Extra Chapter 6: Wei Qingping (Part 2)
[4]
Though Wei Qingping had said she wanted him dead, she didn't dare to actually let him die.
He had fallen unconscious from his severe injuries, but she had to force herself to treat his wounds. Every bit of his pain was transmitted to her, making her—who had never suffered much in her life—furious and wishing she could stab him to death with a needle. Gritting her teeth, she cleaned his wounds and administered medicine, and the pain finally lessened somewhat. Sitting to the side to catch her breath, she silently persuaded herself: for now, she would keep him alive, but once the Mother-Child Gu issue was resolved, she would cripple him!
Qin Shiyue slept for three days, while Wei Yu was the first to wake up. This time, Wei Qingping had learned her lesson and didn't dare let Wei Yu get close easily. She shackled Wei Yu to the bed and sat across from the now-awake Wei Yu, confronting him. Wei Yu looked at the shackles on his body, then raised his head to look at Wei Qingping, finally unable to hold back: "What is the meaning of this, miss?"
"You should ask your friend."
This made Wei Yu pause. He had escaped together with Qin Shiyue in the end, so the "friend" she referred to was naturally Qin Shiyue. So he hurriedly asked, "How is my friend?"
"He's doing just fine." A trace of anger flashed in Wei Qingping's expression. "I saved you both, yet he fed me the Mother-Child Gu. Do you think he could be doing poorly?"
Wei Yu wasn't surprised by Qin Shiyue's actions. He looked Wei Qingping up and down and smiled. "Could you be Princess Qingping?"
"You people," Wei Qingping sneered, "have quite sharp eyes. You're Wei Yu, aren't you?"
Wei Yu smiled without answering. If she really was Wei Qingping, it wasn't strange for a princess familiar with court protocols to recognize him upon seeing the seal in his possession.
Seeing Wei Yu remain silent, Wei Qingping was reminded of Qin Shiyue's behavior and snorted coldly. She stood up and said, "For the sake of Great Chu, I will heal you. But! Don't cause any more trouble. You and your friend, don't try any more tricks."
"Of course." Wei Yu spoke seriously. "We acted out of necessity and offended you."
Wei Qingping ignored him and left.
Two days after Wei Yu woke up, Qin Shiyue also regained consciousness. When he woke, Wei Yu was sitting by his side. Opening his eyes and seeing Wei Yu, he quickly sat up: "Marquis..."
"Lie down first."
Wei Yu pressed him down and said quietly, "Don't reopen your wounds."
Qin Shiyue acknowledged and lay back down, but asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Wei Yu smiled, though his face was somewhat pale. Wei Qingping walked in carrying a medicine box and said coldly, "His external injuries are fine, but I must make it clear—his poison can't be cured with ordinary medicine. If he dies, I'm not responsible."
This made Qin Shiyue's face pale. Wei Yu quickly said, "Don't worry, I'll have Shen Wushuang take a look when I return."
Wei Qingping scoffed but didn't respond. She approached Qin Shiyue and said coldly, "Medicine time!"
Qin Shiyue glanced at her and, seeing her pale complexion, knew it was the effect of the Mother-Child Gu. After a moment of silence, he said to Wei Qingping, "Princess, I have a prescription. Could you please find these ingredients for me?"
"Hand it over."Wei Qingping was quite interested in the prescription. Even though she disliked this person, she wouldn't refuse it. Qin Shiyue recited a prescription orally. Hearing these ingredients, Wei Qingping frowned and asked, "What are these medicines for?"
"The gu insects are fed with medicine," Qin Shiyue said calmly. "This medicine is a method to make the gu insects dormant and temporarily sever the connection."
"Then why don't you remove the insects?!"
Qin Shiyue fell silent. Wei Hui smiled awkwardly and said, "After the mother-child gu enters the body... it takes at least five months to remove."
Hearing this, Wei Qingping's expression immediately changed. She couldn't hold back and slapped at him. Qin Shiyue raised his hand quickly and caught Wei Qingping's hand. Frowning, he said, "Princess, if you hit my face, you'll feel the pain too."
Wei Qingping breathed heavily. She had never met such a person in her life and had never suffered such humiliation. She endured for a moment, finally sat down, and said angrily, "Begin the acupuncture!"
