Chapter 57 You are now my woman!
"Yunxi"
There was always someone calling her name in her ear.
It feels like just last night; everything was smashed to pieces, and the sound keeps ringing in my ears, refusing to stop.
The shaking and jolting were accompanied by wave after wave of collisions.
"Shut up"
She slapped him impatiently, saying, "So annoying!"
With a "smack," her hand landed squarely on Xiao Shenjing's face.
Xiao Shenjing touched his face.
The female bodyguards behind them, who were serving water to help them wash their faces, exchanged a glance.
With a 'thud,' he knelt down firmly.
The emperor's majesty is absolute; those who infringe upon it will be punished.
Even if they only saw it.
As the group trembled with fear, worried that they might be implicated and lose their lives, Xiao Shenjing coldly glanced at them.
The female guards lowered their heads even further.
They were raised from childhood to regard Xiao Shenjing as their god.
They would not hesitate to die if told to do so by a single word.
"Anyone who dares to utter a single word about this will be executed!"
"Yes." The guards breathed a sigh of relief, having escaped a calamity.
Xiao Shenjing vaguely felt that this scene seemed familiar.
The thought that this was the second time he had been beaten made his face turn even darker.
They really don't know what's good for them.
He flicked his sleeve and stood up from the bed, coldly saying, "Get her up for me."
The guards quickly bowed and stepped forward.
As one of them lifted a corner of the blanket, Xiao Shenjing turned around and saw several patches of red on her collarbone, like plum blossoms blooming on white snow.
It easily stirred up memories of last night.
Knowing that the situation was likely similar elsewhere, Xiao Shenjing's expression stiffened, and he coughed lightly, scolding, "Stop."
The guards immediately stopped and dared not move again.
"Put your things down and get out." Xiao Shenjing's expression remained cold. "Go and bring me dinner."
The door closed.
Xiao Shenjing rolled up his sleeves and wet his handkerchief.
He twisted it and it landed on Yunxi's cheek.
The water temperature was just right, neither too hot nor too cold.
But Yunxi was sleeping soundly at the moment, and was easily startled and frowned.
"Don't touch me," she muttered unhappily.
He turned away, looking annoyed.
Xiao Shenjing took a barely perceptible deep breath, suppressing his temper as he turned her around.
He grabbed a wet cloth and wiped her face haphazardly.
Whether it was because he was too strong or because the girl's skin was too delicate, Yunxi frowned deeply in her sleep.
His face was scrunched up like a steamed bun.
Xiao Shenjing looked disgusted, but he did soften his movements a bit.
After washing her face, Yunxi woke up groggily.
She was really exhausted. The aftereffects of the rouge intoxication had left her physically fatigued, and she had been tormented all night. Her body felt weak and unable to wake up, both inside and out.
The first thing she saw was the familiar tent top, and she knew she was in her own room. Just as she was about to close her eyes and fall asleep peacefully, a voice suddenly sounded beside her.
"No sleeping."
Yunxi subconsciously turned her head, and was a little confused when she saw Xiao Shenjing's face.
What's this madman doing here?
Then, in the next instant, consciousness returned.
Xiao Shenjing!
Memories of last night flooded her mind, and Yunxi raised her hand to slap his face.
Having anticipated this, Xiao Shenjing grabbed her wrist. "You still dare to lay a hand on me?"
"So what if I hit you?" Yunxi glared at him angrily. "Hitting you is too lenient; I should kill you."
As she spoke, she reached for the short blade strapped to her ankle, but as soon as she moved, a sharp, piercing pain shot through her body.
She gasped and slumped back onto the bed.
Then, she saw Xiao Shenjing cough lightly and quickly turn his face away.
She then realized something was wrong, slowly looked down, and saw that most of the blanket had rolled off, and she was completely naked.
Yunxi pulled her hand back, grabbed the blanket and wrapped herself up tightly, then angrily shouted, "Xiao Shenjing, get out of here! Get out right now!"
Xiao Shenjing suddenly turned around, staring down at her. "Who are you talking to?"
The next instant, Yunxi kicked him.
"roll."
She used almost all the remaining strength in her body to kick him.
Caught off guard, Xiao Shenjing stumbled from her kick and nearly fell off the bed.
Xiao Shenjing had probably never been treated like this in his life, and a surge of anger instantly welled up in his heart.
