Chapter 31 Earrings: Having both a son and a daughter, how could it not be good?

When Mingying heard the words "two quarters of an hour," her heart skipped a beat. She suddenly clenched her fists, glared at him angrily, and her eyes were filled with shame and indignation.

It seemed like a threat to him not to speak.

Of course, to Pei Xiaoyun, this seemingly harmless gaze appeared awkward and embarrassed.

He smiled and let it go, intending to give her some face.

In any case, she only had two quarters of an hour with Lin Xian, but she would be entangled with him for a lifetime.

So, he turned his back, refusing to look at the two annoying figures stuck together.

"Ziming, I brought you some medicine for your injuries." Mingying took out a hidden porcelain bottle from her sleeve and said in a voice that only she and Lin Xian could hear.

Although she couldn't see his injuries, she guessed that he must have suffered a lot.

She dragged him down with her.

But that's all she can do now.

"Apply it to the wounds, it will make you feel better." She said, tears streaming down her face, her guilt like a giant hand that wanted to tear her heart apart.

This couldn't go on; she couldn't bear to see innocent people suffer any longer.

Pei Xiaoyun's expression suddenly darkened; he had heard everything.

She even secretly brought medicine to Lin Xian behind his back.

How thoughtful and considerate!

Lin Xian wanted to wipe away Mingying's tears, but she was afraid of getting them on her face, so she could only look at her and say, "Aying, don't worry about me."

He just wanted her to live a good life, so that she wouldn't have to suffer the coercion and bullying of that madman because she missed him.

If given the chance, he wanted to tell her to run away and leave him alone.

He personally pulled her out of the gloom.

During those three years, I took her to see all of China, its mountains and rivers.

The camellias they planted together also bloomed beautifully.

He didn't want to see her return to her misery because of him.

Mingying's vision blurred, but his clear and handsome face remained unchanged in her eyes.

How could she not worry about him?

Tears welled up in her eyes, "I..."

"Alright." Pei Xiaoyun interrupted coldly, giving a sneer. "The time has come. Mian'er, come out by yourself."

Mingying held Lin Xian's hand, unwilling to let go.

How can these few words untangle the longing I've endured?

Her slightly reddened eyes gleamed coldly; Pei Xiaoyun was going too far.

Even so, she still had to humble herself and beg him: "Can I talk to him for a few more minutes? It won't take too long."

She hadn't even seen his face clearly, nor heard his voice, so how could she bear to leave like this and continue living in fear of not seeing him?

Pei Xiaoyun could tell that she was not going to leave, so he stepped into the cell with slow, arrogant steps, as if he were entering an exceptionally lowly and filthy place.

“You didn’t follow the rules.” He said sarcastically, grabbing Mingying’s hand.

Mingying was filled with shame and indignation, and flung him away, saying, "Don't go too far!"

Lin Xian watched this scene with a heart full of pain, almost suffocating: "Pei Xiaoyun, you beast, you will get your retribution sooner or later."

Pei Xiaoyun glanced at him coldly, and stared at him for a long time. Sparks flew between their eyes, and they were evenly matched.

"I'll wait and see."

He curved his lips into a smile, picked Mingying up in his arms, and carried her outside. His hot hands slid into her clothes, causing her to tremble repeatedly.

Mingying gripped his hand tightly with all her might, biting her lip until it bled: "No... I beg you, at least, not here, okay?"

In front of Lin Xian, she had to salvage the last shred of her remaining dignity.

At the very least, she can't hear it, otherwise, how will she live?

Pei Xiaoyun's gaze fell on her frightened little face, and she suddenly sneered: "Mian'er, you're really something."

The petite figure resisted fiercely, but was firmly suppressed by the man's chest.

Lin Xianru was struck hard on the head, and in a fit of anger, she coughed up blood while clutching her chest. She then punched the iron railing repeatedly until her hands were covered in blood, but she felt no pain.

His eyes were bloodshot, a fire burning away any trace of gentleness.

Dawn broke outside the prison cell.

The carriage was spacious, with a small table and a not-too-narrow soft couch inside.

