80 Chapter Eighty
"Xie Lang, my cousin says he wants to marry me."
Chapter Eighty
The ripples in his eyes reminded her of the surging torrents beside Jinshan Temple on the day she left the capital.
She nearly fell into the deadly rapids.
She tried to purse her slightly parted lips, but the thought had barely formed when her vision went dark. Before she could even react in shock, she felt his tongue gently tracing her skin like a nimble little fish. "They are all inferior to me."
He turned his head and kissed the tip of her ear, then gently rubbed his nose against her small, full earlobe.
He felt her tremble slightly, paused for a moment, then moved down to gently caress her neck with his lips, cupped her cheek, and lightly sucked on the back of her neck.
Sure enough, her legs went weak and she was about to fall, but how could he let her fall?
With a long arm, he pulled her close, his hand encircling her waist. His fingers gently caressed her as he forced himself to slowly rise, his eyes slightly intoxicated. He touched the corners of her reddened eyes.
"Isn't that right? Only I know what you love, not me.
His eerie voice was like a bewitching demon in the night.
Liu Qingqing couldn't dodge in time and fell into his trap, raising her hand to strike him. Although she was too weak and stumbled, she could only hit his shoulder, but Xie Lang seized the opportunity to pull her up, and the slap landed squarely on his face!
A crisp snapping sound rang out from inside the room.
Liu Qingqing was stunned, but then she saw him with his eyes closed like a stray dog without a master at the village entrance, rubbing his cheek against her palm as if he were completely intoxicated.
That eerie feeling returned, surging over her like a tidal wave. A tingling, shivering sensation ran through her, raising goosebumps all over her body.
Liu Qingqing choked for a moment, but unexpectedly bowed down to him.
"How can you be so sure that after spending so much time together, they won't become unaware of this later?"
As she gradually regained consciousness, her gaze became clear, and her words took on a sarcastic and provocative tone.
Xie Lang slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed, and pulled her back into his arms. "Don't say that. Just thinking about it makes me feel terrible."
Xie Lang couldn't help but think of what Wei Mingzhao had said to him when he returned to the villa today, vomiting blood—that it was not shameful to bow one's head to the woman one loves.
He took her hand and placed it on his chest, letting her feel his heart pounding because of her.
Xie Lang seemed lost in thought. It was the first time he had done this, and although it was difficult, he spoke each word clearly: "I really wanted you to take it out, to let you see that there's only you inside. Unfortunately, it's too late today."
Xie Lang longed to chat with her more, but now he had no time, and regretted not cherishing the past.
The unspoken meaning in those words was like a stone thrown into calm water, causing Liu Qingqing to abruptly look up at him. His cheeks were still red, and the faint mark of her slap could be seen.
That wistful tone made it seem as if he truly regretted not being able to tear himself apart!
He seemed a little off today. Just as she was trying to figure out what was wrong, he took her hand and led her to the table.
Contrary to his usual self, he calmly started talking about other things.
But his hands were still trembling, and Liu Qingqing glanced at the hand he was holding.
Looking up, Liu Qingqing noticed a simple new set of jewelry on the table. She vaguely remembered that apart from the ancestral double jade bracelet, Xie Lang seemed to have never given her any jewelry.
Just as she was thinking, she heard him whisper, "This is newly made poison powder and [illegible], both hidden in the headdress. It's more effective than the previous one, hidden in the bracelet. This bracelet can be disassembled. The [illegible] is inside the bracelet with the scroll pattern. Remember it well, Qingqing."
"And inside these earrings..."
These were all made by Xie Lang himself during his trip back to the villa these past two days.
Now, when it comes to anything concerning her, he trusts no one but himself.
Xie Lang then handed her the hidden weapons he had brought and explained them to her in detail, "These are poison needles. Just press and shoot them. There are ten needles inside, so be careful when using them."
"This hairpin has been poisoned. It has a hidden clasp that can be opened when needed. Do not be careless when wearing it."
