If gazes could materialize, they would have already torn Yuan Zhao to pieces.

Rong Ruo narrowed his long, dark eyes, clearly not expecting her to still be so resolute. This truly impressed him; she was indeed worthy of being from the General's Mansion.

Not many people could survive under his command, but Yuan Zhao was one of them.

If she wasn't exceptionally resolute, then she truly had no one behind her.

Which one is it?

Even Rong Ruo couldn't tell the difference for a moment.

The changes Yuan Zhao has made in him these past two days have been enormous.

His jade-like fingers tapped lightly on the sandalwood, as if he were pondering something.

'Thump, thump, thump...'

One sound after another, to Yuan Zhao, was undoubtedly a death knell.

She knew Rong Ruo was judging the truthfulness of her words, and she didn't want to be interrogated again. With that thought in mind, she spoke with difficulty:

"There's no one else, it's just that I'm unwilling to accept this!"

"In these three years, I gave up my dowry and everything else, but what did I get in the end?"

"If Marquis Yongning wants to discard me after I've served my purpose, he'll have to ask me first!"

Yuan Zhao spoke sincerely, his eyes filled with undisguised hatred and resentment.

The rhythmic tapping stopped abruptly, and she heard Rong Ruo's cool voice ring out:

"Get up!"

Yuan Zhao felt relieved, knowing that this jinx had temporarily believed her.

She remembered at that moment, but after being tortured for so long, she was already lucky to be alive. She tried several times but could not get up from the ground.

Rong Ruo looked down at her, saying nothing, but his disdainful gaze said it all.

Perhaps not wanting to be looked down upon by this ruthless star, Rong Ruo somehow found the strength to stand up.

"My lord, may I leave now?"

She asked, word by word.

Rong Ruo lowered his eyes, and Yuan Zhao understood his meaning. He forced himself to turn around and walk towards the door.

However, at that moment, something unexpected happened. The gyrfalcon suddenly let out a cry and flew towards Yuan Zhao.

Hearing the noise, Yuan Zhao subconsciously turned around and saw that the gyrfalcon that had clawed Zhou Shiyuan and left him covered in blood was already in front of her, raising its sharp claws.

Yuan Zhao subconsciously closed his eyes, but the expected pain did not come; instead, his shoulder felt heavy.

She turned her head and saw that the beast was standing on her shoulder.

This gyrfalcon was larger than usual. Normally, she might have been able to hold on, but at this moment, she was already on her last breath after being tormented by Rong Ruo. With its weight pressing down on her, Yuan Zhao barely managed to hold onto the door frame to avoid falling.

She stared at the gyrfalcon, and the gyrfalcon stared back at her, its tiny black eyes particularly eerie.

Yuan Zhao looked at her for a moment, then looked away and gazed at Rong Ruo.

This is his beast, we can't just ignore it.

Rong Ruo's gyrfalcon perched on Yuan Zhao's shoulder also showed a hint of surprise in its eyes.

Qingzhu and the others fed it every day, but it never condescended to sit on their shoulders. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Yuan Zhao.

This frail woman was clearly on the verge of collapse, yet she stubbornly refused to bow her head, and it was unclear what she was persisting in.

Understanding the meaning in her eyes, Rong Ruo raised a thin lip and said casually:

"Since it likes you, then take it back with you."

"..."

"Master, this joke isn't funny."

Yuan Zhao said with a cold face.

Everyone knows what this gyrfalcon represents. My elder brother already has suspicions, and if he finds out, who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause.

If Rong Ruo insists on forcing her today, then she will have no choice but to fight to the death.

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Rong Ruo's gaze darkened, and his hand, which was resting on the back of the chair, paused.

Is this woman threatening him?