Come, Say You Want Cui Heng

After bidding farewell to Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing immediately rushed toward the Supervision Department.

She felt her body growing increasingly weak and didn’t dare delay. She simply touched her toe to the ground and leaped onto the rooftops.

But as soon as she used her internal energy, the Jile Pill’s effects were instantly triggered. After taking only a few steps across the rooftops, her entire body went completely soft. Unable to support herself any longer, she rolled directly down from the height.

She crashed heavily to the ground. The pain cleared her mind somewhat. She lay there for a while, knowing she couldn’t continue walking.

This happened to be a deserted alley. She used all her strength to flip herself into an empty wooden crate and hid inside.

Afraid of accidents, she didn’t dare fall asleep.

But her entire body burned with agony, as if she were being roasted in raging hellfire, with sweat seeping out drop by drop.

The drug’s effects were far more intense than she had imagined. She used her breathing to calm her condition. After enduring for a moment, she finally couldn’t bear it anymore and, tremblingly, took out her short flute from her waist, playing it intermittently, hoping Cui Heng could hear it quickly and rush over.

But she had barely played for a moment when footsteps came from outside. Luo Wanqing immediately stopped playing and held her breath, not daring to make a sound.

The footsteps approached, clearly heading toward her, searching for something. She instinctively thought it was Cui Heng, but then felt Cui Heng couldn’t possibly arrive so quickly.

The other person didn’t give her time to hesitate. As she pondered, Xie Heng’s voice rang out: “Liu Xiniang.”

Luo Wanqing stiffened and immediately suppressed the response she was about to give.

She didn’t want anyone to see her now, especially Xie Heng.

Xie Heng was her direct superior. She didn’t want him to see her in this state.

She became much more alert in an instant, gritting her teeth.

However, the other person had no intention of leaving and said coldly, “Liu Xiniang, come out.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t respond. He seemed to confirm that her location was right here. After searching for a moment, he finally came to the wooden crate where she was.

Luo Wanqing’s heart tightened instantly as she prepared herself.

Then she heard a “creak” as Xie Heng opened the wooden crate. Without hesitation, Luo Wanqing struck out with her palm. Xie Heng dodged to the side, and she leaped out, turning to rush outside!

However, Xie Heng wouldn’t let her leave at this moment. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back directly.

The moment the masculine scent rushed into her nostrils, Luo Wanqing immediately held her breath, but her entire body still went soft. Xie Heng instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her, then felt this was inappropriate and froze in place.

Luo Wanqing’s body trembled lightly. Fragrant perspiration had already dampened her temples. She raised a pair of stubborn yet bright eyes to stare at Xie Heng and spoke hoarsely: “Young Master.”

Xie Heng saw her resistance and paused for a moment before releasing her and stepping back.

As soon as he let go, Luo Wanqing couldn’t support herself and immediately collapsed. Feeling humiliated, she pressed her lips together and turned away, not daring to look at Xie Heng.

Xie Heng was momentarily at a loss.

Zhuque’s footsteps came from outside the alley, calling loudly: “Young Master, I found…”

“Don’t come in!”

Xie Heng shouted sharply. Luo Wanqing clenched her fists.

She breathed lightly, her voice seeming to drip water: “Young Master, please let me be alone for a while.”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. He looked down at the woman collapsed on the ground.

Her complexion carried an unnatural flush, like cinnabar soaking jade, spreading across her fair skin. Fragrant perspiration dampened her temples, making her appear delicate as a willow. Her dress bloomed around her, looking like blooming red spider lilies under the moonlight – beautiful enough to take one’s breath away.

Xie Heng didn’t dare look at her directly. He closed his eyes, his nostrils filled with her fragrance, forcing himself to calm down and asking in a suppressed voice: “What drug is it?”

“Jile Pill.”

Luo Wanqing no longer dared to hide it and reported with difficulty: “Today Zheng Biyue drugged me. I was confident that the Qingxin Pill could suppress it, so I deliberately took it to enter the back courtyard. The Jile Pill’s effects last only one hour and have no other harmful effects. As long as I endure this hour, this subordinate will be fine.”

Her voice sounded as if she might cry, and every word was torture to his ears.

Xie Heng didn’t dare look at her. After thinking for a moment, he turned around: “You go back to the Supervision Department with Zhuque first. I’ll get medicine.”

“Young Master!”

Luo Wanqing hastily grabbed the corner of his robe.

Xie Heng turned to look and saw the woman looking up at him. Fine perspiration glistened crystal-clear on her forehead. She used calmness to suppress her desire and said peacefully, “This matter is already concluded. There’s no need to cause more trouble. We snuck into the Zheng residence – if investigated, it would be disadvantageous to the Supervision Department. The Jile Pill’s effects last only one hour. This subordinate can endure it.”

Xie Heng remained silent.

This drug would damage one’s reputation. Although a Supervision Department inspector was different from ordinary women, going to Zheng Biyue directly to demand the Jile Pill antidote would likely feel humiliating to someone with Luo Wanqing’s temperament.

After thinking for a long while, he finally said: “Were you playing the flute to summon Cui Heng earlier?”

Luo Wanqing paused, understanding that Xie Heng had heard her flute playing. The Supervision Department’s short flutes used musical tones to identify the other party’s identity, but anyone with internal energy could hear them.

Knowing she couldn’t hide it, Luo Wanqing said: “Yes.”

“I’ll take you back.”

Xie Heng made his decision and took off his outer robe. He crouched down and wrapped the robe around Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing’s body trembled. She suppressed the ripples caused by Xie Heng’s touch and heard him say: “Forgive the offense.”

With that, Xie Heng lifted her horizontally. Luo Wanqing’s entire body tensed as she began panting lightly, feeling increasingly tormented.

Hearing her breathing, Xie Heng didn’t dare look down. After instructing Zhuque, “Zhuque, return to the department,” he carried Luo Wanqing and rushed back to the Supervision Department.

Being held by Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing struggled to restrain her impulse to actively touch him. She didn’t even dare look at him, only closing her eyes and trembling constantly in his arms.

Xie Heng carried her as he rushed up the mountain, bringing her back to her small courtyard. He had Zhusi draw well water, threw cold jade into the bathtub, threw her into the water, then hurriedly left.

When only Luo Wanqing remained in the room, she finally relaxed. But then she felt that even the water became particularly provocative. Even in the ice water, she felt burning hot.

She felt thirsty, as if her entire being was in hellfire, burned to complete senselessness.

She couldn’t help tearing at her clothes, touching herself. Before long, she heard footsteps outside.

Luo Wanqing opened her eyes with difficulty and saw a young man in blue robes and white garments stepping through the doorway.

He wore blue robes embroidered with cranes, a jade-white hair ribbon binding his hair, and a silver-white mask adorned with pearls and jade. Compared to usual, he appeared even more aloof and distant, carrying a divine quality like Xie Heng’s as he walked step by step toward her.

Luo Wanqing’s mind became chaotic.

She stared at the person before her, feeling like a parched, dying person who had trekked through the desert and suddenly encountered a clear spring.

She looked at him almost without concealment, her rationality completely snapping the moment he entered her sight.

The instant Cui Heng stopped before her, she unhesitatingly rose from the water and threw herself toward him with her water-soaked body.

Cui Heng seemed prepared and simply said, “Don’t act rashly,” before grabbing her hair and pressing her directly into the water.

Water surged from all directions, making it impossible to breathe. The panic brought by suffocation gradually overcame that bit of desire. Luo Wanqing struggled desperately in the water. After a long while, she was suddenly pulled out of the water. She gasped heavily and heard the laughing voice beside her: “Are you a bit more clear-headed now?”

Luo Wanqing tremblingly raised her eyes and saw Cui Heng leaning nearby.

Her heart immediately calmed, and some rationality returned. She smiled at Cui Heng and spoke, her throat feeling as if it had been burned by charcoal: “Cui Heng.”

Without saying much, Cui Heng turned and took a dagger from the table, raised his hand to cut his wrist, then walked to her and extended his wrist.

“Drink,” Cui Heng looked down at the woman in the bathtub. Summer clothing was thin, and when soaked in cold water, it clung to her body. Many areas had been torn open by herself, revealing alluring scenery that could be called vivid and fragrant.

However, his tone remained calm, as if completely unaffected, saying quietly: “The Qingxin Pill is now ineffective for you, and other medicines can’t resolve this. My blood can help you dissolve part of the drug’s effects. Endure for half an hour and you’ll be fine.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing closed her eyes, seeming to regain some rationality.

Half an hour.

She could endure it.

She steadied herself, suppressed the improper thoughts in her heart, reached out to take Cui Heng’s hand, brought it to her lips, lowered her head, and gently licked Cui Heng’s wound, using her tongue tip to roll the blood drops into her mouth.

As she licked, Cui Heng trembled. His other hand behind his back was silently clenched tight.

He held a thin blade in that hand. When he gripped it, blood flowed down.

Pain cleared his mind somewhat, allowing him to calmly look down at the person before him.

His blood wasn’t fishy but carried a medicinal taste, even with a faint sweetness.

When the blood entered her mouth, the restlessness immediately lessened considerably.

This made Luo Wanqing somewhat addicted, feeling this was the only nectar that could quench her thirst at this moment.

After she licked the blood drops and finished the surface blood, she couldn’t help cupping his hand and gently sucking out some blood.

Cui Heng’s hand behind his back gripped deeper as blood drops fell one by one. He watched her tenderly yet obsessively, seeing her lick and suck his wound like a little fox or cat, and couldn’t help smiling, his gaze deepening further.

Luo Wanqing looked up questioningly. His blood indeed made her much clearer, allowing her to ask: “What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing,” Cui Heng’s voice was somewhat hoarse as he simply said, “You drink.”

Initially, the blood had obvious effects, but gradually it also became useless.

After an unknown amount of time, the cold jade seemed to lose its effect, and the water in the tub seemed to become scalding. She felt his blood was no longer effective, but rather his hand, touching her lips, was cool and made her somewhat comfortable.

She used the pretext of drinking blood to hold his hand, completely unable to let go.

She even wanted more.

But her remaining rationality prevented her from moving much, so she could only drink his blood while unconsciously looking up at him. She couldn’t suppress her probing and pleading, yet didn’t dare speak.

Cui Heng watched the person in the bathtub testing him, but didn’t speak or respond.

He was like someone watching a fire from across the river – calm and composed.

Luo Wanqing felt increasingly uncomfortable. Looking at the person before her, she suddenly felt somewhat jealous and resentful, and couldn’t help but bite him.

Fine, dense tickling sensations came from his wrist. Cui Heng’s voice became hoarse as he scolded quietly: “Don’t bite.”

With that, he forced himself to turn away, no longer looking at her.

However, upon turning, he saw shadows on the screen – the silhouettes of two people reflected there.

The man stood tall like jade, the woman bowed her head, drinking blood.

Cui Heng’s breathing stopped, and then he lost his composure completely.

But the person in the bathtub, hearing his disordered breathing, seemed to know a crack had appeared in his barriers. She immediately pursued relentlessly, her blood-stained lips kissing down along the back of his hand, her burning lips taking his fingers into her mouth.

When her soft tongue touched his fingertips, Cui Heng was instantly startled and stepped back.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t care about anything else and instinctively followed his hand, rising from the water to embrace and kiss him.

Cold water droplets splashed on him. Cui Heng suddenly awakened and, before her lips could touch his, grabbed her nape and yanked her away from him!

Luo Wanqing’s hands were already wrapped around his neck, her cold, water-soaked body pressed against him. Their lips were half an inch apart, their rapid breathing intertwining.

Luo Wanqing restrained herself as she looked at him. Cui Heng’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, and his breathing also lost its measure.

He stared at the person before him and couldn’t help pressing his forehead against hers.

When the silver mask touched her skin, Luo Wanqing trembled lightly.

Cui Heng noticed. He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and cursed quietly: “You’ve lost your mind!”

Luo Wanqing didn’t move either. She suppressed her longing as she looked at him, knowing she had overstepped, and simply waited for Cui Heng’s decision.

She didn’t care.

She didn’t know if she had truly lost her mind as Cui Heng said, but holding this person, she knew that if it was Cui Heng, she could, she didn’t care.

But she didn’t dare say it.

She could only tentatively tighten the hand wrapped around his neck – this was already her most extreme request.

Cui Heng noticed her movement, his breathing growing heavier.

He knew he should pull her away. This person’s mind wasn’t clear – he couldn’t go crazy along with her.

She was only being so unrestrained because she knew he wouldn’t do anything. If he did something, she would probably be displeased again.

But the hand gripping her neck just couldn’t move. The two pressed their foreheads together, breathing shallowly. Seeing this, Luo Wanqing tentatively tried to kiss him. At that moment, the sound of clashing weapons suddenly came from outside.

Cui Heng’s expression became stern as he suddenly awakened. As if the person on him were a flood or wild beast, he forcefully threw Luo Wanqing back into the water, closed his eyes, turned around, and left: “Time’s almost up. Endure it yourself.”

With that, he walked out of the room.

Once outside, the night wind blew, and he finally calmed down somewhat. He closed his eyes and steadied himself, secretly hating his loss of composure, then took a deep breath, flicked his sleeves, and strode outward.

He walked to the end of the mountain path and stood before his small courtyard, where he saw Li Guiyu raising his sword to strike fiercely at Zhuque and Qingya in front of the mountain gate.

Xie Heng’s expression became slightly stern. He broke off a branch to use as a sword and struck toward Li Guiyu.

The branch broke through the air and collided forcefully with Li Guiyu’s long sword, forcing Li Guiyu to stop. Qingya and Zhuque took the opportunity to retreat simultaneously, landing beside Xie Heng.

Xie Heng looked up at Li Guiyu and said coldly, “What brings Third Prince here?”

“Where is Liu Xiniang?”

Li Guiyu looked up coldly, his gaze falling on Cui Heng’s mask.

“Is Your Highness here to deliver medicine?”

Xie Heng saw Li Guiyu’s intention and directly extended his hand: “Give me the medicine and get out.”

“I want to see her.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng became annoyed. The anger he had suppressed all day exploded, his aura surging: “Is it your place to bargain with me in the Supervision Department?!”

Li Guiyu was rendered speechless.

From that earlier sword strike, he knew the other party’s strength. With Zhuque, Qingya, and this person, he had no possibility of seeing “Liu Xiniang” today.

Seeing their extremely guarded appearance, “Liu Xiniang” should be trapped in a room due to the drug’s effects, and since this person was here, “Liu Xiniang” should be alone in her room.

Having confirmed the other party’s safety, Li Guiyu calmed down somewhat.

He had originally come to deliver medicine and didn’t intend to cause other conflicts.

He calmed down and was about to hand over the medicine, but looking at the young man before him, he suddenly realized something.

He stared at the other party’s mask and couldn’t help asking: “On the night of May seventeenth, were you the one who shot arrows and lit fireworks at the Qin Pavilion?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng chuckled lightly, understanding what Li Guiyu was asking, and felt somewhat pleased.

“What if I was, what if I wasn’t?”

With this response, Li Guiyu confirmed his statement. His expression remained unchanged as he asked again: “Were you also the one who taught her to play the qin?”

“You mean Inspector Liu?” Xie Heng pretended not to know, then said, “Indeed, it was I.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu smiled, his eyes filled with poison, and repeated his name: “Cui Heng, Cui Guanlan.”

“That’s correct.”

Xie Heng nodded.

Li Guiyu said no more, tossing the medicine bottle in his hand. Xie Heng raised his hand to catch it and heard Li Guiyu ask: “Do you know why she wanted to learn qin from you?”

Xie Heng gripped the medicine bottle and looked up at the other party.

Li Guiyu smiled: “She learned the pipa for me, studied for five years. We once agreed that no matter how we quarreled, if she played the pipa, it would mean she forgave me. She learned to avoid me.”

“That was Luo Wanqing,” Xie Heng calmly reminded, “not Liu Xiniang.”

“She learned the pipa for me, and now the qin for me as well.” Li Guiyu seemed not to hear his words. He looked at Xie Heng and simply said, “Playing one song doesn’t mean anything serious.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng laughed quietly.

