Xiang Lan froze, and then understanding dawned on her. Her face turned as red as scarlet cloth, nearly dripping blood. She lifted her head in disbelief, staring at Lin Jin Lou.

Lin Jin Lou acted as if nothing was amiss and said, “Hurry up and eat.” He picked up some food with his chopsticks. Looking up at Xiang Lan’s dumbfounded expression, he chuckled and effortlessly pulled her to his side, embracing her. He brought his wine cup to her lips, but Xiang Lan turned away in disgust.

Lin Jin Lou raised an eyebrow and gripped her chin. As she winced in pain, he forced her mouth open and poured the entire cup of wine down her throat. The burning sensation rushed up her throat, causing her to collapse against the side cushion, coughing uncontrollably.

Lin Jin Lou coldly watched her struggle for breath and said flatly, “Don’t refuse the easy way only to face the hard way. Little Xiang Lan, you must obey my every word. You’ve already provoked me twice today. A third time might not end so pleasantly. Understand?”

Xiang Lan turned her head and saw the cold glint in Lin Jin Lou’s eyes. She thought to herself, “Indeed, I’m completely in his hands now. Why be so unwise? Wouldn’t it be better to please him with a forced smile and make things easier for myself? Just treat it like acting in a play – what’s real and what’s fake, life is but a moment anyway.”

Though she tried to comfort herself, tears began falling unbidden, rolling down her snow-white cheeks like pearls, impossible to stop.

Lin Jin Lou pulled her up again, stroking her hair and back as if petting a kitten. “There, there, stop crying. You’re always acting like such a pitiful thing. Just be good and all will be well.”

Xiang Lan opened her tear-filled eyes. Lin Jin Lou’s face had returned to its casual smile. He took out a bamboo-green handkerchief and wiped her tears. Xiang Lan whispered, “I can wipe them myself,” pulling out her handkerchief from her waist.

Lin Jin Lou picked up a piece of chicken breast and brought it to Xiang Lan’s mouth. She stared at the greasy meat, reluctant to swallow even a bite, but not daring to refuse. Just as she was about to open her mouth, Lin Jin Lou set it down and picked up some shad fish instead. He dipped it in the sauce, placed it on a small plate, and pushed it toward her. “Eat this instead. It’s delicate, and the belly meat has no bones.” He then put the chicken piece in his mouth.

Xiang Lan slowly picked up her chopsticks and took a small bite of fish. The shad was fresh and melted in her mouth – a rare delicacy.

Lin Jin Lou picked up several more dishes for her and said, “Eat it all. You look too thin – you need proper nourishment. Spring Ling said you only had a pancake and a bowl of soup for lunch. That’s barely enough to fill a cat’s stomach. Eating so little, you’ll fall ill soon.” Looking at her clothes, a yellow silk padded jacket with a rose-purple skirt that accentuated her slender waist, he smiled, “These clothes – I had them made for you, didn’t I? I knew they would look good on your slim waist.”

The clothes were indeed from the two boxes of seasonal clothing he had prepared. Spring Ling had taken them out for her to wear, and she had chosen these for their proper appearance. She hadn’t realized he had them made specifically to show off her waist. Xiang Lan silently cursed “Shameless, shameless, shameless” in her heart while quietly continuing to eat.

Lin Jin Lou drank and ate by himself for a while longer, waiting until Xiang Lan finished her porridge before ordering the servants to clear the table. After they both rinsed their mouths and washed their hands, the maids set out fine tea and fruits, bringing two steaming cups of tea.

After taking a sip of tea, Lin Jin Lou tossed a key from his waist into Xiang Lan’s lap and said while leaning against the cushion, “This is the key to the innermost drawer by the bedroom’s headboard. Inside there’s a packet of 300 taels of loose silver and several strings of coins. Take what you need from there. When it runs out, I’ll add more.”

Xiang Lan kept her head down without speaking. Lin Jin Lou remained unconcerned.

Soon, Ji Xiang brought in a letter requiring attention, and Lin Jin Lou went to the hall to handle official business. Xiang Lan let out a long breath and took a big gulp of tea. Lin Jin Lou’s mercurial temper and violent nature kept her constantly on edge. She thought to herself that when she had the chance, she should seek advice from Shu Ran about how to peacefully coexist with this living demon.

After some time, as Xiang Lan was dozing off against the cushion, Lin Jin Lou returned and called loudly to the maid outside, “Spring Ling, gather your mistress’s things. Starting tonight, she’ll sleep in the inner bedroom.”

Xiang Lan jolted upright in shock, her face turning pale and her palms going cold.

Lin Jin Lou walked up to her, bent down, and pinched her cheek, saying, “I moved to the study to sleep because of that woman Zhao Yue Chan. Now that she’s gone, I should have moved back long ago. From today on, you’ll attend to me properly, sleeping in the same bed. Aren’t you happy? I had you choose new curtains and bedding for the room today. I just checked – it’s simple and elegant.” He straightened up and walked toward the door, turning back to add, “Come to the room once you’re ready,” before leaving.

Xiang Lan didn’t know how she managed to wash up and enter the master bedroom. The room was enormous, appearing spacious despite being filled with precious ornaments and luxurious furniture. Lin Jin Lou was half-lying on the bed, propped up by several pillows. His upper body was bare, with only a thin blanket covering below, suggesting he wore nothing at all.

Xiang Lan’s breathing suddenly became rapid, her legs feeling as heavy as lead, unable to move.

Seeing Xiang Lan enter with her dark hair loose, wearing a white undergarment that made her skin appear like snow and her face like peach blossoms, Lin Jin Lou swallowed hard and beckoned, “Come here.”

This was inevitable – “You can dodge the first but not the fifteenth.” Xiang Lan closed her eyes briefly, accepting her fate as she walked over. Lin Jin Lou patted the space beside him, and she sat down, trembling as she removed her shoes and climbed onto the bed.

As the bed curtains fell, Lin Jin Lou immediately embraced her. Xiang Lan smelled alcohol and a strong masculine scent, bringing memories of that night flooding back. She lay rigid and straight on the bed.

Lin Jin Lou held the soft, fragrant body in his arms, his skin burning hot. One hand moved to undo Xiang Lan’s clothes while his lips pressed against her mouth, sucking and biting, his breath hot on her face as his breathing grew heavy. He pulled open her undergarment, revealing expanses of skin like pure white jade, smooth as the finest silk. Unable to resist, he began kissing her, gently biting, taking the trembling peaks into his mouth, grasping the soft roundness that made him dizzy.

Xiang Lan’s eyes widened as she felt his hardness pressing against her below. Shaking with fear, she pleaded, “No, don’t…”