Be Modest,My Master of Imperial Guards

Chapter 37 An Invite into the Trap (1)

Langtian Lane, Xijing Gate.

A carriage parked on the street corner facing the Master's Mansion of the Western Depot. The curtain was lifted, under which the Eastern Depot worker, Sun Bing, jumped out. He put down the step stool and then helped Gu Yunxi down.

Looking across at the Master's Mansion, Gu Yunxi was surprised.

The building was luxurious and grand with its red gate and high-pitched roof. Having never been to her Master's Mansion so far, she had no idea how impressive it would be. At least this one was no inferior to the Garden where she used to live.

Now that Gu Yunxi had got off the carriage, Sun Bing walked across the wide street by himself to announce their arrival at the Master's Mansion.

The man had an honest and modest disposition. Along the way, he had not uttered a single word even if he was inside the carriage with Gu Yunxi. The uncomfortable silences had been hard to sustain.

Gu Yunxi stood in the shadow of the carriage from the sun, watching crowds flowing on the street.

There was a profusion of people, male or female, bold or hatted, carrying baskets or shoulder poles. She could not discern who the undercover Eastern Depot guards were.

Looking around again, she did not catch the sight of her Master. He left her after departing from the Eastern Depot, so he could be peering at her from somewhere at the very moment.

Suddenly, Gu Yunxi realized that she was alone in an unfamiliar environment. Her body froze, chilled at the awareness of her vulnerability.

Calm down. Calm down! Smile. Just smile!

Remembering the Master's words before the departure, Gu Yunxi secretly reminded herself.

The Master would never deceive her. If he had said he would come, he would have come! Maybe he was watching from an inconspicuous corner right now.

Gu Yunxi believed that it was a good opportunity to repay her Master's care for a long time.

Not long after Sun Bing returned, the vermillion gate across the street opened. Emerging from it was Ming Lan in casual garments, surrounded by several low-ranking eunuchs.

In the middle of his way, Ming Lan was stunned by Gu Yunxi in women's clothing. Seeing that she tilted her head and smiled sweetly, he held the hem of his robe and hurried to her.

Standing in front of Gu Yunxi, Ming Lan slightly raised his eyebrows speechlessly. His eyes lingered on her with suspicion and enthusiasm, which were gradually fused into a glowing look.

He was suspicious because he could not fathom the reason behind her outfit. He was enthusiastic because she was so beautiful. He couldn't help the strong jealousy against the Eastern Depot Master for having such a beauty!

The eunuchs behind him widened their eyes in astonishment. Qin Zhong had seen Gu Yunxi more than once. Now that she had changed her outfit and looked so gorgeous, his heart was fluttering.

"So you are a girl."

After staring at Gu Yunxi for a while, Ming Lan spoke first. His soft and feminine voice was very unnerving and uncomfortable.

Still, she kept up her charming smile and curtsied to him, saying,

"Master Ming, I was ordered by my mentor to send you a fine liquor named Reed Flower White in return to your kind gift on the Double Ninth Festival."

As soon as she finished, Sun Bing beside her immediately presented a jar of liquor.

Liquor for liquor, without gifts. How much the Eastern Depot Master despised Ming Lan!

According to Leng Qingtang's understanding of people like Ming Lan, it would have only encouraged them to be more rampant if he had kept the cover-up that had been seen through. It would be better to take a step back, hit them with a stick, and warned them off further attempts.

Ming Lan threw a glance to the side, and Qin Zhong took the jar over.

Gu Yunxi smiled with endless charm, "In addition, here are a box of flower cakes I made myself for you."

Gu Yunxi picked up a food box by the carriage wheel and passed it to Ming Lan, "This is from me, personally. I hope you will accept it."

"You made it? You know how to bake?"

Ming Lan carried the wooden handle of the food container in one hand and lifted the lid off with the other. There were indeed two rows of sugar icing cakes.

Gu Yunxi smiled lightly,

"When we first met, you asked what my job in the Eastern Depot was. I was ashamed of the answer so I did not reply. In fact, what I could do was nothing more than some kitchen work. I take care of my mentor daily three meals."

"Interesting. Master Leng is a blessed man."

Ming Lan sneered unnaturally, squeezing the words out of his teeth displeasingly.

Leng was indeed blessed to have beauty by his side and gourmet in his stomach. Damn him.

Handing the food box to his men, Ming Lan clenched his fists in the sleeves. His eyes rolled and moved all over Gu Yunxi.

The water-blue full-length dress offset her slender and slim body. Her forehead was smooth, and her eyebrows were delicate, under which was a pair of brown eyes, shining brightly. Her lips were pursed lightly together like tender cherry blossoms that were dripping with temptation. One could not resist the urge to bow down and kiss them.

She had been very enticing and handsome even in the guard's outfit. Now she dressed up and wore the earrings from him. As they conversed, the chrysanthemum beads on the earrings were swaying and rocking before Ming Lan's eyes, sending him to ecstasy.

This little brat was stunning all dolled up, quite different from the guard look back then.

With Ming Lan and his people staring straight at her hostilely and maliciously, Gu Yunxi had to conceal her anger.

How could the eunuchs of the Western Depot be more lustful than normal men? Yet she promised the Master to smile at Ming Lan from beginning to end.

So she curtsied to Ming Lan with a smile again, speaking gently,

"Since the gift had been delivered to Master Ming, I shall take my leave. Farewell, Master."

"Wait!" Ming Lan reached out to stop Gu Yunxi, "I have not dismissed you yet. What's the hurry?"

Gu Yunxi didn't panic. She knew Ming Lan would not let her go so easily.

Not long ago, she deliberately pulled him down the carriage and stained his new pretty Master's hat. He must be holding a grudge still!

"Master Ming, what do you want?"

Gu Yunxi looked up at him. Her eyes were brave and firm, and her glimmering lips remained smiley.

"You owe me an answer. Would you not tell me the truth today?"

Ming Lan stared at Gu Yunxi's face with his sharp and cold eyes. Even his enchanting facial features became a bit daunting with the smirk.

He approached her step by step.

Sun Bing was about to rush over when he saw that Gu Yunxi had been forced against the carriage, but he, along with the driver, was immediately surrounded by the eunuchs.

"Master Ming, what do you want to do!" The situation was getting out of control. Gu Yunxi could not help crying out.

Ming Lan grabbed her wrist tightly and laughed,

"You stole my question! Little Yun Guaner, what do you want to do? Don't play around with me. Tell the truth now! Otherwise, believe it or not, I can have you dragged and tortured in the Master Mansion."

His other hand hooked up and scratched on Gu Yunxi's chin meaningfully.

She felt sick. Was her Master watching this scene with his own eyes?

No, she must not embarrass him. She must complete the task.

"The last time Master Ming had been to the Eastern Depot to visit my mentor, it was me who had made offending remarks. And my mentor had scolded me harshly afterward. You sent expensive gifts on the Double Ninth Festival, and I come over to thank you face-to-face. Am I wrong?"

She ended her speech with pitiful innocence. Tears were brimming in her eyes as if she would cry at any moment.

"Master Ming, you are hurting me."

Ming Lan was shocked in a trance.

Near him, the eunuchs could not care about Sun Bing or the driver anymore. They were all looking at Gu Yunxi struggling in the ruthless grip of their Master, even sympathetically.

The eunuchs came around at Ming Lan's coughs and stood upright.

Finally released, Gu Yunxi escaped from Ming Lan's clenching and rubbed her wrist in pain.

Ming Lan was still gazing at her and interrogating, "Does Lord Leng know you come to me?"

"Of course he knows. How else would I get the liquor? It's made every 30 years, even older than my mentor. Naturally, it's a present from him to you! My mentor will be worried if you don't let me go soon!"

Rubbing her wrist, Gu Yunxi replied without raising her head. Her face turned red.

Ming Lan sneered unconsciously,

"Well, if you can answer my question, I'll let you go immediately."

"What is it?"

"Who are you? What is your name?"

The well-expected question!

Gu Yunxi smiled lightly with two attractive shallow dimples showing on her cheeks.

"Why are you drunk before drink? My name is Yun Guaner, the protege of the Eastern Depot Master. You knew all these when you first went to the Eastern Depot. Didn't my mentor tell you? Why are you asking me again?"

Ming Lan raised his eyebrows and curved his lips into a voluptuous smile.

"Don't fool me! Why did your Master disguise you as a man and hide you in the Eastern Depot? And why did he lie to me when I asked about you before?"

Ming Lan's eyes were blazing with calculation. He moved a few inches forward as he spoke and pressed close against Gu Yunxi, rubbing her with impropriety.

Apprehension flashed across Gu Yunxi's delicate face.

"Lord Ming, you are jumping on the bait!" Gu Yunxi thought.

"If you want to know, come to the Qingfeng Temple in the northern suburbs tonight, and I shall tell you in person. How about it?"

Smothering the strong resentment in her heart, Gu Yunxi suggested with ease and looked up at Ming Lan with a smile. Her crescent lips were overflowing with a trace of provocation.

It was due to Ming Lan's inherent l**t that she could spot the chance in time.

"Master."

"Don't trust her!"

The eunuchs behind Ming Lan saw the trap and warned their Master to not fall for it.

The complacence slowly froze on Ming's seductive face.

"Little brat, are you trying to fool me again? Tell me here. Don't dream about leaving before telling me the truth!"

"What are you afraid of?" She taunted, with a slice of mockery in her eyes.

"How dare you." Ming Lan became furious, glaring at her and yelling sharply.

Seeing that she restrained a little, his anger was reduced by half. Again, he smiled and asked, "Tell me what I am afraid of?"

"There have always been rumors of ghosts in the Qingfeng Temple. I was curious about it long ago and wanted to find out. Now you won't go with me, aren't you afraid of ghosts?"

With her eyes turning, Gu Yunxi came up with the idea of reverse psychology.

"Ridiculous! I am a rank-second minister, the dignified Western Depot Master. I never believed in ghosts or gods! Even if there is a ghost, it is the ghost that will be afraid of me!"

"Well then! Follow me tonight!" Gu Yunxi raised her head again and smiled slyly.

Ming Lan didn't rush his reply. Instead, he studied Gu Yunxi's flower-like face very closely. After a moment, he suddenly leaned forward and put his lips near her ear. In the most feminine voice, he whispered,

"When I go there tonight, you will tell me everything and then become mine. Yun Guaner, I like you."

Gu Yunxi could feel the warm breaths blown onto her ear, tickling her cheek.

Terrified, she dodged aside and did not forget to smile at Ming Lan.

"Master Ming, let's first meet and then talk! I'll see you at the Qingfeng Temple this midnight!"

"Fine, so be it!"

Ming Lan raised his eyebrow in an evil manner and waved to the eunuchs,

"Set them free! We go back inside!"