Lu Chengsha’s shocked expression made Hua Yan suspect if he had misunderstood something.
Hua Yan hurriedly said, “Of course, I didn’t mean that…”
They had already done it, so he shouldn’t think that just kissing could… But then again, he might not understand, as he really knew nothing before!
Hua Yan immediately changed the topic and asked, “Do you… know how to… um, conceive…?”
Lu Chengsha seemed to just recover from his shock. He was still holding Hua Yan’s hand. His eyes were not visible, but his face was clearly a different color than before, blushing visibly.
He spoke with difficulty, almost spitting out each word one by one: “I… know, but…”
Hua Yan hadn’t seen him blush for a long time, and she missed it dearly. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then whispered, “Actually, I was a little worried before… but fortunately, there was no need.”
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have known what to do!
Lu Chengsha tightened his grip on her hand, his body trembling slightly.
Hua Yan wondered, “What’s wrong with you?”
Lu Chengsha had vaguely guessed later, but he wasn’t clear about it. Hua Yan’s words aligned with his thoughts; it turned out that such things… would… He had only thought about marriage, not what comes after, and didn’t know how to handle it. Suddenly, he felt he might have prepared too little.
However, it was fine as long as she didn’t say it. Just thinking about that possibility made him…
Made him…
Before Hua Yan could get Lu Chengsha’s answer, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.
With her chin resting on Lu Chengsha’s chest, she rubbed against him contentedly and wrapped her arms around his waist, but still asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with you?”
Lu Chengsha held her tightly, as if wanting to envelop her completely. His voice, in contrast to his strong actions, was slightly nervous and uneasy: “We… in the future… will…”
Hua Yan suddenly understood and buried her face in his chest, muffled, “What else? If you want to marry me, in the future, surely…” Her face turned red too. Actually, she hadn’t thought much about it either. After the incident in Migu Town, she only thought there might be an unexpected consequence and anxiously waited for a long time for her period. When it came, she immediately forgot about it.
Her mother was only a bit older than she was now when she had her.
It was said that before her mother got pregnant, her father was always a bit awkward. After discovering her mother’s pregnancy, he became completely accommodating.
Hua Yan was exceptionally well-behaved in her mother’s womb, causing almost no adverse reactions. Initially, her mother didn’t take it seriously, but her father worried himself sick. Not only did he study many medical books, but he also personally managed her mother’s schedule and diet, forbidding her from drinking, which shocked her mother.
Unexpectedly, her awkward husband changed his ways upon her pregnancy, transforming from a proud scholar into a nagging caretaker.
When her mother described it to her, she kept clicking her tongue in amazement: “I’ve never seen your father so considerate. One night, I casually mentioned wanting some sweet soup, and he actually went to make it for me! If raising children weren’t so troublesome, I would have wanted to have two more.”
Thinking of this, Hua Yan couldn’t help but imagine herself pregnant with Lu Chengsha’s child…
Her cheeks flushed even more, and she buried her face deeper into Lu Chengsha’s embrace.
Just the thought of it was so thrilling!
She didn’t know how to raise a child, and Lu Chengsha didn’t seem like he would either. Moreover, if it happened now, it would be without proper status, but…
Hua Yan slightly raised her eyes and softly asked, “…Do you want it?”
She suddenly realized that if she really got pregnant, he wouldn’t be able to avoid it!
He couldn’t possibly abandon his wife and child, could he?
Lu Chengsha had no way to answer such a profound question from her. He could only hold Hua Yan tighter. Every thought that crossed his mind was too stimulating for him, yet his body and actions clearly showed his attitude.
Hua Yan could hear his heart beating rapidly right next to her ear.
So she softly asked again, “…Do you want it or not!”
Lu Chengsha felt like he was cornered, but he couldn’t muster much resistance. Especially with her in his arms now.
That near-hopeless feeling of powerlessness surfaced again. Lu Chengsha bowed his head, restraining himself as he gently kissed the tips of her hair. Just this made him feel somewhat out of control, his emotions surging within his chest.
In his bitter endurance, he had to admit…
He always wanted her, no matter when.
***
After meeting Lu Chengsha last time, Lu Huaitian didn’t inform Lu Zhenxing. But this time, with so many eyes watching, he couldn’t continue hiding it. The Five Sects Assembly had already stirred up the martial world, and even the disciples of Tingjian Manor were discussing it.
No matter how much he avoided people, he couldn’t stay holed up in the courtyard all day. He was bound to hear the rumors.
So, Lu Huaitian briefly explained the situation.
As soon as he mentioned the demonic sect leader leading a group here, Lu Zhenxing angrily said, “He came causing trouble! Didn’t you all stop him from leaving?”
Lu Huaitian had to respond, “But it seems this matter isn’t really the work of the demonic sect.”
Lu Zhenxing said, “You know he’s cunning, yet you still dare to believe him! He definitely has ulterior motives!”
Lu Huaitian couldn’t convince him otherwise. The situation that day was too complex to describe, and only those who experienced it could understand the chaos.
Even now, there are senior uncles in the manor who refuse to take the antidote provided by the demonic sect, and their internal strength has not yet recovered. He took the antidote to prevent further incidents during the journey, and his internal strength recovered quickly. It would be insincere to say he wasn’t grateful, but ungrateful not to acknowledge it.
Wang Chuyang later confessed everything Yu Ye had told him. The poisonous insects were indeed brought in connection with Yin Xiangsi, and the remaining ones were hidden in a concealed place. When he led people to search for them, it was clear that the poisonous insects were deliberately released, but those who released them were all silenced.
When asked about the betrayal, Wang Chuyang explained everything in detail.
Yu Ye didn’t betray the demonic sect because he couldn’t stand their actions; he wanted to usurp power. However, Xie Yingxian outmaneuvered him, turning the tables and eliminating most of his planted agents within the sect. Desperate, he tried to secure a foothold in the righteous path.
Everyone was astonished, realizing that the seemingly noble Yu Ye was more vicious than the demonic sect.
Some cursed him on the spot, wishing they could stab Yu Ye a few more times.
“No matter, the demonic sect leader took him back. He won’t have it easy! You all know the methods of the demonic sect!”
“Hopefully so, or it would be too lenient for this scoundrel!”
“Fortunately, Miss Ling didn’t marry him; she escaped a disaster.”
“Sigh, I heard Miss Ling is still crying, wanting to capture him and kill him herself.”
As they spoke, they recalled Ling Aoxue’s reaction that day. Looking at each other, they felt a mutual unease.
Some still struggled to believe it, thinking it was a staged act by the demonic sect leader and Yu Ye. However, considering the plan spanned two years and ended so abruptly, with Yu Ye left gravely injured, it seemed unnecessary. If he were truly a spy, staying in the righteous path would have been more beneficial.
Most people, though reluctant, began to accept that the demonic sect was genuinely trying to clear their name this time.
Lu Huaitian wasn’t as stubborn. He knew such suspicions were baseless. Perhaps he also hoped that the demonic sect truly intended to reform and that the demoness wasn’t just playing with Lu Chengsha.
After a pause, he said, “I also saw Chengsha.”
Lu Zhenxing snorted coldly, “Is he colluding with that demonic sect?”
Lu Huaitian didn’t know how to put it delicately.
However, his hesitation made Lu Zhenxing’s eyebrows furrow in anger, and he barked, “Why are you hemming and hawing! Spit it out!”
Lu Huaitian said, “There’s no collusion, but he hasn’t given up on that demoness.” He then decided to tell everything, including how Lu Chengsha argued fervently, praised the demoness, and justified not judging people by their origins.
During Lu Huaitian’s recount, Lu Zhenxing several times looked like he was about to explode but restrained himself. When Lu Huaitian finished, Lu Zhenxing slammed his hand on the table, shattering it into pieces, and roared, “He’s now learned to be glib-tongued! Did that demonic witch teach him that? He’s definitely entangled with that demonic witch again! I shouldn’t have let him go that day! I should have…”
What should he have done?
Killed him?
Looking at that face, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Lu Huaitian didn’t try to stop him, waiting for him to vent his anger. After a while, he said, “Father, calm down. After all, he’s already been expelled.”
Lu Zhenxing was still fuming, “How far has he gotten with that demoness? I just want to know if he’s joined the demonic sect! Has he assisted them in their evil deeds!”
Lu Huaitian thought for a moment and said, “He shouldn’t have.”
Lu Zhenxing barked again, “What do you mean ‘shouldn’t have’! Do you think he will eventually join the demonic sect?”
Lu Huaitian was accustomed to his father’s temper and said, “That’s not what I meant. He still dresses as a disciple of Tingjian Manor. The demoness acted as if they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and other demonic sect members had no interaction with him. He came this time to save people.”
Lu Zhenxing wanted to scold him but didn’t know where to start. He paced back and forth, picked up a vase intending to smash it, hesitated for a while, then put it down. Suddenly, he asked, “…How is his swordsmanship now?”
Lu Huaitian said, “It has improved.”
Lu Zhenxing asked, “How much has it improved?”
