79 Chapter Seventy-Nine
His voice was hoarse, "Does Madam still think my cousin is better?"
Chapter Seventy-Nine
Xie Lang stared intently at her, his wet, sticky gaze seeming to tear her flesh and burrow into her heart!
He didn't believe she couldn't see through it, so why did she say it in such a mocking and disdainful tone?
It's as if his liking her is some huge joke!
Under his deep gaze, Liu Qingqing suddenly scoffed, "Does Lord Xie intend to say—why should I love you?"
Just like how confidently he had questioned her before, why should he love her? His tone made it seem as if she were some cheap object, unworthy of his noble love.
Why can't I?
He asked in a hoarse voice.
Liu Qingqing suddenly felt listless, lay back down, and gave him a cold glance, "How could the high and mighty Lord Xie possibly love anyone?"
After saying that, he pulled the quilt up and turned his back to him.
He was like some filthy, disgusting thing; just looking at him made my eyes dirty!
Even though she was right in front of him, the panic of her gradually disappearing gripped him.
His blood was boiling, bubbling and churning in his brain. He told himself, "Slow down, slow down, don't frighten her."
She was as swift as a rabbit, all she knew was how to run! All she knew was how to run!
Xie Lang stepped forward slowly, and as always, took off his outer robe, folded it neatly, and placed it at the foot of the bed.
Hearing the soft rustling of fabric, Liu Qingqing turned her head in confusion, only to see him standing beside her bed in his undergarments.
She frowned. What was wrong with this person? Why did he always stand silently by her bedside like a ghost?
Just as she raised her hand to shoo him away, her wrist was grabbed by an icy hand, and she fell into his arms.
Why can't I?
He held her extremely tightly, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.
This was the first time he had held her while she was lucid since they reunited.
The moment you touch it, your blood boils and surges through your veins.
no the same.
This was different from when he quietly embraced her while she was sleeping.
As with every night before, when the nights had quietly approached, he openly repeated his actions this time, crossing his arms to hold her tightly and burying his face in the crook of her neck.
Her petite figure nestled perfectly into his arms.
How could they not be a good match?
Liu Qingqing stiffened slightly, staring blankly at what was in front of her. After a moment, her eyelashes trembled.
He held her so tightly, as if he couldn't live without her...
It's a... strange and novel feeling.
Throughout her life, she had always been dispensable, and no one had ever treated her like this before.
She was lost in thought for a moment, her mind went blank, and she wasn't thinking about anything.
Now, Xie Lang could see her every move, and he naturally noticed that she was distracted.
At that moment, she actually lost focus!
His heart skipped a beat, then felt like a tomato being crushed, the pain bringing tears to his eyes. He buried his face deeper, pressing closer to her.
But it still wasn't enough! It still wasn't enough!
If only he could cut open his own body, stuff her inside, and sew her back up.
"If only Lord Xie could take back what he said in the past..."
In the stillness of the night, Liu Qingqing's melancholy murmur could be heard.
But how can you take back what you've said?
Xie Lang felt a stinging pain in his eyes.
He was helpless against her, completely helpless against her!
Sometimes he even wondered if he wouldn't be in so much pain if he hadn't swallowed that Gu worm.
When Xie Lang caught a glimpse of Liu Qingqing gripping the dagger out of the corner of his eye, he swiftly stood up and pressed it down.
When Xie Lang looked down and met her cold, indifferent gaze, his Adam's apple bobbed. "Don't hurt yourself."
Lord Xie has found his weakness and has finally learned to be fearful.
He had never been afraid of anything, but now he was afraid of her... afraid that she might hurt herself in a moment of impulse.
No one can hurt her, not even herself.
The chest split open, and a new heart grew.
Finally, someone has risen above the high and mighty Lord Xie.
His arm muscles were spasming slightly, with his fingertips trembling irregularly.
Her light gaze felt incredibly heavy; he was so overwhelmed by it that he had no choice but to reluctantly let go of her hand.
Liu Qingqing withdrew her gaze and turned back to the position where she had just turned her back to him. She didn't even spare a glance for him, ignoring him completely.
Xie Lang sat idly by the bed, gazing at her back until dawn.
The next day, when Liu Qingqing woke up, she opened her eyes and knew he was no longer there without turning around.
After washing up, I was supposed to have breakfast.
The table was a mess, covered with herbs.
As he was about to tidy up, he was stunned by the changes in the herbs and the note placed to the side.
However, Liu Qingqing had no time to dwell on it; the clinic was extremely busy, with patients coming in like swarms of locusts. Even the servants, who had initially been delighted by the booming business, gradually began to panic.
