When the spring breeze gradually rose in Ranfang Street, the deep alleys of Tianshui Bridge seemed to have entered autumn ahead of time.
The lights in the large mansion had long been turned off, and only a single lamp was still lit in the inner courtyard. The voices of two women came from the window:
"You! Usually, I think you're quite capable, and you're doing a good job as the sect leader. But why are you so disappointing today? The person had already come right up to the gate, and they were almost about to attack you. Yet you actually gave Jingtang away..."
"Jingtang was affected by the medicine..."
"So what if he was affected by the medicine? That would have been the perfect opportunity to make the situation irreversible. When he woke up tomorrow, wouldn't he be completely devoted to you?"
"Sigh, he's already gone..."
"That shrewd girl is probably now being affectionate with Jingtang. With a few sweet words, Jingtang might dote on her a great deal..."
"Got it. I'm going back to my room..."
...
Creak——
The door opened and then closed.
Pei Xiangjun supported the door with both hands. After pondering for a long time, she turned around, walked out from under the eaves, and looked up at the silver moon in the sky that was partially obscured by the remaining clouds:
"Sigh..."
She had lived in this mansion for many years. Since her eldest brother passed away, she had been burdened with heavy responsibilities on her shoulders, which made it hard for her to breathe.
She had devoted herself to practicing martial arts, hoping that the heavens would show mercy and give her a chance to prop up the precarious Pei family and the Honghua Tower again. But as a woman, no matter how high her martial arts skills were or how tough her methods were, at first, she was full of confidence. In the end, she could only watch helplessly as this large mansion gradually declined.
On that day in early April, a group of escort guards from afar entered Tianshui Bridge. The young master in the black robe at the head also came into her sight on that day.
Since then, the burden on her shoulders seemed to have disappeared. The clouds parted, and the sun shone again in the gloomy courtyard. Every flower was full of vitality, exuding a different kind of beauty than before.
Pei Xiangjun had always believed that the Honghua Tower and the Pei family needed Jingtang. Her kindness to Jingtang seemed to stem from the situation and self-interest.
But today, after being scolded by the wife of the sect leader and with Jingtang gone, and guessing what the two of them were doing now, why did her heart feel so sour...
If she hadn't let Jingtang leave just now, she would probably feel much better now. It should be the wife of the sect leader who was feeling sad and dejected alone...
Jingtang didn't enter the door because he didn't want to offend her. She had seen that clearly. How could she back down at a crucial moment...
Pei Xiangjun looked at the moonlight in the sky. She didn't know how long she had been standing there alone. She wanted to go to Ranfang Street to take a look, but in the end, she returned to her own courtyard. She sat alone in front of the embroidery bed, looking at the empty room, and let out a faint sigh...
...
——
On the other hand, in Dongzheng Street.
The cloth store that had suffered a disaster had its lights on. Some shop assistants were cleaning up the broken wood and tiles on the street.
At the street entrance, a luxurious carriage pulled by four horses was parked.
The fluffy big bird, Niaoniao, spread its wings and lay in the carriage with its claws facing the sky, looking half-dead. The maidservant brought freshly cut strips of meat to its mouth, but it didn't even want to move.
More than ten chief constables of the Black Yamen stood in front of the carriage, looking ashamed and standing with their heads bowed.
The unassuming Dongfang Benben, dressed in a silver python robe, stood outside the carriage. Holding a black iron cudgel in her hand, she had a rather stern expression and was summarizing today's work:
"Ye Jingtang has already found the murderer and lent you his bird, which led you to the murderer's hiding place. But what happened? I led the team personally, and you more than twenty people were supposed to catch three people. From start to finish, you didn't even see their shadows. In the end, it was Ye Jingtang, who had recovered from his injuries, who intercepted them on his way home. Tell me, how am I going to face Ye Jingtang tomorrow? When you meet him in the yamen, won't you feel ashamed to talk to him?"
She Long knew that the Princess Jing, who had personally led the expedition but achieved nothing, would be furious. He said with shame:
"Mr. Ye's methods are indeed powerful. We also suffered because we couldn't understand the signals of the Snow Eagle..."
"Without the eagle leading the way, you can't chase after people? You said Xu Bailin is powerful. Then what's this?"
