Haven’t I Told You? Even If I Leave, I’ll Take You With Me
Qu Sheng was already flustered by the soft, smooth body against hers. Listening to Lin Xizhao’s gentle words, Qu Sheng’s throat bobbed for a moment. Gazing at the desire held within Lin Xizhao’s eyes, she propped herself up on an elbow and lifted her chin.
Their lips touched for an instant, and Lin Xizhao received Qu Sheng’s permission.
Qu Sheng relaxed her body, and Lin Xizhao took the lead. The gentle touch of her fingertips slowly ignited Qu Sheng’s body like a spark, threatening to become a prairie fire.
Though Lin Xizhao had never been the one to initiate this kind of carnal love1, she had experienced it countless times and always managed to find the right places, allowing the person beneath her to slowly appreciate its mysteries.
But no matter how Lin Xizhao pleased her, Qu Sheng never made a sound. Only the trembling of her body gave Lin Xizhao some encouragement.
“Why are you holding back?” Lin Xizhao murmured, lying sideways against Qu Sheng. The suction of her lips and tongue made Qu Sheng arch slightly each time.
Qu Sheng had originally been completely focused, but when Lin Xizhao suddenly asked this, the tips of her ears instantly flushed red.
Seeing this, Lin Xizhao chuckled softly and sought out Qu Sheng’s warm lips, kissing her deeply once more.
At a time like this, she shouldn’t be as gentle as her words had just been. But she remembered that this was Qu Sheng’s first time, and she needed to let Qu Sheng’s body be fully prepared.
As she pulled away from Qu Sheng’s ear, Lin Xizhao’s soft voice said, “Tell me right away if you’re uncomfortable.”
Fighting the surging tide within her, Qu Sheng managed a sound that came out as a tremor. “Mm…”
Hearing Qu Sheng’s reply and seeing the shyness in her eyes, Lin Xizhao’s lips curled into a smile. She moved to place a light kiss on her lips before her kisses trailed down a path toward that much-desired place.
But after only a moment, Qu Sheng’s body began to tense and tremble.
Lin Xizhao emerged from under the thin quilt. Seeing the fine sweat beading on Qu Sheng’s brow, she found Qu Sheng’s face, averted in embarrassment for having lost control and reached her peak too quickly, and kissed her on the lips.
“Do you want to continue?”
She had felt Qu Sheng climax just now, but they hadn’t truly begun.
Qu Sheng’s eyes cleared of their hazy shyness. “Yes,” she said.
From the moment she brought Lin Xizhao back today, she had been planning for this. She, too, wanted to become Lin Xizhao’s woman.
At her words, the color of passion instantly returned to Lin Xizhao’s eyes, and her fingertips soon moved downward once more.
Tonight, she also wanted to experience the pleasure Qu Sheng had found in her.
The Marquis Qu’s Residence.
Late at night, Zhao Jiayu suddenly went to Qu Sheng’s courtyard and knocked on Xiao Bingying’s door.
Xiao Bingying was reading a medical text at that moment. When she heard the knock and opened the door, Zhao Jiayu glanced inside and said, “Ah Jie2, why don’t you sleep with me tonight?”
Hearing this, Xiao Bingying was stunned for a moment. She glanced back into her room and, instead of agreeing immediately, asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, I just want to sleep with you.” Zhao Jiayu’s eyes were fixed on Xiao Bingying’s reaction.
Xiao Bingying hesitated for a few moments before looking up at Zhao Jiayu. “Is Brother-in-law not at the residence?”
“He is,” Zhao Jiayu said, feigning nonchalance. “I’m just asking you to sleep with me, why are you asking east and asking west3? Have you forgotten about your little cousin now that you have a beauty by your side?” Zhao Jiayu deliberately lowered her voice for the last part.
Xiao Bingying froze for a second, flustered as if she’d been caught in the act.
Seeing her reaction, Zhao Jiayu grinned slyly. “If you won’t sleep at my place, then just come sit with me for a while.”
She had to figure out the relationship between Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi. To be precise, she wanted to confirm if the two of them were like Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng.
