Chapter 28: Soft Lips
Anning frowned at Wanqing’s words, was she expecting her to be dead? Well, that wasn’t even surprising.
Why? Because considering the fact she actually locked her in this health hazard environment, with a live snake... It was even more surprising that she was still alive.
Han Luo standing beside Anning had a twisted expression on his face the moment those words left Wanqing’s mouth. Anning’s reaction wasn’t any better.
At the same time, both of them turned toward Wanqing, the expression on their face was a mix of disbelief and slight annoyance.
"Did you just say husband?" Anning asked, her brows drawing together so tightly that they almost met. "Him?!"
Han Luo looked even more horrified than offended by her words.
"M-my lady..." He started quickly, nearly choking on his saliva. " Please don’t joke like that."
Anning glanced at him briefly, taking in his appearance from head to toe before letting out a loud snort.
Han Luo heard it and it finally confirmed his feelings toward her. This woman was absolutely unladylike.
"No offense." Anning blurted under her breath.
But it was too late for that, Luo already looked offended by that point. Wanqing stared at both of them and slowly rolled her eyes.
The expression on her face barely changed, but somehow, Anning could still tell she looked utterly unimpressed or was she annoyed?
Ha! She couldn’t quite place it.
Han Luo instantly straightened his back, his earlier expression vanishing so quickly that it made Anning wonder if she had been imagining it. Then, he placed one hand over his chest and bowed deeply
"My Lady," he said carefully. "I apologize for being down here for so long. I intended to bring her up sooner, but..."
He paused for a brief moment, his eyes moving toward Anning, who was staring right at him.
"A few circumstances delayed things"
Wanqing looked at him silently and then responded, "I know you stayed because you were worried."
Her voice was flat, but unlike the cold way she usually spoke to Anning, there was a subtle softness beneath it. Han Luo bowed his head further.
"I shouldn’t have acted based on my emotions. Pardon me, my lady." Said Han Luo.
Anning’s lips curled downwards almost immediately, her eyes moving between the two of them.
Hold on. Why was she speaking like that?
Not once since she had arrived here had this woman spoken to her without sounding like she wanted to bury her alive, yet here she was sounding almost... normal.
No, this was actually worse. She sounded kind of...nice?
Anning stared openly at Wanqing. No offense if anything, but this whole situation made her feel offended.
Like, a whole lot. It was actually really interesting that she could speak like a normal person.
She squinted her eyes slightly as she thought of something. Was it that she was dirty or something? If not, why does this woman always treat her like she had crawled out from a swamp?
As if sensing her gaze, Wanqing finally turned toward her. The moment their eyes met, Anning let out a small scoff.
Wanqing allowed her eyes to slowly take in Anning’s appearance. From her swollen cheek, to the blood stain on the front of her dress, her gaze lingered for a moment too long before returning to Anning’s face once more.
For a moment, something in her expression changed. It was just a small one, but Anning saw it clearly.
Anning blinked once at the sight, then blinked again. So, it seemed like this arrogant mistress of hers truly had a heart.
The thought had barely crossed her mind when another idea suddenly popped into her head.
Han Luo looked confused when Anning suddenly stepped forward. Wanqing’s eyes narrowed slightly.
After taking a few steps forward, Anning stopped right in front of her and then slowly reached out. The movement earned her curious stares from both Wanqing and Han Luo but she just ignored it.
Carefully, she took one of Wanqing’s hand in hers before lifting her eyes. The moment her mossy green eyes met Wanqing’s black ones, neither of them spoke.
Han Luo quietly stared at Wanqing and then Anning, he had no idea what was going on at that point.
Anning lowered her head and pressed a soft, quick kiss against the back of Wanqing’s hand.
"Mistress," she called out softly. "I did exactly as you requested."
She paused, lifting her head. "I’ve finally learnt my place as your slave."
As Anning finished speaking, she stared deeply into Wanqing’s eyes.
Waiting for her to respond, while watching for any change in the expression she had on her face.
Wanqing’s fingers twitched slightly, she subtly bit the inside of her cheek then lowered her eyes toward her own hand. For some strange reason, she could still feel it.
Those warm, soft lips against the back of her hand.
It made Wanqing nod silently to herself. Perhaps throwing Anning down here was not such a bad idea after all.
Though... When she looked at Anning now, with her swollen cheek and injured neck. She suddenly felt something unpleasant settle in her chest.
Wanqing frowned at the foreign emotion, not knowing how to describe it. Then she abruptly yanked her hand away from Anning’s grasp and took a step back.
"It seems you have finally decided to use your head." She said coldly.
At that point, her voice had returned back to normal. Utterly indifferent and cold.
"If you had said that a minute later, you would’ve actually died down here."
She folded her arms beneath her chest, running her tongue over her lower lip as she stared down at Anning.
"You should go find Lanzhin and get that wound cleaned up." She said, her gaze dropping to the spot where the cut was.
"Take a bath. Change into the clothes she’ll give you and meet me in the courtyard later."
Anning straightened immediately, feeling slightly displeased. After all that effort, Wanqing didn’t even look pleased?
Even a small smile would have actually made Anning feel better, even if she had no idea why.
With a frown on her face, she asked, "Are we... going somewhere?"
Wanqing nodded calmly. Then turned toward Han Luo.
"Assist her in finding Lanzhin and bring her to me right after." She ordered.
"Understood, my lady." Han Luo responded, bowing once more.
Wanqing unfolded her arms before moving her gaze back to Anning. Her gaze briefly landed on the cut near her neck.
For a moment, Anning thought she actually wanted to say something reasonable. But then, she simply said...
"Behave yourself." Wanqing said, lifting her dress slightly. "Unless you’d like another punishment."
Anning’s face instantly turned dark. She had just opened her mouth to complain, when Wanqing suddenly turned away from her.
Her black robe stayed slightly behind her as she walked out of the dungeon. And just like that, she left without even looking back.
Anning stared at the door for a few seconds before slowly turning to Han Luo.
"Did she just threaten me after nearly getting me killed?"
