Chapter 14: Do You Want It Without Pain?
“Do you really like that Mo Shichang that much? It seems you’re blind too.”
“Ling Zhao.”
She suddenly whispered his name softly.
His brow twitched, and the hand holding hers trembled slightly. He held his breath, lowered his gaze, and carefully studied her. Luckily, her sleeping face was exceptionally peaceful.
“Ling Zhao.”
He leaned closer to her ear and softened his voice: “I’m here.”
She furrowed her brows and murmured softly, “Annoying.”
He took a deep breath, his teeth clenched faintly. “You little heartless one, cursing me even in your sleep. You deserve to catch a cold standing in the cold wind! At least you don’t have to go to that dreadful birthday banquet!”
Passing through the long corridor and the hanging flower door, he didn’t pause but carried Xiao Ming straight into the bedchamber.
At that moment, Qing Zhu was dozing with her head bowed.
Hearing the heavy footsteps approach, Qing Zhu immediately woke up. When she opened her eyes sharply and saw Ling Zhao’s sharp features, the color drained completely from her face.
He laid her gently on the bed, tucked the quilt around her, then glanced up to look once more at the face etched deep in his heart. Under the moonlight, it held a different kind of charm.
Her porcelain-white face flushed faintly pink, her lips moist and red like a cherry, her hair rippling like waves with a stray strand resting over her chest. The collar of her garment slipped aside, revealing a slender, tender neck and shoulder, subtly alluring.
He was almost intoxicated.
How could such a person exist? Innocence and allure intertwined, every frown and smile made him helplessly captivated.
He longed to tear her clothes apart and kiss every inch of her.
He pressed his dry lips together, sitting by the bed, leaning over to look at her. His eyes dark as ink, one hand caressed her face and neck…
The night was silent, the light inside the canopy dim and dreamlike. Xiao Ming under the covers was bathed in a jade-like glow from the moon.
On the bed, she was like fish on a chopping board, allowing him to gaze and touch freely…
Suddenly, a wild emotion stirred within him.
He was a man in his prime, and in the dead of night, endless desires clamored for release. He wished it could be her, but he didn’t want to force her. He kept thinking that once her parents’ case was resolved, everything would fall into place.
She trusted him so deeply, believed he was capable of anything. He didn’t want to betray that trust or disappoint her, yet when faced with imperial power and family interests, he was weak.
The truth—he could not reveal it.
So countless nights, he fell into hazy spring dreams with her.
—
Suddenly, he lowered his head and bit the pulse beating on her neck.
Xiao Ming turned her head, murmuring unhappily, “It hurts…”
“Still complaining?” He chuckled lightly. “Ming’er, want it not to hurt?”
Being a gentleman was never his way. His occasional restraint was only for her—and only occasional.
When he left the bedroom, he saw Qing Zhu trembling in the corner, and coldly asked, “Do you know what to do?”
Qing Zhu broke into a cold sweat, knelt down with a thud and whispered, “Young Master Ling, rest assured, I know my limits.”
—
The next morning,
Xiao Ming sat drowsily before the bronze mirror, letting Qing Zhu and Chun’er fuss over her.
She yawned repeatedly. “I dreamed all night, still feeling dazed.”
Chun’er casually asked, “What did you dream about, miss? Your eyes are all bruised.”
“I…” Xiao Ming’s face flushed suddenly, stammering, “Nothing. I’ve forgotten.”
Qing Zhu held a pearl tassel hairpin in one hand and a white jade one in the other, comparing them above Xiao Ming’s head. “Miss saw Young Master Mo return late last night, and the wind kept rattling the window frame, so you didn’t sleep well. Tonight, I’ll prepare some milk for you before bed.”
“Oh, how did I get back?” Xiao Ming frowned, rubbing her aching temples.
Qing Zhu paused, then laughed. “Miss, you really slept soundly. You walked back yourself, and I tucked you in.”
“Maybe I was just overthinking,” Xiao Ming muttered quietly.
“Chun’er, help me press more powder. I have to see Young Master Mo later. Oh, here.” She took a box of softened lipstick from the bottom drawer and handed it over. “Use this today.”
Finally done with her makeup, as she walked down the corridor, her heart fluttered when she suddenly saw that troublesome figure standing there.
Though she kept telling herself to stay calm, whenever she thought of his reckless acts in last night’s dream, her cheeks instantly burned with embarrassment.
How could he kiss her there?
“Good morning, Young Master Ling.”
Ling Zhao scowled. “Even the night watchman isn’t up this early.”
Such a fine man, yet with such a sharp tongue—it wasted a good face.
The embarrassment from the dream vanished instantly. She shot him a fierce glare with her almond-shaped eyes and strode straight to the carriage waiting at the gate.
—
Ling Family’s Third Miss, Ling Huaishu, was about to board a carriage with her maid when she turned and saw Xiao Ming standing behind. She sneered, “You’re going too? Always riding on others’ coattails.”
Xiao Ming blinked, unfazed.
“You’re going too, aren’t you?”
“I’m a Ling lady; we’re worlds apart. How many guts do you have to compare yourself to me?” Ling Huaishu looked down on her disdainfully.
“My elder sister is noble, but didn’t your mother even ask the madam to get you a carriage? You still have to ride with someone of my low status.”
Ling Huaishu gritted her teeth, furious and ready to tear her apart. “Get lost!”
Ling Huaixi came over slowly, taking Xiao Ming aside. “Ming’er, don’t stoop to her level. Come, ride in my carriage.”
Ling Huaixi was the eldest daughter of the late Second Master Ling, and the Ling family’s second miss. Though she couldn’t compare to the beloved First Madam Ling Huaining, she was still legitimate, with a calm and gentle temperament, and considered a talented lady.
Ling Huaishu was illegitimate, her mother a concubine of General Ling.
No wonder her mind was twisted. She and her mother were suppressed in every way by Madam Ling and always acted submissive and timid.
When Xiao Ming first entered the household, she sympathized with them and was friendly, but Ling Huaishu seemed to take her as a venting target, showing off and acting arrogantly before her.
“Thank you, Sister Huaixi.” Before Xiao Ming could even settle in the carriage, she hurried to express her gratitude.
If Huaixi hadn’t arrived just then, Ling Huaishu might have truly kicked her out, and she would have been unable to go to the Mo estate.
Huaixi held her hand, gently scolding, “You don’t usually bother her. What’s with the sharp tongue today? You’ve only given them reason to gossip.”
“Of course it was on purpose. Your carriage is spacious and luxurious; it’s so comfortable to ride in. I’m no fool.”
Huaixi chuckled, shaking her head in helpless amusement.
The young ladies departed, and Xiao Ming and Huaixi spent the journey in the carriage thoroughly cursing Ling Zhao—what a relief!
—
Qingyun Pavilion Study
“Achoo!” Ling Zhao sniffled.
“Master, Miss Ming must be thinking of you.”