Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Another Shock
When people are vulnerable, they can least afford to receive any care.
Lan Nongnong had been pent up with a lot of grievances in her heart. When she saw her relatives' earnest greetings, she could no longer control herself, like a rainstorm breaking through a dam. She suddenly broke free from his hand and ran towards her two aunts, wrapping her arms tightly around their shoulders and bursting into tears.
Her crying had left the two of them in a state of panic. Even when she had first come to the nunnery and was suffering from depression, she had never lost her composure like this. Naturally, they assumed she must have suffered a great injustice, and their hearts ached and their anger was unbearable.
"Don't cry, Nong Nong,"
The two wiped her tears and repeatedly comforted her, "Tell your aunt quickly what injustice you have suffered."
Another person held her hand and said firmly, "Don't be afraid, Nong Nong! Although we aunts have no power or influence, we understand justice. If you've truly been wronged, even if we're ordinary people, we'll definitely seek justice for you!"
Yun An was a calm and composed person, while Yun Nian was a little younger and had a straightforward personality. He immediately glanced at the man with sharp eyes and was about to speak harshly.
Qin Jingyao looked calm, standing with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face, his demeanor elegant and distinguished.
After Lan Nongnong's brief outburst, the pent-up resentment and pain she'd felt for days finally eased, and she felt a sense of relief. Her sanity gradually returned, and she hurriedly stood up, not even bothering to wipe her tears. She clutched each other tightly, her tears still wet as she smiled, sobbing, "Aunt Yun'an, Aunt Yunming, I'm fine. I just missed you so much, and I'm crying with joy. Seriously!"
Qin Jingyao then stepped forward and stood behind her, holding a handkerchief and gently wiping her tears. His movements were extremely familiar. He patted her shoulder with one hand and nodded slightly to the two of them: "Don't worry, Masters. I treat Nong Nong like a treasure. I am afraid that a thousand pamperings are not enough. I will never let her suffer even the slightest injustice."
He gathered the tear-soaked handkerchief into his palm and raised his arm in a false greeting. "This isn't a place for conversation. Nong Nong and the two of you have been reunited for a long time. Why don't you come inside and sit down and talk in detail?"
The visitor was originally a guest, but he behaved calmly like the host. In addition, Lan Nongnong held back her tears and nodded in agreement with a smile, and the doubts in the two people's hearts gradually disappeared.
The servant who had been hiding in the courtyard before suddenly appeared from nowhere, bowed his head respectfully, and led the four people inside.
Qin Jingyao had always been honored as the first person to travel, even when traveling with the emperor and empress, he was only slightly inferior. But now being placed at the end of the list was unprecedented and unique.
Yet, he walked leisurely, his expression calm and gentle, and a closer look revealed a genuine smile that was hard to fathom. A moment later, when the woman was reluctantly persuaded to return to his side, his eyes suddenly filled with a smile.
"Why are you back?"
Lan Nongnong didn't want to respond, but he didn't lower his voice deliberately. The two aunts were only three or four steps away and could hear clearly if they paid close attention. Since she had decided to maintain appearances, she had no choice but to respond reluctantly to keep the peace.
"Why do you keep asking questions when you already know the answer? After I say goodbye to the aunts, I'll send them off. If you insist on stopping me, the worst that can happen is that we both die!"
She deliberately slowed down her pace, lowered her voice, tilted her head and raised her eyes to glare at him. Others could only hear the sound but not the words, thinking that the two were talking in private.
Qin Jingyao followed her slowly, noticing that her eyes were red, her nose and lips still tinged with pink, her eyes wide with tears. Though she had stopped crying, she couldn't help but sniffle occasionally, clearly gritting her teeth as she forced a smile. Her expression was both indescribably pitiful and moving.
He admired her long-lost coquettish expression, then leaned forward slightly, chuckling softly and whispering, "Nong Nong and I have long made a promise to be together until old age, so how can we talk about fighting to the death? I will do as you say, and I will not stop you, but you two masters must also leave voluntarily."
"You again—"
Lan Nongnong was about to ask more when he straightened up and quickened his pace. Her voice had been raised slightly in alarm, causing the two aunts to turn and look. Helplessly, she forced a smile to suppress her emotions and hurried to catch up.
