Chapter 31 "This marriage agreement can only be between you and me..."
Once the imperial edict was issued, within a day, all the noble families and nobles in the capital received the news, and the Duke's Mansion was unsurprisingly thrust into the spotlight once again.
The Shen family, who were rumored to have been engaged to the Duke's mansion, suddenly became the focus of everyone's attention. Everyone was waiting to see how the Shen family would react.
The next morning, just as the court session was ending, Xie Chengyan ran into Shen Guangjun. He was not surprised and, quite understandingly, stood still and waited for him to approach.
After a quick glance, Shen Guangjun looked much more weathered than before. He must have been dealing with official business and running around taking care of Shen Wangchen's illness these days, which must have taken a lot of his energy.
His guess was indeed correct. Shen Guangjun was too preoccupied with his son's persistent illness to care for anyone else. He didn't even have time to ask Shen Xi about her condition when she returned from the palace that day. He just went to check on her and was relieved to see that she was alright.
But the imperial edict came out of nowhere, and Shen Guangjun only learned of it today. He dared not let his servants tell Shen Xi about it and kept it a secret for fear of complications.
Jiang never cared about Shen Xi's affairs, so only he, as her father, could find out the truth for himself.
Shen Xi is his daughter, and he has seen how much she cares about Xie Wenlang. Even though he has been neglectful of his daughter in the past, he cannot let her be bullied outside.
With Xie Yi, the Duke of the State, not in the capital, the one who can take charge is naturally Xie Chengyan, the Duke's eldest son.
Fortunately, General Xie, who was usually cold and aloof, did not refuse to talk to him.
"General Xie, I heard that His Majesty bestowed a marriage upon Second Young Master Xie yesterday, this matter..."
Xie Chengyan lowered his eyes and gave him an affirmative answer: "That's right, the Emperor has arranged for the Fifth Princess to marry my younger brother, and a wedding date will be set."
The rumors were confirmed, and Shen Guangjun's face stiffened. His suppressed anger flared up, and he questioned in a stern voice, "General Xie, isn't the Duke's Mansion being unfair in doing this? It was clearly your second young master from the Xie family who came to our door in person, pleading with me to betroth my daughter to him, which is how the two families agreed to the marriage. How come you want to break off the engagement in the end?"
Xie Chengyan remained unfazed, his gaze slightly lowered, and he spoke indifferently: "Lord Shen, I value my word and will naturally not break off the engagement. However, what does Xi'er's engagement have to do with Xie Wenlang?"
One sentence left Shen Guangjun stunned.
He keenly noticed the form of address Xie Chengyan used, but for a moment he did not understand its meaning.
Therefore, Xie Chengyan glanced at his expression, his gaze fixed on him, and continued in a calm voice, "Lord Shen, in addition to the imperial decree bestowing the marriage, His Majesty also has an oral edict."
Shen Guangjun was genuinely unaware of the oral decree. He frowned and asked, "What exactly do you mean?"
Xie Chengyan's tone was calm and unquestionable: "His Majesty has ordered me and Lady Shen Xi to get married as soon as possible before the end of the year, so as not to delay and miss the Fifth Prince's wedding date."
"What did you say?"
Shen Guangjun was struck dumb, staring at him in disbelief, his vision going white in an instant.
How come, after only a few days, the marriage agreement between Shen Xi and Xie Chengyan has suddenly fallen into Xie Chengyan's hands?
Xie Chengyan.
This man has fame, fortune, and status, but he is indifferent and aloof. He can conquer all directions and is famous throughout the world, but he is not like a husband. How could he be a good match for Shen Xi?
Xie Chengyan, however, remained unhurried: "It is my fault for being negligent in handling matters. I was busy with the war and forgot that my marriage to Xi'er has not yet been made public. Lord Shen, rest assured, once everything is ready, I will definitely come to propose marriage in person, and I will not miss any of the proper etiquette."
Before Shen Guangjun could react, he subconsciously shook his head in denial: "No, this engagement is clearly..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xie Chengyan coldly interrupted him: "Lord Shen, you should think carefully about who Xi'er is actually betrothed to."
