Chapter 38. She truly deserves solemn and devout love. ...
Seeing his shameless grin, Qian Yingyi felt even more embarrassed and lowered her head. Then she thought again, how could she possibly lose to him!
So she raised her head again, gave a haughty snort, and said, "What are you laughing at? As if I've already agreed to it."
Qin Lizheng tilted his head to look at her, then nodded, "You don't look like you're going to reject me."
Qian Yingyi bent over to hit him, "Hey, you can't say that again! If you do, I'll really get angry. How... how could you ask me so bluntly..."
After saying that, without saying whether he agreed or not, he turned around and ran away.
Qin Lizheng remained where he was, trying to decipher her fluster and the shyness she concealed. He understood, so, holding the lantern, he watched her depart like a butterfly, a silent smile playing on his lips, until she was out of sight before turning away.
The undercurrents of affection here will be left unsaid for now.
Now, let's talk about the three unlucky guys who were robbed of their money in the alley.
Yu Minsen, having been caught in a horrible mess, was seething with anger and took it out on the other two. He pointed at Wen Zhuonan and said coldly, "Hmph, if you hadn't said you wanted to see some exciting stuff, I wouldn't have been insulted like this! You just wait!"
He then turned and glared at Wu Niansheng, "And you! I remember that time you bumped into me, and I'll settle the score with you all one by one later!"
He immediately put on a stern face and limped out of the alley.
Wu Niansheng was inexplicably beaten up, and he was not happy about it.
After Yu Minsen left, he resumed his arrogant demeanor. Because Wen Zhuonan's attitude towards him earlier had a hint of obsequiousness, he must have known that Wen Zhuonan might want something from him. Therefore, his attitude was not exactly friendly, and he snorted, "Farewell."
Wen Zhuonan was, after all, the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in Southern Zhili. Having been humiliated for no reason, he was already furious. Once he was alone in the alley, he immediately changed his expression.
After a while, he licked his lower lip and entered a secluded house with a heart full of resentment.
Once the gate closed, several obsequious servants stood in the narrow passageway, carrying red gauze lanterns that cast an eerie glow.
Wen Zhuonan walked straight in, stopped in front of the west wing door, loosened the leather belt at his waist, and asked, "Have you been behaving better lately?"
One of the servants replied, "After feeding him, changing his clothes, and coaxing him for several days, he seems quite obedient and hasn't complained about leaving."
"Hmm, open the door, let me see."
The servant took out the key, and soon the door creaked open. Inside was a dimly lit, quiet room with low-hanging curtains.
In the corner, three or four children, only five or six years old, crouched anxiously, staring at him with misty eyes.
Dinner was laid out inside. Wen Zhuonan picked up a piece of braised goose from the chopsticks on the table, put it in his mouth, and asked with a smile, "Did you sleep well here? Did you enjoy the food?"
One of the children stared at him eating, swallowed hard, and cautiously replied, "Who are you? Why did you bring us here? We were fine sleeping in the dilapidated temple."
Wen Zhuonan smiled and beckoned to him, "Come here, let your brother take a look."
The boy was a little uneasy, but seeing his gentle smile, he gradually lowered his guard. Looking around at his particularly beautiful new clothes, he thought that he was probably a person who was good at doing good deeds. After hesitating for a moment, he hunched his shoulders and moved closer.
Unexpectedly, Wen Zhuonan scooped him up, scrutinized his small face from side to side, and then got up and walked towards the tent. His smiling voice turned into a low growl of a demon at this moment, "Don't ask who I am. This place provides food and clothing and has no shortage of money. Just enjoy yourself. As for that dilapidated temple, you don't need to go back."
The door to the west wing had been closed tightly by the servant at some point.
The next moment, a muffled yet piercing scream came from through the window crack, and the door was pounded on by several small, childish hands, shouting, "Help! Sir! Let us out! Let us out!"
The servants simply hung their heads blankly, seemingly oblivious.
Half an incense stick's time passed, and Wen Zhuonan strode out, a sly glint in his eye. He turned and glanced at the children who were trying to escape but were stopped in time, a chilling smile creeping across his face. He spoke to the servant, "Provide them with good food and drink every day, and don't let them escape. If they change their ways, just give them some money to appease them. Don't cause any more deaths like last time; I find that disgusting."
The servant bowed his head and replied, "Yes."
