Chapter 22 Chapter 22 "You've already gone through this with me, and you still want to marry...
Her soft chest pressed against him, the collar of her middle garment was already wide open. Shuyun freed one hand and reached behind to untie the laces of her lower garment.
Xiao Ye pressed her fingers, but Shu Yun refused, so he held her fingers back and pulled them back.
"Help me." Shu Yun panted, tilted her head back, and stretched her snow-white neck to rub against the man's protruding Adam's apple. Xiao Ye groaned, and beads of sweat gathered on his forehead.
The legs wrapped around his waist tightened, Shuyun straightened up, tilted her head slightly, and pressed her snow-white neck against the man's lips.
Veins bulged on Xiao Ye's arms, hot beads of sweat dripped down his forehead, and he held down her restless waist.
The collar of the dress was wide open, revealing the embroidery on the undershirt, which was wrapped in ample clothing.
Her arms were filled with softness as she hugged him. Dissatisfied with his indifference, Xiao Ye's Adam's apple moved and her eyes darkened a little.
After a while, a kiss fell on her snow-white neck, leaving his mark. Shuyun moaned and hugged him tighter.
The man's lips left hers, his head tilted back slightly, away from her touch.
The slight comfort Shuyun had just felt was fleeting. Warm and wet lips followed, but Xiao Ye turned his head away, and her pearly teeth brushed against his jaw.
Her legs were clasped tightly around his waist. Shu Yun couldn't let him go. She leaned forward and shivered, complaining aggrievedly, "Give it to me."
Xiao Ye frowned, his face gloomy, and pinched his cheeks with his long fingers, "Who taught you to say such things?"
Shuyun was overwhelmed with emotions and could not hear anything. The man's scent was what she wanted. She opened her lips and took his finger in.
Xiao Ye could easily lift a weapon weighing hundreds of pounds, but at this moment he was distracted and took a few steps back. The girl who was holding him steady on the waist was staggering, and she hurriedly hugged him tightly.
Under the moonlight, the two bodies were airtight.
Shu Yun was covered in sweat, tortured by the most primitive impulse. She was almost exhausted. She fell limply on the man's broad shoulders, complaining aggrievedly, "Hold me."
"Give me."
She cried uncomfortably.
Xiao Ye wiped the wet hair from her cheek and carried her away.
The evening breeze in the villa was a little chilly, blowing up the hem of her skirt, and the man's arm supporting her appeared and disappeared under her skirt.
Shu Yun stumbled every few steps and became angry. She twisted uncomfortably and wanted to get off. Xiao Ye held her waist, grasped her legs with his big hands, and lifted her knees with his backhand. She wrapped her legs around her waist again.
*
The night is dark, the stars are shining, and the candles in the house are about to burn out.
The man sat on the armchair, his folding fan falling on his palm from time to time. He frowned and looked grim.
At this time, the love poison should have broken out.
However, the person who was poisoned was not the right one.
The dancer knelt on the ground, a circle of pinch marks on her neck, with five finger marks clearly visible. "My subordinates were incompetent and still couldn't get close to him, so I was driven out."
"He...he didn't stay in the wing either."
The man said coldly: "Trash, useless thing."
The dancer pleaded anxiously, "I will find another way to become his close friend. Please give me another chance."
The man threw a dagger at her and said coldly, "Commit suicide."
The dancer was horrified, and the candlelight reflected the cold light of the dagger.
After a while, a pool of blood splashed on the ground.
The man's clothes were stained with blood splashes. He frowned unhappily, dusted himself off, put his folding fan on his waist, and stood up to leave.
There will be another drama tomorrow morning.
*
A blood flower appeared on the bed sheet, gorgeous and eye-catching.
Xiao Ye stroked it again and again.
The girl's black hair was spread out in his arms. She lay weakly beside him, tear marks on her cheeks, wet eyelashes, her red and swollen lips moving, and she was breathing heavily.
The curtains were half-drawn, and the candlelight reflected on her cheeks, which were still flushed, like a hibiscus flower blooming after the rain.
Xiao Ye pinched her soft cheeks, which made her angry. She held his palm with a slender white hand, stopping him from pinching.
Shuyun spread her knees and pressed against him as he was about to leave.
She raised her head to find the man's lips, as if she had found a life-saving spring in the desert, and her small lilac tongue swept across his lips.
Gradually, she gave in and the man took the initiative, holding her neck and deepening the kiss.
His fingertips, covered with thin calluses, slowly stroked the back of her waist. Xiao Ye half-straightened up and knelt in front of her, with the woman's snow-white knees resting against his ankles.
Xiao Ye kept his distance, always making sure she couldn't touch him.
Shuyun reached out to grab him, but he held her fingers. The man's fingers moved down to clasp her slender wrist and put her hand on his waist.
Perhaps it was a natural bad character. Xiao Ye lowered his eyes and looked at those dazed and wet almond eyes, always wanting to see her cry.
He leaned over, nibbled her earlobe, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Who am I?"
