Chapter 136:
Not long after lunch, just as Xie Ruyu had expected, Duan Cheng came to invite her to stroll in the garden.
This was also the custom for arranged meetings at the time; if the young master was satisfied with the young lady, he would invite her alone to show his intentions.
If the young lady also took a liking to him, she would gladly accept the invitation.
Xie Ruyu was not one to be coy; after greeting her cousin, she wrapped herself in a cloak, held a hand warmer, and left with her personal maidservant and Duan Cheng.
Watching the two leave side by side, Xie Wanning smiled faintly and said to Er Qing, “A perfect match, they look quite compatible.”
Madam Liu was the daughter of a merchant, yet back then Xie Shu, the legitimate son of the Marquis’s Estate, took a fancy to her at first sight, made up his mind to marry her as his main wife, and for many years of marriage had no second thoughts; apart from their compatible temperaments, her looks and figure were naturally outstanding.
Xie Ruyu resembled her mother, with stunning looks; ignoring that sharp tongue that always spat barbs, she was actually an extremely beautiful young lady.
Er Qing massaged her master’s shoulders while saying, “Isn’t that right? The offspring of our Xie Family are all without exception good-looking.”
Whether young master or young lady.
From the legitimate older brother Xie Yanyu to the distant cousins, every one of them was flawlessly handsome.
With no one else in the room, Xie Wanning pulled Er Qing to sit down; the master and servant were chatting intimately when suddenly a sound of hoofbeats came from outside.
This was the back courtyard of Puxian Temple; though the temple had prosperous incense offerings and was built on the mountainside, bluestone steps paved all the way from the foot of the mountain to the temple gate for the convenience of pilgrims.
Horse riding was inconvenient here, unless taking the shaded path through the woods…
Xie Wanning thought it must be some young lord unwilling to climb the mountain, so he came horse riding to offer incense; unexpectedly, after the hoofbeats faded, the person dismounted.
But the footsteps headed straight for their side room.
Master and servant exchanged a glance and both looked toward the side room door.
Soon, the person appeared in their line of sight.
Tall and upright figure, stern facial expression, steps calm and steady, yet seeming to harbor a suppressed emotion, with a clear chill between his brows.
Who else but Lu Ziyan?
Er Qing jumped to her feet at once, blocking in front of Xie Wanning like facing a great enemy.
Xie Wanning’s face also darkened.
She hadn’t expected to see Lu Ziyan here.
It seemed he had come specifically for her.
There was a layer of thin snow on Lu Ziyan’s cloak; he first glanced at the situation inside the room, then casually removed the cloak and handed it to Ming Jian behind him, strode inside, his gaze passing over Er Qing and landing straight on Xie Wanning.
That gaze showed no emotion, deep and calm, yet it made Xie Wanning break out in goosebumps, her back chilling.
Their gazes met in the air for a moment, then Lu Ziyan lightly raised his hand and said, “Get out.”
Who he was speaking to was self-evident.
Er Qing did not budge.
Lu Ziyan strode toward them, and Xie Wanning hurriedly stood up, pulling Er Qing behind her.
“Do you still remember what you promised me?” she said angrily. “Are you going to break your promise again!”
Promised her what?
Promised no longer to press her step by step, not to force her to divorce, no longer to kidnap her midway.
They were less than three steps apart when Lu Ziyan stopped, his cold face softening slightly.
“I never said I would never appear before you again; this doesn’t count as breaking a promise.”
He said flatly, “Wanwan, have your maidservant leave; I need to confirm something with you.”
“What is it?” Xie Wanning sensed something off about him and absolutely refused to let Er Qing go.
Even less willing to be alone in a room with this man.
Seeing this, Lu Ziyan did not press; he glanced at Er Qing whom she was shielding, then tilted his head slightly.
Ming Jian behind him immediately understood, swiftly approaching and tapping a point on Er Qing’s neck.
Before Xie Wanning could react, Er Qing was about to collapse softly; she hurriedly supported her to lie on the soft chair.
By the time she turned back, the side room door was already closed, Ming Jian had left, and Lu Ziyan was sitting opposite her, staring at her unblinkingly; seeing her look over, he tugged his lips and said, “This doesn’t count as being alone, right?”
“……”
Xie Wanning was truly amused to anger by this man’s shamelessness; she picked up the half-drunk teacup from the table, intending to splash it in his face to wash it for him.
But as her hand touched the teacup, he gripped her wrist and pinned it down.
The man’s hand, accustomed to gripping a spear year-round, had a layer of thin calluses; his fingertip was rough, his palm large, his finger bones long; in contrast, her wrist was so delicate it seemed he could break it with a gentle squeeze.
He lowered his gaze to look at her slender white wrist, his thumb’s fingertip almost subconsciously gently rubbing her wrist bone; the rough touch made Xie Wanning’s hand tremble involuntarily.
“Let go!”
Her voice was both urgent and angry; not knowing what she was thinking of, Lu Ziyan’s gaze also turned cold as he said, “Be good and don’t fight me; I don’t want to hurt you.”
His emotions were unstable now; he couldn’t tolerate her mocking and humiliating him.
If she really splashed that cup of cold tea, he didn’t dare guarantee what he would do.
With that, he slowly released her wrist, picked up the cup of tea she had half-drunk, drained it, refilled it, and drank it down again.
A trail of water slid from the corner of his lips, which he casually wiped away.
He was after all the young lord raised in a marquis household, yet even drinking tea, he exuded a wild air utterly unlike elegance.
Xie Wanning rubbed her wrist and turned her face away, refusing to look at him.
She truly both loathed and detested this man, but he had become so brazen as to fear nothing; what could she do?
She had lived well this life; she couldn’t really die just because of his entanglement.
After finishing the tea, Lu Ziyan did not sit but propped one hand on the table, leaning forward in this posture to look at her.
After a long while, his adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he said, “Wanwan, after so long, have you thought about how I can make you forgive me?”
“You came just to ask this?” Xie Wanning was almost helpless. “How can I say it to make you understand? I’m already married to another; there’s no possibility between us!”
“Nothing is impossible. If you hold resentment in your heart, I’ll erase it bit by bit, but be prepared—we’re destined to be together this life.”
“As for that hasty marriage of yours, I won’t care about it.” Saying he didn’t care, yet the chill between his brows was piercing.
Xie Wanning felt powerless even to get angry at his impervious attitude; she had no desire to continue arguing with him.
Hearing this, she just stood dazed for a moment before turning her head to say, “Are you done? If so, please leave.”
Lu Ziyan’s gaze darkened slightly as he stared fixedly at her.
After a long while, he smiled at her. “Sorry, Wanwan, I really can’t let go.”
Perhaps humans are the greediest creatures in the world.
During those days when she lay cold and still, he had thought that as long as he could see her alive and standing before him, that would be a blessing.
He would give everything for a chance to start over.
Now that she truly stood alive before him, he developed even greater greed.
After all, to watch her lie in another man’s arms with his own eyes—he would rather die.
He had given her the knife; since she wouldn’t take his life, she should be prepared to be entangled with him for life.
Thinking this way, Lu Ziyan actually felt a bit joyful inside.
The chill in his eyes gradually melted as he coaxed her in a low voice, “I know you hate me for harming you; I’ll let you vent your anger.”
Everything from the dream, from her perspective, he had experienced.
He knew what she cared about most and what he owed her.
But first, he needed to clarify one thing.
Thinking of that bite mark, Lu Ziyan’s newly calmed emotions fluctuated again.
A dense sourness filled his chest, making him frown uncomfortably, his breathing quickening.
He reached out to grip her chin and lift it, lowering his gaze to her eyes; when he spoke, his voice trembled lightly. “Wanwan, did you deceive me?”
Her chin gripped, Xie Wanning was furious, but upon hearing this, her whole body stiffened, her pupils dilating involuntarily.
When he suddenly appeared, she had wondered if it was because of last night.
But then she thought Pei Yuqing held the Qing Tian Guard in hand; there was no reason news of their consummation could leak in just one night.
She hadn’t expected he really had gotten the news and come to question her.
No wonder from the moment he entered, something had been off.
As Xie Wanning’s mind raced for a way out, the hand pinching her jaw tightened slightly, lifting her face higher.
“So you really did deceive me… Tell me, was it fun watching me spin around in circles from your trick?”
He pressed his forehead against hers, looking down at her, his voice gentle. “Does taking revenge on me this way feel good?”
Xie Wanning’s heart jumped hard; she nearly went weak-kneed from his tone, instinctively wanting to pull away from his closeness, but the hand on her jaw allowed no escape.
She retreated one step, and he advanced a big one; still not enough, his other hand gripped her lower back, thoroughly pulling her into his arms.
They were very close, almost pressed together; she was forced to tilt her head up in his arms, their foreheads touching, eyes locked.
