Chapter 51 Waiting for Her Return It's been many days since I last saw her. Did she miss me?
For several days in a row, Hangzhou was shrouded in dark clouds and gloom.
Shen Chun indeed obtained the blueprints from Shen Mingshu.
Now that the battle is imminent and the two sides are about to clash, he quickly deployed his troops according to the blueprints, intending to fight a desperate battle.
When Pei Xiaoyun heard that Shen Chun had obtained the blueprints, his expression remained calm, showing no fear whatsoever, like a mountain standing firmly.
He also personally executed several soldiers who were afraid of the enemy and deserted in the face of battle, in order to deter the army's morale.
He was thinking that Shen Chun was covering up Shen Mingshu's whereabouts, and the blueprints in his hands must have been given to him by Shen Mingshu as part of a deal.
Even if Shen Mingshu knew that Lin Xian was still alive and had found him first, and that this drawing was done by Lin Xian, so what?
He wiped the blood from his sword, uttering a few cold words: "So what if he has the blueprints? I can still take his head and reclaim Hangzhou. Those who fear battle will be killed without mercy!"
The battle raged on, and the people sent to search for Mingying's whereabouts made no progress.
Pei Xiaoyun understood that Hangzhou was under lockdown, and she was under a spell, so she couldn't have gone far and must still be hiding somewhere in the city with Shen Mingshu.
He seemed to realize something, and his eyes lit up: "Go and check all the clinics. Has anyone been frequently seeking medical advice or treating women lately?"
After Shen Mingshu sees Mingying, he will surely notice something is wrong with her and try to ask a doctor to treat her.
He sneered, "Can it be cured? This curse has no cure."
From the moment he made up his mind to plant the seed for her, he never thought about undoing it.
The scouts immediately went to investigate and reported back the next morning.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have checked the well-known clinics in the city. It is said that ten days ago, a man invited several doctors to make house calls to treat the women in his family."
Pei Xiaoyun was looking at the troop deployment map. The ship swayed with the waves, but he stood upright, as immovable as a mountain.
Upon hearing this, his expression shifted slightly, but his wrist trembled: "We've found the person, so don't act rashly."
She tried to escape time and time again, but he was determined to win her over each time.
He was tired of the cat-and-mouse game.
He doesn't like to force people; he wants her to come back to him personally.
Recently, Hangzhou has been experiencing continuous heavy rain.
Mingying lay in bed for several days before getting up. She became increasingly sensitive to cold, with icy hands and feet. When she sat in front of the stove to warm herself, her lips turned pale as wax.
Shen Mingshu put on a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, his face was also weak, and his body was more hunched than usual. He gave Mingying a few instructions and then went out.
This morning, Hangzhou opened its city gates.
Considering the ongoing war and the limited number of people allowed to leave the city each day, he feared that Pei Xiaoyun might have spies at the city gates, so he could only go out to scout ahead.
"Brother." Mingying struggled to her feet, her breath weak yet carrying a certain weight. "I made noodles. Eat them before you go."
Shen Mingshu glanced back at the steaming noodles on the table and nodded.
He ate very slowly, perhaps because he looked too haggard to eat, but the corners of his eyes always turned up.
Mingying realized something, and was overwhelmed by guilt, tears falling uncontrollably.
"Don't cry, brother is alright." Shen Mingshu smiled slightly at her, wiped away her tears with his fingertips, and said in a deep voice, "I will definitely avenge you."
Mingying suddenly hugged his arm, "I want to go home."
“I want to go home too.” Shen Mingshu touched the top of her head. “Once things are settled here, we’ll go back to Yangzhou.”
He was tired of being on the battlefield. Once he had settled the score with Pei Xiaoyun and everything was settled, he would take her back to their old home.
After finishing his noodles, Shen Mingshu took the umbrella and left, his figure obscured by the misty rain.
Once the city gates were opened, many people from other places who had been stranded in Hangzhou were released from the city.
