Chapter 4, Chapter 4 with me
Rong Si entered the camp as he spoke.
Zong Cheng blinked blankly, seemingly wanting to speak but holding back, and then obediently shut up.
Should I bring one more?
Bring something.
Rong Si went to call Yu Wanyin, but when he opened his mouth he realized that he didn't know her name, so he could only say "Hey" a few times.
The person inside remained motionless, as if they were fast asleep.
Rong Si then realized something was wrong. He strode in, lifted the curtain, and saw that the person on the bed was still curled up in a ball, with a pale, sickly complexion.
He frowned and stepped forward, placing his large hand on her forehead, whereupon a burning heat immediately emanated from his palm.
The man couldn't help but swear, "You got this sick in just one night."
He gave her the stove and the bed, and slept on a wet blanket all night, yet he acted as if he had wronged her.
Rong Si had never seen anyone so delicate. He turned around and grabbed another blanket, wrapped the person up haphazardly, and helped her up. The person in his arms seemed to soak into his chest like water, so soft that he couldn't support her at all.
She didn't even wear the clothes she was given properly, and Rong Si pulled her hand out of her sleeve.
With a single squeeze, the soft, milky tofu-like texture I'd glimpsed the night before covered my hand—a sensation completely different from a man's rough, large hand.
The person being touched unconsciously let out a soft moan, like a feather brushing against their heart, a sound that sent shivers down their spine.
Rong Si was slightly taken aback.
He quickly regained his senses and sped up his movements.
After tidying her up, they roughly took away the clothes she had hung out to dry.
The man grabbed it with his large hand and grasped the smooth, soft fabric in one go.
The unfamiliar touch made him instinctively open it to take a look, and he was surprised to see a moon-white silk satin blouse.
Rong Si frowned, trying to cover up the fact that the small piece of fabric was hidden inside.
When he finished packing and went back to take her away, he suddenly realized something he shouldn't have realized.
Some people weren't wearing anything underneath.
Yu Wanyin's head was spinning.
In her dreams, it always seemed as if a pair of vicious wolf eyes were staring intently at her, and no matter what she did, she could not escape the bone-destroying, entanglement that haunted her.
She fled desperately and stumbled into a wolf den where someone was being torn apart; the clothes they had ripped off were the royal robes of the Yingzhou royal family.
Severed arms and legs were scattered all over the ground.
Yu Wanyin retreated, her face pale, and was immediately spotted by the wolf pack.
They pounced on her, as if they wanted to tear her apart, scrape out her wealth, and devour her.
Yu Wanyin staggered a few steps and was about to run away when she stepped into the abyss.
Countless vines climbed up from the abyss, entangled her hands, feet, and waist, and dragged her into the mud.
"don't want!"
When Yu Wanyin woke up with a soft cry, her hands were indeed bound, with hemp rope wrapped around her wrists.
She sat on the horse's back, her whole body drowsy as she leaned against the man's chest.
Rong Si casually tied the knot in the hemp rope tightly. "Awake?"
Yu Wanyin couldn't distinguish between dream and reality for a moment, her face pale as she struggled, "Let me go..."
Rong Si suddenly patted her waist, "Behave yourself."
Yu Wanyin felt a numbness in her lower back and immediately stopped moving, beginning to sob softly.
Seeing this, Rong Si tried to soften his tone, "You have a cold and fever, and you can't stay in that tattered tent. Let me take you back to our mountain, where there is medicine."
Yu Wanyin understood the whole story, but she was still extremely aggrieved by the nightmare. "Then why did you tie me up?"
"Are you fucking unconscious? If we don't tie you up, who's going to be responsible if you fall?"
Zong Cheng handed over a riding whip, saying, "Master."
Rong Si took it and added, "It's not far up the mountain, about half an hour's walk."
Yu Wanyin's eyes were red.
This person is too fierce.
At this moment, Zong Cheng was secretly glancing at Rong Si, looking like the sun had risen in the west.
The leader is different today; he speaks so gently.
As Zong Cheng pondered this, he glanced at the girl in Rong Si's arms.
I heard that I had a cold and fever, so I was wrapped up in layers of clothing.
Rong Si told him not to ask any more questions, and Zong Cheng didn't say much either.
But I was in a great mood. It was wonderful that new people had come to the village.
The others in the camp returned to the stronghold first, while Rong Si and Zong Cheng covered the rear.
Yu Wanyin was not very strong. She rarely rode a horse and was jolted quite a bit. Just when she felt that she was about to be thrown off by the fast-moving horse, the rope around her waist pulled her back. She bumped into the man behind her with a light but not heavy impact, and could hear his strong heartbeat through the layers of clothing covering her.
