Chapter 83: The Dream Before

Exiting the Tang Mansion, the slanting sun cast its warm glow.

Ning Yin’s spacious and luxurious carriage was parked at the main gate, while the carriage from the Yu Mansion was squeezed against the wall, making it difficult to move.

Yu Lingxi glanced sideways, suspecting that Ning Yin did it on purpose.

Indeed, Ning Yin did it intentionally.

Standing in front of the Wang Mansion’s carriage, he raised his arm towards Yu Lingxi, with a subtle hint in the lift of his eyelids. Yu Lingxi glanced at Qingxiao, who was still trying to get the carriage from the Yu Mansion out, and after some thought, she changed her mind.

She gave a few orders to Qingxiao, then casually held the fingers that Ning Yin raised slightly, bending her eyes and smiling, “The weather is fine today, let’s go out for a walk.”

On the painted bridge, there were many literati and poets enjoying the scenery, drinking and singing.

Covered in light gauze, Yu Lingxi went directly to the top floor pavilion, while Ning Yin followed leisurely, his gaze falling on her slender waist as her ink-black hair swayed.

He raised his hand and grabbed, then pulled.

Yu Lingxi noticed and turned around, catching Ning Yin in the act, chuckling, “You’re becoming more childish.”

Ning Yin blinked very slowly, and right in front of her, he tucked that strand of soft black hair between his lips, giving it a nibble.

Yu Lingxi exclaimed, although she had washed her hair last night, she still reminded him in a low voice, “Dirty.”

“Fragrant.”

Ning Yin pinched again before reluctantly letting go of that pitiful strand of hair, opting to lightly pinch the back of Yu Lingxi’s neck instead, “Nowhere is dirty of Lingxi.”

Yu Lingxi glanced at the guards outside the door, helpless against his often mischievous nature. Perhaps it wasn’t that she couldn’t do anything about it, but rather a willful indulgence of her heart.

The attic was narrow and breezy, with only a desk. The attendants presented fruits, pastries, and drinks, then bowed and exited, closing the door.

“Returning to the old place, is it to relive the past?”

Ning Yin, with a faint smile in his eyes, held a tangerine in his strong and fair fingers, turning it slowly.

Yu Lingxi recalled the kiss on the attic during the Qiqiao Festival.

“Reliving the past is also a kind of pleasure, isn’t it?”

Sitting in front of him, Yu Lingxi took off her veil and smiled, “Talking about love, if others can enjoy it, my family’s Wei Qi should also experience it.”

Suddenly, she froze, realizing that she unconsciously used Ning Yin’s title from when he was in the Yu Mansion. 

Ning Yin, who raised his eyes slightly, smiled and said, “Come here, Miss.”

Upon hearing the words “Miss,” Yu Lingxi’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

Especially when the lunatic was dressed in a luxurious purple robe, gently calling her “Miss.”

She stood up, smiling, and sat next to Ning Yin, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Ning Yin raised his hand and loosely circled her in his arms. He turned the tangerine in his hand, slowly peeling it with his long, cold, and white fingers, each movement incredibly elegant.

“Open your mouth.” His lower jaw pressed against the top of her head, giving a little nudge.

Yu Lingxi smiled, opening her lips, and he fed the piece of fruit into her mouth. His index and middle fingers lingered on her lips, reluctant to leave.

“Miss’s mouth is soft and sweet, both beautiful and delicious.”

Ning Yin’s deep voice resonated from above, his chest slightly vibrating against her back as he spoke, stirring her heartstrings.

“Miss.”

He fed another slice of orange into Yu Lingxi’s ear, his lips moved lower, and he chuckled near her ear, “Calling you like this, do you like it? Miss?”

His breath tickled Yu Lingxi’s ear, making her tilt her head, her earlobes turning a faint red.

She couldn’t deny that a hint of forbidden excitement arose within her, reminiscent of the brief and confused intimacy when she served as the master’s servant in the Yu Mansion.

Yu Lingxi also took a segment of orange and stuffed it into Ning Yin’s unrelenting mouth.

“Like it.”

Turning her head, Yu Lingxi looked at the profile of Ning Yin, swallowed the sweet and sour juice in her mouth, and smiled, “Even if you don’t say a word, just sitting beside you makes me happy.”

Ning Yin, squinting, bit into the orange, making a low sound, “Miss indulging in sweets today?”

“At the Tang Mansion, you punished the bad guys for me and Ah Buli. I was actually very happy.”

Because in the distant past, Ning Yin’s killings were just unpredictable outbursts. In this life, despite his madness, he still had some principles. These principles were called “Yu Lingxi.”

Ning Yin knew she had more to say, so he silently listened.

Reflecting the sunset glow in her eyes, Yu Lingxi spoke softly, “But bothering you with such trivial matters, although it brings me joy, I also feel a bit guilty.”

Ning Yin, extremely clever, understood the deeper meaning beneath her flattery.

