Vоlume 1 Chарtеr 19: Оnlу Locking Hеr Uр Can Рut Me аt Еаsе
Тhе pаlасе doors swung widе open.
Thе сurve аt thе соrnеr of Yаn Shi’s liрs аbruptly vаnishеd.
In front оf the doors stоod оnly the chiеf stewаrd, with not еvеn an eхtra shadow in sight.
Whеrе wаs thе figure of thе оnе whо had hoоked hеr finger with his, prоmising to wait оbedientlу for him?
The сhiеf stеward hаd wаtched Yan Shi grоw up. Тhis рrince hаd been bulliеd terriblу sinсе childhоod, and аs a merе sеrvаnt, he could do little to help, nо mаtter how much it pаinеd him.
But after аll thеse years, it was rare for someone to willingly stay by his side.
Thus, he whispered a reminder, “Your Highness, just now, Song Momo came and said Consort Ying wished to see the princess consort, so she took her away. But this servant noticed that the Fourth Prince also headed in the direction of Jin Cui Palace.”
Yan Shi’s figure stiffened. The aura around him instantly chilled to the extreme, his expression growing even colder and more detached, his eyes filled with frost.
The words “I’ll wait obediently for you” still lingered in his ears.
Little liar.
In their place echoed the old emperor’s words—Yun Jiao likes Yan Cheng—growing louder and louder, relentlessly drilling into his ears.
Recalling how he had knelt and bowed before the old emperor, speaking with conviction just moments ago, Yan Shi curled his lips into a smile and let out a low chuckle.
What hooking fingers? Just a trick to fool a child.
“How disobedient.”
His voice was a murmur, but his face was dark and overcast, his eyes gradually turning red, brimming with gloom.
Why must everything he possessed be handed over the moment Yan Cheng took a liking to it?
She was the one who had approached him first, yet she still spoke of liking him, still pretended to kiss him, luring him into the net she had woven only to cruelly pull away.
“Hah, such a good deal doesn’t exist in this world.”
Since she was the one who provoked him first, how could she simply leave as she pleased?
What did it matter if she liked Fourth Brother? He would just take her for himself.
If Fourth Brother stood in his way, he would simply kill him.
Such a disobedient little deer—only locking her up could put him at ease.
Once locked up, she would become obedient.
If she still refused to behave, he would chain her up, imprison her in a dark chamber.
The gentler Yan Shi’s face appeared at that moment, the heavier the ferocity in his eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, he strode toward Jin Cui Palace.
…
By the time Yun Jiao regained her senses, she had already been led to a secluded path.
Her mind seemed to go blank for a moment. All she remembered was Song Momo saying Consort Ying wanted to see her.
How had she suddenly been brought here?
Song Momo walked ahead, while two palace maids followed behind Yun Jiao. Along the way, they encountered fewer and fewer people, and the path grew increasingly remote.
Steadying her nerves, Yun Jiao glanced around. “Momo, does Consort Ying live in such a secluded place?”
Song Momo shot her an unfriendly look. “We’re almost there. Why ask so many questions?”
Almost there? Ahead was clearly a desolate, untended small courtyard.
Dark clouds drifted across the sky, a sign that rain might be coming.
Growing uneasy, Yun Jiao stopped and turned to leave. “I’m not going. I want to find the prince.”
“Grab her!” Song Momo shouted, her eyes wide with anger.
Without a word, the two palace maids seized Yun Jiao. Petite and delicately raised, Yun Jiao had no strength to resist.
She struggled and twisted incessantly. “How dare you! I am Princess Consort Yan!”
Song Momo let out a sinister chuckle. “Even that freak doesn’t scare us, let alone a little wretch like you? Get her inside.”
“Mmph! Mmph!”
The palace maids covered Yun Jiao’s mouth, forcibly pushing her into a small courtyard. With a forceful shove, they threw her to the ground and quickly locked the door.
“The Fourth Prince will be here soon. Let’s go.”
As the words faded, the sound of footsteps gradually receded into the distance.”Open the door! Open it quickly!”
“Open the door! Otherwise, when Prince Yan arrives, none of you will escape!”
