Chapter 10 Chapter nine

The hall is brightly lit, the sound of the piano is melodious, and there is a lot of voices.The piano sound suddenly stopped.The lute player forgot to play, and the crowd followed his gaze to the stairs, and the laughter gradually died down.When Bodie saw Lian walking down the stairs, he suddenly stopped talking, left Ian and Wayne who were talking to him rudely, and walked towards the stairs.He didn't like the dress she was wearing tonight, thinking it accentuated her fine figure too much.He really wanted to take another Bruce cloak to cover her breasts that were exposed outside the collar.

Liane suddenly wanted to turn around and run back upstairs when she saw Bodie's deeply furrowed brow.But the stairs were already halfway down, and she didn't intend to retreat cowardly.She was embarrassed by the stares and the silence.She noticed that some looked surprised, while others looked puzzled.Only the loyal Bruce soldiers, Lauber, Stee, Lean, Keith, and Oehlen, smiled at her, and she decided to look at them and ignore the others and Birdie.But Birdy wasn't about to be left out.He waited for her to arrive at the stairs and held out his hand.She put her hand on his hesitantly and looked up at him.Seeing that he was still glaring, she smiled sweetly.If you stare at me like that again, I swear I'll kick your leg off.

He couldn't help laughing at her threats.You think you can hurt me? no doubt.She felt much calmer and barely noticed the presence of the crowd.Besides, they couldn't stare at her now, because Bruce's soldiers surrounded her with their weird habits. Lord, you shouldn't let the Mai's people stare at you, it's too shameful.Lauber complained. How do you want me to stop them?he asks. Leave it to us.Lian En said eagerly. We will make them forget their obscene thoughts.Lian said. Oehlen elbowed Liam in the ribs.Don't use the word obscene in front of the lady. Fortunately, the sound of the piano was played again, and the crowd began to celebrate again.Liane sneaked a look at Boddy while he was talking to his soldiers.He looked rough, handsome and dangerous tonight, and she wondered if he knew how attractive he was to women.He found her looking at him.The look in his eyes made her breathless, and she suddenly wanted to throw herself into his arms and kiss his deeply furrowed brows.She sighed, glad he couldn't possibly have known that unladylike thought.

I suggest that we call the Max soldiers outside and have a good talk, lord.Lauber said. Fists are better than words, Lauber.Lian said. Lian didn't pay attention to what they were saying until she heard the word fist.No fighting allowed tonight.she ordered. But a good fight is always cause for celebration.Steve said. You mean you guys like to fight? The soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment.The normally stern-faced Lauber grinned. Do you still need to ask?Lian replied. I don't care if you like fighting or not, but you are not allowed to fight tonight to make Lord Mai angry.Liane said.

But we can't stand his soldiers staring at you, ma'am. If anyone stares at me, it's only me to blame. Yes, it's all because you are so beautiful tonight.Bodie finally spoke. She was both happy and annoyed.Only you can make a compliment sound like a criticism. I'm criticizing, you can't expect people to ignore what you look like. She shakes his hand away.How can I change my appearance? your hair, ma'am.Oehlen said.Maybe you could tie your hair up and wrap it in a cloth. I don't want to do that. And her clothes.Lian said.Ma'am, can't you find a dress that doesn't fit you so well?

She looked down at her clothes.Would a sack be all right, Liam? Lian En actually showed a look of serious consideration, which made her roll her eyes violently in anger.The soldiers who were staring at me were probably wondering why I was wearing a Buchner cloak when I shouldn't be wearing it. Why not, ma'am?We love seeing you in our mantles.Lauber said. Only Bruce's man should wear a Bruce's cloak, and I shouldn't be pretending to be a Bruce.I'm going upstairs to replace it now. Do not go.Boddy said.He grabbed her hand and dragged her towards Ian and Julie, but Max's soldiers kept blocking their way and asked to know Lian.A burly young man was so eager and persistent that Boddy was so angry that he had to punch the young man who stood in his way to the ground.

