“My flute…”

Suzhen felt that she, like that flute, had been crushed to powder by his palm. A surge of grief and indignation burst through her chest as she looked at him and said loudly, “That was a gift I made for you. I know I couldn’t give it to you tonight. But how could you destroy it like that? Don’t you know that what’s worthless in your eyes might be someone else’s most precious treasure?”

“A gift for me?”

Lian Yu finally looked at her, his eyes showing no emotion. Very quickly, he suddenly reached out and pulled her before him.

Suzhen’s arm was gripped so tightly it felt like dislocation. Gritting her teeth against the pain, he had already leaned down to her ear, his voice chillingly cold, “You dare give me something someone else has used? That may be your treasure, but in my eyes, it’s utterly disgusting.”

Suzhen immediately understood – he had misunderstood! She said, “That was something I made anew for you, not the original one…”

“Made anew for me?” Lian Yu’s lips held a smile, “You made an appointment with me, yet appeared in Li Zhaoting’s embrace, entangled endlessly…”

His tone was listless, as if he found it quite ridiculous. Suzhen was momentarily speechless. She couldn’t blame him for not keeping their appointment, because she had made the invitation first. Now, she had “broken the appointment.”

Around them, people watched in puzzlement and amazement at this sudden pair – the woman behaving boldly, the man dressed elegantly with noble bearing and compelling presence, neither seeming like ordinary people.

Several wealthy merchants, seeing their event disrupted, thought it must be business rivals coming to cause trouble. Already furious, they whispered among themselves, planning to unite all their hired muscle to capture these people. At this moment, Ming Yanchu quickly stepped forward and spoke quietly. The men glanced quickly at Lian Yu, and their faces immediately showed alarm.

Suzhen suddenly remembered something, her eyes visibly relaxing, “Lian Yu, I’ll take you somewhere. I can explain—”

Lian Yu’s expression was cold as ice, as if he hadn’t heard. In that instant, she was half-carried into his arms as he strode in one direction.

When they stopped at a place, Suzhen rarely began to feel guilty. Lian Yu released her and walked to the noodle stand owner, “Where’s the jade hairpin she gave you just now? How much? I’ll redeem it.”

That slowly opening palm before him was dazzlingly white. The middle-aged man felt dazzled, and though he couldn’t distinguish good jade from bad, the attendants of the person before him wore clothes that looked better than those of ordinary wealthy families. He had this much sense, thinking he shouldn’t let what those two scholars said come true – that this was a wealthy family’s young couple who had quarreled and run out. He dared not say another word, immediately taking the hairpin from his chest and tremblingly placing it in the other’s hand, “Young master, please don’t laugh. The little lady only borrowed some worthless tea water. How dare I take this hairpin? I was just… keeping it safe… keeping it safe…”

“Thank you.” Lian Yu said faintly, glancing at Ming Yanchu, who immediately walked over and took something from his money pouch to place in the man’s hand.

It was a gleaming gold nugget.

Not only was the man immediately stunned, but everyone around gasped.

Suzhen stood nearby, motionless, her brows unconsciously contracting slightly. She didn’t know why, but the anger in her heart suddenly began to fade.

With a clear snapping sound, Lian Yu again broke the hairpin before her very eyes and threw it on the ground at her feet. His lips curved in a faint arc, his voice extremely quiet, only loud enough for her to hear, “Your things are indeed priceless – you’d willingly hurt yourself to retrieve them. Are my things only worth a few dozen coins, Feng Suzhen?”

With each word he spoke, Suzhen’s heart trembled.

He was already walking forward, his snow-white robe hem floating gently, as if nothing had actually happened.

Suzhen picked up the broken hairpin in two pieces and ran after him, forcefully gripping his arm.

Miaoyin laughed angrily, “Your Majesty, will you let a traitor’s descendant completely ruin tonight’s appointment? That you spare her from death is already the greatest mercy.”

Shuangcheng lowered her eyes, wisely saying nothing, only gripping tightly the necklace at her throat. That was A’Luo’s favorite jewelry.

Lian Yu’s gaze fell faintly on the necklace, then looked at the hand gripping his arm, saying in a low voice, “Let go.”

