Yan Xiao’s hot breath pressed against her skin, his wet lips and teeth brushing hers half punishment, half provocation.
Shen Wan’s body stiffened slightly, her gaze instantly chilling, yet her voice remained soft, flowing like a gentle river.
“Hiss ” Shen Wan flinched in pain, inhaling sharply as a sharp sting spread across her neck.
Yan Xiao’s warm breath fanned her ear, making her shiver instinctively.
“Don’t understand?” His low voice carried a trace of mockery. “The moment you stepped into the General’s mansion, you became my wife. On our wedding night, it’s only natural to fulfill the duties of a married couple… or do you prefer I force you?”
Shen Wan turned her head, avoiding his invasive gaze.
Why should she do this for pleasure?
She had already taken over his bedroom for the night.
Now there was no escaping.
“If you want, who could resist you? I married you without love it’s because you forced me. Even if you want me to consummate the marriage, I won’t.”
There wasn’t an ounce of fear in her eyes, only a hint of challenge.
Yan Xiao wanting her love? Using force would only make it impossible.
She would only grow to despise and hate him more.
Shen Wan had long been prepared to resist his physical advances.
Chastity was important to a young woman.
Because she had been forced to marry Yan Xiao, Shen Wan had no intention of giving her heart away lightly.
Seeing her stubborn stance, Yan Xiao laughed bitterly in anger.
He released the grip on her wrist and instead lightly stroked the bite marks on her skin.
The gentle touch of his fingertips sent a shiver of tingling through her.
“Shen Wan, now that you’re in my mansion, you’re mine. I respect and love you, and I won’t let you suffer, but I will not sleep apart from my wife.”
He lay down beside her.
Shen Wan could understand not sleeping separately men cared about their pride.
But she still felt she hadn’t earned the right to sleep so close to him.
Silently, she tried to get up and move to another room.
Her rustling alerted Yan Xiao. One arm pressed her down, forcing her half-raised body back onto the bed.
A threatening voice whispered in her ear.
“The General’s mansion is big. You can sleep in whichever room you want; I’ll have the bed moved to wherever you go. You lock the door, and I’ll tear down every door in this mansion.”
A pause fell. Silence for a moment.
Then Yan Xiao’s voice came again “From now on, behave, and I won’t touch you.”
He wanted her to know: she had no choice.
Shen Wan felt uneasy. “I’m used to sleeping alone… and your arm pressing on me is uncomfortable.”
Yan Xiao lifted his arm. Shen Wan moved toward the edge of the bed.
He thought she was getting up to run, but when he opened his eyes, he saw her curled up at the edge, back turned to him.
Such a large bed, and she only used that little space, as if afraid to touch him.
Was she really used to sleeping alone, or just using it as an excuse to fend him off?
The night was still dark.
Suddenly, urgent knocks sounded at the door, accompanied by Aunt Tao’s anxious voice: “General, something’s happened!”
Shen Wan and Yan Xiao were roused from sleep by the knocking. Shen Wan opened her eyes, realizing she had somehow ended up sleeping next to Yan Xiao.
A trace of impatience flickered in his eyes.
He released her, got up, straightened his clothes, and asked coldly, “What’s the matter?”
Yan Xiao went to open the door. Shen Wan’s head was still foggy; she hadn’t caught a word of the conversation between him and Aunt Tao.
His expression darkened instantly.
He glanced at Shen Wan, his eyes unreadable, complex.
Shen Wan was left puzzled, unsure what had happened.