She had created a few opportunities for them before, and from the looks of it now, they had made some progress, but she still couldn’t be certain.
Since Zhao Jiayu had put it that way, Xiao Bingying couldn’t refuse. “Then wait for me a moment,” she said. She had to go back inside and tell Cheng Xi, who was already in bed.
“Who is it?” Cheng Xi asked, sitting up on the bed with a book.
Xiao Bingying looked up at the sound of her voice and walked closer. “It’s my cousin. She wants me to go over and chat with her for a bit.”
Cheng Xi studied Xiao Bingying’s face for a moment, then nodded after a short pause. “Mm, go ahead.”
Receiving her permission, Xiao Bingying smiled. “Then I’ll be going.”
“Wait a moment.” Cheng Xi put her book down. Her gaze on Xiao Bingying softened slightly. “Come here.”
Xiao Bingying was puzzled but approached nonetheless.
When Cheng Xi’s cool lips pressed against her cheek, Xiao Bingying’s eyes lit up.
“Come back soon.” Cheng Xi released the hand that had been steadying Xiao Bingying.
Xiao Bingying looked down at the person on the bed. At that moment, she didn’t want to go anymore.
“Hm? Not going?” Cheng Xi asked deliberately, seeing Xiao Bingying standing there in a daze.
She could see why Xiao Bingying didn’t want to leave—because her eyes were filled with the sight of her.
Xiao Bingying’s lips twitched. After a moment, she said reluctantly, “I’m going now.”
As Xiao Bingying turned to leave, Cheng Xi watched her back, finding it a little amusing. Xiao Bingying’s thoughts were very delicate, but when it came to their relationship, she was quite direct.
If she liked someone, she liked them, without any attempt to hide it. But this also meant others could see it. Zhao Jiayu’s visit tonight was probably to ask about their relationship.
Cheng Xi thought for a moment, then picked up her book again.
Xiao Bingying closed the door and went with Zhao Jiayu to Qu Yu’s courtyard.
“Did you and Brother-in-law have a fight?” Xiao Bingying asked as they walked through the courtyard.
“No, we’re fine. Don’t make wild guesses.” Since their wedding, she and Qu Yu might not be like glue and lacquer4, but they had never once reddened their faces in argument5.
Qu Yu treated her impeccably. In marrying him, she had truly picked up a treasure6.
The two went inside and sat down. As Zhao Jiayu poured tea for Xiao Bingying, she sized her up and asked, “Ah Jie, what do you think of Cheng Xi as a person?”
Xiao Bingying took the tea from Zhao Jiayu and looked up at her, her eyes growing cautious. She asked with a smile, “Why the sudden question about Cheng Xi?”
“I’m just asking. Tell me what you think of her.” Zhao Jiayu put down the teapot, moved closer to Xiao Bingying, and looked at her with wide, expectant eyes.
Hiding her nervousness, Xiao Bingying lifted her teacup and took another sip, trying to figure out how to answer Zhao Jiayu’s question.
“I was thinking of asking my mother to arrange a marriage for her. What do you think?”
At those words, the teacup in Xiao Bingying’s hand trembled, scalding her lip. She hissed, her head snapping toward Zhao Jiayu.
“Why are you so anxious? I was just saying,” Zhao Jiayu said, her certainty growing as she watched Xiao Bingying’s tense expression.
“Cheng Xi was a tribute7 presented to our court by the ruler of the Haichao Kingdom… a gift from His Majesty. How can she be married off so casually?” Xiao Bingying said unnaturally.
Zhao Jiayu pouted. “So what? I’ll just have Eldest Paternal Uncle go ask for her. Once she’s in our Marquis Qu’s Residence, marrying her off will be as simple as saying the word.”
Xiao Bingying’s expression froze, and a pang shot through her heart. She looked at Zhao Jiayu, her eyes reflecting the fear in the depths of her soul.
“We can’t just let her suffer in the Xiao Residence for the rest of her life,” Zhao Jiayu added deliberately.
Hearing this, Xiao Bingying fell completely silent. She lowered her gaze, her brows knitting together.
