Chapter 30: You'll have to serve me the conditions.

Pei Xiaoyun's eyes flickered, and her fingers curled slightly, as if she wanted to crush the rim of the bowl.

What does it mean to keep your word?

In her heart, he was a despicable person, and could never be as good as Lin Xian, right?

"I'll give in to you this time, but don't push your luck."

He placed the bowl on the table, staring at the floating bitter medicine, and said coldly, "Drink it yourself. If you're still sickly, I'll kill him."

He wanted a docile and obedient girl, not a resentful woman who constantly thought about other men and threatened suicide.

Mingying only heard him agree to let her see Lin Xian. She picked up the bowl, her eyebrows not even furrowed, and drank it all without leaving a drop.

Actually, she doesn't need any medicine. She just needs to stop taking the medicine He Lianqing gave her, and her complexion will gradually recover.

It seems this tactic worked on him.

After Pei Xiaoyun agreed, Mingying stopped taking the medicine.

Her complexion improved day by day, and after lying down for a few days, she recovered completely and could eat any kind of food and snacks.

Unfortunately, it was too cold, and she became increasingly sensitive to the cold, perhaps due to a lingering illness from her childbirth years ago. Even when she was wrapped in thick clothes, she would shiver at the slightest breeze and could only sit in her room, either flipping through books or lost in thought.

Pei Xiaoyun hadn't returned for three days in a row. Fearing that he was breaking his promise and playing a trick on her, she sent Yuechan to find someone to ask him what he was doing.

Yuechan never understood why this girl was unwilling to follow the old man.

In her opinion, being favored by the old man was an immense blessing.

Moreover, this woman has even borne children for the old man. If she were more obedient, how could the old man treat her badly?

Unfortunately, she served a master who lacked ambition and constantly angered him, making them, the maids, feel ashamed.

Today, upon unexpectedly hearing Mingying inquire about Pei Xiaoyun's condition, Yuechan beamed with joy, thinking that Mingying had come to her senses. She immediately sent several servants from the manor to invite the master.

A horse-drawn carriage was parked in the middle of the empty street.

The wind and snow raged, carrying with them a faint scent of blood.

Pei Xiaoyun sat in the car, clutching her stabbed arm, her hand covered in blood.

Over the years, countless people have tried to assassinate him.

Today I encountered an assassin again. He could be a pure-hearted person, or he could be a rebel who is not convinced by him.

"Master, the person has been caught," Xingwei reported through the curtain. She had been chasing the assassin and had also injured her own hand.

Pei Xiaoyun's wound was still throbbing after being simply bandaged by the accompanying physician. His eyes were sharp, and his thin lips were pressed into a blade: "Drain his blood, hang his body on the city gate for three days, and let the people come and watch."

So what if one becomes a traitor or rebel?

He wanted everyone in Hangzhou, and the whole world, to know that anyone who disagreed with him could come and kill him, but if he didn't die, he would tear that person to pieces.

He is not far from becoming the ruler of the world.

He intended to go to the Commander-in-Chief's residence to investigate the assassin's background. As soon as the carriage wheels started turning, the servants of the private residence arrived.

He thought something had happened to Mingying again, and his pupils contracted.

"Sir, we were sent by Miss Yuechan. She said that Miss Mian'er is asking if you are going back tonight," the servants said, bowing their heads.

Upon hearing this, Pei Xiaoyun's tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and the wind that rushed in from outside the curtain swept away the pain in her arm.

"I understand. Go tell her I'll be returning home tonight."

Thinking that she had indeed been busy with official business for the past few days and had not returned home, she actually sent someone to urge her to come.

Did she recover from her serious illness and come to her senses?

Lin Xian's reckless words still haunted him, and he was finally able to reach out and crush him to ashes.

He ordered the carriage to change course: "Let's go back to the manor, I'm tired too."

The cold wind swept the empty courtyard clean, leaving it spotless, and the raindrops on the branches froze into ice crystals.

The table was set with food, and the oil under the bowls and plates had solidified, but Mingying didn't touch a single bite.

