Aquí hay amor por trescientos taeles

Capítulo 16

☆、A single spring breeze

Qi Mo carried Yun Ran and flew out of the city, his feet never stopping, heading south towards the valley.

Not long after, Shen Ye caught up from behind, and Qi Mo smiled at him, "Weren't you with the Dragon Guards? How did you suddenly arrive?"

Shen Ye smiled and said, "I just went back to the valley. A'Luo was worried because you hadn't returned for a long time, so she asked me to go to Wen Huaifeng's place to find out what was going on. I saw Wen Huaifeng leave the mansion in a hurry, so I followed him all the way to that house and found you there." He turned his gaze to Yun Ran in Qi Mo's arms and asked, "Miss Yun, how did you get injured?"

Qi Mo's expression darkened slightly, and he snorted, but did not reply.

Shen Ye knew that the chief rarely let other people's affairs affect his emotions. Seeing Qi Mo like this, he couldn't help but glance at Yun Ran again, secretly surprised.

The two ran quickly into the valley. Qi Mo carried Yun Ran back to the bamboo hut, gently placed her on the bed, and turned to ask, "Where are they?"

Shen Ye looked out of the room, but Xie Feng and A Luo were nowhere to be seen. He walked back to the door and saw Qi Mo had brought a basin of water and was about to clean Yun Ran's wound. He had an idea and said, "Perhaps he was worried and went out to look for you. I'll go out of the valley to look for them." He smiled slightly at Qi Mo, then turned and left the bamboo house, heading out of the valley.

Seeing the ambiguous look in his eyes, Qi Mo knew what he meant and couldn't help but shake his head and smile. Turning around, he saw Yun Ran looking exhausted, leaning against the couch. He quickly went over to help her up, took out some wound medicine, and reapplied it to her wounds.

After Qi Mo finished bandaging the wound, he saw that although Yun Ran had not made a sound, her forehead was covered in cold sweat. He felt sorry for her and whispered to comfort her, "The injury is not serious, but it has not damaged the bones and muscles. She will be fine after resting for a while."

Yun Ran lowered her eyelashes and leaned silently against his chest, a faint blush rising on her originally pale face.

Qi Mo was taken aback, only then realizing that his fingers were touching her smooth and soft skin. It turned out that after applying medicine and bandaging her wounds, the clothes covering Yun Ran's body had already slipped off, and she was now only wearing a bodice and underpants. How could she not feel embarrassed and ashamed when Qi Mo held her in his arms?

Qi Mo had been focused on Yun Ran's injury and hadn't noticed anything amiss, but seeing her blushing expression now, his heart fluttered slightly. His gaze was filled with her delicate, porcelain-white, and jade-like skin, making him even more restless. He quickly released her pressure points, draped her clothes over her shoulders, and got up to walk to the table.

He poured a bowl of tea, raised it to his lips as if to drink, but then remembered that Yun Ran had lost a lot of blood and must be very thirsty. So he took the tea back to the bedside and sat down, asking gently, "Would you like some water?"

Yun Ran was feeling parched, and upon hearing this, she disregarded her embarrassment, nodded slightly, and drank the entire bowl of tea from the teacup in his hand. After calming herself down, she looked up and said, "Thank you for saving me, Chief Qi."

Qi Mo smiled and asked, "Why weren't you waiting for me at Ruyi Restaurant? Why were you captured by Qin Luo instead?"

Yun Ran recalled her encounter with Wen Huaifeng that morning, her eyes dimming. She had already guessed that he was the one who handed her over to Qin Luo, and now that she knew he was the enemy who killed her father and brother, she felt utterly hopeless. She lowered her head and thought for a moment, then said softly, "So the person you mentioned the night before last who was an enemy of Young Master Sima was Wen... Wen Huaifeng."

Qi Mo's eyes flickered slightly as he slowly said, "I heard that Sima Liuyun went missing at the Zhu residence yesterday. You went to Ruyi Restaurant to look for me this morning. Is that related to this?"

Yun Ran blushed slightly and whispered, "I'm determined to rescue Young Master Sima. Can you... help me?"

She had initially been wary of Qi Mo. Even when she went to him this morning with the kill order, she only wanted to find out the identity of Sima Liuyun's enemy from him. As for asking him for help, she would never utter a word. But now that Qi Mo had risked his life to save her from danger and treated her with kindness and courtesy, she was grateful and her wariness towards him had largely disappeared. She couldn't help but ask him for help.

