Chapter 23 (This last part is a fragment and doesn't translate directly. It likely refers to a specific chapter or chapter.)

Before Xia Guang was transferred here, Granny Shen specifically summoned her and gave her some careful instructions, especially emphasizing the matters of women's health and offspring. She then knew that Qing'er had probably gained the favor of the Third Master and her status was no longer what it used to be.

I don't know what rank I'll be given in the future, but Qing'er is Third Master's first woman, and our relationship will be different in the future. I think that if I follow Qing'er, my future will be secured.

Seeing that Qing'er was somewhat distant from her, Xia Guang didn't quite understand, but she served her with even more caution and care.

When she supported Qing'er, she felt that Qing'er's body was soft and weak, and her steps were unsteady. It was exactly the way Shen Mama had instructed her to be. She dared not think too deeply about how the Third Master, with his dignified and stern nature, had been so rough and careless in bed last night, causing such a delicate girl to become weak and exhausted overnight. How could she endure it tomorrow?

Xia Guang smiled and stepped forward to help her up: "Miss, are you hungry? Perfect timing, the food is already laid out."

After her bath, Meng Qingci resembled a lotus emerging from the water, sitting gracefully before her dressing table. She loosely styled her hair with only two pomegranate-shaped hairpins inlaid with broken glass and precious stones. A floral-patterned silk robe complemented her purple silk skirt with its emerald patterns, exuding an air of languid elegance. Only her eyes held a subtle, almost imperceptible, allure, adding a touch of captivating beauty and charm.

Xia Guang was captivated and sighed inwardly: No wonder even the Third Master, who is usually indifferent to women, was charmed. In this outfit, he looked even more noble and elegant than the proper young lady of Biqiong Garden.

Meng Qingci saw a small bowl of plain noodles, a pot of Immortal's Luan (chicken stewed in milk sauce), a plate of goose pickle (goose meat marinated in wine), a dish of Snow Cloud Soup (tofu with hibiscus flowers), a dish of roasted bamboo shoots, chicken oil rolls, a bowl of bird's nest porridge, and her favorite almond milk, lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake, totaling eighteen or nineteen dishes.

The food looked quite appetizing, and she was indeed very hungry. After only two bites, she found it tasted like chewing wax. She forced herself to eat a few more bites before putting down her chopsticks.

Seeing that she ate very little, Xia Guang hurriedly asked, "Is it not to your liking? Miss, just tell me what you want to eat, and I'll have them make it and send it over." She then quickly added, "Third Master specifically instructed that whatever Miss asks for, we must do our best to accommodate you and not neglect you."

"You're so thoughtful, remembering my tastes. These are all my favorite dishes, but I really don't have much of an appetite." Meng Qingci waved her hand impatiently, "Let's hurry up and leave the manor."

Xia Guang noticed the dark circles under her eyes and her pale face. Knowing that she was eager to leave the manor and had already received instructions from the Third Master, she stopped trying to persuade her and simply nodded in agreement, instructing the servants to quickly get everything ready.

The bundle that Qing'er left at Shaoguang Courtyard that day has already been sent over. As for the rest of the things, we'll get them as needed once we get there.

Xia Guang fetched a brocade cloud-patterned cloak, draped it over Meng Qingci, carefully put on the hood, and wrapped her up tightly before helping her out the door.

The carriage rumbled forward, its hooves clattering. As she listened to the vendors' calls rising outside, Meng Qingci's suppressed emotions eased slightly. With this, she was completely free from the Marquis of Anyi's mansion and no longer needed to return.

She lifted the carriage curtain with great interest and looked out for a moment, feeling that the sky was clear and the clouds were white and fluffy, and that most of her gloomy mood had dissipated. After a while, she slowly lowered the curtain.

"From now on... you don't need to go back to the First Madam's place anymore?" Meng Qingci asked Xia Guang, who was sitting opposite her, in a seemingly casual tone, but in reality, she was testing her, wanting to know what Fu Heng really meant to her.

Upon hearing this, Xia Guang immediately sat up straight and replied solemnly, "Thanks to Miss, I will serve you from now on and will no longer need to return to the main house."

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingci's eyes darkened, her heart sinking into a mix of emotions. Fu Heng was willing to sacrifice a pawn, sending Xia Guang from the First Madam's quarters to take care of her; she wondered what his intentions were. She could only suppress her thoughts and avoid delving into the deeper meaning behind Xia Guang's words.

She is still in poor health and needs to rest for a few days. Besides, if she wants to leave the capital, she still needs to rely on Fu Heng, so for now she can only take it one step at a time.

The carriage traveled all the way to the three-courtyard residence owned by Song Bojian and came to a smooth stop. Xia Guang then carefully helped her out of the carriage.

