Chapter 45: I Will Marry You

Shen Yanli tapped her lightly, his tone indifferent: “Behave yourself.”

The madam came downstairs with a group of people. Seeing that the girl was unharmed, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Waving her handkerchief, she smiled and said, “Young master, thank you for stepping in. How about letting the girl down first?”

Yun Shang, under the gaze of so many people, blushed instantly when he tapped her.

Hearing the madam’s words, she instinctively gripped the front of his clothes, her eyes filled with unease.

She was worried—what if he held a grudge over the trick she played on him and abandoned her?

Shen Yanli’s lips pressed tightly: “How much does she cost? I’ll buy her.”

The madam hesitated a bit. This girl was quite pretty. She had originally wanted to cultivate her properly.

Yun Shang spoke softly, “I was kidnapped here.”

Her implication was clear—she didn’t want to cost money; since he was so skilled, he could just take her away himself.

If he paid for her, that meant she’d still be at his mercy.

Shen Yanli heard her words but ignored them. He took out a stack of silver notes with one hand and handed them over: “Is this enough?”

The madam’s eyes lit up when she saw his generosity—it was definitely enough.

She quickly smiled brightly and took the money: “Enough, enough, this young lady belongs to the young master.”

That damn girl was lucky to have hooked a rich one. She took the money, turned, and left, calling servants to soothe the guests.

Shen Yanli looked back and noticed He Lan was no longer there—he must have gone after Chen Tong.

With his skills, there was no need to intervene, so Shen Yanli didn’t go after him.

Yun Shang felt a strange mix of emotions as he quickly got her out of trouble.

“Where are you taking me?” Yun Shang asked aloud as he carried her out of Qimeng Lou.

Shen Yanli’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. He said seriously, “Isn’t it a bit late to only just think of asking now?”

Even now, he still felt a bit scared inside. If he hadn’t come today, would she have really left him for good?

No one knew how he felt when he looked up and saw her face amid the commotion.

Joy and fear together—joy that he finally found her, fear that he hadn’t acted fast enough to catch her.

Fortunately, he did catch her. After so many days, holding her in his arms again made him reluctant to let go.

“Thank you, Second Master, for saving me, but I want to go home,” Yun Shang said softly, looking up at his stern face.

She was grateful for his rescue, but now she was free.

Shen Yanli’s heart was already simmering with anger. Before it could erupt, he heard her say she wanted to go home.

He lowered his head to look at her beautiful face: “Go where? How come I don’t know you have a home?”

“Second Master, I was wrong before. I took your silver, give me some time to pay you back one by one. Please let me go.”

She didn’t want any more entanglements with him. She didn’t want to be a plaything, called and dismissed at whim. That wasn’t the life she wanted.

After he spoke, his hand at his waist suddenly tightened its grip. The man’s eyes were cold and clear: “If I let you go, who will let me go? Don’t forget, you were the one who provoked me first.”

He had originally just gone to the brothel on business, but unexpectedly, she had seduced and lured him to the bed, and from then on, things spiraled out of control.

As he spoke, he summoned a gentle energy and stepped into a courtyard. Yun Shang hadn’t even reacted before he threw her onto the bed.

A relentless barrage of kisses followed. Yun Shang pushed him away with her hands. “Shen Yanli, are you crazy? Let me go.”

Being pushed away, Shen Yanli grabbed her hand and pinned it above her head. “What’s wrong? It’s only been a short time, and you’ve already forgotten how you seduced me first.”

Hearing this, Yun Shang’s eyes instantly reddened. “Yes, yes, I shamelessly seduced you. But weren’t you just as happy about it? How are you any better than me?”

Even if she had taken the initiative to seduce him, so what? They both got what they needed. What was he doing acting like this now?

Seeing her cry, Shen Yanli instinctively reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eye and sighed. “Ah Shang, don’t cause trouble. After I finish my business, I’ll take you back to Yangzhou. We’ll be good, okay?”

“I won’t go back.” Yun Shang looked away, refusing to meet his gaze.

She had finally left Yangzhou and did not want to return, much less go back with him—what for? To become a pampered golden cage bird?

“We’ve been together so long. Have you ever had a single ounce of true feeling for me?” Shen Yanli stared into her eyes, obsessively wanting an answer.

Yun Shang curled her fingers and slowed her breathing. She didn’t want to answer.

She wasn’t heartless; of course she had some feelings. But since there was no future between them, why torture each other like this?

“Shen Yanli, if I go back with you, under what identity do I return?”

What was he? What was she? Everyone in Yangzhou knew that Second Master Shen had bought a ‘thin horse’ from the brothel. Wherever she went, people would point and gossip. If that was the case, what was the point of returning?

Shen Yanli reached out to touch her face and whispered, “I’ll marry you. Marry me, okay?”

After all this, he had seen clearly his own heart—he liked her, she was in his heart, so he wanted to marry her.

Yun Shang smiled bitterly. “We’re not suitable.”

Right now, he was only a little interested in her, so he thought of marriage. But what about later? Later, who could guarantee he wouldn’t resent her because of his identity?

Rather than marrying him and facing an uncertain future, she’d rather do business well and rely on herself.

“Why aren’t we suitable?”

“Shen Yanli, I’ve never made a decision for myself in my whole life. I want to decide once for myself. Please don’t force me, okay?”

Her nose tingled, tears spilled down, crying heartbreakingly.

There was no denying it—when he said he wanted to marry her, she had a moment of hesitation, but reason told her she couldn’t.

Shen Yanli released the hand he was holding, and after a moment, he compromised. “Don’t hide from me anymore. No more sneaking away.”

“Okay.” Yun Shang softly agreed.

Seeing her consent, he reached out to pull her up and then tightly embraced her.

Yun Shang moved to push away but heard him say, “Don’t move. Let me hold you.”

He had wandered alone for many years, feeling lonely at times. But after meeting her, he often thought of her.

Even if she said they were unsuitable, he was willing to wait—until the day she agreed. After all, he was alone, with no attachments.

Hearing this, Yun Shang pressed her lips together and said nothing, only allowing him to hold her.