She sat on the small couch, covered with a quilt, holding a hand warmer, staring blankly out the window.

It's rare for winters in Jiangnan to be this cold.

I wonder if Lin Xian has warm clothes to wear, and whether he is eating and sleeping well.

As the door opened, a low, heavy footstep approached.

She guessed that Pei Xiaoyun had finally returned, and a glimmer of light appeared in her dim eyes. Upon seeing him, she immediately asked, "When exactly will you take me to see him?"

Apart from that, he didn't say a single word.

Pei Xiaoyun's hopes were extinguished by a bucket of ice water, a chilling glint filling his chest. He knew she was incorrigible; she was just eager to ask about Lin Xian.

He tightened his grip on the knot of the oil paper bag in his hand.

He even went so far as to buy her favorite tofu glutinous rice balls, thinking she had changed her mind and he wanted to treat her better.

"Kong Qing, take this out and feed it to the dogs." He threw the package away, and it hit the ground with a thud.

Mingying understood the hidden meaning in his words, but the current situation was entirely his own wishful thinking. He was the one who refused to let go, harming innocent people, yet he blamed others for not obeying him.

She kept her eyes downcast and remained unmoved.

Yuechan brought in hot water for Pei Xiaoyun to wash his hands, but he dismissed her and pointed at Mingying, saying, "You come and serve me."

Mingying looked at him calmly, showing no intention of getting off the bed.

"When I'll take you to see him depends on how well you serve him." Pei Xiaoyun glanced sideways, a cold smile curving her lips.

Mingying blinked, threw away the hand warmer, and got out of bed.

She stayed in her room all day, feeling lazy and warm. When she got close to his chest and felt the coldness emanating from him, she couldn't help but tremble and wanted to back away.

Pei Xiaoyun wrapped his arms around her waist, and with such a sudden movement, their lips met.

Her body was soft and boneless, warm and tender, carrying that familiar sweet fragrance.

He tried to lower his head to continue his assault, but she turned her head away, and his burning lips landed on her fair earlobe.

Mingying held her breath, forced to press against his chest, her face flushed crimson.

"What, after a few years of good life, you've forgotten what you used to do?" Pei Xiaoyun seemed to want to knead her soft, warm body into her bones, his words cold and sarcastic. "You can't serve her well on the bed, and you've forgotten how to serve her properly off the bed too?"

Mingying was provoked by his words, her cheeks flushed, and she cursed him inwardly as shameless.

She had served him many times, so she naturally knew what to do.

She expertly picked up a dry cloth and wiped his fingers one by one, but her gaze remained fixed on the bubbling water in the basin, refusing to look at him.

It wasn't until she saw the dried blood on his palm that she was startled, and her breathing became disordered for a moment.

How did he get blood on his hands? What was he doing? Could it be...?

Pei Xiaoyun looked at her face, which had turned from rosy to pale, and teased her as if intentionally: "Scared?"

Mingying glared at him angrily, like a red-eyed rabbit that had gone mad, "You're despicable and shameless! You lied to me again!"

He clearly said he would take her to see Lin Xian, how could he hurt him again?

Her tears welled up in her eyes, almost spilling over.

"This is my blood." Pei Xiaoyun stroked her dark hair, his words light, and wiped her eyes with his fingertips.

Judging from her appearance, she thinks about Lin Xian all day long!

Mingying looked slightly taken aback and stared at him. She was not completely relieved by his words; doubts and fears piled up in her heart like boulders.

"And what about him?" she asked repeatedly.

Pei Xiaoyun deliberately wanted to see her flustered appearance, so she changed the subject, slowly withdrew her hand, revealed her injured arm, and handed her a bottle of medicine: "Apply this medicine for me."

The simple bandage he had just received outside was completely ineffective. He brought back the medicine He Lianqing had given him, intending for Mingying to apply it for him.

His voice was cold and stern, leaving no room for refusal.

Mingying was flustered and had no choice but to take the medicine bottle. She lifted his sleeve and saw that the knife wound was so deep that the bone was visible. She couldn't help but gasp.

