Chapter 77: Injured

Pa-pa— the wind outside grew fiercer and stronger, finally blowing open the half-closed redwood carved window lattice. A gust mixed with dust swept over my exposed skin, waves of pain.

My heart jolted; I was about to break free from Wei Lingfeng's embrace, but I only felt my vision blur, my wrist burning with pain, my body violently pulled back several steps, and I fell into Qi Ran's arms.

I glanced somewhat nervously at Qi Ran's gaze, calm to the point of almost cold, and a sudden panic rose in my heart for no reason.

"Qi... Qi Ran, I—"

Qi Ran's expression unchanged, he coldly regarded the smiling Wei Lingfeng and said lightly, "Let's go back and talk about it later."

Having said that, he didn't wait for my reply, gripping my waist with one hand, almost half-dragging me, he strode resolutely outward.

"Bing Yi—" At the moment the door was flung open forcefully, a calm voice from Wei Lingfeng came from behind, interspersed with the crackling of the window shutters hitting the frame: "Don't underestimate Fu Junmo. Once he sets his mind on obtaining something, even if it destroys him, he will stop at nothing to seize it. Especially you, be careful…"

Wei Lingfeng's voice faded from my ears, the scenery before me flew backward, the arm rigid and scorching around my waist threatened to snap me in half or melt me outright.

"Qi Ran! Qi Ran! Stop first and listen to me!"

"Qi Ran, can you tell me why you're angry?"

"I… cough… I really didn't know that person was Wei Lingfeng, not… this is irrelevant, anyway between him and me…" nothing…"

"Cough cough…" wind choked into my mouth, my chest ached fiercely, I couldn't breathe. The hand gripping my waist nearly broke me in two. I yanked his sleeve hard to make him stop: "Qi Ran, I feel awful! Cough cough… quick… please stop!"

Qi Ran's face, grim as he rushed forward, mirrored the sudden change in weather—he wouldn't even glance at me, only pressing on.

"Xiao Qiran!!" I summoned ten percent of my inner strength from my dantian; the long-unopened meridians felt as if they were exploding, pain making my whole body tremble, yet it gathered a burst of strength with which I shoved him away hard.

I staggered and fell to the ground, my chest feeling like an overturned pot of hot oil.

I gasped for air, pushed myself up from the ground, my eyes blurred with tears from pain or resentment as I glared at him, voice choking: "Young master, even if you sentence someone to death, at least let me die knowing why."

Qi Ran looked at my pallid face, my trembling body, his thin lips pressed tight; his complexion turned even paler than mine.

Breath circulated naturally within me; my meridians gradually adapted to this state, and aside from a faint ache in my chest, I slowly straightened my body.

"Qi Ran, there's nothing between me and Wei Lingfeng—believe it or not, it's up to you." I said calmly, then turned and walked ahead aimlessly.

Qi Ran… could you at least hear me out once? Just once!

Qi Ran… could you at least glance at me as I am now? Even just a glance!

"Your Majesty, is it really alright to let the imperial consort leave just like that?"

Wei Lingfeng glanced at Wen Ce, his habitual imperial smile appearing: "No matter, we'll see each other again soon anyway."

Having said that, his voice paused, he turned his head to the silent man: "If you want to follow her, go now."

"Your Majesty…" Wu Ye startled, lifted his gaze to the inscrutable emperor before him, unable to hide his surprise.

Wei Lingfeng smiled, his smile icy cold: "Let me make this clear, no matter your purpose—if she comes to any harm, I will make you repay a hundredfold."

Wu Ye's eyes widened sharply, shock and anger flashing in his gaze, he clenched the hands hanging at his sides, though no one could see his expression beneath his heavy iron mask.

The rain pattered intermittently, stopping and starting again, forming a stark contrast to the earlier violent gusts. The raindrops clung like tears to eyelashes, sticking to roadside grass and leaves, swaying but refusing to fall.

This road was never bustling to begin with, but now, due to the sudden chill and the unexpected wind and drizzle, the crowds were instantly washed away.

