Chapter 69 Just a concubine
Guan Yi'an led Eunuch Wan into Meng Huanyan's courtyard.
This was a courtyard that Guan Yi'an arranged for Meng Huanyan after the Emperor bestowed the mansion upon her. After all, she was his only woman at the moment. The courtyard was decorated in a rather elegant and tranquil manner, with many flowers and plants planted, filling the air with fragrance.
There were originally two maids in the courtyard, but Guan Yi'an had already dismissed them. After the two entered the courtyard, Guan Yi'an turned around and bolted the gate.
"When Guan dismissed the servants, he said he was chatting with his father-in-law and asked Aunt Meng to make tea for us. They won't be coming in for the time being, but there are still servants working outside the courtyard. Steward Wan, please be careful and don't make any noise that might cause misunderstandings."
The courtyard was surrounded by trees on three sides. Only the servants occasionally passed by the main gate. Loud voices could not usually be heard outside, but screams and cries could.
Eunuch Wan lowered his eyes and smiled sinisterly, "I understand, Your Excellency, please hurry, time is of the essence."
A fallen official's daughter, delicate and helpless, became his plaything, to be molded and manipulated at will.
The two went to the master bedroom, and Guan Yi'an took out a key from his sleeve and unlocked the brass lock.
Eunuch Wan was somewhat surprised, "Isn't this young lady docile and obedient? Why is she locked up?"
Guan Yi'an didn't even look up as she stepped into the room first. "She's only docile and obedient when she's locked up, but becomes unruly when she's let out."
"Oh?" Eunuch Wan smiled and followed him inside. "That makes it even more interesting."
Meng Huanyan lay helplessly on the bed, covered by a thick brocade quilt. She was only wearing a thin white light shirt, and her snow-white skin and purplish-blue bruises were visible on her back when she lay on the bed.
The intricate network of structures is both captivating and pitiful.
Hearing the noise outside the door, she initially thought it was just Guan Yi'an alone, until she heard another shrill voice. She then realized something was wrong and quickly wrapped herself up in the quilt.
At this moment, Guan Yi'an and Eunuch Wan had already walked to the bedside. Seeing her so wary, they couldn't help but laugh.
“Young lady, we have already been completely honest with you. Your behavior is far too pretentious.”
When Eunuch Wan arrived at the Guan family to read the imperial edict, Meng Huanyan recognized the eunuch. Upon hearing this, she looked at Guan Yi'an in shock and exclaimed, "Husband, what are you doing bringing a eunuch to my room? Get him out of here!"
"Don't be rude. This is Chief Eunuch Wan from the palace. He's right. Last month when I took you out to buy trunks, the person with you was Chief Eunuch Wan. He's a favorite of the Emperor. If you serve him well, it will benefit both of us."
Guan Yi'an's face was ashen, and his words carried an even more chilling edge.
Meng Huanyan's whole body began to tremble.
"What did you say?"
She didn't know if Guan Yi'an had gone mad, or if there was something wrong with her ears. She could understand each word individually, so why couldn't she understand them when they were put together?
Guan Yi'an asked her to serve this old eunuch in front of her?
Is Guan Yi'an sick, or is she sick, or is this old eunuch sick?
Eunuch Wan's gaze swept over the quilt with unrestrained arrogance; his eyes, as if coated with poison, seemed to be able to see through the brocade quilt to the scenery inside.
"Don't understand? Little lady, it's your good fortune to be chosen by me. There are so many young maids in the palace who want to follow me, but I just happen to like your type. As long as you are obedient, I will love you more than your husband."
After Wan Gonggong finished speaking, his hand reached forward improperly and touched Meng Huanyan's face. Meng Huanyan felt as if she had been bitten by a poisonous snake, and struggled as she backed away.
"Get out, get out of here, you beast who's not a man, get out of here right now..."
These words, "not a man," struck a nerve with Eunuch Wan. His sinister gaze hardened, and he tightened his grip. "You say I'm not a man, young lady? Well then, I'll show you whether I am or not!"
Meng Huanyan winced in pain, unable to bear it any longer, and slapped Eunuch Wan hard across the face, the force of which nearly made him fall off the bed.
"That's really spicy." Eunuch Wan touched his face and smiled wickedly. "The more spicy the young lady plays, the more I like her. But your hands are getting in the way, I'll tie them up for you."
He pounced on Meng Huanyan and grabbed her hand. Meng Huanyan was terrified and struggled fiercely. Eunuch Wan was panting heavily and said to Guan Yi'an, "How long are you planning to watch the play, Minister? Come and help us."
Guan Yi'an stood frozen by the bed like a wooden statue, watching this scene, unsure how to react.
Hearing Wan Gonggong's urging, she stepped forward to assist him.
Seeing Guan Yi'an's actions, Meng Huanyan, who had been struggling violently, suddenly stopped. Her eyes filled with tears, and she stared fixedly at Guan Yi'an, pleading with her last glimmer of hope, "Husband, please, I am your wife..."
That one glance contained so many emotions.
Disbelief, fear, pleading, weakness, regret, and sorrow.
An overwhelming sorrow.
Guan Yi'an was stung by that glance, and his heart, which had long harbored deep hatred for Meng Huanyan, suddenly felt a pang of pity.
However, it was only a trace of it. He quickly turned his head and replied with extreme indifference, "Just a concubine."
With Meng Huanyan's hands tied, Guan Yi'an felt extremely uncomfortable. He left a message and walked towards the door.
"The commotion was too loud just now, Steward Wan, please gag her."
Eunuch Wan dragged Meng Huanyan to the bedside and coldly replied, "Nonsense!"
As it turned out, Guan Yi'an's words were indeed verbose. After being refused Guan Yi'an's request for help, Meng Huanyan was like a soulless person. She didn't even utter a sound, let alone shout. She was even tortured by Eunuch Wan.
This time she wasn't drugged, but apart from opening her eyes, her overall reaction was worse than last time.
Eunuch Wan was not a soft-hearted person; the more she acted this way, the more ruthless he became.
But she was completely like a dead fish, which infuriated Eunuch Wan.
A moment later, the door was pushed open forcefully, and Eunuch Wan stormed out of the room.
Guan Yi'an was waiting in the courtyard when he heard the noise. He came up to greet him, "Steward Wan, it's getting late. Shall I arrange a carriage for you?"
Eunuch Wan waved his hand, "No need. Keep an eye on this young lady, we'll come back tomorrow. I don't believe that she can maintain her feigned fidelity for long, given her past as a woman."
He came in a hurry today and didn't bring any tools. He also didn't have enough time, so not only did he not enjoy himself, but he also ended up feeling frustrated.
Meng Huanyan dared to mock him for not being a man, and he was determined to make this woman realize her mistake.
Guan Yi'an didn't want to discuss this topic with him, so she cupped her hands in greeting and said, "Then I'll see Steward Wan off."
Seeing his submissive demeanor, Eunuch Wan felt he had regained some face and swallowed hard.
"You're smart enough to know your place."
After saying that, he glanced outside and instructed, "I don't need you to see me off today. Go in and see her. I don't want your family to be holding a funeral when I come back tomorrow."
The last time he humiliated a palace maid named Xiao Hui in the palace, the girl didn't move at all and didn't even blink. That night, Xiao Hui threw herself into the river.
The plain-looking girl is dead, but he hasn't gotten tired of the one in the room yet.
"Please take care, Steward Wan."
Guan Yi'an escorted Wan Gonggong to the gate of the courtyard before turning back to his room.
As soon as he stepped into the room, a teacup flew straight at his face.
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