Chapter 58 Birthday Gift
Ning Xi glanced at him and said, "No need. I will be hosting a banquet at my residence on my birthday. I won't have time to enjoy the scenery with you."
"How come I didn't know you were having a birthday party?" Yan Chongyan asked, frowning.
"I didn't invite you." Ning Qi waved her hand. "Your wounds are all bandaged up, you should leave now."
Yan Chongyan's jaw muscles tightened, then he forced a smile. "It doesn't matter, I come here every day anyway, don't I?"
"How come I never noticed you were so shameless before?" Ning Qi looked him up and down with disdain.
This male lead is really shameless now.
"There's a lot you don't know." Yan Chongyan stood up, flicked his sleeves, and left.
Ning Qi rolled her eyes behind him, beckoned A Ying over, and asked him where Xiao Sui was now.
Aying's eyes darted around in alarm. "Young Master Xiao is in Yandu."
Ning Qi had nothing to do anyway, so she said excitedly, "Then take me there, I'll give him a surprise."
Aying looked troubled. "This isn't a good idea. Young Master Xiao instructed me to keep it a secret. If you go now, there won't be any surprise, and Young Master Xiao's efforts will be wasted."
Ning Qi crossed her arms. "He had better really surprise me."
But actually, the gift was a small matter; what she really wanted was for Xiao Sui to be by her side. How could he not even understand that? He was putting the cart before the horse.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Without Xiao Sui by her side, Ning Qi couldn't sleep well and didn't eat well.
However, thinking that it was her birthday the next day and that Xiao Sui would definitely come back, Ning Qi closed her eyes peacefully.
When she opens her eyes again, Xiao Sui will definitely be by her side.
As dawn broke, the owner of Nanfeng Inn walked to the secluded room and asked the guard he had sent, "Haven't you come out yet?"
The guard shook his head.
The boss knocked on the door. "Xiao Sui, it's already the appointed day, why aren't you out yet?"
There was no response from inside. He knocked again, pressing his ear against the door, but still no one answered. His heart sank. "Oh no, am I really going to have to collect his corpse?"
He and the guards worked together to break down the door and saw Xiao Sui lying face up in a wooden tub.
His face was deathly pale, and his arms hung limply at his sides.
The boss quickly patted his face, "Xiao Sui?"
There was no response.
He had to remove his blindfold. His right eye was still a dark hole, but his left eye seemed to have improved. His eyelid was no longer shriveled, and the shape of his eyeball had returned.
He was clearly unconscious, and the boss immediately had the guards pull him out of the barrel.
The guard cried out "Ouch!" as soon as he put his arm into the water. "It hurts! This water stings!"
"Stop babbling," the boss said impatiently. "Just pull him out here."
It took the guard a lot of effort to drag him out of the bucket, and he was so tired that he sat down and panted.
Xiao Sui lay on the floor, his body like a rag doll, his only eye tightly closed, without the slightest movement.
The boss pressed his fingers against his neck, and thankfully there was still a slight movement under his fingertips.
He sighed, "I've done all I could by finding him a cheap room to rest. Whether he lives or dies is up to him."
The guards dragged him all the way in and threw him inside.
——
Ning Qi opened her eyes. The bed beside her was empty and felt cold to the touch. The sheets were flat and showed no signs of anyone having lain on them. She quickly closed her eyes, thinking that she must still be asleep.
But the light from outside the window pricked her eyelids like needles, telling her that it was daytime and that it was her birthday!
Xiao Sui, surprisingly, did not go home.
Ning Qi clenched her fists tightly. How could he not come back on such an important day?
As expected, what she said a few days ago about preparing a gift was just a lie she conspired with Ah Ying to deceive her!
She got up from the bed in a fit of anger, quickly washed her face, and stormed off to find Aying.
"Where is Xiao Suiren? He said he was preparing a gift, but where did he go?" she asked abruptly.
Aying was also a little flustered, muttering softly, "He said he would definitely come back today."
"So tell me, where did he go?"
Ah Ying hesitated and refused to speak.
Qianyu said from the side, "Aying, deceiving the princess will get you kicked out. You've been with the princess for so many years, don't you know that?"
Aying was so frightened that she knelt down, "I...I can't say."
"It seems you want to be kicked out!" Qianyu said sternly.
