Chapter 65 Love and Hate Under the Moonlight
"Crunch."
The sound of the wooden door hinges turning was jarring and distinct in the quiet night.
The two people in the room were startled, their eyes filled with both fear and relief at finally being free.
Qin Yanzhou did not immediately enter. Instead, as if remembering something, he stepped back, took a lantern from under the eaves, and entered. The light shone from the outside in, illuminating both the two people inside and allowing them to see the face of the newcomer.
Inside the room, Fan Tianshi and Fan Zhongmin had burlap gags stuffed in their mouths to prevent them from biting their tongues and committing suicide, while their hands were tied behind their backs and bound tightly.
Both men were taken aback when they saw Qin Yanzhou carrying a lantern.
Fan Zhongmin's pupils constricted, his nostrils flared, and he made a rough, whimpering sound.
Compared to Fan Zhongmin, whose emotions were fluctuating wildly, Fan Tianshi was more composed. Of course, this might also be because he had been injured for a long time.
Qin Yanzhou casually placed the lantern on the table, then took out a short knife from his waist and walked towards Fan Zhongmin.
Fan Zhongmin shook his head frantically. His hands and legs were bound, and he writhed on the ground like a worm, trying to get away from Qin Yanzhou.
Qin Yanzhou walked up to him, squatted down, and pulled the burlap sack from his mouth. "Do you want to live?"
Fan Zhongmin was stunned for a moment, then nodded frantically, "Quan Jie, I have no grudge against you, please let me go! I have a lot of money and beautiful women, if you are willing to give me a way out, I will give you all of them."
Qin Yanzhou brandished his sword.
"Clang." A short knife landed in front of him.
The short knife bounced slightly on the wooden floor, its gleaming blade reflecting a cold glint.
"Sever his right arm within fifteen minutes, and I'll let you live," Qin Yanzhou said expressionlessly.
Fan Zhongmin's joy froze. He stiffly turned to the side, only to see his father staring at him in terror. "I...I..."
Qin Yanzhou silently drew another knife.
Fan Zhongmin began to tremble. He had been pampered since childhood and knew he was no match for the person in front of him.
He shifted his gaze back to Fan Tianshi, and after struggling for a long time, he stepped forward, gripping the knife with both hands. He began to mutter nervously, "Father, he forced me to do this, it was all Quan Jie's doing. And Quan Jie wasn't trying to kill you, just take an arm, you would have been willing to do that. You've already lost one of your legitimate sons, you wouldn't just stand by and watch your only remaining son die in vain, would you..."
Fan Tianshi's eyes were bloodshot, and a heavy hiss came from his nose.
Fan Zhongmin closed his eyes, his hand trembling as he thrust the knife in, intending to slice it off in one stroke. However, he was out of shape and lacked strength, and coupled with the fear in his heart, the strike was very clumsy, merely sawing back and forth across Fan Tianshi's shoulder.
Fan Tianshi's eyes were bloodshot, and his jaw was clenched so tightly it made a grinding sound.
After a long, long time, something finally fell to the ground with a "thud," and blood gushed out.
Fan Zhongmin turned around with a pale face, about to force a fawning smile, when a short knife pierced him through. His pupils dilated, "You, you lied to me."
A breeze blew in, causing the candlelight, now without its shade, to flicker erratically. The intensely shifting light and shadow illuminated the young man's delicate face, revealing a sickly, eerie chill in his slight upturn of the lips. "So what?" he said.
With a swift draw of his sword, Qin Yanzhou kicked aside Fan Zhongmin, who had fallen in front of him, and walked toward Fan Tianshi, sword in hand.
Wiping the blood from the knife onto Fan Tianshi's face and patting him with the flat of the blade, Qin Yanzhou whispered, "Even a dog can kill someone, don't you think?"
With the burlap still in Fan Tianshi's mouth, he couldn't utter a single word and could only glare fiercely at him.
Qin Yanzhou looked at his intact left arm, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
*
The full moon hangs high in the sky, shining brightly, its light spilling across the earth and into every household.
