Chapter 61 I'd rather tie you up and take you back to the capital right now.

He's just my ex-husband!

She's blind!

There won't be only one man like him!

He's as gray as ashes!

Choose a brand new husband!

These words were increasingly ruthless, precise and swift, killing him in one fell swoop, striking at his vitals.

He felt his blood and qi surging up from head to toe, rolling and churning, all rushing to his head. His mind went blank, and his vision went black for a moment.

Unable to see the woman's heartless expression, he actually felt a little better. Before long, the woman started to struggle, and he quickly grabbed her chin, not letting her go.

No! More than her merciless words that infuriated him, he couldn't bear her leaving. He could only feel at ease when she was by his side!

He shook his head, and his eyes slowly regained their light.

Just as he regained his footing, her even more ruthless and cruel words struck him like an arrow, instantly making his body tremble slightly.

"Are you leaving or not? If not, I will. And after this, I guarantee you'll never see me again! Which do you choose? I'll give you the time it takes to drink a cup of tea!"

Jiang Shuifu glanced at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of determination—a determination to leave him—and disdain—disdain for his forceful coercion.

Shen Jizhao saw all her emotions. She said she was leaving and would never let him find her again! She wanted to disappear from his sight completely!

He stared intently at her. Her almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks were breathtakingly beautiful, yet she was so stubborn! Her words were venomous, making him shudder and burn with rage!

He slowly released her chin, and the smooth skin in his hand slipped away instantly, as if he couldn't wait any longer.

But only the weak would let go and let her leave. Who is he? He's second only to the emperor, what does he have to fear?

She was so disobedient that he had to remind her again and again who was standing in front of her!

Before Jiang Shuifu could take a step, the man behind her suddenly grabbed her shoulders, forcing her into a narrow space in his arms.

Shen Jizhao's fiery and scorching voice rang out, echoing and filling the entire room, colliding back and forth.

Suddenly, the porcelain vase on the table fell and shattered with a "crack!" The crisp, jarring sound, along with his words, echoed in her ears once more, shaking her to her core like a thunderclap.

"Find a new husband? I'd like to see who has the ability and the guts! I guarantee that person's head will roll on the ground that very day, turning into a wisp of a ghost! You know, it's just a matter of me lifting a finger. Besides, wherever you go, to me, it's just another place to entangle with you and flirt with you. If you want to leave, I can let you go! Is three days enough? I'll come after you in three days!"

Jiang Shuifu was shocked by his words, and a deep sense of powerlessness washed over her. She couldn't fight against him, his power, or his status!

He's right. Even if she leaves, it will be in vain. With his abilities, she can't possibly go very far!

It's simply impossible for me to never see him again in this lifetime!

She slumped down a bit, and tears welled up uncontrollably again. Shen Jizhao didn't wipe away her tears immediately; his hands wandered off without her noticing.

He caressed her soft arms, her slender shoulders, her delicate neck, her beautiful face…

His breath became hot again, like that of a wild beast, and finally, he stopped at her lips.

His fingers initially just lightly touched the corner of her lips, as a form of punishment. Later, he slowly and tentatively moved from the edge of her mouth inwards...

However, he did not succeed. Jiang Shuifu bit his finger, drawing blood as if venting her anger. Her sharp teeth kept grinding, and Shen Jizhao was brought back to his senses by the bite, his eyes returning to normal.

He let her vent her anger, staring at her as always. Strangely, even though it hurt, the discomfort and burning sensation in his body inexplicably subsided!

It's so comfortable!

Jiang Shuifu frowned in disbelief at his appearance, then immediately relented and ran out while he wasn't paying attention.

Finally, she ran into the yard, just a few steps away from escaping completely.

If she wasn't mistaken, that was an expression of enjoyment on his face!

This completely overturned her understanding!

Shen Jizhao, you were too good at pretending before!

It turns out he was a complete madman!

Her heart was in her throat, and she ran faster and faster, but she still couldn't escape!

The man caught up with her, his brows furrowing as he stared intently at her thin dress.

Jiang Shuifu struggled and twisted her body, her wrists deftly wriggling out of his large hand, trying to break free.

Shen Jizhao's gaze was still fixed on her lower body. She was wearing a nightgown, which was rather thin because it was summer. The color of her dress was also light, a girlish pink and white, and her legs could be vaguely seen underneath.

His eyes were dark and darting, his temples throbbed, and then he spoke directly:

"Stop fooling around. You won't be leaving this courtyard tonight. I'm doing this for your own good. Otherwise, you'll regret it."

Jiang Shuifu was furious, her eyes bloodshot, and she pounded her fists on his chest, refuting his domineering attitude:

"Shen Jizhao, my biggest regret is meeting you! Do you still think you're my everything? I have to agree to everything I do, I have to make you happy, what gives you the right! I should just be the ground, to be trampled on by you!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Jizhao's veins bulged again, his blood vessels throbbing and pulsating dramatically. He clenched his back teeth, his anger unsatisfied, and his lips also suffered. He tried his best to control his rage, and his gaze settled on her dress.

His eyes narrowed, turning somewhat deep.

Next, a loud "rip" exploded clearly throughout the courtyard, echoing repeatedly in her ears.

He actually tore off his robe!

He even carried a robe and walked towards her!

Jiang Shuifu was stunned, and fear rose up again. His appearance was really bad, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he had gone crazy!

She tried to escape again, but Shen Jizhao pulled her to his chest, grabbed her waist, and immediately wrapped her in his robe, locking her up and binding her.

