A biting wind blew outside the window, and the world was shrouded in gray. The desolate moonlight shone into the warm and cozy room, casting shadowy images of two figures embracing on the couch, which were projected onto the shimmering pearl curtains.
Wang Wan was held tightly in his arms and couldn't break free at all. Her chaotic thoughts were like thick paste in her mind, forcing her to utter a few words.
"We've already made one mistake after another, you—"
"Ah Wan, I've decided on you."
A deep voice suddenly interrupted her, his warm fingertips gliding over her smooth skin and tightly gripping her slender waist.
"You have no way out but to follow me."
Wang Wan's expression immediately turned grim. Noble families value reputation above all else. Whether she was kidnapped or ran away on the eve of her wedding, she might be put to death to cover up the scandal. Even if the third branch of the family protected her, she would only be able to recuperate in Qushui Garden and not be able to get out of bed.
He did it on purpose, deliberately putting her in this situation, leaving her no choice but to depend on him and marry him.
A multitude of emotions flashed through her mind. She calmed her racing breath, looked up at him, and said in a measured tone.
"Xie San, you've miscalculated. I'm a dying man anyway, there's nothing to be afraid of."
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold, and the air became somewhat oppressive. The incense burner emitted thin, wispy smoke.
"Let me go back to Yandu."
Xie Xuan remained calm, touching her soft flesh, and said indifferently, "Unless I die."
"---"
"If you're not sleepy, we can continue."
The moonlight was desolate, and his handsome yet devilish face was filled with coldness, his gaze as cold as the snow in winter, rolling like a surging tide.
Just as Wang Wan was about to say something more, he flipped over and pinned her down, grabbing her hands and lifting them high before kissing her lips.
The tent was dimly lit, and the man's familiar scent permeated her nostrils and body, causing her breathing to become erratic. She frowned slightly and let out a soft moan.
Xie Xuan couldn't resist her allure. Like an insatiable beast, he kissed and sucked on her body, his hands not idle either, removing the inner garment she had just put on and throwing it all over the ground.
Their skin was pressed together, and the man's physique was even more alluring under the moonlight. Her soft, boneless body was pressed tightly against him, and she could feel the strength of his firm muscles.
Realizing he wasn't joking, she kicked and pushed him, crying, "It hurts~ It hurts---"
The soft, gentle voice brought him back to his senses. On the large, brocade bed, their bodies were tightly intertwined.
Seeing her struggling and panting, Xie Xuan felt at ease pinched Tao'er twice, snorted, released her, and lay down on his side.
Wang Wan's cheeks flushed red from his actions, but considering his current domineering nature, she dared not say anything. She pulled the blanket next to her to cover herself and turned her back to him.
"It's so cold, are you trying to freeze me to death?"
Her low, husky voice came from behind her. She pursed her lips, closed her eyes, and ignored him.
The room was heated by an underfloor heating system, so even if you were naked, you wouldn't feel cold. Besides, there were so many blankets that you could just grab any one you wanted.
The room fell silent, with occasional moonlight spilling through the window cracks, creating shimmering patterns.
Xie Xuan came out of the bathroom, lifted her blanket and lay down, pulling her into his arms.
Wang Wan wasn't asleep yet. Being locked up so forcefully by him, she subconsciously twisted her waist.
"Stop rubbing against me."
"---"
Her whole body was tense, and she curled her fingers slightly, but did not move.
Xie Xuan lowered his head, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and took a deep sniff, his voice hoarse.
"Go to sleep."
His body was burning hot, like a furnace. She was so hot that she was panting with her mouth slightly open, her mind was hazy, and she didn't know when she fell asleep.
The next day, when it was already bright daylight, Wang Wan woke up. She looked around at the furnishings and was a little dazed until a maid pushed open the door to serve her, which brought her back to her senses.
Xie Xuan was nowhere to be found; she hadn't been in the manor all day. After her meal, she asked her maid and learned that Xie Xuan had been brought to Jiankang, along with Xueqiu.
This private residence was extremely spacious and grand. There was a natural hot spring at the other end of Yaochi, nestled among high mountains and clouds. There was a pavilion in the sky, with gold carvings and silver walls. The maids took her to Yaochi to enjoy the scenery, to see the most beautiful roses in bloom, to soak in the hot spring in the pavilion, to watch the beasts fighting and dancing. They guarded her day and night, keeping a very close watch on her.
----
In spring, the sun shines brightly, and the sky over Yandu is exceptionally clear, a pristine blue.
The Xie family has recently been at odds with the Wang family over a marriage proposal, and they have been at odds with each other in court. At the banquet at the Xie family mansion, the head of the Xie family also showed his dislike for the Wang family in various ways, openly and secretly ostracizing them.
Knowing she was in the wrong, the Wang family of Langya forced a smile and secretly sent out countless guards to search for her, but they couldn't find a single weak woman; she seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Although the northern lands are currently plagued by war, Yandu has always been prosperous and stable. There would never be any absurd incidents of rampant bandits breaking into people's homes and kidnapping them. Either the bride herself had run away from the wedding, or someone from a noble family had taken her away.
But the Third Madam knew that her daughter was the most sensible and would never run away from the marriage in public, thus losing face for the family. Moreover, she had been sickly for many years and her body would not allow it. She would only be taken away by someone else. And in the whole world, only the assassins trained by aristocratic families could take someone away without anyone noticing.
The old patriarch of the Wang family was furious and ordered a thorough investigation. Their eldest daughter of the Langya Wang clan had been easily taken away from their heavily guarded mansion. It was as if they were being disregarded. If word got out, wouldn't they become a laughing stock among the noble families?
The relationships and interests among aristocratic families are complex, and there is a great deal of nepotism and climbing the social ladder. The Xie family could not possibly have really fallen out with the Langya Wang family; they just wanted to gain more from it.
Since the marriage was called off, Xie An lived in the West Garden, avoiding the world. His wife could no longer force him and let him be.
The current head of the Xie family is Xie An's father, who is serving in Yandu. Knowing that his wedding to Lady Longkang Heng is just a few days away, he wants to call Xie Xuan back.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the study, he saw the letter from Jiankang, and he was so angry that he almost choked.
"That unfilial son! That unfilial son dares to threaten his father!"
Madam Xie was slightly startled when she saw the words on the letter. "This... annulment of the engagement?"
The Xie family head angrily rebuked, "You've raised such a fine son! He's grown too big for his britches and dares to use the Northern Army to threaten me into breaking off the engagement. The Heng family of Longkang is a prestigious family in the North. The wedding was just around the corner, and now you're suddenly breaking off the engagement. What will the Heng family think? Do you even care about your reputation?"
Madam Xie's pupils contracted slightly, as if she had remembered something, and a sense of unease rose in her heart.
Before Erlang's wedding, her son drank day and night, saying that the strong liquor from the Western Regions was delicious. Now that Awan had suddenly run away from the wedding, and he wanted to break off the engagement with the Heng family, a series of thoughts ran through her mind. She gripped the armrest and sat stiffly on the stool.
"He didn't say a word when the marriage was arranged, but now he's backing out. He must have a death wish. This is outrageous."
The Xie family head's angry rebuke echoed fiercely in the quiet study, and the guards outside heard it, all lowering their brows and remaining silent.
"Send a message by carrier pigeon, telling him to get back to Yandu. I want to ask him myself."
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