Chapter 21021 Seeking Pity from Uncle
Yun Sheng waited from the afternoon until dusk, and her heart was repeatedly torn.
If Xie Zhan said that he was taking a break in the first half hour, Yun Sheng would not believe it later. She thought the man had left her there on purpose.
Yun Sheng bit her lip. Perhaps he was mocking her for her previous ignorance. She sat there quietly waiting, not daring to complain.
When it was completely dark, the maids lifted the curtains,
Xie Zhan finally stepped in, arriving late.
Yun Sheng hurriedly stood up and said respectfully, "Uncle."
Xie Zhan glanced at her casually and sat down on the pear blossom couch.
He twitched the corners of his lips, half smiling, "Why do you come to my house today and seek me out?"
Yun Sheng clenched his palms tightly and quickly looked up at Xie Zhan. Lord Xie...did he really not know?
The young lady's eyes were moving, her pair of clear and moist almond-shaped eyes seemed to be able to speak, and her eyes were shining, as if conveying her feelings.
Xie Zhan raised his eyebrows, his face expressionless.
"I...I..." Yun Sheng embarrassedly, his face flushed red.
How could she bring herself to offer herself to him? Besides... besides, she had been, as Xie Zhan would have it, rude and rude, and now she was begging him with such a servile attitude.
Xie Zhan straightened up and raised his hand: "Come here."
Yun Sheng let out a long sigh and stepped forward obediently.
Xie Zhan stretched out his long arms and held the person in his arms. Yun Sheng pressed against his chest, holding his breath, not daring to move at all.
Her lips were slightly parted, and Xie Zhan caressed her red lips, rubbing them back and forth. Suddenly, he asked, "Why aren't you hiding anymore?"
Yun Sheng was still afraid, her eyelashes trembling slightly. Then, suppressing her trembling body, she said meekly, as if she had given up, "I've always been ignorant. I hope my uncle will have mercy on me."
Xie Zhan stared at her intently. He lifted her pointed chin and chuckled, "Why? Do you have something to ask me?"
Yun Sheng closed his eyes, and a word escaped from his throat with difficulty: "Yes."
If Xie Zhan had to solve this matter, she would of course have to tell him everything.
"Tell me about it."
Yun Sheng tilted her head, her lips turning white from being bitten by her.
She had vowed to remain faithful to Xie Qingyuan, but in the end, he betrayed her and wanted to give her away to repay his debt.
Yun Sheng just felt that he was really ridiculous.
She suddenly laughed at herself. She was about to give herself to Xie Zhan. What dignity did she have in front of him? What could she not say?
Xie Zhan pretended not to know and listened to her explain in detail.
His eyes were half-closed, and he remained silent for a long time. Yun Sheng's heart was in her throat, and she lowered her eyebrows, with tears in her eyes.
Yes, Yun Sheng felt that it was not worth it to spend several thousand taels of cash.
Taking a concubine or buying a few beautiful maids wouldn't cost more than a hundred taels of silver. She had always known that Xie Zhan didn't need her, but only wanted her for novelty.
Thinking of this, Yun Sheng's eyelashes trembled, and the tears that had been held back in his eyes silently slid down.
She turned her face away, her fingers twisted into a ball. After much hesitation, she choked out a sob, "The night we first met, my cousin came into the city early without being summoned. I, I overheard his conversation with that man. If I had gone to the palace, wouldn't my cousin have been afraid that this would have reached His Majesty's ears?"
Xie Zhan became interested. Sometimes he really didn't know whether this young lady was smart or stupid.
His eyes were sharp, and he asked sternly, "Are you threatening me?"
Xie Zhan immediately burst into laughter: "Since you know that this matter can threaten me, don't you know that only the dead can keep secrets forever?"
Yun Sheng took a few steps back, his face pale.
A drop of hot tear suddenly fell on the back of Xie Zhan's hand.
He raised his hand and gently stroked Yun Sheng's tender cheek with his fingertips. His eyes moved to her cherry lips again. His eyes darkened and he said, "Open your mouth."
Yun Sheng was slightly stunned and froze for a while.
Open... open your mouth? Was he going to kiss her like he did last time?
Xie Zhan's displeased voice rang in his ears.
"Stick out your tongue."
Yun Sheng's eyes widened and his face turned red in an instant.
How could he, how could he ask her to do such a shameful thing?
Yun Sheng was about to cry, but she didn't dare to disobey. Having come this far, was she going to fail?
She gritted her teeth and trembled as she stuck out half of her pink tongue. She was so embarrassed that her skin turned a light pink all over.
Xie Zhan held his breath, and seeing her aggrieved expression of enduring humiliation, his face suddenly turned cold: "Since you are unwilling, then go back early."
After saying that, he flicked Yun Sheng's chin.
"You have such a sad face. Did Marquis Jue Ben force you to do that?"
Yun Sheng was stunned, sobbing softly after hearing his words.
She is so useless that she can't even do something like this.
Xie Zhan said coldly: "This Marquis does not like you crying, think it over before you come."
Yun Sheng felt so depressed that she couldn't breathe. She walked back home in the night with her tired body.
The silvery moonlight enveloped her, casting a shadow on her frail figure.
Yun Sheng went back and sat at the table, without any appetite for food.
Ah Xi pretended to know nothing and advised, "Madam, please use as much as you can."
"Are you Lord Xie's man, or are you not?" Yun Sheng pursed his lips and asked suddenly.
Ah Xi was stunned and remained silent.
What else did Yun Sheng not understand? Thinking back on everything that happened in the past few days, except when she was with Xie Zhan, Ah Xi always stayed by her side.
Xie Zhan was calm as usual about what she said just now, and Ah Xi was called over to serve him the next day. She was sent by Xie Zhan to monitor her.
She didn't come back all afternoon, and Ah Xi politely didn't ask any questions.
Seeing Yun Sheng crying, Ah Xi opened her mouth and said, "My dear, I, I..."
Yun Sheng smiled bitterly: "No need to explain, I don't mean to blame you."
She was just a servant, so she had to obey Xie Zhan's orders.
Yun Sheng lowered her head, picked up her chopsticks, and suddenly began to eat with big mouthfuls. She didn't care even when her hot tears dripped into the bowl.
She had to do something soon, and she couldn't go on an empty stomach.
Ah Xi went to the small kitchen to boil a pot of hot water. She and two other maids carried the wooden barrel in. Yun Sheng soaked in it. Ah Xi served her and washed her carefully from head to toe.
After wiping her body, Ah Xi used a towel to twist her hair. Yun Sheng changed into a new set of pajamas, and then took out the emerald green skirt that she had only worn once.
Ah Xi looked at Yun Sheng's slender back and said with a complicated expression, "I'm in my wife's room tonight."
Yun Sheng nodded. She looked up at the two dark rooms with the lights off. Her nose felt sore for a moment, and she walked out of the gate of Qingtong Courtyard without looking back.
Xie Zhan came out of the clean room wearing his inner robe.
After a servant brought tea, he asked in a low voice, "My Lord, are you ready to settle down?"
Bai Yuanbao, who was standing by, glared at the two of them unhappily: "Get out now, you have no sense at all."
My master is clearly waiting for Madam Yun to come, so how can I sleep now?
Xie Zhan said nothing, tapping his knuckles lightly on the table.
The servants lowered their heads and quietly retreated.
After a while, someone came outside and said, "My Lord, Madam Yun wants to see you."
Xie Zhan raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Ask her in."
Bai Yuanbao smiled and retreated tactfully.
The door was closed, and they were alone in the inner room. This was Yun Sheng's first time in Xie Zhan's bedroom. She lowered her brows, not daring to look any further, being extremely polite.
Xie Zhan's eyes fell on her slightly damp hair and he asked calmly, "Did you brush past me?"
Yun Sheng blushed. She gathered her clothes and whispered, "Don't worry, my Lord. I've already bathed."
The other party remained silent, perhaps wanting to see her attitude.
Yun Sheng couldn't say anything. She gritted her teeth and took two steps forward. Under Xie Zhan's calm and dark eyes, she raised her hands and untied the two belts on her chest.
As she moved, her dress slipped from her shoulders and gradually faded away, layer by layer falling to the ground, until only a thin nightgown was left.
The cool night breeze blew in from the window, and Yun Sheng shrank back, folding his arms.
Xie Zhan sat leisurely on the couch. She took two steps forward and suddenly knelt beside him.
"continue."
Yun Sheng's ears turned red. She slowly moved forward and bravely climbed onto Xie Zhan's shoulders.
"I have always been ignorant, I hope my uncle will have mercy on me."
After she finished speaking, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she endured her shyness and stuck out her pink tongue as if it was afternoon. Xie Zhan's Adam's apple rolled, and he immediately pinched her waist and lowered his head to kiss this bright red little mouth.
Yun Sheng was forced to lie on her back, swallowing with a thin throat. The air in her mouth was thin, and when she was about to faint, Xie Zhan finally showed mercy and let her go.
Amidst the chaos, Yun Sheng was picked up horizontally by Xie Zhan and thrown onto the soft satin bed. The man leaned over her and casually pulled the curtain down halfway.
Yun Sheng's breathing was rapid, and his nose was filled with the fragrance of the incense on his couch.
Xie Zhan supported her with one hand and picked up her plain-colored dress with the other. His big hand went around Yun Sheng's neck, and the thin strap fell off, revealing her slender shoulders and neck, which were as white as snow.
"Please... please have mercy on me, uncle." Yun Sheng was shaking like a sieve, feeling extremely embarrassed.
Xie Zhan's breath became calmer, and he said unhappily, "You and Xie Qingyuan are no longer related. From now on, you are not allowed to call me your cousin."
She calls him cousin all the time. Does she want to follow her husband's lead?
"Yes, Marquis, Lord Marquis." Yun Sheng's almond-shaped eyes were moist, and her eyelashes were sticky together.
Xie Zhan frowned and let her call him like that, but finally said nothing more.
He pressed Yun Sheng's lips and said suddenly, "Undress me."
Yun Sheng trembled as she stretched out her two tender white arms to untie Xie Zhan's belt. His collar suddenly opened wide, revealing the man's strong and broad chest.
He leaned closer, his rich, hot breath hitting her face. Yun Sheng's earlobes were red and bleeding, and she was almost breathless. She tilted her head, not daring to look at Xie Zhan. The man's grip tightened, and a low moan escaped her throat uncontrollably.
Yun Sheng bit her lips, feeling extremely ashamed and angry. How could she make such a sound?
"Turn around and look at me, why are you hiding?" Xie Zhan narrowed his narrow eyes.
"Marquis... Marquis..."
Yun Sheng cried and begged for mercy, her small face, the size of a palm, wrinkled into a ball, and her lips instantly lost all color. She had never felt such pain before.
Her mind was empty. Apart from Xie Zhan's heavy breathing, the only sound in her ears was the sound of women pounding clothes by the river, splashing water everywhere.
Heat waves surged through the room, one after another. Outside the silent house, Bai Yuanbao was eavesdropping from the door. He moved closer, but still, it was still quiet.
Bai Yuanbao frowned, bewildered. It had been quite a while since Lady Yun had entered, and yet there was no sound. Could it be that she hadn't accomplished anything yet?
He paced back and forth, his face filled with anxiety. Their Lordship was still a virgin, so he couldn't have never been near a woman before, so why was he so clumsy and unable to find a place?
That would be unacceptable, wouldn't it make the young lady laugh at me? How could the Marquis still have any glory in the future?
One servant couldn't stand it any longer. He took two steps forward and said in a low voice, "Butler Bai, we'd better stay away. If the Marquis gets wind of this, he might get his head chopped off."
Bai Yuanbao glared at him and whispered, "What the hell do you know? The Marquis is in a critical moment, how can he leave someone alone? What if the Marquis wants water later?"
After saying that, he kicked the servant's butt twice and ordered, "Don't stand here and get in the way. Go to the small kitchen and see if the water is ready."
The servants did not dare to complain on their faces, but they were muttering in their hearts, "Manager Bai, you are really like the eunuchs who are anxious when the emperor is not."
Yun Sheng was in dire straits, feeling as if she were about to die. She clung to Xie Zhan like a fragile vine, clinging only to him.
The faint yellow candlelight shone through the bed curtains, vaguely reflecting two figures merged into one on the wall.
Yun Sheng's eyes were hazy, and her almond-shaped pupils seemed to be blurred by water vapor. Tears of irrationality were forced out of the corners of her rosy eyes. She looked up at the swaying tent above her head, and felt that her black hair was about to be thrown out.
"My Lord, it won't work."
Xie Zhan pulled her back. The panic of weightlessness frightened Yun Sheng so much that she grabbed his shoulders, her hands sticky with sweat. Afraid of scratching Xie Zhan, she quickly let him go.
"Hold me tight." Xie Zhan breathed heavily, his voice hoarse.
Yun Sheng climbed up again tremblingly.
Xie Zhan narrowed his eyes, his big hands gripping Yun Sheng's smooth and tender waist, his muffled groans were low and magnetic.
The woman's intermittent moans and panting could be heard faintly from the room. Bai Yuanbao rubbed his hands and heard his master's satisfied and delighted voice: "Bai Yuanbao, send someone to bring in some water."
He responded happily and asked the maid to bring some water.
The maids lowered their brows, and the carved screen completely covered the bed in the inner room. Only the woman's soft sobs could be heard.
Yun Sheng's hair was wet and stuck to her ears, her face was flushed, she was still crying, breathing weakly, and shaking in Xie Zhan's arms.
Xie Zhan put on his clothes and picked her up.
He rubbed Yun Sheng's moist lips and chuckled, "Why is it so useless? It's useless after just one time."
Yun Sheng blushed with shame, not daring to refute him. She only said softly, "I, I will help the Marquis bathe."
Xie Zhan looked over at her intently. Her nose was covered with tiny beads of sweat, and her skin was covered with a layer of tender pink. His eyes darkened a little.
"No rush."
After he finished speaking, Yun Sheng's eyes widened in shock.
Xie Zhan came twice more before he finally let her go.
In a daze, Yun Sheng passed out.
_
The next day, the sky was bright.
Yun Sheng rubbed her eyes and slowly opened them. She was alone on the couch. She looked at the curtains, and memories flooded back into her mind.
Yes, she was still in Xie Zhan's room.
The soft couch beneath her was covered with clean quilts, and she was wearing a fine silk nightgown. Last night, she really couldn't bear him, and she rolled her eyes and lost consciousness.
The place where Xie Zhan had repeatedly tossed her body around was still a little uncomfortable. Yun Sheng frowned and slowly leaned against the head of the bed.
Perhaps hearing the noise, the door opened slightly. A maid entered, bowed, and asked, "Madam Yun is awake. Would you like us to help you wash and groom?"
Yun Sheng got off the bed: "Where's the Marquis?"
"The Marquis rose at the beginning of the morning hour and went to the palace to attend the court. Before leaving, he told the maids to take good care of Madam Yun."
Yun Sheng pursed her lips. The thing she asked him for help for was still unresolved.
She sighed softly, then blushed and asked the maid, "Did you help me change my clothes?"
"We servants don't know, but the Marquis must have bathed you and changed you himself."
Yun Sheng's head was buzzing, and he seemed to be unable to fall back.
Her face flushed with shame, and she stood there in a daze. How could someone as valuable as Xie Zhan condescend to do this for her?
"Madam Yun, do you want to have breakfast before going back?" the maid asked again.
"No." Yun Sheng touched his lower abdomen, his eyes darkening a little.
Xie Zhan put so much in her last night, she was afraid of getting pregnant, so she wanted to drink the contraceptive soup right away.
Yun Shengfang pushed open the door, and Bai Yuanbao came up to greet her with a smile: "Madam Yun, don't worry. The Marquis has promised to take care of your matter. You should just go on as usual. Just obey whatever the two people in Qingtong Court ask you to do."
"Thank you." Yun Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and felt much more at ease.
When she returned to Qingtong Courtyard, she bumped into Xie Qingyuan coming out of the study. He was stunned for a moment and asked, "Sheng... Sheng Niang, where have you been so early in the morning?"
Yun Sheng looked at his face, his expression extremely calm.
How much she loved him in the past, but now when she touched her heart, there was no ripple of love for him there anymore, nothing moving at all.
They can never go back to the way they were before, ever.
She closed her eyes weakly and said perfunctorily, "I couldn't sleep, so I got up early and went for a walk in the garden."
"Oh, okay, okay." Xie Qingyuan stared at Yun Sheng's face infatuatedly, feeling that he hadn't seen her for a whole night. She was breathtakingly beautiful, as if a graceful flower bud had received rain and dew and bloomed overnight.
He clenched his fists, unwilling to give such a beauty to someone else. After a moment, he finally convinced himself.
Xie Qingyuan tilted his head and said, "Sheng Niang, shall I take you and mother to the restaurant for lunch at noon?"
Yun Sheng wanted to laugh. Was he going to sell her out impatiently?
Thinking about what Manager Bai had just said to thank Zhan for arranging everything, she felt much more relieved.
She twitched the corners of her lips, and instead of asking where he got the money, she said, "I wanted to go for a stroll this morning, but I'm short on cash. I'll pawn the inkstone I gave you yesterday. I figured you wouldn't need it now."
"Ah? What are you talking about Sheng Niang?" Xie Qingyuan opened his mouth in disbelief.
Why would Sheng Niang want to take back the things she gave him with such satisfaction?
Yun Sheng suppressed his smile and repeated it again.
Xie Qingyuan's face turned ashen and he looked ugly.
He reluctantly went to the study to get it out and handed it to Yun Sheng, gritted his teeth and asked, "Mother Sheng, what did you do on the street? Are you short of money?"
