Chapter 68 Chapter 68 Don't Love Him
Lan Nongnong huddled in the pitch-black darkness, her heart pounding as she thought, "He's so confident, maybe the aunts are truly alright?" This was the only way she could think, the only way to avoid collapse. She kept repeating this to herself until a sudden burst of light appeared before her eyes. Her whole body tensed, and she quickly raised her eyes and strained to look.
The next moment, my shoulders suddenly relaxed, and I burst out laughing. I laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks.
She saw the unextinguished fire on the platform surrounded by snowdrifts, and saw that the aunts' temple was intact!
Her sobs grew louder, her breathing quickened, yet she managed to hold it in. Qin Jingyao's heart twisted at the sight of her tearful yet forced struggle, and the darkness in his eyes deepened.
When she had seen enough, she carried him toward the wide-open temple gate, and asked with a nonchalant, friendly smile, "Are you feeling at ease now?"
The person in his arms not only didn't answer, but also pushed to get off the ground. Qin Jingyao had already stepped into the nunnery, and the door closed behind him. The ground heating was burning fiercely, heating the entire courtyard ground. He put her down as she wished, and before letting go, he whispered,
"The masters are not in the nunnery."
However, Lan Nongnong had no intention of listening to his words. She had just gathered some strength and as soon as she landed, she could not wait to run to the room where her aunts usually stayed.
"Aunt Yun'an! Aunt Qingfeng! Aunt Yunting!"
She ran, calling out, undeterred by the lack of a response. Feeling weak, she clung to the walls and pillars, searching room by room, even the woodshed. She searched the entire nunnery, only to find no one. Suddenly, a gaping hole opened in her heart.
She swallowed her sobs, turned around with a sharp breath, and asked the person who had been following her angrily: "Where are my aunts?"
Qin Jingyao raised his hand to grab her waist, but before his fingertips could touch, she abruptly pulled away. His hand paused for a moment, then slowly withdrew, the faint smile on his face fading. He glanced at her and walked straight towards her bedroom.
Lan Nongnong couldn't feel at ease when she didn't see her aunts for a while. Even though she knew he was the one hiding the person, she had to lower her head and chase after him: "Where are the aunts? Where did you hide the person?"
"Qin Jingyao--"
If Qin Jingyao really wanted to walk faster, she would have to run to keep up with him at her current pace. She seemed to have to rest after every three steps, but she could still keep up with him.
Apart from the lack of attachment in her tone, the situation of chasing after him was actually no different from before.
It really is...nostalgic.
Qin Jingyao had a smile on his lips and leisurely led her to the side room.
An hour ago, the place had been emptied out, not even a piece of cloth was left. But he felt sorry for her and took back the order to rearrange it.
He waved his robe sleeves, turned around, and sat down steadily. He even had time to roll up his sleeves and pour two cups of tea. Then he raised his eyes to look at the woman who had just followed him, who was holding the door frame with one hand holding the collar, and gasping for breath.
"Qin Jingyao--"
"How—will you—tell me?"
Lan Nongnong's strength had reached its limit. Her vision was blacking out, her hand holding the door trembled violently, and her legs were so weak that she couldn't take another step. She struggled to raise her face, pale as snow, her eyes bloodshot and fatigued, her focus flickering. She felt so weak that she felt like she would collapse at any moment, yet she still fought to keep her eyes open, determined to get an answer.
Qin Jingyao's eyes darkened, and the slight joy he had felt before completely vanished. The monks and nuns were so anxious because they couldn't see her, but had they ever considered where she would leave him if she resolutely left?
Why was she so cruel to him alone? In her heart, he, her husband, was not as important as those monks and nuns?!
My heart felt like it was burning with fire, and my mind was full of questions, but in the end, they were no match for the words "I can't bear to let go".
A soft sigh drifted through the warm, silent room. Ripples of ink-black robes rippled, and the shaky woman was embraced in his arms. He inhaled her sweet fragrance, then carried her back to his seat and held a cup of warm tea to her purple lips.
Lan Nongnong was too weak to raise her hands. Her jaw was gently pinched, and her lips opened slightly. The warm water slid into her mouth and she swallowed it eagerly and greedily.
The tea that she couldn't swallow in time slid down the corners of her upturned lips, and by the time it disappeared into her clothes, it had condensed into ice beads, causing her to shiver and twitch.
"...call--"
This cup of tea was only enough for her to drink three or five times, barely enough to moisten her throat. Qin Jingyao wanted to feed her more, but she turned her head away. He was not surprised, put down the cup, and before she was about to speak, he took out a piece of origami from his waistband.
