I raised stunning young ladies, but they all wanted to possess me.

Gu Yan froze, as if she had been frozen in place, even her breathing stopped.

The Grand Secretary knew about his physical condition and that he only had a little over two years left to live.

What help can the Prime Minister offer? Can he extend his lifespan or find life-sustaining substances for him?

Various thoughts churned in his mind, his heart raced, and his chest pounded.

He hesitated. To be honest, he was currently with the Pei family, and although Pei Youyi had said she would help him and was very kind to him.

But he himself didn't know when he could leave; it seemed like a long way off with no end in sight.

Pei Youyi promised to help him go to South Africa with his grandfather, but only after things calmed down.

He couldn't wait for the storm to pass, not even a month or a year. He really couldn't wait.

Grandpa is still waiting for him in Shanglu. As time goes by, his lifespan is getting shorter.

The worst outcome of going to see the Grand Secretary is that you might be kept at the Grand Secretary's place and have to stay somewhere else.

But hearing that it's good for my health is at least an advantage; it gives me another option.

He stood there without saying a word, his expression shifting, his brows furrowed tightly, clearly struggling with something.

Lin Jinyu noticed his hesitation, and a hint of panic flashed in her golden eyes, which she quickly suppressed.

She took a step forward, her voice much softer and more subdued than usual, with a hint of pleading.

"Xiao Yan, can you not leave? Can't you just stay at the Pei family? I'll stay with you, I won't go anywhere else."

Her voice wasn't as sharp or harsh as usual; when it softened, it made people feel even more sorry for her and couldn't bear to hear it.

"I'll get you whatever you want; if you want to learn knife skills, I'll find you a master; if you want to eat something, I'll learn how to make it."

"Can you please not go? That prime minister is no good person, he's a cunning old fox. If you go, he'll definitely set a trap for you."

She became more and more anxious as she spoke, her golden eyes almost brimming with tears, but she stubbornly held them back.

Pei Youyi also spoke, her voice gentle but carrying a hint of unconcealed worry, her fingers clenching even tighter.

"Xiao Yan, the Prime Minister can indeed help, but I don't know what will happen after you go there."

"Your aunt can take care of you and protect you while you're at the Pei family's house. I'm worried about you leaving, and I don't know what to do with you."

Her tone was soft and gentle, but every word struck Gu Yan's heart with a heavy weight.

"Your health isn't good. If something happens to you, I won't even have time to save you. How can I be at ease?"

Pei Yuran didn't speak, but she tightened her grip on Gu Yan's wrist, so much so that it hurt him a little.

Those icy blue eyes looked at him, and something indescribable was churning within them.

It wasn't anger, resentment, or being upset; it was a deeper emotion, like the fear of losing something important.

Her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something but didn't. She just stared at him, her eyes unblinking.

Gu Yan looked at Lin Jinyu, her golden eyes filled with reluctance and unwillingness.

She looked at Pei Youyi again, her gentle eyes filled with worry and heartache.

He glanced down at Pei Yuran's hand one last time; her fair hand was gripping his wrist, her knuckles white.

He remained silent for several seconds; the courtyard was so quiet that you could hear the wind blowing.

Then he looked up, a smile on his face, trying to make his voice sound as relaxed as possible.

"Don't worry, I'm just going to take a look. It's not like I'm never coming back. Don't make it sound like a life-or-death separation."

His voice was relaxed, as if he were saying, "I'm just going to buy something and I'll be right back. Don't make a fuss."

"Moreover, I heard that the Prime Minister's family has a master swordsman, a very skilled one, who is quite famous in the circle."

"I want to go and see, maybe I can learn a few moves, which is much better than practicing blindly on my own. My master also said that I am physically weak."

He turned to look at Pei Yuran, his voice softening and coaxing.

"Yu Ran, bring me the Demon-Suppressing Blade. I need it for self-defense; it's reassuring to have a blade at my waist."

Pei Yuran watched him without moving, her icy blue eyes fixed on his, as if trying to see through his thoughts.

She seemed to be confirming something, confirming whether he would really come back, or whether he was lying to her.

Gu Yan looked at her, nodded, her eyes were very serious, and there was a smile on her lips.

"Really, I'll go check and come right back. Give me the knife; I'll feel safe with it."

Pei Yuran released her grip, turned and walked towards the car, her steps slow but steady.

She took the demon-suppressing sword from the back seat and carried it back with both hands.

The blade was as black as ink, and the patterns on the scabbard gleamed with an ancient light in the sunlight, giving it a heavy feel.

She walked up to Gu Yan and handed her the knife.

Gu Yan took the knife and hung it at her waist. The knife was heavy and felt substantial on her waist, which made her feel much more at ease.

He patted the scabbard, turned to look at the attendant, his voice much calmer, carrying a sense of composure after making a decision.

"Let's go, I'll go with you. Don't keep the Grand Secretary waiting too long."

Lin Jinyu panicked and grabbed Gu Yan's arm, her golden eyes filled with unease and tension.

"Xiao Yan, you said you were just going to take a look and would come back afterward. You promised me, you said it yourself."

Her voice was a little hoarse, as if she was enduring something, and the force in her hands was so strong that Gu Yan's arm hurt.

"If you lie to me, if you dare not come back, I don't care about being the prime minister or anything, I'll just rush in and snatch you out."

Her tone was fierce, but her golden eyes were brimming with tears, almost overflowing.

Gu Yan nodded, reached out and patted the back of her hand, then gently removed her hand from her arm.

"I promise you, I'll be back after I finish watching it, and I'll definitely be back before dark, okay?"

Pei Youyi walked over, straightened Gu Yan's collar, and tugged at his sleeve gently and carefully.

Her fingers trembled slightly when they touched his neck, and her ears turned red again, but she didn't flinch.

"Xiao Yan, the people on the Prime Minister's side are very particular about what they say and do. Be careful not to be too casual."

"No matter what they say, don't agree to do things you don't want to do, understand? Never force yourself."

"If you feel something's wrong, make an excuse to leave. Don't force yourself. Auntie will wait for you here."

Her voice was soft, but she spoke each word with utmost seriousness, as if she were explaining something important.

Gu Yan nodded, looking into Pei Youyi's gentle eyes, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, and her nose felt a little sore.

"I understand, Aunt Youyi. I'll be careful, so don't worry."

Pei Yuran stood to the side, her icy blue eyes fixed on Gu Yan, her lips moving several times as if she had a lot to say.

She wanted to tell him not to go, what would she do if he left, and she wanted to tell him she wouldn't let him go.

But she couldn't say anything, and finally managed to squeeze out a few words, her voice so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz.