8 Chapter 8

Xie Lang asked intently, "What does she want?"

Chapter Eight

Liu Qingqing looked at the dishes on the stone table, which had gone cold. Little Ying was used to playing tricks on people in this way.

Liu Qingqing had experienced this many times over the years. Unlike Li Mama's boiling anger, she was used to it. As long as she could get back what her mother had left behind, that would be fine.

We'll talk about the rest later.

She fiddled with the food a couple of times but didn't put it down before putting it down. No one from Xiao Ying's side had yet delivered the dowry list. At this point, Liu Qingqing knew she wouldn't be able to get the dowry list from Xiao Ying today.

Little Ying is like a loach, or like the mud in a pond, making people unwilling to touch her and unable to catch her.

Now that she's back, she's not in a hurry to go back, and Xie Lang won't look for her.

As dusk fell, Granny Li lit a candle and then closed the courtyard gate.

In the quiet courtyard, Liu Qingqing found her hidden, unedited "storybook" and studied it with her chin in her hand, as if she had returned to the time before her marriage.

As he read, his face turned red from the candlelight.

A moment later, Liu Qingqing felt her head getting heavy. She informed Granny Li and went back to her room to take a short nap.

Since her mother passed away, this courtyard was given to her. After she got married, her mother's memorial tablet was moved to the main room.

She didn't know what Xiao Ying was planning, but she wasn't afraid.

She had nothing to fear about her own mother's memorial tablet, not even her spirit.

Thinking this, she fell asleep. At first, it was fine, but after a while, she felt as if she were trapped in a nightmare, unable to move. Her body felt like it was being roasted on a fire, as if hundreds of ants were gnawing at her.

The drug administered by Xiao Ying finally took effect when it came into contact with the carefully prepared candlelight. Without intercourse, the person would experience unbearable itching all over their body.

If no one helps her relieve the stress today, the medicine will ruin most of her health. It would be even better if someone could help her relieve the stress, since Xie Lang didn't come back with her. If she blindly seeks someone else, she's just cutting off her own future!

Forget about the dowry; if such a sordid thing happens, they might lose their lives.

Xiao Ying's plan was well-paced; she didn't arrange a suitable man for Liu Qingqing, leaving herself with more leverage. Wouldn't it be better for Liu Qingqing to wander around aimlessly like a headless fly? It can be described as straightforward and ruthless.

Soon, Liu Qingqing's forehead was covered in sweat. When Li Mama heard the groaning and realized something was wrong, she rushed over. Liu Qingqing was in a terrible state, as if she had been pulled out of the water. Although her whole body was burning hot, she was shivering.

Granny Li anxiously hugged her young mistress, asking, "What happened?"

He hurriedly called out to summon the family physician, but it was quiet outside and no one answered.

Meanwhile, Xie Lang had just finished discussing matters with the Regent and entered the tunnel to return to his residence.

For some reason, Xie Lang felt that something was off today. It was clearly not a big deal, so why was the Regent summoning him in such a hurry?

Moreover, during the meeting just now, he keenly sensed that there was a third person in the room.

Since the regent had not made it clear, he could only pretend not to know for the time being.

Regent Li Jin was over thirty-five years old. He had fought alongside his father and brothers through countless trials and tribulations to seize the throne, earning him the reputation of a war god. Now that his father and brothers were gone, he was left to help his nephew secure the throne.

Li Jin had a broad back and a narrow waist, a robust physique, and an imposing presence, yet his face was exceptionally handsome, showing no signs of the passage of time or the brutal battles on the battlefield.

At this moment, he put his hands behind his back. After Xie Lang left, he turned around and walked to the purple bamboo screen. He stood there for a moment and looked at the woman with a sad face. The woman ignored him. He was not angry. He reached out and smoothed her brows. Then he bent down and hugged her tightly.

"Then please don't be angry with me, okay?"

He lowered his head to kiss her earlobe and then rubbed his moist eyelashes against the tender skin on the back of her neck. The woman tickled and pulled away, but the man held her tighter and murmured in defeat, "I feel bad when you don't talk to me."

