Chapter 37 A Forbidden Kiss
Birds flew like a thousand white dots, the sun set halfway down in a crimson glow. Two days passed in a flash, and the evening glow was burning half the sky red. Xia Ling hurried in from outside, carrying a basket full of flower branches. She shook the petals off her skirt on the veranda before turning and entering the main room.
A moment later, the figure turned to a corner of the east window, lowered his voice, and said, "Miss, Mr. Chen wants to see you."
Qian Yingyi raised her face from her desk, pen in hand, her brows furrowed slightly. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Are you here to urge me to hand in my story?"
Chen Chao, the owner of Yinbaoge, has always been an impatient man. The more his pockets bulge, the more he wants to make a fortune.
With the spring examinations approaching next year, many young officials in the Jiangnan region are studying diligently day and night, and even the wind seems to carry a hint of ink fragrance.
Because reading was so strenuous, it was inevitable that people would need to relax. Therefore, storybooks and similar books that did not require detailed study became a pastime for minor officials during their leisure time.
The book "The Tale of the Water Ghost" printed at the end of the year was no longer fresh, so Chen Chao, in his anxiety, came to urge Qian Yingyi again.
Just then, Qian Yingyi was finishing up her work. She asked a question but didn't think much of it, and then turned her attention back to the paper.
Xia Ling leaned closer, tilting her head to take a look. "Oh, so the young master of a noble family has taken a fancy to this young lady for the military power held by her father? He wants to drug her... wait? Is this young lady possessed by a ghost?"
Qian Yingyi smiled and nodded, "Yes, she transforms at night. In the eyes of good people, she is still beautiful, but in the eyes of evil people, she is naturally terrifying, with her eyes hanging on her face."
"Oh dear, I'm already annoyed," she stamped her foot. "Xia Ling, you go outside and wait. I'll get back to you about Boss Chen later."
Xia Ling responded and twirled her skirt to go outside.
Before he could react, Qian Yingyi called out to him, "Wait a minute, call A-Zheng over here."
The name "A-Zheng" had become increasingly familiar to her. She rarely called anyone else anymore, except for the occasional call of Xia Ling, she would just call him A-Zheng.
For example, in the past two days, Xia Ling has often heard her say—
"Ah Zheng, I want to eat something sweet. Buy it for me."
"Ah Zheng, it's time to change the flowers on the swing."
"Ah Zheng, do you know how to carve puppets? I want one."
With "A Zheng" on the left and "A Zheng" on the right, it's as if he's the only one left in the world.
Xia Ling twitched her nostrils and smiled silently, "I understand."
After she left, Qian Yingyi put down her pen, folded the paper slightly, leaned back in the pearwood chair, and tilted her head back. Her slightly furrowed brow remained, until a figure by the window bent down and asked, "Frowning, what are you thinking about?"
Upon hearing this, she opened her eyes, her gaze sparkling with a bright light, "Ah Zheng!"
Qin Lizheng lazily replied, "Hmm?"
Their eyes met, and he raised an eyebrow, staring intently at her. The inexplicable "anger" from the past two days was long gone. Qian Yingyi's face flushed slightly, and she picked up a cup of tea from the table, took a sip, and casually asked, "Tell me, what's the most cruel way to die?"
Qin Lizheng was taken aback, his gaze drifting to the papers in front of her, and then he suddenly realized.
Little Red Bean must be writing a new story, but she's struggling with why the characters in it don't die a torturous death, which is why she's come to him for advice.
He feigned ignorance, made a soft "hmm," and offered her a few choices: "Separate head and body, pierce the chest with a long sword, or be devoured by wild birds?"
Qian Yingyi was still not satisfied after hearing this, saying, "I think it's not good enough, it's too satisfying."
Unexpectedly, Qin Lizheng's face darkened instantly, his eyebrows and eyes curling into a sinister smile. He leaned closer, his voice dropping as if stabbing Qian Yingyi, "Then we'll force down the special medicine, find a sharp knife, and peel off the skin bit by bit."
Qian Yingyi froze for a moment, then suddenly shuddered. "Oh dear, you scared me."
Qin Lizheng chuckled twice, met her eyes, then quickly turned back to his dark yet gentle gaze, poking her forehead. "Didn't you say it wasn't cruel enough? I'm just going along with you."
