Chapter 101: Precognitive Dream (Qin Lie)
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This was the first time Lingyi had met Qin Lie's grandmother, an old lady who had been granted the title of Imperial Noblewoman by the court decades ago.
She was clearly just an elderly woman with a full head of white hair and a short stature, but her wise eyes were so striking that people dared not look directly at her.
Because of her father, the Emperor, this old woman lost her son and grandson in middle age, so she dared not address her as her grandmother directly. She simply bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam."
The old lady said calmly, "Your Highness's gesture is too great for me to accept."
Despite saying that, he remained seated without moving, silently and carefully observing her.
Lingyi had wondered how someone as contemptible and foolish as the Princess Consort could have given birth to someone like Qin Lie. But at this moment, without the old lady needing to say anything more, she felt a heavy pressure. If she were to do something to her…
If Lingyi were unwilling to endure it, the princess would not have a hard time dealing with her. But when facing this old man, just one glance was enough for her to know that she had no chance of winning. For a moment, she did not know what to say, and her heart sank.
After a long while, the old lady slowly spoke again: "Before my silly grandson left, he came specifically to ask me to take good care of the princess. But in my opinion, my silly grandson misjudged her. The princess is intelligent and kind-hearted, and really does not need my old woman's care. It should be me asking the princess to treat my silly grandson better in the future."
Lingyi broke out in a light sweat and composed herself, saying, "Madam, you flatter me."
"I would like that," the old lady sighed, and then said, "Since you're here today, I'll trouble the princess to copy the scriptures for me here every morning. As for the princess, I'll send someone to inform her that she doesn't need to go there anymore."
Lingyi recalled the little foot that had tried to trip her, and felt a cold, damp fear, as if she were being targeted by a venomous snake.
With such a person present, she had no intention of going there anyway, and now she had no reason to refuse, so she respectfully agreed.
After Lingyi finished copying a scroll of scriptures, Qin Lie returned in triumph. The first thing he did upon returning home was to pay his respects to the old lady.
As the grandfather and grandson talked, it was almost noon when Lingyi finished copying the scriptures and came out.
The old lady, who usually preferred peace and quiet, had wanted to invite him to dine with her, but seeing that he had been absent-minded and now seemed to have his eyes glued to the princess, she felt a pang of annoyance. After asking him a few more questions, she sent the couple back.
On the way back to Hanmoxuan, the two walked side by side.
Qin Lie questioned in a deep voice, "Didn't the letter say the exact date I would return to the manor? Why did you go out again?"
Lingyi paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "I've been in the manor the whole time. When have I ever gone out?"
Looking at her completely innocent expression, Qin Lie knew that she had no idea what he was saying. But he didn't really understand what he was asking for either. The sentence, "You should wait for me at Hanmoxuan," was really inexplicable and he just couldn't bring himself to say it.
Seeing that he looked choked up, Lingyi didn't understand, but she knew to give him a way out.
Unable to think of anything to say to him, she softly recounted what she had done in the mansion after he left.
Her days were rather uneventful; she spent a few days paying her respects to the Princess, and then went to the Old Madam's to copy scriptures. The Old Madam preferred peace and quiet, and she couldn't always see her there. However, the wet nurse said the Old Madam adored Huan'er; each time she visited, the Old Madam would not only hold Huan'er but also inquire about the wet nurse's diet and daily routine, worried that she might have eaten something cold that might harm the baby's milk...
She spoke Mandarin, mixed with her ingrained Jiangnan accent, which sounded melodious and sweet.
Qin Lie never liked people who talked too much nonsense, but he always enjoyed listening to her talk, and sometimes he could even listen to her talk like a lullaby.
He couldn't help but grab her hand, and his steps quickened, as if he wanted to fly.
Finally back at Hanmoxuan, the two had just entered the house when he slammed the door shut, pulled her into his arms, and pressed her against the door, silencing her long-coveted lips.
Lingyi struggled weakly in his arms, "General, it's only past noon, it's still broad daylight..."