She had seen all the wounds on his body, new and old wounds mixed together, a gruesome sight.

In the past, she felt sorry for him, and her heart ached whenever she saw his wounds.

But now, she only thinks that he has offended too many people and that he has only himself to blame.

Her movements weren't gentle; she poured the powder onto the wound, and the powder instantly dissolved into the flesh.

She glanced at him, but he didn't even flinch; his dark eyes stared at her with great interest.

That's a madman.

Pei Xiaoyun watched her bent-over, busy figure. The orange lamplight reflected on her delicate and pretty face, making her look gentle and tender, as if she were his obedient and docile concubine, just like before.

She still remembers the year she first started following him. When she first saw the injuries on his body, she was so frightened that she hugged him tightly and asked him how he got hurt.

He looked into her clear, innocent eyes and chuckled softly.

She didn't understand anything, but she was the only one who would ask him how he got hurt and if it hurt.

"You still haven't said when you'll take me to see her."

While wrapping the bandage around his neck, Mingying kept asking him questions.

This rare tranquility was abruptly shattered by her words.

Pei Xiaoyun then realized that those things were all in the past.

The woman before him was also someone who was fooling him.

She didn't keep her word, but he would never let go.

His face contorted slightly, then he suppressed it. He suddenly felt that using someone she cared about to keep her hanging on, making her submit and obey, was also an interesting thing.

He ignored her words, lowered his sleeves, and waited for the maid to bring up the heated dishes. He then sat down casually and said, "Mian'er, pick out that diced chicken with peach kernels for me."

Under his threatening gaze, Mingying gripped her chopsticks tightly and placed a piece of chicken into his bowl.

She doesn't like serving people.

Nobody likes to serve others.

Pei Xiaoyun took a few bites, glanced at the empty seat next to her, and said, "Come here."

Mingying walked over with small steps, sat in the shadow cast by his figure, and stuffed her mouth full of food under his gaze.

After the meal, the maidservants clattered and cleared away the bowls and plates.

She guessed that he wanted her to serve him the writing implements, so she went to get the ink stick herself without waiting for his command.

"I'm tired today and won't attend to official business." Pei Xiaoyun's interest was piqued, and a hint of pleasure appeared in his eyes.

He called her over to make the bed, and as she bent over to arrange the bedding, he pressed her down on the couch and touched the soft mound of flesh against his chest.

"Don't go too far, I don't want this." Mingying turned her face away and resisted with all her might.

He asked her to serve tea and water, grind ink and make the bed, and she could do it all.

But now, filled with resentment, she felt utterly disgusted to be forced to do such a thing by him.

Pei Xiaoyun pinched her chin, his expression both playful and domineering: "Don't forget your status. You are still my concubine, and serving me in bed is only natural."

Mingying gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with stubbornness: "I'm not."

No one is born to be anyone's slave.

She has already paid back everything she owed him.

"What is that?" Pei Xiaoyun's voice suddenly became rough.

Is she Lin Xian's wife?

Is she the young mistress of the Lin family?

He grabbed her wrist.

Mingying closed her eyes, feeling utterly hopeless, and could only hope that it would end soon.

A warm breath fell on her face.

"Don't be so reluctant. Tomorrow, I'll take you to see Lin Xian."

She suddenly opened her eyes and saw the unfathomable desire in them.

"You'll get what you deserve tonight in return." His fingers brushed across her face, causing her to flinch. "How long will it take the initiative for you to see him, and how about that?"

Hearing his despicable and shameless words, Mingying's mind was buzzing, as if countless needles were pricking her body, each pricking bringing a tingling heat.

The man patted her, signaling her to take the initiative.

Mingying gritted her teeth, her jaw clenched. Her dignity had already been trampled on by him; what did she have left?

To see Lin Xian, she endured immense humiliation and followed his orders.

"Can you?" Pei Xiaoyun teased, seeing her restrained and troubled expression. "If you can't, then forget it. As for seeing him, just give up."

"I can."

Mingying grabbed his robe, as if afraid something would slip away.

In the past, he always guided her, and she was led by him.

This was the first time he wanted her to take the initiative.