At this moment, in a side room not far from the main courtyard, there were no lights on in the room, only the moonlight that slipped in from outside the window illuminated the two people by the window.
Dai Li sat on Qin Shaozong's lap, one hand supporting herself on his muscular chest, the other on his loosely clasped beast-head belt, which was now completely useless in binding his clothes.
The night wasn't particularly hot, but with each breath, Dai Li felt as if she were inhaling scorching heat.
It was as if the lingering scent of his breath entered her through her mouth and nose, traveled along her trachea, and spread through her meridians, leaving behind scattered sparks of fire in her blood and bones.
"...It's nothing. He only gave Nangong some horses and food, and made up for what that brat had stolen earlier. He agreed to let bygones be bygones. If Nangong sees that kid again in the future, he might even exchange pleasantries with him. Now that Yanzhou has been captured, let him go out boldly from now on."
Qin Shaozong answered her question, and at the same time raised his hand to wipe away the water stain on the corner of her lips, and then his calloused fingertips moved forward a little further to wipe her swollen lips.
"Your Excellency is indeed a man of your word, a true gentleman." As she finished speaking, the woman's soft, red tongue seemed to casually peek out slightly, lightly touching his rough fingertips like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Her eyes were rosy at the corners, her lips were red, and the dot on her forehead was vermilion. The moonlight fell on her jade-like face, adding a touch of hazy gentleness to her pair of peach blossom eyes that seemed to hold water and affection, like a peony in full bloom after a spring rain.
It possesses a mature allure that sparks the imagination and a captivating charm that can make one want to drown.
The man's eyes darkened, and his large hand, which had been on her back, moved upwards again, covering her bare, white neck with a strong sense of control.
He pressed her closer to him.
They pressed against each other again. He first gently bit her lower lip, teasing her with a combination of rubbing and sucking before finally penetrating her deeply. With an indescribable possessiveness, he seized that soft, red lip and rubbed it against her, finally sliding down to her base and caressing her sensitive tongue back and forth.
Dai Li trembled violently, her hazy eyes glistening with tears. She was unsure whether to first press down on his mischievous hand below, or lean back to avoid his attack.
The battle of Yanzhou was over, and the war had come to a complete end. He came with great force, as if he had finally been released from his captivity and was about to feast, which made Dai Li's heart tremble.
Having experienced this a few times before, she suddenly realized that the rhythm couldn't be completely controlled by him, otherwise, given his habits, it would always end very late.
Dai Li immediately changed her actions, still pressing, but this time not pressing his hand.
Hold him down, and then learn to do whatever he wants.
Qin Shaozong's pupils narrowed, and he let out a deep, wild-like sound of excitement as his large hand, which had been covering the back of her neck, moved down again.
The two breathing sounds in the room grew heavier, and the temperature seemed to rise layer by layer. After an unknown amount of time, Dai Li suddenly felt the strong body beneath her tense up.
Her chest was heaving violently, her clothes were loose, and the sash that was originally tied behind her back was hanging loosely, revealing a large expanse of her snow-white, voluptuous figure.
The moonlight fell upon it, giving the white, slightly rosy surface a soft glow.
Qin Shaozong suddenly hugged the woman in front of him tightly, buried his head down, and pressed his high nose bridge into her fair skin.
A moment later, Dai Li sensed that he had relaxed, and she secretly curled the corners of her lips into a smile. Unexpectedly, he suddenly looked up at that moment, and their eyes met.
Dai Li's heart skipped a beat, and she knew things were going to get bad.
“It would be impolite not to reciprocate, so I will serve you, my lady, once more.” He curled the corners of his mouth, then suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up with his arm strength alone. At the same time, his other hand slid down her waistline and into her trousers.
When Dai Li sat down again, she was sitting entirely on his hand.
Dai Li was shocked. Before she could speak, he leaned over again and swallowed all her words.
*
As Qin Yanzhou stepped out of the courtyard, a night breeze blew by. The wind was cool and refreshing, like an invisible yet powerful hand that lifted the mountain weighing on his shoulders.
