Chapter 55: In the end, she still came to his side.
Yun Sheng's heartbeat suddenly froze, then recovered violently, and her face instantly burned.
Why is Xiao Xu here?
When did he return, and when did he appear at the door?
Did he hear that?
Yun Sheng's cheeks flushed red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
She made it clear to Xiao Ling that she didn't want to drag things out, but it was a different story when Xiao Xu overheard it.
Yun Sheng stood there, blushing with embarrassment, her fingers and toes secretly curling up where no one could see.
She tensed for a moment, then saw that Xiao Xu's expression was normal, as if he hadn't heard anything, and he walked in with steady steps.
Her eyes were somewhat unfocused. Having just said those words, the immediate impact of the person she spoke to made her too embarrassed to look him in the eye.
Until Xiao Xu walked up to her.
"How are your injuries?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Yun Sheng saw that Xiao Xu was looking at Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling's face was ashen, and he unconsciously covered his injured arm behind his back after Xiao Xu finished asking the question.
The atmosphere in the room became tense for a moment, and even the shyness that had risen in Lian Yunsheng faded away.
She couldn't stand the awkward atmosphere. Her gaze swept between the two brothers, and she moved her lips as if to speak.
Xiao Ling answered in a muffled voice, "It's nothing, just a minor injury."
Xiao Xu showed no remorse and then asked the same question as Yun Sheng: "Are there any other injuries?"
"……there is none left."
Yun Sheng was slightly surprised.
Xiao Xu was clearly using his elder brother's aura to intimidate her, and Xiao Ling, at this moment, was somewhat like when she faced Yun Cheng's reprimands in the past. She was full of resentment, but she still had to answer dryly and dared not do anything more presumptuous.
Xiao Xu hummed in agreement, then reached out and took Yun Sheng's hand.
His palms were burning hot, and the moment they touched, he gripped her hand tightly in his.
"Change the dressing on time, keep the wound dry, and go home to rest well."
"……knew."
After saying that, Xiao Xu was about to lead Yun Sheng away.
The two had only taken a few steps.
Xiao Ling suddenly stepped forward: "Big Brother."
"Is there anything else?" Xiao Xu turned to look at him.
Xiao Ling paused for a moment to catch his breath, then said quickly, "What I told you back then was unusual; there must be something fishy about it."
After a moment of silence, Xiao Xu said, "This matter naturally needs to be investigated. I have some leads. If you have any clues, come and tell me later. That's all for today."
Xiao Ling's pupils trembled, and his gaze fell on the two clasped hands.
Xiao Xu didn't say anything more to him. This time, after turning around, he left the hall with Yun Sheng without looking back, leaving Xiao Ling standing there in a daze, watching the two of them gradually move away and eventually disappear from his sight.
As soon as they stepped out of Huifeng Pavilion, Yun Sheng couldn't help but ask, "Changyu, what were you talking about just now? Was it about... the rumors about my family that my third brother heard before?"
Xiao Xu slowed down his previously large strides, but Yun Sheng, preoccupied with the matter, didn't notice that she was walking very fast beside him.
As she slowed down, her breathing gradually became erratic, but her round eyes remained fixed on Xiao Xu, as if she cared deeply about it.
Xiao Xu looked at her, the words he was about to say stopped, and he answered her instead: "Yes, since someone is spreading false rumors outside, we must investigate and restore the reputation of the Yun family and you."
"You just said you had some leads, did you find out anything? Is this really something that someone is deliberately manipulating behind the scenes?"
Xiao Xu had already answered her, and there was no need to discuss the remaining issues at this time.
He changed the subject, asking instead of answering, "What were you talking about with your third brother just now?"
Yun Sheng was stunned, even her steps faltered for a moment, before she was led by Xiao Xu to take two more steps forward to catch up.
"It's nothing, just check on his injuries."
Yun Sheng looked away from Xiao Xu's face, because she felt that if she looked at him while talking, she might easily give herself away.