His voice was calm and even, without any hint of anger, but it carried an inexplicable chill, and every word was imbued with a strong sense of oppression.
After a moment's thought, Shen Guangjun understood completely, and guessed the general outline of the situation. He immediately fell silent and did not speak again.
Seeing this, Xie Chengyan withdrew his gaze, stood with his hands behind his back, and casually instructed, "Xi'er is not fully recovered and is currently recuperating. There is no need to tell her about these trivial matters. What does Lord Shen think?"
What else could Shen Guangjun think? He had little contact with Xie Chengyan and had hardly ever spoken to him before. He never expected Xie Chengyan to be so imposing.
Under the warm sunshine, Shen Guangjun broke out in a cold sweat. Under Xie Chengyan's silent pressure, he had already begun to lean in his favor in a short time.
Finally, there were no further objections: "General Xie is right."
"You flatter me, Mr. Xie. I have military duties to attend to, so please excuse me from staying any longer. I will definitely come to your door to propose marriage another day."
Xie Chengyan changed his tune as he spoke, his eyes calm, and strode forward, brushing past Shen Guangjun.
Sunlight streamed down, and the green willows beside the palace walls had quietly sprouted new buds in the spring sunshine.
Year after year, unnoticed, another spring arrives.
*
With the bright spring sunshine, the plants in the courtyard shed the bleak and withered yellow of winter and gradually came back to life.
As the sun rises and shines obliquely through the eaves, a slender, white wrist, as smooth as solidified cream, emerges from beneath the corridor. Gently enveloped by the warm sunlight, it appears as if edged with gold, a sight to behold.
I was carefully feeding the shrike that was resting on the porch. The shrike was quite intelligent. After taking two bites of food, it happily raised its head and called out twice in response.
When Qingqiu stepped into the courtyard, this was the scene she saw: a beautiful woman with her eyes lowered, and a young bird flapping its wings, enjoying a carefree and leisurely life amidst the beautiful spring scenery.
She approached and couldn't help but smile: "The young lady didn't like this shrike before, but she still kept it until now, not only feeding it carefully every day, but also personally checking its injuries."
Hearing her teasing, Shen Xi remained calm, her slender fingers gently spreading out more food for the shrike: "If we don't take good care of it soon, how can we release it earlier?"
"Don't you intend to keep this shrike?"
Qingqiu paused, thinking that after spending these days together, Shenxi had developed some fondness for the shrike, which was why she cared so much. But why did she still have to send it away?
While the shrike was engrossed in eating, Shen Xi gently lifted its wing to take a look and said indifferently, "I don't like it, so what's the point of keeping it?"
Upon hearing this, Qingqiu didn't say much and smoothly changed the subject: "But this General Xie is really strange. Everyone says that shrikes are fierce and difficult to tame. Who would give this to a young lady?"
“It’s an apology,” Shen Xi retorted instinctively.
"Why is a shrike given as an apology gift?"
Shen Xi paused, then wrinkled her nose as if remembering something, and released the shrike's wings: "You're right, you shouldn't give me this as an apology, and I have to support you."
As she spoke, she poked the shrike's head again. It was no longer as pitiful as when it first fell into Chen Xi's hands. With careful care, its injuries had improved and its wings were growing stronger.
This shrike was not confined by a cage and was casually kept in the yard by Shen Xi. At first, it was not worried because its wing was injured and it could not fly.
Now that its injuries have healed, Shen Xi hasn't suggested putting a leash on it; it's just been left to roam freely.
Strangely enough, this shrike was exceptionally easy to care for. Even if it disappeared during the day, it would always obediently fly back at night and curl up in the bird's nest prepared for it under the eaves to rest.
Seeing Shen Xi's actions, Qing Qiu nodded: "That's why I said General Xie was strange. If it were the Second Young Master, he definitely wouldn't have sent these. It's the Second Young Master who understands the young lady's thoughts better."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xi wanted to say something, but only slightly opened her lips, hesitated for a long time, and finally did not speak.