He opened his mouth to call someone in and drag this rebellious person out to teach him a lesson.
When she turned around, she saw that there were still five red finger marks on Yunxi's exposed legs, and her almond-shaped eyes were wide open as if they were about to spit fire.
Last night, those almond-shaped eyes were half-open and half-closed, wet with tears, the corners of their eyes turning red with each sway.
With a thud in his Adam's apple, Xiao Shenjing put on a stern face, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.
Just as they were leaving, the guards brought them dinner.
Xiao Shenjing instructed the servants to take the food inside and then stood at the door, arms crossed, staring down at the lobby.
By now, the city lights were already on, and the once bustling Hongxiuzhao should have been as lively as boiling water.
Tonight, the lobby is quiet, and everyone, including those ordered to stay inside, is forbidden to come out.
Xiao Shenjing couldn't stand noise and disliked women flaunting around him.
This can be said to be the first time Hongxiuzhao has closed its doors to customers since it opened for business.
But no one dared to say anything, because the boss, Hongxiu, was still tied up in the room and had not been released.
"Young Master, are we setting off tomorrow?" Dao asked uncertainly as he saw Xiao Shenjing come out.
Xiao Shenjing glanced at him but didn't say anything.
Dao Yi immediately retreated.
He had left Beijing in a hurry, and there was already too much official business to handle. Even if he pretended to be sick, he couldn't stay for too long, otherwise, trouble might arise.
Inside the room, Yunxi endured her discomfort and found herself quite dry when she got up. She vaguely remembered that Xiao Shenjing had put her into the wooden tub.
This memory made Yunxi's expression even more displeased.
She dressed with almost gritted teeth, and when she got out of bed, the soreness hit her brain. She held her forehead and had to take several deep breaths to steady herself.
"Miss." The guards immediately stepped forward to help her up when they saw that she was unsteady.
Yunxi waved her hand and forced a smile, "Thank you, I can manage on my own."
She had just sat down and hadn't even started her dinner when Xiao Shenjing pushed open the door and walked in.
Yunxi was very hungry after tossing and turning all night and not eating all day.
She had no energy left to deal with Xiao Shenjing, so she picked up her chopsticks and started eating by herself.
She devoured the food, completely disregarding the person opposite her.
Often, just as Xiao Shenjing's chopsticks reached for the plate, she would immediately grab a large mouthful of food and leave.
Xiao Shenjing raised an eyebrow and glanced at her.
But all you can see is the bottom of the bowl.
After finally finishing her meal, Yunxi slammed the bowl down with a loud thud.
Her movements startled the guards behind her, but Xiao Shenjing calmly put the bamboo shoot into his mouth.
Yunxi stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed.
Xiao Shenjing raised his eyes and looked at her calmly.
Yunxi got up and used all her strength to make herself look perfectly normal. She took out a five-tael silver ingot from the drawer.
Then he turned and walked to the table.
He threw five taels of silver into Xiao Shenjing's hand.
Before Xiao Shenjing could react, Yunxi said, "Although Young Master Xiao's technique was terrible last night, you still worked hard. This is your due reward, so you should keep it safe."
"What are you saying?" Xiao Shenjing stared at her.
"This is the money you earned for serving me last night." Yunxi smiled slightly at him. "Although it's not much, you still deserve credit for your hard work."
The bodyguards behind him.
Xiao Shenjing.
Seeing Xiao Shenjing's fascinating expressions, Yunxi finally felt relieved.
She turned and left without wanting to look at him again.
"Stop." Xiao Shenjing suddenly spoke after taking only two steps.
Yunxi seemed not to hear, but her hand had already clenched the hairpin in her sleeve.
After his anger subsided, Xiao Shenjing smiled, twirling the five taels of silver in his hand. "Yunxi, you think you can get rid of me with this little bit of silver? You've got quite the scheme."
"Five taels of silver? Go ask the male prostitutes in brothels, they might not even charge that much for a whole night." Yunxi sneered. "I'm already considered a generous patron."
The row of guards kneeling behind her had never before felt such an impulse to drag Yunxi away.
Good heavens, what kind of talk is this?
Do you really not want to live anymore?
None of the guards found it funny; they only felt a chill run down their spines.
You should know that if she heard such insults directed at the reigning emperor, not only would she be beheaded, but everyone else present would also be implicated.