Wen Zhuonan chuckled through his nose. Seeing one of them glaring at him fiercely, he casually placed his hand on the other's head and patted him. "I'll come back in a few days. Don't look at me like that. Next time, it'll be your turn."
They then left the house hidden in the alley under the moonlight.
As they reached the main street, a sharp pain shot through his ribs where he had been struck earlier. Wen Zhuonan hissed softly, his eyes growing even more sinister under the dazzling lights of the Huai River.
Having failed the exam twice in a row, Wen Zhuonan deliberately tried to curry favor with Yu Minsen and Wu Niansheng in order to find someone to take the exam for him next year.
His penchant for toying with young children was well-hidden; it was always something he used to soothe his restlessness.
He knew that the two men were not respectable sons of officials, so he tentatively brought them to see the newly lured batch of "goods".
Unexpectedly, a rogue claiming to be a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws) rogue suddenly appeared and abruptly thwarted his plans!
A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. He should be patient for now; once he rises to power, he will definitely retaliate in kind!
Just as he was secretly fuming, he bumped into someone around the corner. Wen Zhuonan, who had been so cautious in front of Yu Minsen, looked up and was about to hurl insults, "You..."
Upon recognizing who it was, he abruptly changed the subject, forcing a smile, "It's Brother Yan, what a coincidence."
It was Yan Ruheng.
The two had studied together at the prefectural school and could be considered classmates. However, one had already become a county magistrate, while the other remained empty-handed at home. After exchanging a few words, they ultimately remained silent.
Today, Yan Ruheng wore a dark blue robe, with his hair tied up and a hairpin in his hair. His eyes were no longer gentle and dignified; they were dark and unfathomable, making it difficult to understand what he was thinking.
Yan Ruheng nodded slightly. "Where are you going, Brother Wen?"
Although Wen Zhuonan himself was often unsuccessful and often said that this person was stupid and that person was foolish, he was kind to Yan Ruheng because they were classmates.
Wen Zhuonan turned his gaze to him and smiled. "Hey, don't be so polite. It's fate that we met. I was just about to go home. My father has been giving me a lot of advice lately and told me to learn more from you. If you have some free time now, why don't you come home with me to see my father?"
This move also suited Yan Ruheng's wishes.
Recently, the Yan and Lin families have fallen out, arguing endlessly over whether to divorce or dismiss the wife. Yan Yu is a strong-willed person, and seeing that he and Lin Bianhong have lost their footing, he is unwilling to be outdone. Therefore, he deliberately puts Yan Ruheng in charge of winning over the officials of all ranks in Yingtian Prefecture.
Just a few days ago, I instructed Yan Ruheng to win over several officials from the Six Ministries, lest Lin Bianhong get there first!
Thinking of this, Yan Ruheng gave a faint smile and lightly nodded his smooth chin. "Alright, then I'm sorry for bothering you."
The place wasn't far from the Wen residence, and the two walked side by side, arriving in about 15 minutes.
When Wen Zhuonan led Yan Ruheng into the main hall, Wen Jianzhou was reclining on the couch with his eyes closed, resting. His eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to Wen Ninglan's. He was wearing a dark black robe and had a shiny mustache.
Hearing the commotion, they went to investigate and, upon seeing Yan Ruheng, immediately exclaimed with a smile, "Oh, what a gust of wind blew Sanlang to our house! Zhuo Nan, quick, go and have a few maids bring some fruits and snacks!"
Wen Zhuonan chuckled twice, then immediately turned around and went to do it.
Wen Jianzhou leaned back on the couch, rubbed his hands together, stole a glance at Yan Ruheng, and asked with a smile, "Sanlang, did you come to see me for something?"
“Indeed,” Yan Ruheng said calmly, rising to bow respectfully to him. “It was just a coincidence that I ran into Zhuo Nan outside. Remembering my father’s instructions, I came over on my way.”
He said, “Uncle Wen, thanks to your connections in the Ministry of Personnel, I was transferred back from Fengyang. The Yan family is very grateful. The 100,000 taels of silver we gave you earlier is just a token of our gratitude. My father asked me to ask you a question: would you be willing to share a boat with him?”
Wen Jianzhou invited him to sit on the couch, pondered for a moment, and then a hint of caution appeared in his eyes. "Sanlang, your elder sister's matter has caused a stir throughout Yingtian Prefecture. I've recently heard that your father and the Lin family are having a falling out, and it seems that the two families are preparing to completely break off their relationship?"
