Joyful Five

Congratulations, with a clenched fist, it has been ten years, yet he refuses to believe that he could be defeated by her this time, and he refuses to believe that he cannot be faster than her this time!

He closed his mouth, knowing that she had not made a single mistake over the years. He then stepped back, turned around, and as he exited, the cold wind outside rushed towards him, mixed with a hint of a bloody scent

Just gazing at her, I see her head slightly lowered, as if deep in thought, her steps neither hurried nor slow, the hem of her muddy skirt sweeping across the tender grass below, a few small flowers also being pulled from their stems, following that alluring dress all the way.

He suddenly loosened his grip, the cuff smoothed out, and he brought the back of his hand behind his body, tilting his body to one side

If it were not for that woman's constant hindrances over the past ten years, Ye Qi would undoubtedly be several times richer and stronger than it is now

Both individuals pondered deeply in their hearts, facing each other for a long time, yet not a single word was spoken

The imposing aura about him, the proud words that escape his lips, and the subtle nobility in his demeanor

The door was gently knocked at the right moment, and a deep voice from outside said: "Your Majesty?"

He exerted some force with his hand, pulling her a little closer, leaned down, and pressed his head against her ear, asking once again: "Is that character written by you?"

A leaf fell from the swaying treetops above, landing on He Xi's shoulder, sliding down his cool, smooth outer robe, and rolling onto the muddy ground of the courtyard. The veins on the back of the leaf were distinctly visible, and the orange petiole was dusted, trembling slightly.

After calculating repeatedly, the result remains the same

The movements are swift and decisive, which is something that a person who has not trained in martial arts for many years cannot possess

Di Feng pushed the door open and entered, seeing Ying Huan standing in the corner by the wall, slightly tilting her head as she gazed at the layers of bookshelves along the wall. Her face was not clearly visible, but he could see her hands clenched into fists behind her, the knuckles turning slightly white.

He Xi's eyes narrowed slightly; this residence, both inside and out, is filled with hidden depths, truly reminiscent of her own artistry

How could that possibly be her handwriting

Only this fairy is capable of such a feat

Ying Huan frowned, her eyes fixed on the cold sword in Di Feng's hand. After a long while, she said: "Send someone to the back courtyard to extinguish the candlestick in that room. Then have someone check on that man with the surname He to see if he has returned."

Congratulations on the first tilt, the moonlight slants over, illuminating half of his face

He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, forcefully swung his hand, and strode across the small bridge beside the pavilion, heading towards the side courtyard

Ying Huan turned her head and looked into the depths of his eyes, which were so dark yet shining brightly, reminiscent of the first time she saw him that year... The steadfast and loyal aura he exuded had not changed at all over the years

The wind swirls at my feet, the long skirt trails along the ground, dragging mud and grass along with it, the light silk thus stained to a degree that is utterly unbearable to behold

His body trembled slightly, yet his steps remained steady and unwavering. Once he had passed the gate ahead, his mind was already made up.

Xie Mingyuan fell silent, bowing his head for a moment before saying: "I shall obey the command." After speaking, he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, stepped aside, bypassed He Xi, and walked towards the outside of the courtyard

He walked over slowly, turned around, leaned against the tree trunk, threw away the crushed leaves in his hand, crossed his arms, and pressed his thin lips into a line

She turned her back to him and slowly spoke: "I know why you have come... However, I would like you to do something, but do not ask why, and do not pursue it afterwards..."

If he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that Di Feng could be so submissive to that woman

He halted his steps and said to Ying Huan: "Your Majesty, I fear that person may..."

A fleeting thought passed by, causing his eyelid to twitch violently

Broad shoulders and long arms, a handsome and upright posture, straight and elongated legs, a slightly retracted chin, that imposing presence now appears even more pronounced than before

Her hand was growing increasingly painful, and the face of the man before her was also extremely stiff, his eyes filled with a chilling intensity.

Suddenly, the broken sword on the black-robed man's body flashed through my mind

Ying Huan heard the footsteps outside growing fainter and knew that he had walked far away; the smile at the corners of her mouth gradually faded.