Although the inn's courtyard is not big, it has a unique view at every step. It is quiet and unique, with its own charm.
The four of them sat on the left and right of the main hall in the front yard. The two aunts were the elders and sat at the top. Since Shengchao respected men, Lan Nongnong had to sit below them.
After a brief greeting, Qin Jingyao took out a stack of documents and handed them to Tongze, who then presented them to the two masters. He then said slowly, "This is the complete pulse history of Nong Nong's allergy. The symptoms and medication details are all listed above. In addition to the attending physician, I also invited famous doctors of both high moral character and high moral character from Beijing to consult with us. The conclusion is as the pulse history indicates: there is currently no cure for allergies."
His tone grew graver, and he added, "However, if the symptoms remain untreated, they will ultimately become a serious concern. Therefore, I have instructed the doctor to prepare an emergency medication, and I will continue to delve into this disease, determined to find a cure."
The two of them listened and flipped through the book, nodded frequently, and their faces were filled with satisfaction.
"Amitabha."
Yun An clasped his hands together and said slowly, "Young Master Yao is very thoughtful. Nong Nong was in danger this time, and it was only thanks to your careful care that she was able to escape danger."
Yun Ming nodded and continued, "No illness is trivial. This hidden danger is indeed worrying. Nong Nong is usually bright and straightforward, not particular about small matters. Now that Master Yao is watching over him, we can rest assured."
Lan Nongnong missed the opportunity. Even without experience, she could tell he was trying to make advances. However, his words were calm and thoughtful, neither showy nor flattering, leaving no room for fault, leaving her furious at his cunning and deep-seated deceit. Hearing the aunts' words, which were full of entrustment, she felt uneasy.
"Don't worry, aunts,"
She forced herself to smile calmly and said, "This was truly an accident. It never happened once before when I was in Yuqing. I will be more careful in the future."
"The disease is hidden, how can you rely on luck? This time you are lucky to have Master Yao by your side. If you were alone and encountered an accident, it would be too late to regret it!"
Yun An still felt a sense of fear when he said this. He glanced at her disapprovingly, not allowing her to argue any further. He turned to the man sitting quietly with a smile and said apologetically, "Nong Nong is young and simple-minded. It is inevitable that she will be inconsiderate. I will need Master Yao to be more considerate and tolerant in the future."
Qin Jingyao naturally went along with it and nodded in response, "You two masters are too kind. Taking care of Nongnong is my responsibility, and I will do it myself, and I am happy to do it."
There were four people sitting in the hall, but only three of them were talking occasionally. Although not very lively, the atmosphere was harmonious.
Even though everything he said concerned her personally, she, the "bride-to-be," was left out in the cold, her heart aching. This was all because she had praised him to perfection in front of her aunts, and had personally led her family astray.
Power is pressing. Even if she tells the truth now, it will only scare her aunts and do more harm than good.
Things need to be dealt with one by one. For now, I just hope that the aunts can leave with peace of mind. Even if he is proud for a while, it doesn't matter.
"...We will follow Master Yao's instructions and hold the engagement ceremony on an auspicious date six days from now."
"Tomorrow is also an auspicious day. Since it's a good time, why wait six more days?"
Lan Nongnong suddenly spoke, her words a startling revelation, shocking all three. The two aunts exchanged stunned glances, then she narrowed her eyes and smiled, turning to the man on her left who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow. Her red lips parted softly, "You've already prepared the wedding ceremony, so how about tomorrow?"
“Nong Nong!”
How could an unmarried woman be so eager to get married? However, with outsiders present, Yun An and Yun Ming felt that this was extremely inappropriate, but they couldn't reprimand her directly, fearing that her loss of composure would simply make others look down on her.
Before the two could react, Qin Jingyao nodded with a smile, praising Nong Nong's frankness and sincerity, and saying that his words made sense. He also said that since the elders were present, if the two masters had no objection, then it would be fine.
He remains calm in the face of adversity, and is composed and elegant, with the bearing of a gentleman.
Lan Nongnong took a deep breath and was about to make a decision.
