Chapter 60 Retreat: "What's done is done."
Ning Xian sat under the plum blossoms falling softly all night, until the market temporarily closed and dawn broke through the dark clouds. The girl's cries and pleas for mercy from inside the house finally subsided.
His heart ached, and his fingers kept twisting a string of blessed Buddhist beads, as if this could lessen his sins.
This situation was not what he wanted, nor was it purely driven by personal desires.
If the child's father is a frail scholar or a commoner, he might allow the child to be born out of consideration for the mother. In that case, the mother and child would be separated and never see each other again. He would simply pretend that the little bastard never existed.
Unfortunately, the child's biological father turned out to be the treacherous Lu Wenjin. He wanted to kill Lu Wenjin, but then he took pity on him and kept the child? Isn't this like raising a tiger to cause trouble, digging his own grave?
He can't gamble.
The sobbing inside the room subsided, but Ning Xian's heart grew increasingly uneasy. He got up, pushed open the door, and approached the bed. From a distance, he glimpsed that the person inside was unconscious from crying.
She lay on the bed, her hands, stained with tears, outside, the stone still nestled in her palm.
Motionless, deathly still, unconscious.
Like snowflakes clinging to a window, they melt instantly at the slightest touch.
Ning Xian sighed, "You drank it?"
Lan Rong stood with her head down, the oppressive atmosphere making her unable to lift her head.
Ning Xian frowned, lifted the glass beaded curtain that was blocking her view, and saw that only a little bit of the black medicine in the bowl on the small table had spilled out.
For some reason, he felt a sense of relief, but he quickly regained his senses and said with a hardened heart, "Being unconscious saves me the trouble. Do you want me to do it myself?"
Lan Rong shook his head and had no choice but to pick up the medicine again and try to pour it into Ruan Yang's mouth.
Suddenly, a dark figure appeared out of nowhere, threw down the medicine, and shielded Ruan Yang behind him.
After recognizing who it was, Ning Xian's brows relaxed. He looked at the medicine spilled on the ground and sneered, "It's you?"
"What does this have to do with a little kid like you?"
Ning Xian gritted his teeth. The image of Ruan Yang and Fu Ling kissing necks that night was like maggots occupying his mind, making him feel nauseous.
He chose to endure it, to turn a blind eye, but the boy's absent-minded smile and his cheeks that turned red from time to time told him that he had developed feelings for Ruan Yang that he shouldn't have.
His Yangyang is so adorable, so adorable that any man who sees her would want to steal her away.
She was kind to everyone, but she was just not kind to him.
Ning Xian felt an extreme pang of sorrow in his heart. Enraged, he smashed the vase on the table, wishing he could gouge out the eyes of every man in the world!
He went on a rampage, sniffed his wet nose in a disheveled manner, and laughed at Fu Ling, "Good girl, get out, or don't blame me for misunderstanding that you have inappropriate thoughts about your sister-in-law."
Fu Ling swallowed hard, his gaze meeting Ning Xian's directly. He firmly protected Ruan Yang behind him, showing no sign of backing down.
Ning Xian curled her lips expressionlessly, but the next moment she raised her hand and slapped the boy across the face.
The movements were small, but they were intimidating enough; the boy's swollen cheeks looked like he was in excruciating pain.
"Are you coming or not?"
Fu Ling remained unmoved.
"Are you going to try and steal my woman too?"
Fu Ling shook her head: "I wouldn't dare, she... is very pitiful."
The stalemate lasted a long time, and beads of blood had already fallen to the ground along the blade. Fu Ling knew very well what he was doing and understood the temperament of his half-brother, but he didn't want to see that woman cry.
"Dr. Xu is back!"
At the critical moment, the doctor who had gone to get the medicine finally returned. Given the tense atmosphere, he could roughly guess what was about to happen.
He caught a glimpse of Fu Ling's meaningful glance and immediately knelt down to dissuade her, saying, "Young master, this young lady is nearly six months pregnant. The pregnancy is too far along. If she were to take the medicine rashly, she would suffer a postpartum hemorrhage, and even Hua Tuo, if he were alive, would be unable to save her."
