Chapter 87 "Baby, you absolutely mustn't let me down..."
Yan Jiarou finally felt sleepy. Before going to sleep, Xiao Che placed a brocade pouch beside her pillow, kissed her forehead affectionately, and whispered, "Baby, do you remember what I told you before, that the Lanling people all have a fatal weakness?"
"Although I only have half Lanling blood, I resemble my mother in appearance and eye color. Naturally, I have also inherited Lanling blood in other areas, including my vital points. Knowing a Lanling person's vital points allows one to easily kill him."
“Now that we have come to this... there is nothing I cannot give you. I will write down my vital point and put it in a brocade pouch. If I ever betray you in the future, you can open the pouch at any time and use my vital point to kill me.”
Yan Jiarou was about to fall asleep, but Xiao Che kept kissing her, making her a little ticklish, so she was forced awake. Just then, she heard him whispering secrets about the Lanling tribe in her ear, and she couldn't help but laugh: "Brother, I never said I was worried that you would betray me in the future, why did you tell me this..."
"Although you didn't say it, I wanted to give it to you. Baby, I just want you to know that you chose me, and I will never let you down. I will never disappoint you."
Yan Jiarou traced his handsome features with her fingertips, momentarily lost in thought: "Brother," she smiled sweetly, her dimples appearing and disappearing on her cheeks, "I believe in you."
She seemed to have never doubted that Xiao Che would betray her.
From childhood to adulthood, his gaze always seemed to linger on her.
She used to think he disliked her, which was why he paid extra attention to her every move, hoping to find an opportunity to tease her. But ever since she learned of his feelings for her, everything in the past has become traceable.
He seemed to like her even more than she had imagined.
He liked her so much that it felt like he was born to love her.
With Xiao Che like this, she naturally wouldn't suspect that he would betray her.
But since the topic had come up, she thought of herself and casually asked with a smile, "What if I betrayed you, brother? What would you do to me?"
Xiao Che's eyelids twitched.
He didn't speak, but slowly narrowed his eyes.
An eerie silence fell over the air.
Yan Jiarou felt a chill run down her spine, and for a moment she felt a sense of dread.
Instinct told her that danger was approaching, and she turned to hide on the inside of the bed. But she had only moved half an inch when a large hand pressed down on her waist. Xiao Che's strength was astonishing. With his hand on her waist, she could not break free at all. With a gentle pull, she was back under him.
Xiao Che's large hands caressed her slender, supple waist. Her porcelain-white skin was plump and smooth, with an excellent feel: "Royal sister, didn't you want to know how I should treat you if you were the one who betrayed true feelings?"
"Why are you trying to run away before even hearing an answer?"
Even if Yan Jiarou was slow-witted, she could tell that Xiao Che was angry. Once he got angry, who knew how he would punish her?
Indeed, some jokes are acceptable, while others are not.
Her eyes reddened, and she looked at him pitifully, her voice trembling as she said, "I was wrong, brother, no...no more, I don't want to hear it anymore..."
“Baby, this method is useless now.” He pinched her delicate chin and lifted it slightly: “Listen—”
“If one day you betray me,” his voice deepened, and he leaned closer to her, whispering in her ear, “I will imprison you, chain your hands and feet, and then fuck you to death day and night.”
Yan Jiarou couldn't help but shiver and let out a low sob.
"Are you scared?" Xiao Che gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, but his tone carried a chilling gloom: "Then, whatever you do, don't let me down."
——
The little girl was startled and stared blankly for a while, but eventually couldn't resist the overwhelming sleepiness, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.
She hadn't been asleep for long when she suddenly felt a strange sensation coming from below.
Amidst the discomfort, a mixture of joy and pleasure arose within her. Thinking she was dreaming, she couldn't help but hum softly in response.
Then a soft laugh suddenly sounded from beneath her, a slightly cool voice: "Royal sister, you're awake?"
I'm awake? Or was it not a dream?
Yan Jiarou jolted awake and suddenly opened her eyes.
Looking down, she saw that the person crouching between her twin legs was none other than Xiao Che.