【5】
Wei Qingping followed Qin Shiyue's prescription to get the medicine for him, boiled it into a medicinal liquid, and drank it as Qin Shiyue instructed. Shortly after drinking it, she felt everything return to normal, while Qin Shiyue's complexion paled even more. She stood up, moved around, and seeing that she indeed had no more obstacles, rushed in front of Qin Shiyue and slapped him!
"Remember this slap well," she said coldly. "I am indeed here to save people, but I won't be insulted without limits!"
"I'm sorry..." Qin Shiyue's face was pale. He closed his eyes in pain and slowly said, "These are extraordinary times, and it was truly unavoidable. I hope the Princess can be magnanimous."
"And if I'm not magnanimous?"
"Whatever the Princess wishes, she may do."
"What if I want you to atone with your death?"
Qin Shiyue was silent for a moment. Just as Wei Qingping was about to mock him, Qin Shiyue slowly said, "Then, after the war subsides and the Wei family is stable, Shiyue will return and offer his life to the Princess."
These words made Wei Qingping pause. After a while, she muttered, "Forget it, it's not a big deal. Are you called Wei Shiyue?"
"Qin Shiyue."
"Qin's bright moon and Han's frontier passes, the long march of ten thousand miles and men not yet returned." Wei Qingping casually recited the line and nodded. "A good name."
As she spoke, she bent down and said, "Let me check your wound."
Qin Shiyue responded. She peeled open his clothes, her hair falling onto him. Her hair was cool and soft, carrying an indescribable fragrance. Qin Shiyue was stunned. He felt an unusual emotion creeping into his heart. He couldn't quite identify what it was, just stared blankly at this girl. The moment she looked up, as if startled by something, he hurriedly dodged backward and bumped his head against the bed rail. Wei Qingping was taken aback by his actions. It took her a while to react, and she couldn't help but frown. "If you don't want me to look, just say so. Why put on such an affected act?"
"No... that's not it..."
Qin Shiyue didn't know how to explain his panicked evasion either. Blushing, he said flustered, "I... I... I don't know either..."
Wei Qingping saw that he seemed somewhat at a loss. She sighed helplessly and said, "Forget it. Your wound is starting to scab. You can't get it wet for a few more days. For now, just wipe yourself with water..."“When can we set off?” Qin Shiyue was the one who asked this question. Wei Qingping frowned. “You should rest a bit longer…”
“I’m afraid there’s no time.”
Qin Shiyue spoke honestly: “At the very least, I must escort the Marquis back. We’ve already delayed too long in Hexi. We must return to White City as soon as possible.”
Although Wei Qingping wandered the jianghu, she was not completely ignorant of court affairs. She understood Qin Shiyue’s meaning—Wei Jin had come out in secret this time, so naturally they couldn’t delay for too long. After a moment of silence, Wei Qingping said, “In that case, I’ll escort you back. You and the Marquis can rest and recover in the carriage.”
“In that case,” Qin Shiyue said stiffly, “I am deeply grateful.”
“Qin Shiyue,” Wei Qingping raised an eyebrow, “you’re quite unceremonious.”
“For the grace of your rescue today, I will repay you in the future.”
“Repay? With what?” Wei Qingping sneered. She didn’t know why she was like this—perhaps she had suffered too many losses at this man’s hands and couldn’t do anything about it, so she was holding back a breath of anger and always wanted to retort. So she mocked, “A mere retainer, what could you possibly repay me with?”
Qin Shiyue fell silent, seemingly beginning to seriously consider it. Wei Qingping felt as if she had punched soft cotton—all her force was gone.
She snorted coldly, turned to pack her medicine chest, stood up, and walked out.
【6】
Because they were in a hurry to travel, on the afternoon Qin Shiyue woke up, Wei Qingping took the two men back. The two men sat inside the carriage to recuperate, while Wei Qingping and her maid sat outside driving the horses. Feng’er was somewhat resentful and grumbled the whole way: “The Princess, with your noble status, actually driving horses for them? These scoundrels are truly audacious…”
Wei Qingping hadn’t told Feng’er Wei Jin’s identity. Hearing these words, she didn’t say much and let her little maid vent her frustrations on the two men.
