Jiang Chen poked my cheek with his finger, smiling charmingly: "Xiao Mo, outsiders talk about being implicated, but with our relationship, we can't use that word no matter what, don't you think?"
I retorted angrily, "What kind of relationship do we have? Does a kiss really change that?"
He gave an "oh," winked, and smiled meaningfully, "Xiao Mo, do you think that little change we made just now wasn't enough?"
My face flushed. In that brief struggle, my lips were completely and utterly stained. If I wasn't satisfied, I feared the stains on other parts of my body would be equally unbearable. I was no match for his verbal skills, so I resorted to physical force. I pushed hard against his chest, angrily saying, "Let me up!"
"Promise me one thing, and I'll get up."
I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I couldn't decide whether to let him go with me. Jinbo Palace had always been shrouded in mystery in the hearts of martial artists. Even Yun Zhifei and my master were trapped inside back then, so it was clearly not a place that could be entered or left casually. What if something happened to Jiang Chen if he went there? How could I explain it to Madam Qi? Jiang Chen was Madam Qi's only son, the apple of her eye.
Seeing that I remained silent, Jiang Chen chuckled and said, "Anyway, I won't return the gold lock to you. If you don't let me go, you can forget about going either."
I had no choice but to nod: "I'll let you come with me, okay?" If I didn't agree, I wouldn't be able to get him to let me go, and I couldn't just stay in this stalemate with him until tomorrow.
"My dear wife, this is how we should act as husband and wife."
He finally rolled over and moved aside. I felt a sudden sense of relief. My face flushed and I awkwardly got off his bed, determined never to do that kind of thing again, like picking flowers late at night and almost getting picked myself.
I will never again covet that gold lock. It seems I will never get it back. He always guards things very tightly once he gets them. I wonder if people who get things are the same? Thinking of this, my face flushed. It's true what they say, you become like the company you keep. I actually thought of such impure things. Forgive me, forgive me.
Just as I was about to leave, Jiang Chen suddenly sat up in bed and flicked out the floor lamp with one finger.
The room suddenly fell into complete darkness and silence, like a quiet night in the mountains, with nothing but moonlight filtering through the curtains. I felt a surge of tension, and then I was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace. In that instant, leaning against his chest and arms, I felt an overwhelming urge to rely on him, like a small boat adrift on a vast ocean, suddenly finding a ferry crossing.
He carried a faint scent of wine, like osmanthus blossoms after a light rain, a subtle fragrance mixed with a refreshing masculine aroma that quietly seeped into the night, lingering at the nose.
I was enveloped by this aura, as if hypnotized. Suddenly I felt tired and sleepy, as if I needed to lean on the support behind me. The vicissitudes of this day were more turbulent than all the ups and downs of my previous fifteen years. I was a little exhausted.
He put his arm around my waist and sighed, "Xiao Mo, why do you insist on going to Jinbo Palace? Is it to confirm your background? To confirm whether you and Yunzhou are really siblings, and whether there is still a possibility of you being together?"
My body stiffened, and a tiny wild goose in my heart was startled and flew away instantly. Did I really have such thoughts? I shook my head in a panic: "No, no."
"You know, I drown my sorrows in alcohol and can't sleep at night. Only when the lights are off and I can't see your eyes in the darkness can I ask you this question. I'm afraid that if I ask, you'll be angry with me and think I'm petty. But if I don't ask, I can't sleep at night, and my heart is burning. Xiao Mo, how much of my heart do you really understand?"
His words were a far cry from the lighthearted banter he had displayed in bed earlier; there was no hint of teasing in them. His voice was deep and serious, tinged with anxiety and tension. In the stillness of the night, this low question was all the more chilling.
A pang of reluctance and guilt flashed through my mind. I am not made of stone; how could I not know his kindness, his tolerance and thoughtfulness towards me? I only said I was going to Jinbo Palace, but I didn't tell him why I was going. No wonder he misunderstood. I really shouldn't have made him worry like that.
I said softly, "Jiang Chen, you're overthinking it. I went to Jinbo Palace to ask her for the half of the Chongshan Sword Technique. This sword technique was originally a family heirloom of your Jiang family, and it should be returned to its rightful owner."
