Although Ivy Shen had seen street brawls and shrewish quarrels before, that was in the modern world, where people are open and bold—totally normal. But this was ancient times! Uh, no, actually it was ancient times in the Serpent Realm. And Clara Night’s verbal machine-gun cursing was honestly next-level!
"No way! Even if you’re injured, you still have to show your tail so I can check!" The guards were already scowling from Clara’s barrage of insults, but they held firm.
"Check—check your own head! Why are you men so damn naggy? Oh, I get it, you’re just stalling so you can get close to me, huh? Well, listen up, I already have someone I like! Don’t even think about it, dream on!"
Hearing this, Ivy inside the carriage broke out in a cold sweat—this woman had zero shame! Still, with Clara clearing the way, Ivy could just sit back and relax.
"Miss—Miss, how can you say that?" The guard blocking the door turned beet red from being falsely accused by Clara Night.
"Why can’t I say that? Don’t think I don’t see what you’re up to! Hmph, with your round bun face and short stature, you think you’re worthy of having ideas about me? Hah!"
"You... you..."
"She’s working so hard to speak up for you, and you can just sit there without a care?" Suddenly, the always-silent Adrian Night snapped open his eyes. His pitch-black gaze locked onto her like a panther in the dark, as if trying to see right through her.
Seeing this, Ivy Shen chuckled awkwardly. "Well, Miss Clara is so enthusiastic, I’d feel bad interrupting. Besides, didn’t she just say I wasn’t allowed to get out?"
Hearing that, Adrian instantly looked away from her face, then lifted the carriage curtain and tossed out a few gold and silver coins. Instantly, the noise outside stopped. Clara Night hopped onto the carriage, and they rolled on their way.
Seeing this, Ivy Shen felt a little embarrassed. If she’d known a few gold ingots could solve everything, why did she bother taking this carriage in the first place?
Once inside Ruicheng, the city was thriving and bustling. This huge metropolis was packed with people—quiet scholars, burly young masters, and wandering swordsmen—all gathered here.
Looking at the massive marketplace, Ivy grinned. Song Zhijue, you have your mountain of gold and silver, but it’s all scraped off the common folk. But you have to pretend you’re a benevolent ruler and only take a little—that must be torture, huh? Well, if you won’t squeeze the rich, let me help you out!
Right then, she made up her mind: she was going to set up a huge business here and, fair and square, start fleecing those rich kids!
But what she didn’t expect was that Adrian Night’s carriage didn’t head for an inn after entering the city. Instead, it wandered all over Ruicheng, as if searching for someone—or something.
Well, that worked for her. She could sit in the carriage and get a good look at Ruicheng, and prep for her next steps.
They’d entered the city in the afternoon, and after wandering around for half a day, it was dark before they knew it.
“Miss, this is the last inn in Ruicheng,” Aiden grumbled. They’d checked so many inns and all were full. If his master hadn’t ordered him not to cause trouble, he’d have kicked out those annoying guests from the biggest inn ages ago.
“Hey there, what can I get for you?” As soon as they walked in, a cheerful waiter hustled over.
“Do you still have any rooms?” Aiden asked quickly.
“Wow, you came at just the right time! Two guests just left and freed up two rooms,” the waiter said, leading them inside. “If you’d been a minute later, you might’ve missed out. You know, it’s peak season for herb gathering—everyone’s here, so rooms are super tight!” As he spoke, the waiter deftly wiped the table with a long white cloth and dusted off the chairs.
“Great, tidy up those two rooms and get us some good food,” Aiden said, helping Adrian Night and Clara Night to their seats.
“You got it! Sit tight, food’s coming right up!” The waiter slung the white cloth over his shoulder and dashed off.
“Young Master Jia, after dinner, I’ll have Aiden find a doctor for you,” Clara Night quickly poured tea for Adrian Night, then for Ivy Shen.
“Huh? Oh, no need, Miss Clara. My leg’s not a big deal—a night’s rest and I’ll be fine. Honestly, I hate drinking bitter medicine the most.” With that, he gulped down the tea Clara poured.
Clara blushed shyly. “Then after dinner, just rest up, okay?”
“Mm, okay.”
“Brother, after dinner I’ll bring Young Master Jia to your room, okay?”
Pfft~ Clara’s words made Ivy Shen spit out her tea mid-sip, spraying it right across the table—straight onto Adrian Night’s face. Instantly, his expression darkened another shade.
