Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 440 Tianlong Temple

"What thrilling idea are you talking about?" Zhan Lan stammered, her cheeks flushed red as she asked.

"How about heading to the countryside?" Mu Yan’s voice was laced with an unmistakable hint of seduction.

"You..." Zhan Lan was left utterly speechless by his shamelessness.

"Mengmeng, under the Bodhi Tree, with the heavens as our roof and the earth as our blanket," Mu Yan murmured against her neck, his alluring voice ensnaring her thoughts. "Just the two of us, free from any interruptions, reckless indulgence, untamed passion..."

"Stop it." Zhan Lan covered his lips with her hand.

Mu Yan suddenly laughed, his gaze fixed on her now-crimson cheeks, grinning roguishly. "Mengmeng, what are you thinking about? Why are your cheeks so red?"

Zhan Lan widened her almond-shaped eyes and glared at him. "You’re teasing me again, aren’t you!"

Mu Yan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Mengmeng has found me out!"

"I simply wish to take you to the countryside for some relaxation." Mu Yan contained his frivolous smile and said sincerely.

"The countryside?" Zhan Lan released her clenched fists.

"I have a retreat in the countryside. It’s been a long time since I visited. These next two days are a break. The retreat is atop the mountain. At night, the stars will feel so close they’re nearly within reach... And, not far from there is a temple, which is said to grant very effective wishes." Mu Yan’s bright eyes gazed at her intently.

"Are you talking about Tianlong Temple?" Zhan Lan asked.

"Lan’er has been there before?"

Zhan Lan smiled bitterly. Been there? More than once. The Li family, weighted with guilt, loved visiting the temple to worship Buddha.

She had accompanied the Li family many times. And in her past life, it was there that she first met Mu Yan. She had even soiled his clothes, and the two of them had ended up falling into the river. She hadn’t paid any heed to Mu Yan’s attempts to caution her back then.

So, it turned out that Mu Yan actually had a retreat near Tianlong Temple all along.

Given that his retreat was so close, the fact that Mu Yan had intentionally stayed in the temple’s side chambers in her past life could only mean that he had come to Tianlong Temple deliberately to warn her.

Mu Yan, seeing Zhan Lan lost in thought, quickly explained, "Lan’er, I wasn’t intentionally hiding from you that we have a retreat on Tianlong Mountain. It’s just that there are so many residences that I sometimes forget myself..."

"How about this: I’ll have someone go through everything and quickly send all the property deeds and house titles over to Lan’er."

Mu Yan observed Zhan Lan’s reaction closely. He had lost count of how many times he’d wanted to give her his possessions, but his little lady never took the bait.

Zhan Lan looked at him with a smile. "I think it’s wonderful. There’s no need to go through all that trouble. A surprise every now and then is quite nice. So, when should we go?"

Mu Yan’s lips twitched. Once again, his plan to give her the property went unfulfilled. Grasping Zhan Lan’s hand, he began leading her outside. "Now."

Vermilion Bird led part of the Hidden Guard as Zhan Lan and Mu Yan boarded the carriage heading to the retreat on Tianlong Mountain.

At the retreat, attendants were tidying up. It didn’t look as though the place had been left unoccupied.

Zhan Lan traversed through the pavilion and over a wooden bridge, her gaze taking in each picturesque step framed naturally by the surroundings. She loved architecture that harmonized with nature this way.

Mu Yan held her hand and, seeing the happiness in her eyes, curved his lips into a smile. "Lan’er, look up at the sky."

Zhan Lan finally noticed. The azure sky above, with its fluffy clouds, appeared as though they were within her reach. She stretched out her hand towards the sky, feeling the mountain breeze slip through her fingers.

Mu Yan’s hand covered hers from behind, and the two exchanged a smile.

When night fell, Zhan Lan opened the window, lifted her head, and gazed upward. Just as Mu Yan had described, countless stars scattered like jewels across the vast expanse of the night sky.

The Milky Way stretched from the northwest horizon, crossing the celestial dome, and slanted down towards the southeastern land.

Mu Yan embraced her from behind as they both looked on, letting the awe of the heavens above silently wash over them.

