The Perilous Palace Dream - Chapter 92
Chapter 92
The sound of rustling wind filled her ears.
On the vast grassland, there were three horses, one wounded man, two weak women, and a little baby in her mother’s arms, bumping all the way yet somehow still asleep, blowing bubbles in his slumber.
To the wolves, this was truly a perfect midnight feast — a mix of fat and lean that would surely please their palates.
Nie Qinglin thought: My fate is sealed! The hardest part was knowing she had dragged Brother Zhang’s family into this.
She only hoped that the wolves’ teeth were sharp enough to make it quick, sparing them too much pain.
As the wolf pack drew closer and closer, suddenly the sound of galloping hooves and a man’s deep, powerful voice came from the distance.
“Guo’er! Guo’er!”
The voice tore through the silence of the night sky and grassland, reaching Nie Qinglin’s ears like a spring of water to a parched desert traveler.
She could not help but cry out, “I’m here!”
That single shout provoked the lead wolf, who bared its fangs and let out a menacing growl.
These beasts were cunning, even knowing reinforcements were approaching, how could they easily let go of the fat prey already at their mouths? The head wolf lunged straight toward Nie Qinglin.
The riders had not yet arrived, but the hungry wolves had.
At that critical moment, Zhang Shiyu, who had just regained consciousness, threw himself forward to shield the princess, only to have the wolf bite deep into his back.
The head wolf’s attack stirred the rest of the pack into a frenzy, ready to swarm all at once.
Just then, a few fiery arrows shot through the air, scattering the wolves.
Wei Lenghou charged forward at the head of his troops.
The warhorse beneath him was fierce and fearless; upon seeing the wolves, it reared up and kicked two away.
The Grand Tutor leapt from the saddle, landing beside the woman who had filled his thoughts day and night.
With a sweep of his arm, he cut down three wolves that lunged at them.
When he turned and saw the princess pinned beneath another man, he thought grimly, So there’s one more here.
He raised his foot and kicked Zhang Shiyu, whose back was a mess of blood and torn flesh, aside.
Then he bent down to lift the princess into his arms, his trembling hand gently wiping the blood from her face.
When he realized it wasn’t hers… that she was unhurt , he let out a long breath of relief.
She had thought she would die in the bellies of wolves, but to her astonishment, the Grand Tutor appeared like a god descending from the heavens.
As he picked her up, Nie Qinglin, overcome with emotion, clung tightly to his strong arm.
This unintentional embrace swept away all her exhaustion.
The Grand Tutor wrapped his arm firmly around the soft body in his embrace, pressing her tightly against him.
The guards who arrived moments later surrounded them, cutting down the remaining wolves.
When the pack was finally slain … more than a dozen wolves in all.
Wei Lenghou lifted Nie Qinglin, intending to place her on his horse.
Just then, she looked anxiously at Zhang Shiyu lying on the ground and said softly, “Grand Tutor, please save Physician Zhang…”
The warmth in his heart cooled slightly, and he said coldly, “A man that stubborn won’t die so easily, his life is too hard to take.”
Then, as the baby in An Qiao’er’s arms began to wail loudly, he mounted his horse, drew Nie Qinglin close, and galloped nonstop toward Qinglong Pass at the border.
The prairie was filled with hidden dangers.
Since they had already found the Dragon Pearl, it was best to return to their own stronghold first.
When they reached Qinglong Pass, the general guarding the gate had already received word.
The gates opened, welcoming the Grand Tutor and his party.
Zhang Shiyu, gravely wounded, was taken to the medical hall for treatment, while the Grand Tutor carried the princess into the guest chamber that the general had specially prepared in his residence.
It had only been a few short days, yet the Dragon Pearl he had so carefully protected ( once round and radiant) had grown noticeably thinner.
The Grand Tutor’s heart felt as if a thousand blades were carving into it, the pain unbearable.
He had seen the disordered bedding in that traitor Ge’s tent earlier.
