Chapter 78 078 We've been discovered...

Chapter 78

"Could you..."

Xie Huaiyuan chuckled softly, then lowered his head again to stop her from speaking. Lin Wan had no choice but to tilt her head back and open her lips to respond, until she was almost suffocating. Seeing that she was losing control of her mouth, Lin Wan pushed him away with difficulty: "You're going to eat the lipstick I just put on."

Xie Huaiyuan smiled helplessly and said, "You look good even without lipstick."

At this moment, her mind was in complete turmoil, and she couldn't understand Xie Huaiyuan's conflicted intentions at all.

His madness, his gentleness, his indifference—all of these caused Lin Wan a lot of headaches and annoyance.

Lin Wan dared not look him in the eye again, using the act of searching for lip rouge to hide her panic.

Xie Huaiyuan looked at her with his dark eyes, and after a long while said, "Get up and eat something first."

The square table was already laden with steaming hot food, the aroma of which was enticing. It looked delicious, and Lin Wan was indeed quite hungry.

While she was eating, Xie Huaiyuan beside her didn't say a word, but the light enveloped him like a cloud, giving him a peaceful and gentle aura that even he himself didn't realize.

After Lin Wan finished eating and emptied her bowl, Xie Huaiyuan said, "Come with me on a trip later."

"Huh? Going out?"

She doubted her ears. Ever since Xie Huaiyuan chained her up, she hadn't stepped out of that room. She had asked him to unlock the chains on her ankles, but he only made her suffer even more.

Who would have thought that Xie Huaiyuan, who seemed like a gentleman, would be so unconventional in bed, forcing her to do one embarrassing thing after another? Lin Wan didn't dare to recall it, but the tips of her ears couldn't help but feel hot.

But she had chains on her ankles, and whenever she moved her feet, the chains would clang incessantly.

Lin Wan: "Will you help me untie this?"

Xie Huaiyuan smiled faintly as instructed, reached out and hooked the long silver chain, leaned back in his armchair and said, "That's natural."

Lin Wan stared blankly at the extremely gentle person in front of her, her heart momentarily flustered. It wasn't until the chains on her feet were removed and placed on the square table, and Xie Huaiyuan took her hand and slowly walked through the corridor to the front yard, that she truly realized she was out when she saw the changing streets and the figures of people coming and going. Even with Xie Huaiyuan sitting beside her, she showed the first truly relaxed smile in a long time.

Even as evening approached, the streets of Beijing remained bustling with activity, teeming with people.

Lin Wan gazed at the scenery outside the carriage window with an unending smile, her eyes full of joy: "Young Master, where are we going?"

Xie Huaiyuan let her keep lifting the curtains at the window the whole way. He followed her gaze to the street and said, "Baibaoge."

Treasure Pavilion?

Lin Wan wasn't particularly familiar with the capital, nor had she paid much attention to the shops on the streets. Perhaps he was looking for some precious treasures?

Thinking of this, Lin Wan only listened to it briefly and didn't take it to heart, let alone think that this matter would be related to her.

After passing through the most bustling and lively streets, the carriage finally stopped in front of a three-story shop. The storefront was decorated in a particularly magnificent manner, and the three large characters "Baibaoge" (meaning "Treasure Pavilion") outlined in gold paint were particularly dazzling, even glittering, as if afraid that passers-by would not notice that it was inlaid with gold.

The coachman quickly dismounted from the carriage, and Liu Ye and Lu Zhu, who were accompanying him, immediately placed the footstools, gently pushed open the door, and waited for the people inside the carriage to come out.

Lin Wan looked down at Xie Huaiyuan, who was standing by the carriage. He was reaching out to her to help her down from the carriage.

He stood tall and elegant, and when he looked up at her, his eyes held a hint of inquiry and peace.

This appearance was completely different from her previous dissolute and unserious behavior, which made Lin Wan hesitate for a moment.

Xie Huaiyuan: "Come."

Her eyes met Xie Huaiyuan's for a second before she looked away, slowly placing her hand on Xie Huaiyuan's thick palm, and then stepped off the carriage using a footstool.

Xie Huaiyuan noticed this, and a faint smile flashed in his eyes.

He didn't let go of her hand, but continued to lead her towards the "Baibaoge" shop.

Standing in front of the gleaming "Treasure Pavilion" shop, Lin Wan stared wide-eyed in astonishment and exclaimed, "This... is too luxurious!"

Suddenly, a voice with a smile came to her ear: "The shops opened by one of the top century-old families in the capital are naturally decorated in a different way."

The sudden sound made Lin Wan's heart skip a beat.

He was standing so close to her, almost touching her ear, that Lin Wan was startled and looked around in a panic. They were on a bustling street, surrounded by crowds of people. Lin Wan hurriedly took a step forward, increasing the distance between them.

