recover."
The table fell silent.
Even Master Lin's smile faltered but felt her elder daughter's words are right he wants the marriage soon happen, but if he does it before his wife's death anniversary
Where can he put his face then.
Yichen's hand tightened slightly around his cup, but he forced a smile.
"I see... ." Then he added gently,
"Yichen was worry because that i suggested changing our marriage schedule . Please Forgive me. but can you let me invite a good doctor from the capital to help with your recovery perhaps he can do something to bring back your memories."
This time, Bairan smiled softly.
Said , "If my father allows it, I will thank Young Master Lu."
Lu Yichen looked at Master Lin, who nodded to him.
Then He began drinking without saying anything else.
At that time servant rashes to his side and whispered something to his ear.
Master Lin said "Not now, let him wait i have guests here "
The servant histdshated whispered to him again.
These time Master Lin's hand trembled he did let servant said that word again he glanced at Zhouyan's and Hanyue's side swallowed nervously.
Then he cleared his throat and laughed loudly.
"Come, come, everyone eat!"
Then stood up said apologetically "sorry darens I had irgent problem in one of my slik storages I should check it soon "
After some political exchange he go hurriedly with his servant.
Hanyue looked at his back thoughtfully this signaled to Dongyan to go after him.
The lunchtime soon ends but Master lin didn't came back
Everyone returned to there own courtyards
The Lin family's residence seemed very peaceful on the surface but within each courtyard, secrets were secretly buried. Their owner didn't want anyone found about.