Yet in the middle of the road stood a person—a tall, slender youth with lightly floating hair. His whole body was wet, damp but not soaked. His black hair clung to his robe, now lifted by the wind, then drooping limp.

The youth possessed a face so handsome it was hard to stare at directly; even in such a sorry state, anyone who saw him could not bring themselves to defile him in their heart even a little.

Yet upon that face, perfect as a divine trace, lay a pair of ice-cold, bone-piercing blue eyes, gazing toward the direction where a figure had vanished an hour ago, as if seeing nothing at all.

Though his gaze was so icy and cruel, it made observers unable to overlook the loneliness and despair hidden behind it, inevitably stirring a sour ache and pity from the depths of their hearts.

The youth's body swayed; his pallid left hand clenched into a fist, pressed against his abdomen as he half-knelt, crouching down.

Before, I had never felt my stomach cramp. If it weren't for that person caring for me so gently…

Maybe… it's better to feel the pain…

On the youth's face appeared a faint, wretched bitter smile; he propped himself up with one hand, one knee on the ground.

She is no longer that girl whose whole body radiated light, visible only to herself.

She is no longer that girl whose eyes held nothing but herself, unable to even accommodate the lonely girl that is the world.

Time ticked by second by second; the bitter smile on her face gradually turned into a cold smirk.

That smile blooming at the corner of her lips seemed like a beast about to burst its threshold, ready to leap forth—

The cold smile stalled abruptly; he lifted his head, dazed, filled with a contradictory longing of hope and despair, gazing ahead. That slender, frail silhouette slowly entered his view.

From hesitating on and off, to the moment he saw himself kneeling on the ground, dazed, and fear, panic, and anguish gradually spilling from his eyes.

"Qi Ran—" she cried out in alarm, like a gust sweeping past, she rushed toward herself.

Only one feeling flowed in her heart—familiar, as if separated by a thousand years, called… warmth.

I sprinted to Qi Ran's side, knelt to support his icy body, trembling as I said: "Qi Ran, are you alright?"

I lifted my gaze to his ashen face, his clothes soaked through, dripping wet hair, and the hand clenched against his abdomen; my heart felt as if saws were dragging across it, over and over, pain bringing tears to my eyes unbidden.

"Are you an idiot?! Holding your stomach pain out in the rain for over an hour, just standing there…" Qi Ran's clenched hand slowly loosened, looped around my body to embrace my waist, while the other hand braced on the ground tightened then relaxed, gently stroking my rain-soaked hair.

Yet I seemed oblivious, my heart both vexed and pained; on one hand I massaged his stomach, sending warm qi through true energy, on the other I choked out: "If I weren't coming back, were you planning to stay in this rain until you passed out? You… uh—"

The hand that had lightly encircled my waist suddenly clenched tight, the back of my head also gripped firmly, leaving no room to retreat. His cool, moist lips crashed onto mine, the pain of teeth and lips clashing igniting a burning heat.

This kiss came fierce and fierce, laden with the punishing fury of devastation, as if to consume everything in desperate madness; his soft lips were ravaged, nearly torn, mingling with the viscous rain trickling down, swelling and aching.

"Ugh… Qi… let go… ugh—" I struggled with all my might, but unlike the former gentle, pitying kisses, unlike the former tender, handsome youth, the hands now gripping me were full of aggression, as if they wanted to tear me apart, split me open, and place me inside his own body.

Such Qi Ran filled me with panic, left me helpless. I wanted to push him away, but his grip only tightened; I tried to speak to stop him, yet he seized the moment to pry open my lips and teeth, his agile tongue thrusting deep, chasing my tongue's tip, invading every inch of my inner space.

His kiss was wild, uneasy, yet paradoxically infused with deep longing; then, because of my resistance, my refusal, it grew ever more frenzied and irritable, as if seeking to suck my entire soul into his body and fuse as one.