Mingying was thrown onto the soft couch, and then the man's strong body pressed close to her.

A pair of earrings slapped haphazardly against her face, leaving a few fleeting shadows.

Pei Xiaoyun gently removed the earring from her lips, placed the pearl on it, and commanded her, "Keep it in your mouth."

Mingying wouldn't budge, so he waited for a moment when she was catching her breath and inserted two fingers into her mouth: "If it falls down, I'll go back and take his life right now."

It was a gift from him, so she had to cherish it.

It should be held in the mouth and never neglected for a moment.

Mingying had no choice but to reveal the snow-white pearls and the rosy lips, and she was sensual and decadent several times.

Pei Xiaoyun gazed into her dazed eyes and poured out the words that had been building up for so long into her ears.

"You are not allowed to give him medicine."

"Don't call him Ziming."

"And you're not allowed to say you're worried about him."

Her voice was hoarse, and as if one were to savor every word, one would appreciate her soft sobbing with each sentence she uttered.

She was his alone, and he would not allow anyone to covet her.

Did you hear that?

He wanted her to agree, to nod, to stop loving Lin Xian.

Mingying swayed unsteadily, nodding unconsciously. As she lowered her head, the bead in her mouth fell to the ground with a crisp sound...

“It’s gone, it’s really useless.” Pei Xiaoyun touched her face, his touch growing deeper and deeper, without stopping.

I don't know how much time passed, from dawn to dusk.

The bumpy ride finally stopped, and someone outside called out, "Master, we've arrived at the manor."

Mingying's eyes suddenly brightened, and her sticky body struggled to get off him; it was finally over.

Pei Xiaoyun seemed to see through her thoughts, pulled her back, and said to the outside, "Let's take another walk around the street."

—

The night was deep in the Pei residence in Hangzhou.

The woman, dressed in black, sat on the steps, using a jug of strong liquor to treat her wounds.

Pain was the least sensitive sensation for Xingwei; she seemed to have experienced something far more painful, but she couldn't recall it.

The strong liquor was poured onto the knife wound, the bright red flesh turned outwards, her eyes were expressionless, and she remained silent.

The bamboo shadows rustled as a man carrying a medicine box walked towards them. He wore a simple blue robe and had a bright, dark beauty mark at the corner of his eye. It was none other than He Lianqing.

Although he lived in the mansion, Pei Xiaoyun would not summon him. During the day, when he had nothing to do, he would go out of the mansion to provide free medical treatment for the poor people in the vicinity.

He strolled leisurely into the courtyard.

"Who's there?"

Xingwei heard footsteps and reached for the sword at his waist.

She only knows how to kill; sensing sounds seems to be her instinct.

“It’s me, Miss Xing.” He Lianqing quickly spoke up when she saw that her sword was about to be drawn.

He and Xingwei had followed Pei Xiaoyun together three years ago, but they had no interaction on ordinary days. However, ever since she helped him out of a predicament that night, he started to pay more attention to her.

How did such a perfectly good girl end up becoming a murderous bodyguard?

After thinking it over, I can only guess that she has something she can't say.

Xingwei recognized him as an acquaintance, glanced at him indifferently, dismissed his wariness, and sat back down on the steps to apply the medicine.

The gruesome wound was exposed before He Lianqing's eyes. He gasped, took out his medicine box, and pulled out a bottle of medicinal wine specifically for knife wounds: "Miss Xing, how could you use strong liquor?"

Even a man couldn't withstand being doused with such strong liquor.

He couldn't help but frown when he saw it.

"I have some medicinal wine here. Use this and your wound will heal in a few days."

Xingwei didn't look at the medicine he offered. She turned slightly and said in a cold tone, "I don't need it."

He Lianqing thought she was aloof and unwilling to accept other people's kindness, so he said, "Consider it as me repaying your favor. You can take it."

"I said I don't need it." Xingwei casually bandaged the wound, put down her sleeve, stood up and pushed his hand away. "It's getting late, go back to your courtyard. Wanderers, kill without mercy."

