PMM - 39

Lian Qi felt reluctant. He had destroyed Lian Sheng’s letter, Yi Qiancheng was far away in Fengmu, and Lian Sheng knew nothing about Lian Si Tian’s marriage to the second prince. He had thought that if he stayed in this residence and interacted with Lian Sheng differently, she would eventually accept that her brother was no longer just her “brother.”

But he never expected Yi Qiancheng to come to Yingdong! Lian Qi rarely made mistakes, but this time, he overestimated his own speed and underestimated the position Lian Sheng held in Yi Qiancheng’s heart. He ran his hand over the gemstone on the hairpin, feeling as though a wild beast was trapped in his chest, pounding relentlessly, making his heart constrict. He was so close, so close to success.

He had successfully deceived his sister, but now all his plans were thrown into chaos.

Lian Qi tucked the hairpin into his chest and walked out. Since Yi Qiancheng had come, he couldn’t let him return alive. The divide between the Yi family and the Lian family could never be reconciled, and Yi Qiancheng would eventually take action against the Lian family. He hadn’t brought an army this time, but next time, it might be different.

First, for Yingdong; second, for Lian Sheng—Yi Qiancheng must die!

His plans against Lian Sheng were unbeknownst to her. She was now accompanying the exhausted Yi Qiancheng. Yi Qiancheng hadn’t slept well for many days, and though he had a backup plan to escape Yingdong, he wasn’t in a hurry to leave. When he thought about it, his strategist should have already taken Fengmu. Feeling relieved, he held his beloved wife and fell asleep.

Lian Sheng hadn’t slept well in the afternoon, but her mind was preoccupied, so she couldn’t relax. She let him hold her, not resisting. When she couldn’t fall asleep, she secretly gazed at him. He lay with his eyes closed, his breathing steady, and his face carried a hint of exhaustion.

Her heart was both sweet and full of sympathy, but soon she thought of her brother, and a sense of unease filled her. He would surely find out soon that she was gone. Yi Qiancheng didn’t want to leave Yingdong so quickly. He wanted to find Fang Mu’s remains and bring his comrades back home. Lian Sheng feared the two men might clash, and if anyone got hurt, it would be terrible.

She resented her father’s ruthlessness, but her brother had never wronged her. He had protected her, raised her, and gone so far as to bring her back despite the danger to ensure her safety. She remembered the two letters and subtly frowned. She didn’t want to doubt, but the suspicion in her heart couldn’t disappear.

She no longer suspected Song Yuan. Though he disliked her, he wouldn’t dare go against Yi Qiancheng. Yi Qiancheng’s army was still in Fengmu, and coming to Sha Ji was dangerous. If Song Yuan knew her whereabouts, he would definitely use her safety as an excuse to persuade Yi Qiancheng to back down.

Her brother...

Lian Sheng’s thoughts were chaotic, and Yi Qiancheng, seeing her lost in thought, didn’t disturb her. When she finally returned to her senses, he smiled and asked, “What are you thinking?”

Lian Sheng knew he didn’t like her brother, so she only shared part of the truth with him. “I was thinking about Master Fang’s death. I know Father well—he wouldn’t have the courage to kill Master Fang without someone behind him.”

Yi Qiancheng agreed. He wouldn’t let the people who harmed Fang Mu go unpunished. Lian Sheng didn’t know, but Yi Qiancheng had personally seen the letter sent to the royal capital from the city lord of Lian. Though the matter seemed simple, anyone who knew of the letter’s existence would know that Fang Mu’s death was connected to Liang Zhen.

But that letter only exposed the city lord’s despicable nature, making people hate him even more. The person who delivered the letter, Liang Zhen, was certainly not innocent either.

He didn’t hide anything from her and explained Liang Zhen’s matter. Lian Sheng repeated with some surprise, “Liang Zhen...”

Yi Qiancheng was a little surprised, “Do you know him?” Lian Sheng shook her head, saying that it was not exactly an acquaintance, “About a year and a half ago, he was still the second prince, and he came to Yingdong to inspect on behalf of the emperor.”

She didn’t have much of an impression of Liang Zhen, vaguely remembering that he looked like a frivolous young master, dressed in luxurious clothes, with a gaze that made her uncomfortable. When Yi Qiancheng mentioned Liang Zhen, she thought for a moment, feeling somewhat nervous: “Does Liang Zhen want to join forces with my father to deal with you?”

It didn’t seem like it, as Liang Zhen clearly didn’t appreciate Lord Lian’s subordinates. But seeing her worried expression, Yi Qiancheng felt pleased. He kissed her on the lips, “Ah Sheng is already thinking for her husband, such a good girl.”

Her apricot eyes sparkled, slightly shy. He was moved but more so stirred with desire, pulling her closer and kissing her again. Since they had already done more intimate things, he didn’t care about public decency anymore.

His kiss was passionate and domineering, holding her tight so she couldn’t pull away. Lian Sheng was weak from the kiss, clutching his clothes, looking helpless and pitiful.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes like autumn water, and the more she looked this way, the more he wanted to tease her. A person so delicate and charming, he couldn’t help but want to devour her. Yi Qiancheng reached to pull at her clothes, and Lian Sheng bit her lip, feeling a bit nervous, her mind flashing back to that night.