Before he could say anything, he saw her struggling to raise her hand to grab it, but unfortunately she was exhausted, and her fingertips fell down heavily before they could even move an inch.
I could only gasp and ask anxiously: "What is this?"
Qin Jingyao didn't try to be mysterious. He considerately unfolded the letter and held it in front of her, saying gently, "This is the letter that the abbot of Qingfeng Temple left before leaving. Would you like me to read it to you?"
Lan Nongnong wasn't so blind as to not even be able to read the words. The paper only had eight words on it: "Don't worry, Nongnong. Everything is fine."
The tense heart suddenly relaxed, the heat instantly made her eyes red, and her throat choked. But she was still worried, and blinked hard. The moment she confirmed that the handwriting was indeed Aunt Qingfeng's, the ecstasy of surviving a disaster came over her like a wave.
I suddenly felt dizzy, and just as the words to ask about his whereabouts came to my throat, I completely lost consciousness.
Qin Jingyao casually dropped the letter onto the table and rested his fingers on her wrist for a moment. His pulse was slow but steady. Her mind was stretched too thin. If she hadn't experienced this moment of great joy and sorrow, she would have found it difficult to rest. By then, the damage would have been truly fundamental, beyond any cure.
He stripped her and immersed her in warm water, his gaze examining every inch of her body. Her slender fingers were mostly blood-soaked, and her fingertips and palms were bruised with purple and red marks from heavy blows. Her forearms, elbows, shoulder blades, and even knees were covered in bruises, a horrifying sight.
What's worse, her whole body is icy cold. The so-called "ice skin and jade bones" has to come at such a price.
All the careful care taken over the past year was destroyed in an instant.
Qin Jingyao didn't dare let her soak for too long. He put his arms around her and carried her out. He took out a thick towel and wrapped her tightly. Then he stepped out of the bathtub and strode towards the bed which had already been warmed up.
The heater made the bedroom as warm as a spring room. He took off his wet clothes and dried himself hastily. He didn't care that the ends of his hair were still dripping with water. He tied her small clothes with his bare upper body and wrapped her wet hair. Then he took out the ointment and rubbed the blood bruises on her body bit by bit.
Then he dried her long hair and used a cold-dispelling incense burner to gently heat her head, wrists, soles of feet, etc.
He did these things slowly and methodically, his technique expertly executed. His face, save for the tenderness he felt when he touched the wound, was devoid of any shadow. Once he had her properly settled and had simply dried her hair, he climbed onto the bed in only his underwear.
His body was filled with vigorous energy and blood, like a warm stove; anyone who got close could feel the vibrant warmth. As soon as he entered the quilt, the woman, curled up in a ball of sleep, was drawn to him and leaned in, clinging to him tightly as if taking root.
Even on the warm couch and quilt, her whole body was still cold, as cold as ice to the touch.
Qin Jingyao was not afraid at all. He stretched out his arms and raised his legs, completely embracing his beloved in his arms, using his own warmth to dispel the coldness for her.
He never closed his eyes during this time. Whenever the heat from their contact waned, he would adjust his body slightly, wait for his body temperature to rise again, and then return to his original position. This cycle repeated over and over again, and he only wished he could hold her tightly in his chest, leaving no space.
---
According to the laws of the Sheng Dynasty, officials had three days off after New Year's Day.
On the second day of the first lunar month of this year, the sky was clear and snowless, and the sun shone brightly. Empress Guo, dignified yet kind, granted the imperial concubines permission to skip their formal greetings for three days. She also ordered the palace offices to rehearse three days of operas, allowing all concubines, regardless of rank, to attend and enjoy the performances and music.
The concubines, grateful for the Empress's kindness, beamed with joy. At the dawn of the new year, the palace was filled with peace and tranquility. The Empress's reputation for kindness grew with each passing year.
The emperor's health was poor and he seldom visited the harem. In spring and autumn, when the weather was pleasant, he would sometimes summon her for personal service, but during the extreme winter and summer, he would not visit the harem at all.
During the banquet yesterday, the emperor and empress left early. The emperor returned to Yide Hall with the empress. The couple talked about state affairs and family matters and then rested there.
The young prince also had three days off, so he went to the Empress's palace early to pay his respects and share the imperial meal. After the Emperor took the elixir, he asked the two for permission: "Father, Mother, I wish to leave the palace to visit my cousin. I hope you will grant me permission."