Shen Mingshu lowered his straw hat and stood at the city gate for a while, observing that it was mostly ordinary people coming and going. He looked around but did not find any suspicious spies.
He understood that he needed to leave the city as soon as possible; the longer he delayed, the more likely things would go wrong.
He remembered the promise he made to the cloaked man that day, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes.
He would first take Aying to the capital and settle her in. Once Pei Xiaoyun and Shen Chun were both severely injured, he would then lead his troops south from the capital by waterway to avenge this grudge!
Thinking this, I quickened my pace to get home.
They need to get out of the city before nightfall today.
Suddenly, a stone, seemingly thrown from nowhere, splashed into the puddle at my feet.
His robes were splashed with water, and he instantly became alert. He noticed something tied to the stone, picked it up, and untied it; it was a piece of soaking wet brown paper.
Upon seeing the contents, his pupils constricted sharply, and he turned and headed towards the Pei residence.
—
The charcoal fire in the basin burned out, leaving only a handful of black ash, and the sky darkened.
When Mingying didn't see her brother return, she was extremely anxious and paced restlessly around the room.
As night fell, she took her umbrella and opened the door.
The moment the door opened, an arrow flew in, circling her brow and embedding itself in the wooden door frame.
Her fingertips suddenly felt cold, her body felt as if it were being coiled by a venomous snake, and many unpleasant memories flooded her mind.
His gaze slowly moved upwards, and when he saw the arrow, it was as if he saw a cold, sinister face.
She closed her eyes and instantly knew that everything was over.
She grasped the arrow, removed the thing hanging from the fletching, unfolded it, and her heart pounded wildly.
The note read: If you want him to live, come back and beg me.
Pei Xiaoyun returned to his residence, changed into an elegant blue casual robe, and saw dappled shadows reflected in the candlelight.
The rain curtain hangs heavy under the eaves, and the lamplight flickers.
He sat calmly, listening to the rain, leisurely sipping tea, as if waiting for someone who hadn't returned in a long time.
In the distance, through the white curtain of rain, a slender figure gradually became clear.
Upon seeing the person approaching, the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile.
"Hurry up and hold an umbrella for the master." He winked at Zisu beside him.
Zisu's expression changed, replaced by an ingratiating smile, as if nothing had happened, and she opened her umbrella and walked towards Mingying.
"Girl, you're finally back! Your master has been very worried about you these past few days."
No one dared to mention her disappearance.
In a simple sentence, it paints a rosy picture.
Mingying was soaked to the bone by the rain, her hair plastered to her face, thick and sticky, and her eyes were red from the rain.
The umbrella shields the rain curtain above the head.
She said nothing, letting Zisu hold the umbrella for her, and walked unsteadily towards Pei Xiaoyun step by step.
The corridor was filled with the steam of tea, and behind the bustling white mist was his sharp and distinct face.
She exhausted all her strength and stammered, "Release my brother."
"It's been so long, have you missed me?"
Pei Xiaoyun's voice became clearer after being moistened by the tea. Looking into her still dull and lifeless eyes, the sense of control he had over her gave him great pleasure.
Therefore, he could forgive her for this deception.
She was under the influence of the curse, so she couldn't possibly have planned these things.
He had already discovered that it was Shen Mingshu who had been incredibly audacious, using that troupe of acrobats to sneak into his residence and make contact with her.
Perhaps he arranged to meet her on East Street that day so that he could rescue her.
But it doesn't matter, she'll forget about Shen Mingshu soon enough.
He will be the only one in her world.
And he will be devoted to her, and no one hateful will bother them anymore.
Ignoring her soaked clothes, he poured her a cup of hot tea, pried her fingers apart one by one, and placed them in her palm. "Are you cold? Here, have a cup of hot tea."
Mingying let go, the cup fell to the ground, and hot tea splashed all over the floor.
"Where is my brother?" Her voice was deep and heavy.