A three-courtyard house within the inner city of the capital starts at 1,500 taels of silver. This house originally belonged to a lecturer at the Imperial Academy, where three generations of his family lived. When the old lecturer retired, his children and grandchildren had not achieved official success, so he had no choice but to sell the ancestral house and return to his hometown.

Good houses in the inner city are hard to find and highly sought after. This elegant three-courtyard house was something Song Bojian managed to find by spending money and using connections. Song Bojian originally thought Meng Qingci would live there herself, so he specially had it renovated and furnished with a lot of fine furniture. Even the flower garden was carefully designed to be fresh and elegant.

Meng Qingci used to serve Fu Jingyu and rarely got to go out. After buying this place, she didn't explore it carefully.

Seeing the deep courtyard, with colorful lanterns hanging on the corridors, and lush greenery behind the vase-shaped door, a secluded paradise awaited her. Just as she was about to wander around, Xia Guang gently persuaded her to stop: "Miss, you are still unwell. Third Master has already invited a doctor to wait, and he has been waiting for quite some time. It would be best if the doctor examined you first. If there is nothing wrong, Third Master will be at ease. You are welcome to explore this house whenever you wish."

Meng Qingci sighed softly and did not refuse. If it weren't for the ten years of hardship she endured in the Marquis's mansion that had instilled in her a suspicious nature, Fu Heng's meticulous and thoughtful manner would have truly moved her to tears.

Meanwhile, the old imperial physician waiting in the main hall must have been waiting for quite some time. When Meng Qingci and Xia Guang entered, they saw him sitting upright in his chair, dozing off, his head nodding and his body swaying, looking rather amusing and quite amusing.

Xia Guang hurriedly went forward to call him. The old doctor, Liu, woke up and complained impatiently, "What kind of important person is he that made this old man wait so long?"

Xia Guang smiled apologetically and explained, "Please forgive me, the young lady is weak and frail, and the journey was delayed, which is why she is late."

Old Doctor Liu twitched his beard and frowned: "Hurry up! Such a young girl, yet her health is so poor, what a pity."

The old physician, Liu, with his pregnant belly, sat down opposite Meng Qingci. He squinted, two fingers resting steadily on her wrist, while he slowly stroked his beard with the other, looking somewhat like a scholar.

Looking at the old man's ruddy complexion and his somewhat comical head-shaking manner, Meng Qingci felt her gloom lessen a bit.

After about half a cup of tea's time, Physician Liu withdrew his hand and sighed, "This is utter nonsense! How can 'inseparable affection' be abused like this? At such a young age, how can he not cherish his own body!"

Meng Qingci's heart stirred slightly. This old doctor was indeed quite skilled, able to discern the truth from the pulse alone.

Xia Guang asked anxiously from the side, "The young lady is weak. What kind of nourishing medicine do you think she needs? Just use the best medicine and make sure to take good care of her."

"Supplement? Supplement what!" Upon hearing the word "supplement," Old Doctor Liu's narrowed eyes widened instantly, his mustache almost sticking up to the sky. Only then did he see Meng Qingci's stunningly beautiful face clearly, but her bright eyes were unfocused, her lips were pale, and her face was weary. He couldn't help but slam his hand on the table and shout, "Tsk tsk tsk! That old man who's had his fill of lust is truly unacceptable! Even if he's desperate for a child, there's no reason for him to treat a woman like this! Your master is like an old ox gnawing on tender grass, not knowing how to cherish a beautiful woman? Look at how this girl has been abused by him, her vitality is severely damaged, she's almost dead! Tell him to rein himself in! If he continues like this, he'll develop a chronic illness, and it will be too late to regret it!"

Old Doctor Liu sighed helplessly again, shaking his head and lamenting, "This scoundrel's temperament is just like his father's! He'll get what's coming to him sooner or later!"

"What a lousy old man! He's spouting nonsense and has no respect for his elders. Get him out of here right now!" Meng Qingci's expression changed drastically as he heard him speaking more and more offensively. He abruptly got up and went to the inner room.

"What an ungrateful brat!" Old Doctor Liu never expected her to suddenly turn hostile. He was so angry that he nearly fell over, his beard trembling. He grabbed his medicine box, slung it over his shoulder, angrily flicked his sleeve, and strode out the door.

Xia Guang hurriedly chased after him, carefully offering words of comfort along the way. After repeatedly receiving confirmation that "no medicine is needed," she saw the old doctor out the door before turning back.

Seeing that the door was tightly closed, Xia Guang called out to Qing'er several times, but received no response. She had no choice but to call a maid to guard the door while she went to make the arrangements.

Meng Qingci hadn't had a proper rest, and this ordeal had left her completely exhausted. She ignored the old man's ramblings, closed the door, and fell into a deep sleep.

