Bai Yi collapsed to the ground, yet he still had a thread of consciousness, as he said he heard a sound like many beans scattering on the ground.
County Magistrate Song felt a sudden shock in his heart, naturally not believing that Xiao Song was simply trying his luck. The process might appear simple, but it required precision at every step.
Xiao Song chose the coral beads with the highest quantity on the Ying Luo, and even if Su Luan had personally counted the number of beads, seeing Xiao Song produce an identical bead, she would certainly feel guilty and start to doubt.
Firstly attacking the mind, and then when Su Luan had yet to make a decision, he temptingly threw out bait at just the right moment. Su Luan was a merchant, adept at weighing pros and cons. Since she wasn’t the killer, Xiao Song gave her an opportunity, which she would surely seize in time, taking the initiative to push all the blame onto Liu Wen.
However, as Xiao Song steadily pressured Su Luan and guided her, she had already forgotten that if she confessed, in the end the initiative still lay in the hands of just one person—that was Xiao Song.
A brief and calm confrontation that lasted less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea ended with Su Luan’s utter defeat.
"Truly terrifying," County Magistrate Song muttered to himself, watching the figure in purple blend into the night and resolved to work on the case throughout the night.
Xiao Song stood alone in front of the courtyard where Ran Yan lived. The night was getting deep; she must have been asleep by now...
Thinking that he might not see Ran Yan again for half a month, Xiao Song lifted his robe and leaped over the courtyard wall. Almost the moment he landed, his Secret Guard and the Ran family’s Secret Guard were already engaged in combat behind him.
Xiao Song dusted off his robe and walked on without looking back into the inner gate.
Lanterns were lit along the corridor in the courtyard, while all the rooms were pitch-dark. Xiao Song stood under Ran Yan’s window for a while, then turned back, but after taking a few steps away, he returned.
He took out his short knife with the intention to pry open the door, hesitated for a moment, then put it away and gently knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Came Wan Lu’s voice from inside.
"Xiao Song," Xiao Song replied.
Movement sounded from within, and soon a faint light appeared. Wan Lu opened the door holding a round lantern, peered out into the courtyard, and asked in confusion, "Why has Master Xiao come so late..."
Before Wan Lu could finish speaking, Xiao Song succinctly knocked her out with a chop to the neck. He supported Wan Lu with one hand and swiftly picked up the lantern with the other, not making a single sound.
In the span of two breaths, Xiao Song extinguished the lantern and placed Wan Lu on the couch in the outer room, then made his way into the inner room in the dark.
This was his first time sneaking around , and his typically calm heart was now pounding uncontrollably.
Lifting the bamboo curtain and by the light of the moon, he could see the defenseless sleeping countenance of Ran Yan on the bed. Xiao Song couldn’t help but smile at the corners of his mouth, took a few steps forward, and seeing that Ran Yan was sleeping deeply, he felt somewhat relieved.
As the moonlight shifted, Xiao Song maintained the same posture, watching for about an hour.
Gradually, Ran Yan seemed slightly restless in her sleep, her brows tightly furrowed, and beads of sweat appeared at her temples. By the dim light, Xiao Song saw her pale face bearing a look of endurance and couldn’t help feeling a twinge of heartache. He reached out along her arm and grasped that soft hand he had thought of for so long.
His strong grip seemed to give Ran Yan courage, and her emotions slowly relaxed.
But to his misfortune, Ran Yan, in his inattention, pulled his hand to her chest.
The soft, cottony sensation transmitted from his hand made Xiao Song’s heart threaten to leap from his throat.
Fire ignited from the skin of his hand, spreading to every part of his body.
Xiao Song’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and the man, who usually had everything under control, found his mind completely blank at the moment, unsure of what to do next. His hand was held tightly, unable to be forcefully withdrawn, but to take advantage of her at this moment would be highly disrespectful to Ran Yan, and if he didn’t move...
Xiao Song tried his best to ignore the heat converging rapidly in his lower abdomen, the pent-up force seeking outlet, causing some restlessness within him.
"Ran Yan?" Xiao Song’s voice was husky, faintly trembling, hoping Ran Yan would loosen her grip a little so he could withdraw his hand, even if it meant waking up to find him taking advantage and receiving a slap in return.
Contrary to his wish, Ran Yan nudged her body slightly, which made that soft place press even more closely against his hand. In a vague and delicate voice, she softly hummed a sound of acknowledgement.
Xiao Song felt as if his body was burning with hot iron, the pain becoming almost unbearable.
"Ran Yan..." Xiao Song’s naturally magnetic voice was now even lower and more enchanting, as if coaxing, he whispered, "May I step out for a moment?"
Ran Yan remained quiet as if she heard nothing from him. After a long while, she hummed in acknowledgment, slightly loosening her grip on his hand.
"Come back..." Ran Yan murmured.
Guessing that she was instructing him to return, Xiao Song said, "Alright."
Withdrawing his hand from Ran Yan’s chest, Xiao Song made sure she was covered properly with the blanket and then dashed out of the room as if fleeing.
The cool air of the autumn night slightly subdued the fire within him, but it wasn’t enough. Xiao Song wished he could hug a block of ice to cool down as he sprinted out of the courtyard towards the inn where he was staying.
Arriving at the backyard, he walked around restlessly for a while, saw the well water, and decided to draw a bucket to pour over himself from head to toe.
Suddenly, a mild stinging sensation spread over his body, and the burning sensation eased considerably. He persisted and poured several more buckets over himself.
Once the heat had completely subsided, Xiao Song sat by the well, exhausted, with droplets falling from him, his clothing soaked and clinging to his body, revealing his robust and tall figure.
Xiao Song scoffed to himself, a faint mist escaping his lips. Xiao Yuezhi, oh Xiao Yuezhi! You are truly too pathetic! It was just a touch... Thinking of that soft feeling, as if through the clothing he could sense her skin delicate as water... The fire that Xiao Song had just extinguished began to stir once again.(To be continued. If you work, you’re welcome to cast your vote for a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)