Chapter 22 Are you really siblings? Your...

The sun, which had been shining brightly high in the sky, was now obscured by dark clouds swept in by the cold wind.

I thought it would be a sunny day when I went out, but it turned out to be a snowy day.

Yu Tan stumbled and almost fell, but Lan Xin caught her, and she managed to steady herself. She pressed on, unwilling to give up, "Auntie, are you sure you saw it clearly? Was it really a carriage from the Yu family?"

“If you don’t believe me, young lady, you can ask around in Tonghua Lane. I’m not the only one who saw her. Who is that lady to you? And why does she look so much like her?” The old woman shivered in the cold wind, glanced at the weather, and slammed the door shut with annoyance. “What kind of weather is this?”

Yu Tan bit her lower lip tightly. She dared not even think about how terrible her fate would be if her identity were exposed now.

Yu He'an values ​​etiquette and family ties, but he is indifferent to strangers.

If she weren't Yu He'an's sister, given their current relationship, he would at most arrange for a carriage to send her off from the Marquis's residence in a respectable manner, just like in the story.

She had just used the Marquis's mansion's influence to suppress Ji Yushang.

Ji Yushang is an ant to the Marquis's mansion, but a boulder to her. The hatred she harbors from being suppressed will immediately retaliate. If she falls into his hands now, she will definitely suffer even more than in the story.

Zhao Qin frowned, staring at Yu Tan in confusion. Her reaction was so strange that it was as if the sky had fallen.

Zhao Qin stroked his cheek with his fingertips adorned with cardamom: "Young Lady Yu, what exactly is going on? You invited us here, so why did you arrange for someone to pick us up and take us to the Marquis's residence? At this crucial moment, we must not allow any mishaps to occur."

Yue Lang stood very close to Zhao Qin, his arm intimately placed on Zhao Qin's waist. He turned his pale face towards Zhao Qin, his thin lips parted slightly, and said, "Five days. You have five days left."

Yu Tan looked up in alarm: "What do you mean?"

Yue Lang calmly said, "Those Gu worms can only stay in a person's body for a maximum of eight days."

Yu Tan angrily said, "Why didn't you say so before that we could only stay for eight days?"

Yue Lang turned to stare at Zhao Qin, his face completely expressionless.

Yu Tan understood that Wu Niang's life was no different from an ant's in his eyes, or that everyone else was no different in Yue Lang's eyes except for Zhao Qin.

He was indifferent to whether she lived or died; if Zhao Qin hadn't asked him to save Wu Niang, he wouldn't have made a move at all.

The Gu worm had been inside Wu Niang's body for three days. Yu Tan's face was deathly pale. She didn't care that her identity had been exposed. She had to find Yu He'an. Wu Niang's matter couldn't be delayed.

Yu Tan took a few deep breaths, suppressing her anger, and forced out a few words: "Please return to your residence and wait for me. I will bring Wu Niang here shortly."

Yu Tan sent Lan Xin to Tonghua Lane to gather information.

They split into two groups; she went back to the Marquis's residence to find Yu He'an.

*

Afternoon, Fengxu Courtyard.

A few days ago, there was a heavy snowfall, but the dark clouds in the sky have not yet cleared up.

The sun struggled for a while before finally leaping out from behind the dark clouds.

Yu He'an, dressed in a white robe, stood under the corridor gazing into the distance. The gold threads on her robe shimmered in the sunlight, and her moon-white hair ribbon intertwined with her black hair.

Changming stood behind Yuhe'an and wailed, "My lord, my wife hasn't come for three days again."

Yu He'an lowered her eyelashes, her tone calm and without the slightest hint of annoyance, "You do remember it clearly."

Every time Yu Tan came, she would bring some delicious pastries and novelties. Not only Feng Xuyuan remembered her, but everyone else also looked forward to her visit.

Changming said, "Of course I remember. My lord, you wouldn't have said something that upset my wife again, would you?"

"No." Yu He'an immediately interrupted Changming's guess; it was normal for him not to come.

Yu He'an raised his hand and fiddled with the wind chime, and the seashell and glass collided to make a crisp tinkling sound.

After gazing into the distance, Yu He'an planned to return to his study to continue his studies.

Changming followed behind Yuhe'an and said indignantly, "This servant has heard that Madam has been getting very close to Lady Zhao recently."

Yu He'an looked into the distance: "She's learning how to do business."

"If it were just Lady Zhao, that would be fine. But do you know that Zhao Qin has a Miao man by his side who is more than ten years younger than him? He is very good at bewitching people and has tricked Zhao Qin into keeping him by his side despite the rumors?"

Yu He'an frowned: "A man from Miao territory?"