Liane is horrified by his behavior.You are the lord of Bruce, and you should act like one. He laughed out loud.I'm maintaining our name and tradition. You and your soldiers act like hooligans. Just know. She no longer tried to reason with him.They finally made their way through the crowd to Ian and Julie.Julie pulls Liane aside and introduces her to her best friend, Carlene. Her husbands Pat and Ian are brothers, Julie explained.Carlene and I have been friends for many years. Jialin's kind smile resolved the discomfort of the first acquaintance.Julie and I have been talking about you, Leanne.You got Birdy's attention, which was not easy, because he didn't like the English very much.

Did he tell you that he and Lacey went to England seven or eight years ago to find a bride?Julie asked. Liane glanced at Boddy with wide-eyed eyes.He didn't tell me. They both fell in love with Julie, but Julie was married to Ian, so they decided to go to England to find a bride like her, but none of the women they met could compare with Julie. God, Caroline, you don't have to call me a saint either.They're not looking for a woman like me.They are just young and impetuous and cannot find a suitable partner here.But they soon woke up and went home.Both of them swore to Ian that they would not marry non-Highland women.Julie smiled.until you show up.

Birdie has always been nice to me, but that's about it.He is a very kind person.Liane stammered. He's not nice at all.Caroline said frankly. Julie laughed.Do you like this kind man? You shouldn't be asking her that kind of question.Carlene said.But do you like it, Leanne? Of course I like him.He helped me get Alex back here.But I have to go back to England as soon as my business in the Highlands is over, and I can't have foolish fantasies. It's not as simple as you think, Caroline.Julie explained. Love is inherently complicated.Caroline replied.Answer my last question and I promise not to bother you.Are you in love with Boddy?

Alex and his brother appeared at this time, just to rescue Lian.Ge Han was very shy and didn't dare to look directly at Lian, and ran away after bowing solemnly. We named our oldest son after a brave warrior.Julie explained.Gehan is Ian's master and treats me like a granddaughter.It has been nearly eight years since he passed away, but we still miss him dearly.Ah, Helen is waving to us, the food must be ready. Come on, Leanne, you and Birdie must sit at our table.Carlene, you and Pat too. In the middle of the meal, the music started again, and Pat immediately dragged Caroline into the middle of the room to dance.Others followed suit.Several bold young men approached to ask Liane to dance, but they were all frightened away by Birdie's glare.

