74 Chapter Seventy-Four
"General Ying is about to arrive in Yingcheng."
Chapter 74
If he refuses, will she run away again? Or will she go find another man to annoy him?
Xie Lang was caught in a dilemma; what could he do?
How could he dare refuse?
Every word uttered from her red lips transformed into a sharp blade, slicing straight into his heart.
"Since you agree, sir, you may go back and rest."
Liu Qingqing's gaze swept over his bloodied hand, knowing he was looking at her, but she glanced away and avoided looking at him.
As he got out of bed and walked to the door, Liu Qingqing suddenly spoke up, "From tomorrow on, I will call you elder brother."
Xie Lang was pinned down. He didn't turn around, but said in a low, hoarse voice, "Don't call me brother."
Before she could speak again, Xie Lang left swiftly, closing the door behind him as if a ghost were chasing him.
His deep gaze fell upon her through the narrowing crack in the door, until the door was closed and she could no longer see him.
Xie Lang stood outside the door, his eyes lowered, and remained motionless for a long time.
His grandmother, mother, Xie Wanyan, and even Wei Mingzhao had all told him that he would regret it.
He didn't believe it then.
Now that the knife is on my body, it really hurts...
The courtyard was quiet. Xie Lang looked around and his gaze settled on the tightly closed second gate of the backyard.
Xie Lang had a bad feeling about Mr. Fu in the front yard.
He glanced at the door again, then knocked on it with his finger. "I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back later."
Inside the room, Liu Qingqing looked over in surprise, only to find that he had actually left without even turning around.
The cool moonlight cast his tall figure onto the window paper, making him look like a painting.
"Did you hear me? I need to leave for a moment."
As if the previous exchange had never happened, he patiently whispered to her, "Close the doors and windows, and don't leave the room."
I stood there quietly, waiting for her answer.
After a long while, I heard her give a soft "hmm".
I listened intently and heard him lightly tap the windowpane twice with his knuckles, which meant he was about to leave.
Looking up, the silhouette disappeared.
After calming down, she lay back down in the distance and turned to look at the spot where he had been lying.
Suddenly, he let out a long breath, but he didn't know what he felt.
She abruptly turned her back to them, pulled the brocade quilt over herself, and closed her eyes.
-
Under the cover of night, Xie Lang sneaked into a house not far from the villa.
The house looked unremarkable, but it was actually connected to another courtyard by a secret passage.
The men Xie Lang brought from the capital have already infiltrated various parts of Yingcheng.
The ten teams were divided into smaller groups, and in addition to the key offensive locations, his men were also present in teahouses, taverns, and temples outside the city.
Anyone acting suspiciously will be noticed immediately.
The villa has become a rat-infested place, attracting waves of people from the Northern Qiang and Northern Rong tribes.
Xie Lang's trip to Yingcheng was ostensibly due to the discovery that the corrupt official had embezzled military supplies from the arsenal. However, the arsenal in Yingcheng was actually controlled by the regent's confidants, so there was no question of embezzlement. It was merely a ploy to lower the enemy's guard.
The Northern Qiang and Northern Rong tribes joined forces to bribe some officials in the court. He and Wei Mingzhao were not idle either; they naturally had their own people on the other side as well.
Some messages were also sent back.
At this moment, the surface of the water is calm and still, but the depths are already turbulent and murky.
Neither side knows where the other will start their conflict.
On the other hand, it is also necessary to differentiate between the two and use their strength against them.
If the Northern Qiang and Northern Rong truly join forces, they will be a formidable opponent.
"Have all the secret guards arrived?"
Xie Wu nodded.
After the lord discovered the lady's whereabouts in Yingcheng, he immediately dispatched the secret guards from the capital to protect her closely, fearing that the same mistake would be repeated.
"Send them all to the Lady's side."
"Sir, then you..."
Xie Lang remained silent for a long time before saying in a low voice, "If she's alright, then I'm alright too."
This is a lesson he learned only after paying a heavy price.
For the past six months, he hasn't had a single night of restful sleep. Every time he manages to fall asleep, he's awakened by nightmares.
No one knows how overjoyed he was when he saw her alive and well in his sight!