He lightly said, “Miss feels that I’m meddling too much?”

“How could it be?”

Leaning against his chest, Yu Lingxi contemplated for a moment, then spoke softly, “I once had a dream. In the dream, you were even more powerful and noble than you are now. You eliminated all obstacles with thunderous means, standing at the pinnacle of power. But because of that, you made countless enemies…”

This was the first time Yu Lingxi mentioned their past life in front of Ning Yin. Although many loves and hatreds had faded, recalling them still brought a faint sense of melancholy.

“… I dreamt that I died because of it, leaving you alone in the world.”

Yu Lingxi held Ning Yin’s hand, feeling the slightly raised tendons, and smiled, “So, I’m a bit afraid. Afraid that you’ll accumulate too much resentment, living a lonely life as a solitary figure.”

Her smile was gentle, but Ning Yin heard a subtle sadness in her voice.

“Just because of a dream?”

Ning Yin used his finger to lift Yu Lingxi’s chin, making her look into his eyes. “You won’t die.”

“I mean, what if…”

“There’s no ‘what if.’”

Ning Yin pressed his thumb against her lips, his ink-black eyes using a tough and stubborn demeanor to conceal the fleeting pain in his heart.

He didn’t know where the momentary panic came from.

“Wang, the official from the Ministry of Works, has done something wrong and must die.”

Ning Yin caressed the corner of Yu Lingxi’s lips, rarely explaining a bit more, “Not entirely for Miss.”

“Really?”

Yu Lingxi breathed a sigh of relief, then wrapped her arms around his waist, outlined by the jade belt, “Be careful nonetheless. Don’t always treat yourself as a target. I worry…”

The last few words were barely audible.

Ning Yin’s lips curled slightly, lightly saying, “Still hurts?”

Yu Lingxi nodded, “As long as you’re fine, I naturally won’t feel pain…”

“I mean, below.” Ning Yin interrupted her, his long fingers lingering along her slender waistband, hesitating.

Her waist was so slim that he could pinch it with both hands, leaving behind a fingerprint.

Ning Yin’s dark eyes dimmed, and he chuckled mysteriously.

That woman was right; there must be the blood of a wild beast flowing in him. Otherwise, why would he feel insanely fascinated by those bright marks on the pure white skin?

Yu Lingxi realized it, and warmth rushed to her cheeks.

“No.”

She seldom felt awkward, pursing her lips and whispering softly, “It’s bleeding.”

Ning Yin’s fingertips paused, the amusement in his smile diminishing slightly, “Let me see.”

“Not that kind of bleeding, it’s…”

Yu Lingxi didn’t know how to explain, so she simply lowered Ning Yin’s neckline, whispered a few words in his ear, and then turned her face away, not looking at him, like a bird hiding its face in its wings.

Ning Yin’s eyelashes flickered, then he chuckled softly.

Back in the hedonistic capital, he vaguely heard about menstrual bleedingr; those flower girls couldn’t serve clients during those few days each month.

Yu Lingxi was annoyed, “What’s so funny? I was uncomfortable yesterday.”

Ning Yin lowered his head, and his straight nose followed her scent downward, rubbing against her.

Yu Lingxi’s abdomen tightened, wanting to push his head away but was caught by him.

Then, a warm sensation on her lips, with intertwined breaths, Ning Yin’s soft and hoarse voice came, “I can only kiss the sweet mouth above.”

His words were brazen, but the palm rubbing slowly in Yu Lingxi’s abdomen was incredibly gentle.

…

At the night hour, the streets were quiet, and the night was as deep as water.

After receiving Qingxiao’s report, Yu Yuan had no mood to enjoy the evening meal. He stood in front of the Yu Mansion for a long time, unmoved by any persuasion.

After an hour, a luxurious and unfamiliar carriage slowly approached.

The carriage stopped in front of the Yu Mansion gate, and after a moment, a servant lifted the curtain, revealing a figure seated inside.

Prince Ning and the peacefully sleeping Yu Lingxi in his arms…

Inside the carriage, the dim yellow light of the gauze lanterns concealed Ning Yin’s handsome and profound features in the shadows. With one hand supporting his temple and the other embracing the rosy-faced Yu Lingxi, he tightened the fox fur draped over her, then raised his eyes to look at the saluting Yu Yuan.

He whispered, “I, as the Prince, am taking my fiance home. General Yu, any objections?”

It should have been a question, but there was no hint of inquiry.

Yu Yuan understood that Prince Ning’s public support for Yu Lingxi at the Tang Mansion today, and his deliberate visit to the Yu Mansion, were all declarations of his authority.

He was pressuring the Yu family to make a decision.

“Yu Lingxi is only sixteen years old, Your Highness…”

“General Yu, I did not come here to seek your opinion.”

Ning Yin calmly interrupted Yu Yuan’s words, “I am a person of a cold and indifferent nature. The Yu Mansion is just a shell I was residing in; no one would feel indebted to a shell. I want to marry Lingxi, and there are a thousand ways to achieve that. However, because General Yu is Lingxi’s father, I am willing to be a bit more patient.”

