Upon learning about Xia Xiao Yu’s plan, Jiang Xuan was completely baffled.
Letting her stay overnight was basically inviting a wolf into the house, right?
But if he refused, Xia Xiao Yu had that pesky Recording Stone in her hands.
If she really lost her mind and handed that thing over to Nangong Liu Yun, it would be the end of him, no questions asked.
It seemed Xia Xiao Yu noticed Jiang Xuan’s internal struggle, and her gaze gradually dimmed.
She slowly released her grip on him, looking down as if consumed by self-doubt.
“It seems Brother Xuan still can’t accept me just yet. That’s okay; I’ll come back another time.
Sorry for bothering you, Brother Xuan. Make sure to get some rest.”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!”
Just as Xia Xiao Yu was about to leave the room, Jiang Xuan snapped back to reality and hurriedly stopped her.
“Wait! Xiao Yu, I don’t think your request is unreasonable; after all, we’re childhood friends. I can agree to this.”
At that moment, the corner of Xia Xiao Yu’s mouth lifted slightly.
As expected, everything was going according to her playbook.
In her eyes, directly threatening Jiang Xuan with the contents of the Recording Stone to get what she wanted was the most desperate strategy.
That might make him resistant—even resentful.
That was not the outcome she sought because she wanted it all: his heart and soul (and probably his snacks too).
Xia Xiao Yu planned to use the Recording Stone as a tool, indirectly giving Jiang Xuan the choice.
Little by little, she’d close the gap between them; as for the choice he made, that would naturally be within her expectations.
Upon hearing Jiang Xuan trying to keep her, Xia Xiao Yu turned around, a beaming expression on her face.
“Brother Xuan, are you serious? Can I really stay here tonight?”
“Absolutely, as long as you’re happy, Xiao Yu, you can stay as long as you like.”
While Jiang Xuan appeared warm on the surface, inside he was muttering,
“Anyway, if she’s determined to stay, I don’t have the strength to kick her out.”
“Ugh, why does this feel increasingly wrong? Although Xia Xiao Yu seems as clueless as ever, there’s a distinct difference now.”
“Why do I feel like I’m being led around by the nose? I need to figure out how to handle this quickly.”
Meanwhile, Xia Xiao Yu happily wrapped her arms around Jiang Xuan again.
“I knew Brother Xuan was the best for me! Now let’s rest early, shall we?”
Jiang Xuan: “????????”
He froze for a moment, finally digesting Xia Xiao Yu’s words.
“Rest? Sure, you can sleep on the soft couch, I’m not tired at all. I’ll just grab some bedding later.”
“What’s wrong? Does Brother Xuan dislike this childhood friend of yours?”
“Not…. just feel that…. um, it’s a bit inappropriate.”
“Inappropriate? We’re childhood friends, isn’t it normal to rest on the same couch for one night?
Or does Brother Xuan not care about my feelings at all?”
“Well… of course, I care! After you disappeared, I searched for you for ages!”
“Ugh, Brother Xuan really does keep me in his heart! So let’s rest early, then.”
With that, Xia Xiao Yu firmly pulled Jiang Xuan toward the soft couch.
As soon as they lay down, she clung to him like an octopus.
Before Jiang Xuan could voice a complaint, she spoke up first.
“Brother Xuan, don’t get the wrong idea; it’s perfectly normal for childhood friends to hug, right?”
“Uh… I guess that’s normal…”
Before he could finish, Xia Xiao Yu gradually left a small mark on his neck.
“Brother Xuan, don’t overthink it! It’s just normal little interactions between childhood friends!”
“Ah? Is this considered a… interaction?”
As he was drowning in confusion, Jiang Xuan mentally called out to his System.
“System, I’m in a bit of a pickle here. Got anything to help a guy out?”
“Dear host, I must emphasize once again that this system is merely a support function and doesn’t have anything useful.”
“Seriously? You really are not a helpful piece of junk. I’m not asking for much—just give me the beginner’s gift pack again.”
Scanning system: “…..”
Suddenly, a mechanical voice from the scanning system slowly chimed in.
“Ding! A faint killing intent has been detected within a hundred miles of the host; this person is quickly approaching the host.”
“Jiang Xuan: ?????????”
“System, what’s happening? Who’s coming? Do I know them?
What on earth is going on? System, please step it up or I’m done for, and you’ll go down with me!”
“Ding! Upon analysis, the approaching individual is Murong Ying from the Murong Wang Residence. Please be cautious, host.”
After the scanning system chimed in, it fell silent, leaving Jiang Xuan feeling utterly hopeless.
Without saying a word, that Female War God Murong Ying was someone he had tricked in the past.
And now she was heading to his place? Jiang Xuan could only think of one outcome: his cover was blown.
This was a dire situation! If it was just Jiang Xuan alone, he might have been able to fool Murong Ying.
But with Xia Xiao Yu here, it was game over!
This was clearly the setup for a fatal love triangle!
Thinking quickly, Jiang Xuan turned to Xia Xiao Yu and said,
“Xiao Yu, I just remembered that my mother wants to have a serious chat with me about marriage. How about you come back another day?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Xia Xiao Yu frowned.
“No way! I want to rest here tonight!”
As she said this, Xia Xiao Yu tightened her grip on Jiang Xuan.
She looked like she had no intention of letting go.
At that moment, Jiang Xuan panicked completely. He was worried Murong Ying would show up any minute in his room.
At that time, current scenario would be utterly indefensible.
However, Murong Ying had actually already arrived at the Jiang Family, choosing to meet with Jiang Yu Yan first.
In the Jiang Family’s main hall…
Jiang Yu Yan warmly welcomed her, saying,
“Lady Murong, it’s been quite a while since we’ve had a proper catch-up. I didn’t expect you to come all the way to visit the Jiang Family!”
“I happened to be passing through, so I thought I’d drop by. I hope it’s not too late to disturb you, right? Oh, and just call me Ying Mei as usual. No need to be formal!”
“I can’t! You’re now the only foreign prince in the Great Jiang Dynasty and have accomplished countless feats. I can’t just treat you casually.
Come on, someone, bring out the finest wine! Tonight, I’m having a great chat with Lady Murong!”
“Oh, it’s fine, Sister Yu Yan. We don’t need to fuss over formality between us.
After all, I was under your command back in the day. Without your mentorship, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll take your word for it! Ying Mei, let’s drink until we drop tonight!”
Actually, despite being the Great Jiang War Goddess, Murong Ying wasn’t that old. Jiang Xuan was 20; she was only five years his senior.
Ten years ago, she had just begun to shine and fortuitously became Jiang Yu Yan’s subordinate.
Later, she single-handedly crushed an enemy force of tens of thousands and became a legendary hero.
To honor her achievements, the Empress had even bestowed upon her the title of foreign prince, a supreme honor.
Soon after Jiang Yu Yan began to show signs of drunkenness, Murong Ying finally managed to steer the conversation back on track.
“Sister Yu Yan, I heard that you have a son. We’ve both been active on the battlefield these years.
I didn’t expect you to have secretly enjoyed a peaceful life!”
“Ying Mei, don’t say that! I mentioned this to you long ago; you just forgot.
When you were under my command, didn’t I tell you about it?
My son looks just like his father and is very handsome. If you’re still single, I could arrange a marriage for you.
It’s just that back then, you were so focused on destroying the enemy that you didn’t even have time for romance and turned me down.”
Upon hearing this from Jiang Yu Yan, Murong Ying narrowed her eyes slightly.
Then she chuckled, “So it seems I’ve missed a great opportunity. By the way, may I meet the husband I overlooked back then?”
“Of course! I’ll call him over right now to meet you.
But alas, it’s a pity that you two may have a connection that’s now lost. Recently, my son was betrothed by the Empress; otherwise, I would have asked about your interest.
After all, the age gap between you two isn’t too big, and I fully trust your character, Ying Mei.”
“Oh? Is that so? What a shame! I’ve always respected you, Sister. Come on, let’s drink a few more cups.”
Meanwhile, back at Jiang Xuan’s little courtyard…
A knock echoed through the room.
It was the maid Ling Yue’s voice that followed.
“Young Master, the head of the family is calling for you in the main hall.”
“Got it! I’ll head over now.”
After replying, Jiang Xuan turned to Xia Xiao Yu and said:
“Xiao Yu, um… just rest here for a bit. I’ll go see my mother and be back shortly.”
Xia Xiao Yu thought Jiang Xuan was just looking for an excuse to ditch her.
But as it turned out, he seemed serious. With no other choice, she reluctantly let him go.
“Fine! But Brother Xuan, you have to come back, or else… I’ll just have to go home.”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
Even though Xia Xiao Yu didn’t say it outright, he understood the underlying threat in her words.
Alright, alright, so threatening him, huh? Then he’d just have to threaten his own System to whip up something good to deal with the situation.
As soon as Jiang Xuan stepped out of the room, he quietly asked Ling Yue,
“Xiao Yue, why’s my mother still awake at this hour? Why call me to the main hall?”
“Young Master, I heard someone who was once a subordinate of the head of the family came to visit, and they are currently enjoying some drinks together. It seems the head of the family wants to introduce you.”
After Ling Yue explained, Jiang Xuan nodded and headed toward the main hall alone.
On the way, he couldn’t help but ask his System.
“System, didn’t you say the War Goddess Murong Ying was coming for me? Why haven’t I seen her yet? Are you messing with me?”
“Ding! This System never deceives the host.”
“Ugh, okay, fine! I’m not new to your tricks. You’ve pulled a number of stunts on me before.”
Jiang Xuan was still playing a game of wits with the System when he arrived at the main hall, only to be frozen in shock.
Inside the hall, Jiang Yu Yan was sprawled across the table, clearly tipsy, while Murong Ying was sizing up Jiang Xuan as he entered.
She had an oddly amused expression on her face.
“Well, you’re here! What a surprise to see you again! Should I call you Lin Xuan or Jiang Xuan? My dear husband.”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!!!!”
