Chapter 8
"Long Hao Tian, where exactly are you taking me?" She asked weakly.
He had suddenly carried her out of the room and now Hai Yao is stroking a hand over her chest to soothe the pain as her pale face leaned against his neck.
"Taking you to the hot spring pool. The spring water there has special healing qualities especially suitable for your internal injuries."
Long Hao Tian did not halt his footsteps and strode towards the hot spring in the back courtyard of the villa. Hugging her visibly thin figure, he felt dissatisfied with her weight which was light as a feather. His dark eyes looked pitifully at her small face which was screwed up in pain.
Soon, they came to the hot spring pool in the back courtyard. He placed her down on a big rock by the side of the pool and then started to take off his robes.
"What are you doing?"
She seems to hear a rustling sound, he is not thinking of........
"To take a dip in the hot spring with you."
His tall and upright naked figure walked towards her and bend down in front of her. His hands reached out towards her clothes and was prepared to help her undress.
"No, I don't want! I can stay here alone. Otherwise, if you are worried, you can get Xing Hua to accompany me."
She shoved his hands away. Even if she could not see now but the thought of him being completely naked at this very moment made her pale face involuntarily blushed a crimson red.
"We are engaged to be married. It should be right that I accompany you. I don't trust other people to take care of you. You can't see now, what if you faint again?"
His fiery dark eyes watched her shy little face and he realized it was increasingly difficult for him to take his eyes off her. Especially at this moment, when she is displaying such a rarely seen shy appearance which left him deeply fascinated.
"I'm not taking a dip in the pool. I want to return to my room."
She stood up, her hand rested on her chest and before she could take more than a few steps, she was overcome with a dizzy spell and her body instantly became soft. The next moment, she fell onto a broad naked chest.
When Hai Yao woke up again, it was a quarter of a sichen later. She realized she was naked and had cuddled up onto a similarly naked chest. Even if she could not see with her eyes but she was reluctant to open her eyes. She chose not to say a word and leaned into his embrace in silence.
"Are you awake?'
Long Hao Tian was acutely aware she had already woke up and his eyes were smiling. He knew at this moment she was unwilling to open her eyes because she did not know how to face him. His big palm stroked her body's smooth, beautiful curves as he leaned down to cover her beautiful face with kisses. Finally, his fiery tongue rested on her soft pink lips and his other hand covered the rounded mound on her chest.
"That's enough."
Hai Yao breathlessly turned her face away and her small hand pulled down the big palm on her chest but she was held tightly by him. Her beautiful small face showed her overwhelming shyness and her tightly pursed lips trembled.
Black eyes studied her intensely for a long time as he hugged the person in his arms while his warm breath blew in her ear.
"I won't force you but we will definitely be husband and wife. You have to learn to get used to my touch."
Her answer to him was to close her eyes, did not speak again and leaned into the curve of his neck.
Long Hao Tian's dark eyes stared at her pale face, knowing that she chose to keep silent to evade him. He will give her time to adapt herself to their relationship but he had never been a patient man.
When he runs out of patience, he will have to use forceful means to get her. He must have her for his own.
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
Hai Yao woke up because she was startled. In her deep sleep, she could sense her wrist being held by someone. Someone beside her was watching her. When she opened her eyes at the same time, a familiar voice sounded near her ears.
"Younger Sister, you are awake?"
"Third Elder Brother!"
Hai Yao shouted in surprise, hurriedly got up and pounced in the direction of the voice. A pair of strong arms instantly held her tightly.
"I see that you are very well taken care of here. I'm relieved."
On Dong Fang Tang's handsome, good-natured face there was a relaxed smile. When he rushed back to Ming Yue Manor, he found that she had already been taken away by Long Hao Tian. He had worried about her but just now when he checked her pulse, he found that her recovery was much better than he had expected. It could be seen that Long Hao Tian had looked after her very well.
"Third Elder Brother, are you here to take me away?"
Her Third Elder Brother's words reminded her of the situation these few days in which she and Long Hao Tian both had dipped completely naked in the hot spring pool. His hands had taken the liberty to touch her all over her body. If this continues, there will be a day she will be eaten by him.