Zhizhi heard the commotion and ran over. She knew the inside story and knew that Aying refused to tell anyone because it was for the princess's own good. The princess didn't know that Xiao Sui's sacrifice for her was the best thing.
Only in this way can the princess be saved.
She quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Perhaps it's because Young Master Xiao's gift is quite rare that it caused a delay on the way."
Ning Qi immediately looked at her, "Zhizhi, do you know something?"
Zhizhi's forehead was covered in sweat. "I don't know anything."
Ning Qi approached her step by step, and just as she was about to ask another question, a voice interrupted her.
“Princess, these disloyal servants should be severely punished.”
She turned around and saw Yan Chongyan. He had taken advantage of the commotion in the courtyard to come in on his own.
"How I discipline my subordinates is none of your business, is it?" Ning Qi glanced at him sideways. "Weren't you going to my residence for a banquet? What are you doing here?"
At this, Yan Chongyan's face darkened noticeably. "Princess, you did not host a banquet in the manor. Why did you trick me into going there!"
Ning Qi chuckled twice. "I didn't invite you. You went there willingly. How can you say I lied to you?"
Yan Chongyan's throat tightened, he snorted coldly, and raised his chin, "Since Xiao Sui hasn't returned, why don't you come with me to enjoy the scenery? I know a place in the suburbs where you can go boating on the lake. The maple leaves on the mountain are all red now, it's the most beautiful time."
"I can't stand the wind." Ning Qi turned her head away.
"The weather is fine today, just wear a few more layers." Yan Chongyan walked up to her and coaxed her gently, "Or are you planning to spend your birthday alone in this courtyard, feeling rather dull?"
Ning Xi turned to look at him. Since she transmigrated, she hadn't really left the house much, staying in the Huaguang Sect every day. He was somewhat tempted by what he said.
——
Xiao Sui moved his fingers and suddenly sat up in bed, the pain in his body causing him to frown and groan softly.
Where is this place?
His spiritual senses quickly revealed that he was in a completely unfamiliar place. He remembered using medicine to remove his scars, and then losing consciousness from the pain...
He quickly got out of bed, his legs almost giving way and he nearly fell to the ground. He grabbed the clothes rack, hastily put on his clothes, and hurriedly pushed open the door. It was still very dark outside, about the same as when he lost consciousness.
He slowly breathed a sigh of relief, and a surprised voice came from beside him, "You're actually awake? Then come out with me."
"Who are you?" Xiao Sui asked.
“I’m the guard here,” the man said in a rough voice. “The boss told me to wait for you outside all day. He said if you woke up, he would send you out, and if you didn’t, he would dump you in the suburbs. You slept all day, and I thought you weren’t going to wake up.”
He slept all day? Xiao Sui's head buzzed, and he grabbed the guard, "What's the date today?"
"October 27th," the guard said.
It's the princess's birthday.
"What time is it now?" he pressed.
"戌时 (7-9 PM)".
It was already the second night, and Xiao Sui's heart sank. He had actually missed the princess's birthday?!
He hurried towards the gate, and the guard, unable to keep up, called out from behind, "If you knew the way, I wouldn't be able to help you anymore!"
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Sui had already left Nanfeng Pavilion, mounted his sword, and flew straight towards Huaguang Sect.
The scenery beneath his feet changed, and the cold wind enveloped his body, like a sharp blade piercing through the fabric and striking his newly healed skin.
Xiao Sui, oblivious to everything, increased his flying speed and returned to Huaguang Sect in just half an incense stick's time.
He jumped off his sword and rushed back to the princess's courtyard, where Zhizhi opened the door for him.
"Young Master Xiao!" she called out, "Why are you only just getting back?"
"Where is the princess?" he asked.
He actually came back so late and missed the princess's birthday. It's an unforgivable crime. Even if the princess wants to punish him, he will accept it.
Zhizhi said in a clear, crisp voice, "The princess and Young Master Yan have gone out to enjoy the scenery and haven't returned yet."
Xiao Sui raised his head, his face drained of color. He opened his mouth as if to ask something, but before he could speak, Zhizhi continued, "I wonder if the princess will come back. She seemed quite happy when she left, and the atmosphere between the two of them was unusually harmonious."
She leaned closer to him and whispered, "Tell me the truth, what exactly did you do? What could be more important than the princess's eighteenth birthday?"