Dongfang Liren held up the captured Green Steel Cudgel:
"This is the Green Steel Cudgel, a weapon that Xu Bailin has carried with him for decades. It has broken the weapons of many official constables. Now it's in my hand. Do you think Xu Bailin and Ye Jingtang met by chance in the martial arts world and got along so well that he gave it to Ye Jingtang as a gift?"
"..."
Many chief constables of the Black Yamen were left speechless and stood with their heads bowed in silence.
Dongfang Liren had promised Ye Jingtang with great certainty that she would handle the matter of the murderer. But the highly paid experts she had nurtured for so many years took her for a couple of rides around the city. In the end, it was Ye Jingtang who dealt with it. She was really furious.
In the eyes of those important officials, wasn't she just a stupid princess and a useless beauty?
After complaining outside the carriage for a while, Dongfang Liren gradually calmed down. She asked the chief constables to continue the search and looked at She Long:
"Did you say Ye Jingtang was injured?"
She Long replied respectfully: "His sleeves were torn, and his arms were purple and blue. He should have strained his arms when using the knife. Well... He was taken home for treatment by Mr. Ye's wife."
Dongfang Liren looked at the sky. It was already past midnight, and it didn't seem right to visit and disturb them at this time.
But considering the direct encounter with Xu Bailin and the exaggerated battle marks on the street, if he had been struck by the cudgel twice, he must have suffered quite a few injuries.
And Niaoniao was still here...
After hesitating for a moment, Dongfang Liren still had the carriage driven to the entrance of Ranfang Street. Then she picked up the exhausted Niaoniao and got out of the carriage.
Ranfang Street was under construction, and the carriage couldn't enter at all. It was already late at night, and Dongfang Liren was also afraid of disturbing Ye Jingtang, who had already gone to bed. She only brought her bodyguard, Meng Jiao, with her.
Dongfang Liren carefully walked along the uneven street and was still comforting the drowsy Niaoniao on her shoulder:
"You did a great job today. So, what kind of big birdcage do you want? I'll have the craftsmen custom-make one for you tomorrow."
"Gu?"
Niaoniao turned its head and looked towards the street, ignoring the heartless chubby snake.
Dongfang Liren raised her hand and stroked Niaoniao. Just as she turned into the entrance of Shuanggui Alley, the white-haired old woman behind her raised her hand to block her way:
"Er... Your Highness, it's better to go back. I'm afraid Mr. Ye is not available."
Dongfang Liren was taken aback. While she was still wondering, she suddenly heard the faint sound of a woman crying from the depths of the dark alley:
"Woohoo~~Woo..."
Niaoniao also raised its head at this time, tilting its head in confusion. Then it urgently wanted to run back, wondering if Sister Watermelon was being beaten.
Dongfang Liren held Niaoniao down, and her heart was also filled with confusion:
There was only Ye Jingtang's household living in this area. Why was there a woman crying...
Could it be that Ye Jingtang was hitting a woman? That couldn't be possible...
Or was Ye Jingtang already beyond treatment?
At this thought, Dongfang Liren's face changed slightly.
The white-haired old woman saw that the Princess Jing had misunderstood and explained euphemistically:
"Your Highness, people work at sunrise and rest at sunset. At this hour, it's the time for husband and wife to enhance their relationship..."
Just as she was speaking, a clearer sound came from the depths of the silent alley:
"Um~!..."
The sound was full of sobs. It sounded like the person was being punished, but there was grievance and fear, yet no resentment, and it also had a shy tone...
!!
Dongfang Liren suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her noble and dignified face instantly turned as red as an apple. She held down the curious Niaoniao and turned around:
"This lecherous fellow..."
The white-haired old woman helplessly tried to persuade her: "Your Highness, please calm down. At this hour, and in his own home, this is only human nature. It's not appropriate to scold Mr. Ye."
Dongfang Liren blinked her eyes and thought it made sense. She had secretly come to the vicinity of Ye Jingtang's house in the middle of the night to eavesdrop. It was she who had offended them.
Dongfang Liren stroked Niaoniao, wanting to run away quickly. But then she suddenly remembered Madam Wang's words - an ordinary woman couldn't withstand it, and this girl clearly didn't seem up to it...
Would she be killed?!!
Dongfang Liren was afraid that Ye Jingtang, who didn't know his limits, would cause trouble, so she stood there and listened carefully.