At least all this will have to wait until she is fully recovered before she will think about whether she will accept his feelings. She silently thought as she tried to evade this matter.
Dong Fang Tang was watching with interest at his younger sister's blushing face and was about to question her when a deep low voice sounded. A tall figure pushed the door opened and entered the room.
"Without my permission, no one is allowed to take her away. Dong Fang Tang, let go of her hand immediately."
His dark eye glared sharply at her fragile delicate body nestled in the arms of Dong Fang Tang. Even though the two of them were brother and sister but he would not allow her to lie in the arms of other men.
"Wang-Ye, your possessiveness is really strong."
Dong Fang Tang's eyes flashed with keen interest. His warm and good-natured face had a deep meaningful smile.
Under his watchful ferocious glare, Dong Fang Tang concealed his laughter and slowly released the person in his arms. His tall slender body stood up and fearlessly walked to stand in front of Long Hao Tian.
"Wang-Ye, let's have a talk."
The two men stood facing each other, a pair of smiling eyes stared at a pair of cold sharp eyes for a long time. Long Hao Tian's tall figure was the first to leave. Dong Fang Tang glanced back at his younger sister sitting on the bed. With a lift of his lips, he followed Long Hao Tian and left.
After leaving the courtyard, the two men went into a stone pavilion. Long Hao Tian folded his hands and looked at the bright blue sky. Dong Fang Tang who had followed behind was the first to break the silence.
"Wang-Ye, we went separate ways half a year ago in the palace. How are you?"
Dong Fang Tang is an outstanding doctor. Even the Imperial Doctors in the Palace were unable to compare with him and could only sigh in despair. Because he was not willing to stay in the Palace instead he preferred to help people and the Emperor reluctantly had to settle for second place. But the Emperor had insisted that if the Palace needed him, no matter where he is, he must quickly return to the Palace for consultation. Therefore, he and Long Hao Tian had met several times in the palace.
"Are her injuries any better?"
Long Hao Tian did not want to talk to him more than necessary and therefore he had directly asked Dong Fang Tang the matter that most worried him.
"I heard Wang Ye's Yan Yun Pavilion is uniquely blessed by nature with a pool of hot spring. The spring water is very helpful in treating internal injuries."
Dong Fang Tang did not directly reply but instead, he looked straight at Long Hao Tian with smiling eyes. He had heard about the unique quality of this hot spring before but as it was located on private property, so he was unable to confirm the authenticity of this rumor. But now he could verify the rumor as true due to his younger sister's progress.
Long Hao Tian also did not deny and stared directly back at Dong Fang Tang with his dark deep eyes. He knew his intention in asking and arrogantly replied.
"So, what about it?"
Dong Fang Tang's eyes showed laughter and the two of them mutually understood each other. If it was true, then his younger sister's naked body was already seen by him and it also explained the strange reaction of his younger sister.
"Thank you Wang-Ye for whole-heartedly taking care of my sister. Her internal injuries had recovered better than I had previously estimated. I will adjust her medicine for now and I will come back to see her again in a month's time."
Since Long Hao Tian is personally taking care of his sister, he has nothing to worry about. On the contrary, if he stays any longer, he is afraid he will become someone's eyesore.
"Will her eyes really be able to recover in two months?" Long Hao Tian asked again with worry.
"That's right. Just now, I had taken her pulse and also checked the lump behind her head. As long as she continues with her medication, my sister will be able to see again in two months."
"All this while, her appetite has not been good. Is there anything that she especially likes to eat?"
Watching her grow thinner day by day made him very worried and at the same time, he could not force her to eat.
Dong Fang Tang raised his eyebrows, could not hide his astonishment and the smile on his face deepen involuntarily. It seems like Eldest Brother's worry was superfluous. The normally arrogant Jing Wang whom even the present Emperor had to respect, was so concerned for their sister that it can be seen how much Jing Wang valued her in his heart.
"My young sister had always been picky about her food. Now that she is not feeling well, naturally she will have even less appetite but there are a few things that she likes most."
