? Thank you, Helga, Crystal, Shonna and Etin, for your novel donation! ? Dear Lovely Readers, your continuous support keeps me going. ? Sorry for the delay due to sickness. More updates soon! Happy Reading! ??

Chapter 75: Return

Yu Lingxi had just called off the engagement, so naturally, she couldn’t return to the mansion in a wedding sedan.

Everyone knew what it meant when Ning Yin extended his hand right after Yu Lingxi had just called off the engagement. Those who were just expressing regret with wagging tongues instantly closed their mouths.

In the midst of the wind and snow, Yu Lingxi took off the phoenix crown from her head and held it in her hand, letting her black hair cascade like a waterfall.

She looked at the handsome Ning Yin on the spirited horse and instinctively raised her fingertips.

“Sui Sui.”

Yu Huanchen cleared his throat and calmly said, “You will ride in the carriage of Qingping Mansion to return home.”

Yu Lingxi understood; her elder brother was protecting her. She was still in the midst of the storm of breaking off the engagement. If she were to hold hands with Ning Yin and ride the same horse in front of everyone, it would be too ostentatious and not a good idea.

“I, as a Prince, never engage in unprofitable actions.”

Ning Yin, with rare patience, extended his fingertips, almost blending with the frost and snow. “By giving generous gifts, I am requesting a person from General’s Mansion in a proper manner.”

Too ostentatious.

Yu Huanchen looked at his sister and frowned. “If His Highness Ning’s request is for my younger sister, I’m afraid I cannot comply.”

Ning Yin raised an eyebrow.

Before Yu Huanchen could speak, Yu Xinyi on the side couldn’t hold back and said, “Sui Sui is the precious gem of the Yu family, an invaluable treasure that cannot be measured in terms of benefits. No amount of silver can exchange for her.”

Ning Yin nodded slightly. “If it can’t be exchanged, it’s also acceptable.”

Yu Lingxi was suspicious; Ning Yin was not usually so easygoing.

Sure enough, Ning Yin remained unchanged, leisurely saying, “It’s just that if we really resort to force, it might not look good.”

He lowered his gaze and looked at Yu Lingxi. “Miss Yu, do you want to come up by yourself, or should I carry you up?”

Although it sounded like a question, Yu Lingxi had no chance to choose.

Before she could convince her siblings, Ning Yin raised his hand and flicked the whip, urging the horse forward. The black steed neighed, exhaling a white breath, galloping towards her side.

In the next moment, Yu Lingxi felt a tightness around her waist. Her entire body soared into the air, landing on Ning Yin’s horseback, imprisoned in his cold embrace.

Ning Yin gave a low shout of “run,” carrying her through the crowd and rushing towards the direction of the Prince’s mansion!

“Sui Sui!”

After a brief moment of daze, Yu Huanchen mounted his horse and was the first to chase after.

“Ning… Ning Yin!”

The wind howled in their ears, and in the intense jolting, Yu Lingxi almost bit her tongue.

The wind lifted the vivid red sleeves of her gown, resembling a butterfly breaking free from constraints. The corner of Ning Yin’s mouth twitched slightly as he tightened his arm around her slender waist. The dark fox fur and the bright red attire danced in the wind, wherever they went, people bowed their heads and sent them off in silence, not daring to utter a word.

The surroundings fell dead silent, and the expressions of the Xue family members suddenly became quite entertaining.

First, they were demoted and dismissed, then the engagement was called off, and now, right in front of them, the Prince brazenly abducted the supposed bride who hadn’t even entered the door…

The Xue family’s dignity was almost ground into the dirt.

“There are important matters in the mansion, no need to escort us any further.”

Yu Xinyi nodded towards the Xue family and Tang Buli, then mounted her horse, leading her family members back home to deal with another issue.

Xue Cen continued to watch Yu Lingxi’s figure until the shoulders of his wedding robe were covered with a thick layer of white.

Guests hurriedly stood up, not daring to linger, bidding farewell one after another. In less than a moment, the bustling courtyard of the Xue mansion became cold and empty, with firecracker paper scattered in the melting snow, resembling the shattered fragments of a beautiful dream.

“Shame!”

Xue’s father was so angry that his beard trembled slightly. “Unprecedented shame!”

Xue Cen stared at the sky, where snowflakes were falling gently, murmuring, “Snow covers the black hair, but in the end… we cannot grow old together.”

“It’s time to wake up from the dream, Erlang.”

Beside him, Xue Song said, “If you still have a drop of blood left, think about how to avenge this stolen wife, make them pay blood for blood!”

“Don’t say any more, elder brother… don’t say any more.”

Xue Cen closed his eyes, raised his hand, and took off the groom’s hat, tears welling up at the corners of his eyes.