When Qi Mo received the message by carrier pigeon, he had already guessed that Yun Ran had come about Sima Liuyun. But seeing her blushing cheeks and shy expression when she mentioned Sima Liuyun, he felt inexplicably annoyed. Remembering what Wanwan had said—that she was already engaged to Sima Liuyun—he felt even more uneasy. He said calmly, "If you want me to help you save Sima Liuyun, it's not impossible, but..."

He raised the corners of his lips slightly and chuckled softly, "Last time, Miss Yun asked me to let him go, and she made a condition for me. This time, she wants me to save him. I wonder what condition Miss Yun is going to offer in exchange?" After saying that, he lowered his head to look at Yun Ran, a hint of a mocking smile in his eyes.

Yun Ran was stunned, never expecting him to revert to his old ways and say such things. Hearing him mention the word "conditions," the scene of their passionate kiss in the woods the night before immediately flashed through her mind. A blush rose and her heart pounded. She said angrily, "You..."

Qi Mo saw her cheeks flush red, her expression a mixture of anger and shyness, yet a hint of panic showing when their eyes met. He was even more moved. He reached out and gently embraced her, lowering his head to whisper, "How about I kiss you again this time?" As he spoke, he slowly lowered his head and firmly grasped Yun Ran's slightly moist lips.

He felt Yun Ran's body burning hot through her clothes. Her lips and tongue trembled slightly as he entwined them for a moment before she responded timidly, their bodies intertwined in a passionate embrace. Qi Mo felt a surge of joy and desire, wanting to pull her closer, but he hesitated because of her injured right arm and dared not exert too much force. He could only tease her lips with even greater passion.

After a deep kiss, both were panting heavily. Qi Mo was still reluctant to part, his lips lingering from Yun Ran's lips and ears to her neck and chest. Looking down, he noticed that the clothes draped over her shoulders had somehow slipped down to her waist, and beneath the moon-white bodice, her figure appeared even more graceful and alluring. He couldn't resist reaching behind her to untie the ribbons. A quick glance revealed a striking bright red dot on Yun Ran's jade-like forearm—the very same red mark he had had A Luo apply to her virginity years ago. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly suppressed his emotions, shifting his body slightly away.

Unexpectedly, Yun Ran let out a soft moan and leaned gently against his chest again. Qi Mo hurriedly supported her, but before he could think of anything, Yun Ran had already buried her face in his chest, her injured right arm hanging at her side, while her left arm was tightly wrapped around his waist.

With Yun Ran in his arms, Qi Mo felt her soft, warm body pressed tightly against his, and could faintly smell her youthful scent. He couldn't help but lose control and murmured in a hoarse voice, "Miss Yun, you..."

Yun Ran suddenly looked up at him again, her eyes hazy, her red lips slightly parted, gently bringing them to his lips, but then she stopped and slowly lowered her eyelashes.

Qi Mo had always been treated coldly by Yun Ran, and had never seen her show such charm and allure before. His heart pounded wildly, and he reached out to touch her back. Yun Ran flinched slightly and let out a soft moan, which sounded like a panting breath or a delicate groan. Her softness and charm were captivating. Hearing this, Qi Mo immediately forgot his last bit of hesitation. He quickly untied the drawstrings of her bodice and underpants, and gently pressed his palm against her back. The two of them immediately kissed.

Yun Ran, being a virgin, was inevitably hesitant during her first time, and Qi Mo, fearing to aggravate the injury on her arm, tried his best to be gentle and restrained. Yun Ran, on the other hand, after her initial discomfort subsided, nestled close to Qi Mo, clinging to him with increasing passion. While Qi Mo was agitated, he vaguely sensed something unusual about her behavior today, but before he could act on it, Yun Ran kissed him, caressing his body, drawing him back into her gentle embrace.

The sun was setting outside the window, and all was quiet except for the gentle swaying of the bamboo couch inside the room, interspersed with soft panting and moaning, which made one particularly idyllic.

Night fell in the blink of an eye. Qi Mo saw that the blush on Yun Ran's face had faded, her long eyelashes drooped, and she lay quietly in his arms with her eyes closed, as if she had been asleep for a long time. He gently stroked her smooth, cool, bare back, recalling the tender, alluring, and alluring aspects of her body during their intimate moments. A smile involuntarily appeared on his lips, and he quietly leaned over and lightly pecked the tip of her nose.

