With Multiple Babies, Who Still Wants to Be the Marquess’s Wife? - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Meeting Him at Midnight

He had noticed that Lan Qingxi was quite bold and her behavior was unlike that of ordinary women. The way she acted at this moment suggested there was an interesting dynamic between the couple.

Yu Junshu thought he was in control, but in reality, he was being toyed with by Lan Qingxi.

He looked at her and said, “You’re the woman Song Linyuan wants to see. I dare not touch you.”

Lan Qingxi then stepped on Dao Shisan’s foot and shouted, “Help!,” attempting to run into the crowd.

Dao Shisan instinctively grabbed her sleeve, and she leaned closer to him.

Though they were still a short distance apart, to outsiders, it appeared as if she had been kidnapped by Dao Shisan.

Dao Shisan: “……”

Dao Shisan: “!!!!”

Who was truly kidnapping whom?

Seeing him standing still, Lan Qingxi softly said, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and take me away!”

“Or do you want Song Linyuan to bear the shame of kidnapping a minister’s wife?”

Dao Shisan: “……”

Who was really the kidnapper here?

However, he understood her point; if they stayed here too long and were seen, it would indeed tarnish Song Linyuan’s reputation, even though he didn’t have a good name in the capital.

Without hesitation, he tugged her sleeve, and with a flick of his robe, she stepped into the carriage.

He climbed in and they quickly left.

Yu Junshu walked ahead for about ten steps but, hearing no commotion behind him, paused for a moment and turned around—Lan Qingxi had vanished.

At that moment, Yu Junshu felt a mix of emotions; he was somewhat happy yet also felt a sense of loss.

Regardless of his feelings for Lan Qingxi, she was still his legally wedded wife.

She adored him, yet was being forced to serve Song Linyuan. She must be feeling terrible, right?

He never imagined Lan Qingxi sitting in the carriage, gently telling Dao Shisan, “Your kidnapping skills need improvement.”

Dao Shisan: “…”

This must be the first time a kidnapped person spoke to their kidnapper like that.

He certainly wasn’t gentle with anyone else.

He knew well the nature of her relationship with Song Linyuan. Whether or not Song Linyuan had been intimate with her, she was considered his woman.

Even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare touch her!

They soon arrived at the Song residence, which was Lan Qingxi’s first time entering.

Song Linyuan was infamous for his cunning; whether in murder, seizing power, or amassing wealth, he was skilled at all. Lan Qingxi expected to see a grand residence.

However, upon entering, she saw wild, overgrown weeds and untrimmed trees, with the tall grass obscuring the shape of rockeries. She found it quite disappointing.

She asked Dao Shisan, “Don’t you trim these plants?”

Dao Shisan replied, “The master says that living under so many rules constrains people, so these plants can grow freely, however they wish.”

Lan Qingxi: “…”

That was a new perspective to her, but upon reflection, it did make some sense.

They walked along the covered corridor toward the inner courtyard, where the wind lanterns cast warm light, illuminating their path.

Due to the overgrown foliage, large shadows were cast under the lamps, resembling beasts.

The courtyard was inhabited by numerous insects, chirping from time to time, with shelled insects flying under the light.

Dao Shisan glanced at her; she appeared serene and unbothered by the surroundings.

He thought she didn’t look like a sheltered woman but rather like someone raised freely in the fields.

Lan Qingxi had died once and seen all kinds of horrors; she wasn’t easily scared by little insects.

They moved further inside, quickly reaching the courtyard where Song Linyuan resided.

As soon as Lan Qingxi entered, she felt a chill in the air and noticed a towering locust tree in the yard. Locust trees are associated with the supernatural; it was her first time seeing someone plant one at their residence.

Indeed, Song Linyuan was mad.

Dao Shisan led Lan Qingxi inside and knocked on the door. “Master, Miss Lan has arrived.”

Song Linyuan’s voice came from within: “Enter.”

Dao Shisan opened the door, and Lan Qingxi saw a life-sized skeleton in the foyer. Even with her courage, she couldn’t help but jump back in fright.

Her face paled as she took a step back.

Dao Shisan looked at her sympathetically. “Miss Lan, please come in.”

After saying this, he gave her a gentle push, and as soon as she stepped inside, he quickly shut the door behind her.

Lan Qingxi: “……”

As she looked forward, she found herself staring into the hollow eyes of the skeleton.

Lan Qingxi: “!!!!”

Song Linyuan’s voice rang out, “What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

Lan Qingxi took a deep breath and replied, “Your love for the macabre is quite unique; I’m just getting used to it.”

Song Linyuan chuckled softly. “This is the first time I’ve heard someone speak of fear so elegantly.”

Gathering herself, Lan Qingxi slowly moved around the foyer.

She braced for more frightening sights, but what she found this time was a normal bedroom.

Song Linyuan lounged lazily in a large chair, his hair loose and casual as he wore comfortable nightclothes. Though his brow still carried an edge, he appeared slightly gentler than usual.

He held a book and didn’t lift his eyes as he said, “I detest those who are late.”

“You made me wait an extra quarter-hour. Since it’s your first offense, you can kneel there for a quarter-hour.”

Lan Qingxi: “……”

She had heard about his temper and had witnessed it before, but nothing was as direct as this moment.

She understood he was setting rules for her.

Song Linyuan continued, “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Biting her lip slightly, she didn’t plead for herself and obediently knelt in the designated spot.

Song Linyuan glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

Seeing her so compliant, he felt somewhat satisfied.

While reading, he said, “From now on, if you need to see me, you must arrive within an hour, by any means necessary.”

Lan Qingxi nodded obediently. “Understood.”

Song Linyuan said softly, “I heard you tried to take your life at the marquis’s residence after being touched by me?”

Lan Qingxi sensed the danger in his words; a wrong answer would surely anger him.

She replied calmly, “Men favor chaste and virtuous women. If I don’t act the part for Yu Junshu, I fear I won’t survive in the marquis’s residence.”

“It’s not that I disdain you, Master, but I want to live. I hope you can grant me a way out and not be overly rigid.”

She looked at Song Linyuan and added, “By coming tonight, I’m affirming that you are the most important person to me in this world.”