Shuyun had no idea who he was. Her body seemed to be controlled by him and she only wanted to be close to him and be touched by him.
The man bit her ear and spoke. Shuyun followed him and repeated his words, but her voice was out of tune. "Yes, it's brother."
"A man to marry."
"husband."
Xiao Ye was satisfied and pecked her lips. She came up to him and their lips intertwined.
He reached out and put his shoulder on the woman's knees. Shuyun squinted her eyes slightly, sweat dripping from the tip of her nose, and shrank back in panic. The man's palm rested on her ear and his arm against her shoulder to prevent her from retreating.
Shu Yun couldn't avoid it, so she held onto his neck and sobbed.
Xiao Ye kissed the tears on her cheeks, lifted her chin, kissed her lips, and occasionally kissed her hair.
The moonlight is like a silver thread, the water gurgles, and the stream flows through the grass, submerging the roots, and growing freely.
Finally, there was complete silence in Zhuangzi.
*
A pale sky appeared on the horizon, and the chirping of birds on the branches broke the tranquility of the early morning.
The spring scenery is beautiful in the gauze tent.
Shuyun was still conscious in a dream. She had just climbed a very high and steep mountain. Her whole body ached, especially her legs. They were soft and weak, and she was sweating profusely. Her legs were wet and sticky, and she felt extremely uncomfortable.
Something was pressing against her, growing bigger and bigger like a snowball.
Shu Yun frowned, then slowly woke up. She was held in the man's arms, naked, intimate. She could see his muscular chest, his thin muscles stained with scratches.
Shuyun was terrified and stepped back. Her leg was a little painful, and the arm around her waist suddenly grabbed her.
A familiar face came into view.
Shuyun's mind went blank, her ears were buzzing, her face turned pale with fear, she was panic-stricken and her body was shaking uncontrollably.
How could she wake up in his arms?
last night……
Xiao Ye slowly opened his eyes and met her horrified gaze.
There was a dead silence in the tent, with ambiguity and fear floating around the small couch.
The hot palm held her slender waist, and Shuyun was distracted, and her pale face slowly turned red.
"I...I...brother."
Shuyun pinched her fingers, her heart pounding with fear. She had never been so panic-stricken before, and a great shame enveloped her whole body.
Xiao Ye still held her waist and said calmly, "I don't know what happened to you last night. You must have eaten something unclean and got possessed."
Shuyun concentrated her mind. Her last impression of last night was that she was woken up by the heat, with dry mouth and restlessness in her stomach.
It's very uncomfortable and hard to talk about.
Shuyun looked at the man with a complicated expression.
Xiao Ye chuckled and asked, "Sister, do you suspect it's me?"
Shu Yun pursed her lips, clutching the corner of the quilt tighter and tighter in her hand. Isn't it true that for so many days, everything was calm, but as soon as he came, trouble arose.
Shu Yun shook her head and tried to negotiate with him, "Brother, you are a man of integrity and honesty. Besides, we are... siblings who grew up together. How could you have such feelings for me?"
"Brother and sister." Xiao Ye murmured, with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. He lowered his eyes to look at the blushing face, and held the soft and slender waist in his hands.
He sighed, "Yeah, how could brothers and sisters be like this?"
Brothers and sisters wouldn't be like this, but husband and wife would.
The more Shuyun thought about it, the more embarrassed she became. She was speechless and turned her back to cover her face and sobbed. The sticky discomfort between her legs constantly reminded her of the absurdity of last night.
"Brother doesn't blame you."
Xiao Ye gently stroked her back and soothed her in a gentle voice.
The butterfly-shaped birthmark under her black hair trembled slightly with her sobs, as if it was about to fly away.
The kiss marks on her snow-white shoulder were clearly visible. Xiao Ye overlapped his fingers with them, turned her shoulder, pushed away her hand that was covering her face, and held her face to wipe away her tears.
His face was cold and without any lust, and he said, "I won't blame you."
Without any clothes to cover her body, Shuyun could clearly feel the man's body temperature, her cheeks flushed. She bit her lip, wrapped her arms around her chest, her mind in a mess.
Shuyun shed tears, covering herself tightly with her hands, lowered her head and murmured, "Where are my clothes?"
Xiao Ye leaned half of his body out, the thin blanket slipped off, revealing his broad shoulders, smooth waistline, well-defined thin muscles, and a few scratches that expressed endless ambiguity.
Shuyun pursed her lips and lowered her head in shame. The black hair fell from her snow-white shoulders, and the faintly visible kiss marks were more affectionate than the scratches.
After a while, Xiao Ye said, "Here."
Shuyun looked up. The man's long fingers were picking up a small lilac-colored shirt and extending it towards her. There was a faint tooth mark on the back of his hand, and the laces were hanging down. The man's shirt was wide open at the end, and the several scratches on the thin muscles of his chest were even more ambiguous. They were half-hidden by the thin blanket, but vaguely visible...
Shuyun didn't dare to raise her eyes. She lowered her head, took the small clothes, held them in her hand, and hid them in the quilt.