“Ah Jie, what’s wrong?” Zhao Jiayu was startled by her reaction. “Why do you look so pale?”
“Oh, don’t be like that! I won’t let Ah Yu take Cheng Xi away from you,” Zhao Jiayu said, now anxious herself. She had never seen Xiao Bingying with such a lonely and soul-lost8 expression.
Xiao Bingying quickly looked up at Zhao Jiayu, her eyes filled with confusion.
“I was just talking nonsense. I just wanted to ask about you and Cheng Xi… if you two… are like this.” As she spoke, Zhao Jiayu held up her two thumbs and bent them toward each other.
Seeing Zhao Jiayu’s placating smile, which revealed a few of her big white teeth, Xiao Bingying’s furrowed brow relaxed, and her expression shifted to one of embarrassment.
Zhao Jiayu had guessed everything.
“I… I’m with her,” Xiao Bingying said, lowering her head, unable to look at Zhao Jiayu.
Zhao Jiayu’s smile widened into a conspiratorial grin. “I knew it! When did you two get together? Confess truthfully!”
With Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng as a precedent, Zhao Jiayu was no longer surprised by such things.
When Xiao Bingying returned from Zhao Jiayu’s, she immediately went to find Cheng Xi. Seeing that Cheng Xi was lying down but not yet asleep, she walked over and nestled her head in her embrace.
“What’s wrong?” Cheng Xi asked softly, putting an arm around Xiao Bingying.
Xiao Bingying looked up. Though there were no tears, the look of loss and helplessness in her eyes made Cheng Xi’s heart ache.
Cheng Xi sat up and pulled Xiao Bingying into her arms. “Did your cousin say something to you?” she asked in a low voice. Why did she come back like this after being perfectly fine?
Xiao Bingying shook her head gently. Looking at the worry in Cheng Xi’s eyes, she said, “No, I’m just… I’m just afraid of losing you.” She had almost lost her once before; this time, she was truly terrified.
They hadn’t been together for very long, but it felt as if it were carved in bone and engraved in heart9. She sometimes felt she must be possessed10, unable to control her feelings for Cheng Xi, which were like a torrential river flowing east to the sea, impossible to hold back.
Cheng Xi looked at Xiao Bingying’s expression, seemingly puzzled. After a moment, she smiled. “Letting your imagination run wild again?”
Seeing Cheng Xi’s smile, so beautiful it felt unreal, Xiao Bingying felt that the better Cheng Xi was, the more she worried about getting and losing her11.
Though Zhao Jiayu’s words today had been a joke, she knew it wasn’t an impossible scenario.
“Xi’er, please don’t leave me, alright?” Xiao Bingying sounded utterly humbled, her voice nearly a whisper.
Cheng Xi now realized that Xiao Bingying must have heard something she shouldn’t have. Seeing her like this, her heart ached terribly. She reached out, cupped Xiao Bingying’s cheeks, and said with gentle eyes, “Haven’t I told you? Even if I leave, I’ll take you with me.”
Cheng Xi didn’t say she would definitely stay. Staying in the Xiao Residence was not a long-term solution, after all. Now that her brother had been rescued, she no longer had any leverage held in others’ hands.
The Xiao Residence was large, but it couldn’t confine her. The only reason she had returned was for Xiao Bingying, to protect her from punishment from the Xiao family and the court.
“Xi’er…”
Xiao Bingying’s soft call was filled with deep affection.
It was unclear who made the first move, but in an instant, they were kissing.
In the midst of their kiss, Xiao Bingying slowly climbed onto the bed, pressing Cheng Xi, who had been sitting up, down beneath her.
As their clothes were tossed one by one to the floor, Cheng Xi stopped her. Panting slightly, a hint of slyness appeared in her eyes. “Are you trying to play rogue12? Tonight, you’re mine.”
They had made an agreement for tonight.
Xiao Bingying had just begun to smile when she was pinned down by the person beneath her.
“Enjoy yourself.”
Cheng Xi’s explicit words made Xiao Bingying immediately lower her eyes in shyness.
