I was reluctant to be tempted by Si Jiangchen.
Although I knew all his methods were simple yet effective.
However, I didn't want to be as cold - blooded as he was...
He was a military leader. Maybe he had seen too much death and slaughter. The passing of a human life was just a bullet or a battle to him, but I couldn't bear to see anyone die in front of me.
The little child whose blood and essence I had drained. The withered and terrified look on his face would always pop up in my mind from time to time!
Du Peiyun was the culprit who had harmed me. I just wanted to kill him, but I never had the thought of devouring him.
Seeing my determination, Si Jiangchen didn't try to tempt me into eating humans anymore.
He took me away from Luo City and returned to the Si Family in far - off Jinling.
Before leaving Luo City, Si Jiangchen sent a telegram to the Si Family. There were only a few words on it: The bride is brought back, prepare for the wedding.
I had no idea what was on his mind. My physical condition was deteriorating. Even with Granny Bai and A Wen's utmost efforts to control it, the decay of my body was inevitable...
Every night, I would have that nightmare. On the other side of the cliff abyss, there was a tempting path. Every time I tried to walk towards it, that Zhu Youjian in a white robe, along with his daughter, would startle me awake from the dream.
He was the soul of an emperor, with his own dignity and bearing. He also carried the "Supreme Soul - Returning Spell", so his consciousness wouldn't be scattered by the worldly gales and turn him into a murderous evil ghost.
So when I was trapped by Du Peiyun's spells in front of that ancient tomb, I immediately let Zhu Youjian go.
Since then, that lonely ghost in white had disappeared. I asked Si Jiangchen about it, and he just said not to worry about it.
So I really stopped caring about these mundane matters because I had no time for them.
The withered skin had spread to my shoulders and chest. It burned like fire, and only the medicine Granny Bai applied could relieve the pain.
During these days, I watched A Wen all the time. This silly boy always tried every means to hurt himself and mix his blood into my food and medicine.
Finally, after four days of suffering, the train we were on pulled into the station in Jinling City.
The weather in the south was hot. It was only May, and it was already too warm to wear long - sleeved clothes.
Si Jiangchen had taken off his military uniform and was wearing a moon - white shirt. A pair of dark - blue long trousers made his figure look tall and straight.
My arms, shoulders, and part of my chest were all covered with dark - brown, bark - like skin. I had no choice but to wear a long - sleeved, high - collared, front - buttoned summer linen jacket that covered my hands, paired with a horse - faced skirt that reached my ankles.
The carriage we were in was a private one. There were no idle people on the platform, but there were more than a dozen men and women standing there.
Si Jiangchen put his arm around me and got off the train. Immediately, two young girls about fourteen or fifteen years old waved their arms and ran over.
"Brother Jiangchen!! You're finally back!"
"I was so worried about you!"
Two fair and delicate round faces leaned in from either side. They naturally wrapped their arms around Si Jiangchen's, pushing me behind them.
"Why aren't you two at school? What are you doing at the station?"
Rarely, Si Jiangchen didn't speak coldly to the two girls. There was even a hint of a smile on his usually cold face.
"Brother, you're going to be the future clan leader. You suddenly led the troops out to fight without a word. If something had happened to you, wouldn't our Si Family be in chaos?!"
So... they were siblings.
I stood quietly behind the three of them, guessing their relationship.
The girl on Si Jiangchen's left was wearing the student dress that fashionable young girls in China liked the most these days. The upper part was a moon - white blouse with a semicircular hem, with wide five - finger sleeves and a dark - blue border. The lower part was a dark - blue knee - length pleated skirt. It was the most popular outfit for young girls.
The girl on the other side was a bit older and obviously well - dressed.
She was wearing a form - fitting light - yellow short - sleeved cheongsam. There was a clash - colored jade brooch hanging on the cross - collar in front of her chest. The green color made her skin look especially fair. She was holding Si Jiangchen's arm and glanced back at me casually. Then she asked, "Brother A Chen, is the person you said you're going to marry this woman?"
As soon as she said this, the girl in the student dress also turned to look at me. There was an obvious look of disappointment on her face. "Brother, it's her. She's so rustic. It's the Republic of China now. Why is she still wearing the clothes that only old rural women wear?"
My clothes were indeed made by Granny Bai.
Si Jiangchen only bought clothes in batches from the tailor - shop. Those clothes were nice, but to keep their shape, they used stiff materials and some even had starch on them.
The scars on my body were getting bigger and bigger. I simply couldn't wear those gorgeous but restrictive clothes. So Granny Bai sewed a few sets of clothes for me with some dark - colored taffeta.
I liked them very much, but I didn't know why they didn't meet the standards of these young ladies.
"This is Du Xinghe, your future sister - in - law."
Si Jiangchen took his hand out of their arms and reached out to hold my fingers. He introduced me to them, then pointed to the younger round - faced girl and said to me, "This is my sister, Si Xirui."
I nodded to the girl.
Si Xirui just curled her lips and turned her face away.
"Xirui!!" Si Jiangchen was about to scold his younger sister when the girl in the cheongsam quickly pulled on his sleeve and said coquettishly, "Brother A Chen, you haven't introduced me yet! I'll do it myself. My name is Li Mingyue. I'm Brother A Chen's cousin. Hello, Miss Du!"
There was a smile on her face, but I could see the cold hatred in her eyes. Even in her feigned friendly greeting, she only called me "Miss Du" instead of "sister - in - law" as Si Jiangchen had said.
However, I was too lazy to care about the petty thoughts among these women.
Si Jiangchen greeted the clansmen who had come to welcome him, but his hand never left mine.
He knew about the scars on my body, so he was extremely careful. I could even hear the low - pitched complaints from the two young ladies behind us. "A rural woman, acting like a porcelain doll!"
So I turned to look at them and leaned even closer to Si Jiangchen, almost nestling in his arms.
"What's wrong? Not feeling well?"
Si Jiangchen had never seen me take the initiative to get close to him in public before. He quickly lowered his head and asked softly.
"It's too hot. I'm a bit dizzy."
I wasn't lying. There was only a green - tile roof on the station platform for shade. It was afternoon, and the setting sun had made the platform as hot as a steamer. My injured skin couldn't sweat, so I felt especially uncomfortable.
"Okay."
Si Jiangchen frowned slightly. He picked me up horizontally and ignored the clansmen waiting to greet him. He walked quickly towards the outside of the station.
"Brother A Chen, wait for me. We'll take the same car with you!"
There were shouts from the two girls behind...