Check out this new novel ? about a wronged hero who breaks all shackles – an intriguing story awaiting exploration. It symbolizes various aspects such as vulnerability, resilience, or even societal outcast status. While facing great injustices, despite his many hardships, this character is poised to rise above all adversity.
Sick Dog
Chapter 57: Tied Hair
“When you sweet-talked me into agreeing initially, you didn’t mention that you were taking away a living person,” said Yu Lingxi, feeling a twinge in her heart. What Ning Yin did was indeed a bit outrageous.
But upon second thought, if he wasn’t outrageous, he wouldn’t be Ning Yin.
“Who said the thing I’m concerned about can’t be a living person?” Ning Yin’s expression radiated delight, and he said softly, “How can I feel at ease without my precious by my side?”
Knowing how seductive Ning Yin’s voice could be when he coaxed someone, Yu Lingxi’s face couldn’t help but flush a tempting shade of pink when she heard the word “precious.”
She propped herself up against the edge of the box, pretending, and delicately rubbed her neck. “You scared me with this thing that looks like a coffin.”
Ning Yin, however, said, “If it were a coffin, it would be too small; it wouldn’t fit two people lying down.”
Yu Lingxi was puzzled.
Ning Yin reached out and patted the space beside him, saying confidently, “If it were a coffin, I would be lying here too.”
His expression was natural, making it hard to tell if he was joking or serious.
“You’re talking nonsense again,” Yu Lingxi suppressed the sudden rapid beating of her heart, holding onto the edge of the box.
Although the box was large, it was somewhat restrictive for a grown woman lying inside. Feeling her legs go numb, she tried to sit up but found herself falling back, blinking her eyes without moving for a while.
Ning Yin chuckled lightly, bent over to support her shoulder with one hand, and looped his other hand around her knee, lifting her up into the air effortlessly, walking steadily toward the bed.
Yu Lingxi was placed on the soft bed, finally having the chance to survey the surroundings. The room was spacious, elegantly decorated, clearly not the brothel they had visited last time. Faint sounds of people and the hustle and bustle of carriages could be heard downstairs, indicating they were still in the city.
“Where is this?” she asked, propping herself up on the bed.
“Inn,” Ning Yin replied.
As he spoke, he sat beside her, reaching out to grasp her ankle. Feeling the warmth of his palm, Yu Lingxi instinctively recoiled. Ning Yin looked at her, and she obediently relaxed, blinking and smiling at him.
Ning Yin then lowered his gaze, pushed up the hem of her skirt, and gently pinched her shapely calf, dispelling the discomfort.
“What happened to your hand?” Yu Lingxi noticed the two layers of bandages wrapped around Ning Yin’s left fingers.
Ning Yin glanced at it, seemingly indifferent.
Yu Lingxi felt a bit distressed, and her voice became much softer, “Be more careful in the future; injuring your hand is a serious matter.”
“Don’t worry, it won’t hinder me from serving Miss,” Ning Yin replied.
He massaged slowly and attentively, with his eyelashes half lowered, casting a faint shadow in his eyes. His well-defined nose and thin lips enhanced his profound and handsome features.
After finishing massaging her left leg, Ning Yin switched to the right one. He even held Yu Lingxi’s delicate ankle with interest, weighing it as if surprised that one hand could easily encircle it.
Seeing his growing interest and the gradual movement of his fingertips, Yu Lingxi felt a slight itch and quickly withdrew her foot, lowering her skirt. “That’s enough.”
Ning Yin looked at his empty palm, pinched the remaining soft warmth between his fingertips, and made a dissatisfied sound.
Yu Lingxi pretended not to notice his little mood and moved her hands and feet slightly, humming lightly, “At a time like this, if you take me out, the entire Yu Mansion will be in a panic.”
“No rush,” Ning Yin placed his hand on his knee casually, saying, “I’ve already sent a letter to your father, informing him.”
“What a casual way to ‘inform him.’”
Yu Lingxi widened her eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and sighed helplessly. She could already imagine the complex emotions her father and brother would experience upon receiving Ning Yin’s unilateral letter.
Yu Lingxi knew that Ning Yin must have arranged everything for her and ensured her safety. However, what about her father and siblings?
She didn’t know how much consideration Ning Yin had given to her family in his plans. Escaping recklessly wouldn’t change the situation of the Yu family.
But…
Watching Ning Yin leisurely making tea by the bedside, Yu Lingxi’s gaze gradually softened. The current situation was too beautiful, beautiful enough to arouse greed in one’s heart.