"Brother, can you please go out first? I need to get dressed."
Xiao Ye looked at the shy girl and said calmly, "Yun'er's undershirt was torn last night, so you can wear mine."
After saying this, he left the messy bed, found his clothes and placed them beside the pillow.
The gauze curtains hang down, blocking out the beautiful spring scenery.
Inside the room, from the door to the bed, there were clothes all the way. One of her embroidered shoes was by the gatehouse, and the other was by the table.
The wet table had long since dried up, leaving only a circle of shallow water stains.
*
Qiongzhi brought a basin of water for washing and was about to go into the house to help Shuyun get up, but she saw a woman with disheveled hair and a dazed look coming towards her on the main road. When she took a closer look, she was surprised to find that it was Shuyun.
But her loose clothes seemed to belong to a young master.
Qiongzhi put down the copper basin and trotted over, extremely worried, "Where is the girl? What happened to you..."
Shuyun clutched her collar tightly, wearing clothes that didn't fit her, and ran into the house.
She walked too fast and her already uncomfortable legs felt painful. After returning to the room, Shuyun's legs went limp. She closed the door, leaned against the back of the door, and sat down on the ground weakly, hugging her knees and sobbing.
Shu Yun buried her head and choked up, "Prepare some water. I want to take a bath."
The little ball huddled helplessly behind the door. The ill-fitting clothes she wore seemed to be men's. The girl looked as if she had been bullied. Qiongzhi felt distressed, angry, and shocked when she saw this.
Qiongzhi said, "The ground is cold. I'll help you sit on the couch first."
Shu Yun was helped to the couch and ordered, "Don't tell anyone about what happened today. Just pretend you don't know."
Qiongzhi didn't dare to ask any further questions, nodded, and went out to prepare water for bathing.
Unlike at home, the bathing area is at the innermost part of the room, behind the bunk bed, separated by a screen.
The warm bath water flowed through every inch of her skin, washing away all the fatigue and soreness in her body, and relieving the discomfort in her legs. Shuyun rubbed her sore stomach, and the gurgling warmth merged with the bath water.
She was at a loss and terrified, flipping through the pages with trembling fingertips.
Red and swollen, hurts when touched.
The flower petals sprinkled in the water were fragrant and beautiful. Shuyun held the petals and wiped her skin, trying to wash away the traces he left, but the more she wiped, the redder it became.
Her skin was delicate, and if she wasn't careful, it would leave marks that took a long time to fade. Now, there were kiss marks all over her body, some large and some small.
He had also visited Yingying and left a circle of shallow tooth marks.
Just like the dream she had when she was drunk that night, she was forced to accept him again and again.
Shu Yun hugged her arms and broke down crying in the bathtub. She had clearly come to the villa to avoid him, but he still followed her.
Everyone had eaten the food from yesterday's dinner, but she was the one who was drugged and this ridiculous thing happened.
Is he really unaware and pretending to be a victim?
The water in the bathtub gradually grew colder, and Shuyun gradually recovered. She changed into clean clothes, and her hanging black hair covered the kiss mark on her snow-white neck. But with the slightest movement, her black hair fell in front of her body, and the kiss mark was revealed again.
Shuyun used thick makeup to barely cover the kiss mark on the side of her neck, and her half-draped black hair covered it further, so it could not be seen without careful observation.
Qiongzhi held up the clothes she had put on and asked, "Miss, what should I do with these clothes?"
Shu Yun didn't dare to throw it away casually. "Keep it. Put it in a separate bag. Don't tell anyone about this."
…
Suddenly, a scream broke the silence of the villa.
Two female corpses were found in the back room, their deaths were tragic.
One was a maid, and the other was the dancer from last night.
The maid's face was scratched, looking horrible, and she was holding a packet of medicine powder in her hand.
Shu Yun and Lin Yunxi were horrified when they heard the news. They didn't dare to go and see, nor did they dare to stay in the villa any longer. They hurriedly packed their luggage and returned.
The drivers brought the carriages over one after another. Li Ce had a worried look on his face, hugging his folding fan across his chest and angrily saying, "What bad luck this morning! A bunch of restless servants, trying to curry favor with the rich and powerful, their dirty tricks have made my villa a mess. If they succeed, it will be disastrous."
Lin Yunxi looked at Li Ce, then at Xiao Ye who was beside Shuyun.
She always felt that the atmosphere between Shu Yun and Xiao Ye was a little subtle and indescribably strange.
Four carriages stopped outside the manor one after another. Li Ce got on one of the carriages angrily, and the Lin family's carriage followed closely behind. Lin Yunxi said goodbye to Shuyun and got on his own carriage. Xiao Ye and his sister each returned to their own carriages.
Shuyun's carriage was at the end of the queue. Just as she sat down, Fufeng's voice came from outside, saying to the driver, "This place is sparsely populated. The eldest son will stay behind, and Miss Yun will go first."
The carriage started moving, passed Xiao Ye's carriage and headed towards the city.
