Chapter 20: A love triangle between Tao, Li, and Lu + Lu's initiation of a deep kiss...
Qin Song was locked in the courtyard, with her bodyguards protecting her tightly. It was unknown how the rumors had escalated to this point.
As she lay in bed, her mind wandered, sometimes thinking about how to get her father out, sometimes about how to deal with the Winter Solstice Banquet, and sometimes about her original eight concubines...
The old world was better; you could just play with men. But not here. Playing with two men got her father involved.
Unfortunately, she hasn't managed to get her hands on a single one yet!
As she was sighing, Yun Qian called her to get up and greet the guest, "Miss, Miss Tao the Second has arrived and is in the garden."
When Qin Song finished tidying up and came out, Tao Yao saw that there was still a faint bruise on the corner of her mouth and couldn't help but grit her teeth: "That bastard Lei Heyang, I really want to kill him with my own hands!"
"Then you'll have to storm into the Lei family's place." Just then, a bucket of cold water was suddenly splashed from the other side of the pavilion.
Qin Song then noticed that there was someone sitting lazily over there.
The young man in red leaned against a pillar, one leg bent and resting on the lintel, the other leg casually stretched out. He met Qin Song's gaze, tilted his head, and smiled at her.
Qin Song truly resented him. If it weren't for his arrangements, would Lei Heyang have been safely protected by the Lei family? If his city defense troops hadn't shown up last night, she would have made Lei Heyang suffer.
However, since things have already come to this, dwelling on it will only make you feel worse.
Qin Song greeted him with a forced smile, "General Tao, what brings you here too?"
Tao Qingyang twirled the jade flute in his hand, a sly glint in his peach blossom eyes. "Of course I'm here to please Miss Qin."
The winter wind is so cold that it left Yunqian speechless with cold.
Qin Song pulled A Yao to sit down under the pavilion, saying, "But your appearance doesn't suit my taste."
Take off a few pieces, one high and one low.
Of course, no one knew what she was thinking.
Tao Qingyang raised an eyebrow and then quickly continued, "How about an engagement? It can be whatever you like."
Everyone was stunned.
Could he also be a person with restricted access to literature? His presence in public has sparked much speculation.
"General Tao, please have some self-respect." Steward Zhao, who was bringing tea, happened to hear this and, disregarding his status, sternly stopped him.
Tao Qingyang was not at all flustered. He casually walked over to the small stool next to Qin Song and sat down. "Last night's events have caused a lot of rumors, which is very unfavorable to Miss Qin. Getting engaged to me is a good way to shut up the gossip and also cut off the Lei family's scheme. Lord Qin can also leave Dali Temple as soon as possible. Isn't that wonderful?"
It seemed to make a lot of sense, and Zhao Bo, Yun Qian, and Tao Yao all fell into deep thought.
Qin Song, however, was not confused at all. She rested her right elbow on the table, propped her chin on her hand, and stared into his captivating eyes. "But why should I choose you? Aren't there others?"
Everyone looked at Qin Song again, lost in thought.
Tao Qingyang also imitated her, bending her elbow and resting her chin on one hand, "Does Sister A-Song have someone she likes?"
Yes, there are many, and if possible, there could be even more.
Before Qin Song could reply, Steward Zhao, who had long been unable to bear it any longer, interrupted again: "General Tao, engagement is no small matter. How can we get engaged when the master isn't here?"
Tao Yao was about to speak when Tao Qing glanced at her, and she swallowed her words.
Tao Qingyang sipped his tea casually. “Steward Zhao is limiting his options. Couldn’t this marriage have been arranged between the Qin and Tao families long ago? All the outside world needs is an explanation. As for what to say, that depends entirely on Steward Zhao’s abilities. Of course, if Lord Qin is not satisfied with our marriage after returning to his residence, it’s not too late to call it off.”
"I think it's a good idea," Qin Song said with a emotionless smile.
Since they've already so readily proposed breaking off the engagement, it would be impolite to hesitate.
Tao Qing looked up, her cunning gleaming even more intense. "Then I will personally escort you to the palace tomorrow."
In the afternoon, the Tao siblings' carriages returned to the General's Mansion one after the other.
