Chapter 85

"Don't scare me." Xie Lang's eyes immediately reddened.

Chapter 85

Before she fell into the water, a strong arm pulled her up and held her tightly in its embrace. The arm then quickly wrapped the chain around the arm twice.

She was turned around, and a warm chest pressed against her back. She could see the hazy sky and the figure of someone screaming by the city wall.

Hold your breath.

As she was being swept up by the waves, she heard a hoarse voice behind her.

She held her breath as she was about to plunge into the rapids.

The raging river instantly swallowed them up.

As the waves rose and fell, the person behind her supported her waist, lifting her up from the crests. After choking on water several times, she gradually learned to take a few deep breaths as the current swept her to the surface.

Several times they were nearly swept away by the rapids, but the man gripped the chains tightly, refusing to let go, and with gritted teeth, pulled her back with great difficulty. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her hand tightly. As if entwined by vines, he exerted so much force that it felt as if the bones in her hand were about to break.

The moat of Yingcheng, though called a moat, did not actually encircle the city; it mostly flowed past the city before joining the river.

They stumbled and fell into the wider river. With the drop gone, the river became calmer, though there were still undercurrents.

The flash floods from a few days ago have not yet subsided, and the river water is yellow and full of fine sand.

Floating and exhausted, she was so tired that she almost thought she was going to die in the icy water, and even considered giving up. But the man who had been holding her back from the rapids wouldn't let her, and used every means to lift her up and bring her to the surface.

She couldn't see his face, but she could sense his anger and urgency.

Now that the two of them were truly in the same boat, Liu Qingqing had no choice but to muster her strength and swim with all her might.

He squeezed her fingers tightly, seemingly excited.

Suddenly, a thick tree trunk was swept towards us by the current and was right in front of us in the blink of an eye!

Unable to dodge in time, Xie Lang suddenly turned around and shielded Liu Qingqing with his back. The huge impact caused a mouthful of blood to rise to his throat, which he swallowed hard.

With such a huge impact, how could Liu Qingqing not know? She reached out and touched him, not knowing where she touched, but whatever she touched, she patted him gently.

Then she would pry his hands off; if he didn't have her as a burden, he would surely be able to escape.

Upon noticing her movement, Xie Lang's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't felt this fear even when he jumped off the city wall.

Xie Lang's arms were as hard as iron, yet he refused to let go.

However, the river was wide, with steep cliffs on both sides, and there was nowhere to even get ashore.

Exhaustion swept over my entire body, and I had no strength left to struggle.

"Liu Qingqing!"

She heard him call her name indistinctly, "Just a little longer, we'll be there soon."

There seemed to be a trembling, sobbing voice pleading, "Please, hold on a little longer."

He pulled her back again. In the icy river water, she was like a soulless dead fish, floating lightly. With a single scoop, she was back against his burning back. It was summer, so why was the river water still so cold? How could she feel his burning tears?

She thought suspiciously before she fainted.

The moment Liu Qingqing lost consciousness, she sank into the water. Xie Lang immediately noticed, glanced at what seemed to be shallow water in the distance, quickly flipped over and placed her on his body, and swam towards it.

When he jumped off the city wall and grabbed the iron chain, he strained his arm. Every swing of his arm caused him excruciating pain, but he dared not stop, nor could he stop.

Soon after, my back started to ache and break out in a cold sweat, which mixed with the icy river water, making me extremely uncomfortable.

The river water soaked through his wounds, attracting the fish monsters in the river. The giant fish, smelling the blood, swam after him, trying to bite him from time to time!

He held her in his arms; he couldn't let anything happen to her again.

Enduring the pain, they finally reached the shallows with the help of the undercurrent.

Xie Lang disregarded his own safety and laid her flat, pressing on her chest until she vomited the foul-smelling liquid from her stomach. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and collapse to the ground. He had used all his strength, gently stroking her face before fainting beside her.

The moment he completely fainted, he gripped her chains tightly again.