Yun Ran frowned slightly and woke up. When she opened her eyes, she saw Qi Mo smiling and looking at her from a distance. She was stunned for a moment before she tried to get up.

Qi Mo hurriedly said, "Be careful of your injury." He gently helped her sit up.

Yun Ran glanced at him, said nothing, and reached for the clothes scattered beside the bed.

Qi Mo asked, "What are you doing?" In a flash, he remembered that it would be bad if Xie Feng and the others returned and saw the two of them naked. Seeing Yun Ran pick up the bodice to put it on, but struggling due to her right arm injury, he reached out and took the bodice from her, saying softly with a smile, "I'll do it."

He helped Yunran put on the bodice, and as his fingers touched her soft, smooth skin, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Yunran lowered her head and let him help her put on her clothes. She then got off the bamboo couch and walked a few steps to the table.

Qi Mo took his clothes and put them on, then got out of bed and walked to Yun Ran's side. Seeing her staring thoughtfully at the teacup on the table, he thought she was thirsty again, so he smiled and said, "Let me pour you some." He reached for the teapot, but then heard Yun Ran ask in a hoarse voice, "What did you put in the tea?"

Qi Mo was taken aback. A thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately realized what was happening, so he couldn't help but frown slightly.

Seeing his changing expression, Yun Ran deeply regretted believing him and said angrily, "Shameless scoundrel!" She turned and walked towards the door.

Qi Mo grabbed her left arm and hurriedly said, "Wait a minute."

Yun Ran's face was pale. She turned her head and said coldly, "Let go."

Qi Mo said, "I..." He had barely uttered a word when Yun Ran's expression darkened, and her right palm struck towards his chest with great force.

Qi Mo was startled and quickly released her left arm, taking a step back to avoid the palm strike. Looking up, he saw that blood was already seeping from the wound on her arm. Knowing that Yun Ran hated him intensely, he dared not stop her further, only saying, "Your injury..."

Yun Ran glared at him resentfully, then turned and ran out of the bamboo hut.

Qi Mo felt a chill run down his spine when he saw the cold and disdainful look she was giving him, and stood there stunned for a moment.

Despite feeling unwell all over, Yun Ran made her way out of the valley, only to see three figures rushing towards her from afar, arriving in a matter of moments. One of them exclaimed softly, "Is that Miss Yun?"

The speaker was Xie Feng. He and A Luo had left the valley to handle important matters within the sect. On their way back, they encountered Shen Ye near the valley, but they were still unaware that Yun Ran had been rescued by Qi Mo.

Xie Feng and A Luo were both taken aback when they saw Yun Ran's long hair disheveled and her clothes in disarray as she ran out of the valley in a sorry state. Xie Feng noticed a trace of blood seeping from her right arm and asked with a smile, "Why are you in this state? Who bullied you? We'll have our leader avenge you later."

Looking at Yun Ran's expression, Shen Ye was secretly surprised and quickly asked, "Where is the Boss?"

Yun Ran's face darkened, she bit her lip and did not answer, then turned to leave.

A Luo's eyes flashed with anger. She leaped forward, drew her sword, and pointed it at Yun Ran's chest, blocking her path. She said coldly, "Do you think this is a place where you can come and go as you please?"

Yun Ran shouted, "Get out of the way!" With a flick of her left arm, she launched a palm strike at A Luo.

A Luo snorted coldly, and with a backhand slash, she struck Yun Ran's heart with a swift and ruthless sword.

Xie Feng and Shen Ye's expressions changed when they saw that A Luo's attack was a killing blow right from the start. They both knew that Qi Mo was quite fond of Yun Ran, and if A Luo injured her, the consequences would be dire.

Just as the two were about to step forward to stop A Luo, they suddenly heard the sound of a hidden weapon cutting through the air. A caltrop flew out from the shadows behind Yun Ran and knocked the longsword in A Luo's hand away with a clang.

A Luo's expression changed, and Qi Mo's deep voice said from afar, "Let her go."

Yun Ran didn't turn around, spat on the ground, and strode away.

Seeing Qi Moyao nod slightly to him, Shen Ye immediately understood, turned around and darted away, following Yun Ran at a distance.

Xie Feng turned to watch Yun Ran walk away, his face full of surprise. He turned back and saw Qi Mo approaching from the shadows. He hurriedly asked, "Boss, did you and Miss Yun have a falling out?"

Qi Mo remained silent for a long time, then glanced at him and A Luo, a hint of helplessness in his expression. He said softly, "Let's go back." He then turned and walked into the valley.

