Chapter 12 First Visit: Did your cousin ever hold you like this?
As night fell, Zhu Xuanning took a hot bath, sent Po Mo away, and then the window was pushed open.
Song Zhaohan stood behind her, looking down at the fair and slender neck in front of her, her eyes churning with emotions.
"Even on your own estate, you're not used to using the main gate?" Zhu Xuanning tensed her back, paused in her hand twisting her hair, and said calmly.
Song Zhaohan walked up to her and saw that Zhu Xuanning's eyelashes were trembling uneasily, and her luscious lips were bitten so tightly that they turned white.
She was just pretending not to be afraid of him.
The anger he felt at being mocked subsided considerably when he saw Zhu Xuanning's expression.
He moved closer, smelling the faint, pleasant fragrance of her bath, and his gaze deepened.
Zhu Xuanning was about to stand up when someone pressed down on her knees.
"What are you doing!" Zhu Xuanning's handkerchief, which she had been twisting her hair with, fell to the ground. She pushed him away in a panic and anger.
Song Zhaohan didn't say anything. She reached behind her, grabbed a towel hanging on the rack, hugged Zhu Xuanning with one arm, and used the other hand to press the towel against Zhu Xuanning's half-wet hair.
"When your cousin and you were having a secret rendezvous, did he hold you so tightly and wring your hair like I did?"
"Would you struggle like this when you fall into his arms?"
Song Zhaohan twisted her hair gently, her tone was calm, and her gaze was unwavering, but Zhu Xuanning could sense the anger hidden beneath her calm.
"You're spying on me!" Zhu Xuanning's worst suspicions were confirmed, and her tone was tinged with anger.
Song Zhaohan tossed aside the handkerchief, restrained Zhu Xuanning's hand, and lifted her chin. Her anger transformed into a mocking smile: "Don't say such unpleasant things. I was just worried that you'd get bored staying out of the manor, so I left some people outside the Zhu residence, thinking I'd take you out to play once you came out. Unfortunately, my people saw you leave the manor, and even more unfortunately, they saw Mei Jiashan leave the manor as well."
"What a coincidence, you both went to Yunshan Temple."
"I gave you time to consider me, and you think you can just deceive me like this?"
"Do you think that as long as you appease me, you can use your cousin's affection for you to get him to choose you and dump that rich girl?"
As Song Zhaohan spoke, her tone gradually became more erratic, and she began to tighten her grip on Zhu Xuanning's hand.
Song Zhaohan's last words shattered Zhu Xuanning's fleeting illusions. Unable to break free from Song Zhaohan's grasp, she forcefully turned her face away, then lowered her head and bit down hard on the finger that Song Zhaohan had used to lift her chin.
The taste of blood filled Zhu Xuanning's mouth, and the stinging pain brought Song Zhaohan back to his senses. He released Zhu Xuanning in pain.
The girl who had been biting him took the opportunity to let go. She lowered her head and retreated in a disheveled manner, trying her best to suppress her sobs. Her body trembled like an autumn butterfly: "Yes, compared to you, I just like my cousin more."
The heartache that Song Zhaohan had just felt was overshadowed by anger again as soon as Zhu Xuanning finished speaking.
He strode forward, grabbed Zhu Xuanning's chin, and forced her to look up at him.
Zhu Xuanning cried until her eyes were red and her voice choked with sobs: "My cousin doesn't monitor me or force me; he speaks to me gently, takes care of me, and respects my feelings; he loves me, and with him, I feel like I exist as a human being."
Song Zhaohan, you keep saying you love me, but I can't feel any love from you.
You treat me like a pet, ignoring my wishes. You only tease me when you like me, and who knows, one day you might not like me anymore and will completely abandon me.
How can I dare to love you?
She was so heartbroken that she could barely stand.
Song Zhaohan loosened his grip on her chin. He had taken Zhu Xuanning's words to heart and remained silent, a rare occurrence for him.
Love arises from beauty, but fades as beauty diminishes.
Song Zhaohan knew that what he initially liked was her face; his affection was shallow and would likely fade before her beauty wore off.
Song Zhaohan was persuaded by Zhu Xuanning, but those in a high position would never admit that it was their own problem: "Don't try to argue. You just want to play me for a while and then continue your affair with your cousin."
Zhu Xuanning smiled through her tears, her eyes filled with humiliation: "Song Zhaohan, I am not you."
“I know there is no possibility between me and my cousin anymore. This meeting is to sever our relationship and have nothing to do with each other anymore.”
A tear slid down her cheek and landed on Song Zhaohan's hand.
Song Zhaohan suddenly let go, and all her jealousy vanished in an instant.
Zhu Xuanning turned her back, biting her lip tightly to stop herself from crying out loud.
Song Zhaohan touched her again, but Zhu Xuanning shook him off. However, he was not angry because of Zhu Xuanning's resistance. Instead, he patiently coaxed her.
"Don't cry." Song Zhaohan knelt down and gently wiped away her tears.
When he saw Zhu Xuanning biting her lips until they turned white, he couldn't help but touch the girl's slightly dry lips: "Bite me, you can bite me as hard as you did just now."
"This time it was my fault; I misunderstood you."
Zhu Xuanning bit him, her pearly teeth rubbing against his fingertips, like a kitten gnawing on a bone, but not with the same force as last time.
A slight tingling sensation spread from his fingertips to Song Zhaohan's entire body. He suppressed the strange emotions welling up inside him and softened his tone: "You are different from those people. After I met you, I haven't looked for anyone else. I only like you now."
"Xuan Ning, try to believe me, I am also trying to change."
What Song Zhaohan said was also the truth.
He didn't look for anyone else because after seeing Zhu Xuanning, everyone else's face became just another ordinary face in his eyes; even the most charming courtesan couldn't compare to the allure of Zhu Xuanning as she tearfully resisted him.
Zhu Xuanning knew that this was pretty much the limit of Song Zhaohan's current low-profile attitude, and she gradually stopped crying.
"Really?" she asked weakly, her voice nasal.
Zhu Xuanning lifted her wet eyelashes and looked at him cautiously, like a wary kitten tentatively extending its paw.
Song Zhaohan's eyes gradually lit up with joy as she lovingly stroked the side of her eye that bore a red mark: "Of course it's true."
"That's why I was so angry when I heard about this. I care about you so much, Xuan Ning."
Song Zhaohan explained, and also took the opportunity to express her feelings.
It's just that I didn't get it, that's why I'm like this.
Zhu Xuanning chuckled inwardly, but her face flushed with a shy blush, which made Song Zhaohan unable to resist pulling her into his arms and kissing her tenderly.
This time, Zhu Xuanning did not resist as before, and her tacit acceptance made Song Zhaohan even more succumb to it.
Only when the boy's desire reached its peak did Zhu Xuanning manage to break free from Song Zhaohan's embrace while he was lost in passion.
Her slender white hands gripped the edge of the bed tightly, her starry eyes were hazy, her face was flushed, and she breathed softly. Her red lips, glistening with dew, looked even more alluring.
With a thought, Song Zhaohan took a step forward, braced herself on the edge of the bed, and took the delicate little pear blossom into her own territory.
He couldn't suppress his growing desire and pulled the person tightly into his arms, his nostrils flaring slightly as he said in a hoarse voice, "Just let me hold you a little longer."
While it was disappointing that he couldn't immediately devour her, the experience of going from resistance to letting him kiss her only made him more infatuated.
Song Zhaohan felt that it was only a matter of time before he possessed this beautiful flower, so he was willing to indulge her for a while and show her some respect.
The fragrance of the person in his arms kept stimulating his senses, and even though Zhu Xuanning obediently lay on his chest without moving, Song Zhaohan's desires did not subside.
He knew he couldn't stay any longer, so he could only lower his head and kiss Zhu Xuanning's forehead again, speaking as gently as possible: "The day after tomorrow, I'll introduce you to my friend."
Zhu Xuanning responded sweetly, her trembling voice enticing Song Zhaohan to press her lips against hers again.
After Song Zhaohan left, Zhu Xuanning stroked her flawless face and smiled smugly at the bronze mirror, where the person in the mirror also revealed a thousand kinds of elegant and beautiful charm.
The next morning, Zhu Xuanning returned safely to the Zhu residence.
Zhu Baoyue had been on leave for more than half a month, and today Madam Zhu was packing her up and sending her back to the girls' school.
As she was leaving, she clung to Zhu Xuanning with tears in her eyes, insisting that Zhu Xuanning accompany her to school, but was dissuaded by a single sentence from Madam Zhu.
“Your older sister has a weak foundation and doesn’t know much. It would take a lot of effort for her to keep up with your pace if she went to school with you. It would be better if she studied at home first and then went to school with you.”
Zhu Baoyue couldn't understand the hidden meaning in her words; she only felt that her mother was considering Zhu Xuanning's feelings in every word, and that she was telling Zhu Xuanning to study hard when she got into the car.
Zhu Xuanning smiled and agreed. After Zhu Baoyue left, Madam Zhu still had the same smile on her face and said softly, "Your uncle wants you to go to his study when he finishes his official duties."
Zhu Xuanning responded with a "yes," and after she left, Madam Zhu stared at Zhu Xuanning's back, gritting her teeth in anger: "My husband is paying almost as much attention to this little girl as he does to my precious Baoyue, and he even mentioned sending her to a girls' school."
Bah! She's just a maid who'll pave the way for my Baoyue in the future. Does she even deserve to receive the same education as my Baoyue?
If we really send her to a girls' school, wouldn't that mean we'd have to make this little slut our legal wife?
With such a humble status, she could only be married into a wealthy family if she was lucky; otherwise, she could only be married into a poor family as their principal wife, and she would have to rely on the support of her Zhu and Qin families. She must have been out of her mind to let the other party take advantage of her!
As night fell, Zhu Xuanning went to Zhu Yuli's study.
"Are you going to the girls' school?" Zhu Yuli asked directly.
"I'm not going."
She did not have a distinguished background, and going to the girls' school could not help her in her situation.
Zhu Yuli gave Zhu Xuanning a deep look, understood her decision, and nodded, saying, "You haven't gone out much since you came to the capital. Take some time to explore, just make sure there are no rumors that could damage the reputation of the Zhu family."
After Zhu Yuli finished speaking, without waiting for Zhu Xuanning's reply, he ordered his servants to escort the person out.
As she left the study, Zhu Xuanning turned back to look at Zhu Yuli and asked, puzzled, "Is this your way of making up for the guilt you feel towards my mother?"
Zhu Yuli did not respond.
Zhu Xuanning didn't ask any more questions, but just smiled and said, "I accept this compensation, but I won't thank you."
After saying that, Zhu Xuanning left without looking back.
As the moon rose high in the sky, Zhu Yuli closed his eyes wearily and instructed the servants to make up the bedding in the inner room of the study: "Tell Madam that I will be resting in the study tonight."
When Zhu Xuanning left the mansion again, the gatekeeper let her through without even informing Madam Zhu.
Upon learning that it was Zhu Yuli's indulgence, Madam Zhu smashed a cup in anger: "What young lady can be so carefree as her!"
Seeing that Madam Zhu was angry, Madam Hua also felt some resentment towards her son-in-law, but she did not show it. She said, "Look, Master has gone to great lengths, but this good-for-nothing still refuses to let the female tutor come to the mansion. She is so stupid and can't be helped. Madam will be able to control her in the future. Why be angry? You should laugh out loud."
Madam Zhu thought about it again and realized that it made sense, which calmed her down a bit.
Song Zhaohan had already conveyed the agreed time and place to Zhu Xuanning through her ink-splashed hand gesture.