Her unusual awkwardness and lack of understanding of propriety caused a few warm tears to fall onto his chest.

"So useless, yet you dare to make demands of me." Pei Xiaoyun looked at her slightly reddened eyes. "Why don't we just forget it? I won't force you."

"No, I...can."

Overwhelmed by immense fear, she could only skim the surface.

After a few rounds, it turned into a puddle of water and could no longer support itself.

Pei Xiaoyun stroked her damp hair. "Twice, you're only allowed to see him for 15 minutes. Do you still want to continue?"

Mingying, half-asleep, rested her head on his arm, shaking her head intermittently.

Twice is already the limit.

Her eyes were unfocused, her red lips were half-open, and she was breathing faintly.

Pei Xiaoyun smiled and whispered in her ear, "I gave you plenty of chances, but you didn't want them. Don't say I'm heartless."

Several breaths later, Mingying gradually regained consciousness and remembered what she had just done. Her face turned bright red, as if it would bleed if pinched.

Meeting his bright, smiling black eyes, she felt embarrassed and uneasy, and her ears flushed a shameful red.

Pei Xiaoyun said in a teasing, low voice, "You only have one chance. If you want to come now, that would be cheating. I won't allow it."

Mingying clenched her fists, biting her lower lip, the stubbornness in her eyes swallowed up by his deep gaze.

She turned away, no longer looking at him, tears streaming down her face.

The soft sobs struck Pei Xiaoyun's heart. They were very close to her, and he sensed a soft, tingling pain hidden in the sound. He reached out and touched it; it didn't hurt, but rather felt numb.

"Alright, I won't lie to you this time." His chest pressed against her heaving back. "Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to see him."

Upon hearing this, Mingying felt a surge of hope, and all the humiliation and suffering seemed insignificant.

She calmed her breathing, looking forward to tomorrow.

Late at night, Pei Xiaoyun noticed that her body was still moving. He put his arm around her waist and, though it was a command, his voice was slightly hoarse: "Don't think about him."

Mingying blinked, clenched her fist, and sighed softly.

A warm breeze wafted through the tent, bringing a rare moment of peace and tranquility to the night.

The snow that had been falling for several days finally stopped.

Sunlight melts the snow and spreads across the window screens.

Mingying opened her eyes, her whole body aching unbearably. While the man beside her got up to put on his clothes, she opened the jade porcelain bottle hidden under her pillow and put a contraceptive pill into her mouth.

Ever since he stopped giving her contraceptives, he's been deliberately putting a lot of it in.

She had been naive and foolish to get pregnant with her previous child, and she was now reaping the consequences of her own actions. She no longer wanted any deeper entanglement with him.

Afraid that he would notice something was wrong, she tugged at his sleeve, blinked her dry eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, "I want some water."

Pei Xiaoyun held her soft palm, feeling a sense of comfort as he recalled the tenderness of those hands from the previous night. He called out, "Bring in some water."

Mingying quickly got up, took a sip of water from the hot cup that Yu'er brought, and swallowed the pill, only then feeling slightly relieved.

She was surrounded by her maids and led to the mirror to wash and dress. Pei Xiaoyun, for some unknown reason, ordered them to make her look nice.

She felt extremely uncomfortable in that luxurious pale yellow fox fur long coat and dress.

Pei Xiaoyun looked at her rosy cheeks surrounded by snow-white down, reached out her hand, but was slapped away: "You said you wouldn't go back on your word."

“I mean what I say.” Pei Xiaoyun chuckled inwardly, her hand, frozen in mid-air, took a box from the dressing table, opened it to reveal a pair of jade-white diamond-shaped pearl earrings, “Put these on.”

Wearing the gift he gave her, he wanted Lin Xian to see with her own eyes whose person she was.

“I don’t wear earrings.” Over the years, whenever Mingying sees earrings, she is reminded of that night three years ago, the punishment and humiliation, the unbearable pain.

Rejected by her blatant rejection, Pei Xiaoyun's face darkened. He took out the pair of jingling objects and beckoned to her: "Be good, come closer, I'll help you put them on."