“Court Supervisor Li, if you dare be disrespectful again, we’ll have to be impolite,” White Tiger said angrily, her eyes full of fierceness. Azure Dragon stopped her and spoke faintly, “Miss Feng, His Majesty has been benevolent and righteous. Please know your place and limits.”

Suzhen didn’t know much about A’Luo’s affairs, but Shuangcheng was clever and beautiful, Miaoyin was from a noble family – just as Li Zhaoting had said. She understood.

So she slowly let go.

She knew she wasn’t good enough.

“Miss, please.” Lian Yu personally escorted Miaoyin forward, walking slowly, then instructed White Tiger faintly, “Take good care of Miss Gu.”

Black Tortoise remained silent, silently signaling to the guards in the crowd, following Lian Yu with the slightly sneering White Tiger.

Suzhen stood in place, watching him come and then about to leave again, heading toward that most dazzling flower lantern. Ahead, Ming Yanchu sighed, and the wealthy merchants beside him seemed like different people, coming forward respectfully with bows and scrapes.

Suzhen didn’t chase after him. She gripped the hairpin tightly and only smiled, “Sixth Young Master, I have just a few final words. I hope you’ll listen.”

She seemed not to see Li Zhaoting quietly approaching in the crowd, White Tiger slowing her pace to look at her disdainfully, or the people around who were extremely curious.

Under the fine, bright starlight illuminating the entire sky, she said loudly, “Perhaps I truly don’t know how to love you in the best way. Everyone around you is much better than me.”

“But whether you believe it or not, I swear by my parents’ names that the flute was made by my own hands for you.”

“This has nothing whatsoever to do with who I am. It’s not because you can overturn my case that I approached you, but because you gave me the courage to become who I am now – the courage to face all past failures and all future difficulties.”

“However, I am ultimately a remnant of the Feng family. I know that in your heart, whatever I say cannot be separated from the Feng family case. So at this moment, please allow me, in Li Huaisu’s capacity, to request that you restore me to office, let me prove to you once more that I have the ability to serve the court, until I earn your recognition, then reopen and retry the Feng family case.”

“I’ve always been involved in the Minzhou case. You can ask Marquis Huo what I did behind the scenes. I mention this now not to claim credit with you, but to tell you that my heart holds not only my family’s case, but also you, and the people of Great Zhou.”

She slowly knelt down, kowtowing heavily. This was not a lover’s plea, but always the ritual between ruler and subject.

“I have disturbed you tonight. This humble citizen takes her leave. Tomorrow I will move out of the residence. I have found a place to stay in the capital and will wait there for your message.”

Ming Yanchu and Black Tortoise exchanged glances, suddenly seeing shock in each other’s eyes. Miaoyin also changed color drastically, her voice slightly hoarse, “The Minzhou case…”

Under the starry sky, voices were numerous and complex. Those standing close seemed to hear incredible words, while those standing far only saw a strange yet beautiful accident.

Those who heard it included common people who didn’t understand the meaning and were thus confused, and those quite knowledgeable about court affairs who were extremely shocked.

Later, many versions of their story circulated among the people, but most didn’t believe them, considering them fabrications. But by then, for Suzhen, who had become Noble Consort Shu and was fighting fiercely in the deep palace, none of it mattered, because only that moment was real.

The stars knew, the lanterns knew, those who experienced it knew.

White Tiger looked at Suzhen hatefully, then looked up at Lian Yu. His expression was calm, graceful and composed, steady and peaceful, showing no reaction. He remained an emperor throughout.

At this moment, Shuangcheng also reached out to grip Lian Yu’s arm. His gaze fell deeply on her hand.

Suzhen slowly stood up. She knew this would be the result. Tonight the starlight was brilliant, but it was destined to have no connection to her, so she had made a future appointment.

Her heart was ice-cold, yet she calmly turned around and walked step by step along the path she had come.

People were still shocked, but this time, some actually made way for her to pass.

She seemed to see Li Zhaoting in the crowd casting a glance, his gaze deep and cold as a bird of prey, but Suzhen didn’t respond.

She had exhausted all her efforts. If there were no Feng family matter, she would pester this man to the end, but precisely because the Feng family stood between them, she couldn’t throw away all her self-respect, because then Lian Yu would still suspect everything she did was only to overturn the case, not from genuine feelings.

