Chapter 37. A forced kiss.
Caiping stormed back into her house, and no matter how Caixiang tried to persuade her to let go, she refused.
As Caiping passed by the doors of Fan and He's rooms, she caught a glimpse of He Niang sitting on the edge of the couch, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. Caiping couldn't swallow her anger. She kicked open the half-closed door and shrieked, "You shameless little hussy! What are you doing here, so lovesick and yearning for a man? Go back to your Pingkang Lane and sell your smiles sooner or later, so you don't wail and wail all night, making this place a disgrace!"
Upon hearing this, Cai Xiang was terrified. She grabbed Cai Xiang's hand and said urgently, "Are you out of your mind! We're all from Master's household, what are you yelling about?"
Caiping sneered, "Who wants to be 'along' with her? You've chosen to be depraved, go ahead and be 'along' with her, I don't care, I'm completely innocent!" With that, she let go of Caixiang's hand and shoved her into the house, "Go away! Go with them! Tomorrow I'll put a flower plaque up for you in Pingkang Lane too. It's a pity you can't compare to them, they can play the piano and sing, you can only sew socks and trousers for men!"
Cai Xiang blushed instantly with embarrassment. She was not usually one to argue, and now that Cai Ping had scolded her, she could only move her thick lips incessantly, unable to utter a single word.
Hearing this, Fan Niang was already furious, her brows furrowed and eyes bulging. She shoved the handkerchief she was using to wipe her tears into He Niang's hand, immediately stood up, and stabbed her with barbs: "That's right! In the master's house, only Cai Ping is a pure and innocent beauty, but unfortunately, the master doesn't like pure women. He only picks the unclean ones to bring into the house. Otherwise, why would he even eagerly try to bring his own brother's wife into the house!"
Fan Niang glared at Cai Ping with her beautiful eyes, which were like knives: "Now that there's Lady Xue and the two of us sisters, the filth and ugliness in this room can quickly fill a line. It's really an eyesore for Miss Cai Ping. If you can't stand it, you should resign from the master as soon as possible, so that you won't suffer in the future and blame us."
Cai Xiang stamped her foot angrily and said, "Why are you two arguing and pulling at the old man and his wife like this!"
These words were like adding fuel to the fire. Caiping immediately retorted, "You dare to talk nonsense about me!" She rolled up her sleeves and rushed forward, slapping Fanniang so hard she stumbled and fell onto the couch. Fanniang, never one to back down, immediately revealed her ten finely manicured fingernails and scratched Caiping's face, leaving five red marks. The two women instantly began to fight, their shouts growing louder. Caixiang frantically tried to stop them, while He Niang, younger than her, could only tearfully offer empty words of comfort, actually trying to help her sister.
The commotion was so great that it disturbed Qingyue, who was recuperating next door. She slowly walked over, her injured arm in her hand. Before she could even take a few glances, two figures in dark blue appeared behind her. Cheng Min, in the lead, kicked Caiping and Fanniang, who were fighting, to the ground. Cheng An followed behind, frowning and demanding of Caixiang, "What's all this fuss about?!"
It turned out that Liang Ye's household was different from others. Because he was indifferent to women, he was usually served by servants such as Cheng Min and Cheng An, and he treated the maids equally, with the maids only taking care of their clothes and utensils. Therefore, although Er Cai had served Liang Ye for a long time, she could not compare to Er Cheng in terms of the weight of his words. Among the servants, Cheng Min was known for his shrewdness, resourcefulness, and skill in handling affairs, and he was the most favored by Liang Ye. Therefore, he was in charge of all the accounts and monthly allowances in Lantai Pavilion, making him the de facto head of the inner quarters.
When Chengmin came over, the maids were filled with anxiety. They wiped away their tears and remained silent. Only Caixiang frowned and approached to cover for them, smiling apologetically, "It was just a few idle words that caused a commotion. It was such a small matter. Why did it alarm Brother Chengmin?"
Cheng Min sneered, "What a commotion! Do you think people's ears are stuffed with shit? Cai Xiang, you don't need to cover for them. A few words did get over our ears when they came. Luckily, you're a respectable girl from a wealthy family. Those two are fine, they're new here and don't know the rules. Cai Ping, you're an old hand by the master's side, and some of the things you said were disheartening! If we don't punish you today, it would really make our main branch seem like we have no manners or decorum. But if we do punish you, you have a lot of face, and if the master finds out, he'll definitely ask about it. How are you going to explain those things to him? Tell me, what should we do?"
Cai Ping covered her scratched face, sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face and sobbing, "What I said was all for the good of the eldest son's family! For the good of the master!"
Cheng Min glanced at her, her voice chillingly cold: "Oh? So, according to you, I should reward you?"
Cai Ping trembled at his tone, lowered her head and sobbed, "It was my fault... I accept the punishment."
Cheng Min smiled and said, "Then let's cut her monthly salary and rice allowance for a month!" Then she turned to Cai Xiang and said, "Take her to get her face cleaned up."