Zhu Xuanning entered Fuyou Pavilion discreetly with her ink-splashed pendant, handed the carved ivory plaque to the doorman, and was then greeted with utmost respect.
When Zhu Xuanning went up to the VIP room on the third floor, she smelled a strong medicinal odor.
Not long after, footsteps approached from behind her.
"Whose wife are you, and who are you looking for here?" The voice that rang out was indifferent and tinged with a hint of doubt.
Zhu Xuanning turned around, but saw a hint of disgust on that beautiful and unparalleled face.
She had seen many expressions of amazement, possessiveness, and infatuation, but she had never been rejected by anyone. Zhu Xuanning was inevitably a little unhappy, but judging from this person's attire, she knew that she couldn't afford to offend him at all.
“I’m here to find Song Zhaohan,” Zhu Xuanning replied.
This direct address to a friend by his full name immediately made Yan Hengdan frown. He couldn't help but cough, and the servant beside him immediately helped him catch his breath. After a long while, a slight blush appeared on Yan Hengdan's pale face, and even the tip of his nose turned a faint red. He finally spoke, his tone indifferent and somewhat hoarse: "Since you are someone that A Zhao brought to play, then come in."
After saying that, Yan Hengdan walked in front of Zhu Xuanning. His servant opened the door, and Zhu Xuanning followed Yan Hengdan in.
In that instant, all the boys in the room looked at her.
"Yan Wu, is this the lady you brought?" The round-faced boy's face showed a subtle expression due to his shock.
The moment Yan Hengdan sat down, her listless face contorted with disgust. She glared at him and said irritably, "If you're sick, go get your brain checked. If you need a doctor, I can personally go to the palace and fetch an imperial physician for you. When have I ever kept a prostitute while I've been playing around with you all this time?"
"This is Ah Zhao's man." Yan Hengdan said, then closed her eyes, too annoyed to talk to anyone anymore.
"It was my cousin Ming who brought it." The round-faced boy smiled knowingly, but then a hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes.
They talked for a long time, but no one paid any attention to Zhu Xuanning.
From the moment she entered, Zhu Xuanning stood there, her head bowed incongruous, but her hands were already clenched in her sleeves.
She once again witnessed the arrogance of these young noblemen up close, and they even mistook her for someone who was being sold.
These young masters didn't ask Zhu Xuanning to sit down. Instead, they commented with curiosity, "When did Song Ming change his taste and start liking such timid and petty people? He doesn't even bother to raise his face so we can see him."
Changing concubines and favorites was a common occurrence among these indulgent and arrogant young noblemen.
Song Ming is Song Zhaohan. Ming is his nickname, and the boys he gets along well with all call him that.
When the young master spoke, everyone burst into laughter. They wanted Zhu Xuanning to raise her head so that they could have a good look at her.
Song Zhaohan, who had been waiting for a long time on the first floor of Fuyou Pavilion without seeing anyone, asked around and learned that Zhu Xuanning had been led to the third floor by the newly arrived doorman.
He flew into a rage, giving the manager and others at Fuyou Pavilion a severe beating before hurriedly going upstairs.
"I'm late. I tripped over some clueless thing." Zhu Xuanning turned around as Song Zhaohan pushed open the door.
She raised her face, and her meticulously made-up face amazed Song Zhaohan.
Before long, tears welled up in Zhu Xuanning's eyes. She bit her moist lips, which were adorned with lipstick, and looked at him timidly like an uneasy fawn, calling out, "Ah Zhao."
The soft, slightly nasal voice made one of the young men's expressions change, and he suddenly stopped touching the lid.
Upon learning that Zhu Xuanning had gone up to the third floor, Song Zhaohan had anticipated that Zhu Xuanning might be harassed, but seeing Zhu Xuanning in this state now, Song Zhaohan still felt sorry for her. He held Zhu Xuanning's hand and said angrily, "Who bullied her?"
His protective look left the young men speechless.