She clapped her hands, dusted off the dust, released the little shrike that was bouncing around in her hands, turned around and walked into the room, continuing to talk to Qingqiu.
"Xie Chengyan is indeed a strange person, unpredictable and moody. I can never figure out what he's thinking, but..."
"But what?"
Shen Xi stopped in her tracks, leaned against the door and turned back, her gaze following the shrike leaping on the treetop. She chuckled softly, "He's a very good person."
The warm spring sunlight pierced through the layers of branches, casting dappled shadows that reflected a faint glow in Chen Xi's clear eyes.
But Qingqiu didn't understand. She was really puzzled by the sudden turn of events in his words and asked curiously, "He just let the girl raise a shrike, how did that make him such a good person?"
Shen Xi shrugged, turned around, and said nothing more to her: "I don't know."
What kind of answer is this?
Qingqiu scratched his head in confusion, then turned to look at the shrike. He saw that it had flown to a corner of the roof, its brown eyes gazing into the distance. Suddenly, it let out two loud cries, as if it had seen something.
Its little round head turned nimbly in an instant, and the next moment, it flapped its wings and flew away.
Shen Xi had already entered the room, ignoring Qing Qiu's many doubts. She pushed open the window, and spring light poured in, filling the room with a sense of tranquility.
Looking through a half-open window, one could see Shen Xi bending over, tidying up the medical books that she had previously copied and dried.
A beautiful woman, like a painting; springtime scenery, serene and beautiful.
Just then, a servant rushed in, and a sudden, abrupt ink mark appeared on the serene painting.
"Young lady, young lady, please go and take a look in the front yard."
The noise broke the tranquility of the moment. Shen Xi poked her head out of the window and, seeing his panic, asked curiously, "What happened?"
The man, who had been running so fast, was now swallowing hard and panting, saying, "Miss, the Duke's Mansion... the Duke's Mansion has come to propose marriage!"
The Duke's Mansion.
With a "thud," the book in Chen Xi's hands fell to the ground.
She didn't have time to pick it up; she immediately thought of Xie Wenlang, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face. Through the window, she asked again to confirm, "Really?"
"Indeed, it was someone from the Duke's mansion who came."
Shen Xi's eyes widened slightly, even the corners of her eyes overflowing with joy.
It seems Xie Chengyan really didn't lie to her. Only a few days have passed, and he's already helped resolve this matter. It's no wonder she praised him as a good person.
Upon hearing this, Qingqiu was overjoyed. The girl had waited so long, and finally, her suffering had come to an end.
Only the servant looked displeased, muttering, "However, it wasn't the second young master who came..."
But neither Shen Xi nor Qing Qiu had the patience to listen to her words. In the blink of an eye, she hurriedly ran back to her inner room to change.
As they walked toward the front hall, Shen Xi was in high spirits and didn't forget to say to Qing Qiu beside her, "Qing Qiu, what do you think we should give our elder brother as a thank-you gift?"
Qingqiu paused, "You want to send this to the eldest young master..."
Speaking of her elder brother, she naturally thought of Shen Wangchen.
But Shen Wangchen is now with Jiang Shi and has gone to his hometown to recuperate. Besides, the two of them had such an unpleasant argument before, so why would he suddenly think of sending gifts?
Seeing her expression, Shen Xi knew she had misunderstood, so she changed her words and said, "He is Erlang's elder brother. The fact that my marriage with Erlang went so smoothly today must have been due to his help."
"This... I'll have to think about it carefully." Qingqiu smiled. "Miss, don't worry about these things. Let's go to the front hall and see Young Master Xie first."
Shen Xi nodded. Right now, the most important thing was of course her marriage to Erlang.
Just after passing the long corridor, before even reaching the front hall, one could see a sea of red in the courtyard from afar, with several large boxes of betrothal gifts neatly arranged and piled up throughout the courtyard.
Qingqiu couldn't help but sigh softly, "What a grand display."
But upon first glance, Shen Xi sensed something was amiss and gradually slowed her pace.
In this situation, it was inconvenient for Shen Xi to show himself, so he could only hide behind a clump of grass and trees and quietly peek out.