Qian Yingyi covered her forehead and glared at him lightly, scolding him a couple of times before ordering him to go outside first, "Go and wait for me, I want to go out later."
As soon as he left, Qian Yingyi hurriedly dipped her brush in ink and began to write. Instead of adopting his suggestion to peel the skin, she came up with a better plan.
As the moonlight gradually filled the gauze window, Qian Yingyi suddenly took out a square brocade box, put the pile of manuscripts into it, then looked at herself in the mirror before heading out of the courtyard to find Qin Lizheng.
Unlike some introverted girls who stay at home making knots and reading, Qian Yingyi was determined to go out, and even the darkest night couldn't stop her.
Qin Lizheng never asked her why she went out; he simply followed silently behind her as her protector.
As always, the crescent moon hung in the sky, like a stroke of divine brush across the heavens, then cast a mesmerizing glow. The two walked through the corridor one after the other, and just as they reached the hanging flower gate, they unexpectedly bumped into a sullen young man.
At first glance, it turned out to be Qian Qiyu, who was on vacation and back home!
He had a stern, handsome face, a faint blush under his eyes, and was clutching a long bundle of colorful ribbons in his hand. Upon seeing Qian Yingyi, he relaxed slightly and hurriedly asked, "Sister, are you going out?"
Qian Yingyi's gaze fell on the colorful crimson in his hand.
Qian Qiyu pouted and angrily shook them off. "On my way home, I was walking alone when a dozen or so girls, around thirteen or fourteen years old, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started throwing these things at me. It's so annoying!"
Staring at what he was holding, Qian Yingyi belatedly turned to glance at Qin Lizheng, then turned back to ask, "You just came back from outside. Was it particularly lively outside?"
She almost forgot that it was already the fifth day of the seventh lunar month, the Qixi Festival was approaching.
Qian Qiyu, whose mind was full of chickens and dogs, was not a precocious young man, so he nodded his chin and said, "Yes, it looks much more lively than usual."
Qian Yingyi loved liveliness the most, and her eyes and brows relaxed instantly. With a change of heart, she took two steps forward and winked at Qian Qiyu, saying, "I remember that your second aunt made a lot of apricot-yellow robes for you a few years ago. You were still young then and didn't like wearing this color, saying it was like something a young lady would wear. Do you still have those robes? Go back and get a new one."
The implication is that she's going to dress up as a man and go out for some fun tonight.
Hearing that she wanted to go out to play, Qian Qiyu immediately became interested, "I want to go too! Sister, come with me, I'll find it out for you right now!"
Qian Yingyi followed excitedly, took the robe, and twirled her skirt as she walked towards Yunteng Pavilion.
Reaching the base of a wall overgrown with green grass, she suddenly remembered the two requests she had made to Qin Lizheng. She turned around and looked up at him, fluttering her curled eyelashes, her voice soft, "I took his robe, so it's not right not to bring him along. Can you make an exception this time?"
Seeing Qin Lizheng standing with his arms crossed and not speaking, she quietly tugged at his arm, "Hmm?"
As she spoke, her eyes lingered on Qin Lizheng's face, and Qin Lizheng's heart fluttered slightly at those eyes, his emotions swelling like wild grass growing on a wall.
He finally nodded in agreement, mimicking her tone and drawing out the last syllable, "Okay."
Qian Yingyi, all smiles, gathered her robes and ran back to Yunteng Pavilion. A short while later, a young man with rosy lips and white teeth emerged from the main room.
Wearing an apricot-yellow round-necked robe with grape patterns, her black hair was tied up high, without a crown, but tightly wrapped with a hair ribbon of the same color as the robe. A sachet and a folding fan hung from her slender waist, looking quite dashing.
Qian Qiyu arrived just then, having changed into a brand new robe. He waved to her from a distance, "Sister! Let's go!"
Just then, Little Tortoiseshell darted out, followed by the shy Chuntang, "Miss, Young Master, are you going out too?"
Qian Qiyu knew that his wedding date with Chuntang had been set. His blank mind finally came to its senses. Remembering that the Qixi Festival was in two days, the lonely man teased the couple, "Oh, you two have also made plans?"
Little Tortoiseshell chuckled and took Chuntang's hand.
Qian Qiyu smiled and rolled his eyelids upwards. Being a young man at heart, he glanced around, clenched his fist, and suggested, "Why don't we all go together!"