The two men’s external injuries slowly healed, but Qin Shiyue’s complexion never seemed to improve. He was always pale, looking listless and weary. Wei Qingping checked his pulse several times and found nothing unusual, except that the mother gu was somewhat restless. The matter of the mother-child gu was a hurdle in her heart she couldn’t overcome. Knowing the mother gu was restless, she didn’t try to find a solution and just let it torment him.
On the eve of their arrival at White City, Zhao Yue’s men caught up with them again. Wei Jin and Qin Shiyue showed no intention of engaging in a prolonged fight, leading the two women, each on a horse, and charging forward.
Wei Qingping was a bit slower mounting her horse and fell behind. All the assassins swarmed toward her, surrounding her completely.
Qin Shiyue looked back and shouted, “Marquis, go ahead!”
Then he drew his sword and rushed back.
Wei Jin was injured and carrying confidential documents. Gritting his teeth, he led the maid away first.
It was raining heavily that day. When Wei Qingping turned her head, she saw the young man like a bolt of thunder, a solitary cold sword, cutting through the crowd and charging straight toward her.
He fought his way through the assassins, pulling her along as they retreated while battling. In the midst of the slaughter, he erupted with an astonishing vitality, his entire being like a walking sword, cleaving through the world.
He used himself as a weapon, as a shield. Every time she was nearly injured, he would abruptly pull her into his embrace, using his own flesh and blood to steadfastly bear all the wounds for her.They fled all the way into the dense forest, and by taking advantage of the terrain, he finally killed everyone. By then, he was drenched in blood as if he had been pulled out of a pool of it. His blood stained her white robes crimson. Wei Qingping watched him quietly, her expression complex.
Gasping for breath, he leaned against a tree, supporting himself with his sword, and stared at her. "Is the Princess unharmed?"
"Qin Shiyue..." Wei Qingping murmured, "Are you... truly not afraid of death?"
Hearing this, Qin Shiyue managed a pained smile.
"Of course I am afraid."
"Then why did you still shield me?!"
Wei Qingping raised her voice sharply. Qin Shiyue fell silent. She snapped angrily, "Speak!"
"This humble officer merely felt that this matter should not have involved Your Highness, nor should you have been harmed," he finally replied. Just as Wei Qingping was about to continue scolding him, he lowered his head, clutching his wound, and whispered, "Besides... if a young lady gets a scar, it wouldn't look good."
Wei Qingping was taken aback. In that moment, she felt something warm flow through her heart, softening her resolve.
【7】
That day, it was Wei Qingping who carried him back to White City.
Qin Shiyue was too severely injured and had lost consciousness along the way. So, Wei Qingping carried him on her back, trudging with great difficulty for a long time until they finally encountered the Wei Family Army, who had come searching for them.
By then, they were already close to White City.
Wei Qingping felt that all the humiliation and distress in her life had been because of Qin Shiyue. After arriving in White City, Feng'er helped her bathe while crying, "Every time the Princess encounters him, something bad happens. Let's leave quickly."
Wei Qingping remained silent. Feng'er continued weeping, "Princess, we..."
"Be quiet," Wei Qingping interrupted. "Let me have some peace."
Feng'er's sobs caught in her throat, and she stifled them.
The room was filled only with the sound of splashing water. Wei Qingping didn't know why, but her mind was flooded with images of Qin Shiyue holding her in his arms, shielding her from blades. Unconsciously, her thoughts drifted to the kiss when she fed him the Mother-Child Gu. As she mulled it over, she couldn't help but blush slowly.
After her bath, Wei Qingping dressed up again before heading to Qin Shiyue's room. Shen Wushuang was examining Qin Shiyue's injuries. Though covered in wounds, they were all external and not life-threatening. When Shen Wushuang saw Wei Qingping enter, he smiled and greeted, "Young Pavilion Master," before quickly slipping out.
Only Wei Qingping and Qin Shiyue remained in the room. Neither of them was particularly talkative, so an awkward silence settled between them. After a long while, Qin Shiyue finally spoke, "What brings the Princess here?"
