Chapter 254: Chapter 252 Brother Dai, You Are Really Foolish_1
"Brother Dai, why don't we enter the city first and find a quiet place to talk in detail? There are too many prying eyes here," Xu Ran suggested, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhuyun, who in turn was looking at Xu Ran. Their eyes met, brimming with affection.
Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuyun were on the same wavelength; the affection in their eyes flickered and vanished without anyone noticing anything amiss. Even Davis, who was constantly pondering how to win over Xu Ran, didn't catch on to this.
"Sure, Brother Xu, please," Davis gestured invitingly and took the lead, while Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing walked hand in hand, lingering behind at a leisurely pace.
As Xu Ran led his horse, noticing that Davis's attention was fixed ahead, he couldn't resist taking advantage of Wu Zhui's large figure to shield his actions and sneakily pinched Zhu Zhuyun's soft body.
Zhu Zhuyun's eyes had been stealthily fixed on Xu Ran, but feeling his bold maneuver nearly scared her half to death, making her legs go weak.
Xu Ran was too daring; with Davis right in front, he dared to be so bold.
Unbelievable...
Inevitably, Zhu Zhuyun glared fiercely at Xu Ran several times.
This Xu Ran, not even back home yet and already being so naughty.
Xu Ran being so daring, their little secret was bound to be exposed sooner or later.
Zhu Zhuqing, holding hands with Zhu Zhuyun, noticed Xu Ran's actions and also shot Xu Ran a fierce glare before pulling Zhu Zhuyun further away from him.
"Brother Xu, let's sit down in this tavern, shall we? There will be an Imperial banquet tomorrow; you should come over so I can properly host you. The Emperor has been missing your exceptional talent all the time you were away," Davis, oblivious to Xu Ran's actions, walked ahead. Seeing Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing so close and intimate, he showed a relieved smile.
With Zhu Yun and Zhu Zhuqing being so close, he could glean a lot of useful information through Zhu Zhuqing. With this information, he would be able to grasp Xu Ran.
He had been worried that after Zhu Zhuqing's long absence, the sisterly affection between them might have waned, but it seems that was far from the truth. Despite growing up, they can still share a bed with nothing to hide.
"What Brother Dai says makes sense; I'll follow your lead," Xu Ran replied, patting Davis's shoulder, appearing utterly unguarded. Normally, a minister should be wary of the monarch, but it was the other way around with Xu Ran. Unfortunately, the clueless Davis didn't realize what was happening, insistently keeping his bride-to-be at arm's length.
This guy, what can I say, is a bit simple.
Being betrothed to Zhu Zhuyun since childhood yet never having so much as touched her, truly pathetic.
If it were Xu Ran, he would have already had Zhu Zhuyun wrapped around his finger.
Sometimes, when face and favor have both been given and she still doesn't comply, then it's time to take a more forceful approach.
But it's also a good thing that Davis lacks in this regard. This way he can take pure and pristine Zhu Yun for himself.
If Dai Mubai were like him, cunning in those aspects, Xu Ran wouldn't feel at ease and would consider running away with Zhu Zhuyun.
But Xu Ran hasn't returned empty-handed this time; the Thousand Demon King's venom, 520,000 years old, a surefire hit once ingested. Naturally, these treasures must be given to Zhu Zhuyun for self-defense, and if anything seems off, then...
No poison, no great man. The most poisonous thing in the world is a woman's heart. My goodness, with Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuyun together, the most poisonous man meets the most poisonous woman... Poor Dai family...
...
Xu Ran, Davis, and the sisters Zhu Qing Zhu Yun sat around a square, elegant table, with a spread of sumptuous food laid out.
While Xu Ran chatted with Davis, he also extended his leg towards Zhu Zhuyun's long legs under the protection of the long table, very brazenly.
Nevertheless, Xu Ran's acting skills were superb, undetectable even to someone as mighty as Gu Yuena. For all of Davis's cunning and experience, compared to master strategist Xu Ran, he fell far short.
