Chapter 48 Wei Zhang, what exactly do you want? ...
Xue Lanyi knew he was going to leave her covered in kisses again.
She didn't want to deliver it herself; she shook her head, the words of refusal still on her lips.
Outside the window, the sound of a little girl pounding on the iron gate and crying could be heard; it was Lu Lin's daughter pleading for help.
Soon, the sound gradually faded and was shut out by an iron gate.
Xue Lanyi understood all too well what this sound meant.
The two children were dragged back to the dark room by Shen Jinglan's men; what happened next is self-evident.
That shared pain made her give up resisting.
Her eyes were dull and lifeless, her body limp, yet she forced herself to straighten her back and chest, presenting the mark to Wei Zhang.
At such close range, the traces of the two strands of hair meeting became even clearer.
Wei Zhang's eyes darkened, and he bit down on the mark.
The skin and flesh around the collarbone are the most sensitive, and a tingling pain spread from between Wei Zhang's teeth throughout his body.
Xue Lanyi gasped, the pain making her waist feel weak and about to fall again.
The soft, jade-like skin in Wei Zhang's mouth trembled, almost slipping out of his teeth.
Wei Zhang stared at her gradually sinking body, "If you dare to fall, I can only assume that you still can't bear to part with that damn mark."
"I...I can't hold on any longer."
"Find a way yourself."
His deep, magnetic voice soothed her heart. What could Xue Lanyi do? She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.
Only with his help could they keep their suspended backs from falling.
The scent of sandalwood emanating from her enveloped him, and her soft, warm fragrance once again filled his mouth.
Wei Zhang bit through the flesh there, and beads of blood seeped into his mouth, which he gently sucked.
Finally, the concentric knot seal was covered by the pooling blood, leaving only a few red plum-like teeth marks on her alabaster skin.
His cold and stern aura softened slightly as he gently laid her down on the table.
But he didn't let go of her; instead, he kissed his way down her neck.
Ever since he kissed her in the small kitchen on his birthday, he's had this peculiar habit of needing her to carry his kiss with her every day.
The dense hickeys, once fully healed, will need to be reapplied.
Later, after Xue Lanyi was abducted to the desolate mountains and returned, he also asked her to kiss him like that.
Beneath his official robes were always traces of her kisses.
Xue Lanyi hated this invisible bondage.
Wei Zhang knew every spot on her body, and he specifically chose to kiss sensitive places like her heart and lower back.
His nose was high and straight, and every time he kissed her, the cool tip of his nose would brush against her skin.
The alternating softness and hardness, heat and cold, rubbed against her, and the feeling of restraint transformed into a tingling, itchy sensation that coursed through her blood.
Her body instinctively wanted to make a sound, but she bit her lip and tried her best to restrain herself, and a drop of sweat dripped uncontrollably down her neck.
The glistening water droplets meandered down to her lower abdomen, where they were kissed by Wei Zhang.
He stared at her thin belly, which was showing signs of labored breathing. "Don't hold it in."
It's unreasonable to keep other people's things close to your heart, but to hide and endure your own man's kiss.
He seemed alert, his gaze darkening.
Under his overwhelming pressure, Xue Lanyi had no choice but to open her mouth.
Immediately, a groan that had been suppressed in her throat escaped from between her lips.
Extremely light.
But the room was cramped, and the delicate, almost sobbing voice was amplified many times over, echoing clearly throughout the room.
Her voice is soft yet resilient, and when she loses control, it becomes slightly sticky and soft.
Wei Zhang had to admit that she was very breathless.
Sometimes, even a single syllable at the end of a sentence can be enough to steal someone's soul.
His body began to tense as he looked down at the girl lying in the candlelight, her alabaster skin now completely covered with his marks.
She breathed intermittently through her slightly open mouth, yet gazed at him with misty eyes, pleading with him.
A beauty under the lamp is indeed a hundred times more beautiful than one in broad daylight.
A hint of pleasure finally appeared in Wei Zhang's gloomy eyes. He ran his fingers over his dazed face and said, "Give me another breath."
Xue Lanyi opened her mouth to refuse.
