The Great Scheming Empress

  She didn't know how long it took, but she finally couldn't resist the overwhelming drowsiness that was coming from all directions and slowly fell asleep.

  At the corner of her eye, a crystal tear fell unknowingly and landed on the quilt, disappearing without a trace.

  Dazed and confused, she didn't even know what dream she had just had. In the dream, it seemed like someone was holding her foot and gently massaging it, the rough palm bringing her an indescribable feeling, warm and soothing, making her feel at ease.

  As his massage progressed, her ankle grew warmer and warmer, even feeling a little hot, very comfortable, so comfortable that she couldn't help but let out a low moan from her sleep.

  Her thick eyelashes quivered slightly, Jiuyin opened her eyes, but didn't see anyone beside her. However, the warmth at her ankle persisted...

  "Qīng chéng?" She was startled and wanted to withdraw her foot.

  He grasped her small foot firmly in his palm, and seemed to be applying some sort of ointment to her ankle, gently massaging it afterwards.

  Jiuyin thoroughly came to, she propped herself up and sat up, her eyes cast down at the large hand grasping her ankle. Suddenly a wave of heat rose to the corners of her eyes, she hastily turned away, her voice hoarse as she said: "I'm...fine now, thank you."

  He wanted to pull his foot back, but he still held it tightly, neither letting go nor speaking, and continued to push and pull.

  The medicine slowly penetrated into the skin, outside because of his rubbing started a few hot air, inside but born a cool breath, one cool and one hot, especially comfortable.

  She didn't say another word, just quietly looked at him, unable to understand why he was ignoring her after coming back, yet being so nice now.

  The soft moonlight seeped in through the slightly ajar window, shining on his handsome face, revealing an ethereal beauty that left her entranced for a long time.

  Finally, Zhan Qingcheng let go of her feet and returned to her side, pulling her back into bed, wrapping his arms around her and closing his eyes.

  All their movements were natural, just like an old couple who had lived together for many years, only lacking a few degrees of passion and adding a few degrees of warmth.

  After a long silence, just as he was about to fall asleep, Jiuyin's soft voice suddenly sounded: "I have something I want to tell you."

  She opened her eyes and looked down at her, her gaze calm, her voice also tranquil: "What is it?"

  "What am I to you in your heart?" She turned around, facing him with a pair of bright eyes staring unwaveringly at his dark and shiny pupils, wanting to see something from the bottom of his eyes.

  But what disappointed her was that when he looked at her, his eyes were as calm and tranquil as ever. Was it because he had gotten used to being cold and detached by nature, or did he simply not have any feelings for her?

  In his memory, in the past three months, in their rare and pitiful time together, he had always been like this, facing her with a faint indifference, neither distant nor passionate.

  "Nature is my future wife." Zhan Qingcheng's response was also calm, so calm that it made people wonder if he knew what he was saying at all.

  "Do you like me?" she asked suddenly.

  Jiang Cheng's eyes widened slightly as he stared at her, seemingly unprepared for such a question. In the past, Jiuxiao had never dared to speak to him with such audacity.

  He seems to be thinking carefully about whether he likes it or not.

  Jiuyin felt a chill in her heart, it was awkward and uncomfortable.

  "You don't have to answer me anymore." Even whether or not he likes her can't be answered, what makes him certain that she is his future wife?

  She lay back down, her gaze falling on his slightly open collar, where the outline of his clavicle was faintly visible.

  So beautiful, it easily made her lose her soul.

  She said don't answer, and Zhan Qingcheng really didn't answer. Seeing that she wasn't speaking, he thought she was sleepy and wanted to sleep, so he also closed his eyes and fell asleep peacefully.

  Jiuyin had never seen anyone so unromantic, to be honest, she still had some expectations in her heart, but it was clear that the God of War was only suitable for going to the battlefield to kill enemies and didn't know how to coax girls.

  She still has a lot of words in her heart that she wants to tell him!

  Her delicate eyebrows knitted tighter and tighter, until her grievance turned into indignation. She suddenly got up, raised her fist and pounded it on his chest.

  Zhan Qingcheng was startled and sat up from her half-asleep state, opening her eyes to look at her with a hint of warmth amidst her usual indifference: "What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable?"

  Just now she didn't continue speaking, he thought she had fallen asleep, so he himself also unknowingly fell asleep. Now facing her angry gaze, he felt a bit dazed.

  Seeing him like this, Jiuyin's heart ignited a nameless anger.

  When arguing with someone, what you fear most is encountering this kind of person. You scold him and he doesn't speak; you think he's reflecting on his actions when in fact he has already fallen asleep peacefully.

  Who is so heartless?

  Although she knew she shouldn't be angry, she couldn't help but say: "If you didn't like me, why did you agree to marry me?"

  Is this how ancient people courted? Without a passionate love affair, what's the point of loving?

  "What's wrong?" He was a bit overwhelmed by the current Jiuyin, who had never seen her show any expression other than gentleness and shyness. Now that she was like this, it really exceeded his ability to cope.

  But he finally felt that she was angry, just didn't know what she was angry about.