He didn't care what she was saying at all, he simply picked her up and carried her to the bedside in a few steps, and fell down on the bed with her.
After being away for more than half a year, now that I have her warm, soft, and beautiful body in my arms again, with her smooth skin and snow-white skin, how can I not be captivated?
The only downside was that no matter how hard he tried, there was no sweet juice left in his mouth. He asked her with a glimmer of hope, "Is there really none left? If I eat a few more times, will it come out again?"
Lingyi was both ashamed and angry. She grabbed his back, her hand still touching the whip marks that hadn't completely faded.
Lingyi didn't consider herself a rude person, but at times she was forced to say embarrassing things and do reckless things by him. She was still gentle and reserved, but this time he didn't stop until he had scratched several finger marks on her back.
But as soon as she finished tying her bodice, he got excited again and pulled her back onto himself.
Her last memory was of him finally rolling off her with a satisfied look on his face, and she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
When I woke up again, the room was dark.
After a moment, her eyes adjusted to the darkness. She nestled in his arms, feeling the weight of his arm around her waist.
She pushed his hand away and tried to find her clothes, but was pulled back by someone.
Qin Lie had been fighting and traveling, and had also taken good care of her twice. Feeling refreshed, he was sleeping soundly when he mumbled, "Sleep a little longer, why get up?"
As soon as he returned, the two of them went straight into their room, missing both lunch and dinner. Lingyi felt utterly humiliated; how dare he, the culprit, ask what was going on?! Lingyi was immediately furious, her anger rising from both sides, and she pinched his side.
Qin Lie was feeling very comfortable and didn't want to move, but he still had the time to tease her, "Princess, pinch me a little lower, it will be more enjoyable."
Fortunately, the room was dark, so it couldn't reveal Lingyi's flushed face. She was never as thick-skinned as him, but this wasn't the time to be angry with him; there was a more pressing matter to attend to. She complained, "It's all your fault. I'm so hungry I'm dizzy."
She had already eaten breakfast, while Qin Lie hadn't eaten all day. He had also exhausted himself traveling during the night, and was now starving. However, he was used to it from his military campaigns, and going hungry for a day wasn't a big deal for him. But upon hearing her say that, he immediately sat up. "Come on, I'll take you out to eat."
Since Lingyi finished her postpartum confinement, she felt she was being treated too specially, so she removed the small stove and now has to go outside to find food.
Now that she was no longer a newcomer to the manor, Lingyi had gained a more stable foothold and had fewer reservations. Of course, she wanted to go out and enjoy a feast. But just as she tried to sit up, she felt a sore waist and weak legs, which made her so angry that she punched him again.
Unfortunately, the fist was soft and weak, lacking any real strength, as if it were just flirting.
Qin Lie misunderstood as expected, took the hand and even kissed it, which startled Ling Yi so much that she quickly withdrew her hand.
She lay back down. "I'm too lazy to go. You go and buy it for me."
Qin Lie naturally wouldn't refuse. He got out of bed without a care, turned on the light, and started looking for clothes to wear in the closet while naked.
Lingyi was so hungry that she couldn't care less about his rudeness and only asked, "When will you be back?"
Qin Lie said, "A round trip will take at least half an hour."
Lingyi's face immediately contorted in distress. "No, it's been too long. I'm starving right now."
Qin Lie had a plan: "I'll go somewhere else first and get you something to eat to tide you over?"
What other place? It's clearly his family's ancestral hall!
"What an unfilial descendant!" Lingyi glanced at him disdainfully, only to be caught red-handed.
This little thing, trying to dismantle the bridge before even crossing the river, is so arrogant it's infuriating.
He raised an eyebrow and deliberately asked her, "Does the princess want to eat or not?"
Lingyi lowered her head and said firmly, "Yes!"
Practice makes perfect, and this time the two of them sat on the edge of the bed and ate hawthorn cakes together.
There were also many seasonal fruits in early summer, which Qin Lie washed and set aside one by one.
