Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое

Глава 69

He propped his head up and gazed at her, his bright eyes sparkling with tenderness, understanding, and deep love.

"Jia Ye, marry me."

The delicate body in his arms trembled. He lifted the hair covering her neck and whispered into her jade-like ear. "We'll buy a house in a beautiful place, plant the flowers you like, and when it rains, I'll hold you and listen to the rain pattering on the banana leaves. On sunny days, we'll go boating, fishing, and drinking. On snowy days, we'll pick plum blossoms, enjoy the scenery, and play chess. Every day will be this joyful."

Jia Ye remained silent for a long time, staring absently at a clump of green bamboo outside the window. Her soft, gentle voice was like a distant dream; knowing she could never enter it only fueled her longing.

“Gaye…”

She gently closed her eyes, cutting off the last bit of fantasy.

"No."

The brief derailment was over; they ultimately lived in a world that could be described as cruelly realistic. A moment of unparalleled intimacy couldn't change anything.

"Gaye!"

"Forget about it, it was just an accident." He turned his head, his dark eyes gradually losing their emotion.

As she slowly replied, he reached out and tightened his grip on her slender shoulders. "Stop lying to yourself. You like me just as much as I love you. We should be together."

Jia Ye's eyes flickered, a sudden sneer appearing on them. "You want me? You want this broken, deformed body, this person with countless blood debts and a notorious reputation, someone who still has enemies even in the Central Plains? Have you really thought this through?"

"I love your body, it's so enchanting." He chuckled and kissed her pink cheek, his gaze seemingly lingering on her slender figure. "I know you won't grow up and you have the cold poison, I know your meridians are damaged and flare up repeatedly, and I know your identity—no one knows this better than me. You're afraid I'll regret it in the future, but I'm only worried about how painful it will be to lose you. I care about this more than anything else."

Jia Ye was speechless for a long time.

His hand rested on her smooth belly, his handsome face gentle. "Besides, after this day, perhaps you already have a child."

His indifferent face turned pale for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I have a cold constitution, so it's impossible for me to get pregnant."

“I mean, perhaps. Your body is too weak. You really need to recuperate for a few years.” He thought further ahead. “I need to ask my second brother to take your pulse again.” He had repeatedly mentioned seeking medical treatment, but she had always firmly refused. Moreover, she practiced such strange martial arts. He was really worried.

"You must be crazy." She found it unbelievable and stared at him strangely.

"I'd go crazy without you." He smiled slightly. "So you're still relatively normal for now."

She knelt up and sat on the bed, her naked body even more alluring under her long hair, her childlike fragility possessing a unique beauty, yet her expression was cold and aloof.

"Look closely at what I am like. I'm not a real woman at all, let alone... I'm suffering from bone-chilling poison, have been eating flowers for years, and have ruined myself for revenge. My life is long over. I can't possibly give you what you want. Do I have to tell you several times?"

"Do you know what I want?" he asked calmly, sitting up as well.

"A beautiful and understanding wife from a prestigious family will assist you in taking over the Xie family in the future, give you a group of healthy children, be elegant and dignified and know how to behave, and make your parents happy..."

“That’s what you want me to think.” He pulled her forcefully, and her delicate body fell into his arms. “You think what I want is your body, that once I have it I won’t be obsessed anymore? You’re wrong!” His burning chest surged with anger as he lifted her chin, uttering each word clearly. “I want more, including your heart and your trust, enough trust to rely on me without running away. I want every single one of you, your complete and utter self.”

Author's Note: This chapter... is basically buy one get one free... *sweat*

Many fans have questioned Jia Ye's appearance. Well... at thirteen or fourteen, although not yet of marriageable age, she was still considered old enough to be a concubine in ancient times.

A graceful young woman of thirteen or so, like a budding cardamom flower in early February—this is the testament to the great courtesan poet Du Mu. Therefore... —_—

Besides, whether Jia Ye will grow up in the future is still unknown to both of them. She might very well remain a loli forever; they can't possibly have a purely spiritual relationship forever... Although Jia Ye has a loli body, she has the heart of an older sister, so let's forgive the male protagonist's beastly behavior... It was unavoidable after all... Wahaha!

