Four silver candelabra burned with glazed fire, making the room even more eerily dim.
Ye Luan coldly pushed him away, "Xiao Chizhan, you like me."
"Yes, I like you." Xiao Chizhan caressed her waist, his eyes full of a morbid obsession. "The moment I saw you in that dark chamber, I wanted to possess you."
Damn it, he still dared to bring that up.
That was her lifelong shame.
"If you like me, then why did you lock me up?"
"You dared to leave this prince, and this is merely a minor punishment." His hand, as cold as a corpse's, touched her.
Ye Luan was so angry she wanted to laugh.
She truly couldn't bear this kind of madness, this kind of liking.
His thought process was nothing like a normal person's.
He didn't know how to like someone at all; he only knew how to lock them by his side and imprison them.
"Xiao Chizhan, you are wrong. If you like me, you must respect me. You should release me first."
Xiao Chizhan sneered and caressed her. "You made this prince search for you everywhere, causing me to lose all face. How can I let you go? If I let you go, you'll find a way to escape again, won't you?"
Ye Luan's heart burned with anger. She glared at him fiercely.
"Is your liking so cheap? So stingy?"
"It is because I like you that I keep you imprisoned by my side. This way, you will never leave."
They were completely on different wavelengths.
Ye Luan felt weary and wanted to slap him hard, but she didn't dare.
Inside the room, wisps of sandalwood incense drifted from a large censer.
Xiao Chizhan raised his eyes, his pair of red pupils fixed tightly on her face.
"My darling, marry me as your princess, and if you dare to run again, I will truly kill you."
His cold, chilling voice enveloped her like a terrifying embrace.
Ye Luan was shocked.
Why would he suddenly agree to marry her as his princess?
She felt like laughing.
By what right did she have to marry him just because he wanted to?
But she knew that his escape this time had suppressed his anger. If she hadn't jumped off the cliff, she didn't know what torment awaited her upon her return.
For now, she couldn't provoke him.
"Go, brew another bowl of medicine," Xiao Chizhan ordered. He then turned to look at her, a sinister and chilling smile on his face. "Drink this, and you won't think of running anymore."
Mad fool.
Crazy lunatic.
Damn bastard.
Ye Luan cursed him profusely in her heart.
Fearing she would be force-fed love-inducing flowers, she quickly forced a smile. "Your Highness, you are going to marry me; I won't run away anymore."
It was an act!
Xiao Chizhan chuckled, "Is that so?"
Ye Luan desperately suppressed the emotions in her heart, her eyes glistening with affection, and feigned a wronged expression. "Your Highness, my hand really hurts."
Xiao Chizhan glanced at her right hand, twisted a mechanism, and opened the bronze clasp.
"Someone, go fetch the Snow Balm."
The maidservant at the door immediately brought a porcelain bottle, bowing respectfully.
A cool medicinal fragrance spread, and the pain in her wrist subsided.
Ye Luan looked at the vanishing red marks in amazement, her breath catching.
This medicine was truly effective.
Xiao Chizhan embraced her and pressed her onto the bed, a wicked smile on his face. "I have already custom-made a pair of shackles for you that won't harm you. They will be delivered tomorrow."
What?
Ye Luan was shocked. This madman truly had no heart.
She quickly pressed her lips against his, smiling playfully. "Your Highness, I really won't run away anymore. Don't do this."
"Luan Luan, stop fooling around."
Who was fooling around? This crazy lunatic.
The flash of anger in her eyes was caught by Xiao Chizhan. His eyes darkened slightly. He grabbed her hand and kissed her without restraint.
His slightly cold tongue slipped into her mouth, and the familiar scent rushed in. Ye Luan, enraged, pushed him forcefully.
"Get out, all of you, get out!"
The maids kneeling on the ground quickly bowed and retreated.
The deep red bed curtains were lowered, plunging the interior into darkness.
Xiao Chizhan captured her hands, his kisses raining down on her.
The bone-erasing sensation made his back tremble.
"Mine, you are mine--"
His deep, husky voice echoed in her ears, his scent filling her senses.
Seeing his fierce determination, Ye Luan quickly pushed against his chest, "Your Highness--"
"Mm?"
The man on her was alluring and seductive. His exceptionally handsome face was etched with a cold indifference, yet when he looked at her, a gentle tenderness bloomed.
She paused for a moment, and when he embraced her fiercely, she quickly changed her tune, "Brother Chizhan, I really won't run anymore. Don't make me wear that thing."
Xiao Chizhan caressed her face, then suddenly bit her neck fiercely.
"Hiss."
Caught off guard.
Ye Luan's neck arched, and a soft groan escaped her lips from the pain.
Crazy fool, acting like a dog.
"My darling, I don't want to punish you. You'd best obey, and don't try to trick me into letting you go."
Ye Luan gritted her teeth, her anger rising. She buried her head and bit his shoulder fiercely.
This scoundrel was a lunatic; being bitten only made him more excited.
Those alluring red eyes were stunningly beautiful.
She had to admit, she truly loved his eyes, especially in the dark, where they were alluring and captivating.
In the dim tent, their ragged breaths mingled.
The woman's delicate voice drifted through the window, causing the servants guarding the door to blush in secret.
That voice was truly enchanting.
Li Qiongyu looked up at the bright sky, paused under the corridor, and took no further steps.
"Tsk."
This scoundrel had made such a commotion, and after capturing someone, he was already eagerly seeking pleasure. Truly... lustful.
As he turned to leave, he saw Dongshuang carrying a bowl of medicine.
"What is this?"
Dongshuang stopped and bowed. "Love flower."
Li Qiongyu's peach blossom eyes widened in shock. He kicked a red wooden pillar in anger and gritted his teeth, "His Highness ordered it?"
"Yes."
Oh my, this damned Tantai Ye was teaching nothing good, only how to be wicked.
This thing messed with people's nerves. Didn't Xiao Chizhan, that bastard, know that?
"Give it to me."
Dongshuang frowned and stepped back. "Young Master Li, this is His Highness's order--"
Li Qiongyu impatiently interrupted her. "Go listen. He's been entangled for a while now. Does he even remember what he ordered? Don't mind him, give it to me."
Dongshuang immediately knelt on the ground, fear evident. "The order was given by His Highness. This servant dares not disobey."
Seeing this, Li Qiongyu cursed under his breath.
"Young Master Li, the one inside has already thrown away several bowls. His Highness said nothing."
The maid's words made Li Qiongyu raise an eyebrow. Indeed, Xiao Chizhan wouldn't bear to harm Ye Luan. As long as Ye Luan was unwilling to drink it, he couldn't force her.
"Crazy."
He muttered, flicked his red robe, and turned to leave.
Dongshuang breathed a sigh of relief and stood by the door with the medicine bowl.
The autumn wind swept across the land. The sky gradually darkened. From the inner chambers, the man's hoarse cries of pleasure could be heard.
Dongshuang quickly directed the maids to go in and attend to him.
She glanced at the medicine bowl in her hand and ordered, "This bowl has cooled. Pour it away and brew another one."
"Yes."