She had made her decision – if she couldn’t wait for Lian Yu’s message and couldn’t return to court, she would die for her father.

Perhaps only if she died would Lian Yu, for old times’ sake, overturn the late Emperor’s decision and prove the Feng family’s innocence. She wasn’t A’Luo, so she could only do this, also preserving her own dignity. Even though she truly didn’t want to die – she was afraid.

She didn’t know how long she walked, finally emerging from the crowd, when a familiar voice reached her ears, “Zhen’er, you’re truly foolish.”

She turned to see Leng Xue slowly emerging from the shadows. He must have followed her for a long time. His eyes were red as blood as he said, “I’ll take you away.”

Suzhen said quietly, “Leng Xue, I know you’ve been watching me. Thank you for not coming out just now, letting me say everything I could. Thank you for tolerating me so long, but I still can’t leave with you.”

Leng Xue stared at her intently. After a long while, he curved his lips in a smile, “Then I can’t accompany you any further either. Because I don’t like Zhen’er who has given up her self-respect. I can’t personally watch you bury all your pride and become a pitiful, detestable person. I don’t want to end up hating you myself.”

“I’ll never be able to repay what I owe you. Take care.”

Suzhen didn’t argue, only slowly walked forward and hugged him tightly.

She had remained calm throughout, but when this cool yet gentle man turned away, her tears fell like a broken kite string.

The night market quickly resumed its liveliness. Without Suzhen, the night market remained beautiful and intoxicating, unchanged. The difference was that many people seemed to have gained some understanding that this white-robed man and the two young ladies were of extraordinary status, temporarily forgetting about solving riddles and quietly observing from the side.

The wealthy merchants’ attitudes became even more attentive, “Young Master Murong, please.”

Ming Yanchu had given one of the major imperial surnames – Murong.

Shuangcheng felt bitter on one hand and smiled on the other, but ultimately the victorious smile occupied everything, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Miaoyin said nothing, her heart long occupied by anger. She suddenly looked up, wanting to mock Shuangcheng with a few words, and also thinking that if Lian Yu didn’t apologize to her, she would definitely make him regret it.

While Ming Yanchu and others looked at Lian Yu, waiting for instructions to solve the riddles on the lantern, Lian Yu suddenly gently put down Shuangcheng’s hands and bowed to Miaoyin.

Miaoyin’s eyes grew slightly moist, thinking, good, I forgive you, but then heard him say, “Miss Miaoyin, I offended you tonight. It was my discourtesy. I’ll have Little Chu and others wait here. If you like the scenery here, you may stay and enjoy it. If you wish to return to the palace, just tell him. I’ll arrange another grand banquet to apologize later.”

As he spoke, he stepped forward and said to the wealthy merchants, “Please let all the city’s people continue guessing riddles and enjoying themselves. I’ll buy this lantern at double the price – first to pay for the people’s riddle-solving expenses, second to have it given to this young lady after the festivities.”

He pointed to Shuangcheng as he spoke.

“Yes, Young Master, please rest assured. We’ll certainly follow your instructions carefully.”

The merchants nodded like pecking chickens, all secretly overjoyed.

Azure Dragon and others were completely stunned. Shuangcheng’s eyes turned gray as she stared blankly, but while this person was giving loud instructions, his steps had already entered the crowd.

“White Tiger, you and Azure Dragon are responsible for protecting Miss Gu with your people. Black Tortoise, Miss Miaoyin’s safety is your responsibility. None of you are allowed to follow.”

He ran through the crowd, seeming to snatch something from a young man along the way. The man was stunned and shouted loudly, “My folding fan…”

Ming Yanchu stepped forward again, silently taking out another gold nugget, clearing his throat, “My master has some strange habits. Please don’t be agitated, young master. This is our small compensation.” He handed it over.

The man’s eyes lit up, “I have many more folding fans at home. Do you need to come pick out a few more? I guarantee they’ll match different outfits perfectly.”

Ming Yanchu: “…”

Walking to the canal bank, watching the passing people – warm families, intimate couples – watching them place lotus lanterns into the river with smiles and wishes, Suzhen smiled slightly but finally squatted down slowly, burying her eyes in her arms.