I'm not used to it at all.
They were clearly familiar with the route, and their pace was actually faster than half an hour.
After passing through dense brambles and narrow mountain paths, a bright and open mountain stream and plains suddenly appear.
From the high mountain, you can see Tianmen Waterfall and below, vast terraced fields and orchards in vibrant colors.
When the shepherd boy in the mountains saw them, he raised his whip.
Until Yu Wanyin heard his clear childish voice shout, "The captain is back."
Only then did they realize that he was greeting them.
Rong Si had a cold expression and barely responded even when they greeted him.
As they ran into the mountains, more and more people greeted them, and Yu Wanyin was still too busy to react.
Until a city wall appeared in front of Yu Wanyin.
Is this place a bandit camp?
The area inside the city walls truly resembled a small town, except that the wooden houses within were perched on the mountainside, following the terrain and clustered together exceptionally closely.
Rong Si pulled the reins tight and stopped in an open field. Yu Wanyin looked around curiously.
Everyone around noticed Yu Wanyin's presence.
The young man tending the stables nearby chuckled, "Has the lord brought someone back again?"
The boy sized up Yu Wanyin, seemingly noticing something, and excitedly joked with his companion, "This is unusual, it's a girl!"
Rong Si untied the rope connecting Yu Wanyin and himself, dismounted, and threw the whip and rope to the boy. "Haven't you ever seen a girl before?"
The boy scratched his head and said shyly, "It's rare to see this in the village."
The girl in front of me was wrapped up tightly, with a cloak and long robe to keep out the wind. Only her wet, peach-blossom eyes were visible as she secretly observed everything happening around her.
She looks like a fairy who has just descended to the mortal world, feeling a stirring of attraction to everything, making one reluctant to touch her purity and innocence.
The young man felt a pang of pity. "Has this girl's family also suffered misfortune?"
His subconscious question made Yu Wanyin pause in surprise.
She met the boy's gaze and noticed that his expression was both serious and pitying.
He seems to have asked this question many times.
Rong Si suddenly called out to her, "Aren't you getting down? Waiting to be carried?"
Yu Wanyin sat uncomfortably on the horse, then looked blankly at Rong Si.
She will not dismount.
Rong Si cursed inwardly.
You really do need to hug them.
He strode forward, his arm naturally encircling the girl's slender waist, and pulled her down.
This action caused everyone around to hold their breath, while some joked and laughed.
Zongcheng grinned foolishly from the side.
As soon as Rong Si turned his head, Zong Cheng immediately put away his teeth.
Someone nearby heard the noise, "A girl is coming?"
The speaker was a woman who appeared to be preparing a meal, holding fresh beets in her hands. "Hello, young lady."
"Our lord has finally seen the light! He's stopped picking up brats and now he knows to bring home a wife..."
“Aunt Duan,” Rong Si interrupted the woman, “she’s sick, go and help her get ready.”
“You’re sick,” the woman said, her eyes immediately showing affection. “Alright, come with me.”
Yu Wanyin was led into one of the wooden houses.
The woman's figure disappeared into the courtyard. Zong Cheng couldn't help but step forward and ask Rong Si, "Master, are you thinking of getting married?"
Rong Si refused, "Don't talk nonsense."
Zong Cheng was confused by what he heard. "The girl spent the night with you, wore your clothes, and was brought back by you. Aren't you going to take responsibility?"
Rong Si probably hadn't considered this aspect, and paused in his combing of the horse's mane.
"This isn't a good idea," Zong Cheng said softly. "It would be fine if you sent her away again, but if you keep her here, people will see the two of you like this, and the girl will be gossiped about behind her back."
Zong Cheng suggested, "If she hadn't been engaged, she would be willing..."
Rong Si said slowly, "She doesn't seem like a girl who hasn't been chosen yet."
Inside the wooden house, the woman thoughtfully tidied up the things inside.
The furnishings here were not much different from what she had seen in the bandit camp in Funan Mountain. There were chairs made of animal bones on the side, and necklaces made of various furs and bones hung on the walls. The dark brown wood of the house looked heavy but warm. With charcoal burning in the fireplace, the whole house was bathed in warm colors, creating a cozy and secluded atmosphere in the lush mountains.
The woman brought hot water to help her wash up, and then found a few clothes for her. "These are all new ones I made. See which one you like to wear first."
Given the current situation, Yu Wanyin has no room for criticism; having it is good enough.
Just now, Yu Wanyin was wrapped up tightly outside and it was hard to tell, but when the woman saw her casually dressed in plain clothes, she was a little puzzled.