Yan Ruheng avoided answering, only staring at the cup of tea steaming on the couch. "Uncle, my father's idea is that if you can be of one mind with him, you can take 10% of the profits from anything you get in the future, without having to do anything."
Wen Jianzhou felt a sudden jolt in his heart. Although he was in the Ministry of Personnel, he had always been diligent and received high praise in the annual assessments. However, for some reason, he had stopped advancing in recent years. He was already middle-aged, and if he could not be promoted again, his life would be over.
If there's money for the foundation, use it to curry favor with higher-ups...
Thinking of this, Wen Jianzhou nodded and personally poured a pot of tea for Yan Ruheng, saying, "This tea is from Qiantang. I find it quite delicious. If you like it, Sanlang, please come to my house often in the future."
It was a tacit agreement.
The moon shines brightly, and people on both banks of the Huai River drink and sing. In the blink of an eye, the lively Qixi Festival arrives.
The cicadas chirped noisily, and fiery red clouds, like ribbons of red silk, stretched across the sky as dusk approached.
Qian Yingyi was dyeing her nails under a tree with her maids. Her fingers were slender and fair, and the balsam juice on her nails looked like red gems adorning her ten fingers.
The maids had picked a basket of morning glories from the garden early in the morning and tucked them into their hair, eagerly anticipating the lantern festival that night.
A shy girl asked, "Am I pretty? Tonight I want to confess my feelings to my cousin who works away from home. Do you think he'll understand what I mean?"
The maids burst into laughter, and Cui Cui also stuck a few fingers to her temples, saying, "Oh dear, I'm going out tonight to see my handsome young master. I hope I can squeeze onto the Red Bridge and stumble upon a perfect match!"
Qian Yingyi wore a jade crown and a brand-new eggplant-colored magpie bridge robe today. With makeup and powder, her originally fair face appeared softer in the twilight, like a fairy from the moon.
She chuckled and chimed in, "Cuicui, you want to get married too?"
A smile played on Cui Cui's lips as she said quite frankly, "Yes! Seeing that Sister Chuntang and Little Tortoise are so in love, I'm very envious. It's not wrong for me to want to get married!"
Qian Yingyi's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she chuckled twice. Seeing that all ten fingers had been colored, she waved her hand and said, "It'll be dark soon. Those who want to go out and have fun, go out now. If you don't leave now, I won't allow you to leave!"
The maids hurriedly got up, smiling and linking arms, and the dozen or so skirts flew off and disappeared in an instant.
Qian Yingyi looked away, rested her chin on her hand, and laughed in place.
"Yingyi".
She didn't know how much time had passed when a voice suddenly sounded behind her. Qian Yingyi turned her head and looked around, and suddenly felt that the slightly dim little world had become bright.
Qin Lizheng was wearing that dazzling silver robe with dark patterns today. His hair, which was usually tied up, fell loosely over his shoulders. His eyebrows were relaxed, and he had a handsome and dashing appearance. He suddenly appeared from some corner and stood firmly behind her, looking at her with gentle eyes.
Qian Yingyi had a strange feeling—it was as if he was the most real person she had ever known him for so long.
Qin Lizheng approached her, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, and opened his hand to her. "Hmm? Waiting for me? Let's go."
Qian Yingyi looked away, neither rejecting him nor placing her hand in his palm. After a moment of hesitation, the beads on the jade crown swayed as if trying to shake into Qin Lizheng's heart. "At home, you still want to hold my hand?"
Their shadows were reflected on the ground, almost intertwined. Qin Lizheng thought for a moment, then bent down and offered his arm, "I was too hasty. Please get up, Miss, and come with me to see the lanterns and stroll through the streets."
Qian Yingyi chuckled, then generously placed her hand on his, picked up a rabbit lantern from the side, and they walked out of the Qian residence one after the other.
As soon as the group reached the corner of Pipa Alley, a whiff of mint wafted towards them, and a hand silently approached, then gently covered her face with a veil.
Qian Yingyi's heart skipped a beat. "Why are you suddenly putting this on me?"
Qin Lizheng didn't speak, but simply smoothed her hair and grabbed her hand tightly, not letting go. "That way, you won't have to worry about being stared at if you're too close to me outside."
Qian Yingyi's pretty face gradually flushed red as he pulled her into the bustling crowd. Her heart was pounding, but her lips, hidden under her veil, curved slightly. She chuckled softly, her shoulders shaking, as if afraid he would hear her.
