Hongli had imagined countless scenarios of their reunion. He even thought he would never see her again in this lifetime. When she suddenly appeared in front of him, a thousand words rushed to his mind, but they all stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say a word.

Hongli turned his head away from her with a stinging look in his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing laboredly, but he still refused to speak.

With one inside the carriage and the other outside, it was somewhat inconvenient to talk, so Li Yu quickly gave Su Gege a look, signaling her to enter the carriage first before speaking.

Su Yushan had come to ask for a favor, so she naturally wouldn't put on airs. Understanding the situation, she lifted her skirt and entered, taking the initiative to greet him, "Greetings to Fourth Master."

Leaning back slightly, Hongli slumped against the soft backrest, his voice languid and lazy, "In the days you were away, I was indeed living a carefree and comfortable life, sleeping with whomever I wanted without caring about anyone's feelings."

Standing outside the carriage, Li Yu thought to himself, "What's wrong with my master? We finally got to see her, and she just started spouting nonsense. Isn't she deliberately trying to annoy Su Gege?"

This is only human nature, and Su Yushan's heart would no longer be affected by it. She casually said, "Congratulations, Fourth Master, on escaping your suffering."

Unable to provoke him, Hongli scoffed coldly, "Since you dared to leave, why did you come back? Did you encounter some trouble?"

Faced with his ridicule, Su Yushan had no concern for saving face and answered truthfully: "Jiafeng was falsely accused by Hongchang of stealing the jade pendant. He could not prove his innocence, and Hongchang did not want money or settle the matter privately. He only asked Fourth Master to step in."

Hongli already knew about this matter; Hongzhou came to tell him personally. Hongzhou's idea was for him to go see Hongchang, apologize, and say some kind words, and the matter would be over.

Hongzhou thought it was just a matter of a word, something easy to do, but Hongli thought it was a matter of face and not so easy.

If Su Yushan were still alive, and her brother got into trouble, Hongli would naturally put aside his pride and help Su Jiafeng. But she's gone, so why should he care about her family and sacrifice his pride for her brother?

Hongli refused to show himself, for which Hongzhou rebuked him for being heartless and ungrateful. Little did he know the reason why Hongli was so angry.

Su Jiafeng had just gotten into trouble, and Su Yushan returned right afterward. Her purpose was obvious: "So? You came back just to get me to help Su Jiafeng?"

Su Yushan remained noncommittal, lowering her eyes and softly saying, "I implore Fourth Master to lend a helping hand."

He knew it! How could she possibly come back so easily? Upon learning her true purpose, Hongli's anger only intensified, and he unleashed a furious rage upon her.

"Su Yushan! You left without a word, and now that your brother is in trouble, you've come back to me. Is that all the use I have for you?"

Faced with her accusation, Su Yushan had no way to refute it and said timidly, "Fourth Master, you are too kind. I would not dare to take advantage of you."

"Don't dare? You dare to run away, what else wouldn't you dare to do?"

She had never seen Hongli so angry, and she didn't know how to coax him, so she could only lower her head and admit her mistake, "It was my fault, please don't take it out on Jiafeng, Fourth Master, please save him."

He glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, and let out a cold snort, "On what grounds do you ask me for help?"

"As your maid, I beg your help." As she spoke, Su Yushan slowly knelt down before him, lowering herself to the lowest level, humble to the dust.

Su Yushan, who has always been aloof, despised imperial power, and refused to compromise with him, actually knelt down for her brother? This shows that her family is the most important person to her, while he is insignificant!

Witnessing this, Hongli not only did not soften his heart, but his anger flared even more. He slammed his fist on the tea table and shouted, "You still know you are my maid? Do you know what the consequences are for a prince's maid who runs away without permission?"

Of course she knew that she had returned this time prepared to be punished. "I am guilty and willing to be punished. I only ask that Fourth Master rescue Jiafeng and spare him the suffering of imprisonment."

Taking a deep breath, Hongli looked down at the woman kneeling in the carriage, pleading desperately, his eyes half-closed. "Su Yushan, asking for favors comes at a price."

He was negotiating, which meant there was still hope? Grasping at a straw, Su Yushan quickly looked up and asked, "What do you want?"

Looking her up and down, Hongli said with disdain, "What do you think you have? Wealth? You have nothing. It seems like all you have left is your beauty."

As he spoke, he leaned slightly forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and lifted her narrow, delicate chin with a finger. His eyes held no tenderness, only frivolity.

These words were a great insult to a woman, but Su Yushan had no room to refute them, simply because she really had nothing to use as leverage.

She was there to save someone, so even if Hongli said the most hurtful things, she had to silently endure it. "As long as Fourth Master is willing to save Jiafeng, I will be eternally grateful."

With a swift movement of his long arm, Hongli grabbed her wrist, pulled her up, and drew her into his arms. Before Su Yushan could react, she was already sitting dangling beside his legs.

They gazed at each other, their breaths mingling, their long, intertwined eyelashes unable to conceal the turmoil in their hearts.

This is the face that has kept him awake at night, and now it is right in front of him. Her delicate eyebrows are slightly furrowed, and she looks pitiful and helpless. But who can imagine how hurtful this woman can be when she is ruthless!

How could he let all his pain go unpunished? Such a heartless woman needs to be taught a lesson so she knows what the consequences of betraying him are!

Enraged, Hongli lowered his head and approached her lips, but instead of a gentle and tender kiss, he sucked on them with an almost furious urge, making her lips ache and bleed.

But she dared not resist and could only endure his anger in pain.

Perhaps blinded by rage, Hongli forgot he was in a carriage. His breathing grew heavier, and he unconsciously reached his hand inside her clothes. She clearly sensed his intention. If she allowed him to continue like this, she feared he wouldn't be able to stop himself.

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