After saying this, he turned around and strode away, slamming the gate shut, causing the pear trees to fall to the ground with a rustling sound.
Liu Tingting stood there in ragged clothes, tears falling silently. She stared at the closed door, her eyes full of cruelty.
The maids dared not go forward and could only watch from afar. The night wind swept the remnant trees past, and there was only a dead silence in the courtyard.
In Xie's mansion, the night breeze carried the fragrance of jasmine, gently lifting the gauze curtain embroidered with twined branch patterns.
Zheng Wanqing knelt on the edge of the bed, holding cotton gauze soaked in medicinal wine with her fingertips to wipe the wound on Xie Yun's right arm. The night light at the head of the bed cast a soft light on Xie Yun's tough outline, but it could not illuminate the dark currents in his eyes.
"Does it hurt?" Zheng Wanqing's voice was as light as a feather.
Xie Yun shook his head, his eyes falling on her slightly furrowed brows. When the medicinal wine seeped into her skin, his muscular arms tensed for a moment, but soon relaxed again.
At night, Zheng Wanqing and Xie Yun were sitting on the edge of the bed after washing up. Zheng Wanqing carefully changed the bandage on Xie Yun's right arm and dared to speak only after that.
Zheng Wanqing pursed her lips and wrapped the last section of bandage before she dared to look up and speak: "I've read the evening paper. The Red Cross's pursuit of the French consulate caused a sensation in the city, and in the end the consul had to pay double the compensation for relief supplies." As she spoke, she took a newspaper from the bedside table, and a faint smell of medicine still lingered between her fingers.
Xie Yun sneered upon hearing this, his tone full of disdain: "Humph, this cocktail party was held in such a mess, it's really a joke. Not only did the French consul have to visit each guest one by one and apologize to each guest, but he also had to empty his pockets to pay the Red Cross. I'm afraid the money from the antiques at the auction will have to be completely repaid."
"You deserve it." Zheng Wanqing muttered softly, her voice as light as a mosquito's, but revealing her undisguised pleasure.
Xie Yun held her in his arms, and stroked her long black hair with his calloused palm, which startled her with the subtle fragrance of jasmine hair oil.
"I heard something interesting." He lowered his head and bit her earlobe, feeling the woman in his arms tremble with satisfaction, "Mrs. Niri performed a heroic act to save a beautiful girl."
Zheng Wanqing's ears instantly turned red, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the ribbon of his nightgown: "It's not like I was a hero saving a beautiful woman. I just said a few fair words and wasted my time talking."
"There were so many gentlemen present at the time, but they all hesitated to move forward. Only you, Madam, were so courageous and wise." His eyes were full of admiration and praise. "It is my great fortune to have a partner as talented and virtuous as you, Madam."
Zheng Wanqing was a little overwhelmed by his praise, and hurriedly changed the subject: "Do you know who that girl is?"
"Madam, why are you still keeping me in suspense?" Xie Yun smiled and leaned forward slightly. His warm lips gently kissed her cheek, causing Zheng Wanqing to chuckle.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you what I'm going to say." Zheng Wanqing quickly reached out to cover his mouth, "It's the Du Liniang we watched at the Shuangwei Street Theater last month."
"Oh? That's really weird." Xie Yun raised his eyebrows slightly.
"That's right. I also saw someone from the Green Gang following her. He even called her Fourth Grandma..." Zheng Wanqing said. As soon as she said that, she suddenly realized, "No wonder the people from the Green Gang showed up at the theater that day. This is the reason."
She paused for a moment and continued, "I asked Mudan when she would perform on stage again, but she told me she would no longer perform. Why is that? She is so young, yet her appearance, figure, and singing skills are all top-notch. It's really puzzling."
When Xie Yun heard this, there was not much surprise on his face.
"Why aren't you surprised at all?" Zheng Wanqing reached out and gently pinched his cheek, asking in pretended anger.
"Zhao Qingshan seems to be very unreasonable in this matter. I'm afraid he doesn't allow Mudan to perform in public anymore." Xie Yun explained calmly.
"Ah? That girl Mudan is so pitiful. Every time I mentioned singing opera, her eyes lit up." Zheng Wanqing couldn't help but sigh regretfully, with a look of pity in her eyes.
Xie Yun smiled and held her on the bed. The gilded incense ball hanging on the bedpost swayed slightly. "Alright..."
Zheng Wanqing looked at the entangled shadows on the bed curtains and put her hands on his chest in shame.
"Madam." Xie Yun turned over and covered her with his arms, his hot breath spraying on her neck, "You worry about others all day long..." He bit open the buttons of her pajamas and licked her collarbone with the tip of his tongue, "Think about me in the evening."
Zheng Wanqing shyly moved his head away, "Young Marshal, you always say inappropriate things."
The moonlight shone through the window lattice, casting on his sharp brows. His eyes were burning with desire. He stared into Zheng Wanqing's eyes intently, and his voice was low and full of temptation: "We agreed to continue in the evening, and Madam called the wrong name again."
Before Zheng Wanqing could respond, her lips and tongue were sealed. The dim light of the night lamp shone through the bed curtains, reflecting the charming figures of the two people hugging each other, the light and shadow swaying like a bumpy boat.
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