At that moment, he seemed to finally taste the flavor of love.
That means she's good.
Even though she didn't see him for the time being, seeing that she was alright, he, who had been hanging painfully in the air with his neck strangled, finally had his feet on the ground and came back to life.
After instructing Liu Qingqing on the arrangements, Xie Lang summoned people in to discuss countermeasures.
"Some people have already fallen for the trap; recently, the spies in the city have finally started to move."
"That young Ying also came to Yingcheng. She's been loitering near the Madam's clinic a couple of times recently, and we've been keeping a close eye on her. She's hired a child to pretend to be a beggar, and they have a place to stay in the south of the city."
No one expected that Xiao Ying would be involved with the Governor-General of Huguang. When the Governor-General of Huguang was on his last breath, he uttered Xiao Ying's name, but before he could say anything more, his head lolled to the side and he died.
What would they do with this young lady from the inner chambers? Xie Lang had no clue for a moment.
The only unusual thing about Xiao Ying was that she sold raw aconite, but since the clinic was under her control before, it wasn't surprising that she was dealing with herbs back and forth.
Xie Lang tapped his fingertip lightly. "Keep a close eye on her. Little Ying had tried to harm you before, so we must be careful this time. Do you understand?"
The other party nodded repeatedly.
What information was obtained from the arrested individuals?
Someone sneaked into the villa, and the other side was really persistent; it was practically an open secret for both sides.
They would arrest one person for entering, and arrest two people for entering, yet they still kept probing inwards.
The dizzy Xie Lang was like a delicious piece of Tang Monk meat, tempting them so much they couldn't resist.
The subordinate shook his head, "The people who come here are fierce. Every time they are caught, they bite open the hole and hide poison in their teeth. They die before they can be caught even when they are trapped in the net."
Xie Lang sighed softly, "This time they've come with such a fierce momentum, I'm afraid it won't end well."
However, his subordinate had something else to report: "Lord Wei has arrived in Yingcheng."
Xie Lang raised an eyebrow and pondered for a moment, indicating that he understood.
"Lord Wei requests a meeting with you today."
"today?"
Xie Lang pointed to the moon hanging high in the sky.
The subordinate nodded. "Perhaps it's something important."
If that's the case...
Xie Lang curled his hand, and the wound on his right palm, which had just healed, split open again, the pain bringing him back to his senses.
I wanted to get back to the clinic as soon as possible, but I don't know if she's asleep.
It was as if she had planted extremely fine threads on him, one end in his body and the other in her hand. With every movement she made, he felt a mixture of pleasure and pain.
But it captivated him.
He could feel the Gu worms within him longing for her Holy Snow, just as they longed for him.
Although she returned the jade pendant that had been parted with her betrothal, they still had a pair of Gu worms, so how could they not be considered to be inseparable?
If Xie Wanyan heard this, she would definitely point her finger at him and call him crazy!
Could it be that this is the first time he's been like this?
For a moment, she seemed to be holding a small, curled-up hedgehog in her palm.
He must not touch it.
It was a side of him he had never seen before, yet he found it wonderful.
Liu Qingqing loved his upright and gentlemanly side, but disliked his darker side, which made him unbearable and caused him heartache.
That won't work.
She should... be like him.
His subordinate called him in a low voice, and Xie Lang finally came back to his senses.
He hadn't felt it was a problem before because he was too busy with official duties to go home, but now that he had finally gotten her back, all he wanted was for her to be by his side at all times.
Where is he?
Xie Lang wanted to go and come back quickly.
My subordinates gave me directions, and thankfully it wasn't far from here.
Xie Lang was in a hurry to get back to the clinic and couldn't wait any longer. He pushed open the door, leaped onto the roof, and disappeared in a flash.
subordinate:"……"
The night is deep and dark. Why is the usually composed and at ease sir suddenly in such a hurry?
Wei Mingzhao's urgency must mean something important.
When Xie Lang pushed open the door, Wei Mingzhao was already waiting by the table. Upon seeing him enter, Wei Mingzhao, contrary to his usual sarcastic and cold demeanor, rushed over to greet him with eager anticipation.