But they wouldn't tolerate her willfulness. A marriage is a big deal, and preparations can take anywhere from a year and a half to several years. The journey was long, and the time was already so long, with only six days left, it was already too short. How could they rashly postpone it to tomorrow?
Such childishness must not be tolerated!
Yun An, displaying the dignity of an elder, made the final decision: "The engagement date is no joke. Since it's set six days from now, we must proceed as scheduled."
Yun Ming immediately echoed, "Young Master Yao's elders are away on a long journey, and all matters related to the engagement are on my shoulders. I'm afraid I'm too busy to handle them all."
With everything settled, Qin Jingyao understood what Ya was thinking and readily agreed: "I'll follow the two masters' wishes and get engaged as scheduled in six days."
He stood up and took the woman who was sitting stiffly on the side, her face raging but trying to remain calm. He nodded to the two of them and said, "The two masters have reunited with Nongnong after a long separation. I believe there are many personal things to talk about. I will not disturb you any longer. Please stay. Nongnong can see me out."
Mr. Yao had made all the arrangements for this trip. Since the two of them were going to get engaged and become husband and wife soon, it was natural for them to be inseparable. It was only natural for him to see them off.
"Amitabha. In that case, the two of us will stay here, and Nong Nong will see Master Yao off."
"Amitabha, Master Yao, take your time."
Lan Nongnong, following her aunt's orders, escorted him out. Once out of sight, she dropped her disguise, sprinted three feet, and stopped at the door. Looking back, she saw the man walking leisurely and unhurriedly, her rage intensified. However, because her aunts were so close, she could only turn her head away angrily, hoping he would leave quickly.
But things always go against one's wishes. She avoided it, but he had hundreds of ways to force her to obey.
"The two masters still need to stay in Beijing for a while, so there's no need to rush to reminisce about the past. Besides, I'm a simple and frank person, and I'm afraid that if I talk too much, I'll make mistakes."
He spoke slowly and profoundly, "I'll pick you up at twilight hour."
Lan Nongnong hated his cunning, but she had to admit he hit the nail on the head. She longed to live with her aunts, but a long-awaited reunion would inevitably lead to a lot of talk, and too much talk would lead to mistakes. Even she herself couldn't guarantee that she could remain completely silent under the care of her aunts.
She was unwilling to be controlled by him in every way, and she would never be left without a place to go. Then, with a sneer in her eyes, she said in a stiff tone, "It has nothing to do with you! As long as the aunts are here, I won't go back. Since the engagement is scheduled for six days, then you can come back six days later!"
Lan Nongnong did not hide the disgust in her eyes, and turned around to leave after she finished speaking.
Qin Jingyao smiled and said calmly, "Well, since Nong Nong doesn't want to separate, then we can only ask the two masters to go back together."
As soon as he finished speaking, the woman who was in a hurry to leave suddenly stopped.
Without his stopping her, she would be obedient and return to him on her own initiative.
Lan Nongnong hated the feeling of being forced to do so, but she had no choice but to obey because her weak spot was caught.
Although the green umbrella above the head blocks the scorching sun, it cannot prevent the heat wave from penetrating the clothes and burning the skin.
She stood there stiffly, her feet rooted to the ground, and refused to turn back. After a long while, a low, hoarse voice came from under the umbrella.
"...Okay, I'll go back."
Although his wish was fulfilled, Qin Jingyao felt no sense of satisfaction. He stared at her furious back as she walked away. His heart suddenly stabbed, his brow furrowed, and his expression suddenly turned cold.
He has a hundred ways to make her turn back voluntarily...
His right hand, which was behind his back, suddenly pinched the cool and smooth jade piece hanging from his left wrist with two fingers, rubbed it carefully for a moment, then lightly lifted the lock with his fingertips, let it fall into his palm and hold it tightly, and finally turned and left.
"Serve carefully."
"yes!"
*
When she reentered the hall, Lan Nongnong's face was devoid of any resentment, save for a few water marks on her hair, temples, and the lapels of her clothes. Although it was early autumn, the lingering heat still lingered. She had always been unconcerned with small matters, having scooped up water from the well in the nunnery or the stream in the mountains behind her when the heat was unbearable, so the marks weren't noticeable now.