A soft chuckle escaped Cheng Xi’s nose, making Xiao Bingying unable to resist looking up. At that exact moment, Cheng Xi kissed her again, steady and swift.
Cheng Xi’s kiss was even more feverish than Xiao Bingying’s.
The next day, after Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng finished their morning meal at the Lin Residence, they returned to the Marquis Qu’s Residence. When their eyes met, a faint trace of shyness could be seen in Qu Sheng’s expression, while Lin Xizhao was poised and natural13, her love for Qu Sheng having deepened.
They first went to pay their respects to Jin Yunfei. Jin Yunfei had someone pour them tea and said with a smile, “Your Maternal Uncle will be staying for a few days, and your Aunt will be arriving soon. When she does, you two can accompany them around the capital.”
“Mother, did you ask why Aunt is suddenly coming?” Qu Sheng asked, placing her teacup on a small side table.
Jin Yunfei replied, “She said she wanted your Aunt to come see the capital. She’s lived in Lingyi for so long and hasn’t had many chances to visit, so it’s good for her to come have a look.”
Qu Sheng let out a derisive snort. “Maternal Uncle didn’t tell you that he went to the Lin family to propose marriage?”
The look of shock on Jin Yunfei’s face made it clear she didn’t know.
Lin Xizhao’s expression mirrored Jin Yunfei’s; she, too, found it hard to believe the Jin family hadn’t told Jin Yunfei about this.
Qu Sheng said no more. She and Lin Xizhao sat for a while longer before leaving.
During the midday meal, Qu Sheng didn’t bring Lin Xizhao over. Instead, Zhao Jiayu pulled Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi to her quarters, where they had another round of drinks.
Zhao Jiayu couldn’t drink, but she was happy just watching everyone else drink while she had flower tea.
Zhao Jiayu was someone who couldn’t hide matters, and she was now well aware of the relationship between Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi.
Zhao Jiayu raised her teacup. “Come, let’s celebrate that we’ve all found our place to belong.”
The other four all looked at Zhao Jiayu, stunned for a moment. Seeing Zhao Jiayu’s excitement, Cheng Xi suddenly realized that when Zhao Jiayu had called Xiao Bingying over last night, it was to ask about their relationship.
Fine by me, she thought. She had never cared about others’ opinions. Now that it was known, they wouldn’t have to hide it anymore.
Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao didn’t have much of a reaction, but Xiao Bingying gave an awkward smile and raised her wine cup with the others.
“The day before yesterday, I heard Ah Yu say that Maternal Uncle should be arriving in the capital tomorrow. Will you two be going back?” Zhao Jiayu asked after taking a bite of food.
Zhao Jiayu certainly didn’t want them to go back, but Qu Yu had said that Qu Sheng had arranged for them to return first. Only by going back first could they properly make their request to have Cheng Xi brought over.
Otherwise, if Cheng Xi remained at the Marquis Qu’s Residence while Qu Jinian went to ask for her, it might make Xiao Tong think them tyrannical and unreasonable. But that was secondary; the main concern was that Xiao Tong might think they were trying to steal someone away and, in his anger, refuse without consideration.
Given the relationship between Xiao Bingying and Zhao Jiayu, the Qu family wouldn’t do anything to Xiao Tong.
“When the time comes, you two should go back first. In a few days, I’ll have Father pay a visit to ask for her,” Qu Sheng instructed.
She had already discussed this with Xiao Bingying and the others. They would have to endure a few days of hardship by going back first, but it wouldn’t be for long. She was confident she could get Cheng Xi transferred over. If that didn’t work, she would think of another way.
Xiao Bingying put down her wine cup and nodded. “Alright.”
She had been wondering how to protect Cheng Xi. She was confident she could handle Xiao Yaocai and Madam Xiao, but if Xiao Tong returned and Xiao Yaocai added oil and vinegar14 to his stories, she would probably have a hard time protecting Cheng Xi, even if it meant disobeying her own father.
But no matter what, she would protect Cheng Xi and keep her safe.
Cheng Xi glanced at Xiao Bingying, a slight curve to her lips, silently telling her not to be too nervous. She could protect herself.