So many patients is definitely not a good thing.
Recently, chaos has been brewing in Yingcheng. Patients who had been suffering from vomiting and diarrhea were relieved for two days by taking herbal medicine, but then they started vomiting blood! Taking advantage of this, the number of people looting and robbing has also been increasing.
And gradually, small groups of people in the city began to gather together and talk about the rumor—that the goddess could save lives.
Who is that goddess?
They had a vague suspicion, but couldn't confirm it.
Moreover, since the clinic opened, it has provided a lot of help to the people.
But when life and death are at stake, humans are blinded by selfishness and reveal their beastly nature.
I want to live, but if it requires someone to be sacrificed, then it's not me who needs to be sacrificed.
Some people actually started to get restless.
Liu Qingqing has been staying at the clinic lately, and has been experimenting with making medicine pills in his study. The pills are beginning to take shape.
She was overjoyed, but didn't know how to tell anyone. She knew the medicine couldn't be dispelled; she understood the dangers of possessing a treasure.
There was a third pill in that brocade box, and she was thinking of finding the recipe for the third pill.
Before this, she secretly mixed the pills into a pot of herbal soup meant for the patients, and after careful observation, she found that they were indeed much better. But they were not completely cured.
She discreetly approached Doctor Zhang to inquire, but Doctor Zhang, with a worried and mysterious expression, whispered to her, "This is poison; an antidote is needed. Anything else will only delay the inevitable."
Doctor Zhang glanced at the sky outside and sighed softly, "With so many people poisoned at the same time, the future of Yingcheng is probably about to change."
Liu Qingqing was greatly alarmed. "Does the government know about this?"
Doctor Zhang shook his head: "What's the use of knowing? The government has no antidote."
Liu Qingqing was filled with worry, and suddenly felt a sense of unease, as if a storm was brewing.
Just then, Ying Yucheng hurriedly came to her door and invited her to go boating on the lake.
"A boat trip on the lake?" she asked in surprise.
Ying Yucheng whispered, "They are the eyes and ears of the people in the lake."
Liu Qingqing understood and followed her cousin out of the clinic.
The moment she stepped out of the clinic, that feeling of being watched returned. This time, it seemed to be coming from all directions. Liu Qingqing was slightly startled, quickly glancing around. Had she imagined it?
Upon reaching the lakeside, a covered boat was already waiting there.
There was only one boatman on the boat, one of Ying Yucheng's own men.
After helping her onto the boat, Ying Yucheng apologized in a low voice, "I was in too much of a rush this time and couldn't find a good pleasure boat. I'm sorry to have upset my cousin."
Liu Qingqing sat down opposite him, smiling and shaking her head at him, "This is already very good."
Once the covered boat reached the middle of the lake, even someone with perfect hearing and sight would not be able to hear what they were saying.
Ying Yucheng was relieved. Time was limited, so he quickly asked her, "I was too negligent about what happened before. This time I have secretly arranged for many people to come with me to the Northwest."
This direct approach is different from before.
Regarding this question, Liu Qingqing wanted to ask, "Cousin, do you know the identity of the Princess?"
But then she thought again, Yanluo Pill is no ordinary pill, so why should she ask again what it is?
In her cousin's view, this was a matter between her and her mother. Besides, her mother was now a princess, so what could her cousin do? Did he expect her to go against the princess's wishes right after they first recognized each other?
Thinking this way, the initial resentment in my heart dissipated.
Whether from an emotional or political standpoint, whether from the perspective of a cousin or maternal uncle, one should be closer to the princess.
She was no longer the naive and innocent girl she once was. Her cousin might have meant well, but her going might cause him trouble... or even annoy him.
Liu Qingqing smiled and shook her head at him.
Ying Yucheng suddenly felt that his cousin was much colder towards him than before.
My cousin is so clever, she must have guessed something.
His handsome face flushed red with anxiety, and his ears turned red as he thought about what he was about to say.
"Cousin, will you marry me?"
Liu Qingqing never expected to hear this, and her eyes widened in surprise, "Why, cousin..."
Ying Yucheng leaned forward and reached out to hold her hand, but froze abruptly when their fingertips touched, his ears turning as red as if dripping blood.
“I have been uneasy ever since I left the capital. I was even more remorseful after learning that my cousin’s fate was unknown. Now that I have found her, I am overjoyed. If my cousin does not mind, she can marry me and come with me to the Northwest. Although my Ying family is not as powerful as the Marquis’s family, in the Northwest, my cousin can do whatever she wants.”
Liu Qingqing was stunned, seemingly not having reacted at all.
