linfengchun

Capítulo 90

Seeing her expression, Jun Suiyu smiled slightly.

"You found out?"

"Hmm." She looked up, a hint of pleading unconsciously in her eyes. "I don't want to get married."

Jun Suiyu used a hot towel to wipe her slender, jade-like fingers until she was sure they were no longer cold.

"He's a very good person." The deep affection was easily discernible even to an observer.

"So what?" She gave a helpless, bitter smile. "I don't even know how much longer I have to live, why make things more complicated?"

"Doctor Fu said that if you can find a few rare and precious medicinal herbs and take good care of yourself, your meridians will improve. Don't always think the worst."

She didn't want to argue how slim this hope was. "I don't want to cause a lot of trouble in the end. It's good that he's here, but marriage is not a game. It involves too many things, and any disagreements in the future will only make things more complicated. Why bother with all that?"

…A grand wedding would mean death within a few years; it was meaningless. Even though she didn't have much time left, she didn't need an empty ceremony to comfort her.

“A marriage alliance between the North and South is indeed no small matter.” Jun Suiyu was calm and composed, having already given it considerable thought. “Your future husband and I have discussed this many times, and our intentions are similar. It’s going more smoothly than expected, so you can rest assured.”

An uncontrollable sense of irritation welled up within her. Having lost her strength, nothing she said would make a difference; these two men had already made their decision in private… Her slender fingers gripped the armrest tightly, a fleeting hint of anger flashing across her brow; she gave up on arguing any further.

"I'm sorry, it was I who crippled your martial arts." Jun Suiyu didn't miss the barely perceptible look in his eyes, and his voice softened. "If he hadn't come to Xijing, I would never have dared to do this."

Long-lashed remained silent for a long time before forcing a smile. "You're doing this for my own good."

He instructed Shuangjing beforehand, dismissed the guards, and allowed Xie Jingze to approach Doctor Fu and inquire about the patient's condition. From beginning to end, he had not kept his promise to stop her, allowing that person to uncover everything hidden and act as the mastermind behind the scenes. She knew this in her heart, but she could not bring herself to blame him.

“You harbor resentment,” Jun Suiyu said softly. “I made you lose the ability to control your situation, forced you to depend on others, and kept you from leaving. Even though you were unwilling, you had no way to escape this passive situation.”

"What I gained at such a high price has vanished in an instant." He felt deep remorse and self-reproach for his helplessness. "I'm sorry."

"You want me to live as long as possible." Her anger, which had been building up under her control, gradually subsided, and she lowered her eyes.

"But this is not your wish." He finally uttered his unspoken words, revealing boundless sadness.

"I came too late after all. There's nothing I can do. Your body is injured like this, and your heart is free of all burdens. You can die peacefully at any time." She didn't care how long she could live; everything was boring, tedious, and even tiresome... no matter what he did...

Composing himself, Jun Suiyu held her slender fingers with pity.

“I don’t want you to get married so soon. I would prefer you to stay in Xijing and recuperate slowly. That would be the best way, but…” Even someone who is in charge of a region still has regrets that cannot be fulfilled. “I can’t make you happy. Only he can.”

She stared at him blankly.

“I’ve thought about it too… It’s fine if you two don’t get married. The rumors will never end. If we just ignore them, it will save you from dealing with all the troubles the Xie family has to deal with. But for the sake of our family’s reputation, he will definitely take you away from Xijing and make you wander the world outside the influence of both families. Even if it’s not hard, without a good environment to recuperate, how can I be at ease… Besides, it’s not fair to him.”

“Pianxian, you are proud, which isn’t a bad thing.” Wenya’s voice was gentle and reproachful. “But why don’t you think about him? He’s thrown his reputation and family to the wind, and even his closest relatives criticize him. He won’t let go even at that price. Do you still want to continue to be stubborn for your pride?”

"You think you're considering his best interests, but you're unwilling to delve into what he's truly seeking. Your constant avoidance only hurts him more... Pianxian, you're so intelligent, why are you so confused when it comes to love?"

“I…” My heart suddenly clenched.

"Would he be happier without you? Would I be more relaxed without you? You see yourself as a burden, wishing you could disappear as soon as possible... I really want to knock some sense into your head..."

He really did strike her, and she touched the sore spot, feeling more bewildered than ever before.

“I’ll let you hide from me. But now that he’s come and his feelings haven’t changed, you should try to figure out what he’s thinking and what the best course of action is. Don’t neglect yourself; it makes those who care about you suffer more than you do.”