madam, may i ask you to danceAlex poked Liane's back with his finger. Lian turned back and smiled at him. He bowed deeply, and his cute appearance made her want to give him a hug.When Birdie patiently explained to Alex that Liane was too tired to jump, she stood up and made a formal curtsy, then held out her hand to Alex. Alex thought dancing was just going around in circles until he got dizzy.Birdy moved to one side of the hall and leaned against a pillar with folded arms to watch.He noticed how Liane's curls shone in the firelight, and how sweet her smile was.Then he noticed that he wasn't the only one looking at Leanne.As soon as the music stopped, seven or eight soldiers rushed forward and surrounded her. They all wanted to dance with her, but she declined.She saw Burdy in the crowd, and without thinking, she walked over and stood beside him.They didn't look at each other or talk, but in unison they approached each other until their arms touched. He looked ahead and asked: Do you miss England? I miss Uncle Morken. Minutes passed.Tell me what your hometown is like.she says. You will not like it. Why? He shrugged.The Bushi people are different from the Maishi people, we are very strict with ourselves.You are too delicate for our austere and austere way of life. I bet the women in your clan are just like me.If I call that delicate, so are they. He glanced at her with a smile.They will break your feelings in minutes.They are strong and strong, able to take care of and protect themselves, and kill people as hard and fast as men.They are fighters, not delicate at all. She stood in front of him.Why are you saying those things? he sighed.I just want you to know that you and I are not going to end up, I just don't want you to be delusional. He saw anger in her eyes, but he wasn't going to take those words back.He was a practical man, but found himself increasingly reluctant to leave her.what happened to him?Where is his self-control?He couldn't help staring at her red lips.It's terrible, but he really wants to kiss Fangze again.He narrowed his eyes, as if he was about to throw a tantrum at her at any moment. You may think you're great, tell me you can't love me Her interpretation surprised him, and he said gruffly: I didn't say I couldn't love you. You have, what you just meant is that we can't possibly live together. It is impossible.You will be worse than dead. She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger.Let me figure it out.You can love me, but you cannot live with me.Am I right? almost.He dragged his voice and said. So let me be clear too.Even if I had the misfortune to fall in love with an arrogant, assertive, stubborn man like you, which, let me add, is extremely unlikely, there is no way I would marry you, so it doesn't matter whether we live together or not. Why can't you marry me? She rolled her eyes and was about to be mad at him.because i have to go back to england Give the bastard who beat you half to death a chance to kill you? No matter what, I will protect Uncle Morken. He didn't like hearing that, and his jaw tightened in frustration.When you find your sister, will you ask her to accompany you back to die? of course not.Finding the Ana's Box should appease whoever is holding Uncle Morken hostage. Why do you never say his name?You don't want me to know who he is, do you, Leanne? She refused to answer.I want to sit down, excuse me. In other words, you don't want to talk about it anymore. She was about to nod, but changed her mind.In fact, I have one more thing to say.I can never love a man who thinks I'm weak and incompetent.She tried to walk away, but he pulled her back. You are not weak and incompetent, you are just too charming.He pulled her roughly into his arms and sealed her mouth with a kiss.What happened next seemed to be predestined. Bodie no longer evaded. His kisses were possessive and urgent.He knows she likes him, but he wants more.The music and noise around me were completely forgotten for a moment.He stuck the tip of his tongue into her mouth and hugged her waist tightly, never wanting to let go.Then he felt her wrap her arms around his neck, leaning against him, responding to his kiss without reservation, making him tremble with desire. He was contemplating carrying her on his shoulders to find the nearest bed when a cry woke him up in an instant.He ended the kiss abruptly, her arms still around his neck as he pulled away. It took her a few seconds to realize where she was and what had happened.When she finally came to her senses, she was horrified at her shameless behavior.God!With at least sixty strangers watching, how could Uncle Morken reproach her for her actions?She was so upset that she didn't know what to do.She wanted to tell Boddy not to kiss her that way again, but she wished he would do it again right away.What happened to her?Not knowing what to think anymore, she took out her anger and frustration on him. You can't kiss me like that again.she said excitedly. I can.He said cheerfully, so angry that she turned away, but he pulled her back again.Lianne? What's up?She refuses to look at him. Here comes Lacey. She looked up sharply.Really? Boddy nodded.You'll think of my kisses when you meet him.In fact, you'll be thinking