Chapter 90

Xie Lang closed the door, then took off his outer robe, and after thinking for a moment, took off his inner robe as well.

Chapter 90

The stench in the dimly lit, cramped cell was nauseating.

Only the slivers of light filtering through the window cracks told people that this wasn't hell, but rather the human world.

The cascading moonlight could only fall on his severed wrist, where maggots were wriggling, a truly disgusting sight!

Fu Xiuzhu looked away, as if it weren't his own wrist; he felt like a joke.

Thinking of that extremely timid woman far away in the Northern Qiang, is she... really dead?

And his mother...

Fu Xiuzhu raised his hand to wipe his face, his former feigned gentleness and subsequent arrogance long gone, replaced by burning hatred in his eyes. Only one thought occupied his mind—he had to return to Beiqiang.

He was determined to die alongside his leader, to perish on the land of the Northern Qiang!

He wanted to go back and ask why the Khan, who was also his father, treated him this way!

Didn't he promise to protect the people in his household?

There are only two people in his household!

There are only two people in total!

A fierce fire ignited in Fu Xiuzhu's lifeless eyes. Even if he died, he would take a few people down with him!

-

Liu Qingqing returned to the clinic in a daze.

Stepping back into the small courtyard where he had lived for more than half a year, Xie Lang pushed open the bedroom door and slipped in. There were already many traces of him inside.

The books and letters on the table, and the long sword he hung on the wall.

His moon-colored robe was casually placed on the screen.

Everywhere you look, you see signs of his clinginess.

Liu Qingqing returned to the bedside with stiff legs, then collapsed onto the bed as her legs gave way.

After remembering everything, Liu Qingqing locked herself in her room and quietly thought about many things.

The first thing that came to mind was Fu Xiuzhu's mockery of her naivety when he caught her. Given the strategic importance of Shennv Village, which was easy to defend and difficult to attack, how could they, as outsiders, have entered and captured her so easily? Why were they able to lock her up in the village chief's new house?

Money and power are tempting!

She never imagined that the village chief would betray her.

She never imagined that Xie Lang would chase after her and fall into the rapids, just to save her.

My heart ached with a bittersweet feeling. So this is what it feels like to be cared for.

Liu Qingqing felt a bit conflicted; she never expected that she would be so charming and clingy when she lost her memory.

Xie Lang was also very different from what I remembered.

They've all changed in the end.

When I forget everything, I feel light all over; but now, thinking back, it's as if my whole body is covered by a hard stone shell.

She curled herself up into a ball.

She thought of the princess again.

The princess, who was not in front of her, was noble and awe-inspiring; indeed, she could take a life with a mere gesture.

But now she finds it fascinating—this power is truly captivating.

Having experienced the freedom and cruelty of the outside world, she is no longer as attached to the love of others as she used to be.

The world is so big, there are so many things she can do.

She also learned the harsh reality—she couldn't protect herself alone in a foreign land.

The little Ying, who had previously been unbearable to her, was rendered helpless, like an ant unable to turn over, by the mere gesture of the princess.

Why didn't the princess save her before?

Liu Qingqing wrapped herself in the quilt and turned over. It was summer, and she was already sweating, but she only felt safe when she was wrapped in the quilt.

It had a sour taste again, but it was much milder than before.

When Xie Lang leaped off the city wall and reached out to pull her into his arms, something in her heart had already changed.

She had forgotten things these past few days and thought he would take advantage of her vulnerability.

Unexpectedly, Xie Lang put on a gentlemanly air this time.

She just hugged him, without even kissing him.

She changed a lot, and so did he.

And then there were those Gu worms; now she finally understood what Xie Wu had left unsaid earlier.

Why bother?

She hadn't treated him well before.

For a moment, I felt completely lost.

She didn't want to repeat the same mistake, but she also felt that his quiet companionship was good now.

However, Liu Qingqing also knew that this was not a long-term solution. There was still a great world to be had in the capital, so why would he stay in Yingcheng?

Her eyes suddenly became moist and hot, and she buried her face in the pillow, wiping away the water droplets that overflowed from the corners of her eyes.

With her heart pounding and her stomach full and warm, Liu Qingqing drifted off to sleep.

Xie Lang received the letter and hurriedly returned to the small courtyard.

My heart, which had been pounding all the way, calmed down when I saw the recliner in the courtyard swaying slightly in the wind.

He couldn't explain the feeling that tormented him yet also made him addicted.

All he knew was that as long as she was still there, that was enough.

Just as he was about to walk towards his bedroom, Lin Mei caught up with him, and Xie Lang stopped to look at her.

"Sir, have you had your dinner yet?"

Xie Lang shook his head and pointed to the bedroom, "No rush."

He needs to go see her first.

Lin Mei hesitated, glancing at the tightly closed door and then at the adult.

