boyutpedia Chapter 22 Desire
Chapter 22 Desire
The next morning, the sky was still overcast with dark clouds and distant rumbles of thunder, but the rain was lighter than it had been the night before.
Cong Shuang was awakened by the jingling of donkey bells. She went outside the cave and saw that it was already bright daylight.
A woman came from afar, sitting on a donkey cart.
Overjoyed, she lifted her skirt and ran, calling out, "Auntie! Where are you going?"
The old woman replied, "I've gone back to town."
After speaking, he looked her over. Her clothes were dirty, but she looked like she came from a good family. "Miss, have you gotten lost in this forest?"
Cong Shuang shook her head: "My young lady and I encountered villains while passing through this area and are now stranded here. Could you please take us to town, ma'am?"
The old woman hesitated for a moment and said, "I only came to cut some bamboo to weave baskets. This cart, besides the bamboo, can only seat one more person..."
Cong Shuang pursed her lips, and after a moment replied, "One person is fine too! Please wait a moment, Auntie, I'll go get some things and be right back!"
"Then you'd better hurry, I can't wait much longer."
Cong Shuang nodded and ran towards the cave.
She rushed back, rummaging through her bag, and said, "Young Master Xiao, I just met an old lady who was going back to town. I'd like to ride in her cart to find a horse-drawn carriage in town. I'd like to ask you to take care of my daughter."
After saying that, he stuffed two purses of silver into his pocket and ran out without waiting for Xiao Hengzhi's reply.
After yesterday's events, she could say she completely trusted Xiao Hengzhi, and would feel at ease leaving her young lady alone with him.
Xiao Hengzhi watched her retreating figure, then looked at Jiang Mian, and said with a smile, "Your little maid has gone to think of a way for you. If you want to see Ning Zhi, wake up soon."
He then lit another pile of firewood.
The cave was still dark in the morning, and the moisture inside would quickly turn it icy cold if no fire was lit.
Although Jiang Mian's fever had subsided, she was still feeling drowsy.
Xiao Hengzhi stayed by her side every step of the way, sometimes playing with her hair, sometimes stroking her eyelashes.
He habitually took her hand, intertwined their fingers, and kissed it repeatedly.
He couldn't remember the last time he had spent time with Jiang Wan like this.
Even if she were sick in her past life, he would not have been merciful.
He was burning with rage, wishing she would kneel at his feet every day, so she could feel the pain in his heart.
But each time, he was met with even more pain afterward.
After Jiang Mian's death, he did many crazy things. He was tyrannical and despotic, and everyone wanted to tear him to pieces. But in the end, he stepped down from the throne on his own initiative.
......
Suddenly, the person next to him gripped his hand tightly.
Xiao Hengzhi turned his head and saw that Jiang Mian had slightly opened her eyes.
Just as she was about to ask if she was still feeling unwell, she saw Jiang Mian snuggle into her arms.
"Cold," she uttered.
He froze, not quite understanding, then heard her mumble, "The Jiang family is in trouble... thank you for still being willing to save me..."
It turns out... she was experiencing memory loss.
Xiao Hengzhi turned to the side to block the wind and slowly hugged her tighter.
"Are you still cold?" he asked.
"Well......"
Jiang Mian nestled in his arms and let out a muffled groan.
Xiao Hengzhi suddenly smiled. He seemed to have turned into that silly boy again, and just holding her made his heart flutter.
As Jiang Mian felt the warmth outside her body, her thoughts seemed to drift between memories and dreams, sometimes to the Jiang residence, sometimes to the imperial palace, sometimes to the Phoenix Seal, and sometimes to Ning Zhi, before finally settling on Xiao Hengzhi.
It was a rainy night. She was kicked out of the Marquis's mansion and returned to the Jiang mansion alone in the rain, only to find that the gate was sealed.
She crouched in a corner, breaking down in tears. It was Xiao Hengzhi who brought her back, reaching out to her like a god and pulling her out of the mire.
That was a time so distant she had almost forgotten it, a time when she was most vulnerable and most dependent on Xiao Hengzhi...
Jiang Mian's eyes trembled slightly. She half-opened her eyes, her blurry vision fixed on his face. By the dim firelight, she recognized his eyebrows and eyes, and her nose tingled with emotion.
"Xiao Hengzhi..."
Her emotions gradually overflowed, and the bitterness and dependence of the past surged into her heart again, causing tears to roll down her cheeks.
He quickly and gently coaxed, "I'm here."
"Xiao Hengzhi..."
Jiang Mian sobbed.
"here I am."
Xiao Hengzhi smiled and responded to her.
She was lost in memories, her voice trembling with tears as she called out his name again and again, as if trying to confirm that he hadn't left.
"Xiao Hengzhi..."
"Um……"
Xiao Hengzhi held her in his arms, his index finger tracing her wet eyelashes, unconsciously moving closer and closer until his lips were almost touching hers, his breathing becoming increasingly labored.
As she uttered her next cry.
He replied, "I'm here."
Then he kissed her directly.
The warm breaths mingled instantly.
He reached out and gently supported the back of her head, pulling her into his arms. His movements were careful and restrained, yet they concealed an irrepressible desire.
Jiang Mian gently struggled in his arms, but did not push him away. Everything in front of her seemed to be shrouded in a layer of damp mist.
She felt something approaching her, something warm and familiar. She tilted her head back, opened her mouth, as if helplessly seeking an exit.
Tears rolled into her mouth, filling her with a bitter, salty taste, and her hand unconsciously gripped his collar.
Xiao Hengzhi felt her faint response, his eyes suddenly darkened, and he gently stroked her cheek, deepening the kiss, his tongue slowly and deeply touching hers.
"Membryo..."
He called out passionately, his lips burning with intense emotion.
As they lingered, he held her waist, his fingertips pressing against her side, gently pulling her towards him, as if afraid she would vanish into this ambiguous dream.
With just that light touch, Xiao Hengzhi felt a sudden tingling sensation in his back, as if an electric current had instantly surged through him.
The soft person in his arms did not pull away again, letting out a barely audible gasp.
His breathing suddenly quickened and deepened, each breath like an insatiable exploration, as if he wanted to melt her into his very being.
The constant alternation between desire and restraint makes it difficult to control oneself.
Jiang Mian had never been so tender and affectionate with him before, her breath as sweet as orchids and musk.
One frantic voice after another roared in his mind: he wanted her, he wanted to possess her completely.
And he was indeed restless, lingering along her neck, planting a deep kiss on her collarbone, his hand sliding down her back, supporting her waist, and pulling her into his arms.