Qian Yingyi paused, then looked at Qin Lizheng with a forced smile.
Because there were other people present, the two were not very close. A half-smile played on Qin Lizheng's lips; he didn't speak, but his eyes held a different emotion.
Qian Yingyi suddenly felt guilty.
“Okay! I think so too, it’s more fun with more people!” Little Tortoiseshell agreed.
After Chuntang left the mansion, it wouldn't be right to leave Xialing behind alone, so when she went out again, the two figures turned into three pairs.
The carriage crossed Tongji Bridge and arrived at Qili Street. In the distance, Qian Yingyi lifted the curtain and saw several red gauze lanterns lit up at Yinbao Pavilion. He quickly patted the carriage wall, and after the carriage came to a stop, he jumped off, leaving the men to wait in place. He said with a smile, "Young master, I'm going to look at some storybooks. I'll be back in a quarter of an hour."
He then turned and left with his two maids, crossing a short stretch of pebbly path and entering the gate of the Yinbao Pavilion.
The owner, Chen Chao, was reclining on the couch in the private room counting his silver when he heard the waiter's report. He quickly pushed aside the low table, slipped on his shoes, and got off the couch, instructing the waiter to invite the person in.
Upon seeing Qian Yingyi, he smiled and said, "It's been more than half a year since I last saw you, Miss Qian, you're still more beautiful than flowers, with a face like a lotus blossom, as lovely as..."
"Stop," Qian Yingyi waved her hand to stop his flattery, and ordered Xia Ling to present the brocade box. "I happen to have some free time today, so please take a look first. If there is anything you feel is not quite right, just send someone to find Xia Ling by my side."
"Oh dear, what are you saying, Miss?" Chen Chao said reproachfully, "We've been doing business together for so many years, do you think I don't trust you?"
He immediately summoned a servant to bring him a money bag, saying, "Since you are here in person, this is this month's bonus. Please accept it."
The book "The Tale of the Ghost of the Beach" made him a fortune, and his shrewd and calculating demeanor became much more subdued, as if he had become much more generous.
Qian Yingyi raised an eyebrow and naturally didn't stand on ceremony with him. Thinking that there were still people waiting outside, she accepted the money bag and then bid farewell to Chen Chao.
The three of them, master and servants, descended the wooden ladder. As soon as they stepped out of the threshold of the Yinbao Pavilion, three figures walked past them. Each of them was dressed in rich attire. Upon closer inspection, they recognized Wen Zhuonan and Yu Minsen. The third person, who was a few steps behind, was Wu Niansheng, whom they had not seen for a long time!
Strange, how did these three end up together?
Qian Yingyi recalled Wen Ninglan's forbearing and aggrieved face, and a mischievous thought immediately surfaced in her mind. Seeing Qin Lizheng looking at her from across the street, she quickly ran towards him.
He immediately grabbed him and was about to chase after the three men, saying, "Quick, go beat up a few of them for me!"
Qian Qiyu looked in the direction she was pointing and exclaimed, "Great!" He had always disliked Yu Minsen, and immediately rubbed his hands together, ready to rush forward and give him a good beating without even asking why. "Great! I've run into this nemesis again, I'm going too!"
He hadn't taken more than a few steps when Xia Ling grabbed his arm and hurriedly advised, "Oh dear, young master, Miss hasn't left yet, why are you in such a hurry?"
Qian Qiyu turned her eyes to look at Qian Yingyi.
The stars shone brightly, creating a dreamlike scene. Tonight, countless heads gathered on both banks of the Huai River, and the faint strains of opera echoed from a nearby theater. Qian Yingyi, however, was in no hurry. She beckoned to a few people, who then formed a circle.
She first explained that Wen Ninglan had been bullied, and then said, "Look at how well they're dressed, like they've come to the river to have fun. Let's go and play a trick on them."
So the group abandoned the carriage, found a helper to look after it, and then pretended to be serious as they walked into the crowd, following the three men at a distance. When they passed a stall selling masks, they bought a mask to cover their faces.
Yu Minsen followed slowly behind Wen Zhuonan, glancing at him coldly, his eyes still revealing disdain. He said impatiently, "Wen Zhuonan, what exactly are you up to? I said I wanted to find a tavern, but you said it was boring and you wanted to show me something new. What's this? We've walked halfway and we're still not there?"
