Chapter 29 I am who I am, Xie Pan, and I won't yield an inch. This is his courtyard! ...

Thank you twice in one summer

Xia Rushi was nestled in Xie Pan's arms, his burning body driving away the chill from her body.

She's so cold tonight.

The shimmering brocade was torn apart, finally revealing the filth beneath.

The good times of those years were just her own illusions; now, tainted by filth, she can never go back to the way things were.

It could be the truth coming out, or something else entirely.

There was no turning back for her and Xie Dang.

She shamelessly indulged herself, hoping to draw some warmth from it.

Xie Pan was as stiff as a stone sculpture, while Xia Rushi was as soft as water.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, hooking them around his stiff neck. She leaned forward, getting very close to him, close enough to see the throbbing pulse on the side of his neck and the trembling goosebumps on his skin.

"Why can't I smell any sweat?"

She murmured softly.

No one answered for a long while. She lifted her eyelids and saw him stiffening his neck and remaining motionless, quite the soldier's demeanor. Xia Ru chuckled softly, then stepped forward and touched the small mole hidden below his Adam's apple with the tip of her nose.

He shuddered and whispered, "I washed up at the camp."

Xia Rushi became curious: "How do you wash in the camp?"

Xie Pan pursed his lips: "Rinse it with water."

"Hot water?"

"cold water."

The two were so close that they started chatting.

Xie Pan felt his blood boiling, burning him with restlessness.

He moved his arm, but she kept moving back and forth, so he had no choice but to loosely wrap his arms around her.

"Do you want to kiss me?" Xia Ru asked, her lips close to his.

Her breath was as fragrant as orchids, which made Xie Pan blush.

"think",

His Adam's apple bobbed. "But I don't want you to regret it."

Xia Ru laughed, "We haven't even kissed, how do you know if you'll regret it?"

Xie Pan stared at her with dark, fierce, and domineering eyes, as if he wanted to tear her apart and see into her heart!

But his hands were very neat and orderly.

This prompted Xia Ru to scrutinize him. "If I just leave like this, will you regret it?"

A violent feeling of weightlessness washed over Xie Pan, and all he could see was white.

Are you still leaving?

Xia Rushi ran her fingers along his jawline, then touched his burning earlobe.

He finally couldn't resist and tightened his arms to hug her.

He wanted to ask if we could stay, but with a shred of reason remaining, he knew it was impossible.

His Tingzhu Pavilion was also located within the Marquis's residence.

Xia Rushi seemed to move forward unintentionally, her soft lips touching the corner of his lips before she stepped back to get up, muttering, "Fine, if you're not going to kiss me, then forget it."

This was like a flame falling into lamp oil; it wouldn't have been so bad before, but now it had happened. And this was the person Xie Pan had been longing for for over twenty years! He had already endured so much; how could he possibly hold back any longer?

Afraid she would fall, he carefully and tenderly supported the back of her neck, gently touching her red lips like a chick pecking at rice. This made Xia Rushi laugh; what kind of kiss was this?

Xie Pan was very clumsy and didn't know how to be affectionate.

But it suited Xia Rushi's wishes.

She nowadays likes people who are clean and tidy.

Xia Rushi cupped his face and pressed her lips to his.

As I traced the outline of his lips with my tongue, I heard his uncontrollable panting.

She hadn't done anything yet, but he was already breathing heavily, as if he was about to explode.

A smile appeared in Xia Rushi's eyes; she liked him like this.

Xie Pan held her tighter, even tighter. His lips were slightly parted, his eyes vacant and unfocused, letting her do as she pleased.

Just then, a loud bang was heard.

Xia Rushi trembled with fright, and Xie Pan immediately grabbed her waist and placed her behind him.

At the same time, he drew the long sword from beside the bed and looked towards the door.

Then he saw his elder brother standing at the door, his eyes wide with fury!

Fortunately, Xie Dang always practiced martial arts and did not indulge in wine and women, otherwise he would have suffered a stroke from the stress!

He walked into the bedroom with a stiff face, and even remembered to turn around and close the door.

Xie Dang raised his chin and glanced at Xie Pan, "Put your clothes on first."

He looked away, afraid he might lose control and do something rash. He stroked the hilt of his sword.

Xie Pan knew that what was bound to happen had finally arrived, but he did not move.