I don't know how much time passed, but when I woke up again, I was on a shallow beach.

The moment consciousness returned, she felt as if her entire body was about to split apart, and the sand beneath her was painfully rough. She groaned as she tried to sit up, gritting her teeth as she rose. Soon, her forehead was covered in sweat from the pain, her body both cold and hot, as if she were having malaria. She clasped her stiff left hand with her right, and only when she heard the clanging of metal did she realize what was happening. She quickly looked towards the other end of the chain…

The man's once-jade-like knuckles were now a bloody mess, almost revealing the white bone beneath, yet he stubbornly clung to the iron chain, refusing to let go. Looking further up, he lay with his eyes closed, his clothes filthy beyond recognition.

She moved closer with difficulty, looking at him carefully; there were still faint traces of blood at the corner of his lips. Looking down, she saw her own disheveled clothes, then turned to look at the water stains beside her on the riverbank.

With no one around, Xie Lang's mind, dulled by the river water, finally began to function. He quickly clasped his hands together and pressed the heels of his palms against the center of Xie Lang's chest. The iron chains had dug two small dents into his chest. At this moment, he couldn't care less about that.

After a long time, Xie Lang still did not respond, his lips turned white, and Liu Qingqing's heart sank further, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She refused to give up and tried even harder!

All the past events, and every scene after our encounter in Yingcheng, flashed before my eyes.

The mist condensed into teardrops and fell onto his face. Xie Lang's fingers, which were placed at his side, twitched.

Her heart ached terribly; she never imagined Xie Lang would jump down with her. If anything happened to him, how could she face Aunt Jia?

How could he be so stupid?!

Why are you always so honest and straightforward, whether in the past or present?

They wouldn't lie in the past, and they don't know how to compromise now...

Seeing his face as white as paper and his chest barely rising and falling, Liu Qingqing gritted her teeth through tears and used all her strength!

Finally, he opened his lips and spat out dirty water. Liu Qingqing quickly supported his neck, turning him to the side. Only after he had vomited all the dirty water did she feel a tightness in her chest, realizing that she hadn't dared to breathe. She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly.

"How could you be so foolish..."

Liu Qingqing murmured softly.

She had no strength left, and felt dizzy as if she were floating. She collapsed and lay down next to him.

And then, for who knows how long.

Raindrops pelted her body, causing a slight stinging sensation. Liu Qingqing opened her eyes and sighed.

Night was about to fall, and the distant sunset glow burned like fire.

It only rained in their small area.

Thankfully it rained, at least it washed away the dirt on my body. The mud and sand clinging to my skin was very uncomfortable.

After a while, she went to call Xie Lang, grabbed his still relatively healthy arm and shook him, "Xie Lang, wake up."

They were now unable to continue their journey and needed to find a place to rest before nightfall. Liu Qingqing glanced at the rugged mountain forest, a lush green and pitch-black landscape, where the swaying shadows seemed to conceal monsters that devoured human souls, and also wild beasts.

Liu Qingqing broke out in a cold sweat. She carefully considered using more force than before, still afraid of hurting him.

His eyes were tightly closed, which filled her with dread. She felt dizzy.

She realized that even after all that terrible ordeal, with him by her side, subconsciously she wasn't afraid of anything. But now he was still unconscious…

Liu Qingqing's heart leaped into her throat, and she suddenly gripped his fingers.

"Xie Lang!"

She suddenly called his name in a hoarse voice.

Will he not wake up?

She hurriedly checked his breathing, "Xie Lang!"

That sound carried a hint of crying.

"Don't cry..."

Xie Lang tightened his grip on her hand, his brow furrowed slightly but his eyes remained closed. As if in a dream, he struggled to squeeze out a few words, "Qingqing, don't cry, I'm waking up soon."

He woke up as if speaking, but his eyes felt heavier than a weight, and he couldn't open them.

"Xie Lang!!"