She used the hot weather as an excuse, and neither of them suspected anything. They just came forward, one of them wiped the water marks from her hair with a cotton handkerchief, and the other wiped the wet marks from her clothes.
Although his eyes and tone were slightly angry, his deep concern was evident in his words.
"You've just recovered from an illness, how can you be so greedy for coolness? The conflict between cold and heat is the most likely to cause illness. The engagement date is in a few days. If you look sick and haggard by then, you will regret it when you look back on it in the future."
"I saw on the pulse record that the allergy was behind the ears, in the neck and shoulders. He was inconvenienced earlier, but now his skin is flawless and white like jade. He's truly healed. But he certainly suffered."
Biyu had already tactfully retreated. There was no one else in the hall at the moment, so the two men pulled her over and looked her up and down carefully. They indeed noticed some differences.
"Nong Nong got her ears pierced?"
Lan Nongnong was surrounded by the two men and was caring for them. She was trying hard to suppress her emotions. This question was like a silver bottle breaking, which made her wake up instantly.
At that time, she had been ignorant, thinking that the ear piercing was a testimony of their intimacy, and she cherished it with joy. But now that the truth was known, it had become a mark of shame in her heart, and she wished she could erase it immediately and hide it deep inside!
When she was seen and questioned by her aunts, her cheeks suddenly turned red and her breathing became disordered. She felt as if she was being publicly tried naked. She felt so ashamed that she lowered her head deeply.
Fortunately, after they spoke in unison, their eyes were focused on her earlobe. Although they saw her blush suddenly, they just regarded it as a girl's shyness related to that Mr. Yao and did not investigate further.
Nong Nong's skin was already fair, and after not seeing her for a few months, it seemed even more translucent, like jade carved from snow. As the saying goes, a person's complexion reveals a person's appearance. Although her cheeks looked slightly pale, perhaps due to the pain she had suffered recently, her eyes were bright and lively, and her complexion and appearance were excellent, showing that she was receiving meticulous care.
The translucent pink pearl on her earlobe makes her skin look even more translucent and radiant.
The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, gently lifted the earlobes and looked closely at the ear holes. Seeing that the skin was smooth and intact, they nodded in relief.
Although they have become nuns, they have also experienced youth and beauty, and piercing ears and wearing jewelry is a must, so they are well aware of the rules of ear piercing.
When Nong Nong came, their minds were already indifferent and they paid little attention to external things. After becoming nuns, they had already discarded all kinds of jewelry, so they had not noticed it at first. Now that they saw it, they suddenly realized their negligence, but fortunately it was not too late.
A girl should act like a girl. Nong Nong is naturally lively and bright, just like a newly opened flower, as delicate and clear as jade, blooming to its fullest splendor.
"Looking at the thick ear piercings, the bead piercer is very skilled and could have done it with just one stitch."
"The ear flesh is smooth and tender, without any blemishes, showing that it has been carefully cared for and never neglected."
The two aunts were full of joy as they talked. Lan Nongnong felt as if her heart was on fire when she heard it, but she was afraid that they would notice something was wrong, so she pretended to be shy and smiled, then took their arms and spoke first, interrupting them.
"Since I left, have all my aunts been well? This trip to Beijing was during the sweltering summer heat, and the journey must have been arduous. Has your journey been smooth? How have you rested these past few days?"
"Speaking of which, the aunts were coming, why didn't you send me a letter beforehand? I've made you all travel all the way here, and I haven't been able to welcome you in person. I really shouldn't have done that."
He tricked his aunts into coming to the capital, and the reason was nothing more than the so-called engagement. However, she was naive and dull, while his aunts were experienced and knowledgeable. How could they come so easily without verifying with her, and even praise him so much?
Even though things have come to this, Lan Nongnong still wants to find out what methods he has used.
Before becoming a monk, Yun'an had a son who tragically died young. Later, due to childlessness, he was divorced and subjected to constant abuse. With nowhere else to go, he chanced upon a nunnery. Yunming's situation was similar, though he had never conceived.
At this moment, the two of them were being served tea and water by her, and she was asking about their well-being. They snuggled up to her side and felt their hearts warm, like a dead tree coming back to life in spring.
