Despite the turmoil, her great-grandfather remained silent, adding to her sense of isolation. It felt as if everyone around her had vanished, leaving her without support, save for the quiet presence of her maid, Xiaoyue.
Tears welled up again as she reflected on her melancholic state, longing for her former cheerfulness and bravery, trapped in an unsettling distraction.
In the evening, Long Junhao returned, exhausted. He looked at his delicate wife lying on the bed, prepared to compromise for her sake but unsure of how to explain.
Lan Lan turned to him, meeting his eyes, which were now filled with complex emotions of apology, guilt, and reluctance. She sensed his unspoken words.
Her heart desperately pleaded: Please, don’t say what I don’t want to hear.
Long Junhao looked helplessly at her face, which was trying to appear strong. Closing his eyes and suppressing his emotions, he spoke the cruelest words.
“Mother said that as long as I marry her, she won’t interfere with our lives anymore. This way, you won’t be blamed, and we can still live our lives. Just consider it as having one more person in the house.”
Lan Lan could no longer hold back her tears. He thought it would be simple. Would a woman’s war end so easily? The battlefields without smoke are the cruelest. Long Junhao, you’ve disappointed me! For you, I could face all accusations, but you chose to compromise.
“Stop crying. Your tears are breaking my heart!” Long Junhao realized he had become the source of her pain and felt he deserved to die.
He gently kissed her face, absorbing each of her tears with his lips. His tenderness only made Lan Lan cry more intensely.
She began to kiss him back, choking with emotion. Since the decision was made, she would indulge herself this once, cherishing these few days. Perhaps when remembering later, the days wouldn’t be so painful.
Her lips gradually approached him, igniting the fire in his heart.
Long Junhao groaned, pulling her onto the bed and passionately claiming her. Her frightened and puzzled expression troubled him. He loved her and would sacrifice everything for her, willing to marry another to avoid his mother’s reproach of being unfilial. He had many methods to solve this, but wasn’t this a permanent solution?
Would she understand all of this?
Afraid of losing her, he continuously possessed her throughout the night until she fell asleep, exhausted.
[Text: Chapter Thirty-Four – Plunder]
A song played in her mind: “If you’ve loved, don’t apologize.” Its melancholy resonated with her state of mind as Lan Lan softly sang to herself.
Why keep forcing and questioning? Memories of the Ethereal master and her great-grandfather echoed: “Go with the flow, take a step back and see the broader perspective.” So she would retreat! She would leave this stage to them. In love, she believed she was brave but now realized she was a deserter. A bitter smile crossed her face.
In two days, Long Junhao would marry again, and she didn’t want to witness that scene. After preparing everything, she would leave today! Perhaps by leaving, she would stop feeling pain.
Lan Lan never imagined that this impulsive escape would result in them not seeing each other for several years.
As usual, she saw Long Junhao off, embracing and kissing him tenderly. After he disappeared from view, she wiped away her tears. Returning to her room, she packed a few clothes, dressed in men’s attire, prepared some travel money and jewelry, and secretly slipped out the back door.
Everyone was busy these past two days. Long Feng had been living with the princess in the residence granted by the Emperor, and no one noticed her departure. Her maid Xiaoyue had just been sent away, and if she discovered Lan Lan was missing, it would cause trouble. Fortunately, Lan Lan had left a letter asking Long Junhao not to blame Xiaoyue.
Walking out of the royal residence, Lan Lan reluctantly looked back at the home she had lived in for over two years, knowing it would belong to another woman. She decided not to look back, fearing that if she did, she might not have the courage to leave. She smiled bitterly, knowing many people would be mocking or rejoicing at her choice. But this was her decision, so why be reluctant? She steeled her heart and strode away.
She knew she was punishing Long Junhao, and also punishing herself. Tears fell onto the ground.
Walking under the sun for half a day, she lost her strength and a wave of dizziness overtook her. She collapsed softly, feeling no pain. Her last conscious moment focused on a pair of seductive, smiling peach-blossom eyes.
Ling Feng held the woman who had intrigued him from the moment he saw her in the teahouse. Her beauty captivated him: naturally red lips, elegant eyebrows, and a hint of emotion in her eyes, coupled with a subtle melancholy on her face. Every graceful movement exuded contradiction and irresistible charm.
His extensive experience allowed him to recognize her unique allure. The unconscious charm in her expression, the bashful blush when their eyes met, and her facade of strength piqued his interest.
Upon inquiry, he confirmed she was the Princess Consort, which did not diminish his attraction. His principle was conquest, and he sought the process of subjugation—many women had submitted to him, reluctant to leave.
Reports from his subordinates about her stirred something in his heart. He thought Long Junhao foolish, believing that after so long, he still didn’t understand what she wanted. Could love truly reduce one’s intelligence, or were uncertainties complicating matters?
Watching her leave her home, he saw she was distracted, forcing him to follow. He wanted to see what she would do. Only when she collapsed from exhaustion did he step forward to catch her.
He carried her to his carriage and raced out of the city, knowing her husband would soon search for her. He could only apologize to Long Junhao—his wife was captivating, and he had to take her away.
At his private villa, Ling Feng watched with a wicked smile as the woman lay on his bed, her almond-shaped face looking helpless. She slept restlessly, mumbling incoherently, her eyebrows furrowed, beginning to sob in her dreams.
Her vulnerable state tugged at his heart. He didn’t like her looking so helpless. Women were meant to be cherished; he would help her escape her pain, a familiar wicked smile crossing his face.
He had wanted her since first seeing her, and now an opportunity had presented itself. He didn’t care whose woman she was—now that she was in his hands, she was his.
Lan Lan cried loudly, her tears mourning the love she thought was perfect and its unexpected ending. Looking at her tearful appearance, Ling Feng’s heart ached.
He didn’t want to see her sad and had always been someone who did what he wanted, never showing mercy. Pinning her beneath him, he pressed his lips against hers, continuing his savage and domineering assault, believing that passion could override all emotions.
“You—- get away from me!” She tried desperately to push him away, but her attempts felt powerless, and her cry sounded weak and fragile.
Though she wasn’t bound by traditional chastity, in this state, she had no mood to accept another man’s advances.
“You are mine,” he stated. Her weak struggle only stimulated his beast-like instincts. While holding her down with one hand, he roughly kneaded her breasts with the other, his breath in her ear igniting desire’s flames.
Oh God! I don’t want this like this! She screamed helplessly in her heart, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Ling Feng trembled, seeing the despair in her eyes. Instantly, his movements became gentle. He kissed her face, her tears, her ears, and finally her breasts, everything tender. He ignited a fire within her with his lips, his skillful technique momentarily making her forget everything, becoming his captive.
