Chapter 14 014 Delicious and Appetizing

Chapter 14 014 Delicious and Appetizing

Qiao Wanyue felt a cool breeze, and the scent of ink and pine lingered around her nose—faint and pleasant. It was his scent, mature and captivating. So close to him, the young girl felt uneasy, blushing quietly without looking at him, ignoring what he said.

After a long moment, she snapped out of her daze and realized what he had just said.

"Huh? What did you say?" Her cheeks still flushed, her eyes pure and innocent, looking extremely cute.

The man lifted his eyelids and glanced at her, replying with an unreadable expression: "Our birth horoscopes are very compatible. I won't bring you misfortune."

He was well aware of the rumors going around—that he lived alone and was cursed to harm his wives. If he was to marry Qiao Wanyue, he couldn't harm her, so he first had their horoscopes calculated, which showed they were a match made in heaven. Only then did he go to Qiao Zhuofan to propose the marriage.

Qiao Wanyue was stunned. She never expected Qin Yan to take it this seriously, going to check their horoscopes first. He was set on having her. She couldn't figure out why Qin Yan wanted to marry her. There were plenty of high-born ladies in the capital, many beautiful ones, and she wasn't exceptionally stunning. Why did he want to marry her?

"Get up first."

His scorching palm landed on her arm, and even through the thin fabric of her dress, she couldn't block his warmth. The young girl shivered involuntarily, feeling a strange, indescribable sensation.

Qin Yan helped her up and sat her down. From the side, he saw her snow-white face and soft, delicate lips. The man's eyes narrowed slightly, his Adam's apple moving unconsciously as he looked away.

"Can your foot still support you?"

Awkwardness was spreading, but fortunately, Qin Yan spoke in time, breaking the strange and subtle atmosphere.

Qiao Wanyue relaxed a little. She rotated her ankle and shook her head, saying no. "It hurts."

But the pain in her foot was secondary; what mattered was their marriage. Even though Qin Yan said he wouldn't harm her, Qiao Wanyue still didn't believe it.

Pouting, she said, "I think the fortune teller you went to was a liar. Anyway, every time I see you, something bad happens. Last time it was jail, now I've sprained my ankle. Next time, who knows what injury I'll get? I'm just a young girl, I can't take this torment. My life is so hard."

As she spoke, she started to tear up, her voice soft and pitiful, making anyone feel pity and tenderness.

But Qin Yan only found it annoying. The girl was faking her tears, wiping her eyes while secretly glancing at him, thinking he didn't see. He didn't call her out, but said coldly, "You knew Feiyun Manor was no good, yet you went. You ran wild in that place, ignoring your safety. Even if I hadn't appeared that day, you'd have ended up in jail regardless."

His gaze shifted down to her small foot. "You sprained your ankle because you were too impatient. So, in the end, the problem is you, not me."

Qiao Wanyue was left speechless by his words. Thinking about it, there was some truth to them, and she couldn't argue back. She sat there sulking, forgetting the pain in her foot.

After a long while, she weakly asked, "Do you like me? Is that why you're marrying me?"

She was young, and her words were a bit naive.

Qin Yan raised the corners of his mouth. "Do you have to like someone to marry them? I can only say you're suitable."

Exactly. She was too naive. In great families, marriage was only about interests or matching social status; where was there room for liking? Being respectful to each other was already good enough.

Qiao Wanyue lowered her head in silence, her usually lively eyes now calm. She remained motionless for a long time, lost in thought. Qin Yan sighed softly and got up to ask the steward to fetch some medicine. By the time the steward brought it, she still hadn't moved.

Qin Yan sat down beside her and handed her the medicine. "Three times a day. Rest a few days and it'll heal."

He remembered her injured foot. He's not too bad a person, Qiao Wanyue thought.

Her bright, clear eyes reflected images as purely as a mirror, just like her person—simple and kind-hearted.

The man looked at her, saying outright. "In the Qiao residence, you seem to be living well, carefree, but in reality, you hold back a lot. You always need to be cautious, fearing to offend your elder sister, worrying about your mother and younger brother, and being especially careful with Qiao Zhuofan. It must be exhausting."

"Marrying into the marquis's household, all those worries will disappear. They will only come to curry favor with you. Marrying me comes with many benefits."

Many benefits. That sentence tempted Qiao Wanyue. Thinking about it, Qin Yan was right. Not to mention the distant future, even today, she was only able to go out because her engagement to Qin Yan was settled; otherwise, she would still be confined to the mansion.

The young girl stopped talking and didn't make a fuss. She glanced at him calmly, then slowly lowered her gaze. Qin Yan smiled knowingly, realizing she was willing. He didn't continue the topic, but told the steward at the door to see her off, intending to return to his study.

Qiao Wanyue quickly grabbed his sleeve, blinking awkwardly. "I came on foot. Can I go back in your carriage?"

She couldn't walk back with her injured foot.

Qin Yan frowned. He had just heard from the steward that she had waited outside for a long time and had come on foot. She must be exhausted now. And she still claims she's not impatient.

Qin Yan gave a low hum in acknowledgment, then ordered the steward to prepare the carriage. He also found two maids to help her out. Once everything was ready, he should have returned to his study, but somehow, his footsteps followed her, and before he knew it, he was at the front gate of the marquis's residence.

Qiao Wanyue was helped out, but when she reached the door and saw the carriage, she faced another problem: her foot hurt too much to climb in. It was hard for Zhu Qing and the other maid to help her properly. Qiao Wanyue steeled herself and suggested they carry her up, but she definitely didn't want a servant to lift her.

