A Dangerous Closeness

The dull pain in her lower back forced Yan Yi to calm down, and an ominous feeling quietly rose in her heart.

As her relationship with the villain had grown closer, she found herself gradually losing control in front of him.

What happened today had been absurd.

Overcome by desire, she had almost caused a serious mistake.

Thinking of this, Yan Yi took the initiative to admit her fault and tried to divert his attention.

“Your Excellency, I was wrong.”

Wen Xiuran’s expression stiffened slightly.

He had not expected such a reaction.

The atmosphere between them was delicate now.

He could not press further, so he followed her lead and asked,

“What did you do wrong?”

“I—”

Yan Yi searched for words and began listing her mistakes.

“I was momentarily blinded by beauty.

Your Excellency is too handsome, and I acted rashly.

But… I had my reasons.”

Wen Xiuran frowned.

“What reasons?”

His tone was not pleasant.

Yan Yi quickly explained,

“Your Excellency’s beauty is overwhelming.

I was bewitched by it and lost my rationality.”

To Wen Xiuran’s ears, those words sounded almost like sweet flattery.

She openly admitted being captivated by his appearance, which meant she was attracted to him.

Besides, he himself had not controlled his response either.

When they kissed, he had responded passionately.

When she tried to pull away, he had even leaned forward to continue.

Yet Yan Yi placed all the blame on herself.

Clearly she cared deeply about him.

“It is not your fault,” he finally said after a struggle.

“This seat—”

Before he could finish, Yan Yi pushed herself up using the table and spoke gently.

“Your Excellency, you’re not angry, right?

You won’t blame me?”

Wen Xiuran paused.

“I am not angry.

Why would I blame you?”

“Your Excellency, you’re so kind!”

The topic successfully shifted, and Yan Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Both of them had their own thoughts.

The atmosphere in the chamber became strangely ambiguous.

Just as Yan Yi wondered how to end the situation, a talisman suddenly appeared in her hand.

When it burned, a line of smoky characters formed in the air.

It was a message from Bu Yingyue informing her that they had returned from visiting relatives.

Yan Yi felt greatly relieved.

“Your Excellency, Yingyue and the others are back.

I’ve always wanted to visit my master’s wife but never had the chance.

I… I’ll go first?”

She pointed toward the door, eager to disappear immediately.

Wen Xiuran also felt relieved.

He needed time to calm himself.

“Go,” he said calmly.

Yan Yi turned to leave.

But as she stepped forward, the sudden movement pulled the injury in her lower back.

“Ah!”

Seeing her cry out in pain, Wen Xiuran’s expression changed instantly as he rose to his feet.

“Your Excellency, I’m fine.”

Yan Yi forced a pale smile, holding her waist as she slowly shuffled out of the chamber in a hurried escape.

Wen Xiuran leaned back in the chair, his expression dark with dissatisfaction.

Only after the heat inside his body gradually faded did he stand up and go to bathe.

Yan Yi returned to the study, tidied her appearance, and left again with Xiao Li in her arms.

The carriage stopped outside the old witch doctor’s residence.

This time she was smarter and did not dismiss the driver.

The courtyard gate stood open, but no one was inside.

Following the familiar path toward Bu Shu’s study, Yan Yi soon heard laughter and conversation.

As she approached, she recognized one of the voices and felt surprised.

“Xiao Yi is here!”

Bu Yingyue spotted her first and ran out to greet her.

After exchanging greetings, Yan Yi’s gaze landed on another person.

“Miss Yan, what a coincidence.”

Yan Yi raised an eyebrow.

“It really is.

Lu Qin, why are you here?”

Lu Qin smiled gently.

“I once studied witchcraft under Master Bu.

I heard Madam returned, so I came to visit.”

Yan Yi paid closer attention after hearing she studied witchcraft.

Bu Yingyue added cheerfully,

“In that case, you two are practically from the same school!”

Before Yan Yi could respond, a bright voice sounded outside the study.

“Who is from the same school?”

“Mother, come quickly and see who’s here!”

Bu Yingyue ran toward the door.

Yan Yi looked over and saw a tall woman with sharp, heroic features entering the room.

Just as Yingyue once said, Meng Suian did not look like an old woman at all.

Her appearance remained that of someone in her early thirties, even though centuries had passed.

“Madam,” Yan Yi greeted politely and attempted to bow.

But Meng Suian quickly held her wrist.

“Child, no need.”

Her tone was gentle.

“Seeing you reminds me of when I was younger.”

Yan Yi studied her carefully.

“You still look young.”

Meng Suian laughed softly.

“When I was young, I wasn’t as sweet-tongued as you.”

Yan Yi smiled.

The woman’s relaxed and open personality made her feel comfortable immediately.

Perhaps because Meng Suian reminded her of her own mother, Yan Yi’s unease gradually faded.

“I heard your tabby cat is sick,” Meng Suian said casually.

Very few people knew Xiao Li was not an ordinary cat.

Yan Yi instantly became alert.

Just as she hesitated, Meng Suian added,

“I brought back a medicinal herb that might help you.”

“Thank you for your concern, Madam.”

Yan Yi secretly sighed in relief.

After some refreshments, Lu Qin left first.

Xiao Li had shown little improvement over the past few days.