Ning Xian's breath hitched for a moment. He glanced coldly at Ruan Yang, and hot tears welled up in his amber eyes.
The three of them were living a happy and fulfilling life, but who would pity him?
Must he remain a mouse peering into the gutter until jealousy consumes him?
Ning Xian forcefully flung his sleeves aside, slowly kneeling down beside the couch. His fingertips traced the girl's face, and he kissed every inch of her exposed skin.
This time, she didn't resist, letting him do as he pleased. In that case, Ning Xian suddenly wondered, if Ruan Yang died, would she belong to him forever?
At least the person Ruan Yang hated most before he died was himself, and he probably wouldn't let him go even in the underworld.
How wonderful it would be if I could transform into a vengeful ghost and haunt him!
In his delirious fantasy, Ning Xian, with veins bulging, placed the back of his hand on Ruan Yang's fragile neck. He began to exert force uncontrollably, trying to avenge the unrequited love he had received over the years.
Lan Rong was speechless, and called Fu Ling to pull Ning Xian away.
The room was in chaos, with the elaborate curtains being torn and torn by various forces. For some reason, the enraged man suddenly calmed down and lay on the girl like a puppy, whimpering and sobbing.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry."
Lan Rong knew that Ning Xian's illness had passed and she was awake, so she took the opportunity to say, "This servant thinks it would be better if His Majesty could not give up Miss Ruan, since he can't bear to part with her, we can deal with the child after she gives birth."
"With General Lu away, these widows and orphans are left to their fate—whether they live or die is entirely up to you. If the child is lost, just say it was an accident. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds..."
Everyone was waiting for Ning Xian's reply, and when he did not refuse, they took it as a yes.
Fu Ling also breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Yang, couldn't help but twitch his cheeks which were swollen like steamed buns, and went down to accept his punishment.
In the early morning, Ning Xian wiped away his tears, dressed the unconscious Ruan Yang, and carefully carried her inside when the carriage stopped in front of the inn.
The carriage moved more slowly than usual, and Ning Xian's movements as he held Ruan Yang became gentler. The next day, the snow melted, and it was much colder than the night before. He took off his shawl and wrapped it tightly around the person in his arms, holding her tightly everywhere, but he dared not touch her stomach easily.
Ning Xian was captivated by the sweet fragrance of the girl's hair, his chin pressed against Ruan Yang's forehead. His gaze involuntarily lowered, but he caught sight of the place he had been trying to avoid.
Without the bindings and wearing a clean new dress, her belly looked higher and rounder than before.
After a long while, Ning Xian's hand, which had been hovering in mid-air, gently touched Ruan Yang's belly. He then stopped moving, his large palm slowly feeling the baby's movements.
The child was very clever. It was quiet at first, but as soon as Ning Xian touched it, it seemed to realize that the person touching it had just bullied the mother and child, and its little feet kicked even harder.
Ning Xian frowned and started to challenge it. The two played hide-and-seek, and wherever it kicked, he would bump into it.
The two played like this all the way, and he couldn't help but smile, but as he smiled, his nose started to sting.
Mingming Ruan Yang had also protected his baby in the same way, but unfortunately, he was young and impetuous at the time and did not know the value of true feelings. He lost them all.
Now, the damage between them is irreparable.
Ning Xian pouted, then turned to Ruan Yang's belly and said angrily, "Stop moving! If you move again, I'll spank you every day after you're born..."
He sighed, "Your mother protects you so much, you must live up to her expectations. You must be a little girl, preferably one who looks like your mother, then I'll let you off the hook."
“If, by some chance, you’re a boy and look just like your stinky father…” Ning Xian snorted, “then don’t blame me for throwing you into the river to feed the fish as soon as you’re born.”
........
"His Majesty has returned."
