“Who?” Yu Qing froze. Had he not just told her?
His gaze fell once more upon the two pieces of calligraphy, and he roughly understood why she was asking again. His expression instantly grew complicated, and he found it hard to speak.
Wen Xin gazed at him with expectant eyes for a while. Seeing no reply forthcoming, she suddenly trembled and said in a broken voice, “You said you would take me far away. Do those words still count?”
Yu Qing suddenly turned back. Meeting her shy, evasive gaze, and seeing her nervous, trembling appearance, he understood. He only felt a “buzz” in his heart, as if dry kindling had been instantly ignited. He suddenly spread his arms and pulled her into an embrace, holding her firmly and completely.
Such abrupt and improper behaviour gave Wen Xin a fright. She had not expected this man to actually lay hands on her directly. This… how could this be acceptable?
In her moral upbringing, men and women should not touch each other. Suddenly being embraced by a man like this, she subconsciously struggled and resisted.
But Yu Qing’s arms were so strong that she could not break free. He held her tightly, rubbing against her cheek to cheek, even kissing her fair neck in a disorderly manner. There was only boundless passion, as if he wanted to completely melt her into his own body.
Her whole body trembled. That kind of passionate kissing, that heavy breath burrowing into her collar, and that burning chest were all things Wen Xin had never experienced before. She felt dizzy and spellbound, as if her soul had scattered, her whole body tingling and going soft. It quickly made her give up resisting, and she even actively tightened her arms around Yu Qing’s waist, her lips also trying to seek out Yu Qing’s neck.
Before she had asked that question, she had already made her choice. She was willing to fly far away with him.
She felt the answer Yu Qing was giving her through practical action. Those words spoken before still counted. He was willing to take her far away.
This dizzy, intoxicated feeling was like her whole body and mind soaking in warm water, making one willing to sink forever.
“As long as you are willing, I will take you far away. No matter if the sky falls or the earth caves in, as long as I have you, it is enough…” Yu Qing murmured in her ear.
Immersed in the sweet words at her ear, Wen Xin, with a face flushed red, gave an “mm” of consent.
The study door had not been closed. It was still open.
After a long while, Yu Qing suddenly loosened his arms. His hands cupped her face. The two of them looked into each other’s eyes. One gaze was fiery, the other gaze was full of tender affection.
Wen Xin suddenly opened her eyes wide, watching as Yu Qing suddenly kissed her on the lips. Then she closed her eyes too, and tightened her arms around him in response.
After letting go, Yu Qing’s face was full of excitement. He continued cupping her face and said, “Wen Xin, come, be my woman, come with me!”
Wen Xin’s face was full of shy redness, yet it brimmed with happiness. Her hands circled his waist and would not let go. Her affectionate eyes were watery, yet she still asked that sentence, “Now can you tell me, who are you?”
She looked full of eager anticipation.
But Yu Qing was as if struck by lightning. His body went rigid, and he stared blankly without speaking.
Seeing this, Wen Xin, who had already slightly relaxed after their intimate physical contact, grabbed his wrists with both hands. “You know, I have a betrothal upon me. I have no way to leave openly and honourably with you. The Wen clan would absolutely never permit it. I can only elope with you.
The Wen clan is not merely large and wealthy as it appears on the surface. The Wen clan’s influence in Ning Prefecture is also great. To say it is the local power of the entire Ning Prefecture would not be an exaggeration. If you cannot present an identity of sufficient weight, you cannot take me away, and we cannot be together.”
Seeing Yu Qing still hesitating, she gradually became almost pleading. “I can become a woman who corrupts public morals for you. I can discard this reputation. I can also disregard the Wen clan’s reputation. I will care about nothing. But I want it to be worth it. I want to give myself an explanation, give the Wen clan an explanation, and also give the Yuwen family an explanation. Because I have met a man who makes it worth it. If even he does not value reputation, fears not the pointing fingers of thousands, fears not the spurning of ten thousands, what do I have to fear? I only want a reason to abandon everything and leave with you. I beg you, tell me, who are you?”
Pain appeared on Yu Qing’s face. His Adam’s apple moved for a while. Finally, a bitter smile appeared on his face, and he said word by word, “I am Yu Qing!”
He had wanted to deceive her. He really had wanted to deceive her. It was not as if he had never deceived anyone before. He did not even blink when doing murder and robbery. What were swindling and cheating? He had long done such things. But this time, he had met someone he did not want to deceive in this lifetime.
Precisely because she was going to give up everything for him, he could not deceive her.
In an instant, Wen Xin was also as if struck by lightning. Her eyes were full of disbelief. Gradually, grief and indignation and despair flooded her face. She suddenly broke free from him and forcefully pushed him away. Her movements were nearly frenzied. Then she turned her head to look aside, and large teardrops spilled from her eyes.
She had not expected that even after all this, he would still deceive her. Her heart ached so much she could barely breathe.
Yu Qing, who had stepped back, lowered his head and slowly turned around. The all-consuming passion dissipated rapidly. He did not even have the slightest courage to entangle further. He walked out step by step.
After exiting the study, he lifted his head to look up at the sky. He saw clear skies for ten thousand li, white clouds in clusters. It made one suddenly see the light.
For the first time, he clearly realised that he was not that person who had been praised to the heavens. He was still merely that person looking up from the ground. Facing the towering firmament, he was so humble and tiny, like an ant.
A slight smile gradually appeared on his face. His hand touched the sword at his waist. Having thoroughly understood that truth, he suddenly felt relieved. There was no more reluctance. He strode away, only tears in his eye sockets rolled out unbidden.