about that kiss all night. That is not a wish, but a command.She didn't know which one annoyed her more, his arrogance or his domineering. Determined not to let him get the upper hand, she takes a step closer to him and says in a low voice: I won't love you. He also took a step closer to her, no doubt trying to intimidate her, but he just whispered in her ear: You have fallen in love with me. When Lord Leixi and Xin's retinue entered the hall, all the unmarried women of the Mai clan stood up and sighed in unison.The young girls followed him like a flock of quail as Lacey walked across the corridor to Maien. Bodie carefully observed Lian's reaction to the beautiful boy Lacey.Birdie insisted that she sit in the corner and wait before Lacey came in.Her response satisfied Boddy.Unlike the other women, she didn't stand up or run after Lacey.Her expression was just curiosity when she saw Lacey; she seemed relieved when she saw Lacey's brother Michael.She scrutinized each soldier who entered the hall with apprehension.When she suddenly relaxed in her chair, Boddy realized that she had been watching to see if traitors were in Sin's retinue. The last one to come in was Di Liang.Immediately he reported to his lord, and at the end of the report he asked: Where is Miss Leanne?I don't see her dancing with anyone else. Boddy nodded toward the corner.Di Liang smiled when he turned around and saw her.She's wearing a Buchner cape, he said proudly.There is no one here more beautiful than her.But why is she sitting alone in the corner?Did the Mai clan deliberately neglect her?Was she treated as an outsider by them?Don't they know that without her bravery and stoicism, they wouldn't be here tonight celebrating Alex's safe return?The more Di Liang spoke, the angrier he became. Do you think I'm going to snub Leanne?See where your men are and you'll know why she's sitting alone in the corner.They don't let anyone near her. Di Liang looked around the hall, his anger turned into satisfaction.Lauber and Lian stood near the fireplace, and Stee, Keith, and Erlen stood opposite. No matter which direction anyone interested in Lian tried to approach, they would be effectively intercepted by them. How does Lacey react when he learns that his brother is the real target of the kidnapping?Boddy asked. I didn't tell him.There were too many irrelevant people present, including the hateful Fei clan.Di Liang explained.Not sure who to trust, so I just told him Ian and you wanted a meeting with him as soon as possible.I also insisted that he bring Michael.When we finally got a chance to be alone, I just told him that Alex had been found. I guess Ian is telling him the whole truth.Birdie looked at the two lords who were concentrating on their conversation.Ianbi, with a gloomy face, gesticulated and narrated what happened to his son.Lacey listened impassively, hands at her sides, as if Ian was complaining about the weather rather than a piece of shocking and outrageous news. Lacey seemed unfazed.Di Liang said. No, he was furious.Didn't you see his clenched fist?Lacey is better at hiding my feelings than Ian or I. Lord Mai is calling you.Di Liang said. Birdy immediately went over to join his friends.He slapped Lacey on the shoulder and elbowed him hard in the side.Lacey responded with the same gesture, which was their way of showing affection. Nice to see you again, old friend.Lacey said. There are rumors that the cowardly and incompetent Feis are under your protection, but I know that hideous rumor cannot be true. You know that's true, they want to be Clan Shin.But they are not cowardly, just lack of training.They are not as blessed as you and I to be trained by Ian. This is true.Ian, did you tell him? I told him that Alex was kidnapped by the wrong person, and Michael was the real target of the kidnapping. Where was the woman who brought Alex home?I want to talk to her.Lacey said. Me too.said Ian.The celebration ends here. Ian gestured to the elders of the clan, and the crowd dispersed after a few minutes.While Michael followed Alex and Gohan upstairs, Wayne returned to the lobby.Captain Mai's Guard went directly to Lian who had just said goodbye to Jialin. My wife is upset that I didn't introduce her to you if you are free tomorrow I'd love to meet your wife before I leave. leave?he repeated in bewilderment.where are you going? Follow Lacey to Xin's territory. Bodie agreed?he asked in disbelief. I haven't asked him yet, Wayne. My brother will never let you go anywhere with Lacey. Why? My wife's name is Bella, you'll love her. Wayne changed the subject as abruptly as Birdie and as domineering as he.I am sure I will like your wife and I am looking forward to meeting her.Liane said. Wayne nodded approvingly, and then said: The three lords are waiting for you. She took a deep breath, raised her head and walked towards the long table at the other end of the hall.Ian sat at the head, Lacey and Birdie to the left and right of him.They stood up as soon as they saw Liane approaching.She pulled out a chair and sat down across from them.Di Liang and Wayne stand behind their respective lords. Tell me exactly what happened to Alex.said Ian. Boddy dragged the chair over to Liane, warning his friends with his eyes that they should