Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Encounter

The night grew darker, and the wind and snow howled outside, blowing the lanterns under the eaves up and down, casting flickering shadows on the window paper.

This inn is quite remote, with not many people staying here at night. At this moment, there are only a few scattered lights left.

It was already late, but Zhe Rou was not sleepy at all. She just sat at the table, holding the teacup in her hand, lost in thought.

Shui Qing stayed in Pingjiang Prefecture, and no one knew what the situation was on Xie Yunzhou's side.

Perhaps she was used to having someone accompany her along the way, but now, in the dead of night, sitting alone under the lamp, listening to the howling wind outside, she actually felt a sense of indescribable loneliness.

Seeing the charcoal basin burning brighter, Zhe Rou stood up and put the small red clay stove stand beside her on it. Just as she was about to add two more pieces of charcoal, she heard someone knocking on the door.

Zhe Rou waved her hands, walked over and opened the door, and saw Xie Yunzhou leaning leisurely on the doorpost. Seeing her open the door, he smiled at her, his eyes reflecting the light in the corridor, bright and cheerful: "Nineth Lady."

It was obvious that he had fled here in the wind and snow. His handsome face was brightly smiling, but he looked extremely embarrassed. The fallen snow on his sword-like eyebrows turned into water droplets, his face looked unusually pale, and there was a faint trace of blood on his lips.

In the dim light of the house, Zhe Rou saw the man in front of her clearly. She was slightly startled and turned aside to let him in first. "Are you hurt? Did the Duke hit you?"

Xie Yunzhou stepped over the threshold, his eyes wandering for a moment, and he mumbled, "Nothing, I accidentally got hit twice on the way out."

He said it lightly, but looking at his expression, Zhe Rou guessed that he was seriously injured and was probably just pretending to be strong.

She didn't ask any more questions and turned to look through the medicine box. She then told Xie Yunzhou to take off his outer robe and inner clothes and sit back on the chair. "I brought medicine for external injuries. Let me show you."

Xie Yunzhou paused when he heard this, but he couldn't resist her concern. He obediently unbuttoned his outer robe and leaned back on the chair, revealing his thin and strong back.

Zhe Rou walked behind him and took a closer look.

Several intricate stick marks ran diagonally from the left shoulder to the right waist. By now, the area was red, swollen, and bruised, with several bloody cracks on the edges, slowly oozing blood. It looked particularly shocking against the pale skin.

Fortunately, it was only a flesh wound.

The journey north was long, and Zhe Rou brought some medicine for treating external injuries with her. Unexpectedly, they actually came in handy.

After simply cleaning the blood stains, Zhe Rou turned around to get the ointment, scooped out a small piece with her fingertips, dissolved it in the palm of her hand, dipped her fingertips in it, and slowly applied it to the wound on his back.

Her fingers were soft, smooth, and slightly cool.

The moment his fingertips touched the back of his heart, Xie Yunzhou trembled violently, and the thin muscles on his back suddenly tensed up. After a moment, the tense muscles slowly relaxed, making his back straighter.

Zhe Rou couldn't help but pause, and tentatively raised her eyes to look at him: "Does it hurt? I'll be gentler."

Xie Yunzhou's Adam's apple rolled violently. He wanted to force a meaningless laugh and say, "It's just a small flesh wound, which is nothing." But when the words came to his lips, he nodded for some unknown reason and replied softly, "...It hurts."

He has always been a stubborn and unruly person, but now he actually showed weakness for the first time. It must be that he was really in pain. Zhe Rou paused for a moment and relaxed his grip a little.

The wind and snow howled outside the house. The charcoal basin at the feet burned more vigorously. The tea on the small red clay stove gradually heated up. A few wisps of white mist rose faintly. The fragrance of tea mixed with the bitter smell of medicine slowly spread in the warm room.

The soft breath brushed across the wound like a feather, causing a slight shudder. Xie Yunzhou felt a tingling sensation on his back, his Adam's apple rolled a few times, his five fingers clenched the edge of the armchair, and a thin layer of sweat gradually seeped out of his body.

Zhe Rou noticed his tension, and her heart softened as she gently comforted him, "Don't be afraid, it will be fine soon."

Knowing that she had misunderstood, Xie Yunzhou felt a lump in his throat, but he didn't know how to explain anything. He could only say "hmm" in a muffled voice and turned his face away in embarrassment.

The dim oil lamp behind her stretched her figure very long, swaying gently on the mottled floor.

Xie Yunzhou stared blankly for a while, then unconsciously raised his fingertips and lightly touched the floating light and shadow.

Thinking back to a few months ago, when he first arrived at Yanziwu, she treated him quite coldly and distantly, only asking Shuiqing to handle things like changing dressings and bandaging, and she rarely entered his bedroom.

After being together for so long, it seems like something is quietly changing.

After applying the medicine, Zhe Rou smiled cheerfully, "Okay, put your clothes back on."

The soft fingertips suddenly left the back, but the warm touch seemed to still be imprinted on the skin.