“Hey, go buy lotus lanterns quickly so we can make wishes too.”

“I know, I’m going now.”

“I’ll wait here for you.”

“Alright, darling, wait obediently and be careful not to get separated.”

This was a young couple.

“Husband, you’re back with food. What wish are you planning to make?”

“Only small men and women are difficult to nourish. This young master won’t make wishes – only you women believe in such nonsense.”

“Oh, so that’s good. I was going to say you wouldn’t believe in these things, so just now I and our daughter put all the lotus lanterns in the river.”

“Papa, Mama and I put all the lanterns in!”

“What? Boss, give me ten more lanterns.”

This was another family.

“Hey, sister, what’s that girl doing on the ground?”

“Don’t mind her. Let’s hurry to see the lantern tower ahead – the flower lanterns there are much better! There might be many handsome young gentlemen!”

…

Around her came the light sound of wind, people’s voices, people coming and going, constantly passing by, stopping, laughing at the excitement, occasionally sending curious voices her way.

Suzhen held herself tightly but still felt invaded by cold, her hand burning with pain.

Suddenly, someone knocked her hard on the head. She cried out in pain, thinking it was a passing mischievous child, and stood up to scold, “Where did this little brat come from? Keep causing trouble and sister will…”

“Will do what to me?”

“Make you into a big flower lantern and float you down the river…” Suzhen’s heart leaped. She carefully swallowed and opened her red, dry eyes to look at the person speaking softly before her.

A man in white clothes like snow stood tall and graceful, holding a folding fan, standing directly before her. A pair of deep, clear eyes looked at her faintly, his lips slightly curved in a proud question.

Only, unlike his usual clean, spotless appearance, his forehead was covered with a thin layer of sweat.

For a moment, her chest felt suddenly blocked by something. Without thinking, she threw herself toward his embrace.

But he stepped aside, letting her fall into empty air.

She looked at him somewhat dazedly, not understanding.

He spoke faintly, “Li Huaisu, remember, you are a traitor’s descendant. If someday you can no longer please me, if someday you are replaced by someone else, then you will be close to death.”

“You’ll let me return to court, back to your side? You’ll let me overturn the case?” Suzhen seemed to see light in darkness, so excited her voice trembled.

Lian Yu looked at the bright light in her eyes, his lips suddenly curved. Suzhen could see that this smile held no joy but was full of cold complexity. She looked at him uncomprehendingly as his brows grew heavy, filled with bleakness. After a long time, he asked her, “After returning to court, can you handle cases with complete impartiality? For instance, if you encountered a case where your good friend Marquis Huo was the culprit, what would you do?”

Suzhen momentarily didn’t understand his intention. Was this testing her? She fell into deep thought. After a long while, she had an answer, “I would be sad and heartbroken, but I would still bring him to justice.”

“You wouldn’t spare anyone?”

“Yes.”

“Then what about your family’s case? How do you see it? Let me guess – you want to overturn the case because you want to find other culprits, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t demand a retrial, only ask me to clear your Feng family’s name.”

Suzhen smiled. He truly understood her, “Yes, if the late Emperor gave the order to kill, there must have been someone behind it providing false evidence. Emperors are suspicious by nature – how could the late Emperor tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes?”

“If you can be so ruthless even toward Huo Chang’an, I truly pity every culprit involved in your family’s case.”

He looked at her and suddenly curved his lips in a low laugh.

“Yes, if I find the person behind this, I will definitely kill him with my own hands.” She spoke with determination, wanting to step forward and embrace him again, but his sharp gaze made her freeze in place, not daring to act rashly for fear of displeasing him.

He stared at her, his gaze fierce as frost. A child ran into him, but he didn’t move at all, frightening the little one into loud tears. Naturally, he wouldn’t humble himself to coax a child. When the parents came over, the father was about to curse angrily but, seeing his appearance and dress, feared causing trouble, picked up the child, and quickly left.

She looked at him, doubt inevitably arising in her heart, “Do you know someone else who harmed my family from behind the scenes – someone powerful, even as formidable as Prime Minister Yan?”