The Queen paused, and looked up at the sky, then glanced at the senior palace maid standing by. Seeing her shake her head slightly, her eyes darkened.
On this day in previous years, Gu Yan would enter the palace to pay his respects, out of gratitude for the Emperor and Empress's upbringing. But now, the sun rose, the sky was clear, yet no one was seen.
"...Your cousin is married now, so I'm afraid he won't have much free time. The people will surely be bustling with activity these days. If you wish to leave the palace, bring your guards and ask the tutors to accompany you."
As the hoarse, gruff voice fell, Empress Guo suddenly regained her composure and addressed the Crown Prince gently, "Your father is right. If your cousin had the leisure, he would have come to the palace to pay his respects. Since he hasn't arrived yet, it must be because something is going on at the palace. Please don't bother him."
After saying this, he pondered for a moment and added, "If you want to find your cousin in the future, send someone to arrange a meeting at the palace."
As soon as these words were spoken, the father and son of the royal family both heard the Queen's dissatisfaction with the woman and looked at each other.
Although the young prince didn't understand the magic of love between men and women, he was so happy to see his wise cousin accept it, willing to endure criticism. But then he thought, it's done, there's no point in dwelling on it. After all, he was just an insignificant person.
The emperor probably thought the same thing, shaking his head helplessly and saying, "It was fine in the past, but now that Gu Yan has started a family, things are naturally different. If Shunhua has any rewards, just send them to him. And, ahem, since we've already granted his wife the imperial decree, don't be too obsessed with it. When the Crown Prince marries, you can choose carefully."
Upon hearing the emperor's words, Empress Guo's brows tightened slightly, but her expression brightened slightly, and she felt relieved.
The emperor's health was declining, and he seemed to be placing more power in Gu Yan's hands. However, the more ailing an emperor became, the more he valued power. Haven't you heard that even a wise and accomplished emperor like the late emperor was reluctant to relinquish his sacred artifacts even in his old age?
Gu Yan, on the other hand, was young and vigorous, acting on behalf of the emperor. He seemed awe-inspiring, but in reality, he was walking on the edge of a knife, treading on thin ice. Therefore, his failure to pay his respects today, though seemingly a minor matter, would not arouse suspicion that he was overconfident and disrespecting the emperor's authority.
Avoiding the topic might lead to hidden dangers, so it would be better for her to express it through complaints.
The Crown Prince was still young, unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility, while the Emperor's days were numbered. A young ruler meant a nation in doubt, and this vast nation needed capable ministers who were devoted to them and their son.
Although there were honest and loyal ministers in the court, their talents were often limited and they were not up to the task of handling important matters. On the other hand, there were also many who loved to manipulate power and came from prominent families. These people often had great power and influence, which could easily lead to the ministers' power overcoming the emperor's authority.
Therefore, the only one who can shoulder this important responsibility and avoid being controlled by the aristocratic families in the future is Gu Yan.
Gu Inkstone, Solitary Inkstone,
A solitary minister, the emperor's pen and inkstone,
I just hope he won’t let down the profound meaning of the courtesy name given to him by the emperor.
"Your Majesty, when you say this, it makes me seem petty."
All these thoughts took only a moment to process. Empress Guo feigned annoyance and nodded in response, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will take the previous example of Gu Yan as a lesson. When the Crown Prince chooses a concubine, I will be a careful and careful judge."
After saying this, she couldn't help but frown and sighed, "It's not that I'm unforgiving, but that woman's family background is too low, and her frail health is well known throughout the capital. I'm worried about whether she can continue Gu Yan's family lineage. First, she has no family background to show for it, second, no talent to boast about, and third, no achievements to pass on the family line. She's so useless, yet she holds the imperial decree and is the most important woman in the capital. Truly, what virtue and ability does she have?"
She didn't mention her nephew's stupidity, but her words were filled with accusations. The emperor took a sip of tea and smiled, "What merits are there? Didn't the Empress approve it? Besides, as long as it doesn't interfere with official business, Shunhua shouldn't worry about their marital affairs."
The Crown Prince was still sitting beside her. The Queen sighed softly and did not pursue the matter any further. Just then, a palace maid outside the palace reported that a servant from the Shangshu Ling's residence requested an audience.
The emperor was still reclining on the couch. Empress Guo signaled her servant to come in, and she and the prince looked towards the palace door together.
