Crossing the River Together
Cheng Yayin suspected that she had misheard, "What did you say?"
"I'm going to kill him," Pei Songsheng said, his voice slow and steady.
"Why?"
"He wants to take my life, so isn't it reasonable for me to strike first?"
"But, but." Cheng Yayin stammered, "It's not good to kill someone in public, right?"
"Then I'll wait until nightfall and kill him in a deserted place."
"That's not what I meant." Cheng Yayin tugged at Pei Songsheng's sleeve tightly, fearing that he would start a real fight if he wasn't careful. "What I meant was, you are an official of the imperial court after all. Why do you always engage in violence? This kind of thing should be done by me."
"Really? But why do I feel that Madam doesn't intend to kill him?"
Nonsense, the flashing of swords and the fighting of sabers can only be written about in books, but if you really kill someone you will go to jail.
Of course, she couldn't say this to Pei Songsheng now. She didn't know how to explain it for a moment, so she could only pull him away and signal Lan Yue to stay and continue to keep an eye on Liu Chang.
Pei Songsheng was reluctant to leave at first, his feet seemed nailed to the ground, motionless, until Cheng Yayin pulled his hand until it was rubbed red, then he softened his heart and reluctantly let her pull him to a more secluded place.
Cheng Yayin was thinking of something to say as she walked. When she reached a quiet spot and looked around to make sure no one was disturbing her, she explained, "After all, he and I are from the same sect. We don't want to end up in a situation where we have no other choice. Besides, didn't you promise to let me handle this matter myself? This is ultimately an internal conflict within our sect, and it's not appropriate to ask you to get involved."
"But you are my wife, and your affairs are my affairs. You don't want me to be involved in any disputes, and I don't want you to be caught between me and the sect. If I have to end it, I would rather do it myself."
He was about to turn back when Cheng Yayin stopped him. No matter how she tried to persuade him, it was useless. He was already deeply immersed in the story and couldn't extricate himself. She simply let go of him, put her hands on her hips and said, "In short, you can't go. If you go, I will never talk to you again in this life. You decide for yourself!"
Pei Songsheng looked at her in shock. She looked at him stubbornly. The two of them confronted each other silently with their eyes. She did not give in at all. Anger, confusion, and grievance flashed in his eyes. In the end, he was defeated, leaving only a hint of sadness.
He lowered his head and smiled self-deprecatingly.
Cheng Yayin felt that something was wrong, as if she had gone a little too far.
The sadness in Pei Songsheng's eyes gradually dissipated, and his handsome face was covered with deep pain. "I always thought that within a year, I would be able to snatch your heart from that side. I didn't expect that even after this, you would still protect the person over there."
He laughed miserably, the pain in his voice seeming to penetrate deep into his lungs.
Cheng Yayin's heart seemed to be stabbed hard. Although she was trying to stop him from doing anything stupid, she still felt that she had hurt him. She couldn't help but take a step forward, grabbed his sleeve and shook it, and said softly, "Don't be angry, I'm not partial to others, I'm doing this for you. I know you are doing this for my own good, so I can't let you take any risks."
"I'm willing to do all this for you because I love you so deeply." Pei Songsheng's sorrowful eyes fell on Cheng Yayin's face. "What about you? We've been together day and night for so long, do you feel the same way about me?"
Cheng Yayin opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Obviously, he had been able to tell lies and sweet words easily during this period, but Pei Songsheng looking at her with such an expression still made her dazed, as if there was a real and living soul in his body that was waiting for her salvation, and she could only comfort him with lies.
But a moment's hesitation only made the pain in Pei Songsheng's eyes even worse. He asked in disbelief, "Not even a little bit?"
Cheng Yayin didn't know how to answer. In the stalemate, there was a burst of firecrackers. She was frightened and subconsciously leaned towards Pei Songsheng. Pei Songsheng caught her in time, put his hands on her back and stroked her soothingly.
It was a couple who were welcoming a wedding, beating drums and gongs and setting off firecrackers as they walked through the streets in a lively atmosphere.