After the midday meal, Qu Sheng had a carriage prepared and sent Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi back to the Xiao Residence. Zhao Jiayu went along with them.
The moment Xiao Bingying stepped out of the carriage, a servant at the gate hurried into the courtyard to announce them.
“So you know how to come back. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’d died outside,” Madam Xiao said the moment she came out, her tone full of that yin-yang strange air15.
Zhao Jiayu, who had remained in the carriage, heard this, lifted the curtain, and retorted, “Aunt, why must your words be so unpleasant? Uncle holds an important position now. If word got out that his wife curses her own child, wouldn’t it make people laugh?”
Zhao Jiayu’s words, spoken with clever teeth and a sharp tongue16, left Madam Xiao speechless, as if she’d eaten bitter coptis root17.
After Zhao Jiayu finished speaking, the others in the carriage exchanged glances. Qu Sheng pushed open the front door of the carriage and helped Lin Xizhao down. Xiao Bingying quickly went over to help Zhao Jiayu and Cheng Xi down as well.
Madam Xiao had thought only Xiao Bingying was returning, but several others had come, and Cheng Xi was back too.
“Sheng’er has been unwell recently, so Adoptive Father asked Bingying and Cheng Xi to stay at our residence for a few days. We’ve made you worry, and for that, Xizhao offers you her apologies,” Lin Xizhao said, her words soft. Now was not the time to stir up conflict. Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi still had to stay in the residence for a few days, and even if Cheng Xi was eventually taken away, Xiao Bingying would still have to return to the Xiao Residence.
Zhao Jiayu felt good after her retort, but Madam Xiao’s displeasure would be taken out on Xiao Bingying.
Seeing them all alight and hearing Lin Xizhao’s more pleasant words, Madam Xiao forced a smile. “Oh, what are you saying? It’s a blessing Bingying is valued by Marquis Qu.”
She knew very well that if it weren’t for Xiao Bingying, Xiao Tong’s official path18 wouldn’t be so smooth. But she just couldn’t stand Xiao Bingying. From the day Xiao Bingying entered the residence, she had looked down on her.
For so many years, Xiao Bingying wouldn’t hit back when hit, nor talk back when scolded19. She was used to bullying her and would only restrain herself when others were present.
Qu Sheng glanced up at Madam Xiao, her expression neutral.
“Mother, let’s invite Xizhao and the others inside to sit,” Xiao Bingying said in a low voice.
When she had returned just now, she hadn’t even been allowed to enter the house because Madam Xiao had someone block her way.
“You don’t need to tell me what to do,” Madam Xiao snapped, shooting Xiao Bingying a glare before turning to warmly welcome Lin Xizhao and the others inside.
The group entered the residence, and the Qu family’s maidservants brought in the clothes Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying had worn during their stay.
“Aunt, you can go attend to your business. We girls have things to talk about, so it’s not convenient for you to be here,” Zhao Jiayu said bluntly to Madam Xiao, who had been following them, her belly prominent.
Madam Xiao was about to flare up when Lin Xizhao smiled. “Aunt must be very busy taking care of such a large residence all by herself. We juniors can just sit wherever. There’s no need to entertain us.”
Lin Xizhao had given Madam Xiao a way to save face.
Madam Xiao squeezed out a smile. “Alright, alright. Then I won’t disturb you young ladies’ conversation.”
Lin Xizhao nodded, but Madam Xiao’s gaze shifted to Cheng Xi. “You, come with me.”
Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu quickly turned to block Madam Xiao from touching Cheng Xi. “Aunt, what are you doing?” she said irritably. “At the very least, Cheng Xi is our little Sheng’er’s savior. How can you ask our benefactor to leave the moment she arrives at your residence? There’s no sense in that.”
Madam Xiao blinked her resentful eyes. “Her? She can’t carry anything on her shoulders or lift anything with her hands. Besides knowing how to please men, what other skills could she possibly have?”
