◎Whoever wants to compete with me, I’ll fight to the end◎

The smooth surface of the dagger absorbed the warmth from Luo Wanqing’s body. She looked up at the person above her, gazing down at her, her breathing involuntarily becoming somewhat erratic.

Xie Heng’s gaze was very calm, yet she felt it was like an invisible net enveloping her entire being, tightening around her until she couldn’t break free.

“Chief Liu?”

Xie Heng drew out his voice, seeming impatient as he leaned closer. His hair fell, lightly brushing against her face, making it somewhat itchy.

Up close, in the dim bed curtains, Luo Wanqing could finally see his expression. The lofty aloofness typical of Xie Heng had disappeared from his eyes. Xie Heng’s coldness and Cui Heng’s relaxed demeanor strangely merged in him at this moment, transforming into a subtle, almost imperceptible flirtation as he asked softly: “Why aren’t you speaking?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t know how to begin.

She didn’t even know how to address him.

When calling him “Young Master” in front of others, she still felt accustomed to it—he seemed no different from the past then.

But at this moment, looking at the man before her, who seemed like Cui Heng’s soul returning, she couldn’t voice this unfamiliar title.

Yet she also couldn’t call him Cui Heng.

The person before her was too dangerous, too domineering, carrying obvious aggression and the oppressive aura of someone long in power, completely different from Cui Heng.

Her mind was in complete chaos. After thinking for a long time without finding a suitable form of address, she could only turn her head away and say vaguely: “You… you get off me first.”

“The Chief hasn’t answered me yet.” Xie Heng gripped the blade, using the handle to straighten her face, forcing her to look directly at him. Leaning closer, he pressed: “Does the Chief know what crime this constitutes?”

Luo Wanqing’s heart beat somewhat rapidly. Xie Heng was too close to her. Though she had looked at him for a long time, the impact of this face remained as overwhelming as ever.

Luo Wanqing turned her eyes away, not daring to look at him, and answered with feigned composure: “Young Master need not jest. I was worried about Young Master and wanted to check on your condition.”

“Worried?”

Xie Heng slowly slid the dagger down her face. Luo Wanqing tensed her body, feeling his scrutiny, which seemed to carry some resentment: “What relationship do I have with the Chief that you would worry about me, even worry enough to come to my bed chamber in the middle of the night?”

As he spoke, Xie Heng’s dagger explored Luo Wanqing’s sash. He leaned down to her ear and said softly: “I fear I’m not even as good as Minister Zhang—just a passerby you happened to save, not worth mentioning?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing finally understood somewhat what Xie Heng was being sarcastic about. She glanced at him sideways and only said: “Young Master needn’t belittle yourself. In Xiniang’s heart, comparing you to Minister Zhang, you’re about the same.”

Xie Heng’s movements paused, his gaze upon her meaningful.

Luo Wanqing instinctively felt his hand muscles tensing with power. She also tensed her body in preparation. After a moment, Xie Heng laughed softly and only said, “Deserving of punishment.”

The moment his words fell, Xie Heng flicked his dagger upward to cut her sash. Simultaneously, Luo Wanqing’s hand moved like lightning, seizing the knife while striking at Xie Heng with her palm, wanting to escape.

However, Xie Heng seemed to have anticipated her reaction. The instant he released the knife to her, he caught her striking palm, rolled over on the bed to pin her down, pressed down her hand holding the dagger, and kissed her while pinning her entire body beneath him.

The bitter fragrance of medicine immediately entered with his tongue, and when it entwined with hers, perhaps because the medicine was too bitter, she seemed particularly sweet in contrast.

He couldn’t help exploring deeper. Luo Wanqing immediately began struggling violently.

However, the more she moved, the more firmly Xie Heng pressed down. Luo Wanqing was provoked to anger and momentarily disregarded his status, truly beginning to fight.

But his combat experience was much richer. No matter how fierce or urgent her attacks, when they reached his hands, they were deflected and transformed into gentle, yielding force, until it seemed like flirtation as they entangled together.

The more Luo Wanqing struggled, the deeper the kiss became. Finally, seeming impatient, he found an opportunity to pull both her hands behind her back, gripping both her wrists with one hand and pressing her hands beneath her body under his control.