Death

Standing amidst the bustling, marketplace-like Xie family mansion, she was still somewhat dazed, not quite understanding how she had ended up in this place she would have avoided at all costs. The person beside her held her hand tightly, his handsome face beaming with a smile, casually nodding and greeting the guests, seemingly oblivious to the various surprised glances. On Xie Zhenchuan's birthday, all the renowned figures of Jiangnan had gathered here, and the fact that the third young master of the Xie family was openly and generously accompanying a young woman, never leaving her side, implicitly confirmed the earlier, widely circulated rumors.

"How strange." Mo Yao stared at the two of them from a distance.

“Indeed.” Blue Owl agreed.

“The Lord’s expression…” Silver Swan studied it carefully.

"It looks like he's about to run away, otherwise why would he use the Inviting Cloud Finger to hold her?" Bi Jun was a little unsure.

"You think so too?"

"Me too."

"And me too."

All four of them were secretly puzzled.

"She doesn't like the Xie family," Mo Yao said with certainty.

"Then why is she coming again?" Blue Owl asked, puzzled.

“Forcing the lord to do something he doesn’t want to do…” Silver Swan nodded.

“Only the boss could do that.” Bi Jun was extremely curious. “I really want to know what method he used, maybe in bed…”

"If the Lord hears this, you're dead." Silver Swan interrupted, trying to appear calm and composed despite the occasional glances from Jia Ye.

"Aren't you curious?" Bi Jun had the urge to continue gossiping. "How could someone with her personality be controlled by anyone?"

"Of course I want to know, or you can go ask him." Yin Hu rolled his eyes at him.

"Then the Lord will peel off a layer of skin." Mo Yao gloated.

"No, we've got the boss here." Blue Owl was optimistic.

“He’ll be there to hand you a knife.” Yin Hu rolled his eyes.

"How could that be?"

“Absolutely right. If you two had gone with him that day, you would have known just how important the Lord was to him. It was truly… sigh…” Bi Jun, unusually, agreed with Yin Hu, clicking his tongue repeatedly.

"I don't understand what she's been so conflicted about." Mo Yao said thoughtfully. "Our boss is really great. Whether in the Western Regions or Jiangnan, his skills and appearance are top-notch. He's also fiercely loyal to her, even disregarding his reputation."

"I think Old Master Xie is probably furious. His beloved son is so infatuated with someone that he didn't show up until the birthday banquet, and he even brought his master along. He might be so angry that he kicks him out of the house," Yin Hu deduced, stroking his chin.

Bi Jun curled his lip. "What's wrong with that? Leaving Yangzhou means we can live a carefree and unrestrained life. Anyway, we have plenty of gold and pearls. Do you think we're afraid of anyone who dares to mess with us?"

"Now that you mention it, I'm starting to look forward to it too." Blue Owl was already daydreaming. "Ideally, it would happen today..."

"You guys are so selfish." Mo Yao scoffed at his companion's narrow-mindedness. "This will make things difficult for the boss. Do you think it's prestigious to ruin your reputation like this?"

“We weren’t good people to begin with,” Blue Owl muttered to himself.

The three nodded in unison.

“We are not, but he is.” Silver Swan sighed heavily. “That’s why it’s troublesome.”

Xie Zhenchuan was indeed furious.

However, he didn't react, and continued to greet the guests with a smile. Today, the martial arts practitioners from Jiangnan were giving him face, and he couldn't neglect this respect.

Xie Quheng could see his father's displeasure, but he was helpless. After all, with everyone watching, he couldn't directly rebuke his third brother's inappropriate behavior, so he could only turn a blind eye. The sons were all helping with the welcoming ceremonies. The eldest and second sons stood beside their wives, Qinglan was at the end, and the most eye-catching was the young woman beside Xie Yunshu, their clasped hands sparking much speculation. Hidden beneath his wide sleeves, few could see his fingers interlacing his slender wrist.

Bai Fengge, who had been accompanying and cooperating with the two for the past few days, silently watched the two of them with a sorrowful expression. Madam Xie saw this and felt apologetic and guilty. However, due to the large number of women around, she could not say much. Instead, she pulled Bai Fengge to her side and talked to her gently, trying to distract the resentful young lady from her thoughts.

