Chapter 76

Su Ci struggled.

As soon as she turned her head, the first breath she took was filled with a strong smell of alcohol mixed with the scent of makeup. The sweet, cloying smell combined with the alcohol made her almost gag.

Damn it, she could tolerate a clean duck but not a wet cucumber. It was too disgusting!

It instantly crossed her bottom line. Her sense of revulsion surged, and she struggled, grabbing his wrist and pushing it away, “Get out!!”

But Su Ci’s skills were no match for Yang Yanzong’s. As they struggled, Yang Yanzong, both shocked and angry, twisted his wrist and grabbed her again. Su Ci managed to slip halfway out of his grasp, but he held her tightly from behind. The overwhelming scent of makeup and perfume filled her senses, making her gag. She stretched her neck forward and kicked hard, but the man behind her stood firm like an old tree, unmoving.

She turned her head and shouted angrily, “I told you to get out, didn’t you hear?”

Holding her breath deeply, Su Ci wasn’t truly afraid of Yang Yanzong; she was just furious.

Yang Yanzong, having been slapped twice, grew even angrier. In the dim moonlight, he suddenly saw the undisguised disgust in Su Ci’s eyes. Panic surged within him as he realized what she was disgusted by.

“I didn’t!” He spoke urgently, pulling her hand to touch his collar and belt. In the moonlight, it was clear that both were intact, his clothes and accessories untouched. He stepped back a bit, using one hand to undo his belt, throwing his outer robe aside. He grabbed the wet towel she had left on the screen and wiped his neck and chin vigorously before tossing it aside. During their struggle, they had knocked over a table, shattering a large vase and spilling water and shards all over Su Ci and the floor. He scooped her up and carried her back to the bed.

Breathing heavily, he kissed her forcefully. His mouth tasted only of alcohol, with no trace of makeup.

Su Ci struggled to breathe, the smell of alcohol making her uncomfortable. She tilted her head back, pushing his face away. Yang Yanzong tightened his grip on her. She struggled twice but couldn’t break free. Yang Yanzong, his voice hoarse with anger, said, “I told you, I didn’t!”

“Those women, I never touched any of them!!” After shouting, he felt a bit embarrassed, lowering his eyes for a moment. “Not a single one.”

In the silence of the bedchamber, Su Ci was stunned. Not a single one? How was that possible?

More than half a month had passed. It wasn’t a long time, but it wasn’t short either. Su Ci had already adjusted her mindset and regained her calm. She adapted well to her environment, never dwelling on sadness. Even the atmosphere in the main courtyard had gradually returned to normal under her influence, just like before.

You could say her life had returned to normal. Men, well, they were just that. She hadn’t poured her heart out and had felt melancholic, indifferent, and reflective, but it had passed. A woman could live happily without a man. Recently, she had been enthusiastically working on garlic extract. Yang Yanzong had gradually faded from her mind. But at this moment, he suddenly told her he had never touched another woman.

She was stunned, and her first reaction was surprise. How was that possible?

Those two tribute girls, he had stayed in Muxiang Hall with them for a night, leaving only the next morning for court. Everyone in the mansion knew. The next day, the two tribute girls even wanted to pay their respects to her, but the guards chased them away before they could step into the inner courtyard.

Mrs. Yan had seen them. She had specifically sent Nanny Zhang to call them to Muxiang Hall, and she had met them on her sickbed, showing remarkable perseverance. Now he said he hadn’t?

Experienced maids could tell that the two girls had indeed lost their virginity. Although these gossips weren’t spoken in front of her, the mansion wasn’t that big, and Su Ci, as the person involved, had heard some of it.

In the darkness, Yang Yanzong coldly snorted, “Whether they were tribute girls or not, the Kun family wanted to place people by my side. But did they consider whether I was willing?”

As long as he wasn’t willing, there were ways.

“One for each, and they will be rewarded later.” After saying this, Yang Yanzong looked down at her. Su Ci’s expression was somewhat dazed, and she seemed a bit stunned by the rapid changes, blinking but no longer struggling.

If he had really touched someone else, would she never give him any true feelings again? He was furious, filled with hatred, and wanted to bite this heartless woman. She could really let go so easily, but he couldn’t let her go, no matter what.

Yes, even though Yang Yanzong wouldn’t admit it, the fact was that even though he clearly realized she didn’t care much about him, he couldn’t let her go! It was like a piece of flesh attached to his heart. No matter how brave or capable he was, he was powerless against this. He felt suffocated, humiliated, and mocked for being henpecked, but after all the intense emotions, he was really fed up with her lukewarm, shallow, and distant attitude!

He straddled her, pinning her hands, leaning down to kiss her forcefully, biting her angrily. Su Ci let out a muffled sound of pain, but she turned her head slightly, no longer struggling as she had before. They kissed for a long time, until they were out of breath, their lungs feeling like they were about to burst. They finally pulled apart, gasping for air.

Yang Yanzong stroked her face forcefully, his voice hoarse as he repeated, “I don’t want anyone else, and I won’t touch anyone else. Give me your heart!!”

He tore off the thin cloak wrapped around her, placing his hand over her heart. She panted heavily, and through the thin nightgown, his grip felt as if he was about to pull her heart out.

It wasn’t about whether it was right or wrong. There was no right or wrong. He was domineering and forceful and left no room for argument. He demanded, “I promise you! You must give me your heart!”

His hand was too hot, burning her, making Su Ci tremble. She never expected to hear such words from Yang Yanzong. But he was too forceful. His words were fierce and harsh, like a debt collector. However, her heart wasn’t like money in a pocket, ready to be given whenever she wanted.

Su Ci gave a bitter smile, “As long as you don’t have anyone else, I’ll always, always like you.”

She didn’t know if she felt cold or hot, but her heart trembled, and she couldn’t help but curl up in his arms.

That phrase again! That phrase again! Yang Yanzong’s heart twisted with anger, “I don’t want ‘like’! I want your heart, just like mine!!”

He wouldn’t let her brush him off! He gritted his teeth, his grip tightening as if he were squeezing her heart, “Did you hear me?!”

It’s love, not like!

He bit her, grabbed her, holding her so tightly it felt like he might break her waist. No matter what, he had to get an answer tonight!

His eyes and tone were like a trapped beast, filled with love and hate, causing his heart to ache. He wanted her to feel the same pain. After struggling, he took a step back but had to get what he deserved. Everything else could be negotiated, but this was non-negotiable.

Pushed to her limit, Su Ci couldn’t hold on any longer. His fierceness and relentlessness, the beast-like exterior hiding his true feelings, made her heart ache. She didn’t know if she felt sorry for him or for herself.

“…But, but I don’t know how. I’ve never thought about it, never loved anyone. I don’t understand!” Pushed to the brink, she finally spoke her true feelings. She couldn’t stand his relentless demands, feeling suffocated under his weight. She tried to push him away but couldn’t. Somehow, her heart ached, her eyes warmed, and tears began to flow.

This damn ancient world, this damn man!

Tears welled up and then flowed freely. Feeling a sudden sense of grievance, she decided to let it all out and have a good cry. She vented all her recent frustrations in one go. No matter how much she tried to console herself, no matter how optimistic and open-minded she was, in an environment where everyone either avoided her or looked at her with pity, it was impossible for Su Ci not to have any pent-up emotions.

“…Why are you so stupid!!” he exclaimed in exasperation.

But she cried. This was the first time Yang Yanzong had seen Su Ci cry. She was always optimistic and happy, always smiling whenever he saw her. He had never seen her cry before. Large, glistening tears spilled from her half-closed eyes, and he panicked.