With her hands pressed beneath her, her waist involuntarily arched up, everything arranged to facilitate his dominance.

Xie Heng also felt himself losing control. He secretly adjusted his position, trying not to touch her, only searching for that bit of sweetness in her lips and tongue to comfort himself.

Unable to resist, Luo Wanqing knew she was no match for him and stopped struggling, simply lying flat.

Sensing her cooperation, Xie Heng unconsciously smiled, slowly releasing her hands to explore elsewhere, his kisses also becoming gentler.

Within the bed curtains, clothing rustled and breaths intertwined. Luo Wanqing was kissed until her whole body went soft, her entire being taking on a dewy quality.

She reacted, and Xie Heng’s was only more obvious. She listened to his heavy, chaotic breathing, desperately trying to observe him calmly. When his lips couldn’t help moving downward, she finally found her chance and kicked out, directly kicking Xie Heng out of the bed curtains!

This kick was unexpected, but Xie Heng reacted quickly. When kicked out, he grabbed Luo Wanqing, and she rolled off the bed with him. Xie Heng raised his hand to protect her, holding her as they rolled once on the soft carpet before he was again on top of her.

This commotion was too loud. Zhuque outside immediately became alert: “Young Master? What’s wrong, Young Master?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing instantly tensed up, using her eyes to signal Xie Heng to send him away.

Xie Heng understood her meaning but didn’t move, only looking at her with a smile.

Both their hearts were beating fast, their breathing entangled together. Luo Wanqing didn’t understand what Xie Heng was waiting for, frowning tightly and gently pushing him.

Xie Heng said nothing but smiled, raising his hand to slowly explore above her clothing. Under Luo Wanqing’s shocked and angry gaze, he grasped something and gently kneaded it.

Luo Wanqing’s breathing became chaotic as she desperately tried to suppress it. Getting no response, Zhuque immediately began knocking on the door: “Young Master? If you don’t respond, I’m coming in…”

“I’m in a bad mood,” Xie Heng, seeing he couldn’t delay any longer, finally spoke. Supporting himself with half his body, he continued kneading Luo Wanqing while looking toward the door, his voice normal: “I advise you to stay far away.”

Zhuque paused, then immediately said: “Oh, then, Young Master, take good care of yourself. I’ll go far away.”

With that, Zhuque’s footsteps could be heard. Xie Heng turned his gaze downward to look at the trembling beauty beneath him.

When Luo Wanqing came, she had only worn a white inner robe, her long hair loose. Now, after their struggle, her sash had been cut halfway through by him, hanging around her waist, ready to break. Her clothing had come undone during the fight, revealing large areas of her collarbone and flat stomach.

Her skin was very white, her ink-black long hair scattered on the dark red carpet like water grass. Red, white, and black wove together on her body in ultimate beauty, assaulting his vision.

Xie Heng’s hand, half-hidden beneath her clothing, couldn’t help but move gently. Her clothing rippled like water waves with his movements, and Luo Wanqing’s breathing also quickened somewhat.

Xie Heng half-leaned down to her ear, saying hoarsely: “Where did you go today?”

Luo Wanqing ignored him, listening to Zhuque’s retreating footsteps and turning her head away with light gasps. Xie Heng looked at her, seeming to ask kindly: “With Minister Zhang?”

“None of your business.”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help retorting. Xie Heng laughed softly, raising his hand to lift her skirt and climbing up along her leg, continuing to pursue: “Have you come to see me these past few days?”

“No.” Luo Wanqing spoke through gritted teeth.

Xie Heng smiled even more broadly, parting her as he said: “Minister Cui told me you said you were trying to save me, so all your previous words were lies to me?”

“So what if I lied to you?” Luo Wanqing looked up at him, grabbing his misbehaving hand and saying coldly: “Only Young Master is allowed to lie to me, but I’m not allowed to lie to Young Master?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng’s movements paused. Looking at Luo Wanqing’s seemingly unwilling eyes, he thought for a moment, then half-leaned down, gently pressing his forehead against hers and asking knowingly: “Still resenting me?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing turned her head away, only saying: “I don’t know.”

“Then you are resentful of me.”

Xie Heng spoke with certainty. Luo Wanqing, hearing this, only said: “What do I have to resent?”

As she spoke, she seemed to be comforting herself, saying calmly, “You have your reasons. With your position, every step is like walking on thin ice. Naturally, you’d lie to me. I’m just…”

Luo Wanqing paused, somewhat unable to continue. After thinking for a long time, she still turned her head away: “Forget it, it’s not important.”

“Just what?”

Xie Heng didn’t answer her but continued pursuing the previous statement. Luo Wanqing pressed her lips together and remained silent. Xie Heng grasped her hand and placed it on his heart.

“Xiniang, tell me,” he gazed at her quietly, saying gently, “I’m listening.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing inexplicably felt her eyes growing moist. She didn’t dare look at him, only feeling the burning temperature under her palm and the clear yet muffled heartbeat beneath that warmth.

“I resent myself.”

She finally spoke: “I’m causing your death.”

“Is it that dream?”

Xie Heng instantly understood. She had reminded him countless times. Luo Wanqing made a muffled sound of acknowledgment: “Mm.”

“What kind of dream was it?”

“It was another path,” Luo Wanqing recalled, slowly saying: “In the dream, I was exiled to Lingnan. My family died on the road. Li Guiyu returned to Dongdu and married Zheng Biyue. You allied with him.”

Xie Heng listened, silently leaning against her chest. Luo Wanqing, remembering those scenes from the dream, couldn’t help but speak with a hoarse voice: “In the fifteenth year of Changshun, His Majesty passed away, and you assisted Li Guiyu in ascending the throne. Afterward, the Wang clan was destroyed, the ‘Great Xia Code’ was promulgated, and you became the first high official to be tried according to the law—death by a thousand cuts, executed by slow slicing.”

As Luo Wanqing spoke, she felt her eyes growing moist: “At that time, I was in Lingnan and only saw the notice announcing your crimes. We had never met. I only knew that snow fell in Lingnan in the sixth month, and when you, the treacherous minister who assisted Li Guiyu, died, I was so happy I drank a whole pot of wine at home.”

“Those crimes were the things you’re doing now?”

Without needing her to say more, Xie Heng clearly understood what Luo Wanqing was suffering from.

Luo Wanqing looked at the ceiling beams, laughing mockingly: “Yes. So I asked you over and over whether you were Xie Heng. But you wouldn’t say. Not only wouldn’t you say, you kept trying every way to deceive me, even telling me that Xie Heng was your enemy, adding fuel to the fire. You knew you were going to die, knew you had no future, yet you coaxed me into sending you to death while still coming to provoke me. Xie Lingshu,” Luo Wanqing couldn’t help asking: “Did you ever think of me?”

Xie Heng leaned against her heart, listening to her words, but only asked: “Did I succeed in provoking you?”

Luo Wanqing was stunned. When she realized he was still concerned about himself, she pressed her lips tightly together and finally couldn’t hold back, pushing him away and getting up to leave.

Xie Heng was pushed away by her and sat in place, methodically pulling up his clothes, continuing: “Does Xiniang have me in her heart now?”

Seeing that he showed no remorse, Luo Wanqing looked back coldly. Xie Heng sat cross-legged on the floor, turning to look at her, smiling as he pursued: “When did it start? How important am I to Xiniang? Is it love or pity? If not for my life, would Xiniang have said those words in Snow Spirit Valley?”

“Xie Heng,” hearing him constantly concerned about his gains and losses, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help saying, “How can you be so selfish?”

Xie Heng didn’t speak to her words. He sat in silence, and after a long time, he lowered his head with a bitter smile, then said: “Xie Heng is selfish, cold, suspicious, and jealous. Didn’t Xiniang know this long ago?”

Luo Wanqing pressed her lips together and remained silent, unable to help but clench her fists. Xie Heng raised his head, seeming to recall something, only saying: “When I first encountered Xiniang, there was no sincerity to speak of. My identity was false, and Xiniang’s identity was also false. We suspected and guessed at each other, but Xiniang saved me without regard for her own life, which moved me. I reforged bones for Xiniang, but from that moment on, you became my blade in my heart.”