The day after New Year's Eve, Consort Shen waited for him at Chonghua Palace for a long time early in the morning. Last night was supposed to be a family banquet, but Ning Xian was absent, and the Empress Dowager was recovering from a serious illness and should not go out in the wind, so the banquet was canceled.
Consort Shen stepped forward and helped the maid lift the carriage curtain.
Even she, upon seeing Ruan Yang, couldn't help but stiffen, not out of jealousy, but out of surprise.
Last night, Eunuch Liang only said that His Majesty had important business to attend to and had to leave the palace. It turns out that he took someone he cares about out for fun, but it seems that the trip ended badly.
The imperial physicians in the palace were taking Ruan Yang's pulse and, following Ning Xian's instructions, prescribed medicine to prevent miscarriage.
Ning Xian had not yet informed Consort Chen of her departure. Seeing this, she hesitated and said, "Madam Lu is..."
Ning Xian looked at her: "This is a secret, don't tell anyone."
"...Yes, I will keep my mouth shut."
Consort Shen roughly understood what Ning Xian was going to do. From his expression, she could guess that the child was probably not related to him.
Ning Xian smiled and said, "By the way, I have some good news to tell you. I am going to make Lady Ruan my empress."
Consort Shen was stunned. Although she had no intention of becoming empress, she understood that she should never have any improper thoughts about things that did not belong to her. However, Ning Xian would be so accommodating to that woman, even going so far as to acknowledge someone else's child.
What kind of mind-altering drug has it been given to them?
"Make preparations today. I will hold the coronation ceremony for the Empress on the Lantern Festival. Don't worry, I will give you and the Shen family benefits."
Consort Shen bowed politely to Ning Xian, not wanting to disturb their private time, and nodded with a smile, saying, "Then this concubine will take her leave."
......
Ruan Yang was awakened in the middle of the night. The first thing she did upon opening her eyes was to check if her child was still there. Once she confirmed that her child was safe and sound, she was finally relieved.
She stared at the ceiling, wondering what had happened after she fainted, that Ning Xian had let her go for the time being.
In his drowsy state, the tall, thin boy suddenly appeared on the ceiling, seemingly having been helped by Fu Ling.
In a moment of reverie, Ruan Yang turned her head and saw the face she least wanted to see.
Ning Xian lay on the edge of the bed, using her arm as a pillow, her head tilted to the side, her eyes lightly closed, her breathing even and steady.
Just now, Ning Xian clung to her relentlessly in her nightmare, and in reality, she's sticking to her like a stubborn leech. She truly is an unyielding spirit.
Ning Xian was a light sleeper. When he noticed that Ruan Yang had woken up and her eyes were still closed, he reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Ruan Yang: "......."
"You're awake? How about we make a deal?"
"No interest unless the content involves you dying in the end."
Ning Xian ignored him and said with hope, "Don't rush to reject me. Let me finish. If you are willing to stay by my side, your child will be mine, and I will treat him as my own."
How could that be? Ruan Yang frowned, taking it all as nonsense.
"Ruan Yang, this isn't a bad deal for you. If you come with me, you and your children will live a life of luxury and worry-free existence..."
Ruan Yang bit her lip: "What trick are you playing now? Where's Fu Ling? Did you do something to him?"
"Don't think that this will make me think you're a good person. You've lied to me many times, and I won't let my child recognize a thief as their father!"
Ning Xian curled her lips expressionlessly and chuckled, "Whatever, think what you want of me."
He gritted his teeth and said, "But I advise you to pay less attention to men other than Lu Wenjin. Of course, if it were me, I wouldn't mind either. Otherwise, I'll think you've fallen for someone else again."
"Besides, who is Fu Ling to you? Do you have the right to care about him?"
Ruan Yang shook off his hand, buried her face in the quilt, and said, "I want to sleep. I don't want to talk to you. Please stop bothering me."
Ning Xian was confident that by acknowledging the son of her political enemy, she would be able to eliminate Lu Wenjin. Lu Wenjin would only be a bargaining chip for Ning Xian in dealing with Lu Wenjin.