Though his kiss was overbearing, though he showed no mercy in his ravaging, my heart gradually turned sour and aching, then soft and tender. I slowly lowered the hands resisting his chest, gave up resistance, and my body grew pliant in his endless kisses and warm embrace.

Qi Ran, I am clearly by your side, I clearly said I wouldn't leave—why must you be so desperate?

I closed my eyes, enduring his storm‑like fierce kiss and emotion, unable to breathe; the tears I had held back for so long finally slid from my eyes, landing hot in my hands… heartache.

Even under this icy rain washing over us, between our lips and teeth, deep within my heart, a gradual warmth spread, exhaling faint wisps of the familiar valley fragrance.

I wrapped my arms around Qi Ran, holding him tight, my body leaning against his chest—icy in the rain yet solid and reassuring—wishing to stay like this for a lifetime…

Qi Ran panted, lightly pecking my crimson, pain‑numb lips over and over, gentle and careful, then suddenly he put his strength into it, pulling me tightly into his embrace.

"Bing Yi, let's get married." He whispered in a slightly hoarse voice beside my ear.

"Get... married?" My head was still filled with paste, dazed, not knowing past from present, only mechanically repeating, repeating, then suddenly startled—Eh? Get married?!

My head was buried in Qi Ran's embrace; my cold, damp hand slowly stroked the already empty chest.

—Bing Er, do you see it? This miraculous building. On the day you and Bing Ye get married, Father will hold two unprecedentedly grand weddings on this pavilion in the sky that is about to be completed.

—Father swore that he would definitely convey our happiness to our mother far away in heaven.

We can't go back anymore! Or perhaps it's just decided not to go back—either way it's the same.

I tilted my head and gave myself a hard punch to the temple; since it's already decided, there's no need to worry about gains and losses—at most it's just pointless worrying. But speaking of getting married…

I gulped nervously and stammered, "Can we talk about getting married half a year later?"

"Half a year?" Qi Ran questioned with extreme displeasure, his voice icy.

I gave a dry laugh twice, then used his arm to pull myself up.

"Oh—" I let out a low exclamation; Qi Ran hurriedly supported me, anxiously asking, "What's wrong?"

I braced both hands on him, lifted my slumped face, and said miserably, "My leg's numb." Changing the subject is urgent.

Qi Ran looked at me for a moment, then slowly rose to his feet; his slightly damp eyelashes twitched, his blue eyes glimmered faintly, and that smile—like the first glimpse of moonlight, soft and immersive, ethereally beautiful—made me unable to help but stare.

Suddenly my body felt light, my feet dangling in the air from his arm, and his warm, slightly warning voice came from beside my ear: "All right, as you said, we'll wait another half year."

"But..." Qi Ran, does this count as a proposal? It's too...

"No buts!" Qi Ran tightened his grip around me violently, interrupting my words angrily, "Besides the elder brother and Fu Junmo, who else have you provoked?"

"Huh?" I barely opened and closed my lips, shocked... This... doesn't count as me provoking, right? I don't want it either!

All right! I guiltily averted my gaze; although that wasn't my original intention, I still ought to bear some responsibility.

Qi Ran suddenly lowered his head and fiercely bit my lower lip; I couldn't help but cry out in pain, yet I heard his deep, hoarse voice mingling with the metallic taste of blood seeping into our lips and teeth, clinging to my mouth as he said angrily, "You made me miss a year of your memories for nothing; I haven't settled this score with you yet!"

"That Qi Ran... although I've never blamed you for anything, the people you've provoked aren't any fewer than mine!" I swallowed and continued fearlessly, "Besides, it seems there's also a guy..."

Qi Ran's steps halted abruptly; his handsome face flushed then paled, after a while he darkened his visage and gritted his teeth, spitting out: "Fine! Then we'll call it even!"

"Pfft—" I buried my head in his chest, unable to stop laughing.

Qi Ran held me, gazing ahead, murmuring softly, "Don't let me feel your wavering again... otherwise..."

"What did you say?" I asked, startled, but a fleeting gloom in his eyes made me jump.

