Chapter 167: A Thought in My Heart
Qiu Xia sat on the edge of the bed, her slender fingers holding a soaked handkerchief, carefully wiping away the bloodstains and medicine marks on Xiao Yao Lang's abdomen. Each touch seemed as if she were afraid of waking the sleeping pain: "Xiao Yao Lang, you must hold on, I..." Her lips parted slightly, but the words caught in her throat, and for a moment she didn't know what to say, only a heart full of worry silently churning in her chest.
Her gaze inadvertently swept over his strong, well-proportioned chest muscles, the clearly defined lines of which made her heart skip a beat. Her fingertips, as if on their own, gently traced his chest. With a slight press, the firm touch in her palm sent a strange shiver through her. Her face flushed, and her breath hitched.
Qiu Xia looked up at his face again. His forehead was full and round, his thick black eyebrows were sharp and pointed, his eyelashes were long and thick, his nose was straight and elegant, and his lips were clearly defined with a faint red tinge. His full jaw was also perfectly proportioned, adding to his calm and composed demeanor.
A strand of hair fell down, partially obscuring his face. Qiu Xia subconsciously reached out, wanting to brush the strand of hair away, but her fingertips stopped the moment they touched his cheek, as if they were stuck to his warm skin, and she forgot to pull them back for a moment.
"Miss Qiuxia." Ling Xueyan's clear voice suddenly came from the doorway. Qiuxia, like a startled deer, quickly pulled her hand back and hid it in her sleeve, her heart pounding like a drum.
"Master Ling." She hurriedly stood up, trying to calm her pounding heart and make her voice sound steady, but her cheeks were burning uncontrollably.
Ling Xueyan glanced at Xiaoyao Lang on the bed and walked straight over: "Miss Qiuxia, you should go and rest first. I will take care of Young Master Xiaoyao here." As she spoke, she sat down on the edge of the bed, her posture as natural as if this position was rightfully hers.
Qiu Xia was taken aback by the sight, her mind filled with doubt: Xiao Yao Lang and she had clearly just met, so was Ling Xueyan's sudden concern a bit too eager? She composed herself and said tactfully, "Master Ling, Longyang City has just been established, and everything is in need of rebuilding. As the new city lord, you must be very busy and have many important matters to attend to. Xiao Yao Lang is currently unconscious and only needs simple care. I can manage on my own, and I dare not trouble you any further."
Ling Xueyan sneered inwardly: This brat's eyes are practically watering at Xiaoyao Lang, she's clearly smitten! How could I let her get close to him? Xiaoyao Lang… humph, he's the one I've set my sights on! Daring to steal my man! You probably don't know what happened to your senior sister, do you?
She remained outwardly calm, her tone carrying an undeniable force: "Miss Qiuxia, you are mistaken. Precisely because I am the host of this place, I should fulfill my duties as a host. How can I let you work so hard? I have already made arrangements for the affairs of the city. You can go and rest in peace." With that, she reached out and forcefully snatched the wet towel from Qiuxia's hand.
Seeing Ling Xueyan's domineering and tyrannical attitude, Qiu Xia knew that there was no point in arguing any further, so she had no choice but to compromise: "Well... alright, thank you for your trouble, Master Ling." She moved over and made room for Ling Xueyan on the side of the bed.
"Miss Qiuxia, you're too kind," Ling Xueyan said with a faint, enigmatic smile. "Young Master Xiaoyao is my dear friend. Now that he is so seriously injured, I should do my utmost to help him personally!" She spoke these words without batting an eye, as if she and Xiaoyao Lang were old friends, completely forgetting that this was only their first meeting.
Qiu Xia nodded slightly, saying nothing more. "I'll take my leave now, and visit again tomorrow." She turned and walked towards the door, her steps slightly heavy. Reaching the door, she couldn't resist her lingering concern and quietly glanced back. She saw Ling Xueyan already holding a new wet wipe, carefully wiping Xiaoyao Lang's forehead, her movements carrying a hint of intimacy. Qiu Xia felt a pang in her heart, biting her lip, but finally resolutely stepped out the door.
As soon as Qiu Xia's figure disappeared outside the door, Ling Xueyan's hand suddenly stopped moving. Her fingers, which were holding the wet wipe, twitched slightly, and she extended her slender index finger, with a hint of infatuation and possessiveness, gently tracing Xiaoyao Lang's angular cheek.
In those phoenix eyes, emotions flowed, like spring water shrouded in mist: such a handsome appearance, even more beautiful than Xie Yunfeng, simply the most perfect masterpiece of heaven! He possesses unfathomable cultivation... If I were to cultivate with you, and share the pleasures of love, what an intoxicating and soul-stirring experience that would be... ... The longing in her eyes was almost overflowing.
Xiaoyao Lang was severely injured, his consciousness was in a state of chaos, and he was completely unaware of everything around him. Although the blue dragon soul residing within his body contained restorative power, it could only slowly nourish his damaged meridians, and its effects were not immediately apparent.
Inside the Yi residence, Yi Qingxue's bright eyes were already red and swollen from crying, resembling two peaches, completely devoid of tears. She clutched the Xi Shi Qin tightly to her chest, as if it were her only support! Her thin shoulders trembled uncontrollably, and she choked back sobs, murmuring to herself, "Second brother, where are you? Are you still alive? Father is gone... Eldest brother is gone too... What should I do... What should I do..." Her voice was hoarse, filled with endless confusion and helplessness.
"Miss, you haven't eaten or drunk anything for two whole days... Please eat something..." The maid Xiao Dan held up the porridge that had long since gone cold, her brows furrowed, her voice full of pleading.
The maid Xiaoqing, standing nearby, echoed with a sob, "Miss, if you continue like this, how can your body take it? If anything happens to you, we servants will be held responsible even if we die a thousand deaths... Please..." As she spoke, she knelt down in front of Yi Qingxue with a thud, tears streaming down her face.
Yi Qingxue, however, seemed to be in another world, ignoring the pleading maid in front of her and turning a deaf ear to her. She simply hugged the Xishi Qin in her arms tighter, as if trying to draw a sliver of comfort from the cold wood.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, she abruptly raised her head, a strange light flashing in her dazed eyes. She murmured to herself, "Second Brother is still alive! He must be outside... I have to find Second Brother! I have to find Second Brother!!" She repeated this over and over, as if possessed. Clutching the heavy guqin, she staggered to her feet and rushed toward the door in a daze.
The two maids were stunned by this sudden action. Xiao Dan's voice trembled with tears: "Miss...Miss, could she...have gone mad?" The two exchanged a horrified glance, and without thinking, hurriedly scrambled after her.
She rushed to the gate of the mansion, but the guards blocked her way with their swords drawn: "Miss Yi, Lord Ling has ordered that you are not allowed to leave the mansion now."
Yi Qingxue didn't even look at him, her eyes staring blankly ahead, but her voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable chill: "Get out of the way! I want to see my second brother!"
The soldier was intimidated by the sudden aura and felt the resolute determination in the words. He dared not stop them any longer, quickly sheathed his sword, bowed, and stepped aside, saying, "Yes! Please, Miss!"
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