Gazing at the Milky Way, couples stroll hand in hand, adorned in fine silks. Since the Qixi Festival was originally a girls' festival, it has only in the last century that romantic relationships between men and women have taken root. Therefore, the streets are filled with beautifully dressed young women walking arm in arm.
Naturally, many couples strolled hand in hand among the crowds. Qian Yingyi's hand was held by Qin Lizheng the whole time. He didn't say much, but silently used his broad body to shield her from the tourists.
She felt as if tender threads of affection had grown within him, threads that avoided others but enveloped her alone.
They held hands openly amidst the dazzling fireworks, and walked to the banks of the Qinhuai River. Qian Yingyi immediately saw the Ornate Bridge, which was crowded with people. The bridge pillars were wrapped with red threads, and there were many more couples holding hands like them on the bridge.
Under the bridge was a row of vendors. At one stall, a girl was threading a needle by moonlight, and at another, a young man was arranging flowers beside his beloved's dark hair.
She looked around, her gaze drawn to a stall in the corner. She gently scratched Qin Lizheng's palm with her fingertips and whispered, "Azheng, I want to go there."
Qin Lizheng turned his head and saw a stall selling Qiaoguo (a type of fried dough).
He nodded, put his arm around her shoulder, and led her in that direction. "There are a lot of people, walk carefully."
Upon reaching the stall, Qian Yingyi saw many Qiaoguo (a type of fried dough twist) displayed in a wooden box. Just as she was about to buy some to try, her gaze was drawn to the sugar figurines next to it, so she asked, "How much are these?"
The shopkeeper, a young woman in a colorful embroidered pleated skirt with her hair tied in a high bun, smiled and said, "Oh, Grandma doesn't want the Qiaoguo (a type of pastry), but has taken a fancy to this instead? This is the first time I've brought it out to sell today. It's meant to symbolize good fortune, so if you buy six strings, I'll give you another pair that I made myself."
Qian Yingyi became interested and blinked, "What's different about the ones you made yourself?"
The woman smiled, assuming she was going to buy six skewers, and told the two men to come to the back of the stall. She took a short stool and handed it to them, while going to get the dough. She said, "Grandma, just sit closer to your husband. I'll knead it myself, so it will naturally resemble you and your husband. There's something added to this sugar dough, so it won't spoil for half a month. But it's not edible. Grandma, once you get it, don't bite into it!"
Upon hearing that the conversation was about pairing her with Qin Lizheng, Qian Yingyi quickly turned to look at him, then glanced around nervously, afraid that someone might be watching her.
After a while, she quietly moved closer to him.
Qin Lizheng chuckled inwardly, then wrapped his arm around her waist, and the two leaned against each other.
Cheers and shouts filled the air along both banks of the Huai River. Qian Yingyi felt as if she were sitting in his lap, her eyes darting away. The woman, however, was still pinching her, occasionally calling out, "Grandma, don't be shy, come closer!"
Qian Yingyi smiled nervously and had no choice but to move the low stool slightly again.
After a long pause, the woman finally finished kneading the sugar dough. She happily pulled and closed it on Qian Yingyi's face. "Grandma, look," she said, "when you pull it like this, you and your husband are each a separate sugar figure. When you put them together, you two are inseparable, stuck together, symbolizing longevity and never being separated. Grandma, do you like it?"
Qian Yingyi's eyes lit up as she was captivated by the exquisite craftsmanship. Although the sugar figurines were whimsical and round, she could immediately recognize them as her and him. She smiled at the woman and said, "Your hands are so skillful. Please make me six skewers of sugar figurines that I can eat."
The woman happily handed her the sugar figurine and then hurried off to work.
These sugar figurines, which you can bite into, are also sweet. Qian Yingyi secretly pulled off her veil, holding the two sugar figurines in one hand and putting the edible ones into her mouth with the other. She didn't forget to look towards the lively area with a smile, "It looks like they're dancing over there, A-Zheng, I want to go take another look!"
Qin Lizheng kept gazing at her, his heart softening as he smiled and said, "Okay."
The moon and stars overlapped, and the mortal world was dazzling. The two followed the sound to that direction. When they got closer, Qian Yingyi put her veil back on and tilted her head to peer inside.
Right next to the river, a crowd thronged around a young woman wearing a colorful batik pleated skirt with egret patterns. Qian Yingyi had never seen such clothing before, so she couldn't help but take a second look. She turned to ask, "Azheng, her clothes look a little different."