A hint of displeasure flashed in Xie Huaiyuan's eyes as he noticed it.

The servants outside the "Treasure Pavilion" quickly spotted them and greeted them with exceptional enthusiasm, saying, "Young Master, Lord Shen has been waiting for you in the private room on the third floor for quite some time."

Lord Shen? Shen Rongshi?

Lin Wan hesitated for a moment, but Xie Huaiyuan still led her into the shop. She found that the first floor of the shop was filled with jewelry and headwear made of various precious gemstones. After passing through the stairs, she went to the second floor, where she was greeted by various styles of wedding and auspicious clothing. A thought began to form in her mind.

Xie Huaiyuan did not stop there, but continued upstairs to the third floor of the "Treasure Pavilion" and entered one of the private rooms.

The private room was not large, but it was decorated in an extremely luxurious manner, with exquisite and precious furnishings everywhere. Sandalwood armchairs and tables were placed by the window, and an incense burner was placed on the table next to it, with wisps of smoke rising. On the small table next to it, hot tea was boiling and bubbling, with a fragrant aroma.

Looking at the arrangement of the private room, Lin Wan was unsure of what Xie Huaiyuan was up to.

Xie Huaiyuan naturally noticed Lin Wan's hesitation. If he had anything he wanted to say to tease her before, he put it aside for now.

He walked to the boiling teapot, picked it up, and personally brewed a cup of tea for Lin Wan.

Xie Huaiyuan: "Come sit down and try the tea here. It tastes pretty good."

Lin Wan glanced back at him and nodded.

She sat down in the armchair by the window and looked back at him, just in time to see Xie Huaiyuan pouring out tea, which exuded a faint and elegant fragrance.

It is indeed a very good tea.

Lin Wan took a small sip, her eyes crinkling as she looked at him.

He paused, his gaze falling on her lips, which were red from the tea she had just drunk. He thought about it and remembered that he had kissed her like that. Her face was flushed as she leaned against him, and as her two snow-white breasts bounced back and forth, he was captivated by them time and time again.

He downed the tea in one gulp, and the tea he had just drunk now had a lingering effect, boiling and burning in his throat.

Xie Huaiyuan turned to look out the window, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the private room. Several people arrived and stopped outside the door.

A servant knocked gently on the door. "Your Highness, Lord Shen has asked us to bring the items for your perusal. Would you like to see them now?"

Xie Huaiyuan put down his teacup on the table and replied, "Bring it in."

Lin Wan watched with a puzzled expression as several servants filed in, placing boxes of various sizes on the large round table in the center of the private room. The boxes were almost all bright red and carved with double happiness mandarin ducks, which looked very festive when placed on the round table.

Lin Wan: "What are these?"

The thought in her mind grew stronger and stronger, these...

Just as the servants had finished arranging the items, another person hurriedly entered from outside. Dressed in fine clothes, Shen Rongshi said with a smile, "Your Highness, these are all carefully selected. Please take a look and see if any of them suit your taste."

Xie Huaiyuan remained silent, instead looking at Lin Wan: "Take a look, see if it suits your taste?"

She got up and went forward to look. The box was filled with jewelry made of various precious gems and pearls, which shone brightly in the light and shadow, dazzling the eyes. These items looked like they were for a wedding, and they were all so festive.

Lin Wan had never imagined such a thing. She stared in shock, unable to find the words to describe it.

"Of course, if none of them meet your expectations, then have them redone."

Xie Huaiyuan's words were so gentle and touching.

Chen Rongshi said, "This auspicious robe was specially made using the latest gold thread this year. The process is quite complicated and took a little longer."

Two maids entered through the door, respectfully carrying a wedding dress for a woman, which they displayed perfectly before Lin Wan.

Lin Wanxin understood. All of these things in front of her were for the wedding. Even though Xie Huaiyuan had said he wanted to marry her, she hadn't taken it seriously and hadn't really thought it would develop in that direction.

But now, with all of this laid out before her, she is forced to re-evaluate Xie Huaiyuan.

Is he really going to marry me?

While waiting on the side, Shen Rongshi kept talking, saying that for Xie Huaiyuan's request, he had put aside the original business in the shop and worked day and night to finish the job: "Miss Lin, these were all made by the best craftsmen in the shop. They put in a lot of effort, so of course they can be modified. If you see anything you don't like, I will ask the craftsmen to modify it again."

Lin Wan was in a dilemma. She really wanted to ask Xie Huaiyuan what he meant, but with so many people present, she couldn't bring herself to ask right away, so she remained silent.

The private room fell silent for a moment. Xie Huaiyuan said, "Why don't you try on this dress and see if the size is right?"

After thinking for a moment, Lin Wan followed the maid to try on the auspicious clothes.

After Lin Wan left, only Shen Rongshi and Xie Huaiyuan remained in the private room.