Tao Yao lifted the carriage curtain, and Tao Qingyang had already landed and was walking into the mansion.
"Brother." Tao Yao called out, and Tao Qingyang stopped in his tracks.
She leaned down and stopped at the carriage door, staring intently at the tall, elegant figure in red, and tentatively asked, "Are you serious? You used to look down on Asong, when did you become so close to him?"
Tao Qingyang turned around, his eyes behind the mask dark and unfathomable.
He stepped forward to Tao Yao, raised his well-defined hand, and lifted the carriage curtain above her head. "A Yao, are you doubting your brother again?"
His voice was calm and unhurried, without a trace of anger, and could even be described as gentle.
Tao Yao suddenly felt a chill down her back, and her already injured leg seemed to be dropping continuously.
She glanced unconsciously at his large, veiny hand, and the suffocating feeling of it gripping her throat returned, causing her pupils to shrink, her face to turn as white as paper, her fingertips to tremble slightly, and she got out of the car like a puppet.
"Don't worry, brother isn't crazy." Tao Qingyang touched her cheek.
A cool sensation crept onto Tao Yao's skin, sending shivers down her spine and causing her shoulders to tremble violently...
·
The Winter Solstice banquet was held at the Altar of Earth and Grain. After returning from the prayer ceremony, Tao Qingyang's carriage arrived at the Qin residence near dusk.
Qin Song boarded the carriage with a nervous heart; Tao Qingyang was the only person in the carriage.
"Where is A-Yao?" Qin Song asked.
"I'll take another carriage and go ahead." Tao Qing held up a book, his eyes glued to it.
After that, the two remained silent and walked on in silence.
The carriage stopped abruptly at the palace gate.
Once the carriage had settled, the coachman outside the curtain announced, "General, there are distinguished guests ahead, so please wait a moment."
Tao Qingyang remained calm and composed, and simply hummed in agreement.
A moment later, the sound of wheels approached from afar, coming from both sides of the general's carriage.
"Miss Yun Qian? Long time no see." An excited male voice came from outside the carriage.
Outside the carriage curtain, Yun Qian's voice also became cheerful, "Ah Zhao? So it's the young master's carriage."
Young Master? Without a second thought, Qin Song immediately pushed open the side window, and almost simultaneously, the window of the car opposite was also pushed open.
Their eyes met, and Qin Song couldn't describe the feeling.
The young master, who looked like an immortal being, was still spotless, but he appeared quite tired.
"Miss Qin." Li Yu was overjoyed.
Qin Song smiled and said, "We meet again, Xiao Liyu."
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt her arm being pulled, and a powerful force dragged her away from the window, causing her to fall straight onto a pair of slender legs. A red figure then loomed above her.
She was like a cat, held tightly on someone's lap, unable to move.
"Good morning, Junior Chamberlain." Tao Qing leaned forward, peering out the window where Qin Song had just been, his smile rather annoying.
Li Yu's expression changed, her gaze still fixed on the beautiful figure behind him, but she couldn't find any trace of her.
"Why is it you?"
Li Yu asked a very foolish question, and Tao Qingyang laughed smugly, "Young Master didn't recognize this as the General's carriage? Or are you surprised to see my fiancée?"
Li Yu's face turned deathly pale instantly, and his pupils trembled. Before he could react, the person in the car suddenly slammed the window in front of him shut.
"Who's driving today? Get out of here!" came the woman's angry command from inside Li Yu's carriage.
The Duke's carriage was immediately moved.
Tao Qingyang was in a great mood and deliberately rolled up both car windows before sitting back down.
Qin Song was able to get up from his lap, calmly tidying his messy hair, but his mind was already wandering. This man's legs were really straight and long, and his abdominal muscles were also very strong when he spoke. No wonder the princess had his eye on him.
"What are you thinking about?" Tao Qingyang suddenly asked.
Qin Song was taken aback. Could he read minds?
"I'm wondering what you'd look like without your clothes on."
Being direct is her most economical way of getting men; if she can get them into bed in three minutes, she'll never drag it out for three and a half. It's just that she's not interested in sleeping with him yet.