“Uh, s-sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Ivy Shen awkwardly smiled as Adrian Night wiped his face, then turned to Clara. “Why would you have me sleep with him?”
“Uh? There are only two rooms, right? If Young Master Jia doesn’t want to sleep with my brother, then... I’m a proper young lady, you know!” Clara’s cheeks flushed bright red.
Hearing that, Ivy finally realized—right, she was a man now, so of course she couldn’t room with Clara!
“Haha, that’s not what I meant.” Honestly, she wanted to say, you’re way overthinking this!
An hour later.
“My leg’s injured, so I’m taking the bed.” With that, Ivy Shen flopped right onto it.
“Just so you know, I’m not used to sharing a bed, and my leg hurts. If you roll over and squash me, it’ll be agony!”
“You’re a man!” At last, the icy Adrian Night spit out two words.
“Huh?” Adrian’s sudden comment caught Ivy off guard. A man? Did he mean men don’t squash other men? Geez, this iceberg’s getting more annoying by the minute!
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Just then, the waiter came back, grinning and asking if they needed anything. Adrian Night coolly ordered hot water for bathing and cleaning up.
“You’re not planning to take a bath, are you?” Ivy raised her eyebrows, watching Adrian Night slowly undress by the tub.
Of course, Ivy had zero complaints about getting a free view of a hot guy bathing. She just wondered if Adrian would feel awkward later, knowing he stripped down in front of his crush with zero shame!
“Whoa, your body is seriously perfect.” As Adrian Night peeled off his clothes, showing off his smooth, long limbs and toned chest, Ivy’s eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed. She’d thought demon-boy had the best body, but wow, this iceberg was just as flawless. Ugh, what was she even thinking?!
“Have you stared enough yet?” Suddenly, Adrian spun around, stark naked.
“You...” Ivy’s face turned red as she looked at the completely bare Adrian Night, quickly turning away. Sure, she wasn’t a virgin, but she didn’t have much experience either—and blatantly ogling a guy with such a killer body, especially her own husband (well, technically, since they hadn’t accepted her divorce papers)... Who knew these two guys would both be so ridiculously hot!
Adrian Night didn’t seem to care at all about her thoughts; seeing her dazed, he just stepped straight into the tub.
Feeling bored, Ivy turned around to face the wall. She’d said what needed saying, seen what shouldn’t be seen—now all that was left was sleep.
Lying in bed for a while, she heard someone finish bathing, get dressed, moving with elegant, natural motions.
Soon, Ivy sensed someone standing by her bed. She didn’t need to look to know who it was. Just then, she rolled over, rubbed her eyes, and looked at Adrian Night. “So thirsty... Can you pour me some water?”
“I’m not your servant,” he shot back, shutting her down instantly.
“Aw, come on, Nighty, don’t be so heartless! I really am thirsty, and my leg’s busted. Be a good guy and pour me some tea, pretty please?” Ivy was genuinely impressed—Adrian hadn’t shown any surprise at her looks since the first moment they met. Was she not charming enough? Oh, right, she was a guy now! But even as a dude, she looked good. This guy seriously had no taste!
“If you keep calling me that, I might just kill you,” Adrian Night said, his brows furrowed tight at the nickname.
“Whoa, Nighty, you’re threatening me? Please, you won’t kill me. Maybe I’ll end up your brother-in-law someday! If you did, Clara would go ballistic. Anyway, I’m really thirsty, so be a pal and pour me some tea, okay?” Ivy struck a dramatic pose, flicking her bangs back.
Her words, her expression, her pose—Adrian Night got goosebumps all over.
“Shut up!” Is this guy secretly into men or something? Worried Ivy might say more, Adrian Night just coldly poured her a cup of tea, then sat in a rattan chair to rest with his eyes closed.
“Nighty, you’re the first guy I’ve ever spent the night with.” Ivy announced. Hey, it was true—Adrian was the first man she’d ever shared a room with, even if nothing happened...
Adrian Night didn’t react at all, just kept his eyes closed, resting in the chair.
Seeing Adrian ignore her, Ivy just stared at his handsome, expressionless face—so cold, so blank. She shook her head, sighing inside. How had he gotten even colder in the three months since she’d last seen him?!
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PS: Darlings, leave your comments! Your words are the biggest encouragement for Yiyi. Love you all~!