Chapter 16: In the dream, would he use those knuckled fingers...

The lewd dreams lasted forever.

Xue Zhiying paid the price for the powder she sprinkled and helped him all night long.

When she opened her eyes hazily, they were filled with mist. The morning light shone into her sight through the mist, making her unable to tell whether he had finally finished or it was dawn.

The shadows on the windowsill sway lightly, and the breeze stirs the curtains.

Xue Zhiying felt a coolness that quenched the heat, and then she realized that it was her back that was covered in sweat.

She moved slightly within the covers, bringing her legs together and gently gripping the corners.

The shameful tingling sensation lingered for a long time, but it was not as strong as in the dream. It only stirred her mind vaguely, making it impossible for her to completely calm down.

My chaotic thoughts tried to recreate the dream in my mind, but no matter how I pieced it together, the images that emerged were blurry and difficult to recall specifically.

Then new imaginations begin to emerge.

Did he drink the pot of tea? She experienced the strong effect of the medicine herself. Did he help himself all night in the reality outside the dream?

Xue Zhiying curled up with trembling eyes.

The more I dare not imagine that scene, the more I can't help but think about it.

My cheeks were once again covered with heat, and a subtle tingling sensation quietly spread to my lower abdomen.

Her fingertips that were grabbing the corner of the quilt unconsciously loosened and slowly moved into the quilt.

Skip the chest and reach the lower abdomen.

But it hasn't stopped yet...

At this time, Chuntao came into the room at the appointed time. Before she could call out, she saw Xue Zhiying with her eyes open.

Then he immediately exclaimed: "Girl, what's wrong with you?"

"Your face is red and your forehead is covered in sweat. Are you feeling unwell? Are you sick?"

Xue Zhiying immediately pulled both hands out of the quilt guiltily, as if this could prove her innocence.

"I'm fine. I just had a fever from sleeping. I'll be fine once I get up."

But getting up was not good.

Xue Zhiying was sweating all over, her body was sticky and soaked through her clothes, especially her underwear.

Fortunately, Chuntao didn't understand anything and didn't ask questions that would make her too embarrassed to answer. She was also very considerate and prepared bath water for her.

Xue Zhiying sat in the bathtub, and the waves covered her full body.

Not knowing what she was thinking of, she raised her arms to cover her chest.

Suddenly, her eyes were startled and her expression became hurried.

The bath to wash away the stickiness was quickly over. Without even putting on her clothes, she quickly walked out of the bathing room and headed towards the corner of the courtyard.

Chuntao was bending over to collect the debris that was about to be thrown away.

"Chun Tao, wait."

Chuntao turned around, her face full of confusion.

Then he saw Xue Zhiying squatting and rummaging through the pile of junk.

After a while, she suddenly stopped moving.

Chuntao turned her head to look and saw Xue Zhiying found a medicine bag from the pile of miscellaneous items. She was holding the medicine bag motionlessly with a dazed look on her face.

Actually... the seal was not opened.

Because of panic, Xue Zhiying didn't even look at the medicine bag carefully from the moment he took it out and put the medicine in until he threw it away.

Only then could one clearly see that there was a little dust on the surface of the square medicine bag, but the bag was intact and the medicine powder inside was bulging.

This means that the pot of tea has no medicinal effect.

Xue Zhiying's heart skipped a beat, and her rhythm seemed to be disrupted, but soon it slowed down.

She wasn't ashamed that her dreams had nothing to do with the drug.

Instead, she was a little disappointed.

Her long eyelashes drooped, casting a small shadow on her face.

So even if Xiao Yunqi drank the tea last night, he would not have the same feeling as her.

And I will never... do such a thing.

After a long while, Xue Zhiying took action and silently put the medicine bag into his arms.

*

Xue Zhiying's current problem was solved on the first day, which meant that she could get the opportunity that Yunniang prepared specifically for her.

So, in the following time, she stayed in Jingshuiyuan all day embroidering.

But her thoughts did not stop. Just seizing the opportunity given to her by Yunniang could not change her current situation in a short time. She also faced the difficult problem of how to deal with Meng Chen's invitation on the 15th of next month.

But since that night, her sleep seemed to open the door to those gorgeous and beautiful dreams, long or short, coming to visit from time to time.

It made her mind wander and she kept thinking about taking shortcuts.

The picked-up medicine bag has remained in the cabinet in the house ever since, waiting for the time when it can be used.

But that road was so difficult. If it could be easily passed, she wouldn't have to sit here with so much worry in her heart.

But she still often thought about it, and she gradually realized that it seemed to also contain her own selfish desire to pick that high-ranking flower.

Such thoughts were very dangerous. She was worried that one day she would get carried away and make a big mistake.

Time flies and it is already the end of the month.

Xue Zhiying finished the embroidery and it was time for her to leave the house.

For the past ten days, she has been busy with embroidery and there has been no news from Xiao Yunqi.

The day before she was leaving, she couldn't hold back and took the initiative to look for him. Unfortunately, she didn't see anyone, but fortunately she got a definite answer that she would leave the next day.

Early that morning, after she had simply put on her makeup, she took Chuntao and the embroidery to the gate of the Xiao Mansion.

When Xue Zhiying vaguely saw a corner of the carriage parked in front of the door, she was already filled with disbelief and surprise.

It wasn't until the tall man standing beside the carriage came into her sight that she stared blankly.

Xiao Yunqi was standing with his back to the door, instructing the servant in front of him.

Maybe it was Mu Yan who reminded him, and he turned around and looked over.

He didn't react when he saw Xue Zhiying's obviously surprised and happy expression, but when he saw her and the maid approaching with empty hands, he frowned slightly.

Mu Yan couldn't help but ask, "Cousin, haven't you packed your luggage yet?"