Tao Qingyang's gaze swept across her face like a beam of light, finally settling on her cheek. "I'm happy to satisfy Sister A-Song's curiosity. However, I'd like to know if Sister A-Song has applied powder to her face, since she doesn't blush no matter what she says."
Saying she's thick-skinned? You might as well blame him for being incompetent; he couldn't even make her blush.
Qin Song didn't want to argue with him, so she looked away, but then caught sight of another dark face.
What a coincidence! Li Yu just left on the left, and Lu Youchuan's carriage is parked on the right.
Lu Youchuan's car window was also open. He sat alone in the car, still dressed in black, with his black hair tied up high, his face solemn, looking straight ahead, seemingly unaware of Qin Song's presence.
Qin Song's expression relaxed a bit. He moved from the soft reclining chair on the left to the right, leaning against the side window and waving to Lu Youchuan, "Lu—"
Before she could even speak, those long, slender hands struck again, one gripping her shoulder and the other covering her mouth, pulling her back into the car.
Hearing the noise, Lu Youchuan immediately turned around and saw Qin Song being held in Tao Qing's arms, panting heavily. Lu Youchuan frowned slightly, and in his calm eyes, there seemed to be a fire, intense and suppressed.
Qin Song wanted to speak to him, but Tao Qingyang spoke faster than anyone else, "I'm sorry, my wife was too excited and disturbed my cousin."
As soon as he finished speaking, he closed the side window again and then pulled Qin Song onto his lap.
Caught off guard, Qin Song instinctively shouted, "Hey, put me down!"
"Are you feeling unwell?" Tao Qing held her waist, his eyes much more gloomy than when he had seen Li Yu earlier, completely different from his gentle tone. "Want me to be gentler?"
His voice had a heavy nasal tone, which made people's imaginations run wild.
Qin Song didn't have time to think about what he wanted to do. She struggled to get down, but he held her firmly in his broad arms. She could only lower her head and bite his shoulder.
"Ouch, Ah Song's sister is so fierce."
Qin Song bit down hard, but Tao Qingyang remained sitting upright, not even pushing her away. She only let out a low growl between her teeth, followed by another suggestive statement: "Lord Lu will hear this."
Upon hearing the words "Lord Lu," Qin Song abruptly turned his head to look at the tightly closed car window, as if he could see through the wooden frame into the extremely repressed eyes of the person in the next car.
"General, let's set off." Just as Qin Song was thinking this, the coachman finally made a move, and the carriage immediately started moving.
At this moment, Tao Qingyang opened the side window again, put his arm around Qin Song, and leaned out of the window, saying, "Cousin, let's go first."
Lu Youchuan remained in the same posture he had just adopted before closing the window, sitting upright, but his jaw muscles were slightly bulging and his shoulders were stiff.
His tightly pursed lips turned down, and his dark, deep eyes were tinged with bloodshot veins, cold and gloomy, as if he were keeping a ferocious beast at home, ready to pounce and bite someone's neck at any moment.
Qin Song's pupils only shifted slightly after the carriage he was in started moving.
As the carriage passed by, Qin Song heard a muffled thud from the carriage that was slightly behind, like a fist hitting a wooden wall, which made the windows creak.
Qin Song subconsciously reached out to look at Lu Youchuan's carriage, but Tao Qingyang refused to let go. Only after the carriage entered the palace gate did he release her and return to his indifferent state.
Qin Song was quite dissatisfied with his behavior just now, but she suddenly realized that he must have approached her with an ulterior motive.
Upon reflection, it seems that he only shows affection to her in public, even deliberately asserting his dominance; in private, he is not particularly warm towards her.
But then she thought, so what? She was just using him, and besides, he wasn't even the person she most wanted to use.
As long as she can safely wait for her father's return, she will surely find a way to have a life even freer than that of the princess, whether it be men or power.
Upon arriving at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a grand banquet had already been prepared with seating arranged.
The men's seats faced the front of the hall, while the number of women was small, and the Empress hosted a banquet for them on the right side of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
After the carriage stopped, Tao Qingyang was supposed to get off on his own, but Qin Song continued to Zhendu Gate and entered.
Tao Qingyang, being unconventional, pulled Qin Song out of the car and deliberately walked her there.
