Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her forward.
Lan Murou was pulled forward by him, almost plunging headfirst into the water.
She quickly steadied herself and said, "The general and the county princess are a perfect match, made in heaven."
"Made in heaven?!"
Tantai Ye sneered, gripping her wrist. His strength gradually increased, and his narrow, hawk-like eyes stared intently at her calm, unruffled eyes.
These clean eyes had become increasingly flat, as if nothing could stir her emotions.
He suddenly remembered the scene of their first meeting.
In the spring breeze, on the Lantern Festival night, she stood in the bustling marketplace in a white dress, holding a lantern with her slender, long fingers, turning her head and smiling.
He was on horseback, and from afar, he had spotted her in the crowd.
They were extraordinarily clean eyes, so clear and bright they seemed untouched by the world.
He, a man so dirty and base, had never seen such clean and beautiful eyes before. He stared at them for a long time.
Her entire being seemed as pure as a woman from a painting, beautiful and otherworldly.
After meeting her just once, he harbored malicious intentions and locked her by his side.
Now, many years had passed, and she still wanted to escape him, always wishing he would marry and release her.
"Rou'er, do you truly want me to marry her?"
His expression was sinister, his phoenix eyes gazed at her reaction with icy coldness.
Hearing his question, Lan Murou felt like laughing. What right did she have to stop him? Would he go against his entire family for her?
Never!
"If the general marries, can you let me and A Yan leave the capital?"
As soon as she spoke, the man still in the water stood up abruptly, radiating a chilling aura.
Tantai Ye's sudden movement splashed water all over Lan Murou, startling her into quickly rising to wipe herself dry.
Tantai Ye sneered, snatched her handkerchief, and threw it into the water. He deliberately waded through the water and pressed close to her, soaking her clothes.
The already thin fabric instantly revealed the scenery beneath.
He unceremoniously pinched her bodice and looked down at her, sneering, "You've slept with me for so long, are you truly willing to just leave like this?"
Lan Murou's face turned pale, and her eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.
He was always like this, condescending, trampling her dignity and pride into the dirt. She detested his family immensely.
"What the general has given me is already more than enough. I do not aspire to anything more."
She lowered her gaze, her long, dark, curled eyelashes casting two wing-like shadows beneath her eyelids, trembling and evoking pity.
Tantai Ye felt a surge of malicious violence growing within him.
He reached out with his cold hand, lifted her chin, and squinted to observe her appearance.
Her eyes were moist, her cheeks flushed, her slightly trembling, moist lips, perhaps due to the heat of the bathroom, and fine beads of sweat dotted her smooth forehead.
Every inch, every part of her, exuded a fatal allure.
"Do you know how tempting you look right now?"
It truly made him want to press her down and ravage her.
Lan Murou clenched her fists, remaining silent.
Seeing her unchanged expression, Tantai Ye leaned down and maliciously bit her earlobe.
"Since I have to marry anyway, and you don't care, then marry A Yan. She's generous and will surely tolerate you."
Her face paled, and she trembled.
Lan Murou felt a chill run down her spine, making it difficult to stand.
She had been indulging in foolish fantasies.
Even if he married, he wouldn't let her go.
Lan Murou, don't be foolish anymore, don't place your hope on him. As long as A Yan can leave his army, even if she dies, she doesn't want to be humiliated like this again.
She dug her fingernails into her palm, striving to maintain an unblemished facade, and smiled softly.
"The general is not young anymore, it's time to marry. However, after Consort Qinghe marries in, my status will be inconvenient to remain in the manor. Could the general allow me to reside in an external courtyard?"
Hearing her words, Tantai Ye's smile turned terrifyingly chilling.
He forcefully pinched her jaw and sneered, "So now you're willingly debasing yourself to become a concubine living outside?"
Lan Murou pursed her lips and remained silent.
Her jaw was almost crushed by his grip.
"Serving the main wife is also your duty. Running off to live outside would be too convenient for you!"
He always knew how to strike at the core of her heart.
Lan Murou no longer felt any pain.
She said, "If the general and the county princess do not mind, then I will continue to reside in the manor."
"-----"
Tantai Ye's eyes were grim. He licked his lips, flung her away, and sneered, "Since that is the case, then you shall stay in the manor and fulfill your duties as a concubine."
After speaking, he picked up his robes from the rack and turned to leave.
Lan Murou lowered her head. Only after hearing the door slam shut did she lean against the wall, her body weakening as she slid down. The grievances she had suppressed in her heart could no longer be contained, and tears streamed from her eyes.
----
Zhenguo Gongfu.
After Ye Luan had dinner with the Old Madam, the Old Madam summoned all the female family members to meet her, fearing she would not be accustomed to living in the manor and would be bullied. She had thoroughly warned them before letting them go.
Ye Luan knew the Old Madam genuinely cared for her and did not wish to go against the elder's wishes, so she did not propose to leave, allowing them to chatter.
As the sky gradually darkened outside and the Old Madam grew tired, she finally allowed everyone to leave, urging Ye Luan to return and rest.
Moon Pavilion was not far from Songxiang Garden, a place with a tranquil environment. Granny Li personally escorted her.
Ye Luan recalled her aunt's words from earlier and asked Granny Li.
"Granny, before the King of Dingbei issued the decree to imprison the Bai family in the Imperial Prison, did he have a conflict with my uncle?"
Seeing her curiosity, Granny Li answered without much thought.
"The King did indeed send people to surround our manor, accusing us of colluding with Northern Qi to treasonously rebel. We were confined for a considerable period. The Duke was stabbed by the King, and his wounds reportedly still prevent him from lifting anything heavy."
As soon as she finished speaking, Granny Li noticed the change in the expression of the person in front of her. Assuming she had been startled, she quickly said.
"I'm so talkative. Miss, please don't take it to heart."
This matter had already spread throughout the capital, and anyone could inquire about it.
However, the King of Dingbei's power was immense, and no one dared to comment.
Ye Luan regained her senses, smiled faintly, and remained silent.
After Granny Li escorted her to Moon Pavilion, she gave some instructions to the attending maids and then addressed Ye Luan inside the room.
"Miss, if you need anything else, please say so. The Old Madam said she would arrange a few more capable maids to serve you tomorrow. For now, please make do."
Ye Luan shook her head, put down Snowball, who had fallen asleep from eating, and said, "Everything is sufficient. Granny, please remember to bring Fu Dai and Granny Fang into the manor tomorrow."
"Your servant understands. Then, Miss, please rest early. Your servant shall take her leave."
After everyone had left, Ye Luan dismissed the attending servants.
She walked to the window, opened it, and looked at the darkened sky outside, a mocking smile curling her lips.