Xue Zhiying: "What luggage?"

After she answered, Xiao Yunqi glanced at her indifferently, then turned around and got on the carriage.

Xue Zhiying was confused, not knowing what she had done wrong. Did she make him unhappy just by showing up?

Mu Yan knew that his master was not unhappy at all, he was simply too lazy to care.

But of course he had to tell Xue Zhiying: "Miss, this trip will take at least half a month to go back and forth. It will be inconvenient for you to go without luggage."

"...More than half a month?"

Lian Chuntao was also surprised: "Girl, it's been such a long time and we didn't bring anything with us."

Mu Yan understood what was going on when he saw Xue Zhiying's panic.

"Miss, don't you know where Huining Temple is?"

Xue Zhiying shook her head, completely unaware.

She hadn't even thought that she would have to spend the night outside the house.

When she couldn't see Xiao Yunqi, she felt even more panicked.

Mu Yan also looked towards the direction of the carriage in embarrassment.

Who would have thought that this cousin had no idea where Huining Temple was, nor did she know what she was going to do, and it was already time for her to set off.

I don’t know what the master’s attitude is.

At this time, Xiao Yunqi's voice came from the carriage: "I'll wait for you for an incense stick of time."

Xue Zhiying was stunned for a moment, then immediately replied: "Thank you, cousin. I'll be fine soon."

After saying that, she turned around and walked back quickly. After a few steps, she lifted her skirt and started jogging.

When Xiao Yunqi stuck his head out, he saw the petite figure disappear at the end of the path.

He withdrew his gaze and met Mu Yan's gaze from a close distance.

Mu Yan calmly put away the inappropriate expression on his face and bowed respectfully, "I will go check the accompanying carriage and luggage."

One stick of incense is a very tight time for a girl to pack her luggage.

And Xue Zhiying still couldn't fully understand what the itinerary of this trip was.

So when she returned to the mansion, some time had passed.

She looked nervous, not knowing if it would take more than an incense stick of time.

Fortunately, Mu Yan was kind and whispered to her before she boarded the carriage: "Cousin, the time is just right. There is no delay."

She murmured a thank you and relaxed a little.

But after getting on the carriage, she looked up and saw Xiao Yunqi's indifferent face, and she couldn't help but tense up again.

It’s not that I was scared by his cold face.

But, guilty conscience...

"Is everything packed?" Xiao Yunqi suddenly asked her.

Xue Zhiying's eyelashes trembled, and she stuttered a little: "Packed, packed up."

She silently admitted it in her heart and even packed up the bag of medicine.

In fact, she was still despising herself. At such a critical moment just now, she actually had the time to think about the packet of medicine.

In fact, she had never thought about whether she would have the chance to use it, how to use it, or whether to use it in the end.

But I brought it with me after all.

Xiao Yunqi's gaze stayed on her face for a moment, then he looked away and gave the order to set off outside the carriage.

After the carriage started moving, Xue Zhiying came back to his senses from self-reflection.

At first, she had not expected that she would travel with Xiao Yunqi, and she just thought that he would take her out of the house and leave her alone.

It was now obvious that they were going to go together to a place farther outside the capital.

But she still has to go to the embroidery workshop.

"cousin……"

Xiao Yunqi suddenly raised his eyes, and it was rare for him to give a timely and obvious response to her call.

Xue Zhiying said cautiously, "I have to go to the embroidery workshop. I was originally planning to go there. Can I..."

Xiao Yunqi interrupted her calmly: "We are going to the embroidery workshop now."

Xue Zhiying blinked in surprise, then said "Oh" with relief.

Seeing that she seemed to be restrained, Xiao Yunqi did not remind her that if she had something to say, she could just say it and there was no need to act like a spoiled child.

The carriage swayed and the interior was silent.

It was not until this moment that Xue Zhiying calmed down and sorted out the current situation.

She actually wanted to travel far away with Xiao Yunqi.

Could it be that she would be able to see him every day for the next half month?

If that were true, she would have many opportunities to get close to him.

It seemed as if God had once again bestowed upon her a small favor, but she needed to be wary of the misfortunes that might follow similar favors in the past.

So Xue Zhiying stayed quiet and behaved herself for the time being.

But the apparent peace of mind cannot suppress the uncontrollable thoughts that are spreading everywhere.

During the ten days when she had not met Xiao Yunqi, she saw him in her dreams several times.

She didn't feel it so strongly before she actually faced him, but when he really appeared in front of her, one glance easily reminded her of the bold things she had done to him in her dreams these days.

Each one is worth recalling, but none of them can be known to anyone.

The more Xue Zhiying thought about it, the more guilty she felt, and finally she lowered her eyes.

His eyes fell on the brocade cushions in the carriage.

Xiao Yunqi was relaxed, with his legs slightly open and his hands casually placed on both sides.

Dreams are always vague, but what appears in the eyes at this moment is truly clear.

This was the first time Xue Zhiying looked at these hands carefully.

He has broad palms and long fingers. The veins on the back of his hands are prominent and spread down his arms, making him look extremely powerful.

In her dreams, she was always grabbed by these hands, either by the back of her neck or by the sides of her head.

He also held her neck and wandered across her body.

But he never helped her.

If he were asked to help, would he use his knuckled fingers...

"What are you looking at?"

The man's sudden and deep voice frightened the person so much that he almost screamed out.

But only those who are guilty of something will jump around like a frightened bird.

Xue Zhiying stopped screaming and lied softly, "...I was in a daze."

Then, the hand in sight slowly rose.

Until Xue Zhiying forgot to look away and her gaze unconsciously followed the hand, finally falling on Xiao Yunqi's face.

The evidence was irrefutable. He lowered his hand and asked in a different way, "Miss Xue, why are you staring at my hand?"

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