"And then? And then you owe me nothing and can just walk away?"
The arms around my waist tightened suddenly, and his breathing behind my ear became more rapid. My heart skipped a beat. I had never known Jiang Chen was so worried about me, so preoccupied with so many things. I knew all too well this feeling of insecurity; I had felt the same way about someone else.
"I won't. I just want the sword manual back and return it to the Jiang family. If, if you're willing, I'd like to give the sword manual to your uncle so that he and Yun Zhi can use it to suppress the Japanese pirates."
Jiang Chen hugged me tighter, resting his chin on my shoulder, and whispered, "Xiao Mo, you always surprise me. If I can get the sword manual back, I will definitely give it to my uncle and do something great."
I gave a weak smile: "Jiang Chen, I know you're very generous."
"There's something about me that I'm quite petty about."
"What's up?"
"Exactly, I'm always the one who initiates indecent acts with you. When will you start indecently acting with me?"
Upon hearing this, my heart, which had just softened, immediately hardened, and I stomped on his instep.
He cried out in pain and jumped up and down, saying, "This, this isn't indecent assault, Xiao Mo, you really have no sense of romance."
Every time he mentioned romance, I felt like I was facing a major crisis and would quickly open the door and run away.
The next morning at breakfast, Madam Qi said to General Qi Chong, "Brother, when do you think would be a suitable date for Chen'er's wedding?"
General Qi Chong first looked at Jiang Chen and me with a smile, then his smile faded and he sighed: "He has been out of contact all these years. I think it would be better to announce Chen'er's marriage in a big way. If he hears the news and still cares about Chen'er, he will surely come back to see him. Then you can explain the misunderstanding to him."
Lady Qi lowered her eyes silently, a faint sense of melancholy and loss floating on her beautiful face. After a long while, she said calmly, "Brother, it's been more than ten years. My feelings for him have faded. Even if he comes back, he will probably be just a stranger to me."
Qi Chong patted Madam Qi's hand: "Binglong, you and Ruiyang have so many misunderstandings because you are both too arrogant. If there is a chance to reconcile, you should first put aside your pride."
Madam Qi sneered, "Why should I lower myself first? If he's so capable, he should never come back. I've managed Guiyun Manor so well that the whole world knows about it. Now I have a son and a daughter-in-law, and in a couple of years I'll be holding my grandson. Who cares about that old man?"
"Look at your bad temper, you and Jiang Ruiyang are truly a match made in heaven."
"Brother, he's a man, why should I always give in to him?"
Lady Qi, nearing forty, suddenly displayed a childlike, coquettish anger, which truly broadened my horizons. I must admit, she was incredibly charming and alluring. I wondered what misunderstanding existed between Jiang Chen's father and her that made him willing to leave. If it were me, faced with such a captivating beauty, I would gladly endure any minor grievances, even having her wash my feet daily. Clearly, beauty isn't always all-powerful; there are always those who remain unmoved by beauty, able to harden their hearts and be ruthless in the face of a stunning woman—truly admirable.
General Qi Chong pondered for a moment and said, "Why not set the wedding date for the Mid-Autumn Festival? If he comes back, it will be a good time for your family to reunite."
Madam Qi snorted: "Whether he comes back or not, Chen'er's wedding must be grand and respectable. When the time comes, my elder brother and sister-in-law must come back to the capital to attend the wedding."
General Qi frowned deeply: "That probably depends on the situation of the anti-Japanese pirate campaign. If I can't get away to come back, I'll have your sister-in-law come back."
"Yes. Take care, brother."
Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Mother, now that the wedding date has been set, I will take Xiao Mo back to Xiaoyao Sect to inform Master and all the senior uncles."
"How about I write a letter?"
"I think it would be better if I went back in person. My master treats me like a daughter, and that is the proper way to do so."
"Alright, take some gifts back with you."
Jiang Chen winked at me, and I realized he wanted to find an excuse to accompany me to Jinbo Palace.
I was secretly moved, but also felt a little guilty. Was it appropriate to go there without telling Lady Qi?