Tongze bowed his head and walked slowly to the center of the hall. He knelt respectfully and kowtowed, holding a letter high in his hands. He said in a loud voice: "Your humble servant, by the order of Your Excellency, pays homage to Your Majesty, the Empress, and the Crown Prince. I respectfully wish the imperial power everlasting stability and long-lasting peace. I respectfully wish Your Majesty and Your Majesty good health and a long and prosperous reign. I respectfully wish Your Highness everlasting wisdom and everlasting health!"
Empress Guo nodded and had the letter taken and handed to the emperor personally, asking, "Why are you entering the palace? Where is your master?"
Tongze stood up, still bowing his head, and replied, "Your Majesty, last night after the master returned home, he wanted to seek a good omen for the new year, so he took his wife to Miaofeng Mountain to worship Buddha and pray for blessings. Unexpectedly, the snow became heavier along the way, and when we wanted to return, it was difficult to walk, so we stayed in the mountains for the night."
"I had originally planned to return to the palace this morning to pay my respects, but unexpectedly, my Lord suddenly caught a cold and was unable to get up. Fortunately, the monks in the temple are somewhat knowledgeable in medicine and have diagnosed it as a result of a cold wind that entered my body after drinking alcohol. They say it's not serious, but I urge you to avoid traveling or getting tired. Furthermore, I absolutely dare not bring my illness into the palace and offend the Emperor, so I have sent a servant to deliver this letter. As soon as my Lord recovers, I will personally come to the palace to apologize."
By the time he finished speaking, the emperor had already finished reading the letter. He seemed tired and closed his eyes slightly.
Empress Guo took the letter and glanced through it. The contents were identical to what the palace attendants had reported. Everyone in the know knew what Gu Yan had done yesterday when he left the table and returned. Furthermore, he practiced martial arts diligently and was in good health. How could he have caught a cold from drinking and traveling? It was his wife, on the other hand, who was frail and afraid of the cold, a fact known to everyone in the capital.
It goes without saying who caught the cold.
Such maintenance can be considered as responsible.
Empress Guo chuckled softly, a sound so low that only the emperor beside her could faintly hear it. She waved her hand, "Go back and tell your master that since he's ill, there's no need to rush. The court is closed for the next two days, so don't miss court."
The lack of further instructions revealed that the Empress was fully aware of the situation. Although she didn't blame him, she also didn't reward him, clearly indicating a lingering dissatisfaction.
However, she was soft-hearted and ordered the palace maids to get some warming and nourishing herbs and take them back.
The prince, however, showed great concern, saying that he would visit again after returning to the capital. Tongze bowed and accepted all the requests, then knelt and took his leave.
There were no outsiders in the palace. The prince chatted with the emperor and empress for a while, and after being allowed to leave, he also stood up and left the palace with his guards.
---
Lan Nongnong slept deeply and for a long time, as if she had escaped from a heavy yoke, her body light and her mind clear, her breaths brisk. However, she ached all over, especially in her fingers, and her stomach ached and felt weak, as if she hadn't eaten for a long time.
But she had no intention of caring about this. As soon as her eyes focused, before she could see her surroundings clearly, she blurted out, "Qin Jingyao!"
The man also sat up suddenly, but he had slept for a long time and was very hungry, so his body was weak and shaking violently. Before he fell down, he was embraced by a warm embrace.
A low, hoarse chuckle echoed in his ears at the same time: "Nong Nong, you can see me just by turning around. Why are you so anxious?"
Lan Nongnong suddenly turned around, ignoring his teasing. She supported herself with one hand, clutched his arm with the other, and asked with a stern face, "Where are my aunt and the others now?"
Qin Jingyao took in the anxiety in her eyes. He caught a glimpse of her fair shoulders as her clothes slipped down. He raised his hand to pull her clothes closer and said slowly, "You've slept for a whole day and night, and you caught a cold yesterday. You're weak. If you have anything to say, wait until you've had your meal and taken your medicine."
Lan Nongnong knew that in her current state, even if she had all sorts of ideas, it would be difficult to hold on. Furthermore, her weak spot was in his hands, so she couldn't afford to break up with him right now, let alone argue with him.
She took a deep breath, pushed him away, and was about to turn and get out of bed when a dark shadow suddenly passed by her side and her body turned in the direction it was in. When her vision cleared, she saw him squatting in front of the footstool, helping her put on her socks and shoes.
Lan Nongnong's breathing stagnated and she turned her eyes away, no longer looking.
