cold clothes

As dusk fell, the lamps were lit in Jingya Pavilion. Qingyou and Yinjiu arrived at Jingya Pavilion. Mama Hu was quite surprised to see Yinjiu there as well, and couldn't help but ask him why he had come.

Yin Jiu bowed and greeted Madam Hu, and only after she had made sure she was polite did she answer Madam Hu's question: "I saw something interesting today, let's see what happened next. Please don't think I'm being frivolous, Madam."

His words piqued Hu's mother's curiosity. Considering that he had come with Qingyou, she guessed most of the story and smiled, "You saw Ningbi today too?"

"Yes, it is an honor to see Miss Ningbi's beautiful face. Even covered in blood, Miss Ningbi's beauty is still undeniable," Yin Jiu said with a smile.

"Yes, his eyes were glued to him."

Qingyou really wanted to retort, but Hu's mother held back because of him.

“However,” Yin Jiu said, drawing out her words with a meaningful tone, “I heard some things about Miss Ningbi from Qingyou, and I felt a little regretful.”

"Why do you feel sorry?" Mrs. Hu asked, looking at Yin Jiu.

Yin Jiu smiled casually and said, "Even though I am far away in the North, I have heard that Miss Ningbi is exceptionally talented and beautiful, and her sword dance is first-rate. She won the favor of the Third Prince at the very beginning of her life, so I have always admired her. But now that I have met her, I find that although Miss Ningbi is beautiful, I can't see any talent or spirit in her, so I can't help but feel a little disappointed. I can't help but wonder, can a woman who is only beautiful really capture the heart of the Third Prince?"

Yin Jiu shook his head worriedly, seemingly sensing something was wrong. He then cupped his hands to Madam Hu and said apologetically, "This is just my humble opinion. I did not mean to question Madam. I am just really confused."

As Mrs. Hu listened, her expression darkened – you're clearly implying a question.

He cursed inwardly: "This brat thinks he's all grown up after four years in the North. He comes back and starts pointing fingers at me. Young people shouldn't be so arrogant."

However, she didn't take Yin Jiu seriously, dismissing it with a smile, and turned to inquire about Qing You and Leng Yi's situation. Qing You answered truthfully in detail.

After hearing this, Madam Hu frowned and pondered deeply. The guard told her that he saw Ningbi looking disheveled as she went to Langxuan Pavilion to find Qingyou. Then, Ningbi led Qingyou to a corner near the back door of Langxuan Pavilion and found a man's corpse. Combining this with the testimony of the maid from Liuyun Pavilion who witnessed a male courtesan from Langxuan Pavilion taking Ningbi out, and Qingyou's statement, all three matched up. It seemed that there was no doubt about this matter.

“Yuanli intended to do something to Ningbi, so he’s dead. Just dispose of the body properly. Don’t make a fuss about it.” Madam Hu’s brows relaxed.

But Yin Jiu had no intention of letting the matter drop. "Why didn't Madam send Miss Ningbi to confront them? What if there's something else going on?"

Mrs. Hu was getting a little angry. Yin Jiu was as annoying as a flea, but she still had to patiently ask, "Does Yin'er think there's some hidden story?"

“Ah, I can’t guess that,” Yin Jiu smiled apologetically. “But I think it’s a matter of life and death, so it’s not good to be so hasty. What if Miss Ningbi has some grudge against that person? And there’s something I’m very concerned about. Miss Ningbi and that person were practicing the art of lovemaking together in the morning, and then that person made improper advances towards Miss Ningbi in the afternoon. There’s something wrong with that no matter how you look at it.”

"You mean, Ningbi plotted to kill Yuanli?" Madam Hu tapped her fingers lightly on the nanmu table as she pondered.

"That possibility cannot be ruled out."

Mrs. Hu fell into deep thought, and the scene fell silent for a moment. At this moment, Qingyou felt that it was time for him to speak. He looked at Yinjiu and said calmly, "It is unlikely. Ningbi would have harmed me first, and besides, Ningbi has a strong personality and is still a virgin."

"Is that so?" Yin Jiu was surprised, then revealed an amused smile. "Miss Ningbi is such a woman, how interesting."

After Yin Jiu uttered the phrase "How interesting," Qing You understood the purpose behind his verbal maneuvering with Madam Hu. She couldn't help but grit her teeth inwardly, feeling that she had been deceived again.

"Yin'er is very interested in Ningbi?" Madam Hu's lips curled up, as if she were just chatting casually.

Yin Jiu replied, "I am a little interested. Xia Hua has mentioned her to me a few times, and she seemed rather sullen, so I'm quite curious."

When Xia Hua was mentioned, Hu's mother seemed a little troubled, but Yin Jiu was clearly happier: "I haven't seen Xia Hua since I returned to the capital. I wonder if she has grown into a young lady."

"Sigh, your little sister Xia Hua is having another argument with me lately. You should go see her when you have time," said Mrs. Hu helplessly.