Xie Lang was actually not a man of many words, and even after finding her again, he rarely spoke so much in one breath.
He was looking into her eyes and patiently explaining to her, "Did you remember clearly?"
Liu Qingqing suddenly remembered that on the ship earlier today, she had tested her cousin Yanluo Pill and that last pill.
Her cousin, however, said to her with a serious expression, "Don't touch these things, they're very dangerous."
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked him suspiciously.
Xie Lang lowered his head and gathered them together again, arranging them neatly, as if he were uneasy and had something on his mind.
"I can't always be there to protect you, so I'll just place my hopes on this."
Suddenly, he looked up at her. "Do you still remember the family's traditional staff techniques that I taught you at home?"
Liu Qingqing paused for a moment, then nodded.
Not only did she remember, but every day during her escape, she would practice it once she had free time after arriving in Yingcheng.
"I need to go out of the city, and that will be my reason for the next two days."
Xie Lang stepped forward and grasped Liu Qingqing's shoulders, looking down directly at her, his heart filled with unrequited love for her, but...
"The Northern Rong and Northern Qiang are poised to encircle us, and their vanguard is heading this way. I need to go and assess the situation. I don't know how many days it will take to return."
After saying that, he took out a black metal token from his pocket and stuffed it into her hand. "I have more than twenty of my private guards in Ying who are secretly protecting you. This is the token. I have already instructed Xie Liu that if I am not around, he will obey your orders."
Liu Qingqing's eyelids twitched when she heard that there were more than twenty people around her.
“I have commanded them to see you as if you were me.”
Liu Qingqing was stunned.
Is seeing her the same as seeing him?
He had so much to say to her when he heard birds chirping outside. Xie Lang glanced over and knew it was Xie Wu urging him on.
Xie Lang didn't rush to leave. Instead, he lowered his voice and asked, "Are the pills ready?"
Liu Qingqing nodded, not hiding anything from him, but instead took it out for him to smell and asked him if it was correct.
Xie Lang looked at her, his eyes filled with pure admiration, "Qingqing is truly amazing."
After a moment's thought, he added, "Hide it well and don't let anyone else know. The people in the city have been poisoned this time, and Yanluo Pills won't save them. I've already arranged for people to secretly search for the antidote. It must have been done by spies lurking over there, hoping to throw Yingcheng into chaos."
When it comes to matters of national importance, personal feelings take precedence.
With a formidable enemy at hand, he must fight for his country; she will not quarrel with him at this moment.
"Take good care of yourself while I'm gone."
Xie Lang bid her farewell, and at this moment, he felt a tenderness between husband and wife that he had never felt before. He wanted to instruct her on every little detail, "Be sure to carefully check each meal with a silver needle first."
Just then, birdsong began to chirp outside the window.
Xie Lang still held her fingertips and quickly explained the secrets of the headdress to her again, afraid that she would not remember them.
His eyes were filled with worry, and the corners of his eyes seemed to be red. "The dangers ahead are unknown. We might start fighting as soon as we meet. I can't take you with me."
"There have been some rumors circulating in Yingcheng lately, which are the work of a villain. I have already sent people to investigate. It should be related to the Northern Rong. Be careful."
He took her hand and pressed it against his chest, looking down at her, his wet, sticky gaze enveloping her. "I was wrong in the past, I know I was wrong."
"If I return unscathed, could you please have a calm and proper conversation with me?"
Liu Qingqing inexplicably recalled the time when he was carried back to Jialan Garden shortly after their marriage, and her heart pounded with anxiety.
There were many things he didn't have time to say. He pursed his lips, but in the end he said, "They might cut my arm."
Liu Qingqing stared in astonishment. What nonsense was this person spouting now?! The road ahead was fraught with danger, yet he dared to deliberately seek injury. A moment's carelessness could cost him his life! This was no joke!
