Upon hearing this, Mu Anran felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. He actually thought she was using such matters to bargain with him.
"I didn’t, Beichen. I truly want to live a good life with you. I’m only doing what a wife should do!"
Xuan Yuan Beichen responded with a cold laugh.
"Live a good life—I’m tired of hearing that phrase. Doing what a wife should do, is that it? Then I’ll grant your wish! Mu Anran, do you think just because my legs are useless, putting on a show will let you walk away unscathed? You’re sorely mistaken!"
Mu Anran wanted to say more, but he silenced her with his lips.
Xuan Yuan Beichen half-pinned her beneath him, kissing her fiercely as his hands reached for her clothes.
He even gripped her chin, forcing her mouth open. The invasion of his tongue and the clash of teeth left a faint taste of blood in Mu Anran’s mouth.
Perhaps it was that hint of blood, or perhaps it was Xuan Yuan Beichen’s overly rough actions, but scenes from her past life in Lenggong flashed through Mu Anran’s mind.
The repeated humiliations by those beggars, their degrading actions and words, assaulted her mind again and again.
Mu Anran’s eyes grew vacant, then shifted to fear and terror. Tears streamed down her face as her hands began to push against Xuan Yuan Beichen.
"No, don’t… don’t touch me, don’t… get away…"
Seeing her struggle, Xuan Yuan Beichen lifted her hands above her head.
"Mu Anran, it’s too late to say no now!"
With those words, he lowered his head and kissed her collarbone, biting down as if in punishment.
Mu Anran continued to murmur "no" through her tears, which soaked the pillow.
When her inner garments were tossed out of the bed curtains, Mu Anran’s entire body trembled.
"Don’t… don’t do this to me… all of you, get away… ah, why… why must you treat me like this…"
Sensing her reaction, Xuan Yuan Beichen looked up, his eyes blazing with anger. Yet he noticed beads of sweat covering her forehead, tears streaking her face, and her entire body trembling uncontrollably. Even after he stopped, she continued to shake, crying out incessantly.
The fury in Xuan Yuan Beichen’s eyes seemed ready to erupt.
"If you’re unwilling, why pretend to speak of doing what a wife should do?"
He pushed her further to the side, sat up, and seeing her exposed skin, pulled the quilt over her.
"If you don’t want to, then get out…"
But she remained trembling, curling into a ball even without his weight upon her.
She kept crying out, "Don’t… don’t touch me, don’t…"
Seeing her so utterly broken, even in his rage, Xuan Yuan Beichen realized something was wrong.
"Mu Anran, Mu Anran, what’s wrong with you?"
He tried reaching out to steady her, but her reaction grew even more intense.
He had no choice but to say, "Mu Anran, I won’t touch you. We haven’t done anything yet—you’re still pure, Mu Anran!"
Seeing that his words had no effect, Xuan Yuan Beichen spoke helplessly.
"Mu Anran, wake up. I haven’t touched you. Xuan Yuan Haoyu won’t reject you…"
At the mention of Xuan Yuan Haoyu’s name, Mu Anran’s eyes snapped open, filled with overwhelming hatred—so intense that even Xuan Yuan Beichen was startled.
Mu Anran gritted her teeth and cried out.
"Xuan Yuan Haoyu, Xuan Yuan Haoyu, you deserve to die, you deserve to die. In this life, I will surely make you be torn to pieces…"
"Ah…"
Then she fell into madness again, breaking down in tears!
Upon hearing her words, Xuan Yuan Beichen was startled. She had just shouted that Xuan Yuan Haoyu deserved to die. What had happened to make her like this?
Watching as cold sweat continued to bead on her forehead, her whole body crying out in confusion.
Xuan Yuan Beichen grew increasingly anxious. If only he hadn't treated her that way earlier—she must have been terrified. What did it matter even if she had deceived him? After all, she was still his wife. How could he have forced her!
"Anran, Anran, wake up?"
"Shen Zhi, quickly summon the palace physician…"
Shen Zhi, who was guarding outside, hurriedly went to call for the palace physician upon hearing this.
Meanwhile, Yan Yu and Yan Xue exchanged glances. They had heard the commotion inside since the loud argument began. Could it be that Taizi Fei was unwilling and had been injured by the Crown Prince? Even with his injured foot, the Crown Prince was still so formidable!
As they were puzzling over this, they heard Xuan Yuan Beichen's voice call out, "Yan Yu, Yan Xue, come in…"
The two hurriedly entered upon hearing this.
They saw Xuan Yuan Beichen already seated in his wheelchair by the bed. "Help Taizi Fei get dressed!"
Only then did they notice Mu Anran curled up on the bed, murmuring incoherently for them to stop, her face streaked with tears.
Both were startled but dared not say anything. Yan Yu stepped forward and spoke softly.
"Taizi Fei, let this servant help you get dressed!"
Seeing that Mu Anran showed no response and continued to cry!
Yan Yu gathered her courage and reached out to help her up.
But Mu Anran suddenly reacted with intense agitation, pulling the quilt tightly around herself.
"Don't, don't touch me, don't touch me, get out…"
Seeing Mu Anran trembling all over, Yan Yu had no choice but to bow to Xuan Yuan Beichen.
"Crown Prince, forgive this servant for being bold, but Taizi Fei seems to be in a state of madness. We must not force her!"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Beichen frowned deeply. Damn it, what had she gone through?
"You two go out and keep watch. Tell the palace physician to wait a moment before coming in."
"Yes!" Yan Yu and Yan Xue bowed and withdrew.
Even as she huddled under the quilt, he could still see her trembling, and the sound of her sobbing reached his ears.
Xuan Yuan Beichen used his hands to support himself on the bed and sat at the edge. At this moment, he hated himself more than ever—why had he become a cripple?
Remembering her reaction filled with hatred when Xuan Yuan Haoyu was mentioned earlier, Xuan Yuan Beichen tried saying,
"Anran, I am Xuan Yuan Beichen. Do you know Xuan Yuan Beichen? Anran!"
Upon hearing this, Mu Anran's trembling lessened, and she sobbed,
"Xuan Yuan Beichen, Xuan Yuan Beichen, it was my fault, it was all my fault!"
"You go, leave quickly. For my sake, it's not worth it, not worth it! I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it!"
Seeing her emotional collapse and worried that she might suffocate herself under the quilt, Xuan Yuan Beichen reached out and pulled the quilt away from her head.
"Anran, Anran, I am Xuan Yuan Beichen. Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I won't hurt you!"
"Anran, be good, don't be afraid. It's alright now, it's alright. No one will hurt you!"
Mu Anran was still crying, but her condition had improved somewhat. Her body was no longer trembling, and she murmured softly,
"Xuan Yuan Beichen…"
"Xuan Yuan Beichen…"
Xuan Yuan Beichen did not know why she was calling his name, nor could he be certain whether this was an act. Yet the agony she had just displayed seemed genuine, and he responded to her repeatedly.
"I'm here…"
"Xuan Yuan Beichen…"
"I'm here…"
And so it went—one calling out ceaselessly, the other answering again and again!