Why are there Miao people everywhere? Why don't they stay in Miao territory and come to Bianjing?

“My lady is simple-minded. I am worried that she may be bewitched by others. Ever since she started associating with Zhao Qin, she has become extremely curious about the affairs of Miao territory.”

Yu He'an lowered his eyes and remained silent.

"Brother." An urgent call broke the silence, and a figure in lotus root pink appeared outside Fengxu Courtyard.

Changming exclaimed with delight, "My lady, you've come!"

Yu Tan ran quickly to him. After running, her hair was disheveled, a strand of hair fell to the side of her face, her brows were furrowed, her face was flushed, her eyes were filled with hot tears that were about to fall, and her pearly teeth bit her lower lip, leaving a deep bloody mark. Her hands gripped his sleeve tightly.

"Brother, give her back to me, give her back to me, please give her back to me."

Yu Tan's voice trembled with sobs, as if she had lost her most precious treasure, and all of this irritated him.

"Yaoyao, what's wrong? Speak properly." Yu He'an supported her arm and steadied her.

Yu Tan sobbed, choking back tears, "Brother, please give her back to me."

"Who will I return to you?" Yu He'an gripped her arm tightly, his voice as cold as winter ice, his glassy eyes staring at her indifferently.

Yu He'an got angry.

Yu Tan immediately regained her senses and took a half step back, her back hitting the pillar.

“Brother, these things can’t be explained in a few words… I will explain to you, but not now… I only ask that you return her to me, and I will take her with me…”

"Who are you going with? Where are you going?" Yu He'an frowned, his usually indifferent expression revealing a hint of frost. Yu Tan had never seen Yu He'an like this before.

"I'll stay far away and won't get in your way." Yu Tan closed her eyes tightly, not daring to look at Yu He'an's face again.

If she could escape the plot, she would take Wu Niang to Huizhou and live a good life. Five or ten years later, when they no longer resent her, she would come to Bianjing, hide in the crowd, secretly take a look at them, and then leave.

Yu He'an gently stroked her cheek with his warm palm.

Her fingertips slid from her forehead to her cheek, and she dared not open her eyes.

She was afraid that Yu He'an would slap her, and even more afraid of seeing his cold and disgusted eyes.

Yu Tan pleaded softly, "Brother, she is someone very important to me. Please give her back to me."

"A very important person? Then who is more important to you, me or him?" Yu He'an sneered, his hand sliding down her cheek, pinching her chin, and gently squeezing it, forcing her lips to open.

The posture was too forceful. She instinctively tried to avoid it and turned her face to the side, but she was restrained and could not move an inch.

Yu He'an's gaze fell coldly on her lips, determined to get an answer from her.

She couldn't choose between her brother, who had taken care of her for over a decade, and her birth mother.

Yu Tan begged for mercy: "Brother, please don't make things difficult for me."

Yu He'an sneered, his fingertips rubbing against her lips. Years of sword practice had left his fingertips calloused, and the friction against her wounds caused not only a stinging pain but also a tingling, numbing sensation that made her legs weak. She fearfully pushed his shoulder away.

"Brother."

"I'm making things difficult for you, and you still remember I'm your older brother." Yu He'an released his grip, his face ashen, and turned to go into the house.

Yu Tan stood there, stunned and somewhat at a loss.

What does "玉鹤安" mean?

Even though her identity has been exposed, will she still acknowledge her as her sister?

Yu Tan seemed to have grabbed onto the last piece of driftwood while drowning.

Changming whispered, "My lady, how can you come to question our husband over a Miao man you've only known for a few days? If that man really left, it's because he's caught up in a mess of romantic entanglements and ran away to escape. If our husband really wants to take action... he'll definitely send you to watch over him..."

What does this have to do with anything?

Yu Tan looked up in confusion: "Wait, what Miao man..."

She clearly came to ask Yu He'an for Wu Niang.

Changming glanced at the study and lowered his voice: "It's that Miao man who was with Zhao Qin. Didn't you suspect that the husband was behind Zhao Qin's disappearance and come to question him?"

Yue Lang and she have absolutely no connection whatsoever?

Could it be... that Wu Niang wasn't taken away by Yu He'an, then her identity has been exposed?

Yu Tan shook her head and tentatively asked, "What were you doing this morning, brother? Did the Marquis's carriage go to Tonghua Lane today?"

"My lord practiced his sword for an hour this morning, then studied in his study. After lunch, he stood on the veranda to rest and gaze into the distance..." Changming counted on his fingers, "My lady, my lord's carriage did not leave the manor today..."

Very good.

Yu Tan let out a long sigh of relief. It wasn't Yu He'an who did it; her identity hadn't been exposed yet.