His gaze was sharp as he stared at the terrified woman, wishing she would remain as docile as she was now. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, and he said with a mixture of resentment and helplessness:

"If I were to truly trample upon you, do you think you would still be standing here settling scores with me? I might as well just kidnap you and take you back to the capital right now! What do you think? Can you feel my sincerity?"

A moment ago, she gave him a choice; now, he asked her the same question in return.

This is Shen Jizhao; he always repays others' coercion many times over.

Jiang Shuifu's expression was as still as a stagnant pool, her face already ashen. She loosened her grip, feeling utterly powerless. She ceased struggling, only letting out a slight sneer.

"Ha! Is this how you pursue someone? Your so-called sincerity is just using your status to trap me. How can someone without a heart love? Aren't you afraid I'll never forgive you? Go ahead and try! But I never imagined my first love would be so despicable..."

Unacceptable!

Shen Jizhao's lips were bitten tightly. All the harsh words she had said before were not as hurtful as this. It seemed that she had completely despised him and was no longer willing to struggle. She let him do whatever he wanted because in her eyes, he was worthless!

There's no need to waste any more breath and effort!

In her heart, he had become unrecognizable, no longer the upright and virtuous gentleman she once loved.

He lowered his eyes, but he...

Shen Jizhao suddenly tilted his head and leaned down, his gaze sweeping over her eyebrows and eyes, brushing past the tip of her nose, and chasing after her lips.

This move was completely unexpected. Jiang Shuifu had no time to react. When his lips loomed large in front of her, she could only stare wide-eyed.

In this scene, the man is holding the woman's waist and kissing her. If one did not see the woman's clenched fists and frightened eyes, one would surely think they were a perfect couple.

Shen Jizhao gave a wicked smile, but he... was never a gentleman to begin with!

"Waaaaah!"

A child's cry rang out outside the courtyard, a loud wail that seemed to have scared the soul out of its body, filled with extreme fear and sorrow!

"Oh, sister, sister, she's been hit! Bad guy!"

It turned out to be Mei Bao. Mei Bao came to find Jiang Shui Fu, but she saw this scene before she even went in.

Meibao was too scared to go in. That bad guy was so tall and strong; she couldn't beat him. But what could she do? She didn't want her older sister to die!

"Sister, no, no, don't die! Your little sister is here to save you!"

Meibao's face was covered in water from crying, tears and snot mixed together, and she ran inside while crying.

Her cries were familiar to everyone in the mansion. Soon after, the maids were terrified when they saw what was happening inside. But Jiang Zongnan, Jiang Junyu, Jiang Junyan, and others arrived even before the maids.

Even He Beiqing came!

Just as they arrived, Meibao toddled up to Jiang Shuifu.

Jiang Shuifu had her back to the courtyard gate, while Shen Jizhao tilted his head and saw the whole scene.

He scoffed inwardly. Just as she said, a lot of people had come! How could there be so many people?

He remained in that position, leaned close to her face, inhaled her fragrance, and then withdrew his lips, a few drops of blood clinging to the corner of his lips.

What came into the Jiang family's view was that the man's outer robe had mysteriously disappeared, and Fu'er was wearing a thin nightgown. He forcibly hugged her waist and kissed her passionately. Fu'er could not resist and could only endure it.

Jiang Zongnan assumed that the blood on Shen Jizhao's lips was from him kissing his granddaughter, which made him furious. He was enraged, his eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched tightly. He even swung his cane at Shen Jizhao. He didn't dare to let anyone hit him directly, so he could only use some underhanded methods to teach Shen Jizhao a lesson.

But in reality, Shen Jizhao did not kiss her. He merely used her fragrance to alleviate the effects of the medicine and, unable to control himself, kissed the tears on her face. The blood on his lips was from biting himself.

Shen Jizhao ignored the Jiang family members present who wished they could skin him alive and devour him, and simply explained to Jiang Shuifu in a low voice:

"I brought you red date and ginger soup. I've calculated that today is the first day of your menstrual period, so I didn't let you eat anything cold for the next few days. Also, your skirt is dirty, so you shouldn't go out. If your stomach hurts, call a doctor. I've arranged for all the doctors from Su Yang to come here."

Jiang Shuifu came to her senses and felt a warm current. What about her dress? She touched it and found it was his thick robe, which completely covered her dirty dress.

Shen Jizhao gave a bitter smile, stood up straight, and stared at her without blinking:

"Your tears are salty, you're afraid of me! Even if I lose my mind, I won't hurt you. Why do you always think of me as a beast? I even brought you a storybook, read it if you like."

After saying these words, he knew that this was the last time he would come to the Jiang residence for a while, and that he would probably be kicked out afterward.

Therefore, after he passed Jiang Shuifu, he turned back and solemnly told her:

"I dare not. I want you to willingly fall in love with me again and come back to my side. I want both your body and your heart!"

She said that if he forcibly tied her up...

He wouldn't! Or rather, he wouldn't dare to do that!

She was already avoiding him like the plague. If he did something like this again, she probably wouldn't even look at him again!

He will win her heart back fair and square!

Because of his status, no matter how angry or furious the people present were, or how much they wanted to stab him to death, they were helpless, otherwise they would risk the lives of everyone in the Jiang family.

Jiang Zongnan wanted to beat him to death, but the men around him held him back with all their might.

As he passed He Beiqing, he gave him a meaningful look, his eyes flashing with sharpness and aggression.

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Author's note: It's not that he's afraid, it's that his sense of crisis isn't strong enough. The next step is to make him dare.