Once upon a time in the capital, a member of a powerful family planted a maidservant who, under the guise of lighting lamps at night, attempted to assassinate Pei Xiaoyun.

Pei Xiaoyun was at her weakest when the poison in her body flared up. Although she killed the spy, she was also injured.

From then on, he ordered that the backyard gates be closed at 9 PM, and that servants be forbidden from leaving the premises, with the threat of execution for any violators.

He Lianqing sighed, feeling utterly betrayed by her good intentions. "How can you be so unreasonable..."

A gleaming silver sword was drawn right before his eyes, followed by a chilling gust of wind. He silently shut his mouth.

"Okay, okay, don't do anything, I'll leave."

He angrily took the medicine away.

He sells this medicine for two taels of silver a bottle.

How could there be such a rigid, stubborn woman who wouldn't budge no matter what?

After the two people in the courtyard left, late at night, Pei Xiaoyun returned carrying Mingying, who was so exhausted that she collapsed in his arms.

The person in his arms was completely naked, only covered by a large cloak so that their skin wouldn't be exposed.

Pei Xiaoyun kicked open the door, and all the servants in the room rushed to serve him. When they saw the woman in his arms with her eyes slightly open and closed, they all lowered their heads and held their breath, not daring to say a word.

"All of you, get out."

Only one dim light was left on inside.

Pei Xiaoyun placed her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her body.

Mingying touched the bed, forcing herself to stay conscious.

The carriage circled the street twice, and Pei Xiaoyun, like a hungry wolf, seemed to want to devour her whole.

Her whole body ached, and her knees were red from kneeling.

Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she turned to the side and reached for the medicine under her pillow.

Taking advantage of his inattention, she took a pill, stuffed it into her mouth, and swallowed it whole before daring to strip naked and fall into a deep sleep.

—

The following day, news arrived at the Governor-General's office in Zhejiang.

Shen Mingshu went to pay his respects to Shen Chun early in the morning, his voice filled with joy: "Godfather, the eldest son of the Lin family is still alive."

"Really?" Shen Chun opened her eyes, which had been feigning sleep, and tightened her grip on the teacup.

Shen Mingshu continued, "As you instructed, my men have been keeping a close eye on the Pei residence. Yesterday, a scout reported that Pei Xiaoyun led a group to the suburban prison and interrogated Lin Xian."

The spy was well hidden, and that's all the information he gathered; he didn't know anything more detailed.

Upon hearing the words "interrogation," Shen Chun's eyes filled with a mixture of turbidity and sharp glint.

Undeniably, Lin Xian is a genius painter. If he wants Lin Xian to work for him, does Pei Xiaoyun not need Lin Xian's talent?

Otherwise, they wouldn't have deliberately spread the news that Lin Xian was dead.

He must be forcing Lin Xian to do things for him.

They must act quickly to rescue this person and put him to their own use.

"Ashu!" he suddenly called out, "Young Master Lin, we must save him."

That night, the suburban prison suddenly caught fire.

Several of Shen Chun's spies sneaked into the prison during the chaos, but before they could even reach the cell where Lin Xian was being held, they were personally killed by Pei Xiaoyun and his men.

Pei Xiaoyun didn't even need to leave any survivors to know whose people these were.

He slowly wiped the blood off his sword, stepping into the flowing blood.

He brought Mingying to see Lin Xian, but the secret was leaked shortly afterward.

It seems there's a traitor among his men.

Mingying had little appetite.

Seeing that Yuechan had carefully prepared the meal, it was not appropriate to let her take it away untouched.

After taking the bowl of savory soup she had served, she had only taken a few bites when several people rushed in and dragged Yuechan out without saying a word.

The cicada cried out in panic, but it was no match for the several fierce clamps.

Mingying was startled. She put down her bowl and followed them out, shouting, "What are you doing?"

The courtyard was lit up, making the white frost on the ground visible.

She followed those people out, and a gust of cold wind hit her in the chest as Pei Xiaoyun was about to enter.

"What happened to Yuechan? Why did they take her away?"

She knew that Yuechan was his person, and no one would dare to touch Yuechan without his orders.