“If that’s alright, I’ll consider letting them go for now.” Wei Zhang’s words left Xue Lanyi speechless.
But how can you do something like that intentionally?
She had been exposed to many affected manners and mannerisms while working in the brothel, and had also been whipped and forced to learn them.
Ultimately, I couldn't get over that mental hurdle.
Xue Lanyi bit her lip.
"How about... I help you?" Wei Zhang rubbed his fingertips together, about to raise his hand to stroke her.
Xue Lanyi quickly grabbed his sleeve, her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she shook her head.
He remained unmoved, only gazing down at her rosy lips.
Xue Lanyi's voice rolled back and forth in her throat, and she hummed softly in a pinched voice.
Before he could speak, Wei Zhang sealed his words with a kiss.
A cold, stern face was right in front of her, their noses brushing against each other.
It must be said that Wei Zhang disliked women's affected and pretentious voices at all.
He preferred her voice to come from the heart.
So when she taught Sifang how to deal with him, Wei Zhang immediately lost interest.
That's enough.
If I want to listen to it later, there will be plenty of time.
"Qingyang, tell Shen Jinglan to stop. If I hear another lash, I will not let him off."
Wei Zhang stood close to her, and as he spoke, whether intentionally or unintentionally, his lips brushed against hers.
But at this moment, Xue Lanyi did not feel uncomfortable.
His words were like a salvation to her in that situation.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, her ears seemingly perked up, listening to the sounds outside.
Finally, the sound of whipping stopped.
The two little girls stopped crying.
She felt a lump in her throat; at least her forbearance had some value.
Her lips twitched, and it was hard to tell whether she was going to cry or laugh; her eyes were brimming with tears.
Of all the expressions she's had since entering this room, this is the one that makes her look most like a living person.
Wei Zhang didn't like having a dead body lying beneath him, and seeing her lively and ever-changing expressions, the glacier in his eyes, which had been sealed for a long time, began to melt slightly.
He shook his head helplessly, "She really is a living bodhisattva."
Clay Bodhisattva...
They can't even control themselves anymore, yet they're easily swayed by the joys and sorrows of others.
"I never said I'd let you go."
He only asked them to stop because he thought the noise outside was too loud.
As for her, her sins are so grave, how can they be so easily erased?
Wei Zhang straightened up, his long fingers tracing the instruments of torture on the square table one by one, and picked up the silver needles, washing them repeatedly in a bowl of water.
Then wipe the candle until it shines with a silvery luster.
The blinding light dazzled Xue Lanyi's eyes.
Her smile froze, and she couldn't help but glance sideways at the row of gleaming silver instruments of torture.
She had seen these instruments of torture before; he had used them the last time he tattooed her back.
Wei Zhang was clearly still wary of the love knot mark on Xue Lanyi's heart, so he wanted to use tattooing as punishment, to leave an indelible mark on her body that belonged to him.
Thinking of the scene from last time, every pore on Xue Lanyi's body was resisting.
Wei Zhang had already taken out the needle and was preparing to dip it in ink.
"Your words are worth a thousand pieces of gold. If you can't get what you want from someone, why always resort to force?"
In the empty room, Xue Lanyi's gentle voice rang out, the last syllable trembling slightly.
Wei Zhang frowned, a slight displeasure on his face.
But he quickly realized that Xue Lanyi's words had a hidden meaning.
She was a smart woman and wouldn't say such treasonous things to provoke him without reason.
He lifted his eyes with interest, waiting to see how she would react next.
At that time, Xue Lanyi also realized that no matter how much Wei Zhang cried, begged for forgiveness, or admitted his mistakes, his heart remained as firm as stone and would not waver in the slightest.
The shame of the tattoo is something he can't escape this time, no matter what.
Since it was bound to happen, she could only do her best to make it happen in a more meaningful way.
She got up and moved slightly, sitting down next to Wei Zhang.
With her legs dangling in front of the square table, her embroidered shoes swayed slightly and brushed against Wei Zhang's clothes.
Wei Zhang glanced at the troublesome lotus feet out of the corner of his eye.
Slightly distracted, his fingers holding the needle were grasped by a slender, pale hand.
