Chapter Nine.

Duan Xinyue has to resought to another method to save Xu Han. Fortunately,the ladies' yells are put to an end by Wen Cheng's command.

"Miss Wen you're not a fool. We've all read the 'Chronicles of Long Gong Gentlemen ' written three years ago by Liu Qiu the legendary matchmaker. This is the Young Master of Xu family and he's known for his incompetent ability in lying how could he lie to you for such a long time?"

Duan Xinyue embarrasses Xu Han on purpose in order to save him. His argument is not valid enough to defend Xu Han but he still gambles on it.Before Wen Luo argues back Wen Cheng intervenes and slaps her and asks the guards to take her away. Wen Cheng apologizes to both Fei Wuyuan and Xu Han. Duan Xinyue helps Xu Han to get up from the floor. Before they leave,Fei Wuyuan genuinely apologizes. Duan Xinyue grabs Xu Han and gives him a piggyback ride as Xu Han tries to approve Fei Wuyuan's apology.

"How can you manage to shout like that even when you're injured? Why didn't you fight back? Don't you know any martial arts?"Duan Xinyue scolds him.

"Young Master Duan,you nag a lot like an old lady. Of course I know martial arts. It's just that I was shocked and helpless that time so I didn't think of a way to defend myself."

At White Pavilion, Hong Yi informs Lei Qiang about the ordeal Xu Han had met at the party. Lei Qiang springs up from his seat and asks Hong Yi to find Hong Rong. Lei Qiang instructs Hong Rong to be in charge of the disciples while he's gone. When Lei Qiang arrives at Xu Han's home,he finds out Duan Xinyue and Xu Han had headed towards Qingfeng Pavilion so he changes his direction. Xu Han asked Xinyue to take him to Qingfeng Pavilion to avoid attracting his parents' attention and sowing discord between his family and the Wen family. Lei Qiang's carriage stops a few meters away from Qingfeng Pavilion. As he alights he casts a glance at Duan Xinyue who is about to put Xu Han down from his back. They had gone to the Wen's mansion without a carriage so Xinyue had to carry him back since he's injured. Lei Qiang rushes over to them.

"Xu Han what happened to a grown up like you to be given a piggyback ride by another man?"Lei Qiang asks with disgusted look on his face.

"Bro Lei,what are you doing here?"

Lei Qiang grabs him turning him around while examining him to see if he's seriously injured. One was nagging about him not defending himself,now another is scrutinizing his body like someone trying to trace cracks on a delicate porcelain. Lei Qiang insists on taking Xu Han to Ziran Sect but Xinyue convinces him to do it later.

"Master Lei,I think you should only worry about his face."Duan Xinyue says teasingly.

Lei Qiang looks up and notices Xu Han's lips are swollen. Duan Xinyue is hesitant to show his medical skills so he ends up asking Qin Lanhua to help. Qin Lanhua's medical skills are second to Xinyue's. After taking the medicine ,Xu Han sleeps soundly in Xinyue's bed.

A while later,Lei Qiang takes him to Ziran Sect. It is now twenty minutes past nine and this time most of the disciples are already asleep. Xu Han is sleeping in one of the rooms at White Pavilion. Lei Qiang is at the study table reading some books.

"Is Xu Han asleep?"

"Yes."

"Tell me the details of today's incident."

"That Duan gongzi claimed they were there to see Miss Du. So as she walked out of the room,Duan gongzi convinced Young Master Xu to follow her. He didn't expect to run into Miss Wen who later claimed they are lovers,"Hong Yi explains.

"Duan Xinyue sees Miss Du everyday during alchemy lectures . Why would he go there to see her?"

There is a moment of silence as Lei Qiang tries to analyze the situation.

"My Lord,why don't you summon that Duan gongzi and ask him about it?"

"Forget it. His mouth is full of lies even if there was a lie detector it still can't detect his lies."

"Or you should ask Young Master Xu."

"He must have convinced Xu Han not to say anything. I'm sure the news has spread over the deputy governor might come here tomorrow."

Xu Han sleeps till noon of the following day because of the effect of the medicine he had taken.After the alchemy lecture, Duan Xinyue finds his way to White Pavilion to visit Xu Han. Du Bai Xin is also there to discuss with Lei Qiang about the results of the monthly alchemy assessment. Duan Xinyue asks for permission to see Xu Han. Lei Qiang's gaze follows Duan Xinyue as he disappears into the room. He loses his concentration for a while.

Xu Han is seated up in bed staring blankly across the room as Duan Xinyue walks in.

"Young Master Duan,why are you here?"

"I'm here to visit you."

Duan Xinyue's lips curve into a beautiful smile as he stares at Xu Han's innocent face. He then unties a cloth bag he's carrying revealing three apples.

"Do you love apples?"

"Yes."

"You see it's not a bad thing to recuperate here . You'll be seeing Miss Du everyday. Now that she's here let me take you out."

As Duan Xinyue slips his hand under Xu Han's legs to carry him,Lei Qiang walks in. His glare is so penetrating that Duan Xinyue releases Xu Han's legs and moves away. Lei Qiang picks up one of the apples and wipes it using his robes and takes a big bite. Xu Han and Duan Xinyue are left staring not sure of how they should react.

"Young Master Duan,are we going out or not?"

"Maybe another day,"Duan Xinyue replies as he walks out of the room nervously. Lei Qiang is the first man to make him this nervous. Why does Lei Qiang's face become scary when he and Xu Han get close? Maybe he's afraid Duan Xinyue will make a move on the innocent Xu Han.

Wen Cheng is a clever one. He goes to visit Xu Han's father ,deputy governor Xu Kong to seek forgiveness. Though he's a politician,Xu Kong has always been like a hermit, isolating himself from other worldly affairs and desires. He and his wife Chu Piaoliang are inseparable. After having a fine talk over tea,Wen Cheng leaves satisfactorily.

Wen Luo is still locked in her room,her hair is a mess as well as her face. She refuses to eat because she wants to die. There is a knock at the door. Mei Xin opens the door revealing Wen Cheng. Wen Luo ignores his presence.

"I've talked to General Fei. We've already picked an auspicious date for the wedding."

Wen Luo sniffs as she wipes tears off her face. Wen Cheng asks someone to bring in food and forces her to eat.