This aroused Xie Lang's suspicion. "What's the rush? Why must we meet today?"
Wei Mingzhao pulled him to sit down and filled his cup with wine. But when Xie Lang raised his hand and saw the fresh wound on his palm, he turned his hand and snatched the wine cup back.
He raised his chin. "Did your sister-in-law do this?"
Xie Lang nodded with pleasure, then sighed softly as if in helplessness, "Who else could it be but her?"
Now that he's either in or out of power, unless Xie Lang is willing, who could possibly injure his hand in close combat from the front, let alone cut it so deeply?
How can someone who feels proud and honored be satisfied even if someone cuts them with a knife? Xie Wanyan once said that he was not like an ordinary person, but Wei Mingzhao felt that there was no one in the Zhongwu Marquis's mansion who was easy to deal with.
Wei Mingzhao grimaced and got goosebumps all over his body from watching.
"How come I remember Lord Xie once said that if Lady Liu wanted a divorce, he would set her free? Did Lord Xie say that?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Lang glanced at him sideways and his face turned cold.
Wei Mingzhao choked up, recalling when he went to the Marquis's mansion when Liu Qingqing's fate was unknown. The Jialan Garden was extremely quiet, as if no one was alive. The servants he encountered on the way were trembling with fear, not daring to make a sound.
The weather was cold, but the main door of the house was wide open. Stepping inside, the once-glorious Lord Xie sat on the footstool in front of the bed, his eyes bloodshot and brooding as he stared at the mud-covered embroidered shoes on the cabinet in front of him.
The pale white long sleeves were stained with blood, and the exposed forearms were covered with fresh knife wounds from which blood was still flowing.
"What are you doing?" he asked at the time.
Xie Lang didn't look over, a thick mist filling his eyes. "She in my dream... is not good."
Disheartened and utterly pathetic.
Wei Mingzhao was speechless.
That was the first time he had heard Xie Lang speak since Liu Qingqing disappeared; his voice was like grinding stones.
Upon arriving in Yingcheng, I heard from my subordinates that there was good news: Lord Xie had regained his ability to speak.
As Wei Mingzhao listened, the once clear and melodious sound was now like a white silk ribbon stained with ink, impossible to wash away.
After enduring half a year and almost losing half his life, he finally saw him. It's good that he's willing to let him go.
Recalling that past scene, and seeing the lively spirit in his eyes now, Wei Mingzhao unusually refrained from provoking him again. Seeing his impatience, she had no choice but to get down to business, "Does your wife know the Regent's wife's identity?"
Xie Lang frowned. "Why do you ask that?"
Wei Mingzhao said in a low voice, "Since Your Highness's beloved son, Young Master Li Ying, came with me this time, I wanted to ask you whether your wife knew about this matter when she left? If she knew, you would have prepared a countermeasure in advance. If she didn't know, how would your wife feel if this were suddenly brought up?"
"Understood, thank you."
Xie Lang got up to leave.
But then Wei Mingzhao suddenly spoke up, "So, Lord Xie, you've finally reaped the bitter fruit of your arrogance?"
Xie Lang stopped.
Wei Mingzhao, however, had no other thoughts and changed the subject, asking, "When you saw her again, did you apologize to her?"
At a glance, he could tell from Xie Lang's furrowed brows that Xie Lang was like an ant on a hot pan, completely at a loss. Otherwise, how could he be happy even after being slashed?
Wei Mingzhao recalled how he had shamelessly begged Xie Wanyan for forgiveness, completely disregarding his pride and dignity. He felt that Xie Lang might not be able to bring himself to do it.
Little did he know that Xie Lang had long since abandoned his gentlemanly demeanor, sneaking into his bedroom like a ghost every day to hide the beauty in his arms.
"You should think carefully about how you ended up like this when you were living a good life."
Seeing Xie Lang raise his eyebrows, Wei Mingzhao, who had been his brother for over ten years, knew what he was thinking and quickly interrupted him, "She has hands and feet, she can always leave if she wants to. You can't confine her for the rest of her life, can you?"
Why not?
He countered with a question in his eyes.