“You—” Zhao Jiayu was so angry her neck stiffened, ready to argue with her, but Xiao Bingying pulled her back. “Mother, Cheng Xi remembered a prescription from her hometown. That day Sheng-meimei was unconscious in bed, it was her prescription that saved her.”
For now, the fact that Cheng Xi knew medicine could not be revealed to outsiders.
Madam Xiao looked sideways at the perfectly fine Qu Sheng standing beside her, then at Cheng Xi.
“That’s right, Aunt,” Lin Xizhao added. “Sheng’er was indeed woken up by a prescription Cheng Xi remembered.”
If not for Cheng Xi that day, Qu Sheng might not have woken up.
Only after hearing Lin Xizhao’s words did Madam Xiao finally relent. She glanced askance at Xiao Bingying and said, “Then I won’t disturb you. Bingying, be sure to entertain our honored guests properly.”
“Yes, Mother,” Xiao Bingying replied, bowing her head obediently.
Having asked for a snub20, Madam Xiao walked away, her steps quickening with anger.
The group watched her leave and exchanged glances. “Let’s go inside first,” Xiao Bingying said.
Once they were in the room, a maidservant from the Marquis Qu’s Residence asked, “Miss Bingying, should we put Miss Cheng Xi’s luggage here as well?”
“Put it here,” Zhao Jiayu answered, glancing at Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi. Those two were like glue and lacquer; they certainly wouldn’t want to be separated.
“It’s better to put it in my courtyard,” Cheng Xi said. She had a small courtyard, but she had been away for so long, she didn’t know if it was still kept for her.
“Xi’er…” Xiao Bingying didn’t want her to move there.
Cheng Xi looked up at Xiao Bingying, a slight smile on her lips. “It’s alright.”
Seeing the servant’s predicament, Cheng Xi said, “Just leave it here for now. I’ll take it over myself later.”
She had to go back eventually. Staying here would arouse suspicion.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew heavy. It was a long while before Xiao Bingying invited everyone to sit down.
Qu Sheng and the others stayed for a long time. Xiao Bingying took Cheng Xi to her courtyard and saw that the room was covered in dust. She grabbed Cheng Xi and pulled her back out. “Just stay at my place for today. We’ll talk about it after it’s been cleaned tomorrow.”
Xiao Bingying’s room was still being cleaned by servants, but Cheng Xi’s already simple room was now covered in cobwebs.
Cheng Xi was helpless and could only let Xiao Bingying pull her back. When Qu Sheng and the others saw Xiao Bingying return with Cheng Xi’s luggage, they didn’t say anything.
To prevent Madam Xiao from coming to find fault21 again, they stayed for the evening meal and only left after nightfall.
Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao first dropped Zhao Jiayu off at the Marquis Qu’s Residence. On their way to the Lin Residence, they took a detour to a small residence.
“Here, this is triple your silver,” Jin Mingyi said, placing a stack of silver notes22 on the table in front of Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng looked up at Jin Mingyi, unsurprised. She picked up the silver notes and counted them casually. “You earned the money back this quickly?”
“Hmph, you should take a look at who your Biaojie23 is.” Jin Mingyi’s tail was about to curl up to the heavens.
She hadn’t expected Zhu Ming’an24 to earn her such a large sum in just a few days.
Qu Sheng sized up Jin Mingyi, then glanced at Zhu Ming’an standing not far from her. “How did you earn this silver?”
Although her Qu family was a dominant power in Shoulin, they had never engaged in any black business25 that would harm heaven and reason26. Qu Sheng believed Zhu Ming’an could earn this money, but to do so in just a few days was a bit of an exaggeration.
“J-j-j-jade stones,” Zhu Ming’an stammered in reply.
“You’re gambling on jade stones27?” Qu Sheng’s brows furrowed. So many people had overturned their families and lost all their property gambling on jade stones, and they actually dared to do it.
“What’s wrong, is it not allowed?” Jin Mingyi was clearly not very familiar with these things. She shifted her body, blocking Qu Sheng’s view of Zhu Ming’an.
The author has something to say:
Zhao Jiayu: “I really like monogamy. I want a wife, too.”
Qu Yu: “…”
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