"What is it?" Long Hao Tian asked anxiously as his heart was bent on replenishing the nutrients in her thinning body.
"Jadeite Wonton, Sugar-fried Chestnut and Rock-sugar Lotus. These three kinds of food are my younger sister's favorites."
(Jadeite Wonton is wonton wrapped in a green color wrap. The green color is green vegetable juice extract which is mixed with the wonton wrap dough.)
(Sugar-fried Chesnut)
When he looked at Long Hao Tian carefully and seriously noting down his words, at this very moment, in his heart he knew he need not worry about his younger sister anymore
(Rock sugar Lotus)
When he looked at Long Hao Tian carefully and seriously noting down his words, at this very moment, in his heart he knew he need not worry about his younger sister anymore. It was also time for him to take his leave.
"Wang-Ye, before I leave, I'll go and take a look at my sister again. In future, I've to trouble you to take care of my sister."
Dong Fang Tang cupped his hands into a fist and bowed in respect, then he walked away. Even though he did not receive an affirmative from Long Hao Tian, but Long Hao Tian's feelings for his younger sister could clearly be seen from his words and deeds. Therefore, he was very confident to leave his younger sister in Long Hao Tian's care.
Long Hao Tian looked at his retreating back in silence and even though he understood Dong Fang Tang's meaning, he was unwilling to give him a clear reply.
When Dong Fang Tang pushed the carved wooden door opened, he saw his younger sister who was supposed to be resting in bed, sitting up and it looks like she had waited for a long time.
"Third Elder Brother, you will not be taking me away, right?"
Hai Yao was able to know who was approaching by judging his footsteps and also was able to guess his decision. Or it should be said, from the very beginning when he knew she would receive proper care here, her Third Elder Brother did not plan to take her away.
"Younger Sister, you have always been smart and clever. If you have already guessed my decision then you should also know the reason."
Dong Fang Tang slowly came to her side, sat down and his hands caressed her pale, thin small face. Dressed in man's clothes, she looked heroic, handsome and charming. Dressed in woman's clothes, she looked refined and delicate and coupled with her fragility at the moment, she is delicate and gentle like a daffodil. She looked so pitiful, it is no wonder someone's heart ached and felt distressed for her.
"Why do you feel so at ease in leaving me with him? What did Eldest Brother say?"
She must find out whether this was her Eldest Brother's decision.
"Eldest Brother had said, if you are well taken care of here, then I've to let you continue to stay. No place else is better than with Long Hao Tian who is personally protecting you himself."
He is really worthy of being their Eldest Brother for being able to anticipate taking this step. Indeed, with his younger sister faking her death, they must not expose any flaws. In addition, now she is seriously injured, she urgently needs a safe and secret place to heal. Under Long Hao Tian's protection, even if the truth is exposed, he believes that if Long Hao Tian is willing, he will be able to protect her.
"Is this our Dong Fang Family's deep brotherhood affection?"
She coldly sneered. There was resentment in her words. No one had even asked about her wishes. At least, they should have respected her as she was the one concerned, right?
"Younger sister, forgive us elder brothers for our selfishness. Stay here obediently to nurse your health."
Dong Fang Tang smiled to appease her and understood her dissatisfaction.
"Since all three of my elder brothers have decided for me, what can someone like me who has no strength, do now?" She mocked and said in a huff.
"Third Elder Brother has to leave. After a month, I'll come back to check on your injuries. You can't sit here for too long. You should lie down on the bed."
Dong Fang Tang gently lifted her by her waist and strode with big steps towards the bed. He placed her on the bed and helped her to lie down but was prevented by her delicate hands.
"Third Elder Brother, I and Long Hao Tian, do we really have a marriage agreement?'
For every day this matter is not cleared up, every day she would not be at ease.
"Regarding this matter, you have to ask Eldest Brother yourself. But is this very important? When did Dong Fang Family ever take a marriage agreement seriously? It only depends on whether you agree with it or not."