Pei Xiaoyun was stunned for a moment, and was about to speak when someone came to report.
The man remained silent for a moment, mindful of Mingying's presence.
“Speak,” Pei Xiaoyun said.
"Master, we failed to capture Shen Mingshu; he escaped."
Mingying loosened her clenched fist and exhaled.
Pei Xiaoyun frowned slightly, her expression showing a hint of shock. Seeing Ming Ying finally relieved, she suddenly smiled and said, "If he ran away, he ran away. Don't chase after him anymore. If he comes to visit openly next time, I will certainly welcome him."
Mingying will be his alone sooner or later. He's too lazy to bother with Shen Mingshu, and he can at least do her a favor and get some good looks in return.
Inside the room, the overwhelming warmth made Mingying feel suffocated.
I left here only a few dozen days ago, and now I'm back again after all this time.
The candlelight was dim, and two neatly dressed figures were tucked together.
Mingying did not resist, leaning against the man's chest, feeling his hand stroking her wrung-out hair, and listening to his calm yet unyielding voice.
"Stop running away. Soon, I will take you back to the capital and marry you in grand style."
The hatred that rose in her eyes transformed into a roaring torrent, swallowing up his words.
The night she returned was the most peaceful night Pei Xiaoyun slept.
There were no storms at sea, no rocking of the ship, only the comforting aura emanating from her.
The mansion was built near the estuary, and at the crack of dawn, Mingying was awakened by the sounds of gunfire rising and falling.
The situation at sea is urgent. After Shen Chun obtained the topographical map, his morale soared. Pei Xiaoyun must board the ship today to personally oversee the operation and command the deployment.
He saw Mingying slowly open her eyes, knowing she had been woken up. As he gazed intently at her face, he suddenly met her unfathomable dark eyes.
That was supposed to be his gaze, but for some reason, his breathing became slightly short, and he seemed somewhat dazed.
"Sleep a little longer." He pressed against her chest through the quilt.
Mingying remained calm and composed. "It's too noisy; I can't sleep."
Pei Xiaoyun paused for a moment, then took out the sachet from under the bed and stared at her: "Why is this under the bed? Is it yours?"
He had seen Lin Xian carrying this sachet when he was chasing them in Xiangzhou.
He could recognize her embroidery skills even if it were burned to ashes.
He was meticulous; ever since the day she was kidnapped, he had been investigating the mansion and discovered that Shen Mingshu had sneaked into the mansion, as well as the sachet under the bed.
It must have been Shen Mingshu who secretly slipped it to her back then, to tell her that Lin Xian was still alive.
He stared at her like a prey, not missing a single subtle expression on her face.
Mingying simply followed his words, glanced at the sachet, and shook her head: "I don't know, is this mine?"
His words were calm and ordinary, without a trace of lingering nostalgia.
Or rather, there is no memory belonging to this thing at all.
Pei Xiaoyun toyed with the ribbon of the sachet between her fingers, a smile blooming on her lips. She released her fingers, and the sachet arced through the air before landing in the glowing red-hot charcoal brazier.
"Such mundane items probably don't belong to you. They were likely left behind by a servant while making the bed."
The red-hot coals ignited the cloth, sending up flames and wisps of black smoke.
Mingying nodded, her eyelids opening and closing slightly.
Pei Xiaoyun smiled and stroked her chin with his hand. "If you can't sleep, get up. I'll take you on the boat when it gets dark."
He had to go to the front lines, so he couldn't return home frequently. Similarly, he was worried about leaving Mingying alone at home. Shen Mingshu was cunning and difficult to guard against, so he simply couldn't be in two places at once.
"What are you going to do on the ship?" Mingying asked him.
"War." Pei Xiaoyun looked at her. "Are you afraid?"
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Author's Note: Due to pacing issues, these chapters can't be combined into one. I'll update more frequently later. [crying emoji][crying emoji]
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