Free Web NovelChapter 160: Chapter 159: Warm Sun
Inside the Heavenly King Hall, the Big Belly Maitreya Buddha was enshrined, with the Weituo Heavenly Bodhisattva behind it, flanked by two statues of Heavenly Kings, each four or five people tall, their heads bowed, and large eyes staring inside the hall.
Du Yunluo had no intention of examining whether these Four Heavenly Kings were as terrifying as Princess Yunhua said. Her gaze paused on her hands, then slowly moved upward, locking onto Mu Lianxiao.
Mu Lianxiao felt his ears grow hot under her stare and couldn’t quite explain why he had suddenly brought Du Yunluo here.
Perhaps he wanted to talk to her, perhaps he didn’t want her to let go, or perhaps her writing in his palm had thrown his heart into chaos.
Maybe, it was because of that charming gesture she made, pressing her finger against her lips to signal silence.
Mu Lianxiao pulled Du Yunluo a few more steps into the hall and, once certain no one outside could spot them, he asked, "Who was in the main hall earlier?"
Du Yunluo blinked. Hadn’t she just written it clearly?
One character ’Luan’, one ’Nan’; how could Mu Lianxiao not get it?
Mu Lianxiao awkwardly cleared his throat, explaining, "It tickled a bit; I couldn’t tell what you wrote."
Du Yunluo was momentarily stunned. Seeing Mu Lianxiao avoiding her gaze, her pursed lips subtly curled, and she thought to herself: Who are you fooling!
She remembered clearly, Mu Lianxiao had thick skin and wasn’t afraid of tickling. In the past, no amount of tickling on his back or waist worked, let alone his palm. How could it be ticklish enough not to recognize her writing?
"Liar!" Du Yunluo muttered with a hint of laughter.
Though her voice was soft, the Heavenly King Hall was dead silent otherwise, and Mu Lianxiao’s sharp ears picked up every word.
Being exposed by Du Yunluo like this, Mu Lianxiao felt a thin layer of sweat form on his nape as he brushed his nose with his free hand, moving his gaze back to hers.
Lowering his head slightly, their eyes met, and Mu Lianxiao no longer dodged, chuckling softly, "Yes, I’m lying to you."
Du Yunluo’s heart skipped a beat, feeling an explosive sensation, as though fireworks burst within, her heart racing uncontrollably.
She knew her cheeks must be flushed, even the corners of her eyes tinged with a glow, yet Mu Lianxiao’s gaze was fixed intensely on her. The dim light in the hall was insufficient to mask her feelings at such close quarters.
Her almond eyes reflected his entire silhouette, the radiance of her smile brighter than the warmth of a winter sun.
Du Yunluo didn’t know whether to be annoyed or embarrassed—this person, how could he be like this!
This person had always been like this!
Clearly a rough guy wielding blades and swords, yet his words and smile often left her speechless.
Before, she often got annoyed and ignored Mu Lianxiao’s deliberate kindness, or turned and hid. But now? She didn’t want to hide anymore, yet how should she face it?
Du Yunluo couldn’t quite think it through, her heart beating so fast that her mind went blank.
Mu Lianxiao’s smile deepened, finding Du Yunluo’s embarrassed look adorable. He wanted to look a bit longer but feared truly angering her, so he gently squeezed her hand and asked again, "Who was in the main hall earlier?"
Du Yunluo, finding a way out, quickly replied, "Princess Nanyan and I went to offer our prayers. Prince Rui came and said he needed to speak with the Princess, so I stepped out."
Li Luan and Nanyan?
Mu Lianxiao was somewhat surprised but chose not to delve into it.
Du Yunluo gave a slight tug on her wrist, trying to pull free, but Mu Lianxiao didn’t let up, so she had to say, "Could you let go first?"
Once Mu Lianxiao released her, Du Yunluo retrieved a sachet from her sleeve and handed it over: "This is for you."
