Chapter 77: Childless

Chapter 77: Childless

Disturbed from her sleep, Qiu Shuiyi glared up at him, her eyes blazing with anger.

"What are you doing awake so late, Your Highness?"

The light within the bed curtains was dim, faintly revealing the thin gauze curtain, beyond which clear moonlight spilled into the room.

The man's features were hidden in the darkness, his face indistinct, but his breath fell on her neck, raising goosebumps and making her shiver.

Uncomfortable, she tilted her head slightly away. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

A large hand gripped her chin, turning her face back. His low voice rasped in the night.

"I don't like the way he looks at you."

Qiu Shuiyi was taken aback.

After a moment, she couldn't help but laugh. "What can you do if you don't like it? Your Highness may govern heaven and earth, but can you control how others look at someone?"

She placed her hand over his and pushed with her chin, breaking his grip. "It's just a chance encounter. After we leave, perhaps we'll never see each other again in this life. Why ruin a young man's most sincere feelings?"

She put her hand on Shen Yuchao's shoulder and gave him a gentle push. "Alright, it's very late. I'm tired. Let's sleep."

Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, the grip on her wrist suddenly tightened. Qiu Shuiyi glanced over in surprise, only to find both wrists firmly pinned on either side of her head.

Frowning slightly, she opened her mouth. "What… Mmm…"

The rest of her words were swallowed between their lips.

His soft lips covered hers, gently moving, his breath passing into her mouth.

Shen Yuchao disliked incense, unlike other young nobles who loved to scent their clothes.

He carried only a clean, refreshing scent.

But at this moment, Qiu Shuiyi seemed to detect a faint fragrance.

Like the silent blooming of a pomelo flower under the moonlight, pure and elegant, with a delicate, refreshing aroma.

Qiu Shuiyi's mind went completely blank.

Gradually, the man was no longer satisfied with a light kiss. He ventured into her mouth, licking and exploring bit by bit, claiming every part, leaving his own mark.

Qiu Shuiyi flushed crimson, her palms gradually tightening, soft, fragmented moans escaping her.

Hearing these sounds, Shen Yuchao deepened the kiss, making it hard for her to breathe.

At some point, her pinned hands were freed, and without realizing it, they wrapped around his neck.

Their breaths mingled, and in the quiet night, suggestive sounds emerged from within the bed curtains.

After a long while, Shen Yuchao finally released her.

Qiu Shuiyi leaned on the man's arm, breathing lightly.

Her cheeks were flushed crimson. Her eyes, hidden in the darkness, shone brightly, slightly moist and glistening—an utterly pitiful sight.

Her lips were slightly swollen, tingling with a faint numbness, looking as if they had been ravaged.

Qiu Shuiyi pressed her lips together, the slight sting filling her eyes with shame and annoyance.

As she pulled away, she placed a hand on Shen Yuchao's chest and pushed him away with a bit of force.

Hearing the muffled groan she had hoped for, Qiu Shuiyi turned on her side and complained, "Your Highness is bullying me."

Shen Yuchao fell back onto the pillow, disregarding the wound on his chest, and pulled Qiu Shuiyi into his arms.

Resting his chin on her forehead, he said in a hoarse voice, "From now on, if you speak another word to him, I will have to punish you."

Suddenly falling into his warm embrace, Qiu Shuiyi stiffened slightly. She wanted to struggle but feared moving too much and accidentally touching his wound.

Hearing Shen Yuchao's words, she let out a light hum. "Your Highness is so unreasonable."

Shen Yuchao tightened his arms and closed his eyes. "I am unreasonable."

His tone was so self-assured that Qiu Shuiyi was riled up. Just as she was about to speak, her body stiffened abruptly.

Shen Yuchao took her earlobe into his mouth, nibbling gently, his breath washing over her ear.

"If you keep moving, I can't guarantee what will happen later."

They were extremely close, and Qiu Shuiyi could clearly feel the evidence of his arousal.

Swallowing, she lowered her tone and said resentfully, "Your Highness is so cruel. The conditions here are primitive. Do you really want me to enter the Duan Su Prince's mansion pregnant?"

Shen Yuchao remained silent for a long time.

Qiu Shuiyi raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled silently, a triumphant glint in her eyes.

Having won back a point, she was satisfied. Seeing that the night was growing late, she said softly, "It's very late…"

"Do you like children very much?"

Shen Yuchao cut in abruptly.

"Huh?"

Qiu Shuiyi was taken aback.

She instinctively looked up.

Her head was held in place by Shen Yuchao. With one hand behind her ear, he repeated, "Do you like children very much?"

Insistent on her answer.

Qiu Shuiyi didn't understand but answered honestly, "I do. But I only like well-behaved children."

She adored cute and obedient children, but as for unruly ones, she wanted nothing to do with them.

She asked softly, puzzled, "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Shen Yuchao fell silent again.

Qiu Shuiyi waited quietly.

After a long while, she felt the chest before her tremble slightly, and an extremely hoarse voice escaped his lips.

"In this life, I am destined to have no children."

Qiu Shuiyi stiffened in shock, looking up, stunned. "What did you say?"

Shen Yuchao's voice sounded above her, distant and ethereal.

"The Yin Dynasty has lasted only two generations so far. The current emperor has always detested remnants of the previous dynasty. He would never tolerate a child bearing the bloodline of the former dynasty growing up right under his nose."

"But I also have half the Shen family's blood."

"He couldn't bear to kill the only son of his dear friend, yet he couldn't risk endangering the realm. So..."