She was now completely exhausted, so she had no choice but to let him dress her and comb her hair. After she finished washing, he half-carried her out of the bedroom. She didn't care whether the food was delicious or whether he had changed his clothes and returned, she just sat down to eat.
At first, her hands were so weak she could barely lift the spoon to her lips, but she shook her head, refusing Biyu's offer. Gathering a little strength, she reluctantly lowered the first mouthful of porridge into her mouth. A gentle warmth coursed through her body, instantly soothing the overwhelming hunger. She breathed a sigh of relief, suppressing her eagerness, chewing slowly to satisfy her stomach.
Although my hands and feet were still freezing, I felt a surge of strength. I finally had time to survey the sky, and was startled to find it was already dark outside the window. For some reason, my heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding.
Lan Nongnong took a deep breath, suppressed her worries, and ordered Biyu and the others to leave. Then she turned and looked at the man who had finished his meal and was washing his hands.
"Now, you can tell me."
Qin Jingyao dropped his soft towel and rose to sit at the main seat on the inner side. A servant, having heard the noise, tiptoed in, lowered his head, and removed the cups and plates from the table. Another servant quickly changed the tablecloth. Biyu and Qingluo each brought tea and fruit, gently set them down, and after a formal greeting, quietly withdrew.
"Before that,"
His voice was steady, but his eyes were like the abyss. "Nong Nong, do you have anything to say to me about what happened yesterday?"
Lan Nongnong smiled meaninglessly, then slowly sat down on a nearby chair. She looked up at him and said bluntly, "Everything is as you expected. Why bother asking questions when you already know the answer? Just tell me what you want."
Qin Jingyao shook his head slightly, leaned back in his chair, raised his chin slightly, and looked down at him with a sudden sense of oppression: "Why are you still running?"
He asked casually, but Lan Nongnong couldn't answer from the heart. She tilted her head, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, her brows furrowed in a struggle. When she opened her eyes again, her dark pupils were bright and filled with anger. "Why?"
She sneered and slammed the table, standing up. "Because I can't let go of this knot in my heart! I carry this knot with me day and night, and it gets heavier day by day, until it's suffocating me! I just want to leave, to go somewhere where no one recognizes me and breathe!"
However, before she could finish her words, tears had already burst out. Her throat trembled, and when she spoke again, she choked and sobbed, "Just because I marry you, can I no longer do what I want? I don't like this oppressive capital city. I don't like being criticized and talked about..."
As she spoke, anger welled up again. She suddenly raised her eyes and glared at him. She grabbed the teacups on the table and threw them at his feet one after another: "How dare you question me! What are you doing sending people to monitor and follow me? I am your wife, not your prisoner! You don't respect me at all. Your relatives reject me and despise me. Everyone who knows you thinks I am not worthy of you! Only my aunts don't dislike me, but you still want to hurt them! It's obviously all your fault..."
She cried so hard that her eyes, lips and nose turned red, which made her scolding less powerful and instead filled her with a sense of grievance and pity.
Qin Jingyao knew that her preemptive claims were just empty words, but her tears were real, and the pain in her eyes was genuine. She was the one he'd desperately wanted to keep by his side, the one he wanted to be with through thick and thin. How could he bear to see her so heartbroken?
The veins on the back of his hand gripping the armrest bulged, his waist and back tensed, his throat rolled for a moment, but he didn't move. The corners of his robe and boots were soaked with water, and the toes were stained with porcelain chips. He pretended not to notice, and his expression did not change. Only when he spoke, his voice was hoarse.
"Then what should I do so that Nong Nong can let go of the knot in her heart?"
It goes against her education and goes against her values. How could she possibly let go of such a matter of principle?
If she ignores his evil deeds and discards and tramples on principles just because he is good to her, then she will abandon herself who sticks to her original heart, and what is left is just a despicable person who only knows how to enjoy himself and cannot distinguish right from wrong!
A burning pain suddenly flared up under her ten fingernails. Lan Nongnong held onto the edge of the table and slowly sat down. She tilted her head, tears streaming down her face. "In life, everyone has their own ways and their own limits. I don't want to explain this to you again. Just as you insist on something and can't let it go, so do I."
Qin Jingyao didn't understand and couldn't comprehend why she was so obsessed with these details.
What people want is nothing more than power, wealth, fame, money and sex. Even though he lied to her first, he still gave her everything that people want, including love.
It was not until this moment that he suddenly realized that her love for him was far less than her so-called persistence.
Or maybe, before the truth was revealed, she might not have loved him as much as she appeared to love him.
If you love deeply, how can you not forgive?
