Chapter 38 "Has Ah Shao ever...done this before?"
Shanhe was so shocked that his whole body trembled.
Although she had already guessed his thoughts, now that he had spoken them aloud, she felt as if she were being shackled. Especially the phrase "I have considered this for a long time," which sent chills down her spine. How long was "for a long time"? She dared not think about it. For the past two years, she had sat upright in the position of Second Madam Liang, genuinely treating Liang Ye with the respect due to a brother! He, in turn, had remained virtuous and courteous, always treating her with gentle kindness and consideration, never overstepping his bounds. So, how long was this "for a long time"? What had he truly been thinking during those days and nights, hiding his identity as an elder brother and acting as a respectful and virtuous gentleman? When exactly had the seed of his inappropriate feelings for her, his sister-in-law, been planted?
Shanhe was filled with fear, for she suddenly remembered that night—after she and Liang Shao had finished in the study, Liang Shao was carrying her back to her bedroom when they caught Liang Ye's gaze from behind a tree. Trembling, surprised, and a hint of naked lust... But at the time, she was so frightened that she was completely unaware of the surging lust in his eyes, and she didn't even think about why he would be at Lantai Pavilion so late at night. At that moment, she was so ashamed that her heart was pounding, and all she could think about was how to escape as quickly as possible.
Did it start from then...?
Shanhe hurriedly tried to break free from his embrace, only to find that his long arms were holding her like an iron barrel.
Liang Ye lowered his eyes, his large hand firmly gripping her slender waist. With a slight exertion, she was lifted into the air and then sat steadily on his lap, held tightly in his embrace.
"Liang Ye!" she exclaimed angrily.
Anger was useless. She was naturally no match for him in strength, and coupled with her frail health, her resistance was like an ant trying to shake a tree.
Liang Ye easily grasped her hands as she tried to push him away. Even though she resisted in every way, just holding her in his arms made him feel at ease and content. He felt the anxiety and emptiness that had been churning in his heart for many years being strangely filled and soothed.
Nearly two years have passed. From being unable to face these feelings, to being shocked to discover their uncontrollable nature in their daily interactions, to deliberately suppressing them, numbing himself with tedious mundane matters, and finally, the almost overwhelming ecstasy he felt upon learning of her resolute divorce from Ah Shao—his overflowing emotions, which he had personally suppressed, finally had a breaking point. How could he possibly let her go again? He wanted everything he desired, no matter the cost.
He held Shanhe in his arms, tighter and tighter. He was holding her, and she was supporting him. She should be like a huge container, a wide-mouthed bowl or a large-bellied bottle, as long as she could hold all his unease and restlessness.
However, she was too thin, her back so frail that when he wrapped his arms around her, from one shoulder to the other, there was a lack of warmth and solidity, much like her current emotions—she was so thin it was almost painful. But being thin was also a good thing; he could clearly feel the lingering tremor hidden beneath Shanhe's skin.
He opened his eyes with satisfaction from behind her shoulder, first noticing her fair, smooth skin, and then a barely noticeable pink spot, about the size of a fingernail, hidden in the hollow of her shoulder. A birthmark, perhaps? He was pleasantly surprised; this was a secret he could only discover by getting very close to her. There was plenty of time; he would learn about every part of her body. How the fingernails connected to the fingers, the distance from the wrist to the shoulder bone, the rise and fall of her breasts from her shoulder hollow, how the line connecting the center of her breasts to her navel ran straight down, and where it ultimately disappeared… He would use his own eyes, his own hands, his own body, and every part of her body to unravel these mysteries one by one.
His body grew hotter and hotter, and she trembled more and more.
Liang Ye raised his face and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. I won't force you to rape me if you don't agree."
She breathed a sigh of relief.
He felt a pang of disappointment. Not only because of her relaxed demeanor, but also because he suddenly realized that Ah Shao might be the first person in the world to know the secrets hidden within her.
The burning intensity in his eyes gradually cooled, replaced by a concentrated jealousy and hatred. Perhaps he should eat that birthmark; after all, Liang Shao only had the right to admire it, while he could possess it for himself.
He was truly ready to act. He gently rubbed the small, faint birthmark with the tip of his nose, then his softer lips caressed it, and finally his warm, moist tongue. He patiently and meticulously began to lick and nibble. In that instant, he treated Shanhe's birthmark like a priceless treasure, reverently worshipping and serving it, wishing he could kneel before it. As she trembled and let out a soft moan, he contentedly stroked her suddenly arched back with his palm. He couldn't help but ask, "Has Ah Shao ever... done this before?"
Shanhe is nearly deaf.
He raised his head and smiled, "Let's change." Though he left Shanhe's skin, he left a damp red mark.
Shanhe felt filthy. It wasn't just his oppressive aura, but also her deep-seated acceptance of Liang Ye as her brother. This was an unlawful and immoral act, and she was on the verge of collapse.