The three were not originally in the same industry.
Yu Minsen took a long leave of absence from the academy due to his broken leg. During this time, he lay in the Prince's Mansion to recuperate, where he was carefully cared for by his wife, who was now the Princess. His legs had fully recovered.
The reason I was able to come out today is to meet Guo Yue.
They ran into Wen Zhuonan halfway there, with Wu Niansheng following behind him.
Although he was three or four years younger than Wen Zhuonan, he relied on his status as the heir apparent and never took him seriously. He hadn't intended to say much to him, but Wen Zhuonan's persistent flattery and obsequiousness pleased him greatly, and he soon abandoned the palace guards to accompany him.
As for Wu Niansheng, he looked down on him even more. But he was out for some fresh air today and was in a good mood, so he didn't pay any attention to him.
When Wen Zhuonan said he wanted to do something exciting, he got interested and followed along.
The three walked straight towards Tongji Gate. After about a quarter of an hour, Wen Zhuonan turned his toes and led the two into a narrow alley.
Wen Zhuonan laughed, "We're almost there. I guarantee you'll find it quite novel, but I won't tell anyone else."
Wu Niansheng, who had been shy in front of Qian Yingyi, now had a frivolous look in his eyes and said half-jokingly, "Brother Zhuo Nan, I've never heard anyone say that you have a favorite young lady. Could it be that you're keeping a few mistresses on the side?"
Wen Zhuonan scoffed disdainfully, "What's so interesting about actors and entertainers?"
As he slowed his pace, two men and two women suddenly appeared at the alley entrance, slowly blocking the three of them's way.
One woman, dressed in a dark green straight-cut robe, stood crookedly, while the other, in an apricot-yellow robe, gently waved a folding fan. Both women wore a neat, slanted three-strand braid and tossed a dagger in their palms, playing with it.
Yu Minsen was seething with anger and blurted out, "Where did this blind fool come from, daring to block my way?"
Wen Zhuonan's expression changed, and he said, "I don't know who you gentlemen are, please make way."
Behind the mask were Qian Yingyi's clear, watery eyes. A playful glint appeared in her eyes as she lowered her voice and said, "Oh, you don't recognize us? And you dare to pass through our territory?"
"I see you are dressed in fine clothes. If you want to pass through, leave some money behind." She beckoned and opened her palm to the three men.
Yu Minsen glared at her angrily and cursed, "Pah! How shameless! Trying to rob me? Do you know who I am?"
"I don't care who you are!" Qian Qiyu retorted in a high-pitched voice, "Hand over the money now, or you'll taste the name of us in the martial arts world—'The One-Finger Laugh of Jinling'!"
Wu Niansheng frowned, "Jinling One-Finger Smile?"
Qian Yingyi smiled and waved her folding fan. "That's right. I have practiced martial arts since I was a child and have been wandering the martial world for a long time. Because the world is going downhill and it is not easy to make a living in the martial world, I have to do some less respectable jobs. If you do not believe me, you are welcome to try. I will stand here without moving and just flick my inner fan, and I can knock the three of you to the ground. You will cry, hehe, and I will laugh."
Wu Niansheng was taken aback by her words and was pondering them carefully when Yu Minsen, not believing such nonsense, looked around, picked up half a wooden stick, grabbed it, shoved him aside, and rushed towards Qian Yingyi, saying, "What makes you think you can laugh with a single finger? I'll beat you up first, and you can cry all you want with that stick!"
He rushed towards Qian Yingyi in a rage, and soon reached her. He raised his wooden stick, ready to give her a good beating!
Qian Yingyi gave him a sinister smile, her face tilted to the side, and then gently raised her hand—
With a "bang," Yu Minsen felt as if he had been hit on the shoulder, and his body was thrown backwards for three zhang (approximately 10 meters), landing on the ground in a very disheveled state.
"..." Wu Niansheng dared not disbelieve, and gritted his teeth as he looked at Qian Yingyi, "What you said is true."
Qian Qiyu suddenly became arrogant, shouting, "Now you know how powerful we are? Hand over the toll! Otherwise, I'll beat you until you beg for mercy and never dare to come here again!"
Yu Minsen winced in pain, unable to believe such a coincidence!