In his dreams, he was filled with shameful and unbearable scenes of entanglement. Occasionally, that familiar yet blurry face would appear—he was clearly sitting upright in a wheelchair, yet the two of them were intertwined.

In her dream, she was filled with an overwhelming, shy eagerness, and the man, just like countless times before, refused her, patiently coaxing and nagging her with those long-winded principles she had grown tired of since childhood. No matter how much she acted coquettishly and stubbornly, he remained unmoved.

Her eyes reddened, filled with utter grievance. She felt she had suffered so much at the Marquis of Anyi's mansion, yet he remained heartless. He had lost both legs to save her, yet he wouldn't show her any tenderness. She felt utterly heartbroken, her whole body turned cold, and for the first time, she felt her heart had died completely.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already broad daylight. She was like a drowning person being dragged ashore, her whole body drenched in sweat. Her soft, moist skin was enveloped in the sweetness of spring, sticky and sluggish, her skin swollen and unusually sensitive. Recalling the absurd dream of the previous night, she couldn't help but frown.

Suddenly, a self-deprecating smirk appeared on his lips: Now that her soul had transmigrated to this world, she could never return. Her original physical body had probably already decayed, and the two were now forever separated by death, with no possibility of anything more. In any case, it had fulfilled his wish.

She thought this "unbreakable bond" was truly domineering, making her will weak and taking advantage of her vulnerability, constantly reminding her of that person.

Just as Meng Qingci was gazing blankly at the top of the ruyi-patterned blue silk tent, Xia Guang called to her from outside: "Miss, are you awake? You didn't eat anything yesterday. If you don't get up and eat something, you might hurt your spleen and stomach."

Meng Qingci then slipped on her shoes barefoot. She gathered her half-open inner garment to cover the lotus-colored embroidered crabapple bodice underneath, removed the latch, and Xia Guang's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

Meng Qingci had just finished washing her hair, changing her clothes, and having breakfast when a maid came in to report: "Miss, Miss Zifu from the Marquis's residence is outside requesting an audience."

“Now that you’ve left that place, why see it again? Seeing old friends will only bring sadness and cause you trouble.” Xia Guang gently advised from the side. According to Third Master, the young lady should have no further connection with the Marquis’s mansion, and she was determined to stop it.

After washing her hands and brushing her teeth, Meng Qingci pondered, "If I don't see her, she'll have a hard time reporting back. Oh well, it doesn't affect me, so why make things difficult for her?" Unexpectedly, before Fu Heng arrived, Zi Fu came first.

Xia Guang's heart softened. Knowing that Qing'er was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and kind-hearted at heart, and that she had helped her in the same way before, she stopped trying to persuade her and ordered her men to lead her to the flower hall.

Zi Fu stepped into the flower hall with trepidation and saw a gilded screen with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemums painted in gold. On the display shelf were exquisite and lifelike mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquer plates, brightly colored narrow-mouthed underglaze red porcelain, and polychrome porcelain. Even though she was used to seeing fine things around the young lady and had some knowledge, she couldn't help but be amazed.

Zi Fu was secretly astonished: this small courtyard, seemingly understated in its furnishings, revealed a luxurious elegance upon closer inspection, clearly the result of years of work. Then she thought again, the Third Master had been away from the capital for a long time, and even his Wuheng Mountain Villa in the Marquis's mansion was said to be simple, with even the old lady's cherished belongings having been given away. Yet he was willing to go to such lengths for Qing'er…

While she was lost in thought, she looked up and saw Qing'er emerge from behind the gilded screen depicting plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums.

"Qing'er, it's so good to see you're alright. You have no idea how worried I was about you." The moment she saw Qing'er, she put aside her thoughts, her voice choked with emotion, and her eyes reddened. Overwhelmed with emotion, she reached out to take Meng Qingci's hand. However, when her gaze fell upon the other's aura, she stopped abruptly in her tracks.

When Qing'er was serving the eldest young lady, she was the most favored among the four first-class maids, enjoying the finest food, clothing, and daily necessities. The young master and young lady treated her with great affection. But even so, it was nothing compared to her current situation!

The brocade of her floral and cloud-patterned skirt alone cost ten taels of silver per inch; its material and craftsmanship were beyond even the finest young ladies. Her jewelry and hairpins were equally exquisite and valuable.

Zi Fu never expected that the Third Master would value her so much and care about her so much!

A closer look at Qing'er's eyes and expression reveals a stark contrast to her former self as a servant. At this moment, let alone any other young lady, even the most revered Princess of Lin'an would likely pale in comparison to her dignified and noble bearing. She was once like a pearl hidden in dust, but now, her brilliance shines through, revealing her true beauty.