So, Xiao Xu asked that question because he probably didn't hear what she said earlier.
Didn't you hear me?
But as soon as she finished speaking, she looked up and saw him standing in front of the door.
Perhaps the distance between the door and the inside of the room prevented her voice from carrying out?
Yun Sheng was lost in thought.
Xiao Xu then spoke again in a calm voice: "Have you been looking at the injuries for so long?"
Yun Sheng wasn't sure if he was just being petty and jealous again, or if he was trying to trick her into revealing information.
She clumsily changed the subject: "Why did you come back from the palace so soon? I thought you would be later. I was just about to go back to my courtyard."
"Sheng Sheng." Xiao Xu suddenly stopped and turned to face Yun Sheng, but Yun Sheng lowered her eyes and could only see the exquisite gold cloud pattern on his chest, not his expression.
She heard Xiao Xu say softly, "Are you telling him something I can't know?"
"..."
Xiao Xu's tone was no longer as imposing as it had been when he spoke with Xiao Ling in the hall earlier.
The last note faded, carrying a hint of loss and loneliness, making the listener's heart clench and their breath catch in their throat.
Yun Sheng quickly said, "It's not something you can't know, I'll tell him..."
She spoke urgently and looked up eagerly.
Before he could finish speaking, he met Xiao Xu's smiling eyes, and there was not a trace of loneliness on his face.
Yun Sheng stopped speaking abruptly, staring at him with wide eyes.
"You...you heard that? You asked that on purpose!"
"I didn't hear you. Say it again."
"You're lying! You heard it!" Yun Sheng was filled with shame and indignation. She flung Xiao Xu's hand away and strode forward without looking back.
Xiao Xu easily caught up with her with his long legs. He bent down slightly to take her hand, but Yun Sheng dodged quickly and even slapped his hand.
"Don't touch me."
"Alright, I heard you. You told your third brother that you love me."
"I didn't say that."
"You said it."
"No!"
This person is doing it on purpose. He acts mature and composed in public, but behind her back he always teases and bullies her like this.
Yun Sheng walked faster and faster, feeling that she had left Xiao Xu far behind.
Unexpectedly, in the next instant, Xiao Xu suddenly took a big step forward, and Yun Sheng was caught off guard and was picked up by him around the waist.
"Ah! What are you doing!" she exclaimed in a panic.
She struggled for only a few moments before Xiao Xu held her tightly in his arms, preventing her from breaking free at all.
Xiao Xu strode forward, his face now displaying the spiritedness of a young man, as if he had won a battle and was carrying his spoils to welcome the jubilant celebration.
"I didn't hear that. Go back and tell me again."
"I'm not telling you, I didn't say anything."
"Then I beg you, please tell me."
Yun Sheng was extremely embarrassed by his sudden, high-profile actions and his unusual words.
"Put me down first."
"Don't let go, we're almost there." Xiao Xu tightened his grip and quickened his pace.
"I finally managed to get you, how could I possibly let you go?"
"...What nonsense are you spouting?" Yun Sheng caught a glimpse of several servants passing by on the side of the path and immediately lowered her head. "If someone sees me, they'll make me get down and walk by myself."
The servants not far away smiled and lowered their heads, clearly whispering and talking about the intimacy between their master and servant.
"If I see it, I see it. Can't I hold my own wife?"
Yun Sheng couldn't bear his words any longer, so she could only let Xiao Xu's burning chest smear her face red. Accompanied by his thunderous heartbeat and hurried footsteps, she was carried back to the East Courtyard by him.
*
The night is deep and quiet, and the stars are numerous.
The moonlight was obscured by the eaves of the pavilion, and could only fall on the undulating stone steps, casting a swaying, shallow shadow.
Xiao Ling sat alone in the pavilion, leaning against a cold stone pillar, one leg bent and the other casually stretched out in front of the steps.
He was carrying a half-empty wine jug in his hand, and several other empty wine jugs were piled up at his feet.