Who could it be? Who did it?

Yu Tan stood at the door and cautiously called out, "Brother."

"Come in."

Yu Tan lifted her skirt and slowly walked in. Yu He'an unscrewed the box of ointment, and some dark green ointment clung to her fair fingertips.

She remembered how her scalp tingled and her legs went weak when Yu He'an's fingertips brushed against her lips just now, and she quickly shook her head, "Brother, I can do it myself."

Yu He'an's icy gaze fell upon him. "Come here quickly. Do you want a scar?"

If a scar is left on the lower lip, or the lipstick is uneven, it will never look good no matter what.

She obediently sat down on the low couch, and Yu He'an bowed closer. Her black hair and hair ribbon fell down, and she was held in Yu He'an's arms, surrounded by the pleasant scent of cedar.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she wanted to back away, but she managed to restrain herself.

It's just applying medicine; my brother won't do anything to her.

Yu He'an lifted her chin with his left hand, forcing her to tilt her head back and meet his gaze into those glassy eyes. Her breath caught in her throat.

With his index finger coated in ointment, he gently pressed it against her lower lip. Her lips dipped slightly, enveloping the cool ointment and the soft pad of his finger. She couldn't help but feel nervous. He pushed the cool ointment away little by little with his fingertip and rubbed it back and forth several times.

Yu Tan slowed her breathing and sat on the low couch like a puppet.

"Alright." Yu He'an turned and left, going to the outer room to wash his hands.

"Thank you, brother."

Yu Tan shook her head. She knew better than anyone that Yu He'an was only outwardly aloof and cold-hearted, but inwardly he was full of passion and treated those he cared about very well.

Yu Tan, whose heart had been pounding in the heat, finally came to her senses. "Brother, I was wrong about what happened today. I misunderstood. I will explain it to you later..."

Yu He'an wiped her hands clean with a silk handkerchief, glanced at her sideways, and chuckled, "You admit your mistake quickly. It seems you are indeed a very important person."

"Brother." Yu Tan tried to take Yu He'an's hand, but instead gripped his sleeve. "I have urgent business to attend to and must leave..."

Yu He'an said coldly, "Yaoyao, it's snowing today, and you shouldn't go out because of your cough."

Yu Tan whispered, "Brother, I will come back before it snows."

Wu Niang isn't here at Yu He An, where is she?

Yu Tan propped herself up and quickly left the study. Time was of the essence; she needed to find Wu Niang as soon as possible.

Yu He'an's tone was extremely disappointed: "Yu Tan, you haven't listened to a single word I've said to you."

She stood in front of the study door, her fingers resting on it. Yu He'an would be even more disappointed in her in the future. She tried hard to control herself from turning around and forcefully pulled open the study door.

“Brother, when I am able to tell you in the future, I will tell you everything.”

Yu Tan left without looking back.

Yu He sat motionless in the study. After a while, he returned to his desk and continued reading.

Changming rushed in: "My lord, why did my wife leave?"

Yu He'an said irritably, "She has legs, she can leave whenever she wants."

Changming said, "My lady is really something. No matter how good a Miao man is, can he be better than a young master from a prominent family in Bianjing? Why are you so fixated on him?"

Yu He'an paused in his book-flipping hand, his gaze drifting unfocused to the desk. He instinctively tried to rub the scratches to wash away the slippery feel on his hands, but all he touched was a smooth lacquer surface.

A sense of restlessness surged within him, and he couldn't understand why. He could only attribute it to a strange possessiveness.

He had warned her repeatedly, but Yu Tan still rushed forward, first to Ji Yushang, then to Chu Minglang, and now to this Miao man.

The Miao man, Chu Minglang, the young master of a noble family, and even the most despicable Ji Yushang, all of them are qualified to stand before Yu Tan. The choice is up to Yu Tan herself.

Changming continued, "If my wife truly loves a Miao man, if she marries into a Miao family..."

"She said she didn't want to get married." As soon as the words left her mouth, Yu He'an lowered her head, feeling even more irritated by how he had replied.

The peace of mind that had been tempered by three years of studying abroad began to stir again.

Changming curled his lip: "What does that lady mean? Does she just want to play around?"

Yu He'an glanced coldly at Changming, then got up and left.

"Where are you going, my lord? Aren't you going to study this afternoon?"

"You're too noisy." Yu He'an quickly left the study.

Changming hurriedly followed, passing through the back alley of the Marquis's mansion and turning into Xinghua Alley.

"My lord, you want to eat candied fruit? Just tell me to go out and buy some. It will take an hour to make the trip."

“Doing anything isn’t a waste of time.” Yuhe An stopped in his tracks, turned his head to the side, and frowned. Changming paused as well.

