In the pavilion.
Xiao Chi Zhan was lounging on a stone stool, drinking from a jar of wine.
His expression was indifferent, his eyelids half-closed, as he stared at the green figure by the lotus pond.
Tantai Ye sat drinking in the corridor opposite him. Being used to his uninhibited ways, he propped one foot on the chair, his hand holding the wine jar resting on his bent knee, his expression lazy and teasing.
“What’s the matter, how long are you planning to stay in Bei Qi?”
Xiao Chi Zhan tilted his head slightly to look at him. “Are the matters settled?”
“Settled my ass. They’re all scoundrels with ulterior motives. As long as the war isn’t over and the border isn’t peaceful, we’ll just be stuck here.”
The war in the Nine Provinces had been stalemated for a long time. If they continued fighting, their provisions would run out and their troops would be exhausted.
Except for the two great powers, Bei Qi and Da Liang, the treasuries of other nations were almost empty. They were looking for allies to avoid becoming pawns in this war and being annexed.
“You said you fed her the love flower back then. Why would there be so many problems now? We can’t even take her away, and we have to waste time here.”
The inn was full of spies, and only here could they find some peace.
Xiao Chi Zhan raised his eyelids, his gaze showing no discernible emotion.
“If I dared to give her that stuff, she would have fought me to the death.”
“Tch.” Tantai Ye teased, “Who told you to find such a cunning and ruthless woman?”
Xiao Chi Zhan smiled faintly, staring at that retreating figure, his gaze full of aggression.
“I like her just the way she is.”
Ye Luan stood by the lotus pond, able to clearly feel his sharp gaze fixed on her, prickling her skin.
“Are you sure you want it?”
Lan Mu Rou asked cautiously, a hint of fear in her voice.
Ye Luan nodded. “Did you get it?”
“I secretly got one before, and when I was caught, I hid it. Luckily, I had it on me. He doesn’t know; he’s never searched me. I’ll get it for you when I get back.”
Ye Luan was delighted. “Okay, thank you, Mu Rou.”
Lan Mu Rou chuckled and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
Seeing A Luan again, she truly felt it was like a dream. On that snowy day, when she had resolutely jumped into the ice hole, she had thought she would never see her again.
“A Luan, it’s so good to see you again.”
Ye Luan chuckled. “Me too.” She paused and asked, “How did you two get here?”
“I begged the General to bring me to see you.”
“Begged?” Ye Luan pouted. “You’ve been with him for so long, and you still have to beg him to see a friend?”
Lan Mu Rou lowered her head sadly. “My brother is in his hands. Once he gets married, he’ll let us go, right?”
How could that dog, Tantai Ye, possibly do that?
“He’s worthy of getting married? Any girl who marries him will be ruined by him.”
As she spoke, Ye Luan felt she had said the wrong thing. She coughed lightly and took Lan Mu Rou’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
Lan Mu Rou shook her head gently. “It’s okay, he is quite dog-like.”
Hearing her words, Ye Luan couldn’t help but let out a giggle.
Inside the pavilion, the two dogs were still drinking.
Tantai Ye stroked his chin and turned his head.
“My Rou’er has been with Ye Luan for too long, and her heart has grown wild. Look at her smile, she’s probably scolding me.”
A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Xiao Chi Zhan’s lips.
“You deserve it.”
“Tch, no matter how wild she is, she’s still a little lamb. She’ll never escape from me in this lifetime.” He paused, then mocked, “If I were as soft-hearted as you, I would have been controlled countless times.”
Soft-hearted?!
Xiao Chi Zhan narrowed his crimson eyes slightly, gazing at the green figure. His slender fingers unconsciously rubbed the twin rings on his hand.
“As long as she doesn’t leave, I’m willing to be controlled however she pleases, as much as she wants. I’m willing.”
“What ambition!”
Tantai Ye threw down the wine jar and lazily stood up. “Take her down quickly. I don’t want to stay in Bei Qi anymore. If all else fails, I’ll just tie her up and take her back.”
After speaking, he left the pavilion and walked directly towards the two of them.
Hearing footsteps, Ye Luan immediately fell silent.
“What were you two chatting about? You’re smiling so happily.”
A large hand came to rest around her waist. Lan Mu Rou’s body stiffened, and the smile on her lips vanished instantly.
Tantai Ye raised an eyebrow, dissatisfied. Did she think he was some kind of fierce beast?
He gave her a cool look, then clasped her waist and pulled her outwards.
Lan Mu Rou was dragged away before she even had a chance to say goodbye to Ye Luan.
His strength was immense. As she was held by the waist, she walked unsteadily. Later, he grew impatient, hoisted her up, and strode towards the阁楼.
The estate was vast, filled with dark guards and servants everywhere.
They passed many people on the way.
Lan Mu Rou felt utterly humiliated. She covered her face with a handkerchief, not daring to say a word.
In her mind, she couldn’t help but recall what A Luan had just said.
Although it was rebellious, she felt that A Luan was right.
Her hope that he would marry and have children before letting her go was too far-fetched.
With his obsessive and ruthless nature, he might not let her go even after getting married.
Even if he got tired of her later, he wouldn’t let her go. Perhaps he would even kill her, so she wouldn’t shame him by marrying someone else.
If she continued to be so weak and let him bully her, she would live her entire life in humiliation.
Thinking of this, Lan Mu Rou’s face turned pale.
With a bang, the door was kicked open.
His hand landed heavily on her buttocks, and he lifted her by the waist and threw her onto the bed.
Lan Mu Rou cried out in pain from the impact, her head dizzy. As she reached to sit up, supporting her forehead, his cold, slender hand grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up.
She looked up in a panic and met his icy phoenix eyes.
“Rou’er, am I not good to you? Why are you afraid of me?”
His jaw was slightly raised, and his thin lips curved into a faint, indifferent smile. He was smiling, yet it was terrifying.
Lan Mu Rou knew that when he put on that smile, it meant he was angry.
Her palms turned white, trembling uncontrollably. Recalling his tormenting methods on the bed, she felt her entire body go cold.
“I’m not. It’s just that the General suddenly appeared behind me, and I was startled.”
“Oh?” Tantai Ye withdrew the ferocity from his face, sat down by the bed with a smile, pulled her onto his lap, and asked softly, “What did you say to Ye Luan?”
Was he testing her?
Lan Mu Rou whispered fearfully, “We just chatted casually and asked about her injuries.”
“Is that so?” Tantai Ye stroked her waist and said faintly, “Rou’er, don’t meet Ye Luan once and be incited by her to have improper thoughts.”
“No.”
She was truly fed up with his threats. He only knew how to threaten her.
“Then what are you afraid of? I’m not going to eat you.”
He gently lifted her chin and bit her lip.
In his eyes, there was a hint of malicious amusement.
Lan Mu Rou lowered her gaze. This pervert loved to see her tremble in fear. The more afraid she was, the more excited he became.
He was so brutal, why couldn’t he find someone else to torment? Anyone who saw his methods would be afraid.