Xiao Sui felt as if the blood in his body had frozen, his fingers trembling uncontrollably, and he could only clench his fists.
It doesn't matter anymore; what he does doesn't matter.
He entered the princess's room in a daze, and sure enough, it was pitch black inside, except for the charcoal fire burning in the fireplace, which made it seem less cold.
He didn't light a candle; he simply sat in the darkness.
After a while, the sound of porcelain vases clattering seemed to come from the inner room. Xiao Sui turned his head as if waking from a dream, slowly releasing his spiritual power, and sensed a person sitting on the chaise longue in the inner room.
His heart started beating again, and the blood in his veins flowed back into his body, stronger than ever, as if it were about to burst out of his throat.
Xiao Sui stood up, unable to believe his own feelings, and walked over with extremely light steps, fearing that it was all just his illusion.
He walked for a long time in just a few steps, and the figure never disappeared.
It's not a hallucination!
"Xiao Sui! Why are you only coming back now?" The princess's reproachful voice suddenly rang out.
He used his full name and surname, and seemed very angry.
Xiao Sui knelt down on the ground with a thud. "I'm late. Please punish me."
“I’m going to punish you properly.” A clinking sound rang in his ears, like the sound of a cup being put down. Ning Qi walked up to him. “Don’t blame me for being impolite.”
"No." Xiao Sui still couldn't believe it. "You...you didn't go out with Yan Chongyan?"
"What? You want me to go out with him?" Ning Qi retorted angrily.
Xiao Sui quickly shook his head.
The person in front of me squatted down, bringing with them a refreshing aroma of fruit wine.
"Have you been drinking?" Xiao Sui asked worriedly. "Your health is not suited to drinking alcohol."
"It's all because you've been so late in coming back, making me wait so long. I really should have gone out for a day." Ning Xi tapped his forehead, and Xiao Sui then noticed that her voice was a little drunk, softer than usual.
He immediately admitted his mistake, "Now that I'm back, could you please not drink it?"
“No.” Ning Qi refused decisively, grabbing his arm to pull him up from the ground, but Xiao Sui quickly stood up on his own.
The princess smiled and whispered in his ear, "Let's drink together."
As she spoke, she picked up the wine glass on the chair, took a sip, put it in her mouth, and kissed Xiao Sui's lips.
The crisp, sweet wine rushed into his mouth with a soft touch, forceful and irresistible. Xiao Sui opened his teeth to let the wine flow down his throat.
The warmth flowed down her throat into her stomach, and Xiao Sui sucked on her mischievous tongue.
A sticky, gooey sound arose, and Xiao Sui let the princess guide him, pressing him down onto the chaise lounge.
Her dark hair, tied high behind her head, spread out, and a pair of hands haphazardly pulled at her body. A sudden chill ran through her chest as her skin came into direct contact with the air.
"Hehe, see how I deal with you." Ning Qi grumbled, then suddenly stood up and walked unsteadily outside.
Xiao Sui quickly got up and helped her up, then followed her to the box by the wall.
It's a familiar toolbox, but I haven't used it in a long time.
Ning Qi squatted down, opened the box, rummaged around, and pulled out a gold chain with bells hanging from it and a small clip at each end, the purpose of which was self-evident.
Not satisfied, she continued searching, pulling out a shiny black leather whip. Turning to Xiao Sui, she said, "Go lie down."
Xiao Sui pulled her back, and she obediently lay down on the chaise lounge.
Ning Qi sat down next to him, squeezing in, the clips in her hands making a soft clicking sound.
Xiao Sui swallowed hard and waited.
The cold touch landed on his chest, but not in the right place; it gripped his flesh, and the newly grown skin was delicate, making it hurt more than usual.
His breathing became rapid, and his chest heaved.
Ning Qi pressed her hand against his chest, grumbling in dissatisfaction, "What's wrong? My eyes are a little blurry. Don't move."
Xiao Sui raised his neck, grabbed her hand, bit his lower lip, calmed his breathing, and guided her hand to the place she wanted.
The icy touch remained on his body, and with each breath, the ornaments on the chain jingled in a shameful way.
The princess was very pleased and fiddled with the chain, making it make a clearer sound. "So beautiful."
Xiao Sui could only blush and let her do as she pleased.
After playing with him for a while, Ning Xi took out a leather whip and slowly slid one end of it across his body. Her movements were very gentle, and Xiao Sui couldn't help but shift his body.
