novelaction Chapter 483: Under the Emperor's Feet
Chapter 483: Under the Emperor's Feet
Chapter 483
Luo Shuiyao frowned slightly, then nodded in agreement without asking any further questions. She knew Ye Yunzhou was going to deal with the corrupt officials in Qingshui Town, and since she couldn't help at the moment, she just agreed obediently.
After finishing the business, Ye Yunzhou reached out and took her into his arms, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head. His voice was very soft, with a hint of subtle grievance: "I'm a little jealous."
"what?"
Luo Shuiyao had been nestling quietly in his arms, and was a little confused when she heard that. She was about to look up and ask, but he continued, "You've never called me that intimately."
After a pause, he added with a deliberately sarcastic tone, "'Brother Chen'."
Luo Shuiyao finally realized what he meant, and then she couldn't help laughing. She put her arms around his waist and said softly, "It's just something we called each other when we were little. Why do you care so much?"
Ye Yunzhou hadn't really taken the matter to heart, but the thought of the boy's flushed cheeks and stubborn eyes made him feel a pang of bitterness. After hearing Luo Shuiyao's explanation, he stopped pestering her, but still used this as an excuse to seek intimacy.
He reached out and gently lifted her chin, letting her look him in the eye. His tone was soft and unyielding, "Then you can also call me 'brother', and I really won't mind."
How could Luo Shuiyao not know what he was thinking? However, the two of them were already so close that if she really said that, her cheeks would burn and she would be filled with shame at the mere thought.
But when she saw the undisguised desire in Ye Yunzhou's eyes, she finally softened her heart and followed his wishes, gently calling out, "Brother."
As soon as these two words fell, her cherry lips were captured tightly.
Luo Shuiyao didn't refuse, but instead raised her head slightly to greet him. For a moment, the air in the inn room seemed to become thick, wrapped in sweetness that spread quietly throughout the room.
…………
Three days had passed in a flash, and Luo Shuiyao had indeed been with the Luo mother and daughter, never leaving their side for a moment. Having not seen each other for a long time, the aunt and niece always had endless things to talk about. Niu Jiaojiao had also changed her previous aloofness, and now when she looked at Luo Shuiyao, her eyes were full of closeness.
In reality, Niu Jiaojiao was naturally gentle and kindhearted. She had inherited the Luo family's heritage and had grown up with Luo Shuiyao, so she truly considered her her own sister. It was only because the original owner had been so competitive and always loved to compete with her that she had to confront him.
Over the past few days, she had listened to Luo Shuiyao talk about her experiences in the capital. No matter what they talked about, she was clear and knowledgeable. Young girls were naturally attracted to the strong, and now in Niu Jiaojiao's heart, this cousin was no longer an ordinary person. Even the tit-for-tat of the past was now a blur when she thought about it.
On this day, Ye Yunzhou, who had not been seen for several days, finally appeared. He still had the mask on his face, but when he looked at Luo Shuiyao, the cold and hard aura around him instantly dissipated and turned into tenderness.
Luo and Niu Jiaojiao exchanged a glance, both remaining silent in tacit agreement. Niu Jiaojiao's eyes were filled with curiosity, but Luo's gaze towards Ye Yunzhou was scrutinizing. She had long since noticed her niece's unusual relationship with this man, but since she hadn't explained his identity, she hadn't pressed the issue.
These past few days, their niece had been pestering them, not letting them go out. But even at the inn, they couldn't help but hear some of the noise outside. Although Luo was an ordinary woman, uninformed about major events, she had heard people say that Qingshui Town seemed to have "changed completely," and that all this had begun after her niece's arrival.
Considering the man's mysterious identity, she had a vague suspicion that he had most likely come from Kyoto with her niece. Seeing him approach, Luo's eyes showed both scrutiny due to her niece and a touch of the fear and awe that a commoner might have for a noble in the capital.
Luo Shuiyao was slightly surprised to see Ye Yunzhou, who had disappeared for a few days, appear. Since Luo's mother and daughter were present, she didn't ask for details, only asking softly, "Is everything resolved?"
Ye Yunzhou nodded, and frankly said, "There are quite a lot of pests in this area. I have already submitted a petition to the court, and they will send a new person to take charge soon."
Luo Shuiyao didn't ask about the fate of those people. Although she was impressed by Ye Yunzhou's quick actions, she also knew that those people would not be in a good situation. So she asked instead, "When are we going back?"
"Leave today."
Ye Yunzhou looked out the window at the sky and added, "It's just past noon now, so it's still early. We've been delayed for too long this time, so I need to return to the capital to report."
Luo Shuiyao agreed. They were only staying temporarily, and they knew they would be back in a few days. They didn't have much to pack, so there wasn't much to bring. She immediately called Chun Xing, "Get your things ready, we're leaving."
Chun Xing responded and left. While moving the baggage onto the carriage, she did not forget to ask Ye Yi to buy some food for the journey.
After watching Luo Shuiyao go off to arrange her itinerary, Ye Yunzhou turned around and bowed slightly to Luo Shi. His expression was respectful and courteous, and he called softly, "Aunt Luo. I've been busy with work these past few days and haven't been able to entertain you properly. I hope Aunt Luo will not be so reserved."
Hearing him say this, Luo's wandering thoughts were instantly retracted.
She stood up quickly, and on her cheeks, which were covered with fine lines from years of hard work, she tried to raise a somewhat restrained smile, waving her hands repeatedly: "No need to be like this, no need to be like this! You are very busy, we all know that. It won't be a problem, not at all!"
Seeing Luo's state, Ye Yunzhou remained silent. He had long anticipated that Luo's mother and daughter would be reserved when he was around, hence his seldom-seen appearances in recent days. He simply nodded slightly before taking his leave.
After he walked away, Luo Shi finally breathed a sigh of relief. She swayed a little, almost collapsing on the stool. Niu Jiaojiao was quick to move forward and supported her: "Mom, what's wrong with you?"
Luo shook her head, her voice still a little weak. "Somehow, this young man is even more terrifying than the mayor. I feel overwhelmed every time I say a word to him."
"Not to mention you, I feel awkward too."
Niu Jiaojiao said softly, but she was a little more courageous due to her youth, and was calmer than Luo Shi. Then she couldn't help laughing, "Mom, this man will most likely be my cousin's husband in the future. You are the elder, how can you be so scared by your niece's husband? You have to adjust well in the future, don't embarrass your cousin."
Luo Shi hurriedly wiped the non-existent sweat from her forehead and nodded repeatedly: "No, no, I will pay more attention next time!"
When she heard the words "embarrassing her niece", she suddenly no longer felt that Ye Yunzhou was scary - compared to this fear, she was more afraid of making her niece lose face.
Two carriages sped along the smooth, spacious official road, their speed significantly faster than when they arrived. Without stopping, the group headed straight for Kyoto. Previously, the Third Prince and Lu Zhaozhao had been secretly sent back to the capital by Ye Yunzhou, so they naturally wouldn't be traveling with them.
It took them only two-thirds of the time to reach the capital.
Luo Shi stepped down from the carriage, supported by Luo Shuiyao and Niu Jiaojiao. Standing before the city gate, she gazed up at the towering walls, feeling lost in thought. She had wasted half her life in Qingshui Town, never imagining that one day, thanks to her niece's influence, she would reach the feet of the emperor. A sense of unreality filled her heart.