Chapter 193:
She looked at him suspiciously, “A few casual words from me can make you spit blood repeatedly?”
Is he really that fragile?
During arguments, who says nice things? People always say the most hurtful words.
She was also infuriated by him, but she didn’t spit blood.
Lu Ziyan smiled faintly and said, “Let’s not talk about that.”
He had indeed changed a lot, even pleading with her more than once to turn back, but deep down he was still the man who refused to show weakness in front of the young lady he loved.
Xie Wanning pursed her lips but chose not to press further.
Asking more would make it seem like she cared too much.
While they were talking, several staff members came to discuss important matters.
Xie Wanning tactfully went behind the screen, while Lu Ziyan finished the chicken soup in one gulp, glanced at her, then got up and walked around the screen to go out.
That afternoon, groups of people came and went in his study one after another. Even if Xie Wanning listened carefully, she wouldn’t understand what they were discussing. Bored, she flipped through a few pages of a book and eventually curled up on the soft chair and fell into a deep sleep.
When Lu Ziyan returned after sending away several confidants, he saw her covered with a thin blanket, her little face flushed from sleep.
He smiled slightly, leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead, tucked in the blanket for her, then went to sit at the desk to handle official documents.
Time passed bit by bit, the sky gradually darkened, and candlelight was lit in the room.
Under the bright candlelight, the space between them was serene and peaceful.
At that moment, Ming Jian walked in, and the sound of the door opening broke the room’s silence.
Lu Ziyan slightly raised his eyes and asked, “What is it?”
Ming Jian didn’t speak; his gaze flicked toward the screen, his expression hesitant.
Lu Ziyan’s hand holding the brush paused, and he understood.
He stood up and walked a few steps to Ming Jian. “She’s asleep. Speak freely.”
The breathing sounds from inside were long and steady; she was indeed asleep.
Ming Jian lowered his head and quickly reported the intelligence he had gathered, then added, “By my calculations, within ten days, he will arrive.”
He also sighed inwardly that Duke Pei’s Young Lord was truly a figure. They had used so many methods, each one deadly, yet not only did they fail to take his life, they couldn’t even make him flustered.
He had even managed to learn of the news here and followed the traces all the way.
But… with his limited manpower, coming here was no different from courting death.
He was truly throwing everything away for a woman.
His own master was like this, and Young Lord Pei was the same.
Ming Jian muttered inwardly that women were a man’s downfall.
When Lu Ziyan heard that Pei Yuqing was heading to the Northern Frontier, his face instantly darkened, his aura turned icy, and the killing intent in his heart nearly boiled over.
Just hearing that name made his usual calm and composure vanish.
He and Wanwan were about to get married, and their wedding was already being prepared, yet that sickly person…
As a trusted attendant, Ming Feng knew his master very well. He cupped his hands in salute and volunteered, “Let this subordinate take a few men to kill him. I guarantee he dies outside the Northern Frontier and won’t come to disturb your good deed.”
“No!” Lu Ziyan raised his hand and said, “Kill him? I’ll do it myself!”
Pei Yuqing was the person he most wanted to kill in this lifetime!
Sending subordinates to do it couldn’t vent his heart’s hatred.
He wanted to personally carve up that sickly person with knife after knife to barely soothe the jealousy and hatred in his heart.
Now the opportunity had come!
As for how to explain it to her…
Lu Ziyan sneered coldly. The world was chaotic; without some skill, who would dare leave the capital to wander? Dying outside wasn’t perfectly normal?
Who said that if the sickly person died, it must be his doing.
No need for any explanation.
The surging killing intent stirred his emotions so much that he didn’t notice the young lady on the soft chair had disordered breathing for a moment.
Xie Wanning bit her lip hard, trying to steady her breathing. Her hands in her sleeves clenched into fists, her neatly trimmed nails digging into her palms, nearly breaking the skin.
Pei Yuqing was coming!
He had learned she was abducted and was rushing toward the Northern Frontier!
She had heard clearly the reason their agreed return in three to five months kept getting delayed.
It was Lu Ziyan constantly tripping him up from behind, preventing his return to the capital and keeping the couple separated.
And now, he even planned to personally stop and kill Pei Yuqing.
Truly bullying too much!
Stealing someone else’s wife and now trying to take his life!
Pei Yuqing was too innocent; it was she who had pleaded to marry him, she who had taken the initiative.
In just one short year, Lu Ziyan had entangled her obsessively. She couldn’t shake him off or escape, and by a twist of fate, he had saved her.
She had already accepted her fate; she truly wanted to be with him properly.
But he was deceiving her!
Deceiving her!
Xie Wanning suppressed her full heart of anger, struggling to keep her breathing steady.
Fortunately, the master and servant on the other side were also unsettled and didn’t notice the subtle change in this corner.
Moments later, the study’s door closed again, and Ming Jian withdrew.
Lu Ziyan stood quietly, his expression restored to calm, his eyes downcast as he thought about something.
Until a gust of wind rattled the window frame loudly, and the young lady sleeping inside let out a muffled hum. Only then did he snap back and walk toward the screen.
The young lady lying on the soft chair had sat up and was rubbing her eyes. Hearing his footsteps, she looked over sleepily. Lu Ziyan softened his expression, reached out to touch her forehead, “Was the wind too cold? Did it wake you?”
“Not cold…” Just woken up, her voice was a bit hoarse. Xie Wanning swallowed and said, “I want some water.”
The man who had just reached her turned to pour her water, and when he handed it over, the tea was at the perfect temperature.
Who could see this and not call him considerate?
Xie Wanning held the teacup, staring dazedly at the pale golden ginseng tea inside.
“What are you thinking?” Lu Ziyan said, “Aren’t you thirsty? Drink up.”
“Mm…” She responded softly, took a sip of tea, and explained, “Just woke up; my mind’s still a bit foggy.”
This obedient, word-perfect response was just too endearing.
Lu Ziyan’s heart stirred. He reached out to pull her onto his lap, leaned down to nuzzle her neck, “Shall I help you wake up?”
As he spoke, he reached to untie her sash.
On such a cold day, she was dressed warmly in several layers of clothes. Without untying the sash, he couldn’t even slip his hand inside her lapel.
His movements to undress her were very practiced. When Xie Wanning tried to stop him, the outer garment’s sash was already untied. She grabbed his wrist as he tried to continue, “I’m awake now. Stop.”
“After so many days, and you still tell me to stop?” Lu Ziyan gently pinched her waist, kissed her earlobe, his voice muffled, “Don’t keep rejecting me, Wanwan…”
Xie Wanning turned her head to avoid his approach and said flatly, “I’m hungry.”