There are flowers, pink and tender yellow, scattered among the green grass. Though small, they are vibrant, shrouded in the night and moonlight, evoking a gentle stirring in the heart of those who behold them

The path beneath my feet is much wider than before, yet I do not know where it will lead to

For a century, the borders of the Ye-Qi Kingdom have remained unchanged, yet he, with the strength of a single day, expanded the territory by a thousand miles, transforming Ye-Qi into one of the foremost powerful nations among the five kingdoms

Xie Mingyuan stood, his hand resting on the sword stiff as a board, unable to utter a word for a long while

it is ultimately in vain

Upon seeing Di Feng, the corners of his mouth involuntarily twitched, and his gaze towards him grew increasingly hostile. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Young Master He possesses remarkable skills."

Meeting him is fate, but what exactly is this fate for

Only hearing a sound ahead, she couldn't help but furrow her brows and raise her eyes to look forward. However, this glance made her breath stop, her eyes grew warm, while her heart felt a chilling emptiness.

He met her gaze, and the ice in his eyes shattered into fragments in an instant, causing his eyelids to tremble. He suddenly released his grip on the tree trunk, took several large steps forward until he stood before her, lowered his head, and fixed his gaze on her closely, "Madam, why are you still awake so late?"

Fierce and menacing, with blades sharp as ever, such a valiant sword can only belong to that person!

With elegance and grace, openly and uprightly, accompanied by two men, they remained alone in Chuzhou. This matter seems to...

A sudden pang gripped his heart, yet that feeling vanished in an instant, as if the years had flown by like the wind. No matter how foolish and ignorant he might be, he would not come to believe that woman.

A thorough investigation was conducted in the palace for three months, yet not a single person was able to obtain any clues, and thus it ended without resolution

Ying Huan only felt a chill at her fingertips, the mist that had previously enveloped her chest had turned into shards of ice, sharp and jagged, piercing her heart

He grasped her hand, raised his chin, and looked at the wall behind her, his voice deep and resonant, like the sound of porcelain cracking, "Is that your writing?"

The hue is distinctly that of imperial color

He propped himself against a tree trunk, took half a step to the side, and looked back. In an instant, his gaze froze, and the glimmer in his eyes gradually turned to ice

This is just the nature of this person

She gazed at the face before her, her heart ablaze with hatred, her red lips quivering; before she could utter a word, her body was forcefully pulled by him, firmly pressed against his embrace

Congratulations and best wishes, the slightly damp and cool touch of the fallen leaves soaked into the palms, with hands clasped behind my back, I looked up, and the horizon had already begun to show a hint of fish belly white, the moon had extinguished half of its light, and the sparse stars had dimmed in the expanse.

She saw him, steadied herself, and felt a sense of reassurance in her heart. Taking a small breath, she slowly walked forward

She understands him so well, having secretly pondered for nearly ten years; that person is like a mirror to her, and she knows his thoughts with just a single thought of her own

This statement is laden with sarcasm and is exceedingly blunt, causing Ying Huan's face to turn pale, her body trembling with anger...! ... This shameless scoundrel!

The moonlight cast shadows of bamboo, and Xie Mingyuan's expression was unfriendly as he furrowed his brow and said softly: "Your Majesty"

Ying Huan gazed at him, her eyes never leaving him, "Eliminate him before dawn"

With a smile, her eyebrows slightly raised, just as she turned around and had not yet lifted her leg, she saw a figure emerging from behind the bamboo forest

Di Fenghan initially wanted to retreat, but the deep and inscrutable gaze of that man flashed through her mind from their previous encounter in the side courtyard... Her heart involuntarily sank, leaving her feeling uncertain

He ranked ninth, and the eight elder brothers above him had all been conferred titles of nobility and had left the court, each harboring their own thoughts. Upon hearing of his assassination attempt and survival, they could not help but show a faint sense of regret on their faces

His fists opened and then clenched again, repeating this action several times, ultimately resting at his side, with beads of sweat seeping from his palms

Her hand remained tightly gripping the hard stone corner of the desk beside her, holding it so firmly that it faintly radiated heat, yet she maintained this posture, allowing time to pass slowly. She felt her heart grow colder and her mind increasingly heated, until finally, her fingertips were swollen and reddened from the pressure.

Xie Mingyuan nodded, hesitated for a moment before saying: "I never expected..." Seeing He Xi walking straight into the courtyard, he had no choice but to follow behind, quietly asking: "What are Your Majesty's plans?"

