One time is enough
In the early morning, the effects of the alcohol wore off. She sat up, looked around, and felt a terrible headache. She gritted her teeth and hissed, rubbing her temples with a worried expression, completely forgetting what had happened the day before. She vaguely remembered that she had blacked out and mumbled some incoherent words.
"Squeak—" The door was pushed open, and Peng Xuan'an, dressed in a blue official robe, held a bowl of honey water in his hand, wanting her to soothe the effects of the wine.
Seeing that she was awake, Peng Xuan'an quickly went over to give her honey water and sat on the edge of the bed, asking with gentle concern, "Are you alright now?"
Pang Linqiu took the bowl, her head still throbbing, and she couldn't remember anything: "Very good, thank you." She took a small sip.
"Madam, I have something to ask you."
"Okay." She stood up and bent down to put on her shoes.
He recalled her drunken, aggrieved, and tearful appearance yesterday, and mumbled a riddle, "Have you been feeling wronged lately?"
Pang Linqiu glanced at him, puzzled. "There's nothing wrong with you. What's wrong?"
"You were drunk yesterday, and you were mumbling incoherently..."
Pang Linqiu was startled. She thought the person who carried her to bed and settled her down yesterday was Xi Shuang, but she never expected it to be him...
Based on what he said, she was certain that he must have said many things he shouldn't have last night, and her heart began to race. Slightly nervous, she pretended to be calm and turned to look at him.
"What...did I say yesterday?"
"You said someone was forcing you."
Pang Linqiu took a deep breath to calm herself and forced a smile, "You actually believed what I said while I was drunk?"
“But…” He paused, recalling the scene from yesterday, still feeling somewhat sad. “You were very upset yesterday, it doesn’t seem like nonsense.” He suddenly grabbed her hand, his voice full of affection. “My lady, if you encounter any grievances recently, please tell me, okay? Don’t bear it alone, I will always be on your side.”
Pang Linqiu gave an awkward laugh, quickly pulled her hand away from his grasp, got up and dressed, feigning ignorance: "What grievance or not, I really don't know what nonsense you're spouting!"
If it weren't for you, would I be in this situation?
While Pang Linqiu was getting dressed, her waist was suddenly encircled by two hands. Peng Xuan'an leaned close behind her, his head resting on her shoulder. His hot breath brushed against her ear, and his voice was filled with tenderness: "My lady, you're always like this. Why won't you tell me? I'm your husband, and everyone in the world..."
Pang Linqiu hurriedly pried his hands off her waist and pushed him away to keep his distance: "Peng Xuan'an, this is my business. Are you trying to violate the third rule?" She narrowed her eyes, frowned, and looked serious.
Peng Xuan'an looked at the distance and felt heartbroken. He regretted signing the three-point agreement with her. "Madam, we've been married for almost a year. Are you so unwilling to let me touch you? Am I so repulsive to you? Or is it that Qin Mohe is the only person in your heart?" He pressed her aggressively, slowly leaning closer to question her.
He seemed to be lamenting the grievances he had suffered these past few days, growing angrier as he spoke, as if he were releasing all the anger, resentment, and discontent that had been building up for so long. He wanted her to understand him, to pay more attention to him, instead of burying herself in official duties and avoiding him.
Pang Linqiu sensed his emotions, lowered her eyes and remained silent, unsure how to soothe him.
He was furious: "If you only have Qin Mohe in your heart, why did you marry me? You could have lived just as well if you had married him!" He felt that she married him because she wanted to live, and that she must have seen this hope, which was why she did it.
Pang Linqiu was stunned. She looked up at him, her brows furrowed. She finally understood what he meant. His aura was overbearing, as if he had been suffering greatly and enduring much hardship these past few days. She wanted to too, but she couldn't.
"Young Master! It's time for the morning court session," the attendant outside the door reminded him.
Seeing that she remained silent, Peng Xuan'an's anger flared up. "Pang Zhichun! You really hurt people!" He angrily flung his sleeves and left the place.
He left. Pang Linqiu felt wronged but couldn't say anything. She quickly composed herself and turned to deal with the official business on her desk.
Peng Xuan'an didn't return all night, and she didn't know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. The good thing was that she could finally have some peace and quiet and didn't have to sleep in the same bed with him. The bad thing was that she was worried about whether the Emperor would be furious if he heard about her behavior.