"Sit down and talk. I'm fine, so don't cry anymore." Meng Qingci knew that she couldn't hide her thoughts and wouldn't lie. She was genuinely worried about her. Fu Jingyu also knew that only Zi Fu could move her heart; the young lady was still scheming.

Zi Fu took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes, her face flushed with embarrassment: "I hate that I found out too late, and I hate that I was powerless to do anything about it."

Meng Qingci didn't want to hear her bring up the past, so she reminded her, "I am no longer Qing'er, a servant in the Marquis's mansion. My surname is now Meng and my given name is Qingci. You can call me Qingci."

Zi Fu quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Qing Ci, things are great now. You've got this good fortune, and you'll have a place to settle down in the future. It's just a pity for the young master..."

Meng Qingci's face turned cold. Zi Fu stopped talking and nervously rubbed her handkerchief. She had never known that Qing'er's cold face was so intimidating. No wonder the troublesome and slippery old woman in Biqiong Garden was afraid of her.

Seeing Zi Fu's appearance, Meng Qingci sighed: "What brings you here? Speak plainly! You cannot leave the manor without the master's permission."

Zi Fu was in turmoil, her words incoherent, all because she didn't know how to bring it up. When Qing'er mentioned it, she hurriedly explained, "The eldest young lady sent me to apologize. She was forced into this situation and had long considered you a confidante, hoping you could understand her difficulties. Fortunately, you are safe and sound now, which is a great blessing. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just go to her, and she will never refuse you."

Meng Qingci closed her eyes slightly, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "She really is scheming! Go back and tell her that although I was a servant, I believed I treated her with utmost sincerity and had a clear conscience. Now that we've parted ways, there's no need for her to worry about me anymore. As the Crown Princess, why should she be so careful and guard against such an insignificant character like me?"

Was sending Zi Fu to investigate the truth out of fear of her retaliation, or to continue using her?

Zi Fu's face flushed red with embarrassment. She hadn't known what had happened at the time, but she'd found out afterward. Unfortunately, her entire family was in the hands of the young lady and young master, and she had no choice but to obey her master's orders. She managed to swallow her pride and finish her pretense, feeling utterly humiliated in front of Qing'er.

Feeling utterly ashamed, she dared not meet Qing'er's clear and bright eyes. She quickly bowed, took her leave, and departed.

Seeing that her expression seemed genuine, Xia Guang also felt a pang of pity: "Zi Fu looks like she's heartbroken."

Meng Qingci said coldly, "It's good to be heartbroken. When you're heartbroken, you won't dwell on it anymore, and it's good to go back and report."

Xia Guang couldn't help but think that she was fortunate enough to serve Qing'er. Oh, now she was Meng Qingci.

Zi Fu stepped out of the three-courtyard house, wiping away the tears on her face. She looked back at the unmarked black lacquered wooden door, turned around, and boarded the Marquis's carriage.

Inside the carriage, Chunxi saw her return, her eyes red and her face still wet with tears. She hurriedly asked, "What did she say? Did she convey everything Master instructed?"

Zi Fu slightly tucked her chin, raised the corners of her eyes, glanced at Yun Jian, and her eyes were colder than Meng Qingci had ever seen: "Don't you know her personality? She was never warm to me, and now that she's left the Marquis's mansion, she won't give anyone face. She won't even let me finish speaking before kicking me out."

“The young master treats her so well, even better than us. And he’s such a charming man, what more could she possibly want? How could she be so heartless! What an ingrate!” Chunxi frowned and complained, “How are we going to explain this to the young master? That Qing’er is so ungrateful.”

"You should just tell the truth." Zi Fu sneered. "Let me give you a piece of advice: it's fine if you say something insolent in front of me, but if the young master hears it when we get back, even the young lady won't be able to protect you. She'll make you suffer! Have you forgotten Jinping's lesson so quickly?"

Chunxi turned her head away warily, pursing her lips. Her face still showed resentment, but she couldn't help but argue, "What did I say wrong? She's a vixen! A shameless slut! As the eldest young lady's maid, she even dared to seduce the eldest young lady's third uncle! She abandons the eldest young master when she sees power, defying morality and shamelessness. Where does that leave the eldest branch of the family?"

"Whatever you say." Zi Fu leaned against the carriage wall, closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, sighing inwardly: This ordeal is finally over. In the future, she and Qing'er will be separated by mountains and rivers, but she will follow the eldest young lady into the Eastern Palace. In this life... she may never see her again.

Meanwhile, Fu Heng has been quite busy these past two days. As the governor of Fujian and Guangdong, he is not allowed to enter the capital without an imperial edict. When his grandmother, Madam Fu, passed away, His Majesty did not grant him permission to observe the mourning period and still ordered him to remain in Fujian and Guangdong.

