Looking back, the whole journey has been full of hardship.
Sticking to the righteous path, yet ending up with a villain’s reputation—who have I really been living for all my life? How could the word “tired” even begin to describe it? Luo Qingcheng’s shoulders trembled.
Sometimes, she imagined herself as a child, bawling her eyes out, able to let go of all her defenses, just wanting to be an ordinary woman in the marketplace, never caring about the Jianghu again, spending the rest of her days laughing with the one she loved… Could she? Would she ever get that chance in this life?
“…” Her lips parted, but she hesitated to speak.
Fu Hong, Xi Fuhong.
She could only whisper the names in her heart, over and over, replaying the memories.
Author’s note: The former queen has become a prisoner, locked up by her senior brother (covers face).
☆, Chapter 74: Drenched in Honey
In the side hall, Xue Baihua took some gauze and wrapped it around the burly man’s thick arm.
The man’s beard was tangled, his masculinity overwhelming, sitting in the chair like a great bell.
Next to him, Xue Baihua looked especially petite.
Her fingertips brushed over his rough skin, making the man’s heart race.
Throughout the Demonic Sect, rumors had long spread about the Divine Doctor’s enchanting looks.
Seeing her up close, she really was mesmerizing, making him want to pull her into his arms and cherish her.
Catching sight of a bruise on Xue Baihua’s left cheek, the man absentmindedly reached out to touch it.
Smack!—A crisp sound echoed as Xue Baihua slapped his hand away without mercy.
“Heh, Divine Doctor Xue, why bother? If you stay here, you’ll just be used by the sect leader.
You know how unpredictable she is—who knows, maybe one day she’ll get bored and feed you to the dogs!” The man awkwardly withdrew his hand, laughing dryly.
Xue Baihua shot him a glare, looking so delicate that it only made him want her more.
“How about I go talk to the sect leader? Get her to let you go?”
Xue Baihua looked away, ignoring him and turning to leave, but he grabbed her just in time.
“Hey! Where are you off to, Divine Doctor?” The man wouldn’t give up, pestering her as he moved closer.
Xue Baihua shook off his grip, but suddenly he grabbed her from behind, arms around her waist.
His curly beard tickled her, making her uncomfortable, but he was too strong for her to break free.
“In such a hurry, Divine Doctor—are you heading down to the valley?”
Everyone knew, if the Divine Doctor wasn’t with the sect leader, she was at Wu Feng Valley.
The man tilted his head, suddenly saying, “Could it be your lover lives in the valley?”
Hearing this, Xue Baihua struggled free and shot him a proud, faint smile.
Really? The man raised an amused eyebrow.
As Xue Baihua was about to step out the door, he called out, “Is he better looking than me?”
Xue Baihua nearly tripped.
She turned back slowly, sizing him up from head to toe.
Tall, muscular, a bit scruffy but with a certain wild charm—he’d definitely catch the eye of many girls on the street, with that untamed aura and sharp eyes…
After a moment, Xue Baihua shook her head.
The man laughed proudly—so, the guy in the valley wasn’t as handsome as him.
But he didn’t know, the one Xue Baihua loved was actually a delicate beauty.
Xi Fuhong wasn’t handsome—she was just incredibly cute!
Xue Baihua couldn’t wait to get to the valley, dragging Xun’er to the mechanism at the entrance.
After two days of lovesickness, Xue Baihua was already out of sorts.
Other than treating the sect members’ injuries, she’d just sit on her bed, her mind full of Ah Fu’s smile.
She’d finally made it through two days—she didn’t want to wait another second.
As usual, Xun’er opened the door for Xue Baihua, reminding her, “Just one hour, Divine Doctor, don’t forget.”
Xue Baihua shot her a look, then hurried into the valley.
Even in her excitement, she didn’t forget Lu Xiangyin’s warning.
That cold-blooded sect leader had made her take cold poison, and even brought in Xiao Qiyu.
She knew Ah Fu had a history with that woman—what was Lu Xiangyin up to? Trying to make her jealous? Or just trying to piss her off?
—“Divine Doctor, don’t get any ideas about having her all to yourself.”
Remembering Lu Xiangyin’s words, Xue Baihua bit her lip in anger.
She did want Ah Fu all to herself! She did!
Just as she stepped out of the dark stone passage, she heard laughter up ahead.
