The Jealous Demon Lord

Jinjiang Exclusive First Release 5.

Yan Yi stepped aside and, after the great villain entered the study, closed the door behind him and slowly moved toward the desk.

Seeing her head drooped and her spirits low, unable to muster any energy, Wen Xiaoran couldn’t help asking, “Why are you in such low spirits today?”

Yan Yi paused, turned back, and forced a smile. “Your Excellency, I’m fine. I just woke up too early and feel a bit sleepy.”

“Is that so?” Wen Xiaoran didn’t believe her. The smile on her face looked worse than crying, clearly showing something was wrong.

“Have you run into any trouble? You can tell me.”

Yan Yi sat down on the armchair, casually flipping through the medical text on the table, and replied perfunctorily, “Your Excellency, I want to prepare a fragrance, but I’m missing one ingredient.”

Wen Xiaoran stood beside her, glanced at the open medical book, and asked, “Which ingredient is missing? I’ll have someone fetch it for you.”

Yan Yi’s hands paused. “Your Excellency, did you come to see me for something?”

Wen Xiaoran’s gaze darkened slightly. He turned and sat opposite her, saying plainly, “I came to see you.”

“We just met last night,” Yan Yi muttered softly.

Wen Xiaoran tapped the edge of the table lightly with his fingers and said in a deep voice, “Do you not want to see me?”

Yan Yi froze for a moment, then shook her head repeatedly. “No, Your Excellency, you misunderstand me.”

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at him and said gently, “Your Excellency thinks of me—I should be happy. How could I not want to see you?”

It was clearly perfunctory flattery, yet Wen Xiaoran found it pleasing. At least she was willing to coax him.

He reached out and lightly tugged at his collar, revealing a section of his fair neck, covered in dense ambiguous marks.

Yan Yi was distracted and didn’t notice his deliberate action, continuing to read the medical book with her head lowered. After a while, she got up and went to the bedroom, returning with a small wooden box in her hands.

Wen Xiaoran felt slightly frustrated but suppressed his emotions, trying to sound calm. “What are you busy with?”

Without looking up, Yan Yi held the box and sat back down. “The fragrance described in this ancient text is different from what I’ve read before. I need to confirm it.”

A sudden surge of displeasure grew in Wen Xiaoran’s heart. What kind of fragrance could attract Yan Yi’s attention more than him?

Or perhaps she intended to give it to someone—someone she cared about so much.

“Who are you making this fragrance for?”

Yan Yi looked confused and raised her head blankly. “Your Excellency, I’m not—”

Mid-sentence, she suddenly thought of something and quickly changed her words. “In a few days, it will be Lu Qin’s mother’s birthday. I don’t have a suitable gift, so I plan to make a fragrance myself as a token of appreciation. She taught me how to make clothes last time, and I haven’t thanked her yet.”

Wen Xiaoran raised his brow slightly. “I’ve already rewarded her on your behalf.”

“You rewarded her?” Yan Yi was a bit surprised.

Wen Xiaoran’s expression remained calm. “She taught you to make clothes for me. It’s only right that I reward her.”

That… actually made sense.

Yan Yi smiled. “Your Excellency, you’re very considerate.”

“Will you still make the fragrance?”

Yan Yi nodded vigorously. “Yes. It’s my own gesture. I want to thank her in person.”

The displeasure in Wen Xiaoran’s heart grew stronger. “Do you often make fragrances for others?” he couldn’t help asking.

Yan Yi shook her head. “No. Your Excellency was the first. Before this, I’ve never made fragrance for anyone else. Lu Qin’s mother is an elder, and she taught me how to make clothes.”

Hearing this, Wen Xiaoran’s expression gradually relaxed. “Write down the name of the ingredient. I’ll have someone fetch it.”

Yan Yi closed the book and said softly, “There’s no need to trouble you. I want to go to the medicine store myself and pick up some other ingredients as well.”

With that, she hugged the worn medical book and turned to leave the study.

Wen Xiaoran stood up immediately. “I’ll go with you.”

Yan Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Had the great villain suddenly become clingy after last night?

Wen Xiaoran strode out first.

Yan Yi followed closely behind him, carrying the heavy medical book toward the medicine store.

As they approached, they saw the old witch doctor coming out, preparing to leave.

Yan Yi hurried over. “Master, perfect timing! I have something to ask your help with!”

Bu Shu paused, holding several bags of herbs. “Xiao Yi, what do you need help with?”

Yan Yi said, “Last time when we traveled in the mortal world, I noticed Ying Xue had a scar on his shoulder. I happen to have some newly made scar-removal ointment. Please take it back to him.”

Bu Shu nodded. “Alright. I hadn’t paid much attention to his injury.”

