Chapter 137 Zhao Yu's Coercion

Not long after Zhao Yu left, that afternoon, Xu Chumian was surprised to see Qin Zhitong arrive.

Xu Chumian changed her clothes and used makeup to cover the marks on her neck. Only after confirming that no clues could be seen did she go to the side hall.

Qin Zhitong is currently working at the Hanlin Academy.

In just a few days, Qin Zhitong lost a lot of weight and lost his former spirited appearance.

In the side hall, Xu Chumian looked at Qin Zhitong with undisguised surprise in her eyes, and she roughly understood why Qin Zhitong had come to see her.

Qin Zhitong got straight to the point: "Princess... It's been a long time. I've come today to ask you for a favor."

Xu Chumian pursed her lips. "Go ahead."

Qin Zhitong smiled bitterly: "I don't know what happened at the Qionglin Banquet that day. Perhaps Ruoyu angered my elder brother. Ruoyu has been missing for several days, and I really can't find her. If you see my elder brother... could you put in a good word for me?"

On the night of the Qionglin Banquet, Qin Ruoyu returned to her brother and sister's new home, feeling utterly dejected.

But that very night, she disappeared from her own room.

Xu Chumian's lips pressed into a straight line, "You should go find Zhao Yu, not come looking for me."

Qin Zhitong shook his head, "The Duke's Mansion has kept this from us. Only the First Madam knows about it. We have been looking for our eldest brother for several days, but we have not been able to find him."

Xu Chumian wasn't a saint; she took a deep breath and said, "Young Master Qin, I'm sorry."

Qin Zhitong wanted to say more.

Xu Chumian pursed her lips. "Xiao Tao, see the guest out."

Qin Zhitong had no choice but to leave.

Xu Chumian was the only one left in the huge mansion.

She returned to the main courtyard, washed off the makeup from her neck, and felt a terrible headache.

Qiu Yu fetched a basin of hot water for her and applied a hot towel to her forehead.

"The princess has been quite weak these past few days, she needs to replenish her body properly."

Xu Chumian gave a perfunctory reply.

When Xiao Tao returned, Xu Chu Mian was already asleep.

Seeing Xiao Tao's pale face, Qiu Yu couldn't help but ask, "What happened? Why do you look like that?"

Xiao Tao sighed, "I noticed that Young Master Qin's expression was off just now, and I was worried that something might happen."

Qiu Yu: "Let's wait until the princess wakes up before we talk about it."

Xiao Tao hummed in agreement.

Xu Chumian had a dream.

In her dream, she unexpectedly entered a dense forest. In the pitch-black forest, Xu Chumian walked in the dark for a long time when suddenly a wolf came running at her.

Xu Chumian was cornered, and just when she thought she was going to die in the wolf's jaws, the wolf actually turned into Zhao Yu's face.

Zhao Yu leaned closer to her, his dark eyes unreadable. "Chu Mian, once you're by my side, there's no turning back."

"Zhao Yu!"

Xu Chumian woke up with a start.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a figure standing by the bed.

Zhao Yu looked at her meaningfully, his tone amused, "What, did you dream about me?"

Xu Chumian said irritably, "What are you doing here?"

Zhao Yu touched her forehead. "Xiao Tao said you weren't feeling well this afternoon. Are you feeling better?"

Xu Chumian avoided Zhao Yu's hand, saying, "It's none of your business."

If he's still energetic even when you scold him, then there's probably nothing wrong with him.

Zhao Yu looked at her leisurely. "Tell me, what did you dream about me about?"

Xu Chumian deliberately went against him, saying, "In short, it's not a good dream."

Zhao Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. "Dreams are always the opposite of reality."

Xu Chumian: "You!"

Xu Chumian was too lazy to talk to him anymore. She pushed Zhao Yu away and was about to get out of bed.

After a good night's sleep, Xu Chumian felt better.

Zhao Yu took a robe from the rack and draped it over her shoulders.

Just then, Xiao Tao brought in the meal. Upon seeing this, Xiao Tao quickly lowered her head and hurriedly withdrew.

Xu Chumian: "..."

She turned and stared at Zhao Yu, "How long are you going to stay here with me?"