“I’ve heard that many loving couples secretly tattoo each other’s names on their bodies. This could be a private pleasure, so why does it have to be so bloody every time?”
The pale index finger slipped into Wei Zhang's curled palm, like a soft little white snake moving within his hand. The fingertip touched his palm, sending waves of tingling, itchy sensation through him.
"Listen carefully, I want punishment, not amusement." Wei Zhang scoffed, but didn't push her hand away.
“Punishment can also be a source of amusement.”
Xue Lanyi pulled his hand holding the needle directly in front of her.
At the same time, her legs were slightly apart.
The tip of the silver needle barely touched the inside of her fair thigh.
"Do you want to do it here?" she asked, her eyes filled with seductive allure.
At this moment, she was only wearing underwear, and making such a seductive move inevitably made her feel shy and embarrassed. A blush of pink quietly crept up from the thin silk.
The cold, hard needle in Wei Zhang's hand pressed against her silk-like skin through the fabric.
And all of this was offered by her own hands, which gave Wei Zhang a strange sense of pleasure.
“I’m willing to cooperate with you and let you punish me however you like until you’ve calmed down,” Xue Lanyi said.
Wei Zhang raised his eyes.
Coincidentally, he wasn't someone who liked to use force to suppress others.
It's wonderful that she's obedient.
He opened his palm and instantly grasped her hand in return.
A strong force pulled Xue Lanyi forward, turning her body around and causing her to float lightly into Wei Zhang's arms.
She had her back to him.
He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Tell me, what do you want?"
He knew that Xue Lanyi couldn't possibly have suddenly become enlightened and so obedient.
She dared to take the initiative to seduce him; she must have something in mind.
Xue Lanyi knew he disliked beating around the bush, so she went straight to the point: "Could you release the two Lu family daughters?"
He neither confirmed nor denied it.
Xue Lanyi forced herself to continue, "Could we return Xie Qingyun's manuscript to him?"
"..."
"Also, could you find the bodies of Zhou Yu's parents and return them to the Zhou family ancestral graves?"
"The bodies of Zhou Yu's parents?" Wei Zhang didn't quite understand.
However, thinking of the rats that steal lamp oil, he quickly figured it out.
The first two requests were nothing more than trivial matters, requiring only a few words.
But Zhou Yu's family has been dead for five years, and it seems that Shen Jinglan has dismembered their bodies. Where can we find them for her?
"Isn't your request a bit too far-fetched?"
"It may be true for others, but not for you." Xue Lanyi glanced sideways at the sharp profile on her shoulder.
This statement was entirely true; Xue Lanyi genuinely believed that even if it were bones, corpse oil, or remains, Wei Zhang could find them if he wanted to.
She believed that Zhou Yu would want to retrieve even the bones, the oil, and the remains, because no one would want their loved one to suffer such torture five years after their death.
"Can we help him?" She placed her hand on Wei Zhang's hand that was protecting her abdomen.
She's quite good at using words.
Wei Zhang rubbed her fingertips, which were resting on the web of his hand, with his thumb.
After a moment, he replied, "Yes."
Xue Lanyi's joy was palpable, and her pale face suddenly glowed.
"Then... what can you give me?" Wei Zhang's two heavy words landed on her neck.
Xue Lanyi's smile froze again. She pursed her lips and asked, "What do you want?"
Wei Zhang remained silent for two breaths.
What does he want?
Lust? Beauty? If he wanted, he could find thousands upon thousands of women who were more obedient and sensible than her.
He really didn't need to go to such lengths to engage in any power-for-sex transactions.
What does he want?
Wei Zhang was speechless for a moment, but an idea that would please him popped into his mind.
He casually fiddled with her soft fingers: "I want you on the couch in Shuying Hall..."
The following words were whispered into Xue Lanyi's ears, causing her pupils to dilate suddenly and her to freeze in place.
Shuying Hall is where Wei Xuan has lived since he was a child.
His presence can be seen everywhere there.
The face of the boy in red reappeared before her eyes. Her breathing rose and fell, and she subconsciously shook her head.
Wei Zhang loosened his grip on her waist.
"Can!"
Xue Lanyi pressed his hand down, took a few deep breaths, and her face was even paler than before, without a trace of blood.
