Chapter 97 Invincible
“It was last time… um.”
He sealed her lips with his again.
Their breaths mingled; only in this way could his tormented heart find some peace.
She bit him.
He held the back of her head even tighter.
He held absolute initiative and advantage, allowing her no room for retreat or hesitation.
She finally gave up struggling and let him do as he pleased.
He softened a little, enjoying the tingling and comforting sensation that the deep kiss brought him.
His breathing gradually calmed down, then became rapid again.
He kissed her cheek, his breath lingering on her ear.
"No talking tonight. I'll give you whatever you want."
He enjoyed the physical sensations he felt when he touched her.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
He wanted more.
He needed her genuine reciprocation to soothe his heart, which had been broken and pieced back together repeatedly during this period.
He kissed her neck, leaving tiny pink marks.
My gaze fell on the pink mark, and my possessiveness was slightly satisfied.
Her voice was cold: "Young master, revealing my whereabouts to you is tantamount to betrayal."
He lowered his brows, his breath rising as he lightly kissed her lips, looking at her: "Aqu, don't mention irrelevant people."
"Loosen your grip a little, I'm not comfortable, it's too tight around my stomach."
He obediently loosened his grip on her a little.
She removed the jade seal from her neck: "The Crown Prince will not let him get away with this."
"Return this item to him, and also give him some medicine for his injuries."
"Is this the favor you asked me to do?" His gaze fell on her face, and he reached out to take the jade seal from her hand.
It's about the size of a thumb, with a water lily carved on it.
He was unhappy.
She took advantage of him loosening one hand, gently pushed him, and escaped from his embrace.
She received pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and wrote a letter to Wu Xubai.
She wanted to cut all ties with these people completely.
She gave the letter to Zhou Jin and thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Master Zhou."
Zhou Jin took the letter, and taking advantage of her inattention, he grabbed her cheek with his large hand and kissed her on the other side of her face before leaving to instruct Huai Chuan to do his job.
When he turned around, she was sitting on the tatami mat wiping her face, looking disgusted.
He stepped closer to her, and she suddenly pulled out a hairpin and pointed it at him: "Let's talk."
He sat down in front of her, his knees touching hers: "I've helped, now it's Aqu's turn to keep quiet."
She sat back and moved her legs away.
He clung to her, determined to get close to her.
She placed both legs on the couch, and his long legs were placed directly beside her, close to her hips and thighs.
Li Qu used the hairpin in her hand to poke his calf.
He swiftly removed his leg, grabbed her wrist, leaned forward, and slipped his other hand under her back to prevent her from being startled and falling against the railing of the tatami mat behind her.
As he expected, she slammed her back against the railing, causing the knuckles of his hand to hit the railing.
It hurts a little.
He knelt on one knee in front of her, pinning her against the corner of the tatami mat.
He said with some resentment, "Aqu, how cruel you are."
He used a clever trick, forcing her to loosen her grip on the hairpin.
His large hand forcefully squeezed between her fingers.
"You always know how to torment me."
He tried to kiss her, but she turned her face away.
She stabbed his heart with a knife: "Zhou Jin, you know in your heart that I don't love you..."
"Aqu!" he interrupted her sharply.
The voice softened again: "It's a promise, no talking tonight."
"Why deceive yourself?" She turned her face away, as if she didn't want to even look at him.
She wouldn't let him kiss her lips, so he kissed her cheek.
She vaguely sensed that his breathing was somewhat agitated.
But there were some things she didn't want to put off.
She took her other hand out of his arms, pushed his face away, and looked up at him.
"Can you let me go?"
He stepped aside and sat on the couch, his gaze fixed directly into her deep eyes.
She couldn't remember the last time she felt this kind of pressure from him.
Her heart involuntarily felt a contraction.
She sensed that his emotions were resisting what she was about to say.
If you don't cut the Gordian knot quickly, you'll be entangled forever.
She unconsciously gripped her sleeves, looking at him with cold and distant eyes: "Zhou Jin, this isn't a game of playing hard to get."
"There's not a shred of genuine feeling."
"I kept this child because I was afraid of you."
"Not because I love you."
"Even if you keep me by your side, I can never go back to being the Aqu who used to coax you every day."
As his expression grew increasingly grim, she unconsciously looked away.