The knife at the age of fifteen not only wounded his body but also pierced his heart.

debauched and unrestrained

The sound of reports from the streets outside faintly reached my ears, and the night outside was dimly illuminated; it was only then that I realized she had been sitting for such a long time

Di Feng heard the sound of skirts rustling behind him and instinctively turned around. Upon seeing her, his dark face instantly brightened, and he softly called out: "Your Majesty"

He entered the courtyard, drew his sword, and used the moonlight spilling from above to examine the blade at an angle. With a calm demeanor, he said, "If you were to face Di Feng in combat, what would your chances of victory be?"

Xie Mingyuan's expression changed suddenly, and he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I have no such intention. It is just that this place is under the jurisdiction of Tai Zhen, and in case of any unforeseen circumstances..."

These three words rolled through her heart countless times, like thorns grinding against the skin, drawing blood without leaving a trace

Kill him

The day before, Xie Mingyuan clearly informed him that Ying Huan and his party had set out from Chuzhou and were making their way back to the capital in a grand manner

Di Feng's body suddenly stiffened, unable to believe the sound outside his ears. He turned to look, only to see He Xi with a calm expression, as if he had never spoken a word before.

She let out a faint response, the pallor on her face still lingering, and said no more. Turning her back, she entered the room ahead, and the door slammed shut behind her.

Before returning to the main hall, I saw Di Feng with a serious expression, wandering outside the courtyard from a distance

Ying Huan's eyes flickered slightly, and then she smiled coldly, "So what if it is."

Ying Huan did not hold back at all, gazing directly into the depths of his eyes, "Isn't it the same for you, Young Master He? In the dead of night, wandering around someone else's residence, is this not the custom of Ye Qi?"

He congratulated with his hands behind his back, took two steps forward, and asked him, "Did you all hear that?"

It turns out it was her

This feeling, which has not been experienced for many years, is even more chilling than when surrounded by thousands of troops charging past on the battlefield.

The paper adorned with dark floral patterns was affixed by him atop the Chengchen on the imperial couch in the Jianing Hall, allowing him to see it every night before falling asleep with just a glance upward

Those eyes, which are neither blue nor black, are indeed so beautiful

Di Feng felt a surge of emotions within him, tumultuous and intertwined, like great waves crashing upon the shore, making it difficult to discern what he truly felt. After a moment of struggle, he managed to speak, saying: "I understand."

His chest was boiling with blood that had long since congealed, and his mind was filled with countless thoughts, all revolving around how to proceed with the matter at hand.

The chill penetrated deeply, and soon the sky would be fully illuminated. He thought of Xie Mingyuan, and his mind began to ponder. If he did not encounter Di Feng, it would surely be an easy task. However, if he were to meet Di Feng, with Xie Mingyuan's skills, there might still be a chance of victory.

In a decade, two characters signify formidable adversaries

How could one possibly imagine that this man is so audacious and reckless, daring to enter her territory in the guise of an emperor

She stopped, looking at him in disbelief, wondering how it still ended up like this

Her heart tightened once again; the resolve she had previously mustered began to waver in that very instant.

The wind caused the door panel in front of the hall to creak, and the light on the candlestick inside flickered twice before extinguishing completely

This time, it is merely a matter of who acts faster

Upon stepping outside, a gust of cold wind struck my face, refreshing my mind and awakening my entire being

With a slight slip of his hand, the sword's tip drooped down, and behind him, he solemnly remarked, "General Di is also a remarkable figure"

For the past ten years, the two have engaged in both open and covert struggles, employing various tactics, yet their ultimate goal remains the same

She took two steps towards him and said, "Kill him."

Ying Huan gazed at him, ultimately seeing clearly his pair of deep eyes, where sparks flew and a dark hue enveloped a similar expression of astonishment

With stiff fingers and a heavy chest, I slowly retraced my steps along the original path, the intoxicating fragrance of her lingering between my teeth, and the cool, smooth touch of the silk at her waist still present in my palm

There were no footsteps behind, that person ultimately did not catch up

His expression was unpredictable, was that her handwriting? Was it truly her handwriting?

The little finger, though broken, still aches; Ying Huan's lips tremble slightly. She wants to kill him, and perhaps he wants to kill her as well

He raised his hand to catch it, a smirk curling at one side of his lips as he coldly asked, "What does this mean?"