She scolded him in a low voice, "How can you be so unreasonable!"
Xie Lang chuckled softly, "But I'm afraid this is all a dream... It doesn't matter if it's on my cheek, I can just apply it to my face, or even my ear. If I miss you, I can just touch it."
The pain he felt every time he touched her told him that this was real, and that she was still alive.
The intense infatuation in his eyes stunned her.
madman.
She murmured to herself, but dared not say it aloud.
Xie Lang laughed again, his chest trembling, "Knowing that Madam quite likes my face, then I won't do any face painting, but my earlobes will do too."
Liu Qingqing: "..."
Xie Lang acted as if she wouldn't leave until she finished her business!
Liu Qingqing tried to pull her hand away, but he turned and went to the bedside to take the dagger and put it in her hand. Liu Qingqing struggled to break free, but he held her down forcefully, and she watched as he forcefully pressed her hand down, leaving a clear and bright bloodstain on her ear.
The sharp tip of the knife sliced through flesh, and the bright red blood was particularly glaring in the night.
His eyes were fixed on her. He released his grip, and the dagger fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
Fresh blood dripped incessantly like raindrops, like a leaky clock that was slowly killing someone.
Xie Lang gazed at her, then lightly touched the raw flesh on her earlobe with his knuckles, before wiping it onto his lips. Taking advantage of her moment of distraction, he pulled her close and kissed her.
This kiss was incredibly precious; the touch was so gentle, like the ripples on water caused by a butterfly flapping its wings, almost imperceptible.
He slowly rose to his feet, his eyes flushed with an astonishing redness.
He gazed intently at her, then after a few breaths squeezed her fingertips tightly. His Adam's apple bobbed as he considered what to say, but he pressed his lips together. As if afraid to linger, he gave her one last deep look, then turned and left.
Xie Lang
She suddenly called his name softly, "My cousin said he wants to marry me."
The figure suddenly stopped, turned around abruptly, walked towards her, cupped her face, and kissed her deeply.
This time, she sensed his undisguised, passionate affection. No, not just passionate, but like a raging storm, fierce and destructive. The blazing fire seemed poised to burn them both to ashes.
He reluctantly stepped back, his breath audible.
He lowered his head and gently pecked her lips, then looked at her intently one last time, as if trying to etch her into his heart.
Suddenly, he leaped over the courtyard wall, where green leaves rustled.
Liu Qingqing leaned against the door frame, lost in thought.
There was a metallic taste of blood on her lips; she couldn't tell if it was from the blood left on her lips or from the cut he had made on her tongue.
Even if he wronged her, he was still a general who served the country and its people.
She hoped he would be alright... and come back.
Taking advantage of the chaos, she slipped the prepared Yanluo pills into his arms.
No one expected the change to happen so quickly.
A disturbance was brewing in the city, approaching the clinic. It seemed they were about to surround it.
Fu Xiuzhu was the first to notice something was wrong, and he quickly made a plank and, together with his servant, sealed the doors and windows with wooden boards.
He looked at Liu Qingqing with a solemn expression, "I can't wait any longer, Miss Lin."
"We need to make further plans."
Fu Xiuzhu suggested that they should go to the countryside to avoid the situation, "Why don't we go to Shennv Village? We know everyone there, so we'll feel safer there."
Liu Qingqing felt the same way; the watchful eyes in the shadows made her uneasy. Perhaps going to the countryside would be better.
After hastily packing their belongings, a carriage hurriedly drove out of Yingcheng under the cover of night.
As night falls, walking along the path, one often encounters an old man pushing a wheelbarrow and pulling his family to safety.
Liu Qingqing felt a sense of panic. It seemed as if the world was about to descend into chaos in an instant. She wondered how Xie Lang was doing.
Will he return unscathed from all his injuries?
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
Fu Xiuzhu bent down to look, then squatted down and gently touched her with the hilt of his sword. "Madam Xie, are you awake?"
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