Seeing her lost in thought, Jun Suiyu felt relieved.

"It's late, you should get some rest, otherwise you'll be exhausted tomorrow. Tell me your answer in a few days, and no one will stop you from coming." After fastening his cloak, Jun Suiyu picked her up and handed her to the person waiting outside the door.

"Pianqian... I'm afraid you'll have to put in a lot of effort."

The man held the delicate body in his arms tightly, smiling sincerely.

"I will. Thank you."

She remained silent, nestled in his arms, as light as a feather, wrapped in a silver sable cloak.

He carried her through the corridor and slowly walked back into the courtyard.

The moon was bright and the stars were few, with a faint fragrance of spring grass in the air. The peach blossoms were in full bloom, their delicate pink petals gleaming in the moonlight, like a beautiful woman who had shed her elaborate makeup, exuding an indescribable mystery and tranquility.

The moonlight shone on her face, as if adorned with a layer of silver powder. Her snow-white skin, jet-black eyebrows and eyelashes, resembled a face conjured from a dream. Her deep eyes were blank and lost in thought.

The courtyard was extremely quiet and beautiful.

He sat down on the veranda, casually plucked two peach blossoms and tucked them behind his small ear. The petals bloomed on his black hair, adding a touch of gentle charm.

"Why are you pretending to be asleep?" After a while, she grumbled irritably.

“I’d like to hear what he has to say.” He raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Seeing you stumble and fall all the way there, I was really worried.”

"Looks like a fool," she muttered listlessly to herself.

I like it when you act a little silly sometimes.

She remained silent for a long time.

"I wouldn't be a good wife."

“I will be a good husband.” Anran’s tone suggested she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

“I… I don’t know how to be a daughter-in-law, let alone how to serve my parents-in-law.” Her long eyelashes trembled. “I don’t know anything, and I have a bad temper.”

"You are the one I love." He gently stroked her rosy cheek, his expression tender. "No matter what the future holds, that will never change."

“If…” she bit her lip, her words hesitant. “Whenever you get tired of it, you must tell me.”

"If that day ever comes." His smile was tinged with sadness, yet incredibly warm. "Don't be so afraid. You have no idea how much I want you to rightfully command me to never leave you."

A lifetime… it sounds so long, so full of hope. He seemed to have forgotten that the life of the person in his arms was as fleeting as morning dew, and was merely making wishful thinking.

"When we get to Yangzhou, there will be a courtyard like this, which I will decorate to your liking. Snow doesn't fall often in Jiangnan. Once you've recovered, I'll take you to see the lake after a snowfall, and in the summer we'll admire the moon and chase butterflies together... A hundred years from now, we'll be buried together, with green trees planted in front of our graves, blooming in spring, and the wind will feel like I'm talking to you... Is that alright?"

She didn't answer, but quietly pulled her arms together and rested her head on them.

His chest felt slightly damp as he embraced her, his warm breath brushing against her hair.

The night was cool and still, and the moonlight, like a ribbon, spread its clear glow across the sky and the earth.

The quiet courtyard occasionally echoed with soft voices, like someone coaxing a slightly stubborn child.

promise

The long and complicated matter has finally come to a conclusion.

The eldest son of the Xie family returned to Xijing with a generous dowry, presenting a grand proposal to the royal court. Regardless of his true feelings, his actions demonstrated utmost sincerity and impeccably reflected the Xie family's seriousness regarding the marriage alliance.

The betrothal gifts were extremely generous, but it was not surprising that the recipient was the powerful and wealthy royal family. Jun Suiyu treated the distinguished guests with great respect, and all the elaborate ceremonies proceeded smoothly. The birth dates were exchanged, and an auspicious date was set. This marriage, which would shake the world, was now a done deal, and there was no room for further discussion.

Thus, new rumors about the marriage emerged, with a wide variety of stories.

It is said that the groom was detained at the Jun family home early in the morning to prevent the marriage from falling through, and the Xie family had no choice but to propose marriage. Some people also talked about Miss Jun's dowry. It is said that Jun Suiyu selected countless rare treasures and secret collections, which were enough to make up half of the Jun family's rare treasures, enough to overturn the country.

