20demayo Chapter 184
Chapter 184
Nalan Jingwen was in a daze. He struggled to look up, but could only see a snow-white veil. He could see nothing else.
All she knew was that she was in this man's arms, dressed in fine clothes, every piece of jewelry on her was extremely precious, something rarely seen even in the imperial palace.
The sedan chair was draped in a thin gauze curtain, allowing only a barely visible view of the outside world from inside. The gauze ribbons fluttered in the breeze. Two men carried the sedan chair from the front and back, while a dozen or so others surrounded it. Each man had a delicate face, carried an exquisite palace lantern, and wore clothes that resembled a dazzling array of colorful flowers.
Nalan Jingwen leaned against this person's chest, then her hand loosened, and she fell onto the soft couch. The brocade quilt and soft blankets were filled with a pleasant floral fragrance, not strong, just faint.
"Oh, I'm sorry, are you dead?"
Her voice was languid, crisp, and nonchalant; though she was apologizing, there was no hint of remorse in her tone.
Even if the cushion was soft, it couldn't withstand her falling like that. Nalan Jingwen felt like all the bones in her body were broken, and she saw stars.
"It's good that you're dead, then all your husbands will belong to me."
Nalan Jingwen really wanted to curse, but she was too weak to breathe and could only grit her teeth and utter the word "Get out".
A silvery laugh rang out, charming and uniquely delightful.
"If you still have the energy to curse, then you're not seriously injured."
"However, you're too dirty, you've soiled my sedan chair, so you shouldn't wear these clothes."
As she spoke, she reached out and stripped Nalan Jingwen naked. Nalan Jingwen was unable to move, and even speaking was extremely difficult. He could only let her do as she pleased, unable to raise his head. He could only see her arms, which were as delicate as lotus roots, and her skin was as smooth as pearls.
Soon, she was stripped naked, and long fingers still held her clothes, forming a perfect, alluring curve. She clicked her tongue and threw the clothes away with obvious disgust.
Then, as if taking pity on her, he pulled the blanket over her, each movement seemingly meticulously planned, exuding languor.
What a charming woman!
"How could you be so dirty? Everything you've soiled is your responsibility: a silk quilt, a pearl-embroidered cushion, a set of clothes made of swallow feather brocade, and the labor costs for my male concubines... the total is..."
She tilted her head and thought for a moment before blurting out, "Two thousand three hundred and fifty-seven taels of silver, when are you going to pay me?"
Nalan Jingwen even wanted to roll her eyes. Why didn't she include the money she had spent on food and toileting since she was a child?
Two thousand three hundred and fifty-seven taels of silver, why doesn't she just rob it?!
Seeing that she didn't speak, the woman seemed to remember something, covered her mouth and said, "I'm sorry, I forgot you're injured right now. Then just owe me for now, and I'll send someone to your palace to collect it later."
She spoke as if no one else was around, as if this were some kind of peaceful place.
This was the first time Nalan Jingwen had ever seen a woman like this. The women here were all proud of their heroic and imposing figures, and she was the first one to be as delicate and charming as her.
Even her beautiful appearance was ridiculed in private for a long time.
Even without seeing her face, the allure she exuded in every gesture was enough to captivate anyone. No wonder the men around her looked at her with adoration and were willing to stay by her side.
Xue Qingheng leaned against the boulder and stood up, her eyes indifferent but her brows slightly furrowed.
"What are you here for?"
The cold voice rang out, and Nalan Jingwen's heart sank.
The way they're talking makes it sound like they know each other?
The woman seemed to have just noticed that there were other people around, and looked at Xue Qingheng through the layers of thin gauze.
"I just missed you, so I came to see you?"
Xue Qingheng did not respond to her words, but simply said, "Give her to me."
The woman held up one finger and shook it, her tone regretful.
"Sorry, I can't agree to that."
"What benefit do you want?"
Through the gauze curtains, the woman's figure was faintly visible. She took the wine cup handed to her by the young man beside her, leaned back lazily, gently touched her chest, and spoke with a wronged tone.
"The way you're talking makes it sound like I'm here to make a deal with you."
"Is not it?"
Xue Qingheng's voice was cold, just like him—aloof and aloof.
"You've hurt my feelings by saying that. No matter what, we're all on the same side. Who would scheme against their own people?"
"Then give her to me."
The woman's eyes darted around, and her silvery laughter rang out.
"She's right here, take her with you."
Her words were half true and half false, making it impossible to understand.
Upon hearing this, Xue Qingheng stepped forward and headed towards the sedan chair. Nalan Jingwen's heart sank further and further; she no longer had the ability to fight back.
The footsteps grew louder, and Nalan Jingwen's heart sank to the bottom. The woman made no move, simply leaning back lazily, drinking the wine from the young man beside her.
"No!"
Jingchi rushed forward with his sword, blocking Xue Qingheng's path. Even though he was seriously injured, his eyes remained firm, refusing to yield an inch.
Xue Qingheng's indifferent gaze finally fell on him, and his thin lips parted slightly.
"Since you have already betrayed her, why bother with this hypocritical act?"
"I don't!"
"Jingchi will never betray Nalan Jingwen!"
These words sound as if they were spoken to Nalan Jingwen.
Upon hearing this, the woman burst into laughter; her laughter was lively and delightful.
"Your guard is quite good. I saved your life; how about you give him to me?"
Nalan Jingwen closed his eyes, not wanting to speak; he probably didn't have the strength to speak anymore.
Since you're not saying anything, that means you agree.
Unexpectedly, she was so shameless. Nalan Jingwen opened his eyes and gritted his teeth, saying, "He is not my man."
The sound was very soft, but everyone present was skilled in martial arts and could hear it clearly.
Jingchi froze, a look of hurt crossing his face, but he remained standing there, not moving an inch.
The woman chuckled and called out to the mirror pool, "Hey, you there, why don't you just come with me? She doesn't want you anyway."
Jingchi looked desolate, his hand holding the sword trembling, and he gritted his teeth, refusing to make a sound.
Xue Qingheng stopped paying attention to him and with a wave of her hand, the Mirror Pool flew away.
Xue Qingheng was getting closer and closer to the sedan chair, and Jingchi could only watch helplessly as he approached Nalan Jingwen. He supported himself and slowly crawled towards Nalan Jingwen, his fingernails full of mud.
"How pitiful. If you agree to come with me, I will save her life, how about it?"
Jingchi opened his eyes, his pupils trembling, and lowered his head, as if he were making a major decision.
Finally, when Xue Qingheng was only a foot away from the sedan chair, Jingchi straightened up, suddenly knelt down, and banged his head on the ground, his voice mournful and desolate.
"Please, save the prince."