She didn't speak until Rong Si entered, "Where did my lord pick up this celestial beauty?"
Rong Si succinctly stated, "He came here on his own."
The woman was still incredulous. "Is there anyone else in your house?"
Yu Wanyin held the medicine bowl, the steam from the medicine making her eyes moist, her misty eyes rippling. "That's all."
The woman asked again, "Is there no one left?"
Before Yu Wanyin could speak, Rong Si said cryptically, "Who knows?"
The bitter taste of the medicine lingered on Yu Wanyin's lips as she looked through the mist.
Unexpectedly, she met the man's amber-colored eagle eyes. Yu Wanyin calmly lowered her gaze and swallowed the bitter medicine.
The woman murmured, "Heavens have mercy, what's her name?"
Yu Wanyin hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Yaoyao."
The girl's voice trailed off with a hook, her name lingering between her lips, murmuring a slightly itchy, tantalizing tone.
Rong Si added some firewood to the fireplace.
Sparks flew up as if they were about to burn him, but he remained unmoved. "Have you thought it through today? Are you going to tell the truth?"
Yu Wanyin remained silent for a long time before taking another sip of bitter medicine.
The woman didn't know what they meant by "truth," but she knew all along that Rong Si had a cold and iron-like temper. "My lord, please have someone drink the medicine first, lest they get sick from fright again."
Rong Si remained silent.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Until someone came to report, "My lord, the royal family is already purging Qi Zhong's remaining followers. Besides, that treacherous minister Chu Yu is patrolling the city, and he seems rather unusual."
"How is it unusual?"
"He seems to be looking for someone."
Yu Wanyin paused slightly as she drank the medicine.
"In this world, is there anyone that corrupt official would take notice of?" Rong Si asked with interest. "Who is it?"
"The news is tightly sealed; I haven't been able to find out anything yet."
Rong Si lightly tapped the fire poker in his hand.
The woman echoed, "It seems it must be very important, that's why it's hidden like this."
Yu Wanyin gritted her teeth and drank the bitter medicine in the bowl in one gulp.
Actually, she wasn't quite sure if Chu Yu was looking for her.
After all, her engagement to Chu Yu was a well-known transaction of mutual benefit.
The adopted daughters of noble families are all raised as pawns. Yu Wanyin's marriage was not her own choice; it was originally arranged by her father and Chu Yu.
Her father said that Chu Yu wanted her.
They quickly completed the formalities of proposing marriage, exchanging betrothal gifts, and getting engaged.
The wedding date is next month.
Yu Wanyin was lost in thought when she looked up and saw Rong Si looking at her.
Upon meeting his gaze, Rong Si raised an eyebrow with a meaningless expression. "You know what?"
Yu Wanyin feigned composure, "What do I know?"
"It's about someone important."
Yu Wanyin said softly, "You said it yourself, that's a matter for important people, how would I know?"
They kept calling her a corrupt official, a treacherous minister, and everyone wanted her dead. Even if they gave her eight hundred lives, she wouldn't confess. That corrupt official was her fiancé.
The woman eased the awkward atmosphere, saying, "Alright, why are you always making things difficult for people?"
Yu Wanyin had just breathed a sigh of relief when, just when she feared it all, it happened.
The woman kindly offered a different amusement: "I heard that corrupt official arranged a marriage at the beginning of the year with the famous Yu beauty from Yingzhou. The Chu and Yu families are like snakes and rats in the same nest, working together in wicked ways. Who knows what kind of trouble they'll cause in the future."
Yu Wanyin: "..."
She tried to minimize her presence.
But the woman's next question was, "Is the young lady betrothed?"
Without thinking, Yu Wanyin blurted out, "No."
Her answer was too quick, which gave her away, and the ever-vigilant man stared at her intently.
It was as if they wanted to see through her completely by following these clues.
The woman, oblivious to what she was implying, smiled knowingly and asked, "Then what do you think of our lord?"
Yu Wanyin had noticed Rong Si's gaze on her from the very beginning.
She didn't dare look over, staring at the tips of her shoes, "They're...they're pretty good."
How good is it?
This time it was Rong Si who asked.
The man's voice was rough and hoarse, and his words carried a hint of aggressive pressure.
It was as if they wanted to exploit her weaknesses and completely conquer her.
Yu Wanyin appeared very calm. "I have said that I would repay your kindness and kindness a thousandfold."
“There’s no need for Yongquan,” Rong Si looked directly at her. “Since you haven’t promised yourself to anyone and you spent the night in my room, what if I asked you to come with me? Would that be alright?”
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