"It's okay." Xiao Tian took a deep breath, let go of her, then pulled her to sit down at the table. He reached out, grabbed the pastries on the table and stuffed them into his mouth.
Yi Qing couldn't stand seeing him like this. She tapped on the back of his hand and said, "You've been out touching all sorts of things. You should wash your hands before eating. You're not even as good as Baozi!"
But Xiao Tian just continued eating on his own and said, "I didn't have lunch, nor dinner. I'm hungry."
"Then I'll go to the kitchen and get you something to eat." Yi Qing stood up and was about to walk out.
Xiao Tian pulled her back and wouldn't let her move. "No need. A bite of pastry will do."
For some reason, Yi Qing had this feeling that Xiao Tian seemed reluctant to let go of her, as if he was afraid of something.
Yi Qing said, "Let go of me. I won't go out. I'll pour you a cup of tea."
"I'll do it myself." Xiao Tian refused to let go.
Yi Qing was amused by him. "What on earth happened to you when you were out? Did someone lose his wife, and then you realized you should cherish me?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Xiao Tian frowned, his tone a bit harsh.
"If you don't explain, I'll feel uncomfortable." Yi Qing also pulled a long face.
Who didn't have a temper?
She had been staying on the mountain quietly, doing nothing. But as soon as he came back, he started acting like a madman. Who could stand that?
After Xiao Tian gulped down a large cup of tea, he said, "Let me think about how to tell you."
Yi Qing rolled her eyes. "If you don't want to tell me, you should have hidden it well from the start. But now you're being so evasive. It's really frustrating!"
Xiao Tian silently finished two plates of pastries. Then he organized his words and said, "The emperor suspects you."
Yi Qing was surprised. "Suspects me? What does he suspect me of? Can't be that he suspects me of being a spy from another country, right?"
Unexpectedly, Xiao Tian actually nodded.
Yi Qing felt like she had been kicked in the teeth. She pointed at her own nose and said, "Which eye of his sees me as a spy?
Did she not look like a Central Plains person? Or did her behavior resemble that of the southern barbarians or northern nomads?
Xiao Tian said, "I don't believe it. I didn't tell you before because I was afraid that he would secretly come for you when I'm not around. And then you'd be caught off guard. But remember, I don't believe a single word of it. You're Yi Qing, and you're my woman! It doesn't matter what others say you are. What matters is what I say you are!"
He spoke slowly, each word resounding powerfully.
Yi Qing felt a warmth in her heart, like magma surging beneath a silent volcano. Something was about to burst out.
However, she still asked in a mood - spoiling way, "What if I really am a spy?"
"If I misjudged you, I'll bear all the consequences myself." Xiao Tian looked at her, his black eyes slightly narrowed and unfathomable. "And then I'll deal with you."
All in all, no one was allowed to touch his woman.
Yi Qing raised her eyebrows. "So how are you going to deal with me?"
"That day will never come."
"Do you trust me so much?"
"I trust my own eyes, and here." Xiao Tian placed his hand on his chest.
Yi Qing lowered her eyes, not wanting him to see the emotion in her eyes.
For someone as stubborn as her, admitting that she was touched was even more embarrassing and uncomfortable than being killed.
"What if that day does come?"
Xiao Tian was silent for a long time, and then said, "Then I'll take you to live in seclusion in the mountains. I'll watch you day and night, not letting you harm others, only me."
"Confine ourselves and share joys and sorrows?" Yi Qing asked.
"Yes!"
Yi Qing smiled and couldn't help reaching out to touch his stubbly chin. "Xiao Tian, why are you so soft - hearted? If it were me, I definitely wouldn't be so soft - hearted."
Xiao Tian looked at her, his gaze calm. "I'm willing to be trapped by you. I'm just afraid that I'm too clumsy with words to let you know my feelings. Yi Qing, no matter what happens in the future, even if everyone, even Baozi, abandons you, I won't."
"Then can you give me a hint now and tell me what this 'anything' might be?"
If nothing had happened, it would be unbelievable for this stupid straight - man to have so many feelings. Yi Qing would even chop off her own head.
Xiao Tian was silent, and Yi Qing just waited quietly, her eyes firm. She was determined to know the truth.
"The emperor said that the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi presented a woman to him." Xiao Tian slowly began. "Now he suspects that woman is a spy."
"Ah? That's it?" Yi Qing was stunned. "Does that woman look exactly like me?"
"No."
Yi Qing was speechless. "Since she doesn't look like me, why on earth did he think of me?"
What did this have to do with her? She was just getting implicated for no reason!
This governor of Guangdong and Guangxi was really looking for trouble. The places in the south of the Yangtze River, which were famous for their beautiful women, didn't even send women to the emperor. Why did he stick his neck out?
Didn't he understand the truth that the early bird gets shot? What kind of governor was he?
Now, not only did he fail to curry favor, but he also dragged her down.
However, Yi Qing was really curious as to why the dog - emperor would associate her with this female spy.
Xiao Tian said, "The emperor didn't explain clearly. He just said that he thought you were related to that woman."
Sixth sense? Did the dog - emperor also believe in the sixth sense?
Yi Qing was speechless. "He really has too much time on his hands. Could it be that because I accompanied you out and he couldn't see you, and he was jealous that I could be by your side, so he deliberately framed me?"
You two are true lovers, and I'm the third wheel.
Xiao Tian gave her a fierce glare. "Don't talk nonsense. The emperor is a very suspicious man and loves to daydream. I'm just worried that he'll set traps for you when I'm not around, so I'm telling you this."
Yi Qing vaguely felt that something was off, but she didn't ask further. After all, it was a rare moment of happiness for this straight - man Xiao Tian to express his feelings so directly. She had to savor it well.
Xiao Tian was probably scared by the dog - emperor, so he wanted to get married quickly and give her a proper name.
Xiao Jinghan was on brotherly terms with the emperor. After they got married, she would be the emperor's "sister - in - law", which would be different.
Moreover, judging from Xiao Tian's intention, he wanted to hold a grand wedding and let everyone in the world know about their marriage.
She just didn't know if Xiao Tian would restore his identity at that time...
He probably would. Otherwise, if she, a widow of a great general, got married without keeping a low - profile, wouldn't she be asking for scolding?
But she didn't dampen Xiao Tian's spirits - the poor guy had been scared by the dog - emperor today.
She smiled and said, "Don't worry. That's something for the future. Now we're on the mountain. What are you afraid of? Right now, your stomach is growling. That's the most important thing."
Xiao Tian paused for a moment, then silently let go of her hand and let Yi Qing go out.
After Yi Qing's footsteps completely disappeared, the smile on Xiao Tian's lips slowly faded.
- Things were really not as simple as he had said.
But Yi Qing was right. For now, they were still on the mountain. They could deal with any problems after they got back.
He had already written a scathing letter scolding the emperor. He hoped the emperor wouldn't cause any more trouble.