Tuan Tuan lay obediently on Shu Yun's lap. She stroked the kitten and recalled Li Ce's words, absent-mindedly.
Last night, the maid poured wine for Xiao Ye and asked her to drink it. There was an aphrodisiac in the wine.
Is she a maid or a dancer, trying to climb into Xiao Ye's bed?
Suddenly, there was a violent jolt and the carriage tilted forward. Shuyun was pushed forward by inertia and almost hit the carriage board.
The carriage suddenly stopped.
Shu Yun steadied herself, adjusted her hair bun, opened the curtains, and asked, "What's wrong?"
Qiongzhi stood beside the wheel and said worriedly, "Miss, the rut is broken."
Shuyun frowned and looked forward, but there was no trace of Lin Yunxi's carriage.
The rut broke and the carriage stopped in the middle of the road, blocking the way for the carriage behind it and forcing it to stop.
Fu Feng came over and asked, "Why did you stop?"
The driver squatted beside the carriage and said worriedly, "The rut suddenly broke and we can't move. This place is in the middle of nowhere and there's no shop or village to repair the carriage. I can only go back to the city and call for help."
Because the journey was long, the driver had checked the carriage before he arrived. The carriage was in good condition, but it suddenly broke down today.
Fu Feng went back and reappeared a moment later. He received the instructions and said to Shu Yun, "Miss Yun, the eldest master wants you to go over and ride in the same carriage with him."
…
The carriage continued to move forward. The road in the forest was sometimes bumpy, so the driver slowed down slightly to ensure smooth progress.
In the carriage, Shuyun was holding Tuan Tuan, and Xiao Ye was sitting opposite her. She felt very uncomfortable. She felt that the journey to the villa was fast, but the return journey was extremely slow.
His burning gaze fixed on her neck. Shuyun lowered her eyelashes, tidied her black hair, and tried to cover the kiss mark on her neck.
Xiao Ye stretched out his hand and used his long fingers to lift a strand of her black hair that she had just tidied up. The kiss mark covered by powder was hazy and blurred.
Shuyun held his hand, but it was too late. The man's warm fingertips had already landed on the kiss mark.
Shu Yun was frightened and looked up at him, her breathing becoming a little faster.
Xiao Ye had a calm expression on his face. He gently rubbed with his fingertips, rubbing off the covering powder, making the purple-red kiss mark even more ambiguous.
His fingers still lingered there, and gradually spread out, clasping the slender white neck, and with a force, he pulled Shuyun towards him.
Shu Yun stiffened her neck, stretched out her hand fearfully, and pressed it against the man's broad shoulders, keeping her distance. She looked at his face, which was only a palm's distance away, and said apprehensively, "Brother..."
Xiao Ye said, "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving the manor? When did Yun'er become so disobedient?"
Shuyun said nervously, "Someone suddenly died in the village. Sister Lin and I were scared, so we hurriedly packed our bags and wanted to go back quickly. We were so scared that we forgot about my brother."
"Really?" Xiao Ye opened his thin lips slightly and rubbed the kiss mark on the side of his neck with his fingertips.
Shuyun nodded, lowering her eyes to avoid his heavy gaze. Tuantuan stepped on her knees, and a white claw reached for the sachet hanging from the man's waist.
The white orchid scented sachet was made by her as a gift for him because there are many mosquitoes in the summer and there is insect repellent incense in it.
Shuyun felt that this was a very stupid thing she had done.
A white orchid sachet that smells the same as hers.
The carriage suddenly shook and swayed, and Shuyun fell forward. Tuantuan was frightened and jumped off her knees. She put the man's hand on her waist. Xiao Ye held her steady, and she almost threw herself into his arms, her lips brushing his chin.
Shuyun rested her hand on the aching part of her lower back, and her whole body stiffened.
Xiao Ye's Adam's apple slid, and his chin rested against the top of her head. Her scent was also in her hair. He lowered his eyes and saw a kiss mark on her neck. He tightened his grip on her slender waist.
Shuyun wanted to get up, but was held tightly by that strong hand, "We can't do this."
"What?"
Xiao Ye lowered his head and brushed his chin across her hair. Shu Yun's mind was in a mess and she felt like it was about to explode.
Tuantuan in the corner looked at them, his amber cat eyes clear, as if there were endless new things to explore, as if he was wondering about them.
Shuyun was held in his arms in an extremely intimate manner. She felt shy and had an unspeakable sense of betrayal.
"Wasn't it Yun'er who provoked me first last night?"
Shuyun was stunned, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
"Last night in the garden, Yun'er wrapped her arms around my waist, loosening my clothes and untying my belt..."
Shu Yun blushed, feeling embarrassed just thinking about it. She interrupted, "Stop talking!"
Xiao Ye patted her waist gently and pressed her back into his arms.
The carriage was not wide, and Xiao Ye's spread legs just happened to embrace her knees. She hunched her waist slightly and stiffened in his arms.
*
The carriage drove into the street and it gradually became lively.
