The water in the bathing pool was perpetually warm. As they bathed, the lingering chill from the outside world dissipated, and the warmth gradually returned.
Xiao Chi Zhan lowered his eyes, gazing at the woman in his arms. A faint tenderness flickered in his normally indifferent, icy eyes. He held her close, leaning against the edge of the pool.
Ye Luan was anxious about the Bai family's situation. Seeing his cold features, she noticed his legs beneath her trembling incessantly.
She reached out, placing her hand on his leg and slowly massaging his acupoints.
His strong, powerful arms nearly crushed her slender waist. She knew he was in severe pain.
She could only bite her lip and endure, massaging him to relieve the pain.
After an unknown amount of time, Ye Luan’s hands grew sore.
He suddenly spoke, "Do you like me?"
The young girl’s pale hand paused slightly. Her lowered brows obscured her emotions.
A deathly stillness permeated the bathroom.
Xiao Chi Zhan closed his eyes. What was wrong with him?
Why did he keep asking such a foolish question?
She was destined to remain by his side, confined by him, subservient to him, following him for eternity.
She could never escape.
As long as she belonged to him, what else mattered?
"Brother Chi Zhan, I like you."
Suddenly, the young girl's clear voice rang out.
She extended her arms, like jade藕, around his neck. Her soft form pressed tightly against him, and she smiled brightly.
Her soft,糯糯 voice struck his very soul, making his ribs tremble.
He couldn't help but reach out and embrace her waist, pulling her into his arms. He lowered his gaze to look at her.
Even though he knew she was faking it, why did he feel so happy?
"It's because I love you too much that I refused to be your concubine and leave the capital. Now that you're willing to marry me as your Princess Consort, I am willing to stay by your side."
The smile on her lips was far too fake.
Xiao Chi Zhan caressed her waist, pushing her against the edge of the bathing pool.
His hoarse, deep voice whispered in her ear.
Ye Luan hugged his back tightly. Her feet were planted in the pool. If he hadn't been holding her waist, she would have nearly fallen.
"My dear, do you have a choice?"
Ye Luan ignored him, lowering her head like an ostrich. Sensing the change in his aura, she took a deep breath and tilted her head up to kiss him.
...
Outside, the sky turned a pale fish-belly white; dawn had broken.
Ye Luan quickly sat up, drawing back the beaded curtain. She scanned the room but couldn't see him anywhere.
"Fu Dai."
The door was pushed open, and several maids entered to serve her.
Ye Luan wore a fiery red pomegranate skirt, overlaid with white fox fur. She looked as vibrant as fire, radiant, and stunningly beautiful.
She asked in a low voice, "Where is His Highness?"
Dong Shuang, her hands damp from wiping, said, "This servant doesn't know. His Highness said he would return to have breakfast with Miss when he left."
Hearing this, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She still hadn't inquired about the Bai family's affairs.
"By the way, Dong Shuang, do you know Miss Su Li?"
Dong Shuang looked at the woman meticulously drawing her eyebrows in the mirror and replied, "She is the daughter of the fourth young lady of this estate. The fourth young lady married early and has only returned a few times. His Highness is not familiar with her."
Ye Luan’s fair hand paused, and her ruby lips curved slightly.
"His Highness has a naturally aloof temperament. This is the first time I've seen girls entering and exiting the estate."
As soon as she spoke, before Dong Shuang could reply, the beaded curtain outside swayed, and a man's figure slowly walked in.
Ye Luan turned her head and saw a faint smile in his deep red eyes.
'Really,' she thought, 'walking without a sound, and he heard everything.'
The maids in the room tidied up and retreated.
Xiao Chi Zhan walked over, embraced her, and a slight smile played on his lips. "Are you jealous?"
Ye Luan turned, tiptoed, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She said directly, "Your Highness once promised me that if you touched me, you wouldn't touch any other woman."
She couldn't stand sharing one man with others; it was too disgusting.
"Your Highness's word is as good as gold. You must keep your promise."
Xiao Chi Zhan chuckled. When had he ever kept his word? However, he detested any other creature.
"Yes, only you."
Hearing this, Ye Luan breathed a sigh of relief.
After breakfast, Xiao Chi Zhan went to the study in the front courtyard.
As long as she was with him, Ye Luan didn't need to be confined.
She instructed Dong Shuang to heat a pot of tea and personally went to the study.
Hearing the movement, Xiao Chi Zhan didn't even lift his eyelids.
Ye Luan placed the tea down, boldly moved aside his clean, handsome hands, and sat in his lap, her fox-like eyes smiling wantonly.
Her fingers deliberately drew circles on his chest. "Brother Chi Zhan, how are my maternal grandparents?"
The man remained silent, his lowered eyes gazing at her.
Ye Luan’s heart sank, but she smiled charmingly. "My grandmother is old and cannot endure the hardships of prison. Back then, wasn't it all your fault for bullying me that I left?"
"I'm not thinking of running away now. I promise to stay obediently by Your Highness's side and not go anywhere, just accompany Your Highness."
Her fawning smile was exactly the same as when she had deceived him before.
"So, it's all my fault?"
Stingy fellow.
Ye Luan pouted inwardly but feigned a娇嗔, tugging at his sleeve. "I'm truly sorry."
Sorry for what? It was his coercion and manipulation all along.
Seeing his continued cold demeanor, she grew furious.
You stubborn fool, always immune to both soft and hard tactics.
She had knelt and been punished yesterday, and today she was coaxing him so gently, yet he remained unmoved.
"Tell me, should I skin Bai Muheng alive and let him know what happens to those who help you escape?"
Ye Luan's feet turned cold, and her entire body stiffened.
The woman in his arms trembled noticeably, and Xiao Chi Zhan's deep red pupils shifted slightly.
He knew she was furious, confined in this courtyard, constantly opposing him. If it weren't for the incident with the Bai family, she wouldn't be coaxing him as she did before.
But he wanted to ensure she never dared to run again. He couldn't fall for her tricks so easily.
He tightened the hand around the young girl's waist. His lowered gaze was indifferent, his red lips curved into a sinister smile.
"The Bai family has close ties with the Crown Prince. They should have been dealt with long ago. Tell me, should I seize this opportunity to turn them all into美人灯?"
You crazy lunatic, you bastard. Threatening her again.
She was locked away in this courtyard, going mad, and he still wouldn't let the Bai family go.
She suppressed the anger in her heart, nestled against his neck, and spoke as if on the verge of tears, "Your Highness, I truly made a mistake. If you refuse to spare my grandmother, I certainly won't be able to eat or sleep properly. I won't be able to serve you, and over time, I will wither away and die—"
Before she could finish "dead," his finger covered her lips.
His deep, resonant voice echoed slowly and chillingly in the silent study.
"Little liar, dare to say that again, and I'll really break your legs."
Silence filled the room.
Ye Luan stared blankly into his deep red eyes, her heart trembling violently. She hastily suppressed the inexplicable emotion and forced a smile.
"I was just talking nonsense. Don't be angry." After a pause, she nestled into his embrace and said in a low voice, "I will be good and stay in the Wei Rui Xuan. Don't take it out on others."