Chapter 17:- Receiving His Punishment

“Does it still disgust you?”

He suddenly slackened his hold and asked the question out of nowhere.

Jiang Rao lay limp on the couch, her eyes blank with daze. Then she shook her head.

She actually didn’t resist him at all.

Feeling the truth of that in her own heart, Jiang Rao frowned slightly, ashamed at how soft she’d become.

“Forget everything unpleasant that happened in the alley today.” Chen Lian’s voice was hoarse and low, his gaze deep with a darkness that seemed to drag them both down.

Jiang Rao’s lashes trembled. Out of the corner of her eye she caught the crimson on his lips, so vivid it startled her. He really had gone too far.

“If your shoulder still hurts, then remember this, you were bullied only by me today. You’re not allowed to remember anyone else. Understand?”

His tone changed; rarely for him, it carried the weight of command.

Jiang Rao stared at him blankly for a beat, then nodded.

So this was what he meant: he wanted to use intensity to erase her memory of fear.

He hesitated, lips parting, then asked, “You… truly don’t hate me for treating you this way?”

Her face burned crimson. In a small, soft voice she murmured, “I once treated you lightly the same way… you bit back, it’s only fair.”

Chen Lian drew out a long “oh,” half-squinting at her. Then, as though enlightened, he said, “So that’s how the account is settled.”

At once he agreed, “Indeed, perfectly fair.”

And he leaned toward her again. “Don’t.” Enough was enough.

Even if there was truly a debt between them, he had already made her repay it tenfold.

“If we’re being fair,” he said, “then we must count the interest too.”

“The interest… should already be repaid,” she argued shakily, trying to reason with him.

“Not enough…”

The righteousness in his tone made her eyes sting. Nearly in tears, she clutched at his clothes with trembling fingers.

Inwardly she thought: I’ve already given him this body, he mustn’t bully me again, he mustn’t leave me to fend for myself when trouble comes.

—-

When she returned to the residence, Jiang Rao pretended as though nothing had happened.
When her second brother asked why she was so late, she merely said she’d been delayed while shopping.

Once back in her own Qiongju Pavilion, the very first thing she did was sink into a hot bath, scrubbing herself clean from head to toe.

The room was shut tight; she didn’t summon Chunxing or Xiaotao to attend her. Afterward she slipped on only a light inner robe, half-covered, and sat before the bronze mirror at her dressing table.

Her face was still flushed, and at last she could see it clearly.

When her gaze drifted downward, she froze in thought.

On her left shoulder, the faint red marks left earlier by that man’s grip were now hidden beneath deeper traces, what they were needed no explanation. The more she looked, the hotter her cheeks burned. She quickly gathered her robe closed and hurried to sip the tea on the table to cool herself.

Then she simply turned the mirror around, preferring not to see at all.

She had been entirely mistaken.

In her previous life, she’d heard all kinds of rumors, and had formed the rigid impression that Chen Lian was a man of restraint, aloof and self-controlled. But when he handled her in vengeance, there had been not the slightest trace of composure or coolness.

He was more like a wolf who had brought down its prey, baring sharp, merciless fangs.

A faint worry crossed Jiang Rao’s face.

Her original plan had been to wait half a month, to let him stew in his suppressed desire until he reached the brink, then appear at just the right moment to grant him a taste of sweetness. That way he would surrender to her completely.

But…

She had never expected he would disdain endurance altogether.

Chen Lian was far more domineering than she’d imagined; his edge far sharper.

When she provoked his craving, he hadn’t held back, he had simply pulled her into his arms and bit her, uncaring that she was to be the Crown Prince’s future consort, uncaring whose noble daughter she was. If she roused him, she would bear his punishment.

After all, she herself had once told him that she could stop being the Crown Prince’s woman.

Lying sprawled on the couch, Jiang Rao couldn’t stop her thoughts from wandering. Her mind full of worry, she still consoled herself that though things had gone off course, perhaps it wasn’t entirely bad.