"Go marry your noblewoman and spare my life, please!"
She forcefully broke free from his grip on her fingers.
"Uncle Zhou, I'll have a child for you, and then we'll be even, okay?"
She is very serious.
“I am seriously leaving you. From Hezhou to the capital, I have done everything I can.”
"Zhou Jin, you can feel it."
The night breeze grew cooler, seeping in through the crack in the window and gently swaying the downy hair at her temples.
Thinking no one was around, the grasshoppers chirped loudly.
After a long pause, his low voice finally broke through: "So, no matter what I do, you just won't forgive me, is that it?"
She looked at him coldly: "Yes."
His eyes had become dark and deep without him noticing.
It made her feel suffocated.
She averted her gaze.
He raised his hand and pinched her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.
"You really want to leave?"
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"OK."
Li Qu's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes lit up.
Seeing her eager expression, he suddenly smiled.
The laugh was chilling.
She was like a criminal awaiting sentencing, quietly waiting for him to continue.
He must have conditions.
"Having one child isn't enough. If you have three or five, I'll consider divorcing you."
He countered with, "Is it okay?"
Li Qu was speechless.
Just stare straight at him.
He stroked her delicate chin with his fingertips.
"Otherwise, how can we even things out?"
"You deceived your husband, both physically and emotionally, and now you can just leave whenever you want?"
"How could there be such a good thing in the world?"
She emphasized, "It was you back then..."
"Yes, I forced you into this situation."
"It's the same now. If you don't agree, I will force you."
Li Qu's chest heaved with anger at these shameless words.
The beast king, tamed like a husky, was stimulated to awaken his bestial nature again.
He said, "The fact that you kept the child shows that you're quite smart."
"If you don't keep the child, I will imprison you for life!"
His eyes held a look she had never seen before.
Obsessive, dark... a strong sense of possession and aggression.
It was even more terrifying than when he first grabbed her and pinned her down in the Brocade Hall, with that domineering gaze that held the power of life and death in his hands.
She involuntarily shivered, and her legs unconsciously crossed and rubbed together.
He just looked at her like that: "Madam."
"Between you and me, the official registration and documentation are complete, and we are a legitimate husband and wife."
"When couples quarrel, they argue at the head of the bed but make up at the foot of the bed."
“I told you, you don’t want to see a more despicable side of me.”
"Don't force me, okay?"
She had never seen him like this before.
He leaned in again and slowly moved closer to her lips.
This is a protracted battle.
She held his heart in her hand; she knew she was safe.
She stood on the wall and shouted for him to retreat.
He then revealed his cannon.
He only said one sentence: "Don't force me."
She then lost her voice.
He was warning her, and it was also his first attempt to tame her.
If sincerity doesn't win sincerity in return, he'll find another way to keep her.
Power? Threat? Children? Others...
It will be all right.
She didn't flinch, letting his cool lips press against her soft ones.
He was satisfied, and gently kissed her away: "My lady, I missed you. Did you miss me?"
She stared at him blankly.
She would rather he take his anger out on her.
But he had no temper, and a layer of gloom she didn't recognize enveloped him.
He reached out and undressed her: "Aqu, forget about the unpleasant things."
"We're still the same as before."
He may seem calm, but when he pins her down, he's like boiling water.
She was moved to tears by his passionate gesture.
If it weren't for the child, he would have made her cry herself to death on this bed tonight.
Time moves by, second by second.
He found comfort, his emotions were released, and the gloom over him dissipated.
He reverted to his usual indifferent demeanor, his brows and eyes showing satisfaction, and a faint hint of contentment on his lips.
He attentively helped her wash up and get dressed.
I carried her to the bed and fanned her.
He said, "Aqu, you will definitely not want to leave your husband."
"Your body loves your husband."
Li Qu turned over, facing away from him.
He sat on the bed with his legs bent, just watching her quietly.
She seemed too tired and fell asleep soon after.
He gently turned her over and lifted the clothes covering her stomach.
He carefully placed his large hand on her stomach.
Suddenly, the lively little guy kicked him hard.
He was overjoyed.
"My dear child, when are you going to come out and help your father comfort your mother?"
*
In the secluded courtyard behind Baoyue Tower.