Shen Yuchao paused.

But Qiu Shuiyi already understood. She said haltingly, "So... he did something to you."

Shen Yuchao nodded, his voice soft. "He made me drink a sterility potion."

"After my father passed away, I frequently thought of joining him in death. During that time, I was never without medicine. So, the moment that bowl touched my lips, I knew something was wrong."

Tears welled in Qiu Shuiyi's eyes. "But you still drank it."

Shen Yuchao was silent for a few breaths. "I'm sorry."

"Why apologize to me?" Qiu Shuiyi shook her head. "The emperor was determined to end your line. You were just a child back then. Even if you avoided it once, could you have avoided it again and again?"

"No."

Shen Yuchao stroked the tender skin at her temple, he said hoarsely. "At that time, I only wanted to kill Mu Yurou and then follow my father. Having descendants meant nothing to me. But I didn't know that thirteen years later, you would appear."

"But even so." Shen Yuchao tightened his grip on Qiu Shuiyi's shoulders, his strength so great it seemed he wanted to crush her.

"Now that you're here, I won't let you leave."

Qiu Shuiyi couldn't describe what she was feeling.

Her heart felt as if it were soaked in water, sour and astringent, filled with both heartache and helplessness.

"Do you regret it?"

Shen Yuchao lifted Qiu Shuiyi's chin. His eyes held a chilling gleam in the night, appearing exceptionally sharp.

She stared into those eyes for a long time. Just before they showed signs of anger, she raised her head and pressed her lips to his.

A very light kiss.

Yet the tenderness and affection within it left Shen Yuchao somewhat dazed.

"I won't regret it."

Qiu Shuiyi spoke softly, firmly.

Shen Yuchao bowed his head, only to hear her suddenly let out a light laugh. She said gently, "I just like children, but I never said I wanted to give birth myself."

Her head, with its soft hair, nuzzled against the crook of Shen Yuchao's neck. "Any child is the same. When the time comes, can't we just adopt my brother's?"

Shen Yuchao wanted to see her eyes.

He wanted to know if this was the truth or just words of comfort.

Before he could lower his head, a small hand suddenly ruffled his hair, and she said in a pitiful voice.

"It's too late, I'm so sleepy. Your words have turned Shui Yi's heart upside down, making her feel terribly uncomfortable. How can you bear to keep me from sleeping?"

Still able to joke around, it must be the truth.

His arm encircling Qiu Shuiyi's waist, Shen Yuchao whispered, "Sleep."

The moonlight intensified, and the tree shadows danced.

Inside the room, all was quiet; within the bed curtains, warmth prevailed.

...

After waiting three or four days with no word from Zuo Yi or Shang Ze, Qiu Shuiyi couldn't help but grow anxious.

She sat in the kitchen, one hand holding a palm-leaf fan, idly fanning the fire, the other cupping her chin as she stared blankly.

Aunt Zhang came out of the house carrying a basket, her face beaming with joy. She opened the wicker gate and hurried away.

Qiu Shuiyi blinked and asked A Xiang, who was sitting nearby tending the fire.

"Auntie seems especially happy these past few days. Is there some good news?"

A Xiang added firewood to the stove and, upon hearing this, smiled excitedly. "Of course! Mother pawned the earrings Madam gave us for quite a bit of silver and bought a bright future for my brother. We're about to follow my brother and live a good life!"

As soon as she finished speaking, realizing it might be inappropriate, A Xiang glanced cautiously at Qiu Shuiyi. "Madam, your earrings..."

"It's fine. Once I gave them to you, they were yours to use as you wished. You don't need to worry about me."

However, she was quite curious about what Aunt Zhang had used the silver for.

"What future did Auntie buy for Brother A Zhu?" Qiu Shuiyi asked.

Reassured by Qiu Shuiyi's words, the unease in A Xiang's eyes vanished, replaced by excitement. "It's the Qiyun Sect."

"The Qiyun Sect?"

Hearing this name, Qiu Shuiyi's movements halted. A handsome, wicked face flashed before her eyes.

Certain unpleasant memories instantly flooded her mind.

It had only been a few short months, yet her acquaintance with that person felt like a lifetime ago.

Her delicate brows involuntarily furrowed, and Qiu Shuiyi pursed her lips.

"That's right." A Xiang smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling. "The Qiyun Sect was founded by many righteous martial artists. They specialize in helping families like ours escape hardship. There was a brother from the neighboring village who joined the Qiyun Sect. Mother said he returned in less than half a year, wearing clothes only nobles wear. He held a three-day, three-night feast, and when he left, he took his parents and brothers to live a good life."

"Everyone in the village was talking about how promising that brother was. Now, our Brother A Zhu is going to be just as glorious."

A Xiang chattered on, "I heard the sect leader of the Qiyun Sect is an exceptionally handsome man. Since he can give us a good life, he must be a good person. I wonder if Brother and I will get to see him when we go to the Qiyun Sect."

A good person?

A cold sneer escaped Qiu Shuiyi's lips.

What kind of good person uses their lifesaver as a scapegoat?

A wolf in sheep's clothing can be praised as a good person?

Qiu Shuiyi took a deep breath, concealing the coldness in her eyes, and prepared to question A Xiang thoroughly about the Qiyun Sect.

"A Xiang, the Qiyun Sect— "

"A sharp whinny—"

The sudden sound cut her off.

Qiu Shuiyi glanced toward the noise.

Two horses stood outside the courtyard, and a figure pushed open the gate and rushed toward her.

"Miss!"