As he spoke, Xie Heng stood up and walked before her. He raised his hand to cup her chin, his gaze maintaining its usual indifferent appearance as he said calmly: “Cui Heng’s identity was to test you and also to keep you. I knew your origins were unclear, and I was prepared—you had received my favor, so you would either be used by me or broken by me. If anyone wanted to compete with me for you,” Xie Heng lowered his voice, “I would fight them to the end.”

Luo Wanqing stared at him, anger in her eyes.

Xie Heng saw her anger clearly and smiled bitterly: “This is who I am. Xiniang, the Cui Heng you saw—his tolerance, respect, and selfless devotion—all of that was because…”

Xie Heng’s voice stopped, as if he couldn’t speak. He looked at the moonlight falling through the gauze window onto her cheek, and looked at the flame in her eyes. After a long time, he finally admitted, “I was fond of you.”

Luo Wanqing was stunned. Xie Heng stared into her eyes, gentle yet bitter: “I wanted you to see my best side. I knew you didn’t want a future, so I could tolerate everything. But later, I couldn’t do it anymore, so I fought at any cost. If you wanted me, you had to put me in the most important position. If you couldn’t give that, then there would be no more Cui Heng in this world.”

“So at Jirui Palace, you continued to deceive me, deceiving me that Cui Heng was dead, because I didn’t come to Tingfeng Tower.”

Luo Wanqing understood Xie Heng’s meaning and said hoarsely, “Even after I exposed your identity, you still wouldn’t acknowledge it. You were disappointed and didn’t want to be with me?”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help saying: “If that’s the case, why did you deliberately let me discover you? Deliberately tell me that your blood could counter His Majesty’s Sinking Bone Incense. Knowing such a secret of yours, how could I leave?”

Xie Heng smiled bitterly without speaking.

Luo Wanqing slowly understood, looking at him incredulously and stating with certainty: “You never intended for me to leave.”

“Never.”

This time, Xie Heng didn’t hide it, speaking candidly: “I never wanted to let you go. I was just forcing myself to let go, but my nature is selfish and cold. I couldn’t help wanting to keep you. I hoped you would want me.”

Luo Wanqing stared at him blankly, not expecting him to admit it this time.

Xie Heng raised his hand to brush through her hair, helping her arrange her clothing while explaining gently: “Actually, even if you hadn’t returned to that cave, in this lifetime, I might have kept trying to retain you and hint to you at moments I wasn’t even aware of, until the moment you wanted me. Xiniang, it’s not that I don’t want a future with you, but that I’m waiting for you to ask me for a future. Between you and me—”

Xie Heng spoke, looking up at her: “The choice has always been yours.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak. She stared at the domineering yet gentle person before her, as if seeing him for the first time.

She could see Cui Heng’s romantic gentleness in him, yet she could also feel the stunning restraint that belonged to Xie Heng. Meeting his gaze, she asked unwillingly: “You made me send you to death. How can you promise me a future?”

“If I don’t want to lose, I won’t lose.” Xie Heng smiled, only saying: “These charges aren’t enough to force me to death.”

“This is fate.”

“I am fate.”

Xie Heng looked at Luo Wanqing, placing his hand behind her head, bending slightly so his gaze was level with hers, saying with confident certainty: “Miss Luo, your fate is thin—only you can write it. My fate can also only be determined by me. If anyone can change my fate—”

As he spoke, his voice paused, his gaze fixed on her eyes without missing a detail, saying seriously: “Only you.”

Luo Wanqing was speechless. She felt herself being melted and embraced by this person. He was eliminating the unwillingness and bitterness in her heart, yet she still felt unwilling and could only turn her head away, not daring to look at him.

Sensing her resistance, Xie Heng hesitantly released his hand and straightened up, forcing a smile: “Now it’s too late for Xiniang to regret. Since you turned back in that cave, then make do with me for this lifetime, you? Hm?”

“But I don’t want to make do.”

Luo Wanqing spoke, and Xie Heng’s smile froze on his face.

