Xiao Rencheng stepped out of the carriage.
Dressed in a cyan robe, he had well - defined facial features, exuding an indescribable sharpness and dignity naturally.
He didn't have the kind of gentle and refined appearance that Lan Jinqin liked.
But perhaps because she had finally been passively freed from the Wen family today and was in a good mood, she actually thought that Xiao Rencheng's eyebrows were as black as ink and his eyes were like stars. This serious - looking face seemed much more pleasing to the eye.
Xiao Rencheng stood with his back to the sun, blocking all the sunlight behind him. His tall figure enveloped her in the shadow, and he said in a deep voice,
"My lady, I'm here to take you home."
Wutongyuan.
It was a secluded place on the east side of Shangjing. It belonged to Song Yinghuai. Since Xiao Rencheng needed a safe place to hide Lan Jinqin to prevent the people of the Crown Prince and Wen Zilong from finding her, this garden was given to Xiao Rencheng.
Xiao Rencheng got off the carriage first and reached out his hand.
Lan Jinqin in the carriage hesitated for a moment but still placed her hand in his.
From now on, she was no longer Miss Lan, nor the wife of a second - rank official.
She was just a concubine. There was no need to be reserved.
Xiao Rencheng led her into the courtyard.
Wutongyuan got its name because there were many Chinese parasol trees planted there.
The whole garden was filled with tall Chinese parasol trees. The fierce sun penetrated through the broad leaves, blindingly bright. Flower vines climbed up the mottled walls and alleys. Under their feet were moss and broken sand in the gaps of the stone slabs.
"Do you like this place, my lady?" Xiao Rencheng said. "It's remote and not easy to be noticed. It's suitable for hiding people."
Lan Jinqin smiled faintly. "I'm just a concubine. My lord doesn't need to consider my feelings... Indeed, as my lord said, this place is suitable for hiding people. The winding paths lead to seclusion, with high walls and large courtyards. Sounds can't be heard outside. My lord hasn't married yet but wants to keep a concubine. It's really not suitable to be noticed. This place is just right."
Xiao Rencheng's lips moved but he didn't say a word in the end.
He wanted to say that the reason for choosing a place suitable for hiding people was just to protect her safety, not for his own reputation.
But it didn't matter. Changing her mind wouldn't happen overnight.
From now on, they would have plenty of time to get along slowly.
One day, he would surely take Miss Lan into the Xiao Mansion in a proper way.
Xiao Rencheng told the servants to unload the luggage and tidy up the things.
In a blink of an eye, the sky gradually turned from deep blue to pitch - black. The maids had lit the lamps everywhere in the courtyard. The red walls and black tiles were gradually illuminated by the vermilion halos.
After they had their first silent meal together, they separated to take a bath.
When Xiao Rencheng finished bathing and slowly pushed the door open, he saw the young woman sitting in the room had changed into new clothes, a cyan - pink cross - collared shirt and a plain white satin horse - faced skirt.
When she heard the door creak open, she was wearing earrings in front of a bronze mirror and turned her face.
In the flickering candlelight, her face, which was not defeated by time, was illuminated. Her light - pink lips curved slightly. When she turned to look at him, she was just like a beautiful painting.
Like a beauty in the misty mountains, her eyes were full of charm. She was both dignified and charming.
Xiao Rencheng's breath caught for a moment. He leaned against the door, his eyes as deep as the sea.
When their eyes met, Lan Jinqin slowly got up, walked to his side, and softly called out, "My lord."
Just like Caiyu, she was born with a coquettish tone in her voice.
Especially since she was already prepared to offer herself tonight, her voice was even more alluring. A simple call could make one feel weak in the knees.
Anyway, she had made up her mind.
As a concubine, she couldn't be as evasive as she was with Wen Zilong. Xiao Rencheng was not Wen Zilong. There was no deep hatred between them. Moreover, he had saved and helped her several times. No matter for what purpose, the result was there. She didn't need to be cold - faced to him.
Furthermore... after she had an intimate relationship with Xiao Rencheng, she would use her body to bind him and ask him to redress the injustice of the Lan family.
Xiao Rencheng's Adam's apple rolled. "Are you done bathing?"
Seeing that Lan Jinqin nodded but didn't move for a long time, he walked straight to the canopied bed and sat down on the edge.