She crouched low and approached hesitantly, until the entire front hall came into view. Shen Xi still didn't see the person she was expecting. Instead, a noble and slender figure suddenly appeared in her sight without any warning.
As spring lingered, Xie Chengyan stood tall amidst the interplay of light and shadow. Even in the warm spring, he remained like snow on a high mountain, exuding a cool, aloof, and indifferent aura, as if he did not belong to this world.
The spring light was faint and poured down without reservation, yet it couldn't penetrate his body, as if it were blocked by something, making him seem somewhat out of place.
Suddenly, as if he noticed Shen Xi's gaze, he raised his head and looked straight at him.
But just then, Shen Guangjun, who was sitting in the head seat, spoke up: "Xie Chengyan, do you really want to marry Xi'er?"
As the spring breeze blew by, Shen Xi felt as if she could hear a series of noisy buzzing sounds in her ears, so loud that she couldn't think straight and her mind went blank.
Their eyes met, and she stared intently into those dark pupils.
Xie Chengyan, married.
Before today, she had never associated those two words together.
How could it be between the two of them?
Just as she was wondering if she had misheard, Xie Chengyan calmly withdrew his gaze from her and said to Shen Guangjun, "I, Xie, am not joking when I ask to marry Shen Xi."
Every word was powerful and resounding, like a thunderclap piercing the sky.
Shen Xi's heart sank to the bottom with those words.
Her fingers clenched so tightly that her fingertips almost turned white, and she asked Qingqiu beside her again in disbelief.
"What did he just say? Did you hear it? I must have misheard, right?"
Ke Qingqiu pursed her lips, her gaze towards her quite complex, and after a long while, she replied, "Miss, the person who proposed marriage to you is General Xie."
Shen Xi's hand fell limply to his side, his pupils trembling uncontrollably with shock. After a moment, he suddenly stood up.
There must be something wrong here, and she needs to find out.
Just as Shen Xi was about to rush out and confront them, a maid suddenly stepped forward and stopped her.
"Miss, the master wants you to go back to your own courtyard first."
Although the maid spoke in the name of Shen Guangjun, she subconsciously knew that it was Xie Chengyan's intention.
He saw her just now.
Shen Xi was restless. Now that things had come to this, she couldn't think of any reason why Xie Chengyan would suddenly interfere in her marriage with Xie Wenlang.
But the engagement had changed, which was definitely suspicious, so she directly asked the maid, "Why was it him who came to propose marriage? Where is Erlang?"
The other party was initially hesitant, but under Shen Xi's repeated questioning, they finally told him everything that had happened in the past few days.
Only now did she learn from others that Xie Wenlang had been betrothed.
But all this time, everyone has been tacitly keeping it from her, watching her like a fool hoping for that impossible marriage.
Spring sunshine bathed her, yet a chill crept in. Shen Xi sat blankly under the eaves, unconsciously tugging at the hem of her skirt. Before long, the fabric was wrinkled and crumpled.
Since Xie Wenlang was betrothed and the engagement was nullified, why would Xie Chengyan come to propose marriage again? Shen Xi couldn't understand the connection.
Could it be that something unexpected happened, forcing him to do this?
A thousand guesses flooded her mind, but she still subconsciously tried to excuse him, after all, he was such a good brother.
After an unknown amount of time, steady footsteps gradually approached from behind, and a warm breeze carried a faint scent of ebony.
Shen Xi certainly knew who this person was.
Turning around, before he even reached her, she asked anxiously, "General Xie, why did the engagement change to you and me? Did something unexpected happen?"
He didn't answer, but merely lifted his thin eyelids, his gaze lingering on her as he slowly approached.
A wisp of Chen Xi's hair was lifted by the wind, partially obscuring one eye, making it difficult for her to see Xie Chengyan clearly.
For some reason, he seemed a bit unfamiliar after not seeing me for a few days.
Xie Chengyan stood casually in front of Shen Xi, no more than half a step away. He loosely wrapped his arms around her back, and his icy fingertips inadvertently brushed against the back of her neck, causing Shen Xi to flinch.