He held the porcelain bottle, speaking carelessly: “If it doesn’t mean anything serious, why are you telling me all this?”

Li Guiyu didn’t answer.

Xie Heng turned and walked toward the back of the mountain, saying slowly: “Your Highness, in worldly affairs, when people part, they naturally let go.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu immediately said coldly with certainty: “There’s no letting go between her and me.”

“Want to test it?”

Xie Heng looked back at him, his tone cold.

The two confronted each other quietly. Li Guiyu looked at his mask and suddenly smiled: “What will you test with?”

Xie Heng heard this and remained silent.

Li Guiyu, sensing he had hit a soft spot, only asked: “With that face of yours that can’t be seen?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng slowly smiled. He couldn’t restrain himself from speaking: “What if I do?”

Li Guiyu stared at him and simply said: “You wouldn’t dare.”

Xie Heng laughed heartily and raised his hand: “See the guest out.”

With that, he gripped the porcelain bottle, turned around, and walked toward Luo Wanqing’s room with a smile.

The night wind was cold, stars and moon bright. Zhusi perched on a tree branch in the small courtyard, tilting its head to watch Xie Heng walking along the corridor.

Xie Heng held the porcelain bottle, his smile undiminished, but his mind repeatedly replayed his endurance during their confrontations.

From the first time Luo Wanqing and Li Guiyu looked at each other, met each other’s gaze, he stopped to the side.

Initially, he was only angry, but now he felt unwilling.

Why?

Why couldn’t he interfere in their interactions, comment on their feelings, participate in their past, or change their future?

Just because he was Xie Heng.

Xie Heng’s rationality, Xie Heng’s existence, Xie Heng’s future – all were stopping him. She was the future inspector of his Supervision Department, the bright moon he shouldn’t touch.

Xie Heng was the peach blossom wine that made her forget everything, the calming incense that lulled her to sleep, the hand that covered her eyes when kissing them, the rope that restrained him before every transgression.

So even though he coveted her, desired her, he could still only watch her from afar.

Even though he was deeply moved by each of her “I miss you”s, delighted by each of her letters and words.

Intoxicated by the pipa pieces she played for him, joyful over the flying crane hairpin she bought for him.

All his desires transformed into substantial lust, making him constantly want to claim her, possess her.

He wanted her so much, yet he couldn’t compete, couldn’t seize, couldn’t think about it.

He was like an outsider to her life because he was Xie Heng.

But what if he was Cui Heng, only Cui Heng?

When this thought appeared, the rope of rationality suddenly snapped.

Like a fire burning in his heart, blazing across withered grasslands.

He gripped the porcelain bottle and pushed open the door to enter the room.

Luo Wanqing soaked drowsily in the water. Hearing the sound, she opened her eyes in confusion and saw Cui Heng returning.

As soon as he came back, the entire room was filled with his presence again. This made Luo Wanqing somewhat dizzy, but perhaps because she had endured for too long, she felt it was gradually subsiding and wasn’t so sensitive anymore.

She just stared blankly at Cui Heng, walking to her side, looking down at her without moving.

He wanted to be Cui Heng.

Looking at the person before him, Xie Heng suddenly clearly realized this.

He would be Cui Heng.

Sensing his unusual mood, Luo Wanqing looked up at him and spoke hoarsely: “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer, only stared at her.

“I’ll give you a choice.”

Cui Heng gazed at her, slowly inserting his right hand fingers into the hair behind her head.

His movement was very slow. When his fingertips entered her hair, the restlessness she had just suppressed in cold water rose again.

Her breathing inevitably became heavier. Cui Heng placed his left hand beside her, slowly opening it to reveal a white porcelain bottle: “Li Guiyu’s antidote.”

With that, he cupped her head, forcing her to look up, slightly bending down to lean close to her: “Or Cui Heng?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t speak. She stared at the eyes of the person before her.

His eyes behind the mask gazed at her unblinkingly, as if just waiting for her decision.

Li Guiyu’s antidote.

Or Cui Heng?

If she spoke, Cui Heng would live for her.

Luo Wanqing stared at him blankly, understanding what Cui Heng meant.

Li Guiyu had brought her the antidote for the Jile Pill. Though she didn’t know how he obtained it, given Li Guiyu’s nature, even if she only had Luo Wanqing’s face, he would never allow anyone else to touch her.

Her rationality told her she should take the antidote.

However, whether due to the drug’s influence or not, her gaze simply couldn’t leave the person before her.

He was making her choose.

She was surrounded by this person’s presence, penetrating her without gaps, making her perception instantly become extraordinarily acute.

She raised her hand from the water. Cui Heng’s gaze followed her hand, and together they saw the Qianji bead bracelet on her wrist.

This bracelet had been personally placed on her wrist by him.

At that time, he had even asked if she wanted him to help her put on the waist chain too.

She had said no.

But at this moment, looking at his unguarded eyes, she suddenly felt some regret.

She wanted it.

Luo Wanqing’s eyes couldn’t leave Cui Heng for a moment. She breathed rapidly, using rationality to force herself to move her hand with difficulty toward the porcelain bottle in Cui Heng’s hand.

But her mind was screaming madly, making her aware:

She wanted it.

She wanted him.

She wanted the man before her.

All her thoughts were written in her eyes. Cui Heng watched quietly, as if already understanding.

So when her fingertips touched the porcelain bottle, he tilted his left hand.

The porcelain bottle slipped into the water. His right hand suddenly scooped her up, directly bringing her to his front. Like wild waves engulfing a person, he kissed her fiercely!

Luo Wanqing’s eyes widened instantly. She felt her body lighten and leap as he held her from the water onto his body. The feeling of weightlessness made her instinctively hold tight to his neck. He pressed the hair at the back of her head, forcing her to completely sink into him. Closing his eyes, his tongue pried open her lips and teeth, driving straight in, conquering territory.

He swept and rolled in her mouth, dominating every inch, unreasonably tyrannical, as if wanting to devour her alive.

She couldn’t catch her breath and tried to retreat in panic, but he held her firmly, giving her no room to escape, forcing her entire body to tremble like a sieve as she couldn’t help whimpering.

He bit her, embraced her, embedded her into his bones and blood, fusing and entwining with him, inseparable.

After an unknown time, when he had exhausted her last bit of air and she felt near death, he finally withdrew.

Then she felt her body lighten as the sound of tearing fabric rang out simultaneously. He tore off her clothing and pressed her forcefully onto the bed.

Luo Wanqing looked at him, both panicked and afraid, yet carrying some hidden longing.

She breathed lightly, watching him methodically untie the hair ribbon in his hair.

A cascade of black hair fell, sweeping across her jade-white skin.

“Half an hour.”

He suddenly spoke, saying something Luo Wanqing completely couldn’t understand.

She stared at him blankly, her mind filled with this person.

He raised his hand to cover her eyes with the hair ribbon. Darkness completely enveloped her, making everything acute.

She heard him open his mask’s clasp and place the mask beside her.

Then she felt a piece of cool jade pressed against her.

It was a white jade ring pendant carved with cloud patterns, with his character “Heng” carved in the center. He made her feel that “Heng” character, slowly caressing it.

She couldn’t help gripping the bed sheets, her body arching like a bow.

“Come.” He lowered his head to cover her lips, kisses like dense spring rain. His other hand threaded through her fingers, holding her firmly, giving her no space to retreat. Domineering yet seductive, he kissed and sucked her while commanding, “Say you want Cui Heng.”

Author’s Notes

Mini Theater

Luo Wanqing: “Did you two fight?”

Cui Heng: “Mm… just a few moves.”

Li Guiyu: “He’s right.”

Luo Wanqing: “Who won?”

Cui Heng: “Well… three moves weren’t enough to show our skills, so no winner was determined.”

Li Guiyu: “Not enough time for a proper contest, no clear victor.”

Luo Wanqing: “But everyone says Xie Heng won.”

Li Guiyu: “Who said that? Stand up!”

Cui Heng: “Which expert has such insight?”

Li Guiyu: “…”

Cui Heng: “You are unlikeable for a reason.”

Li Guiyu: “Switch to your main account and say that – your alt account talks too much.”