LC chapter 32

 

The palace was completely silent. The maids’ footsteps were so soft that they were barely audible. Zhan Xi set down the teacup in his hand. The porcelain clattered against the table with a crisp sound.

“What did the Seventh Princess say?” Zhan Xi asked calmly.

Concubine Li lowered her brows, gathered her sleeves, and said, “Marriage is a matter of great importance to the parents. What does a girl like her know?”

Lin Ruan couldn’t help but glance at Concubine Li, who remained oblivious while waiting for Zhan Xi’s reaction.

Zhan Xi glanced at Concubine Li and said, “She should be asked about her marriage. ‘ He tilted his head and ordered, “Go invite the Seventh Princess over.

The servants left, but concubine Li didn’t say anything.

A short while later, the Seventh Princess arrived. Lin Ruan saw her with a hint of surprise.

She wore a blue, floral shirt and a black, knee-length skirt, looking like a schoolgirl. At some point, her long, lustrous black hair had been cut short to ear-length. Her eyes were red as she entered.

Concubine Li’s brow furrowed upon seeing her. “What the hell are you wearing? Why don’t you go tidy up before coming back?”

The Seventh Princess held her head high, looking quite stubborn.

Concubine Li’s chest heaved with anger. After a few words of persuasion from the nanny beside her, she suppressed her anger and said, “Come meet your brother.”

The person who, just a year ago, had been properly bowing and observing etiquette alongside the fifth princess now didn’t even move.

“What time do you think it is now? No one bothers with kneeling and bowing anymore.” The Seventh Princess didn’t move at all, as if she regarded Zhan Xi as an enemy. The look she gave him was filled with resentment.

Lin Ruan didn’t know what had caused such a drastic change in such a short time.

Over there, a mother and daughter were already arguing. One muttered about ancestral rules; the other, about the democracy and openness of the new era. Neither would give in nor could convince the other.

Zhan Xi glanced at Lin Ruan. Lin Ruan didn’t want to stay. He said something to Zhan Xi and slipped out quietly.

Lin Ruan wandered around the palace, brush and paper in hand. Maids and servants passed by, their eyes fixed on him. Lin Ruan adapted perfectly to the atmosphere, often wishing he were invisible.

Inside the palace was a library, the only building that retained the style of a Jiangnan garden. It overlooked the lake, and a garden surrounded by numerous pavilions and terraces lay across from it.

A willow tree so tall that several people would be needed to hug it had suffered an unforeseen disaster. Now, it lay half on the surface of the water, its base crushing the railings along the lakefront. Despite this, the willow tree remained vibrant, sprouting tender green leaves in spring.

Lin Ruan turned from the willow tree and encountered the Fifth Princess. She wore a goose-yellow Qifu dress trimmed with pink satin, and her hair was tied up and adorned with two gold hairpins. Seeing the Fifth Princess like this, Lin Ruan felt as if he had stumbled into a time and space not his own.

Lin Ruan took two steps back and bowed slightly. “Greetings, Fifth Lady.”

The Fifth Princess stood by the willow tree, flanked by several maids. Her voice was slow and steady, a characteristic of the imperial court. “I am unworthy of Young Master Lin’s greetings.”

Lin Ruan did not respond.

The Fifth Princess looked at Lin Ruan and said, “I heard the prince has returned. Is it to arrange Seventh Sister’s marriage?”

“Yes,” Lin Ruan replied after a moment’s thought. “Seventh Sister has changed a lot since we last met.”

The Fifth Princess stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist and said, “Concubine Li said that Seventh Sister is possessed by a demon.”

Lin Ruan asked, “Fifth Princess, do you know why Seventh Sister is like this?”

There was a hint of casualness in the Fifth Princess’s voice, similar to Zhan Xi’s. “Of course. It’s a man who possesses a woman.”

The Fifth Princess looked up at Lin Ruan. “Whether it’s Concubine Fucha or Seventh Sister, women always end up being ruined by men.”

Lin Ruan’s back went numb instantly as he met her eyes, which bore a striking resemblance to Concubine Fucha’s. He hurriedly said goodbye to the Fifth Princess and turned away.

Zhan Xi also emerged back there. Lin Ruan could hear crying outside. Curious, he peeked in, only to be startled by Zhan Xi.

“Let’s go,” Zhan Xi said, leaving without another word.

Back home, Lin Ruan told Ah Yue and Aunt Cao what had happened. Tong Bo was also listening.

“I also ran into the Fifth Princess. From what she said, it seems the Seventh Princess already loves someone, which is why she doesn’t want to marry the man arranged by Concubine Li.”

Tong Bo frowned slightly. Ah Yue looked at Aunt Cao and said, “I think the Seventh Princess is right. What era is this? Love is free. Why are they still using arranged marriages?”

Aunt Cao was displeased. “These rules, passed down by our ancestors for thousands of years, must have their reasons. Besides, how much life experience does a young girl have? How much experience can she have in judging people?”