Liu Qingqing

Xie Lang forced a smile, turned his face toward her, and said softly, "It sounds nice. Qingqing, it sounds so nice. This is the first time I've heard you call my name."

He couldn't hide his joy.

My throat felt sore and numb, as if it were stuffed with cotton.

Hearing this, she could no longer hold back, her lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face.

What time is it?! Stop talking about whether it sounds good or not!

She raised her hand to punch him, but there wasn't a single good piece of flesh left on his body!

Liu Qingqing lowered her raised hand.

"Don't cry."

He reached out to find her cheek, but since he couldn't see or touch it, Liu Qingqing pursed her lips, moved forward slightly, and placed her head against his palm.

Finally, I met her.

He dared not hope that she would actually shed tears for him; it was enough that she did not reject his touch.

"Let's go."

Xie Lang struggled to his feet, then reached out and took her hand. "I can't see very well, Qingqing, please lead the way."

His hand was a bloody mess, but he seemed oblivious to the pain, gripping her hand tightly, his knuckles cracking and bleeding.

Liu Qingqing then noticed that his eyes were open, but not focused.

She immediately covered her mouth, afraid he would find out she was crying.

"It will be fine in a while, it's nothing serious."

Xie Lang took her hand and touched it to his lips, silently comforting her.

Liu Qingqing felt a pang of sadness. He was almost covered in wounds, how could he comfort her?

Xie Lang held her hand with one hand and used a tree branch to probe the way with the other.

He walked in front of her, his straight back shielding her from most of the wind and rain. Liu Qingqing's mouth and nose seemed to be sealed with oil paper, her breath stuck in her chest, swelling up like a phoenix eye fruit, about to burst open when ripe.

Although Xie Lang could not see clearly at this moment, her unharmed state brought him peace of mind.

Finally, he saw through the nightmare, and no one knew how terrified he was today. He was terrified that her throat would be slit with a sharp sword, and that her blood would splatter on his face, just like in his dream.

After winding their way up to the mountainside, the layers of trees and the rain curtain perfectly concealed their tracks.

They came across a cave, the entrance of which was pitch black. Liu Qingqing glanced at it. She saw Xie Lang stop, turn around, and pull her to stand beside him. He then took out a tinderbox from his pocket and tried to light it, but as expected, it had been soaking in water for too long and could not be lit.

Xie Lang first explored the cave, then suddenly stopped and called Liu Qingqing in.

"If you are afraid of the dark, wait for me for a moment in the sheltered spot at the cave entrance."

Not to mention being soaked by the rain, after being adrift in the river for so long, where on their bodies would there be any dry spots?

Upon hearing him say this, Liu Qingqing's emotions became incredibly complex, and her calm heart was finally stirred by ripples.

Should we now consider whether she gets wet in the rain?

But she obediently followed his advice and stood under the boulder at the cave entrance to shelter from the rain.

The rain was heavy and the sky was overcast. Only a little sunlight shone into the cave entrance, and one could vaguely see him groping for dry grass and wood.

Seeing this, she was about to go in, but he stopped her when he heard her voice, saying, "Don't rush, Qingqing, it will be over in a moment."

After saying that, he moved even faster, rubbing the rough ground with his fingertips and clenching the hay in his palm.

Xie Lang, born into a noble family and of high status, had never been so disheveled in front of others. Liu Qingqing felt even more bitter, as if she had eaten a thousand unripe sour apricots, so sour that she could hardly breathe.

Xie Lang was unaware of her thoughts, but he didn't feel anything about it. He had eaten raw meat and gnawed on grass roots on the battlefield, so what was a little work for her? Besides, he could use the fire he had lit.

Fearing it would get dark and cold, Xie Lang quickened his pace, and soon a flame appeared, finally illuminating the pitch-black cave.

Exhausted, the two huddled together in front of the fire, finally able to catch their breath for a moment.

Only now did Liu Qingqing have the leisure to look around. This cave... looked somewhat familiar.