The sudden episode broke the deadlock between the two. Cheng Yayin gently came out of Pei Songsheng's arms and watched the wedding procession pass by with him.
In this group of people, everyone's face was filled with joy. The groom, who was leading the group, was riding a tall horse with a red flower on its head. He looked very proud and looked back at the sedan chair behind him from time to time. The tenderness in his eyes seemed to be overflowing.
Cheng Yayin and Pei Songsheng also had such a day.
But at that time she was lying drowsy in the sedan chair, and she didn't even know how she got married. She also didn't know what expression Pei Songsheng had on his face when he married her that day. She didn't know whether when he decided to marry her, he was thinking about getting through the temporary crisis first and worry about what to do in the future, or whether he decided to treat her with respect and live an ordinary life as an ordinary couple.
She only knew that after she recovered from her illness, she heard Lan Yue mention that although the marriage was hastily arranged, the rituals were complete. The wedding was held with great pomp and ceremony, and half of the people in Shengjing came to line the streets to watch the ceremony.
The man next to her, whether he was willing to marry her or not, gave her enough respect. In the three years of marriage, he had given his wife all the respect and care that a husband should give her.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but turn her head to look at Pei Songsheng beside her. He was also looking at her, using Lu Xingyuan's eyes to search for any emotion in her that was triggered by the scene.
The wedding procession passed by joyfully, and the dazzling red light briefly illuminated the faces of the two. They looked at each other silently, each searching for the shadow of the other person in the other's eyes.
The joy suddenly stopped, and the two came to their senses and turned their heads to look over.
The team stopped by the river. The groom dismounted, led the bride out of the sedan chair, and helped the bride, who was covered with a veil, onto a small boat moored on the shore. Amid the congratulations of the crowd, the boatman rowed the boat, and the boat broke through the water and slowly rowed towards the arch of an arch bridge not far away.
Pei Songsheng asked, "What does this mean?"
Cheng Yayin took a look and pointed at the bridge, saying, "That's the Mandarin Duck Bridge. Legend has it that if a newlywed couple takes a boat under the bridge together, they will be happily married forever."
Originally known as Xingye Bridge, the bridge earned its name because of a story about a famous general from a previous dynasty who met his wife on this bridge after three separations, ultimately marrying her and ultimately defending her from foreign enemies. Since then, the saying "crossing the bridge together in a boat, a happy marriage, forever together" has been passed down through generations in Shengjing. Not only did the custom of newlyweds crossing the bridge together in a boat become a popular destination for couples to express their feelings to each other, but it also became a popular spot for lovers to express their feelings to each other.
However, although Cheng Yayin enjoyed listening to these anecdotes, she never took the mundane expectations expressed in them seriously, so she did not take them seriously.
Pei Songsheng seemed to be interested. "How come I didn't know there was such a place? Did we cross the bridge when we got married?"
Cheng Yayin: "No." She was so sick at that time that she couldn't get on the ship.
The newlyweds took a boat across the bridge hole, got ashore and returned to the sedan chair. The procession walked away happily with gongs and drums.
After the end of the team disappeared from sight, Pei Songsheng took Cheng Yayin's hand and walked towards the river bank.
"What are you going to do now?" Cheng Yayin asked.
"Didn't you say that there was no bridge at the wedding? Let's make up for it today."
"This, this is not good." Cheng Yayin stammered, "I'm still wearing men's clothes, be careful people will think you're gay."
Pei Songsheng ignored her refusal and pulled her forward. Cheng Yayin looked at his back and knew that he was still holding back some anger. If she didn't get on the boat with him today, she was afraid that she would not be able to coax him, so she had no choice but to follow him to the shore.
The old boatman walked back and forth under the bridge, and as soon as he stopped the boat, Pei Songsheng explained his purpose to him.
The old boatman looked at the two of them for a few times and thought that this couple was quite strange, especially the girl, who was dressed in men's clothes and had a bad look on her face, as if she was extremely unhappy. He was afraid that some illicit couple wanted to borrow his boat to get married secretly.
The old boatman smiled politely and said, "My dear, you may not know that this boat only carries newlyweds. If you two are not engaged, please do not board the boat, so as not to violate the taboo."