The tea water on the small red clay stove was boiling, bubbling against the lid of the pot, and tea mist was rising and spreading.

Xie Yunzhou slowly stood up.

Zhe Rou lowered her head to collect the medicine bottle. Just as she was about to stand up, she inadvertently glanced at the old crescent-shaped scar on his chest. Suddenly, she felt a little embarrassed and smiled, "My skills were not good at that time, and the wound was not sutured smoothly. This scar... doesn't look very good."

After she finished speaking, she put away her handkerchief and was about to turn around, but Xie Yunzhou suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.

The young man's palm was warm and dry, completely covering her slender wrist.

Zhe Rou was stunned.

"I think it looks good." Xie Yunzhou turned his head to look at her, raised his eyebrows slightly, and smiled lazily: "It saved my life."

Zhe Rou lowered her head and met his gaze. The young man's eyes were clear and pure, his dark pupils reflected the candlelight, and his smile was bright, only holding a small part of her.

Her heart inexplicably tightened, and Zhe Rou felt a little overwhelmed. She quickly turned her eyes away and whispered to him to put on his clothes quickly, "The windows of the inn are drafty, be careful not to catch a cold."

The hot blood from running on the snowy night was still rushing in his veins, and the chaotic emotions that had been accumulated and suppressed all night could no longer be suppressed.

Xie Yunzhou's heart hardened, and he looked straight at her, "Nine Lady, from tonight onwards, I am no longer some worthless prince. Are you willing to give me a chance?"

Hearing this, Zhe Rou was stunned, "Mingqi..."

He pulled his lips together and smiled, "There were some dirty things before, and I originally wanted to tell you after I had dealt with them. I didn't expect that although there were some surprises tonight, it can be considered as a conclusion.

Don't you hate those wealthy families? Let's go to a place where no one knows about, buy some land and a shop, live a peaceful and simple life, plant some flowers and fruit trees in the front and back yards, and in the autumn and winter, I will pick persimmons for you.

Meeting that warm and clean gaze, Zhe Rou's heart trembled and her breathing became slightly tight.

Going to a strange place where no one knows about me and living a peaceful and simple life. Just thinking about it makes me feel warm in my heart.

How could I not be moved?

She also longs for someone's company, is afraid of being alone, and doesn't want to live out her life in solitude.

She lowered her eyelashes, afraid of revealing the hesitation in her eyes.

"Jiu Niang... since you've decided not to look back, life must move forward, and you need someone to accompany you. Instead of trying with others, why not... why not try me?"

After a pause, Xie Yunzhou suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand up to his chest, embedding the crescent-shaped scar into her palm. After a long pause, he whispered, "Jiu Niang, you saved this life. From now on, it should belong to you alone."

He was still shirtless, the lines of his chest were sharp and distinct, his muscles were thin and lean, rising and falling slightly with his breathing.

Zhe Rou was in a trance, and only felt an extremely strong pulse coming from the palm of her hand, which spread gently like ripples deep in her chest and gradually overlapped with her heartbeat.

The small piece of soft skin was clearly slightly cool, yet it burned her fingertips like a branding iron, causing them to go numb.

After a long while, she took a deep breath and suppressed her sobs, "Mingqi... this is unfair to you... I, I..."

"Jiu Niang, you still have Lu Bingyan in your heart. Whether it's good or bad, it's not that easy to forget him completely. I know, I can wait."

"There's nothing unfair about this," Xie Yunzhou said, looking at her with burning eyes. "I don't care about that either. I just hope you'll let go of your reservations about my status and give it a try with me, okay?"

Zhe Rou's fingertips curled slightly, and a wave of subtle pain rose in her heart. That pain was mixed with a bit of inexplicable warmth, leaving her at a loss for words.

Seeing her keep her eyes down for a long time without saying anything, he suddenly smiled, his eyebrows and eyes bright, "Nine Lady, it would be a waste not to take advantage of a bargain like mine."

Hearing this youthful joke, Zhe Rou was stunned for a moment, turned his face slightly, and unconsciously raised the corner of his lips into a very shallow arc, then secretly pursed his lips.

There is light snow falling outside, the New Year is approaching.

She and Lu Chen had long since returned to dust.

She has gradually stopped having nightmares and thinking about him. She can live her trivial life in peace and even feel a vague and subtle throbbing towards others.

Why not take a step forward?

Her fingertips felt the warmth of the young man's chest, and her heartbeat was heard.

——She was obviously happy too.

It seems that there is no reason to refuse.

Lu Bingyan, in particular, should not be that reason.

Lu Chen fell seriously ill in Jiangnan.

He was already suffering from residual poison and injuries that had not yet healed, and he had been galloping non-stop for seven days and nights, but all he saw was an empty house. The strength he had been holding on to all the way suddenly collapsed.

Lu Chen could not endure such heart-wrenching torture, and barely held on to his last moment of clarity. He instructed his confidants to go north to investigate, and then he fell ill and did not allow Nan Heng and others to get close to him. He curled up alone on Zhe Rou's couch, resting his head on the soft pillow she had slept on, without eating or drinking, and had a high fever for three days and three nights.