Seeing this from behind, the man strode over quickly, his voice gentle: "Let me."

Before Qiao Wanyue could understand what he meant, she was lifted off the ground, falling into a warm and solid embrace. She looked up and saw the man's firm jaw and protruding Adam's apple. His Adam's apple was really nice.

The young girl blushed, but she kept staring unabashedly, until Qin Yan, unable to bear her gaze, looked down at her. Only then did Qiao Wanyue avert her eyes awkwardly.

He carried her into the carriage. Qiao Wanyue asked shyly, "Are you my fiancé now?"

Gently setting her down, Qin Yan hummed in agreement, reminding her, "Don't call me the wrong thing from now on."

Qiao Wanyue suddenly remembered the time she called him brother-in-law. Back then, Qin Yan had said it was too early to call him that. It turned out he was right; now he was her fiancé.

The people outside were in shock, only recovering after a long moment. The marquis had carried her, with a gentle gaze and even more tender movements. It seemed the marquis really liked the second Miss Qiao. No wonder he had wanted to change the marriage match.

They watched intently as the carriage disappeared into the distance, with the marquis personally seeing her home.

Before long, news that the marquis himself had escorted Miss Qiao back spread throughout the entire marquis's residence.

Qin Yan sat unsteadily, his expression not looking good. Chang Sheng was something else—making decisions without consulting him, taking him along against his will. He hadn't said he wanted to see her home.

Several times, Qin Yan wanted to tell Chang Sheng to stop, but then he thought better of it. He'd just tell Chang Sheng next time.

The carriage wheels rolled over the cobbled road, moving steadily.

Both were silent, not exactly awkward, but somewhat uncomfortable. They hadn't met many times, and now they were engaged; it felt strange.

Qiao Wanyue glanced at him, yawned lazily, and wanted to sleep. She hadn't slept well all night and had walked so far. Now that she could relax, she got drowsy.

Qiao Wanyue closed her eyes to sleep, and paid him no mind. She figured Qin Yan would wake her when they got there.

The carriage swayed like a cradle, and she fell asleep quickly. Qin Yan sat quietly, occasionally glancing at her, then quickly looking away.

She slept deeply, her body soft. She leaned haphazardly, and whenever the carriage jolted sharply, her head and body would tilt to one side. The person next to her reacted swiftly, reaching out a long arm to steady her head and gently move her back into position.

Qin Yan was gentle, not waking her, but having to keep saving her head from falling got annoying. So he simply sat next to her and let her lean against him. That way, it was easier for both.

She smelled nice and was soft. Not having been this close to a woman in a long time, Qin Yan felt very uncomfortable. Good thing she was asleep; otherwise, it would have been embarrassing.

Her breathing was steady, but as the fragrance grew stronger, the man started to get restless. He turned his head, his gaze falling on her red lips—moist and rosy-red, looking soft and tender, like the candy he loved as a child—delicious and mouthwatering.

His breathing suddenly grew heavy. His heart, which had been calm for many years, suddenly fluttered. Something was slowly slipping out of his control, and it was this loss of control that made him anxious and unable to calm down.

He tugged at his collar, but the stifled feeling didn't go away. Instead, it grew more intense, he urgently needed an outlet. Or rather, he couldn't understand where this out-of-control feeling came from.

He glanced sideways at Qiao Wanyue. The young girl's cheeks were flushed, like ripe fruit waiting to be picked.

Qin Yan lowered his head, leaning closer and closer, even catching the scent of her hair. What kind of hair scent did she use? It smelled really nice.

Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped, and Chang Sheng's voice came from outside: "Marquis, we've arrived."

The abrupt sound broke the intimate mood between the two. Qin Yan snapped back to reality and quickly moved aside. Without his support, Qiao Wanyue's body tilted to one side, and her head hit the wooden bench with a thud. Fortunately, there was a cushion in the way, so it didn't hurt.

Her forehead was slightly red. Now awake, Qiao Wanyue rubbed her forehead, her eyes still sleepy. "Are we here?"

She had been sleeping too soundly and ended up falling over. She gave the man a resentful look. He was inconsiderate not to wake her, causing her to bump herself again. They say he doesn't counteract her destiny, yet she always meets bad luck.

Was Qin Yan lying to her? Maybe she should take her birth chart to a Taoist temple and have it read.

"You can get down now," Qin Yan said, his expression unnatural.

"Oh, alright."

Carefully moving her foot, she reached the edge of the carriage, and Zhu Qing extended a hand to help her. Before stepping down, Qiao Wanyue didn't forget to thank him: "Thank you for the carriage, Marquis."

"You're welcome."

As soon as Qiao Wanyue was on the ground, a deep voice from inside the carriage said, "Go back." It was very quick, as if he'd seen a ghost, not wanting to stay a moment longer.

Indeed, Qin Yan was in a hurry. His restless heart took a long time to calm down before he finally felt at ease.

-

Back in her courtyard, Qiao Wanyue hurried to sleep without even applying medicine to her foot. She slept soundly, so much so that Madame Wang couldn't wake her no matter what. She gave up and decided to wait until the next morning to have her come over.

She was truly exhausted. She slept until the next day, her stomach growling with hunger. Only then did she get up, wash up, and have breakfast. On her bedside table was the medicine Qin Yan had given her, to be applied three times a day, promising to heal in a few days. She wondered if he had exaggerated.

Qiao Wanyue applied the medicine to herself. It was cool and refreshing, and it didn't smell bad. It might be good medicine.

After she lowered her skirt, Zhu Qing entered with breakfast and said, "Madame came by yesterday, but since you were asleep, she didn't wake you. She asked you to go see her later."