He Ci Yuan looked at her, a cruel arc curving his lips. He said slowly, "I'll still leave you with your virginity intact. Otherwise, my upright and noble second brother might despise you for being... soiled in the future."
There was a suppressed undertone in his words.
Tian Yao was suddenly stunned.
She knelt there on the ground, sitting back on her heels, looking at him in disbelief.
What... what did he mean?
"You, what did you say?"
A great sense of absurdity and grievance instantly overwhelmed her.
Her ultimate goal had really been to seek a stable shelter here and just survive. She had never really thought about climbing the social ladder. Who would really want to marry into a family like this and engage in all those palace intrigue dramas every day?
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.
Inside the inner chamber, He Ci Yuan's muffled groans became more and more suppressed. Each one felt like a heavy hammer striking Tian Yao's heart.
She looked up. Through her blurry tears, she saw him curled up painfully on the couch. His usually cold and aloof face was now distorted by extreme pain.
"I have no such thoughts. I don't like anyone!"
[Don't you understand, He Ci Yuan? I just want to live!]
[You're the fool, and your whole family is too!]
Suddenly, the grievance and pain in her heart seemed less important in the face of the fear of life and death.
Tian Yao took a deep breath, as if swallowing all her weakness and tears back into her stomach.
She got up from the ground and walked step by step back towards the big bed, towards the man exuding a dangerous aura.
"Get out!" He Ci Yuan sensed her approaching. His voice was full of warnings, and his blood - red eyes stared fixedly at her.
But Tian Yao seemed not to hear.
She was a bit vengeful. Since he liked to act so much, she would expose his act.
It didn't matter if they both died tomorrow. Anyway, he was in no condition to move.
She knew how outrageous and shameless her next actions would be, but she had no other choice.
She gritted her teeth. Since she was already a woman in his chamber, why should she be so hypocritical about those false reputations?
What virginity and chastity, they all came last when it came to survival.
Moreover, He Ci Yuan had no women around him. She wasn't losing out.
Without saying a word, she quickly untied her outer robe and only wore a thin undergarment. Then she leaned over him.
Her cool and soft body suddenly pressed against his.
He Ci Yuan's body stiffened. The fire in his body seemed to meet an ice - cold spring, making a "hiss" sound. It was a kind of extreme pain, mixed with a hint of indescribable comfort.
He wanted to push her away, but his body greedily absorbed the coolness and the faint milky fragrance from her.
"You're asking for death. Do you believe I'll kill you tomorrow?"
He squeezed out a few words through his gritted teeth, then suddenly lowered his head and bit down on her fair and slender neck.
A sharp pain came. Tian Yao let out a muffled groan, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
She could feel the warm blood oozing out of the wound, with a rusty smell.
"Do whatever you want. Anyway, I'm not easy to bully. None of you want me to live, so I'm going all out!"
Tian Yao was furious.
He Ci Yuan's movements halted.
The force of his bite seemed to loosen a bit at that moment.
The person in his arms was soft and fragrant, like a fine piece of cool jade, constantly dispelling the heat in his body.
She was stubborn and yet willing.
I don't know how long it took, but the bone - burning and heart - corroding flames finally gradually subsided.
The redness in He Ci Yuan's eyes faded, and his usual clarity returned. However, there was an extra thick and unfathomable darkness in that clarity.
He slowly loosened his teeth and looked at the clear and bright tooth mark on her neck. His eyes were deep.
Tian Yao finally couldn't hold on anymore. The whole night's scare, grievance, and exhaustion had made her extremely tired. Leaning against the edge of his bed, she fell into a deep sleep.
...
Early the next morning.
He Ci Yuan woke up to a soft and fragrant smell.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw a sleeping face very close to him. Her long eyelashes were like two small fans, casting a faint shadow under her eyes. Her nose was small and cute, and her lips were an alluring crimson.
And one of his arms was domineeringly wrapped around her waist, imprisoning her whole body in his arms.
The chaotic memories of last night came flooding back like a tide.
He remembered his out - of - control state, her bold actions, and the harsh and hurtful words he had said, including Tian Yao's rebellious words.
But how dared she disobey him in private and say those words to him?
She said he was afraid and timid, but all she wanted was to live.
Yes, in this deep and secluded mansion, there were countless people who just wanted to survive.
A single word from the master could make their lives never have a chance to turn around.
Tian Yao was very afraid of death. He could feel that. For the sake of survival, she was willing to do anything.
He lowered his head and looked at the round shoulder she had exposed while sleeping on her side. There were still finger marks left by his out - of - control last night.
The evil fire in He Ci Yuan's heart burned more and more vigorously. He leaned over and took a hard bite on that fair skin.
"Um..."
Tian Yao woke up in severe pain, gasping for air in pain.
[You dead man. Can't you be a bit gentler?]
But Tian Yao didn't dare to say it. Her actions last night had already been very outrageous. Angering him might very well get her killed.
So, instead of crying, she forced out a smile that was uglier than crying. Her voice was a bit trembling because of the pain, but she still softly asked, "Young master, are you awake? Are you hungry? What would you like to eat? This servant will go and prepare it for you right away."
He Ci Yuan slowly loosened his jaws.
He looked at her.
There were clearly tears welling up in her eyes. Her small face had turned pale from the pain, but she was still concerned about whether he was hungry.
There was no resentment or fear in her clear eyes, only careful flattery and concern.
It was just like... just like a heartless doll. No matter how much you hurt her, she wouldn't hold a grudge. She would only smile at you.
He Ci Yuan's heart was like being hit gently by something. That evil fire just inexplicably went out.
He grabbed her from the edge of the bed and pulled her into his arms. He pinched her chin and without hesitation blocked her chattering little mouth.
This kiss carried a sense of punishment. It was rough and fierce, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.
It was not until Tian Yao was almost out of breath that he loosened a bit. He pressed his forehead against hers. His hot breath sprayed on her face, and his voice was hoarse and dangerous.
"You... heartless girl."
Tian Yao was kissed dizzy. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were numb and painful.
But when she heard this sentence, she secretly let out a sigh of relief in her heart.
She knew that He Ci Yuan should not be angry anymore.
[Bah. You people who kill at will are the ones who are really heartless.] Tian Yao thought to herself.