After Ercai left, Chengmin finally looked at Fanniang.
Fan Niang felt a surge of satisfaction when Cheng Min punished Cai Ping. Cai Ping was clearly in the wrong; she and He Niang were in their own house when Cai Ping barged in without warning, so she couldn't be blamed for protecting herself and He Niang. Therefore, when Cheng Min punished Cai Ping, Fan Niang secretly spat, "Serves her right!"
Although the voice was soft, both Cheng Min and Cheng An were martial arts practitioners, and their hearing was extraordinary. Cheng An immediately frowned and glared at her, and she awkwardly shut up.
Seeing that Caiping had left, Fanniang quickly put on a smiling face and gave Ercheng Yingying a graceful bow: "Thank you, Brother Chengmin and Brother Chengan, for making the decision."
Cheng Min smiled, turned to Cheng An and said, "Go and call Huai Song and Huai Feng, and have them get a small boat ready."
Cheng An instantly understood his meaning, frowned and said, "The person was left behind by the master. If you want to do this, you must at least inform the master."
"You don't need to worry about it. I'll take care of everything."
Fan Niang was completely confused. She saw Cheng An purse his lips and go out, beckoning to the corridor: "You two come here." Huai Song and Huai Feng hurriedly ran to Cheng An, who instructed: "Go and fetch a small boat, make sure it's clean."
Cheng Min raised her voice again: "No need for oars or paddles, a simple plank boat will suffice!"
Fan Niang sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, "We're still far from the capital, what do we need a small boat for?"
Cheng Min glanced at her and said, "Fan Niang, the master has treated your sisters very well."
Fan Niang's heart sank, and she gripped her dress tightly with her fingertips.
Cheng Min continued, "Come closer."
Fan Niang's heart was pounding like a drum, as if she were holding a rabbit in her arms. She took small, light steps, and as soon as she stood up, Cheng Min slapped her across the face.
Fan Niang covered her face, tears welling up in her eyes, but dared not move an inch.
Cheng Min sneered, "The master is kind-hearted, keeping you two sisters in Lantai Pavilion, and this is how you repay him? What do you mean by 'the master's room is filthy and smelly,' what do you mean by 'the master doesn't care about purity'?" By then, the doorway was crowded with maids and servants, all peeking and eavesdropping. Cheng Min lowered her gaze and deliberately raised her voice a few decibels, "Listen carefully! This is the consequence of insubordination and rudeness!"
Fan Niang's face was swollen on one side, and she sat pitifully on the ground. Hearing Cheng Min's words, she hurriedly burst into tears and begged for forgiveness: "Brother Cheng Min! It was my fault! It was all my fault! I was confused for a moment. Please, Brother Cheng Min, forgive me this time, considering how well I have served you these past few days!"
Cheng Min ignored her and instead turned to face the group of maids and servants who were watching the commotion, saying, "If anyone commits this offense again in the future, don't blame me for being ruthless. Fan Niang is a prime example of what will happen today."
Huaisong and Huaifeng slipped over from behind the wall and said, "Ready." Cheng Min nodded and said loudly, "Good. Anyone who speaks disrespectfully or acts insubordinately will be expelled from Lantai Pavilion immediately. Huaisong, Huaifeng, please ask Miss Fanniang to disembark!"
A commotion erupted. Those who didn't understand the situation asked each other questions. Huai Song and Huai Feng stepped forward and gestured for Fan Niang to leave. Fan Niang was stunned for a moment, then immediately collapsed into tears at Cheng Min's feet. He Niang was even more heartbroken, crying and begging for mercy with her sister.
Cheng Min remained unmoved, his eyes darkening. He added, "Anyone who secretly bullies Madam Xue, or speaks ill of her in public, will be punished as an equal!" With that, he ignored the pleas for mercy from Fan Niang and her sisters and stormed off.
*
When Liang Ye carried Shanhe back into the house, there were hardly any dry spots on her body. Her plain face was streaked with water, and her thick, dark hair, soaked with water, clung heavily to her body, with water droplets dripping down from the doorway to the bedside.
Liang Ye's eyes were as deep as a well. Seeing her disheveled and miserable appearance, he felt both pity and hatred. He scolded her, "Do you have to kill yourself before you're satisfied?"
When gentle persuasion failed, she resorted to force, threatening suicide.
Shanhe's jaw trembled: "It was my elder brother who didn't want me to live..."
It's the eldest brother again...
Liang Ye placed her back on the couch, his voice as cold as ice: "You're still thinking about A-Shao?"
Shanhe struggled to sit up halfway on the bed. She was terribly cold, but her heart burned with fervor. In the instant she jumped into the boat, she had felt a deep, overwhelming regret. Why did she have to die? Hadn't she come to this point precisely to live a better life? If it weren't for Liang Ye, she should be living the life she most desired now, even if it was austere. She couldn't die! Yet she also understood that the pressures of life could eventually force her to make the decision to "die." She hated her own weakness and powerlessness for this thought. Two years had passed, and before the torrent of fate, she remained as powerless as an ant.
