Chapter 30: Guess the worst that could happen is running away early
The moon's shadows were everywhere, the shadows of the trees were swaying, and the night wind was blowing gently.
Xue Zhiying was sitting cross-legged on the couch in a thin nightgown, holding a brocade box in her hands, looking at it with a frown.
The round white jade bottle was still in the box, but the lid showed signs of having been opened.
She opened it and looked at the cream inside. It was almost transparent and had a light scent, but it became smooth and moisturizing once she spread it with her fingers.
Xue Zhiying certainly did not agree with Xiao Yuanxiang's random guess without knowing the truth, but she didn't understand why Xiao Yunqi gave her this thing.
Is it a gift?
She tilted her head and took out the round bottle from the box.
Or was it trouble she had caused again?
But she never got into any trouble again. Even last time, she didn't quite understand why she was the one who got into trouble.
After thinking fruitlessly, Xue Zhiying planned to put down the brocade box and go to bed, but then hesitated for a moment. Finally, she took out the round bottle and rubbed the paste on her body before finally lying down.
Tonight, Xue Zhiying had a wonderful dream.
She dreamed that she turned into a little bird and lived in a birdcage called Xiaofu.
The birdcage was not locked, but it had high bars.
She tried many times, but she didn't have enough strength to jump over the fence and get out of the birdcage.
But she wanted to go out so much that she practiced flying day after day.
One day, her wings grew strong and flapped powerfully, and she tentatively took off from the fence.
She flew higher and higher without any effort until she actually cleared the fence.
Xue Zhiying looked down at the mansion and said goodbye to it softly.
She continued to flap her wings, flying higher and farther.
The sky is vast and boundless.
She went to many places and saw many different scenery.
When she met strange birds, she nodded and said hello to them.
When she met humans who wanted to keep her captive, she shook her head and said she wanted to move on.
She is so free and happy.
It's just a little lonely sometimes.
At this time, she met her good friends from the past in the sky.
They played together in circles until their wings were too tired to flap, and then they rested together on the treetops.
Her good friend returned home, and she set off again.
This time, she met a male bird.
Perhaps he is ordinary in the eyes of other birds.
But she fell in love with him at first sight, and he was special in her heart.
She will have another bird to accompany her on her future journey.
They should be together for a long time, flying together, and going wherever they want to go.
…
Suddenly a familiar figure blocked their way.
Xue Zhiying was small in stature and had to crane her neck very high to see the man's face.
The moment she saw it clearly, she was shocked.
Xiao Yunqi stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at her condescendingly.
She subconsciously moved her paws and retreated.
But before she could take two steps back, the man suddenly bent down and easily grabbed her wings with just two fingers.
Xue Zhiying was so panicked that she couldn't flap her wings and could only struggle with her claws.
But the strength of her struggle was insignificant to the man.
The claws finally landed on a large palm.
Xiao Yunqi's face enlarged in front of her eyes, his dark black eyes staring at her closely, making her feel an invisible sense of oppression.
Xue Zhiying was so frightened that she shuddered and her feathers trembled.
The man seemed to be trying to scare her. Seeing her fright, he chuckled nonchalantly: "Sure enough, your wings have hardened and you can fly quite far."
He just grabbed her and tried to take her away.
Xue Zhiying was so anxious that she wanted to beg for mercy, but she opened her mouth and could only make chirping sounds.
The man held her pointed little mouth.
He said, "If you act like a spoiled child again, I'll tie your mouth."
Xue Zhiying was frightened again and dared not make a sound anymore.
At this time, Mu Yan came over and bowed and asked, "Master, there is another male bird over there. What should we do with it?"
Her cock!
Xue Zhiying's eyes widened as she listened to the man's casual, indifferent voice: "Kill it and roast it. Remember to pluck the hair cleanly."
No……
"Yes, Master."
don't want!
Don't roast her cock—
Xue Zhiying woke up from her dream and found it was already bright outside.
She blinked blankly, and it took her a long time to realize that she was dreaming.
She slowly curled up, hugging the thin quilt with her arms, and thought with some annoyance, it was clearly a beautiful dream at the beginning, why did the situation change so suddenly when Xiao Yunqi appeared.
He was so mean that he even wanted to roast her cock.
Xue Zhiying was indignant in her heart, but she didn't take this dream seriously at all.
