Chapitre 18: Capturing the Flower Thief
The night breeze was slightly cool, and the bright moon cast silver light throughout the room. Inside, the candle flames flickered, and faint sounds of commotion drifted in from outside.
After bathing and grooming, Xuan Yue lay on her bed, turned away from the light, and tossed and turned, feeling quite restless.
Usually, no matter how full she felt, as soon as she lay down with her head on the pillow, she would quickly fall asleep. But tonight, having eaten her fill and with so many people helping her take a hot bath, why was she unable to sleep?
Kicking off the blanket, Xuan Yue sat up, gazing at the lantern swaying in the wind under the eaves and the moving shadows outside. Suddenly, she smiled; she must be too excited.
Just as she pulled the blanket back and lay down, she quickly turned over. Her clear eyes, like polished blades, fixed on the direction of the window, excitement hard to conceal, her smile widening.
In the darkness, a small crack in the closed window suddenly opened, and a short black-gray pipe extended through the gap, emitting a faint blue smoke.
After a moment, the window was suddenly pushed open, and a man in a green shirt jumped in from outside. He was somewhat handsome but had a stocky build. His eyes sparkled mischievously, filled with lust, and a smirk adorned his face as his gaze locked onto the bed.
"Beautiful lady, I'm here," he said, moving closer to the bed, rubbing his hands together and laughing, looking increasingly sleazy.
"I'll grant you pleasure; let's ascend to heaven together," he added, laughing uncontrollably. He bent down, reaching to lift the blanket, only to discover that what he thought was a beauty was actually just two pillows lying sideways. His brows furrowed, and anger flashed in his eyes as he forcefully threw the blanket on the ground, venting his frustration.
Turning angrily, he found a woman in white standing behind him, her lips curving into a smile as she crossed her arms: "Were you looking for me?"
Her voice was laced with a hint of laughter.
The flower thief looked at Xuan Yue, somewhat puzzled. He had clearly used a drug on her; she should be lying in bed, waiting eagerly for him. How could she seem completely unaffected?
His eyes darted around nervously, realizing there was no one else in the room besides Xuan Yue. Initially disappointed, he found himself increasingly attracted to her, especially her eyes, bright like stars, stirring desires within him. Her skin was as white as sheep's fat jade, making her an absolute beauty.
Seeing his lustful gaze, Xuan Yue snorted coldly, releasing her arms and casually brushing off the dust from her clothes: "I have no intention of ascending to heaven with you."
Suddenly, she raised her eyes, locking onto the flower thief, her gaze turning icy: "I only want to send you to heaven."
Each word seemed to freeze the air around them.
The flower thief dismissed Xuan Yue's threat, glancing at her with contempt. He spread his arms and lunged toward her, believing his speed would catch her off guard. However, he was fast; Xuan Yue was even faster, moving like lightning.
The flower thief stared at his empty hands in confusion and turned his head, seeing Xuan Yue standing calmly at his right rear, unafraid, smiling as if mocking his ineptitude.
He quickly stepped back, but Xuan Yue followed closely, her hands curling into fists before suddenly opening. Silver sparkles flew in the air, scattering onto the flower thief's green shirt.
He was startled and forgot to retreat, his lustrous eyes fixed on the silver powder falling onto him, glancing at Xuan Yue with shock and increasing fear, his eyes darting around like a trapped beast seeking an escape.
Xuan Yue smiled, reaching for the jade flute at her waist, her eyes glinting. She quickly returned the flute to its place, having initially intended to let him experience the pain of a thousand ants gnawing at his heart. She realized it was too generous of her.
"Really, it's a problem; how could a flower thief end up targeting me?"
Xuan Yue's hands transformed into claws, her white shadow pressing the flower thief against the wall. Regret surged in the thief's heart as he realized he was about to lose his life without ever having succeeded. In a panic, he spotted the window beside the corner, grinned at Xuan Yue, and without a second thought, jumped out.
Xuan Yue chased to the window, looked down, and did not follow. In the blink of an eye, she heard a scream from the street below.
"Self-inflicted doom."
Xuan Yue clapped her hands, laughing as she turned to return to her room. There, she saw Lan Yixuan sitting at the table, pouring himself a drink and looking quite comfortable.