“I don’t know.” He coldly interrupted her. She couldn’t fathom his thoughts. He still thought she was approaching him only to overturn the case, not from genuine feelings. She gripped the hairpin in her hand tightly – this hairpin was his gift. Holding it seemed to give her courage to face any dangers ahead, “Lian Yu, if my enemy is a very powerful minister, will you let me pass judgment?”

Lian Yu’s gaze also followed hers to fall on her hand. Her left hand was red and swollen, with blisters in some places, stinging his eyes.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice extremely quiet, “Li Huaisu, three years. Stay with me for three years, give me everything you have, and I promise you – if your family’s case truly has other circumstances, I’ll let you retry it. No matter who the culprit is, I’ll let you have your wish and personally… kill your enemy with your own hands.”

“But before that, you cannot betray me, cannot harbor other intentions, and remember not to be replaced by others. Do you understand?”

Suzhen tilted her head slightly, her whole body trembling lightly, her eyes growing moist from a little to very wet.

“Your subject… understands.”

She covered her mouth and jumped up, laughing like a child.

He looked at her, his thin lips curving in a mocking yet bitter arc, “No, you don’t understand, Li Huaisu. You don’t understand at all.”

Immersed in great joy and gratitude, she didn’t hear this. She put the hairpin in her money pouch and ran toward him like a little calf.

He unceremoniously pushed away her embrace and quickly walked forward.

“Lian Yu, haven’t we made up? Wait for me.”

“We haven’t made up, and I don’t want to make up with you. You’d better keep your distance from me, lest in the future…”

He didn’t say what might happen in the future.

She couldn’t quite read his unpredictable moods but still followed him. When he walked fast, she quickened her pace.

When he slowed down, she hung back at a distance.

He suddenly stopped, his voice and expression severe, “Have you no shame? Get lost, get far away.”

But she was no longer afraid of him. He still loved her, didn’t he? Though not very much, not as much as A’Luo… Her heart grew slightly sour as she hugged his waist, resting her head on his broad shoulder, “Lian Yu, thank you. I don’t want to get far away. I want to be with you forever. I… love you. What did you mean by ‘lest in the future’?”

His spine suddenly stiffened. He turned around abruptly, reaching out to grip her chin, warning harshly, “Lest you regret it in the future when you realize I’m not the person you fancy.”

“I won’t regret it, never will.” Her cheeks flushed red, her smile radiant as flowers.

Her heart pounded like drums as she stood on tiptoe and gently kissed his cheek. After this bold act, she quickly stepped aside, lowering her eyes to ask quietly, “Do you want to come home with me? Li Zhaoting’s flute is still at my house. It can prove that I—”

Before she could finish, he reached out with his long arm and pulled her entirely into his embrace. She looked up hastily, only catching a glimpse of his eyes dark and dim, black as ink, bright as flame. Before she could react, he had pulled and dragged her to an alley behind a nearby building.

“Lian Yu, it’s so dark here…”

Before she finished speaking, he pulled her against the wall, his strong arms cushioning her against it as he leaned down and kissed her deeply.

This kiss came fiercely. He couldn’t be bothered with gentle nibbling, directly thrusting his tongue into her mouth, tangling with hers, sucking until her mouth and tongue ached, as if he wanted to swallow her whole. His hands, originally gripping her shoulders tightly, began to knead and rub every inch of her skin through her clothes as the kiss deepened.

Those burning palms made Suzhen feel dizzy wherever they touched. She gasped, her fragmented moans scattering by his ear. This wasn’t their first intimacy, but this time, having received his promise to overturn the case, the great stone pressing on her heart was finally removed. Tonight’s incident had made her feelings for him even more intense. She hooked her arms around his neck, shyly responding more actively than the previous times.

His breathing grew slightly rough as he suddenly pulled down her hands and brought them to his lips to kiss. That itching, painful sensation made her tremble, “Lian Yu…”

He coldly hummed in acknowledgment, his voice dark and hoarse, guiding her hands toward himself. In the darkness, she leaned against him, touching something hot and large. Naturally knowing what it was, her whole body suddenly stiffened.

“Hold it…” His voice was rough and hoarse as he commanded her in a low tone.