"Sir, Miss has saved some mutton noodles for you. Would you like a bowl?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Lang shuddered and abruptly lifted his eyelids to look at the door, his burning gaze seemingly trying to pierce through the door panel!

"Then I'll have a bowl."

Xie Lang said in a hoarse voice.

Knowing that she was probably asleep, Xie Lang did not go into the room to disturb her, but instead had a servant move a wooden table to the courtyard.

The mutton noodles are fragrant, and the tender mutton is springy and delicious.

Xie Lang couldn't taste anything; it was like chewing wax. The soft noodles felt like choking pebbles.

He glanced up at his head, and Xie Wu looked up too, but saw nothing.

"My lord?" Xie Wu asked in confusion.

Xie Lang shook his head. He was looking at the guillotine hanging in the sky, which was invisible to others.

This must be what it feels like to be served a last meal before death.

Lin Mei said there was enough mutton noodles, so Xie Lang asked Xie Wu to get a bowl as well.

Xie Wu squatted on the veranda, holding a bowl of noodles. He smelled the delicious aroma of the noodles and glanced down at the bright green scallions on top. As if he could see Miss Zhao through the clear broth, Xie Wu sniffed the air, completely losing his composure.

Looking up at the moon, I felt a deep sense of melancholy, wondering what Miss Zhao was doing at that moment.

At this time, he was unaware that he would be able to see the Miss Zhao he had been longing for in just two days.

Xie Lang was unaware that his subordinates were wallowing in melancholy; he was too preoccupied with his own troubles to care for them.

I finally managed to swallow the bowl of mutton noodles.

The silver moon, round as a basin, hangs high in the sky.

No matter how long it drags on, the execution will eventually take place.

Xie Lang sat for a while longer before lifting his robes and walking towards his bedroom.

I carefully pushed open the door and could clearly hear her even breathing.

Did she really fall asleep?

He moved with light steps, as if he wanted to use his light-footed skills to get to the bedside.

She was indeed sleeping soundly.

Could it be that you just didn't remember?

He took off his outer robe and got into bed. Seeing her nestle into his arms as skillfully as she had these past few days, Xie Lang was unsure of what to do.

For a moment, I was caught in a dilemma.

She seemed to have hooks all over him, making his heart completely tied to her; her joy was his joy, her sorrow was his sorrow.

He lowered his eyes and gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, not daring to ask any questions.

Afraid of waking her, he carefully pulled her into his arms, like a dragon in a myth embracing its treasure.

After he fell asleep, the woman in his arms slowly opened her eyes.

Memories rushed in like a torrent, making her dizzy and disoriented. Recalling her charming, straightforward, and somewhat "domineering" behavior in front of him these past few days, and his constant indulgence, she didn't know how to face him for the moment.

Liu Qingqing quietly covered her face.

The next day, Xie Lang woke up early. Seeing that she was still asleep, he gently stroked her cheek and got up.

My mind is in turmoil, but I also have important things to do.

He rode his horse to the most famous tavern in Yingcheng, but instead of letting Xie Wu go, he dismounted himself.

"Shopkeeper, which liquor is the strongest?"

The shop owner was an elderly man in his seventies, hard of hearing and with poor eyesight.

Unaware that their distinguished guest was none other than the renowned Lord Xie, whom everyone in the city had recently praised, they instead focused on doing business with genuine sincerity.

What's the point of buying alcohol?

Xie Lang smiled slightly, "This is for an old friend. My old friend has some troubles that are hard to resolve."

The old man perked up at the smell and quickly moved a ceramic jar out from the corner.

"Smell this and see if it's any good? I make the strongest liquor, no one else dares to buy it! How much alcohol does your young friend have? Is he even capable of drinking it?"

Xie Lang lifted the lid, took a sniff, coughed twice from the stench, and was extremely satisfied.

"This is the one! Thank you, sir!"

They even made Xie Wu pay an extra tael of silver.

Xie Wu asked suspiciously, "Is my lord going to find Lord Wei?"

In this city of Ying, the only person you can call a true friend is Lord Wei.

Unexpectedly, Xie Lang shook his head: "I'm going to visit my cousin."

"Cousin?" Xie Wu asked, puzzled.

Xie Lang smiled: "Madam's cousin."

The earthenware jar that Master Xie Wu Sao Sao personally carried in his hand, preventing him from touching it: "..."

He should be depressed and unhappy.

After the Northern Demons were all wiped out, he drank some wine, as if getting drunk would make him feel better.

Only then can I stop thinking about his hesitation that day.

How can he possibly face his cousin?

With Lord Xie risking his life to save him, how can he still have the nerve to say he wants to marry his cousin?

Through this incident, he realized that his cousin and Lord Xie had become even closer, and no one else could interfere.

