Chapter 1009: Monitoring Theft

Having just discussed Pei Mianman with Xiao Yao, Zu'an could no longer suppress his yearning for her. Moreover, with Xiao Yao now gone, there would be no one to protect her.

As soon as this thought struck him, he no longer hesitated. He changed his clothes and quickly disappeared into the night.

Arriving at the Pei manor, he observed his surroundings. Although the estate was heavily guarded, the security was much looser compared to the impenetrable watch during the day. He presumed this was because no dangerous individuals had been found during the daytime searches, and at night, the women of the household also needed to rest, making it impossible to maintain constant, tight surveillance.

Zu'an stealthily infiltrated under the cover of night. Having visited once during the day, he was now familiar with the route. With his cultivation level and the Jade Cong's map function, he quickly arrived at Pei Mianman's small courtyard. This time, without Xiao Yao guarding nearby, he entered without disturbing anyone. Since the first floor was where the maids lived, Zu'an didn't want to alert them. He lightly tapped his toes and flipped himself onto the second floor.

His heart was aflutter with excitement; he could finally meet his 'Big Manman'. He was contemplating what to say first when he saw her, when suddenly, everything went black. Startled, he quickly turned to look behind him. Although it was night, lanterns hung everywhere in a noble family's estate like the Peis', allowing some light to be seen. But now, behind him, it was pitch black, with no trace of the path he had taken.

A shiver ran down Zu'an's spine, as if he had been swallowed whole by a dark beast. Just then, a strong gust of wind swept towards him, and he swiftly dodged to the side. The opponent, however, gave him no time to breathe, attacking him instantly. No matter how Zu'an dodged, the opponent's attacks constantly enveloped him. As he couldn't see, Zu'an's fighting abilities were severely diminished, and he found himself constrained at every turn. He wondered curiously if his opponent was completely unaffected. In their recent exchange, the opponent was agile and accurately predicted his movements every time.

Wait! A sudden thought struck him. Could it be...

"Manman?"

"A'Zu?"

At that moment, they both exclaimed simultaneously.

"It's really you?" Zu'an was both surprised and delighted. The surrounding darkness instantly vanished, revealing soft candlelight. Before him was clearly an exquisitely furnished lady's boudoir. However, Zu'an had no time to survey his surroundings; his eyes were fixed on the woman before him. With a creamy, oval-shaped face and her signature charming, expressive 'peach blossom' eyes, she was now looking at him tearfully. Who else could it be but Big Manman?

"A'Zu!" Seeing Zu'an remove his mask, Pei Mianman could no longer hold back. She ran and threw herself into his arms. The whole process was so shaky and impactful that it made one wonder if the buttons of her dress would hold.

The young couple, separated for so long, embraced tightly, as if each was trying to mold the other into their own being. Inhaling her familiar delicate fragrance and feeling her shapely body, Zu'an couldn't help but chuckle, "Loosen up a bit, you're practically squeezing the air out of me."

"You're annoying," Pei Mianman playfully punched his chest. Then, with an excited expression, she pulled him to sit beside her. "I heard from the maids that a Lord Zu shone brightly at the banquet for the imperial envoy today. I was wondering if it might be you, but I never expected it really was! Am I dreaming?"

"Of course, you're not dreaming. I'm right here in front of you, flesh and blood. If you don't believe me, feel my heartbeat." Zu'an took her hand and placed it on his chest, looking at her tenderly. "Manman, you've lost weight."

"Hmph, it's your fault for not coming to see me for so long," Pei Mianman grumbled, but still poured him a cup of tea with concern. "Drink some tea to sober up. You reek of alcohol, it's awful."

Zu'an took the teacup and chuckled, "Did you find me because of the alcohol smell earlier?"

"Exactly! I was wondering which audacious rogue would dare try to take advantage of me after a few drinks, and was about to teach them a good lesson. Turns out it was you." As Pei Mianman spoke, she leaned against the table, seemingly to save effort, resting her chest directly on the surface as she smiled at him.

"What was that darkness just now? Was it the Fu Hao Owl Zun?" Zu'an asked curiously.

"Yes, I got it when we went to the secret realm together last time. It can create a domain of darkness where the opponent can't see anything, but I can see as clearly as day." Pei Mianman extended her fair hand, and a miniature bronze vessel floated in her palm, slowly rotating. She had clearly refined it completely.

"This item is truly formidable; I nearly fell victim to it just now." Looking at the Fu Hao Owl Zun, Zu'an couldn't help but recall their time together in the Yin Ruins.