She tremblingly grasped it lightly, hearing him growl low, the thing jumping and swelling several degrees. Greatly alarmed, she quickly let go, her heart seemingly about to leap out, but he suddenly pushed her against the wall again, resting his head on her shoulder – she heard his heavy breathing.

She curled in his embrace, not daring to move, her voice like a mosquito’s, “Lian Yu, shall we go out… and set off flower lanterns…”

“No!”

He interrupted her sternly, pulling her hand as they walked out. He led her through the night market, weaving among thousands of people. His expression remained distant and deep, but being held tightly by his warm, large palm, she was still content.

His sharp gaze searched around. She was still somewhat dazed when he had already pulled her into the nearest inn.

In the inn, with the lights and excitement from outside, there were quite a few guests drinking and resting.

“Innkeeper, give me an upper room, your best.”

“Yes.” From behind the counter, the innkeeper’s experienced old eyes swept over him, responding with repeated smiles, personally leading them to the rear courtyard’s second floor and having the waiter open the door.

The waiter said attentively, “Sir, do you need any food, tea, or wine? This establishment has hundred-year-old vintage…”

“Nothing needed. Don’t disturb us tonight. I’ll pay you double room fee tomorrow.”

The man spoke faintly and shut the door with a bang.

The waiter pouted, unhappily raising his eyebrows. The innkeeper smiled and whispered, “With your lack of perception, anyone could see they came to do business. Didn’t you see how that gentleman looked at the young lady beside him…”

Inside the room, Suzhen was pressed against the door by Lian Yu, the innkeeper’s words falling into her ears word for word. Her face flushed as she stared blankly at the man before her.

Without another word, Lian Yu lifted her horizontally, strode to the bed, placed her down, and lay down beside her.

Suzhen gasped, trembling all over, “Lian Yu…”

He stared at her intently, his noble, compelling eyes filled with crimson desire, his arms braced on either side of her.

“Do you know what I want to do?” He cupped her chin, his palm tightening, his voice deep and hoarse.

Suzhen swallowed again, “I know…”

A look of disgust suddenly appeared on his face, his hand clenching into a fist, his throat struggling to growl out a few words, “Then get lost.”

Suzhen’s entire heart was trembling. She both shamelessly desired to be with him and knew she wasn’t yet his wife. She buried her head in his chest, suddenly asking somewhat bitterly, “Lian Yu, do you… love me?”

“I don’t love you, not at all.”

He shouted lowly, looking at her gradually reddening eyes, supporting his swollen, aching body and mind as he pressed her beneath him—

“I gave you a chance. Fine, I’ve paid the price I should pay, and you should give everything you have. Feng Suzhen, remember, from now on, I am your man, only I am your man—”

Outside the curtains, a single lamp flickered like a bean. Inside the curtains, Suzhen had no time to make any response, her dizzy head only remembering these harsh words he spoke in her ear, her confused vision only catching the outer dress and undergarments he had just violently torn at the bed corner, his own jade sash and white robe that he had quickly removed… Her hands hung limply at her sides, gripping the bedding tightly. His lean, strong body pressed tightly against hers, his fingers exploring her most shameful places, rubbing in and out. She couldn’t describe the feeling – painful yet hot yet numb. She feared him yet wanted to press close to him. She called out in confusion, “It’s uncomfortable… Lian Yu, I’m uncomfortable.”

His eyes were like lightning as he stared at her intently, sweat beading his forehead, his voice hoarse as he scolded, “I’m uncomfortable too. When you’re uncomfortable, cry out. Cry out like this, for me to hear.”

In her increasingly fragmented cries, he covered her chest with one hand, kneading forcefully, watching her snow-white body writhe beneath him, watching that fullness change shape in his hands. His throat also produced increasingly loud gasps, his other hand quickening its movements below.

“Lian Yu…” Suzhen’s voice grew hoarse from crying. Her hands reached out from the bedding to embrace his broad shoulders covered with scars. His eyes had reddened when he suddenly pulled apart her hands, madly lifting her legs to rest on his shoulders.

Suzhen’s body was forced to arch up. She was startled, then immediately felt her body pierced by something thick and hard, crying out softly from the pain.

