Chapter 106: A High-Five Oath
Chapter 106: Chapter 106: A High-Five Oath
Liang Wan sat on the bed, hugging the quilt. Lu Xiu had gone to see the Grandmaster and hadn’t returned yet.
For what felt like an eternity, her mind had been a chaotic mess. She was bent on revenge, yet she’d found herself ensnared without realizing it.
Liang Wan lay down, closed her eyes, and forced herself to calm down.
Lu Xiu had cut off her path to the palace, which made killing Gao Qian much more difficult.
’I have to find another way. I absolutely cannot give up now.’
Liang Wan mulled it over. ’If events unfold as they did in my past life, Lu Xiu will become the most powerful man in the world. That was precisely why I shamelessly clung to him back then, throwing away all my dignity.’
’If Lu Xiu is the farmer, perhaps I can be the frozen snake. Though it’s highly likely he’ll transform into a hunter instead.’
’But once a snake returns to the forest, it will only encounter more hunters and unknown traps.’
’Fighting one hunter is better than fighting a whole pack of them.’
’In this absurd world, I have to ensure my own survival first.’
Liang Wan pulled the quilt over her head.
’Patience. I must plan this slowly!’
By the time Lu Xiu returned, Liang Wan was so sleepy her eyelids were fighting to stay open. She really couldn’t hold on any longer.
He dismissed the servants, clad only in his inner robes, and left a single lamp lit.
Underneath the brocade quilt, he reached out a long arm. Like a kitten, Liang Wan was snatched into his embrace, her entire body pressed against his firm frame.
"Waiting for me?" he asked, his head lowered. He twirled a lock of her hair around his fingertip, a knowing smile on his face.
The moment he’d entered, he’d seen her struggling to keep her heavy eyelids from sticking together, watching him in a daze.
Perhaps roused by the chill he brought in with him, Liang Wan became a little more awake and gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.
"Because the Liang Family broke off the engagement and also reported Yuan Shaoyu, you resent me. That’s why you’re keeping me here, to take your anger out on me. Is that right, Master?"
Liang Wan tried to tilt her head up to look at him, but he pinned it in place with his chin.
"What are you trying to say?" His voice was cool and detached, devoid of any emotion.
Liang Wan understood perfectly. Lu Xiu had deliberately let her discover the matter of the handwriting; otherwise, she would never have been able to enter that room.
’He wants me to know everything, to understand that our childhood meeting was only the beginning.’
’Fine by me. I don’t want to live this life over again in a state of confusion either.’
Unable to see his expression, Liang Wan felt a knot of uncertainty in her stomach, but she had no choice but to press on. "First, about the annulment. Although we were the ones who broke the agreement, there was a reason. My birth chart is inauspicious, something most people are superstitious about. Wasn’t that for the good of your Lu Family as well?"
"As for Yuan Shao—your teacher, even if it was truly Awen who reported him, he was still a spy from an enemy nation. As a citizen of Daqi, it was Awen’s duty to protect his country and report a spy—"
He tilted her chin up, cutting her off mid-sentence. Their eyes met.
Lu Xiu’s pupils contracted slightly. "Are you trying to say you’re innocent?"
’Isn’t that obvious?’
Liang Wan gritted her teeth. "That’s not my main point. What I want to say is, I can be your concubine and let you vent your anger on me. But after three years, once you’ve had enough and I no longer wish to stay, can you... can you let me leave on my own?"
’Leave on her own?’
Lu Xiu narrowed his eyes and let out a low chuckle. "And where would you go?"
Liang Wan blinked, her expression utterly sincere. "To a nunnery."
"A nunnery?"
"Yes," Liang Wan said, nodding firmly. She lowered her gaze. "I was born an ill-omened person. I’m giving myself only three years for my revenge. After three years, whether I succeed or fail, I will renounce the mortal world. I’ll spend the rest of my days as a vegetarian, embroidering images of Buddha, accompanied by sacred texts and a lone lamp."
