Marquis Zhongyong was half asleep when he sensed someone approaching him. Out of vigilance, he jumped up and grabbed the other person by the throat.
Upon recognizing the person, she quickly released her grip, asking, "Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?"
Cui Yihuan's eyes welled up with tears from his pinching, and she said aggrievedly, "Cough cough cough... I kindly came to call the Marquis to have dinner, but the Marquis pinched me... cough cough cough... and even asked me if it hurt. Why doesn't the Marquis try pinching himself?"
Don't you know how much effort you used?
It really hurt her terribly.
This brute.
Seeing the clear finger marks on Cui Yihuan's fair neck, Marquis Zhongyong said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you. I'll go get you some ointment."
He was dreaming of war when someone approached, which is why he struck hard.
Cui Yihuan's eyes flickered slightly.
He used to call himself "this Marquis," but now he's calling himself "I." Does that mean he really is himself?
"No need. It would be unseemly to alarm the Wang family. I will apply some medicine myself when we return to the manor. Please, my lord, do not lay a hand on me again."
"I am but a weak woman; I cannot withstand even a few pinches from you, or I might be heading to meet the King of Hell."
If she weren't now the concubine of the Marquis of Zhongyong, she wouldn't have come to invite him to dinner.
It wasted her time with her aunt.
These marks must not be seen by my aunt, lest she worry unnecessarily.
Cui Yihuan took out some face powder from her purse to cover the fingerprints, and then pulled her collar up a little before leaving the room where the Marquis of Zhongyong was resting.
Watching the smooth and effortless movements, Marquis Zhongyong finally realized that a woman could use cosmetics to cover up her tears.
He knew best how irresponsible he had been as a husband. If Lan hated him and was unwilling to acknowledge him, and begged Madam Wang to help keep it a secret from him, Madam Wang, who loved her dearly, would surely cooperate.
After figuring it out, he quietly walked up behind Cui Yihuan.
Cui Yihuan was also wary. At the fork in the road, she turned back to look at him. "I was just given directions by my maid, but I can't remember the way back right now. Could you please lead the way, Your Excellency?"
Xie Bang wanted to test her familiarity with the Prince's residence, but she refused to leave.
Marquis Zhongyong thought to himself that Tinglan really didn't want to acknowledge him and was now pretending not to know the way to the Prince's Mansion to confuse him.
He walked over to Cui Yihuan and pointed to the right, saying, "Go this way."
Cui Yihuan stared at the road on the north side of the South Garden of the Dining Hall, her legs stiff as she walked forward.
The Wang family's ancestors were a prominent clan, and their mansion was quite large. If they went around this road, it would take them less than half an hour to reach the dining hall.
The shoes she wore today fit perfectly, but after walking a lot, the toes would feel tight, and her toes would probably get blisters after half an hour.
Cui Yihuan didn't want her feet to suffer for nothing.
And she felt that Xie Bang must have done it on purpose.
He's a general who's been on campaigns and has been to the Prince's residence many times before, how could he possibly get lost?
Marquis Zhongyong Yu Guang kept a close eye on her expression, especially the way she had reluctantly walked this path. He was even more certain that she was Lou Tinglan, and that she was pretending to be unfamiliar with the Prince's Mansion because she didn't want him to recognize her.
Unaware of the Marquis of Zhongyong's thoughts, Cui Yihuan, after walking for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, cried out in pain and pretended to twist her ankle, falling to the ground.
She didn't want to leave.
Marquis Zhongyong's eyes narrowed, and he quickly supported her, asking, "How are you? Where does it hurt?"
He didn't know that Cui Yihuan was faking it, and feeling worried, he went to take off Cui Yihuan's shoes and socks.
"No."
Cui Yihuan quickly stopped her, whispering, "My lord, I just twisted my ankle, it's nothing serious."
"I will be leaving to marry in the future, so it is improper for me to remove my shoes and socks in front of the Marquis."
She struggled to get up on her own.
If my shoes and socks are taken off, wouldn't that give me away?
Marquis Zhongyong was already worried, and when he heard that she was going to leave to marry someone else, he felt even more distressed.
He placed his fingers directly on Cui Yihuan's ankle, gently pinched it, and asked, "Does it hurt?"
Cui Yihuan nodded, "Some... I'm afraid I won't be able to walk anymore. I'd appreciate it if Your Highness could call a maid for me."
When the Wang family's maid arrives, she will guide her on the right path, and she won't have to follow Xie Bang around in circles anymore.
Marquis Zhongyong examined her feet and, seeing that they were not swollen, was somewhat relieved.
He then picked the person up in his arms.
He didn't know that Cui Yihuan was Tinglan before, but now that he does, how could he possibly let her leave the capital to marry someone else?
If Lan hates him, then he will give her time and try his best to make amends.
Cui Yihuan no longer has to walk so much; her goal has been achieved in a different way.
But on his face he looked terrified, and he frantically pounded on the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, "My lord, this is not right, please put me down..."
Marquis Zhongyong said calmly, "The whole capital knows you are my woman. There's nothing wrong with me carrying you when you sprained your ankle. Even if we had nothing to do with each other, people wouldn't believe it."
Cui Yihuan choked.
They were powerless to refute it.
But then, she grabbed the Marquis Zhongyong's ears with both hands and exclaimed, "But my lord, I... I feel dizzy... Quick... put me down... Ouch... I feel so dizzy..."
Anyway, they've already done all the intimate things that old married couples do, so if that jerk wants to hug her, let him. But she can't let the opportunity to torment him go to waste.
Seemingly clinging to the ears of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage as a lifeline, Cui Yihuan gripped them tightly with both hands.
Marquis Zhongyong felt utterly helpless; how high could his embrace possibly reach?
How much does Tinglan hate herself?
Even so, he still didn't turn back and continued down the wrong path.
Just as Cui Yihuan felt her hands were getting sore, the two finally arrived outside the dining hall, and he put Cui Yihuan down.
Everyone looked at the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's swollen ears and tacitly refrained from mentioning it.
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