"You came really quickly," he smiled, raising the tea cup on the table and taking a sip, his demeanor calm and elegant.
He maintained an unflappable composure as if the sky were collapsing around him. It was really annoying.
Xuan Yue smiled as she approached him, snatched the teapot from his hands, and tilted her head back, drinking as if it were fine wine.
"You were still a bit slow."
Lan Yixuan chuckled, glancing at the jade flute at Xuan Yue's waist. "For all your needs, I take nothing in return. I wonder when you'll use that jade flute at your waist to play a tune for me?"
Xuan Yue slammed the teapot down on the table, as if in deep thought. "At the Pan City Conference, perhaps you'll get your ear's worth."
As she spoke, she carelessly wiped the tea from her lips and sat down.
"That veil is indeed somewhat useful. With your looks, which man would be blind enough to fall for you?"
"Rest assured, Young Master Lan, even if all the men in the world died, I would never rely on you," Xuan Yue retorted disdainfully.
"Is that so?" Lan Yixuan asked, looking at Xuan Yue with a smile.
"Someone caught him."
Xuan Yue looked in the direction of the voice, pointing at the flower thief trapped in a net. Her eyes twinkled as she laughed. "Bring him in."
It turned out that Lei An and Lei Yun had set a trap outside Xuan Yue's window. As soon as the flower thief jumped down, he fell into the net, crafted from fine silver threads. Dense and intertwined, even the most skilled thief could not escape for the time being.
Xuan Yue stood up, glancing at the flower thief brought before her by Lei An and Lei Yun. She aimed for his eyes and threw a punch. There were two loud "ouch" sounds, and he immediately became a panda-eyed mess.
"Invite the courtesan from the Liyan Pavilion."
Lan Yixuan suddenly spoke to Lei An.
"How charitable of you, Lan Yixuan, truly a man of great virtue."
"Just a small favor," Lan Yixuan replied as if it were the most natural thing.
Xuan Yue shot him a glare and turned away. It was her effort that captured this flower thief, and here he was, using her sacrifice to appear generous.
"Han Yue pays her respects to the Young Master."
The enchanting dancer from Liyan Pavilion had changed out of her bright red attire and now wore elegant, simple clothing. Her chin lifted slightly, exuding a cool elegance. Standing there, she involuntarily evoked images of the cold winter snow.
She bowed to Lan Yixuan and then looked at Xuan Yue in confusion.
In the Liyan Pavilion, there were countless men, while the women merely existed to serve them. Yet the woman before her made her hesitant to compare herself to her.
Her clear eyes shone in the dark night, resembling the bright moon reflected in water, adorned with a radiant smile, carefree and unrestrained, like a gust of wind that could never be captured.
"If Miss Han Yue looks at me with those eyes again, I might not be able to resist pouncing on you," Xuan Yue said, mimicking a pounce, which made the beauty laugh heartily.
"Han Yue, Han Yue, you're even prettier when you smile. At least you're no longer cold and unyielding."
Xuan Yue smiled gently at Han Yue, pointing at the flower thief on the ground. "This man has tarnished your reputation; how do you wish to deal with him?"
Han Yue walked to Xuan Yue's side, casting a brief glance at the flower thief on the ground, before turning to fix her gaze on Xuan Yue. "Are you not disdainful of me, Miss?"
Every time she looked in the mirror and thought of her sullied body, she wished she could tear herself apart.
"If you do not disdain yourself, who would disdain you?"
Those watery eyes, like jewels, held no trace of disgust.
"Earlier, Young Master Lan told me that you possess pride and integrity, flourishing alone in the cold. You don't belong in such a filthy place, and he wishes to redeem you. What do you think?"
Han Yue's eyes sparkled with delight and anticipation at Lan Yixuan's words.
She had a childhood sweetheart and had guarded her purity for years. Who would have thought she would encounter such a thing? Even the one she loved had abandoned her, leading her to fall and wallow in despair. But it was also a way to leave, seeking a place to settle down.
Lan Yixuan nodded, standing up. "You should not be in such a place. Tomorrow, I will have someone redeem you, and
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone