Chu Lian took a small sip of the honey wine. The light yellow wine in the porcelain cup swayed slightly, causing Chu Lian's heart to lose its calm.

She vaguely felt that something was strange about what had just happened.

Why did Princess Duanjia suddenly have an unbearable stomach ache? She had clearly eaten the same food as Princess Duanjia and it didn't seem fake.

Unknowingly, she felt as if she had fallen into a large net.

As she thought about this, Chu Lian's heartbeat sped up and her face suddenly paled. She turned to tell Xiyan, who was standing next to her, to leave quickly.

However, the moment she turned, she met Xiao Bojian, who had just walked around the screen.

Chu Lian's pupils suddenly shrank and she was stunned for a moment. Why was Xiao Bojian here?

Xiao Bojian also didn't expect to meet Chu Lian's gaze as soon as he came out from behind the screen. It was as if the two of them were telepathically connected.

As he thought about this, his heart couldn't help but soften.

"Lian 'er!"

Chu Lian: …

How could her luck be so bad? This is infuriating!

Chu Lian cursed inwardly.

Nothing good ever happened when she ran into Xiao Bojian. Last time, she had managed to avoid him at Marquis Dingyuan's estate, but this time, they met again. Could it be better? She wasn't the original Chu Lian and didn't like such a 'beautiful' man-eating flower.

Otherwise, she wouldn't know when she would be betrayed in the future.

Although Chu Lian was annoyed and impatient, she tried her best to calm her emotions after seeing Xiao Bojian, except for the moment of shock when she saw Xiao Bojian.

She wasn't the original Chu Lian. Based on the current situation, Princess Duanjia's sudden departure definitely had something to do with Xiao Bojian.

Xiyan almost lost her soul when she heard Xiao Bojian call her "Lian 'er".

She turned her head in a daze and saw Young Master Xiao standing beside the screen.

Xiyan's reaction was even bigger than Chu Lian's. Her entire body stiffened. She didn't understand why Young Master Xiao would appear in Defeng Teahouse, especially in Third Madam and Princess Duanjia's private room!

Chu Lian had already stood up from the table. Xiao Bojian's eyes locked onto her greedily.

It had been a long time since they last met. Today, Chu Lian was wearing a light blue blouse embroidered with fine dark flowers, a light yellow fairy dress, and a green fragrance bag and a jade pendant with ten thousand blessings on her waist. Her slender jade-like fingers were like onion tips.

There was an emerald green hairpin inlaid with gold on her dark hair bun. There was a red gemstone in front of her forehead, which made her look even more beautiful. Xiao Bojian looked at her greedily. He unconsciously rubbed his fingers that were hidden in his sleeves, as if he was caressing the face of his sweetheart.

It was a pity that he only noticed Chu Lian's outfit today, but did not see her clear and slightly guarded eyes.

Chu Lian stood there quietly, waiting for Xiao Bojian to speak. It was not that she wanted to pretend to be calm, but because Chu Lian knew that she could not leave at this time!

Based on Xiao Bojian's methods, she had no doubt that he still had a backup plan.

Perhaps Xiao Bojian had also slowly noticed that the atmosphere in the room was a little tense. He lowered his head slightly and looked away from Chu Lian. Then, he walked over to the seat that was previously occupied by the princess and sat down.

He found that Chu Lian was still standing there stiffly. His brows were slightly wrinkled, and his voice was gentle. "Lian 'er, come, sit."

Sit the hell!

If she had a choice, she would leave right now!

Although this was what she thought, Chu Lian still sat down obediently. She lowered her eyes slightly, hiding the look in her eyes that was absolutely different from the original Chu Lian.

"Lian 'er, I'm so happy that you could come today. You must have heard the song' A Phoenix Seeking for a Phoenix 'just now. What do you think?"

Xiao Bojian's eyes were filled with tenderness and gentleness.

However, Chu Lian, who was sitting opposite him, was shocked by his words.

What was going on?

Why … Why did Xiao Bojian say that the two of them had already arranged to meet at this Defeng Teahouse, but she had not received any notice at all?

Was Xiao Bojian bluffing, or was there something that had happened around her that was being hidden from her?

Also, the song 'A Phoenix Seeking for a Phoenix' that had made her sleepy just now was actually played by him.

Brother, he played pretty well, but she couldn't appreciate it at all!

Chu Lian wanted to cry. If she had known that something like this would happen, she would never have agreed to princess Ruanjia's request.

Chu Lian lowered her head even more, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's. "It's alright."

A hint of disappointment flashed through Xiao Bojian's eyes when he heard her comment, but he immediately smiled warmly. He placed the small box in his hand on the table and pushed it in front of Chu Lian. "Lian 'er, today is your birthday. This is the present I prepared for you. Open it and see if you like it."

Chu Lian glanced at the plain brocade box on the table. Her face was about to twitch. What was going on? Her husband hadn't even mentioned her birthday. Perhaps he had already forgotten about it. Yet, this outsider was eagerly giving her a present … Chu Lian wanted to roll her eyes at the sky.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Lian said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Xiao, but I can't accept this present."

Xiao Bojian's breath stilled. A storm instantly gathered in his deep eyes, and his brows furrowed. "Lian 'er, Brother Xiao specially prepared this for you."

Xiao Bojian stared intently at the woman who had her head lowered. He couldn't see her expression. He clenched his fists tightly in his wide sleeves. Gradually, his palms started to hurt from his fingernails digging into them.

"Lian 'er, do you not dare to raise your head and look at me?"

Chu Lian lowered her head. She wanted to cry. Who would want to look at this pervert? If she could, she wanted to run away right now.

Facing the male lead of the original novel, Xiao Bojian, she felt too much pressure. She couldn't even compare to her crazy husband!

"Lian 'er, since you're here today, aren't you hinting to me that you still have Brother Xiao in your heart?

I know you were forced to do this. Don't worry, leave everything to Brother Xiao. One day, Brother Xiao will bring you out. "Xiao Bojian's voice carried a hint of ruthlessness towards the end.

His exquisite face, coupled with his ruthless expression, was so twisted that it was frightening.

Xiyan only took a quick glance before lowering her head in fright. She didn't dare to move anymore.

Chu Lian really wanted to find a piece of tofu to knock into. She was really upset. If she knew that Xiao Bojian was at Defeng Teahouse, she wouldn't have come even if she was beaten to death!

Bro, don't be like this. Can you be more normal?

She was already married. Although her husband was a bit abnormal and often acted up, she didn't plan to climb over the wall!

What's with you knocking on the wall without saying a word?

Chu Lian pursed her lips, but in the end, she decided not to say anything. She subconsciously had a feeling that if Xiao Bojian knew that she wasn't the original Chu Lian, he might go even crazier, and her life might even be in danger.

So, it was better to keep a low profile …

Tell me, what kind of mess did the original owner of this body create?!

Xiao Bojian suppressed the sourness in his heart and put on a gentle expression. Seeing that Chu Lian wasn't reaching for the present, he took it himself and placed it in front of her.

He said gently, "Lian 'er, take a look. This is the golden hairpin that you've been thinking about for a long time. Do you like it?"

Chu Lian glanced at the hairpin from the corner of her eye. There were many exquisite flowers carved on the hairpin. The center and leaves of the flower were all top-grade jadeite. The most exquisite part of the hairpin was the five pieces of sapphire embedded in the hairpin. They naturally became the stamen of the largest flower on the hairpin.

This hairpin was indeed exquisite and beautiful. No wonder Chu Lian liked it and couldn't forget it.

Perhaps it was because he saw Chu Lian's praise, Xiao Bojian's expression softened a little.

Since his Lian 'er didn't want to say anything, then he would say it alone.

He had to let Lian 'er understand his sincere feelings. That damned He Changdi wasn't good enough for her!

"Lian 'er, it's all my fault. I should have bought this hairpin for you earlier. I've made you wait for so long. How about I help you put it on now?"

Chu Lian was speechless.

Didn't she feel wronged enough already?

What was he trying to do now?

The two of them didn't know that their conversation had been heard by Monarch Jin in the private room next to them.

A slight ripple appeared in Monarch Jin's green eyes.

Xiao Bojian?

He didn't expect Chu Liu to have such guts. At that moment, Monarch Jin suddenly understood why He Sanlang wanted him to keep a close eye on his new wife.

His green eyes sparkled and Monarch Jin's lips curled up. This seemed to be even more fun.

Chu Lian hurriedly waved her hand. In order not to anger Xiao Bojian, she could only say in a low voice, "No need. I'll bring it back."

She picked up the plain brocade box from the table and closed it before handing it to Xiyan behind her.

Seeing that Chu Lian accepted the gift, Xiao Bojian seemed to finally relax. He didn't insist on putting it on her anymore.

"Lian 'er, can you wait a little longer for Brother Xiao? Trust me, it won't take long."

Xiao Bojian stared at Chu Lian's small, tender hand that was resting on her lap. He wanted nothing more than to grab that hand, wrap it in his large palm, and gently knead it. With that thought in mind, his fingers subconsciously rubbed against her palm.

Chu Lian resisted the urge to raise her head and glare back at him.

That damned Xiao Bojian, please don't be so wishful thinking. Has he ever considered my feelings? He's really annoying, even more annoying than He Changdi!

Just as Xiao Bojian was about to continue, a loud noise came from next door. Chu Lian jumped in fright. Following that, there were sounds of fighting.

Chu Lian's expression immediately turned serious. She turned to look at the wall next door.

Xiao Bojian was also startled by the noise. He was even more sensitive than Chu Lian.

At that moment, a person in blue suddenly appeared from the shadows. He walked to Xiao Bojian's side and reported something in a low voice.

Xiao Bojian's frown deepened. He reached out to grab Chu Lian, who was two meters away, but the person in blue pulled him back.

He heard the person in blue say, "Master, there's no time. We need to leave quickly. If those people find out, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"But, Lian 'er …"

"Their target isn't Miss Chu. She'll be fine. Come with me!

If we don't leave now, all your years of planning will go to waste! "