Chapter 1012: Unarmed and Defenseless

Expensive incense burned in the room, its captivating fragrance stirring the heart without overwhelming the senses.

A noble and mature beauty lay dozing on a soft couch, resting on her side. Dressed in casual loungewear, she seemed to have hastily draped a white fox fur over her shoulders, perhaps deeming her attire a little improper. Yet, her close-fitting undergarments were still faintly visible beneath it.

A soft, fluffy brocade quilt was casually draped over her waist, outlining the breathtaking curve between her slender waist and hips. Her entire being exuded an indescribable tenderness and softness, capable of making even the most resolute man in the world utterly capitulate.

One hand cupped her cheek, while the other held an exquisite hand warmer against her lower abdomen, revealing a fair wrist. Her skin was truly more delicate and luminous than a young girl's.

The elaborately coiled bun she usually wore was now casually undone, her hair spread loosely around her, making her appear utterly languid.

Zu’an felt the room seemed to have grown even warmer, but at that moment, he was filled more with confusion.

Her attire was simply too casual, as if she had just woken up and decided to receive a guest in her nightclothes.

Zu’an’s gaze fell on the brocade quilt at her waist, immediately negating his own thought: she hadn't even gotten out of bed yet.

Although he had once saved her life, their relationship certainly wasn't intimate enough for her to reveal such a private side to him.

Such intimacy was typically reserved for spouses; even some reserved couples wouldn't be this open.

Could she be trying to ensnare him with a honey trap?

However, when he looked up and met her deep, beautiful eyes—like stars in the night sky—he saw a gaze of utter purity, devoid of any ulterior motive. He immediately realized he had misjudged the situation.

“I am truly sorry; I was sleeping earlier,” Yu Yanluo’s crimson lips parted. Her voice was as melodious as an oriole, yet also possessed the graceful bearing of a noblewoman. “I’ve been quite weary lately and truly didn’t wish to rise, but I was concerned you would be kept waiting, so I simply had you ushered in. I hope you don’t take offense.”

“Madam, you overstate the matter,” Zu’an replied. “I am already delighted that you are willing to make an exception to see me; how could I possibly take offense?” Only then did Zu’an understand why Sang Hong and others had been unable to see her; it was not merely an excuse, but a genuine reluctance to receive outside guests in such a state.

Yu Yanluo smiled faintly, a fleeting dimple appearing at the corner of her lips. “I can decline to see others, but you saved my life then. How could I not see you?”

Her radiant smile, and the charm of that moment, caused Zu’an to momentarily lose himself. He thought, “No wonder she was hailed as the world’s foremost beauty back then, attracting so many admirers.” He then said, “You also saved me once in the capital, so you could say we’re even now.”

“How can a life-saving debt be simply squared away…?” Yu Yanluo studied him, a hint of surprise entering her eyes. “After some time apart, your growth is quite astonishing. You’ve matured from that little boy into a grown man.”

Zu’an’s brow furrowed in exasperation. “When was I ever a little boy?”

“Someone, back then, kept insisting they wanted to be my man, you know,” Yu Yanluo teased. “You had the courage of a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, but now you’re much more mature and reserved.”

Zu’an’s face flushed; he felt a pang of acute embarrassment, as if he could die from shame.

The more he learned about Yu Yanluo, the more he realized how utterly ignorant and reckless he had been back then.

Fortunately, Yu Yanluo didn't mind. Instead, she said with concern, “If you're warm, you can take off your outer garment. My room is quite warm.”

Only then did Zu’an notice that not only were there numerous warmers placed throughout the room, but heat also continuously radiated from the floor, as if geothermal energy had been channeled there. He couldn’t help but marvel at the Yu family’s lavishness.

“By the way, I just noticed that Madam seems unusually sensitive to cold. Have you been injured, or perhaps poisoned by some cold toxin? Though I'm not a doctor, I have some experience with such matters. Would you like me to take a look, Madam?” Zu'an asked curiously.

Chu Chuyan had previously developed a hidden ailment from cultivating the 'Snowflake Divine Sword' technique, which caused her to be qi-deficient and sensitive to cold, with a perpetual icy sensation in her lower abdomen.

Later, he used his Blazing Sun Staff technique to warm her entire body, completely curing her hidden ailment.

Naturally, given his current relationship with Yu Yanluo, he couldn't employ the same treatment method. However, his 'Primordial Chaos Scripture' had already reached Level Four, meaning he could now heal most injuries remotely, unless they were truly life-threatening.