Shuyun leaned against the car wall, feeling very uncomfortable. Her lower back, where the man had touched her, felt slightly hot. Her hair was slightly disheveled. On the other hand, the man opposite her was neatly dressed, well-groomed, and still looked dignified and self-possessed.
Xiao Ye lifted a corner of the curtain, glanced at the street, and ordered, "Go to Chongyefang."
Chongyefang was not the direction back to the mansion, so the driver followed the instructions and changed the route.
Shuyun was puzzled and couldn't guess what he was thinking, so she just kept touching her head.
After the long journey and the argument with him, Shuyun felt a little tired, so she leaned against the wall of the car to take a nap. She didn't dare to sleep, her nerves were tense, and she paid attention to the movements around her.
After a long time, the carriage stopped.
The surroundings were bustling with noise, one after another.
Xiao Ye lifted the curtain, and the wind came in, blowing Shuyun's hair. She slowly opened her eyes and looked outside through the opened curtain.
The carriage stopped by the side of the road. A few dozen steps ahead was a mansion, with a group of people coming in and out, making it very lively.
Shuyun looked up and saw a huge plaque with the words "Wei Mansion" written on it.
She was stunned, and after thinking about some things carefully, an answer was about to come out in her heart, and she just listened to Xiao Ye speaking slowly.
"May 13th is a very auspicious day, suitable for accepting marriage proposals and getting engaged. Several boxes of gifts from the Zheng family have been delivered to the Wei family. The red silk is tied under the feet of the two swan geese, which is very festive."
Shuyun felt sad, but was helpless. She and Zheng Shaojiu were not destined to be together and there was no possibility for them to be together.
"Brother, why are you telling me all this? Didn't we completely break up at your persuasion?"
Shuyun looked at him, with hatred and tears in her eyes.
Xiao Ye chuckled and took the kitten from her lap. Tuan Tuan didn't hide, but rubbed against his palms, then rolled over in his lap and lay on its back.
Xiao Ye reached out to tease the cat. Tuantuan played with him crazily, opening its mouth to bite his finger. The man held its face and said, "If you tease it too much, it will bite. This cat takes after its owner."
Xiao Ye ordered to return to the mansion, and the carriage slowly started moving, passing by the festive Wei Mansion.
Shuyun was in a low mood. When the carriage stopped at the gate of the Marquis' Mansion, she and Xiao Ye got off the carriage one after another.
She gathered her hair to cover the kiss marks on her neck, said goodbye to Xiao Ye, and entered the mansion before him.
There was some discomfort between her legs, and she walked in a strange way.
After returning to Hengwu Garden, Shuyun applied makeup again in front of the mirror to cover the areas that he had rubbed off.
Shuyun felt a little tired, so she went back to bed and fell asleep. When she woke up, it was already dusk.
Qiongzhi came in to help her dress and said, "The eldest master sent someone to tell her half an hour ago to go over there."
Shuyun pursed her lips. Everything had been peaceful for the whole afternoon, but she didn't expect him to come.
"Take out the bag." Shu Yun ordered. Since she was going there, she should return his things to him.
Qiongzhi was slightly stunned, and immediately understood that it was really the eldest young master last night.
*
Biluo was watering flowers outside Yanfu Residence when she saw Shuyun appear. She went to greet her and was curious about what she was holding. "Miss, is this bag?"
"My brother left it at the villa."
Biluo habitually went to take it, but Shuyun moved around to avoid her and said, "I'll give it to you myself."
Shuyun walked straight into the house. Xiao Ye was standing by the window with a small green jar in his hand. The window was half open, and the entrance to Yanfu Residence was right in sight.
Xiao Ye's eyes moved and looked at the bundle that Shu Yun was holding.
"I put my brother's clothes back on this morning." Shuyun said softly, putting the bundle on the couch, her ears already slightly red.
Xiao Ye glanced at her indifferently, stroking the small green jar with his fingertips, and looked at her skirt leisurely, under which were her feet together.
Xiao Ye reached out and closed the window, and the light in the room suddenly decreased and became a little dim.
Shu Yun clutched the corner of her clothes nervously, forced a faint smile, and asked, "I heard from Qiong Zhi that my brother wanted to see me about something. What is it?"
Xiao Ye said: "Go to bed."
Shuyun's face suddenly turned pale, then gradually red, her ears felt hot, and she looked at him anxiously.
Xiao Ye played with the smooth little jar in his hand and closed the window. The room was dim and Shu Yun was hidden in the shadows, feeling extremely nervous.
After a while, Xiao Ye opened his thin lips and said, "Apply the medicine."
Shu Yun gradually breathed a sigh of relief, but she was still uneasy, "I, I'm not hurt."
Xiao Ye's gaze slowly moved down and stopped at her legs that were pressed together under her skirt.
Shu Yun was embarrassed, her sleeves dropped to cover her face for a moment, and she said hurriedly, "I'll go back and apply the medicine later."
She went to get the small medicine jar, but Xiao Ye raised his hand and she missed.
