The political climate in the capital was treacherous, but on the road to the border, Ruan Ning and Lin Jie displayed their affectionate relationship.
For example, today Ruan Ning was dressed in men’s clothing, learning to ride a horse under Lin Jie’s guidance. The clothes were Lin Jie’s, and her petite frame made her look like a child who had stolen an adult’s clothes, which was quite comical. But she had no choice, as Lin Jie absolutely would not agree to her wearing another man’s clothes. So she tucked the oversized clothing into her belt, stuffed her pants into her boots, and when a small breeze blew, she resembled a fully inflated sail.
Lin Jie burst into laughter, urged his horse to catch up with her, and when their horses were side by side, leaped onto her horse, grabbed the reins, sat up and embraced her, laughing: “Your posture is wrong. Come, straighten your waist and press your boots firmly into the stirrups.”
The guards looked elsewhere with indifferent expressions, but their inner thoughts were tumultuous. Was this the same serious person who never joked around? Older people falling in love was shockingly flamboyant!
Several days later, the diplomatic mission arrived at the border and began negotiations. Every day was filled with verbal sparring, with each word of the agreement being discussed and revised. After half a month, all negotiations were settled. Lin Jie swept his brush across the document, signing his name and officially declaring the end to sporadic border conflicts with the barbarian tribes, thus entering a peaceful phase.
After the banquet, Lin Jie returned to his room slightly tipsy and found Ruan Ning reading a letter by candlelight. Approaching her, he chuckled at the letter from Wang, which complained about Ruan’s father discussing taking a concubine and asked for her daughter’s intervention.
“Still laughing?” Ruan Ning said without turning, pinching his nose. “It’s all your scheming. My mother is completely panicked.”
“Isn’t this good?” Lin Jie replied, rubbing his face in her hair. He then pushed her forward and sat behind her, massaging her delicate foot.
Due to Lin Jie’s urging, the delegation returned faster than before. Although Ruan Ning rode in a carriage, it was not as comfortable as modern ones, and after a day of travel, she felt exhausted. Lin Jie patiently massaged her every night, though his intentions were not purely therapeutic.
Several days later, the group returned to the capital. Ming You personally came out to welcome them and walked hand in hand with Lin Jie into the palace. After discussing official business, Ming You asked, “When does the teacher plan to get married?”
“Tomorrow is an auspicious day. I plan to get married tomorrow,” Lin Jie replied.
He had calculated that the nearest auspicious day was tomorrow, with the next one being more than ten days away. He was in a hurry and had rushed back for this reason.
Ming You chuckled, feeling a weight lifted from his heart, and said, “Tomorrow, I will personally go to the Grand Scholar’s residence to congratulate the teacher.”
“Thank Your Majesty for your grace!” Lin Jie bowed.
Ming You smiled and continued, “The Hu family’s case has been resolved. I plan to reduce their noble rank by three levels, suspend their salary for three years, and revoke their granted lands.”
He observed Lin Jie’s expression, wondering if this was intentionally revealed by Lin Jie, and whether his motivation was merely to punish the Empress Dowager or if there were other intentions.
“Your Majesty is wise!” Lin Jie made no further comment.
Half an hour later, just as Lin Jie was about to leave the Qingqing Palace, Liu Xi rushed over, smiling apologetically, “The Empress Dowager requests the First Counselor’s presence.”
“I have matters at home. Excuse me,” Lin Jie said coldly, walking away.
The usual path out of the palace was blocked by curtains. Lin Jie took a detour through adjacent palace rooms. As he walked into the Vertical Flower Gate, the door suddenly closed behind him. When he turned back, he saw a pair of snow-white feet between the lush flowers, perfectly shaped.
The feet gently stepped on the soft ground next to a low-blooming peony. The deep red petals contrasted sharply with the snow-white skin, yet both shared a similar texture of softness.
Lin Jie was surprised that his first thought was that this was not Ruan Ning. When had his appreciation of beautiful feet become focused specifically on hers?
He quickly turned and continued walking. The next door was locked, but he took a thin ear pick from his gold three-treasures and used it to open the lock.
The Empress Dowager, hidden in the flowers, called out, “Lin Jie!” She ran out barefoot, blocking his path, softly saying, “Look at me.”
Lin Jie saw her—barefoot, hair in a girlish style, her collar loosely revealing a snowy trace. As she noticed him looking, she pushed her foot forward.
In an instant, he understood. She knew about his past—had discerned his fetish and was trying to seduce him. A stupid and hateful woman.
“Get lost!” he growled, kicking out but changing direction at the last moment, disgusted.
The door shook. The Empress Dowager was terrified, instinctively reaching out but scared back by his low roar.
The lock fell as Lin Jie kicked the door open, storming out.
The Empress Dowager stood stunned, unable to understand why her plan had failed. Didn’t he like women’s feet?
“Mother,” Ming You’s voice interrupted her thoughts, “it’s time to go home. I’ve built a Buddhist hall for you, so you can cultivate and prolong your life.”
The Empress Dowager’s mind went blank. Everything was over.
Yet a tiny hope remained in her heart. After all, she had prepared a gift for Ruan Ning too. She wouldn’t escape either.
With a sizzling sound, he tore her clothes open and threw them aside, leaving Ruan Ning without any coverings.
Desperately, she tried to grab his wrist, calling his name, but Lin Jie no longer heard. His eyes were blood-red, his grip strong, watching Ruan Ning’s smooth arms gradually go limp. Suddenly, feeling something was wrong, he instinctively looked at her feet.
Slender and delicate, pale from blood loss, Lin Jie realized this was not the woman from back then.
He let go, air rushing into his chest. Ruan Ning collapsed but was quickly picked up and taken to the washroom.
With a splash, he threw her into the warm bathwater.
“Bitch!” Lin Jie growled low.
With that roar, the humiliating night from twenty years ago returned. The newly widowed young lady of the Cheng family sat in the hall, her clothes half-undone, while he was pinned to the ground, naked, refusing to submit. The Cheng family woman stepped on his face and taunted, “Lin Jie, make me happy, and I’ll let you go.”
She began to undress. He vomited in violent nausea and was beaten to near death. That night, Lin Chang Song replaced him, and since he couldn’t satisfy her, he was brought back with barely a breath left.
From that moment, he lost his manhood and came to hate women completely.
Under the weight of memories, Lin Jie washed the woman with a towel until soft arms wrapped around his neck, and a choked voice whispered, “Lin Jie, it hurts, I’m scared…”
A spark flickered in his heart. “Ruan Ning?” he asked, his voice dazed.
She cried uncontrollably.
He noticed her fair skin was entirely red, marked by his fingerprints and bruises. Panicking, Lin Jie held her close, incoherently saying, “I’m sorry, I made a mistake, I’m sorry, does it hurt?”
“It hurts,” Ruan Ning replied, her eyes full of tears.
Her neck was also marked with bruises. At a loss, Lin Jie could only kiss her.
However, there were too many places that needed comfort. Gradually, comfort turned to possession, drowning her sobs and transforming them into soft moans, until another painful cry.