This trip to the capital, ostensibly for his niece's wedding, is not only to meet with former members of aristocratic families, but also to personally arrange important matters, while simultaneously needing to navigate the court.

In the study of Fu Chenghuai, the eldest master of the Marquis of Anyi's mansion, Fu Chenghuai put down his teacup: "Leaving in just a few days? So hastily? Why not wait until Yu'er and the Crown Prince are married before you go?"

"No, thank you." Fu Heng shook his head. "An urgent report has arrived from Minzhou, and there may be enemy trouble. I need to return in person to take charge. Besides, the Crown Prince is not a good match. I will personally commend Yu-jie in the future."

Fu Chenghuai sighed, "Is it really necessary to take this step?"

“Yan An is just like you, hesitant and indecisive! Years of planning, success or failure hinges on this one move. How many lives are tied to this? If you back down, not only will your subordinates not tolerate it, but even if your superiors find out, all your efforts will be in vain. How can the Fu family survive? Do you think your mother's revenge will end with just avenging her against a vulgar woman?” Fu Heng raised his narrow eyes to look at him, scoffing coldly, his voice laced with sarcasm: “What? Do you really think you're the Crown Prince's father-in-law, getting all cocky?”

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Fu Chenghuai glared at him and scolded, "How dare you mention Yan An? Uncle and nephew fighting over a woman, what kind of talk is that? If you ask me, that woman is a source of trouble, it's better to end things as soon as possible."

Fu Heng sneered: "Your good son has been played with by a woman for years. It is you and your father who should reflect on your actions. You don't need to worry about my affairs."

Fu Chenghuai was speechless for a moment, and after a long silence, he said in a low voice, "I'm afraid you will follow in his footsteps. The Fu family cannot produce another one like him."

The two brothers knew perfectly well who this "he" was. Fu Heng glanced at Fu Chenghuai meaningfully, curled his lips into a sneer, and turned and walked away.

Because Fu Heng was tied up with official duties, Meng Qingci stayed here for two days without seeing him. She was happy to be free, but with each passing day, the torment of the night became even harder to endure.

At first, it only happened in her dreams, called the Dream of Lost Love. But by the third day, it had become more and more intense, even worse than the day she first experienced the "Unbreakable Love".

No one was left to keep watch in Meng Qingci's room at night. The candlelight was dim, amplifying all her senses. The candlelight cast many shadows, and the curtains swayed. She lay prostrate on the bed, trying to exhaust all her shallow understanding of the matter, but still could not relieve the bone-chilling restlessness.

She remembered her stubbornness that day, which allowed her to endure the night. But today, if there were a man here, whoever he was, she feared she would find it difficult to control herself.

Whether heaven heard her heart's desire or not, Fu Heng... actually returned.

Fu Heng returned under the moonlight, pushing open the door and entering, his clothes heavy with dew and frost. He was still the same as when they first met, wearing that scarlet pheasant-patterned official robe. The warm yellow candlelight flickered, casting varying shades of light and shadow on his otherwise cold and aloof face, unexpectedly sculpting a sense of uprightness and refinement.

He hooked his toe over the round stool, lifted his robe, and sat upright, facing the bed. His posture was imposing, his hands resting on his knees, his gaze calm and still, like a Buddhist monk who observes his heart with lowered eyes, detached from worldly desires and observing the precepts.

Beneath the bed, elaborate dresses lay scattered and piled up like clouds. The faint candlelight shone through the gossamer-thin gauze curtains, revealing a graceful curve, slender yet full-figured.

Hearing the sound, Meng Qingci turned to the side, her undergarment half-open, revealing a lotus-colored bodice with large, unrestrained crabapple blossoms on it. The crabapple blossoms seemed to bloom brightly on her jade-like skin, the jade color radiating spring, the crabapple blossoms lying drunk, breathtakingly beautiful, full of captivating and alluring charm.

Her long, shapely legs, like smooth jade porcelain, were partially revealed beneath her undergarments, shimmering with a pure, lustrous sheen. Her beautiful eyes, when they looked over, were captivating and misty, revealing delicate, slender shoulders, a picture of a begonia intoxicated by the moon, exuding a lingering, alluring charm.

Fu Heng had excellent eyesight, taking in the natural, captivating charm she exuded at that moment. His deep voice, tinged with indulgence, was like a spring breeze caressing the strings of a zither: "Are you feeling unwell?"

“You know perfectly well.” Meng Qingci bit her lip lightly, glaring at him with a look that was both reproachful and angry. The word “nonsense” almost slipped out of her mouth—he clearly knew everything, yet he insisted on sitting here watching her make a fool of herself, and even toying with her like this.