The soft, boneless hand slipped from his palm, leaving Mu Lianxiao slightly disappointed. Upon hearing her words, he was momentarily stunned. Seeing the sachet in Du Yunluo’s hand, his heart was instantly filled, "For me?"
"Isn’t your birthday in a few days?" Du Yunluo now appeared much calmer than before.
"Did you make it?" Seeing Du Yunluo nod, Mu Lianxiao immediately took off the jade pendant hanging on his waist and handed it to Du Yunluo.
Du Yunluo took it, her slender fingers deftly undoing the original knot on the jade pendant, replacing it with her own new one, scrutinizing it several times until satisfied.
She had previously seen Mu Lianxiao wearing this jade pendant, crafted from high-quality mutton fat jade, though its knot was somewhat old. Since she hadn’t had time to embroider a sachet, she decided to make a new knot instead.
Watching Du Yunluo’s nimble fingers, Mu Lianxiao noticed that though the task wasn’t overly complex, it was mesmerizing.
For the first time, he felt that a young woman’s needlework could be so captivating.
If such hands, such a person, quietly embroidered or sewed, he would undoubtedly watch and accompany, unwilling to leave.
"Here you go!" Du Yunluo returned the jade pendant with both hands.
Mu Lianxiao accepted it with a smile, reattaching it to his waist, saying, "It looks excellent."
Du Yunluo smiled faintly, about to speak, when Mu Lianxiao’s eyes suddenly darkened, and he quickly signaled her for silence.
Could someone have come?
Du Yunluo perked up her ears, hearing nothing, while Mu Lianxiao had already grasped her wrist, pulling her to the side of the Heavenly King Statue.
Though not cramped, the massive statue shielded them completely from light. If someone didn’t inspect closely, they wouldn’t discern anyone hidden there.
Du Yunluo stood behind Mu Lianxiao, so close that she was nearly pressed against his back. Yet, with a white wall behind her, there was no space to retreat.
Mu Lianxiao listened intently to the echoes outside, footsteps approaching as someone ascended the steps into the hall.
At this point, even Du Yunluo could hear, and she subconsciously held her breath, not daring to move.
The person did not move to the Maitreya Buddha in front, but halted behind the Weituo Heavenly Bodhisattva, unseen by either Du Yunluo or Mu Lianxiao.
Mu Lianxiao relaxed slightly, clearly feeling Du Yunluo’s breath on his neck.
His body instantly tensed, the warm air wrapping around like vines, entwining his limbs and heart—a sensation like the white jade on his waist, snugly bound by the knot Du Yunluo crafted.
Mu Lianxiao considered shifting but couldn’t discern the identity of the person outside and feared alerting them by moving carelessly.
If caught hiding here with Du Yunluo, they couldn’t possibly explain themselves.
In hindsight, he shouldn’t have hidden at all—after all, they were merely having a conversation, which wasn’t any major wrongdoing.
Yet, upon hearing the footsteps, his reflex was to hide, likely because he deeply wished for their conversation to remain uninterrupted.
But now, he found himself stuck in an awkward situation.
Du Yunluo stood right behind him, fully aware of Mu Lianxiao’s reactions. Though unseen, she knew Mu Lianxiao’s face was probably entirely flushed.
If it weren’t for the person outside, Du Yunluo would have blown onto Mu Lianxiao’s neck to get back at him for leaving her speechless earlier. Now, conscious of their uninvited guest, she gently shifted her head to avoid directly facing Mu Lianxiao’s nape.
Mu Lianxiao let out a silent sigh of relief.
As he pondered when the person might leave, he heard another set of footsteps approaching, the sound familiar—perhaps someone he knew.
The newcomer also stopped at the rear of the hall.
"There you are, I’ve been looking for you," the voice was gentle as water.
Du Yunluo was taken aback—this was Mu Lianhui’s voice; then who was the first person to arrive at the Heavenly King Hall?