Only then did that clear, aloof, and noble voice finally ring out above her head.
"No surprises."
"Didn't you say that the right choice is to hold on tightly to what you love and keep it in your own hands?"
The next moment, Shen Xi felt her hair being moved and gathered. Glancing back, she saw Xie Chengyan gently tying a hairband around her head.
Bright red, and it looks familiar.
In a flash, Shen Xi remembered something, and suddenly, everything was connected.
On the day she shot that arrow at Chengyang Mountain, there was a conspicuous red mark on the wrist of the assassin.
That touch of red was actually the hairband she had carelessly left behind!
Suddenly, Shen Xi snapped out of her daze, her eyes wide with shock. She stared intently at the person in front of her, her voice hoarse: "What did you say?"
Xie Chengyan's pupils were like a bottomless pool, his cold gaze lowered, and in that instant, he became so unfamiliar.
There was no opening of his mouth, no reply.
But his tacit agreement confirmed Shen Xi's most unlikely guess.
The one I love.
How is that possible?
Subconsciously, Shen Xi took two steps back, his eyes filled with fear, and shook his head in disbelief.
Xie Chengyan gave her no chance to escape, closing in again, his figure obscuring the warm spring light, leaving only a shadow for Shen Xi.
Have you forgotten what you said and what you did?
"You said you wanted to keep your marriage to the Duke's family, and I'm granting your wish."
With each sentence he spoke, Xie Chengyan took a step closer, his eyes growing increasingly unfathomable.
Shen Xi was cornered by him, her back pressed tightly against a pillar, with nowhere left to retreat.
His presence was overwhelming, clearly a warm spring day, yet Shen Xi sensed the chill unique to the dead of winter.
The lingering cold brought a moment of clarity to her muddled thoughts.
Although she didn't know his intentions, when Shen Xi looked directly into those eyes, she still clearly noticed one thing—
All those things he said he loved were lies.
There was no love or pity in those eyes, completely different from the way Xie Wenlang looked at her; they were cold and gloomy, devoid of any emotion.
That was clearly the look in the eyes of a ferocious beast staring at its prey, as if it could devour it at any moment.
She frowned, her voice hesitant and trembling: "On Chengyang Mountain, why did you shoot that arrow at me?"
His pupils reflected Shen Xi's tense face, filled with fear and confusion. He knew she was always clever, but he didn't expect her to connect the events on Chengyang Mountain in an instant.
That arrow failed to kill Chu Yi, but it inadvertently brought her and Xie Wenlang together at an early age.
In a way, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Xie Chengyan chuckled softly, his cool fingertips lifting her chin: "Xi'er, you're very clever, sometimes too clever for your own good."
His eyes were fixed on her, never wavering for a moment.
He didn't mind telling her the cause and effect: "If it weren't for that arrow, how would the Fifth Prince have noticed Xie Wenlang?"
With just one sentence, the deep voice reached Shen Xi's ears, and she immediately felt a chill run down her spine.
The arrow shot on Chengyang Mountain was not aimed at her at all, but at Chu Yi, who was standing with her!
All of this was done so that Xie Wenlang could successfully become the imperial son-in-law and ensure the continued favor of the Duke of Baoguo's mansion.
It turns out his scheme started back then, but she was completely unaware and deceived for so long, foolishly believing that the person in front of her was a good person.
But why did he insist on keeping her here?
Seemingly sensing Shen Xi's confusion, Xie Chengyan spoke again slowly: "If you don't marry me, how can Xie Wenlang give up his feelings for you?"
Yes, keep her and make her Xie Wenlang's sister-in-law.
This was truly a brilliant idea that left him powerless to reverse the situation.
Shen Xi clenched her fists, her fingertips turning white, unable to contain her anger: "So, in order to make the Fifth Princess's wish come true, my brother even sacrificed his own marriage, condescending to marry a daughter from a humble family like mine. He really went to great lengths."
She deliberately addressed him as "elder brother," laying bare the unbearable truth in the open—
He, Xie Chengyan, violated human ethics by forcibly taking his brother's wife.