After all, no matter what, it was completely impossible for Xiao Yunqi to come all the way to catch her little bird.
*
The side hall of Yingfeng Courtyard.
Xiao Zhengyin from the third house came to visit, and with him was Xiao Yuanxiang, who insisted on going with him for some unknown reason.
"Uncle San, please sit down."
Xiao Yunqi stretched out his hand calmly, his eyes casually sweeping over the girl behind the middle-aged man.
Xiao Yuanxiang was caught red-handed while looking at her furtively, and he immediately lowered his eyes out of guilt.
But after a while, she couldn't help but look up again, fortunately Xiao Yunqi had looked away.
"Wen Yu, you said this is the whole story. You know Third Uncle never likes to meddle in these matters, but I have to obey Mother's orders. Please bear with me."
Xiao Yunqi said, "Uncle, you're too kind. I'm passing through a tea-growing area and heard that the tea is abundant and of excellent quality, so I'd like to invite you to taste it."
Xiao Zhengyin smiled naively: "Okay, then Third Uncle will not be polite."
Xiao Zhengyin came here to fulfill the task assigned by the old lady to urge marriage.
This kind of thing would happen from time to time in the Xiao Mansion. Each family would take turns to come and persuade him. After so many times, Xiao Yunqi was naturally annoyed. Xiao Zhengyin, who was not good at this, felt really bad about it. Every time he came, he would just chat and drink tea like this and get away with it.
But this was the first time Xiao Yuanxiang came along.
She thought she could hear some conversation that would support her guess, but her father and eldest brother chatted idly about everything else, not mentioning anything about marriage.
In the end, she didn't hear any useful information and was bored for nearly half an hour.
When she left Yingfengyuan, she was dejected and disappointed.
Xiao Zhengyin was puzzled by his daughter's low mood and was about to say something to show his concern.
Xiao Yuanxiang waved his hand and turned away: "Dad, I'm leaving first. I won't be traveling with you anymore."
Xiao Zhengyin was stunned, and looked at his daughter's back with increasing confusion as she quickly disappeared around the corner.
Xiao Yuanxiang turned around and went to Jingshuiyuan.
Feeling so depressed, I naturally need to find a good sister to talk to.
When Xiao Yuanxiang entered Jingshuiyuan, Xue Zhiying was embroidering.
She brought a small stool and sat next to her, telling her to continue embroidering without stopping, and then she started talking to herself.
"Recently, my family has been urging my eldest brother to get married."
Xue Zhiying: "...That means you've been urging me all along."
Xiao Yuanxiang shook her head. "This time is different from the past. I heard it from my grandmother before. She was very serious and said that even if it cost her her life, she would make sure that my eldest brother got married."
Xue Zhiying couldn't help but be surprised: "Is it so serious?"
"If they won't listen to kind words, then we can only use radical coercion."
Xue Zhiying couldn't help but think of what Xiao Ningwang said to her in Yunmo Zhai a few days ago.
Xiao Yuanxiang said, "But no matter how radical we are, given Big Brother's personality, if he doesn't want to, no amount of coercion will be of any use."
Xue Zhiying nodded absentmindedly: "That's true."
But Xiao Yuanxiang changed the subject: "But if big brother has different ideas, he might really decide to get married this time."
"What's the difference..."
Xue Zhiying had just threaded the needle and was about to ask casually, but suddenly stopped.
Xiao Yuanxiang, however, didn't notice at all. He immediately shook her hand excitedly and said, "It's that different idea I mentioned last time."
"If that's true, why would he hesitate? He would naturally tell you what he's thinking and then marry you... Mmmmm!"
Xue Zhiying flung aside her embroidery in shock and covered Xiao Yuanxiang's mouth with her hand. "Yuanxiang, stop talking nonsense. This is impossible."
After being released, Xiao Yuanxiang took two breaths and lowered his voice, but he still insisted, "How can it be impossible? There are indeed some clues."
Xue Zhiying felt her face flush with anxiety when she heard she was still speculating. She tried to cover it up with a weak voice, "Didn't you say you just went to Yingfeng Courtyard and didn't hear anything? This is impossible. You're just speculating."
Xiao Yuanxiang murmured, "Well, that's what I said...but isn't it also because my father didn't ask anything that I didn't hear anything?"
Xue Zhiying simply pursed her lips and stopped talking.
