Chapter 108
Chapter 108
Perhaps the night wind had grown colder. People without fur simply could not withstand the cold. Shen Qingyu felt the girl beside him press even closer. More of her body’s warmth reached him, as if she were drawing the heat from his body.
Yet as the one whose warmth was supposedly being stolen, Shen Qingyu felt no discomfort at all. Instead, even more heat surged through his blood, and he wanted nothing more than to give every last bit back to her.
The steward of the City Lord’s Manor finally arrived. “Everyone, the City Lord requests your presence.”
After such an enormous disturbance, the City Lord could no longer remain seated. He had no choice but to send someone to invite every one of the “troublemakers” to the main hall.
Qiao Ying knew that within the vast territory of Yunling Prefecture, no place enjoyed a greater reputation than the City Lord’s Manor in Yunling City. This was their host’s territory, after all. Since the master of the house was willing to invite them in, there was no need to tear away all civility.
Shangguan Lingxiao was badly injured, but the City Lord’s Manor did not summon a doctor. Instead, they invited the Saintess to treat him.
The woman in white still wore her veil. Her bearing was dignified, and her beauty pure and sacred.
Ming Caihua instantly straightened. His gaze practically glued itself to the white-robed woman.
Unfortunately, she looked straight ahead and did not spare him a single glance.
What happened next was truly miraculous. The woman merely looked at Shangguan Lingxiao. A maid then offered a handkerchief and placed it over his hand. Only then did the woman reach out and take his wrist through the cloth.
Before long, Shangguan Lingxiao felt a warm force spread throughout his body. Every wound on him began healing at a rate visible to the naked eye.
The ghastly wounds that had exposed white bone ultimately left only a few scars. The woman withdrew her hand.
Shangguan Lingxiao stared in astonishment. “I have long heard that the people of Yunling City live free from disaster because the Saintess attends the Golden Tree day and night and receives its protective power. Now that I’ve witnessed it myself, I know the rumors are true.”
Qiao Mianmian was equally incredulous. “I thought those rumors were false too. I never imagined such miraculous power truly existed in this world.”
Qiao Ying muttered, “With power this strong, could there really be no side effects?”
Shen Qingyu tipped his head. “Side effects?”
Qiao Ying thought explaining would be too much trouble. Rather than continue the subject, she said, “My hand is cold.”
Shen Qingyu naturally took her hand and tucked it inside the front of his robe.
Ming Caihua was usually frivolous and carefree, but now his expression turned solemn. He murmured, “There truly is a power in this world capable of healing every sickness and injury.”
“Hahaha! Everyone who sees Qingyi use her power for the first time can’t help expressing the same amazement!”
A hearty laugh came from outside the door, followed by a tall figure striding into the room.
The middle-aged man was strong and healthy, yet carried a steady dignity. His black brocade robe made his figure look even more upright and honorable. A broad smile filled his face, and forthright righteousness shone from his eyes and brows. The short beard beneath his chin added mature gravitas. His entire bearing radiated open, unshakable integrity.
This was Mo Canglan, the current City Lord of Yunling City.
Mo Qingyi bowed. “Father.”
Mo Canglan patted his daughter’s shoulder, affection warming his face. “You worked hard attending the Golden Tree today. Go rest early.”
Mo Qingyi nodded once, then left the main hall ahead of the others, surrounded by her maids.
Mo Canglan possessed a bold, magnanimous air without any of a City Lord’s lofty arrogance. He swept his gaze across everyone present, lingering a little longer on the Youth in Blue before turning to Qiao Ying.
“You must be the missing eldest daughter of the Qiao family from Jade City.”
Qiao Ying answered cautiously, “Perhaps.”
Mo Canglan repeated, “Perhaps?”
Qiao Ying said, “I injured my head and lost my memory.”
Qiao Mianmian exclaimed in surprise, “You lost your memory?”
Shangguan Lingxiao looked equally startled.
Mo Canglan said, “No matter. Since you don’t remember your past, remain at the manor for a few days. Another day, I’ll have Qingyi examine you. What an ordinary doctor cannot accomplish, perhaps Qingyi can.”
Qiao Ying looked at Shen Qingyu.
Shen Qingyu smiled faintly. “Then we’ll stay for a few days.”
Only then did Qiao Ying nod. “Thank you for your invitation, City Lord.”
“And what of this young brother?” Mo Canglan smiled at Ming Caihua on the other side of the room, releasing an invisible pressure. “The guards of my City Lord’s Manor are quite strict. I imagine it wasn’t easy for you to enter, young brother.”
Ming Caihua stiffened his neck. “I didn’t mean to come in. My friend, Qiao Ying, was drugged and abducted into the manor. I only entered to find her.”
Ming Caihua desperately signaled to Qiao Ying with his eyes.
Remembering how desperately Ming Caihua had protected her during the battle, Qiao Ying did not expose him. Instead, she said truthfully, “Someone did drug me. I don’t know why, but when I woke, I found myself inside the City Lord’s Manor.”
Mo Canglan did not appear to doubt her at all. He merely nodded. “I see. Someone deliberately abducted you and brought you into the manor. Who knows what they might be plotting? Rest assured, young lady. I will have the manor thoroughly searched and give you a proper accounting.”
Qiao Ying thanked him.
It was already very late, so Mo Canglan instructed the steward to arrange rooms for his guests.
