Chapter 75

The light hoofbeats landed softly as three flat-topped carriages stopped at the main courtyard’s flower gate steps. The grand court banquet, which had lasted almost the entire day, finally ended as night fell.

The Marchioness’s ceremonial dress was even heavier than the previous one, and wearing it all day was exhausting. After returning home, Su Ci removed it, took a hot bath, and wrapped herself in a light silk robe, feeling much lighter.

The night was already deep. The sky was filled with stars, and the air was cool after the rain. The sound of cicadas had faded, and the long night was peaceful. Su Ci sat on the windowsill, gazing at the stars for a while, her head resting on the window frame, her feet gently swinging.

In the stillness of the night, the main courtyard was close enough to the front courtyard to hear the faint sounds of music.

Su Ci appeared relaxed and carefree, but Nanny Zhang and the other maids were cautious. They had learned that the two small carriages following the three flat-topped carriages contained new arrivals. They probably thought Su Ci was forcing a smile.

Su Ci watched them, wanting to speak but holding back, finding their cautious behavior somewhat amusing.

It wasn’t necessary to be so tense. To be honest, Su Ci had always known that as Yang Yanzong rose in rank, this day would come. There would always be women he couldn’t refuse, like the two today. Of course, in the eyes of men today, there was probably no need to refuse at all.

Men like her father, Su Di, were the real oddities. So, from the beginning, Su Ci’s ideal state for their marriage was to get along and live their lives.

One can’t fight the larger environment. If you don’t have the power to change things, it’s better to go with the flow.

She could still find happiness in her own way. It was all Yang Yanzong’s fault. He wasn’t satisfied with just physical intimacy; he wanted emotional connection too. She clicked her tongue. It was somewhat amusing and not too sad, as it was expected. She enjoyed life in the moment but wasn’t naive. She understood the reality.

Still, it was disappointing.

The genuine feelings she had felt for him recently were quickly extinguished by the cold reality.

After watching the stars for a while and seeing everyone’s cautious behavior, she felt a bit bored.

Alright! She admitted that reality could be quite disheartening. Sharing a man with others was always unpleasant. Listening to the faint music from the front courtyard, she smiled and shook her head.

What a miserable situation. She needed to adjust her mindset and treat Yang Yanzong like a duck. It would take some time, but at least she had her injury to focus on—recent rains had made her wound, which had only recently healed, ache whenever the weather changed.

Alright, time to sleep!

It was late, and it was Su Ci’s usual bedtime. She stretched, yawned, and jumped down from the windowsill.

Sleep was paramount. No matter what happened, the sun would rise again tomorrow. There was no point in torturing herself. Feeling sorrowful over flowers or distressed by parting birds was not her style. Staying up late to cry over such trivial matters was out of the question.

Sleep was the best remedy. The more life felt like a mess, the more she needed to be kind to herself.

Su Ci rubbed her face, went inside, closed the door, blew out the lamp, and went to sleep.

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The lights in the back courtyard went out, but the front courtyard was brightly lit.

The sound of music filled the air, dancers twirled, and the pipa’s notes grew louder and more urgent. The beautiful dancer at the center of the stage spun faster, her light pink gauze dress fluttering, revealing a glimpse of her snow-white neck and waist. The audience cheered loudly as she was lifted into the air, performing a graceful dance before bowing to the ground.

Yang Yanzong said, “Reward her.”

The dancer gracefully thanked him, bowed, and led her companions in a circle around the hall before exiting the stage.

Some of the unrestrained soldiers pulled one of the dancers into their arms, causing everyone to laugh and follow suit, embracing the dancers. The dancers smiled coquettishly, raising their wine cups, and the soldiers eagerly drank with them.

Yang Yanzong sat at the head of the table, smiling and unbothered.

These dancers had recently been purchased from various dance houses in Jiangnan, carefully selected by his trusted aides. They had done a good job maintaining the dignity of the marquis’s residence.

The attendees were all his trusted subordinates, most of whom had participated in the palace coup. After such a harrowing experience, they deserved a good reward.

Imperial Uncle Kun and Empress Dowager Kun had hosted a grand banquet for them in the palace, and Yang Yanzong naturally hosted a grand banquet for his trusted aides at home. This was a given.

Yang Yanzong had attended the palace banquet and then continued the celebration at home. This second banquet was equally important. Military men risked their lives for their careers, and their emotions ran high. When it was time to eat, drink, and be merry, they let loose. Since everyone present was a trusted ally, there was no need to hide anything.

When Yang Yanzong returned home, the banquet reached its peak. Everyone enjoyed the dance, ate, drank, and embraced the women, laughing and shouting. Of course, there was plenty of toasting, and by the end, many were sprawled out, embracing the dancers.

Yang Yanzong was toasted the most, and he didn’t refuse any drinks on this day. After two rounds of drinking, even with his high tolerance, his face was flushed, and he was clearly drunk. He leaned on the armrest of the main seat, supporting his head with his hand. The two tribute girls, who had been kneeling obediently by his side, now held wine cups, their eyes seductive, and leaned in closer, “Marquis~”

The exotic beauties, with their enchanting eyes, knelt humbly and seductively, offering a cup of wine, their breath fragrant.

