Chapter 1681

A-Fei was startled upon hearing this.

Although A-Fei felt disappointed in Li Xunhuan and also believed that Li Xunhuan was indeed the Plum Blossom Bandit.

He had, after all, once shared a decent friendship with Li Xunhuan.

A normal person would likely be on guard against him secretly letting Li Xunhuan go.

He had not expected Gu Hanyuan to trust him so much.

Ever since he first entered the Jianghu, Gu Hanyuan had taken great care of him.

Not only had he given him secret manuals of divine arts, but he also trusted him to this extent.

This left A-Fei deeply moved.

A-Fei promised with a resonant, clanging tone:

"Brother Gu, please rest assured; I will definitely keep a close watch on Li Xunhuan."

Gu Hanyuan nodded and smiled slightly:

"I believe in you."

The matter was thus settled.

A-Fei took Li Xunhuan away to have him imprisoned.

Li Xunhuan was quite calm, showing almost no reaction throughout the entire process, save for a single glance at Lin Shiyin before he left.

However, at that moment, Lin Shiyin was looking at Gu Hanyuan with a gentle gaze.

This caused Li Xunhuan to sigh in his heart, yet unexpectedly feel a sense of relief.

At the very least, regardless of the final outcome, Lin Shiyin would have Gu Hanyuan to look after her.

This open-mindedness was truly rare among the many protagonists.

The group held a banquet under the pretext of celebrating the capture of the Plum Blossom Bandit and cordially invited Gu Hanyuan.

Gu Hanyuan did not refuse upon seeing this.

After all, he was indeed the principal figure in the matter of the Plum Blossom Bandit.

Even if he looked down upon these fame-seeking, sanctimonious people, he still needed them to build momentum and spread his reputation.

Lin Shiyin and the other ladies did not stay to keep them company and returned to the inner courtyard.

Sun Xiaohong frowned slightly and said:

"'Little Li's Flying Dagger' is really the Plum Blossom Bandit?"

Although Sun Xiaohong had set aside her idolization of Li Xunhuan.

She still found it hard to believe that the heroic Li Xunhuan could be the Plum Blossom Bandit.

Lin Shiyin said earnestly:

"Xunhuan is not that kind of person."

Lin Xian'er's eyes flickered slightly, and she said helplessly:

"Even if we believe in Li Xunhuan's character, there is nothing we can do; after all, the ironclad evidence is like a mountain now. We can only wait to see how the imperial court's envoys will settle the case."

Lin Xian'er's heart was filled with triumph and a sense of superiority.

After all, so what if Gu Hanyuan liked Sun Xiaohong and Lin Shiyin?

She was the one who shared secrets with Gu Hanyuan.

People who share secrets naturally have a closer relationship.

Even if Gu Hanyuan still used her like a mere maidservant for now.

Lin Xian'er was confident that she would sooner or later secure a place in Gu Hanyuan's heart.

Sun Xiaohong might have some status due to the Sun family's connections.

But Lin Shiyin would sooner or later be reduced to a plaything.

Having lost to Lin Shiyin so many times, she had finally turned the tables.

And the victory she had obtained was enormous.

The thoughts in Lin Xian'er's heart were incredibly clear, and her mindset had become confident and proud.

This manifested externally as a radiant and glowing appearance.

Sun Xiaohong frowned as she looked at Lin Xian'er, feeling an inexplicable sense of displeasure.

Although Lin Xian'er had not said anything particularly special.

Sun Xiaohong, who could never quite figure it out, could only attribute this displeasure to Lin Xian'er looking a bit more beautiful and alluring.

If she hadn't already given her body to Gu Hanyuan, which gave her a bit more confidence, Sun Xiaohong would likely have been worried about falling out of favor.

Lin Shiyin did not have so many thoughts; at this moment, besides worrying about Li Xunhuan, her heart was filled with gratitude toward Gu Hanyuan.

Because she was preoccupied with her own thoughts, she failed to notice Long Xiaoyun's odd behavior.

Long Xiaoyun was sullen and staring at Lin Shiyin with gloomy eyes.

Long Xiaoyun was not stupid; she just hadn't realized it until now.

Now that she finally realized the situation between Gu Hanyuan and Lin Shiyin.

It led her to discover many things she had previously overlooked.

For instance, her mother's figure had become even better, especially those fresh and juicy peaches that were particularly eye-catching.

As if they were tempting a man to knead them.

And Long Xiaoyun suddenly remembered that every time her mother stood with Gu Hanyuan, she would inexplicably blush.

Thinking about it now, her mother was probably being bullied by Gu Hanyuan in secret at that time, right?

After all, Gu Hanyuan always punished her mother in such ways.

She didn't know whether to hate Gu Hanyuan for seducing her mother or to hate Lin Shiyin for stealing away her Master.

Long Xiaoyun, whose heart had just begun to stir with romantic feelings, had no experience with this and was at a loss.

The only thing she could be certain of was that she had developed romantic feelings for her Master and was unwilling to give up just like that.

The process of being punished and treated time and again made her reminisce, and she no longer had any secrets before Gu Hanyuan.

Moreover, recalling some of Gu Hanyuan's subtle reactions and gazes.

She was even more certain that Gu Hanyuan was interested in her, only holding back because she was still a bit young.

Long Xiaoyun couldn't help but lower her head to look at her toes, suddenly feeling indignant.

If only she were a little older, perhaps it wouldn't be her mother's business anymore.

After all, mother and daughter had similar features.

She was even younger and more perfect.

Able to give her complete self to Gu Hanyuan.

Long Xiaoyun's eyes were dim, and she self-indulgently assumed that Lin Shiyin had stolen her head start and temporarily become her substitute.

"It was clearly me who was first... whether it's knowing the Master or physical intimacy. Mother, I will not admit defeat."

Thinking this, Long Xiaoyun turned and left indifferently, unnoticed by the three ladies who were discussing Li Xunhuan's affair.