"Oh," Wei Qingping lowered her gaze, "I just came to check on you. If you were to die, I'd be in trouble."
Hearing this, guilt flashed in Qin Shiyue's eyes, and he hurriedly replied, "Princess, rest assured. Once the fifth month passes, I will immediately remove the Child Gu for you."
"Mmm..."
Wei Qingping nodded and naturally reached out to take his pulse. After a moment, she nodded and said, "Not bad."
"Thanks to the Princess's care," Qin Shiyue smiled. Wei Qingping hummed in response. Qin Shiyue sensed that something about Wei Qingping was different, but he couldn't pinpoint what. They sat quietly together for a while longer before Wei Qingping stood up and said, "I'll take my leave then?"
Qin Shiyue nodded. "Farewell, Princess."Wei Qingping hesitated for a moment, unsure what she was waiting for, before finally rising and leaving. When the room was left with only the lingering fragrance, Qin Shiyue inexplicably felt a twinge of loss.
【8】
In Baicheng, Wei Qingping found herself bored with little to do. Aside from her volunteer medical consultations, she would return under the pretext of checking on the mother gu to see Qin Shiyue. When they were together, Wei Qingping would often flip through books while Qin Shiyue would space out. Yet whenever Wei Qingping called out "Qin Shiyue," he would respond immediately.
After more than half a month, Qin Shiyue's health had improved significantly. Around this time, the poison in Wei Jin, which had been suppressed by Wei Qingping's medicine, flared up again. After a joint consultation with Shen Wushuang, they concluded that to completely eradicate the poison, they needed to retrieve the Tianshan snow lotus for the antidote. However, Tianshan was treacherous and difficult to climb, the snow lotus was hard to find, and the journey required speed and efficiency. For a while, they couldn't find anyone suitable for the task.
When Qin Shiyue heard the news, he remained silent for a moment before bathing, changing clothes, and then seeking out the strategist Tao Quan. He assembled a team to head to Tianshan.
Upon hearing this, Wei Jin struggled to sit up, gasping, "This is madness! With the mother gu inside him, what can he possibly accomplish?!"
"What's wrong with the mother gu?" Wei Qingping was slightly puzzled, as she wasn't very knowledgeable about gu. Shen Wushuang sighed helplessly and explained, "Your Highness, he used medicine to block the resonance between the child gu and the mother gu. The mother gu became agitated and has been tormenting his body. So, at this moment, he is enduring the pain caused by the mother gu. In his condition, going to Tianshan is far too dangerous."
As he spoke, Shen Wushuang added with some frustration, "I wonder who the child gu was given to..."
Before he could finish, he saw Wei Qingping hurriedly heading to the rear courtyard.
Qin Shiyue was packing his belongings when Wei Qingping entered and saw him bent over. This was the first time since they met that he had properly tidied his appearance. He was handsome, with features as if carved from ice and jade—clean, sharp lines that exuded an aloof coldness. Though not as stunningly beautiful as Wei Jin, he had a compelling attractiveness.
Hearing her enter, he straightened up and looked at her quietly. Pressing his lips together, he finally said, "Your Highness, I am going to Tianshan."
"I know," Wei Qingping said through gritted teeth. Qin Shiyue hesitated for a moment before adding, "There's no need to worry. Regarding the child and mother gu, I've already severed their connection. Even if I die..."
"Shut up!"
Wei Qingping snapped angrily. Clenching her fists, she struggled for a moment before asking, "Do you really have to go to Tianshan?"
"No one is more suitable than I am."
"Fine," Wei Qingping nodded. "I'll go with you."
"You don't need to..."
"I want to!" Wei Qingping frowned. "Since when do I need your permission to do what I please? I'm going to Tianshan, and you'll accompany me!"
Qin Shiyue was taken aback for a moment before finally saying, "Your Highness, rest assured," he said, "I won't let anything happen to you."
Wei Qingping snorted coldly. Then, she walked up to him, placed a hand on his chest, and her voice softened. "Does it hurt?"
Qin Shiyue looked confused. Wei Qingping raised her eyes to meet his. "I heard the mother gu causes you a lot of pain."