The stench of blood wafted from behind, clearly unpleasant, but the young man closed his eyes and took a deep breath as if enjoying it, then slowly exhaled, as if he wanted to expel all the pent-up frustration and pain that had accumulated in his chest over the years.
A moment later, he took a step and left, but the courtyard was already deserted.
At first, Qin Yanzhou thought Dai Li had gone back, but when he returned to the main courtyard, he found that he could not hear any movement in either the side room or the main courtyard, no matter how hard he listened.
"Young master is back." Nianxia had been waiting in the courtyard.
Qin Yanzhou asked, "Has my mother returned?"
“She did come back. After Madam returned to retrieve her things, she went out again with Lord Junhou,” Nianxia said.
Qin Yanzhou: "What did Mother take?"
“Fish bladder,” Nianxia answered truthfully, though she didn’t know what it was for.
Qin Yanzhou didn't understand either.
Nianxia remembered the Lord's instructions. She originally didn't want to pass them on, but the young master seemed to be asking too many questions, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Young master, the Lord told you to go to bed early so that you can grow taller faster, and also told you not to meddle in the affairs of your elders."
Qin Yanzhou's expression immediately turned ugly.
*
The moon tonight is exceptionally bright and clear, without a single cloud in sight. As the moon begins to set in the west, even larger swaths of moonlight seep into the room.
A subtle fragrance wafted through the room, shimmering brightly.
Dai Li was too weak to support her back and could only slump into Qin Shaozong's arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, as if trying to use it to get up, or as if seeking support, but the iron arms tightly wrapped around her waist cut off the first possibility.
Her fair fingers gripped the man's clothes tightly, so tightly that even the veins on the back of her hand, resembling jade, were visible.
She trembled violently, like autumn leaves falling in the wind. Finally, as if she could no longer bear the thick calluses on his fingers and palms, Dai Li opened her mouth and bit his neck.
The attack on his vulnerable neck caused Qin Shaozong to tense up for a moment, but he quickly relaxed. Other movements also relaxed at the same time.
Dai Li was just one breath away from being released, and now she was left hanging in limbo by him. She shifted her position somewhat uncomfortably, and the next moment he slapped her pert buttocks with his other hand.
“Madam has a bad habit of kicking people away after they’ve served their purpose. She must change that.” He not only hit her, but also rubbed her with his large hand.
Dai Li remained silent and continued biting him.
Qin Shaozong patted it again, creating a wave of flesh. "Did you hear that?"
Dai Li remained silent.
Qin Shaozong clicked his tongue lightly, then gave her another treat, "Speak."
The woman biting his neck loosened her grip a little and let out a sticky, whimpering response.
"Should I agree or not?" Qin Shaozong was not satisfied with her perfunctory answer.
This fox is cunning; what does "hmm" mean? Is he just giving him a perfunctory answer?
Dai Li was feeling uncomfortable being hung up by him. Before her eyes was the side of his neck with teeth marks and his prominent Adam's apple. She simply leaned forward and began to trace his features with her lips.
Her Adam's apple bobbed violently. Qin Shaozong gritted his teeth, knowing she was playing a trick, but the sensation grew stronger and stronger, like a hurricane shattering his restraint.
So he stopped being so leisurely.
Dai Li's vision blurred for a moment, her heart rate spiked instantly, followed by a long, lingering tingling sensation.
A sash embroidered with flying birds slid down from the side of the soft chair, followed by a light, plain gauze dress. Layer after layer, it spread out around the soft chair like flower petals.
"Wait! Let's go to the inner room," Dai Li whispered.
He didn't move, his voice equally low and hoarse, "Just now, the lady complained that it was too hot and dirty inside, and refused to get on the bed. Now she doesn't complain anymore?"
"Someone might see us here." It was indeed cool by the window, but Dai Li, regaining her senses, was still worried that someone might be watching.
“No one is coming back.” Qin Shaozong kissed her round earlobe. “If someone comes, I will hear them.”