"How dare you compare me to those filthy people from brothels?" Xiao Shenjing stared at her, his eyes filled with malice. "It seems you haven't learned your lesson after all these days."
In the palace, every time such words were uttered, punishment would follow.
She was demoted to a slave, given twenty strokes of the cane, and sent to the laundry department.
She finally escaped, and she wanted to enjoy a new life and try love with someone new. But then that damned Xiao Shenjing appeared again and shattered everything she had.
Even though she didn't care about what happened last night as much as most women, Xiao Shenjing's appearance meant that the future she longed for had become a pipe dream.
No one can remain calm and angry; no one can tolerate it.
In contrast to her raging anger, Xiao Shenjing calmly lowered his eyelashes, picked up the teacup on the table, and slowly scraped the tea leaves.
His nonchalant attitude instantly made Yunxi lose control. She turned around and strode towards the table.
Before she could even get close to Xiao Shenjing, the guards behind her had already warily blocked her way.
"Xiao Shenjing, what exactly do you want?" Yunxi gripped the hairpin in her hand. "You keep haunting me, ruining my life time and time again. What do you want from me?"
Xiao Shenjing paused in his tea-drinking motion.
What do you want from her?
This question made him momentarily dazed before he slowly lifted his thick eyelashes to look at Yunxi.
He remained silent, but Yunxi's emotions were already beyond control. "Isn't the whole world enough for you? Aren't your six palaces enough for you? Isn't your empress who loves you wholeheartedly enough for you? Why won't you let me go? Tell me, Xiao Shenjing!"
She questioned him, her eyes red with anger, "I only schemed against you once, and it didn't cause any real harm to you or Cen Yuwei. I really don't understand why you still show up now that I've run to the border. Why?"
“The past can be wiped clean.” Xiao Shenjing was silent for a few moments before speaking, “But you must return to the palace with me now.”
Return to that darkest cage, return to that place that devours people without spitting out their bones?
Just thinking about it made Yunxi feel like she couldn't breathe.
"Why? Why do you think you can go back, Xiao Shenjing?" Yun Xi shook her head repeatedly, her face resolute as she said, "Give up on that idea as soon as possible. I won't go back. I'd rather die than return to that place."
Her tone was very disrespectful.
The penalty should be imposed.
Xiao Shenjing's expression was cold and stern. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes caught sight of a scab still clinging to her chapped lips.
He paused for a moment, managing to suppress his dissatisfaction, and said, "Now that we have consummated our marriage, Yunxi, you should return to the palace. I will certainly not mistreat you."
The voice even had a soothing quality.
If it were any other concubine, they would naturally have followed this path and descended.
But Yunxi is not.
She even flew into a rage, shouting, "What nonsense about marital relations! Do you think I, Yunxi, care about such things?"
Such rude and offensive language made Xiao Shenjing slam his cup down on the table and warn, "You'd better shut up."
"You're fucking outrageous!" Yunxi laughed angrily. "I'll just consider last night's events as being treated like a dog."
It bit me.
Before the words "Yunxi" could even be uttered, Xiao Shenjing angrily interrupted him, "Do you really think that just because I'm a little kind to you, you can take advantage of me?"
The emperor's anger was palpable; the guards behind him, who had never witnessed such a confrontation, were already trembling with fear.
"Then what else do you want?" Yunxi was even more enraged by Xiao Shenjing's words. "From beginning to end, it's been you haunting me. Even now, you still won't let me go."
"You are now my woman, and I will never allow you to stay outside the palace." Xiao Shenjing narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with coldness.
"I've said it so many times, even if every woman in the world wants to get into your bed, she's not me, Yunxi, and I don't want to be your woman!"
"So what?" Xiao Shenjing's eyes were cold enough to kill. "Whether you like it or not, as my woman, you must return to the palace with me."
"You really are..." Yunxi couldn't bear it any longer and stabbed the hairpin in her hand straight at Xiao Shenjing's throat.
Staring at the murderous intent in her eyes, Xiao Shenjing remained motionless.
A slight smile even lingered on his lips, but the smile didn't reach his eyes; it was chilling and sent shivers down one's spine.
Even after they had consummated their marriage, she remained stubbornly unyielding.
Four bodyguards stood in front.
Even at the height of his power, Yunxi could not have taken his life in an instant.
Yunxi knew that she was just venting her anger.
Yunxi felt it was unlucky to stay in a place where Xiao Shenjing was, since she couldn't kill him.