After contemplating for a moment, she smiled lightly and said, “Ning Yin, let me write a letter to my father and siblings.”
At least let her family know that she was safe now. She could say that she willingly followed Ning Yin. This way, her family wouldn’t blame Ning Yin, and they could continue their plans in secret.
The Yu Mansion was indeed in chaos.
Upon hearing the hurried report from Qingxiao that the Second Miss had been missing for an hour, Yu Yuan wasted no time and immediately rode back home. As he arrived at the entrance, a vendor carrying a load bumped into him, slipping a secret note into his hands discreetly.
Only back in the residence did Yu Yuan dare to open the note. The more he read, the more furrowed his brows became.
On the night when he had revealed the Seventh Prince’s identity, he had said to this calm and unpredictable young man, “Now that things have come to this point, whether I genuinely supported Your Highness or accidentally took Your Highness in, it no longer matters. All I seek is self-preservation. If Your Highness can promise to protect the safety of the Yu family, besides my family, I can give Your Highness anything.”
At that time, the Seventh Prince had stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at him and asking, “What if what I want happens to be one of your family members?”
Yu Yuan was shocked, thinking of his bright and carefree little daughter.
He had believed that, out of respect for the Emperor’s bestowed marriage, the Seventh Prince would forsake this idea. But unexpectedly, the prince had acted first, directly taking away Sui Sui.
Bold and unconventional, both righteous and wicked, it was truly unclear whether it was a blessing or a curse.
Madam Yu was still unaware of this situation, assuming that her daughter had gone to the Western Residence to play with her daughter-in-law. Yu Huanchen, seeing his father’s deep-seated worries, calmly reassured him, “Father, please rest assured. Sui Sui is not someone who doesn’t know the severity of the situation. She will surely know what to do. I will publicly announce that Sui Sui is learning the ways of being a good wife with my wife, focusing on virtue, not receiving guests, and will not expose any flaws in the short term.”
Yu Yuan tossed the paper into the lampshade and lit it, sighing deeply. “It can only be this way.”
However, they all knew very well that this was only a temporary expedient. When the imperial decree for the bestowed marriage was settled, Sui Sui would have to show up in person to receive the decree.
This was undoubtedly a sword hanging over their heads, waiting to fall at an unknown time.
…
After finishing writing a personal letter, Yu Lingxi had just dried the ink when she heard a knock on the door.
A plain-looking young man pushed the door open, wearing an inconspicuous short brown jacket. Seeing the beautiful woman by the window drying the ink, a hint of obvious amazement flashed in his eyes. He respectfully bowed and said, “The master asked me to inquire if the letter is ready, Second Miss?”
Ning Yin had arranged for someone to come and collect the letter once it was written.
Yu Lingxi nodded, folding the letter neatly.
Glancing at the young man in front of her, she felt a slight sense of familiarity and asked, “What’s your name? I seem to have seen you before.”
“Second Miss has a keen eye,” the young man stepped forward, accepting the letter and tucking it into his bosom. He smiled, revealing a set of white teeth, and said, “This humble one is called Chen Feng. I used to sell grapes outside your esteemed mansion and had the pleasure of crossing paths with Second Miss.”
With this reminder, Yu Lingxi suddenly remembered.
It turned out that the sour grapes that Ning Yin often ate were actually sold by this person. No wonder Ning Yin’s intelligence was so sensitive and swift!
“Where is your master?” Yu Lingxi asked.
“He is discussing matters in the adjacent room,” Chen Feng replied. “The master said, if the Second Miss is bored, she can walk around, but she must wear a veil.”
Yu Lingxi shook her head, “No need, I’ll wait for him.”
Chen Feng smiled, bowed respectfully, and retreated, closing the door behind him.
From initially sitting and waiting, Yu Lingxi had turned into leaning on the bed, and she wasn’t even aware of when she had fallen asleep.
In a daze, she heard the sound of the door opening, followed by Ning Yin’s relaxed voice, “That old palace maid, tell her to arrange everything carefully.”
“It has been arranged according to His Highness’s deployment, and there will be action within the next two days,” another loyal voice replied.
The leisurely footsteps approached, and it seemed that Ning Yin noticed the sleeping girl on the bed. When he spoke again, his voice softened, “Go out.”
Yu Lingxi felt the mattress sink as she slowly opened her eyes.