Yang Yanzong took the cup, leaning back in the large armchair for a moment. The hall was filled with soft music, and the bright candlelight seemed a bit harsh. He shielded his eyes and drank the wine. The tribute girl was delighted and quickly refilled his cup, pressing her chest against the armchair.

Yang Yanzong’s gaze was unusually hazy, the accumulated alcohol making him somewhat dazed, yet his mind was surprisingly clear. He knew exactly where he was and what he was doing. Staring at the seductive tribute girl almost clinging to him, he suddenly asked, “Where is she? What is she doing?”

The unexpected question startled the tribute girl, but A Kang and A Zhao immediately understood. They exchanged a glance, feeling a bit nervous, but honestly reported. A Kang carefully said, “Madam, Madam has already gone to bed.”

A Kang had specifically sent someone to check, and Su Ci had indeed gone to bed on time, closing the door and blowing out the lamp without any delay.

When he finished speaking, the room fell silent. A Kang and A Zhao didn’t dare make a sound, bowing their heads and stepping back.

Yang Yanzong was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a cold laugh.

Some facts that had been glossed over or intentionally ignored recently were abruptly brought to light.

Yang Yanzong once again realized with painful clarity—she didn’t really care about him. To her, he was just someone she could take or leave. Her feelings for him were like a shallow layer of water at the bottom of a bottle—not nonexistent, but not deep enough to cause much pain if spilled.

Yang Yanzong’s anger flared up instantly. The stark realization made his heart go cold, and his interest vanished. The feast and wine before him suddenly seemed tasteless.

The tribute girl was startled, about to smile and offer more wine, but Yang Yanzong’s cold, indifferent gaze made her heart skip a beat, and she fell silent.

Yang Yanzong said calmly, “Take these two women to the Muxiang Hall.”

A Kang and A Zhao responded immediately, helping the two tribute girls up and escorting them to Muxiang Hall.

Muxiang Hall, located between the front and back courtyards, was not part of the dancers’ quarters and was not yet part of the inner residence. The previous owner of the mansion designed it to serve a similar purpose to the East and West Chambers of the Qianqing Palace, a place for concubines without official status.

Yang Yanzong told everyone to enjoy themselves and stay in the mansion, instructing the attendants to take good care of them, and then he left the banquet. His steps were initially slow, but he regained his usual pace once he exited the main hall. The night breeze blew, and his expression remained calm as he walked to Muxiang Hall. The two tribute girls were taken away to be cleaned and then placed in separate rooms in the front and back courtyards.

Yang Yanzong stood in the courtyard, and as the flowers and trees swayed slightly, two young men dressed very similarly to Yang Yanzong emerged from the darkness. They were even more formally dressed than Yang Yanzong himself at that moment, and they looked almost identical in the shadows.

The two men knelt and greeted Yang Yanzong, who said calmly, “Go ahead. Once the task is done, these two women will be your reward.” They nodded, and one of them immediately entered one of the rooms. Soon, the sounds of a woman’s soft moans and the act itself could be heard. After the first man came out, the second one went into the other room.

As the flowers and trees swayed, casting shadows, Yang Yanzong let out a cold laugh. These two tribute girls were well-trained, seductive, and clearly had been under the Kun family’s tutelage for a long time. Perhaps they were even raised by the Kun family from a young age. After all, Wusun did send a batch of dancers last year, but whether these were the same ones, only heaven knew.

Hmph. Thinking they could place such women by his side was a dream!

Yang Yanzong didn’t touch the two tribute girls, nor did he return to his room. He left A Kang and A Zhao to guard Muxiang Hall and quietly returned to his outer study.

The issues between him and Su Ci had been subtly and abruptly brought to the surface again. He felt a surge of frustration, deliberately making everyone think he was sleeping in Muxiang Hall, including those in the main courtyard. With a dark expression, Yang Yanzong entered the study, trying to undo his cloak’s collar but ended up kicking the leg of the long table in frustration.

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In Yangdu, grand and small banquets continued. Some invited Yang Yanzong, while he hosted others, but the former were far more frequent. Though he was indifferent by nature, he understood social etiquette and attended the necessary events. The entire month of April was filled with official and private banquets.

He frequented the Imperial Uncle Kun’s residence the most. Imperial Uncle Kun loved lavish gatherings. Previously, with the old emperor around, he had to restrain himself, but now he had no such concerns, hosting grand banquets for the Kun family’s trusted civil and military officials, as well as the coup’s key figures like Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao.

The private banquets at the Imperial Uncle Kun’s residence were even more extravagant than those in the palace. The dancers, barely covered in thin gauze, twirled seductively, their sweat glistening under the bright lights. The guests cheered loudly, some already embracing and kissing the wine-serving dancers.

As the saying goes, “Guests follow the host’s lead.” Imperial Uncle Kun loved such indulgence, and the banquet’s atmosphere naturally reflected that.