Qin Lizheng glanced at it briefly, then nodded, "It's clothing worn by an ethnic group in Guizhou Prefecture."
A scholar who was watching the commotion glanced at Qin Lizheng in surprise and said, "This young gentleman knows about this. You're right. This woman is called Hongying. She came to Jinling from Guizhou a couple of years ago and married the son of Master Hu."
Qian Yingyi became interested and hurriedly said, "Then, she's also a lady of the house, why is she here..."
Before she could finish speaking, she pursed her lips and looked at Hongying.
Hongying, with eyes like stars, smiled as she lit the bonfire and said, "Later, the musicians I've invited will play the flute and drums. Lovers, please stand around the bonfire in a circle and dance with me."
Qian Yingyi continued, "Why do you do this outside?"
The scholar sighed and lowered his voice, "You don't know, her husband died of illness long before she married into the family. When Hu Xiaoshuo traveled to Guizhou, he fell in love with her at first sight. After a while, the two made a vow of eternal love, and she left her clan to follow Hu Xiaoshuo back to Jinling. It's a pity for such a loving couple..."
Perhaps it was because he was a scholar, but the scholar's gaze toward Hongying was tinged with melancholy. "It had only been half a year since Young Master Hu passed away, and Master Hu and his wife were already urging Hongying to remarry. After all, she was a young woman and it was not good for her to waste her life here. But Hongying was stubborn and would not agree to anything. Gradually, the two elders of the Hu family stopped trying to persuade her."
"She stayed at home, and since her son had passed away, he treated her like his own daughter. As time went by, Hongying became more and more cheerful. Last year, during the Qixi Festival, she came out to teach people to dance the Guizhou Prefecture dance. Didn't you know?"
Qian Yingyi had never heard of it before. She glanced at Hongying and saw that Hongying was wearing a silver crown. When she moved, the silver ornaments on her head jingled and were very dazzling. However, the eyes under the silver ornaments seemed to hide sadness.
She thought that the greatest pain in a person's life is the pain of separation and death, so how could Hongying's heart truly be clear? She was just restraining herself from getting stuck in the past, and people usually look forward.
She stood silently in place, suddenly unable to move, and abruptly tugged at Qin Lizheng's arm, "Can you dance?"
Qin Lizheng turned to look at her, "You want to go?"
"I don't know how, but you think I can learn."
The red jasmine had already begun playing its flute.
Qian Yingyi met his eyes, which seemed to see only her, and felt a sweet warmth in her heart. After the sweetness, she thought of Hongying's story, which brought out a touch of bitterness. The bittersweet feelings mingled in her heart, a complex and unclear mixture.
The air was filled with the laughter of red orioles dancing. As they spoke, the silver ornaments jingled. "Young lords," they said, "this dance is difficult. You must hold your beloved in your palm and send them to the sky. Whoever holds them the highest can take the phoenix crown from me. This crown is used by our clan to express solemn and devout love. You'd better work hard!"
As Hongying spoke, her whole being radiated warmth and generosity. Qian Yingyi suddenly realized that today was the Qixi Festival, and countless shy and reserved hearts were all thinking about the same word—love.
What was there for her to overthink? So she left all those bittersweet memories behind, grabbed Qin Lizheng's hand, and ran to the campfire, shouting, "Hold me!"
The sound of a jade flute rang out, and the drums thundered. A red oriole danced on the riverbank, attracting many passersby to stop and watch. A man clumsily followed her steps, lifting his beloved into the air, which drew gasps and laughter.
After the dance ended, many young men breathlessly put their sweethearts down, but Qin Lizheng still steadily held Qian Yingyi.
Hongying kept her word and approached with envious eyes. She took a phoenix crown and handed it to Qian Yingyi. She was slightly out of breath and said, "Young lady, it seems that you are the most precious treasure in his heart. You deserve the most sincere and solemn love in the world. Take it. I hope you will be happily married in the future."
Qian Yingyi's eyes widened when she was thrown into the air, but she has only just come to her senses. She took the phoenix crown and asked, "Red Oriole, in your tribe, once you fall in love with someone, is it for life?"
Hongying was bending over to pack her things when she heard this and smiled, saying, "Not everyone deserves recognition. The premise for recognition is that they do deserve it. It's the same as what I just said: where there is sincerity, there is love."
