Over the past month, they had grown closer, but since Luo Jie left, Ji Mingshao’s anxiety had disappeared, and the passion they once had had not returned. This was partly why Ruan Ning hadn’t given her parents an answer; she wanted to enjoy her newfound freedom and felt something was missing between her and Ji Mingshao.
She pushed him away, saying, “What are you doing? You scared me.”
Ji Mingshao did not respond, refusing to let go. As Ruan Ning tried to find a candle, he pushed her against the wall, silently holding her with newfound determination.
Ruan Ning softened and gently asked, “What’s wrong?” “Don’t light the lamp,” he replied muffled. “Why? It’s uncomfortable in the dark,” Ruan Ning teased. “I’m going to light it.” “No lamp,” he insisted in a low voice. His cold lips found hers in the darkness, kissing her lightly, “Anyway, no lamp.” She thought he wasn’t strong enough. Without light, she felt his strong arms and sensed his power. His breath brushed her lips, making Ruan Ning’s heart race. She lightly bit his lip. This action unleashed Ji Mingshao’s suppressed emotions, and he immediately counterattacked, imprisoning her instead. His arms encircled her tightly, revealing a strength she hadn’t realized. She focused on leaning into him, drowning in the kiss. Ji Mingshao, craving her, was relentless. His hand caressed her back, growing bolder until he touched her smooth waist.
He suddenly became clear-headed, struggling between wanting more and remaining restrained. In conflict, he desperately kissed her, almost suffocating her. Sensing her discomfort, he gasped and relaxed, then blurted out, “Why won’t you marry me?”
Untying her clothes, he guided her downward: “We won’t be even, and I won’t let you be even with me.”
“Don’t!” Ruan Ning’s face burned as she tried to pull her hand back. “Don’t do this.”
Ji Mingshao gripped her hand firmly, pulling her closer. His hand trembled as he kept his eyes wide open, whispering, “Don’t you dare not want me.”
Ruan Ning felt a soft part of her heart open. In a daze, she leaned closer to him and said, “I won’t not want you.”
“Marry me,” Ji Mingshao urged.
“Okay, marry me,” Ruan Ning replied involuntarily.
He sighed in relief, pulling her down onto himself, satisfied.
They pressed tightly together until he could no longer control himself and tried to shy away, but this time she held him down, her breath sweet and tempting: “Dare you?”
Ji Mingshao’s heart stirred as he hugged Ruan Ning tightly, seeking a way out.
In the small room, familiar from countless sleepless nights spent gazing through the window, he wanted to take her to the bed. However, she pressed him down on the table, challenging him: “Dare you?”
Ji Mingshao remained silent, breathing heavily as passion surged between them, sweeping them into a heated frenzy and making them lose track of time.
She was the leader, but he was not weak; he responded to her every action and intention endlessly. Eventually, she let out a satisfied yet painful long breath, lying on his bare body, slick with sweat.
“Don’t stop,” Ji Mingshao’s voice was hoarse and seductive. He struggled to control himself, finding it almost impossible.
He heard her soft laugh, seemingly mocking his greediness, but she quickly responded to his request, taking him to another peak.
When the morning sunlight streamed in, Ruan Ning slowly opened her eyes. Ji Mingshao was looking at her with a clear, satisfied gaze.
Ruan Ning tossed a pillow at him, coyly saying, “Get dressed!”
“Let me look a while longer,” he replied, moving closer to gently kiss her red lips.
“Get up!” she said, pushing him away. “Be careful not to be seen.”
Ji Mingshao said nothing, nestling in bed and slowly closing his eyes. He hoped to be seen so she couldn’t regret it, allowing him to marry her soon. Ruan Ning saw through his scheme; she dressed, smoothed her hair, and prepared to wash. Ji Mingshao started dressing, hugged her waist from behind, and softly asked, “Satisfied?”
Ruan Ning’s face turned red as she spat, “Improper!”
“Actually, I’m not weak at all,” Ji Mingshao whispered, “You’ve tried it, I’m not lying.”
What a shameless rogue! Ruan Ning pulled away and walked out, only to encounter Ruan Shi Xin, whose face was twisted in shock: “Good daughter, what are you doing…”
“Father-in-law,” Ji Mingshao emerged from behind Ruan Ning, bowing deeply, “Your son-in-law was discussing marriage with Ning.”
Marriage? Ruan Shi Xin wanted to strangle him, but his daughter didn’t object. His heart sank—his carefully raised cabbage had been taken by this sickly man!
“Good second brother, I’ve come to find you.” Zhao Sihai walked out from the shadows, his voice cold and sinister, “The sick scholar’s poison is truly unparalleled. Your toxic smoke made my brother bedridden for nearly a month.”
I heard the government troops are preparing to encircle Erlong Mountain, so I’ve come to warn you that before the troops arrive, none of you will be leaving the mountain.”
Ji Mingshao’s heart tightened; Zhao Sihai wanted to trap them and have them captured.
He drew out several silver needles and shot them at Zhao Sihai, who retreated and used Yu Qiu, whom he had grabbed from behind a tree, as a shield.
“Third sister has been so good to you. You can’t let her die, can you?” Zhao Sihai smirked, gripping Yu Qiu tightly. “Second brother, give me the antidote.”
“Don’t worry about me, quickly go!” Yu Qiu urged, enduring her pain. “All of Wuying Pavilion’s assassins have come. Big brother wants to break your poison, so he lured you into action.”
“Good third sister, you truly care for second brother!” Zhao Sihai gritted his teeth. “Second brother, will you give me the antidote?”
Ji Mingshao hesitated only a moment before throwing several bottles. Zhao Sihai caught them and retreated into the darkness with Yu Qiu.
The surroundings returned to silence, filled with hidden dangers.
Luo tried to persuade him with various arguments but couldn’t sway him, so she left reluctantly, self-mockingly thinking that at least this trip helped her give up hope for a future chance.
Ruan Shixin planned to seek refuge with friends who had connections in the green forest. He initially intended to travel with just his family, but some tenants who had lost their resolve insisted on joining him, leading to a group of twenty to thirty people. Despite their attempts to travel small paths at night, they attracted attention.
“Father, we can’t continue carrying them,” Ruan Ning said anxiously while hiding in a mountain valley. “We’re too conspicuous. We’ll be discovered by the authorities.”
“Alas, I can’t abandon them,” Ruan Shixin sighed.
“We’re registered with the authorities, but they aren’t and won’t be recognized,” Ruan Ning said. “We should split them into groups and have them leave at different times.”
“Let me think about it,” Ruan Shixin hesitated.
Suddenly, Ruan Shi Ming’s voice came from the opposite mountain peak. “Men, capture him quickly and claim the reward!”
Ruan Shi Ming had been imprisoned and tortured for over ten days. After selling his family’s property, he sought connections and was released after the county magistrate died. Ruan Qing, having endured severe torture, was sold to an old butcher for two taels of silver. He loathed Ruan Shixin, believing him responsible for his plight. When he learned the court planned to suppress Two Dragons Mountain, he volunteered to guide the way.
Due to the tenants, Ruan Shixin’s whereabouts were quickly exposed. Ruan Shi Ming excitedly followed the soldiers and identified his brother.