Pei Mianman had clearly thought of the same thing, and her gaze softened even further. "A'Zu, your cultivation is also getting higher and higher. I was just shocked that even though my opponent couldn't see, they managed to dodge my attacks every time."

"Actually, I came to find you during the day." Zu'an patted his thigh as he spoke. Pei Mianman understood, and with a smile in her eyes, she moved closer and snuggled into his embrace.

"So that was you during the day! Did that drunkard hurt you?" Pei Mianman realized, and began to lift and examine his hands.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." Zu'an smiled. "Do you know Xiao Yao?"

Pei Mianman snorted, "Just an annoying drunkard."

"He's actually quite good to you; he's been secretly protecting you," Zu'an explained.

"Who needs his protection? Ultimately, he's just guilty," Pei Mianman's voice turned cold.

"Guilty?" Zu'an was startled, sensing that the information he was getting from the two of them was quite different.

Pei Mianman's eyes reddened. "If it weren't for him, my mother wouldn't have died back then."

"He killed your mother?" Zu'an's brow furrowed, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He had actually thought the man was good.

Pei Mianman sighed. "My mother wasn't directly killed by him, but she was injured by him, which destroyed her cultivation. That's why she couldn't defend herself when trouble eventually arose."

"No wonder you hate him." Zu'an understood. It made sense why Xiao Yao was so dejected and why his eyes occasionally showed intense guilt. It was also understandable why Xiao Yao had mentioned Pei Mianman's reluctance to go with him earlier.

"How exactly did your mother pass away?" Zu'an tenderly wiped away the clear tears on her cheeks, asking with concern.

Pei Mianman shook her head. "I was too young then, and I don't remember many details. Every time I asked my father, he would lose his temper; and when I asked that drunkard, he never said anything either."

Feeling her body tremble slightly and knowing she was distressed, Zu'an squeezed her hand to offer comfort. "Didn't you rush back because you received a family letter concerning your mother? Did the Pei family deliberately trick you into returning?"

"Not exactly. The main reason was that my mother's tomb was robbed, and her remains weren't found afterwards." Pei Mianman bit her lip. "I thought that annoying drunkard did it, but he said he didn't, and he's been investigating it himself this whole time."

"What? Such a thing happened?" Zu'an was furious. "Don't worry, I am now part of the imperial envoy's delegation. I will help you investigate this matter thoroughly."

"Thank you, A'Zu." Pei Mianman nestled weakly in his arms. "I've been so tired lately. With you here, I feel much more at peace."

"I'm here, and everything will be alright now." Zu'an gently stroked her soft hair. "I heard your father wants you to marry the Crown Prince of Qi?"

"Yes, the Pei family had that intention a long time ago. That's why I fled to Brightmoon City back then to avoid it. By a strange twist of fate, I met you. It truly feels like destiny." A smile touched Pei Mianman's lips as she recalled their first meeting.

"That Zhao Zhi dares to covet my wife! Next time I see him, I'll break his third leg!" He had initially thought of mentioning Pei Shao, but considering he was her father, he decided against it.

"Who's your wife? Isn't your wife Chu Yan?" Pei Mianman scoffed, unable to stop herself from pouting.

"Chu Yan and I have already divorced," Zu'an coughed lightly. "We properly married in the Yin Ruins and were a couple for several lifetimes."

"How dare you even bring up what happened in the Yin Ruins? I was so young then, and you still didn't spare me..." Pei Mianman's 'peach blossom' eyes were watery, and her flawless jade-like face looked even more alluring under the candlelight. Her rosy lips glistened temptingly.

Unable to resist, Zu'an leaned in and kissed her. Pei Mianman let out a soft murmur, and her hands naturally wrapped around her lover's neck. Unlike the cool and aloof Chu Yan, she had always been this charming and affectionate. Moreover, having been a couple for several lifetimes in the secret realm, their relationship was already inseparable.

Lovers separated by distance, now reunited after a long absence, naturally gravitated towards each other. The temperature in the air seemed to grow hotter...

Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince of Qi's secret stronghold in the city, Han Fengqiu was asking Zhao Zhi, "What are the Crown Prince's intentions regarding Miss Pei?"

"Today, a fleeting glimpse, though only a profile, was enough to reveal her peerless beauty. She is indeed worthy of being my wife." Zhao Zhi nodded with satisfaction, the image of the beautiful woman he had seen during the day constantly appearing in his mind. "If not for her somewhat inferior background, she would even be fit to be my official consort."