…

The horse hooves crushed the frosty snow beneath them. Ning Yin pulled the reins, stopping the horse. The guards from the Prince’s mansion, driving a carriage, were already waiting at the intersection.

Ning Yin dismounted first, casually pinching Yu Lingxi’s waist as he lifted her down and placed her into the splendid carriage.

“Back to the mansion.”

Ning Yin adjusted his robe and sat down, then casually leaned against the carriage wall, patting the empty space beside him.

Yu Lingxi lowered her head and walked over, taking a seat beside him.

On the table, the incense burner emitted a warm fragrance, dispelling the cold of the snowy winter. Yu Lingxi sat beside Ning Yin, glanced at his stern profile, then looked away, a light smile playing on her lips.

Ning Yin’s eyes shifted towards her after a while, and he reached out to pinch the back of her neck. “You’re so happy after being abducted. Quite audacious.”

“You were afraid I’d be criticized, so you deliberately sought a title of abduction, taking the blame upon yourself.”

Yu Lingxi approached a bit more, bending her eyes playfully. “Moreover, doing it publicly like this not only discourages those who want to take advantage but also silences the gossiping mouths across the nation. Your Highness has indeed gone to great lengths for me.”

Ning Yin looked at her for a long time, smiling leisurely, “Not only audacious but also thick-skinned.”

Although his words expressed disdain, he eventually raised his arm slightly, allowing Yu Lingxi to nestle into his embrace.

With her cheek against his chest, Yu Lingxi listened to the steady and powerful heartbeat, softly sighing, “I know it all, Ning Yin.”

Outside, the snow was falling heavily, but between them, there was only endless tranquility. As the carriage jolted, Ning Yin’s hand, which was loosely around Yu Lingxi’s slender waist, moved down. It landed on the vivid red hem of her skirt.

The man’s fingers were distinct, and resting on her leg, they had a certain weight.

Yu Lingxi’s eyelashes trembled, hesitating whether to interlock her fingers with his. However, that cold, slender hand moved downward, gradually lifting the fiery edge of her skirt.

Delicate ankles appeared, followed by legs as white as jade. Yu Lingxi snapped back to reality, quickly sitting up straight, holding down her skirt, and said, “What are you doing?”

Ning Yin captured her wrist, and very slowly blinked his eyelashes, saying, “Checking the seal.”

Inside the carriage?

Yu Lingxi could even hear the guards behind the carriage stepping on the accumulated snow. Without thinking, her face blushed, and she subconsciously retreated.

But the carriage was so small, and she had nowhere to retreat. Soon, she found herself pressed against the cushioned seat.

“Hush, don’t move.”

Ning Yin covered her lips with his hand, his black eyes staring straight into hers. Feeling the cool touch, Yu Lingxi bit her lip, holding her breath, and dared not move.

Ning Yin’s gaze lowered, and his cool fingertips traced the red imprint left by the seal. After careful examination, he sighed, “It’s faded.”

The seal ink wasn’t like dye, and after half a day on the skin, plus riding in a sedan chair and on horseback, how could it not fade?

“Shall I give Lingxi another seal? What do you think?”

Again?

Yu Lingxi hurriedly shook her head, wanting to refuse, but her lips were pressed by his fingers, and she could only make muffled sounds.

Ning Yin paid no attention, bending down.

A warm breath brushed past, and Yu Lingxi tensed her body. Then, a gentle touch like a feather caressed the place where the seal was, gently touching it as if kissing a fragile treasure.

The Yu Mansion.

Yu Yuan had just come out of the palace when he heard about the incident that happened before the wedding ceremony.

General Yu guessed that the Xue family’s decline must have been instigated by the Prince, but he never expected that the Prince would openly bring lavish gifts and “kidnap” his daughter who had not yet entered the door.

He had secretly supported Wei Qi, but it didn’t mean he approved of the Prince’s methods, let alone trusting the Prince with his recently unengaged daughter.

In the royal family, there were not many who were truly kind and clean. General Yu was deeply troubled, looking at the piled-up gifts in the yard, his face showing a hint of worry.

The carriage continued its unhurried pace, and the embroidered curtains swayed slightly, allowing a few cold snowflakes to filter through. Yu Lingxi’s snowy cheeks were flushed, and she silently adjusted her skirt and silk stockings, her moist eyes glaring at Ning Yin with resentment.

Who seals with their mouth?

The initiator, dressed in luxurious attire, remained composed, sipping cold tea leisurely.

Turning her gaze away, Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but feel her heart race when she noticed water stains on his lips.

Is he laughing at me?

No way!

She had to endure longer than the madman; she couldn’t lose here.

With a sense of unwillingness, Yu Lingxi got up and moved closer to Ning Yin. As the carriage turned, Yu Lingxi swayed along, eventually falling into Ning Yin’s lap.

