Hibiscus as a Painting - Chapter 174
The Empress clutched her robes tightly, her eyes filled with panic. A hand rested on hers, its cool touch offering reassurance. The Empress slowly raised her eyes, gazing intently at the person before her, and said uneasily, "The second wave of troops has arrived... How could this happen...? This behemoth is so strange, could it be that Heaven truly does not recognize me as its ruler..."
"Jin'er, don't panic, don't be afraid, your brother is here, nothing will happen." The Empress interrupted the Empress, gently embraced him, and coaxed him softly.
The Empress embraced the Emperor and Empress, nestled anxiously in his arms: "Brother... two groups of people have already gone, two groups of people have already gone... This time, why don't you let Jin'er do it herself..."
"Don't think nonsense. The emperor's personal command of a campaign is no small matter. Jin'er must not be willful. If it really comes to the worst, you still have your brother..."
"No! Brother can't go, he can't go, Jin'er can't let brother take danger... People are in a panic now... Jin'er can't lose brother again, brother, don't frighten Jin'er..." The Empress's face was pale, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably.
"Don't be afraid, Jin'er, your brother will always be with you... always with you..."
"Little White... Little White..."
Little White looked at the person in front of him with sleepy eyes: "Little Purple..."
Zi Jin gently wiped the sweat from Xiao Bai's forehead: "What's wrong with Xiao Bai?"
Xiao Bai lowered his eyes and shook his head slightly. When he looked up and saw Zi Jin, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He quickly lowered his gaze again, seemingly lost in thought, staring blankly at his unclothed body. His gaze slowly moved downwards, focusing on the red and white fluid on the bed. After a long while, when he looked up at Zi Jin again, his jade-like face flushed slightly, and he slowly reached out his hand: "I'll do it..."
Zi Jin woke up with a start, grabbing the blanket beside her to cover herself, but a hand stopped her. That hand took the cotton handkerchief Zi Jin was clutching and gently wiped the bloodstains and semen between her legs: "It hurts..., doesn't it?"
Zi Jin blushed instantly and hurriedly shook her head: "No, no... You go to sleep... uh..."
Xiao Bai's hand stiffened slightly, perhaps realizing he had hurt her. He became even gentler, his brows furrowing slightly. Looking up, he saw the weariness in Zi Jin's eyes and said softly, "You sleep, I can..."
Zi Jin slowly lay down, looking at Xiao Bai cleaning up the mess with a complicated expression: "Xiao Bai... I'll send you out of the valley tomorrow, okay..."
Xiao Bai's hand trembled suddenly, and he abruptly looked up at Zi Jin. His eyes were filled with a deep mist, making it impossible for Zi Jin to discern his emotions: "We've already... how can you... do this... I... won't leave."
Zi Jin slowly closed her eyes, her brows furrowing with even more weariness. She pulled the blanket up to wrap herself tightly: "Go to sleep."
Xiao Bai folded the cotton handkerchief neatly and placed it under his pillow before lying down peacefully. He seemed to think for a moment, then slowly reached out and wrapped his arms around Zi Jin's waist. Ignoring Zi Jin's stiffness, he obediently lay down behind her, took a light sniff, and smiled slightly before falling into a deep sleep again.
Zi Jin slowly turned her head to gaze at Xiao Bai's sleeping face, her dark eyes filled with a complex expression that was impossible to fathom.
Love and hate leave no trace, deep feelings are hard to wait for; the descendants of the gods, three generations of marriage and grudges, the old dynasty's storms still tell of love (Part 1)
The old dynasty's storms still tell tales of love (Part 1) Deep within the bamboo forest, a rustling sound echoed. Xiao Bai, a faint smile playing on her lips, leaned against a peach tree outside the bamboo grove, squinting at the person deep within. She watched as Zi Jin swiftly chopped down a bamboo stalk, then deftly chipped it into thin strips, arranging them neatly at the foot of the nearby hill. The once lush bamboo forest was now mostly empty.
Once everything was ready, Zi Jin casually picked up her rusty large ring-bladed sword and walked over to Xiao Bai: "Are you hungry?"
Xiao Bai stood up, smiled faintly with narrowed eyes, and put her arm around Zi Jin's waist: "A little."
Zi Jin stiffened slightly and subtly pulled away from Xiao Bai's hand.
Xiao Bai lowered her eyes slightly, pursing her lips in a wronged manner: "My legs hurt... they're numb, and I have no strength..."