But right now, the priority is to save everyone.
Her fingertips almost dug into the back of his hand. "Let them all go, I can, I can..."
"What can I do?"
"Punish me as you see fit," she said.
He shook his head and corrected her: "It's the pleasure of the boudoir."
She said that punishment can also be joyful.
These two words also served as a reminder to her that whatever he did, she must not show any sign of reluctance or pain.
She has to enjoy it, to indulge in it, otherwise she's breaking her promise.
The words Wei Zhang had just asked of her still echoed in Xue Lanyi's ears.
Every word and every sentence made her afraid to think about what she would face in a moment.
She forced herself not to think too deeply about it and nodded stiffly. "Can we go save them now?"
This place is indeed not very pleasant.
Wei Zhang took a half step back.
That means I've agreed to go down into the dungeon to rescue people.
Xue Lanyi finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly pulled on her clothes to cover the hickeys on her body.
They have been in the interrogation room for more than half an hour now, and they have no idea what unbearable scene awaits them below.
She was anxious, so she quickly straightened her clothes, jumped off the table, and headed for the door.
Wei Zhang was left standing there, still feeling the warmth of her body on his skin, but she had already left without looking back.
His movements were swift and decisive; he left him without any hesitation.
Wei Zhang grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her back to his side. "Don't forget who you are."
Xue Lanyi's head was held in his grasp, forcing her to look up at that cold and stern face, and her heart skipped a beat.
Wei Zhang agreed to let his three old friends go, but that didn't mean he couldn't bring them back.
As long as Xue Lanyi is still in Shengjing and needs to rely on him, she cannot ignore his existence for even a moment.
She must always remember that she belongs to Wei Zhang.
She had no choice but to step back, landing slightly above his head.
Wei Zhangfang took a step and walked out.
Xue Lanyi was preoccupied with matters of life and death, and had no interest in worrying about such trivial things, so she absentmindedly followed him.
As they entered the underground prison's bluestone steps, whether Wei Zhang's pace slowed down or she lost control of her speed, the two unknowingly walked side by side.
Outside the barbed wire gate, a man and a woman stood side by side, backlit by the light.
The man was tall and imposing, like a mountain, while the woman was graceful and slender, her height barely reaching the man's shoulder, like a delicate flower surrounding a pine tree.
Their sight of being together as a couple was too conspicuous and easily caught the eye of Shen Jinglan and his three old friends in the dungeon.
Shen Jinglan could see that these two had made a huge scene in front of the Emperor, fighting like madmen, but then they made up behind closed doors.
Wei Zhang was clearly also concerned about this woman, even trying to stop him from carrying out the execution.
Shen Jinglan lashed his horsewhip at the ground, the echoing sound failing to quell his anger.
He angrily threw the whip to the Imperial Guard beside him and strode up to Wei Zhang. "These treacherous officials are plotting to murder a prince and intending to rebel. The evidence is conclusive. Are you going to protect them for the sake of a woman who committed a crime against the previous dynasty? Aren't you afraid that tomorrow at court, the officials will condemn you?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Lanyi clenched her fingers.
For no other reason than that she had previously brought the matter to the Emperor's attention, causing a sensation in Shengjing, and countless eyes were watching the results of the interrogation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
It won't be easy for Wei Zhang to suppress this matter quietly.
Xue Lanyi glanced nervously at the man beside her.
Wei Zhang's face remained expressionless, and his tone was nonchalant: "Release everyone, and return the manuscript to that Xie fellow."
"Wei Zhang, do you know what you're saying?"
Preventing torture was already Shen Jinglan's bottom line.
Are you still demanding that he release the people?
The Embroidered Uniform Guard is making a big show of arresting these scions of noble families, arresting and releasing them without any reason. Where is the Embroidered Uniform Guard's dignity? Where is the Emperor's authority?
"I disagree!" Shen Jinglan sneered. "This case is still unresolved. How can His Majesty explain to his officials and the people how we can release the prisoner without a clear conclusion?"
Wei Zhang calmly adjusted his sleeves: "Six years ago, the Prince of Qi's slave market acquired a group of Nanzhao people as slaves."