Shen Rongshi said, "The people sent to Jiangnan are already on their way and will arrive in Jiangnan in two days."

Xie Huaiyuan glanced up but remained silent, nodding to show that he was listening.

After a while, Shen Rongshi asked with a puzzled look, "There's something on my mind that I've been thinking about. It's quite strange. Is Miss Lin feeling unwell?"

Xie Huaiyuan: "No, why are you suddenly asking this?"

"The other day, I happened to be going to the pharmacy to buy some medicine. I was waiting in the shop for a while and unexpectedly ran into Su Furong. She was looking furtive and whispering to the doctor in the shop to help her prepare the medicine. I was waiting in the shop at the time and only vaguely heard the name of Miss Lin mentioned. Today I finally met you, so I thought I'd tell you. It wouldn't be good if I delayed Miss Lin."

Shen Rongshi didn't mention that he had trapped the person and that if the person unfortunately fell ill or felt unwell, he wouldn't be able to find a doctor in time. He could only tell him this now so that he could keep an eye out. In addition, Hua Yisheng had already secretly sent him to the palace. Otherwise, he could have just let Hua Yisheng see him directly.

Seeing that he remained silent, Shen Rong thought for a moment and continued, "By the way, Su Furong later went to Pear Blossom Lane. Of course, this may just be my guess, or perhaps it is not true."

Xie Huaiyuan tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, each tap sounding particularly loud in the quiet private room, as if knocking into one's heart.

What is the name of that pharmacy?

Shen Rongshi quickly replied, "The Renyi Clinic at the entrance of Mu Alley."

Although Xie Huaiyuan didn't understand, he still made a note of it and planned to go and take a look later.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door, breaking the silence in the private room.

Xie Huaiyuan looked in the direction of the sound and saw several people walking in through the dappled light and shadow. The person in the lead was dressed in a bright red auspicious robe. The bright red color made her face look delicate and fair. Perhaps she was walking in a hurry, because the strands of hair hanging down her forehead were damp with sweat, and those strands of hair swayed gently with her steps.

As Lin Wan stepped into the room, she instantly added a dazzling light to the otherwise dimly lit space.

Their eyes met, and Lin Wan slowly approached, calling out, "Your Highness."

His gaze fell directly on Lin Wan's face, and even though Lin Wan looked away immediately after their eyes met, she could still feel his burning gaze.

As she approached, I could clearly see her suppressed breathing. Her long, raven-feather-like eyelashes fluttered as she lowered her eyes, casting a shadow beneath them.

The size of her clothes was surprisingly perfect; they weren't too tight around her waist, yet she still looked very slender, and the two snow rabbits on her plump Tingyao Feathers were faintly outlined.

Hearing the footsteps as well, Shen Rong followed Xie Huaiyuan's gaze and saw this scene, which made her face turn red.

Shen Rongshi's gaze froze, captivated. Before she could withdraw her amazed look, she met Xie Huaiyuan's cold and sharp scrutinizing gaze.

Shen Rongshi quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at Lin Wan again.

A faint, cool fragrance wafted towards him, and Xie Huaiyuan stood up to greet it.

"How is it? Is it suitable?" Xie Huaiyuan asked.

Lin Wan was completely taken aback by his sudden movement, and her face flushed slightly. Her voice was soft as she said, "The clothes fit well, but they are... a formal dress, and I'm wearing them..."

Lin Wan didn't finish her sentence. Instead, she stared intently at Xie Huaiyuan, wanting to hear the rest of her thoughts with her own ears, even if she still had questions.

As Lin Wan waited anxiously for his reply, her fingers gripped her sleeve, her slender fingers as soft as snow.

Xie Huaiyuan: "There's an auspicious day next month, which also happens to be your coming-of-age ceremony. How about we hold our wedding banquet after your coming-of-age ceremony?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Wan looked up at him in astonishment, her voice trembling: "What did you say?"

The light and shadow shone from behind her, falling on her face and making her cheeks appear even more rosy, a look that was both surprised and bewildered, yet also quite charming.

Xie Huaiyuan stared intently at her and said solemnly, word by word, "I want to marry you. I will bring you home at the end of next month."

"But, but..."

Lin Wan had a thousand words she wanted to say. How did it suddenly come to talking about marriage? She had never thought of it. When she tried to argue, she was intimidated by the displeasure that flashed in Xie Huaiyuan's eyes and dared not say anything more.

Feeling uneasy, she changed her clothes. When she returned to the private room, Shen Rongshi had already left, and the boxes on the table were all closed and tidied up.

Xie Huaiyuan: "If you feel there is anything that needs to be added, you can suggest it, and I will have someone prepare it one by one."

Actually, Lin Wan wasn't particularly concerned about the dazzling clothes and jewelry; what she cared about was what Xie Huaiyuan had mentioned—the wedding next month.