The spicy liquid rolled down his throat, burning all the way, but it couldn't warm the empty, cold desolation in his heart.
There were no lights in the pavilion, only the dim yellow glow of lanterns under the distant corridor and the sparse starlight, casting soft shadows on his slightly lowered eyelashes.
He drank slowly, but one sip after another without stopping.
As the effects of the alcohol gradually took hold, the familiar courtyard scenery before my eyes began to sway and overlap, the chirping of insects around me seemed to come and go, and my gaze lost focus, falling blankly into the empty night before me.
A night breeze blew by, ruffling the few strands of hair that he hadn't tied up. He ignored them and simply tilted his head back to take another gulp.
He seemed drunk, intoxicated by the boundless silence and the cold moonlight, yet also seemingly awake, acutely aware of the dull pain and surging emotions in his chest, a feeling amplified by the strong liquor, yet becoming ever more unsolvable.
From childhood, he always looked up to his elder brother as a towering mountain.
While he was still a child, running around and causing trouble in the palace, Xiao Xu was already able to sit upright in the study and converse fluently with the learned tutor sent by his father.
He was willful and reckless, feeling that he could go anywhere in the world with his youthful spirit, but he always knew clearly that there was a great gap between him and his elder brother, like a stream looking up at a river, or a reckless rock looking up at a silent mountain.
He always felt that he might never catch up in his lifetime, but he had also secretly thought that if he were a few years older, more mature, and experienced more trials and tribulations, he might be able to gradually shed his naivety and possess the same admirable reliability and strength as his elder brother.
That was his secret longing, and also the unspoken admiration in the heart of a young man.
But now...
The mountain he had looked up to since childhood stood coldly between him and his beloved, shattering all his aspirations and secret rivalry in an almost cruel way.
Xiao Ling wasn't truly dull-witted; once everything came to light, he gradually came to his senses.
It wasn't that he had planned so meticulously and was so capable; it was clearly his elder brother who deliberately let him go. But he had his own legs, so how could he blame others?
He himself ran away from the marriage and lost the wife who originally belonged to him.
Endless regret surged into his heart, suffocating him. The alcohol also took effect, making his already chaotic thoughts even more muddled. It was as if he had fallen into deep water, unable to struggle, and would eventually drown in the cold darkness.
Suddenly, he seemed to pop his head out from underwater and gasped for breath.
He threw the wine jug aside, staggered to his feet, and shook his head heavily to clear his head.
The moonlight cast his shadow long and slanted across the ground.
Xiao Ling strode forward, heading straight for the mansion's main gate.
The servants on night duty were startled and frightened when they saw the Third Young Master approaching in a menacing manner. However, Xiao Ling did not stop at all, nor did he give them a single glance. He ignored everyone he encountered along the way and continued to move forward, walking faster and faster.
The groom, who was dozing outside the stable, sat on the ground leaning against a pillar, his head nodding as if he had almost fallen asleep.
Suddenly he heard the sound of horses' hooves, which startled him so much that he jumped up.
"Who goes there!"
A dark shadow flashed past him, and he quickly gave chase.
The horse had already set off, and he only saw the Third Young Master's black horse being ridden away at high speed.
However, the Third Young Master's horse is very spirited, and even the Crown Prince has difficulty taming it. Apart from the Third Young Master himself, who else could ride it so smoothly?
While the groom was still in a daze, several servants hurriedly ran into the stable.
"Old Zhang, did the Third Young Master come by just now? Did he ride away on horseback?"
"...I think so. I couldn't see clearly. Was it the Third Young Master?"
"That must be it. The Third Young Master was in a hurry all the way, ignoring everyone and heading straight for the stables. He's already ridden away now."
"Is he trying to escape again?"
"I don't know, it shouldn't be..."
The servants, completely bewildered, looked at each other for a moment, unsure who would come to their senses first.
"Let's report it first, no matter what. We can't afford to take responsibility if something goes wrong."
*
East courtyard, inside the main house.
The candlelight was dim, and the light and shadow flickered.
