Zhu Yan frowned slightly, feeling as if this had somehow become her fault.
Shen Du said, “Aren’t you the same? Can you honestly say you didn’t recognize me on our wedding day? You must have heard of my reputation before but chose not to acknowledge me. Even on our wedding day, you refused to recognize me. Either you had forgotten me, or you despised me.”
There was some truth to his words.
“Hmm, I did dislike that you were called the White King of Hell, but I don’t think that way anymore.” What good was a fine reputation if it only invited bullying?
“Everyone said the White King of Hell was cruel and ruthless, that his name could stop children from crying at night. I was happy you had attained a high position, but I also knew you had changed greatly from the young man you once were. How could I rashly acknowledge you? What if you became displeased and killed me for sport, implicating the Zhu family as well? I’m not that foolish.”
“How do you know I would have killed you if you had acknowledged me?” Shen Du tapped her head, sighing.
They fell silent for a while. Zhu Yan kept feeling the bronze whistle in her hand, unsure how to respond to his sudden expression of love.
“No matter how much you resent me, I won’t let you throw your life away for Pan Chi.” His voice grew softer, but Zhu Yan could still hear him. “My life has been tumultuous enough. How could I let you leave?”
Zhu Yan had never imagined she would hear such passionate words from Shen Du. It felt like being immersed in a warm spring, the soothing water enveloping her entire body, seeping into her very bones. The warmth was so comforting that she wanted to soak in it forever, never coming up for air, even if it meant drowning – she would do so willingly.
Especially with such a handsome and elegant man by her side, gazing at her with tender eyes that held only her, as if he would sacrifice the whole world just for her.
“Wow, you’re so handsome!”
Lost in thought, Zhu Yan stared at Shen Du’s striking features. She quickly reached out to cup his face, gently caressing it. Though this man’s skin wasn’t fair, it was smooth and delicate. His features were chiseled, and she could feel the bone structure beneath. Those long eyelashes like feather fans concealed deep, dark eyes full of deception.
Tracing down his nose bridge, Zhu Yan’s thumb paused on Shen Du’s lips, lightly stroking them. She failed to notice the change in those dark eyes beneath the feathery lashes.
“Gulp!”
The man’s obvious swallow brought Zhu Yan back to her senses. Gradually emerging from her daze, she looked at Shen Du and blurted out:
“Shen Du, you like me.”
Once spoken, those words couldn’t be taken back. A faint blush spread across Zhu Yan’s cheeks, but she resolutely met his gaze.
Shen Du’s rising passion was doused. He grasped Zhu Yan’s hands and turned his face away, offering no response.
“You don’t like me?”
Zhu Yan asked again. It couldn’t be – how else could his actions be explained?
Zhu Yan tried to catch Shen Du’s eye, but he kept avoiding her gaze, turning his face this way and that.
Zhu Yan let out a huff. In that instant, a mischievous thought flashed through her mind.
She pulled her hands from his grasp, feigning anger.
Seeing Zhu Yan upset, Shen Du seemed at a loss. He opened his mouth but said nothing.
Zhu Yan grew even more annoyed.
“Fine then, it seems you were just toying with me. Hmph, let’s get a divorce,” Zhu Yan glared at him with her beautiful eyes, challenging him. “No, not a divorce. I’ll follow Her Majesty the Empress’s example when we get back.”
Shen Du was puzzled. “Follow what example?”
“Taking male concubines like the Empress, of course,” Zhu Yan said matter-of-factly, resting her chin on her hand thoughtfully. “When we return, I’ll take Pan Chi as my consort. If he’s unwilling, I’ll find someone who is. If one isn’t enough, I’ll take two. If two aren’t enough, I’ll take three.”
“I’ll give them all official titles as my consorts, so they each have proper status.”
Gradually, Zhu Yan’s voice grew softer until it faded away completely. She sucked on her finger, watching Shen Du with some trepidation, regretting her words.
For Shen Du’s face had darkened to the point it could drip ink. His usually calm, dark eyes were now filled with a dense, impenetrable murderous aura. Like a hellish black lotus tempered through eighteen levels of the underworld, it appeared to bloom brilliantly and grow beautifully, but was in fact entirely poisonous. With one bite, that dark radiance could swallow you whole.
And Zhu Yan was about to become that poor little morsel to be devoured.
“Go on!”
Zhu Yan was stunned. She hadn’t seen Shen Du’s lips move, so how had she heard that?
Surrounded by that gaze, Zhu Yan dared not say more. She gave an awkward smile and clasped her hands. “No, no need. Time is precious, less talk and more action…”
“You really want to do it?” Shen Du raised his voice, grabbing Zhu Yan’s soft waist and giving her bottom a few smacks. He was indignant. “Just try taking even one consort! You’re not very big, but you’re greedy enough. Am I not enough for you?”
It hurt so much that tears sprang to Zhu Yan’s eyes. She could only beg for mercy: “Enough, enough! Stop hitting me, it hurts.”
Shen Du stopped, flipping Zhu Yan around to face him. He lowered his head and bit her, his heart filled with sourness:
“Such a greedy little girl. What exactly is so attractive about Pan Chi that you want to bring him into your household?”
He wasn’t worried about trouble in the back courtyard.
Zhu Yan rubbed her head, saying seriously: “His looks and your talents. You each have your merits. It’s perfect, how can you call me greedy?”
“So I only have talent left?” Shen Du frowned. Was he ugly in Zhu Yan’s eyes? Before becoming the White King of Hell, he had been a handsome youth admired by girls on the streets of Chang’an.
Well… Zhu Yan glanced at Shen Du. He wasn’t just talented; he was handsome too. She liked men like him.
Thinking this, Zhu Yan’s face reddened again. She secretly observed Shen Du’s expression.
At this moment, Shen Du’s face was gloomy. He seemed to be mulling over what to say, but hesitated.
Finally, he managed to say: “Pan Chi is indeed handsome and quite talented, with a silver tongue. If you like him, I’ll divorce you so you can be together. But you mustn’t take multiple partners – it’s best to have one lifelong companion.”
“Hehe… Hahaha…”
Zhu Yan couldn’t hold back anymore and collapsed laughing into Shen Du’s arms.
Shen Du frowned slightly, feeling out of the loop. He instinctively embraced the laughing woman in his arms.
Composing herself, Zhu Yan cupped his face again. This face was truly to her liking, no matter how she looked at it.
“What is it?”
“Shh,” Because of her intense laughter, Zhu Yan’s eyes were misty and alluring. “You don’t know, do you? I decided at eleven years old that it would be you for this lifetime.”
She smiled gently, recalling that fifteen-year-old youth from back then.
“How could I possibly like anyone else?”
Shen Du’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. His eyes locked onto Zhu Yan’s, and the air suddenly grew heated.
A blush crept up Zhu Yan’s cheeks, which to Shen Du seemed like an invitation.
In the depths of emotion, Zhu Yan leaned in, instinctively wanting to kiss him. But Shen Du turned his head slightly, avoiding it.
Confused by his strange behavior, Zhu Yan let go of Shen Du and was about to move away, but he pulled her back into his embrace.
Once again enveloped in that warm, solid chest, she felt somewhat intoxicated. Pushing away slightly to create some distance, Zhu Yan pursed her lips.
The two stubbornly faced off against each other.