She paused, then added, "You once said my life was of no use to you, Master. Upon reflection, I think you’re right. So why not let your concubine keep her life and go to a temple to pray for your good fortune? It would be my way of repaying you for saving my life back then."
Her words were filled with poignant sincerity, her demeanor one of utter piety.
Lu Xiu remained silent, his expression cold. Liang Wan felt as if she were shrouded in a dense fog, and she couldn’t help but shrink back.
The longer he was silent, the more her heart panicked.
After a long moment, his deep voice finally broke the silence.
"Why three years?"
’Because there will be disasters and plagues in the next three years?’
’That was part of the reason I was so desperate to enter the palace.’
’Of course, I can’t tell him that.’
Liang Wan composed herself for a moment, then raised her eyes to look up at him.
"’For one who serves with beauty, when beauty fades, love dwindles; when love dwindles, affection is severed.’ Besides, you only feel resentment for me, Master. Three years should be about enough time. Of course, if you grow tired of me sooner, just tell me. I will leave on my own and absolutely will not pester you!"
Lu Xiu raised an eyebrow. "No longer planning to enter the palace?"
"No!" she said, meeting his gaze and shaking her head firmly.
Liang Wan sneered inwardly. ’Does Lu Xiu not know that the Grandmaster already told me about his little scheme?’
Lu Xiu’s eyes were fixed on her. "Be my concubine for three years?"
"Yes, just three years!" she repeated for emphasis as she nodded.
’A concubine is different from a wife. I wouldn’t even need a Divorce Letter. If he just agrees, I can pack my bags and leave whenever I want!’
’The whole point is for it to be simple and convenient!’
Lu Xiu arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "And what if I don’t agree?"
Liang Wan gave him a slight smile.
"Have you forgotten, Master? I’m not just skilled in medicine now; I’m also adept at making poisons. You might be able to guard against me, but others may not be so lucky."
His gaze sharpened, and he grabbed her slender, pale neck. "Are you threatening me?"
"How would I dare?"
Liang Wan stared back at him, resolute. ’Worst case, we take each other down. If I don’t take this desperate gamble, I might be trapped in this courtyard forever.’
"I am making a request."
After she spoke, they stared at each other. For a silent moment, they were like predator and prey out in the open, while in the shadows, blades were drawn and crossbows aimed.
Suddenly, Lu Xiu’s lips curved into a smile. "Fine. Your husband agrees."
’He agreed so readily?’
Liang Wan was a bit surprised. She had been prepared to negotiate further.
"You won’t go back on your word, Master?"
He smiled faintly. "I will not go back on my word. You’re right. Three years might even be too long."
’Oh, maiden, do not give your heart to a man!’
A man’s indulgence is a tale he can tell,
But a woman’s indulgence is a fate she cannot escape!’
’It’s true! The ancients were right! I won’t make the same mistakes I suffered for in my last life!’
A jolt of joy went through Liang Wan. She scrambled up and held out her palm. "A deal is a deal!"
Lu Xiu’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling up. "A deal is a deal!"
SMACK. With the slap of their palms, the agreement was sealed.
He seized the opportunity to pull her back down, pinning her beneath him. "Now, shouldn’t we discuss how a proper concubine should serve her master?"
He loomed over her, looking down with cold, dark eyes.
Liang Wan lay there, not daring to move.
She suddenly remembered their first meeting. It had been just like this. She was lying on the ground, and he was looking down at her with this exact same gaze.
Liang Wan steeled herself, reached up to hook her arms around his neck, and pulled his face closer.
Their gazes met. As composed as he was, she still caught a fleeting glimpse of surprise and panic in his eyes.
She recalled how, long ago, Liang Cheng had secretly hired a red courtesan from Tongle Hall to teach her the arts of pleasure. She never thought a day would come when she would willingly use them.
Liang Wan lowered her eyes, a bewitching smile on her face.
"Remember this, Master. This is how you kiss."
She tilted her head up to meet his, soft and lingering...