Xiao Cong had just finished washing up; his bathrobe trailed on the floor, and his long hair was casually tied up.
There was freshly brewed tea on the main seat.
He casually sat down and raised his hand to press his brow.
It's past midnight, and I'm a little sleepy.
Outside the door, on the ground, lay the young man in purple robes, unable to stand.
He was covered in blood, and his fate was unknown.
Xiao Cong only ever showed leniency towards one person who betrayed him.
After a short while, Huai Chuan arrived.
Huai Chuan brought the jade seal he wanted, along with a letter.
And a bottle of high-quality wound medicine.
Xiao Cong carried the items to the courtyard, squatted down, and placed the wound medicine and the letter in front of Wu Xubai.
"Congratulations, you've become the second person to betray me and still survive."
The people on the ground let out a series of "hehehe" laughs.
"Your Highness wants Tongbao Bank, but you won't take my life."
Xiao Cong stood up: "This useless person cannot act freely and acts on his own initiative, ruining my plans time and time again."
Wu Xubai laughed even louder.
“The 100,000 taels of gold that you transferred to Hezhou will be offset by your private account.”
The laughter stopped abruptly.
Wu Xubai: "That was a gift for a child. How dare Your Highness compete with a child!"
Xiao Cong silently stepped into the house.
Wu Liu's skin was thicker than he had imagined; he used his money to curry favor.
Wu Xubai continued to argue, "Your Highness raised Li San for a while, so you can be considered part of her family."
"It's only right that you send a wedding gift to celebrate her wedding!"
"So stingy, no wonder Li San doesn't want to be with His Highness!"
Xiao Cong kept walking.
Wu Xubai quickly interjected, "I have far more than 100,000 taels of gold in my private account. I will repay Your Highness according to the account, no, with interest!"
"Leave the rest for me!"
His response was the sound of Xiao Cong slamming the door shut.
Wu Xubai pounded the ground: "Your Highness, you won't return the remaining silver in my account!"
"I'll secretly take your money and give it to Li San again next time!"
*
Early in the morning, Li Qu was awakened by the urge to urinate.
He clung to her all night, like a giant furnace.
She was covered in sweat.
He instructed the waiter to bring him clean water for a bath.
She finished showering and eating breakfast, while he was still asleep.
She went out.
Huai Xia followed closely behind, with guards surrounding them.
Li Qu first bought some daily necessities such as fabrics and asked Huai Xia to arrange for them to be delivered to the Zheng family in Xieliu Hutong.
Then we went to Qingqiao Hutong.
Li's mother was overjoyed to see Li Qu.
Seeing Huai Xia behind Li Qu, she was shocked.
Li Qu's escape plan has clearly failed.
and……
Looking at Li Qu's belly, Li's mother held Li Qu's hand and spoke earnestly.
"A-Qu, childbirth is like walking on the edge of hell for a woman."
"The Zhou family is a prominent and respected clan, and with so many people, they take good care of us."
"Go back to the Zhou family to have your baby."
“This is my plan,” Li Qu replied to her mother.
"I will be heading south soon. The capital is in a rather chaotic state these days, so please be careful."
"Once the situation stabilizes, I will live a good life in the capital."
Li's mother asked Li Qu, "And you?"
"I don't need you to worry about me, just take care of yourselves."
Li's mother felt a chill run down her spine.
Because Huaixia was right next to him, he didn't say anything.
Li Qu then asked about Li Rong.
Li's mother then told Li Qu about Li Rong's situation.
Li Qu frowned upon hearing this: "I've never heard of a new bride being required to live in a separate courtyard upon entering the household."
"It's not about explicitly telling others that the bride is not suitable for domestic life."
"No official media came to the door that day, and no matter such as exchanging birth charts was submitted."
"Just expressing a hint to the elders doesn't mean anything."
"And some time ago, I met with Young Master Lin once."
"The other party stated that due to the complicated family affairs of the Marquis's mansion, he had no intention of marrying in this life."
Why did you suddenly change your mind?
"Something unusual must be going on."
"Tell my second sister to stop having any contact with him."
Li's mother: "He is treating your second sister's illness."
Li Qu: "Once the illness is cured, there is no need for further contact."
"Give him the normal consultation fee, and I'll pay it."