Luo Wanqing took a deep breath. Not wanting to say more to him, she only said: “Today, are you truly unwell, or did you deliberately feign illness to lure me here?”

Xie Heng stood in place without speaking.

Luo Wanqing knew the answer. After a moment of silence, she said calmly: “Don’t lie to me in the future.”

“Mm.”

Xie Heng lowered his head in acknowledgment.

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, then said: “You haven’t told others about the relationship between us, have you?”

“No.” Xie Heng kept his eyes downcast, only saying: “But they might speculate somewhat.”

“That’s good.”

Luo Wanqing considered: “Since Cui Heng’s identity is gone, then it’s gone. From now on, you continue to be Young Master, and I am your subordinate. Official business needn’t involve personal feelings. As for private matters… if Young Master misses me, you may blow the short flute to summon me, but unless there are important matters, don’t seek me out to avoid detection.”

As she spoke, Luo Wanqing raised her eyes to look at him: “Cui Heng gave me a pair of short flutes. Does Young Master have one?”

Hearing Luo Wanqing say this, Xie Heng rubbed his fingertips and looked up, unable to help smiling bitterly: “Do you think I was just brushing you off then?”

Because he didn’t care, the things he gave could be casually discarded.

Luo Wanqing looked into his eyes and only said: “I don’t know.”

Xie Heng laughed softly and took out two short flutes from his sleeve. He handed one to Luo Wanqing, saying softly, “This is the one you gave me at Jirui Palace. I’ve been carrying it with me.”

Luo Wanqing looked at the short flute, reached out to take it, her gaze finally softening somewhat.

Xie Heng felt a slight ache in his heart and turned his gaze away.

Luo Wanqing took the short flute and said calmly: “If Young Master has no objections, then let’s settle it this way. It’s getting late now. Knowing you’re fine puts me at ease. I’ll leave first.”

“Wait.”

Xie Heng grabbed her wrist. Luo Wanqing looked up questioningly. Xie Heng glanced down at her waist and said quietly: “Your sash is about to break.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s face flushed slightly. She saw Xie Heng turn to select a sash closest in color to her clothing and raise his hand to tie it around her waist.

Both lowered their heads without speaking. He circled her waist round by round, tying her sash. For a moment, Luo Wanqing was reminded of when Cui Heng first had her try Qianji at Zhenbao Pavilion—he had also circled her waist like this, fastening Qianji for her.

She quietly watched his movements, suddenly feeling somewhat wronged.

Xie Heng didn’t notice her emotions, only continuing to tie her sash round by round while asking softly: “Can I take your words in Snow Spirit Valley seriously?”

“I don’t lie.”

“Then, when there are no important matters, may I come find you?”

Xie Heng asked clearly, seeming to understand all the meanings she hadn’t directly stated.

Luo Wanqing kept her head down without speaking. Xie Heng looked up at her. The sash had only one final knot remaining. His hand stopped directly in front of her, holding the sash, waiting for her answer.

After a long time, Luo Wanqing finally said hoarsely, “I waited for Cui Heng too long.”

In the past, it was always he who came to find her. She never knew when he would come or from where.

She waited every day until one day he stopped coming, and she didn’t know where to look for him.

Everything between them in the past had been led and decided by him. Xie Heng instantly understood her grievance, his heart growing slightly sour.

He lowered his head to gently tie the final knot of the sash, then raised his head and said seriously: “Fine, then I’ll wait for you.”

As he spoke, he took a cloak from nearby to drape over Luo Wanqing, saying as if jokingly: “As long as Xiniang turns back, I can wait however long.”

“Really?” Luo Wanqing looked up at him, her tone disbelieving.

Xie Heng smiled, bending slightly and lowering his voice: “Actually, you should come see me again soon.”

“Why?”

“Xiniang, if you don’t seek out Cui Heng, it’s because you don’t miss him enough.” Xie Heng gazed into her eyes, saying softly: “But I miss you too much. I won’t be able to help seeking you out.”

Author’s Note:

[Little Theater]

Qingya: “Young Master, what type do you like?”

Xie Heng: “I like the feisty type, the kind that can kick me out with one foot.”