In the woodshed of a small courtyard behind Qiankun Hall.
Qu Kan leaned against a pile of straw, covered in wounds. Blood flowing from his injuries had soaked a large patch of the straw beneath him red. He could faintly hear the clamor and sounds of fighting outside. He wanted to struggle to his feet and take a look, but his injuries and sealed acupoints made even standing incredibly difficult.
Then, with a creak, the door opened.
Qu Kan immediately tensed.
Only when he saw that the visitor was Qu Jiaojiao, dressed in red, did he relax slightly. Yet when his gaze fell upon that wedding dress, his heart twisted worse than death.
"I'm sorry..."
Qu Kan had no idea how many times he had already apologized. His choked, hoarse voice was filled with boundless self-reproach.
Qu Jiaojiao's expression stiffened. The joy of having survived a calamity receded slightly. Looking at Qu Kan's dejected, guilt-ridden appearance, she abandoned the manner in which she had come to deliver good news and said heavily, "Do you regret bringing me to your territory?"
"Do you regret all those heartfelt words you said to me?"
"Do all the promises you made me no longer count?"
Her voice was heavy and suppressed, enough to leave one's heart clogged with anguish.
"I..." Qu Kan was at a loss for words. He lowered his head heavily and choked out, "It was all my fault. I hurt you."
"Don't talk about fault or no fault!" Qu Jiaojiao's voice abruptly turned sharp. "I'm only asking you one thing—were those words true? Do you regret them now?"
Qu Kan clenched his fists. He felt so miserable he was nearly suffocating. His lips parted, yet he could not utter a single word.
Qu Jiaojiao pressed him further. "If nothing unexpected happens,