The battle-hardened killer general didn’t even need to darken his face; just standing there was enough to inspire fear; before, in her presence, he had always restrained his edge, and even with a cold face, he couldn’t scare her.
But now, the depths of his eyes were pitch black, as if gathering a storm.
Just looking at it made Xie Wanning’s legs go a bit soft; she swallowed and forced herself to stay calm. “I didn’t deceive you.”
Lu Ziyan gave a strange smile. “Is that so? Are you going to tell me Pei Yuqing is a waste?”
Xie Wanning was about to speak, but her lips were pressed by his fingertip.
“Enough, save your strength; I’ll check myself.”
With that, he raised his hand and tapped her shoulder and neck lightly; the young lady who was still struggling froze instantly, unable to move except for her pair of beautiful eyeballs still glaring fiercely.
Lu Ziyan lowered his head to kiss her eyes, his warm lips pressing against her trembling eyelids, full of affection.
But his hand didn’t stop at all, deftly undoing her sash.
In the deep winter, she wore several layers of clothes; he undid them one by one patiently, finally slipping his hand into the right lapel and tugging lightly.
Xie Wanning’s right side, including her arm, was exposed to the cold air.
Her delicate collarbone had a shallow dip, the ties of her lotus-colored undergarment still hanging on her neck; beneath the thin satin was the girl’s softest bosom.
But such a sight, Lu Ziyan ignored entirely, his gaze going straight to the inside of her right arm, suddenly freezing.
Clearly deep winter with snow flying everywhere, yet the blood flowing through her limbs and torso was scorching hot to the point of burning pain; he reached out to grip her arm, staring stiffly.
The room was deathly silent.
His expression was terribly frightening, so frightening that even Xie Wanning’s anger dissipated.
When Lu Ziyan looked up, he met her gaze that had become somewhat timid.
“Well done,” his voice hoarse and choked, his lips trembling quickly. “Xie Wanning, do you know what happens to those who dare deceive me?”
Xie Wanning couldn’t speak; with her acupoint sealed, she couldn’t utter a single word of defense.
Whether from cold or fear, even with the acupoint sealed, her body still trembled faintly; the cowering in her gaze suddenly made Lu Ziyan lose control.
He yanked her arm to pull her into his arms, lowered his head to cover her lips, kissing her fiercely.
“Cold?” He nipped her lips. “I’ll warm you up right away.”
With that, his hand slid straight into the girl’s undergarment.
The moment he grasped, his throat choked again. “A bit small; didn’t he rub them well for you?”
“Did that sickly person feel good?”
“Was he good at pleasing you?”
His rough fingertip kneaded mercilessly.
“You’re really not picky; he’s eleven years older than you, twenty-eight after the new year—how could he compare to me?”
“After trying me, you could really fancy him?”
They were childhood sweethearts; from young to old, she was the only young lady by his side; they were youthful couple, married two years, and in those two years, he had indeed concealed many things, causing misunderstandings and hurting her heart.
But he loved her so much, loving her more each day—couldn’t she feel it!
He wasn’t good with words, couldn’t say those sweet nothings, but on their wedding night, at her cry of pain, he stopped.
Even if it pained him to hold back, he couldn’t bear for her to hurt.
The second day of marriage, he handed all his private property to her.
Busy to the point of no rest, but whenever he had time, he went to see her.
He wasn’t gentle or considerate enough, but on or off the bed, he never let her tire; it was always him serving her—she had never served him once!
He didn’t believe she felt none of this affection in the details!
He had done many wrong things, caused many misunderstandings, but no matter how many, she could punish him freely—she couldn’t deceive him like this!
How could she deceive him like this!
Lu Ziyan’s heart twisted in pain, hatred raging madly.
The mad urge to destroy nearly overwhelmed him; his palm slid down along her waistline.
Until his dry lips tasted salty wetness, the hand that had gripped her skirt belt suddenly froze in place.
“Why are you crying?” He stopped moving, his hand loosely on her waist, lips leaving her cheek to press her forehead, lowering his gaze to meet hers. “Can’t stand me touching you? Where haven’t I touched?”
Xie Wanning couldn’t speak and naturally couldn’t answer such a rogue question.
She could only express her anger with her gaze.
Seeing her reddened eyes full of fury, glaring viciously at him, Lu Ziyan slowly smiled.
He stroked her waist again and again, his smile chilling to the teeth. “The one who should be angry is me; even if you took my life, you shouldn’t take revenge on me with such methods.”