He forced Wen Zhuonan and Wu Niansheng to pick up long sticks, shouting, "Don't believe their nonsense! A few lowly commoners dare to try and take advantage of me! Get rid of them now! Don't make me lose my temper and then I'll deal with you all when we get back!"
Wen Zhuonan originally intended to curry favor with Yu Minsen and Wu Niansheng, but he heard from his mother that Princess Rui's younger brother and Wu Niansheng's father were examiners at the Imperial Examination Hall next year.
He no longer planned to take the imperial examination himself, and secretly planned to spend a lot of money to find a talented but poor person to take the exam for him.
At this time, cultivating good relationships with these two individuals would be more beneficial than harmful.
Therefore, even though he believed in Jinling Yizhixiao's abilities, he had no choice but to pick up a wooden stick and rush over with all his might.
Unfortunately, this time they were hit even harder, and they fell to the ground, staggering. Wu Niansheng even twisted his ankle in pain and knocked Yu Minsen, who had just managed to get up, down again!
Qian Yingyi was so happy that she fell backwards, and she and Qian Qiyu stomped their feet together in delight. Then she winked at the two maids.
Chuntang and Xialing immediately stepped forward, took out hemp rope from their waists, and used a dagger to cut thin strips. The thicker strips were used to tie the three of them together, while the thinner strips were used to bind their hands and feet.
Chuntang was exceptionally strong, and when Yu Minsen tried to resist, she slapped his head to the side.
Thinking of how Wu Niansheng used to always pester the young lady, she clenched her fist and suddenly smacked him on the head!
Although it was Xia Ling's first time participating in such a scheme, she was timid. But thinking that she was wearing a mask, she couldn't help but raise her chin, tie the hemp rope into a tight knot, and casually reached out to untie the purses around the three men's waists. She warned in a low voice, "Remember our names. These purses are awful. We'll take the money first!"
The two maids then turned and went towards Qian Yingyi's side.
Qian Yingyi raised her delicate chin and shouted to the three of them from afar, "You stay here and wait for someone to come to your rescue. See you in the martial world!"
As the four were turning into the alley, they were suddenly interrupted by a loud shout behind them, "People from the East City Garrison? Hey! Get over here right now! Someone has robbed me of my money and escaped. Go after them and bring them back!"
It was a lively time, with officers from the Eastern City Military Command patrolling the streets to maintain order.
"boom--"
As the Qixi Festival was approaching, fireworks were lit along both banks of the Huai River, and the vast sky was instantly ablaze with light and color. Outside the alleys, there was a great deal of joyful noise and laughter.
The four paused briefly, then exchanged a knowing smile. They removed their masks, leaving behind the curses and chaotic chase of the three unfortunate souls. "Split up!"
The little hawksbill turtle landed and scooped Chuntang up in its arms.
Qian Qiyu and Xia Ling ran to the other end.
Qian Yingyi ran out of the alleyway and saw Qin Lizheng descending from the sky. She grabbed his hand, her smile brighter than ever before, "Azheng, let's run for our lives together!"
With that pull, the two rushed into the hustle and bustle. The sky was filled with brilliant stars, and the crowds on earth were in a frenzy. The fireworks display above the entire city of Jinling were grand and magnificent, but Qian Yingyi only cared about pulling him forward.
As they ran, they came to a secluded spot. Qian Yingyi, panting heavily, bent over, glanced around, and laughed, shaking her shoulders, "We've actually arrived at Xuanzhen Temple! We've run so far!"
At this moment, several girls of fifteen or sixteen years old came out of the Taoist temple, walking together, each with several colorful ribbons lying in their arms.
Because of her young age, she only liked the handsome and refined young official, and mistakenly took Qian Yingyi for a boy, so she casually threw Caijiang into Qian Yingyi's arms.
They immediately burst into laughter, and happily grabbed her skirt and ran away.
Qian Yingyi was taken aback, then burst into laughter, wrapped Caijiang around her neck, and said triumphantly, "It seems that being called a spirited young man is quite endearing!"
Qin Lizheng waited for her to calm down before asking, "The Taoist temple, shall we go in and take a look?"
Qian Yingyi nodded slightly. "Okay."
Just as she was chuckling smugly, her hand was suddenly gripped tightly, and with a gentle pull from beside her, she was taken away from where she stood.