Xie Yunshu was well aware of the different thoughts and undercurrents within his family. He simply smiled and occasionally, when he had a moment of leisure, he would look down and ask the person who remained silent the most.

"Are you alright? Are you tired?"

"You're more tired than me." She gave a faint, expressionless smile.

"It will be alright in a little while. I have to go and offer toasts when the banquet starts. You can sit with my mother then."

"Find me a secluded room to hide in."

"Now that you're here, what's the point of hiding?" He raised an eyebrow, not without a hint of teasing. "Shy or scared?"

"I'm afraid of being riddled with bullets from those eyes." His attitude remained nonchalant, revealing neither joy nor anger. "Young Master Xie is no ordinary man after all. Are you sure you want to anger your father to death at the birthday banquet?"

He couldn't help but chuckle, his fingertips, hidden in his sleeve, rubbing his slender wrist. "Still angry?"

"No." The voice came out with a snort.

"You promised to come back with me."

"I didn't agree to that; you were the one who dragged me here." She practically gritted her teeth. "I didn't ask you to save me."

“But I offended my father by arbitrarily transferring my subordinates for this.” He glanced at his eyes innocently. “Besides, your old injury flared up and you almost died. How could I let you be alone again? If you really don’t want to come, I will have to be absent. Even if the consequences lead to my father beating me or kicking me out of the house, I will accept it.”

"It was you who made a fuss by insisting that I come, and the situation isn't much better now." She turned her head away, too lazy to look at him, and happened to catch a glimpse of Qinglan and Song Yushang huddled together, whispering in their direction. Not far away, Shen Huaiyang stared at them for a long time, as if he wanted to say something.

"That's Shen Huaiyi's younger brother."

She turned her gaze back to her feet and remained silent for a long time.

“I told him that you were the one who returned Huaiyi’s urn, and that you probably have many questions to ask him,” he asked softly. “Would you like to talk to him?”

"The person died by my hand, what else is there to say?" His dark eyes were like a deep, dark well, desolate and gloomy.

"I don't believe it's you, is it the Pope...?"

She remained silent for a long time, so long that he thought he wouldn't get an answer.

“Huaiyi… advised me to leave Tianshan. At that time, I had just remembered everything and had no idea what to do.” She spoke slowly and softly, the distant memory still piercing her heart after many years. “The King of the Sect… is too powerful for me; revenge is simply impossible.”

“I’m so scared… Huaiyi said I shouldn’t be there, and wanted to take me with her to risk stealing the antidote for the Crimson Pill…”

"Did he reveal his whereabouts?"

“He passed through numerous traps without leaving a trace, but the antidote…” His slender body trembled, and his heart sank.

"Fake?"

Jia Ye's face turned deathly pale, as if she were seeing that scene from many years ago again.

“He… painstakingly stole a Gu poison. The King deliberately used this method… to punish those who dared to break the law.” She could never let it go. “…He died so painfully…”

"This isn't your fault..." He immediately understood the consequences. He also knew the power of the Gu poison. Once it entered the body, it would inevitably activate the Gu worms hidden within, which would penetrate the lungs and viscera and bite, causing intense pain that made people only want to die quickly, until finally it devoured the brain. The torment suffered during this time was unimaginable.

Finally, the question that had puzzled her for years became clear, and she felt even more sorry for her self-blame. "You did nothing wrong, he must have wanted you to do that."

She shook her head, her face pale. "He risked everything for me. You don't understand how good he is. In the end, I used a sliver of light to pierce his body... and he... smiled at me..." Her slender fingers unconsciously clutched her heart. She looked up, overwhelmed by the piercing pain.

"Just like with my mother, I stabbed myself in the chest with a sharp weapon. I still remember the feeling of that sharp weapon piercing my chest; I'll never forget it..."

The cool voice gradually became excited.

“You know how much I hate the Pope. All the people I care about and cherish have been killed by my own hands. Why am I still alive, a walking corpse, a killing machine… I want him dead! No matter the cost… No matter what kind of executioner I become, even a despicable demon, I don’t care about anything as long as I can kill him…”

"Gaye!"

Xie Yunshu pressed down on the thin shoulder and called out softly, his unfocused and disordered eyes startling him.

“Jia Ye, he is dead. You have killed him.”