Ning Yin was startled; the tea cup in his hand wavered, spilling a few drops.

Instinctively, Yu Lingxi grabbed Ning Yin’s fox-fur robe. Almost simultaneously, the scorching warmth of the man’s body temperature spread through the thick fabric, tingling her heart at the seal.

Indeed…

When she raised her eyes again, there was a hint of triumphant smile in them. The smile was bright and relaxed, scattering fine fragments of light. Changing her posture, Yu Lingxi took the tea cup from Ning Yin, which was obstructing their view, and supported his shoulder, facing him directly.

Yu Lingxi’s lips still had traces of makeup, and she blinked, moving a bit closer.

“As the saying goes, courtesy demands reciprocity. Can I give Your Highness a return gift?”

She asked with a light and cheerful breath.

Dark shades flowed in Ning Yin’s eyes, but all around him was the lingering fragrance of a maiden. Yu Lingxi leaned closer, her fragrant charm against his faint lips.

First, a light touch, then a gentle pressure.

Ning Yin’s steady breath paused for a moment.

The girl’s soft breath trembled gently. He joyfully half-closed his eyes, lifting his hand to gently stroke the back of Yu Lingxi’s head until her cheeks blushed, then he lowered his head and took the initiative.

Yu Lingxi initially tried to push him away, but there was no response. Until the carriage suddenly stopped, and their lips collided, tasting a faint trace of blood.

The little madman always seemed happier when he smelled blood.

Yu Lingxi, still in shock, saw Ning Yin smile gently and leaned close, his voice husky, “Why stop? Hmm?”

“Your Highness, Prince Ning.”

The clear voice of Yu Huanchen came from outside the carriage. The sound of horse hooves, loudly he spoke, “Where are you taking my younger sister?”

It’s her older brother!

Yu Lingxi hurriedly sat up, but was held down by Ning Yin’s hand.

“Once or twice is forgivable, but Lingxi wants to run a third time?”

Ning Yin punished her by pinching her delicate waist. “this prince is not a patient person.”

“I don’t want to run…”

Yu Lingxi was about to refute, but then realized that what Ning Yin meant by “run” was not the literal sense of running away.

The first time was when her older brother brought her into the mansion, the second time was when her sister-in-law came to pick her up this morning, and the third time…

It was indeed a bit unfair.

“If you take me away in public, the older brother will surely worry, and it’s not good to explain to Father and Mother. Besides, it’s not suitable to continue…”

In the last sentence, she bit her lip and whispered almost inaudibly, coaxing, “I’ll go talk to my brother for a moment, let him ease his mind, okay?”

Ning Yin’s eyes were extremely cold and dangerous.

Outside the carriage, there was a commotion, and a guard from the royal residence said, “Young General, you can’t intrude!”

Yu Lingxi had no time to consider much. She kissed Ning Yin’s cheek and then quickly adjusted her dress, lifting the carriage curtain and slipping out.

As the curtain opened and closed, Ning Yin’s eyes alternated between bright and dim.

He slowly straightened up against the carriage wall, touched the place where he had been kissed, and said after a while, “Older brother.”

Yu Lingxi’s disheveled hair was sprinkled with snow, and she apologized, “I made you worry.”

Yu Huanchen saw the split skin on her lower lip at a glance, and his gaze darkened. He even had the thought of rushing in to kill Ning Yin.

“Sui Sui, come with your brother.”

Yu Huanchen said solemnly, “As long as you don’t want to, no one in this world can take you away from your brother.”

Yu Lingxi smiled and answered softly, “No one is taking me away. I chose it myself.”

“Sui Sui, the matter with the Xue family has been resolved. No one in the world can threaten you now. Why must you leave the wolf’s den and enter the tiger’s lair?”

Yu Huanchen presented the pros and cons plainly, saying, “You are naturally kind. If you associate with people who go against the righteous path, the world’s criticism may not harm him in the least, but it will be enough to exhaust you… At that time, how will you deal with yourself?”

“I understand, older brother.”

Yu Lingxi’s eyes were clear, and she spoke clearly, “But as my older brother said just now, when I left him, I had no choice. Now that I’m free, why should I still force myself?”

“You…”

Yu Huanchen glanced at the motionless carriage and then turned his gaze back to his sister.

He didn’t know what aphrodisiac Ning Yin had given his sister, but every time something related to him happened, Sui Sui seemed to have changed into a stubborn person.

Today, when Prince Ning openly took her away on the street, it was just a declaration to the world that he possessed her. After this incident, who would dare to propose a marriage to his sister?

Prince Ning was cunning and ruthless, not an ordinary person. Which older brother wouldn’t worry about his sister getting hurt?

