Chapter 70 Let's Have a Child Together.

“Whether it’s affection or duty, in this lifetime, we are simply not meant to be. Honestly, things as they are now aren’t so bad,” Hua Qinci said with a trace of disappointment. In the past, she hadn’t won her husband’s love; now, she still failed to do so. It truly seemed like fate. In this life, she no longer needed anyone’s affection.

Nor would she give her heart to anyone. She had neither the time nor the energy for that.

Though Qin Youtian always managed to stir her heart, she never dared to trust, would not allow herself to believe. She was, in truth, deeply afraid—afraid of being betrayed again, afraid of losing something before she’d even had a chance to possess it.

Since that was the case, why bother to pursue it at all?

Upon hearing her words, Qin Youtian’s eyes narrowed in amusement. “And how are you so certain that we are impossible? No matter what you say, at least for now, you are still my wife. You are my woman.”

With that, he continued striding ahead.

Hua Qinci hurriedly picked up her basket and chased after him.

“It’s just an empty title—what’s so great about that?”

“What did you say?” Hearing her mutter behind him, Qin Youtian suddenly stopped.

She hadn’t expected him to halt so abruptly. He’d been walking briskly, and the mountain woods were filled with strange noises. Though she wasn’t truly frightened, having Qin Youtian nearby gave her a sense of security.

“N-nothing!” Hua Qinci quickly stepped back, berating herself inwardly. Why did she always want to say something outrageous to tease him? And yet, when he was serious, she would immediately retreat.

“Let’s hurry. We still have to get down the mountain before dark. There are many wild beasts here, and the path grows treacherous at night. Or do you really want to become a concubine in the Qian household so badly that you’d feed yourself to the wolves instead? Even if you’re willing, I’m not.”

There was a smirk at the corner of Qin Youtian’s eyes. With those words, he turned and went on ahead.

“Fine!” Hua Qinci found herself at a loss for words. A concubine? Impossible. She didn’t even want to be the main wife, let alone a concubine. If she really were sent to the Qian household, the women there would surely lament their fate.

She was lost in thought, pondering what method she might use to ensure Master Qian would forever lose his manhood, when Qin Youtian’s hand suddenly closed around her own.

She tried to pull away several times, but his grip only tightened.

“What are you thinking?”

“N-nothing,” Hua Qinci stammered, her gaze involuntarily lowering to a certain part of Qin Youtian. Her cheeks flushed red, and she couldn’t help but want to laugh at her own mischievous thoughts.

“Ah! Other men’s wives serve their husbands properly and respect their in-laws. Why is my wife so exceptional, so different?”

Qin Youtian wore a mournful expression that made Hua Qinci laugh aloud.

Truly, as a wife, she lacked even the most basic sense of duty.

“And what does that smile mean, my lady? Do you realize how unique you are?”

Qin Youtian gazed at her bright smile, leaning in close to whisper in her ear.

“You’re so annoying. Let’s go, before the wild beasts run off. If I make it back in one piece, I’d like to see how you explain yourself to your mother.”

“At that point, your mother will certainly say, ‘Hua Qinci, get out—leave the Qin family at once!’”

“And what will you do then?” Qin Youtian suddenly halted and turned around. Before she could react, Hua Qinci walked straight into his arms.

“What will I do?” She kept her head down, not daring to meet his gaze—for his eyes held a certain power, one that threatened to draw her in, one that revealed a self she wasn’t ready to face.

“Yes, what will you do? Will you throw a tantrum—like Da Huang, rolling around on the ground?”

“Go to hell!” Hua Qinci suddenly raised her eyes, reaching out to slap him, but Qin Youtian caught her and pressed his lips to hers.

She stood there, frozen as if bewitched, her hand held tightly in his larger one.

“Since you are still my wife, why not try fulfilling a wife’s proper duties?”

He kissed her deeply, and she stood motionless, as if poisoned.

“What?” She forgot to resist, her mind still turning over his words.

Qin Youtian pulled her into the nearby thicket and held her down firmly.

Everything happened so fast that Hua Qinci hadn’t even realized what was going on. She was still pondering what exactly a wife’s duties entailed. What was he trying to do?

“Let’s have a child together.”