She recalled what the old doctor Liu had said and roughly understood that this "unbreakable bond" would be difficult to endure without being reconciled and relieved. She had already endured it for several days. Today, she had neither nightmares nor hallucinations. She was completely and clearly immersed in the abyss of depravity, with no end in sight.

"What do you know?" Fu Hengwan chuckled. Seeing that she no longer used respectful titles or referred to herself as a servant, she must have been pushed to the limit.

Meng Qingci, drained of all her energy by the surging dopamine, lay weakly on the bed, saying, "You're despicable."

Fu Heng chuckled softly, his voice like a gentle melody, soothing the soul: "Good girl, you didn't say this just a few days ago. Back then, you said you had feelings for me and were grateful for my kindness. How come you've turned your back on me after only a few days?"

Meng Qingci's eyes widened suddenly, not expecting him to use her words against her. She had been too naive, forgetting that someone like Fu Heng, who had navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for so many years, would never engage in a losing proposition.

Her chest heaved with anger, and she spat out a curse, her voice soft and seductive: "Everyone praises you for inheriting your grandfather's integrity and uprightness, for being self-disciplined and respectful, and for despising lust. I thought you were a righteous and upright person, but I never imagined your methods would be so despicable and vile."

Fu Heng didn't take it to heart and frankly admitted, "Didn't I tell you to hear everything that day? There's no one clean in this Marquis's mansion. But throughout history, among those who have navigated the officialdom, have you ever seen anyone who is truly clean?"

Meng Qingci crossed her arms over her chest. She felt a shiver run through her bones, a sense of shame at being betrayed by her body. Her breathing was rapid, and her panting carried a hint of coquettishness.

Fu Heng sat there upright, motionless, his long, deep eyes fixed on her, clear yet with a hint of seduction: "What do you want? Tell me."

Meng Qingci's fingertips dug into the mattress as she gritted her teeth and said, "Get out and call in any of your servants."

Fu Heng's jaw tightened imperceptibly, his anger surging within him. He was furious that she would rather submit to a lowly position than bow down to him.

"Why?" His voice deepened, carrying a hint of danger. "Could it be that I am not good enough for you?"

Meng Qingci had no intention of arguing with him. She only instinctively felt that once the line was crossed, it would be difficult to extricate herself. Her voice trembled with anger: "You did this on purpose..." Now, looking back at the details, there were clues to follow.

Fu Heng: "If I didn't have that intention towards you, why would I help you? I'm not some benevolent, meddlesome bodhisattva."

Meng Qingci didn't want to provoke him, and she was still resentful, so she deliberately provoked him: "Have you no shame? I used to be your niece's person, we're from different generations! I'm still young!"

Fu Heng didn't respond, but suddenly stood up, his tall figure looming over him as he looked down at him with an undeniable air of authority: "Besides me, who here dares to touch you?"

After speaking, he seemed to have no more regrets and turned to walk towards the door.

"You bastard, come back here!" Meng Qingci hurriedly got off the bed, stumbled and staggered forward, grabbing his arm: "You've gone too far."

Fu Heng lowered his eyes and saw that her body was as smooth as flawless jade. Because she was so eager and had no covering, she clung to him, her plump body swaying with every movement. Her satin black hair was disheveled and scattered, exuding an alluring charm that made people want to trample and ravage her.

Their hot breaths mingled, an undercurrent of passion stirring within them. He raised his hand and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her temple, his slender eyes still holding a cold, ascetic gaze as he asked her, "What do you want? Tell me yourself."

Meng Qingci felt humiliated and found it hard to speak; she had never imagined that she would have to give herself up under such circumstances.

Before she transmigrated, that man didn't want her, but now, facing Fu Heng, which woman would like a dark old man steeped in feudal lust for power?

Fu Heng pressed his thumb heavily against her lips, rubbing them repeatedly, his gaze fixed on her without moving.

Meng Qingci's eyes welled up with tears, her gaze suddenly glistening with emotion. Her voice choked with sobs as she looked up and stammered, "I need you, I beg you, help me."

Fu Heng stopped pressuring her, tightened his grip, and suddenly scooped her up in his arms, turning and striding towards the bed in the inner room. He placed the delicate woman in his arms between the brocade quilts, leaned down, and pressed down on her. His fingertips pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him, and his tone was deep and solemn: "Remember, this is something you asked for yourself, I never forced you."

Meng Qingci stubbornly turned her face away, and a tear rolled down her cheek silently.

Her smooth, rounded toes, like pearls and jade, were constantly curling up due to spasms. She thought herself worldly-wise, but this was horrifying and unbearable. The two of them were completely mismatched.

Fu Heng used to despise matters of passion and lust, and especially abhorred matters concerning his parents. He never imagined that he would be unable to resist a woman, especially one as unruly and unrestrained as her.