He pulled his hand away from the guard and turned to leave.
No sooner had he moved than Xiao Shenjing’s cold voice came from behind him: “Tomorrow, return to the palace with me.”
Playing the lute to a cow.
Yunxi closed her eyes.
I really don't want to see Xiao Shenjing again.
Even though she tried her best to stand tall and proud, Yunxi's physical discomfort still made her walk in an abnormal way.
Although I don't know how much pain she was in, she would never have revealed her weakness if she wasn't truly in pain.
Thinking about everything that happened last night.
The cold smile in Xiao Shenjing's eyes slowly faded.
Yunxi stormed out of the house, and after a few steps she finally realized something was wrong.
Why is it so quiet?
She walked to the railing, looked down, and gazed into the hall.
It was eerily quiet, not a soul in sight. The once brightly lit and bustling scene was now reduced to a few lanterns drifting in the night.
All the rooms on the third floor were tightly closed.
At a glance, the huge Red Sleeve Pavilion was filled with Xiao Shenjing's men.
Turning around, she saw Dao Yi guarding her door, and Yunxi suddenly had a bad feeling.
Where is my godmother?
Dao shook his head.
Yunxi's heart was instantly gripped by a large hand. She grabbed Dao Yi's arm and asked, "What did you do to my godmother?"
Dao Yi didn't know Yun Xi's godmother at all.
Seeing her anxious appearance, he comforted her, "Miss Yunxi, don't worry. His Majesty hasn't touched anyone here. Everyone is in their own rooms."
At this moment, Dao Er, who was beside him, reminded him, "Didn't you tie up a madam?"
Upon hearing this, Yunxi immediately asked, "Where is she?"
Upon learning that her godmother was alright, Yunxi breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly remembering something else, she immediately stared at Dao Yi and asked, "Where is Ding Xian? What did you do to Ding Xian?"
She was so angry with Xiao Shenjing after she got up that she forgot such an important thing.
Seeing that she looked like she was about to turn back and ask Xiao Shenjing, Dao Yi quickly said, "She was sent back to the Ding residence."
I tapped it a few times.
Of course, he dared not say that.
Only then could Yunxi finally put her mind at ease.
Dao Er led her to the second floor, and when Yunxi went in, she saw her godmother tied up on the ground and asleep.
"Godmother!" Yunxi rushed in immediately.
Hongxiu opened her eyes, and when she saw her, her heart finally settled back into her chest. "Yunxi, how are you? Are you hurt anywhere? Did that person bully you?"
"I'm alright, godmother, I'm fine." Yunxi comforted her as she untied the ropes. "Are you hungry? How long have they been binding you?"
"To tell you the truth, I'm really hungry and thirsty. Quickly, help your godmother to get something to eat," Hongxiu said weakly.
Seeing her so haggard appearance, Yunxi felt heartbroken and helped her sit down, pouring her several glasses of water.
Once she saw that she had recovered, Yunxi said, "Godmother, I'll go ask the kitchen to make you something to eat. Wait for me here."
As soon as she stood up, Hongxiu grabbed her arm.
Yunxi looked down and asked, "What's wrong, godmother?"
“I’ll go with you,” Hongxiu said, standing up and leaving no room for refusal.
Yunxi pursed her lips and said, "Okay."
After stepping out of the room, she saw the quiet and dimly lit Hongxiuzhao, but Hongxiu didn't say anything.
He wasn't even surprised to see the rows of guards standing there.
Yunxi opened her mouth several times as if to say something, but in the end she just walked silently to the kitchen on the first floor.
The kitchen was also completely empty.
When Hongxiu walked to the backyard, she saw that the lights were on in all the rooms where people lived, and that there were armed guards standing at the door.
She stepped back.
Yunxi had already put the leftover steamed buns and porridge in the pot and started a fire.
Hongxiu asked, "Is he the current emperor?"
Yunxi paused, then nodded.
In that instant, she had to admit that anyone who provoked her would inevitably become unfortunate.
She seems to have become a jinx.
Seeing her dejected appearance, Hongxiu couldn't help but recall the last time Yunxi appeared at Hongxiuzhao.
She immediately stood up and hugged Yunxi without saying a word. "Baby, don't take everything on yourself. Don't overthink things."
baby.
This is the name that Yunxi's adoptive mother liked to call her.