Yan Yi smiled. “He got hurt because of me. I should care more. Master, please wait a moment while I fetch it.”

She quickly walked over to Wen Xiaoran and handed him the medical book. “Your Excellency, could you hold this for me?”

Before he could respond, she had already turned and left the courtyard.

Wen Xiaoran frowned slightly, staring after her, unconsciously tightening his grip on the book until his knuckles turned white.

Not long after, Yan Yi returned, slightly out of breath, handed the ointment to Bu Shu, and carefully explained how to use it.

Wen Xiaoran glanced at the ointment—it was the same one Yan Yi had once used on him. His expression dimmed.

Bu Shu took a few steps forward and asked, “I heard from Your Excellency that you’re preparing to make fragrances?”

Yan Yi sensed there was more behind his words and nodded hesitantly.

Bu Shu carefully said, “Some fragrances can calm the mind when used alone, but when mixed with other ingredients, they may cause discomfort instead. You must be cautious.”

His words hit her like a blow.

Afraid he might notice something, Yan Yi grew uneasy, her hands damp with cold sweat.

She forced herself to calm down. “Master, I will be careful.”

Bu Shu nodded and then left after bidding farewell to Wen Xiaoran.

After watching him leave, Yan Yi noticed Wen Xiaoran’s unfriendly expression and assumed it was due to suspicion from Bu Shu’s words, making her feel guilty.

“Your Excellency, thank you.” She took the medical book back and cautiously asked, “Will you come inside with me?”

Wen Xiaoran ignored the question and asked instead, “How did you know Bu Ying Xue has a scar on his shoulder?”

Yan Yi sighed in relief inwardly and answered honestly, “I saw it myself.”

Wen Xiaoran grew angry, his gaze sharp like blades. “You saw him without clothes?”

Yan Yi was shocked. “No, Your Excellency, don’t misunderstand! He was wearing clothes!”

Wen Xiaoran said nothing, just stared at her as if trying to see through her thoughts.

Helpless, Yan Yi sighed. “Your Excellency, I really didn’t look at him when he was undressed. I don’t have that kind of strange hobby!”

Wen Xiaoran’s expression softened slightly. He stepped closer, grabbed her wrist, and asked word by word, “Really?”

“Not entirely,” Yan Yi said awkwardly. “My preferences only apply to Your Excellency. I’m not interested in anyone else’s body.”

Wen Xiaoran asked again, “Then how do you know about the scar?”

The topic circled back again.

Endless!

Yan Yi was running out of patience but still explained, “Ying Yue told me. I was worried, so I asked Ying Xue to roll up his sleeve so I could check. He was fully dressed.”

Wen Xiaoran finally smiled in satisfaction and pointed at the medicine store. “Go get the ingredients.”

Exhausted, Yan Yi turned and walked inside, wishing to disappear from his sight immediately.

Who would have thought the biggest villain in the book was such a troublesome demon lord?

After collecting the herbs, Wen Xiaoran stopped at the courtyard entrance and handed them to her, signaling her to go in first.

Yan Yi noticed Lu Qin and Qiong Jiu waiting at the study entrance and immediately felt uneasy, thinking they had come to persuade her to lend out the red crystal.

Having just dealt with Wen Xiaoran’s relentless questioning, she had no energy left to deal with anyone else.

After a moment’s thought, she moved closer to him and softly asked, “Your Excellency, may I stay in your chambers for a while?”

Wen Xiaoran paused, puzzled but inwardly delighted.

“Don’t want to be alone?”

Yan Yi nodded quickly. “I just want to stay with you.”

Though he found it pleasing, he didn’t agree immediately. “What about the fragrance?”

Yan Yi choked.

He’s waiting for that answer!

“I’ll still make it.” She stepped closer.

Hooking a finger around his belt, she coaxed softly, “Your Excellency, could you have someone bring that ingredient you gave me to your chambers?”

“Don’t want to be disturbed?” Wen Xiaoran caught her hand and glanced behind her.

“If you don’t want to be disturbed, I can order that no one enters your room without my permission.”

“That’s not it,” Yan Yi quickly shook her head. “I get along well with them. They take good care of me. I’m just a bit tired today and want some quiet.”

Wen Xiaoran looked at her. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No.” She tried to pull her hand away. “Your Excellency, I’m very tired. Let’s go.”

Wen Xiaoran frowned and was about to head toward the study.

Realizing something, Yan Yi grabbed his sleeve tightly. “Your Excellency, where are you going?”

Before he could answer, she said anxiously, “There’s no need to make a fuss over such a small matter. They’ve always treated me well. Please don’t trouble them.”

Seeing her insistence, Wen Xiaoran suppressed his displeasure and reluctantly gave in.