If Lingyi were to eat by herself, no one might notice if she were careful. But Qin Lie always had a large appetite and was extremely hungry, so he finished several dishes. Lingyi couldn't help but ask worriedly, "...Isn't this a bit too much?"
Qin Lie scoffed: "What's wrong with eating your own food? You're just being too cautious. You had to remove the special special food, which is why it's so inconvenient."
Lingyi said, "If everyone else doesn't have one, and I'm the only one who does, it's too conspicuous."
Qin Lie laughed at her: "Don't say that your husband is out risking his life every day. Even if I do nothing all day and live off the family fortune, no one in the manor will care about these things. But you are the one who loves to overthink and see enemies everywhere."
Qin Lie said, "This is a prince's residence, not the imperial palace. You really don't need to be so cautious. After all, it's only women and petty people who are difficult to deal with. In the imperial palace, hundreds of women are crammed together, along with those androgynous creatures, which is why the infighting is so fierce. In the prince's residence, everyone is family. Who would be so bored as to care about what you eat?"
Although his words were comforting, Lingyi was unhappy with his belittling of the women in the palace. She drawled, "Yes, yes, we women are always scheming against each other, which is naturally not as good as you men being all lovey-dovey and affectionate."
"What do you mean by being all lovey-dovey and affectionate?" Qin Lie frowned, clicked his tongue in disgust, and saw the smug look on her face. He knew she was doing it on purpose, so he curled up his lips and leaned closer to her, whispering in her ear, "Who am I being all lovey-dovey and affectionate with? Are you sure the princess doesn't know?"
As expected, when it comes to shamelessness, she was no match for Lingyi. Holding the pastry, Lingyi turned around, declaring her defeat once again.
After having a full meal, Lingyi regained some strength and energy, and asked someone to bring her hot water so she could take a bath.
After her hair was half-dry, she dismissed the servants and curled up on the couch by the window to let it air dry.
On a quiet early summer night, the bright moonlight shone through the window onto her long, dark hair, making it ripple like flowing waves as it moved.
She turned her head slightly to the side, her hand constantly stroking her hair, her expression as gentle as the moonlight.
Qin Lie watched quietly for a moment, thinking to himself that if there really was a fairy in the moon with a heart full of longing for the blue sea and sky every night, she would probably be like this.
He composed himself and said casually, "Your imperial nephew was forced out of the capital by the Seventh Prince and is now in Zhuozhou."
This was the first time Lingyi had heard news from the outside world since the Crown Prince's death. She immediately stopped what she was doing, turned around and asked him repeatedly, "Why did you suddenly go to Zhuozhou? Did your sister-in-law go with you? Is Zhuozhou safe?"
Qin Lie said, "Zhuozhou is like Jizhou, and it has been Song family territory for decades. They are now using the banner of loyalty to the emperor, and needless to say, your imperial nephew will soon ascend the throne in Zhuozhou."
Upon hearing this, Lingyi showed no joy. Although she was ignorant of political affairs, she judged others by her own standards. Had Jizhou ever truly treated her as a princess? While there might be personal grudges involved, ultimately it stemmed from the court's inability to restrain them. She was merely an insignificant princess, and yet she was treated this way. How could the supreme ruler, the one for whom the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince had fought for years… truly support a mere child as emperor?
She frowned slightly and asked, "Where is Xie Yu?"
Xie Yu is not only his sister-in-law's younger brother, but also the grandson of the former Grand Secretary. The Crown Prince once highly praised his talent. Only with him and his sister-in-law together can Lingyi feel at ease.
Qin Lie had been waiting for this question, but when it finally came, he felt a tightness in his chest and snorted coldly, "Don't worry, he's doing very well now. Not only has he gone to Zhuozhou, but he'll also be marrying General Song's daughter soon."
Lingyi exclaimed in disbelief, "What did you say?!"
Qin Lie took in her expression. Although he tried to remain calm, a layer of frost unconsciously settled on his face. He said sarcastically, "You heard right. Your Xie Yu brother, whose love is said to be 'a single meeting in the golden autumn breeze surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world,' is getting married again."