On the spacious canopy bed, the brocade quilt was slightly disheveled, and the fragrance lingered.
Yun Sheng felt weak all over, her long black hair spread out like clouds on the pillow, wearing only a soft, light red silk nightgown, loosely tied with the sash, and lying face down on the bed with her eyes half-closed.
Xiao Xu leaned against her, also wearing only a dark silk nightgown, the collar slightly open, revealing his muscular chest. The ambiguous red marks on his chest were half-hidden, occasionally showing through the collar with his movements.
His brows held a hint of post-coital languor and satisfaction, his gaze fixed intently on the slender waist before him.
"Mmm..." Yun Sheng felt comfortable from his massage, and a soft moan escaped her throat. Her already supple waist sank even deeper into the quilt like a pool of melting spring water.
His nightgown slid slightly with his movements, revealing a small section of his fairer waistline, which shimmered with a pearly luster in the dim light.
Xiao Xu's gaze deepened, the skin beneath his palm was delicate and smooth, carrying her unique warmth and fragrance.
He slowed his movements, his fingertips occasionally lingering on her sensitive waist, causing her to tremble slightly.
"Is it still sour?" Xiao Xu leaned down and whispered in her reddened ear.
Yun Sheng buried her face in the pillow, shook her head, and said in a muffled voice, "Much better..."
Xiao Xu gave a low hum and did not stop. He continued to move his palm slowly up along the waistline, pushing the already loose nightgown even wider.
Yun Sheng was feeling drowsy and weak, but when she sensed something amiss in her back, she became more alert.
She lifted her head from under the pillow and turned back warily: "That's about enough, that's enough."
"Okay, then I won't press it."
As soon as they finished speaking, both of their hands reached for Yun Sheng's waist.
Xiao Xu hooked his fingers around her loose ribbon, while Yun Sheng pressed her hand against the back of his hand.
Xiao Xu glanced down at it and chuckled softly, "Haven't you recovered yet?"
"I mean, I'm done pressing the buttons. I'm tired and want to sleep."
Xiao Xu didn't rush to make a move. He leaned down and lay down next to Yun Sheng, his fingers still on her ties, letting her smaller hand struggle to wrap around his fingers.
"That's not what you promised me just now."
Upon hearing this, Yun Sheng immediately pursed her lips, looking as if she was determined to go back on her word no matter what.
It always takes extra energy to do it outside of bed, but this time Xiao Xumo just couldn't finish inside.
She begged him through tears, then softly told him that she liked him.
Finally, he coaxed her and she agreed that he would massage her back later, and they would do it again after she felt better. That time, she was sent to the top of the mountain and it ended happily.
Then they called for water in the room, and after taking a bath, they went to bed.
Xiao Xu gave her a thorough massage, and Yun Sheng, while enjoying it, completely forgot the rest of his words.
At this moment, she felt extremely comfortable from the massage and was too lazy to move at all.
After a brief standoff, Xiao Xu, unusually easygoing today, actually gave up, reached out to hug her, and lay down completely.
Yun Sheng was somewhat surprised and looked up at him uncertainly. He looked calm and seemed to have allowed her to go back on her word.
But she had only glanced at it when the man raised his hand and covered her eyes.
"If you're going to stay awake, then get up and do what you promised me."
Yun Sheng's vision went black, but she felt ashamed.
She quickly said, "I need to sleep, I'll go to sleep now."
Xiao Xu remained silent upon hearing this, and only slowly lowered his hand after a while.
The moment his hand touched Yun Sheng's lower back, he heard her whisper again, "My husband, sweet dreams."
Xiao Xu's fingers paused slightly, hovering in mid-air. He curled his fingers slightly before gently placing them on her lower back, holding her close and letting out a long breath.
Sweet dreams.
The room fell silent, with only the sounds of two intersecting heartbeats and soft breathing echoing from the bed.
But Yun Sheng wasn't actually sleepy.
My body was limp from being massaged, but my mind was wide awake.