A number of officials gathered in twos and threes in front of Taihe Gate. Tao Qingyang led Qin Song through the crowd with an air of nonchalance, greeting everyone he met that this was his fiancée and that they were welcome to come and drink their wedding wine.
The reactions of officials from all walks of life were unusually complex, ranging from feigned smiles to surprise, indifference, and scrutiny.
Qin Song wasn't unfamiliar with grand occasions, but the fact that he was flaunting such a fake relationship made her very uncomfortable. She could only smile awkwardly and mutter curses at him all the way.
His performance was interrupted when Pan Chengjie, the Vice Censor-in-Chief, dressed in a wide indigo brocade robe, appeared before them.
"Miss Qin's tastes change very quickly," Pan Chengjie said with a smile, looking at Qin Song.
Qin Song sneered inwardly: You are the same, unclean and filthy, just like Tao Qingyang, someone to be admired from afar but not to be trifled with.
Seeing that Qin Song did not respond, Pan Chengjie turned to Tao Qingyang and said, "So General Tao has taken a fiancée. No wonder I haven't seen you at Wanhua Tower for several days."
Tao Qing raised his eyes and smiled smugly: "That's right, I already have the best wife in the world, so brothels have nothing to do with me."
Pan Chengjie laughed heartily, as if they were close friends, and familiarly put his arm around Tao Qingyang's shoulder, "I know, I know, the whole court knows you have a beautiful wife. Come on, let's go inside and have a drink. Stop being so girly, even Madam Qin is getting embarrassed."
As he spoke, Pan Chengjie pushed him toward the other side of Taihe Gate.
Tao Qingyang was slightly displeased, but he couldn't refuse, so he turned back to Qin Song and instructed, "Be careful and don't be alone. I'll come pick you up after the banquet."
Qin Song gave a perfunctory reply and then left first, finally getting rid of this ostentatious man.
Because of his publicizing it, she can no longer easily seduce other concubines, although she is not in a hurry to carry out this task for the time being.
Upon arriving at Zhendu Gate, Yunqian suggested that they first go to find Tao Yao, so that the sisters could look after each other.
As soon as Yun Qian left, the sound of rolling wheels and the clatter of horses' hooves approached from afar.
The simple wooden carriage came to a stop beside the palace road. Lu Youchuan, dressed in black, bowed and got out of the carriage. The familiar scent of pine wood wafted over, and Qin Song felt a surge of joy.
"Lord Lu." Qin Song waved familiarly, smiling broadly.
Lu Youchuan stepped out of the car with a deft air, his hair and clothes neatly arranged, his eyes gleaming with an icy light, exuding an aura of unapproachability, arrogant yet ascetic.
His lips were pressed tightly together, his face expressionless, as if he hadn't heard Qin Song's greeting. He casually removed his sword, dismissed the carriage, and walked steadily forward.
As she approached Qin Song, his cold gaze swept over her briefly. He gave her a polite nod and then looked away, continuing on his way, distant and aloof, as if they were strangers.
Qin Song was taken aback. Was he deliberately avoiding her? Before she knew it, he had already brushed past her.
"Lu Youchuan." As she called out, Qin Song turned around and grabbed his slender, strong wrist beneath his wide sleeve.
Their cool skin touched, Lu Youchuan's throat bobbed, and he stood rooted to the spot, his whole body stiff.
Although Qin Song didn't know what he was thinking, she wouldn't allow him to pretend he didn't know her.
Because he was the only choice she could make—a man of high rank and great looks—he had no right to run away until she let go of him.
Qin Song turned to face him, looked up at him, and asked, "Do you believe me?"
Lu Youchuan lowered his gaze, his deep eyes reflecting Qin Song's lips moving several times, yet unable to express himself, a hint of lingering reluctance.
These past two days have been extremely agonizing for him, as his budding feelings of love have been crushed time and time again. He wanted to let go, but she continued to cling to him.
His eyelashes trembled slightly, and his emotions, which he had painstakingly calmed, were instantly thrown into chaos. Just looking at her like this overwhelmed him with a burning sensation, making him suffer more than if he had been having a full night of erotic dreams.
After much deliberation, Qin Song stammered, "Actually, I'd rather marry you. Tao and I..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Youchuan abruptly pulled his hand away from hers, covered her mouth with one hand, and placed the other on her waist, leading her to a corner.