The firelight illuminated the traces of burnt charcoal in the corner.

She remembered that it was the same cave as before.

They were swept so far by the water!

Since it was a familiar place, she felt more at ease.

"Will they come after us?" Liu Qingqing asked worriedly.

Xie Lang shook his head: "They've already made arrangements. Ying Yucheng and Wei Mingzhao will lead the local garrison to wipe them out completely."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up.

“They were all focused on me before, but this time I did a really good job with the bait.”

Suddenly, Xie Lang changed the subject, grasped her hand, and said, "I'm so sorry for dragging you into this."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingqing's lips parted slightly, but in the end she said nothing and only shook her head.

Xie Lang was injured, and his tense nerves relaxed. His shoulder, which had been hit by the log, was sore and throbbing with pain in the back of his head. He had been forcing himself to stay awake until he said a few words and then leaned on her shoulder and fell asleep.

Instead of pushing him away as before, Liu Qingqing leaned against the stone wall and cupped his cheek in her palm, letting him rest on her shoulder.

The flickering firelight reflected off her face.

She quietly watched the rain pouring down at the cave entrance, listening to the sound of the wind and rain, lost in thought.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Lang woke up.

When he opened his eyes again, he could see most of it clearly, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Otherwise, if I can't see clearly, how can I take good care of her?

After a while, seeing that she was still unconscious, he took off his half-dry robe and draped it over her, then gently laid her down.

She must not have been eating well these past few days, so he thought of going out of the cave to find some food, to see if he could find some pheasant, rabbit, or fish.

With her on his mind, Xie Lang moved with lightning speed. Braving the heavy rain, he caught two fish and a pheasant on the shore before heading back.

Along the way, I saw fruits hanging high on the trees, which seemed to be called sand fruit in this part of Yingcheng.

Not knowing if she would like them, he picked two more. Returning to the cave with a full haul, he figured that should be enough to eat.

Upon reaching the cave entrance, they saw her obediently squatting in front of the fire, holding up his outer robe to warm herself by the flames.

Xie Lang felt a warm sensation in his chest, as if she were roasting him, not his robes.

Liu Qingqing turned around nervously at the sound of the voice, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was him.

Did the light reveal a pale pink undergarment he was wearing? The thought had barely crossed my mind when I froze. There was no pale pink undergarment at all; it was clearly stained with his blood!

She quickly got up, took the things, and helped him change his clothes.

"Quickly take off your inner garment; your outer robe is almost dry. Change into it quickly."

Xie Lang took the undergarment but hesitated for a moment.

When Liu Qingqing noticed, she immediately became angry, "What part of your body haven't I seen before?"

As soon as they finished speaking, both of their faces turned as red as sand fruits.

"It doesn't look good now," he said softly, his eyes lowered.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingqing tightened her grip on Ah Muzhi's hand, feeling a pang of unease, but pretending not to understand, she immediately turned away, saying, "Then I won't look at it, you can change it quickly."

Xie Lang then took the outer robe.

When he took off his undergarment, some of the wounds had flesh stuck to the fabric. He had no choice but to tear it open, gritting his teeth without making a sound as he did so, a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead. Afraid she would notice, he quickly changed into his outer robe and crumpled up his undergarment, throwing it into a corner.

Liu Qingqing turned around when she heard the noise and saw the undergarment in the corner. "Give it to me, I'll wash it and dry it for you."

Xie Lang dared not let her touch the blood-stained thing. "Let's eat first."

"Are you hungry?" Liu Qingqing asked.

Xie Lang nodded.

Liu Qingqing nodded in agreement, "Then let's eat first."

This interruption made her forget about her undergarment.

She held him down, preventing him from moving.

Without pots or pans, we could only roast the pheasant and fish.

"You have many injuries, so don't eat fish. Eat more chicken instead."

Liu Qingqing handed him all the chicken legs, but he didn't take them for a while. She frowned and looked at him, only to meet his bright, sparkling eyes.