She kept her eyes closed for a while but couldn't feel sleepy. Her pretense of sleep became a bit stiff, and she finally couldn't help but open her eyes.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she met Xiao Xu's eyes directly and was startled.
"Why...why aren't you asleep?"
Xiao Xu was amused by her adorable appearance and smiled, "You opened your eyes too."
Yun Sheng pursed her lips and whispered, "I can't sleep."
As she spoke, she subtly reached for the belt at her waist to protect herself.
This little movement naturally did not escape Xiao Xu's keen senses, but he neither exposed her nor said anything, and just quietly watched her.
Yun Sheng covered her waist with her palm for a while before putting it down.
She said softly, "Why did you get into a fight with your third brother today?"
It wasn't until now that she asked about it. Although it seemed like a casual question, she was actually quite concerned about it.
With such a big commotion, it's possible that Shen Yuewan and Xiao Qingchuan have already heard about it when they return to their residence.
She had already made everything clear to Xiao Ling, and her feelings for Xiao Xu had also become clear and transparent after careful consideration.
She didn't want Xiao Xu to have any more confrontations with Xiao Ling in the future.
Xiao Xu paused for a moment before speaking: "He said he wanted to spar with me, so I accepted."
"Is that supposed to be a friendly spar? You've hurt him."
"Are you suggesting I give in to him?"
Upon hearing this, the serious atmosphere that Yun Sheng had been trying to create suddenly dissipated.
She couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at Xiao Xu's serious expression.
"What are you laughing at?" Xiao Xu reached out and pinched her chin, lifting her head back up from where she had lowered it while laughing, forcing her to continue looking at him face to face.
Yun Sheng thought for a moment, originally wanting to say that his competitive and aggressive behavior was somewhat childish, quite different from his usual calm and composed demeanor.
But she didn't say it aloud.
They looked at each other silently.
Xiao Xu actually knew what Yun Sheng wanted to say, but he didn't know why she didn't say it.
In fact, he is still not completely at ease. Perhaps it is because the closer he gets to her and the more he loves her, the more this sense of gain and loss that arises with his feelings will persist.
"I couldn't help but think, what if Song Lan hadn't heard those gossips, or what if he had heard them but hadn't run away?"
Xiao Xu slowly lowered his eyes and gently kissed Yun Sheng's forehead.
He also experienced the confusion and hesitation that ordinary people have. Looking back on everything, it seems that if he had taken a wrong step or missed a certain opportunity, he would have lost her completely.
Yun Sheng's eyelashes trembled slightly from the heat of his touch. As he stepped back and was about to continue speaking, she reached out and covered his mouth, saying softly, "Then why don't you think about what if you hadn't ignored me with a cold face at the West Garden Palace that year, what if I had looked up at the Lotus Banquet and seen you in the distance, or what if I hadn't mistakenly thought that the person looking at me was someone else?"
Xiao Xu's breath hitched slightly, and there was a hint of tremor in his eyes.
Then, holding her wrist, he placed a kiss on her palm.
It felt like a dazzling firework exploded in my heart, making my heart pound and crackle.
Of course he thought about it, he thought about it all the time, but all he could think about was regret and remorse. Those missed opportunities in the past had become an unfillable void in his heart.
But when these words came out of Yun Sheng's mouth, it was as if they had become an unbelievable destiny.
Fate is fickle, and destiny is predetermined.
She eventually came to his side.
He not only won her over.
He also won her favor.
Xiao Xu removed her hand from his face and leaned forward to get closer to her.
Just like when he first kissed her.
She obediently raised her face slightly, lowered her eyelashes, and gradually closed her eyes, waiting for his kiss to fall without flinching.
Their breaths had already intertwined intimately nearby.
Xiao Xu grasped her neck, his lips just touching hers.
There was a sudden knock on the door.
Yun Sheng was startled and instinctively pushed Xiao Xu away.
Xiao Xu was caught off guard and pushed a distance away, and even his arm was almost completely pulled away from her side.
