Chapter 97 A Fate Destined to Be a Twisted Fate

Pei Siyan clearly regarded her as a plaything in his heart. Whether she wanted to or not, she had to accept his favor, his manipulation, and his debauchery!

He wantonly crushed her dignity and then asked her what she wanted.

Don't you find it ridiculous?

Pei Siyan was met with suppressed, fragmented sobs.

"Don't cry!" Pei Siyan felt somewhat guilty.

At this moment, he forcefully suppressed all his lewd and shameless thoughts.

He would rather she slap him as she always had, even if she pounded, bit, accused, and cursed him while nestled in his arms, he wouldn't blame her.

Ironically, she used the way women are best at to show weakness, crying in a way that broke his heart.

Even the hardest heart can be softened by her!

Pei Siyan has always disliked women who cry and whine, believing it to be nothing more than a facade of weakness, an outlet for incompetence, and a trick to elicit sympathy.

In the quiet bedchamber, he held the woman tightly, filled with longing and reluctance, silent and locked in a stalemate, neither willing to compromise.

He always believed that love was the most useless thing in the world. Her heart did not belong to him for the time being, and it would be easy for him to take her body.

Why does hearing her cry cause him a dull ache in his heart, making him waver, make him abandon his principles, and make him resist the urge to cherish her, pamper her, spoil her, and love her?

After a long silence, he cupped her face in his hands, calmly observing her every expression, and sighed, "Fine, I'll give you some more time."

He lowered his eyes, picked up the bodice from the bed without saying a word, and put it on her. His large, well-defined hands gently wrapped around her waist and carefully tied it for her.

The man's burning palms pressed against her skin, causing her narrow, thin shoulders to tremble slightly.

Soft, dark hair draped over her smooth back, the smooth lines of her spine outlining a perfect curve. A bright red ribbon was tied around her fair, bare back, creating a striking contrast of colors. She was alluring, graceful, and captivating, with a touch of allure amidst her cool demeanor—simply breathtakingly beautiful.

Pei Siyan suppressed the urge to press her down again, held her tightly, gently kissed her neck, and breathed heavily, "From now on, you are not allowed to see Shen Yanzhou again!"

Having said that, he got out of bed and headed towards the clean room. He pursed his sharp lips and said, "Someone, take her back!"

An exquisite sandalwood carriage stopped at the west gate of the Dou family's residence, and Cuizhi helped Dou Wenyi down from the carriage.

The old woman at the gate had already received instructions from above and had specially left the door open for her. She greeted her with a smile, "Fourth Miss, you're back?"

Wearing a black cloak, Dou Wenyi's lips were swollen and red. She raised her hand to cover half of her face, mumbled an "Mmm," and quickly returned to Yilan Courtyard.

In the clean room, hot water was already prepared in the bathtub.

Cuizhi looked worried, her lips trembled a few times, but she didn't ask the question. She just helped Dou Wenyi take off her outer robe. Dou Wenyi's unfocused eyes finally focused. "You go out, I can do it myself."

Cuizhi's hand paused. The Fourth Sister's fair neck, collarbone, and chest were covered with countless hickeys.

Her eyes instantly reddened, and she placed the clean dress on the wooden stool beside her before respectfully retreating.

Her clothes fell to the ground, and Dou Wenyi entered the bathtub with her bare, snow-white feet. She closed her eyes, her mind blank, her tense body submerged in the warm bathwater. She leaned against the tub wall and frantically rubbed her body.

Pei Siyan had already noticed her feelings for Shen Yanzhou...

That night, she was lost in thought and tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The next day, she indeed felt dizzy and lightheaded and caught a cold.

Early in the morning, Madam Gu came to Yilan's courtyard. Seeing that Yilan's face was pale, she immediately ordered someone to fetch a doctor.

Dou Wenyi shook her head. Her ailment could be easily treated with any medicine.

She looked listless, her hair disheveled, and she leaned weakly against the bed. "Mother, what brings you here?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Gu felt very uncomfortable. Couldn't she come to see her daughter even if there was nothing wrong?

Ever since that day, after Pei Siyan sent a large number of treasures, Dou Bochang's attitude has become somewhat strange, and he has repeatedly told her not to upset Yi'er.

Madam Gu's eyes darkened as she tentatively spoke, "Yesterday, someone from the Crown Prince's Palace came to say that Mingyan wanted to speak with you, so they specially brought you into the palace. We thought you wouldn't be back for the next few days. What exactly is going on?"

"Have you seen Mingyan? How is she doing with her etiquette and manners these days?"

It turns out that the people in the Eastern Palace had come up with such a lame excuse. It's just a pity that she and Dou Mingyan were irreconcilable enemies.

Dou Mingyan misses no one but her, no wonder it aroused Madam Gu's suspicion.

Dou Wenyi's eyes turned slightly cold as she casually said, "Consort Shu suffered a sudden illness and sent me to the palace to check on her in order to cover up the truth. As for Third Sister, I didn't see her at all."

In any case, they had no way to verify this secret with Consort Zhang.

Madam Gu, still somewhat shaken by the incident at the kiln, asked, "You went to the Shen family yesterday. What's the story about the kiln case now?"

Dou Wenyi roughly recounted what Shen Yanzhou had told her. When Madam Gu heard that Steward Meng and the scarred man had been assassinated in prison, her pupils suddenly contracted, and she was stunned for a moment before she reacted.

"Mother is innocent. No matter how stupid I am, I would never do anything to you. You believe me, right..." Madam Gu sobbed uncontrollably, raising her hand to stroke her head.

Dou Wenyi turned her head away, avoiding her touch, and Madam Gu's hand froze in mid-air.

She never truly treated me like a daughter. If I pretended to cry a few times in front of her, would they be able to reconcile?

dream!

Dou Mingyan was able to meticulously plan this assassination without Madam Gu's trust; otherwise, she could not have succeeded so smoothly.

In fact, if the Ministry of Justice had been able to pry open Scarface's mouth, the truth about her being captured in the temple would have come to light, but unfortunately, he died just like that.

To uncover Dou Mingyan's true colors, we must wait for another opportunity.

——

A few days later, Dou Mingyan was sent back.

"Miss, I heard that the Third Miss looks listless, her eyes are vacant, and she seems somewhat mentally unstable, as if she has suffered excessive fright!"

When Dou Wenyi learned of this news from Cuizhi, she found it unbelievable. Palace rules and etiquette were strict, but they shouldn't have made her so terrified.

After all, in her previous life, Dou Mingyan had also studied etiquette and rules, and she passed the test with ease, didn't she?

Cuizhi recalled that night at the East Palace when Eunuch Anxi gave her almost blunt advice, and hesitated before speaking, "Miss, I heard from Eunuch Anxi that the Third Miss was punished by His Highness, and quite severely at that..."

"Eunuch Anxi also said that the person His Highness the Crown Prince truly wants is you, not the Third Miss."

For a moment, Dou Wenyi was in a state of turmoil, her chest filled with all sorts of emotions, and she recalled Pei Siyan's promise to her: to give her an explanation.

Even if he gets justice for himself, so what?

He even tried to force himself on her!

he......

Unfortunately, their relationship was destined to be a tragic one...

To her surprise, Consort Zhang ordered someone to bring her to the palace that very day, proving that one cannot lie casually.