“You can treat these things too? You truly surprise me more and more.” Yu Yanluo smiled. “But thank you for your kindness. I'm not seriously ill; it's just my constitution. I've always been sensitive to cold, and it's like this every winter.”

“Usually, I could go to warmer places in the south to escape the cold, but this year is a bit special, so I have to stay here.”

Zu’an wore a strange expression. Wasn’t this sensitivity to cold a bit too exaggerated?

But different people have different constitutions, so he couldn't say anything.

“By the way, I heard you are also a member of the Imperial Envoy delegation this time?” Yu Yanluo asked casually, wishing to change the subject.

“That’s correct,” Zu’an replied. “The main purpose of our visit is to appoint the new Duke of Cloud and, while we are here, to investigate the disappearance of the previous Duke.”

“I suspect you’re primarily here to investigate the Duke’s disappearance, aren’t you?” Yu Yanluo sighed softly.

“To be frank, Madam, both matters are indeed very important,” Zu’an replied. He carefully observed her flawless, exquisite face; when the Duke of Cloud was mentioned just now, she didn’t seem to show much sorrow.

Since the conversation had reached this point, he seized the opportunity to ask, “By the way, there are some matters concerning the Duke that I would like to ask you about, Madam.”

“I don’t know much about his affairs,” Yu Yanluo replied.

Zu’an was taken aback.

“Isn't he your husband?”

Yu Yanluo shook her head. “We don’t normally reside together, so there’s a great deal about him I’m not aware of.”

Zu’an frowned. “How long have you been separated? Surely, you weren’t living apart from the very beginning?”

Yu Yanluo’s expression became somewhat peculiar. After a long pause, her crimson lips finally parted. “That question is too private; I prefer not to answer.”

Zu’an was speechless.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that their marital relationship was very peculiar.

Apparently sensing her answer was a bit curt, Yu Yanluo thought for a moment before saying, “For matters concerning the Duke, you may simply inquire with Gong Pan. He was Yan You’s chief bodyguard, utterly loyal to him, and knows many things more clearly than I do. I will have him come find you shortly.”

Zu’an was surprised. “Is that Gong Pan also here at the manor?”

Yu Yanluo nodded. “After Yan You’s incident, he came to follow me.”

Zu’an’s expression grew peculiar. It felt like a distribution of inheritance.

As the Duke of Cloud’s chief bodyguard, had he followed the Duchess out of desperation after his master’s demise, or had the Duchess bought his loyalty from the very beginning?

Noticing her lack of interest in several questions about the Duke of Cloud, Zu’an changed the subject. “Madam, regarding the attack you suffered in Brightmoon City last time, was it ever determined who was behind it?”

“Oh, that matter…” Yu Yanluo seemed to fall into a reverie. After a moment, she chuckled softly. “It was investigated later, and it has since been handled.”

Hearing her vague reply, and sensing she had no intention of revealing the specifics, Zu’an did not press further.

Noticing that she seemed a bit listless, as if she were forcing herself to converse with him, Zu’an stood up and said, “Madam, as you are unwell, I shall not disturb your rest.”

Yu Yanluo was slightly taken aback, then a faint smile touched her lips. “You are the first man who has met with me and then voluntarily taken his leave. I shall not stand on ceremony, for I am indeed quite weary. I will continue my rest. Someone will escort you to Gong Pan after you depart.”

With that, she removed the fox fur and lay back down on the couch. Her beautiful eyes slowly closed, and she appeared sweet and deeply peaceful in her slumber, as if she had already drifted into dreamland.

Zu’an was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t seen her notify anyone, so how would the people outside know he needed to find Gong Pan?

Furthermore, was she simply too nonchalant, or did she truly harbor no defenses against him, to just fall asleep right in front of him?

Didn't she know how fatally attractive she was to men?

Wasn't she afraid he might just lunge at her?

He knew from when he first met her that she was not a cultivator. For any cultivator, wasn’t her current state completely defenseless?

Any cultivator who wasn’t too weak, if they truly wished to do something within this room, the guards or anyone outside would be utterly unable to hear her cries.

“It’s a good thing she encountered a gentleman like me,” he mused. Shaking his head and dispelling the lustful thoughts from his mind, he walked out and gently closed the door behind him.

After he departed, a faint, sweet curve appeared at the corner of the sleeping Yu Yanluo’s lips, as if she were having a pleasant dream.