Ultimately, a thorn had been driven into his heart. The thorn would not dissolve nor could it be pulled out. It left a mark.
Walking to a place where no one would see, he raised his sleeve and wiped away the tears.
Wen Xin, who had silently exited the study, looked around and discovered that figure was gone. He had already left.
She sensed that she would never see him again. She silently walked back to her bedchamber. Once the door was closed, from inside came extremely suppressed, muffled, heart-rending sobs.
Wen Mao and his grandson Wen Yan’an wanted to host a banquet to entertain the Tanhua, but Yu Qing declined. Looking eager to learn, he was anxious to go to the Wenshu Pavilion first.
Seeing him so determined, Wen Mao had no choice but to let it go. He also had Wen Yan’an accompany him, to fulfil the duties of a host, and accompanied Yu Qing into the Wenshu Pavilion together.
The Wenshu Pavilion had several floors, piled with all kinds of ancient scrolls and books, dazzling to the eyes and vast as the sea.
After Wen Yan’an had led the honoured guest through every floor for a tour, he asked, “I wonder what Brother Shiheng wishes to look through and consult?”
Yu Qing pondered briefly, then said, “Since I have come to Ning Prefecture, let me start by looking at things related to the local area.”
Wen Yan’an immediately looked at the youth accompanying them. The youth understood and said, “Things related to Ning Prefecture, this scope is too broad. It involves too many categories. They will not all be placed together. Can you be more specific?”
Yu Qing said, “Let me start by looking at things like maps of Ning Prefecture and the Ning Prefecture gazetteer.”
Wen Yan’an was startled. He found that what this person wanted to look at was rather dull.
The youth gave an “oh,” and extended his hand, saying, “Please follow me.”
The two were then led by the youth to a bookshelf on the third floor. The youth pointed and said, “The illustrated records of Ning Prefecture compiled through the dynasties are all stored here. Please help yourself. If you need anything, just call for me.”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Yu Qing cupped his hands in thanks.
Once the youth left, he immediately began to flip through the books.
Wen Yan’an looked at him with a face full of astonishment at that ravenous appearance.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of Jade Garden. Song Pingping and Xiao Hong returned, carrying large and small packages as they hurried inside.
Arriving downstairs, Xiao Hong looked around and shouted, “Miss, miss, we are back from shopping.”
After shouting several times, the upstairs window opened, and Wen Xin showed her face below. “Here.”
The two women immediately entered the house and went upstairs, also directly bursting into Wen Xin’s room. Before they could show off the things they had bought, they were both stunned at the sight of Wen Xin herself. They saw Wen Xin’s eyes were red and swollen.
Xiao Hong was greatly alarmed. “Miss, what happened to your eyes?”
“It is nothing.” Wen Xin shook her head uncomfortably, somewhat evasively.
Song Pingping, putting down her things, said suspiciously, “Xin’er, you were not crying, were you?”
Wen Xin said guiltily, “No, some sand accidentally got into my eyes, that is all.”
Xiao Hong immediately complained, “Oh dear, miss, how could you be so careless? It seems I really cannot leave your side for a single moment.”
Song Pingping carefully observed Wen Xin’s red and swollen eyes. She obviously did not quite believe it. She muttered to herself, “Probably pining for a man. Ever since Yuwen Yuan’s accident, you have not been normal. I already said Yuwen Yuan is fine. What is there to worry about?”
Wen Xin did not speak, letting the two say whatever they wished.
After confirming she was fine, Song Pingping and Xiao Hong’s attention quickly returned to the things they had bought. After taking them out and showing them off one by one, Song Pingping asked curiously again, “Xin’er, who exactly did you buy these gifts for?”
Wen Xin said lightly, “They are for the two of you. Divide them between yourselves.”
“Ah?”
“Really?”
Wen Xin was listless, but showed a faint smile. “Really.”
“Wow!” Song Pingping shrieked, and immediately reached quickly into the gifts, first grabbing the one she liked most.
Xiao Hong, who could not win the scramble, wailed, “I want that one. Sister Pingping, I really like the one in your hand. Give it to me!”
The two women rejoiced over the gifts, not noticing the sorrow that would occasionally appear on Wen Xin’s face.
Inside the Wenshu Pavilion, a map was hung before Yu Qing. He was burning the midnight oil, consulting the map.
The food placed at the side, he had no mood to eat. Wen Yan’an was enjoying it alone there.
There was no helping it. Several times he tried to pull Yu Qing out to eat but could not move him. Once Yu Qing had his hands on books, he was like a man possessed. That drive to bury himself in studying books made Wen Yan’an feel fearful.
Wen Mao also came to visit, wanting to personally invite Yu Qing to have a good meal. But he found Yu Qing had no mind to pay him any attention. After learning the situation from his grandson, and then witnessing Yu Qing’s focus as he studied against the map and books, which was truly unprecedented, he could not help but sigh and shake his head.
Including Wen Kui and Wen Yan’an, all were convinced. They discovered that it was not without reason that this person could score full marks in four subjects.
In the end, the Wenshu Pavilion broke the rules and had food delivered from outside.
Letting outsiders eat inside the Wenshu Pavilion, this was truly the first time since the Wenshu Pavilion’s founding.
Little did they know that Yu Qing, who was working so hard with determined effort, was doing so precisely to leave the Wenshu Pavilion early, to leave the Wen residence early.
He wished he could leave immediately, unwilling to stay a single day longer, otherwise the faint heartache would be hard to stop.