Being a good wife and serving your husband is really difficult.
Pang Linqiu sighed helplessly and took off her clothes to prepare for bed.
She curled up, wondering if she had made a mistake. She hated herself for drinking. She was so tired, both physically and emotionally. She had gone to great lengths to get a divorce, but in the end, she had come full circle and married him again.
A wave of drowsiness washed over her, and a sense of uncertainty washed over her. It was as if the voice was telling her that he was back, watching her intently.
She laughed at the absurd feeling, yet feared it might be real. Sleepless nights, eyes lurking in the darkness, spying on someone sleeping—who wouldn't be alarmed? Silently entering the room, silently watching, then silently leaving.
She was certain he was capable of it, and she kept telling herself to fall asleep quickly so she wouldn't overthink it.
Finally, she managed to lull herself to sleep, and Peng Xuan'an had no choice but to leave.
On the third day, he returned to the manor with cold reluctance. Seeing Pang Linqiu's figure, he turned to leave. But then, wanting to draw her attention, he slowed his pace. He thought that if she softened her stance and coaxed him, he would let bygones be by her side and would stay as before.
She noticed the familiar figure, glanced at him briefly, raised an eyebrow in puzzlement at his leisurely stroll, but still turned to chat with his business partner who had invited him into the house. Finally, they entered the reception room, closed the door, and began discussing their collaboration.
Peng Xuan'an stood there stunned for a moment, looked towards the living room, remained silent for a long time, and finally realized that she hadn't noticed him! He decided to choose a more conspicuous place next time.
He decided to follow the advice of his friends in the palace and engage in a cold war until the other party took the initiative to come to him.
For several days in a row, Peng Xuan'an appeared in conspicuous places in the mansion several times. Pang Linqiu glanced at him a few times but then continued with her own work, not understanding his behavior. She continued to bury herself in her work, and occasionally when she went to see Brother Mohe, he was already there...
It's like she's trying to isolate herself, deliberately drawing attention while telling her best friends to ignore her...
Pang Linqiu remained silent and puzzled, while Peng Xuan'an was conspicuous and expectant.
Five days passed, and she still didn't go to see him. He spent his nights in his study. Finally, he couldn't bear it any longer. Like a concubine in the cold palace, he waited day and night for the emperor's visit, only to end up lonely.
He couldn't stand it anymore! That very night, he went to see her, but she was engrossed in reading the documents and didn't even glance at him. He felt a pang of resentment and moved closer to her.
"Madam, what are you doing?" He sat down beside her.
Pang Linqiu noticed his approach, closed the folded document, annoyed by his interruption, and impatiently emphasized with her eyes closed, "General! The first point!"
Peng Xuan'an felt a pang of bitterness seeing her act like a rigid teacher. He gently inhaled her delicate yet alluring fragrance. His gaze then fell upon her profile; she had just finished bathing, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, her features refined and pretty. A strange heat rose within him, and his lower body began to throb.
He moved closer to her, his dark eyes gleaming with obvious desire. "Madam, may we proceed today?"
Pang Linqiu frowned and glanced at him, clearly unwilling: "No!"
He seemed to be overwhelmed by desire. He slumped his head on her shoulder and pleaded, "My lady, please~" he whined, his Adam's apple bobbing. He held up one finger, "Just once! Just once!"
Pang Linqiu shook her head, unwilling and very determined: "No! I'm tired today."
Peng Xuan'an was disappointed, but he rallied himself and, without a word, picked her up and carried her straight to the bed. Pang Linqiu sensed something was wrong!
"Peng Xuan'an! What are you doing!" she demanded angrily, struggling to break free.
Peng Xuan'an smiled and lowered his head to whisper, "To consummate the marriage."
Pang Linqiu's pupils dilated in shock. "Let me go! Let me go!!"
He felt the person in his arms, like a cat, constantly trying to find a gap to squeeze out, wriggling around in his arms.
He placed her on the couch, supported himself with his hands, enveloped her beneath him, and leaned forward slightly.
"Madam, I really feel terrible..." He breathed heavily, his hot breath falling on her cheeks, making her feel uncomfortable from all the torment.
Pang Linqiu narrowed her eyes with hostility and raised her foot to kick him in the groin, but she didn't expect that he had anticipated her actions. His hand stopped, and Pang Linqiu was startled.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on her fair neck. "We've been husband and wife for months, and I've never touched you once. My lady, please grant me this once today, okay?" he pleaded in a low voice.
She struggled every inch of her body, pushing against his chest with both hands to stop him from pressing down on her.
Her eyes were fierce. "Peng Xuan'an! If you dare to force me today, believe me or not, I'll hang you from a beam tomorrow!" she threatened.
Seeing her threaten suicide, he laughed, desire constantly consuming his reason, his voice soft and seductive: "Then your husband... will lock you in the room tomorrow..." He lowered his head, kissing her neck lightly, and whispered in her ear, "Replace all, all sharp and hard objects with soft ones... ha..." His eyes were hazy, and he looked up at her, seemingly excited, "My wife... how can you leave your husband?"
His breath was hot, and his exhaled air was entangled with desire. He felt as if he were being roasted on a fire by desire, unable to find relief.
Pang Linqiu frowned in shock. His breath was so hot, and his warm, moist tongue touched her neck, sending a tingling sensation through her entire body. It was both numb and itchy; she was terrified, her body inexplicably stiffening as if it were out of her control!
"Get out!" She tried desperately to push his head away, but her strength seemed to have been stripped away, and she couldn't move him at all. His hands inexplicably became restless, wandering and caressing her body, and she became even more frightened.
She hurriedly tried to stop him, but Peng Xuan'an suddenly stood up, looking down at the person beneath him, his rhythm interrupted, yet he was still unsatisfied. He tore off the red ribbon binding her hair, letting her black hair fall loose, and he forcefully grabbed her two hands, wrapping the red ribbon around her wrists.
"Madam...don't move..." He was like a wild beast, yet he maintained his rationality; his desires were ultimately uncontrollable. After tying her up, he hurriedly took off his outer garment and reached out to unbutton her clothes.
"Peng Xuan'an! Stop it!" She looked at him helplessly, tears welling up in her eyes. She was afraid, she was pleading.
"Rip—" Instead of undressing her clothes little by little, he was tearing at them.
Her bound hands covered her chest as she shouted, "Stop! Peng Xuan'an! I'm willing to do it with you!"
Peng Xuan'an was startled and stopped what he was doing.
Pang Linqiu hurriedly added, "But I have a condition!"
"You say it," he said, suppressing his desire.
Pang Linqiu's eyes were filled with tears, and Peng Xuan'an felt pity for her.
"Wait for me, okay?" she pleaded softly.
"Waiting for what?" He tilted his head slightly, puzzled.
She wanted to sway him, "Wait until I'm eighteen, okay? Then... then I'll wholeheartedly cooperate with you, okay?"
"Why?" He was breathing more and more heavily, trying to control himself, but it seemed like he couldn't.
She pushed him away, sat against the headboard, and pressed one hand against his chest, saying, "That's what my mother said! She said... she said... in her culture, eighteen is considered the age of coming of age..."
The meaning was clear; Peng Xuan'an bit her lip, clearly hesitant.
Seeing that it was working, she looked at him pleadingly with her bright eyes and said softly, "Xuan An, you...don't want me to hate you, right?"
He moved away, a look of disappointment flashing in his eyes. "...Okay..." he forced himself to agree.
The blood felt like it was filled with boiling water, unable to dissipate the heat surging within the body.
His desire grew stronger, and his suppression of it became increasingly intense.
Pang Linqiu sat up, leaned against the corner of the bed and watched him warily, curled up into a ball and hugged her legs with both hands.
His eyes pleaded like a puppy begging for a hug, gazing at her longingly.
"Madam, could you... help me?"
Pang Linqiu was at a loss, not knowing how to help him. "How...how can I help?" Not helping was not an option, but she couldn't accept it in her heart if she did!
His gaze fell on her hand, and Pang Linqiu followed his gaze, instantly understanding his meaning. She felt bitter, but there was nothing she could do.
"You...can you..." She paused, then gave a wry smile, feeling embarrassed, "find a way to solve it yourself?"
Peng Xuan'an was stunned for a moment, his cheeks flushed red, and he seemed to be on fire. He turned his head away, "Madam...you just..."
Pang Linqiu quickly stopped him from speaking, "I'll give you three choices: one, do it yourself; two, take a concubine; three, find a man outside." She presented him with three options.
"Madam!" he said in a muffled voice, dissatisfied when he heard the third option.
"I won't say anything to you."
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