“Pity, fell asleep while waiting.” Ning Yin looked at her with a smile.
The drowsiness disappeared instantly, and Yu Lingxi blinked, “I know you have important matters to arrange; I entertained myself for a while.”
She turned over, and the loose strands of hair fell messily around her ears. After lying in the box and taking a nap today, her hair was disheveled. She decided to take off her hairpin and hairband, letting her silky black hair cascade down her waist like ink.
Ning Yin gazed at her smooth black hair, and his eyes were tinged with ink. He reached out and picked up a fine strand of hair hanging down from her chest, lifting it to his nose for a gentle sniff.
Then, he moved lower, and his thin lips touched the tip of her hair. Although he was kissing unconscious hair, Yu Lingxi felt as if her breath had been taken away for no reason, inexplicably warm.
She pulled her hair back and got up, saying, “I’m going to comb my hair.”
Yu Lingxi rarely combed her own hair, and without hair oil or other products, she struggled for a while without tying a proper bun.
Ning Yin dragged a chair, sat by the window with crossed legs, and watched with interest as she tidied herself in front of the mirror. When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he chuckled softly, stood up, and took the comb from her hand.
The slightly yellowed copper mirror added a warm tone to Ning Yin’s features, revealing a never-before-seen calm and gentleness.
His long and fair fingers traversed through her cool hair, the coldness of his fingers contrasting with the extreme blackness, meticulously combing to the end.
A smile curved at the corner of Yu Lingxi’s mouth as she watched her hair obediently gather in his palms, tied with a ribbon. The warmth spread through her body, making her feel as comfortable as soaking in hot water.
Ning Yin supported her chin, looking at the mirror for a while. He made a dissatisfied sound after a while and put down the comb, saying gently, “Once the hairpin is polished, I’ll tie a more beautiful bun for Miss.”
“What hairpin?” Yu Lingxi asked.
Ning Yin did not answer but gestured with his eyes towards the items on the tray, such as veils and masks, saying, “Let’s go out for a walk.”
Since he extended the invitation, it must be safe.
Following his suggestion, Yu Lingxi picked up a light crimson veil and, after some thought, chose a black half-mask with subtle patterns. She said to Ning Yin, “Come here.”
Ning Yin raised an eyebrow slightly, but ultimately bent down, bringing his body closer.
Yu Lingxi then tiptoed and fastened the half-mask on his face.
Stepping back to take a look, only half of Ning Yin’s black eyes were covered by the black mask, revealing only his lips and the clean contour of his jaw. With his ink-black hair and light attire, he exuded an indescribable elegance.
Yu Lingxi blinked, then smiled with lowered eyes, “Let’s go.”
Once outside, they realized that the inn was quite spacious.
The front courtyard housed merchants and unmarried young officials, while the back courtyard was even more serene and spacious. A large area was divided into numerous sections by mountainous ponds, pavilions, and terraces, creating separate and undisturbed spaces.
The moon was bright, and the stars sparsely dotted the sky. Lanterns hung under the eaves, casting a bright glow as if it were daylight.
Walking side by side through the winding corridors, Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but ask, “This place is quite lively. Why didn’t you choose a more secluded location?”
Staying here seemed no different from exposing his identity.
Ning Yin’s eyes, visible through the mask, squinted slightly, and he moved his lips, “Lively has its own advantages.”
“Where is the tall person carrying a heavy sword?” Yu Lingxi asked again.
Currently, there was no one around Ning Yin to protect him, and she was somewhat worried.
Ning Yin glanced at her indifferently and said, “He has his own tasks.”
Yu Lingxi uttered a soft “Oh,” not knowing what he was planning.
Ning Yin’s thoughts were inscrutable, and ordinary people might only be concerned about not prematurely revealing their identities. However, he must have already calculated how to counterattack after the exposure.
So, she didn’t worry too much. Ning Yin stopped, reached out, and hooked the flying ribbon around Yu Lingxi’s head.
Twisting it a bit, he lifted the lip line and asked, “Why not continue questioning?”
Yu Lingxi also stopped, standing under the lamp with him, shoulder to shoulder, bathed in the light.
Like countless times before, intimate and trusting.
“Well… how do you plan to arrange me?” Yu Lingxi’s eyelashes drooped, gently resting against the railing, and she said softly, “Given the tense situation now, it’s impossible to keep me hidden openly.”
Ning Yin looked at her for a long time, elongating his tone, “Oh, Miss is asking me for a name and position.”
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