Zhao Yu took out a wooden box from his sleeve. "Take a look and see if you like it."

Xu Chumian moved her lips, not wanting to say a word to Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu didn't care about Xu Chumian's cold face.

It was a silver hairpin with a begonia flower inlaid at the end, and tiny rubies and jade were inlaid on the flower's stamen.

It looks very fine.

Xu Chumian didn't even glance at it; she turned and headed towards the restroom.

But the next instant, Zhao Yu grabbed his wrist.

A smile still lingered at the corner of his mouth. "Try it on?"

Looking at Zhao Yu's face, Xu Chumian felt a sense of powerlessness once again.

Does she have to stay under Zhao Yu's coercion for the rest of her life?

Mu Mu is still young. Although she is a princess, Xu Chumian can't help but worry that Mu Mu will not be able to escape the capital for at least the next few years.

Does she have to live like this for the next few years?

Xu Chumian bit her lip, "Zhao Yu, don't be like this, let's talk properly."

Zhao Yu stroked Xu Chumian's lips with his thumb, stopping her from saying anything more.

It's nothing more than those things that hurt people.

Zhao Yu didn't want to hear it.

He inserted the hairpin into Xu Chumian's hair. "Alright, go look in the mirror."

Xu Chumian glared at him as Zhao Yu carried her to the dressing mirror.

The woman in the mirror was exquisitely beautiful, but her brows and eyes held a hint of sorrow, and her face was full of reluctance.

Zhao Yu stood behind her, leaned down slightly, and kissed Xu Chumian's ear.

Xu Chumian stared ahead, and Zhao Yu's half-face appeared in the mirror.

Xu Chumian frowned, raised her hand and pulled out the hairpin, throwing it directly in front of the dressing mirror.

"Zhao Yu, that's enough!"

Zhao Yu paused slightly, staring at Xu Chumian for a long time without saying a word.

"Zhao Yu, are you going to force me for the rest of my life? I've had enough!"

Zhao Yu gently stroked the woman's cheek with his large hand, "Forced?"

Xu Chumian hesitated, but did not speak.

"You see this as coercion?"

Xu Chumian looked away, unwilling to look at him.

Zhao Yu raised his voice, "Chu Mian, speak."

Xu Chumian shoved Zhao Yu away, her eyes red with anger. "Yes, it's coercion. Zhao Yu, I don't love you anymore. What's the point of you continuing like this?"

Zhao Yu's brows furrowed slightly as he stared at Xu Chumian for a long time.

After a long pause, a soft laugh escaped his throat.

"Chu Mian, I never intended to go this far."

Xu Chumian asked warily, "What do you mean?"

Zhao Yu curled his lips into a smile. "Since you think it's coercion, then I'll show you what real coercion is like."

Xu Chumian took a step back, her eyes quickly reddening. "...What are you going to do?"

Zhao Yu stretched out his long arm and pulled the person into his arms.

Xu Chumian's waist was tightly held, and the man in front of her had a face like that of a demon. The words he uttered made Xu Chumian wonder if she had misheard.

“Mu Mu is still young. She is alone in the deep palace. If no one protects her, even as a princess, she may still encounter villains.”

Xu Chumian stared at Zhao Yu in disbelief, "You're threatening me with Mu Mu?"

Zhao Yu's jaw tightened. "Chu Mian, you're the one forcing me."

Xu Chumian raised her hand to head towards Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu did not stop it.

Zhao Yu stared at her. "Go ahead and do it."

Xu Chumian's tears fell like beads, "You bastard, she's your sister too!"

Zhao Yu curled his lips coldly, "So, don't force me."

Xu Chumian tried to hold back her tears, but they couldn't stop them from streaming down her face.

She hated her own powerlessness; all she could do was cry.

The sight of the person in front of him crying caused Zhao Yu's heart to break.

He gently stroked Xu Chumian's thin back and kissed the top of her head.

"Chu Mian, wait for me at the Princess's residence with peace of mind."

"Wait for me to come and marry you."

Xu Chumian kept shaking her head, "No... Zhao Yu."

Zhao Yu smiled, "All obstacles have been cleared away, and no one can bother us anymore."