Xiao Yuanxiang didn't know the truth, so she didn't know the reason for the clues she discovered, nor did she know about Xiao Ningwang's previous persuasion for Xiao Yunqi to compromise.
It was totally inconsistent with her guess.
The fact is that she deliberately approached Xiao Yunqi, and she was the one who pestered him and wanted to use him to achieve her own wishes with bad intentions.
If it weren't for Xiao Yunqi's secret love for her, he would never use this as an excuse to marry her.
Xue Zhiying felt guilty for hiding the truth from Xiao Yuanxiang, and at the same time, she inevitably became worried again when she mentioned this matter.
Although Xiao Yunqi did not respond to her request that she accidentally said in a hurry last time, she didn't know whether he didn't care or was secretly thinking about it in his heart.
Just as Xiao Yuanxiang said, if Xiao Yunqi didn't want to, no one could force him to get married.
But if he is really annoyed by it, it is not impossible for him to take a concubine to solve his troubles.
Xue Zhiying couldn't help but feel conflicted about whether she should beg him again or not mention the matter again.
Just as she was thinking about this, Xiao Yuanxiang slapped his thigh and whispered seriously in her ear, "Anyway, wait and see how my eldest brother expresses his stance this time. Then you'll know whether my guess is right or wrong!"
*
Xiao Yuanxiang didn't stay in Jingshuiyuan for too long.
She left only after Xue Zhiying finished embroidering a handkerchief.
Afterwards, Xue Zhiying did not stop and continued to embroider the next piece.
Until dusk fell and the sky became silent.
Xue Zhiying took a shower to wash away the dullness brought by the summer, and opened a small window to try to blow away the complexity in her heart.
But she lay down on the bed, the evening breeze blew across her deliberately open heart, and gently ruffled her hair.
The thoughts that had been bothering me all day could not be dispelled, but instead spread further in the boundless darkness.
Xue Zhiying knew that Xiao Yuanxiang was not making random guesses on purpose.
She felt sorry for her and hoped she would be well.
After all, he is a man of the same status and position as Xiao Yunqi, and his figure and appearance are also superior. If she can really have such a marriage, it will be much better than what she has encountered in the past, and she will no longer encounter difficulties in the future.
But when she already has a way out that she truly desires in her heart, she will not fantasize about such unrealistic things, nor will she even think that this is better than what she wants.
She has already achieved a lot of success.
She could sell a lot of embroidery works for a lot of silver when she left the house. With ten taels of silver in her hand, she could buy another batch of cloth from Yunniang and earn double or even more silver. She would gradually become as mature as in her dream, and then she would be able to leave.
Xue Zhiying frowned slightly.
But she is also worried about the hidden dangers on the road to success.
Xiao Yuanxiang said that the outcome would be clear when Xiao Yunqi expressed his stance.
If nothing happens, it would be a blessing.
But if the final result is that she is really taken as a concubine by Xiao Yunqi as a shield, then she will be completely defeated and there will be no recovery.
Xue Zhiying tossed and turned because of this.
She didn't dare to act rashly, but she also didn't want to sit and wait for death.
She thought tentatively that since she could ask Xiao Yunqi to give her money, take her out of the house, and develop such a relationship with him, it should not be impossible for her to ask him to promise not to take her as a concubine.
She took a step back and thought, even if this move failed, the worst that could happen was that she would run away early.
Even if a bird with unfledged wings stumbles, it is still possible for it to fly high. Only when it is locked up will it never be able to fly high.
Once this idea appeared, it could not be dispelled, causing Xue Zhiying's originally wavering thoughts to irrationally lean towards one side.
Until she was entangled on the couch for another incense stick of time.
A figure suddenly sat up on the couch.
Xue Zhiying got up from the bed, picked up a coat and put it on as she walked out.
The moonlight is bright and the stars are sparse.
Xue Zhiying walked on a narrow path where no one passed by.
There were no lights around, and the dense branches and leaves obscured her figure as she moved, and also blocked the bright moonlight, making the narrow path pitch black, and she could hardly see the road under her feet.
But Xue Zhiying walked very fast.
It's because I'm afraid of the dark and also to avoid accidentally running into others.
As she walked, she tried to distract herself with other thoughts to dispel the fear brought by the darkness.
This reminded her that she didn't know whether Xiao Yunqi was at home today.