Yu He'an is the eldest son of the Marquis's family, and the current honor of the Marquis's family is that the Marquis is guarding the border.

In the future, Yuhe will be able to shoulder the responsibility of the Marquis's mansion, and its prosperity will depend on him. He has also decided to enter officialdom through the imperial examination, so he should be diligent every day and study hard.

Changming thought for a moment and said, "I will study and practice calligraphy so that I can become a high-ranking official in the future and serve the people diligently."

This is indeed what the Yu family expects of him, and this is the path he should take in the future.

Yu He'an pursed his lips, said nothing, and strode towards Xinghua Lane.

Buying some candy won't take too long and won't interfere with his studies.

*

Lanfangyuan.

Qiaoxin hurriedly entered the small hall. "Madam, I have investigated and found out that no carriages left the Marquis's residence today."

Yu Tan sat on a round stool, poured herself a cup of hot tea, moistened her lips with it, and tried to clear her mind. She rubbed her temples. Yu He'an hadn't lied to her.

Could it be that the old woman just now lied to her?

The whole incident had a strange feel to it, along with that disgusting voyeurism; it was a complete mess that she couldn't unravel or understand.

Fortunately, she didn't let it slip in front of Yu He'an and reveal her true identity as a fake heiress.

Now we can only wait for Lanxin to return. She left Lanxin in Tonghua Lane before. Search around Tonghua Lane, and maybe Wuniang will come back on her own.

Yu Tan gulped down several mouthfuls of hot tea, forcing herself to calm down.

After waiting for another half hour, the windproof curtain was lifted, and Lanxin walked in, her face pale with fright. She quickly ran to Yutan's side.

"My lady." Lanxin rushed to Yu Tan's side, her eyes darting away.

"What's wrong?" Yu Tan took Lan Xin's hand and tried to pull her up, but when she realized that Lan Xin seemed to have something to say, she waved her hand and said, "You guys go out first."

Once only the two of them were left in the room, Lanxin carefully closed the door tightly.

Lanxin said, "My lady, I have followed your orders to search for clues and ask the neighbors in Tonghua Lane. They all say that Wuniang was picked up by the Marquis's carriage. More than one neighbor saw her being picked up. It is true."

What's even more terrifying is that Wu Niang's appearance seems to have been seen by many people.

Yu Tan rubbed her temples. After several days of running around, she was exhausted and dazed. She needed to find Wu Niang as soon as possible to transfer her away.

“I just asked my brother, and it wasn’t him. Moreover, Qiaoxin checked and found that no carriages left the manor today.”

"How strange."

Yu Tan murmured, "Who could it be? How could there be a carriage from the Marquis's residence?"

Lanxin slapped her thigh: "My lady, do you still remember the carriage that broke down at the Li residence two months ago? Although Li Er Niangzi returned it later, my lady found it an eyesore and disposed of it."

"I remember." She refused to use the carriage again because she disliked that it had passed through Ji Yushang's hands. "Could it be that someone else used that carriage?"

Yu Tan gently patted her head. Everything made sense now. The person most likely to pick up the carriage was...

Ji Yushang.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Come in."

Qiaoxin rushed in, “The gatekeeper just came to report that a strange man appeared in front of the mansion. He had a black turban covering his face and said that if this invitation is not delivered to you, he will skin us alive.”

Qiaoxin took out a black card from her bosom, on which a pattern of mimosa flowers was drawn in red ink.

Yu Tan then opened it:

"Miss Yu, I have followed you for many days and always see you running around Tonghua Lane. I guessed that you were keeping a mistress in a golden house. I never expected to discover your secret background."

You can only blame yourself for looking so much like Wu Niang; I couldn't resist looking into Wu Niang's background.

The daughter of a disgraced official lived in Liangzhou, where she remained a widow and raised only one daughter.

It just so happens that her daughter has the exact same birth date as you.

I can only make a bold guess: Wu Niang was incredibly audacious and pulled off a switcheroo.

If I were you, I would have killed Zhao Qingwu and disfigured him. It's not too late now.

Considering my past love for you, I don't mind helping you with this favor: killing her to preserve your status as a lady of the Marquis's mansion.

The letter was an invitation to come out of the mansion for a chat. It has been more than a month since we last met, and I have missed you very much. I invite you to witness this joyous occasion.

If you do not wish for your secret to be discovered, then come to the Ji residence alone.

Ji Yushang specially invited him.

"Ji Yushang".

It wasn't her imagination; Ji Yushang had been following her all along, which was why Wu Niang was exposed and why she was captured by Ji Yushang.

