Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Zhang Qingniang slumped onto a wooden bench. The dampness from the rain, carried by the wind, moistened her vision.

Xun Yunhe sat down in front of her. With every step closer, her features became clearer, and although she looked much the same from afar, up close, wrinkles had formed around her eyes. Xun Yunhe's emotions calmed as he gazed at her silently.

Zhang still felt somewhat uneasy. She lowered her head and took a few deep breaths before raising her gaze to meet his, holding back the tears in her eyes and forcing a weak smile.

The once loving couple was now the most awkward strangers.

Zhang Qingniang couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, but it was simply fate's doing.

Xun Yunhe's tone softened. "Have you been well these past dozen years?"

His eyes lowered slightly, filled with restraint, and his voice was hoarse and thick.

Zhang Qingniang averted her gaze, nodding slowly. "Mm, it's been... not too bad..."

"He treats you well?" he asked again.

Zhang Qingniang gave a forced laugh and nodded again. "Alright," she said, her voice uneven. "Very well..."

Xun Yunhe suddenly let out a self-deprecating laugh, his gaze cold as he stared at her. "Better than me?"

The moment those words left his lips, Zhang Qingniang's throat visibly tightened.

There were some things that she didn't deliberately think about, assuming that she had forgotten them completely. But now, a fleeting glance back brought those memories back into sharp focus.

Back then, Xun Yu was simply too good to her.

As long as he was at home, he hardly let her do anything. He had the entire village and its neighbors under his wing, and when he left, there was always someone to help her with farm work. With Nannan by her side, she led a carefree life.

She was too easily content, only hoping that her husband would stay by her side every day and not aspire to be with someone of a higher status. But Xun Yu wouldn't listen. He had ambitions and aspirations to make a difference in the world.

He had taken care of her too well, weaving a beautiful illusion for her. It wasn't until rumors spread about him abandoning his wife and daughter for a better life that she couldn't accept it. Having never ventured far from home, she packed her bags and set out for the county town on her own, the pouring rain drenching her as she slipped down a slope and fell into a mud pit. Soldiers passing by the slope faintly overheard that Xun Yu had offended the county magistrate's daughter, and now they were going to burn both her and Nannan alive, taking Xun Yu to the capital for a better life.

Her hatred was overwhelming, and for a moment, she hated herself for insisting on marrying him, leading to this outcome. The thought of Nannan still being in danger made her struggle in the mud, only to sink deeper. With soldiers passing by from time to time, she dared not make a sound. The water rose, and landslides threatened to engulf her. Just as she was about to be swallowed by the mud, a scholar in white, holding a book above his head, ran along the field's edge towards the slope. She immediately cried out for help.

Xu Ke exerted great effort to save her, pulling her out of the mud. Covered in filth, she leaned against his back. Despite his not particularly strong physique, he carried her through the ordeal, step by step, bringing her back to safety.

Indeed, Xun Yu was far superior to Xu Ke in every aspect, whether it was appearance, character, or ability. He was a thousand times better than Xu Ke. However, Xu Ke had appeared before her at the most desperate moment in her life, accompanying her through the ups and downs of more than a decade, giving her a stable existence. That's why she had committed herself to him.

"I've told you before that all I want is a peaceful life, but you didn't listen. You insisted on striving for more, and what did you gain?" Zhang Qingniang complained with a sense of injustice.

The pain in Xun Yunhe's eyes surged up, his voice tinged with remorse. "Qingniang, come back to me. I'll make amends with Xu Ke..."

Before he could finish, Zhang Qingniang waved her sleeve dismissively. Her eyes suddenly seemed to have needles in them, as if she had transformed into a fierce little beast. She glared at him and said, "Are you mad? You only care about your own feelings. Have you ever thought about me? About Xu Ke? About our children?"

"Why do you think I can just go back to how things were just because you want me to?"

He had no idea how painful it was for her to erase his affection from her heart, so how dare he!

Zhang forced herself to swallow her tears. The once fragile woman was now resolute. "I can't go back. We've been husband and wife for over a decade, and we have two children..."

Xun Yunhe gazed at his former beloved wife, listening to her speak of another man. A surge of malevolence rose within him, and he said cruelly,

"Xu Ke wants to advance his career and wealth? I'll give it to him!"

"What about the two children? You even left behind our four-year-old daughter back then. Now, with both children grown, what makes you think you can't abandon them?"

Zhang Qingniang looked at him in astonishment, as if she had been doused with a basin of cold water, suddenly realizing something. She let out a long sigh and sneered,

"Is that why you're here, to avenge Nannan?"

Xun Yunhe remained silent, his face tense.

Zhang's anger turned into a bitter smile as she looked up at the stormy sky and cried out, "Yes, I do owe Nannan. I've treated everyone in my life fairly, except for her, my own daughter. But I had no choice. Do you think I didn't consider this deeply?"

"It was better for Nannan to live with her father than to depend on others and see their faces, turning timid and weak. My father may not have cared for her as meticulously, but he would never give her the cold shoulder or make her suffer... Look how well she has grown up now. If she were with me, she might have endured much hardship..."

Xun Yunhe closed his eyes deeply.

For a moment, he desperately wanted to ask if she had to marry, if she couldn't just stay with Nannan and live a good life. Then, they could be a reunited family, and Nannan wouldn't have to suffer so much. In the end, he didn't dare to ask. He wasn't worthy, he didn't have the right. All the wrongs originated from him. Rather than blaming Qingniang, he blamed himself.

"I want to give Nannan a home, to repay what I owe her."

"That's impossible!"

"Don't push me," Xun Yunhe raised his gaze to look at her coldly,

Zhang Qingniang was on the verge of tears with anger. "Are you doing this to make amends for her? You're actually doing it for yourself. What has Xu Ke done wrong for you to force him into a situation where he loses his wife and children? Back then, at least he took out silver to buy clothes for Nannan. Where were you? Let me tell you, Nannan holds her Uncle Xu in high regard and is forever grateful for the shelter he provided. She's always urging me to live a good life with him. Are you going to hurt Nannan?"

All arguments and rebuttals were powerless against this final statement.

Yunqi Xun, Yunna Xun forever remains the unassailable bottom line in the depths of his heart.

The light in Xun Yunhe's eyes dimmed, and his unwavering determination crumbled abruptly.

Zhang Qingniang gazed at him in this state and suddenly smiled.

So it was then, and so it remains now.

Zhang Qingniang sniffled, wiped away the tears on her cheeks, and looked at him calmly.

"Xun Yu, treat Nannan well. There's no need for us to meet again."

She turned around, covering her face as she left the Drunken Rain Pavilion, leaving him alone to face the misty downpour.

*

Unbeknownst to her, the sky had already darkened. Xu Yunqi stirred and groggily opened her eyes. Pei Muheng was lying beside her. Strangely, one of her legs was draped across his abdomen, with his hand gently holding her foot. The warmth only registered to her later, causing her embarrassment. She quickly pulled her foot back, but Pei Muheng instinctively held on tighter, abruptly opening his eyes.

Eyes met.

Xu Yunqi's cheeks still held a flush of intoxication, her long hair cascading over her body, revealing only a pair of sparkling black eyes like grapes. Xu Yunqi trembled her foot again, and Pei Muheng froze for a moment before releasing her.

She quickly retreated, distancing herself from him, her face filled with apologies.

"I'm sorry, I had some wine and got a bit tipsy."

Pei Muheng looked at her without speaking.

It was not just being tipsy, it was as if she had become an entirely different person. Her leg dared to casually drape over his, showing no propriety at all.

But that casual and arrogant demeanor was strangely endearing.

Pei Muheng couldn't bring himself to hold it against her, so he didn't expose her.

He turned around, fetched a water pitcher from the high table beside the couch, and poured a cup of cool tea for her. The couple quenched their thirst and then gazed into each other's eyes.

The room was dimly lit, but lanterns hanging in the corridor cast a soft glow that swayed gently with the wind, allowing them to see the desire in each other's eyes.

Pei Muhang pressed down with authority, and Xu Yunqi leaned back onto the pillow.

His dark gaze drew near, his lips grazing her neck. Xu Yunqi's eyelashes fluttered as she closed her eyes.

His broad palm covered her neck, gently sweeping her stray hairs behind her. His fingertips slipped into the collar of her garment, slowly peeling it open. Each touch moistened the territory that belonged solely to him. Her fair skin soon flushed pink. Her eyelashes trembled, fluttering as she grew more and more captivated.

His arms encircled her tightly, as if he sought to crush her butterfly bones. His calloused fingertips brushed against her skin in an erratic rhythm, overwhelming her with his potent scent, leaving no room for her to catch her breath.

Without warning, he delved too deeply, and Xu Yunqi instinctively bit her lip. Her body felt weightless, floating aimlessly. She reached out, unable to resist seeking support. His long arm effortlessly captured her hand, holding it captive in his palm.

He reveled in seeing her with nowhere else to turn, relying on him for support. His innate desire to control was fully displayed in this moment.

Sweat trickled down from the flattened butterfly bones, sliding along his palm. The intermittent chirping of cicadas grew distant, signaling the fading of the storm.

Her damp clothing clung to her body, causing discomfort. She tried to push him away, but he remained steadfast. He gazed into her mesmerizing eyes, sensing the lingering passion within her.

Xu Yunqi allowed him to look, her gaze lowered, not knowing where it rested. She spoke softly,

"Third Master, please don't be so ruthless in the future." She didn't like being at someone else's mercy.

Pei Muheng, however, asked with a profound expression, "Shall we switch roles next time?"

Xu Yunqi lifted her gaze to meet his, seemingly in disbelief that he would say such words. Her face flushed, and she glared at him fiercely.

When had he seen such a lively expression on her face before? It was charming, with her flushed cheeks resembling a ripe fruit. The beads of sweat on her delicate cheeks were like juice about to burst forth. Pei Muheng took a deep breath, fearing he might push her too far. He retreated promptly, rolling onto his back.

Xu Yunqi wasted no time, hastily wrapping herself in her clothes and stumbling past him to leave the bed.