Nan Heng waited until the evening of the fourth day. He could no longer contain his anxiety and was about to force the door open, but he saw Lu Chen open the door himself and slowly walk out.

Apart from looking a little haggard, there was no sign of anything unusual between his eyebrows and eyes. However, his whole aura was so cold and desolate that it was even more frightening.

Nan Heng's throat tightened, "My dear..."

Lu Chen's expression was calm, his voice so flat that no emotion could be heard. "Go and bring the owner here. I have something to ask. Also, ask her how much this yard is worth in silver, and pay her three times as much."

Nan Heng hurriedly took the order.

Lu Chen was wrapped in a black cloak, his face pale and stern, standing quietly in front of the steps.

Listening to Mrs. Wu's trembling narration, he slowly pieced together her life in Yanziwu over the past six months.

At first, he didn't look for a way to make a living. He brought a maid with him and raised a dog, and settled down here.

Later, he began to make some medicine and sold it in Pingjiang Prefecture. Business was quite good, and he got along well with his neighbors and was never bullied. Later, he took Xie Yunzhou in, and the two lived under the same roof, seeing each other day and night.

At this point, every time Mrs. Wu spoke, Lu Chen's face became uglier.

It was hard to tell whether this was love or hatred. Madam Wu's heart was pounding, and she didn't dare to speak casually. She had to look up and asked bravely: "Excuse me, sir...who are you with Jiu Niang..."

"You want to ask, who am I to her?" Lu Chen suddenly chuckled, but his voice was as cold as ice.

Mrs. Wu swallowed and didn't dare to answer.

"I am her man." Lu Chen's eyes were cold, and every word was like a knife: "She is my first wife, married with three letters and six ceremonies and formalities."

Mrs. Wu shuddered with fear and retracted her neck awkwardly.

Lu Chen turned back in silence, looking towards Taozhou. A northerly wind blew the fine snow against his face, cutting his cheeks like a knife.

It was the end of the year, and since she had traveled north, she had no choice but to return to Taozhou to pay respects to her parents' graves. The tenth day of the first lunar month was her father's birthday, and unless something unexpected happened, she would not have set out south before then, but would have stayed somewhere near Taozhou temporarily.

If Feng Qi is useful and can intercept Xie Yunzhou, that would be the best. If he can't stop him... then they will go north together to return home. Given Xie Yunzhou's personality, he will definitely worry about exposing his whereabouts and implicating his old subordinates in the Jingyuan Army. In this case, they will have to bypass Weizhou, the capital of Jingyuan, and can only take Minzhou and then go west along the Wei River.

It's not hard to find.

To be on the safe side, Lu Chen left two people alone to guard Yanziwu and took the rest of the guards back north to Taozhou.

Before leaving, Lu Chen glanced at the room where Xie Yunzhou had lived and said calmly, "Burn it down."

Before Nan Heng could respond, he looked at the little fox curled up on the steps and whimpering, and said calmly, "Take the dog with you, and let's go back together."

The beginning of spring came right after the New Year. The day after Zhe Rou and Xie Yunzhou arrived in Minzhou for a temporary stay, they happened to catch the Spring Ox Festival in the city. The streets were crowded with people early in the morning, and the city was bustling and prosperous.

After breakfast, Xie Yunzhou asked her if she wanted to go over and take a look.

Zhe Rou thought about it and nodded, "It's the beginning of spring, so I'll go and join in the fun. It's also a good omen."

After watching the Spring Ox, light snow began to fall from the sky, but the two were still in high spirits. They went to the tile market for a walk and bought amber honey, peach cakes and perilla plum ginger. They lingered there until it was completely dark, and then walked back under the heavy snow.

When I returned to the guesthouse, I saw a half-worn gray-covered carriage parked outside the door.

Minzhou is located at the crossroads of Qinfeng Road, and the inn is always crowded with merchants. Zhe Rou was in a rare mood of relaxation, so she did not care. As she walked into the yard, she picked up a piece of amber honey from the oil-paper bag and took a sip.

Xie Yunzhou raised his eyebrows and glanced at her, "Do you like it?"

"It tastes good." Zhe Rou smiled and picked up another piece, then handed it to him, "Want to try it?"

Xie Yunzhou was holding two bags of midnight snacks in his hands. Without thinking too much, he simply bent down and opened his mouth to take the honey in her hand.

The thin lips were slightly cool, and the moment they touched her fingertips, the soft tip of his tongue gently slid across, sweeping away the amber honey like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Zhe Rou's heart suddenly jumped, and a hint of heat appeared on her face. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, a cold and low voice suddenly rang out from the darkness not far away.

"妱妱."

The sound was neither light nor heavy, but like the sound of a bell, it suddenly resounded and vibrated in her heart.

Zhe Rou's body suddenly froze, and her fingertips, which had been burning just a moment ago, instantly became ice-cold and could no longer move at all.