Xie Chengyan, however, did not care about her resentment at all: "Shen Xi, the imperial decree for Xie Wenlang and the princess's marriage is a done deal. Now you and the Shen family have no other choice."
"Brother, are you trying to threaten me with the Shen family?"
"You don't care about the Shen family, nor do you care about yourself?" Xie Chengyan directly seized her weakness and said indifferently, "You can choose whether to fall into the hands of the Fifth Princess or marry me."
She didn't just have a choice; she had no choice at all.
Xie Chengyan raised his hand and gripped the back of her neck, trapping her in the small space of his arms with irresistible force.
Ignoring Shen Xi's seemingly insignificant struggle, he stared intently at her, making a definitive judgment, his icy breath brushing against her ear.
"This marriage can only be between the two of us."
The sky was clear and the wind was still, yet a suffocating atmosphere spread everywhere, like thorns wrapped around a neck, from which no one could escape.
Shen Xi tried her best to escape his grasp, but she could not break free. Unwilling to admit defeat, she could only stubbornly stare back.
A layer of tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to lower her head or shed a single tear.
Their eyes met, and the shimmering water inadvertently caught Xie Chengyan's eye. His gaze shifted slightly, and he suddenly realized that in their two lifetimes, he seemed to have only seen her shed tears twice.
Once was in front of the cliff in my past life, and once was in Chengyang Mountain in this life.
Xie Chengyan's grip loosened slightly, but his eyes grew even darker, and his voice was low and hoarse: "You like Xie Wenlang that much?"
Anger had long since overwhelmed her reason. Shen Xi resented him for disregarding her wishes and for forcefully and irrationally bringing about this situation. With just a wave of his hand, all her previous efforts had vanished in the blink of an eye.
So she followed her instincts and started talking, adding fuel to the fire to make him angry.
"That's right, I like Wen Lang! Even if he's forced to marry Chu Yi, I'll still like him. He's a thousand times better than you, Xie Chengyan. At least he wouldn't resort to such despicable means to scheme and coerce!"
Xie Chengyan's eyes turned completely cold, like a chilling blade, and he said in a cool voice, "Fine, once you marry me, you will be his sister-in-law. If you miss him, I will accompany you back to the Duke's mansion to see him."
Shen Xi was stunned by the madness in his words and blinked in disbelief.
Xie Chengyan tightened his grip on the back of her neck, closing the distance between them again until their foreheads were almost touching and their breaths mingled.
"Or is it that you're after his power? The second son of a duke's family can make you arrogant and live a barely comfortable life in the Shen family for a while. But I have more power and status than him, so it would be more effective to use me."
His eyes were deep and his tone was heavy; every word he uttered was like a cold blade piercing Shen Xi's heart.
She had never seen Xie Chengyan like this before—ruthless, crazy, and reckless, even more terrifying than Shen Wangchen. Shen Xi was suddenly stunned.
Xie Chengyan still didn't let her go. His fingertips traced down her jawline inch by inch, his voice cold and indifferent: "Or, kill him. That way, no matter how much you like him, he'll just be a dead man."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a loud slap rang out.
A clear red mark gradually appeared on Xie Chengyan's left cheek, and for a moment, everything around him froze.
Even Shen Xi herself was stunned for a moment, only belatedly noticing the burning pain in her palm.
She... actually hit Xie Chengyan?
Admittedly, she was really angry with him, resenting Xie Chengyan for scheming at every turn and blaming him for his previous insincerity.
But the person she hit was Xie Chengyan.
It only takes a moment to scheme against Shen Wangchen and Xie Wenlang, without even blinking an eye, let alone her.
Despite her rationality, she always seemed to lose her temper in front of him.
Once she calmed down and came to her senses, Shen Xi instantly regretted it.
Thinking of Shen Wangchen's fate, still kept in the manor in a state of mental instability, she was terrified, her palms trembled involuntarily, and fear swept over her entire body.