Mother Li coughed: "But the other party's grandmother has come to visit in person. What if the marriage is really true?"
“Your second sister is nineteen this year. If she is still not married by the time she turns twenty-three, your mother and father will be arrested and exiled.”
Li Qu: "..."
Li's mother continued, "Grandma Lin said that since it is a time of national mourning, we cannot hold a grand celebration."
"Grandma Lin will send someone to visit your second sister every other day. She is very concerned about your second sister's condition."
"Mother can tell that Old Madam Lin really likes your second sister, it doesn't seem like she's faking it."
"Besides, when Master Zhou married you, it was just a formality."
Li Qu took a step back and emphasized: "The three documents, including the official document of my second sister's place of residence, all need to be filed with the government."
"This is the most crucial process."
The experienced Li's mother patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely keep an eye on things and make sure your second sister doesn't suffer any losses."
"Let your second sister be mindful of herself. If you nag her more, she'll always remember it."
"Mother knows."
Li Qu watched Li Han plucking chicken feathers in the yard and asked her mother, "Haan'er, have you finished your studies?"
Li's mother asked awkwardly, "Why does a girl need to learn so many things?"
"Like you, after all your tinkering, you haven't gotten anything out of it."
Li Qu glanced at her mother and said, "If you hadn't made any progress, how could you be living so comfortably?"
"It's quite dangerous," Li's mother muttered.
She avoided Li Qu's gaze: "Han'er can recognize almost all the characters."
I read whenever I have free time.
“When your second sister comes back from the shop, she will teach her embroidery.”
"I remember everything you told me to do, so you don't need to worry about it."
Li Qu didn't believe it: "Han'er is so young, how can you order her around doing housework?"
"Where can I find it!"
"Is she plucking chicken feathers now?"
"She insisted on picking chicken feathers to make shuttlecocks and wouldn't allow your father and me to get involved."
Just then, Li Han's clear laughter rang out from outside.
"Third sister, once I've finished making the shuttlecocks, I'll give one to the little baby in your belly."
"See? Don't I love my own daughter?"
Li Qu smiled.
She originally planned to have lunch at home and then visit her older sister.
Huai Chuan then came to inform her that she should set off south.
She then bid farewell to the Li family and set off back to Hezhou.
It's too difficult to escape while heavily pregnant.
The later the pregnancy progressed, the harder it became for her; she couldn't even get a full night's sleep.
Moreover, the current situation in the world is different from before.
Her plan needs to be revised and improved as reality changes.
*
No sooner had Li Qu left Qingqiao Hutong than Lin Xiaocong escorted Li Rong back to the Li residence.
He was very polite and a gentleman.
He would take Li Rong home every day, pick her up for acupuncture, and invite her out for fun.
He acts with propriety and never acts recklessly.
Whenever Li Rong saw his smiling, gentle, and dignified demeanor, she felt that the lewd and philandering young master Lin in her mind was just a figment of her imagination due to her illness.
Hunters are always very patient in order to get the best prey.
When Li Rong got home and heard that Li Qu had just left, she wanted to go after him.
Lin Xiaocong escorted her with great courtesy.
The carriage meandered through three streets in the city before finally making its way to the dock.
Seeing her anxious expression, he comforted her, "It's not far from the capital to Hezhou. After we get married, I'll take you to visit us."
She coughed, avoiding his gentle, smiling gaze.
By the time Li Rong arrived at the dock, Li Qu's boat had just left.
She jumped off the carriage and chased after the boat to the ferry. She shouted at the boat, "Third Sister, I can support you now. You can come back anytime!"
Li Qu was writing a letter in the cabin at this time.
He didn't hear Li Rong's shout and missed this meeting.
Her letter was written to Lin Xiaocong.
In the name of the third wife of the Zhou family.
Hopefully, this will be of some use.
*
Zhou Jin was not on the ship; she was traveling south alone.
Huai Xia served him closely, while Huai Chuan stayed by his side at all times.
He has countless bodyguards around him.
Li Qu could sense that she was being strictly controlled.
The ship stopped after reaching the southern border.
Huaixia said she would wait for Zhou Jin.
Li Qu quietly rested on the boat, doing needlework and reading books for prenatal education every day.
As August begins, the weather turns cooler in the mornings and evenings.