But she had to survive!
If we want to survive, we are currently trapped in this tiny boat.
Shanhe's mind raced, and in the end, she could only sadly decide to make some compromises: "No... but in my heart, my elder brother will always be my elder brother, and my grandfather... will always be my grandfather."
Liang Ye swayed slightly, then asked in a hoarse voice, "What about Ah Shao?"
Shanhe raised her wet eyes and stared at him intently. Days of mental and physical torment had left her pale and listless as she sat before Liang Ye, her face ashen, like faded old silk, yet her eyes shone with an unquenched fire of emotion. Unsure how to answer, she lowered her eyelids and truthfully replied, "I don't know."
The pity he had felt for her pitiful state just moments before was now burned to ashes by the fire of jealousy. Liang Shao, Liang Shao… not knowing meant he existed! Not knowing meant she still couldn't forget him! Liang Ye clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white. Even with all he had done, even with his sweet words and threats, he couldn't warm her heart! Just how much infatuation had Liang Shao given her to make her so unable to forget him?
He now realized how foolish and ridiculous his previous idea of "taking things slowly" with Shanhe was! How could he possibly slow down a woman who was in love with his younger brother?
His heart churned with anxiety for a long time before he managed to suppress his emotions. He raised his eyes and looked at Shanhe's thin, soaked body. He exhaled a long breath and tried to keep his voice calm: "Change into some dry clothes first."
A storm is brewing.
But Shanhe saw that his tone had finally softened. She slowly moved her body, knelt on the couch, and pleaded with him pitifully, "Brother, please let me go. If Lantai Pavilion is short of servants, I am willing to be your maid, just please don't make me do such a thing." Her clear eyes were full of sorrowful pleas.
Liang Ye's gaze lingered on her face.
Shanhe thought there was a chance to turn things around, so she quickly crawled two steps on her knees and looked up at him: "Brother, in my heart, you are like my own brother. Two years ago, the disaster in our family left me homeless, but it was Grandfather who gave me a place to stand. It was you who secretly protected me. I am grateful for that, I have always been grateful! I will never forget your kindness. I am willing to be a maidservant to serve you. I know I am just a lowly government slave, and being a servant is my livelihood for this lifetime..." She slowly lowered her head, not daring to look at Liang Ye's increasingly heaving chest and his dark, brooding face, "I only ask to live with some dignity in this life, not to be a lover, not a mistress..."
Before she could finish speaking, Liang Ye's large hand gripped her slender neck, and he abruptly asked, "Where is I?"
Not a mistress, not a concubine, but a woman who could be included in the family genealogy and carried into the mansion in a red-roofed sedan chair.
only……
In the Liang family genealogy, Liang Ye's concubine was Xue Shanhe, and Liang Shao's ex-wife was also Xue Shanhe.
He had never considered letting Shanhe into the family, at least not until he had complete control of the power. But now, anger and jealousy burned within him, and he couldn't care less about anything else! Let her curse him! Let Shao know if he wants to! Liang Shao lives a carefree and comfortable life, yet he has won Shanhe's heart, while he has been so cautious and prudent for so many years, and she sees him as a monster. If that's the case, why should he care so much? He has to live for himself for once!
Shanhe clutched his sleeve, tears welling in her eyes. She had said so much, compromised so much, why was he pressing her so relentlessly? Why did he insist on her submitting and yielding?
"Big brother, I..."
"Mmm..." Before the echo of her voice faded, her almost bloodless lips were sealed by his. He was too lazy to play games with her anymore. He bent down, and the hand that had been caressing her neck now gripped the back of her head tightly, pressing her against him.
Their lips rubbed together, their bodies nestled close, their hearts pounding fiercely through only a few thin layers of fabric. The dampness from Shanhe's chest had already seeped into his, and Liang Ye's long arms encircled her in his embrace, wishing he could meld her into his very bones.
Shanhe's vision went black for a moment, then she immediately pushed against his chest, struggling to leave.
Tears slid down, mingling with the salty taste between their intertwined lips and teeth.
Ignoring her resistance, Liang Ye's strength grew even more ruthless, sucking away her sweet saliva and ravaging her soft lips. Only when Shanhe was on the verge of death, and when an unusual blush appeared on her pale face, did he slowly separate from her. A thin strand of silver thread broke off and hung from the corner of Shanhe's lips.
Liang Ye wiped it away with his fingertip, his voice low and hoarse: "Whether you're a concubine or a maid, I've thought about you for a long time. From now on, you'll stay by my side."
"Apart from the position of your principal wife, and from leaving me, I will grant you whatever you desire."
He turned her face towards him, looking into her terrified and desperate eyes. A twisted pleading lurked deep within his gaze: "Is this alright?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Red envelopes will be randomly given away in the comments section [dog head with rose][dog head with rose][dog head with rose] Please leave lots of comments!
The descriptions of the maids and servants aren't random! They're related to Shanhe's future choices, and they're not just filler.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