"Don't worry, Nong Nong. We're all doing well. I received a letter from you and Master Yao a month ago. Knowing time waits for no one, Yun Ming and I packed our bags and set off that very day. Fortunately, Master Yao sent his family guards and servants to accompany us. The carriage was stable, and there was even a basin of ice in the carriage for us to change along the way. Our journey was safe and smooth, and we encountered no hardship."
Yun Ming nodded and continued, "Before we set out, the abbot said he would write to you. I guess the long summer journey delayed the messenger. Now it seems that Nong Nong's failure to receive the letter has turned out to be a good thing. Otherwise, wouldn't it have been a burden for you to travel while you were ill? Young Master Yao has come in person to explain the situation. All your daily arrangements have been very thorough, so Nong Nong can rest assured."
Lan Nongnong pinched her leg until it almost bled before she changed her expression.
She had indeed sent a letter a month ago, and even sent one almost every two days to the nunnery. However, the letter never mentioned an engagement, let alone a joint letter with him! Although she saw him every day, what with the servants, guards, arrangements, and visits...
She was completely unaware of all this!
Not only that, the aunts had no doubts about "her" letter, which showed that the handwriting in the letter was so real that it was indistinguishable from the real thing! As for Aunt Qingfeng's letter, what with the long summer journey? I'm afraid he had already intercepted it halfway!
Lan Nongnong endured a splitting headache as her anger piled up, yet she dared not even breathe irregularly. She covered her nose with her hand, nodding her head to take a deep breath, but she didn't let go of her hand. When she spoke, her voice was tense and trembling, and the slurred words didn't seem out of place.
"I hope the aunts have a safe journey,"
"By the way, I've been collecting Yao Jing's handwriting for practice lately. Do you two aunts still have that letter with you?"
She lowered her eyebrows and eyes, half covering her face with her bare hands, her face flushed crimson, her long eyelashes trembling uncontrollably. Her words were slurred and hesitant, as if she was overwhelmed with shame.
Yun An and Yun Ming smiled at each other, unable to help but recall the scene of the two of them embracing intimately outside the gate just now. Although there were differences between men and women, firstly, they were about to be engaged, and secondly, as far as propriety was concerned, they had already disregarded conventional etiquette since Nong Nong had traveled thousands of miles to find him.
Besides, there was no one outside the door just now. Matters between men and women have nothing to do with outsiders. Seeing that Master Yao was thoughtful and caring in every way, as long as the two of them were deeply in love and happy, that was enough.
The two of them did carry the letter, but Nong Nong was fine, as Master Yao was an outsider after all. Although the letter discussed serious matters, it was inconvenient to leave it in the nunnery, so it naturally had to be returned to Nong Nong for safekeeping.
Not only the letters, but also all the gift lists and deeds that Master Yao had sent that day were brought by the two of them.
Yun An retrieved the arm-length wooden box from the high sandalwood table at the head of the room. He opened it, smiled at her, and said, "I was going to bring this to you. Besides the letter, there's also a gift letter that Young Master Yao sent his servants to deliver that day. Young Master Yao was thoughtful enough to put your name on the property deeds. Yun Ming and I went to the government office yesterday to verify everything, and it's confirmed."
"Even though Master Yao calls this a dowry, it's a gesture of his heart, so we must treat it with respect. Your aunts and I aren't from wealthy families, but it's not difficult for us to prepare a dowry for Nong Nong. For the past two years, keep the money you've sent to the temple separately. You can keep it as a personal gift for your own use."
"While Master Yao comes from a distinguished family, Nong Nong is also of clean origin, well-educated, understanding, self-reliant, intelligent, and courageous. A woman like you is extremely rare. Therefore, you must never belittle yourself, and do not be disturbed by external things, outsiders, or rumors. Family background is important, but virtue is even more precious. Since you two are so compatible, you should always remain true to your original intentions and treat each other with sincerity."
Nong Nong didn't care about the world's opinions, but they had to consider her carefully. They could still participate in the engagement, but when it came to the wedding, outsiders like them would not be able to attend.
Therefore, even though the wedding date has not been set, Yun An and his wife still couldn't help but give detailed instructions.