not object to his seat.Lacey remained calm, while Ian was smug.Di Liang nodded approvingly, then walked over and stood behind Buddy. I should have thought of asking Di Liang to tell you to bring your captain of the guard with you. I'll tell Ji Ting what he needs to know when I get home. Liane, my Captain of the Guard, Wayne, and Birdy's Captain of the Guard, Di Liang, are there for a reason. what reason?she asked. revenge.Bodie said in a chilling voice. Which kind of revenge?Do you mean war? Boddy didn't answer her question, but turned to Ian and said: Come on, she's tired. Leanne, why don't you start at the beginning and I promise not to interrupt. She spent an hour narrating the whole incident, and Ian and Lacey's reactions were surprisingly calm.She spent another hour answering their questions.When she was about to stand up and leave, Ian said: You still have one thing to say. She leaned back in her chair and put her hands on her lap.What am I missing?she asked playfully. Boddy put his hand on the back of hers.They know you saw the Highland traitor. you told them Alex told his father, Ian told Lacey.Bodie replied.If Alex didn't say it, I would. Why did you tell Alex not to tell us about the traitor?Lacey asked. I'm afraid you'll want to keep me here until I identify the man who betrayed you.Lacey and Ian glanced at each other quickly, and her instinct was right.She wanted to force them to admit it.That's exactly your plan, isn't it? None of them answered.what does he look likeLacey asked. Tall, with long dark hair and a square jaw.It doesn't look very flattering.she admits. Most Highland men are like what you just described.Does he have any obvious scars or marks that could help us find him? No, there's really nothing special about him. I just wish it was easier that way.Lacey sounded perfectly calm.Lian had to admire him for being so self-controlled after learning the truth. Alex ran down the stairs.Dad, may I excuse you?he asked aloud. Ian smiled.Alex, why haven't you slept yet? Alex ran across the hall barefoot.I forgot to give you a goodnight kiss, Dad. Ian hugged his son, promised to see him before going to bed, and sent him back upstairs.Liane saw Alex walking slowly towards the stairs, obviously not wanting to go to bed.She was just the opposite of the little boy, she was so tired that she just wanted to go back to her room to rest. Do you have any other questions?she asked wearily. Only one left.Lacey said. Yes, tell us the names of the three of them, Leanne.said Ian. She looked at them for a moment.What are you going to do when you find out who they are? Let's worry about that, Ian said.You don't have to know. No, I think I need to know.she insisted. What do you think we are going to do?Boddy asked sharply. His harshness offended her.Don't talk to me in that tone, Birdie.she ordered. Startled by her sudden rage, he wasn't sure how to react.If it was just the two of them, he might have pulled her into his arms and kissed her, but there were others watching and he didn't want to embarrass her.But he still wanted to kiss her, and the discovery annoyed him.Where is his self-control?It seemed like he couldn't control his thoughts whenever she was around. Damn.he muttered. Don't speak foul language in front of me.she whispered. He grabbed her arm and pulled her closer, bowing his head and whispering in her ear: Glad to see you have the courage to stand up to me. She really doesn't understand him.Then I am about to make you ecstatic, lord. No, you are about to answer the question.Tell us the names of the three Englishmen. No one noticed that Alex was still in the lobby.Hearing his father's tone worsen, he turned to watch and listen, and moved forward slowly.He was worried that his father would be angry with Lian, and he was determined to stand up and protect her.If that doesn't work, he's going to find his mother. I'd be happy to tell you their names.Liane said suddenly.But you must first promise me that there will be no action until Harvest. We need to know their names now.Lacey persisted, ignoring her request. You must first promise me, Lacey.I won't let you put Uncle Morken in danger. He was already in danger.Ian pointed out. But at least alive. How can you be sure he's still alive?Lacey asked. If he's dead, I have no reason to go back to England.That wretch knows very well that I won't give Uncle Morken anything unless I see him first.He won't hurt him. Ian sighed.You make it hard for us all.I know your uncle means a lot to you and I promise I will do whatever it takes to save him, but Leanne, I need to know who imprisoned my son and beat you Daddy, don't lose your temper with Leanne!Alex yelled, running to his father with blurred eyes.She did nothing wrong and I know the man's name. Ian lifted his son into his lap.I'm not angry, and I know Liane has done nothing wrong. Alex, have you heard all three of their names?Boddy asked. Alex leaned on his father's chest and nodded slowly.I heard all three, but I don't remember the names of the other two, just the one who punched and kicked Liane. That's the person I want to know more than anything else.What's his name, Alex?Boddy asked. Alex, please.Liane spoke. Say, Alex, what's his name? baron.Alex answered.His name is Baron.