The father of these four brothers and sister had selected three wives for his three sons long before he had passed away. It was stated that before they reach the age of twenty-five if anyone came forward with a silver bracelet engraved with his name, the brother had to fulfill the promise and get married. But if they had passed the age of twenty-five, the marriage contract would automatically be void.
Dong Fang Tang had initially thought his younger sister was the only one who was able to escape from these ridiculous marriage agreements but did not expect she could not escape this fate.
Hai Yao lowered her head and thought for a long time before she raised her head to seek assurance from him.
"In the end, if I choose not to marry, will all my three brothers ignore me and leave me here?"
On hearing this, Dong Fang Tang laughed out loudly. Obviously, this time in her heart, she harbored dissatisfaction for her three brothers because he had refused to take her away from here.
"Don't worry. You are our only sister. How can we as elder brothers abandon and ignore you?"
Dong Fang Tang pulled her into his arms to comfort her and stroked her black silky hair while he smiled lovingly.
"Is it? Let me remind you, my Third Elder Brother. This is the second time you have abandoned me."
Hai Yao weakly rebuked him. Such nice sounding words! Does he think I am still a three-year-old, so easy to deceive?
"Little sister, as you grow older, you have become less cute. Especially ever since you became Jade Face Hunter." He sighed and said to her.
After his younger sister had grown up, she had become smarter. He really missed the time when she was small, the young sister who had always followed behind the three of them clamoring to be carried.
"Dong Fang Tang, isn't it time for you to leave?"
Long Hao Tian narrowed his dark eyes as he pushed the door open and entered. Again he saw the brother and sister hugging each other. The feelings between the brother and sister were extremely good, so good that it made him jealous.
"I'm leaving. I've to trouble Wang-Ye to take good care of my sister."
Dong Fang Tang looked mischievously at the jealous expression on someone's face. He got up and stepped away from the bed. As he brushed past Long Hao Tian, he clearly saw Long Hao Tian carrying a bowl of Jadeite Wonton in his hand. When he left, his lips curved into a meaningful deep smile.
"Third Elder Brother......" Hai Yao lightly called out, reluctant to let him go.
"He's gone." The tall figure sat down by the side of the bed. He felt displeased when he saw her desolate expression.
"Open your mouth. You have not eaten much all day. If you carry on like this, your physical strength will deteriorate."
Hai Yao was too lazy to argue with him and opened her mouth. Instantly she was fed with a similar aroma, her eyebrows wrinkled, this..........
She was unable to hide her surprise and while her heart going through numerous emotions, the bowl of Jadeite wonton was finished. She did not want to evade anymore.
"Long Hao Tian, what kind of attitude do you have towards me? Is it 'want' or love?"
He put down the empty bowl in his hands and his fiery dark eyes watched her sightless eyes. His big hand lightly stroked her delicate, soft face and his deep low voice containing deep emotions sounded.
"At first, it was 'want'. I wanted the world famous Jade Face Hunter's exquisite beauty to belong solely to me alone. Until the moment, you fell off the cliff and your life or death unknown, then only did I realized that as early as the night of the full moon, in the hot spring pool, you have already left your mark in my heart. That's right, I have fallen in love with you, Dong Fang Hai Yao. Regardless of my identity or my pride, I will not accept any rejection from you. In this life, you are destined never to be able to escape from me."
His declaration was arrogant, fierce, direct, not accepting any rejection, straight to the heart, was nothing but the views of the highly regarded Jing Wang. However, it is time someone teaches him that it is not enough for him to only firmly believe in his own feelings.
Hai Yao's pink lips curved upwards. Since she could not escape from here, then she would have to face it.
"I don't know how I feel about you but since now I can't escape, I will set a deadline for myself. If before my injuries recover, you are able to make me fall in love with you then I'll be willing to be your Jing Wang-Fei. If I still can't fall in love with you then you will have to let me go. You will not make it difficult for me or any member of my Dong Fang Family. Jing Wang, are you willing to accept this challenge?"
In actual fact, she is giving both of them a chance and also stopping herself from all thoughts of escape.
