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The dusk was thick, and tonight, the Orchid Garden was unusually quiet, the stillness tinged with a subtle atmosphere. The servants were all alert, none daring to breathe heavily, keeping their heads down as they attended to their duties.

Zhi Wei ordered someone to leave the courtyard gate slightly ajar, not fully locked, then instructed the servants to light all the lamps under the corridors—no pitch-black darkness, it needed to be brighter. After these orders, Zhi Wei entered the house.

The master bedroom was brightly lit, the light as glaring as daylight, somewhat blinding. Shen Shuyao lay in bed and, upon hearing the door open, immediately threw back the curtain and peeked out. Seeing it was Zhi Wei, she inexplicably felt a pang of disappointment, then masked it with a stern expression and lay back down.

Zhi Wei was twenty-four this year, several years older than her. Since Shen Shuyao was a child, Zhi Wei had been by her side, serving her, and now it had been over ten years. Zhi Wei understood her best; often, a single glance conveyed meaning. Just now, without a word, Zhi Wei knew exactly what she was looking at.

She smiled and walked over, standing by the bedside, replying, “The master hasn’t returned yet. You should rest first.”

“What does it matter to me if he’s not back? I’m tired; don’t disturb me.”

After dinner, Xie Yi left the Orchid Garden with Ruyi. Where they went, Shen Shuyao did not know. She wanted to send someone to follow, but with A Si and Liu Yi, both skilled martial artists with keen hearing, nearby, any subtle movement would be detected. So she decided against it.

Nearly half an hour passed, and he still hadn’t returned. Was there any need to guess? Taking a woman out—what else could it be but the usual affair between man and woman?

Shen Shuyao closed her eyes. She had brought this woman home herself; now, how was she supposed to feel wronged? It was inevitable that he would take a concubine sooner or later; why trouble herself?

Once she accepted this, the tightness in her chest eased somewhat, and she felt less distressed. Opening her eyes, she instructed through the curtain, “Turn off the lights; they’re too glaring.”

Sui Hua responded softly, and in the next moment, the room dimmed into darkness. Only a half-open window let in a sliver of moonlight, cold and hazy.

The surroundings were silent, a quietness that brought a pleasant serenity. Her mind calmed quickly, and she soon drifted off to sleep. Perhaps she was truly exhausted from the day, for she slept deeply, unaware even when the door quietly opened and the soft sound of flowing water began.

Inside the dark room, a tall black shadow lifted the curtain and slipped in. Seeing her asleep, a wave of frustration rose. Lying down, his hand naturally rested on her slender waist, caressing back and forth.

Shen Shuyao was now seventeen, at the prime of youth—delicate and tender, softer than a flower. Raised in luxury, never having endured hardship, she frowned at the slightest pain. Now asleep, she felt her waist gradually ache, causing her to furrow her brows and murmur softly.

The instigator not only didn’t stop but grew more forceful, as if deliberately waking her.

“Shen Shuyao.”

The man called softly. Seeing signs of her stirring, he propped himself up halfway to look at her, then whispered again, his hot breath brushing her neck, tickling. Shen Shuyao shrank her neck and gave a faint sound.

Xie Yi’s eyes narrowed as he turned her over, pinching her chin to kiss her, then slowly moved down, inhaling the alluring fragrance before biting softly.

Shen Shuyao awoke groggily, pressed down by a heavy weight, struggling to breathe. Looking down, she caught sight of a dark head before her and instantly became fully alert, no trace of sleepiness left.

“Husband.”

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Her voice was naturally sweet and soft, and just waking, it sounded even more clinging.

Xie Yi answered with a murmur, lips parting as he turned to kiss her again. Her small, soft red lips were addictive; once kissed, he didn’t want to let go.

In the darkness, his face was indistinct; his expressions and manner were unclear, but his breathing and movements were amplified, stirring her senses and body.

Shen Shuyao resisted, wondering why he had come to her after being with Ruyi. Was it that he hadn’t been satisfied with Ruyi, so he came to her? Regardless of the reason, she could not accept it. She struggled fiercely, trying to escape, but tonight Xie Yi was unusually forceful. The more she tried to avoid him, the more excited he became, faintly revealing his arousal.

Yes, arousal.

From the strength with which he restrained her, it was unprecedentedly dominant and overbearing, an attitude not open to refusal.

Shen Shuyao was puzzled. What was wrong with him? She hadn’t provoked him; tonight was so unusual.

“Xie Yi,” she called softly.

He didn’t respond, kissing her more vigorously, as if wanting to devour her alive. With one hand, he grabbed both her wrists and pinned them above her head.

The humiliating position was charged with passion, making Shen Shuyao flush all over.

Xie Yi appeared cold and refined, well-mannered and educated, but in bed, he was fierce and intense—like a beast capturing its prey, unwilling to let go, indulging fully.

Though the position was the same, the force was different—deadly.

Shen Shuyao even felt that all his strength was focused on his waist and hands.

She enjoyed it but found it exhausting.

—

Outside the courtyard, the sound of water and sweeping filled the air, a busy scene that successfully woke Shen Shuyao. Upon waking, no one was beside her. Xie Yi was dressing and washing up. Catching her eyes opening, he glanced her way with a casual look, then turned away as if nothing had happened.

Shen Shuyao pressed her lips tight, irritated by the memory of last night. Her waist ached, her legs felt weak; it would take several days to recover. Moreover, the usually courteous and well-mannered young masterI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.