Ruan Yang gripped the corner of the blanket tightly. A great battle was imminent, and a storm was brewing. She had to leave this place immediately.
-----------------------
Author's Note: [I highly recommend my next book! It'll still be a forceful, domineering story~ If you're interested, please give it a star on my author page, it's very important to me [shy]]
My next book is a pre-order titled "After the Failed Assassination Attempt on the Paranoid Minister." If you like it, please give it a star to support me! [shy]
【The Heartless Marquis/The Foolish Concubine (The Resilient Spy)】is a story about a mature man who falls for a young, innocent woman, then drives his wife away, only to end up in a tragic situation and forcibly take her away.
The accompanying text is attached: [Sprinkling flowers]
Yun Sui was a courtesan, with a beautiful face and fair skin, but unfortunately, she had hit her head and was somewhat dull-witted. The brothel madam thought that this was the best person to handle.
In late spring, the Marquis of Yiyang's mansion held a banquet. Yun Sui thought it was just a casual gathering, but she never expected to be pushed out to be a surrogate mother.
The red curtains were warm and the spring water rippled. After the medicine took effect, the man pinched her chin and sneered, "You're back? Perfect, you can give me a child as compensation."
She became the emperor's favorite, and outsiders said she was very lucky, but only she knew the hardships she had endured.
She was humiliated by the maid during the day and suffered torture from Wei Rong at night. She also had to kneel for two hours every day in the Wei clan ancestral hall. One day, she overheard Wei Rong plotting with an assassin.
"We will take action after Yun gives birth to the child."
Yun Sui knew it was just a fleeting affair, but when she learned that Wei Rong wanted her dead, she still couldn't help but cry.
It wasn't until she slipped and fell while hiking that her memory suddenly returned, and then a cold sweat broke out on her back.
She was originally a spy who plotted to assassinate Wei Rong. She successfully married into the Marquis's mansion by seducing him with her beauty, but the assassination failed, and she fled in panic.
Arriving at the Marquis's residence was part of Wei Rong's meticulously planned scheme. His gentleness was merely a ploy to seduce her so he could exact revenge; he would kill her after she gave birth to his child.
She cried all night, and the next day she drank the poisoned wine prepared by Wei Rong. As the poison took effect, she smiled at the terrified man and said, "As you wish, I owe you nothing now."
...
Wei Rong hates Yun Sui.
He hated her for plunging a dagger into his heart, hated her for toying with his true feelings, and hated her for causing hundreds of members of the Wei family to perish in the fire.
He vowed to take revenge.
A half-witted concubine is just a plaything; why bother treating her with sincerity?
After being favored exclusively, he neglected her, acted intimately with others in front of her, told her that he was going to get married, and would never come back.
He carried out a series of ruthless and heartless actions with ease, but the young girl could only look at him with red eyes, clumsily embroidering a wedding robe for him while heavily pregnant.
Wei Rong felt a throbbing pain in his chest. He thought, what if she had been in a difficult situation back then?
He suddenly didn't want to hate anymore and wanted to start over with her.
He refused the princess's marriage proposal and personally arranged Yun Sui's birthday banquet to apologize to her, but the next day he received news that Yun Sui had committed suicide.
He refused to believe it and rushed back to the Marquis's mansion that very night. When he saw the lifeless child, he vomited a mouthful of blood on the spot.
...
After getting rid of Wei Rong, Yun Sui lived a very comfortable life. The passage of time helped her forget the man who had wronged her, and with the help of the young general, she even opened a tavern.
One day, Wei Rong came here for a drink. When he saw the figure he had been longing for day and night, he hugged Yun Sui with tears in his eyes and kissed her passionately: "Sui Sui has been naughty. She actually smiled at a wild man."
“He’s not some random man, he’s my husband.”
In the blink of an eye, a younger and more handsome general emerged from the house.
Wei Rong recognized him; he was the adopted son he had just taken in.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com