"Don't worry, just hang out, I'll be back."
Such a heartless person is not worthy of her sincere treatment. She earned this inkstone with needle and thread, and her hands have been pricked by it countless times.
Ah Xi wants to accompany Yun Sheng.
Yun Sheng looked at her intently: "Does the Marquis want you to continue watching over me?"
Ah Xi is a very nice person, but she was sent by Xie Zhan after all. Yun Sheng doesn't believe her about drinking the falling soup.
"No, the Marquis didn't ask me to report everything afterwards." Ah Xi lowered her eyes.
The thing the Marquis asked about the most was Madam Yun's private relationship with Xie Qingyuan. The Marquis didn't like Madam Yun's closeness to Xie Qingyuan, so he had no business asking about anything else.
"If you don't have any, you don't have to follow me. I want to be alone for a while."
Yun Sheng went to the West Market and found a pawnshop to pawn the inkstone.
The shopkeeper lamented, "This thing looks like new. Are you really going to pawn it?"
"Yes, I don't want it anymore." Yun Sheng took a last look and said calmly.
Seeing that she insisted, the shopkeeper stopped trying to persuade her. After collecting the things, he gave her the silver.
Yun Sheng got the silver and turned around and walked into the pharmacy.
Back home, she went into the small kitchen and brewed a pot of dark medicine. Yun Sheng pinched her nose, didn't even blink, and drank it all up.
She quietly felt the bitter taste of the medicine, which was only one ten-thousandth as bitter as the pain in her heart.
Afraid that someone would notice something, Yun Sheng quickly opened the rear window to dissipate the smell.
A moment later, Mrs. Qian came looking for her in a hurry, tugging at her clothes and saying, "Oh, you evildoer, what are you dawdling about? We've finally had a meal at the restaurant, go and change me into something decent."
Yun Sheng looked at her ugly face and responded indifferently, feeling even more amused in his heart.
Mrs. Qian frowned, feeling that Yun Sheng was becoming more and more disobedient.
After the three of them had packed up, Mrs. Qian asked someone to consult the Second Madam. The Second Madam was worried sick about Xie Minghao's matter, so she asked someone to prepare a carriage without asking any questions.
Seeing that they were almost at the restaurant, her son was still holding back and refusing to tell Yun Sheng the truth. Mrs. Qian coughed twice and signaled Xie Qingyuan.
Xie Qingyuan covered his chest in pain and was unable to open his mouth.
Yun Sheng glanced at him and felt only strangeness and irony.
Mrs. Qian glared at her son angrily, then said to Yun Sheng, "I've been feeding you for so many years without any expense, so I haven't treated you unfairly. Now that Yuanlang is in trouble, you can't just stand by and watch him die, right..."
She beat her chest and stamped her feet. Yun Sheng closed his eyes and suddenly interrupted her: "That's enough."
She didn't want to hear such hurtful words a second time.
She swept her calm gaze over the mother and son one by one, and said self-deprecatingly, "He's in trouble? So what? He's going to sell me off to pay off his debts?"
The mother and son were stunned with fear.
Xie Qingyuan's eyes were red as he asked anxiously, "Sheng... Sheng Niang, did you hear me talking to Mother yesterday?"
Yun Sheng suppressed the pain in his heart and the word "yes" came out of his throat with difficulty.
Her eyes felt sore and she forced back the tears.
Xie Qingyuan was in a panic, trying to hug her. Yun Sheng dodged his hand and angrily said, "Don't touch me, don't touch me."
Since you have already made your choice, why bother pretending to be nice in front of her?
"No, that's not it, Shengniang, listen to me. I really have no other choice. If I can't pay back that much money, they will kill me. I really have no other choice. Otherwise, how could I bear to abandon you?"
Xie Qingyuan burst into tears.
No wonder he always felt Sheng Niang was very cold to him today, and even asked for the inkstone back without caring about his face. It turned out that she knew everything and was completely disappointed with him.
Yun Sheng said softly, "Yes, so you turned around and wanted to kill me."
Mrs. Qian couldn't stand her son's behavior and spat at Yun Sheng, "You're such a heartless bastard! I'm sending you to the palace to enjoy life, but why are you taking your life? You've transformed from a sparrow into a phoenix, so why shouldn't you be satisfied?"
Yun Sheng's heart was broken, and he didn't want to say another word. He just said to Mrs. Qian, "I have worked diligently for your Lu family over the years, and I don't owe you anything. Now that we have severed our relationship, please return my indenture to me later."