In this room, he only listened to her.

Xie Pan turned his head slightly to look at Xia Rushi.

Xia Rushi's clothes were still neat and tidy, and Xie Pan breathed a sigh of relief without showing any sign of it.

Xie Dang was incredibly perceptive. Seeing Xie Pan's expression, he could no longer suppress his anger. This was his wife!

What's wrong with you, Xie Pansong?!

Who exactly is it that can't be seen?

With a flick of his wrist, he drew his longsword and pointed it at Xie Pan, "If you look at her again, I'll gouge your eyes out!"

"Let's call it a day."

Xie Dang let out a long breath, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, "Jia'er, come home with me, and I'll pretend I didn't see anything."

He had done something wrong, and Jia'er had to vent her anger. Xie Dang kept telling himself this, kept telling himself this!

Even so, Xie Dang's forehead veins bulged! His overwhelming anger had almost reached its limit, but knowing that Jia'er would definitely not stand up for him if he did anything, Xie Dang swallowed his anger.

Even so, he had no choice but to swallow his anger in order to make Jia'er turn back!

Xie Dang had a good idea, but when he turned his head, he saw that the two of them hadn't moved. Xie Pan was protecting Jia'er in front of him, and Jia'er seemed to be looking at him as if he were a stranger.

"The Marquis is far too domineering."

Xia Rushi stood up gracefully and patted Xie Pan's arm without any hesitation. "Are you cold? Go put on some clothes. Don't wear the ones on the ground, they're all wet. Go get a clean one, I just folded and put them away for you a couple of days ago."

Xie Pan is not cold, but Xie Pan is obedient.

She told him to wear it, so he wore it.

These seemingly ordinary words, like those between a married couple in their bedroom, were like steel needles, piercing Xie Dang's temples and heart!

Xie Dang took two deep breaths, his chest heaving violently with anger, his large hands gripping the hilt of his sword with a creaking sound.

They really don't treat him like an outsider!

"Jia'er!"

He called out to her in a stern voice, "I know you're angry, but you can't... you can't do this..."

Xie Dang's eyes reddened, and he didn't even glance at Xie Pan again. "We were so good together... and we even had a son and a daughter..."

Xia Ru sneered inwardly.

If you know everything, how come you still can't control yourself?

Such a wonderful son and daughter, and now they have a son who's trying to steal their inheritance?!

Does she think this is a cesspool, where she can come and go as she pleases?

Dream on.

Thinking this to himself, he maintained an innocent expression, "Your Excellency has mistaken me for someone else, hasn't he?"

Even though she was still wearing the same clothes she had on in the dungeon, Xia Rushi still lied through her teeth, "I am not the person the Marquis is talking about. Perhaps it's just that we look alike."

Xie Pan glanced at her discreetly from the side.

Taking advantage of the moment when his brother's soul left his body after being struck, he quickly grabbed a robe and put it on.

Xie Dang was incredulous, and with a clang, the sword fell to the ground.

His hands were trembling, and she wouldn't acknowledge him!

They don't even recognize her!

Xia Rushi openly resorted to shamelessness, saying, "I heard that your lady has passed away. Although the Marquis wields immense power, he cannot simply abduct people without permission, can he?"

Staring at Xie Dang's almost cracking expression, Xia Ru felt extremely pleased. She knew Xie Dang was talking nonsense, but what could she do to her?

Not minding adding fuel to the fire, he said, "I know that my relationship with Second Master is against etiquette, but I am getting on in years, so I have become bolder."

He paused slightly, then continued, "Second Master and I have already discussed it. We will exchange birth charts in a while and set a wedding date."

Xia Ru smiled at Xie Dang, "Otherwise, we can't just do it like this, right, Marquis?"

Xie Dang opened his mouth, panting heavily in a disheveled state.

He was known as a scholar-general; when had he ever been so inelegant?

Xie Dang was so provoked that he didn't care about anything else. If he didn't open his mouth soon, he felt like he wouldn't be able to breathe!

That's exactly it!

He also felt like he was suffocating and couldn't breathe!

Jia'er's every word was like a layer of water, covering his mouth and nose!

It was just like the water torture I suffered in the Northern Rong!

Xie Dang's eyes immediately turned bloodshot. He bent down to pick up the sword and rushed towards Xie Pan in an instant.