General Yu’s gaze was distant as he looked at the daughter sleeping unknowingly in Ning Yin’s arms. He spoke with a deep voice, “Lingxi was raised in my hands. Your Highness, the path you are about to take is full of thorns and a sea of killings. I fear it will shorten Lingxi’s life.”

“General, you can rest assured. When my life is shortened, it will be her turn.”

Ning Yin’s lips lifted slightly, “These days, General Yu might as well discuss with your lady which day of next month is suitable for a grand celebration.”

After saying this, he tapped his knuckles, the carriage curtain was lowered again, and the carriage moved on.

Yu Yuan’s cheekbones twitched, subconsciously wanting to chase after.

“Husband.”

Lady Yu didn’t know how long she had been standing behind the door, her gaze gently watching him. Everything was understood without words.

Yu Yuan’s hand, which was undoing the reins, eventually slowly let go.

“Father, I’ll go talk to Prince Ning.”

Yu Huanchen, who had walked out from behind the door, took the reins from Yu Yuan, “In the future, I will also protect Lingxi.”

Yu Yuan sighed, releasing the reins.

Hearing the sound of Yu Huanchen’s approaching horse hooves, Ning Yin frowned.

“Your Highness, please wait.”

Yu Huanchen reined in his horse, the movement a bit louder, disturbing the soundly sleeping Yu Lingxi.

She moved slightly, and Ning Yin immediately pressed her into his arms, covering her ears with one hand and lightly stroking her back with the other.

Only when Yu Lingxi fell asleep again did he coldly raise his eyes and look at Yu Huanchen. Until Yu Lingxi fell asleep again, he coldly raised his eyes and glanced at Yu Huan.

Through the carriage curtain, Yu Huanchen saw Ning Yin’s hand gently stroking his sister’s back. He respectfully said, “I have a few words, once said, I’ll leave.”

After organizing his words, Yu Huan continued, “When the Crown Prince was deposed and the palace was in chaos, the reason I turned a blind eye to control the rebels outside the palace, buying time for the Prince to clean up internal dissent, was not because I strongly supported the Prince. It was because of a foolish girl who performed a grand ceremony, begging me, begging her elder brother… to help Seventh Prince as much as possible.”

At these words, a faint light passed through Ning Yin’s eyes.

Yu Huan glanced inside the carriage, then dismounted his horse.

The tall and upright young general in a white robe knelt on one knee in front of the person inside the carriage, sincerely saying, “Regardless of what the Prince is seeking, please, Your Highness, make sure to protect Yu Lingxi.”

He came just to say these two sentences. 

After Yu Huan left, the carriage remained standing in the same place for a long time. Without Ning Yin’s orders, the attendants dared not move the carriage. Ning Yin gently stroked Yu Lingxi’s hair.

On the carriage, the dream she softly recounted passed like ripples, leaving no trace of disturbance.

As long as he is strong enough, no one can harm Yu Lingxi. Ning Yin smiled tenderly. That dream could only be a nightmare.

Yu Lingxi woke up in a daze, her eyes meeting Ning Yin’s dark gaze.

She blinked, then sleepily asked, “Where are we going?”

“To the mansion.” Ning Yin raised his knuckles, and the carriage continued on its way.

“Why are we going to the mansion?” Yu Lingxi sat up, letting the fox fur slip down her shoulders. The corner of her eyes flirted with a post-sleep charm. “My parents will worry.”

“They won’t.” The yellow light of the gauze lanterns enveloped Ning Yin’s voice, with a hint of tenderness, “I’ll take you to see the seal.”

“The seal?” Yu Lingxi vaguely remembered that it was mentioned yesterday. Was it already carved so quickly?

Late at night, the music and dancing were lively in the entertainment district.

Xue Song familiarly ascended to the second-floor loft, knocked on the door six times, and cautiously entered the room as it opened.

“Master.”

Xue Song bowed to the figure behind the screen, and said in a deep voice, “Prince Ning ordered Wang Sili to be buried with the old lady, and… he’s gone.”

Hearing this, the person behind the screen put down the wooden knife and clay figures in hand, letting out a long sigh.

“The family property of the Tang Mansion must be seized.”

The figure behind the screen moved slightly, pouring out wine and water into the air, paying homage, “For that matter, silver is indispensable.”

“I will figure out a way again,” Xue Song said.

Just as he finished speaking, he heard a very light sound outside the door.

“Who!?”

Xue Song, alert, opened the door slightly.

The dagger stopped just in time, and Xue Song frowned, solemnly saying, “Why are you here?”

“This question should be asked to my brother.”

The dagger was held at his neck, and Xue Cen’s Adam’s apple rolled. He spoke with difficulty.

On the table were scattered clay figurines that were not put away in time, and the figure behind the screen had disappeared.

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