??
The white-haired old woman secretly knew that the Princess Jing, who had not yet been married off, was curious about such things. She stood there with a helpless look in her eyes.
There was only one household in the entire block, and it was the second half of the night. Even the slightest movement could be heard far in the night.
Dongfang Liren covered Niaoniao's head and pricked up her ears herself. Using the technique of "Tianhe Saber", she sensed the slightest movement in the alley.
It was true that she could faintly hear intermittent words:
"Sit up. Just move your waist..."
"I... I don't know how..."
"It's very simple. Put your hand on my chest..."
...
When Dongfang Liren heard that Ye Jingtang's voice was very gentle, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, a picture from "The Tears of the Chivalrous Woman" came to her mind, which was probably of a woman riding a horse...
This girl is so stupid. He's been teaching her for so long...
The sounds inside made her blush. Dongfang Liren didn't dare to stay for long. Suppressing her confused thoughts, she quietly left Ranfang Street...
——
Whoosh~~
The fire starter was ignited, lighting up the red candle. The dim yellow light once again illuminated every corner of the room. The room was more romantic than before.
The green dress and the tattered black robe were both on the ground. The sweet little cotton-padded jacket given by Benben was draped at the end of the bed, and a small garment embroidered with a desolate mountain and a full moon was also draped over it.
The moon-white thin quilt was spread out and covered the bed. Since it was a single bed and not very wide, the two of them could only press closely against each other.
Ye Jingtang leaned against the pillow. The purple and blue marks on his arms had faded a lot. His sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes were very bright under the candlelight, reflecting the woman's snow-white back and hair that was as white as mutton fat.
Luo Ning's cold and elegant face had a hint of blush. Holding the thin quilt with one hand, after lighting the candlestick, she leaned back to the inside of the bed, resting her head on Ye Jingtang's shoulder. She folded a white handkerchief with a plum blossom pattern and held it in her hand, looking at the tiles on the roof without saying a word.
Ye Jingtang placed his hand on her waist and turned Luo Ning to face him:
"What are you thinking about?"
Luo Ning's lips moved. She wanted to put on an indignant expression like that of a "chivalrous woman who had been humiliated", but she felt a bit powerless. So she looked elsewhere and said:
"Forget about what happened today when it gets light. Otherwise, if Xue Baijin finds out that I'm like this outside..."
?
Ye Jingtang smiled: "Why do you make it sound like I'm having an affair with someone else's wife?"
"That's exactly what it is..."
Luo Ning wanted to get up and draw a clear line with this little rascal. But after hesitating for a moment, she didn't move. Instead, she used the hand under the thin quilt to fumble around on Ye Jingtang's body. When she touched something, she withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted.
A hint of strangeness appeared in Ye Jingtang's eyes. His hand slid from her lower back to her...:
"If you want to touch, just touch. I don't mind."
Luo Ning's eyes were filled with a complex look, and she said in a low voice:
"Stop talking nonsense. Why hasn't the effect of this... this medicine worn off?"
When Ye Jingtang heard this, he turned sideways:
"Lady Luo, you feel the same way too?"
"..."
Luo Ning was fine just now, but after resting for less than half an hour, she found that her cheeks started to feel hot again. She frowned and said:
"This doesn't make sense. I... I just now..."
I even cried.
Ye Jingtang pondered for a moment and then explained:
"Um... This should be something to enhance the mood. You know... Since we both still have the energy, it naturally gets more intense..."
Luo Ning furrowed her delicate eyebrows and glanced at Ye Jingtang:
"Do you mean we have to keep going until we're exhausted?"
Ye Jingtang knew that Lady Luo had already tried her best. After thinking for a while:
"I can withstand it. It's okay to rest now. I'm just not sure if Lady Luo will be left in an uncomfortable state."
Luo Ning's eyes flickered: "Little rascal, I could originally suppress the effect of the medicine. Well... Since I've already helped you, I should help you to the end. If you're feeling uncomfortable..."
Ye Jingtang understood her meaning and nodded slightly: "It's okay that Lady Luo didn't mention it. But now that you've said it, I do feel a bit uncomfortable."
Luo Ning bit her lower lip gently. Seeing Ye Jingtang lean over, she tried her best to put on the appearance of being forced and humiliated, and slowly let go of the hand holding the thin quilt...