He never imagined that Xie Pan would be so audacious as to steal his wife!

Fortunately, Xie Pan was prepared and went to meet him with his sword.

Clang!

The sword hums softly!

Xie Pan refused to give an inch.

This is his courtyard! And the people in his courtyard!

If she wanted to leave, that would be fine, but she didn't! She didn't want to!

She also said... she wanted to marry him!

Even though Rao was 99% fake, Xie Pan still felt his blood boiling!

Xie Dang's sword was forged by a master craftsman, its blade sharp and gleaming. A single swipe left a bloody gash on Xie Pan's body.

Although Xie Pan's sword was not as famous as his brother's, he was strong and had a high spirit!

Having grown up from a young age, Xie Pan is most adept at using the weak to fight against the strong!

For a time, they were evenly matched.

She was afraid of damaging the room's furnishings, as there were many things she really liked in there.

Xie Pan led Xie Dang into the courtyard, where the two leaped out, neither giving way to the other. As the space expanded, they fought to their hearts' content!

Xia Rushi followed closely behind, standing inside the door.

The cold wind blew in through the open door, and only then did I realize how cold it was.

She knew this would happen, but when she saw Xie Pan's fearless and valiant fight, her heart skipped a beat.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Xia Rushi caught sight of a dark cloak. Startled, she turned her head and saw that the mute man had appeared out of nowhere, holding the cloak in both hands and handing it to her.

The mute man glanced at her, then at Xie Pan, who was engaged in fierce combat.

Xia Rushi understood what the mute man meant; he was saying that Xie Pan should be worried if she caught a cold. Xia Rushi took the cloak and thanked the mute man.

The mute man shook his head and then took out some wound medicine from his pocket and handed it to Xia Rushi.

Xia Rushi accepted it, and a sudden feeling of guilt rose in her heart.

Even though Xie Pan knew this day would come, he still treated her with utmost care and put her first in everything.

Her eyes would occasionally burn.

Xie Dang had become one with his sword, and amidst the flashing blades, his killing intent suddenly poured out!

He actually harbored murderous intent!

Gripping the sword hilt tightly with both hands, he swung it down with all his might as Xie Pan dodged!

Xie Pan caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye, his eyes flashing.

He had seen his brother use this move on the battlefield before, and the enemy general lost an arm as a result!

He suddenly dodged, and in the midst of the movement, he faced the sword head-on, gripping the hilt horizontally, and actually managed to block the sword strike!

A piercing clang.

The chilling sword energy forced Xie Pan to take three steps back before he could stop!

My arms were numb from the shock.

Xie Dang's eyes widened in surprise as he subtly observed his half-brother, then he smiled, his eyes filled with malice. "You've kept so many things from me. When did you secretly practice this move? And when did you secretly hide my wife?!"

Just then, Xia Rushi, who had been watching anxiously, finally found the opportunity and ran over.

Xie Dang's ears twitched, and his grip on the sword hilt tightened and loosened. His eyes darkened as he contemplated whether to seize this moment and stab Xie Pan with his sword!

The next instant, a wooden sword fell sharply, striking Xie Dang's wrist directly.

In a moment of shock, a sharp pain struck, and the sword fell to the ground.

Xie Dang suddenly turned his head to look at Xia Rushi, but Xia Rushi kicked the sword away and didn't even look at him. The next moment, she stood in front of Xie Pan, glaring at Xie Dang.

Xie Dang suddenly remembered that Xia Rushi was skilled with a sword.

He taught them this sword technique when they first got married.

Now it's being used on him.

Xie Dang smiled, but his eyes were glistening with tears.

He stared intently at Xia Rushi. "Why aren't you pretending anymore? It's not that you don't recognize me?"

Xia Ru glanced at him and ignored him, but turned her gaze to Xie Pan's face and body, where he had been scratched by sword energy.

Xie Dang felt as if his heart had been ripped open, staring in astonishment at the tenderness in her eyes.

Pity?

She actually cares about others?

-----------------------

Author's Note: Next Chapter Preview:

Xie Pan was single-minded when he did this, only worried that she might choke on her breath and exert too much force, but Xie Dang saw it differently.

Seeing them like this, Xie Dang's eyes turned red!