Hearing this, for some reason, Qin Shiyue gave an awkward smile.Such concern made him quite happy. Not knowing what else to say, he simply replied, "It doesn't hurt."
He spoke gently, "This level of pain is bearable for me."
Wei Qingping fell silent, staring blankly at the person before her. She wanted to ask: If even this feels like nothing to you, how much pain must you have endured in the past?
【9】
Finding the medicine was an urgent matter. That very night, the two set out on light horses, traveling day and night toward the Tianshan Mountains.
Throughout the journey, Qin Shiyue took care of her. Though they were rushing, he remained exceptionally attentive—even carefully warming water for her to drink.
Initially, they would pitch tents to sleep, with him usually keeping watch. Gradually, she began dozing off leaning against him.
She enjoyed asking about his childhood, and he would share stories with her.
For instance, his family originally lived in Baicheng. When the Northern Di invaded, his family was destroyed, leaving him as the sole survivor. He was then taken in by the Wei family and became a retainer.
Or how he joined the army at twelve and had persevered until today.
His tone was always calm, but as Wei Qingping leaned against his shoulder, she sensed tumultuous waves beneath his placid words.
He never dared refuse her requests—almost anything she asked, he would do.
When she grew tired from walking, he would carry her. On their ascent up Tianshan, he carried her for nearly half the journey.
She loved the feeling of leaning against his back—a sense of security she had never known, loyal and dependable.
Yet she always kept track of his stamina, dismounting at just the right time to carry their belongings and continue walking.
Tianshan was vast. They spent nearly seven days on the snow-capped mountains. The nights were too cold, forcing them to huddle together for warmth. He always remained stiff, too afraid to touch her. At first, she was equally tense, but after a couple of days, one night when he was sound asleep, she gazed at his lips and, as if bewitched, suddenly lifted her head to kiss him.
Qin Shiyue froze completely. A man as alert as he would never fail to notice such an intrusion, even in his sleep. Yet he dared not move. Wei Qingping knew he was awake and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Junzhu..."
Qin Shiyue struggled, furrowing his brow. "This... this..."
"Don't speak," Wei Qingping murmured, kissing his lips, her voice both nervous and domineering. "If you don't kiss me, I'll be angry."
Qin Shiyue fell silent, clearly wrestling with himself. But as Wei Qingping teased his every nerve, he finally closed his eyes, turned over, and pinned her beneath him.
His kiss was clumsy yet gentle, much like the man himself.
When the kiss ended, her eyes sparkling, she asked, "Do you want to marry me?"
Qin Shiyue lowered his gaze, his voice hoarse. "Yes."
"Do you like me?"
This time, Qin Shiyue remained silent. Wei Qingping frowned. "Tell me the truth."
After a long pause, Qin Shiyue finally whispered, "I do."
"Hmm?"
Qin Shiyue closed his eyes, as if resigning himself to fate. "I like you!"
Wei Qingping giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck and speaking tenderly, "I like you too."
Qin Shiyue's face flushed deeply. Though they were atop a snowy mountain, his entire body felt as if it were on fire.
"Stop fooling around," he whispered. "Rest well. We need to search for the medicine tomorrow."
Wei Qingping knew he had to find the medicine and didn't pester him further. Holding him, she said, "After we descend the mountain, will you come to my home to propose?"
"Mm.""Qin Shiyue," Wei Qingping couldn't help but laugh, "would you do anything I ask you to?"
"Mhm."
"Why are you so obedient?"
Qin Shiyue fell silent. Wei Qingping looked up at him, somewhat dissatisfied, and said, "Can't you say a few sweet words for me to hear?"
Qin Shiyue's face flushed red, but he couldn't utter a word. Seeing that he remained speechless after a long while, Wei Qingping waved her hand and said with some resignation, "Forget it, forget it. I won't make things difficult for you anymore. Let's sleep."
As she spoke, she nestled deeper into his embrace. Qin Shiyue thought seriously for a long time before suddenly saying, "Qingping, why are you named Qingping?"
"How should I know?" Wei Qingping was growing sleepy. "You'd have to ask my father, the king."
"I know."
Qin Shiyue was somewhat pleased, while Wei Qingping was taken aback. She lifted her head and asked in confusion, "Why?"