Yan Jiarou rubbed her sleepy eyes and mumbled, "It's really my brother..."
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow: "What, there are fakes out there?"
"Hmm, I thought I was dreaming again..."
"Chunmeng?" Xiao Che chuckled softly. "Royal sister, you won't even leave me alone in my dreams? What, were you not satisfied just now?"
Yan Jiarou's earlobes turned red instantly: "You, you shouldn't say that..."
Xiao Che indeed stopped talking and continued working. Yan Jiarou's face flushed red, and she bit her lip tightly, saying, "Brother... what... what are you doing..."
Xiao Che paused, looked up and smiled, "Can't you feel it? I'm applying medicine to the baby."
"Apply...apply medicine?"
"Didn't you say it's swollen? Of course, you need to apply medicine to make it heal faster."
Yan Jiarou's face flushed instantly, the blush spreading to her chest, and she begged for mercy, "No...no need, I...I'm not hurt..."
"Of course I know you're not injured." A slender, pale finger reached into the porcelain jar, scooped out a small amount of ointment, and wiped it away.
"Baby, how could I let you get hurt? But not being hurt is one thing, applying medicine is another. Since... of course, medicine needs to be applied, especially since you are..."
Yan Jiarou's thick eyelashes trembled slightly, her eyes were red-rimmed, and her gaze was misty with tears. She forced herself to say, "Then... then alright..."
"Baby is so good."
Halfway through administering the medicine, Xiao Che suddenly clicked his tongue.
Yan Jiarou raised her flushed little face and said in a trembling voice, "Wh...what happened..."
Xiao Che chuckled softly.
"Baby, you... I can't apply the medicine anymore..." Dear reviewer, I've deleted everything down to just a period, why is my post still locked? Can't the male lead apply medicine to the female lead?
He leaned closer to her and teased her in her ear, "Was it on purpose... on purpose, to prevent me from applying the medicine, hmm?"
Yan Jiarou was extremely ashamed. She didn't know why. She felt utterly humiliated and shook her head, crying, "No... I didn't mean to..."
Xiao Che smiled slowly, lowering his head to gently kiss her rosy lips: "I know baby didn't mean it, baby was just too greedy, that's why..."
As he spoke, he slowly reached down and angrily deleted five hundred words.
Xiao Che smiled and, as if it were commonplace, wiped her mouth and nose before properly applying the medicine.
——
Yan Jiarou didn't know how long she had slept, but in her drowsy state, she heard people talking. Judging from the voices, it was Xiao Che and Xue Zhi.
The two were standing at the door. The room was small and quiet at the time, so Yan Jiarou could only hear them talking intermittently. It seemed to be about Xiao Yan.
Xue Zhi said, "Master, as you instructed, we have sent one hundred taels of gold to the Xue family, saying it was a token of the Second Prince's goodwill."
"One hundred gold coins, which is exactly the price Miss Hua Yao listed that day."
"That night, because of Xue Run's commotion, the money was never spent."
"Although it was the young master who caused trouble first, the second prince said that he had mistakenly killed the young master. The young master's life cannot be let off lightly. The hundred gold coins that have not yet been spent can be used to make amends. It is not a waste. The young master was infatuated with Miss Hua Yao when he was alive. After his death, he received a hundred gold coins that had a close connection with her. He should feel comforted."
Xue Zhi said, "Master, I will say it as you instructed."
Yan Jiarou was very sleepy and only managed to stay awake for a few minutes before falling asleep again. Just before falling asleep, she vaguely sensed something was amiss: Wasn't Third Brother supposed to help Second Brother settle this matter? Why did Xue Zhi's words sound less apologetic and more like an attempt to provoke him?
But she was still drowsy and her mind wasn't very clear, so she couldn't think things through carefully. Besides, she didn't consider herself very smart, far less so than Xiao Che. She figured that if he did that, he must have his reasons, so she didn't think much of it.
——
Xue Zhi continued to report, "Master's prediction was correct. After hearing what I said, the Cui family members all turned ashen-faced. Cui Yu even waved his hand and overturned the lacquer tray containing one hundred gold pieces, shouting, 'Is my Run'er's life only worth a mere one hundred gold pieces? The Second Prince is really going too far!' It seems that he will not let this go."