"So, do you want her to treat you the same way as before, or do you want her to treat you coldly?"
This stumped Xie Lang.
"Then... how should we do it?" Xie Lang frowned.
"Then you've come to the right place, Lord Xie. I have a lot of experience in this matter."
Wei Mingzhao proudly raised his chin, "Look how good your sister and I are now?"
Xie Lang: "..."
She glanced at him, swallowing back the sarcastic remark with difficulty.
"Husband and wife are one; don't judge a book by its words, but by its actions. Treat her the way you want her to treat you. You've kept your thoughts to yourself since you were little. Why not take a step forward and think about whether your wife is worth changing your ways?"
Xie Lang seemed to be deep in thought upon hearing this.
"And also,"
Wei Mingzhao looked around before lowering his voice and beginning to teach unorthodox methods, "Women also love men, so you have to learn how to please them. Give them pleasures they can't find elsewhere, feed them well. Once they're used to eating big fish and meat, they naturally won't look at anything else."
Xie Lang: "...So that's why you always bring Xie Wanyan back to your residence?"
Wei Mingzhao's expression changed drastically. He raised his hand and shooed the person away, saying, "I meant well, but you stabbed me! Get out of here!"
-
On the other end.
In the still of the night, in a dilapidated house in a corner of Yingcheng, a single lamp flickered dimly.
Xiao Ying stood hunched over, waiting respectfully for someone to speak. Before her stood a tall man wearing a silver mask, whose exotic beauty could be discerned from his high brow bones.
"Is the prescription available?"
The man looked at Xiao Ying with disappointment. "You've been infiltrating the Liu family for years, confident that you would succeed. Where's the prescription?"
The man was tall and imposing, which made Xiao Ying tremble secretly.
"I have found the girl's residence. Please give me some more time, sir, and I will be able to force her to reveal the truth!"
The man glanced at her impatiently, "Then hurry up, the Qiang army has run out of Xuanwan. If they don't, the Qiang army will be at a disadvantage in battle."
While opium used today has similar effects, it is highly addictive; once soldiers become addicted, they eventually go mad. It is not a long-term solution.
"If I have accomplished this task, may I see my beloved?"
Madam Ying nodded hurriedly in agreement, then, mustering her courage, she timidly asked, "For over ten years, I've only corresponded with him through letters. I haven't seen my beloved for so long. I wonder how he's doing?"
"You've done a poor job, requiring my personal intervention. How dare you come here and make demands of me?"
Xiao Ying was so intimidated by his imposing presence that she dared not utter a word, showing none of the arrogance she usually displayed in front of Liu Qingqing.
"If it works out, I'll not just let you see him once, I'll send you to spend the rest of your life with him."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ying was instantly overwhelmed with emotion. She knelt down and kowtowed, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes immediately turned red, a stark contrast to her scarred face.
The man looked away. "I'll give you seven days. If you can't get it done, don't blame me for being ruthless."
The man waved for Xiao Ying to leave, then suddenly stopped.
"Have you ever seen Lord Xie Lang?" the man asked.
"What does Lord Xie think of him?"
Madam Ying hurriedly smiled obsequiously, "Of course I have seen you before, Lord Xie, you are gentle and handsome."
Is he really that gentle and handsome? Then he must have been mistaken.
"Understood."
Yingcheng is a suitable secondary capital. If Yingcheng falls into chaos, the powerful and influential people in the capital will naturally be unable to ignore it and will be dragged down with them!
"Hurry up and do as I say, then follow my instructions."
After nodding to indicate that she understood, Xiao Ying left the dimly lit room.
After the door closed, the man took off his mask, revealing his gentle and handsome face.
It was Fu Xiuzhu!
He looked up out the window and could vaguely make out the blurry figure of Xiao Ying.
The man she couldn't forget, Tanlang, was already married with children and a harem. He had long forgotten about her, yet she still believed he was trapped and waiting for her to rescue him.
He's a pitiful person too...
After Xiao Yingshi disappeared, Fu Xiuzhu changed his clothes, hid the mask in his bosom, opened the door, and sneaked into the vast night.