Seeing how she could bewitch and manipulate men of all kinds, he wanted to keep her by his side even more, to make her see only him, and to make all her joys, sorrows, anger, and infatuation stem from him. He despised his own shamefulness, yet he couldn't suppress his desire to possess her.

Everyone called this the ultimate pleasure in life, but little did they know that it would make him lose control of his emotions, find endless delight, and willingly become a captive under her control.

The delicate and alluring sobs made him lose his composure, his heart tremble, and he almost collapsed and suffered a complete defeat.

Meng Qingci found him rude and shoved his shoulder, but he remained unmoved, which only made him more domineering.

He seemed tireless and insatiable. She cried until her eyes were red and her voice was hoarse. Her stubbornness was crushed and turned into a pool of water, flowing endlessly. She was overwhelmed with shame and anger and could only lower her head and beg him to let her go.

"Bear with it, and you'll get better." He leaned down and gently kissed the corner of her moist eyes, his fingertips softly wiping away the fine beads of sweat on her forehead. He spoke soothingly and gently, as if he were a completely different person, showing the utmost patience. If she weren't so unable to break free from his control and allow him to manipulate her at will, she would have believed his lies.

After the passion subsided, Fu Heng carelessly wrapped her tightly in his crimson official robe, picked her up, and carried her straight to the bathroom. A fleeting glance at the faint red stain on the disheveled bedsheets filled him with an indescribable sense of pleasure.

Xia Guang came in to tidy up and was shocked to see that Fu Heng had wrapped Meng Qingci in his official robe, with only a slender ankle exposed, bearing several clear red marks. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to look closely, and quickly went around to the inner room.

She thought to herself: When has Third Master ever cherished anyone like this? If the mistress of the house were to see this in the future, how could she possibly tolerate it?

The moment she stepped into the inner room, a lingering, alluring scent wafted over her, making her dizzy and flushed. She held her breath, her hands moving swiftly, but the mess on the bed made her ears burn and her face turn red. The quilt was disheveled, the pillows and mattresses were a mess, and there were traces of their passionate encounter everywhere. She dared not look any longer, quickly tidied up the mess, and then retreated with her head down as if fleeing.

Fu Heng was originally going to serve Meng Qingci during her bath. He was not a man without restraint, and he also pitied her young age. However, after a while, he could not resist the burning desire that consumed him. When passion reached its peak, it raged like a raging storm.

The next morning, Fu Heng looked radiant, except for two bright red fingernail scratches on his cheek that were particularly noticeable. Meng Qingci sat wrapped in the quilt, her whole body aching and unable to get up, looking at him with resentment in her eyes.

Even with his thick skin, Fu Heng felt a little embarrassed by her direct gaze. He coughed lightly, shifted his gaze slightly, and spoke in a dry tone, "I was really impetuous yesterday, please forgive me."

Meng Qingci didn't respond, only coldly watching him deftly straighten his clothes, remaining silent from beginning to end until he turned and left.

After barely managing to eat some breakfast, he summoned Xia Guang and casually ordered, "Go and make me a bowl of contraceptive soup."

Xia Guang was shocked upon hearing this, her face changed drastically, and she waved her hands repeatedly: "Miss, you mustn't do that. If I dare to make a decision on my own and grant your request, and the Third Master finds out, I will be beaten to death."

Meng Qingci sighed and could only coax her, "We both come from the Marquis's mansion, so we naturally understand. How can a son born out of wedlock be born before the legal mother has even entered the family?"

Xia Guang was in a dilemma. The girl's words made perfect sense, but working for the Third Master, it was a serious crime for subordinates to act on their own without his instructions.

"What's wrong?" Mo Song saw Xia Guang come out of the main house with a long face and kindly asked, "Didn't you beg to come out of the manor to serve me? Now that you've finally gotten what you wanted, why are you looking so gloomy?" As he spoke, he gestured with his chin toward the main house and lowered his voice, "Could it be that the master inside has a bad temper and is difficult to serve?"

Both of them were servants of the Marquis's household, and they were childhood sweethearts. Xia Guang was able to leave Dafang through Mo Song's connections.

Xia Guang glanced at him lightly and said, "Don't talk nonsense! Although the young lady values ​​rules, she never mistreats her servants."

"Then why do you look like this?" Mo Song became increasingly curious. He genuinely found it strange. Back in the brokerage firm, he had witnessed that person's impressive appearance. Today, seeing his master with two bright red marks on her face, he realized that she was not someone easy to meet. So why did Xia Guang think she was a good person?

Xia Guang pulled Mo Song under the shade of the tree and whispered the whole story.