He could imagine what kind of fate his beloved Dragon Pearl had endured in the hands of a man who had long coveted her beauty.
A surge of jealousy like a crashing tide swept through him.
Forcing himself to stop thinking about it, he gently touched her face.
“Princess, rest for now. I’ll have the kitchen prepare something delicious. Eat a bit, then get a good night’s sleep.”
He stood to leave, his expression cold, but her small hand suddenly grasped his, refusing to let go.
Her face was half-buried in the brocade quilt, her cherry lips lightly bitten as she whispered softly, “Grand Tutor, don’t go…”
Wei Lenghou knew she was frightened, so he gently patted the back of her hand in comfort.
Nothing else needed to be said… just encountering a wolf pack on the grassland would be enough to scare the soul out of any man, let alone a delicate woman raised within the deep palace walls.
He ordered the maid outside to prepare some food, then turned over and lay on his side beside her, patting her back softly, coaxing her as if soothing a baby.
Nie Qinglin waited patiently as he patted for a while.
After some time with no movement, she lifted her head slightly.
The Grand Tutor’s phoenix eyes were closed, his dark brows faintly furrowed.
He had fallen asleep in one breath.
They had narrowly escaped death, and she thought he would, like before, after a long separation, give her a breath-stealing kiss when no one was around, then press her onto the bed and do those shy, intimate things.
Yet now, the Grand Tutor had simply fallen fast asleep.
Nie Qinglin did not know why a trace of disappointment rose in her heart, but his familiar scent filled her breath, bringing her an inexplicable sense of peace.
Counting the days, from the capital to the border, even if he had ridden day and night, the Grand Tutor’s arrival had been as swift as lightning.
After rushing and fighting so fiercely, even an iron man would be exhausted.
Feeling reassured, Nie Qinglin closed her eyes as well, and soon drifted off to sleep, her breathing matching the steady rhythm beside her.
When she woke, she opened her eyes slightly and saw the Grand Tutor sitting at the edge of the bed, looking down at her.
His thin lips were slowly leaning closer, as if he meant to plant a soft kiss on her lips.
He was so close that his dark lashes, like black feathers, were clearly visible, stirring a faint tremor in her heart.
But when he saw her eyes suddenly open, he quickly drew back, his face composed as he steadied his breath.
Then he said, “It’s good that the Princess is awake. Qiao’er said you had a fever earlier. Since you’re just recovering, it’s best not to bathe. I’ll have her bring some warm water to wipe your body instead. The remnants of that traitor Ge’s forces haven’t been cleared yet, so we can’t return to the capital for now. I’ll be handling some official matters later. If the Princess needs anything, the guards will relay your orders.”
After speaking, he stood up and left.
After a moment’s thought, he decided to have An Qiao’er attend to her
After all, she was a loyal servant, and it was too risky now to let unfamiliar people get close to Guo’er.
Hearing the man’s hurried footsteps fading away, Nie Qinglin slowly sat up and quietly looked toward the slightly open window.
The flowers outside had fallen; only a single withered chrysanthemum clung stubbornly to a dead branch, trembling in the wind as its withering petals dropped away, making the patch of sky seem even lonelier.
Not long after, An Qiao’er entered.
Her eyes were swollen from crying, but her expression was more at ease.
Fortunately, the physicians at the border medical hall were skilled.
Zhang Shiyu’s bleeding had been stopped in time, and he had taken medicine, so his life was no longer in danger.
Her own child had been entrusted to the wet nurse at the general’s residence, allowing her to serve the princess in peace.
In the warm water, An Qiao’er had poured in a soothing lily essence, the rising steam softening its fragrance.
Carefully, she helped the princess remove her outer robe and wiped her delicate neck and limbs with a piece of soft white cloth.
Whatever her master was thinking about, her expression was heavy and silent for a long while.
“Did the Grand Tutor ask you anything about what happened to me in the Moerha camp?” Nie Qinglin suddenly asked.
An Qiao’er thought for a moment and said, “He only asked if Your Highness had been sick or hurt. Nothing else.”
At that, she suddenly understood what the princess meant.
Though she lived far from the capital, she always kept track of its news.
Of course, she knew of the Grand Tutor’s temple ceremony to ‘reinstate’ the princess.
Rumor had it that the Grand Tutor had offered a celestial peach at the Temple of the Matchmaker and if that was true, it meant he intended to marry the princess.
If so, An Qiao’er felt somewhat comforted.
The Grand Tutor might not seem like a gentle man, but that was still far better than her master continuing to impersonate the emperor with no way out.
At least there would be a retreat, a future.
But this time, the princess had been abducted by bandits, and a young woman’s chastity and reputation could easily be tarnished.
Yet the Grand Tutor hadn’t asked about it at all … did that mean he had already assumed the princess’s innocence was gone, that she had been defiled by the bandits?
“Princess, please allow this servant to explain everything clearly to the Grand Tutor!”
Thinking of the grave matter at hand, An Qiao’er quickly straightened her back. The Princess had survived safely until now only because of the Grand Tutor’s rare favor and pity. If that favor were to vanish… what kind of fate would await the Princess was self-evident.
“Qiao’er… if the Grand Tutor truly wanted to know, would he need you to tell him? Do not humiliate yourself,” Nie Qinglin sighed deeply, her expression calm.
The world had always been harsh toward women; no one could escape its judgment.
Before, she had only gone through a ceremonial bow to heaven and earth with that Ge Qingyuan (nothing more ) yet that petty-minded Grand Tutor could never forget it, gritting his teeth every time he mentioned it.
Now, if he truly believed she had been defiled by Ge Qingyuan, how tightly would that vengeful and narrow heart twist? Back then, he and Shang Yunchu had shared deep affection, but once Shang Yunchu entered her father’s palace, still as talented and even more beautiful than before, the Grand Tutor had cast her aside like a worn shoe, not sparing her a single glance.
It could be seen that a woman’s “impurity” was the most unforgivable sin in the world.
She used to be vexed by the Grand Tutor’s constant entanglement with her, but now things would finally be quiet.
From now on, it would truly be ruler and minister — those tender, lingering kisses would vanish like smoke, not even worth recalling in midnight dreams.
Fortunately, a man’s reputation could withstand such storms.
Even if rumors spread of his entanglement with the princess, it would not affect the Grand Tutor’s future prospects in choosing a wife, admired as he was throughout the six palaces.
Thinking this, Nie Qinglin felt she should be relieved that there was no need to explain anything.
Her own heart knew the truth.
Yet for some reason, though she told herself she had let go, she could not lift her spirits about anything.
Though this was the general’s residence in a key border stronghold, it could never compare to the deep palace.
The gardens were arranged without order, and the fallen state of the place lacked any trace of elegance.
Nie Qinglin walked a little and soon saw the Grand Tutor approaching from the other side of the garden.
When she lifted her gaze slightly, she saw him frown at her.
“It’s so cold outside , why did you come out without wearing more?”
As he spoke, he took off his cloak, intending to place it over her shoulders.
But Nie Qinglin instinctively took a small step back.
The Grand Tutor’s handsome face stiffened, his jaw tightening as he drew in a sharp breath.
He handed the cloak to Qiao’er beside them and said in a low voice, “Put this on the Princess.”
Then he turned and strode past Nie Qinglin without looking back.
An Qiao’er glanced cautiously at the princess, only to see her once-rosy face pale and wan.
For the first time, Qiao’er understood her master completely.
How many men and women in this world had been ruined by the single word “love”?
Even a princess who had once seen through the ways of the world could not escape this tribulation.
Yet the man who had stirred her heart was Wei Lenghou , the very man no woman should ever love! If she could just guard her heart and become one of the Grand Tutor’s consorts in the future, she might at least live out her days in peace.