"Then I'll put on a coat." Dai Li hesitated for a moment, then tried to get off his lap to pick up her clothes.
Qin Shaozong reached behind him, grabbed the black outer robe he had taken off earlier, and draped it over the beautiful woman with fragrant skin in front of him.
The inky black robes enveloped the pristine white of the first snow, and those close to her could see the exquisite curves beneath the flowing fabric. Similar yet different from usual, his robes draped over her body, and she was enveloped in his presence.
Qin Shaozong became even more excited and was about to make a move when he was stopped by that soft hand.
"Madam!" A vein bulged and then disappeared on the side of his neck.
Dai Li hadn't forgotten the important matter: "Fish bladders."
"What is the use of that thing?" Qin Shaozong asked, puzzled and agitated.
She said she was going back to get something, and he did as she asked. She ended up taking a fish bladder. Later, when he asked her what it was for, she didn't give a clear answer, only saying he'd find out later. Who knew that at this crucial moment, she'd pulled it out again.
"Contraception," Dai Li said succinctly.
It goes without saying how poor medical conditions were in ancient times, and countless women died during childbirth. But putting all that aside, even if she could safely give birth to another child, she would never want to have another.
She will only have Zhouzhou as her child in this lifetime. All her emotions, whether it be pity, love, or guilt and self-blame, belong only to Zhouzhou.
She couldn't distinguish between them, nor did she want to share them with other children. Knowing that she couldn't treat both children equally, she might as well not have offered a second bowl in the first place.
The fish maw had been soaking in a small bowl on the table, within easy reach.
Qin Shaozong frowned almost imperceptibly.
Seeing that he was about to speak, Dai Li spoke first, her tone unusually forceful, "Qin Changgeng, do you need to use it or not? If you don't, then don't do it. There's no need to say anything else."
Qin Shaozong used the moonlight to see the fish bladder clearly, then suddenly leaned back and said, "I don't know how to use this. I'll trouble you, Madam, to help me."
Dai Li stared at him for a couple of breaths before putting the glove on him.
However, the swim bladder seems a bit small.
She pursed her lips and used brute force.
Qin Shaozong's forehead veins bulged. "If Madam has any complaints about me, she might as well speak frankly. There's no need to be so blunt."
Dai Li lowered her head, trying her best to keep her lips straight.
"What, did I say something wrong about you?" Qin Shaozong frowned.
Dai Li's shoulders trembled slightly.
Qin Shaozong had been watching her the whole time, so how could he not notice that something was wrong with her? He immediately lifted her chin and used two fingers to gently pry open her teeth through her skin.
Unable to suppress her laughter, Dai Li couldn't help but let out a "Ha!" and burst out laughing on the spot.
The main problem is that fish bladders shrink considerably after drying, and even after soaking in water, they remain somewhat hard and cannot fully return to their original size. Furthermore, she hadn't noticed before that the one she had was likely the swim bladder of a small fish.
Qin Shaozong's face darkened instantly. "Madam seems quite happy. If we don't go up to the next floor later, wouldn't that be letting down Madam's mood?"
Before Dai Li could understand how to "go to the next level", she saw him reach under her legs with both hands and lift her up.
Realizing what he was about to do, Dai Li immediately tensed up, "Qin Changgeng, wait! Don't..."
Before he could finish speaking, he let go.
Dai Li's pupils suddenly contracted, and the words she was about to say all turned into a breathy whisper.
Not content with that, he wrapped one arm around her waist and supported her legs with the other, rising directly from his seat. And this rise, as he had said, indeed took things to another level.
Dai Li instinctively clung to him, but getting too close was wrong, and staying away was also wrong.
“You’ve considered what I said earlier,” he said in a low voice.
Dai Li's mind went completely blank. "What did you say?"
Qin Shaozong: "My wife will always stay by my side."
Dai Li mumbled something, and so she spent the whole night in a rickshaw.
Author's note: The calm has eased, time to get to the mischief (roll up your sleeves)
I need nutrient solution [yellow heart]
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