Congratulations on collecting that fallen leaf in your palm, gently brushing off the dust. With a slight smile, you raise your eyes to look at Xie Mingyuan, "Is it that I did not explain clearly enough, or are you unwilling to comply with my orders?"

With a joyful gesture, he firmly grasped the sword in his hand. As the blade turned, it suddenly sliced through the air, producing a sharp sound.

The warm and solid chest beneath the clothing instantly burned through her

In the middle of the grass stands an old tree, strong and upright, lush and verdant. Its bark is thick and rugged, and its branches densely extend outward, casting shadows on the grass, covering the small flowers beneath, exuding a sense of tranquility.

Ten years ago, when the late emperor passed away, on the night of the new emperor's ascension to the throne, as the ceremonies concluded and he returned to the palace, he was stabbed under his rib.

A layer of wax dripped from the candlestick on the table, and the flame flickered with a "pop," disturbing the tranquility of the room

He is surprisingly able to remain so composed

Mengding tea, a tribute product from the family of Ye Qi Tian

From now on, with cold eyes and a cold face, he moves like a sharp blade and speaks like a piercing arrow. All the emotions and duties of the world, in his eyes, are merely reduced to the two words: power and authority

He felt a layer of coldness settling deep within him, freezing him halfway, unable to comprehend the true nature of this man

Kill him

She is in Chuzhou, and matters in the capital must have been entrusted to the old officials of the two departments under the Central Secretariat. Staying another night tonight, she will return to the capital early tomorrow... She is thoughtful and composed, surely this is her plan.

That person, that skirt

The breath exhaled from my mouth was scalding hot, my chest felt tight and swollen, my eyes were fixed on her, yet my feet could not move an inch.

Truly laughable! Truly lamentable!

He looked at him with a hint of ice in his eyes, yet did not speak

With not a single thought in my mind, I stiffly walked out the door, following the increasingly fierce wind of the night, quickly retracing my steps back the way I came

He Xi turned his head and saw Di Feng approaching him with a stern expression, striding forward with large steps

and the bright yellow lining of his robe

He Xi watched Di Feng as he slowly turned around again, leaving without a word, and could not help but silently commend him.

The light in the distance brightened somewhat, and a trace of a mocking smile crossed his lips. I wonder if this General Di, within her palace, atop the imperial couch, is as valiant as he is on the battlefield

He stopped briefly at the door, turned around, and looked through the courtyard gate into the distance. Faintly, he could see the lanterns in the main hall reflecting the pure moonlight, casting a tea-white glow on the stone path.

What does he want to say, how could she not know, and how could she not think of it

Just gazing at her, in the dim yellow candlelight of the room, I noticed that the rosy hue on her face had faded. At this moment, half of her face was shrouded in shadow, while the other half appeared pale and lifeless, and the light in her lips had also vanished

Di Feng's eyes trembled as he saw the mud and grass stains on the hem of her skirt, and his heart suddenly tightened. He gripped the sword tightly in his hand and turned to stride towards the guest courtyard.

He said his surname is He, and he is not from this Chuzhou.

Her lips suddenly began to ache, all calculations and plans are no match for fate

He clenched his teeth in anger, a surge of fire suddenly igniting within him. Ignoring everything else, he reached out and forcefully grabbed her arm, pulling her harshly towards himself. Lowering his gaze at her, he coldly said: "I have only met you by chance, just a fleeting encounter, yet you invite me to your residence. Is it possible that all women from your region are like you, unable to endure even the slightest solitude?"

The candlelight flickered faintly in the room behind, while the night before me grew increasingly dark. The hem of my robe was suddenly lifted by the wind, revealing a glimmer of gold, which appeared like a sharp beam of light amidst the dim night, dazzling to the eye

As long as she speaks, even if it requires him to die immediately, he would not utter a single word of dissent

She took a sharp breath, having once thought he was indeed the virtuous man, but now reflecting on it, it is truly ironic

He sent someone to kill her, yet she appeared before him with such grace... How could he possibly handle this? How could he harden his heart again?

He turned around, glanced back at the house, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, yet he turned again and walked towards the small path by the courtyard.

