Chapter 287: Chapter 194: The Edge of Murder

She looked at him suspiciously, "A few casual words from me can make you spit blood multiple times?"

Is he really that fragile?

Who can say nice things during a quarrel? Isn’t it always about saying what hurts the most?

She was also furious with him, but she never spat blood.

Lu Ziyuan smiled faintly and said, "Let’s not talk about this anymore."

He had indeed changed a lot. He had begged her more than once to return, but at his core, he was still that man who didn’t want to show weakness in front of the girl he loved.

Xie Wanqing pursed her lips, choosing not to pursue further questions.

Asking more would make her seem overly concerned.

While the two conversed, a few advisors came over to discuss important matters.

Xie Wanqing instinctively went behind the screen, while Lu Ziyuan finished a bowl of chicken soup in one go, glanced at her, and then stood up to walk around the screen and out.

All afternoon, several groups of people came and went in his study. The things they discussed were incomprehensible to Xie Wanqing, leaving her bored as she flipped through a few pages of a book. In the end, she fell deeply asleep on the soft chair.

When Lu Ziyuan returned after sending off several confidants, he saw her covered with a thin blanket, her face flushed in sleep.

He smiled slightly, bent down to place a kiss on her forehead, tucked the blanket around her, and then went to the desk to deal with documents.

Time passed little by little, the sky gradually darkened, and candles were lit indoors.

Under the bright candlelight, the space between the two was quiet and peaceful.

Just then, Mingjian walked in, the sound of the door pushing open breaking the silence of the room.

Lu Ziyuan slightly lifted his eyes and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Mingjian did not speak, his gaze glanced in the direction of the screen, his expression hesitant.

Lu Ziyuan’s hand holding the pen paused, understanding in his heart.

He stood up, took a few steps to Mingjian, "She’s asleep, speak freely."

The breathing from inside was long and regular, indicating she was indeed asleep.

Mingjian quickly bowed his head and relayed the intelligence he had gathered, finally saying, "Counting the time, he should arrive within ten days."

In his heart, he also marveled that the Heir of Duke Pei was indeed a character. They had used so many tactics, any one of which could have been fatal, yet he not only survived but was not even troubled.

He could even gather information here, tracing the clues back to them.

But... with the few men he has, coming here is akin to death, isn’t it?

Truly, just for a woman, nothing else matters.

His master is like this, and so is Heir Pei.

Mingjian silently lamented in his heart that women bring trouble.

And Lu Ziyuan’s expression darkened instantly upon hearing that Pei Yuqing was heading to the Northern Border, his aura turning icy, with a furious intent boiling within.

Just hearing that name was enough to make his usual calm vanish completely.

He and Wanwan were about to get married, their wedding was already in preparation, yet that sickly scholar...

As a close attendant, Ming Feng understood his master very well. He bowed and offered, "Allow me to take a few men to take care of him, ensuring he dies outside the Northern Border, never disturbing your good affairs."

"No!" Lu Ziyuan raised his hand, "I will personally kill him!"

Pei Yuqing was the person he most wanted to kill in this life!

Having a subordinate do it wouldn’t relieve the hatred in his heart.

He wanted to personally flay that sickly scholar one cut at a time to barely ease his internal jealousy.

Now the opportunity had come!

As for how he would explain it to her...

Lu Ziyuan smirked coldly, this world is chaotic, who without some skills would dare wander around the Capital? Dying outside is a normal thing, isn’t it?

Who says that when that sickly scholar dies, it must be his doing?

There’s no need for an explanation.

The surging murderous intent made his emotions intense, and he failed to notice the girl’s breathing on the soft chair become erratic for a moment.

Xie Wanqing fiercely bit her lip, trying hard to steady her breathing, the hand in her sleeve tightly clenched into a fist, her well-manicured nails digging into her palm, almost breaking the skin.

Pei Yuqing was coming!

He had heard news of her abduction and was coming to the Northern Border!

They had agreed before she left the Capital that she’d return in three to five months, yet her return was endlessly delayed, she’d heard the reason clearly too.

It was Lu Ziyuan who constantly tripped him up behind the scenes, preventing him from returning to the Capital, separating them, husband and wife.

And now, he even intends to personally go and kill Pei Yuqing.

This is too much!

Stealing another’s wife and even wanting to take his life!

Pei Yuqing was so innocent, it was she who had proposed to him, who had actively mentioned wanting to marry him.

In just a year, Lu Ziyuan relentlessly entangled her, she couldn’t shake him off or escape, and in a twist of fate, she was saved by him.

She had accepted her fate, she genuinely wanted to be with him properly.

But he was deceiving her!

Deceiving her!

Xie Wanqing suppressed her fury, trying to maintain an even breath.

Fortunately, the master and the subordinate over there were also not calm, failing to notice the subtle changes in this corner.

A moment later, the study door was closed again, and Mingjian retreated.

Lu Ziyuan stood quietly, his expression restored to calm, with his eyes down, pondering something.

Until a gust of wind blew through the window loudly, the sleeping girl let out a soft groan, jolting him back to his senses as he walked over to the other side of the screen.

The girl lying on the soft chair had already sat up, rubbing her eyes. Hearing his footsteps, she turned her sleepy eyes towards him, Lu Ziyuan’s face was gentle, reaching out to touch her forehead, "Was the wind too cold, did it wake you?"

"Not cold..." Having just woken up, her voice was a bit hoarse as Xie Wanqing swallowed and said, "I want to drink water."

The man who had just approached turned around to pour her some water, the temperature of the tea he handed her was just right.

Who wouldn’t call such attentiveness considerate?

Xie Wanqing held the teacup, staring blankly at the light golden ginseng tea within.

"What are you thinking about?" Lu Ziyuan said, "Weren’t you thirsty, drink up."

"Mm..." she responded softly, took a sip of tea, and explained, "I just woke up, my mind is still a bit foggy."

The way she answered was so obedient.

Lu Ziyuan was moved, reached out to lift her onto his lap, lowered his head to sniff her neck, "Shall I help you wake up?"

Saying this, he reached to undo her clothes.

In such cold weather, she was dressed warmly, with several layers of clothing. Without undoing her waistband, he couldn’t slip his hand inside her garments.

He expertly undid her clothes, and when Xie Wanqing went to stop him, the outer garment’s sash had already been undone. She grasped his wrist, preventing him from continuing to undress her, "I’m already awake, stop it."

"So many days, and you still want me to stop?" Lu Ziyuan gently pinched her waist, kissing her earlobe, his voice muffled, "Don’t keep rejecting me, Wanwan..."

Xie Wanqing turned her head to avoid his advance, and said lightly, "I’m hungry."