Chapter 158 (1/2)

Chapter 158: Sharing a Bed

It was starting to get dark. During dinner, one of Nan Xun's shadow guards showed up. After speaking to the shadow guard, Nan Xun got to his feet and led the shadow guard to his room.

Jun Huang recognized the shadow guard as one who had gone to Yunzhou with the troop. He must have come to talk about the riot in Yunzhou with Nan Xun. Jun Huang left them to it and went to the main hall to enjoy the music performance. Night fell before she realized it.

After discussing the issue of Yunzhou's riot with the shadow guard, Nan Xun noticed that Jun Huang had not returned. He dismissed the shadow guard with a frown and went downstairs. Jun Huang was listening to the performance with her eyes closed, supporting her head with a hand.

Nan Xun's heart melted and his lips quirked up. He took a seat next to Jun Huang. The moment he sat down, Jun Huang opened her eyes. Wariness flashed through her eyes and quickly disappeared when she saw that it was Nan Xun. Nan Xun did not miss her reaction.

”Is the riot difficult to suppress?” Jun Huang asked after taking a deep breath.

”That's not it,” Nan Xun said with a smile. ”There are issues my second in command aren't sure how to deal with, so he sent the shadow guard to come ask for my opinions. It's taken care of, and the guard has left. You don't have to sit there and listen to these songs.”

Jun Huang cleared her throat and whipped her wrinkled broad sleeves loose. Night had fallen without her noticing. Glowing lamps scattered around the city like an ocean of stars.

Jun Huang returned to the room and contemplated where Yin Yun and Jun Hao could be. Now she truly had no lead. She cursed herself for taking so long to come. Her eyebrows drew closely together.

Nan Xun had gone off to ask a clerk to prepare some hot water. When he returned, Jun Huang was deep in thoughts with her eyebrows furrowed. He let out a silent sigh. He had planned to talk to Jun Huang about Yin Yun and Jun Hao, but he didn't have the heart to do so now.

”Don't worry yourself sick,” said Nan Xun. He poured Jun Huang a cup of tea.

Jun Huang looked up at him. Nan Xun's eyes were calm and dark. Strangely, Jun Huang felt comforted by his steady gaze. She let go of her concerns and said in a light tone, ”I just want to know if they are alright. I didn't expect to actually find them. I'm a little worried is all. The men from Eastern Wu will not stop chasing after them. What if – ”

”I know you're worried,” Nan Xun said seriously. ”Don't think too much. I'll have my people keep an eye on Eastern Wu. No news is the best news now. You have to take care of yourself. Your body cannot take the abuse.” There was a slight frown on his face as he spoke. He didn't want Jun Huang to collapse.

Jun Huang told herself to relax. Nan Xun had a point. She nodded and smiled a little.

Nan Xun let out a relieved sigh when he saw that Jun Huang had stopped dwelling on their failure to find her family. He patted her on the shoulder and said, ”I've told a clerk to prepare some hot water. Take a bath and get some rest. We'll continue searching tomorrow morning.”

He was about to leave when Jun Huang caught the tail of his s.h.i.+rt. ”Nan Xun.”

Nan Xun stopped to look back at Jun Huang, his gaze landing on her delicate wrist. ”What is it?”

Jun Huang cleared her throat. She didn't immediately respond. ”You should stay with me tonight.”

Her face flushed as she spoke. This was mortifying.

Nan Xun blinked in surprise. Had he heard it wrong? He couldn't stop his heart from pounding in excitement. Has she finally understood my feelings for her?

Jun Huang quickly schooled her expression into one of indifference and said with a polite smile, ”People are going to get suspicious if you keep staying the night outside. Besides, you've been helping me track down my brother. I should be paying you back. It's wrong for me to deprive you of a good night sleep. Moreover, I'm a man in other people's eyes. There's no harm in us staying in the same room.”

Her arguments were logical and without flaws, killing the excitement in Nan Xun's heart in its infancy. For a moment, Nan Xun didn't know how he should react.

”If so, I'll sleep on the divan so you won't be bothered,” Nan Xun said after a pause. He walked to the door, but stopped in his track when he realized the divan had disappeared. Now what?

Jun Huang followed after Nan Xun when she noticed that Nan Xun had fallen silent. She frowned when she saw the problem.