Mrs. Qian snorted coldly, "You wish for it. Your indenture will be handed over to Minister Lu later."
Yun Sheng clenched his palms and gradually calmed down.
Not knowing how Xie Zhan would help her, Yun Sheng wanted her own indenture so that she wouldn't be controlled by others in the future.
After getting off the carriage, two strong men were waiting at the door of the restaurant.
When Xie Qingyuan saw these two people, his legs began to weaken and tremble, and he seemed to be trying to please them.
The strong men said with a cold face: "Come up, our minister is in the private room on the third floor."
When they reached the door, two strong men reached out and stopped Mrs. Qian and Xie Qingyuan and their son. They said expressionlessly, "The Minister is entertaining guests inside, and only Madam Yun is allowed to go. You two should wait outside."
Mrs. Qian was angry but dared not say anything, as she and Yuanlang had not yet had their meal.
Xie Qingyuan agreed humbly. He guessed that the distinguished guest invited by Minister Lu was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who was probably the one who wanted to meet Sheng Niang. He only hoped that Sheng Niang could catch the Crown Prince's eye, otherwise he would have to find another way to pay the money he owed!
Yun Sheng was a little uneasy. She walked around the screen with a picture of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix and was stunned.
There were two people sitting opposite each other on a low couch. One of them was Xie Zhan, and he called the other one "Minister Lu".
Yun Sheng was embarrassed and bowed.
Minister Lu tilted his head to look at Yun Sheng, the folding fan in his hand hiding the interest in his eyes, and he secretly clicked his tongue in his heart.
He carefully looked at the young lady in front of him. Although she was quite pretty, Chang'an was not short of beauties. He wondered why the Marquis fell in love with her alone?
Just take a fancy to her and accept her. I don't know why you have to go through so much trouble to put on this drama?
Minister Lu withdrew his gaze, not daring to make any further comments. He narrowed his eyes and said, "This must be Madam Yun, no need to be so polite."
He then spoke to Xie Zhan again, "My Lord, since you have spoken, I will do you a favor and present another beauty to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Xie Zhan bowed and said, "I accept Minister Lu's kindness. It is truly unbelievable of my distant nephew to behave like this. I will send someone to deliver the banknotes to your house later."
"My Lord, please be happy. It's easy to talk about it."
Minister Lu smiled, and then, in Yun Sheng's slightly surprised eyes, he turned the vase on the table a few times, and the wall on the side slowly opened, and the two rooms were actually connected.
"Come and sit here." Yun Sheng was still in a daze when she heard Xie Zhan calling her.
Her eyelids trembled and she was a little afraid to look up at him.
They were so intimate and entangled last night that Yun Sheng felt embarrassed and her face turned red when she thought of the scene.
She murmured yes, lowered her eyes and walked forward.
Xie Zhan put his arm around her waist and brought her into his arms. Yun Sheng instantly fell onto Xie Zhan's lap.
"Did you feel unwell this morning?" Xie Zhan looked at Yun Sheng, who was blushing and shy, and felt very happy.
Recalling how she clung to him last night, she could not make any other sound except calling him "Marquis" tenderly, which was both pitiful and endearing.
"It's...it's okay. Thank you for your concern, Lord."
Yun Sheng nestled in Xie Zhan's arms, carefully pinching his robe, looking quite restless.
Xie Zhan frowned and said unhappily, "Since it's okay, I'll ask you to come again tonight."
"No, no, Marquis... Marquis, please be kind, I'm still in pain." Yun Sheng's face turned pale with fright.
If she comes again tonight, she will really die.
Xie Zhan chuckled. Seeing that he looked good, Yun Sheng asked tentatively, "My indenture is still in the hands of Mrs. Qian. She just said she would give it to Minister Lu..."
"Don't worry about that."
Yun Sheng was interrupted by Xie Zhan before she could finish her words. She felt heavy in her heart. What did Xie Zhan mean by this?
She was always uneasy because her bond was no longer in her hands.
Xie Zhan looked down at Yun Sheng and saw through her little thoughts clearly.
"Then how does the Marquis intend to explain this matter to Mrs. Qian and her son?"
Yun Sheng was ultimately ashamed of herself for using her beauty to curry favor with the powerful.
"I...I don't want them to know..."
She lowered her eyes, her voice low, her face flushed. She had already done this, yet she still wanted to hide it.
Xie Zhan sneered, "Yes. As for what I have done, there is no need to explain it to the two of them. I have my own explanation."