“Is Prince Yu’s eldest son a good man?” A Yue replied, “I think Concubine Li is the weird one. She’s pushing his princess into this mess.”

A Yue started arguing with Aunt Cao, essentially using the Seventh Princess’s case to express her own views. Uncle Tong frowned. “The palace has strict rules. How could the Seventh Princess have had the opportunity to interact with a man outside the palace?”

It was clear that the others had not considered this matter. After muttering to themselves for a while, they dispersed.

Uncle Tong went upstairs to find Zhan Xi and tell him about it.

“After all, the Seventh Princess is your sister.” Uncle Tong stopped talking. Zhan Xi thought for a moment and said, “Send someone to investigate. Prince Yu’s family is definitely not a good match.”

Uncle Tong felt relieved upon understanding this. Zhan Xi walked him out. Out of the corner of his eye, Zhan Xi saw Lin Ruan standing at the stairwell, staring blankly at the third floor.

Uncle Tong went downstairs. Zhan Xi leaned against the door and watched Lin Ruan. After a moment, Lin Ruan came to his senses, turned around, saw Zhan Xi, and blushed.

Zhan Xi waved, and Lin Ruan walked over. Zhan Xi leaned against the door and asked with a smile, “Want to get something?”

Lin Ruan blushed and stared at Zhan Xi without saying a word.

Lin Ruan had only gone once before to get something, and when he showed Zhan Xi what he had gotten, Zhan Xi realized it was something meant for internal use. He was irritated enough that he didn’t dare go again for the next two days.

However, young people are greedy, and once they’ve tasted something sweet, they can’t stop. Furthermore, Lin Ruan enjoyed Zhan Xi’s closeness, so he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“I have school tomorrow, so I can’t stay up late,” Lin Ruan whispered.

He and Zhan Xi always did these things late at night, afraid of being overheard.

Zhan Xi reached out and pinched the back of his neck. “Let’s go to the greenhouse, okay? No one around here can hear us.”

He was polite, acting as if he were genuinely trying to find a solution for Lin Ruan without any ulterior motive. This always made Lin Ruan feel as if he was taking advantage of Zhan Xi.

After dinner, Zhan Xi went to the greenhouse unattended, with instructions not to disturb him.

The lights were on inside the greenhouse, but dark gray silk curtains obscured the view, even blocking out the bright light.

Lin Ruan gently pushed the door open. Zhan Xi was watering the flowers inside and looked quite relaxed. The contrast made Lin Ruan feel quite shameless. Zhan Xi unfolded the item he had taken out: It was a pair of black leather handcuffs and collars padded with soft fabric on the inside.

Zhan Xi smiled softly and said, “Take off your clothes.”

Lin Ruan sat on a recliner covered with a smooth, single sable pelt stitched from several mink furs. The pelt was smooth and silky without a single blemish.

Lin Ruan slowly removed his clothes. He had showered beforehand, and his fair skin had a healthy pink hue.

The enclosed space gave him a sense of security. He sat on the recliner and looked at Zhan Xi with no hint of shyness in his eyes.

Zhan Xi rewarded him with a kiss on the forehead and reached out to put the collar around his neck. He adjusted the size so that the fabric clung tightly to Lin Ruan’s neck, leaving just enough space for him to breathe.

Each of his limbs was similarly clad and tied to either side of the recliner. The black collars formed a stark contrast against his snow-white skin. Zhan Xi loved Lin Ruan like this.

Lin Ruan still didn’t understand, and curiosity lingered as he gazed at his bound limbs. One doesn’t naturally feel restrained when still, and Zhan Xi didn’t explain, his gaze growing increasingly intense.

Under this gaze, Lin Ruan’s body reacted. He shifted uncomfortably, but Zhan Xi pinched the back of his neck and warned, “Don’t move.”

Lin Ruan stiffened but couldn’t help becoming increasingly aroused in this atmosphere.

“Sir,” Lin Ruan pleaded.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable?” Zhan Xi asked.

“Not really,” Lin Ruan replied, looking at Zhan Xi with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

“What do you want?” Zhan Xi asked, his tone coaxing. “What do you want? Tell me.”

Lin Ruan’s eyes slowly turned red, and an indescribable feeling washed over him.

“I want you, sir,” he said. “Hold me.”

“Is that all?” Zhan Xi asked again.

“Is there anything else?” Lin Ruan asked, looking at Zhan Xi. “Sir.”

The lights in the greenhouse were turned off. Lin Ruan’s body felt more relaxed at night. He panted slightly, his breath quickening with Zhan Xi’s movements.

Zhan Xi acted with extreme gentleness; his primary goal was still to make Lin Ruan feel the joy of the situation.

Young people are greedy, but they can’t eat much, so they must slowly build up their appetite. Only by doing so can they prepare for the future.