Zi Jin frowned as she looked at Xiao Bai's slightly trembling legs, her eyes filled with worry. She squatted down and let Xiao Bai lean against her, gently pressing his legs: "Where does it hurt? Does it hurt a lot?"
With a satisfied smile on her lips, Xiao Bai nestled against Zi Jin: "Xiao Zi, if you can't bear to part with her... then it won't hurt."
Zi Jin sighed, stood up, smoothed Xiao Bai's messy hair, and said softly, "I told you to wait at home, but you insisted on sitting here. You must be suffering... Don't be so willful tomorrow. Let's go back. The old man said there's something new to eat today, which will help you recover."
As if being mischievous, Xiao Bai stretched out her arm, wrapped it around Zi Jin's neck, and leaned against her back, walking step by step with Zi Jin. She gently pressed one hand on Zi Jin's waist: "Xiao Zi... are you tired?... Xiao Zi, I like it very much..."
Zi Jin turned around slightly embarrassed, her face flushed, but she didn't let go of Xiao Bai's hand: "Stop fooling around."
“That’s so nice… Little Purple…” Little White nuzzled Zi Jin’s face and sighed.
A hint of anxiety and unease flashed in Zi Jin's eyes. She lowered her head and stopped speaking, but her pace slowed down even more, and she subtly protected the person behind her with one hand.
Although Xiao Bai was clinging to Zi Jin, he didn't actually put all his weight on her. He followed Zi Jin's steps, walking carefully, and occasionally stepping on her heels. The tenderness in his eyes and the smile on his lips would deepen.
After walking for a while, Zi Jin slowly stopped, letting Xiao Bai lean against her to rest, her hand subtly protecting him. Looking at his contented profile, Zi Jin's heart was filled with sorrow: "Xiao Bai... you'll always be like this, always this weak... do you know that?"
Xiao Bai turned her head and slowly leaned on Zi Jin's shoulder: "Don't be afraid, Xiao Zi is here."
"Xiaobai, do you know... do you know that you became like this because of me... this way that you can't even walk... do you know... I would rather..." I would rather die than see you like this.
“Xiao Zi is here, don’t be afraid, this is good… Xiao Zi can’t bear to leave me, can’t bear to leave me… Xiao Zi is in pain, I am in pain, Xiao Zi is okay… good…” Xiao Bai gently rubbed Zi Jin’s cheek and whispered.
Zi Jin turned around, fighting back tears, and gently rubbed Xiao Bai's face with her hand, her eyes filled with tenderness: "Let me take care of you from now on, okay? You... are you willing?"
Xiao Bai nuzzled against Zi Jin's hand like a kitten, its gentle, watery eyes gazing at Zi Jin with slightly narrowed eyes, overflowing with joy and satisfaction.
The setting sun shone on the two of them, casting long shadows...
Cheng Qingsong was dozing off in a rocking chair under a tree in the courtyard. When Zi Jin and Xiao Bai entered, he didn't even open his eyes, muttered, "The food is on the table," turned over, and went back to sleep.
Zi Jin dragged Xiao Bai into the house, and her face darkened when she saw what was on the table. Xiao Bai immediately sensed Zi Jin's change in mood and almost reflexively let go of her hand.
Zi Jin picked up the steamed bun on the table, strode towards Cheng Qingsong, and, trying hard to suppress her anger, gritted her teeth and asked, "Didn't you say there would be something new to eat today?!"
Cheng Qingsong turned over impatiently: "The steamed buns and pickled vegetables are all new."
"It's steamed buns and pickled vegetables again! Can't you get something else when you leave the valley?!" Zi Jin shouted at Cheng Qingsong.
Cheng Qingsong opened his beady eyes, stared at Zi Jin for a while, and said, "You don't like the food?"
Nonsense! Who can eat steamed buns and pickled vegetables for three months straight? Zi Jin's hands trembled as she held the steamed bun, unable to speak.
Cheng Qingsong considered for a moment, seemingly helpless, and said, "Starting tomorrow, let that idiot help me take care of the crops."
“Zhao Zhao… taking care of the crops?” Zi Jin stammered a little, “But he’s not… not well yet.”
Cheng Qingsong jumped up and shouted, "You guys! You're eating my food, drinking my drinks, and staying at my place for free! You're my apprentice, and I, this old man, can accept being taken advantage of! But who is that idiot? What does he have to do with me? How much ginseng, lingzhi, and he shou wu has he eaten from me in the past six months?! He can't just eat for free and do nothing!"