After that, we remained silent all the way.

"Bing Yi..."

"Hmm?" I struggled to lift my heavy eyelids and replied vaguely.

Qi Ran must have circulated his internal energy, making his embrace warm and comforting; I just wanted to sleep.

"It's fine." He lifted his arm to let my head rest on his shoulder for more comfort, "Are you tired?"

"Ah..." I frowned slightly, eyes closed, muttering, "These past few days of our cold war, I haven't slept well at night—I'm seriously suffering from insomnia..." Don't you see I have dark circles?

Is it that we're too heartless, or life too passionate? The emotions we encounter in youth always mix with too much willfulness—like casually parting, hastily judging, or deliberately probing…

I closed my eyes and murmured, "I can't recall which book I read this in, but it's spoken very well."

The even footsteps grew slightly disordered, then a cool, warm kiss landed on my furrowed brow; all I heard was his soft voice: "Sleep peacefully."

"Mm." I leaned my head against his neck, inhaling the pleasant scent, "Qi Ran, let's stop arguing. The road ahead is so long and arduous; without you, I couldn't go on."

I too would retreat, give up, even regret. That would only make me feel base, shameless… pitiful.

"All right." As if a century of silence had passed, Qi Ran deepened the kiss on my brow and whispered his promise.

Blinding… I lifted my eyelids a little… uh, so bright!

My hazy consciousness twitched slightly; I furrowed my brows and propped up my still-tilted head, looking around.

This is… my room?

I looked outside at the beautiful sunshine, still in the east! The corner of my mouth twitched involuntarily; I fell silent for a moment—could it be that I slept straight through to the next morning?

My clothes are clean, hmm… probably Xin Hui helped me change them.

I got up, washed up on my own, then slowly took out a piece of clothing from the cabinet and put it on.

As my right hand slipped into the outer garment along its smooth texture, a blast of icy, familiar energy struck me; my motion froze abruptly, the air seemed to solidify in an instant, and my pupils dilated then constricted sharply.

A black shadow flickered before my eyes; the air instantly filled with a strong smell of blood and piercing cold. I stared at the black-clad, black-eyed Bu Sha silently gazing at me, and for some reason tears welled up in my heart.

He spread his wide palm before me and said coldly, "Hand this over to Qi."

I stared blankly downward and saw four holy stones—blue-white, red, black—stained with splotches of blood, quietly stacked in his somewhat bronzed, rough palm.

My hand was suddenly seized; a sticky, cold sensation, a deathly pale ashen face, and an ever-stronger bloody odor mixed with a bad premonition and intense fear slowly spread in my chest.

"Tell Qi…" He placed all four holy stones into my small palm; the icy touch made me tremble slightly, and the Xuanwu stone rolled over, fell to the ground, spinning away from us.

Bu Sha's body swayed slightly, as if trying to pick up that stone, but he instantly lost all strength and slowly slumped limp against the hand I was supporting him with.

"Bu Sha!!" I cried out in horror and clung tightly to him; the outer garment that had been half-draped over me was now pressed beneath him, impossible to pull free.

I placed my middle finger on his pulse; the chaotic, utterly disordered meridians and breath were like a raging sea, yet gradually ebbing. No beginning, no end, no root, no source. I can't! Really can't!

Why? Why, at such a crucial moment, can I bring forth nothing?

What good is the medicine I've learned?

"Don't cry." He said softly, lifting his hand slightly, then letting it fall limp.

Did I cry? I actually cried? But, it seems just because of this realization…

"Bu Sha, don't be afraid. I… I'll go find Qi Ran to come back and save you…" My tears poured out even more fiercely, without restraint.

"Tell Qi, go to the separate cave heaven…" Bu Sha drew a breath, clearly too weak to breathe, yet still spoke in his icy, indifferent tone, as always: "His mother, his true mother, is there…"

His hand covered mine, which couldn't stop trembling, and he slowly, gently revealed a smile, then closed his eyes.

"Bu Sha——!!!"

(End of chapter)