Xiao Che curled his lips into a smile, lowered his head and stroked the white jade thumb ring on his hand: "You won't let this go so easily?"
His eyes narrowed, and he said, "That's exactly what I want—he won't let this go!"
"Although Cui Yu has retired, he still has protégés in the court. Since he is unwilling to give up easily, he will naturally use his connections and impeach Xiao Yan at all costs."
"Just wait and see, there's going to be a good show after we get back to Beijing."
He said, "News has come from the capital that Xiao Jue has fallen from his horse and is seriously injured; he will likely be crippled."
"How can a useless person be fit for the position of crown prince?"
"As for my good second brother, he has committed murder, is morally flawed, and is also guilty of fratricide, so he is ineligible for the position of crown prince."
He slowly raised his head, his long eyebrows slightly furrowed, and closed his eyes deeply: Mother, your child is getting closer and closer to the position you envisioned. If you are watching from heaven, will you be happy?
——
As Xiao Che entered the living room, a teacup engraved with intertwined branches shattered right in front of his boot.
He raised an eyebrow, looked up at Xiao Yan sitting in the central armchair, and said with a half-smile, "Second Brother, who has made you angry again?"
"Who? It's that bitch Hua Yao!"
Xiao Che frowned slightly, then calmly sat down beside him: "Miss Hua Yao?"
"Is it still about that night at the Wan Hua Lou where Xue Run was mistakenly killed? But Second Brother, didn't you entrust this matter to me? Why are you still bothering with this?"
“Third brother, since you've settled the Xue family matter for me, I naturally won't bother with it anymore. But Hua Yao… speaking of which, I'm still furious. Actually, I've felt something was off about this matter for a while now. When Xue Run came to see me, he seemed like a madman, behaving strangely, as if he had taken some kind of drug that could drive people insane. That's why he became unusually agitated and aggressive, while also reacting very slowly…”
"That's why he changed his usual behavior, dared to talk back and provoke me, but didn't avoid my blows, and eventually died at my hands."
"Plus, he swore back then that Hua Yao had a date with him that night, and that I had stolen her away. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked so indignant that it didn't seem like he was faking it..."
"I suspected that someone was behind this, and Hua Yao was that person's pawn."
"Originally, I was just guessing. After all, I always cherish beautiful women, so why would I interrogate them? Who knew that Hua Yao would dare to tease me? She was so enthusiastic just a few days ago, but when I went to see her again yesterday, she looked like a dead person. It's obvious that something fishy is going on!"
"This is the first time I've been played like this by a woman. I immediately took her back for interrogation, determined to force out who was behind it all. It's most likely Xiao Jue!"
"Who knew that Hua Yao, who looked so gentle and weak, was actually a tough woman. Women cherish their appearance the most. I slashed her face, but she didn't say a word. I really didn't know what to do with her."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Che paused in his tea-pouring motion.
He slowly put down his teacup, looked up at Xiao Yan and said, "Second Brother, let her go."
Xiao Yan was taken aback: "Third brother, what did you say?"
"She was the most beautiful courtesan in the Wan Hua Lou. Her appearance was of utmost importance. Now that you have slashed her face, the Wan Hua Lou will never tolerate her again. She has nowhere to stand, nowhere to stay, and nothing to rely on. If you want to vent your anger, Second Brother, wouldn't her current fate be more satisfying than death?"
"Often, death is not the most terrifying thing. When dealing with Xiao Jue, Second Brother understood this very well, didn't he?"
"Since we can't get her to talk, let her go. Surely Second Brother's hands aren't really stained with a woman's blood?"
Xiao Yan's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes shifting several times, but he finally waved his hand and said, "Forget it, Third Brother is right. She's ended up like this, neither human nor ghost, and I've vented my anger. After all, she was a woman I once had my eye on, and I don't want to be too ruthless. Over the years, I've always been lenient with the women around me, so there's no need to make an exception for her."
