Yan Xuan’s expression grew cold as he turned her to face him, making her lower her gaze. Then he curved his lips and began to undress her.
Ruan Ning didn’t evade him. They were familiar with each other’s bodies after sharing a bed for so long. Although they had never been fully naked, she wasn’t afraid of his intimacy.
Soon, only her undergarments remained, wet against her skin. Yan Xuan’s gaze deepened as he leaned in to kiss her.
His kiss was rough, forceful in its sucking and biting. Ruan Ning pushed him, gasping, “Stop, it hurts.”
Yan Xuan remained silent, removing his own robe. His body pressed tightly against hers, and Ruan Ning realized she had misjudged him – he was a normal man.
She was shocked as he removed her last piece of clothing, kissing where her heart was. His voice was cool: “Only I can be here.”
It’s always been me,” he sighed. “Don’t forget, I’m also a madman; don’t play with fire.”
Light gauze covered Ruan Ning. Yan Xuan carried her back to the bedchamber and placed her on the bed. His body was still wet, leaving damp traces on the bedding. He removed the gauze and wiped her hair dry.
She had thought she could face him calmly, but now she was nervous, quickly pulling the blanket to cover herself. Yan Xuan lifted it again, smiling: “I remember my beloved consort didn’t used to hide from me like this.”
Ruan Ning’s face turned completely red.
“Ruan Ning,” Yan Xuan held her bare shoulders, forcing her to look at him for the first time. “From now on, you can only be mine.”
His kisses fell densely, alternating between gentle and passionate. Ruan Ning was entranced, her mind blank, the world disappearing, leaving only his blurry face.
At the final moment, Yan Xuan stopped, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
Ruan Ning breathed heavily, feeling tense and suffocating. Just then, Yan Xuan moved closer, gently comforting her: “Sleep.”
Ruan Ning clung to his neck, voice hoarse: “A Mo…”
Yan Xuan closed his eyes, sighing as he kissed her, lingering and entangled. Ruan Ning held him tightly, greedily enjoying his warmth, until she fell asleep, exhausted and disappointed, tears in her eyes.
Yan Xuan never slept, gently wiping the tears from the corner of her eye until her breathing became steady. He carefully moved her arm and quietly got out of bed. Putting on his robe, he went outside where Gao Song waited in the darkness.
“Your Majesty,” Gao Song softly called.
“Is it clear?” Yan Xuan asked.
“Two were dug out from Qi Xia Palace and have been detained. Tonight’s guard duty was arranged by Sui Huan, and the people around the Imperial Consort were also dispersed by him. I’ve ordered a complete change of guards,” Gao Song replied.
Yan Xuan coldly smiled. “Isn’t Sui Jin fighting with him to the death? Have him fully manage the palace defense this time, with Sui Huan as his deputy. After obtaining their testimony, hand the two from Qi Xia Palace over to Sui Jin. He knows how to speak to the Sui family.”
The Sui family, a centuries-old clan with hidden power, had internal factions, and Sui Huan was just one of the candidates. Yan Xuan reflected on how interests could turn everyone into madmen, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
“Yes,” Gao Song agreed, looking at Yan Xuan expectantly. “Did Your Majesty favor the Imperial Consort?”
Yan Xuan shook his head.
Gao Song hesitated before saying, “Your Majesty is in your prime and should leave an heir to secure the kingdom…”
Yan Xuan replied lightly, “It’s better to break the bloodline of madmen.”
Ning Ye’s tears dampened a small spot on Ruan Ning’s shoulder. She remained silent but found a piece of paper slipped into her palm. Looking up in surprise, she saw Ning Ye, tearful, blink at her and call out, “Sister, you must help us!”
After Ning Ye left, Ruan Ning hadn’t found a chance to read the note. Yan Xuan stayed by her side, engaging her in idle conversation. After dinner, he suddenly pulled her up and said, “My beloved, come soak in the hot spring with me.”
The paper remained hidden in her sleeve. Knowing she couldn’t go—her secrets would be exposed once her clothes were off—Ruan Ning made an excuse: “Your Majesty can go; I’ll wait here.”
“I want you to accompany me,” Yan Xuan smiled, gently scratching her palm.
“I get dizzy when I soak,” Ruan Ning lied.
Yan Xuan looked at her, smiled again, and asked, “Really not going?”
“Not going,” Ruan Ning replied, shaking her head.
Yan Xuan’s lips formed a bleak arc as he turned and left.
When the room was empty, Ruan Ning opened the paper.
It was a simple map marking a location in Yan Xuan’s palace, with Sui Huan’s writing below: “A Ruan, find a way to get something from here.”
Ruan Ning instinctively burned the map, the black ash falling on the table.
This was her beauty trap: to gain Yan Xuan’s trust, enter his palace, and retrieve what Sui Huan needed. Unfortunately, she was not the original body.
Her feelings for Sui Huan were limited to gratitude and sympathy for his unrequited love, while Yan Xuan had accompanied, teased, and protected her. He was her sick, obsessive lover.
Ruan Ning carefully swept the ash into her palm, planning to discreetly dispose of it when the door opened and Yan Xuan walked in.
“My beloved, what are you holding?” Yan Xuan saw it at a glance.
“Nothing, nothing,” Ruan Ning felt guilty, trying to hide her hand.
“Is it something Ning Ye brought?” Yan Xuan smiled, his eyes calm and unreadable.
Ruan Ning was shocked. He seemed to know everything! Recalling his repeated invitations to join him, she understood he wanted her to speak up voluntarily.
Her heart turned cold. Should she explain? But how?
Ruan Ning lowered her head, her throat choked: “Yes.”
Yan Xuan approached, slowly opening her hand. A small pile of fine paper ash lay in her palm, burned clean, with no trace of its previous contents.
Yan Xuan’s eyes darkened as he turned to leave.
Ruan Ning rushed to hug Yan Xuan from behind, tightly holding his waist: “A Mo, I was wrong. Don’t go.”
Yan Xuan pried her fingers off one by one, forcing a smile: “It was my mistake.”
He stepped to leave again, but Ruan Ning immediately hugged him once more, pressing her cheek against his back: “A Mo, I was wrong. Don’t go…”
Unable to see his face, she only heard his lonely heartbeat. Tears welled up; she had truly made a mistake and shouldn’t have hurt him.
“What did he want you to do?” Yan Xuan’s voice was cold.
“The map of your palace,” Ruan Ning spoke incoherently, “I don’t know what he wanted to find.”
Yan Xuan suddenly turned, gripping her throat with cruel eyes: “I’ve already told him no women are allowed in the palace.”
A tear fell on his hand, followed by others. As clarity returned to his eyes, he removed his hand from her neck, hesitantly embracing her waist, and said in a hoarse voice: “It’s me.”
Ruan Ning burst into uncontrollable sobs.
Yan Xuan bit his lip and picked her up, rustling to find the bruise-healing ointment. He placed her on his lap and carefully applied it to her neck, where two finger marks remained from when he had first laid hands on her. Though he tried his best to resist, he had still given him an opportunity.
“I’m sorry,” Yan Xuan murmured, not daring to look into her eyes. He had never despised himself as much as he did now. He was a madman, a murderer, with an unspeakable past and an uncontrollable self. He had wanted to protect her but had still hurt her because of his unwillingness and jealousy.
“I’m sorry,” Ruan Ning said, turning her face away as tears fell. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have hidden things from you. I won’t do this again.”
Yan Xuan was stunned but finally dared to face her. Her tear-streaked face was more real than ever. Even if she was just temporarily placating him, he would accept it.