Cheng Yayin tugged at Pei Songsheng's sleeve and whispered, "Look, they won't let us on board."
Pei Songsheng showed no intention of leaving. He said to the old boatman, "Thank you for your understanding. My wife and I have been married for a long time. I just didn't know about the story of the Mandarin Duck Bridge at that time. I want to make up for it today. The boatman has ferried countless lovers across the river. Please also take us on a journey to a happy marriage."
Seeing his firm attitude, the old boatman said nothing more and let the two of them get on the boat.
Cheng Yayin reluctantly followed Pei Songsheng and stood at the bow of the boat. The old boatman began to row, and the boat swayed slightly in the waves. She had to stick close to the man beside her to stand firm, and he hugged her waist. This was on the boat, she didn't dare to break free, and could only let him take advantage of her.
When she looked up, she saw that the guy was in a good mood, with a faint smile on his lips. Cheng Yayin felt even more depressed.
Pei Songsheng and I even crossed the Yuanyang Bridge together. What the hell is going on?
As the sun sets, the afterglow of the setting sun casts the figures of the two people snuggling together onto the water. Their reflections stand side by side as a pair, swaying slightly with the ripples on the water, making them look even more affectionate. Anyone who sees them will think that they are a loving couple.
The old boatman rowed the boat and said, "This boat of mine is a marriage boat that was blessed by Yue Lao Temple. If a couple crosses the river together, they will not only live together till old age in this life, but also continue their love in the next life."
These words touched Pei Songsheng's heart. He laughed heartily and said, "This is a very good idea. I really should have come here with my wife earlier."
Cheng Yayin laughed dryly and thought to herself, it’s still too early. We are about to get divorced, and you have put your entire next life on the line. When you wake up, you will regret it.
The short journey by water was very successful, and Pei Songsheng's depression was swept away. When he got off the boat, Cheng Yayin saw that he was still unsatisfied and probably wanted to go on another journey.
The old boatman was also in a good mood. After the two of them got off the boat, he smiled and held out his hand: "Fifty taels."
Cheng Yayin:?
She was just thinking that although Shengjing is big, there are not weddings every day. This old boatman is deliberately mysterious and says that he only ferries newlyweds. How can he make money? It turns out that he is waiting here.
She was unconvinced and said, "You didn't ask for money in advance. Besides, I saw that couple leave straight away after getting off the boat. No one paid. Maybe they think we look easy to cheat and want to extort money from us?"
The old boatman's face changed when he heard this: "I've been rowing here for more than ten years, and this is the rule. Besides, they're getting married, so they've naturally made all the arrangements long ago. You're accusing me of extorting money from you, but it's clear you're just trying to shirk your responsibility."
He stretched out his hand, his fingers almost poking Cheng Yayin's nose, "Give me money."
There was nothing Cheng Yayin could do when she encountered such a profiteer. She could only consider herself unlucky. When she touched her waist, she remembered that she had left her purse at Fanle Building.
Her breathing stagnated and she turned to look at Pei Songsheng. His hand had reached into his sleeve and was reluctant to take it out. There was a subtle look of restraint on his face.
Cheng Yayin smiled nonchalantly at the old boatman, then put her arm around Pei Songsheng's neck and leaned close to his ear, seemingly whispering something intimately, but in reality, she gritted her teeth and said, "Why didn't you bring any money with you when you went out?"
Pei Songsheng also replied softly with an impeccable smile: "It was a mistake. I won't do it again next time."
There will be a next time. It’s hard to say whether I can get away this time!
The old boatman saw through the two men's clues and immediately raised his eyebrows. His face no longer had the smile of hospitality he had just shown. He said in a gruff voice, "You really want to default on your debt. If you don't pay me today, I will arrest you and bring you before the authorities!"
Cheng Yayin: "We're not going to default on our debt, we just forgot to bring any money with us. Uncle, please be flexible and let us go home to get it."
The old boatman was not convinced. "How do I know if you will come back? I don't accept credit. Give me the money now."