Prince Qi forced his people to make Gu poison and other toxic substances, which made them extremely wealthy.
Unexpectedly, King Qi's greed was insatiable. He forced them to work day and night without end. The Nanzhao people could no longer endure it, so they poisoned King Qi with a poisonous plant called "heartbreak grass," killing him.
The poisonous herb *Gelsemium elegans* was indeed a venomous medicine developed by the people of Nanzhao.
But these words sounded like something Wei Zhang had fabricated to exonerate these treacherous officials.
Shen Jinglan, of course, did not believe it. "Don't forget, your woman also presented the Emperor with a book of accounts from the Qi Prince's mansion. That book is evidence pointing to your crimes, Wei Zhang!"
She wanted to kill you, but you ended up saving her.
"What, when did you, Lord Wei Zhang, become such a benevolent person, repaying evil with kindness?"
Xue Lanyi's long eyelashes trembled, and she lowered her eyes.
The more resolute they were when they denounced Wei Zhang, the more guilty they are now, constantly worried that Wei Zhang will abandon them.
She glanced at Wei Zhang discreetly.
Wei Zhang also looked at her, staring at her until she looked away and avoided his gaze.
Wei Zhang smiled indulgently, "My beloved concubine was deceived by the Nanzhao people with just a few words, which is why she took false evidence to the Emperor to accuse me. I was not strict enough in my household management, and I hope Lord Shen will forgive me."
"What do you mean by that?" Shen Jinglan asked.
Wei Zhang bowed and apologized to him, saying, "Lord Shen has been investigating the truth behind the death of Prince Qi. Those Nanzhao people were afraid that the investigation would find them, so they forged the accounts and seals of Prince Qi's mansion and tricked my beloved concubine into framing me before the Emperor."
My beloved concubine has no ill intentions, she's just simple...clumsy, isn't she, Yiyi?
Xue Lanyi frowned, blushed, and nodded, admitting that she was "stupid".
She curtsied to Wei Zhang, saying, "I apologize for making you laugh, Lord Shen. I will certainly follow your teachings from now on."
"..."
These two started singing in unison.
Shen Jinglan could easily see through the couple's act, and scoffed, "Do you think I can believe that? Does the Emperor believe it? Do the ministers believe it?"
“The fake seal of the Prince of Qi is in the hands of the Nanzhao people. Go and ransack the home of the mastermind in Nanzhao, and they will naturally confess to everything,” Wei Zhang said.
"A fake seal?" Shen Jinglan asked in surprise.
Xue Lanyi was equally surprised.
She knew perfectly well that Prince Qi had indeed been poisoned by Wei Zhang.
Therefore, the accounts of Prince Qi's mansion and the seals on them must be genuine.
Why are these Nanzhao people and fake seals popping up again?
Clearly, Wei Zhang knew that his carelessness in his youth inevitably left him with flaws.
Therefore, they had prepared backup plans for the Nanzhao people and the fake seals long ago.
Regardless of who, when, or where he denounced him, he always ensured that the Nanzhao people would take the blame for killing the prince.
The Nanzhao people were not something Wei Zhang made up on the spot; it was something he had prepared for a long time.
Since they were prepared in advance, the evidence must be conclusive, enough to give an explanation to the world.
His plans were far more profound than Xue Lanyi's.
This time, reporting him has already sealed our fate.
Xue Lanyi stared blankly at the man before her, who was like a deep sea fog.
Shen Jinglan remained silent. "The treasonous poems on the red plum blossom painting were written by these treacherous officials themselves. Surely they couldn't have been written by someone else?"
That's irrefutable evidence of treason.
Wei Zhang asked in confusion, "What red plum blossom painting?"
The painting of red plum blossoms has not yet been announced to the world. As long as the news is kept out of reach of the imperial prison, naturally no one will know about the so-called crime of treason.
How could Shen Jinglan possibly let go of this opportunity to eliminate the threat completely?
Seeing Wei Zhang's domineering attitude, he had no choice but to back down: "You take Xue Lanyi with you, and leave the rest to me."
Xue Lanyi nervously tugged at Wei Zhang's sleeve.
"You must release as many people as you have arrested this time, not one less."