They were both adults. He naturally knew what Lan Jinqin's dressing and invitation meant.
Since Lan Jinqin had divorced and he had decided to be her man from now on, Xiao Rencheng didn't intend to be a gentleman and restrain himself.
Tonight, he would make Miss Lan truly his woman.
As for whether Miss Lan loved him or not... he would work hard on it in the future.
After all, once a man and a woman had an intimate relationship, their feelings would be easier to deepen.
Lan Jinqin bit her lips slightly and sat down beside him.
Although she knew she couldn't escape tonight and had made a lot of mental preparations.
But after all, she was not familiar with Xiao Rencheng, and she still felt nervous.
Xiao Rencheng looked at her deeply with his profound eyes. The copper incense burner in the shape of an auspicious beast beside them was emitting thin smoke and a strong fragrance.
Suddenly, Xiao Rencheng asked, "What kind of incense is this, my lady? It's so special."
Finally, he asked about it.
Lan Jinqin's eyes flickered brightly, and she quickly covered her expression, hiding her charm in her eyes. She replied gently,
"It's a kind of aphrodisiac incense. Does my lord not like it?"
Xiao Rencheng chuckled. He neither said he liked it nor disliked it. He just waited for Lan Jinqin's next move.
It seemed that they were in a kind of stalemate, just to see who would compromise first.
Seeing that Xiao Rencheng didn't seem to give her any chance to back down, Lan Jinqin felt a bit at a loss.
She was always cold - tempered. During the years with Wen Zilong, it was always the man who took the initiative. Even in the first few years when the Lan family was still prosperous, it was Wen Zilong who was eager to pounce on her.
She had never experienced someone like Xiao Rencheng who was waiting for her to serve him.
If she hadn't felt Xiao Rencheng's interest in her before, she would have almost thought she had made the wrong bet.
Outside the window, the gentle breeze blew, and the curtain fluttered slightly.
Lan Jinqin bit her lips and took the initiative to get closer to him.
An inch, and then another inch.
She slowly raised her jade - like hand, bent her fingers, and gently pushed aside the collar of the man's robe.
The fingertips of Xiao Rencheng's hand on his side tightened, and the speed of his Adam's apple rolling accelerated.
The boneless fingertips touched his Adam's apple and slowly slid down along the rolling direction.
Xiao Rencheng let out a gasp. Finally, he couldn't hold back and reached out to untie the loose belt of her clothes.
Her slender and fair neck was tightly stretched, more shocking than the towering green mountains.
Xiao Rencheng gasped again, bent down, and his hot and rapid breath was like scattered flames, splashing on Lan Jinqin's trembling skin.
Her rose - colored lips were so dry because of nervousness that they seemed to crack. Her misty eyes were filled with broken redness and wetness. "My lord... can you turn off the lamp?"
This was their first time being intimate with each other. Naturally, the man was reluctant to turn off the lamp. "Or you can close your eyes."
Lan Jinqin bit her lips and covered her eyes with her hands, as if she was deceiving herself.
Xiao Rencheng buried his head on her shoulder. With his other hand, he untied their inner clothes. Then he straightened his back and held his breath slightly...
She was trembling violently. Her pink fingertips gradually turned white. In the man's eyes, it suddenly reminded him of what she said in the carriage that day, that she was afraid of pain.
He thought she was just joking, but now it seemed that she really was afraid of pain.
Although she had been a wife for many years, the places on her body casually touched by his fingertips were still so tender that a red mark would appear at a touch.
Xiao Rencheng felt more pity in his heart and could only slow down the speed.
Some things originated from instinct. No matter how much Lan Jinqin wanted to be reserved and shy, when she finally reached the moment of half - bloom, she couldn't help but cry out. The hand on her eyes also unconsciously dropped, and she was no longer able to cover it.
As soon as she let go, her vision became bright. The sweat on her eyes from covering her face just now felt cool in the wind.
Looking at the man in front of her again, there were beads of sweat on his forehead. His deep and dark eyes were filled with lust. He was looking at her intently, and his bare and strong chest was glistening with sweat...
The lady's face blushed hotly. Once the blush spread, it was like the faint oil stain seeping out on the paper, instantly covering her whole face. She was shyly charming.
She quickly reached out her hand to cover her eyes again, and her heart couldn't help but tremble...