Xie Lang returned to his study through the secret passage. Before he could even sit down to rest and have a cup of cold tea, he heard Xie Wu's hurried footsteps.

Before Xie Wu could even speak, Xie Lang interrupted him with a raised hand, "If it's not a big deal, report it tomorrow. Even if your master is made of iron, he needs to rest."

Xie Wu pursed his lips and remained silent upon hearing this, his expression quite distorted.

Xie Lang remained silent, then sighed resignedly and said, "Speak, what is it?"

Xie Wu: "It's about Madam."

Xie Lang asked intently, "What does she want?"

Xie Wu: "A message came from ahead saying that something seems amiss with Madam. The person who came back to report said that if you have time, you should go and check on her. If you don't have time, he will keep a close eye on her."

Xie Wu carefully observed the fatigue on the adult's face.

I was busy with urgent matters the other day, didn't sleep a wink last night, and am still working hard today. Even the strongest person can't keep up, and everyone sees that, which is why they said that.

In reality, Xie Liu said that if the master had nothing important to do, he would definitely go and take a look.

He couldn't figure out what the adults meant, so he spoke ambiguously.

After speaking, he waited for the adult's reply.

Xie Lang swept his index finger along his jawline, a habitual gesture when he was thinking.

Something's wrong?

Now that she is the wife of the heir apparent, what could possibly happen if she returned to the Liu residence?

Meanwhile, on the other side, Xiao Yingshi was enjoying a happy family meal with Liu Xu and Liu Qingying.

After Liu Xu finished his meal, he for some reason thought of his eldest daughter, whom he had neglected. After sending Liu Qingying away, he asked in a low voice, "Is Xie Lang really not pleased with Qingqing?"

Madam Ying lowered her head and said demurely, “The Xie family is not only a first-class noble family, but also the powerful Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He is a favorite of the Regent and must have high standards. It’s a pity that you, Qingqing, are not sure you can sit still as the main wife, which is a waste of this marriage. Otherwise, it would be a great help to the master.”

As expected, Liu Xu's dissatisfaction with Liu Qingqing intensified upon hearing this, and he frowned thoughtfully.

Xiao Ying stopped there, glancing at him briefly before pursing her lips and remaining silent.

"Has she left the manor?" Liu Xu suddenly asked.

Xiao Ying said, "It shouldn't be yet. I'll send someone to check right away."

After saying this, Xiao Ying got up and went out, calling Ju Huan over. Just as she was about to send Ju Huan away, she saw a young servant working not far away suddenly change his mind and call him over.

The young servant stood with his head bowed at the foot of the stone steps. Madam Ying carefully examined the simple-looking servant and said with satisfaction, "Go to the young lady's courtyard and see if she is still there. If she is, be sure to see her and then come back to report."

After the servant left swiftly, Madam Ying pursed her lips to hide her smile.

I hope Qingqing likes this wonderful gift she gave me at the last minute!

Liu Qingqing felt as if she were walking on clouds, her feet sinking into varying depths, unable to find solid ground. Fire was chasing her from behind. She struggled to pull her legs out of the sea of ​​clouds and move forward, but she moved slowly while the fire moved quickly, gradually licking at her.

The moment it touched her body, the flames transformed into countless red ants that burrowed into her skin, converging and surging towards her lower abdomen. Wrapped in the brocade quilt, she awkwardly rubbed herself back and forth.

Granny Li was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan. She wanted to go look for her, but she was afraid that if she left, her young mistress would fall into the hands of Madam Ying. Just as she was wondering what to do, there was a sudden commotion outside the courtyard, and then the back gate was kicked open with a bang, followed by a series of hurried footsteps. Granny Li was startled and quickly pulled her young mistress into her arms. Her hands trembled as she held her, and her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. Just as she was about to get up and use the candlestick as a convenient tool, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Who?" Granny Li asked warily.

“It’s me, Xie Lang.”

