Huo Ning’s face froze, pletely unprepared for him to say that, "No."
"You’re mine, body and soul. Why not? Do you have someone else in your heart?" Lu Sangqi held her waist tightly, close enough to feel each other’s breath, causing a flush to slowly spread across Huo Ning’s cheeks.
Her lips moved slightly, her face stiff, speaking honestly, "No one else."
Lu Sangqi stared at her crimson lips, his breathing growing heavier, his gaze deep as he leaned down and lightly bit them, "Good, no one else. Otherwise, don’t blame me if I lock you away, so no one can see you, and I will tear any adulterer to pieces."
Huo Ning frowned, feeling her lips nearly bitten to bleeding, a mixture of pain and numbness, "There is no adulterer. Stop biting, it hurts."
"If it hurts, then that’s how it should be. You’ve got such nerve, seems we must elope. Otherwise, by the time your family agrees, who knows how late it would be."
"The Qi family hasn’t made a move yet, but we can’t give them the chance. Are you willing to go with me?" Lu Sangqi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he licked his lips, his deep gaze locked on her eyes.
Huo Ning was a bit taken aback, "Elope?"
"But elope as a concubine."
"I only have you, how could I let you be a concubine? Besides, you’re supposed to be someone added to my family record, naturally, a proper wife. If you don’t believe me, I’ll take you back now to be added to the family record." Lu Sangqi grasped her hand tightly, as if afraid she would leave.
Huo Ning’s ears turned dark red, yet she didn’t struggle, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "Let’s keep things as they were. Even if you don’t mind, it would still affect Grandfather."
Lu Sangqi was a bit disappointed, but he respected Huo Ning’s wishes, though the matters regarding the Qi family still made him uneasy.
"You must be extra cautious about the Qi family. Don’t let them know you are aware of this; as long as it’s uncertain, they won’t act too hastily, giving us time."
"I’ll take you home first," Lu Sangqi stated, leaving no room for objection.
Huo Ning realized what he intended to do, wanted to speak up to stop him, but seeing Lu Sangqi’s earnest face, she knew that no matter what she said, he wouldn’t agree, so she simply nodded and quietly followed him back to the Huo Residence.
Lu Sangqi openly escorted Huo Ning back, making sure everyone at the Huo Residence knew, and their expressions were quite displeased.
The two of them hadn’t yet set an official engagement. The Lu family had sent a matchmaker to propose, but the Huo family hadn’t agreed yet. For Huo Ning to be so bold as to associate with him could only harm the reputation of all the young misses of the Huo family.
As soon as Huo Ning stepped into the residence, she was forcibly taken to the main courtyard by servants arranged by Second Lady Huo.
Meanwhile, Lu Sangqi arranged for someone to reveal to the Huo family that Huo Ning knew Madame Yue.
And secretly informed the Huo family of his impending appointment to see the Empress Dowager, as decreed by the Emperor.
Sure enough.
When Second Lady Huo heard this news, her face instantly turned ugly, stomping her foot in the room, her face filled with anger, "That damned Huo Ning, where did she get the skill to entice Lu Sangqi to be so determined? She must have fallen into some dumb luck."
"Mother, this engagement may not be favorable." Huo Man pouted in discontent, "No matter how capable Lu Sangqi is, he’s just a doctor without rank or position. Even if he tends to the Empress Dowager, she wouldn’t issue any special decree for him."
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