Now Yun Sheng has nothing to do with those two people, so it is legitimate for him to marry her.
Yun Sheng was stunned for a moment, not expecting Xie Zhan to agree so easily. She smiled bitterly inwardly, thinking that the man who had just arrived was indeed the easiest to talk to.
A gurgle broke the silence in the room.
Yun Sheng touched his flattened belly, looking embarrassed as he explained, "I came here in a hurry and didn't have lunch at home. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Lord Marquis."
Xie Zhan released Yun Sheng. He raised his chin, motioned Yun Sheng to sit over and said, "Since you're hungry, have some food. How can I let you go hungry?"
Yun Sheng looked at the delicacies on the table and couldn't help swallowing his mouth. They had never eaten this meal before.
She said, "Thank you, my Lord."
Yun Sheng picked up the jade chopsticks and saw Xie Zhan leaning there calmly. He immediately asked, "My Lord, don't you need some?"
"I have already dined at the office."
Yun Sheng nodded and started eating. However, Mrs. Qian and her son, who were waiting anxiously outside the door, were so hungry that they felt dizzy and weak.
Mrs. Qian clutched her belly and stepped forward to ask, "How long...how long do we have to wait? When will Minister Lu be free to meet with us?"
The sturdy man gave Mrs. Qian a cold look, and the chill in his eyes made her feel numb.
Xie Qingyuan hurriedly said, "Mother, please don't worry. The nobles' conversation is of utmost importance. Wait a little longer, Minister Lu will definitely meet with us."
As soon as he finished speaking, a servant really came out and invited them into the private room next door.
Mrs. Qian looked around but didn't see Yun Sheng. She was shocked and asked, "Minister Lu, where is that girl Sheng Niang?"
In her eyes, Yun Sheng is now the lamb to be slaughtered. Since it concerns her son's future, there can't be any mistakes.
Minister Lu smiled and said, "Of course I'm accompanying the distinguished guest next door. After all, this person is being sent to the palace, so how can I be vague?"
Mrs. Qian breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said yes. Then she took out a yellowed old paper from her bosom, which was Yun Sheng's indenture.
Minister Lu asked his servant to take it. After checking it carefully, he signaled his attendants to take out the IOU and tore it up in front of the mother and son.
Xie Qingyuan raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat off his face, breathing heavily. The huge rock that had been weighing on his heart finally saw the light of day.
Seeing his behavior, Minister Lu shook his head repeatedly. He teased, "Now that we're done, why don't you two come with me to meet our distinguished guest, Lord Xie. I'm sure you'll be very familiar with him. I'll be able to take Madam Yun home later."
The mother and son spoke in unison, one after the other.
"Wasn't the distinguished guest that Minister Lu invited His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? Why did it become Marquis Xie?"
"What? Could it be that there's something wrong with that girl Sheng Niang that caused Minister Lu to withdraw?"
Minister Lu smiled and said, "When did I ever say that the distinguished guest was the Crown Prince? Last night, I thought about it and decided that exchanging a beauty for several hundred taels of silver is a bit of a loss. Even a beauty from Persia is not worth this price.
After leaving court today, I happened to chat with Marquis Xie for a few minutes, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt I was at a disadvantage. I thought that since Yuan Lang couldn't pay it back, I would ask Marquis Xie, my cousin, to pay it back. A dignified Marquis's mansion shouldn't owe me such a small amount of money, right?
Xie Qingyuan slumped down on the ground. His uncle would definitely return the money for the sake of the family's reputation, but he was doomed after doing such a shameful thing.
No, no, he can't be kicked out of the mansion.
Xie Qingyuan pulled Mrs. Qian, and the mother and son stumbled out. The door next door happened to open.
He looked up in embarrassment and met Xie Zhan's pair of cold and intimidating phoenix eyes. Yun Sheng followed him with lowered head.
Xie Qingyuan's blood ran cold. Did Sheng Niang talk nonsense and complain in front of her uncle?
During the days since he came to Chang'an, he often heard outsiders say that Xie Zhan attached great importance to character.
"Uncle...cousin, please listen to my nephew's explanation."
He tried to hug Xie Zhan's thigh, but was kicked away. Xie Zhan's eyes were cold and his lips were raised, and he said sternly: "Xie Qingyuan."
"My nephew is here, my nephew is here."
"Grandmother allowed you to stay at the mansion for a long time because she saw that you were quite knowledgeable and was looking forward to your achievements next year, which would bring honor to our Xie family. However, every one of your actions is immoral. You should study the sage books carefully and learn about etiquette and shame."