These words stunned Qian Yingyi, so much so that after leaving Hongying with the phoenix crown, she lost all interest in playing anything else.
She had walked along the riverbank for most of the way and was getting tired. She turned around and looked at Qin Lizheng, then suddenly pouted and said, "I want to go back. I don't want to play anymore."
Qin Lizheng noticed her slightly slumped shoulders, turned her back and bent down, "Can't walk anymore? I'll carry you."
Qian Yingyi chuckled to herself, truly unpredictable, and lightly jumped onto his broad shoulders.
"Take a quiet route back, don't let anyone see you or recognize you, then I won't be able to explain myself."
Qin Lizheng let out two loud laughs, put his arm around her legs, and they passed through the alley in no time. "Do you think anyone will believe you if you sever ties with me now?"
Qian Yingyi scoffed behind him, "What relationship? What do I have to do with you?"
Qin Lizheng remained silent, only offering a silent laugh.
As Qian Yingyi walked through the bamboo grove behind a house, the drooping bamboo leaves brushed against her forehead. She reached out and brushed them away, and in a moment of distraction, her gaze fell on the shadow of the wall to the side.
Two figures were closely intertwined on the wall, their long legs moving exceptionally slowly, as if cherishing this precious moment.
A gust of wind blew, causing their figures to sway. She gently leaned her face against his back and whispered, "Ah Zheng, will you leave my side?"
Although Hongying lived a passionate and generous life, the sadness in her eyes was undeniable. If possible, who wouldn't want a perfect ending?
His voice drifted on the wind, tinged with amusement, "You were avoiding me just now, and now you're asking this?"
Qian Yingyi stared at the shadow on the wall without speaking. After a moment of blinking his eyelashes, he said again, "With solemn and devout love present, I will not leave you."
She suddenly remembered something; it seemed that apart from the last time her brother-in-law borrowed someone from her, he had never left her side. The bittersweet feelings she had previously forgotten surged back into her heart, and she suddenly turned her face and buried her head in the side of his neck.
Qian Yingyi's emotions reached their peak, yet she remained unusually calm.
It's ridiculous, yes, very ridiculous. Just a moment ago she was saying something about not wanting anyone to recognize her, because it would be difficult to explain later.
At this moment, whether she recognized him or not was no longer important. Explanations, mistresses, guards—none of it mattered anymore. Let's just drown in the word "love" together, relying on each other for breath, embracing each other, drowning in it for a lifetime.
She hugged him tightly and whispered, "I like you."
The figure that had been hitting the wall paused. After a moment, the young man tilted his head slightly, gripping her knee tightly with his knuckles. "What did you say?"
Qian Yingyi took out the pair of sugar figurines, walked around from behind him to in front of him, holding "her" in one hand and "him" in the other, and gently bumped them together, making them fit together.
"I said, I like you."
Qin Lizheng stared in astonishment at the pair of sugar figurines, his memory suddenly pulling him back to the day he first met her.
He was taken in by her back then, and she gently tapped two cups in front of him. How could he have imagined then that the tap would coincide with what is happening now, completely softening his heart?
In that instant, he wanted to resolutely put her down, embrace her, and kiss her, but fearing that his surging emotions would frighten her, he took a deep breath and softened his voice, asking, "The three-month period isn't over yet, so... do I really not need to leave your side?"
Qian Yingyi lowered her head, a mixture of smile and shyness in her eyes, and softly replied, "Mm."
This joy enveloped her, and she wandered all the way back to Yunteng Pavilion. Seeing him about to leave, she stood by the west window of the main room and, almost without thinking, asked, "Will you be coming back later?"
Qin Lizheng was taken aback for a moment, then nodded with a smile, "Okay."
After he left, she called out to Xia Ling with a burning passion, "Xia Ling! Xia Ling! Prepare water, I want to take a bath!"
Xia Ling was startled by her. Although she didn't know why she was in such a hurry, she quickly prepared hot water and was about to help her take off her clothes when she was stopped. "Xia Ling! You went out to play tonight, are you tired? You don't need to stay with me tonight. You and Chun Tang can go back to your own rooms to sleep."
Xia Ling was surprised, "Miss?"
"Oh, do as I say, and fetch me another pot of jasmine wine brewed by my second aunt."
Xia Ling had no choice but to agree.
A blush rose to Qian Yingyi's eyelids as she looked at the steaming, moist air before her, feeling even her breathing become hotter.
