Domestic Zone: You already have a system, why join a chat group?

Chapter 28 Awakens a Strange Attribute

"A lantern festival?" Mu Wanqing asked curiously, "Why hold a lantern festival during the winter solstice?"

In her memory, lantern festivals were mostly held during festivals such as the Lantern Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"This is a custom passed down from our elders," Madam Su explained. "On the winter solstice, when Yin reaches its extreme and Yang begins to emerge, it is said that at this time, the ancient stone Buddha on the cliff outside the city, whose origin is unknown, will appear to protect the merchants traveling to and from the border town and the local border residents. Therefore, people light lanterns to welcome the sun and pray for blessings and good fortune. It lasts for three nights and is very lively."

As she spoke, her gaze seemed to drift casually over Mu Wanqing's pretty face, and she added with a smile, "Of course, this lantern festival is also a favorite place for unmarried young men and women in the city. Many people believe that praying for marriage on the night the stone Buddha appears is especially effective."

Mu Wanqing has never been the type to be timid and whiny. In the past few days, she has calmed herself down and is determined to prove to Russell that she is not the kind of woman who would act recklessly as he described.

Of course, it wouldn't hurt to pray to the gods and Buddhas beforehand to increase the chances of success, so he immediately agreed.

Russell, on the other hand, was more interested in the lantern festival itself. He had only ever seen lantern festivals in novels and movies before, and he had longed to see things like "a thousand trees of flowers blooming in the east wind" and "a night sky ablaze with lights and silver flowers." Now that he had the opportunity to experience it firsthand, he naturally did not want to miss it.

"I'm fine with that too. I'll take Ayan around and let her see the magnificent scenery of Shifo City."

Upon hearing this, Madam Su's smile deepened, and she quickly placed Ayan's little hand in Russell's: "Then I'll have to trouble you two. Ayan, be a good girl and listen to Uncle Luo and Aunt Mu, okay?"

Ayan looked up, smiled sheepishly, and nodded vigorously.

That night, the city lights began to twinkle.

Inside the inn, Mu Wan changed into a graceful and elegant light blue cross-collar long dress, with sparse orchid patterns embroidered on the hem, and a moon-white light gauze half-sleeved garment over it.

Her cascading black hair was not simply tied up or left loose as before, but instead styled into a slightly more intricate yet more graceful updo, secured with a simple jade hairpin. Her face was lightly powdered, her eyebrows were lightly painted, and her lips were lightly touched up with rouge.

This outfit softened her features and concealed her usual aloofness and sharpness. At first glance, she looked like a gentle woman from the Jiangnan water towns, with no trace of the previous female demon.

When she appeared at the top of the stairs in the inn's lobby, Russell, who was waiting downstairs, looked up and was slightly taken aback.

"How is it?" Mu Wanqing walked up to Luo Su and tugged at her sleeve a little awkwardly. This was the first time she had worn this style of clothing. In the past, she preferred black outfits that were suitable for fighting and concealment.

"Very beautiful." Russell exclaimed, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He reached out a finger and lightly lifted Mu Wanqing's smooth chin. "Little girl, give me a smile."

The cool touch of her fingertips on her skin, her chin being supported, forcing her to tilt her head back slightly to meet Russell's teasing eyes, Mu Wanqing felt a strange sensation arise inexplicably.

A feeling she had never experienced before began to sprout in her heart for the first time.

She was conquered, controlled, and treated by him in a frivolous yet intimate manner, with an air of absolute control.

She couldn't help but think of what he had done to her when they first met.

He subdued her, forcing her to lie face down on his lap, and then subjected her to that unforgettable, utterly shameful punishment.

At that time, she was also completely controlled by him, powerless to resist, and could only passively endure everything he gave her: pain, scolding, humiliation...

Recalling the feeling of being forcibly disciplined at that time, Mu Wanqing's heart skipped a beat for no reason, and then started beating wildly again. A strange emotion, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, spread dangerous ripples.

Mu Wanqing suddenly felt excited, her cheeks and ears flushed uncontrollably, and her eyes began to glaze over.

Russell was dumbfounded. He had only meant it as a joke, and hadn't even dared to use his fingers to hook her chin. He was just waiting for her to raise her eyebrows and slap him away. But now, looking at her gradually reddening cheeks and her suddenly unfocused, watery eyes, he was full of question marks.

Wait, sis, what's going on with you?

Why are your eyes starting to look drooly?

That's not a very good reaction, is it?

Could it be that he's been drugged with aphrodisiacs?

Thinking about this, Russell realized that Mu Wanqing's sudden arousal was almost identical to the initial symptoms of being under the influence of a potent aphrodisiac.

He immediately raised his hand and pressed it against her brow to calm her mind and focused his spirit, then channeled the Northern Darkness True Qi into her.

"Calm your mind and focus!"

Mu Wanqing was lost in those inexplicably beautiful memories and feelings when suddenly a cool breeze entered her from between her brows, penetrating her mind and instantly extinguishing most of her chaotic and burning thoughts. She suddenly came to her senses and saw Luo Su looking tense and serious, his fingers still pressed against her forehead. She couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Wh...what's wrong?"

Russell felt somewhat relieved when he saw that her eyes had regained their clarity, but he still said in a deep voice, "You were not in a good state just now; you must have been drugged with an aphrodisiac."

Aphrodisiac?

Mu Wanqing was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening, and her cheeks turned even redder.

This time it was embarrassing.

She probably knew she had lost her composure, but since it was too late to admit it, she went along with Russell's words.

"Ah... I remember now, I always keep those medicinal powders in my rouge box with me. Perhaps some of it accidentally got into my rouge, which I used when applying makeup just now..."

Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, as if she were very embarrassed, and she avoided eye contact.

Russell nodded, not asking why a young girl would carry aphrodisiacs. After all, she was a girl who traveled the world, so it was understandable that she would carry some unconventional drugs for self-defense. However, the way she kept them was a bit too careless. He continued to channel his true energy for a while until he felt that Mu Wanqing's breathing was completely stable and her eyes were clear as before, before he withdrew his fingers.

"How are you feeling now?" Russell asked with concern.

"Much better." Mu Wanqing nodded quickly, trying to look relaxed, but she was relieved. Luckily, she had managed to hide it. Otherwise, if Russell knew what she was thinking, her image would be completely ruined, and she would never be able to hold her head up in front of him again.

Russell carefully examined Mu Wanqing and, finding no apparent problems, said, "It's good that you're alright. It's getting late; let's go pick up Ayan. We shouldn't keep Madam Su waiting."

"Okay, sure." Mu Wanqing responded softly, secretly adjusting her breathing and mindset, trying her best to suppress those inappropriate thoughts and emotions back to the deepest part of her heart, and return to her usual calm and aloof demeanor.