The wind was cold, and all around was quiet.

After an unknown amount of time, as darkness fell, Xie Rongyue collapsed onto the blanket, exhausted, her eyes rolled back, panting heavily.

Wang Hezhan pulled up his pants, straightened his disheveled clothes, and looked down at her pitiful state after being played with. A burning desire welled up in his eyes again.

He looked away, picked up the teacup on the table, and chuckled softly.

"This little bit of sincerity isn't enough to get him out."

Xie Rongyue's hair was damp as she lay panting on the soft blanket. Hearing his words, she bit her lower lip tightly.

She tilted her head back, propped herself up, and softly leaned against his lap, speaking in a sweet voice.

"Brother He Zhan~"

Seeing her give in, Wang Hezhan snorted coldly, "You secretly ran off to Beidu without a word, Yue'er, you really made me look for you."

Xie Rongyue no longer wanted to argue with him. He was the one who got married and agreed to part ways, yet he insisted on pinning all the blame on her.

"You even dared to marry someone else behind my back. Tell me, should I kill you all?"

Suddenly, he leaned in and pressed down on her, his gaze sweeping over her lightly, carrying a chill that penetrated to the bone.

Xie Rongyue's back trembled slightly. She calmed down, softly reached for his hand, and leaned down to kiss his lips in a coaxing manner.

"He took pity on me and took me in, but nothing happened between us."

Bright light shone on her exquisitely beautiful face, her eyes tinged with a thin layer of red, her upturned nose flushed red, making her whole face look charming and alluring.

Her clothes were disheveled and scattered, unable to cover her fair skin; her breasts were half-exposed, rubbing against his clothes with a subtle, alluring touch.

Wang Hezhan had already investigated, and his expression improved slightly after hearing her admit it herself.

Xie Rongyue carefully observed his expression and noticed the change in him, then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Uncle Lu is old and cannot withstand the severe torture of the Jingzhao Prefecture. Brother He Zhan, could you please release him?"

She would put on this hypocritical act whenever she needed something from him.

"That day on the ship you kept calling him 'husband,' why don't you ask him to go now?"

Xiu Bai's chin was lifted by him, meeting his mocking eyes.

Xie Rongyue's eyes flashed with embarrassment at his words, and she bit her lower lip, remaining silent.

Wang Hezhan felt a fire burning in his heart whenever he thought of her expression and tone that day.

"Weren't you quite defiant that night? What are you pretending for now?"

Xie Rongyue pinched her palms tightly, her eyes shimmering with tears, her voice trembling with aggrieved complaint.

"You're so fierce, I'm scared."

She secretly ran away to Longcheng without saying a word, deliberately deceiving him, and even dared to live in the Lu Mansion, claiming to be Lu Yu's concubine.

Wang Hezhan felt as if a raging fire of anger and jealousy was about to devour him, eroding his limbs and bones, and a sinister look appeared in his eyes.

"You're scared? I think you're incredibly audacious. A young lady like you, casually following a man back to his residence, don't you care about your reputation?"

Xie Rongyue's face turned pale from his shout, and a wave of sarcasm washed over her.

Does she still have a reputation?

She didn't dare to argue. She calmed herself down, let out a few delicate sobs, and spoke in a soft, murmured voice.

“I live in West Alley, where there are always scoundrels and bandits causing trouble, which is very inconvenient. He did this to help me.”

He absolutely must not know about the child. He is already married, and she cannot allow her child to be born out of wedlock.

Seeing her crying uncontrollably, Wang Hezhan suppressed his temper and retorted coldly.

"He's so good to you."

"---"

She didn't speak, but held a handkerchief and cried softly with grievance. Tears hung on her dark eyelashes and fell under her eyelids, making her look delicate and beautiful.

"Don't cry."

Xie Rongyue took the handkerchief he handed her and pretended to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Although it was daytime, the shade and cold wind caused countless small bumps to appear on the exposed skin.

She rested her head on his knees and softly looked up at him.

"Brother He Zhan, I'm so cold."

Seeing her soft, coquettish voice, Wang Hezhan bent down, picked her up horizontally, and carried her into the house.

Xie Rongyue's eyes glistened with tears, like silk threads clinging to his face, as she asked softly.

"Regarding Father Lu---"

He glanced at her indifferently, silencing her words, and she couldn't utter another utterance.

She pursed her lips and lowered her head.

The room was large and exquisitely decorated on all four sides. Soft quilts and high pillows, red silk curtains, exquisite treasures on the table, freehand landscape paintings on the walls, and the fragrance of incense wafting from the burner created a very elegant atmosphere.

Xie Rongyue had visited several of his private residences, and each place was decorated with extreme elegance. Indeed, the eldest son of a noble family, raised by generations of high-ranking officials, knew how to enjoy life.

She was placed on an elaborate brocade couch, her thin dress unable to conceal her snow-white skin, which, when covered by layers of brocade quilts, made her appear even more naturally beautiful.

Wang Hezhan looked down at her with his eyes lowered, his throat bobbing slightly.

Fearing he would take a hard line, Xie Rongyue reached out her fair hand and hooked his finger, then looked up at him softly and said.

"Brother He Zhan, I caught a cold a couple of days ago and I'm feeling a bit unwell. I want to sleep."

Two palace lanterns were lit at the corners, with lampshades on top. The soft, warm light illuminated her delicate face, giving her a gentle and docile appearance.

Wang Hezhan felt a sudden tenderness in his heart and gestured for her to go to the back washroom to shower and wash up.

A maidservant came in to serve him. After she finished washing and put on a simple silk robe, she saw him leaning against the bed in a robe, looking much better.

Her heart stirred slightly, and she walked over, knelt at his knees, and spoke with a beaming smile.

"Brother He Zhan~"

"Finished washing?"

He stroked her long, smooth, black hair, his eyes burning with a strange, lustful light.

Xie Rongyue saw the desire in his eyes and changed the subject, saying, "When I came, Brother He Zhan promised me that if I helped you, he would let Father Lu go—"

"I said I'd think about it."

"---"

Wang Hezhan lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "If you want me to help you save people, you'll have to show enough sincerity."

"---"

"Moon is so clever, what do you think we should do in this situation?"

Xie Rongyue felt a chill run down her spine; he was asking her to state her position.

"I will pack my bags and leave the Lu residence."

Wang Hezhan raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"

Seeing her lower her eyes and remain silent, he gently stroked her head of black hair with his cool hand and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"If word gets out that my woman has become Lu Yu's concubine, where will I put my face? Did you even consider the consequences before you did this?"

Xie Rongyue was so angry at his words that she felt like she had a heart attack. Why couldn't he let her go even though he was married?

"I—I acted rashly in a moment of panic."

"Then what if I killed Lu Yu in a moment of desperation?" He paused, then said lightly, "Your past will be considered past."

"---"

Xie Rongyue secretly pinched herself, forcing tears to well up in her eyes, and looked at him with a pitiful expression.

"What does Brother He Zhan want me to do?"

Wang Hezhan leaned against the bed, looking down at her.

Inside the room, the only sound was the crackling of the candlelight. A bead of sweat slid down her forehead, and her long, dark hair concealed her averted gaze.

He sneered, "It seems Yue'er isn't sincere. Fine, you can leave now."