The hand on her waist moved to the back of her head, firmly placing it between the back of her head and the red wall. The hand that had been covering her mouth now covered her eyes, plunging the world into darkness.
“Say it again.” He was breathing heavily, his voice trembling.
Qin Song thought about what she had just said and softly repeated, "I would rather marry you."
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly lowered his head and captured her lips with his.
The cool scent of pine surrounded his nostrils. Qin Song did not resist, but he seemed to be trembling slightly, even the tip of his tongue was quivering.
His warm lips and tongue tentatively pried open her teeth, and the lingering breaths quickly turned into a fierce plunder. The facade of civility was torn away, and at this moment he was a scoundrel, step by step devouring her tenderness.
Occasionally, the sound of footsteps could be heard from behind the palace walls; they could find this corner by turning a corner.
Qin Song was on edge, but unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck.
He stopped abruptly, like a startled deer, and slowly opened her eyes, looking at her up close as if trying to figure out if her hugging him was just an illusion.
Qin Song smiled gently, her eyes filled with a hazy mist. Meeting his gaze, she turned and kissed his wrist, which was hanging in the air. His pupils trembled slightly, as if he had been greatly encouraged. He lifted her up and pulled her into his arms, kissing her all the way from the tip of her nose to her eyebrows and eyes, finally stopping at the side of her neck.
The heavy breathing close to his ear was more deadly than an aphrodisiac, and Qin Song felt himself caught in an intense surge of passion he had never experienced before.
Pleasure, excitement, insatiable desire.
"Greetings, Junior Chamberlain. This servant heard some noise behind the wall. Is there some noble person who has gotten lost?"
Qin Song suddenly stopped, and the eunuch's sharp questioning voice was close to her ear. Only then did she realize that Li Yu's cool aura had already surrounded her.
A note from the author:
----------------------
The next chapter will be available for purchase [dog head with rose in hand]
P.S. Tao Yao is a good girl, there's absolutely nothing wrong with her~
My new novel is available for pre-order, it's the same style as the one with yellow hearts [yellow hearts][yellow hearts][yellow hearts], 1v2, please take it if you like it.
The following is the text:
Zhou Chenye, the grandson of the Grand Tutor, possessed a handsome appearance.
But he was paranoid, cold-blooded, gloomy, and morbid; he was a complete madman.
However, the craziest one is Li Rong!
After each sexual encounter with her husband, she would fall into erotic dreams involving Zhou Chenye.
He must be so good-looking that she was bewitched by him.
But her husband is also exceptionally handsome...
Despite trying every possible method to calm her mind and reduce her internal heat, Li Rong continued her nightly frenzy.
Beforehand, she was a well-educated, virtuous, and well-mannered lady from a prominent family, serving as the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture.
Afterwards, she became the secret lover of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who was initially timid but later provoked and gradually learned to train dogs.
Working day and night, with two projects running in parallel, life became increasingly dignified.
But then I thought, it's just a dream. As long as she doesn't tell anyone, I'll consider it an extra blessing.
Later, she ran into Zhou Chenye by chance.
He cornered her, saying, "My sister-in-law left something at my house."
He calmly raised his hand, his large palm holding a small garment...
It's the same dress she wore last night!
Isn't this just dreaming?
She tried to deny running away, but he pinned her against the wall.
"It's strange, but I don't remember when my sister-in-law visited my humble abode. Yet every day when I wake up, her things inexplicably appear on my bed, at my desk, in the flower corridor, and even in the kitchen."
Li Rong's cheeks flushed, but she tried to remain calm: "How...how did you know this was mine?"
Zhou Chenye's gaze fell on her neck: "I untied it myself."
Two days later, as soon as she opened her eyes, her husband sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her body without making a sound: "Does Arong like to wear men's nightgowns?"
Li Rong looked down and realized that her house... no, she was starting to have Zhou Chenye's things on her too.
She never sleepwalks, so how is that possible?!
Plain-looking, unambitious girl vs. possessive, crazy woman/her seemingly innocent but actually cunning husband
Female not male virgin, mainly lighthearted and sweet stories.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