Yu Tan trembled with anger, her hands clenched so tightly that the visiting card was deformed, and a piece of Xuan paper fluttered down and spread out on the ground.

The ink on the rice paper gently outlines the woman's slender figure. Her long, wet hair clings to her dress, and her hand rests on her neckline, as if she wants to pull down her soaked clothes. This half-concealed, half-revealed posture is extremely alluring.

The woman in the painting has a captivating smile with upturned corners of her mouth. A small red mole is dotted on her chin with vermilion ink, and her beautiful face exudes irresistible charm, while her eyes seem to hold unspoken words.

"My lady, this man is so reckless, he drew a portrait of you while you were wet... Should we tell our husband about this..."

Yu Tan subconsciously bit her lower lip, just touching the wound on her lower lip. There was still a bitter taste of medicine on her lips. She shook her head. She couldn't say anything. If she really let Yu He'an handle it, it would only make the situation worse.

"My lady, let's stay in the manor and ignore these people."

Yu Tan remained silent for a moment, then said firmly, "I want to leave the manor."

Lanxin tugged at her sleeve: "My lady, no, what if... we run into Ji Yushang, that lecherous rogue, what will we do?"

Yu Tan clenched her hands and said fiercely, "Unless something happens, I will kill Ji Yushang with my own hands. You go to Zhao Qin's residence first and invite her to the Ji residence. Tell her that Wu Niang has been found. Every moment counts."

"Yes, madam." Lanxin nodded in agreement, mistakenly thinking that Yu Tan was going to ask Zhao Qin to take action to deal with Ji Yushang, and hurriedly ran out of the mansion.

Yu Tan lowered her eyelashes, her expression solemn. She got up and sat in front of the dressing table, taking out a dagger from the bottom of the makeup box.

She bought this thing not long after she awakened, and now it's finally time to use it.

She pulled the dagger an inch further, its cold light illuminating her face. "Ji Yushang, I will kill you with my own hands."

Those who try to drag her into the mire will be dealt with by her one by one.

She concealed the dagger in her cloak and strode out of the mansion. She walked through the long back alley of the mansion and came to a three-way intersection. She stopped and turned left to find Xinghua Alley.

She looked up at the sky; the sun was already setting, but it wasn't too late. If she went to buy it at this time, she was sure she could find some candied fruit.

She turned and walked in another direction, hurrying towards the Ji residence.

In less than half an hour, Yu Tan arrived at the Ji residence.

The once bustling and grand Ji mansion is now deserted, with no birdsong, servants, or gatekeepers in front of the gate. The vermilion gate is only slightly ajar, and she pushes it hard, causing it to creak heavily.

She gripped the dagger hidden in her cloak and crossed the front yard without encountering anyone.

As you walk further in, you see more and more Xuan paper scattered in the courtyard. The strong wind whips up the Xuan paper, making it dance in the courtyard, much like the paper money used for offerings.

She picked up a picture at random; it was a portrait of herself, capturing her expressions of anger, infatuation, laughter, and scolding.

The further you go, the more unbearable the portraits become.

The man and woman, their clothes disheveled, were entangled together; it was all a picture of her and Ji Yushang avoiding fire.

Yu Tan stepped onto the Xuan paper with disgust and entered the front hall.

There was no underfloor heating or even a charcoal brazier in the front hall. She felt cold as she entered, and only her inner fire kept her going.

All the valuables in the front hall had been moved out, and countless exquisitely framed portraits hung on the walls. The portraits depicted different scenes, such as bedrooms, studies, and the wilderness, and the poses were all bizarre. They were all fire-avoidance paintings with her as the main character.

Yu Tan gripped the dagger tightly, wishing she could plunge it into Ji Yushang's heart.

The only piece of furniture left in the hall was a desk.

A two-meter-long sheet of Xuan paper was laid out on the table, with a paperweight pressing down on the top of the paper and the bottom already hanging to the ground. Ji Yushang stood behind the desk, looking extremely serious, and picked up his brush to write.

She gripped the dagger tightly, strode up to Ji Yushang, and angrily said, "Ji Yushang, give him back to me."

Ji Yushang slowly changed his brush, dipped it in cinnabar, and carefully dotted the small mole on the lower lip of the woman in the painting. After a while, Ji Yushang put down his brush and nodded in satisfaction.

Ji Yushang didn't raise his head, his eyes fixed on the portrait with fascination.

"Young Lady Yu has finally arrived. Ever since I first saw you at the banquet, I have been painting you. I have been painting for so long but I am still not satisfied. Today I have finally painted a portrait that I am quite satisfied with. Do you like any of these portraits in the room?"

The room was filled with hundreds and thousands of portraits stacked on top of each other.