"Because," Qin Shiyue blushed, "you are beautiful."
Wei Qingping didn't quite understand, then she heard Qin Shiyue whisper: "Clouds yearn for her garments, flowers long for her countenance, the spring breeze caresses the railings, dew-laden blossoms glow. If not seen atop the Jade Mountain, surely beneath the moon at Jasper Terrace they'd meet."
Hearing these words, Wei Qingping watched as the person before her clumsily raised his eyes, cautiously looking at her, and asked, "Does this count as sweet nothings?"
Was it merely sweet nothings?
At that moment, Wei Qingping thought, these words were like spring sunlight after winter, like a cool breeze in summer—directly eroding one's resolve, making one wish to offer their entire heart to him.
【10】
They found the medicine on the Tianshan Mountains and returned to White City.
After that period, Wei Qingping stayed in White City. He accompanied her shopping, reading books, practicing swordplay—doing everything she enjoyed.
His background was humble, so she taught him etiquette and calligraphy.
When they went out shopping and she grew lazy, he would carry her on his back.
When he went off to battle, she would wait for him behind the lines. Once, after a battle, he was exhausted and lay on the battlefield. Then he heard her voice—she had taken up a sword, tied a white cloth around her forehead, and was searching for him among the corpses one by one.
When she found him, tears welled in her eyes. He looked at her and smiled, asking, "Why tie a white cloth on your forehead?"
She said, "I was afraid you might die, and someone else would find you before me."
Lying on the ground, he laughed heartily and pulled her into his embrace.
She clenched her teeth and tried to push him away.
The day he returned, she tended to his wounds while he kept smiling. He held her hand and said gently, "About our matter—should I come to propose, or would you like to speak with your parents first?"
Wei Qingping hesitated for a moment before replying, "Let me speak with my mother first."
So she sent a letter.
A month later, on his way home, Qin Shiyue encountered an elderly man.
The old man was accompanied by a group of servants. He waited respectfully and said with a smile, "Are you General Qin?"
"Who are you?"
Qin Shiyue was puzzled. The other smiled and said, "I am the steward of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, surnamed Fan."
The old man was an underling of Jiang Huarong and had come for only one purpose.
There is a world of difference between you and the princess. Being with her would ruin her future. The Pavilion Master and the Prince will not approve of this marriage. If you truly care for the princess, could you not make things difficult for the Pavilion Master and the Prince?"
The advice was blunt.
He was stunned, but in that instant, he clearly understood that the other was right. He didn't know what to say. After a long while, he finally nodded and said, "I understand."
When he returned, Wei Qingping was practicing calligraphy. She greeted him, saying, "Shiyue, come take a look. I wrote this poem for you."
Qin Shiyue walked to the desk. Wei Qingping explained how wonderful the poem was, but he couldn't really grasp its meaning.
He stared blankly at the person before him—someone of noble birth, beautiful and intelligent. For her to like someone like him... was truly throwing away her future.
After a long silence, he finally said, "Princess.".."
"Hmm?"
"I think... perhaps it's time for you to go elsewhere to provide free medical treatment?"
Wei Qingping was taken aback by his words. It took her a long moment to react. "What do you mean by that?""My meaning is..." Qin Shiyue spoke with difficulty, "I think... we're not really suited for each other..."
Wei Qingping said nothing. After a long while, she finally responded: "I understand."
With that, she set down her brush and walked straight out.
Watching her retreating figure, he suddenly felt like crying.
He had always been clumsy in matters like these, unsure how to vent his emotions, so he sought out Shen Wushuang to drown his sorrows in drink.
He returned home thoroughly drunk, collapsing onto his bed. In the deep silence of night, breathing in the lingering traces of her presence in the room, he didn't understand how it happened - a man in his early twenties, yet he couldn't hold back his sobs.
Curled up on the bed, he wept with suppressed sounds. Wei Qingping sat quietly on the beam above, watching as he called her name "Qingping" over and over. After a moment, she closed her eyes and sprinkled some medicinal powder downward before gracefully descending. Qin Shiyue looked up in a daze.
He gazed at the woman as if beholding a deity. She directly drew aside his bed curtains, and shortly after, removed her shoes and climbed onto the bed.