“Why are you crying? I’m not even angry!” But his heart softened immediately. She was different from him. Su Ci’s health wasn’t the best. Although she had been exercising daily for the past few years, she had recently suffered a severe injury. After the injury, her body had become quite weak, and she had lost a lot of blood. The doctor said it would take her a year or two of good care to recover fully. Her complexion wasn’t as good as before, and she cried so hard she couldn’t catch her breath. His heart ached, and though he spoke gruffly to her, he couldn’t bear it. He hurriedly let go of her, no longer pressing down and held her in his arms. Though he didn’t soften his words, he lay beside her, gently stroking her back.

Su Ci clung to his clothes, crying for a long time, releasing all the accumulated pressure and emotions from her time-traveling experience. She cried herself to sleep, and Yang Yanzong held her as she slept. Unexpectedly, she developed a low fever in the middle of the night.

Su Ci’s body hadn’t fully recovered, and she was more prone to minor illnesses and pains than before. Seasonal colds sometimes led to low fevers if she wasn’t careful; she had already experienced this several times this year. With the recent rains, her wound had been aching slightly. After the intense emotional release, she developed a low fever. In the middle of the night, she woke up groggily. The room was bright, and she heard many people moving around. Yang Yanzong’s voice was anxious, and someone was checking her pulse. Soon, she smelled the strong scent of bitter herbal medicine. She opened her eyes, the light too bright, and she shielded her eyes with her hand. Yang Yanzong sat by the bed, having washed quickly. He smelled of clean soap, his black hair still damp. Being close to him made her feel much more at ease. He tucked her in, and when the herbal medicine arrived, he helped her sit up, holding her close. “Awake? Come, drink the medicine first, then sleep.”

Su Ci leaned weakly against him as he carefully fed her the medicine. The taste was strong, and she pushed the bowl away, tilting her head back, frowning, and covering her mouth tightly until she could recover.

He gently rubbed her back and handed her warm water to rinse her mouth. Afterward, he carried her to the adjacent room and brought her back to bed, tucking her in. He checked her neck for fever and found the temperature suitable. He then lowered the bed curtains, dismissed everyone, and blew out the lights, lying down beside her.

Su Ci opened her eyes, watching him blow out the lamps one by one through the thin, lake-blue bed curtains, leaving only one light in the outer room before returning.

Su Ci touched her forehead and closed her eyes. She felt cold, and when Yang Yanzong held her, she silently curled up in his arms. He tightened his grip, wrapping her in the blanket.

Su Ci felt dazed, and her low fever made her mind fuzzy. She lay there for a long time, not knowing what she was thinking. Eventually, the medicine took effect, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Near dawn, Su Ci broke into a sweat, her fever subsiding completely. She felt more energetic, though her face was pale, and her eyes were bright.

She washed up and changed into clean nightclothes, her soft black hair draped over one shoulder. In the dim candlelight, they looked at each other for a long time.

Yang Yanzong half-knelt on the bed, holding her hand and placing it over his heart, where his strong heartbeat thumped steadily. He also placed his hand over her heart. “Alright,” he said, “You say you don’t understand, that you’ve never loved. Fine, I’ll give you time. How long do you need?”

He was still tender and reluctant to let go, but he couldn’t back down on this. He insisted on this one thing, refusing to compromise even a little.

Su Ci: “…”

Sometimes, she really couldn’t stand his relentless pressure, but she could only say, “I don’t know.”

“I’ll try my best,” she added.

Su Ci didn’t dare make promises; he would take them seriously. Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked at him. Her pale face, almost translucent after the fever, showed rare softness and vulnerability.

“You didn’t lie to me?” Yang Yanzong stroked her face, kissed her from her lips to her cheeks, holding her tightly. “Good, then don’t make me wait too long!”

Su Ci couldn’t help but close her eyes. She nestled against his neck, licked her lips, and after a while, softly said, “Mm.”

Yang Yanzong’s hand never left her heart, moving from her chest to her back, pressing tightly. He held her, wrapping her in the blanket, pressing her close to his heart.

Don’t make me wait too long!