Yu Tan was frightened by Ji Yushang's madness and took a step back. "I don't have time to chat with you. Give me back the person, and I might give you a way out."

Ji Yushang laughed as if he had heard a ridiculous joke, "Young Lady Yu, do you still think you are the lady of the Marquis's mansion? You're asking me to spare your life, what a big mouth you have."

Yu Tan gripped the dagger tightly: "Nonsense, I don't understand what you're saying."

Ji Yushang's lips curled up: "Then why are you so nervous about me capturing Wuniang?"

"Wu Niang is my good friend. I care about what's wrong with my friend. Quickly return her to me. My brother will be here soon. You know his abilities. I guarantee you will have nowhere to stay in Bianjing."

"Is Yu He'an your brother?" Ji Yushang took a step closer, his peach blossom eyes filled with dejection, his once dashing face now weathered and worn. "Why didn't you come out of the Yu residence with him? Why didn't you even bring the guards he gave you? Yu Tan, are you feeling guilty? You don't dare let Yu He'an see you."

Yu Tan gripped the dagger tightly and roared, "Ji Yushang, where is Wu Niang?"

Ji Yushang lifted his eyelids and said with a forced smile, "Wu Niang is in the backyard. You can take her away without any problem, but there's one condition."

"What are the conditions?" Yu Tan stared cautiously at Ji Yushang. Giving him money to leave Bianjing wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Young Lady Yu, we have known each other for a long time."

I was fortunate enough to enter Bianjing thanks to my family's business. My painting skills allowed me to thrive in the Bianjing aristocratic families, and my future was originally very promising. But now it's all ruined because of you... But it doesn't matter, I have already thought of a way to make you compensate me.

There are 990 portraits here. I originally wanted to paint 999 for you, to symbolize our long and lasting love, but unfortunately there isn't enough time. If you're interested, you can wait until I finish painting the remaining nine..."

Ji Yushang pointed to the stack of Xuan paper that was still left on the side.

Yu Tan coldly glanced at him and said with disgust, "I have no interest. From the day you framed me, no, from the moment you colluded with Li Xu, you should have known that you would not have a good end."

"That's the look in his eyes, that look that makes him feel disgusted just looking at me, and then he looks at me again... I'm going to ecstasy..." Ji Yushang squinted at Yu Tan, his gaze sticky and disgusting. Ji Yushang leaned on the desk, trying to grab her hand, but Yu Tan was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly. "Slap me, slap me hard... quick..."

"Get...get away from me." Yu Tan retreated in terror. She had only thought Ji Yushang was a lecherous man, but she hadn't expected him to be purely mentally ill.

"Young Lady Yu has such an aloof attitude. Countless gentlemen want to pin you down and defile you at will, to see you cry until you can't breathe. Just thinking about it makes me climax." Ji Yushang turned to the side, and she caught a glimpse of the curves beneath his robes.

Yu Tan suppressed her intense nausea and gripped the dagger tightly; this was her last bit of strength.

“You are nothing but a stray dog. If you return Wuniang to me, I will give you a sum of money so that you can continue doing business in other places. Given time, you may be able to make a comeback.”

“I am very touched by your sudden thoughtfulness, Miss Yu, but…” Ji Yushang stared at her intently, like a venomous snake eyeing her, and his tone suddenly rose, as if he had remembered something extremely exciting, “I have a better idea, Miss Yu, you must hear it.”

For Wu Niang's sake, Yu Tan had no choice but to endure it, saying, "Let's talk about it, money is negotiable."

“My family has been wealthy merchants for generations. At its peak, our family’s wealth exceeded 200,000 taels of silver. Can Miss Yu really give us that much?”

How could she possibly have so much money? Ji Yushang is really taking advantage of her.

Yu Tan said angrily, "Ji Yushang, don't go too far. I'll give you a hundred taels at most, and tell you to get lost."

“Look, Miss Yu, I give the courtesans at the brothel more money than this. You’re just throwing money away like a beggar.” Ji Yushang shook his head. “After this incident, I’ve learned a lesson: what’s the use of having a lot of money? Power is the most important thing. As long as I have power, plenty of people will send me money…”

Yu Tan frowned, looking at Ji Yushang's frenzied appearance with incomprehension.

To gain power, one must become an official, either through family connections or by taking the imperial examinations. The most risky option is to donate a large sum of money to obtain a nominal position.

Yu He'an didn't want to rely on the Marquis's mansion for protection and took the imperial examination, while Ji Yushang had no choice but to take the imperial examination.

Yu Tan suppressed her nausea and advised, "If you are going to take the imperial examination, you should study hard."