After saying everything, she felt an indescribable nervousness.
So much so that when Qin Lizheng returned after his bath, still damp, he looked out the west window and saw her sitting silently at her desk with a dim lamp lit.
He crept closer, bent down, and gently sniffed. "You've been secretly drinking?"
Qian Yingyi clenched her fists slightly, her eyes darting around nervously. She didn't dare to look back at him, but her words were blunt: "That night on the boat, I kissed you. Did anything happen afterward? Tell me now."
Qin Lizheng's expression stiffened, his voice low and seductive, "You really want to know?"
Qian Yingyi nodded her chin hurriedly.
After a long pause, a low sigh came from behind her. Qian Yingyi's heart jumped to her throat, but when she heard him inhale, she changed her mind.
She stood up and pressed him down into a chair, then straddled him herself. "Stop talking. Considering your previous behavior, I... I think I guessed it. Haha, as the sage said, food and sex are nothing to worry about."
Qin Lizheng unconsciously wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her up slightly, his eyes filled with a dark glint. "You don't think there's anything wrong with that?"
Qian Yingyi's face flushed red as she stared at him, burying her face in front of him and inhaling the scent of mint and soap on his body.
After a long silence, a sentence surfaced: "I asked you before if you would come again, and you understood, didn't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have taken a bath so soon, would you?"
Qin Lizheng took a deep breath, then suddenly leaned back in his chair. "This time, you're awake, and so am I. Yingyi, do you know what this means?"
How could Qian Yingyi not know? But perhaps, as she put it, it was simply a matter of basic human desires, like food and sex.
She was a living, breathing person, and she didn't want to suppress herself. While propriety, morality, and a sense of shame were important, she had always held herself in high regard and didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
Therefore, she remained silent for only a moment before suddenly leaning down and kissing his prominent Adam's apple. "I know, I'm not drunk either."
A single sentence ignited a flame in the dark room. As the quilt sank in, soft tongues hooked together, and even the sounds of licking became incredibly intimate.
Qian Yingyi's lower back was tightly held by an arm, and her chin was lightly pinched. She breathed softly and involuntarily responded.
When he touched her collar, Qin Lizheng suddenly released her, knelt down in front of her, and became very serious.
Qian Yingyi was deeply engrossed, tilting her head to look at him blankly, "Hmm?"
Qin Lizheng lowered his eyelids and said softly, "No, without proper betrothal and marriage arrangements, I cannot..."
This time, the words he hadn't finished were cut off. Qian Yingyi's soft voice hovered near his ear, slightly sticky, "This is what I want right now."
Qin Lizheng looked at her with slight surprise and was speechless for a moment.
Qian Yingyi lowered her head and retreated, kneeling down in front of him, but gently closed her eyes.
In Qin Lizheng's eyes, this was a tacit approval that couldn't be more real.
He was allowed to roam freely tonight, to realize all those beautiful dreams he had once held dear.
Qian Yingyi closed her eyes and waited quietly. After a while, she heard him get out of bed. She couldn't help but think—was he nervous too, and was he going to drink to bolster his courage?
She waited anxiously for him to return, and finally a pair of hands grasped her shoulders, his hot fingertips gently brushing her shoulders downwards.
She opened her eyes with a slight tremor, and was stunned when she saw him clearly.
He pulled out a dark-patterned ribbon from somewhere and held it tightly in front of his eyes, as if looking at her even for a second would be a desecration.
As the alcohol took effect, Qian Yingyi's voice deepened, and she let out a snort of laughter through her nose, "Now that things are getting a little tough, you're back to being a coward?"
Qin Lizheng probably didn't like to talk at this time, he just kept holding her close. Qian Yingyi's lips pressed against his chiseled jawline, making a soft sucking sound, before pressing her lips against his burning hot lips.
The jasmine wine was brought to its fullest potential at that moment.
“…Ah Zheng…” She suddenly looked up, “Ha…”
Qian Yingyi's back was pressed against his, listening to his relatively steady breathing hovering near her ear. She slightly opened her arms, one hand gripping the quilt beneath her, and the other hand digging into his armpit.
She collapsed softly into his arms, her whole body feeling as if it were on fire, even her forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat.
Although the alcohol clouded her mind, her senses remained incredibly sharp.
His fingertips brushed against her, and she couldn't help but tremble slightly.