He might not have yielded to her, but he seemed to revel in the power of pressing her beneath him.
If that was what pleased him, and then she didn’t need to fight for dominance as long as she could keep him entangled, she could at least secure his protection in the future.

Turning the thought over, she felt a little calmer.

Lifting her teacup, she unconsciously brushed her fingers over the marks along her collarbone.

So many, and so dark, she couldn’t bear to look directly at them.

She gave a small hum, murmuring under her breath, “Chen Lian, you’re much worse than I ever imagined.”

—-

Not long after, the Marquis of Jing’an Residence received an invitation from Her Majesty the Empress, summoning the young ladies of the capital’s noble families to attend the opening performance of the Imperial Horse Fair.

Jiang Rao had already planned to participate this year, and with Ge Ruyan currently staying at the marquisate, she took advantage of the opportunity to practice alongside her every day.

This time, one might say she’d gone back on her word, after all, she had once begged Chen Lian to teach her, only to turn around and heartlessly switch to another instructor.

On the day of the Horse Fair’s opening, everyone gathered at the largest raceground in the capital, the Xi Bi Riding Grounds.

This place was several times larger than the Yunhua Riding Grounds. The grounds were vast, and the horses kept here were of the highest quality. It was not a venue open to the public except by special imperial decree.

Today’s event was lively and grand, but since the Empress was reportedly unwell and could not attend, the one presiding over the opening ceremony was Her Highness the Noble Consort.

Since the Noble Consort herself appeared, His Highness Prince Rui and Princess Chaoyang naturally came as well to make an appearance.

Though Prince Rui did not enjoy the same political prestige as the Crown Prince or Prince Chen, he was immensely popular among the ladies of the inner chambers as simply because he loved to jest, and his words toward women were always dripping with honeyed sweetness.

To put it plainly, he was a flirtatious prince; a free-spirited, roguish young man.

When Jiang Rao and her group entered the grounds, they saw Prince Rui approach with a bright grin.
As always, his words were teasing and frivolous, “Oh? Why don’t I see my fairy-like Sister Ah-Yuan today?”

Jiang Ming replied simply, “Elder Sister has never been fond of such events.”

“What a pity,” Prince Rui sighed, then glanced at Jiang Rao. His expression instantly shifted from regret to delight. “Well, if I can’t see my fairy sister, then I’ll have to feast my eyes on this beautiful little sister instead, otherwise this trip would have been in vain!”

Jiang Rao felt terribly awkward at his flattery. “Your Highness overpraises.”

He looked her up and down for a moment, then clicked his tongue, his tone regretful again.
“Tsk. Such beauty… and she ends up with my Crown Prince brother. What a waste.”

“Your Highness!” Jiang Ming stepped forward, frowning, blocking Jiang Rao from view.
His voice was stern as he reminded the prince to mind his rank. “Please watch your words.”

But Prince Rui merely burst out laughing, utterly unbothered. “Just a joke, General Jiang must you be so protective?”

Before Jiang Ming could reply, everyone’s attention was suddenly drawn to a group of young men galloping across the field. Their horsemanship was impeccable, each movement precise and powerful and the ten horses they rode were all rare Ferghana blood-sweating steeds, gleaming like fire in the sun.

They were part of the tribute horses sent by the defeated Northern Barbarians last month, newly arrived in the capital.

Most of the young ladies present were still unmarried. Watching the men gallop so freely under the sun, their strength and sweat carrying a primal allure, many hearts secretly fluttered. Several of them even stole shy, sidelong glances.

Especially the man leading the group, he wore a tailored black riding coat, his waist cinched tightly by a leather belt, his tall boots pressing against the stirrups. His control of the horse was as smooth as wind; the sound of the whip cracked sharply through the air.

Jiang Rao couldn’t take her eyes off him either. Just then, she felt a faint tingling itch at her left shoulder. She forced herself to maintain a calm expression, but behind her, a few noble girls were already whispering excitedly.

“Who’s that man in front? So handsome, how have I never seen him before?”