Xie Qingyuan broke out in a cold sweat: "Yes, yes, my nephew will remember my uncle's teachings. Thank you for saving Sheng Niang today."
It’s good that he wasn’t kicked out of the house.
He stood up unsteadily, extended a hand toward Yun Sheng, and said with a wry smile, "Mother Sheng, let's... let's go back home."
Yun Sheng saw how servile and fawning he was just now, and felt that the young man in front of him was becoming more and more unfamiliar.
She pretended not to see it, turned around without any nostalgia and said, "No need, I will come back by myself, and we will have nothing to do with each other from now on."
Xie Qingyuan was stunned and burst into tears. Mrs. Qian scolded Yun Sheng from behind, "Without us mother and daughter, where can she go back? The Marquis' Mansion is willing to keep her only for our mother and daughter's sake."
After scolding him, Mrs. Qian gently reminded Minister Lu: "Sir, look... look at that indenture..."
Minister Lu sighed softly, "When Marquis Xie's banknote arrives, I will naturally present it to you."
Mrs. Qian was embarrassed and rubbed her hands.
_
The four wheels of the carriage rolled recklessly on the bluestone road.
Xie Zhan glanced at Yun Sheng, who looked depressed. She was sitting there blankly, already distracted.
His brows furrowed, and he asked in a deep voice, "What are you thinking about, Xie Qingyuan?"
"No, no." Yun Sheng's eyelashes trembled and he replied in a panic.
She was thinking about Xie Qingyuan. All the years of affection between them felt like a dream to her.
Has the young man who loved the breeze and the bright moon changed, or has she never really understood him?
Zhi Yunsheng was not stupid, and Xie Zhan obviously did not like her mentioning Xie Qingyuan.
"You'd better." Xie Zhan snorted coldly.
Yun Sheng knelt down before him and said, "I dare not deceive you, Lord. I... I'm thinking about my indenture."
It was the first time she lied to Xie Zhan, and she felt very uncomfortable, her face flushed.
Her chin was lifted up by Xie Zhan.
The man's dark and sharp eyes swept over her one by one. He locked his eyes on her, as if he could see through her. Yun Sheng felt a chill down her spine as Xie Zhan stared at her.
Xie Zhan asked calmly, "Why are you so concerned about the body contract? Do you have other thoughts on your mind?"
Yun Sheng's palms were covered in sweat. She said with a stiff upper lip, "My indenture has been held in the hands of Mrs. Qian for many years, and she has never even looked at it carefully. Of course, she is concerned."
Xie Zhan remained silent. After a moment, he said, "Once the banknotes from the Marquis' Mansion are delivered, Minister Lu will return them. What's the rush?"
Yun Sheng's eyes lit up for a moment, and he asked anxiously, "Then I wonder when will the Marquis send someone to deliver it?"
"If you want to ask me for help, then show some sincerity." Xie Zhan caressed Yun Sheng's red lips.
Yun Sheng understood.
Apart from this nice appearance, what else can she show in terms of sincerity?
She moved closer, her arms trembling as she climbed onto Xie Zhan's shoulders, and she placed a gentle kiss on the side of his cheek.
"Please, my Lord."
The young lady's lips were so soft and gentle that Xie Zhan felt as if he had fallen into the clouds. He was dazed for a moment, then glanced at her and said, "Is this how you treat me?"
Yun Sheng bit her lip, a little pink appeared on her earlobe. Kiss on the face... Can't I even kiss on the face?
Thinking of her bond, she gave up completely. Under Xie Zhan's calm gaze, she raised her head and kissed his thin lips, clumsily and immaturely sucking on the corner of his lips.
Xie Zhan didn't ask her to stop, so she didn't dare to stop.
Yun Sheng felt her body soften as the man's warm breath filled her ears. Xie Zhan said with a half-smile, "I taught you for a long time last night, but you still can't learn it?"
After he finished speaking, he kissed her hard. Yun Sheng's five fingers that were grabbing his robe instantly retracted, and all the air in his mouth was taken away by Xie Zhan. Yun Sheng was drowsy from his kiss.
The wheels stopped steadily at Xie's house, and the driver's voice came from outside the curtain. Yun Sheng tried to pull at her belt, crying out of shame.
"We are at the mansion, my Lord."
Xie Zhan's eyes dimmed, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Don't go to bed early tonight. I'll go to your room."
Yun Sheng trembled with fear.
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The author has something to say: Let me take a look at the situation first, dears, and I will update it at 0:00 after I become a v.
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