He looked at her, initially frowning slightly as if also feeling pain, but soon his throat released a comfortable sigh. Gripping her slender waist, he began thrusting violently. She wept from pain but felt reassured in her heart. Though she was unmarried, she didn’t regret it. She couldn’t understand the frightening distance he had shown from earlier, but regardless, she had finally become his woman.

Even if it was only from desire.

She gazed at him in fascination.

His eyes, filled with lust yet always deep as a pool, suddenly showed a trace of pain, his temples tense as he held her tightly and stopped moving, lowering his head to kiss her lips. After a while, sweat beading more densely on his forehead, he asked in a suppressed voice, “Does it still hurt?”

She actually still hurt but shook her head. His eyes immediately darkened as he embraced her and thrust violently.

She threaded her fingers through his scattered black hair, crying out in confusion again. Finally, surviving that damnable pain, her body became soft and numb, feeling very… strange. She didn’t hide it, closing her eyes and moaning softly.

Lian Yu, seeing her like this, thrust forward urgently once more and collapsed on her.

Suzhen only felt a surge of heat splashing inside her body, a swelling warmth there, her mind going blank. That feeling was so shameful it made her toes curl as she called out hoarsely and bit down on his shoulder.

Lian Yu groaned dully, his gaze falling on the jade stone hanging on her chest, his eyes deep as the thickest ink as he kissed her lips forcefully.

At this touch, the softness of her lips made his lower body tighten again. He imperceptibly took a deep breath, gritting his teeth to restrain himself, wanting to let her rest briefly before…

“Big Fish, is it over?” Suzhen opened her eyes and asked in confusion, then said with some embarrassment, “I’ve seen others’ wedding nights last all night long.”

Hearing this, Lian Yu’s face darkened completely. He asked in a low voice, “You’ve personally watched others’ wedding nights? All night long?”

“Actually, I haven’t personally watched, but don’t they all get up the next day? It seems like it doesn’t end this quickly…”

“Quick?”

She heard him laugh fiercely, and the thing still inside her suddenly swelled. In a moment, she was again pressed down on the bed.

After being pressed down for the fourth time, Suzhen finally understood – he wasn’t quick, not at all. Later, not only was he not quick, but he lasted longer and longer, with increasingly unspeakable positions. Finally, she knelt on the bed, swollen and aching from his torment, almost crying as he thrust forcefully several more times before ending this unbearable torment.

“You were taking revenge on me.” Suzhen felt like a fish drained of water, lying in his embrace, venting by biting the old scars on his body.

Lian Yu let her bite, his palm stroking the hair on her head. Hearing this, he snorted, “Why would I take revenge on you?”

“I don’t know. You agreed to help me overturn the case, but your attitude has been strange since earlier.” Suzhen buried her head in his chest. She could read expressions, but she couldn’t fathom his thoughts, so she quietly used this as an excuse to probe.

“Revenge? I saw you enjoyed it quite a bit too.” Lian Yu didn’t give her a direct answer, only snorting coldly.

“Too much becomes unbearable…” Suzhen’s face burned as she muttered quietly.

Lian Yu held her without speaking. Having grown up in the palace, upon reaching a certain age, palace women would specifically teach imperial sons about intimate matters and the pleasures of the bedchamber. Whether experienced or not, imperial family members were quite familiar with these things. He knew that having just lost her virginity, she definitely wasn’t yet accustomed, unlike her foolish comment about him being quick.

Thinking this, he suddenly slapped her bottom hard.

Suzhen cried out in pain. Seeing him remain silent, she was certain in her heart that he had indeed erected some strange barrier with her. Her heart was uneasy, yet she always felt he loved her. She’d wait and see. Lian Yu, she wouldn’t be replaced by anyone. She thought to herself, boldly placing her feet in the crook of his legs, making him feel sorry for her: “My waist hurts so much.”

He appeared completely indifferent, as if he’d already forgotten about her after having his way. “That’s none of my business.”

“Help me rub it.”

“I won’t.”

“Rub it.”

“I won’t rub it. Have you ever seen an emperor serve a woman?” Lian Yu said in a low voice, but his hand gently moved to her waist, massaging it with gentle pressure.

Yesterday’s, today’s, tomorrow’s…