“This is your punishment for coming home late,” Ning Xi said, pulling out a whip.
The leather of this whip is very soft, so it doesn't hurt when you whip it, but Xiao Sui is an exception.
His skin is extremely fragile now.
The place where I was hit is burning hot.
He gritted his teeth, not letting himself show any unusual behavior.
Ning Qi lashed out with the whip again, "This is your punishment for not coming back for two days."
"Hmm, let me think of something else." She rested her chin on her hand, pondering.
Xiao Sui, panting heavily, gripped the edge of the chaise lounge tightly with his fingers, waiting quietly.
"Fine," Ning Qi pouted. "Considering your usual good behavior, I'll punish you with two lashes this time."
Her hand touched the spot where she had been whipped. Xiao Sui took a deep breath and tried her best to suppress any sound of pain.
"Huh?" Ning Qi gently rubbed it. "Why is it swollen? Did I use too much force just now?"
"No," Xiao Sui's voice was like sand being ground together, "It doesn't hurt."
The princess lowered her head and blew on his skin. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."
Her gentle breath fell on him, and he was enveloped by the princess's aura. The pain turned into an uncontrollable tremor, a tingling and itchy sensation that almost drove him mad.
A panting sound escaped his throat. Xiao Sui was unable to gather any spiritual energy; he could only hold Ning Qi's lower back and press her against him. "Please don't..."
"Don't what?" Ning Qi raised her head in confusion, paused, and clearly sensed something different.
She shifted her body brazenly and asked with a wicked grin, "Are you planning to do something?"
“Princess,” Xiao Sui said, frowning and looking pained.
Ning Qi cupped his face in her hands. "It's okay, you can do it."
Xiao Sui's head buzzed, all the blood rushed to his head, making his ears ring. He asked incredulously, "Won't this cause you trouble?"
"No way," Ning Qi breathed into his ear, "I've already broken off the engagement, Xiao Sui, don't you understand what I mean?"
Xiao Sui kissed her forehead with trembling lips, "Your words are enough."
"Come on," Ning Qi tempted him, and the temperature between their breaths rose higher and higher.
The next day, Ning Qi woke up in Xiao Sui's arms, feeling a sense of satisfaction she had never felt before.
However, Xiao Sui was completely dense. She angrily poked his chest. She had been so blunt yesterday, but he still refused to do it and insisted on serving her with his mouth, saying he was afraid she would regret it later.
However, she still remembered that in her passion she had ripped off his chain, causing him to stop and catch his breath for a long time.
Ning Qi pulled back the blanket and looked at his chest, which looked much red and swollen than usual.
I was a little tipsy yesterday and didn't have time to think about it. But now that I'm sober, I realize his skin is too delicate. Was it like this before?
And given how much he values himself, how could he only be able to get back at night?
Then she finally remembered something important and looked up to ask, "Where's my birthday present?"
Xiao Sui kissed her forehead, stretched out his long arm and reached for the storage bag on the cabinet next to him, taking out three rag dolls of different shapes.
Ning Xi took them and looked at them carefully. There was a male doll with black hair and an eye patch, which was obviously Xiao Sui. There was also a female doll with big eyes and red lips, which might be herself.
Another one is shaped like a kitten with tricolor markings; it's Nian Nian.
Ningxi exclaimed in surprise, "It's our rag doll! Did you have someone make it?"
Xiao Sui was a little embarrassed. "I made it myself, so it might look a bit ugly."
Ning Qi shook her head. The stitches were fine and the image was vivid; it was clear that it had taken a lot of effort to make.
"Their hands can be clasped together." Xiao Sui demonstrated to Ning Qi, showing that the two puppets' hands were clasped together.
"Wow!" Ningxi exclaimed, playing with the toy with delight. "It's a family of three!"
“However…” she deliberately dragged out her words, and soon saw Xiao Sui nervously swallow.
“I don’t look like a doll.” She raised her hand and touched his blindfold. “Hurry up and get better so you can see what I really look like.”
Xiao Sui was taken aback.
Ning Qi lowered her head, clutching the doll in her hand. She liked the gift very much, but she always felt that the time Xiao Sui disappeared was not so simple.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Ta-da! Xiaoqi's gift is Xiaosui's body and a family of three dolls ＼(￣︶￣)／
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