Before Xue Lanyi could even touch him, Wei Zhang had already resolutely spoken his mind.
His unwavering gaze remained fixed on Shen Jinglan, leaving no room for argument.
Shen Jinglan never expected him to be so domineering and unyielding.
Shen Jinglan's anger deepened.
The two faced each other, and sparks flew.
Xue Lanyi was sweating bullets, after all, the Emperor's favor towards Shen Jinglan was no less than that towards Wei Zhang, and Shen Jinglan also held the power to act first and report later.
She didn't know if Wei Zhang could suppress the turmoil.
Their safety rested entirely on Wei Zhang's shoulders at this moment.
Xue Lanyi subconsciously moved closer to Wei Zhang.
Her sleeve accidentally brushed against Wei Zhang's fingers, which were behind his back.
In the cold, hard air, Wei Zhang's fingertips suddenly sank into a piece of soft silk.
His fingers curled slightly, and Xue Lanyi's sleeve corner landed in his palm.
The slight movement eased the tension slightly.
Shen Jinglan saw the momentary pause in Wei Zhang's eyes, and he stepped forward, intending to break through in one fell swoop.
Wei Zhang smiled calmly, "Lord Shen, it's almost dawn. Don't delay the court session and keep His Majesty waiting."
With just a casual remark, Shen Jinglan paused in her steps.
His eyes flickered, a mixture of anger, fear, defensiveness, and resentment, which were ultimately overshadowed by helplessness.
Despite his obvious reluctance, he finally raised his hand and said, "Release them."
The two words were clenched between his teeth.
Upon hearing those two words, Xue Lanyi felt as if she had been granted a pardon and eagerly lifted her skirts to head towards the torture chamber.
Her sleeve slipped from Wei Zhang's fingertips, causing a slight itch, but quickly returned to nothing.
Wei Zhang twirled his empty fingertips.
Xue Lanyi didn't turn her head and went straight to the torture chamber.
At that time, Zhou Yu and the other two were tied to a cross, their bodies beaten so badly that not a single piece of flesh was intact, hanging there covered in blood.
After the three people were untied, they slid down under the wooden frame and collapsed in a pool of blood.
Xue Lanyi ran to Zhou Yu's side first and helped him up: "Zhou Yu, take a look at Qingyun and Lu Lin's child first."
Adults can manage, but children can't.
If we summon the imperial physician now, Shen Jinglan will not only make things difficult for us, but it will also waste time. We can only rely on Zhou Yu.
But Zhou Yu kept shaking her head and muttering, "No, no."
He was still gripped by the fear of his parents' bodies being lost.
Xue Lanyi was anxious. She picked up the bowl of water on the table and splashed it on Zhou Yu's face. "Zhou Yu, calm down. Save people first!"
Zhou Yu, her face covered in ice water, stared blankly at Xue Lanyi.
Xue Lanyi gave him a reassuring look, "Don't do anything you'll regret later."
Zhou Yu has already delayed her parents' burial because of her fear and avoidance. If she continues to sink into despair and delays the treatment of her two old friends' children, she will probably live with self-blame for the rest of her life.
Xue Lanyi's words gradually cleared Zhou Yu's eyes.
Xue Lanyi knew he could prioritize, so she patted his shoulder, signaling him to go check on Xie Qingyun's child lying in a pool of blood.
He then handed the manuscript, which had not been burned, to Xie Qingyun.
"I see the manuscript is only half complete. It'll be finished in a year or two. Consider it a refresher course to learn something new and live a better life, hmm?"
Xue Lanyi tilted her head and smiled at Xie Qingyun.
She squatted under the skylight, the twilight light warming her body.
Like the sun on the horizon, it is bright, but not dazzling.
Even when dark clouds obscure the sun, they will eventually pierce through the clouds and let the light shine through.
Ten steps away, Wei Zhang watched her back and unconsciously walked towards the light under the skylight.
At that time, Lu Lin's two young daughters were also released from the dark room.
The two children were terrified and cried uncontrollably in their father's arms.
Seeing that both children were alright, Lu Lin was extremely grateful, but he couldn't speak, so he could only kneel down before Xue Lanyi.