"Without me, what can I give you?" Cheng Yayin was helpless. She patted Pei Songsheng's shoulder and said, "How about I keep him here? You don't have to worry about me not coming back."
Pei Songsheng: "Madam?"
The old boatman blew his beard and glared, saying, "I don't want people, I just want money!"
Cheng Yayin looked up at the sky in silence. Judging from the old man's attitude, she couldn't leave without paying him today, so she had no choice but to -
She suddenly grabbed Pei Songsheng's hand and ran away.
The old boatman's roar sounded behind her. Cheng Yayin turned her head to see that he was about to catch up with her, so she quickly held Pei Songsheng's hand tightly and ran faster.
Pei Songsheng was led by her to run at first, but when he came to his senses, he held her hand and ran as fast as the wind through the streets and alleys.
They shuttled through the streets and alleys, originally to avoid the old boatman, but they did not stop even after the footsteps of pursuit behind them disappeared. They ran hand in hand past the pedestrians with surprised eyes, houses and streets.
The wind blowing in their faces carried a slightly damp smell, making their hair and clothes flutter. They ran until the sun set and lanterns were lit on the eaves of the houses they passed by, and then they stopped at an empty dark alley behind the street corner.
Cheng Yayin's heart was beating violently in her chest. She gasped and tried to catch her breath. Looking at Pei Songsheng, who was also gasping for breath, she suddenly laughed.
Seeing her laugh, Pei Songsheng also laughed. The two looked at each other, not knowing what they were laughing at, but they just couldn't stop laughing.
It was the first time that Cheng Yayin saw Pei Songsheng smile like this.
I have the impression that he rarely smiles, and even when he does, it's just a slight curling of the corners of his mouth, fainter than the ripples caused by a dragonfly's wings, and dissipates before it reaches his eyes.
At this moment, his lips, eyebrows and eyes were all smiling. His curved eyes were filled with the fluorescent light of the distant lights, like two stars falling into a dark alley. His laughter, which was not deliberately suppressed, was as refreshing as the breeze blowing through the mountains and forests, and his whole body exuded a youthful spirit.
It’s quite pretty, Cheng Yayin thought.
In the moment she was distracted, several fireworks suddenly bloomed in the sky. The brilliant colors illuminated the dark blue sky and also illuminated the faces of Cheng Yayin and Pei Songsheng.
The two people looked up at the fireworks in the sky.
Bunches of fireworks flew up into the sky one after another, weaving a gorgeous picture in the air. Cheng Yayin thought that the wedding banquet of the newlyweds should be started.
That's wonderful, she thought. She hoped that the couple's future married life would be as brilliant as fireworks, but not as short as fireworks.
A sincere smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and she looked at the sky intently, not noticing that Pei Songsheng's eyes had already fallen on her.
Her smile was as bright as jade under the changing light and shadow. In Pei Songsheng's eyes, she was more dazzling than fireworks.
He suddenly grabbed the back of her head and brought her towards him, then bent down and kissed her lips.
The vibrant colors of the fireworks were still lingering in her eyes. Pei Songsheng's face suddenly enlarged before her eyes, and then a strange touch came from her lips, causing Cheng Yayin's whole body to suddenly stiffen. The sound of her heartbeat instantly drowned out the roar of the fireworks.
After the kiss, Pei Songsheng separated slightly and stared at her face with hesitation in his eyes.
The lips before him were warm and soft. In his memory, they must have been a sweet and soft taste he had tasted a thousand times, but why did it feel so unfamiliar when he just kissed them? The feeling made his heart beat faster and faster in his chest, and something seemed to be about to break out of the ground with a sharp pain.
Cheng Yayin looked at him in shock, trying hard to catch her breath. Just as she was about to say something, Pei Songsheng kissed her again.
This time the action was more urgent and deeper. With confusion and determination to prove something, he pried open her teeth and crushed all her whimpers on the tip of his tongue.
The alley was dimly lit. Outside, all the pedestrians stopped to admire the dazzling fireworks, marveling at the fleeting splendor. No one noticed that two people in the alley were kissing passionately in the deserted space.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