A Luo's eyes flickered, and she was about to leap out to chase after him, but Xie Feng tugged at her sleeve, stopping her in her tracks.

She turned her head in surprise and saw Xie Feng staring at Qi Mo's back, seemingly understanding something, and said in a low voice, "The chief is in a bad mood, let's talk to him about that matter tomorrow."

Night had fallen, and Qi Mo lay on the couch, his heart churning, unable to fall asleep. He recalled how not long ago he had been intimate with Yun Ran on the couch, but now she regarded him as her mortal enemy, and he couldn't help but sigh.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open from the outside, and a slender figure could be vaguely made out at the doorway. The person paused for a moment at the door, then slowly stepped into the room, turned around, and gently closed the door behind them.

Qi Mo sat up, and in the darkness, he sensed the person slowly walking towards him, a faint fragrance wafting into his nostrils. He recognized it as Ye Mili's scent, and overjoyed, he whispered, "You...you're back?"

The man didn't answer, but quietly walked up to him and stopped. There was a soft rustling sound of clothes, and a moment later, a soft and smooth body was thrown into his arms.

Qi Mo thought he was dreaming, so he quickly reached out and hugged her, asking with his head down, "You're not angry with me anymore?"

The man nodded gently in his arms, reached out and hooked his arm around Qi Mo's neck, stood on tiptoe, and pressed his soft lips against Qi Mo's.

☆, Gratitude

Author's Note: Revision complete. No update tonight. Thinking about the rescue plan... *cough*

Qi Mo suddenly shoved the man aside and said in a deep voice, "Who are you!"

He was on high alert, leaped backward, and reached into his robes to pull out a tinderbox and light it.

Amidst the flickering firelight, A Luo's pretty face was as pale as snow, her dark eyes brimming with tears, as she stared intently at him.

Qi Mo was taken aback. Seeing that she was completely naked, her fair and jade-like body trembling slightly in the night wind, he quickly turned his gaze to the side and whispered, "Quickly put your clothes on."

A Luo silently picked up her clothes from the ground and put them back on, tears streaming down her face.

Qi Mo was about to lash out, but seeing her like this, his heart softened, and he said gently, "You can leave now. Let's pretend that what just happened never happened."

A Luo wiped away her tears with her sleeve, slowly walked to the door, then suddenly stopped, turned around, and asked in a trembling voice, "Why?"

Qi Mo frowned slightly, and heard A Luo say softly, "Boss, I've liked you since the day I entered the Absolute Kill Sect. But why haven't you seen me all these years? That Yun Ran, she... what does she have that I don't?"

Qi Mo looked at her and shook his head, seemingly helpless, and said, "You're tired, go back to your room and rest."

A'Luo looked up at him, her gaze sorrowful yet filled with resentment, and whispered, "I only regret why I left the valley with Xie Feng today and didn't stay here to wait for you, otherwise that woman wouldn't have taken the opportunity to..."

Qi Mo's face darkened, and he said coldly, "A Luo, it seems I have been too lenient with you all this time."

Upon hearing this, A Luo was stunned and immediately fell silent.

Qi Mo stared at her with a cold gaze and said slowly, "In my Absolute Killing Sect, you should know very well what kind of punishment will be given for insubordination."

A Luo's body trembled slightly, and she glanced at the teapot on the table, a look of fear appearing on her face.

Qi Mo's tone softened slightly as he said calmly, "I will not pursue the matter of poisoning the tea this time. But I don't want to be schemed against by those around me again, do you understand?"

A Luo paused for a moment, nodded sadly, and then turned and left the room.

※※※※

Yun Ran had already noticed Shen Ye following behind. Although she knew that Qi Mo had sent him to escort her along the way, she couldn't help but think that Qi Mo had harmed her with aphrodisiacs. She felt ashamed and indignant. She forced herself to endure her discomfort and quickened her pace, rushing towards Lezhou City, only thinking about returning to the Sima Mansion as soon as possible.

It was late at night when Yunran returned home. She pushed open the door and saw that the light was still on. Wanwan had already come out to greet her, saying, "Why are you so late? Everyone was worried..."

She looked up and was startled to see Yun Ran's disheveled appearance. She quickly asked, "What happened? Did you run into an enemy?"

Yun Ran bit her lip and didn't answer, then quickly slipped into the room.

Wanwan followed him into the room and pressed him further, "Did you see Sect Leader Qi? Did he agree to help you save Young Master Sima?"