Yu Huanchen’s mood was complex as he stepped forward. “Have you made a decision, Sui Sui?”

Yu Lingxi nodded.

“I’ve finally regained my freedom. Can I spend some time with the person I like like an ordinary girl?” She lowered her voice and added, “Before it gets dark, I will return to the mansion to apologize to Father and Mother.”

“Silly Sui Sui, what fault do you have?”

Yu Huanchen sighed lightly, and his tense throat relaxed a bit. “I’ll come to pick you up before dinner. If anyone dares to offend or bully you, your brother won’t let them off lightly!”

The last sentence was clearly addressed to Ning Yin inside the carriage.

“Thank you, older brother!”

Yu Lingxi bowed slightly with a relaxed smile. “Take care, older brother.”

Yu Huanchen walked forward, gently brushing away the snow on his sister’s hair. Then he mounted his horse and went back to report. Yu Lingxi immediately lifted the carriage curtain and slipped inside.

Ning Yin leaned against the carriage wall, and when he saw her come in, he raised his eyes. Sometimes Yu Lingxi felt that Ning Yin was truly a mysterious person.

Or rather, he was incredibly strong, almost not like a human.

For example, just now they were passionately kissing, but now he could sit calmly in the carriage, showing no signs of emotional involvement. It was the same in their past life; he enjoyed Yu Lingxi’s service, sometimes going crazy, but rarely actively indulging in it.

Sometimes Yu Lingxi felt that he was a very cold person.

Yes, cold.

Despite the thrilling experiences, Yu Lingxi still couldn’t feel his enthusiasm for their relationship. It seemed more like following the instinct of his body.

Perhaps that was why he didn’t have any other women in his past life. This strange thought flashed through Yu Lingxi’s mind, and she quickly reined in her wandering thoughts, sitting next to Ning Yin.

She sighed softly, rubbing her slightly cool fingertips. “Did you hear what I said to my brother just now?”

Ning Yin looked at her, with a touch of ink flowing in his eyes, and casually said, “Which sentence? Returning to the mansion before dark or going home before dinner?”

Yu Lingxi choked for a moment, wrinkling her brows.

She had spoken so many sincere words, how could Ning Yin only hear the most useless one?

“That was a promise to reassure my brother. Think about it; even if I am with you, I cannot be at ease without my family’s blessing and approval.”

Yu Lingxi explained, “Besides, even for a legitimate couple in love, they cannot be together day and night before marriage, not to mention we haven’t…”

“Aren’t you my lover? Why care about these things?”

Ning Yin grabbed her fingertips with one hand, pulled them into his fox fur, pressed them close, and suddenly said, “The mansion given by the emperor is ready. I ordered someone to build a large secret room in the study.”

The topic changed abruptly, and Yu Lingxi, with her fingertips against his robust and warm chest, blinked in confusion.

“Hide Lingxi inside there, how about that?” Ning Yin rubbed her delicate hand with his fingertips, planning, “That way, no one will disturb us, and we can be together day and night.”

Not good at all.

Yu Lingxi hummed, “The secret room is too dark; I don’t like it. I prefer being with you outside, enjoying the scenery together.”

Ning Yin chuckled and reached out to pinch her cheek. Yu Lingxi knew that he was scaring her again, half in jest and half serious. There was nothing she could do about this ill-tempered man.

She leaned against Ning Yin, thinking of something very important.

“By the way, even though the Xue family is temporarily losing power, you must stay vigilant.”

Recalling the lessons from her past life, Yu Lingxi said seriously, “I’m afraid someone might secretly plot against you, do you hear me?”

Ning Yin looked down at her, remembering the mysterious lantern he had received earlier.

“Back then, you swore to marry into the Xue family. Now you’re showing concern for me again.”

He stroked her hair lazily and said, “Isn’t it a bit too late for this afterthought?”

This person!

Why was he bringing up old matters?

“If I hadn’t said those things back then, would you have let me go? Let me become your burden, hiding in a secret room, watching you suffer but powerless to help?”

Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but feel a lingering ache in her heart when she thought of everything Ning Yin had gone through at that time.

She withdrew her hand from his embrace and turned around, saying, “It’s never too late to care for the one you love.”

After expressing these thoughts, Yu Lingxi finally felt relieved. No arranged marriage, no need to endure silently. She could openly tell Ning Yin: You are the one I love.

There was silence behind her for a long time, so long that Yu Lingxi thought Ning Yin might not have heard. But then, a strong force embraced her, pulling her tightly into his arms.

Yu Lingxi’s back bumped against his robust chest, and her heart felt numb from the impact.

“It’s okay to be a little bad to me.”

Ning Yin’s warm breath brushed against her ear, his nose rubbing against her cheek. His hoarse voice murmured, “Don’t lie to me.”

Previous

Next