A stiffness in the soles of the feet caused the steps to come to an involuntary halt

Xie Mingyuan was taken aback, and then gritted his teeth, "... I dare not assert anything." He immediately understood the meaning of He Xi's words, and his body involuntarily trembled slightly. Within the territory of Tai Tun, in the city of Chuzhou, he actually contemplated doing something about that woman...

Di Feng also coldly spoke: "The sword of the young master is too precious for me to accept. The lady sent me to check on the young master's well-being. Since the young master has returned, I kindly ask that you rest early, so that you may set off on your journey early tomorrow morning"

The old tree by the roadside has branches growing wildly, yet no one tends to them. In the wind, the shadows tremble and sway, evoking a chill deep within one's heart.

Such a mad act can only be accomplished by him

Congratulations, the fists are clenched tighter, the steps are a bit quicker; regardless of fate, since today I have encountered her, then...

Looking again at the calligraphy on the wall, he would not mistake it, nor could he possibly mistake it

As soon as he thought of it, his brows involuntarily furrowed slightly, and a heaviness settled in his heart... Regardless of the circumstances, this house could no longer be stayed in.

After a while, as I was about to turn and leave, a steady and swift sound of footsteps came from behind me

A surge of foul air rose from her abdomen to her heart, making it momentarily difficult for her to contain herself. Gritting her teeth, she looked at him. This man, even this time, treated her the same way!

The world says he is ruthless and merciless, but who can know that if he were not ruthless and merciless, how could he secure that throne

Ying sat in a chair in the room, with a table beside her already set with scrolls and ink treasures by the servants, meticulously arranged. However, at this moment, she had no desire to look at them.

His heart plummeted heavily, crashing against the wall of his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe

If she were to be lost, then Tai would surely fall into a struggle for power, with no heir to the throne and no legitimate son for the emperor. What a chaotic disintegration that would be!

She suddenly stood up, her thoughts swaying a few times, becoming increasingly clear

Joy surged through his chest like boiling blood, rushing straight to his forehead. In an instant, a string in his heart was snapped, and all the previous matters became as clear as a mirror, laid out before him, waiting for him to read them.

She instructed Di Feng to remove that person, yet she herself did not dare to let her guard down. Remaining alone in the house was indeed not a wise strategy, so she made her way from the courtyard all the way here

Enter that room to rest? ... He coldly laughed to himself, his large hand slightly clenched ... . ... He understood the woman's thoughts and tactics all too well

His eyelashes drooped, and his eyes dimmed. In that moment within the pavilion, he was aware that he had truly developed feelings. However, now, walking alone on this gravel path, merely half an hour had passed, yet his state of mind had changed significantly.

By killing him, one can seize Ye Qi

Kill her, and the vast territory of Tai Tun will be entirely within his grasp

If one is an ordinary person, why would they have such a reaction to that word

The lower lip is slightly swollen, the wrist feels stiff and sore, and the entire body is filled with his scent

The two men accompanying her appear to be remarkable individuals, exuding a charming demeanor all at once, and they are likely her trusted confidants of many years

In an instant, the eyes grew colder, as if something had sharply choked the heart, leaving a spicy and sour sensation filling the chest.

He raised his eyes and looked ahead, where the bamboo in front of the house was lush and verdant, swaying gently in the wind, its delicate form resembling... her

Suddenly, murderous intent surged forth

The two characters "Ye Qi" were lightly uttered by her, yet they struck his ears like a sudden thunderclap, resonating throughout his mind

In a lifetime, there are countless absurdities, yet how many can encounter a day like today!

In a moment of reflection, she recalled that in that room, after she saw the inside of his cuff, his expression was so cold, resembling the barren cliffs of a winter mountain, devoid of any splendor.

That sword of profound clarity, upon reflection, embodies the essence of imperial virtue

He claims to be a traveling merchant, yet his hands bear calluses from wielding a knife, and his grip is remarkably strong

He has never been so provoked and insulted by a woman in his entire life

In the imperial harem of Ye Qi, there were three thousand beauties... She let out a cold laugh, were they all summoned back to the palace by him like this?

At the end of the narrow path, the boundary suddenly opens up, revealing a wide expanse of grass that comes into view, evoking a sense of unexpected brightness after a period of darkness.

Ying Huan walked step by step, the grass beneath her feet was soft and light, and stepping on it made her heart feel somewhat lighter as well

Ying Huan turned to the side and said, "Then let us go."