Lu Huaitian concisely said, “Chu Jun would lose within twenty moves.” He was being conservative; Chu Jun had been busy under Ling Tianxiao’s command for the past two years and hadn’t made much progress.
Lu Zhenxing snorted again, “At least he hasn’t forgotten how to wield a sword.”
Seeing his father seemed less angry, Lu Huaitian remembered the previous encounters and hesitated before saying, “Maybe you should… let him be. It’s beyond help now. Even if… it’s his fate.”
Lu Zhenxing immediately frowned, angrily saying, “If he dares to dump another child at Tingjian Manor’s doorstep, I won’t raise it again!”
Lu Huaitian: “….”
Lu Huaitian really couldn’t say anything. Lu Chengsha was a man, so it wasn’t his place to bear children. If anyone were to abandon a child at their door, it wouldn’t be him.
“Alright, I’ll take my leave now. Please rest well and don’t overexert yourself.”
Lu Huaitian waited for Lu Zhenxing’s response, ready to leave. Unexpectedly, Lu Zhenxing seemed to come to his senses, sneering, “It’s my imagination. That demoness may not even be sincere, let alone willing to bear his children. Only…” He suddenly remembered something, his expression turning faintly weary as he waved his hand dismissively, “Forget it, go. Don’t bother me anymore.”
***
Hua Yan returned to her room, her face flushed, and threw herself onto the bed, hugging the quilt and rolling around a few times.
Lu Chengsha said he wanted to, but she wasn’t ready yet. What should she do?
Wait, they couldn’t even meet face-to-face right now!
She couldn’t keep Lu Chengsha blindfolded forever.
Then again, maybe she could…
Images of such scenes flashed through her mind: her sitting on Lu Chengsha, removing his hair tie to blindfold him. She could do anything to him, guiding his hands to touch her. After all, he wouldn’t be able to see. And then… No, she couldn’t think about it anymore!
Hua Yan’s mind raced, her face burning even more. Her thoughts of wandering around with Lu Chengsha faded, leaving her somewhat distracted.
Her bed was large and soft. Hua Yan rolled around on it again, unable to resist calling out, “Are you there?”
Lu Chengsha’s voice floated down from the rooftop, “Yes.”
This time, his voice was different, sounding a bit uneasy.
Hua Yan pressed her lips together and asked, “Are you thinking about what happened during the day too…”
A tile fell from the roof.
“I… this…” His voice grew more uneasy.
Seeing him nervous made Hua Yan feel delighted. She smirked and, with a mischievous thought, said, “If we had a child in the future… what should we name them?”
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a series of chaotic noises from the roof, as if something heavy had fallen. Lu Chengsha seemed to be completely out of sorts, overwhelmed by this progress.
Hua Yan couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Are you that nervous?”
From the sound of it, Lu Chengsha seemed to be putting the tiles back in place. He really couldn’t discuss this matter calmly with her.
In fact, for a while afterward, Lu Chengsha remained extremely tense. Whenever Hua Yan teased him about it, he would become very flustered, almost getting caught a few times.
Hua Yan had no idea he would react so strongly to this matter.
Perhaps in Lu Chengsha’s limited imagination, doing that kind of thing was the ultimate end of a romantic relationship. He hadn’t considered that there could be more to it afterward.
This made Hua Yan ponder. If she really did get pregnant, Lu Chengsha might not be much better than her own father, and he might actually become entirely compliant.
With Tingjian Manor’s attitude softening, Lu Chengsha’s bottom line was also gradually retreating. Hua Yan felt that he wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.
Unfortunately, before she could take any action, another matter interrupted.
Recently, Xie Yingxian had been absent from the sect, seemingly very busy. Yu Ye was also nowhere to be seen. There were rumors in the sect that Yu Ye had probably been tortured to death by the sect leader, but Hua Yan knew that he had taken Yu Ye away shortly afterward, doing something mysterious.
However, news finally came recently.
It was said that Xie Yingxian was bringing someone back.
She casually asked, “Who?”
The messenger disciple replied, “Uh… reportedly someone named… Jiang Louyue.”
Hua Yan was stunned: “??? He brought Jiang Louyue back? How did he do that!” Last time they fought, they couldn’t gauge each other’s depth, but it was clear Jiang Louyue was not easy to deal with.
Their sect leader was too strong! He could even bring someone like that back!
But the messenger disciple said, “It’s not that Jiang Louyue.”
Hua Yan asked, “Hmm? Then which one?”
The messenger disciple cautiously replied, “The message says it’s a woman, disabled, missing an arm and a leg. It seems it must be just a name coincidence.”