Lan Nongnong didn't even glance at the priceless gift list in the box. Instead, she stared down at the letter in her hand. The handwriting was identical to hers, yet the content was completely unfamiliar. From the writing style and specific content to the handwriting details, even the habitual pause at the end of the letter, there was no flaw.
It was written in black and white on the paper that the "engagement" was clearly stated, and I earnestly requested the aunts to come to Beijing as elders!
His breathing suddenly became rapid, his chest heaved violently, and the hand holding the letter began to tremble uncontrollably.
Her mind was filled with the rage of being repeatedly deceived, like a volcanic eruption, rapid and intense. The words of the two aunts in her ears seemed as far away as the sky, and she could not hear a single word clearly.
The rage urged her to go find him, throw the forged letter hard in his face, and vent her pent-up anger and humiliation on him!
The oppression surging in her chest made her hate this forced situation. She couldn't even express her emotions freely. What a humiliation it was!
"...Aunt is right."
She suppressed her emotions and asked, "By the way, have the aunts received the things I sent back? Are they useful? Do you like them? Every summer, the aunts always have to lose weight. Have you lost weight again this year? There are fewer pilgrims in the summer. Do you have enough money in the nunnery? I still have a lot of surplus here. When you go back in a few days, please take it with you. Don't let yourselves get hurt..."
Lan Nongnong suddenly realized that people grow through setbacks and mature through pain.
Some are born naturally, some are pushed by external forces, and some are forced by circumstances.
For example, at this moment, even though I am in great pain, I can still keep my composure and speak as usual when I look up.
And this growth took her only a few days.
That day, Lan Nongnong seemed to draw strength from it. Even though she couldn't help mentioning that person during her conversation, she still insisted on staying close to her two aunts and chatting with them attentively. She didn't want to let her depressed mood spread, so as usual, she only chose light and cheerful topics to talk about.
Yun'an and Yunming had been monks for many years. When they talked about scriptures with pilgrims, they mostly listened. After cultivating their minds for a long time, they were naturally insightful. They immediately heard the evasiveness of her words towards Master Yao.
They thought she was particularly shy about her upcoming engagement, so they considerately avoided mentioning it. They had been apart for nearly four months, and they had so much to say to each other, each wanting to confide in the other. Before they knew it, the sun was setting and time was passing by.
It was not until Biyu whispered to her outside the door that Lan Nongnong woke up suddenly, and the smile on her lips disappeared in an instant like a fleeting light.
Yun An and Yun Ming exchanged a glance, frowned slightly, and looked at the girl who lowered her head but could not hide her loss. She asked in confusion, "Nong Nong is not staying?"
Lan Nongnong took a deep breath and was about to speak when Biyu arrived at the door and respectfully reported, "In reply to the two masters, the young lady suffered from long-distance travel and unbearable menstrual pain a while ago. She rested in bed for many days before her condition improved. The young master specially invited a gynecologist to carefully examine and treat her. Although the symptoms have subsided, she still needs to strengthen her body and replenish her vital energy. Therefore, she needs to take a medicinal bath every day."
"A woman's menstrual period is crucial to her fertility plans. How can we take it lightly?"
Yun An frowned and lightly criticized, "Why didn't Nongnong say a word just now?"
"No matter how minor your health issue is, don't delay any longer."
Yun Ming urged gently, "Nong Nong, please come back quickly to sort things out. We can continue tomorrow if we haven't finished talking today."
Both of them had experienced the pain of being childless, and they couldn't bear to see her repeat the same mistake and suffer the hardships again.
At this moment, Qin Jingyao walked to the front of the door. Hearing the voice, he first bowed to the two of them, then walked towards the woman who was still sitting, held her hands that were tightly clenched on her knees, took them into his palms, put one hand on her shoulder and exerted a little force, then lifted her up as if supporting her, and stood with her intimately.
"As the two masters said, health is no small matter. Nong Nong is still young, so now is the best time to take care of her, so we must not neglect her. I will take my leave for now. I hope the two masters will forgive me. I will bring Nong Nong back tomorrow."
The two of them saw that he behaved in a gentle and polite manner, was attentive in every word and action, and took every matter into consideration, and they felt only relieved and satisfied.
