Chapter 57 057 ...His breathing was disordered
Lin Wan had been confined in the villa in Pear Blossom Lane for nearly two months. When she suddenly learned that she could finally go out, she was so excited that she barely slept a wink all night. She finally fell into a deep sleep when the sky was just beginning to turn gray.
After spending so much time with Xie Huaiyuan, she no longer felt uncomfortable having someone else by her side; in fact, she would often snuggle in his arms while she slept.
The candles on the table in front of the bed burned silently, casting a hazy light that fell on her peaceful sleeping face.
Lin Wan's long, black hair was spread out on the pillow, tangled with Xie Huaiyuan's hair, the messy state making it impossible to tell who was tangling with whom.
Xie Huaiyuan, who was lying on his side facing Lin Wan, lowered his eyes to look at the person in his arms. She was breathing lightly, curled up in a ball and snuggled against him. Her raven-feather eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she was dreaming of something pleasant, and the corners of her moist and full lips were slightly upturned.
Suddenly, Lin Wan muttered something softly, a very faint sound, but it still reached Xie Huaiyuan's ears.
"Liangyu..."
For a moment, the air seemed to stand still, or perhaps the floodgates of past memories had been opened. He didn't speak, but lowered his head and kissed her, his expression soft and affectionate.
The peach trees outside the window are in full bloom. A spring breeze blows by, scattering petals all over the ground, filling the air with fragrance.
In the dimly lit bed curtains, a tender and intimate atmosphere permeated the air, the gentle whispers gradually transforming into an intertwining of lips and teeth.
Even in her sleep, Lin Wan's bodily memories were awakened, and when the tip of his tongue was probed into her mouth, she unconsciously responded to him, just as she had done in the past.
...he was actually mumbling "no" in a daze.
The fire in his heart seemed to be burning again. Finally, his breath became disordered, and he had no choice but to let go. He looked down and saw her lips were red and moist, as if an alluring charm was emanating from them and entwining around Xie Huaiyuan.
After an unknown amount of time, Xie Huaiyuan sighed, got up, lifted the hanging bed curtains, and walked into the inner room.
When Lin Wan woke up and opened her eyes, the morning light shone through the carved doors and windows, casting dappled shadows on the dormitory floor. A warm breeze blew gently, as if the dream she had just had had been blown away, and even the rosy blush on her lips faded.
She stared blankly at the top of the bed curtains, and after a long while, she vaguely realized that she was not in Quchi, Jiangnan, but in the capital.
I had another dream.
However, this time it wasn't a dream about the sad scene from many years ago, but rather about the time she first met him by the Quchi Pond two years ago.
I'm in a daze, unable to distinguish between dreams and reality.
"You're awake?"
Hearing the sound, Xie Huaiyuan came over, lifted the bed curtains, looked down at Lin Wan who seemed not to have fully regained consciousness, and asked softly.
Lin Wan's raised lips paused, her expression turning somewhat forlorn, before she quickly recovered and mumbled a reply.
"Wanwan, it's almost lunchtime. Don't you want to go out?"
Lin Wan was overjoyed and quickly got up to wash up. When she finally stood in front of the gate of the villa, she hesitated for a long time, and her raised foot hesitated for a long time before she crossed the threshold.
"What's wrong?"
Xie Huaiyuan turned around and saw her hesitation.
"Your Highness, are you truly allowing me to leave the house?"
Xie Huaiyuan stepped forward, took her hand from inside her sleeve, and said with a smile, "If we don't go out now, it will get dark."
Stepping out of the courtyard gate and looking around, Lin Wan felt an indescribable excitement. After two months, she was finally out!
A gentle breeze blew by, and I could faintly hear the hustle and bustle carried on the wind—the lively sounds of the street.
At the entrance of Pear Blossom Alley, a horse-drawn carriage slowly drove out and gradually merged into the bustling street.
The sky was clear and the weather was perfect. The streets were packed with people.
Around noon, the streets of the capital were already bustling with activity. Through the thin gauze curtain of the carriage, Lin Wan could see all sorts of pedestrians, various shops and stalls, and even faintly smell the aromas wafting from the teahouses and restaurants she passed by.
Inside the carriage, Lin Wan lifted the curtain to look outside, while Xie Huaiyuan watched her.
"I heard that Tianxiang Restaurant has launched new dishes today, specially prepared by a chef brought back from Jiangnan. Wanwan, would you like to try them?"
Originally, Lin Wan thought that when he said he would take her out, he would just leave the house, turn a corner, and go back. She didn't expect him to suggest going to Tianxiang Restaurant for dinner.
She hesitated, not immediately showing a joyful smile: "If the young master takes me to Tianxiang Pavilion, won't it implicate you if outsiders see us?"
After all, she has already disappeared. If someone without a trace suddenly appears in front of everyone, especially with the prince, it will likely cause some trouble.
Lin Wan was completely unaware that she was now unconsciously considering his situation.
Xie Huaiyuan looked up: "It's just a meal, why make such a fuss?"
Soon, Lin Wan realized that she had been overthinking things.
Tianxianglou is an extremely famous restaurant in the capital. The restaurant occupies about half a street and is a huge courtyard and pavilion, unlike ordinary restaurants.