When I went out, I was greeted by the setting sun, and when I returned, the sky was full of stars; the night was exceptionally beautiful.

Even as she sat in the carriage, Lin Wan felt uneasy, but she gritted her teeth and decided to speak.

"Your Highness, may I choose not to marry?"

Xie Huaiyuan looked at her, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"No, it's not that I think those things are bad, they're all good. It's just that, as I said before, I don't want to get married." Lin Wan quickly explained, her voice getting softer and softer until only she could hear it.

After he finished speaking, the carriage fell silent. After a moment, Xie Huaiyuan asked in a low voice, "Why?"

When Lin Wan heard this word, she was stunned for a moment. A thousand thoughts swirled in her mind, and finally, she realized that she was tired. When she loved him the most and he was the only one in her heart, he did not cherish her.

After going through so much and exhausting herself, she finally discovered that she had fallen in love with the man who had taken her life. Should she still marry him?

No.

I don't want to think about it anymore.

Suddenly, she almost blurted out what was on her mind.

Xie Huaiyuan's eyes were dark, and his gaze fell directly on her face. "Wanwan, what did you just say? You spoke too softly. I didn't hear you clearly. Why don't you say it again?"

Meeting Xie Huaiyuan's scrutinizing gaze, Lin Wan felt a chill run down her spine. Her initial enthusiasm waned, and she no longer dared to bring it up again.

Lin Wanshi looked at him with a forced smile and said, "No, I just feel a little tired and want to go back and rest as soon as possible."

He remained silent for a moment, which almost made Lin Wan's heart break, thinking that he had heard what she had just whispered.

Xie Huaiyuan lowered his eyes, his gaze slowly falling on her face. The lanterns along the roadside, which the carriage had passed by, shone in, casting a chaotic mix of light and shadow, and the hesitation and doubt in her eyes could be vaguely seen.

"If you're tired, you can rest for a while. We'll be back soon."

Lin Wan looked up at him.

His deep, dark eyes were still fixed on her, as if he were pondering the credibility of her words.

Lin Wan became even more cautious and said nothing more. She closed her eyes to rest as he had instructed, but she didn't expect that she was right. She was indeed very tired and exhausted, and she fell asleep without realizing it.

It wasn't until late at night that Lin Wan suddenly woke up from her dream and realized that she had returned to the villa in Pear Blossom Lane.

The familiar candlelight shone on the desk by the window, flickering and swaying.

Lin Wan took a while to regain her senses. She turned her head and saw that Xie Huaiyuan was not beside her. In the past, if he did not have to deal with urgent official business, he would come back to accompany her after nightfall, and even sleep with her.

Lin Wan propped herself up and lifted the curtain, but still couldn't see Xie Huaiyuan.

In the stillness of the night, a familiar clanging sound reached my ears, and a cold sensation touched my ankles.

She immediately pulled back the blanket covering her, and sure enough, the chains were fastened again.

Lin Wan sighed helplessly and finally went back to sleep to rest.

Since it's already a fait accompli, and she can't break the chains, she shouldn't make things difficult for herself.

For some reason, she has been feeling sleepy lately. She fell asleep on her way back today and is still sleeping now.

There was a knock on the door of Renyi Clinic, located at the entrance of a wooden alley four streets away from Pear Blossom Alley.

"Here it is, who is it?"

The tightly closed door was quickly opened from the inside, and an elderly man with white hair, holding the door with one hand and an oil lamp in the other, looked at the richly dressed man standing in the doorway with a puzzled expression.

"Who are you……"

Although Dr. Liu of Renyi Clinic had doubts and didn't recognize the person in front of him, he still invited the person at the door into the shop.

Xie Huaiyuan pursed his lips as he walked and looked around the shop. Through the light, he could see that Renyi Clinic had two floors. The first floor was a simple and unpretentious shop, while the second floor seemed to be a place for rest and accommodation.

Dr. Liu: "I wonder if you're feeling unwell, that you've come here so late at night?"

Xie Huaiyuan glanced around at the various medicines on the back wall cabinet and asked, "Do you remember a young and beautiful woman who came to get medicine two days ago?"

Doctor Liu reached out and gently stroked the long, white beard on his chin. After a long while, he asked, "May I ask who you are to that woman, sir?"

Xie Huaiyuan's patience seemed to have run out completely. His eyes flickered, a white light flashed, and Green Bamboo, who was following behind him, quickly stepped forward, drew her sword, and placed it against Doctor Liu's neck, startling him so much that he blurted out everything.

"My...my lord, spare my life! That girl...she said her married sister didn't want to get pregnant so soon and asked her to buy contraceptive medicine...she also said that to avoid her husband finding out, she specially made the medicine into pills."

"You sold it to her?"

"Yes...yes."