Another girl replied, “I only recognize the third rider, he’s the young heir of the Earl’s Mansion.
Behind him is the eldest son of the Imperial Uncle’s family. As for the one in the lead… I don’t know.
But his riding skills alone outshine everyone else, like a solitary star far ahead of the pack.”

The first girl blushed but spoke boldly, “You’re admiring his riding skills; I’m admiring his face.
He’s leagues above the others in looks. His family must be prominent, I’d dearly like to make his acquaintance.”

“How can you say such things? Have you no shame?”

“Don’t tease me, Sister.”

The chatter ended there.

Jiang Rao knew it was rude to eavesdrop, but she was standing right beside them so the words drifted to her ears uninvited. Before she knew it, her heart flared with irritation, a sudden, unreasonable sense of threat, as if something that belonged to her was being coveted by others.

Carrying that faint resentment, she deliberately cast a sidelong glance at Chen Lian, pretending it was unintentional. The sight only made her more displeased.

He was usually dressed casually and simple, so why today, when there were so many young women watching, had he chosen to appear so striking, so dazzling?

In a fit of pique, she decided not to look at him again.

Once seated in the viewing pavilion, Jiang Rao noticed that not only was Prince Rui present, but even the Crown Prince and Prince Chen had come as well. A closer look revealed that many young noblemen had also taken their seats.

She was just wondering why there were so many men at what was supposed to be a ladies’ exhibition event when she heard the Noble Consort speak, her brows arched in flirtatious amusement.

“Since this year’s opening is hosted by this palace,” she said, “it’s only proper that some rules be changed. In previous years, under the Empress’s direction, the men’s and women’s races were held separately; far too dull for my liking. So this year, this palace shall take the liberty of allowing the gentlemen and the ladies to compete together.”

That was an open and blatant slight toward the Empress.

But who would dare refuse the Noble Consort’s word?

Though the Empress held the noble rank of the Inner Palace, she had no children of her own.
The Noble Consort, however, had been blessed not only with Princess Chaoyang, but also with Prince Rui, who was favored deeply by His Majesty. She was flourishing like spring itself; confident and unrestrained.

Still, the Empress was the Crown Prince’s maternal aunt. Her family remained one of the Crown Prince’s strongest backers.

Jiang Rao considered this, and then glanced discreetly toward the Crown Prince to observe his reaction. But to her surprise, his face was calm and utterly unmoved, as though his mother’s dignity being slighted meant nothing at all.

She was about to turn away when the Crown Prince caught her looking. Jiang Rao frowned slightly, but politeness forced her to offer a small, stiff smile.

The Crown Prince gazed at her with eyes full of gentle warmth.

This time, Jiang Rao gave no response, she averted her gaze abruptly.

Unfortunately, the entire exchange had been noticed by the Noble Consort.

A moment later, her teasing voice rang out, “This palace truly finds you young people amusing, so many people around, yet you can’t restrain yourselves a little.”

Jiang Rao’s heart sank.

Sure enough, the Noble Consort wouldn’t let it go. She covered her mouth and laughed softly, eyes full of feigned helplessness.

“Crown Prince, this palace was talking about you. Everyone knows that the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Jing’an is to be your future Crown Princess. Why so impatient? Must you put on a show of flirting before us all?”

Flirting?

Jiang Rao gritted her teeth in silent fury.

But with their difference in rank, she couldn’t refute it publicly.

The Crown Prince reacted quickly. “Your Highness jests. We merely exchanged a polite nod as for flirting, please don’t tease us so before everyone.”

His tone carried a deliberate hint of intimacy.

Jiang Rao didn’t respond at once. Instead, her instincts led her to look toward the field below.

Amidst the blur of movement and crowd, her gaze instantly found the tall, commanding figure of Chen Lian.

He sat astride his horse, posture erect and expression cold, watching the farce unfold on the stage above, without sparing her a single glance.

Author’s Note:

A’Lian: Oh? Flirting, was it?
Rao’er: I’m not, I didn’t, I don’t know anything! (Triple denial!)