On the surface, Xu Ran made nice with Davis, chatting and laughing, toasting together, and slapping each other on the back in merriment, but underneath the table, he was goading Zhu Zhuyun.
At the table, "Zhu Zhuyun", Zhu Zhuqing, and Xu Ran were all keenly aware; only Davis was kept in the dark.
Davis was floated on air by Xu Ran's praise, feeling as if he was about to ascend to heaven, and kept exclaiming about Xu Ran's excellence.
With his consciousness blurred by alcohol, Davis even wanted to become sworn brothers with Xu Ran.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuyun's face was slightly red, and as Xu Ran teased her, she kept pulling back her beautiful legs, trying to avoid him, feeling both love and hate for Xu Ran, this nemesis of hers.
But she could understand Xu Ran, for she felt the same way.
Xu Ran had been to the Tiandou Empire for so long, the two hadn't seen each other for a considerable time, and it was just after they had confirmed their relationship that the affection built up in the heart became more and more intense; now that they had just met, all those emotions were released at once. When young men and women meet, it's like dry tinder meeting a blazing fire...
But it was not yet the right time for her; she was not as bold as Xu Ran.
Zhu Zhuqing then fiercely pinched Xu Ran, thinking this bad egg was getting bolder and bolder.
She was also thinking whether she should help Xu Ran by making connections for him; otherwise, with Xu Ran's guts, he might even dare to make a move on her sister in the imperial palace hall. What to do if their ruse was discovered then?
With her covering for them, even Davis and the others would not easily become suspicious. It's alright for sisters to show warmth to each other, but if so, she was a bit worried that Xu Ran would act up and have some improper thoughts.
...
After a while, the dinner ended, and it was already quite late.
He had wanted to drink more with Davis, get him drunk, and then have a tender moment with his precious Zhu Yun. But Davis, after all, was from the royal household and had a good capacity for liquor.
Ordinary wine was not enough to get him drunk.
Yet even so, Davis was still staggering and woozy; boldly, Xu Ran placed his hand directly on Zhu Zhuyun's waist, and Davis didn't even notice.
"Brother Xu, no more drinking, if we drink more, we'll really be drunk," Davis managed to keep a bit of sobriety and finished the wine in his cup, then told Xu Ran.
"The emperor has heard of Brother Xu's return and has arranged a banquet for tomorrow. I'll drink a lot with Brother Xu then, and we won't stop until we're completely drunk," Davis said, slapping Xu Ran on the shoulder, then speaking with satisfaction.
Today's drinking was truly enjoyable.
Xu Ran indeed had an engaging personality; drinking with Xu Ran was simply delightful.
"Of course, tomorrow we'll drink to our heart's content. Well then, Brother Dai, Zhu Qing and I will head back first. Uncle and the others are probably waiting for us," Xu Ran said, pulling Zhu Zhuqing and preparing to leave.
Once outside, he called for the hotel attendant to send Davis back. Otherwise, he was worried that the woozy Davis might take advantage of Zhu Yun.
After Xu Ran left, Davis swayed a bit more and drank some tea to sober up, and the alcoholic haze began to recede slightly.
"Brother Xu is truly a genius of our time, also well-versed in the ways of the world. Indeed, he's the most capable person under my command," Davis marveled. Even all the courtiers and guests, inside and outside of the court, were far inferior to Xu Ran.
Xu Ran, a talent like no other, was at his service.
This must be destiny; he would surely become a mighty ruler in the future.
"Mm, Ran Di is indeed very good," Zhu Zhuyun said with a blushing face, looking in the direction where Xu Ran had gone, biting her red lips, her beautiful eyes filled with affection. Ran Di was too naughty; after teasing her, he just left. But even if he didn't leave, what could be done? Davis wasn't completely drunk...
Now, there was still a vast chasm like distance between her status and Xu Ran's. She could only wait, wait for Xu Ran to grow stronger.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone