Chapter 125 (Revised)

Chapter 125 (Revised)

◎Whoever tries to take her from me, I will fight for her until the end.◎

The smooth surface of the dagger was stained with Luo Wanqing's warmth. She looked up at the person above her, her breathing becoming disordered.

Xie Heng's gaze was calm, yet she felt as if an invisible net had enveloped her, tightening around her, making escape impossible.

"Si Shi Liu?"

Xie Heng drew out his words, seemingly impatiently leaning closer. His hair fell down, brushing against her face, causing a slight tickle.

As she looked closely in the dim light of the bed canopy, Luo Wanqing could see his expression more clearly. The aloofness that usually characterized Xie Heng had merged strangely with Cui Heng's relaxed demeanor, creating a subtle and provocative air. He whispered softly, "Why aren't you speaking?"

Luo Wanqing didn't know how to start.

She didn't even know how to address him.

When she called him Young Master in public, it felt natural; he seemed no different from before.

But now, looking at this man who seemed like Cui Heng's soul had returned, she couldn't bring herself to use that unfamiliar title.

Yet she couldn't call him Cui Heng either.

This person in front of her was too dangerous, too dominant, exuding a sense of aggression and authority that was entirely different from Cui Heng.

Her mind was in chaos, and after much thought, she still couldn't find a suitable way to address him. She turned her head away and mumbled, "You... you should get off me first."

"Si Shi hasn't answered my question," Xie Heng said, gripping the knife's blade and using the handle to turn her face towards him, forcing her to look directly at him. Leaning close, he pressed, "Do you know what the punishment is?"

Luo Wanqing's heart raced. Xie Heng was too close, and despite having looked at him for some time, the impact of his presence remained unchanged.

She turned her eyes away, not daring to meet his gaze, and replied calmly, "Young Master, there's no need for jokes. I was worried about you and wanted to check on your condition."

"Worried?"

Xie Heng slowly slid the dagger along her face, and Luo Wanqing tensed, feeling his scrutiny, seemingly tinged with resentment. "What kind of relationship do we have? Why would you worry about me, and why would you come to my tent in the middle of the night?"

As he spoke, Xie Heng inserted the dagger into Luo Wanqing's waistband, leaning close to her ear and whispering, "I fear I'm not even worth mentioning compared to Lord Zhang. Perhaps I'm just a passerby you saved out of convenience?"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing finally understood the underlying tone in Xie Heng's words. She glanced at him and said, "Young Master, there's no need to belittle yourself. In Xiniang's heart, you and Lord Zhang are quite comparable."

Xie Heng paused, his gaze filled with meaning.

Luo Wanqing sensed his muscles tensing, and she prepared herself. A moment later, Xie Heng chuckled lightly, saying, "Deserves punishment."

As he spoke, Xie Heng lifted the dagger, intending to cut her waistband. Simultaneously, Luo Wanqing moved like lightning, snatching the dagger and striking at Xie Heng to escape.

However, Xie Heng seemed to anticipate her reaction. As soon as he let go of the dagger, he caught her hand and flipped her over on the bed, pinning her down and kissing her deeply.

The bitter scent of medicine mingled with his tongue, making her taste all the sweeter. He delved deeper, and Luo Wanqing began to resist fiercely.

But every time she moved, Xie Heng pressed down harder. Her resistance only fueled his desire, and she momentarily forgot his identity, truly fighting back.

His combat experience was far superior, and no matter how hard or fast she struck, he deflected her moves, turning them into gentle caresses that seemed almost flirtatious.

The more she struggled, the deeper the kiss became. Eventually, he grew impatient and seized the opportunity to pin both her hands behind her back, holding them tightly with one hand while pressing her down.

With her hands pinned beneath her, her waist involuntarily arched, making everything easier for him.

Xie Heng also felt himself losing control, subtly adjusting his position to avoid touching her further, but continued to search her lips and tongue for that sweetness to soothe himself.

Realizing she couldn't win, Luo Wanqing stopped struggling and lay still.

Xie Heng noticed her compliance and smiled, gradually releasing her hands to explore other parts of her body, his kisses becoming gentler.

Clothes rustled under the bed canopy, their breaths intertwining. Luo Wanqing felt weak and damp from his kisses, her entire body responding to him.

She reacted, and Xie Heng responded even more visibly. Hearing his heavy, disordered breathing, she observed him calmly, waiting for an opportunity. When his lips moved downward, she finally found her chance and kicked him, sending Xie Heng out of the bed canopy!

Caught off guard, Xie Heng reacted quickly, grabbing Luo Wanqing as he was kicked out. They rolled together onto the soft rug, and Xie Heng protected her, rolling back on top of her.

The commotion outside alerted Zhuque immediately: "Young Master? What's wrong, Young Master?"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing instantly tensed, signaling Xie Heng to dismiss the intruder.

Xie Heng understood but didn't move, only smiling at her.

Their hearts were racing, their breaths mingling. Luo Wanqing didn't understand what Xie Heng was waiting for, frowning and gently pushing him away.

Xie Heng remained silent but laughed, slowly reaching under her clothes. In her shocked and angry gaze, he grasped something and began to rub and knead it gently.

Luo Wanqing's breathing became erratic, and she tried to suppress it. Zhuque, hearing no response, pounded on the door: "Young Master? If you don't answer, I'll come in..."

"I'm in a bad mood," Xie Heng finally spoke, realizing he couldn't delay any longer. Propping himself up, he continued to caress Luo Wanqing, looking towards the door and speaking normally, "I suggest you leave."

Zhuque hesitated, then replied, "Oh, alright. You take care of yourself, Young Master. I'll leave."

As Zhuque's footsteps faded, Xie Heng turned his gaze back to the trembling beauty beneath him.

Luo Wanqing had worn only a single white robe when she came, her long hair cascading down. After their struggle, her waistband was partially torn, hanging loosely around her waist, and her clothes had mostly come undone, revealing her collarbone and flat abdomen.

Her skin was very pale, and her jet-black hair spread out like seaweed on the dark red carpet, creating a stunning contrast of red, white, and black that was visually captivating.

Xie Heng's hand, half-hidden under her clothes, couldn't help but gently rub. The fabric rippled with his movements, and Luo Wanqing's breathing quickened.

Xie Heng leaned down, his voice hoarse as he whispered in her ear, "Where did you go today?"

Luo Wanqing ignored him, listening to the fading footsteps of the vermilion bird. She turned her head, panting softly, and Xie Heng looked at her, seemingly asking out of concern, "With Lord Zhang?"

"None of your business."

Luo Wanqing couldn't help but snap back. Xie Heng chuckled, lifting her skirt and slipping his hand up her leg as he continued to press, "Have you come to see me these past few days?"

"No," Luo Wanqing gritted her teeth.

Xie Heng's smile grew wider as he pushed her aside. "I heard from Lord Cui that you said you were saving me, so everything you said before was a lie?"

"So what if it was a lie?" Luo Wanqing lifted her gaze to meet his, grabbing his wandering hand and coldly retorted, "Only Young Master can lie to me, not the other way around?"

Hearing this, Xie Heng paused in his movements. He looked at Luo Wanqing, who seemed unwilling, and after a moment, he leaned down, gently pressing his forehead against hers. "Still resenting me?"

Luo Wanqing turned her head away, only saying, "I don't know."

"That means you do resent me."

Xie Heng stated confidently. Luo Wanqing listened and simply said, "What do I have to resent?"

She seemed to be consoling herself, speaking calmly, "You have your reasons. Your position is precarious, like walking on thin ice. Lying to me is understandable. I just..."

Luo Wanqing paused, finding it hard to continue. After a long moment, she turned her head and said, "Forget it, it doesn't matter."

"Just what?"

Xie Heng didn't answer her, continuing to press the previous question. Luo Wanqing pursed her lips and remained silent. Xie Heng took her hand and placed it over his heart.

"Xiniang, tell me," he gazed at her gently, "I'm listening."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing felt a sudden sting in her eyes. She dared not look at him, only feeling the warmth beneath her palm and the steady, muffled heartbeat.

"I resent myself."

She finally spoke, "I'm the one causing your death."

"Because of that dream?"

Xie Heng understood instantly. Luo Wanqing murmured, "Yes."

"What kind of dream?"

"It was another path," Luo Wanqing recalled slowly, "In the dream, I was exiled to Ling Nan. My family died on the journey. Li Guiyu returned to East Capital and married Zheng Biyue. You formed an alliance with him."

As Xie Heng listened, he silently leaned against her chest. Luo Wanqing remembered the scenes from the dream, her voice turning hoarse: "In the fifteenth year of Emperor Changshun, the emperor passed away. You helped Li Guiyu ascend the throne. Then the Wang clan fell, and the Great Xia Law was enacted. You became the first high-ranking official to be judged by the law, dying a gruesome death by a thousand cuts."

Luo Wanqing spoke, feeling a sting in her eyes again: "At that time, I was in Ling Nan, seeing only the notice announcing your crimes. We were strangers, and all I knew was that Ling Nan had snow in June. When I heard about your death, I even celebrated with a jug of wine."

"Those crimes, are they what you're doing now?"

Without needing her to elaborate, Xie Heng understood what was tormenting Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing looked at the ceiling, laughing bitterly: "Yes. That's why I kept asking you if you were Xie Heng. But you wouldn't say. Not only did you not say, but you also kept lying to me, telling me that Xie Heng was your enemy, adding fuel to the fire. You knew you were going to die, that you had no future, yet you coaxed me into sending you to your death and still tried to entice me. Xie Lingshu," Luo Wanqing couldn't help but ask, "Did you ever think about me?"

Xie Heng, leaning against her chest, listened to her words but only asked, "Did I entice you?"

Luo Wanqing was taken aback. Realizing he was still concerned about himself, she pursed her lips tightly and finally couldn't hold back, pushing him away and getting up to leave.

Xie Heng, being pushed away, sat there calmly, buttoning up his clothes, and continued, "Does Xiniang have feelings for me?"

Seeing he showed no remorse, Luo Wanqing glared at him. Xie Heng sat cross-legged on the ground, turning to look at her and smiling, "When did it start? How important am I to you? Is it love or pity? If it weren't for my life, would you have said those things in Xueling Valley?"

"Xie Heng," Luo Wanqing, hearing his constant concern for himself, couldn't help but say, "How could you be so selfish?"

Xie Heng didn't respond. He sat silently, then after a while, he lowered his head and laughed bitterly, "Xie Heng is selfish, cold-hearted, suspicious, and jealous. Didn't you know this from the beginning?"

Luo Wanqing pursed her lips, clenching her fists. Xie Heng raised his head, seeming to recall something, and said, "When I met you, there was no sincerity. My identity was false, and yours was too. We doubted and guessed each other, but you risked your life to save me, which moved me. I remade your bones, but from that moment, you became my sword."

He stood up, walked to her, and lifted her chin with his hand, looking at her with his usual cold demeanor, "Cui Heng's identity was to test you and keep you. I knew you were mysterious, and I planned that if you owed me, you would either serve me or break for me. Whoever tried to take you from me," Xie Heng lowered his voice, "I would fight them to the end."

Luo Wanqing stared at him, anger in her eyes.

Xie Heng saw her anger and smiled bitterly, "This is me. The Cui Heng you saw, tolerant, respectful, selfless, was because..."

Xie Heng's voice faltered, struggling to speak. He looked at the moonlight filtering through the window onto her face, seeing the fire in her eyes, and after a long moment, admitted, "I love you."

Luo Wanqing was stunned. Xie Heng gazed into her eyes, his expression gentle yet bitter, "I wanted you to see my best side. I knew you didn't want a future, so I could tolerate everything. But later, I couldn't anymore, so I fought without restraint. If you want me, you must put me in the most important place. If you can't, then there will never be a Cui Heng."

"So you continued to deceive me in Ji Rui Palace, pretending Cui Heng was dead, because I didn't come to Tingfeng Tower."

Luo Wanqing understood Xie Heng's meaning, speaking hoarsely, "Even when I exposed your identity, you refused to admit it. Were you disappointed? Did you not want to be with me?"

Xie Heng didn't respond. Luo Wanqing couldn't help but say, "If so, why did you deliberately let me discover your secret? Why did you tell me about the blood that could counter the emperor's bone scent? Knowing such a secret, how could I leave?"

Xie Heng smiled bitterly, remaining silent.

Luo Wanqing slowly realized, looking at him in disbelief, confirming, "You never wanted me to leave."

"Never."

This time, Xie Heng didn't hide it, admitting openly, "I never wanted you to leave. I was trying to force myself to let go, but my nature is selfish and cold-hearted. I couldn't help but want to keep you. I hoped you would choose me."

Luo Wanqing stared at him, surprised by his honest admission.

Xie Heng brushed her hair, straightening her clothes, explaining gently, "Even if you hadn't returned to that cave, I might have been unconsciously trying to keep you, hinting at you, until you chose me. Xiniang, I'm not against having a future with you; I'm waiting for you to choose a future with me. Between us—"

Xie Heng looked at her, "It has always been your choice."

Luo Wanqing remained silent, staring at the strong yet gentle man before her, as if seeing him for the first time.

She could see the charm and gentleness of Cui Heng in him, yet she also felt the overwhelming allure that belonged to Xie Heng. Meeting his gaze, she pressed on with reluctance, "You've asked me to send you to your death; how can you promise me a future?"

"If I don't want to lose, I won't lose," Xie Heng smiled, saying, "This accusation isn't enough to drive me to my death."

"This is fate."

"I am fate."

Xie Heng looked at Luo Wanqing, placed his hand at the back of her head, bent slightly, and met her eyes levelly with a smile, affirming, "Miss Luo, your life is thin, only you can write it. My life, too, only I can decide. If anyone can change my fate—"

He paused, his gaze unwavering as he stared into her eyes, serious, "Only you."

Luo Wanqing was speechless, feeling herself melting under his gaze, embraced by him. He was erasing the bitterness and pain in her heart, but she still felt reluctant, turning her head away, unable to meet his eyes.

Xie Heng noticed her resistance, hesitated, then released his hand and straightened up, forcing a smile, "Now, it's too late for Xiniang to regret. Since you turned around in the cave, why not just make do and spend this life with me? Hmm?"

"But I don't want to make do."

Luo Wanqing spoke, and Xie Heng's smile froze.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Wanqing said, "Are you truly unwell today, or did you feign illness to lure me here?"

Xie Heng stood there, silent.

Luo Wanqing knew the answer. After a moment of silence, she calmly stated, "Don't lie to me again."

"Mm."

Xie Heng nodded in response.

After a moment, Luo Wanqing added, "Have you told anyone else about our relationship?"

"No," Xie Heng lowered his eyes, "But they might have some guesses."

"That's good."

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, "Since Cui Heng no longer exists, let it be so. In the future, you'll remain Young Master, and I'll be your subordinate. Keep business separate from personal matters. For personal matters... if you miss me, you may play the short flute to summon me, but if it's not important, don't seek me out to avoid suspicion."

Luo Wanqing raised her eyes, staring at him, "The pair of short flutes Cui Heng gave me, do you have one?"

Hearing this, Xie Heng rubbed his fingers, lifted his eyes, and chuckled bitterly, "Did you think I was fooling you back then?"

Because he didn't care, he could discard what he gave away easily.

Luo Wanqing looked into his eyes, "I don't know."

Xie Heng laughed softly, took out two short flutes from his sleeve, and handed one to Luo Wanqing, softly saying, "This is the one you gave me in Ji Rui Palace; I always carry it with me."

Luo Wanqing looked at the short flute, took it, and her gaze softened.

Xie Heng felt a slight ache in his heart, turning his eyes away.

Luo Wanqing held the short flute, calmly stating, "If you have no objections, let's settle it like this. It's getting late, knowing you're fine, I'm relieved. I'll take my leave now."

"Wait."

Xie Heng grabbed her wrist. Luo Wanqing looked up in confusion, and Xie Heng glanced at her waist, whispering, "Your belt is about to break."

Luo Wanqing blushed slightly, watching Xie Heng pick a belt closest in color to her clothes and tie it around her waist.

They were both silent, heads bowed. As he wrapped the belt around her waist, Luo Wanqing remembered the first time Cui Heng had done the same in the Treasure Pavilion, tying the Thousand Mechanisms around her.

She watched his movements silently, a sense of grievance welling up inside her.

Xie Heng didn't notice her emotions, only focused on tying the belt, asking softly, "Can I take what you said in Xueling Valley seriously?"

"I don't lie."

"Then, even without important matters, can I come to you?"

Xie Heng asked clearly, seemingly understanding all the implications she hadn't directly stated.

Luo Wanqing remained silent, head down. Xie Heng looked up at her, the belt left with one final knot. His hand paused in front of her, holding the belt, waiting for her answer.

After a long while, Luo Wanqing whispered, "I waited for Cui Heng for too long."

In the past, it was always he who came to her. She never knew when he would arrive or where he came from.

Every day, she waited until one day he didn't come, and she didn't know where to look for him.

Everything in their past was led by him, decided by him. Xie Heng understood her grievance, feeling a pang of sorrow.

He gently tied the final knot on the belt, then looked up, saying earnestly, "Alright, I'll wait for you."

He draped a cloak over Luo Wanqing, jokingly adding, "As long as Xiniang turns around, I'll wait forever."

"Do you really mean it?" Luo Wanqing looked up at him, disbelieving.

Xie Heng smiled, bending slightly, lowering his voice, "Actually, you should come see me sooner."

"Or what?"

"Xiniang, if you don't find Cui Heng, it's because you don't miss him enough." Xie Heng gazed into her eyes, softly saying, "But I miss you so much, I can't help but find you."

---

Qingya: "Young Master, what kind of person do you like?"

Xie Heng: "I like fiery women, the kind who can kick me out with one foot."