She said it was jewelry, her most cherished possession.
"Godmother, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault that Hongxiuzhao has become like this," Yunxi couldn't help but apologize repeatedly.
While patting her back, Hongxiu asked, "Was it you who blocked Hongxiu's shop?"
"No, no." Yunxi immediately shook her head.
"Were you the one who tied me up?" Hongxiu asked again.
Yunxi: "How is that possible!"
"How is that your fault?" Hongxiu pinched her cheek. "I know our darling is very capable, but even if you are very capable, you can't control other people's behavior, can you?"
"Godmother" Yunxi couldn't help but rub against her.
"Still like a child." Hongxiu chuckled, patting her back. "Now can you tell me about what's happened to you these past few years?"
The reigning emperor traveled thousands of miles from the Forbidden City to the border town of Dali, disregarding the threat of a coup, just to take Yunxi away. There must be many unknown stories behind this.
"That's all?" Hongxiu was somewhat shocked. "Just because you didn't want to stay in the palace, he traveled thousands of miles to bring you back?"
"Godmother, let me tell you, that dog emperor Xiao Shenjing..." Before she could finish speaking, Hongxiu quickly covered her mouth.
Yunxi stared wide-eyed at Hongxiu, puzzled.
Hongxiu said, "That's the Emperor. Talking nonsense about him will get you beheaded."
Seeing her nod, Hongxiu released her hand and said with certainty, "You are not suited for the palace and cannot go with him."
Yunxi suddenly smiled and said, "Godmother, I actually think the palace is quite nice."
Hongxiu shook her head. "Although many people in the world want to go into that place, it's definitely not for you. It's too small to fit you."
Yunxi felt a lump in her throat.
Afraid that Hongxiu would notice something was wrong, she immediately went over and hugged her in a coquettish manner, saying, "Godmother, I really don't like the palace, but I like Xiao Shenjing."
She buried her head and rubbed against Hongxiu again. "I really liked him. I couldn't stand other women becoming his queen, so I left."
If she told the truth, Hongxiu would definitely worry about her.
But she held the position of "Red Sleeve Pavilion" on her shoulders, and so many girls depended on her for survival.
There are also so many small stalls, vendors, singers, and waiters.
If she angered Xiao Shenjing again, given his methods, he would definitely use Hongxiuzhao to coerce her.
If anything happens to Hongxiuzhao, Yunxi will never forgive herself.
But Hongxiu was not so easily fooled.
"Didn't you already let him go back then, and even married that alien man named Xu?" Hongxiu asked.
Yunxi smiled a little shyly, "I didn't like him back then, but later I realized I still like him quite a bit."
Hongxiu asked earnestly, "Yunxi, you didn't lie to your godmother?"
"Godmother, I know liking him is a bit of a pain," Yunxi pouted and complained, "He has so many women, but I just can't control myself. But don't worry, Godmother, I've already made a promise with him that if he makes me angry again after we go back this time, he'll let me leave the palace."
"Really?" Hongxiu was still somewhat skeptical.
“Really,” Yunxi said confidently, then shook Hongxiu’s shoulder and said with self-assurance, “And don’t you believe in my abilities? If I’m really unhappy, I can escape from the palace once and I can escape a second time.”
Having said that, Hongxiu felt much relieved.
At that moment, the aroma of food wafted into the room.
"Godmother, the steamed buns are ready." She said, running to the stove and bringing the warm, soft steamed buns to the table.
Hongxiu had been starving for a day and a night. She didn't even care that the food was hot and ate several bites of steamed buns, almost choking on them.
While patting her back, Yunxi couldn't help but curse again, "That bastard Xiao Shenjing is really out of his mind, daring to treat you like this."
Hongxiu glanced at her briefly and said, "Shh."
He looked as if he was afraid she would get her head chopped off.
"Don't worry, godmother, I'll scold him even if he's in front of me!"
Hongxiu was shocked.
Yunxi realized she had given herself away and smiled sheepishly, "Godmother, you know that hitting and scolding are signs of affection. The more I scold and hit him, the more it proves how much I care about him."
After a while, the bodyguard who had been secretly following Yunxi knocked on Xiao Shenjing's door.
"Miss Yunxi said, 'Hitting is a sign of affection, scolding is a sign of love. The more she scolds and hits you, the more it proves that she cares about you.'"
Xiao Shenjing
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