Upon entering Xuanzhen Temple, a strong smell of incense wafted towards them. Taoist temples are usually quiet and secluded. After paying respects to the True Man in the main hall and throwing in a considerable amount of incense money, Qian Yingyi's hand was still being held tightly.
She tried to pull it out, and whispered, "Isn't that a bad idea? This is right under the noses of real people. How can we let them see these things?"
Qin Lizheng didn't let go of her, but instead asked, "Are you happy that you teased them?"
"I'm so happy..." Qian Yingyi couldn't argue with him, so she let him be. The two walked along the corridor towards the side hall. A smile played on her lips, and she seemed a little unsatisfied. "It was really great. We took care of three of them in one go!"
After speaking, they were about to reach the side hall. Unexpectedly, Qin Lizheng suddenly turned and pulled her through a narrow path to a secluded and deserted corner.
The bright moon pushed aside the clouds, shining down like a mirror. Qin Lizheng pinned her against the wall with his arms, looking at her in the dim moonlight, "I'm not happy."
Qian Yingyi gasped softly and looked up at him. She knew perfectly well why he was unhappy, so she leaned against the wall without moving and winked at him, "You promised, this won't happen again."
The two hid in a dimly lit corner, with the sound of the young Taoist priest's footsteps pacing back and forth outside. Qian Yingyi felt a little uneasy.
Seeing that he didn't speak and just stared at her with those dark yet fiery eyes, she raised her hand and pushed him, "Move aside."
Qin Lizheng chuckled, buried his face in her neck and shoulder, and wrapped his arms around her tightly, "Try to coax me first."
"If you coax me a little, I'll be happy."
Qian Yingyi tilted her head back and felt his breath on her neck, like a warm whirlpool that pulled her in.
She then indulged herself, tilting her head to kiss him on the cheek.
Is that enough?
This made Qin Lizheng hold her even tighter, and her slender body pressed against his chest, becoming even more limp.
After a long pause, Qin Lizheng finally released her, but still kept her captive, leaning close to her, his voice carrying a hint of seduction and heat, "Do you think I'm that easy to satisfy?"
This was the first time he'd been this close to her since their conversation that night. Qian Yingyi's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her face, "Why are you being so blunt..."
Qin Lizheng lifted her chin, a smile playing on his lips, his breath carrying an undisguised meaning, "To be more direct, you prefer, don't you?"
Qian Yingyi trembled slightly as he embraced her. She raised her hand to push him away, her strength weak. "Oh, please stop talking. Let go of me. It's so embarrassing if anyone sees us. We still want to walk around the temple, don't we?"
Qin Lizheng lowered his eyes, his nose brushing against her face. "Don't lie to yourself, do you still have the strength to walk?"
Their eyes met, and it was unclear who made the first move.
Qian Yingyi tilted her head back, her lips pressed against his, licking and caressing her. Lost in the passion, she instinctively wrapped her arms around him, letting out a soft moan, "Get down a little, my neck is so sore..."
Qin Lizheng swept her up in his arms, pinning her against the wall, and his hot, lingering kiss landed on her lips, his tongue probing directly inside.
"Ha... Ah Zheng... Don't kiss so hard."
Qian Yingyi spoke incoherently, her lips glistening with moisture, and couldn't help but turn her head away from his somewhat violent kiss tonight.
Qin Lizheng's usually straightforward mouth fell silent again. He simply turned her face towards him and, with his breath moist, buried his face in her mouth to kiss her.
His tongue was wet and entwined with hers, and Qian Yingyi's body went limp and she wanted to fall down, but she had no choice but to cling tightly to his shoulder. A tingling sensation climbed up from her tailbone, making her whole body tremble slightly.
After a while, Qin Lizheng, panting, released her.
As the dizziness gradually subsided, Qian Yingyi dangled her legs over his waist and unconsciously rubbed against him.
He pulled her up slightly, whispering in her ear, "This weight will make us both happy, understand?"
Before she could answer, he hugged her tighter and drew her close to him. "I don't want to leave your side for even a moment, but tonight, I counted, and we've been apart for more than three quarters of an hour, so I'm not happy."
Before he finished speaking, he leaned down and kissed her slightly parted lips, his breath tickling her ear. "You said I kiss you too hard, but you like it this way, don't you?"
Qian Yingyi opened her eyes wide and looked at him, breathing heavily, shaking her head against her will, "I won't..."
He swallowed back all the words he hadn't finished saying.