There was an unpredictable smile on Long Hao Tian's face. He stared at her black eyes and saw a crafty expression on her face. She had laid out her plans so meticulously thinking he did not know. On the surface, she was willing to accept his feelings but in reality, she was arranging for her own retreat. That is a good move, Dong Fang Hai Yao!
"I accept."
As the words were spoken, his lips and tongue caught her pink lips at the same time. His tall figure pressed down on her soft delicate body and in the depths of his dark eyes, a feeling of possessiveness rose within him.
It was alright. If this can help to relax her wariness temporarily, he did not mind playing a game with her but he will let her know, regardless of the outcome, she would never escape from him. Except for being in his embrace, she will never be able to go anywhere else.
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
Hai Yao was awakened by an unusual rhythm. Opening her sleepy eyes, she felt herself leaning into a broad chest and a pair of iron arms were gripping her firmly. Suddenly her mind cleared up.
"Where are you taking me?"
At this moment, the two of them were sitting in a carriage and the swaying of the carriage had woke her up. Why was it that the moment she woke up, she was in a carriage? And this man did not even mention anything about this before.
"I have news from the palace and it was imperative that I return to the palace."
His handsome face was placed next to her temple and he mumbled into her ear. His big hand stroked her silky black hair. Fortunately, her recovery had progressed well therefore, she was able to withstand the bumpy journey.
"What about the two brothers, Zhang Zhen and Zhang Sheng?"
"I've arranged for someone to send them back to Long Feng Restaurant."
This was to avoid allowing the two brothers to be a hindrance. He wanted her to concentrate on nursing her health and on him only. The two rascals were really eyesores.
Knowing that the two brothers were safe, she felt relieved. She closed her eyes and rested her head in the curve of his neck and no longer spoke.
Suddenly the carriage slowly stopped. Liu Yong opened the curtains, stretched his neck and whispered.
"Wang-Ye, we have reached the Inn."
Long Hao Tian nodded his head. He picked up the person in his arms and turned her face inwards facing him. He did not want anyone to see her exquisite beauty. He followed the shopkeeper to a quiet reserved room and waited until all the dishes were served before he released the person in his arms.
"Eat something and rest for a while. We still have to continue our journey."
He personally picked up some food and fed her a few mouthfuls before he started to eat. His black eyes watched her tenderly and made sure the food in her mouth was swallowed before he started to feed her again. It seems he took tremendous pleasure in personally serving her.
"What had happened in the palace to make you so anxious to rush back to the palace?" She asked curiously.
"It's nothing. I can handle the matter myself. You don't have to worry. Just concentrate on nursing your body back to health."
Again he fed her a spoonful of chicken soup and her smile deepened. Could it be she was starting to care for him?
Suddenly the paper door of the reserved room was pushed open. Liu Yong walked in and whispered a few words into Long Hao Tian's ear, then his handsome face abruptly sank. He put a bowl of hot soup between Hai Yao's hands and in her ear, he reminded her and gave her a warning.
"I have to go out for a while. Drink the chicken soup. I'll be back right away. You should know the present condition of your body. Obediently eat your meal and don't try to take this opportunity to escape."
After they left, a while later, the paper door was pushed open again and a burly figure entered.
"Shi-mei?"
"Shi-xiong....."
Hai Yao was startled and felt surprised. She put down the bowl of soup in her hands and groped towards the direction of the sound.
"I came to take you away."
Cheng Gang stared at his Shi-mei whom he had always pampered and his heart ached to see her in this condition. He felt so sad that he did not know what to say.
Just now, he was sitting in a corner of the Inn and saw Long Hao Tian entered carrying someone in his arms. By looking at the back view, he already knew the person was his Shi-mei. He did not know how his Shi-mei had landed in the hands of Long Hao Tian because he had clearly heard Dong Fang Ling said Shi-mei was recuperating in Ming Yue Villa. So he had come to the conclusion that Long Hao Tian must have captured her. So he took the opportunity when the local county magistrate is here to see Long Hao Tian, to rescue his Shi-mei.
"What? No........"
Before Hai Yao was able to finish her words, she was picked up quickly and the figure rapidly left the Inn.
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