"Power?"

Ye Jinghong was stunned.

“Yes.” Shen Zhiyi nodded. “In this world, true feelings change in an instant, and everything is like sand slipping through our fingers, fleeting and gone in a flash.”

"For example, the marriage between the Ye and Chen families can be changed to the eldest sister, it's just a matter of someone else's word."

"Power is something that cannot be refused."

"All I've ever wanted in my life is this peace of mind that no one can take away from me."

She paused for a moment, then said, "My personality is probably not what Young Master Ye imagines."

"Since the Prime Minister's residence and the Ye family intend to match you with your elder sister, and you have tacitly agreed to it, then you should live a good life with your elder sister."

"There's no need to think about anything else."

After she finished speaking, she walked past him and left.

Ye Jinghong stood frozen in place.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly turned around and chased after her.

...

Shen Zhiyi returned to the courtyard of the Zen room.

She looked up and saw Yan Zhuoxu's tightly closed door.

She lowered her eyes in thought.

If you want to express your gratitude to him, you should change to the flowing cloud brocade; it will show that your sincerity.

With that thought in mind, she turned and walked towards her room.

I just pushed the door open.

A hand suddenly reached out from the shadows and pulled her inside!

The world spun around.

The wooden door slammed shut.

A large hand covered her lips firmly, silencing her gasp.

His other hand was across her waist.

He pressed her down between his broad, warm embrace and the cold door panel.

In her fright, Shen Zhiyi smelled a familiar scent of agarwood and styrax.

It was a unique scent that belonged to him, both serene and intense.

My fingertips touched the corner of the uniquely textured kasaya robe.

Her tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

It is Yan Zhuoxu.

“Hmm…” She looked up at the face hidden in the shadows.

But he met a pair of unfathomable eyes.

His eyes, usually calm and still, now seemed to be burning with a dark fire, scorching hot, almost piercing through her.

Yan Zhuoxu leaned closer, his figure completely enveloping him.

That voice, which was always reassuring with chanting and mantras, was now terribly hoarse, each word seeming to be ground from the throat, carrying a scalding, dangerous aura that seemed on the verge of spiraling out of control.

"Finished catching up?"

Shen Zhiyi's breathing suddenly became rapid.

Her red lips exhaled, as if she wanted to call his name.

Her soft lips moved in his palm.

Yan Zhuoxu's eyes darkened.

Let go.

The large hand pressed against her waist held her firmly, with a punitive force, like an iron clamp restraining her, pressing her even closer to him.

“M-Master…” Shen Zhiyi’s face flushed slightly, and she turned her head away. “You’re standing too close…”

"close?"

Yan Zhuoxu took her wrist, slowly circled it behind his back, crossed it, and held it with one large hand.

She was then fully revealed to him.

Soft, with no room for resistance.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

Staring at the taut lines of her long, slender neck, a faint light climbed up and illuminated a line of pale white.

His gaze suddenly darkened like a deep pool.

She said quietly, "When you greeted Ye Jinghong, you didn't keep much distance from him either."

"What, now that it's my turn, you know how to maintain distance?"

His voice was low, a soft rustling sound in my ear.

It felt light and airy, yet inexplicably carried a sense of oppressive questioning.

Shen Zhiyi lowered her eyelashes.

Before he could explain, Ye Jinghong's voice suddenly came from the doorway.

"Second Miss, I've kept everything you just said in mind."

"If you want power, I will fight for it for you."

“Your personality has indeed greatly exceeded my expectations.” He stood outside the door, clenching his fist, and said with a burst of courage, “But I still admire you.”

"No, I appreciate it even more!"

“You’re right. In this life, one should not be coerced into doing things against one’s conscience that one will later regret.”

"I will definitely work hard to stand in a position where I am not manipulated by others."

"That's a place that's worthy of you."

"Would you still be willing to come to my side then?"

Dead silence.

A suffocating silence.

Shen Zhiyi felt the force restraining her wrists suddenly increase, pressing against her waist and pushing her into that broad embrace.

He used his other hand to climb up the back of her neck, pinching the side of her neck and forcing her to tilt her head back.

"I can kick him out of the capital with just one word."

His voice was deep and cold, carrying a terrifying chill.

Even his eyes were covered in frost.

Shen Zhiyi trembled involuntarily and shrank her neck.

Yan Zhuoxu smiled, his movements suddenly slowing down as he slowly stroked the back of her neck.

Why aren't you answering?

The finger bones traveled upwards, climbing along her jawline to reach her lips.

The rough fingertips brought out a tingling, numb sensation.

This made Shen Zhiyi tremble slightly.

"I..." She parted her lips slightly, and the thumb pushed open her lips and teeth, intruding inside.

Press down on her tongue.

She couldn't even utter a single word when called.

Shen Zhiyi's watery eyes suddenly widened.

"Second Miss?" Ye Jinghong received no response and felt a chill in his heart. "I understand what Second Miss means."

"But I won't give up!"

He suddenly said, "I dare to ask Miss Ye to wait for me for a year."

"A year from now, I will definitely be qualified to become the bright moon that the Second Miss yearns for."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left.

A cold laugh escaped Yan Zhuoxu's lips. "Heh."

He withdrew his thumb, gripped Shen Zhiyi's chin, and stared at her like a wild beast.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!