Upon hearing that it was Xie Lang, Granny Li breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately became suspicious. After hesitating several times, she gently placed the young lady back on the bed, picked up the candlestick, and walked towards the door.

How can you prove that you are Xie Lang?

Xie Lang choked at the door, never expecting Li Mama to react this way. Thinking of the suspicious servant she had just chased away at the courtyard gate, she suddenly realized that the situation inside the room was probably worse than she had anticipated.

"When my wife came to my study today, she was wearing a pleated Ruyi Moon skirt, with only a jade hairpin in her hair and plum blossom scented powder on her face."

Standing behind Xie Lang, Xie Wu secretly glanced at his master. His master had no idea about these women's things before.

Upon hearing this, Granny Li quickly loosened the door bolt and opened the door a crack. Her eyes immediately welled up with tears, as if she had seen her savior. She hurriedly led him into the inner room, saying, "Young master, you've finally arrived. Miss suddenly seems unwell, like she's having a nightmare, but it doesn't quite seem like it."

As Xie Lang followed Granny Li into the doorway, Xie Wu closed the door and turned to stand like a door god under the eaves.

Upon entering the inner room, the candlelight was dim, and Xie Lang could only see Liu Qingqing clearly when he reached the bedside.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, revealing her temples. Her eyebrows and eyes held the allure of spring. Her skin was as tender as warm jade, with a soft glow. Her lips were naturally red and delicate, and two damp strands of hair clung to her cheeks. Her slender waist was so small that it could be encircled by one hand. Her whole being was like a perfectly ripe peach that had just been washed.

Xie Lang glanced around calmly. He had seen too many filthy things, and he knew what was going on at a glance. He had been tricked after returning to the Liu residence. How could a perfectly healthy person have turned into this state after returning to the Liu residence? Xie Lang felt a surge of anger. He didn't know where the anger in his chest came from, but he was definitely not comfortable with it.

No, it was extreme displeasure.

He ordered Granny Li to fetch the cloak, took it, carefully wrapped her up, held her in his arms, and turned to leave.

As Liu Xugang reached the door, he rushed over in a panic. Seeing Xie Lang holding his eldest daughter, he stared wide-eyed in disbelief, reaching out in shock to stop him but not daring to.

Despite having the title of his father-in-law, he dared not put on airs in front of the powerful Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

But, but he is an elder after all!

Xie Lang had no time for pretense and disregarded the title of "father-in-law," saying unhappily, "Lord Liu, since Liu Qingqing has married me, she is first and foremost my wife, Xie Lang, and secondly, your daughter."

As they were talking, Liu Qingqing seemed to be struggling uncomfortably in his arms, so Xie Lang swallowed his words and stopped talking. When she broke free and wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips pressed against his collarbone and she breathed hot air on him, Xie Lang paused before continuing in a cold voice, "If she is alright this time, that's fine. If she is, I will definitely come to visit again."

Receiving a cold shoulder from Xie Lang, Liu Xu's lips trembled as she looked around blankly: "What's wrong?"

Busy turning her head, she scolded Xiao Ying, "You were fine just now, Qingqing, what's wrong with you... what's wrong with you..."

Seeing that Xie Lang didn't turn around, Liu Xu knew he was in trouble and hurriedly chased after him.

Xie Lang ignored Liu Xu's urgent attempts to persuade him to stay and strode towards the carriage. Before he was even settled in, he ordered someone to drive the carriage away.

Even after the carriage had gone far away, Liu Xu's angry rebuke of Xiao Yingshi could still be heard.

Inside the car, Liu Qingqing initially nestled in Xie Lang's arms, but as soon as they turned out of the alley, she changed her demeanor, gently wriggling in his arms like a cat, her soft cheeks rubbing against his neck and chest, her little hands moving like intelligent snakes, going wherever they felt uncomfortable.

Not only did they touch it, but they also had to push aside the barriers and crawl inside to play around.

[Author's Note]

My little sister fainted, but—touch her!

Next chapter preview: This is his lawfully wedded wife.