Ji Yushang shook his head and smiled mysteriously: "There's a shortcut right in front of me, why should I take the arduous path of the imperial examinations... Ten years of hard study, less than one in a hundred can pass the lowest level..."

"What do you mean?"

Ji Yushang avoided the topic, instead pointing to the portraits hanging on the walls behind him.

"Young Lady Yu, please choose from these portraits. Which one do you like?"

Yu Tan gritted her teeth in anger. This wasn't giving her a choice; it was clearly humiliating her.

"Ji Yushang, are you really not afraid that I'll skin you alive and chop your bones up to feed the dogs?"

"Afraid? If I were really afraid, would I have agreed to do such a risky thing as Li Xu? I thought the heavens were going to kill me. I never expected to discover your secret. It's like finding a new path after a long and difficult journey."

Ji Yushang walked around the desk and came to her. "Now I'll give you a choice. I will not only return Wuniang to you, but I will also help you settle her in and make sure the Marquis's mansion doesn't notice her existence. You can continue to be the Marquis's wife."

Yu Tan sneered, "You can be so kind."

"Of course, as long as you personally tell the Marquis's mansion that you want to marry me, the Ji family's property can be returned to me, and I can also rely on the Marquis's mansion's power. Many years later, when Yu He'an holds a high position in the court, he will also help me get an official position. At that time, you will still be an official's wife, wouldn't that be great..."

"You're dreaming."

“I knew you wouldn’t agree.” Ji Yushang grinned, a strange smile on his face. “Then let’s consummate our marriage.”

Yu Tan angrily said, "How dare you?"

"Today I'll show you whether I dare to do it or not. Should I call you naive or reckless? You actually dare to go to a young master's house alone." Ji Yushang suddenly stepped forward and trapped her between the walls. She felt nauseous from Ji Yushang's smell.

Yu Tan never expected that Ji Yushang had such a plan. She took a deep breath and asked, "Ji Yushang, do you like the power behind me or do you like me?"

Ji Yushang chuckled lewdly, "Of course I like you."

Yu Tan coaxed, "Then come closer, come even closer."

As expected, Ji Yushang moved even closer. Taking advantage of Ji Yushang's momentary lapse in attention, Yu Tan seized the opportunity and suddenly thrust her right hand forward, bringing the dagger hidden in her cloak straight towards Ji Yushang's throat.

"Go to hell! I'm going to kill you! Kill you! You don't deserve it!"

The dagger pierced to the depth of half a fingernail before it could go no further. She tried to use force again, but her wrist was grabbed. Ji Yushang pulled her arm forcefully and shoved it downwards.

The situation reversed in an instant.

Ji Yushang clutched the wound on his neck, the pain fueling his ferocity. "No wonder Miss Yu dared to come to my appointment; she almost fell for your trick."

Ji Yushang picked up the dagger with his blood-stained hands, running his fingers across the blade without leaving a single mark.

"However, Miss Yu, the knife you brought isn't sharpened. Do you really want to kill me, or do you just want to flirt with me?"

Yu Tan's pupils suddenly contracted. She had only bought it from the blacksmith shop and had no idea that the dagger needed to be sharpened.

Seeing that things were not going well, she took off running, fearing that Ji Yushang would catch up with her in just a few steps. She couldn't run anymore, and Ji Yushang grabbed her cloak and pulled her back to the room full of fire-avoidance pictures.

"Since you didn't want to choose which fire-avoidance diagram I asked you to choose, I'll pick one myself. Today we're husband and wife, and in the future we'll make sure we use all of these diagrams."

Ji Yushang forcefully yanked off her cloak, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground. With a lewd smile on his face, Ji Yushang leaned over her and braced his hands on her shoulders.

Her scalp tingled, and she struggled violently, but to Ji Yushang, it was like a cat scratching an itch. For the first time, she felt the vast difference in strength between men and women.

Yu Tan shrank back in fear, but her cloak was pulled and she couldn't move. She cried out in terror, "You can't touch me, my brother will kill you."

"If I really become your husband, and you are really willing to marry me, how can Yu He'an kill me?" Ji Yushang tugged at the sash of his cloak, and the cloak slipped off his side, revealing an indigo embroidered jacket.

She slapped Ji Yushang hard with her left hand and kicked wildly with her feet, "I will not agree, I would rather die than agree."

Ji Yushang restrained her left hand: "That's now. After you've tasted my wonders, you'll naturally be willing. Besides, Wuniang is still in my hands."

"Disgusting, scoundrel, bastard, lecher... I'm going to kill you."

Yu Tan struggled haphazardly, her bright face flushed with anger, and her usually arrogant eyes welled up with tears, arousing a sadistic desire in one's heart.