"Amitabha. Nong Nong is young and willful. From now on, Master Yao will need your guidance and careful care."
Lan Nongnong remained silent. She could conceal her feelings from her aunts, but she couldn't lie to them. She listened as he won their sincere approval with just a few words. Only when they reached the gate did he force a smile, urging them to stay and not see her off, agreeing to meet again tomorrow, did he reluctantly say goodbye.
As soon as she got on the carriage, Lan Nongnong withdrew her hand, sat alone at the side of the carriage with her eyes closed and remained silent, ignoring the man who sat next to her, their clothes touching, and who had a warm body temperature and a faint fragrance.
Qin Jingyao knew what was bothering her, and since the carriage was not a place for conversation, he did not provoke her. He ignored her resistance and directly took one of her hands and held it tightly in his palm.
His eyes swept over the jade piece on her wrist that was intact, and his thin lips curled up slightly. The bracelet was not stable enough after all, so he had already replaced it with a fine iron and gold-plated bracelet. The jade piece was also inlaid with fine gold, firmly embedded and protected.
Looking at it now, the jade piece has long been transformed into an exquisite and unique bracelet. The fine chain is interlocked and inseparable, and even if it is cut by a knife or burned by fire, it will not be damaged in the slightest. If you don't know how to remove it, you will never be able to remove it.
Lan Nongnong suppressed her rage, thinking that once the carriage stopped she would be free of the shackles and able to catch her breath. Unexpectedly, not only did he not let go, but the moment she stepped out of the carriage, he pulled her into his arms and held her captive, then sped away like the wind.
"Qin Jingyao, let me go!"
"Asshole! Shameless! Despicable! Liar! Full of lies! Put me down!"
Lan Nongnong struggled with all her might, but her hands and feet were restricted and she couldn't exert any strength, so she straightened her waist, bent over, and rammed forward, opening her mouth to bite!
The evening glow crept in, tinting the carved and painted mansion with a golden glow, but no one stopped to admire it. The servants in the courtyard all bowed their heads, their backs turned, and faced the path outside. The woman's angry curses reached his ears, and he wished he were deaf.
Lan Nongnong tried her best to bite him, but the angle was unfavorable and her strength was gradually exhausted. The impact did not cause him any pain, but the backlash made her dizzy. Even if she bit him hard, he only needed to tense his body and she would be unable to bite him.
The summer clothes were thin, and she bit them repeatedly unwillingly, but it only wet his clothes. The friction between her lips and teeth was like a torrent, spreading all over her body in an instant.
Qin Jingyao's eyes narrowed suddenly, and when he lowered his gaze, he saw a round, adorable head resting against his chest, rolling and rubbing against it. The unwilling panting sounds that escaped from its mouth and nose were like the wail of a young animal, sending tingles down one's spine and a fluttering feeling in one's heart.
Sweat had soaked through his temples without him noticing, trickling down his jaw and across his neck. His Adam's apple rolled suddenly, and the sound of his swallowing was tense and restrained, like a string about to break.
Lan Nongnong struggled to exhaustion, but she didn't hurt him at all. Instead, she was exhausted and gasping for breath. She gasped for breath, but her chest felt like it was filled with cotton wool, her breath was heavy, and her heart was suffocating, almost bursting.
"Bastard! Villain! Despicable! Shameless!"
"Asshole! Asshole!!!"
As she collapsed, she continued to curse and swear, tears streaming down her face. Even so, she refused to let out a loud cry.
Seeing her in this state, Qin Jingyao's romantic thoughts disappeared, leaving only a heart full of pity.
The carriage drove straight through the gates of the mansion and stopped at the backyard. He stood tall and straight, striding with long legs. In just a few breaths, he had carried the person into the hall and immediately ordered someone to bring in water.
To prevent her from escaping, he held her tightly in his arms even after he sat down. He held her struggling body with one arm, and no matter how she dodged, he finally wiped her face carefully.
But I can't stop crying.
Qin Jingyao gently stroked her cheek with his palm, and a small handful of clear tears soon accumulated in his palm. It was warm at first, then gradually turned cold, and finally was slowly warmed by his palm.
