(Content Warning: Male lead is a psychotic yandere, female lead is a delicate native woman, forced possession, fierce wife-chasing arc, intense bittersweet romance)
Raindrops beat against the windows as candlelight flickered faintly.
A scene of intimacy unfolded beneath the apricot-colored bed curtains.
“Yu’er, Yu’er, look at me…”
A deep, magnetic warmth breathed against Jiang Yu’s neck, half comforting, half bewitching.
Jiang Yu fluttered her long lashes open as a pale, sharply defined face slowly drew near.
Though Pei Xiao’s voice was gentle, his gaze held undeniable aggression.
With her hair disheveled and mind dazed, Jiang Yu dared not meet those peach blossom eyes that seemed capable of devouring her whole.
Pei Xiao was her husband, the Grand Secretary who stood above all others in Southern Qi.
A talented young man, refined as jade, lofty and aloof as a deity—yet he attended to Jiang Yu’s every need with meticulous care, extending his generosity even to her maternal family at the Ningguo Duke Mansion.
Through years of marriage, Pei Xiao had treasured her like a precious pearl. Understanding her fragile health, he had maintained perfect decorum during their three years together, never forcing her into anything against her will.
Until half a month ago, when Jiang Yu stood timidly before him in loose sleeping robes with hair cascading down her shoulders—then his eyes reddened as he swept her into the bed curtains.
But once begun, matters spiraled beyond control.
Jiang Yu discovered that the coldly dignified Grand Secretary possessed an untamable, indulgent side that left her wanting to weep every time.
She complied with his wishes, knowing Pei Xiao cherished and adored her.
In passion’s height, even the most refined man could lose his composure.
At least, that’s what she had believed… until today.
Recently, she’d been haunted by recurring dreams of startling vividness.
In these dreams, she had married another man.
On her wedding night, Pei Xiao burst into the bridal chamber and decapitated the groom, severing his arms.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
The headless corpse collapsed at Jiang Yu’s feet while the bloody head rolled across the floor.
As she fled in terror, Pei Xiao seized her ankle and dragged her back through the bloodbath.
No! No!
Jiang Yu struggled desperately, but he pinned her down like a wild beast, tearing at her clothes until tears and blood mingled into chaos…
“Yu’er, look at me…”
Perhaps sensing her distraction, Pei Xiao drew out his raspy plea, whispering into her ear with utmost devotion.
The esteemed Grand Secretary who commanded nations by day spent his nights tirelessly studying how to please his wife.
Jiang Yu had always cherished this—but now… remembering that blood-smeared madman from her dreams, she shuddered with horror.
She knew it was just a dream, so why did it feel so terrifyingly real?
“No!” Jiang Yu’s hoarse voice strained through her throat as her fair wrists pressed against Pei Xiao’s chest. “I—I’m unwell. Let’s rest.”
Pei Xiao stilled, veins faintly pulsing at his temples.
“Be good, Yu’er…” He swallowed thickly, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
Jiang Yu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she turned her head away, evading him almost imperceptibly.
Pei Xiao’s ardor hung suspended in air, meeting empty space.
He smiled awkwardly, but seeing his delicate wife’s pitiful state, ultimately withdrew and lay aside to cool himself in the breeze.
As Pei Xiao’s dominant presence faded, Jiang Yu relaxed with relief, quietly shrinking toward the innermost edge of the bed.
After long, deep breaths, Pei Xiao gazed suspiciously at her retreating figure.
Jiang Yu had always been gentle and soft. Since their marriage consummation, he’d felt her growing attachment—every night she curled against his chest to sleep, resting her ice-cold hands against his abdomen.
Why did she feel so distant today?”Yu’er, is something troubling you?” Pei Xiao embraced the petite figure from behind, his large hands rubbing her icy fingertips.
“N-No!”
His tall frame once again enveloped Jiang Yu, making her uneasy. She quietly withdrew her hand.
Pei Xiao stroked his now-empty fingertips, his eyes dark and unfathomable like an abyss.
Was she rejecting him?
Yu’er ought to be docile and gentle…
The air suddenly turned cold, the wind causing the windows to creak.
Jiang Yu inexplicably felt a chill down her spine and arched her back.
Seeing her shrink like a frightened rabbit, Pei Xiao pulled her back into his embrace, gently nuzzling her shoulder with his chin.
“You and I are one as husband and wife. You mustn’t hide anything from your husband, hmm?”
As desire faded, Pei Xiao’s voice softened like gauze, his gentle breath enveloping Jiang Yu, wrapping around her until she felt as powerless to resist as a drowning person.
Pei Xiao had always been considerate.
Just two days ago at the Princess Manor banquet, when Jiang Yu had merely glanced a few extra times at the embroidery on the young princess’s skirt, that very evening Pei Xiao had presented her with the exact same embroidery pattern.
Pei Xiao understood her heart’s desires—there was nothing she wished for that he couldn’t provide.
He was the best husband one could ask for. Jiang Yu shouldn’t distance herself from him because of a mere dream.
“I’m fine. Perhaps I stayed too long in the embroidery room at Princess Manor the other day and felt somewhat stifled…” Jiang Yu clasped Pei Xiao’s hand in return, attempting to act as intimately as usual.
But the moment she touched Pei Xiao’s fingers, she immediately released them as if electrocuted, her mind flashing with the image of blood-stained long fingers gripping her ankle.
Had these scholar’s hands, fair as jade, once dismembered someone?!
This contrasted too sharply with the Pei Xiao she knew.
Jiang Yu’s breath hitched as she pushed him away. “Pei Xiao! Let’s sleep in separate rooms!”
Her mouth moved faster than her thoughts.
The room instantly fell into a silence so tense it made one’s scalp prickle, as if dark clouds were pressing down layer by layer.
But until she figured things out, Jiang Yu truly couldn’t behave as usual with him.
Better to take things slowly!
Jiang Yu pulled the quilt corner over her head, blocking her view. “Pei Xiao, what I mean is… I’m not feeling well. We should sleep apart for some time.”
Her voice gradually weakened, yet it echoed clearly in the silent room.
The quilt covering Pei Xiao was slowly pulled away, exposing his body to the chilly late autumn night. A cold expression surfaced on his face.
He abruptly gripped the retreating quilt corner, his knuckles turning white.
She had actually called him by his full name instead of “husband.”
For three years, hadn’t she been the one softly calling him “husband” repeatedly in his ear? Hadn’t she been the one with flushed cheeks and lightly bitten lips telling him that husband and wife should share a bed?
He had only moved back from his study half a month ago, and now she wanted to drive him away again…
Did she think he was some stray dog she could summon and dismiss at will?
Pei Xiao’s heart sank like a stone. After two silent breaths, he spoke: “Yu’er, it’s autumn. The study is cold.”
“You know I just recovered from a chill a few days ago. If I freeze to death, what will you do?” Pei Xiao’s tone was casual, as if joking.
“Th-then I’ll sleep in the study.”
Jiang Yu didn’t find it amusing. She pushed up her sore, weak body.
The silk quilt slipped down, and Jiang Yu hurriedly covered her chest, avoiding Pei Xiao’s gaze. “You… extinguish the lamp first. I need to dress.”
She wouldn’t even let him see her body now.
Pei Xiao lowered his eyelids and curved his lips slightly. “We’ve been husband and wife for three years. Isn’t it a bit late for Yu’er to be avoiding impropriety now?”