Qing Shiyue was completely stunned, remaining so until she began removing his clothes.
"Just a dream," she gently deceived him. "Shiyue, when the dream ends, I'll leave."
Hearing this, Qin Shiyue reached out and abruptly pulled her into a tight embrace.
For the first time, she discovered Qin Shiyue could be so forceful. Holding her, his tears fell into the hollow of her shoulder as he repeatedly called her name, pleading: "Don't go."
"Qingping, don't look down on me. I'll earn military merits, I'll become worthy of you..."
"Qingping..."
He closed his eyes: "How are you so perfect?"
"Why... must you be so perfect?"
【11】
All drunkenness must eventually end.
When Qin Shiyue woke the next day, his mind was completely muddled. Wei Qingping, meanwhile, stretched openly on the bed and yawned: "Why get up so early? Let's sleep a bit more?"
"I... you... we..." Qin Shiyue stumbled over his words incoherently.
Wei Qingping glanced at him: "What's with all this 'you' and 'I'? It was just one night, don't take it too seriously. If I want to marry, who would dare hold this against me?"
Qin Shiyue's face flushed crimson. Wei Qingping sat up straight, patted his cheek, and whispered: "After spending so much time with you, did you think I'd leave without tasting any sweetness? That would be letting you off too easily."
Qin Shiyue didn't dare speak, his eyes fixed intently on the bed boards. Wei Qingping pushed him: "Why are you just sitting there? I want to bathe."
At these words, Qin Shiyue hurriedly got out of bed. Not daring to summon servants, he personally fetched water for Wei Qingping, then waited outside the screen partition, his mind still in a daze. After Wei Qingping finished bathing and changing clothes, she emerged from behind the screen. Her expression was open and unashamed as she said calmly: "I'm going elsewhere to provide free medical treatment. I'll leave Baicheng tomorrow."
"Oh..."
"Don't dwell too much on what happened. We both got what we wanted. Next time I come, I'll look for you again."
Wei Qingping said this with complete composure, though she couldn't help the redness that crept up to her ears. Fortunately, Qin Shiyue didn't dare look up at all. After struggling for a long time, he only managed to ask: "Will you... look for others too?"
This question made Wei Qingping laugh in exasperation. She turned to leave immediately, but Qin Shiyue grabbed her arm and said quietly: "I'll work hard to accumulate military merits."
"Unnecessary," Wei Qingping shook him off. "Do you know what an aristocratic family means? Even someone as formidable as Lü Bu was still considered a common ruffian!"
Qin Shiyue said nothing, keeping his head lowered as he murmured: "Then at least don't look for anyone else.""What if I do find someone?" Wei Qingping raised an eyebrow. Qin Shiyue suddenly lifted his head, seemingly furious. He stared at Wei Qingping, their gazes clashing in the air. After a long while, it was still him who yielded. He turned his head away and muttered, "If you find someone else, then don't come bothering me anymore."
Hearing this, Wei Qingping couldn't help but laugh.
She didn't say anything more and turned to leave. Halfway out, she suddenly paused: "Qin Shiyue," she said gently, "be a good general. A man like you shouldn't be humiliated by anyone."
No one could—not even her family.
【12】
They began to go their separate ways, yet they always found each other again.
She would travel thousands of miles through night rain to appear before him, sitting on his windowsill just to say, "I missed you a little."
And his most common act was waiting.
He never refused her requests, always waiting for her, always staying by her side.
Once, Wei Jin asked him, "If the commandery princess asked you to leave the Wei family, would you go with her?"
Qin Shiyue was momentarily stunned. After a long silence, he finally said, "After fulfilling my duties, I'd follow her to the ends of the earth."
"What if you can never marry her in your lifetime?"
"Then I'll watch over her for a lifetime."
He dared not get too close to her in public, afraid that people would notice their relationship and that gossip would tarnish her reputation.
Yet in private, he was entirely her Qin Shiyue.
They continued like this—seemingly together, yet not quite—until the sixth year of Yuanhe Era, when she was trapped in the plague-stricken area.
When he received the news, his first instinct was to go find her. But she knew his temperament too well. She told him everyone had their own responsibilities, and if he came, she would look down on him.
