Qian Jiaoniang stretched out her hands to pull Xing Muzheng up. He rose with her tug, then slumped onto her shoulder like a great bear, resting his chin there. Qian Jiaoniang pushed at his forehead.
“You—”
“It was I who ordered it,” Xing Muzheng said suddenly.
Qian Jiaoniang froze, then flew into a rage, swinging to hit him. Xing Muzheng let her strike twice before catching her hands. “Enough.”
Still fuming, she yanked free to land another blow. Xing Muzheng restrained her again, his tone heavier: “Enough! You’ll hurt your hands.” His skin was thick and rough, but hers had grown soft from pampering—wouldn’t her blows leave them red?
He massaged her palms. She jerked her hands back and glared. “Xing Muzheng, how could you do such a thing!”
No wonder she had felt something amiss. Since Miss Zhao held the secret of the treasure map, how could those bandits, instead of spiriting her away from Xing Muzheng’s territory, start interrogating her in some abandoned hut? Wasn’t that just waiting to be found? And Ah Da—laughable! Couldn’t catch a single living captive, and still strutted before Miss Zhao, playing the hero rescuing the damsel.
The more she thought on it, the clearer it became. And sure enough!
“How black-hearted you are! What grudge had Miss Zhao against you? She’s a delicate young lady, yet you could order such cruelty—have her kidnapped, whipped!” Qian Jiaoniang had always known Xing Muzheng was ruthless, but to actually lay such hands!
Xing Muzheng showed not a trace of guilt. “I never meant real harm—only to frighten her, let her suffer a little flesh wound.”
“A little flesh wound? She was nearly scared out of her wits!”
He caught her hand again, kneading it, his face utterly unrepentant. “Nearly, but not quite. The girl’s too stubborn—treat her with fine food and care, and she still won’t come around. I even suspected she was still hiding something, so I had to press her.”
Qian Jiaoniang sneered, “And at the same time stage a ‘hero saves the beauty,’ so that Miss Zhao would take a liking to Ah Da? Convenient, isn’t it?”
Xing Muzheng chuckled, kissed her hand. “You know me well, wife.”
“Shameless!” Qian Jiaoniang still hadn’t cooled, feeling his methods far too ruthless. That poor girl, terrified beyond measure.
He pressed her hand to his cheek, rubbing softly. “Don’t be angry.”
“Angry? You’re not afraid Miss Zhao will figure it out and walk out on you this instant?” She pinched his face.
Xing Muzheng gave a thin smile. “Our marquisate isn’t so easy to enter—or to leave. We’ve sheltered her for years, after all.”
“She might want to leave—would you let her?” Qian Jiaoniang snapped.
Xing Muzheng only smiled, silent, and drew her into his arms. She wriggled, but his grip tightened, and she toppled into his embrace.
Resting against him, her eyes darted. Suddenly she narrowed them. “Weren’t you never in a hurry before? Why suddenly stoop to such a dirty trick? If you were urgent, you wouldn’t have let her live here for years.”
“I’m not in a hurry—for myself. I’m in a hurry for her,” he said. Already an old maid; time she married.
“You truly won’t marry her?” Qian Jiaoniang arched a brow.
Xing Muzheng lowered his gaze to meet hers. “Only you.”
“…Truly?” Qian Jiaoniang’s voice softened.
“Truly. A gentleman’s word.”
Qian Jiaoniang curved her lips. “But you’re no gentleman.”
He laughed. “Then a man’s word—even four horses cannot chase it back.”
Qian Jiaoniang knew of his affection, but she had never spoken aloud her longing for “one lifetime, one pair.” She hadn’t expected him to vow it on his own.
A twinge of guilt toward Zhao Yaoxi flickered through her—but joy surged stronger, filling her heart. However grave Xing Muzheng’s sins, to her eyes now he was only handsome, charming… adorable.
She tried to suppress her smile, but failed. “Then I too, only you.”
Xing Muzheng nodded. “Good.” Calm words, but the kiss that followed burned.
The two ended in playful entanglement on the couch. When Xing Muzheng finally carried Qian Jiaoniang to the bathing pool, she remembered again the serious matter.
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to read the rest of the chapters in the book in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