There was a small piece of ice on her bedside table, but she still felt unbearably hot. The surroundings gradually became hotter and hotter, and her breathing became erratic. When she spoke again, her voice was different.
"Too fast..."
A moment later, the room fell silent. Qin Lizheng gently tapped her soft cheek. "I've already been very slow."
...He went too far.
Qian Yingyi kept her eyes closed, not wanting to speak.
The hand suddenly turned to her waist, flipped her over, and made her kneel in front of him.
Qin Lizheng gently kneaded her finger bones, waited a moment, and asked, "There are no calluses on your fingertips, they're so soft, how did you take care of them?"
Qian Yingyi lowered her eyes, licked her lower lip, still dazed from the afterglow, and subconsciously said, "...You often hold that broken and hard sword, it's both stabbing and cold, if you don't develop calluses, who will?"
Qin Lizheng silently nodded, staring at her face, and pulled her hand forward, as if agreeing with what she said, "Then you should try to shake it too."
When did he bring a sword? Qian Yingyi was about to speak when her palm suddenly became burning hot, and her index finger and thumb gradually bent, unable to even touch.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she glanced down at the sword, noticing the winding blue veins extending from its blade. She then abruptly closed her eyes.
Qin Lizheng's breath caught in his throat, a surge of intense emotion washing over him. He grasped her hand, his tone utterly serious, "Your sword-holding posture is correct. Do you want me to teach you how to use a sword?"
Qian Yingyi's ears started to tingle, a familiar tingling sensation creeping up from her tailbone. She was determined to challenge him, and breathed softly, "I'll study it slowly."
She was like a diligent student, bending over and staring intently at what was in front of her, meticulously working on it bit by bit.
Qin Lizheng looked up, his usually dark eyes glistening with tears, his excitement rising as she seemed to have figured something out. "Yingyi, you're amazing..."
The dim candlelight flickered and soon went out completely. The quiet room was plunged into darkness, with the light curtains hanging outside the bed. Inside, breathing and sighs grew increasingly rapid.
The next moment, a muffled groan came from inside the tent.
Qin Lizheng stared blankly at her face, speechless for a moment.
Even though it was pitch black inside the tent, Qian Yingyi could feel him watching her. His burning gaze was scorching. She hurriedly got up, quickly gathered herself up, and went to find a clean handkerchief. "I...I've learned..."
Before long, she returned to the canopy bed under the moonlight, her slanted shadow falling on Qin Lizheng's face. He took the handkerchief, but looked up at her, his eyes wet, as if begging for her affection, "I like you so much, Yingyi."
Qian Yingyi opened her mouth, wanting to say to wipe it clean quickly, but then heard him ask, "Are you feeling better?"
"Hmm?" She blinked, feeling neither discomfort nor a bit embarrassed, and said, "I'm fine now."
Before you know it, you're being embraced around the waist, and when you open your eyes, you're already nestled in the soft quilt.
He stepped off the bed, landing on one knee at the foot of the bed, but his burning gaze remained fixed on her. "Again."
He moved instantly, nodded and pecked at her, then licked his lower lip with the tip of his tongue, wiping away the moisture. Suddenly, he praised her, "Yingyi's painting skills are really good. When did you learn to paint?"
"Hiss... You can't..." Qian Yingyi's feet sank into his arms, and in her panic, she could only grab a soft pillow to cover her face. "What... what is Guan doing painting?"
He leaned closer, his nose brushing against hers. "It's nothing, just asking. I can paint too."
Unlike his rough, calloused fingertips.
Qian Yingyi involuntarily lifted her eyelids to look at the drawing paper on the table. The ink she had used earlier was still on it. She made a stroke with the tip of her brush, which brought out a wet feeling.
Just as I was getting distracted, the soft tip of the pen moved, slightly stiff, but repeatedly grinding back and forth in one spot.
Qian Yingyi suddenly closed her eyes, her voice trembling as if she were about to cry, "A-Zheng...don't crush it..."
Qin Lizheng responded to her vaguely twice, observing her reaction, and then realized he had gone a bit too far.
Her pent-up emotions had been released, and more importantly, she...
Actually, he didn't listen carefully to what Hongying said on the Huai River tonight, but there was one sentence he strongly agreed with.
Qin Lizheng licked his lower lip, which was glistening with moisture, without stopping.
She truly deserves solemn and devout love, and he is willing to be a tireless pursuer. It is his good fortune.
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Author's Note: [Please!]
Yingyi finally confessed her feelings!
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