Quietly returning to the clinic, Fu Xiuzhu stared blankly at the tightly closed second gate of the backyard.
Lin Mei kept a close watch on the backyard, rarely allowing anyone to enter.
Fu Xiuzhu fell into deep thought. Was this man who suddenly appeared really Miss Lin's brother?
He had only heard of Xie Lang's reputation, but had never met him.
I have heard that Xie Lang is upright and self-disciplined, a true gentleman.
But this man was as cold as ice, with a chilling gaze. Moreover, when Lord Xie brought him here that day, his face was covered in blood, and the guards around him were very strict. When he stood in front of the guards, his eyes were not on his injuries, so the guards asked him fiercely where he was looking.
So much so that he didn't even get a clear look at Lord Xie, who was standing right in front of him.
If this person were to take off his clothes one day, he would recognize him immediately.
Then he remembered that Lord Xie was seriously injured and was recuperating in a separate courtyard. According to the scout's letter, he had not yet woken up, so he must not be alone.
He's probably overthinking it.
But he couldn't treat this so lightly; he had to send someone to find Xie Lang's portrait to take a look.
After thinking it through, Fu Xiuzhu returned to his room.
Close the door and wait for tomorrow to arrive.
-
Unaware that he was being targeted by several people, Xie Lang quietly returned to the backyard of the clinic after finishing his business.
He felt uneasy now that she was not in his sight.
He was good at being patient and patient.
As for the husband chosen by the matchmaker, can he still make it happen?
The tightly closed door made him restless. He stood quietly in front of the door, closed his eyes, and tried to find her calm breathing in the darkness.
Calm down.
Upon entering, the small bulges on the bed came into view.
A hint of a smile finally appeared in Xie Lang's eyes. He walked over and squatted down beside the bed.
As if sensing something, the girl on the bed turned over.
He nuzzled her nose against hers with adoration, pressing his cheek against her outstretched palm.
The clamorous, distorted, and muffled screaming soul finally stopped charging at his temple like a mad dog and quieted down.
The limbs soaked in the icy pool were chilled to the bone, but as soon as you got close to her, it was as if the warm sun was shining on you, and you felt better instantly.
He couldn't help but recall Wei Mingzhao's words: "It's best to feed them well." He also thought of that scene at Qingfeng Pavilion earlier that day…
He gently bit the tender flesh of her palm with his canine teeth, wanting to bite her awake, yet afraid that she would wake up.
Xie Lang was addicted to its taste.
Then I remembered what Wei Mingzhao had said—Li Ying had come along.
The lady is unaware of the events of the previous generation. It turns out that when they were still in the capital, he thought it would be good if the princess could find Qingqing and bring her back, so that she would have someone to rely on.
Now he tastes something different; his beloved has a fierce and unyielding nature, preferring to break like jade rather than survive like a broken tile.
He still held a grudge about what he had said earlier. If he knew that his mother was still alive but did not acknowledge her, how heartbroken and sad he would be.
What can I do to make her feel better?
Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the window. Xie Lang's face darkened abruptly, filled with displeasure at being interrupted.
Reluctantly, he lifted his head from her palm, opened the door, and went out.
Xie Wu was outside the door, and knowing he must have disturbed the adults, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Since the lady's departure, the lord's mood has become unpredictable. He had originally thought that after finding the lady, the lord would return to his former magnanimous self, but unexpectedly, he became even more...
"What is it?"
Xie Lang interrupted Xie Wu's thoughts with his voice.
Before answering, Xie Wu took a step forward, as if afraid that others would overhear. Xie Lang also became solemn.
Xie Wu said in a barely audible voice, "My lord, someone has come to report that General Ying is about to arrive in Yingcheng."
But one problem after another arose.
"Who did you say came?" Xie Lang frowned and looked tense.
Xie Wu lowered his head, not daring to look at the adult: "General Ying is still thirty li away from Yingcheng. He will be able to enter the city later tomorrow night."
"Entering the city tomorrow?"
Xie Lang snorted coldly.
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
She no longer carried a sharp edge; instead, she exuded a sense of calm.
"What's past is past. I don't want to think about myself anymore, and neither do you, okay?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
