Shen Zhiyi was suddenly taken aback.
"really?!"
Qingyuan kissed her lips, "More real than pearls."
Shen Zhiyi hesitated for a long time.
"Well..." she hesitated, "I'll think about it."
Qingyuan looked helpless.
He released her lips, hugged her tightly, buried his face in her neck, closed his eyes and breathed heavily, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.
"When should we consider this?" he asked in a low, hoarse voice.
The last syllable of his voice was like a hook, sending goosebumps up Shen Zhiyi's neck.
"Qingqing, I really want to..."
His burning lips gently kissed her neck.
Shen Zhiyi's limbs went weak, and she tilted her head back to avoid his lips.
But a slight movement caused him to touch something even more undeniable...
Her eyelashes trembled.
Reach out your hand...
Qingyuan grasped her wrist, his voice hoarse and hot, his eyes burning with a dark fire.
"Aren't you tired, Qingqing?"
He gently rubbed her reddened palms.
The delicate skin, with just a gentle rub, leaves a distinct mark.
Although most of the redness has subsided since last night, there is still a faint redness that has not completely faded.
Shen Zhiyi grabbed his wrist in return.
"I'm not tired." She blushed and touched his cheek with her forehead. "How about I cry for you, my husband?"
Qingyuan's ears turned red as he slowly released her hand.
He rested his head on her shoulder, panting heavily, "Just keep torturing me..."
She had no idea that her help would not extinguish the flames, but instead would cause the suppressed embers to smolder and grow even more intense, fueling an even fiercer fire.
Until one day it becomes unbearable.
It will definitely leap up and scorch her fiercely!
But at this moment, he still retained a sliver of reason and indulged her according to his heart.
"Ugh..." Qingyuan gritted his teeth and endured it, letting out a soft sigh.
The mermaid pearls rolled off one by one.
Shen Zhiyi felt hot all over, but she became more and more excited.
Her eyes lit up as she watched the increasing number of mermaid pearls.
Nothing is more exhilarating than money...
She even thought that she could just make herself the richest person in Jiangnan!
But there's plenty of time in the future.
Her hands are a little sore now.
"Why aren't you done yet?" She leaned on his shoulder and bit his neck.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Qingyuan's forehead, and a thin layer of redness spread across the corners of his eyes.
He bit open her clothes.
He covered her hand with his large hand, "If you're tired, Qingqing, I'll help you."
Shen Zhiyi's hands went weak, letting him hold them, her face flushed as she thought—
Who's really helping whom...?
She caught a glimpse of the intense sunlight outside, squinted, and felt a little dizzy.
It should be him who is unable to control himself.
Why would she... fall into depravity along with them?
Shen Zhiyi was somewhat puzzled.
In the blink of an eye, she was swept up in Qingyuan's arms and pressed down on the soft blanket.
Her pupils contracted sharply.
"What...what are you doing?!"
Qingyuan supported himself with his arms, hovering above her, and gently stroked her eyebrows and eyes with a touch of affection.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything without your permission."
His gaze, almost tangible, fell heavily on her face as he said slowly, "However, husband and wife should share joys and sorrows, and go through thick and thin together."
"Qingqing helped me, so I should help you too, shouldn't I?"
After saying that, he bent down.
Shen Zhiyi's eyes widened, her fingertips gripping the soft blanket tightly...
*
The county magistrate's residence.
A dashing young man, holding a folding fan, lifted the carriage curtain and bent down to get out of the carriage.
He stopped, slightly raised his eyes, and glanced at the plaque above the gate.
The magistrate's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed to greet him.
"Lord Li, this way please."
As he walked, he said, “My lord, you must be tired from your journey. If I have failed to provide adequate hospitality, I hope you will forgive me.”
Li Zhiyin smiled faintly, saying, "You're too kind, Magistrate."
"I am merely acting on the orders of the Imperial Concubine to come to her maternal home in Jiangnan and find some rare and unusual items."
"There's nothing important here, Magistrate, you needn't worry."
The magistrate smiled, but his heart was pounding.
He had already received a secret message from the capital.
This young master Li Zhiyin is the half-brother of the Imperial Concubine.
Although he did not hold any important position in the capital, he was a confidant of the Imperial Concubine.
This trip to Jiangnan must be to investigate the cause of Li Xianchuan's death!
The day before yesterday, Li Xianchuan was boating on the lake when the boat inexplicably capsized, and when the person was pulled out, he was already a corpse.
Although it was an accident, he still died on his own turf.
No matter what, the Imperial Concubine should be given an explanation.
The magistrate welcomed the man into his residence and immediately knelt down.
"Lord Li, you are wise. The Imperial Concubine's nephew, Li Xianchuan, accidentally fell into the water. I sent a coroner to examine him early this morning, and he did not find anything amiss."
"It was my oversight that I failed to send anyone to protect him while he was enjoying the lanterns on the lake, which led to this heartbreaking incident for the Imperial Concubine."
"This humble official is willing to accept punishment."
Li Zhiyin unfolded his folding fan, his smile gentle.
"If it was an accident, what does it have to do with the county magistrate?"
He waved his fan and said slowly, "The Imperial Concubine is the most tolerant, and will certainly not punish you for a fabricated crime."
"Let's just let this matter rest."
His eyes flickered.
Li Xianchuan was clearly an excellent swimmer, so how could he have drowned?
This matter is suspicious.
He knew he wouldn't get anything out of the magistrate, so he would conduct a secret investigation.
It is said that Li Xianchuan met a Taoist priest before he died.
Perhaps we can glean some information from that Taoist priest...
Thinking of this, Li Zhiyin smiled and said, "I came here today to ask the magistrate, who made this luminous pearl?"
He took out a luminous pearl.
The magistrate took one look and was startled.
Isn't this the luminous pearl that Shen Zhiyi auctioned off a few days ago?
How did it end up in the hands of the Imperial Concubine?!
He chuckled awkwardly, cupped his hands, and said, "May I ask, sir, why do you wish to find the owner of this luminous pearl?"
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