"Lu Lin!" Xue Lanyi quickly helped him up.
She never imagined that the once dashing young man would kneel before her with disheveled hair and tears streaming down his face, kneeling down so suddenly.
She felt a mix of emotions, and with a forced smile, she told Lu Lin, "There's no need for this, we're friends."
If you truly appreciate my help, then take good care of these two children.
Lu Lin nodded repeatedly.
Xue Lanyi glanced at the bruises on the two girls' arms and necks, and their darting eyes from fright. Feeling their pain, she lowered her voice and gave them a few more instructions:
"Remember to arrange for two maids to stay with the child day and night, and don't let servants or guards get close. They probably won't be able to stand the sight of men for a long time."
Also, never leave a child alone in a dark room.
"Take your child out for a walk whenever you have time. I heard the azaleas are blooming in Yanxi Mountain, so go to open spaces more often."
She explained everything in detail.
Her words stripped away her own cruel experiences, leaving only the most tender phrases.
Wei Zhang stopped at the door of the torture chamber.
Lu Lin could tell that Xue Lanyi was using her experience in teaching at the cemetery to advise him on how to care for children who had survived the disaster.
His gratitude choked in his throat. He gently pushed the two girls in his arms and uttered a hoarse "Auntie."
Before Xue Lanyi's accident, the two little girls were three or four years old, just learning to walk, but they loved to follow Xue Lanyi around like little tails.
Five years had passed, but the little girl still remembered Xue Lanyi. Rubbing her eyes, she knelt down, choking back tears, and said, "Thank you so much for saving me, Auntie."
"It's nothing." Xue Lanyi hugged the two children and patted their heads. "Auntie remembers you like osmanthus cake. I'll make some and send it to you myself in a few days..."
Xue Lanyi suddenly realized that after this incident, Wei Zhang would probably no longer allow her to have contact with her old friends.
She paused for a moment, then changed her words, saying, "How about Auntie has a young man surnamed Wei deliver osmanthus cakes to you another day?"
The young man surnamed Wei that Xue Lanyi was referring to was naturally Wei Zhang.
If she were to personally deliver the food, it would inevitably arouse Wei Zhang's suspicion and cause unnecessary trouble. It would be better for her to simply let him deliver it.
The two girls looked disappointed when they heard Xue Lanyi change her mind. "Auntie, aren't you coming to our house? Father misses Auntie very much."
"The longan trees in the backyard have ripened several times. Every year, Dad dries them to give to Auntie!"
Two little girls tugged at Xue Lanyi's sleeves.
The longan trees in the Lu family mansion were originally saplings given to them by Wei Xuan, and planted together by several of his good friends.
Lu Lin also loved longan. He was so happy at the time that he said he would dry a lot of longan and spread them on the wedding bed on the day of Xue Lanyi and Wei Xuan's wedding.
Xue Lanyi and Lu Lin exchanged a wistful glance, both knowing that there was no going back.
She gently patted the girls' heads and said, "Young Master Wei will go to the manor to see you and your father on my behalf."
Fearing the children would be disappointed, Fang smiled and said, "Young Master Wei can also weave leaf rabbits. Next time, let Young Master Wei weave a rabbit for you. It's a very, very cute little rabbit!"
As she spoke, Xue Lanyi held up two fingers on either side of her head, making the shape of rabbit ears, and puffed out her cheeks slightly.
Her intention was simply to amuse the two children and put them at ease.
But she didn't notice a pair of eyes staring at her from behind.
Wei Zhang stood outside the torture chamber, looking down at the woman with her hair styled in a gentle bun, who was squatting on the ground, holding a child in each arm and gently comforting her.
She was good at coaxing children; the two little girls, who had just been crying, were now amused by Xue Lanyi's funny faces.
The innocent laughter of children mingled with the patient coaxing of women, brushing against Wei Zhang's face.
His elongated shadow fell perfectly over the woman and child.
A ripple of emotion stirred within Wei Zhang, but he couldn't quite grasp what it was.
"Your Highness." At this moment, Xue Lanyi turned around with a smile on her lips, only to meet a pair of eyes that had lost their sharp edges.
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