He lowered his eyes and gazed, then suddenly turned his arm to the table, flicked the cup lid with his fingertips, and tilted his palm slightly. In a moment, a shallow stream of clear spring water had accumulated in the glazed white cup.
He sighed softly, "Why are you so stubborn?"
"You pushed me into this situation, yet you ask me why I'm so stubborn?"
Lan Nongnong's chest was filled with turmoil. She glared angrily, her throat gasping for breath, her voice trembling. "You used my name to write letters and deceived the aunts! You made them travel long distances in the scorching summer heat, and forced me to put on a forced smile and pretend to be nice to the aunts to keep everything going!"
"You are so, so bad!"
Filled with hatred, she suddenly turned her head and bit his wrist, staring at him fiercely, exerting force between her teeth, digging deeply into his flesh.
The pain in his wrist was sharp, but Qin Jingyao only glanced at it indifferently, his breathing not disturbed at all, and he didn't even dodge. He only felt pity for her poor and pitiful curse words, even the soft and blunt teeth that bit her.
There was even a hint of a smile on his lips, an expression of extreme indulgence. If she could truly bite through his flesh and drink his blood, his blood would remain in her body forever, their blood mingling forever, inseparable.
The moment his wrist suddenly loosened, he felt a sense of regret.
"Engagement is a big deal, how can we not have elders by our side? The journey is thousands of miles, but all the necessary transportation and rest are well prepared. I originally wanted to give Nongnong a surprise, but I didn't expect it to backfire and make you so angry."
"Now, has Nong Nong calmed down?"
Lan Nongnong bit her teeth so hard that they ached and her head felt numb, but she was even more angry at his indifference, as if even if she beat, scolded, and bit him to the best of her ability, it was all like a breeze blowing across the mountains, causing no pain to him.
I feel so depressed that it's hard to control myself.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, unwilling to watch him act hypocritically. In the past few days, she had been easily moved by him. Knowing that the current situation was difficult to change, she had learned to adjust herself and comfort herself silently.
When the dizziness and numbness in her head gradually dissipated, she took another deep breath and calmed down.
"Let go, I'm tired and hungry, I need to wash up and rest."
Lan Nongnong was exhausted both physically and mentally, and she had just cried. Although her words were cold, her voice was weak and hollow, which made her sound soft. It sounded like she was acting coquettishly in the ears.
When she wasn't on guard, she often acted coquettishly towards him in an even more delicate and gentle manner than she was now. Her pure and genuine nature, her laughter, her anger, all like a spring breeze and a clear stream, caressing his heart, bringing an indescribable comfort.
Only when you have something, you will know the pain of losing it and the preciousness of gaining it, so you will always think about it.
Qin Jingyao knew it was fake, but he pretended to be genuine. He raised his eyebrows and smiled, looking pleased with himself. He helped her up and placed her between his knees. Then he raised his hands to comb her hair and straighten her clothes.
A circle of purple teeth marks was clearly visible on his wrist. The two of them stood and sat, their postures intimate, but no one paid any attention.
He picked up the iced Poria cocos honey wine offered by the maid, handed it to her lips with a smile, and said in a gentle voice: "Nong Nong just cried and her voice is hoarse. Drink some honey wine to moisten it up, and it won't be too late to go slowly."
Lan Nongnong stood quietly, her gaze fixed on the large painting hanging on the wall behind him, as if captivated by its colors and composition. She didn't look at him when he spoke, but she slightly moved her hand, which he still held. Only after she had freed herself did she turn her head, took the teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.
She casually placed the empty cup on the table, wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand, and then lowered her eyes to look at him.
Seeing her so obedient, Qin Jingyao's heart softened. He softly said, "Let's eat together," and then he let go of her hand. But she was like a bird out of a cage, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Although the beauty has left, the fragrance still lingers on my fingertips.
Qin Jingyao withdrew his gaze and glanced at the table. His eyes first fell on the empty cup without a trace of lip marks, and then moved to the other teacup filled with tears.
Raise your hand and lightly tap the rim of the cup, lift it with three fingers, and hold it in front of your eyes to examine it carefully.
After a moment, he lowered his eyes and raised his head, drinking the clear liquid in the cup in one gulp. His Adam's apple moved slightly as he swallowed it all.
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