But how could such a man ever be worthy of true devotion? Her master, pure and kind-hearted, gentle on the surface yet proud within, was separated by mountains and rivers from that daring, ambitious schemer.
And yet…
Seeing things as they stood now, Qiao’er could only guess what sweet words that cunning man had used to deceive her master.
Somehow, the princess had truly fallen for him…but now, with things turning out this way, and the Grand Tutor’s affection seeming to fade, what would happen next?
That morning, after washing and dressing, Nie Qinglin headed toward the Grand Tutor’s study.
She wanted to discuss returning to the capital.
Being confined in the residence day after day suffocated her, and each time she saw the Grand Tutor, she could keenly sense his deliberate avoidance.
He still had some regard for their past and could not bring himself to turn cold completely, yet since their return, apart from one shared lunch, he had refused to dine with her again.
Every meal was taken to his study, and even at night, he slept in another chamber, never once stepping into her room.
In truth it was she who found herself waking in the dead of night with dreams of the Grand Tutor entering her bedchamber, lying beside her and pecking at her cheeks, whispering endearments like “my dear Guo’er,” each murmur sending her heart pounding.
When she would smile and reach to pull that man with the phoenix eyes and heavy brows closer, he would turn cold, shove her away with a broad hand, and fling her into a cloud of dust.
When the dream broke, the edge of the couch was cold and her cheeks felt damp.
She had thought she could hold to her principles, yet unexpectedly, in a careless moment, she could not even tell where she had misplaced her heart.
Rather than remain in awkward standoff with the Grand Tutor, it would be better to return to the capital first.
Open the moth eaten temple gate inside the palace, recite a few volumes of the Diamond Sutra with sincere focus, and cut off this shallow entanglement so she might endure the coming years.
But as she reached the study door and had not yet knocked, she heard heavy panting within and one whispered “my darling” after another.
Those unmistakable sounds of pleasure froze her wrist mid motion.
Those ragged breaths were so familiar.
They had once breathed hotly in her ear.
Now, behind a single door, which favored and beloved woman was he presently cradling, measuring her tender body inch by inch with those large, callused hands? Which confidante did those fond words strike now?
She had never cared for this man of high station who sang like a skylark, but now, with such vivid and fragrant passion erupting just beyond the door, she found how small her own heart was.
She drew a slow breath and felt her tightly wound chest ready to burst, to split into pieces beyond repair.
She turned slowly to leave that humiliating place, but a gust of wind opened the study door and she could not help but glance back.
That single look flushed both her cheeks with burning heat.
That night’s ambush had allowed Ge Qingyuan to escape for the time being, but the main force of the Moerha clan was broken.
After capturing Moerha’s main camp, Xiu Tuhong had captured the son of the newly enthroned Xiu Tuyu, bound him and hung him from a flagpole to cow the scattered remnants.
Xiu Tuhong then used the firearms provided by the Grand Tutor to besiege, forcing the Moerha main force lying in ambush on the road to surrender.
In a short time Xiu Tuhong’s strength not only did not diminish, it quietly grew.
For a while, Xiu Tuhong faction could stand against the royal court.
It was said that Ge Qingyuan had joined with the Moerha main force, but in the chaos of battle he, already wounded by Wei Lenghou’s earlier strike, was finally pierced in the abdomen by an old subordinate of Xiu Tuyu who still bore a grudge.
He escaped with several bodyguards badly wounded.
Wei Lenghou had cut the northern routes to the central plains.
This boundless grassland would surely be Ge Qingyuan’s grave.
His plan was to roast him slowly, never allowing Ge Qingyuan a swift or pleasant death.
After this campaign, Xiu Tuhong finally saw clearly his royal brother Xiu Tulie and grew wary of the Xiongnu chanyu.
The Grand Tutor’s strategy of dividing the Xiongnu had indeed worked.
Reading the secret dispatch from Xiu Tuhong, Wei Lenghou allowed himself a faint, cold smile.