Pei Xiaoyun opened his wide cloak, covering her thin body, his eyes reflecting the dappled firelight, and spoke as lightly as a breeze: "She betrayed me, so she should naturally be executed."

He found out that after Yuechan came to Hangzhou, she had a lover outside.

The innocent man had her lover under his control and forced her to betray his every move.

Although nothing major was revealed, it must have been Yuechan who informed them of their trip to the suburban prison that day.

He cannot tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes.

As the two were talking, Yuechan was dragged onto the torture bench. Several wide, long boards were raised high and then brought down heavily. The courtyard was filled with her cries for mercy: "Master, I will never dare to do it again, please spare me!"

Mingying was terrified as she listened, the ghostly orange light burning into her eyes.

There was a time when she knelt down and begged him like that.

She understood this fear and helplessness.

The masters looked down on the servants, who were like fish on a chopping board, lowly ants, and could lose their lives if they uttered a single wrong word.

She would never forget Ling Shuang, who died in front of her.

That winter, like this one, was so cold it was despairing.

Yuechan's cries were particularly pitiful. She dared not look at the execution scene, and looked at Pei Xiaoyun, her voice hoarse: "Spare her. She made a mistake, so just kick her out of the manor."

Yuechan was the first person she met who spoke to her when she came to this mansion. Although she was not close to Yuechan, Yuechan was considerate in her work and never deliberately caused her any trouble.

"You're very kind-hearted, aren't you?" Pei Xiaoyun gripped her cold wrist, his icy gaze falling on her. "You'll plead for anyone?"

She pleaded for Lin Xian, for a lowly maid, yet she was cold and heartless towards him alone.

"What exactly did she do wrong?" Mingying's eyes were filled with warmth.

The sound of the cicada gradually faded, becoming as faint as grass or sand.

Bending a blade of grass is easy, but surviving is difficult, or perhaps very easy, requiring only a single, fleeting word.

However, Pei Xiaoyun never intended to forgive Yuechan.

He sat on a round-backed chair under the eaves, pulled Mingying's hand, and despite her resistance and struggle, pressed her down onto his lap, forcing her to look ahead.

"She tipped off outsiders, sending people to rescue Lin Xian."

A puff of hot air hit Mingying's ear, causing her to flinch.

So, how is he now? Did he escape?

Pei Xiaoyun chuckled as she looked at her stunned reaction: "Luckily, I discovered it in time and prevented them from succeeding."

The two were pressed close together, appearing to outsiders to be intimately close.

Mingying felt a chill in her heart. She glared at him, thinking him shameless. She shoved him with her elbow and shouted, "Since it didn't work out, she doesn't deserve to die. Why can't you let her go? Make them stop!"

The cicada's screams were drowned out by the thud of the wooden board.

Soon, his body became like a lump of mud, drifting with the current.

On the torture bench, drops of scarlet blood flowed down.

"Open your eyes and see. I will not let any of those who betrayed me get away with it." Pei Xiaoyun did not allow her to struggle, resist, or turn her head away. "Including you."

His heart, forged in the crucible of bloodshed, is no longer moved by blood or blinked at the sight of the dead.

Those who are soft-hearted will die without a burial place.

As for Mingying, he wouldn't let her go either; he was determined to entangle her until the very end.

Mingying's face was wet with tears, and the blood on the ground reflected in her eyes, making her feel dizzy.

She gagged, feeling a chill spread through her body, and even her jaw was chattering.

Pei Xiaoyun released her, and her legs went weak, causing her to collapse to the ground.

He looked at her pale face and smiled meaningfully: "Mian'er, the strong don't need to plead for anyone, but the weak have no one to plead for; just talking is useless."

The night was completely still, without a trace of noise, only the desolate cold wind could be heard.

The lingering warmth on Mingying's body was completely swept away by the night wind, and even the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the treetops made her feel extremely nervous and tremble violently.

Many people died in front of her, one after another.

Just as Pei Xiaoyun said, she was lowly and insignificant, and her pleas for mercy were of no use.

She thought of Lin Xian, of his face, of his voice.