Moreover, there's no need to worry about running into other people; anyone who can enter Tianxiang Tower is definitely not an ordinary person.
It was lunchtime, and although Tianxianglou was full of customers, they were all in their own private rooms, not disturbing each other.
From the moment Lin Wan got off the carriage, she was led by Xie Huaiyuan.
The waiter at Tianxianglou led the way respectfully, not daring to look up. The journey was quiet and comfortable, with green plants and flowers all around, and a captivating fragrance. This place was indeed wonderful.
Lin Wan kept looking around, but simply followed Xie Huaiyuan's lead and walked forward.
Suddenly, as Lin Wan passed through the moon gate of the lakeside promenade, she bumped into someone, stumbled, and almost fell.
The waiter who bumped into Lin Wan in the restaurant looked flustered and kept apologizing.
Lin Wan glanced at Xie Huaiyuan beside her and said with an embarrassed smile, "It's nothing serious, I'm fine."
She continued to follow Xie Huaiyuan toward one of the private rooms in Tianxiang Tower, but she clenched her fist tightly in the hand that wasn't being held.
The table was filled with a variety of dishes, all of which were familiar Jiangnan cuisine. When Lin Wan saw those familiar dishes, her heart felt full, making her breathing heavy. The nameless crumpled paper pricked her clenched fist.
After the waiter brought the dishes, the manager of Tianxianglou also came over, but he only stood at the door of the private room and did not go in directly. Before he came, he had heard that Xie Huaiyuan had a female relative at his place and that the relationship between the two was unusual.
Lin Wan sat on the inside of the screen, watching Xie Huaiyuan and the shopkeeper talk through the screen, her heart pounding with nervousness.
Taking advantage of a moment of inattention, he quickly loosened his fist, which he had been clenching for a long time. After seeing the writing on the crumpled paper, he noticed Xie Huaiyuan on the other side of the screen was about to turn around and walk over.
Lin Wanxin hurriedly threw the crumpled paper under the table, which was covered with a silk cloth, the edges of which drooped to the floor, so that the contents could not be seen.
Xie Huaiyuan: "Do you like these dishes? The manager just mentioned that if you want to continue eating these dishes anytime, you can ask the chef to come back with us."
Upon hearing this, Lin Wan almost gasped. Could someone really take the head chef of the restaurant away?
Before she could calm down from her panic, she was startled by Xie Huaiyuan's words and quickly said, "No need, really no need."
Anyway, she never intended to stay in that courtyard forever. Did he really plan to keep her locked up indefinitely?
"Wanwan," Xie Huaiyuan suddenly spoke up, "If you want to try it again in the future, I'll come with you again."
In the future?
Lin Wan kept repeating these two words in her mind, which inexplicably added to her sorrow.
After they left Tianxianglou, the streets became even more lively.
Xie Huaiyuan did not continue to get into the carriage with her. Instead, he led her to the star-gazing tower at the end of the street and walked through the bustling market. As they passed through the crowded streets, Lin Wan was a little absent-minded.
She was thinking about the crumpled piece of paper that had just been stuffed into her hand.
"Fireworks, run!"
Seemingly sensing Lin Wan's thoughts, Xie Huaiyuan gently led her into the Star Gazing Tower, guiding her up the stairs to the top floor.
Xie Huaiyuan: "There will be fireworks to watch today, and this is a perfect spot to watch them. I thought I'd bring you here."
Lin Wan looked up at Xie Huaiyuan, who seemed to be expecting something from her, hoping for a hint of joy in his eyes. "Did you specially send someone to set off the fireworks?"
Suddenly, a series of exceptionally beautiful fireworks exploded in the starry night sky, their brilliant colors reflected on everyone's faces.
One second she had a tender and gentle expression, and the next, just as another firework was about to bloom, Lin Wan saw shock and anger rising in Xie Huaiyuan's eyes!
Countless men in black surged in from all directions, charging towards them amidst the flashing blades.
Lin Wan listened to the sounds of swords clashing, which were quickly drowned out by the sound of fireworks exploding. Her body was suddenly pulled back, and Xie Huaiyuan pulled her into his arms.
The person above breathed heavily: "Leave only one alive, kill the rest."
Lin Wan was so frightened that she dared not move. She could only follow Xie Huaiyuan as they ran quickly toward the stairs of the Star Gazing Tower.
The attendants who had followed rushed forward to stop them, but the men in black followed closely behind, making the scene extremely dangerous.
Fortunately, Xie Huaiyuan always brought some attendants with him when he went out, which helped him block the attacks from the men in black.
When they reached the stairs, they were about to run down the stairs.
Then came another burst of fireworks behind her. Her hand, which Xie Huaiyuan had been holding tightly, was released. She was pushed down by a strong force and almost tumbled down the stairs.
A sharp sword flashed past my eyes, then quickly disappeared into the dark stairwell.
There were no candles here, it was pitch black, and the tightly closed doors and windows offered no light whatsoever.
A faint impulse stirred within Lin Wan's palm.
Now!
"Wanwan".
Amidst Xie Huaiyuan's repeated calls from behind, Lin Wan resolutely turned around and rushed downstairs...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com