Xie Chengyan was slapped so hard that he turned his head to the side. Shen Xi couldn't make out his expression, but he remained silent for a long time before suddenly letting out a low laugh.
Unexpectedly, Xie Chengyan was not angry. Instead, he turned around, raised his hand to wipe away the tears that had fallen from her eyes without her noticing, and spoke in a low, calm voice.
"Why are you still so timid?"
Neither the Shen family nor Chu Yi had ever made her this angry.
Only Xie Wenlang.
She still loved him after all.
Xie Chengyan almost pathologically confirmed this point again and again, and each time he received an affirmative answer.
But what does it matter?
His eyes darkened, and he reached out again to hold her tightly, trapping her in front of him.
Even a wild and untamed sparrow with its heart elsewhere can stay forever if all its escape routes are cut off, leaving it nowhere to go even if it breaks out of its cage.
One lifetime, and lifetimes to come.
"Xie Chengyan..."
Shen Xi was trapped in his arms, too afraid to move. The anger from their earlier argument had been dispelled by the cold wind, and all that remained for her was fear. Even her fingertips trembled uncontrollably.
Xie Chengyan didn't listen to her continue, but instead brought up another matter: "Xi'er, His Majesty has set our wedding date for May of this year."
His voice was extremely soft and gentle, yet it sent a chill down Shen Xi's spine, as if he had fallen back into a frigid pool in the dead of winter.
Xie Chengyan, through meticulous planning and deliberate maneuvering, had silently blocked all her escape routes without anyone noticing.
She was unwilling to marry him.
Refusing to marry would be disobeying the imperial decree.
He remained as domineering and unreasonable as ever, leaving her no room to struggle.
Finally, her pale lips parted and closed, and Shen Xi stared intently at the cloud pattern on his lapel, unable to utter a single word.
Xie Chengyan gently stroked Shen Xi's slightly cool cheek with his slender fingers, and he could clearly sense that she was trembling, angry, and silently resentful.
But he only let out an untimely low chuckle, brushed aside Shen Xi's hair which was ruffled by the spring breeze, and whispered in her ear in a clear and noble voice.
"It doesn't matter if you hate me, we should be entangled to the end, until death do us part."
-----------------------
Author's Note: Yan, don't get too excited yet, I'll gradually increase the intensity for you [droopy-eared rabbit head]
Here are two little fish! Don't miss out, click to favorite this post and help me write faster!! (Please, just give me a favorite! [Please])
"She Won't Be the White Moonlight" [A sly, mad dog forcibly takes away a gentle married woman]
When Cheng Zhuoyan accompanied her husband to the capital for business, she inadvertently offended Lu Sui.
Lu Sui was the Marquis of Dingyuan in the current dynasty. At a young age, he became a close minister of the emperor, enjoying immense prestige and maintaining his integrity.
The only thing he looked at was his unexpectedly dark gaze.
It was only later that I learned that Lu Sui had been engaged to Meng Jingtang, the youngest daughter of Prince Duan. Unfortunately, the Prince's family was loyal and brave, and many years ago, the entire family died for their country, with no one surviving.
That person was the white moonlight in his heart.
And she looks exactly like Meng Jingtang.
She thought the two were just connected by a coincidence, but on the day she left the capital, Lu Sui used swift and decisive means to detain her husband.
In the dim light, Lu Sui leaned down and stroked her face inch by inch with his fingertips: "I can let him go, but you stay and be my wife."
"Keep me here because I look like her, right?"
Lu Sui's eyes churned, and the two fingers gripping her chin tightened suddenly: "No."
Cheng Zhuoyan naturally didn't believe it.
She knew that Lu Sui regarded Meng Jingtang as a celestial being in the clouds and the moon, while she was nothing but mud on the ground and roadside grass, contemptible and clumsy, not worthy of being presented on stage, and barely even a substitute.
But in the end, she was forced to submit to him.
From then on, he lowered his status and followed Lu Sui's preferences, forced to imitate Meng Jingtang's every move.
However, Lu Sui covered her eyes, his breath hot and his malice making her unbearable, but his tone was cold: "She's all form and no spirit. She's never been like this before."