Every bit of resistance was firmly held in place, until finally even her trembling was enveloped by him, ultimately mingling with his increasingly domineering heartbeat. She was held very tightly, and after realizing that she could not resist him, she could only close her eyes and quietly endure it, like the torrent of fate eroding the stubborn rocks in the riverbed, she was a rock at this moment.
She felt as if she were being coiled by a giant, hot, sticky python, leaving no part of her skin exposed except for her face. The python coiled tighter and tighter, hotter and wetter, until she was almost suffocating.
So when she heard Liang Ye say "change clothes," she didn't relax; instead, she almost fell from mid-air and landed on his lap.
She hastily rose from his lap and fled behind the screen. Once the four-panel embroidered screen concealed her, Shanhe looked down at herself, her eyes red: barefoot, her shoes already removed by him; half-dry, her clothes clinging tightly to her skin; her collar slightly disheveled, the red welts on her neck from his sucking and biting glaringly obvious. If this was the case this time, what about next time? Would she ultimately be reduced to selling her body?
She sniffed, her heart filled with unbearable bitterness.
Suddenly, several pieces of brand-new, dry fabric were draped over the embroidered screen. Liang Ye stood on the other side of the screen, his long, slender fingers holding the hem of the fabric. He chuckled, "Why are you running away? You didn't even take your clothes."
Shanhe didn't move, but quietly wiped away her tears.
After a few moments of silence, the person on the other end slowly asked, "Do you need my help?"
"No need!" Shanhe hurriedly turned around and answered quickly. She grasped the lotus-colored silk robe hanging down and tried to pull it down, but couldn't budge it.
The man who was holding the other end of the robe chuckled softly, "Go change, I'll wait for you outside." Then he let go, and the robe obediently fell into Shanhe's arms.
Liang Ye was overjoyed. He strode to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and then rang the bell. A short while later, Cai Xiang stood outside the door: "What are your orders, sir?"
Liang Ye said loudly, "Bring me a set of dry clothes."
Cai Xiang agreed and went. Soon after, she returned carrying a square tray and placed a brand-new dark blue brocade robe on the table.
Liang Ye sat in the grand master's chair, resting his chin on his fingers, gazing intently at the landscape on the screen.
Cai Xiang said softly, "This servant will help you change your clothes, sir."
"No need. Go down." He raised his eyes and noticed that Cai Xiang looked flustered, so he frowned. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Cai Xiang hurriedly replied. She had just come from Cai Ping's place when she heard on the way that Fan Niang had been kicked out by Cheng Min, and she was very anxious.
Cai Xiang tried to cover it up, saying, "I was probably just feeling a little seasick, but I feel better now."
Liang Ye squinted at her, knowing she was lying, and chuckled, "You've been on the ship for so long, and you're still seasick?" But then he remembered that Cai Xiang was the most reliable of all the maids, so he didn't mind. He leaned back and said, "Go back and rest well. There are people here to take care of you."
Cai Xiang responded and went out to close the door.
Liang Ye's gaze returned to the embroidered screen: "Not ready yet?"
There was no response from the other end.
"Since you said you were willing to serve as a maid, now it's your turn to serve." Still no response.
He grew impatient, stood up, and strode over. In a few quick steps, he reached the screen and saw Shanhe sitting curled up, her head buried between her knees, her back trembling with sobs. Hearing footsteps, she slowly raised her head, tears welling in her eyes, and said blankly, resignedly, "I know. I'm coming, sir."
Suddenly, his heart turned into a pool of spring water.
*
After closing the door, Caixiang hurriedly went to Fanniang and Heniang's room. Inside, she saw Heniang lying on the bed, weeping bitterly, while Huaifeng leaned against the door with his arms crossed, watching coldly.
Cai Xiang asked, "Where's her sister? What are you doing here?"
Huaifeng bowed slightly: "Sister Caixiang, Huaisong has seen Fanniang off onto the boat. I'll stay here and watch over Heniang, in case she does something rash."
Cai Xiang stamped her foot and said, "Why did it have to come to this? Just fine them a few months' salary and kick them out. Otherwise people will say that I'm mean."
Huai Feng shrugged: "I don't know, but it's Cheng Min's order anyway, so we'll just do as he says."
Cai Xiang sighed, "Keep an eye on her, I'll be right back." She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly felt her skirt tighten. He Niang fell to her knees, raising her panicked and terrified face. Her face was pale and her eyes swollen, making her look pitifully beautiful. She pleaded desperately, "Sister Cai Xiang, please, save my sister! Brother Cheng Min only gave her a boat, not even an oar; he clearly intends for her to drown! Sister, please! At least save her life!"
Cai Xiang stared silently at her face, sighing inwardly. Cheng Min's actions today, ostensibly to punish the quarrelsome maid and bring peace to the main house, were actually fraught with complex and complicated underlying issues.