  "Why did you agree to marry me?" Jiuyin stared at his face and asked seriously.

  Since I've already lost control to this extent, I might as well lose control completely once and for all.

  These two days, she has gone through too much, physically and mentally exhausted, her mood has been bad all the time, while Qing Cheng... He is the only person in this world that she is willing to rely on, in front of him, the emotions that are usually well hidden easily reveal themselves.

  Some problems are really unbearable when bottled up inside, so why not just lay them out and talk about it.

  She stared at him with her big, shining eyes, as if she wanted to see through his thoughts.

  Zhan Qingcheng's gaze fell on her face, seeing her seriousness, he was taken aback for a moment before saying: "The National Master said you're suitable for me."

  For a moment, she was stunned, and it wasn't until half a beat later that she reacted, opening wide her pair of eyes, the bottom of which were filled with shock.

  He suddenly changed his attitude towards her, willing to accept her kindness, and even willing to become a publicly acknowledged couple with her throughout Western Chu, just because the State Preceptor told him that she was suitable for him?

  Because she's suitable, he is willing to marry her!

  At this moment, she suddenly had an urge to strangle him with her own hands.

  Compared to her excitement, Zhan Qingcheng remained calm, calmly waiting for her questions, and calmly waiting for the time when he could lie down and sleep.

  Nine sounds of hatred, anger, and madness, finally, all emotions were suppressed, she let out a breath, hoarse voice asked: "Why... on the city wall gave up everything for me?"

  If you don't have any love for her, then why are you doing all of this?

  "You are going to be my wife." This time, Zhen Qingcheng did not hesitate at all and replied calmly, "Protecting you is my responsibility."

  Jiuyin was almost defeated by him, she endured, still enduring, even though she was so angry that her chest kept heaving, she still tried to remain calm: "That... if Guoshi had said I wasn't suitable for you back then, would you have been with me? On the city wall, would we have..."

  "I won't."

  "You're going to die if you deceive me once!" Jiuyin was furious.

  She could no longer bear it, and with one swift motion, she straddled his legs, her hands grasping his neck, using all her strength to choke him, pinning him down on the car seat.

  This little strength is not enough for him even if he wants to scratch an itch.

  However, he truly felt her indignation, and because he knew she was angry, no matter what she did to him, he didn't resist at all, and let her make a scene.

  In her line of sight, the collar of her clothes slowly opened amidst the tugging, revealing a patch of snow-white skin on her chest. His eyes dimmed, and his gaze couldn't help but linger.

  "Why are you doing this? Why did you give me hope and then take it away from me? Why?" She thought he was deeply in love with her, so even though she felt uneasy and frightened by this unfamiliar world, even though she suffered after being reborn, she always believed that she would have a bright future.

  Because he is by my side, because of his wholehearted care and love for me.

  But at this time he told her that all of this wasn't because he loved her, but rather because he had a responsibility.

  What is responsibility?

  She pinched him hard, pinching him to death, and was so angry that she wanted to cry.

  The faith in his heart was gone, and suddenly he felt that there was only one person left in the world, alone, thoroughly and utterly alone.

  In fact, she had been used to being alone for 20 years, but in these two short days, she thought she had really gotten rid of her loneliness, only to find that she was even lonelier than before.

  Why is it like this?

  But Zhan Qingcheng didn't understand, he simply couldn't comprehend what she was angry about.

  "Is it because I didn't protect you well and let you suffer at their hands?" After thinking about it, this is probably the only reason.

  It's better not to mention this matter, but once mentioned, Jiuyin's grievance has increased again.

  She said in a low voice, with a sour feeling in her heart: "When we were at the cliff, why didn't you care about me?"

  I often ask myself if I'm really a petty person, but there are some doubts that have been weighing on my mind and it's hard to bear not asking about them. If I don't ask, I always feel like there will be a barrier between the two of us.

  She just didn't expect that tonight's conversation would reveal so many things she hadn't expected.

  Zhan Qingcheng glanced at her lightly, his gaze falling again, landing on the increasingly open neckline.

  "Why aren't you wearing underwear?"

  He suddenly said.

  Nine sounds in unison, he lowered his head and looked at his own chest.

  Her shirt was half open, revealing a patch of snow-white skin, and even, as she pinched herself, the magnificent career line that made her speechless was faintly visible.

  The scenery is beautiful, but at this time, paying attention to these things, isn't thinking too much?

  She casually pulled up her collar and pursed her lips: "Was thrown away by Feng Chenye."

  The thread is all broken and even if I find it back, it's useless. She can sew clothes, but there are no needles or threads here.

  Upon hearing this, the city's gaze dimmed slightly, and a large palm fell on her slender waist. In the calm words, there was a hint of tenderness: "Does it hurt?"

  Jiuyin hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly: "It hurts."

  He knew that Feng Chen Ye was definitely not someone who understood how to cherish and appreciate a woman.

  "It won't hurt afterwards." He looked up at her and said seriously, "It's said that the first time is always very painful for women, but it will get better later, don't be afraid."