Xue Baihua’s heart tightened and she rushed into the valley.
Peeking into the courtyard, she didn’t see Xi Fuhong, so she turned and ran toward the pond.
Not far away, she saw two figures playing in the water—Xi Fuhong swinging a cloth, Xiao Qiyu’s eyes covered with fabric, a basket of wet clothes beside her.
Seeing Ah Fu and Xiao Qiyu laughing together, Xue Baihua’s jealousy flared.
Without a word, she stepped into the pond, not caring about her expensive clothes, and hugged Xi Fuhong tightly from behind.
Xi Fuhong, halfway through washing clothes, was startled to suddenly be embraced.
She hadn’t noticed Xue Baihua arrive at all.
“Divine Doctor?” She looked shocked, twisting around, but Xue Baihua just held her tighter.
It was summer, but the mountain spring was icy cold.
Xue Baihua was already frail, and after jumping into the water, she was shivering all over, but stubbornly refused to let go.
Xi Fuhong noticed her trembling and said worriedly, “Hua’er, if you’re cold, go ashore first.
I’ll be up as soon as I finish washing these.”
Xue Baihua ignored her, just hugging Ah Fu tighter, pressing her face against her warm back.
“Why don’t you take Miss Xue inside first, Miss Xi? I can wring out these clothes myself,” Xiao Qiyu said gently, scooping up the wet laundry.
Xi Fuhong hesitated, but seeing Xue Baihua shivering, she nodded.
“Thank you, Miss Xiao.
I’ll take Hua’er inside to change.”
Taking her cold hand, Xi Fuhong led Xue Baihua away from the pond.
As soon as they entered the house, she grabbed a towel to dry Xue Baihua’s hair, then handed her clean clothes to change into.
Before Xi Fuhong could say anything, Xue Baihua had already pulled open her collar, stripping off her outer robe without a care, making Xi Fuhong blush and quickly turn away.
The sound of clothes rustling and water dripping filled the air.
Xi Fuhong stood there for a moment, when suddenly a pair of pale arms wrapped around her waist.
Xue Baihua pressed her soft body against her, nuzzling her neck like a spoiled child.
Only then did Xi Fuhong turn slightly, gently toweling her damp hair, her movements tender and careful.
“Hua’er, really—why did you jump in the pond? The water’s cold, you’ll catch a chill,” Xi Fuhong scolded helplessly, then noticed the bruise on Xue Baihua’s cheek.
Her chest tightened with concern as she gently touched it.
“What happened? Did someone hit you? Does it still hurt?”
With her heart full of sweetness, how could it still hurt? Xue Baihua smiled, covering Xi Fuhong’s hand with her own.
The warmth of her fingertips spread through her, her eyes full of love.
Looking at Xi Fuhong’s worried face, all her longing from the past days vanished.
She stepped closer, so near she could smell Xi Fuhong’s scent, her body already melting.
She pointed at Xi Fuhong’s lips, then at the bruise on her own cheek.
Xi Fuhong froze, hesitating.
“You… want me to kiss you?”
Xue Baihua’s smile was enchanting.
Seeing this, Xi Fuhong’s ears turned red.
She looked up, meeting Xue Baihua’s fairy-like beauty, her mind going blank.
Even though they were both women, she was flustered by her beauty, her gaze darting away.
Suddenly, Xue Baihua’s arms tightened around her waist, pressing even closer.
The room was silent—she could even hear her own frantic heartbeat.
“Hua—”
“Miss Xi, the clothes are wrung out.
Where should I hang them?” Xi Fuhong had just opened her mouth when Xiao Qiyu’s calm voice came from outside.
Xi Fuhong quickly broke free from Xue Baihua’s arms, laughing awkwardly as she hurried out.
Xue Baihua stomped her foot in frustration, then chased after her.
Outside, Xi Fuhong stood on tiptoe to hang the clothes on a bamboo pole.
Nearby, Xiao Qiyu sat quietly on a bamboo basket, her eyes still covered, but her face turned toward Xi Fuhong.
Xue Baihua raised an eyebrow and walked over to Xiao Qiyu.
“Miss Xue… can’t speak?” Xiao Qiyu sensed someone approaching and asked gently.
Xue Baihua crossed her arms, thinking, “And you can’t see, can you?” Xiao Qiyu didn’t get a response, just smiled.