Every item used in the wedding was meticulously crafted and exquisitely beautiful, a stark contrast to the Jun family's usual understated elegance and extravagant display. Boxes of South China Sea pearls, coral trees several feet tall, legendary flawless jade and dust-removing pearls, tortoiseshell beds, mica screens, countless silks and brocades... enough to make one's mouth water and talk endlessly about them.

A wedding attracts much attention because of the two influential families, providing so much fodder for conversation that everyone from celebrities and dignitaries to ordinary people goes crazy for it, and the frenzy intensifies as the wedding date approaches.

"How could you drink so much?" she muttered in complaint.

He was scheduled to leave Xijing in a day, but he was so drunk he was completely passed out and had to be carried back to his room. If I hadn't known that he had talked with Jun Suiyu that night, I would have been quite annoyed.

"What did they talk about?" She wrung out a cloth to wipe his face, not expecting an answer from the engrossed man.

“Miss, no one knows. Young Master dismissed everyone. I heard he drank a lot, and it wasn't just the Third Young Master who was drunk.” Shuangjing warmed the hangover soup in hot water, her face also showing surprise. “This is the first time I've heard that Young Master was drunk.”

"How is Suiyu? Help me over to see her."

She was fast asleep, and her attendants had fed her hangover medicine, taking very good care of her. She stared blankly at the pile of empty jars, unable to understand how the two men could have drunk so much wine.

Back in her room, Shuangjing left and closed the door. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she could still smell the strong smell of alcohol. His handsome face was flushed and hot. She gently wiped his face with a cool handkerchief. Seeing that he was not sleeping soundly, she changed the handkerchief every now and then. After several hours of this, she gradually became sleepy and unknowingly snuggled up to the bed and fell asleep.

In her hazy state, her neck felt itchy. She tried to slap it away, but a hot hand grabbed hers, instantly waking her up.

His deep eyes still held a hint of intoxication, tinged with a mocking glint of alcohol. "Your vigilance has diminished considerably, but I like that."

For a moment she was in a daze before she realized that she had been moved to the bed and was sharing the same quilt with him.

"You...you're awake?"

"Mmm." He kissed her jade-like neck. "Don't do that again. Your body is already weak, and you're easily chilled."

She struggled to avoid the smell of alcohol. "How could you have drunk so much?"

"I was in a good mood, so I naturally drank more," he said, downplaying the issue.

"What exactly did you say?" She clung tightly to her collar, trying to stop him from tearing it open, and wanted to curse.

"I've said a lot. Which part do you want to hear?" He chuckled softly, deliberately blowing a breath into her ear. "You hate me drinking? You weren't like this last time."

"I hate drunkards." She turned her face away in disgust, but was unable to move due to being restrained.

“The Jun family’s wine is quite good; I just discovered it.” He glanced at him. “Perhaps you should try it too, though it’s not as good as that 24-year-old Daughter’s Red.”

She froze for a moment, then remained silent.

"So you'd already promised yourself to me all along," he muttered to himself, perhaps because he was drunk, he was more talkative than usual. "I was so stupid to keep chasing after you for promises."

"I don't understand what you're saying." She tried to push him away in embarrassment. "Let go, I'll go get some hangover soup."

"Isn't that so?" He pressed against her shoulder, leaving no room for escape, his eyes filled with tender affection. "We've already drunk the wine, given each other the token of our love, and you're mine. Still trying to play dumb?"

Her face gradually turned red.

He pulled a silk cord from inside his clothes, the emerald green jade hanging from it seemingly flowing. "This is proof."

Not daring to meet his smug smile, she turned her eyes away in embarrassment. "That's where you're supposed to go."

"I wanted it, and you gave it to me, so you are mine." A burning hand caressed her rosy cheeks and fair neck, stopping at her heaving chest. The heat penetrated her clothes, making my heart race. "Your heart is mine too."

The strong smell of alcohol made her feel somewhat dizzy.

"He told you all this?"

“Of course there’s a lot more.” He teased flippantly, successfully stripping away the outer layer. “Want to hear it?”

"Be serious." She glared at him with reproachful eyes.

"I've heard everything, whether you know it or not." The alcohol was taking effect, and he clearly had little patience. He started tearing at her clothes. Arguing with a drunk person was like casting pearls before swine. She helplessly watched as her clothes turned to shreds. His hot body pressed against her cool skin, and he sighed contentedly, enjoying the soft, fragrant embrace.

"What... I don't know." She gritted her teeth to suppress her racing heartbeat, desperately trying to slap away the restless hand, but her body had already reacted.