Chapter 47 - Imperial Family’s Invitation (1/2)

In the morning, a ray of sunshine entered the small courtyard’s kitchen.

Luo Yunchang’s eyelids trembled as she opened her drowsy eyes. She looked around the kitchen and smiled dejectedly.

Last night, she was so tired after cooking that she fell asleep in the kitchen itself.

Even if anyone caught wind of this, no one would believe it. A Qi Condensation cultivator tiring herself out from cooking? But the truth was she was too fatigued that she would rather pick cultivation instead of cooking.

Just as she was getting up, she froze. Someone had put a plain cover on her and her back wasn’t leaning on the hard stove but on something soft instead.

Pursing her lips, she turned her head only to see a sleeping Zhuo Fan leaning on her. And what kept her back soft was his arm.

“Ah…”

Luo Yunchang was about to yelp but she covered her mouth. It never crossed her mind that Zhuo Fan would spend the night with her here.

Blushing, Luo Yunchang observed his face and wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Young miss’ red lips were inching ever closer to his face.

“Steward Zhuo, Young miss…”

A sudden rough shout came from Captain Pang. Zhuo Fan’s eyelids trembled and were about to open.

Luo Yunchang immediately laid her head back on his shoulder and faked sleeping without budging. Just that her red face betrayed her as if she’d done something she shouldn’t.

Zhuo Fan opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and frowned when he saw Captain Pang coming in, “Old Pang, what’s the rush?”

“Uh, Brother Zhuo, Young miss…” Captain Pang pointed at Luo Yunchang with shock.

Zhuo Fan turned to see Luo Yunchang’s red and shivering face. He touched her forehead, “It’s burning up. Did she catch a cold?”

Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan blamed himself.

Last night, he wanted to take Luo Yunchang back to her room, but afraid of waking her up, he chose to watch over her in the kitchen. He didn’t think sleep would cast its spell on him too.

“Old Pang, say what you came to say. Meanwhile, I’ll take this missy back to her room.”

Zhuo Fan carried Luo Yunchang, but Old Pang was panicking, “You can’t, brother Zhuo. Someone wants to invite Young miss for a chat. Someone we can’t offend.”

“What can’t offend? She won’t be going even if the Veiled Dragon Pavilion asked.” Zhuo Fan snapped, “Can’t you see she has lost consciousness? She must be sick. Wait for a bit and I’ll go see the guest.”

“Sigh, brother Zhuo, Steward Zhuo, Young miss must go meet him in person. He bears the Imperial Golden Seal.” Captain Pang shouted.

Zhuo Fan stopped.

Only the Imperial family’s guards had this seal. Even the seven houses’ leaders would have to respond at once or they’d have committed a grave crime. The lightest punishment was death, while the harshest was dragging one’s whole clan with him.

Of course, with the Seven Noble Houses’ power, the Imperial family would refrain from resorting to such methods. But that didn’t apply to a fallen clan like them.

Zhuo Fan squinted and thought it through, “Old Pang, tell him Young miss is unwell and that he should come back tomorrow.”

“What?”

Captain Pang’s heart jumped in fright.

[That person carries the Emperor’s edict. If you do this, it is the same as saying you don’t want to talk to him.]

But Zhuo Fan had it thought out. Thinking back to last night, he guessed the one calling him over was that fatty’s guard.

The fatty was a good man and wouldn’t let emotions cloud his judgment, slaughtering innocents left and right.

“Do what I said, now!” Zhuo Fan raised his voice.

“Wait!”

Luo Yunchang yelled, struggling out of Zhuo Fan’s embrace and spoke with a stern face, “Captain Pang, tell him to wait a moment to make myself presentable.”

“Understood!”

Captain Pang bowed and secretly rejoiced. [Thank god, Young miss woke up or who knew how much trouble brother Zhuo’s arrangement would’ve stirred up.]

[But this Steward Zhuo sure is dauntless. If I were to follow his words, I’ll die of fright.]

Captain Pang shook his head and left.

Zhuo Fan watched Luo Yunchang skeptically. [How did she regain consciousness all of a sudden?]

Luo Yunchang rolled her eyes, “Why are you so reckless? Is the Imperial family someone you can offend?”

To avoid him noticing anything, Luo Yunchang rushed away. Zhuo Fan was left to walk alone to the living room, with doubt in his heart.

He met with the man carrying the seal, a peak Qi Condensation cultivator. He was one of the porters to fatty’s palanquin.