Qian Jiaoniang glanced at him, then lowered her head and gently stroked the one-eyed dog. Xing Muzheng said nothing, sitting down silently. The once spacious carriage instantly felt cramped. Qingya had originally wanted to enter but now stood outside, quietly observing. Qian Jiaoniang looked at her, and Xing Muzheng, legs stretched, blocked Qian Jiaoniang in the corner—and glanced at Qingya too.
Qingya felt as though a tiger blocked her path ahead, and wolves chased her from behind. There was no way in, and no way back.
In the end, Qingya gave Qian Jiaoniang a “may the gods help you” look and silently moved to the next carriage. Qian Jiaoniang widened her eyes in disbelief—this girl had abandoned her without a second thought! She had no idea what was going through Qingya’s head: she might risk offending her, but to offend Xing Muzheng? Who knew what terrifying fate awaited? After weighing the odds, Qingya slipped away, loyalty be damned.
Xing Pingchun, as usual, preferred riding a horse to sitting in a carriage—so he was no help either. As the carriage started moving, Qian Jiaoniang pretended to be drowsy and closed her eyes to rest.
But Xing Muzheng had no sense of propriety. Even seeing her close her eyes, he nudged her and said, “Don’t sleep. I want to discuss something with you.”
She had no choice but to open her eyes, her cold gaze falling on the man before her. “What does the Marquis wish to discuss?”
Meeting her eyes, Xing Muzheng felt a tightening in his chest. For some reason, she had grown more distant these days. If her previous coldness was a level ten, now it was twelve. No matter how well he treated her, she ignored it. And it was only toward him.
Swallowing his bitterness, he asked, “What do you think of Yanluo and Yuluo?”
Qian Jiaoniang curled her lips into a smile. “Whether I think they’re good or not doesn’t matter. As long as the Marquis thinks they’re good, that’s what counts.” What, was he here to brag about his beautiful concubines?
“Good looks, decent talent,” Xing Muzheng replied seriously.
Qian Jiaoniang’s gaze grew colder. “Since the Marquis finds them satisfactory, why bother asking me? Do you want me to congratulate you?”
“Why would you congratulate me?”
This man was getting stranger by the day. Qian Jiaoniang gave him a fake smile. “Congratulations on gaining two lovely concubines at once. That’s the life of a god, isn’t it?”
Wait—there was still a whole boat of concubines. That was even better than a god.
Xing Muzheng looked at her and said slowly, “I don’t want them.”
Blatant lie. Qian Jiaoniang’s smile didn’t budge.
“You think they’d suit Wang Yong and Ah Da?” Just then, the carriage jostled, and Xing Muzheng purposely leaned toward her.
Qian Jiaoniang was momentarily stunned—he leaned in, and she didn’t dodge.
Snapping out of it, she scooted to the side. “…You’re giving the Two Luos to someone else?”
Xing Muzheng continued to squeeze closer to her. The one-eyed dog, sensing a threat, gave a bark. Xing Muzheng shot a glance at “Big Sis,” and she shrank back her neck. Xing Muzheng seemed unwilling to let those outside hear, so he leaned close to Qian Jiaoniang’s ear and said, “Wang Yong and Ah Da are both my personal guards, who’ve followed me through life and death. The two of them are like monks ringing bells—living without much purpose—and to this day haven’t started families. As for Qingquan, his situation is special, we’ll leave him aside for now. You take a look—do you think these two would match well with the ‘Two Luos’?”
Qian Jiaoniang shifted her head away, her expression blank as she kept stroking Big Sis. “I don’t know.”
Xing Muzheng nudged her again. “Then keep an eye out. This kind of thing isn’t convenient for me to handle—you can put some thought into it. Also, those women I already sent back earlier, take a look at them when you can. Most of them followed me back to Yuzhou, and many have been injured on the battlefield—missing limbs and whatnot. You’ve met Peng Shi. Most of them have never married. And on this trip, we’re bound to receive even more beauties as gifts—you decide what to do with them. If people match up well, let them be together.”
Qian Jiaoniang said, “Stop pushing me. I don’t know what to do either.”
Xing Muzheng seemed intent on contradicting her. “So what if I push you?” He gave her another light nudge. “If you don’t know, then think about it. I’m handing this matter to you.”
“I’m not dealing with it,” Qian Jiaoniang glared at him and shoved him back. “So many beauties—does the Marquis not plan to keep any for himself?”
Xing Muzheng chuckled softly. “What would I do with so many? One is already more than enough to handle.”
Qian Jiaoniang didn’t expect that Xing Muzheng held a woman in his heart—one he longed for but couldn’t have. With a schadenfreude-filled tone, she asked without thinking, “Who?”
Xing Muzheng looked directly at her and said nothing.
Outside, the carriage clattered along, and occasional laughter could be heard. But inside, under Xing Muzheng’s long, silent gaze, Qian Jiaoniang could no longer smile. She covered her mouth, let out a fake yawn, and said, “If the Marquis doesn’t wish to say, then so be it. I’m tired. I’ll sleep for a bit.”
With that, she closed her eyes again, though her eyes still darted about beneath her lids. The one-eyed dog continued to glare at Xing Muzheng warily.
Xing Muzheng stared at the woman feigning sleep before him. His gaze fell on her soft red lips, and his dark eyes grew even more intense. His throat burned dry with thirst. After a long pause, his Adam’s apple bobbed; he licked his parched lips and suddenly leaned forward, sealing her lips with his.
Qian Jiaoniang’s heart jumped, eyes flying open. She tried to push him away, but he forced her into the corner.
Xing Muzheng held her chin, kissing her hungrily, as if he wanted to devour her whole. The one-eyed dog was shoved off his knee and rolled on the carriage floor, then got up and began barking wildly at him. But Xing Muzheng didn’t spare the dog a glance. He hadn’t tasted Qian Jiaoniang in days, and after poring over all the books and illustrations Zhen Hao had sourced, his desire had already been simmering. The moment he touched her, all restraint vanished. His thick tongue invaded her mouth, swirling with abandon, rubbing against her tiny canines, greedily licking every drop of sweetness within.
The dog barked nonstop, alerting those outside that something was off. They pricked up their ears, but all they heard was barking. Wang Yong and Li Qingquan hesitated, wondering whether they should check, but Ah Da waved them off, signaling for them to mind their own business and pretend nothing was amiss.
However, Xing Pingchun came galloping back on his ant mount and shouted, “Mom, why is Big Sis barking so much?”
Inside the carriage, Qian Jiaoniang was still being forcibly kissed by the crazed Xing Muzheng. When Xing Pingchun called out again, Xing Muzheng finally pulled away slightly, covered her mouth, and replied aloud, “She’s just playing. Don’t meddle.”
Everyone outside fell silent. Whose dog barks that fiercely just for fun? But Xing Pingchun believed it and replied “Oh!” before riding off again.
Xing Muzheng looked down—Qian Jiaoniang’s chest was rising and falling with rage. Her angry eyes were bright with moisture, but Xing Muzheng just laughed. Seeing his smile, Qian Jiaoniang grew even angrier and grabbed his hand, biting down hard.
Xing Muzheng didn’t dodge or resist, letting her bite him. Qian Jiaoniang didn’t hold back—she used all her strength. Her canines sank in deep enough to draw blood, but Xing Muzheng’s expression didn’t change. He stared at her and said, “You’ve bitten me. Can I kiss you now?”
Qian Jiaoniang froze and flung his hand away. Xing Muzheng didn’t even glance at the wound. He raised his hand to cup her face again and leaned down, planting a hard kiss on her neck.
Pain bloomed on her skin. She tried to push him off, but he didn’t budge. After a long moment, he suddenly released her, shoved open the moving carriage’s door, and jumped out.
Qian Jiaoniang held her neck, glaring at the swinging carriage doors. Cold wind rushed in, but it couldn’t cool the heat rising in her cheeks.
Big Sis rubbed against her legs. Qian Jiaoniang picked her up and tapped her forehead. “I’m getting bullied this badly, and you still don’t know to bite him. You’re just fated to be bullied!”
The one-eyed dog whimpered, licked her hand, and buried herself in her arms.
***
After that day, Qian Jiaoniang truly began to take an interest in Wang Yong and Ah Da’s situation. Though their master was a scoundrel, these two were decent men—upright in character, loyal, skilled in martial arts, and able to protect others. Since they’d followed Xing Muzheng all this time, they likely had some savings. Wang Yong was even half a mentor to her own son, Chou’er.
So, she found a chance to talk to them.
“Your commander has his nose in the air—he’s not even satisfied with fairy-like women like Yanluo and Yuluo and wants to send them away. I think the two girls are pitiful with nowhere to go. If you two are interested, why not marry them and settle down?”
Wang Yong and Ah Da exchanged looks. They had thought the commander intended to take the Two Luos as concubines. Who would’ve thought he didn’t even want such beautiful courtesans? Could it be the commander was now devoted solely to his lady?
“Well… the two ladies are certainly beautiful,” Ah Da scratched his head, “but they were famous courtesans. Plenty of rich young masters want them. Girls like that would never look at rough men like us.”
Qian Jiaoniang said, “Those young masters are all show and no substance—useless. You two are different. You have grain in hand and righteousness in your hearts. You’re good men. Just don’t look down on women. If you treat your wife well after marriage, even heavenly goddesses would be devoted to you.”
The two brothers blushed. In her eyes, were they really that good?
Seeing they were somewhat interested, Qian Jiaoniang added, “If you’re truly interested, go show them kindness—but never force anything.”
Ah Da patted his chest and grinned, “Madam, don’t worry. I’ve never bullied women.”
Qian Jiaoniang smiled, “That’s one way you’re unlike your Commander. Very good.”
As soon as Ah Da heard that, he quickly looked around. Luckily, Xing Muzheng wasn’t nearby, or he might not live to see the day he marries.
Speaking of love between men and women, even Wang Yong became a little shy. He looked at Qian Jiaoniang, wanting to speak but hesitating. Qian Jiaoniang said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Wang Yong’s face turned even redder. He stammered, “Madam, I—I have someone I like.”
“Who?”
Wang Yong faltered again. Qian Jiaoniang said, “Don’t be so wishy-washy. Speak up.”
“It—it’s Miss Qingya!” Wang Yong finally summoned his courage.
“Qingya?” Qian Jiaoniang was surprised. “You like Qingya?”
Wang Yong nodded emphatically, thought for a while, and said, “Miss Qingya is a good woman.”
“Well then…” Qian Jiaoniang hadn’t expected Wang Yong to quietly fall for Qingya. “Qingya may be one of my attendants, but this kind of matter must be decided by her own will. Since you’ve spoken up, I’ll ask her for you.”
Wang Yong immediately nodded like a pecking chicken. “Then I thank Madam in advance!”
“No need to thank me yet. I don’t know if she’ll agree or not. Wait until she says yes, then you can thank me.”
Wang Yong grinned and showed his teeth. “Whether it works out or not, I still thank Madam for your concern!”
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