If the plan proceeded properly, it might well cure the malignancy in the northern frontier once and for all.
Yet government affairs are the easy part.
How should he treat the corrosive fire that raged within his own belly each day?
In recent days he had not even dared dine with that dainty creature.
Days apart had sharpened his senses.
Even amid the aroma of richly seasoned dishes he could pinpoint the intoxicating scent of her soft fragrant body.
Each time he glanced her way he longed to wrench her into his arms, tear off her clothes, and taste that snowlit skin at will.
He wanted to clutch her until she surrendered softly in his hand and to pour every ounce of his heat into her without reservation.
But such ravenous ferocity would surely frighten the delicate one who had just returned from calamity. (T/N: Hmmm.. Wei lenghou is another type of wolf…poor qinglin..huhu)
He dared not ask, dared not listen, to what ordeal she had endured.
He would only wait a while longer, and when his gentleness soothed away her fear, then he would make her forget the nightmares of the northern frontier, and that damned Ge Qingyuan as well.
On his own bed he would prove with his strength that between heaven and earth, only he, Wei Lenghou, was worthy to be her husband.
After dealing with the secret letter and dispatching another group of spies, Wei Lenghou sat alone in the study.
He opened a brocade box beside his desk, and inside lay a pink bellyband.
It was something he had slyly taken from his beloved’s chamber the night before.
Each night he would quietly sneak into her room, stealing a few light kisses on that soft, sweetly sleeping face.
Yet last night, when his lips brushed against her skin, he had found it cool and wet.
Whatever she had dreamt, it had made her weep, whispering again and again, “No…”
At that sound, his heart nearly broke apart.
He had gripped the bedpost tightly, hating himself for ever letting down his guard, for letting the treasure of his heart suffer pain such as she had never known before.
His fingers toyed with the bellyband, the fabric smooth and supple, still faintly warm.
Lying on the couch, he lifted it to his nose, inhaling its lingering scent.
The thought that this thin cloth had once wrapped around her soft and rounded curves sent heat surging downward.
After days of pent-up longing, it was like a volcano erupting, unstoppable.
He loosened his belt, slipped the bellyband beneath, and was about to indulge in reckless desire.
Just as he reached the height of his pleasure, a strong gust of wind blew open the study door.
A graceful lady stood at the threshold, seemingly about to turn and leave.
But when her eyes fell upon the scene before her, they widened in shock, her lips parting slightly.
The Grand Tutor, who had long been shameless in his indulgence and never flustered by matters of the bedchamber, for once felt an unfamiliar flush of embarrassment.
Caught unguarded, entangled with the soft bellyband in his hands, he awkwardly pulled the incriminating item away.
But when the young woman saw the damp cloth marked with telltale stains, her cheeks turned crimson.
In a fluster, she snapped, “Shameless!” and hurried to close the door to leave.
The Grand Tutor would not have it.
He tossed aside the intimate garment, seized the princess’s hand, and pulled her into the study.
Turning to An Qiao’er, who stood below the steps, he ordered, “Stand back. This Marquis and the Princess have important matters to discuss.”
Dragged against that burning chest, Nie Qinglin could still smell the heavy musk that filled the room; even a single breath seemed to scorch her throat.
She remembered how, during the southern campaign, this man had once asked her for a personal garment.
She had been shy then, not understanding why.
That very morning, An Qiao’er had muttered that one of her discarded bellyband had gone missing.
She had blamed the maid’s carelessness…only now did she realize that this libertine had taken it for such indecent use.
“Be good, Guo’er, don’t be afraid. I really can’t hold back anymore. Close your eyes and let me be gentle with you, all right?” he murmured, and before she could react, his lips were already pressing against the fragrant lips he had long yearned for.
When the kiss finally ended, Guo’er was already lying upon the bed, her cheeks flushed and her eyes clouded with daze and confusion.
Tell me, what hot-blooded man could possibly resist such a sight?
H
Hehehe. Thanks for the updates