Lingyi's shock turned into confusion: "...What 'A chance encounter like the golden wind and jade dew'?"
That's the downside of dreaming alone: you want to bring up old grievances with her, but she's completely unaware of those grievances, leaving you feeling utterly bewildered.
Qin Lie was seething with resentment, but luckily he found a slip in her words and asked in a sinister tone, "So, it really is Brother Xie Yu, calling him so affectionately. No wonder Third Sister Xie came specifically to find you, a princess who has been married off, and he even took a boat to pick you up to elope. Husbands and wives should be honest with each other. Don't you think there are many things you haven't told me?"
Upon hearing this, Lingyi's eyes flickered; she was naturally guilty about Xie Yu.
Those years of companionship, the innocent thoughts of a young girl, the expectation that she would marry him—all of these things cannot be faked.
However... they never expressed their feelings for each other, nor did they ever cross any lines, so no one could find any fault with them.
Thinking of this, Lingyi straightened her back again. "Xie Yu once saved me. I told you that a long time ago. Apart from that, I have nothing to hide from him.
Qin Lie snorted coldly, but he had to admit that if he knew nothing, the lie sounded quite comforting.
However, he had heard her say in his dream with certainty, "A single meeting in the golden autumn breeze and jade dew surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world." There were many other words that were even more hurtful. Let alone repeating them, just thinking about them made him feel indignant and horrified.
Staring at her slightly upturned cherry lips, he thought bitterly, "I really don't know how such tender and sweet flesh could say such poisonous and infuriating things."
"Liu Lingyi," he called her by her full name, "we both know whether your relationship with Xie Yu is innocent or not. I'm only giving you this one chance. If you confess today what you've said and done to him, I might be able to let bygones be bygones. But if you insist on hiding it, don't blame me for being ruthless if I find any clues later!"
Upon hearing that Xie Yu was getting married, Lingyi was already worried about the Sixteenth Princess. But then he started inexplicably bringing up those old grievances. Moreover, women are expected to remain faithful to one man until death. Even if there were something between them, she wouldn't be foolish enough to reveal it all. His actions were nothing short of unreasonable and inappropriate, making people confused and impatient. Annoyed, she blurted out some words without thinking.
“Xie Yu and I are truly innocent, why do you insist on not believing it? Even if there is something, Huan’er is already so grown up, why bring it up? Besides…” She looked straight at him: “Are you such an innocent person yourself? Have I ever asked you what you said or did with Cheng Hui?”
Qin Lie's face immediately darkened.
[Author's Note]
When I was writing this, I was just trying to amuse myself. I came up with a beginning and started writing, but the writing flowed very smoothly. I didn't get stuck at all. Sometimes I would write 20,000 to 30,000 words in a day after work, and I had to force myself to stop and rest.
Of course I hope people will read it, but I also feel that not many people will. I cherish every friend who reads the story, and I have read each and every comment many times.
I think I had around 200 favorites when I was almost at 300,000 words. Sometimes I would lose them, and some familiar IDs in the comments section would disappear, which would make me feel bad.
But I really couldn't control myself; I wanted to finish writing this story because I didn't know what the ending would be until I finished it.
There was no outline throughout the process, and all place names and personal names were chosen on the spot, which may result in inconsistencies.
When I was writing, I didn't think about the angst, the sweetness, the bad ending, or the happy ending. It wasn't me who arranged their endings; the story was pushing me along.
I'm also very curious to see how far Lingyi and Qin Lie will go, so even if no one reads it, I will still write the story to the end.
I never expected that such an obscure article would be noticed by a content review blogger. Later, the results improved slightly, but I never expected it to get tens of thousands of favorites.
Thank you all for your understanding, and thank you to the many readers who spontaneously sent me tweets. I must say, you guys are truly brave. [laughing and crying emojis]
If the number of favorites exceeds 10,000, an extra chapter will be added.
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