"You're really good at cursing, you're even panting." Ji Yushang pulled hard, the tie of his jacket broke, and when he pulled it down, the snow-white lining was exposed. He had lost the patience to take off his clothes one by one, so he just pulled the lining out and ripped it with a "whoosh" sound, exposing his fair left shoulder.

When her shoulder touched the cold air, she panicked completely. She kicked her legs wildly and tried to crawl inside, but she couldn't move an inch.

"Get out of here..." Yu Tan's voice was already tinged with sobs. Could it be that she really couldn't escape her fate?

"You cry so beautifully. I've been waiting for this day for so long." Ji Yushang touched her cheek. "Are you really siblings? He bit your lip, didn't he?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Her relationship with Yu He'an was completely innocent.

Ji Yushang's hand had already touched her belt. She was terrified and kicked her legs hard.

*

Changming followed Yu He'an at a jog all the way to Xinghua Lane, where he bought several portions of candied fruit, and even got one himself. He walked happily toward the Marquis's Mansion, and as he turned into the back alley of the mansion, he saw a familiar figure.

Changming paused, holding the candy in his hand, and exclaimed, "My lord, doesn't that look like my wife?"

Yu He'an turned around and stared thoughtfully at Yu Tan's back.

Changming asked in confusion, "It seems that my wife went to Xiaguang Lane. Why would she go there?"

Yu He'an pondered for a moment: "I don't know. Let's go, hurry and follow them."

They hurried to catch up, but they had been far from Yu Tan. At a bend in the road, they lost sight of her and wandered aimlessly in the rosy light.

Passing by the gate of the Ji family mansion, the vermilion gate was half open. The once magnificent mansion was now deserted and desolate.

Why is Yu Tan here?

"Could it be that I misread it just now?"

The figure just flashed by; perhaps I really did see it.

Yu He'an nodded and turned to return to his residence.

A young woman wearing a light green jacket walked towards us, curtsied, and wore a polite smile.

"Young Master Yu, are you looking for Tan'er?"

Yu He'an nodded. This young woman was Li Xu, who had previously been on good terms with Yu Tan but had harbored evil intentions. "Second Lady Li."

Yu He'an walked past Li Xu back, and Li Xu followed with a smile, "Lord Yu, have any of your mother's relatives come to Bianjing recently?"

Yu He'an stopped in his tracks: "What do you mean?"

Li Xu nodded her chin: "These past few days, when I've been out of the manor, I keep running into Yao Yao in Tonghua Lane. It's strange, the lady behind Yao Yao looks extremely similar to her. Could she be your mother's sister... But I remember that Lady Ning is an only child."

Actually, thinking about it carefully, Yu Langjun, you don't look like Yu Tan at all.

Yu He'an's face was gloomy as he stared coldly at her. "Li Erniangzi, it seems that the punishment you received for framing Yaoyao last time was not enough."

Li Xu said aggrievedly, "Everything I said is true. Doesn't Young Master Yu believe me?"

“These are my family matters, and Yao Yao will bring them up to me herself, so there’s no need for you, Li Er Niangzi, to worry about them.” Yu He’an stopped walking and suddenly turned around to walk back, causing Li Xu to exclaim in surprise behind her.

“Yu Tan is currently in Tonghua Lane, and that lady is also there. If you don’t believe me, Young Master Yu, you can come with me to take a look.”

"Tung Flower Lane." Yu He'an paused. Lately, he had been arguing with Yu Tan, and Yu Tan no longer told him everything like she did when they were children, which made him feel a bit frustrated.

Yu Tan wanted to eat candied fruit. She had always mentioned it to him when she was young, and she had mentioned it once recently as well. Today, she had some free time and specially went out of the manor to buy some. He wanted to return to the manor as soon as possible to give it to her. Suddenly, a breeze rose, swirling up the Xuan paper in the Ji manor. Like a withered butterfly in winter, it landed at his feet, blocking his steps forward.

Yu He'an lowered his eyes and looked down. His pupils were shocked. The ink on the Xuan paper was actually a portrait of Yu Tan with her clothes soaked through.

With a cold face, Yu He'an turned around, quickly pushed open the gate of the Ji residence, and strode inside.

Li Xu hurriedly spread her arms and stood in front of Yu He'an: "Young Master Yu, why bother with Ji Yushang? Finding Yu Tan is the priority. Could it be that some cousin from your mother's family has come? Why didn't Yu Tan tell you? Ask them sooner rather than later to avoid hurting your sibling relationship. They are in Tonghua Lane now. Come with me and you'll find out."

Author's Note: Thank you to Xiha Yeze, who's just lazing around on the roadside, for the nutrient solution! [fireworks]

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