The steward looked at Qiao Ying and Shen Qingyu, uncertain what arrangement to make.
Qiao Ying answered crisply, “We’re husband and wife. One room will do.”
Qiao Mianmian and Shangguan Lingxiao immediately looked stunned.
When they reached the courtyard set aside for guests, Qiao Mianmian could no longer restrain herself. She hurried after them and called, “Qiao Ying!”
Qiao Ying stopped and turned around. “What is it?”
The Youth in Blue stood beside her, the shadow cast by his tall body seeming to envelop her completely. With a faint smile, he asked with equal courtesy, “What is it?”
Qiao Mianmian covered the wound on her neck and instinctively retreated a step. Shangguan Lingxiao steadied her, and only then did she find the courage to stand her ground.
“Qiao Ying, how did you… how did you end up married? Without your parents’ approval or a matchmaker’s arrangement, isn’t this… isn’t this rather improper?”
“What’s improper about it? While I was stranded far from home, Shen Qingyu protected me time and again. He saved my life, and I repaid him by offering myself in marriage. Doesn’t that make a fine romantic tale?”
Qiao Mianmian pressed her lips together. “Even if he did save you…”
Qiao Ying interrupted her. “Naturally, repaying a life-saving debt with marriage is only a grand-sounding excuse. The real reason is that I like him, and he likes me. Our feelings are mutual, and we’re the most perfect match under heaven.”
The young man gave a delighted chuckle. His pale fingertips hooked a strand of black hair behind the girl’s back, and his air gradually turned soft and clinging.
Qiao Mianmian had always known that Qiao Ying was rather different from ordinary people. Even so, she had never imagined Qiao Ying could be this bold and had no idea how to respond.
Shangguan Lingxiao stepped forward. Deeply wary of Shen Qingyu, he never relaxed his grip on his sword. “Qiao Ying, Mianmian is only worried about you. You’ve lost your memory, which makes you easy to deceive.”
“I follow my heart and do as I please. If I’m deceived, then I suppose I’ll have deserved it. You needn’t trouble yourselves over me. By the way, since you two were already hiding away to kiss, I assume you’ll be married soon too?”
Qiao Mianmian’s face turned red.
Shangguan Lingxiao looked awkward.
Qiao Ying pulled Shen Qingyu into the room and closed the door, as if shutting out two people from another world.
The moment Shen Qingyu was tugged onto the bed, he instinctively loosened his sash and pulled open his robe. The fabric had barely slipped from his shoulder when the girl quickly wrapped it around him again.
Qiao Ying said solemnly, “Shen Qingyu, we’re not doing that right now.”
“Oh,” Shen Qingyu said. He looked sweet and obedient, though a strand of white hair spilled over his chest, its soft end brushing Qiao Ying’s hand. He seemed rather disappointed.
Qiao Ying climbed onto the bed and turned his body until they sat face-to-face. “Someone placed me unharmed inside the City Lord’s Manor. I suspect they wanted to lure you here.”
Shen Qingyu replied lazily, “Is that so?”
“Tell me the truth. Are you interested in the City Lord’s Manor too?”
Shen Qingyu said, “No.”
“A human being should be honest.”
Shen Qingyu pressed his lips together. “I am.”
Qiao Ying folded her arms. “Shen Qingyu, you’re not allowed to do anything dangerous.”
A smile returned to Shen Qingyu’s lips. “Yingying, you’re worried about me.”
“Of course I am. You’re my husband. If I don’t worry about you, who else should I worry about?”
The word “husband” sounded exceptionally pleasing.
Shen Qingyu bent forward to kiss her, but Qiao Ying pushed him back with both hands.
“Sit up. We’re discussing something serious!”
Shen Qingyu could not keep his back straight and relied entirely on her hands braced against his shoulders. His posture was truly deplorable. More white hair slid down his chest, like snow or pure moonlight, spilling fortuitously across her hands and legs and letting her feel its softness even more clearly.
Languid and lazy, Shen Qingyu lowered his head and nuzzled her face, his lips touching the corner of her eye. “Something serious? What’s that?”
“You have to promise me you won’t do anything dangerous.”
He chuckled softly, like someone drunk and dazed, yet exceptionally clingy. Another light kiss landed on the tip of her nose. “Why shouldn’t I do anything dangerous?”
“Because I’ll worry about you, of course!”
He truly seemed intoxicated. His mind appeared lost in a haze, his body moving only by instinct. He caught the hand she had braced on his shoulder and leaned in to kiss the corner of her lips, his smile sweet and sticky.
She retreated to avoid him, but he followed. The hand at her back pressed her toward him, and he kissed the corner of her lips as he wished, giving it a gentle bite.
Still wearing that drunken smile, he asked, “Why worry about me?”
Qiao Ying erupted in fury. “Because you’re my husband!”
“Mm. I’m your husband.”
Qiao Ying fell backward onto the bed. The young man leaning over her cupped her face with one hand, peppering her lips, chin, and neck with a succession of tiny kisses like a bird pecking at food.
Qiao Ying had no strength left to resist. Once again surrendering to the inevitable, she sighed at length. “Shen Qingyu, you really are too clingy.”
The young man buried against her chest laughed in delight.
“Yingying, you’re so strange.”
A moment later, the girl roared furiously, “Your canine tooth hurts!”