The bottom line is that she doesn't love him.
The veins on the back of his clenched hands moved like snakes, and the solid wooden armrests creaked under the weight.
Qin Jingyao suddenly let go, his chest heaving several times. He closed his eyes slightly, the corners of his lips raised in a smile, then sat up straight and looked up at her: "So, no matter how I try to make amends, it will be of no use to Nongnong?"
Lan Nongnong's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively sensed danger. She swallowed softly, her expression blank, and her voice vague and uncertain: "I don't know, I don't know either."
She suddenly looked up to meet him and asked tearfully, "Tell me, how can I have both?"
A low laugh suddenly rang out, and Qin Jingyao raised his right hand, his expression gentle and coaxing: "Nong Nong just needs to love me, and we can have both."
Lan Nongnong looked at the hand. She knew that as long as she walked over and held it, she would pass this level.
And this was exactly the result she expected.
As night falls, the whistling sound of the cold wind is blocked by the thick curtains.
The white warm boots stepped over the water-stained debris on the ground.
Qin Jingyao's raised hand remained motionless, but a barely perceptible frown crossed his brow. He clasped his hands together, his gaze shifting upwards, and pulled the woman who had approached him closer.
He examined her hands first. After a day and night of application of the ointment, the separation between the nail and the flesh had healed, but the nail surface was still sticking together, a tender red stain from the previous fall. He cupped her slender fingers in his palm to warm them, leaning back against the chair. She was forced to lean forward, her knees against the edge to steady herself, as if throwing herself into his arms.
His five fingers caressed her face, his thumb rubbing the corner of her lavender lips. He lowered his eyes and asked softly, "Did your lips and teeth hurt when you were eating just now?"
Lan Nongnong's hands were bound, and the strain on her waist and neck from leaning forward and looking up caused her to ache. She subconsciously pursed her lips, but didn't intend to reply. Just as she was about to bring up the whereabouts of her aunts, he had already pushed her lips away.
She subconsciously tried to close her lips, but she accidentally met his gaze. Her throat choked, her eyelashes trembled a few times, and she finally endured this almost humiliating action.
"It's much better than last night. I'll have to bear with you for the next few days and let you eat some soft food first. When you feel better, I'll do whatever you want."
When her lips were closed, Lan Nongnong felt her mind go numb. Someone bumped her leg lightly, and her knees suddenly softened. Before she could come to her senses, she fell down. She didn't hear what he said at all, but only remembered what she had to do. She took a deep breath, looked at him with tears in her eyes, and said in a hoarse voice,
"Where are my aunts?"
Qin Jingyao lingered his fingertips on her dimples and chuckled softly, "Nong Nong, you should know that people always have to pay the price for their mistakes."
"Qin Jingyao!"
Lan Nongnong was suddenly furious, but her body was held tightly and she could not move. She was about to curse, but she was suddenly choked by his next words with a smile.
"If Nong Nong behaves well, everything will be fine."
Qin Jingyao saw her eyes were tightly closed, lips were tightly pursed, jaw was tense, chest was heaving, she looked like she was enduring humiliation and bearing a heavy burden. He did not feel happy at all, but when he spoke, his voice seemed to be filled with tenderness.
"Yesterday, on New Year's Day, you and I should have been together happily. When Nongnong left, she promised me to pick her up, but she broke her promise to me. Madam, how do you want to make it up to me?"
It had only been half an hour since she woke up, but Lan Nongnong felt like it had been a year. She didn't want to waste time on this seemingly ambiguous entanglement, so she suppressed her restlessness and looked at him, "What do you want?"
Qin Jingyao loosened his hands and no longer restrained her. He rested his arms lazily on the armrests. His eyes wandered over her lips for a moment, but he smiled without saying a word.
Lan Nongnong, who had just straightened up, suddenly froze in place, and the hatred and anger that she had suppressed in her heart burst out again!
The whereabouts of her aunts were unknown, and she was extremely worried, but he kept avoiding the topic! However, this was not even the most important thing -
"Do you know what you're talking about?"
Lan Nongnong spoke slowly, her eyes blazing with fire as her voice grew louder. "This is the nunnery! The front hall houses a Buddha statue. It's a place for the nuns to practice meditation!"
"You are insulting Buddha, and even more so, you are insulting me!"
Qin Jingyao replied calmly, "Buddhism teaches that it is better to demolish a temple than to destroy a marriage. If you and I can reconcile here, that would be what the Buddha would be pleased to see."
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