Chapter 216

Chapter 216

After Xia Ximo entered the room, Yan Zhengchu immediately gave Ren Fengjue a meaningful look.

Zhong Dingyan and Axia were promptly sent away.

“Miss Xia, I examined Young Master Yu just now. He most likely cannot be awakened because a Vengeful Spirit lured away his spiritual consciousness in his sleep, severing his connection to the outside world.

“In such a situation, someone must enter Young Master Yu’s dream in spirit form and awaken his spiritual consciousness. Only then can he escape the Vengeful Spirit’s control.”

Yan Zhengchu had naturally considered going in himself, but he was not proficient in the Soul-Guiding Art.

If he entered and fell prey to the Vengeful Spirit’s schemes, he might not even be able to protect himself.

Then both he and Yu Lang would be trapped in the dream.

But Xia Ximo was different.

Her soul power was extraordinary, and she was even stronger in spirit form.

Only she could be completely certain of bringing Yu Lang out of the dream.

“I understand.”

As taciturn as ever, Xia Ximo gently closed her eyes. In less than a moment, her spirit entered Yu Lang’s consciousness.

Unable to see souls, Ren Fengjue could not resist asking what was happening.

“Miss Xia…”

“There is no need to worry, Young Marquis.”

Yan Zhengchu was clearly confident. He even praised her. “Miss Xia’s abilities far exceed anything you or I could imagine.”

“…”

For some reason, the words sounded strange to Ren Fengjue.

Back in Shangjing, Yan Zhengchu and Xia Ximo had often traded barbs.

But now Daoist Yan clearly regarded Miss Xia with a measure of reverence.

Ren Fengjue could not resist asking, “When did Daoist Yan discover Miss Xia’s true identity?”

The question left Yan Zhengchu somewhat embarrassed.

“Last time, in the cave at the massacred village, Tianwen trapped me inside an array. If Miss Xia had not entered it to save me, I fear…”

Ren Fengjue thought back carefully and understood.

“So that was when…”

Yan Zhengchu added, “In truth, I should have realized even earlier. There were far too many… unusual things about her.”

Ren Fengjue immediately said, “Her soul may be unusual, but she has never harmed anyone. On the contrary, she has saved many lives and even helped wronged souls.”

Daoist Yan naturally heard the protectiveness in his words and smiled.

“I understand what you mean, Young Marquis. In fact, I agree with you.

“Whether the current Miss Xia is the real ‘Xia Ximo’ or not, I trust her.”

Ren Fengjue smiled as well. The faint gloom lingering in his heart seemed to dissipate with those words.

* * *

“May I ask, miss, what… exactly is this place?”

Behind the bamboo blinds, the beauty continued playing the zither alone, seemingly unaware of Yu Lang, her “uninvited guest.”

Then he suddenly spoke.

Only then did the woman seated before the zither slowly raise her eyes and glance at him.

“Please come in, young master.”

As her words fell, the bamboo blinds moved apart on their own.

Yu Lang felt as though he were floating. He involuntarily walked to the woman’s side.

“My surname is Wen, and my given name is Yu.”

Wen Yu rose and gave him an elegant curtsy.

Her pure, refined beauty and soft, gentle voice sent a ripple through Vice Minister Yu’s heart.

He quickly extended a hand without touching her, as though helping her rise. “There is no need for such courtesy, miss. My… my surname is Yu, and my given name is Lang.”

“Young Master Yu.”

Wen Yu softly called his name and gazed at him with tender, affectionate eyes.
Yu Lang’s cheeks warmed beneath her gaze, and his heart fluttered.

Even so, he retained some measure of reason.

“Miss Wen, may I ask what this place is?”

Wen Yu covered a smile and asked in return, “Should Young Master Yu not be more familiar with this place than I am?”

Yu Lang froze again and looked around. It truly did seem… somewhat familiar.

But he could not remember where it was.

Wen Yu continued, “Has Young Master Yu still not remembered?”

Yu Lang shook his head with a smile. “I truly cannot. I vaguely feel that I have been here before, but for some reason, I simply cannot remember…”

“If you cannot remember, then do not trouble yourself.”

Smiling, Wen Yu suddenly reached out, gently caught the edge of his robe, and guided him to one side.

“Please sit over here, Young Master Yu.”

As Yu Lang drifted in a daze, he heard a beaded curtain sway. In the next instant, he seemed to have entered a young woman’s bedchamber.

Wen Yu seated him at a table laden with fine wine and delicacies.

She poured a cup of wine and gently raised it to his lips.

Yu Lang sniffed lightly and discovered… it seemed to be the fine wine of Ling Family Village.

“Why is this here…”

Before he could finish, the cup reached his lips. He could only drink, and the wine tasted even richer than he remembered.

Wen Yu poured herself a cup as well. “Young Master Yu, allow me to offer you a toast.”

Before Yu Lang understood what was happening, he muddleheadedly drank another cup.

He said, “This wine is far too potent. My head is spinning…”

Wen Yu placed one hand on his shoulder and boldly wrapped the other around his waist. She whispered beside his ear, “Then I will help Young Master Yu to the bed to rest…”

Her beguiling voice nearly made Yu Lang nod in agreement.

But then he thought, wait, this was a young woman’s room.

“I should return to my own room!”

Yu Lang hurriedly tried to pull away from Wen Yu, but the hand around his waist, though seemingly soft as jade, could not be pushed aside.

Wen Yu looked at him forlornly, a trace of hurt in her eyes. “Does Young Master Yu… not like me?”

“…”

The question caught Yu Lang off guard. He hurriedly explained, “That is not what I mean. I simply feel that this… would be improper.”

Wen Yu’s expression stiffened slightly. “What is improper about it?”

She leaned closer and gazed at him with luminous eyes. “Does Young Master Yu think I am not beautiful enough?”

Yu Lang quickly shook his head. “How could that be? Miss Wen is as beautiful as a celestial maiden.”

Wen Yu covered another smile, but turned her face slightly aside as her gaze abruptly chilled.

“Is that so? If I did not look like this, would Young Master Yu still spare me a second glance?”

“Of course.”

Yu Lang immediately praised her. “Appearance is secondary. Miss Wen has a fine temperament and understands music. And…”

He pointed to the writing and chess tables nearby. “And it appears Miss Wen is skilled at calligraphy, painting, and chess. Any one of those talents would earn admiration.”

Wen Yu froze slightly at his words.

When she looked at him again, a smile flowed across her face. “Since Young Master Yu admires me so much, stay here.”

“I can be your wife… No, I need no formal status.”

“As long as you stay, I will always respect you, love you, and serve you. You will be the only person in my heart and eyes forever.”

Faced with such a declaration, Yu Lang shook his head in panic. “Miss, I cannot do that!”