The next morning, as Zhan Lan rose from bed, she saw Mu Yan pushing the door open as he entered.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Mm." Zhan Lan stretched, her body relaxed. Though it was a different bed, with Mu Yan by her side and the stillness of the mountain, she had slept deeply and peacefully through the night.

After freshening up, a fragrant aroma drew her attention.

"Fish soup." Zhan Lan sat down and brightened as she saw the clear broth decorated with sprigs of cilantro, scallions, and red goji berries.

"Go ahead, taste it. This is fish I caught myself." Mu Yan seated himself beside her, watching expectantly as she took her first sip.

Zhan Lan leaned closer to him. "With that look of pride, anyone would think you made the soup yourself!"

Mu Yan puffed up slightly. "It *was* made by me!"

Zhan Lan’s surprise was evident as she took another sip. "Mu Yan, you can cook?"

Raising an eyebrow, he responded, "First time doing it. Is it good?"

Zhan Lan took a bite of the fish and praised, "It’s incredibly fresh. Husband, you’re amazing!"

Mu Yan’s mood visibly lifted. "If Lan’er likes it, I’ll make it for you whenever I have the chance."

Out of the corner of her eye, Zhan Lan noticed a red mark on his index finger. Setting down her chopsticks, she grasped his hand and frowned. "Did you burn yourself?"

Mu Yan attempted to withdraw his hand, but Zhan Lan held it closer, blowing gently on the injury. He smiled faintly and said, "This king is not that delicate—it doesn’t hurt."

She released his hand. "You really should stick to being the Regent King. Leave these tasks to the cooks in the future."

Mu Yan nodded lightly. Zhan Lan kissed his cheek, saying, "As your wife, it seems I haven’t cooked for you even once."

Her nape was suddenly held by Mu Yan, who raised an eyebrow. "Haven’t you? Let me have a taste."

Before Zhan Lan could react, her cherry lips were claimed by his warm kiss.

A moment later, he smacked his lips in satisfaction and declared, "Of all the delicacies in the world, having my beloved is enough."

His words made Zhan Lan blush deeply. She scooped a bowl of fish soup and handed it to him.

After finishing their meal, the two made their way to Tianlong Temple.

Zhan Lan led Mu Yan to the riverbank first. Mu Yan looked at her doubtfully. "Lan’er, what are you doing here?"

Zhan Lan recalled the embarrassing scene from their past life when she had pulled Mu Yan into the water. She couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

If she had known then what a wonderful man he was, she would’ve latched onto him no matter what in her past life.

Luckily, what she missed out on then, she could now make up for in this life.

"Wife, you’ve been acting strange lately," Mu Yan said, scrutinizing her closely, as though she were hiding something.

Lost in thought about the past, Zhan Lan slipped and tumbled toward the river. Mu Yan quickly reached out to catch her, only for them both to fall into the icy water together.

Pulling her out of the river, Mu Yan looked at her laughing uncontrollably. Falling into the same place in two lifetimes—this was absurdly funny.

She wrapped her arms around him in the water, her laughter leaving her breathless. "Mu... Mu Yan, I... I..."

Concerned, Mu Yan patted her back, carrying her toward the shore. "Did you swallow water?"

Stopping her laughter, Zhan Lan embraced him tightly and whispered in his ear, "Mu Yan, let’s stay together in the next lifetime too."

Whether it was the chilling water or her words, Mu Yan’s hands trembled slightly. Zhan Lan grew concerned. "Mu Yan, let’s get back to the shore quickly!"

Mu Yan released her and locked eyes with her. In his tender gaze, Zhan Lan heard his voice, soft like a breeze, "With time as the pen, longing as the ink, and the mountains and rivers as the seal—Lan’er, I choose you for every lifetime."

Zhan Lan’s smile wavered as sudden tears welled up. Looking into his bright eyes, she replied, "It’s a promise."

Mu Yan’s fingers caressed her cheek gently, his brows softened with a smile.

The two helped each other as they made their way back to the shore. Suddenly, a figure appeared. Zhan Lan glanced toward them, their profile strikingly familiar. She hurriedly ran after them, only for the figure to vanish in an instant.