Mingying's hands trembled slightly, and she breathed rapidly through her open mouth.

After hesitating for a while, she finally took it herself, her eyes dimming: "I'll wear it myself."

After getting all their luggage ready, Pei Xiaoyun took her to the suburban prison as promised.

The carriage moved smoothly through the bustling streets and arrived at the quiet, deserted outskirts of the city.

Upon arriving outside the prison, the previously bright sunlight was blocked by the surrounding copper and iron walls, making it cold and damp.

As she stepped onto the blood-soaked steps, Mingying's palms turned cold, a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through her.

She was finally going to see him.

Lin Xian, dressed in a gray and dirty prison uniform, sat under the skylight as usual, basking in the rare sliver of sunlight.

He had been tortured and was somewhat weak, but not fatally. His wounds were covered by his clothes and were not visible, but his face looked more haggard than before.

"Ziming!"

He heard a familiar voice, turned around abruptly, and saw the face he had longed for day and night. He thought it was a dream before he died.

"Ziming, I've come to see you."

The jailer opened the iron gate, and Mingying rushed in, tears streaming down her face as she ran, and embraced him tightly.

Lin Xian was once a refined gentleman sitting on a high platform, plucking strings and playing music. Now, he wears a dried-up, blood-stained robe and has fallen into a lowly position.

Mingying couldn't imagine how much suffering he had endured.

Upon seeing his left hand, which was missing a finger, she couldn't help but hug him and cry.

Those are the hands that play the piano and paint, the hands that hold her hair and hairpins.

A deep sense of guilt struck her heart. It was all because of her, and she wished that she was the one who had to bear all of this.

Pei Xiaoyun stood outside the door, coldly watching her shower Lin Xian with concern and care. The two embraced and wept, their eyes reflecting two raging flames.

He somewhat regretted bringing her to see Lin Xian.

He sneered at bringing his woman to meet other men, admitting that he himself was truly bewitched by her.

Only soft sobbing could be heard from the prison cell.

Lin Xian, a tall and upright man, was speechless as he felt the long-lost softness in his arms.

"Ah Ying, what brings you here? How have you been?"

He touched her cold, beautiful dress and felt that the sharp edges of the skirt were almost cutting his hand.

He knew she didn't like wearing earrings, but now she was wearing a pair of elaborate and cold ornaments.

She had no choice in the matter.

How can someone who looks glamorous on the outside truly live a good life?

"She is my woman." Pei Xiaoyun interrupted the noisy conversation between the two inside with a dark face. "Following me, she will enjoy endless wealth and glory. What can she get by following a piece of trash like you who can't even protect himself?"

If Mingying weren't here today, Lin Xian could tolerate any of his sarcastic remarks.

But when he saw that the man who had taken her wife was not treating her well, a spark ignited in his clear eyes, and he wanted to rush forward.

Mingying grabbed his hand, her nose tingling with emotion, and comforted him, "I'm fine, don't worry about me. Are you hurt? Let me see."

Lin Xian's wounds were all on her back and abdomen, and they were not visible when she was dressed.

He was afraid that Mingying would see through him and make her even more worried, so he held her hand in return and said, "Aying, I'm not hurt."

When Mingying saw his mutilated left hand, her heart felt like it was being slashed to pieces with scissors.

"It's all my fault, it's all my fault."

If her sleep-talking hadn't angered Pei Xiaoyun, Ziming wouldn't have suffered this undeserved misfortune.

"It's not your fault."

Lin Xian wiped away her tears, a hint of hatred appearing on her face. If anyone was to blame, it was the person who ruined their happiness.

Pei Xiaoyun watched the two of them being so affectionate and lovey-dovey, and her heart felt like it was being scorched by fire. The surging heat rushed to her throat, eager to burst out.

"You asked for those two quarters of an hour yourself."

He lifted his thin eyelids slightly, his knuckles bent, and tapped the iron bars to remind Mingying, his voice casual yet carrying a strong sense of coercion.

"You don't have much time left."

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Author's note: Your time is running out! [angry][angry]