"Alright, third brother, I'll go back and release her. Whether she lives or dies after that is none of my business."
——
Outside a villa outside the city.
A light drizzle fell like silk threads. Xiao Che wore a long robe of smoky blue after the rain, holding an oil-paper umbrella in his hand. Rain dripped slowly down the ridge of the umbrella, which was tilted slightly, revealing the young man's incomparably handsome face.
He bowed and handed a copper box to the young maid with her hair in double buns, saying, "This contains the land deed for this courtyard and some silver notes. The amount of silver notes is enough for you and your young lady to live comfortably for the rest of your lives. Since she does not want to see me, please pass this on to her."
The maid took the box, glanced at him several times, and stammered, "I...I understand, thank you, young master."
Xiao Che nodded slightly, said "No need," and turned to leave.
The young maid stared blankly at him, then suddenly realized what he meant and remembered Hua Yao's instructions. She quickly called out to him, "Young master, wait!"
Xiao Che turned around: "Is there anything else?"
The maidservant quickly took out an embroidered handkerchief from her bosom and handed it to Xiao Che, saying, "Young master, this is a gift from my young lady. She said... she said she was unwell and could not come to see you. But after today's parting, she fears we will never meet again. She and you have known each other for a while, so she is giving you this handkerchief that she sewed herself as a keepsake."
Xiao Che frowned slightly but did not reach out to take it.
Upon seeing this, the maid immediately said, "Miss said that if you cherish the kindness she showed by risking her disfigurement to avoid confessing to you, then please accept it."
Xiao Che's eyes flickered slightly, but he still reached out and took it: "Okay."
He held the embroidered handkerchief in his hand, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the words "Hua Yao" were embroidered on one corner of the handkerchief, which was extremely exquisite and meticulous.
——
The maid returned to her room and saw Hua Yao leaning against the window with a forlorn expression, staring blankly as Xiao Che left.
She only looked away and lowered her eyes sadly when his figure had completely disappeared from sight.
Hongyu walked up behind her, draped the cloak over her shoulders, and sighed softly, "Miss, Hongyu doesn't understand. Since you are so reluctant to part with him, why did you refuse to see him when he came to visit?"
Hua Yao reached out and touched the hideous scar on her face that stretched from the corner of her eye to the corner of her lip. A bitter smile appeared on her lips as she said self-deprecatingly, "See him? Do you think I don't want to? But look at me now, neither human nor ghost. How can I face him?"
"You've seen what kind of person he is just now. Even before my appearance was ruined, I felt ashamed in front of him, let alone now with this disfigured face. Why scare him?"
"Although we part today and may never see each other again, I would rather not cherish this last farewell. I only ask that the embroidered handkerchief can stay with him for a long time. I can see that he keeps his promise. Perhaps many years later, when he is sorting through his old things and finds that embroidered handkerchief, and happens to think of me, I hope that I will still look like the first time we met in my memory, and not like this horrifying and disfigured face I have now."
Hongyu was speechless for a moment after hearing this, and after a long while, only a soft sigh was heard.
——
Hua Yao sat by the window, holding an embroidery hoop in her hand, embroidering something with her head down.
Hongyu stood behind her and couldn't help but crane her neck to look. She saw that there were two lines of text.
It's like a line of poetry.
Hongyu looked closely and couldn't help but murmur aloud: "Facing the scenery, I idly pour wine from the silver jar; gazing at the flowers, I think of the people of the Jade Capital."
Hua Yao suddenly paused. Hong Yu's slightly childish voice seemed to become blurred and indistinct, gradually fading away, and was replaced by a man's clear and pleasant voice.
Like shattered jade falling onto a plate, the wind rustling through the bamboo grove.
He smiled slightly and said, "Gazing at the scenery, I idly pour wine from the silver jar; admiring the flowers, I think of the people of the Jade Capital—is this Miss Hua Yao?"
She remembers looking up in a daze at that moment.
A fleeting glimpse.
From then on, he fell into a demonic state.
The rain outside the window finally started to pour down harder.
Suddenly, Hua Yao burst into tears.
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