In subsequent banquets, the atmosphere grew even more intense, with guests embracing, teasing, and even engaging in intimate acts on the spot. Imperial Uncle Kun didn’t mind, laughing heartily and even ordering aphrodisiacs to keep the party going. He encouraged everyone to enjoy themselves without restraint. In such an environment, even those who weren’t comfortable with public displays of affection went along with the crowd to avoid standing out. After all, it wasn’t a big deal.

Despite this, Yang Yanzong never engaged. Dancers clung to him, and he didn’t push them away. They poured him wine, and he drank, appearing to be like everyone else. But in the end, he never engaged. Gradually, people began to notice a pattern. Even within the same faction, only some were pleased with Yang Yanzong. His youth and high rank made him and Ji Yuanhao stand out.

Usually, it was fine, but after a few drinks, someone would stagger over, laughing and mocking, “Really, Brother Yang! I’ve heard you’re devoted to your wife, but I didn’t know you were henpecked, haha…”

Being called “henpecked”—controlled to the point of avoiding other women—wasn’t a compliment. It implied weakness and incompetence.

Yang Yanzong’s face darkened, his sharp gaze sweeping the room.

After hearing the commotion, Imperial Uncle Kun sat up, “Hey, hey, what’s all the noise? He Yuan! Have you had too much horse piss? Get back here!!” He threw a wine cup at the man, scolding him until he sheepishly retreated.

“Come on, come on, everyone drink! No need to spoil the mood!”

At this time, Imperial Uncle Kun and Yang Yanzong were still in their honeymoon phase, so Yang Yanzong’s refusal to indulge didn’t offend him; instead, he joked, “Newlyweds are different from us!”

Everyone laughed.

The incident passed, but because Imperial Uncle Kun smoothed things over and scolded one person, it didn’t mean there wouldn’t be a second or third. As it happened more often, even Ji Yuanhao privately advised, “Why bother? They’re just playthings.”

Just a few dancers, not worth taking seriously. It’s all for show, and they don’t even come home. So why bother?

Yes, why bother? Yang Yanzong asked himself the same question. All the women in the world were like this, so why couldn’t she be?

With a surge of frustration and alcohol, he threw down his wine cup and pulled the dancer beside him into his arms. She was delighted, seizing the opportunity to please him, her soft body leaning into his chest, her delicate hand holding up the wine cup, her breath fragrant, “Marquis~”

Yang Yanzong drank the wine from her hand. The beauty giggled charmingly, alluring and captivating. She snuggled against his chest, her jade-like arms wrapped around his neck, her seductive eyes tracing his Adam’s apple and jawline, tilting her snow-white neck back.

Just one more step, one move of his hand, and he could tear the beauty’s clothes apart, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it! He moved his hand slightly, but it wouldn’t go down!

He closed his eyes, breathing heavily, the serene smile of Su Ci flashing before him. She had been so still, and he sensed that she seemed to be waiting for something. He had a primal instinct that if he tore her clothes, he would lose her forever!

The beautiful woman waited for a while, but there was no response. Unwilling to give up, she began to caress his neck with her arms like a snake. But unexpectedly, Yang Yanzong suddenly stood up and kicked her away!

He wiped his neck, and with a heavy kick, the beautiful dancer screamed, knocking over the wine table with a crash. She clutched her chest, curled up on the ground, unable to get up for a while.

Ji Yuanhao was surprised by this sudden outburst, but before he could ask, Yang Yanzong had already stormed out like a whirlwind!

This was a private banquet between Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao, held in the flower hall of Yang Yanzong’s residence. Ji Yuanhao, holding a wine cup to his lips, paused, then couldn’t help but laugh a little, shaking his head and continuing to drink calmly.

Yang Yanzong, such a cold and ruthless character, had an unexpectedly interesting side.

It was amusing.

As Yang Yanzong rushed out of the main hall, the night breeze hit his face. The dark night covered the last traces of twilight, and he felt cold and hot, mirroring his emotions at that moment.

Yang Yanzong turned and rushed into the main courtyard, his steps quick and urgent. He startled the maids, who overturned a basket of freshly dried cotton cloth. Inside, Su Ci heard the commotion and asked, “What’s… going on?”

She had just come out of the bath, wearing only clean nightclothes. She glanced at the closed window, and in the next moment, hurried, heavy footsteps rushed up the corridor. Yang Yanzong kicked open the door and stormed in like a whirlwind.

Su Ci was startled, quickly pulling a cloak around her body. She turned in surprise, but before she could fully turn around, she was enveloped in a heavy, breathless embrace. Yang Yanzong grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, facing each other.

With a crash, he knocked over the candlestick, plunging half the room into darkness. In the shadow of the wardrobe, his force pushed her back several steps, her back hitting the white wall hard.

Yang Yanzong’s breathing was heavy, his eyes bloodshot, whether from emotion or alcohol. He gripped her shoulders tightly, panting, “I don’t want anyone else, and I won’t touch anyone else. Give me your heart!!!”

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