The Taoist temple was quiet and secluded. Qian Yingyi still remembered the solemn red gate she had glimpsed when she entered. The air was filled with the scent of incense, and behind her, separated by a wall, came the soft chanting of a young Taoist priest.
Just moments before, she had donated money for incense oil, yet now she was engaging in such intimate acts with him in the solemn hall.
While inwardly condemning herself for becoming a "believer in betrayal," Qian Yingyi couldn't help but indulge herself in holding him even tighter.
This kiss, which seemed even more wet and passionate under the weight of taboo, dragged her deeper and deeper into its embrace.
Like encountering a puddle of water on a hot summer day, her blood boiled, and even being soaked in water couldn't quell her restlessness.
She could no longer convince herself to feign rejection of his "frankness," nor could she refuse every kiss he laid down on her.
She couldn't even bear to part with his lips.
The colorful ribbons hanging from their necks draped over each other's shoulders, seemingly loose, yet they appeared to bind the two together.
...She's really going crazy.
The water clock in the Taoist temple chimed softly, and the kiss seemed to drag on endlessly, so long that Qian Yingyi felt she was about to die in his arms if she didn't push him away soon.
So she quickly tilted her head back and leaned against the wall, exhausted.
Footsteps grew louder as they turned the corner; it was probably a pilgrim or a young Taoist priest coming this way. A belated panic instantly gripped Qian Yingyi's heart; there was no escaping it, so she could only shrink tightly against his shoulder.
After a while, the footsteps turned and went in another direction. Only then did she dare to look up at him and glare at him lightly, her tone somewhat urgent, "Aren't you going to let go of me?"
Realizing he had let go, she hurriedly steadied herself by holding onto the wall. When she came to her senses, even looking up at him became a problem.
She had no choice but to remain silent, pretending to walk around the temple before leaving the Taoist temple that had terrified her, with a hint of wanting to escape.
Returning to the riverbank, they saw Qian Qiyu, who had changed into a robe somewhere, eating a bowl of sweet soup. Xia Ling and Chun Tang were sitting in the carriage, occasionally lifting the curtain to peek outside.
He must be waiting for her.
Qian Yingyi, feeling guilty, pursed her still numb lips, lowered her head, and leaned closer before shoving herself into the carriage.
When Qian Qiyu saw her return, he happily squeezed in as well. “Sister, am I clever enough? Look, I changed my clothes. Even if Yu Minsen disappeared, he couldn’t find me.”
"Sister?" He paused, "Your lips seem a little swollen?"
Qian Yingyi pushed him impatiently, her voice rising considerably, "Get out of here!"
Qian Qiyu blinked in bewilderment, then sheepishly lifted the curtain and went out, squeezing between Qin Lizheng and Xiao Daimao. Once the carriage had moved away, he turned to look at Qin Lizheng and asked, "What spicy food did you take my sister to eat?"
The little hawksbill turtle couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Qin Lizheng's expression was serious. He glanced at Qian Qiyu indifferently, then his gaze swept to the sugar water in Qian Qiyu's hand. "Eat it quickly. There's a difficult road ahead. Don't spill it."
Qian Yingyi listened to him talking outside and couldn't help but imagine his calm and collected demeanor. She gritted her teeth and angrily punched the car wall.
The two maids kept their eyes down, while Chuntang herself was still embarrassed. Xialing, caught in the middle, was in a dilemma and didn't know what to say, so she simply kept quiet as well.
They remained silent all the way back to Pipa Lane. As soon as Qian Yingyi got off the carriage, she rushed into the house. She was caught up by Qin Lizheng after only passing through the large garden.
Xia Ling chuckled awkwardly twice, then pulled Chun Tang along and walked ahead.
Qian Yingyi's heart pounded. She knew very well that tonight was different from usual. She lowered her eyelids and stood there, trying her best to keep her tone calm, "What else do you need?"
Qin Lizheng smiled and handed her the lantern she had left in the carriage, holding it up to illuminate her rosy cheeks. "Don't rush off, I have something to ask you."
"The day after tomorrow is the Qixi Festival, Yingyi, would you like to go to the lantern festival with me?"
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Author's note: We only kissed on the lips, nothing else. Please let this go, censor.
I'll just say one thing—
The Qixi Festival is approaching, and some people can't keep it a secret any longer. [Okay]
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