Chapter 074 – Closing the Net
Morning light fell in golden rays from the sky as Li Yuan returned to the inner district, reclining inside Xue Ning’s carriage, sipping wine and listening to the wheels creak beneath him.
The trip back was uneventful, as if nothing had happened overnight.
Upon arriving at his own courtyard, Yan Yu spotted him and shot him a glare, looking every bit the aggrieved wife. “You heartless scoundrel! Are you tired of me already?”
“I...”
Before he could continue, Yan Yu’s eyes brimmed with tears. “You told me you had official business, but someone came by this morning and said you never had any business at all! You were out fooling around last night, probably with that hussy of a woman, Xue Ning. Hmph, you still smell like wine! Wahh...I can’t go on living like this!”
With that, she twisted away, her delicate features streaked with tears. Li Yuan blinked, caught off guard. “What happened?”
“You told me you had work,” she sobbed. “But the official who came by said otherwise. You were just messing around with another woman. You reek of alcohol. I...I can’t believe you!”
Realizing the act, Li Yuan understood at once that Ren’s abandoned carriage had been discovered. The sect must have sent someone to ask about anyone who left the inner district last night. That inquiry clearly wasn’t aimed at Li Yuan alone. But no doubt he was on the list. Fortunately, he and Yan Yu had planned this little show, and he’d made sure to smell of wine when returning.
Still pretending to rage, Yan Yu screamed, “Get out! Get out!” She hurled a teacup at him with a crash.
Xue Ning hurried forward, putting on a simpering face as she tried to placate her. “Oh, Big Sis, don’t be so angry. It’s only once in a while, right? He loves you so much. Can’t you have a little sympathy for how hard he works? How could you bear to blame him?”
“You fox! Shameless fox!” Yan Yu, drawn further into her own performance, began cursing and kicking. She charged over to fetch a broom, then whacked it toward the Xue Ning, only to have Li Yuan snatch it from the air.
“Enough!” he barked.