Xue Zhiying paused. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, making a rustling sound in the narrow path. She felt frightened and began to retreat.
Immediately, she mustered up her courage, took bigger steps and continued forward.
At the same time, Mu Yan followed Xiao Yunqi with his head down and in silence on another wide avenue leading to Yingfengyuan.
Xiao Yunqi had been in a bad mood these days. He had just returned from a busy half-month period. Just when he was taking a break after a case came to an end, something unexpected happened in the Lin'an King case. The person most implicated was Xiao Mingyuan, who had previously claimed that it was only related to the money house.
That time, Xiao Yunqi did not completely help, he just protected Xiao Mingyuan, but still destroyed all the banks he was involved in. He didn't expect that he was involved in much more than that.
To this end, he had been busy for several days until this hour, and then he had to leave Beijing again to clean up this mess.
The moonlight sprinkled on the man's stern face, and the night sky was dotted with stars in his eyes.
In the silence, he suddenly thought of Xue Zhiying.
I remembered that pretty face that was flushed behind the curtain, and those tearful eyes.
And she was aggrieved but still demanding as she grabbed his sleeve and begged him to take her out of the house.
Obviously, there is no time to spare.
However, he had no doubt that she might be sad that the promise she had asked for was not fulfilled, and then be bold enough to try to climb over the wall again.
If he is caught again, he will not be let off as easily as this time.
The spacious avenue gradually began to narrow and would merge with another road at the corner ahead, but at this moment, the narrow road that was usually seldom walked on was faintly swaying with shadows. As it was approaching the intersection, even the sound of footsteps could be clearly heard.
The sound of furtive and hurried footsteps.
Xiao Yunqi paused at the intersection and tilted his head slightly to look towards the dark narrow road.
Mu Yan became alert and turned to check as well, but couldn't see clearly. He lowered his voice and asked, "Master, can I go in and take a look?"
Just as he finished speaking, the dark shadow in the narrow passage suddenly lost its balance and swayed, accompanied by a short and uncontrollable scream.
With a muffled bang—
Mu Yan was surprised: "Master, that seems to be..."
Before he finished speaking, the man in front of him took a step and walked straight into the dark narrow passage.
Mu Yan was stunned and subconsciously wanted to take a step forward to follow, but after extending his foot, he hesitated and retracted it.
He pursed his lips and looked around, then turned his back to the narrow path and stood straight.
Xue Zhiying's eyes welled up with tears almost the moment she fell.
In her hurried steps, she tripped over the stone steps and fell forward suddenly, landing hard without any cushioning.
Unbearable stinging pain came from her hands and knees, making her lie on the ground feeling ashamed and wronged.
She tried to endure the pain and tried to get up quickly, but suddenly her body froze again.
Slow footsteps approached in the darkness.
The sound hits the heart and makes people feel boundless fear.
Xue Zhiying's eyes felt sore and the hairs on his body stood up.
I accidentally rubbed a painful spot on my hand and fell down again just as I was halfway up.
“Woo——”
She sobbed in pain, causing the footsteps to stop abruptly.
Are there any ghosts that dare not approach when they hear crying?
Xue Zhiying thought anxiously, and raised her head to look with trembling neck.
The shadow that was almost submerged in the darkness began to move again.
Xue Zhiying opened her mouth to cry, but suddenly her throat felt choked.
The black shadow took a few steps towards her, and finally revealed his blurry face.
Xue Zhiying's voice finally cleared from her throat, and she cried with a nasal tone: "Cousin... wuwuwuwu."
Xiao Yunqi lowered his eyes expressionlessly and was speechless for a moment.
Xue Zhiying sobbed for a while, and suddenly realized the position she was in when she was lying on the ground. She stopped crying immediately and hurriedly tried to stand up again, enduring the pain.
Xiao Yunqi's expression changed slightly, and the hand hanging by his side just raised slightly.
The figure that was already swaying in front of me suddenly fell down.
Before Xue Zhiying could stand up, her legs hurt so much that she was about to fall down again.
She reached forward in panic to grab.
Xiao Yunqi's face darkened, he bent down and put his arm around the person's waist, then lifted her up suddenly with his arms.
Xue Zhiying's forehead hit his chest again and he staggered.
Finally, I stood up, and the strange touch that I had stuffed into my palm in a panic came back to me clearly.