Yan Hengdan, whose head was throbbing from the noise, looked up at Song Zhaohan and asked, "What are you going to do about it?"
"No matter what, apologize to her," Song Zhaohan said coldly.
These words made Yan Hengdan sit up straight, and even Zhu Xuanning was somewhat surprised, looking helplessly at Song Zhaohan.
"Don't be afraid. I brought you here to meet people, not to let them bully you," Song Zhaohan said softly, touching her hair.
Yan Hengdan finally turned her gaze to Zhu Xuanning, whom she had previously ignored. Before she could even stare at her for a second, Song Zhaohan stepped forward and blocked Yan Hengdan's cold gaze.
Yan Hengdan turned to look directly at Song Zhaohan, her tone turning cold: "Are you serious?"
What a joke! Asking people of their status to thank her—I wonder if they can even handle it.
Song Zhaohan didn't say it a second time, but her attitude said it all.
The round-faced boy was trying to smooth things over between the two, but he was pushed down.
Many of the young men wanted to see how this new face held a place in Song Zhaohan's heart.
The atmosphere, already tense with no one willing to ease it, became even more terrifying.
Yan Hengdan laughed in anger, flicked his fingers and tapped the table three times. Immediately, the servant who had been attending to him stepped forward and helped Yan Hengdan leave the table.
He didn't even glance at Song Zhaohan before leaving immediately. Only when he passed by Zhu Xuanning did he give her a quick look and leave a comment: "I underestimated you. You've got some tricks up your sleeve."
“He’s just a scoundrel, always throwing tantrums. You don’t need to take his words to heart.” Song Zhaohan glared fiercely at Yan Hengdan, then comforted Zhu Xuanning, led her to her seat, and immediately ordered someone to bring out the mahjong table.
"Do you know how to play?" Song Zhaohan knew she didn't, but she asked again anyway.
Zhu Xuanning shook her head as expected.
Song Zhaohan stood behind her and said, "It's alright, I'll teach you how to play."
After saying that, he glanced at his friends sitting at the head of the table and said, "Don't bully her, I'll teach her how to play."
The atmosphere became lively again thanks to Song Zhaohan's few words.
The round-faced boy glanced at Zhu Xuanning, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
The cold-faced, aloof young man paid no attention, focusing only on taking out and looking at his cards, as if the confrontation just now had no effect on him at all.
Only Yu Xuan sighed helplessly: "I know, then should I feed her a few cards?"
Zhu Xuanning blushed and looked at Song Zhaohan.
Song Zhaohan gently taught her the rules of the game, but after hearing Yu Xuan's words, she choked for a moment: "No need, she's my apprentice now, why would she need you to feed her cards! Just play a little more gently than usual."
Song Zhaohan was very confident in teaching Zhu Xuanning how to play mahjong.
Yu Xuan couldn't even bear to watch. He had already fed the girl that A Zhao had brought over several cards, but A Zhao and the girl together still managed to ruin the game.
The usually cold-faced young man revealed a long-lost emotion, while the round-faced boy laughed, holding the money he had won. The other young masters who were not qualified to sit at their table, seeing Song Zhaohan and the others getting into the game, also sat down at another table to play.
Only Yu Xuan glanced at the two of them and helplessly rubbed his forehead.
Zhu Xuanning turned her head to the side, her misty eyes looking at Song Zhaohan. She gently tugged at her sleeve, her voice soft and somewhat apologetic: "Zhaohan, I'm not playing anymore."
After Zhu Xuanning finished speaking, she felt someone secretly watching her again, but she didn't know who it was.
"Okay, sit next to me and watch how I play." Song Zhaohan wasn't angry, but she felt she had lost face in front of Zhu Xuanning and was unhappy.
He gently pinched Zhu Xuanning's cheek, causing her to frown, before Song Zhaohan smiled and let go.
A note from the author:
[Crying][Crying] I missed the application list, I'll update again next week when I'm on the list.
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