Yan Yi had planned to ask Bu Shu for help, so she felt hopeful hearing about the medicine.

But Meng Suian suddenly said seriously,

“Xiao Yi, earlier I was only joking.

Actually, your master already has a way to restore the cat’s demonic power.”

Yan Yi’s eyes lit up immediately.

She couldn’t help admiring how perceptive this woman was.

After all, someone who could live safely in the Demon Realm for thousands of years must possess extraordinary abilities.

“Thank you, Madam!”

“Go on,” Meng Suian said with a smile.

Yan Yi quickly thanked her again and hurried toward Bu Shu’s medicine storage.

After examining Xiao Li, Bu Shu handed Yan Yi a spiritual artifact that would help restore the cat’s power quickly.

Overjoyed, Yan Yi returned to the Demon Lord’s residence.

Near the study, she saw an unfamiliar guard waiting outside with a white jade box in his hands.

“Miss Yan, please call me Ling You,” the guard said politely.

“This was sent by His Excellency.”

Yan Yi accepted the box and thanked him.

Inside the study, she placed Xiao Li on the bed and gave it the artifact as instructed.

Then she opened the jade box.

Inside lay a rare medicinal herb—

the very one she had searched for unsuccessfully.

The villain had known she needed it urgently.

Standing there quietly, Yan Yi felt warmth spread through her chest.

After some thought, she took a newly made sachet and headed toward Wen Xiuran’s residence.

Night had already fallen.

The palace doors were closed, with Ling You guarding outside.

“Is His Excellency inside?” she asked politely.

“Yes,” Ling You replied.

“Please announce me.”

Just then the door opened.

A tall figure appeared in the shadows.

“Who is making noise outside?”

Before Ling You could answer, Yan Yi quickly explained,

“Your Excellency, it’s me.

I asked Brother Ling You to inform you.”

Wen Xiuran’s expression softened slightly.

“Come in.”

Yan Yi hesitated briefly before stepping inside.

“What do you want to see me for?”

“Your Excellency, thank you for sending that herb.

I’m very happy.”

“If you like it, that’s good.”

Yan Yi’s gaze wandered around the room, but she did not see the black robe with the red rose she had made.

She assumed he had discarded it somewhere.

A small disappointment filled her heart.

“What are you looking for?” Wen Xiuran asked.

“Nothing… just looking around.”

Yan Yi stepped forward and handed him another sachet.

“Your Excellency, five left.”

Wen Xiuran’s expression softened immediately.

“This one has a lighter fragrance,” she explained.

As he accepted it, the collar of his robe shifted slightly—revealing the sheer black garment underneath.

It was the robe she had made.

Yan Yi couldn’t help smiling.

“What are you smiling about?” he asked.

“I’m just happy.”

She stepped closer and pulled open the edge of his outer robe, revealing the black garment beneath.

“Your Excellency… do you like it?”

“Very much.”

Encouraged, Yan Yi continued teasing him.

“Your Excellency, I want to look.”

“Look at what?”

“At you.”

Wen Xiuran paused and gently pushed her hand away.

“Stop causing trouble.”

But Yan Yi insisted softly,

“I want to see you wearing the clothes I made.”

Her words made his ears redden slightly.

Eventually he allowed it.

Yan Yi removed his outer robe.

The black garment clung lightly to his tall figure, the red rose blooming across his chest.

Yan Yi stared in admiration.

Unable to resist, she touched his cheek lightly.

“Your Excellency, you’re too handsome.

I can’t help wanting to…”

Before she finished speaking, she pulled him forward and kissed him quickly.

Then she stepped back calmly as if nothing had happened.

“Your Excellency, tomorrow I will travel with my master to treat patients.

I don’t know when I’ll return.”

Wen Xiuran had already heard of this plan.

But hearing it from her now stirred unexpected displeasure in his heart.

They had just grown closer.

Separating now felt wrong.

Yan Yi quickly reassured him.

“I won’t run away.

Everyone here treats me well.

And my master’s family is kind too.”

Still he remained silent.

She added softly,

“Your Excellency is here.

How could I ever leave?”

Those words finally pleased him.

Later, before leaving, Wen Xiuran suddenly pulled her into his arms.

Yan Yi froze briefly before hugging him back, burying her face against his chest.

The scent of calming incense filled the air.

For some reason, it made her feel safe.

Several days later, when Yan Yi returned, Wen Xiuran visited her in the middle of the night.

“I came to see you,” he said quietly.

Yan Yi blinked in confusion.

For some reason…

the villain seemed strangely clingy tonight.

When she teased him about whether he missed her, he admitted awkwardly,

“I was happy to see you.”

Yan Yi suddenly felt flustered.

Things seemed to be moving beyond her control.

He gently kissed her forehead and whispered,

“I wanted to see you immediately.”

The night deepened.

The air between them burned with tension.

Yet when things nearly went too far, Yan Yi finally stopped him.

“I’m not ready yet,” she said softly.

Wen Xiuran respected her words and held her quietly instead.

Later, as he left, Yan Yi watched his figure disappear into the night.

Only then did she exhale deeply.

Tonight had been far too dangerous.

If she lost control again…

her carefully planned scheme might collapse completely.