If that person were to perish, the state of Ye Qi would surely descend into chaos, and Tai Lun would then take advantage of the opportunity to invade its territory and seize its vast lands

Congratulations on bending down to pick up that fallen leaf

Under heaven, who has the audacity to casually wear garments of bright yellow color

At this moment, he sent Xie Mingyuan away from her, and she must be calculating against him in her heart

He clenched his fist tightly, the knuckles cracking, vexed with himself for his earlier moment of impulsiveness, having actually given that sword to her

In an instant, everything turned pitch black, and I could only see the faint light and shadow of a figure at the end of the path in the courtyard.

I want to ask, yet I cannot utter a sound; I only feel my heart growing heavier and heavier. Perhaps there is no need to ask at all; is there anything clearer than this?

Ying Huan regained her senses and recognized it was Di Feng, and could not help but smile, "Come in"

The voice was low, the tone gentle, as if discussing a matter of little importance, yet it was only the cold light in her eyes that made Di Feng realize that those three words were not a mistake on his part

As Ying Huan looked back, her eyes sparkled with brilliance, and the corners of her lips curled up, "I do not require your guidance."

Kill him

Is it arrogance? Is it conceit? Or is it truly a fearless attitude towards the world, with oneself standing supreme?

Feeling as if his wrist was about to be twisted off, Ying Huan couldn't help but clench his fist and struggled to break free with all his might

At that moment, she cast a glance at He Xi with indifference, then turned around and walked back.

Di Feng tightened his grip on the sword, "Whatever Your Majesty commands." Over the years, regardless of what she asked him to do, even if it meant going through fire and water, he had never once declined!

This question suddenly confirmed what she had been thinking deep down

Congratulations, his heart is filled with coldness, how could he possibly be moved by her

The man under the tree stood there motionless against the moonlight, one hand propped against the trunk while the other hung down by the side of his robe, intently gazing at her

Those nineteen characters took root in his heart, each stroke and line etched as if carved by a knife, remaining in his mind

As He Xi walked, the surroundings were enveloped in tranquility, the night was not as pitch-black as before, yet it evoked a deeper chill in the heart

He took a breath, gripped the sword back in his hand, no longer overthinking, and without hesitation, walked towards the side courtyard where He Xie was resting.

Ying Huan waved his hand and flicked his sleeves, casting a cold glance at him twice. Turning his back, he no longer looked at him and said, "The way back, I believe Master He knows it well himself"

Di Feng was taken aback; although he did not understand the meaning, he did not ask further. He simply lowered his head and replied, "Yes. Shall we set off as usual tomorrow?"

Four words flashed quickly through my mind

As he relaxed his grip, a crisp sound echoed, and the nail of his little finger cracked halfway, as if scorched by fire, causing a sharp pain.

She lowered her gaze, closed her eyes for a moment, and tightly gripped the corner of the table. A thought flashed through her mind in an instant, causing a tightness in her chest

If one does not take action first, one is likely to be schemed against by her again

Kill her

Before he could reach him, Di Feng raised his hand and hurled the sword in his palm towards him

As the hem of her skirt swayed gently, his heart inexplicably followed suit, scenes from the pavilion flashing through his mind, sending a chill through his chest

Although Di Feng is a renowned veteran on the battlefield, he may not be able to match the close-quarters killing skills of Xie Mingyuan, who serves as a guard in front of the palace... Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly heard the sound of skirts rustling not far behind the tree, which was particularly clear in the quiet night.

The corners of his eyes trembled slightly, and he could not help but recall the battle of Zhu Zhou, that man filled with hostility, whose courage and ferocity were beyond words, decisive in his actions in an instant, truly a remarkable figure in the world

Di Feng restrained himself from asking why, and after a long while, he finally nodded and said, "Which young master is it?"

Beside me, the tears of the red candle on the table slowly dripped down, accumulating at the base of the ornate candlestick, appearing to flow yet not flowing, seeming to congeal yet not congealing, resembling the color of blood

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, breaking into fragments and strands, cascading onto him, illuminating his stern and cold visage, making it appear even more steep and imposing, with a chill emanating from his brows and eyes that deterred anyone from looking directly at him

Moreover, she had just sworn to him tonight that she would not trust him either