"Right here, pull down the bed curtain and apply the medicine. I'll go to the outer room." Xiao Ye said, without giving her a chance to refuse, gave her the ointment, and left the inner room.
The steady footsteps faded away, and Xiao Ye turned around and sat down on the chair behind the carved cover.
Shuyun held the bottle of medicine, her palms feeling slightly hot. She was in a stalemate for a long time, unwilling to do so, and slowly walked towards the bed.
Shu Yun stood by the bed, looking at the carved cover anxiously. After confirming that he was not peeking, she slowly sat down on the edge of the bed.
She took off her embroidered shoes and reached out to remove the hook that hung the bed curtain.
The bed curtains fell down, Shuyun was covered inside, and took off her skirt.
A rustling sound was heard in the quiet inner room. Shuyun slowly raised one leg and looked down at the red and swollen area.
"Dissolve the ointment on your fingertips and apply it."
A man's voice suddenly came from outside. Shuyun was startled and quickly retracted her hand that had just touched her leg. She closed her legs and looked towards the bed curtain in horror.
There was no shadow on the tent; he did not come in.
Shuyun breathed a sigh of relief, opened the lid of the medicine jar, took a bean-sized amount and placed it on her fingertips, using the residual warmth from her fingertips to melt the ointment.
Shuyun raised one leg, pushed aside the obstruction, and applied the ointment to the red and swollen area. She was caught off guard and cried out in pain.
Xiao Ye sat upright on the chair behind the carved cover, his long fingers resting on the armrest of the chair. His Adam's apple rolled when he heard the sound. He slowly closed his eyes and lightly tapped the armrest with his long fingers. The touch of the slender legs was particularly clear. He curled his fingers and slightly hooked his fingertips.
The beautiful scenes of last night flashed through my mind.
The fingertips are wrapped with silk and gradually become moist.
After a long time, rustling sounds were heard from inside the tent again.
Xiao Ye opened his eyes, his dark pupils were deep and burning. He stood up, the carved veil that blocked his view was gone, his sight was unobstructed, and the scarlet belt that was half hanging outside the bed curtain was retracted in the blink of an eye.
Her jade feet hung on the edge of the bed, wearing slippers.
Xiao Ye's eyes darkened a little, he turned around and sat back in his chair, poured himself a glass of cold water and drank it.
After a while, Shuyun's cheeks felt hot. She lifted the bed curtain and hung it back on the bed hook. The man was still behind the carved cover.
Shuyun stood up, straightened her skirt, took the small medicine jar, left the bedside, and went outside to return it to Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye put it aside, glanced at the girl with a slightly red face, and asked, "Does it still hurt?"
Shuyun bit her lower lip, unable to speak, and subconsciously closed her legs.
It hurts.
I don’t know what kind of thing it is that can torture people like this.
In this room, Biluo knocked lightly on the door and said, "Master, the medicine is ready."
"Come in." Xiao Ye said calmly.
Biluo brought in a bowl of medicine and a cup of candied fruit, put them down, and was told to leave.
Shuyun has never liked taking medicine since she was a child. Even if she forced herself to do so before, she just couldn't like it. She frowned slightly after smelling the medicine.
He is strong and healthy and doesn't look sick, so why did he take medicine?
Does he also want to have candied fruit with his medicine?
Xiao Ye used his fingertips to feel the temperature of the bowl wall, looked at Shu Yun, and said, "Drink this bowl of contraceptive medicine before you go back."
Shuyun paused and looked at him in shock, her mind going blank.
She never liked taking medicine and always had to be coaxed into drinking it reluctantly. Xiao Ye stood up and said softly, "Yun'er, be obedient and drink the medicine. It won't be bitter if you drink it while it's hot. The candied fruit is from the same preserved fruit shop you often eat at."
Shuyun was frightened and didn't want to drink.
The room was dead silent and the atmosphere was depressing. Shuyun looked at the bowl of steaming medicinal soup and gradually felt aggrieved.
After a while, she lowered her head to pick up the medicine. The bitter medicine was extremely hard to drink. She felt like vomiting. She clasped her hands tightly around the bowl, forcing herself to drink it all.
Finally, she couldn't drink any more, so Shuyun put down the bowl with a "bang" and ran out of the house, covering her mouth.
After stumbling out of Yanfu Residence, Shuyun lay down on a gooseneck chair in the pavilion by the pool. Her stomach felt like it was churning and she felt extremely uncomfortable. She wanted to vomit but couldn't.
The bitter taste of medicine in her mouth lingered for a long time. Shuyun leaned against the gooseneck chair and cried uncomfortably.
In just a few days, things had already gone beyond Shuyun's expectations. How could she possibly be pregnant with his child? The etiquette she had been taught told her that this was absolutely forbidden. It was simply a great shame and humiliation! Sharing a bed with him was already against common sense, and she must not make the same mistake again.
It’s also good to drink the contraceptive pills.
The fragrance of white orchid was faint. Xiao Ye looked in the direction she left and it took him a long time to come back to his senses.