So he could only grit his teeth on the battlefield, wanting to end the battle quickly.
Then, the moment the war concluded, he rushed thousands of miles to the plague area. The moment he saw her, he no longer cared about others' opinions and held her tightly in his arms.
He suddenly understood how Wei Qingping had felt years ago when she dug through piles of corpses to find him. He realized that the person before him could disappear at any moment, and he wasn't content with just watching over her for a lifetime as he had claimed.
If he couldn't marry her, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
So the next day, he gathered all his assets and personally went to the residence of Wei Wang.
As soon as he made his request upon entering, he was beaten out by Wei Wang's men. But he refused to leave, stubbornly kneeling at the palace gates, unmoving.
Born clumsy with words, he didn't know what to say and could only kneel like this.
When Wei Qingping arrived, he had already been kneeling for nearly ten days. She rushed to him, trembling with anger.
"Get up," she said. "Who are you to kneel at the gates of Wei Wang's residence?"
He smiled bitterly. "It's fine," he said. "I want to marry you. I should endure hardships."
"Get up," Wei Qingping's eyes reddened, her voice shaking. "I don't want to see you kneel."
He shook his head and fell silent. Wei Qingping sniffled: "You want to kneel? Fine, then I'll kneel with you!"
With that, she knelt directly on the ground. He hurried to help her up, but she stubbornly refused to move. At that moment, Wei Wang emerged and, seeing Wei Qingping kneeling at the gate, exclaimed, "My dear daughter, what are you doing?"
"He's kneeling here because he wants to marry me. Since I want to marry him, how can I let him kneel alone?""My dear daughter," King of Wei said with a bitter expression, "stop making trouble. Of course I'm happy you're getting married, but you should at least choose someone of status. Even if he doesn't hold high office with generous emoluments, he should at least come from an aristocratic family..."
"What's wrong with not being from an aristocratic family?" Wei Qingping's face suddenly turned cold. She stood up, her voice trembling as she said, "Do you know who guards the common people at the border? Do you know who has been fighting bloody battles all these years? While those aristocratic young masters you speak of are writing poetry and practicing calligraphy at home, who is protecting the Great Chu empire with their flesh and blood at the border?! So what if he's not from an aristocratic family? In what way is his integrity inferior to those from aristocratic families?!"
Her words stunned everyone. Wei Qingping looked at King of Wei, tears welling in her eyes: "He has given more than others, his path has been harder than others. Just because he wasn't born into an aristocratic family, even if he truly loves and cherishes me, treats me like a precious jewel, and earned high office and generous emoluments through risking his life, he still isn't worthy of marrying me, is that it?"
"If even someone like him isn't worthy of marrying me, then who is?"
"Father," Wei Qingping burst into tears, "I just want to marry someone I love. Is that so difficult?"
Wei Qingping had rarely cried in her life, and this outburst left both men stunned. After a long while, Qin Shiyue finally spoke.
"Forget it..." he said in a hoarse voice, "I... I'm fine with anything. We don't necessarily have to get married. I don't want to put you in a difficult position, Qingping. Let's just remain as we were before..."
"I want to marry someone I love. He should be a hero of this nation, but just because he's not from an aristocratic family, it's not allowed?!"
Wei Qingping raised her voice. King of Wei remained silent. After a long while, he finally said, "It's not that it's not allowed..."
Then he changed his tone and added, "But he must swear to have only you for the rest of his life."
"Of course," Qin Shiyue immediately responded earnestly, "For my entire life, I will only love Qingping."
He spoke with solemnity and sincerity, carrying a touch of childishness. Wei Qingping couldn't help but laugh.
"Silly."
She gently pushed his head: "You're really a fool."
【13】
Their wedding was held at the Wei Prince's residence. Those jealous of Qin Shiyue laughed outside, saying he was marrying into the family, but he didn't mind.
On their wedding night, Qin Shiyue lifted the bridal veil and saw Wei Qingping smiling warmly at him.
"People say you married into my family. Does that upset you?"
She asked him. He was momentarily stunned, then laughed.
"As long as I'm with you," he replied gently, "anything is fine."
As long as I'm with you, anything is fine.
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