Pei Xiaoyun is a cold-blooded and ruthless madman who won't let any of them get away with it.

She didn't want to drag anyone else down with her.

For half a month, she was plagued by nightmares, filled with the image of Yuechan, just like Yuzhong and Lingshuang from back then.

They asked her why she didn't help when someone was dying.

She often woke up crying in the middle of the night, murmuring "I'm sorry" in the darkness.

She really didn't know what to do, or how to save them.

Startled awake, Pei Xiaoyun pressed her back onto the pillow and said lightly, "It's just a dead person, what are you afraid of?"

"Don't let me see, don't let me see..." Mingying buried her face in his arms and cried, her back heaving and her cheeks flushed.

If you let her see it again, she'll go crazy.

Hearing her cries, Pei Xiaoyun felt as if something had struck his heart. He pulled the blanket over her and said, "You can't refuse me, or I'll do as you say."

He pressed Mingying against his chest, the warmth and suffocating sensation dispelling the fear in her heart and stopping her sobs.

...

The first light of dawn was pierced by a thin mist.

A sliver of light pierced through the curtains, dancing on Mingying's eyelashes. When she woke up, she found Pei Xiaoyun staring at her.

The feeling of being treated like prey made her extremely uncomfortable. She shifted uncomfortably, bringing in a few gusts of cold air.

After thinking about it all night, she realized something.

Her long, curved eyelashes fluttered slightly, then froze, as if she had made a decision: "I agree to go back to the capital with you, and I'm willing to follow you, just like before. But you must release him in front of me."

Begging him or keeping him hanging on is useless.

Her relationship with him was a tragic one, and she shouldn't involve others. She had to watch Lin Xian leave before she could feel at ease.

Pei Xiaoyun was momentarily stunned, staring intently at her lips as they opened and closed, remaining speechless for a moment.

She sneered inwardly: She's gone to such lengths for Lin Xian?

"Not enough."

His rough palm slid under her clothes and stroked her flat stomach. "Give me another son, and then we'll have both a son and a daughter. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Mingying glared at him angrily, a flame burning in her eyes, but it was suppressed by his gloom and could not ignite.

She was completely unwilling to have his child again.

"I've agreed to go back to Beijing with you. Can we talk about this later?"

Once he releases Lin Xian, the world will be vast and time will allow her to find an opportunity to escape.

"You've reminded me of something today."

Pei Xiaoyun smiled through his dark eyes, seemingly seeing through her stalling tactic. Without answering her, he continued, "I can't keep Lin Xian locked up forever. I'll give you two months. If you get pregnant, I'll release him in front of you. If you don't, I'll kill him."

She's soft-hearted towards others, so perhaps if she gets pregnant again, she'll accept her fate, change her mind, and obediently follow him.

And Lin Xian, he would never let her go.

If he truly refuses to cooperate and won't listen to reason, we absolutely cannot let him fall into Shen Chun's hands; we'll find an opportunity to kill him.

He touched Mingying's fair and smooth skin, lost in thought.

He stopped taking the contraceptive medicine for so many days, and even though he was with her day and night, there was still no sign of pregnancy.

He didn't even bother to investigate further; it must be that she and He Lianqing were working together to cause trouble.

This time, he wanted her to be obedient and agree to bear his children.

"Didn't I tell you that day? Asking for help is useless if you just talk about it. You have to pay the price and take action. What do you think?"

A demanding question was uttered.

Mingying trembled, like prey trapped in a dead end, surrounded by impenetrable walls, with nowhere to retreat.

His words were her only outlet.

She naively believed that the man beside her would keep his promise. She closed her eyes and murmured, "I promise you, and I hope you will keep your word and never go back on your word."

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

Author's Note: The man who wanted to rise in status through his son has already lost [doge]. Next chapter will be about planning his escape [doge]. Don't worry, it'll be a "wife-chasing-after-the-cremation" scenario, but it's only a little over 100,000 words yet. I have an outline and will follow it. Chapter 26 was locked overnight; did everyone miss it? [crying][crying] This chapter has such low click rates [crying][crying]