She didn't eat any of the candied fruits on the plate.
Xiao Ye picked up the medicine bowl, and there was still a mouthful of medicine at the bottom. He drank it all, leaving a red lip print.
No matter how bitter the medicine is, it means nothing to him. Now his throat is sour and his heart is empty.
Xiao Ye put down the medicine bowl and went to the inner room.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes falling on the bedding.
There was a small wet spot on the bed sheet. He reached out to touch it and it was already cold.
I rubbed it with my fingertips and got some moisture on it.
The fingertips rubbed and gradually became warm.
It's really untouchable, not even with medicine.
It was the same last night, the tears in my eyes were wet and flowed to other places.
*
The next day.
Ever since she asked Xiao Ye that day, Old Lady Cui sent people to inquire about two official families with the surname Chen in the capital.
One family is the Secretary of Sinong Temple, but the Secretary has been a single son for three generations.
The other family was a shipping company. The Shen family had two daughters and one son, but the eldest daughter got married three years ago and even had a child; the youngest daughter just turned ten last year.
Old Madam Cui was worried. Her grandson had always been pure and simple, and had no one close to him in his room. Now that he mentioned his surname, it meant that he already had someone in his heart.
She's hiding things like this, so I'm afraid she's not the kind of girl you can show off.
Nanny You advised, "Perhaps they are not the two high-ranking families that the old lady has chosen. Perhaps they are from a small family. The other day, the Prince of Huainan hosted a polo match and invited all the sons of aristocratic families and noble ladies."
After thinking for a moment, Nanny You continued, "The eldest son was in the army in the past. I'm afraid he met Miss Shen at that time. Miss Shen is not in the capital now."
Xiao Ye joined the army at the age of twelve. At the age of fifteen, he won a brilliant victory and was favored by the emperor. He was more famous than the then Marquis of Anlu. He thought he would surpass his teacher, but when he was sixteen, he was seriously injured and had to stay in bed for a year.
After that, Xiao Ye never went to the battlefield again and was promoted to General of the Imperial Guards.
Mrs. Cui pondered for a long time without saying a word. When she mentioned that she was not in the capital, she suddenly remembered an old story.
"When Ye'er was a child, when his mother was still alive, what was the surname of the young man he was close to? I forgot."
How old is the fourth lady Xiao Shuyi? How many years has it been since Anlu Marquis' first wife died of illness? It has been fourteen years. It has been a long time since the incident, and because it was rarely mentioned, the memory has long been vague. Nanny You also thought about it for a long time.
Madam Cui couldn't remember his appearance clearly, so she reminded Nanny You, "The young man who often comes to our mansion to play is about the same age as Ye'er."
Nanny You suddenly realized and said, "It seems to be the surname Shen. I vaguely remember that Madam Shen often brought Mr. Shen to play with the eldest son. The late Madam and Madam Shen were also on good terms."
"But sixteen years ago, a disaster happened. Madam Shen had a miscarriage, and Lord Shen was nearly beheaded. After that, he was demoted to Duzhou and never returned to the capital." Nanny You frowned and said, "The eldest young master should not be talking about this Shen family."
Old Madam Cui remained silent. The old memories were brought up again, and the scale in her heart gradually shifted.
"Go and call Shuyun." Old Lady Cui said to Nanny You.
“Hey.”
Nanny You left the house quickly and took a few more glances at Yan Fu Residence when passing by. The eldest son was on duty today and was not at home.
A quarter of an hour later, Shuyun appeared in Shou'an Hall. She had tossed and turned in bed the night before and looked a little haggard. She bowed her head and greeted the old lady.
"Please sit down." Old Madam Cui gave her a seat, and the maid made a cup of tea and placed it next to Shuyun.
Madam Cui looked at the graceful young woman in front of her and said, "Brother Ye also went to the villa outside the capital a while ago. You two have a deep relationship. Although you are not biological siblings, you were all raised by the Xiao family. Among those sisters, Brother Ye is the only one who is close to you."
Having said this, Mrs. Cui took a sip of tea.
Shu Yun's heart froze. He did treat her differently. In fact, at the beginning, when she first returned to the Marquis' Mansion at the age of four, Xiao Ye didn't like her. He looked at her with cold eyes, as if he were an enemy. She was afraid of him and avoided him.
Later, Xiao Ye joined the army and rarely returned home. That year, the battle was victorious, and he made great contributions. He returned to the court with the army. He had a cold and noble temperament, and she dared not speak to him. Perhaps because of his many experiences, he no longer looked at her coldly, but he didn't get close to her either.
Until he was seriously injured and bedridden, Shuyun went to Yanfuju to visit him, and since then their relationship has become better and better.
He was sixteen years old that year.
Now, this intimate relationship is no longer innocent.
"You two brothers will each start your own families in the future. Ye Ge'er is twenty-one this year, so it's time for him to get married. Shao Jiu is younger than your brother, and he also married into the Wei family a few days ago."
Shuyun felt uncomfortable and clenched the handkerchief with her hands hanging on her knees.