Yun Jiao scrambled to her feet, pounding on the door with all her might, but it was futile.
As Song Momo reached the corner, a figure appeared.
“This servant pays respects to the Fourth Prince.”
Yan Cheng glanced at her. “You dog of a servant, you said Yun Jiao is still alive—you weren’t lying to me, were you?”
Song Momo fawned as she stepped forward. “This servant wouldn’t dare. Rest assured, Fourth Prince, she’s locked up right in the courtyard ahead.”
Yan Cheng snorted.
Half a year ago, Yun Manor had pledged allegiance to him, claiming they had raised a delicate, soft, and stunningly beautiful woman for him—their own legitimate daughter. They had even publicly announced their intention to give her to him as a concubine.
But a few days later, when he wanted to see her beauty for himself, they said she had passed away.
Then yesterday, he heard that at that freak’s funeral, a woman named Yun Jiao wanted to marry him as his Princess Consort.
He had heard that Yun Jiao was raised using some dubious methods from the jianghu.
Whether it was the same Yun Jiao or not, he had to go see for himself. He hadn’t even tasted that ecstasy yet—how could it be that freak Yan Shi’s turn?
Yan Cheng shot Song Momo a displeased look. “Where is it?”
“Right here.” Song Momo pulled out a small porcelain bottle. “If the Fourth Prince swallows this, Yun Jiao will obey your every command.”
Yan Cheng opened it skeptically. Inside was a small black insect. Gritting his teeth, he swallowed it and looked toward the small palace courtyard, rubbing his hands together.
Hehe, his long-awaited little beauty was waiting for him in that courtyard.
A loud rumble.
Thunder cracked.
Inside the room, Yun Jiao shivered, rubbing her arms, her eyes unconsciously filled with fear.
The light in the room dimmed at a visible rate, and her heart leaped into her throat.
She patted the door, Yan Shi’s image surfacing in her mind.
She had promised to wait for him outside the door, but she didn’t know if he had come looking for her.
“Boom—!”
Another loud clap of thunder, followed by a flash of lightning. Yun Jiao crouched fearfully against a pillar, covering her ears, her voice trembling as she cried out, “Prince, I’m scared… wuwu…”
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Yun Jiao’s eyes lit up with hope as she hurriedly stood, looking eagerly toward the doorway. “Princ—”
Before she could finish, Yan Cheng appeared with a sinister grin, and he was instantly captivated by Yun Jiao’s beauty.
Her pale little face was filled with panic, her round eyes wide and dazed. Her skin was as white as snow, looking as if it could be blown away with a breath, and her slender waist seemed fragile and unsteady.
“She truly is a peerless beauty.” Yan Cheng’s eyes swept over her like a jackal’s.
His gaze sent a chill down her spine, and her stomach churned. Yun Jiao suppressed the urge to vomit, taking a step back until her back pressed against the pillar.
Her eyes wary, she asked, “Who are you?”
Yan Cheng activated the gu inside him. “I am your husband.”
The voice seemed to come from far away, hollow and echoing. For a moment, her vision blurred.
Yun Jiao shook her head, trying desperately to see clearly, but for some reason, her body felt uncontrollable.
The shadow before her drew closer step by step. The noise in her ears was chaotic, and she couldn’t make out the words.
A hand seemed to rest on her shoulder, and a chill ran through her. Yun Jiao instinctively trembled.
In her mind, she felt resistance and revulsion, wanting to struggle free, but her body felt as heavy as lead, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds. She couldn’t even lift a finger.
The shadow seemed about to press down on her. Yun Jiao’s breathing grew rapid, and tears of desperation welled in the corners of her eyes.Unable to move, she felt utterly hopeless.
She looked toward the door. After a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder—
A loud bang.
The door was kicked down, crashing to the floor and stirring up a cloud of dust.
A familiar figure stood in the doorway, holding something in his hand—she couldn’t tell what it was, but some kind of liquid seemed to be dripping from it.
He stretched out his other hand toward her, his tone strangely familiar and warm.
He spoke to her gently, “Come here, good Jiao Jiao.”