Mo Song frowned upon hearing this: "Luckily you didn't do anything foolish! The master's expression clearly showed how much he cherished him. If you had offended him, you wouldn't have fared well." He lowered his voice and said solemnly, "Be careful. I think that person might have ulterior motives."

Xia Guang's eyes widened in surprise: "You mean, the young lady is unwilling, unwilling..."

Mo Song gestured for silence: "Don't pry into other things."

In the evening, Fu Heng returned to the courtyard. The main room was pitch black, without even a lamp lit. He then heard Xia Guang report Meng Qingci's words about wanting to take the contraceptive soup during the day. Fu Heng's expression was unreadable, but his eyes darkened and his thin lips pressed into a line.

He pushed open the door and entered, silently blending into the dim silence of the room.

Meng Qingci had slept enough during the day and was awake at the moment. She clearly heard him come in, but deliberately faced inward and did not move.

Fu Heng knew she was awake, so he stepped forward, put his arm around her shoulder, and asked with a soft laugh, "What's wrong? Are you still angry with me?"

Meng Qingci shoved him, her bright eyes gleaming with a hint of anger in the dim light, clearly annoyed that he had taken advantage of her while pretending to be innocent.

Fu Heng said helplessly, "I originally wanted to tell you the good news that you can leave the capital with me tomorrow, but it seems you don't care to hear it now."

"Really?" Meng Qingci suddenly sat up, her eyes instantly brightening. She unconsciously grabbed his sleeve and asked urgently, "Didn't you say you would wait until Miss Fu and the Crown Prince were married before you left?"

When Fu Heng saw that she immediately changed her expression upon hearing that she was leaving, but still treated him with the indifferent attitude of "only needing Zhong Wuyan and not needing Xia Yingchun," he couldn't help but feel annoyed and said, "I have official business to attend to, so I have to go ahead."

Fu Heng tried to pull her into his arms, but Meng Qingci raised her hand to stop him. She excitedly prepared to get off the bed: "Then I need to pack my things. Are we traveling by water tomorrow?"

Fu Heng's eyes turned cold, and his voice deepened, his tone indifferent: "What, you think that now that the 'inseparable bond' is broken, you don't need me anymore, so you're going to kick me while I'm down and turn your back on me?"

Meng Qingci sensed something was amiss in his words and abruptly stopped in her tracks. She had initially thought that Fu Heng was merely lustful and taking advantage of her vulnerability, and that the two of them were simply getting what they wanted, with neither owing the other anything. But upon closer examination of the implications of his words...

Thinking about her situation a few days ago, she felt a little overwhelmed. She turned to look at him in disbelief and asked him with difficulty, "How much longer?"

Fu Heng considered carefully: "It will take at most several months, and at least three months."

These words struck her like a bolt from the blue. Meng Qingci's beautiful face twisted for a moment. She took a deep breath, believed most of them, and said, "Have someone give me a bowl of contraceptive soup."

Fu Heng asked calmly, "Why do you need to avoid having children? Pregnancy-preventing soup is harmful to your health."

Meng Qingci was both angry and aggrieved, her voice filled with resentment: "I know you still... still... my body hasn't even fully developed yet. If you wanted to kill me, you didn't have to resort to such a roundabout and vicious method as difficult childbirth!"

He thought to himself, she doesn't even care about him, how could she possibly have a child for him? Besides, he can't escape responsibility for her current situation. She's too busy blaming him to be willing to have a child for him. He really doesn't understand what's going on in the minds of feudal scholars.

Fu Heng knew perfectly well that she was clever and mischievous, and what she said wasn't entirely true, but he didn't want to fall out with her again at this moment. He remained silent for a moment, lowered his eyes, sighed, and got up to leave.

About half an hour later, he returned, personally bringing a bowl of warm medicine, and slowly walked to Meng Qingci.

Meng Qingci understood immediately and reached out to take the medicine bowl. Just as he was about to tilt his head back and drink it all in one gulp, his wrist was suddenly tightened.

Fu Heng grabbed her wrist as she held the medicine bowl, his eyes dark and unfathomable: "This time it was an accident, I'll allow it. But only this once, and never again."

Meng Qingci readily nodded in agreement, then, enduring the bitterness, drank the entire bowl of medicine in one gulp.

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Author's Note: Thank you all for your support. To celebrate, from today until the day of the release, 20 red envelopes will be randomly given away to all subscribers who leave a comment.

Leave a comment if you like it. This article is concise and to the point; skipping around might cause you to miss details. [Heart emoji]

Two cunning individuals have finally gotten together. The next chapter will feature a different setting. The male lead won't go crazy or start hurting anyone right away. The female lead doesn't have the right to turn against him yet. Both of them are maintaining their personas and playing along for their own purposes.

I hope you enjoy this unique form of forced acquisition. [Let me see...]