"Of course," Yin Jiu happily agreed, then said she had some things to take care of and took her leave.

Qingyou also took his leave. Madam Hu had originally invited him only about the cold clothes, but now that everything was fine, she let him go.

After leaving Jingya Pavilion, Yin Jiu's steps were visibly lighter, and Qing You blocked his way with an unfriendly expression. He was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and asked Qing You if there was anything else.

Qingyou looked at Yinjiu's grinning face while harboring a burning anger inside, and said bluntly, "You little rascal, you lied to me before, didn't you? You made a point of meeting with Madam Hu today so that you could meet Ningbi openly in the future, didn't you?"

First, she mentioned that she had met Ningbi once and had a bad impression of her, which made her suspicious of Lengyi. This misled Hu's mother and covered up the fact that they had met. Then, she said that she had heard about Ningbi from others before and that's why she became curious. This gave her a reason to expose her relationship with Ningbi later.

Qingyou was furious: You've been talking about Ningbi all day long, and you're telling me you don't like it?

"Why do you say that? I'm just trying to avoid trouble later." Yin Jiu quickly put on an "that's not true" expression. "I'm doing this openly and honestly now, it's just that not many people know it."

"Keep making excuses. If one day you ruin everything for her sake, I will show no mercy," Qingyou said coldly. In truth, he believed that Yin Jiu could understand the situation, but he had promised to help the Xie family restore its former glory, and there could be no hidden dangers.

Yin Jiu thought helplessly: If that day ever comes, I should be the one who should be killed, what does it have to do with Leng Yi?

He knew that Qingyou was probably just saying it, and that he was usually stubborn but soft-hearted.

"Don't worry, even if I were to become incompetent, I would only be qualified to sit in that position. Now I can't even protect my own life, so what makes me think I can love beauty more than the country?" Yin Jiu said with a bitter smile, her tone becoming more serious.

Qingyou finally left. Yinjiu looked up at the red clouds and crescent moon on the horizon, took a deep breath as if to expel all the turbid air, and then went to her appointment with a light heart.

-

When Leng Yi returned to Liuyun Pavilion, her men's attire aroused suspicion, but it was easily explained that she had sweated too much from sword practice. The two matrons gave her a special instruction: from now on, Lingcao should accompany Leng Yi on all her journeys. Other than that, they said nothing more.

Leng Yi believed that they must know that she had killed someone, and the fact that they kept it a secret meant that in Hu Mama's eyes, her life was much more important than Yuan Li's life.

Four years ago, Leng Yi killed Granny Qin. She still clearly remembers the guilt and disgust she felt at the time, but she was much calmer when she killed her the second time, as if she had accepted the unspoken rule that "a worthless life is not worth dying for".

Lingcao, unaware that she had committed murder, sensitively noticed the change in her emotions and happily said, "Practicing swordsmanship is good. Miss feels much better after practicing swordsmanship."

Lingcao was always like this, giving all her care to Lengyi. Nuandong and Aunt Fang also cared about her, but she was not satisfied with that.

These acts of kindness are like a warm glimmer in the darkness, but after they warm her, she still has to endure the darkness. She doesn't need these things! What she needs is a thunderous storm, something that will allow her to see the end of the darkness and put it to rest.

Unfortunately, no one can...

A name came to mind, but Leng Yi felt uneasy about it.

She could sense that Yin Jiu's feelings for her were similar to her own, but she wasn't sure; she felt inferior. Could Yin Jiu accept her past? Most men wouldn't, right? If he did, would it mean he didn't care about her that much?

Leng Yi's inferiority complex made her sensitive, and her pride made her completely unwilling to reveal her experiences to Yin Jiu... It was completely hopeless, so she might as well cut off all contact.

In that instant, she made up her mind. Leng Yi had opened the window in advance to make it easier for Yin Jiu to come into the room, but as soon as she turned around, a gust of wind blew her long hair.

It's really convenient; Yin Jiu can jump through the window and hug Leng Yi from behind.

Leng Yi almost screamed, but the familiar scent of grass and trees helped her swallow back the scream that was about to come out of her throat.

She was terrified by Yin Jiu.

Yin Jiu tightened her grip on the cold clothes before loosening them, her bright eyes gazing at her.

Leng Yi looked at the line of fiery clouds outside the window in shock, then at Yin Jiu who had silently entered the room, her face filled with disbelief.

"It's not even completely dark yet, why are you here so early?" Aren't you afraid of being discovered?

Yin Jiu chuckled softly, "Catching up with old friends isn't about doing anything shameful, so why wait until late at night?"

Leng Yi was somewhat indignant; wasn't he implying she was guilty? —So what if she was guilty! Leng Yi looked at the open window with unease and quickly closed it. As for the door, she had already locked it and told Ling Cao to rest early and not to disturb her.

After closing the window, Leng Yi realized that Yin Jiu had come closer, his tall and slender body sandwiching Leng Yi between him and the window.

Yin Jiu was almost a head taller than Leng Yi. When Leng Yi looked straight ahead, he could only see Yin Jiu's slightly parted lips and straight shoulders and neck. His Adam's apple was half-hidden behind his stand-up collar, bobbing up and down.

So close, Leng Yi only glanced at him before turning away to distance himself from Yin Jiu. Yin Jiu frowned, reached out and grabbed Leng Yi's waist, pulling him close.

"You've been avoiding me all this time. After four years apart, you're so distant. Have you not thought about me much?" Yin Jiu's voice was full of frustration and grievance, sounding less clear and more hoarse.

It was whispered in her ear, and the ambiguous tone made Leng Yi's body tremble.

Not only that, but the intense heat from the chest and waist pressed tightly against Yin Jiu's made her feel as if the air itself was scalding, causing her to stiffen and hold her breath. She could clearly feel how long and strong the hand gripping her waist was. If it were any other man holding her, she would definitely be terrified, but now her spine was involuntarily numb and her heart was pounding.

Yin Jiu didn't receive a reply from Leng Yi, so he couldn't help but look at her face. He found that Leng Yi's face was flushed, her deep blue eyes were hazy like wine, and her red lips were tightly bitten, as if she were shy or suppressing something. This appearance was so similar to yesterday, yet he couldn't take his eyes off her, and his breathing became uncontrollably heavy.

At this moment, all he wanted was to get closer, "Leng Yi..."

"No, no, let go!" Leng Yi regained some of her composure and anxiously tried to push Yin Jiu away.

Oh no, I've fallen for the American-Chinese man trap! I almost forgot about my decision...

However, Leng Yi's strength was unexpectedly weak, and she couldn't push Yin Jiu at all, causing Yin Jiu to groan.

Leng Yi suddenly remembered that Yin Jiu had fresh injuries, and she pressed her palm against the wounds.

"I didn't mean to! Is your wound alright? I have some medicine here." Leng Yi said with worry and regret, wishing she could hurry up and take out the medicine.

Yin Jiu wrapped her arms around her to stop her from leaving, looking at her with a hint of resentment: "Hmph, you're not going to answer me, so I'm not going to take off my clothes to show you."

"I didn't want to see you take your clothes off! I didn't mean to!"

“Using the same old trick again, and still denying it,” Yin Jiu said, enunciating each word clearly.

“I…” Leng Yi wanted to refute, but suddenly realized that the plot was almost exactly the same as yesterday.

However, the difference was that Yin Jiu held her tightly and wouldn't let go. The two were so close that their breaths mingled together. It was so hot that she was about to sweat.

Leng Yi bit her lip and whispered, "Let me go. We're not children anymore. Men and women shouldn't touch each other."

What if I insist on kissing him?

Leng Yi's pupils dilated in surprise, her heart skipped a beat, and her breath caught in her throat, as if time itself had stopped.

Leng Yi thought Yin Jiu was going to kiss her, but Yin Jiu stared intently into Leng Yi's eyes for a few seconds, then suddenly cried out in pain, clutching her stomach and saying, "It hurts so much, it hurts so much!"

Leng Yi was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses. After pressing her wildly beating heart, she said, "Sit on my bed first, I'll go get you your medicine."

Upon hearing that she should sit on the bed, Yin Jiu felt embarrassed at first, but then she was secretly delighted and sat down on the bed covered with brocade quilts and fragrant blankets. After sitting down, she couldn't help but want to lie down.

Of course, this hidden agenda was kept secret.

Leng Yi brought over bandages and wound medicine, her face filled with guilt. She had tried to apply the medicine to Yin Jiu yesterday but hadn't managed to, and she couldn't do that tonight. She secretly glanced between Yin Jiu's legs; there was no movement, so there shouldn't be any obstruction.

Although it was done secretly, Yin Jiu still noticed, and the tips of her ears turned slightly red.

Leng Yi sat down next to Yin Jiu and looked at him cautiously. Yin Jiu gave her a look and repeated Leng Yi's words: "Men and women should not touch each other."

"How can applying medicine be considered improper? Applying medicine is... you're the patient, it's your duty to take care of the patient!"

"Hmph..." A faint blush rose on Yin Jiu's face as she straightened up and took off her upper body.

Some of the shallow wounds have already scabbed off, leaving pink scars, and the longest wound on my waist and abdomen has stopped bleeding.

Leng Yi was relieved to see that Yin Jiu's injuries had improved; Aunt Fang's medicine was truly miraculous.

"Lengyi, are you afraid when you see my wounds?" Yin Jiu suddenly asked.

“How could that be?” Leng Yi replied immediately, her expression serious as she prepared to change Yin Jiu’s dressing.

Yin Jiu suddenly raised her hand to hold Leng Yi's neck, lowered her head slightly, and kissed Leng Yi's lips.