She was stunned and looked down at her hands, then raised her eyes hesitantly.
Until I met a pair of dark eyes.
Xiao Yunqi was about to loosen his arms, but Xue Zhiying was so frightened that she subconsciously wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Cousin, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."
She wasn't sure what she had just caught.
Soft and hot.
A big ball.
Her brain had already made her realize the situation and admit her mistake.
Xiao Yunqi's face darkened, and he let go of her hand, but stood still and let her hold him tightly.
Xue Zhiying almost pressed her whole body against him and couldn't stand on her own.
The pain she felt after the trial made her no longer want to try to stand alone. She simply leaned against him and asked in a low voice, "Why is my cousin here?"
The man in front of him sneered: "Shouldn't I be the one asking you this?"
Xue Zhiying's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly raised her head from his chest and met his eyes again.
Still dark and oppressive, with cold eyes.
This made her realize that what she had just caught might really be that.
But... the feel is different from before.
I don’t understand, but I don’t dare to ask.
Afraid that he would throw her out of his arms in a rage.
"I want to go to Yingfengyuan to see my cousin."
She added seriously, "This road is deserted during the day, and it's even more secluded at night, so you won't be discovered if you walk this way."
Xiao Yunqi recalled the messy footsteps he had just heard and was speechless.
Bold and timid, reckless and clumsy.
After a moment, he said coldly, "Stand firm on your own."
Fortunately, he just gave the order and did not take any action.
Otherwise, Xue Zhiying would have been caught off guard and fallen.
Remembering the strange touch on her palm, she gave up her plea and began to retreat obediently with her head lowered.
She tried to stand up tentatively, her hands unconsciously grabbing his clothes again.
Xiao Yunqi lowered his eyes and took a look, and wrinkles appeared on both sides of his chest.
It really makes people laugh. He always pushes himself too far for no apparent reason. Even after falling down like this, he still wants to show off.
After a brief moment of relief, Xue Zhiying's leg pain was no longer so severe that she couldn't even stand.
She let go and stood firmly.
Just as he was about to say thank you, Xiao Yunqi turned around and walked out of the narrow path.
"Cousin, wait for me."
Since everyone had seen it, Xue Zhiying naturally wanted to follow.
With him leading the way, she didn't have to sneak in stealthily.
Xiao Yunqi ignored her, but fortunately he was not walking fast. She gritted her teeth and took bigger steps to follow closely behind him.
Mu Yan ended his guard duty and looked back when he heard footsteps coming from behind him.
Seeing her master walking in front with a cold expression and her cousin limping behind, she was stunned.
“…”
It’s the middle of the night, who would see me even if I carry him around?
Why are you still pretending at this time?
Mu Yan was angry in his heart, but he greeted calmly, "Cousin."
Xue Zhiying's face flushed and she nodded slightly.
Then they became a threesome.
The atmosphere was inexplicably awkward.
Xiao Yunqi walked in front, and Mu Yan was originally walking at the end, but when he saw Xue Zhiying walking with difficulty, he walked to her side and stood side by side with her, ready to protect his arrogant master at the right time.
Alas, what's the point of just walking slowly?
A beloved woman needs careful care. When will his master finally understand this?
Xue Zhiying was unaware of Mu Yan's worry. She was still ashamed that her intention to go to Yingfengyuan was clearly revealed in front of him.
But the constant pain in her knees made it difficult for her to continue walking alone.
She finally turned around and said in a low voice, "Mu Yan, can you help me up?"
Mu Yan put his thoughts aside and noticed out of the corner of his eye that the man in front of him slowed down his pace slightly.
He boldly reached out his hand, but not to help anyone, but to point forward to Xue Zhiying.
Xue Zhiying was stunned and moved her lips silently: "Really?"
Mu Yan nodded repeatedly and pointed harder.
Xue Zhiying turned her head to look at Xiao Yunqi's hands hanging relaxedly at her side.
She hesitated and moved forward hesitantly.
By the way, I briefly wondered how I could keep up with such slow movements.
Until she finally reached out and hooked the man's fingers.
With a false stumble, the hand suddenly exerted force and covered her entire hand with its backhand.
Xue Zhiying took a half step towards him.
Xiao Yunqi paused.
Then he gradually raised his arm slightly, without letting go, and continued to lead the person forward.
-----------------------
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