Ying Yucheng stared intently at her. "I know you have concerns, cousin, and I know Lord Xie is not giving up. I'm not in a hurry; please consider it carefully. But there is something I want you to know."
Liu Qingqing: "What is it?"
Ying Yucheng said, “Lord Xie is a domineering and stubborn man who will never let this go. But don’t worry, cousin, my Ying family can handle it.”
Seeing that the covered boat was not coming to shore, a figure flashed out from a tree by the lake and headed towards the Regent's villa.
After a while, Ying Yucheng saw that his cousin's brows were furrowed and knew that this could not be rushed, so he told the boatman to bring the boat to shore first.
Groups of people lingered on the shore, their eyes flickering as they looked over as the boat approached.
Ying Yucheng escorted Liu Qingqing back to the clinic, walking beside the carriage.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw familiar faces—Wei Mingzhao and Li Ying.
Li Ying urged his horse onward, closely following Wei Mingzhao.
Ying Yucheng saw this and lightly tapped the carriage with his knuckles.
Upon receiving the signal, Liu Qingqing lifted the carriage curtain and looked out. Following her cousin's gaze, she couldn't help but frown.
They quickly lowered the curtain.
Ying Yucheng went around to the other side of the carriage.
From afar, Li Ying suddenly tightened the reins and looked back as if he had a premonition. He saw an ordinary carriage swaying through the streets, with ordinary people around, nothing special.
Liu Qingqing returned to the clinic, and Ying Yucheng helped her out of the car.
As I saw her through the door, I couldn't help but gently wrap my arm around her wrist. "Cousin, think it over carefully."
This is the limit of what he can fight for.
Liu Qingqing stopped and nodded slightly to him, "I understand, cousin."
After watching her cousin leave, Lin Mei came to her side and whispered, "There's a matchmaker waiting."
Liu Qingqing was surprised, and then heard Lin Mei say, "Another wealthy and powerful family."
It's strange, why are there always wealthy and powerful families coming here for several days in a row?
Liu Qingqing was very self-aware. She wasn't a celestial being who could be content with just one family, so why would she be favored by several high-ranking and wealthy families? There must be something fishy about it.
"Let's go take a look."
In the backyard, in the bedroom.
Xie Lang returned hastily, his chest aching as if being torn apart, and he concealed himself.
He has now developed patience.
Letting her out would mean either running into Ying Yucheng or watching her socialize with the matchmaker who came to her door.
Neither of these was something he wanted to do. Letting her out would only lead to her running into Ying Yucheng, or watching helplessly as she entertained the matchmakers who came to their door.
None of these were things he wanted to do.
Upon entering the matchmaker's room, Liu Qingqing suddenly stopped.
As Lin Mei tugged at her sleeve, she suddenly asked, "Is there really no possibility between Miss and Master? It seems to me that Miss has forgiven Master."
Once the engagement is finalized with the matchmaker, there is no turning back.
Lin Mei didn't think that the young lady had to reconcile with the master.
After wandering for half a year, she realized something was wrong in Yingcheng and felt that the adults could protect the young lady.
It's better to just go through the motions and deal with it when it's no longer dangerous.
Did she truly forgive him? Not really.
Just like with Liu Qingying in the past, Liu Qingqing simply moved on from Xie Lang.
Instead of arguing, it's better to go along with him and let it go with a mix of truth and falsehood.
She never argues with people who aren't worth it.
"After his repeated denials, he became a worthless person."
He heard her say to Lin Mei.
She said—don't think she still has feelings for him.
After saying this, she lifted the curtain and went into the inner room. The matchmaker stood up with a happy expression and warmly greeted her.
This matchmaker is really something, she actually acted as matchmaker for three families!
The matchmaker did everything in her power; if one person didn't work out, there was always another.
The matchmaker pointed to the sky, "As long as the girl says what she likes, I will find it for her from heaven to earth!"
This matchmaker was incredibly eloquent; she could turn red into green and actually managed to win over Liu Qingqing.
As dusk approached, Liu Qingqing and Lin Mei exchanged a glance, feeling their heads buzzing.
Having never met such an eloquent person before, she pressed her temples and waved weakly at Lin Mei, "I'm going back to my room to rest for a while."
As night fell, Liu Qingqing pushed open the door and saw Xie Lang sitting at the table, looking intently at her.
Which young master have you taken a fancy to?
He got up and walked towards her, his jade-like fingers hooking her round, delicate chin.
His voice was extremely hoarse, "Does Madam still think my cousin is better?"
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
Xie Lang
She suddenly called his name softly, "My cousin said he wants to marry me."
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