Ying Yucheng was in a bad mood, and Li Ying wasn't much better off.

He sat across the square table. His cousin said he wasn't old enough to drink, so he could only lie on the table, lost in thought, repeatedly regretting why he hadn't grabbed his sister.

If he had practiced martial arts properly before, would he have been able to capture his sister?

Li Ying slapped his forehead in frustration, repeatedly hitting it until it turned red.

Ying Yucheng then came to his senses and, seeing how hurriedly he tried to stop him, asked, "What are you doing?"

Li Ying's eyes were red-rimmed: "Cousin, let's go out and practice martial arts!"

This seemingly random statement left Ying Yucheng completely bewildered.

"Let's go, cousin!"

Ying Yucheng was pulled up by Li Ying. The two walked to the door, but the door was pushed open, revealing a face that was both of their nightmares.

Ying Yucheng's expression stiffened slightly: "Why has Lord Xie come here?"

They found a dilapidated house. How did Xie Lang find it?

Xie Lang chuckled but did not answer; instead, he raised the pottery jar in his hand.

"How about we have a good drink together today?"

Ying Yucheng: "..."

Li Ying: "..."

Both of their eyes were red.

Xie Lang's next words seemed to strike a chord with both of them unintentionally.

"It was not Madam's wish to forget you two this time; it was all because she was frightened. Please do not blame Madam, otherwise she will be heartbroken when she remembers you one day."

These words, though seemingly casual, are like a soft knife.

Ying Yucheng lifted his eyelids and stared at the man in front of him, who seemed to be in a very good mood, like a peacock spreading its tail feathers. He couldn't hide his unrestrained joy in his eyebrows and eyes.

That was no longer the cold and stern Lord Xie from before.

Neither of them responded, and then Lord Xie said, "Madam still remembers our marriage, but she has been unwilling to see outsiders lately, so I will have to apologize to her this time."

Xie Lang smiled in a strangely good-natured way: "Thank you both for thinking of Qingqing. Qingqing and I are very grateful."

He paused, picked up the earthenware jar, and filled three bowls with wine.

Xie Lang was the first to pick up a bowl. Although this was Ying Yucheng's territory, Xie Lang greeted the two of them as if he were the host, and then drank it all in one gulp!

Xie Wu, who was guarding the door, was terrified. The master's words were like a knife to his heart, and he was really afraid that a fight would break out!

Li Ying was alright; he glanced at Xie Lang and then remained silent.

Ying Yucheng, however, was filled with intense hatred upon seeing his enemy, and immediately stood up, picked up his wine bowl, and drank heartily!

"Thank you for your kindness, sir. No matter what, Qingqing is my cousin."

Li Ying muttered, "She's still my own sister."

ha.

A clash of titans.

These two were still not giving up.

When Xie Lang tilted his head back to drink again, he turned to the side, as if he had accidentally revealed the red mark on the side of his neck. He caught a glimpse of Ying Yucheng's pupils shrinking out of the corner of his eye and immediately poured himself another bowl of wine.

Xie Lang felt much more at ease.

They wouldn't give up until the Yellow River gave up.

Li Ying had only drunk half a bowl when he started coughing incessantly, wincing from the spiciness.

Xie Lang also felt the spiciness, and clenched his hands under his long sleeves, but his face remained expressionless.

"Come on! Drink!"

Xie Lang flicked his wide sleeves, "Today, let's drink until we're drunk!"

Ying Yucheng: "..."

Li Ying: "..."

Xie Lang returned to the clinic drunk.

I barely remembered to wash myself clean and smell that I didn't smell bad before I walked to the dormitory.

Jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards; the surrounding area was full of jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards.

She no longer has her whole heart devoted to him like before...

After standing there for a long time, Xie Lang was reluctant to push open the door.

As soon as you open the door, you can see her.

What a beautiful dream!

The cool moonlight shone on his back, and he enjoyed this rare moment of tranquility.

He rarely drinks this much; he stumbles along, feeling like he's walking on cotton.

Tonight, he saw the lifelessness and numbness in Ying Yucheng's eyes, and he was in a very good mood!

Does he still remember Ying Yucheng's boastful words that he wanted to marry Qingqing?

dream!

He has been secretly using white jade ointment lately, and the scars on his body have faded considerably.

Xie Lang closed the door, took off his outer robe, and after thinking for a moment, took off his inner robe as well.

Alcohol emboldens people.

He swallowed hard, his throat dry from the strong liquor, and walked toward the bed.

Liu Qingqing, half-asleep, heard some noises and turned around to look in the direction of the sound.

Before I could even focus, her jade-like body dazzled me.

Liu Qingqing: !

Why is this person suddenly behaving like this!

[Author's Note]

Next chapter preview:

Beside a street stall, she stood side by side with a man, chatting and laughing easily.