Yun Sheng was stunned for a moment. She opened her eyes and met Xiao Xu's eyes before she realized that the couple were lying normally on the bed. Why was she acting so startled and jumping around like a thief?
Her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment. Just as she was about to say something, there was another knock on the door.
Xiao Xu frowned slightly.
Yun Sheng said, "It must be official business with you. It's so late, it might be urgent. Go and see."
Yun Sheng had become accustomed to Xiao Xu's busy schedule. Although she felt a little sorry for him, she knew that if there was an urgent matter, there was no time to waste.
Xiao Xu took a deep breath, looking annoyed but still quickly got up.
He grabbed his coat from the side, put it on, and strode toward the door.
Yun Sheng was lying on the couch when she heard the door open.
It was indeed Mu Shan who came looking for her, but they were speaking very softly, and she couldn't hear what they were saying.
Yun Sheng rolled over and lay flat on the bed, thinking that she would probably have to sleep alone again tonight.
Her thoughts suddenly wandered, thinking that Xiao Xu had always been so busy and hardworking that he never got a break, and that he would still have many unavoidable tasks in the future.
Unless they can become a simple, rural couple like the ones she read about in her stories, he might not truly find peace and quiet.
Yun Sheng only snapped out of her thoughts when the footsteps drew closer.
She turned her head to look at the figure walking in from the darkness.
Xiao Xu quickly sat down by the bed.
Seeing his actions, Yun Sheng was certain that he was about to get busy.
She reached out from under the covers and hooked her hand around his finger: "Go ahead and get busy. Finish your business as soon as possible and come back to rest."
Xiao Xu didn't expect her to speak first.
He squeezed her fingertips and said in a low voice, "It's not official business, it's about my third brother. He's gone out of the manor, and I have to go there now."
Yun Sheng was taken aback: "What's wrong with him?"
"It's hard to explain right now, it's nothing serious, I'll tell you tomorrow."
Yun Sheng opened her mouth, but in the end she only said "okay".
"It's chilly at night, you should put on another layer of clothing before you go."
Xiao Xu had already stood up. Hearing Yun Sheng's voice, he lowered his eyes to look at her.
Half of her face was covered by the blanket, and the bedding revealed her lying on her side, looking warm and soft.
No matter how busy or tired Xiao Xu was in the past, whether in the sweltering heat or the bitter cold, he seemed tireless, never needing to stop or slacking off.
Others said that he might not have the lazy nature that everyone has.
At that time, Xiao Xu did not pay attention to these words, nor did he think about whether he actually had them or not.
At this moment, he felt particularly clear-headed, as if he too had developed this kind of inertia that could be called a bad habit.
But surprisingly, this feeling didn't bother him, even though he was always striving for perfection.
Xiao Xu responded with an "Mmm" and obediently went to put on another layer of clothing. He dressed faster than usual, as if he really wanted to remember what Yun Sheng had said: to finish quickly and come back soon.
After watching Xiao Xu get dressed, Yun Sheng met his gaze for a moment, whispered "Go quickly," and watched him walk away.
As she closed the door, she let out a soft breath. Xiao Xu's figure, shrouded in the night, seemed to still be vivid in her mind, and her thoughts seemed to drift back to the imagined world of the rural couple.
But before the room could be quiet for even a few moments, the door was suddenly and urgently opened again.
Yun Sheng stared blankly in the direction of the sound.
Xiao Xu's tall figure walked hurriedly toward her against the moonlight outside the door.
Her eyes widened: "Why are you back again..."
Before she could finish speaking, the coolness Xiao Xu had picked up from outside and the scent of his breath rushed towards her.
"I forgot something."
As Xiao Xu's deep voice fell, Yun Sheng's vision was shrouded in shadow, and his lips were touched by something cool and soft. Then he kissed her deeply.
————————!!————————
[Shrug] Xiao Ling didn't go off to cause trouble, there's still a little bit of content left in the main text, we're wrapping it up~
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