Chapter 123: Come Over When You Have Time

Having unburdened herself of the secrets hidden in her heart, Lady Dan appeared much more relaxed. For so many years, she had borne her hardships alone; it had not been easy for her, and it was a comfort to finally have someone to confide in.

After tidying up the room, mother and son headed toward the front courtyard. They had been talking for so long that they had yet to eat.

"We agreed to have a proper meal today, but look at how long we’ve been delayed!" Lady Dan remarked with a hint of dissatisfaction as they walked.

It was only right for a mother to properly celebrate her son’s return from the battlefield. Wei Wuji, following behind, nodded in agreement and took the blame upon himself.

"Mother is right; it is all my fault for losing track of time."

Lady Dan scolded him with a smile, calling him a "smooth talker," before quickening her pace. Although Lan’er and Huan’er were there, she remained somewhat uneasy, fearing they might botch the preparations. Wei Wuji, left trailing behind by his mother, could only offer a wry smile at her retreating figure.

"My mother is truly no ordinary woman," he sighed to himself with genuine admiration.

The meal passed in high spirits for the mother, son, and their servants. Lady Dan was so genuinely happy that it left Lan’er baffled. Even if the young master had returned, was there really a need to be this joyful?

...

Several days flew by, and Wei Wuji’s life was quite comfortable. Strangely, upon learning that he was born into a position that put him at odds with many, he felt remarkably relaxed rather than tense. Sometimes he wondered if, like the foreigners of his past life, he had a penchant for seeking thrills—the more difficult and dangerous the situation, the less he feared it. But upon further reflection, he dismissed the thought; he still remembered being scared senseless back in the State of Chen.

"Huan’er, stop tidying the wardrobe. There are only a few garments in there, what is there to organize?" Wei Wuji said from behind his desk, having finished a piece of calligraphy.

Since arriving in this world, although the memories of the original Wei Wuji were slowly awakening and he knew most of what he needed to know, there was one exception: his handwriting remained poor. Logically, since he knew how to ride a horse, he should have known how to write through muscle memory. With no other choice, he had to practice slowly. Fortunately, Lady Dan paid little attention to such things, sparing him from having to explain.

"Young Master, I haven't finished organizing today's collection yet. If the Mistress sees it in this state, she’ll scold me!" Huan’er replied while continuing her work.

Wei Wuji felt a surge of mischief. *Hmph! A little maid daring to disobey me?*

"Oh no!" Wei Wuji exclaimed, followed by, "Bad luck, I’ve spilled ink all over the desk..."

"Huan’er, come over here and clean this up!" he urged.

Huan’er turned to see Wei Wuji sitting at the desk, frantically wiping at it. She immediately dropped her work and scurried over to his side. Yet, when she drew close, she realized there was no ink on the table at all.

"Eh... Young Master, you finished cleaning it so quickly?" she asked, her face full of bewilderment. The naive girl had no idea she had walked into a trap.

Just as she leaned in to look, she heard a lecherous chuckle, followed by Wei Wuji’s suggestive voice: "Little beauty, come here!"

With a sweep of his arm, Wei Wuji pulled her off balance, and she tumbled into his embrace.

"Ah... Young Master!" Huan’er protested coyly, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

Wei Wuji suddenly put on a stern face and lectured, "How bold! A mere maid daring to seduce her master!"

Startled by his feigned anger, Huan’er shivered reflexively. Despite her closeness to Wei Wuji, her life as a maid had made her sensitive to such things.

"Young Master, this servant was wrong!" She lowered her arms from his neck and tried to pull away.

"Even if you know you are wrong, you must be punished..." Wei Wuji kept his face dark and continued, "I shall punish you by having you kiss me three times!"

Realizing the nature of the "punishment," Huan’er understood he was teasing her again. "Young Master..." she murmured, melting into his arms.

Wei Wuji laughed heartily, holding her in his lap. He could not help but sigh to himself—there was truly nothing more beautiful than a shy woman.

"Come, come, let me have a few kisses." Seeing her hide her face in his chest, he took the initiative.

Ever since returning to Wu’an City, he had been suppressing himself, maintaining a facade of distance with Huan’er. This pretense of master and servant was becoming unbearable for him. Now that Lady Dan was taking her afternoon nap, he was not about to let the opportunity slip by.

But such things were never resolved with just a kiss; Wei Wuji was one to push his luck. As he kissed her, his hands began to wander, pulling away any obstacles in his path. The scene became... quite unsuitable for children.

"Young Master... don't... be careful, the Mistress might see..." Huan’er whispered, her resistance weak.

Wei Wuji didn't answer, focused entirely on his task. It was summer, and Huan’er wore only a few layers of clothing; soon, her upper body was bared before his eyes.

*They say women are the embodiment of the world's spiritual essence; the ancients did not deceive me!* Wei Wuji thought, his eyes gleaming as he held the beauty in his arms.

"Here I am, a fine young master, living like an ascetic. It’s a complete waste of heaven's gifts," he muttered, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He buried his head, intent on enjoying his prey—it was the only thing on his mind.

However, those destined for misfortune can never escape the whims of fate. Just as Wei Wuji was about to indulge in his daytime revelry, the door creaked open. A woman’s sharp scream rang out: "Ah!"

The movement was interrupted, and Wei Wuji looked up, thoroughly annoyed by the intruder who had ruined his fun. Standing there was Lan’er, Lady Dan’s maid.

"Lan’er, do you need something?" Wei Wuji asked, his expression calm and indifferent. The thick skin he had cultivated in his past life finally came in handy.

Huan’er, however, was mortified. Caught in such a shameful act, she didn't dare show her face, burying it deeper and using the desk to shield herself. She forgot that in this courtyard, there were only so many people—there was nowhere to hide.

Lan’er suppressed her shame and anger, glared at them for a moment, and then said coldly, "Someone is here to see you from the Fourth Young Master's residence."

With that, she turned and left without a backward glance, though she didn't forget to cast a hateful look at the pair before departing.

Wei Wuji’s mind was no longer on the girl; the news brought by Lan’er had fully captured his attention.

*"The Fourth Young Master? Isn't that my 'brother' of convenience? Why would he send someone?"* Wei Wuji wondered. He tried to search his memories, but he had no impression of this brother at all.

Still, since someone had been sent, he had to go and see. Reluctantly, he realized the beauty in front of him would have to wait for another time.

"Be good, Huan’er. I have business to attend to. I’ll love you again next time." With that, he set her aside and rose to leave, his mind racing as he pondered the intentions of his visitor.