Zhou Jin did not return until the sixth day of the eighth lunar month.
When he returned, she was sitting by the porthole making little clothes.
A cool breeze ruffled her hair; it was quiet, a feeling of home.
Huai Xia, who was sitting to the side learning needlework from Li Qu, put down the needle that had poked her fingers like a beehive, stood up and bowed to Zhou Jin: "Master."
Li Qu seemed not to have heard anything.
Huai Xia withdrew.
Zhou Jin took off his outer robe, changed into his everyday clothes, and went to her side.
He was about to reach out and hug her when she said, "Don't bother me."
He withdrew his hand and moved a chair to sit next to her.
He watched her delicate hands deftly thread the needle, but after a couple of stitches, he found it uninteresting.
It felt like there were needles on the chair; he kept changing his posture, making a lot of noise.
She remained calm and undisturbed.
He was so bored that he started playing with her hair.
After she finished sewing the little clothes in her hands, he braided her long hair at the back of her head into countless thin and long braids.
It was tied with embroidery thread stolen from her basket.
He proudly picked up two strands of hair and said to her, "This is the first one, and this is the last one. There's been significant progress."
Li Qu: "I'm glad you like it."
She packed her things away, picked up the basket, and got up to leave.
He stretched out his leg to trip her.
The basket slipped from her hands, and he casually took it and tossed it aside, then caught her in his hand.
He stretched his leg between her calves, separating her legs.
He pulled her close, and she naturally straddled his lap.
He placed his large hand on the middle of her shoulder blades and pressed her limp body against his face.
He took a deep breath and nestled in her arms, saying, "A-Qu, let's go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival."
She let him hold her.
When he loosened his grip, she pushed him away and pulled off his legs.
She was very distant.
He seemed to have expected this, and was not angry, but just silently circled around her.
She sat down on the tatami mat, and he handed her a soft pillow to support her back.
She walked to the table to get some water, but he poured it for her before she could and handed it to her.
Their attempts to please and admit their mistakes were written all over their faces.
As night fell, he couldn't resist getting closer to her.
She turned her back to him and refused, saying, "Don't touch me."
"A-Qu!"
It had been more than half a month since their last meeting, and he missed her.
He turned her around and leaned in to kiss her.
He is very domineering and not at all gentlemanly.
"Aqu, be good, and you can hit or scold me as you please later."
He tore open her clothes, without any gentleness.
She said, "I want to hit you and yell at you right now."
He stopped and looked down at her.
My gaze was initially drawn to her face, but then it was drawn to other scenery, and I became somewhat confused.
He blurted out, almost as if possessed, "Okay."
A slap.
As his voice fell, her hand followed.
She cursed him: "Zhou Jin, you are shameless, despicable, and a scoundrel!"
She didn't use much force.
She ultimately didn't dare to truly anger him.
Like a trial and error, she was searching for a new way for them to get along.
It's impossible for her to coax him like she did before.
She wanted to know where his bottom line was.
She didn't want to die.
He didn't react for a long time.
She felt inexplicably nervous.
He raised his hand and touched his face.
His eyes met hers.
Just when she thought he might lose his temper.
He said, "Aqu, why don't you hit me with the sole of your shoe? Your hand won't hurt."
Li Qu pretends to get up from the bed to get her shoes.
He laughed and pulled her into his arms, then reached out and pulled the clothes hanging on her shoulder off and threw them away.
"A-Qu, the spring night is too short, but the days to come are long."
"Let me cherish you, and in the years to come, I will let you beat and scold me as you please."
"Zhou Jin, I don't want to." She tried to persuade her gently.
"We've already hit them and scolded them, we can't just give up now."
He caressed her, kissed her, and did everything he could to please her.
She pushed him.
He then grabbed both of her arms.
She couldn't break free.
If you coldly reject him, he will become gloomy. Zhou Jin used force.
If you plead with him in a soft voice, he'll only think you're flirting with him.
She stood on her moral high ground to condemn him, but he didn't care.
He is invincible.
He made her cry.
How could you do this?
"What?"
He possessed her, bullied her, and harassed her in every way.
He thought that as long as she was by his side, he would eventually be able to soften her heart.
"You shameless person!"
"Yes, I don't care about shame, I want Aqu."
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