*
Cheng Zhuoyan gritted her teeth, enduring all the ridicule for her poor imitation, and occasionally she would secretly pray: "Whether it is true or not, just forget about her."
Only then can she feel better.
Until one day, Lu Sui was drunk and, in his hazy state, he grabbed her wrist: "Mingyou, don't go."
Mingyou was Meng Jingtang's childhood name.
Meng Jingtang was ultimately a mountain she could never overcome.
After plotting for many days, Cheng Zhuoyan finally escaped from her prison and returned home to find her husband.
However, upon opening the long-awaited gate, one sees the Marquis's soldiers, their armor gleaming coldly against the snow, crowding the entire courtyard.
Behind the gleaming swords and spears, only one person stood with his hands behind his back, his face ashen—it was Lu Sui.
That night, the red candles flickered, her clothes were disheveled, and he gripped her ankle tightly as he leaned in, his eyes fierce.
"These legs are really disobedient."
"You care about him that much? Since you haven't learned your lesson, then tonight you'll use your body to remember who your husband is."
*
Lu Sui knew very well that every time Cheng Zhuoyan said "forget her," she was saying goodbye to him.
But he refused.
They could only be separated by death, not by life.
Consumption Guide:
1. Double C, he
2. Early on, it's a story of forceful acquisition; later, it's a dramatic tale of chasing after one's wife. Readers beware of this melodramatic plot.
3. The male and female leads are not perfect characters.
4. No stand-ins, always 1v1
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After being coveted by her elder brother for many years, [pseudo-siblings] [forced marriage]
Pei Wan was the youngest daughter of the Pei family who had been separated from her family since childhood. She had not received proper upbringing from a noble family and her behavior was not very elegant. On the day she was recognized by her ancestors, the entire Pei family came to laugh at her.
She huddled timidly in the corner, surrounded by relatives and elders, but she only remembered one person—Pei Xun, her eldest brother.
Pei Xun was a man of few words, young and promising, unlike his other brothers who were immature and always liked to bully her.
He was steady and composed, as steadfast as a pine tree and as pure as jade. His gaze toward her was always calm and serene, as if he saw thousands of people as if they were plants and trees. He was the elder brother whom everyone respected.
Pei Wan looked up to him in return, approaching him cautiously, unable to drive him away or push him away.
More important than the admiration in her heart was that no one dared to bully her when she was by Pei Xun's side.
Over time, she became Pei Xun's little shadow, always following this elder brother who didn't like to laugh.
Even though he was the strictest person in the Pei family towards her.
If anyone makes even the slightest mistake, he will take out that ruler, slowly clench it in his palm, and press down with his merciless gaze: "Kneel down, and put your hand out."
She was most afraid of him looking like this.
If you write a word wrong, you'll get a slap on the palm.
If you come back late from playing with your second brother, you'll get a spanking.
She was punished by having her hands slapped for helping her sister deliver a letter to the young master of the Shen family.
Pei Wan had no choice but to try every possible way to please Pei Xun in order to avoid being punished.
When the truth that she was not of Pei family blood was revealed, Pei Wan felt a chill run down her spine. Given her elder brother's strictness, her hand was likely to be crippled this time.
Just then, Pei Wan heard that Pei Xun had made a marriage agreement and would soon be marrying his elder sister-in-law. Without hesitation, she left a letter wishing the two a long and happy marriage, and then secretly fled the capital.
*
That night, Pei Wan returned home under the moonlight.
Pushing open the door, she saw Pei Xun, who was supposed to be getting married in the capital.
His expression was indifferent, and in his well-defined hands he held the ruler he used to punish her, just as he used to coldly reprimand her when she made a mistake.
To her alarm, the ruler suddenly struck her.
"My little sister has grown up and now she wants to leave her brother."
"But do you think I'll always be your good older brother? Tell me, how should I punish you this time?"
Consumption Guide:
① 1v1, both partners are virgins, happy ending
② Forced acquisition and robbery plot, melodramatic warning.
③The dynasty is fictional; please do not delve too deeply into its details.
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