Firstly, Lady Xue's position is awkward. Not all the servants on the boat are Liang Ye's confidants. Seeing that Liang Ye's former wife is now alone on the boat, and that Liang Ye often goes to her room to check on her, they are all puzzled. They wish they could keep an eye on Lady Xue every time Liang Ye goes to see her. Cheng Min is using Cai Ping and Fan Niang as a raft today to block the flow of gossip and prevent rumors from jeopardizing Liang Ye's future.
Secondly, Liang Ye previously had no concubines or maids, and Cheng Min was in charge of the Lantai Pavilion. Now that Madam Xue has arrived, judging from Liang Ye's attitude, it's inevitable that he'll take her in. Regardless of whether Madam Xue has a formal title or not, she's still the master's bedmate, and her status will inevitably be above Cheng Min's. Now, all that's needed is for Madam Xue to come to her senses and settle down with the master, then the main branch's assets will eventually be handed over to her. In a few years, when the master marries and has children, the structure of the inner quarters will change again, and servants like Cheng Min will have to avoid suspicion even more, forced to retreat to serve outside the second gate, and the loss of wealth will be just around the corner. His haste to establish his authority today is not only because he offended Madam Xue a few days ago when he brought her here, and now he's eager to save face for her and win her favor, but also, in reality, to establish his own authority.
Cai Xiang thought to herself: Cheng Min is too impatient. As long as he serves his master wholeheartedly, no matter whether Madam Xue can rise again in the future, no matter what kind of person the eldest mistress of the main house will be in the future, Cheng Min will always be the most capable arm in the master's heart.
Cai Xiang helped He Niang up, smiling gently, "Don't worry, I'll go see her. Stop crying, or your sister will be saddened when she sees you like this." She patted He Niang's hand and left.
As she walked, she saw Huaisong watching the lone boat disappear into the distance. In the vast river, a small boat carrying Fanniang gradually shrank into a tiny speck. Caixiang said angrily, "Aren't you trying to kill her on the river?!"
Huai Song quickly lowered his head, about to speak, when Cheng Min's voice came from behind him: "Cai Xiang, what you're saying isn't right. I personally gave her ten taels of silver and told her to go back to the Liang residence. Who wants her dead?"
Cai Xiang said, "Without oars or paddles, how is she supposed to get ashore?"
Cheng Min walked up to her and smiled, "That's her own fate. I've done more than enough." He glanced at Huai Song, "Go do your own thing."
Huaisong responded and bowed his head as he withdrew. Once Huaisong's figure disappeared around the corner, Cheng Min walked to the railing, placed her hands on it, and looked up at the clouds on the horizon: "Someone from Pingkangfang, is she really worth your protection? With that much free time, you should go see Qingyue more often. Once we get to the capital and things are settled, Qingyue will be just like you two. Besides, now that Madam Xue is here, these two sisters are just standing there in the way. Didn't you see the look in my eyes? It's better to get rid of them from afar; it'll be cleaner."
Cai Xiang softened her tone, saying, "Brother, you understand my thoughts perfectly well. But Fan Niang is still a human being." She suddenly remembered what Madam Xue had said, "Why not just send her back to the Liang family? Why push her to this point? Aren't you afraid that if she survives, she'll come back to take revenge on you one day?"
“Hey, can she survive? Think about it carefully. Who in the Liang family do you remember? Second Master! Second Master who is single-mindedly searching for his wife! What kind of person is Second Master? If she goes back alive, will we still be alive?” Cheng Min turned around, squinting at Cai Xiang, “Cai Xiang, if you have such a heart and such eyes, you might as well be Cai Ping.”
Cai Xiang was taken aback, lowered her eyes, and didn't know what to say.
Cheng Min snorted coldly: "Think about it carefully yourself! Cai Ping, He Niang, Qing Yue who serves Madam Xue, and the people Madam will bring in later... It's going to be quite lively in the main house from now on. If you keep pretending to be a saint and virtuous, you'll end up like Fan Niang sooner or later. We've known each other since we were little, so don't blame me for being blunt." With that, he brushed past her and walked away.
Cai Xiang stood alone by the railing, looking down at her neatly trimmed, rounded fingertips. She gave a cold smile, stood there for a while, and then turned to go back. Just as she rounded the corner, she saw Huai Song standing not far away, carrying a large bundle of thick hemp rope, seemingly doing something. Seeing her approach, he timidly raised his eyes and bowed to her from afar. Cai Xiang pursed her lips, nodded to him, and returned to her room to go on duty. At dinner time, she secretly took some of her personal savings without telling Cai Ping and Cheng Min, gave it to He Niang, and said some comforting words before leaving.
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Author's Note: Red envelopes will still be randomly given away in the comments section!! [Dog head with rose in hand][Dog head with rose in hand][Dog head with rose in hand]
Because I've been updating every other day recently, each chapter will be a bit longer, so I hope you won't find it too long.
I don't know why, but this chapter has been reviewed so many times... [crying emoji] [crying emoji] [crying emoji] I clearly didn't let my emotions get the better of me! [crying emoji]
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