The sun was still shining brightly outside, and she really didn’t have the courage to bare herself to him in broad daylight. She quietly reminded him, “Husband, it’s still daytime.”

He chuckled softly, his breath heavy, and buried his face in her chest. She could feel his small movements on her lips.

But he still asked, “What did you say?”

Lian Sheng truly thought he hadn’t heard her, her ears turning bright red as she reached to push his head, repeating, “Daytime.”

He found her cute and deliberately whispered in a hoarse voice, “Hmm, it is indeed daytime.” Lian Sheng realized he had tricked her again. But at this moment, she was so weak from his teasing, unable to stop him. She thought of that night and how painful it had been for her, and how this man couldn’t seem to stop. Feeling wronged, she weakly pushed him away.

Yi Qiancheng intertwined their fingers and reached for her skirt with his other hand. He was overwhelmed with desire, forgetting that they were still in Yingdong.

It wasn’t until a knock came from outside, three sharp knocks, that the sounds from inside were heard. Yi Qiancheng, who was usually so commanding, didn’t stop. He continued his actions, unbothered by the outside.

Lian Sheng, however, couldn’t bear the sounds of people waiting outside, while her husband remained indifferent. She bit her lip and pulled the blanket over herself, refusing to let him touch her anymore.

Yi Qiancheng reluctantly withdrew his hand. He had almost undressed her, but his clothes were only slightly disheveled. His face was not pleasant as he quickly straightened his clothes and wrapped Lian Sheng in the quilt tightly before walking toward the door.

The bodyguard outside heard the sounds from inside but didn’t get a response. When Yi Qiancheng opened the door and closed it again, the bodyguard hurriedly reported, “The gates of Yingdong are closed. Young Master Lian Qi has ordered a search of the city.”

Since Yi Qiancheng had decided to search for Fang Mu’s remains, he guessed the danger he might face next. The gates could be opened again, and he wasn’t in a hurry. Yi Qiancheng ordered, “Follow the original plan. I’ll take my wife to the outskirts to wait for you.”

The bodyguard obeyed the order, and Yi Qiancheng returned to the room. During their brief discussion, Lian Sheng had put on her clothes. Yi Qiancheng glanced at her a few times but turned his gaze away. It wasn’t the right time. Looking at her made him feel frustrated.

Lian Sheng blinked her eyes and asked, “What happened?”

Her good brother’s wrongdoings, he never hesitated to share with her: “Lian Qi has ordered the gates closed and is searching for my whereabouts.”

Lian Sheng’s face paled, her rosy face changed in an instant. Yi Qiancheng noticed but couldn’t bring himself to take advantage of the situation. He asked, “What, don’t you trust your husband’s abilities?”

She quickly shook her head. Once, Yi Qiancheng had taken her to chase after those who wanted to harm Yi Huan, and she knew how capable he was. But this was Yingdong, and Yi Qiancheng didn’t have many men with him... She couldn’t help but worry.

“Get ready. We need to leave here.”

Her brother was searching the city, and Lian Sheng knew they couldn’t stay any longer. She hurried to tidy her clothes, fasten her cloak, and glanced back to see Yi Qiancheng looking at her hair. She looked confused, but Yi Qiancheng didn’t explain. He turned away and said, “Let’s go.”

When they reached the place where Fang Mu had fallen in battle, Lian Sheng unconsciously slowed down her steps. Yi Qiancheng’s indifference grew deeper, and the place where so many had died still seemed to carry a faint smell of blood.

His brothers, the good men of Yingdong, had been betrayed and died here.

Lian Sheng had been here once before, and returning now made her feel a deep sadness. Yi Qiancheng suddenly spoke, “Fang Mu joined the army at the age of fifteen. Back then, he often went hungry, unlike how strong he became later. He practiced his spear skills diligently, more so than anyone else. The first time he went to the battlefield, he wasn’t afraid, but when he returned, he vomited uncontrollably.”

He reminisced, “Fang Mu was a good subordinate and a good leader. No one disliked him. Now that he can’t go back to the Sandthorn, he must be heartbroken. Since I’m here, I must take him home.”

Lian Sheng could feel his sorrow. Hearing Yi Qiancheng speak about Fang Mu made her chest tighten. She silently listened, unsure how to comfort him.

Taking a few steps forward, Lian Sheng took his hand. Yi Qiancheng’s large hand was dry and cold. He looked down at her, and Lian Sheng softly said, “We’ll take Fang Mu home together.” She knew he didn’t need comfort; once someone had died, there was nothing left, and bringing Fang Mu back to Sandthorn was probably his final wish.

He didn’t say anything, just silently watched as she warmed her hands for him. His body was naturally cold, and her small hands were soft and warm, melting the coldness and dispelling the indifference in his brows. Yi Qiancheng liked this gentle version of Lian Sheng.

The couple waited outside the city for a long while, when Yi Qiancheng’s personal guard hurriedly arrived, dragging a young man whose head was lowered, clearly unconscious. Lian Sheng heard the noise and turned to look, stunned for a moment, then immediately recognized who it was.

Her half-brother! Lian Xiyue.