Liu Qingqing's eyelashes trembled, and she lowered her eyes.

This was the most delicious and fragrant meal Xie Lang had ever eaten. His eyes were fixed on her as if they were nails, but she did not avoid them as usual.

Even though the chicken was unsalted and had a fishy, ​​bitter taste, he kept a smile on his face.

I thought we could just wait for Xie Wu and Xie Liu to come and rescue us tomorrow.

Thanks to Xie Lang's deliberate deception, Liu Qingqing did not notice the severity of his injuries.

His appearance was... quite unsightly, unlike Yu Run, who was as clean and pure as jade.

He hid, not wanting her to see him.

Xie Lang's good plan was ruined in the middle of the night when he suddenly developed a fever.

He was unconscious, so she had no choice but to loosen his clothes and wipe him with rainwater to cool him down.

That's when they discovered that his wounds, which had almost healed, had reopened!

Because it had been soaked in sewage for a long time, the edges of the meat had turned white and it was almost rotten.

"How could this be, how could this happen..."

Liu Qingqing's eyes reddened, her lips trembled, and she angrily slapped her forehead!

How could she be so careless? She didn't even notice before!

They actually thought his injuries had fully healed long ago.

She quickly opened the bracelet and sprinkled the wound medicine inside onto his injury.

But how much medicine could that small bracelet compartment possibly hold? It couldn't possibly take care of all his injuries.

Liu Qingqing was so anxious that she broke out in a cold sweat and trembled.

She then stuffed all the crude swallow pills she had hidden in her earring into his mouth.

She made it according to the prescription, but replaced some of the herbs with similar ones.

She originally intended to use it herself in a crisis, just taking a gamble.

Only then did they divide the pills, which were originally as large as pearls from the South China Sea, into smaller pills and hide them away.

She then wiped Xie Lang's body, avoiding the wounds on his body.

Tears streamed down my face.

How could a perfectly good person ruin themselves like this?

Where did that bruise on his back come from?

She only remembered one extremely powerful impact in the river.

Xie Lang was awakened by painful ordeal.

Dozens of small pills were inserted under my tongue and slowly dissolved.

He frowned and opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Liu Qingqing pitifully shedding tears beside him.

He slowly raised his hand to wipe away the tears on her cheeks. "Why are you crying?"

Because of weakness, his movements were extremely slow. He asked questions very softly.

Liu Qingqing froze, her throat tightened, and her eyes stung even more.

For some reason, she suddenly bent down and hugged him.

Liu Qingqing didn't dare hug him tightly, but held him loosely and wept bitterly. He cried until his eyes were red.

Ignoring his injuries, he forcefully pulled her into his arms.

Finally embracing her willingly, Xie Lang felt a surge of pleasure coursing through his body.

"Don't cry."

He could feel that she was heartbroken for him, and his heart was pounding with joy.

Xie Lang turned his head and gently kissed her temples, which were covered in mud and sand. "Don't cry, don't cry."

As he blinked, tears streamed down his cheeks from the corners of his eyes.

The two hugged each other tightly and fell asleep.

I woke up the next day.

She nestled obediently in his arms, filling Xie Lang with joy. He gently embraced her with his arms, carefully touching the strands of hair at her temple with the tip of his nose. He dared not make any sudden movements, for fear of waking her.

Liu Qingqing quietly shifted back, trying to avoid his touch. She opened her eyes and looked at him warily with a strange, bewildered gaze.

"Young master...who are you? And why are we here?"

Don't scare me.

Xie Lang's eyes instantly reddened. He was unable to move under her unfamiliar and distant gaze. After a long while, he knelt down beside her, bent down and gently stroked the hair by her ear. His eyes were wet and swirling. He whispered in disbelief, "What did you call me just now, Qingqing? Did you call me Young Master?"

His voice suddenly became extremely hoarse.

[Author's Note]

Next chapter preview:

"The Regent's Consort has arrived outside the city and will be at the villa soon!"