Madam Cui said, "Yun girl, you and your eldest brother are close and can chat together. Tomorrow, you can help grandmother to inquire indirectly about which Shen family girl he likes and what her personality is like."
Shu Yun was puzzled, "Shen family?"
Madam Cui nodded and said, “Your eldest brother has someone in his heart, and he has not married in all these years because of this Miss Shen.”
Madam Cui smiled and said, "You are going to have a sister-in-law."
Shu Yun pursed her lips. Since he already had someone in his heart, why did he still come to provoke her and press her step by step?
Shu Yun agreed, "Don't worry, Grandma. I'll find a suitable opportunity to ask Big Brother soon."
Madam Cui said, "One must always look forward. I previously asked Ye'er to help you find a husband. If you find a man you like, you can also talk to Grandmother. Although you are not a daughter of the Xiao family, you are a girl from our Marquis' Mansion after all. Marrying someone is not something you can be careless about."
Madam Cui said, "Your brother is getting married, and you are getting married. Brother and sister each have their own place to go. One comes in, and the other goes out. Our mansion will have two more happy events. Everyone is happy."
Shuyun looked at Mrs. Cui, feeling that there was a deeper meaning behind her words today, and remained silent in thought.
After a while, Shuyun stood up and replied, "When Yun'er was young, it was because of the nanny assigned by my grandmother that her temper was corrected. Thanks to the upbringing of the Marquis's mansion, I am who I am today. Currently, Yun'er is still young and inexperienced in the world, so my marriage is entirely decided by my grandmother."
Mrs. Cui smiled and said with satisfaction, "Good boy."
*
Hengwuyuan and Yanfuju are only separated by a pond and a study, and one can reach the other's residence by walking through an empty corridor.
As the night grew darker, Shuyun was called to Yanfu Residence for dinner.
The dishes on the table were warm and nourishing, and there were a few of Shuyun's favorites, but she found them unappetizing. She put down her chopsticks after a few bites, lowered her head, and slowly drank the crucian carp soup, wanting to leave his house as soon as possible.
Xiao Ye also filled a bowl of fish soup, scooped half a spoonful with his jade spoon, and asked, "What did grandma say to you today?"
Shu Yun gripped the handle of the spoon tightly, and her body stiffened instantly. Somehow, Xiao Ye had heard about her going to Shou'an Hall.
He drank the fish soup calmly. Shu Yun was silent for a moment and replied, "I asked about my brother."
"Tell me about it." Xiao Ye wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, raised his eyes to look at her, and his petite body was swallowed up bit by bit in his pupils.
Shu Yun was still a little afraid of his look and said, "Brother, you're not young anymore, it's time for you to get married..."
Xiao Ye sneered: "I'm old?"
Shu Yun frowned and quickly shook her head to deny it, "No, no, no, it's just that my brother is old enough to get married, and grandma is worried about him."
"Brother, you have someone you love, right?" Shuyun asked him instead.
Xiao Ye put his fingers on the table and looked at her leisurely. Shu Yun avoided his gaze.
After a long stalemate without his reply, Shu Yun said helplessly, "Which Miss Shen do you like, brother? What's her personality like?"
Xiao Ye's gaze was still on her. She raised her eyes to glance at him, then quickly lowered her eyelids.
"I thought it was something else, but it turns out my grandmother invited me here to get some information."
There was a hint of laziness and indifference in his tone. Shuyun suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Xiao Ye: "A girl named Shen, born in September, from the capital."
After saying just a few words, he stopped talking and drank the delicious fish soup slowly. Shuyun remembered that Miss Chen was also born in September, the same month as her.
Shu Yun couldn't help but ask more: "Have I met this Miss Shen?"
Xiao Ye saw that she looked happy and frowned slightly.
Shuyun realized that she had said the wrong thing, took the spoon and lowered her head to drink the soup.
Xiao Ye put down the soup bowl and placed the small green jar on the table. Shuyun recognized it as the ointment she had applied yesterday.
Her cheeks felt hot, and her legs were pressed together under her skirt.
Xiao Ye: "After eating, go to bed and apply medicine."
Shu Yun blushed with shame and whispered, "The swelling has gone down, no need to apply medicine."
Xiao Ye looked at her, his gaze slowly moving to her skirt, as if he could see her wounds through the soft silk.
Without any obstacles, you can pinch it with your fingers to find out what's inside.
Shuyun was terrified and felt a chill down her spine, as if an icy snake was coiling around her feet, slowly moving upwards, wrapping around her and spitting out its tongue.
Dark, damp and cold.
Shu Yun was panicking, her throat dry, and she said anxiously, "Grandmother said she would help me choose a husband, and my brother also wants to get married. We can't do this anymore."
Xiao Ye laughed in anger, looked at her coldly, stretched out his long arm, held down her slender waist as she tried to raise her body, and pressed her back with force.
"My sister and I are already in this state, who else do you want to marry?"
-----------------------
The author has something to say: See you at midnight on Monday [waves hand]
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